bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase 1 and risk of type 2 diabetes in a Chinese population
Authors: Wang Yeli , Yuan Jian-Min , Pan An , Koh Woon-Puay
Published: April 2020

Introduction

The non-invasive enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) score—comprising tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP1), hyaluronic acid (HA) and amino-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP)—has been shown to accurately predict fibrosis stages among patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, no study has examined whether the ELF score or its components would also be predictive of type 2 diabetes, which commonly coexists and shares the same pathogenic abnormalities with NAFLD. Therefore, we prospectively investigated their associations with type 2 diabetes risks for the first time.

Research design and methods

The ELF score was measured among 254 type 2 diabetes cases and 254 age-matched and sex-matched controls nested within the prospective Singapore Chinese Health Study. Cases had hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels <6.5% at blood collection (1999–2004) and reported to have diabetes during follow-up II (2006–2010). Controls had HbA1c levels <6.0% at blood-taking and remained free of diabetes at follow-up II. Multivariable conditional logistic regression models were used to assess the ELF-diabetes association.

Results

Higher TIMP1 levels were associated with increased type 2 diabetes risk, and the OR comparing the highest versus lowest quartiles was 2.56 (95% CI 1.23 to 5.34; p trend=0.035). However, ELF score, PIIINP and HA were not significantly associated with type 2 diabetes risks.

Conclusions

Higher TIMP1 levels, but not ELF score, PIIIMP and HA, were associated with increased type 2 diabetes risk in Chinese adults. Our results suggested that elevated TIMP1 levels may contribute to the type 2 diabetes development through pathways other than liver fibrosis.
Glycemic responses to strenuous training in male professional cyclists with type 1 diabetes: a prospective observational study
Authors: McCarthy Olivia , Eckstein Max L , Scott Sam N , Fontana Federico Y , Christiansen Mark P , Stettler Christoph , Fisher Miles , Bode Bruce , Riddell Michael C , Hayes Charlotte , Lagrou Peter L , Southerland Phil , Moser Othmar , Bracken Richard M
Published: April 2020

Introduction

This prospective observational study sought to establish the glycemic, physiological and dietary demands of strenuous exercise training as part of a 9-day performance camp in a professional cycling team with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Research design and methods

Sixteen male professional cyclists with T1D on multiple daily injections (age: 27±4 years; duration of T1D: 11±5 years; body mass index: 22±2 kg/m2; glycated hemoglobin: 7%±1% (50±6 mmol/mol); maximum rate of oxygen consumption: 73±4 mL/kg/min) performed road cycle sessions (50%–90% of the anaerobic threshold, duration 1–6 hours) over 9 consecutive days. Glycemic (Dexcom G6), nutrition and physiological data were collected throughout. Glycemic data were stratified into predefined glycemic ranges and mapped alongside exercise physiology and nutritional parameters, as well as split into daytime and night-time phases for comparative analysis. Data were assessed by means of analysis of variance and paired t-tests. A p value of ≤0.05 (two-tailed) was statistically significant.

Results

Higher levels of antecedent hypoglycemia in the nocturnal hours were associated with greater time spent in next-day hypoglycemia overall (p=0.003) and during exercise (p=0.019). Occurrence of nocturnal hypoglycemia was associated with over three times the risk of next-day hypoglycemia (p<0.001) and a twofold risk of low glucose during cycling (p<0.001). Moreover, there was trend for a greater amount of time spent in mild hypoglycemia during the night compared with daytime hours (p=0.080).

Conclusion

The higher prevalence of nocturnal hypoglycemia was associated with an increased risk of next-day hypoglycemia, which extended to cycle training sessions. These data highlight the potential need for additional prebed carbohydrates and/or insulin dose reduction strategies around exercise training in professional cyclists with T1D.

Trial registration number

DRKS00019923.
Prospective observational study on the pharmacokinetic properties of the Irrua ribavirin regimen used in routine clinical practice in patients with Lassa fever in Nigeria
Authors: Erameh Cyril , Edeawe Osahogie , Akhideno Peter , Eifediyi Gloria , Omansen Till F , Wagner Christine , Sarpong Francisca , Koch Till , Wicha Sebastian , Kurth Florian , Duraffour Sophie , Oestereich Lisa , Pahlmann Meike , Okogbenin Sylvanus , Ogbaini-Emovon Ephraim , Günther Stephan , Ramharter Michael , Groger Mirjam
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Lassa fever (LF) is a severe and often fatal systemic disease in humans and affects a large number of countries in West Africa. Treatment options are limited to supportive care and the broad-spectrum antiviral agent ribavirin. However, evidence for ribavirin efficacy in patients with LF is poor and pharmacokinetic (PK) data are not available.

Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) developed an intravenous ribavirin regimen different to the WHO recommendation. Apart from a lower total daily dose the drug is usually administered once per day which reduces the exposure of personnel to patients with LF. The aim of this study is to characterise the PK of the Irrua ribavirin regimen.

Methods and analysis

This prospective, observational clinical study will assess PK properties of the Irrua ribavirin regimen on routinely ribavirin-treated patients with LF at ISTH, a referral hospital serving 19 local governmental areas in a LF endemic zone in Nigeria. Participants will be adults with PCR-confirmed LF. The primary objective is to describe classical PK parameters for ribavirin (maximum plasma drug concentration, time to maximum plasma drug concentration, area under the plasma drug concentration vs time curve, half-life time T1/2, volume of distribution). Blood samples will be collected at 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 8, 12 and 24 hours after doses on day 1, day 4 and day 10 of ribavirin treatment. Ribavirin plasma concentrations will be determined using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry.

