bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geology of the Flint Hills, Kansas: Sea-level and climate changes in the Permian
Authors: Goldberg* Karin , Miller* Keith B.
Published: July 2019

The Midcontinent Permian succession in Kansas shows a long-term trend from a monsoonal to semi-arid climate (early Permian) to an increasingly arid and evaporitic climate (late Permian), superimposed by higher-frequency variations that resulted in the alternating deposition of marine carbonates, shales, and paleosols. Within the high-frequency cycles, at least three different orders of subcycles can be recognized: (1) the cyclothems, interpreted as representing glacio-eustatic sea-level fluctuations driven by Milankovitch orbital modulations; (2) the carbonate-to-clastic facies patterns, interpreted as climate change from arid to monsoonal; and (3) the calcic to vertic paleosol profiles, possibly a reflection of increasing precipitation within a monsoonal regime, controlled by weak versus strong monsoons. This field trip focuses on the Lower Permian (Wolfcampian) succession exposed in the Manhattan area, Riley County, Kansas. Nearly continuous exposures display numerous cycles of sea-level change (“cyclothems”). Stacked paleosol horizons that are part of the Wolfcampian cyclothems also record climate changes, from arid/semi-arid to sub-humid/seasonal climates.
Reducing antibiotic prescribing in primary care in England from 2014 to 2017: population-based cohort study
Authors: Sun Xiaohui , Gulliford Martin C
Published: July 2019

Objective

To analyse individual-patient electronic health records to evaluate changes in antibiotic (AB) prescribing in England for different age groups, for male and female subjects, and by prescribing indications from 2014 to 2017.

Methods

Data were analysed for 102 general practices in England that contributed data to the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) from 2014 to 2017. Prescriptions for all ABs and for broad-spectrum β-lactam ABs were evaluated. Relative rate reductions (RRR) were estimated from a random-effects Poisson model, adjusting for age, gender, and general practice.

Results

Total AB prescribing declined from 608 prescriptions per 1000 person-years in 2014 to 489 per 1000 person-years in 2017; RRR 6.9% (95% CI 6.6% to 7.1%) per year. Broad-spectrum β-lactam AB prescribing decreased from 221 per 1000 person-years in 2014 to 163 per 1000 person-years in 2017; RRR 9.3% (9.0% to 9.6%) per year. Declines in AB prescribing were similar for men and women but the rate of decline was lower over the age of 55 years than for younger patients. All AB prescribing declined by 9.8% (9.6% to 10.1%) per year for respiratory infections, 5.7% (5.2% to 6.2%) for genitourinary infections, but by 3.8% (3.1% to 4.5%) for no recorded indication. Overall, 38.8% of AB prescriptions were associated with codes that did not suggest specific clinical conditions, and 15.3% of AB prescriptions had no medical codes recorded.

Conclusion

Antibiotic prescribing has reduced and become more selective but substantial unnecessary AB use may persist. Improving the quality of diagnostic coding for AB use will help to support antimicrobial stewardship efforts.
Hospital use in survivors of transient ischaemic attack compared with survivors of stroke in central China: a nested case–control study
Authors: Li Sangsang , Tian Qingfeng , Fan Junxing , Shi Zhan , Guo Bingxin , Chen Huanan , Li Yapeng , Shi Songhe
Published: July 2019

Objectives

There is a lack of knowledge regarding post-discharge hospitalisation utilisation after transient ischaemic attack (TIA) in China. The aim of this study is to quantify rehospitalisation use in survivors of TIA compared with their own previous hospital use and matched survivors of stroke.

Design

Nested case–control study of electronic medical records datasets.

Setting

958 hospitals in Henan, China, from July 2012 to December 2015.

Participants

In total, 4823 survivors of stroke were matched to the TIA cohort (average age: 64.5 years; proportion of men: 48.4%) at a 1:1 ratio. All subjects with an onset of stroke/TIA were recorded with a 1-year look-back and follow-up.

Outcome measures

Adjusted difference-in-differences (DID) values in 1-year hospital lengths of stay (LOSs) and readmission within 7, 30 and 90 days.

Results

There was an increase in hospital admissions in survivors of TIA in the year after the index hospitalisation compared with the prior year. Of the 2449 rehospitalisation events that occurred during the first year after TIA, stroke (20.6%) was the most common reason for rehospitalisation. There was no difference in the stroke-specific readmission rates between the TIA and stroke cohorts (p=0.198). The TIA cohort had fewer readmissions within 30 days and 90 days after all-cause discharge compared with the controls. The corresponding covariate-adjusted DID values were −3.5 percentage points (95% CI −5.3 to −1.8) and −4.5 (95% CI −6.5 to −2.4), respectively. A similar trend was observed in the 1-year LOS. In the stratified analysis, the DID reductions were not significant in patients with more comorbidities or in rural patients.

Conclusions

Compared with survivors of stroke, survivors of TIA use fewer hospital resources up to 1 year post-discharge. Greater attention to TIAs among patients with more comorbidities and rural patients may provide an opportunity to reduce hospital use.
Sleepiness of day workers and watchkeepers on board at high seas: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Oldenburg Marcus , Jensen Hans-Joachim
Published: July 2019

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of sleepiness on duty among day workers and watchkeepers on board.

