bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retrospective study of irrational prescribing in French paediatric hospital: prevalence of inappropriate prescription detected by Pediatrics: Omission of Prescription and Inappropriate prescription (POPI) in the emergency unit and in the ambulatory setting
Authors: Berthe-Aucejo Aurore , Nguyen Phuong Khanh Hoang , Angoulvant François , Bellettre Xavier , Albaret Patrick , Weil Thomas , Boulkedid Rym , Bourdon Olivier , Prot-Labarthe Sonia
Published: March 2019

Background and objective

Pediatrics: Omission of Prescription and Inappropriate prescription (POPI) is the first detection tool for potentially inappropriate medicines (PIMs) and potentially prescribing omissions (PPOs) in paediatrics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of PIM and PPO detected by POPI regarding prescriptions in hospital and for outpatients. The second objective is to determine the risk factors related to PIM and PPO.

Design

A retrospective, descriptive study was conducted in the emergency department (ED) and community pharmacy (CP) during 6 months. POPI was used to identify PIM and PPO.

Setting

Robert-Debré Hospital (France) and Albaret community pharmacy (Seine and Marne).

Participants

Patients who were under 18 years old and who had one or more drugs prescribed were included. Exclusion criteria consisted of inaccessible medical records for patients consulted in ED and prescription without drugs for outpatients.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

PIM and PPO rate and risk factors.

Results

At the ED, 18 562 prescriptions of 15 973 patients and 4780 prescriptions of 2225 patients at the CP were analysed. The PIM rate and PPO rate were, respectively, 2.9% and 2.3% at the ED and 12.3% and 6.1% at the CP. Respiratory and digestive diseases had the highest rate of PIM.

Conclusion

This is the first study to assess the prevalence of PIM and PPO detected by POPI in a paediatric population. This study assessed PIMs or PPOs within a hospital and a community pharmacy. POPI could be used to improve drug use and patient care and to limit hospitalisation and adverse drug reaction. A prospective multicentric study should be conducted to evaluate the impact and benefit of implementing POPI in clinical practice.
Self-reported hearing loss in Russians: the population-based Ural Eye and Medical Study
Authors: Bikbov Mukharram M , Fayzrakhmanov Rinat R , Kazakbaeva Gyulli M , Zainullin Rinat M , Salavatova Venera F , Gilmanshin Timur R , Arslangareeva Inga I , Nikitin Nikolai A , Panda-Jonas Songhomitra , Mukhamadieva Svetlana R , Yakupova Dilya F , Khikmatullin Renat I , Aminev Said K , Nuriev Ildar F , Zaynetdinov Artur F , Uzianbaeva Yulia V , Jonas Jost B
Published: March 2019

Objective

With data on frequency of hearing loss in Russia and Eastern Europe generally lacking, we assessed the prevalence of hearing loss in a Russian population.

Setting

The population-based Ural Eye and Medical Study was conducted in the rural and urban regions of Bashkortostan, Russia.

Participants

With an inclusion criterion of age 40+ years, the study included 5899 (80.5%) out of 7328 eligible individuals (mean age: 59.0±10.7 years; range: 40–94 years).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Hearing loss was examined in 5397 (91.5%) study participants, assessed using a standardised interview with questions from the ‘Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly Screening Version (HHIE-S)’.

Results

The prevalence of self-reported hearing loss (26.1%, 95% CI 24.2 to 27.2) increased from 10.9% (95% CI 8.0 to 13.7) in participants aged 40–45 years old to 59.0% (95% CI 51.6 to 66.4) in those aged 80+ years old. It was higher for men than for women in the 60–80 years age group (38.93%, 95% CI 35.8 to 42.1, vs 32.8%, 95% CI 30.2 to 35.3; p=0.003). On multivariable analysis, higher prevalence of hearing loss was associated with older age (p<0.001; OR [per year of age]: 1.06 [1.06 to 1.07]), male gender (p<0.001; OR: 1.26 [1.09 to 1.47]), higher depression score (p<0.001; OR: 1.06 [1.04 to 1.08]), higher prevalence of headache (p=0.001; OR: 1.27 [1.10 to 1.47]), history of cardiovascular diseases including stroke (p=0.001; OR: 1.32 [1.13 to 1.55]), and osteoarthritis (p<0.001; OR: 1.40 [1.18 to 1.67]), physically vigorous activity during work (p<0.001; OR: 1.40 [1.21 to 1.62]), alcohol consumption (p<0.001; OR: 1.51 [1.28 to 1.78]), and dry eye feeling (p<0.001; OR: 1.67 [1.30 to 2.16]). It was marginally correlated with a higher anxiety score (p=0.07; OR: 1.03 [0.998 to 1.06]). It was independent of diabetes (p=0.52), arterial hypertension (p=0.20), level of education (p=0.11), region of habitation (p=0.70), blood concentration of high-density lipoproteins (p=0.17) and low-density lipoproteins (p=0.52), current smoking (p=0.95) and smoking pack-years (p=0.37), and best corrected visual acuity (p=0.93).

