bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Full velocity difference car-following model considering desired inter-vehicle distance
Authors: Xin Tong , Yi Liu , Rongjun Cheng , Hongxia Ge
Published: February 2018

Based on the full velocity difference car-following model, an improved car-following model is put forward by considering the driver’s desired inter-vehicle distance. The stability conditions are obtained by applying the control method. The results of theoretical analysis are used to demonstrate the advantages of our model. Numerical simulations are used to show that traffic congestion can be improved as the desired inter-vehicle distance is considered in the full velocity difference car-following model.
Treatment of isomers in nucleosynthesis codes
Authors: Reifarth René , Fiebiger Stefan , Göbel Kathrin , Heftrich Tanja , Kausch Tanja , Köppchen Christoph , Kurtulgil Deniz , Langer Christoph , Thomas Benedikt , Weigand Mario
Published: February 2018

The decay properties of long-lived excited states (isomers) can have a significant impact on the destruction channels of isotopes under stellar conditions. In sufficiently hot environments, the population of isomers can be altered via thermal excitation or de-excitation. If the corresponding lifetimes are of the same order of magnitude as the typical time scales of the environment, the isomers have to be treated explicitly. We present a general approach to the treatment of isomers in stellar nucleosynthesis codes and discuss a few illustrative examples. The corresponding code is available online at http://exp-astro.de/isomers/ .
FPGA Implementation of the IEEE 802.16 Physical Layer for SHVC Video Transmission
Authors: Dawa Mohamed , Abdallah Faten Ben
Published: February 2018

This paper presents a video transmission system for scalable High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) videos using a 4G standard’s physical layer. SHVC, the scalable HEVC is used to compress the different layers of videos into binary files. The resultant binary files are easily transportable over any network thus solving many issues mainly related to videos with high resolutions. Three scenarios are studied and simulated at first, namely, Single Input Single Output (SISO), Multiple Input Single Output (MISO) and MIMO. Since the MIMO scenario offers the best results, it is considered in the implementation of the system on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) using Xilinx System Generator (XSG). A Simulink model is developed under Matlab to simulate the video transmission scenarios using the WIMAX physical layer. Then, the MIMO system is implemented using a Zed-Board to co-simulate the video transmission in real-time and which allows a successful reception of the video sequences.
Integrative analysis of gene expression and DNA methylation using unsupervised feature extraction for detecting candidate cancer biomarkers
Authors: Moon Myungjin , Nakai Kenta
Published: February 2018

Currently, cancer biomarker discovery is one of the important research topics worldwide. In particular, detecting significant genes related to cancer is an important task for early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Conventional studies mostly focus on genes that are differentially expressed in different states of cancer; however, noise in gene expression datasets and insufficient information in limited datasets impede precise analysis of novel candidate biomarkers. In this study, we propose an integrative analysis of gene expression and DNA methylation using normalization and unsupervised feature extractions to identify candidate biomarkers of cancer using renal cell carcinoma RNA-seq datasets. Gene expression and DNA methylation datasets are normalized by Box–Cox transformation and integrated into a one-dimensional dataset that retains the major characteristics of the original datasets by unsupervised feature extraction methods, and differentially expressed genes are selected from the integrated dataset. Use of the integrated dataset demonstrated improved performance as compared with conventional approaches that utilize gene expression or DNA methylation datasets alone. Validation based on the literature showed that a considerable number of top-ranked genes from the integrated dataset have known relationships with cancer, implying that novel candidate biomarkers can also be acquired from the proposed analysis method. Furthermore, we expect that the proposed method can be expanded for applications involving various types of multi-omics datasets.
Special multiply Einstein warped products with an affine connection
Authors: Dumitru Dan
Published: February 2018

The aim of this paper is to study special multiply Einstein warped products having an affine connection. Let [Formula: see text] be a multiply warped product such that [Formula: see text] is an open interval, [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] for every [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] an affine connection on [Formula: see text] We compute the warping functions that make [Formula: see text] an Einstein space in the following cases:

(a) [Formula: see text] is a semi-symmetric metric/non-metric connection and all the fibers are Ricci flat. (b) [Formula: see text] is a quarter-symmetric metric/non-metric connection and all the fibers are Ricci flat.
Fluoroalkyl phthalocyanines: Bioinspired catalytic materials
Authors: Carrión Erik N. , Loas Andrei , Patel Hemantbhai H. , Pelmuş Marius , Ramji Karpagavalli , Gorun Sergiu M.
Published: February 2018

