bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laser Acupuncture Alleviates Symptoms and Improves Quality of Life in Women with Overactive Bladder: A Double‐Blind, Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Chang Yu-Wei , Lo Tsia-Shu , Chang Hsin-Ning , Shiao Yi-Hsien , Yeh Yuan-Chieh
Published: April 2020

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of laser acupuncture for the treatment of women with overactive bladder (OAB) in Taiwan. Methods. A double‐blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on female patients with OAB symptoms referred from gynecologists, and subjects were divided into two groups using blocked randomization. LaserPan (RJ‐Laser, Germany) was applied to seven selected acupuncture points. The subjects received laser acupuncture 3 times per week for 3 weeks, 9 sessions in total. Basic patient data, Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ‐7), and Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI‐6) scores were recorded prior to first treatment and at the end of 3rd, 6th, and 9th treatments. Results. Thirty patients were enrolled, and twenty‐seven patients completed all treatments in this study. The OABSS total score of the experimental group decreased significantly by 3.13 (p ≤ 0.001), 4.60 (p ≤ 0.001), and 3.79 (p ≤ 0.001) after 3rd, 6th, and 9th treatments, respectively, compared with that of the control group. The IIQ‐7 score declined significantly from baseline by 4.57 (p = 0.003) and 3.63 (p = 0.023) after 3rd and 6th treatments, respectively, compared with that of the control group. Similarly, the UDI‐6 score of the experimental group exhibited a significant decrease from baseline by 1.90 (p = 0.042) and 2.25 (p = 0.025) after 6th and 9th interventions, respectively, compared with that of the control group. Conclusions. This study demonstrates that laser acupuncture can alleviate OAB symptoms and improve quality of life. This noninvasive device could be an effective therapy for women with OAB.
Intelligent Operation of Wheel Loader Based on Electrohydraulic Proportional Control
Authors: Cao Bing-wei , Liu Xin-hui , Chen Wei , Tan Peng , Niu Ping-fang
Published: April 2020

In this paper, the wheel loader with electrohydraulic proportional control technology is used as the carrier. For the first time, the dual-angle sensor is used for intelligent operation, which allows the wheel loader working device to be precisely controlled. First, the theoretical analysis of the electrohydraulic proportional control technology on the wheel loader studied in this paper is carried out. Next, according to the feedback of the boom and bucket angle sensor signals, the electrohydraulic proportional control technology is used to initially realize the boom memory and bucket automatic levelling function of the wheel loader working device. Finally, the data acquisition equipment is connected to provide experimental verification, although the test results did not achieve precise control of the working device. After analysis, the detected problems were solved by constructing a neural network algorithm model, which successfully realizes the intelligent and precise operation of the wheel loader, reducing unnecessary energy loss.
Dynamic Behaviors of a Class of High-Order Fuzzy Difference Equations
Authors: Jia Lili
Published: April 2020

The purpose of this paper is to give the conditions for the existence and uniqueness of positive solutions and the asymptotic stability of equilibrium points for the following high-order fuzzy difference equation:xn+1=Axn−1xn−2/B+∑i=3kCixn−i n=0,1,2,…,wherexnis the sequence of positive fuzzy numbers and the parametersA,B,C3,C4,…,Ckand initial conditionsx0,x−1,x−2,x−ii=3,4,…,kare positive fuzzy numbers. Besides, some numerical examples describing the fuzzy difference equation are given to illustrate the theoretical results.
Study on Compaction Effect and Process of Reclaimed Soil of Nonmetallic Mines in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Wang Kaikai , Zhang Zizhao , Tang Guobin , Tan Xiaodong , Lv Qianli , Shao Fengjun , Li Xiaoping
Published: April 2020

Reclaimed soil is the key substrate for land reclamation and ecological restoration in the mine areas. The change of the density of reclaimed soil of the nonmetallic mines in Xinjiang during the land reclamation process was studied in this paper. Firstly, the in situ test method of static load was used to simulate the compaction of reclaimed soil with different thickness of overlying soil by different compaction times of mines reclamation machinery, and field in situ test compaction data were obtained. Then, the numerical simulation method was used to simulate the variation process of displacement and porosity at different depths for different thickness of the reclaimed soil under different compaction conditions. The numerical simulation and the in situ test results verified each other to acquire the compaction process and results of reclaimed soil under different compaction. The results showed that the numerical simulation results were consistent with the in situ test. The reclaimed soil thickness and compaction times were crucial factors affecting the compaction effect of the soil. The difference between the three times compaction and the uncompacted soil was obvious, and the effect of single compaction was weakened with the increase of compaction times. Under the same compaction action, the thicker the soil was, the less obvious the compaction effect would be. In the process of reclamation, the compaction effect of the surface part (at the depth of 10 cm) was visible, and the amount of compression and springback was larger. The research results can provide a reference to the land reclamation of nonmetallic mines in Xinjiang, China.
Some New Refinements of Hermite–Hadamard-Type Inequalities Involvingψk-Riemann–Liouville Fractional Integrals and Applications
Authors: Awan Muhammad Uzair , Talib Sadia , Chu Yu-Ming , Noor Muhammad Aslam , Noor Khalida Inayat
Published: April 2020

