bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Corner Radius on Flow Past Square Cylinder With Tandem Arrangements
Authors: Miran Sajjad , Ahmad Furqan , Arif Waseem , Nazir Kamran
Published: January 2020

The Flow Past square cylinder with tandem arrangement is numerically analyzed using Commercial Finite volume code. The fixed Reynolds number (Re.) 100 is selected for the present study. However, corner radius to diameter ratio, R/D = 0 to 0.5 and L/D = 1.5 to 7.5 spacing between two cylinders is used as a varying parameter. The flow visualization parameters, the drag and lift coefficients are comprehensively presented and compared for different cases in order to reveal the effect of corner radius and gap spacing on the behavior of the flow. The obtained results have shown that flow aerodynamic characteristics are strongly influenced by cylinders rounded corners and spacing. It was also found that the total drag force can be reduced for the downstream cylinder when cylinders are placed within L/D ≤ 4.5.
Design Optimization of a Beam Structure of Machine Tools
Authors: Kaya Necmettin , Genç M. Onur
Published: January 2020

In order to improve the dynamic behavior and cutting accuracy of an industrial laser cutting machine tool, a new beam structure was designed using topology optimization technique. Beams hold the cutting head and laser beam mirrors of laser cutting machine tools. Weight, static and dynamic stiffness of the beam affect the dynamic performance of the machine tool. High weight and low dynamic stiffness in high acceleration and deceleration will result in the vibration of the machine body. In this paper, a new beam is designed using topology optimization to reduce the weight of the beam structure. Static stiffness and natural frequencies were obtained by finite element analyses. The mass reduction obtained was 18%, the maximum displacement is reduced by 13% and the first natural frequency of beam is increased by 29 % in comparison to the original beam. Also the use of aluminum instead of steel was examined and the results are compared.
Spoken German Step by Step: Research, Roots and Redirections
References

Authors: Jansen Louise
Published: January 2020

New Directions in German Studies
IV. German Online
Overview

Authors: Möllering Martina
Published: January 2020

New Directions in German Studies
Notes on Contributors
Authors: -- --
Published: January 2020

New Directions in Geman Studies
Anmerkungen - Notes
Authors: -- --
Published: January 2020

Alois Vogal, Lyrische Autobiographie
Illustrationen
Authors: -- --
Published: January 2020

S. Ryan - Gerard Roth: Gespräche
Interview 11th November 1982
Authors: -- --
Published: January 2020

S. Ryan - Gerhard Roth: Interview 11th November 1982
2 FOREWORD
Authors: -- --
Published: January 2020

K. Brazaitis, J. Bobrowski, Pruzzische Vokabeln
3 INTRODUCTION
3.1 The legacy of Johannes Bobrowski

3.2 The manuscript, use of the Gothic script, alphabetical sequence, sources and content of the OP vocabulary

3.3 The relationship between Bobrowski's OP Vocabulary and his Lithuanian and OP themes

3.4 History of the Old Prussians

3.5 Culture and social status of the Old Prussians

3.6 Language and literary sources of the Old Prussians

3.6.1 The so-called Elbing dictionary (E)

 3.6.1.1 History of the E glossary

3.6.1.2 Editions of E (and other OP glossaries)

3.6.1.3 The content of E in Bobrowski's PV

3.6.1.4 Place of writing and the dialect of the Elbing Vocabulary

 3.6.2 Simon Grunau's Prussian Vocabulary

3.6.3 The Catechisms

3.6.4 Disparate lexical items

4 METHODOLOGY FOR THE ANALYSIS OF PV

4.1 Method of annotation

 5. LITHUANIAN AND OLD PRUSSIAN THEMES

6 PRUZZISCHE VOKABELN AND CLASSIFICATION

7 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

7.1 Principle of selectivity

 7.1.1 The sphere of the human being

7.1.2 Abstract terms and concepts

7.1.3 Grammatical items

8 A GUIDE TO USING THE OPG

 8.1 Divisions of OPG

 8.2 Guide to Citations

 8.3 Abbbreviations / acronyms of Frequently Used Terms & Symbols (cf. Select Bibliography)

8.4 Languages and grammatical terms (deviating LBV and other abbreviations are in brackets)

Authors: -- --
Published: January 2020

K. Brazaitis, J. Bobrowski, Pruzzische Vokablen
12 SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
12.1 Works by Johannes Bobrowski, incl. works edited / collected by the writer; with annotations

12.2 Bibliographies / Books / Dissertations

12.3 Articles

12.4 Dictionaries, Glossaries, Sources, Grammars & Other References

12.5 Websites and other internet resources

12.5.1 Bibliography

12.5.2 Dictionaries

12.5.3 Linguistics

12.5.4 Modern Prussian Texts

12.5.5 Onomastics

12.5.6 Sites Of The Baltic Prussian Movement

12.5.7 Sites On Related Items

Authors: -- --
Published: January 2020

K. Brazaitis, J. Bobrowski, Pruzzische Vokabeln
Einleitung
1. Zum Gehalt der Edition

2. Editorischer Vorbericht

3. Für zwei Jahre nach Japan: Erwartungen und Konfrontation mit der Realität (Hansgerd Delbrück)

4. Der Konservatismus der beiden Delbrück-Vettern im Kontext der Geschichte ihrer preußischen Familie (Hansgerd Delbrück)

