bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stability of Motorcycles Under Acceleration and Braking
Authors: Limebeer David J. N. , Evangelou Simos , Sharp Robin S.
Published: November 2020

A comprehensive study of the effects of acceleration and braking on motorcycle stability is presented. This work is based on a modified version of the dynamic model that was first presented in (Sharp & Limebeer, 2000), and is thought to be the most comprehensive motorcycle dynamic model in the public domain. Extensive use is made of both nonlinear and linearized models. The models are written in LISP and make use of the multibody modelling package AUTOSIM (Autosim 2.5+, 1998). There is novelty in the way in which control systems have been used to control the motorcycle drive and braking systems in order that the machine maintains desired rates of acceleration and deceleration.

The results show that the wobble mode of a motorcycle is significantly destabilized when the machine is descending an incline, or braking on a level surface. Conversely, the damping of the wobble mode is substantially increased when the machine is ascending an incline at constant speed, or accelerating on a level surface. This probably accounts for the pleasing stable “feel” of the machine under firm acceleration.

Except at very low speeds, inclines, acceleration and deceleration appears to have very little effect on the damping or frequency of the weave mode. Nonlinear simulation have quantified the known difficulties to do with rear tyre adhesion in heavy braking situations that are dominated by rear wheel braking.
Analysis of Load Dependent Dynamic Transmission Error Response of Gears With Random Pitch Error
Authors: Márialigeti János , Lovas László
Published: November 2020

For more realistic gear dynamic behaviour predictions, detailed gear dynamic models are needed, allowing taking into consideration the most important influencing factors. System model is presented, based on the separate handling of individual tooth pairs, with their specific profile corrections, manufacturing errors etc. Further on, non-linear single tooth pair force-deflection curve is considered, resulting in load dependent eigenfrequency characteristics. Simulation results are presented for gears with randomly distributed pitch errors. Gears with normal tooth profile and with tip relief are compared, and vibration response characteristics are analysed based on Fourier analysis of simulated transmission error response curves.
Study on Nonlinear Dynamic Characters of Rotor-Bearing System
Authors: Xia Songbo , Zhang Xinjiang , Wu Xinhua , Xu Genfa
Published: November 2020

The stability of a rigid Jeffcott rotor system based on short-bearing model is study in a relatively wide parameter range using the Poincaré maps and numerical integral method. The results of calculation show that the period doubling bifurcation, quasi-periodic and chaos motions may be occurred. In some typical parameter regions the bifurcation diagrams, phase portrait, Poincaré maps and the frequency spectrums of the system are acquired with numerical integral method. They demonstrate some motion state of the system. The fractal dimension concept is used to determine whether the system is in a state of chaos motion. The analysis result of this paper provides the theoretical bases for qualitatively controlling the stable operating states of rotors.
Single-Bagged Air Spring’s Parameter Calculation
Authors: Lou Jingjun , Zhu Shijian , Qian Weijian , He Lin
Published: November 2020

This paper sets up a dynamic model of a single-bagged air spring with an auxiliary air chamber on the basis of the polytrope process state equation. The calculation formulas for stiffness and natural frequency are derived. Factors affecting damping coefficient and natural frequency are analyzed.
Nonlinear Parametric Vibrations of an Elastic Structure With a Cylindrical Liquid Container (in the Case of an Anti-Symmetric Sloshing Mode)
Authors: Ikeda Takashi , Murakami Shin
Published: November 2020

The nonlinear-coupled vibrations of an elastic structure and liquid sloshing in a cylindrical container are investigated. Since the structure is vertically subjected to a sinusoidal excitation, the behavior of the liquid surface is governed by a kind of the Mathieu equation. Modal equations governing the coupled motions are derived, when the natural frequency of the structure is equal to twice the natural frequency of an anti-symmetric mode of sloshing. The theoretical resonance curves are also presented by using an FFT analysis and the improved harmonic balance method. The influences of a liquid level and a detuning parameter on the theoretical resonance curves are shown. A small deviation of the tuning condition can cause amplitude-modulated motions and separate the occurrence region of the coupled vibration into two regions. In the experiments, the theoretical resonance curves were qualitatively in agreement with the experimental data. In addition, amplitude-modulated motions were observed.
Control of a Buckled Beam Subjected to a Compressive Force
Authors: Yabuno Hiroshi , Ando Kazuya , Aoshima Nobuharu
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we deal with a stabilization control for the buckled beam subjected to a compressive force. It is easily predicted that by applying a restoring force to the beam (P control), which is proportional to the deflection, the critical compressive force for the buckling is increased. However it is theoretically and experimentally clarified in our former study that in the neighborhood of the critical point, the effect of Coulomb friction at the supporting points is relatively increased even if it is very slight. It follows that the beam cannot be stabilized to the trivial steady state only by using the position feedback control and also velocity feedback. In this paper, we propose a stabilization control method of the beam to the trivial steady state by the aid of disturbance observer. Furthermore, the validity of the theoretically proposed method is experimentally confirmed.
Cyclostationary Analysis of Rolling Element Bearing Vibration Signals
Authors: Glossiotis George N. , Antoniadis Ioannis A.
Published: November 2020