Conclusions

As in other countries the prevalence of hearing loss is high in this elderly population in Russia. It is primarily or secondarily associated with older age, depression, male gender, cardiovascular disease and alcohol consumption.
Associations between lipid profiles of adolescents and their mothers based on a nationwide health and nutrition survey in South Korea
Authors: Nam Ji Hyung , Shin Jaeyong , Jang Sung-In , Kim Ji Hyun , Han Kyu-Tae , Lee Jun Kyu , Lim Yun Jeong , Park Eun-Cheol
Published: March 2019

Objectives

Dyslipidaemia is a metabolic disease influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Especially, family history related to genetic background is a strong risk factor of lipid abnormality. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between the lipid profiles of adolescents and their mothers.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

The data were derived from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (IV-VI) between 2009 and 2015.

Participants

2884 adolescents aged 12–18 years and their mothers were included.

Primary outcome measures

Outcome variables were adolescents’ lipid levels. Mothers’ lipid levels were the interesting variables. The lipid profiles included total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). We identified partial correlation coefficients (r) between the lipids. Multiple linear regressions were performed to identify the amount of change in adolescents’ lipid levels for each unit increase of their mothers’ lipids. The regression models included various clinical characteristics and health behavioural factors of both adolescents and mothers.

Results

The mean levels of adolescents’ lipids were 156.6, 83.6, 50.4 and 89.4 mg/dL, respectively for TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C. Positive correlations between lipid levels of adolescents and mothers were observed for TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C (r,95% CI: 0.271, 0.236 to 0.304; 0.204, 0.169 to 0.239; 0.289, 0.255 to 0.322; and 0.286, 0.252 to 0.319). The adolescent TC level was increased by 0.23 mg/dL for each unit increase of the mother’s TC (SE, 0.02; p<0.001). The beta coefficients were 0.16 (SE, 0.01), 0.24 (SE, 0.02) and 0.24 (SE, 0.02), respectively, in each model of TG, HDL-C and LDL-C (all p<0.001). The linear relationships were significant regardless of sex and mother’s characteristics.

Conclusions

Mothers’ lipid levels are associated with adolescents’ lipids; therefore, they can serve as a reference for the screening of adolescent’s dyslipidaemia.
Mismatch between antenatal care attendance and institutional delivery in south Ethiopia: A multilevel analysis
Authors: Asefa Anteneh , Gebremedhin Samson , Messele Tamiru , Letamo Yohannes , Shibru Endashaw , Alano Abraham , Morgan Alison , Kermode Michelle
Published: March 2019

Objectives

Uptake of maternal health services remains suboptimal in Ethiopia. Significant proportions of antenatal care attendees give birth at home. This study was conducted to identify the predictors of non-institutional delivery among women who received antenatal care in the Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region, Ethiopia.

Design

A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among women who delivered in the year preceding the survey and who had at least one antenatal visit. Multistage cluster sampling was deployed to select 2390 women from all administrative zones of the region. A mixed-effects multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the predictors of non-institutional delivery; adjusted ORs (AOR) with 95% CIs are reported.

Results

The proportion of non-institutional deliveries among participants was 62.2% (95% CI 60.2% to 64.2%). Previous experience of short and simple labour (46.9%) and uncomplicated home birth (42.9%), night-time labour (29.7%), absence of pregnancy-related problem (18.8%) and perceived providers poor reception of women (17.8%) were the main reasons to have non-institutional delivery. Attending secondary school and above (AOR=0.51; 95% CI 0.30 to 0.85), being a government employee (AOR=0.27; 95% CI 0.10 to 0.78) and woman’s autonomy in healthcare utilisation decision making (AOR=0.51; 95% CI 0.33 to 0.79) were among the independent predictors negatively associated with non-institutional delivery. On the other hand, unplanned pregnancy (AOR=1.67; 95% CI 1.16 to 2.42), not experiencing any health problem during pregnancy (AOR=8.1; 95% CI 3.12 to 24.62), not perceiving the risks associated with home delivery (AOR=6.64; 95% CI 4.35 to 10.14) were the independent predictors positively associated with non-institutional delivery.

Conclusions

There is a missed opportunity among women attending antenatal care in southern Ethiopia. Further health system innovations that help to bridge the gap between antenatal care attendance and institutional delivery are highly recommended.
Screening, diagnosis and care cascade for viral hepatitis B and C in Yaoundé, Cameroon: a qualitative study of patients and health providers coping with uncertainty and unbearable costs
Authors: Chabrol Fanny , Noah Noah Dominique , Tchoumi Eric Pascal , Vidal Laurent , Kuaban Christopher , Carrieri Maria Patrizia , Boyer Sylvie
Published: March 2019

Objectives

To document patients’ and healthcare professionals’ (HCP) experiences with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) diagnosis and care, as well as consequences of these infections on patients’ life trajectories in Cameroon, an endemic country in sub-Saharan Africa.

Design

Qualitative sociological study combining in-depth interviews and observations of medical consultations. Interviews and observations transcripts were thematically analysed according to the following themes: circumstances and perceptions surrounding hepatitis screening, counselling and disclosure, information provided by HCP on hepatitis prevention and treatment, experience of access to care and treatment, social/economic trajectories after diagnosis.

Setting

HIV and gastroenterology/medical services in two reference public hospitals in Yaoundé (Cameroon).

