bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exercise Capacity in Unilateral Diaphragm Paralysis: The Effect of Obesity
Authors: Richman Paul S. , Yeung Pomin , Bilfinger Thomas V. , Yang Jie , Stringer William W.
Published: April 2019

Purpose. Healthy patients with unilateral diaphragm paralysis (UDP) are often asymptomatic; those with UDP and comorbidities that increase work of breathing are often dyspneic. We report the effect of obesity on exercise capacity in UDP patients.Methods. All obese and nonobese patients with UDP undergoing cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) during a 32-month period in the exercise laboratory of an academic hospital were compared to a retrospectively identified cohort of obese and nonobese controls without UDP, matched for key features. CPET used a modified Bruce treadmill protocol with breath-to-breath expired gas analysis. O2 uptake, minute ventilation, exercise time, and work rate were recorded at peak exercise. Static pulmonary functions were measured. Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon rank sum, and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Stratified linear regression was used to quantify the effect of UDP and obesity on CPET variables.Results. Twenty-two UDP patients and 46 controls were studied. The BMI of obese and nonobese patients was 33.0±4.2 and 25.8±2.4 kg/m2, respectively. UDP subjects with obesity, compared to controls with neither condition, showed significantly reduced peak O2 uptake normalized to actual body weight (1.57±0.64 versus 2.01±0.88 L/min), shorter exercise time (5.7±2.0 versus 8.5±2.9 minutes), and lower peak ventilation. This was not observed in UDP alone or obesity alone. Peak work rate trended lower in the combined UDP-obesity group.Conclusion. Neither UDP nor obesity alone significantly reduced exercise capacity. Superimposed UDP and obesity interact to create a ventilatory limitation to exercise, with reduced peak-VO2, exercise time, and work rate.
The Investigation of Sex Differences in the Effect of Body Mass Index
Authors: Xiao Xiang , Wang Weihua , Sa Rina , Qiu Lin , Liu Feng
Published: April 2019

Although many researches regarding risk factors for hypertension have been reported, little information is known about the effect of BMI on the prevalence of hypertension considering sex differences. The aim of this study was to examine the sex difference in the prevalence of hypertension with the predicting indicator BMI. A total number of 6330 subjects in Shaanxi were examined using multivariable logistic regression to study the relationship between genders in different levels of BMI and prevalence of hypertension. Overall, females had a higher prevalence of hypertension than males, being 28.36% and 21.55%, respectively. The mean of blood pressure and the prevalence of hypertension increased as BMI getting larger. The result of multivariable logistic regression showed that obese and overweight males had higher risk of getting hypertension than their female counterparts. Further prevention of hypertension should be focused on obese and overweight males more than females and examining the mechanism of how sex differences influence the prevalence of hypertension.
Molecular Characterization of African Swine Fever Viruses from Outbreaks in Peri-Urban Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Norbert Mwiine Frank , Nkamwesiga Joseph , Ndekezi Christian , Ochwo Sylvester
Published: April 2019

African swine fever (ASF) is an infectious transboundary disease of domestic pigs and wild swine and is currently the most serious constraint to piggery in Uganda. The causative agent of ASF is a large double-stranded linear DNA virus with a complex structure. There are twenty-four ASFV genotypes described to date; however, in Uganda, only genotypes IX and X have been previously described. Inadequate ASF outbreak investigation has contributed to the delayed establishment of effective interventions to aid the control of ASF. Continuous virus characterization enhances the understanding of ASF epidemiology in terms of viral genome variations, extent, severity, and the potential source of the viruses responsible for outbreaks. We collected samples from pigs that had died of a hemorrhagic disease indicative of ASF. DNA was extracted from all samples and screened with the OIE recommended diagnostic PCR for ASF. Partial B646L (p72), full-length E183L (p54) genes, and CVR region of the P72 gene were amplified, purified, and sequenced. Web-based BLAST and MEGA X software were used for sequence analysis. ASF was confirmed in 10 of the 15 suspected pig samples. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed circulation of genotype IX by both full-length E183 (p54) and partial B646L (p72) gene sequencing. Intragenotypic resolution of the CVR region revealed major deletions in the virus genome, in some isolates of this study. The marked reduction in the number of tetrameric tandem repeats in some isolates of this study could potentially play a role in influencing the virulence of this particular genotype IX in Uganda.
Double Plasmon Resonance Nanostructured Silver Coatings with Tunable Properties
Authors: Kuzminova Anna , Solař Pavel , Kúš Peter , Kylián Ondřej
Published: April 2019

Plasmonic materials that exhibit dual or multiple localised surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) due to their high application potential in biosensing and biodetection are gaining increasing attention. Here, we report on the novel strategy suitable for the production of silver nanostructured dual-LSPR coatings. This fully vacuum-based technique uses a magnetron sputtering of Ag and a gas aggregation source of silver nanoparticles. It is shown that when combined, produced Ag nano-islands and nanoparticles exhibit due to their different sizes and shapes two independent LSPRs in the visible part of spectra. Furthermore, the intensities and positions of individual LSPR may be precisely controlled by the amount of sputter-deposited nano-islands and a number of Ag nanoparticles, which opens new possibilities for the tailor-made production of novel platforms for surface-enhanced spectroscopic biodetection.
Delayed Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Initiation among Hospitalized Adults in a Resource-Limited Settings: A Challenge to the Global Target of ART for 90% of HIV-Infected Individuals
Authors: Ingabire Prossie Merab , Semitala Fred , Kamya Moses R. , Nakanjako Damalie
Published: April 2019

