bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Volumetric evaluation of lumbar epidural fat distribution in epidural lipomatosis and back pain in patients who are obese: introducing a novel technique (Fat Finder algorithm)
Authors: Walker Marcus Anthony , Younan Yara , de la Houssaye Christopher , Reimer Nickolas , Robertson Douglas D , Umpierrez Monica , Sharma Gulshan B , Gonzalez Felix M
Published: March 2019

Objective

Spinal epidural lipomatosis (EL) represents an excessive deposition of unencapsulated adipose tissue in the spinal canal that can result in chronic back pain in patients who are obese with and without diabetes. We aim to calculate the total volumetric epidural fat on lumbar spine MRI in a predominately obese population and correlate total epidural fat to lower back pain (LBP) and body mass index (BMI).

Research design and methods

We developed a program (Fat Finder) to quantify volumetric distribution of epidural fat throughout the lumbar spine. Eleven patients with LBP were imaged using two MRI protocols: parallel axial slices and conventional clinical protocol. The distribution of epidural fat per level was analyzed and normalized to the spinal canal size.

Results

Our sample had an average age of 59.9 years and BMI of 31.57 kg/m2. EL subgroup consisted of seven patients. The L2–L5 total fat volume was 3477.6 mm3(1431.1–5595.9) in the EL group versus 1783.8 mm3(815.0–2717.5) in the age-similar non-EL group. A higher percentage of fat volume in the canal was associated with higher LBP scores. The fat percentage was 32.2% among patients with EL versus 15.4% for age-similar non-EL with LBP score of 6.1 and 4.0, respectively.

Conclusions

The Fat Finder is a novel volumetric method to quantify epidural lumbar spinal fat. The epidural fat favors the lower spinal segment with direct proportionality between the fat volume and LBP score, independent of BMI.
Scapular winging on Exercise Cambrian Patrol: three soldiers in three days - an occupational risk?
Authors: Green Samuel , Hodgson H , Bobrowski J
Published: March 2019

Exercise CAMBRIAN PATROL is an internationally recognised, arduous patrolling exercise held annually in Mid-South Wales. The 2017 iteration of the exercise generated three uncommon shoulder injuries in three consecutive days, all of which were thought to have a similar aetiology. This article presents a case series of three instances of scapular winging in soldiers carrying heavy weight. We review the relevant anatomy and pathophysiology of long thoracic nerve injury and discuss management strategies of scapular winging. Occupational health considerations are reviewed, with respect to carrying large amounts of weight over distance and difficult terrain within the armed forces, along with discussion of a novel weight distribution system (VIRTUS) which has recently been brought into service by the British Army.
Getting to the heart of the matter: investigating the idiopathic sudden cardiac death of a previous well soldier
Authors: Eveson Leanne Jane , Cox A T , Dhutia H , Ensem B , Behr E , Sharma S
Published: March 2019

A 25-year-old infantry soldier, who was previously fit and well, had a cardiac arrest while undertaking an advanced fitness test. Despite early cardiopulmonary resuscitation by colleagues and the emergency services, he was later pronounced dead. A postmortem performed by an expert pathologist and a toxicology screen were normal and the death was attributed to sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS). Screening of his family in our Inherited Cardiac Conditions clinic identified Brugada syndrome (BrS) in two first-degree relatives. This case generates discussion on sudden cardiac death, family screening in SADS, BrS and the limitations of recruit screening with an ECG.
Military psychologists and cultural competence: exploring implications for the manifestation and treatment of psychological trauma in the British armed forces
Authors: Sturgeon-Clegg Imogen , McCauley M
Published: March 2019

This paper considers the manifestation and treatment of psychological trauma in the military. The article describes how military psychologists conceptualise psychological trauma within the culture of the Armed Forces (AF), which is reflected in the process of acquiring what has been referred to as cultural competency. Psychologists in this context acquire an understanding of the manner in which the psychological and organisational systems and culture of the military affect the presentation of psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The paper outlines core psychological features of military life, including some of the ways in which the AF functions effectively as an adaptable fighting force. This highlights, for example, the potential for stigma within and between military personnel who experience mental health difficulties. The article proceeds to examine aspects of help-seeking in military mental healthcare, how symptoms can present at different stages in a deployment process, and the consequences that such problems can cause for military conduct and performance. Psychological care in the military is structured within an occupational mental health ethos, in which psychologists fulfil a range of clinical, organisational and leadership roles. These dynamics are explored with examples of care pathways and clarity on evidence-based interventions for trauma and PTSD in those experiencing military-related psychological injuries. Two vignettes are then offered to illustrate how some of these interventions can be used psychotherapeutically in addressing symptoms pertaining to hyperarousal, hypervigilance, guilt and shame.
Magnetic resonance findings in a Cavalier King Charles spaniel with osteopetrosis, Chiari‐like malformation and syringomyelia
Authors: Fernandes Ricardo , Jordan C J , Driver Colin
Published: March 2019