Ethics and dissemination

The study will be conducted in compliance with the protocol, the Declaration of Helsinki, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and the Nigerian National Code for Health Research Ethics. The protocol has received approval by the Health Research Ethics Committee of ISTH. Results will be made available to LF survivors, their caregivers, the funders, LF research society and other researchers.

Registration details

ISRCTN11104750
Impact ofGBA1variants on long-term clinical progression and mortality in incident Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Stoker Thomas B , Camacho Marta , Winder-Rhodes Sophie , Liu Ganqiang , Scherzer Clemens R , Foltynie Thomas , Evans Jonathan , Breen David P , Barker Roger A , Williams-Gray Caroline H
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Variants in theGBA1gene have been identified as a common risk factor for Parkinson’s disease (PD). In addition to pathogenic mutations (those associated with Gaucher disease), a number of ‘non-pathogenic’ variants also occur at increased frequency in PD. Previous studies have reported that pathogenic variants adversely affect the clinical course of PD. The role of ‘non-pathogenic’GBA1variants on PD course is less clear. In this study, we report the effect ofGBA1variants in incident PD patients with long-term follow-up.

Methods

The study population consisted of patients in the Cambridgeshire Incidence of Parkinson’s disease from General Practice to Neurologist and Parkinsonism: Incidence, Cognition and Non-motor heterogeneity in Cambridgeshire cohorts. Patients were grouped into non-carriers, carriers of ‘non-pathogenic’GBA1variants and carriers of pathogenicGBA1mutations. Survival analyses for time to development of dementia, postural instability and death were carried out. Cox regression analysis controlling for potential confounders were used to determine the impact ofGBA1variants on these outcome measures.

Results

GBA1variants were identified in 14.4% of patients. Pathogenic and ‘non-pathogenic’GBA1variants were associated with the accelerated development of dementia and a more aggressive motor course. PathogenicGBA1variants were associated with earlier mortality in comparison with non-carriers, independent of the development of dementia.

Discussion

GBA1variants, including those not associated with Gaucher disease, are common in PD and result in a more aggressive disease course.
Prevalence of depression and its associated factors among clinical-year medical students in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
Authors: AlShamlan Nouf A , AlShamlan Reem A , AlShamlan Abeer A , AlOmar Reem S , AlAmer Naheel A , Darwish Magdy A , Sebiany Abdulaziz M
Published: April 2020

Background

To assess the prevalence of depression among medical students in their clinical years (fourth, fifth, and sixth years) in a government university in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, and its association with the students’ sociodemographic characteristics, academic factors, perceived health problems and their perceived readiness to their future specialties.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 527 clinical-year medical students. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and questionnaire designed by the researchers to collect data on sociodemographic and academic variables were used as research instruments. Statistical analyses were conducted using Stata Statistical Software V.15. Descriptive statistics, the χ test, and both an ordered logistic regression and a binary logistic regression analysis were performed.

Results

The prevalence of depression was found to be 39.27%, according to the results of the PHQ-9. Both the ordered logistic regression and the binary logistic regression analyses revealed that the odds of severe depression were high among women, and students who perceived that they were not yet ready for their future specialties. The more senior the medical students were, the less likely it is that they have severe depression. A similar association was found for students who perceived that they did not have psychological problems. However, students’ grade point average was not statistically significantly associated with depression.

Conclusions

The prevalence of depression was high among the medical students examined. Policy makers should establish screening programmes, provide counselling for students who need it and deliver early interventions in detected cases.
Mcl-1 protects eosinophils from apoptosis and exacerbates allergic airway inflammation
Authors: Felton Jennifer M , Dorward David A , Cartwright Jennifer A , Potey Philippe MD , Robb Calum T , Gui Jingang , Craig Ruth W , Schwarze Jürgen , Haslett Christopher , Duffin Rodger , Dransfield Ian , Lucas Christopher D , Rossi Adriano G
Published: April 2020

Eosinophils are key effector cells in allergic diseases. Here we investigated Mcl-1 (an anti-apoptotic protein) in experimental allergic airway inflammation using transgenic overexpressing human Mcl-1 mice (hMcl-1) and reducing Mcl-1 by a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor. Overexpression of Mcl-1 exacerbated allergic airway inflammation, with increased bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cellularity, eosinophil numbers and total protein, and an increase in airway mucus production. Eosinophil apoptosis was suppressed by Mcl-1 overexpression, with this resistance to apoptosis attenuated by cyclin-dependent kinase inhibition which also rescued Mcl-1-exacerbated allergic airway inflammation. We propose that targeting Mcl-1 may be beneficial in treatment of allergic airway disease.
Analgesia in pet rabbits: a survey study on how pain is assessed and ameliorated by veterinary surgeons
Authors: Benato Livia , Murrell Joanna C , Blackwell Emily Jayne , Saunders Richard , Rooney Nicola
Published: April 2020

Background

In the last 20 years, two studies on the veterinary use of perioperative analgesia in small mammals reported a limited use of analgesics in rabbits but suggested an increasing use over the years. The aim of this study was to better understand how pain is treated and ameliorated in rabbits while under veterinary care.

Methods

An online survey of 60 questions was developed and advertised at national and international veterinary conferences, in veterinary publications and on social media.

