bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In-Vivo Real-Time Contrast-Free Ultrasonic Blood Flow Velocity Profile Measurement
Authors: Koutsouridis G. G. , Bijnens N. , Brands P. J. , van de Vosse F. N. , Rutten M. C. M.
Published: July 2018

Recently, Ultrasonic Perpendicular Velocimetry (UPV) based algorithms, as opposed to commonly used Doppler technique (Figure 1), were applied to Radio Frequency (RF)-data acquired in an in-vitro setup [1,3]. Thus, the estimation of velocity components perpendicularly to the ultrasound beam and the simultaneous and accurate assessment of wall position and axial velocity profiles were made feasible. By integrating the measured velocity profile an accurate flow estimation was made possible. Furthermore, the ratio between the changes in flow Q(t) and the changes in cross-sectional area of the vessel A(t) was found to offer an accurate estimation of the local Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV). By combining the PWV with the diameter waveform, accurate local pressure estimation was obtained indicating that a non-invasive pressure assessment by means of ultrasound is feasible [3]. However, the abovementioned method is time consuming due to the data size and the post-processing procedure required. Additionally, the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) on Butterworth Band Pass Filters (BPF) for vessel’s wall removal requires contrast agents dispersion in the fluid for the application of UPV. A real-time approach, of the previously described techniques, was applied [2] in-vitro using a Blood Mimicking Fluid (BMF), as contrast agent, resembling the rheological (shear thinning) and acoustical (backscattering) properties of blood and ex-vivo using BMF or contrast-free real blood implementing Wavelet Transform (WT) filtering. The use of a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) [4], succeeded in considerable acceleration and WT [5] filtering on the rough RF-data, in improvement of the discrimination between reflections from the vessel wall and scattering from small particles. In this research the method is extended to include in-vivo measurements.
A Comparison Between the Pulsed and Duty Cycle Approaches Used to Capture the Thermal Response of Tissue During Electroporation-Based Therapies
Authors: Garcia Paulo A. , Pearce John A. , Davalos Rafael V.
Published: July 2018

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a new minimally invasive non-thermal focal ablation technique that has been used for the treatment of spontaneous tumors in canine and human patients [1–4]. The procedure involves placing electrodes into or around a tumor and delivering a series of low energy electric pulses to kill tumor tissue with sub-millimeter resolution. The pulses generate an electric field that alters the resting transmembrane potential (TMP) of the cells [1]. Depending on the magnitude of the induced TMP, the electric pulses can have no effect, transiently increase membrane permeability, or cause cell death [1].
Contributions of Platelet Activation and Collision to Thrombus Formation in Tortuous Venules
Authors: Chesnutt Jennifer K. W. , Han Hai-Chao
Published: July 2018

Vessel tortuosity is often seen in humans in association with various conditions, including thrombosis.1–3 Thrombosis is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Tortuosity can increase shear stress that can activate platelets, which can lead to thrombosis.4 A fundamental gap exists in understanding how vessel tortuosity regulates thrombosis through such microscale physical mechanisms. Solving this problem is essential to assess the risk of thrombosis and to develop new treatment strategies.
Evaluation of the pancreatic tumors by transabdominal Shear Wave Elastography: preliminary results of a pilot study
Authors: Zaro Razvan , Dina Liliana , Pojoga Cristina , Vesa Stefan , Badea Radu
Published: July 2018

Aim: To identify the mean values of Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) in pancreatic neoplasms.Material and method: This pilot case-control study was conducted in a tertiary care setting and data were collected in a prospective manner. Thirty-three subjects were included and divided into two groups: 18 healthy subjects and 15 patients with pancreatic neoplasm, from which 14 patients were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma and one with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia. Inclusion criteria for patients with pancreatic neoplasia were histopathological confirmation obtained by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) with fine needle aspiration or surgically and imaging confirmation by computed tomography with contrast enhancement. A number of minimum 5 shear wave velocity (SWV) measurements regarding each segment respectively at the tumoral level was obtained among a series of elastograms.Results: The mean SWV of the pancreas in the control group was 1.21±0.27 m/s. Data regarding the pathological parenchyma indicated an increase of the SWV at the tumoral (cephalic) level corresponding to 1.54±0.32 m/s, with significant statistical difference between the control batch and tumoral group, p=0.02.Conclusions: Transabdominal SWE represents a surrogate but feasible method for differentiation cancer from the normal pancreatic tissue. In a clinical setting, data regarding the stiffness complementary to an ultrasound evaluation could guide high-risk patients for a close-up pancreatic monitoring
The efficacy and safety of autologous conditioned serum (ACS) injections compared with betamethasone and placebo injections in the treatment of chronic shoulder joint pain due to supraspinatus tendinopathy: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study
Authors: Damjanov Nemanja , Barac Branko , Colic Jelena , Stevanovic Vladan , Zekovic Ana , Tulic Goran
Published: July 2018