Osteopetrosis (OP) is a rare genetic condition characterised by osteoclast impairment, deficient bone remodelling and increased bone density. Human patients with OP often present with fractures, osteomyelitis, anaemia, abnormal skeletal development, cranial nerve compression and rarely increased intracranial pressure secondary to craniosynostosis and/or calvarial thickening. A 17‐month‐old male neutered Cavalier King Charles spaniel was presented for evaluation of occasional painful vocalisation. MR of the brain and the vertebral column revealed a rare association of Chiari‐like malformation (CLM) and calvarial thickening due to diffuse OP resulting in severe cerebellar compression and herniation into the foramen magnum. To the authors’ knowledge, this report represents the first described case of calvarial thickening caused by OP in association with CLM and syringomyelia in veterinary medicine.
Assessment of the specificity of a gamma‐interferon test performed with specific antigens to detect bovine tuberculosis, after non‐negative results to intradermal tuberculin testing
Authors: Praud Anne , Bourély Clémence , Boschiroli Maria‐Laura , Dufour Barbara
Published: March 2019

In cattle herds in France, cervical skin tests (STs) using simple intradermal tuberculin (SIT) are performed to detect bovine tuberculosis (bTB). When positive results are found on ST screening, the herd is considered to be ‘under suspicion’ and confined, raising economic issues. The suspicion can be lifted by carrying out a single intradermal cervical comparative test (SICCT) at least six weeks later.The authors conducted an experimental study in France between 2013 and 2015 to assess the accuracy of the gamma‐interferon test (IFN‐γ), used in series after a non‐negative result to ST screening, and to study the possibility of replacing the SICCT performed six weeks later by an IFN performed within a few days. Data were collected concerning 40 infected and 1825 bTB‐free animals from herds with non‐negative results to ST screening. This study showed that the IFN‐γ test based on specific antigens and performed within a few days of a non‐negative result to the ST has higher sensitivity than the SICCT performed six weeks later and equal specificity. The IFN test is more convenient to perform; however, it is more expensive. The IFN‐γ test based on MIX antigens may be a useful alternative to the SICCT, to shorten the confinement period of suspect herds without underdetecting bTB.
Modification of a photosynthetic light-response (PLR) model for modeling the vertical gradient in the response of crown PLR curves
Authors: Liu Qiang , Dong Lihu , Li Fengri
Published: March 2019

The photosynthetic light-response (PLR) curve is a mathematical description of a single biochemical process that has been widely applied in many ecophysiological models. For trees, the heterogeneity of PLR curves within the crown is significant but rarely modeled by mathematical techniques. This paper establishes a modified model for estimating crown PLR curves based on PLR functions by linking the parameters of the PLR functions to leaf nitrogen (N), specific leaf area (SLA), and relative depth into the crown (RDINC). The modified models were assessed by considering the goodness of fit (adjusted coefficient of determination, [Formula: see text]; root mean square error, RMSE; and Akaike information criterion, AIC) and model structure. Significant correlations were observed between the parameters of PLR functions and N, SLA, and RDINC. The optimal modified PLR model, by linking RDINC into a modified Mitscherlich function, fit well due to its simple and easily understood structure. Therefore, it is feasible to simultaneously estimate the multilayered and varied PLR curves of the tree crown.
Dynamical and optimal procedure to analyze the exhibition of physical attributes imparted by Sutterby magneto-nanofluid in Darcy medium yielded by axially stretched cylinder
Authors: Bilal S. , Sohail M. , Naz R. , Malik M.Y.
Published: March 2019

This work aims to interpret the heat and mass transmission of Sutterby fluid by exploring the effects of a magnetic field. Flow field equations in cylindrical coordinates are obtained by incorporating Darcy resistance law. Afterwards, a mathematical structure for the physical problem is formulated. This formulation yields an intricate nonlinear set of partial differential expressions. A suitable scaling group of variables is employed on subsequent equations to convert them into non-dimensional form. Dynamical and optimal analyses are performed to achieve physical features of the present problem from the solution. A graphical depiction is presented for the flow behavior of convoluted physical parameters on velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles. Additionally, the quantities (local shear stress coefficient, thermal convective transfer coefficient, and local mass flux coefficient in the limiting case) that are responsible for extracting the physical phenomena in the vicinity of a stretched surface are computed and demarcated by varying controlling flow parameters.
Porphyrin-based homogeneous catalysts for the CO2 cycloaddition to epoxides and aziridines
Authors: Intrieri Daniela , Damiano Caterina , Sonzini Paolo , Gallo Emma
Published: March 2019

The direct insertion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into three-membered rings, such as epoxides and aziridines, represents a relevant strategy to obtain cyclic carbonates and oxazolidinones, which are two useful classes of fine chemicals. The synthesis of these compounds can be efficiently catalyzed by a combination of metal porphyrin complexes and various co-catalysts in homogeneous systems. The catalytic efficiency of these systems is discussed herein by taking into account both the characteristics of the metals and the nature of the co-catalysts, either when used as two-component systems or when combined in bifunctional catalysts. Moreover, mechanistic proposals of the CO2 cycloaddition processes are reported to provide a rationale of catalytic cycles in order to pave the way for designing more active and efficient catalytic procedures.
Evolution Characteristics of Composite Pressure-Arch in Thin Bedrock of Overlying Strata During Shallow Coal Mining
Authors: Wang S. R. , Wu X. G. , Zhao Y. H. , Hagan P. , Cao C.
Published: March 2019

