bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low mortality oxidative stress murine chronic wound model
Authors: Panayi Adriana C , Endo Yori , Karvar Mehran , Sensharma Prerana , Haug Valentin , Fu Siqi , Mi Bobin , An Yang , Orgill Dennis P
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Investigators have struggled to produce a reliable chronic wound model. Recent progress with antioxidant enzyme inhibitors shows promise, but mortality rates are high. We modified the dosage and administration of an antioxidant enzyme inhibitor regimen to reduce mortality while inducing a chronic wound environment.

Research design and methods

To chemically induce a chronic wound environment, we applied modified doses of catalase (3-amino-1,2,4-triazole; intraperitoneal 0.5 g/kg) and glutathione peroxidase (mercaptosuccinic acid; topical 300 mg/kg) inhibitors to the dorsal wounds of 11-week-old db/db mice. A cohort of these mice was treated with a collagen-glycosaminoglycan scaffold. Both groups were compared with Diabetic control mice.

Results

This study successfully induced a chronic wound in 11-week-old db/db mice, with no animal deaths. The antioxidant enzyme treated groups showed delayed wound contraction and significantly higher levels of inflammatory tissue, collagen deposition, cellular proliferation and leukocyte infiltration than the Diabetic control group. Angiogenesis was significantly higher in the antioxidant enzyme treated groups, but the vessels were immature and friable. Scaffold engraftment was poor but appeared to promote blood vessel maturation.

Conclusions

Overall, the two in vivo groups treated with the antioxidant enzyme inhibitors appeared to be arrested in the inflammatory stage of wound healing, while the Diabetic control group progressed to the maturation phase and ultimately remodeling. This model may be instrumental for the development of new wound therapeutics.
Effect of alcohol consumption and the presence of fatty liver on the risk for incident type 2 diabetes: a population-based longitudinal study
Authors: Okamura Takuro , Hashimoto Yoshitaka , Hamaguchi Masahide , Obora Akihiro , Kojima Takao , Fukui Michiaki
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Both fatty liver disease (FLD) and alcohol consumption have been reported to affect incident type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of FLD and alcohol consumption on incident type 2 diabetes.

Research design and methods

In this historical cohort study involving 9948 men, we investigated the influence of the presence of FLD and the grades of alcohol consumption on incident type 2 diabetes using Cox proportional hazards models. We categorized the participants into the following four groups: none or minimal alcohol consumption, <40 g/week; light, 40–140 g/week; moderate, 140–280 g/week; or heavy alcohol consumption, >280 g/week. FLD was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography.

Results

During the median 6.0-year follow-up, 568 participants developed type 2 diabetes. Heavy alcohol consumers with FLD showed a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes compared with the other groups. Moderate alcohol consumers without FLD had a significantly higher risk for developing incident type 2 diabetes, compared with none or minimal and light alcohol consumers without FLD. In contrast, there was no apparent difference in the risk for incident type 2 diabetes between none or minimal, light, and moderate alcohol consumers with FLD. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in the risk for incident type 2 diabetes between a moderate and heavy alcohol consumer without FLD and a none or minimal, light, and moderate alcohol consumer with FLD.

Conclusions

To prevent incident type 2 diabetes, we should acknowledge that the impact of alcohol consumption may vary in the presence of FLD.
Cell-based artificial APC resistant to lentiviral transduction for efficient generation of CAR-T cells from various cell sources
Authors: Schmidts Andrea , Marsh Leah C , Srivastava Ambike A , Bouffard Amanda A , Boroughs Angela C , Scarfò Irene , Larson Rebecca C , Bedoya Felipe , Choi Bryan D , Frigault Matthew J , Bailey Stefanie R , Leick Mark B , Vatsa Sonika , Kann Michael C , Prew Michelle S , Kleinstiver Benjamin P , Joung J Keith , Maus Marcela V
Published: September 2020

Background

Adoptive cell therapy with chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) has become a standard treatment for patients with certain aggressive B cell malignancies and holds promise to improve the care of patients suffering from numerous other cancers in the future. However, the high manufacturing cost of CAR-T cell therapies poses a major barrier to their broader clinical application. Among the key cost drivers of CAR-T production are single-use reagents for T cell activation and clinical-grade viral vector. The presence of variable amounts of contaminating monocytes in the starting material poses an additional challenge to CAR-T manufacturing, since they can impede T cell stimulation and transduction, resulting in manufacturing failure.

Methods

We created K562-based artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPC) with genetically encoded T cell stimulation and costimulation that represent an inexhaustible source for T cell activation. We additionally disrupted endogenous expression of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) on these aAPC (aAPC-ΔLDLR) using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing nucleases to prevent inadvertent lentiviral transduction and avoid the sink effect on viral vector during transduction. Using various T cell sources, we produced CD19-directed CAR-T cells via aAPC-ΔLDLR-based activation and tested their in vitro and in vivo antitumor potency against B cell malignancies.

