bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic and static feedback control for second order infinite‐dimensional systems
Authors: Wei Jing , Guo Bao‐Zhu
Published: January 2020

This paper considers dynamic feedback stabilization for abstract second‐order systems, where the dynamic feedback controller is designed as another abstract second order infinite/finite‐dimensional system. This makes the closed‐loop system PDE‐PDE or PDE‐ODE coupled. The stability of the closed‐loop system is found to have three different cases. We first consider the dynamic feedback control in a general Hilbert space which is usually different from the control space. It is shown that the stability of the closed‐loop systems under the dynamic and static feedbacks are usually not equivalent. However, if the dynamic control law is a copy of the original system, we deduce, under some conditions, that the coupled system is exponentially stable if and only if the static feedback closed‐loop system is exponentially stable. When the dynamic feedback is designed in the control space, the closed‐loop system is asymptotically stable if and only if static feedback closed‐loop system is asymptotically stable.
Post‐translational modifications of protein in response to ionizing radiation
Authors: Liu Xiaodong , Liu Rui , Bai Yongheng , Jiang Heya , Fu Xinxin , Ma Shumei
Published: January 2020

Based on central dogma of genetics, protein is the embodiment and executor of genetic function, post‐translational modifications (PTMs) of protein are particularly important and involved in almost all aspects of cell biology and pathogenesis. Studies have shown that ionizing radiation (IR) alters gene expression much more profoundly and a broad variety of cell‐process pathways, lots of proteins are modified and activated. Our understanding of the protein in response to ionizing radiation is steadily increasing. Among the various biological processes known to induce radioresistance, PTMs have attracted marked attention in recent years. The present review summarizes the latest knowledge about how PTMs response to ionizing radiation and pathway analysis were conducted. The data provided insights into biological effects of IR and contributing to the development of novel IR‐based strategies.
Cp*RhIII‐Catalyzed Sterically Controlled C(sp3)−H Selective Mono‐ and Diarylation of 8‐Methylquinolines with Organoborons**
Authors: Kumar Rakesh , Parmar Diksha , Gupta Shiv Shankar , Chandra Devesh , Dhiman Ankit Kumar , Sharma Upendra
Published: January 2020

Herein, the RhIII‐catalyzed selective monoarylation and diarylation (symmetrical and unsymmetrical) of 8‐methylquinolines with organoboron reagents are disclosed. The selective monoarylation of primary C(sp3)−H bonds is achieved by using 7‐substituted 8‐methylquinolines or by changing the quantity of the aryl boronic acids. The method is also applicable for the arylation of 2‐ethylpyridines, and the heteroarylation with thiophene‐2‐ylboronic acids. Symmetrical and unsymmetrical diarylation of 8‐methylquinolines have been carried out in one‐pot and sequential manner, respectively. Late‐stage monoarylation of oxime derivatives and gram‐scale synthesis of monoarylated products has also been carried out. A mechanistic study revealed that the current reaction is first order with respect to both reactants and a five‐membered rhodacycle intermediate may be involved in the catalytic cycle.
Highly Enantioselective, Organocatalytic, and Scalable Synthesis of a Rare cis,cis‐Tricyclic Diterpenoid
Authors: Townsend Daniel , Shankland Kenneth , Weymouth‐Wilson Alex , Komsta Zofia , Evans Tim , Cobb Alexander J. A.
Published: January 2020

A highly enantioselective, organocatalytic, and scalable synthesis of a very unusual cis‐decalin‐cis‐hydrindane tricyclic diterpenoid system has been achieved. Despite the prevalent pharmacological space that the related trans,trans and trans,cis‐systems occupy, there have been no reports of an asymmetric synthesis of the cis,cis systems in the literature until now. We demonstrate the flexibility of our approach not only through access to a diverse range of products, all of which are attained in exceptionally high selectivities, but also by showing their easy conversion to the corresponding trans,cis‐system and other derivatives.
Interventions can improve weight but not height: growth study of ADHD stimulant medication
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: January 2020

Drug holidays, more calories, and increased monitoring can help children who take stimulant medications for attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) gain weight, but they won't help the children grow taller. This is the lesson from a study published in the October 2019 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. The study looked at the effects of central nervous system (CNS) stimulants on the growth of children with ADHD, which included an assessment of weight interventions on growth.
Construction of consistency judgment system of diploma policy and curriculum policy using character‐level CNN
Authors: Miyazaki Kazuteru , Ida Masaaki
Published: January 2020

Higher education institutions or universities secure the quality of their education in order to build the confidence of stakeholders. In the mechanism of quality assurance, it is necessary to handle an enormous amount of text data related to their education activities. National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education conducts a research for quality assurance to analyze the text data of their admission, curriculum, and diploma policies. An effective support system for text information processing by using information technology is desired. In this paper, we will consider the mechanism of preliminary system using character‐level convolutional neural networks to judge the consistency between diploma policy and curriculum policy.
New Disposable Electrochemical Paper‐based Microfluidic Device with Multiplexed Electrodes for Biomarkers Determination in Urine Sample
Authors: Fava Elson Luiz , Martimiano do Prado Thiago , Almeida Silva Tiago , Cruz de Moraes Fernando , Censi Faria Ronaldo , Fatibello‐Filho Orlando
Published: January 2020

