bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Cerebellum-Inspired Learning Approach for Adaptive and Anticipatory Control
Authors: Tolu Silvia , Capolei Marie Claire , Vannucci Lorenzo , Laschi Cecilia , Falotico Egidio , Hernández Mauricio Vanegas
Published: September 2019

The cerebellum, which is responsible for motor control and learning, has been suggested to act as a Smith predictor for compensation of time-delays by means of internal forward models. However, insights about how forward model predictions are integrated in the Smith predictor have not yet been unveiled. To fill this gap, a novel bio-inspired modular control architecture that merges a recurrent cerebellar-like loop for adaptive control and a Smith predictor controller is proposed. The goal is to provide accurate anticipatory corrections to the generation of the motor commands in spite of sensory delays and to validate the robustness of the proposed control method to input and physical dynamic changes. The outcome of the proposed architecture with other two control schemes that do not include the Smith control strategy or the cerebellar-like corrections are compared. The results obtained on four sets of experiments confirm that the cerebellum-like circuit provides more effective corrections when only the Smith strategy is adopted and that minor tuning in the parameters, fast adaptation and reproducible configuration are enabled.
An overlapping community detection algorithm based on node distance of line graph
Authors: Wang Guishen , Wang Yuanwei , Wang Kaitai , Liu Zhihua , Zhang Lijuan , Zhou Yu , Yao Qinan
Published: September 2019

Overlapping community detection is a hot topic in research of complex networks. Link community detection is a popular approach to discover overlapping communities. Line graph is a widely used model in link community detection. In this paper, we propose an overlapping community detection algorithm based on node distance of line graph. Considering topological structure of links in graphs, we use line graph to transform links of graph into nodes of line graph. Then, we calculate node distance of line graph according to their dissimilarity. After getting distance matrix, we proposed a new [Formula: see text] measure based on nodes of line graph and combine it with clustering algorithm by fast search and density peak to identify node communities of line graph. Finally, we acquire overlapping node communities after transforming node communities of line graph back to graph. The experimental results show that our algorithm achieves a higher performance on normalized mutual information metric.
Estimate of Head Posture Based on Coordinate Transformation with MP-MTM-LSTM Network
Authors: Yang Yonghui , Wang Chanyuan , Jia Hongbo , Quan Libo
Published: September 2019

Fatigue monitoring can effectively reduce or even avoid traffic accidents. Head posture estimation is one of the focuses in the field of fatigue monitoring. In this paper, according to the coordinate rotation transformation and neural network theory, a method for predicting the change of head posture with sight-line coordinates is proposed. First, the coordinate rotation transformation theory is used to replace the head posture change amount with the coordinate change amount, and the first-order difference value of the sight-line point coordinate is obtained by the difference method. Then, under the unified Cartesian coordinate system, the MP-MTM-LSTM neural network is established with the input information of first-order difference value and the output information of coordinate change amount. The innovation of this method is that the Cartesian coordinate change is employed instead of the Euler angle transformation. In the model verification phase, the true value of the head pose is collected by the posture meter. The experimental results show that the absolute error between the predicted value and the true value estimated by the new method is less than 15%. In the field of fatigue monitoring, the proposed method can estimate the amount of head posture change effectively, which is suitable for the case where the head center point is not fixed.
Gravity and quantum theory: Domains of conflict and contact
Authors: Padmanabhan T.
Published: September 2019

There are two strong clues about the quantum structure of spacetime and the gravitational dynamics, which are almost universally ignored in the conventional approaches to quantize gravity. The first clue is that null surfaces exhibit (observer-dependent) thermal properties and possess a heat density. This suggests that spacetime, like matter, has microscopic degrees of freedom and its long wavelength limit should be described in thermodynamic language and not in a geometric language. Second clue is related to the existence of the cosmological constant. Its understanding from first-principles will require the dynamical principles of the theory to be invariant under the shift [Formula: see text]. This puts strong constraints on the nature of gravitational dynamics and excludes metric tensor as a fundamental dynamical variable. In fact, these two clues are closely related to each other. When the dynamical principles are recast, respecting the symmetry [Formula: see text], they automatically acquire a thermodynamic interpretation related to the first clue. The first part of this review provides a pedagogical introduction to thermal properties of the horizons, including some novel derivations. The second part describes some aspects of cosmological constant problem and the last part provides a perspective on gravity which takes into account these principles.
Local laws for non-Hermitian random matrices and their products
Authors: Götze Friedrich , Naumov Alexey , Tikhomirov Alexander
Published: September 2019

