bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution of the prevalence of pre-residency peer-reviewed publications among incoming junior residents
Authors: McClelland Shearwood , Murphy Blair , Jaboin Jerry J , Zellars Richard C
Published: December 2020

Pre-residency peer-reviewed publications (PRP) have been associated with subsequent resident choice of academic versus private practice career. The evolution of PRP prevalence among radiation oncology resident classes has yet to be examined. A list of radiation oncology residents from the graduating classes of 2016 and 2022 were obtained, and PRP was compiled as the number of publications a resident had listed in PubMed as of the end of the calendar year of residency application. Statistical analysis was conducted using Fisher's exact test. Analysis of 163 residents from the 2016 class compared with 195 from the 2022 class revealed that the proportion of residents with zero PRP decreased from 46.6% to 23.6% between the 2016 to 2022 classes (p<0.0001), while that of residents with one PRP increased from 17.8% to 19.0% (p>0.05) and with at least two PRP increased from 35.6% to 57.4% (p<0.0001). Residents with a PhD were more likely to have at least two PRP in each class (p<0.0001). As with the class of 2016, there remained no significant difference in PRP by gender for the class of 2022. Over the past six years, PRP has become more prevalent among incoming radiation oncology residents. Residents in the class of 2016 were 180% less likely than the class of 2022 to have at least one PRP, and 60% less likely to have at least two PRP. These findings are indicative of the increasing pressure on medical students to enter residency with a publication background.
Validation of a new protocol for ultrasound-guided genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation with accurate anatomical targets: cadaveric study
Authors: Fonkoue Loïc , Stoenoiu Maria Simona , Behets Catherine Wydemans , Steyaert Arnaud , Kouassi Jean-Eric Kouame , Detrembleur Christine , Cornu Olivier
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of genicular nerves (GNs) is increasingly performed to manage chronic knee pain. The anatomical foundations supporting the choice of original targets for US-guided GN-RFA have been thoroughly improved by recent anatomical studies. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a new protocol with revised anatomical targets for US-guided GN-RFA and to assess their accuracy in a cadaveric model.

Materials and methods

Fourteen fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were used. After a pilot study with 4 knees, five consistent nerves were targeted in the other 10 knees with revised anatomical landmarks: superior medial genicular nerve (SMGN), superior lateral genicular nerve (SLGN), inferior medial genicular nerve (IMGN), recurrent fibular nerve (RFN) and the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve (IPBSN). For each nerve, the lumen of radiofrequency (RF) cannula was prefilled with non-diffusible black paint, and then the cannula was inserted at the target site under US guidance. After US verification of correct placement, the stylet was introduced in the cannula to create a limited black mark on the tissues at the top of the active tip. Anatomical dissection was performed to assess for accuracy.

Results

The proportion of nerves directly found in contact with the black mark was 7/10, 8/10, 10/10 and 9/10 for the SMGN, SLGN, IMGN and RFN, respectively. The proportions of nerve captured by the theoretical largest monopolar RF lesions were 100% for the SMGN, IMGN and RFN, and IPBSN and 95% for SLGN. The mean distances from the center of the black mark to the targeted nerve were 2.1±2.2 mm, 1.0±1.4 mm, 0.75±1.1 mm and 2.4±4.5 mm for the SMGN, SLGN, IMGN and RFN, respectively.

Conclusion

US-guided GN-RFA with revised anatomical targets resulted in accurate capture of the five targeted nerves. This protocol provides precise sensory denervation of a larger panel of nerves, targeting those whose constancy regarding anatomical location has been clearly demonstrated. It is expected to improve the clinical outcomes.
Quantification of pulmonary perfusion in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with first pass dynamic contrast-enhanced perfusion MRI
Authors: Weatherley Nicholas D , Eaden James A , Hughes Paul J C , Austin Matthew , Smith Laurie , Bray Jody , Marshall Helen , Renshaw Stephen , Bianchi Stephen M , Wild Jim M
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal disease of lung scarring. Many patients later develop raised pulmonary vascular pressures, sometimes disproportionate to the interstitial disease. Previous therapeutic approaches that have targeted pulmonary vascular changes have not demonstrated clinical efficacy, and quantitative assessment of regional pulmonary vascular involvement using perfusion imaging may provide a biomarker for further therapeutic insights.

Methods

We studied 23 participants with IPF, using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) and pulmonary function tests, including forced vital capacity (FVC), transfer factor (TLCO) and coefficient (KCO) of the lungs for carbon monoxide. DCE-MRI parametric maps were generated including the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the bolus transit time through the lungs. Key metrics used were mean (FWHMmean) and heterogeneity (FWHMIQR). Nineteen participants returned at 6 months for repeat assessment.

Results

Spearman correlation coefficients were identified between TLCO and FWHMIQR (r=−0.46; p=0.026), KCO and FWHMmean (r=−0.42; p=0.047) and KCO and FWHMIQR (r=−0.51; p=0.013) at baseline. No statistically significant correlations were seen between FVC and DCE-MRI metrics. Follow-up at 6 months demonstrated statistically significant decline in FVC (p=0.040) and KCO (p=0.014), with an increase in FWHMmean (p=0.040), but no significant changes in TLCO (p=0.090) nor FWHMIQR (p=0.821).

