bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Characterization of PVA-Assisted Metal Oxide Nanomaterials: Surface Area, Porosity, and Electrochemical Property Improvement
Authors: Abebe Buzuayehu , Murthy H. C. Ananda , Zereffa Enyew Amare , Qiang You
Published: September 2020

The poly(vinyl alcohol)-assisted sol-gel-self-propagation route has been used for the synthesis of porous binary metal oxide nanocomposites (BMONCs) and ternary metal oxide nanocomposites (TMONCs). The effects of synthesis techniques, precursor’s type, amount of PVA loading, and precursor’s percentage were studied. The optical, chemical bonding, crystallinity, morphological, textural, and electrochemical properties of the synthesized materials were characterized by UV-vis-DRS/UV-vis, FT-IR, XRD, SEM/EDX and TEM/HRTEM/SAED, BET, and CV/EIS techniques, respectively. The porous nature of the materials was confirmed by SEM, BET, and SAED analytical techniques. Using XRD and TEM analysis, the approximate particle size of the materials was confirmed to be in the nanometer range (~7-70 nm). The EDX and HRTEM analysis was confirming the presence of predictable composition and actuality of the composites, respectively. Moving from bare ZnO to ternary nanocomposites, the great morphological, surface area, and electrochemical property enhancement was confirmed. The charge transfer capability order was obtained to be ZnO/Fe2O3/Mn2O3 > ZnO/Fe2O3 > ZnO/Mn2O3 > ZnO. The respective approximate electron transfer resistance value is 7, 25, 61, and 65 Ω. Therefore, this work can improve the toxicity towards solvent used, surface area to volume ratio, and aggregation/agglomeration problem and also enhance the charge transfer capability due to the heterojunction.
Increased Intraplatelet ADMA Level May Promote Platelet Activation in Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Gawryś Jakub , Wiśniewski Jerzy , Szahidewicz-Krupska Ewa , Gajecki Damian , Leśniewska Julia , Majda Filip , Gawryś Karolina , Fortuna Paulina , Mlynarz Piotr , Doroszko Adrian , Stanek Agata
Published: September 2020

Background. Antiplatelet therapy has become a standard therapeutic approach in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular system disorders of thrombotic origin. Patients with concomitant diabetes mellitus (DM) obtain fewer benefits from this treatment. Hence, the pathophysiology of altered platelet function in response to glucose metabolism impairment should be of particular interest. Objectives. The aim of our study was to verify if the platelet expression of the asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in diabetic patients differs in comparison to the nondiabetic ones. The correlation of platelet-ADMA with platelet activation and aggregation as well as with other risk factors was also investigated. Material and Methods. A total of 61 subjects were enrolled in this study, including thirty-one type 2 diabetic subjects without diabetes-related organ damage. Physical examination was followed by blood collection with an assessment of platelet aggregation, traditional biochemical cardiovascular risk factors, and evaluation of nitric oxide bioavailability parameters in plasma and thrombocytes. Subsequently, the assessment of endothelial function using Peripheral Arterial Tonometry and Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) was performed. Results. In the DM group, elevated concentration of intraplatelet ADMA and higher ADMA/SDMA ratio compared to the control group was observed. It was accompanied by higher ADP-mediated platelet aggregation and lower microvascular response to a local thermal stimulus measured by LDF in the diabetes group. Conclusions. Type 2 diabetes is related to higher intraplatelet concentration of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), which may result in impaired platelet-derived nitric oxide synthesis and subsequent increased platelet activity, as assessed by the ADP-induced aggregation. Laser Doppler Flowmetry, compared to EndoPAT 2000, appears to be a more sensitive indicator of the impaired microvasculature vasodilation in diabetics without the presence of clinically significant target organ damage.
STK3 Suppresses Ovarian Cancer Progression by Activating NF-κB Signaling to Recruit CD8+ T-Cells
Authors: Wang Xiangyu , Wang Fengmian , Zhang Zhi-Gang , Yang Xiao-Mei , Zhang Rong , Song Jian
Published: September 2020

Serine/threonine protein kinase-3 (STK3) is a critical molecule of the Hippo pathway but little is known about its biological functions in the ovarian cancer development. We demonstrated the roles of STK3 in ovarian cancer. Existing databases were used to study the expression profile of STK3. STK3 was significantly downregulated in OC patients, and the low STK3 expression was correlated with a poor prognosis. In vitro cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration assays, and in vivo subcutaneous xenograft tumor models were used to determine the roles of STK3. The overexpression of STK3 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of ovarian cancer cells in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Bisulfite sequencing PCR analysis was performed to validate the methylation of STK3 in ovarian cancer. RNA sequencing and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were used to compare the transcriptome changes in the STK3 overexpression ovarian cancer and control cells. The signaling pathway was analyzed by western blotting. STK3 promoted the migration of CD8+ T-cells by activating nuclear transcription factor κB (NF-κB) signaling. STK3 is a potential predictor of OC. It plays an important role in suppressing tumor growth of ovarian cancer and in chemotaxis of CD8+ T-cells.
Mechanical Properties and Durability of High‐Performance Concretes Blended with Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion Ash and Slag as Replacement for Ordinary Portland Cement
Authors: Cheng Zhi , He Lei , Liu Lan , Cheng Zhijun , Pei Xiaobo , Ma Zhe
Published: September 2020