Background. Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) initiation in hospital settings, where individuals often present with undiagnosed, untreated, advanced HIV disease, is not well understood. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine a period prevalence of cART initiation within two weeks of eligibility, as determined at hospitalization. Using a pretested and precoded data extraction tool, data on cART initiation status and reason for not initiating cART was collected. Phone calls were made to patients that had left the hospital by the end of the two-week period. Delayed cART initiation was defined as failure to initiate cART within two weeks. Sociodemographic characteristics, WHO clinical stage, CD4 count, cART initiation status, and reasons for delayed cART initiation were extracted and analyzed. Results. Overall, 386 HIV-infected adults were enrolled, of whom 289/386 (74.9%) had delayed cART initiation, 77/386 (19.9%) initiated cART, and 20/386 (5.2%) were lost-to-follow-up, within two weeks of cART eligibility. Of 289 with delayed ART initiation, 94 (32.5%) died within two weeks of cART eligibility. Patients with a CD4 cell count≥ 50 cells/μl and who resided in ≥8 kilometers from the hospital were more likely to have delayed cART initiation [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.34, 95% CI: 1.33-4.10, p value 0.003; and AOR 1.92, 95% CI: 1.09-3.40, p value 0.025; respectively]. Conclusion. Up to 75% of hospitalized HIV-infected, cART-naïve, cART-eligible patients did not initiate cART and had a 33% pre-ART mortality rate within two weeks of eligibility for cART. Hospital based strategies to hasten cART initiation during hospitalization and electronic patient tracking systems could promote active linkage to HIV treatment programs, to prevent HIV/AIDS-associated mortality in resource-limited settings.
The Role of Nonpolynomiality in Uniform Approximation by RBF Networks of Hankel Translates
Authors: Marrero Isabel
Published: April 2019

Givenμ>-1/2andc∈I=]0,∞[, let the spaceCμ,c(respectively,Cμ) consist of all those continuous functionsuon]0,c](respectively,I) such that the limitlimz→0+⁡z-μ-1/2u(z)exists and is finite;Cμ,cis endowed with the uniform normuμ,∞,c=supz∈[0,c]⁡z-μ-1/2u(z)  (u∈Cμ,c).Assumeϕ∈Cμdefines an absolutely regular Hankel-transformable distribution. Then, the linear span of dilates and Hankel translates ofϕis dense inCμ,cfor allc∈Iif, and only if,ϕ∉πμ, whereπμ=span{t2n+μ+1/2:n∈Z+}.
Ground Deformation Detected by Permanent Tiltmeters on Mt. Etna Summit: The August 23-26, 2018, Strombolian and Effusive Activity Case
Authors: Gambino Salvatore , Aloisi Marco , Di Grazia Giuseppe , Falzone Giuseppe , Ferro Angelo , Laudani Giuseppe
Published: April 2019

Over the last few years, three tilt deep stations (27-30 meters) have been set up in the summit area of Mount Etna volcano. The aim of this challenging project is to record the ground deformations of the summit craters activity with high precision. We considered data related to the August 23-26, 2018, Strombolian and effusive activity. In this case, tiltmeters recorded variations in the order of 10−7 radians, not observed at the other stations. These changes suggest a shallow contraction source just south of the Southeast Crater. This result, related to the volcanic tremor source, points to the presence of a gas/magma reservoir feeding the Strombolian activity at 1200 m above sea level.
A Rheological Model of Sandstones considering Response to Thermal Treatment
Authors: Wang Xingang , Huang Lei , Zhang Junrong
Published: April 2019

Time‐dependent rheological response of geomaterials to thermal treatment is a crucial issue in geothermal energy utilization and deep mineral mining. This response, however, has not yet been fully considered in the existing rheological constitutive models for sandstones. In order to experimentally investigate such responses and establish the associated rheological constitutive model, this study considers the sandstone specimens which have been thermally treated under different temperatures. The triaxial rheological test in conjunction with the scanning electron microscope is employed in the investigation to observe the mechanically and macro‐/micromorphologically rheological response. Investigation results show that the thermal treatment induces microcracks and microdefects, and subsequently, they propagate during the creep. As a consequence, the heterogeneous deformation occurs, and macrocracks are present, leading to the irregular fluctuation and mutation in strain over time. A higher temperature contributes to a more severe structure damage and in turn reduces the intactness of sandstones and elevates the rheological response. The investigation allows successful establishment of a three‐dimensional constitutive equation considering the instantaneous elastic response to thermal treatment. Based on the equation, a nonlinear visco‐elastoplastic rheological constitutive model is developed for sandstones. Comparison with three existing rheological models shows that the model developed in this study could well represent the rheological process of the thermally treated sandstones.
Structural Design of Partitioned Stator Doubly Salient Permanent Magnet Generator for Power Output Improvement
Authors: Sriwannarat Warat , Siritaratiwat Apirat , Khunkitti Pirat
Published: April 2019