Results

In total 94.3 per cent of the respondents routinely administered nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to rabbits undergoing surgical procedures such as neutering, 71.4 per cent administered an opioid and 70.3 per cent routinely administered multimodal analgesia, although dosages do not always match current consensus opinion. Buprenorphine and meloxicam were the most common analgesic drugs prescribed by the respondents. The dosage of meloxicam administered both parenterally and orally varied widely.

Conclusion

Rabbit analgesia has improved over recent years similarly to the trend seen in other companion animals. However, overall it seems that pain assessment is still limited in rabbits. The lack of multimodal composite pain scales specific for rabbits makes this task even more challenging.
Ophthalmology of clinically normal alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in the United Kingdom: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Faulkner Josephine , Williams David Leonard , Mueller Karin
Published: April 2020

Background

Alpacas are being more frequently presented to veterinarians in the UK. It is important to validate whether published normal ocular parameters are consistent with the alpaca population in the UK.

Methods

Ophthalmic examinations were performed on healthy alpacas (Vicugna pacos) from three farms in East Anglia, UK.

Results

On direct ophthalmoscopy of 35 alpacas, there was a 50 per cent prevalence of opacities within the lens in alpacas older than two years old (n=8/16). There was a 36.8 per cent prevalence of persistent hyaloid arteries in alpacas under two years old (n=7/19). The mean Schirmer tear test‐1 value was 20.0 ±6 mm/minute (n=40). The mean intraocular pressure measured by rebound tonometry was 17.2 ±5.5 mmHg (n=46), and applanation tonometry resulted in statistically similar values (P=0.30; n=25). There was a significant variation in intraocular pressure throughout a 24‐hour period (n=8). Fluorescein dye was not detected at the nostrils of any of the alpacas which underwent a Jones test to assess nasolacrimal duct patency (n=8).

Conclusion

The ophthalmic findings appear largely consistent with previously published values from North America and continental Europe. Variations include the large range of measurements obtained and evidence of diurnal variation in intraocular pressure.
Unveiling mapping structures of spinor duals
Authors: Cavalcanti R. T. , da Silva J. M. Hoff
Published: April 2020

Following the program of investigation of alternative spinor duals potentially applicable to fermions beyond the standard model, we demonstrate explicitly the existence of several well defined spinor duals. Going further we define a mapping structure among them and the conditions under which sets of such dual maps do form a group. We also study the covariance of bilinear quantities constructed with the several possible duals, the invariant eigenspaces of those group elements and its connections with spinors classification, as well as dual maps defined as elements of group algebras.
Aerodynamic Countermeasure Schemes of Super Long-Span Suspension Bridges with Various Aspect Ratios
Authors: Yang Yongxin , Ge Yaojun , Zhou Rui , Chen Shiguo , Zhang Lihai
Published: April 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the flutter control scheme of super long-span bridges with various aspect ratios (e.g. width to height (B/H)) using passive aerodynamic countermeasures. Through a series of wind tunnel testing and theoretical analysis, three types of passive aerodynamic countermeasures, i.e. vertical central stabilizer (VCS), wind barrier and inspection rail, were investigated for five typical aspect ratios of a closed-box girder bridge. The results show that both the aspect ratio and flutter critical wind speed generally increase with the decrease of the ratio of torsional and vertical frequencies of the bridge. In the case of an aspect ratio of 8.9, a downward VCS (DVCS) has a much better flutter performance than that of an upward VCS (UVCS) because aerodynamic damping of Part A and Part D could produce a higher heaving degree of freedom (DOF) participation level. Furthermore, the position variation of wind barriers is superior to their shape variation for the bridge with an aspect ratio of 8.3, and the flutter performance of the girder with a combination of the wind barrier (WB3P3) and UDVCS with 0.3[Formula: see text]h/H DVCS appears to be better than that without countermeasures. In addition, the installation of an inspection rail near the bottom point of an inclined-web (IR3) has the best flutter control effect among four positions of inspection rails.
NP/DP Parameter and Classifier Languages: A Case of Magahi
Authors: KUMAR CHANDAN
Published: April 2020

The paper presents the structural evidence for the existence of DP in the article-less language, Magahi. Article-less languages can be divided into two types: class languages and non-class languages. Most of the debate surrounding the treatment of article-less languages as DP/NP languages see only the binary distinction (article and non-article languages). In this paper, it is argued that the class-languages present richer structural evidences for the presence of the functional projection above NP. Along with presenting few structural evidences against the generalization presented by Bošković (2005), language-independent motivation for the functional projection like DP is also discussed. It is also argued that merit of the projection of the DP is also semantically justified. The argument that there can be various functional projections in the extended projection of NP weakens the strongest claim that article-less languages lack DP.
Monolayer Honeycomb Borophene: A Promising Anode Material with a Record Capacity for Lithium-Ion and Sodium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Jingzhen , Tritsaris Georgios A. , Zhang Xiuying , Shi Bowen , Yang Chen , Liu Shiqi , Yang Jie , Xu Linqiang , Yang Jinbo , Pan Feng , Kaxiras Efthimios , Lu Jing
Published: April 2020