This study investigates the mechanical properties and durability of three families of high‐performance concrete (HPC), in which the first was blended with fly ash, the second with circulating fluidized bed combustion (CFBC) ash, and the third with CFBC slag. In addition to each of the three mineral additives, silica fume and a superplasticizer were also incorporated into the HPC. Hence, three families of HPC, containing 10%, 20%, and 30% mineral admixtures and 9% silica fume of the binder mass, respectively, were produced. The microstructure and hydration products of the HPC families were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) to explore the influence of fly ash, CFBC ash, and CFBC slag on the compressive strength and frost resistance of HPC. The experimental results show that the compressive strength of HPC could reach 60 MPa at 28 d age. When the fly ash content was 30%, the compressive strength of HPC was 70.2 MPa at 28 d age; after the freeze‐thaw cycle, the mass loss and strength loss of HPC were 0.63% and 8.9%, respectively. When the CFBC ash content was 20%, the compressive strength of HPC was 75 MPa at 28 d age. After the freeze‐thaw cycle, the mass loss and strength loss of HPC were 0.17% and 0.81%, respectively.
Study on Mechanism of Influence of Mining Speed on Roof Movement Based on Microseismic Monitoring
Authors: Ma Ke , Wang Su-jian , Yuan Fu-zhen , Peng Yi-lin , Jia Shi-min
Published: September 2020

Based on the study of the movement rule of the rock strata under the influence of the mining speed in the typical working face of Dongjiahe coal mine, the distribution of microseismic events and the variation characteristics of microseismic parameters in the slow and fast advancing stage are compared and analyzed, and the mechanism of the rock strata activity under the influence of the mining advancing speed is revealed from the perspective of the microfracture. The results show that the movement of the roof strata and the stress adjustment of surrounding rock have certain timeliness. The maximum advanced distance of microseismic events in the slow and fast stages is 185 m and 130 m, respectively, and the maximum lag distance of microseismic events in the goaf is 120 m and 180 m, respectively. The time of stress adjustment of surrounding rock is short, and the load transfer of the roof is insufficient. The advanced distance of microseismic events is increased, and the lag distance decreases. The percentage of microseismic events in the total number of events is 47% and 38%, respectively, in the slow and fast stages of advancing. With the increase of mining speed, the intensity of roof strata activity in the goaf is weakened. The rock failure decreases and the volume of broken block increases, and roof collapse and rotary subsidence are insufficient. During the nonpressure period, the maximum development elevation of microseismic events is +350 m and +300 m, respectively, in the slow and fast stages, while with the development elevation of microseismic events in the roof pressure near +390 m, increasing the mining speed cannot change the final failure height of the overburden. During the analysis period of roof pressure, the concentrated release of microseismic energy in the faster stage is 183% of that in the slower stage. The increase of large moment magnitude event frequency leads to the decrease of b value. The risk of roof instability and strata behavior increases.
Constant Resistance and Yielding Support Technology for Large Deformations of Surrounding Rocks in the Minxian Tunnel
Authors: Fan Jinyan , Guo Zhibiao , Qiao Xiaobing , Tao Zhigang , Wang Fengnian
Published: September 2020

During the excavation of the Minxian tunnel, problems of large deformations of surrounding rocks and failure of support structures appeared frequently, which caused serious influences on construction safety and costs of the tunnel. Based on laboratory analysis of mineral composition and field investigations on deformation characteristics of the surrounding rocks, the large deformation mechanism of surrounding rocks of the tunnel was considered as water‐absorbing swelling molecules of carbonaceous slate and stress‐induced asymmetric structural deformations of the surrounding rocks. The structural deformations of surrounding rocks mainly include bending deformation, interlayer sliding, and crushing failure of local rock blocks. Then, a new constant resistance and yielding support technology based on the constant resistance and large deformation (CRLD) anchor cable was proposed to control large deformations of surrounding rocks. The field tests and deformation monitoring were carried out. The monitoring results showed that compared with original support measure, the surrounding rock deformations, stresses of primary supports, and permanent lining using new support technology decreased greatly. Among them, the maximum deformation of surrounding rock was only 73 mm. The effects of field application and results of deformation monitoring showed that the new support technology can effectively control large deformations of the surrounding rocks in the Minxian tunnel.
An Empirical Study on Response to Online Customer Reviews and E-Commerce Sales: From the Mobile Information System Perspective
Authors: Liu Gang , Fei Shaoqing , Yan Zichun , Wu Chia-Huei , Tsai Sang-Bing , Zhang Jinglan
Published: September 2020