Aims: Autologous conditioned serum (ACS; marketed as Orthokine®) is an autologous blood product that has previously shown efficacy in treatment of joint osteoarthritis, spinal radiculopathy, tendon and muscle injuries in randomized controlled trials. In this 24-week, randomized, double-blind study, we compared the efficacy and safety of ACS with glucocorticoid (betamethasone) injections in chronic supraspinatus tendinopathy patients.Material and methods: Thirty-two patients with chronic supraspinatus tendinopathy were enrolled in the study. The ACS group received four ACS injections once weekly over four weeks and the glucocorticoid group received three betamethasone injections once weekly over three weeks with a placebo (saline) injection at week 4 into the enthesis and paratenon of the supraspinatus tendon. Study endpoints were pain intensity (VAS) and Constant Shoulder Score (CSS) assessed at weeks 0, 4 and 24.Results: Shoulder pain intensity improved after 4 weeks and significantly improved after 24 weeks in patients treated with ACS compared with those treated with glucocorticoids (pain intensity week 4: ACS=22.0, glucocorticoid=32.0; week 24: ACS=15.0, glucocorticoid=40.0). CSS improved to a similar extent in both groups after 4 weeks. After 24 weeks, ACS patients exhibited significantly greater CSS improvements than glucocorticoid patients. Adverse events (n=8) were reported in betamethasone patients.Conclusions: Compared with betamethasone, ACS therapy improved joint function and reduced shoulder pain more effectively after 4 weeks of treatment; these improvements were sustained to week 24. Combined with its favorable safety profile, ACS appears to be a more effective treatment than glucocorticoids and could enhance the quality of life in patients with chronic rotator cuff tendinopathy
Fetal supraventricular tachycardia at 12 weeks of gestation: diagnosis and follow up. A case report
Authors: Bravo-Valenzuela Nathalie Jeanne , Peixoto Alberto Borges , Araujo Júnior Edward , Tonni Gabriele
Published: July 2018

This report describes a case of fetal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) diagnosed at 12 weeks of gestation in a pregnant woman with diabetes mellitus. Transplacental digoxin therapy administered orally to the mother was unsuccessful. Subsequently, sotalol was added to digoxin to achieve fetal heart rate (HR) control and the conversion to sinus rhythm was achieved. The fetal HR remained stable until term, and a healthy male baby was born. The newborn electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm with normal PR and QTc intervals. When the newborn was stable, he was discharged with propanolol. Sustained SVT is extremely rare during the first trimester. The goal of treatment in utero is the conversion to sinus rhythm or reduction of the ventricular rate to tolerable levels, preventing or even reversing fetal hydrops.
A new species of Hoplocheylus (Acariformes: Tarsocheylidae) from Zanzibar, Tanzania
Authors: Khaustov Alexander , Ermilov Sergey
Published: July 2018

A new species of the genus Hoplocheylus Atyeo and Baker (Acariformes: Heterostigmata: Tarsocheylidae), H. zanzibariensis sp. nov., is described from the forest litter in Zanzibar, Tanzania. A key to species of the genus Hoplocheylus is provided.
Learning universality and scaling from simple deposition models
Authors: Santini Alessandro , Politi Paolo
Published: July 2018

We use deposition models of kinetic roughening of a growing surface to introduce the concepts of universality and scaling and to analyze the qualitative and quantitative role of different parameters. In particular, we focus on two classes of models where the deposition is accompanied by a local relaxation process within a distance δ. The models are in the Edwards-Wilkinson universality class, but the role of δ is nontrivial.
The apparent (gravitational) horizon in cosmology
Authors: Melia Fulvio
Published: July 2018

In general relativity, a gravitational horizon (more commonly known as the “apparent horizon”) is an imaginary surface beyond which all null geodesics recede from the observer. The Universe has an apparent (gravitational) horizon, but unlike its counterpart in the Schwarzschild and Kerr metrics, it is not static. It may eventually turn into an event horizon—an asymptotically defined membrane that forever separates causally connected events from those that are not—depending on the equation of state of the cosmic fluid. In this paper, we examine how and why an apparent (gravitational) horizon is manifested in the Friedmann–Robertson–Walker metric, and why it is becoming so pivotal to our correct interpretation of the cosmological data. We discuss its observational signature and demonstrate how it alone defines the proper size of our visible Universe. In so doing, we affirm its physical reality and its impact on cosmological models.
Biallelic
RIPK1
mutations in humans cause severe immunodeficiency, arthritis, and intestinal inflammation
Authors: Cuchet-Lourenço Delphine , Eletto Davide , Wu Changxin , Plagnol Vincent , Papapietro Olivier , Curtis James , Ceron-Gutierrez Lourdes , Bacon Chris M. , Hackett Scott , Alsaleem Badr , Maes Mailis , Gaspar Miguel , Alisaac Ali , Goss Emma , AlIdrissi Eman , Siegmund Daniela , Wajant Harald , Kumararatne Dinakantha , AlZahrani Mofareh S. , Arkwright Peter D. , Abinun Mario , Doffinger Rainer , Nejentsev Sergey
Published: July 2018

Humans as models of human disease

Mice are a convenient model for exploring the functions of cellular signaling pathways. Occasionally, however, an “experiment of nature” highlights the perils of overreliance on mice. RIPK1 is a well studied protein kinase that regulates cell death. Mice deficient in RIPK1 die soon after birth because of the protein's widespread role in multiple tissues and organs. Cuchet-Lourenço
et al.
studied patients with inherited immunodeficiency of unknown cause (see the Perspective by Pasparakis and Kelliher). They identified inactivating mutations in the
RIPK1
gene in four individuals. Unlike what has been seen in mice, the deleterious effects of RIPK1 loss in humans were confined to the immune system, a finding with potential therapeutic implications.

