bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in leaf nitrogen and phosphorus content, photosynthesis, respiration, growth, and resource use efficiency of a rapeseed cultivar as affected by drought and high temperatures
Authors: Biswas D.K. , Ma B.L. , Morrison M.J.
Published: March 2019

The objective of this study was to explore the changes in leaf nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content, physiological processes, growth, and resource-use efficiency in a rapeseed cultivar under drought and (or) high temperatures. The two-wk-old plants were grown under controlled growth chamber conditions and subjected to individual or combined water (well-irrigated, 88% ± 4% field capacity vs. drought, 46% ± 5% field capacity) and temperature (control, 23 °C/17 °C vs. high temperatures, 26 °C/25 °C) regimes for 10 d. The measured response parameters were [N], [P], and their total content in leaves, photosynthetic rate (Asat), stomatal conductance (gs), intercellular CO2concentration (Ci), mitochondrial respiration (R), intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi), photosynthetic N use efficiency (PNUE), relative growth rate of the root (RGRr) and shoot (RGRs), leaf area, and dry matter accumulation in the plant. Drought significantly decreased [N], [P], and their total content in leaves, Asat, gs, Ci, RGRr, RGRs, leaf area, dry matter accumulation in the root, shoot, and whole plant, and PNUE, but significantly increased R and WUEi. Drought-induced reduction in growth or Asatwas mainly attributed to a decreased Cidue to stomatal closure, while reduction in gsand leaf area appeared to be a drought-adaptive mechanism. High temperature stress alone had no negative impact on physiological and growth parameters, indicating an enhanced thermal stability of the cultivar, which was diminished at combined drought and high temperature stresses. We therefore conclude that the thermal stability of the cultivar in terms of growth was compromised under simultaneous occurrence of drought and high temperature stresses.
Flowering and yield of eastern filbert blight resistant hazelnut cultivars in southwestern British Columbia
Authors: O’Dell Thomas E.
Published: March 2019

Trees of six recently released hazelnut (Corylus avellana) cultivars (Eta, Gamma, Jefferson, Sacajawea, Theta, and Yamhill) were grown at five locations in southwestern British Columbia to evaluate female receptivity and pollen shed timing, disease resistance, and nut yield. The overlap of female receptivity and pollen shed of mating-compatible cultivars equaled or exceeded that reported elsewhere. Following 4–6 yr of field growth without fungicides at sites adjoining eastern filbert blight (EFB)-infected orchards, EFB symptoms were absent from four cultivars (Eta, Gamma, Theta, Yamhill), negligible on Jefferson, and substantial on Sacajawea. Two additional potential diseases, Phomopsis sp. and Phytophthora sp., were observed on several trees at multiple farms. Yields varied by cultivar and farm, averaging 2.9 kg per tree of sixth-leaf Jefferson and 1.0 kg per tree of fourth-leaf Yamhill; the highest yield per tree observed was 9.3 kg for fifth-leaf Jefferson. These data, the first describing flowering and yield of these cultivars from operational orchards and the only such data from British Columbia, demonstrate the potential for new hazelnut cultivars even where pressure from eastern filbert blight is high. Also revealed are two potential emergent diseases for which growers need to remain vigilant.
Genome-wide identification and analyses of bHLH family genes inBrassica napus
Authors: Shen Wei , Cui Xin , Li Hui , Teng Rui-Min , Wang Yong-Xin , Liu Hao , Zhuang Jing
Published: March 2019

The bHLH (basic/helix-loop-helix) protein is one of the largest transcription factors (TFs) that is essential in regulating plant growth and development. Although the bHLH family has been identified in some organisms, a systemic study has not been performed in Brassica napus, which is the third most important oilseed crop worldwide. In the present study, a total of 460 bHLH TFs were identified from the genome of B. napus and clustered into 25 subfamilies. Structural analysis was used to identify the DNA binding type and conserved amino residues of the identified sequence in the bHLH domain. In addition, a comparative genomic analysis of B. napus and its progenitors (Brassica rapa and Brassica oleracea) and two basal angiosperms (Amborella trichopoda and Vitis vinifera) was performed to trace the change during expansion and evolution of the bHLH family. The bHLH TFs in leaves and roots showed various expression patterns. The homologs of the AA-subgenome and CC-subgenome exhibited similar expression patterns, but were more divergent between the homologs caused from other duplicate events.
Limited Effect of Noise Injection on Synchronization of Crystal Oscillators
Authors: Ishimura Kazuyoshi , Tokuda Isao T.
Published: March 2019

Experimental study on noise-induced synchronization of crystal oscillators is presented. Two types of circuits were constructed: one consists of two Pierce oscillators that were isolated from each other and received a common noise input, while the other is based on a single Pierce oscillator that received a same sequence of noise signal repeatedly. Due to frequency detuning between the two Pierce oscillators, the first circuit showed no clear sign of noise-induced synchronization. The second circuit, on the other hand, generated coherent waveforms between different trials of the same noise injection. The waveform coherence was, however, broken immediately after the noise injection was terminated. Stronger perturbation such as the voltage resetting was finally shown to be effective to induce phase shifts, leading to phase synchronization of the Pierce oscillator. Our study presents a guideline for utilizing noise to synchronize clocks of multiple CPU systems, distributed sensor networks, and other engineering devices.
Sensitivity Analysis on Optimal PID Controller for Nonlinear Smart Base-Isolated Structures
Authors: Etedali Sadegh
Published: March 2019

