bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Work team identification associated with less stress and burnout among front-line emergency department staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Sangal Rohit B , Wrzesniewski Amy , DiBenigno Julia , Reid Eleanor , Ulrich Andrew , Liebhardt Beth , Bray Alexandra , Yang Elisabeth , Eun Eunice , Venkatesh Arjun K , King Marissa
Published: October 2020

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed front-line healthcare workers to unprecedented risks and stressors threatening both physical and mental health. Prior work in the military has found that team identification, or the sense that one was a part of a team, can help reduce stress and prevent burnout during prolonged stress.

Methods

We conducted repeated cross-sectional surveys embedded within emergency department workflow to understand whether team identification was associated with reduced reports of stress and burnout among front-line workers.

Results

During the 10-week study which spanned the first wave of COVID-19, 327 of 431 (76%) front-line healthcare workers responded to at least one round of the survey. Higher team identification was associated with significantly less work stress (B=−0.60, 95% CI −0.84 to to -0.40, p<0.001) and burnout (B=−12.87, 95% CI −17.73 to -8.02, p<0.001) in cross-sectional analyses. Further evidence of the protective effect of team identification for work stress (B=−0.36, 95% CI −0.76 to 0.05, p=0.09) and burnout (B=−13.25, 95% CI −17.77 to -8.73, p<0.001) was also found in prospective longitudinal evidence.

Conclusion

This work suggests work team identification is a key buffering factor against feelings of stress and burnout. Efforts to promote team identification may offer a promising way for leaders to support front-line healthcare workers’ well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. These results can inform ongoing COVID-19 operational and quality improvement initiatives.
Silencing linc00662 inhibits cell proliferation and colony formation of lung cancer cells via regulating the miR-145-5p–PAFAH1B2 axis
Authors: Xu Zhe-yuan , Peng Jun , Shi Zhi-zhou , Chen Xin-long , Cheng Hong-zhong , Wang Han , Wang Yang , Wang Guo-ping , Jiang Wen , Peng Hao
Published: October 2020

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death in the world. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are longer than 200 nucleotide transcripts, and are not translated into protein. The lncRNA linc00662 is overexpressed in lung cancer; however, its role in lung cancer is still unknown. In our study, by analyzing the TCGA data, we found that linc00662 was overexpressed in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). We knocked-down the expression of linc00662 using siRNA, and found that silencing linc00662 significantly inhibited the proliferation and colony formation of the lung cancer cell lines A549 and H460. We also found that knockdown of linc00662 increased the expression of the microRNA miR-145-5p and decreased the expression of the platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase IB subunit beta (PAFAH1B2) gene. We further show that linc00662 binds with miR-145-5p, and that miR-145-5p binds to the 3′UTR of PAFAH1B2. miR-145-5p negatively regulates PAFAH1B2 both at the mRNA and the protein level. Loss of miR-145-5p abolished the inhibitory effects of silencing linc00662 on the proliferation and colony formation of A549 and H460 cells. These findings indicate that linc00662 functions as an oncogene by acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) and sponges and regulates miR-145-5p in lung cancer, and thus may provide a potential target for treating lung cancer.
Small strain shear modulus and damping ratio of two unsaturated lateritic sandy clays
Authors: Ng C.W.W. , Bentil O.T. , Zhou C.
Published: October 2020

In this study, resonant column tests carried out to investigate the influence of suction on the shear modulus and damping ratio of two compacted lateritic sandy clays from Ghana (GL) and Nigeria (NL) are reported. Each type of soil was tested under two confining pressures and at three suctions. The microstructure of the soils was also studied through a scanning electron microscope. It was found that the effects of suction on maximum shear modulus (G0) are about 10% larger for GL than NL, mainly due to the existence of smaller aggregates in GL. Moreover, an increase in suction from 0 to 300 kPa for both soils resulted in a lower elastic threshold shear strain, different from the behaviour of other soils reported in the literature. The uniqueness of lateritic soils is likely attributable to their high sesquioxide content and much larger aggregates, which shrink upon an increase in suction. Drying of specimens from 0 to 300 kPa resulted in an increase of about 22% and 100% in initial damping ratio (D0) for GL and NL, respectively. The difference in D0 for GL and NL is attributed to larger aggregation of NL because of its higher iron sesquioxide content, leading to more cladding.
An approach to the study of the thermally driven deconfinement phase transition in a finite volume through the order parameter, its derivatives, and cumulants of the probability distribution
Authors: Djida R. , Ait El Djoudi A. , Bensalem S.
Published: October 2020

We describe the temperature driven deconfining phase transition between hadronic and quark–gluon plasma (QGP) phases coexisting in a finite volume by means of a probability distribution using a simple thermodynamic model. The equations of state of both phases are calculated, where the colour singletness requirement is considered for the QGP phase with massless up and down quarks. We emphasize in this work the probability distribution and try to deeply analyze it to extract information about the transition. Also, the mean values of some response functions, which are mainly the order parameter, its three first thermal derivatives, and the second, third, and fourth cumulants of the probability distribution, are calculated and their behavior with temperature at vanishing chemical potential and at different volumes is examined. The striking result is the large similarity noted between the behavior of the order parameter derivatives and that of their homologous cumulants of the probability density. This similarity is worked out, and particularly the linearity between the thermal susceptibility and the variance is probed.
Vitamin D3 potentiates the nephroprotective effects of metformin in a rat model of metabolic syndrome: role of AMPK/SIRT1 activation and DPP-4 inhibition
Authors: Wahba Nehal S. , Ghareib Salah A. , Abdel-Ghany Rasha H. , Abdel-Aal Mohamed , Alsemeh Amira E.
Published: October 2020