Science
, this issue p.
810
; see also p.
756
Lessons in Membrane Engineering for Octanoic Acid Production from Environmental Escherichia coli Isolates
Authors: Chen Yingxi , Reinhardt Michael , Neris Natalia , Kerns Lucas , Mansell Thomas J. , Jarboe Laura R.
Published: July 2018

The production of bulk fuels and chemicals in a bio-based fermentation process requires high product titers. This is often difficult to achieve, because many of the target molecules damage the membrane of the microbial cell factory. Engineering the composition of the membrane in order to decrease its vulnerability to this damage has proven to be an effective strategy for improving bioproduction, but additional strategies and engineering targets are needed. Here, we studied a small set of environmental
Escherichia coli
isolates that have higher production titers of octanoic acid, a model biorenewable chemical, than those of the lab strain MG1655. We found that membrane fluidity and cell surface hydrophobicity are strongly associated with improved octanoic acid production. Fewer genetic modification strategies have been demonstrated for tuning hydrophobicity relative to fluidity, leading to the conclusion that there is a need for expanding hydrophobicity engineering strategies in
E. coli
.
Microbial Cell Factories à
la Carte
: Elimination of Global Regulators Cra and ArcA Generates Metabolic Backgrounds Suitable for the Synthesis of Bioproducts in Escherichia coli
Authors: Egoburo Diego E. , Diaz Peña Rocío , Alvarez Daniela S. , Godoy Manuel S. , Mezzina Mariela P. , Pettinari M. Julia
Published: July 2018

Although the effects of many global regulators, especially ArcA and Cra, have been studied in
Escherichia coli
, the metabolic changes caused by the absence of global regulators have been observed to differ between strains. This scenario complicates the identification of the individual effects of the regulators, which is essential for the design of metabolic engineering strategies. The genome of
Escherichia coli
BW25113 has been completely sequenced and does not contain additional mutations that could mask or interfere with the effects of the global regulator mutations. The uniform genetic background of the Keio collection mutants enabled the characterization of the physiological consequences of altered carbon and redox fluxes caused by each global regulator deletion, eliminating possible strain-dependent results. As a proof of concept, Δ
cra
and Δ
arcA
mutants were subjected to further manipulations to obtain large amounts of succinate and 1,3-PDO, demonstrating that the metabolic backgrounds of the mutants were suitable for the synthesis of bioproducts.
mDiabetes initiative using text messages to improve lifestyle and health-seeking behaviour in India
Authors: Ramachandran Ambady , Kumar Rajeev , Nanditha Arun , Raghavan Arun , Snehalatha Chamukuttan , Krishnamoorthy Satheesh , Joshi Pradeep , Tesfaye Fikru
Published: July 2018

Background

Data on the use of mobile technology in public health are sparse. Text messaging is cost-effective in disseminating information to large communities. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, initiated and executed this mDiabetes programme.

Objectives

The main objective of this commissioned study was to test the feasibility of using mobile technology to reach a large number of people to improve their lifestyle and health-seeking behaviour. Participants’ interest, acceptability and scope for improvement were assessed.

Methods

This mDiabetes observational study was done in India between 2016 and 2017. Text messages inviting registrations were sent to 130 million people in the country, mostly to the working class. Respondents (n=107 548) were registered by dialling a given phone number (missed phone call) or through a website. Based on the response, participants were grouped into six categories: persons with diabetes, pregnant/lactating women, high-risk individuals, healthcare professionals, elderly and normal population. They received 90 messages on healthy living during the 6 months. The impact of intervention was assessed at the third and sixth months by feedback messages. Telephonic interviews were conducted at 1 year in a subpopulation (n=855).

Results

The registered respondents, 31 725, were grouped into six categories. 21.4% had diabetes and 5.3% had multiple risk factors. 15.6% responded to feedback messages. Among them, 57.2% followed a healthy diet, 72.3% practised advice on physical activity, 51.9% screened for diabetes and 67.3% checked their glycaemic status. The telephonic interviews showed that the programme was feasible and acceptable. The participants suggested use of interactive voice response system for registration and motivation.

Discussion and conclusion

The study demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of mHealth in a large population to disseminate knowledge regarding diabetes and healthy lifestyle, and to improve health-seeking behaviour. It helped to identify the limitations and scope for future improvements.
Hydrophilic polymer embolic complication during diagnostic cerebral angiography presenting with delayed intracranial hemorrhage: case report and literature review
Authors: Ansari Sameer A , Anderson Richard R , Caron Michael J , Shaibani Ali , Hurley Michael C , Jahromi Babak S , Potts Matthew B
Published: July 2018

We report two serial neuroendovascular cases of hydrophilic polymer embolic complications, and highlight a unique case of a routine diagnostic cerebral angiogram that was complicated by delayed intracranial hemorrhage requiring surgical decompression. Histopathology specimens revealed organized intravascular thrombi with foci of non-polarizable, basophilic foreign material. Shavings from the hydrophilic coatings of a standard diagnostic catheter and guidewire share histologic characteristics with this intravascular foreign material, confirming the diagnosis of hydrophilic polymer emboli. While this phenomenon has been described for complex neurointerventional procedures, it is rare with routine diagnostic cerebral angiography. Along with a detailed literature review, these cases provides further evidence that even basic hydrophilic coated catheters and/or wires may contribute to the etiology of iatrogenic emboli in the neurovasculature with the potential for acute and subacute complications, requiring further investigation.
Gut–brain axis biochemical signalling from the gastrointestinal tract to the central nervous system: gut dysbiosis and altered brain function
Authors: Arneth Borros M
Published: July 2018

Background

The gut–brain axis facilitates a critical bidirectional link and communication between the brain and the gut. Recent studies have highlighted the significance of interactions in the gut–brain axis, with a particular focus on intestinal functions, the nervous system and the brain. Furthermore, researchers have examined the effects of the gut microbiome on mental health and psychiatric well-being.

