bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of inflammatory biomarkers and growth factors in gingival crevicular fluid at different healing intervals following non‐surgical periodontal treatment: A systematic review
Authors: Koidou Vasiliki P. , Cavalli Nicolo , Hagi‐Pavli Eleni , Nibali Luigi , Donos Nikolaos
Published: August 2020

Background

Non‐surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) is widely employed for the treatment of periodontal disease and yields significant clinical improvements. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) can be used to profile health and disease, and recent technological advances, such as multiplex bead immunoassays, are promising in identifying a wider array of GCF factors with the ultimate aim to predict the treatment response.

Objective

The aim of this systematic review was to compare the expression of GCF markers using multiplex bead immunoassays before treatment and during early, average, or late healing period, following non‐surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT).

Methods

An electronic literature search was conducted by two independent examiners (VK and NC) in MEDLINE, EMBASE, OpenGrey, LILACS, and Cochrane Library up to January 2020. The PICO question formulated was as follows: “In patients with periodontal disease, does the expression of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) markers detected using multiplex bead immunoassay differ at baseline compared with early (≤30 days), average (6‐8 weeks), or late (≥3 months) healing after intervention?”

Results

A total of 366 publications were obtained and reviewed for eligibility for inclusion. Of these, 12 publications fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the present review. Data for a total of 31 different GCF markers were extracted and summarized for early, average, or late healing after NSPT. Early healing following NSPT (≤ 30 days) indicated an increase in IL‐1β, TNFα, and IL‐10. At the average healing period (6‐8 weeks), IL‐1β, IL‐1α, IL‐6, TNF‐α, IFN‐γ, GM‐CSF, MCP‐1, and MIP‐1α were all reduced, compared to their respective baseline values. Three months after NSPT, IL‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐10, TNF‐α, and IFN‐γ were detected at reduced levels, compared to pre‐treatment levels. Overall, the changes following treatment indicated a reduction of inflammation present at baseline.

Conclusion

Following non‐surgical periodontal treatment, an upregulation of inflammation markers is noted early post‐operatively and a subsequent reduction of their levels three months following treatment. The investigation of levels of GCF markers associated with inflammation and regeneration, especially using multiplex bead immunoassay technologies, is a valuable tool to better understand the processes associated with healing following periodontal treatment.
Growth and physiological responses of juvenile amberjack (Seriola dumerili) fed pellet diets bound by different binders
Authors: Yokoyama Saichiro , Asada Yuya , Ishikawa Manabu , Koshio Shunsuke
Published: August 2020

Appropriate binders have not yet been determined in pellet feed for amberjack Seriola dumerili juveniles. This study aimed to assess the influence of binders (activated gluten [AG], guar gum [GG], and carboxymethylcellulose [CMC]) on growth, feed ingestion, gastric emptying time (GET), digestibility, intestinal histology, body composition, and blood chemical constituents of amberjack juvenile. Dry pellets bound by supplementing different binders (3% AG, 2.5% AG combined with 0.5% GG [AG + GG], and 3% CMC) were fed to fish (mean body weight ± SD = 52.5 ± 0.6 g) for 30 days. After feeding, fish fed the AG diet exhibited growth, protein and dry matter digestibility, and feed utilization levels significantly (p < .05) higher than those of fish fed the AG + GG and CMC diets. Moreover, GET in fish fed the AG + GG and CMC diets were slower than those from fish in the AG group. These responses appeared to be associated with the viscosity of binders and diets. In fish fed the AG + GG and CMC diets, several blood indices were significantly (p < .05) lower than those in fish fed the AG diet. These results suggest that AG is a candidate binder in pellet feed for amberjack juvenile.
Knowledge distance and R&D collaboration in Cournot oligopoly
Authors: Caminati Mauro
Published: August 2020

A Cournot collaboration game is complemented with the hypothesis that the cost of R&D collaboration depends on firm’s directed knowledge distance with respect to potential R&D partners. The further hypothesis that directed distance may be non‐uniform and pair‐wise asymmetric reconciles theoretical predictions with qualitative evidence about concentration and multiplicity of components in industrial R&D networks. The welfare properties of sparse stable networks are also affected.
Bowen Family Systems Theory: Mapping a framework to support critical care nurses’ well‐being and care quality
Authors: Jakimowicz Samantha , Perry Lin , Lewis Joanne
Published: August 2020

Intensive care nursing is prone to episodic anxiety linked to patients’ immediate needs for treatment. Balancing biomedical interventions with compassionate patient‐centred nursing can be particularly anxiety provoking. These patterns of anxiety may impact compassion and patient‐centred nursing. The aim of this paper is to discuss the application of Bowen Family Systems Theory to intensive care nursing, mapping a framework to support critical care nurses’ well‐being and, consequently, the quality of care they provide. This article is founded on research, theoretical papers and texts focused on Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST), and findings from a constructivist study on patient‐centred nursing and compassion in the intensive care unit. The goal of Bowen Family Systems Theory is to empower individuals, decreasing blame and reactivity. Bowen Family Systems Theory can be applied to the sometimes intimate relationships that develop in this environment, aiding understanding of nurses’ experience of compassion satisfaction and fatigue. Where organizational factors and management styles fall short in supporting critical care nurses to meet expectations, BFST can offer a perspective on the processes that occur within the intensive care unit, impacting nurse well‐being and quality of care. This paper makes plain the importance of understanding the anxiety that occurs within the intensive care unit as a system, so that individuals, such as critical care nurses, can be supported appropriately to ensure nurse well‐being and quality care.
Controlling child feeding practices and child weight: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ruzicka Elizabeth B. , Darling Katherine E. , Sato Amy F.
Published: August 2020

