bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and Kinetic Analysis of Ignition for Different Gasoline Surrogate Fuel Models
Authors: Zeng Qinghua , Zeng Detang , Zheng Dong
Published: February 2020

Based on the experimental and the calculated results, the differences and similarities of ignition characteristics for different gasoline surrogate fuels have been investigated in this paper. The results show that the low-temperature ignition characteristics of different surrogate models present difference, while the high-temperature ignition characteristics show similarity. Kinetic analysis found that for different surrogate models, the low-T ignition processes are all dominated by the primary dehydrogenation and oxidation reactions of paraffins. Therefore, the initial concentration of the paraffin in surrogate model is critical to the ignition process and is the root cause of the low-T ignition differences. While at high-T, the ignition processes are all controlled by the small molecular reactions related to OH radical, and OH radical features are basically the same, so ignitions generally show similarity. Meanwhile, ethanol and 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentene (DIB) can promote the high-T ignition processes, and its content determines the slight difference of high-T ignition. The work of this paper deepens the understanding of the chemical reaction mechanism and also provides the improvement scheme for the optimization and creation of the mechanism of the surrogate fuels.
Numerical Investigation of Deepwater S-Lay Pipeline Under Freak Waves
Authors: Xu Pu , Gong Shunfeng
Published: February 2020

Freak wave is an extreme sea state with unexpected and huge wave height, which becomes a potential risk for lay barge and offshore pipeline during deepwater installation. In order to investigate the dynamic responses of deepwater S-lay pipeline induced by freak waves, this study developed a comprehensive numerical model with the particular consideration of the freak wave effect. An enhanced superposition method of combined transient wave trains and random wave trains was presented, and a series of freak wave trains were generated. The induced pipelay vessel motions were simulated by the use of displacement response amplitude operators (RAOs). The pipe–stinger roller interactions in the overbend and the cyclic contacts between the pipeline and seabed soil in the touchdown zone (TDZ) were fully taken into consideration. The developed S-lay model was subsequently utilized to calculate the dynamic responses of the pipelay vessel and offshore pipeline under random waves and freak waves for a comparison. The results illustrated the remarkable influence of freak waves on the systematic behaviors of deepwater S-laying pipeline, which offer a significant theoretical basis for the pipe structure design and pipelay operation safety.
Sound transmission loss of porous materials in ducts with embedded periodic scatterers
Authors: Jena Dibya P. , Qiu Xiaojun
Published: February 2020

Porous materials that are commonly used for sound absorption have poor sound insulation capability. In this paper, rigid scatterers are installed periodically inside porous materials to improve their transmission loss (TL) with the Bragg diffraction. The Delany-Bazley impedance model is used to model the porous material and the transfer matrix method is adopted to calculate the TL of the mixed structure in a duct. Simulation results with a different number of scatterers and porous materials with different airflow resistivity show that the TL of porous materials can be increased significantly with periodically arranged scatterers. The decoupled analysis reveals that the TL of the mixed structure is larger than the sum of the TL of individual components in most frequency bands, except that around the first Bragg resonance frequency.
Direct Blood Culturing of
Candida
spp. on Solid Medium by a Rapid Enrichment Method with Magnetic Beads Coated with Recombinant Human Mannan-Binding Lectin
Authors: Chen Xiao-Li , Zheng Hao , Li Wen-Ge , Zhong You-Hong , Chen Xiao-Ping , Lu Jin-Xing
Published: February 2020

A rapid and accurate method to identify the species and antibiotic resistance of
Candida
spp. in blood is vital to increase the survival rates of patients with bloodstream infections. However, the extremely low levels of
Candida
spp. in blood make rapid diagnosis by standard blood culture difficult. In this study, we constructed a direct blood culturing method (i.e., the M1 method) by a rapid enrichment method with magnetic beads coated with a recombined human mannan-binding lectin (rhMBL; i.
Zika Virus Mucosal Infection Provides Protective Immunity
Authors: Martínez Laura E. , Garcia Gustavo , Contreras Deisy , Gong Danyang , Sun Ren , Arumugaswami Vaithilingaraja
Published: February 2020

Zika virus is a clinically significant human pathogen that is primarily transmitted and spread by
Aedes
species mosquitoes but is also sexually transmissible. The recent pandemic in the Americas led to an unprecedented increase of newborn babies with developmental brain and eye abnormalities. To date, there is no licensed vaccine or therapeutic intervention available for the fight against ZIKV. Understanding the sexual transmission of ZIKV through vaginal and rectal routes is necessary to restrict virus transmission and spread. This study examines the early immunological and pathological consequences of rectal and subcutaneous routes of ZIKV infection using a mouse model. We characterized the primary target cells of ZIKV infection and the subsequent mucosal immune responses to infection, and we demonstrate the protective effect of mucosal rectal immunization using an attenuated ZIKV strain. This mucosal vaccination approach can be further developed to prevent future ZIKV outbreaks.
The Signal and the Noise: Characteristics of Antisense RNA in Complex Microbial Communities
Authors: Michaelsen Thomas Yssing , Brandt Jakob , Singleton Caitlin Margaret , Kirkegaard Rasmus Hansen , Wiesinger Johanna , Segata Nicola , Albertsen Mads
Published: February 2020