We consider products of independent [Formula: see text] non-Hermitian random matrices [Formula: see text]. Assume that their entries, [Formula: see text], are independent identically distributed random variables with zero mean, unit variance. Götze and Tikhomirov [On the asymptotic spectrum of products of independent random matrices, preprint (2010), arXiv:1012.2710] and O’Rourke and Sochnikov [Products of independent non-Hermitian random matrices, Electron. J. Probab. 16 (2011) 2219–2245] proved that under these assumptions the empirical spectral distribution (ESD) of [Formula: see text] converges to the limiting distribution which coincides with the distribution of the [Formula: see text]th power of random variable uniformly distributed in the unit circle. In this paper, we provide a local version of this result. More precisely, assuming additionally that [Formula: see text] for some [Formula: see text], we prove that ESD of [Formula: see text] converges to the limiting distribution on the optimal scale up to [Formula: see text] (up to some logarithmic factor). Our results generalize the recent results of Bourgade et al. [Local circular law for random matrices, Probab. Theory Related Fields 159 (2014) 545–595], Tao and Vu [Random matrices: Universality of local spectral statistics of non-Hermitian matrices, Ann. Probab. 43 (2015) 782–874] and Nemish [Local law for the product of independent non-hermitian random matrices with independent entries, Electron. J. Probab. 22 (2017) 1–35]. We also give further development of Stein’s type approach to estimate the Stieltjes transform of ESD.
Technical Report Column
Authors: Kelley Dean
Published: September 2019

Sign rank vs Discrepancy, Hamed Hatami, Kaave Hosseini, Shachar Lovett, TR19-067. LARGE CLIQUE IS HARD ON AVERAGE FOR RESOLUTION, Shuo Pang, TR19-068. Bounded-depth Frege complexity of Tseitin formulas for all graphs, Nicola Galesi, Dmitry Itsykson, Artur Riazanov, Anastasia Sofronova, TR19-069.
Open Problems Column
Authors: Gasarch William
Published: September 2019

This issue's Open Problems Column is by Dana Moshkovitz. It is titled: Sliding Scale Conjec- tures in PCP. The PCP theorem has been around since 1992, but some of the most fundamental questions about it are still open. This column explains the questions, their importance, and why we're stuck. We quote Dana's column: The \Sliding Scale Conjecture" and related conjectures capture our beliefs about the PCP theorems we should aspire to, and they are the focus of this column.
SIGACT News Complexity Theory Column 102
Authors: Hemaspaandra Lane A.
Published: September 2019

Warmest thanks to Emanuele Viola for his fascinating article, \Non-abelian Combinatorics and Communication Complexity." And since this issue will be coming out right around the start of the academic year|a natural time for people to be wondering, \What might I think about and look into this year?"|it is particularly great that Manu has generously included in his article many open problems.
The Acquisition of Person Knowledge
Authors: Anzellotti Stefano , Young Liane L.
Published: September 2019

How do we learn what we know about others? Answering this question requires understanding the perceptual mechanisms with which we recognize individuals and their actions, and the processes by which the resulting perceptual representations lead to inferences about people's mental states and traits. This review discusses recent behavioral, neural, and computational studies that have contributed to this broad research program, encompassing both social perception and social cognition.
SOLO-based task to improve self-evaluation and capacity to integrate concepts in first-year physiology students
Authors: Williams Mark T. , Lluka Lesley J. , Meyer Jan H. F. , Chunduri Prasad
Published: September 2019

An accurate self-assessment of student work can enhance student learning and subsequently improve academic performance. Instructors can facilitate this process by providing “standards” that students can utilize as feedback when self-evaluating their understanding. Traditional forms of feedback, such as marked assessment tasks, are limited in their ability to serve as standards, as they do not adequately capture variations corresponding to different levels of understanding. To develop a complex understanding in physiology, students have to integrate concepts pertaining to different subcomponents of body systems. The present study attempted to ascertain if exposing students to variations in complexity would refine their ability to self-evaluate their understanding and capacity to integrate concepts. Students were tasked to answer an essay-length, open-ended physiology question to expose their current understanding of the topic. The change in students’ self-marking of their answer before and after being exposed to the variations in conceptual understanding of the topic were used to determine whether improvements in self-evaluation accuracy occurred. These variations were presented as instructor-generated answers to the open-ended question, framed using the structure of the observed learning outcome (SOLO) taxonomy. Student scores in the integrative questions of the end-of-semester exam were used as a measure of student ability to integrate concepts. Findings indicated that this intervention led to improvements in student self-evaluation and exam performance, and the positive outcomes were replicated across multiple iterations of the activity.
Knockout of the neonatal Fc receptor in cultured podocytes alters IL-6 signaling and the actin cytoskeleton
Authors: Tonsawan Pantipa , Dylewski James , Lewis Linda , Blaine Judith
Published: September 2019

