bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reproductive Regulation and Oxidative Stress Alleviation of Chinese Herbal Medicine Therapy in Ovariectomised Mouse Model
Authors: Wu Chung-Hsin , Wang Sheue-Er , Hsu Chih-Hsiang , Hsu Yu-Tsen , Lu Chen-Wen , Chuang Wu-Chang , Lee Ming-Chung
Published: July 2019

In Taiwan, the herbal formula B401 is considered as a health supplement for middle-aged women that can alleviate sweating, anxiety, and sleep disorders. However, the relevant mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, we evaluated the beneficial effects of the herbal formula B401 therapy in the reproductive regulation of ovariectomised mice. Female ICR mice were randomised into four groups: wild-type (WT) mice with sham treatment, wild-type mice treated with the herbal formula B401, bilateral ovariectomised (OVX) mice with sham treatment, and bilateral ovariectomised mice treated with the herbal formula B401. Mice were orally given the herbal formula B401 at a dose of 30 mg/kg bw/day for 2 weeks. At the end of oral treatment with sham or the herbal formula B401, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), calcium, phosphorus, and estradiol-17βin the blood; uterine weight and endometrial thickness; and expressions of estrogen receptorα(ERα), estrogen receptorβ(ERβ), progesterone receptor (PR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) in the uterine tissue were examined and then compared among the four groups of mice. We found that OVX mice decreased levels of calcium, phosphorus, and estradiol-17βin the blood, decreased uterine weight and endometrial thickness, and decreased expressions of ERα, ERβ, PR, and SOD2 in the uterine tissue but increased blood ROS levels compared with those of WT mice. In addition, OVX mice with the herbal formula B401 therapy can increase levels of calcium, phosphorus, and estradiol-17βin the blood, increase uterine weight and endometrial thickness, and increase expressions of ERα, ERβ, PR, VEGF, and SOD2 in the uterine tissue but decrease blood ROS levels. Our results may provide reasonable explanation for the reproductive regulation of the herbal formula B401 therapy.
The Highs and Lows of an Unknown Pheochromocytoma in an Elderly Patient
Authors: DiMaria Christina N. , Rasquin Lorena I. , Hung Pinto Wikien A.
Published: July 2019

Pheochromocytomas are rare catecholamine producing neuroendocrine tumors. The incidence of these tumors is estimated to affect 0.8 per 100,000 person-years and is most common in the fourth to fifth decade of life with equal prevalence in men and women. We describe a case of an 84-year-old male who presented with cycling episodes of severe hypertension and hypotension after an elective cardiac catheterization. Workup of the labile blood pressure revealed a large suprarenal mass and free serum metanephrines (MN) 104 nmol/L (reference range 0.0-0.49 nmol/L) and normetanephrines (NMN) of 24 nmol/L (reference range 0.0-0.89 nmol/L), confirming the diagnosis of a pheochromocytoma. The patient’s labile blood pressure was a challenge to manage medically and improved only after aggressive hydration and an alpha-adrenergic antagonist. Of note, this is the second eldest patient known to be published to date with a pheochromocytoma.
Brazilian Green Propolis Inhibits Ox-LDL-Stimulated Oxidative Stress in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Partly through PI3K/Akt/mTOR-Mediated Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway
Authors: Yuan Wenwen , Chang Huasong , Liu Xinying , Wang Shiqiang , Liu Hui , Xuan Hongzhuan
Published: July 2019

Propolis has been widely used as a dietary supplement for its health benefits, including cardiovascular protective effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytoprotective effects of Brazilian green propolis (BP) against oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) damage. Our results suggested that treatment with BP rescued Ox-LDL-stimulated HUVECs cell viability losses, which might be associated with its inhibitive effects on the cell apoptosis and autophagy. We also noticed that BP restored Ox-LDL-stimulated HUVECs oxidative stress, by induced antioxidant gene expressions, including Heme oxygenase-1 and its upstream mediator, Nrf2, which were mediated by the activation of the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR. Pretreatment with wortmannin, PI3K/AKT inhibitor, abolished BP induced Nrf2 nuclear translocation and HO-1 level. Our results demonstrated that BP protected HUVECs against oxidative damage partly via PI3K/Akt/mTOR-mediated Nrf/HO-1 pathway, which might be applied into preventing Ox-LDL mediated cardiovascular diseases.
Parameterized High‐Precision Finite Element Modelling Method of 3D Helical Gears with Contact Zone Refinement
Authors: Liu Yanping , Zhao Yongqiang , Liu Ming , Sun Xiaoyu
Published: July 2019