The current study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of metformin and vitamin D3-induced nephroprotection in a metabolic syndrome (MetS) rat model, evaluating the capacity of vitamin D3 to potentiate metformin action. MetS was induced by 10% fructose in drinking water and 3% salt in the diet. After 6 weeks, serum lipid profile and uric acid were measured, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed, and kidney function was investigated. In conjunction with the same concentrations of fructose and salt feeding, MetS rats with significant weight gain, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia, and dysglycemia were treated orally with metformin (200 mg/kg), vitamin D3 (10 µg/kg), or both daily for 6 weeks. At the end of the study period, anthropometrical parameters were recorded, OGTT was reperformed, urine and blood samples were collected, and tissue samples were harvested at sacrifice. MetS rats showed dramatically declined renal function, enhanced intrarenal oxidative stress and inflammation, and extravagant renal histopathological damage with interstitial fibrosis. Metformin and vitamin D3 significantly reversed all the aforementioned deleterious effects in MetS rats. The study has verified the nephroprotective effects of metformin and vitamin D3 in MetS, accentuating the critical role of AMP-activated protein kinase/sirtuin-1 activation and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibition. Given the synergistic effects of the combination, vitamin D3 is worth being investigated as an additional therapeutic agent for preventing MetS-induced nephropathy.
Memory effects and self-excited oscillations in deterministic epidemic models with intrinsic time delays
Authors: De Luca R. , Romeo F.
Published: October 2020

The simplest delay differential equation describing the dynamics of non-lethal infectious diseases in a fixed-size population is extended to include the incubation period, as an additional delay parameter. It is observed that these types of deterministic models consist of one delay differential equation, whereas standard SIR and SEIR models consist of two and three ordinary differential equations, respectively. The extended model presents interesting peculiarities as, for example, initial oscillatory patterns in the curve counting the infectious individuals. A comparison of the doubly delayed differential equation with the standard SEIR model is made. It is argued that self-sustained oscillations, which are intrinsic properties of models with time delay, have to be taken into account in designing optimal epidemic containment strategies.
Comment on “Quantum key agreement protocol”
Authors: Das Nayana , Majumdar Ritajit
Published: October 2020

The first two-party Quantum Key Agreement (QKA) protocol, based on quantum teleportation, was proposed by Zhou et al. (Electron. Lett. 40(18) (2004) 1149). In this protocol, to obtain the key bit string, one of the parties uses a device to obtain the inner product of two quantum states, one being unknown, and the other one performs Bell measurement. However, in this paper, we show that it is not possible to obtain a device that would output the inner product of two qubits even when only one of the qubits is unknown. This is so because the existence of such a device would imply perfectly distinguishing among four different states in a two-dimensional vector space. This is not permissible in quantum mechanics. Furthermore, we argue that the existence of such a device would also imply a violation of the “No Signaling Theorem” as well.
Supervised Retinal Vessel Segmentation Based Average Filter and Iterative Self Organizing Data Analysis Technique
Authors: Erwin  , Damayanti Heranti Reza
Published: October 2020

Retinal fundus is the inner surface of the eye associated with the lens. The identification of disease needs some parts of retinal fundus, such as blood vessel. Blood vessels are part of circulation system which functions to supply blood to retina area. This research proposed a method for segmentation of blood vessel in retinal image with Average Filter and Iterative Self-Organizing Data Analysis (ISODATA) Technique. The first step with the input image changed to Gamma Correction, increasing contrast with Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization (CLAHE), the filtering process with Average Filter. The segmentation is used for ISODATA. Region of Interest was applied to take the center of a vessel object and remove the background. In the final stage, the process of noise reduction and removal of small pixel values with Median Filter and Closing Morphology. Datasets used in this research were DRIVE and STARE. The average result was obtained for STARE dataset with an accuracy of 94.41%, Sensitivity of 55.57%, Specification of 98.31%, F1 Score of 64.81% while for the DRIVE dataset with accuracy of 94.78%, Sensitivity of 43.46%, Specification of 99.81%, and F1 Score of 59.39%.
Do Algorithmic Traders Improve Liquidity When Information Asymmetry is High?
Authors: Jain Archana , Jain Chinmay , Khanapure Revansiddha Basavaraj
Published: October 2020

Hendershott et al. (2011, Does Algorithmic Trading Improve Liquidity? Journal of Finance 66, 1–33) show that algorithmic traders improve liquidity in equity markets. An equally important and unanswered question is whether they improve liquidity when information asymmetry is high. We use days surrounding earnings announcement as a period of high information asymmetry. First, we follow Hendershott et al. (2011, Does Algorithmic Trading Improve Liquidity? Journal of Finance 66, 1–33) to use introduction of NYSE autoquote as a natural experiment. We find that increased algorithmic trading (AT) as a result of NYSE autoquote does not improve liquidity around earnings announcements. Next, we use trade-to-order volume % and cancel rate as a proxy for algorithmic trading and find that abnormal spreads surrounding the days of earnings announcement are significantly higher for stocks with higher AT. Our findings indicate that algorithmic traders reduces their role of liquidity provision in markets when information asymmetry is high. These findings shed further light on the role of liquidity provision by algorithmic traders in the financial markets.
Observations of the Lyman-α Universe
Authors: Ouchi Masami , Ono Yoshiaki , Shibuya Takatoshi
Published: October 2020