Under the shallow coal mining condition and based on the cracking and movement rules of the roof in different mining stages, the mechanical models of symmetrical pressure-arch, stepped pressure-arch, rotating-squeezed pressure-arch in the mining field were established. Then, the instability criterion of each pressure-arch structure was derived. Through the similarity material experiment and numerical simulation, the evolution characteristics of the composite pressure-arches in the near- and far-field were revealed. Results show that the stepped pressure-arch in broken blocks of the basic roof was formed when the horizontal principal stress was greater than the in-situ stress. The broken blocks’ sliding could induce roof cutting off and strong weighting load. The structural characteristics of the overlying strata were determined by the thickness of the bedrock. The upper broken rocks formed a symmetrical pressure-arch in the near- and a far-field pressure-arch formed in the mining field. The median periodic broken rocks formed the rotating-squeezed pressure-arch, bearing the load of the loose layers and protecting the mining panel. After all bedrocks breaking, the latter arch foot of the far-field pressure-arch was transferred to the compacted caving zone. This study can provide a theoretical reference for the similar mining engineering.
Identify Key Genes by Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis for Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Xu Jichen , Zong Xianchun , Ren Qianshu , Wang Hongyu , Zhao Lijuan , Ji Jingshuang , Wang Jiaxing , Jiao Zhimin , Guo Zhaokui , Liang Xiaofei
Published: March 2019

The aim of this paper is to identify key genes in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) through weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and to further understand the molecular mechanism of LUAD. 107 gene expression profiles were downloaded from GSE10072 in the GEO database. We performed rigorous processing of the initial gene expression profile data. Subsequently, we used WGCNA to identify disease-driven modules and enforced functional enrichment analysis. The key genes were defined as the most connected genes in the driver module and were validated using the GSE75037 and TCGA database. GSE10072 removed 41 unpaired lung samples and 4 outliers. By analyzing the 62 samples using WGCNA, we obtained 26 modules and identified the brown and magenta modules as the driving modules for the LUAD. We found that the “Cell cycle”, “Oocyte meiosis” and “Progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation” pathways may be related to the occurrence of LUAD. GSE75037 removed 8 outlier and obtained 2909 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 26 genes (9 genes in the brown module, 17 genes in the magenta module) overlap with key genes in the driver module. The results of the survival analysis suggest that 19 genes were significantly correlated with the patient’s survival time, including KPNA2, FEN1, RRM2, TOP2A, CENPF, MCM4, BIRC5, MELK, MAD2L1, CCNB1, CCNA2, KIF11, CDKN3, NUSAP1, CEP55, AURKA, NEK2, KIF14 and CDCA8, which may be potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for LUAD. In this study, we provide a theoretical basis for further understanding the biological mechanism of LUAD through bioinformatics analysis of LUAD.
Cell Therapy and 3D Regenerative Tissue to Remodel Heart Failure
Authors: Mei Tianxiao , Le Wenjun , Cao Hao , Wang Zhan , Tang Wenjie , Liu Zhongmin , Shi Donglu
Published: March 2019

Heart failure (HF) remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world with an alarming rapid rise in heart diseases. Myocardial infarction (MI), depriving of blood flow to the heart muscle, causes myocardial necrosis and apoptosis resulting in decrease of myocardial quantity and ventricular remodeling, which is the main cause of HF. As mature cardiomyocytes (CMs) are incapable of differentiation and proliferation, cardiomyocytes damage is not likely to be reversed. Recent research has advanced to the point where damaged CMs or myocardium can be repaired by exogenous cells or artificial tissue. This review provides the most up-to-date information on the current status of cell therapy and tissue three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting for the treatment of HF. Requirements on 3D printing of biomaterials will be provided including biophysical properties, biocompatibility and biodegradable absorption in vivo that are key factors on the survival and proliferation of transplanted cells in the MI area. Also discussed are the current challenges in cell-based HF therapies and future perspectives in clinical applications.
Petroleum tectonic comparison of fold and thrust belts: the Zagros of Iraq and Iran, the Pyrenees of Spain, the Sevier of Western USA and the Beni Sub-Andean of Bolivia
Authors: Kendall Jerome , Vergés Jaume , Koshnaw Renas , Louterbach Melanie
Published: March 2019

The genetic analysis of fold and thrust belts is facilitated by tracking the evolution of their organic endowment (petroleum tectonics). Petroleum tectonic analysis of convergent orogenic systems provides an audit of the processes that control the deformation and kinematics of orogenic belts. The distribution and deformation paths of the organic endowment intervals are key factors in determining the petroleum system evolution of fold and thrust belts. This comparison of orogenic systems illustrates the importance of flexural v. dynamic processes, orogenic wedge taper, mechanical stratigraphy and inherited architecture on the creation, preservation and destruction of petroleum accumulations. The Zagros, Pyrenees, Sevier and Beni Sub-Andean convergent systems share key characteristics of fold and thrust belts, with major differences in scale, degree of incorporation of organic endowment in evolution of the fold and thrust belt and its foreland, and preservation of fold and thrust belt wedge-top deposits.