Vibration signals resulting from rolling element bearings present a rich content of physical information, the proper analysis of which can lead among others to the identification of possible faults. Traditionally, this analysis is performed by the use of signal processing methods, which assume statistically stationary signal features. The paper proposes an alternative framework for analyzing bearing vibration signals, based on cyclostationary analysis. This framework, being able to model additionally signals with periodically varying statistics, is better able to exhibit the underlying physical concepts of the modulation mechanism, present in the vibration response of bearings. The basic concepts of the approach are demonstrated both in illustrative simulation results, as well as in experimental results and industrial measurements for two different types of bearing faults.
On the crucial role of atmospheric rivers in the two major Weddell Polynya events in 1973 and 2017 in Antarctica
Authors: Francis Diana , Mattingly Kyle S. , Temimi Marouane , Massom Rob , Heil Petra
Published: November 2020

Atmospheric rivers induced sea ice melt and initiated the two major Weddell Polynya events in November 1973 and September 2017.
Constrained minimal-interface structures in polycrystalline copper with extremely fine grains
Authors: Li X. Y. , Jin Z. H. , Zhou X. , Lu K.
Published: November 2020

Locking in nanoscale strength

Metals with nanometer-sized crystal grains are super strong, but they do not generally retain their structure at higher temperatures. This property undermines their high strength and makes their use in applications challenging. Li
et al.
found a minimum-interface structure in copper with 10-nanometer-sized grains that, when combined with a nanograin crystallographic twinning network, retains high strength to temperatures just below the melting point. This discovery suggests a different path forward for stabilizing nanograined metals.

Science
, this issue p.
831
CD300lf Conditional Knockout Mouse Reveals Strain-Specific Cellular Tropism of Murine Norovirus
Authors: Graziano Vincent R. , Alfajaro Mia Madel , Schmitz Cameron O. , Filler Renata B. , Strine Madison S. , Wei Jin , Hsieh Leon L. , Baldridge Megan T. , Nice Timothy J. , Lee Sanghyun , Orchard Robert C. , Wilen Craig B.
Published: November 2020

Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) are a leading cause of gastroenteritis resulting in up to 200,000 deaths each year. The receptor and cell tropism of HuNoV in immunocompetent humans are unclear.
Clinical effect of normal saline injectate into interscalene nerve block catheters given within one hour of local anesthetic bolus on analgesia and hemidiaphragmatic paralysis
Authors: Gerber Lynn Ngai , Sun Lisa Y , Ma Wen , Basireddy Shruthi , Guo Nan , Costouros John , Cheung Emilie , Boublik Jan , Horn Jean-Louis , Tsui Ban CH
Published: November 2020

Background

Previous case reports describe the reversal of phrenic nerve blockade from the interscalene nerve block using normal saline injectate washout. This randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate whether using normal saline injectate to wash out local anesthetic from an interscalene nerve block catheter would restore phrenic nerve and diaphragm function, while preserving analgesia.

Methods

Institutional review board approval, clinical trial registration and consent were obtained for patients undergoing shoulder surgery with an interscalene nerve block catheter. 16 patients were randomized to receive three 10 mL aliquots of normal saline injectate (intervention group, n=8) or three sham injectates (control group, n=8) via their perineural catheters in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Primary outcome measures were the effects on ipsilateral hemidiaphragmatic paralysis, and secondary outcome measures included PACU opioid consumption, pain scores and change in brachial plexus sensory examination and motor function.

Results

There was no significant difference in reversal of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis. However, there was a greater number of patients in the intervention group who ultimately displayed partial, as opposed to full, paralysis of the hemidiaphragm (p=0.03). There was no significant difference in pain scores, PACU opioid requirement, and brachial plexus motor and sensory examinations between the two groups.

Conclusions

All patients had persistent hemidiaphragmatic paralysis after the intervention, but fewer patients in the intervention group progressed to full paralysis, suggesting that a larger bolus dose of normal saline may be needed to completely reverse hemidiaphragmatic paralysis. Although normal saline injectate in 10mL increments given through the interscalene nerve block catheter had no clinically significant effect on reversing phrenic nerve blockade, it also did not lead to a reduction in analgesia and may be protective in preventing the progression to full hemidiaphragmatic paralysis.

Trail registration number

NCT03677778.
The Intersection Problem for Finite Semigroups
Authors: Fleischer Lukas
Published: November 2020

The intersection problem for finite semigroups asks, given a set of regular languages, represented by recognizing morphisms to finite semigroups, whether there exists a word contained in their intersection. In previous work, it was shown that is problem is [Formula: see text]-complete. We introduce compressibility measures as a useful tool to classify the complexity of the intersection problem for certain classes of finite semigroups. Using this framework, we obtain a new and simple proof that for groups and for commutative semigroups, the problem (as well as the variant where the languages are represented by finite automata) is contained in [Formula: see text]. We uncover certain structural and non-structural properties determining the complexity of the intersection problem for varieties of semigroups containing only trivial submonoids. More specifically, we prove [Formula: see text]-hardness for classes of semigroups having a property called unbounded order and for the class of all nilpotent semigroups of bounded order. On the contrary, we show that bounded order and commutativity imply decidability in poly-logarithmic time on alternating random-access Turing machines with a single alternation. We also establish connections to the monoid variant of the problem.
Edge AI Driven Technology Advancements Paving Way Towards New Capabilities
Authors: Agarwal Girish Kumar , Magnusson Mats , Johanson Anders
Published: November 2020

