bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ROS-based lethality ofC. elegansmitochondrial electron transport mutants grown onE. colisiderophore iron release mutants
Authors: Govindan J. Amaranath , Jayamani Elamparithi , Ruvkun Gary
Published: July 2019

C. elegansconsumes bacteria which can supply essential vitamins and cofactors especially for mitochondrial functions ancestrally related to bacteria. Therefore, we screened the KeioE. coliknockout library for mutations that induce aC. elegansmitochondrial damage response gene. We identified 45E. colimutations that induce a theC. elegans hsp-6::gfpresponse gene. Surprisingly, four of theseE. colimutations that disrupt the import or removal of iron from the bacterial siderophore enterobactin were lethal in combination withC. elegansmutations that disrupt particular iron-sulfur proteins of the electron transport chain. Bacterial mutations that fail to synthesize enterobactin are not synthetic lethal with theseC. elegansmitochondrial mutants; it is the enterobactin-iron complex that is lethal in combination with theC. elegansmitochondrial mutations. Antioxidants suppress this inviability, suggesting that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced by the mutant mitochondria in combination with the bacterial enterobactin-iron complex.

Significance Statement

The animal mitochondrion has a bacterial origin and continues to have a dialogue with the bacterial metabolisms of their microbiome. We identified 45E. coligene disruptions that induce aC. elegansmitochondrial damage response gene. Four of theseE. colimutations that disrupt the import or retrieval of iron from the siderophore enterobactin were synthetic lethal withC. elegansmitochondrial mutants. Antioxidants strongly suppressed the inviability ofC. elegansmitochondrial mutants grown on theE. colienterobactin siderophore utilization or import mutants. We hypothesize that reactive oxygen species are produced by C. elegans mitochondrial mutations and that this non-lethal ROS triggers ferric-chelated enterobactin to induce dramatically increased ROS, which leads to lethality.
Müllerian-inhibiting substance (MIS) is both necessary and sufficient for testicular differentiation in Chinese soft-shelled turtlePelodiscus sinensis
Authors: Zhou Yingjie , Sun Wei , Cai Han , Bao Haisheng , Zhang Yu , Qian Guoying , Ge Chutian
Published: July 2019

Müllerian-inhibiting substance (Mis, or anti-müllerian hormone,Amh), a member of TGF-β superfamily, as initiator or key regulator in sexual development has been well documented in some vertebrates, especially in fish. However, its functional role has not been identified yet in reptiles. Here we characterized theMisgene in Chinese soft-shelled turtlePelodiscus sinensis (P. sinensis), a typical reptilian species exhibiting ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes. The mRNA ofMiswas initially expressed in male embryonic gonads by stage 15, preceding gonadal sex differentiation, and exhibited male-specific expression pattern throughout embryogenesis. Moreover,Miswas rapidly up-regulated during female-to-male sex reversal induced by aromatase inhibitor letrozole. Most importantly,Misloss of function by RNA interference led to complete feminization of genetic male (ZZ) gonads, suppression of the testicular markerSox9, and upregulation of the ovarian regulatorCyp19a1. Conversely, overexpression ofMisin ZW embryos resulted in female-to-male sex reversal, characterized by the formation of testis structure, ectopic activation ofSox9, and a remarkable decline inCyp19a1. Collectively, these findings provide the first solid evidence thatMisis both necessary and sufficient to drive testicular development in a reptilian species,P. sinensis, highlighting the significance of the TGF-β pathway in reptilian sex determination.
Design of fluid components using the topological optimization method
Authors: Ruspini L.C. , Dari E. , Padra C. , Paissan G.H. , Salva N.N.
Published: July 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present applications of the topological optimization method dealing with fluid dynamic problems in two- and three dimensions. The main goal is to develop a tool package able to optimize topology in realistic devices (e.g. inlet manifolds) considering the non-linear terms on Navier–Stokes equations.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an in-house Fortran code, a Galerkin stabilized finite element is implemented method to solve the three equation systems necessary for the topological optimization method: the direct problem, adjoint problem and topological derivative. The authors address the non-linearity in the equations using an iterative method. Different techniques to create holes into a two-dimensional discrete domain are analyzed.

Findings

One technique to create holes produces more accurate and robust results. The authors present several examples of applications in two- and three-dimensional components, which highlight the potential of this method in the optimization of fluid components.

Research limitations/implications

The authors contribute to the methodology and design in engineering.

Practical implications

Engineering fluid flow systems are used in many different industrial applications, e.g. oil flow in pipes; air flow around an airplane wing; sailing submarines; blood flow in synthetic arteries; and thermal and fissure spreading problems. The aim of this work is to create an effective design tool for obtaining efficient engineering structures and devices.

Originality/value

The authors contribute by creating an application of the method to design a tridimensional realistic device, which can be essayed experimentally. Particularly, the authors apply the design tool to an inlet manifold.
Review of AAC interventions in persons with dementia
Authors: May Auriel A. , Dada Shakila , Murray Janice
Published: July 2019

Background

Communication is an important priority in dementia research. Communication strategies and scaffolds, specifically through augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), offer vital compensatory support for persons with dementia in an attempt to maintain the latter's quality of life and well‐being through participation with others. To date, no research review has been published that synthesizes the current research of AAC in the field of dementia.