The Zagros is an orogen dominated by flexural processes that is a perfect storm for hydrocarbon generation and preservation. Its multiple stacked sources ensure continuous hydrocarbon generation while stacked detachments foster a low taper and thick wedge-top basins. The Pyrenees is also a flexurally dominated orogen, but the early consumption of its source rocks led to minimal survival of hydrocarbon accumulations during exhumation in a long lasting, high-taper orogenic wedge. The Sevier was initially a flexural orogen that was later dominated by dynamic uplift of the fold and thrust belt and distal foreland subsidence with foreland deformation. The consumption of its pre-orogenic sources during the early low-taper phase indicates a probable robust petroleum system at that time. However, the late high-taper phase exhumed and destroyed much of the early petroleum system. The addition of syntectonic foreland sources to be matured by both local and dynamic subsidence created an additional later set of petroleum systems. Post-orogenic events have left only remnants of world-class petroleum systems. The Beni segment of the Sub-Andean Orogen is a flexural system with probable dynamic overprints. Its most robust petroleum system probably occurred during its early low-taper flexural phase, with dynamic subsidence enhancement. Its late high-taper phase with possible dynamic uplift shuts down and stresses the petroleum systems. Comparison of these orogenic systems illustrates the importance of flexural v. dynamic processes, orogenic wedge taper kinematics, mechanical stratigraphy, distribution of source rocks relative to shortening and inherited architecture on the creation, preservation and destruction of petroleum accumulations in fold and thrust belts.
Stigmergy-Based Security for SoC Operations From Runtime Performance Degradation of SoC Components
Authors: Guha Krishnendu , Saha Debasri , Chakrabarti Amlan
Published: March 2019

The semiconductor design industry of the embedded era has embraced the globalization strategy for system on chip (SoC) design. This involves incorporation of various SoC components or intellectual properties (IPs), procured from various third-party IP (3PIP) vendors. However, trust of an SoC is challenged when a supplied IP is counterfeit or implanted with a Hardware Trojan Horse. Both roots of untrust may result in sudden performance degradation at runtime. None of the existing hardware security approaches organize the behavior of the IPs at the low level, to ensure timely completion of SoC operations. However, real-time SoC operations are always associated with a deadline, and a deadline miss due to sudden performance degradation of any of the IPs may jeopardize mission-critical applications. We seek refuge to the stigmergic behavior exhibited in insect colonies to propose a decentralized self-aware security approach. The self-aware security modules attached with each IP works based on the Observe-Decide-Act paradigm and not only detects vulnerability but also organizes behavior of the IPs dynamically at runtime so that the high-level objective of task completion before a deadline is ensured. Experimental validation and low overhead of our proposed security modules over various benchmark IPs and crypto SoCs depict the prospects of our proposed mechanism.
Human and DNN Classification Performance on Images With Quality Distortions
Authors: Dodge Samuel , Karam Lina
Published: March 2019

Image quality is an important practical challenge that is often overlooked in the design of machine vision systems. Commonly, machine vision systems are trained and tested on high-quality image datasets, yet in practical applications the input images cannot be assumed to be of high quality. Modern deep neural networks (DNNs) have been shown to perform poorly on images affected by blur or noise distortions. In this work, we investigate whether human subjects also perform poorly on distorted stimuli and provide a direct comparison with the performance of DNNs. Specifically, we study the effect of Gaussian blur and additive Gaussian noise on human and DNN classification performance. We perform two experiments: one crowd-sourced experiment with unlimited stimulus display time, and one lab experiment with 100ms display time. In both cases, we found that humans outperform neural networks on distorted stimuli, even when the networks are retrained with distorted data.
Single- and Multi-FPGA Acceleration of Dense Stereo Vision for Planetary Rovers
Authors: Lentaris George , Maragos Konstantinos , Soudris Dimitrios , Zabulis Xenophon , Lourakis Manolis
Published: March 2019

Increased mobile autonomy is a vital requisite for future planetary exploration rovers. Stereo vision is a key enabling technology in this regard, as it can passively reconstruct in three dimensions the surroundings of a rover and facilitate the selection of science targets and the planning of safe routes. Nonetheless, accurate dense stereo algorithms are computationally demanding. When executed on the low-performance, radiation-hardened CPUs typically installed on rovers, slow stereo processing severely limits the driving speed and hence the science that can be conducted
in situ
. Aiming to decrease execution time while increasing the accuracy of stereo vision embedded in future rovers, this article proposes HW/SW co-design and acceleration on resource-constrained, space-grade FPGAs. In a top-down approach, we develop a stereo algorithm based on the space sweep paradigm, design its parallel HW architecture, implement it with VHDL, and demonstrate feasible solutions even on small-sized devices with our multi-FPGA partitioning methodology. To meet all cost, accuracy, and speed requirements set by the European Space Agency for this system, we customize our HW/SW co-processor by design space exploration and testing on a Mars-like dataset. Implemented on Xilinx Virtex technology, or European NG-MEDIUM devices, the FPGA kernel processes a 1,120 × 1,120 stereo pair in 1.7s−3.1s, utilizing only 5.4−9.3 LUT6 and 200−312 RAMB18. The proposed system exhibits up to 32× speedup over desktop CPUs, or 2,810× over space-grade LEON3, and achieves a mean reconstruction error less than 2cm up to 4m depth. Excluding errors exceeding 2cm (which are less than 4% of the total), the mean error is under 8mm.
Challenges in Identifying the Dark Molecules of Life
Authors: Monge María Eugenia , Dodds James N. , Baker Erin S. , Edison Arthur S. , Fernández Facundo M.
Published: March 2019

