bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HBT Radii: Comparative Studies on Collision Systems and Beam Energies
Authors: Das Debasish
Published: July 2018

Two-particle Hanbury-Brown-Twiss (HBT) interferometry is an important probe for understanding the space-time structure of particle emission sources in high energy heavy ion collisions. We present the comparative studies of HBT radii in Pb+Pb collisions at sNN = 17.3 GeV with Au+Au collisions at sNN = 19.6 GeV. To further understand this specific energy regime, we also compare the HBT radii for Au+Au collisions at sNN = 19.6 GeV with Cu+Cu collisions at sNN = 22.4 GeV. We have found interesting similarity in the Rout/Rside ratio with mT across the collision systems while comparing the data for this specific energy zone which is interesting as it acts as a bridge from SPS energy regime to the RHIC energy domain.
N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors Involvement in the Gentamicin-Induced Hearing Loss and Pathological Changes of Ribbon Synapse in the Mouse Cochlear Inner Hair Cells
Authors: Hong Juan , Chen Yan , Zhang Yanping , Li Jieying , Ren Liujie , Yang Lin , Shi Lusen , Li Ao , Zhang Tianyu , Li Huawei , Dai Peidong
Published: July 2018

Cochlear inner hair cell (IHC) ribbon synapses play an important role in sound encoding and neurotransmitter release. Previous reports show that both noise and aminoglycoside exposures lead to reduced numbers and morphologic changes of synaptic ribbons. In this work, we determined the distribution of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and their role in the gentamicin-induced pathological changes of cochlear IHC ribbon synaptic elements. In normal mature mouse cochleae, the majority of NMDARs were distributed on the modiolar side of IHCs and close to the IHC nuclei region, while most of synaptic ribbons and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) were located on neural terminals closer to the IHC basal poles. After gentamicin exposure, the NMDARs increased and moved towards the IHC basal poles. At the same time, synaptic ribbons and AMPARs moved toward the IHC bundle poles on the afferent dendrites. The number of ribbon synapse decreased, and this was accompanied by increased auditory brainstem response thresholds and reduced wave I amplitudes. NMDAR antagonist MK801 treatment reduced the gentamicin-induced hearing loss and the pathological changes of IHC ribbon synapse, suggesting that NMDARs were involved in gentamicin-induced ototoxicity by regulating the number and distribution of IHC ribbon synapses.
Extreme and Cyclical Blood Pressure Elevation in a Pheochromocytoma Hypertensive Crisis
Authors: Larouche V. , Garfield N. , Mitmaker E.
Published: July 2018

Pheochromocytomas are rare adrenal neoplasms characterized by excess secretion of catecholamines. We describe the case of a 65-year-old man, known for hypertension, with no family history of hereditary pheochromocytoma syndromes. He reported a two-year history of flushing, systolic blood pressure surges to 200 mmHg, headaches, tremors, and syncope. His initial workup revealed elevated 24h urine catecholamines and metanephrines. An adrenal MRI in March 2017 showed a large 7.6 cm heterogeneous right adrenal lesion. Given orthostatic hypotension, his final preoperative dose was limited to a low dose of terazosin and metoprolol. In the operating room, shortly after intubation and Foley insertion, his blood pressure rose to 350 mmHg. Surgery was cancelled and he was admitted to the intensive care unit, where intravenous phentolamine, nitroprusside, and nicardipine were started. His systolic blood pressure would oscillate between 60 mmHg and 350 mmHg at 2-3 minutes’ intervals. After 3 days, he was weaned off intravenous medications. His oral medications were uptitrated to high doses of phenoxybenzamine, metoprolol, and nifedipine. Three weeks later, he underwent successful open right adrenalectomy. This case outlines the importance of preoperative preparation of pheochromocytomas and raises the question if phenoxybenzamine is the alpha-blocker of choice for larger tumours with significant hormonal secretion.
Pain Complaints in Patients Undergoing Orthognathic Surgery
Authors: Agbaje Jimoh , Luyten Jonathan , Politis Constantinus
Published: July 2018

The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the frequency of orofacial (nonodontogenic, neuropathic, or atypical) and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and/or masticatory muscle pain in orthognathic patients in a tertiary institution. A total of 286 consecutive patients undergoing sagittal split osteotomy from 2014 to 2016 were included. Thirty-nine (13.6%) patients presented with TMJ pain and 10 (3.5%) with orofacial nonodontogenic pain before orthognathic surgery; 79.6% (39/49) of these patients had no pain 1 year after surgery. Twenty-nine patients (12.2%) with no preoperative orofacial pain and 22 (9.3%) without preoperative TMJ pain presented with pain 1 year after surgery. Fifty-one (17.8%) of the 286 patients treated for orthognathic cases at our center over the 3-year period presented with pain 1 year after surgery. Most patients were managed conservatively with nonsurgical therapeutic modalities including counseling, physical therapy, warmth application, and bilateral chewing and splint therapy. In patients with TMJ pain refractory to conservative treatment, arthroscopic surgery was advised and successful in all patients for both pain reduction and improvement of the maximal interincisal opening. TMJ symptoms do develop after orthognathic surgery in patients with and without a previous history of TMJ complaints. Most patients can be managed with nonsurgical therapeutic modalities.
The First Case Report of West Nile Virus-Induced Acute Flaccid Quadriplegia in Canada
Authors: Al-Fifi Yahya Salim Yahya , Kadkhoda Kamran , Drebot Mike , Wudel Beverly , Bow E. J.
Published: July 2018