Hydrogen Lyman-α (Lyα) emission has been one of the major observational probes for the high-redshift Universe since the first discoveries of high- z Lyα-emitting galaxies in the late 1990s. Due to the strong Lyα emission originated by resonant scattering and recombination of the most abundant element, Lyα observations witness not only Hii regions of star formation and active galactic nuclei (AGNs) but also diffuse Hi gas in the circumgalactic medium (CGM) and the intergalactic medium (IGM). Here, we review Lyα sources and present theoretical interpretations reached to date. We conclude the following: ▪  A typical Lyα emitter (LAE) at z ≳ 2 with a L* Lyα luminosity is a high- z counterpart of a local dwarf galaxy, a compact metal-poor star-forming galaxy (SFG) with an approximate stellar (dark matter halo) mass and star-formation rate of 108−9M⊙ (1010−11M⊙) and 1–10 M⊙ year−1, respectively. ▪  High- z SFGs ubiquitously have a diffuse Lyα-emitting halo in the CGM extending to the halo virial radius and beyond. ▪  Remaining neutral hydrogen at the epoch of cosmic reionization makes a strong dimming of Lyα emission for galaxies at z > 6 that suggests the late reionization history.

The next-generation large-telescope projects will combine Lyα emission data with Hi Lyα absorptions and 21-cm radio data that map out the majority of hydrogen (Hi+Hii) gas, uncovering the exchanges of ( a) matter by outflow and inflow and ( b) radiation, relevant to cosmic reionization, between galaxies and the CGM/IGM.
Critical Review—On the Anomalous Thermal Quenching of Mn4+ Luminescence in A2XF6:Mn4+ (A = K, Na, Rb or Cs; X = Si, Ti, Ge, Sn, Zr or Hf)
Authors: Yan Shirun
Published: October 2020

Herein, luminescence thermal quenching (TQ) of Mn4+-doped fluoride phosphors with a formula A2XF6:Mn4+ (A = K, Na, Rb or Cs; X = Si, Ti, Ge, Sn, Zr or Hf) is overviewed. Some researchers reported that the A2XF6:Mn4+ phosphor showed a normal TQ behavior. On the contrary, numerous researchers claimed that the A2XF6:Mn4+ phosphor showed an anomalous (or negative) TQ behavior, denoting that integrated photoluminescence intensity (I
PL) of a given A2XF6:Mn4+ phosphor increases when the sample temperature rises from a cryogenic- or room-temperature to certain elevated values. Various explanations were proposed for anomalous TQ of Mn4+ luminescence. The creditability of anomalous TQ of Mn4+ luminescence in A2XF6:Mn4+ phosphors and relevant explanations are assessed. It is argued that the anomalous TQ should not be an intrinsic attribute of A2XF6:Mn4+ phosphors. It is suggested that the I
PL enhancement with temperature for A2XF6:Mn4+ phosphors observed by some researchers was likely a pitfall caused by diminishing in optical-path lengths of the spectrofluorometer stemming from lattice thermal expansion. An increase in absorption of the excitation light also contributed to the I
PL enhancement in case that wavelength of blue excitation light used in temperature-dependent spectra measurements corresponds to the low-energy tail of the low-temperature 4
A
2g→4
T
2g excitation band of the A2XF6:Mn4+ phosphor. The credibility of the explanation for the I
PL enhancement with temperature was verified by application to the analysis of a similar anomalous TQ phenomenon reported for the 3.5MgO·0.5MgF2·GeO2:Mn4+ phosphor in literature.
Ammonia Selectivity Over Acetone by Viscosity Modulation of Silicone Oil Filter for Diagnosing Liver Dysfunction
Authors: Agarwal Ashish , Rai Sujeet Kumar , Lin Yu-Chen , Patnaik Rakesh Kumar , Yeh J. Andrew
Published: October 2020

Breath ammonia is an important biomarker linked to liver malfunction. Acetone is the most abundant compound in the breath, acts as major interference for selective detection of ammonia gas. Here, a novel method based on viscosity modulation of the silicone oil absorbent is reported for selectivity improvement of ammonia over acetone gas. ATD-GC-MS and T201 ammonia analyzer are used to measure the absorption of acetone and ammonia respectively into the silicone oil. The absorption of ammonia and acetone gas is measured in different absorbent viscosities at a constant flow rate (50 cc min−1). Absorption results of ammonia are 7.37%, 16.3%, and 17.1% and acetone absorption results are 35%, 68%, and 78% respectively into 500 cSt, 100 cSt, and 20 cSt viscous silicone oil at room temperature. More bubbles of smaller diameter are formed at a lower viscosity, increases the contact time of the gas with absorbent. Consequently, the absorption of acetone into silicone oil at lower viscosity increases as compared to ammonia. The absorption of acetone is about 4.6-fold higher than the ammonia. Hence, it proves to be an effective technique for enhancing selectivity. This novel concept can be incorporated with any sensor for portable breath ammonia sensing in the detection of liver dysfunction.
Ethnopharmacological Survey and Antisickling Activity of Plants Used in the Management of Sickle Cell Disease in Kikwit City, DR Congo
Authors: Kitadi Jules Munganga , Mazasa Prince Pambi , Sha-Tshibey Tshibangu Damien , Kasali Félicien Mushagalusa , Tshilanda Dorothée Dinangayi , Ngbolua Koto-Te-Nyiwa , Mpiana Pius Tshimankinda
Published: October 2020

