bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Instant and Mobile Electrochemical Quantification of Inorganic Phosphorus in Soil Extracts
Authors: Zeitoun Reem , Biswas Asim
Published: November 2020

Phosphorous (P) is critical for food production and is vital to both plant and animal life. Measurement and management of soil P are crucial for soil fertility maintenance and optimum plant growth while reducing P losses from agricultural fields and improving downstream water quality. Several costly and time-consuming analytical methods provide offsite P analysis, while onsite sensor-based P analysis method shows the potential to provide fast and cost-effective P measurements. This study presented a portable electrochemical adaptation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended colorimetric method for measuring inorganic P. In this research, cyclic voltammetry was used to quantify inorganic P in the range between 0.25 and 3.08 mg · l−1 (typical soil P range). The limit of detection achieved was 0.18 mg · l−1. Other common ions did not interfere with P detection and confirmed P selectivity. Unlike the EPA recommended method, this method only required molybdate ions as the complexing agent. Processed soil samples in the laboratory were used to validate this method against inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy. This method showed an average recovery of 98.27% of P, highlighting its suitability for field P measurements. The proposed electrochemical approach is promising for low-cost, simple, and portable infield soil P tests.
Species Diversity, Growth, Status, and Biovolume of Taia River Riparian Forest in Southern Sierra Leone: Implications for Community-Based Conservation
Authors: Fayiah Moses , Kallon Baimba F. , Dong Shikui , James Mathew S. , Singh Sanjay , Dang Qing-Lai
Published: November 2020

Riparian forest inventory is essential in understanding the floristic biodiversity and provides necessary information on the growth trend and status of plant diversity along forest ecosystem, especially the riparian forests. This study was undertaken to assess the species diversity, growth status, and bio-volume of Taia riparian forest for community-based conservation intervention. In this study, we enumerated 602 individual trees, which comprised 49 species that belong to 37 genera in 25 families. In total, 14 rectangular plots of dimension 20 × 50 m2 were demarcated. All trees species within the sampled plots having diameter at breast height [Dbh] ≥7 cm were identified and height measured using the Haga altimeter, girth and measuring tape to determine the growth status. The result shows that 83% of the trees enumerated have [Dbh] that range from 7 to 30 cm, whereas 17% had [Dbh] greater than 30 cm. Funtumia africana and Trichilia heudelotii were the dominant species in almost all aspects in the study area. Meliaceae, Apocynaceae, and Mimosaceae were the dominant families with the highest species. The Shannon diversity index was 3.094, whereas the Simpson and Evenness diversity was 0.9303 and 0.4502, respectively. Other diversity indices estimated were Margalef 7.544, Equitability 0.7949, and Fisher_alpha 12.77. The overall biovolume was 283.05 m,3 with a total basal cover of 12.54 m2. Height and [Dbh] were not significantly correlated with the biovolume. Biotic pressure such as fuelwood collection, unsustainable charcoal production, pole harvesting, bushfires, and other traditional and cultural functions contributes greatly to the exploitation of the riparian forest. Therefore, urgent strategic conservation and protection measures should be adopted to prevent further degradation of forest ecosystems along river banks in the district and other ecologies in Sierra Leone.
An Improved Iterated Local Search Algorithm for the Static Partial Repositioning Problem in Bike-Sharing System
Authors: Tang Qiong , Fu Zhuo , Zhang Dezhi , Qiu Meng , Li Minyi
Published: November 2020

In this paper, a single-vehicle static partial repositioning problem (SPRP) is investigated, which distinguishes the user dissatisfaction generated by different stations. The overall objective of the SPRP is to minimize the weighted sum of the total operational time and the total absolute deviation from the target number of bikes at all stations. An iterated local search is developed to solve this problem. A novel loading and unloading quantity adjustment operator is proposed to further improve the quality of the solution. Experiments are conducted on a set of instances from 30 to 300 stations to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed customized solution algorithm as well as the adjustment operator. Using a small example, this paper also reveals that the unit penalty cost has an effect on the repositioning strategies.
Antioviposition and Reduction of Callosobruchus chinensis Pic. 1902 (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) Emergence on Phaseolus vulgaris by Dioscorea sansibarensis Powder and Its Chemical Composition
Authors: Mauti Godfrey O. , Kasigwa Peter F. , Onguso Justus M.
Published: November 2020

Callosobruchus chinensis causes damage to the Phaseolus vulgaris seeds. Traditionally, Dioscorea sansibarensis serves as a medicinal plant. Naturally, D. sansibarensis has toxins that protect against herbivores and the surrounding invasive plants in its natural habitat. Phytochemical analysis by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and laboratory experiments was carried out to determine the activity of D. sansibarensis leaves, bulbils, and yams powders on antioviposition and inhibition of the F1 emergence of C. chinensis. Bioassay data were subjected to nonparametric (Kolmogorov–Smirnov) statistical analysis and a generalized linear model at

P
≤
0.05

. Statistically, the powders had an antioviposition activity of 34.3% (R2 = 0.343). A recommendable activity on antioviposition was displayed by the yams powder; treatment by 0.8 g of yams powder had a Wald Chi-Square value of 1.291,

P
=
0.26

. Inhibition of F1 emergence was significantly attained by the yams powder; the treatment by 0.6 g of yams powder had a Wald Chi-Square value of 7.72,