The design of self oxidation-resistant catalytic materials based on organic molecules, although advantageous due to the ability to control their structures, is limited by the presence of labile C–H bonds. This mini review summarizes recent work aimed at first-row transition metal complexes of a new class of coordinating ligands, fluoroalkyl-substituted fluorophthalocyanines, R[Formula: see text]Pcs, ligands in which all, or the majority of their C–H bonds are replaced by a combination of fluoro- and perfluoroalkyl groups yielding porphyrin-bioinspired catalyst models. In the case of homogeneous systems, cobalt(II) complexes catalyze the aerobic oxidation of thiols to disulfides, a reaction of both biological significance and industrial importance. Zinc(II) complexes photo-generate excited state singlet oxygen, [Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text], resulting in both the incorporation of O[Formula: see text] in C–H bonds or, depending on the reaction parameters, oxidation of dyes, model pollutants. Catalyst heterogenization using oxidic and other supports yields stable, active hybrid materials. Functionalized R[Formula: see text]Pcs with acidic (–COOH) or basic (–NH[Formula: see text]R[Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] 2) groups exhibit scaffolds that afford both conjugation with biological vectors for theranostic applications as well as solid-supported materials with superior stability. Electrodes modified with hybrid R[Formula: see text]Pc-containing supports have also been used in photo-oxidations, replacing enzymes and H[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] associated reagents with a combination of light and air. An analytical device employed for the nano-level detection of environmentally deleterious antibiotics has been constructed.
Investigation of Crystalline and Amorphous Forms of Aluminum and Its Alloys: Computational Modeling and Experiment
Authors: Shityakov Sergey , Roewer Norbert , Förster Carola Y. , Tran Hai T. , Cai Wenjun , Broscheit Jens-Albert
Published: February 2018

The purpose of this study is to investigate polycrystalline lattices of aluminum (Al) under the stress–strain conditions in all-atom molecular dynamics simulations and Al alloys using X-ray diffraction. Isothermal uniaxial tension and compression of these polycrystalline lattices showed no dislocation nucleation peaks, which correspond only to the Al monocrystal form. The best tensile and compressive resistance characteristics were observed for a material with the highest grain number ([Formula: see text]) due to the significant reduction of the face-centered cubic lattice in the metal structure. This process is mainly driven by the gradual elevation of the system’s kinetic energy. In the experiment, the amorphous Al alloys with higher manganese composition (20.5%) were investigated, matching the simulated amorphous structures. Overall, the results suggest that the increase in number of grains in Al lattices diminishes the stress–strain impact due to a more disordered atomic-scale (amorphous) metal composition.
The asymptotic behavior of a stochastic multigroup SIS model
Authors: Ji Chunyan , Jiang Daqing
Published: February 2018

In this paper, we explore the long time behavior of a multigroup Susceptible–Infected–Susceptible (SIS) model with stochastic perturbations. The conditions for the disease to die out are obtained. Besides, we also show that the disease is fluctuating around the endemic equilibrium under some conditions. Moreover, there is a stationary distribution under stronger conditions. At last, some numerical simulations are applied to support our theoretical results.
Physics-based modeling of crowd evacuation in the Unity game engine
Authors: Cantrell Walter Alan , Petty Mikel D. , Knight Samantha L. , Schueler Whitney K.
Published: February 2018

Crowds of people are often found in enclosed or constricted spaces. Evacuation in such situations is usually conducted calmly, but real or perceived danger may trigger panic. In panicked crowds, the interpersonal distance crowd members normally observe is often overwhelmed by the physical pressure of crowd members pushing against each other. That pressure can both slow evacuation and lead to injury or death. Models have been developed to study crowd evacuation in a range of situations. This paper describes the implementation, testing, and validation of a crowd evacuation model using Unity, a commercial computer game engine. A realistic physics-based model of crowd movement that calculates and considers the physical pressure crowd members exert on each other was implemented in Unity. The implemented model was tested under both nonpanicked and panicked scenarios; those tests exhibited known qualitative characteristics of such scenarios. The model was then quantitatively validated by comparing its results to the outcome of an actual evacuation event, the 2003 fire at The Station nightclub in Rhode Island. The implementation and validation show that Unity can be an effective tool for evacuation modeling.
Bipartite matching model with dynamic arrivals and departures
Authors: Jiang Weiwei
Published: February 2018

In this paper, we introduce a bipartite matching model for matching markets with dynamic arrivals and departures. Different from classical models with a finite-time horizon, our model has a long-time horizon with infinite vertices. In our model, the matching goal is to maximize the ratio of matched vertices, i.e., matched ratio. We define two types of online algorithms, i.e., Greedy and Patient, analyze their performance with evaluation metrics of both upper bounds and competitive ratios, and conduct extensive simulations to validate our analysis. To further simulate the real situation, we extend our model with the user’s strategic behavior and prove the existence of a specific Nash equilibrium under a differentiated matching mechanism.
Enhancement of Forced Convection Subcooled Film Boiling Heat Transfer Using Gas Sheet Collapse by Electric Field Application
Authors: Uemura Mitsuhiro
Published: February 2018