The 1999 New York City outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) was associated with a high incidence of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease (WNVND) where the outcomes for these patients were very poor. We describe a case of West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease (WNVND) characterized by acute flaccid quadriplegia with a favorable outcome in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Fault Diagnosis for Reducer via Improved LMD and SVM‐RFE‐MRMR
Authors: Zhang Xiaoguang , Song Zhenyue , Li Dandan , Zhang Wei , Zhao Zhike , Chen Yingying
Published: July 2018

The vibration signals are usually characterized by nonstationary, nonlinearity, and high frequency shocks, and the redundant features degrade the performance of fault diagnosis methods. To deal with the problem, a novel fault diagnosis approach for rotating machinery is presented by combining improved local mean decomposition (LMD) with support vector machine–recursive feature elimination with minimum redundancy maximum relevance (SVM‐RFE‐MRMR). Firstly, an improved LMD method is developed to decompose vibration signals into a subset of amplitude modulation/frequency modulation (AM‐FM) product functions (PFs). Then, time and frequency domain features are extracted from the selected PFs, and the complicated faults can be thus identified efficiently. Due to degradation of fault diagnosis methods resulting from redundant features, a novel feature selection method combining SVM‐RFE with MRMR is proposed to select salient features, improving the performance of fault diagnosis approach. Experimental results on reducer platform demonstrate that the proposed method is capable of revealing the relations between the features and faults and providing insights into fault mechanism.
Efficient Adaptive Test Method for Textile Development Length in TRC
Authors: Ortlepp Regine
Published: July 2018

Natural resources can be conserved if we carefully maintain the building stock and indeed extend the useful economic life of buildings. One way to achieve this is to enhance load‐bearing structures by repair, restoration, or strengthening. Such upgrading often involves applying a strengthening to existing concrete elements. Over the past decade, textile‐reinforced concrete (TRC), encompassing a combination of fine‐grained concrete and noncorrosive multiaxial textile fabrics, has emerged as a promising novel alternative for strengthening of conventional steel‐reinforced concrete (RC) structures, offering enhanced load‐bearing capacity with minimal weight and stiffness change. Although TRC has been extensively researched during the last two decades, the formalization of experimental methods and design standards is still in progress. Attempts to design for good load transfer are often hindered by lack of knowledge regarding bond behaviour. For instance, there are neither standard recommendations nor proofs regarding the required development length of textile fibres in TRC for practical applications up to now. The aim of this work was to provide a test specification, which gives a direct result for the development length (required for the anchorage of a reinforcement, also referred to as “anchorage length”) of textile reinforcements in fine‐grained concrete—quickly and easily. The aim of this paper was to present the test specification developed in a way that it is useful for the future work of other researchers as well as for construction engineers. Some selected experimental investigations with different textile reinforcements and different bonding properties were performed with the aim of showing the applicability of the proposed adaptive test specification. The results of these tests indicated that conventional AR glass and carbon fabrics without coating required large anchoring lengths. The tests further showed that an additional application of different kinds of coating to textile fabrics greatly increased the reinforcement’s resistance to pullout. This is of special interest for carbon fibres, which have a substantially higher strength than AR glass fibres and different bond behaviour; that is, carbon fibres have, by nature, larger development lengths.
Operant Up-Conditioning of the Tibialis Anterior Motor-Evoked Potential in Multiple Sclerosis: Feasibility Case Studies
Authors: Thompson Aiko K. , Favale Briana M. , Velez Jacqueline , Falivena Patricia
Published: July 2018

Damage to the corticospinal pathway often results in weak dorsiflexion of the ankle, thereby limiting the mobility of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Thus, strengthening corticospinal connectivity may improve locomotion. Here, we investigated the feasibility of tibialis anterior (TA) motor-evoked potential (MEP) operant conditioning and whether it can enhance corticospinal excitability and alleviate locomotor problems in people with chronic stable MS. The protocol consisted of 6 baseline and 24 up-conditioning sessions over 10 weeks. In all sessions, TA MEPs were elicited at 10% above active threshold while the sitting subject provided 30–35% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) level of TA background EMG. During baseline sessions, MEPs were simply measured. During conditioning trials of the conditioning sessions, the subject was encouraged to increase MEP and was given immediate feedback indicating whether MEP size was above a criterion. In 3/4 subjects, TA MEP increased 32–75%, MVC increased 28–52%, locomotor EMG modulation improved in multiple leg muscles, and foot drop became less severe. In one of them, MEP and MVC increases were maintained throughout 3 years of extensive follow-up sessions. These initial results support a therapeutic possibility of MEP operant conditioning for improving locomotion in people with MS or other CNS disorders, such as spinal cord injury and stroke.
Optimization of Temperature‐Control Measures for Concrete Structures: A Case Study of the Sluice Project
Authors: Huang Yaoying
Published: July 2018