The main objective of this article is to establish some new fractional refinements of Hermite–Hadamard-type inequalities essentially using newψk-Riemann–Liouville fractional integrals, wherek>0. Using this new fractional integral, we also derive two new fractional integral identities. Applications of the obtained results are also discussed.
Supply Chain Decisions and Coordination under the Combined Effect of Overconfidence and Fairness Concern
Authors: Zhijian Zhang , Wang Peng , Wan Miyu , Guo Junhua , Liu Jian
Published: April 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the joint effect of overconfidence and fairness concern on supply chain decisions and design contracts to achieve a win-win situation within the supply chain. For this study, a centralized supply chain model was established without considering the retailers’ overconfidence and fairness concern. Furthermore, the retailers’ overconfidence and fairness concerns were introduced into the decentralized supply chain, while the Stackelberg game model between the manufacturer and the retailer was built. Furthermore, an innovative supply chain contract, i.e., buyback contract, with promotional cost sharing was designed to achieve supply chain coordination along with overconfidence and fairness concern. Finally, a numerical analysis was also conducted to analyze the effect of overconfidence, fairness concern, and the validity of the contract. The principal findings of the study include the positive correlation between retailers’ overconfidence and optimal order quantity, sales effort, expected utility, and profit. Although the order quantity and sales efforts were not affected by the fairness concern of the retailer, the contract achieved coordination with a win-win outcome when the level of overconfidence and fairness concern was moderate.
Symptomatic Internal Carotid Agenesis in Children
Authors: Alhaizaey Abdullah , Alhelali Ibrahim , Alghamdi Musaed , Azazy Ahmed , Samir Mohammed A.
Published: April 2020

Carotid artery agenesis is a rare congenital anomaly, and there are controversies in the leading cause for it. We present a 6-year-old girl with resolved focal neurological ischemic stroke that showed bilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) agenesis. Through this paper, we highlight the carotid canal congenital obliteration hypothesis as it may be a risk for such finding.
Research on Industrial Waste Recovery Network Optimization: Opportunities Brought by Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Liao Bin , Wang Ting
Published: April 2020

With the acceleration of industrialization and urbanization in China, a large amount of waste in industrial parks has become the main cause of regional environmental pollution. In order to solve this problem, this paper relied on artificial intelligence’s prediction technology and image recognition technology to intelligently upgrade the traditional industrial waste planning management system and designed a waste intelligent classification center with intelligent prediction and intelligent classification capabilities. So, as to realize this new intelligent classification center and explain its value, this paper explains the key implementation technology of this intelligent classification center and validates it by constructing a multitarget location model that considers both economic and environmental benefits.
Recent Progress on Lipid Intake and Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Pei Ke , Gui Ting , Li Chao , Zhang Qian , Feng Huichao , Li Yunlun , Wu Jibiao , Gai Zhibo
Published: April 2020

The incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with major abnormalities in circulating lipoproteins and renal lipid metabolism. This article elaborates on the mechanisms of CKD and lipid uptake abnormalities. The viewpoint we supported is that lipid abnormalities directly cause CKD, resulting in forming a vicious cycle. On the theoretical and experiment fronts, this inference has been verified by elaborately elucidating the role of lipid intake and accumulation as well as their influences on CKD. Taken together, these findings suggest that further understanding of lipid metabolism in CKD may lead to novel therapeutic approaches.
A Simplified C-Logit Stochastic User Equilibrium Model on Bimodal Transportation Network
Authors: Liu Bingquan , Zhang Yonghong , Du Wei
Published: April 2020

This paper investigates the C-logit stochastic user equilibrium (SUE) problem on a bimodal transportation network with road and rail travel modes. The C-logit model captures the overlapping effect among the different paths via commonality factors; sequentially, it has ability to obtain a more realistic traffic flow distribution pattern. In this paper, when we redefine the link travel cost functions and employ a binary Logit model for the mode split, the bimodal C-logit SUE model can be simplified into an unconstrained nonlinear mathematical programming formulation. Such model is verified to satisfy the bimodal C-logit SUE conditions at its stationary point and can be solved by existing algorithms. So, the simplified model can be convenient to be used on the general bimodal transportation network.
Acute Toxicity of Leaf Extracts ofEnydra fluctuansLour in Zebrafish (Danio rerioHamilton)
Authors: Xavier Jobi , Kripasana Kshetrimayum
Published: April 2020