Enhancement of forced-convection boiling heat transfer by electric field is investigated experimentally. When a high-temperature horizontal filament is immersed in water, a gas sheet is formed around and the above filament due to liquid boiling, in the early immersion process. This gas-sheet markedly decreases the boiling cooling rate of the filament. Here, forced collapse of the gas sheet is attempted by imposing an electric field to enhance the boiling cooling rate, In the experiments, a horizontal platinum wire of 0.5[Formula: see text]mm in diameter is immersed in pure water under atmospheric pressure, and a DC voltage up to 600[Formula: see text]V is applied between the wire surface and an electrode made of glass placed 10[Formula: see text]mm apart. The whole boiling curve is measured under different applied voltages and wire-falling velocities in 0.5 to 2.0[Formula: see text]m/s range, and at subcooling of 60[Formula: see text]K. The experimental results show that the electric field is effective in promoting the disintegration of the gas sheet. Under the tested conditions, boiling cooling rate increased two-fold for an applied electric field of 600[Formula: see text]V/cm. This result shows that the use of an electric field to break up the gas-sheet has resulted in a remarkable increase in the cooling rate at high superheats during initial cooling period, which is even greater than that used in the existing material manufacturing processes by the rapid cooling method, and therefore, this method may contribute to developing new materials.
Petroleum occurrences in the carbonate lithologies of the Gohta and Alta discoveries in the Barents Sea, Arctic Norway
Authors: Matapour Z. , Karlsen D. A. , Lerch B. , Backer-Owe K.
Published: February 2018

Investigation of petroleum inclusions in carbonate samples from the Senilix well in the Barents Sea reveals petroleum entrapment in Paleozoic carbonates at reservoir temperatures from as low as 87.3°C to more than 130°C. Using corrected bottom hole temperatures, this corresponds to depths of 2800–4100 m, compared to the present-day depth of these samples of only 1965.9–2020.5 m. The oil in the Gohta and Alta discoveries is concluded to be of either Lower Triassic or Paleozoic origin based on the isomer distribution of triaromatic dimethylcholesteroids (TA-DMC). A potential source-rock candidate is the Ørret Formation, which is the time-equivalent to the Ravnefjeld Formation in Greenland. These oils are of a different origin compared to oils in the nearby Skrugard (renamed to Johan Castberg) discovery which contain oil sourced from the Upper Jurassic Hekkingen Formation. Evidence is presented to suggest that the Gohta and Alta oils represent blends of petroleum expelled at maturities ranging from about 1.0% calculated vitrinite reflectance (Rc) to more than 1.3%Rc, and this corroborates the inferences made from the petroleum inclusions. This emerging play is significant to exploration in the karst developed on the Barents Shelf and the Bjarmeland Platform during the Permo-Carboniferous. Karst reservoirs have been linked to eustatic sea-level changes, and analogous karst reservoirs may be present elsewhere in the Circum-Arctic: for example, in the Sverdrup Basin.
Effect of mono- and diglycerides on the digestion and absorption of lutein in lymph fistula rats
Authors: Tso Patrick , Vurma Mustafa , Ko Chih-Wei , Lee Dana , DeMichele Stephen
Published: February 2018

Breast milk lutein is better absorbed by infants than lutein delivered in infant formula. Therefore, we wanted to better understand the possible absorption differences of lutein in breast milk vs. that in infant formula by determining its bioavailability after gastric administration and whether the intestinal absorption of lutein can be improved by using new delivery vehicles. Study 1 compared the intestinal uptake,and the lymphatic and portal transport of lutein in conscious lymph fistula rats. Four groups of lymph- and portal vein-cannulated rats ( n = 8–10/group) were randomized to receive via gastric tube increasing doses (10, 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg) of 20% lutein in safflower oil (SO) suspension to assess whether there was a saturable level of lutein that could be absorbed and transported in lymph. Aliquots of hourly portal blood and lymph were taken for lutein and zeaxanthin analyses. The dose-response study showed that 20 mg/kg lutein was the saturable level of lymphatic lutein absorption with no lutein detected in portal circulation at any dosage level tested. Study 2 randomized five groups of lymph fistula rats ( n = 4–9/group) to receive 20 mg/kg lutein from either lutein in SO or lutein in four different mono- and diglyceride oils (MDGs). Gastric infusion of lutein suspended in MDG (20 mg/kg) significantly improved (71–211%, P < 0.05) lymphatic lutein output 2–6 h after lipid feeding vs. lutein in SO. Lymphatic zeaxanthin (10% of the lutein fed mixture) transport in both Study 1 and Study 2 followed that of lutein. We conclude that a mixture of MDGs helps solubilize lutein and facilitate gastrointestinal micelle formation, thus improving lymphatic lutein absorption compared with triglyceride oils.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This paper describes how lutein is digested and absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract by using the conscious lymph fistula rat model. Our dose-response study showed that absorption and lymphatic transport of lutein is a saturable process with no lutein detected in portal circulation at any dosage level tested. Our paper also provides insight into how this process can be improved by modifying the typical lipid mixtures carrying the lutein.
Portal vein stenosis preconditioning of living donor liver in swine: early mechanisms of liver regeneration and gain of hepatic functional mass
Authors: Brige Pauline , Hery Geraldine , Palen Anais , Guilbaud Théophile , Buffat Christophe , Moyon Anais , Hardwigsen Jean , Guedj Eric , Guillet Benjamin , Vidal Vincent , Gorincour Guillaume , Chopinet Sophie , Gregoire Emilie
Published: February 2018