Conclusions

DCE-MRI first pass perfusion demonstrates correlations with existing physiological gas exchange metrics, suggesting that capillary perfusion deficit (as well as impaired interstitial diffusion) may contribute to gas exchange limitation in IPF. FWHMmean showed a significant increase over a 6-month period and has potential as a quantitative biomarker of pulmonary vascular disease progression in IPF.
COVID-19 public health measures: a reduction in hospital admissions for COPD exacerbations
Authors: Tan Jing Yuan , Conceicao Edwin Philip , Wee Liang En , Sim Xiang Ying Jean , Venkatachalam Indumathi
Published: December 2020

Hospitalisations for acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) carry significant morbidity and mortality. Respiratory viral infections (RVIs) are the most common cause of AECOPD and are associated with worse clinical outcomes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health measures, such as social distancing and universal masking, were originally implemented to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2; these public health measures were subsequently also observed to reduce transmission of other common circulating RVIs. In this study, we report a significant and sustained decrease in hospital admissions for all AECOPD as well as RVI-associated AECOPD, which coincided with the introduction of public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dual row retaining walls in dry sand: influence of wall stiffness on seismic response
Authors: Madabhushi Srikanth S.C. , Haigh Stuart K.
Published: December 2020

Dual row retaining walls can form efficient port and embankment structures, or even be used as coastal defence against tsunamis. The system of parallel sheet pile walls can have a large lateral capacity within serviceability limit states due to the combined strength and stiffness of the walls and confined soil. Optimising the design by reducing the wall section and ensuring greater utilisation of the soil capacity has economic and environmental benefits but requires a deeper understanding of the dynamic soil–structure interaction. Centrifuge modelling and numerical modelling are used to elucidate the mechanics of two systems with relatively flexible and stiff walls. Considering the fraction of the wall’s plastic moment capacity mobilised alongside the peak deflections illustrates the advantages of using relatively flexible retaining walls in these systems. More fundamentally, the importance of vertical variations of both the stress and strain during the horizontal dynamic loading is shown. The limiting horizontal stresses and phasing of the stress components around the walls are better understood by considering the mobilisation of earth pressure coefficients, reinforcing previous work that recommends a move away from conventionally defined limiting dynamic earth pressure coefficients.
Phylogenomic characterization of ranaviruses isolated from cultured fish and amphibians in Thailand
Authors: Sriwanayos Preeyanan , Subramaniam Kuttichantran , Stilwell Natalie K. , Imnoi Kamonchai , Popov Vsevolod L. , Kanchanakhan Somkiat , Polchana Jaree , Waltzek Thomas B.
Published: December 2020

Ranaviruses are emerging pathogens associated with worldwide epizootics in farmed and wild ectothermic vertebrates. In this study, we determined the full genomes of eight ranaviruses isolated from marbled sleeper goby ( Oxyeleotris marmorata), goldfish ( Carassius auratus), guppy ( Poecilia reticulata), tiger frog ( Hoplobatrachus tigerinus), Asian grass frog ( Fejervarya limnocharis), and East Asian bullfrog ( H. rugulosus) cultured or imported into Thailand. These ranaviral isolates induced the same cytopathic effects (i.e., progression of coalescing round plaques) in epithelioma papulosum cyprini (EPC) cell cultures. Transmission electron microscopy of infected EPC cells revealed cytoplasmic viral particles with ultrastructural features typical for ranaviruses. Pairwise genetic comparisons of the complete major capsid protein coding sequences from the Thai ranaviruses displayed the highest identity (99.8%–100%) to a ranavirus (tiger frog virus; TFV) isolated from diseased tiger frogs cultured in China, a slightly lower identity (99.3%–99.4%) to a ranavirus (Wamena virus; WV) isolated from diseased green tree pythons ( Morelia viridis) illegally exported from Papua New Guinea, and a lower identity to 35 other ranaviruses (93.7%–98.6%). Phylogenomic analyses supported the eight Thai ranaviruses, Chinese TFV, and WV as a subclade within a larger frog virus 3 clade. Our findings confirm the spread of TFV among cultured fish and amphibians in Asia and likely in reptiles in Oceania. Biosecurity measures are needed to ensure TFV does not continue to spread throughout Southeast Asia and to other parts of the world via international trade.
Characterizations of Cayley graphs of finite transformation semigroups with restricted range
Authors: Tisklang Chunya , Panma Sayan
Published: December 2020

The transformation semigroup with restricted range [Formula: see text] is the set of all functions from a set [Formula: see text] into a non-empty subset [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we characterize Cayley graphs of [Formula: see text] with the connection set [Formula: see text]. Moreover, the undirected property of Cayley graphs Cay[Formula: see text] is studied.
TRENDS IN MIGRATION, UNEMPLOYMENT AND POPULATION: A POST-COVID-19 FORECAST OF CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT IN THE GAMBIA
Authors: AYENI RAPHAEL KOLADE , SHAIB EMMANUEL OLUWATOBI
Published: December 2020