The present study was focused on the concentration-dependent changes in oral acute toxicity of leaf extracts ofE.fluctuansin zebrafish. The study was also aimed at the details of histopathological changes in the gill, liver, brain, and intestine of zebrafish exposed to the leaf extracts of the plantE.fluctuans.Enydra fluctuansLour is an edible semiaquatic herbaceous plant used widely for the alleviation of the different diseases. Since there were no toxicity studies conducted on this plant, the present study was an attempt to look into the elements of toxicity of the plants. Two types of experiments are conducted in the present study. First, the acute oral toxicity study was conducted as per the OECD guidelines 203. Second, histopathological changes were observed in the fishes exposed to the lethal concentrations of plant extract. The oral acute toxicity studies conducted on Zebrafish have revealed that the leave extracts ofE.fluctuanswere toxic to the tested fish at the concentration of 200 mg/kg body weight. The histopathological studies conducted on the intestine of treated fishes showed that treatment has induced rupturing of the villi structure and fusion of villi the membrane and detachment of the villi structure from the basal membrane of the intestine. The histology of the liver also showed severe vacuolization in the cells while it is not affected in control. The studies on gills showed the detachment of the basal epithelial membrane in the gills compared to control which might have led to death of the fish. The histopathological observations of brain tissues treated with test samples also revealed the marked impingement in the brain parenchyma while the control is normal without impingement of the brain.
Effects of Processed Polygonum multiflorum with KIOM Patent on Bone Remodeling‐Related Protein Expression in Human Osteoblast‐Like SaOS‐2 Cells
Authors: Kim Dae Uk , Chung Jae Yoon , Jin Seong Chul , Kim Mi Hye , Komakech Richard , Shim Ki-Shuk , Kim Yong-Goo , Yang Woong Mo , Kang Youngmin
Published: April 2020

This present study evaluated the effects of processed P. multiflorum on osteogenesis using Sarcoma osteogenic (SaOS‐2) cell lines and osteoclastogenesis of bone marrow‐derived macrophage cells (BMM) and to elucidate differences in effect on the expression of bone‐related proteins between commercially sold P. multiflorum and patented, in vitro‐propagated Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM) P. multiflorum. Raw P. multiflorum and P. multiflorum that were stir‐baked and steamed in black bean juice were compared, and western blotting analysis was performed to investigate the expression of bone remodeling‐related proteins in SaOS‐2 cells. In the cells treated with P. multiflorum steamed in black bean juice, the expression of RANKL was decreased, whereas that of osteoprotegerin, alkaline phosphatase, Runx2, and osterix was increased. Owing to these results, we conclude that processed P. multiflorum can be used as an alternative treatment for bone diseases such as osteoporosis, osteopenia, periodontitis, and Paget’s disease.
Estimation of Rotor Temperature of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Based on Model Reference Fuzzy Adaptive Control
Authors: Ding Hongchang , Gong Xiaobin , Gong Yuchun
Published: April 2020

For high-speed permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), its efficiency is significantly affected by the performance of permanent magnets (PMs), and the phenomenon of demagnetization will occur with the increase of PM temperature. So, the temperature detection of PMs in rotor is very necessary for the safe operation of PMSM, and direct detection is difficult due to the rotation of rotor. Based on the relationship between permanent magnet flux linkage and its temperature, in this paper, a new temperature estimation method using model reference fuzzy adaptive control (MRFAC) is proposed to estimate PM temperature. In this method, the model reference adaptive system (MRAS) is built to estimate the permanent magnet flux linkage, and the fuzzy control method is introduced into MRAS, which is used to improve the accuracy and applicable speed range of parameters estimated by MRAS. Different permanent magnet flux linkages are estimated in MRFAC based on the variation of stator resistance, which corresponds to different working temperatures measured by thermal resistance, and the PM temperature will be obtained according to the estimated permanent magnet flux linkage. At last, the back electromotive force (BEMF) is measured on the experimental motor, and the flux linkage and PM temperature of the experimental motor are deduced according to the BEMF. Compared with the experimental results, the estimated PM temperature is very close to the actual test value, and the error is less than 5%, which verifies that the proposed method is suitable for the estimation of PM temperature.
Study on Distribution Characteristics of Damage Range along Smooth Blasting Hole Based on PPV
Authors: Pan Qiang , Zhang Jichun , Zheng Shuangying
Published: April 2020

The damage range of surrounding rock has an important influence on optimization of blasting parameters. This study, based on the vibration attenuation law near the blasting source and the characteristics of the load acting on the wall of the smooth blasting hole, derives the distribution formulas of the damage range along the borehole during the expansion and quasistatic processes of detonation gas, respectively. More importantly, the quantitative relationship between the damage range and the charge weight of the single borehole is established. The experimental data are used to verify the correctness of the theoretical formulas. The results show that the damage range during the expansion process of detonation gas presents a continuous saddle-shaped distribution along the borehole and the maximum damage range is near the charge segment. The damage range during the quasistatic process of detonation gas is uniformly distributed along the borehole and can be more conservatively used to the practical prediction after corrected. The theoretical formulas are applicable to the perimeter hole with the radial and axial decoupled charge structure, which can provide a theoretical support for controlling the damage range of surrounding rock according to the charge weight.
Listeria Cerebritis with Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibition
Authors: Reilly Eileen , Hwang Justin
Published: April 2020