Temperature control and crack prevention in sluice pier concrete is a key issue in the early design and construction period. Strong surface insulation may lead to cracks after formwork removal, while weak surface insulation may result in a high crack risk in the early age. The water‐cooling measure may also cause severe cracks at a rapid cooling rate. Therefore, the optimum temperature control scheme should be comparatively studied against the alternatives. In this paper, we investigate crack prevention in sluice pier concrete as a multiple‐factor system optimization problem and investigate an optimization method for temperature‐control measures using the uniform design method and a neural network model. The minimum ratios for the internal and surface points of the sluice pier concrete are taken as inputs, and the corresponding combinations of temperature‐control parameters based on the uniform design method are taken as outputs. Combined with a sluice project, the optimization method for the temperature‐control measures is implemented. The analysis results show that internal pipe cooling combined with reasonable surface heat preservation measures should be employed, and a low concrete pouring temperature is more beneficial than a low cooling temperature and long duration for crack prevention in sluice pier concrete.
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Analysis of Human Breast Cancer via Silver Nanoparticles: An Examination of Fabrication Methods
Authors: Brozek-Pluska Beata , Kopec Monika , Surmacki Jakub
Published: July 2018

Breast cancer in a traditional way is diagnosed using mammography, computer tomography, ultrasounds, biopsy, and finally, histopathological analysis. Histopathological analysis is a gold standard in breast cancer diagnostics; however, it is time consuming and prone to the human interpretations. That is why new methods based on optical properties of analyzed human tissue samples are needed to be introduced to the clinical practice objective, costless and fast diagnostic protocols. Nowadays, Raman spectroscopy-based methods are gaining more and more importance. Raman spectroscopy and imaging allow to characterize human tissue samples using an electromagnetic radiation from a safe range, and simultaneously, a minimal sample preparation is required. During measurements, a natural differentiation in tissues components’ scattering cross sections is used to build 2D and 3D maps of the chemical component distribution. The paper presents the application of SERS (surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy) measurements for analysis of human breast cancer (adenocarcinoma). The advantages of SERS application in cancer diagnostics are also discussed. Moreover, the detailed chemical composition of human breast cancer tissue based on Raman bands of DNA/RNA, amino acids, lipids, and proteins which are significantly enhanced is presented. Three different methods of NP preparation are presented, and the effectiveness of Raman signal enhancement of Ag nanoparticles synthetized by these methods is compared. The enhancement effect of NPs synthetized by reduction of silver nitrate with sodium borohydride (method no. 1) and silver nitrate-hydroxylamine hydrochloride reduction (method no. 2) was stronger when compared with the polyol method (method no. 3). Presented SERS results confirmed that the clearly resolved and high-intensity Raman spectra of cancer human breast tissue can be recorded using integration times of the order of fractional seconds and one milliwatt of the excitation laser power.
Frontal EEG Temporal and Spectral Dynamics Similarity Analysis between Propofol and Desflurane Induced Anesthesia Using Hilbert-Huang Transform
Authors: Liu Quan , Ma Li , Fan Shou-Zen , Abbod Maysam F. , Ai Qingsong , Chen Kun , Shieh Jiann-Shing
Published: July 2018

Electroencephalogram (EEG) signal analysis is commonly employed to extract information on the brain dynamics. It mainly targets brain status and communication, thus providing potential to trace differences in the brain’s activity under different anesthetics. In this article, two kinds of gamma-amino butyric acid (type A -GABAA) dependent anesthetic agents, propofol and desflurane (28 and 23 patients), were studied and compared with respect to EEG spectrogram dynamics. Hilbert-Huang Transform (HHT) was employed to compute the time varying spectrum for different anesthetic levels in comparison with Fourier based method. Results show that the HHT method generates consistent band power (slow and alpha) dominance pattern as Fourier method does, but exhibits higher concentrated power distribution within each frequency band than the Fourier method during both drugs induced unconsciousness. HHT also finds slow and theta bands peak frequency with better convergence by standard deviation (propofol-slow: 0.46 to 0.24; theta: 1.42 to 0.79; desflurane-slow: 0.30 to 0.25; theta: 1.42 to 0.98) and a shift to relatively lower values for alpha band (propofol: 9.94 Hz to 10.33 Hz, desflurane 8.44 Hz to 8.84 Hz) than Fourier one. For different stage comparisons, although HHT shows significant alpha power increases during unconsciousness stage as the Fourier did previously, it finds no significant high frequency (low gamma) band power difference in propofol whereas it does in desflurane. In addition, when comparing the HHT results within two groups during unconsciousness, high beta band power in propofol is significantly larger than that of desflurane while delta band power behaves oppositely. In conclusion, this study convincingly shows that EEG analyzed here considerably differs between the HHT and Fourier method.
A Rare Case of Vascular Leiomyosarcoma Originating from a Branch Vessel of the External Iliac Vein
Authors: Yamamoto Akinaru , Nakata Wataru , Yamamichi Gaku , Tsujimura Go , Tsujimoto Yuichi , Nin Mikio , Miwa Hideaki , Tsujihata Masao
Published: July 2018