Aims

To provide an overview of current AAC strategies and techniques used for supporting communication in dementia by surveying the literature base in a systematic manner, synthesizing the findings and highlighting trends and gaps.

Methods & Procedures

A multifaceted search strategy included nine electronic database searches, using specific keywords. Application of predefined selection criteria during screening procedures led to the inclusion of 39 studies. Data were extracted and studies synthesized according to communication partners; description of AAC strategies and techniques; outcome measures; and communication outcomes.

Main Contribution

This review shows that the majority of the research to date has focused on supporting the interactions of persons with dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT) using non‐electronic memory and communication aids. Future research should focus on social participation and person‐centred communication to optimize functional communication with AAC. Training programmes targeting dyadic interaction and supporting persons with dementia from diverse ethnic backgrounds are avenues for further research.

Conclusions

Research trends and, more importantly, the gaps highlighted in this research review present speech–language therapists and researchers with a set of current priorities that are necessary for the advancement of the knowledge base.
The experiences of minority ethnic heritage parents having a child with SEND: a systematic literature review
Authors: Akbar Sarwat , Woods Kevin
Published: July 2019

Given the need to provide culturally competent children's services which support each child's right to full educational participation, the current systematic literature review aims to provide an up‐to‐date, international review of empirical studies that investigate the experience of minority ethnic heritage parents who have a child with special educational needs and disability (SEND). Studies were assessed using a qualitative assessment framework. Of the 17 studies that met the inclusion criteria, only 11 were classed as higher quality and included in the final synthesis. The findings highlight that for ethnic heritage families, parenting a child with a disability can be a highly stressful experience, involving a sense of loss and concerns for the child's future, compounded by familial and cultural factors as well as professional service factors, with religious beliefs and practices, on the whole, serving as a protective factor. Implications for educational psychology practice and future research are clearly identified.
Downregulation of vitamin D receptor and miR‐126‐3p expression contributes to increased endothelial inflammatory response in preeclampsia
Authors: Xu Jie , Gu Yang , Lewis David F. , Cooper Danielle B. , McCathran Charles E. , Wang Yuping
Published: July 2019

Problem

To investigate whether downregulation of miR‐126‐3p and vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression contributes to increased endothelial inflammatory response in preeclampsia.

Methods of study

Maternal vessel miR‐126‐3p expression was assessed by in situ hybridization. VDR expression and VCAM‐1 expression were determined by immunostaining. Subcutaneous adipose tissue sections from normotensive and preeclamptic pregnant women were used. HUVECs from normotensive deliveries were used to test anti‐inflammatory effects of vitamin D and miR‐126‐3p in endothelial cells (ECs) treated with TNFα in vitro. 1,25(OH)2D3 was used as bioactive vitamin D. Transient overexpression of miR‐126‐3p in ECs was induced by transfection of pre‐mir‐126 precursor. Endothelial VCAM‐1 and SOCS‐3 expression or production was determined by Western blotting or by ELISA, respectively.

Results

Reduced VDR and miR‐126‐3p expression, but increased VCAM‐1 expression, was observed in maternal vessel endothelium in tissue sections from women with preeclampsia compared to normotensive pregnant controls. Transient overexpression of miR‐126‐3p not only attenuated upregulation of VCAM‐1 expression and production, but also preserved downregulation of SOCS‐3 expression, induced by TNFα in ECs. VDR expression and miR‐126‐3p expression were significantly upregulated in cells treated with 1,25(OH)2D3, but not in cells transfected with VDR siRNA.

Conclusion

Downregulation of VDR and miR‐126‐3p expression was associated with upregulation of VCAM‐1 expression in systemic vessel endothelium in preeclampsia. The finding of increased anti‐inflammatory property by 1,25(OH)2D3 through promotion of VDR and miR‐126‐3p expression in ECs provide plausible evidence that vitamin D deficiency and downregulation of VDR expression could contribute to increased inflammatory phenotypic changes in maternal vasculature in preeclampsia.
Innovative Family Mediation Research Initiative Embedded in the Community In Ireland
Authors: Conneely Sinéad , O'Shea Róisín
Published: July 2019

The Family Mediation Project is a not‐for‐profit means‐tested research initiative at Waterford Institute of Technology, based on an innovative family mediation model developed by Dr Roisin O’ Shea, following her Irish Research Council funded doctoral research. The project, led by W.I.T.’s Dr Sinéad Conneely (coordinator) and Dr Roisin O’ Shea (principal investigator), is test‐running the next iteration in family mediation, embedded in the community, comprising of the most effective elements sourced globally, with a particular focus on innovations in Canada, and is gathering empirical data to evidence outcomes. The final “real world” phase of the project commenced in May 2018, an exciting collaboration between voluntary, statutory agencies and a research institution to further test the effectiveness of this innovative approach on a larger scale at community level in the south Dublin area. This paper will discuss the project innovations and efficacy of the projects objectives, to provide effective mediation as quickly as possible for families and their children, within their community, by experienced family mediators, with hook‐ups and sign‐posting to trusted existing resources, such as the support services offered by the Family Resource Centres, and on‐line and face‐to‐face resources, with the court‐room as an end of pipe‐line solution or emergency forum only.
Finding the Right Support: One Size Doesn't Fit All
Authors: Cubitt Rosanne
Published: July 2019