 4.1 Die königstreue Generation des Großvaters

4.2 Die Achtundvierziger-Generation der Väter

4.3 Die Generation der Brüder und Vettern im Kaiserreich

4.4 Exkurs: Antisemitismus und Judenfreundlichkeit

4.5 Laura Delbrück

Authors: -- --
Published: January 2020

Delbrück-Briefe
Das Jahr 1887 (26. Juli 1887 - 28. Dezember 1887)
Authors: -- --
Published: January 2020

Delbrück-Briefe
Das Jahr 1888 (6. Oktober 1888 - 26. Dezember 1888)
Das Jahr 1889 (8. Januar 1889 - 8. Juli 1889)
Authors: -- --
Published: January 2020

Delbrück-Briefe
Briefe von Georg Michaelis und Auguste Knipping
Brief von Georg Michaelis an Laura Delbrück

Brief von Auguste Knipping an Laura Delbrück

Dokumente zur Verlobung un Hochzeit von Ernst Delbrück und Eugenie Knipping

Brief von Felix Delbrück an Laura Delbrück vom 12. August 1900

Auszug eines Briefes von Laura Delbrück an Max Delbrück vom 17. August 1900

Anhang

Karten

Archivalien

Literaturverzeichnis

Bildnachweis

Namensregister

Ortsregister

Biographische Notizen

Authors: -- --
Published: January 2020

Delbrück-Briefe
II. COMEDY AND COMMERCE: THE CRITIQUE OF BOULEVARD COMEDY FORMS IN ZUR SCHÖNEN AUSSICHT AND RUND UM DEN KONGRESS
1. Boulevard Comedy and the 'Konversationskomödie'

2. Reversal of Comedy Devices in Zur schönen Aussicht
2.1 Play within a Play

2.1.1 Christine's Dream

2.2 Role-Playing

2.3 Servant/Master Relationship

2.4 Parody of Tragedy

 3. Social Criticism in Zur schönen Aussicht

4. Rund um den Kongreß and its Antecedants
4.1 Definition of the Posse

4.2 Musil's Vinzenz und die Freundin bedeutender Männer

4.3 Dadaism, Goll, Grosz, Brecht and Bronnen

5. Rund um den Kongreß as Grotesque Satire

5.1 Commerce, Communism and Comedy: the Objects of Satire

Authors: -- --
Published: January 2020

Horváth comedy
Fifteen-minute consultation: Kawasaki disease: how to distinguish from other febrile illnesses: tricks and tips
Authors: Kelly Alison , Sales Katie , Fenton-Jones Mary , Tulloh Robert
Published: January 2020

Kawasaki disease (KD) is challenging to diagnose because there is no specific laboratory test and the presentation is often similar to common childhood infections. We highlight some of those KD diagnostic challenges. KD, a self-limiting vasculitis, can cause coronary artery aneurysms. The aim is to optimise management during the acute febrile illness to try and prevent these because a giant coronary artery aneurysm is devastating enough without thinking that it might have been prevented. The conundrum for acute paediatricians is which clinical features best distinguish the febrile child with possible KD, needing intravenous immunoglobulin, from the many other children with febrile illnesses.
Factors associated with extended remission in neovascular age-related macular degeneration on pro re nata treatment protocol
Authors: Lin Tiezhu , Dans Kunny C , Muftuoglu Ilkay Kilic , Meshi Amit , Amador-Patarroyo Manuel J , Cheng Lingyun , Freeman William R
Published: January 2020

Aim

To show the characteristics and outcomes of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) who had extended remission (ER) while on a pro re nata (PRN) treatment protocol.

Methods

This was a retrospective case–control study of a consecutive series of patients with nAMD treated with a PRN antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drug regimen. ER was defined as the absence of haemorrhage, intraretinal/subretinal fluid on optical coherence tomography and leakage on fluorescein angiography for 52 weeks after cessation of anti-VEGF therapy. Matching patients with nAMD who did not achieve ER were included as control group. Cox regression analysis was fitted to identify predictors of time to achieve ER and time to recurrence. A logistic regression analysis of baseline characteristics was used to identify predictors of achieving ER.

Results

Of 830 eyes treated with anti-VEGF monotherapy, 77 (9.2%) eyes achieved ER during a median follow-up of 236 weeks (range 70–525 weeks). Cox regression analysis showed that ER was achieved earlier in eyes with isolated intraretinal fluid (HR, 2.05; 95% CI 1.929 to 4.520; p=0.045) at presentation. Logistic regression analysis showed that type 3 choroidal neovascularisation (OR, 0.090; 95% CI 0.021 to 0.382; p=0.001), thinner choroid (OR, 0.993; 95% CI 0.988 to 0.998; p=0.004) and absence of macular atrophy (OR, 0.233; 95% CI 0.065 to 0.839; p=0.026) at baseline increased the likelihood of achieving ER.

