bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Importance Degree Evaluation of Spare Parts Based on Clustering Algorithm and Back-Propagation Neural Network
Authors: Zhang Shoujing , Qin Xiaofan , Hu Sheng , Zhang Qing , Dong Bochao , Zhao Jiangbin
Published: May 2020

The quantitative evaluation of the importance degree of spare parts is essential as spare parts’ maintenance is critical for inventory management. Most of the methods used in previous research are subjective. For this reason, an accurate method for the evaluation of the importance degree combining an improved clustering algorithm with a back-propagation neural network (BPNN) is proposed in the present paper. First, we classified the spare parts by analyzing their historical maintenance and inventory data. Second, we evaluated the effectiveness of classification using the Davies–Bouldin index and the Calinski–Harabasz indicator and verified it using the training data. Finally, we used BPNN to determine the training data necessary for an accurate assessment of the importance degree of spare parts. The previous importance evaluation methods were susceptible to subjective factors during the evaluation process. The model established in this paper used the actual data of the company for machine learning and used the improved clustering algorithm to implement training and classification of spare parts data. The importance value of each spare part was output, which additionally reduced the impact of subjective factors on the importance evaluation. At the same time, the use of less data to evaluate the importance of spare parts was achieved, which improved the evaluation efficiency.
TRIZ Theory and the Method of Cancer Document Selection for Chemical Complexes and Innovation Schemes of Meta-Analysis with Lymphomas as an Example
Authors: Huiquan Yan , Penghui Lyu , Ling Wang , Zhiming Yu
Published: May 2020

In the face of the growing incidence of malignant tumors (about 3.929 million, data issued in January 2019) and the death rate (about 2.338 million, data issued in January 2019) and the limitation of the application of informatics in cancer treatment, this paper tried to use TRIZ theory to deduce new ideas about cancer treatments, perform literature analysis on schemes, and make retrieval strategy for meta-analyses on cancer therapy. By using TRIZ theory and information to analyze the fields of cancers, the research schemes for selecting documents on cancer therapy were presented. After retrieving the documents, we exported all those articles in text format. We further analyzed the research status with the software CiteSpace and Bibliographic Information Mining System (BICOMS) by using different keywords, regions, countries, schools, authors, geography, institutes, etc. We also performed the cluster analysis by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software and performed two-way cluster analysis by using Gluto software. The hot areas of research and their tendency or distribution were analyzed. The search strategy was set and the retrieving results were tried.
Evaluation of Oxidation Performance of TRISO Fuel Particles for Postulated Air-Ingress Accident of HTGR
Authors: Cao Fangcheng , Zhang De , Chen Qingjie , Li Hao , Wang Hongqing
Published: May 2020

In a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor, the integrity of tristructural-isotropic-(TRISO-) coated fuel particles ensures the safety of the reactor, especially in case of an air-ingress accident. The oxidation of TRISO particles with the outer layers of silicon carbide (SiC) was performed at temperatures of 900°C–1400°C in air environment. Both the microstructure and phase composition of the SiC layers were studied. The results showed that the SiC layers had a good oxidation resistance below 1100°C. However, the amorphous silica on the SiC layers formed at 1200°C and gradually crystallized at 1400°C with the presence of microcracks. The reaction rates of the SiC layers were determined by measuring the silica thickness. It was proposed that the oxidation of the SiC layers followed the linear-parabolic law with the activation energy of 146 ± 5 kJ/mol. The rate-determining step of the oxidation was the diffusion of oxygen in silica.
Novel Molecular Mechanisms of Pulmonary Hypertension: A Search for Biomarkers and Novel Drug Targets—From Bench to Bed Site
Authors: Gajecki Damian , Gawrys Jakub , Szahidewicz-Krupska Ewa , Doroszko Adrian
Published: May 2020

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is defined as increased mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) above 25 mmHg, measured at rest by right heart catheterization. The exact global prevalence of PH is difficult to estimate, mainly due to the complex aetiology, and its spread may be underestimated. To date, numerous studies on the aetiology and pathophysiology of PH at molecular level were conducted. Simultaneously, some clinical studies have shown potential usefulness of well-known and widely recognized cardiovascular biomarkers, but their potential clinical usefulness in diagnosis and management of PH is poor due to their low specificity accompanied with numerous other cardiovascular comorbidities of PH subjects. On the other hand, a large body of basic research-based studies provides us with novel molecular pathomechanisms, biomarkers, and drug targets, according to the evidence-based medicine principles. Unfortunately, the simple implementation of these results to clinical practice is impossible due to a large heterogeneity of the PH pathophysiology, where the clinical symptoms constitute only a common denominator and a final result of numerous crosstalking metabolic pathways. Therefore, future studies, based mostly on translational medicine, are needed in order to both organize better the pathophysiological classification of various forms of PH and define precisely the optimal diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in particular forms of PH. This review paper summarizes the current state of the art regarding the molecular background of PH with respect to its current classification. Novel therapeutic strategies and potential biomarkers are discussed with respect to their limitations in use in common clinical practice.
An Anti‐Inflammatory Composition of Boswellia serrata Resin Extracts Alleviates Pain and Protects Cartilage in Monoiodoacetate‐Induced Osteoarthritis in Rats
Authors: Alluri Venkata Krishnaraju , Kundimi Sreenath , Sengupta Krishanu , Golakoti Trimurtulu , Kilari Eswar Kumar
Published: May 2020