Support for families in the context of separation and divorce has evolved significantly over the last 30 years in the UK. There is growing acceptance that “one size doesn't fit all”—families need different support at different times, and often a combination of services. Relationships Scotland, a network of 21 Member Services, is able to customize and integrate support to meet the needs of each particular family at any stage of relationship difficulty. This article describes the impact of tailored support for one family, as an example of the potential benefit of community‐based, integrated, and flexible support provision.
The Role, Benefits, and Concerns of Digital Technology in the Family Justice System
Authors: Hodson David
Published: July 2019

Digitalization is increasing across family justice systems around the world. What are the benefits? What will be the impact on professional practice and legal representation? What are the concerns for those who may be digitally disadvantaged? How much can justice itself become digital?
Associations of dietetic management with maternal and neonatal health outcomes in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Absalom G. , Zinga J. , Margerison C. , van der Pligt P.
Published: July 2019

Background

In 2010, the recommended diagnostic thresholds for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were amended, which has increased GDM diagnoses, as well as pressure on the services involved in GDM management, specifically impacting dietetic workloads. The present study examined the associations between dietetic intervention in women with GDM and maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

Methods

The present study involved 1233 adult women with GDM who delivered at The Royal Women's Hospital (RWH), Melbourne, Australia, between July 2015 and May 2017. Retrospective data assessing GDM‐care (therapy type, diagnosis time and model of care, maternal and neonatal health outcomes, and outpatient dietetic consultations) were retrieved from patient medical records. Unadjusted and adjusted linear and logistic regression were used to assess associations of GDM care dietetic intervention and GDM care and dietetic intervention with maternal and neonatal health outcomes.

Results

Women receiving dietetic intervention had a decreased likelihood of infant admission to the neonatal intensive care unit or special care nursery than women who not receiving dietetic intervention [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.22–0.75; P = 0.004). Women requiring pharmacotherapy were more likely to experience maternal complications (adjusted OR = 3.13, 95% CI = 2.23–4.41; P < 0.001) and had a greater number of dietetic consultations (β‐coefficient = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.17–0.39; P < 0.001) compared to women managed through diet.

Conclusions

Dietetic intervention plays a key role in optimising maternal and neonatal health outcomes for women with GDM. Exploring further the impact of dietetic intervention in women diagnosed with GDM is key with respect to understanding the optimal delivery of care for these women. The type and number of consultations included in a dietetic intervention should be investigated further.
Kinetics of hepatitis B surface antigen quasispecies during REP 2139‐Ca therapy in HBeAg‐positive chronic HBV infection
Authors: Usman Zainab , Mijočević Hrvoje , Karimzadeh Hadi , Däumer Martin , Al‐Mathab Mamun , Bazinet Michel , Frishman Dmitrij , Vaillant Andrew , Roggendorf Michael
Published: July 2019

Chronic HBV infection results in various clinical manifestations due to different levels of immune response. In recent years, hepatitis B treatment has improved by long‐term administration of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) and peg‐interferon. Nucleic acid polymers (NAPs; REP 2139‐Ca and REP 2139‐Mg) are new antiviral drugs that block the assembly of subviral particles, thus preventing the release of HBsAg and allowing its clearance and restoration of functional control of infection when combined with various immunotherapies. In the REP 102 study (NCT02646189), 9 of 12 patients showed substantial reduction of HBsAg and seroconversion to anti‐HBs in response to REP 2139‐Ca, whereas 3 of 12 patients did not show responses (>1 log reduction of HBsAg and HBV DNA from baseline). We characterized the dynamic changes of HBV quasispecies (QS) within the major hydrophilic region (MHR) of the ‘pre‐S/S’ open reading frame including the ‘a’ determinant in responders and nonresponders of the REP 102 study and four untreated matched controls. HBV QS complexity at baseline varied slightly between responders and nonresponders (P = .28). However, these responders showed significant decline in viral complexity (P = .001) as REP 2139‐Ca therapy progressed but no significant change in complexity was observed among the nonresponders (P = .99). The MHR mutations were more frequently observed in responders than in nonresponders and matched controls. No mutations were observed in ‘a’ determinant of major QS population which may interfere with the detection of HBsAg by diagnostic assays. No specific mutations were found within the MHR which could explain patients’ poor HBsAg response during REP 2139‐Ca therapy.
Direct immunofluorescence is of limited utility in patients with low clinical suspicion for an oral autoimmune bullous disorder
Authors: Bresler Scott C. , Bavarian Roxanne , Granter Scott R. , Woo Sook‐Bin
Published: July 2019

Objectives

Oral autoimmune bullous disorders show clinical overlap with diseases such as lichen planus and others that may cause desquamative gingivitis. As direct immunofluorescence is expensive, we sought to determine if routine histology alone would be sufficient to distinguish between oral autoimmune bullous disorders and mimics.

