bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Grey’s Anatomy effect: television portrayal of patients with trauma may cultivate unrealistic patient and family expectations after injury
Authors: Serrone Rosemarie O , Weinberg Jordan A , Goslar Pamela W , Wilkinson Erin P , Thompson Terrell M , Dameworth Jonathan L , Dempsey Shawna R , Petersen Scott R
Published: February 2018

Background

Expectations of the healthcare experience may be influenced by television dramas set in the hospital workplace. It is our perception that the fictional television portrayal of hospitalization after injury in such dramas is misrepresentative. The purpose of this study was to compare trauma outcomes on television dramas versus reality.

Methods

We screened 269 episodes ofGrey’s Anatomy, a popular medical drama. A television (TV) registry was constructed by collecting data for each fictional trauma portrayed in the television series. Comparison data for a genuine patient cohort were obtained from the 2012 National Trauma Databank (NTDB) National Program Sample.

Results

290 patients composed of the TV registry versus 4812 patients from NTDB. Mortality was higher on TV (22% vs 7%, P<0.0001). Most TV patients went straight from emergency department (ED) to operating room (OR) (71% vs 25%, P<0.0001). Among TV survivors, a relative minority were transferred to long-term care (6% vs 22%, P<0.0001). For severely injured (Injury Severity Score ≥25) survivors, hospital length of stay was less than 1 week for 50% of TV patients versus 20% in NTDB (P<0.0001).

Conclusions

Trauma patients as depicted on television dramas typically go from ED to OR, and survivors usually return home. Television portrayal of rapid functional recovery after major injury may cultivate false expectations among patients and their families.

Level of evidence

Level III.
Fifteen‐month duration of immunity for the serovar Grippotyphosa fraction of a tetravalent canine leptospirosis vaccine
Authors: Grosenbaugh Deborah A , Pardo Maria Camila
Published: February 2018

Forty‐four specific pathogen‐free beagles, median age 65 days, received two subcutaneous doses of either a commercially available, five‐way combination vaccine or the same vaccine in combination with a tetravalentLeptospirabacterin (Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona). They were subsequently challenged with a pathogenic strainL kirschneriserovar Grippotyphosa 470 days following completion of the vaccination protocol. Titres of agglutinating serum antibodies were determined at various time points before and after both vaccination and challenge, along with postchallenge reisolation of the challenge organisms from blood and urine, and evaluation of renal histopathology. Clinical signs of generalised leptospirosis were not observed in any of the dogs after challenge. In order to demonstrate efficacy, leptospirosis was defined as having at least one positive urine sample and a positive renal histopathology score; or, in the absence of renal pathology, multiple positive urine samples. Leptospiremia was not demonstrated in any of the vaccinated dogs versus 27 per cent of the controls; leptospiruria was noted in 5 per cent of the vaccinates compared with 76 per cent of controls; and renal lesions were observed in 15 per cent of the vaccinates and 65 per cent controls. Using these criteria, the vaccine was able to significantly prevent leptospirosis (P=0.0001) in the vaccinated animals. This study establishes duration of immunity of at least 15 months for the prevention of disease and renal excretion of leptospires for theLeptospiraserovar Grippotyphosa fraction of a quadrivalentLeptospiravaccine.
Genome-wide identification, characterization, and transcriptional analysis of the metacaspase gene family in cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
Authors: Zhou Yong , Hu Lifang , Jiang Lunwei , Liu Shiqiang
Published: February 2018

Metacaspase (MC), a family of caspase-like proteins, plays vital roles in regulating programmed cell death (PCD) during development and in response to stresses in plants. In this study, five MC genes (designated as CsMC1 to CsMC5) were identified in the cucumber (Cucumis sativus) genome. Sequence analysis revealed that CsMC1–CsMC3 belong to type I MC proteins, while CsMC4 and CsMC5 are type II MC proteins. Phylogenetic tree and conserved motif analysis of MC proteins indicated that these proteins can be classified into two groups, which are correlated with the types of these MC proteins. Gene structure analysis demonstrated that type I CsMC genes contain 4–7 introns, while all type II CsMC genes harbor one intron. In addition, many hormone-, stress-, and development-related cis-elements were identified in the promoter regions of CsMC genes. Expression analysis using RNA-seq data revealed that CsMC genes have distinct expression patterns in various tissues and developmental stages. qRT-PCR results showed that the transcript levels of CsMC genes could be regulated by various abiotic stresses such as NaCl, PEG, and cold. These results demonstrate that the cucumber MC gene family may function in tissue development and plant stress responses.
Zinc(II) and chloroindium(III) phthalocyanines bearing ethyl 7-oxy-6-chloro-4-methylcoumarin-3-propanoate groups: Synthesis, characterization and investigation of their photophysicochemical properties
Authors: Kuruca Halid , Köksoy Baybars , Karapınar Begümhan , Durmuş Mahmut , Bulut Mustafa
Published: February 2018