Design

Cross-sectional survey in a maritime field study.

Setting

10 shipping companies with container vessels under German management.

Participants

The whole crew (75 day workers and 123 watchkeepers) during 18 voyages on 18 different container ships.

Outcome measures

Sleepiness on duty and efficiency of sleep using pupillometry (in a cross-shift design) and the SenseWear armband activity monitor.

Results

The watchkeepers showed significantly shorter sleep periods than day workers (5.5 hours vs 5.8 hours). The average efficiency of sleep was 69.6% and significantly lower among watchkeepers (OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.26 to 0.88). 396 pupillometric examinations were carried out and revealed 88 study members (22.2%) with a pupillary unrest index (rPUI) in a range characterised as ‘unfit for duty’ and 110 seafarers (27.8%) categorised as ‘particular attention required’. The average rPUI was similar between day workers and watchkeepers. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale revealed recent daytime sleepiness in 70 seafarers, which was similarly often stated by day workers and watchkeepers. Based on the Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS), a measurable cross-shift increase in the SSS value during the examined shift was observed, especially among watchkeepers. The amount of time already spent on the vessel at the time of the present examination was significantly associated with the rPUI (p=0.009).

Conclusion

Sleep periods of both the day workers and the watchkeepers aboard vessels were alarmingly short and sleep efficiency was low. Sleepiness on duty is similarly prevalent among day workers and watchkeepers and seems to depend partly on the cumulative working period on the vessels. Preventive measures need to be taken by the shipping industry to counteract fatigue (eg, by enabling sufficient rest and sleep times).
Validation of an algorithm using inpatient electronic health records to determine the presence and severity of cirrhosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in England: an observational study
Authors: Driver Robert J , Balachandrakumar Vinay , Burton Anya , Shearer Jessica , Downing Amy , Cross Tim , Morris Eva , Rowe Ian A
Published: July 2019

Objectives

Outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are determined by both cancer characteristics and liver disease severity. This study aims to validate the use of inpatient electronic health records to determine liver disease severity from treatment and procedure codes.

Design

Retrospective observational study.

Setting

Two National Health Service (NHS) cancer centres in England.

Participants

339 patients with a new diagnosis of HCC between 2007 and 2016.

Main outcome

Using inpatient electronic health records, we have developed an optimised algorithm to identify cirrhosis and determine liver disease severity in a population with HCC. The diagnostic accuracy of the algorithm was optimised using clinical records from one NHS Trust and it was externally validated using anonymised data from another centre.

Results

The optimised algorithm has a positive predictive value (PPV) of 99% for identifying cirrhosis in the derivation cohort, with a sensitivity of 86% (95% CI 82% to 90%) and a specificity of 98% (95% CI 96% to 100%). The sensitivity for detecting advanced stage cirrhosis is 80% (95% CI 75% to 87%) and specificity is 98% (95% CI 96% to 100%), with a PPV of 89%.

Conclusions

Our optimised algorithm, based on inpatient electronic health records, reliably identifies and stages cirrhosis in patients with HCC. This highlights the potential of routine health data in population studies to stratify patients with HCC according to liver disease severity.
Duration of second victim symptoms in the aftermath of a patient safety incident and association with the level of patient harm: a cross-sectional study in the Netherlands
Authors: Vanhaecht Kris , Seys Deborah , Schouten Loes , Bruyneel Luk , Coeckelberghs Ellen , Panella Massimiliano , Zeeman Gerda
Published: July 2019

Objectives

To describe healthcare providers’ symptoms evoked by patient safety incidents (PSIs), the duration of these symptoms and the association with the degree of patient harm caused by the incident.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Setting

32 Dutch hospitals that participate in the ‘Peer Support Collaborative’.

Participants

4369 healthcare providers (1619 doctors and 2750 nurses) involved in a PSI at any time during their career.

Interventions

All doctors and nurses working in direct patient care in the 32 participating hospitals were invited via email to participate in an online survey.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Prevalence of symptoms, symptom duration and its relationship with the degree of patient harm.

Results

In total 4369 respondents were involved in a PSI and completely filled in the questionnaire. Of these, 462 reported having been involved in a PSI with permanent harm or death during the last 6 months. This had a personal, professional impact as well as impact on effective teamwork requirements. The impact of a PSI increased when the degree of patient harm was more severe. The most common symptom was hypervigilance (53.0%). The three most common symptoms related to teamwork were having doubts about knowledge and skill (27.0%), feeling unable to provide quality care (15.6%) and feeling uncomfortable within the team (15.5%). PSI with permanent harm or death was related to eightfold higher likelihood of provider-related symptoms lasting for more than 1 month and ninefold lasting longer than 6 months compared with symptoms reported when the PSI caused no harm.