Participants

12 patients affected by HBV and/or HCV (co-infected or not with HIV), 14 HCP, 14 state and international stakeholders.

Findings

Many patients are screened for HBV and HCV at a time of great emotional and economic vulnerability. The information and counselling delivered after diagnosis is limited and patients report feeling alone, distressed and unprepared to cope with their infection. After screening positive, patients struggle with out-of-pocket expenditures related to the large number of tests prescribed by physicians to assess disease stage and to decide whether treatment is needed. These costs are so exorbitant that many decide against clinical and biological follow-up. For those who do pay, the consequences on their social and economic life trajectories are catastrophic.

Conclusion

Large out-of-pocket expenditures related to biological follow-up and treatment pose a real challenge to receiving appropriate care. Free or reasonably priced access to hepatitis B and C treatments can only be effective and efficient at reducing the hepatitis disease burden if the screening algorithm and the whole pretherapeutic assessment package are simplified, standardised and subsidised by comprehensive national policies orientated towards universal healthcare.
Think-aloud study about the diagnosis of chronic heart failure in Belgian general practice
Authors: Smeets Miek , De Witte Pieter , Peters Sanne , Aertgeerts Bert , Janssens Stefan , Vaes Bert
Published: March 2019

Objectives

Diagnosing chronic heart failure (CHF) in general practice is challenging. Our aim was to investigate how general practitioners (GPs) diagnose CHF in real-world patients.

Design

Think-aloud study.

Methods

Fourteen GPs were asked to reason about four real-world CHF cases from their own practices. The cases were selected through a clinical audit. This was followed by an interview to get a deeper insight in their reasoning. The Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven was used as a guide in data analysis.

Results

We developed a conceptual diagnostic model based on three important reasoning steps. First, GPs assessed the likelihood of CHF based on the presence or absence of HF signs and symptoms. However, this approach had serious limitations since GPs experienced many barriers in their clinical assessment, especially in comorbid elderly. Second, if CHF was considered based on step 1, the main influencing factor to take further diagnostic steps was the GPs’ perception of the added value of a validated CHF diagnosis in that specific case. Third, the choice and implications of these further diagnostic steps (N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide, ECG and/or cardiac ultrasound) were influenced by the GPs’ knowledge about these tests and the quality of the cardiologists’ reports.

Conclusion

This think-aloud study identified the factors that influenced the diagnostic reasoning about CHF in general practice. As a consequence, targets to improve this diagnostic reasoning were withheld: a paradigm shift towards an earlier and more comprehensive risk assessment with, among others, access to natriuretic peptide testing and convincing GPs of the added value of a validated HF diagnosis.
Non-pharmacological treatments for irritable bowel syndrome: study protocol of an umbrella review of systematic review and meta-analyses
Authors: Jin Song , Li Yi-Fan , Qin Di , Luo Dan-Qing , Guo Hong , Gao Xiu-Hua , Yue Ling , Zheng Hui
Published: March 2019

Introduction

Non-pharmacological treatments are used in the management of irritable bowel syndrome, and their effectiveness has been evaluated in multiple meta-analyses. The robustness of the results in the meta-analyses was not evaluated. We aimed to assess whether there is evidence of diverse biases in the meta-analyses and to identify the treatments without evidence of risk of bias.

Methods and analysis

We will search MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science and CINAHL Plus for meta-analyses that evaluate the effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatments. The time of publication will be limited from inception to December 2018. The credibility of the meta-analyses will be evaluated by assessing between-study heterogeneity, small-study effect and excess significance bias. The between-study heterogeneity will be assessed using the Cochrane’s Q test, and the extent of the heterogeneity will be classified using the I2statistics. The existence of a small-study effect in a meta-analysis will be evaluated using the funnel plot method and confirmed by Egger’s test. Excess significance bias will be evaluated by comparing the expected number of clinical studies with positive findings with the observed number.

Ethics and dissemination

No formal ethical approval is required since we will use publicly available data. We will disseminate the findings of the umbrella review through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and conference presentations.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42018111516.
Combined impact of healthy lifestyle factors on risk of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema in school children: ISAAC phase III
Authors: Morales Eva , Strachan David , Asher Innes , Ellwood Philippa , Pearce Neil , Garcia-Marcos Luis
Published: March 2019

Background

Asthma is not the key focus of prevention strategies. A Healthy Lifestyle Index (HLI) was developed to examine the combined effect of modifiable lifestyle factors on asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema using data from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) phase III.

Methods

Information on symptoms of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, eczema and several lifestyle factors was obtained from children aged 6–7 years through written questionnaires. The HLI combined five lifestyle factors: no parental smoking, child’s adherence to Mediterranean diet, child’s healthy body mass index, high physical activity and non-sedentary behaviour. The association between the HLI and risk of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema was evaluated using multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression models.

Findings

Data of 70 795 children from 37 centres in 19 countries were analysed. Each additional healthy lifestyle factor was associated with a reduced risk of current wheeze (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.89), asthma ever (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.92), current symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92 to 0.97) and current symptoms of eczema (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.92 to 0.98). Theoretically, if associations were causal, a combination of four or five healthy lifestyle factors would result into a reduction up to 16% of asthma cases (ranging from 2.7% to 26.3 % according to region of the world).