This paper presents a sensitivity analysis on the performance of optimal proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller for use in nonlinear smart base-isolated structures with uncertainties. A set of nine performance indices is defined to evaluate the performance of the controller in the presence of uncertainties in the superstructure, lead rubber bearing (LRB) seismic isolation system, and applied loads. The time delay effect on the stability and performance of the PID controller is also examined. The results show that the PID controller is robust against the uncertainties up to [Formula: see text]% in the damping and stiffness coefficients of the superstructure, the yield force of the LRB and the artificial earthquake. In the case with [Formula: see text]% of uncertainty, the input energy entering into the structure is increased with respect to the nominal model. However, the changes of the performance indices related to the damage energies are negligible. An uncertainty of [Formula: see text]20% in the stiffness coefficient and stiffness ratio of the LRB gives an increase of 15% in the maximum and root mean square (RMS) of the structural responses. In the case with [Formula: see text]20% of uncertainty, the damage and damping energies do not change in comparison with the case of the nominal model, but a significant decay in the performance index related to the input energy response is obtained in this case. Not all performance indices are sensitive to time delay. For large time delays, the performance index for the seismic input energy increases significantly, while the maximum damage and damping energies increase up to 5% and 10%, respectively.
Coupled Hydro-Mechanical Analysis of Gas Production in Fractured Shale Reservoir by Random Fracture Network Modeling
Authors: Yang Rui , Ma Tianran , Liu Weiqun , Fang Yijiao , Xing Luyi
Published: March 2019

Accurate construction of a shale-reservoir fracture network is a prerequisite for optimizing the fracturing methods and determining shale-gas extraction schemes. Considering the influence of geological conditions, stress levels, desorption–adsorption, and fissure characteristics and distribution, establishing a shale-gas reservoir fracture-network model based on a random fracture network is significant. According to the discrete network model and Monte Carlo stochastic theory, the random fracture network of natural and artificial fractures in a shale-gas reservoir stimulation zone was constructed in this study. The porosity and permeability of the stimulation zone were calculated according to the network geometric properties. The fracture network was reconstructed, and the fissure connectivity was characterized. Numerical simulation of the seepage flow was performed for shale-gas reservoirs with different fracking-fracture combinations. The results showed that the local permeability dominated by the main fracture was the main factor that affected the initial shale-gas production efficiency. The total shale-gas productivity was mainly controlled by the effective stimulated volume. The evenly distributed secondary fracture network could effectively improve the effective stimulated volume of the stimulation zone. A 4% increase in the effective stimulated volume could improve the accumulated gas production by approximately 12%. Moreover, when the ratio of the main fracture to the secondary fracture was approximately 1:14, the accumulated gas production was optimized.
Composition-sensitive electrical properties of charge nonstoichiometric 0.94Bi0.5+xNa0.5−xTiO3–0.06BaTiO3 ceramics
Authors: Zhang Ji , Wang Rui-Xue , Li Ling , Sun Lei , Gu Zheng-Bin , Zhang Haibo , Zhang Shan-Tao
Published: March 2019

Charge nonstoichiometric 0.94[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]TiO3–0.06BaTiO3 (BNT-BT) ([Formula: see text]) ceramics were prepared and investigated. The depolarization temperature was dependent on composition and the ferroelectric property of [Formula: see text] was suppressed more significantly than the [Formula: see text], indicating the composition-sensitive electrical properties. Furthermore, the [Formula: see text] was close to the insulator/conductor composition boundary while the [Formula: see text] was close to the ferroelectrics/relaxor boundary. These results were attributed to the complex effect of donor doping and acceptor doping on depolarization field. This work provides robust clues to tune and/or design electrical property and conductivity of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]TiO3-based materials.
Combining PUF with RLUTs
Authors: Roy Debapriya Basu , Bhasin Shivam , Nikolić Ivica , Mukhopadhyay Debdeep
Published: March 2019

With the popularity of modern FPGAs, the business of FPGA specific intellectual properties (IP) is expanding rapidly. This also brings in the concern of IP protection. FPGA vendors are making serious efforts toward IP protection, leading to standardization schemes like IEEE P1735. However, efficient techniques to prevent unauthorized overuse of IP still remain an open question. In this article, we propose a two-party IP protection scheme combining the re-configurable look-up table primitive of modern FPGAs with physically unclonable functions (PUF). The proposed scheme works with the assumption that the FPGA vendor provides the assurance of confidentiality and integrity of the developed IP. The proposed scheme is considerably lightweight compared to existing schemes, prevents overuse, and does not involve FPGA vendors or trusted third parties for IP licensing. The validation of the proposed scheme is done on MCNC’91 benchmark and third-party IPs like AES and lightweight MIPS processors.
Non-Antibody-Secreting Functions of B Cells and Their Contribution to Autoimmune Disease
Authors: Getahun Andrew , Cambier John C.
Published: March 2019