In order to perform a tooth contact analysis of helical gears with satisfactory accuracy and computational time consuming, a parameterized approach to establish a high‐precision three‐dimension (3D) finite element model (FEM) of involute helical gears is proposed. The enveloping theory and dentiform normal method are applied to deduce the mathematical representations of the root transit curve as well as the tooth profile of the external gear in the transverse plane based on the manufacturing process. A bottom‐up modelling method is applied to build the FEM of the helical gear directly without the intervention of CAD software or creating the geometry model in advance. Local refinement methodology of the hexahedral element has been developed to improve the mesh quality and accuracy. A computer program is developed to establish 3D helical gear FEM with contact region well refined with any parameters and mesh density automatically. The comparison of tooth contact analysis between the coarse‐mesh model and local refinement model demonstrates that the present method can efficiently improve the simulation accuracy while greatly reduce the computing cost. Using the proposed model, the tooth load sharing ratio, static transmission error, meshing stiffness, root bending stress, and contact stress of the helical gear are obtained based on the quasistatic load tooth contact analysis. This methodology can also be used to create other types of involute gears, such as high contact ratio gear, involute helical gears with crossed axes, or spiral bevel gears.
Mg-Al Mixed Oxide Adsorbent Synthesized Using FCT Template for Fluoride Removal from Drinking Water
Authors: Liu Jifa , Zhao Ping , Xu Yue , Jia Xibin
Published: July 2019

To make full use of natural waste, a novel Mg-Al mixed oxide adsorbent was synthesized by the dip-calcination method using the fluff of the chinar tree (FCT) and an Mg(II) and Al(III) chloride solution as raw materials. The adsorbents were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effects of the Mg/Al molar ratio and calcination temperature on the performance of the novel Mg-Al mixed oxide adsorbent were investigated. The optimized Mg-Al mixed oxide adsorbent had a Langmuir adsorption capacity of 53 mg/g. This adsorption capacity was higher than that of the separate Mg oxide and Al oxide. The synergy between Mg and Al is beneficial to the adsorption performance of the material. The fluoride adsorption capacity of the optimized Mg-Al mixed oxide adsorbent is only slightly affected by ions such as Cl−, NO3−, SO42−, Na+, and K+and is excellent for use in recycling and real water. The hydroxyl groups on the surface of the Mg-Al mixed oxide adsorbent play a key role in the adsorption of fluorine. The as-obtained novel Mg-Al mixed oxide adsorbent is an efficient and environmentally friendly agent for fluoride removal from drinking water.
Application of Induced Polarization and Resistivity to the Determination of the Location of Metalliferous Veins in the Taroucht and Tabesbaste Areas (Eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco)
Authors: Dakir Ibrahim , Benamara Ahmed , Aassoumi Habiba , Ouallali Abdessalam , Ait Bahammou Youssef
Published: July 2019

The study area is located in the extreme southwest of the Ougnat Mountains in the eastern Anti-Atlas, which is part of the distorted northern margin of the West African craton. It has Late Neoproterozoic to terminal, Paleozoic and Quaternary lands. In order to obtain a better recognition of the different structural contacts and to define the alignment of mineralized veins in barite and galena at the level of the study area, we used the technique of electrical tomography. The resulting response, in the form of electrical imaging, informed us in detail about the different zones of heterogeneity existing in the prospected soil. In induced polarization, the pseudosections obtained were able to locate the passages of the zones of anomalies encountered and thus confirm their alignments defined by the electrical resistivity measurement results.
Study on the Creep Behaviors of Interactive Marine‐Terrestrial Deposit Soils
Authors: Yan Zhen , Li Gang , Zhang Jinli , Zhang Rui
Published: July 2019

The interactive marine‐terrestrial (IMT) deposit soils were formed in the complex depositional environment; their mechanical properties are different from the other deposits. The creep behaviors of Dalian clayey soils were studied according to one‐dimensional creep tests and drained triaxial creep tests. Based on the creep test results, the empirical model was established to describe the one‐dimensional creep behavior and triaxial creep behavior, respectively. The results showed that Dalian deposits have typical nonlinear creep behavior. With the increasing of consolidation pressure, the strain is increased, the stability time is extended, and the demarcation point between primary and secondary consolidation is more obvious. The deposits belong to medium to high secondary compressibility soil, and the secondary consolidation coefficient is decreased with the increasing of consolidation time and increased with consolidation pressure increasing. The ratio between secondary consolidation coefficient and compression index at different depths changes from 0.033 to 0.058, which conform to Mesri conclusion. Under low deviator stress, the creep processes showed the characteristic of attenuation creep and shear contraction. However, it showed the characteristic of acceleration creep, shear contraction, and shear dilatancy under damage deviator stress. The axial strain rate decreased with the increasing of creep time and increased with the deviator stress increasing, while the deviator stress has little effect on the m values. The tests results agree well with the calculation results, which showed that the creep equation is suitable for describing the creep behaviors of Dalian interactive marine‐terrestrial deposits.
A New Identification Method for Bolt Looseness in Wind Turbine Towers
Authors: Xianlong He , Tianli She
Published: July 2019