Response to online customer reviews helps increase sales. Extensive research has been carried out on this topic discussing tactics of response, while few scholars looked at it from the social network perspective. The problem is not how to respond but to whom to respond. Essentially, it is an effective online social network, not a response itself that generates trust and sales. In this paper, our main work is to use basic theoretical tools of social network theory to reveal the nature of the relationship between online response and performance. We use a web crawler to scrape data and get a sample of 3379 sellers from a B2B website. The regression results are consistent with the theoretical derivation and provide strong evidence for our assumptions and hypothesis. Sellers’ response to online customer reviews, especially to negative reviews, has a significant positive effect on its sales. Seller’s product price and product heterogeneity play moderating roles in the relationship above. Therefore, sellers should actively participate in online social conversations and get embedded in online social networks. Sellers should see pricing and product diversification strategies as important factors in the networking process. E-commerce platform companies should provide the necessary technical support to accelerate the formation of online communities. Producers should cooperate more with sellers and make full use of the customer review information for product improvement and innovation.
A Machine Learning Gateway for Scientific Workflow Design
Authors: Broll Brian , Timalsina Umesh , Völgyesi Péter , Budavári Tamás , Lédeczi Ákos , Acacio Sanchez Manuel E.
Published: September 2020

The paper introduces DeepForge, a gateway to deep learning for scientific computing. DeepForge provides an easy to use, yet powerful visual/textual interface to facilitate the rapid development of deep learning models by novices as well as experts. Utilizing a cloud-based infrastructure, built-in version control, and multiuser collaboration support, DeepForge promotes reproducibility and ease of access and enables remote execution of machine learning pipelines. The tool currently supports TensorFlow/Keras, but its extensible architecture enables easy integration of additional platforms.
Subacute Thyroiditis Associated with COVID-19
Authors: Campos-Barrera Eugenia , Alvarez-Cisneros Teresa , Davalos-Fuentes Mario , Usui Takeshi
Published: September 2020

Subacute thyroiditis is a self-limiting inflammatory disorder, characterized by neck pain or discomfort, a tender diffuse goiter, and sometimes a transient episode of hyperthyroidism followed by euthyroidism and sometimes hypothyroidism. There is usually a normalization of thyroid function within a few weeks. Subacute thyroiditis has a higher incidence in summer and has been linked to a viral or bacterial upper respiratory postinfection inflammatory response. We hereby describe the case of a previously healthy 37-year-old female presenting with subacute thyroiditis associated with a very mild presentation of COVID-19. As most patients with SARS-Cov-2 are asymptomatic, we suggest to rule out SARS-Cov-2 infection in patients presenting with symptoms suggesting SAT.
A Novel Megastable Hamiltonian System with Infinite Hyperbolic and Nonhyperbolic Equilibria
Authors: Leutcho Gervais Dolvis , Fozin Theophile Fonzin , Negou Alexis Nguomkam , Njitacke Zeric Tabekoueng , Pham Viet-Thanh , Kengne Jacques , Jafari Sajad , Aguilar-Ibanez Carlos
Published: September 2020

The dimension of the conservative chaotic systems is an integer and equals the system dimension, which brings about a better ergodic property and thus have potentials in engineering application than the dissipative systems. This paper investigates the phenomenon of megastability in a unique and simple conservative oscillator with infinite of hyperbolic and nonhyperbolic equilibria. Using traditional nonlinear analysis tools, we found that the introduced oscillator possesses an invariable energy and displays either self-excited or hidden dynamics depending on the stability of its equilibria. Besides, the conservative nature of the new system is validated using theoretical measurement. Furthermore, an analog simulator of the oscillator is built and simulated in the PSpice environment to confirm that the previous results were not artifacts.
Effects of Rivastigmine on Patients with Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3: A Case Series of Five Patients
Authors: Grobe-Einsler Marcus , Vogt Ina Rosemarie , Schaprian Tamara , Hurlemann Rene , Klockgether Thomas , Kaut Oliver
Published: September 2020

Background: Rivastigmine is an acetylcholine esterase inhibitor which is commonly used as therapy for dementia in Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Recently, a randomized controlled trial demonstrated a positive effect of rivastigmine on gait function in nondemented PD patients. Disturbed gait is a shared hallmark of PD and ataxias. Objectives: We hypothesized that the effect of rivastigmine could be translated to spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) improving gait function. Method: Five patients with SCA type 3 were treated with transdermal rivastigmine for 8 weeks. The patients were monitored using the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) and an electronic walkway system (GAITRite®). Results: Gait function was not changed by treatment, but 4 patients who continued treatment for 8 weeks showed improved coordination of extremities. The SARA sum score, which was 7.6 ± 2.2 at baseline, had dropped by 1.5 ± 1.9 after 4 weeks and by 2.1 ± 1.4 after 8 weeks. Conclusions: Contrary to our hypothesis, we observed no improvement of gait parameters as assessed by SARA and GAIT­Rite®, but coordination abilities were improved. Rivastigmine was well tolerated, but known side effects of rivastigmine, such as deterioration of asthma, may appear. Further trials in larger cohorts are needed to confirm our findings.
Unveiling the Features of Mercury-Associated Minimal Change Disease: Comparison with Primary Minimal Change Disease
Authors: Qin Ai-bo , Yu Xiao-juan , Wang Su-xia , Zhou Fu-de , Zhao Ming-hui
Published: September 2020

