bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automated anomalies detection in the work of industrial robots
Authors: Goncharov A , Savelev A , Krinitsyn N , Mikhalevich S
Published: January 2021

This article describes the results of the anomalies automated detection algorithm development in the operation of industrial robots. The development of robotic systems, in particular, industrial robots, and software for them is ahead of the tracking and managing technologies development. The operation of the digital production system involves the generation of a large amount of various data characterizing the state of both the specific equipment and the industrial system as a whole. Such a system produces a sufficient amount of data to develop machine learning models to analyse this data to solve problems such as forecasting and modelling. As part of the study, an experiment was conducted based on the equipment of the laboratory of industrial robots of Tomsk Polytechnic University. In the course of the research, the industrial manipulator moved loads belonging to different classes by weight. An algorithm was developed for the automated analysis of the values of the parameters of the consumed current and the position of the manipulator.
On the self-testing (m,n)-code checker design
Authors: Butorina N , Burkatovskaya Yu , Pakhomova E
Published: January 2021

We propose an approach to a self-testing (m, n)-code checker design, based on subdividing the set of all code words into special subsets called segments. The checker circuit is constructed by using one- and two-output configurable logic blocks (CLB). Previously, in each output of a CLB, a function representing exactly one segment was implemented. In the proposed approach, at each CLBs output, it is possible to implement functions that represent several segments and to provide the self-testing property. It allows reducing the number of CLBs and simplifying the circuit of the checker.
Statistical techniques to determine of optimal and acceptable noise levels
Authors: Balabanova I S , Kostadinova S S , Markova V I , Sadinov S M , Georgiev G I
Published: January 2021

The paper presents an approach for an application of QoS procedures, on noise impacts in communications, respectively Uniform White Noise (UWN), Gaussian White Noise (GWN), Bernoulli Noise (BN) and Poisson Noise (PN). The approach consists in experimental establishment of recommended optimal and acceptable limit levels of the noise indicator Root Mean Square based (RMS) on the processing of registered information sets for each specific noise. A set of methodological statistical procedures are applied to the experimental data with respect to the complete and individual input sets (RMS levels for each individual noise). Types of family characteristics are analyzed and evaluated about different quality indicators as “Mean Plot of multiple variables”, “Normal Probability Plots”, “Individual Plots”, “X-Bar and R char variable”, “Capability Plots” and “Capability Histograms”. The approach is also associated with the detection of RMS samples with deviations outside the defined statistical levels, as well as their exclusion in order to improve the quality of the processed information sample.
Evolution of mobile networks and seamless transition to 5G
Authors: Ivanova E P , Iliev T B , Stoyanov I S , Mihaylov G Y
Published: January 2021

The evolution in mobile networks continues with the next 5G technology, which is already released in 2020, and also has a distinct advantage from its predecessor. This difference also results in measurements of Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) which are very diverse because there is no specific standard on 5G technology. This paper gives a review of an approach in the measurement as part of the process of QoS and QoE. In addition, this paper provides measurements on how to predict the availability of new 5G. The measurement process is related to the location and conditions, where 5G technology will be implemented.
Conceptual framework for quality assessment in human-centric 6G XR services
Authors: Stoynov V , Ivanov A , Mihaylova D
Published: January 2021

The 6G communication networks and technologies have to enable the development of wide variety of low latency and ultra-reliable services. Furthermore, the 6G is foreseen to be the era of new devices which integrate our natural human senses in order to create a fully new concept of human-machine interactions. The eXtended Reality (XR) based wearables will surely improve the way we collaborate with modern technologies by merging the real and virtual world in one innovative continuum in order to expand the possibilities of using and interacting with different types of modern or already well-known IT services. In this context, a vital 6G research area is the design of different flexible quality assessment metrics, targets and measures that integrate human perceptions and physical factors from human physiology. This metric design should consider the multisensory nature of XR devices by incorporation of different objective network-related as well as strongly subjective human-related features like sight, touch, smell, taste, body physiology, psychological traits, gestures and even sixth sense. In this paper a conceptual framework incorporating a mixture of new and classical quality assessment constructs like Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) is proposed for 6G networks from human-centric point of view. It considers the development of new types of intelligent XR technologies and give an insight in regard to overall human experience assessment, modelling and prediction.
Energy detectors performance evaluation for interweave cognitive radio network scenario in 5G
Authors: Ivanov A , Stoynov V , Mihaylova D , Poulkov V
Published: January 2021

With the recent advances in resource allocation methods for 5G heterogeneous networks and dynamic spectrum access, the convergence between them becomes a more prevalent topic in scientific research. By implementing cognitive functionalities in the 5G network’s nodes, its efficiency can be improved and, in addition, the integration with existing wireless standards will be smoother. To enable this, the intelligent sensors are required to achieve rigid detection accuracy. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to examine the ability of popular energy detection spectrum sensing techniques to identify the primary user’s signal in an interweave (autonomous operation of the secondary users) 5G deployment scenario. This evaluation is performed through comprehensive simulations for differing number of primary and secondary users, and for different data stream types transmitted by the primary base station.
An overview of methods to combat eavesdropping in NOMA-based networks through physical layer security
Authors: Mihaylova D , Stoynov V , Ivanov A , Valkova-Jarvis Z
Published: January 2021