Conclusion

The impact of PSI remains an underestimated problem. The higher the degree of harm, the longer the symptoms last. Future studies should evaluate how these data can be integrated in evidence-based support systems.
Aeromedical evacuation in the humanitarian and disaster relief environment of Op RUMAN
Authors: Evetts George Edward
Published: July 2019

The 700+ Caribbean islands present a vast area of operations (AO) with challenges providing healthcare to the local population and deployed personnel. Predisaster host nation medical care relied on casevac for basic primary and secondary healthcare, with medivac by air for advanced medical treatment. Disruption to facilities and transport links by Hurricane Irma rendered the native healthcare system on its knees. During Op RUMAN, the Royal Air Force Medical Services (RAFMS) provided expertise in prehospital emergency care and critical care aeromed to enable emergency treatment and access to definitive care for local nationals and our own personnel. The ability to provide independent, safe aeromedical care across a variety of aviation platforms is unique to the RAFMS. The AO did not fit any current doctrine; an adaptable, functional unit concept was adopted to enable care to the walking wounded through to critical care along prolonged timelines.
Impact of e-cigarette health warnings on motivation to vape and smoke
Authors: Brewer Noel T , Jeong Michelle , Hall Marissa G , Baig Sabeeh A , Mendel Jennifer R , Lazard Allison J , Noar Seth M , Kameny Madeline R , Ribisl Kurt M
Published: July 2019

Background

A prevailing hypothesis is that health warnings for electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) could drive people away from vaping and towards smoking cigarettes. We consider an alternative hypothesis that e-cigarette warnings discourage both vaping and smoking.

Methods

Participants were a national convenience sample of 2218 US adults who used e-cigarettes, cigarettes or both. In August 2018, we randomised participants to one of three warningtypes(control text about littering, text-only e-cigarette warning or pictorial e-cigarette warning). We further randomised participants viewing e-cigarette warnings to one of threetopics(nicotine addiction, health hazards of use, or both health hazards and harms of use). The preregistered primary outcome was intentions to quit vaping among e-cigarette users. Secondary outcomes included interest in smoking and Tobacco Warnings Model constructs: attention, negative affect, anticipated social interactions and cognitive elaboration.

Results

Text warnings elicited higher intentions to quit vaping than control among e-cigarette users (d=0.44, p<0.001), and pictorial warnings elicited still higher intentions to quit vaping than text (d=0.12, p<0.05). Text warnings elicited lower interest in smoking compared with control among smokers (p<0.05); warnings had no other effects on interest in smoking among smokers or non-smokers. Text warnings about health hazards elicited higher intentions to quit vaping than nicotine addiction warnings. E-cigarette warnings also increased Tobacco Warnings Model constructs.

Discussion

E-cigarette health warnings may motivate users to quit vaping and discourage smoking. The most promising warnings include health hazards (other than nicotine addiction) and imagery. We found no support for the hypothesis that e-cigarette warnings could encourage smoking cigarettes.
Microstructure of SiC fibers by swift heavy ion beam irradiation
Authors: Song Yin , Zhang Chong-Hong , Yang Yi-Tao , Gou Jie , Ding Zhao-Nan
Published: July 2019

In this paper, third generation SiC fiber material irradiated with the 410 MeV energy of [Formula: see text] ion at 173 K was analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Raman spectroscopy, TEM and XRD data show modifications in the local structure of irradiated SiC fibers. Although highly disordered SiC grains were observed in appearance, no evidence of amorphization was found. After the Sn ions irradiation and XRD, two diffraction peaks disappeared, which showed that the rich Si and C could be further combined in [Formula: see text] ions/cm2 dose irradiation condition. This result mainly explains the electron damage and the nuclear damage process in SiC fibers, leading to the recombination or migration of defects.
Correlation effects studied based on Debye–Waller factors. Application to fcc crystals
Authors: Hung Nguyen Van , Vuong Dinh Quoc
Published: July 2019

Correlation effects described by the displacement–displacement correlation function [Formula: see text] have been studied based on Debye–Waller factors presented by the mean square displacement (MSD) [Formula: see text] and mean square relative displacement (MSRD) [Formula: see text] in X-ray Absorption Fine Structure. Analytical expressions have been derived for [Formula: see text] based on the anharmonic correlated Debye model (ACDM) and for [Formula: see text] based on anharmonic Debye model (ADM) or uncorrelated Debye model. Many-body effects have been taken into account in the present one-dimensional model by a simple measure based on the anharmonic effective potentials that include interactions of absorber and backscatterer atoms with their nearest neighbors. Morse potential is used for describing single-pair atomic interaction. The reasons for the difference between MSRD and MSD have been discussed in detail. The theory is applied to fcc crystals and can be generalized to any crystal structure. Numerical results for Cu are found to be in good agreement with the experimental values and with those taken from the measured Morse parameters, as well as with the values of [Formula: see text] calculated using the other theories.
Research on Data Acquisition Algorithms Based on Image Processing and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Hu Shuyu
Published: July 2019