The present study reviewed published evidence to explore the concept of the gut–brain axis.

Aims

This systematic review investigated the relationship between human brain function and the gut–brain axis.

Methods

To achieve these objectives, peer-reviewed articles on the gut–brain axis were identified in various electronic databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, CIHAHL, Web of Science and PsycINFO.

Results

Data obtained from previous studies showed that the gut–brain axis links various peripheral intestinal functions to brain centres through a broad range of processes and pathways, such as endocrine signalling and immune system activation. Researchers have found that the vagus nerve drives bidirectional communication between the various systems in the gut–brain axis. In humans, the signals are transmitted from the liminal environment to the central nervous system.

Conclusions

The communication that occurs in the gut–brain axis can alter brain function and trigger various psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia and depression. Thus, elucidation of the gut–brain axis is critical for the management of certain psychiatric and mental disorders.
Effects of vegetation on hydrological response of silty volcanic covers
Authors: Pagano Luca , Reder Alfredo , Rianna Guido
Published: July 2018

This work examines the hydrological behaviour of a silty volcanic layer exposed to the atmosphere for 3 years under vegetated conditions. The layer was extensively monitored to measure energy fluxes, water fluxes, and internal variables (suction, water content, water storage, and temperature). Measurements were used to build representations of the layer’s behaviour patterns depending on its surface covering, comparing the behaviour in vegetated conditions with behaviour observed under bare conditions over the previous 4 years. Results show that during cold–dry periods, differences in terms of fluxes and hydrological variables between the bare and vegetated conditions reduce to negligible levels, but increase significantly during hot–dry and transition periods. As the soil forming the layer was selected to have the same intrinsic and state properties as the layer in a specific rainfall-induced landslide case history that occurred in Nocera Inferiore (South Italy) in 2005, the experimental results are used to re-interpret such a landslide, considering the effects of vegetation and referring to a coupled thermohydraulic model. The experimental results are used to calibrate the model, and this is then used to interpret around 10 years of meteorological variables recorded at the landslide site, including the landslide time. Comparison with interpretations made previously as a bare soil hypothesis shows how neglecting the effects of vegetation might imply a loss in prediction accuracy of soil state variables (suction and water storage) related to the slope stability.
Electronic structure and nearly room-temperature ferromagnetism in V-doped monolayer and bilayer MoS2
Authors: Mekonnen Sintayehu , Singh Pooran
Published: July 2018

The electronic structure, magnetic properties and ferromagnetic transition temperature (Tc) of Vandium (V) doped monolayer (ML) and bilayer (BL) MoS2 are investigated using density function theory (DFT) plus on-site Hubbard potential correction (U). The results show that substitution of V dopant atom at the Mo sites are energetically favorable and magnetic interaction between two dopants in ML and BL MoS2 oscillates from ferromagnetic (FM) to antiferromagnetic (AF) depending on atomic distance between dopants. Our result also shows that a pair of V dopants in different layers of BL MoS2 interacts antiferromagnetically. Moreover, it is obtained that interlayer interaction in BL MoS2 affects the magnetic interaction in V-doped BL MoS2. The calculated ferromagnetic transition temperatures (Tc) value for impurity concentration of 12.5% and 22.22% are 242 and 285 K, respectively, for ML phase. However, for BL phase T[Formula: see text] values are 187 and 256 K for concentration of 6.25% and 11.11%, respectively, these values are closer to room-temperature. Our calculations indicate that, V-doped ML and BL MoS2 are promising candidates for 2D dilute magnetic semiconductors for spintronics applications.
Taking into account thermal residual stresses in topology optimization of structures built by additive manufacturing
Authors: Allaire Grégoire , Jakabčin Lukas
Published: July 2018

We introduce a model and several constraints for shape and topology optimization of structures, built by additive manufacturing techniques. The goal of these constraints is to take into account the thermal residual stresses or the thermal deformations, generated by processes like Selective Laser Melting, right from the beginning of the structural design optimization. In other words, the structure is optimized concurrently for its final use and for its behavior during the layer-by-layer production process. It is well known that metallic additive manufacturing generates very high temperatures and heat fluxes, which in turn yield thermal deformations that may prevent the coating of a new powder layer, or thermal residual stresses that may hinder the mechanical properties of the final design. Our proposed constraints are targeted to avoid these undesired effects. Shape derivatives are computed by an adjoint method and are incorporated into a level set numerical optimization algorithm. Several 2D and 3D numerical examples demonstrate the interest and effectiveness of our approach.
Error estimates for projection-based dynamic augmented Lagrangian boundary condition enforcement, with application to fluid–structure interaction
Authors: Yu Yue , Kamensky David , Hsu Ming-Chen , Lu Xin Yang , Bazilevs Yuri , Hughes Thomas J. R.
Published: July 2018

