bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How to Tell Ancient Signs Apart? Recognizing and Visualizing Maya Glyphs with CNNs
Authors: Can Gülcan , Odobez Jean-Marc , Gatica-Perez Daniel
Published: December 2018

Thanks to the digital preservation of cultural heritage materials, multimedia tools (e.g., based on automatic visual processing) considerably ease the work of scholars in the humanities and help them to perform quantitative analysis of their data. In this context, this article assesses three different Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architectures along with three learning approaches to train them for hieroglyph classification, which is a very challenging task due to the limited availability of segmented ancient Maya glyphs. More precisely, the first approach, the baseline, relies on pretrained networks as feature extractor. The second one investigates a transfer learning method by fine-tuning a pretrained network for our glyph classification task. The third approach considers directly training networks from scratch with our glyph data. The merits of three different network architectures are compared: a generic sequential model (i.e., LeNet), a sketch-specific sequential network (i.e., Sketch-a-Net), and the recent Residual Networks. The sketch-specific model trained from scratch outperforms other models and training strategies. Even for a challenging 150-class classification task, this model achieves 70.3% average accuracy and proves itself promising in case of a small amount of cultural heritage shape data. Furthermore, we visualize the discriminative parts of glyphs with the recent Grad-CAM method, and demonstrate that the discriminative parts learned by the model agree, in general, with the expert annotation of the glyph specificity (diagnostic features). Finally, as a step toward systematic evaluation of these visualizations, we conduct a perceptual crowdsourcing study. Specifically, we analyze the interpretability of the representations from Sketch-a-Net and ResNet-50. Overall, our article takes two important steps toward providing tools to scholars in the digital humanities: increased performance for automation and improved interpretability of algorithms.
Exploring RGB-D Cameras for 3D Reconstruction of Cultural Heritage
Authors: Gomes Leonardo , Silva Luciano , Bellon Olga Regina Pereira
Published: December 2018

RGB-D cameras have a great potential to solve several problems arising during the digitization of objects, such as cultural heritage. Three-dimensional (3D) digital preservation is usually performed with the use of high-end 3D scanners, as the 3D points generated by this type of equipment are in average millimeter up to sub-millimeter accurate. The downside of 3D scanners, in addition to the high cost, is the infrastructure requirements. It requires its own source of energy, a large workspace with tripods, special training to calibrate and operate the equipment, and high acquisition time, potentially taking several minutes for capturing a single image. An alternative is the use of low-cost depth cameras that are easy to operate and only require connection to a laptop and a source of energy. There are several recent studies showing the potential of RGB-D sensors. However, they often exhibit errors when applied to a full 360 degrees 3D reconstruction setup, known as the loop closure problem. This kind of error accumulation is intensified by the lower accuracy and large volume of data generated by RGB-D cameras. This article proposes a complete methodology for 3D reconstruction based on RGB-D sensors. To mitigate the loop closure effect, a pairwise alignment method was developed. The proposed approach expands the connectivity graph connections in a pairwise alignment system, by automatically discovering new pairs of meshes with overlapping regions. Then the alignment is more evenly distributed over the aligned pairs, avoiding the loop closure problem of full 3D reconstructions. The experiments were performed on a collection of 30 artworks made by the Baroque artist Antonio Francisco Lisboa, known as Aleijadinho, as part of the Aleijadinho Digital project conducted in partnership with IPHAN (Brazilian National Institute for Cultural and Artistic Heritage) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Experimental results show 3D models that are favorably compared to state-of-the-art methods available in the literature using RGD-D sensors. The main contributions of this work are: a new method for 3D alignment dedicated to attenuate the RGB-D camera loop closure problem; the development and disclosure of a complete, practical solution for 3D reconstruction of artworks; and the construction of 3D digital models of an important and challenging collection of Brazilian cultural heritage, made accessible by a virtual museum.
Impact of environmental stressors on tolerance to hemorrhage in humans
Authors: Crandall Craig G. , Rickards Caroline A. , Johnson Blair D.
Published: December 2018

Hemorrhage is a leading cause of death in military and civilian settings, and ~85% of potentially survivable battlefield deaths are hemorrhage-related. Soldiers and civilians are exposed to a number of environmental and physiological conditions that have the potential to alter tolerance to a hemorrhagic insult. The objective of this review is to summarize the known impact of commonly encountered environmental and physiological conditions on tolerance to hemorrhagic insult, primarily in humans. The majority of the studies used lower body negative pressure (LBNP) to simulate a hemorrhagic insult, although some studies employed incremental blood withdrawal. This review addresses, first, the use of LBNP as a model of hemorrhage-induced central hypovolemia and, then, the effects of the following conditions on tolerance to LBNP: passive and exercise-induced heat stress with and without hypohydration/dehydration, exposure to hypothermia, and exposure to altitude/hypoxia. An understanding of the effects of these environmental and physiological conditions on responses to a hemorrhagic challenge, including tolerance, can enable development and implementation of targeted strategies and interventions to reduce the impact of such conditions on tolerance to a hemorrhagic insult and, ultimately, improve survival from blood loss injuries.
The highly efficient powerhouse in the Wistar audiogenic rat, an epileptic rat strain
Authors: Dechandt Carlos Roberto Porto , Vicentini Tatiane M. , Lanfredi Guilherme Pauperio , Silva-Jr. Rui M. P. , Espreafico Enilza Maria , de Oliveira José A. Cortes , Faça Vitor Marcel , Garcia-Cairasco Norberto , Alberici Luciane Carla
Published: December 2018