B cells play multiple important roles in the pathophysiology of autoimmune disease. Beyond producing pathogenic autoantibodies, B cells can act as antigen-presenting cells and producers of cytokines, including both proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Here we review our current understanding of the non-antibody-secreting roles that B cells may play during development of autoimmunity, as learned primarily from reductionist preclinical models. Attention is also given to concepts emerging from clinical studies using B cell depletion therapy, which shed light on the roles of these mechanisms in human autoimmune disease.
Modeling Segregation in Granular Flows
Authors: Umbanhowar Paul B. , Lueptow Richard M. , Ottino Julio M.
Published: March 2019

Accurate continuum models of flow and segregation of dense granular flows are now possible. This is the result of extensive comparisons, over the last several years, of computer simulations of increasing accuracy and scale, experiments, and continuum models, in a variety of flows and for a variety of mixtures. Computer simulations—discrete element methods (DEM)—yield remarkably detailed views of granular flow and segregation. Conti-nuum models, however, offer the best possibility for parametric studies of outcomes in what could be a prohibitively large space resulting from the competition between three distinct driving mechanisms: advection, diffusion, and segregation. We present a continuum transport equation–based framework, informed by phenomenological constitutive equations, that accurately predicts segregation in many settings, both industrial and natural. Three-way comparisons among experiments, DEM, and theory are offered wherever possible to validate the approach. In addition to the flows and mixtures described here, many straightforward extensions of the framework appear possible.
Enabling Applications of Covalent Adaptable Networks
Authors: McBride Matthew K. , Worrell Brady T. , Brown Tobin , Cox Lewis M. , Sowan Nancy , Wang Chen , Podgorski Maciej , Martinez Alina M. , Bowman Christopher N.
Published: March 2019

The ability to behave in a fluidlike manner fundamentally separates thermoset and thermoplastic polymers. Bridging this divide, covalent adaptable networks (CANs) structurally resemble thermosets with permanent covalent crosslinks but are able to flow in a manner that resembles thermoplastic behavior only when a dynamic chemical reaction is active. As a consequence, the rheological behavior of CANs becomes intrinsically tied to the dynamic reaction kinetics and the stimuli that are used to trigger those, including temperature, light, and chemical stimuli, providing unprecedented control over viscoelastic properties. CANs represent a highly capable material that serves as a powerful tool to improve mechanical properties and processing in a wide variety of polymer applications, including composites, hydrogels, and shape-memory polymers. This review aims to highlight the enabling material properties of CANs and the applied fields where the CAN concept has been embraced.
Neurite Development and Repair in Worms and Flies
Authors: Richardson Claire E. , Shen Kang
Published: March 2019

How the nervous system is wired has been a central question of neuroscience since the inception of the field, and many of the foundational discoveries and conceptual advances have been made through the study of invertebrate experimental organisms, including Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. Although many guidance molecules and receptors have been identified, recent experiments have shed light on the many modes of action for these pathways. Here, we summarize the recent progress in determining how the physical and temporal constraints of the surrounding environment provide instructive regulations in nervous system wiring. We use Netrin and its receptors as an example to analyze the complexity of how they guide neurite outgrowth. In neurite repair, conserved injury detection and response-signaling pathways regulate gene expression and cytoskeletal dynamics. We also describe recent developments in the research on molecular mechanisms of neurite regeneration in worms and flies.
Climate Change and Conflict
Authors: Koubi Vally
Published: March 2019

The link between climate change and conflict has been discussed intensively in academic literature during the past decade. This review aims to provide a clearer picture of what the research community currently has to say with regard to this nexus. It finds that the literature has not detected a robust and general effect linking climate to conflict onset. Substantial agreement exists that climatic changes contribute to conflict under some conditions and through certain pathways. In particular, the literature shows that climatic conditions breed conflict in fertile grounds: in regions dependent on agriculture and in combination and interaction with other socioeconomic and political factors such as a low level of economic development and political marginalization. Future research should continue to investigate how climatic changes interact with and/or are conditioned by socioeconomic, political, and demographic settings to cause conflict and uncover the causal mechanisms that link these two phenomena.
A Rare Cause of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Purpura- (TTP-) Like Syndrome, Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Interpretation of Significant Pathological Findings
Authors: Bailey Morgan , Maestas Travis , Betancourt Robert , Mikhael Dalia , Babiker Hani M.
Published: March 2019

Thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP) is a hematological emergency that requires rapid assessment followed by prompt initiation of therapy due to high mortality associated with delayed treatment. TTP has many causes including heritable syndromes, ADAMTS13 deficiency, and drugs-related etiologies. Profound vitamin B12 deficiency can, in rare cases, mimic TTP in presentation, and since plasmapheresis can be of limited benefit, prompt diagnosis is necessary for accurate treatment with B12. Therefore, careful analysis of all clinical signs, symptoms, and labs must be assessed. We report a patient who presented with a diagnosis of TTP, and repeat assessment confirmed a diagnosis of sever vitamin B12 (B12) deficiency with pancytopenia who was appropriately treated with B12.
Effects of Hydrocolloid Injection on the Eating Quality of Pork Analyzed Based on Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (LF-NMR)
Authors: Gai Shengmei , Zhang Zhonghui , Zou Yufeng , Liu Dengyong
Published: March 2019