Controlling child feeding practices (restriction and pressure‐to‐eat) have been theorized to predict increased child weight status. However, mixed evidence has been found for this association within previous narrative reviews. The present study quantitatively examined the association between controlling feeding practices and child weight status and examine potential study‐level and person‐level moderators. PubMed, PsychINFO, and Cochrane databases were utilized. Studies examining the association of controlling child feeding practices and child weight were included. Data from 51 studies, with 17 431 parent‐child dyads, were included. There was a small but significant association between restrictive child feeding practices and child weight (d = .22, 95% CI, .14 to .30). Restriction was significantly associated with higher child weight status. This association was significantly moderated by child age and household income. There was also a significant association between pressure‐to‐eat child feeding practices and child weight (d = −.30, 95% CI, −.38 to −.22). No significant moderators were identified. Pressure‐to‐eat was significantly associated with lower child weight status. There was a high degree of heterogeneity of effects between studies included in analyses. Longitudinal studies are needed to examine the effect of controlling feeding on child weight over time.
Putrescine elicits ROS‐dependent activation of the salicylic acid pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Liu Changxin , Atanasov Kostadin E. , Arafaty Nazanin , Murillo Ester , Tiburcio Antonio F. , Zeier Jürgen , Alcázar Rubén
Published: August 2020

Polyamines are small amines that accumulate during stress and contribute to disease resistance through as yet unknown signaling pathways. Using a comprehensive RNA‐sequencing analysis, we show that early transcriptional responses triggered by each of the most abundant polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, spermine, thermospermine and cadaverine) exhibit specific quantitative differences, suggesting that polyamines (rather than downstream metabolites) elicit defense responses. Signaling by putrescine, which accumulates in response to bacteria that trigger effector triggered immunity (ETI) and systemic acquired resistance (SAR), is largely dependent on the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide, and is partly dependent on salicylic acid (SA), the expression of ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY (EDS1) and NONEXPRESSOR of PR GENES1 (NPR1). Putrescine elicits local SA accumulation as well as local and systemic transcriptional reprogramming that overlaps with SAR. Loss‐of‐function mutations in arginine decarboxylase 2 (ADC2), which is required for putrescine synthesis and copper amine oxidase (CuAO), which is involved in putrescine oxidation, compromise basal defenses, as well as putrescine and pathogen‐triggered systemic resistance. These findings confirm that putrescine elicits ROS‐dependent SA pathways in the activation of plant defenses.
Confucianism and Daoism: On the relationship between theAnalects,Laozi, andZhuangzi, Part I
Authors: D'Ambrosio Paul J.
Published: August 2020

TheLunyu論語 (Analectsof Confucius),Daodejing道德經 (Classic of the Way and Virtuosity) orLaozi老子 (Book of Master Lao), and theZhuangzi莊子 (Book of Master Zhuang) have been broadly classified as representative of Confucianism (Lunyu) and Daoism (LaoziandZhuangzi). This loose grouping, and the similarities and differences associated with these “schools” include some of the most telling and simultaneously misleading generalizations about Chinese philosophy or thought in general. These articles seek to provide an overview of the relationship between Confucianism and Daoism. The first article begins before with a generalized topics based comparison of the Lunyu,LaoziandZhuangzi. The latter two texts include their own significant differences, but I will, wherever possible, look for generalities that fit both. The major themes considered in this first part are (1) the perspectives on names (ming 名) and actualities (shi 實), (2) cultivation, learning, and what is considered natural (ziran 自然), and finally (3) conceptions of the person.
Fatigue‐induced change in T‐system excitability and its major cause in rat fast‐twitch skeletal muscle in vivo
Authors: Watanabe Daiki , Wada Masanobu
Published: August 2020

Key points

Using mechanically skinned rat muscle fibres, we investigated (i) transverse tubular‐system (T‐system) excitability after high‐intensity contractions, and (ii) the mechanisms underlying the fatigue‐induced alteration of the T‐system excitability.

T‐system excitability estimated by using skinned fibres, which is highly regulated by T‐system Na+‐K+‐ATPase, was decreased after muscle contractions, but was fully restored by treatment with dithiothreitol.

The S‐glutathionylation of Na+–K+‐ATPase in whole muscle was increased after muscle contractions and also occurred under very low ATP conditions in rested but not stimulated fibres.

In conclusion, T‐system excitability was decreased after high‐intensity exercise due at least in part to the S‐glutathionylation of Na+–K+‐ATPase, which may be enhanced by contraction‐induced ATP depression.