The boswellic acids, the active compounds in Boswellia serrata gum resin extract, are potent anti‐inflammatory agents and are specific nonredox inhibitors of 5‐Lipoxygenase (5‐LOX). Here, we present the anti‐osteoarthritis (OA) efficacy of LI13019F1 (also known as Serratrin®), a unique composition containing the acidic and nonacidic fractions of B. serrata gum resin. This composition strongly inhibited 5‐LOX activity with the half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 43.35 ± 4.90 μg/mL. Also, LI13019F1 strongly inhibited the leukotriene B4 (IC50, 7.80 ± 2.40 μg/mL) and prostaglandin E2 (IC50, 6.19 ± 0.52 μg/mL) productions in human blood‐derived cells. Besides, LI13019F1 reduced TNF‐α production with the IC50 of 12.38 ± 0.423 μg/mL. On average, 1, 2.5, and 5 μg/mL doses of LI13019F1 protected 34.62, 47.66, and 62.29% SW1353 human chondrosarcoma cells from IL‐1β induced SOX‐9 depletion, respectively. Further, a 28‐day preclinical proof‐of‐concept study evaluated the pain relief efficacy of LI13019F1 in monoiodoacetate‐ (MIA‐) induced Sprague-Dawley rats. At the end of the study, 150 and 300 mg/kg doses of LI13019F1 supplemented rats showed significant improvements (55.17 ± 5.81 g (p < 0.05), and 66.22 ± 6.30 g (p < 0.05), respectively, vs. MIA: 31.22 ± 7.15 g) in body‐weight‐bearing capacities. Concurrently, LI13019F1‐150 and LI13019F1‐300 rats substantially (p < 0.05) increased the threshold of pain sensitivity to pressure (26.98 ± 2.36 and 28.06 ± 2.72‐gram force, respectively; vs. 18.63 ± 5.82 in MIA) and increased (p < 0.05) the latent time to withdraw the paw after a thermal stimulus (23.61 ± 2.73 and 28.18 ± 1.90 sec, respectively; vs. 16.56 ± 1.22 sec. in MIA). Besides, the histological observations on Safranin‐O green stained articular cartilage revealed that LI13019F1 also prevented the MIA‐induced structural damage of the cartilage and reduced the loss of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components in the experimental rats. In conclusion, the present observations suggest that LI13019F1, a new composition of B. serrata gum resin extracts, reduces pain and protects articular cartilage from the damaging action of MIA in a rodent model.
Inhibition of P2X7 Purinergic Receptor Ameliorates Cardiac Fibrosis by Suppressing NLRP3/IL-1β Pathway
Authors: Zhou Junteng , Tian Geer , Quan Yue , Li Junli , Wang Xiaojiao , Wu Wenchao , Li Miaoling , Liu Xiaojing
Published: May 2020

P2X7 purinergic receptor (P2X7R) has been implicated in several cardiovascular diseases. However, whether it regulates cardiac fibrosis remains elusive. Herein, its involvement in the development of cardiac fibrosis was examined using a transverse aortic constriction (TAC) mice model and cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) hyperstimulated by TGF-β1 for 48 hours. Results showed that TAC and TGF-β1 treatment increased the expression of P2X7R. Silencing of P2X7R expression with siP2X7R ameliorated TGF-β1 effects on fibroblasts activation. Similarly, P2X7R inhibition by Brilliant Blue G (BBG) reduced mRNA and protein levels of profibrosis markers, while the P2X7R agonist BzATP accelerated the TGF-β1-induced CFs activation. Moreover, it was found that TGF-β1-induced CFs activation was mediated by the NLRP3/IL-1β inflammasome pathway. BBG or siP2X7R treatment suppressed NLRP3/IL-1β pathway signaling. In vivo, BBG significantly alleviated TAC-induced cardiac fibrosis, cardiac dysfunction, and NLRP3/IL-1β activation. Collectively, our findings imply that suppressing P2X7R may limit cardiac fibrosis and abnormal activation of CFs.
An Exponential Active Queue Management Method Based on Random Early Detection
Authors: Abdel-Jaber Hussein
Published: May 2020

Congestion is a key topic in computer networks that has been studied extensively by scholars due to its direct impact on a network’s performance. One of the extensively investigated congestion control techniques is random early detection (RED). To sustain RED’s performance to obtain the desired results, scholars usually tune the input parameters, especially the maximum packet dropping probability, into specific value(s). Unfortunately, setting up this parameter into these values leads to good, yet biased, performance results. In this paper, the RED-Exponential Technique (RED_E) is proposed to deal with this issue by dropping arriving packets in an exponential manner without utilizing the maximum packet dropping probability. Simulation tests aiming to contrast E_RED with other Active Queue Management (AQM) methods were conducted using different evaluation performance metrics including mean queue length (mql), throughput (T), average queuing delay (D), overflow packet loss probability (PL), and packet dropping probability (DP). The reported results showed that E_RED offered a marginally higher satisfactory performance with reference to mql and D than that found in common AQM methods in cases of heavy congestion. Moreover, RED_E compares well with the considered AQM methods with reference to the above evaluation performance measures using minimum threshold position (min threshold) at a router buffer.
Comparison of Cooperation Modes in a Two-Period Closed-Loop Supply Chain System considering Green Manufacturing
Authors: Ma Chunmei
Published: May 2020