This study investigated the effects of hydrocolloid injection on the eating quality of porcine meat based on low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR). The eating quality and water distribution of hydrocolloid-injected pork were compared with control, and the principle component analysis (PCA) was applied for the identification of hydrocolloid-injected pork. Total color difference (ΔE∗), cooking loss, and moisture content of hydrocolloid-injected pork were significantly increased compared with the control (p<0.05). LF-NMR indicated that significant differences in the relaxation time and peak area proportion of immobilized water (T21, P21) and free water (T22, P22) were detected among hydrocolloid-injected samples and the control (p<0.05). The first two principal components (PCs) of PCA accounted for 54.07% and 33.56% of the observed variation, respectively. Based on the two PCs, the hydrocolloid-injected pork could be differentiated from the control. Therefore, LF-NMR combined with PCA offers an effective method for the analysis and detection of hydrocolloid-injected pork.
Structural and Biomechanical Corneal Differences between Type 2 Diabetic and Nondiabetic Patients
Authors: Beato João N. , Esteves-Leandro João , Reis David , Falcão Manuel , Rosas Vítor , Carneiro Ângela , Falcão Reis Fernando
Published: March 2019

Purpose. To analyze and compare corneal structural and biomechanical properties, characterized by corneal hysteresis (CH) and resistance factor (CRF), between patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and determine the main ocular variables that influence them.Methods. Sixty diabetic and 48 age- and sex-matched non-DM patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The DM group was analyzed according to DM duration (<or ≥ 10 years), HbA1c levels (<or ≥ 7%), and presence of retinopathy. CH and CRF were evaluated using the Ocular Response Analyzer® (ORA). Central corneal thickness (CCT) was determined by Scheimpflug tomography (Pentacam® HR). Intraocular pressure was obtained with ORA (IOPcc) and Goldmann applanation tonometry (IOP-GAT). Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between demographical, clinical, and ocular variables with the biomechanical properties.Results. There were no statistically significant differences in the CH and the CRF between DM and non-DM groups (p=0.637andp=0.439, respectively). Also, there was no statistical difference between groups for the CCT, IOPcc, or IOP-GAT. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that CH was positively associated with CCT (p<0.001) and negatively associated with IOPcc (p<0.001), while CRF was positively associated with CCT (p<0.001) and IOPcc (p=0.014).Conclusion. The CCT and IOPcc were found to be the main parameters that affect corneal biomechanical properties both in diabetics and controls. In this study, there was no significant effect of DM type 2 on corneal biomechanics.
Aberrant Interhemispheric Functional Organization in Children with Dyskinetic Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Qin Yun , Sun Bo , Zhang Huali , Li Yanan , Zhang Tao , Luo Cheng , Sun Chengyan , Yao Dezhong
Published: March 2019

Background. Hemispheric asymmetry is one fundamental principle of neuronal organization. Interhemispheric connectivity and lateralization of intrinsic networks in the resting-state brain demonstrate the interhemispheric functional organization and can be affected by disease processes. This study aims to investigate the interhemispheric organization in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy (DCP) based on resting-state functional MRI (fMRI). Methods. 24 children with DCP and 20 healthy children were included. Voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) was calculated to detect the interhemispheric connectivity, and the lateralization of the resting-state networks was performed to examine the asymmetry of the intrinsic networks of brain. Results. Decreased interhemispheric connectivity was found at visual, motor, and motor-control related regions in children with DCP, while high cognitive related networks including the central executive network, the frontoparietal network, and the salience network represented decreased asymmetry in children with DCP. Abnormal VMHC in visual areas, as well as the altered lateralization in inferior parietal lobule and supplementary motor area, showed correlation with the gross motor function and activities of daily living in children with DCP. Conclusion. These findings indicate that the interhemispheric functional organization alteration exists in children with DCP, suggesting that abnormal interhemispheric interaction may be a pathophysiological mechanism of motor and cognitive dysfunction of CP.
Rat Hippocampal Neural Stem Cell Modulation Using PDGF, VEGF, PDGF/VEGF, and BDNF
Authors: Pelegri Neus Gomila , Gorrie Catherine A. , Santos Jerran
Published: March 2019