Introduction: Long-term exposure to mercury can cause minimal change disease. However, the current understanding of mercury-associated minimal change disease (M-MCD) is inadequate. To improve the understanding of M-MCD, this study retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological, ultrastructural, and prognostic features of M-MCD, in comparison with primary minimal change disease (P-MCD). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data of 21 M-MCD patients and 21 P-MCD patients. Electron micrographs of glomerular capillaries were taken, and the foot process width (FPW) was measured. A receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the optimum cutoff value of FPW that can differentiate the M-MCD from P-MCD. Results: M-MCD patients presented similar clinical and routine pathological characteristics with P-MCD patients but had lower levels of FPW (935.0 [interquartile range (IQR) 853.7–1,176.7] nm vs. 1,403.2 [IQR 1,089.2–1,841.8] nm, p = 0.002). ROC curve analysis showed that FPW value below 1,385 nm might help to differentiate M-MCD from P-MCD (area under the curve of 0.787, sensitivity of 94.7%, and specificity of 52.4%). For patients with M-MCD, 77.8% achieved complete remission after mercury detoxification monotherapy. Patients with M-MCD had a lower relapse rate than patients with P-MCD (0 vs. 47.1%, p = 0.003). In addition, there was no significant difference in remission time between M-MCD patients treated with mercury detoxification monotherapy and those initially treated with immunosuppressive therapy (2.0 [IQR 1.0–6.0] months vs. 2.0 [IQR 1.5–2.5] months, p = 0.606). Conclusions: M-MCD patients showed similar clinicopathological features with P-MCD patients, but with less severe foot process effacement, suggesting different pathogenesis of these 2 disease entities. The treatment of mercury detoxification was highly effective for patients with M-MCD and can be considered as a primary choice in clinical practice.
Novel Neuromodulation Approach to Improve Left Ventricular Contractility in Heart Failure
Authors: Y. Reddy Vivek , Petrů Jan , Málek Filip , Stylos Lee , Goedeke Steve , Neužil Petr
Published: September 2020

Background:

Morbidity and mortality outcomes for patients admitted for acute decompensated heart failure are poor and have not significantly changed in decades. Current therapies are focused on symptom relief by addressing signs and symptoms of congestion. The objective of this study was to test a novel neuromodulation therapy of stimulation of epicardial cardiac nerves passing along the posterior surface of the right pulmonary artery.

Methods:

Fifteen subjects admitted for defibrillator implantation and ejection fraction ≤35% on standard heart failure medications were enrolled. Through femoral arterial access, high fidelity pressure catheters were placed in the left ventricle and aortic root. After electro anatomic rendering of the pulmonary artery and branches, either a circular or basket electrophysiology catheter was placed in the right pulmonary artery to allow electrical intravascular stimulation at 20 Hz, 4 ms pulse width, and ≤20 mA. Changes in maximum positive dP/dt (dP/dt
Max
) indicated changes in ventricular contractility.

Results:

Of 15 enrolled subjects, 5 were not studied due to equipment failure or abnormal pulmonary arterial anatomy. In the remaining subjects, dP/dt
Max
increased significantly by 22.6%. There was also a significant increase in maximum negative dP/dt (dP/dt
Min
), mean arterial pressure, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and left ventricular systolic pressure. There was no significant change in heart rate or left ventricular diastolic pressure.

Conclusions:

In this first-in-human study, we demonstrated that in humans with stable heart failure, left ventricular contractility could be accentuated without an increase in heart rate or left ventricular filling pressures. This benign increase in contractility may benefit patients admitted for acute decompensated heart failure.
Graph convolutional network for fMRI analysis based on connectivity neighborhood
Authors: Wang Lebo , Li Kaiming , Hu Xiaoping P.
Published: September 2020

There have been successful applications of deep learning to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), where fMRI data were mostly considered to be structured grids, and spatial features from Euclidean neighbors were usually extracted by the convolutional neural networks (CNNs) in the computer vision field. Recently, CNN has been extended to graph data and demonstrated superior performance. Here, we define graphs based on functional connectivity and present a connectivity-based graph convolutional network (cGCN) architecture for fMRI analysis. Such an approach allows us to extract spatial features from connectomic neighborhoods rather than from Euclidean ones, consistent with the functional organization of the brain. To evaluate the performance of cGCN, we applied it to two scenarios with resting-state fMRI data. One is individual identification of healthy participants and the other is classification of autistic patients from normal controls. Our results indicate that cGCN can effectively capture functional connectivity features in fMRI analysis for relevant applications.
Between Times and Spaces
Authors: Heidel Andreas-Christian
Published: September 2020