In this study, ethyl 7-hydroxy-6-chloro-4-methylcoumarin-3-propanoate (1), ethyl 7-(2,3-dicyanophenoxy)-6-chloro-4-methylcoumarin-3-propanoate (2), ethyl 7-(3,4-dicyanophenoxy)-6-chloro-4-methylcoumarin-3-propanoate (3), ethyl 4-chloro-5-(7-oxy-6-chloro-4-methylcoumarin-3-propanoate)phthalonitrile (4) were synthesized. The phthalonitrile derivatives (2, 3 and 4) were converted to their peripheral tetra, non-peripheral tetra and peripheral chlorocta substituted zinc(II) and chloroindium phthalocyanine derivatives. All novel compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, [Formula: see text]H-NMR, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and UV-vis spectral data. Additionally, the spectral, photophysical (fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes) and photochemical (singlet oxygen generation and photodegradation under light irradiation) properties of the resulting substituted phthalocyaninatozinc(II) and indium(III) chloride complexes (5–10) were investigated in DMF, and the obtained results were compared for determination of the effects of the substituents’ positions and the variety of the central metal atom on these properties. The fluorescence quenching behavior of these phthalocyanines (5–10) were also investigated using 1,4-benzoquinone as a quencher. The obtained ethyl 7-oxy-6-chloro-4-methylcoumarin-3-propanoate bearing phthalocyaninatozinc(II) (5, 7 and 9) and indium(III) chloride (6, 8 and 10) complexes showed excellent solubility in most organic solvents. They produced high singlet-oxygen and showed appropriate photodegradation which is very important for photodynamic therapy applications.
Determination of contaminated land; making the right decision in the UK
Authors: Heathcote John
Published: February 2018

In the UK, the Environmental Protection Act requires land to be determined as contaminated if it contains concentrations of substances such that there is significant risk of significant harm to certain defined receptors. A key step in assessing the possibility of significant harm is the comparison of measured soil concentrations of potentially harmful substances with appropriate assessment levels considered to represent tolerable levels of risk. Guidance on making the comparison using statistical techniques was issued in 2008 by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and Contaminated Land: Applications in Real Environments (CL:AIRE) (the CL:AIRE–CIEH method). When making decisions on the basis of a finite number of measurements from a very large amount of soil, there is always the possibility of error. It has become apparent that the CL:AIRE–CIEH approach does not necessarily control the likelihood of determining that land is not contaminated when in fact it is contaminated, and this is more likely when using the Chebyshev test. Although there are methods to control such likelihood, there is no clear basis for the necessary specifications. The difficulties can be obviated by making a determination of contamination at 50% probability, which is consistent with the statutory guidance. Alternatively, a different approach may be taken to decision-making.
A Survey of Techniques for Automatically Sensing the Behavior of a Crowd
Authors: Draghici Adriana , Steen Maarten Van
Published: February 2018

Crowd-centric research is receiving increasingly more attention as datasets on crowd behavior are becoming readily available. We have come to a point where many of the models on pedestrian analytics introduced in the last decade, which have mostly not been validated, can now be tested using real-world datasets. In this survey, we concentrate exclusively on automatically gathering such datasets, which we refer to as sensing the behavior of pedestrians. We roughly distinguish two approaches: one that requires users to explicitly use local applications and wearables, and one that scans the presence of handheld devices such as smartphones. We come to the conclusion that despite the numerous reports in popular media, relatively few groups have been looking into practical solutions for sensing pedestrian behavior. Moreover, we find that much work is still needed, in particular when it comes to combining privacy, transparency, scalability, and ease of deployment. We report on over 90 relevant articles and discuss and compare in detail 30 reports on sensing pedestrian behavior.
Evaluating Computational Creativity
Authors: Lamb Carolyn , Brown Daniel G. , Clarke Charles L. A.
Published: February 2018

This article is a tutorial for researchers who are designing software to perform a creative task and want to evaluate their system using interdisciplinary theories of creativity. Researchers who study human creativity have a great deal to offer computational creativity. We summarize perspectives from psychology, philosophy, cognitive science, and computer science as to how creativity can be measured both in humans and in computers. We survey how these perspectives have been used in computational creativity research and make recommendations for how they should be used.
Community Discovery in Dynamic Networks
Authors: Rossetti Giulio , Cazabet Rémy
Published: February 2018

Several research studies have shown that complex networks modeling real-world phenomena are characterized by striking properties: (i) they are organized according to community structure, and (ii) their structure evolves with time. Many researchers have worked on methods that can efficiently unveil substructures in complex networks, giving birth to the field of community discovery. A novel and fascinating problem started capturing researcher interest recently: the identification of evolving communities. Dynamic networks can be used to model the evolution of a system: nodes and edges are mutable, and their presence, or absence, deeply impacts the community structure that composes them.