This study systematically evaluated the global patterns of microbial antisense expression across various environments and provides a bird’s-eye view of general patterns observed across data sets, which can provide guidelines in our understanding of antisense expression as well as interpretation of metatranscriptomic data in general. This analysis highlights that in some environments, antisense expression from microbial communities can dominate over regular gene expression. We explored some potential drivers of antisense transcription, but more importantly, this study serves as a starting point, highlighting topics for future research and providing guidelines to include antisense expression in generic bioinformatic pipelines for metatranscriptomic data.
Visualizing Microbial Community Dynamics via a Controllable Soil Environment
Authors: Bhattacharjee Arunima , Velickovic Dusan , Wietsma Thomas W. , Bell Sheryl L. , Jansson Janet K. , Hofmockel Kirsten S. , Anderton Christopher R.
Published: February 2020

Microbial communities are key components of the soil ecosystem. Recent advances in metagenomics and other omics capabilities have expanded our ability to characterize the composition and function of the soil microbiome. However, characterizing the spatial metabolic and morphological diversity of microbial communities remains a challenge due to the dynamic and complex nature of soil microenvironments. The SoilBox system, demonstrated in this work, simulates an ∼12-cm soil depth, similar to a typical soil core, and provides a platform that facilitates imaging the molecular and topographical landscape of soil microbial communities as a function of environmental gradients. Moreover, the nondestructive harvesting of soil microbial communities for the imaging experiments can enable simultaneous multiomics analysis throughout the depth of the SoilBox. Our results show that by correlating molecular and optical imaging data obtained using the SoilBox platform, deeper insights into the nature of specific soil microbial interactions can be achieved.
The life and contribution of Professor David Sanders through his publications
Authors: Waterston Tony
Published: February 2020

Professor David Sanders died in August 2019. He leaves a long legacy of analysis and teaching on global child health and public health particularly in relation to poverty and the roots of ill health, and how to tackle them. Sanders believed that the determinants of health lay in the social conditions of the population and that these had to be improved by social change and working at the grass roots rather than by top-down medical treatment with drugs; he was a strong proponent of primary healthcare as originally established by WHO and supported the appointment of community health workers who would be responsible to the local community. His work is covered in this article through a review of significant books of which the best known isThe Struggle for Healthand his research in the field.
Clinical guideline for retained button batteries
Authors: Houston Rory , Powell Steven , Jaffray Bruce , Ball Stephen
Published: February 2020

Objective

To design a clinical guideline for the emergency management of retained button batteries (RBBs) through analysis of UK National Health Service hospital guidelines and published literature.

Method

49 acute hospitals were contacted, and their guidelines were analysed. A consensus guideline was then created with multidisciplinary input. The final guideline was independently peer reviewed by the British Association of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (ENT UK) clinical guidelines committee.

Results

40 (82%) trusts responded. 28 had a guideline for the management of a RBB in the aerodigestive tract. Significant variation between guidelines assessment, investigation and management of a RBB was identified.

Conclusion

A single-page guideline was designed to improve frontline healthcare professional’s immediate investigation and management of a RBB on presentation to emergency care. This has been published by ENT UK as a clinical guideline.
Who is at risk of occupational Q fever: new insights from a multi-profession cross-sectional study
Authors: Groten Tanja , Kuenzer Karola , Moog Udo , Hermann Beate , Maier Katrin , Boden Katharina
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Q fever is a zoonosis caused by the bacteriumCoxiella burnetii. It is recognised as an occupational hazard for individuals who are in regular contact with animal birth products. Data from the literature are not comparable because different serological assays perform very differently in detecting past infections. It is therefore essential to choose the right assay for obtaining reliable data of seroprevalence. Obstetricians are another profession potentially at risk of Q fever. They can be infected from birth products of women with Q fever during pregnancy. There is little data, however, for Q fever in this occupational group. Our study therefore had two purposes. The first was to obtain reliable seroprevalence data for occupational groups in regular contact with animal birth products by using an assay with proven excellent sensitivity and specificity for detecting past infections. The second purpose was to obtain primary data for obstetricians.

Design

We carried out a cross-sectional study.

Setting

The study included shepherds, cattle farmers, veterinarians and obstetricians from Thuringia.

Participants

77 shepherds, 74 veterinarians, 14 cattle farmers, 17 office employees and 68 obstetricians participated. The control group consisted of 92 blood donors.