Leiomyosarcoma arising from the external iliac vein is uncommon. This is a report of a 51-year-old Japanese man with venous leiomyosarcoma originating from a branch vessel of the left external iliac vein. The tumor was found during a medical examination, and the patient had no symptoms. Computed tomography showed a 72 × 49 mm mass adjacent to the left external iliac vein. The tumor was resected en-block along with ligation of the external iliac vein due to strong adhesion with the tumor. Histological examination showed venous leiomyosarcoma, and its origin was thought to be a branch vessel of the left external iliac vein. The patient has remained free from recurrence at 30 months after surgery.
Z′ Portal Dark Matter in the Minimal B-L Model
Authors: Okada Satomi
Published: July 2018

We consider a dark matter scenario in the context of the minimal extension of the Standard Model (SM) with a B-L (baryon number minus lepton number) gauge symmetry, where three right-handed neutrinos with a B-L charge -1 and a B-L Higgs field with a B-L charge +2 are introduced to make the model anomaly-free and to break the B-L gauge symmetry, respectively. The B-L gauge symmetry breaking generates Majorana masses for the right-handed neutrinos. We introduce a Z2 symmetry to the model and assign an odd parity only for one right-handed neutrino, and hence the Z2-odd right-handed neutrino is stable and the unique dark matter candidate in the model. The so-called minimal seesaw works with the other two right-handed neutrinos and reproduces the current neutrino oscillation data. We consider the case that the dark matter particle communicates with the SM particles through the B-L gauge boson (ZB-L′ boson) and obtain a lower bound on the B-L gauge coupling (αB-L) as a function of the ZB-L′ boson mass (mZ′) from the observed dark matter relic density. On the other hand, we interpret the recent LHC Run-2 results on the search for a Z′ boson resonance to an upper bound on αB-L as a function of mZ′. These two constraints are complementary for narrowing down an allowed parameter region for this “Z′ portal” dark matter scenario, leading to a lower mass bound of mZ′≥3.9 TeV.
Successful Treatment of Occlusive Left Main Coronary Artery Dissection by Impella-Supported Stenting
Authors: Glazier James J. , Kaki Amir , Schreiber Theodore L.
Published: July 2018

We report successful treatment of a patient, who, during diagnostic angiography, developed an ostial left main coronary artery dissection with stump occlusion of the vessel. First, mechanical circulatory support with an Impella CP device was established. Then, patency of the left coronary system was achieved by placement of stents in the left anterior descending, left circumflex, and left main coronary arteries. On completion of the procedure, left ventricular systolic function, as assessed by echocardiography, was normal. At 24-month clinical follow-up, the patient remains angina-free and well. This is the first reported case of the use of an Impella device to support treatment of iatrogenic left main coronary artery dissection.
Adiponectin and Leptin at Early Pregnancy: Association to Actual Glucose Disposal and Risk for GDM—A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Bozkurt Latife , Göbl Christian S. , Baumgartner-Parzer Sabina , Luger Anton , Pacini Giovanni , Kautzky-Willer Alexandra
Published: July 2018

Aim. There is scarce information on associations of adipokines, and concurrent glucose disposal during early pregnancy as performance of oral glucose tolerance is uncommon before 24th gestational week. We sought to examine associations of leptin and adiponectin to insulin sensitivity already at early pregnancy before recommended screening for GDM and to describe trajectories of adiponectin in relation to GDM status. Methods. 216 pregnant women were prospectively included at 16th (IQR: 14–18) gestational week (GW) for fasting adiponectin and leptin with subsequent OGTT testing for evaluation of insulin sensitivity and β-cell function. Follow-ups of adiponectin were performed at further four visits until 8–12 weeks after delivery. Results. In early pregnancy, differences in adiponectin and leptin were significant between GDM women (n=82) and controls (n=134), whereby those with early GDM (<21st week, n=49) showed more distinguishing levels (adiponectin: 8.5 ± 3.8 versus 10.4 ± 4.4 μg/ml, p=0.004; leptin 93.4 ± 38.5 versus 78.0 ± 39.2 μg/ml, p=0.005). Both adipokines were significantly associated with insulin sensitivity and β-cell function. Their attribution for GDM prediction was moderate to fair and more enhanced in early GDM. Trajectories of adiponectin remained constantly lower in GDM women, whereas dynamics in controls showed initially increased concentrations with decreasing tendency until 3rd trimester. After delivery, low adiponectin was associated with glucose dysregulation. Conclusion. Associations of adiponectin and leptin with features of deteriorated glucose metabolism at early gestation may be indicative for the endocrine involvement of adipose tissue in the manifestation of GDM and thus predictive for later impairments in metabolic flexibility in women at risk.
Kinematic Calibration Based on the Multicollinearity Diagnosis of a 6-DOF Polishing Hybrid Robot Using a Laser Tracker
Authors: Zhao Dong , Dong Chenglin , Guo Hao , Tian Wenjie
Published: July 2018