This survey aims to present the distinctive features and challenges of dynamic community discovery and propose a classification of published approaches. As a “user manual,” this work organizes state-of-the-art methodologies into a taxonomy, based on their rationale, and their specific instantiation. Given a definition of network dynamics, desired community characteristics, and analytical needs, this survey will support researchers to identify the set of approaches that best fit their needs. The proposed classification could also help researchers choose in which direction to orient their future research.
On the Limitations of Analyzing Worst-Case Dynamic Energy of Processing
Authors: Morse Jeremy , Kerrison Steve , Eder Kerstin
Published: February 2018

This article examines dynamic energy consumption caused by data during software execution on deeply embedded microprocessors, which can be significant on some devices. In worst-case energy consumption analysis, energy models are used to find the most costly execution path. Taking each instruction’s worst-case energy produces a safe but overly pessimistic upper bound. Algorithms for safe and tight bounds would be desirable. We show that finding exact worst-case energy is NP-hard, and that tight bounds cannot be approximated with guaranteed safety. We conclude that any energy model targeting tightness must either sacrifice safety or accept overapproximation proportional to data-dependent energy.
Review of "
Exploratory Programming for the Arts and Humanities
," by Montfort, N. (2016). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Authors: Rowan Robert M.
Published: February 2018

Coding, like other forms of written communication, is both science and art. This is not a new or revolutionary idea. In 1974, Donald Knuth published "Computer Programming as an Art" and declared that "[a] programmer who subconsciously views himself as an artist will enjoy what he does and will do it better" (p. 673). In 1984, Steven Levy's
Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution
introduced us to the Hacker Ethic, one tenet of which is that we can create art and beauty on the computer (p. 31). Many other authors and coders have argued similar cases about the socially situated nature of programming since.
Quantifiable me
Authors: Welhausen Candice A.
Published: February 2018

As fitness trackers have proliferated, many now collect information about both physical and mental health indicators. Arguably, such capabilities promote the notion that achieving and maintaining health is holistic, pushing back against the mind/body divide that has long characterized how we tend to perceive health and disease in Western cultures (see Segal, 2005). In this article, the author argues that the visual (photographs and data visualizations) and language-based communication strategies used on Bellabeat Leaf's website, a smart jewelry device for women, employ a narrative of holisticism. Further, this narrative functions as a rhetorical trope that reinforces power relationships that align with a dominant underlying ideology of Western medicine---the notion that disease and illness can be controlled. The author proposes that future designs of the Leaf's smartphone application might allow users to visualize quantitative and select user-contributed qualitative, sensorial-based feedback to potentially provide a more balanced perspective of health.
Self-Medication Practice in Limmu Genet, Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia: Does Community Based Health Insurance Scheme Have an Influence?
Authors: Begashaw Bekele Bayu , Tesema Berkesa Shibiru , Tefera Enyew , Kumalo Abera
Published: February 2018

Background. Self-medication, which is a form of self-care, is an important initial response to illness, and many illnesses can be successfully treated at this stage. It is practiced by a considerable proportion of the population and is affected by sociodemographic and economic factors. This study was conducted to assess the practice of self-medication and associated factors in Limmu Genet’s town households, Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods and Materials. A community based cross-sectional study was done. Systematic sampling technique was used to select participants. Data was collected by face-to-face interviews by using structured questionnaires. After checking the completeness, missing values, and coding of questionnaires, data was tabulated and calculated on SPSS version 20.0. Finally data was presented in tables, graphs frequency, percentage, and cross-tabulation with different variables. Result. In this study, both self-medication and the prevalence of diseases among households were 78.1%. That constituted any kind of illness reported by participants. Conclusion. Self-medication practice is common among community members regardless of being community based health insurance members. Therefore, it needs pertinent health education on legal prescriptions and use of medicines as well as strengthening the access of community based insurance.
The Relationship between Peripheral Nerve Conduction Velocity and Ophthalmological Findings in Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Early Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Ito Azusa , Kunikata Hiroshi , Yasuda Masayuki , Sawada Shojiro , Kondo Keiichi , Satake Chihiro , Hashimoto Kazuki , Aizawa Naoko , Katagiri Hideki , Nakazawa Toru
Published: February 2018

Purpose. Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) is an indicator of neuronal damage in the distal segment of the peripheral nerves. Here, we determined the association between NCV and other systemic and ocular clinical findings, in type 2 diabetes patients with early diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods. This study included 42 eyes of 42 type 2 diabetes patients (median age: 54 years) with no DR or with mild nonproliferative DR. Standard statistical techniques were used to determine associations between clinical findings. Results. Sural sensory conduction velocity (SCV) and tibial motor conduction velocity (MCV) were significantly lower in mild nonproliferative DR patients than patients with no DR (P=0.008 and P=0.01, resp.). Furthermore, logistic regression analyses revealed that sural SCV and tibial MCV were independent factors contributing to the presence of mild nonproliferative DR (OR 0.83, P=0.012 and OR 0.69 P=0.02, resp.). Tibial MCV was correlated with choroidal thickness (CT) (P=0.01), and a multiple regression analysis revealed that age, tibial MCV, and carotid intima-media thickness were independent associating factors with CT (P=0.035, P=0.015, and P=0.008, resp.). Conclusions. Our findings suggest that reduced NCV may be closely associated with early DR in type 2 diabetes patients. Thus, reduced nerve conduction is a potential early biomarker of DR.
Seasonal Effect on the Biological Activities of Litsea glaucescens Kunth Extracts
Authors: López-Romero Julio César , González-Ríos Humberto , Peña-Ramos Aida , Velazquez Carlos , Navarro Moises , Robles-Zepeda Ramón , Martínez-Benavidez Evelin , Higuera-Ciapara Inocencio , Virués Claudia , Olivares José Luis , Domínguez Zaira , Hernández Javier
Published: February 2018