At present, image recognition processing technology has been playing a decisive role in the field of pattern recognition, of which automatic recognition of bank notes is an important research topic. Due to the limitation of the size of bill layout and printing method, many invoice layouts are not clear, skewed or distorted, and even there are irregular handwritten signature contents, which lead to the problem of recognition of digital characters on bill surface. In this regard, this paper proposes a data acquisition and recognition algorithm based on improved BP neural network for ticket number identification, which is based on the theory of image processing and recognition, combined with improved bill information recognition technology. First, in the pre-processing stage of bill image, denoising and graying of bill image are processed. After binarization of bill image, the tilt detection method based on Bresenham integer algorithm is used to correct the tilted bill image. Secondly, character localization and feature extraction are carried out for par characters, and the target background is separated from the interference background in order to extract the desired target characters. Finally, the improved BP neural network-based bill digit data acquisition and recognition algorithm is used to realize the classification and recognition of bill characters. The experimental results show that the improved method has better classification and recognition effect than other data acquisition and recognition algorithms.
Improved Damage Characteristics Identification Method of Concrete CT Images Based on Region Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Zhao Liang , Li Chu-Jun , Wu Xiao-Dong , Niu Di-Tao , Duan Zhong-Xing , Dang Fa-Ning
Published: July 2019

The detection of internal damage characteristics of concrete is an important aspect of damage evolution mechanism in concrete meso-structure. In this paper, the improved Faster R-CNN is used to detect the porosity and cracks in concrete CT images. Based on the Faster R-CNN, ResNet-101 and ResNet-50 are used as the main framework. Feature pyramid network (FPN) and ROI Align are introduced to improve the performance of the model. FPN can generate high quality feature maps. ROI Align solves the region mismatch caused by the quantization operation. Experiments show that the detection accuracy of ResNet-101[Formula: see text]+[Formula: see text]FPN[Formula: see text]+[Formula: see text]ROI Align reaches 87.08%, which is 4.74 higher than that of ResNet-101. The detection accuracy of ResNet-50 [Formula: see text]+[Formula: see text] FPN [Formula: see text]+[Formula: see text] ROI Align reached 81.36%, which is 3.12% points higher than ResNet-50. These two improved algorithms are slower than the original algorithm for the detection time of a single picture. An effective method is provided to analyze concrete meso-damage evolution through the research.
The New Amby: The Second Debut
Authors: Adhikari Atanu , Mukherjee Srabanti
Published: July 2019

Ambassador, a product by Hindustan Motors previously deemed the “King of Indian Roads” has lost its clout with the emergence of the New Economic Policy in India (1991) because of resistance to change and lack of marketing orientation. Not only did the new corporate entrants appear as threats to them, but the consumers’ changing demographics, needs, and preferences also went against the company. Therefore, Ambassador, the elegant Indian mystic, was pushed to the taxi segment. But the taxi segment was gradually populated by competitors such as Maruti Suzuki or Tata Indica. The Ambassador brand had again gone into limbo. As a final attempt to survive, the company planned to bring in the New Amby Sub-4 Meter in 2013. However, the managing director was in a dilemma whether to position it as a taxi or a passenger car and what should be the marketing strategy for it.
WudStay and the Houseboat Sector in India
Authors: Gupta Rakesh , Narayan Kirthivasan Sathya , Sharma Sowmya , Sunny Roshni
Published: July 2019

This case deals with the challenges and dilemma faced by WudStay, a start-up engaged in the aggregation of different accommodation options in India. The company wants to evaluate the attractiveness and the challenges facing the houseboat sector and decide whether to enter this sector. The case illustrates the present state of the houseboat sector and captures the direction it is heading. Since its inception, the sector has remained unorganized, resulting in unsatisfactory customer service standards. The short-sighted approach of houseboat owners to maximize profits and refusal to adopt technological solutions has put doubts on the long-term health of this sector with many tourists looking for better alternatives.

The sector is concentrated in two states in India: Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Kerala. The differences in the external-macro environment has taken the sector in these two states to completely different directions. In Kashmir, the deteriorating security situation has a negative impact on tourist inflows, thus reducing the demand for houseboats. In Kerala, the sector is on an upswing, with the government playing a catalytic role in promoting tourism and incentivizing houseboats through subsidies. In this background, WudStay wants to evaluate its long-term attractiveness and the opportunity of creating a sustainable value proposition in this sector.
Two-photon excitation fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy: A promising diagnostic tool for digestive tract tumors
Authors: Li Hui , Yu Jia , Zhang Rongli , Li Xi , Zheng Wei
Published: July 2019

Digestive tract tumors account for 15% and 19.3% of the cancer incidence and deaths, respectively. Early detection of digestive tract tumors is crucial to the reduction of global cancer burden. Two-photon excitation fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (TP-FLIM) allows non-invasive, label-free, three-dimensional, high-resolution imaging of living tissues with not only histological but also biochemical characterization ability in both qualitative and quantitative way. Benefiting from these advantages, this technology is promising for clinical diagnosis of digestive tract tumors. In recent years, many efforts have been made in this field and some remarkable progress has been achieved. In this paper, we overview the recent progress of TP-FLIM-based researches on digestive tract tumor detection. Among them, our latest results on the gastric cancer and esophageal cancer are elaborately depicted. Finally, we outlook and discuss the potential advantages and challenges of TP-FLIM in future clinical applications.
ESTIMATING SECTORAL SYSTEMATIC RISK FOR CHINA, MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE, AND THAILAND
Authors: PHAM THACH NGOC , VO DUC HONG
Published: July 2019