The understanding of space and time and their relationship in the Epistle to the Hebrews is an essential key to the interpretation of this NT Scripture. In contrast to the too often one-sided interpretations of Hebrews throughout its history of research, Hebrews’ understanding of reality is characterized by an interplay of horizontal and vertical dimensions wherein, through God’s act of speaking in the Son, times and spaces overlap and form a paradoxical reality for the believers who seek their heavenly home.
Paul and Philo on the Psalms
Authors: Niehoff Maren R.
Published: September 2020

Philo of Alexandria shares Paul’s Jewish Diaspora background and his use of the LXX. He also addressed Roman audiences just a decade or two before Paul wrote his Letter to the Romans. He thus enables us to analyze Paul’s approach to Psalms from a rigorous historical perspective, which highlights both their phenomenological similarities and Paul’s innovations on the path to develop a spiritual notion of Scripture.
1 Cor 15:33
Authors: Cook John Granger
Published: September 2020

NA28 and UBS5 identify the source of Paul’s statement in 1 Cor 15:33 as Menander, Thais, although NA28 puts a question mark after “Thais.” One can, however, demonstrate that the proverb originally came from Euripides. Consequently, future critical editions of the New Testament should include Euripides in the margin along with Menander and should probably make reference also to the mass of proverbs that were shared orally or in writing in the culture of antiquity. One can read 1 Cor 15:33 as a text of Euripides, Menander, or as an expression of the common wisdom of antiquity.
Northern yellow-cheeked crested gibbons (Nomascus annamensis) travel and scan more at the cost of rest when in the presence of tourists
Authors: Williams Jessica L. , Behie Alison M.
Published: September 2020

The tourism sector is a fast-growing contributor to the global economy, and nature-based tourism (NBT), particularly in Asia and Africa, is booming. Through the creation of jobs and revenue NBT has the potential to combat deforestation in regions that are economically poor, but of high biodiversity value. Inspired by the success of gorilla tourism in Uganda and Rwanda, several gibbon tourism projects have been initiated in Southeast Asia and China. Despite the existence of these programmes, no research has been done to investigate the impact of tourism on the behaviour of gibbons. To address this, we collected observational data on a group of northern yellow-cheeked crested gibbons (Nomascus annamensis) at Veun Sai-Siem Pang National Park (VSSPNP), Cambodia, in the presence and absence of tourists. We found there was a significant increase in the amount of time individuals spent scanning their environment and travelling at the cost of rest when in the presence of tourists. We also found that individuals were significantly more likely to self-groom in the presence of tourists. These results highlight the importance of scientific research in implementing successful, low-impact NBT programmes that consider animal behavioural changes. We are continuing to collect data on gibbons at VSSPNP and at Mt. Gaoligong National Nature Reserve, China with the aim of extending the IUCN’s best-practice guidelines for great-ape tourism to include the small apes.
Plato’s Political Writings: a Utopia?
Authors: Brisson Luc
Published: September 2020

Thomas More’s 1516 Utopia describes a ‘fictitious’ republic on an imaginary island, and draws heavily on ancient political ideas. This paper explores the difficulties of applying the term ‘utopia’ to Plato’s political thinking, given that More’s term is anachronistically applied to ancient texts. The projects of the Republic and Laws should not be interpreted as ‘utopian’, but as blueprints for a foundation such as a new city, rather than as imagined ideal cities after More’s model. Support for Plato’s practical involvement in matters of political foundation is drawn from the Seventh Letter. The Republic and the Laws are discussed not as utopias, but political manifestos. The political context in which Plato lived, and his objectives, gives his political writings a wholly different dimension. The goal of the Republic and the Laws is not to describe unrealizable constitutions, but to exchange the Athenian constitution of Plato’s time for another.
Two Corrections for Turbulent Kinetic Energy Generated by Wind Farms in the WRF Model
Authors: Archer Cristina L. , Wu Sicheng , Ma Yulong , Jiménez Pedro A.
Published: September 2020

As wind farms grow in number and size worldwide, it is important that their potential impacts on the environment are studied and understood. The Fitch parameterization implemented in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model since version 3.3 is a widely used tool today to study such impacts. We identified two important issues related to the way the added turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) generated by a wind farm is treated in the WRF Model with the Fitch parameterization. The first issue is a simple “bug” in the WRF code, and the second issue is the excessive value of a coefficient, called CTKE, that relates TKE to the turbine electromechanical losses. These two issues directly affect the way that a wind farm wake evolves, and they impact properties like near-surface temperature and wind speed at the wind farm as well as behind it in the wake. We provide a bug fix and a revised value of CTKE that is one-quarter of the original value. This 0.25 correction factor is empirical; future studies should examine its dependence on parameters such as atmospheric stability, grid resolution, and wind farm layout. We present the results obtained with the Fitch parameterization in the WRF Model for a single turbine with and without the bug fix and the corrected CTKE and compare them with high-fidelity large-eddy simulations. These two issues have not been discovered before because they interact with one another in such a way that their combined effect is a somewhat realistic vertical TKE profile at the wind farm and a realistic wind speed deficit in the wake. All WRF simulations that used the Fitch wind farm parameterization are affected, and their conclusions may need to be revisited.
Postural Control When Using an Industrial Lower Limb Exoskeleton: Impact of Reaching for a Working Tool and External Perturbation
Authors: Steinhilber Benjamin , Seibt Robert , Rieger Monika A. , Luger Tessy
Published: September 2020

Objective

To investigate postural control related to a lower limb exoskeleton (Chairless Chair) when (a) reaching for a working tool, and (b) an external perturbation occurs.