This study shows the seasonal effect on the antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antimicrobial activities of L. glaucescens Kunth (LG) leaves extracts. Their antioxidant activity was evaluated through the DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC assays. Their phenolic content (PC) was determined by means of the Folin‐Ciocalteu method, and the main phenolic compounds were identified through a HPLC‐DAD analysis. Antiproliferative activity was determined by MTT assay against HeLa, LS 180, M12.C3.F6, and ARPE cell lines. Antimicrobial potential was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using a microdilution method. All the LG extracts presented high antioxidant activity and PC, with quercitrin and epicatechin being the most abundant. Antioxidant activity and PC were affected by the season; particularly autumn (ALGE) and summer (SULGE) extracts exhibited the highest values (p < 0.05). All extracts presented moderate antiproliferative activity against the cell lines evaluated, HeLa being the most susceptible of them. However, ALGE and SULGE were the most active too. About antimicrobial activity, SULGE (MIC90 < 800 μg/mL; MIC50 < 400 μg/mL), and SLGE (MIC50 < 1000 μg/mL) showed a moderate inhibitory effect against S. aureus. These findings provide new information about the seasonal effect on the PC and biological properties of LG extracts. Clearly, antioxidant activity was the most important with respect to the other two.
Differences of the Morphology of Subaxial Cervical Spine Endplates between Chinese and White Men and Women
Authors: Yao Qi , Yin Peng , Khan Kamran , Tsai Tsung-Yuan , Li Jing-Sheng , Hai Yong , Tang Peifu , Li Guoan
Published: February 2018

Objective. The aim of this comparative anatomical study was to specifically investigate endplate morphology differences between Chinese and White men and women. Materials and Methods. Three-dimensional cervical endplate models were constructed using computed tomography imaging of 41 healthy Chinese and 24 White subjects. The morphologic measurements of cervical endplate included linear parameters (EPWu: upper endplate width; EPDu: upper endplate depth; EPWl: lower endplate width; and EPDl: lower endplate depth) and area parameters with a digital measuring system. Results. All linear parameters showed a constant increase from C3 to C7 except for EPDl in both the Chinese and the White subjects. An increase trend was observed on area parameters in both Chinese and White subjects. The ratio of EPWl/EPDl was smaller in Chinese females than in White females at C3, C4, and C6 levels (P<0.05). The ratio of EPWl/EPDl was significantly different between the Chinese and White men at C4-5 levels (P<0.05). Conclusions. Our data indicates that the morphology of subaxial cervical spine endplates between Chinese and White men and women is different in most of the linear and area parameters. This information could provide guidelines for the design of CDA implants and the improvement of surgical techniques.
Photothermally Activated Two-Photon Absorption in Ion-Implanted Silicon Quantum Dots in Silica Plates
Authors: Torres-Torres C. , Bornacelli J. , Rangel-Rojo R. , García-Merino J. A. , Can-Uc B. , Tamayo-Rivera L. , Cheang-Wong J. C. , Rodríguez-Fernández L. , Oliver A.
Published: February 2018

The third-order nonlinear infrared and ultraviolet properties exhibited by silicon quantum dots irradiated by ultrashort pulses were studied. The samples were prepared by 1.5 MeV Si+2ion implantation processes in high-purity silica substrates. Femtosecondz-scan measurements conducted at 830 nm wavelength revealed strong self-focusing effects together with two-photon absorption that can be switched to saturable absorption as a function of the input irradiance. Changes in the main physical mechanism responsible for the picosecond absorptive nonlinearity in the sample were also observed at 355 nm, made possible by the assistance of photothermal phenomena. Ultraviolet self-diffraction explorations allowed us to estimate the Kerr effect of the nanostructures. Potential applications for developing all-optical filtering functions performed by silicon-based nanosystems can be considered.
Effect of Olanzapine on Clinical and Polysomnography Profiles in Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Katshu Mohammad Zia Ul Haq , Sarkar Sukanto , Nizamie S. Haque
Published: February 2018