P
=
0.01

. Statistically, the bulbils powder displayed low antioviposition and inhibition of F1 emergence. Observations on the TLC exposed compounds with similar Rf values; saponin with an Rf value of 0.72 was portrayed in the leaves, bulbils, and yams. A terpenoid and a flavonoid with Rf values of 0.37 and 0.71, respectively, were observed in bulbils and yams but absent in leaves. A terpenoid with an Rf value of 0.49 was visualized in leaves and bulbils but not in the yams powder. The study concluded that the D. sansibarensis yams and leaves powders are viable for application by the farmers in the protection of stored legumes against attack by C. chinensis. However, there may be other diverse interests in other storage insects and other methods of phytochemical analysis that have not been investigated.
The Application of 99mTc‐DTPA Renal Dynamic Imaging to Measuring Renal Function of Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia after Induction Therapy
Authors: Wang Lidan , Chen Kailan , Xu Qiong
Published: November 2020

Purpose. The study was aimed at assessing renal functions of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) after induction therapy by 99mTc‐DTPA renal dynamic imaging Gates method (GFRGates) and investigating whether renal function after induction therapy will affect the occurrence of high‐dose methotrexate‐ (HDMTX‐) induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods. Children with newly diagnosed ALL were enrolled. Renal functions before the administration of HDMTX were assessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and GFRGates, respectively, before the first cycle of HDMTX after induction therapy. The areas under the ROC curve were used to assess covariates’ ability to predict HDMTX‐induced AKI. Results. 102 children with ALL were included in the study. A stepwise backward binary logistic regression showed that only standardized GFRGates was an independent risk factor for HDMTX‐induced AKI (p = 0.018, odds ratio 0.985, 95% CI 0.972‐0.997). The area under the ROC of standardized GFRGates was 0.679 (p = 0.012, 95% CI 0.554‐0.804). Conclusion. Standardized GFRGates showed that the normal renal function of children is not enough to be used as a cutoff point to predict HDMTX‐induced AKI in ALL children receiving HDMTX. More attention and supportive care should be given to the children with standardized GFRGates lower than the cutoff value to avoid the HDMTX‐induced AKI.
A Firework-Based GMPPT with Variable Sampling Time for PV Systems
Authors: Khalessi N. , Niroomand M. , Dadkhah J. , Nikouei S. Y.
Published: November 2020

Photovoltaic systems have a nonlinear characteristic in which there is one optimum operating point called Maximum Power Point (MPP). However, when PV panels are partially shaded by surrounding objects, there are several MPPs, of which one of them is Global MPP (GMPP). Therefore, conventional Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms get trapped into local MPPs. As a result, a multitude of Global MPPT (GMPPT) algorithms have been proposed. An outstanding GMPPT algorithm as well as the fast-tracking speed should find GMPP in complicated shading patterns where not only there are lots of MPPs, but also the peaks are close together. Therefore, in this paper, a novel GMPPT based on firework algorithm is proposed which is able to find GMPP in complicated shading patterns with fast tracking speed. Moreover, the firework is combined with Perturb-and-Observe (P&O) algorithm to reduce the computational effort in a way that the firework is only used to recognize GMPP; afterwards, P&O algorithm completes the tracking. Furthermore, the variable sampling time technique, based on the system settling time, speeds up the tracking process considerably. Finally, the proposed method is compared with previous works, simulated, and implemented on an experimental setup to prove its superiority.
Effects of Paper Mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) Leaf Extract on Growth Performance and Fecal Microflora of Weaned Piglets
Authors: Chen Guoshun , Shui Shengzhang , Chai Mingjie , Wang Dong , Su Yingyu , Wu Hongbin , Sui Xiaodong , Yin Yulong
Published: November 2020

The paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) leaf is rich in alkaloids and flavonoids, which has high medicinal and feeding value. We aimed to analyze the effects of B. papyrifera leaf extract on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, immune functions, and fecal microflora of weaned piglets. Thirty healthy, 28‐day‐old piglets were randomly assigned to three groups and fed with a basal diet supplemented with 0, 150, and 300 g/t B. papyrifera leaf extract for 42 days (control group, group I, and group II) separately. The result revealed that the final weight of piglets in group II was higher than the other groups, and the diarrhea rate in this group was 62.9% lower than in the control group. The feed conversion ratio in group I was significantly lower than the other two groups. Higher blood urine nitrogen concentration was noted in group II, higher glutathione peroxidase and catalase in group II, higher superoxide dismutase in the control group, and higher immune globulins (Ig) IgG, IgA, and IgM in group II. There was no significant difference in community richness and community diversity among the three groups of fecal samples. The relative level of Roseburia was higher in groups I and II, while Lactobacillus was higher in the control group. In conclusion, supplementation with B. papyrifera leaf extract at a certain dosage can increase growth performance and antioxidant capacity of weaned piglets, reduce the occurrence of diarrhea, enhance immune functions and disease resistance, and affect the composition of fecal microflora.
Macrophage Deficiency Makes Intestinal Epithelial Cells Susceptible to NSAID‐Induced Damage
Authors: Wang Xinxin , Wang Jiayang , Xie Tianyu , Li Shuo , Wu Di , Lu Yixun , Guo Xin , Chen Lin
Published: November 2020