To reduce the morbidity and mortality risk for the donor in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), we previously identified 20% left portal vein (LPV) stenosis as an effective preconditioning method to induce cell proliferation in the contralateral lobe without downstream ipsilateral atrophy. In this study, we report the pathways involved in the first hours after preconditioning and investigate the changes in liver volume and function. Fourteen pigs were used this study. Five pigs were used to study the genetic, cellular and molecular mechanisms set up in the early hours following the establishment of our preconditioning. The remaining nine pigs were equally divided into three groups: sham-operated animals, 20% LPV stenosis, and 100% LPV stenosis. Volumetric scanning and 99 mTc-Mebrofenin hepatobiliary scintigraphy were performed before preconditioning and 14 days after to study morphological and functional changes in the liver. We demonstrated that liver regeneration triggered by 20% LPV stenosis in the contralateral lobe involves TNF-α, IL-6, and inducible nitric oxide synthase 2 by means of STAT3 and hepatocyte growth factor. We confirmed that our preconditioning was responsible for an increase in the total liver volume. Finally, we demonstrated that this volumetric gain was associated with an increase in hepatic functional capacity.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We describe a new preconditioning method for major hepatectomy that is applicable to hepatectomy for donation. We identified 20% left portal vein stenosis as effective preconditioning that is capable of inducing cell proliferation in the contralateral lobe without the downstream ipsilateral atrophy. In this study, we report the pathways involved in the first hours following preconditioning, and we confirm that 20% left portal vein stenosis is responsible for an increase in the functional capacity and total liver volume in a porcine model.
Repeated airway constrictions in mice do not alter respiratory function
Authors: Mailhot-Larouche Samuel , Deschênes Louis , Gazzola Morgan , Lortie Katherine , Henry Cyndi , Brook Bindi S. , Morissette Mathieu C. , Bossé Ynuk
Published: February 2018

It is suggested that the frequent strain the airways undergo in asthma because of repeated airway smooth muscle (ASM)-mediated constrictions contributes to airway wall remodeling. However, the effects of repeated constrictions on airway remodeling, as well as the ensuing impact of this presumptive remodeling on respiratory mechanics, have never been investigated in subjects without asthma. In this study, we set out to determine whether repeated constrictions lead to features that are reminiscent of asthma in mice without asthma. BALB/c mice were subjected to a 30-min constriction elicited by aerosolized methacholine every other day over 6 wk. Forty-eight hours after the last constriction, the mechanics of the respiratory system was evaluated at baseline and in response to incremental doses of nebulized methacholine with the flexiVent. The whole-lung lavages, the tracheas, and the lungs were also collected to evaluate inflammation, the contractile capacity of ASM, and the structural components of the airway wall, respectively. The resistance and the compliance of the respiratory system, as well as the Newtonian resistance and the resistive and elastic properties of the lung tissue, were not affected by repeated constrictions, both at baseline and in response to methacholine. All the other examined features also remained unaltered, except the number of goblet cells in the epithelium and the number of macrophages in the whole-lung lavages, which both increased with repeated constrictions. This study demonstrates that, despite causing goblet cell hyperplasia and a mild macrophagic inflammation, repeated constrictions with methacholine do not lead to structural changes that adversely impact the physiology.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Repeated airway constrictions led to signs of remodeling that are typically observed in asthma, which neither altered respiratory mechanics nor the contractile capacity of airway smooth muscle. These findings shed light on a debate between those claiming that constrictions induce remodeling and those convinced that methacholine challenges are harmless. Insofar as our results with mice relate to humans, the findings indicate that repeated challenges with methacholine can be performed safely.
Polysubstance and Behavioral Addictions in a Patient with Bipolar Disorder: Role of Lifetime Subthreshold Autism Spectrum
Authors: Dell’Osso Liliana , Conversano Ciro , Corsi Martina , Bertelloni Carlo A. , Cremone Ivan M. , Carpita Barbara , Carbone Manuel G. , Gesi Camilla , Carmassi Claudia
Published: February 2018

This case report draws attention to the potential relevance of undetected autism spectrum symptoms in a bipolar patient with high work functioning showing a peculiar addictive profile with impulsive and antisocial behaviors. A 23-year-old man with a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder (BD) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) was hospitalized at the Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Pisa for diuretics and β-2 adrenergic agonist abuse in a remission phase of benzodiazepines and substance abuse. He reported a history of behavioral addictions in the framework of a global high work functioning with particular skills in computer science. When assessed for adult autism spectrum symptoms, despite not fulfilling a DSM-5 diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), he reported a score of 93/240 at the Ritvo Autism and Asperger Diagnostic Scale (RAADS-r) and of 88/160 at the Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum), both indicative of ASD. We argue the possible role of adult subthreshold autism spectrum features, generally disregarded in adult psychiatry, in the peculiar addictive profile developed by this patient with BD that may deserve appropriate treatment.
The Effect of Menisci on Kinetic Analysis of Evaporation for Molten Alkali Metal Salts (CsNO3, CsCl, LiCl, and NaCl) in Small Cylindrical Containers
Authors: Yang In-Hwan , Yang Hee-Chul , Kim Hyung-Ju
Published: February 2018