Metabolomics is the study of the metabolome, the collection of small molecules in living organisms, cells, tissues, and biofluids. Technological advances in mass spectrometry, liquid- and gas-phase separations, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and big data analytics have now made it possible to study metabolism at an omics or systems level. The significance of this burgeoning scientific field cannot be overstated: It impacts disciplines ranging from biomedicine to plant science. Despite these advances, the central bottleneck in metabolomics remains the identification of key metabolites that play a class-discriminant role. Because metabolites do not follow a molecular alphabet as proteins and nucleic acids do, their identification is much more time consuming, with a high failure rate. In this review, we critically discuss the state-of-the-art in metabolite identification with specific applications in metabolomics and how technologies such as mass spectrometry, ion mobility, chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance currently contribute to this challenging task.
Evaluating and Enhancing Target Specificity of Gene-Editing Nucleases and Deaminases
Authors: Kim Daesik , Luk Kevin , Wolfe Scot A. , Kim Jin-Soo
Published: March 2019

Programmable nucleases and deaminases, which include zinc-finger nucleases, transcription activator-like effector nucleases, CRISPR RNA-guided nucleases, and RNA-guided base editors, are now widely employed for the targeted modification of genomes in cells and organisms. These gene-editing tools hold tremendous promise for therapeutic applications. Importantly, these nucleases and deaminases may display off-target activity through the recognition of near-cognate DNA sequences to their target sites, resulting in collateral damage to the genome in the form of local mutagenesis or genomic rearrangements. For therapeutic genome-editing applications with these classes of programmable enzymes, it is essential to measure and limit genome-wide off-target activity. Herein, we discuss the key determinants of off-target activity for these systems. We describe various cell-based and cell-free methods for identifying genome-wide off-target sites and diverse strategies that have been developed for reducing the off-target activity of programmable gene-editing enzymes.
Genomic Data Compression
Authors: Hernaez Mikel , Pavlichin Dmitri , Weissman Tsachy , Ochoa Idoia
Published: March 2019

Recently, there has been growing interest in genome sequencing, driven by advances in sequencing technology, in terms of both efficiency and affordability. These developments have allowed many to envision whole-genome sequencing as an invaluable tool for both personalized medical care and public health. As a result, increasingly large and ubiquitous genomic data sets are being generated. This poses a significant challenge for the storage and transmission of these data. Already, it is more expensive to store genomic data for a decade than it is to obtain the data in the first place. This situation calls for efficient representations of genomic information. In this review, we emphasize the need for designing specialized compressors tailored to genomic data and describe the main solutions already proposed. We also give general guidelines for storing these data and conclude with our thoughts on the future of genomic formats and compressors.
Skin-Mountable Biosensors and Therapeutics: A Review
Authors: Lee Eun Kwang , Kim Min Ku , Lee Chi Hwan
Published: March 2019

Miniaturization of electronic components and advances in flexible and stretchable materials have stimulated the development of wearable health care systems that can reflect and monitor personal health status by health care professionals. New skin-mountable devices that offer seamless contact onto the human skin, even under large deformations by natural motions of the wearer, provide a route for both high-fidelity monitoring and patient-controlled therapy. This article provides an overview of several important aspects of skin-mountable devices and their applications in many medical settings and clinical practices. We comprehensively describe various transdermal sensors and therapeutic systems that are capable of detecting physical, electrophysiological, and electrochemical responses and/or providing electrical and thermal therapies and drug delivery services, and we discuss the current challenges, opportunities, and future perspectives in the field. Finally, we present ways to protect the embedded electronic components of skin-mountable devices from the environment by use of mechanically soft packaging materials.
Biophysics of Chromatin Dynamics
Authors: Fierz Beat , Poirier Michael G.
Published: March 2019

Nucleosomes and chromatin control eukaryotic genome accessibility and thereby regulate DNA processes, including transcription, replication, and repair. Conformational dynamics within the nucleosome and chromatin structure play a key role in this regulatory function. Structural fluctuations continuously expose internal DNA sequences and nucleosome surfaces, thereby providing transient access for the nuclear machinery. Progress in structural studies of nucleosomes and chromatin has provided detailed insight into local chromatin organization and has set the stage for recent in-depth investigations of the structural dynamics of nucleosomes and chromatin fibers. Here, we discuss the dynamic processes observed in chromatin over different length scales and timescales and review current knowledge about the biophysics of distinct structural transitions.
Harnessing Nature's Anaerobes for Biotechnology and Bioprocessing
Authors: Podolsky Igor A. , Seppälä Susanna , Lankiewicz Thomas S. , Brown Jennifer L. , Swift Candice L. , O'Malley Michelle A.
Published: March 2019