A disposable electrochemical paper‐based analytical device was constructed based on use of sequential analysis with multiplexed working electrodes and applied for the determination of glucose, creatinine, and uric acid. The device was constructed with 16 microfluidic channels, with 16 working electrodes arranged in four set with four components surrounding the sample injection hole. In addition, a commercial multiplexing module was used, which allowed for multiplexing of the 16 working electrodes. This design allowed for radial and homogeneous sample elution to each sensing spot for high throughput analysis. In the multiplexed determinations, distinct electrochemical procedures were employed for each analyte. Furthermore, each working electrode spot was modified to increase the respective analytical signals. For glucose detection, the sensor was based on electron mediation by ferrocenecarboxylic acid over the modified surface with glucose oxidase. The principle for creatinine detection was based on electrochemical reduction of non‐complexed Fe3+ in excess after complex formation between Fe3+ and creatinine in the chemical step. The anodic peak current responses for uric acid detection increased due to working electrode surface modification with carbon black nanoparticles. In the multiplexed analysis, the device provided limits of detection of 0.120 mmol L−1, 0.084 mmol L−1, and 0.012 mmol L−1 for glucose, creatinine, and uric acid, respectively. The developed device was successfully applied in the analyses of real urine samples.
Quantifying glacial erosion on a limestone bed and the relevance for landscape development in the Alps
Authors: Steinemann Olivia , Ivy‐Ochs Susan , Grazioli Sandra , Luetscher Marc , Fischer Urs H. , Vockenhuber Christof , Synal Hans‐Arno
Published: January 2020

Glacial erosion is the basic process that has shaped the landscapes of the Alps. Despite intense research over centuries, and the use of various techniques, determination of glacial erosion rates remains challenging. This is not only because the location where the process occurs is almost inaccessible, but also because it is dependent on many different factors, including ice thickness and velocity, glacier thermal regime and lithology. Reported glacial erosion rates range over several orders of magnitude (0.01 to >10 mm a−1). Most studies focus on crystalline bedrock, whereas few researchers have investigated glacial erosion on limestone. Here we analyse glacially polished bedrock surfaces at the recently deglaciated forefield of the Tsanfleuron glacier, Swiss Alps. The nearly horizontally bedded limestone hosts a well‐developed karst system. Meltwater from the glacier drains into the subsurface within a few metres of the ice margin. By combining geomorphological mapping, measurement of cosmogenic 36Cl concentrations of glacially eroded bedrock surfaces and a numerical model (MECED), we quantify at each sample location the amount of rock removed during glacier occupation. The glacial erosion rates calculated from these values range from 0 to 0.08 mm a−1. These are orders of magnitude lower than values measured at comparable sites on crystalline bedrock. The high 36Cl concentrations we measured show that the Tsanfleuron glacier was unable to effectively erode the gently dipping, strongly karstified limestone. We suggest that this effect may play a key role in formation and preservation over many glacial cycles of high‐elevation, low‐relief limestone plateaus in the Alps. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Honokiol, an active compound of Magnolia officinalis, is involved in restoring normal baroreflex sensitivity in hypercholesterolemic rabbits
Authors: Chou Pei‐Yu , Chang Weng‐Cheng , Liu Fon‐Chang , Lan Shou‐Jen , Sheu Ming‐Jyh , Chen Jwo‐Sheng
Published: January 2020

This study investigated the effects of methanol extract Magnolia officinalis (MEMO) on baroreceptor reflex sensitivity (BRS) in the hypercholesterolemic rabbits and the involved molecular mechanisms. Male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into Control (normal diet), Cholesterol (0.5% w/w cholesterol diet), and Magnolia groups (0.5% w/w cholesterol diet plus 1% w/w MEMO). The animals were treated with the designated diet for 4 or 8 weeks. BRS in the control of heart rate was assessed by linear regression method. After 8 weeks of treatments, plasma total cholesterol (TC) was significantly elevated in the Cholesterol/Magnolia groups. The arterial blood pressure (aBP) was increased in the Cholesterol and Magnolia groups. The depression of BRS observed in the Cholesterol group was significantly ameliorated in the Magnolia group. After L‐NAME (Nω‐nitro‐Larginine methyl ester, 20 mg/kg, iv), the BRS of the Cholesterol group was significantly improved. Results from our in vitro study further indicated that honokiol, the principle component of MEMO, would protect human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from H2O2‐induced damages and inhibit H2O2‐induced vascular smooth muscles cells (VSMCs) proliferation, which was evident by the decreased expression of pFAK, and p‐Erk1/2. The results of the present study suggested that the improvement of BRS by MEMO in the hypercholesterolemic rabbits might be mediated by the antioxidant property of MEMO as indicated by the results from the L‐NAME and in vitro honokiol studies.
miR‐449c‐5p availability is antagonized by circ‐NOTCH1 for MYC‐induced NOTCH1 upregulation as well as tumor metastasis and stemness in gastric cancer
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyong , Zhong Qinggui , Cheng Xueyan , Wang Shang , Wu Ruiqing , Leng Xinling , Shao Lei
Published: January 2020