This study examines the relative systematic risks of 10 industries in China and ASEAN-3, including Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. We use four different approaches (ordinary least squares, least absolute deviations, MM-estimator and Theil–Sen estimator) and the weekly data from 2004 to 2016 to determine the sectoral systematic risk. The data are also divided into four sub-periods: the pre-crisis, crisis, post-crisis and normal periods. We find that the rankings of systematic risk, and the risk–return framework, for 10 industries vary from one country to another. The pairwise correlation analysis shows that significant correlation of sectoral ranks between estimation methods is found in China and Thailand, but not in Malaysia and Singapore. However, no correlations of industry rankings between China and ASEAN-3 countries for all the estimation methods for the full research periods and sub-periods are found. The sub-periods analysis also suggests that the rankings of systematic risk for industries in four countries across different economic periods are unstable.
Association between semen quality among men with different occupational exposures and risk of recurrent spontaneous abortion in island residents
Authors: Cao Wenli , Pan Xinyao , Ye Feijun , Zhou Jing , Huang Zengshu , Li Chuyu , Zhang Yanpu , Fang Jianwei , Jiang Yan , Lian Hongyu , Fu Zhongxing , Du Yan , Wang Ling
Published: July 2019

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the semen quality of male adults whose spouses suffer from recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) in the island area, and to explore the association between RSA and occupational exposures.

Methods: A total of 131 male patients were recruited and divided into two groups: spouse with recurrent spontaneous abortion group (RSA group, [Formula: see text]) and the normal fertility group (control group, [Formula: see text]). Information such as height, weight and occupational exposure history of 131 men were obtained. Semen samples were collected and analyzed. Differences in semen parameters and DNA fragmentation index (DFI) between the two groups were compared. Odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate the association between occupational exposures and RSA status.

Results: Overall, no significant difference was found in sperm concentration, progressive motility and normal morphology rate between RSA and control groups. Only DFI was observed to be significantly higher in the RSA group. Evaluation of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed DFI (AUC: 0.623, [Formula: see text]) could discriminate between males from the couples with RSA and without RSA.

Conclusion: The analysis of conventional semen parameters could not directly reflect their influence on embryonic development, and test of integrity of the sperm DNA is of paramount importance to fully understand male fertility. It is crucial to conduct studies regarding occupational exposures and pregnancy loss and/or RSA risk, since it will provide population-level data to aid in the identification of important risk factors that warrant further mechanistic investigation, and eventually lead to effective prevention and treatment strategies.
Computing technologies to increase access to physical activity for people with visual impairments
Authors: Rector Kyle
Published: July 2019

Understanding how to develop technologies that make exercise more accessible to people with visual impairments, particularly in the form of body-based movement and public spaces.
Sports and machine learning: How young people can use data from their own bodies to learn about machine learning
Authors: Zimmermann-Niefield Abigail , Shapiro R. Benjamin , Kane Shaun
Published: July 2019

In order to foster interest in machine learning among young people, presented are simple and effective ways to engage kids using sensors on their own bodies.
Personalized Reason Generation for Explainable Song Recommendation
Authors: Zhao Guoshuai , Fu Hao , Song Ruihua , Sakai Tetsuya , Chen Zhongxia , Xie Xing , Qian Xueming
Published: July 2019

Personalized recommendation has received a lot of attention as a highly practical research topic. However, existing recommender systems provide the recommendations with a generic statement such as “Customers who bought this item also bought…”. Explainable recommendation, which makes a user aware of why such items are recommended, is in demand. The goal of our research is to make the users feel as if they are receiving recommendations from their friends. To this end, we formulate a new challenging problem called personalized reason generation for explainable recommendation for songs in conversation applications and propose a solution that generates a natural language explanation of the reason for recommending a song to that particular user. For example, if the user is a student, our method can generate an output such as “Campus radio plays this song at noon every day, and I think it sounds wonderful,” which the student may find easy to relate to. In the offline experiments, through manual assessments, the gain of our method is statistically significant on the relevance to songs and personalization to users comparing with baselines. Large-scale online experiments show that our method outperforms manually selected reasons by 8.2% in terms of click-through rate. Evaluation results indicate that our generated reasons are relevant to songs and personalized to users, and they attract users to click the recommendations.
Autonomic modulation of the electrical substrate in mice haploinsufficient for cardiac sodium channels: a model of the Brugada syndrome
Authors: Finlay Malcolm , Bhar-Amato Justine , Ng Keat-Eng , Santos Diogo , Orini Michele , Vyas Vishal , Taggart Peter , Grace Andrew A. , Huang Christopher L.-H. , Lambiase Pier D. , Tinker Andrew
Published: July 2019