A general methodology for ensuring the geometric accuracy of a 6-DOF polishing hybrid robot having a 3UPS and UP parallel mechanism and a 3-DOF wrist is presented. The process is implemented in three steps: formulation of the error model containing complete source errors such as offset errors of the actuated joints and structural errors of the joints and links utilizing product of exponentials formula and screw theory. Measurement of the full pose error twist with a specially designed measurement tool having three reference points was undertaken. Identification of the source errors by a stepwise identification strategy to overcome the ill-conditioned problem arising from the multicollinearity and development of a linearized error compensator was completed. An experiment has been carried out on the prototype, and the results show that, after calibration, a position volumetric error of 0.07 mm and an orientation error of 0.07 degrees can be achieved over the cubic task workspace with repeatability of 0.016 mm and 0.010 degrees.
Radiation-Induced Sarcoma Originating in Recurrent Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma
Authors: Panda Smriti , Rajeshwari Madhu , Singh Chirom Amit , Sharma Suresh C. , Sakthivel Pirabu
Published: July 2018

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma is a benign disease affecting young males with a propensity to invade intracranially and into the orbit along preformed pathways. Complete surgical excision is the mainstay of management. Patients with multiple recurrences along with tumour extension into skull base and orbit can be considered for external beam radiation as either adjuvant or definitive treatment. Possibility of radiation-induced malignancy has been speculated by many authors, proof of which exists in only two studies so far. This report focuses on radiation-induced leiomyosarcoma in a patient with recurrent juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma.
Liposome Bupivacaine Compared to Plain Local Anesthetics to Reduce Postsurgical Pain: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Kendall Mark C. , Castro Alves Lucas Jorge , De Oliveira Gildasio
Published: July 2018

Objective. Peripheral nerve blocks for postoperative analgesia have improved block success, but analgesia efficacy has been limited by the short duration of traditional local anesthetics. The results of randomized trials comparing liposome bupivacaine with conventional local anesthetic formulations (e.g., plain bupivacaine and ropivacaine) have generated conflicting results. This study was conducted to systematically review the effectiveness of analgesic efficacy of liposome bupivacaine infiltration at the surgical site versus plain local anesthetic bupivacaine or ropivacaine in patients undergoing surgery. Methods. PRISMA statement guidelines were followed. A search of electronic databases National Library of Medicine’s PubMed database, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase, and Google Scholar from January 2012 to September 2017 was performed. Among the 1,612 records identified, 9 randomized controlled trials involving 779 patients were eligible for data extraction and meta-analysis. Results. Liposome bupivacaine did not reduce postsurgical pain at rest compared to plain local anesthetics at 24 and 48 hours after surgery. Moreover, liposome bupivacaine did not reduce postoperative opioid consumption at 24, 48, or 72 hours when compared to plain local anesthetics. Liposome bupivacaine did reduce postoperative nausea when compared to plain local anesthetics (P =<0.3). There was no significant difference in hospital length of stay between study groups, the use of plain bupivacaine or ropivacaine, or among orthopedic or nonorthopedic procedures. No manifestations of local anesthetic toxicity were reported. Conclusions. Our results suggest that liposome bupivacaine does not have an analgesic advantage when compared to plain local anesthetics at the surgical site for patients undergoing surgical procedures.
Efficient Isogeny Computations on Twisted Edwards Curves
Authors: Kim Suhri , Yoon Kisoon , Kwon Jihoon , Hong Seokhie , Park Young-Ho
Published: July 2018

The isogeny-based cryptosystem is the most recent category in the field of postquantum cryptography. However, it is widely studied due to short key sizes and compatibility with the current elliptic curve primitives. The main building blocks when implementing the isogeny-based cryptosystem are isogeny computations and point operations. From isogeny construction perspective, since the cryptosystem moves along the isogeny graph, isogeny formula cannot be optimized for specific coefficients of elliptic curves. Therefore, Montgomery curves are used in the literature, due to the efficient point operation on an arbitrary elliptic curve. In this paper, we propose formulas for computing 3 and 4 isogenies on twisted Edwards curves. Additionally, we further optimize our isogeny formulas on Edwards curves and compare the computational cost of Montgomery curves. We also present the implementation results of our isogeny computations and demonstrate that isogenies on Edwards curves are as efficient as those on Montgomery curves.
Endoscopic Dilation with Bougies versus Balloon Dilation in Esophageal Benign Strictures: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Josino Iatagan R. , Madruga-Neto Antônio C. , Ribeiro Igor B. , Guedes Hugo G. , Brunaldi Vitor O. , de Moura Diogo T. H. , Bernardo Wanderley M. , de Moura Eduardo G. H.
Published: July 2018

Background. The use of bougies and balloons to dilate benign esophageal strictures (BES) is a consolidated procedure. However, the amount of evidence available in scientific literature supporting which is the best technique is very low, despite the great prevalence and importance of such pathology. This systematic review with meta-analysis aims at comparing both techniques, providing good quality of evidence. Methods. We searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published from insertion to November 2017, using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, LILACS, and grey literature. After the data extraction, a meta-analysis was performed. The main outcomes were symptomatic relief and recurrence rate. The secondary outcomes were bleeding, perforation, and postprocedure pain. Results. We included 5 randomized clinical trials (RCTs), totalizing 461 patients. Among them, 151 were treated with bougie dilation and 225 underwent balloon dilation. Regarding symptomatic relief, recurrence, bleeding, and perforation rates, there were no differences between the methods. Concerning postprocedure pain, patients submitted to balloon dilation had less intense pain (RD 0.27, 95% IC −0.42 to −0.07, P=0.007). Conclusion. We conclude that there is no difference between bougie and balloon dilation of BESs regarding symptomatic relief, recurrence rate at 12 months, bleeding, and perforation. Patients undergoing balloon dilation present less severe postprocedure pain.
Urban Motion Planning Framework Based on N-Bézier Curves Considering Comfort and Safety
Authors: Lattarulo Ray , González Leonardo , Martí Enrique , Matute José , Marcano Mauricio , Pérez Joshue
Published: July 2018

