bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence of major complications after percutaneous native renal biopsies in adults from low-income to middle-income countries: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kajawo Shepherd , Moloi Mothusi Walter , Noubiap Jean Jacques , Ekrikpo Udeme , Kengne Andre Pascal , Okpechi Ikechi G
Published: April 2018

Introduction

Kidney biopsy is an essential tool for guiding clinicians towards diagnoses, treatment and determining prognosis in renal disease. However, the procedure can be marred by various complications. The reported occurrence of complications varies among countries or regions and is also affected by several clinical and technical factors. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the incidence of major complications after percutaneous native renal biopsy in low-income to middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods and analysis

We will include studies of populations from LMIC as per World Bank 2017 country list. Relevant abstracts published from 1 January 1980 to 30 December 2017 will be searched in PubMed, Cochrane, Excerpta Medica Database (Embase) and African Journals Online, without language restriction. Two reviewers will independently screen, select studies, extract data and assess the risk of bias in each study. A third reviewer will arbitrate in cases of disagreements. The study-specific estimates will be pooled through a random-effects model meta-analysis to obtain an overall summary estimate of the incidence of major complications across studies. Clinical and statistical heterogeneity will be evaluated by Cochrane’s Q statistic. Funnel-plot analysis and Egger’s test will be used to assess publication bias. Results will be presented by geographical region and income group.

Ethics and dissemination

This study will use published data. Therefore, there is no requirement for ethical approval. This systematic review and meta-analysis is expected to inform healthcare workers and providers about the occurrence of major complications following renal biopsies and highlight possible actions needed to improve the safety of the procedure in LMICs. The final report will be published as an original article in a peer-reviewed journal. Findings will also be presented at a conference and submitted to relevant health authorities.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42017077656.
Clonal T cell receptor gene rearrangements in coeliac disease: implications for diagnosing refractory coeliac disease
Authors: Hussein Shafinaz , Gindin Tatyana , Lagana Stephen M , Arguelles-Grande Carolina , Krishnareddy Suneeta , Alobeid Bachir , Lewis Suzanne K , Mansukhani Mahesh M , Green Peter H R , Bhagat Govind
Published: April 2018

Aims

Refractory coeliac disease type II (RCDII), a rare complication of coeliac disease (CD) associated with high morbidity, requires identification of a clonal population of phenotypically aberrant intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) for diagnosis. However, data regarding the frequency and significance of clonal T cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements (TCR-GRs) in small bowel (SB) biopsies of patients without RCDII are limited.

Methods

We analysed results of TCR-GR analyses performed on SB biopsies at our institution over a 3-year period, which were obtained from eight active CD, 172 CD on gluten-free diet (GFD), 33 RCDI, and three RCDII patients and 14 patients without CD. TCR-GR patterns were divided into clonal, polyclonal and prominent clonal peaks (PCPs) and these patterns were correlated with clinical and pathological features.

Results

Clonal TCR-GR products were detected in biopsies from 67% of patients with RCDII, 17% of patients with RCDI and 6% of patients with GFD. PCPs were observed in all disease phases (range 12%–33%). There was no significant difference in the TCR-GR patterns between the non-RCDII disease categories (p=0.39). A higher frequency of surface CD3(−) IELs was noted in cases with clonal TCR-GR, but the PCP pattern did not show associations with any clinical or pathological feature. Persistence of clonal or PCP pattern on repeat biopsy was seen for up to 2 years without evidence of RCDII.

Conclusions

Clonal TCR-GRs are not infrequent in cases lacking features of RCDII, while PCPs are frequent in all disease phases. TCR-GR results should be assessed in conjunction with immunophenotypic, histological and clinical findings for appropriate diagnosis and classification of RCD.
Bacteria profile and antibiogram of the bacteria isolated from the exposed pulp of dog canine teeth
Authors: Almansa Ruiz José Carlos , Jonker Annelize , Bosman Anna‐Mari , Steenkamp Gerhard
Published: April 2018

Twenty‐seven microbiological samples were taken from root canals (RC) of the canine teeth of 20 dogs where the pulps were non‐vital and exposed due to complicated crown fractures. These pulps were cultured for aerobic/anaerobic bacteria. Antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates was determined using the Kirby‐Bauer diffusion test. A total of 49 cultivable isolates, belonging to 27 different microbial species and 18 different genera, were recovered from the 27 RCs sampled. Twenty (40.81 per cent) of the cultivable isolates were Gram positive while 29 (59.19 per cent) were Gram negative. Facultative anaerobes were the most common bacteria (77.56 per cent). Aerobic isolates represented 18.36 per cent, and strict anaerobes 4.08 per cent. The antimicrobials with the highest in vitro efficacy were gentamicin (100 per cent) and enrofloxacin (93.32 per cent).
Radiative corrections in 2 + 1 dimensional supergravity
Authors: McKeon D.G.C.
Published: April 2018