Neural stem cells have become the focus of many studies as they have the potential to differentiate into all three neural lineages. This may be utilised to develop new and novel ways to treat neurological conditions such as spinal cord and brain injuries, especially if the stem cells can be modulated in vivo without additional invasive surgical procedures. This research is aimed at investigating the effects of the growth factors vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor/platelet-derived growth factor on hippocampal-derived neural stem cells. Cell growth and differentiation were assessed using immunohistochemistry and glutaminase enzyme assay. Cells were cultured for 14 days and treated with different growth factors at two different concentrations 20 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL. At 2 weeks, cells were fixed, and immunohistochemistry was conducted to determine cellular differentiation using antibodies against GFAP, nestin, OSP, and NF200. The cell medium supernatant was also collected during treatment to determine glutaminase levels secreted by the cells as an indicator of neural differentiation. VEGF/PDGF at 100 ng/mL had the greatest influence on cellular proliferation of HNSC, which also stained positively for nestin, OSP, and NF200. In comparison, HNSC in other treatments had poorer cell health and adhesion. HNSC in all treatment groups displayed some differentiation markers and morphology, but this is most significant in the 100 ng/ml VEGF/PDGF treatment. VEGF/PDGF combination produced the optimal effect on the HNSCs inducing the differentiation pathway exhibiting oligodendrocytic and neuronal markers. This is a promising finding that should be further investigated in the brain and spinal cord injury.
Antioxidant Effects ofBaoyuanDecoction on Dysfunctional Erythrocytes in High-Fat Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemic ApoE-/-Mice
Authors: Wu Zhen , Jin Fengyu , Wang Lingxiao , Zhao Yunfang , Jiang Yong , Li Jun , Tu Pengfei , Zheng Jiao
Published: March 2019

Baoyuandecoction (BYD), a traditional representative formula, has a long usage history in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Since the hyperlipidemia-induced dysfunction of erythrocyte is one of the most important causes of cardiovascular diseases, the improving effects of BYD against high-fat diet (HFD) induced the physiological and physical function of the erythrocytic injury and the potential mechanisms were deeply researched in this study. After 6 weeks of drug treatment, all doses of BYD had significantly decreased the lipid peroxidation in plasma of HFD-induced ApoE-/-mice, even if it had not improved the lipid levels. Then, the erythrocyte-related experimental results showed that BYD had reduced erythrocyte osmotic fragility, stabilized erythrocyte membrane skeleton protein 4.2, and reformed the erythrocyte morphological changes by decreasing erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation levels. This study demonstrated that BYD may ameliorate the physiological and physical function of erythrocyte in hyperlipidemic mice through the antioxidant effect on erythrocyte membranes.
Traumatic Atlantoaxial and Fracture-Related Dislocation
Authors: Meyer Carolin , Eysel Peer , Stein Gregor
Published: March 2019

Traumatic atlantoaxial dislocation due to ligamentous and combined osseous injuries rarely occurs in adults. There are only few cases published in the literature. In this level 4 study, a cohort of nine consecutive patients suffering from traumatic atlantoaxial dislocation has been analyzed regarding morphology of injury, trauma mechanism, and outcome since 2007. Three types of those injuries have been found regarding direction of dislocation indicating the underlying ligamentous injuries as well as the accompanying grade of instability. Firstly, there was rotatory dislocation, if the alar ligaments were injured. Secondly, there occurred horizontal dislocation, when transverse atlantal ligament was damaged additionally. Thirdly, excessive ligamentous injury led to distraction of the atlantoaxial complex resulting in dissociation of the atlas against the axis. Additionally fractures of the atlas as well as of the odontoid process (type II or III according to Anderson/D’Alonzo) were diagnosed frequently. Atlantoaxial dislocation injuries, especially distraction injuries, offer a high risk for accompanied neurovascular disorders deserving reduction followed by surgical fixation. Only rotatory injuries leading to ligamentous damage solitarily can safely be successfully treated conservatively. Understanding of the injuries’ morphology is essential, in order to set the correct diagnosis and to implicate the most advantageous treatment regime.
bcBIM: A Blockchain‐Based Big Data Model for BIM Modification Audit and Provenance in Mobile Cloud
Authors: Zheng Rongyue , Jiang Jianlin , Hao Xiaohan , Ren Wei , Xiong Feng , Ren Yi
Published: March 2019

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is envisioned as an indispensable opportunity in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries as a revolutionary technology and process. Smart construction relies on BIM for manipulating information flow, data flow, and management flow. Currently, BIM model has been explored mainly for information construction and utilization, but rare works pay efforts to information security, e.g., critical model audit and sensitive model exposure. Moreover, few BIM systems are proposed to chase after upcoming computing paradigms, such as mobile cloud computing, big data, blockchain, and Internet of Things. In this paper, we make the first attempt to propose a novel BIM system model called bcBIM to tackle information security in mobile cloud architectures. More specifically, bcBIM is proposed to facilitate BIM data audit for historical modifications by blockchain in mobile cloud with big data sharing. The proposed bcBIM model can guide the architecture design for further BIM information management system, especially for integrating BIM cloud as a service for further big data sharing. We propose a method of BIM data organization based on blockchains and discuss it based on private and public blockchain. It guarantees to trace, authenticate, and prevent tampering with BIM historical data. At the same time, it can generate a unified format to support future open sharing, data audit, and data provenance.
Effects of Home-Based Robotic Therapy Involving the Single-Joint Hybrid Assistive Limb Robotic Suit in the Chronic Phase of Stroke: A Pilot Study
Authors: Hyakutake Koichi , Morishita Takashi , Saita Kazuya , Fukuda Hiroyuki , Shiota Etsuji , Higaki Yasuki , Inoue Tooru , Uehara Yoshinari
Published: March 2019