Objectives. In Crohn’s disease (CD), the mechanisms underlying the regulation by granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) of mucosal barrier function in the ileum are unclear. We analyzed the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation by GM‐CSF of the mucosal barrier function. Methods. We examined the role of GM‐CSF in the intestinal barrier function in CD at the molecular‐, cellular‐, and animal‐model levels. Results. Macrophages directly secreted GM‐CSF, promoting intestinal epithelial proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis, which maintained intestinal barrier function. Macrophages were absent in NSAID‐induced ileitis, causing GM‐CSF deficiency, increasing the apoptosis rate, decreasing the proliferation rate, increasing inter‐ and paracellular permeabilities, decreasing the TJP levels, and reducing the numbers of mesenteric lymph nodes, memory T cells, and regulatory T cells in Csf1op/op transgenic mice. Conclusions. GM‐CSF is required for the maintenance of intestinal barrier function. Macrophages directly secrete GM‐CSF, promoting intestinal epithelial proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis.
Mechanisms Underlying the Cardioprotection of YangXinDingJi Capsule against Myocardial Ischemia in Rats
Authors: Liu Miaomiao , Xue Yurun , Liang Yingran , Xue Yucong , Han Xue , Li Ziliang , Chu Li
Published: November 2020

Background. YangXinDingJi (YXDJ) capsule is one of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) derived from Zhigancao decoction, which is usually used for the treatment of cardiovascular disease in China. Aim of the Study. Cardiovascular events are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Myocardial ischemia (MI) severely reduces myocyte longevity and function. The YangXinDingJi (YXDJ) capsule has been used in the treatment of clinical cardiac disease in China. Nevertheless, the underlying cellular mechanisms for the benefits to heart function resulting from the use of this capsule are still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of the YXDJ on isoprenaline‐induced MI in rats and to clarify its underlying myocardial protective mechanisms based on L‐type calcium channels and myocardial contractility. Materials and Methods. Rats were randomly divided into five groups with ten rats in each group: (1) control; (2) ISO‐induced model; (3) high‐dose YXDJ (2.8 g/kg/day intraperitoneally for five days), (4) low‐dose YXDJ (1.4 g/kg/day for five days); and (5) verapamil (n = 10 in each group). Isoproterenol (ISO) was injected subcutaneously for two consecutive days to induce the rat model of MI. Heart and biochemical parameters were obtained. The patch‐clamp technique was used to observe the regulatory effects of YXDJ on the L‐type calcium current (ICa-L) in isolated cardiomyocytes. An IonOptix MyoCam detection system was used to observe the contractility of YXDJ on isolated cardiomyocytes. Results. YXDJ caused a significant improvement in pathological heart morphology and alleviated oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Exposure to YXDJ caused a decrease in blockade of ICa-L in a concentration‐dependent manner. Conclusions. The results indicate that YXDJ significantly inhibited inflammatory cytokine expressions, oxidative stress, and L‐type Ca2+ channels, and decreased contractility in isolated rat cardiomyocytes. These findings may be relevant to the cardioprotective efficacy of YXDJ.
Intelligent Classification Method for Tunnel Lining Cracks Based on PFC-BP Neural Network
Authors: Ding Hao , Jiang Xinghong , Li Ke , Guo Hongyan , Li Wenfeng
Published: November 2020

Tunnel lining crack is the most common disease and also the manifestation of other diseases, which widely exists in plain concrete lining structure. Proper evaluation and classification of engineering conditions directly relate to operation safety. Particle flow code (PFC) calculation software is applied in this study, and the simulation reliability is verified by using the laboratory axial compression test and 1 : 10 model experiment to calibrate the calculation parameters. Parameter analysis is carried out focusing on the load parameters, structural parameters, dimension, and direction which affect the crack diseases. Based on that, an evaluation index system represented by tunnel buried depth (H), crack position (P), crack length (L), crack width (W), crack depth (D), and crack direction (A) is put forward. The training data of the back propagation (BP) neural network which takes load-bearing safety and crack stability as the evaluation criteria are obtained. An expert system is introduced into the BP neural network for correction of prediction results, realizing classified dynamic optimization of complex engineering conditions. The results of this study can be used to judge the safety state of cracked lining structure and provide guidance to the prevention and control of crack diseases, which is significant to ensure the safety of tunnel operation.
Study on Strength and Permeability of Silt Soils Improving by Tung Oil and Sticky Rice Juice
Authors: Tang Xiao-Wu , Yu Yue , Zhou Li-Pei , Fei Min-Liang , Sun Guo-Ping
Published: November 2020