A murine line haploinsufficient in the cardiac sodium channel has been used to model human Brugada syndrome: a disease causing sudden cardiac death due to lethal ventricular arrhythmias. We explored the effects of cholinergic tone on electrophysiological parameters in wild-type and genetically modified, heterozygous, Scn5a+/− knockout mice. Scn5a+/− ventricular slices showed longer refractory periods than wild-type both at baseline and during isoprenaline challenge. Scn5a+/− hearts also showed lower conduction velocities and increased mean increase in delay than did littermate controls at baseline and blunted responses to isoprenaline challenge. Carbachol exerted limited effects but reversed the effects of isoprenaline with coapplication. Scn5a+/− mice showed a reduction in conduction reserve in that isoprenaline no longer increased conduction velocity, and this was not antagonized by muscarinic agonists.
A mouse model of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury solely induced by cold ischemia
Authors: Wei Jin , Wang Yingliang , Zhang Jie , Wang Lei , Fu Liying , Cha Byeong J. , Buggs Jacentha , Liu Ruisheng
Published: July 2019

Transplanted kidneys usually experience several episodes of ischemia, including cold ischemia during allograft storage in preservation solution. However, previous studies focusing on cold renal ischemia were only carried out in vitro or ex vivo. In the present study, we developed and characterized an in vivo mouse model of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) induced exclusively by cold ischemia. C57BL/6 mice underwent right kidney nephrectomy, and the left kidney was kept cool with circulating cold saline in a kidney cup, while body temperature was maintained at 37°C. We clamped the renal pedicle and flushed out the blood inside the kidney with cold saline via an opening on the renal vein. The severity of renal IRI was examined with different ischemic durations. We found that the mice with <2 h of cold ischemia exhibited no significant changes in renal function or histopathology; animals with 3 or 4 h of cold ischemia developed into mild to moderate acute kidney injury with characteristic features, including the elevation in plasma creatinine concentration and reduction in glomerular filtration rate and tubular necrosis, followed by a subsequent recovery. However, mice with 5 h of cold ischemia died in a few days with severe acute kidney injury. In summary, we generated a mouse model of renal IRI induced exclusively by cold ischemia, which mimics graft cold storage in preservation solution, and renal function can be evaluated in vivo.
Transcription Factor IRF4 Dysfunction Affects the Immunosuppressive Function of Treg Cells in Patients with Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Tang Meiwen , Cheng Luya , Li Feng , Wu Boting , Chen Pu , Zhan Yanxia , Hua Fanli , Min Zhihui , Ke Yang , Liu Chanjuan , Yuan Ling , Sun Lihua , Chen Hao , Ji Lili , Cheng Yunfeng
Published: July 2019

Background.Th17/Treg balance skews towards Th17 in ITP patient. IRF4 has been highlighted for its close relationship to the immunosuppressive function of Treg cells and the IL-17 synthesis in CD4+T cells. This study was aimed at examining the effects of IRF4 to the Th17/Treg cells in patients with ITP.Methods.Treg and Teff cells were isolated from PBMCs of newly diagnosed ITP patients. The percentages of CD4+CD25hiFoxp3+Treg cells and the CD3+CD4+IL-17+Th17 cells were detected by flow cytometry. After being cultured, the supernatants of Tregs were collected for IL-10 concentration test. The IRF4 levels of Tregs were measured. Teffs were cultured alone or with Tregs for 24 hours. Then the supernatants were collected for IL-17 concentration test. The binding intensity of IRF4 to the gene IL-10 in Treg cells was detected by ChIP-qPCR. Metabolic assays for Teffs and Tregs were performed with Agilent Seahorse XF96 Analyzer.Results.The secretion of IL-10 by Tregs was decreased in ITP patients. The intensity of IRF4 binding to IL-10 DNA of Tregs in patients was higher than that of normal controls and Teffs in ITP patients. The expressions of IRF4 of Tregs in ITP patients were remarkably lower than that of healthy controls. The percentage of Th17 cells in healthy controls was significantly increased after IRF4 mRNA silencing. Abnormal metabolism of Treg and Teff cells was found in ITP patients.Conclusion.The skewed ratio of Th17/Treg cells and dysfunction of Treg cells in newly diagnosed ITP patients was at least partly caused by IRF4 dysfunction. The underlying mechanism might be the impact of IRF4 on the metabolism of Treg and Teff cells.
Multiple Roles of Exosomal Long Noncoding RNAs in Cancers
Authors: Zhao Wenyuan , Liu Yuanqi , Zhang Chunfang , Duan Chaojun
Published: July 2019

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are not transcriptional noise, as previously understood, but are currently considered to be multifunctional. Exosomes are derived from the internal multivesicular compartment and are extracellular vesicles (EVs) with diameters of 30–100 nm. Exosomes play significant roles in the intercellular exchange of information and material. Exosomal lncRNAs may be promising biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and potential targets for cancer therapies, since they are increasingly understood to be involved in tumorigenesis, tumor angiogenesis, and chemoresistance. This review mainly focuses on the roles of emerging exosomal lncRNAs in cancer. In addition, the biogenesis of exosomes, the functions of lncRNAs, and the mechanisms of lncRNAs in exosome-mediated cell-cell communication are also summarized.
Comparative Study on Two Pretreatment Processes for Chemical Phase Analysis of Gold in Geological Samples by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
Authors: Tang Xiaodan , Li Hang , Liu Hongyan , Li Bing , Zhao Yuyan , Lu Jilong , Zhou Jian , Liu Qingqing
Published: July 2019