Acute and short-term administration of olanzapine has a favorable effect on sleep in schizophrenia patients. This study aimed to clarify the effect of olanzapine on polysomnographic profiles of schizophrenia patients during the acute phase of illness after controlling for previous drug exposure. Twenty-five drug-naïve or drug-free schizophrenia patients were assessed at baseline and after six weeks of olanzapine treatment on Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and Udvalg for Kliniske Undersogelser (UKU) side-effect rating scale and a whole-night polysomnography; fifteen patients completed the study. There was a significant reduction in all psychopathological variables with maximum reduction in PANSS total, BPRS total, and PANSS positive scores. A significant increase in total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE), nonrapid eye movement (NREM) stage 1 duration, stage 3 duration, stage 4 duration, and stage 4 percentage of TST, number of rapid eye movement (REM) periods, REM duration, and REM percentage of TST was observed. REM latency at baseline inversely predicted the reduction in BPRS total and PANSS total and positive scores. In summary, short-term treatment with olanzapine produced significant improvement in clinical and polysomnography profiles of patients with schizophrenia with shorter REM latency predicting a good clinical response.
A Nonenzymatic and Automated Closed-Cycle Process for the Isolation of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Drug Delivery Applications
Authors: Coccè Valentina , Brini Anna , Giannì Aldo Bruno , Sordi Valeria , Berenzi Angiola , Alessandri Giulio , Tremolada Carlo , Versari Silvia , Bosetto Antonio , Pessina Augusto
Published: February 2018

The adipose tissue is a good source of mesenchymal stromal cells that requires minimally invasive isolation procedures. To ensure reproducibility, efficacy, and safety for clinical uses, these procedures have to be in compliant with good manufacturing practices. Techniques for harvesting and processing human adipose tissue have rapidly evolved in the last years, and Lipogems® represents an innovative approach to obtain microfragmented adipose tissue in a short time, without expansion and/or enzymatic treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of mesenchymal stromal cells in the drain bag of the device by using a prototype Lipogems processor to wash the lipoaspirate in standardized condition. We found that, besides oil and blood residues, the drain bag contained single isolated cells easy to expand and with the typical characteristics of mesenchymal stromal cells that can be loaded with paclitaxel to use for drug-delivery application. Our findings suggest the possibility to replace the drain bag with a “cell culture chamber” obtaining a new integrated device that, without enzymatic treatment, can isolate and expand mesenchymal stromal cells in one step with high good manufacturing practices compliance. This system could be used to obtain mesenchymal stromal cells for regenerative purposes and for drug delivery.
Forecasting the Electricity Demand and Market Shares in Retail Electricity Market Based on System Dynamics and Markov Chain
Authors: Yan Qingyou , Qin Chao , Nie Mingjian , Yang Le
Published: February 2018

Due to the deregulation of retail electricity market, consumers can choose retail electric suppliers freely, and market entities are facing fierce competition because of the increasing number of new entrants. Under these circumstances, forecasting the changes in all market entities, when market share stabilized, is important for suppliers making marketing decisions. In this paper, a market share forecasting model was established based on Markov chain, and a system dynamics model was constructed to forecast the electricity consumption based on the analysis of five factors which are economic development, policy factors, environmental factors, power energy substitution, and power grid development. For a real application, the retail electricity market of Guangdong province in China was selected. The total, industrial, and commercial electricity consumption in Guangdong from 2016 to 2020 were predicted under different scenarios, and the market shares of the main market entities were analyzed using Markov chain model. Results indicated that the direct trading electricity would account for 70% to 90% of the total electricity consumption in the future. This provided valuable reference for the decision-making of suppliers and the development of electricity industry.
Machine Learning: A Novel Approach to Predicting Slope Instabilities
Authors: Kothari Upasna Chandarana , Momayez Moe
Published: February 2018

Geomechanical analysis plays a major role in providing a safe working environment in an active mine. Geomechanical analysis includes but is not limited to providing active monitoring of pit walls and predicting slope failures. During the analysis of a slope failure, it is essential to provide a safe prediction, that is, a predicted time of failure prior to the actual failure. Modern-day monitoring technology is a powerful tool used to obtain the time and deformation data used to predict the time of slope failure. This research aims to demonstrate the use of machine learning (ML) to predict the time of slope failures. Twenty-two datasets of past failures collected from radar monitoring systems were utilized in this study. A two-layer feed-forward prediction network was used to make multistep predictions into the future. The results show an 86% improvement in the predicted values compared to the inverse velocity (IV) method. Eighty-two percent of the failure predictions made using ML method fell in the safe zone. While 18% of the predictions were in the unsafe zone, all the unsafe predictions were within five minutes of the actual failure time, all practical purposes making the entire set of predictions safe and reliable.
Leptin and Leptin Resistance in the Pathogenesis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Possible Link to Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Complications
Authors: Berger Slava , Polotsky Vsevolod Y.
Published: February 2018