As a developing economy, three major economic problems witnessed in the Gambia are the growing unemployment rate, migration (immigration and rural–urban drift) leading to urban population growth and the growing semi-skilled working population in the face of unemployment. This study seeks to answer the question of how the Gambian economy can plan to overcome these problems, coupled with post-COVID-19 global economic shocks, through a technically planned capacity development. In this paper, the trends in variables representing capacity development indicators, migration, unemployment and working population in the Gambia are studied using the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model. To project a system of interrelationship among these variables in the Gambia, the study employs the Vector Autoregressive (VAR) forecast analysis for the period between 1990 and 2019, thereafter generates a five-year forecast. The findings confirm that investment into the educational sector in developing economies is bound to yield increasing return to scale in the next five years. Investment into education, training and skill acquisition, if done, will attract the transfer of technical and managerial skills and technology for the purpose of building up general national capacity in such a developing economy.
Opposing Roles of Type I Interferons in Cancer Immunity
Authors: Boukhaled Giselle M. , Harding Shane , Brooks David G.
Published: December 2020

The immune system is tasked with identifying malignant cells to eliminate or prevent cancer spread. This involves a complex orchestration of many immune cell types that together recognize different aspects of tumor transformation and growth. In response, tumors have developed mechanisms to circumvent immune attack. Type I interferons (IFN-Is) are a class of proinflammatory cytokines produced in response to viruses and other environmental stressors. IFN-Is are also emerging as essential drivers of antitumor immunity, potently stimulating the ability of immune cells to eliminate tumor cells. However, a more complicated role for IFN-Is has arisen, as prolonged stimulation can promote feedback inhibitory mechanisms that contribute to immune exhaustion and other deleterious effects that directly or indirectly permit cancer cells to escape immune clearance. We review the fundamental and opposing functions of IFN-Is that modulate tumor growth and impact immune function and ultimately how these functions can be harnessed for the design of new cancer therapies.
Synergy between LiNO3 and Tetraglyme-Sulfone Dual-Solvent Electrolyte Solutions in Li-O2 Batteries
Authors: Hayashi Yoshiya , Sohmiya Minoru , Otsuka Hiromi , Ito Kimihiko , Kubo Yoshimi , Horiba Tatsuo , Saito Morihiro
Published: December 2020

LiNO3 has been widely studied as a redox mediator to reduce positive electrode overvoltage during charging of lithium/air (O2) batteries. LiNO3 has a bifunctional effect as a redox mediator for the positive electrode and as a surface modifier for the lithium negative electrode. The dissociation of LiNO3 electrolyte salt was enhanced by using a mixed solvent of tetraglyme and a sulfone with a high dielectric constant. This extended the charging voltage plateau because the mixed solvent enhanced the oxidation of

NO

2

−

into NO2 in the 1.0 M LiNO3 electrolyte solution. The viscosities of the sulfone-containing electrolyte solutions decreased and their ionic conductivities increased as the temperature increased. Therefore, Walden plots for the electrolyte solutions containing sulfones were parallel to the ideal line, meaning that the dissociation of LiNO3 was unaffected by temperature due to the strong solvation of ethyl methyl sulfone and tetramethylene sulfone to Li+ ions. Consequently, the sulfone-containing electrolyte solutions delivered better charging performance than an electrolyte solution of simple tetraglyme at 50 °C.
Optimized Quantification of Naproxen Based on DPV and a Multiwalled MWCNT-Carbon Paste Electrode
Authors: Aguilar-Lira G. Y. , Rojas-Hernández A. , Rodriguez J. A. , Páez-Hernández M. E. , Álvarez-Romero G. A.
Published: December 2020

This work describes the development of a novel methodology for the voltammetric quantification of naproxen using a carbon paste electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-CPE). By cyclic voltammetry (CV), the electrochemical behavior of naproxen on the MWCNT-CPE was studied, where its oxidation resulted to be a non-reversible and diffusion-controlled process. Naproxen quantification was carried out using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), the statistical analysis of the results lead to a LOD and LOQ for the proposed methodology of 0.1 ± 0.03 and 0.33μmol l−1, respectively. The interference study was performed considering different chemical species, only diclofenac interfered with the analytical response since it oxidizes at a potential very close to that of naproxen. The proposed methodology was applied for the determination of naproxen in commercial tablets (simple and compound) obtaining very favorable results as compared with the official techniques for naproxen analysis.
Maintenance of contractile force and increased fatigue resistance in slow-twitch skeletal muscle of mice fed a high-fat diet
Authors: Eshima Hiroaki , Tamura Yoshifumi , Kakehi Saori , Kakigi Ryo , Kawamori Ryuzo , Watada Hirotaka
Published: December 2020

In this study, we examined the effects of HFDs on muscle contractile force and fatigue resistance of slow-twitch dominant muscles ex vivo. We found that contractile function was comparable between the HFD groups and the LFD group, whereas fatigue resistance was higher in the HFD groups. This effect of HFD may be related to elevated oxidative enzyme activity, high mitochondrial content, or both.
High-intensity interval exercise in the cold regulates acute and postprandial metabolism
Authors: Munten Stephanie , Ménard Lucie , Gagnon Jeffrey , Dorman Sandra C. , Mezouari Ania , Gagnon Dominique D.
Published: December 2020