In this work, we analyze the convergence of the recent numerical method for enforcing fluid–structure interaction (FSI) kinematic constraints in the immersogeometric framework for cardiovascular FSI. In the immersogeometric framework, the structure is modeled as a thin shell, and its influence on the fluid subproblem is imposed as a forcing term. This force has the interpretation of a Lagrange multiplier field supplemented by penalty forces, in an augmented Lagrangian formulation of the FSI kinematic constraints. Because of the non-matching fluid and structure discretizations used, no discrete inf-sup condition can be assumed. To avoid solving (potentially unstable) discrete saddle point problems, the penalty forces are treated implicitly and the multiplier field is updated explicitly. In the present contribution, we introduce the term dynamic augmented Lagrangian (DAL) to describe this time integration scheme. Moreover, to improve the stability and conservation of the DAL method, in a recently-proposed extension we projected the multiplier onto a coarser space and introduced the projection-based DAL method. In this paper, we formulate this projection-based DAL algorithm for a linearized parabolic model problem in a domain with an immersed Lipschitz surface, analyze the regularity of solutions to this problem, and provide error estimates for the projection-based DAL method in both the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] norms. Numerical experiments indicate that the derived estimates are sharp and that the results of the model problem analysis can be extrapolated to the setting of nonlinear FSI, for which the numerical method was originally proposed.
Quantum Entanglement and the Emergence of Collaboration in Social Media
Authors: Solferino Nazaria , Solferino Viviana , Taurino Serena Fiona
Published: July 2018

In this paper, we devise a slightly modified version of the vote with the wallet game used by Becchetti et al. [L. Becchetti and F. Salustri, The vote with the wallet as a multiplayer prisoner’s dilemma, CEIS Tor Vergata Research Paper No. 359, Vol. 13, Issue 10, Centre for Economic and International Studies, Rome, Italy (2015); L. Becchetti, V. Pelligra and F. Salustri, Testing for heterogeneity of preferences in randomized experiments: A satisfaction-based approach applied to multiple prisoner dilemmas, Appl. Econ. Lett. 24(10) (2017) 722–726] for the use of social media, where the player decides whether to responsibly share social knowledge or not. We follow the point of view of Bennet and Bennet [D. Bennet and A. Bennet, Social learning from the inside out: The creation and sharing of knowledge from the mind/brain perspective, in Social Knowledge: Using Social Media to Know What You Know, eds. J. P. Girard and J. L. Girard (IGI Global, 2011), pp. 1–23] according to which another social settings may emerge through the so-called “process of collaborative entanglement.” In this environment, members of a community interact continuously with strong emotional feelings to combine the sources of knowledge and the beneficiaries of that knowledge and move toward a common direction. The application of the model to the quantum game theory substantially confirms that the cooperative strategy becomes the optimal one depending on the frequency of interactions and people’s cultural, geographical and social reachability and traceability.
Behavior Analysis of Human Locomotion in the Real World and Virtual Reality for the Manufacturing Industry
Authors: Agethen Philipp , Sekar Viswa Subramanian , Gaisbauer Felix , Pfeiffer Thies , Otto Michael , Rukzio Enrico
Published: July 2018

With the rise of immersive visualization techniques, many domains within the manufacturing industry are increasingly validating production processes in virtual reality (VR). The validity of the results gathered in such simulations, however, is widely unknown—in particular, with regard to human locomotion behavior. To bridge this gap, this article presents an experiment analyzing the behavioral disparity between human locomotion being performed without any equipment and in immersive VR while wearing a head-mounted display (HMD). The presented study (
n
= 30) is split up in three sections and covers linear walking, non-linear walking, and obstacle avoidance. Special care has been given to design the experiment so that findings are generally valid and can be applied to a wide range of domains beyond the manufacturing industry. The findings provide novel insights into the effect of immersive VR on specific gait parameters. In total, a comprehensive sample of 18.09km is analyzed. The results reveal that the HMD had a medium effect (up to 13%) on walking velocity, on non-linear walking toward an oriented target, and on clearance distance. The overall differences are modeled using multiple regression models, thus allowing the general usage within various domains. Summarizing, it can be concluded that VR can be used to analyze and plan human locomotion; however, specific details may have to be adjusted to transfer findings to the real world.
Ischemia-reperfusion induces death receptor-independent necroptosis via calpain-STAT3 activation in a lung transplant setting
Authors: Kim Hyunhee , Zamel Ricardo , Bai Xiao-Hui , Lu Christina , Keshavjee Sara , Keshavjee Shaf , Liu Mingyao
Published: July 2018