Introduction.Robotic therapy has drawn attention in the rehabilitation field including home-based rehabilitation. A previous study has reported that home-based therapy could be more effective for increasing upper limb activity than facility-based therapy. The single-joint hybrid assistive limb (HAL-SJ) is an exoskeleton robot developed according to the interactive biofeedback theory, and several studies have shown its effectiveness for upper limb function in stroke patients. A study of home-based robotic therapy has shown to enhance rehabilitation effectiveness for stroke patient with a paretic upper limb. However, home-based therapy involving a HAL-SJ in stroke patients with paretic upper limbs has not been investigated. The present study aimed to investigate paretic upper limb activity and function with home-based robotic therapy involving a HAL-SJ in stroke patients.Materials and Methods.A home-based robotic therapy program involving a HAL-SJ was performed for 30 min per session followed by standard therapy for 30 min per session, 2 times a week, for 4 weeks (i.e., completion of all 8 sessions involved 8 h of rehabilitation), at home. After the intervention, patients were followed up by telephone and home visits for 8 weeks. The paretic upper limb activity and function were assessed using the Motor Activity Log (MAL; amount of use (AOU)), arm triaxial accelerometry (laterality index (LI)), the Fugl–Meyer assessment (FMA), and the action research arm test (ARAT), at baseline and week 4 and week 12 after the start of training.Results.The study included 10 stroke patients (5 men; mean age, 61.1 ± 7.1 years). The AOU scores and LI significantly improved at week 4 after the start of training (p<0.05). However, no significant changes were observed in the LI at week 12 (p=0.161) and the FMA scores at both week 4 and week 12 (p=0.059 andp=0.083, respectively). The ARAT scores significantly improved at both week 4 and week 12 (p<0.05).Conclusion.Home-based robotic therapy combined with conventional therapy could be a valuable approach for increasing paretic upper limb activity and maintaining paretic upper limb function in the chronic phase of stroke.
Does Interhospital Transfer Influence the Outcomes of Patients Receiving Surgery for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection? Type A Aortic Dissection: Is Transfer Hazardous or Beneficial?
Authors: Tseng Yuan-Hsi , Kao Chih-Chen , Lin Chien-Chao , Chen Chien-Wei , Lu Ming-Shian , Lu Chu-Hsueh , Huang Yao-Kuang
Published: March 2019

Introduction. The progression of acute type A aortic dissection may cause immediate death, such that, in the event of its diagnosis, emergency surgery is indicated. Relatedly, an interhospital transfer may prolong the time from diagnosis to surgery. This study therefore investigated how interhospital transfers impact surgical outcomes for acute type A aortic dissection. Materials and Methods. After excluding those patients who received deferred surgery for acute type A aortic dissection, 112 patients who received emergency surgery for the condition at our hospital from January 2011 to January 2018 were enrolled. These patients were divided into two groups, one consisting of the patients who were sent directly to our emergency department (group 1) and the other consisting of the patients who were transferred from another hospital after first being diagnosed with type A aortic dissection (group 2). The collected data included the patient demographics, clinical characteristics, operative findings and methods, postoperative outcomes, latest follow-up time, and most recent status. Results. There were 59 patients in group 1 and 53 patients in group 2. Univariate analysis revealed that group 1 had significantly more patients with a previous stroke (p = 0.007). Moreover, the average length of time from receiving a computed tomography (CT) scan to entering the operating room (OR) was shorter for the group 1 patients (p < 0.001). However, except for the incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury (14.5% versus 33.3%, p = 0.024), there was no statistical difference between the groups in terms of the operative findings and outcomes, such as hypotension before cardiopulmonary bypass, hemopericardium, other complications, and survival rate. Multivariate analysis showed that the independent predictors of hospital mortality included age > 61.5 years (p = 0.017), respiratory rate upon admission > 18.5 breaths/minute (p = 0.046), and total bypass time > 265.6 minutes (p = 0.015). For the patients who survived to discharge, log-rank analysis demonstrated similar cumulative survival rates for the two groups (p = 0.62). Further multivariate analysis showed that the risk of death after discharge was associated with the interval between the CT scan and OR entry (hazard ratio = 0.97 per minute; 95% confidence interval, 0.950–0.998; p = 0.037). Conclusion. In this study, it was found that interhospital transfer did not influence the surgical outcomes of patients with acute type A aortic dissection. As such, it can be concluded that the transfer of the patients with type A aortic dissection to tertiary hospitals with experienced cardiac surgical teams may not increase the surgical risk.
Diabetes: Oral Health Related Quality of Life and Oral Alterations
Authors: Cervino Gabriele , Terranova Antonella , Briguglio Francesco , De Stefano Rosa , Famà Fausto , D’Amico Cesare , Amoroso Giulia , Marino Stefania , Gorassini Francesca , Mastroieni Roberta , Scoglio Cristina , Catalano Francesco , Lauritano Floriana , Matarese Marco , Lo Giudice Roberto , Nastro Siniscalchi Enrico , Fiorillo Luca
Published: March 2019