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) has been shown to be required for antigen presentation in dendritic cells, and global knockout of FcRn attenuates immune-mediated kidney disease. Podocytes express interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor and produce IL-6 under proinflammatory conditions. Here we examined the role of FcRn in the IL-6-mediated inflammatory response in podocytes. We examined IL-6 production by ELISA and expression by qPCR in wild type (WT) and FcRn knockout (KO) podocytes after treatment with proinflammatory stimuli as well as IL-6-mediated signaling via the JAK/STAT pathway. We also examined podocyte motility in cultured WT and KO podocytes after a proinflammatory challenge. We found that FcRn KO podocytes produced minimal amount of IL-6 after treatment with albumin, IgG, or immune complexes whereas WT podocytes had a robust response. FcRn KO podocytes also had minimal expression of IL-6 compared with WT. By Western blotting, there was significantly less phosphorylated STAT3 in KO podocytes after treatment with IFNγ or immune complexes. In a scratch assay, FcRn KO podocytes showed increased motility comparted KO, suggesting a defect in actin dynamics. Cultured FcRn KO podocytes also demonstrated abnormal stress fibers compared with WT and the defect could be rescued by IL-6 treatment. This study shows that in podocytes, FcRn modulates the IL-6 mediated response to proinflammatory stimuli and regulates podocytes actin structure, motility and synaptopodin expression.
Cigarette smoke induces overexpression of active human cathepsin S in lungs from current smokers with or without COPD
Authors: Andrault Pierre-Marie , Schamberger Andrea C. , Chazeirat Thibault , Sizaret Damien , Renault Justine , Staab-Weijnitz Claudia A. , Hennen Elisabeth , Petit-Courty Agnès , Wartenberg Mylène , Saidi Ahlame , Baranek Thomas , Guyetant Serge , Courty Yves , Eickelberg Oliver , Lalmanach Gilles , Lecaille Fabien
Published: September 2019

Cigarette smoking has marked effects on lung tissue, including induction of oxidative stress, inflammatory cell recruitment, and a protease/antiprotease imbalance. These effects contribute to tissue remodeling and destruction resulting in loss of lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Cathepsin S (CatS) is a cysteine protease that is involved in the remodeling/degradation of connective tissue and basement membrane. Aberrant expression or activity of CatS has been implicated in a variety of diseases, including arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular, and lung diseases. However, little is known about the effect of cigarette smoking on both CatS expression and activity, as well as its role in smoking-related lung diseases. Here, we evaluated the expression and activity of human CatS in lung tissues from never-smokers and smokers with or without COPD. Despite the presence of an oxidizing environment, CatS expression and activity were significantly higher in current smokers (both non-COPD and COPD) compared with never-smokers, and correlated positively with smoking history. Moreover, we found that the exposure of primary human bronchial epithelial cells to cigarette smoke extract triggered the activation of P2X7 receptors, which in turns drives CatS upregulation. The present data suggest that excessive CatS expression and activity contribute, beside other proteases, to the deleterious effects of cigarette smoke on pulmonary homeostasis.
Demographic and Clinical Patterns of Rheumatoid Arthritis in an Emirati Cohort from United Arab Emirates
Authors: Namas Rajaie , Joshi Abhay , Ali Zarmeena , Al Saleh Jamal , Abuzakouk Mohammed
Published: September 2019

This retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the demographic and clinical characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Emirati patients attending Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, a large tertiary center in the Middle East. In this study, 414 Emirati patients with RA were evaluated over a 3-year period from April 2015 to April 2018. All patients fulfilled the 2010 RA ACR/EULAR criteria and were assessed for demographic and clinical characteristics. The estimated RA prevalence rate in our population cohort was 2.72%. Females showed predominance (80%) with a higher body mass index (31.4 ± 6.61, P=0.0001) compared to males (28.8 ± 6.03, P=0.0001). The most frequent comorbidity observed was dyslipidemia (43.5%) followed by hypertension (37.9%), diabetes mellitus (34.5%), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (33.1%). Xerophthalmia was the most frequent extra-articular manifestation. Rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated peptide were detected in 63.3% and 41.5% patients, respectively, while both were present in 33.3% of patients. Methotrexate, adalimumab, and rituximab were the most frequently prescribed disease modifying agents. In this study, we describe disease features that are unique to United Arab Emirates (UAE) patients and demonstrate that RA has a significant disease burden. Our findings highlight the need for a RA national registry to improve the quality of care of these patients in UAE.
Permeability Prediction of Iron Tailings Including Degree of Compaction and Structure
Authors: Gan Deqing , Yang Xi , Zhang Yunpeng
Published: September 2019

The stability of iron tailings dam is affected by the permeability of tailings. Considering the influence of it, it is necessary to analyze the permeability of tailings so as to prevent the recurrence of Brazilian iron tailings dam accidents. Nevertheless, the results of iron tailings permeability from some prediction equations (Terzaghi equation, Hazen equation, and Kozeny equation) cannot be accurate. Iron tailings are various as they can be divided into three categories: (1) silt content is less than 40%; (2) silt content is more than 40%, while clay content is less than 15%; and (3) clay content is more than 15% and less than 30%. Correspondingly, three equations are proposed to calculate the disturbed and iron undisturbed tailings permeability for the three types. And more accurate results come from it. The water‐flow paths of the iron tailings are blocked after compaction, and the critical pressure of iron tailings blockage is 200 kPa. Although the porosity is large, some of the pores are isolated from each other when the pressure is larger than 200 kPa. However, porosity becomes too large for permeability calculation after compaction and the calculated permeability gets larger as well (equations (24)–(26)). Correcting the permeability calculation equations is an absolute must. The calculated permeability by the revised equations becomes more accurate (equations (27)–(29)). In fact, the granulometric characteristics necessarily play a vital role in the evolution of the pore interconnections by blocking the water‐flow paths and modifying the morphological parameters. More research studies are required to be done in the future.
Leakage Characteristic Identification of Labyrinth Seals on Reciprocating Piston through Transient Simulations
Authors: Wang Lingzi , Feng Jianmei , Wang Mingfeng , Ma Zenghui , Peng Xueyuan
Published: September 2019