Thanks to their potentials in providing reliable communications for a large number of devices, 5G non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) techniques have recently been the subject of considerable research interest. Accordingly, research of Physical Layer Security approaches in NOMA is essential. A primary purpose and challenge for security at the physical level of NOMA-based systems is to protect the information transmitted against both external and internal eavesdropping attacks. To this end, it is necessary to develop PLS schemes which allow each user to decode the signals transmitted by other users, thus guaranteeing normal operation of the successive interference cancellation, while also providing privacy of the information exchange. In this paper, different types of eavesdropping are studied and a summary of existing approaches to improve security at the physical layer in 5G NOMA networks is provided.
Selection of countermeasures against propagation of harmful information via Internet
Authors: Vitkova L A , Pronichev A P , Doynikova E V , Saenko I B
Published: January 2021

Today, Internet allows accessing and propagation various information. Some of this information can be undesired for particular user or even harmful. While there are quite a large number of systems to respond to unwanted and harmful information and some well-established set of countermeasures, such as filtering, blocking access, and notification, existing systems are often based on one type of countermeasures. From our point of view, there is a need for the technique of automated selection of optimal countermeasures to counteract undesired or harmful information on the Internet depending on the type of such information and characteristics and needs of the protected system. In this paper we propose the set of interconnected models, including threat model, countermeasure model and information object model, and countermeasure selection technique for protection against harmful information in Internet using these models. The proposed technique uses single-criteria optimization on the basis of introduced countermeasure selection index and allows selecting applicable and optimal countermeasures for the particular system from specific threats. The application of the technique is demonstrated on the experiments.
Software-defined wireless urban network
Authors: Streltsov O V , Birka Y G , Gnatenko V Y , Sytnikov V S , Stupen P V
Published: January 2021

Software-defined wireless urban network (SD-WUN) is a new network subclass for implementation in the “Smart City” project. SD-WUN can be offered as a single technical solution, built based on the most relevant technologies in the world of computer networks and the Internet. The theoretical model of existing technological solutions interaction is one of the best ways to eliminate the problems of the “Smart City” project mentioned in the work and offers one of the possible ways of its development in the future. The analysis is based on assessments of the prospects for the development of existing methods for implementing computer network nodes and the Internet of things (IoT), and their comparison with each other. One of the most pressing problems of the “Smart City” project implementation is the best choice from the point of view of network technologies. An urgent problem in the field of network technologies is the problem of the transition of network addressing from the IPv4 address space to IPv6. It is obvious that the Smart City project is associated with the popular IoT technology (Internet of Things) due to the progression of the number of devices. Another key point is the need to implement a project based on a high-speed wireless network, excluding wired switching. It is obvious that the network should possess such properties as security, distribution of computing resources, high data transfer speed and ease of use and support of the network.
Solar energy potentials in different climatic zones of Nigeria
Authors: Ogunjo S T , Obafaye A A , Rabiu A B
Published: January 2021

Solar energy is the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy available in Nigeria, a tropical nation. It is also a viable tool for solving most of our problems ranging from desertification to climate change. This study investigated the solar energy potentials at different climatic zones of Nigeria using four representative locations. Surface temperature and solar radiation measurements retrieved from the study locations were analyzed to obtain the potential power output from solar power systems. It was shown that the monthly mean output power from the solar power systems is affected by seasonal changes for the four locations under study. We also concluded that the increasing temperature is a critical factor limiting the PV production in Nigeria.
The comparison of five proton linac beams in order to set up a thermal neutron radiography installation
Authors: Fantidis J G , Nicolaou G E , Tsakalos G , Thysiadou A
Published: January 2021

Radiography without doubt is maybe the most famous non-destructive technique with many applications in a number of scientific fields. In the present study, the performance of five photo-neutrons which delivered by proton linear accelerators with energy equal with 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 MeV for a thermal neutron radiography unit has been designed and simulated with the help of the MCNPX 2.5.0 software which based on the Monte Carlo statistical method. The geometrical arrangement of the unit has been simulated with primary goal to provide the highest thermal neutron flux in the location of the examined item. For every energy of the proton beam all the significant parameters with the thermal neutron radiography theory like the flux of the thermals neutrons, the (collimator length)/(aperture diameter) ratio and the percentage of the thermal neutron within the neutron beam simulated for a wide series of values. Owing to the fact that the there are many fast neutrons inside the beam, it is obligatory to decrease the quantity of the fast neutrons. For this reason, the addition of a single sapphire for fast neutron filtering has as a consequence a neutron beam with better quality. According to the simulations, the presence of the filter improves the % presence of the thermal neutrons with no substantial abatement in the flux of the slow neutrons.
Modeling of three-phase inverter power supply system in Simulink
Authors: Ivanov V B
Published: January 2021