Conclusions

These findings should be interpreted with caution given the limitations to infer causality from cross-sectional observational data. Efficacy of interventions to improve multiple modifiable lifestyle factors to reduce the burden asthma and allergy in childhood should be assessed.
Low-intensity exercise in the prevention of cardiac insulin resistance-related inflammation and disturbances in NOS and MMP-9 regulation in fructose-fed ovariectomized rats
Authors: Stanisic Jelena , Koricanac Goran , Kostic Milan , Stojiljkovic Mojca , Culafic Tijana , Romic Snjezana , Tepavcevic Snezana
Published: March 2019

Exercise is important nonpharmacological treatment for improvement of insulin sensitivity in menopause. However, its effect on menopausal cardiac insulin resistance is needing further research. We investigated protective effects of low-intensity exercise on cardiac insulin signaling, inflammation, regulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in ovariectomized (OVX) Wistar rats, submitted to 10% fructose solution for 9 weeks. OVX rats were divided into control, sedentary fructose, and exercise fructose groups. Measurements of physical and biochemical characteristics were carried out to evaluate metabolic syndrome development. Messenger RNA and protein levels and phosphorylation of cardiac insulin signaling molecules, endothelial and inducible NOS (eNOS and iNOS), p65 subunit of nuclear factor κB (NFκB), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), and MMP-9 were analyzed. Fructose increased insulin level, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index, and visceral adipose tissue weight, while low-intensity exercise prevented insulin level and HOMA index increase. Fructose also decreased cardiac pAkt (Ser473), peNOS (Ser1177) and increased insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) phosphorylation at Ser307, pNFκB (Ser276) and NFκB and MMP-9 content, without any effect on iNOS, protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B, TNF-α, and SOCS3. Exercise prevented changes in pIRS1 (Ser307), pAkt (Ser473), peNOS (Ser1177), pNFκB (Ser276), and NFκB expression. In addition, exercise increased pIRS1 (Tyr632), pAkt (Thr308), and eNOS expression. Low-intensity exercise prevented cardiac insulin signaling disarrangement in fructose-fed OVX rats and therefore eNOS dysfunction, as well as pro-inflammatory signaling activation, without effect on tissue remodeling, suggesting physical training as a way to reduce cardiovascular risk.
Unusual late July observation of a fledgling Lapland longspur in low Arctic Greenland following the cool spring of 2018
Authors: Post Eric , Beyen Eva , Bøving Pernille Sporon , Higgins R. Conor , John Christian , Kerby Jeff , Pedersen Christian , Watts David A.
Published: March 2019

We report an observation of a flightless fledgling Lapland longspur (Calcarius lapponicus (Linnaeus, 1758)) at a long-term study site near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, in late July 2018. Based on our observations of longspur nests at the site dating back to 1993, we estimate that the fledgling observed in 2018 may have originated from a nest initiated 12–37 d later than nesting in previous years. Onset of spring in 2018 was late, but comparable with other years in which longspur nests were observed a full calendar month earlier than in 2018. An analysis including multiple candidate predictor variables revealed a strong negative association between estimated longspur nest initiation dates and mean May temperature, as well as a weaker association with the length of the annual period of vegetation green up at the site. Given the limitations of our data, however, we are unable to assign causality to the 2018 observation, and cannot rule out other possibilities, such as that it may have resulted from a second clutch.
Modeling population dynamics and nonstationary processes of difficult-to-age fishery species with a hierarchical Bayesian two-stage model
Authors: Li Yan , Lee Laura M. , Rock Jason
Published: March 2019

Modeling population dynamics and establishing a comprehensive population assessment for fishery species that are difficult to age have been challenging. Determination of age for such species is still an unresolved issue or is at best uncertain. Catch-survey analysis does not require full age information but can still provide a comprehensive population assessment. It was extended to incorporate multiple surveys and multiple sources of uncertainties within the statistical catch-at-age framework in the applications to crustaceans. Here, we further generalize and extend the multiple survey catch-survey analysis into a hierarchical Bayesian two-stage model by applying the hierarchical Bayesian approach. The hierarchical Bayesian approach can sufficiently incorporate uncertainty and expert opinions in parameter estimation. We developed a series of models with different assumptions for natural mortality and catchability, including nonstationary (i.e., time-varying) assumptions. We evaluated model robustness to these assumptions and compared population dynamics estimates and population status determination. We demonstrated the application of the hierarchical Bayesian two-stage model using the North Carolina blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) example. In this example, estimation of population size and fishing mortality and determination of population status were robust to the natural mortality and catchability assumptions. The North Carolina blue crab population is less likely to have nonstationary catchability or nonstationary natural mortality. Its natural mortality is more likely to vary by stage than by sex or over time.
Complete genome sequence ofParacoccus denitrificansATCC 19367 and its denitrification characteristics
Authors: Si Yuan-yuan , Xu Kai-hang , Yu Xiang-yong , Wang Mei-fang , Chen Xing-han
Published: March 2019