In the reciprocating labyrinth piston compressor, the characteristic of the internal leakage is crucial for the leakage management and performance improvement of the compressor. However, most of the published studies investigated the rotor‐stator system, and those who study the reciprocating piston‐cylinder system basically focus on the effects of the geometrical parameters. These conclusions could not directly be applied to predict the real‐time leakage flow rate through the labyrinth seal because of the fast reciprocating motion of the piston, which will cause continually pressure change in two compression chambers, and then the pressure fluctuation will affect the flow through the labyrinth seal. A transient simulation model employing the multiscale dynamic mesh, which considers the effect of the reciprocating motion of the piston in the cylinder, is established to identify the characteristics of the internal leakage. This model was verified by a specially designed compressor, and the influence of various parameters was analyzed in detail. The sealing performance decreased linearly with the increase in the pressure ratio, and higher pressure inlet leads to higher leakage flow under the same pressure ratio. The labyrinth seal performance positively correlated to the increase of the rotational speed. Leakage characteristics of five working mediums were carried out, and the results indicated that the relative leakage decreased with an increase in the relative molecular mass. From this study, the realistic internal leakage flow rate under different operating parameters in the reciprocating labyrinth piston compressor could be predicated.
Security Analysis for Underlay Cognitive Network with Energy-Scavenging Capable Relay over Nakagami-m Fading Channels
Authors: Ho-Van Khuong , Do-Dac Thiem
Published: September 2019

This study suggests an energy-scavenging capable unlicensed relay not only to retain communications between an unlicensed sender-recipient pair in underlay cognitive networks but also to secure these communications against eavesdropping of malicious users. Message-securing capability of such a network configuration is assessed through secrecy outage probability (SOP). For this purpose, a precise closed-form formula of the SOP accounting for interference power restriction, Nakagami-m fading, and maximum transmit power restriction is first proposed. Then, the proposed formula is validated by computer simulations. Ultimately, various results are supplied to contrive that the relay position, the time percentage, and the power percentage of the energy-scavenging technique should be appropriately chosen for achieving the best security performance. Moreover, the SOP decreases with lower severity fading level and is constant in the range of high maximum interference power or high maximum transmit power.
Study on Sound Wave Scattering Effects of Different Markers Placed on Dam Face in Deepwater Reservoir
Authors: Xiang Yan , Shen GuangZe , Cheng ZhengFei , Zhang Kai
Published: September 2019

Reservoir dams are mostly built in alpine valley areas. The water surface of the river valley is narrow and the geometric features of hydraulic structures are complex, which result in different absorption, reflection, and diffraction effects on sound waves for various propagation media. Further, for relatively narrow underwater water space where the underwater detection equipment is located, there is significant interference to the underwater acoustic communication signal. This is a major challenge to underwater positioning technology. Therefore, in this study, the scattering effect of different markers placed on a dam face on the sound waves emitted by sonar carried by a remote control unmanned submersible in a reservoir environment was investigated. The singular boundary method was used to develop a simulation model of the scattering effect on the sound waves of three different markers (i.e., cross boards, spherical bodies, and square plates) placed on a dam face in the deepwater environment of a reservoir. The scattering effect of typical geometrical markers was also investigated with respect to the sound waves of different frequencies and different incident angles. The sound pressure level (SPL) was used as an indicator for determining the scattering effect, so that the geometry of the marker with well scattering effect could be determined. In this study, the Guanyinyan hydropower dam was considered as the research area. The results show that the scattering SPL of the cross board is higher than those of the spherical body and the square plate, i.e., using the cross board as a marker produces the most accurate positioning of the underwater detection remote control unmanned submersible of a dam project in the deepwater environment of a reservoir.
Waist Circumference Measured by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Is Interchangeable with Manual Measurement: Increased Waist Circumference Is Associated with Locomotive Syndrome Risk
Authors: Tanaka Satoshi , Ando Kei , Kobayashi Kazuyoshi , Seki Taisuke , Ishizuka Shinya , Machino Masaaki , Morozumi Masayoshi , Kanbara Shunsuke , Ito Sadayuki , Inoue Taro , Ishiguro Naoki , Hasegawa Yukiharu , Imagama Shiro
Published: September 2019