In order to improve the efficiency of collection and green manufacturing level in a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) system, the manufacturer invests green manufacturing efforts in product design and production process and intends to cooperate with other CLSC members to achieve excellent performance. In a two-period CLSC system consisting of one manufacturer, one retailer, and one third-service provider, a game-theoretical approach is adopted to compare the optimal decisions and profits of the three green manufacturing cooperation modes, namely, the manufacturer cooperates with the retailer and third-service provider, respectively, and the noncooperation mode is a benchmark. Moreover, the impact of different cooperation modes on CLSC decision-making is analyzed as well. The results indicate that the influence of difference among cooperation modes on CLSC decision is significant, and cooperation is always better than noncooperation. From the perspective of consumers as well as recycling and profit, although the collection rate of used products is not the highest when the manufacturer cooperates with the retailer, the price of product is the lowest and the green property of product is the most obvious; thus, this is regarded as the suitable cooperation mode after a comprehensive analysis. Besides, a coordination mechanism is designed to solve the inefficiency caused by double marginalization. Finally, numerical examples are presented to intuitively observe the relationships between decisions and profits and the impact of different parameters on them in the three modes, and some management inspirations are proposed ultimately.
A new variants of quasi-newton equation based on the quadratic function for unconstrained optimization
Authors: Hassan Basim Abbas , Taha Mohammed W.
Published: May 2020

The focus for quasi-Newton methods is the quasi-Newton equation. A new quasi-Newton equation is derived for quadratic function. Then, based on this new quasi-Newton equation, a new quasi-Newton updating formulas are presented. Under appropriate conditions, it is shown that the proposed method is globally convergent. Finally, some numerical experiments are reported which verifies the effectiveness of the new method.
Comparative method of moora, copras and topsis based on weighting of best worst method in supplier selection at ABC mining companies in Indonesia
Authors: Setyono Ryco Puji , Sarno Riyanarto
Published: May 2020

Supplier selection is essential to the business. The risks posed by suppliers will have a significant impact on the company's performance. Each business has distinct supplier features to mitigate this.These characteristics are divided into criteria in supplier selection. In this study, the criteria in supplier selection will be weighted by Best Worst Method (BWM) and comparing the three ranking methods, Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS), Multi-Objective Optimization berdasarkan Analisis Rasio (MOORA) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The sample in this study is an ABC manufacturing company engaged in mining from Indonesia. From the results of the study, there were 16 criteria using the Delphi Method. These criteria are divided into four main criteria, namely service, quality, cost and time. From the results of weighting BWM, the price sub criteria on cost criteria have the greatest weight for ABC companies. The results of the weighting are then carried out by supplier ranking by comparing the COPRAS, MOORA and TOPSIS approaches. In comparing these three methods, approaches are used based on accuracy and complexity. The COPRAS method has the highest accuracy and lowest complexity according to the ABC company.
Seroprevalence of Brucella ovis-epididymitis, smooth-Brucella, leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, and Maedi-Visna in sheep slaughtered in Minas Gerais State, Brazil
Authors: Dorneles Elaine Maria Seles , Guimarães Alessandro Sá , Gouveia Aurora Maria Gumarães , Coura Fernanda Morcatti , Carmo Filipe Borges , Pauletti Rebeca Barbosa , Azevedo Vasco , Lilenbaum Walter , Vitor Ricardo Wagner Almeida , Pinheiro Raymundo Rizaldo , Ferreira Amanda Carvalho Rosado , Dasso Mauricio Gauterio , Lage Andrey Pereira , Heinemann Marcos Bryan
Published: May 2020

The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of antibodies against Brucella ovis-epididymitis, smooth-Brucella,leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis and Maedi-visna in sheep slaughtered in Minas Gerais, Brazil and to study their simultaneousoccurrence, including caseous lymphadenitis, at sheep and flock levels. The study was conducted at a sheep slaughterhousewith Federal Inspection Service. Sera from 594 animals from 21 flocks were collected, in 2007. The agar gel immunodiffusion(AGID) was employed to detect anti-B. ovis and anti-Maedi Visna antibodies, whereas Rose Bengal (RB) and the2-mercaptoethanol test (2ME) were used to test anti-smooth Brucella antibodies. For the detection of anti-Leptospiraantibodies, sera were examined by microscopic agglutination test (MAT), while for the detection of IgG antibodies toToxoplasma gondii ELISA was used. Prevalence of antibodies against smooth Brucella, B. ovis-epididimitis, Leptospiraspp., toxoplasmosis and Maedi-Visna found in sheep from Minas Gerais was 0.00%, 24.04%, 25.96%, 10.46% and3.08%, respectively; whereas the seroprevalence in flocks was 0.00%, 80.95%, 90.48%, 71.43% and 23.81%, respectively.Moreover, when data on antibodies anti-Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, previously obtained, were included, about60% of the flocks showed animals that were exposed to four or more of the studied agents. However, only 25.47% ofthe sheep exhibited simultaneously antibodies against more than one pathogen. Thus, data from the present study onsheep slaughtered in Minas Gerais, Brazil, showed no antibodies to smooth-Brucella and a low frequency of antibodiesanti-Maedi Visna lentivirus, and a high and widespread seroprevalence of B. ovis, Leptospira spp., and T. gondii amonganimals and flocks.
O discurso medicalizante e a educação
Authors: Fanizzi Caroline , Lajonquière Leandro De
Published: May 2020