Partitioned stator doubly salient permanent magnet generators (PS-DSPGs) have been extensively used for electrical generation mainly due to their high reliability, high electromotive force (EMF), and high-power output. Therefore, we aim to improve the output power of a PS-DSPG by designing the optimal configuration of generator pole structure. Electrical characteristics including the magnetic flux linkage distribution, phase EMF, cogging torque, voltage regulation, and power output profile were characterized by using the finite element method. After optimizing the generator pole structure including the angle of air gap arc width, it was found that the proposed PS-DSPG with 18/15 (stator/rotor) pole structure with optimized air gap arc width could produce higher EMF of about 23.24% than a conventional structure because this structure has the suitable number of pole structures. Also, an analysis of voltage regulation and power output profiles under the loaded condition were carried out, and it was indicated that the PS-DSPG based on the suitable 18/15-pole structure could provide the best machine performance where the output power is 11.63% higher than the conventional structure. Hence, the proposed PS-DSPG with 18/15-pole structure can appropriately be utilized for electrical generation, especially in low-speed operated generator applications.
Effects of Land Uses on Soil Quality Indicators: The Case of Geshy Subcatchment, Gojeb River Catchment, Ethiopia
Authors: Dagnachew Melku , Moges Awdenegest , Kassa Asfaw Kebede
Published: April 2019

Land degradation caused by improper land use management is a critical worldwide problem that has revived the issue of resources sustainability. Soil degradation, which involves physical, chemical, and biological degradation, is the key component of land degradation. Assessment of soil quality (SQ) indicators that distinguish soil degradation in different land use (LU) types is enviable to achieve sustainable land management strategies. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of land uses on soil quality indicators in the Geshy subcatchment of the Gojeb River Catchment, Omo-Gibe Basin, Ethiopia. The LU types identified for evaluation included natural forest, cultivation, and grazing lands. Accordingly, a total of 54 soil samples (three LU types × three slope classes (blocks) × three replications × two soil depths) were collected with an “X” plot design for data analysis. Statistical differences in SQ indicators were analyzed among LU types, slope classes, and soil depths and tested using univariate analysis of variance and Pearson’s correlation coefficient, following the general linear model. The results showed that a number of SQ indicators were significantly influenced by LU changes and soil depths. The sand, dry soil bulk densityρb, volumetric soil water contents (VSWC), total porosity, water infiltration rates, cumulative infiltration, and total nitrogen showed significant variations between the natural forest and the other LU types and soil depths (p<0.05). However, silt, clay, soil pH, SOC contents, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, and available phosphorus did not show significant variations between LU types and soil depths (p>0.05). The overall qualities of the soils under the cultivation land were inferior in VSWC, TP, water infiltration rates, SOC contents, and TN soil attributes of the adjacent natural forest and grazing lands. The studied soils were found to be dominantly of clays with slightly acidic and low SOC contents and slow in their infiltration rate. Thus, integrated and sustainable land management, aimed at enhancing proper LU systems, is crucial for the sustainable ecosystem functioning and is the most effective way in reversing of soil quality deterioration.
Targeting V-ATPase Isoform Restores Cisplatin Activity in Resistant Ovarian Cancer: Inhibition of Autophagy, Endosome Function, and ERK/MEK Pathway
Authors: Kulshrestha Arpita , Katara Gajendra K. , Ibrahim Safaa A. , Riehl Valerie , Sahoo Manoranjan , Dolan James , Meinke Kyle W. , Pins Michael R. , Beaman Kenneth D.
Published: April 2019

Ovarian cancer (OVCA) patients often develop tolerance to standard platinum therapy that accounts for extensive treatment failures. Cisplatin resistant OVCA cells (cis-R) display enhanced survival mechanisms to cope with therapeutic stress. In these cells, increased autophagy process assists in chemoresistance by boosting the nutrient pool under stress. To improve the treatment response, both protective autophagy inhibition and its overactivation are showing efficacy in chemosensitization. Autophagy requires a tightly regulated intracellular pH. Vacuolar ATPases (V-ATPases) are proton extruding nanomotors present on cellular/vesicular membranes where they act as primary pH regulators. V-ATPase ‘a2’ isoform (V0a2), the major pH sensing unit, is markedly overexpressed on the plasma membrane and the early endosomes of OVCA cells. Previously, V0a2 inhibition sensitized cis-R cells to platinum drugs by acidifying cytosolic pH that elevated DNA damage. Here, we examined how V0a2 inhibition affected endosomal function and the autophagy process as a possible factor for cisplatin sensitization. Clinically, V0a2 expression was significantly higher in tissues from drug nonresponder OVCA patients compared to treatment responders. In vitro V0a2 knockdown in cis-R cells (sh-V0a2-cisR) significantly reduced the tumor sphere-forming ability and caused complete disintegration of the spheres upon cisplatin treatment. The apoptotic capacity of sh-V0a2-cisR improved substantially with potentiation of both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathway when treated with cisplatin. Unlike the chemical V-ATPase inhibitors that acutely induce autophagy, here, the stable V0a2 inhibition dampened the protective autophagy process in sh-V0a2-cisR cells with downregulated expression of proteins beclin-1, ATG-7, and LC3B and low autophagosome numbers compared to control cis-R cells. These cells showed downregulated ERK/MEK pathway that is known to repress autophagy. Interestingly, upon cisplatin treatment of sh-V0a2-cisR, the autophagy initiation proteins (LC3B, ATG7, and Beclin 1) were found upregulated as a stress response compared to the untreated cells. However, there was a concomitant downstream autophagosome accumulation and an enhanced P62 protein levels indicating the overall block in autophagy flux. Mechanistically, V0a2 knockdown caused defects in early endosome function as the transferrin internalization was impaired. Taken together, this study provides a novel insight into the mechanism by which V-ATPase-isoform regulates autophagy that assists in chemoresistance in ovarian cancer. We conclude that V-ATPase-V0a2 is a potent target for developing an effective treatment to enhance patient survival rates in ovarian cancer.
A GIS-Based Spatial-Temporal Autoregressive Model for Forecasting Marine Traffic Volume of a Shipping Network
Authors: Zhang Xianzhe , Chen Gang , Wang Jiechen , Li Manchun , Cheng Liang
Published: April 2019