Supergravity in 2 + 1 dimensions has a set of first-class constraints that result in two bosonic and one fermionic gauge invariances. When one uses Faddeev–Popov quantization, these gauge invariances result in four fermionic scalar ghosts and two bosonic Majorana spinor ghosts. The BRST invariance of the effective Lagrangian is found. As an example of a radiative correction, we compute the phase of the one-loop effective action in the presence of a background spin connection, and show that it vanishes. This indicates that unlike a spinor coupled to a gauge field in 2 + 1 dimensions, there is no dynamical generation of a topological mass in this model. An additional example of how a BRST invariant effective action can arise in a gauge theory is provided in Appendix B where the BRST effective action for the classical Palatini action in 1 + 1 dimensions is examined.
Formation mechanism and prediction of plane shape in angular rolling of aluminum alloy thick plate
Authors: Hao Pujun , He Anrui , Sun Wenquan
Published: April 2018

A finite element model (FEM) was developed to study the plane shape of an aluminum alloy thick plate after angular rolling. Results show that the plane shape is a parallelogram after the first pass of angular rolling. When the angular rolling process is completed after a second pass, the plane shape becomes symmetric about the center lines in both length and width directions. The width increases more at the edge that enters the deformation zone earlier. Next, a mathematical model to predict plane shape after angular rolling was proposed based on a sectional calculation method. By simulating the longitudinal rolling process, spreads from different plate widths were obtained and used in the mathematical model. By comparing these results with results from the FEM, the accuracy of the mathematical model was verified. Because of its short calculation time, the mathematical model can be used in practice during the production process.
Time delay control of cable-driven manipulators with artificial bee colony algorithm
Authors: Yan Fei , Wang Yaoyao , Xu Wei , Chen Bai
Published: April 2018

Cable-driven manipulators (CDM) are widely-used for their unique advantages such as light weight, low moving mass, high payload-to-weight ratio, and large reachable workspace. However, their complex dynamic character and low stiffness with flexible joints make the control design much more difficult than for traditional robot manipulators. In this paper, time delay control (TDC), which combines the proportional-integral–derivative (PID) control method and time delay estimation (TDE) technology, will be investigated to build a model-free controller for CDM. PID parameters are reduced dramatically as TDE compensates for a large proportion of unknown dynamics. To handle the problem in tuning parameters of this controller, artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm is utilized to obtain optimal parameters of PID. Finally, simulations are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the propose controller and the tuning method.
Matter-wave solitons of Bose–Einstein condensates with time-dependent complex potentials
Authors: Kengne Emmanuel , Lakhssassi Ahmed
Published: April 2018

To analytically investigate the matter-wave solitons of Bose–Einstein condensates (BECs) in time-dependent complex potential, we consider a cubic-quintic Gross–Pitaevskii (GP) equation with distributed coefficients and a dissipative term. By introducing a suitable ansatz, we establish the criterion of the modulational instability (MI) of the system and present an explicit expression for the growth rate of a purely growing MI. Effects of the parabolic background potential, as well as of the linear potential, the gain/loss parameter, and the two- and three-body interatomic interactions on the MI are investigated. We show how the feeding/loss parameter can be well used to control the instability of the system. The analytical resolution of the considered GP equation leads to exact bright, dark and kink solitary wave solutions which are used to investigate analytically the dynamics of matter-wave solitons in BECs under consideration. These analytical investigations show that the amplitude and the motion of bright, dark and kink solitary waves depend on the strengths of the two- and three-body interatomic interactions, as well as on the strengths of the external trapping potential and the parameter of the gain/loss of atoms in the condensate.
Direct numerical simulation of turbulent channel flow with spanwise alternatively distributed strips control
Authors: Ni Weidan , Lu Lipeng , Fang Jian , Moulinec Charles , Yao Yufeng
Published: April 2018

The effect of spanwise alternatively distributed strips (SADS) control on turbulent flow in a plane channel has been studied by direct numerical simulations to investigate the characteristics of large-scale streamwise vortices (LSSVs) induced by small-scale active wall actuation, and their potential in suppressing flow separation. SADS control is realized by alternatively arranging out-of-phase control (OPC) and in-phase control (IPC) wall actuations on the lower channel wall surface, in the spanwise direction. It is found that the coherent structures are suppressed or enhanced alternatively by OPC or IPC, respectively, leading to the formation of a vertical shear layer, which is responsible for the LSSVs’ presence. Large-scale low-speed region can also be observed above the OPC strips, which resemble large-scale low-speed streaks. LSSVs are found to be in a statistically-converged steady state and their cores are located between two neighboring OPC and IPC strips. Their motions contribute significantly to the momentum transport in the wall-normal and spanwise directions, demonstrating their potential ability to suppress flow separation.
Development of axisymmetric lattice Boltzmann flux solver for complex multiphase flows
Authors: Wang Yan , Shu Chang , Yang Li-Ming , Yuan Hai-Zhuan
Published: April 2018

This paper presents an axisymmetric lattice Boltzmann flux solver (LBFS) for simulating axisymmetric multiphase flows. In the solver, the two-dimensional (2D) multiphase LBFS is applied to reconstruct macroscopic fluxes excluding axisymmetric effects. Source terms accounting for axisymmetric effects are introduced directly into the governing equations. As compared to conventional axisymmetric multiphase lattice Boltzmann (LB) method, the present solver has the kinetic feature for flux evaluation and avoids complex derivations of external forcing terms. In addition, the present solver also saves considerable computational efforts in comparison with three-dimensional (3D) computations. The capability of the proposed solver in simulating complex multiphase flows is demonstrated by studying single bubble rising in a circular tube. The obtained results compare well with the published data.
Visualization and analysis of flow structures in an open cavity
Authors: Liu Jun , Cai Jinsheng , Yang Dangguo , Wu Junqiang , Wang Xiansheng
Published: April 2018

