bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fly Ash Particle Size Effect on Pore Structure and Strength of Fly Ash Foamed Geopolymer
Authors: Xiong Luchang , Wan Zhijun , Zhang Yuan , Wang Fangtian , Wang Junhui , Kang Yanlei
Published: December 2019

The aim of this paper is to study the particle size effect of fly ash (FLA) on pore structure and strength of Fly Ash Foamed Geopolymer (FAFG). Information on the macro-pores such as macro-pore size and distribution of FAFG is captured through binarization processing. Porosity and compressive strength of FAFG are respectively tested by Archimedes density test method and uniaxial compressive strength test method. It can be concluded that the FLA particle size has an effect on the pore structure and strength of FAFG. More specifically, the effect of FLA particle size shows itself macroscopically on the quantity of middle and large macro-pores and the uniformity of macro-pores distribution, and microscopically on the quantity of micro-holes and cracks and calcium silicate (C-S-H) quantity at the early stage of FAFG mixture. All of the properties of FAFG follow some kind of changing rule except at the turning point when FLA particle is of 0.125~0.25 mm in size. To explain clearly the root cause of FLA particle size effect on FAFG, SEM, and XRD are employed to explore the microstructure of FAFG and the component of FLA. It turns out to be the amorphous phase SiO2 content in FLA of different particle sizes which could determine the reaction extent of FAFG mixture.
Boiling Heat Transfer and Critical Heat Flux Enhancement Using Electrophoretic Deposition of SiO2 Nanofluid
Authors: Rahimian Aref , Kazeminejad Hosein , Khalafi Hosein , Akhavan Azam , Mirvakili Seyed Mohammad
Published: December 2019

The electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique was used to create a uniform SiO2 thin film coating on boiling plates, 4 mm in width and 9 mm in length. Significant enhancement in critical heat flux (CHF), for the hydrophilic surfaces generated by this anodic EPD method, has been observed. In order to increase the coating strength, the plates were sintered at various temperatures. To find the thickness and uniformity of the coatings, the SEM images were captured. The captured images showed that the coating thickness uniformly increased up to 90 nm for 0.5% nanofluid percentage by the EPD method. The results show that the hydrophilic and super-hydrophilic surfaces have different boiling heat transfer (BHT) coefficients and CHF behaviors. Also, the results showed an increase of 160% in the CHF value by sintering compared to a bare surface. However, because of the setup simplicity, the shape independency, the particle-coating uniformity, and thickness controllability, the EPD technique can be an appropriate option for modification of the surface and coating on the nuclear fuel cladding.
The Cahn–Hilliard Equation with Generalized Mobilities in Complex Geometries
Authors: Shin Jaemin , Choi Yongho , Kim Junseok
Published: December 2019

In this study, we apply a finite difference scheme to solve the Cahn–Hilliard equation with generalized mobilities in complex geometries. This method is conservative and unconditionally gradient stable for all positive variable mobility functions and complex geometries. Herein, we present some numerical experiments to demonstrate the performance of this method. In particular, using the fact that variable mobility changes the growth rate of the phases, we employ space‐dependent mobility to design a cylindrical biomedical scaffold with controlled porosity and pore size.
Reversible Transitions in a Cellular Automata‐Based Traffic Model with Driver Memory
Authors: Sakiyama Tomoko , Arizono Ikuo
Published: December 2019

Here, we develop a new cellular automata‐based traffic model. In this model, individual vehicles cannot estimate global traffic flows but can only detect the vehicle ahead. Each vehicle occasionally adjusts its velocity based on the distance to the vehicle in front. Our model generates reversible phase transitions in the vehicle flux over a wide range of vehicle densities, and the traffic system undergoes scale‐free evolution with respect to the flux. We thus believe that our model reveals the relationship between the macro‐level flows and micro‐level mechanisms of multi‐agent systems for handling traffic congestion, and illustrates how drivers’ decisions impact free and congested flows.
2 × 2 MIMO Asymmetric U-Shaped Nonuniform Slot Antenna for the 4G LTE Metal-Housing Mobile Handsets
Authors: Chen I-Fong , Peng Chia-Mei , Bao Jing-Jing , Chen Chia-Ching
Published: December 2019

A 2 × 2 MIMO antenna for metal-housing mobile handset application is proposed in this article. The polarization diversity is used to arrange the two antennas’ setup. The asymmetric U-shaped nonuniform slot antenna provides two different resonant bands are designed to be operated in long term evolution (LTE) covers lower band (698 MHz to 960 MHz) and upper band (1710 MHz to 2700 MHz). The modified type III balun is used for upper-operating band, and the open stub is used for lower-operating band, good impedance bandwidth, and radiated pattern and efficiency are shown. The isolation (S21) between the antennas is more than 20 dB, and the envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) is less than 0.02. A prototype of the proposed antenna chiselling in the metal-housing mobile handset (with 160 mm in length, 10 mm in height, and 70 mm in width) is fabricated and experimentally studied.
Exceptional Response of Metastatic Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma to Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Inhibitors: Should Increased VEGF-C Expression Be Used to Guide Treatment?
Authors: Bruinius Jacob W. , Dykema Karl J. , Noyes Sabrina L. , Teh Bin Tean , Lane Brian R.
Published: December 2019