O presente artigo visa apresentar uma reflexão, a partir do diálogo com aportes da psicanálise na educação, acerca das implicações da presença do discurso medicalizante no espaço escolar. O discurso medicalizante, muitas vezes proferido com fluência por aqueles que se ocupam da educação, traz consigo inúmeras consequências ao laço educativo, bem como aos sujeitos nele envolvidos. Para a análise aqui pretendida, valemo-nos de falas de professoras das redes pública e privada de ensino, acerca dos impactos da presença do discurso medicalizante à prática docente e ao cotidiano escolar. Patologização de comportamentos infantis, epidemia de diagnósticos, construção de padrões de normalidade e anormalidade, crescente uso de psicofármacos, bem como a desautorização e a desimplicação do professor, são alguns dos principais aspectos identificados em nosso estudo.
10 anos de um CAPSi
Authors: Leitão Iagor Brum , Avellar Luziane Zacché
Published: May 2020

Objetivou-se identificar as percepções de profissionais trabalhadores de um CAPSi acerca do trabalho em saúde mental da criança e do adolescente e descrever os impasses e desafios vividos pelo serviço em seu décimo ano de funcionamento. Os dados foram analisados por meio da Classificação Hierárquica Descendente (CHD), possibilitada pelo software IRaMuTeQ. A CHD formou cinco classes: 1- “A clínica no CAPSi”, classe que compreende as interrogações dos profissionais acerca da dimensão clínica do CAPSi, especialmente no que se refere às condutas a serem adotadas para o cuidado de usuários com autismo; 2- “Articulação com a Rede”, onde situam-se desafios relacionados à efetivação da política intersetorial; 3- “Imaginário do serviço”, que ilustra o entendimento da população e demais serviços da rede acerca do CAPSi, frequentemente visto como um serviço clínico-ambulatorial centrado na especialidade psiquiátrica. 4- “Perfil dos usuários globais”, que remonta a lógica histórica de ações dedicadas à crianças e adolescentes considerados “desviantes”, condição que contribui para a prevalência  de usuários provenientes de famílias com baixa renda e em vulnerabilidade social no CAPSi; 5- “O Cuidado de Usuários AD”, que denota a dificuldade do CAPSi constituir-se como um lugar possível para cuidado de usuários com necessidades decorrentes do uso de álcool e outras drogas
Os impasses do ensino superior privado brasileiro
Authors: Sena Isael
Published: May 2020

Em nome da luta contra as desigualdades sociais e por considerar a exclusão massiva de jovens do acesso ao ensino superior, o governo brasileiro do ex-presidente Fernando Henrique Cardoso (1995-2003) implementou um conjunto de políticas públicas que possibilitaram a expansão dos sistemas de ensino primário e secundário, a qual repercutiu também no âmbito universitário. Na sequência, os governos de esquerda, inicialmente, o do ex-presidente Luíz Inácio Lula da Silva (2003-2011) e, em continuidade, o de Dilma Vana Roussef (2011-2016), contribuíram com esse mesmo processo ao ampliar o número de vagas nas instituições federais e, sobretudo, nas privadas. Com o fortalecimento da “privatização do ensino universitário”, as instituições merecedoras de subsídios financeiros indiretos do estado nacional, nos últimos anos, adquiriram, explicitamente, um caráter quase tão somente mercantil e lucrativo. A partir de tais considerações, interrogamos, na tese presente, por que os professores permaneceram trabalhando influenciados por esse modelo. Realizamos entrevistas com docentes de uma instituição privada a fim de possibilitar a estes profissionais um relato de suas experiências com a faculdade, os alunos e a transmissão. O estudo nos conduziu à compreensão de que a mercantilização da formação universitária, “à maneira brasileira”, produziu uma torção perversa ou cínica do laço subjetivo entre professor e aluno, pois impossibilitou o genuíno desdobramento desse vínculo e induziu, possivelmente, um quadro de apatia dos alunos e de melancolia formativa generalizada do professor. Contrariamente ao propalado, a formação universitária veio acompanhada de uma pauperização da qualidade da transmissão e da experiência necessárias à formação acadêmico-profissional.  Ademais, os diplomas, atualmente, são desvalorizados no mercado de trabalho. Assim, a pretendida luta contra as desigualdades sociais resultou, com exagero, naquilo que ela visava combater. O professor, embora submetido ao caráter alienante e repressivo da instituição, associado à mercantilização do ensino, transmitiu a mesma demanda inconsciente de fazer gozar o Outro do mercado capitalista.
O que resta da adolescência
Authors: Rosa Miriam Debieux , Carmo-Huerta Viviani
Published: May 2020