A model of a three-phase electronic converter of electric energy for an autonomous power supply system has been studied. The objective is measuring the percentage of the higher harmonics in the output of the three-phase inverter voltage and the effect of adding a passive selective Notch filters. Their inclusion in the output circuit creates a model of the system with improved electromagnetic compatibility, and hence an increased power factor and efficiency. A virtual architecture of the three-phase inverter power supply system has been developed in Matlab - Simulink software environment. The invertor is built of separate functional blocks simulating the components that can be embedded in a real project. The schematic diagram includes three-phase symmetric loads with three-phase filters models. The main operation modes of the invertor are modeled and the effects of adding three-phase filters to the output circuit after the voltage inverter are analyzed. From the pulse with modulation simulation, the frequency spectrum for the output current IL and voltage UL has been synthesized.
Accelerate stochastic calculation of random-phase approximation correlation energy difference with an atom-based correlated sampling
Authors: Chi Yu-Chieh , Huang Chen
Published: January 2021

A kernel polynomial method is developed to calculate the random phase approximation (RPA) correlation energy. In the method, the RPA correlation energy is formulated in terms of the matrix that is the product of the Coulomb potential and the density linear response functions. The integration over the matrix’s eigenvalues is calculated by expanding the density of states of the matrix in terms of the Chebyshev polynomials. The coefficients in the expansion are obtained through stochastic sampling. Since it is often the energy difference between two systems that is of much interest in practice, another focus of this work is to develop a correlated sampling scheme to accelerate the convergence of the stochastic calculations of the RPA correlation energy difference between two similar systems. The scheme is termed the atom-based correlated sampling (ACS). The performance of ACS is examined by calculating the isomerization energy of acetone to 2-propenol and the energy of the water–gas shift reaction. Using ACS, the convergences of these two examples are accelerated by 3.6 and 4.5 times, respectively. The methods developed in this work are expected to be useful for calculating RPA-level reaction energies for the reactions that take place in local regions, such as calculating the adsorption energies of molecules on transition metal surfaces for modeling surface catalysis.
Thermo-magneto-convection and mechanism of multiple eddy formation due to applied magnetic field in a lid-driven cavity
Authors: Padhi Paramananda , Udhayakumar S , Sekhar T V S , Sivakumar R
Published: January 2021

Magnetohydrodynamic study of eddy formation and heat transfer in a bottom heated two-dimensional lid-driven cavity with the insulated sidewall is reported in this paper. We consider the classic problem of a two-dimensional lid driven cavity in the presence of an applied external magnetic field. In the standard nonlinear Navier–Stokes equation and the energy equation, appropriate terms are added to model the applied magnetic field and thermo-magnetic convection. And we have derived a higher-order numerical scheme that can provide solutions that are fourth-order accurate. The scheme is implemented with suitable fourth-order accurate boundary conditions. The square LDC enclosure is filled with a fluid of Pr = 6.2. The top lid of the cavity is kept moving with constant velocity. The effect of magnetic field on heat transfer and eddy formation is discussed for 0 ≤ Ha ≤ 250,

Re
=

10

2

≤
Re
≤

10

3

and 103 ≤ Gr ≤ 104 and the results are presented in terms of contour plots of streamlines, isotherms, Lorentz force, and the kinetic energy. The physical mechanism for forming multiple recirculation zones is understood and attributed to two opposite forces acting in the fluid about the center-line of the cavity, which acts like a couple (and hence rotational flow). This is discovered by computing the Lorentz force acting in the entire domain of fluid flow. Similarly, from the computation of kinetic energy of the fluid at all the grid points in the fluid region, it is revealed that conduction is the dominant heat transfer mechanism at higher magnetic fields. At the same time, convection is the prime mode at low magnetic fields. It is ascertained that with an increase in magnetic field intensity, velocity profiles are suppressed, and heat transfer stabilizes, giving rise to the formation of recirculation zones in the cavity.
PxdA interacts with the DipA phosphatase to regulate peroxisome hitchhiking on early endosomes
Authors: Salogiannis John , Christensen Jenna R. , Songster Livia D. , Aguilar-Maldonado Adriana , Shukla Nandini , Reck-Peterson Samara L.
Published: January 2021

We show that peroxisomes, but not lipid droplets, mitochondria, or preautophagosomes, hitchhike on early endosomes in Aspergillus nidulans hyphae using the linker protein PxdA. We discover a new regulator of hitchhiking, the DipA phosphatase, which is recruited to early endosomes by PxdA and is required for peroxisome, but not early endosome, motility.
Vitexin, a fenugreek glycoside, ameliorated obesity-induced diabetic nephropathy via modulation of NF-κB/IkBα and AMPK/ACC pathways in mice
Authors: Zhou Guangju , Cui Jiale , Xie Suhua , Wan Haiyan , Luo Yan , Guo Gang
Published: January 2021