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced lung injury undermines lung transplantation (LTx) outcomes by predisposing lung grafts to primary graft dysfunction (PGD). Necrosis is a feature of I/R lung injury. However, regulated necrosis (RN) with specific signaling pathways has not been explored in an LTx setting. In this study, we investigated the role of RN in I/R-induced lung injury. To study I/R-induced cell death, we simulated an LTx procedure using our cell culture model with human lung epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells. After 18 h of cold ischemic time (CIT) followed by reperfusion, caspase-independent cell death, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production, and mitochondrial membrane permeability were significantly increased. N-acetyl-Leu-Leu-norleucinal (ALLN) (calpain inhibitor) or necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) [receptor interacting serine/threonine kinase 1 (RIPK1) inhibitor] reduced these changes. ALLN altered RIPK1/RIPK3 expression and mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) phosphorylation, whereas Nec-1 did not change calpain/calpastatin expression. Furthermore, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was demonstrated to be downstream of calpain and regulate RIPK3 expression and MLKL phosphorylation during I/R. This calpain-STAT3-RIPK axis induces endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial calcium dysregulation. LTx patients’ samples demonstrate that RIPK1, MLKL, and STAT3 mRNA expression increased from CIT to reperfusion. Moreover, the expressions of the key proteins are higher in PGD samples than in non-PGD samples. Cell death associated with prolonged lung preservation is mediated by the calpain-STAT3-RIPK axis. Inhibition of RIPK and/or calpain pathways could be an effective therapy in LTx.
Regulation of amniotic fluid volume: insights derived from amniotic fluid volume function curves
Authors: Brace Robert A. , Cheung Cecilia Y. , Anderson Debra F.
Published: July 2018

Recent advances in understanding the regulation of amniotic fluid volume (AFV) include that AFV is determined primarily by the rate of intramembranous absorption (IMA) of amniotic fluid across the amnion and into fetal blood. In turn, IMA rate is dependent on the concentrations of yet-to-be identified stimulator(s) and inhibitor(s) that are present in amniotic fluid. To put these concepts in perspective, this review 1) discusses the evolution of discoveries that form the current basis for understanding the regulation of AFV, 2) reviews the contribution of IMA to this regulation, and 3) interprets experimentally induced shifts in AFV function curves and amnioinfusion function curves in terms of the activity of the amniotic fluid stimulator and inhibitor of IMA. In the early 1980s, it was not known whether AFV was regulated. However, by the late 1980s, IMA was discovered to be a “missing link” in understanding the regulation of AFV. Over the next 25 years the concept of IMA evolved from being a passive process to being an active, unidirectional transport of amniotic fluid water and solutes by vesicles within the amnion. In the 2010s, it was demonstrated that a renally derived stimulator and a fetal membrane-derived inhibitor are present in amniotic fluid that regulate IMA rate and hence are the primary determinants of AFV. Furthermore, AFV function curves and amnioinfusion function curves provide new insights into the relative efficacy of the stimulator and inhibitor of IMA.
Salt-sensitive (Rapp) rats from Envigo spontaneously develop accelerated hypertension independent of ovariectomy on a low-sodium diet
Authors: Pai Amrita V. , West Crystal A. , A. de Souza Aline M. , Cheng Xi , West David A. , Ji Hong , Wu Xie , Baylis Chris , Sandberg Kathryn
Published: July 2018

Inbred salt-sensitive (SS) rats developed by John Rapp and distributed by Harlan (SS/JrHsd) were shown to model ovariectomy-induced hypertension because on a low-sodium (LS) diet, ovariectomized SS (SS-OVX) animals became hypertensive in contrast to their sham-operated (SS-SHAM) normotensive littermates. After Harlan merged with Envigo in 2015, inconsistencies in the LS normotensive phenotype were reported. To further investigate these inconsistencies, we studied the effects of ovariectomy on SS and salt-resistant (SR) rats purchased from Envigo (SS/JrHsd/Env) between 2015 and 2017. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) in SS rats on a LS diet exceeded 160 mmHg at 7 mo old. Ovariectomy at 3 mo had no detectable effect on MAP from 4 to 7 mo, nor did ovariectomy at 1.5 mo significantly affect MAP at 10 mo in either strain; only strain differences in MAP were observed [MAP: SR-SHAM ( n = 7 rats), 102 ± 3 mmHg; SR-OVX ( n = 6 rats), 114 ± 1 mmHg; SS-SHAM ( n = 7 rats), 177 ± 6 mmHg; SS-OVX ( n = 5 rats), 190 ± 12 mmHg; where P < 0.0001 vs. SR, same ovarian-status for SS-SHAM and SS-OVX, respectively]. Whole genome sequencing revealed more genomic variants of SS/JrHsd/Env, including single nucleotide and insertion deletion polymorphisms and higher heterozygous/homozygous ratios compared with the reference genome, than for SS/JrHsd/Mcwi and SS/Jr rats maintained in Milwaukee, WI and Toledo, OH, respectively, and which still exhibit normal blood pressure on a LS diet. These findings demonstrate that the female SS/JrHsd/Env rat has genetically diverged from the original phenotype, which was normotensive on a LS diet when the ovaries were intact but rapidly developed hypertension when the ovaries were removed. Nonetheless, the SS/JrHsd/Env rat could be a valuable model that complements other animal models of spontaneous hypertension used to investigate mechanisms of essential hypertension.
Repeated exposure to heat stress induces mitochondrial adaptation in human skeletal muscle
Authors: Hafen Paul S. , Preece Coray N. , Sorensen Jacob R. , Hancock Chad R. , Hyldahl Robert D.
Published: July 2018