Background. Listeria monocytogenes is historically a central nervous system pathogen of consideration in the very young, very old, and immune suppressed. Diagnosis of Listeria is based on positive bodily fluid culture or PCR testing. Cerebral edema is nonspecific and can be a manifestation of vasculitis, trauma, anoxia, ischemia, infarction, malignancy, or an infectious process. A main mechanism of immune protection against Listeria is tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Lenalidomide, an immunosuppressant, inhibits TNF. Case Presentation. A 61-year-old female with diabetes mellitus 2 and multiple myeloma treated with stem cell transplant and immunosuppressant (lenalidomide) was found to have cerebral edema after presenting with headache for 3 weeks and new focal neurologic deficits. Vitals signs were stable, with no meningeal exam findings and unremarkable initial serum testing. Blood cultures on days 0 and 2 of hospitalization as well as cerebral spinal fluid cultures were negative for infectious organisms. PCR testing of CSF was also negative for microorganisms. Brain biopsy was scheduled but postponed due to outstanding prion testing. The patient’s focal neurologic deficits worsened prompting administration of dexamethasone after extensive negative infectious disease workup. By day 6, gross neurologic function deteriorated prompting transfer to higher level of care where the patient spiked a fever and one set of blood cultures revealed Gram-positive bacillus. Aggressive antimicrobial therapy was initiated, excluding ampicillin; however, this was later added. Blood culture further identified Listeria monocytogenes. By day 17, the patient suffered demise. Autopsy revealed brain microabscess lesions consistent with Listeria. Conclusion. Clinicians should employ prophylactic antimicrobial treatment for Listeria when caring for those patients presenting with cerebral edema who are immune suppressed with TNF inhibition no matter the initial exam findings, serum testing, and/or radiologic interpretation. If initial workup is negative and brain biopsy is needed to determine the next course of action in the patient with cerebral edema, transfer the patient to a higher level of care if unable to complete biopsy at your facility in an expedient fashion.
Diagnostic Performance of PET or PET/CT with Different Radiotracers in Patients with Suspicious Lung Cancer or Pleural Tumours according to Published Meta-Analyses
Authors: Lococo Filippo , Muoio Barbara , Chiappetta Marco , Nachira Dania , Petracca Ciavarella Leonardo , Margaritora Stefano , Treglia Giorgio
Published: April 2020

Purpose. Several meta-analyses have reported data about the diagnostic performance of positron emission tomography or positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET or PET/CT) with different radiotracers in patients with suspicious lung cancer (LC) or pleural tumours (PT). This review article aims at providing an overview on the recent evidence-based data in this setting. Methods. A comprehensive literature search of meta-analyses published in PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane Library database from January 2010 through March 2020 about the diagnostic performance of PET or PET/CT with different radiotracers in patients with suspicious LC or PT was performed. This combination of keywords was used: (A) “PET” OR “positron emission tomography” AND (B) “lung” OR “pulmonary” OR “pleur∗” AND (C) meta-analysis. Only meta-analyses on PET or PET/CT in patients with suspicious LC or PT were selected. Results. We have summarized the diagnostic performance of PET or PET/CT with fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) and other radiotracers taking into account 17 meta-analyses. Evidence-based data demonstrated a good diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG PET or PET/CT for the characterization of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) or pleural lesions with overall higher sensitivity than specificity. Evidence-based data do not support the routine use of dual time point (DTP) 18F-FDG PET/CT or fluorine-18 fluorothymidine (18F-FLT) PET/CT in the differential diagnosis of SPNs. Even if 18F-FDG PET/CT has high sensitivity and specificity as a selective screening modality for LC, its role in this setting remains unknown. Conclusions. Evidence-based data about the diagnostic performance of PET/CT with different radiotracers for suspicious LC or PT are increasing, with good diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG PET/CT. More prospective multicenter studies and cost-effectiveness analyses are warranted.
Successful Liposteroid Therapy for a Recurrent Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis with Down Syndrome
Authors: Tobai Hiromi , Yano Jun , Sato Norio , Amanuma Fumitaka , Takahashi Mikio , Endo Mikiya , Ishimura Masataka , Ohga Shouichi , Maruyama Hidekazu
Published: April 2020

Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH) is a rare and life-threatening disorder. Early diagnosis and appropriate management are essential for their better prognosis and patients’ quality of life (QOL). It is considered that Down syndrome patients with IPH have a worse prognosis compared to other IPH cases. A 2-year-old girl with Down syndrome received the diagnosis of IPH after two episodes of massive pulmonary hemorrhage requiring assist ventilation, who suffered from recurrent IPH during tapering period of oral corticosteroid, started liposteroid therapy. We report here a case of successful control of recurrent IPH and improved QOL enormously with tapering dose of corticosteroid after starting liposteroid therapy.
Effects of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction on Cell Migration and Ocular Tumor Invasion in Drosophila
Authors: Wang Sitong , Wu Fanwu , Ye Bin , Zhang Shiping , Wang Xingjun , Xu Qian , Li Guowang , Zhang Menglong , Wang Shuai , Jia Yongsen , Jiang Chunhua , La Xiaojin , Chang Hong , Zhao Zixue , Li Peng , Li Ji-an , Wu Chenxi
Published: April 2020

Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (XFZYD), a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) decoction mainly for treating blood stasis syndrome, has been widely investigated and applied in clinic and in laboratory. XFZYD contains 11 herbs and has been identified to promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis for cardiovascular disease. Meanwhile, blood stasis is directly related to malignant tumor according to TCM basic theory. However, the effects of XFZYD on tumor metastasis and the underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. Here, we employed well‐established Drosophila cell migration and tumor invasion models to explore whether XFZYD has the anticancer activity on tumor metastasis in vivo. Our work has demonstrated that XFZYD could suppress cell migration and tumor invasion at the moderate concentrations. In addition, XFZYD altered the expression of MMP1, β‐integrin, and E‐cadherin to impede cell migration. Moreover, XFZYD inhibited ocular tumor invasion presumably by reducing the activity of Notch signaling. Together, these evidences reveal a positive role of XFZYD in suppressing cell migration and tumor metastasis, providing the potential drug targets and key clues for cancer clinical treatment strategies.
Different Degree Centrality Changes in the Brain after Acupuncture on Contralateral or Ipsilateral Acupoint in Patients with Chronic Shoulder Pain: A Resting-State fMRI Study
Authors: Yan Chao-Qun , Huo Jian-Wei , Wang Xu , Zhou Ping , Zhang Ya-Nan , Li Jin-ling , Kim Mirim , Shao Jia-Kai , Hu Shang-Qing , Wang Li-Qiong , Liu Cun-Zhi
Published: April 2020

Chronic shoulder pain (CSP) is the third most common musculoskeletal problem. For maximum treatment effectiveness, most acupuncturists usually choose acupoint in the nonpainful side, to alleviate pain or improve shoulder function. This method is named opposite needling, which means acupuncture points on the right side are selected for diseases on the left side and vice versa. However, the underlying neural mechanisms related to treatment are currently unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine whether different mechanisms were observed with contralateral and ipsilateral acupuncture at Tiaokou (ST 38) in patients with unilateral CSP. Twenty-four patients were randomized to the contralateral acupuncture group (contra-group) and the ipsilateral acupuncture group (ipsi-group). The patients received one acupuncture treatment session at ST 38 on the nonpainful or painful sides, respectively. Before and after acupuncture treatment, they underwent functional magnetic resonance scanning. The treatment-related changes in degree centrality (DC) maps were compared between the two groups. We found alleviated pain and improved shoulder function in both groups, but better shoulder functional improvement was observed in the contra-group. Increased DC in the anterior/paracingulate cortex and decreased DC in bilateral postcentral gyri were found in the contra-group, while decreased DC in the bilateral cerebellum and right thalamus was observed in the ipsi-group. Furthermore, the DC value in the bilateral anterior/paracingulate cortex was positively correlated with the treatment-related change in the Constant–Murley score. The current study reveals different changes of DC patterns after acupuncture at contralateral or ipsilateral ST 38 in patients with CSP. Our findings support the hypothesis of acupoint specificity and provide the evidence for acupuncturists to select acupoints for CSP.
An Enriched α − μ Model as Fading Candidate
Authors: Ferreira J. T. , Bekker A. , Marques F. , Laidlaw M.
Published: April 2020

This paper introduces an enriched α − μ distribution which may act as fading model with its origins via the scale mixture construction. The distribution’s characteristics are visited and its feasibility as a fading candidate in wireless communications systems is investigated. The analysis of the system reliability and some performance measures of wireless communications systems over this enriched α − μ fading candidate are illustrated. Computable representations of the Laplace transform for this scale mixture construction are also provided. The derived expressions are explored via numerical investigations. Tractable results are computed in terms of the Meijer G-function. This unified scale mixture approach allows access to previously unconsidered underlying models that may yield improved fits to experimental data in practice.
Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Attack Triggered by Herpes Zoster Infection
Authors: Turco Emanuela Claudia , Curti Erica , Maffini Valentina , Pisani Francesco , Granella Franco
Published: April 2020

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder is a severe autoimmune disease of the central nervous system characterized by recurrent inflammatory events primarily involving the optic nerves and spinal cord. Recently, a triggering role of infectious events in the development of NMOSD has been suggested. Varicella zoster virus is the most common viral infection involved, though the linkage with anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies is so far unknown. We report, to the best of our knowledge, the first pediatric case report about NMOSD relapse triggered by herpes zoster infection. The strict temporal relationship between VZV infection and NMO attacks seems to be more than simply due to chance; however, further reports are needed to be confirmed.
An Anecdote of Investor Anxiety and Momentum in China
Authors: Lin Hung-Wen , Lin Kun-Ben , Huang Jing-Bo , Cao Xia-Ping
Published: April 2020

We show the effect of investor anxiety on momentum in the Chinese stock market. In this market dominated by retail investors, we examine the momentum profits in 900 types of daily testing periods. We find prevalent price reversals in the long formation and holding periods in the Chinese A-share market. Compared to Goyal and Wahal (2015), Wang and Xie (2010), and Kang et al. (2002) who found no momentum, our novel finding from a daily basis is that the A-share market presents price momentum within the short formation and holding periods. We first test the momentum profits under different strengths of anxiety in the A-share market. The stocks held by the least anxious investors elicit the strongest price momentum, whereas the stocks held by the most anxious investors encounter much weaker price momentum in the A-share market. According to our empirical outcomes, the A-share market overall exhibits higher anxiety and weaker momentum, whereas the B-share market embodies milder anxiety and stronger momentum. From the results of single market and cross-market comparisons, the intrinsic anxiety of retail investors is an essential factor stimulating the Chinese stock market to be prone to price reversals.
Late Onset Ornithine Transcarbamylase Deficiency Triggered by an Acute Increase in Protein Intake: A Review of 10 Cases Reported in the Literature
Authors: Barkovich E. , Gropman A. L.
Published: April 2020