Flange plates are key joining components used in wind turbine towers. Bolt looseness results in common fatigue damage in wind turbine towers. Detailed vibration tests were carried out on six wind turbine towers with loose bolts. First, the bolt looseness situation of each wind turbine tower was detected by the torque method. The vibration characteristics of each tower were then tested and analyzed in detail before maintenance. Finally, the vibration characteristics were tested and analyzed in detail after maintenance. The experimental data analysis shows that the first‐order natural frequencies of the wind turbine towers before and after bolt maintenance do not change; the damping ratio does not change significantly; and the first‐order vibration mode remains effectively unchanged. The phase difference between the upper and the lower plates of a flange has a significant and abrupt characteristic even when the bolt looseness ratio is 6%; however, the phase difference does not exhibit this characteristic after the flange bolts are retightened. The experimental results show that compared with other vibration characteristics, the first‐order phase difference characteristic of wind turbine towers is more markedly affected by the looseness of the flange bolts; hence, this characteristic can be used as a diagnostic that reflects flange bolt looseness. Whether the flange bolts of a given tower require tightening can be identified based on whether the absolute value of the phase difference between the upper and lower plates of the flanges suddenly increases. This research result can provide a new method for the identification of bolt looseness in wind turbine towers.
RnRTD: Intelligent Approach Based on the Relationship-Driven Neural Network and Restricted Tensor Decomposition for Multiple Accusation Judgment in Legal Cases
Authors: Guo Xiaoding , Zhang Hongli , Ye Lin , Li Shang
Published: July 2019

The use of intelligent judgment technology to assist in judgment is an inevitable trend in the development of judgment in contemporary social legal cases. Using big data and artificial intelligence technology to accurately determine multiple accusations involved in legal cases is an urgent problem to be solved in legal judgment. The key to solving these problems lies in two points, namely, (1) characterization of legal cases and (2) classification and prediction of legal case data. Traditional methods of entity characterization rely on feature extraction, which is often based on vocabulary and syntax information. Thus, traditional entity characterization often requires extensive energy and has poor generality, thus introducing a large amount of computation and limitation to subsequent classification algorithms. This study proposes an intelligent judgment approach called RnRTD, which is based on the relationship-driven recurrent neural network (rdRNN) and restricted tensor decomposition (RTD). We represent legal cases as tensors and propose an innovative RTD method. RTD has low dependence on vocabulary and syntax and extracts the feature structure that is most favorable for improving the accuracy of the subsequent classification algorithm. RTD maps the tensors, which represent legal cases, into a specific feature space and transforms the original tensor into a core tensor and its corresponding factor matrices. This study uses rdRNN to continuously update and optimize the constraints in RTD so that rdRNN can have the best legal case classification effect in the target feature space generated by RTD. Simultaneously, rdRNN sets up a new gate and a similar case list to represent the interaction between legal cases. In comparison with traditional feature extraction methods, our proposed RTD method is less expensive and more universal in the characterization of legal cases. Moreover, rdRNN with an RTD layer has a better effect than the recurrent neural network (RNN) only on the classification and prediction of multiple accusations in legal cases. Experiments show that compared with previous approaches, our method achieves higher accuracy in the classification and prediction of multiple accusations in legal cases, and our algorithm is more interpretable.
Noncoding RNAs Involved in the Pathogenesis of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Chen Chong , Rong Tianhua , Li Zheng , Shen Jianxiong
Published: July 2019

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a form of arthritis that can lead to fusion of vertebrae and sacroiliac joints following syndesmophyte formation. The etiology of this painful disease remains poorly defined due to its complex genetic background. There are no commonly accepted methods for early diagnosis of AS, nor are there any effective or efficient clinical treatments. Several noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been linked to AS pathogenesis and inflammation via selective binding of their downstream targets. However, major gaps in knowledge remain to be filled before such findings can be translated into clinical treatments for AS. In this review, we outline recent findings that demonstrate essential roles of ncRNAs in AS mediated via multiple signaling pathways such as the Wnt, transforming growth factor-β/bone morphogenetic protein, inflammatory, T-cell prosurvival, and nuclear factor-κB pathways. The summary of these findings provides insight into the molecular mechanisms by which ncRNAs can be targeted for AS diagnosis and the development of therapeutic drugs against a variety of autoimmune diseases.
Magnitude and Associated Factors of Awareness with Recall under General Anesthesia in Amhara Regional State Referral Hospitals, 2018
Authors: Tamire Tadese , Demelash Habtamu , Yetneberk Tikuneh , Kibret Simegnew
Published: July 2019

Introduction. Awareness with recall of intraoperative events is an infrequent but potentially devastating complication of general anesthesia, with a reported incidence of 0.1-0.2% in low-risk patients. Higher incidence is expected in resource-limited operation room setups and in high-risk patients. Awareness can result in significant distress to patients and long-term psychological consequences, including symptoms associated with posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, night mares, night terror, dissatisfaction with surgical service, and sometimes even suicide. Objective. To assess the magnitude and associated factors of awareness with recall under general anesthesia in Amhara regional state referral hospitals. Method. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 1065 patients who underwent surgery under general anesthesia from January 1 to June 30, 2018. The study participants were selected by systematic random sampling from 4 referral hospitals. The modified Brice questionnaire was used to detect awareness under general anesthesia. Interviewer-administered structured questionnaire and chart review were employed. Data with complete information were entered in to SPSS version 20 computer software. Descriptive statics and bivariate and multivariable analysis were computed. A P-value less than 0.2 was used to select candidate variables for multivariable logistic regression. A P-value less than 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Result. 1065 patients were included in the study which makes the response rate of 90.7%. The magnitude of awareness with recall under general anesthesia was found to be 8.2% of which 4.9%, 2.6%, and 0.7% of patients reported hearing voice, pain, and sensation of breathing tube, respectively. Lack of premedication was the only significantly associated factor for awareness with recall under general anesthesia (AOR = 3.014, 95% CI (1.201 to 7.565)). Conclusion and Recommendation. Our study showed higher magnitude of awareness with recall under general anesthesia. Lack of premedication was the only associated factor with awareness with recall under general anesthesia. Anesthetists should give emphasis to prevent the possibility of awareness under general anesthesia by providing premedication. Cohort studies should be done including the consequences of awareness with recall under general anesthesia.
Comparison of Overall Fit of Milled and Laser-Sintered CAD/CAM Crown Copings
Authors: Zuskova Lucie , Mortadi Noor A. Al , Williams Robert J. , Alzoubi Karem H. , Khabour Omar F.
Published: July 2019