Obesity is one of the most critical risk factors for diabetes mellitus and plays a significant role in diabetic nephropathy (DN). The present investigation aimed to evaluate the possible mechanism of action of vitexin on obesity-induced DN in a high-fat diet (HFD)-fed experimental C57BL/6 mice model. Obesity was induced in male C57BL/6 mice by chronic administration of HFD, and mice were concomitantly treated with vitexin (15, 30, and 60 mg/kg, p.o.). HFD-induced increased renal oxido-nitrosative stress and proinflammatory cytokine levels were significantly inhibited by vitexin. The Western blot analysis suggested that alteration in renal NF-κB, IκBα, nephrin, AMPK, and ACC phosphorylation levels was effectively restored by vitexin treatment. Histological aberration induced in renal tissue after chronic administration of HFD was also reduced by vitexin. In conclusion, vitexin suppressed the progression of obesity-induced DN via modulation of NF-κB/IkBα and AMPK/ACC pathways in an experimental model of HFD-induced DN in C57BL/6J mice.
Climate Risk, Cooperation and the Co-Evolution of Culture and Institutions
Authors: Buggle Johannes C , Durante Ruben
Published: January 2021

This paper examines the relationship between economic risk and the evolution of social cooperation. We hypothesise that trust developed in pre-industrial times as a result of experiences of cooperation aimed at coping with climatic risk. We document that European regions with higher pre-industrial climatic variability display higher levels of trust today. This effect is driven by variability in the growing season months and is more pronounced in agricultural regions. Regarding possible mechanisms, our results indicate that climatic risk favoured intercommunity exchange and the early adoption of inclusive political institutions which is associated with higher quality of local governments today.
Does deeper hypothermia reduce the risk of acute kidney injury after circulatory arrest for aortic arch surgery?
Authors: Vekstein Andrew M , Yerokun Babtunde A , Jawitz Oliver K , Doberne Julie W , Anand Jatin , Karhausen Jorn , Ranney David N , Benrashid Ehsan , Wang Hanghang , Keenan Jeffrey E , Schroder Jacob N , Gaca Jeffrey G , Hughes G Chad
Published: January 2021

OBJECTIVES

The impact of hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) temperature on postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) has not been evaluated. This study examined the association between circulatory arrest temperatures and AKI in patients undergoing proximal aortic surgery with HCA.

METHODS

A total of 759 consecutive patients who underwent proximal aortic surgery (ascending ± valve ± root) including arch replacement requiring HCA between July 2005 and December 2016 were identified from a prospectively maintained institutional aortic surgery database. The primary outcome was AKI as defined by Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) criteria. The association between minimum nasopharyngeal (NP) and bladder temperatures during HCA and postoperative AKI was assessed, adjusting for patient-level factors using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 85% (n = 645) of patients underwent deep hypothermia (14.1–20.0°C), 11% (n = 83) low-moderate hypothermia (20.1–24.0°C) and 4% (n = 31) high-moderate hypothermia (24.1–28.0°C) as classified by NP temperature. When analysed by bladder temperature, 59% (n = 447) underwent deep hypothermia, 22% (n = 170) low-moderate, 16% (n = 118) high-moderate and 3% mild (n = 24) (28.1–34.0°C) hypothermia. The median systemic circulatory arrest time was 17 min. The incidence of AKI did not differ between hypothermia groups, whether analysed using minimum NP or bladder temperature. In the multivariable analysis, the association between degree of hypothermia and AKI remained non-significant whether analysed as a categorical variable (hypothermia group) or as a continuous variable (minimum NP or bladder temperature) (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients undergoing proximal aortic surgery including arch replacement requiring HCA, degree of systemic hypothermia was not associated with the risk of AKI. These data suggest that moderate hypothermia does not confer increased risk of AKI for patients requiring circulatory arrest, although additional prospective data are needed.
Type II hybrid arch repair versus total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk: a propensity score-matched analysis
Authors: Liu Yanxiang , Liang Shenghua , Zhang Bowen , Dun Yaojun , Guo Hongwei , Qian Xiangyang , Yu Cuntao , Sun Xiaogang
Published: January 2021

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the objective outcomes of type II hybrid arch repair (HAR) and total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk (TAR with FET).