While the urea cycle disorders (UCDs) classically present in the neonatal stage, they have become increasingly recognized as a rare cause of unexplained hyperammonemic encephalopathy in adults. Many metabolic triggers for late-onset UCDs have been described in the literature including excessive protein intake. In this case series, ten such documented cases are reviewed with analysis of patient demographic, protein load, treatment course, and patient outcome. Common delays in treatment include recognition of hyperammonemia as the cause of encephalopathy and initiation of hemodialysis. In only one case was a diet history used to raise suspicion for a metabolic derangement. Metabolic disorders remain an important consideration in adults presenting with encephalopathy not explained by more common etiologies, and recent and remote dietary history may provide valuable information.
Upregulation of Phosphatase 1 Nuclear-Targeting Subunit (PNUTS) Is an Independent Predictor of Poor Prognosis in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Marx Andreas , Luebke Andreas M. , Clauditz Till S. , Steurer Stefan , Fraune Christoph , Hube-Magg Claudia , Büscheck Franziska , Höflmayer Doris , Tsourlakis Maria Christina , Möller-Koop Christina , Simon Ronald , Sauter Guido , Göbel Cosima , Lebok Patrick , Dum David , Kind Simon , Minner Sarah , Izbicki Jakob , Schlomm Thorsten , Huland Hartwig , Heinzer Hans , Burandt Eike , Haese Alexander , Graefen Markus , Meiners Jan
Published: April 2020

Protein phosphatase 1 nuclear-targeting subunit (PNUTS) is ubiquitously expressed and associates with PTEN and protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) to control its activity. The role of PNUTS overexpression has hardly been studied in cancer. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry to quantitate PNUTS expression on a tissue microarray containing 17,747 clinical prostate cancer specimens. As compared to normal prostate epithelium, PNUTS expression was often higher in cancer. Among 12,235 interpretable tumors, PNUTS staining was negative in 21%, weak in 34%, moderate in 35%, and strong in 10% of cases. High PNUTS expression was associated with higher tumor stage, classical and quantitative Gleason grade, nodal stage, surgical margin, Ki67 labeling index, and early biochemical recurrence (p<0.0001 each). PNUTS expression proved to be a moderate prognostic parameter with a maximal univariable Cox proportional hazard for PSA recurrence-free survival of 2.21 compared with 5.91 for Gleason grading. It was independent from established prognostic parameters in multivariable analysis. Comparison with molecular data available from earlier studies using the same TMA identified associations between high PNUTS expression and elevated androgen receptor expression (p<0.0001), presence of TMPRSS2:ERG fusion (p<0.0001), and 8 of 11 chromosomal deletions (3p13, 5q21, 8p21, 10q23, 12p13, 13q14, 16q24, and 17p13; p<0.05 each). Particularly strong associations with PTEN and 12p13 deletions (p<0.0001 each) may indicate a functional relationship, which has already been established for PNUTS and PTEN. PNUTS had no additional role on outcome in PTEN-deleted cancers. In conclusion, the results of our study identify high PNUTS protein levels as a predictor of poor prognosis possibly linked to increased levels of genomic instability. PNUTS measurement, either alone or in combination, might be of clinical utility in prostate cancers.
The Use of Machine Learning Approaches for the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis
Authors: Akmese Omer F. , Dogan Gul , Kor Hakan , Erbay Hasan , Demir Emre
Published: April 2020

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common emergency diseases in general surgery clinics. It is more common, especially between the ages of 10 and 30 years. Additionally, approximately 7% of the entire population is diagnosed with acute appendicitis at some time in their lives and requires surgery. The study aims to develop an easy, fast, and accurate estimation method for early acute appendicitis diagnosis using machine learning algorithms. Retrospective clinical records were analyzed with predictive data mining models. The predictive success of the models obtained by various machine learning algorithms was compared. A total of 595 clinical records were used in the study, including 348 males (58.49%) and 247 females (41.51%). It was found that the gradient boosted trees algorithm achieves the best success with an accurate prediction success of 95.31%. In this study, an estimation method based on machine learning was developed to identify individuals with acute appendicitis. It is thought that this method will benefit patients with signs of appendicitis, especially in emergency departments in hospitals.
Treatment with Minocycline Suppresses Microglia Activation and Reverses Neural Stem Cells Loss after Simulated Microgravity
Authors: Lin Tian , Du Juan , Liu Li , Wu Zheng , Kong Xiangkai , Liu Yu , Cai Yiling
Published: April 2020