Background and Aims. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) procedures on the overall fit of metal copings. Materials and Methods. A standardized die was made in die stone of an upper right molar prepared for a full crown. The die was digitalized by an Identica Blue Light Scanner, and the coping substructure was designed using CAD software. Ten milled specimens and ten laser-sintered specimens were manufactured by Renishaw plc based on the generated file by the software. All twenty copings were digitized by the Identica scanner, and the data were superimposed with the original premanufacturing data file of the prepared full crown. Using the Geometric Modelling Library (GML) package, the fit discrepancies were displayed as colour maps showing discrepancies in three dimensions. Each map was made up of thousands of data points carrying numerical error values allowing detailed analyses. Results. The milled group displayed a mean of fit discrepancies of 42.20 μm (SD 3.04 μm), while the laser-sintered group showed a mean of 42.24 μm fit discrepancies (SD 2.94 μm). Thus, a small difference of 0.04 μm between the two groups was detected. Conclusions. The evaluated manufacturing systems can be used in dental practice as a small and insignificant discrepancy of fit between the two manufacturing methods was detected.
Effect of Terminalia catappa Linn. on Biofilms of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata and on Changes in Color and Roughness of Acrylic Resin
Authors: Gonçalves Letícia Machado , Madeira Petrus Levid Barros , Diniz Rafael Soares , Nonato Rammon Farias , Siqueira Fabiana Suelen Figuerêdo de , de Sousa Eduardo Martins , Farias David Cardoso Sandes , Rocha Flaviane Maria Galvão , Rocha Carlos Henrique Lopes , Lago Andréa Dias Neves , Monteiro Cristina de Andrade
Published: July 2019

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the n-butanol fraction of Terminalia catappa Linn., (FBuTC) on biofilm of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata, as well as changes in color and roughness of polymethyl methacrylate resin (PMMA). The susceptibility of C. albicans and C. glabrata to FBuTC was evaluated by means of the Minimum Inhibitory and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MIC and MFC). PMMA acrylic resin discs (N= 108) were fabricated. For the susceptibility tests, biofilms of C. albicans and C. glabrata were developed on discs for 48 h and immersed in phosphate-saline buffer solution (PBS), 1% sodium hypochlorite (SH 1%), or FBuTC at MIC, 5xMIC, or 10xMIC. For the color and roughness change tests, the discs were immersed in distilled water, SH 1%, or FBuTC in the concentrations of 0.25 mg/mL, 2.5 mg/mL, or 25.0 mg/mL. After 28 days of incubation, color change was evaluated by spectrophotometry and roughness, by using a profilometer. The biofilms were investigated by one-way ANOVA and, the color and roughness changes (two-way ANOVA and the Tukey test; α=0.05). For both MIC and MFC the value of 0.25 mg/mL of FBuTC was observed for the planktonic cells of C. albicans and C. glabrata. Exposure to FBuTC at 10xMIC had a significant effect on the biofilm of C. albicans, showing a reduction in cell counts when compared with PBS, (p=0.001). For the biofilm of C. glabrata, the MIC was sufficient for significantly reducing the cell count (p<0.001). No important changes in color and roughness of the acrylic resin were observed, even after 28 days, irrespective of the concentration of FBuTC used (p >0.05). It could be concluded that the immersion of acrylic resin for dental prosthesis in FBuTC was effective in reducing the biofilms of C. albicans and C. glabrata without evidence of change in roughness and color of this substrate.
A Rare Case of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in an Adult with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Mbachi Chimezie , Igwilo Rita , Flores Estefania , Chukwujindu Ezekiel , Mba Benjamin
Published: July 2019

A 71-year-old Indian female presented with a 3-month history of weight loss and fatigue. Further review confirmed a histological diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Although bone marrow analysis did not reveal hemophagocytosis, she had some clinical and laboratory pointers to hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Her clinical state deteriorated rapidly with development of acute respiratory distress syndrome, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, and subsequently death.
Shake Table Response of Unreinforced Masonry and Reinforced Concrete Elements of Special Moment Resisting Frame
Authors: Shah Syed Azmat Ali , Khan Junaid Shah , Ali Syed Muhammad , Shahzada Khan , Ahmad Waqar , Shah Junaid
Published: July 2019