A numerical study is performed on the supersonic flow over an open cavity at Mach number of 1.5. A newly developed visualization method is employed to visualize the complicated flow structures, which provide an insight into major flow physics. Four types of shock/compressive waves which existed in experimental schlieren are observed in numerical visualization results. Furthermore, other flow structures such as multi-scale vortices are also obtained in the numerical results. And a new type of shocklet which is beneath large vortices is found. The shocklet beneath the vortex originates from leading edge, then, is strengthened by successive interactions between feedback compressive waves and its attached vortex. Finally, it collides against the trailing surface and generates a large number of feedback compressive waves and intensive pressure fluctuations. It is suggested that the shocklets beneath vortex play an important role of cavity self-sustained oscillation.
An effective lattice Boltzmann flux solver on arbitrarily unstructured meshes
Authors: Wu Qi-Feng , Shu Chang , Wang Yan , Yang Li-Ming
Published: April 2018

The recently proposed lattice Boltzmann flux solver (LBFS) is a new approach for the simulation of incompressible flow problems. It applies the finite volume method (FVM) to discretize the governing equations, and the flux at the cell interface is evaluated by local reconstruction of lattice Boltzmann solution from macroscopic flow variables at cell centers. In the previous application of the LBFS, the structured meshes have been commonly employed, which may cause inconvenience for problems with complex geometries. In this paper, the LBFS is extended to arbitrarily unstructured meshes for effective simulation of incompressible flows. Two test cases, the lid-driven flow in a triangular cavity and flow around a circular cylinder, are carried out for validation. The obtained results are compared with the data available in the literature. Good agreement has been achieved, which demonstrates the effectiveness and reliability of the LBFS in simulating flows on arbitrarily unstructured meshes.
Thermal non-equilibrium effect of small-scale structures in compressible turbulence
Authors: Li Shi-Yi , Li Qi-Bing
Published: April 2018

The thermal non-equilibrium effect of the small-scale structures in the canonical two-dimensional turbulence is studied. Comparative studies of Unified Gas Kinetic Scheme (UGKS) and GKS-Navier–Stokes (NS) for Taylor–Green flow with initial Ma = 1, Kn = 0.01 and decaying isotropic turbulence with initial [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] show that the discrepancy exists both in small and large scales, even beyond the dissipation range to 10[Formula: see text] with accuracy to 8% in the SGS energy transfer of the decaying isotropic turbulence, illustrating the necessity for resolving the kinetic scales even at moderated [Formula: see text].
MOLECULAR ADSORPTION OF NO ON WmMon (m + n≤6) CLUSTERS
Authors: YU ZHICHENG , ZHANG XIURONG , GAO KUN , HUO PEIYING
Published: April 2018

Geometric and electronic properties of nitric oxide adsorption on WmMon ([Formula: see text] 6) clusters have been systematically calculated by density functional theory (DFT) at the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) level for ground-state structures. NO molecule prefers top site with nitrogen-end bridging a tungsten atom for W[Formula: see text]Mo[Formula: see text] and W3Mo2 clusters. While NO tends to locate on the hollow site for WMo5, W2Mo4 and W3Mo3 clusters, and dissociation of NO molecule happens on W3Mo, N–O bond lengths expand in accordance with the variation of adsorption energy with the increasing number of tungsten atoms, originating from metal [Formula: see text] back-donation. Electron transfer occurs among 4d state of Mo, 5d state of W, 2p state of N and 2p state of O.
The Benefits and Costs of the TARP Bailouts: A Critical Assessment
Authors: Berger Allen N.
Published: April 2018

We assess benefits and costs of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) based on theory, data, and empirical research to date. TARP was intended to attenuate systemic risk and improve the real economy, and we focus on these as the most important potential effects of the program. Evidence suggests mostly short-term social benefits in reducing systemic risk and improving the real economy. However, long-term evidence is limited — suggesting relatively long-lasting real economic improvements that might be offset by long-term increases in systemic risk. We give TARP a grade of “incomplete,” pending further research, and suggest some directions for this research.
Energy-Harvesting Wireless Sensor Networks (EH-WSNs)
Authors: Adu-Manu Kofi Sarpong , Adam Nadir , Tapparello Cristiano , Ayatollahi Hoda , Heinzelman Wendi
Published: April 2018

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are crucial in supporting continuous environmental monitoring, where sensor nodes are deployed and must remain operational to collect and transfer data from the environment to a base-station. However, sensor nodes have limited energy in their primary power storage unit, and this energy may be quickly drained if the sensor node remains operational over long periods of time. Therefore, the idea of harvesting ambient energy from the immediate surroundings of the deployed sensors, to recharge the batteries and to directly power the sensor nodes, has recently been proposed. The deployment of energy harvesting in environmental field systems eliminates the dependency of sensor nodes on battery power, drastically reducing the maintenance costs required to replace batteries. In this article, we review the state-of-the-art in energy-harvesting WSNs for environmental monitoring applications, including Animal Tracking, Air Quality Monitoring, Water Quality Monitoring, and Disaster Monitoring to improve the ecosystem and human life. In addition to presenting the technologies for harvesting energy from ambient sources and the protocols that can take advantage of the harvested energy, we present challenges that must be addressed to further advance energy-harvesting-based WSNs, along with some future work directions to address these challenges.
C-Stream
Authors: Şahin Semih , Gedik Buğra
Published: April 2018