Conclusion

ER is achievable in 9.2% of patients under PRN therapy for nAMD. At presentation with nAMD, anatomical features on retinal imaging may predict the likelihood of achieving ER and a shorter time to achieve ER.
Claims of ‘no difference’ or ‘no effect’ in Cochrane and other systematic reviews
Authors: Marson Smith Phoebe Rose , Ware Lynda , Adams Clive , Chalmers Iain
Published: January 2020

Estimates of treatment effects/differences derived from controlled comparisons are subject to uncertainty, both because of the quality of the data and the play of chance. Despite this, authors sometimes use statistical significance testing to make definitive statements that ‘no difference exists between’ treatments. A survey to assess abstracts of Cochrane reviews published in 2001/2002 identified unqualified claims of ‘no difference’ or ‘no effect’ in 259 (21.3%) out of 1212 review abstracts surveyed. We have repeated the survey to assess the frequency of such claims among the abstracts of Cochrane and other systematic reviews published in 2017. We surveyed the 643 Cochrane review abstracts published in 2017 and a random sample of 643 abstracts of other systematic reviews published in the same year. We excluded review abstracts that referred only to a protocol, lacked a conclusion or did not contain any relevant information. We took steps to reduce biases during our survey. "No difference/no effect" was claimed in the abstracts of 36 (7.8%) of 460 Cochrane reviews and in the abstracts of 13 (6.0%) of 218 other systematic reviews. Incorrect claims of no difference/no effect of treatments were substantially less common in Cochrane reviews published in in 2017 than they were in abstracts of reviews published in 2001/2002. We hope that this reflects greater efforts to reduce biases and inconsistent judgements in the later survey as well as more careful wording of review abstracts. There are numerous other ways of wording treatment claims incorrectly. These must be addressed because they can have adverse effects on healthcare and health research.
Tuberculosis case fatality in India: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Huddart Sophie , Svadzian Anita , Nafade Vaidehi , Satyanarayana Srinath , Pai Madhukar
Published: January 2020

Introduction

The WHO End TB Strategy calls for a global reduction in the case fatality ratio (CFR) below 5%. India accounts for a third of global tuberculosis (TB) deaths. This systematic review estimated CFRs among Indian patients with TB both during and after treatment.

Methods

We systematically searched Medline, Embase and Global Health for eligible studies published between 1 January 2006 and 8 January 2019, including both cohort studies and intervention study control arms that followed Indian patients with TB for fatality either during treatment or post-treatment. From relevant studies we extracted CFRs in addition to study demographics. Study quality was assessed using modified Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network cohort criteria. Sufficiently homogenous studies were pooled using a random effect generalised linear mixed model. A meta-regression was performed to associate study characteristics with resulting CFRs.

Results

218 relevant studies were identified, of which 211 provided treatment phase CFRs. Most patients (92.4%) were treated in the public sector. Quality concerns were identified in 74% of papers. We estimated a pooled treatment phase CFR of 5.16% (95% CI 4.20% to 6.34%) which fell to 3.78% (2.77% to 5.16%) when restricted to 52 high-quality studies. Treatment phase CFRs were higher for paediatric (n=27, 6.50% (2.65% to 10.36%)), drug-resistant (n=43, 14.06% (10.15% to 19.49%)) and HIV-infected (n=35, 10.91% (7.68% to 15.50%)) patients. Nineteen post-treatment CFR studies were too heterogeneous to pool except when restricting to three high-quality studies (2.69% (–0.79% to 6.18%)). Poor study quality (OR=2.27 (2.01 to 2.57)) and tertiary centres patients (OR=1.15 (1.03 to 1.28)) were significantly associated with increased treatment phase case fatality.

Conclusions

Case fatality is a critical measure of the quality of TB care. While India’s treatment CFRs are in line with WHO targets, several key patient groups remain understudied and most studies suffer from methodological issues. Increased high-quality reporting on patient outcomes will help improve the evidence base on this topic.
Secondary care consultant clinicians’ experiences of conducting emergency care and treatment planning conversations in England: an interview-based analysis
Authors: Eli Karin , Ochieng Cynthia , Hawkes Claire , Perkins Gavin D , Couper Keith , Griffiths Frances , Slowther Anne-Marie
Published: January 2020

Objective

To examine secondary care consultant clinicians’ experiences of conducting conversations about treatment escalation with patients and their relatives, using the Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment (ReSPECT) process.

Design

Semi-structured interviews following ward round observations.

Setting

Two National Health Service hospitals in England.

Participants

Fifteen medical and surgical consultants from 10 specialties, observed in 14 wards.

Analysis

Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Three themes were developed: (1) determining when and with whom to conduct a ReSPECT conversation; (2) framing the ReSPECT conversation to manage emotions and relationships and (3) reaching ReSPECT decisions. The results showed that when timing ReSPECT conversations, consultant clinicians rely on their predictions of a patient’s short-term prognosis; when framing ReSPECT conversations, consultant clinicians seek to minimise distress and maximise rapport and when involving a patient or a patient’s relatives in decision-making discussions, consultant clinicians are guided by their level of certainty about the patient’s illness trajectory.

Conclusions

The management of uncertainty about prognoses and about patients’ emotional reactions is central to secondary care consultant clinicians’ experiences of timing and conducting ReSPECT conversations.
Negative recollections regarding doctor–patient interactions among men receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis: a qualitative study of patient experiences in Japan
Authors: Torishima Masako , Urao Michiko , Nakayama Takeo , Kosugi Shinji
Published: January 2020

Objectives

To explore the negative recollections of prostate cancer patients regarding the attitudes and language used by the doctors in delivering their diagnoses in Japan, in order to improve patient-centred communication.

Design and setting

This is a qualitative secondary analysis of the prostate cancer narrative data from the Database of Individual Patients’ Experiences-Japan archives. A thematic analysis was conducted regarding negative recollections of doctors’ words/attitudes when delivering a cancer diagnosis. Recruitment was based on maximum variation sampling. Participants were recruited from medical institutions, patient associations and through media advertisements.