Gastric cancer (GC), identified as the most common gastrointestinal malignancy, is one of the primary causes of cancer‐related mortality in the world. Although surgery and chemotherapy for GC treatment have been improved, the 5‐year overall survival rate is still unsatisfactory. Circ‐NOTCH1 is a novel circular RNA derived from its host gene NOTCH1, and has not been studied in any cancers. Here we explored the potential role and mediatory mechanism of circ‐NOTCH1 in GC. In this study, circ‐NOTCH1 exhibited increased expression in GC tissues and cells. Suppression of circ‐NOTCH1 inhibited cell migration, invasion, tumor spheroids number, and side population ratio. Circ‐NOTCH1 also promoted GC growth and metastasis in vivo. Additionally, it was found that circ‐NOTCH1 could bind to miR‐449c‐5p. Circ‐NOTCH1 promoted metastasis and stemness in GC through sponging miR‐449c‐5p. Subsequently, MYC was identified as a downstream gene of miR‐449c‐5p. MYC could bind to the promoter of NOTCH1 to regulate GC progression. Furthermore, rescue assays demonstrated that NOTCH1 knockdown reversed the effects of overexpression of MYC in metastasis and stemness in AGS cells/sh‐circNOTCH1. Above findings explained that circ‐NOTCH1 promoted metastasis and stemness in GC by targeting miR‐449c‐5p/MYC/NOTCH1 axis, suggesting the possibility of circ‐NOTCH1 as a therapeutic marker for GC.
PIAS4, upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma, promotes tumorigenicity and metastasis
Authors: Liu Qiang , Zhou Baoyong , Liao Rui , Zhou Xiong , Yan Xiong
Published: January 2020

Protein inhibitor of activated STAT4 (PIAS4) protein has been implicated in regulating various biological activities including protein posttranslational modification, such as SUMOylation. In this study, we explored the roles of PIAS4 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We analyzed the PIAS4 expression in cancer tissues and paracancerous tissues from 38 HCC patients and its correlation with patients' prognosis. In vitro, PIAS4 was overexpressed or knockdowned in Huh‐7 and HepG‐2 cells. Then Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay, flow cytometry, and Transwell assay were performed to assess cell viability, apoptosis, migration, and invasion, respectively. Furthermore, SUMOylation of AMPKα and NEMO mediated by PIAS4 was investigated. The results showed that the PIAS4 expression was significantly upregulated in cancer tissues and was correlated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. PIAS4 silencing blocked the SUMOylation of AMPKα and NEMO, leading to enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In addition, inhibition of AMPKα or NEMO by siRNAs attenuated the effect of PIAS4 silencing on Huh‐7 and HepG‐2 cells. In summary, our findings suggest that PIAS4 promotes tumorigenicity and metastasis of HCC cells by promoting the SUMOylation of AMPKα and NEMO.
Recent advances in the detection of respiratory virus infection in humans
Authors: Zhang Naru , Wang Lili , Deng Xiaoqian , Liang Ruiying , Su Meng , He Chen , Hu Lanfang , Su Yudan , Ren Jing , Yu Fei , Du Lanying , Jiang Shibo
Published: January 2020

Respiratory tract viral infection caused by viruses or bacteria is one of the most common diseases in human worldwide, while those caused by emerging viruses, such as the novel coronavirus, 2019‐nCoV that caused the pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan, China most recently, have posed great threats to global public health. Identification of the causative viral pathogens of respiratory tract viral infections is important to select an appropriate treatment, save people's lives, stop the epidemics, and avoid unnecessary use of antibiotics. Conventional diagnostic tests, such as the assays for rapid detection of antiviral antibodies or viral antigens, are widely used in many clinical laboratories. With the development of modern technologies, new diagnostic strategies, including multiplex nucleic acid amplification and microarray‐based assays, are emerging. This review summarizes currently available and novel emerging diagnostic methods for the detection of common respiratory viruses, such as influenza virus, human respiratory syncytial virus, coronavirus, human adenovirus, and human rhinovirus. Multiplex assays for simultaneous detection of multiple respiratory viruses are also described. It is anticipated that such data will assist researchers and clinicians to develop appropriate diagnostic strategies for timely and effective detection of respiratory virus infections.
On‐Chip Hyperuniform Lasers for Controllable Transitions in Disordered Systems
Authors: Lin Ronghui , Mazzone Valerio , Alfaraj Nasir , Liu Jianping , Li Xiaohang , Fratalocchi Andrea
Published: January 2020

Designing light sources with controllable properties at the nanoscale is a main goal in research in photonics. Harnessing disorder opens many opportunities for reducing the footprints of laser devices, enabling physical phenomena and functionalities that are not observed in traditional structures. Controlling coherent light–matter interactions in systems based on randomness, however, is challenging especially if compared to traditional lasers. Here, how to overcome these issues by using semiconductor lasers created from stealthy hyperuniform structures is shown. An on‐chip InGaN hyperuniform laser is designed and experimentally demonstrated, a new type of disordered laser with controllable transitions—ranging from lasing curve slopes, thresholds, and linewidths— from the nonlinear interplay between randomness and hidden order created via hyperuniformity. Theory and experiments show that the addition of degrees of order stabilizes the lasing dynamics via mode competition effects, arising between weak light localizations of the hyperuniform structure. The properties of the laser are independent from the cavity size or the gain material, and show very little statistical fluctuations between different random samples possessing the same randomness. These results open to on‐chip lasers that combine the advantages of classical and random lasers into a single platform.
First Assessment of a Carbon Monoxide Laser and a Thulium Fiber Laser for Fractional Ablation of Skin
Authors: Ha Linh , Jaspan Martin , Welford David , Evers Michael , Kositratna Garuna , Casper Malte Johannes , Manstein Dieter , Birngruber Reginald
Published: January 2020