The purpose of this study was to investigate transverse tubular system (T‐system) excitability after skeletal muscle contractions in vivo, and the contribution of S‐glutathionylation of Na+–K+‐ATPase. T‐system excitability was estimated by measuring the repriming period (RP) required for double action potentials in mechanically skinned fibres where the sarcolemma was removed but the T‐system still functioned. The RP under partially depolarized conditions was highly dependent on the function of Na+–K+‐ATPase. Rat gastrocnemius (GAS) muscles were subjected to repetitive contractions until the force was decreased to ∼50% of initial force, and then the muscles were very quickly excised and used for skinned fibre and biochemical experiments. The RP under partially depolarized conditions was increased in stimulated fibres (5.9 ± 1.0 ms in rested vs. 8.0 ± 1.5 ms in stimulated); however, this increase in RP was reversed by sequential treatment with dithiothreitol. The skinned fibres from rested muscles exhibited slower repriming only when treated with oxidized glutathione (GSSG) under very low ATP (≤1 mm) conditions, whereas the RP in stimulated fibres was not altered after GSSG treatment without ATP. In line with this, the α2‐ and β‐subunits of Na+–K+‐ATPase were more S‐glutathionylated in stimulated than in rested muscles. These results suggest that (i) T‐system excitability is decreased during contractions, in part due to a downregulation of T‐system Na+–K+‐ATPase, (ii) S‐glutathionylation contributes to the fatigue‐induced decline of the T‐system Na+–K+‐ATPase function, and (iii) ATP depression throughout contractions may enhance S‐glutathionylation of T‐system Na+–K+‐ATPase.
Fiber Crimp Confers Matrix Mechanical Nonlinearity, Regulates Endothelial Cell Mechanosensing, and Promotes Microvascular Network Formation
Authors: Davidson Christopher D. , Jayco Danica Kristen P. , Wang William Y. , Shikanov Ariella , Baker Brendon M.
Published: August 2020

Mechanical interactions between cells and their surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) guide many fundamental cell behaviors. Native connective tissue consists of highly organized, 3D networks of ECM fibers with complex, nonlinear mechanical properties. The most abundant stromal matrix component is fibrillar type I collagen, which often possesses a wavy, crimped morphology that confers strain- and load-dependent nonlinear mechanical behavior. Here, we established a new and simple method for engineering electrospun fibrous matrices composed of dextran vinyl sulfone (DexVS) with controllable crimped structure. A hydrophilic peptide was functionalized to DexVS matrices to trigger swelling of individual hydrogel fibers, resulting in crimped microstructure due to the fixed anchorage of fibers. Mechanical characterization of these matrices under tension confirmed orthogonal control over nonlinear stress–strain responses and matrix stiffness. We next examined ECM mechanosensing of individual endothelial cells (ECs) and found that fiber crimp promoted physical matrix remodeling alongside decreases in cell spreading, focal adhesion area, and nuclear localization of Yes-associated protein (YAP). These changes corresponded to an increase in migration speed, along with evidence for long-range interactions between neighboring cells in crimped matrices. Interestingly, when ECs were seeded at high density in crimped matrices, capillary-like networks rapidly assembled and contained tube-like cellular structures wrapped around bundles of synthetic matrix fibers due to increased physical reorganization of matrix fibers. Our work provides an additional level of mechanical and architectural tunability to synthetic fibrous matrices and implicates a critical role for mechanical nonlinearity in EC mechanosensing and network formation.
A Post-COVID-19 Lifestyle Sport Research Agenda: Communication, Risk, and Organizational Challenges
Authors: Smith William Roth
Published: August 2020

The cancellations and postponements of large-scale organized sport competitions provided the first indicators of the impact that COVID-19 would have on society. During the pandemic, sport media reporting has focused on cancellations. Although not receiving as much media attention, “lifestyle sports,” such as rock climbing, parkour, BMX, kayaking, or skateboarding, were also impacted by COVID-19 in ways that differ from organized team sports. In this commentary, the author draws upon select media reports and subcultural social media posts to highlight two primary impacts of COVID-19: (a) the civic organizational challenges of limiting lifestyle sport participation and (b) the influence on the social and risk-laden experience of these sports. The article concludes by detailing lifestyle sport stakeholder communication, digital sporting communities, the use of social media for organizing lifestyle sport communities, and sport risk communication as fruitful avenues for future research in a postpandemic lifestyle sports.
“It Is Like a Little Journey”: Deaf International Futsal Players’ and Coaches’ Experiences in Collaborative Blended Learning
Authors: De Martin Silva Luciana , Francis John W.
Published: August 2020