Half‐scaled reinforced concrete frame of two storeys and two bays with unreinforced masonry (URM) infill walls was subjected to base excitation on a shake table for seismic performance evaluation. Considering the high seismic hazard Zone IV of Pakistan, reinforcement detailing in the RC frame is provided according to special moment resisting frames (SMFRs) requirement of Building Code of Pakistan Seismic‐Provisions (BCP SP‐2007). The reinforced concrete frame was infilled with in‐plane solid masonry walls in its interior frame, in‐plane masonry walls with door and window openings in the exterior frame, out‐of‐plane solid masonry wall, and masonry wall with door and window openings in its interior frame. For seismic capacity qualification test, the structure was subjected to three runs of unidirectional base excitation with increasing intensity. For system identification, ambient‐free vibration tests were performed at different stages of experiment. Seismic performance of brick masonry infill walls in reinforced concrete frame structures was evaluated. During the shake table test, performance of URM infill walls was satisfactory until design ground acceleration was 0.40g with a global drift of 0.23%. The test was continued till 1.24g of base acceleration. This paper presents key findings from the shake table tests, including the qualitative damage observations and quantitative force‐displacement, and hysteretic response of the test specimen at different levels of excitation. Experimental results of this test will serve as a benchmark for validation of numerical and analytical models.
Finite‐Element Analysis of Keying Process of Plate Anchors in Three‐Layer Soft‐Stiff‐Soft Clay Deposits
Authors: Feng Tugen , Xu Huajiao , Song Jian , Zhang Jian , Zhou Mi , Zhang Fuhai
Published: July 2019

This paper presents the results from numerical modeling of the keying process of plate anchors in three‐layer soft‐stiff‐soft clay deposits. Three‐dimensional large deformation finite‐element analyses were carried out, and the results were firstly validated by the centrifuge test data and the previous numerical results. The soil flow mechanism during the keying process of plate anchors was examined, and a series of parametric studies were performed to investigate the factors affecting the rotation characteristics of plate anchors with an emphasis on the presence of the interbedded stiff soil layer. The results indicate that the loss of embedment depth of plate anchors decreases with the increase of the thickness of the first soil layer when the anchor is initially located at the middle of stiff soil layer. The flow velocity of soil around the anchor that is initially embedded at the first layer and adjacent to the underlying interbedded stiff soil layer is generally larger, resulting in a smaller embedment depth loss compared with the traditional normally consolidated soil layer. The interbedded stiff soil layer affects the keying process of plate anchors embedded 1.0B above and 2.0B below the interbedded stiff soil layer (B is the width of the square plate anchors). The increase of the strength of local soil around the plate anchors leads to the increase of the embedment depth loss, but the increase of the strength of soil slightly away from the plate anchors leads to the decrease of the embedment depth loss.
Oxidative Stress and Hemoglobin Level of Complicated and Uncomplicated Malaria Cases among Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana
Authors: Nsiah Kwabena , Bahaah Bernard , Oppong Afranie Bright , Koffie Simon , Akowuah Emmanuel , Donkor Sampson
Published: July 2019

Introduction. Malaria is a leading cause of mortality among children below 5 years in Ghana. Its parasites are known to cause the degradation of hemoglobin, resulting in the production of reactive oxygen species and hence oxidant stress. Therefore, this study was carried out to compare the levels of oxidative stress between children with complicated and uncomplicated malaria infection in Kumasi, Ghana. Method. Subjects were recruited from hospitals in the Kumasi Metropolis. This was a cross-sectional study, involving 17 complicated malaria subjects, 51 uncomplicated malaria subjects, and 15 nonparasitemic subjects. The rapid diagnostic test (RDT) was used to determine presence or absence of falciparum malaria among the study participants. Blood samples from subjects were used to determine hemoglobin, malondialdehyde (MDA), and vitamin C levels. Results. Majority of the subjects (67.5%) were within the age of 0-5 years. The mean age (±SD) of uncomplicated malaria subjects was 4.32 (±2.81) years, while that of complicated malaria was 4.27 (±2.96). Mean levels of HB decreased significantly in the following order: control subjects > uncomplicated malaria subjects > complicated malaria subjects (p<0.0001). Mean levels of MDA were significantly lower in control subjects compared to complicated malaria subjects (4.62±1.85 versus 6.68±0.70, p=0.0008) and also lowered in uncomplicated malaria subjects compared to complicated malaria (4.50±1.58 versus 6.68±0.70, p<0.0001). There was a statistically significant reduced mean level of vitamin C (p=0.036) in the following order: control subjects > uncomplicated malaria > complicated malaria subjects. However, for the complicated malaria cases, there were significantly higher mean vitamin C levels in females than in males (p<0.001). Conclusion. Malaria progression increases MDA levels and decreases the ascorbate (vitamin C) and hemoglobin levels. It is recommended that future studies should investigate changes in other antioxidant vitamins, like vitamins A and E.
Simulation of the Vibration Characteristics for Agricultural Wheeled Tractor with Implement and Front Axle Hydropneumatic Suspension
Authors: Zheng Enlai , Cui Song , Yang Yuanzhao , Xue Jinlin , Zhu Yue , Lin Xiangze
Published: July 2019