Using isothermal thermogravimetric data of alkali metal salts (CsNO3, CsCl, LiCl, and NaCl), we conducted kinetic analysis on atmospheric evaporation to investigate the effect of meniscus on determining the condensation coefficient. In the process of evaporation into an atmospheric gas, molten salt decomposed at the interface between molten salt and an atmospheric gas reacts with chemical compositions of the atmospheric gas to be an equilibrium state. In this atmospheric evaporation, the interface shape of molten salts is affected by the container diameter and the contact angle at the container wall. In the analysis results, the formed concave/convex meniscus led to underestimating the condensation coefficient of molten salts. However, whether the values of the condensation coefficient of molten salts were affected by menisci, the range of the predicted values was still low from 10−3 to 10−5. This result means that the presence of the foreign gas (air and Ar) is a dominant parameter in determining the condensation coefficient of atmospheric evaporation.
Antioxidant and Anti‐Inflammatory Effects of Blueberry Anthocyanins on High Glucose‐Induced Human Retinal Capillary Endothelial Cells
Authors: Huang Wuyang , Yan Zheng , Li Dajing , Ma Yanhong , Zhou Jianzhong , Sui Zhongquan
Published: February 2018

Blueberries possess abundant anthocyanins, which benefit eye health. The purpose of this study was to explore the protective functional role of blueberry anthocyanin extract (BAE) and its predominant constituents, malvidin (Mv), malvidin‐3‐glucoside (Mv‐3‐glc), and malvidin‐3‐galactoside (Mv‐3‐gal), on high glucose‐ (HG‐) induced injury in human retinal capillary endothelial cells (HRCECs). The results showed that BAE, Mv, Mv‐3‐glc, and Mv‐3‐gal enhanced cell viability (P < 0.05 versus the HG group at 24 h); decreased the reactive oxygen species (ROS, P < 0.01 versus the HG group both at 24 and 48 h); and increased the enzyme activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P < 0.05 versus the HG group both at 24 and 48 h). Mv could greatly inhibit HG‐induced Nox4 expression both at 24 and 48 h (P < 0.05), while BAE and Mv‐3‐gal downregulated Nox4 only at 48 h (P < 0.05). Mv, Mv‐3‐glc, and Mv‐3‐gal also changed nitric oxide (NO) levels (P < 0.05). BAE and Mv‐3‐glc also influenced angiogenesis by decreasing the vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) level and inhibiting Akt pathway (P < 0.05). Moreover, Mv and Mv‐3‐glc inhibited HG‐induced intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1, P < 0.001) and nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) (P < 0.05). It indicated that blueberry anthocyanins protected HRCECs via antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory mechanisms, which could be promising molecules for the development of nutraceuticals to prevent diabetic retinopathy.
Biocompatibility of Bespoke 3D-Printed Titanium Alloy Plates for Treating Acetabular Fractures
Authors: Lin Xuezhi , Xiao Xingling , Wang Yimeng , Gu Cheng , Wang Canbin , Chen Jiahui , Liu Han , Luo Juan , Li Tao , Wang Di , Fan Shicai
Published: February 2018

Treatment of acetabular fractures is challenging, not only because of its complicated anatomy but also because of the lack of fitting plates. Personalized titanium alloy plates can be fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) but the biocompatibility of these three-dimensional printing (3D-printed) plates remains unknown. Plates were manufactured by SLM and their cytocompatibility was assessed by observing the metabolism of L929 fibroblasts incubated with culture medium extracts using a CCK-8 assay and their morphology by light microscopy. Allergenicity was tested using a guinea pig maximization test. In addition, acute systemic toxicity of the 3D-printed plates was determined by injecting extracts from the implants into the tail veins of mice. Finally, the histocompatibility of the plates was investigated by implanting them into the dorsal muscles of rabbits. The in vitro results suggested that cytocompatibility of the 3D-printed plates was similar to that of conventional plates. The in vivo data also demonstrated histocompatibility that was comparable between the two manufacturing techniques. In conclusion, both in vivo and in vitro experiments suggested favorable biocompatibility of 3D-printed titanium alloy plates, indicating that it is a promising option for treatment of acetabular fractures.
Root-Cause Analysis of Persistently High Maternal Mortality in a Rural District of Indonesia: Role of Clinical Care Quality and Health Services Organizational Factors
Authors: Mahmood Mohammad Afzal , Mufidah Ismi , Scroggs Steven , Siddiqui Amna Rehana , Raheel Hafsa , Wibdarminto Koentijo , Dirgantoro Bernardus , Vercruyssen Jorien , Wahabi Hayfaa A.
Published: February 2018

Background. Despite significant reduction in maternal mortality, there are still many regions in the world that suffer from high mortality. District Kutai Kartanegara, Indonesia, is one such region where consistently high maternal mortality was observed despite high rate of delivery by skilled birth attendants. Method. Thirty maternal deaths were reviewed using verbal autopsy interviews, terminal event reporting, medical records’ review, and Death Audit Committee reports, using a comprehensive root-cause analysis framework including Risk Identification, Signal Services, Emergency Obstetrics Care Evaluation, Quality, and 3 Delays. Findings. The root causes were found in poor quality of care, which caused hospital to be unprepared to manage deteriorating patients. In hospital, poor implementation of standard operating procedures was rooted in inadequate skills, lack of forward planning, ineffective communication, and unavailability of essential services. In primary care, root causes included inadequate risk management, referrals to facilities where needed services are not available, and lack of coordination between primary healthcare and hospitals. Conclusion. There is an urgent need for a shift in focus to quality of care through knowledge, skills, and support for consistent application of protocols, making essential services available, effective risk assessment and management, and facilitating timely referrals to facilities that are adequately equipped.
The Influence of Slowly Varying Mass on Severity of Dynamics Nonlinearity of Bearing‐Rotor Systems with Pedestal Looseness
Authors: Jiang Mian , Wu Jigang , Liu Shuangqi
Published: February 2018