Industrial biotechnology has the potential to decrease our reliance on petroleum for fuel and bio-based chemical production and also enable valorization of waste streams. Anaerobic microorganisms thrive in resource-limited environments and offer an array of novel bioactivities in this regard that could revolutionize biomanufacturing. However, they have not been adopted for widespread industrial use owing to their strict growth requirements, limited number of available strains, difficulty in scale-up, and genetic intractability. This review provides an overview of current and future uses for anaerobes in biotechnology and bioprocessing in the postgenomic era. We focus on the recently characterized anaerobic fungi (Neocallimastigomycota) native to the digestive tract of large herbivores, which possess a trove of enzymes, pathways, transporters, and other biomolecules that can be harnessed for numerous biotechnological applications. Resolving current genetic intractability, scale-up, and cultivation challenges will unlock the potential of these lignocellulolytic fungi and other nonmodel micro-organisms to accelerate bio-based production.
Immunoinformatics Approach for Multiepitopes Vaccine Prediction against Glycoprotein B of Avian Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus
Authors: Ali Sumaia A. , Almofti Yassir A. , Abd-elrahman Khoubieb A.
Published: March 2019

Infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) is a gallid herpesvirus type 1, a member of the genus Iltovirus. It causes an infection in the upper respiratory tract mainly trachea which results in significant economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. Vaccination against ILTV produced latent infected carriers’ birds, which become a source of virus transmission to nonvaccinated flocks. Thus this study aimed to design safe multiepitopes vaccine against glycoprotein B of ILT virus using immunoinformatic tools. Forty-four sequences of complete envelope glycoprotein B were retrieved from GenBank of National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and aligned for conservancy by multiple sequence alignment (MSA). Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) analysis resources were used to predict and analyze candidate epitopes that could act as a promising peptide vaccine. For B cell epitopes, thirty-one linear epitopes were predicted using Bepipred. However eight epitopes were found to be on both surface and antigenic epitopes using Emini surface accessibility and antigenicity, respectively. Three epitopes (190KKLP193, 386YSSTHVRS393, and 317KESV320) were proposed as B cell epitopes. For T cells several epitopes were interacted with MHC class I with high affinity and specificity, but the best recognized epitopes were 118YVFNVTLYY126, 335VSYKNSYHF343, and 622YLLYEDYTF630. MHC-II binding epitopes, 301FLTDEQFTI309,277FLEIANYQV285, and 743IASFLSNPF751, were proposed as promising epitopes due to their high affinity for MHC-II molecules. Moreover the docked ligand epitopes from MHC-1 molecule exhibited high binding affinity with the receptors; BF chicken alleles (BF2 2101 and 0401) expressed by the lower global energy of the molecules. In this study nine epitopes were predicted as promising vaccine candidate against ILTV. In vivo and in vitro studies are required to support the effectiveness of these predicted epitopes as a multipeptide vaccine through clinical trials.
A Case Study of Malrotated Kidneys with Asymmetric Multiple Renal Arteries, Variant Venous Drainage, and Unilateral Ureteral Duplication
Authors: Dunnwald Martine , Pizzimenti Marc A.
Published: March 2019

Variations in the arterial, venous, and ureteral patterning of the right (r) and left (l) kidneys are common; however, concomitant involvement with all three systems is rare. Specimens that demonstrate anatomic variation across multiple systems provide an opportunity to illustrate links between anatomic concepts, embryologic development, clinical practice, and education. During anatomic study of the abdominal cavity, a total of five major arteries (3l and 2r) emerged from the aortic and common iliac axes in a cadaveric donor. Through continued study, multiple contributing veins, of different caliber, coalesced into four major renal veins (2l and 2r) that returned blood from the kidneys to the inferior vena cava (IVC) at different locations. In addition, unilateral duplication of the kidney with concomitant ureters was evident on the right side. Both ureters continued inferiorly and independently entered the bladder, each with an observable orifice adjacent to the bladder trigone. Most evident in the specimen was the anteriorly directed hilum for both kidneys. Reported measures for each of the observed anatomic variations suggest that the current specimen has an estimated incidence of less than 0.3%. This comparatively rare specimen provides an example of important anatomic concepts that are relevant to educational and clinical practices.
Fly Ash/Blast Furnace Slag-Based Geopolymer as a Potential Binder for Mine Backfilling: Effect of Binder Type and Activator Concentration
Authors: Qiu Jingping , Zhao Yingliang , Xing Jun , Sun Xiaogang
Published: March 2019

This article investigated the potential of fly ash (FA)/blast furnace slag- (BFS-) based geopolymer as a novel backfilling material. The effects of NaOH concentration and FA/BFS mass ratio were explored through XRD, FTIR, and TG-DTG analyses. The results indicated that the reaction products and strengths of geopolymer depended on the NaOH concentration and types of source materials. Slump, final setting time, and setting ratio increased as a function of FA content. However, the increase in FA content reduced the compressive strength and microstructure of the backfilling material (BM) due to the lower reactivity than BFS. Microstructure analysis reveals that the matrix tends to be denser with the BFS content and NaOH concentration increase.
Anthropic Principle’s Predicting Symmetric Distribution Matter Strata, Their Physics Laws, and Verifications
Authors: Huang Changyu , Huang Yong-Chang
Published: March 2019