Primary outcome measure

The primary outcome measure wasC. burnetiiphase II specific IgG. The assay used was evaluated for this purpose in a previous study.

Results

Of the 250 blood samples we analysed, the very highest seroprevalences (64%–77%) occurred in individuals with frequent animal contact. There were no significant differences between shepherds, cattle farmers and veterinarians. The seroprevalence in people working in administration was lower but still significantly greater than the control. No obstetricians or midwives tested positive.

Conclusions

Shepherds, cattle farmers and veterinarians have a high risk ofC. burnetiiinfection. However, our study clearly proves that there was no increased risk for people working in an obstetric department.
Do patients with chronic low-back pain experience a loss of health-related quality of life? A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Coluccia Anna , Pozza Andrea , Gusinu Roberto , Gualtieri Giacomo , Muzii Vitaliano Francesco , Ferretti Fabio
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Health-related quality of life in chronic low back pain (LBP) is an important issue since various individual factors such as perceived loss of autonomy, inability to continue daily life and anxiety can contribute to maintenance or deterioration of this condition. Health-related quality of life is also important because it can predict the probability of recovery or recrudescence over time. In the literature, there is no systematic review on this topic. The present paper describes a protocol of the first systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at summarising the data on health-related quality of life in patients with chronic LBP compared with healthy controls. Gender, age and comorbidity of psychiatric disorders (mood or anxiety disorders) will be explored as moderators. Studies will be included if they used a case–control design comparing adults with chronic LBP to healthy controls on health-related quality of life through validated interviews/questionnaires.

Methods and analysis

According to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, a systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted from 10th to 17th January 2020. Independent reviewers will search published/unpublished studies through electronic databases (Scopus, PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library) and additional sources, will extract the data and assess the methodological quality through the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Random-effect meta-analysis will be carried out by calculating effect sizes as Cohen’s d indices. Publication bias will be assessed and moderators of the effect sizes will be investigated through weighted least squares meta-regression.

The knowledge whether health-related quality of life is better or worse as a function of some individual characteristics may suggest personalised care pathways according to a precision medicine approach.

Ethics and dissemination

The current review does not require ethics approval. The results will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42019131749
Evaluating phone camera and cloud service-based 3D imaging and printing of human bones for anatomical education
Authors: Li Qing-Yun , Zhang Qi , Yan Chun , He Ye , Phillip Mukuze , Li Fang , Pan Ai-Hua
Published: February 2020

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility of a phone camera and cloud service-based workflow to image bone specimens and print their three-dimensional (3D) models for anatomical education.

Design

The images of four typical human bone specimens, photographed by a phone camera, were aligned and converted into digital images for incorporation into a digital model through the Get3D website and submitted to an online 3D printing platform to obtain the 3D printed models. The fidelity of the 3D digital, printed models relative to the original specimens, was evaluated through anatomical annotations and 3D scanning.

Setting

The Morphologic Science Experimental Center, Central South University, China.

Participants

Specimens of four typical bones—the femur, rib, cervical vertebra and skull—were used to evaluate the feasibility of the workflow.

Outcome measures

The gross fidelity of anatomical features within the digital models and 3D printed models was evaluated first using anatomical annotations in reference to Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy. The measurements of the deviation were quantised and visualised for analysis in Geomagic Control 2015.

Results

All the specimens were reconstructed in 3D and printed using this workflow. The overall morphology of the digital and 3D printed models displayed a large extent of similarity to the corresponding specimens from a gross anatomical perspective. A high degree of similarity was also noticed in the quantitative analysis, with distance deviations ≤2 mm present among 99% of the random sampling points that were tested.

Conclusion

The photogrammetric digitisation workflow adapted in the present study demonstrates fairly high precision with relatively low cost and fewer equipment requirements. This workflow is expected to be used in morphological/anatomical science education, particularly in institutions and schools with limited funds or in certain field research projects involving the fast acquisition of 3D digital data on human/animal bone specimens or on other remains.
Defining predatory journals and responding to the threat they pose: a modified Delphi consensus process
Authors: Cukier Samantha , Lalu Manoj , Bryson Gregory L , Cobey Kelly D , Grudniewicz Agnes , Moher David
Published: February 2020

Objective

To conduct a Delphi survey informing a consensus definition of predatory journals and publishers.

Design

This is a modified three-round Delphi survey delivered online for the first two rounds and in-person for the third round. Questions encompassed three themes: (1) predatory journal definition; (2) educational outreach and policy initiatives on predatory publishing; and (3) developing technological solutions to stop submissions to predatory journals and other low-quality journals.

Participants

Through snowball and purposive sampling of targeted experts, we identified 45 noted experts in predatory journals and journalology. The international group included funders, academics and representatives of academic institutions, librarians and information scientists, policy makers, journal editors, publishers, researchers involved in studying predatory journals and legitimate journals, and patient partners. In addition, 198 authors of articles discussing predatory journals were invited to participate in round 1.