Obesity‐related sleep breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) cause intermittent hypoxia (IH) during sleep, a powerful trigger of oxidative stress. Obesity also leads to dramatic increases in circulating levels of leptin, a hormone produced in adipose tissue. Leptin acts in the hypothalamus to suppress food intake and increase metabolic rate. However, obese individuals are resistant to metabolic effects of leptin. Leptin also activates the sympathetic nervous system without any evidence of resistance, possibly because these effects occur peripherally without a need to penetrate the blood‐brain barrier. IH is a potent stimulator of leptin expression and release from adipose tissue. Hyperleptinemia and leptin resistance may upregulate generation of reactive oxygen species, increasing oxidative stress and promoting inflammation. The current review summarizes recent data on a possible link between leptin and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of sleep breathing disorders.
Solid-Phase Extraction and Large-Volume Sample Stacking-Capillary Electrophoresis for Determination of Tetracycline Residues in Milk
Authors: Islas Gabriela , Rodriguez Jose A. , Perez-Silva Irma , Miranda Jose M. , Ibarra Israel S.
Published: February 2018

Solid-phase extraction in combination with large-volume sample stacking-capillary electrophoresis (SPE-LVSS-CE) was applied to measure chlortetracycline, doxycycline, oxytetracycline, and tetracycline in milk samples. Under optimal conditions, the proposed method had a linear range of 29 to 200 µg·L−1, with limits of detection ranging from 18.6 to 23.8 µg·L−1 with inter- and intraday repeatabilities < 10% (as a relative standard deviation) in all cases. The enrichment factors obtained were from 50.33 to 70.85 for all the TCs compared with a conventional capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). This method is adequate to analyze tetracyclines below the most restrictive established maximum residue limits. The proposed method was employed in the analysis of 15 milk samples from different brands. Two of the tested samples were positive for the presence of oxytetracycline with concentrations of 95 and 126 µg·L−1. SPE-LVSS-CE is a robust, easy, and efficient strategy for online preconcentration of tetracycline residues in complex matrices.
Subthreshold Periodic Signal Detection by Bounded Noise‐Induced Resonance in the FitzHugh–Nagumo Neuron
Authors: Yao Yuangen , Yang Lijian , Wang Canjun , Liu Quan , Gui Rong , Xiong Juan , Yi Ming
Published: February 2018

Neurons can detect weak target signals from complex background signals through stochastic resonance (SR) and vibrational resonance (VR) mechanisms. However, random phase variation of rapidly fluctuating background signals is generally ignored in classical VR or SR studies. Here, the rapidly fluctuating background signals are modeled by bounded noise with random rapidly fluctuating phase derived from Wiener process. Then, the influences of bounded noise on the weak signal detection are discussed in the FitzHugh–Nagumo (FHN) neuron. Numerical results reveal the occurrence of bounded noise‐induced single‐ and biresonance as well as a transition between them. Randomness in phase can enhance the adaptability of neurons, but at the cost of signal detection performance so that neurons can work in more complex environments with a wider frequency range. More interestingly, bounded noise with appropriate parameters can not only optimize information transmission but also simultaneously reduce energy consumption. Finally, the potential mechanism of bounded noise is explained.
Container Swap Trailer Transportation Routing Problem Based on Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Ma Hua-wei , Tao Lei , Hu Xiao-xuan
Published: February 2018

In swap trailer transportation routing problems, trucks and trailers conduct swap operations at special positions called trailer points. The parallelization of stevedoring and transportation can be achieved by means of these trailer points. This logistics organization mode can be more effective than the others. In this paper, an integer programming model with capacity and time-window constraints was established. A repairing strategy is embedded in the genetic algorithm (GA) to solve the model. The repairing strategy is executed after the crossover and mutation operation to eliminate the illegal routes. Furthermore, a parameter self-adaptive adjustment policy is designed to improve the convergence. Then numerical experiments are implemented based on the generated datasets; the performance and robustness of the algorithm parameter self-adaptive adjustment policy are discussed. Finally, the results show that the improved algorithm performs better than elementary GA.
Translational Application of Microfluidics and Bioprinting for Stem Cell-Based Cartilage Repair
Authors: Lopa Silvia , Mondadori Carlotta , Mainardi Valerio Luca , Talò Giuseppe , Costantini Marco , Candrian Christian , Święszkowski Wojciech , Moretti Matteo
Published: February 2018

Cartilage defects can impair the most elementary daily activities and, if not properly treated, can lead to the complete loss of articular function. The limitations of standard treatments for cartilage repair have triggered the development of stem cell-based therapies. In this scenario, the development of efficient cell differentiation protocols and the design of proper biomaterial-based supports to deliver cells to the injury site need to be addressed through basic and applied research to fully exploit the potential of stem cells. Here, we discuss the use of microfluidics and bioprinting approaches for the translation of stem cell-based therapy for cartilage repair in clinics. In particular, we will focus on the optimization of hydrogel-based materials to mimic the articular cartilage triggered by their use as bioinks in 3D bioprinting applications, on the screening of biochemical and biophysical factors through microfluidic devices to enhance stem cell chondrogenesis, and on the use of microfluidic technology to generate implantable constructs with a complex geometry. Finally, we will describe some new bioprinting applications that pave the way to the clinical use of stem cell-based therapies, such as scaffold-free bioprinting and the development of a 3D handheld device for the in situ repair of cartilage defects.
Sweet Taste Receptors Mediated ROS-NLRP3 Inflammasome Signaling Activation: Implications for Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Zhou Luping , Huang Wei , Xu Youhua , Gao Chenlin , Zhang Ting , Guo Man , Liu Yan , Ding Jingya , Qin Ludan , Xu Zihao , Long Yang , Xu Yong
Published: February 2018