Stream processing is a computational paradigm for on-the-fly processing of live data. This paradigm lends itself to implementations that can provide high throughput and low latency by taking advantage of various forms of parallelism that are naturally captured by the stream processing model of computation, such as pipeline, task, and data parallelism. In this article, we describe the design and implementation of
C-Stream
, which is an elastic stream processing engine. C-Stream encompasses three unique properties. First, in contrast to the widely adopted event-based interface for developing streaming operators, C-Stream provides an interface wherein each operator has its own driver loop and relies on data availability application programming interfaces (APIs) to decide when to perform its computations. This self-control-based model significantly simplifies the development of operators that require multiport synchronization. Second, C-Stream contains a dynamic scheduler that manages the multithreaded execution of the operators. The scheduler, which is customizable via plug-ins, enables the execution of the operators as co-routines, using any number of threads. The base scheduler implements back-pressure, provides data availability APIs, and manages preemption and termination handling. Last, C-Stream varies the degree of parallelism to resolve bottlenecks by both dynamically changing the number of threads used to execute an application and adjusting the number of replicas of data-parallel operators. We provide an experimental evaluation of C-Stream. The results show that C-Stream is scalable, highly customizable, and can resolve bottlenecks by dynamically adjusting the level of data parallelism used.
Disentangling the Motivations for Organizational Insider Computer Abuse through the Rational Choice and Life Course Perspectives
Authors: Willison Robert , Lowry Paul Benjamin
Published: April 2018

Criminal organizational insider computer abuse (ICA) research has focused on factors that influence either ICA intentions, or actual behavior during the ICA process. However, we argue that this research has not correctly conceptualized the decision-making processes involved in ICA. Thus, our first aim is to demonstrate this opportunity by leveraging the rational choice perspective (RCP) from criminology. The RCP advances an "event" stage, in which choices are made leading up to and during the criminal act. However, the RCP also acknowledges a preceding "initial involvement" stage, which encompasses those factors that lead an individual to consider participation in crime. RCP explains that if, during the initial involvement stage, an individual becomes motivated and decides that future criminal behavior is the most suitable course of action, then he or she will have reached a state of "readiness." It is only after an individual has become readied, and at a later time, does the individual make event decisions in the perpetration of a specific crime. Consequently, extant ICA research has overlooked consideration of why-prior to the crime-an individual initially considers engaging in such criminal activity in the first instance. Notably, this consideration should not to be conflated with intentions. We argue that there needs to be a clear distinction between those motivational factors that would lead to the consideration of such engagement at the initial involvement stage, and those factors that would lead an individual at the event stage to perpetrate a crime. We thus propose a revised version of the extended security action cycle (ESAC), which reflects these criminal decision-making stages. Moreover, we provide a means through which to identify and understand the relationship among those factors that may motivate an individual during the initial involvement stage by drawing on the life course perspective (LCP). With a focus on time, context, and process, the LCP offers a framework in which four key principles are inscribed. Through examples drawn from the LCP and white-collar crime literature, we illustrate how these principles can provide a basis for conceptualizing factors that motivate ICA and open up new avenues for future research/theory development.
Definition and Multidimensionality of Security Awareness
Authors: Hanus Bartlomiej , Windsor John C. , Wu Yu
Published: April 2018

This study proposes and examines a multidimensional definition of information security awareness. We also investigate its antecedents and analyze its effects on compliance with organizational information security policies. The above research goals are tested through the theoretical lens of technology threat avoidance theory and protection motivation theory. Information security awareness is defined as a second-order construct composed of the elements of threat and coping appraisals supplemented by the responsibilities construct to account for organizational environment. The study was executed in two stages. First, the participants (employees of a municipality) were exposed to a series of phishing messages. Second, the same individuals were asked to participate in a survey designed to examine their security awareness. The research model was tested using PLS-SEM approach. The results indicate that security awareness is in fact a second-order formative construct composed of six components. There are significant differences in security awareness levels between the victims of the phishing experiment and the employees who maintain compliance with security policies. Our study extends the theory by proposing and validating a general, yet practical definition of security awareness. It also bridges the gap between theory and practice - our contextualization of security awareness draws heavily on both fields.
New Insights from Studies of Clonal Hematopoiesis
Authors: Gibson Christopher J. , Steensma David P.
Published: April 2018

Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) describes an asymptomatic expansion of blood cells descended from a single hematopoietic stem cell. Recent studies have shown that CH increases in frequency with aging and is often driven by somatic mutations in genes that are recurrently mutated in hematologic malignancies. When CH is associated with a mutation in a leukemia-associated gene at a variant allele frequency of 0.02 or greater, it is termed “clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential” (CHIP). CHIP has a 0.5% to 1% risk per year of progression to hematologic neoplasia, and increases both all-cause mortality and the risk of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke due to a proinflammatory interaction between clonally derived leukocytes and vascular endothelium. CH frequently emerges in the context of immune-mediated marrow failure syndromes such as aplastic anemia, whereas CH emerging after cytotoxic cancer therapy is strongly associated with subsequent development of a therapy-related myeloid neoplasm, especially if a TP53 mutation is present. However, risk factors for developing CH other than aging, marrow failure, and cytotoxic radiotherapy or chemotherapy are poorly defined. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology, molecular mechanisms, and clinical consequences of this common and clinically important biological state. Clin Cancer Res; 24(19); 4633–42. ©2018 AACR.
A HER2-Targeting Antibody–Drug Conjugate, Trastuzumab Deruxtecan (DS-8201a), Enhances Antitumor Immunity in a Mouse Model
Authors: Iwata Tomomi Nakayama , Ishii Chiaki , Ishida Saori , Ogitani Yusuke , Wada Teiji , Agatsuma Toshinori
Published: April 2018

Trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a), a HER2-targeting antibody–drug conjugate with a topoisomerase I inhibitor exatecan derivative (DX-8951 derivative, DXd), has been reported to exert potent antitumor effects in xenograft mouse models and clinical trials. In this study, the immune system–activating ability of DS-8201a was assessed. DS-8201a significantly suppressed tumor growth in an immunocompetent mouse model with human HER2-expressing CT26.WT (CT26.WT-hHER2) cells. Cured immunocompetent mice rejected not only rechallenged CT26.WT-hHER2 cells, but also CT26.WT-mock cells. Splenocytes from the cured mice responded to both CT26.WT-hHER2 and CT26.WT-mock cells. Further analyses revealed that DXd upregulated CD86 expression on bone marrow–derived dendritic cells (DC) in vitro and that DS-8201a increased tumor-infiltrating DCs and upregulated their CD86 expression in vivo. DS-8201a also increased tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells and enhanced PD-L1 and MHC class I expression on tumor cells. Furthermore, combination therapy with DS-8201a and anti–PD-1 antibody was more effective than either monotherapy. In conclusion, DS-8201a enhanced antitumor immunity, as evidenced by the increased expression of DC markers, augmented expression of MHC class I in tumor cells, and rejection of rechallenged tumor cells by adaptive immune cells, suggesting that DS-8201a enhanced tumor recognition by T cells. Furthermore, DS-8201a treatment benefited from combination with anti–PD-1 antibody, possibly due to increased T-cell activity and upregulated PD-L1 expression induced by DS-8201a. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(7); 1494–503. ©2018 AACR.
MKAD-21 Suppresses the Oncogenic Activity of the miR-21/PPP2R2A/ERK Molecular Network in Bladder Cancer
Authors: Koutsioumpa Marina , Chen Hsiao-Wang , O'Brien Neil , Koinis Filippos , Mahurkar-Joshi Swapna , Vorvis Christina , Soroosh Artin , Luo Tong , Issakhanian Shawnt , Pantuck Allan J. , Georgoulias Vassilis , Iliopoulos Dimitrios , Slamon Dennis J. , Drakaki Alexandra
Published: April 2018

Bladder cancer represents a disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. MiR-21 has been found to have oncogenic activity in multiple cancers, including bladder cancer, whereas inhibition of its expression suppresses tumor growth. Here, we examine the molecular network regulated by miR-21 in bladder cancer and evaluate the effects of i.v. and i.p. administration of a novel miR-21 chemical inhibitor in vivo. LNA miR-21 reduced the oncogenic potential of bladder cancer cells, whereas the MKAD-21 chemically modified antisense oligo against miR-21 dose-dependently blocked xenograft growth. I.v. administration of LNA miR-21 was more effective in suppressing tumor growth than was i.p. administration. Integration of computational and transcriptomic analyses in a panel of 28 bladder cancer lines revealed a 15-gene signature that correlates with miR-21 levels. Protein Phosphatase 2 Regulatory Subunit Balpha (PPP2R2A) was one of these 15 genes and was experimentally validated as a novel miR-21 direct target gene. Gene network and molecular analyses showed that PPP2R2A is a potent negative regulator of the ERK pathway activation and bladder cancer cell proliferation. Importantly, we show that PPP2R2A acts as a mediator of miR-21–induced oncogenic effects in bladder cancer. Integrative analysis of human bladder cancer tumors and a large panel of human bladder cancer cell lines revealed a novel 15-gene signature that correlates with miR-21 levels. Importantly, we provide evidence that PPP2R2A represents a new miR-21 direct target and regulator of the ERK pathway and bladder cancer cell growth. Furthermore, i.v. administration of the MKAD-21 inhibitor effectively suppressed tumor growth through regulation of the PPP2R2A–ERK network in mice. Mol Cancer Ther; 17(7); 1430–40. ©2018 AACR.
When Two Drugs Are Better than Three: Re-Modulating the Therapeutic Plan of a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patient
Authors: Ielpo Antonella , Crisafulli Ernesto
Published: April 2018

We present the case of a 77-year-old man diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) stage D with emphysema phenotype and treated with triple therapy (salmeterol, fluticasone propionate, and tiotropium) for 1 year without relevant improvements in exertional dyspnea and disease impact. After switching to combination therapy with a long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) and a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) (indacaterol/glycopyrronium), we observed, in a 3-month period, a substantial reduction of the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale and COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores. Moreover, the patient reported a reduction of dynamic hyperinflation and an improvement of ventilatory response to exercise.
The Respiratory “Overlap Syndrome”: Efficacy and Usefulness of the Combined Double Bronchodilation
Authors: Petrone Albino , Fimognari Filippo Luca , Mormile Francesco , Fuso Leonello , Quartieri Michela , Petrone Ludovico , Romano Francesco
Published: April 2018