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are a promising candidate for the anode material of lithium-ion battery (LIB) and sodium-ion battery (NIB) for their unique physical and chemical properties. Recently, a honeycomb borophene (h-borophene) has been fabricated by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth in ultra high vacuum. Here, we adopt the first-principles density functional theory calculations to study the performance of monolayer (ML) h-borophene as an anode material for the LIB and NIB. The binding energies of the ML h-borophene-Li/Na systems are all negative, indicating a steady adsorption process. The diffusion barriers of the Li and Na ions in h-borophene are 0.53 and 0.17 eV, respectively, and the anode overall open-circuit voltages for the LIB and NIB are 0.747 and 0.355 V, respectively. The maximum theoretical storage capacity of h-borophene is 1860 mAh·g−1 for NIB and up to 5268 mAh·g−1 for LIB. The latter is more than 14 times higher than that of commercially used graphite (372 mAh·g−1) and is also the highest theoretical capacity among all the 2D materials for the LIB discovered to date. Our study suggests that h-borophene is a promising anode material for high capacity LIBs and NIBs.
Understanding the Overlithiation Properties of LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 Using Electrochemistry and Depth-Resolved X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy
Authors: Usubelli Camille , Besli Münir M. , Kuppan Saravanan , Jiang Nannan , Metzger Michael , Dinia Aziz , Christensen Jake , Gorlin Yelena
Published: April 2020

One known drawback of Ni-containing layered cathodes is their poor first cycle efficiency of 85%–90%, upon cycling in a practical potential window. The poor first cycle efficiency is likely a result of surface overlithiation due to significant lithium ion diffusion limitation at this bulk state of charge, but the overlithiation properties of Ni-containing cathodes are currently insufficiently understood. This work focuses on one Ni-containing cathode, LixNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2, and performs detailed characterization of its intercalation properties both in the poor cycling efficiency region as well as in the overlithiation region, where the bulk lithium ion content rises above the value of 1. The results of the study first demonstrate that it is possible to recover the capacity this cathode “loses” in the first cycle by lowering the applied potential. Then, they establish the possibility to overlithiate LixNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 cathodes by as much as 300 mAhg−1 relative to the pristine electrode. Through complementary characterization using ex situ X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy both the structural changes and the oxidation state variations in the material throughout the overlithiation process are elucidated. The generated knowledge can be used in developing more accurate physics-based models of industrially-relevant batteries.
Efficacy of 0.5% Levofloxacin and 5.0% Povidone-Iodine Eyedrops in Reducing Conjunctival Bacterial Flora: Metagenomic Analysis
Authors: Fan Caixia , Yang Baoxia , Huang Yusen
Published: April 2020

Bacteria associated with postoperative endophthalmitis mostly originate from the normal bacterial flora of the patient’s conjunctiva and eyelids, so the incidence of endophthalmitis may be reduced by eliminating the ocular and adnexal flora before surgery. We assessed the effectiveness of eyedrops of 0.5% levofloxacin and 5.0% povidone-iodine (PVI) in reducing conjunctival bacterial flora by metagenomic analysis. A total of 2.4 × 106 high-quality sequencing reads were generated from 93 conjunctival samples obtained from 31 eyes scheduled for cataract surgery before prophylactic therapy (group 1), after administration of 0.5% levofloxacin eyedrops into the conjunctival sac 8 times before surgery (group 2), and at 3 minutes after instillation of 5.0% PVI solution in the conjunctival sac (group 3) followed by surgery irrigation. The alpha diversity and beta diversity results demonstrated that group 3 had the least richness and biodiversity. Corynebacterium, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter, and Streptococcus were predominant in all samples. The relative abundance of these bacterial species was 30.94%, 27.48%, 5.26%, 4.55%, and 2.61% in group 1, 16.32%, 44.10%, 2.19%, 5.39%, and 0.97% in group 2, and 5.90%, 65.55%, 0.39%, 5.36%, and 0.10% in group 3, respectively. The most easily and difficultly eliminated were Corynebacterium and Pseudomonas, respectively. In conclusion, the metagenomic analysis using high-throughput sequencing provides a scientific way for evaluating the effectiveness of a disinfection method from the perspective of analyzing the composition and diversity of the conjunctival microbiome. Despite the use of preoperative antisepsis regimens, the ocular surface of patients receiving cataract surgery could not be rendered completely aseptic, indicating that more strict disinfection methods need to be adopted to reduce the risk for anterior chamber contamination and endophthalmitis after cataract surgery.
Poincaré Map Approach to Global Dynamics of the Integrated Pest Management Prey-Predator Model
Authors: Shi Zhenzhen , Li Qingjian , Li Weiming , Cheng Huidong
Published: April 2020

An integrated pest management prey-predator model with ratio-dependent and impulsive feedback control is investigated in this paper. Firstly, we determine the Poincaré map which is defined on the phase set and discuss its main properties including monotonicity, continuity, and discontinuity. Secondly, the existence and stability of the boundary order-one periodic solution are proved by the method of Poincaré map. According to the Poincaré map and related differential equation theory, the conditions of the existence and global stability of the order-one periodic solution are obtained whenΦyAyA. Furthermore, we prove the existence of the order-kk≥2periodic solution under certain conditions. Finally, we verify the main results by numerical simulation.
Prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria and Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns of Bacterial Isolates among Cancer Patients and Healthy Blood Donors at the University of Gondar Specialized Hospital
Authors: Tigabu Abiye , Ferede Worku , Belay Gizeaddis , Gelaw Baye
Published: April 2020