Results

We found that lack of LDLR expression on our aAPC-ΔLDLR conferred resistance to lentiviral transduction during CAR-T production. Using aAPC-ΔLDLR, we achieved efficient expansion of CAR-T cells even from unpurified starting material like peripheral blood mononuclear cells or unmanipulated leukapheresis product, containing substantial proportions of monocytes. CD19-directed CAR-T cells that we produced via aAPC-ΔLDLR-based expansion demonstrated potent antitumor responses in preclinical models of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and B-cell lymphoma.

Conclusions

Our aAPC-ΔLDLR represent an attractive approach for manufacturing of lentivirally transduced T cells that may be simpler and more cost efficient than currently available methods.
A new role for circulating T follicular helper cells in humoral response to anti-PD-1 therapy
Authors: Sánchez-Alonso Santiago , Setti-Jerez Giulia , Arroyo Montserrat , Hernández Tathiana , Martos Mª Inmaculada , Sánchez-Torres Jose Miguel , Colomer Ramon , Ramiro Almudena R , Alfranca Arantzazu
Published: September 2020

Background

Lung cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies in humans and is a major cause of death. A number of therapies aimed at reinforcing antitumor immune response, including antiprogrammed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) antibodies, are successfully used to treat several neoplasias as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, host immune mechanisms that participate in response to anti-PD-1 therapy are not completely understood.

Methods

We used a syngeneic immunocompetent mouse model of NSCLC to analyze host immune response to anti-PD-1 treatment in secondary lymphoid organs, peripheral blood and tumors, by flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). In addition, we also studied specific characteristics of selected immune subpopulations in ex vivo functional assays.

Results

We show that anti-PD-1 therapy induces a population of circulating T follicular helper cells (cTfh) with enhanced B activation capacity, which participates in tumor response to treatment. Anti-PD-1 increases the number of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), which correlates with impaired tumor growth. Of note, TLS support cTfh-associated local antibody production, which participates in host immune response against tumor.

Conclusion

These findings unveil a novel mechanism of action for anti-PD-1 therapy and provide new targets for optimization of current therapies against lung cancer.
Derivo embolization device in the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms: a prospective multicenter study
Authors: Taschner Christian A , Stracke Christian Paul , Dorn Franziska , Kadziolka Krzysztof Bartosz , Kreiser Kornelia , Solymosi László , Pham Mirko , Buhk Jan Hendrik , Turowski Bernd , Reith Wolfgang , Elsheikh Samer , Meckel Stephan , Janssen Hendrik , Hammer Alexander , Beuing Oliver , Jansen Olav , Urbach Horst , Knauth Michael , Jenkner Carolin , Chapot René
Published: September 2020

Background

Flow diverters (FD) are used regularly for the endovascular treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. We aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of the Derivo embolization device (DED) with respect to long-term clinical and angiographic outcomes.

Methods

A prospective multicenter trial was conducted at 12 centers. Patients presenting with modified Rankin Score (mRS) of 0–1, treated for unruptured intracranial aneurysms with DED were eligible. Primary endpoint was the mRS assessed at 18 months with major morbidity defined as mRS 3–5. Satisfactory angiographic occlusion was defined as 3+4 on the Kamran scale.

Results

Between July 2014 and February 2018, 119 patients were enrolled. Twenty-three patients were excluded. Ninety-six patients, 71 (74%) female, mean age 54±12.0 years, were included in the analysis. Mean aneurysm size was 14.2±16.9 mm. The mean number of devices implanted per patient was 1.2 (range 1–3). Clinical follow-up at 18 months was available in 90 (94%) patients, resulting in a mean follow-up period of 14.8±5.2 months. At last available follow-up of 96 enrolled patients, 91 (95%) remained mRS 0–1. The major morbidity rate (mRS 3–5) was 3.1% (3/96), major stroke rate was 4.2% (4/96), and mortality was 0%. Follow-up angiographies were available in 89 (93%) patients at a median of 12.4±5.84 months with a core laboratory adjudicated satisfactory aneurysm occlusion in 89% (79/89).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that DED is a safe and effective treatment for unruptured aneurysms with high rates of satisfactory occlusion and comparably low rates of permanent neurological morbidity and mortality.

Trial registration

DRKS00006103
The transvenous retrograde pressure cooker technique for the curative embolization of high-grade brain arteriovenous malformations
Authors: Koyanagi Masaomi , Mosimann Pascal John , Nordmeyer Hannes , Heddier Markus , Krause Juergen , Narata Ana-Paula , Serwi Ahmed El , Stracke Christian Paul , Chapot René
Published: September 2020

Background

Transvenous embolization of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) can be curative. We aimed to evaluate the cure rate and safety of the transvenous retrograde pressure cooker technique (RPCT) using coils and n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate as a venous plug.

Methods

All AVM patients treated via transvenous embolization between December 2004 and February 2017 in a single center were extracted from our database. Inclusion criteria were: inability to achieve transarterial cure alone; AVM < 3 cm; and single main draining vein. Outcome measures were immediate and 90 days' angiographic AVM occlusion rate, and morbidity and mortality at 30 days and 12 months, according to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score.