The coexistence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in a single patient is known as “overlap syndrome,” and worsens the prognosis of the affected subjects. A marked bronchodilation may be useful for the treatment of this condition. In fact, as stated in the GOLD 2017 guidelines, the combination of indacaterol/glycopyrronium may exert positive synergistic effects on smooth muscle cell and airway resistance, with a more pronounced efficiency in reducing lung hyperinflation. Noteworthy, inhaled bronchodilators favorably alter the dynamically determined components of resting lung hyperinflation and help deflate the overinflated lungs. This is particularly important in order to improve dyspnea, exercise performance, and night saturation, especially when combined with continuous positive airway pressure ventilation, as reported in our case series. We report 3 cases of patients with COPD in a stable clinical condition, referred to the Department of Respiratory Pathophysiology at the “Mariano Santo” Hospital in Cosenza, due to possible symptoms suggestive of obstructive sleep apnea, and who were successfully treated with indacaterol/glycopyrronium at a fixed dose.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Two Siblings and an Unrelated Infant with Overlapping Chromosome 6q25 Deletions
Authors: Esdal Hannah C.D. , Ghbeis Muhammad B. , Saltzman Daniel A. , Hess Donavon , Hume Janet R. , Reed Robyn C. , Berry Susan A. , Hoggard Eric , Hirsch Betsy , Baughn Linda B. , Schimmenti Lisa A.
Published: April 2018

The pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains poorly understood but is thought to be multifactorial. There are no specific recurring chromosomal abnormalities previously associated with NEC. We report 3 cases of intestinal necrosis associated with large chromosome 6 deletions. The first patient was found to have a 7.9-Mb deletion of chromosome 6 encompassing over 40 genes, arr[GRCh37] 6q25.3q26(155699183_163554531)×1. The second patient had a 19.5-Mb deletion of chromosome 6 generated by an unbalanced translocation with chromosome 18, 46,XY,der(6)t (6;18)(q25.1;p11.23), arr[GRCh37] 6q25.1q27(151639526_ 171115067)×1, 18p11.32p11.23(131700_7694199)×3, which included the whole 7.9-Mb region deleted in the first patient. The third patient was the younger sibling of the second patient with an identical derivative chromosome 6. The shared abnormal chromosome 6 region includes multiple genes of interest, particularly EZR. Mouse models have demonstrated that Ezr is expressed in microvillar epithelium and helps regulate cell-cell adhesion in the gut. We hypothesize that deletion of this shared region of 6q leads to gastrointestinal vulnerability which may predispose patients to intestinal necrosis.
Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma of the Ampulla of Vater: A Rare Histopathological Variant
Authors: de Klein Guus W. , van Baarlen Joop , Mekenkamp Leonie J. , Liem Mike S.L. , Klaase Joost M.
Published: April 2018

Signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) of the ampulla of Vater is an extremely rare tumor. Our case describes a 45-year-old female presenting with jaundice and pruritus. Computed tomography, endoscopy, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed a tumor of the ampulla of Vater without distant metastasis. Histological biopsy confirmed a malignant tumor with SRCC characteristics and immunohistochemical staining revealed a mixed type profile (both intestinal and pancreatobiliary characteristics). A pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy was performed and the patient recovered without complications. Pathology results concluded a pT2N0 ampullary SRCC. SRCC of the ampulla of Vater is known to be highly malignant. After 13 months of follow-up, our patient showed no signs of recurrence.
Lipid-Lowering Pretreatment and Outcome Following Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Ischaemic Stroke: A Post Hoc Analysis of the Enhanced Control of Hypertension and Thrombolysis Stroke Study Trial
Authors: Minhas Jatinder S. , Wang Xia , Arima Hisatomi , Bath Philip M. , Billot Laurent , Broderick Joseph P. , Donnan Geoffrey A. , Kim Jong S. , Lavados Pablo M. , Lee Tsong-Hai , Martins Sheila Cristina Ouriques , Olavarría Verónica V. , Pandian Jeyaraj D. , Pontes-Neto Octávio Marques , Ricci Stefano , Sato Shoichiro , Sharma Vijay K. , Thang Nguyen H. , Wang Ji-Guang , Woodward Mark , Chalmers John , Anderson Craig S. , Robinson Thompson G. ,   on behalf of the ENCHANTED Investigators
Published: April 2018