Background

Lower limb exoskeletons aiming to reduce physical load associated with prolonged standing may impair workers’ postural control and increase the risk of falling.

Method

Forty-five males were reaching for an object (3-kg dumbbell) at the lateral end of their reaching area without the exoskeleton in upright standing (STAND) and with the exoskeleton at a high (EXOHIGH.SEAT) and low sitting position (EXOLOW.SEAT). The task was performed with the object placed in three different angles (120°, 150°, and 180°) in the transversal plane. The minimum absolute static postural stability (SSABS.MIN) as the shortest distance (mm) of the center of pressure to the base of support border was measured (zero indicates risk of falling). Additionally, eight subjects were standing without the exoskeleton or sitting on it (EXOHIGH.SEAT and EXOLOW.SEAT) while being pulled backward. The tilting moment when subjects lost their balance was assessed.

Results

SSABS.MIN was lower when using the exoskeleton ( p < .05) but still about 17 mm. The location of the object to be reached had no influence. Tilting moments of less than 30 nm were sufficient to let people fall backward when sitting on the exoskeleton (50 nm for STAND).

Conclusion

Impairments in postural control by the exoskeleton may not be relevant when reaching laterally for objects up to 3 kg. When an external perturbation occurs, the risk of falling may be much higher; irrespective of factors like uneven or slippery flooring.

Application

The risk of falling using the exoskeleton seems to be low when reaching laterally for an object of up to 3 kg. In situations where, for example, a collision with coworkers is likely, this exoskeleton is not recommended.
Meta-analysis of Perinatal Pelvic Floor Muscle Training on Urinary Incontinence
Authors: Lu Ji , Zhang Hong , Liu Li , Jin Wei , Gao Jie , Min Min , Fan Ying
Published: September 2020

This study was to evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on urinary incontinence (UI) in prenatal and postnatal women. The relevant literatures were searched from Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science until January 20, 2020. Meta-analysis was performed with STATA 15.1 and the Begg’s test was used for the publication bias. Results of the meta-analysis demonstrated that the rate of UI in the intervention group was lower than that in the control group [relative risk (RR): 0.712, 95%confidence intervals (CI): 0.622–0.816, P<0.001); the strength of pelvic floor muscle in the intervention group was higher than that in the control group [weighted mean difference (WMD): 8.448, 95%CI: 2.300–14.595, P=0.007); and the urine leakage measured by the urinal pad in the intervention group was less than that in the control group (WMD: -1.699, 95%CI:-2.428–-0.970, P<0.001). PFMT showed a better effect for UI than the routine nursing.
Georg von Békésy and Bruce Mer: Early Pioneers of Endoscopic Ear Surgery
Authors: Koen Nicholas , Remenschneider Aaron , Lee Daniel J. , Kozin Elliott D.
Published: September 2020

The binocular operative microscope has been the workhorse of otologic and neurotologic surgeons since the 1950s. Since its advent, however, surgeons recognized that the operative microscope could not “look around corners” and its line‐of‐sight technology required soft tissue and bony dissection to enable light to reach the surgical plane. Endoscopic technology has evolved to address many of the limitations of operative microscopy. While the endoscope is often viewed as a recent development in otologic surgery, in the following historical article, we highlight the contributions of two mid–20th century pioneers of endoscopic ear surgery: Georg von Békésy and Bruce Mer. In the 1940s, Dr von Békésy envisioned an endoscope for determining stapes mobility. Dr Mer, with a team of engineers, created an otoendoscope to perform some of the first endoscopic ear procedures in the 1960s. Lessons gleaned from von Békésy and Mer’s research include the need for counterculture thinking and the challenges of pioneering ideas beyond technical capacity.
Situating financialisation in the geographies of neoliberal housing restructuring: reflections from Ireland and Australia
Authors: O’Callaghan Cian , McGuirk Pauline
Published: September 2020

The growing literature on housing financialisation offers an increasingly fine-grained analysis of how financial actors shape housing markets and systems internationally. Nevertheless, a lack of clarity remains about the geographical and temporally specific ways that financialisation grafts onto and amplifies wider neoliberal housing restructuring, as well as the role the global financial crisis (GFC) plays in its variegated trajectories. In this paper, we address this problematic by situating housing financialisation within the context of longer-term neoliberal restructuring via a comparative analysis of Ireland and Australia. Our empirical and conceptual aims are two-fold. First, we deploy our comparison to disentangle housing financialisation from wider processes of neoliberal restructuring and identify the moments in which financialisation acts as a crucial accelerant that amplifies but also mutates extant path dependent trajectories. Second we mobilise comparison to reflect critically on the role that crisis and crisis discourses play in facilitating regulatory restructuring through financialised logics. While in Ireland the crash formed a juncture for regulatory capture by financial actors and the deepening of financialisation as a core component of housing, Australia’s response to the GFC was a reassertion of the neoliberal status-quo. However, we contend that Australia’s housing markets are now characterised by many aspects of financialisation and remain vulnerable to its impacts. We argue that comparative analysis allows us to view the path dependent nature of neoliberal restructuring as well as the variegated geographies and temporalities of financialisation on housing regimes internationally.
A potential role for two brainstem nuclei in craniovascular nociception and the triggering of migraine headache
Authors: Zagami Alessandro S , Shaikh Sumaiya , Mahns David , Lambert Geoffrey A
Published: September 2020