Objectives. The importance of preventive medicine in an aging society is increasing. Locomotive syndrome (LS) is attracting increasing attention. Recently, advances in bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) devices have made it possible to automatically measure waist circumference (WC). Nevertheless, there have been no reports evaluating the agreement or interchangeability between WC measured manually and using BIA. Therefore, we aimed to perform these analyses in the context of health checkups and investigated the associations with LS risk. Methods. We enrolled 597 participants who underwent the following: two-step tests and stand-up tests; evaluations using a 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale for the LS risk test; anthropometric marker measurements including WC measured by manual and BIA; and measurements of total cholesterol and triglycerides. We used Bland–Altman analysis to calculate agreement and interchangeability of the WC measurement using BIA and the manual method. A statistical comparative study was then conducted between normal and LS risk groups. Subsequently, significant risk factors for LS were investigated using multivariate analysis. Results. The Bland–Altman analysis showed that bias (BIA-manual) was negative overall (−2.024), for males (−1.418) and for females (−2.460), suggesting underestimation using BIA compared with manual measurements. Interchangeability was found between WC measurement by BIA and by manual methods, because the percentage error was less than 15% overall (12.3%), for males (10.2%) and for females (13.8%). Univariate analysis showed that WC was significantly higher in the LS risk group than in the normal group. Multivariate analysis adjusted for confounding factors showed that increase in WC significantly correlated with LS risk. Conclusions. BIA and manual methods for measuring WC are interchangeable. The increase in WC measured by BIA was significantly associated with LS risk. It is important to continue focusing on increased WC and early detection of LS risk.
Numerical Simulation of Rock Cutting with a Diamond Sawblade Based on LS‐DYNA
Authors: Wang Zhiwen , Zeng Qingliang , Lu Zhenguo , Wan Lirong , Zhang Xin
Published: September 2019

Aiming at the complex nonlinear dynamic problem of cutting hard rock with diamond sawblades, the process of hard rock cutting with a diamond sawblade was studied based on ANSYS/LS‐DYNA. A numerical simulation model of a diamond sawblade cutting hard rock with different rotation speeds, feed speeds, and cutting depths was established to study the effects of the cutting parameters on the cutting force and specific cutting energy consumption and on the damage to the rock. The numerical simulation results demonstrated that the feed speed and cutting depth of the diamond saw are quadratically correlated with the cutting force, but the rotation speed is negatively linearly correlated. The damage region of the rock is positively correlated with the feed speed and cutting depth of the diamond sawblade and has a negative correlation with the rotation velocity. The cutting parameters have a great influence on specific cutting energy consumption. Analysis of the relationship among the cutting parameters and the specific cutting energy with multivariate linear fitting indicated that the cutting speed and cutting depth have a great influence on the cutting energy.
Manganese-Doped Cerium Oxide Nanocomposite Induced Photodynamic Therapy in MCF-7 Cancer Cells and Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Atif M. , Iqbal Seemab , Fakhar-E-Alam M. , Ismail M. , Mansoor Qaisar , Mughal Lubna , Aziz Muhammad Hammad , Hanif Atif , Farooq W. A.
Published: September 2019

In this experimental approach, we explored the structures, morphologies, phototoxicities, and antibacterial activities of undoped and Mn-doped ceria nanocomposite materials, MnxCe1−xO2. The MnxCe1−xO2 nanocomposites were synthesized by employing a soft chemical route. Our prime focus was on the influence of different factors, both physical and chemical, i.e., the concentration of manganese in the product, size of the nanocomposite, drug dose, and incubation time, on the bacterial strains. Different bacterial strains were selected as experimental biological models of the antibacterial activity of the manganese-doped cerium oxide nanocomposite. In addition to the photodynamic response, the adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7) was also studied. Based on cell viability losses and bacterial inhibition analyses, the precise mechanisms of apoptosis or necrosis of 5-ALA/PpIX-exposed MCF-7 cells under 630 nm red lights and under dark conditions were elucidated. It was observed that the undoped nanocomposites had lower cytotoxicities and inhibitions compared with those of the doped nanocomposites towards pathogens. The antibacterial activity and effectiveness for photodynamic therapy were enhanced in the presence of the manganese-doped ceria nanocomposite, which could be attributed to the correlation of the maximum reactive oxygen species generation for targeted toxicity and maximum antioxidant property in bacteria growth inhibition. The optimized cell viability dose and doping concentration will be beneficial for treating cancer and bacterial infections in the future.
Propofol Infusion Syndrome in the Postoperative Period of a Kidney Transplant
Authors: Dehesa-López Edgar , Irizar-Santana Sergio Saul , Claure-Del Granado Rolando , Valdez-Ortiz Rafael
Published: September 2019