METHODS

Data from 528 patients who underwent aortic arch repair from January 2017 to June 2019 were collected, which consisted of 175 type II HAR and 353 TAR with FET. The propensity score-matched analysis identified a subgroup of 90 pairs. Perioperative data and mid-term follow-up results were assessed.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the composite adverse events (type II HAR, 20.6%, 36/175 vs TAR with FET, 17.8%, 63/353, P = 0.450). Multivariable logistic analysis of the 528 patients showed that the procedure type (type II HAR or TAR with FET) was not associated with composite adverse events, 30-day mortality or stroke. The 3-year survival rates were 84.8% in the type II HAR group and 90.1% in the TAR with FET group (P = 0.12). The 3-year reintervention-free rates in the type II HAR and TAR with FET groups were 98.7% and 96.5% (P = 0.22), respectively. After matching, no significant difference was found in the incidence of composite adverse events or the 3-year survival and reintervention-free rates.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant clinical differences were found in the early and mid-term outcomes of type II HAR and TAR with FET. The long-term outcomes remain to be investigated. Careful patient selection for individualized approaches is the key to taking full advantage of the 2 surgical procedures.
Transapical transcatheter aortic valve implantation in patients with aortic diseases
Authors: Useini Dritan , Beluli Blerta , Christ Hildegard , Schlömicher Markus , Ewais Elias , Patsalis Polykarpos , Haldenwang Peter , Naraghi Hamid , Moustafine Vadim , Bechtel Matthias , Strauch Justus
Published: January 2021

OBJECTIVES

Patients scheduled for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) treatment frequently present with concomitant aortic diseases, in which case they are usually considered to be at high interventional risk and, in particular, unable to undergo the transfemoral TAVI approach. Since the establishment of the ‘transfemoral first’ strategy for TAVI, there has been an evidence gap with regard to the outcomes of such patients. We aimed to evaluate the mid-term outcomes after transapical TAVI in patients with diverse aortic diseases.

METHODS

Fifty-five consecutive elderly patients (78.4 years; standard deviation: 8.6 years) at intermediate surgical risk with severe aortic stenosis and aortic diseases (porcelain aorta 36%, ascending aneurysm 15%, descending aneurysm 26%, type-B dissection 4%, aortic thrombus 7%, Leriche syndrome 4%, aortic kinking 11%, aortic ulcer 2%, previous aortic operation 20%, aortic elongation/tortuosity 4%) underwent transapical TAVI treatment between January 2011 and November 2019 at our institution. We used the second-and third-generation self- and balloon-expanding valves. The follow-up time was 92.6 patient-years.

RESULTS

The Society of Thoracic Surgery-Predicted Risk of Mortality score was 7% (standard deviation: 4%). The 30-day mortality and all-stroke rates were 6% and 4%, respectively. The median survival time was 24.9 months (95% confidence interval 17.6–32.3). The median time of freedom from a composite of death and cardio-cerebral adverse events was 24.3 months (95% confidence interval 11.9–36.8). The rate of moderate/severe paravalvular leakage was 2%. The pacemaker rate was 10%. No early or late aortic syndrome occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Transapical TAVI is a safe method and shows very promising early and mid-term outcomes, without early/late aortic syndrome, in patients with aortic diseases for whom transfemoral TAVI as the first-line transcatheter method might be contraindicated or not feasible.
Smart hedging against carbon leakage
Authors: Böhringer Christoph , Rosendahl Knut Einar , Storrøsten Halvor
Published: January 2021

Policy makers in the EU and elsewhere are concerned that unilateral pricing of the carbon externality induces carbon leakage through relocation of emission-intensive and trade-exposed production to other regions. A common measure to mitigate such leakage is to combine an emission trading system with output-based allocation (OBA) of allowances where the latter works as an implicit production subsidy to regulated industries. We show analytically that it is optimal to impose in addition a consumption tax on the OBA goods (i.e., goods that are entitled to OBA) at a rate which is equivalent in value to the OBA subsidy rate. The explanation is that the consumption tax alleviates excessive consumption of the OBA goods, which is a distortionary effect of introducing OBA. Using a multi-region multi-sector computable general equilibrium model calibrated to empirical data, we quantify the welfare gains for the EU of imposing such a consumption tax on top of its existing emission trading system with OBA. We run Monte Carlo simulations to account for uncertain leakage exposure of goods entitled to OBA. The consumption tax increases welfare whether the goods are highly exposed to leakage or not, and hence can be regarded as smart hedging against carbon leakage.
Effects of decontamination treatment combined with natural chemicals and/or ultra-high pressure on the quality and safety of ready-to-eat wine-pickled mud snails (Bullacta exarata)
Authors: Zou Xiaoqian , Peng Sijia , Pang Chunxia , Wang Junhao , Gouda Mohamed Hawali Bata , Du Chuanlai , Yu Jubo , Luo Haibo , Jiang Li
Published: January 2021