Participants

Men with a diagnosis of prostate cancer (n=51).

Findings

Of the 51 participants, 17 had negative recollections of the doctors’ words/attitudes during the delivery of the cancer diagnosis. After thematic analysis, 11 categories emerged: ‘Surprised by the abrupt disclosure of the diagnosis’, ‘Displeased by the direct disclosure of the diagnosis to the patient in the absence of family members’, ‘Unable to accept the doctor’s negative words in the explanations’, ‘Unable to understand the doctor’s technical jargon’, ‘Distrust due to failure in diagnosis based on previous examinations’, ‘Aggrieved at the doctor’s unwillingness to allow questions’, ‘Dissatisfied with explanations involving facts only’, ‘Indignant over the unexpected disclosure of life expectancy’, ‘Unable to accept the doctor’s blame for the delay in the initial hospital visit’, ‘Uncomfortable with the usage of inappropriate metaphors’ and ‘Pessimistic thoughts despite optimistic explanations’.

Conclusions

It is clear that patients have recollections of a variety of negative experiences regarding the words/attitudes of their doctors at the time they received their prostate cancer diagnosis. Thus, the use of narrative data would facilitate the appropriate application of commonly used guidelines for the delivery of cancer diagnoses tailored to individual patients in clinical practice.
Are adverse events in newly trained home dialysis patients related to learning styles? A single-centre retrospective study from Toronto, Canada
Authors: Auguste Bourne Lewis , Girsberger Michael , Kennedy Claire , Srithongkul Thatsaphan , McGrath-Chong Margaret , Bargman Joanne , Chan Christopher T
Published: January 2020

Objectives

Home haemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) have seen growth in utilisation around the globe over the last few years. However, home dialysis, with its attendant technical complexity and risk of adverse events continues to pose challenges for wider adoption. We examined whether differences in patients’ learning styles are associated with differing risk of adverse events in both home HD and PD patients.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Tertiary care hospital in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Participants

One hundred and eighteen prevalent adult (≥18 years) home dialysis patients (40 PD and 78 home HD) were enrolled. Patients on home dialysis for less than 6 months or receiving home nursing assistance for dialysis were excluded from the study.

Interventions

Enrolled patients completed (VARK) Visual, Aural, Reading-writing and Kinesthetic questionnaires to determine learning styles.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Home HD and PD adverse events were identified within 6 months of completing home dialysis training. Event rates were then stratified and compared according to learning styles.

Results

Thirty patients had a total of 53 adverse events. We used logistic regression analysis to determine unadjusted and adjusted ORs for a single adverse event. Non-visual learners were 4.35 times more likely to have an adverse event (p=0.001). After adjusting for age, gender, dialysis modality, training duration, dialysis vintage, prior renal replacement therapy, visual impairment, education and literacy, an adverse event was still four times more likely among non-visual learners compared to visual learners (p=0.008). A subgroup analysis of home HD patients showed adverse events were more likely among non-visual learners (OR 11.1; p=0.003), whereas PD patients showed a trend for more adverse events in non-visual learners (OR: 1.60; p=0.694).

Conclusions

Different learning styles in home dialysis patients exist. Visual learning styles are associated with fewer adverse events in home dialysis patients within the first 6 months of completing training. Individualisation of home dialysis training by learning style is warranted.
Acceptability of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled chatbots, video consultations and live webchats as online platforms for sexual health advice
Authors: Nadarzynski Tom , Bayley Jake , Llewellyn Carrie , Kidsley Sally , Graham Cynthia Ann
Published: January 2020

Objectives

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services are undergoing a digital transformation. This study explored the acceptability of three digital services, (i) video consultations via Skype, (ii) live webchats with a health advisor and (iii) artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled chatbots, as potential platforms for SRH advice.

Methods

A pencil-and-paper 33-item survey was distributed in three clinics in Hampshire, UK for patients attending SRH services. Logistic regressions were performed to identify the correlates of acceptability.

Results

In total, 257 patients (57% women, 50% aged <25 years) completed the survey. As the first point of contact, 70% preferred face-to-face consultations, 17% telephone consultation, 10% webchats and 3% video consultations. Most would be willing to use video consultations (58%) and webchat facilities (73%) for ongoing care, but only 40% found AI chatbots acceptable. Younger age (<25 years) (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.35 to 4.38), White ethnicity (OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.30 to 6.34), past sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.07 to 3.95), self-reported STI symptoms (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.97), smartphone ownership (OR 16.0, 95% CI 3.64 to 70.5) and the preference for a SRH smartphone application (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.13 to 3.35) were associated with video consultations, webchats or chatbots acceptability.