Results

A total of 115 individuals (107 in round 1 and 45 in rounds 2 and 3) completed the survey on predatory journals and publishers. We reached consensus on 18 items out of a total of 33 to be included in a consensus definition of predatory journals and publishers. We came to consensus on educational outreach and policy initiatives on which to focus, including the development of a single checklist to detect predatory journals and publishers, and public funding to support research in this general area. We identified technological solutions to address the problem: a ‘one-stop-shop’ website to consolidate information on the topic and a ‘predatory journal research observatory’ to identify ongoing research and analysis about predatory journals/publishers.

Conclusions

In bringing together an international group of diverse stakeholders, we were able to use a modified Delphi process to inform the development of a definition of predatory journals and publishers. This definition will help institutions, funders and other stakeholders generate practical guidance on avoiding predatory journals and publishers.
Towards a precision psychiatry approach to anxiety disorders with ecological momentary assessment: the example of panic disorder
Authors: Robinaugh Donald J , Brown Mackenzie L , Losiewicz Olivia M , Jones Payton J , Marques Luana , Baker Amanda W
Published: February 2020

Background

Treatments for anxiety disorders are among the most effective in psychiatry. Yet, there is considerable room for improvement.

Aim

In this paper, we discuss the value of ecological momentary assessment as a research method and clinical tool.

Methods

We begin by describing ecological momentary assessment and its advantages, including the ability to collect ecologically valid information about mental disorders, in real time, in individual patients. We then illustrate the value of this approach for anxiety disorder treatment using two patients with panic disorder who completed ecological momentary assessments for 2 weeks before and after a cognitive-behavioural therapy intervention. We focus especially on two key pieces of information provided by ecological momentary assessment data: information about symptom dynamics and information about the relationships among symptoms as they unfold over time within individual patients.

Perspective

Although considerable work is needed to further develop this methodology in the context of anxiety disorder treatment, we believe that these pieces of information may ultimately inform our understanding of how anxiety disorder treatments have their effect and how those treatments can be tailored to individual patients.
Discovery of the gut microbial signature driving the efficacy of prebiotic intervention in obese patients
Authors: Rodriguez Julie , Hiel Sophie , Neyrinck Audrey M , Le Roy Tiphaine , Pötgens Sarah A , Leyrolle Quentin , Pachikian Barbara D , Gianfrancesco Marco A , Cani Patrice D , Paquot Nicolas , Cnop Miriam , Lanthier Nicolas , Thissen Jean-Paul , Bindels Laure B , Delzenne Nathalie M
Published: February 2020

Objective

The gut microbiota has been proposed as an interesting therapeutic target for metabolic disorders. Inulin as a prebiotic has been shown to lessen obesity and related diseases. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether preintervention gut microbiota characteristics determine the physiological response to inulin.

Design

The stools from four obese donors differing by microbial diversity and composition were sampled before the dietary intervention and inoculated to antibiotic-pretreated mice (hum-obmice; humanised obese mice).Hum-obmice were fed with a high-fat diet and treated with inulin. Metabolic and microbiota changes on inulin treatment inhum-obmice were compared with those obtained in a cohort of obese individuals supplemented with inulin for 3 months.

Results

We show thathum-obmice colonised with the faecal microbiota from different obese individuals differentially respond to inulin supplementation on a high-fat diet. Among several bacterial genera,Barnesiella, Bilophila, Butyricimonas, Victivallis, Clostridium XIVa, Akkermansia,RaoultellaandBlautiacorrelated with the observed metabolic outcomes (decrease in adiposity and hepatic steatosis) inhum-obmice. In addition, in obese individuals, the preintervention levels ofAnaerostipes, AkkermansiaandButyricicoccusdrive the decrease of body mass index in response to inulin.

Conclusion

These findings support that characterising the gut microbiota prior to nutritional intervention with prebiotics is important to increase the positive outcome in the context of obesity and metabolic disorders.
Current status of clinician-educator tracks in internal medicine residency programmes
Authors: Daaboul Yazan , Lin Amy , Vitale Kelly , Snydman Laura K
Published: February 2020

Background

Residents in internal medicine programmes lack formal training in leadership, curriculum development and clinical teaching. Residency programmes created clinician-educator tracks (CETs) to formally teach residents to become effective educators and to involve them in the science of medical education. However, the curricula in these tracks are often locally developed and remain at the discretion of the individual programmes.

Methods

This survey evaluates the frequency of CETs in internal medicine residency programmes in the USA and descriptively analyses their logistical and curricular content. During the academic year 2017–2018, directors of all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited internal medicine residency programmes in the USA were invited to participate in this survey (n=420). We developed a web-based 22-question survey to assess the logistics and curricular content of CET programmes.