Results

Fifty-one patients (20 women; median age 47 years) were included. A majority (71%) were high grade (3 to 5 in the Spetzler–Martin classification). AVMs were deeply seated in 30 (59%) and cortical in 21 patients (41%). Thirty-three patients were previously embolized transarterially (65%). All patients but one were cured within a single session with the RPCT (96%). Cure was confirmed on follow-up digital subtraction angiography at 3 months in 82% of patients. Three patients experienced intracranial hemorrhage (6%), one requiring surgical evacuation. There were no deaths. One treatment-related major permanent deficit was observed (2.0%). Mean mRS before treatment, at 30 days, and 12 months after RPCT was 1.5, 1.5, and 1.3, respectively.

Conclusions

The retrograde pressure cooker technique can be curative in carefully selected high-grade AVMs. Long-term follow-up and prospective studies are needed to confirm our results.
Snare salvage technique for deformed WEB device after deployment
Authors: Aljuboori Zaid , Ding Dale , James Robert F
Published: September 2020

The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device is a new endovascular technology that allows safe and effective treatment of wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms without the need for dual antiplatelet therapy.1–4 The case is presented of a patient in their 50 s with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus and receiving warfarin for recurrent deep venous thrombosis and an unruptured right middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysm. The aneurysm was treated with a WEB SL aneurysm embolization device (MicroVention, Tustin, California, USA). After the final deployment, a technical error (inadvertent forward movement of the pusher) led to the deformation of the device along its longitudinal axis, leaving the aneurysm partially untreated. An Amplatz Goose Neck Microsnare was used to capture the proximal detachment marker and used gentle traction to restore the original shape of the device (video 1).5–7 A follow-up angiogram revealed a restoration of the device’s shape with a similar result during the 4- month follow-up angiogram.

Video 1
Experimental study on the flexural behavior of flat steel – concrete composite beam
Authors: Cao Xianlei , Cheng Chao , Wang Min , Zhong Wen , Kong Zhengyi , Chen Zongping
Published: September 2020

In this study, a new type of composite beam named flat steel – concrete composite beam is suggested for the rapid development of assembly structures. Experiments were performed on seven flat steel – concrete composite beams and one traditional steel–concrete composite beam to investigate their flexural behaviors. The failure mode of bending-shear fracture for the flat steel – concrete composite beam is found while the traditional steel–concrete composite beam fails by compression-bending fracture. The plane cross-section assumption is applicable to the flat steel – concrete composite beam. Compared with the traditional steel–concrete composite beam, the flat steel – concrete composite beam exhibits higher flexural stiffness, higher moment capacity, and higher ductility capacity. Based on the design theory of the traditional steel–concrete composite beam, simplified models for estimating the flexural stiffness and ultimate moment capacity of the flat steel – concrete composite beam are proposed, and they agree well with the test data.
4D-based automation of heavy lift planning in industrial construction projects
Authors: Han SangHyeok , Lei Zhen , Hermann Ulrich (Rick) , Bouferguene Ahmed , Al-Hussein Mohamed
Published: September 2020

In northern Canada, due to the harsh weather and high labor cost, contractors prefer to using modular construction approach to complete heavy industrial projects, where mobile crane are used for onsite module installations. In current practice, module lifts are often planned manually by rigging engineers. With a large number of heavy lifts to be analyzed per project, the planning process is tedious and error prone. This paper represents a data-driven crane management system with three features: (1) identification of design errors in lifting planning; (2) responses to design changes; and (3) dynamic 3D trajectory-based lifting visualization. It covers two types of crane operations: pick from a fixed location, and pick and walking operation. This developed system helps reduce lifting time and improves safety and quality, where various lifting scenarios need to be analyzed. The system has been implemented at a collaborator company for demonstration and validation.
Experimental and theoretical studies on luminescent mechanisms and different visual color of the mixed system composed of MgGeO3:Mn, Eu and Zn2GeO4:Mn
Authors: Xia Chuanhui , Zhou Mu , He Miao , Yang Liu , Liu Miao , Zhou Ping , Chen Hang , Wang Feng
Published: September 2020

In this work, the mixed system composed of Zn2GeO4: Mn and MgGeO3: Mn, Eu was synthesized by the high temperature solid phase method. Under the external excitation, visual color of samples was yellow. However, after the excitation was completed, visual color turned to be red. From luminescence spectrum, it was found that Zn2GeO4: Mn emitted green fluorescence of 534 nm under the excitation of 375 nm light. At the same time, MgGeO3: Mn, Eu emitted both fluorescence and persistent luminescence (PersL) of 668 nm. Moreover, the properties of PersL present samples were superior to other red PersL materials. Fine band structures from density functional theory (DFT) indicated that there were different luminescent mechanisms of Zn2GeO4: Mn and MgGeO3: Mn, Eu. When Zn2GeO4: Mn was excited, electron transitioned from VB to CB directly. Through CB, the electron was captured by the4T2(D) of Mn ion, then the electron jumped from4T2(D) to VB and recombined at once with the previous hole and emitted a 534 nm photon. When MgGeO3: Mn, Eu was excited, electron transitioned from6A1(S) of Mn ion to CB and left a hole. Through CB, electron was captured by7F6levels of Eu[Formula: see text] and remained metastable for a long time, which slowed down the recombined rate between electron and hole. Under thermal stimulation, the captured electron returned to CB from7F6levels and was recaptured by the4T2(D) of Mn. The electron transitioned down toward6A1(S) and recombined with the hole immediately, then emitted a photon with 668 nm.
Koszul–Vinberg structures and compatible structures on left-symmetric algebroids
Authors: Wang Qi , Liu Jiefeng , Sheng Yunhe
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we introduce the notion of Koszul–Vinberg–Nijenhuis (KVN) structures on a left-symmetric algebroid as analogues of Poisson–Nijenhuis structures on a Lie algebroid, and show that a KVN-structure gives rise to a hierarchy of Koszul–Vinberg structures. We introduce the notions of [Formula: see text]-structures, pseudo-Hessian–Nijenhuis structures and complementary symmetric [Formula: see text]-tensors for Koszul–Vinberg structures on left-symmetric algebroids, which are analogues of [Formula: see text]-structures, symplectic-Nijenhuis structures and complementary [Formula: see text]-forms for Poisson structures. We also study the relationships between these various structures.
Synthesis of Nano-Hydroxyapatite of Different Morphologies and Their Cellular Compatibility
Authors: Chen Jia , Deng Haishan , Yao Shun , Ma Pan , Cao Minchi , Wang Youfa
Published: September 2020