The aim of this study was twofold; first, to explore the challenges and successes faced by deaf international futsal players when using a collaborative blended learning approach in preparation for a major competition, and second, to provide a discussion of key coaching lessons learned to inspire coaches to consider how to best develop their coaching knowledge and practices. Data were collected from 12 players via six semistructured focus groups, along with 36 reflective diaries maintained by the two researchers (who held the role of “Joint Head Coach” and “Performance Analyst”), using a critical participatory action research methodological approach. Data collection and analysis were an on-going and cyclical process during the 7-month study. Four key themes were identified: “a little journey: a connected approach to learning”; “ownership, collaboration, and connection”; “communication barriers and fear of misinterpretation”; and “players’ initial ‘buy-in’ to the constructivist approach to learning.” Key coaching lessons highlighted the need for a “flexible” and “connected” approach to learning. In this study, through learning in-action and on-action, the authors often found themselves as “social” managers in trying to explore interrelational complexities and support individuals to build trust, an aspect seen by players as crucial for actively developing collaborative blended learning within the group.
Can Treadmill Slip-Perturbation Training Reduce Longer-Term Fall Risk Upon Overground Slip Exposure?
Authors: Lee Anna , Bhatt Tanvi , Liu Xuan , Wang Yiru , Wang Shuaijie , Pai Yi-Chung (Clive)
Published: August 2020

The purpose was to examine and compare the longer-term generalization between 2 different practice dosages for a single-session treadmill slip-perturbation training when reexposed to an overground slip 6 months later. A total of 45 older adults were conveniently assigned to either 24 or 40 slip-like treadmill perturbation trials or a third control group. Overground slips were given immediately after initial training, and at 6 months after initial training in order to examine immediate and longer-term effects. The performance (center of mass stability and vertical limb support) and fall percentage from the laboratory-induced overground slips (at initial posttraining and at 6 mo) were measured and compared between groups. Both treadmill slip-perturbation groups showed immediate generalization at the initial posttraining test and longer-term generalization at the 6-month retest. The higher-practice-dosage group performed significantly better than the control group (P < .05), with no difference between the lower-practice-dosage and the control groups at the 6-month retest (P > .05). A single session of treadmill slip-perturbation training showed a positive effect for reducing older adults’ fall risk for laboratory-induced overground slips. A higher-practice dosage of treadmill slip perturbations could be more beneficial for further reducing fall risk.
Fluoroquinolone versus Beta-Lactam Oral Step-Down Therapy for Uncomplicated Streptococcal Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Arensman Kellie , Shields Maureen , Beganovic Maya , Miller Jessica L. , LaChance Erik , Anderson Morgan , Dela-Pena Jennifer
Published: August 2020

Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are often preferred as oral step-down therapy for bloodstream infections (BSIs) due to favorable pharmacokinetic parameters; however, they are also associated with serious adverse events. The objective of this study was to compare clinical outcomes for patients who received an oral FQ versus an oral beta-lactam (BL) as step-down therapy for uncomplicated streptococcal BSIs. This multicenter, retrospective cohort study analyzed adult patients who completed therapy with an oral FQ or BL with at least one blood culture positive for a
Streptococcus
species from 1 January 2014 to 30 June 2019.
Analysis of Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by Specimen Transport Media, Nucleic Acid Extraction Reagents, Detergents, and Fixatives
Authors: Welch Stephen R. , Davies Katherine A. , Buczkowski Hubert , Hettiarachchi Nipunadi , Green Nicole , Arnold Ulrike , Jones Matthew , Hannah Matthew J. , Evans Reah , Burton Christopher , Burton Jane E. , Guiver Malcolm , Cane Patricia A. , Woodford Neil , Bruce Christine B. , Roberts Allen D. G. , Killip Marian J.
Published: August 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a multifaceted rapid response by the scientific community, bringing researchers, health officials, and industry together to address the ongoing public health emergency. To meet this challenge, participants need an informed approach for working safely with the etiological agent, the novel human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Work with infectious SARS-CoV-2 is currently restricted to high-containment laboratories, but material can be handled at a lower containment level after inactivation.
Strain Structure and Dynamics Revealed by Targeted Deep Sequencing of the Honey Bee Gut Microbiome
Authors: Bobay Louis-Marie , Wissel Emily F. , Raymann Kasie
Published: August 2020

The factors driving fine-scale composition and dynamics of gut microbial communities are poorly understood. In this study, we used metagenomic amplicon deep sequencing to decipher the strain dynamics of two key members of the honey bee gut microbiome. Using this high-throughput and cost-effective approach, we were able to confirm results from previous large-scale whole-genome shotgun (WGS) metagenomic sequencing studies while also gaining additional insights into the community dynamics of two core members of the honey bee gut microbiome. Moreover, we were able to show that cryptic strains are not responsible for the observed variations in microbiome composition across bees.
Rapid expansion of meso-megathermal rain forests into the southern high latitudes at the onset of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum
Authors: Huurdeman E.P. , Frieling J. , Reichgelt T. , Bijl P.K. , Bohaty S.M. , Holdgate G.R. , Gallagher S.J. , Peterse F. , Greenwood D.R. , Pross J.
Published: August 2020