Results

A total of 150 programmes responded to the survey invitation (response rate=35.7%). Only 24% (n=36) of programmes offered a CET, the majority of which have been available for only 5 years or less. The track is most frequently offered to postgraduate year (PGY)-2 and PGY-3 residents. Only a minority of participating faculty (27.8%) have protected time to fulfil their CET role. Bedside teaching, feedback, small group teaching and curriculum development are the most commonly taught topics, and faculty mentorship and small group teaching methods are the most commonly used types of instruction.

Conclusions

CETs are offered in only 24% of internal medicine residency programmes in the USA. The curricula of these tracks vary across programmes, and their success is often countered by logistic and financial challenges.
Preliminary screening of rhizobacteria for biocontrol of little seed canary grass (Phalaris minor Retz.) and wild oat (Avena fatua L.) in wheat
Authors: Dar Abubakar , Zahir Zahir Ahmad , Asghar Hafiz Naeem , Ahmad Rashid
Published: February 2020

Conventional weed control methods often have environmental impact. The present study was conducted to screen selected accessions of Pseudomonas for both potential biocontrol of Phalaris minor and Avena fatua and potential concurrent growth promotion of wheat. The four Pseudomonas strains (B11, T19, T24, and T75) were found positive for cyanide production, siderophore production, phosphorus solubilization, oxidase activity, catalase activity, and ACC deaminase activity in vitro. These strains were phytotoxic, causing up to 73.3% mortality in the lettuce seedling bioassay. Consortia of compatible Pseudomonas strains increased A. fatua and P. minor seedling mortality up to 50.0% and 56.7%, respectively, and reduced root length up to 73.8% and 53.9%, respectively, as compared with the uninoculated control. Consortia of compatible Pseudomonas strains increased wheat shoot length, root length, fresh biomass, dry biomass, and leaf greenness up to 41.6%, 100%, 79.9%, 81.5%, and 21.1%, respectively, over the uninoculated control. Four of the 11 Pseudomonas consortia tested expressed good weed suppression and wheat growth promotion capacity and deserve further experimentation. The findings from this study may lead to the formulation of bioherbicides that will improve human and environmental health.
Bradykinesia Recognition in Parkinson’s Disease via Single RGB Video
Authors: Lin Bo , Luo Wei , Luo Zhiling , Wang Bo , Deng Shuiguang , Yin Jianwei , Zhou Mengchu
Published: February 2020

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder afflicting millions of patients. Among its motor symptoms, bradykinesia is one of the cardinal manifestations. Experienced doctors are required for the clinical diagnosis of bradykinesia, but sometimes they also miss subtle changes, especially in early stages of such disease. Therefore, developing auxiliary diagnostic methods that can automatically detect bradykinesia has received more and more attention. In this article, we employ a two-stage framework for bradykinesia recognition based on the video of patient movement. First, convolution neural networks are trained to localize keypoints in each video frame. These time-varying coordinates form motion trajectories that represent the whole movement. From the trajectory, we then propose novel measurements, namely
stability
,
completeness
, and
self-similarity
, to quantify different motor behaviors. We also propose a periodic motion model called
PMNet
. An encoder--decoder structure is applied to learn a low dimensional representation of a motion process. The compressed motion process and quantified motor behaviors are combined as inputs to a fully-connected neural network. Different from the traditional means, our solution extends the application scenario outside the hospital and can be easily transplanted to conduct similar tasks. A commonly used clinical assessment is served as a case study. Experimental results based on real-world data validate the effectiveness of our approach for bradykinesia recognition.
Two-Stage Arthrodesis after an Infected Total Knee Replacement Using a Coupled Nail and Dual-Plate Construct: A Third-World Solution and Review of Options
Authors: Mencia Marlon M. , Goalan Raakesh , Bua Atiba Akii
Published: February 2020

Infection following total knee arthroplasty is a serious and increasingly common complication. Several treatment options are available. Although a two-stage revision remains the gold standard, salvage procedures are sometimes needed. We describe a case of an infected knee arthroplasty that was salvaged using a novel technique combining two linked intramedullary nails and bilateral compression plating.
Adaptive Secure MIMO Transmission Mechanism against Smart Attacker
Authors: Shen Xujun , Chen Qingchun , Nie Yulong , Gan Keming
Published: February 2020