This is the first known study to investigate the effects of cold ambient temperatures on acute metabolism during high-intensity interval exercise, as well as postprandial metabolism the next day. We observed that high-intensity interval exercise in a cold environment does change acute metabolism compared to a thermoneutral environment; however, the addition of a cold stimulus was less favorable for postprandial metabolic responses the following day.
The sympathetic muscle metaboreflex is not different in the third trimester in normotensive pregnant women
Authors: Skow Rachel J. , Steele Andrew R. , Fraser Graham M. , Davenport Margie H. , Steinback Craig D.
Published: December 2020

We compared sympathetic nervous system activation by muscle metaboreflex between pregnant women in the third trimester and nonpregnant women. We show that the sympathetic nerve activity and associated pressor responses to isometric handgrip and post-exercise circulatory occlusion are not different between third-trimester pregnant and nonpregnant women. These data suggest that unlike other reflexes (e.g., cold pressor test or head-up tilt), metaboreflex control is maintained in pregnant women.
The ANGPTL8 rs2278426 (C/T) Polymorphism Is Associated with Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes in a Han Chinese Population in Hebei Province
Authors: Hou Guangsen , Tang Yong , Ren Luping , Guan Yunpeng , Hou Xiaoyu , Song Guangyao
Published: December 2020

Background. Our aim was to investigate the association between the genetics of the angiopoietin protein-like 8 (ANGPTL8) rs2278426 (C/T) polymorphism with prediabetes (pre-DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in a Han Chinese population in Hebei Province, China. Methods. We enrolled 1,460 participants into this case-control study: healthy controls, n = 524; pre-DM, n = 460; and T2DM: n = 460. Ligase assays on blood samples from all participants were used to identify polymorphisms. Differences in genotype and allele distributions were compared by the chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance, and a post hoc pairwise analysis was performed using the Bonferroni test. The logistic regression technique was adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index. Results. The frequency of the TT (10.9%) genotype was significantly higher in pre-DM patients than in controls (odds ratio [OR] = 1.696, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.026–2.802,

P
=
0.039

). In the T2DM group, the CT (48%) and TT (15%) genotypes were significantly higher compared with those in the control group (CT : OR = 1.384, 95% CI = 1.013–1.890,

P
=
0.041

; TT : OR = 2.530, 95% CI = 1.476–4.334,

P
=
0.001

). The frequency of the T allele was significantly higher in the pre-DM (32.8%) and T2DM (39%) groups compared with the control group (26.9%) and was significantly associated with an increased risk of pre-DM (OR = 1.253, 95% CI = 1.017–1.544,

P
=
0.034

) and T2DM (OR = 1.518, 95% CI = 1.214–1.897,

P
=
0.001

). Furthermore, insulin levels in the pre-DM and T2DM groups were significantly decreased in those with the TT genotype compared with the CC and CT genotypes. Conclusion. ANGPTL8 rs2278426 may be involved in the mechanism of insulin secretion and could lead to an increased risk of pre-DM and T2DM.
Traffic Status Dynamic Evaluation of an Eight-Lane Highway Based on the Lane Level
Authors: Shen Jiayan , Guo Xiucheng , Zhang Yiming , Zheng Meina
Published: December 2020

Traffic status analysis is the basis for highway management and control. Most of the previous research studies were carried out from the perspective of road segments. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the difference in traffic operation characteristics of an eight-lane highway from the perspective of lanes. Lane saturation, average lane speed, and lane density were selected as traffic state evaluation indicators, and the concept of state space division was introduced to classify the traffic operation status of each lane. Then, a single-system multi-index dynamic comprehensive evaluation method was adopted to reflect the time-varying characteristics and the development trend of the operation status of each lane. The research results can provide the theoretical support for more refined highway management and improve the service level of the eight-lane highway.
Helminthostachys zeylanica Water Extract Ameliorates Airway Hyperresponsiveness and Eosinophil Infiltration by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Th2 Cytokine Production in a Mouse Asthma Model
Authors: Huang Wen-Chung , Ting Nai-Chun , Huang Yu-Ling , Chen Li-Chen , Lin Chwan-Fwu , Liou Chian-Jiun
Published: December 2020

Helminthostachys zeylanica is a traditional folk herb used to improve inflammation and fever in Taiwan. Previous studies showed that H. zeylanica extract could ameliorate lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice. The aim of this study was to investigate whether H. zeylanica water (HZW) and ethyl acetate (HZE) extracts suppressed eosinophil infiltration and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in asthmatic mice, and decreased the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in tracheal epithelial cells. Human tracheal epithelial cells (BEAS-2B cells) were pretreated with various doses of HZW or HZE (1 μg/ml–10 μg/ml), and cell inflammatory responses were induced with IL-4/TNF-α. In addition, female BALB/c mice sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA), to induce asthma, were orally administered with HZW or HZE. The result demonstrated that HZW significantly inhibited the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and reactive oxygen species in activated BEAS-2B cells. HZW also decreased ICAM-1 expression and blocked monocytic cells from adhering to inflammatory BEAS-2B cells in vitro. Surprisingly, HZW was more effective than HZE in suppressing the inflammatory response in BEAS-2B cells. Our results demonstrated that HZW significantly decreased AHR and eosinophil infiltration, and reduced goblet cell hyperplasia in the lungs of asthmatic mice. HZW also inhibited oxidative stress and reduced the levels of Th2 cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Our findings suggest that HZW attenuated the pathological changes and inflammatory response of asthma by suppressing Th2 cytokine production in OVA-sensitized asthmatic mice.
Numerical Analysis of a Hydrodynamic Herringbone Grooved Journal Bearing
Authors: Souchet D. , Senouci A. , Zaidi H. , Amirat M.
Published: December 2020