Conclusions

Although video consultations and webchat services appear acceptable, there is currently little support for SRH chatbots. The findings demonstrate a preference for human interaction in SRH services. Policymakers and intervention developers need to ensure that digital transformation is not only cost-effective but also acceptable to users, easily accessible and equitable to all populations using SRH services.
BET 2: Is keeping the eyes shut while fitting predictive of a psychogenic cause for seizures?
Authors: RN Anna Mackway-Jones , Howard Laura
Published: January 2020

A short cut review was carried out to establish whether the presence of eye closure in a patient that appears to be fitting is useful in determining whether the fit is epileptic or non-epileptic 497 papers were found using the reported searches, of which nine presented the best available evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results and study weaknesses of eight of these papers are tabulated. It is concluded that if a patient has their eyes shut during a fit then it is likely that the fit is psychogenic. However, some epileptic patients do have their eyes shut during seizures and many patients with psychogenic seizures have their eyes open so eye closure alone cannot be used for final diagnosis.
Use of artificial intelligence in imaging in rheumatology – current status and future perspectives
Authors: Stoel Berend
Published: January 2020

After decades of basic research with many setbacks, artificial intelligence (AI) has recently obtained significant breakthroughs, enabling computer programs to outperform human interpretation of medical images in very specific areas. After this shock wave that probably exceeds the impact of the first AI victory of defeating the world chess champion in 1997, some reflection may be appropriate on the consequences for clinical imaging in rheumatology. In this narrative review, a short explanation is given about the various AI techniques, including ‘deep learning’, and how these have been applied to rheumatological imaging, focussing on rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis as examples. By discussing the principle limitations of AI and deep learning, this review aims to give insight into possible future perspectives of AI applications in rheumatology.
The impact of upper limb exercise on function, daily activities and quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus: a pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Keramiotou Kyriaki , Anagnostou Christos , Kataxaki Evangelia , Galanos Antonios , Sfikakis Petros P , Tektonidou Maria G
Published: January 2020

Objective

To assess the effect of upper limb exercise on hand function, daily activities performance and quality of life of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

We performed a pilot randomised, 24-week follow-up, unmasked controlled trial. Inclusion criteria were upper limb arthralgias, a Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire score >10 and a stable treatment over the past 3 months. Patients were randomly allocated in the routine care (control) or exercise group that received an individually tailored 30-min daily upper-limb exercise programme by a hand therapist for 12 weeks. We evaluated at 0, 6, 12 and 24 weeks the performance of daily activities for both groups with DASH questionnaire and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), the grip and pinch strength with Jamar dynamometer and pinch gauge tool, respectively, the dexterity with Purdue pegboard test, the quality of life with Lupus Quality of Life (LupusQoL) Questionnaire and the pain level by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score.

Results

From 293 consecutive SLE patients, data from 32 patients allocated to the exercise group and 30 to the control group were analysed. There was a significant difference between the two groups in percentage changes of DASH, HAQ, grip strength, pinch strength, LupusQoL-physical health and fatigue, and VAS scores from baseline to 6, 12 and 24 weeks, and from baseline to 12 weeks for dexterity test (p<0.001). No interaction was observed between exercise and disease activity or medication use at baseline and during the observation period.

Conclusion

Upper-limb exercise significantly improves hand function, pain, daily activity performance and quality of life in SLE.

Trial registration number

NCT03802578.
Surgical and computed tomographic findings of retained surgical sponges in two dogs following abdominal surgery
Authors: Chatzimisios Kyriakos , Patsikas Michael , Angelou Vasileia , Tragoulia Ioanna , Papazoglou Lysimachos G
Published: January 2020

Two dogs presented with chronic vomiting and an abdominal mass, respectively, for further investigation and treatment. Abdominal ultrasound revealed an intramural intestinal mass with a core of strongly echogenic interfaces surrounded by a rim of soft tissue echogenicity in one of the dogs and a well‐demarcated soft tissue echogenicity mass in the other dog. Abdominal CT revealed an intramural intestinal mass with air attenuating centre surrounded by a soft tissue‐attenuating rim in one of the dogs and a well‐demarcated soft tissue‐attenuating mass in the other dog. Abdominal exploration revealed a retained sponge within the intestine of one of the dogs and a sponge that adhered to the jejunum in the other dog. One of the dogs underwent intestinal resection and the other had a mass resection. One of the dogs was euthanatised due to an anastomotic leak and secondary peritonitis, and the other was free of clinical signs of abdominal disease 1 year after surgery.
Age validation of yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) and bigeye (Thunnus obesus) tuna of the northwestern Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Andrews Allen H. , Pacicco Ashley , Allman Robert , Falterman Brett J. , Lang Erik T. , Golet Walter
Published: January 2020

Estimates of age and growth of yellowfin (Thunnus albacares) and bigeye (Thunnus obesus) tuna remain problematic because validation of growth zone deposition (opaque and translucent) has not been properly evaluated. Otolith growth structure (zone clarity) can be poorly defined for tropical tunas, but the use of bomb radiocarbon dating has validated age estimates to 16–18 years for yellowfin and bigeye tuna. Use of the radiocarbon decline period — defined by regional coral and otoliths — provided valid ages through ontogeny. Yellowfin tuna aged 2–18 years (n = 34, 1029–1810 mm FL) and bigeye tuna aged 3–17 years (n = 12, 1280–1750 mm FL) led to birth years that were coincident with the bomb radiocarbon decline. The results indicate there was no age reading bias for yellowfin tuna and that age estimates of previous studies were likely underestimated for both species.
Integrating Network Pharmacology and Experimental Models to Investigate the Efficacy of Coptidis and Scutellaria Containing Huanglian Jiedu Decoction on Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Huang Jihan , Guo Wei , Cheung Fan , Tan Hor-Yue , Wang Ning , Feng Yibin
Published: January 2020