Background and Objectives. About 5% of the world’s population is affected by diabetes; these patients must be further treated during medical and surgical treatments. These patients, due to the glycemic conditions, realize during their life multiorgan changes, in different body districts. Moreover, this condition obliges them to undertake hypoglycemic therapies. Diabetes is a risk factor for many diseases, including those concerning the oral district with immunological implications. Materials and Methods. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines accessing the NCBI PubMed database. Authors conducted the search of articles in English language. The results of the last 10 years have been considered, which present useful information regarding the oral conditions. A total of 17 relevant studies were included in the review. The study evaluated only papers with specific inclusion criteria regarding oral health. The works initially taken into consideration were 782; subsequently applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, there were 42 works. After a careful analysis of the work obtained by two academics who have worked separately, there have been 17 studies. All data from the studies were compared and many of these confirmed alteration in the oral district. Results. The studies taken into consideration evaluated different factors, such as OHRQoL, QoL, and oral alterations, involving soft tissue, dental structures, and postrehabilitative complications, as well as immunological alterations. Conclusions. We can affirm, in conclusion, that this study has brought to light those that are complications due to diabetic pathology, from different points of view. The psychological and psychosocial alterations, certainly present in these patients, are probably due to local and systemic alterations; this is confirmed by the correlation between oral health and quality of life reported by the patients.
Parametric Push‐Out Analysis on Perfobond Rib with Headed Stud Mixed Shear Connector
Authors: Zheng Shuangjie , Zhao Chen , Liu Yangqing
Published: March 2019

In steel and concrete composite structures, it is unfavourable to install many headed studs or perfobond ribs with narrow spacings at the joints. To solve this problem, a new type of a mixed shear connector was developed by combining a headed stud and perfobond rib at the same steel beam flange. In this paper, totally nine push‐out tests were conducted. The main purpose was to compare the failure mode and the load‐slip behavior of the headed stud, perfobond rib, and mixed shear connector. Furthermore, 19 nonlinear finite element simulations were performed. The effects of connector dimension and material properties on the structural behaviors of mixed shear connectors were studied. Based on the experimental and parametric study, an analytical equation was finally proposed to evaluate the shear capacity of perfobond rib with a headed stud mixed shear connector.
Pallister-Hall Syndrome Presenting in Adolescence
Authors: Mahtabfar Aria , Buckley Niall , Murphy Susan , Danish Shabbar , Marshall Ian
Published: March 2019

Pallister-Hall syndrome (PHS) is an extremely rare syndrome of unknown prevalence with autosomal dominant inheritance due to GLI3 gene mutations classically characterized by the presence of a hypothalamic hamartoma and polydactyly. Additional diagnostic criteria include bifid epiglottis, imperforate anus, small nails, hypopituitarism, growth hormone deficiency, and genital hypoplasia. It is typically diagnosed in infancy and early childhood, presenting with seizures and/or precocious puberty due to the hypothalamic hamartoma, and with limb anomalies due to central polydactyly. Our patient had presented with polysyndactyly at birth. However, as this is not uncommon in infants and is usually as part of the sporadic, isolated form of polydactyly, no further work up was done. He then presented at age 16 years with a headache and subjective visual changes, with brain imaging revealing a hypothalamic hamartoma. He did not have a history of seizures or central precocious puberty. Genotyping revealed a pathogenic variant affecting the GLI3 gene. We encourage all clinicians to consider PHS or an associated syndrome with a clinical finding of polydactyly. Further, as the natural history continues to reveal itself, this patient’s presentation provides important new data to the broad phenotypic spectrum of PHS.
Evaluation of the Graves’ Orbitopathy-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire in the Mainland Chinese Population
Authors: Zeng Peng , Fan Shu-xian , Li Zi-jing , Peng Yuan-yu , Hu Yu-xin , Xu Ming-tong , Wang Mei
Published: March 2019

Purpose. To study the clinical significance of the Graves’ orbitopathy-specific quality of life (GO-QOL) questionnaire in mainland Chinese patients. Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed at the Ophthalmology Department of the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital from April 2017 to April 2018. Eighty-eight consecutive Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) patients completed the two subscales of the GO-QOL questionnaire: visual functioning and appearance. The disease severity of GO was measured by the European Group on Graves’ Orbitopathy (EUGOGO) classification, and clinical activity was evaluated by the clinical activity score (CAS). Results. The mean scores of GO-QOL questionnaire for the visual functioning and appearance subscales were 68.4 ± 31.2 and 62.0 ± 27.4, respectively. Lower QOL scores for the visual functioning subscale were significantly correlated with disease severity, the CAS and diplopia (all p<0.05). Lower QOL scores for appearance were significantly correlated with the CAS (p<0.05). Although no correlation was found between the appearance subscale scores and disease severity (p=0.407), a downward trend in the appearance subscale scores as the severity of GO increased from mild to sight-threatening GO was found. Conclusion. A strong correlation between disease severity and clinical activity has been shown in the GO-QOL questionnaire, suggested by the EUGOGO. The GO-QOL questionnaire is a simple and effective appraisal instrument in the evaluation of health-related QOL in the mainland Chinese patients with GO.
Self-Assembled Nanoscaled Metalloporphyrin for Optical Detection of Dimethylmethylphosphonate
Authors: Wu Mingbo , Yang Hongsheng , Wei He , Hu Xueli , Qu Bo , Chen Mei
Published: March 2019