Background. Sickle cell disease or drepanocytosis is the most known hemoglobin abnormality in the world. Recently, many medicinal plants used in the management of sickle cell disease in African traditional medicine have shown in vitro antisickling activity. Objective. This research study aims to document some Congolese plant species used in the management of sickle cell disease in Kikwit city and investigate their pharmacological property in vitro. Methods. A cross‐sectional survey was done from June 2015 to March 2016 among 26 traditional healers in Kikwit city, Democratic Republic of Congo. Emmel test was used to assess in vitro antisickling activity. Habitat, morphological, biological types, phytogeographical distribution, local names, and used parts of these plant species were also determined. Results. Obtained results show that 23 plant species belonging to 16 families are used. The leaves represent the most used part (70%). Antisickling investigation showed that aqueous extracts of 18 plants (78%) exhibit a change in the shape of a sickle cell into a normal one with a normalized rate of at least 70%, confirming the in vivo effect observed by traditional healers when used as herbal medicine traditionally in the management of sickle cell disease. The evaluation of perimeter, surface, and radius of untreated and treated sickle red blood cells showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) as modification indicators of the red blood cell shape. Alchornea cordifolia, Alternanthera bettzickiana, Annona senegalensis, Dissotis brazzae, Hypoxis angustifolia, and Justicia secunda presented a very high antisickling activity with normalization >70%. Otherwise, Dissotis brazzae was the most active plant with a minimal concentration of normalization (MCN) of 11 μg/mL and a maximal normalization rate (NRmax) of 86%. Conclusion. Almost 80% of the plants studied showed interesting antisickling activity and justified their use in traditional medicine. The isolation of the molecules responsible for the biological activity of the most active plants and the determination of their chemical structures is under investigation.
Risk Values of Weight and Body Mass Index for Chest Wall Thickness in Patients Requiring Needle Thoracostomy Decompression
Authors: Hsu Chia-Hung , Lin Tzu-Yin , Ou Ju-Chi , Ong Jiann Ruey , Ma Hon-Ping
Published: October 2020

Introduction. Emergency decompression is needed in patients with tension pneumothorax, a life-threatening condition. The catheter-based needle thoracostomy was suggested using a 5 cm catheter inserted into the 2nd intercostal space (ICS) and 5th ICS according to the ninth and tenth editions of Advanced Trauma Life Support, respectively. A catheter of suitable length may not be available immediately or the muscle structure of the chest wall may be modified in pneumothorax. Furthermore, alternative sites for needle thoracostomy and reference values of chest wall thickness (CWT) should be explored and warranted. Method. CT scan data and medical data of 650 eligible patients from October 2016 to December 2016 were reviewed. CWT values at four ICSs as well as four variables, namely, age, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) for both men and women were compared using a nonparametric method, namely, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The associations between CWT and the four variables were assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The overall performance of BMI, weight, and height in predicting CWT > 5 cm was evaluated using the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Finally, the prediction models were built by using the bootstrap method. Results. Four variables, namely, age, height, weight, and BMI, were compared between the men and women groups. All four variables differed significantly between the two groups, and CWTs at all ICSs, except for the 3rd ICS, differed significantly between the two groups. Among the women, the area under the ROC curve (AUROC) of BMI for predicting CWT > 5 cm at 2nd ICS was larger than the AUROC of weight and height. Among the men, the AUROC of weight for predicting CWT > 5 cm at 2nd ICS was larger than that of BMI and height. The reference value tables were provided for five proposed models for women and men, respectively. Under emergencies, the variable, BMI, or even weight itself, could be used for predicting a failure performance of the needle decompression. For women, CWT at 5th ICS was predicted over 5 cm at BMI over 25.9 kg/m2or weight over 103.1 kg. For men, CWT at 5th ICS was predicted over 5 cm at BMI over 25.5 kg/m2or weight over 157.4 kg. Conclusion. Needle thoracostomy is the preferred first technique for many emergency providers for decompression. Therefore, a reference table for safe needle thoracostomy decompression at four usual sites, namely, 2nd ICS, 3rd CIS, 4th ICS, and 5th ICS, was recommended, which will enable paramedics and emergency specialists to rapidly determine CWT at the appropriate ICSs during emergencies.
Formation Tracking for Nonaffine Nonlinear Multiagent Systems Using Neural Network Adaptive Control
Authors: Zhao Tongjuan , Wang Jiuhe , Zhang Jianhua
Published: October 2020

Adaptive tracking control for distributed multiagent systems in nonaffine form is considered in this paper. Each follower agent is modeled by a nonlinear pure-feedback system with nonaffine form, and a nonlinear system is unknown functions rather than constants. Radial basis function neural networks (NNs) are employed to approximate the unknown nonlinear functions, and weights of NNs are updated by adaptive law in finite-time form. Then, the adaptive finite NN approach and backstepping technology are combined to construct the consensus tracking control protocol. Numerical simulation is presented to demonstrate the efficacy of suggested control proposal.
A Study on the Health Output Effect of Chinese Medical Service Industry Agglomeration Based on Big Data Analysis
Authors: Shu Yan , Lin Longxin , Hu Yueqian
Published: October 2020