There is sparse literature demonstrating effective treatments for metastatic chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC). The tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) sunitinib selectively inhibits the VEGF pathway and it is a standard care for metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), although data supporting its use in ChRCC is much more limited. A 56-year-old underwent palliative nephrectomy for locally-advanced ChRCC with sarcomatoid differentiation. Tumor gene expression profiling using Affymetrix HG-U133 Plus 2.0 GeneChip platform demonstrated significantly elevated VEGF-C expression compared to normal renal tissue n=12 and other types RCC n=158. Adjuvant sunitinib was used to treat his residual unresectable retroperitoneal lymph nodes. He demonstrated an exceptional response and underwent complete surgical resection four months later. He has been managed with TKIs for nearly nine years with only minimal disease progression. Additional studies exploring treatment options for patients with non-clear cell RCC are needed; in their absence, we would recommend TKIs for patients whose tumors bear a similar molecular profile.
Fatal Hypogammaglobulinemia 3 Years after Rituximab in a Patient with Immune Thrombocytopenia: An Underlying Genetic Predisposition?
Authors: Viallard Jean-François , Parrens Marie , Rieux-Laucat Frédéric
Published: December 2019

We report the case of a young woman who developed, 3 years after stopping Rituximab (RTX) prescribed for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), a severe immunodeficiency leading to fatal pulmonary Epstein–Barr virus-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Genetic analysis led us to identify four missense mutations known to affect immune-deficiency–associated genes (FAS-ligand (FASL) gene (p.G167R); perforin-1 (PRF1 (p.R55C) gene; the Bloom syndrome RecQ-Like helicase (BLM) gene and the Moesin (MSN) (p.A122T) gene). The heterozygous mutation in the FASL gene, not present in the Genome Aggregation Database or ClinVar database, could suggest atypical Autoimmune LymphoProliferative Syndrome and its role in this patient’s immunodepression is discussed. This observation strengthens the role of FASL gene mutation in severe clinical phenotypes of primary immune deficiency and raises new questions about the genetic background of ITP occurring in young people in a context of immunodeficiency.
MiR-486-5p Suppresses Proliferation and Migration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells through Downregulation of the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase CBL
Authors: He Jia , Xiao Bin , Li Xiaoyan , He Yongyin , Li Linhai , Sun Zhaohui
Published: December 2019

MicroRNAs have been broadly implicated in cancer, but precise functions and mechanisms in carcinogenesis vary among cancer types and in many cases remain poorly understood. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the most frequent and lethal cancers. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of miR-486-5p in HCC and identify its specific target. MiR-486-5p was significantly downregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines compared with noncancerous tissues and, respectively, although expression level was not correlated with the degree of infiltration or tumor stage. However, miR-486-5p overexpression in HCC cells inhibited proliferation and migration as evidenced by CCK-8 cell counting, wound healing, and transwell assays, indicating that miR-486-5p is an HCC suppressor. We employed four miRNA databases to predict the target genes of miR-486-5p and verified retrieved genes using qPCR and western blotting. The E3 ubiquitin ligase CBL was significantly downregulated by miR-486-5p overexpression in HCC cell lines at both mRNA and protein level, and overexpression of CBL counteracted the inhibitory effects of miR-486-5p on HCC cell proliferation and migration. Moreover, CBL expression was negatively correlated with miR-486-5p expression in HCC tissues. Collectively, our results suggest that miR-486-5p may act as a tumor suppressor gene in HCC by downregulating CBL expression.
Impacts of Chemical and Synoptic Processes on Summer Tropospheric Ozone Trend in North China
Authors: Zhou Lihua , Zhang Jing , Zheng Xiaohui , Xue Wenhao , Zhu Siguang
Published: December 2019

Compared with other regions in China, air pollution on the North China Plain (NCP) is serious. Fine particle pollution has been studied in-depth, but there is less research on long-term troposphere ozone (O3) variation. This study focuses on the summer interannual tropospheric O3 variation on the NCP and its influential factors. Our analysis relies on satellite observations (O3, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and formaldehyde (HCHO), determined as vertical column density of the troposphere) and dynamical processes (El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), potential vorticity (PV), the quasibiennial oscillation (QBO), and East Asian summer monsoon index (EASMI)). Our results show the vertical column density of tropospheric O3 has a transition from the increasing trend to decreasing trend during the summer of 2005–2016. The summer series of tropospheric O3 show two distinct phases: the first phase (2005–2011), with an average growth rate of 0.55 ± 0.20 DU/yr, and a second phase (2012–2016), with an average reduction rate of 0.16 ± 0.23 DU/yr. The tropospheric NO2 column in the NCP also has a transition from the increasing trend to decreasing trend during the summer of 2005–2016. Tropospheric NO2 and CO column concentrations obtained from satellite observations indicate that emission reductions might be the main cause of the tropospheric O3 decrease. Particularly, the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) is more significant, and NO2 decreased by (0.45 ± 0.11) × 1015 molec·cm−2 per year in summer since 2012. However, tropospheric column HCHO shows an increase of 0.05 × 1015 molec·cm−2 per year during the whole period of 2005 to 2016. An O3-NOx-VOC sensitivity experiment in the NCP showed that the O3 is still in a NOx-saturated state in some heavily polluted cities, although the NOx emissions are decreasing overall. In addition to the chemical reactions, atmospheric dynamic processes also have an effect on tropospheric O3. Finally, we built a model to analyze the contributions of chemical processes and dynamic processes to the tropospheric O3 column in the NCP. For the chemical process variables, 69.73% of the observed trend of tropospheric O3 could be explained by the NO2 tropospheric column. Therefore, the reduction of tropospheric O3 since 2012 is associated with the reduction of NOx. For the dynamical process variables, ENSO, PV, and EASMI can explain 60.64% of the observed trend of tropospheric O3. This result indicates that the atmospheric circulation of the western Pacific Ocean in summer has a significant impact on the interannual trends of tropospheric O3 in the NCP. It is also found that chemical processes had a more important impact on interannual tropospheric O3 than dynamic processes, although the dynamic processes cannot be neglected.
Exploring the Influence of Truck Proportion on Freeway Traffic Safety Using Adaptive Network-Based Fuzzy Inference System
Authors: Zhang Shiwen , Xing Yingying , Lu Jian , Zhang H. Michael
Published: December 2019