Sample pretreatment is important for chemical phase analysis of elements. In this study, the geological samples of the Laozuoshan gold mine are chosen to pretreat by ultrasonic centrifugation and cyclotron oscillation, and the content of gold in eight chemical phases (water-soluble, ion exchange and clay adsorption, organic matter bound, iron-manganese oxide bound, naked or seminaked, carbonate bound, sulfide bound, and insoluble silicate states) is determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The results show that the gold content of water-soluble, ion exchange and clay adsorption, iron-manganese oxide, and naked or seminaked states in the rock and ore samples is low, and some samples have high gold content of insoluble silicate states in the two methods. However, the gold content of organic matter bound, carbonate bound, and sulfide bound states obtained by ultrasonic centrifugation and cyclotron oscillation methods is significantly different. According to the X-ray fluorescence spectrometry data and the actual geological condition, the result given by the cyclotron oscillation method is more reasonable. The gold content of sulfide bound state in sediment samples is the highest and consistent with the mineral information, which could be applied to preliminarily predict the rock and ore conditions in the corresponding mining areas. In contrast with ultrasonic centrifugation, the cyclotron oscillation method has the advantages of simplicity, high efficiency, practicality, and environmental protection, and it can be better used for the determination of gold chemical phase state in geological samples by atomic absorption spectrometry.
Modeling of Oxidation Process of Coal Tar Pitch in Rotating Kilns
Authors: Xie Jun , Zhong Wenqi , Shao Yingjuan , Li Kaixi
Published: July 2019

In this paper, a three‐dimensional numerical model has been developed to study the process of oxidative weight increment of coal tar pitch in a rotating kiln. Based on the two‐fluid method, the gas phase is modeled by realizable k‐ε turbulent model and the solid phase is modeled by kinetic theory of granular flow. The dense gas‐solid flow, heat transfer, and oxidation reaction for the bed and freeboard regions are simultaneously solved. The model is applied to a rotating kiln with a cylinder of 0.75 m length and 0.4 m diameter in the front and circular truncated cone on exit side. The detailed verification of model is firstly performed by comparisons with the available experimental data. The particle velocity profiles, product gas compositions, and various forms of solid motion in rotary kilns are contrastively analyzed. Afterwards, simulations are carried out to obtain the primary hydrodynamic and reactive characteristics in the rotary kiln. At the steady state, the particle velocity peak is located at the active layer surface, while the velocity has the opposite direction in the passive layer. The bed region generally has a higher temperature than the freeboard due to the large thermal capacity. The concentrations of product gas compositions, such as CO2, CO, and CH4, and solid product of oxidation, increase sharply near the surface and then keep on the steady values inside the bed. The effects of rotational speed of the rotary kiln and flow rate of air are also studied. The increasing rotational speed significantly accelerates the particle movement of the active layer and raises the final oxidative yield of coal pitch spheres. By contrast, increasing the flow rate of air has little effect on the particle motion and oxidation yield of coal pitch.
Predicting Accumulation of Intermediate Compounds in Nitrification and Autotrophic Denitrification Processes: A Chemical Approach
Authors: Campos José Luis , Dumais Jacques , Pavissich Juan Pablo , Franchi Oscar , Crutchik Dafne , Belmonte Marisol , Faúndez Martín , Jorquera Lorena , Pedrouso Alba , Mosquera-Corral Anuska , Val del Río Ángeles
Published: July 2019

Nitrification and sulfur-based autotrophic denitrification processes can be used to remove ammonia from wastewater in an economical way. However, under certain operational conditions, these processes accumulate intermediate compounds, such as elemental sulphur, nitrite, and nitrous oxide, that are noxious for the environment. In order to predict the generation of these compounds, an analysis based on the Gibbs free energy of the possible reactions and on the oxidative capacity of the bulk liquid was done on case study systems. Results indicate that the Gibbs free energy is not a useful parameter to predict the generation of intermediate products in nitrification and autotrophic denitrification processes. Nevertheless, we show that the specific productions of nitrous oxide during nitrification, and of elemental sulphur and nitrite during autotrophic denitrification, are well related to the oxidative capacity of the bulk liquid.
Biomechanical Evaluation of the Modified Cannulated Screws Fixation of Unstable Femoral Neck Fracture with Comminuted Posteromedial Cortex
Authors: Liu Jingwen , Zhang Baokun , Yin Bohao , Chen Hongchi , Sun Hui , Zhang Wei
Published: July 2019