Background. Urinary tract infections are the common types of infections in the community and health care settings. Despite the widespread availability of antibiotics, urinary tract infection remains a worldwide therapeutic problem. It is a continuous and significant problem in cancer patients. Methods. A hospital-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 240 study participants from January to June 2019. Sociodemographic data were collected by a predesigned questionnaire and midstream urine samples collected using simple random sampling technique by using clean, sterile plastic cups and then inoculated onto CLED agar plates and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. Urine culture was considered significant bacteriuria when colony forming units ≥105/mL of voided urine and a single pure colony suspended in nutrient broth and then subcultured onto a blood agar plate and MacConkey agar plate, incubated at 37°C for 24 hours for identification. Identification was done by using standard microbiological methods. Modified Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion technique was applied for antimicrobial susceptibility testing in accordance with CLSI 2018 criteria. Data were entered, cleared, and checked using Epi Info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. The results were displayed using tables and figures. p value <0.05 at 95% CI was considered as statistically significant. Results. The overall prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in cancer patients was 23.3% while 6.7% in apparently healthy blood donors. E. coli (32.1%) was the commonest isolated uropathogenic bacteria followed by Klebsiella species (25.0%), S. aureus (21.4%), Enterococcus species (10.7%), Serratia species (7.1%), and Enterobacter aerogenes (3.6%) in cancer patients. In apparently healthy blood donors, E. coli, Klebsiella species, and S. aureus were isolated from 75%, 12.5%, and 12.5%, respectively. Most Gram-negative bacteria were more sensitive to ceftazidime, cefoxitin, nalidixic acid, nitrofurantoin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and tobramycin, whereas highly resistant to ampicillin, penicillin, tetracycline, and ceftazidime. S. aureus isolates were 100% susceptible to nitrofurantoin. Conclusions. This study showed a high prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among cancer patients (23.3%) compared to apparently healthy blood donors (6.7%). E. coli was isolated predominately. Nitrofurantoin and ciprofloxacin should be used to treat asymptomatic bacteriuria in the study area.
Variable Load Demand Scheme for Hybrid AC/DC Nanogrid
Authors: Rauf Shoaib , Kalair Ali Raza , Khan Nasrullah
Published: April 2020

This paper addresses the use of nanogrid technology in resolving the issue of blanket load shedding for domestic consumers. This is accomplished by using different load management techniques and load classification and utilizing maximum solar energy. The inclusion of DC-based load in basic load and DC inverter load in regular load and scheduling of the burst load during the hours of maximum solar PV generation bring novelty in this work. The term “nanogrid” as a power structure remains ambiguous in various publications so far. An effort has been done in this paper to present a concise definition of nanogrid. Demand side load management is one of the key features of nanogrid, which enables end users to know major characteristics about their energy consumption during peak and off-peak hours. A microgrid option with nanogrid facility results in a more reliable system with overall improvement in efficiency and reduction in carbon emission. PV plants produce DC power; when used directly, the loss will automatically be minimized to 16%. The AC/DC hybrid nanogrid exhibits 63% more efficiency as compared to AC-only nanogrid and nearly 18% more efficiency as compared to DC-only nanogrid. Smart load shifting smoothens the demand curve 54% more adequately than during conventional load shifting. Simulation results show that real-time pricing is more economical than flat rate tariff for a house without DG, whereas flat rate results are more economical when DG are involved in nanogrids. 12.67%-21.46% saving is achieved if only flat rates are used for DG in nanogrid instead of real-time pricing.
A Novel Angular-Guided Particle Swarm Optimizer for Many-Objective Optimization Problems
Authors: Chen Fei , Wu Shuhuan , Liu Fang , Ji Junkai , Lin Qiuzhen
Published: April 2020

Most multiobjective particle swarm optimizers (MOPSOs) often face the challenges of keeping diversity and achieving convergence on tackling many-objective optimization problems (MaOPs), as they usually use the nondominated sorting method or decomposition-based method to select the local or best particles, which is not so effective in high-dimensional objective space. To better solve MaOPs, this paper presents a novel angular-guided particle swarm optimizer (called AGPSO). A novel velocity update strategy is designed in AGPSO, which aims to enhance the search intensity around the particles selected based on their angular distances. Using an external archive, the local best particles are selected from the surrounding particles with the best convergence, while the global best particles are chosen from the top 20% particles with the better convergence among the entire particle swarm. Moreover, an angular-guided archive update strategy is proposed in AGPSO, which maintains a consistent population with balanceable convergence and diversity. To evaluate the performance of AGPSO, the WFG and MaF test suites with 5 to 10 objectives are adopted. The experimental results indicate that AGPSO shows the superior performance over four current MOPSOs (SMPSO, dMOPSO, NMPSO, and MaPSO) and four competitive evolutionary algorithms (VaEA, θ-DEA, MOEA\D-DD, and SPEA2-SDE), when solving most of the test problems used.
Cowden Syndrome Diagnosed by Bilateral Breast Cancer with Lhermitte-Duclos Disease: A Case Report
Authors: Morisaki Tamami , Kashiwagi Shinichiro , Kouhashi Rika , Yabumoto Akimichi , Asano Yuka , Takashima Tsutomu , Hirakawa Kosei , Ohira Masaichi
Published: April 2020