Unlike Western medicines with single-target, the traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) always exhibit diverse curative effects against multiple diseases through its “multi-components” and “multi-targets” manifestations. However, discovery and identification of the major therapeutic diseases and the underlying molecular mechanisms of TCM remain to be challenged. In the current study, we, for the first time, applied an integrated strategy by combining network pharmacology with experimental evaluation, for exploration and demonstration of the therapeutic potentials and the underlying possible mechanisms of a classic TCM formula, Huanglian Jiedu decoction (HLJDD). First, the herb–compound, compound–protein, protein–pathway, and gene–disease networks were constructed to predict the major therapeutic diseases of HLJDD and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. Network pharmacology analysis showed the top one predicted disease of HLJDD treatment was cancer, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and inflammation-related genes played an important role in the treatment of HLJDD on cancer. Next, based on the prediction by network pharmacology analysis, both in vitro HCC cell and in vivo orthotopic HCC implantation mouse models were established to validate the curative role of HLJDD. HLJDD exerted its antitumor activity on HCC in vitro, as demonstrated by impaired cell proliferation and colony formation abilities, induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, as well as inhibited migratory and invasive properties of HCC cells. The orthotopic HCC implantation mouse model further demonstrated the remarkable antitumour effects of HLJDD on HCC in vivo. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the effectiveness of integrating network pharmacology with experimental study for discovery and identification of the major therapeutic diseases and the underlying molecular mechanisms of TCM.
Entropy fluctuations to quantify mixedness
Authors: Anaya-Contreras J. A. , Zúñiga-Segundo A. , Moya-Cessa H. M.
Published: January 2020

We propose a mixedness quantifier based on entropy fluctuations. It provides information about the degree of mixedness either for finite dimensional and infinite dimensional Hilbert spaces (HS). It may be used to determine the reduction of the HS as it becomes maximum when either the state is maximally mixed, or when the HS effectively reduces its dimensions, such as in the atom field interaction where the two-level atom dictates the final dimension of the field.
The Socialization of China’s Assertiveness: Examining Waltz’s Neorealist Mechanism of “Socialization” in China’s Regional Security Relations
Authors: NORRIS WILLIAM
Published: January 2020

This is a study of learning and socialization in China’s foreign security policy, examining how China has at times been more assertive and in other instances has taken a more accommodating approach in its foreign security policy behavior. This paper argues that China has been “socialized” by its international security environment by exploring Kenneth Waltz’s theoretical mechanism of the “socialization” of states in the international system. The 1995–1996 Taiwan Strait Crisis and the early 2000s, the Senkaku/Diaoyutai crises from 2012 to 2015, and the South China Sea in the mid-1990s are all instances in which China has employed force only to suffer strategically. This has eventually led to a less confrontational posture and contributed to the pursuit of a more cooperative engagement strategy with both Southeast Asia (from 1998 to 2008) and Taiwan ([Formula: see text]2006–2016). Variations in China’s assertiveness can be explained by the combination of domestic politics and signals from China’s international security environment.
Evolution of a shear zone before, during and after melting
Authors: Lee Amicia L. , Lloyd Geoffrey E. , Torvela Taija , Walker Andrew M.
Published: January 2020

Partial melt in the deforming mid- or lower continental crust causes a strength decrease and drives formation of lithological heterogeneities. However, mechanisms of formation of syn-melt deformation zones and strain partitioning in partially molten rock remain poorly understood. We use field and microstructural observations to unravel the evolution of a partial melt shear zone, Seiland Igneous Province, northern Norway. The Øksfjord shear zone (ØSZ) is one of several paragneiss shear zones present within gabbros of the Seiland Igneous Province, formed by syn-intrusive deep crustal shearing during lithospheric extension related to continental rifting. Microstructures from the ØSZ show evidence for different deformation conditions. The first phase was active pre-melt and involved deformation at high subsolidus temperatures. This was followed by syn-melt deformation of the shear zone causing a relative strength increase towards the shear zone centre upon crystallization. The third phase nucleated two parallel shear zones at the edges of the ØSZ; melt textures are absent and microstructures indicate deformation at lower temperatures and higher stresses. In effect, melt migration towards the shear zone centre ultimately led to strengthening of the shear zone core, with post-crystallization deformation focusing along shear zone margins where significant heterogeneities are present.

Supplementary material:
Figures illustrating grain boundary dihedral angle data, EBSD maps, grain size distribution and additional pole figures is available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4819494
Cognitive Work of Hypothesis Exploration During Anomaly Response
Authors: Grayson Marisa R.
Published: January 2020

Four incidents from web-based software companies reveal important aspects of anomaly response processes when incidents arise in web operations, two of which are discussed in this article. One particular cognitive function examined in detail is hypothesis generation and exploration, given the impact of obscure automation on engineers’ development of coherent models of the systems they manage. Each case was analyzed using the techniques and concepts of cognitive systems engineering. The set of cases provides a window into the cognitive work "above the line" in incident management of complex web-operation systems.
Methionine dietary supplementation potentiates ionizing radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome
Authors: Miousse Isabelle R. , Ewing Laura E. , Skinner Charles M. , Pathak Rupak , Garg Sarita , Kutanzi Kristy R. , Melnyk Stepan , Hauer-Jensen Martin , Koturbash Igor
Published: January 2020