Background and Objectives

A recent generation of 5,500 nm wavelength carbon monoxide (CO) lasers could serve as a novel tool for applications in medicine and surgery. At this wavelength, the optical penetration depth is about three times higher than that of the 10,600 nm wavelength carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. As the amount of ablation and coagulation is strongly influenced by the wavelength, we anticipated that CO lasers would provide extended coagulation zones, which could be beneficial for several medical applications, such as tissue tightening effects after laser skin resurfacing. Until now, the 1,940 nm wavelength thulium fiber (Tm:fiber) laser is primarily known as a non‐ablative laser with an optical penetration depth that is eight times higher than that of the CO2 laser. The advantage of lasers with shorter wavelengths is the ability to create smaller spot sizes, which has a determining influence on the ablation outcome. In this study, the ablation and coagulation characteristics of a novel CO laser and a high power Tm:fiber laser were investigated to evaluate their potential application for fractional ablation of the skin.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Laser‐tissue exposures were performed using a novel CO laser, a modified, pulse‐width‐modulated CO2 laser, and a Tm:fiber laser. We used discarded ex vivo human skin obtained from abdominoplasty as tissue samples. Similar exposure parameters, such as spot size (108–120 μm), pulse duration (2 milliseconds), and pulse energy (~10–200 mJ) were adjusted for the different laser systems with comparable temporal pulse structures. Laser effects were quantified by histology.

Results

At radiant exposures 10‐fold higher than the ablation threshold, the CO laser ablation depth was almost two times deeper than that of the CO2 laser. At 40‐fold of the ablation threshold, the CO laser ablation was 47% deeper. The ablation craters produced by the CO laser exhibited about two times larger coagulation zones when compared with the CO2 laser. In contrast, the Tm:fiber laser exhibited superficial ablation craters with massive thermal damage.

Conclusions

The tissue ablation using the Tm:fiber laser was very superficial in contrast to the CO laser and the CO2 laser. However, higher etch depths should be obtainable when the radiant exposure is increased by using higher pulse energies and/or smaller spot sizes. At radiant exposures normalized to the ablation threshold, the CO laser was capable of generating deeper ablation craters with extended coagulation zones compared with the CO2 laser, which is possibly desirable depending on the clinical goal. The effect of deep ablation combined with additional thermal damage on dermal remodeling needs to be further confirmed with in vivo studies. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association of VEGFA and IL1β gene polymorphisms with preeclampsia in Sudanese women
Authors: Hamid Hameed M. , Abdalla Sana E. , Sidig Mohamed , Adam Ishag , Hamdan Hamdan Z.
Published: January 2020

Background

Preeclampsia can lead to adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. There are few studies on the genetic factors associated with preeclampsia in Africa in general and in Sudan in specific.

Methods

A case–control study (60 women in each arm) was conducted at Saad Abualila Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan, from March to September 2018. The participants were genotyped for vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) rs3025039, interleukin 1 beta (IL1β) rs16944, and IL1β rs1143634 by performing polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, and the results were confirmed by DNA sequencing.

Results

There was no significant difference in the age, parity, body mass index, or other characteristics tested between the preeclampsia group and the control group (60 women in each arm). The rs3025039, rs16944, and rs1143634 genotypes were distributed in accordance with Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (p > .05). For rs3025039, CT, CT+TT, and the T allele were risk factors for preeclampsia (odds ratio [OR] = 2.4; 95% CI [1.12–5.32]; p = .02; OR = 2.49 [1.17–25.27]; p = .01; OR = 2.05; 95% CI [1.10–3.83]; p = .02, respectively). Regarding rs16944, only the heterozygous genotype CT was associated with preeclampsia (OR = 2.55; 95% CI [1.15–5.56]; p = .01). Regarding rs1143634, CT, CT+TT, and the T allele were risk factors for preeclampsia (OR = 5.28; 95% CI [2.26–12.33]; p < .001; OR = 4.50; 95% CI [2.06–9.81]; p < .001; OR = 2.75; 95% CI [1.48–5.12]; p = .001, respectively).

Conclusion

Polymorphisms in IL1β and VEGFA were associated with preeclampsia in this setting. Significant associations were observed between preeclampsia and rs3025039, rs16944, and rs1143634.
Archaeology, chronology, and age‐diet insights of two late fourth millennium cal BC pit graves from central southern Iberia (Córdoba, Spain)
Authors: Martínez Sánchez Rafael M. , Tejedor García Úrsula , López Flores Inmaculada , Delgado Huertas Antonio , Granados Torres Arsenio , Tovar Acedo Luis Rey , Clapés Salmoral Rafael
Published: January 2020

This study presents the isotopic ratios, radiocarbon datings, and anthropological analyses of five (N = 5) Early Copper Age individuals from two archaeological sites (Arruzafa and Iglesia Antigua de Alcolea) of the Middle Guadalquivir Valley near the city of Córdoba (Spain). Four had been buried in the same grave, possibly in a single event or in a very short time lapse. The collagen residue analyses of the individuals offer δ13C values ranging between −20.08 and −18.4 and δ15N values between 8.57 and 11.15. The findings indicate that the infant and the elderly had, respectively, the richest and poorest animal protein diets, the first likely as a result of nursing. The combined study of these five individuals offers an interesting approach to a small segment of population of the farming communities occupying this territory at the beginning of the Copper Age (3200–3000 cal BC).
Organism migration in soils: Should we be so comfortable with diagnosing ancient infectious diseases?
Authors: Lawler Dennis F. , Tangredi Basil P. , Widga Christopher C.
Published: January 2020