Nano-hydroxyapatite crystals of different morphologies were synthesized by adding two types of amino acids (glycine and arginine) under hydrothermal conditions. The XRD, FTIR, and TEM characterizations of samples showed that the final product was pure hydroxyapatite with high crystallinity. Organic small-molecule amino acids exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on crystal growth during the synthesis process. This regulatory effect is related to the side chains of amino acids. The results of co-culturing with bone mesenchymal stem cells showed that the cell compatibility of nanoparticles differs based on their morphologies. The results of this study are significant for the fabrication of nano-hydroxyapatite with tunable morphology, which can have applications in the fields of bone repair and drug loading.
Decoration of MAPbI3 Perovskites with Carbon Dots for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Performance and Stability
Authors: Zhang Zihan , Sun Mingxuan , Ding Wen , Gao Bowen , Lin Xiaojing
Published: September 2020

A composite of methylammonium lead iodide perovskite (MAPbI[Formula: see text] and carbon dots is prepared under ultrasound irradiation. Characterizations of X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, emission field scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectra and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy are performed. Excellent photoelectrochemical properties of prepared composites are examined by a collection of measurements including photocurrent density, open-circuit potential, current–voltage curves, cyclic voltammetry curves and Nyquist plots. The results imply that the as-prepared composites exhibit better electrochemical and photoelectrochemical properties as well as stability than those of blank MAPbI3. The improved properties are due to the formed Pb–O–C bridge bonds in the composites, which can promote the generation and transport of charge carriers. This work provides a novel sonochemical synthesis strategy and investigation on the photoelectrochemical performance of MAPbI3/carbon dots composites.
3D reconstruction of human head based on consumer RGB-D sensors
Authors: Liu Zihan , Gong Guanghong , Li Ni , Yu Zihao
Published: September 2020

Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of a human head with high precision has promising applications in scientific research, product design and other fields. However, it still faces resistance from two factors. One is inaccurate registration caused by symmetrical distribution of head feature points, and the other is economic burden due to high-accuracy sensors. Research on 3D reconstruction with portable consumer RGB-D sensors such as the Microsoft Kinect has been highlighted in recent years. Based on our multi-Kinect system, a precise and low-cost three-dimensional modeling method and its system implementation are introduced in this paper. A registration method for multi-source point clouds is provided, which can reduce the fusion differences and reconstruct the head model accurately. In addition, a template-based texture generation algorithm is presented to generate a fine texture. The comparison and analysis of our experiments show that our method can reconstruct a head model in an acceptable time with less memory and better effect.
An Interview with Erol Gelenbe
Authors: Calude Cristian
Published: September 2020

This is Part I of an interview with Professor Erol Gelenbe, conducted by Professor Cristian Calude. Gelenbe holds the Dennis Gabor Chair Professorship in the Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department at Imperial College London and is an associate editor for this publication. This interview also appeared in the October 2010 issue of the Bulletin of the European Association for Computer Science and is printed here with permission. --Editor
Four Essential Tips for Professional Development Success
Authors: Schroeder Heidi
Published: September 2020

As professionals in the world of eLearning, we are often called upon to develop and deliver effective professional development opportunities for staff and faculty who will engage students in online learning. Discover the four essential elements that can transform a mediocre course offering into an effective learning opportunity. These elements will help faculty stay engaged throughout the professional development course, and walk away with tools and tips that they can use in their future courses.
Quality Control Versus Academic Freedom: Walk the line
Authors: Abbott Miriam RB , Nininger Jami M. , Shaw Peggy
Published: September 2020

Colleges incorporate online education using a variety of approaches. For some, there is little oversight applied to course design. At other institutions, instructors manage pre-written courses and serve primarily in a grading role. As online education expands, institutions must develop policies that balance the demands of academic freedom and student-centered design, the latter of which is valued by accreditors. Limited elements of standardization, including course design templates and grading rubrics, can help institutions demonstrate consistency and quality while preserving faculty academic freedom in course content.
Tomorrow's news
Authors: Northrup Kerry
Published: September 2020