The self-assembly approach has been widely adopted in the effort to design and prepare functional materials. Herein, we report the synthesis and optical properties of metalloporphyrin nanoparticles. Nanoscaled particles of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin manganese (MnTPP) and 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin indium (InTPP) were produced in the water/dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) mixed solution by self-assembly approach. The absorbance intensity at the characteristic peak of the monomeric and nanoscaled metalloporphyrins decreased when they interact with dimethylmethylphosphonate (DMMP). Detection limits of MnTPP and InTPP nanoparticles to DMMP were 10−9 and 10−10 L/L, respectively, and detection limits of monomeric MnTPP and InTPP to DMMP were 10−6 and 10−7 L/L, respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on MnTPP and InTPP with DMMP as axial ligands had been performed in the B3LYP/6-31g (d) approximation. Their optimized geometries and binding energies were found to depend very strongly on the central metal ion, and InTPP was more sensitive for DMMP detection in contract to MnTPP. All the experimental and theoretical results demonstrated that nanoscaled metalloporphyrin have potential prospects in determination for public safety.
Impulsive-Compulsive Behaviours in Belgian-Flemish Parkinson’s Disease Patients: A Questionnaire-Based Study
Authors: Maréchal Emke , Denoiseux Benjamin , Thys Ellen , Cras Patrick , Crosiers David
Published: March 2019

Background. Impulsive-compulsive behaviours (ICB) are a potentially harmful group of behavioural symptoms among the nonmotor aspects of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Objective. To develop and perform partial validation of a Belgian-Flemish version of the Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson’s Disease (QUIP) as a screening instrument for ICB in PD patients. Methods. Using a translation-backtranslation method, we developed a Belgian-Flemish version of the QUIP, which was subsequently completed by 88 PD patients. QUIP-positive patients were invited for a semistructured diagnostic interview. Results. A positive QUIP score for one or more ICB was observed in 37 patients (41%). In 15 patients (17%), a positive QUIP score for one or more impulse control disorders (ICD) was noted: pathological gambling in 1, hypersexuality in 8, compulsive shopping in 5, and compulsive eating in 8 patients. A positive QUIP score for punding, hobbyism, and/or walkabout was observed in 30 patients. The semistructured diagnostic interview was performed in 22 QUIP-positive patients. The diagnosis of ICB was confirmed in 6 patients, suggesting a positive predictive value of 27% for the Belgian-Flemish version of the QUIP. Conclusions. We have developed a Belgian-Flemish version of the QUIP, which can be used as a screening questionnaire for ICB in PD patients. Our data suggest that sensitivity is high, specificity is low, and validity of the questionnaire is similar to the original version. We confirm the necessity of additional clinical assessment of QUIP-positive patients to ascertain a diagnosis of ICB.
Effects of Delta-Like Noncanonical Notch Ligand 1 Expression of Human Fetal Liver Hepatoblasts on Hematopoietic Progenitors
Authors: Gerlach Jörg C. , Thompson Robert L. , Gridelli Bruno , Schmelzer Eva
Published: March 2019

Although the hepatic and hematopoietic progenitors of the liver are well characterized, the interactions between these two lineages remain mostly elusive. Hepatoblasts express delta-like noncanonical Notch ligand 1 (Dlk1), whose cleaved extracellular domain can become a soluble protein. We assessed the effects of DLK1 gene expression knockdown in cultures of total fetal liver cells. Furthermore, we separated Dlk1+hepatoblasts from the total liver cell fraction and investigated effects of direct cell contact. Dlk1-cells were cultured either without Dlk1+hepatoblasts, in direct contact with hepatoblasts, or separated from hepatoblasts by a porous membrane in inserts to inhibit cell contact but allow free exchange of molecules. Expression of the hepatic and hematopoietic genes, colony forming unit potential of various hematopoietic progenitors, and cell numbers and types were investigated. We found that DLK1 knockdown in total fetal liver cell cultures decreased total cell numbers. The expression of hepatic progenitor genes and mature hematopoietic genes was affected. Hematopoietic BFU-E and CFU-GM colony numbers were reduced significantly. The depletion of Dlk1+hepatoblasts in culture decreased the potential of all hematopoietic progenitors to form colonies of all types and reduced the percentage of mature hematopoietic cells. The addition of hepatoblasts in inserts to Dlk1-cells further decreased the potential to form the CFU-GM and CFU-GEMM colonies and the percentage of mature hematopoietic cells but increased total cell numbers. Conclusively, direct contact of Dlk1 supports hematopoietic progenitor expansion and functionality that cannot be reconstituted in coculture without direct cell contact.