This paper shows anthropic principle’s predicting symmetric distribution matter strata, their physics laws, and verifications, concretely deduces characteristic time, energy, and temperature expressions at different scales, discovers four interesting invariant quantities, shows homeomorphic theorem of space map, and naturally presents a supersymmetric scale energy. We further discover that any infinitesimal space has the same proportional structure space; namely, they have renormalization group invariance. Consequently, this paper shows that the region of any nth level Plank-scope is from the nth level Planck scale to the (n+1)​th level Planck scale, where the different matters of the nthlevel Planck scale build up the (n+1)th level Planck scale matter. The branches of physics science for this region include the nth level Planck scale matter dynamics and the nth level Planck scale matter group dynamics. The nth level Planck scale matter group dynamics describe how the nth level Planck scale matter constructs the (n+1)th level Planck scale matter and how the different matters of the nth level Planck scale evolve in the group system. This paper discovers that the different matters below Planck scale can exist with our matter world at the same time and same place and may be some candidates for dark matter; furthermore, this paper shows a relative theorem of matter scale: for the world of any nth level, the matters’ sizes are relative, not absolute. Evidently, the discoveries of both the symmetrical distribution scales and the relations among the corresponding different physics laws from infinitesimal to infinitely large scales give a scientific solid development platform for formation of new scientific branches and deeper development of old scientific branches, because we can precisely construct many kinds of scientific theories relevant to all the corresponding matter strata. All the branch sciences of different matter strata up to now naturally need to be included in the framework of the new scientific system of physics.
Efficient Hybrid Method of FEA‐Based RSM and PSO Algorithm for Multi‐Objective Optimization Design for a Compliant Rotary Joint for Upper Limb Assistive Device
Authors: Chau Ngoc Le , Le Hieu Giang , Dao Thanh-Phong , Dang Minh Phung , Dang Van Anh
Published: March 2019

This paper proposes an efficient hybrid methodology for multi‐objective optimization design of a compliant rotary joint (CRJ). A combination of the Taguchi method (TM), finite element analysis (FEA), the response surface method (RSM), and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is developed to solving the optimization problem. Firstly, the TM is applied to determine the number of numerical experiments. And then, 3D models of the CRJ is built for FEA simulation, and mathematical models are formed using the RSM. Subsequently, the suitability of the regression equation is assessed. At the same time, the calculation of weight factors is identified based on the series of statistical equations. Based on the well‐established equations, a minimum mass and a maximum rotational angle are simultaneously optimized through the PSO algorithm. Analysis of variance is used to analyze the contribution of design variables. The behavior of the proposed method is compared to the adaptive elitist differential evolution and cuckoo search algorithm through the Wilcoxon signed rank test and Friedman test. The results determined the weight factors of the mass and rotational angle are about 0.4983 and 0.5017, respectively. The results found that the optimum the mass and rotational angle are 0.0368 grams and 59.1928 degrees, respectively. It revealed that the maximum stress of 335 MPa can guarantee a long working time. The results showed that the proposed hybrid method outperforms compared to other evolutionary algorithms. The predicted results are close to the validation results. The proposed method is useful for related engineering fields.
Traffic Network Modeling and Extended Max‐Pressure Traffic Control Strategy Based on Granular Computing Theory
Authors: Hao ShenXue , Yang LiCai
Published: March 2019

Reasonable traffic network model and flexible traffic control strategy play important roles in improving the urban traffic control efficiency. Introducing granular computing theory into traffic network modeling and traffic control is a useful attempt, since granular computing is closer to the human thinking in solving problems. In this paper, the traffic elements are depicted using S‐rough set to achieve the granulation partition of traffic network. Four layers are partitioned in the proposed hierarchical multigranularity traffic network model, such as vehicle layer, platoon layer, segment and intersection layer, and subregion layer. Each traffic granule is represented in rough representation form, and the dynamic characteristics are described using the elementary transfer operations based on S‐rough set theory. As an application on the proposed traffic network model, an extended max‐pressure traffic control strategy is applied on the platoon and segment and intersection layer. Simulation results illustrate that the proposed traffic network model and traffic control strategy achieve better performance.
Spontaneous Heterotopic Pregnancy Associated with Massive Intraperitoneal Haemorrhage and a Normal Heart Rate, Illustrating the Concept of Relative Bradycardia
Authors: Gallaher Charles , Tahmasebi Farshad , Sayasneh Ahmad , Mehra Gautam
Published: March 2019