The Wistar audiogenic rat (WAR) is an animal model of tonic-clonic epileptic seizures, developed after genetic selection by sister × brother inbreeding of Wistar rats susceptible to sound stimuli. Although metabolic changes have been described in this strain, nothing is known about its mitochondrial metabolism. Here, we addressed mitochondrial aspects of oxidative phosphorylation, oxidative stress, biogenesis, and dynamics in liver, skeletal muscle, and heart of male WARs and correlating them with physiological aspects of body metabolism. The results showed higher mitochondrial content, respiration rates in phosphorylation and noncoupled states, and H2O2production in WARs. Liver presented higher content of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PGC1α) and mammalian target of rapamycin, proteins related to mitochondrial biogenesis. In agreement, isolated liver mitochondria from WARs showed higher respiration rates in phosphorylation state and ADP-to-O ratio, as well as higher content of proteins related to electron transport chain ATP synthase, TCA cycle, and mitochondrial fusion and fission compared with their Wistar counterparts. Mitochondria with higher area and perimeter and more variable shapes were found in liver and soleus from WARs in addition to lower reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio. In vivo, WARs demonstrated lower body mass and energy expenditure but higher food and water intake and amino acid oxidation. When exposed to a running test, WARs reached higher speed and resisted for a longer time and distance than their Wistar controls. In conclusion, the WAR strain has mitochondrial changes in liver, skeletal muscle, and heart that improve its mitochondrial capacity of ATP production, making it an excellent rat model to study PGC1α overexpression and mitochondrial function in different physiological conditions or facing pathological challenges.
Fructose acutely stimulates NKCC2 activity in rat thick ascending limbs by increasing surface NKCC2 expression
Authors: Ares Gustavo R. , Kassem Kamal M. , Ortiz Pablo A.
Published: December 2018

The thick ascending limb (TAL) reabsorbs 25% of the filtered NaCl through the Na+-K+-2Cl−cotransporter (NKCC2). NKCC2 activity is directly related to surface NKCC2 expression and phosphorylation. Higher NaCl reabsorption by TALs is linked to salt-sensitive hypertension, which is linked to consumption of fructose in the diet. However, little is known about the effects of fructose on renal NaCl reabsorption. We hypothesized that fructose, but not glucose, acutely enhances TAL-dependent NaCl reabsorption by increasing NKCC2 activity via stimulation of surface NKCC2 levels and phosphorylation at Thr96/101. We found that fructose (5 mM) increased transport-related O2consumption in TALs by 11.1 ± 3.2% ( P < 0.05). The effect of fructose on O2consumption was blocked by furosemide. To study the effect of fructose on NKCC2 activity, we measured the initial rate of NKCC2-dependent thallium influx. We found that 20 min of treatment with fructose (5 mM) increased NKCC2 activity by 58.5 ± 16.9% ( P < 0.05). We then used surface biotinylation to measure surface NKCC2 levels in rat TALs. Fructose increased surface NKCC2 expression in a concentration-dependent manner (22 ± 5,  49 ± 10, and 101 ± 59% of baseline with 1, 5, and 10 mM fructose, respectively, P < 0.05), whereas glucose or a glucose metabolite did not. Fructose did not change NKCC2 phosphorylation at Thre96/101or total NKCC2 expression. We concluded that acute fructose treatment increases NKCC2 activity by enhancing surface NKCC2 expression, rather than NKCC2 phosphorylation. Our data suggest that fructose consumption could contribute to salt-sensitive hypertension by stimulating NKCC2-dependent NaCl reabsorption in TALs.
Sex-dependent differences in the adverse renal changes induced by an early in life exposure to a high-fat diet
Authors: Moreno Juan M. , Tapia Antonio , Martinez Carlos M. , Reverte Virginia , Oltra Lidia , Llinas Maria Teresa , Salazar Francisco Javier
Published: December 2018

This study examines whether the intake of a high-fat diet very early in life leads to changes in arterial pressure and renal function and evaluates whether the mechanisms involved in these changes are sex-dependent. Experiments were performed in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats fed a normal or high-fat diet from weaning to 4 mo of age. This exposure to a high-fat diet lead to an angiotensin II-dependent elevation in arterial pressure and to significant increments in fat abdominal volume and plasma leptin that were similar in both sexes. In addition, the angiotensin II-induced increment in renal vascular resistance was greater ( P < 0.05) in male (106 ± 14%) and female (97 ± 15%) rats fed a high-fat diet than in rats fed a normal-fat diet (51 ± 8%). However, the high-fat intake during early life induced increments in albuminuria, interleukin-6, and infiltration of CD3 lymphocytes in the renal parenchyma that were greater ( P < 0.05) in male than in female rats. Other sex-dependent differences in response to high-fat intake were that adiponectin levels only decreased in females (21%, P < 0.05), and renal NF-κB expression only increased in males (31%, P < 0.05). In summary, the early exposure to a high-fat diet leads to angiotensin II-dependent arterial pressure elevations and to increments in abdominal fat and in the renal sensitivity to angiotensin II that are similar in both sexes. However, the mechanisms involved in the renal changes associated with early exposure to a high-fat diet are different in males and females.
Dissociation of muscle and cortical response scaling to balance perturbation acceleration
Authors: Payne Aiden M. , Hajcak Greg , Ting Lena H.
Published: December 2018

