bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SuPAR predicts postoperative complications and mortality in patients with asymptomatic aortic stenosis
Authors: Hodges Gethin W , Bang Casper N , Eugen-Olsen Jesper , Olsen Michael H , Boman Kurt , Ray Simon , Kesäniemi Antero Y , Jeppesen Jørgen L , Wachtell Kristian
Published: January 2018

Background

We evaluated whether early measurement of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) could predict future risk of postoperative complications in initially asymptomatic patients with mild-moderate aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) surgery.

Methods

Baseline plasma suPAR levels were available in 411 patients who underwent AVR surgery during follow-up in the Simvastatin and Ezetimibe in Aortic Stenosis (SEAS) study. Cox analyses were used to evaluate suPAR in relation to all-cause mortality and the composite endpoint of postoperative complications (all-cause mortality, congestive heart failure, stroke and renal impairment) occurring in the 30-day postoperative period.

Results

Patients with initially higher levels of suPAR were at increased risk of postoperative mortality with a HR of 3.5 (95% CI 1.4 to 9.0, P=0.008) and postoperative complications with a HR of 2.7 (95% CI 1.5 to 5.1, P=0.002), per doubling in suPAR. After adjusting for the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation or Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score, suPAR remained associated with postoperative mortality with a HR 3.2 (95% CI 1.2 to 8.6, P=0.025) and 2.7 (95% CI 1.0 to 7.8, P=0.061); and postoperative complications with a HR of 2.5 (95% CI 1.3 to 5.0, P=0.007) and 2.4 (95% CI 1.2 to 4.8, P=0.011), respectively.

Conclusion

Higher baseline suPAR levels are associated with an increased risk for postoperative complications and mortality in patients with mild-moderate, asymptomatic AS undergoing later AVR surgery. Further validation in other subsets of AS individuals are warranted.

Trial registration number

NCT00092677; Post-results.
From patients with arthralgia, pre-RA and recently diagnosed RA: what is the current status of understanding RA pathogenesis?
Authors: Molendijk Marlieke , Hazes Johanna MW , Lubberts Erik
Published: January 2018

It is believed that therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most effective and beneficial within a short time frame around RA diagnosis. This insight has caused a shift from research in patients with established RA to patients at risk of developing RA and recently diagnosed patients. It is important for improvement of RA therapy to understand when and what changes occur in patients developing RA. This is true for both seropositive and seronegative patients. Activation of the immune system as presented by autoantibodies, increased cytokine and chemokine production, and alterations within several immune cells occur during RA development. In this review we describe RA pathogenesis with a focus on knowledge obtained from patients with arthralgia, pre-RA and recently diagnosed RA. Connections are proposed between altered immune cells, cytokines and chemokines, and events like synovial hyperplasia, pain and bone damage.
Response to baricitinib therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with inadequate response to csDMARDs as a function of baseline characteristics
Authors: Kremer Joel M , Schiff Michael , Muram David , Zhong Jinglin , Alam Jahangir , Genovese Mark C
Published: January 2018

Objective

We analysed the effects of baseline characteristics on the safety and efficacy of baricitinib in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with inadequate response to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs) from two phase III trials.

Methods

In RA-BEAM (NCT01710358), patients with inadequate response to methotrexate were randomised to placebo, baricitinib 4 mg or adalimumab 40 mg. RA-BUILD (NCT01721057) patients had inadequate response to ≥1 csDMARDs and were randomised to either placebo or once-daily baricitinib (2 or 4 mg). Both study populations were naïve to biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs). Primary end point for both studies was American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement (ACR20) response at week 12. Pooled data from the two trials were analysed post hoc based on select subgroups defined by age, previous csDMARD use, baseline RA disease activity, etc, with assessment of clinical and safety outcomes at week 12 and radiographic outcomes at week 24 for the baricitinib 4 mg and placebo-treated patients.

Results

Efficacy was observed with baricitinib 4 mg treatment irrespective of patient demographics and baseline disease characteristics. ORs primarily favoured baricitinib over placebo in the ACR20 response. In other outcomes such as Disease Activity Score for 28 joints based on high-sensitivity C reactive protein levels, Simplified Disease Activity Index score ≤11 and radiographic progression, baricitinib 4 mg showed better responses than placebo regardless of baseline characteristics. Safety events were more common in patients over 65 years, but similar between baricitinib 4 mg and placebo patients.