Os processos dos adolescentes diante dos dilemas humanos relativos à sexualidade, morte, pertença e transformação social contam a sua própria história, mas dizem também sobre o modo como cada sociedade concebe as modalidades de inscrição do sujeito no laço social, assim como da sua disponibilidade às transformações sociais. Neste artigo vamos demonstrar os impasses nos destinos da adolescência quando o outro social, em vez de interpelar, acompanhar e apostar no adolescente transforma suas fronteiras em opacidades intransponíveis, ao modo de um front de guerra, impondo impedimentos à sua pertença ao laço social. Vamos cotejar falas dos adolescentes da peça de teatro de Frank Wedekind, de 1891, O Despertar da Primavera, com falas de adolescentes das margens das grandes cidades brasileiras. Vamos demonstrar a articulação da sexualidade à cena social e política, assim como situar o estatuto do ato diante dos impasses do adolescente frente ao lugar que lhe é ofertado no discurso social. Pode-se escutar o que resta da adolescência: a construção de uma narrativa ficcional que permita construir e nortear a sua invenção de um lugar para existir.
Ocupa Escola
Authors: Coutinho Luciana Gageiro
Published: May 2020

O artigo parte do pressuposto de que pensar a adolescência é também refletir sobre os impasses no laço social, incluindo-se aí o laço educativo e os discursos que o constituem. Sustenta que, no contexto escolar brasileiro, os laços dos adolescentes com a família e com a escola são muitas vezes marcados pela condição de vulnerabilidade social e por discursos educativos atravessados por especialismos e por exigências produtivistas.  Esses sujeitos adolescentes são assim silenciados e tal condição de desamparo discursivo incide sobre o trabalho da adolescência dificultando a passagem do discurso infantil referido à família para os discursos sociais referidos ao Outro social.  Defende que o sofrimento psíquico desses adolescentes é sociopolítico, ou seja, diz respeito aos impasses provenientes dos lugares que ocupam no laço social e nos discursos dominantes, de modo que o seu tratamento deve se dar também na dimensão do coletivo.  Aborda alguns extratos de uma pesquisa sobre as ocupações das escolas ocorridas entre 2015 e 2017 em todo o Brasil para pensar sobre o trabalho da adolescência e um tratamento possível aos impasses no laço social que se apresentam na escola em nosso contexto contemporâneo.
El Turismo Cultural desde la Educación Patrimonial Transcompleja en Venezuela
Authors: Rodriguez Milagros Elena
Published: May 2020

Es urgente de acuerdo con las premisas de la transcomplejidad diseñar estrategias que permitan enfrentar en el turismo cultural los riesgos, lo inesperado, lo incierto, y atender el proceso educativo como aquel lleno de profundas incertidumbres y no de determinismos. La transmetodologia que sustenta el turismo cultural desde la Educación Patrimonial Transcompleja en la presente indagación es el transmétodo la hermenéutica comprensiva, ecosofica y diatopica como construcción teórica. La Educación Patrimonial Transcompleja es el ejercicio educativo que basándose en el asunto patrimonial de un ciudadano comprometido propende una identidad que lo define e identifica con su patrimonio cultural. Se concluye que el turismo cultural sustentado desde la Educación Patrimonial Transcomplejidad constituye un espacio político donde desde la diversidad cultural como el patrimonio cultural universal se establece relaciones de reconocimientos de los países y con ello el respeto por los ciudadanos. Se caracteriza porque que se requiere del trabajo complejizado de diálogos y acuerdos en conjunto entre los diversos actores de los sectores turísticos y culturales, los cultores de las comunidades locales que mediante adecuados procesos de gestión transcompleja, produzcan desarrollos turísticos sanos y equilibrados, atractivos y portadores de políticas comprometidas y una continua formación de gestores culturales. En Venezuela, es deseable la conformación de un sujeto transmoderno en materia de turismo cultural que conyugue a la protección de nuestra cultura, el patrimonio cultural y natural, su salvaguarda; si sometimiento, liberado de las opresiones politiqueras en favor de intereses particulares; ir a un verdadero ejercicio educativo patrimonial en material de una gestión transmoderna y transcompleja.
Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors: A Novel Strategy for Neuroprotection and Cardioprotection Following Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Pickell Zachary , Williams Aaron M. , Alam Hasan B. , Hsu Cindy H.
Published: May 2020

Ischemia/reperfusion injury is a complex molecular cascade that causes deleterious cellular damage and organ dysfunction. Stroke, sudden cardiac arrest, and acute myocardial infarction are the most common causes of ischemia/reperfusion injury without effective pharmacologic therapies. Existing preclinical evidence suggests that histone deacetylase inhibitors may be an efficacious, affordable, and clinically feasible therapy that can improve neurologic and cardiac outcomes following ischemia/reperfusion injury. In this review, we discuss the pathophysiology and epigenetic modulations of ischemia/reperfusion injury and focus on the neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects of
histone deacetylase inhibitors
. We also summarize the protective effects of
histone deacetylase inhibitors
for other vital organs and highlight the key research priorities for their successful translation to the bedside.
Out of Plato’s Cave
Authors: Ostovich Steve
Published: May 2020

The title is lifted from an essay by J. T. Fraser in his book Time and Time Again (2007). It conveys Fraser’s conviction, a conviction shared here, that understanding time and reality requires us to redirect our thinking process. Plato describes a path out of the dark cave of confusion into the realm of truth and light, that is, from time towards the timeless. But we should “reverse course” along this path and move from the timeless into the complexity of time. Time is not one thing foundational to reality; reality rather is a series of temporal levels developed through evolution and related in a nested hierarchy driven by conflict and towards increasing complexity. This theory makes possible critical and fruitful reflection on issues like entropy, indeterminacy, and mind/body dualism. It entails embracing our position as knowers in time and the complexity of truth as temporal rather than timeless.
The Multisensory Experience of Handling and Reading Books
Authors: Spence Charles
Published: May 2020