Aim

To use an animal model of migraine to test whether migraine headache might arise from a brainstem-trigeminal nucleus pathway.

Methods

We measured evoked and spontaneous activity of second-order trigeminovascular neurons in rats to test whether the activity of these neurons increased following the induction of cortical spreading depression or the imposition of light flash – two potential migraine triggers, or headache provokers. We then tested whether drugs that could activate, or inactivate, neurons of the nucleus raphe magnus or the periaqueductal gray matter, would affect any such increases selectively for the dura mater.

Results

Injection of sodium glutamate (a neuronal excitant) into these two nuclei selectively inhibited the responses of trigeminovascular second-order neurons to dura mater, but not to facial skin, stimulation. Injection of lignocaine (a local anaesthetic) into these nuclei selectively potentiated the responses of these neurons to dura, but not to facial skin, stimulation. Furthermore, injections into either nucleus of glutamate inhibited the increase in the ongoing discharge rate of these neurons produced by cortical spreading depression and light flash.

Conclusions

These results provide indirect evidence that trigeminovascular nociception may be tightly controlled by these two nuclei, whereas cutaneous trigeminal sensation may be less so. These nuclei may be relays of one possible brainstem-trigeminal pathway that could mediate migraine headache. Modification of neuronal activity in these two nuclei produced by migraine (headache) triggers may lie behind the pain of a migraine attack, at least in some cases.
Ammonia and hydrogen sulphide odour emissions from different areas of a landfill in Hangzhou, China
Authors: Jiang Jun , Wang Fei , Wang Jun , Li Jianhua
Published: September 2020

This study examined the release characteristics of malodorous ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) gases in different areas of a full-capacity operational landfill in Hangzhou, China. Gas samples were collected using static boxes from exposed working areas (EWAs), temporarily covered areas (TCAs), and final closure areas (FCAs), and were analysed using spectrophotometric methods. Gas release increased in the following order: TCA > EWA > FCA. The average concentrations of released NH3 in these areas were 2763, 1171, and 27 mg m−3, respectively, and those of H2S were 2481, 631, and 10 mg m−3, respectively. The concentrations of gases released from holes in the film in the temporarily covered and EWAs were significantly higher than the AEGL-3 level values specified by the Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGL) Advisory Committee. EWAs were identified as key for odour control, where the highest NH3 release was recorded at approximately 12:00. The diurnal variation in H2S release was insignificant ( p > 0.05). Therefore, the study shows that working in EWAs should be avoided at approximately noon. Adverse impacts on human health can be reduced by standardising procedures, using higher-quality films, and improving film installation procedures. The results of this study serve as a valuable reference for odour control in operational landfills.
Patient Case Report: Gabapentin-Induced Hypoglycemia
Authors: Hayes William J. , Ferdinand Abigale , Neabore Stephan , Kappes John A. , Hayes Katie M. , Berendse Joseph
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

Gabapentin is an analog of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), but its complete mechanism is not well understood. Common adverse effects from gabapentin include somnolence, sedation, and dizziness. Hyperglycemia is listed as a possible adverse drug reaction in the labeling. Case reports describe hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes, peritoneal dialysis, and/or incomplete medication records. The following case report details a hypoglycemia episode as a potential result of a gabapentin use in a patient without diabetes.

A 47-year old, 68 kg, white female presented to the emergency department with altered mental status. Her blood glucose level was 33 mg/dL. Gabapentin was started 1 week prior to the hypoglycemia episode. Her past medical history, concomitant medications, and other laboratory findings were not likely causes of her severe hypoglycemia.

Conclusion:

Gabapentin appears to have effects on several voltage-gated calcium channels. Hypoglycemia may be due to gabapentin binding to the alpha2delta subunit of the calcium channels in the pancreas. Future research should investigate gabapentin and the potential for hypoglycemia.
Vehicle’s components damage potentials of liquid cargo
Authors: Romero Navarrete José A , Otremba Frank
Published: September 2020