Tianluoshan site (5000∼2500 BC), which belongs to the Hemudu culture, has suffered damages from the hydraulic effect like other Chinese earthen sites in moist circumstance. Tung oil and sticky rice juice, as Chinese traditional building materials, were chosen as the additives in this study. Tung oil has the property of good waterproofness, fast dry‐up, and quick film‐forming by oxidation. Sticky rice juice has the advantage of high glutinousness, good tenacity, and low expandability. The study is to figure out the best performing mixture of tung oil and sticky rice juice to decrease the permeability of soil and increase its strength to facilitate excavations at archeological sites enlarging the display of layers of cultures. Meanwhile, the color of the site soil after reinforcement must be maintained for a long time. From the direct shear tests and the falling head test of 9 specimens mixed in different mass ratios, it was confirmed that the optimal mass ratio of the tung oil, the sticky rice juice, and the soil was 5 : 10 : 85. The treated soil specimen of the optimal mass ratio had the largest increment of shearing strength. The self‐standing height of the vertical soil wall increases correspondingly from 2.63 m to 6.18 m, which could enlarge the step height when excavating a deep earthen site and extend the display height at the protection stage. The treated soil at the optimal mass ratio also showed the largest decrement of permeability coefficient from 1.257 × 10−5 cm/s of the untreated soil to 1.627 × 10−6 cm/s, which could reduce the hydraulic effect to the soil. The microstructures of the 9 specimens in different mass ratios were observed by SEM. The results showed that the glutinousness of sticky rice juice could cohere soil particles together, and the tung oil could then form oxidation film wrapping around the particle groups. In order to meet the aesthetic requirements of earthen sites conservation, the surface color contrast tests were used to measure the color change induced by the two additives. The surface contrast tests showed that the treated soil at the optimal mass ratio had the minimum variation of the surface, which could satisfy the basic requirements of earthen sites protection.
Multisystem Optimization for an Integrated Production Scheduling with Resource Saving Problem in Textile Printing and Dyeing
Authors: Ma Haiping , Sun Chao , Wang Jinglin , Yang Zhile , Zhou Huiyu
Published: November 2020

Resource saving has become an integral aspect of manufacturing in industry 4.0. This paper proposes a multisystem optimization (MSO) algorithm, inspired by implicit parallelism of heuristic methods, to solve an integrated production scheduling with resource saving problem in textile printing and dyeing. First, a real-world integrated production scheduling with resource saving is formulated as a multisystem optimization problem. Then, the MSO algorithm is proposed to solve multisystem optimization problems that consist of several coupled subsystems, and each of the subsystems may contain multiple objectives and multiple constraints. The proposed MSO algorithm is composed of within-subsystem evolution and cross-subsystem migration operators, and the former is to optimize each subsystem by excellent evolution operators and the later is to complete information sharing between multiple subsystems, to accelerate the global optimization of the whole system. Performance is tested on a set of multisystem benchmark functions and compared with improved NSGA-II and multiobjective multifactorial evolutionary algorithm (MO-MFEA). Simulation results show that the MSO algorithm is better than compared algorithms for the benchmark functions studied in this paper. Finally, the MSO algorithm is successfully applied to the proposed integrated production scheduling with resource saving problem, and the results show that MSO is a promising algorithm for the studied problem.
Synthesis and Optical Properties of Triphenylene-Based Donor-Donor and Donor-Acceptor Conjugated Polymers: A Comparative Study
Authors: Li Yong , Nguyen Dung D. , Shetye Kuldeep , Peng Zhonghua
Published: November 2020

Two new conjugated polymers (P1 and P2), containing a bithiophene donor unit coupled with either a triphenylene donor unit or an imide-functionalized triphenylene acceptor unit in the backbone, have been synthesized, structurally characterized, and comparatively studied by using 1H NMR, FT-IR, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, cyclic voltammetry, ultraviolet-visible absorption, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Both polymers are amorphous in nature and thermally stable up to 450°C. The inclusion of the imide functionalization in the triphenylene unit significantly lowered the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy level and thus the bandgap of the donor-acceptor polymer P2 over the donor-donor polymer P1. P1 and P2 show very different optical properties in hexane and other solvents. P1 shows a broad emission in hexane but vibronically structured emissions in other solvents; in contrast, P2 exhibits a vibronically resolved emission in hexane, while exhibiting redshifted, broad, and featureless emissions in other solvents. P1 takes a random coil conformation in good solvents like p-xylene, benzene, toluene, anisole, chloroform, THF, and o-dichlorobenzene, whereas in hexane, it may adopt a helical folding conformation. In the poor solvent DMSO, interchain aggregates dominate. P2, on the other hand, adopts a random coil conformation in hexane but possibly the helical folding conformation in other good solvents. The opposite conformations of the two polymers may be responsible for their opposite solvent-dependent fluorescence properties. By virtue of the very different fluorescence properties of these two polymers in nonpolar solvents such as hexane and in polar solvents, the potential of using the polymers to detect the trace amount of ethanol content that is added to gasoline has been revealed with high sensitivity.
Complex Network Minority Game Model for the Financial Market Modeling and Simulation
Authors: Chen Lingyun
Published: November 2020

This paper proposes a new financial market model based on the analysis of the minority game model. The agent in this model forms a network through information sharing, and the agent uses the minority game model to realize the evolution of the system. To better describe the financial market, we also adopt a prior connection strategy for the model. The network formed by the agent has the characteristics of a scale-free network, and as the initial network connection probability increases, the growth rate of the corresponding agent’s average connection degree increases and then decreases after reaching the peak.
Study on Flexural Behaviour of Box Section Bamboo‐Steel Composite Beams
Authors: Shan Qifeng , Zhang Jialiang , Tong Keting , Li Yushun
Published: November 2020