The MIMO transmission against a smart attacker has recently been formulated as a noncollaborative game, in which both the MIMO transmitter and the malicious attacker try to maximize their predefined utilities. In this paper, by carefully analyzing the Nash Equilibrium (NE), we focus on the conditions, in which the gaming results incline to the malicious attacker instead of the MIMO transmitter. In this adverse case, it is highly desirable to develop an effective mechanism to suppress the attack intention by the attacker for better secure communication. Motivated by this, an adaptive secure MIMO transmission scheme was proposed to make the MIMO transmitter better resist malicious attackers in adverse channel conditions. Compared with the existing gaming-based strategy, not only the transmit power of the MIMO transmitter but also the transmission probability will be adjusted in the proposed adaptive secure transmission scheme. Our analysis results show that the proposed scheme can be regarded as a generalized adaptive transmission one, i.e., when the adaptive transmit power policy is enough to suppress the attack motivation, the proposed scheme will be reduced to the adaptive power control scheme; otherwise, both the adaptive transmit power and the adaptive probabilistic transmission can be employed to suppress the attack motivation. The analysis results confirm us that the proposed adaptive transmission scheme provides us a choice to enhance the secure MIMO transmission performance in adverse conditions.
Bellini Duct Carcinoma Misdiagnosed with Urothelial Papillary Carcinoma
Authors: El Khoury Joey , Abdessater Maher , Halabi Rami , Nasr Fadi , Boustany Johnny , Kanbar Anthony , El Hachem Charbel , El Khoury Raghid
Published: February 2020

Background. Collecting (Bellini) duct carcinoma (CDC) or Bellini duct carcinoma (BDC) is a rare subtype of kidney tumors, accounting for less than 3% and known to have the worst prognosis. It is known to have multiple clinical presentations; this is why it can be easily misdiagnosed. The aim of this article is to present a case of CDC that was initially misdiagnosed with urothelial papillary carcinoma (UPC) in a 41-year-old male. Case Presentation. Our patient presented with a left flank pain evolving for one month and one episode of gross macroscopic hematuria. Upon presentation, he had left costovertebral angle tenderness. Initial lab tests were normal. Computed tomography revealed a 5 cm solid mass of the left renal pelvis and multiple infracentimetric perihilar lymph nodes. Subsequently, the patient had left nephroureterectomy. Microscopic examination showed the presence of a high-grade urothelial papillary carcinoma of the renal pelvis’ lumen. All four of the dissected lymph nodes showed disease metastasis. Three years after establishing the diagnosis, the patient presented again for chronic abdominal pain, with a recent history of weight loss. CT scan showed a left paraaortic mass infiltrating the left psoas muscle over a length of 12 cm. Immunohistochemical profiling of this mass confirmed the diagnosis of Bellini duct carcinoma, rejecting the initial diagnosis of UPC. Therefore, the patient required a cisplatin-gemcitabine-based chemotherapy regimen. Conclusion. BDC remains one of the rare aggressive subtypes of RCC, having a multitude of initial clinical presentations and an unfavorable prognosis. In this patient, CDC was masquerading as a transitional cell carcinoma that should always be kept in mind as a possible presentation. Corresponding early imaging and histopathology exams are primordial for a correct diagnosis and thus a better prognosis.
A New Measurement Based on HPB to Measure the Wall Pressure of Electric-Spark-Generated Bubble near the Hemispheric Boundary
Authors: Ma Chunlong , Shi Dongyan , Cui Xiongwei , Chen Yingyu
Published: February 2020

Direct measurement of the wall pressure loading of the spherical boundary subjected to the near-field underwater explosion is a great difficulty. To investigate the wall pressure caused by electric-spark-generated bubble near a hemispheric boundary, an experiment system is developed. In the method of this experiment, a Hopkinson bar (HPB), used as the sensing element, is inserted through the hole drilled on the hemisphere target and the bar’s measuring end face lies flush with the loaded face of the hemisphere target to detect and record the pressure loading. The semiconductor strain gauges which stick on Hopkinson bar are used to convert the pressure-based signal to the strain wave signal. The bubble in the experiments is formed by a discharge of 400 V high voltage. To validate the pressure measurement technique based on the HPB, an experimental result from pressure transducer is used as the validating system. To verify the capability of this new methodology and experimental system, a series of electric-spark-generated bubble experiments are conducted. From the recorded pressure-time profiles coupled with the underwater explosion evolution images captured by the high-speed camera (HSV), the shock wave pressure loading and bubble collapse pressure loadings are captured in detail at different dimensionless stand-off distances γ from 0.17 to 2.00. From the results of the experiments conducted in this paper, the proposed experiment system can be used to measure the pressure signal successfully, giving new way to study the bubble collapse pressure when the bubble is near a hemispheric boundary. Through the experimental results, the bubbles generated by different dimensionless stand-off distance γ are divided into four categories, and the bubble load characteristics are also discussed.
Complementary Color Barcode-Based Optical Camera Communications
Authors: Jung Sung-Yoon , Lee Ji-Hwan , Nam Wonwoo , Kim Byung Wook
Published: February 2020