Nonlinearity measure is proposed to investigate the influence of slowly varying mass on severity of dynamics nonlinearity of bearing‐rotor systems with pedestal looseness. A nonlinear mathematical model including the effect of slowly varying disk mass is developed for a bearing‐rotor system with pedestal looseness. The varying of equivalent disk mass is described by a cosine function, and the amplitude coefficient is used as a control parameter. Then, nonlinearity measure is employed to quantify the severity of dynamics nonlinearity of bearing‐rotor systems. With the increasing of looseness clearances, the curves that denote the trend of nonlinearity degree are plotted for each amplitude coefficient of mass varying. It can be concluded that larger amplitude coefficients of the disk mass varying will have more influence on the severity of dynamics nonlinearity and generation of chaotic behaviors in rotor systems with pedestal looseness.
Proinflammatory Factors Mediate Paclitaxel-Induced Impairment of Learning and Memory
Authors: Li Zhao , Zhao Shuang , Zhang Hai-Lin , Liu Peng , Liu Fei-Fei , Guo Yue-Xian , Wang Xiu-Li
Published: February 2018

The chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel is widely used for cancer treatment. Paclitaxel treatment impairs learning and memory function, a side effect that reduces the quality of life of cancer survivors. However, the neural mechanisms underlying paclitaxel-induced impairment of learning and memory remain unclear. Paclitaxel treatment leads to proinflammatory factor release and neuronal apoptosis. Thus, we hypothesized that paclitaxel impairs learning and memory function through proinflammatory factor-induced neuronal apoptosis. Neuronal apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL assay in the hippocampus. Protein expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) in the hippocampus tissue were analyzed by Western blot assay. Spatial learning and memory function were determined by using the Morris water maze (MWM) test. Paclitaxel treatment significantly increased the escape latencies and decreased the number of crossing in the MWM test. Furthermore, paclitaxel significantly increased the number of TUNEL-positive neurons in the hippocampus. Also, paclitaxel treatment increased the expression levels of TNF-αand IL-1βin the hippocampus tissue. In addition, the TNF-αsynthesis inhibitor thalidomide significantly attenuated the number of paclitaxel-induced TUNEL-positive neurons in the hippocampus and restored the impaired spatial learning and memory function in paclitaxel-treated rats. These data suggest that TNF-αis critically involved in the paclitaxel-induced impairment of learning and memory function.
The Effect of Interpersonal Counseling for Subthreshold Depression in Undergraduates: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Yamamoto Ami , Tsujimoto Emi , Taketani Reiko , Tsujii Noa , Shirakawa Osamu , Ono Hisae
Published: February 2018

Background.Subthreshold depression and poor stress coping strategies are major public health problems among undergraduates. Interpersonal counseling (IPC) is a brief structured psychological intervention originally designed for use in primary care to treat depressive patients whose symptoms arose from current life stress.Objectives.This study examined the efficacy of IPC in treating subthreshold depression and coping strategies among undergraduates in school counseling.Materials and Methods.We carried out an exploratory randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of IPC with counseling as usual (CAU). Participants were 31 undergraduates exhibiting depression without a psychiatric diagnosis.Results.The Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale total score decreased significantly in the IPC group (n=15;Z=-2.675,p=.007), but not in the CAU group(n=16). The task-oriented coping score of the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations showed a tendency towards a greater increase in the IPC group than in the CAU group (t=1.919,df=29,p=.065).Conclusions.The IPC might be more useful for student counseling because it can teach realistic coping methods and reduce depressive symptoms in a short period. Further studies using more participants are required.
A CBCT Investigation of the Association between Sella-Turcica Bridging and Maxillary Palatal Canine Impaction
Authors: Ortiz Pamela M. , Tabbaa Sawsan , Flores-Mir Carlos , Al-Jewair Thikriat
Published: February 2018

Objectives. To investigate the association between unilateral/bilateral maxillary canine impaction and sella-turcica bridging using CBCT imaging. Methods. This retrospective comparative study analyzed 76 CBCT images of the craniofacial complex including sella-turcica. The impacted cuspid group consisted of thirty-eight subjects (7 males, 31 females; mean age, 14.6 ± 3.2 years) diagnosed with unilateral (left n=14, right n=11) or bilateral (n=13) palatal canine impaction. The control group included thirty-eight subjects matched by sex (7 males, 31 females; mean age, 19.5 ± 3.6 years) with no impaction. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between unilateral/bilateral canine impaction and right and left sella-turcica bridging. Results. The prevalence of sella-turcica bridging was 59.3% and 50% in the impacted canine and control groups, respectively. Although the odds for unilateral canine impaction were increased in the right and left sella-turcica bridging groups compared to the controls, the difference was not statistically significant. The risk of bilateral impaction was different between the two sides of sella-turcica bridging, but, again, the findings were not statistically significant. Conclusion. Contrary to previous 2D studies, there is no statistically significant association between unilateral/bilateral palatal canine impaction and sella-turcica bridging when using 3D CBCT.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome/Acute Myeloid Leukemia Arising in Idiopathic Erythrocytosis
Authors: Langabeer Stephen E. , Conneally Eibhlin , Flynn Catherine M.
Published: February 2018