To take full advantages of the bamboo and cold‐formed thin‐walled steel, a new type of box section beam combined with bamboo and steel channel was proposed in this paper. Five composite beams with different parameters were tested to evaluate the effects of bamboo plywood thickness of composite beams and thickness and sectional dimension of steel channel. The results of experiment showed that the proposed composite beams exhibited excellent flexural bearing capacities and stiffness. The increase of bamboo plywood thickness and sectional dimension of steel channel could improve bearing capacity and flexural stiffness of composite beams, while the increase of steel thickness could enhance the bearing capacity and safety margin of composite beams. Furthermore, a new method to predict the deformation and bearing capacities of composite beams was proposed and matched well with the experimental results.
Construction and Validation of a Convenient Clinical Nomogram to Predict the Risk of Brain Metastasis in Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Tong Yuexin , Huang Zhangheng , Hu Chuan , Chi Changxing , Lv Meng , Song Youxin
Published: November 2020

Brain metastasis (BM) is a typical type of metastasis in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients. The early detection of BM is likely a crucial step for RCC patients to receive appropriate treatment and prolong their overall survival. The aim of this study was to identify the independent predictors of BM and construct a nomogram to predict the risk of BM. Demographic and clinicopathological data were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database for RCC patients between 2010 and 2015. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the independent risk factors, and then, a visual nomogram was constructed. Multiple parameters were used to evaluate the discrimination and clinical value. We finally included 42577 RCC patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that histological type, tumor size, bone metastatic status, and lung metastatic status were independent BM‐associated risk factors for RCC. We developed a nomogram to predict the risk of BM in patients with RCC, which showed favorable calibration with a C‐index of 0.924 (0.903‐0.945) in the training cohort and 0.911 (0.871‐0.952) in the validation cohort. The calibration curves and decision curve analysis (DCA) also demonstrated the reliability and accuracy of the clinical prediction model. The nomogram was shown to be a practical, precise, and personalized clinical tool for identifying the RCC patients with a high risk of BM, which not only will contribute to the more reasonable allocation of medical resources but will also enable a further improvements in the prognosis and quality of life of RCC patients.
Material and Technology: Back to the Future for the Choice of Interface for Non-Invasive Ventilation – A Concise Review
Authors: Scala Raffaele , Accurso Giuseppe , Ippolito Mariachiara , Cortegiani Andrea , Iozzo Pasquale , Vitale Filippo , Guidelli Luca , Gregoretti Cesare
Published: November 2020

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) has dramatically changed the treatment of both acute and chronic respiratory failure in the last 2 decades. The success of NIV is correlated to the application of the “best ingredients” of a patient’s “tailored recipe,” including the appropriate choice of the selected candidate, the ventilator setting, the interface, the expertise of the team, and the education of the caregiver. The choice of the interface is crucial for the success of NIV. Type (oral, nasal, nasal pillows, oronasal, hybrid mask, helmet), size, design, material and headgears may affect the patient’s comfort with respect to many aspects, such as air leaks, claustrophobia, skin erythema, eye irritation, skin breakdown, and facial deformity in children. Companies are paying great attention to mask development, in terms of shape, materials, comfort, and leak reduction. Although the continuous development of new products has increased the availability of interfaces and the chance to meet different requirements, in patients necessitating several daily hours of NIV, both in acute and in chronic home setting, the rotational use of different interfaces may remain an excellent strategy to decrease the risk of skin breakdown and to improve patient’s tolerance. The aim of the present review was to give the readers a background on mask technology and materials in order to enhance their “knowledge” in making the right choice for the interface to apply during NIV in the different clinical scenarios.
Potential and Clinical Significance of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography for Evaluating Liver Cancer Response to Lenvatinib Treatment
Authors: Yamashige Daiki , Kawamura Yusuke , Kobayashi Masahiro , Shindoh Junichi , Kobayashi Yuta , Okubo Satoshi , Muraishi Nozomu , Kajiwara Akira , Iritani Soichi , Fujiyama Shunichiro , Hosaka Tetsuya , Saitoh Satoshi , Sezaki Hitomi , Akuta Norio , Suzuki Fumitaka , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Ikeda Kenji , Arase Yasuji , Hashimoto Masaji , Kumada Hiromitsu
Published: November 2020

Background: The sensitivity of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is low; however, clinical evidence demonstrating its prognostic value in patients with HCC has recently been reported. This study aimed to assess the value of 18F-FDG-PET/CT as a tool for evaluating the response of HCC to lenvatinib treatment. Methods: We evaluated 11 consecutive patients with HCC diagnosed by dynamic CT or magnetic resonance imaging combined with 18F-FDG-PET/CT from April 2018 to December 2019. The tumor-to-normal liver ratio (TLR) of the target tumor was measured before and during the course of lenvatinib treatment with 18F-FDG-PET/CT (pre and post analysis, respectively), with a TLR ≥2 classified as PET-positive HCC. At the time of each evaluation, we also used the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1, the modified RECIST (mRECIST), and the tumor marker alfa-fetoprotein (AFP). Results: Of 11 patients, 3 (27%) and 8 (73%) had an objective response to lenvatinib treatment at the time of post-analysis by RECIST 1.1 and mRECIST, respectively. There were 3 (27%) and 7 (64%) patients with PET-positive HCC at the time of pre- and post-analysis, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the rates of change in AFP and TLR during lenvatinib treatment (r = 0.69, p = 0.019). Based on these results, we were able to perform liver resection on 4 patients with PET-positive HCC as conversion therapy. Three samples from these patients showed poorly differentiated tumors. Conclusion: 18F-FDG-PET/CT has potential as an evaluation tool for describing biological tumor behavior and reflecting disease progression, location, and treatment response. This modality may provide useful information for considering prognosis and subsequent therapy.
The Medial Subthalamic Nucleus Border as a New Anatomical Reference in Stereotactic Neurosurgery for Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Bolier Erik , Bot Maarten , van den Munckhof Pepijn , Pal Gian , Sani Sepehr , Verhagen Metman Leo
Published: November 2020