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of microglia on simulated microgravity‐induced hippocampal neurogenesis reduction and the possible mechanism underlying. Adult rats were treated with tail suspension for different times and the changes of neural stem cells (NSCs) were examined by immunohistochemistry. Then, minocycline was used to inhibit the activation of microglia, and the numbers of microglia and NSCs were detected after microgravity. Additionally, liquid protein chip analysis was applied to detect proinflammatory factors in hippocampus in order to find out the cytokines responsible for microglia activation after microgravity. The results revealed that microgravity increased the numbers of Iba1+ cells and decreased the numbers of BrdU+ and DCX+ cells in hippocampus but did not affect the ratio of NeuN+/BrdU+ cells to the total number of BrdU+ cells. After treated with minocycline, activated microglia were suppressed and the reduction of NSCs induced by microgravity recovered. Besides, compared with the control, higher concentrations of INF‐γ and TNF‐α were detected in the rats treated with microgravity. Our study provides the first evidence that microglia‐mediated inflammation plays an important part in microgravity‐induced neurogenesis reduction in hippocampus, and INF‐γ and TNF‐α secreted by microglia might be the key factors in this process.
Study on the Strata Movement Rule of the Ultrathick and Weak Cementation Overburden in Deep Mining by Similar Material Simulation: A Case Study in China
Authors: Zhang Guojian , Guo Guangli , Lv Yi’nan , Gong Yaqiang
Published: April 2020

In the deep mining areas of western China, there exist ultrathick and weak cementation strata in the overburdens above the Jurassic coal seams, and the overburden lithology is generally moderately a little weaker than the medium-hard strata. Yet, the practical measurement indicates that the surface movement rule in this area displays the specialty that is apparently inconsistent with its lithology, which increases the uncertainty of safe production in coal mines. In this study, the similar material and numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the movement rule and failure pattern of the ultrathick and weak cementation overburden. In addition, the photographing scale transformation-time baseline parallax (PST-TBP) method was used to monitor the similar material model to makeup for the lacks of Xi'an Jiaotong University Digital Close-range Industrial Photogrammetry System (XJTUDP) software. The findings of this study can be summarized as follows. (1) To some extent, the PST-TBP method can makeup for the deficiency of the XJTUDP software because the measurement accuracy of the PST-TBP method is 0.47 mm. (2) The height of the caving zone is approximately 66 m, and the height of the water suture zone is about 112 m, which is obviously larger than that of the medium-hard and soft overburden in eastern-central China. (3) The first breaking span of the immediate roof reaches 120 m, the cyclic fracturing length is about 60 m, and the separation occurred at 43 m and 66 m above the coal seam. (4) The failure pattern of the ultrathick and weak cementation overburden is “beam-arch shell,” and the failure boundary is arch. (5) The Zhidan group sandstone and Jurassic sandstone formations have strong control effects. The Zhidan group sandstone is the main control stratum and the Jurassic sandstone formation is the secondary-control stratum. The research results provide an insight into guiding the safe mining of deep coal in the ultrathick and weak cementation overburden.
Debonding Performance of CFRP-Strengthened Nanomaterial Concrete Beam Using Wavelet Packet Analysis
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhang Ming , Yin Xinfeng , Huang Zhou , Wang Lei
Published: April 2020

The carbon fiber reinforced polymer- (CFRP-) strengthened nanomaterial concrete beam (SNCB) has been increasingly attracting a widespread attention because of the advantages of using the excellent properties of nanomaterials to improve structural properties. An active sensing approach based on a piezoceramic transducer is developed to detect the interfacial debonding performance of CFRP-SNCB. A CFRP-SNCB specimen was fabricated and subjected to periodic loading test to initiate the debonding damage. Three piezoceramic smart aggregates (SAs) and three piezoceramic smart nanomaterial aggregates (SNAs) are embedded in the specimen and used as an actuator and sensor. Experiments show that the nanomaterial concrete becomes a good conduit for wave propagation due to the nucleation and filling effect of nanomaterial. The stress wave signal caused by the embedded SNAs is more sensitive to the debonding performance between CFRP and concrete than SA. The attenuation of stress wave caused by the increase of the severity of debonding damage can be clearly observed from the signals received from SAs and SNAs in the frequency domain analysis. The debonding cracking of the tension end region is earlier than the bond end region, which proves the starting point of structural debonding damage. Furthermore, the debonding state can be evaluated by wavelet packet analysis. The research results demonstrate that the proposed method has potentials to detect the interfacial debonding performance of CFRP-SNCB.
Microstructure and Properties of Sulfoaluminate Cement‐Based Grouting Materials: Effect of Calcium Sulfate Variety
Authors: Zhang Jianwu , Guan Xuemao , Wang Xiao , Ma Xianwei , Li Zhixin , Xu Zhuoyue , Jin Biao
Published: April 2020

Effect of calcium sulfate variety on the microstructure and properties of cement‐based grouting materials made by sulfoaluminate cement clinker, calcium sulfate resource, and quicklime was investigated in this paper. Isothermal calorimetric, XRD, DTA‐TG, and SEM‐EDS were used to characterize the reaction process of cement‐based grouting materials. The mechanical property and expansion of the harden body were also tested. The results showed that (1) the formation of ettringite can be completed during the first 2 h when gypsum was selected, causing nonexpansion of the harden body, and ettringite tends to be precipitated near the clinker grain, which has a negative influence on the “skeleton effect” of ettringite, resulting in lower strength of the hardened body. (2) Ettringite can be continually and slowly precipitated when an anhydride was chosen, and the hardened body shows significant expansion characteristic. Besides, ettringite in anhydride paste tends to be precipitated in the form of complex interleaving, which can generate a positive influence on mechanical property of the hardened paste.
Development of a Novel Soft Sensor with Long Short-Term Memory Network and Normalized Mutual Information Feature Selection
Authors: Li Dongfeng , Li Zhirui , Sun Kai
Published: April 2020