Research on the forecasting of marine traffic flows can provide a basis for port planning, planning the water area layout, and ship navigation management and provides a practical background for sustainable development evaluation of shipping. Most of the traditional marine traffic volume forecasting studies focus on the variation of the traffic volume of a single port or section in time dimension and less research on traffic correlation of associated ports in shipping networks. To reveal the spatial-temporal autocorrelation characteristics of the shipping network and to establish a suitable space-time forecasting model for marine traffic volume, this paper uses the AIS data from 2011 to 2016 for the South China Sea to construct a regional shipping network. The adjacent discrimination rule based on network correlation is proposed, and the traffic demand between ports is estimated based on the gravity model. On this basis, STARMA (space-time autoregressive moving average) model was introduced for deducing the interaction between he traffic volumes of adjacent ports in shipping network. The experimental results show that (1) there is a significant positive correlation between time and space in the South China Sea shipping network, and this spatial-temporal correlation has the characteristics of time dynamics and spatial heterogeneity; (2) the forecasting accuracy of the marine traffic volume based on the spatial-temporal model is better than the traditional time-series-based forecasting model, and the spatial-temporal model can better portray the spatial-temporal autocorrelation of maritime traffic.
A Novel (t,n) Secret Sharing Scheme Based upon Euler’s Theorem
Authors: Chen Hefeng , Chang Chin-Chen
Published: April 2019

The t,n secret sharing scheme is used to protect the privacy of information by distribution. More specifically, a dealer splits a secret into n shares and distributes them privately to n participants, in such a way that any t or more participants can reconstruct the secret, but no group of fewer than t participants who cooperate can determine it. Many schemes in literature are based on the polynomial interpolation or the Chinese remainder theorem. In this paper, we propose a new solution to the system of congruences different from Chinese remainder theorem and propose a new scheme for t,n secret sharing; its secret reconstruction is based upon Euler’s theorem. Furthermore, our generalized conclusion allows the dealer to refresh the shared secret without changing the original share of the participants.
Intestinal Permeability Measured by Urinary Sucrose Excretion Correlates with Serum Zonulin and Faecal Calprotectin Concentrations in UC Patients in Remission
Authors: Wegh C. A. M. , de Roos N. M. , Hovenier R. , Meijerink J. , Besseling-van der Vaart I. , van Hemert S. , Witteman B. J. M.
Published: April 2019

Background and Aims. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with an increased intestinal permeability, possibly through a dysbiosis of intestinal bacteria. We investigated which markers are most relevant to assess intestinal permeability in UC patients and whether probiotics had an effect on these markers. Methods. In this twelve-week placebo-controlled randomized double-blind study, twenty-five subjects with UC in remission received either placebo or a multispecies probiotics. Samples of blood, urine, and faeces were taken at baseline, week 6, and week 12 to assess intestinal permeability and inflammation. Diaries and Bristol stool scale were kept to record stool frequency and consistency. Quality of life was scored from 32–224 with the inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire (IBD-Q). Results. This group of UC patients, in clinical remission, did not show increased intestinal permeability at baseline of this study. During the study, no significant group or time effects were found for intestinal permeability measured by the 5-sugar absorption test, serum zonulin, and faecal zonulin. Likewise, the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP), calprotectin, and the cytokines IFNγ, TNFα, IL-6, and IL-10 were not significantly affected. Stool frequency and consistency were not significantly affected either. The IBD-Q score, 194 for the probiotics group and 195 for the placebo group, remained unaffected. Correlations were tested between all outcomes; urinary sucrose excretion was significantly correlated with serum zonulin (r = 0.62) and faecal calprotectin (r = 0.55). Faecal zonulin was not significantly correlated with any of the other markers. Conclusion. Serum zonulin may be a more relevant biomarker of intestinal permeability than faecal zonulin, due to its correlation with other biomarkers of intestinal permeability. UC patients in remission did not show an effect of the probiotic treatment or a change in gut permeability. This should not discourage further studies because effects might be present during active disease or shortly after a flare up.
Endocan, a Risk Factor for Developing Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome among Severe Pneumonia Patients
Authors: Ying Jun , Zhou Danfei , Gu Tongjie , Huang Jianda
Published: April 2019