The heat stress response is associated with several beneficial adaptations that promote cell health and survival. Specifically, in vitro and animal investigations suggest that repeated exposures to a mild heat stress (~40°C) elicit positive mitochondrial adaptations in skeletal muscle comparable to those observed with exercise. To assess whether such adaptations translate to human skeletal muscle, we produced local, deep tissue heating of the vastus lateralis via pulsed shortwave diathermy in 20 men and women ( n = 10 men; n = 10 women). Diathermy increased muscle temperature by 3.9°C within 30 min of application. Immediately following a single 2-h heating session, we observed increased phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase and ERK1/2 but not of p38 MAPK or JNK. Following repeated heat exposures (2 h daily for 6 consecutive days), we observed a significant cellular heat stress response, as heat shock protein 70 and 90 increased 45% and 38%, respectively. In addition, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, coactivator-1 alpha and mitochondrial electron transport protein complexes I and V expression were increased after heating. These increases were accompanied by augmentation of maximal coupled and uncoupled respiratory capacity, measured via high-resolution respirometry. Our data provide the first evidence that mitochondrial adaptation can be elicited in human skeletal muscle in response to repeated exposures to mild heat stress.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Heat stress has been shown to elicit mitochondrial adaptations in cell culture and animal research. We used pulsed shortwave diathermy to produce deep tissue heating and explore whether beneficial mitochondrial adaptations would translate to human skeletal muscle in vivo. We report, for the first time, positive mitochondrial adaptations in human skeletal muscle following recurrent heat stress. The results of this study have clinical implications for many conditions characterized by diminished skeletal muscle mitochondrial function.
Composites Bond Inspection Using Heterodyne Effect and SuRE Methods
Authors: Tashakori Shervin , Baghalian Amin , Senyurek Volkan Y. , Farhangdoust Saman , McDaniel Dwayne , Tansel Ibrahim N.
Published: July 2018

With increasing utilization of the composite materials in commercial and military applications, the longevity of composite bonds has become a crucial concern of the aerospace industry. In spite of the previous studies in the literature for characterization of bonding condition in composite materials, implementation of more advanced structural health monitoring (SHM) techniques are still required to ensure flight safety and quick inspections of structures. In this study, two different SHM methods were used to evaluate the strength of composite bonds by using two separate experimental setups. First, the heterodyne effect method was used for assessing the separation in the composite joint. Then, the surface response to excitation (SuRE) method was used for studying various simulated contamination levels. Results of the experimental studies showed that the proposed methods could be efficiently utilized for evaluating bonding strength of composite materials.
Manufacture and Characterization of Mucoadhesive Buccal Films Based on Pectin and Gellan Gum Containing Triamcinolone Acetonide
Authors: Fernandes Felipe Pereira , Fortes Amanda Campos , da Cruz Fonseca Said Gonsalves , Breitkreutz Jörg , Ferraz Humberto Gomes
Published: July 2018

The treatment of canker sores can be quite compromised by the short period of the drug in the place of action. In this context, there is a need to develop drug dosage forms that allow more contact with the oral mucosa providing prolonged drug release. Therefore, the aim of this work was to obtain and characterize buccal films based on pectin and gellan gum in order to evaluate the potential use of these natural polymers in the production of pharmaceutical dosage forms for controlled release of TA in the oral mucosa. Using a 23 full factorial design, eight formulations were prepared by solvent casting method. The raw materials and films were characterized using techniques such as FTIR, DSC, and TG. In addition, thickness, mechanical properties, mucoadhesive strength, swelling, drug content, and dissolution profile of the films were evaluated. The results of FTIR, DSC, and TG showed that new chemical species are not formed in the production of films, and that these dosage forms have an adequate thermal behavior. All formulation showed a high degree of swelling, good mechanical resistance and elasticity, and a good mucoadhesive strength as well as able to act as a controlled release system.
Cylindricity Error Evaluation Based on an Improved Harmony Search Algorithm
Authors: Yang Yang , Li Ming , Wang Chen , Wei QingYue
Published: July 2018

The cylindricity error is one of the basic form errors in mechanical parts, which greatly influences the assembly accuracy and service life of relevant parts. For the minimum zone method (MZM) in international standards, there is no specific formula to calculate the cylindricity error. Therefore, the evaluation methods of the cylindricity error under the MZM have been widely concerned by international scholars. To improve the evaluation accuracy and accelerate the iteration speed of the cylindricity, an improved harmony search (IHS) algorithm is proposed and applied to compute the cylindricity. On the basis of the standard harmony search algorithm, the logistic chaotic initialization is introduced into the generation of initial solution to improve the quality of solutions. During the iterative process, the global and local search capabilities are balanced by adopting the par and bw operators adaptively. After each iteration, the Cauchy mutation strategy is adopted to the best solution to further improve the calculation precision of the IHS algorithm. Finally, four test functions and three groups of cylindricity error examples were applied to validity verification of the IHS algorithm, the simulation test results show that the IHS algorithm has advantages of the computing accuracy and iteration speed compared with other traditional algorithms, and it is very effective for the application in the evaluation of the cylindricity error.
Traditional Mongolian, Traditional Chinese, and Western Medicine Hospitals: System Review and Patient Survey on Expectations and Perceptions of Quality of Healthcare in Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Li Min , Fan Yancun , McNeil Edward B. , Chongsuvivatwong Virasakdi
Published: July 2018