What will the news be like in the continuing evolving age of information? Ifra, an international association of newspaper organizations, has created a 10-minute video to provide a peek into the future of the newsroom while highlighting issues that present-day newsrooms must face in making the transition to the new publishing industry. Although early prototypes of the
Daily Me
have proven disappointing, "it cannot be ignored that the news industry, like most industries, is moving from a product-based business model to a service model under pressure of the Information Economy," writes Ifra's Kerry Northrup. "And good service requires some degree of personalization. The publisher of
Tomorrow's News
has profiled its readers, listeners, viewers and users sufficiently that it knows their collective interests and even individually where they work." Northrup, who plays a prominent role in Ifra's work as a worldwide leader in publishing strategies and technology, here provides
Ubiquity
a summary description of what lies ahead for the newspaper industry in the 21st Century.
Think globally, act strategically
Authors: Ubiquity staff
Published: September 2020

John Parkinson relays the challenges for a global financial services firm including anticipating technologies, winning the war for talent, and finding innovative ways to maintain a corporate presence in a worldwide market.
Psychology of Transnational Terrorism and Extreme Political Conflict
Authors: Atran Scott
Published: September 2020

Fear of transnational terrorism, along with a revitalization of sectarian nationalism, is sundering social and political consensus across the world. Can psychology help? The focus of this review is on the psychological and related social factors that instigate and sustain violent extremism and polarizing group conflict. I first describe the changing global landscape of transnational terrorism, encompassing mainly violent Islamist revivalism and resurgent racial and ethnic supremacism. Next, I explore the psychosocial nature of the devoted actor and rational actor frameworks, focusing on how sacred values, identity fusion, and social network dynamics motivate and maintain extreme violence. The psychology of the will to fight and die is illustrated in behavioral and brain studies with frontline combatants in Iraq, militant supporters in Morocco, and radicalizing populations in Spain. This is followed by a consideration of how to deal with value-driven conflicts and a discussion of how the Internet and social media encourage the propagation of polarized conflict.
Pontine Myelinolysis Caused by Hypovolemic Hypernatremia
Authors: Beraldo D. O. , Duarte S. B. C. P. , Santos R. B. , Mendes C. G. , Silveira M. P. , Neto A. S. , Silva M. M. , Oliveira L. G. , Bonfim A. V. , Teixeira A. A. , Teixeira R. A.
Published: September 2020

Introduction. Central pontine myelinolysis is characterized by the occurrence of acute demyelinating lesions of cells in the pons secondary to abrupt oscillations of serum osmolarity. Its exact incidence is not well defined, but studies show a prevalence of 0.25 to 0.5% in the general population, 2.5% in the intensive care unit, and up to 10% in patients with risk factors, such as chronic liver disease and hepatic transplantation, alcoholism, malnutrition, diuretic therapy, electrolyte imbalance, hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia. Case Report. A 70-year-old white female with extranodal diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (extensive mass on the left anterior chest wall), stage IVA, developed pontine myelinolysis secondary to hypovolemic acute hypernatremia, which occurred due to diarrhea caused by chemotherapy (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine). Discussion. Pontine myelinolysis occurs most often due to the rapid correction of chronic hyponatremia. But here, we describe a case of the disease secondary to the occurrence of hypovolemic acute hypernatremia in a patient with a hematological malignancy under treatment, who was on chronic treatment with thiazide diuretics and who presented with other electrolyte disturbances as risk factors for the development of pontine myelinolysis.
Maximum Likelihood Angle-Range Estimation for Monostatic FDA-MIMO Radar with Extended Range Ambiguity Using Subarrays
Authors: Yang Kaikai , Hong Sheng , Zhu Qi , Ye Yanheng
Published: September 2020

In this paper, we consider the joint angle-range estimation in monostatic FDA-MIMO radar. The transmit subarrays are first utilized to expand the range ambiguity, and the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) algorithm is first proposed to improve the estimation performance. The range ambiguity is a serious problem in monostatic FDA-MIMO radar, which can reduce the detection range of targets. To extend the unambiguous range, we propose to divide the transmitting array into subarrays. Then, within the unambiguous range, the maximum likelihood (ML) algorithm is proposed to estimate the angle and range with high accuracy and high resolution. In the ML algorithm, the joint angle-range estimation problem becomes a high-dimensional search problem; thus, it is computationally expensive. To reduce the computation load, the alternating projection ML (AP-ML) algorithm is proposed by transforming the high-dimensional search into a series of one-dimensional search iteratively. With the proposed AP-ML algorithm, the angle and range are automatically paired. Simulation results show that transmitting subarray can extend the range ambiguity of monostatic FDA-MIMO radar and obtain a lower cramer-rao low bound (CRLB) for range estimation. Moreover, the proposed AP-ML algorithm is superior over the traditional estimation algorithms in terms of the estimation accuracy and resolution.
A Simple RP-HPLC Method to Simultaneously Assay the Contents of Lamivudine, Tenofovir, and Nevirapine in Fixed Dose Combined Oral Antiviral Medicines
Authors: Goku Phoebe Esinam , Orman Emmanuel , Quartey Anna Naa Kwarley , Adu Joseph Kwasi , Adosraku Reimmel Kwame
Published: September 2020