Background. Severe pneumonia (SP) has been widely accepted as a major cause for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and the development of ARDS is significantly associated with increased mortality. This study aimed to identify potential predictors for ARDS development in patients with SP. Methods. Eligible SP patients at admission from January 2013 to June 2017 were prospectively enrolled, and ARDS development within hospital stay was identified. Risk factors for ARDS development in SP patients were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis with the area under the curve (AUC) was performed for the predictive value of endocan for ARDS development. Results. A total of 145 SP patients were eventually enrolled into the final analysis, of which 37 developed ARDS during the hospital stay. Our final multivariate logistic regression analysis suggested plasma endocan expression as the only independent risk factor for ARDS development in SP patients (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.14–2.25, P=0.021). ROC curve analysis of plasma endocan resulted in an AUC of 0.754, 95% CI of 0.642–0.866, a cutoff value of 11.6 ng/mL, a sensitivity of 78.7%, and a specificity of 70.3%, respectively (P<0.01). Conclusions. Endocan expression at ICU admission is a reliable predictive factor in predicting ARDS in patients with SP.
Pretreatment Strategies to Improve Crude Glycerol Utilisation and Metabolite Production by Aspergillus terreus
Authors: Abd Rahim Muhamad Hafiz , Hasan Hanan , Lim Elicia Jitming , Samrani Phebe K. , Abbas Ali
Published: April 2019

Crude glycerol (CG) can be used as a substrate for microbial bioconversion. However, due to presence of many impurities, many microorganisms are unable to utilise this substrate efficiently. The present study is trying to improve CG using as the feedstock of Aspergillus terreus for the production of lovastatin, (+)-geodin, and sulochrin. The CG was pretreated chemically (solvents) and physically (activated carbon (AC) and water softener (WS)) to separate most of the impurities from the CG. For solvent pretreatments, petroleum ether (PE) produced the largest increase of lovastatin (92.8%) when compared to positive control and pure glycerol (PG) and up to 820% when compared to negative control (CG). In contrast, diethyl ether (DE) produced the largest increase in (+)-geodin at 80.81% (versus CG) and 176.23% (versus PG). The largest increase in toluene (Tol) was observed in sulochrin production, at 67.22% (versus CG) and 183.85% (versus PG). For physical pretreatments, the pattern of metabolite production in AC (lovastatin: 20.65 mg/L, (+)-geodin: 7.42 mg/L, sulochrin: 11.74 mg/L) resembled PG (lovastatin: 21.8 mg/L, (+)-geodin: 8.60 mg/L, sulochrin: 8.18 mg/L), while WS (lovastatin: 11.25 mg/L, (+)-geodin: 15.38 mg/L, sulochrin: 16.85 mg/L) resembled CG (lovastatin: 7.1 mg/L, (+)-geodin: 17.10 mg/L, sulochrin: 14.78 mg/L) at day 6 of fermentation. These results indicate that solvent pretreatments on CG are excellent for metabolites production in A. terreus, depending on the solvents used. In contrast, physical pretreatments are only feasible for (+)-geodin and sulochrin production. Therefore, different strategies can be employed to manipulate the A. terreus bioconversion using improved CG by using a few simple pretreatment strategies.
Influence of Sintering Temperature on Mechanical Properties of Glass-Ceramics Produced with Windshield Waste
Authors: Gualberto Hiasmim R. , Lopes Ronie S. , Silva Fernanda A. N. G. da , Schnurr Etyene , Poiate Junior Edgard , Andrade Mônica C. de
Published: April 2019

In this work, glass-ceramics were produced with mechanical and physical properties, using recycled glass powder from windshields as raw material. The glass powder was formed and sintered at temperatures 600, 650, 700, 750, and 800°C. Pieces were also produced with the addition of niobium oxide to the glass powder. The flexural strength and the Archimedes density of the produced parts were determined. The reliability of the results was evaluated by the Weibull statistic. X-ray diffraction was performed. Maximum flexural strength was 77.64 MPa at 750°C, with the addition of niobium oxide at 43.86 MPa at 700°C. X-ray diffraction showed crystalline structures in the specimens with the addition of the nucleating agent, confirming the production of glass-ceramics in this composition. The pure glass powder only crystallized from 750°C. The Nb2O5 favors the formation of crystalline structures in the vitreous matrix at low temperatures and with piezoelectric structures.
[​4+2] versus [​2+2] Homodimerization in P(V) Derivatives of 2,4-Disubstituted Phospholes
Authors: Bousrez Guillaume , Nicolas Emmanuel , Martinez Agathe , Chevreux Sylviane , Jaroschik Florian
Published: April 2019