The dynamic model is significant for the analysis of the vibrational characteristics of the wheeled tractor system with implement and front axle hydropneumatic suspension. In this work, the nonlinear stiffness and damping equations are derived first. The dynamic coupling relationship among cabin, three‐point hitch structure, and implement are figured out, and the dynamic model of the half agricultural wheeled tractor/implement system is presented considering the effects of three‐point hitch structure, passive silent blocks of cabin, and front axle hydropneumatic suspension together. To validate the model, the power spectral densities (PSDs) of the driver seat, cabin, chassis, and implement acquired from numerical simulations are compared with those from experiments, respectively. Under different forward speeds, two groups of results match well. Based on the model, the influences of passive cabin suspension, implement, and front axle hydropneumatic suspension on the dynamical characteristics of the tractor system are investigated. Results indicate that the front axle hydropneumatic suspension will deteriorate the ride comfort of the driver but improve the handing stability. The passive cabin suspension reduces the operational stability while improving much more ride comfort than the front axle hydropneumatic suspension does. The driver’s comfortableness will be increased due to implement; meanwhile, handling stability will be compromised. Besides, the impacts of initial nitrogen volume, pressure of accumulators, and orifice diameter of throttle valves on the vibration characteristics of the tractor system are also inspected.
Comparison of Performances of Flexible Tailor-Made Force Sensing Resistors Fabricated Using Inkjet and Xurographic Techniques
Authors: Stojanović Goran , Radovanović Milan , Vasiljević Dragana , Kojić Tijana , Pivaš Bojana , Puškar Tatjana , Kapadia Sunil , Baumann Reinhard
Published: July 2019

The force is one of the parameters very often measured in our life. Force sensing resistors (FSRs) can be successfully used for measuring force, especially that they can be applied in dentistry for measuring bite forces. However, it is very difficult to apply commercial FSRs for accurate measurement of bite forces and to ensure personalized approach to each patient. Because of that, design, fabrication, and characterization of tailor-made force sensing resistors intended for application in dental medicine are presented in this paper. We designed two FSRs, one with two active areas and one with four active areas (for teeth of higher volume–molars). Two different fabrication processes were applied: first additive, using inkjet printer and silver as material for conductive segments, and second subtractive, using cutter, and gold as a material for manufacturing of interdigitated structure of FSR. Performances of these FSRs have been compared, measuring resistance as a function of applied force, using in-house developed experimental set-up with an articulator.
Fabrication of PES/PVP Water Filtration Membranes Using Cyrene®, a Safer Bio-Based Polar Aprotic Solvent
Authors: Milescu Roxana A. , McElroy C. Robert , Farmer Thomas J. , Williams Paul M. , Walters Matthew J. , Clark James H.
Published: July 2019

A more sustainable dialysis and water filtration membrane has been developed, by using the new, safer, bio-based solvent Cyrene® in place of N-methyl pyrrolidinone (NMP). The effects of solvent choice, solvent evaporation time, the temperature of casting gel, and coagulation bath together with the additive concentration on porosity and pore size distribution were studied. The results, combined with infrared spectra, SEM images, porosity results, water contact angle (WCA), and water permeation, confirm that Cyrene® is better media to produce polyethersulfone (PES) membranes. New methods, Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP) and NMR-based pore structure model, were applied to estimate the porosity and pore size distribution of the new membranes produced for the first time with Cyrene® and PVP as additive. Hansen Solubility Parameters in Practice (HSPiP) was used to predict polymer-solvent interactions. The use of Cyrene® resulted in reduced polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) loading than required when using NMP and gave materials with larger pores and overall porosity. Two different conditions of casting gel were applied in this study: a hot (70°C) and cold gel (17°C) were cast to obtain membranes with different morphologies and water filtration behaviours.
Consistency of Outputs of the Selected Motion Acquisition Methods for Human Activity Recognition
Authors: Smoleń Magdalena
Published: July 2019

The aim of this paper is to choose the optimal motion sensor for the selected human activity recognition. In the described studies, different human motion measurement methods are used simultaneously such as optoelectronics, video, electromyographic, accelerometric, and pressure sensors. Several analyses of activity recognition were performed: recognition correctness for all activities together, matrices of the recognition errors of the individual activities for all volunteers for the individual sensors, and recognition correctness of all activities for each volunteer and each sensor. The experiments enabled to find a range of interchangeability and to choose the most appropriate sensor for recognition of the selected motion.
Exploring Empathy, Compassion Fatigue, and Burnout among Feral Cat Caregivers
Authors: Young Robert L. , Thompson Carol Y.
Published: July 2019

Based on four years of ethnographic observations, interviews, and full participation, this research elucidates the emotional dynamics and consequences of feral cat caregiving across a variety of interactional settings. Such caregiving is often conducted in the context of a lack of understanding from otherwise sympathetic friends and relatives and opposition and stigmatization from others who are unsympathetic to the work. We find that the ability of caregivers to take the role of the nonhuman other facilitates genuine empathic concern, which allows caregivers to provide relatively successful and ongoing care. Unfortunately, the combination of emotional stress and compassion fatigue, combined with frequent setbacks and a substantial dearth of organizational and economic support of caregivers’ efforts, often leads to disillusionment, cynicism, and burnout. In addition to elucidating the social and emotional problems of our respondents, we also offer a conceptual and theoretical framework to guide further research on this and related topics.
Exploring the Relationship between Socio-Demographic Background and Empathy toward Nonhuman Animals in Working Horse Caretakers
Authors: Luna Daniela , Vásquez Rodrigo A. , Tadich Tamara
Published: July 2019