A 28-year-old, 9 and a half weeks pregnant (spontaneous conception) multigravida presented with abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. On examination, her abdomen was diffusely tender, particularly in the right iliac fossa, though guarding was absent. Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasonography demonstrated a viable intrauterine pregnancy and large-volume intraperitoneal haemoperitoneum; the right ovary could not be identified. The patient became hypotensive with decreased responsiveness, yet her heart rate remained normal. She proceeded to surgery where a ruptured right tubal ectopic pregnancy was identified and right salpingectomy was performed. Estimated blood loss was 3900ml. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. Ultrasound 3 days after surgery demonstrated a viable intrauterine pregnancy of gestational age 9 weeks + 1 day. The patient remains well. Her anomaly scan at 20 weeks and 6 days showed normal growth, amniotic fluid, and Dopplers with no obvious structural defects. She is currently 27 weeks pregnant and will be rescanned at 36 weeks.
A Short Server-Aided Certificateless Aggregate Multisignature Scheme in the Standard Model
Authors: Trinh Viet Cuong
Published: March 2019

Aggregate signature scheme allows each signer to sign a different message and then all those signatures are aggregated into a single short signature. In contrast, multisignature scheme allows multisigners to jointly sign only one message. Aggregate multisignature scheme is a combination of both aforementioned signature schemes, where signers can choose to generate either a multisignature or an aggregate signature. This combination scheme has many concrete application scenarios such as Bitcoin blockchain, Healthcare, Multicast Acknowledgment Aggregation, and so on. On the other hand, to deal with the problems of expensive certificates in certified public key cryptography and key escrow in identity-based cryptography, the notion of certificateless public key cryptography has been introduced by Riyami and Paterson at Asiacrypt’03. In this paper, we propose the first certificateless aggregate multisignature scheme that achieves the constant-size of signature and is secure in the standard model under a generalization of the Diffie-Hellman exponent assumption. In our scheme, however, the signature is generated with the help of the authority.
Molecular Sieving Film Prepared by Vacuum Filtration for the Efficient Removal of Tetracycline Antibiotics from Pharmaceutical Wastewater
Authors: Song Zhi , Ma Yu-Long , Li Cong-Er , Xu Man , Zhang Cong
Published: March 2019

The pharmaceutical wastewater (PW) produced during the production of antibiotics has a huge impact on the ecological environment. The efficient removal of residual antibiotics from PW has become a great challenge. Here, a ZIF-8/GO composite film, a new material, was prepared by loading ZIF-8/GO nanosheets onto the surface of a polyethyleneimine- (PEI-) modified nylon microporous support. This new material can effectively remove tetracycline (TC) from PW with a removal rate of 99%. In addition, the layer of ZIF-8/GO nanosheets on the surface of the carrier had certain defect sites. This feature not only made the film have a relatively high flux (502 L·m−2·h−1·bar−1) but also overcame the disadvantages of the traditional membrane separation technology, such as the high operation pressure required by the easy plugging of micropores. More importantly, the abovementioned advantages enable the novel material to be applied on a larger scale. A probable adsorption mechanism was investigated and suggested.
Dexamethasone-Loaded Chitosan Beads Coated with a pH-Dependent Interpolymer Complex for Colon-Specific Drug Delivery
Authors: García-Couce Jomarien , Bada-Rivero Nancy , López Hernández Orestes D. , Nogueira Antonio , Caracciolo Pablo C. , Abraham Gustavo A. , Ramón Hernández José A. , Peniche Carlos
Published: March 2019

Chitosan (CS) microparticles loaded with dexamethasone were prepared by spray drying, followed by coating with a pH-dependent interpolymer complex based on poly(acrylic acid)/poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) using an water-in-oil emulsion technique. The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of PAA/PVP coating on the release of dexamethasone from loaded chitosan microparticles, in simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH=1.2) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF, pH=6.8). The release of dexamethasone from uncoated loaded CS microparticles was similar in both fluids, and almost complete release of the drug was achieved in 5 hours. In the coated loaded CS microparticles, the release of dexamethasone in SGF was reduced considerably, very close to zero, due to the interpolymer complex formation at low pH, demonstrating that this system applied as pH-dependent coating has a potential as a site-specific delivery system.
Anticonvulsant Effects of Dingxian Pill in Pentylenetetrazol-Kindled Rats
Authors: Zhu Yudan , Zhang Shuzhang , Shen Mei , Zhang Zhiping , Xu Kan , Cheng Jiwei , Ge Yiqin , Tao Jie
Published: March 2019

Dingxian pill has been used as an antiepilepsy agent in China from ancient to modern times, of which the concrete pharmacological characterization and the underlying molecular mechanism remain unclear. The present study was undertaken to investigate them by animal behavior, electroencephalogram (EEG), Morris water maze, immunohistochemistry, transcriptomics, and real-time PCR. In our results, the treatment of Dingxian pill dose-dependently inhibited PTZ-induced seizure-like behavior and reduced the seizure grades, LFP power spectral density, and brain wave of the epileptiform EEG component induced by PTZ. In Morris water maze tests, the learning and memory ability of kindled epileptic rats could be attenuated more efficiently by Dingxian pill. For the immediate early gene c-fos, the expression was reduced after Dingxian pill treatment, and the difference was significant between the treatment and the model group. Through the transcriptome analysis of the gene expression in hippocampus, Egr3, Nrg, Arc, and Ptgs2, closely related to epilepsy, had been proved to be downregulated by application of Dingxian pill. All of the results not only highlight the antiepileptic effects of Dingxian pill and its molecular mechanism, but also provide a modern validity theory for the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).