Introduction: The intersection of Bejjani’s line with the well-delineated medial subthalamic nucleus (STN) border on MRI has recently been proposed as an individualized reference in subthalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery for Parkinson’s disease (PD). We, therefore, aimed to investigate the applicability across centers of the medial STN border as a patient-specific reference point in STN DBS for PD and explore anatomical variability between left and right mesencephalic area within patients. Furthermore, we aim to evaluate a recently defined theoretic stimulation “hotspot” in a different center. Methods: Preoperative 3-Tesla T2 and susceptibility-weighted images (SWI) were used to identify the intersection of Bejjani’s line with the medial STN border in left and right mesencephalic area. The average stereotactic coordinates of the center of stimulation relative to the medial STN border were compared with the predefined theoretic stimulation “hotspot.” Results: Fifty-four patients provided 108 stereotactic coordinates of medial STN borders on both sequences. Significant difference in means was found in the Y-(anteroposterior) and Z-(dorsoventral) directions (T2 vs. SWI; p < 0.001). Mean coordinates in the Y-(anteroposterior) direction differed significantly between left and right mesencephalic area (T2: p < 0.001; SWI: p = 0.021). Sixty-six DBS leads were placed in 36 patients that had finished stimulation programming, and the average stereotactic coordinates of the center of stimulation relative to the medial STN border on T2 sequences were 3.1 mm lateral, 0.7 mm anterior, and 1.8 mm superior, in proximity of the predefined theoretic stimulation “hotspot.” Conclusion: The medial STN border is applicable across centers as a reference point for STN DBS surgery for PD and seems suitable in order to account for interindividual and intraindividual anatomical variability if one is aware of the discrepancies between T2-weighted imaging and SWI.
Presence of Tertiary Lymphoid Organ in Nasal Inverted Papilloma Is Correlated with Eosinophil Infiltration and Local Immunoglobulin Production
Authors: Bao Qing , Guo Xue-Xue , Cao Chen , Li Qian-Ying , Sun Lin , Ye Xiao-Yan , Li Li-Yue , Dong Jun-Chao , Gao Yi-Fang , Chen He-Xin , Li Chun-Wei
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Nasal inverted papilloma (NIP) is a benign tumour with multiple inflammatory cell infiltration. Tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs) support local antibody production and play important roles in airway inflammation. However, the evidence of TLOs and local immunoglobulins in NIP has not been reported yet. We investigated the presence of TLOs and immunoglobulins in NIP tissues and their association with the clinical-pathological characteristics of NIPs. Methods: We analyzed the occurrence and composition of TLOs and local immunoglobulins by immunohistochemistry and evaluated the lymph organogenesis associated genes and cytokines by quantitative qPCR and Luminex assays, respectively, in papilloma tissues from 84 NIP cases. Results: TLOs were present in 54% (45/84) of the NIP patients but not in control subjects. TLOs were composed of T cells, B cells, follicular dendritic cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells. Compared to NIP tissues without TLOs, tissues with TLOs showed significantly higher eosinophil infiltration levels (3.5-fold), elevation of lymphorganogenic genes (CXCL12, CXCL13, CCL20, CCL21, CD21L, and lymphotoxin alpha and beta), and increased Th17 (IL-21, IL-22, and GM-CSF) and Th2 (IL-5 and IL-13) cytokine production. Moreover, NIP with TLOs demonstrated a higher number of follicular T helper cells and immunoglobulin-producing plasma cells (CD138+ IgA+, CD138+ IgM+, CD138+ IgE+, and CD138+ IgG+) than those without TLOs, and these antibody-producing cells were positively correlated with the eosinophil number. Conclusion: The high frequency of TLOs and excess local immunoglobulin production are associated with an eosinophilic and Th2 skew microenvironment in the NIP mucosa, which would contribute to an important immunopathogenic response during NIP pathogenesis.
Bilateral Pallidal Stimulation with Directional Leads for Primary Focal Lingual Dystonia
Authors: Asahi Takashi , Ikeda Kiyonobu , Yamamoto Jiro , Tsubono Hiroyuki , Muro Yuko , Sato Shuji
Published: November 2020