The truck operation of freeway has an impact on traffic safety. In particular, the gradually increasing in truck proportion will inevitably affect the freeway traffic operation of different traffic volume. In this paper, VISSIM simulation is used to supply the field data and orthogonal experimental is designed for calibrate the simulation data. Then, SSAM modeling is combined to analyze the impact of truck proportion on traffic flow parameters and traffic conflicts. The serious and general conflict prediction model based on the Adaptive Network-based Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) is proposed to determine the impact of the truck proportion on freeway traffic safety. The results show that when the truck proportion is around 0.4 under 3200 veh/h and 0.6 under 2600 veh/h, there are more traffic conflicts and the number of serious conflicts is more than the number of general conflicts, which also reflect the relationship between truck proportion and traffic safety. Under 3000 veh/h, travel time and average delay increasing while mean speed and mean speed of small car decreases with truck proportion increases. The mean time headway rises largely with the truck proportion increasing above 3000 veh/h. The speed standard deviation increases initially and then fall with truck proportion increasing. The lane-changing decreases while truck proportion increasing. In addition, ANFIS can accurately determine the impact of truck proportion on traffic conflicts under different traffic volume, and also validate the learning ability of ANFIS.
Unusual Bronchial Foreign Bodies with Localized Bronchiectasis in Five Children
Authors: Wu Xi-Ling , Wu Lei , Chen Zhi-Min
Published: December 2019

Obstructive foreign bodies are uncommon causes of bronchiectasis in children, the causal relationship between foreign body aspiration and bronchiectasis remains unclear. We conducted a review of children who were diagnosed with bronchiectasis due to foreign body retention in a university hospital between 2014 and 2019. Five patents were studied (four boys, one girl; age range: 15 months to 13 years old). Computed tomography showed localized cylindrical bronchiectasis in all five patients. After removal of the foreign body by bronchoscopy, the prognoses were good. Patients with localized cylindrical bronchiectasis should be examined to exclude foreign body. As long as foreign body aspiration is diagnosed early and appropriately removed, the possibility of a lobectomy or even mortality is greatly reduced.
An Unusual Amyloid Goiter in a 48-Year-Old Woman with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Secondary Amyloidosis and Renal Failure
Authors: López-Muñoz B. , Greco Bermúdez L. , Marín-Jiménez D. , Sánchez de la Fuente M. F. , Capparelli A. Franca , Mascarell Martínez I. , Serrano Corredor S.
Published: December 2019

Amyloid goiter (AG) is characterized by the presence of deposits of amyloid protein in the thyroid tissue in sufficient amounts to produce enlargement of the gland, accompanied by fat deposition or thyrolipomatosis. It can be seen in long-standing inflammatory disorders, with the common characteristic of amyloidotic renal failure. In daily practice, practitioners should pay attention to the differential diagnosis in patients with suggestive co-morbidities for amyloidosis. The clinic is a progressive increase of the thyroid gland with compressive symptomatology (dyspnea, dysphagia, and changes in the voice). The main imaging finding is diffuse fatty infiltration of the thyroid. The amyloid goitre was most probably in the general context of amyloidosis, regardless of the other complications. We present a case of a 48-years-old female with amyloid goiter secondary to rheumatoid arthritis and renal failure.
Characteristics of Aerosols over the Summer Monsoon Transition Zone
Authors: Bai Bing , Zhang Qiang , Zhang Liang , Wang Yaping
Published: December 2019

A survey was conducted in the summer monsoon transition region of China. By combining data from the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSOs) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), the effects of East Asian summer monsoon circulation on the spatial distribution of aerosol, as well as the response mechanisms of different aerosols in an abundant and a deficient summer monsoon year, were analyzed. It was found that, in the summer monsoon transition region, the aerosol optical depth (AOD) in abundant monsoon years was lower than that in deficient years. Only in the Gobi Desert region of the Loess Plateau, the AOD in abundant monsoon years was significantly larger than that in deficient years. When the AOD was less than 0.06, the frequency of dust aerosol was higher than that of polluted aerosol in both the abundant and deficient monsoon years. When the AOD was over 0.06, the frequency of polluted aerosol was higher than that of dust aerosol in both the abundant and deficient monsoon years. In summer, the AOD was larger and the frequency of polluted aerosol in abundant monsoon years was higher than that in deficient years.
Bilateral Renal Colic as an Initial Presentation of Erdheim-Chester Disease
Authors: Sarkis Julien , Haddad Fady , Nasr Sarah , Hanna Elie , Mroueh Ahmad , Nemr Elie
Published: December 2019