Ready-to-eat wine-pickled mud snails (Bullacta exarata) typically host a large number of microorganisms and are frequently contaminated with pathogenic bacteria during processing, resulting in a higher risk for foodborne illness with consumption. In this study, the decontamination effects of different treatment methods, including the use of ultrasonic cleaning (USC), natural chemicals, and ultra-high pressure (UHP), on the quality and safety of pickled mud snails were investigated by assessing the total viable count (TVC), total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) content, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS), and pH value of the products after 12 months of storage at –20 °C. Treatment with 200 W USC for 5 min was the most effective approach for reducing TVC in raw mud snails, with a minimal change in food quality. Natural chemical treatment or UHP treatment significantly inhibited the increase in TVC, pH, and TBARS and TVB-N accumulation compared with the control group; however, their combined treatment had no synergistic effect. In contrast, the combined chemical treatment was more effective in inhibiting changes in the above indices in pickled mud snails than UHP treatment alone or combined chemicals+UHP treatment. In addition, the bacterial diversity of pickled mud snails before and after 12 months of storage at –20 °C was determined using Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Our results indicated that USC combined with natural chemicals can be utilized commercially to maintain the quality and safety of pickled mud snails during storage at –20 °C.
The Association of Muscle Mass Measured by D3-Creatine Dilution Method With Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry and Physical Function in Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Zhu Kexin , Wactawski-Wende Jean , Ochs-Balcom Heather M , LaMonte Michael J , Hovey Kathleen M , Evans William , Shankaran Mahalakshmi , Troen Bruce R , Banack Hailey R
Published: January 2021

Background

The D3-creatine (D3Cr) dilution method provides a direct measure of skeletal muscle. The aim of this study was to compare the association of D3Cr muscle mass with lean body mass (LBM) measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and examine its relation with physical function in postmenopausal women.

Methods

Seventy-four community-dwelling women (mean age 82.3 ± 5.4) participated in this pilot study from the Buffalo, New York clinical site of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI). Participants attended a clinic visit which included anthropometric measures, blood draw, DXA scan, measures of physical function, and initiated the D3Cr protocol. Physical function was evaluated using hand grip strength, short physical performance battery (SPPB), and RAND-36 physical function scale. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to examine the associations of D3Cr muscle mass with functional outcomes.

Results

D3-creatine muscle mass was moderately correlated with DXA LBM (r = 0.50) and DXA appendicular lean mass (ALM) (r = 0.50). Individuals with high D3Cr muscle mass (%) had higher physical function compared to individuals with low muscle mass (%), indicated by high scores on SPPB (odds ratio [OR] = 5.24; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.40, 19.58). We observed stronger relationships between high D3Cr and physical function than either DXA LBM (OR = 3.40; 95% CI: 0.88, 13.11) or DXA ALM (OR = 4.15; 95% CI: 1.10, 15.68) and physical function.

Conclusions

Our findings provide strong preliminary data for the associations of D3Cr muscle mass with measures of physical function in older women. These findings support and extend prior work on D3Cr muscle mass in older men.
Post-GWAS functional studies reveal an RA-associatedCD40-induced NF-kB signal transduction and transcriptional regulation network targeted by class II HDAC inhibitors
Authors: Zou Meijuan , Jiang Danli , Wu Ting , Zhang Xiaoyu , Zhao Yihan , Wu Di , Sun Wei , Cui Jing , Moreland Larry , Li Gang
Published: January 2021

Currently, it remains difficult to identify which single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are functional and how various functional SNPs (fSNPs) interact and contribute to disease susceptibility. GWAS have identified a CD40 locus that is associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We previously used two techniques developed in our laboratory, single nucleotide polymorphism-next-generation sequencing (SNP-seq) and flanking restriction enhanced DNA pulldown-mass spectrometry (FREP-MS), to determine that the RA risk gene RBPJ regulates CD40 expression via a fSNP at the RA-associated CD40 locus. In the present work, by applying the same approach, we report the identification of six proteins that regulate RBPJ expression via binding to two fSNPs on the RA-associated RBPJ locus. Using these findings, together with the published data, we constructed an RA-associated signal transduction and transcriptional regulation network (STTRN) that functionally connects multiple RA-associated risk genes via transcriptional regulation networks (TRNs) linked by CD40-induced nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) signaling. Remarkably, this STTRN provides insight into the potential mechanism of action for the histone deacetylase inhibitor givinostat, an approved therapy for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Thus, the generation of disease-associated STTRNs based on post-GWAS functional studies is demonstrated as a novel and effective approach to apply GWAS for mechanistic studies and target identification.
SAFETY OF AMISELIMOD IN HEALTHY SUBJECTS: RESULTS FROM A PHASE 1 RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY
Authors: Hanauer Stephen , O’Reilly Terry , Lester Robert , Slatkin Neal , Lee Jimin , Franklin Howard , Bulawski Angela , Israel Robert
Published: January 2021

Objective

To evaluate the safety profile of amiselimod, a selective sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator which has been shown to regulate lymphocyte trafficking and is in development for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Methods

A randomized, double-blind, multiple-dose, placebo-controlled, parallel study with a nested crossover design evaluated the safety and tolerability profile of amiselimod. Healthy adults were randomized in a 2:1:1 ratio during a 28-day treatment period accordingly: a single dose of placebo followed by oral amiselimod (upwardly titrated in doses ranging from 0.4 to 1.6 mg to achieve 0.4 mg and 0.8 mg steady-state exposure; a single dose of oral moxifloxacin 400 mg followed by placebo; or placebo followed by a single dose of moxifloxacin 400 mg. The safety population included all subjects who received at least one dose of treatment. Adverse events (AE) and serious AEs were collected. Treatment-emergent AEs were defined as an AE that was starting or worsening at the time of or after study drug administration. Changes in clinical laboratory parameters (including lymphocyte counts), physical examinations, vital signs, and electrocardiogram parameters (including heart rate, PR, QRS, and QT intervals) were recorded. Subjects were permitted to withdraw if lymphocyte counts were ≤ 0.2 x 109/L.