The role of cortical activity in standing balance is unclear. Here we tested whether perturbation-evoked cortical responses share sensory input with simultaneous balance-correcting muscle responses. We hypothesized that the acceleration-dependent somatosensory signals that drive the initial burst of the muscle automatic postural response also drive the simultaneous perturbation-evoked cortical N1 response. We measured in healthy young adults ( n = 16) the initial burst of the muscle automatic postural response (100–200 ms), startle-related muscle responses (100–200 ms), and the perturbation-evoked cortical N1 potential, i.e., a negative peak in cortical EEG activity (100–200 ms) over the supplementary motor area. Forward and backward translational support-surface balance perturbations were applied at four levels of acceleration and were unpredictable in timing, direction, and acceleration. Our results from averaged and single-trial analyses suggest that although cortical and muscle responses are evoked by the same perturbation stimulus, their amplitudes are independently modulated. Although both muscle and cortical responses increase with acceleration, correlations between single-trial muscle and cortical responses were very weak. Furthermore, across subjects, the scaling of muscle responses to acceleration did not correspond to scaling of cortical responses to acceleration. Moreover, we observed a reduction in cortical response amplitude across trials that was related to a reduction in startle-related—but not balance-correcting—muscle activity. Therefore, cortical response attenuation may be related to a reduction in perceived threat rather than motor adaptation or changes in sensory inflow. We conclude that the cortical N1 reflects integrated sensory inputs simultaneously related to brain stem-mediated balance-correcting muscle responses and startle reflexes.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Reactive balance recovery requires sensory inputs to be transformed into appropriate balance-correcting motor responses via brain stem circuits; these are accompanied by simultaneous and poorly understood cortical responses. We used single-trial analyses to dissociate muscle and cortical response modulation with perturbation acceleration. Although muscle and cortical responses share sensory inputs, they have independent scaling mechanisms. Attenuation of cortical responses with experience reflected attenuation of brain stem-mediated startle responses rather than the amplitude of balance-correcting motor responses.
Altered A-type potassium channel function in the nucleus tractus solitarii in acquired temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Derera Isabel D. , Smith Katalin Cs. , Smith Bret N.
Published: December 2018

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is among the leading causes of death in people with epilepsy. Individuals with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) have a high risk for SUDEP because the seizures are often medically intractable. Neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) have been implicated in mouse models of SUDEP and play a critical role in modulating cardiorespiratory and autonomic output. Increased neuronal excitability of inhibitory, GABAergic neurons in the NTS develops during epileptogenesis, and NTS dysfunction has been implicated in mouse models of SUDEP. In this study we used the pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus model of TLE (i.e., pilo-SE mice) to investigate the A-type voltage-gated K+ channel as a potential contributor to increased excitability in GABAergic NTS neurons during epileptogenesis. Compared with age-matched control mice, pilo-SE mice displayed an increase in spontaneous action potential frequency and half-width 9–12 wk after treatment. Activity of GABAergic NTS neurons from pilo-SE mice showed less sensitivity to 4-aminopyridine. Correspondingly, reduced A-type K+ current amplitude was detected in these neurons, with no change in activation or inactivation kinetics. No changes were observed in Kv4.1, Kv4.2, Kv4.3, KChIP1, KChIP3, or KChIP4 mRNA expression. These changes contribute to the increased excitability in GABAergic NTS neurons that develops in TLE and may provide insight into potential mechanisms contributing to the increased risk for cardiorespiratory collapse and SUDEP in this model.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a leading cause of death in epilepsy, and dysfunction in central autonomic neurons may play a role. In a mouse model of acquired epilepsy, GABAergic neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii developed a reduced amplitude of the A-type current, which contributes to the increased excitability seen in these neurons during epileptogenesis. Neuronal excitability changes in inhibitory central vagal circuitry may increase the risk for cardiorespiratory collapse and SUDEP.
Fluoxetine reverses brain radiation and temozolomide-induced anxiety and spatial learning and memory defect in mice
Authors: Gan Huaiyong , Zhang Qiong , Zhu Bo , Wu Shiwu , Chai Damin
Published: December 2018