The failure of vehicle’s suspension components has contributed to road crashes, while their defective operation can deteriorate the fuel efficiency of the vehicles. In this context, and when compared with solid cargo transporters, the road tankers would tend to produce larger roll forces during turning, as the curved shape of the liquid cargo container, shifts upwards the centre of gravity of the cargo. With reference to a rectangular cargo container representing the solid cargo situation, the increase in the position due to elliptical and circular tank shapes, can attain a value of 17% (100% fill, circular tank). In this study, experimental results comparing the lateral load transfer due to solid and liquid cargoes, indicate that the average force increase on the vehicle’s load-receiver side due to a liquid cargo, is 4.3%. To analyse the full-scale situation of both situations, that is, the higher position of the centre of gravity and the shifting of the liquid cargo, a simplified model is developed. The outputs from such a model when subjected to realistic operating conditions (speed and turning radius), suggest that the higher position of the centre of gravity due to using a non-rectangular cargo container generates an average force increase of 4.9% on the side receiving the load transfer. The incorporation of the effect of the liquid cargo, through the simple pendulum analogy, suggests that such an average increases to 6.76%, with a maximum of 8.35% in the case of the elliptical tank at 75% fill level. It is found that the average liquid cargo effect is 5.44%, which should be compared with the 4.3% of the experiments. Road tankers components would thus have a relatively shorter load cycle life than those of the solid cargo trucks.
Therapeutic Effect of Exogenous Regulatory T Cells on Collagen-induced Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Li Shutong , Wang Hongxing , Wu Hui , Chang Xiaotian
Published: September 2020

Regulatory T (Treg) cells have anti-inflammatory functions and heighten immune tolerance. The proportion and functions of Treg cells are perturbed in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), contributing to the excessive immune activation associated with this disease. We therefore hypothesized that supplementation with foreign Treg cells could be used to treat RA. To investigate the therapeutic effects of exogenous Treg cells on RA and its mechanism, we used human Treg cells to treat collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in a rat model to observe whether exogenous Treg cells can treat the disease across species. Successful treatment would indicate that Treg cell transplantation in humans is more likely to affect RA. In the present study, human Treg cells were collected from healthy human peripheral blood and culture-expanded in vitro. Induced human Treg cells were injected into CIA rats via the tail vein. The rats’ lymphocyte subtypes, cytokines, and Th1/Th2 ratios were measured using flow cytometry. In the rats, following injection of the human Treg cells, the severity of CIA was significantly reduced ( P < 0.01), the proportion of endogenous Treg cells increased in the peripheral blood and spleen ( P = 0.007 and P < 0.01, respectively), and the proportion of B cells decreased ( P = 0.031). The IL-5 level, IL-6 level, and Th1/Th2 ratio in the peripheral blood were decreased ( P = 0.013, 0.009, and 0.012, respectively). The culture-expanded human Treg cells were also cultured with synovial fibroblast cells from RA patients (RASFs). After coculture with Treg cells, RASFs showed reduced proliferation ( P < 0.01) and increased apoptosis ( P = 0.037). These results suggest that exogenous and induced Treg cells can produce a therapeutic effect in RA and CIA by increasing endogenous Treg cells and RASF apoptosis and reducing B cells, the Th1/Th2 ratio, and secretion levels of IL-5 and IL-6. Treg cell transplantation could serve as a therapy for RA that does not cause immune rejection.
Love Beyond Body Offering: Literature and Generosity
Authors: Menike Nimmi Nalika
Published: September 2020

Employing the poststructuralist approach to language and literature as a methodology, the present article insists on the significance of the novel, Body Offering, in understanding the idea of giving in to literature through writing. The notion of giving in the novel unfolds with regard to two contexts: love and writing, which, in turn, problematizes not only the way in which giving is understood in the binary structure of giving and receiving, but also the representational function assigned to literature due to its appearance without voice. So, doing it highlights the openness to receive beyond self desire as the most fundamental force that makes an offering unconditional and sincere.
Understanding disruptive situations in physical education: Teaching style and didactic implications
Authors: Hovdal Dag Ove G. , Larsen Inger Beate , Haugen Tommy , Johansen Bjørn Tore
Published: September 2020

Several studies have emphasized the importance of handling disruptive situations in the physical education (PE) learning environment; however, few have investigated complex disruptive situations in PE and included both teacher and student perspectives. The aims of this study, which discusses an alternative teaching style for reducing disruptive situations, were to gain a better understanding of student and teacher experiences of complex disruptive situations in PE, and to explore how the teacher handled these situations. The philosophical perspective used in this study was Rorty’s philosophical pragmatism. Methods included written narratives, interviews, observation, and video recordings of PE lessons. Data were thematically analysed. The results showed the complexity of teacher and student experiences in disruptive situations in PE. Disruptive situations occurred when there were environmental opportunities for them, such as during periods of waiting and situations in which the teacher spoke too much, did not pay attention to the whole class, or did not intervene. The teacher used an instructional teaching style for handling disruptive situations, including being very clear, nagging, yelling, waiting them out, making eye contact, and talking to them later. The instructional teaching style provided fewer opportunities for the teacher to understand the students’ behaviour, fewer opportunities for students to learn self-control and personal and social responsibility, and did not lead to a reduction of disruptive situations over the data creation period. The practical consequence of this teaching style seemed to be the frequent use of behaviour corrections for reducing disruptive situations.