The agglomeration health output effect of the medical service industry in the era of big data is an important part of the agglomeration innovation of medical resources. This paper used the regression model of data mining to set up the fixed effect model and system GMM model to study the relationship between the agglomeration of medical service industry and resident’s health level, based on the panel data of 31 provinces of China from 2003 to 2017. The results show that the health outcome of the medical industrial agglomeration is positive and different in provinces. The influence of medical service cluster on residents’ health level in the eastern region fails the significance test, while the medical service cluster in the central and western regions can significantly improve residents’ health level. And, this effect is also related to the characteristics of medical resources, economic development, demographic characteristics, and other heterogeneous factors. On this basis, the paper puts forward policy suggestions to promote the market structure of the medical industry from the aspects of strengthening synergies and policy guidance.
Iteration Methods with an Auxiliary Function for Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Ali Faisal , Aslam Waqas , Khalid Imran , Nadeem Akbar
Published: October 2020

Various iterative methods have been introduced by involving Taylor’s series on the auxiliary function

g

x

to solve the nonlinear equation

f

x

=
0

. In this paper, we introduce the expansion of

g

x

with the inclusion of weights

w

i

such that

∑

i
=
1

p

w

i

=
1

and knots

τ

i

∈

0,1

in order to develop a new family of iterative methods. The methods proposed in the present paper are applicable for different choices of auxiliary function

g

x

, and some already known methods can be viewed as the special cases of these methods. We consider the diverse scientific/engineering models to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed methods.
Aptamer-Based Colorimetric Probe for trans-Zeatin Detection Using Unmodified Gold Nanoparticle
Authors: Sun Ping , Zhang Xiwei , Wang Xianxiang
Published: October 2020

Trans-Zeatin is the major active phytohormone in immature corn kernels. Herein, a highly sensitive, good selective and simple aptamer-based colorimetric method for the detection of trans-zeatin was constructed. The selected aptamer sequence binds with trans-zeatin and induces a duplex-to-aptamer structure switching. The gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) solution is stable with high-concentration salt, which is protected by red complementary DNA. In the absence of trans-zeatin, the color of AuNPs changed from red to blue because aptamer DNA and complementary DNA form double-stranded DNA. Thus, the ratio of absorbance intensities (A522/A650) of AuNPs is changed with the concentration of trans-zeatin. The color change could be observed by the naked eye. The linear range of this method covers a large variation of trans-zeatin concentration from 0.05 to 0.75 μM. The detection limit is 0.037 μM. Moreover, this method was applied successfully to detect trans-zeatin in real plant samples.
Incipient Fault Detection of Rolling Element Bearings Based on Deep EMD-PCA Algorithm
Authors: Shi Huaitao , Guo Jin , Yuan Zhe , Liu Zhenpeng , Hou Maxiao , Sun Jie
Published: October 2020

Due to the relatively weak early fault characteristics of rolling bearings, the difficulty of early fault detection increases. For unsolving this problem, an incipient fault detection method based on deep empirical mode decomposition and principal component analysis (Deep EMD-PCA) is proposed. In this method, multiple data processing layers are created to extract weak incipient fault features, and EMD is used to decompose the vibration signal. This method establishes an accurate data mode, which can improve the incipient fault detection capability. It overcomes the difficulties of incipient fault detection, in which weak fault features can be extracted from the background of strong noise. From a theoretical point of view, this paper proves that the Deep EMD-PCA method can retain more variance information and has a good early fault detection ability. The experiment results indicate that the detection rate of Deep EMD-PCA is about 85%, and the failure detection delay time is almost zero. The incipient faults of rolling element bearings can be detected accurately and timely by Deep EMD-PCA. The method effectively improves the accuracy and timeliness of fault detection under actual working conditions and has good practical application value.
Biochemical and Histopathological Studies of Key Tissues in Healthy Male Wistar Rats Fed on African Yam Bean Seed and Tuber Meals
Authors: Ojuederie Omena Bernard , Ajiboye John Adebayo , Babalola Olubukola Oluranti
Published: October 2020

Food insecurity and malnutrition are currently major issues affecting most developing countries, especially on the African continent. To mitigate this effect, focus is being given to orphan or underutilized crops with immense potentials to boost food and nutrition security in Africa, such as the African yam bean (AYB) Sphenostylis stenocarpa. The effect of AYB seed and tuber meals on the tissues of the kidney, liver, and testis of healthy male Wistar rats were investigated in this study. Four accessions of AYB were used for this study, TSs 107, TSs 140, AYB 45, and AYB 57. Thirty rats were randomly assigned into five groups (n = 6). Group I was fed on standard pelletized rat chow (control), Group II fed on 50% seed meal, Group III fed on 100% seed meal, Group IV fed on 50% tuber meal, and Group-V fed on 100% tuber meal. At the end of the treatments, the animals were sacrificed after 72 h under light ether anesthesia, and biochemical and histopathological analyses were conducted on the tissues. Phytate concentration was higher in the seeds (TSs140 (550 mg 100g−1), AYB45 (460 mg 100g−1), and AYB57 (485 mg 100g−1)) compared to the tubers (TSs140 (14.8 mg 100g−1), AYB 45 (275 mg 100g−1), and AYB57 (240 mg 100g−1)). The consumption of 100% unprocessed AYB seeds caused liver and kidney damage in rats due to increased levels of aspartate aminotransferase (5.04 ± 1.62 U L−I), alanine aminotransferase (8.46 ± 2.43 U L−I), and lipid peroxidation (0.27 ± 0.02-unit mg−1protein). AYB tubers were innocuous to Wistar rats investigated. Good processing of AYB seeds is required for safe consumption by humans and livestock. This study has shown that tubers of AYB are safe for human consumption and should be utilized in meals as it contains fewer antinutrients and had no significant effect on the tissues examined in Wistar rats.
Predictors of 90-Day Mortality following Hepatic Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Lei Geraldine Yanlei , Shen Liang , Junnarkar Sameer P. , Huey CheongWei Terence , Low JeeKeem , Shelat Vishal G.
Published: October 2020