Current knowledge of terrestrial ecosystem response to the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM; ca. 56 Ma) is largely based on the midlatitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. To more fully reconstruct global terrestrial ecosystem response to the PETM, we generated vegetation and biomarker proxy records from an outcrop section on the southern coast of Australia (∼60°S paleolatitude). We documented a rapid, massive, and sustained vegetation turnover as a response to regional PETM warming of ∼1–4 °C, abruptly transitioning from a warm temperate to a meso-megathermal rain forest similar to that of present-day northeastern Queensland, Australia. The onset of this vegetation change preceded the characteristic PETM carbon-isotope excursion (CIE) by several thousand years. The reconstructed ecosystem change is much stronger than in other Southern Hemisphere records, highlighting the need for consideration of regional paleoceanographic, paleogeographic, and biogeographic characteristics to fully understand the global terrestrial ecosystem response to PETM climate forcing.
Negligible surface uplift following foundering of thickened central Tibetan lower crust
Authors: Zeng Yunchuan , Ducea Mihai N. , Xu Jifeng , Chen Jianlin , Dong Yan-Hui
Published: August 2020

This study used clinopyroxene (cpx) compositions and zircon Hf-O isotopes of Eocene adakitic rocks (EARs) from the Qiangtang block to resolve the mechanism(s) responsible for the formation of the central Tibetan Plateau. The two leading and opposing hypotheses for the origin of these rocks are (1) partially molten foundered lower crust, and (2) partial melting of continentally subducted upper crust. The consensus is that some crustal sources within the mantle have reached eclogite facies, while evidence remains insufficient. Reverse zonation for cpx in high Mg# andesitic samples shows a low Mg# core with lower Sr and Sr/Y than the high Mg# rim, suggesting derivation of parent magma by interaction between some eclogite-derived felsic melts and mantle peridotite. Overall, the mantle-like zircon δ18O (mean value of ∼5.9‰) and εHf(t) (up to +6.7) values argue for a mafic source rather than buried upper-crustal rocks. Given the EARs were formed within a short time span after the end of crustal shortening, the original felsic melts were most likely derived from the foundered and eclogitized lower crust. The foundering process explains the early Eocene low-relief topography and the intermediate, eclogite-free modern crustal composition of central Tibet. Surface uplift as a response to lithosphere removal, however, was likely negligible, based on various lines of evidence, including sediment provenance, isotope paleoaltimetry, and thermochronology, perhaps because the central Tibetan crust was weak.
Formation of the First Bend in the late Eocene gave birth to the modern Yangtze River, China
Authors: Zheng Hongbo , Clift Peter D. , He Mengying , Bian Zixuan , Liu Gaozheng , Liu Xiaochun , Xia Lei , Yang Qing , Jourdan Fred
Published: August 2020

The First Bend on the Yangtze River (China), the point where the river ceases flowing toward the south and heads toward the northeast, has been one of the most strongly debated geomorphic features in Asia because it holds the key to understanding the history of the Yangtze River and is linked to the tectonically driven surface uplift of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. Mid- to upper Eocene sedimentary rocks preserved in the Jianchuan Basin located immediately southwest of the First Bend demonstrate that a large river system, presumably the paleo–Jinshajiang River (the upper Yangtze), used to flow south through that region. Provenance analysis of sediments over the wider region, based mostly on U-Pb dating of detrital zircon grains, confirms that the once south-flowing paleo–Yangtze River originated in the Tibetan Plateau and flowed into the South China Sea. Inversion of the Jianchuan Basin, starting in or after the latest Eocene and associated with wider plateau surface uplift at that time, caused the river to be diverted toward the northeast where it was confined along tectonic lineaments associated with strike-slip faulting, giving birth to the First Bend, a major step in the formation of the modern Yangtze River.
Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) with dietary therapy for acute severe ulcerative colitis
Authors: Costello Samuel Paul , Day Alice , Yao Chu K , Bryant Robert Venning
Published: August 2020

A 19-year-old man presented with acute severe ulcerative colitis. He was taking azathioprine (therapeutic metabolites) and sulphasalazine as well as infliximab with a therapeutic drug level. On day 3 of hydrocortisone therapy, he met day Oxford criteria with >8 bloody stools per day and was given faecal microbiota transplantation and subsequently commenced on dietary therapy combining several strategies—(1) increased intake of fermentable fibres, (2) reduced intake of overall and sulfur-containing protein and (3) restriction of sulfate and sulfite food additives. At week 8 assessment, he was in clinical and endoscopic remission and remained in clinical and endoscopic remission at 12 months.
Knee arthroplasty with hardware removal: complication cascade. Is it preventable?
Authors: Nierenberg Gabriel , Abu Elasal Alaa , Keltz Eran , Norman Doron
Published: August 2020

An elderly woman underwent hardware removal and total joint replacement (TJR) of her right knee. Ipsilateral total tip replacement was performed 7 years earlier, and 12 months later, a supracondylar fracture of the index femur was successfully treated by open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of the distal femur with a locking compression plate condylar plate. Hardware removal attempt, prior to the arthroplasty, resulted in fracture of the distal femur. Total knee replacement (TKR) was commenced with temporary reduction and final stabilisation of the femur fracture with a condylar plate. Postoperatively, non-union of the femur fracture developed twice with fatigue failure of the plate fixation device in both instances. Refixation of the femur was performed on both occasions and additional bone healing augmentation measures were performed for each subsequent surgery. Femur union was achieved fourteen months after the last surgery.
Untreated Takayasu arteritis: an unusual case of widespread disease
Authors: Breen Thomas J , Osborn Thomas G , Kleinman Sween Jennifer
Published: August 2020