Conclusion

Baseline characteristics did not substantially affect clinical response to baricitinib 4 mg in patients with RA with inadequate response to csDMARDs.
MRI for diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis: major advance with critical limitations ‘Not everything that glisters is gold (standard)’
Authors: Lukas Cédric , Cyteval Catherine , Dougados Maxime , Weber Ulrich
Published: January 2018

Recognition of axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) remains challenging, as no unique reference standard is available to ascertain diagnosis. Imaging procedures have been used for long in the field, in particular pelvic radiography, to capture structural changes evocative of sacroiliitis, the key feature in SpA. The introduction of MRI of the sacroiliac joints (SIJs) has led to a major shift in recognition of the disorder. MRI has been shown to detect the initial inflammatory processes, in particular osteitis depicted by bone marrow oedema, even in patients having not yet developed structural lesions. In addition, MRI has revealed a previously under-recognised very early clinical phase of the disease where patients have symptomatic axial involvement, but no structural changes. However, what constitutes a ‘positive MRI’ in SpA remains controversial, since both sensitivity and specificity show limitations, and interpretation of MRI lesions in daily practice is critically dependent on the clinical context. There is growing evidence that integration of the assessment of structural changes on dedicated T1 weighted-sequences on MRI may enhance diagnostic utility. The performance of MRI in detecting structural lesions in the SIJs may even be superior to traditional evaluation by pelvic radiography. These findings launched a debate on imaging in SpA, whether MRI, which is advancing early recognition of disease and shows superiority to detect structural changes, should replace traditional conventional radiography of the SIJs.
Current status of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator dosage for acute ischaemic stroke: an updated systematic review
Authors: Wang Xia , You Shoujiang , Sato Shoichiro , Yang Jie , Carcel Cheryl , Zheng Danni , Yoshimura Sohei , Anderson Craig S , Sandset Else Charlotte , Robinson Thompson , Chalmers John , Sharma Vijay K
Published: January 2018

The optimal dose of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) for acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) remains controversial, especially in Asian countries. We aimed to update the evidence regarding the use of low-dose versus standard-dose rtPA. We performed a systematic literature search across MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PsycINFO and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL)from inception to 22 August 2016 to identify all related studies. The outcomes were death or disability (defined by modified Rankin Scale 2–6), death, and symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage (sICH). Where possible, data were pooled for meta-analysis with ORs and corresponding 95% CIs by means of random-effects or fixed-effects meta-analysis. We included 26 observational studies and 1 randomised controlled trial with a total of 23 210 patients. Variable doses of rtPA were used for thrombolysis of AIS in Asia. Meta-analysis shows that low-dose rtPA was not associated with increased risk of death or disability (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.33), or death (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.01), or decreased risk of sICH (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.72). The results remained consistent when sensitivity analyses were performed including only low-dose and standard-dose rtPA or only Asian studies. Our review shows small difference between the outcomes or the risk profile in the studies using low-dose and/or standard-dose rtPA for AIS. Low-dose rtPA was not associated with lower risk of death or disability, death alone, or sICH.
Prestroke selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use and functional outcomes after ischaemic stroke
Authors: Etherton Mark R , Siddiqui Khawja A , Schwamm Lee H
Published: January 2018

Background

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been implicated in contributing to recovery after acute ischaemic stroke. In particular, poststroke initiation of an SSRI has been demonstrated to improve motor recovery. The role of prestroke SSRI use on functional outcomes and stroke recovery is less clear. We aimed to examine the effect of prestroke SSRI use on metrics of hospitalisation and functional recovery.

Methods

We included 4968 consecutive patients from January 2006 to June 2015 in our local Get With The Guidelines-Stroke registry in whom a preadmission drug list could be extracted from an administrative research data registry. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of functional outcomes.

Results

On univariate analysis, among 4698 ischaemic strokes (740 SSRI users and 3948 non-users), SSRI use before acute ischaemic stroke did not impact the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) admission score, length of stay or rate of symptomatic haemorrhage. Patients using SSRIs prior to their stroke were more likely to present with weakness (57% vs 47.3%; P<0.001) and have hospitalisations complicated by pneumonia (7.6% vs 5.7%; P<0.001). Moreover, prestroke SSRI use was associated with a negative impact on ambulatory status at discharge and discharge to home. On multivariate regression analysis, SSRI use was associated with lower likelihood of discharge to home (adjusted OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.997, P<0.05).

Conclusions

SSRI use preceding an acute ischaemic stroke is associated with lower rates of discharge to home despite no significant increase in length of stay or NIHSS score.
Diet for stroke prevention
Authors: Spence J David
Published: January 2018

Lifestyle is far more important than most physicians suppose. Dietary changes in China that have resulted from increased prosperity are probably responsible for a marked rise in coronary risk in the past several decades, accelerating in recent years. Intake of meat and eggs has increased, while intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains has decreased. Between 2003 and 2013, coronary mortality in China increased 213%, while stroke mortality increased by 26.6%. Besides a high content of cholesterol, meat (particularly red meat) contains carnitine, while egg yolks contain phosphatidylcholine. Both are converted by the intestinal microbiome to trimethylamine, in turn oxidised in the liver to trimethylamine n-oxide (TMAO). TMAO causes atherosclerosis in animal models, and in patients referred for coronary angiography high levels after a test dose of two hard-boiled eggs predicted increased cardiovascular risk. The strongest evidence for dietary prevention of stroke and myocardial infarction is with the Mediterranean diet from Crete, a nearly vegetarian diet that is high in beneficial oils, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes. Persons at risk of stroke should avoid egg yolk, limit intake of red meat and consume a diet similar to the Mediterranean diet. A crucial issue for stroke prevention in China is reduction of sodium intake. Dietary changes, although difficult to implement, represent an important opportunity to prevent stroke and have the potential to reverse the trend of increased cardiovascular risk in China.
Can necrotizing soft tissue infection be reliably diagnosed in the emergency department?
Authors: Henry Sharon M , Davis Kimberly A , Morrison Jonathan J , Scalea Thomas M
Published: January 2018

Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) are associated with a high mortality and require prompt recognition and treatment, consisting of aggressive surgical debridement and critical care support. Diagnosis is a key step, which is generally made in the operating room (OR), but the decision to debride requires guidance. This is frequently made on clinical grounds, but NSTI can be occult in presentation and several other infective processes can mimic NSTI. It is unknown whether the various scoring systems described in the literature can enable clinicians to reliably diagnose NSTI in the emergency department, rather than the OR. The topic was debated at the 36thAnnual Point/Counterpoint Acute Care Surgery Conference and the following article summarizes the discussants points of view along with a summary of the evidence.

Level of evidence

Level III.
Rheological characterization of asphalt binders treated with bio sealants for pavement preservation
Authors: Ghosh Debaroti , Turos Mugurel , Johnson Ed , Marasteanu Mihai
Published: January 2018

Pavement preservation is playing an increasingly significant role in maintaining our aged pavement infrastructure under severe budget constraints. One important component is the use of surface treatments based on application of sealants. Recently, a number of new products, called bio sealants, have been used to treat aging pavement surfaces. The objective of this study is to investigate rheological properties of the binders treated with these materials to understand the mechanism by which they may improve pavement performance. One plain asphalt binder and four types of sealants, two oil-based sealants, one water-based sealant, and one traditional emulsion were used in the experimental work. The results obtained using a dynamic shear rheometer and a bending beam rheometer were used to determine the changes in rheological properties and the change in performance grade. It was observed that the oil-based sealants have a significant softening effect of the control binder compared to the water-based sealants. The transverse cracking histories from field investigation were used to verify the laboratory findings.
Investigation of alternative ways for recycling waste foundry sand: an extensive review to present benefits
Authors: Gedik Abdulgazi , Lav Abdullah Hilmi , Lav Musaffa Aysen
Published: January 2018

Foundry sand, an indispensable component of the metal casting process, is discarded after a number of metal casting operations. Virgin sand is then required for any new casting processes, and the spent foundry sand is treated as waste, resulting in huge amounts of discarded sand being either stockpiled or dumped into landfills. This results in a wide scale consumption of natural resources despite the fact that this “waste” can be recycled as a viable resource in various engineering processes. To this end, this study represents a detailed investigation into the possible uses for waste foundry sand. Obtained results concluded that this material can best be utilized in highway and hydraulic barrier construction, as well as low strength concrete production. Thus, the recycling of waste foundry sand results in the conservation and saving of natural and financial resources.
Quantum-Dot Cellular Automata in Designing the Arithmetic and Logic Unit: Systematic Literature Review, Classification and Current Trends
Authors: Gadim Mahya Rahimpour , Navimipour Nima Jafari
Published: January 2018

Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (QCA) presents a new model at Nano-scale for possible substitution of conventional Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor (CMOS) technology. On the other hand, an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) is a digital electronic circuit which performs arithmetic and bitwise logical operations on integer binary numbers. Therefore, QCA-based ALU is an important part of the processor in order to develop a full capability processor. Although the QCA has become very important, there is not any comprehensive and systematic work on studying and analyzing its important techniques in the field of ALU design. This paper provides the comprehensive, systematic and detailed study and survey of the state-of-the-art techniques and mechanisms in the field of QCA-based ALU designing. There are three categories in which QCA plays a role: ALU, logic unit (LU) and arithmetic unit (AU). Each category presents the important studies. In addition, this paper reviews the major developments in these three categories and it plans the new challenges. Furthermore, it provides the identification of open issues and guidelines for future research. Also, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) on QCA-based ALU, LU and AU is discussed in this paper. We identified 1,960 papers, which are reduced to 26 primary studies through our paper selection process. According to the obtained results from 2001 to 2015, the number of published articles are very high in 2014 and low in 2005 and 2009. This survey paper also provides a discussion of considered mechanisms in terms of ALU, LU and AU attribute as well as directions for future research.
A 790 nW Low-Noise Instrumentation Amplifier for Bio-Sensing Based On Gm-RSC Structure
Authors: Yin Tao , Huang Guocheng , Xu Xiaodong , Zhang Yachao , Cai Xinxia , Yang Haigang
Published: January 2018

This paper presents a low-power low-noise instrumentation amplifier (IA) for bio-potential recording. The proposed IA is based on a novel Gm-RSC structure, whose gain is determined by the transconductance (Gm) and the equivalent resistance ([Formula: see text]) of the switched-capacitor (SC) load. The transconductance amplifier stage is based on the current-reuse telescope topology to achieve low noise at low-power dissipation. A resistor-controlled oscillator is designed to generate desirable operational frequency for SC load and to continuously tune the mid-band gain of the IA for different biomedical applications. Measurement results show that the input referred noise of the proposed IA is about 1.27[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]VRMS ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]Hz) and the noise efficiency factor is 3.3. The range of tunable gain is from 28 to 40[Formula: see text]dB. The common mode rejection ratio and power supply rejection ratio at 50[Formula: see text]Hz are 72 and 78[Formula: see text]dB, respectively. The IA consumes only 660[Formula: see text]nA current at 1.2[Formula: see text]V supply and the active area of the IA is only 0.035[Formula: see text]mm2.
Bulk viscous quintessential inflation
Authors: Haro Jaume , Pan Supriya
Published: January 2018