Studies show that Paracoccus denitrificans can denitrify nitrogen sources under aerobic conditions. However, the lack of data on its genome sequence has restricted molecular studies and practical applications. In this study, the complete genome of P. denitrificans ATCC 19367 was sequenced and its nitrogen metabolism properties were characterized. The size of the whole genome is 5 242 327 bp, with two chromosomes and one plasmid. The average G + C content is 66.8%, and it contains 5308 protein-coding genes, 54 tRNA genes, and nine rRNA operons. Among the protein-coding genes, 71.35% could be assigned to the Gene Ontology (GO) pathway, 86.66% to the Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COG) pathway, and 50.57% to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway. Comparative genome analysis between P. denitrificans ATCC 19367 and P. denitrificans PD1222 revealed that there are 428 genes specific to ATCC 19367 and 4738 core genes. Furthermore, the expression of genes related to denitrification, biofilm formation, and nitrogen metabolism (nar, nir, and nor) by P. denitrificans ATCC 19367 under aerobic conditions was affected by incubation time and shaking speed. This study elucidates the genomic background of P. denitrificans ATCC 19367 and suggests the possibility of controlling nitrogen pollution in the environment by using this bacterium.
Increase of NADPH oxidase 3 in heart failure of hereditary cardiomyopathy
Authors: Bkaily Ghassan , Najibeddine Wassim , Jacques Danielle
Published: March 2019

During the development of heart failure in humans and animal models, an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels was observed. However, there is no information whether this increase of ROS is associated with an increase in the density of specific isoforms of NADPH oxidases (NOXs) 1–5. The objective of this study was to verify whether the densities of NOXs 1–5 change during the development of heart failure. Using the well-known model of cardiomyopathic hamsters, the UM-X 7.1 line, a model that strongly resembles the pathology observed in humans from a morphological and functional point of view, our studies showed that, as in humans, NOXs 1–5 are present in both normal and UM-X7.1 hamster hearts. Even though the densities of NOXs 2 and 5 were unchanged, the levels of both NOXs 1 and 4 significantly decreased in UM-X7.1 hamster hearts during heart failure. These changes were accompanied with a significant increase in NOX3 level. These results suggest that, during heart failure, NOX3 plays a vital role in compensating the decrease of NOXs 1 and 4. This increase in NOX3 may also be responsible, at least in part, for the reported increase in ROS levels in heart failure.
Specific heat and thermal entanglement in an open quantum system
Authors: Lari B. , Hassanabadi H.
Published: March 2019

In this paper, the density matrix is obtained using the non-Markovian master equation method for a system consisting of two-qubit modeling with the Heisenberg XXZ chain, which involves the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction and is exposed to the bosonic baths. Also, using the proposed formula for calculating the specific heat through the density matrix of the open quantum system, the specific heat is calculated. The quantum entanglement behavior with time and coupling constant is investigated. It is observed that the specific heat at low temperatures becomes negative when the system is exposed to the environment. The time behavior of quantum entanglement for this model showed that the entanglement decreases to zero with increasing time.
Massive and massless scalar field models for Kaluza–Klein universe in f(R, T) gravity
Authors: Aktaş Can
Published: March 2019

In this research, we have investigated the behavior of massive and massless scalar field (SF) models (normal and phantom) for Kaluza–Klein universe in [Formula: see text] gravity with cosmological term ([Formula: see text]). To obtain field equations, we have used [Formula: see text] model given by Harko et al. [Phys. Rev. D 84, 024020 (2011)] and anisotropy feature of the universe. Finally, we have discussed our results in [Formula: see text] and General Relativity Theory (GRT) with various graphics.
A topological approach to neutrino masses by using exotic smoothness
Authors: Asselmeyer-Maluga Torsten , Król Jerzy
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we will consider a cosmological model with two topological transitions of the space. The smooth 4-dimensional spacetime of the model admits topological transitions of its 3-dimensional slices. The whole approach is inspired by a class of exotic smoothness structures on [Formula: see text]. In particular, this class of smoothness structures induces two topological transitions. Then, we are able to calculate the energy scales as associated to these topological transitions. For the first transition we will get the value of the GUT scale and the energy of the second transition is at the electroweak scale. The topology of the exotic [Formula: see text] determines both, the energy of the scales by certain topological invariants, and the existence of the right-handed sterile neutrino. It is the input for the seesaw mechanism. Secondly, based on this model, we are able to calculate the neutrino masses which are in a very good agreement with experiments. Finally, we will speculate, again based on topology, why there are three generations of neutrinos and an asymmetry between neutrinos and anti-neutrinos.
Molecular dynamic simulation of sulfur solubility in H2S system
Authors: Chen Huasheng , Liu Chao , Xu Xiaoxiao
Published: March 2019

The elemental sulfur solubility in sour gas plays an important role in H2S-rich gas reservoir development and transportation. While the solubility of elemental sulfur in sour gas can be measured in macroscopical respect, the interaction of solid deposition is not clear at microscale. In this work, molecular dynamic simulation (MD) was adopted to predict the solubility of elemental sulfur in hydrogen sulfide at nanoscale. It is found that the results of new nanoscale solubility model are close to the reported experimental data. The average relative error of the solubility of elemental sulfur in hydrogen sulfide by using the new model is 11.05% compared with the experimental data. Therefore, the new model can be used to predict the solubility of elemental sulfur in hydrogen sulfide.
Comprehensive structural and optical characterization of AlAs/GaAs distributed Bragg reflector
Authors: Alaydin B. O. , Tuzemen E. S. , Altun D. , Elagoz S.
Published: March 2019