In last decades, great technology advances have been done related to the automotive sector, especially in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) developed to improve mobility in terms of comfort and safety during driving process; hence, automated driving is presented as an evolution of those systems in the present and upcoming years. The aim of this work is to present a complete framework of motion planning for automated vehicles, considering different constraints with parametric curves for lateral and longitudinal planners. Parametric Bézier curves are used as the core approach for trajectory design in intersections, roundabouts, and lane change maneuvers. Additionally, a speed planner algorithm is presented using the same parametric curve approach, considering comfort and safety. A simulation environment is used for testing the planning method in urban conditions. Finally, tests with the real platform in automated mode have been performed showing goods results.
Enigma of Retrotransposon Biology in Mammalian Early Embryos and Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Yin Ying , Zhou Liquan , Yuan Shuiqiao
Published: July 2018

Retrotransposons comprise a significant fraction of mammalian genome with unclear functions. Increasing evidence shows that they are not just remnants of ancient retroviruses but play important roles in multiple biological processes. Retrotransposons are epigenetically silenced in most somatic tissues and become reactivated in early embryos. Notably, abundant retrotransposon expression in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) marks transient totipotency status, while retrotransposon enrichment in human ESCs indicates naive-like status. Some retrotransposon elements retained the capacity to retrotranspose, such as LINE1, producing genetic diversity or disease. Some other retrotransposons reside in the vicinity of endogenous genes and are capable of regulating nearby genes and cell fate, possibly through providing alternative promoters, regulatory modules, or orchestrating high-order chromatin assembly. In addition, retrotransposons may mediate epigenetic memory, regulate gene expression posttranscriptionally, defend virus infection, and so on. In this review, we summarize expression patterns and regulatory functions of different retrotransposons in early embryos and ESCs, as well as document molecular mechanisms controlling retrotransposon expression and their potential functions. Further investigations on the regulatory network of retrotransposons in early embryogenesis and ESCs will provide valuable insights and a deeper understanding of retrotransposon biology. Additionally, endeavors made to unveil the roles of these mysterious elements may facilitate stem cell status conversion and manipulation of pluripotency.
Allocation Optimization Strategy for High-Precision Control of Picosatellites and Nanosatellites
Authors: Yang Bo , Miao Jun , Fan Zichen , Long Jun , Liu Xuhui
Published: July 2018

The high-precision control of picosatellites and nanosatellites has always plagued the astronautics field. Aiming to change the status quo of the actuators not being able to meet the high-precision attitude control of picosatellites and nanosatellites, this article formulates a control allocation strategy for picosatellites and nanosatellites using the solid propellant microthruster array (SPMA). To solve the problem of the diversity and complexity of ignition combinations brought about by the high integration of the SPMA, the energy consumption factor of the optimal allocation is established, and the relationships of the array’s energy consumption factor, the control accuracy, the number, and the ignition combinations of the thruster array are deduced. The optimization objective is introduced by Sherman-Morrison formula and singular value decomposition. Thus, the energy consumption problem is transformed into an integer programming problem, acquiring the control allocation strategy and the optimal thruster energy. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively reduce the thrust energy consumption and improve the precision control, demonstrating the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed algorithm for picosatellites and nanosatellites.
Knowledge Graph Representation via Similarity-Based Embedding
Authors: Tan Zhen , Zhao Xiang , Fang Yang , Ge Bin , Xiao Weidong
Published: July 2018

Knowledge graph, a typical multi-relational structure, includes large-scale facts of the world, yet it is still far away from completeness. Knowledge graph embedding, as a representation method, constructs a low-dimensional and continuous space to describe the latent semantic information and predict the missing facts. Among various solutions, almost all embedding models have high time and memory-space complexities and, hence, are difficult to apply to large-scale knowledge graphs. Some other embedding models, such as TransE and DistMult, although with lower complexity, ignore inherent features and only use correlations between different entities to represent the features of each entity. To overcome these shortcomings, we present a novel low-complexity embedding model, namely, SimE-ER, to calculate the similarity of entities in independent and associated spaces. In SimE-ER, each entity (relation) is described as two parts. The entity (relation) features in independent space are represented by the features entity (relation) intrinsically owns and, in associated space, the entity (relation) features are expressed by the entity (relation) features they connect. And the similarity between the embeddings of the same entities in different representation spaces is high. In experiments, we evaluate our model with two typical tasks: entity prediction and relation prediction. Compared with the state-of-the-art models, our experimental results demonstrate that SimE-ER outperforms existing competitors and has low time and memory-space complexities.
Fractal Tilings Based on Successive Adjacent Substitution Rule
Authors: Ouyang Peichang , Tang Xiaosong , Chung Kwokwai , Yu Tao
Published: July 2018