Sedation during medical procedures poses a risk to any patient, and the use of specific anesthetic agents should be carefully considered to avoid adverse outcomes. We report on a patient with propofol infusion syndrome diagnosed during the post-operative period of a renal transplant. A 58-year-old female on chronic hemodialysis due to end stage kidney disease secondary to microscopic polyangiitis underwent kidney transplant from a deceased donor. Anesthetic induction was performed with fentanyl, propofol, and cisatracurium, and maintained with continuous propofol infusion. In the recovery room, the patient developed somnolence, tachypnea, and thoracoabdominal dissociation secondary to residual neuromuscular block. An arterial-blood gas test indicated acidemia, high pCO2, low HCO3, and mildly increased serum lactate. The patient remained hemodynamically stable, on volume-controlled ventilation, with sedation by continuous propofol infusion. Blood gas tests revealed persistent acidemia without tissue hypoperfusion. Doppler ultrasound of the renal graft reported adequate blood flow and serum triglycerides were elevated. A diagnosis of propofol infusion syndrome was made, and infusion ceased. A decrease in serum lactate levels was observed, with normalization 4 h later. This case highlights the importance of considering adverse effects of anesthetic agents as the cause of post-operative complications when prolonged sedation is required.
Intelligent Prediction of the Construction Cost of Substation Projects Using Support Vector Machine Optimized by Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Lin Tongyao , Yi Tao , Zhang Chao , Liu Jinpeng
Published: September 2019

To establish and consummate the electric power network, the construction and investment scale of power substation projects is expanding every year. As a capital‐technology‐intensive project, it has high requirements for power substation project management. Accurate cost forecasting can help to reduce the project cost, improve the investment efficiency, and optimize project management. However, affected by many factors, the construction cost of a power substation project usually presents strong nonlinearity and uncertainty, which make it difficult to accurately forecast the cost. This paper presents a new hybrid substation project cost forecasting method called PCA‐PSO‐SVM model, which is a support vector machine (SVM) model optimized by a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm with principal component analysis (PCA). In this intelligent prediction model, the PCA method is introduced to reduce the data dimension. Furthermore, the PSO algorithm is used to optimize the model parameters. In the example, 65 sets of substation construction data are input into PCA‐PSO‐SVM model for construction cost prediction, and the prediction results are compared with other prediction methods to verify the forecasting accuracy. The results show that the MAPE and RMSE of the PCA‐PSO‐SVM model is 6.21% and 3.62, respectively. And, the prediction accuracy of this model is better than that of other models, which can provide a reliable basis for investment decision‐making of substation projects.
A Parallel Manipulator with Planar Configurable Platform and Three End‐Effectors
Authors: Gallardo-Alvarado Jaime , Tinajero-Campos Jesus H.
Published: September 2019

This work reports on the kinematic analysis of a planar parallel manipulator endowed with a configurable platform assembled with six terminal links serially connected by means of revolute joints. This topology allows the robot manipulator to dispose of three relative degrees of freedom owing to the mobility of an internal closed‐loop chain. Therefore, the proposed robot manipulator can admit three end‐effectors. The forward displacement analysis of the configurable planar parallel manipulator is easily achieved based on unknown coordinates denoting the pose of each terminal link. Thereafter, the analysis leads to twelve quadratic equations which are numerically solved by means of the Newton homotopy method. Furthermore, a closed‐form solution is available for the inverse position analysis. On the contrary, the instantaneous kinematics of the robot manipulator is investigated by means of the theory of screws. Numerical examples are included with the purpose to illustrate the method of kinematic analysis.
For Women, Lynch Syndrome Is About More than Colon Cancer
Authors: Parker Wendy M. , Hennig Kelsey , Burton-Chase Allison M.
Published: September 2019

Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, has historically been characterized by a predisposition to colorectal cancer; however, for women with Lynch syndrome, the risks for gynecologic cancers pose an equal or greater risk than colorectal cancer. In addition, the gynecologic cancer is often the first cancer that presents in these patients. Also of importance to women with Lynch syndrome is the efficacy of gynecologic cancer screening being significantly lower than colorectal cancer screening, leading to inconsistency in provider recommendations for gynecologic screening and surveillance. We had the chance to listen to women with Lynch syndrome, in their own words, discuss their health care experiences as they relate to gynecologic cancer risk, and identified several important themes. They describe feeling confused about their screening and surveillance options while also being heavily reliant on their health care providers for guidance. In addition, women with Lynch syndrome discuss attempting to balance medical management of Lynch syndrome with their reproductive choices. Finally, they believe that increased awareness by women and their providers about the gynecologic cancer risks associated with Lynch syndrome should be a higher priority. We view the words of these women as a call to action for Lynch syndrome patients, clinicians, researchers, and advocates.
Fluvastatin Inhibits HMG-CoA Reductase and Prevents Non–Small Cell Lung Carcinogenesis
Authors: Zhang Tianshun , Bai Ruihua , Wang Qiushi , Wang Keke , Li Xiang , Liu Kangdong , Ryu Joohyun , Wang Ting , Chang Xiaoyu , Ma Weiya , Bode Ann M. , Xia Qingxin , Song Yongping , Dong Zigang
Published: September 2019