Studies of the ancient history of infectious diseases have been facilitated greatly by development of a succession of novel analytical methods. In particular, laboratory analytical methods that are based on high‐throughput ancient deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing have received considerable attention in this respect. Even so, significant environmental caveats remain. There are many means by which microbes move through soil, often fairly readily. Thus, the depositional component of the postmortem environment, especially with respect to unshielded animal or human remains, is a fertile arena for many microbes that can contaminate archaeological specimens well after deposition and decay of soft tissues. The huge number of pathogenic and nonpathologic genera and species clearly dictate renewed interest and research into the long‐term biological activities of soil‐covered remains. In a tuberculosis context, we focus on various depositional concerns and limitations, such as contamination prior to archaeological discovery (perhaps many years prior), various means of microorganism movement in soil, the influence of these factors on differential diagnosis, and real hazards for misinterpretation of investigational results.
Concurrence of elevated FeNO and airway hyperresponsiveness in nonasthmatic adolescents
Authors: Kalm‐Stephens Pia , Malinovschi Andrei , Janson Christer , Venge Per , Nordvall Lennart , Alving Kjell
Published: January 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate airway responsiveness and eosinophil and neutrophil inflammatory markers in clinically confirmed nonasthmatic adolescents with elevated fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), a marker of type‐2 inflammation in the airways.

Methodology

A total of 959 subjects from a general population, aged 12 to 15 years, answered a standardised questionnaire and underwent FeNO measurements at a screening visit at school. Adolescents without asthma, who had elevated FeNO (FeNO100 > 15 ppb) (n = 19), and control subjects, with low FeNO (FeNO100 < 5 ppb) and without reported symptoms of asthma or allergy (n = 28), participated in a follow‐up study where FeNO50, airway responsiveness to methacholine (PD20), blood eosinophil counts, and serum neutrophil lipocalin (HNL) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were measured. Questionnaire follow‐ups were performed 4 and 16 years later.

Results

Airway responsiveness (PD20: 6.94 [1.87, 11.39] vs 11.42 [6.33, 59.4] µmol; P < .05) and blood eosinophil counts (0.31 [0.20, 0.44] vs 0.13 [0.1, 0.22] 109/L; P < .001) (geometric mean [95% CI]) were higher among cases than controls. A significant correlation between blood eosinophils and FeNO was found (rho = 0.41; P = .005). In contrast, serum HNL and MPO were lower in cases than controls (P < .05 both), and there was a negative correlation between HNL and FeNO (r = −0.31; P = .04). At both follow‐ups, a higher proportion of subjects reported allergic symptoms compared with baseline (P = .02, P = .01).

Conclusions

Elevated FeNO in nonasthmatic adolescents was associated with airway hyperresponsiveness, elevated blood eosinophil counts, and lower systemic activation of neutrophils.
Removal of distal airway foreign body with the help of fluoroscopy in a child
Authors: Goussard Pierre , Mfingwana Lunga , Morrison Julie
Published: January 2020

Most foreign bodies are located in the central airways and can be reached and removed with either a flexible or rigid bronchoscope or a combination of the two methods. The removal of more distal foreign bodies can present a significant challenge. We describe a case of an 11‐year‐old child, who aspirated a sewing needle that lodged in a distal subsegment of the medial segment of the right lower lobe. As a result, it was visible only with the 2.8 mm flexible bronchoscope (FOB). Mono‐planar fluoroscopic guidance was useful for confirming the placement of the 2.8 mm bronchoscope and allowing for a biopsy forceps to grasp the needle and move it to a larger airway, where it could then be removed safely using a larger FOB. Removal of radiopaque foreign bodies in the distal airways is possible with the aid of fluoroscopy and a small bronchoscope. This report also highlights the risk of aspirating sharp objects when they are placed into the mouth, especially by children, and the dangers posed by sharp object foreign body aspiration.
Cost minimization of repairable systems subject to availability constraints using efficient cuckoo optimization algorithm
Authors: Mellal Mohamed Arezki , Zio Enrico , Williams Edward J.
Published: January 2020

System availability is a key element for any industry. System designers and operators try to do their best to maintain the required availability of the systems to avoid production stoppages. They set up and undertake different maintenances, and these interventions imply cost. Therefore, the goal is to minimize the cost, but considering the constraint of the availability requirement. The problem involves three main aspects: redundancy allocation, component failure rates, and repair rates. In this paper, a novel solution approach is proposed based on an efficient cuckoo optimization algorithm (EF‐COA). Two numerical case studies are solved, and the results confirm the effectiveness of the approach proposed.
Supervisory switching‐based prescribed performance control of unknown nonlinear systems against actuator failures
Authors: Zhang Jin‐Xi , Yang Guang‐Hong
Published: January 2020