As industries hold the opportunity to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) driven innovation, their success to a significant extent will depend on the value the new technology generates for different business stakeholder groups. This is in turn dependent upon how management can embrace these techniques and change as companies will frequently need to transform both internal processes and offerings to customers in order to reap the benefits of AI. AI is a growing research area currently concentrated around technology and modeling of techniques and yet only few examples and limited research are available, on how AI technology enables new capabilities that can impact the value delivered as well as radically transform it. We thus need to understand what new capabilities these technologies bring about and how they are used. Based on three concrete empirical quasi-experiments, interviews conducted with start-ups and a Swedish industrial manufacturing firm dealing with outdoor power products (like grass-cutters, chain-saws, concrete-saws, etc.) for professional and consumer use and using an analytical framework derived from the Resource Based View, this paper explores capabilities enabled through Edge AI and the competitive advantage these may offer. Specific capabilities (self-calibration, enhanced-sensing, selective-capture and reputation) are identified and implications for theory are discussed, pointing out the importance to consider this type of technology not only as a resource, but rather as a dynamic capability in itself.
The Patterson Lake corridor of Saskatchewan, Canada: defining crystalline rocks in a deep-seated structure that hosts a giant, high-grade Proterozoic unconformity uranium system
Authors: Card Colin D.
Published: November 2020

The Patterson Lake corridor in the Athabasca Basin region of Saskatchewan, Canada, hosts a large-scale uranium system with two major deposits already delineated. The corridor developed in crystalline rocks of the SW Rae Province, which host all of the known uranium endowment. Orthogneisses along with voluminous pegmatites are the hosts of the uranium mineralization. These rocks, however, underwent significant open-system metasomatic–hydrothermal modification. Principal amongst these alterations is early and pervasive quartz flooding that resulted in the development of widespread secondary quartzites and associated rock types. These secondary quartzites and their altered host rocks suffered ductile deformation, typically focused at silicification fronts. Late carbonatite dykes exploited the associated shear zones. Semi-brittle deformation zones nucleated near the previously developed ductile high-strain zones. Graphite and associated iron-sulfides precipitated in a semi-brittle structural regime. These graphitized zones provided the necessary structural architecture to focus the uranium system, which exploited the conduit hundreds of millions of years later at
c.
1.425 Ga.

Host rocks of the Patterson Lake corridor prove that metasedimentary rocks are not a requirement for the development of giant Proterozoic unconformity uranium deposits. Crustal-scale fault zones with access to the mantle (i.e. carbonatites) should be considered a key parameter in the exploration model for Proterozoic unconformity uranium deposits. Given the similarity of the mineral assemblages in the crystalline basement rocks of the main exploration corridor in the eastern Athabasca Basin region, it is likely that a similar, cryptic geological boundary focused the giant uranium system in that region.

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Uranium Fluid Pathways collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/uranium-fluid-pathways
Formation and Electrochemical Characterisation of Enzyme-Assisted Formation of Polypyrrole and Polyaniline Nanocomposites with Embedded Glucose Oxidase and Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: German Natalija , Popov Anton , Ramanaviciene Almira , Ramanavicius Arunas
Published: November 2020

Enzyme-assisted synthesis of electrochemically active nanocomposite structures based onπ-πconjugated polymers polyaniline (PANI) and polypyrrole (Ppy) is reported. The synthesis of both conducting polymers was induced by hydrogen peroxide, which is generated during catalytic action of glucose oxidase (GOx), and this polymerisation was performed in the presence of (i) gold nanoparticles of 6 nm diameter (AuNPs(6nm)) or (ii) tetrachloroauric acid (HAuCl4). Formed nanocomposites were evaluated electrochemically and spectrophotometrically. Field emission scanning electron microscopy results illustrated that nanocomposites are poly-dispersed particles tend to agglomerate during centrifugation. Hydrodynamic diameter evaluated by dynamic light scattering technique for PANI/AuNPs(6nm)&GOx- or PANI/AuNPs(AuCl4−)&GOx-based nanocomposites after 108 h lasting polymerization was 1.90 or 1.70 times larger than that determined for Ppy/AuNPs(6nm)&GOx or Ppy/AuNPs(AuCl4−)&GOx, respectively. Oxidation peaks in cyclic voltammograms determined for electrodes modified by PANI/AuNPs(6nm)&GOx-, PANI/AuNPs(AuCl4−)&GOx- and PANI/GOx-based nanocomposites were observed at +0.332, +0.349, and +0.542 V. For Ppy/AuNPs(6nm)&GOx-, Ppy/AuNPs(AuCl4−)&GOx- and Ppy/GOx-based nanocomposites oxidation peaks were observed at +0.425, +0.545 and +0.508 V, respectively. Oxidation peaks of PANI nanocomposites without and with AuNPs or AuCl4-appeared due to the conversion of PANI leucoemeraldine form to emeraldine salt, while for Ppy – are attributed to the transition of cation-polaron into the cation-bipolaron-based state of Ppy.
Hepatic Thermal Injury Promotes Colorectal Cancer Engraftment in C57/black 6 Mice
Authors: Halpern Alison L. , Fitz J. Gregory , Fujiwara Yuki , Yi Jeniann , Anderson Aimee L. , Zhu Yuwen , Schulick Richard D. , El Kasmi Karim C. , Barnett Carlton C.
Published: November 2020