There have been limited studies regarding stereotactic and functional neurosurgery for lingual dystonia. Here, we report a patient with primary lingual dystonia who showed significant improvement after bilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS). A 42-year-old woman presented with a 5- to 6-year history of tongue protrusion; however, she lacked a significant medical or medication history before onset. She presented with gradually worsening symptoms and was diagnosed with idiopathic lingual dystonia. Her tongue was injected with botulinum toxin on 6 occasions; however, it had a limited effect. Oral medications were ineffective. She underwent DBS since her involuntary tongue movements were causing nocturnal breathing problems. Directional leads were bilaterally inserted into the internal segment of the globus pallidus (GPi). The directional part of each lead was inserted at the GPi bottom on both sides. The posteromedial contacts were used to deliver stimulation. After 1.5 years, the patient’s Burke-Fahn-Marsden dystonia rating scale score improved from 9 to 1.5 and 2 to 1 for movement and disability, respectively. This case demonstrated the effectiveness of bilateral GPi-DBS. Placing the directional part of the lead in the GPi bottom could improve the stimulation effects.
The Behavioral/Dysexecutive Variant of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Case Series with Clinical, Neuropsychological, and FDG-PET Characterization
Authors: Bergeron David , Sellami Leila , Poulin Stéphane , Verret Louis , Bouchard Rémi W. , Laforce Jr. Robert
Published: November 2020

Introduction: It is well known that some patients with Alz­heimer’s disease (AD) have atypical, nonamnestic presentations. While logopenic aphasia and posterior cortical atrophy are well-characterized atypical variants of AD, the behavioral/dysexecutive variant remains a controversial entity, lacking consensus regarding its distinctive clinical and imaging features. Methods: We present a case series of 8 patients with biomarker confirmation of AD (cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] analysis or amyloid positron emission tomography [PET]) and a progressive frontal syndrome, defined as prominent behavioral and/or executive deficits at initial presentation. We characterize the cohort based on clinical features, cognitive performance in 4 domains (memory, visuospatial, executive, and language) as well as behavior on the Dépistage Cognitif de Québec (DCQ), and regional brain metabolism using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET (FDG-PET). We compare these features with 8 age-matched patients diagnosed with the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and 37 patients with typical amnestic AD. Results: Patients with the behavioral/dysexecutive variant of AD presented with early-onset (mean age: 59 years old) progressive executive and behavioral problems reminiscent of bvFTD, including disinhibition, loss of social conventions, and hyperorality. Patients scored higher on the Memory Index and lower on the Behavioral Index than patients with amnestic AD on the DCQ, yet they were indistinguishable from patients with bvFTD on each of the cognitive indices. Visual analysis of FDG-PET revealed half of patients with behavioral/dysexecutive AD presented with frontal hypometabolism suggestive of bvFTD and only 3/8 (37.5%) presented significant hypometabolism of the posterior cingulate cortex. Group-level analysis of FDG-PET data revealed that the most hypometabolic regions were the middle temporal, inferior temporal, and angular gyri in behavioral/dysexecutive AD and the inferior frontal gyrus, anterior cingulate cortex, caudate nucleus, and insula in bvFTD. Conclusion: The behavioral/dysexecutive variant of AD is a rare, atypical young-onset variant of AD defined clinically by early and prominent impairments in executive and behavioral domains. While behavioral/dysexecutive AD is hardly distinguishable from bvFTD using clinical and cognitive features alone, CSF biomarkers and temporoparietal hypometabolism help predict underlying pathology during life.
Endoscopic Ultrasound Elastography as a Novel Diagnostic Method for the Assessment of Hardness and Depth of Invasion in Colorectal Neoplasms
Authors: Esaki Masaya , Yamamura Takeshi , Nakamura Masanao , Maeda Keiko , Sawada Tsunaki , Mizutani Yasuyuki , Ishikawa Eri , Suzuki Hiroto , Kuno Takeshi , Yamada Kentaro , Hasegawa Issei , Ishikawa Takuya , Kakushima Naomi , Furukawa Kazuhiro , Ohno Eizaburo , Kawashima Hiroki , Hirooka Yoshiki , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro
Published: November 2020

Introduction: We aimed to compare the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound elastography (EUS-EG) with that of magnifying chromoendoscopy (MCE) and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) for the diagnosis of the depth of invasion in colorectal neoplasms. This is an important clinical issue as the depth of invasion is associated with the risk of metastasis. Methods: Consecutive patients with suspected superficial colorectal neoplasms, evaluated by MCE, EUS, and EUS-EG, for whom endoscopic submucosal dissection was considered, were enrolled in 2018 (derivation study) and in 2019–2020 (validation study). The primary clinical endpoint was the diagnostic yield differentiating intramucosal and shallow submucosal neoplasms from deep submucosal (dSM) and advanced colorectal cancers. In addition, inter- and intra-observer agreements of the elastic score of colorectal neoplasm (ES-CRN) were evaluated by 2 expert and 2 non-expert endoscopists. Results: Thirty-one (33 lesions) and 50 (55 lesions) patients were enrolled in the derivation and validation studies, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values, and accuracy of assessment of the depth of submucosal or deeper invasion in the derivation and validation groups were as follows: EUS-EG, 100/88.2/86.7/100/93.3% and 77.8/86.1/73.7/88.6/83.3%; MCE, 66.7/94.4/90.9/77.3/81.8% and 84.2/91.4/84.2/91.4/88.9%; and EUS, 93.3/77.8/77.8/93.3/84.8% and 89.5/65.7/58.6/92.0/74.1%, respectively. For the 2 expert endoscopists, interobserver agreement for the ES-CRN (first and second assessments) in the derivation group was 0.84 and 0.78, respectively; these values were 0.73 and 0.49, respectively, for the 2 non-expert endoscopists. Discussion/Conclusion: All 3 modalities presented similar diagnostic yield. Inter- and intra-observer agreements of the ES-CRN were substantial, even for non-expert endoscopists. Therefore, EUS-EG may be a useful modality in determining the depth of invasion in colorectal neoplasms.
Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Mortality in CKD: A 1999–2012 NHANES Analysis
Authors: Zhang Nan-Hui , Luo Ran , Cheng Yi-Chun , Ge Shu-Wang , Xu Gang
Published: November 2020