Cowden syndrome is extremely rare and is characterized by multiple hamartomas in various tissues, including the skin, mucous membranes, gastrointestinal tract, breast, thyroid, and brain, and has an increased risk of breast, thyroid, and uterine cancers. Here, we report a case of Cowden syndrome diagnosed following presentation with bilateral breast cancer and provide a discussion of the relevant literature. A 47-year-old woman with a tumor in her right breast was referred to our hospital. She was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer upon imaging and underwent a bilateral mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy. Previously, she had undergone total thyroidectomy to treat a thyroid tumor. Approximately 3 years later, she was diagnosed with Lhermitte-Duclos disease affecting her left cerebellar hemisphere. As her sister and mother had also been diagnosed with breast cancer, we suspected that she might have an inherited disease. Since 80% of individuals with Cowden syndrome have a mutation in the phosphatase and tension homolog (PTEN) gene, we did not perform any genetic testing. Instead, we used the syndrome’s pathognomonic criteria and major criteria (breast cancer, thyroid tumor, and Lhermitte-Duclos disease) to diagnose our patient with Cowden syndrome. While treatment of Cowden syndrome is currently limited to strategies that can manage the symptoms, patients are at an increased risk of certain cancers and require regular screening to allow for early detection of disease.
O contexto de informações sobre a evasão escolar no ensino médio técnico na Argentina
Authors: Silva Denise Bianca Maduro , Santos Fabrício Aparecido dos
Published: April 2020

No sentido de aportar para a análise do problema da evasão escolar na secundária técnica argentina, apresentam-se, neste trabalho, os dados estatísticos educacionais nacionais para esse nível de ensino no ano de 2015, os quais são discutidos em relação a qualidade do dado obtido e desagregados por modalidade (técnica e não técnica), sexo e tipo de oferta (privada e pública).  A discussão dos dados quantitativos se faz com base em literatura sobre evasão escolar e 18 depoimentos de gestores da informação educacional e da modalidade educação técnico-profissional no país. Constatou-se que ainda estão em processo de desenvolvimento sistemas de informações capazes de trazer a medida da evasão escolar e qual a real influência dos fatores escolares a ela associados. Sem informações sistematizadas o discurso em torno dos fatores associados à evasão escolar pode trabalhar em prol de preconcepções de enraizamento histórico a respeito da escola secundária técnica - como seu mandato seletivo e questões de gênero - influenciando o discurso sobre as iniciativas pensadas, negadas ou invibilizadas no combate à evasão escolar na secundária técnica.
Paulo Freire en Argentina y sus legados en la educación popular
Authors: Fernández Mouján Inés María
Published: April 2020

Historiar el término educación popular permite comprender de manera cabal el sentido que adquirió la educación en Argentina. Para lograr una profundización en este debate propongo deconstruir y someter a crítica los sentidos  de la educación popular para demostrar como en la tradición que inaugura Paulo Freire en 1963 en Angicos podemos encontrar su potencial y su carácter transformador. En síntesis, la línea de análisis somete a crítica la idea de educación popular en el inicio de la constitución del Estado de la Nación Argentina (Siglo XIX), desde enfoque que entrelaza lo que hay de descriptivo y que permanece en las tradiciones con un proceso mediante el cual algunas cosas se prefieren y destronan a otras. El  foco está puesto en la tradición freireana, cómo ésta ubica en el centro de la escena educativa al sujeto oprimido, y la relación entre lo cultural y lo político. La intención es observar en las experiencias de educación popular argentinas los debates que habilitaron acciones resistentes a la colonialidad del poder-saber presentes en la educación como lo fue la Campaña de Reactivación de Educación de Adultos para la Reconstrucción (1974-1976) y luego realizar una análisis del presente de la educación popular en la Argentina.
Vianinha e sua luta política no campo estético sob a ditadura
Authors: Bustamante Fernando , Alfonso Daniel Angyalossy
Published: April 2020

O artigo propõe uma breve análise de aspectos temáticos, formais e políticos da obra dramatúrgica de Oduvaldo Vianna Filho (Vianinha) em suas diferentes fases, com ênfase para seu retrato da classe média e os dilemas políticos enfrentados por esta. Também procura articular essa visão com a noção de um teatro “nacional e popular” que orienta a produção do autor em sua totalidade. A análise busca retomar alguns pesquisadores da obra de Vianna e articular como as concepções políticas do autor, enquanto militante do Partido Comunista Brasileiro (PCB), dialogam com as suas opções dramatúrgicas e de debates, tanto sobre a produção teatral do período, como sobre as estratégias políticas da esquerda organizada, tendo em vista as mudanças bruscas na situação política e os impactos diretos desta tanto sobre as condições de produção como sobre as opções políticas e de temática nas peças
Do quase nada de uma noite
Authors: Oliveira Vera Lucia de
Published: April 2020

Trata-se de poemas inéditos de um futuro livro, cujo título é "Do quase nada de uma noite".
Conceitos schillerianos presentes na obra Beatriz Cenci de Gonçalves Dias
Authors: Guimarães Jéssica De Oliveira
Published: April 2020

O objetivo do artigo é analisar o diálogo estabelecido por Gonçalves Dias com Friedrich Schiller ao desenvolver seus dramas, em especial, Beatriz Cenci. Para isso, será realizada a apresentação de alguns conceitos filosóficos, desenvolvidos pelo alemão, evidenciando de que forma estão presentes na obra gonçalvina, como a ideia de arte e liberdade. Além disso, observaremos alguns pontos apontados por Gonçalves Dias em seu prólogo à Leonor de Mendonça. Este texto é fundamental para o estudo do drama gonçalvino, pois apresenta o objetivo do autor em relação ao gênero, reforçando o diálogo do autor com as ideias schillerianas e com outros pensadores, como Victor Hugo, que também aproxima-se do alemão ao falar de temas como a fatalidade, além de sua concepção de verdade incisiva, fundamental para os desfechos dos dramas de Gonçalves Dias.
Trilhando um Caminho de Estudos sobre o Rock no Brasil
Authors: Diniz Sheyla Castro
Published: April 2020