Background: Debate exists as to whether statin pretreatment confers an increased risk of 90-day mortality and symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (sICH) in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis. We assessed the effects of undifferentiated lipid-lowering pretreatment on outcomes and interaction with low-dose versus standard-dose alteplase in a post hoc subgroup ­analysis of the Enhanced Control of Hypertension and Thrombolysis Stroke Study. Methods: In all, 3,284 thrombolysis-eligible AIS patients (mean age 66.6 years; 38% women), with information on lipid-lowering pretreatment, were randomly assigned to low-dose (0.6 mg/kg) or standard-dose (0.9 mg/kg) intravenous alteplase within 4.5 h of symptom onset. Of the total number of patients, 615 (19%) received statin or other lipid-lowering pretreatment. The primary clinical outcome was combined endpoint of death or disability (modified Rankin Scale scores 2–6) at 90 days. Results: Compared with patients with no lipid-lowering pretreatment, those with lipid-lowering pretreatment were significantly older, more likely to be non-Asian and more likely to have a medical history including vascular co-morbidity. After propensity analysis assessment and adjustment for important baseline variables at the time of randomisation, as well as imbalances in management during the first 7 days of hospital admission, there were no significant differences in mortality (OR 0.85; 95% CI 0.58–1.25, p = 0.42), or in overall ­90-day death and disability (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.67–1.09, p = 0.19), despite a significant decrease in sICH among those with ­lipid-lowering pretreatment according to the European Co-operative Acute Stroke Study 2 definition (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.28–0.83, p = 0.009). No differences in key efficacy or safety outcomes were seen in patients with and without lipid-lowering pretreatment between low- and standard-dose alteplase arms. Conclusions: Lipid-lowering pretreatment is not associated with adverse outcome in AIS patients treated with intravenous alteplase, whether assessed by 90-day death and disability or death alone.
Transcatheter Arterial Embolization Therapy for Huge Renal Cysts: Two Case Reports
Authors: Toriu Naoya , Hoshino Junichi , Kobori Saeko , Watanabe Sun , Oguro Masahiko , Oshima Yoichi , Hiramatsu Rikako , Mizuno Hiroki , Ikuma Daisuke , Sekine Akinari , Hayami Noriko , Sumida Keiichi , Yamanouchi Masayuki , Hasegawa Eiko , Sawa Naoki , Takaichi Kenmei , Yanagita Motoko , Fujimaru Takuya , Sohara Eisei , Uchida Shinichi , Ubara Yoshifumi
Published: April 2018

We encountered 2 patients with symptomatic huge simple renal cysts. In case 1, 4,000 mL of cyst fluid was drained via a catheter, but intracystic bleeding occurred immediately afterwards. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) was performed, after which the bleeding stopped, and cyst drainage was repeated successfully. After 2 years, the total cyst volume was reduced from 11,775 mL to 75.4 mL. In case 2, TAE was performed prophylactically before drainage. Subsequently, 9,400 mL of fluid was removed from multiple cysts. After 1 year, the total cyst volume was reduced from 9,215 mL to 633 mL without bleeding. Based on these 2 cases, prophylactic TAE before drainage may be useful in patients with huge renal cysts.
Histone Deacetylases Promote ER Stress Induced Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition in Human Lung Epithelial Cells
Authors: Liu Daishun , Zhu Honglan , Gong Ling , Pu Shenglan , Wu Yang , Zhang Wei , Huang Guichuan
Published: April 2018

Background/Aims: Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial process involved in pulmonary fibrosis. This study aimed to explore the role of histone deacetylases (HDACs) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in EMT in human lung epithelial cells. Methods: Human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells were treated with bleomycin and tunicamycin to induce EMT. The proliferation of A549 cells was detected by MTT assay. The expression of HDACs and EMT markers was detected by PCR and Western blot analysis. The secretion of TGF-β1 and collagen I was examined by ELISA. Results: A549 cells switched from a cobblestone-like appearance to an elongated fibroblast like appearance after exposure to tunicamycin or bleomycin, accompanied by increased expression of N-cadherin, α-SMA and Collagen I. Meanwhile, GRP78 was upregulated in A549 cells exposed to tunicamycin or bleomycin. These changes induced by tunicamycin or bleomycin could be abrogated by 4-PBA. Moreover, tunicamycin and bleomycin promoted the expression of HDAC2 and HDAC6, and HDACs inhibitor SAHA abrogated the morphological and biochemical changes in A549 cells. 4-PBA and SAHA inhibited the upregulation of pulmonary fibrosis factors TGF-β1 and IL-32 and the activation of Smad pathway induced by tunicamycin or bleomycin. Conclusions: We provide the first evidence that tunicamycin and bleomycin induce ER stress and EMT in lung epithelial cells via the upregulation of HDACs. HDACs inhibitor could inhibit ER stress induced upregulation of pulmonary fibrosis factors and the activation of Smad pathway. HDACs inhibitors are promising agents for the therapy of pulmonary fibrosis.
Qualitative Assessment on Effectiveness of Security Approaches towards Safeguarding NFC Devices & Services
Authors: R Anusha , Shastrimat V Veena Devi
Published: April 2018

The increasing pace in the wireless communication taking momentum in the market of commercial application where a significant trade-off between user-experience and security demands exists. The Near Field Communication or NFC is one such communication trend which is effectively adopted by the user worldwide to make touchless operation using their mobile device. Although, it is claimed that NFC incorporates some of the standard encryption but existing researchers fails to prove that their electromagnetic signals are not so difficult to compromise to result in collateral damage to user's resources. Thus, there exist research work towards strengthing security system, but there is yet to report on any standard security protocol or framework to ensure the highest resiliency. This paper provides a comprehensive visualization towards the effectiveness of existing research approaches to formulate the research trend and gap.
Algorithm for Fault Location and Classification on Parallel Transmission Line using Wavelet based on Clarke’s Transformation
Authors: Saini Makmur , Mohd Zin A. A. , Mustafa M. W. , Sultan A. R. , Nur Rusdi
Published: April 2018