Methionine is an essential amino acid needed for a variety of processes in living organisms. Ionizing radiation depletes tissue methionine concentrations and leads to the loss of DNA methylation and decreased synthesis of glutathione. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of methionine dietary supplementation in CBA/CaJ mice after exposure to doses ranging from 3 to 8.5 Gy of 137Cs of total body irradiation. We report that mice fed a methionine-supplemented diet (MSD; 19.5 vs. 6.5 mg/kg in a methionine-adequate diet, MAD) developed acute radiation toxicity at doses as low as 3 Gy. Partial body irradiation performed with hindlimb shielding resulted in a 50% mortality rate in MSD-fed mice exposed to 8.5 Gy, suggesting prevalence of radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome in the development of acute radiation toxicity. Analysis of the intestinal microbiome demonstrated shifts in the gut ecology, observed along with the development of leaky gut syndrome and bacterial translocation into the liver. Normal gut physiology impairment was facilitated by alterations in the one-carbon metabolism pathway and was exhibited as decreases in circulating citrulline levels mirrored by decreased intestinal mucosal surface area and the number of surviving crypts. In conclusion, we demonstrate that a relevant excess of methionine dietary intake exacerbates the detrimental effects of exposure to ionizing radiation in the small intestine.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Methionine supplementation, instead of an anticipated health-promoting effect, sensitizes mice to gastrointestinal radiation syndrome. Mechanistically, excess of methionine negatively affects intestinal ecology, leading to a cascade of physiological, biochemical, and molecular alterations that impair normal gut response to a clinically relevant genotoxic stressor. These findings speak toward increasing the role of registered dietitians during cancer therapy and the necessity of a solid scientific background behind the sales of dietary supplements and claims regarding their benefits.
Pure Red Cell Aplasia with Del(20q) Sensitive for Immunosuppressive Treatment
Authors: Vo Anh Khoi , Kollsete Gjelberg Hilde , Hovland Randi , Lindstad Brattås Marte Karen , Bruserud Øystein , Reikvam Håkon
Published: January 2020

Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a rare syndrome that only affects the erythroid lineage. It is defined by a normocytic, normochromic anemia with a marked reticulocytopenia and severe reduction or absence of erythroid precursors in the bone marrow. Treatment of primary, idiopathic PRCA is immunosuppressive therapy. Although it is rare, isolated cytogenetic abnormalities can be seen in PRCA, and abnormal karyotype is associated with poor response to immunosuppressive therapy and poor prognosis. We describe a 77-year-old male with primary, idiopathic PRCA and a deletion of chromosome 20q, del(20q), in the bone marrow cells. He was successfully treated with immunosuppressive therapy and became transfusion-independent. The same cytogenetic abnormality has also been described in a few other reports; taken together, these observations suggest that del(20q) may represent a recurrent cytogenetic abnormality in PRCA. Our case report clearly illustrates that even patients with primary PRCA and an abnormal karyotype can respond to immunosuppression and become transfusion-independent.
Erythromycin Suppresses the Cigarette Smoke Extract-Exposed Dendritic Cell-Mediated Polarization of CD4+T Cells into Th17 Cells
Authors: Liu Jifeng , Zhong Xiaoning , He Zhiyi , Zhang Jianquan , Bai Jing , Liu Guangnan , Liang Yi , Ya Leilei , Qin Xianglin
Published: January 2020

Cigarette smoke is a major effector of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and Th17 cells and dendritic cells (DCs) involve in the pathogenesis of COPD. Previous studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of macrolides. However, the effects of macrolides on the cigarette smoke extract- (CSE-) induced immune response are unclear. Accordingly, in this study, we evaluated the effects of erythromycin (EM) on CSE-exposed DCs polarizing naïve CD4+T cells into Th17 cells. DCs were generated from bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells isolated from male BALB/c mice and divided into five groups: control DC group, CSE-exposed DC group, CD40-antibody-blocked CSE-exposed DC group, and EM-treated CSE-exposed DC group. The function of polarizing CD4+T cells into Th17 cells induced by all four groups of DCs was assayed based on the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) of naïve CD4+T cells. CD40 expression in DCs in the CSE-exposed group increased significantly compared with that in the control group (P<0.05). The Th17 cells in the CSE-exposed DC/MLR group increased significantly compared with those in the control DC/MLR group (P<0.05). Moreover, Th17 cells in the CD40-blocked CSE-exposed DC/MLR group and EM-treated CSE-exposed DC/MLR group were reduced compared with those in the CSE-exposed DC/MLR group (P<0.05). Thus, these findings suggested that EM suppressed the CSE-exposed DC-mediated polarization of CD4+T cells into Th17 cells and that this effect may be mediated through inhibition of the CD40/CD40L pathway.
New Insights into the Role of Tyro3, Axl, and Mer Receptors in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Pagani Sara , Bellan Mattia , Mauro Daniele , Castello Luigi Mario , Avanzi Gian Carlo , Lewis Myles J. , Sainaghi Pier Paolo , Pitzalis Costantino , Nerviani Alessandra
Published: January 2020

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is the most common chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease involving joints. Among several pathogenic mechanisms, the impairment of homeostatic regulators of inflammation seems to be critically important to sustain persistent infiltration and activation of immune and stromal cells within the diseased synovium. Tyrosine kinase receptors Tyro3, Axl, and Mer are members of the TAM family. Upon binding their ligands Growth Arrest-Specific gene 6 (Gas6) and Protein S (ProS1), TAM receptors (TAMs) exert numerous and diverse biologic functions. Activated Axl and Mer, for instance, can negatively regulate the inflammatory cascade and mediate phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, contributing to prevent the development of autoimmunity. Thus, a role for TAMs has been hypothesized in RA. In this review, we will summarise unmet clinical needs in RA, depict the biology of TAMs and TAM ligands, focussing on their ability to regulate the immune system and inflammation cascade, and finally offer an overview of the state-of-the-art literature about the putative role of TAM axis in RA.
A Fault Diagnosis Method for Power Transmission Networks Based on Spiking Neural P Systems with Self-Updating Rules considering Biological Apoptosis Mechanism
Authors: Liu Wei , Wang Tao , Zang Tianlei , Huang Zhu , Wang Jun , Huang Tao , Wei Xiaoguang , Li Chuan
Published: January 2020