Recognizing pain in nonhuman animals and empathy toward them is important for modulating human-animal relationships and animal welfare. Few studies have assessed pain recognition and empathic responses toward animals based on socio-demographic characteristics, and even fewer have examined them in socioeconomically marginalized individuals. To address this issue, four instruments were applied to 100 working horse caretakers. The socio-demographic and quality of life instruments were applied as interviews, and afterward two rating scales measuring empathy toward animals and the willingness to attribute pain to horses, in a diversity of painful conditions, were filled out. The results indicate that working horse caretakers have high levels of empathy and the willingness to attribute a high intensity of pain to equines in diverse situations that imply pain, but that neither socio-demographic status nor satisfaction with life quality were correlated with empathy toward animals or the willingness to attribute pain to horses.
Multisensory, Multi-Tasking Performance of Older Adults With and Without Subjective Cognitive Decline
Authors: Carr Sophie , Pichora-Fuller M. Kathleen , Li Karen Z. H. , Phillips Natalie , Campos Jennifer L.
Published: July 2019

As the population ages, it is increasingly important to detect non-normative cognitive declines as early as possible. Measures of combined sensory–motor–cognitive functioning may be early markers for identifying individuals who are at increased risk of developing dementia. Further, older adults experiencing subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may have elevated risk of dementia compared to those without SCD. Tasks involving complex, multisensory interactions reflective of everyday challenges may be particularly sensitive to subjectively perceived, pre-clinical declines. In the current study, older adults with and without SCD were asked to simultaneously perform a standing balance task and a listening task under increasingly challenging sensory/cognitive/motor conditions using a dual-task paradigm in a realistic, immersive virtual environment. It was hypothesized that, compared to older adults without SCD, those with SCD would exhibit greater decrements in postural control and listening response accuracy as sensory/motor/cognitive loads increased. However, counter to predictions, older adults with SCD demonstrated greater reductions in postural sway under more challenging dual-task conditions than those without SCD. Across both groups, poorer postural task performance was associated with poorer cognitive function and speech-in-noise thresholds measured with standard baseline tests. Poorer listening task performance was associated with poorer global cognitive function, poorer mobility, and poorer speech-in-noise detection. Overall, the results provide additional support for the growing evidence demonstrating associations between sensory, motor, and cognitive functioning and contribute to an evolving consideration of how best to categorize and characterize SCD in a way that guides strategies for screening, assessment, and intervention.
Curriculum Reform of Science in Elementary Schools in China
Authors: Pei Wenjie
Published: July 2019

In January 2017, the Chinese Ministry of Education issued the Curricular Standards of Science in Elementary Schools, aiming at developing students’ scientific literacy and a foundation for their learning and development as competent citizens. To achieve its overall goal, the reform reflects four main strategies: extending the learning time of science education, integrating engineering and technological contents into science subject, phased design based on the idea of learning progressions, and using big concepts to guide teaching contents. The Curricular Standards of Science in Elementary Schools has been implemented in major provinces and cities across the country and achieved initial outcomes in stimulating students’ enthusiasm for learning science. To better implement these standards, increasing capital investment, improving experiments, and upgrading equipment become urgent to be considered.
Clash of Spheres - The Paradox of Being a Female Teacher in the Philippines
Authors: Bongco Roxanne T. , Abenes Rodrigo D.
Published: July 2019

Feminisation in the teaching profession is a global issue. It has been said this problem implies gender inequality in relation to their male counterpart for it results in the lack of male models in the basic education and, thus promote social exclusion. This social reality is also the case in the Philippines. Data in 2008–2009 from the Philippine Commission on Women reveals that about 89.58% of the teachers in public elementary and 77.06% in the public secondary schools are female (pcw, 2014). In this regard, this paper argues that feminisation of education in the Philippines, all the more result to uncompromising situations of female teachers for as women, they need to work in shifts as part of their changing roles both in school and at home. Further, this paper presents an analysis of the narratives of ten female teachers in basic education which reveals that in spite of the feminisation of teaching from a purely statistical perspective, they still remain disadvantaged in the career that had always been believed to be their domain, especially in the area of career promotion. Limiting factors to the promotion of women still point to their social conditions as women, where the multiplicity of social expectations and duties in their diverse spheres clash to the detriment of their careers.
Reclaiming Teaching for Teacher Education: Towards a Spiral Curriculum
Authors: Biesta Gert
Published: July 2019

Many policy makers and educational researchers seem to be convinced that teaching matters. Unfortunately, such a case for teaching and teachers tends to rely on a rather one-dimensional view of what counts in education – namely the production of measurable learning outcomes – and a rather mechanistic view of what counts as education – namely teaching as an intervention that is aimed at producing particular effects. Such views about teaching and education more generally are also affecting programmes of teacher education. In this paper I raise some questions about such views about the significance of teaching, on the assumption that the future of teacher education needs to be informed by a different understanding of what teaching is and what it is for. I make a case for a multi-dimensional view of the purposes of education and for teaching as an act of communication and interpretation that always requires judgement about that ‘what’ and the ‘what for.’ Placing such judgement at the centre of teacher education suggests that the structure of the curriculum for teacher education should be spiral rather than linear-cumulative.
British Experience of Teacher Professionalization in Citizenship Education
Authors: Lin Ke
Published: July 2019