Resenha do livro Nas trilhas do rock: experimentalismo e mercado musical (2018), organizado por Rainer Gonçalves Sousa.
Apresentação
Authors: Bisterço Vinícius Da Cunha , Fráguas Márcia Cristina , Borges Stephanie Da Silva
Published: April 2020

Apresentação do n.15 da Opiniães - Revista dos alunos de Literatura Brasileira (FFLCH/USP)
Association of Inpatient Use of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers With Mortality Among Patients With Hypertension Hospitalized With COVID-19
Authors: Zhang Peng , Zhu Lihua , Cai Jingjing , Lei Fang , Qin Juan-Juan , Xie Jing , Liu Ye-Mao , Zhao Yan-Ci , Huang Xuewei , Lin Lijin , Xia Meng , Chen Ming-Ming , Cheng Xu , Zhang Xiao , Guo Deliang , Peng Yuanyuan , Ji Yan-Xiao , Chen Jing , She Zhi-Gang , Wang Yibin , Xu Qingbo , Tan Renfu , Wang Haitao , Lin Jun , Luo Pengcheng , Fu Shouzhi , Cai Hongbin , Ye Ping , Xiao Bing , Mao Weiming , Liu Liming , Yan Youqin , Liu Mingyu , Chen Manhua , Zhang Xiao-Jing , Wang Xinghuan , Touyz Rhian M. , Xia Jiahong , Zhang Bing-Hong , Huang Xiaodong , Yuan Yufeng , Loomba Rohit , Liu Peter P. , Li Hongliang
Published: April 2020

Rationale:

Use of ACEIs (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) and ARBs (angiotensin II receptor blockers) is a major concern for clinicians treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with hypertension.

Objective:

To determine the association between in-hospital use of ACEI/ARB and all-cause mortality in patients with hypertension and hospitalized due to COVID-19.

Methods and Results:

This retrospective, multi-center study included 1128 adult patients with hypertension diagnosed with COVID-19, including 188 taking ACEI/ARB (ACEI/ARB group; median age 64 [interquartile range, 55–68] years; 53.2% men) and 940 without using ACEI/ARB (non-ACEI/ARB group; median age 64 [interquartile range 57–69]; 53.5% men), who were admitted to 9 hospitals in Hubei Province, China from December 31, 2019 to February 20, 2020. In mixed-effect Cox model treating site as a random effect, after adjusting for age, gender, comorbidities, and in-hospital medications, the detected risk for all-cause mortality was lower in the ACEI/ARB group versus the non-ACEI/ARB group (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.42 [95% CI, 0.19–0.92];
P
=0.03). In a propensity score-matched analysis followed by adjusting imbalanced variables in mixed-effect Cox model, the results consistently demonstrated lower risk of COVID-19 mortality in patients who received ACEI/ARB versus those who did not receive ACEI/ARB (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.37 [95% CI, 0.15–0.89];
P
=0.03). Further subgroup propensity score-matched analysis indicated that, compared with use of other antihypertensive drugs, ACEI/ARB was also associated with decreased mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.30 [95% CI, 0.12–0.70];
P
=0.01) in patients with COVID-19 and coexisting hypertension.

Conclusions:

Among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and coexisting hypertension, inpatient use of ACEI/ARB was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality compared with ACEI/ARB nonusers. While study interpretation needs to consider the potential for residual confounders, it is unlikely that in-hospital use of ACEI/ARB was associated with an increased mortality risk.
Late Outcomes of Valve Repair Versus Replacement in Isolated and Concomitant Tricuspid Valve Surgery: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Wong Wang‐Kin , Chen Shao‐Wei , Chou An‐Hsun , Lee Hsiu‐An , Cheng Yu‐Ting , Tsai Feng‐Chun , Lee Kuang‐Tso , Wu Victor Chien‐Chia , Wang Chun‐Li , Chang Shang‐Hung , Chu Pao‐Hsien
Published: April 2020

Background

Surgery for tricuspid valve (
TV
) diseases is associated with poor prognosis, but few studies have described the long‐term outcomes by comparing
TV
repair and replacement in isolated and concomitant
TV
surgeries separately.

Methods and Results

Between 2000 and 2013, adult patients who underwent
TV
repair or replacement surgeries were identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Outcomes of interest included all‐cause mortality, composite outcome, and readmission attributable to any cause. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to reduce confounding effects. A total of 2644 patients with a mean follow‐up of 4.9 years were included. Of them, 12.6% and 87.4% underwent isolated and concomitant
TV
surgery, respectively. The in‐hospital mortality rates for isolated and concomitant
TV
surgery were 8.7% and 8.6%, respectively, whereas all‐cause mortality rates were 41.7% and 36.8%, respectively. Compared with
TV
replacement,
TV
repair demonstrated significantly lower risks of all‐cause mortality (concomitant: hazard ratio [
HR
], 0.76; 95%
CI,
0.59–0.99), composite outcome (isolated: subdistribution
HR
, 0.55; 95%
CI,
0.35–0.89; concomitant: subdistribution
HR
, 0.63; 95%
CI,
0.46–0.86), and readmission (isolated: subdistribution
HR
, 0.64; 95%
CI,
0.46–0.91; concomitant: subdistribution
HR
, 0.72; 95%
CI,
0.60–0.86), except insignificant difference in all‐cause mortality in isolated surgery.