A fractal tiling or f‐tiling is a tiling which possesses self‐similarity and the boundary of which is a fractal. f‐tilings have complicated structures and strong visual appeal. However, so far, the discovered f‐tilings are very limited since constructing such f‐tilings needs special talent. Based on the idea of hierarchically subdividing adjacent tiles, this paper presents a general method to generate f‐tilings. Penrose tilings are utilized as illustrators to show how to achieve it in detail. This method can be extended to treat a large number of tilings that can be constructed by substitution rule (such as chair and sphinx tilings and Amman tilings). Thus, the proposed method can be used to create a great many of f‐tilings.
Isocentric Navigation for the Training of Percutaneous Endoscopic Transforaminal Discectomy: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Fan Guoxin , Feng Chaobo , Xie Wangcheng , Wang Dongdong , Liu Fei , Yuan Chun , Zhou Zhi , He Shisheng
Published: July 2018

Background. Percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal discectomy (PETD) is usually chosen for lumbar disc herniation due to its obvious advantages such as small incision and absence of nerve or muscular traction. However, learning PETD is a great challenge for inexperienced surgeons. Objective. The study aimed to investigate whether isocentric navigation would be beneficial in PETD training. Methods. A total of 117 inexperienced surgeons were trained with PETD at L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1 on the cadavers without (Group A n=58) or with (Group B n=59) isocentric navigation. Puncture times, fluoroscopy times, exposure time, and radiation dose were recorded and analyzed. Questionnaires were conducted before and after the training program. Result. Isocentric navigation could improve young surgeons’ satisfaction with the training program and decrease the puncture times, fluoroscopy times, exposure time, and radiation dose significantly (P<0.001). Conclusion. Isocentric navigation contributes to the training of PETD and may improve its standardization, homogenization, and generalization.
A Case of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome in a Profoundly Intellectually Disabled Patient with Successful Reintroduction of Antipsychotic Therapy with Quetiapine
Authors: Patel Kamal , Lilly Brandon , Ajayi Oluwadamilare , Melvin Kelly
Published: July 2018

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) is a rare condition clinically characterized by muscle rigidity, hyperthermia, autonomic instability, and acute mental status change. NMS is most often associated with use of high-potency first-generation antipsychotic medications; though, other neuroleptics have been implicated as well. NMS can be fatal with estimated mortality rates as high as 20%. Patients experiencing certain severe complications, including renal failure, have been associated with mortality as high as 50%, stressing the need for early recognition and treatment. Here we present the case of a 54-year-old male that initially presented with symptoms suspicious for sepsis, but who eventually developed a clinical picture consistent with NMS. We describe the diagnostic and treatment process leading to symptom remission. We then discuss our decision to reintroduce an atypical antipsychotic agent, quetiapine. This case illustrates the importance of early recognition of the signs and symptoms of NMS and the need to initiate treatment promptly in order to prevent complications, including death. This case also highlights the decision to resume antipsychotic pharmacotherapy after adequate resolution of NMS, demonstrating that it can be done so safely if started at low doses coupled with intensive monitoring of the patient.
Experimental and Numerical Investigations of Influence on Overland Flow and Water Infiltration by Fracture Networks in Soil
Authors: Zhu Lei , Fan Dongjun , Ma Rong , Zhang Yonggen , Zha Yuanyuan
Published: July 2018

Preferential flow is common in clay or expansive clay soils, involving water bypassing a large portion of the soil matrix. Dye tracer experiment and numerical modeling are used to simulate the surface runoff and subsurface preferential flow patterns influenced by the soil fracture network of a relatively steep hillslope system (slope angle equals to 10 degrees). The result of the experiments indicates that part of the water is infiltrated through cracks, leading to the delay of the initial runoff-yielding time and reduction of the discharge of the surface runoff. The soil water flow is mainly in the matrix when the intensity of precipitation is low. With the increasing of precipitation, soil water movement may become in the form of preferential flow through cracks. In addition, the nonuniformity of soil water infiltration and the depth of the average water infiltration increase as the precipitation intensity increases. To this end, the complete coupling model was established by using the surface-matrix-crack (SMC) model to simulate water flow within discrete fracture as well as to simulate water flow in the soil matrix based on the concept of dual permeability using the traditional Richards’ equation. In this model, the “cubic law” of fluid motion in cracks within smooth parallel plates and the two-dimensional diffusion wave approximation to Saint-Venant equations with momentum term ignored (two-dimensional shallow water equations) were used. The model divides soil water infiltration into two forms and uses the overall method to calculate the exchange of water between the crack networks and matrix regions as well as the exchange water between surface runoff and infiltration water. Results indicate that the SMC model has better performance compared with the traditional equivalent continuum model when those models are used to simulate the surface runoff movement and the soil water movement in the presence of cracks.
Risk of Cardiovascular Events Associated with Inhaled Corticosteroid Treatment in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jing Xia , Li Yufeng , Xu Jianying
Published: July 2018