Background/Purpose: 90-day mortality is a key performance indicator for short-term perioperative outcome of hepatic resection (HR). Although many preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables predict 90-day mortality following elective HR, only few are specific to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aims to determine the predictors of 90-day mortality following elective HR for HCC. Methods: We report a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent elective HR between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2017. Health status, perioperative variables, and the presence of post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) were studied. Cox’s regression evaluated factors predicting 90-day mortality. Results: Two hundred and forty-four patients diagnosed with HCC underwent HR; 102 (41.8%) underwent a major HR. The postoperative 90-day mortality rate was 5.3%. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that Child-Pugh score (p < 0.001), intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.013), the 50-50 criteria for PHLF (p < 0.001) on postoperative day 5, and peak serum bilirubin >119 µmol/L (p = 0.007) on postoperative day 3 predict 90-day mortality. Conclusion: In patients with HCC undergoing HR, Child-Pugh score, intraoperative blood loss, the 50-50 criteria for PHLF on postoperative day 5, and peak serum bilirubin >119 µmol/L on postoperative day 3 predict 90-day mortality following elective HR for HCC.
The Liver in COVID-19-Related Death: Protagonist or Innocent Bystander?
Authors: Schmit Grégory , Lelotte Julie , Vanhaebost Jessica , Horsmans Yves , Van Bockstal Mieke , Baldin Pamela
Published: October 2020

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), involves several organs through participation of angiotensin-conversion enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors. The presence of ACE2 receptors in the liver renders this organ a potential target for the novel coronavirus. Methods: We performed 14 complete autopsies of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. In each case we stained liver tissue sections with haematoxylin/eosin, Masson blue trichrome stain, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), Perls, and performed cytokeratin-7 (CK7) immunochemistry. Results: Macroscopically, livers were pale and yellowish in 8 of 14 (57%) patients, and had a nutmeg appearance in the other 6 cases (42%). Histologically, centrolobular necrosis was observed in 12 cases (86%), and was associated with discreet to moderate lobular or portal inflammation. Steatosis was seen in 8 cases (57%), but fibrosis was rare. Cholestasis and discrete bile duct proliferation was observed in 5 cases (36%). Discussion/Conclusion: The main histological changes can be explained by the hypoxic status as a result of severe hypoxemic pneumonia leading to death. Drug toxicity may also play a role in certain cases. Other histological changes may be explained by previous hepatic conditions or underlying hepatic diseases. We concluded that COVID-19 infection was not associated with a specific histopathological pattern of the liver.
Cruzamentos entre palavra e imagem em três momentos da arte brasileira
Authors: Gerheim Fernando
Published: October 2020

Este artigo aborda o cruzamento entre palavra e visualidade em três momentos da arte brasileira: Concretismo, Neoconcretismo e Nova Objetividade Brasileira. De um primeiro momento em que se busca a identidade entre palavra e imagem de modo predominantemente óptico passa-se a outro em que essa identidade está na dimensão simbólica da palavra identificada com o corpo e o espaço, tornando-se háptica, e chega-se a um terceiro em que palavra e imagem instauram uma relação de contiguidade, metonímica, que mobiliza o contexto que as inscreve numa rede de significações e relações de poder. É traçada, a partir do conceito de “participação semântica” (1967), de Hélio Oiticica, uma mudança de paradigma na relação entre palavra e imagem.
Lições de anatomia
Authors: Coelho Ricardo
Published: October 2020

As duas pinturas de Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) nas quais o artista holandês retrata lições de anatomia em 1632 e 1656 revelam limitações que a leitura de uma obra de arte pode impor ao olhar contemporâneo se nos ativermos apenas ao universo de nossa subjetividade, ignorando o panorama histórico no qual tais representações foram criadas. A partir dessa constatação aparentemente óbvia, o presente trabalho pretende apontar os parâmetros clássicos que determinaram a longa tradição das práticas anatômicas e alguns de seus desdobramentos contemporâneos, com especial enfoque nos trabalhos do polêmico artista, ou seria melhor dizer, médico e anatomista alemão Gunther Von Hagens. Como no Atlas Mnemosyne, de Aby Warburg, a associação de imagens estrutura o eixo das reflexões.
Les Demoiseilles d’Avignon, de Picasso, entre a consagração e a contestação
Authors: Otoch Janaína Nagata
Published: October 2020