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare non-Langerhans cells histiocytosis characterized by multiorgan involvement, with renal-ECD documented in over one-third of patients. Renal disease is generally asymptomatic, rarely causing hydronephrosis and kidney impairment. In addition, the diverse clinical picture of Erdheim-Chester disease arises slowly with sequential manifestations. We present a rare case of a 75-year-old woman on long-term treatment for panhypopituitarism and steroid therapy for vasculitis, presenting to the emergency department with bilateral renal colic and acute kidney injury. Abdominopelvic CT scan revealed renal infiltration with signs of retroperitoneal fibrosis and hydronephrosis. Kidney CT-guided biopsy and 18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography whole body scan as well as the history of hypopituitarism and vasculitis confirmed the diagnosis of Erdheim-Chester disease. Proper therapy with interferon-α was started. This case describes the multifaced manifestation of this disease and the difficulty to establish the diagnosis, as well as the pivotal role that a urologist can play in its management.
Fundoscopic Changes in Maroteaux-Lamy Syndrome
Authors: Magalhães Augusto , Meira Jorge , Cunha Ana Maria , Moreira Raul Jorge , Leão-Teles Elisa , Falcão Manuel , Breda Jorge , Falcão-Reis Fernando
Published: December 2019

Purpose. To describe a clinical case of mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (MPS VI), or Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome, with fundoscopic alterations that may correspond to scleral deposits of glycosaminoglycans. Materials and Methods. Clinical case report. Results. A 16-year-old girl with MPS VI was examined at the Ophthalmology Department for poor vision due to opacified corneas. Treatment consisted of bilateral penetrating keratoplasty. Retinographies and enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) were performed after surgery, suggesting the presence of scleral glycosaminoglycan deposits. The patient evolved with stable corneal and fundoscopic findings. Conclusions. To our knowledge, this is the first case of MPS VI described in vivo with suspected deposits of glycosaminoglycans in the sclera. Fundoscopic alterations are not usually included in the ocular pathological spectrum of MPS VI. However, with improved control of systemic comorbidities, survival rates of these patients have increased, which in turn has made it possible to observe other changes besides the ones that were classically described. Despite being particularly challenging to manage, efforts should be made to maximizing the visual acuity of these patients, in order to provide them the best possible quality of life.
Study of the Binding Interaction between Wortmannin and Calf Thymus DNA: Multispectroscopic and Molecular Docking Studies
Authors: Mehran Shiva , Rasmi Yousef , Karamdel Hamid Reza , Hossinzadeh Ramin , Gholinejad Zafar
Published: December 2019

Introduction. Wortmannin (WTN) is a steroid metabolite that inhibits phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and other signaling pathways. Structurally, the WTN consists of a cyclopentanophenanthrene-like structure with several oxygen-rich moieties which have the potential to interact with deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules.Methods. We aim to evaluate the WTN and calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) interaction with molecular docking using the AutoDock 4.2 software. UV and fluorescence spectroscopy and viscosity techniques were performed to confirm thein silicoanalysis.Results. Molecular docking showed that the WTN interacted with ct-DNA via hydrogen bonds at guanine-rich sequences. The number of hydrogen bonds between the WTN and DNA was 1-2 bonds (average 1.2) per WTN molecule. Thein silicobinding constant was 2 × 103 M−1. UV spectroscopy showed that the WTN induced a hyperchromic feature without wavelength shifting. The WTN and DNA interaction led to quenching of DNA-emitted fluorescence. The different concentrations of WTN had no effect on DNA viscosity. Taken together, our results demonstrated WTN interacts with DNA in the nonintercalating mode, which is considered as a new mechanism of action.Conclusion. These results suggest that the WTN may exert its biological effects, at least in part, via interaction with DNA.
Heterotopic Gastric Mucosa Presenting as Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding: An Unusual Case Report
Authors: Ali Syed Muhammad , Ahmed Ayman Abdelhafiz , Saaid Leena Amin Hussain , Mohamed Gihan Mustafa Kamal , Shah Amjad Ali , Al-Tarakji Mohannad , Aftab Zia , Inamulla  , Rashid Sameera
Published: December 2019

Heterotopic gastric mucosa (HGM) is gastric mucosal tissue outside the stomach. It can be discovered anywhere throughout the gastrointestinal tract and is mostly asymptomatic. HGM, although rare beyond the ligament of Treitz, should be included in the differential diagnosis in a young patient with a polyp causing obstructive symptoms or bleeding. Very few cases are published in literature. We describe a case of young male who presented with an episode of large amount of melena, from a bleeding jejunal lesion, diagnosed by endoscopy. Laparotomy and wedge resection of the jejunal lesion was done, and histopathology showed gastric heterotopia in a small jejunal diverticulum.
Rapid Affinity Maturation of Novel Anti-PD-L1 Antibodies by a Fast Drop of the Antigen Concentration and FACS Selection of Yeast Libraries
Authors: Cembrola Biancamaria , Ruzza Valentino , Troise Fulvia , Esposito Maria Luisa , Sasso Emanuele , Cafaro Valeria , Passariello Margherita , Visconte Feliciano , Raia Maddalena , Del Vecchio Luigi , D’Alise Anna Morena , Cortese Riccardo , Scarselli Elisa , Zambrano Nicola , De Lorenzo Claudia , Nicosia Alfredo
Published: December 2019