Background:Treatment of liver metastases (primarily colorectal cancer) is limited by high recurrence rates and tumor progression. Surgical approaches to management of these metastases typically utilize heat energy: including electrocautery; argon beam coagulation; thermal ablation of surgical margins for hemostasis; and preemptive thermal ablation to prevent bleeding or effect tumor destruction. Based on high rates of local recurrence, these studies assess whether local effects of hepatic thermal injury (HTI) might contribute to poor outcomes by promoting a hepatic microenvironment favorable for tumor engraftment or progression due to induction of pro-cancer cytokines and deleterious immune infiltrates at the site of thermal injury. Approach and Results:To test this hypothesis, an immunocompetent mouse model was developed wherein HTI was combined with concomitant intrasplenic injection of cells from a well characterized MC38 colon carcinoma cell line. In this model, HTI resulted in a significant increase in engraftment and progression of MC38 tumors at the site of thermal injury. Further, there were local increases in expression of mRNA for Hif1a, Arg1, and Vegfaand activation changes in recruited macrophages at the HTI site but not in untreated liver tissue. Inhibition of HIF1α following HTI significantly reduced discreet hepatic tumor development (p=0.03). Conclusions:Taken together, these findings demonstrate that HTI creates a favorable local environment that is associated with pro-tumorigenic activation of macrophages and circulating tumors implanting. Discrete targeting of HIF1α and/or its up and downstream pathways and/or inhibiting macrophages offer potential strategies for improving the outcome of surgical management of hepatic metastases where HTI is utilized.
Long-term trans-inhibition of the hepatitis B and D virus receptor NTCP by taurolithocholic acid
Authors: Lowjaga Kira A. A. T. , Kirstgen Michael , Müller Simon F. , Goldmann Nora , Lehmann Felix , Glebe Dieter , Geyer Joachim
Published: November 2020

The hepatic bile acid transporter NTCP is a high-affinity receptor for hepatitis B and D viruses. This study shows that TLC rapidly accumulates in NTCP-expressing hepatoma cells and mediates long-lasting trans-inhibition of NTCP’s transporter and receptor function via an intracellularly accessible domain, without substantially affecting its membrane expression. This domain is a promising novel NTCP target site for pharmacological long-acting HBV/HDV entry inhibitors.
Assessment of esophageal body peristaltic work using functional lumen imaging probe panometry
Authors: Acharya Shashank , Halder Sourav , Carlson Dustin A. , Kou Wenjun , Kahrilas Peter J. , Pandolfino John E. , Patankar Neelesh A.
Published: November 2020

Functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) panometry assesses esophageal response to distension and provides a simultaneous assessment of pressure and dimension during contractility. This enables an objective assessment of “mechanical work” done by the esophagus. Eighty-five individuals were evaluated, and two work metrics were computed for each subject. Controls showed greater values of work compared with individuals with achalasia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and systemic sclerosis (SSc). These values can quantify the mechanical behavior of the distal esophagus and assist in the estimation of muscular integrity.
Neuropilin-1 directs PDGFRα-entry into lung fibroblasts and signaling from very early endosomes
Authors: McGowan Stephen E. , McCoy Diann M.
Published: November 2020

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α (PDGFRα) is absolutely required for the development of secondary pulmonary alveolar septa. Our earlier observations indicated that PDGFRα resides intracellularly as well as on the plasma membrane of murine lung fibroblasts (LF). We have examined how neuropilin-1 (Nrp1), a surface receptor without kinase activity, regulates the intracellular trafficking of PDGFRα in LF obtained from mice, some bearing a targeted deletion of Nrp1 in myofibroblasts. Using the proximity ligation assay, we observed that PDGFRα and Nrp1 colocalized in both early antigen-1 (EEA1) containing sorting endosomes and with adaptor protein containing a pleckstrin homology domain and a phosphotyrosine-binding domain-1 (APPL1) in very early endosomes (VEE). These findings were confirmed using live-cell imaging, which demonstrated that recently internalized PDGFRα was observed in Rab5-containing vesicles residing within 100 nm of the plasma membrane. Nrp1 deletion reduced the phosphorylation of Akt (protein kinase B), the major downstream target of PDGFRα, and limited accumulation of inositol-3 phosphates in APPL1-containing endosomes after exposure to PDGFA. PDGFRα co-immunoprecipitated with APPL1, indicating that PDGFRα enters VEE. Targeted deletion of Nrp1 or APPL1-depletion in control LF reduced the activity of an Akt1 biosensor following stimulation with PDGFA. Our findings demonstrate that Nrp1 enhances the entry of PDGFRα into APPL1 containing VEE and that APPL1 enhances PDGFRα signaling. Therefore, Nrp1 promotes endosomal signaling by PDGFRα offering a potential mechanism to explain our prior observation that Nrp1 supports the formation of alveolar ducts and alveoli during secondary septation in mice.
Dysregulation of endocytic machinery and ACE2 in small airways of smokers and COPD patients can augment their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infections
Authors: Eapen Mathew Suji , Lu Wenying , Hackett Tillie L. , Singhera Gurpreet Kaur , Thompson Isobel E. , McAlinden Kielan Darcy , Hardikar Ashutosh , Weber Heinrich C. , Haug Greg , Wark Peter A. B. , Chia Collin , Sohal Sukhwinder Singh
Published: November 2020