Methods

We searched the records for patients with a suspected oral autoimmune bullous disorder who underwent biopsies for concurrent routine histologic evaluation and direct immunofluorescence and who had at least one follow‐up visit. Cases were separated into high and low suspicion subgroups based on clinical findings.

Results

Within 148 cases, the sensitivity of routine histology alone was 0.810, with a negative predictive value of 0.889. However, the specificity was 0.989 with a positive predictive value of 0.979. Of the high suspicion cases, 57 (47.1%) were found to be consistent with an oral autoimmune bullous disorder, with a total of 11 histologic false negatives. 8 cases, all in the high suspicion subgroup, showed indeterminate direct immunofluorescence results. There were no histologic false negatives or inconclusive direct immunofluorescence results in the low suspicion subgroup.

Conclusions

In patients with a low clinical suspicion for an oral autoimmune bullous disorder, it is reasonable and more cost‐effective to evaluate the lesion with routine histology alone.
Spinal anesthesia compared with general anesthesia for neonates with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. A retrospective study
Authors: Sánchez‐Conde María Pilar , Díaz‐Alvarez Agustín , Palomero Rodríguez Miguel Ángel , Garrido Gallego María Isabel , Martín Rollan Guillermo , de Vicente Sánchez Jesús , Laporta Báez Yolanda , Vaquero Roncero Luis Mario , Rodríguez López José María
Published: July 2019

Background

Studies of spinal anesthesia in children are limited to a reduced group of high‐risk patients and it remains relatively underused compared with general anesthesia in this age group in most institutions. In our experience, spinal anesthesia appears to be a good alternative to general anesthesia during pyloromyotomy in neonates and infants.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate respiratory morbidity of spinal anesthesia compared to general anesthesia in infants undergoing pyloromyotomy.

Methods

The University Hospital of Salamanca used spinal or general anesthesia on infants undergoing pyloromyotomy between 2003 and 2017. The primary outcome assessed was the prevalence of apnea. The second one was the prevalence of oxygen saturation below 95%. An analysis was performed using t test or Mann‐Whitney U test for continuous variables, and Chi‐square for categorical variables. Logistic regression was done to account for differences in demographic and clinical covariates.

Results

The study sample consisted of 68 infants and neonates undergoing pyloromyotomy (48 with spinal anesthesia and 20 with general anesthesia). There was a significant difference in apneic episodes after surgery between general (number/percentage = 5/20, 25%) and spinal (number/percentage = 0/48, 0%) groups. Absolute risk reduction is 25% (CI 95%: 6%‐44%), P < .001.

Conclusion

Spinal anesthesia in neonates with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis undergoing pyloromyotomy was a viable alternative to general anesthesia, reducing the respiratory morbidity associated with the latter.
Determination of cell expansion and surface molecule expression on anti‐CD3/28 expanded CD4+ T cells
Authors: Thitilertdecha Premrutai , Poungpairoj Poonsin , Tantithavorn Varangkana , Ammaranond Palanee , Onlamoon Nattawat
Published: July 2019

CD4+ T cell immunotherapy has potential for treatment in HIV‐infected patients. A large number of expanded CD4+ T cells and confirmation of functional‐related phenotypes are required for ensuring the successful outcomes of treatment. Freshly isolated CD4+ T cells from healthy donors were activated with anti‐CD3/28‐coated magnetic beads at different bead‐to‐cell ratios and cultured in the absence and presence of IL‐2 supplementation for 3 weeks. Fold expansion, cell viability, growth kinetic and lymphocyte subset identities were determined. Data demonstrated that a 1:1 bead‐to‐cell ratio rendered the highest expansion of 1044‐fold with 88% viability and 99.5% purity followed by the 2:1 and 0.5:1 ratios. No significant difference in proliferation and phenotypes was found between non–IL‐2 and IL‐2 supplementation groups. Several specific surface molecule expressions of the expanded cells including chemokine receptors, adhesion molecules, co‐stimulatory molecules, activation molecules, maturation markers, cytokine receptors and other molecules were altered when compared to the unexpanded cells. This optimized expansion protocol using the 1:1 bead‐to‐cell ratio of anti‐CD3/28‐coated magnetic beads and culture condition without IL‐2 supplementation provided the satisfactory yield with good reproducibility. Specific surface molecule expressions of the expanded cells presented potential roles in proliferation, differentiation, homeostasis, apoptosis and organ homing.
Identification of the novel HLA‐DQB1*03:13 allele by next‐generation sequencing in a Chinese Han individual
Authors: Zhong Xian‐Xin , Quan Zhan‐Rou , Zeng Xue‐Hui , Zhang Chun‐Lei , Wu Wang‐Da
Published: July 2019

HLA‐DQB1*03:13 differs from HLA‐DQB1*03:01:01:01 by one nucleotide substitution in codon 67 in exon 2.
An Inter-Device Accuracy Comparison of Consumer Sleep Trackers
Authors: Zavrel Erik A. , Krieger Ana C.
Published: July 2019