Background: For patients with CKD, evidence on the optimal dose of physical activity and possible harm with excessive exercise is limited. This study aimed to analyze the dose-response association between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and mortality in those with CKD and explore the optimal dose or possible harm associated with increased levels of LTPA. Methods: 4,604 participants with CKD from the 1999 to 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys with linked mortality data obtained through 2015 were classified into 6 groups: 0, 1–149, 150–299, 300–599, 600–899, and ≥900 min/week based on the total duration of the self-reported LTPA. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine dose-response associations between LTPA and mortality. Results: During the median follow-up of 114 months, 1,449 (31%) all-cause deaths were recorded. Compared to the inactive group (0 min/week), we observed a 22% lower risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63–0.97) among participants who performed 1–149 min per week for LTPA. The corresponding HRs and 95% CIs for all-cause mortality for 150–299 and 300–599 min/week of LTPA were 0.79 (0.64–0.97) and 0.74 (0.56–0.98). The benefit appeared to reach a threshold of a 43% (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36–0.91) lower risk of all-cause mortality among individuals performing 600–899 min/week for LTPA. Importantly, for ≥900 min/week of LTPA, the continued benefits were observed (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44–0.87). Conclusion: LTPA was associated with lower mortality in those with CKD. The optimal dose was observed at the LTPA level of approximately 600–899 min/week, and there were still benefits rather than the excess risk with LTPA levels as high as ≥900 min/week. Therefore, clinicians should encourage inactive CKD patients to perform LTPA and do not need to discourage CKD patients who already adhere to long-term physical activity.
Comunicação popular e comunitária como alternativa à imprensa londrinense: um estudo de caso da ocupação Flores do Campo
Authors: Volpato Alana Nogueira , Ruiz Gabriel Pansardi
Published: November 2020

Em outubro de 2016, em Londrina (PR), centenas de famílias ocuparam o empreendimento “Jardim Flores do Campo” do Programa Minha Casa Minha Vida, cuja construção estava paralisada. Deste então, observou-se uma postura de depreciação, por uma parcela da imprensa, dos moradores do local. Neste quadro, formou-se um grupo que se inseriu na ocupação para realizar oficinas práticas de comunicação. Este estudo apresenta parte dos resultados obtidos a partir das oficinas; discorre sobre a ocupação Flores do Campo; apresenta as ideias da teoria de comunicação popular e comunitária; e faz um estudo de caso específico. Por meio deste estudo, percebemos a difusão de conteúdos que amplificaram a posição e voz dos moradores, com viés alternativo em relação à imprensa local; além da criação de um canal próprio da ocupação.
Indonesian Weberian Social Stratification: The Case of Tionghoa-Pribumi Inter-ethnic Relations
Authors: Meyer Patrik K. , Waskitho Tomy
Published: November 2020

As a country with multiple ethnicities, religions, and cultures, Indonesia has been suffering from protracted waves of inter-ethnic conflicts among its peoples. This research uses Critical Discourse Analysis (cda) to survey an array of mass and social media outlets, existing policies, and statistics to describe and interpret inter-ethnic relations between Tionghoa (Chinese Indonesians) and Javanese Pribumi (indigenous Indonesian Muslims). It adopts the Weberian three-factor social stratification model to group these relations under three main headings: class, status, and party. The analysis of this research is also enriched by using Geert Hofstede’s cultural-dimension theory. This research shows that Indonesia is socially stratified along Tionghoa-Pribumi lines. Importantly, the analysis also exposes that this stratification is not primarily due to economic inequalities as commonly assumed, but rather the result of deep religious and cultural incompatibilities and inadequate policies. Ultimately, Indonesia’s social stratification exacerbates the existing social inequality and perpetuates antagonistic Tionghoa-Pribumi relations.
Responsibility of the United Nations for the Activities of Private Military and Security Companies in Peacekeeping Operations: In Need of a New International Instrument
Authors: Pressler Jessica
Published: November 2020

This chapter deals with the rising deployment of private military and security companies (pmscs) in peacekeeping operations of the United Nations and the demand for an increased willingness on part of the international organisation to take on responsibility for potential wrongdoings by its contracted personnel. It aims to demonstrate that the un is vested with a legal obligation to ensure that the conduct of private contractors under its command complies with obligations under international law and identifies possibilities to formulate a new regulatory framework in light of the recent Montreux Process and the Draft Articles on the Responsibility of International Organizations. The chapter further outlines ways for remedial mechanisms for potential victims of pmsc peacekeeper wrongdoings and offers an insight into the general tension between the organization’s immunity and its accountability. While the un’s reliance on pmscs in peacekeeping operations is an efficient mean to secure troops, it must go hand in hand with the compliance of international legal obligations and institutional responsibility so as to ensure its legitimacy and credibility as a world organization mandated to maintain peace and security and to respect human rights.