Previous studies demonstrated that ROS-NLRP3 inflammasome signaling activation was involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Recent research has shown that sweet taste receptors (STRs) are important sentinels of innate immunity. Whether high glucose primes ROS-NLRP3 inflammasome signaling via STRs is unclear. In this study, diabetic mouse model was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in vivo; mouse glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) and human proximal tubular cells were stimulated by high glucose (10, 20, and 30 mmol/L) in vitro; STR inhibitor lactisole was used as an intervention reagent to evaluate the role and mechanism of the STRs in the pathogenesis of DN. Our results showed that the expression of STRs and associated signaling components (Gα-gustducin, PLCβ2, and TRPM5) was obviously downregulated under the condition of diabetes in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, lactisole significantly mitigated the production of intracellular ROS and reversed the high glucose-induced decrease of Ca2+ and the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome signaling in vitro (p<0.05). These combined results support the hypothesis that STRs could be involved in the activation of ROS-NLRP3 inflammasome signaling in the pathogenesis of DN, suggesting that STRs may act as new therapeutic targets of DN.
Assessment of Global and Local Alterations in Retinal Layer Thickness in Ins2 (Akita) Diabetic Mice by Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Francis Andrew W. , Wanek Justin , Shahidi Mahnaz
Published: February 2018

Purpose/Aim. The Ins2 (Akita) mouse is a spontaneous diabetic mouse model with a heterozygous mutation in the insulin 2 gene that results in sustained hyperglycemia. The purpose of the study was to assess global and local retinal layer thickness alterations in Akita mice by analysis of spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images.Materials and Methods. SD-OCT imaging was performed in Akita and wild-type mice at 12 and 24 weeks of age. Inner retinal thickness (IRT), outer retinal thickness (ORT), total retinal thickness (TRT), and photoreceptor outer segment length (OSL) were measured. Mean global thickness values were compared between Akita and wild-type mice. Local thickness variations in Akita mice were assessed based on normative values in wild-type mice.Results. Akita mice had higher blood glucose levels and lower body weights (p<0.001). On average, IRT, ORT, and TRT were approximately 2% lower in Akita mice than in wild-type mice (p≤0.02). In Akita mice, the percent difference between retinal areas with thickness below and above normative values for IRT, ORT, and TRT was 22%, 32%, and 38%, respectively.Conclusions. These findings support the use of the Akita mouse model to study the retinal neurodegenerative effects of hyperglycemia.
Impact of Thoracoscopic Pulmonary Vein Isolation on Right Ventricular Function: A Pilot Study
Authors: De Maat Gijs E. , Hummel Yoran M. , Pozzoli Alberto , Alfieri Ottavio R. , Rienstra Michiel , Blaauw Yuri , Van Gelder Isabelle C. , Mariani Massimo A.
Published: February 2018

Objective. Thoracoscopic surgical pulmonary vein isolation (sPVI) has been added to the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF), showing excellent efficacy outcomes. However, data on right ventricular (RV) function following sPVI has never been studied. Our aim was to investigate RV function following sPVI and compare it to patients who underwent endocardial cryoballoon PVI. Methods. 25 patients underwent sPVI and were pair-matched according to age, sex, and AF type with 21 patients who underwent cryoballoon PVI. RV function was measured using tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and RV strain with 2D speckle tracking. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and at median 6-month follow-up. Results. Age was 54 ± 9 years and 84% were male; AF was paroxysmal in 92%. In the sPVI group, TAPSE was reduced with 31% at follow-up echocardiography (p<0.001) and RV strain showed a 25% reduction compared to baseline (p=0.018). In the control group, TAPSE and RV strain did not change significantly (−3% and +13%, p=0.410 and p=0.148). Change in TAPSE and RV strain was significantly different between groups (p≤0.001 and p=0.005). Conclusions. This study shows that RV function is significantly decreased following sPVI. This effect was not observed in the cryoballoon PVI control group.
Effect of the Different High Volume Fraction of SiC Particles on the Junction of Bismuthate Glass-SiCp/Al Composite
Authors: Wang Bin , Qu Shengguan , Li Xiaoqiang
Published: February 2018