Phosphole P(V) derivatives are interesting building blocks for various applications from ligand synthesis to material sciences. We herein describe the preparation and characterisation of new 2,4-disubstituted oxo-, thiooxo-, and selenooxophospholes. The nature of the substituents on the phosphole ring determines the reactivity of these compounds towards homodimerization reactions. Aryl and trimethylsilyl substituted oxophospholes undergo selective [4+2] dimerization, whereas, for thiooxo- and selenooxophospholes, light-induced, selective [2+2] head-to-head dimerization occurs in the case of aryl substituents. DFT calculations provide some insights on these differences in reactivity.
Physiological Evaluations of Maize Hybrids under Low Nitrogen
Authors: Abubakar A. W. , Manga A. A. , Kamara A. Y. , Tofa A. I.
Published: April 2019

A field experiment was conducted during 2014 and 2016 rainy season at Tudun Wada, Kano and Shika, Zaria in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria in order to study the physiological responses of maize hybrids under low nitrogen. The experiment consisted of two nitrogen levels 0 and 120 N kg ha−1 as main plot and 8 drought-tolerant maize hybrids and 2 controls as subplot laid out in a randomized split plot design and replicated three times. Physiological parameters of hybrids were significantly affected by low nitrogen at both locations. Interaction between hybrids and nitrogen was significantly affected at both locations. Based on these results, application of nitrogen significantly increased the physiological growth indices of maize hybrids. The extent of increment in physiological reactions was additionally higher in Zaria in view of higher soil natural carbon and nitrogen and higher precipitation was better dispersed at this area. However recent hybrids were more tolerant to nitrogen stress and out-yielded the older hybrids. Therefore the recently released hybrids were more adapted to abiotic stresses.
Research on Disaster‐Control Method of Metro Station in Soft Fluid‐Plastic Stratum
Authors: Hongbo Wang , Zhang Qingsong , Rentai Liu , Jiang Peng , Liu Yankai
Published: April 2019

Soft and broken ground is a common geological condition for subway pit water damage. The complex hydrogeological environment is the main cause of frequent disasters. It relied on the inrush water project of the soft fluid‐plastic stratum in the pit of the Shang Yuanmen station in Nanjing. And based on the geological data and the actual site of the project, the station was evaluated for hazards and analysis of major and difficult points. Combined with a variety of geophysical exploration methods, the source of water in the foundation pit and the key areas for pulp reinforcement was obtained. Based on field tests and indoor tests of grouting reinforcement, the parameters before and after grouting reinforcement were analyzed. The effect of material proportioning and grouting pressure on the parameters of stratum reinforcement was studied. It revealed the effect of the behavioral mechanism of material properties and grouting pressure on different mechanical indexes. It creatively proposes a localized controlled grouting process and uses COMSOL modeling to explain its reinforcement mechanism. In addition, foundation pits applied a full set of monitoring system. Finally, a complete set of comprehensive control methods were formed for water inrush in soft fluid‐plastic stratum of complex urban strata. Then, the methods are implemented at the project site. Practice has proved that this method successfully seals the inrush water and reinforces foundation pits while ensuring the safety of foundation pits and surrounding construction pipelines. It is hoped that this method can be used as a reference for similar projects.
The Biopsychosocial Burden of Prostate Biopsy at the Time of Its Indication, Procedure, and Pathological Report
Authors: Laranja Walker W. , Sanches Brunno C. F. , Voris Brunno R. I. , Alonso João C. C. , Simões Fabiano A. , Rejowski Ronald F. , Reis Leonardo O.
Published: April 2019

Purpose. To explore the burden of prostate biopsy at the time of its indication, procedure, and pathological report in the prostate cancer-screening scenario that is neglected and underestimated in the literature. Methods. Prostate biopsy was offered to 47 consecutive patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) over 4 ng/dl or suspicious digital rectal examination (DRE) of whom 16 had undergone a biopsy. Comprehensive validated questionnaires at Time 0 (prebiopsy), Time 1 (before diagnosis, 20 days after biopsy), and Time 2 (after diagnosis, 40 days after biopsy) accessed patients' erectile (IIEF-5) and voiding (IPSS) functions, Beck scales measured anxiety (BAI), hopelessness (BHS), and depression (BDI), added to the emotional thermometers including five visual analog scales for distress, anxiety, depression, anger, and need for help. The Mann-Whitney or Friedman tests were obtained among times and studied variables. Results. Prostate biopsy did not significantly impact patients' erectile and voiding functions while a higher Beck anxiety index (BAI) was observed at Time 0 (6.89 ± 6.33) compared to Time 1 (4.83 ± 2.87), p=0.0214, and to Time 2 (4.22 ± 4.98), p=0.0178. At Time 0, patients that experienced a previous biopsy presented higher distress (3.1 ± 3.0 vs. 1.6 ± 2.3), p=0.043, and emotional suffering thermometer scores (2.3 ± 3.3 vs. 0.9 ± 2.4) compared to those undergoing the first biopsy, p=0.036. At Time 2, patients with positive biopsies compared with those with negative ones showed no significant difference in outcome scores. The sample power was >90%. Conclusions. To be considered in patients' counseling and care, the current study supports the hypothesis that the peak burden of prostate biopsy occurs at the time of its indication and might be higher for those experiencing rebiopsy, significantly impacting patients' psychosocial domains. Trial Approval. This trial is registered under number NCT03783741.
Determination of Bus Crowding Coefficient Based on Passenger Flow Forecasting
Authors: Zuo Zhongyi , Yin Wei , Yang Guangchuan , Zhang Yunqi , Yin Jiawen , Ge Hongsheng
Published: April 2019