The ability to investigate sleep is of scientific and clinical interest. Polysomnography (PSG) has long been considered the gold standard assessment for sleep physiology; however, its cost and inconvenience have spurred the development of consumer devices capable of evaluating sleep outside the laboratory. The development of dedicated consumer sleep monitoring devices, e.g., the Zeo Personal Sleep Manager, smart bands, e.g., the Microsoft Band 2 (MB2), and activity trackers, e.g., the Fitbit Charge 2 (FC2), with the ability to automatically distinguish between sleep and wakefulness has important implications for sleep research and medicine.1–3
Design of a Game-Based Rehabilitation System Using Kinect Sensor
Authors: Dubey Venketesh N. , Manna Soumya K.
Published: July 2019

As technological innovation is fused into the rehabilitation process, it gives conventional therapy a new direction with the products of interactive nature and easy to measure techniques. In the recent years, virtual reality based game therapy has turned out to be a promising option for post-stroke patients since it engages patients with fun based exercises during rehabilitation process. It also triggers their neuro-motor functions and accelerates the recovery process. Nevertheless it is necessary to extract some valuable information from the joint movements to measure the recovery condition of patients. Most of the designed games have introduced features to make them interesting as well as challenging for patients, however, only a few measure the joint parameters. We have designed a Kinect based game in Unity3D platform where patients can play game by moving their joints which results in different orthopaedic lessons required for rehabilitation therapy. In contrast to many Kinect based games where only joint movements are considered for playing the game, we have also introduced voice control through speech recognition and feedback provided in terms of audio-visual command to enhance patient’s engagement. Different joint parameters such as trajectory, range of motion, joint velocity, acceleration, reaching time and joint torque are also measured to help quantify the heath condition.
Formulation and Characterization of Thermoplastic Polyurethane-Based Steroid Eluting Devices
Authors: Doan Jessica , Phommahaxay Peter , Olson Sarah , Petersen Matthew A.
Published: July 2019

We describe the formulation and manufacture of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-based steroid-eluting components and the development of a versatile, material-agnostic analytical method for their rapid characterization. The impact of materials, formulation, and processing on controlled release behavior was characterized and compared to current industry standard components under physiologically relevant conditions. The combination of factors modulated drug release, offering new avenues for controlling the release of steroids from implantable medical devices.
Low-Power, Minimal-Heat Exposure Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Actuators for On-Body Soft Robotics
Authors: Ozbek Simon , Foo Esther , Lee J. Walter , Schleif Nicholas , Holschuh Brad
Published: July 2019

In the world of soft-robotic medical devices, there is a growing need for low profile, non-rigid, and lower power actuators for soft exoskeletons and dynamic compression garments. Advanced compression garments with integrated shape memory materials have been developed recently to alleviate the functional and usability limitations associated with traditional compression garments. These advanced garments use contractile shape memory alloy (SMA) coil actuators to produce dynamic compression on the body through selective heating of the SMA material. While these garments can create spatially- and temporally-controllable compression, typical SMA materials (e.g., 70°C Flexinol) consume considerable power and require considerable thermal insulation to protect the wearer during the heating phase of the SMA actuation. Alternative SMA materials (e.g., NiTi #8 by Fort Wayne Metals, Inc.) transform below room temperature and do so using no applied electrical power and generate no waste heat. However, these materials are challenging to dynamically control and require active refrigeration to reset to material. In theory, low-temperature SMA actuators made from materials like NiTi #8 may maintain additional dynamic actuation capacity once equilibrated to room temperature (i.e., the material may not fully transform), as the SMA phase transformation temperature window expands when the material experiences applied stress. This paper investigates this possibility: we manufactured and tested low-temperature NiTi coil actuators to determine the magnitude of the additional force that can be generated via Joule heating once the material has equilibrated to room temperature. SMA spring actuators made from NiTi #8 consumed 84% less power and stabilized at significantly lower temperatures (26.0°C vs. 41.2°C) than SMA springs made from 70°C Flexinol, when actuated at identically fixed displacements (100% nominal strain) and when driven to produce equal forces (∼3.35N). This demonstration of low-power, minimal-heat exposure SMA actuation holds promise for many future wearable actuation applications, including dynamic compression garments.
Simulating Blood Flow in Healthy Swine Coronary Arteries After Bifurcation Stenting Procedures
Authors: Valenzuela Thomas , Bateman Michael , Iles Tinen , Iaizzo Paul A.
Published: July 2019

Coronary artery disease is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Plaque buildup within an individual’s coronary arteries can lead reduced flows, local ischemia, angina, and even result in a myocardial infarction (heart attack). In the past two decades, coronary stents have become one of the ‘gold standards’ for treating such plaque buildups. Stents are designed to push the plaque up against the vessel walls, so to expand the vessels to its original dimensions; ie., keeping the lumen patent allowing for laminar blood flow. Using the Visible Heart® Laboratories (1) capabilities, we have implanted coronary stents using various clinical protocols in porcine hearts. These hearts were subsequently scanned with a micro-CT, so they could be modeled and rendered in various 3D programs as well as fluid simulations. The ability to render fluid simulations through coronaries which had stenting procedures performed within, may allow clinicians to prescribe which bifurcation technique may be best suited for a given patient’s specific anatomy.
Vocal fold contact pressure in a three-dimensional body-cover phonation model
Authors: Zhang Zhaoyan
Published: July 2019