In hydrodynamic lubrication, at very high rotational speed, the phenomenon of axial fluid leakage is often present. This can involve an increase of shear stress in the contact and consequently a considerable increase of the temperature. For that and in order to solve this problem, we took interest in the herringbone grooved journal bearings. The researches made before on these types of groove bearing have shown that they present a good dynamical behavior with a low eccentricity and a low axial flow. In this paper, a numerical study of a herringbone journal bearing operating behavior, under laminar and isothermal regime, is presented. The theoretical model, based on the classical Reynolds equation, is used. In order to include the film rupture and reformation, the Reynolds equation is modified using a mass conservative algorithm. To understand the behavior of these herringbone grooved journal bearings well, numerical modeling, using finite element method, has been developed. Various geometrical shapes of the herringbone grooved journal bearings have been analyzed, allowing us to limit the fluid leakage problem, by working particularly on the contact form.
Differential Diagnosis of Solitary Fibrous Tumor/Hemangiopericytoma and Angiomatous Meningioma Using Three‐Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Texture Feature Model
Authors: Dong Junyi , Yu Meimei , Miao Yanwei , Shen Huicong , Sui Yi , Liu Yangyingqiu , Han Liang , Li Xiaoxin , Lin Meiying , Guo Yan , Xie Lizhi
Published: December 2020

Background. Intracranial solitary fibrous tumor(SFT)/hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is an aggressive malignant tumor originating from the intracranial vasculature. Angiomatous meningioma (AM) is a benign tumor with a good prognosis. The imaging manifestations of the two are very similar. Thus, novel noninvasive diagnostic method is urgently needed in clinical practice. Texture analysis and model building through machine learning may have good prospects. Aim. To evaluate whether a 3D‐MRI texture feature model could be used to differentiate malignant intracranial SFT/HPC from AM. Method. A total of 97 patients with SFT/HPC and 95 with AM were included in this study. Patients from each group were randomly divided into the train (70%) and test (30%) sets. ROIs were drawn along the edge of the tumor on each section of T1WI, T2WI, and contrasted T1WI using ITK‐SNAP software. The segmented image was imported into the AK software for texture feature extraction, and the 3D ROI signal intensity histograms of T1WI, T2WI, and contrasted T1WI were automatically obtained along with all the parameters. Modeling was performed using the language R. Confusion matrix was used to analyze the accuracy of the model. ROC curve was constructed to assess the grading ability of the logistic regression model. Results. After Lasso dimension reduction, 5, 9, and 7 texture features were extracted from T1WI, T2WI, and contrasted T1WI, respectively; additional 8 texture features were extracted from the combined sequence for modeling. The ROC analyses on four models resulted in an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.885 (sensitivity 76.1%, specificity 87.9%) for T1WI model, 0.918 (73.1%, 95.5%) for T2WI model, 0.815 (55.2%, 93.9%) for contrasted T1WI model, and 0.959 (92.5%, 84.8%) for the combined sequence model and were enough to correctly distinguish the two groups in 71.2%, 81.4%, 69.5%, and 83.1% of cases in test set, respectively. Conclusions. The radiological model based on texture features could be used to differentiate SFT/HPC from AM.
Nephroprotective Role of Zhibai Dihuang Wan in Aristolochic Acid‐Intoxicated Zebrafish
Authors: Lu Ping-Hsun , Lee Hsun-Yao , Liou Yan-Liang , Tung Sheng-Fen , Kuo Ko-Li , Chen Yau-Hung
Published: December 2020

Zhibai Dihuang Wan (ZDW) is an eight‐herbal formula of traditional Chinese medicine. Clinically, it regulated immune activity and was used to treat diabetes and renal disease. In this study, we aimed to explore the nephroprotective effect of ZDW in an aristolochic acid‐ (AA‐) intoxicated zebrafish model. We used a green fluorescent kidney transgenic zebrafish to evaluate the nephroprotective effects of ZDW by recording subtle changes in the kidney. Our results demonstrated that ZDW treatment can attenuate AA‐induced kidney malformations (60% for AA‐treated, 47% for pretreatment with ZDW, and 17% for cotreatment ZDW with AA, n = 50). Furthermore, we found that the expression levels of tnfα and mpo were decreased either in pretreatment or cotreatment groups. In conclusion, our findings revealed that AA‐induced nephrotoxicities can be attenuated by ZDW. Therefore, we believe that zebrafish represent an efficient model for screening AA‐protective Chinese medicine.
Failure Characteristics and Control Technology of Surrounding Rock in Deep Coal Seam Roadway with Large Dip Angle under the Influence of Weak Structural Plane
Authors: Qi Xueyuan , Wang Ruijie , Mi Wentian
Published: December 2020