To improve bus passengers’ degree of comfort, it is necessary to determine the real-time crowd coefficient in the bus. With this concern, this paper employed the RBF Neural Networks approach to predict the number of passengers in the bus based on historical data. To minimize the impact of the randomness of passenger flow on the determination of bus crowd coefficient, a cloud model-based bus crowd coefficient identification method was proposed. This paper first selected the performance measurements for determining bus crowd coefficient and calculated the digital characteristics of the cloud model based on the boundary values of the selected performance measures under six Levels-of-Service (LOSs). Then the subclouds obtained under the six LOSs were synthesized into a standard cloud. According to the predicted number of passengers in the bus, the passenger density and loading frequency were calculated, which were imported into the cloud generator to set up the bus crowd coefficient identification model. By calculating the crowd degrees of identification cloud and template cloud at each site, this paper determined the crowed coefficient of each bus station. Finally, this paper took the bus line No. 10 in Dalian city as case study to verify the proposed model. It was found that the crowd coefficients of the selected route ranged from 60.265 to 109.825, and the corresponding LOSs ranged between C and F. The method of discriminating bus crowding coefficient can not only effectively determine the congestion coefficient, but also effectively avoid the fuzziness and randomness of the crowding coefficient judgment in the bus, which has strong theoretical and practical significance.
Composition Operators and the Closure of Morrey Space in the Bloch Space
Authors: Hu Nanhui , Zhu Xiangling
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we characterize the closure of the Morrey space in the Bloch space. Furthermore, the boundedness and compactness of composition operators from the Bloch space to the closure of the Morrey space in the Bloch space are investigated.
Common Fixed Point Theorems for a Pair of Self-Mappings in Fuzzy Cone Metric Spaces
Authors: Rehman Saif Ur , Li Yongjin , Jabeen Shamoona , Mahmood Tayyab
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we present some common fixed point theorems for a pair of self-mappings in fuzzy cone metric spaces under the generalized fuzzy cone contraction conditions. We extend and improve some recent results given in the literature.
Propensity-Matched Survival Analysis of Upper Urinary Tract Urothelial Carcinomas between End-Stage Renal Disease with and without Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Luo Hao Lun , Chiang Po Hui , Cheng Yuan Tso , Chen Yen Ta
Published: April 2019

Urothelial carcinoma is the most common cancer following kidney transplantation (KT) in Taiwan. Unusual presentation of upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is noted in Taiwan and China. As the post-KT-UTUC oncological course is not fully understood, the aim of this study is to identify postulated significant differences for the clinical cancer course of UTUC among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with and without KT. From 2005 January to 2016 March, 194 ESRD patients underwent radical nephroureterectomy due to UTUC in our hospital. The parameters were obtained from the chart record and pathology report. SPSS version 21 software was used for all statistical analyses. Unequal matching created study groups wherein a 0.2 caliper width was performed for adjusting these confounding pathological factors. Propensity score-matching cohort was performed for each population first, and then for all the study patients. We observed that the average age of UTUC in ESRD patients after KT was younger than in those without KT. The pathological factors such as stage, bladder cancer history, papillary structure, lymphovascular invasion, and variant histology were equal in these two groups. However, younger onset (p<0.001), more multifocal tumors, and carcinomas in situ were observed in post-KT UTUC (p<0.001 and 0.006, respectively). After adjustment of pathological factors by propensity score-matched analysis, the 5-year systemic UTUC recurrence was significantly more in ESRD after KT compared with ESRD without KT (p=0.03). No obvious difference in 5-year cancer related death could be observed between these two groups (p=0.314). Post-kidney transplantation upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma in Taiwan is relatively common, has younger onset, and is associated with aggressive pathological features. The oncologic outcome of UTUC after KT is poor in our observation, even after propensity scored-matched analysis. It indicates the immunosuppression status is still associated with more malignant UTUC behavior.
Asphalt Pavement Mechanical Response of Accelerated Pavement Testing in Single‐Axle and Dual‐Axle Loading Modes
Authors: Guan Zhiguang , Zhuang Chuanyi , Zhang Peng
Published: April 2019

The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of moving loads on the asphalt pavement in response to single‐axle and dual‐axle loading modes using the full‐scale accelerated pavement testing (APT) facility from Shandong Jiaotong University. First, a test lane of pavement with four structures is constructed. Eleven strain sensors and four pressure cells are embedded at different depths and positions. Secondly, a research on the strain and stress in single‐axle and dual‐axle loading modes is conducted. Finally, the time accumulation of strain and stress is defined to describe the degree of pavement damage. The study reaches the following conclusions: (1) the strain reversal is induced as the wheels pass through the pavement, and the stress is always a positive value. (2) Both the strain and the stress increase as the loading increases regardless of the loading modes. (3) Comparing the two loading modes at the same velocity and loading, the horizontal tensile strain peak, the horizontal compressive strain peak, and the stress peak are all greater in the single‐axle loading mode. But the degree of pavement damage is greater in the dual‐axle loading mode based on the points of the time accumulations of strain and stress of each pass.
Smokeless Tobacco and Its Adverse Effects on Hematological Parameters: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Shukla Anjani Kumar , Khaitan Tanya , Gupta Prashant , Naik Shantala R.
Published: April 2019