Lungs of smokers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are severely compromised and are susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) attack. The dangerous combination of enhanced SARS-CoV-2 attachment receptor protein ACE2 along with an increase in endocytic vacuoles will enable viral attachment, entry, and replication. The objective of the study was to identify the presence of SARS-CoV-2 host attachment receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) along with endocytic vacuoles, early endosome antigen-1 (EEA1), late endosome marker RAB7, cathepsin-L, and lysosomal associated membrane protein-1 (LAMP-1) as lysosome markers in the airways of smokers and COPD patients. The study design was cross-sectional and involved lung resections from 39 patients in total, which included 19 patients with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage I or GOLD stage II COPD, of which 9 were current smokers with COPD (COPD-CS) and 10 were ex-smokers with COPD (COPD-ES), 10 were normal lung function smokers, and 10 were never-smoking normal controls. Immunostaining for ACE2, EEA1, RAB7, and cathepsin-L was done. A comparative description for ACE2, EEA1, RAB7, and cathepsin-L expression pattern is provided for the patient groups. Furthermore, staining intensity for LAMP-1 lysosomes was measured as the ratio of the LAMP-1-stained areas per total area of epithelium or subepithelium, using Image ProPlus v7.0 software. LAMP-1 expression showed a positive correlation to patient smoking history while in COPD LAMP-1 negatively correlated to lung function. The active presence of ACE2 protein along with endocytic vacuoles such as early/late endosomes and lysosomes in the small airways of smokers and COPD patients provides evidence that these patient groups could be more susceptible to COVID-19.
No renal dysfunction or salt and water retention in acute mountain sickness at 4,559 m among young resting males after passive ascent
Authors: Biollaz Jérôme , Buclin Thierry , Hildebrandt Wulf , Décosterd Laurent A. , Nussberger Jürg , Swenson Erik R. , Bärtsch Peter
Published: November 2020

Kidney function remained essentially unaffected and acute mountain sickness (AMS) was not associated with salt and water retention in healthy young men flown to and resting at the Margherita hut (4,559 m) under strictly controlled conditions maintaining water, salt, and food intake at pre-exposure levels. Thus, renal dysfunction and fluid retention are not essential factors contributing to the pathophysiology of AMS.
Within- and between-hemifield generalization of repetition suppression in inferior temporal cortex
Authors: Fabbrini Francesco , Vogels Rufin
Published: November 2020

Neurons in inferior temporal cortex reduce their response when stimuli are repeated. To assess whether this repetition suppression is inherited from upstream visual areas, we examined the extent of its spatial generalization. We observed stimulus-selective adaptation when adapter and test stimuli were presented at widely different spatial positions and in different hemifields. These data suggest that at least part of the repetition suppression originates within inferior temporal cortex and/or reflects feedback from downstream areas.
Feasibility and Safety of Laparoscopic Radical Colectomy for T4b Colon Cancer at a University Hospital in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Thinh H. , Tran Hung X. , Thai Truc T. , La Duc M. , Tran Huy D. , Le Kien T. , Pham Vinh T. N. , Le An N. T. , Nguyen Bac H.
Published: November 2020

Background. The choice of optimal treatment strategies for T4b colon cancers has still been discussed, particularly the initiation of neoadjuvant therapy or surgery. We conducted this study to evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic multivisceral resection for T4b colon cancers. Methods. We used the retrospective design to include all 43 patients with T4b colon cancer at a university hospital in Vietnam from March 2017 to March 2019. All patients were followed 30 days after the surgery, and information about the day of the first flatus, length of hospital stay, iatrogenic complications, postoperative morbidity, mortality, and adjuvant chemotherapy was collected. Results. The mean operating time was 187 minutes (ranging from 80 to 310), the mean blood loss was 64.3 ml (5‐200), and the conversion rate was 2.3%. The mean number of lymph nodes harvested was 15.5 (SD = 8.06), and 33 patients (76.7%) had at least 12 lymph nodes harvested. A total of 21 patients (48.8%) had lymph node metastases with a mean number of lymph node metastases of 1.89 (SD = 3.4). The radial resection margin was R0 in all 43 patients (100%). The median time until the first flatus and hospital stay were 3 days (2–5) and 7.1 (6–11) days, respectively. There was no mortality at 30 days postoperatively, and one patient had iatrogenic complication (2.3%). Conclusion. Laparoscopic radical colectomy was feasible and safe for patients with T4b colon cancer except those requiring major and complicated reconstruction.
Teucrium leucocladum: An Effective Tool for the Treatment of Hyperglycemia, Hyperlipidemia, and Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin‐Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Bassalat Najlaa , Taş Sibel , Jaradat Nidal
Published: November 2020