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. However, promising agents for lung cancer prevention are still very limited. Identification of preventive targets and novel effective preventive agents is urgently needed for clinical applications. In this study, we found that fluvastatin targeted 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase (HMGCR), which a rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate pathway, and inhibited non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumorigenesis. Initially, we demonstrated that HMGCR is overexpressed in human lung adenocarcinoma tissues compared with normal tissues. Knockdown of HMGCR in NSCLC cells attenuated growth and induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we found that fluvastatin, an inhibitor of HMGCR, suppressed NSCLC cell growth and induced apoptosis. Intriguingly, fluvastastin functions by inhibiting the HMGCR-driven Braf/MEK/ERK1/2 and Akt signaling pathways. Notably, fluvastatin attenuated tumor growth in 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)-induced lung tumorigenesis and in a patient-derived xenograft lung tumor model. Overall, our findings suggest that fluvastatin might be promising chemopreventive or potential therapeutic drug against NSCLC tumorigenesis, providing hope for rapid clinical translation.
IL6 Modulates the Immune Status of the Tumor Microenvironment to Facilitate Metastatic Colonization of Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Toyoshima Yujiro , Kitamura Hidemitsu , Xiang Huihui , Ohno Yosuke , Homma Shigenori , Kawamura Hideki , Takahashi Norihiko , Kamiyama Toshiya , Tanino Mishie , Taketomi Akinobu
Published: September 2019

It is unknown as to how liver metastases are correlated with host immune status in colorectal cancer. In this study, we found that IL6, a proinflammatory cytokine produced in tumor-bearing states, promoted the metastatic colonization of colon cancer cells in association with dysfunctional antitumor immunity. In IL6-deficient mice, metastatic colonization of CT26 cells in the liver was reduced, and the antitumor effector function of CD8+ T cells, as well as IL12 production by CD11c+ dendritic cells, were augmented in vivo. IL6-deficient mice exhibited enhanced IFN-AR1–mediated type I interferon signaling, which upregulated PD-L1 and MHC class I expression on CT26 cells. In vivo injection of anti–PD-L1 effectively suppressed the metastatic colonization of CT26 cells in Il6−/− but not in Il6+/+ mice. Finally, we confirmed that colorectal cancer patients with low IL6 expression in their primary tumors showed prolonged disease-free survival. These findings suggest that IL6 may be a promising target for the treatment of metastasis in colorectal cancers by improving host immunity.
Assessment of Quality of Life in Postmenopausal Women with Early Breast Cancer Participating in the PACT Trial: The Impact of Additional Patient Information Material Packages and Patient Compliance
Authors: Jackisch Christian , Kreienberg Rolf , Blettner Maria , Harbeck Nadia , Lück Hans-Joachim , Haidinger Renate , Schmitt Doris C. , Schulte Hilde , Windemuth-Kieselbach Christine , Zaun Silke , Hadji Peyman
Published: September 2019

Background: Breast cancer patients’ self-understanding of their disease can impact their quality of life (QoL); the relationship between compliance and QoL is poorly understood. Patients and Methods: The Patient’s Anastrozole Compliance to Therapy (PACT) program, a prospective, randomized study, investigated the effect of additional patient information material (IM) packages on compliance with adjuvant aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer. The QoL subanalysis presented here examined the impact of IM packages on QoL and the association between QoL and compliance. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 questionnaires were completed at baseline, 12 and 24 months, or study termination to assess health-related QoL and disease-related symptoms. Results: Of the 4,844 patients randomized to standard therapy or standard therapy + IM packages (1:1), 4,253 were available for QoL analysis. No difference in QoL was observed between groups at baseline. IM packages did not have a statistically significant impact on patient QoL at the 12- or 24-month follow-up. Compliant patients experienced improvement in multiple items across the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 scales at 12 months. However, those results should be interpreted carefully due to limitations in the statistical analyses. Conclusions: Provision of IM packages did not influence patients’ QoL or satisfaction with care during AI therapy. Compliant patients appear to experience improved QoL compared to noncompliant patients, perhaps indicating a more self-empowered perception of their condition.
Safe Use of Carfilzomib in a Patient with Multiple Myeloma and Intermittent Type 1 Brugada ECG Pattern: A Case Report
Authors: Ghisoni Eleonora , Marandino Laura , Lombardi Pasquale , Bonzano Alessandro , Becco Paolo , Aglietta Massimo , Fizzotti Marco , Gay Francesca , Rota Scalabrini Delia
Published: September 2019

Cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs) are of considerable importance in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), given the significant prevalence of coexisting cardiovascular risk factors and the potential treatment-induced toxicity. Brugada syndrome is a rare cardiological disease responsible for arrhythmia and potentially fatal cardiac arrest. Brugada phenocopies (BrP) are clinical entities which show an identical ECG patterns, but prompt resolution after treatment of the trigger event. A 65-year-old female newly diagnosed MM patient treated with a carfilzomib-based chemotherapy developed a type 1 Brugada ECG pattern during a hospitalization course for sepsis. As fever and the septic event resolved, further ECGs showed no abnormalities and carfilzomib-based treatment could be resumed with no further CVAEs. Though fever-induced BrP is a universally known phenomenon, to our knowledge this is the first case of BrP in a patient with MM during active treatment with carfilzomib.
Concepts and Physiological Aspects of the Otolith Organ in Relation to Electrical Stimulation
Authors: Curthoys Ian S.
Published: September 2019