30-pair AlAs/GaAs distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), which has 1030 nm center reflectivity, is studied extensively by means of High Resolution X-ray Diffraction (HR-XRD) and reflectivity measurements. Theta/2-Theta measurements and dynamical simulations have been done for (002), (004) and (006) planes to determine strain and thickness of AlAs and GaAs layers in the DBR stack. Reciprocal space mappings (RSMs) are measured for same planes and also for (224) plane to find out tilt and relaxation of the DBR stack. Relaxation is not observed and it is confirmed with symmetric in-plane (400) Theta/2-Theta and RSM measurements. This is a first study in the literature according to the best of our knowledge. Finally, we have shown sensitivity of high angle diffraction planes to disorders in crystal. Angle-dependent reflectivity simulations have been also done and compared with measurements. 99.99% reflectivity is obtained with 99.5 nm stop bandwidth and 482.7 nm penetration depth.
Similarity solutions and the computation formulas of a nonlinear fractional-order generalized heat equation
Authors: Zhang Yufeng
Published: March 2019

A generalized nonlinear heat equation with the fractional derivative is proposed, whose similarity solutions are derived from a type of special scalar transformation with two parameters. With the help of separated variable method, two special series solutions of the standard heat equation are obtained. Finally, through computation of the left Riemann–Liouville fractional derivative, we obtain two approximated computation formulas of the factional-order ordinary differential equation which could be used to calculate the numerical solutions of the generalized nonlinear heat conduction equation.
Intramolecular electron transfer in porphyrin-anthraquinone donor–acceptor systems with varying molecular bridges
Authors: Duvva Naresh , Ramya A. R. , Reddy Govind , Giribabu L.
Published: March 2019

Photoinduced electron transfer has been investigated in porphyrin anthraquinone (ZnTTP-AQ) donor–acceptor dyads having either ester (ZnTTP-AQ1) or ether (ZnTTP-AQ2) linkages. Both dyads were characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. Absorption spectra show absence of any ground state interaction between the porphyrin and anthraquinone moieties. The quenched fluoresence and lifetime indicate electron transfer from the porphyrin to the anthraquinone moiety. The quenching is more pronounced in ZnTTP-AQ1 with ester linkage, suggesting efficient electronic coupling compared to the ether linkage in ZnTTP-AQ2. Computational analysis and frontier molecular orbitals confirmed the formation of charged separated state por[Formula: see text]AQ[Formula: see text]. The electron transfer rates ([Formula: see text] of these triads are found in the range 0.43 × 108 to 10.52 × 109 s[Formula: see text] and are found to be solvent polarity dependent.
Improving the Cognitive Agent Intelligence by Deep Knowledge Classification
Authors: Chemchem Amine , Alin François , Krajecki Michael
Published: March 2019

In this paper, a new idea is developed for improving the agent intelligence. In fact with the presented convolutional neural network (CNN) approach for knowledge classification, the agent will be able to manage its knowledge. This new concept allows the agent to select only the actionable rule class, instead of trying to infer its whole rule base exhaustively. In addition, through this research, we developed a comparative study between the proposed CNN approach and the classical classification approaches. As foreseeable the deep learning method outperforms the others in term of classification accuracy.
Challenging Security: The United States and the Belt and Road Initiative
Authors: Boutin Kenneth
Published: March 2019

Complex national and economic security imperatives drive American China policy. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) heightens the tension between national and economic security requirements and between different levels of economic security. This renders the established American policy approach, which centers around pursuing national and economic security as separate policy tracks, difficult to sustain. The threat posed by the Initiative to the national security of the United States encourages a focus on it in these terms. Such a focus is all the more likely under President Donald Trump, who is not predisposed to consider the BRI an economic security threat.
Research for practice
Authors: Mor Nitesh
Published: March 2019

Scaling resources within multiple administrative domains.
Soft robots look to new environments
Authors: Edwards Chris
Published: March 2019

These non-standard automatons appear best suited for applications under water and in space.
The fine line between coercion and care
Authors: Underwood Sarah
Published: March 2019

Employers monitoring their workforce must balance productivity and security considerations with employee privacy and welfare concerns.
The web is missing an essential part of infrastructure
Authors: Lewandowski Dirk
Published: March 2019

A proposal for building an index of the Web that separates the infrastructure part of the search engine---the index---from the services part that will form the basis for myriad search engines and other services utilizing Web data on top of a public infrastructure open to everyone.
Free trade in a digital world
Authors: Sako Mari
Published: March 2019