A 38-year-old man with no medical history presented with bilateral flank and epigastric abdominal pain. CT abdomen and pelvis demonstrated diffuse nodules and lymphadenopathy, which were biopsied and showed chronic inflammatory changes. He later presented with pleuritic chest pain and was sent for a CT chest angiogram, which revealed perivascular inflammation involving the thoracic aortic arch, supra-aortic branch vessels and descending thoracic aorta. Further work-up showed vasculitic involvement of the coeliac, superior mesenteric and femoral arteries with heavy collateralisation. These findings were most consistent with widespread Takayasu arteritis that had been untreated for nearly 20 years. It was necessary to define the degree of active inflammation and need for immediate therapy, as the patient had a concomitant latent tuberculosis infection that precluded the use of immunosuppressive medications. This report illustrates an unusual case of Takayasu arteritis and highlights the presentation, diagnosis and work-up of suspected cases.
Impending rupture of mycotic aortic aneurysm infected withStreptococcus equisubspecieszooepidemicus
Authors: Liu Qiuying Selina , Raney Brannon , Harji Farzana
Published: August 2020

Streptococcus equisubspecieszooepidemicusis a beta-haemolytic, group C streptococcal bacterium. Although it is an opportunistic pathogen commonly found in horses, transmission to human can lead to severe infections. Here, we present a patient withS. equisubspecieszooepidemicusbacteraemia and consequent development of mycotic aneurysms.
Obstructive uropathy in the context of ureteroinguinal hernia: experience of challenges in surgical management of an unwell patient
Authors: Barns Mitchell Egerton , Vasudevan Arvind , Marsdin Emma Lucy
Published: August 2020

This case exemplifies an unusual anatomical variation of a common presentation and highlights the importance of perioperative diagnosis and planning in complex surgical patients. A 72-year-old comorbid man presented to the emergency department with an infected obstructed right kidney secondary to an obstructing 12 mm vesicoureteric junction calculi. However, imaging also showed concurrent ureteroinguinal hernia associated with a 130 cm-long ureter, too long for conventional treatment with a ureteric stent. Acutely, the patient’s collecting system was decompressed via nephrostomy, but due to the rarity of this anatomical variation, definitive treatment had to be rethought to help reduce the risk of iatrogenic damage and the associated long-term complications.
Subtle case of dapsone-induced methaemoglobinaemia
Authors: Lewis Justin S , Jacobs Zachary G
Published: August 2020

Methaemoglobinaemia is a rare disease that is typically caused by a medication or other exogenous agent, with dapsone being the most common. It occurs when the concentration of methaemoglobin rises via ferrous haeme irons becoming oxidised to the ferric state, which shifts the oxygen dissociation curve to the left. The net result of an elevated methaemoglobin concentration is functional anaemia and impaired oxygen delivery to tissues. At lower blood levels, this can cause symptoms such as cyanosis, lethargy, headache and fatigue, whereas at higher levels it can be fatal. Here we discuss a subtle case of dapsone-induced methaemoglobinaemia presenting as subacute mental status changes and apparent hypoxia, thus highlighting the association between methaemoglobinaemia and dapsone. This case demonstrates the importance of thorough medication reconciliation and maintaining a broad differential diagnosis, while also recognising the significance of conflicting data and their implications for the workup.
Potential biomarkers and challenges in glioma diagnosis, therapy and prognosis
Authors: Kan Liyen Katrina , Drummond Kate , Hunn Martin , Williams David , O'Brien Terence J , Monif Mastura
Published: August 2020

Gliomas are the most common central nervous system malignancies and present with significant morbidity and mortality. Treatment modalities are currently limited to surgical resection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Increases in survival rate over the previous decades are negligible, further pinpointing an unmet clinical need in this field. There is a continual struggle with the development of effective glioma diagnostics and therapeutics, largely due to a multitude of factors, including the presence of the blood–brain barrier and significant intertumoural and intratumoural heterogeneity. Importantly, there is a lack of reliable biomarkers for glioma, particularly in aiding tumour subtyping and measuring response to therapy. There is a need for biomarkers that would both overcome the complexity of the disease and allow for a minimally invasive means of detection and analysis. This is a comprehensive review evaluating the potential of current cellular, proteomic and molecular biomarker candidates for glioma. Significant hurdles faced in glioma diagnostics and therapy are also discussed here.
Application of Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) to improve medication safety: a systematic review
Authors: Anjalee Jayaweera A Lakshika , Rutter Victoria , Samaranayake Nithushi R
Published: August 2020