Teucrium leucocladum is among the most used traditional medicinal plants in Palestine, which is used for the treatment of hyperglycemia and colon spasms from ancient times. Therefore, the current investigation aimed for the first time to determine the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and oxidative stress inhibitory effects of the aerial parts (stem and leaves) of T. leucocladum hydrophilic (water) extract in streptozotocin‐ (STZ‐) induced diabetic rats (65 mg/kg), given intraperitoneally at a dose of 100 mg/kg for 21 days. The rats were divided into four groups as control (C), control + T. leucocladum extract (C + TL), diabetes (D), and diabetes + T. leucocladum extract (D + TL). The antioxidant activity was analyzed using in vitro 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl and in vivo methods by measuring the plasma and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels using a colorimetric assay. On the other hand, glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme levels, serum paraoxonase (PON), and arylesterase (ARE) enzyme activities were assessed by utilizing standard biochemical kits. Besides, the blood glucose and serum insulin levels were assessed by a glucometer and Rat ELISA Kit, respectively. However, the autoanalyzer was used to evaluate the lipid profile. The diabetic rat group that administered T. leucocladum extract showed the best reduction in the tissue and plasma MDA levels and an increase of insulin‐releasing potentials. Besides, the serum PON and ARE activities and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and whole blood glutathione peroxidase enzyme levels were significantly increased in all animals treated with T. leucocladum extract. The current investigation demonstrated that T. leucocladum manifests antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects and also increased the antioxidative defense system and reduced the lipid peroxidation process in experimental diabetic rats.
Gut Microbiota‐Bile Acid Crosstalk in Diarrhea‐Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Zhan Kai , Zheng Huan , Li Jianqing , Wu Haomeng , Qin Shumin , Luo Lei , Huang Shaogang
Published: November 2020

The occurrence of diarrhea‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS‐D) is the result of multiple factors, and its pathogenesis has not yet been clarified. Emerging evidence indicates abnormal changes in gut microbiota and bile acid (BA) metabolism have a close relationship with IBS‐D. Gut microbiota is involved in the secondary BA production via deconjugation, 7α‐dehydroxylation, oxidation, epimerization, desulfation, and esterification reactions respectively. Changes in the composition and quantity of gut microbiota have an important impact on the metabolism of BAs, which can lead to the occurrence of gastrointestinal diseases. BAs, synthesized in the hepatocytes, play an important role in maintaining the homeostasis of gut microbiota and the balance of glucose and lipid metabolism. In consideration of the complex biological functional connections among gut microbiota, BAs, and IBS‐D, it is urgent to review the latest research progress in this field. In this review, we summarized the alterations of gut microbiota in IBS‐D and discussed the mechanistic connections between gut microbiota and BA metabolism in IBS‐D, which may be involved in activating two important bile acid receptors, G‐protein coupled bile acid receptor 1 (TGR5) and farnesoid X receptor (FXR). We also highlight the strategies of prevention and treatment of IBS‐D via regulating gut microbiota‐bile acid axis, including probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), cholestyramine, and the cutting‐edge technology about bacteria genetic engineering.
Evaluation of the Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity of Mimosa rubicaulis and Reinwardtia indica
Authors: Gurung Roshani , Adhikari Sundar , Parajuli Kalpana
Published: November 2020

Many plants have the property of wound healing, but most of the people are using costly allopathic medicine for the wound. This might be due to lack of awareness about the traditional uses and lack of scientific study of ethnomedicinal plants. So, this study aimed to carry out the antibacterial and antioxidant activity of two medicinal plants which are used traditionally for wound healing activity, i.e.,Mimosa rubicaulis and Reinwardtia indica. Different parts of Mimosa rubicaulis (root, stem, and leaves) and Reinwardtia indica (flower and leaves) were used for the study. Extractions were done by maceration using ethanol as solvent. Antibacterial activity was carried out by the well diffusion method, and antioxidant activities were screened by DPPH radical scavenging and NO scavenging assays. Extract of M. rubicaulis has shown a weak zone of inhibition towards S. aureus and P. vulgaris whereas R. indica has shown no zone of inhibition towards selected bacterial strains. Leaf, root, and stem extracts of M. rubicaulis have shown potent antioxidant activity, i.e., IC50 value of 9.8 µg/ml, 10.19 µg/ml, and, 13.64 µg/ml, respectively. Similarly, leaf extract of R. indica exhibited antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 19.73 μg/ml. The percentage inhibition of NO radicals of root and stem of M. rubicaulis and leaves of R. indica was 31%, 21%, and 22%, respectively. Out of these two plant species, M. rubicaulis had shown antibacterial activity towards selected microorganism, but antioxidant activity was shown by both plant species. These properties on above mentioned two plant species might help for the development of a marketed formulation for antibacterial and wound‐healing agent since wound healing is promoted by antibacterial and antioxidant activities.
Public Acceptance of Driverless Buses in China: An Empirical Analysis Based on an Extended UTAUT Model
Authors: Chen Jian , Li Rui , Gan Mi , Fu Zhiyan , Yuan Fatao
Published: November 2020