In view of the unsymmetrical large deformation and failure phenomenon that often occurs after the excavation and support of the roadway in steep seam with weak structural plane, the numerical simulation analysis and engineering application research on the deformation and failure characteristics of its surrounding rock are carried out. The results show that the key position of asymmetric deformation is near the weak structural plane and the intersection of the roadway section and the inclined direction of the rock. On this basis, the “unsymmetrical high prestress pressure relief coupling control technology” is put forward, and the industrial test is carried out. The practice shows that the unsymmetrical coupling support technology can not only effectively solve the differential deformation of the surrounding rock but also ensure the coordinated deformation of the support structure and the surrounding rock, thus improving the overall stability of the roadway, greatly reducing the repair rate of the roadway, and saving the support cost.
Global Existence of Solutions to a System of Integral Equations Related to an Epidemic Model
Authors: Jleli Mohamed , Samet Bessem
Published: December 2020

A system of integral equations related to an epidemic model is investigated. Namely, we derive sufficient conditions for the existence and uniqueness of global solutions to the considered system. The proof is based on Perov’s fixed point theorem and some integral inequalities.
Reiteration Formulae for the Real Interpolation Method Including
L
or
R
Limiting Spaces
Authors: Doktorski Leo R. Ya.
Published: December 2020

We consider a real interpolation method defined by means of slowly varying functions. We present some reiteration formulae including so-called

L

or

R

limiting interpolation spaces. These spaces arise naturally in reiteration formulae for the limiting cases

θ
=
0

or

θ
=
1

. Applications to grand and small Lorentz spaces are given.
Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Different Extracts from Different Parts of Zilla spinosa (L.) Prantl
Authors: Suleiman Mohamed H. A. , Ateeg Ali A.
Published: December 2020

Zilla spinosa is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal disorders and diabetes. In this study, aqueous ethanol (AE) and aqueous methanol (AM) extracts from aerial parts and roots of Z. spinosa were investigated. The total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) contents and antioxidant capacities in terms of 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays were determined, and the correlations among the results were assessed using Pearson’s correlation. The antimicrobial activity was assessed through agar disc diffusion and broth microdilution assays. Phytochemical screening showed that Z. spinosa extracts had alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, triterpenoids, phenols, and flavonoids in different abundances. The aerial part‐AE extract contained low TPC (30.17 ± 4.24 mg GAE/g) and TFC (7.40 ± 1.02 mg QE/g) and displayed significant antioxidant capacity in the DPPH (IC50 = 52.17 ± 7.30 μg/mL), H2O2 (91.22 ± 2.60 μg/mL), and FRAP (EC50 = 98.70 ± 2.21 μg/mL) assays. By contrast, the root‐AM extract contained high amounts of TPC (87.72 ± 7.75 mg GAE/g) and TFC (25.60 ± 1.57 mg QE/g). It showed significantly high antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 12.33 ± 1.88 μg/mL in the DPPH and 39.37 ± 2.59 μg/mL in the H2O2 assays, as well as reducing power capacity with an EC50 value of 20.82 ± 1.14 μg/mL in the FRAP assay. Both TPC and TFC were exhibited negative correlations (p < 0.01) with the IC50 and EC50 values obtained in the applied antioxidant assays. The aerial part‐AM extract showed the highest inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus (26.5 ± 0.20 mm), followed by Shigella flexneri (19.4 ± 0.40 mm) and Proteus mirabilis (17.7 ± 0.49 mm). S. aureus was the most affected microorganism with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 128 μg/mL against the aerial part‐AM extract. Interestingly, all evaluated extracts showed potent antifungal activity against Candida albicans. However, aerial part‐AM was the most effective, with an inhibition zone of 12.6 ± 0.17 mm. The results concluded that Z. spinosa possesses different phytochemicals displaying significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, thus lending credence to its use in traditional medicine.
A Novel Method for Analyzing the Factors Influencing Ground Settlement during Shield Tunnel Construction in Upper-Soft and Lower-Hard Fissured Rock Strata considering the Coupled Hydromechanical Properties
Authors: Wang Yan , Zhang Yongjun , Zhu Zhen , Du Mingqing , Qi Yi
Published: December 2020