Electronic displays and cameras can provide an intuitive, simple communications interface without dependence on additional wireless interfaces or the Internet infrastructure. In this paper, we design a complementary color barcode-based optical camera communication (CCB-OCC) system to provide an easy-to-use communication capability from an electronic display-to-camera (D2C) link. The proposed method encodes information into specially designed color barcodes and transmits it in a format perceptually invisible to humans but detectable by camera-equipped devices. In addition, we propose a new transmission packet design that contains pilot symbols to synchronize symbol packets and estimate the D2C channel link for calibrating captured images caused by irregular differences between the sending color and the receiving color in the D2C link. Experimental results verify the feasibility of the CCB-OCC scheme for short-range communications to offer additional information which shows a new possibility in designing a D2C communication system with robust to environmental change, easy-to-use, and simple implementation.
Discrimination of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge from Different Geographical Locations Employing High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, Near-Infrared Fingerprinting Combined with Chemometrics
Authors: Wang Jiao , Sun Yichun , Li Zhan , Li Wei , Pang Yuanyuan , Li Jiayu , Wu Qing
Published: February 2020

To evaluate the quality of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC/UV-PAD), near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, and chemometrics were used to discriminate nine components of samples from four different geographical locations. HPLC was performed with a C18 (5 μm, 4.6 mm × 250 mm) column and 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution-acetonitrile with a gradient elution system. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis was used to identify the amounts of salvianolic acid B. NIR was used to distinguish rapidly S. miltiorrhiza Bunge samples from different geographical locations. In this assay, discriminant analysis was performed, and the accuracy was found to be 100%. The combination of these two methods can be used to quickly and accurately identify S. miltiorrhiza Bunge from different geographical locations.
A Random Classified-Storage Picking Path Model for V-Type Storage Layout
Authors: Zhou Li , Fan Xiani , Wang Jinlong , Wang Senhao , Cao Ning , Wu Mei
Published: February 2020

This paper studies a V-type layout design, establishes the area utilization model of a V-type layout based on big data technology, and verifies the validity of the area model. This paper studies the ABC classification and storage strategy of V-type layout and establishes a random model of return-shape picking paths for V-type layout. By calculating the sum of the expected picking distance in the main channel and the expected picking distance of the subchannel, a mathematical model for return-shape picking paths of the V-type layout is established. By using big data mining technology, this paper simulates a random picking path model and obtains simulated data for cases with multiple orders, providing a theoretical basis for research on random picking path models with a classified-storage strategy using an improved layout.
New Maxwell Creep Model Based on Fractional and Elastic‐Plastic Elements
Authors: Tang Hao , Wang Dongpo , Duan Zhao
Published: February 2020

Creep models are mainly used to describe the rheological behaviour of geotechnical materials. An important research focus for studying creep in geotechnical materials is the development of a model with few parameters and good simulation performance. Hence, in this study, by replacing the Newtonian dashpot and spring in the classical Maxwell model with fractional and elastic‐plastic elements, a new Maxwell creep model based on fractional derivatives and continuum damage mechanics was developed. One‐ and three‐dimensional (1D/3D) creep equations of the new Maxwell creep model were derived. The 1D creep equation of the new model was used to fit existing creep data of rock salt, and the 3D creep equation was used to fit the creep data of remolded loess. The model curves matched the creep data very well, showing considerably higher accuracy than other models. Furthermore, a sensitivity study was carried out, showing the effects of the fractional derivative order β and exponent α on the creep strain of rock salt. This new model is simple with few parameters and can effectively simulate the complete creep behaviour of geotechnical materials.
Nut Consumption and Risk of Cancer: A Meta-analysis of Prospective Studies
Authors: Long Jieyi , Ji Zhi , Yuan Peihong , Long Tingting , Liu Ke , Li Jiaoyuan , Cheng Liming
Published: February 2020

Background:

Epidemiologic studies have investigated the association between nut intake and risk for multiple cancers. However, current findings are inconsistent and no definite conclusion has been drawn from prospective studies. We therefore conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between nut consumption and risk of cancer.

Methods:

Prospective studies reporting associations between nut intake and risk for all types of cancer were identified by searching Web of Science and PubMed databases up to June 2019. Risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were extracted and then pooled across the studies using a random-effect model. A dose–response analysis was modeled by performing restricted cubic splines when data were available.

Results:

Thirty-three studies that included more than 50,000 cancer cases were eligible for the analysis. When comparing the highest with the lowest category of nut intake, high consumption of nuts was significantly associated with decreased risk of overall cancer (RR = 0.90; 95% CI, 0.85–0.95). The protective effect of nut consumption was especially apparent against cancers from the digestive system (RR = 0.83; 95% CI, 0.77–0.89). Among different nut classes, significant association was only obtained for intake of tree nuts. We also observed a linear dose–response relationship between nut consumption and cancer: Per 20 g/day increase in nut consumption was related to a 10% (RR = 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82–0.99) decrease in cancer risk.

Conclusions:

Our analysis demonstrated an inverse association of dietary nut consumption with cancer risk, especially for cancers from the digestive system.