An accurate and rapid reverse HPLC method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of lamivudine, nevirapine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Suitable separation was achieved on Phenomenex Synergi C18 (250 × 4.6 mm, 4 μm) using mobile phase, methanol (50%): ammonium acetate buffer (adjusted to pH 2.80) (40%): acetonitrile (10%) in an isocratic mode. The drugs were detected at 270 nm with a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min, and the retention times were found to be 3.26, 5.42, and 7.55 minutes for lamivudine, nevirapine, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, respectively. The developed method was validated per ICH guidelines. Good linearity was obtained within the concentration ranges of 10–59 µg/ml, 7–42 µg/ml, and 15–90 µg/ml with a correlation coefficient of not less than 0.990. The % RSD values for precision (intraday and interday) and accuracy studies were found to be less than 2%. The results obtained from quantitative analysis conform to USP content requirements for marketed tablet dosage forms, RICOVIR-LN, and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/lamivudine tablets. The method is therefore useful for routine quality control of antiretroviral tablet dosage forms containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, lamivudine, and nevirapine.
Experimental Study on Influence of Borehole Arrangement on Energy Conversion and Acoustic Characteristics of Coal-Like Material Sample
Authors: Hao Chuanbo , Hou Zhiyuan , Xiao Fukun , Liu Gang
Published: September 2020

This paper examines the effects of borehole arrangement on the failure process of coal-like materials based on its energy conversion and acoustic characteristics from the perspectives of energy, AE energy, AE spectrum, and frequency band. Findings from the study revealed that the presence of borehole can significantly reduce the conversion ratio and growth rate of elastic energy during the loading of coal-like material sample and delay the release of internal energy of the sample. Also, it can reduce the frequency band energy of the main frequency of acoustic emission signal but has little effect on the size and richness of the peak frequency of acoustic emission signal. The practice that makes drilling diameter and depth increase stepwise can minimize the elastic energy conversion ratio, the growth rate, and the main frequency band energy of acoustic emission signal of coal-like material sample and postpone the internal energy release of the sample to the greatest extent, so as to enrich the richness of the secondary frequency of acoustic emission signal. The results of this study have certain guiding significance for the layout of pressure relief boreholes in the production process of coal mines.
Effect of Moxibustion on Inflammatory Cytokines in Animals with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Zhong Yu-mei , Cheng Bo- , Zhang Lin-lin , Lu Wen-ting , Shang Ya-nan , Zhou Hai-yan
Published: September 2020

Background. This study aims to systematically evaluate the effect of moxibustion on the level of inflammatory cytokines in animal models with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to provide evidence for the clinical application of moxibustion to the treatment of RA and related basic researches. Methods. The databases employed in this study include PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), SinoMed, and Wanfang Data Information Site. The retrieval time was from the establishment of these databases to March 2020. The reviewers made use of the CAMARADES 10‐item checklist to evaluate the quality of each included study. The inflammatory cytokines were considered as the outcome measure. The Revman 5.3 software was used to conduct meta‐analysis on the outcome indicators of the studies included. Results. A total of 648 articles were retrieved and 18 animal experiments were included in this study. The quality scores of the studies ranged from two to eight with a mean of 5.8. Compared with the effect of the control group, moxibustion reduced the expression of TNF‐α (SMD 2.95, 95% CI: 1.99–3.92, P < 0.00001), IL‐1β (SMD 4.10, 95% CI: 2.37–5.84, P < 0.00001), IFN‐γ (MD 25, 95% CI: 16.17–33.82, P < 0.00001), IL‐6 (MD 11.83, 95% CI: 6.22–17.44, P < 0.0001), and IL‐17 (MD 99.3, 95% CI: 86.83–111.76, P < 0.00001). At the same time, the level of IL‐2 (SMD 8.89, 95% CI: 0.93–16.86, P = 0.03), IL‐4 (MD 1.79, 95% CI: 0.26–3.32, P = 0.02), and IL‐10 (MD 5.93, 95% CI: 1.37–10.49, P = 0.01) increased after moxibustion treatment. Asymmetric funnel plots indicated that there was publication bias. Conclusion. The findings of the present review indicate that moxibustion can protect the synovium of joint in animal models with RA by upregulation of the level of anti‐inflammatory cytokines and downregulation of the level of proinflammatory cytokines. Moxibustion has the potential to relieve inflammation of RA.
Extracranial Meningioma in the Scalp with Concurrent Steatocystoma
Authors: Tong Jiankun , Aksenov Sergei A. , Chorost Mitchell I. , Rodgers William H.
Published: September 2020