Focusing on the special stratum conditions of upper-soft and lower-hard fissured rock strata, this paper conducts quantitative research and analysis on the factors influencing the ground settlement caused by shield tunnel construction considering the coupled hydromechanical properties and presents a corresponding numerical simulation-artificial neural network-Bayesian network- (NS-ANN-BN-) based method. In this method, with a subway shield tunnel as the engineering context, three numerical models are established, in which the shield tunnel is located in soft strata, the shield tunnel is located in semisoft and semihard strata, or the shield tunnel is located in hard strata. According to the numerical simulation (NS) calculations, the ground settlement values under the three types of strata are 38.96 mm, 10.42 mm, and 3.13 mm, respectively. A radial basis function artificial neural network (RBF-ANN) is used to establish the nonlinear mapping relationship between the stratum parameters and the ground settlement, and the training samples and test samples are generated through NS to train the RBF-ANN. After the training is completed, the accuracy of the neural network meets the requirements. The elastic moduli of coarse sand~gravel sand k3 and moderately weathered rhyolite k4 and the cohesion of moderately weathered rhyolite c4 are selected as the key parameters. A large number of training cases are generated through the RBF-ANN, and the Bayesian network (BN) prior probability is calculated by self-learning. A BN model of ground settlement for shield tunnel construction in the upper-soft and lower-hard fissured rock strata is established. The BN back analysis method is used to quantitatively analyze the influencing factors of the ground settlement. The results show that when the tunnel is located in soft strata, the surface settlement is mainly affected by parameter k3. When the ground settlement increases considerably, the three parameters all have a strong influence. When the tunnel is located in semisoft and semihard strata, the influence of the three parameters on the ground settlement is weak. When the tunnel is located in hard strata, the ground settlement is mainly affected by parameter k4. When the ground settlement greatly increases, parameters k3 and c4 have less influence. When the tunnel is located in strata with different soft-hard ratios, the ground settlement is mainly affected by the elastic moduli of coarse sand~gravel sand and moderately weathered rhyolite. This method can provide a reference for the ground settlement analysis of shield tunnel construction in areas with similar fissured rock strata.
Tumor-Derived Exosomal miR-620 as a Diagnostic Biomarker in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Tang Youyong , Zhang Zhijun , Song Xingguo , Yu Miao , Niu Limin , Zhao Yajing , Wang Li , Song Xianrang , Xie Li
Published: December 2020

Background. Evidence has suggested the functional role of exosomal miRNAs in cancer diagnosis. This study aimed to determine whether the serum exosomal biomarkers can improve the diagnosis of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods. The exosomes were extracted from the serum of NSCLC patients (n = 235) and healthy donors (n = 231) using ultracentrifugation and then were evaluated by using transmission electron microscopy, qNano, and western blotting. The serum exosomal miRNA expression was validated using qPCR. Results. Exosomal miR-620 was significantly reduced in NSCLC and early-stage NSCLC patients (

P
<
0.0001

) when compared to that of healthy controls, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.728 and 0.707, respectively. Exosomal miR-620 expression showed an association with drinking (

P
=
0.008

) and distant metastasis (

P
=
0.037

). Additionally, the downregulated exosomal miR-620 showed association with chemotherapeutic effect (

P
=
0.044

). Conclusion. These findings suggest the serum exosomal miR-620 as a promising diagnostic and prognostic noninvasive biomarker in NSCLC patients.
Open Achilles Tendon Rerupture: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Doany Michael E. , Paulus Megan C.
Published: December 2020

In this report, we describe a rare case of open rerupture of an Achilles tendon following primary surgical repair. The rerupture occurred 12 weeks postoperatively and was associated with a transverse open wound perpendicular to the original surgical incision. This complication was successfully managed utilizing the preexisting transverse wound and a minimally invasive repair technique, minimizing further risk to the soft tissues overlying the tendon. This rare complication has only been described a few times in the literature and is likely associated with adhesions between the tendon repair and the subcutaneous tissues.
Surface Modification of Activated Carbon Fibers with Fe3O4 for Enhancing Their Electromagnetic Wave Absorption Property
Authors: Yan Xuefeng , Ji Tao , Ye Wei
Published: December 2020

In this study, the porous activated carbon fiber (ACF) is prepared by viscose fiber, and Fe3O4 coating is deposited on the surface of ACF through in situ hybridization to prepare carbon/magnetic electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption materials. Compared with pure Fe3O4 and ACF, the EM wave absorption rate is improved. When the solubility of FeCl3 is 2 mol/L and the thickness of the prepared ACF–Fe3O4(3) EM wave absorption material is 3 mm, the EM wave loss at 10 GHz reaches −44.3 dB and effective EM wave absorption bandwidths (

reflection
 
loss
 

RL

<
−
10

 dB and

RL
<
−
20

 dB) reached 4.8 GHz (8.8–13.6 GHz) and 1.1 GHz (9.3–10.4 GHz), respectively. The prepared ACF-based composite material has a light structure and strong absorption bandwidth. Findings can provide references for the research on other EM wave-absorbing materials.
Performance Analysis of Conventional Beamforming Algorithm for Angle-of-Arrival Estimation under Measurement Uncertainty
Authors: Lee Eun-Kyung , Lee Joon-Ho
Published: December 2020