Conclusions

Compared with replacement,
TV
repair is associated with better short‐ and long‐term outcomes in both isolated and concomitant
TV
surgery. However, further prospective clinical trials are warranted.
Low-Frequency Oscillations Are a Biomarker of Injury and Recovery After Stroke
Authors: Cassidy Jessica M. , Wodeyar Anirudh , Wu Jennifer , Kaur Kiranjot , Masuda Ashley K. , Srinivasan Ramesh , Cramer Steven C.
Published: April 2020

Background and Purpose—

Low-frequency oscillations reflect brain injury but also contribute to normal behaviors. We examined hypotheses relating electroencephalography measures, including low-frequency oscillations, to injury and motor recovery poststroke.

Methods—

Patients with stroke completed structural neuroimaging, a resting-state electroencephalography recording and clinical testing. A subset admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility also underwent serial electroencephalography recordings. The relationship that electroencephalography measures (power and coherence with leads overlying ipsilesional primary motor cortex [iM1]) had with injury and motor status was assessed, focusing on delta (1–3 Hz) and high-beta (20–30 Hz) bands.

Results—

Across all patients (n=62), larger infarct volume was related to higher delta band power in bilateral hemispheres and to higher delta band coherence between iM1 and bilateral regions. In chronic stroke, higher delta power bilaterally correlated with better motor status. In subacute stroke, higher delta coherence between iM1 and bilateral areas correlated with poorer motor status. These coherence findings were confirmed in serial recordings from 18 patients in an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Here, interhemispheric coherence between leads overlying iM1 and contralesional M1 was elevated at inpatient rehabilitation facility admission compared with healthy controls (n=22), declining to control levels over time. Decreases in interhemispheric coherence between iM1 and contralesional M1 correlated with better motor recovery.

Conclusions—

Delta band coherence with iM1 related to greater injury and poorer motor status subacutely, while delta band power related to greater injury and better motor status chronically. Low-frequency oscillations reflect both injury and recovery after stroke and may be useful biomarkers in stroke recovery and rehabilitation.
The Price of Holiness: Torah Scrolls in the Tannaitic Marketplace
Authors: Lipson Allen
Published: April 2020

This paper situates Tannaitic attitudes toward the market for Torah scrolls within the larger historical context of Roman Palestine over the first two centuries CE. After developing a historical picture of how that market may have functioned, it explores the rabbis’ literary treatment of Torah scrolls within the Mishnah and Tosefta. Tannaitic text and context reveal a tension between two modes of thought, the “idealist” and the “pragmatist” viewpoints. On one hand, the Torah scroll stands sui generis, wholly separate from mundane considerations of economic profit. On the other, the rabbis reluctantly conceded to the reality of the market, however much they may have wished to ignore it.
The Complete Theological Program of Acts 2:17–21 in Luke-Acts
Authors: Baker Daniel J.
Published: April 2020

Interpreters commonly connect Luke 4:18–19 and Acts 2:17–21 as programmatic passages in Luke-Acts. However, the program of Acts 2:17–21 they typically develop is less than what Luke actually presents. Luke’s program includes five elements that speak loudly throughout Luke-Acts: (1) a distinct salvation history; (2) a new deluge of the Spirit; (3) a new universality of prophecy; (4) a new diversity of spiritual gifts; and (5) a new promise of salvation in Jesus’s name. Each of these needs to speak if Luke’s narrative intentions are to be heard. The study wrestles first with the intricate craftsmanship of the author as narrator in setting up Acts 2:17–21 and then explores the five elements of the theological program of the passage. Though not developed fully, this program is also seen as encompassing the whole church age and the entire NT.
The Spirit’s Pathetic and Redemptive Presence in Global Capitalism
Authors: Shin Jongseock (James)
Published: April 2020

In this essay, I argue that, in the pathetic, transformative, and eschatological presence, the Spirit persistently brings the economic sphere of human life into the perichoretic fellowship of the triune God. When considering the perennial and ever-growing gap in wealth between the rich and the poor as well as the Global North and the Global South within the global capitalist system, I deeply appreciate Kathryn Tanner’s call for an economy of grace. However, in my critical engagement with her suggestion of the hypostatic union as a model for an equitable economy, I suggest how the global capitalist market could be modeled on the “perichoretic” union in the presence of the Spirit who co-suffers with and redeems creation including the economic sphere as the pledge of the new creation. Then, I concretely engage with the problems of equal distribution of wealth, alienation of labor, and solidarity with the poor for their own rights.
The Liturgical Service of the Hegumen According to the Canons of the Constantinople Council of 1276
Authors: Korogodina Maria
Published: April 2020

Metropolitan of Kiev Cyril the Second and Russian bishops sent a bishop of Saray to Constantinople with questions concerning the most difficult problems of church management and features of liturgical service. The canons were translated into Russian probably in the 14 th century, and several new questions-and-answers were added during the translation. There are several canons about hegumens and the features of their liturgical service in the Russian text. They include questions about the tonsure of a dying man; the singing of the Trisagion with ripidia; the service of the Prothesis (Pros­komedia); the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross; and the final prayers at the Divine Liturgy. The research let to purpose that all of these articles were added by Russian authors, so they are the evidence of the liturgical service and monastic life in Russia in the 14 th century.