Radiation therapy and concomitant temozolomide chemotherapy are commonly used in treatment of brain tumors, but they may also result in behavioral impairments such as anxiety and cognitive deficit. The present study sought to investigate the effect of fluoxetine on the behavioral impairments caused by radiation and temozolomide treatment. C57BL/6J mice were subjected to a single cranial radiation followed by 6-wk cyclic temozolomide administration and were then treated with chronic administration of fluoxetine. Behavioral tests were carried out to determine the anxiety-like behavior and cognition function of these animals. Long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus was measured by electrophysiology, and neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Mice treated with radiation and temozolomide showed increased anxiety-like behavior and cognitive impairment, along with LTP impairment and neurogenesis deficit. Chronic fluoxetine administration could reverse the behavioral dysfunction, enhance LTP, and increase neurogenesis in the hippocampus.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Mice treated with radiation and temozolomide showed increased anxiety-like behavior and cognitive impairment. Chronic fluoxetine administration could reverse the behavioral dysfunction. The effect of fluoxetine might be via rescuing the neurogenesis deficit caused by radiation and temozolomide treatment.
Theta-gamma cascades and running speed
Authors: Sheremet A. , Kennedy J. P. , Qin Y. , Zhou Y. , Lovett S. D. , Burke S. N. , Maurer A. P.
Published: December 2018

Oscillations in the hippocampal local field potential at theta and gamma frequencies are prominent during awake behavior and have demonstrated several behavioral correlates. Both oscillations have been observed to increase in amplitude and frequency as a function of running speed. Previous investigations, however, have examined the relationship between speed and each of these oscillation bands separately. Based on energy cascade models where “…perturbations of slow frequencies cause a cascade of energy dissipation at all frequency scales” (Buzsaki G. Rhythms of the Brain, 2006), we hypothesized that cross-frequency interactions between theta and gamma should increase as a function of speed. We examined these relationships across multiple layers of the CA1 subregion, which correspond to synaptic zones receiving different afferents. Across layers, we found a reliable correlation between the power of theta and the power of gamma, indicative of an amplitude-amplitude relationship. Moreover, there was an increase in the coherence between the power of gamma and the phase of theta, demonstrating increased phase-amplitude coupling with speed. Finally, at higher velocities, phase entrainment between theta and gamma increases. These results have important implications and provide new insights regarding how theta and gamma are integrated for neuronal circuit dynamics, with coupling strength determined by the excitatory drive within the hippocampus. Specifically, rather than arguing that different frequencies can be attributed to different psychological processes, we contend that cognitive processes occur across multiple frequency bands simultaneously with organization occurring as a function of the amount of energy iteratively propagated through the brain.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Often, the theta and gamma oscillations in the hippocampus have been believed to be a consequence of two marginally overlapping phenomena. This perspective, however, runs counter to an alternative hypothesis in which a slow-frequency, high-amplitude oscillation provides energy that cascades into higher frequency, lower amplitude oscillations. We found that as running speed increases, all measures of cross-frequency theta-gamma coupling intensify, providing evidence in favor of the energy cascade hypothesis.
Enhanced visual experience rehabilitates the injured brain inXenopustadpoles in an NMDAR-dependent manner
Authors: Gambrill Abigail C. , Faulkner Regina L. , McKeown Caroline R. , Cline Hollis T.
Published: December 2018

Traumatic brain injuries introduce functional and structural circuit deficits that must be repaired for an organism to regain function. We developed an injury model in which Xenopus laevis tadpoles are given a penetrating stab wound that damages the optic tectal circuit and impairs visuomotor behavior. In tadpoles, as in other systems, injury induces neurogenesis. The newly generated neurons are thought to integrate into the existing circuit; however, whether they integrate via the same mechanisms that govern normal neuronal maturation during development is not understood. Development of the functional visuomotor circuit in Xenopus is driven by sensory activity. We hypothesized that enhanced visual experience would improve recovery from injury by facilitating integration of newly generated neurons into the tectal circuit. We labeled newly generated neurons in the injured tectum by green fluorescent protein expression and examined their circuit integration using electrophysiology and in vivo imaging. Providing animals with brief bouts of enhanced visual experience starting 24 h after injury increased synaptogenesis and circuit integration of new neurons and facilitated behavioral recovery. To investigate mechanisms of neuronal integration and behavioral recovery after injury, we interfered with N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor function. Ifenprodil, which blocks GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors, impaired dendritic arbor elaboration. GluN2B blockade inhibited functional integration of neurons generated in response to injury and prevented behavioral recovery. Furthermore, tectal GluN2B knockdown blocked the beneficial effects of enhanced visual experience on functional plasticity and behavioral recovery. We conclude that visual experience-mediated rehabilitation of the injured tectal circuit occurs by GluN2B-containing NMDA receptor-dependent integration of newly generated neurons.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Recovery from brain injury is difficult in most systems. The study of regenerative animal models that are capable of injury repair can provide insight into cellular and circuit mechanisms underlying repair. Using Xenopus tadpoles, we show enhanced sensory experience rehabilitates the injured visual circuit and that this experience-dependent recovery depends on N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor function. Understanding the mechanisms of rehabilitation in this system may facilitate recovery in brain regions and systems where repair is currently impossible.
An Unusual Case of Metastatic Follicular Thyroid Cancer 40 Years after Initial Diagnosis
Authors: Menon Lakshmi Pakath , Maraka Spyridoula
Published: December 2018