Driverless buses are expected to play a vital role in the future, and better public acceptance will provide a social foundation for its development. In this study, two new variables, personal innovativeness (PI) and perceived risk (PR), were incorporated into the integrated technology acceptance model (UTAUT, unified theory of acceptance and use of technology) to construct an extended model, which was then applied to explore the influencing factors for the public acceptance of driverless buses. The quality of this extended model was verified through survey data collected in Chongqing, China. The structural equation modeling (SEM) method was adopted to quantitatively describe the impact of each factor on acceptance intention (AI) as well as the mutual influence relationships between the factors. The moderating effects of demographic attributes (gender, age, and education level) on each factor in the model were also analyzed. The results showed that PI and PR are the most critical factors that affect the public’s acceptance intention; effort expectancy (EE), performance expectancy (PE), social influence (SI), and facilitating condition (FC) can also determine the acceptance intention to a certain extent; gender, age, and education level have exhibited significantly different moderating effects on the influencing factors. The explanatory power of the current research model for acceptance intention has reached 48%. This study has confirmed the applicability of the extended UTAUT model to the research of driverless bus acceptance and the research outcomes can serve as a reference basis for improving the service quality of driverless buses in China.
Investigation of the Dynamic Performance of a Large-Span Suspension Bridge Influenced by Scouring Based on Vehicle-Bridge Coupled Vibration
Authors: Gao Qingfei , Wu Biao , Wang Renzhi , Zhang Jiaqiang , Guo Binqiang , Li Jun
Published: November 2020

To study the damage of bridge pile foundations caused by scouring, two damage mechanisms of scouring are proposed in this paper. Considering the vehicle-bridge coupled vibration in terms of two aspects of the scouring depth and erosion depth, the vertical and transversal dynamic characteristics and dynamic responses of the bridge are studied under different cases for the most sensitive vehicle speed. The dynamic characteristics include the 1st and 2nd vibration modes of the vertical and transversal directions of the bridge. The dynamic responses include the vertical and transversal dynamic load allowances and acceleration of the bridge. The souring depth is more sensitive than the erosion depth, and the 2nd vertical mode is most substantially influenced by scouring and erosion. Because of the small value of the natural frequency of the vertical vibration modes, the transversal vibration modes may be more convenient to obtain. The study of the dynamic responses shows that the scouring depth can be represented by the dynamic load allowance in the middle of the span’s section and the erosion depth can be characterized by the dynamic load allowance at the quarter location of the span’s section.
It Is Just a Blood Patch: Considerations for Patients with Preexisting Intracranial Hypertension
Authors: Shiwlochan Devina , Ohanyan Sargis , Rajput Kanishka
Published: November 2020

Epidural blood patches are routine procedures interventional pain physicians perform for postdural puncture headaches (PDPH), whether it be due to the inadvertent wet tap from an epidural or a diagnostic lumbar puncture. Typically, these patients are relatively healthy and an epidural is relatively straightforward. However, there are cases complicated by a neurologic history such as benign intracranial hypertension. Here, we present a case of a patient with benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) that suffered a postdural puncture headache after a diagnostic lumbar puncture, with no documented opening pressure, continued on acetazolamide. There have only been a small number of documented cases of BIH complicated by PDPH. We discuss the medical management of BIH, how it can exacerbate a postdural puncture headache, our definitive management with an epidural blood patch, and our concerns of rebound intracranial hypertension. We demonstrate that treatment of PDPH in BIH is best managed with image-guided blood patches, with smaller volume of autologous blood, and at a slower rate.
Multiple Solution Results for Perturbed Fractional Differential Equations with Impulses
Authors: Li Peiluan , Xu Liang , Li Peiyu , Wang Hui
Published: November 2020

The multiplicity of classical solutions for impulsive fractional differential equations has been studied by many scholars. Using Morse theory, Brezis and Nirenberg’s Linking Theorem, and Clark theorem, we aim to solve this kind of problems. By this way, we obtain the existence of at least three classical solutions and

k

distinct pairs of classical solutions. Finally, an example is presented to illustrate the feasibility of the main results in this paper.
Serum Kisspeptin and Its Relation to Metabolic Parameters and Glucose Metabolism in Prepubertal and Pubertal Obese Children
Authors: Sithinamsuwan Kochakorn , Mahachoklertwattana Pat , Wankanit Somboon , Chanprasertyothin Suwannee , Pongratanakul Sarunyu , Khlairit Patcharin , Poomthavorn Preamrudee
Published: November 2020

Objective. Kisspeptin, a puberty control neuropeptide, has been discovered to have an additional role in metabolism and glucose homeostasis regulation. This study aimed to determine the association of serum kisspeptin with metabolic parameters and glucose metabolism in obese children. Design, Patients and Measurements. A cross-sectional study of 270 obese children was conducted. All children underwent an oral glucose tolerance test and had serum kisspeptin, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and lipid profile measurements. Body fat mass was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Serum kisspeptin levels of both prepubertal and pubertal children with two HbA1c ranges, <5.7% (normal range) and 5.7–6.4% (prediabetes range), were analyzed and correlated with metabolic parameters and glucose metabolism status. Results. The median (IQR) serum kisspeptin level of only pubertal (not prepubertal) children with prediabetes HbA1c was higher than those with normal HbA1c (53.2 (33.9, 69.8) and 37.8 (29.6, 67.5) pg/mL;