The affinity engineering is a key step to increase the efficacy of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and yeast surface display is the most widely used and powerful affinity maturation approach, achieving picomolar binding affinities. In this study, we provide an optimization of the yeast surface display methodology, applied to the generation of potentially therapeutic high affinity antibodies targeting the immune checkpoint PD-L1. In this approach, we coupled a 10-cycle error-prone mutagenesis of heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 of an anti‐PD-L1 scFv, previously identified by phage display, with high-throughput sequencing, to generate scFv-yeast libraries with high mutant frequency and diversity. In addition, we set up a novel, faster and effective selection scheme by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, based on a fast drop of the antigen concentration between the first and the last selection cycles, unlike the gradual decrease typical of current selection protocols. In this way we isolated 6 enriched mutated scFv-yeast clones overall, showing an affinity improvement for soluble PD-L1 protein compared to the parental scFv. As a proof of the potency of the novel approach, we confirmed that the antibodies converted from all the mutated scFvs retained the affinity improvement. Remarkably, the best PD-L1 binder among them also bound with a higher affinity to PD-L1 expressed in its native conformation on human-activated lymphocytes, and it was able to stimulate lymphocyte proliferation in vitro more efficiently than its parental antibody. This optimized technology, besides the identification of a new potential checkpoint inhibitor, provides a tool for the quick isolation of high affinity binders.
Development andIn-VitroEvaluation of pH Responsive Polymeric Nano Hydrogel Carrier System for Gastro-Protective Delivery of Naproxen Sodium
Authors: Sarfraz Rai Muhammad , Akram Muhammad Rouf , Ali Muhammad Rizwan , Mahmood Asif , Khan Muhammad Usman , Ahmad Husnain , Qaisar Muhammad Naeem
Published: December 2019

Current research work was carried out for gastro-protective delivery of naproxen sodium. Polyethylene glycol-g-poly (methacrylic acid) nanogels was developed through free radical polymerization technique. Formulation was characterized for swelling behaviour, entrapment efficiency, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Zeta size distribution, and Zeta potential measurements, andin-vitrodrug release. pH dependent swelling was observed with maximum drug release at higher pH. PXRD studies confirmed the conversion of loaded drug from crystalline to amorphous form while Zeta size measurement showed size reduction. On the basis of these results it was concluded that prepared nanogels proved an effective tool for gastro-protective delivery of naproxen sodium.
A Positive Quadriceps Active Test, without the Quadriceps Being Active
Authors: Kieser D. C. , Savage E. , Sharplin P.
Published: December 2019

Case. A 55-year-old male with a chronic isolated grade 3 PCL injury who demonstrates a positive quadriceps active test without activating his quadriceps musculature. Conclusion. Gravity and hamstring contraction posteriorly translate the tibia into a subluxed position. Subsequent gastrocnemius contraction with the knee flexed causes an anterior tibial translation by virtue of the mass enlargement of the gastrocnemius muscular bulk, the string of a bow effect, and the anterior origin of the gastrocnemius in relation to the posterior border of the subluxed tibia aided by the normal posterior tibial slope.
Female Patients with Dermatitis Herpetiformis Show a Reduced Diagnostic Delay and Have Higher Sensitivity Rates at Autoantibody Testing for Celiac Disease
Authors: Antiga Emiliano , Bonciolini Veronica , Cazzaniga Simone , Alaibac Mauro , Calabrò Antonino Salvatore , Cardinali Carla , Cozzani Emanuele , Marzano Angelo Valerio , Micali Giuseppe , Not Tarcisio , Quaglino Pietro , Vassallo Camilla , Naldi Luigi , Caproni Marzia
Published: December 2019

Objective. Our objective was to characterize the demographic information, clinical features, and laboratory data of patients with dermatitis herpetiformis (DH).Methods. In this multicentre cross-sectional study, consecutive patients with a new diagnosis of DH that referred to nine different Italian centers between 2011 and 2016 were characterized assessing demographic, clinical and laboratory findings, and evaluating gender and age differences across selected variables.Results. A total of 151 patients were included. Among them, 81 (53.6%) were males and 70 (46.4%) were females, with a male to female ratio of 1.2 : 1. The median age at the time of diagnosis was 41 years (range 0–85). Males had a significant longer diagnostic delay if compared to females (9 vs. 3 months, respectively;p=0.01). Direct immunofluorescence was positive in 94.7% of the patients, while duodenal biopsy showed partial to total villous atrophy in 70.1% of patients. All the females resulted positive to at least one of the antibodies tested, while a total of 12 male patients (10.5%) tested negative to celiac-specific antibodies. Female patients had a high rate (14.1%) of autoimmune thyroiditis.Conclusions. Our study confirmed some of the most relevant data regarding DH that have been previously reported in the literature. In addition, we found a reduced diagnostic delay in females with respect to males, possibly related to the higher sensitivity of serologic testing in females with DH compared to males. Finally, we demonstrated that intestinal involvement could be severe in patients with DH and that females should be tested for thyroiditis.
A Bayesian Classification Intrusion Detection Method Based on the Fusion of PCA and LDA
Authors: Shen Zhidong , Zhang Yuhao , Chen Weiying
Published: December 2019