Thyroid cancer recurrence can occur decades after initial diagnosis despite excellent response to therapy. Thyroid cancer recurrence is evaluated using serum thyroglobulin (Tg) and imaging studies including I-131 WBS and neck ultrasound. Limitations in Tg measurement and WBS may result in failure to detect recurrence. We report the case of a 63-year-old man who was noted to have rhonchi during a routine visit. He had a past history of follicular thyroid cancer that was diagnosed 40 years ago and treated with total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine. He had excellent response to therapy with undetectable Tg levels, normal neck ultrasounds, and multiple negative whole body scans (WBS) due to which he was discharged from endocrinology clinic after 37 years of follow-up. Chest X-ray revealed a left lung mass with biopsy positive for thyroid cancer. Tg remained undetectable with negative anti-Tg antibody. Left pneumonectomy was done which revealed a mix of 70% differentiated thyroid cancer and 30% poorly differentiated/anaplastic thyroid cancer. He received two cycles of Doxorubicin and Paclitaxel. At 4 months follow-up after surgery, he had 3 subcentimeter nodules in his right lung. This case highlights that physical exam remains an essential tool to evaluate for recurrence. Since the lungs are the most common site of metastasis in follicular thyroid cancer, a chest X-ray may help detect metastasis that is missed on other modalities.
Bradycardia Leading to Asystole Following Dexmedetomidine Infusion during Cataract Surgery: Dexmedetomidine-Induced Asystole for Cataract Surgery
Authors: Aikaterini Amaniti , Ioannis Dalakakis , Dimitrios Gkinas , Konstantinos Sapalidis , Vasilios Grosomanidis , George Papazisis
Published: December 2018

Dexmedetomidine is an elective alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, being used in anesthesia practice. It offers sedative, anxiolytic, analgesic, muscle relaxant, and sympathetic lytic properties. While respiratory effects are considered minor, there are important cardiovascular side effects with bradycardia and hypotension being the most common. This article presents a case of a patient, with significant comorbidities and polypharmacy, who was scheduled for cataract surgery under dexmedetomidine sedation. During the administration, severe hemodynamic deterioration was observed with bradycardia and hypotension leading to asystole. Cardiac arrest was successfully managed in accordance with the guidelines of the European Resuscitation Council. Despite the promising role of dexmedetomidine in anesthesia practice, the associated adverse effects cannot be ignored. For this reason it is obligatory to have the minimum mandatory monitoring in accordance with the safety and quality guidelines.
Forecasting the Direction of Short-Term Crude Oil Price Changes with Genetic-Fuzzy Information Distribution
Authors: Wang Xinyu , Chen Kegui , Tan Xueping
Published: December 2018

This paper proposes a novel approach to the directional forecasting problem of short-term oil price changes. In this approach, the short-term oil price series is associated with incomplete fuzzy information, and a new fused genetic-fuzzy information distribution method is developed to process such a fuzzy incomplete information set; then a feasible coding method of multidimensional information controlling points is adopted to fit genetic-fuzzy information distribution to time series forecasting. Using the crude oil spot prices of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent as sample data, the empirical analysis results demonstrate that the novel fused genetic-fuzzy information distribution method statistically outperforms the benchmark of logistic regression model in prediction accuracy. The results indicate that this new approach is effective in direction accuracy.
Parameter Optimization of Polishing M300 Mold Steel with an Elastic Abrasive
Authors: Wu Xiao-Jun , Tong Xin , Sun Hao , Jia Huibo , Zhang Lu
Published: December 2018

In order to achieve high-quality polishing of M300 mold steel curved surface, an elastic abrasive is introduced in this paper, and its polishing parameters are optimized so that the mirror roughness can be achieved. Based on the Preston equation and Hertz contact theory, the theoretical material removal equation for surface polishing of elastic abrasives is obtained, and the polishing parameters to be optimized are as follows: particle size S, rotational speed Wt, cutting depth Ap, and feed speed Vf. The Taguchi method is applied to design the orthogonal experiment with four factors and three levels. The influence degree of various factors on the roughness of the polished surface and the combination of parameters to be optimized were obtained by the range analysis method. The particle swarm optimization algorithm optimizes the BP neural network algorithm (PSO-BP), which is used to optimize the polishing parameters. The results show that the rotational speed has the greatest influence on the roughness, the influence degree of abrasive particle size is greater than that of feed speed, and the influence of cutting depth is the least. The optimum parameters are as follows: particle size S 1200#, rotational speed Wt 4500rpm, cutting depth Ap 0.25mm, and feed speed Vf 0.8mm/min. The roughness of the surface polishing with optimum parameters is reduced to 0.021 μm.
Large Pericardial Cyst Presenting as Acute Cough: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Makar Michael , Makar Gabriel , Yousef Kerolos
Published: December 2018

Pericardial cysts are an uncommon cause of mediastinal masses and may be found incidentally on imaging. Symptoms commonly include cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath elucidating a broad differential on examination. Diagnosis is predominantly made using imaging modalities, such as CT, MRI, and CXR with treatment including resection for symptomatic cysts and observation for asymptomatic cysts. Due to a lack of specific signs and symptoms towards identifying pericardial cysts, many are identified at a later stage requiring resection by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). We present the rare case of a patient presenting with a sudden onset cough, shortness of breath, and pleuritic chest pain found to have a large pericardial cyst.
Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy: As a Diagnosis That Is Time Sensitive and Anticipative in Certain Individuals
Authors: Dhulipala Vishal , Bezwada Prema , Gottimukkula Rashika , Abboud Joseph
Published: December 2018