The failure of e-books to take over from the traditional print format, as was so confidently predicted would happen only a few years ago, highlights how there is more to reading than merely the content of what we see. In fact, like any other object, the experience of interacting with a book, especially an old or historic volume, offers the reader the potential for a multisensory encounter. One that involves not only what the book looks and feels like, both the weight of the volume and the feel of the pages, but also the distinctive smell. In fact, one might also want to consider the particular sound made by the pages as they are turned over. However, it is the smell of older, and seemingly more olfactorily-redolent, works that appears to be especially effective at triggering nostalgic associations amongst readers. It is therefore only by understanding the multisensory nature of handling books, as stressed by this review, that one can really hope to fully appreciate the enduring appeal of the traditional format in the modern digital era. Several recent exhibitions that have attempted to engage their visitors by means of exploring the multisensory appeal of historic books or manuscripts in their collections are briefly discussed. While the multisensory mental imagery that is typically evoked by reading is unlikely to differ much between the print and e-book formats, there is nevertheless still some evidence to suggest that physical books can occasionally convey information more effectively than their digital counterparts.
Two new species of Erythroneurini from China (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Typhlocybinae)
Authors: CHEN XIAO-XIAO , SONG YUE-HUA
Published: May 2020

Two new species of Erythroneurini from Guizhou Province, China are reported. Empoascanara wengangensis sp. n. and Thaia xiaguensis sp. n. are described and illustrated.
On two species of the alpheid shrimp genus Salmoneus Holthuis, 1955 from Kuwait, one of them new to science (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Caridea)
Authors: ANKER ARTHUR , AL-KANDARI MANAL , DE GRAVE SAMMY
Published: May 2020

The alpheid genus Salmoneus Holthuis, 1955 is reported from Kuwait for the first time, with two species. One species, Salmoneus ikaros sp. nov., is described based on a single specimen from Failaka Island, extracted from the burrow of the callianassid ghost-shrimp Balsscallichirus masoomi (Tirmizi, 1970), together with the host. The new species is characterised by its peculiar eyes, which together with other characters separate it from all previously described species of Salmoneus. The second species, Salmoneus gracilipes Miya, 1972, is reported from Kuwait based on three specimens from two different localities and different habitats. Two specimens were found under coral rocks at a depth of about 7 m off Kubbar Island, whereas the third specimen was extracted from the burrow of the echiuran worm, Listriolobus cf. brevirostris Chen & Yeh, 1958, at the type locality of S. ikaros sp. nov. at Failaka Island. Material identified as S. gracilipes from across its wide distribution range appears to be morphologically heterogeneous, possibly containing more than one species, and thus will need further studies.
Geophilomorpha from Alborz Mountains and a checklist of Chilopoda from Iran
Authors: ZAREI ROGHAIEH , RAHIMIAN HASSAN , MIRMONSEF HASSAN , BONATO LUCIO
Published: May 2020

This study presents an updated checklist of centipedes (Chilopoda) from Iran based on a review of the literature and recently examined specimens of Geophilomorpha collected from many sites in the Alborz Mountains. The centipedes of Iran comprise 48 species, of which 17 species have so far only been reported from Iran. Many species are known from a single locality, and only from specimens of a single sex. Species of the geophilomorph genera Clinopodes and Strigamia are here reported from Iran for the first time. The checklist includes all published geographical distribution data from Iran and a comparison with the centipede fauna of neighboring countries using the Jaccard index. The Iranian centipede fauna is still scantily known and further investigations are expected to contribute substantially, especially because of the diverse physiography of the country.
Description of a new species of Aspidonema (Sachs, 1949) Andrássy, 1958 (Nematoda: Bunonematidae) associated with mint leaf beetle Chrysolina herbacea (Duftschmid, 1825) from India
Authors: NAZIR NUMREEN , TAHSEEN QUDSIA
Published: May 2020

This paper provides a detailed description of a new species of genus Aspidonema isolated from mint leaf beetles (Chrysolina herbacea), and is the first report of a bunonematid nematode from beetles in India. Aspidonema kashmirensis sp. nov. is characterised by females having small, asymmetrical body (L = 224–337µm, a = 13.1–20.3, b = 3.2–4.2, c = 7.2–10.7, c′ = 4.0–5.7, V = 53.3–60.0), with the right side body cuticle ornamented with shields, warts and networks while the left side is provided with five longitudinal ridges. The shields are transversely-ovoid, having strongly sclerotized borders and a pair of elliptical slits for the underlying warts. Fine pores observed under SEM are present on the surface of the shields. Males have a bifid tail; long, thin, free spicules, distally hooked gubernaculum; asymmetrical, leptoderan bursa and eight pairs of genital papillae.
A Hazard Multiple: Overlapping Tornado and Flash Flood Warnings in a National Weather Service Forecast Office in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Henderson Jen , Nielsen Erik R. , Herman Gregory R. , Schumacher Russ S.
Published: May 2020