The rapid development of network technology is facing severe security threats while bringing convenience to people. How to build a secure network environment has become an important guarantee for social development. Intrusion detection plays an important role in the field of network security. With the complexity and diversification of networks, intrusion detection systems also need to be constantly improved and developed to match external environmental changes. The innovative work of this paper is as follows: principal component analysis and linear discriminant analysis are used to reduce the dimensionality of the data set, which avoids unnecessary detection content and improves detection efficiency and accuracy. The principal component analysis method, linear discriminant analysis algorithm, and Bayesian classification are combined to construct the PCA-LDA-BC classification algorithm, and the intrusion detection model is established based on this algorithm. The simulation experiment was carried out on the algorithm CICIDS2017 data set proposed in this paper. From the experimental results, it can be analysed that in the intrusion detection of missing data, the improved algorithm is compared with the traditional naive Bayesian classification algorithm, the detection rate is improved, and the false detection rate and the missed alarm rate are reduced. In terms of intrusion detection for various types of attacks, the detection rate, false detection rate, and missed alarm rate have been improved accordingly. It is proved that the algorithm has certain validity and feasibility.
On the Stability of Self-Adjointness of Linear Relations
Authors: Liu Yan
Published: December 2019

This paper focuses on the stability of self-adjointness of linear relations under perturbations in Hilbert spaces. It is shown that a self-adjoint relation is still self-adjoint under bounded and relatively bounded perturbations. The results obtained in the present paper generalize the corresponding results for linear operators to linear relations, and some weaken the conditions of the related existing results.
What Is the Impact of Diet on Nutritional Diarrhea Associated with Gut Microbiota in Weaning Piglets: A System Review
Authors: Gao Jing , Yin Jie , Xu Kang , Li Tiejun , Yin Yulong
Published: December 2019

Piglets experience severe growth challenges and diarrhea after weaning due to nutritional, social, psychological, environmental, and physiological changes. Among these changes, the nutritional factor plays a key role in postweaning health. Dietary protein, fibre, starch, and electrolyte levels are highly associated with postweaning nutrition diarrhea (PWND). In this review, we mainly discuss the high protein, fibre, resistant starch, and electrolyte imbalance in diets that induce PWND, with a focus on potential mechanisms in weaned piglets.
Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis: Higher Suspicious Needed for Earlier Diagnosis (Case Report, Literature Review and Diagnostic Criteria)
Authors: Amugoda Chanaka , Chini Foroush Noushin , Akhlaghi Hamed
Published: December 2019

Background. Auto-immune mediated anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is a very common delayed diagnosed encephalitis which predominately affecting young population. Objectives. This encephalitis is relatively unknown amongst emergency physicians and a majority of patients are admitted to psychiatric wards before their diagnosis is confirmed and appropriate treatments are commenced. We reported a case of a 22-year-old female presented to our emergency department with acute psychiatric symptoms. She was initially diagnosed with first presentation of acute psychosis and was hospitalised under mental health act. further assessment in the emergency department identified possible an organic cause for her acute psychosis and she was later admitted under medical team after her mental health assessment order was revoke. Several days later, her CSF result was positive with anti-NMDA receptor anti-bodies. Appropriate treatments were instituted leading to her full recovery. Conclusion. This case was the first confirmed anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis in our emergency department. It highlights the importance of thorough assessment of psychiatric presentations to emergency departments and consideration of auto-immune medicated encephalitis as one of the differential diagnosis in young patients presenting with first acute psychotic episode.
Investigation on the Influence of Microstructure Based on Hydrogen Bonding on Surface Tension by Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Wu Nannan , Ouyang Shunli , Cui Junjie , Liu Shiliang , Zhang Mingzhe , Hu Qingcheng , Huang Baokun
Published: December 2019

Surface tension and Raman spectra containing hydrogen bonding in acetonitrile aqueous solutions with different mole ratios were obtained. Varied surface tension and hydrogen bonding in the mixed solution were discussed. For this purpose, the OH stretching bands were fitted into three Gaussian components to which different hydrogen-bonded water samples were assigned. Furthermore, the microstructures of binary solution were analyzed. The results indicated that the surface tension decreases dramatically with the enhancement of hydrogen bonds in the mixture. A spectroscopic method for studying the macroscopic properties of aqueous solutions was employed. The direct experiment results provided the relationship between surface tension and microstructure in aqueous solutions.
Intracerebroventricular Coadministration of Protoxin-II and Trace Elements in Rats Enhances the Analgesic Effect of the 1.7 Voltage-Gate Sodium Channel Blocker
Authors: Stanciu Gabriela-Dumitrita , Luca Andrei , Marza Aurelia , Alexa-Stratulat Teodora , Tudorancea Ionut , Bild Walther , Rezus Elena , Rezus Ciprian , Tamba Bogdan I.
Published: December 2019