Results

The safety population included 190 subjects of which 95 received amiselimod and 95 were in the combined moxifloxacin group. Subjects were 40% female, 83% white, and the mean (standard deviation) age was 39.0 (8.8) years. The discontinuation rate was 8% (n=8) in the amiselimod group and 4% (n=4) in the moxifloxacin group. Three subjects who received amiselimod discontinued because they met the stopping criteria for low lymphocyte counts. One subject experienced an amiselimod-related serious AE of atrial fibrillation on day 26 (after receiving amiselimod 1.6 mg for 3 of the preceding 4 days) that required hospitalization, cardioversion, and led to discontinuation. No deaths were reported. All other AEs were mild to moderate in severity. Decreased white blood counts were the most commonly reported TEAE, followed by headache and constipation (Table). Reductions in white blood counts returned to normal range after study discontinuation without sequelae. Decreased neutrophils, lymphocytes and hemoglobin, and increased creatine kinase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase were reported, all of which resolved without sequelae. The mean absolute lymphocyte count for amiselimod exhibited a gradual decrease from predose (1.681 thou/uL) to a nadir of 0.424 thou/uL on day 27 (Figure). Changes to vital signs, physical examinations, and ECG parameters were within normal limits.

Conclusions

Upwardly titrated doses of amiselimod ranging from 0.4 to 1.6 mg were generally well tolerated in healthy subjects.
A POPULATION-BASED APPROACH TO DIGITAL OUTREACH, TRIAGE, AND MONITORING OF IBD PATIENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Atreja Ashish , Fasihuddin Farah , Garge Shashank , Davidoff Liana , Rubin Jonathan , Kakkar Sarthak , Wedel Nicole , Madisetty Divya , Singhania Rohit , Jain Charu Madhwani , Kurra Sravya , Sands Bruce
Published: January 2021

Background

In March 2020, the Mount Sinai Health System Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) center reported an increase in telephone call volume, with many IBD patients expressing anxiety about being on immunosuppressive agents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Consistent with GI society and CDC recommendations, we leveraged the Rx.Universe platform (Rx.Health, New York, NY) to rapidly design and deliver a population-based digital navigation program (DNP) to provide outreach, remote COVID-19 symptom monitoring, triage, and Telehealth to IBD patients.

Methods

After identifying all IBD patients seen in our IBD center from Electronic Health Records (Epic Systems), we “bulk prescribed” the DNP (Rx.Health, New York NY) to 6100 patients’ smartphones. Patients were asked to reply to the prompt if they had new or worsening COVID-19 symptoms and opted-in to regular digital monitoring through an electronic patient reported outcome (ePRO) instrument. Patient data was screened by our clinical coordinators, who directly contacted patients via phone calls and scheduled testing and Telehealth visits with IBD practitioners when appropriate.

Results

Of the 6100 patients who were sent the DNP, 1829 patients opted-in to be regularly monitored using text-based electronic patient reported outcome (ePRO) instruments. Of those who responded affirmatively, 145 patients were identified requiring additional medical attention and were triaged using Telehealth visits. Compared to patients who chose not to opt-in, patients who opted-in were more likely to be female, white, married, on biologics, and had high inflammatory markers (Table 1).

Conclusion

As demonstrated by the 30% of patients who opted-in to regular COVID-19 symptom monitoring, a digital navigation program population approach is an effective and efficient approach to provide continuity of care and to mitigate COVID-19 exposure in a high-risk, immunosuppressed IBD population. This scalable approach serves as a model for providing high quality, remote monitoring to patients during COVID-19 and beyond, as well as achieving “Treat to Target” goals.
EFFECTIVENESS OF ANTIBIOTICS AS A TREATMENT OPTION FOR PATIENTS WITH CROHN’S DISEASE: A META ANALYSIS
Authors: Patterson Joshua
Published: January 2021