Power transmission networks play an important role in smart girds. Fast and accurate faulty-equipment identification is critical for fault diagnosis of power systems; however, it is rather difficult due to uncertain and incomplete fault alarm messages in fault events. This paper proposes a new fault diagnosis method of transmission networks in the framework of membrane computing. We first propose a class of spiking neural P systems with self-updating rules (srSNPS) considering biological apoptosis mechanism and its self-updating matrix reasoning algorithm. The srSNPS, for the first time, effectively unitizes the attribute reduction ability of rough sets and the apoptosis mechanism of biological neurons in a P system, where the apoptosis algorithm for condition neurons is devised to delete redundant information in fault messages. This simplifies the complexity of the srSNPS model and allows us to deal with the uncertainty and incompleteness of fault information in an objective way without using historical statistics and expertise. Then, the srSNPS-based fault diagnosis method is proposed. It is composed of the transmission network partition, the SNPS model establishment, the pulse value correction and computing, and the protection device behavior evaluation, where the first two components can be finished before failures to save diagnosis time. Finally, case studies based on the IEEE 14- and IEEE 118-bus systems verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method.
RNA N6-Methyladenosine Modifications and the Immune Response
Authors: Wang Ya-Nan , Yu Chen-Yang , Jin Hong-Zhong
Published: January 2020

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most important modification of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in higher eukaryotes. Modulation of m6A modifications relies on methyltransferases and demethylases. The discovery of binding proteins confirms that the m6A modification has a wide range of biological effects and significance at the molecular, cellular, and physiological levels. In recent years, techniques for investigating m6A modifications of RNA have developed rapidly. This article reviews the biological significance of RNA m6A modifications in the innate immune response, adaptive immune response, and viral infection.
Long Noncoding RNA AFAP1-AS1 Promotes Cell Proliferation and Metastasis via the miR-155-5p/FGF7 Axis and Predicts Poor Prognosis in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Ma Hong-Wu , Xi Da-Yong , Ma Jian-Zhong , Guo Min , Ma Li , Ma Dong-Hong , Li Pei-Wu , Guo Chang-An
Published: January 2020

Background. Actin filament-associated protein 1-antisense RNA 1 (AFAP1-AS1) plays an important role in the development and progression of several human cancers. However, its biological function in gastric cancer (GC) progression is still unknown. Methods. We used qRT-PCR to detect the relative expression of AFAP1-AS1 in GC tissues and cell lines. The loss-of-function assays were conducted to detect the effect of AFAP1-AS1 on GC development. Bioinformatics analysis, luciferase reporter gene analysis, and RIP analysis were used to identify and validate target genes of AFAP1-AS1. Finally, rescue tests were performed to confirm the influence of the AFAP1-AS1-miR-155-5p-FGF7 axis on GC development. Results. AFAP1-AS1 was upregulated in GC tissues and cell lines and was closely correlated with poor prognosis of GC patients. AFAP1-AS1 knockdown inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells, indicating that AFAP1-AS1 acts as an oncogene in GC. Bioinformatics analysis, dual-luciferase reporter gene detection, and RIP assays validated that AFAP1-AS1 directly interacts to miR-155-5p and could positively affect cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by regulation of the expression of miR-155-5p and FGF7. Further rescue assays revealed that AFAP1-AS1 promotes cell proliferation and metastasis through the miR-155-5p/FGF7 axis in GC. Conclusions. AFAP1-AS1 might be an oncogenic lncRNA that promoted GC progression by acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) that regulates the expression of FGF7 through sponging miR-155-5p, suggesting that AFAP1-AS1 may be a novel potential therapeutic target for GC.
Overview of Strategies to Improve Therapy against Tumors Using Natural Killer Cell
Authors: Yang Chaopin , Li Yue , Yang Yaozhang , Chen Zhiyi
Published: January 2020

NK cells are lymphocytes with antitumor properties and can directly lyse tumor cells in a non-MHC-restricted manner. However, the tumor microenvironment affects the immune function of NK cells, which leads to immune evasion. This may be related to the pathogenesis of some diseases. Therefore, great efforts have been made to improve the immunotherapy effect of natural killer cells. NK cells from different sources can meet different clinical needs, in order to minimize the inhibition of NK cells and maximize the response potential of NK cells, for example, modification of NK cells can increase the number of NK cells in tumor target area, change the direction of NK cells, and improve their targeting ability to malignant cells. Checkpoint blocking is also a promising strategy for NK cells to kill tumor cells. Combination therapy is another strategy for improving antitumor ability, especially in combination with oncolytic viruses and nanomaterials. In this paper, the mechanisms affecting the activity of NK cells were reviewed, and the therapeutic potential of different basic NK cell strategies in tumor therapy was focused on. The main strategies for improving the immune function of NK cells were described, and some new strategies were proposed.