The term “idiopathic erythrocytosis (IE)” is applied to those cases where a causal clinical or pathological event cannot be elucidated and likely reflects a spectrum of underlying medical and molecular abnormalities. The clinical course of a patient with IE is described manifesting as a persistent erythrocytosis with a low serum erythropoietin level, mild eosinophilia, and with evidence of a thrombotic event. The patient subsequently developed a myelodysplasic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an event not observed in erythrocytosis patients other than those with polycythemia vera (PV). Application of a next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach targeted for myeloid malignancies confirmed wild-type JAK2 exons 12–15 and identified a common SH2B3 W262R single-nucleotide polymorphism associated with the development of hematological features of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Further NGS analysis detected a CBL L380P mutated clone expanding in parallel with the development of MDS and subsequent AML. Despite the absence of JAK2, MPL exon 10, or CALR exon 9 mutations, a similarity with the disease course of PV/MPN was evident. A clonal link between the erythrocytosis and AML could be neither confirmed nor excluded. Future molecular identification of the mechanisms underlying IE is likely to provide a more refined therapeutic approach.
The Trilateral Evolutionary Game of Agri‐Food Quality in Farmer‐Supermarket Direct Purchase: A Simulation Approach
Authors: Su Xin , Liu Haolong , Hou Shunqi
Published: February 2018

The prevalence of opportunistic behaviors in agri‐food production and circulation results in frequent quality accidents in emerging economies. Numerous researches have discussed effective countermeasures to this problem, but few of them focus on the effectiveness and stability of quality assurance systems. Owing to the bounded rationality and information asymmetry, the dynamic quality game among producers, marketers, and consumers has significant characteristics of complexity. This paper aims at discussing the farmer‐supermarket direct purchase’s contributions to ensure the agri‐food quality and analyzing the effectiveness, stability, and key factors of this new industrial organization. Based on the evolutionary game theory, we establish the trilateral‐game payoff matrix, build up the replicator dynamic equations, and discuss possible evolutionary stable states. The simulation results show that the evolutionary system converges to desired stability faster, when the high‐quality agri‐food’s market premium increases and the penalty for violating quality standards increases. Furthermore, when farmers share more high‐quality agri‐food’s market premiums and marketers compensate more for violating the quality standards than before, the evolutionary system also converges to desired stability faster. Therefore, the quality information tracing technology, farmers and marketers’ fair distribution of profits and risks, and consumers’ capabilities to safeguard their legal rights are the three key factors to maintain the effectiveness and stability of quality assurance systems.
Evidential Model Validation under Epistemic Uncertainty
Authors: Deng Wei , Lu Xi , Deng Yong
Published: February 2018

This paper proposes evidence theory based methods to both quantify the epistemic uncertainty and validate computational model. Three types of epistemic uncertainty concerning input model data, that is, sparse points, intervals, and probability distributions with uncertain parameters, are considered. Through the proposed methods, the given data will be described as corresponding probability distributions for uncertainty propagation in the computational model, thus, for the model validation. The proposed evidential model validation method is inspired by the idea of Bayesian hypothesis testing and Bayes factor, which compares the model predictions with the observed experimental data so as to assess the predictive capability of the model and help the decision making of model acceptance. Developed by the idea of Bayes factor, the frame of discernment of Dempster-Shafer evidence theory is constituted and the basic probability assignment (BPA) is determined. Because the proposed validation method is evidence based, the robustness of the result can be guaranteed, and the most evidence-supported hypothesis about the model testing will be favored by the BPA. The validity of proposed methods is illustrated through a numerical example.
Whole Exome Sequencing and Molecular Modeling of a Missense Variant in TNFAIP3 That Segregates with Disease in a Family with Chronic Urticaria and Angioedema
Authors: Harris Antoneicka L. , Blackburn Patrick R. , Richter John E. , Gass Jennifer M. , Caulfield Thomas R. , Mohammad Ahmed N. , Atwal Paldeep S.
Published: February 2018

Chronic urticaria is a common condition characterized by recurrent hives lasting several weeks or months and is usually idiopathic. Approximately half of the individuals with chronic urticaria will present with episodes of angioedema that can be severe and debilitating. In this report, we describe a 47-year-old Hispanic male who presented initially for an evaluation of chronic hives following hospitalization due to hive-induced anaphylaxis. The individual had a history significant for urticaria and angioedema beginning in his early 30s. Interestingly, both the individual’s 41-year-old sister and 12-year-old daughter were also affected with chronic urticaria and severe angioedema. Whole exome sequencing of the proband and several family members revealed a heterozygous variant of uncertain significance in exon 2 of TNFAIP3, denoted as c.65G>A (p.R22Q), in all affected members. Variants in TNFAIP3 have been associated with multiple autoimmune diseases, susceptibility to allergy and asthma, and periodic fever syndromes, suggesting that this variant could potentially play a role in disease.
Time‐, Sex‐, and Dose‐Dependent Alterations of the Gut Microbiota by Consumption of Dietary Daikenchuto (TU‐100)
Authors: Miyoshi Jun , Nobutani Kentaro , Musch Mark W. , Ringus Daina L. , Hubert Nathaniel A. , Yamamoto Masahiro , Kase Yoshio , Nishiyama Mitsue , Chang Eugene B.
Published: February 2018