In a spatially-flat Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker universe, the incorporation of bulk viscous process in general relativity leads to an appearance of a nonsingular background of the universe that both at early and late times depicts an accelerated universe. These early and late scenarios of the universe can be analytically calculated and mimicked, in the context of general relativity, by a single scalar field whose potential could also be obtained analytically where the early inflationary phase is described by a one-dimensional Higgs potential and the current acceleration is realized by an exponential potential. We show that the early inflationary universe leads to a power spectrum of the cosmological perturbations which match with current observational data, and after leaving the inflationary phase, the universe suffers a phase transition needed to explain the reheating of the universe via gravitational particle production. Furthermore, we find that at late times, the universe enters into the de Sitter phase that can explain the current cosmic acceleration. Finally, we also find that such bulk viscous-dominated universe attains the thermodynamical equilibrium, but in an asymptotic manner.
Test of the cosmic transparency with the standard candles and the standard ruler
Authors: Chen Jun
Published: January 2018

In this paper, the cosmic transparency is constrained by using the latest baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) data and the type Ia supernova data with a model-independent method. We find that a transparent universe is consistent with observational data at the [Formula: see text] confidence level, except for the case of BAO+ Union 2.1 without the systematic errors where a transparent universe is favored only at the [Formula: see text] confidence level. To investigate the effect of the uncertainty of the Hubble constant on the test of the cosmic opacity, we assume [Formula: see text] to be a free parameter and obtain that the observations favor a transparent universe at the [Formula: see text] confidence level.
Temperature dependent pairing gap in nuclei
Authors: Rahmatinejad A. , Razavi R. , Kakavand T.
Published: January 2018

Based on theoretical models and experimental evidences of a soft phase transition, with significant, but not abrupt changes in pairing gap of nuclei, a modified pairing gap function was suggested and examined for some of nuclei in our previous publications. Now, we propose a new method to extract the parameters, which exist in the modified pairing gap function. This method is based on phenomenological models, which consider the small size of nuclei and the effect of thermal fluctuations, at the vicinity of the critical temperature. The obtained pairing gap function by this method is easily applicable in the microscopic model calculations within an entire temperature range, from zero to temperatures above the critical point.
Multifractal characteristics of multiparticle production in heavy-ion collisions at SPS energies
Authors: Khan Shaista , Ahmad Shakeel
Published: January 2018

Entropy, dimensions and other multifractal characteristics of multiplicity distributions of relativistic charged hadrons produced in ion–ion collisions at SPS energies are investigated. The analysis of the experimental data is carried out in terms of phase space bin-size dependence of multiplicity distributions following the Takagi’s approach. Yet another method is also followed to study the multifractality which, is not related to the bin-width and (or) the detector resolution, rather involves multiplicity distribution of charged particles in full phase space in terms of information entropy and its generalization, Rényi’s order-[Formula: see text] information entropy. The findings reveal the presence of multifractal structure — a remarkable property of the fluctuations. Nearly constant values of multifractal specific heat “[Formula: see text]” estimated by the two different methods of analysis followed indicate that the parameter “[Formula: see text]” may be used as a universal characteristic of the particle production in high energy collisions. The results obtained from the analysis of the experimental data agree well with the predictions of Monte Carlo model AMPT.
SPECTRAL ANALYSIS FOR WEIGHTED ITERATED TRIANGULATIONS OF GRAPHS
Authors: CHEN YUFEI , DAI MEIFENG , WANG XIAOQIAN , SUN YU , SU WEIYI
Published: January 2018

Much information about the structural properties and dynamical aspects of a network is measured by the eigenvalues of its normalized Laplacian matrix. In this paper, we aim to present a first study on the spectra of the normalized Laplacian of weighted iterated triangulations of graphs. We analytically obtain all the eigenvalues, as well as their multiplicities from two successive generations. As an example of application of these results, we then derive closed-form expressions for their multiplicative Kirchhoff index, Kemeny’s constant and number of weighted spanning trees.
Corrosion Behavior of Alloy C‐276 in Supercritical Water
Authors: Shi Hong , Gao Zhigang , Fan Zhongbiao , Ding Yuanyuan , Qiao Yanxin , Zhu Zhiyuan
Published: January 2018

The corrosion behavior of Alloy C‐276 in high‐temperature and high‐pressure water at 500°C and 25 MPa, respectively, was investigated by means of mass gain, scanning electron microscopic observation, and X‐ray diffraction. The results indicated that the mass gain rate of Alloy C‐276 in supercritical water obeys the parabolic law. The oxide scale was formed on Alloy C‐276 with a dual‐layer structure, mainly consisting of an outer Ni‐rich layer and an inner Cr2O3/NiCr2O4 mixed layer. Tiny microcracks can also be found in the oxide scale if exposed for longer time. Meanwhile, higher temperature promotes oxide rate and results in thermal stress in the oxide film.
Isolation and Biological Evaluation of Prenylated Flavonoids from Maclura pomifera
Authors: Orazbekov Yerkebulan , Ibrahim Mohamed A. , Mombekov Serjan , Srivedavyasasri Radhakrishnan , Datkhayev Ubaidilla , Makhatov Bauyrzhan , Chaurasiya Narayan D. , Tekwani Babu L. , Ross Samir A.
Published: January 2018

Phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract of Maclura pomifera fruits yielded four new compounds (I–IV) along with eleven known compounds (V–XV). The crude extract exhibited significant activity towards cannabinoid receptors (CB1: 103.4% displacement; CB2: 68.8% displacement) and possibly allosteric interaction with δ and μ opioid receptors (−49.7 and −53.8% displacement, resp.). Compound I was found to be possibly allosteric for κ and μ opioid receptors (−88.4 and −27.2% displacement, resp.) and showed moderate activity (60.5% displacement) towards CB1 receptor. Compound II exhibited moderate activity towards cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 (47.9 and 42.3% displacement, resp.). The known compounds (V–VIII) exhibited prominent activity towards cannabinoid receptors: pomiferin (V) (IC50 of 2.110 and 1.318 μM for CB1 and CB2, resp.), auriculasin (VI) (IC50 of 8.923 μM for CB1), warangalone (VII) (IC50 of 1.670 and 4.438 μM for CB1 and CB2, resp.), and osajin (VIII) (IC50 of 3.859 and 7.646 μM for CB1 and CB2, resp.). The isolated compounds were also tested for inhibition of human monoamine oxidase‐A and monoamine oxidase‐B enzymes activities, where all the tested compounds showed fewer inhibitory effects on MAO‐A compared to MAO‐B activities: auriculasin (VI) (IC50 of 1.91 and 45.98 μM for MAO‐B and MAO‐A, resp.).
Photocatalytic Surface Modification of PI Film for Electroless Copper Plating
Authors: Zhao Wenxia , Wang Zenglin , Qiao Liang , Liu Shiwei , Zhao Hongjian , Yan Yani
Published: January 2018

This study investigated the surface modification of polyimide (PI) film through TiO2 photocatalytic treatment. The effects of TiO2 content, treatment duration, and UV power on the surface topography, surface contact angle, and adhesion strength of the surface-modified PI films were investigated. The results indicated that, after surface modification under the optimal photocatalytic conditions, the surface contact angle of the PI film decreased from 84.4° to 38.8°, and the adhesion strength between the PI film and the electroless copper film reached 0.78 kN/m. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis further demonstrated that carboxyl groups formed on the surface of the PI film after photocatalytic treatment. The surface hydrophilicity and adhesion strength of the surface-modified PI film were enhanced due to the numerous carboxyl groups formed on its surface. Therefore, the photocatalytic treatment is an environmentally friendly and effective method for the surface modification of PI films.
Analysis of Global Sensitivity of Landing Variables on Landing Loads and Extreme Values of the Loads in Carrier-Based Aircrafts
Authors: Zhou Jin , Zeng Jianjiang , Chen Jichang , Tong Mingbo
Published: January 2018

When a carrier-based aircraft is in arrested landing on deck, the impact loads on landing gears and airframe are closely related to landing states. The distribution and extreme values of the landing loads obtained during life-cycle analysis provide an important basis for buffering parameter design and fatigue design. In this paper, the effect of the multivariate distribution was studied based on military standards and guides. By establishment of a virtual prototype, the extended Fourier amplitude sensitivity test (EFAST) method is applied on sensitivity analysis of landing variables. The results show that sinking speed and rolling angle are the main influencing factors on the landing gear’s course load and vertical load; sinking speed, rolling angle, and yawing angle are the main influencing factors on the landing gear’s lateral load; and sinking speed is the main influencing factor on the barycenter overload. The extreme values of loads show that the typical condition design in the structural strength analysis is safe. The maximum difference value of the vertical load of the main landing gear is 12.0%. This research may provide some reference for structure design of landing gears and compilation of load spectrum for carrier-based aircrafts.
Impaired Inflammatory Response to LPS in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Khondkaryan Lusine , Margaryan Sona , Poghosyan David , Manukyan Gayane
Published: January 2018

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a severe health problem worldwide, reaching epidemic levels. High susceptibility to infections of T2DM patients indicates dysregulated immune responses to pathogens. However, innate immune responses, including monocyte functions, in T2DM are poorly investigated. Therefore, in this study we aimed to assess lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced immune responses of circulating monocytes from T2DM patients. The results showed that monocytes from T2DM were hyporesponsive to LPS challenge as reflected by significantly suppressed secretion of TNFα (p<0.01) and expression of CD11b (p<0.001) and TLR4 (p<0.001) compared to those in monocytes from healthy subjects. Furthermore, LPS-induced IL-10 levels were similar in diabetic and healthy supernatants, while expression levels of CD163 were found to be downregulated on monocytes from T2DM (p<0.001) suggesting impaired ability of monocytes to switch their phenotype to anti-inflammatory. Taken together, our results suggest compromised function of monocytes in T2DM, which may explain, at least partly, high incidence of infection in these patients.
Autumn Royal and Ribier Grape Juice Extracts Reduced Viability and Metastatic Potential of Colon Cancer Cells
Authors: Valenzuela Manuel , Bastias Lorena , Montenegro Iván , Werner Enrique , Madrid Alejandro , Godoy Patricio , Párraga Mario , Villena Joan
Published: January 2018