Background. Smokeless tobacco (SLT) as a drug substance has been used throughout the world although it has dangerous effects on human health. Among the 28 known carcinogens in SLT, tobacco-specific nitrosamines are considered to be the most potent. This has challenged the metabolic condition leading to a rise in the inflammatory status, increased apoptosis, and red blood cell (RBC) membrane damage. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the adverse effects of SLT on hematological parameters and establish a correlation between them. Materials and Methods. A total of 100 subjects (50 SLT users and 50 nonusers) were selected for the study. Complete demographic data and history were taken and clinical examination was done to evaluate any oral mucosal changes. Venous blood samples were taken to analyze the hematological parameters. Results. Significant changes were observed in the complete blood profile in SLT users when compared to nonusers. All the hematological parameters had a negative correlation with form of SLT except for total leucocyte count which had a positive correlation. Conclusion. The current study confers an imperative role into SLT mediated effects on a complete hemogram and might be beneficial in spreading awareness against its usage. It also serves as a forewarning alarm among the population consuming SLT as an alternative to smoking tobacco.
Ranking-Theory Methods for Solving Multicriteria Decision-Making Problems
Authors: Gogodze Joseph
Published: April 2019

The Pareto optimality is a widely used concept for the multicriteria decision-making problems. However, this concept has a significant drawback—the set of Pareto optimal alternatives usually is large. Correspondingly, the problem of choosing a specific Pareto optimal alternative for the decision implementation is arising. This study proposes a new approach to select an “appropriate” alternative from the set of Pareto optimal alternatives. The proposed approach is based on ranking-theory methods used for ranking participants in sports tournaments. In the framework of the proposed approach, we build a special score matrix for a given multicriteria problem, which allows the use of the mentioned ranking methods and to choose the corresponding best-ranked alternative from the Pareto set as a solution of the problem. The proposed approach is particularly useful when no decision-making authority is available, or when the relative importance of various criteria has not been evaluated previously. The proposed approach is tested on an example of a materials-selection problem for a sailboat mast.
A Comparative Study of Interleukin 6, Inflammatory Markers, Ferritin, and Hematological Profile in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients with Anemia of Chronic Disease and Iron Deficiency Anemia
Authors: Ali Eman Tariq , Jabbar Azza Sajed , Mohammed Ali Nazar
Published: April 2019

Background. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) proinflammatory cytokine is associated with the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and development of anemia in it. This is a comparative study of inflammatory and hematological parameters in RA patients with anemia of chronic disease (ACD) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA). It aimed to demonstrate the changes in serum level of IL-6, ferritin level, and hematological parameters in different groups of patients with RA and to find out the potential correlation between serum level of IL-6 and ferritin level and the relationship between serum level of IL-6 and iron status. Methods. The study included 89 patients from both sexes divided into four groups (group 1: 30 iron deficiency anemia (IDA), 59 RA; group 2: 20 RA-COMBI; group 3: 23 RA-ACD; and group 4: 16 nonanemic RA). These different groups were compared with a healthy group of 50 healthy individuals. Different blood parameters (WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, and MCH) have been evaluated. Serum concentrations of IL-6, hsCRP, anti-CCP, and ferritin were measured in all patients and healthy individual using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA. Results. There were significant changes in most of blood parameters between the groups, and there was a significant increase in the levels of IL-6 among RA patients. This increase was highly significant among RA-ACD patients in particular, and this elevation has been directly correlated with clinical indices of disease activity such as hsCRP, ESR, anti-CCP, and ferritin. There was an inverse relationship between ferritin and all iron status parameter, such as RBC, HGB, and haematocrit. Conclusion. IL-6 and ferritin level estimation may be workable tests to differentiate the patients with IDA and ACD in RA.
Reinforced, Extruded, Isotropic Magnetic Elastomer Composites: Fabrication and Properties
Authors: Masłowski Marcin , Miedzianowska Justyna , Strzelec Krzysztof
Published: April 2019

The study involves the development of isotropic magnetorheological elastomer composites (i-MREs) with improved mechanical properties, their preparations, and properties characterizations. The novelty of the research is the use of extrusion process in the preparation of composites containing two different fillers: carbonyl iron powder (CIP) as magnetic filler and carbon black (FEF, N550) as reinforcing one. So far, the process of extrusion has been used to prepare magnetic composites without filler that improve mechanical properties. It is worth mentioning that the polymer matrix (ethylene-octene copolymer, EOR) offers excellent performance in extrusion applications. In this research, two methods of magnetic composites preparation were reported: traditional, during two-roll mill, and a new one using extrusion process. It was found that the usage of new processing technology allowed forming more homogenous dispersion of particles in elastomer matrix and oriented polymer chains, resulting in an improved rheometric characteristic, increased crosslink density, and decrease of the storage modulus (Payne effect). Based on both static/dynamic mechanical properties and damping properties under the influence of compression stress, the positive influence of extrusion process on material characteristics was confirmed. Moreover, all composites proved very good magnetic properties and resistance to thermooxidative ageing.