p
=
0.015

, respectively). There were no differences in serum kisspeptin levels among children with different glucose metabolism status. During pubertal progression, serum kisspeptin reached the highest level at Tanner stage II only in obese boys. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between serum kisspeptin and HbA1c after adjusting for puberty (β = 12.87;

p
=
0.001

). No correlations between serum kisspeptin and insulin sensitivity indices, insulin secretion indices, lipid profile, blood glucose, as well as percentage of body fat were demonstrated. Conclusions. Serum kisspeptin levels in pubertal obese children with prediabetes HbA1c were greater than those with normal HbA1c. Serum kisspeptin was positively associated with HbA1c, but not with glucose metabolism status.
Personalized Body Constitution Inquiry Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Fan Baochao , Li Yanghui , Wen Guihua , Ren Yan , Lu Yantong , Wang Ziying , Zhang Yuan , Wang Changjun
Published: November 2020

Background. Body constitution (BC) is the abstract concept indicating the state of a person’s health in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The doctor identifies the body constitution of the patient through inspection and inquiry. Previous research simulates doctors to identify BC types according to a patient’s objective physical indicators. However, the lack of subjective feeling information can reduce the accuracy of the machine to imitate the doctor’s diagnosis. The Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ) is used to collect subjective information but suffers from low acquisition efficiency. Methods. This paper presents a personalized body constitution inquiry method based on a machine learning technique. It employs a random generator, a feature extractor, and a classifier to simulate the doctor inquiry and generate a personalized questionnaire. Specifically, the feature extractor evaluates and sorts the question of the constitution in the CCMQ based on the recognition results of the tongue coating image of patients. The sorted questions and relevant BC label are inputted into the classifier; the best questions are screened out for patients. Results. The experimental results show that our method can select personalized questions from the CCMQ for the patients, significantly reducing the time and the number of questions to answer. It also improves the accuracy of recognizing BC. Compared with the CCMQ, patients had 68.3% fewer questions to answer and the time occupied by answering is reduced by 80.3%. Conclusions. The proposed method can simulate the doctor's inquiry and pick out personalized questions for patients. It can act as auxiliary diagnosis tools to collect subjective patient feelings and help make further judgments on the patient’s BC types.
Some Common SNPs of the T-Cell Homeostasis-Related Genes Are Associated with Multiple Sclerosis, but Not with the Clinical Manifestations of the Disease, in the Polish Population
Authors: Chorąży Monika , Wawrusiewicz-Kurylonek Natalia , Adamska-Patruno Edyta , Zajkowska Olga , Kapica-Topczewska Katarzyna , Posmyk Renata , Krętowski Adam Jacek , Kochanowicz Jan , Kułakowska Alina
Published: November 2020

Purpose. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease, and genetic factors play an important role in its pathogenesis and progression. The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequencies of alleles and genetic variants of the T-cell homeostasis-related genes, in subjects with MS, as well as to investigate the association with MS clinical manifestations and disability. Methods. 94 subjects with MS and 160 healthy individuals have been genotyped for seven common single-nucleotide variants in IL-2RA, CTLA4, CD40, and PADI4 genes. The ages of onset, duration of the disease, and clinical condition of the MS subjects were analysed. We used the Chi2 test confirmed with Fisher’s exact test for statistical analysis. Results. The frequency of allele T and CT/TT genotypes (rs7093069) in the IL2RA gene, as well as the T allele and CT/TT genotypes in rs12722598, were significantly higher in the control group. The significant differences between studied groups we also found for the G allele and GG/GA genotypes of rs3087243 in CTLA4 gene, which were more common among the control group. The heterozygous genotype TC (rs1883832) of CD40 gene was more common in the control subjects, and the frequency of the alleles and genotypes in the rs1748033 of the PADI4 gene did not differ between the studied groups. Between the studied genotypes, we did not observe any significant differences in the age of onset and duration of disease, including sex stratification. Conclusion. Our results highlight the protective role of some of the T-cell homeostasis-related genetic variants in MS development, but not in its clinical manifestation.
Chest Wall Mass in Infancy: The Presentation of Bone-Tumor-Like BCG Osteitis
Authors: Chaweephisal Phumin , Torchareon Teesit , Shuangshoti Shanop , Techavichit Piti
Published: November 2020

Chest wall mass in infancy is rare. Malignant lesions are more common than infection or benign tumors. This is a case of a 12-month-old girl who presented with a 2 cm mass at the right costal margin and poor weight gain. Chest radiograph demonstrated a moth-eaten osteolytic lesion at the 8th rib. The resection was performed, and a mass with pus content was found. The positive acid fast stain (AFB) organism was noted. Pathology confirmed caseous granulomatous inflammation compatible with mycobacterial infection. However, QuantiFERON-TB Gold was negative, so Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) osteitis is highly suspected. She was treated with antimycobacterium drugs and showed good results. Osteomyelitis can manifest by mimicking bone tumors. Without a biopsy, the pathogen may go undetected. So, interventions such as biopsy are warranted and avoid mass resection without indication. High C-reactive protein (CRP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), periosteal reaction of radiating spicules, and penumbra sign in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are helpful for discriminating osteomyelitis from bone tumor.