Antioxidants are known to be beneficial to health. This paper evaluates the potential chemopreventive and anticancer properties of phenolic compounds present in grape juice extracts (GJE) from Autumn Royal and Ribier varieties. The effects of these GJE on viability (SRB day assay) and metastatic potential (migration and invasion parameters) of colon cancer cell lines HT‐29 and SW‐480 were evaluated. The effects of GJE on two matrix metalloproteinase gene expressions (MMP2 and MMP9) were also evaluated via qRT‐PCR. In the former, GJE reduced cell viability in both cell lines in a dose‐dependent manner. GJE treatment also reduced cell migration and invasion. Moreover, MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 gene expression diminished depending on extract and on cell type. Conclusions. These results provide novel information concerning anticancer properties of selected GJE by revealing selective cytotoxicity and the ability to reduce invasiveness of colon cancer cells.
Influence of Milling Time on Structural and Microstructural Parameters of Ni50Ti50 Prepared by Mechanical Alloying Using Rietveld Analysis
Authors: Sakher E. , Loudjani N. , Benchiheub M. , Bououdina M.
Published: January 2018

Nanostructured Ni50Ti50 powders were prepared by mechanical alloying from elemental Ni and Ti micrometer-sized powders, using a planetary ball mill type Fritsch Pulverisette 7. In this study, the effect of milling time on the evolution of structural and microstructural parameters is investigated. Through Rietveld refinements of X-ray diffraction patterns, phase composition and structural/microstructural parameters such as lattice parameters, average crystallite size L, microstrain ε21/2, and stacking faults probability (SFP) in the frame of MAUD software have been obtained. For prolonged milling time, a mixture of amorphous phase, NiTi-martensite (B19′), and NiTi-austenite (B2) phases, in addition to FCC-Ni(Ti) and HCP-Ti(Ni) solid solutions, is formed. The crystallite size decreases to the nanometer scale while the internal strain increases. It is observed that, for longer milling time, plastic deformations introduce a large amount of stacking faults in HCP-Ti(Ni) rather than in FCC-Ni(Ti), which are mainly responsible for the observed large amount of the amorphous phase.
Emotional Lability as a Unique Presenting Sign of Suspected Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
Authors: Yuan Shauna H. , Wang Sonya G.
Published: January 2018

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by head trauma. Diagnosis of this disease is difficult as reliable biomarkers have not been established and often this clinical entity is underappreciated with poor recognition of its clinical presentations (Lenihan and Jordan, 2015). The definitive diagnosis of CTE is determined by identification of neurofibrillary tangles in the perivascular space around the sulci in postmortem tissue (McKee et al., 2015). However, performing brain biopsies searching for neurofibrillary tangles is not a feasible option for early diagnosis. Thus, diagnosis of suspected CTE in the living has been based on clinical suspicion using proposed research criteria of clinical presentations. In addition, neuroimaging techniques have shown some promise in assisting diagnosis. Clinically, CTE is more commonly known to be associated with memory impairment and executive function disorder (Stern et al., 2013). However, here, we present two unique cases of prior professional football players where behavioral changes were the first identifying factors in clinical presentation and discuss possible neuroimaging options to help with CTE diagnosis. Because behavioral changes can be mistaken for other neuropsychological diseases, recognizing differing clinical constellations is critical to early diagnosis, early intervention, and improving patient care in suspected CTE.
Impact Force Evaluation of the Derailment Containment Wall for High‐Speed Train through a Collision Simulation
Authors: Bae Hyun-Ung , Yun Kyung-Min , Moon Jiho , Lim Nam-Hyoung
Published: January 2018

Fatal train accidents usually involve derailments or collisions. These derailment/collision accidents are infrequent. However, the damage due to derailment can be catastrophic. Derailment containment walls are usually used in Korea to minimize such damages. However, the impact forces that are needed to design the derailment containment walls were not well defined, and only limited studies were conducted for the behavior of the derailment containment walls. In this study, the focus was made on the impact force analysis of the containment wall through a series of 3D collision simulation after train derailment. Finite element modeling was conducted to analyze the dynamic behavior of the derailed train that collides with a structure such as containment wall using the LS‐DYNA analysis software application. The FE models of car bodies, bogie frames, and wheel sets were created such that full conformity was achieved between their numerical models and actual vehicles with respect to the masses and principal mass moments of inertia. In addition, various installation situations of the containment wall were considered for the collision simulation. Finally, the economical alternative method to reduce the impact force was proposed.
Themes Underlying Australian General Practitioner Views towards Chiropractic and Osteopathy: An Assessment of Free Text Data from a Cross‐Sectional Survey
Authors: Grace Sandra , Engel Roger , Jalsion Ian
Published: January 2018