In this paper, a novel soft sensor is developed by combining long short-term memory (LSTM) network with normalized mutual information feature selection (NMIFS). In the proposed algorithm, LSTM is designed to handle time series with high nonlinearity and dynamics of industrial processes. NMIFS is conducted to perform the input variable selection for LSTM to simplify the excessive complexity of the model. The developed soft sensor combines the excellent dynamic modelling of LSTM and precise variable selection of NMIFS. Simulations on two actual production datasets are used to demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithm. The developed soft sensor could precisely predict the objective variables and has better performance than other methods.
Study on Hesitant Fuzzy Multiattribute Quality Evaluation Based on Surface Defect Information of Autobody Panels
Authors: Mao Jia , Sun Qi , Gui Kun
Published: April 2020

Surface defects of autobody panels have the greatest impact on the surface quality of the automobile body, but many enterprises lack a scientific and reasonable evaluation method of surface quality, relying solely on the subjective judgment of decision makers which will lead to an increase in the probability of misjudgment. In this paper, the subjective weight is determined by the genetic algorithm based on optimization, and the objective weight is determined by the improved deviation maximization method. Combining the hesitant fuzzy set theory, the hesitant fuzzy mixed weighted arithmetic average operator (HFHWA), and the score function, the surface defect information of the panel is quantified. On this basis, a complete set of hesitant fuzzy multiattribute evaluation model of surface defect information is proposed. Taking a batch of inner panels of the automobile door produced by A automobile enterprise as an example, five common defects including hidden pit, bump and scratch, rust, indentation pockmark, and ripple are selected as evaluation attributes to evaluate their surface quality, which verifies the validity and practicability of the model.
An Edge-Based Smoothed Finite Element for Free Vibration Analysis of Functionally Graded Porous (FGP) Plates on Elastic Foundation Taking into Mass (EFTIM)
Authors: Tran Trung Thanh , Pham Quoc-Hoa , Nguyen-Thoi Trung
Published: April 2020

In this paper, free vibration analysis of the functionally graded porous (FGP) plates on the elastic foundation taking into mass (EFTIM) is presented. The fundamental equations of the FGP plate are derived using Hamilton’s principle. The mixed interpolation of the tensorial components (MITC) approach and the edge-based smoothed finite element method (ES-FEM) is employed to avoid the shear locking as well as to improve the accuracy for the triangular element. The EFTIM is a foundation model based on the two-parameter Winkler–Pasternak model but added a mass parameter of foundation. Materials of the plate are FGP with a power-law distribution and maximum porosity distributions in the forms of cosine functions. Some numerical examples are examined to demonstrate the accuracy and reliability of the proposed method in comparison with those available in the literature.
Kinetic Model for pH Variation Resulted from Interaction of Aqueous Solution Contaminated with Nickel Ions and Cement Kiln Dust
Authors: Ahmed Dooraid N. , Faisal Ayad A. H. , Jassam Salim H. , Naji Laith A. , Naushad Mu.
Published: April 2020

Reaction term in the transport equation which described the migration of metal ions in the porous medium is frequently represented by conventional kinetic models such as pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, and others. Unfortunately, these models are applicable for the constant value of solution pH, and they cannot simulate the real situation in the field scale where this pH may be changed with time. Accordingly, the present study is a good attempt to derive the kinetic model that can simulate the change in the pH of the solution through solute transport. This was achieved by modifying the adsorption capacity and reaction constant to be functions in terms of solution pH by using semianalytical analysis and numerical approximation. The results proved that the kinetic model based on the numerical approximation (using exponential functions for adsorption capacity and reaction constant) symbolled as model 2 was more representative from other models applied for the description of interaction of nickel ions (with initial concentration of 400 mg/L) and cement kiln dust with sum of squared error ≤1.54913 and determination coefficient ≥0.889. Also, the developed models had high ability for recognizing between pure precipitation and pure adsorption.
Automated Classification of Atrial Fibrillation Using Artificial Neural Network for Wearable Devices
Authors: Ma Fengying , Zhang Jingyao , Liang Wei , Xue Jingyu
Published: April 2020

Atrial fibrillation (AF), as one of the most common arrhythmia diseases in clinic, is a malignant threat to human health. However, AF is difficult to monitor in real time due to its intermittent nature. Wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring equipment has flourished in the context of telemedicine due to its real-time monitoring and simple operation in recent years, providing new ideas and methods for the detection of AF. In this paper, we propose a low computational cost classification model for robust detection of AF episodes in ECG signals, using RR intervals of the ECG signals and feeding them into artificial neural network (ANN) for classification, to compensate the defect of the computational complexity in traditional wearable ECG monitoring devices. In addition, we compared our proposed classifier with other popular classifiers. The model was trained and tested on the AF Termination Challenge Database and MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database. Experimental results achieve the highest sensitivity of 99.3%, specificity of 97.4%, and accuracy of 98.3%, outperforming most of the others in the recent literature. Accordingly, we observe that ANN using RR intervals as an input feature can be a suitable candidate for automatic classification of AF.