This article studies the fault‐tolerant control problem for unknown nonlinear strict‐feedback systems subject to actuator failures yet with dynamic redundancies. The prescribed performance control methodology is newly combined with a modification‐based supervisory switching strategy to solve the problem. To implement failure detection, the performance function is properly modified to synthesize a monitoring function to supervise the behavior of an error variable. Once a failure is detected, the current actuator is shut down and the backup actuator is switched in to execute the reconfigured control command. Compared with the existing results, (1) the postfailure and postswitching tracking performance is improved, other than uniform ultimate boundedness and (2) the dependence on extra robust control schemes (eg, adaptive or approximating structures) to deal with model uncertainties or the need to compute analytic derivatives of virtual control signals in the backstepping design is eliminated.
Zum Riss‐ und Verformungsverhalten von Stahlverbundträgern mit Teilfertigteilen
Authors: Mager Matthias , Geißler Karsten
Published: January 2020

Das Tragverhalten statisch unbestimmter Stahlverbundträger – folgend kurz Verbundträger – wird im Gebrauchszustand maßgeblich durch die Rissbildung in den Bereichen negativer Momentenbeanspruchung beeinflusst. Verbundträger mit Teilfertigteilen weisen aufgrund lokaler Umlagerungen einige Besonderheiten auf, die mit den herkömmlichen Berechnungsverfahren nicht ausreichend beschrieben werden können. Dieser Beitrag stellt Berechnungsansätze vor, mit denen das spezifische Tragverhalten erfasst und Rissbildung, Rissbreiten sowie Verformungen wirklichkeitsnah beschrieben werden können.
Experimentelle Untersuchung von Lärmschutzwandstehern und deren Befestigung auf Kunstbauten
Authors: Reiterer Michael , Stranghöner Natalie , Jungbluth Dominik
Published: January 2020

Im vorliegenden Aufsatz wird in Ergänzung zum Teil 1 – Ermüdungsverhalten – das Vorspannverhalten von geschraubten Verbindungen, die bei der Befestigung von Lärmschutzwandstehern auf Kunstbauten ausgeführt werden, experimentell untersucht und bewertet. In einem indikativen Vorversuch wurden insgesamt vier Messserien durchgeführt, bei denen die Verbindung mit einem vorab definierten Anziehdrehmoment jeweils dreimal hintereinander mutterseitig angezogen und wieder gelöst wurde. Als Schmiermittel wurde die Feststoffschmierpaste Molykote 1000 angewendet. Die in den Vorversuchen verwendeten Gewindebolzen und Muttern sind aus nichtrostendem Stahl A4‐80 hergestellt und weisen den Durchmesser M20 auf. Die Vorversuche dienen zur Untersuchung des Einflusses von unterschiedlichen Typen von Scheiben auf die sich ergebende Größe der Vorspannkraft im Gewindebolzen. Da geschraubte Verbindungen aus nichtrostendem Stahl derzeit normativ nicht geregelt sind, wurden am Institut für Metall‐ und Leichtbau der Universität Duisburg‐Essen ergänzende experimentelle Untersuchungen im Sinne einer Verfahrensprüfung an einem kalibrierten Anziehprüfstand durchgeführt. Auf Grundlage dieser an Gewindebolzen M16 und M20 aus nichtrostendem austenitischem Stahl A4‐80 in Kombination mit Keilsicherungsscheiben durchgeführten Anziehversuche wurde eine Verfahrensanweisung für das mutterseitige Vorspannen abgeleitet.
Use of organic coagulant/flocculant for treatment of effluents generated in intensive rearing of swine
Authors: Gabriel Márcia , da Rosa Genesio Mario , Wastowski Arci Dirceu , da Costa Jefferson Alves , Volpatto Fernanda
Published: January 2020

Separation of water for reuse is essential in an effluent treatment system, especially in activities with high water consumption, such as a pig production system. The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of Tanfloc SG® coagulant tannin/organic flocculant used to treat effluent generated during the intensive rearing of swine. For the evaluation, laboratory and in situ tests (field test) were performed. The laboratory tests were performed to define the concentration (1 and 16%), dosage (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, and 16.0 milliliters of the solution), and time (24, 48, 72, and 96 hours) of coagulation/flocculation treatment of the solid portion of the effluent. The parameters pH, turbidity, oxidation reduction potential, dissolved oxygen, and electroconductivity (in microsiemens per centimeter) were evaluated using a multiparameter probe and the parameters ammonia (NH3), nitrate (NO3), and nitrite (NO2) in the laboratory, in relation to the coagulation/flocculation time of the solid part of the effluent. The use of tannin as a coagulant/flocculant of plant origin in the treatment of swine effluents was effective in reducing turbidity and concentrations of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, and it allowed separation of the solid–liquid phase in approximately 68% as liquid phase.
Horizon constraints on holographic Green’s functions
Authors: Blake Mike , Davison Richard A. , Vegh David
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We explore a new class of general properties of thermal holographic Green’s functions that can be deduced from the near-horizon behaviour of classical perturbations in asymptotically anti-de Sitter spacetimes. We show that at negative imaginary Matsubara frequencies and appropriate complex values of the wavenumber the retarded Green’s functions of generic operators are not uniquely defined, due to the lack of a unique ingoing solution for the bulk perturbations. From a boundary perspective these ‘pole-skipping’ points correspond to locations in the complex frequency and momentum planes at which a line of poles of the retarded Green’s function intersects with a line of zeroes. As a consequence the dispersion relations of collective modes in the boundary theory at energy scales ω ∼ T are directly constrained by the bulk dynamics near the black-brane horizon. For the case of conserved U (1) current and energy-momentum tensor operators we give examples where the dispersion relations of hydrodynamic modes pass through a succession of pole- skipping points as real wavenumber is increased. We discuss implications of our results for transport, hydrodynamics and quantum chaos in holographic systems.
Cognitive neuropsychological theory of antidepressant action: a modern-day approach to depression and its treatment
Authors: Godlewska Beata R. , Harmer Catherine J.
Published: January 2020

Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and improving its treatment is a core research priority for future programmes. A change in the view of psychological and biological processes, from seeing them as separate to complementing one another, has introduced new perspectives on pathological mechanisms of depression and treatment mode of action. This review presents a theoretical model that incorporated this novel approach, the cognitive neuropsychological hypothesis of antidepressant action. This model proposes that antidepressant treatments decrease the negative bias in the processing of emotionally salient information early in the course of antidepressant treatment, which leads to the clinically significant mood improvement later in treatment. The paper discusses the role of negative affective biases in the development of depression and response to antidepressant treatments. It also discusses whether the model can be applied to other antidepressant interventions and its potential translational value, including treatment choice, prediction of response and drug development.
Surgical nuances and placement of subgaleal drains for supratentorial procedures—a prospective analysis of efficacy and outcome in 150 craniotomies
Authors: Hamou Hussam Aldin , Kotliar Konstantin , Tan Sonny Kian , Weiß Christel , Christian Blume , Clusmann Hans , Schubert Gerrit Alexander , Albanna Walid
Published: January 2020

Background

For supratentorial craniotomy, surgical access, and closure technique, including placement of subgaleal drains, may vary considerably. The influence of surgical nuances on postoperative complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage or impaired wound healing overall remains largely unclear. With this study, we are reporting our experiences and the impact of our clinical routines on outcome in a prospectively collected data set.

Method

We prospectively observed 150 consecutive patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy and recorded technical variables (type/length of incision, size of craniotomy, technique of dural and skin closure, type of dressing, and placement of subgaleal drains). Outcome variables (subgaleal hematoma/CSF collection, periorbital edema, impairment of wound healing, infection, and need for operative revision) were recorded at time of discharge and at late follow-up.

Results

Early subgaleal fluid collection was observed in 36.7% (2.8% at the late follow-up), and impaired wound healing was recorded in 3.3% of all cases, with an overall need for operative revision of 6.7%. Neither usage of dural sealants, lack of watertight dural closure, and presence of subgaleal drains, nor type of skin closure or dressing influenced outcome. Curved incisions, larger craniotomy, and tumor size, however, were associated with an increase in early CSF or hematoma collection (p < 0.0001, p = 0.001, p < 0.01 resp.), and larger craniotomy size was associated with longer persistence of subgaleal fluid collections (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Based on our setting, individual surgical nuances such as the type of dural closure and the use of subgaleal drains resulted in a comparable complication rate and outcome. Subgaleal fluid collections were frequently observed after supratentorial procedures, irrespective of the closing technique employed, and resolve spontaneously in the majority of cases without significant sequelae. Our results are limited due to the observational nature in our single-center study and need to be validated by supportive prospective randomized design.
The proposed APHIS regulation modernization could enhance agriculture biotechnology research and development in the USA
Authors: Parrott Wayne A. , Harbell John , Kaeppler Heidi , Jones Todd , Tomes Dwight , Van Eck Joyce , Wang Kan , Wenck Allan
Published: January 2020

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is one of three agencies that govern the importation, interstate movement, or environmental release of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms. APHIS regulations are in 7 CFR part 340, originally issued in 1987 (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/downloads/7_cfr_340.pdf) and based on the premise that a GE crop could pose a plant pest risk. A major revision was proposed June 6, 2019 (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/brs/fedregister/BRS_20190606.pdf), with public comments accepted for 60 d. Members of the Society for In Vitro Biology (SIVB)—especially within the plant section—are impacted by the current rules and will be impacted by changes. Therefore, the public policy committee studied the changes and prepared a response that was reviewed by the board of directors and submitted to APHIS. APHIS received 6186 comments overall. In general, the SIVB welcomes the proposed revisions, which recognize established scientific guidelines and principles for plant pest risk assessment. In addition, they recognize the safety record accumulated over multiple decades of current GE mechanisms of action (MOA), so the proposed rules include an exemption for new events with established MOA’s in a previously reviewed crop. Further, the proposed rules focus on DNA function and impact rather than its source organism with regulatory review triggered by potential for increased plant pest risk. Most importantly, the proposed revisions codify a light regulatory approach for many applications of genome editing, because these applications result in plants that could otherwise have been developed through traditional breeding techniques or found in nature. If implemented appropriately in the final rule, we find these changes remove many current barriers, and thus are likely to stimulate university and business “startup” innovation. The SIVB recognizes the need for exemption for further model species and gene delivery organisms. Such concerns were adequately expressed by the submitted response. Remaining hurdles for innovative plant incorporated protectants are still problematic. Nevertheless, the SIVB applauds the efforts to update APHIS rules in a scientifically defensible manner. The detailed response is shared below.
Linking calving intervals to milk production and household nutrition in Kenya
Authors: DeLay Nathan D. , Thumbi S.M. , Vanderford Julia , Otiang Elkanah , Ochieng Linus , Njenga M. Kariuki , Palmer Guy H. , Marsh Thomas L.
Published: January 2020