The Australian chiropractic and osteopathic professions underwent a period of significant transformation between 1960 and 2000. This resulted in an improvement in the views held by the medical profession towards the two professions. However, a recent survey of Australian general practitioners (GPs) reported that a number of GPs still hold negative views towards chiropractors and osteopaths. This paper examines these views from the perspective of critical realism and explores the generative mechanisms that can influence the willingness of health practitioners to collaborate over patient care. A qualitative analysis of open‐ended responses to a survey of 630 Australian GPs was conducted. Unfavourable attitudes of GPs towards chiropractors and osteopaths included perceived lack of safety, efficacy, and inadequacy of training, despite chiropractic’s and osteopathy’s reliance on the same evidence base and similar training to those of other manual therapy professions such as physiotherapy. These attitudes may be underpinned by the professional biases against chiropractic and osteopathy that continue to marginalise the professions within the Australian healthcare system. Continued investment in the research base for chiropractic and osteopathic practice is required, along with raising the awareness of GPs about the education and skills of chiropractors and osteopaths.
Immunomodulatory Effects of Diterpene Quinone Derivatives from the Roots of Horminum pyrenaicum in Human PBMC
Authors: Becker K. , Schwaiger S. , Waltenberger B. , Fuchs D. , Pezzei C. K. , Schennach H. , Stuppner H. , Gostner J. M.
Published: January 2018

Several phytochemicals were shown to interfere with redox biology in the human system. Moreover, redox biochemistry is crucially involved in the orchestration of immunological cascades. When screening for immunomodulatory compounds, the two interferon gamma‐ (IFN‐γ‐) dependent immunometabolic pathways of tryptophan breakdown via indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase‐1 (IDO‐1) and neopterin formation by GTP‐cyclohydrolase 1 (GTP‐CH‐I) represent prominent targets, as IFN‐γ‐related signaling is strongly sensitive to oxidative triggers. Herein, the analysis of these pathway activities in human peripheral mononuclear cells was successfully applied in a bioactivity‐guided fractionation strategy to screen for anti‐inflammatory substances contained in the root of Horminum (H.) pyrenaicum L. (syn. Dragon’s mouth), the only representative of the monophyletic genus Horminum. Four abietane diterpene quinone derivatives (horminone, 7‐O‐acetylhorminone, inuroyleanol and its 15,16‐dehydro‐derivative, a novel natural product), two nor‐abietane diterpene quinones (agastaquinone and 3‐deoxyagastaquinone) and two abeo 18 (4 → 3) abietane diterpene quinones (agastol and its 15,16‐dehydro‐derivative) could be identified. These compounds were able to dose‐dependently suppress the above mentioned pathways with different potency. Beside the description of new active compounds, this study demonstrates the feasibility of integrating IDO‐1 and GTP‐CH‐I activity in the search for novel anti‐inflammatory compounds, which can then be directed towards a more detailed mode of action analysis.
Study of the Deformation/Interaction Model: How Interactions Increase the Reaction Barrier
Authors: Liang Zhiling , Liu Houhe , Su Nianjun , Song Dandan , Zhang Yun , Huang Hong , Zheng Jianqi , Zhong Cheng , Ye Guodong
Published: January 2018

The interactions (including weak interactions) between dienophiles and dienes play an important role in the Diels-Alder reaction. To elucidate the influence of these interactions on the reactivity, a popular DFT functional and a variational DFT functional corrected with dispersion terms are used to investigate different substituent groups incorporated on the dienophiles and dienes. The bond order is used to track the trajectory of the cycloaddition reaction. The deformation/interaction model is used to obtain the interaction energy from the reactant complex to the inflection point until reaching the saddle point. The interaction energy initially increases with a decrease in the interatomic distance, reaching a maximum value, but then decreases when the dienophiles and dienes come closer. Reduced density gradient and chemical energy component analysis are used to analyse the interaction. Traditional transition state theory and variational transition state theory are used to obtain the reaction rates. The influence of tunneling on the reaction rate is also discussed.
Influence of Organic Esters on Portland Cement Hydration and Hardening
Authors: Li Duan-le , Zheng Da-peng , Wang Dong-min , Zhao Ji-hui , Du Cheng , Ren Cai-fu
Published: January 2018

This paper investigated the effect of organic compounds with ester groups on the hydration and hardening of cement. The effects of five kinds of organic compounds with ester groups (ethyl acetate, dimethyl oxalate, glyceryl triacetate, trimethyl phosphate, and triethanolamine borate) on hydration heat, hydration degree, setting time, mechanical properties, microstructure, and pore structure of hardened cement slurry were studied. The test results showed that esters can make the end time of cement hydration induction longer and delay the occurrence of the second exothermic peak. Also, the effect of five kinds of esters on the hydration and hardening of cement was basically followed by TG> TB> DMO> EAC> TMP. In terms of molecular structure, for organic compounds containing only ester groups, the higher the number of ester groups, the greater the effect on the hydration of cement. The introduction of other functional groups (such as phosphate or borate) will influence the effect of the esters.
Performance Comparison of Practical Resource Allocation Schemes for Device‐to‐Device Communications
Authors: Fodor Gábor
Published: January 2018