The U.S. weather warning system is designed to help operational forecasters identify hazards and issue alerts to assist people in taking life-saving actions. Assessing risks for separate hazards, such as flash flooding, can be challenging for individuals, depending on their contexts, resources, and abilities. When two or more hazards co-occur in time and space, such as tornadoes and flash floods, which we call TORFFs, risk assessment and available actions people can take to stay safe become increasingly complex and potentially dangerous. TORFF advice can suggest contradictory action—that people get low for a tornado and seek higher ground for a flash flood. The origin of risk information about such threats is the National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Office. This article contributes to an understanding of the warning and forecast system though a naturalistic study of the NWS during a TORFF event in the southeastern United States. Drawing on literature for the Social Amplification of Risk Framework, this article argues that during TORFFs, elements of the NWS warning operations can unintentionally amplify or attenuate one threat over the other. Our results reveal three ways this amplification or attenuation might occur: 1) underlying assumptions that forecasters understandably make about the danger of different threats; 2) threat terminology and coordination with national offices that shape the communication of risks during a multihazard event; and 3) organizational arrangements of space and forecaster expertise during operations. We conclude with suggestions for rethinking sites of amplification and attenuation and additional areas of future study.
Evaluation of Recurrent Maxillary Sinusitis due to Middle Meatal Antrostomy Site Stenosis
Authors: Kim Hyo Jun , Choi Ji Ho , Lee Jae Yong
Published: May 2020

Objective:

This study was performed to evaluate the incidence, timing, and factors contributing to recurrent maxillary sinusitis due to middle meatal antrostomy (MMA) site stenosis after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).

Methods:

The medical records and endoscopic photographs of 288 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who underwent ESS were evaluated. Patients visited the clinic with similar schedule after ESS; recurrent maxillary sinusitis due to MMA site stenosis was investigated, including in terms of the incidence and timing. The preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans, intraoperative findings, and possible factors contributing to MMA site stenosis were examined.

Results:

Recurrent maxillary sinusitis due to MMA site stenosis occurred in 10 patients. Most had unilateral sinusitis and stenosis was observed within 6 months postoperatively. All patients had severe inflammation, pus retention, and thick mucosal hypertrophy in the maxillary sinus on preoperative CT; intraoperative findings confirmed these conditions. In most patients, extensive trimming of the hypertrophied mucosa was performed intraoperatively through canine fossa trephination.

Conclusions:

MMA site stenosis is a rare condition after ESS. We hypothesized that rapid shrinkage and fibrosis of the sinus mucosa after extensive trimming thereof may be the main causes of stenosis. Residual mucosal inflammation, granulation formation, and persistent sinus crust and debris may also be contributing factors. Therefore, conservative trimming, meticulous dressing, and removal of sinus crust and granulation tissue near the MMA site should be performed in patients with MMA site stenosis.
Challenging the status quo: A comparison of ion exchange chromatography with liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry methods for the measurement of amino acids in human plasma
Authors: Carling Rachel S , McDonald Benjamin AC , Austin Donna , Burden Deborah , Correia Joana , Leung Jenny , Mayers Beverley , John Catharine
Published: May 2020

Background

Plasma amino acid analysis is key to the diagnosis and monitoring of inherited disorders of amino acid synthesis, catabolism and transport. Ion exchange chromatography (IEC) is widely accepted as the gold standard method of analysis, but with the introduction of liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods, this should now be questioned.

Methods

The analytical performance of three commercially available reagent kits, Waters AccQ Tag™ ULTRA LC-MS, SpOtOn Amino Acids LC-MS/MS and Chromsystems MassChrom® Amino Acid Analysis LC-MS/MS, were evaluated and compared with Biochrom Physiological Amino Acids ion exchange chromatography. Correlation with IEC was assessed by Passing-Bablok regression, concordance correlation coefficients (CCC) and Bland-Altman analysis for 21 common amino acids. Calculation of the total error from imprecision and bias was also used to benchmark performance.

Results

The MassChrom® and SpOtOn kits demonstrated acceptable inter-batch imprecision (CV < 10%) and accuracy (mean bias < 10%), whereas the AccQ Tag™ ULTRA kit did not. Good correlation (CCC > 0.95) with Biochrom IEC was demonstrated for 10/21 analytes in both the MassChrom® and SpOtOn kits and 6/21 in the AccQ Tag™ ULTRA kit.

Conclusions

The LC-MS assay demonstrated variable analytical performance and correlated poorly with ion exchange chromatography. Both LC-MS/MS assays demonstrated comparable analytical performance and reasonable correlation with ion exchange chromatography. They also confer practical advantages which cannot be realized by ion exchange chromatography, superior specificity and significantly faster analysis time, suggesting that ion exchange chromatography should no longer be described as the gold standard method for plasma amino acid analysis.
Real-world effectiveness of antipsychotic treatment in psychosis prevention in a 3-year cohort of 517 individuals at clinical high risk from the SHARP (ShangHai At Risk for Psychosis)
Authors: Zhang TianHong , Xu LiHua , Tang XiaoChen , Wei YanYan , Hu Qiang , Hu YeGang , Cui HuiRu , Tang YingYing , Hui Li , Li ChunBo , Cao LiPing , Lu Zheng , Wang JiJun
Published: May 2020

Objective:

Antipsychotics are widely used for treating psychosis, but it is unclear whether they can also prevent psychosis. This study attempted a longitudinal evaluation of antipsychotics under real-world conditions in China to evaluate their effect on the rate of conversion to psychosis in individuals with a clinical high risk (CHR) of psychosis.