This paper proposed a new algorithm for fault location and classification using wavelet based on Clarke’s transformation to obtain the fault current. This novel method of fault current approach is studied by comparing the use of the glide path of the fault voltage. The current alpha and beta (Current Mode) were used to transform the signal using discrete wavelet transform (DWT). The fault location was determined by using the Clarke’s transformation, and then turned into a wavelet, which was very precise and thorough. The most accurate was the mother wavelet Db4 which had the fastest time and smallest error detection when compared with the other wavelet mothers. In this study, the Clarke’s transformation is also compared with the Karenbauer’s, which has produced results with similar error percentage. The simulation results using PSCAD / EMTDC software showed that the proposed algorithm could distinguish internal and external faults to get the current signal in the transformation of a signal fault.
Service Time Analysis For Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
Authors: Lee Junghoon , Park Gyung-Leen
Published: April 2018

This paper analyzes electric vehicle charging patterns in Jeju City, taking advantage of open software such as MySQL, Hadoop, and R, as well as open data obtained from the real-time charger monitoring system currently in operation. Main observation points lie in average service time, maximum service time, and the number of transactions, while we measure the effect of both temporal and spatial factors to them. According to the analysis result, the average service time is almost constant for all parameters. The charging time of 88.7 % transactions ranges from 10 to 40 minutes, while abnormally long transactions occupy just 3.4 % for fast chargers. The day-by-day difference in the number of charging transactions is 28.6 % at maximum, while Wednesday shows the largest number of transactions. Additionally, geographic information-based analysis tells that the charging demand is concentrated in those regions having many tourist attractions and administrative offices. With this analysis, it is possible to predict when a charger will be idle and allocate it to another service such as V2G or renewable energy integration.
ANFIS Used as a Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithm for a Photovoltaic System
Authors: Mlakić Dragan , Majdandžić Ljubomir , Nikolovski Srete
Published: April 2018

Photovoltaic (PV) modules play an important role in modern distribution networks; however, from the beginning, PV modules have mostly been used in order to produce clean, green energy and to make a profit. Working effectively during the day, PV systems tend to achieve a maximum power point accomplished by inverters with built-in Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithms. This paper presents an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), as a method for predicting an MPP based on data on solar exposure and the surrounding temperature. The advantages of the proposed method are a fast response, non-invasive sampling, total harmonic distortion reduction, more efficient usage of PV modules and a simple training of the ANFIS algorithm. To demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the ANFIS in relation to the MPPT algorithm, a practical sample case of 10 kW PV system and its measurements are used as a model for simulation. Modelling and simulations are performed using all available components provided by technical data. The results obtained from the simulations point to the more efficient usage of the ANFIS model proposed as an MPPT algorithm for PV modules in comparison to other existing methods.
Soil Characterization and Classification: A Hybrid Approach of Computer Vision and Sensor Network
Authors: Mengistu Abrham Debasu , Alemayehu Dagnachew Melesew
Published: April 2018

This paper presents soil characterization and classification using computer vision & sensor network approach. Gravity Analog Soil Moisture Sensor with arduino-uno and image processing is considered for classification and characterization of soils. For the data sets, Amhara regions and Addis Ababa city of Ethiopia are considered for this study. In this research paper the total of 6 group of soil and each having 90 images are used. That is, form these 540 images were captured. Once the dataset is collected, pre-processing and noise filtering steps are performed to achieve the goal of the study through MATLAB, 2013. Classification and characterization is performed through BPNN (Back-propagation neural network), the neural network consists of 7 inputs feature vectors and 6 neurons in its output layer to classify soils. 89.7% accuracy is achieved when back-propagation neural network (BPNN) is used.
As formas da materialidade: quadro, escala e afeto no cinema de Ramsay
Authors: Cunha Mariana
Published: April 2018

Este artigo examina a relação entre as narrativas de causalidade mínima e a construção dos espaços e enquadramentos de corpos e paisagens nos dois primeiros longas-metragens de Lynne Ramsay, Ratcatcher (1999) e Morvern Callar (2002). Busca-se analisar como os filmes põem em cena os efeitos do trauma a partir de uma estética que privilegia o uso não convencional da escala e do movimento. Desse modo, a análise sugere que as escolhas estéticas de Ramsay, ao retratar narrativas minimalistas, criam paisagens afetivas a partir da experiência sensorial e corpórea dos filmes. Propõe-se que o cinema de Ramsay privilegia uma matriz estética do íntimo e do detalhe do cotidiano, que possibilita o surgimento do afeto e revela sua potência poética e política.
Dona Flor e seus dois maridos e a recepção histórica da crítica
Authors: Gomes Regina
Published: April 2018

O presente artigo tem por objetivo central analisar textos da crítica (nacional e internacional) do filme Dona Flor seus dois maridos, publicados na seção “Dossiês críticos” da revista brasileira Filme Cultura em 1979. O filme, campeão de bilheteria, dividiu opiniões e gerou uma série de comentários sobre os rumos que o cinema brasileiro deveria tomar a partir dali. O exame dos textos leva em consideração a crítica como instância de recepção histórica da obra cinematográfica e o crítico como leitor particular de seu tempo.