The goal of this study is to identify vocal fold geometric and mechanical conditions that are likely to produce large contact pressure and thus high risk of vocal fold injury. Using a three-dimensional computational model of phonation, parametric simulations are performed with co-variations in vocal fold geometry and stiffness, with and without a vocal tract. For each simulation, the peak contact pressure is calculated. The results show that the subglottal pressure and the transverse stiffness of the vocal folds in the coronal plane have the largest and most consistent effect on the peak contact pressure, indicating the importance of maintaining a balance between the subglottal pressure and transverse stiffness to avoiding vocal fold injury. The presence of a vocal tract generally increases the peak contact pressure, particularly for an open-mouth vocal tract configuration. While a low degree of vocal fold approximation significantly reduces vocal fold contact pressure, for conditions of moderate and tight vocal fold approximation changes in vocal fold approximation may increase or decrease the peak contact pressure. The effects of the medial surface thickness and vocal fold stiffness along the anterior−posterior direction are similarly inconsistent and vary depending on other control parameters and the vocal tract configuration.
Efficient User Guidance for Validating Participatory Sensing Data
Authors: Cong Phan Thanh , Tam Nguyen Thanh , Yin Hongzhi , Zheng Bolong , Stantic Bela , Hung Nguyen Quoc Viet
Published: July 2019

Participatory sensing has become a new data collection paradigm that leverages the wisdom of the crowd for big data applications without spending cost to buy dedicated sensors. It collects data from human sensors by using their own devices such as cell phone accelerometers, cameras, and GPS devices. This benefit comes with a drawback: human sensors are arbitrary and inherently uncertain due to the lack of quality guarantee. Moreover, participatory sensing data are time series that exhibit not only highly irregular dependencies on time but also high variance between sensors. To overcome these limitations, we formulate the problem of validating uncertain time series collected by participatory sensors. In this article, we approach the problem by an iterative validation process on top of a probabilistic time series model. First, we generate a series of probability distributions from raw data by tailoring a state-of-the-art dynamical model, namely Generalised Auto Regressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH), for our joint time series setting. Second, we design a feedback process that consists of an adaptive aggregation model to unify the joint probabilistic time series and an efficient user guidance model to validate aggregated data with minimal effort. Through extensive experimentation, we demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of our approach on both real data and synthetic data. Highlights from our experiences include the fast running time of a probabilistic model, the robustness of an aggregation model to outliers, and the significant effort saving of a guidance model.
O Sound design da série Twin Peaks e a herança de Alan Splet
Authors: Pucci Junior Renato Luiz , Souza Fabiano Pereira de
Published: July 2019

Este artigo examina o sound design da série televisiva Twin Peaks (TWIN…, 1990-1991), criada por David Lynch e Mark Frost. Analisam-se distorções ou substituições de vozes, técnicas que Lynch havia empregado em um curta e em quatro longas-metragens, com o sound designer Alan Splet. O objetivo é identificar na série, realizada após o término da parceria com Lynch, a persistência do tipo de elaboração sonora de Splet. O exame da mais recente temporada de Twin Peaks (TWIN…,2017) mostra que se intensificaram recursos sonoros das temporadas anteriores, em conjunção com a trama mais ousada em termos narrativos. O artigo fundamentase em Michel Chion quanto ao som e em Luiz Manzano quanto ao sound design. O conceito de brincadeira infinita, de James Carse, e o ensaio de Angela Hague sobre o método investigativo do agente Cooper ajudam a entender a relação entre sonoridade e trama ficcional.
Influence of filler loading on the mechanical and morphological properties of carbonized coconut shell particles reinforced polypropylene composites
Authors: Mark Uchechi C , Madufor Innocent C , Obasi Henry C , Mark Udochukwu
Published: July 2019

The high cost of mineral-based fillers and their processing difficulties have necessitated the search for alternative and cheaper filler materials, usually agro-waste materials such as coconut shells. The coconut shells were carbonized, pulverized, and sieved into four particles sizes, namely; 63 μm, 150 μm, 300 μm, and 425 μm. The carbonized coconut shell particles of each particle size were used as fillers in the preparation of polypropylene-filled composites at filler loadings of 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt. %. The control was the neat polypropylene of 0% filler addition. The polypropylene/carbonized coconut shell particles composites were prepared via melt blending of polypropylene and the filler in an injection molding machine to obtain composite sheets. The influence of filler loading on the mechanical properties was evaluated. The addition of fillers was found to improve the yield strength, tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and hardness of polypropylene as these mechanical properties increased with increase in filler loading. The elongation at break and modulus of resilience of the prepared polypropylene/carbonized coconut shell particles composites were, however, observed to decline with an increase in the filler loading. Compared with the neat polypropylene, the filler showed enhanced mechanical properties in the prepared composites. SEM revealed good filler–matrix interaction because of good interfacial adhesion. The incorporation of more filler resulted in the formation of more spherulite-producing nuclei, reduction of pore sizes, and enhanced particle size distribution with improved mechanical properties. Experimental data modeling showed the addition of more than 48% carbonized coconut shell particles to polypropylene would compromise property enhancement.
Updating the Systemic, Ecological Model for Rehabilitation Counseling
Authors: Hershenson David B.
Published: July 2019