Pain continues to be a global unmet medical need, and the current recommendations for its management require a constant exploration of new drugs that target multiple pain mechanisms, with an improved safety profile and increased treatment adherence. Currently, the enriched distribution and localization within nociceptors of the selective channel blockers and the critical role played by sodium channels in neuronal excitability nominate isoforms as specific targets to generate innovative compounds. In the present report, we verified the hypothesis that coadministration of Protoxin-II, a selective sodium channel inhibitor, and trace elements has direct and improved antinociceptive effects. Groups of seven Wistar rats were treated intracerebroventricularly with a combination of MgCl2, CdCl2, and ZnCl2and Protoxin-II, respectively, and with Protoxin-II alone (positive) or saline (negative) for controls. Evaluations were performed by nociception assay. Coadministration of these drugs caused an increase in the maximum possible effect of up to 40% as compared with the control groups. Our findings indicate that selective channel blockers continue to be an important nociception target and that the use of trace elements may provide simple but effective means of control over sodium channel blockers’ risks, potentially lowering the necessary analgesic doses, thus improving the efficacy and safety profile.
Full‐Life‐Cycle Analysis of Cement Sheath Integrity
Authors: Hu Jie , Wang Linlin , Feng Jili , Shen Jiyun , He Manchao
Published: December 2019

This paper addresses evaluating the evolution of stress inside the casing‐cement sheath‐formation system during the cement injection, setting, completion, and production stages of hydrocarbon recovery. This full‐life‐cycle analysis of cement sheath integrity gives rise to assessment of potential failure mode (i.e., tensile mode, shear mode, and microannulus) in different stages, and the prevention measures can be proposed accordingly. Considering the loading history, two regimes should be distinguished. Before the accomplishment of cementation, as the cement slurry can merely withstand its hydraulic pressure, the in situ stress and the wellbore pressure are withstood by the rock and the casing, respectively. Once the cementation process is completed, the stress increment (e.g., hydraulic fracturing pressure) is withstood by the casing‐cement sheath‐formation system. The autogenous shrinkage of cement adversely affects the resistance of the system to all types of failure, whereas a moderate swelling of cement is favorable to the cement sheath integrity. In addition, the cement sheath integrity is strongly influenced by the depth: the failure is encountered more easily at the shallow layer. Both the hydraulic fracturing pressure in the completion stage and the increase in casing temperature in the production stage may lead to tensile circumferential stress, and the hydraulic fracturing is the most critical stage for the integrity of cement sheath.
Theoretical Study of Proton Radiation Influence on the Performance of a Polycrystalline Silicon Solar Cell
Authors: Serge Tchouadep Guy , Bernard Zouma , Bruno Korgo , Boubacar Soro , Mahamadi Savadogo , Martial Zoungrana , Issa Zerbo
Published: December 2019

The aim of this work is to study the behaviour of a silicon solar cell under the irradiation of different fluences of high-energy proton radiation (10 MeV) and under constant multispectral illumination. Many theoretical et experimental studies of the effect of irradiation (proton, gamma, electron, etc.) on solar cells have been carried out. These studies point out the effect of irradiation on the behaviour of the solar cell electrical parameters but do not explain the causes of these effects. In our study, we explain fundamentally the causes of the effects of the irradiation on the solar cells. Taking into account the empirical formula of diffusion length under the effect of high-energy particle irradiation, we established new expressions of continuity equation, photocurrent density, photovoltage, and dynamic junction velocity. Based on these equations, we studied the behaviour of some electronic and electrical parameters under proton radiation. Theoretical results showed that the defects created by the irradiation change the carrier distribution and the carrier dynamic in the bulk of the base and then influence the solar cell electrical parameters (short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage, conversion efficiency). It appears also in this study that, at low fluence, junction dynamic velocity decreases due to the presence of tunnel defects. Obtained results could lead to improve the quality of the junction of a silicon solar cell.
Rough Hyperfilters in Po-LA-Semihypergroups
Authors: Bouaziz Ferdaous , Yaqoob Naveed
Published: December 2019

This paper concerns the study of hyperfilters of ordered LA-semihypergroups, and presents some examples in this respect. Furthermore, we study the combination of rough set theory and hyperfilters of an ordered LA-semihypergroup. We define the concept of rough hyperfilters and provide useful examples on it. A rough hyperfilter is a novel extension of hyperfilter of an ordered LA-semihypergroup. We prove that the lower approximation of a left (resp., right, bi) hyperfilter of an ordered LA-semihypergroup becomes left (resp., right, bi) hyperfilter of an ordered LA-semihypergroup. Similarly we prove it for upper approximation.
Fabrication of MoS2 Nanoflakes Supported on Carbon Nanotubes for High Performance Anode in Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs)
Authors: Nguyen T. Minh Nguyet , Vuong Vinh-Dat , Phong Mai Thanh , Le Thang Van
Published: December 2019

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), an inorganic-layered material similar to structure of graphite, was randomly dispersed onto the surface of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes to synthesized nanocomposite MoS2/CNT. The as-obtained product was characterized via SEM, TEM, TGA, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopies. It was confirmed from XRD that MoS2 layers with interlayer spacing of 0.614 nm were successfully produced. TEM images and Raman spectra indicated a random distribution of 20 nm sized nanoflake MoS2 on the surface of MWNTs. The electrochemical performance of materials are expected to pave the way for the utilized anode material for lithium-ion batteries.
Robust Adaptive Relative Position and Attitude Control for Noncooperative Spacecraft Hovering under Coupled Uncertain Dynamics
Authors: Liu Jianghui , Li Haiyang , Zhang YaKun , Zhou Jianyong , Lu Lin , Li Fuqi
Published: December 2019