Considering the possible implications for free trade, traditionally based on non-digital goods, for a modern global economy that is increasingly based on intangible products and services enabled by digital technologies.
Sporadic Cloud-Based Mobile Augmentation on the Top of a Virtualization Layer: A Case Study of Collaborative Downloads in VANETs
Authors: Ordóñez-Morales Esteban Fernando , López-Nores Martín , Blanco-Fernández Yolanda , Reinoso-Mendoza Efren Patricio , Bravo-Torres Jack Fernando , Saiáns-Vázquez José Víctor , Pazos-Arias José Juan , Ramos-Cabrer Manuel , Gil-Solla Alberto
Published: March 2019

Current approaches to Cloud-based Mobile Augmentation (CMA) leverage (cloud-based) resources to meet the requirements of rich mobile applications, so that a terminal (the so-called application node or AppN) can borrow resources lent by a set of collaborator nodes (CNs). In the most sophisticated approaches proposed for vehicular scenarios, the collaborators are nearby vehicles that must remain together near the application node because the augmentation service is interrupted when they move apart. This leads to disruption in the execution of the applications and consequently impoverishes the mobile users’ experience. This paper describes a CMA approach that is able to restore the augmentation service transparently when AppNs and CNs separate. The functioning is illustrated by a NaaS model where the AppNs access web contents that are collaboratively downloaded by a set of CNs, exploiting both roadside units and opportunistic networking. The performance of the resulting approach has been evaluated via simulations, achieving promising results in terms of number of downloads, average download times, and network overhead.
Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) in Pulmonary Inflammation in Asthma Induced by House Dust Mite (HDM): Dosimetry Study
Authors: Rigonato-Oliveira Nicole Cristine , Brito Auriléia Aparecida de , Vitoretti Luana Beatriz , de Cunha Moraes Gabriel , Gonçalves Tawany , Herculano Karine Zanella , Alves Cintia Estefano , Lino-dos-Santos-Franco Adriana , Aimbire Flávio , Vieira Rodolfo Paula , Ligeiro de Oliveira Ana Paula
Published: March 2019

Asthma is characterized by chronic inflammation in the airways. Several models have been proposed for the discovery of new therapies. Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is relatively new and effective, very low cost, with no side effects. However, there is still no consensus on the optimal dose to be used. In this sense, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the best dose in an experimental model of asthma induced by House Dust Mite (HDM). Balb/c mice received administration of 100 ug/animal HDM and LLLT applications (diode laser: 660 nm, 100 mW and four different energies 1J, 3J, 5J, and 7.5J) for 16 days. After 24 hours, we studied inflammatory, functional, and structural parameters. The results showed that LBI was able to modulate the pulmonary inflammation observed by reducing the number of cells in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF) as well as reducing the percentage of neutrophils, eosinophils and T lymphocytes. On the other hand, LLLT increased the level of IL-10 and reduced levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 in BALF. LLLT was able to reduce the production of mucus, peribronchial eosinophils, collagen deposition, bronchoconstriction index, and bronchial and muscular thickening in the airways. We concluded that the use of LLLT in the treatment of chronic inflammation of the airways attenuated the inflammatory process and functional and structural parameters. We emphasize, in general, that the 1J and 3J laser presented better results. Thus, photobiomodulation may be considered a promising tool for the treatment of chronic pulmonary allergic inflammation observed in asthma.
Evacuation Traffic Management under Diffusion of Toxic Gas Based on an Improved Road Risk Level Assessment Method
Authors: Liu Zheng , Li Xingang , Chen Xiaojing
Published: March 2019

Toxic gas leakage has diffusion characteristics and thus dynamically affects surrounding zones. Most of current evacuation traffic management models set the road risk level as a static value, which is related to the distance to the hazard source, or a dynamic value, which is determined by the toxic gas concentration. However, the toxic gas propagation direction is not considered, and this may lead some evacuees driving from less dangerous regions to higher dangerous regions. To address the shortcomings of traditional evacuation traffic management models, this paper proposes an improved road risk level assessment method based on the difference of the risk levels of upstream and downstream zones of road and develops a safer evacuation traffic management model under the diffusion of toxic gas. The Cell Transmission Model (CTM) is used to depict the evacuation traffic loading process. A numerical test is carried out on Nguyen and Dupuis Network. The test results show that the improved road risk level assessment method can avoid the evacuees driving into higher risk level regions from less dangerous regions.
Susceptibility Perturbation MRI Maps Tumor Infiltration into Mesorectal Lymph Nodes
Authors: Santiago Inês , Santinha João , Ianus Andrada , Galzerano Antonio , Theias Rita , Maia Joana , Barata Maria J. , Loução Nuno , Costa-Silva Bruno , Beltran Antonio , Matos Celso , Shemesh Noam
Published: March 2019