Method:

A total of 517 CHR individuals were recruited between 2011 and 2016 and followed up for 3 years. Among these, 450 (87.0%) individuals completed follow-up, 108 (24.0%) showed conversion to psychosis and 309 (68.7%) received antipsychotics. The main outcome was conversion to psychosis. The sample was further stratified according to the severity of positive symptoms.

Results:

Patients who did not receive antipsychotics showed a lower conversion rate than those who did (17.7% vs 26.9%; odds ratio [OR] = 0.660, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.442, 0.985], p = 0.035). In mild CHR cases, antipsychotic treatment was more likely to be associated with conversion to psychosis, compared with the no-antipsychotics group, with no such difference observed in severe CHR cases. Among those who received antipsychotics, monotherapy or low-dose treatment was associated with lower conversion rates. Our results did not favor any specific type of antipsychotics and suggested that a very small subgroup of CHR individuals with severe positive and general symptoms but mild negative symptoms may benefit from antipsychotic treatment.

Conclusions:

Administration of antipsychotics to CHR patients is potentially harmful with no preventive benefits. We do not recommend antipsychotic treatment for CHR individuals, which is practiced widely in China, and strongly advise caution if these drugs are used.
Brief cognitive screening instruments for electroconvulsive therapy: Which one should I use?
Authors: Martin Donel M , McClintock Shawn M , Loo Colleen K
Published: May 2020

Objectives:

To review brief cognitive screening instruments for routine clinical monitoring in electroconvulsive therapy.

Methods:

Brief cognitive screening instruments specifically developed for electroconvulsive therapy and commonly used brief generalised cognitive screening instruments were reviewed with relative advantages and disadvantages highlighted.

Results:

Several brief cognitive screening tests designed for use in electroconvulsive therapy have been found sensitive for monitoring electroconvulsive therapy–related cognitive side effects. The choice of a brief generalised cognitive screening instrument for use in an electroconvulsive therapy clinical context comes with several pertinent considerations.

Conclusion:

Electroconvulsive therapy is a highly effective treatment for pharmacoresistant and severe neuropsychiatric illness although cognitive side effects can be a barrier for treatment. Routine monitoring using brief cognitive screening instruments has advantages in busy clinical settings and can assist with optimising patient outcomes. More detailed neuropsychological assessment is recommended if the results from brief cognitive screening raise concerns.
Les pièges de la femme et les ambiguïtés d’un texte : étude de Qohélet 7,26 dans l’histoire de l’exégèse juive
Authors: Lavoie Jean-Jacques
Published: May 2020

Cet article présente une première synthèse de l’histoire de l’interprétation juive de Qo 7,26, un passage réputé pour sa misogynie. Il se divise en deux parties. Dans la première, l’auteur examine six anciennes traductions de Qo 7,26, afin de vérifier si les traducteurs ont cherché à amoindrir le caractère misogyne de ce verset. Dans la deuxième partie, il présente et analyse diverses interprétations juives de Qo 7,26, notamment celles qui portent sur l’identité de la femme.
Symptom Level Associations Between Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and School Performance
Authors: Rigoni Megan , Blevins Lynn Zanardi , Rettew David C. , Kasehagen Laurin
Published: May 2020

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with reduced school performance. To determine which ADHD symptoms and subtypes have the strongest association, we used type and frequency of symptoms on the 2014 National Survey of the Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD and Tourette Syndrome (NS-DATA) to create symptom scores for inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity and define subtypes (ADHD-Inattentive [ADHD-I], ADHD-Hyperactive-Impulsive, ADHD-Combined [ADHD-C]). Regression methods were used to examine associations between symptoms and subtype and a composite measure of school performance. Children with ADHD-C and ADHD-I had higher adjusted odds of having reduced overall school performance (ADHD-C = 5.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.1-10.9; ADHD-I = 5.5, 95% CI = 3.1-10.1) compared with children without ADHD. All inattentive symptoms were significantly related to reduced school performance in reading, writing, and handwriting, while 6 of 9 symptoms were significantly associated in mathematics. Children with ADHD-I were significantly more likely than children with other ADHD subtypes to receive a school-based Individualized Education Program or 504 Plan. ADHD-I symptoms may be broadly linked to reduced school performance.
Using Nature-Inspired Virtual Reality as a Distraction to Reduce Stress and Pain Among Cancer Patients
Authors: Scates Diana , Dickinson Joan I. , Sullivan Kathleen , Cline Holly , Balaraman Rama
Published: May 2020

While many cancer centers suggest treating pain with medication and nondrug treatment, few include the use of virtual reality (VR) as an alternative for stress and pain relief therapy. The purpose of this research was to determine whether a nature-inspired VR simulation reduced stress and pain levels among patients in a cancer treatment center. Using a repeated measures design, 50 patients attending their regularly scheduled chemotherapy infusion were measured for pain and stress during their intravenous (IV)/port access. At the patient’s second visit, they viewed a nature-inspired VR simulation while receiving their IV/port access and were measured for pain and stress again. The paired, one-tailed t tests found significant increases in relaxation, feelings of peace, and positive distractions. While patients felt significantly less frustrated, measures for stress and pain were not significant. Future research should include additional stress and pain measures to determine the viability of VR for chemotherapy infusions.