Medication safety is a phenomenon of interest in most healthcare settings worldwide. Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) is a prospective method to identify failures. We systematically reviewed the application of FMEA in improving medication safety in the medication use process. Electronic databases were searched using keywords ((failure mode and effect analysis) AND (pharmacy OR hospital)). Articles that fulfilled prespecified inclusion criteria were selected and were then screened independently by two researchers. Studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria and cited in articles selected for the study were also included. Selected articles were then analysed according to specified objectives. Among 27€706 articles obtained initially, only 29 matched the inclusion criteria. After adding four cited articles, a total of 33 articles were analysed. FMEA was used to analyse both existing systems and new policies before implementing. All participants of FMEA reported that this process was an effective group activity to identify errors in the system, although time-consuming and subjective.
Strength and permeability of bentonite-assisted biocemented coarse sand
Authors: Ma Guoliang , He Xiang , Jiang Xiang , Liu Hanlong , Chu Jian , Xiao Yang
Published: August 2020

To effectively stabilize coarse sand, bentonite was introduced in microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) grouting. Varying concentrations (0, 20, 40, and 80 g/L) of bentonite were added to bacterial suspensions (BSs), which were magnetically stirred to form bacterial-bentonite suspensions (BBSs). Then, coarse sand specimens were treated with BBSs and cementation solutions (CSs) to different cementation levels. The results showed that the addition of bentonite could increase the volume fractions of the precipitates consisting of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and bentonite. The permeability decreased exponentially as the volume fraction of precipitates increased. As the active precipitates increased when a lower concentration (e.g., 20 g/L) of bentonite was added to the MICP grouting, the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) was substantially improved. However, detrimental effects were observed for specimens treated with a high concentration of bentonite. These results indicate that the effective concentration of natural clay aggregates used in MICP grouting was different for different engineering applications, e.g., seepage control and strength enhancement. The current work provides an encouraging method of improving the MICP technique.
Research on work roll contour for improving the flatness defect of electronic aluminum foil
Authors: Yu Haijun , He Anrui , Chen Changke , Wang Xiuliang , Liu Yanjun
Published: August 2020

Electronic aluminum foil strips have extremely large width-to-thickness ratios and often exhibit tight-edge and rib-wave defect after rolling. To improve this special flatness defect, the defect distribution characteristics, section profile of aluminum foil strip, and defect cause were analyzed; and a new work roll contour was designed based on the idea of partial variable diameter. The new work roll contour is a combination of multiple curves, and the influences of the various curve parameters on the contour were researched. A finite element simulation model based on ABAQUS was established to study the control characteristics of the flatness defect when using the new work roll contour. Simulation results and actual production data of the 1450 aluminum foil rolling mill show that the new work roll can increase the depression of the tight-edge area and improve the flatness defect of tight-edge and rib-wave.
DPS mechanism for associated $$c\bar{c} b\bar{b}$$ production in AA UPCs
Authors: Huayra Edgar , de Oliveira Emmanuel G. , Pasechnik Roman
Published: August 2020

We discuss the associated $$c\bar{c}$$cc¯ and $$b\bar{b}$$bb¯ quark pairs production in the double-parton scattering (DPS) process in ultraperipheral (UPCs) AA collisions. We derive an analogue of the inclusive DPS pocket formula and the photon-energy dependent effective cross section considering an overlap between the hard SPS scatterings. We provide numerical predictions for the DPS cross sections for the $$c\bar{c}b\bar{b}$$cc¯bb¯ production process at the typical energies of AA UPCs at the LHC and FCC colliders and also characterize the A dependence of the total UPC DPS cross section.
A Basal Ganglia Computational Model to Explain the Paradoxical Sensorial Improvement in the Presence of Huntington’s Disease
Authors: González-Redondo Álvaro , Naveros Francisco , Ros Eduardo , Garrido Jesús A.
Published: August 2020

The basal ganglia (BG) represent a critical center of the nervous system for sensorial discrimination. Although it is known that Huntington’s disease (HD) affects this brain area, it still remains unclear how HD patients achieve paradoxical improvement in sensorial discrimination tasks. This paper presents a computational model of the BG including the main nuclei and the typical firing properties of their neurons. The BG model has been embedded within an auditory signal detection task. We have emulated the effect that the altered levels of dopamine and the degree of HD affectation have in information processing at different layers of the BG, and how these aspects shape transient and steady states differently throughout the selection task. By extracting the independent components of the BG activity at different populations, it is evidenced that early and medium stages of HD affectation may enhance transient activity in the striatum and the substantia nigra pars reticulata. These results represent a possible explanation for the paradoxical improvement that HD patients present in discrimination task performance. Thus, this paper provides a novel understanding on how the fast dynamics of the BG network at different layers interact and enable transient states to emerge throughout the successive neuron populations.
TRADE POLICY SPACE AND EXPORT PRODUCT DIVERSIFICATION
Authors: GNANGNON SÈNA KIMM
Published: August 2020