Noninvasive characterization of lymph node involvement in cancer is an enduring onerous challenge. In rectal cancer, pathologic lymph node status constitutes the most important determinant of local recurrence and overall survival, and patients with involved lymph nodes may benefit from preoperative chemo and/or radiotherapy. However, knowledge of lymph node status before surgery is currently hampered by limited imaging accuracy. Here, we introduce Susceptibility-Perturbation MRI (SPI) as a novel source of contrast to map malignant infiltration into mesorectal lymph nodes. SPI involves multigradient echo (MGE) signal decays presenting a nonmonoexponential nature, which we show is sensitive to the underlying microstructure via susceptibility perturbations. Using numerical simulations, we predicted that the large cell morphology and the high cellularity of tumor within affected mesorectal lymph nodes would induce signature SPI decays. We validated this prediction in mesorectal lymph nodes excised from total mesorectal excision specimens of patients with rectal cancer using ultrahigh field (16.4 T) MRI. SPI signals distinguished benign from malignant nodal tissue, both qualitatively and quantitatively, and our histologic analyses confirmed cellularity and cell size were the likely underlying sources for the differences observed. SPI was then adapted to a clinical 1.5 T scanner, added to patients' staging protocol, and compared with conventional assessment by two expert radiologists. Nonmonoexponential decays, similar to those observed in the ex vivo study, were demonstrated, and SPI classified lymph nodes more accurately than standard high-resolution T2-weighted imaging assessment. These findings suggest this simple, yet highly informative, method can improve rectal cancer patient selection for neoadjuvant therapy.

Significance:

These findings introduce an MRI methodology tailored to detect magnetic susceptibility perturbations induced by subtle alterations in tissue microstructure.
Epigenomic Reordering Induced by Polycomb Loss Drives Oncogenesis but Leads to Therapeutic Vulnerabilities in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors
Authors: Wojcik John B. , Marchione Dylan M. , Sidoli Simone , Djedid Anissa , Lisby Amanda , Majewski Jacek , Garcia Benjamin A.
Published: March 2019

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is an aggressive sarcoma with recurrent loss-of-function alterations in polycomb-repressive complex 2 (PRC2), a histone-modifying complex involved in transcriptional silencing. To understand the role of PRC2 loss in pathogenesis and identify therapeutic targets, we conducted parallel global epigenomic and proteomic analysis of archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human MPNST with and without PRC2 loss (MPNSTLOSS vs. MPNSTRET). Loss of PRC2 resulted in increased histone posttranslational modifications (PTM) associated with active transcription, most notably H3K27Ac and H3K36me2, whereas repressive H3K27 di- and trimethylation (H3K27me2/3) marks were globally lost without a compensatory gain in other repressive PTMs. Instead, DNA methylation globally increased in MPNSTLOSS. Epigenomic changes were associated with upregulation of proteins in growth pathways and reduction in IFN signaling and antigen presentation, suggesting a role for epigenomic changes in tumor progression and immune evasion, respectively. These changes also resulted in therapeutic vulnerabilities. Knockdown of NSD2, the methyltransferase responsible for H3K36me2, restored MHC expression and induced interferon pathway expression in a manner similar to PRC2 restoration. MPNSTLOSS were also highly sensitive to DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. Overall, these data suggest that global loss of PRC2-mediated repression renders MPNST differentially dependent on DNA methylation to maintain transcriptional integrity and makes them susceptible to therapeutics that promote aberrant transcription initiation.

Significance:

Global profiling of histone PTMs and protein expression in archival human MPNST illustrates how PRC2 loss promotes oncogenesis but renders tumors vulnerable to pharmacologic modulation of transcription.

See related commentary by Natarajan and Venneti, p. 3172
New Insights into the Role of Human Papillomavirus in Anal Cancer and Anal Wart Development
Authors: Albuquerque Andreia , Medeiros Rui
Published: March 2019

Human papillomavirus is associated with several anogenital and oropharyngeal lesions, including warts, premalignant lesions, and cancer. There are specific groups that were identified as high-risk groups for anal squamous cell carcinoma and anal human papillomavirus infection, namely HIV-positive patients, men who have sex with men, women with genital tract neoplasia, and solid organ transplant recipients. Condylomas have classically been considered to be a benign lesion, with an exception made for the Buschke-Loewenstein tumor, but several publications have shown that a high percentage of condylomas harbor high-grade lesions. Due to the similarities between anal and cervical carcinogenesis, anal cancer screening based on anal cytology and referral to high-resolution anoscopy, in case of abnormalities, have been advocated. Testing for anal human papillomavirus is not routinely done in anal cancer screening, because of the very high prevalence in high-risk populations. The large majority of anal cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), and around 90% are attributed to human papillomavirus. Human papillomavirus positivity in anal SCC seems to have a prognostic value, with better survival in those patients with positive tumors. Prophylactic vaccination has been shown to be important for prevention of anal human papillomavirus-related lesions.
Functional Role of MicroRNAs in Thymocyte Development
Authors: Hu Lin , Mao Ling , Liu Shiming , Zhao Juanjuan , Chen Chao , Guo Mengmeng , He Zhixu , Yang Jie , Xu Wei , Xu Lin
Published: March 2019

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of endogenous noncoding single-stranded RNAs widely distributed in eukaryotes, which can modulate target gene expression at posttranscriptional level and participate in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Related studies have shown that mi­RNAs are instrumental to many aspects of immunity, including various levels of T-cell immunity. In addition, multiple miRNAs have been ascribed key roles in T-cell development, differentiation, and function. In this review, we highlight the current literature regarding the functional role of miRNAs at various stages of thymocyte development. A better understanding of the relationship between miRNAs and thymocyte development is helpful for the exploration of the exact roles of miRNAs in the development and function of the immune system, as well as related clinical diseases.