Background. In Inner Mongolia of China, traditional Mongolian medicine (TMM), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and western medicine (WM) are all supported by the government. This study compares the background and performance of these three types of medicines. Methods. The World Health Organization’s Six Building Blocks framework was used for the system review. Data were collected from literature review and key informant interviews. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in three types of hospitals at the provincial, municipal (city), and prefectural (county) levels from April to August, 2016. Eight hospitals were included and, within each one, patients from four outpatient departments were selected. A total of 1,322 patients were interviewed about their expectations and perceptions of the health service. Results. Government support for TMM includes higher budget allocation and a higher reimbursement rate. TMM is preferred by Mongolian people, those living in pasturing areas, and those seeking treatment for musculoskeletal problems/injuries. Patients attending TMM hospitals had the highest expectations and perceptions of the health service in general. However, human resources and research capacity of TMM are relatively limited. Conclusion. To further enhance the role of the popular TMM for local minority’s health, human resources and research capacity strengthening are essential.
Rapid Brain Death following Cardiac Arrest without Intracranial Pressure Rise and Cerebral Circulation Arrest
Authors: Nguyen Maxime , Bièvre Thomas , Nadji Abdelouaid , Bouhemad Bélaïd
Published: July 2018

We describe here an unusual case of brain death following cardiac arrest. Brain electric activity had totally ceased, allowing the confirmation of brain death, despite normal cerebral blood flow (assessed by both transcranial doppler and tomodensitometry) and no evidence of intracranial hypertension. In our case, a residual electric activity was assessed at admission and lesions worsened on imaging during ICU stay, suggesting that part of the neuronal damage occurred after brain reperfusion. All these elements suggest BD rather by cellular toxicity than intracranial pressure elevation.
Optical CO2 Gas Sensing Based on TiO2 Thin Films of Diverse Thickness Decorated with Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Raza Muhammad Akram , Habib Anam , Kanwal Zakia , Hussain Syed Sajjad , Iqbal Muhammad Javaid , Saleem Murtaza , Riaz Saira , Naseem Shahzad
Published: July 2018

The fabrication, characterization, and CO2 gas detection performance of single component‐based and hetero‐nanostructure‐based optical gas sensors are reported in the present work. Single component‐based structures include (i) TiO2 thin films with varied film thickness (37.45 nm, 51.92 nm, and 99.55 nm) fabricated via the RF sputtering system for different deposition times and (ii) silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) deposited on the glass substrate by the wet chemical method. Hetero‐nanostructures were achieved by decorating the AgNPs on the predeposited TiO2 thin films. The structural, morphological, and optical characteristics of prepared samples were studied by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ellipsometry, respectively. XRD analysis of AgNPs confirmed the crystalline nature of prepared particles with average crystallite size of 21 nm, however, in the case of TiO2 films XRD results suggested amorphous structure of all as‐deposited films. size 21 nm. The SEM micrographs confirmed the deposition of AgNPs on the TiO2 thin films. With increasing sputtering time, TiO2 films were found to be denser and more compact, indicating a reduced porosity and higher film thickness. CO2 gas‐sensing properties were investigated by measuring the optical transmission spectra in alone air and in CO2 gaseous atmosphere at room temperature. It was observed that neither TiO2 thin films even with higher thickness nor alone AgNPs could demonstrate any substantial gas‐sensing activity. Nevertheless, TiO2/AgNP hetero‐nanostructured substrates exhibited excellent CO2 gas‐sensing performance as indicated by a huge change in the transmission spectra. The enhanced sensing efficiency of TiO2/AgNP nanostructures owing to synergistic effects suggests a promising role of our manufactured sensors in practical applications.
Optimization of the Cytotoxic Activity of Three Streptomyces Strains Isolated from Guaviare River Sediments (Colombia, South America)
Authors: Ramirez-Rodriguez Laura , Stepanian-Martinez Boghos , Morales-Gonzalez Maria , Diaz Luis
Published: July 2018

Three Streptomyces strains isolated from Guaviare sediments (Colombia, South America) with cytotoxic activity against prostate cancer (PC3), breast cancer (MDA-MB-231), and lung cancer (A549) line cells were studied. The present investigation reveals the enhancement of the cytotoxic activity evaluating different values of pH, carbon sources (sucrose, glucose, xylose, maltose, and starch), and nitrogen sources (malt extract, yeast extract, meat extract, peptone, and potassium nitrate). Based on the response surface methodology, the isolates Streptomyces aburaviensis (73) had the maximum activity for lung cancer (IC50= 25.00±1.86 ppm) with 4% of yeast extract, 3% of starch, and a pH value of 7. Streptomyces gramineus (386) had the maximum activity against prostate cancer (IC50= 6.14±2.07 ppm) with 5% of malt extract, 3% of glucose, and a pH value of 6. Finally, Streptomyces psammoticus (519) had the maximum activity against breast cancer (IC50= 35.53±2.71 ppm) with 1% of yeast extract, 4% of starch, and a pH 8. The results suggest that the ethyl acetate extracts from isolates Streptomyces aburaviensis (73), Streptomyces gramineus (386), and Streptomyces psammoticus (519) have a potential for use in pharmaceuticals as cytotoxic agents.