This article updates, after 20 years, Hershenson’s systemic, ecological model for rehabilitation counseling by eliminating elements of the original model that proved to be superfluous and by reflecting current directions in the field.
A Study of the Incidence of the Minor Psychoses—their Clinical and Industrial Importance
Authors: Culpin Millais
Published: July 2019

An inquiry into telegraphists' cramp showed an unsuspected prevalence of psychoneurotic symptoms among a control group of presumably healthy people. Learners in the school of telegraphy contained 19 per cent. of subjects having symptoms of significant severity.

These people with symptoms of minor psychoses are probably subject to excessive loss of time through illness. Records of various establishments show extraordinary variations in the gross amount of illness and also in its nature. Hence the investigation was now directed towards ascertaining the proportion of the population suffering from the minor psychoses, distribution in different occupations, and the probable influence of occupation in determining the incidence of psychoneurotic illness.

The inquiry consisted of personal interviews with voluntary subjects and tests with the McDougall-Schuster dotting machine. The method of examination is described and some observations are made on day-dreaming at work, the effect of noise, and the reaction of ex-Service men towards their war experiences. These three phenomena are found to vary according to the temperament of the subject.

Subjects are put in six groups assessed according to absence of symptoms or to their degree. A few examples of the major psychoses were met with and are excluded from the general statistics.

Description of the dotting test. Its results are found to be correlated with those of the psychological examination. Examples are given of hysteria, of hysteria with anxiety, of pure anxiety, and of obsessional states. Obsessional subjects produce extremely good dotting records, surpassing those of normal people.

The different groups are now classified according to their assessments. Roughly, 50 per cent. of the total number examined are found to be free from symptoms. There is some variability between different groups, but sickness rates seem to be independent of the number of minor psychoses that are found in each group. Laundry workers have as large a percentage of high assessments as clerical workers, but illness rates are low. Satisfaction of the workers with their work seems an important factor in illness.

Since the incidence of the minor psychoses varies little from group to group, and does not seem to be statistically related to the incidence of psychoneurotic illness, other factors must be at work and should be investigated.
The Hæmorrhagic Diathesis
Authors: Tidy H. Letheby
Published: July 2019

The primary purpuras form a single clinical entity.

Variations in the number of platelets can occur without the production of hæmorrhages. These variations are the result of the condition of the capillaries and are not the cause of hæmorrhages. The platelets may vary in any form of purpura, primary or secondary.

The essential cause of the hæmorrhagic state is a defect or increased permeability of the capillary endothelium.

Purpura is allied to urticaria, the Henoch-Schönlein type being an intermediate state.
Some Considerations of Vertigo Based on Experience
Authors: Müller Isidore
Published: July 2019

Our only direct intimation of the existence of space is the sensation of vertigo, when through our cortical centres we become conscious of the fact that we are surrounded by a “blank” space in which motion is apparent, i.e., the relative condition of our body to the things around us seems to be altered. A precise account of the “nerve-cycle” and of its exact relation to the sympathic and parasympathic—in a word, to the autonomous vegetative—system and to the endocrine system, is at present impossible. We have known since the time of the classic investigations of Flourens, Breuer, Mach, Crum Brown, and their followers—especially Sherrington—that the nature of these things is highly complicated. Simple mechanical theories are useless, even for teaching purposes, as they are more or less fictitious and often incomplete.

The path of nervous action is through the ear, cerebellum, brain stem, cerebrum, medulla oblongata, spinal cord, and autonomous nervous system, to the different parts of the periphery, and there are also mutual connexions with the endocrine glands. Mention is made of the influence of constitution (i.e., inheritance, “the natural endowment”), and also of the conditional disposition, temper, training, in a word all external and internal stimuli. Again, the various reflexes, the numerous aggregations of ganglia, indicating a certain autonomy of function, constitute a great problem for future clinical observation. The mechanism of adaptation and compensation by which extensive injury may sometimes be counterbalanced, also enters into the question, as do the varying collateral paths, the synergetic action of different and sometimes very distant organs and so forth. Again, we have to think of the ratio of irritability and fatiguability, a significant factor in causation. Syphilis, arthritis, alcoholism, nicotine-poisoning, anæmia, leukæmia, tumours, and—especially—catarrh, are most important causes.
Treatment of Pelvic Inflammations by Diathermy
Authors: Robinson C. A.
Published: July 2019

The paper consists of two parts: (1) A brief history of the manner in which the treatment arose and a description of the methods now used. (2) An analysis of the cases treated from 1921 until the present time.

The treatment of pelvic inflammations by heating by the diathermy current arose out of the method of treating gonococcal infections of the cervix and urethra by this current. An essential part of the treatment is in many cases the treatment of the cervical infection.