The control of body‐fixed hovering over noncooperative target, as one of the key problems of relative motion control between spacecrafts, is studied in the paper. The position of the chaser in the noncooperative target’s body coordinate system is required to remain unchanged, and the attitude of the chaser and the target must be synchronized at the same time. Initially, a six‐degrees‐of‐freedom‐coupled dynamic model of a chaser relative to a target is established, and relative attitude dynamics is described through using modified Rodrigues parameters (MRP). Considering the model uncertainty and external disturbances of the noncooperative target system, an adaptive nonsingular terminal sliding mode (NTSM) controller is designed. Adaptive tuning method is used to overcome the effects of the model uncertainty and external disturbances. The upper bounds of the model uncertainty and external disturbances are not required to be known in advance. The actual control law is continuous and chatter‐free, which is obtained by integrating the discontinuous derivative control signal. Finally, these theoretical results are verified by numerical simulation.
Primary Immunodeficiency with Severe Multi-Organ Immune Dysregulation
Authors: Gavrilova Tatyana
Published: December 2019

Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type 1, also known as autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED), is a rare primary immunodeficiency disorder with multi-organ involvement. Besides for being predisposed to severe life-threatening infections, patients with APECED are also prone to organ impairment secondary to severe autoimmunity. As this is an autosomal recessive disorder, a biallelic mutation in the AIRE gene is responsible for APECED. The author presents a case of APECED with a single AIRE mutation. Whole exome sequencing identified a mutation in the BTNL2 gene that the author suggests may have contributed to the patient’s presentation.
Numerical Solution of Some Differential Equations with Henstock–Kurzweil Functions
Authors: León-Velasco D. A. , Morín-Castillo M. M. , Oliveros-Oliveros J. J. , Pérez-Becerra T. , Escamilla-Reyna J. A.
Published: December 2019

In this work, the Finite Element Method is used for finding the numerical solution of an elliptic problem with Henstock–Kurzweil integrable functions. In particular, Henstock–Kurzweil high oscillatory functions were considered. The weak formulation of the problem leads to integrals that are calculated using some special quadratures. Definitions and theorems were used to guarantee the existence of the integrals that appear in the weak formulation. This allowed us to apply the above formulation for the type of slope bounded variation functions. Numerical examples were developed to illustrate the ideas presented in this article.
Investigation on the Effects of Additive on Performance and Photostability of PCDTBT:PC71BM Solar Cells
Authors: Mohammed Endale Tsegaye , Gonfa Bedasa Abdisa , Kedir Fedlu , Anshebo Teketel Yohannes
Published: December 2019

In this work, the effect of DIM on the PCE and photostability of PCDTBT:PC71BM PSCs was investigated. DIM is an effective additive in a BHJ PCDTBT:PC71BM solar cell since it fulfills the requirement of a selective PC71BM dissolution. PCE of the device based on PCDTBT:PC71BM processed with DIM is higher than that of the reference device. In terms of the device stability, the PSCs processed with DIM showed poor stability at longer light exposure time. For the device without DIM especially as the light exposure time was increased, the device stability was better because the PCDTBT could be shielded from air by an aggregated PC71BM layer. For the PCDTBT:PC71BM device processed with DIM, the results obtained from J‐V measurement indicates that it has a lower recombination rate. The result from IS measurement shows that for pristine PCDTBT:PC71BM devices with 3% DIM, the active layer resistance is lower compared to the device without DIM. However, after irradiating the device for 5 hr, the resistance of the device processed with DIM is higher and it is consistent with decreased PCE of the aged device.
The Coumarin Derivative 5′-Hydroxy Auraptene Suppresses Osteoclast Differentiation via Inhibiting MAPK and c-Fos/NFATc1 Pathways
Authors: Abdallah Basem M. , Ali Enas M. , Elsawy Hany , Badr Gehan M. , Abdel-Moneim Ashraf M. , Alzahrani Abdullah M.
Published: December 2019

The phytochemical substances, coumarin derivatives, have demonstrated antiresorptive bone effects by suppressing osteoclast differentiation in vitro and in vivo. Recently, we have identified 5′-hydroxy auraptene (5′-HA), a coumarin derivative isolated from Lotus lalambensis Schweinf, as a novel stimulator for osteoblast differentiation. In this study, we investigated the effect of 5′-HA on osteoclast differentiation of mouse bone marrow (BM) cells. The effect of 5′-HA on BM cell proliferation and osteoclast differentiation was determined by measuring cell viability and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) enzyme activity, quantification of TRAP+ multinucleated cells (TRAP+MNCs), and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) of osteoclastic gene expression. Regulation of NF-κB, c-Fos/NFATc1, and MAPK signaling pathways by 5′-HA during osteoclastogenesis was measured by the NF-κB reporter assay and Western blot analysis. 5′-HA significantly suppresses the receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) induced osteoclast differentiation of BM cells in a dose-dependent manner. Consistently, treatment of BM cells with 5′-HA significantly inhibited RANKL-induced activation of NF-κB and c-Fos/NFATc1 pathways in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, RANKL-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p-38, and JNK was significantly inhibited by 5′-HA in BM cells. In conclusion, we identified 5′-HA as a novel coumarin derivative that suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis via inhibiting c-Fos/NFATc1 and MAPK signaling pathways.