O artigo percorre uma parcela da vasta fortuna crítica de Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (1907), de Picasso, focalizando os pontos de tangência e divergência entre parte da literatura mais canônica sobre a obra e determinadas interpretações que, a partir da década de 1970, tomaram-na como lugar privilegiado para exercer uma drástica revisão de critérios e categorias modernistas. Nesse percurso, discute algumas das sucessivas denúncias que correntes feministas e pós-colonialistas reservaram à pintura, amiúde identificada com os preconceitos ideológicos na gênese do modernismo. Por fim, em face dos problemas suscitados pela discussão bibliográfica e pela recente divulgação de documentos então inéditos, o artigo propõe uma breve incursão analítica, com o intuito de sinalizar caminhos ainda em aberto para a interpretação dessa obra.
Tchernichévski: entre o Determinismo e a Revolução
Authors: Sabino Paulo Cesar Jakimiu
Published: October 2020

O artigo a seguir versa sobre o filósofo russo N. Tchernichévski. Mais precisamente, nosso interesse é saber até que ponto é justo considerar apenas o aspecto racionalista e determinista de sua obra – algo muito comum quando a leitura do escritor é realizada à luz de outras interpretações já consagradas, como a de Dostoiévski. Nesse sentido, realizamos o seguinte caminho para tornar compreensível a ideia: (i) exposição da teoria ética de Tchernichévski em “O Princípio Antropológico em Filosofia”; (ii) como essa teoria constrói os personagens do romance O que fazer?; (iii) por fim, analisamos um personagem em especial: Rakhmetov.
Genetic Dissection of a Super Enhancer Controlling the
Nppa-Nppb
Cluster in the Heart
Authors: Man Joyce C.K. , van Duijvenboden Karel , Krijger Peter H.L. , Hooijkaas Ingeborg B. , van der Made Ingeborg , de Gier-de Vries Corrie , Wakker Vincent , Creemers Esther E. , de Laat Wouter , Boukens Bastiaan J. , Christoffels Vincent M.
Published: October 2020

Rationale:

ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide) and BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide), encoded by the clustered genes
Nppa
and
Nppb
, are important prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic proteins in cardiac disease. The spatiotemporal expression pattern and stress-induction of the
Nppa
and
Nppb
are tightly regulated, possibly involving their coregulation by an evolutionary conserved enhancer cluster.

Objective:

To explore the physiological functions of the enhancer cluster and elucidate the genomic mechanism underlying
Nppa-Nppb
coregulation in vivo.

Methods and Results:

By analyzing epigenetic data we uncovered an enhancer cluster with super enhancer characteristics upstream of
Nppb
. Using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, the enhancer cluster or parts thereof,
Nppb
and flanking regions or the entire genomic block spanning
Nppa-Nppb
, respectively, were deleted from the mouse genome. The impact on gene regulation and phenotype of the respective mouse lines was investigated by transcriptomic, epigenomic, and phenotypic analyses. The enhancer cluster was essential for prenatal and postnatal ventricular expression of
Nppa
and
Nppb
but not of any other gene. Enhancer cluster–deficient mice showed enlarged hearts before and after birth, similar to
Nppa-Nppb
compound knockout mice we generated. Analysis of the other deletion alleles indicated the enhancer cluster engages the promoters of
Nppa
and
Nppb
in a competitive rather than a cooperative mode, resulting in increased
Nppa
expression when
Nppb
and flanking sequences were deleted. The enhancer cluster maintained its active epigenetic state and selectivity when its target genes are absent. In enhancer cluster–deficient animals,
Nppa
was induced but remained low in the postmyocardial infarction border zone and in the hypertrophic ventricle, involving regulatory sequences proximal to
Nppa
.

Conclusions:

Coordinated ventricular expression of
Nppa
and
Nppb
is controlled in a competitive manner by a shared super enhancer, which is also required to augment stress-induced expression and to prevent premature hypertrophy.
Multiscale Analysis of Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in the Failing Heart
Authors: Perestrelo Ana Rubina , Silva Ana Catarina , Oliver-De La Cruz Jorge , Martino Fabiana , Horváth Vladimír , Caluori Guido , Polanský Ondřej , Vinarský Vladimír , Azzato Giulia , de Marco Giuseppe , Žampachová Víta , Skládal Petr , Pagliari Stefania , Rainer Alberto , Pinto-do-Ó Perpétua , Caravella Alessio , Koci Kamila , Nascimento Diana S. , Forte Giancarlo
Published: October 2020

Rationale:

Cardiac ECM (extracellular matrix) comprises a dynamic molecular network providing structural support to heart tissue function. Understanding the impact of ECM remodeling on cardiac cells during heart failure (HF) is essential to prevent adverse ventricular remodeling and restore organ functionality in affected patients.