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy, also known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, presents as an acute coronary syndrome. However, the physiology and pathogenesis are different. It is imperative to treat stress-induced cardiomyopathy as an acute coronary syndrome, and once diagnosed, it is imperative to assess and treat heart failure and wait for the impaired myocardial energetics to resolve. At times, the myocardial recuperation is quick that we miss the diagnosis of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.
Design and Simulation of Eight-Rotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Based on Hybrid Control System
Authors: Shen Xueqiang , Fan Jiwei , Wang Haiqing
Published: December 2018

In order to control the position and attitude of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) better in different environments, this study proposed a hybrid control system with backstepping and PID method for eight-rotor UAV in different flight conditions and designed a switching method based on altitude and attitude angle of UAV. The switched process of hybrid controller while UAV taking off, landing, and disturbance under the gust is verified in MATLAB/Simulink. A set of appropriate controllers always matches to the flight of UAV in different circumstances, which can speed up the system response and reduce the steady-state error to improve stability. The simulation results show that the hybrid control system can suppress the drift efficiently under gusts, enhance the dynamic performance and stability of the system, and meet the position and attitude of flight control requirements.
Tuberculosis (TB) of the Porta Hepatis Presenting with Obstructive Jaundice Mimicking a Malignant Biliary Tumor: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: AL Umairi Rashid , AL Abri Ahmed , Kamona Atheel
Published: December 2018

Localized hepatobiliary tuberculosis (TB) is a rare disorder which can present with an obstructive jaundice mimicking other noninfectious causes such as cholangiocarcinoma. Here, we report a case of porta hepatis tuberculosis in 19-year-old female who presented with an obstructive jaundice, and her computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen revealed a hepatic hilar mass with radiological features mimicking a malignant biliary tumor. We also review the literature related to this disorder.
Mechanical Evaluation of Bottom Ash from Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Used in Roadbase
Authors: Tang Qiang , Gu Fan , Chen Hui , Lu Cong , Zhang Yu
Published: December 2018

As a by‐product from the incineration of municipal solid waste, bottom ash has a broad application prospect of resource utilization. In this study, bottom ash was selected as partial aggregate alternative and used as roadbase materials. The cemented aggregate containing bottom ash was evaluated through both experimental and numerical analysis. According to the results, the unconfined compressive strength of samples increases with the curing time, and the failure strain of sample decreases with the curing time. The unconfined compressive strength and failure strain of samples are influenced by the types of bottom ash. The increase of compressive strength with the curing time can be attributed to that the hydration reaction of cement will be more complete when the curing time is longer. The representative value (7 days) of unconfined compressive strength of samples meets the strength requirement (≥2.5 MPa) of the road subbase layer of heavy traffic highway in China. Subsequently, the surface settlement decreases with the increase of the modulus and thickness of roadbase and the distance from the centerline, while the settlement increases with vehicle load increasing. The modulus of the roadbase is not the main influences on the pavement settlement, under the condition that the strength of samples meets the requirements. However, increasing the thickness of roadbase can reduce the settlement at the center of the pavement effectively.
Primary Investigation into the Occurrence of Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in a Range of Smoked Products
Authors: Bouzalakou-Butel Laura-Artemis , Provatidis Pantelis , Sturrock Keith , Fiore Alberto
Published: December 2018

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is produced in foods through many different pathways. Recently, studies have revealed its potential mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. Determination of HMF was originally used as an indicator of both the extent of thermal processing a food had undergone and food quality. It has been identified in a variety of food products such as bread, breakfast cereals, fruit juices, milk, and honey. In addition to the thermal processes that lead to the formation of HMF during thermal treatment, food smoking also creates conditions that result in the formation of HMF. This can take place within the food due to the elevated temperatures associated with hot smoking or by the proximity of the products of the pyrolysis of the wood matrix that is used for smoking (cold smoking). This may lead to further contamination of the product by HMF over and above that associated with the rest of the preparation process. Until now, there have been no studies examining the relation between the smoking procedure and HMF contamination in smoked food. This study is a primary investigation measuring HMF levels in three categories of smoked food products, cheese, processed meat, and fish, using HPLC-UV. The amount of HMF found in all three product categories supports our hypothesis that HMF levels are due to both internal pathways during processing and external contamination from the smoke generation matrix (wood) employed. The results ranged from 1 ppb (metsovone traditional Greek smoked cheese) to 4 ppm (hot-smoked ready-to-eat mackerel). Subsequently for smoked cheese products, a correlation was found between HMF and phenolic compounds generated by the smoking procedures and identified by SPME-GCMS. It was observed that cheese samples that had higher concentrations of HMF were also found to have higher concentrations of syringol and cresols. It is important therefore to understand the smoking procedure’s effect on HMF formation. This will aid in the development of mitigation strategies to reduce HMF formation while retaining the flavour of the smoked products.
TTF1 Expression in Pulmonary Metastatic Rectal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Aversa Sara , Bellan Cristiana
Published: December 2018