Medications or dietary components can affect both the host and the host’s gut microbiota. Changes in the microbiota may influence medication efficacy and interactions. Daikenchuto (TU‐100), a herbal medication, comprised of ginger, ginseng, and Japanese pepper, is widely used in Japanese traditional Kampo medicine for intestinal motility and postoperative paralytic ileus. We previously showed in mice that consumption of TU‐100 for 4 weeks changed the gut microbiota and increased bioavailability of bacterial ginsenoside metabolites. Since TU‐100 is prescribed in humans for months to years, we examined the time‐ and sex‐dependent effects of TU‐100 on mouse gut microbiota. Oral administration of 1.5% TU‐100 for 24 weeks caused more pronounced changes in gut microbiota in female than in male mice. Changes in both sexes largely reverted to baseline upon TU‐100 withdrawal. Effects were time and dose dependent. The microbial profiles reverted to baseline within 4 weeks after withdrawal of 0.75% TU‐100 but were sustained after withdrawal of 3% TU‐100. In summary, dietary TU‐100 changed mouse microbiota in a time‐, sex‐, and dose‐dependent manner. These findings may be taken into consideration when determining optimizing dose for conditions of human health and disease with the consideration of differences in composition and response of the human intestinal microbiota.
DREAM Is Involved in the Genesis of Inflammation-Induced Prolabour Mediators in Human Myometrial and Amnion Cells
Authors: Goradia Priyanka , Lim Ratana , Lappas Martha
Published: February 2018

Preterm birth is the primary cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Inflammation induces a cascade of events leading to preterm birth by activating nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). In nongestational tissues, downstream regulatory element antagonist modulator (DREAM) regulates NF-κB activity. Our aims were to analyse DREAM expression in myometrium and fetal membranes obtained at term and preterm and to determine the effect of DREAM inhibition on prolabour mediators in primary myometrial and amnion cells. DREAM mRNA expression was significantly higher in fetal membranes obtained after spontaneous labour compared to nonlabour and in amnion from women with histological preterm chorioamnionitis when compared to amnion from women without chorioamnionitis. In primary myometrial and amnion cells, the effect of DREAM silencing by siRNA was a significant decrease in the expression of proinflammatory cytokine IL-6, the chemokines IL-8 and MCP-1, the adhesion molecule ICAM-1, MMP-9 mRNA expression and activity, and NF-κB transcriptional activity when stimulated with the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β, the bacterial products fsl-1 or flagellin, or the viral dsRNA analogue poly(I:C). These data suggest that, in states of heightened inflammation, DREAM mRNA expression is increased and that, in myometrial and amnion cells, DREAM regulates proinflammatory and prolabour mediators which may be mediated via NF-κB.
Traveling Wave Solutions of Two Nonlinear Wave Equations by (G′/G)-Expansion Method
Authors: Shi Yazhou , Li Xiangpeng , Zhang Ben-gong
Published: February 2018

We employ the (G′/G)-expansion method to seek exact traveling wave solutions of two nonlinear wave equations—Padé-II equation and Drinfel’d-Sokolov-Wilson (DSW) equation. As a result, hyperbolic function solution, trigonometric function solution, and rational solution with general parameters are obtained. The interesting thing is that the exact solitary wave solutions and new exact traveling wave solutions can be obtained when the special values of the parameters are taken. Comparing with other methods, the method used in this paper is very direct. The (G′/G)-expansion method presents wide applicability for handling nonlinear wave equations.
Determination of Cobalt in Seawater Using Neutron Activation Analysis after Preconcentration by Adsorption ontoγ-MnO2Nanomaterial
Authors: Dinh Van-Phuc , Le Ngoc-Chung , Nguyen Ngoc-Tuan , Tran Quang-Thien , Nguyen Van-Dong , Luu Anh-Tuyen , Hung N. Quang , Tap Tran Duy , Ho Thien-Hoang
Published: February 2018

Theγ-MnO2nanomaterial has been used to adsorb cobalt in the seawater at Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province, Vietnam. Its concentration is determined by using the neutron activation analysis (NAA) method at the Dalat nuclear research reactor. Factors affecting the uptake of cobalt on theγ-MnO2material such as the pH, adsorption time, and initial cobalt(II) concentration are investigated. The irradiated experiment data are calculated using the K0-Dalat program. The results obtained show that the trace dissolved cobalt in Phan Thiet seawater is found equal to 0.25 ± 0.04 μg/L (n=5,P=95%) with the adsorption efficiency being higher than 95% (n=4,P=95%).