Purpose. To verify the biomechanical importance with respect to the integrity of posteromedial cortex of femoral neck fracture (FNF) and demonstrate whether the modified fixation of cannulated screws (CSs) could increase the biomechanical strength. Methods. A total of 24 left artificial femurs were randomly divided into three groups. The osteotomy was made in the center of the femoral neck at a 20° angle to the shaft axial. The posteromedial cortices of femoral neck were removed in groups B and C. In group A, 8 femurs with intact posteromedial cortex were fixed with three parallel partial thread screws (PTSs), forming a standard triangle. In group B, the femurs were stabilized with the same fixation of CSs like group A. In group C, two inferior PTSs were replaced by two fully thread screws (FTSs). Results. The lower A-P and axial stiffness and load to failure along with higher axial displacement were found in group B compared with group A (p≤0.001 for all). Between groups B and C, the modified fixation of CSs increased A-P and axial stiffness and load to failure and reduced the axial displacement (p≤0.001 for all). Conclusions. We verified that the comminuted posteromedial cortex affected the biomechanical strength adversely and resulted in higher displacement. The modified fixation of CSs characterized by two inferior FTSs could improve the biomechanical performance and buttress the femoral head fragment better.
Optical Properties of GaAs Nanowires with an Electric Potential That Varies Inversely with the Square of the Radial Distance
Authors: Tshipa Moletlanyi
Published: July 2019

A theoretical investigation of optical properties of a cylindrical quantum wire (CQW) is presented. The properties studied were optical absorption coefficient (AC) and change in refractive index (CRI) of the quantum wire. In particular, effect of an inverse parabolic potential on the optical properties of CQWs was investigated. This was done by solving the Schrödinger equation within the effective mass approximation to obtain the wave functions. The inverse parabolic potential reduces transition energies and therefore redshifts peaks of the AC, as well as the anomalous dispersion region of the dependence of change in refractive index on the photon energy. The inverse parabolic potential also has effect on the magnitudes of these optical quantities, reducing the AC and enhancing the CRI. These properties of the inverse parabolic confining electric potential can have a wide range of applications in nanodevice technology, some details of which are discussed.
Effects of Freeze-Thaw Cycles on Gel-Forming Ability and Protein Denaturation in Alaska Pollock Frozen Surimi
Authors: Abe Shuji , Asada Takuma , Kajiwara Kazuhito
Published: July 2019

Frozen surimi may be damaged by freeze-thaw cycles (refreezing) under various conditions. However, few studies have examined the deterioration of the quality of refrozen surimi. The objective of this study was to determine the deterioration mechanism of refrozen surimi. We used Alaska pollock frozen surimi, which has been studied extensively for gel formation. Refreezing decreased the breaking strength and breaking strain of the heated gel. The length of the line in the diagram between breaking strength and gel stiffness (L value, which indicates the level of change in the breaking strength and gel stiffness with setting time) was also decreased. In contrast, the effect of refreezing on the texture of the gel without the setting process was small. The polymerization rate of myosin heavy chain in refrozen surimi during the setting process was slower than that in nonrefrozen surimi. Additionally, the Ca-ATPase activity of surimi was reduced by approximately 30% with each refreezing. These results demonstrate that the reduction in gel-forming ability by refreezing was caused by the decreased polymerization rate of myosin heavy chain because of myosin head denaturation. We also found that quality deterioration including myofibrillar protein denaturation of frozen surimi occurred mostly during first refreezing rather than during second refreezing. Overall, refreezing and/or repeated refreezing of surimi simply decreased the suwari gel-forming ability without changing the characteristics of surimi. The primary cause of the decrease in gel-forming ability induced by refreezing is considered to be the suppression of myosin heavy-chain polymerization during setting.
An Atypical Presentation of Lichen Planus-Like Reaction from Pembrolizumab
Authors: Lee Matthew , Seetharamu Nagashree
Published: July 2019

Introduction. With the advent of immunotherapy, a new subtype of side effects called IRAEs or immune related adverse effects have become more common. They may present in various organ systems as colitis, pneumonitis, hypophysitis, and thyroiditis and commonly as dermatological reactions. Case. This is a case report of a lung cancer patient that was started on Pembrolizumab and developed shortly after what appeared to be clinically at first pustular psoriasis but on biopsy was confirmed to be lichen planus. She was discontinued on the Pembrolizumab and treated with both systemic and topical steroids and improved. Conclusion. This case highlights a cutaneous reaction from Pembrolizumab and the subsequent management that helped resolve her condition but also weighing the benefits against the risk of treatments and potential prognostic implications of having cutaneous side effects.
The Numerical Analysis of the Flow on the Smooth and Nonsmooth Boundaries by IBEM/DBIEM
Authors: Xu Gang , Zhao Guangwei , Chen Jing , Wang Shuqi , Shi Weichao
Published: July 2019

The value of the tangential velocity on the Boundary Value Problem (BVP) is inaccurate when comparing the results with analytical solutions by Indirect Boundary Element Method (IBEM), especially at the intersection region where the normal vector is changing rapidly (named nonsmooth boundary). In this study, the singularity of the BVP, which is directly arranged in the center of the surface of the fluid computing domain, is moved outside the computational domain by using the Desingularized Boundary Integral Equation Method (DBIEM). In order to analyze the accuracy of the IBEM/DBIEM and validate the above‐mentioned problem, three‐dimensional uniform flow over a sphere has been presented. The convergent study of the presented model has been investigated, including desingularized distance in the DBIEM. Then, the numerical results were compared with the analytical solution. It was found that the accuracy of velocity distribution in the flow field has been greatly improved at the intersection region, which has suddenly changed the boundary surface shape of the fluid domain. The conclusions can guide the study on the flow over nonsmooth boundaries by using boundary value method.