Diathermy treatment of gonococcal infection was founded upon the fact that the gonococcus is vulnerable to small rises of temperature above the normal. Before the war Dr. E. P. Cumberbatch found that recovery of gonorrhœal arthritis could be procured by heating the affected joints by diathermy. During 1919 the method of heating the cervix and urethra by means of metal electrodes introduced into them to rid them of gonococcus was arrived at.

The maximum temperature to which cervix and urethra are heated is 115° F. The duration of the application is ten minutes and the number of repetitions is generally from three to eight.

It was found that in cases of gonococcal arthritis it was necessary to treat the cervix only, recovery from the arthritis then taking place.

Recovery from arthritis due to infection of the cervix by other organisms than gonococcus, was found to occur and in such cases there was recovery from cervicitis and erosion.

When salpingitis was present in cases of gonococcal and other infections of the cervix, a method of producing a milder and more general heating of the pelvic contents was introduced. This was to some extent founded upon the known effects of heating the infected prostate.

The temperature produced in the neighbourhood of the electrode is 106° F. The applications last twenty minutes.

Tables summarizing the clinical results are attached.
An Attempt to Classify (Pathologically) the Various Fundus Pictures in Diseases of the Choroid
Authors: Hepburn Malcolm L.
Published: July 2019

Mr. Hepburn read a paper on the above subject, and by means of suitable fundus drawings endeavoured to prove that all pictures could be relegated to one or other of the following groups:—

Inflammatory: ( a) Acute stage; ( b) scarred stage. Vascular: ( a) Acute stage; ( b) scarred stage; ( c) slow progressive changes due to disease or spasmodic contraction of the vessel walls. Hyaline, calcareous, and similar degenerations of the membrane of Bruch. New growths. Congenital; including colobomata. Injuries; leading to concussion changes and ruptures.
Corneal Transplantation on an Opaque Cornea
Authors: Thomas J. W. Tudor
Published: July 2019

A man, aged 22, had opacity of both corneæ, following severe interstitial keratitis at the age of 18. Vision reduced to that of hand movements.

Corneal transplantation performed on left eye in November 1930. The graft was taken from an eye removed one month after a perforating injury. Operation performed under cocaine anæsthesia, using the technique established experimentally in rabbits, with the addition of a glass disc interposed between the graft and the overlying stitches. The graft was slightly smaller than the piece of opaque cornea removed, and the margins of each were cut shelving.—The stitches and glass disc were removed on the tenth day; the graft had united well and was nearly clear.—During the next week it began to get hazy, and some minute blood-vessels appeared in its stroma, so that vision deteriorated; a few weeks later it began to improve.

Four months after operation patient could count fingers at 2 ft. Two years after operation he could count fingers up to 33 in. with the light behind him.
Some Aspects of the Psychopathology of Sex Perversions
Authors: Hadfield J. A.
Published: July 2019

Importance of the study of perversions.

Precipitating causes. The attempt to explain them by the association of ideas or by simple conditioned reflex is inadequate.

Perversions are found to be the persistence of morbid reactions of infantile life.

The sex perversions have the same general causation, and the same mechanism as the other psychoneuroses.

The essential factor in causation is the feeling of deprivation of love: This interpreted biologically as well as psychologically.

Infantile sensuousness is to be regarded as biologically egoistic and not sexual. Its transference to the uses of sexuality later.

The perversions are not the mere persistence of these normal infantile tendencies but are morbid reactions to abnormal situations. These morbid reactions are further repressed, which accounts for the fixation and arrest of sexual development.

The precipitating conditions arouse the latent repressed tendencies, which therefore emerge in the form in which they were originally repressed.
The Composition of Human Perspiration (Samuel Hyde Memorial Lecture)
Authors: McSwiney B. A.
Published: July 2019

Water given off by the skin is classified as insensible and sensible perspiration. Under normal conditions about 600 to 700 c.c. is evaporated from the skin in twentyfour hours. The chief physiological significance of the perspiration is to assist in regulating the body temperature.

The constituents of perspiration are very variable. The average values calculated from the examination of fourteen male specimens and ten female specimens are given below:—

[Formula: see text]

Examination of the figures obtained for the sweat shed by rheumatic subjects shows no marked divergence from those recorded for normal subjects.

Lactic acid is stated to be present in relatively large amounts in sweat, but these results have not been confirmed.

Moss (1923) demonstrated the importance of the loss of chloride which occurred during continued sweating. He showed that symptoms of water-poisoning occurred when men engaged in hard work in hot places drank water freely.

Hancock, Whitehouse and Haldane (1930) point out that the percentage of chloride in sweat increases markedly with duration of sweating, and suggest that water poisoning is due to an alteration in the diffusion pressure of water in the body.

The secretion is under control of the nervous system, and is normally excited through stimulation of the centres by warm blood. The sweat-glands are innervated by fibres of the sympathetic system. Adrenaline has, however, no action on the glands, while pilocarpine excites and atropine paralyses. Recent investigations suggest that acetyl-choline is liberated at the nerve-endings.