The in-house developed bismuthate glass and the SiCp/Al composites with different volume fractions of SiC particles (namely, 60 vol.%, 65 vol.%, 70 vol.%, and 75 vol.%) were jointed by vacuum hot-pressing process. The novel material can be used for the space mirror. The SiCp is an abbreviation for SiC particle. Firstly, the SiCp/Al composites with different vol.% of SiC particle were manufactured by using infiltration process. In order to obtain a stable bonding interface, the preoxide layers were fabricated on the surfaces of these composites for reacting with the bismuthate glass. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) was carried out for characterizing the difference between the composites and bismuthate glass. The sealing quality of the composites and the bismuthate glass was quantified by using shear strength testing. The optical microstructures showed the particles were uniformly distributed in the Al matrix. The SEM image shows that a smooth oxidation layer was generated on the SiCp/Al composite. The CTE testing result indicated that the higher the vol.% of the particles in the composite, the lower the CTE value. The shear strength testing result disclosed that SiCp/Al composite with relatively low CTE value was favorable to obtain a bonding interface with high strength.
Semantic Segmentation of Human Model Using Heat Kernel and Geodesic Distance
Authors: Yang Huanyu , Hao Kuangrong , Ding Yongsheng
Published: February 2018

A novel approach of 3D human model segmentation is proposed, which is based on heat kernel signature and geodesic distance. Through calculating the heat kernel signature of the point clouds of human body model, the local maxima of thermal energy distribution of the model is found, and the set of feature points of the model is obtained. Heat kernel signature has affine invariability which can be used to extract the correct feature points of the human model in different postures. We adopt the method of geodesic distance to realize the hierarchical segmentation of human model after obtaining the semantic feature points of human model. The experimental results show that the method can overcome the defect of geodesic distance feature extraction. The human body models with different postures can be obtained with the model segmentation results of human semantic characteristics.
A Sequence-Dependent DNA Condensation Induced by Prion Protein
Authors: Bera Alakesh , Biring Sajal
Published: February 2018

Different studies indicated that the prion protein induces hybridization of complementary DNA strands. Cell culture studies showed that the scrapie isoform of prion protein remained bound with the chromosome. In present work, we used an oxazole dye, YOYO, as a reporter to quantitative characterization of the DNA condensation by prion protein. We observe that the prion protein induces greater fluorescence quenching of YOYO intercalated in DNA containing only GC bases compared to the DNA containing four bases whereas the effect of dye bound to DNA containing only AT bases is marginal. DNA-condensing biological polyamines are less effective than prion protein in quenching of DNA-bound YOYO fluorescence. The prion protein induces marginal quenching of fluorescence of the dye bound to oligonucleotides, which are resistant to condensation. The ultrastructural studies with electron microscope also validate the biophysical data. The GC bases of the target DNA are probably responsible for increased condensation in the presence of prion protein. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a human cellular protein inducing a sequence-dependent DNA condensation. The increased condensation of GC-rich DNA by prion protein may suggest a biological function of the prion protein and a role in its pathogenesis.
Economic Assessment and Business Models of Rooftop Photovoltaic Systems in Multiapartment Buildings: Case Studies for Austria and Germany
Authors: Fina Bernadette , Fleischhacker Andreas , Auer Hans , Lettner Georg
Published: February 2018

This paper analyses the profitability and business models of shared, nonsubsidized PV systems’ usage in multiapartment buildings in Austria in the context of legislative amendments which came into force in July 2017. In addition, it compares the Austrian results with those of Germany, where significantly higher retail electricity prices determine the profitability benchmark. To that end, a multiobjective optimization model is developed for the optimal dimensioning of PV systems and energy storage facilities in keeping with different end user objectives, ranging from minimizing annual electricity costs to maximizing self-consumption. The results show that the profitability of shared use of nonsubsidized PV systems is marginal in Austria. This means that, based on individual apartment load profiles, the profitability gap ranges between 0 and 40 euros per apartment, whereas the consideration of the building as total load leads to a small cost-saving potential of about 90 euros for the whole building in the best case and thus profitability. In contrast, significant profitability of shared PV systems in multiapartment buildings can be achieved in Germany, where the renewable energy surcharge results in high retail electricity prices. At present, different business models, accounting and billing concepts, are being tested in these countries to learn about the best-practice concepts.
The Role of Cell Adhesion Molecule Genes Regulating Neuroplasticity in Addiction
Authors: Muskiewicz Dawn E. , Uhl George R. , Hall F. Scott
Published: February 2018

A variety of genetic approaches, including twin studies, linkage studies, and candidate gene studies, has established a firm genetic basis for addiction. However, there has been difficulty identifying the precise genes that underlie addiction liability using these approaches. This situation became especially clear in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of addiction. Moreover, the results of GWAS brought into clarity many of the shortcomings of those early genetic approaches. GWAS studies stripped away those preconceived notions, examining genes that would not previously have been considered in the study of addiction, consequently creating a shift in our understanding. Most importantly, those studies implicated a class of genes that had not previously been considered in the study of addiction genetics: cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). Considering the well-documented evidence supporting a role for various CAMs in synaptic plasticity, axonal growth, and regeneration, it is not surprising that allelic variation in CAM genes might also play a role in addiction liability. This review focuses on the role of various cell adhesion molecules in neuroplasticity that might contribute to addictive processes and emphasizes the importance of ongoing research on CAM genes that have been implicated in addiction by GWAS.