Crohn’s Disease (CD) is an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) whose etiology has been suspected to include bacterial antigens. A treatment option, therefore, would be the usage of antibiotics. To that end, the purpose of this study was to perform a meta-analysis on the ability of antibiotics inducing remission or a favorable clinical response in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients. Thirty-two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of antibiotics for treatment of CD in adults, totaling 3269 patients, were reviewed. Log-odds ratio and probability difference were performed to estimate risk difference. The Number Needed to Treat (NNT) was also calculated for each antibiotic reviewed (rifaximin, metronidazole, clarithromycin, and ciprofloxacin). The analysis revealed that antibiotics greatly improved patients’ Crohn’s disease activity, with a total response (defined as clinical response plus remission) odds ratio of 0.715 (95% CI: 0.6319–0.7971), a clinical response odds-ratio of 0.7478 (95% CI: 0.6214–0.8715), and a remission odds-ratio of 0.6877 (95% CI: 0.5768–0.7987). The Number Needed to Treat for each of the antibiotics used in the clinical trials were 5.018 (Ciprofloxacin), 6.480 (Clarithromycin), 7.556 (Metronidazole), and 6.824 (Rifaximin). This is an important outcome because it not only opens up a new treatment option for those suffering from Crohn’s Disease but it also leads credibility to the theory that Crohn’s is caused, at least in part, by bacteria, such as Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis and adherent invasive E. coli.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF PSOAS MUSCLE COMPOSITION IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE
Authors: Lin Bixuan , Beniwal-Patel Poonam
Published: January 2021

Background

Total psoas muscle cross sectional area, as identified with computed tomography (CT), has been associated with clinical outcomes in various disease states. Unfortunately, total psoas CSA does not differentiate muscle density nor fat, both of which may be abnormal in obesity. Using a novel CT method to partition psoas muscle into low and high density muscle, recent studies have demonstrated low and high attenuating psoas muscle may be superior to total psoas CSA in identifying sarcopenic obesity. The impact of varying muscle composition in patients with inflammatory bowel disease is unknown.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of IBD patients from a tertiary care center. Psoas muscle composition was determined using a novel and validated CT method. High and low attenuating bilateral psoas muscle was measured at the level of the 3rd lumbar vertebra. Clinical remission, surgery, hospitalization, and corticosteroid use were stratified by low and high density muscle and evaluated 6 weeks from the index CT.

Results

We identified 115 consecutive patients with a routine CT scan. Majority of patients had a greater quantity of low-density muscle (LDM), 95% had CD and 71% were not in clinical remission at the time of baseline CT. Of those with a greater quantity of LDM, 68% had history of IBD surgery and 60% were current/former smokers.

The mean pre-CT body mass index (BMI) for the greater quantity LDM was significantly higher (p=0.002) than the mean pre-CTE BMI for those with low LDMC. Seventy percent with greater quantity of low-density muscle were either overweight or obese and 20% had a normal range BMI. Six months after the baseline CT, 53% in the lower quantity LDM had clinical remission, whereas 33.3% had remission in the high LDMC (p=0.05). Patients with greater quantity LDM were more likely to require corticosteroids in the 6 months after index CT, as compared to those with lower quantity LDM (p=0.02).

Conclusion

This observational study showed an association between greater quantity of LDM and obesity and worse IBD-related outcomes. This is the first study to evaluate the impact of muscle composition on IBD outcomes and our results offer a novel tool to risk stratify patients with IBD. Our study is limited by the retrospective nature, limited sample size, and narrow longitudinal follow-up. Larger prospective studies with greater longitudinal follow-up are needed to confirm our retrospective findings.
SMALL-BOWEL CAPSULE ENDOSCOPY IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE TYPE UNCLASSIFIED
Authors: Singeap Ana-Maria , Girleanu Irina , Chiriac Stefan , Cuciureanu Tudor , Stanciu Carol , Trifan Anca
Published: January 2021

Background and aim

Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD) are idiopathic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) with no unique, gold standard diagnostic test. UC and Crohn’s colitis are in approximately 10% of cases impossible to be distinguished. The term IBD type unclassified (IBD-U) is officially proposed for the cases of chronic colitis showing overlapping endoscopic, radiological, and biopsy histological features between UC and CD, while indetermined colitis is reserved for colectomy specimen. Our aim was to evaluate the role of small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) in the diagnostic work-up of IBD-U.

Material and methods

We prospectively studied all cases of IBD-U explored by SBCE in our tertiary referral gastroenterology center. Patients were investigated by SBCE after contraindications were excluded. Diagnostic criteria for small bowel CD consisted in more than 3 ulcerations, irregular ulcers or stenosis; if fulfilled, Crohn’s colitis was sustained. The absence of CD features in the small bowel (SB) strengthened the assumption of UC. Follow-up data were recorded.

Results

Fifteen patients with IBD-U were explored by SBCE. Seven patients had SB lesions meeting the diagnostic criteria for CD. The remaining eight examinations showed no SB significant findings; therefore, they were classified as UC. No complications occurred. The patients were treated accordingly. Follow-up data recorded a case of colectomy for refractory UC.

Conclusions

SBCE is a useful safe tool in the management of IBD unclassified. Due to its diagnostic valences, SBCE plays a particular role in the process of proper clinical decision-making.