The performance of the conventional beamforming for angle-of-arrival (AOA) estimation algorithm under measurement uncertainty is analyzed. Gaussian random variables are used for modeling measurement noises. Analytic expression of the mean square error (MSE) is obtained via Taylor series expansion. In traditional performance analysis, estimation accuracy in terms of the MSEs is usually obtained from the Monte Carlo simulation, which is computationally intensive especially for large number of repetitions in the Monte Carlo simulation. For reliable MSE in the Monte Carlo simulation, the number of repetitions should be very large. To circumvent this problem, analytic performance analysis which is less computationally intensive than the Monte Carlo simulation-based performance analysis is proposed in this paper. After some approximations, we derive the closed form expression of the mean square error (MSE) for each incident signal. The validity of the derived expressions is shown by comparing an analytic MSE with an empirical MSEs. The Cramer–Rao bound is also used to further validate the derived analytic expression.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma: First Manifestation as Solitary Humeral Bone Metastasis
Authors: Bukhari Sumera , Ward Kristine , Styler Michael
Published: December 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) most commonly presents with abdominal pain or mass, fever of unknown etiology, weight loss, and decompensation of known liver disease or at an asymptomatic stage through surveillance. Rarely, presenting symptoms can be exclusively related to extrahepatic metastases. Herein, we write a case of a patient with no known liver disease, presenting with a pathological fracture of the proximal humerus bone secondary to a massive solitary metastasis from HCC. This case represents an unusual appendicular skeletal metastasis in a patient with unknown primary HCC, successfully treated with sorafenib. The prognosis of HCC patients with extrahepatic metastasis is poor, and in the presence of bone metastases, the mean survival rate is severely reduced. However, the multikinase inhibitor sorafenib has been the standard of treatment. Recently, there has been developments of other therapeutic class of drugs (i.e., immune check inhibitors), which have shown promising benefits and better side effect profiles. Still, there is a need for further studies, owing to challenges in recognizing cellular and molecular markers.
The Effects of Land Use and Landscape Position on Soil Physicochemical Properties in a Semiarid Watershed, Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Seifu Weldemariam , Elias Eyasu , Gebresamuel Girmay
Published: December 2020

Understanding topography effects and assessing the soil properties in different land use is an essential first step for sustainable soil management. Hence, land use type and altitudinal gradient on selected soil parameters were studied in Ayiba watershed, northern Ethiopia. Thirty composite soil samples were collected from 0 to 30 cm of soil depth under four land use types across three altitudinal gradients and were analyzed for selected soil parameters following the standard procedures. A significant main effect of land use and altitudinal gradient on the content of the soil particles was noted. Results also indicated that the bulk density (BD), total porosity (TP), and Pav of the soil are significantly different (

p

 < 0.05) in the watershed because of land use type and altitudinal gradient. Barren land and higher altitude landscapes have the highest BD, and the lowest TP, and grassland and lower altitude landscapes have the lowest BD and high TP. Intensive cultivation accompanied by natural land conversion and erosion due to the rugged landscape nature caused high BD and low TP. Analysis of variance results also shows the significant interaction effect of land use type and altitudinal gradient on EC, SOM, SOC (

p

 < 0.001), and pH-water (1:2.5), and TN (

p

 < 0.01). The Pearson correlation of SOM with TP, TN, MC, and clay content showed a strong positive relationship. But, SOC, TN, and clay content were negatively correlated with BD. Soils of the study watershed are found in low to optimum rating levels in their selected physicochemical properties. Overall, the results show that land use and topography gradient significantly affected soil physicochemical properties in the study watershed. Therefore, soil management options should focus on scenarios that could improve the soil conditions to enhance crop production on a sustainable basis.
Seismic Vibration Mitigation of Wind Turbine Tower Using Bi-Directional Tuned Mass Dampers
Authors: Li Wanrun , Zhang Qing , Yang Zhou , Zhu Qingxin , Du Yongfeng
Published: December 2020

Wind turbines have been increasingly erected in earthquake regions to harvest abundant wind energy. However, the wind turbine tower is slender and lightly damping, which exhibits high susceptibility to earthquake-induced vibration. It is challenging to mitigate the seismic vibration of the tower. In this study, a bi-directional tuned mass damper (BTMD) is proposed to mitigate the seismic vibration of the wind turbine tower. Meanwhile, a lumped-mass finite element model (LFEM) and a coupled blade tower finite element model (CBFEM) are used to investigate the vibration mitigation performance of the BTMD. First, the BTMD and corresponding dynamic equilibrium equations are systemically introduced. Accordingly, the optimum stiffness and damping of the BTMD at different mass ratios are investigated. Then, the dynamic prosperities of the LFEM and CBFEM are compared. Subsequently, the seismic responses of the wind turbine with the BTMD are conducted using the LFEM and CBFEM. Meanwhile, the mitigation performances of the BTMD under uni- and bi-directional earthquakes are investigated. The displacement, acceleration, and bending moment of the wind turbine tower are analyzed in time domain and frequency domain. Note that the influential factors, including mass ratio and structural frequency, on the vibration mitigation performance of the BTMD are investigated. Results show that the proposed BTMD can significantly mitigate the peak values of the top displacement and bottom bending moment. However, the blade tower coupling effect and frequency variation of the tower would have influences on the mitigation efficiency of the BTMD. The results enable a better understanding of the seismic vibration mitigation of the wind turbine tower using tuned mass dampers.
Planar Sensor for Material Characterization Based on the Sierpinski Fractal Curve
Authors: Cavalcanti Filho P. H. B. , Araujo J. A. I. , Oliveira M. R. T. , de Melo M. T. , Coutinho M. S. , da Silva L. M. , Llamas-Garro I.
Published: December 2020

This paper presents a planar and compact microwave resonator sensor to characterize materials. The geometry of the resonator is based on the Sierpinski fractal curve and has four poles in the frequency range from 0.5 GHz to 5.5 GHz. Any of the four poles can be used to measure samples with low permittivity values, where the first pole is suitable for samples with high permittivity values. The sensitivity of the poles and return losses of the sensor are presented and obtained using a full-wave 3D simulator software. The device is manufactured and validated through a comparison between simulated and measured results.