Background. The cardiovascular (CV) safety of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is controversial because different studies have suggested that ICSs either increase or reduce the risk of CV events in COPD patients. In this meta-analysis, we assess the CV safety of ICS therapy in COPD. Methods. A meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trials of ICS treatment for COPD that include at least 4 weeks of follow-up was performed. A random-effects model was used to evaluate the effects of ICS treatment on CV events. CV events were documented in each trial, and the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for ICSs were estimated. Results. Thirty-one trials were included in this meta-analysis. The risk of CV events was not different between ICS-treated and control groups (RR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.93 to 1.06; P=0.801). In a subgroup analysis, there were no significant differences in CV events between an ICS combined with long-acting β2 agonist (LABA) (ICS + LABA) group and an LABA-only group (RR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.90 to 1.10; P=0.930), as well as between a combination group (ICS + LABA) and a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) combined with LABA (LAMA + LABA) group (RR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.39 to 1.55; P=0.473). In addition, there was no difference in the risk of CV events between ICS treatment and control groups (RR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.90 to 1.09; P=0.872). Conclusions. These results demonstrate that ICSs do not increase the risk of CV events in COPD patients.
Burden and Determinants of Anemia in a Rural Population in South India: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Little Matthew , Zivot Chloe , Humphries Sally , Dodd Warren , Patel Kirit , Dewey Cate
Published: July 2018

Background/Objectives. To determine the prevalence and determinants of blood haemoglobin level and mild, moderate, and severe anemia in a sample of adults from rural Tamil Nadu, India.Subjects/Methods. We recruited a sample of men and nonpregnant women aged 20 years and older. Clinical health measures included blood haemoglobin concentration and body mass index. We assessed associations between anemia outcomes and sociodemographic and dietary factors using linear and logistic regression modeling.Results. A total of 753 individuals (412 women and 341 men) participated in this study. The prevalence of anemia was 57.2% among women and 39.3% among men (P<0.001). Prevalence of anemia increased with age among men (P<0.001) but not women (P>0.05). Iron intake was low; 11.7% women and 24.1% of men reported iron intakes above recommended dietary allowances (P<0.001). Factors (OR (95% CI)) associated with mild or moderate anemia among women included television ownership (0.27 (0.13, 0.58)), livestock ownership (0.46 (0.28, 0.75)), refined grain consumption (1.32 (1.02, 1.72)), meat consumption (0.84 (0.71, 0.99)), and commercial agriculture production (mild: 4.6 (1.1, 18.8); moderate: 6.8 (1.98, 23.1)). Factors associated with mild, moderate, or severe anemia among men included rurality (0.50 (0.25, 0.99)), sugar consumption (1.04 (1.01, 1.06)), egg consumption (0.80 (0.65, 0.99)), and high caste (7.3 (1.02, 52.3)).Conclusion. Both women and men in this region may be particularly vulnerable to anemia, and future research must expand beyond dietary risk factors to examine the impacts of sociodemographic and environmental factors.
Variation Characteristics of Mass-Loss Rate in Dynamic Seepage System of the Broken Rocks
Authors: Wang Luzhen , Kong Hailing
Published: July 2018

When the collapse column and its adjacent rocks in complex geological structures are disturbed by mining, concomitant fine particle migration, mass loss, and porous structure variation during the water seepage process in broken rocks are the inherent causes for collapse column activation and water inrush. Studying the time-varying characteristics of the mass-loss rate in the dynamic seepage system of the broken rocks is of theoretical importance for the prevention of water inrush from the collapse columns. In this study, the seepage tests of the broken mudstone were carried out using the patented pumping station seepage method, and the time-varying function of the mass-loss rate was generalized. Then, the optimal coefficients in the function of mass-loss rate were computed using the genetic algorithm. At last, the mass-loss rate in the dynamic seepage system of the broken rocks with consideration of the acceleration factor was calculated using Lagrange discrete element method. The results showed that (1) the mass-loss rate was expressed as a time-dependent, exponential function with its coefficient related to the porosity, and its time-varying characteristics were affected by gradation; (2) the time-varying curves with Talbol power exponents less than 0.6 had a rapid change stage and a slow change stage, while the time-varying curves with Talbol power exponents greater than 0.6 had an initial gradual change stage, a rapid change stage and a slow change stage; (3) at the early seepage stage, the mass-loss rate decreased with Talbol power exponent increasing; and (4) after long time seepage, the mass-loss rate was close to zero and unrelated to Talbol power exponent, and the porous structure in broken rocks remained stable with its porosity close to a certain stable value.
Vaginal Angiomyofibroblastoma: A Case Report and Review of Diagnostic Imaging
Authors: Eckhardt Sarah , Rolston Renee , Palmer Suzanne , Ozel Begum
Published: July 2018

Background. Angiomyofibroblastoma (AMFB) is a benign mesenchymal tumor most commonly found in the female genital tract of premenopausal women. Although rare, AMFB is an important consideration in the differential diagnosis of vulvar and vaginal masses, as it must be distinguished from aggressive angiomyxoma (AA), a locally recurrent, invasive, and damaging tumor with similar clinical and pathologic findings. Case. We describe a patient with a 4 cm vaginal AMFB and the relevant preoperative radiographic imaging findings. Conclusion. Preoperative diagnosis of AMFB remains difficult. Common findings on magnetic resonance imaging and transvaginal sonography are described. We conclude that both transvaginal ultrasound and MRI are potentially useful imaging modalities in the preoperative assessment of vulvar and vaginal AMFB, with more data needed to determine superiority of one modality over the other.