This report documents a rare case of an extracranial meningioma on the posterior scalp without apparent dural connection. Additionally, a sebaceous steatocystoma of the anterior scalp presented alongside the meningioma. A steatocystoma localized to the scalp is also remarkably rare. To our knowledge, this is the first report documenting both an extracranial meningioma and a steatocystoma presenting concurrently on the scalp. A male patient in his thirties presented with a mass lesion on the scalp. A CT scan revealed one posterior scalp mass with no intracranial abnormalities. Post excision histologic examination confirmed an extracranial meningioma (meningothelial variant, WHO Grade I). A second anterior scalp mass, not revealed by CT scan, was discovered during surgery. It was excised and diagnosed as a steatocystoma. Meningiomas predominantly occur intracranially but, in some instances, may present as a standalone extracranial tumor without intracranial abnormalities. Because extracranial meningioma is uncommon, it may be overlooked during clinical diagnosis of scalp masses. We recommend that this neoplasm be routinely considered in the differential diagnosis of extracranial tumors. The discovery of another rare tumor—a steatocystoma located in immediate proximity on the scalp—is further remarkable. We briefly review relevant case reports and etiologies and consider a potential relationship between the two neoplasms. However, it remains more likely that the concurrence of these tumors in our patient was simply coincidental.
Mode Selection Model for Rail Crack Detection Based on Ultrasonic Guided Waves
Authors: Xing Bo , Yu Zujun , Xu Xining , Zhu Liqiang , Shi Hongmei
Published: September 2020

The cross-sectional geometry of a rail is complex, and numerous guided wave modes can be propagated in rails. In order to select a mode which is the most suitable for detecting a specific crack on a rail, a mathematical model of guided wave mode selection is constructed. The model is composed of a modal vibration factor and a modal orthogonal factor. By setting a reasonable vibration coefficient and orthogonal coefficient, the mode with the highest sensitivity to cracks is selected for crack detection. Taking a vertical crack on the rail bottom as an example, mode 1 at a frequency of 60 kHz is selected as the most suitable detection mode. At the same time, mode 7 and mode 11 are selected as comparative modes, and these three modes are simulated to detect rail cracks. Among them, mode 1 is the best, which verifies the correctness of the mode selection model. In addition, vertical cracks are manufactured artificially on the side of the rail bottom. The cracks are successfully detected by mode 1, and the positioning error is 0.07 m. After correction, the error is reduced to 0.02 m. The model can effectively select guided wave modes suitable for detecting arbitrary cracks on rails, which provides a theoretical solution for rail crack detection.
Hydrogen: A Novel Option in Human Disease Treatment
Authors: Yang Mengling , Dong Yinmiao , He Qingnan , Zhu Ping , Zhuang Quan , Shen Jie , Zhang Xueyan , Zhao Mingyi
Published: September 2020

H2 has shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ability in many clinical trials, and its application is recommended in the latest Chinese novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) treatment guidelines. Clinical experiments have revealed the surprising finding that H2 gas may protect the lungs and extrapulmonary organs from pathological stimuli in NCP patients. The potential mechanisms underlying the action of H2 gas are not clear. H2 gas may regulate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, mitochondrial energy metabolism, endoplasmic reticulum stress, the immune system, and cell death (apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and circadian clock, among others) and has therapeutic potential for many systemic diseases. This paper reviews the basic research and the latest clinical applications of H2 gas in multiorgan system diseases to establish strategies for the clinical treatment for various diseases.
Pemphigus Vulgaris: A Clinical Study of 31 Cases (2004–2014) in Morocco
Authors: Hicham Titou , Chahnoun Fatima Zahra , Hanafi Tarik , Hjira Naoufal , Mohammed Boui
Published: September 2020

Background. Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare bullous autoimmune dermatosis whose evolution and prognosis are unpredictable.Aim. The objective was to analyze long-term outcomes in patients with pemphigus vulgaris by identifying the factors that are able to influence prognosis, in particular the phenotype of pemphigus vulgaris, age at onset, multiplicity of mucosal involvement, relapse and remission rates, and survival functions.Methods. A retrospective analysis of a cohort of 31 patients followed for pemphigus vulgaris during the period from January 2004 to January 2014. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris confirmed by histopathology and direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and a period of follow-up of at least five years from the diagnosis. The following information was collected by a single investigator.Results. In total, 67.7% of patients presented a mucocutaneous pemphigus vulgaris. Male-female sex ratio was 2.4. The median duration of patient’s follow-up was estimated at 7 (6–9) years. Multiple mucosal involvement in the oral cavity and at other mucosal sites was significantly associated with severe mucocutaneous pemphigus vulgaris (p=0.01). Multiple relapses were significantly associated with the disease severity (p=0.04).Conclusion. Poor prognosis factors were severe mucocutaneous type of pemphigus vulgaris and multiple mucosal involvement in the oral cavity and at other mucosal sites.
Dexmedetomidine Improves Lung Function by Promoting Inflammation Resolution in Patients Undergoing Totally Thoracoscopic Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Cui Junji , Gao Mintai , Huang Hongqian , Huang Xiaoyan , Zeng Qingshi
Published: September 2020