Maternal and child under-nutrition resulting in childhood stunting remains prevalent in east Africa, leading to increased disease risk, limiting cognitive development, and impeding human capital accumulation that constrains individuals, communities, and nations from reaching their full potential. In a western Kenyan population with a high prevalence of childhood stunting, frequency of milk consumption has been shown to increase monthly height gain in children, indicating the potential to improve health through livestock productivity. However, calving rates remain low, constraining the availability of milk to the household. Here we model average herd-level calving intervals and its relation to milk yield and nutrition in the context of an agricultural household production model, applying a dynamic panel econometric approach to household level data. We provide evidence that targeted on-farm specialization leads to significantly higher calving rates and shorter calving intervals, which in turn predictably increase milk production. Importantly, we show that the positive link between calving and household milk nutrition is present across households that primarily consume milk produced on-farm (“producer-consumers”) and those that predominantly purchase milk (“milk buyers”), indicating that efforts to improve herd fertility in western Kenya could improve food security on a community scale.
TURP ten tijde van cystolithotripsie? Een urologisch dilemma onder de loep
Authors: Mekke Sander , Roshani Hossain , van Zanten Paul , Grondhuis Palacios Lorena , Egberts Joost , Hendriks Nora , Wijffelman Mischa , Zonneveld Willemijn , Merks Bob , van Loopik Sarah , Buddingh Tim
Published: January 2020

Samenvatting

Een terugkerend urologisch dilemma is of bij mannen een cystolithotripsie gecombineerd moet worden met een transurethrale resectie van de prostaat (TURP), om een blaassteenrecidief te voorkomen en steenlozing te faciliteren. Er zijn aanwijzingen dat ook zonder gelijktijdige TURP het percentage recidieven klein is. In dit retrospectieve multicenteronderzoek is nagegaan wat de waarde is van een TURP in deze context. In totaal werden in vijf centra 127 patiënten geïncludeerd. TURP ten tijde van de cystolithotripsie lijkt een bescheiden beschermend effect te hebben op de middellange termijn (NNT = 7). Van de patiënten die niet gelijktijdig een TURP ondergingen, bleef 81 % op middellange termijn vrij van een recidief. Wat ons betreft geldt gezamenlijke besluitvorming als het nieuwe adagium bij mannen met blaasstenen.
The Effects of Oxyanion Adsorption on Reactive Oxygen Species Generation by Titanium Dioxide
Authors: Arenberg Mary R. , Arai Yuji
Published: January 2020

The growing use of nano titanium dioxide (TiO2) in consumer and agricultural products has accelerated its introduction into terrestrial environments, where its impact has not been documented extensively. TiO2 toxicity arises primarily from its ability to photochemically generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). While common ligands in soil porewaters can either hinder or enhance the degradation of organic contaminants by TiO2, their effects on ROS production by TiO2 have not been understood clearly. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of phosphate (P) and nitrate on UV-irradiated anatase, nano-TiO2. Accordingly, H2O2-generation kinetics experiments were conducted in UV-irradiated TiO2 under environmentally relevant concentrations of the ligands (0, 50, 100, and 250 μM) and pH values (4.00 ± 0.02 and 8.00 ± 0.02) from 0–100 min. Under all conditions, H2O2 grew logarithmically and reached between 5.38 and 22.98 μM after 100 min. At pH 4.00 ± 0.02, H2O2 production was suppressed by P but not by nitrate. Conversely, at pH 8.00 ± 0.02, nitrate did not affect H2O2 concentration while P increased it. Non-specific, minimal adsorption of nitrate prevented interference with the photoreactivity of TiO2. Due to the pH-dependent behavior of suspended TiO2 and H2O2 degradation rates, specific adsorption of P on TiO2 impeded its ability to produce H2O2 photochemically at pH 4.00 ± 0.02 but amplified it at pH 8.00 ± 0.02.
Mental‐health disparities between heterosexual and sexual‐minority adolescents: Examining the role of informant discrepancies
Authors: Perales Francisco , Campbell Alice , Johnson Sarah
Published: January 2020

Introduction

An emerging literature documents substantial mental‐health disparities by sexual orientation amongst adolescents, with sexual‐minority youth exhibiting poorer mental health than heterosexual youth. This brief report provides the first empirical account of how the association between sexual‐minority status and adolescent mental health differs depending on who assesses adolescents' mental health (child/mother/father/teacher), and how informant discrepancies in assessments of adolescent mental health differ by adolescents’ sexual orientation.

Methods

Data come from an Australian national sample of 14‐/15‐year‐old adolescents (Longitudinal Study of Australian Children; n~3,000). Adolescent mental health is measured using multiple measures from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and modelled using multivariable linear regression models.

Results

Mental‐health disparities between sexual‐minority and heterosexual adolescents emerged irrespective of who assessed the child's mental health. However, their magnitude varied substantially by informant, being largest when mental‐health was reported by adolescents (~0.7 standard deviations) and smallest when reported by teachers (~0.2 standard deviations). Discrepancies between mental‐health scores collected from the child and other informants were largest for internalising than externalising behaviours, and in child‐father than child‐mother comparisons.

Conclusions

Understanding informant discrepancies and their meaning is pivotal to designing surveys that generate robust insights into the health of sexual‐minority adolescents, as well as appropriate policy interventions.