Background: This paper discusses some of the concepts and major physiological issues in developing a means of electrically stimulating the otolithic system, with the final goal being the electrical stimulation of the otoliths in human patients. It contrasts the challenges of electrical stimulation of the otolith organs as compared to stimulation of the semicircular canals. Electrical stimulation may consist of trains of short-duration pulses (e.g., 0.1 ms duration at 400 Hz) by selective electrodes on otolith maculae or otolithic afferents, or unselective maintained DC stimulation by large surface electrodes on the mastoids – surface galvanic stimulation. Summary: Recent anatomical and physiological results are summarized in order to introduce some of the unique issues in electrical stimulation of the otoliths. The first challenge is that each otolithic macula contains receptors with opposite polarization (opposing preferred directions of stimulation), unlike the uniform polarization of receptors in each semicircular canal crista. The puzzle is that in response to the one linear acceleration in the one macula, some otolithic afferents have an increased activation whereas others have decreased activation. Key Messages: At the vestibular nucleus this opposite receptor hair cell polarization and consequent opposite afferent input allow enhanced response to the one linear acceleration, via a “push-pull” neural mechanism in a manner analogous to the enhancement of semicircular canal responses to angular acceleration. Within each otolithic macula there is not just one uniform otolithic neural input to the brain – there are very distinctly different channels of otolithic neural inputs transferring the neural data to the brainstem. As a simplification these channels are characterized as the sustained and transient systems. Afferents in each system have different responses to stimulus onset and maintained stimulation and likely different projections, and most importantly different thresholds for activation by electrical stimulation and different adaptation rates to maintained stimulation. The implications of these differences are considered.
Low-Stage Gastric MALT Lymphoma Causing Life-Threatening Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Authors: Bestari Muhammad Begawan , Palungkun Ivonne Golda , Hernowo Bethy Suryawathy , Abdurachman Siti Aminah , Nugraha Eka Surya
Published: September 2019

Gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is an uncommon tumor of the stomach that only comprises around 1–6% of all tumors of the stomach. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma more commonly affects the lymph nodes and may spread to the spleen and bone marrow, whereas extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma is less common. Primary gastric lymphoma is further divided based on histologic features; one of the types is MALT lymphoma, which is strongly associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. The first sign of the disease is usually mimicking gastritis. However, in the case reported here, the first sign of gastric MALT lymphoma was massive gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding with hemodynamic instability in a 75-year-old male. The patient came to the emergency department and was immediately resuscitated, intubated, and admitted to the intensive care unit. Urgent endoscopy (<6 h) was done to identify the source of bleeding, which were oozing ulcerated polypoid masses; endoscopic hemostasis was done, which successfully stopped the bleeding. However, the next day, rebleeding occurred and a second endoscopic hemostasis was performed. The bleeding stopped and the patient showed gradual improvement. The biopsy result of a gastric MALT lymphoma of grade IE1 with H. pylori infection warranted a treatment regimen for Helicobacter eradication. The patient recovered, with follow-up endoscopy at 3 months, at 6 months, and yearly thereafter with no sign of recurrence. This case shows that gastric MALT lymphoma, even at a low stage (1E1), can cause life-threatening upper GI bleeding that requires aggressive resuscitation and urgent endoscopy.
Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients with Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm: A Prospective, Parallel Cohort Study
Authors: Gaisl Thomas , Baumgartner Patrick , Rejmer Protazy , Osswald Martin , Roeder Maurice , Thiel Sira , Stämpfli Simon F. , Clarenbach Christian F. , Tanner Felix C. , Kohler Malcolm
Published: September 2019

Background: The pathogenesis and etiology of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) are largely unknown. Preliminary data from patients with aortic dissection and abdominal aneurysms suggest a causal link of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on aortic disease. Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of OSA in patients with TAA compared to a matched control group. Method: In this prospective parallel-cohort study, we 2-to-1 matched 208 patients with verified TAA (at the aortic sinus and/or ascending aorta) to 104 controls without TAA according to sex, age, height, weight, and left ventricular ejection fraction. All participants underwent an ultrasound of the thoracic aorta and a level III respiratory polygraphy. OSA was defined as apnea-hypopnea index ≥5/h. The prevalence of OSA was compared with conditional logistic regression and controlling for the matching variables. Results: A total of 312 patients (mean age 65 ± 11 years, 82% male, mean body mass index 27 ± 4 kg/m2) were successfully 2-to-1 matched in the final model. Prevalence of OSA was significantly higher in the TAA-group when compared to the matched control group (63 vs. 47%; odds ratio 1.87 [95% CI 1.05–3.34]; p = 0.03). When applying a higher apnea-hypopnea index threshold (≥15/h), the odds ratio increased to 3.25 (95% CI 1.65–6.42; p < 0.001). The median apnea-hypopnea index was higher in patients with TAA (9.2/h [3.3–20.0] vs. 4.5/h [2.2–11.1], p < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with TAA have a higher prevalence of OSA when compared to the general population. Since OSA is effectively treatable and might contribute to the pathogenesis of TAA, further longitudinal trials are needed to assess the association between OSA and TAA.