Device‐to‐device (D2D) communications in cellular spectrum have the potential of increasing the spectral and energy efficiency by taking advantage of the proximity and reuse gains. Although several resource allocation (RA) and power control (PC) schemes have been proposed in the literature, a comparison of the performance of such algorithms as a function of the available channel state information has not been reported. In this paper, we examine which large scale channel gain knowledge is needed by practically viable RA and PC schemes for network assisted D2D communications. To this end, we propose a novel near‐optimal and low‐complexity RA scheme that can be advantageously used in tandem with the optimal binary power control scheme and compare its performance with three heuristics‐based RA schemes that are combined either with the well‐known 3GPP Long‐Term Evolution open‐loop path loss compensating PC or with an iterative utility optimal PC scheme. When channel gain knowledge about the useful as well as interfering (cross) channels is available at the cellular base station, the near‐optimal RA scheme, termed Matching, combined with the binary PC scheme is superior. Ultimately, we find that the proposed low‐complexity RA + PC tandem that uses some cross‐channel gain knowledge provides superior performance.
DEMATEL Technique: A Systematic Review of the State-of-the-Art Literature on Methodologies and Applications
Authors: Si Sheng-Li , You Xiao-Yue , Liu Hu-Chen , Zhang Ping
Published: January 2018

Decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) is considered as an effective method for the identification of cause-effect chain components of a complex system. It deals with evaluating interdependent relationships among factors and finding the critical ones through a visual structural model. Over the recent decade, a large number of studies have been done on the application of DEMATEL and many different variants have been put forward in the literature. The objective of this study is to review systematically the methodologies and applications of the DEMATEL technique. We reviewed a total of 346 papers published from 2006 to 2016 in the international journals. According to the approaches used, these publications are grouped into five categories: classical DEMATEL, fuzzy DEMATEL, grey DEMATEL, analytical network process- (ANP-) DEMATEL, and other DEMATEL. All papers with respect to each category are summarized and analyzed, pointing out their implementing procedures, real applications, and crucial findings. This systematic and comprehensive review holds valuable insights for researchers and practitioners into using the DEMATEL in terms of indicating current research trends and potential directions for further research.
Giant Left Ventricular Thrombus in a Patient with Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Case Report and Minireview
Authors: Ye Fan , Silverstein Burton V. , Khuddus Matheen A. , Bray Christopher L. , Lee Arthur C.
Published: January 2018

A 56-year-old healthy male with no obvious risk factors or significant past medical history was admitted to the emergency room with acute ischemic stroke. On his transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), an extremely large thrombus was detected at the apex involving the distal anterior wall. The thrombus was predominantly adherent but with a mobile tip. The patient was subsequently managed with dual antiplatelet therapy. In this report, we present an interesting case of an acute ischemic stroke secondary to a giant left ventricular thrombus in a patient with no past significant cardiac or neurologic medical history.
Conceptions of Healthy Aging Held by Relatives of Older Persons in Isan-Thai Culture: A Phenomenographic Study
Authors: Manasatchakun Pornpun , Roxberg Åsa , Asp Margareta
Published: January 2018

In Thailand, family nurses are expected to provide support for older persons and their family members to promote healthy aging. Family bonds are strong, and relatives are expected to take care of their older family members. However, there is limited research on how older persons’ family members perceive healthy aging. This study aimed to describe the conceptions of healthy aging held by the children and grandchildren of older persons in northeast Thailand. In a phenomenographic study, 14 interviews were performed to qualitatively analyze different conceptions of healthy aging. Four descriptive categories emerged: being independent, not being afflicted by diseases or illnesses, being a giver and a receiver, and being wise. The conceptions of healthy aging entail both autonomy and interdependence. The relative’s perspective needs to be considered when policies relating to healthy aging are implemented in the community and when family nurses provide support to families to promote healthy aging.
Dynamic Infrared Thermography of Nanoheaters Embedded in Skin-Equivalent Phantoms
Authors: López-Varela K. A. , Cayetano-Castro N. , Kolosovas-Machuca E. S. , González F. J. , Chiwo F. S. , Rodríguez-López J. L.
Published: January 2018

Nanoheaters are promising tools for localized photothermal therapy (PTT) of malignant cells. The anisotropic AuNPs present tunable surface plasmon resonances (SPR) with ideal NIR optical response to be applied as theranostic agents. To this purpose, nanoparticles with branches are suitable because of the electromagnetic field concentrated at their vertices. We standardized a protocol to synthesize multibranched gold nanoparticles (MB-AuNPs) by the seed-growth method and found a size-seed dependence tunability on the hierarchy of branching. Once the optical response is evaluated, we tested the temporal stability as nanoheaters of the MB-AuNPs immersed in skin-equivalent phantoms by dynamic infrared thermography (DIRT). The most suited sample presents a concentration of 5.2×108 MB-AuNPs/mL showing good thermal stability with ΔT = 4.5°C, during 3 cycles of 10 min at 785 nm laser irradiation with power of 0.15 W. According to these results, the MB-AuNPs are suitable nanoheaters to be tested for PTT in more complex models.