This paper provides a quantitative measure of the concept of trade policy space, at the macroeconomic level, and examines its impact on export product diversification. Trade policy space has been defined as the room of manoeuvre available to a government once its current trade policy is depurated from the impact of structural domestic and international factors. The analysis has been carried out using an unbalanced panel dataset comprising 165 countries (both developed and developing countries) over the period 2002–2015. Results suggest that trade policy space is positively associated with export product diversification, and the higher countries’ development level, the greater is the magnitude of the positive effect of trade policy space on export product diversification. The analysis further shows for recipient-countries of Aid for Trade (AfT) flows that trade policy space is complementary with AfT inflows in inducing export product diversification. In particular, the higher the amounts of AfT inflows that accrue to these countries, the greater is the positive impact of trade policy space on export product diversification in AfT recipient-countries.
Properties of the interface between the as-built Ti–6Al–4V sample and the Ti substrate in selective laser sintering
Authors: Nguyen Minh-Thuyet , Nguyen Hoang-Viet , Le Thai-Hung , Dang Quoc-Khanh , Kim Jin-Chun
Published: August 2020

In this paper, selective laser sintering (SLS) was applied to join two materials by printing Ti–6Al–4V powder on a Ti substrate without any support parts. The characteristics of the interface between the as-built Ti–6Al–4V sample and the substrate were investigated. The analysis indicates that a heat-affected zone (HAZ) and the fish-scale type were formed at the joining area. The combination of smaller grains, acicular [Formula: see text] martensite, and lamellar [Formula: see text] structures was observed inside the interface zone. The hardness value at the interface area was measured by about 320 HV which is higher than 280 HV of the substrate and smaller than 369 HV of the as-built sample. The results predict that the SLS process is a promising method for manufacturing of hybrid materials.
Automatic mantispid egg detection and counting using image nature
Authors: Yang Pei-Ying , Tseng Chin-Dar , Huang Tai-Lin , Liu Chao-Hong , Tsai I-Hsing , Lin Wei-Chun , Shieh Chin-Shiuh , Yeh Shyh-An , Leung Stephen Wan , Lee Tsair-Fwu
Published: August 2020

Mantispids are small brown bugs about 1.5 cm in length. Mantispid eggs are produced in large quantities, with about 1000 eggs per spawning, and are tiny and densely packed. Traditionally, mantispid eggs are counted manually. However, counting such a large quantity of eggs is difficult. To provide accurate data for researchers, we detail methods to accurately detect and count the number of mantispid eggs using image processing. The following methods were used to count the mantispid eggs: background estimation, morphological image processing, background subtraction, stretching, image thresholding, gray-level transformation, labeling and counting. The results of automated counting were compared with the results of manual counting. The segmentation results were verified, and the accuracy of the mantispid egg counts was determined to be 100%. This provides a useful resource for mantispid egg counting. The automatic counting system cannot only count mantispid eggs, it can also be used to count other similar insect eggs.
Study of the effects of relative humidity and velocity on the friction characteristics of pneumatic cylinders
Authors: Nguyen Thuy-Duong , Pham Van-Hung
Published: August 2020

The movement of a piston rod in a pneumatic cylinder is directly affected by the air humidity in the atmosphere, especially in the case of piston rods without any means of protection or grease on their surfaces. In a pneumatic cylinder system, the friction between the piston rod and the rod seal is sliding friction, and it has a significant value that varies with the variation in the moisture on the piston rod’s surface. In this paper, an investigation of the friction characteristics of piston rods and rod seals in a pneumatic cylinder was carried out with different humidity and velocity values to understand the effect of lubricants on the moving parts of pneumatic systems in humid environments, where the friction characteristics of the displacements corresponding to the static and dynamic friction forces were displayed on a measuring device. The research results showed that the static friction forces tended to decrease by [Formula: see text] and that the dynamic friction forces tended to decrease by [Formula: see text] when the relative humidity increased from 51% to 99% at different velocities between 5 and 100 mm/s.
Finite-time consensus of second-order nonlinear multi-agent systems with impulsive effects
Authors: Tian Yuan , Li Chuandong
Published: August 2020

This paper addresses finite-time consensus of second-order nonlinear multi-agent systems with impulsive effects. A control protocol contains neighborhood and self state feedback without sign function is proposed for finite-time consensus. By employing Lyapunov stability theory, a new less conservative estimation of energy function is obtained, by solving which, it gets both finite-time consensus and exponential consensus criteria with or without impulsive effects. Moreover, three impulsive types: stability, divergence and no effects, are divided based on strengths of impulse and controller. Examples are provided to demonstrate the correctness of theoretical results and the effectiveness of the finite-time protocol.
Transients from initial conditions based on Lagrangian perturbation theory in N-body simulations III: The case of Gadget-2 code
Authors: Tatekawa Takayuki
Published: August 2020

In modern cosmology, the precision of the theoretical prediction is increasingly required. In cosmological [Formula: see text]-body simulations, the effect of higher-order Lagrangian perturbation on the initial conditions appears in terms of statistical quantities of matter density field. We have considered the effect of third-order Lagrangian perturbation theory (3LPT) on the initial conditions, which can be applied to Gadget-2 code. Then, as statistical quantities, non-Gaussianity of matter density field has been compared between cases of different order perturbations for the initial conditions. Then, we demonstrate the validity of the initial conditions with second-order Lagrangian perturbation theory (2LPT).