Objectives:

We aimed to (1) identify consistent modifications to cardiac ECM structure and mechanics that contribute to HF and (2) determine the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Methods and Results:

We first performed decellularization of human and murine ECM (decellularized ECM) and then analyzed the pathological changes occurring in decellularized ECM during HF by atomic force microscopy, 2-photon microscopy, high-resolution 3-dimensional image analysis, and computational fluid dynamics simulation. We then performed molecular and functional assays in patient-derived cardiac fibroblasts based on YAP (yes-associated protein)-transcriptional enhanced associate domain (TEAD) mechanosensing activity and collagen contraction assays. The analysis of HF decellularized ECM resulting from ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy, as well as from mouse infarcted tissue, identified a common pattern of modifications in their 3-dimensional topography. As compared with healthy heart, HF ECM exhibited aligned, flat, and compact fiber bundles, with reduced elasticity and organizational complexity. At the molecular level, RNA sequencing of HF cardiac fibroblasts highlighted the overrepresentation of dysregulated genes involved in ECM organization, or being connected to TGFβ1 (transforming growth factor β1), interleukin-1, TNF-α, and BDNF signaling pathways. Functional tests performed on HF cardiac fibroblasts pointed at mechanosensor YAP as a key player in ECM remodeling in the diseased heart via transcriptional activation of focal adhesion assembly. Finally, in vitro experiments clarified pathological cardiac ECM prevents cell homing, thus providing further hints to identify a possible window of action for cell therapy in cardiac diseases.

Conclusions:

Our multiparametric approach has highlighted repercussions of ECM remodeling on cell homing, cardiac fibroblast activation, and focal adhesion protein expression via hyperactivated YAP signaling during HF.
Nocturnal Arrhythmias and Heart‐Rate Swings in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Treated With Beta Blockers
Authors: Lombardi Carolina , Faini Andrea , Mariani Davide , Gironi Federica , Castiglioni Paolo , Parati Gianfranco
Published: October 2020

Background

The higher cardiovascular variability and the increased prevalence of arrhythmias in patients with obstructive sleep apneas may contribute to their higher rate of fatal events during sleep. In this regard, the use of beta blockers (BB) is debated because they may induce bradyarrhythmias and alter the pattern of heart rate changes induced by apneas. Thus, the aim of our study is to quantify peri‐apneic heart‐rate swings and prevalence of nocturnal bradyarrhythmias in BB‐treated and BB‐naïve patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Methods and Results

Our real‐life, retrospective, cohort study analyzed data from patients with obstructive sleep apnea after a basal cardiorespiratory polysomnography. Among 228 eligible participants, we enrolled 78 BB‐treated and 88 BB‐naïve patients excluding those treated with antiarrhythmic drugs or pacemakers, or with uninterpretable ECG traces during polysomnography. In each patient, type and frequency of arrhythmias were identified and peri‐apneic changes of RR intervals were evaluated for each apnea. BB‐treated patients were older and with more comorbidities than BB‐naïve patients, but had similar obstructive sleep apnea severity, similar frequency of arrhythmic episodes, and similar prevalence of bradyarrhythmias. Apnea‐induced heart‐rate swings, unadjusted for age, showed lower RR interval changes in BB‐treated (133.5±63.8 ms) than BB‐naïve patients (171.3±87.7 ms,
P
=0.01), lower RR interval increases during apneas (58.5±28.5 versus 74.6±40.2 ms,
P
=0.01), and lower RR interval decreases after apneas (75.0±42.4 versus 96.7±55.5 ms,
P
<0.05).

Conclusions

BB appear to be safe in patients with obstructive sleep apnea because they are not associated with worse episodes of nocturnal bradyarrhythmias and even seem protective in terms of apnea‐induced changes of heart rate.
Abstract 248: Prospective Study of Ventricular Function and Survival in Acute Phase of Chagas Disease: An Animal Experimental Model
Authors: Vargas Arthur L , Dias Beatriz P , Moreira Henrique T , Tanaka Denise M , Oliveira Filho Edgard C , Simões Marcus V , Maciel Benedito C , Schmidt Andre , Marin-Neto José A , Romano Minna M
Published: October 2020

Background:
Acute Cardiomyopathy secondary to Chagas disease is often subclinical when related to vector transmission. However, cases related to non-vector transmission as in patients submitted to cardiac transplant may have fatal outcomes. This study aimed to assess survival during the acute phase of Chagas disease and its relation to the ventricular function in an animal experimental model.

Methods:
Female Syrian hamsters (n=45) were separated in two groups: control group (CG):15 animals injected with saline solution; and infected group (IG): 30 animals inoculated with 3,5x10
4
trypomastigote forms of
Trypanosoma cruzi,Y strain
. Both groups were monitored daily and submitted to echocardiography with equipment dedicated to small animals (Vevo® 2100) in two different moments: baseline (before infection) and 15 days post infection. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal myocardial strain (GLS) of left ventricle were measured. The IG was divided into animals with and without clinical sign (CS+) of disease: weight or fur loss, mucous wounds and lethargy. ANOVA for mixed models was used to compare the ventricular function parameters among groups over time. Survival analysis was studied using Kaplan-Meier curves and logrank test.

Results:
Total time follow up was 60 days. LVEF in IG was significantly reduced through time (53.80 ± 4.95 to 43.55 ± 12.10%) compared to CG (57.86 ± 7.52 to 59.73 ± 5.87%) (p=0.002). There was also a significant reduction of GLS (-18.97 ± 3.94 to -12.44 ± 4.79%) in the IG compared to CG (-19.58 ± 4.03 to -19.67 ± 4.04%) (p=0.012). Twelve animals from IG died (40.00%,12 out of 30) compared to one from CG (6.66%, 1 out of 15). Eleven out of the 12 dead animals from IG, presented, before, clinical signs (CS+). Survival was significant reduced in the IG compared to CG over time (p=0.02) (Figure 1).

Conclusion:
Reduced survival during the acute phase of experimental model of Chagas disease is related to the significant reduction of left ventricular function. The mortality rate in the IG is higher in the group which presents CS+.