Thyroid transcription factor (TTF-1) is a tissue-specific nuclear transcription factor expressed developing thyroid, respiratory epithelium, and diencephalon. TTF-1 is thought to be expressed specifically in most thyroid tumors and in a significant subset of pulmonary neoplasms. However, recent studies on its expression in extrapulmonary carcinomas have demonstrated that TTF-1 is not as specific for lung and thyroid carcinomas as was previously thought: positivity of this marker can be observed, although much less frequently, in some carcinomas arising in other organs, such as the ovaries, endometrium, colon, and breast, as well as in some tumors of the central nervous system. Case reports of patients with TTF-1-positive colon adenocarcinoma are present in medical literature, but there are only a few cases of TTF-1-positive rectal adenocarcinoma. We present the case of a patient with rectal adenocarcinoma with lung metastasis found to be TTF-1-positive on immunohistochemistry. A review of the available literature is also included.
A Distributed Anchor Node Selection Algorithm Based on Error Analysis for Trilateration Localization
Authors: Fan Yingsheng , Qi Xiaogang , Yu Baoguo , Liu Lifang
Published: December 2018

This paper proposes a distributed anchor node selection algorithm based on error analysis for trilateration localization (EATL). The influence of distance measurement error on localization accuracy is discussed from two aspects: condition number of triangle formed by the three anchor nodes and the relative position between the unknown node and the three anchor nodes. Based on the error analysis, three principles for optimizing the selection of anchor nodes are given and then an algorithm for selecting anchor nodes on the ring is proposed.
Association between Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Levels in 2ndTrimester Amniotic Fluid and Fetal Development
Authors: Antonakopoulos Nikolaos , Iliodromiti Zoe , Mastorakos George , Iavazzo Christos , Valsamakis Georgios , Salakos Nikolaos , Papageorghiou Aris , Margeli Alexandra , Kalantaridou Sophia , Creatsas George , Deligeoroglou Efthymios , Vrachnis Nikolaos
Published: December 2018

The development of the fetal nervous system mirrors general fetal development, comprising a combination of genetic resources and effects of the intrauterine environment. Our aim was to assess the 2ndtrimester amniotic fluid levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and to investigate its association with fetal growth. In accordance with our study design, samples of amniotic fluid were collected from women who had undergone amniocentesis early in the 2ndtrimester. All pregnancies were followed up until delivery and fetal growth patterns and birth weights were recorded, following which pregnancies were divided into three groups based on fetal weight: (1) AGA (appropriate for gestational age), (2) SGA (small for gestational age), and (3) LGA (large for gestational age). We focused on these three groups representing a reflection of the intrauterine growth spectrum. Our results revealed the presence of notably higher BDNF levels in the amniotic fluid of impaired growth fetuses by comparison with those of normal growth. Both SGA and macrosomic fetuses are characterized by notably higher amniotic fluid levels of BDNF (mean values of 36,300 pg/ml and 35,700 pg/ml, respectively) compared to normal-growth fetuses (mean value of 32,700 pg/ml). Though apparently small, this difference is, nevertheless, statistically significant (pvalue < 0.05) in SGA fetuses in the extremes of the distribution, i.e., below the 3rd centile. In conclusion, there is clear evidence that severe impairment of fetal growth induces the increased production of fetal brain growth factor as an adaptive mechanism in reaction to a hostile intrauterine environment, thereby accelerating fetal brain development and maturation.
Total Flavonoids from Carya cathayensis Sarg. Leaves Alleviate H9c2 Cells Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury via Effects on miR‐21 Expression, PTEN/Akt, and the Bcl‐2/Bax Pathway
Authors: Jiang Ruibin , Guo Yan , Chen Nipi , Gao Chengxian , Ding Zhishan , Jin Bo
Published: December 2018

This study aimed to investigate whether the total flavonoids (TFs) from Carya cathayensis Sarg. leaves alleviate hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury in H9c2 cardiomyocytes and to explore potential mechanisms. H9c2 cells pretreated with TFs for 24h were exposed to H/R treatment. The results indicated that TFs significantly alleviate H/R injury, which include inhibiting apoptosis and enhancing antioxidant capacity. The protective effects of TFs resulted in higher expression of miR‐21 in H/R‐induced H9c2 cells than that of controls, which in turn upregulated Akt signaling activity via suppressing the expression of PTEN together with decreasing the ratio of Bax/Bcl‐2, caspase3, and cleaved‐caspase3 expression in H/R‐induced H9c2 cells. Conversely, blocking miR‐21 expression with miR‐21 inhibitor effectively suppressed the protective effects of TFs against H/R‐induced injury. Our study suggests that TFs can decrease cell apoptosis, which may be mediated by altering the expression of miR‐21, PTEN/Akt, and Bcl/Bax.
Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Is a Risk Factor for In-Hospital Mortality in Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Hospital-Based Survey
Authors: Ye Ziliang , Lu Haili , Li Lang
Published: December 2018