Impact:

This study highlights the protective effect of nuts against cancer.
Isolated Insular Stroke: Clinical Presentation
Authors: Giammello Fabrizio , Cosenza Domenico , Casella Carmela , Granata Francesca , Dell’Aera Cristina , Fazio Maria Carolina , La Spina Paolino , Grillo Francesco , Cotroneo Masina , Toscano Antonio , Musolino Rosa Fortunata
Published: February 2020

The symptoms related to insular ischemia have been the object of several studies in patients affected by stroke, although they are often accompanied by other ischemic alteration of adjacent brain structures supplied by the middle cerebral artery (MCA). The insula is vulnerable because of an ischemia due to thromboembolic vascular occlusion of the M1 MCA segment and the 2 main MCA branches (M2), mainly when they abruptly arise from the principal stem at a right angle. This topographical and anatomical peculiarity could enable an embolic formation, especially due to atrial fibrillation (AF), to occlude the transition pathway between M1 and M2, while the proximal origin of vascular supply protects the insula from ischemia due to hemodynamic factors. The aim of the study is to characterize the clinical aspects of acute ischemic strokes as a first event in the insular territory with specific attention to atypical manifestation. We have considered 233 patients with a first event stroke involving the insular territory and 13 cases of isolated insular stroke (IIS), from the stroke registry of the Policlinico “G.Martino”, University of Messina, between the February 10, 2014 and the February 7, 2018. IIS patients showed CT/MRI lesions restricted to the insular region. Exclusion criteria were coexisting neurological diseases, structural brain lesions, extension to the subinsular area >50% of the total infarct volume. We identified 13 IIS patients (mean age 74 years), with an isolated symptom or a combination of typical and atypical aspects. Furthermore, we observed high frequency detection of cardiac disturbances. To our knowledge, just a few previous studies have described IIS; their incidence is still not well defined. IIS manifested with a combination of deficits including motor, somatosensory, speaking, coordination, autonomic and cognitive disturbances. After an ischemic stroke, AF manifestation could follow briefly the major event and its duration could be very short, as an autonomic dysfunction due to an insular infarction. This clinical condition requires a continuous cardiac monitoring for this dangerous occurrence.
The Effect of Glycemia on Choroidal Thickness in Different Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Abalem Maria Fernanda , Nazareth Santos Veloso Helen , Garcia Rafael , Chen Xing Dong , Carricondo Pedro C. , Cabral Zacharias Leandro , Preti Rony C.
Published: February 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of renal and glycemic parameters on choroidal thickness (CT) in patients with diabetes with and without diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods: This cross-sectional study included patients with and without diabetes. Patients underwent comprehensive ocular examination. CT was obtained using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) with enhanced depth imaging (EDI) mode. Clinical parameters were body mass index, mean arterial pressure, glycated hemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and capillary plasma glucose (CPG) a few minutes before EDI-SD-OCT. Results: The study included 275 participants: 42 with diabetes and no DR, 43 with mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), 46 with moderate NPDR, 39 with severe NPDR, 24 with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), 40 with previous panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) treatment for DR, and 41 without diabetes. The diabetic patients had thinner subfoveal CT than the nondiabetic participants (280.5 ± 83.4 vs. 327.1 ± 48.8 µm, p < 0.001). After multivariable adjustment, CT was significantly correlated with age, DR stage, and CPG. In patients with mild and moderate NPDR, a higher level of CPG was associated with thicker CT. This relationship was not found in patients with PDR. Conclusion: CPG had the strongest correlation with CT in patients with NPDR (mild, moderate, and severe), but not in PDR and PRP PDR patients. Our study suggests that the glucose level at the time of the test should be aggregated to other systemic and ocular parameters, such as age and axial length, when studying the choroid using SD-OCT.
A new species of Calea (Neurolaeneae, Asteraceae) from the Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Authors: REIS E SILVA GENILSON ALVES DOS , NAKAJIMA JIMI NAOKI
Published: February 2020

A new species of Calea sect. Calea, endemic to the rocky grasslands of the municipality of Diamantina, Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, is described. Calea diamantinensis is morphologically similar to Calea lantanoides which differs by its leaf blade elliptic (vs. ovate to widely ovate), margin entire and straight (vs. crenate and revolute), surface solely glandular-punctuated (vs. villous), receptacle paleae obtrullate (vs. narrowly elliptic), capitulescence composed by 3–4 heads (vs. 6–12 heads), cypselae glandular-punctuated ca. 2.7–3 mm long (vs. non-glandular, ca. 1.8–2.5 mm long) and pappus scales ca. 15–17 (vs. 20–25). Illustration, photos, distribution map, habitat considerations and conservation status are provided, as well as an identification key for Calea species from the municipality of Diamantina, Minas Gerais.