Objective. Totally thoracoscopic cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass combined with one-lung ventilation has been identified as the trend in cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the selective α2 adrenergic receptor agonist dexmedetomidine on the pulmonary function of patients who underwent mitral valve surgery using the totally thoracoscopic technique. Methods. Fifty-seven patients who underwent thoracoscopic mitral valve surgery between July 2019 and December 2019 were selected. The patients were randomly divided into the control (Con) group (n=28) and the dexmedetomidine (DEX) group (n=29) using the random number table method. Arterial blood gas analyses were performed, and the oxygenation (PaO2/FiO2) and respiratory indexes (P(A-a)O/PaO2) were calculated 5 min after tracheal intubation (T1), 2 h after operation (T2), 6 h after operation (T3), and 24 h after operation (T4). Moreover, the serum cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were detected using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent method at all time points. Chest radiography was performed 24 h after surgery. Peripheral blood samples were collected before and after the operation for a complete hemogram. Additionally, the procalcitonin concentration was measured and recorded when the patients were transported to the intensive care unit (ICU). The postoperative extubation time, length of ICU stay, and pulmonary infection rate were also recorded. Results. Inflammatory reaction after surgery was evident. However, the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and ICAM-1 in the DEX group were lower than those in the Con group after surgery (T2 to T4;P<0.05). Neutrophil counts and procalcitonin concentration were higher in the Con group than in the DEX group (P<0.05). In addition, in the DEX group, pulmonary exudation on chest radiography was lower, and pulmonary function, as shown by an increase in oxidation index and decrease in the respiratory index, improved after surgery (P<0.05). Moreover, the duration of mechanical ventilation in the Con group was 3.4 h longer than that in the DEX group. Conclusion. Dexmedetomidine has a protective effect on pulmonary function in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery using a totally video-assisted thoracoscopic technique, which may be related to a reduction in the concentration of inflammatory cytokines in the early perioperative period.
Treatment of Localized Gingival Recession by Means Tunnel Technique after the Orthodontic Treatment. A Follow-Up of 1 Year
Authors: Imano Marcelo , Spada Paula Porto , Macalossi Juliana Marchioro Souza , Deliberador Tatiana Miranda
Published: September 2020

Facial and dental esthetics are the objectives of dental treatment, and, for this, it is necessary that specialties such as periodontics and orthodontics work together. The objective of this article is to report a clinical case with the solution of localized gingival recession after orthodontic treatment, using tunneled subepithelial connective tissue grafts with follow-up for 1 year. The patient underwent orthodontic treatment for 1 year. Prior to the start of treatment, a gingival recession of 5 mm was already present on tooth 31. One month after the completion of treatment, the patient was subjected to a tunneled subepithelial connective tissue graft, with the purpose of covering the exposed root. We observed the effectiveness of the procedure and patient satisfaction with the results obtained. The subepithelial connective tissue graft was successful in this case, and the collaboration of specialists is important to provide the best treatment for the patient.
Ultimate Load Tests on Bearing Behavior of Large‐Diameter Bored Piles in Weathered Rock Foundation
Authors: Bai Xiaoyu , Liu Xueying , Zhang Mingyi , Wang Yonghong , Yan Nan
Published: September 2020

Based on the vertical compressive static load test and pile mechanics test of three large diameter bored piles (one of the test piles was treated with postgrouting) in granite gneisses foundation, the bearing capacity, deformation characteristics, and influencing factors of the single pile under the limit state are analyzed and compared with the recommended values of survey report and the recommended values of current codes. By comparing the measured and theoretical values of pile axial force, the bearing capacity of cast‐in‐place pile under normal and limit conditions is analyzed. The experimental results show that the Q-s curve of large‐diameter rock‐socketed mud wall retaining bored pile with a length‐diameter ratio of 25–33 and rock‐socketed depth of 5–8 d shows a rapid growth. After grouting treatment, the ultimate compressive bearing capacity of single pile is improved, the maximum settlement is reduced by 6.6%, the rebound rate is reduced by 11.1%, and the settlement effect of controlling pile top is not significant. The bearing capacity and deformation characteristics of the three test piles are less affected by length‐diameter ratio and rock‐socketed depth. For postgrouting piles, the ratio of frictional resistance of rock‐socketed segment and the ratio of pile lateral resistance are less affected by length‐diameter ratio and rock‐socketed depth, while, for postgrouting piles, the ratio of pile lateral resistance is more affected by rock‐socketed depth. The pile end resistance ratio of the three test piles is significantly affected by the rock‐socketed depth, whether or not the pile side postgrouting treatment is carried out.
An Optimal Longitudinal Control Strategy of Platoons Using Improved Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Wu Zhizhou , Gao Zhibo , Hao Wei , Ma Jiaqi
Published: September 2020

Most existing longitudinal control strategies for connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) have unclear adaptability without scientific analysis regarding the key parameters of the control algorithm. This paper presents an optimal longitudinal control strategy for a homogeneous CAV platoon. First of all, the CAV platoon models with constant time-headway gap strategy and constant spacing gap strategy were, respectively, established based on the third-order linear vehicle dynamics model. Then, a linear-quadratic optimal controller was designed considering the perspectives of driving safety, efficiency, and ride comfort with three performance indicators including vehicle gap error, relative speed, and desired acceleration. An improved particle swarm optimization algorithm was used to optimize the weighting coefficients for the controller state and control variables. Based on the Matlab/Simulink experimental simulation, the analysis results show that the proposed strategy can significantly reduce the gap error and relative speed and improve the flexibility and initiative of the platoon control strategy compared with the unoptimized strategies. Sensitivity analysis was provided for communication lag and actuator lag in order to prove the applicability and effectiveness of this proposed strategy, which will achieve better distribution of system performance.