This paper reviews British experience of inspiring and educating teachers in Citizenship Education. It is based on a case study undertaken at ucl-ioe where provides diverse and distinctive teacher training programmes. The study firstly provides an overview on the National Curriculum for Citizenship and teacher education in England. Then it introduces three types of programmes related to citizenship education at ucl-ioe, in which the author used to work as both a teaching assistant and participant researcher. By reviewing relevant documents (e.g. curriculum frameworks with teacher’s guide, programme handbooks, academic literature, and participants’ evaluation), the study analyses a multi-levelled structure of teacher education for citizenship at ucl-ioe, which consists of fundamental programme for concept and theory learning, specialised programme for subject and pedagogy learning both at the institute and schools, and practical programme for project-based learning cooperating with social organisations. The study further discusses how the university-led programmes could encourage and prepare teachers for their devotion into citizenship education, and argues for a comprehensive, interdisciplinary and participatory model to be implemented. The paper concludes that a high-quality teacher education for citizenship must help both pre-service and in-service teachers to develop subject-based, pedagogical and transferable competence.
Teaching in the Age of Digital Reason
Authors: Peters Michael A. , Zhu Xudong
Published: July 2019

Teaching, born of the period of the ancient sages, developed as the moral art of living that introduced humanity to teaching as a moral pursuit, to the formation of value, to a moral and religious mode of being, and to a set of moral principles that have survived into the modern day. The idea that the ‘future of teaching’ represents a technological disruption of moral traditions of teaching and what teaching might become has become a serious concern for the current generation of philosophers in both China and the West. This editorial examines these issues and introduces this special issue.
A revision of the genus Lamellipalpus Maulik, 1921 (Coleoptera, Lampyridae)
Authors: BRANCUCCI MICHEL , GEISER MICHAEL
Published: July 2019

The genus Lamellipalpus Maulik, 1921 is revised. In total, 12 species are recognized 7 of which (with 1 additional new subspecies) are described as new to science: L. atripalpis sp. nov. (India, Meghalaya), L. flavomarginatus sp.nov. (India, Mizoram), L. kubani sp. nov. (W Thailand), L. longipalpis sp. nov. (Nepal), L. nepalensis sp. nov. (Nepal), L. pacholatkoi sp. nov. (NE India), L. p. turaensis ssp. nov. (India, Meghalaya, Tura Hills) and L. sinuaticollis sp. nov. (India, Meghalaya). L. sallei Pic, 1924, syn. nov. is newly synonymized with L. bombayensis Maulik, 1921. All the species are illustrated and a key for their identification is given. Eugeusis lineatus Pic, 1921 is transferred to Lamellipalpodes Maulik, 1921.
The earliest fossil record of the wasp subfamily Pelecininae (Hymenoptera: Proctotrupoidea: Pelecinidae) from the Yixian Formation of China
Authors: LIU CHENXI , SHIH CHUNGKUN , REN DONG
Published: July 2019

A new genus with a new species (Shoushida regilla gen. et sp. nov.) of pelecinid wasps is described and illustrated. The fossil has been collected from the Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous of Yixian Formation at Huangbanjigou Village, Liaoning Province, China. The new species has vein Rs forking to two branches: Rs 1 straight and reaching wing margin much before apex and Rs 2 long, forming an “X” pattern together with 2r-rs. This finding represents the earliest fossil record of subfamily Pelecininae in the world up to date. Sexual dimorphism in Pelecinidae is briefly discussed.
Bomolochus bramus n. sp. (Copepoda, Poecilostomatoida, Bomolochidae) from the pomfrets (Bramidae) off Taiwan, with a list of nominal species and key to valid species of Bomolochus von Nordmann, 1832
Authors: HO JU-SHEY , LIN CHING-LONG
Published: July 2019

A new species of copepod, Bomolochus bramus n. sp. (Poecilostomatoida: Bomolochidae), is described from the gills of Brama japonica Hilgendorf and Eumegistus illustris Jordan & Jordan collected off the east coast of Taiwan. This is the first species of bomolochid copepod reported from the pomfrets (Bramidae). The new species is distinguished from its congeners by having a combination of the following characters: (1) a pair of rostral tines; (2) the fourth basal element on the antennule modified as a hook, about as long as its neighboring outer pilose setae; (3) two large patches of spinules on the ventral surface of the anal somite; (4) a large patch of spinules on the ventral surface of the caudal ramus; (5) armature formula of II, I, 5 on the terminal exopodal segment of legs 3 and 4; and (6) leg 4 endopod with a relatively short terminal segment ornamented with long setules along the outer margin and long spinules along the distal margin. In addition to the report of the above new species, a list of the nominal species of Bomolochus von Nordmann, 1832, including their current taxonomic status, is provided. A key to the valid species is also included.