Background. To evaluate whether a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a risk factor in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods. A retrospective cohort study from February 2013 to January 2017 was performed, and 1600 patients were included (136 patients with EF <50% and 1464 patients with EF ≥50%); all patients underwent PCI. Revascularization, in-hospital mortality, and in-hospital myocardial infarction (MI) during hospitalization were evaluated. Results. The mean age of patients with EF <50% was 62.18 ± 10.31 years, while the mean age of patients with EF ≥50% was 60.06 ± 10.89 years (P=0.029). In-hospital mortality of patients with EF ≥50% was significantly lower than that of patients with EF <50% (0.12% vs. 3.68%, P<0.001), while no difference was observed in revascularization and in-hospital MI between the two groups (2.39% vs. 2.20%, P=0.892; 0.415% vs. 1.47%, P=0.093, respectively). In the univariate analysis, no significant difference was found in revascularization and in-hospital MI between the two groups (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 0.95 to 2.38; OR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.06 to 1.38, respectively) except for in-hospital mortality (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.27). In multivariate analyses, in-hospital mortality of patients with EF ≥50% was still significantly lower than of patients with EF <50% (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.33). There were no differences in revascularization and in-hospital MI between the two groups (OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.44 to 1.63; OR: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.00 to 1.84, respectively). Conclusions. Reduced LVEF is a risk factor for in-hospital mortality in patients after PCI.
Tensile Failure Mechanism of Antiseepage System for Slope with Solid Waste Underground Landfill
Authors: Fei Liu , Jiang Zhongxi
Published: December 2018

The antiseepage membrane applied to the slope of solid waste landfill often shows tensile failure in projects, which results in ineffective antiseepage system and serious environmental pollution. In order to ensure the practical performance of the antiseepage membrane, the tensile force of it was studied, and the settlement mechanical model of the interaction between landfill body, antiseepage membrane, and cushion was established after comprehensively considering the effects of dead weight, lateral pressure, settlement, and foundation boundary. The analytical solutions of the tensile force and displacement of the antiseepage membrane was calculated through differential equation of equilibrium. With general slag and ardealite slag as the research objects, the major parameters affecting the internal tensile force of the antiseepage membrane were analyzed and studied by the combination of numerical and theoretical methods. The results show that the internal tensile force of the antiseepage membrane is greatly affected by the parameters such as the membrane‐slag interface friction angle, the membrane‐cushion interface friction angle, the buried depth, and the single step height. The theoretical slope normal stress and membrane pull‐up force are basically consistent with the numerical calculation results, which indicates that the theory is universally applicable to tackle the tensile failure of the antiseepage membrane in the solid waste landfill system.
PDCD4 Is an Androgen-Repressed Tumor Suppressor that Regulates Prostate Cancer Growth and Castration Resistance
Authors: Zennami Kenji , Choi Su Mi , Liao Ross , Li Ying , Dinalankara Wikum , Marchionni Luigi , Rafiqi Fatema H. , Kurozumi Akira , Hatano Koji , Lupold Shawn E.
Published: December 2018

Androgen receptor (AR) transcriptional activity contributes to prostate cancer development and castration resistance. The growth and survival pathways driven by AR remain incompletely defined. Here, we found PDCD4 to be a new target of AR signaling and a potent regulator of prostate cancer cell growth, survival, and castration resistance. The 3′ untranslated region of PDCD4 is directly targeted by the androgen-induced miRNA, miR-21. Androgen treatment suppressed PDCD4 expression in a dose responsive and miR-21–dependent manner. Correspondingly, AR inhibition dose-responsively induced PDCD4 expression. Using data from prostate cancer tissue samples in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we found a significant and inverse correlation between miR-21 and PDCD4 mRNA and protein levels. Higher Gleason grade tumors exhibited significantly higher levels of miR-21 and significantly lower levels of PDCD4 mRNA and protein. PDCD4 knockdown enhanced androgen-dependent cell proliferation and cell-cycle progression, inhibited apoptosis, and was sufficient to drive androgen-independent growth. On the other hand, PDCD4 overexpression inhibited miR-21–mediated growth and androgen independence. The stable knockdown of PDCD4 in androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells enhanced subcutaneous tumor take rate in vivo, accelerated tumor growth, and was sufficient for castration-resistant tumor growth.

Implications:

This study provides the first evidence that PDCD4 is an androgen-suppressed protein capable of regulating prostate cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, and castration resistance. These results uncover miR-21 and PDCD4-regulated pathways as potential new targets for castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Microtonal Variation in Sung Cantonese
Authors: Schellenberg Murray , Gick Bryan
Published: December 2018

Background/Aims:Both music and language impose constraints on fundamental frequency (F0) in sung music. Composers are known to set words of tone languages to music in a way that reflects tone height but fails to include tone contour. This study tests whether choral singers add linguistic tone contour information to an unfamiliar song by examining whether Cantonese singers make use of microtonal variation.Methods:12 native Cantonese-speaking non-professional choral singers learned and sang a novel song in Cantonese which included a minimal set of the Cantonese tones to probe whether everyday singers add in missing contour information.Results:Cantonese singers add in a rising F0 contour of less than a semitone when singing syllables with lexical rising tones. This microtonal variation is not observed when singing in a lower register.Conclusion:Cantonese singers use microtonal contours to reflect rising contours of Cantonese linguistic tones.