bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive value of eosinophils and neutrophils on clinical effects of ICS in COPD
Authors: Hartjes Floor J. , Vonk Judith M. , Faiz Alen , Hiemstra Pieter S. , Lapperre Thérèse S. , Kerstjens Huib A.M. , Postma Dirkje S. , van den Berge Maarten ,   and the Groningen and Leiden Universities Corticosteroids in Obstructive Lung Disease (GLUCOLD) Study Group
Published: April 2018

Background and objective

Inflammation is present to a variable degree and composition in patients with COPD. This study investigates associations between both eosinophils and neutrophils in blood, sputum, airway wall biopsies and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and their potential use as biomarkers for clinical response to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS).

Methods

In total, 114 steroid‐naïve COPD patients of the Groningen Leiden Universities Corticosteroids in Obstructive Lung Disease (GLUCOLD) study using ICS or placebo during 30‐month follow‐up were included. Cell counts in blood, sputum, biopsies and BAL were evaluated at baseline. In addition, at baseline, 6 and 30 months, forced expiratory flow in 1 s (FEV1), residual volume/total lung capacity (hyperinflation) and Clinical COPD Questionnaire were evaluated.

Results

Cross‐sectional analyses at baseline showed that higher blood eosinophils were significantly associated with higher eosinophil counts in sputum, biopsies and BAL. However, blood neutrophils did not significantly correlate with neutrophil counts in the other compartments. Baseline eosinophils and neutrophils, in whichever compartment measured, did not predict longitudinal FEV1 changes. Higher baseline biopsy eosinophils were associated with an increase in symptoms during 6‐ and 30‐month ICS treatment. In addition, higher biopsy neutrophils were associated with a more marked reduction in hyperinflation during 6‐month ICS treatment compared with placebo.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that blood eosinophils reflect eosinophils in other compartments, in contrast to neutrophils, in ICS‐naïve COPD patients. Both baseline eosinophils and neutrophils do not predict ICS‐induced lung function changes over a period of 6–30 months. The associations of biopsy eosinophils with worsening respiratory symptoms and biopsy neutrophils with improvement in hyperinflation during ICS treatment deserve further investigation.
Perspectival Disagreement
Authors: Rast Erich H.
Published: April 2018

A phenomenon called perspectival disagreement is laid out and modelled on the basis of modifications to known consensus measures for qualitative representations of preferences and transitive values by binary relations. Cases of perspectival disagreement are of general philosophical interest, because they allow for the possibility that two or more agents judge the value positions of other agents differently even when their assessments are based on the same evidence. Various examples of perspectival disagreement are given, generalizations are discussed, and it is argued that any representation by cardinal utilities also gives rise to some form of perspectivity. Although the examples strongly suggest that this phenomenon occurs in real life, it is concluded in the end that it does not pose any fundamental threat to representations of preferences and values as binary relations. Instead, position‐sensitive measures of disagreement ought to be taken as a modelling option for cases in which the relative importance of preference changes matters to an agent.
Influence of class IV laser therapy on the outcomes of tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in dogs
Authors: Renwick S. Michelle , Renwick Alasdair I. , Brodbelt David C. , Ferguson John , Abreu Humberto
Published: April 2018

Objective

To determine the effects of low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) on clinical outcomes in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease treated with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO).

Study design

Randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial. Owners and surgeons (care providers and assessors) were masked.

Animals

Ninety‐five dogs were admitted for TPLO and assigned to 1 of 2 groups, laser group (LG; n = 51) or placebo group (PG; n = 44).

Methods

Three treatments (laser or placebo) were administered within a 4‐day perioperative period. A fourth treatment was recommended and was accepted in 28.4% of cases (LG, n = 14; PG, n = 13). Dogs in the LG group received laser at wavelengths 660 nm red (100 mW) and at 800, 905 and 970 nm infrared (maximum 15 W continuous wave, 20 W peak pulsed wave), administered simultaneously. Dogs in the PG group received placebo laser (660 nm, 4 mW). Other treatments were identical. Outcomes were measured by difference in clinical metrology instruments (Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs and adjusted Canine Orthopedic Index [COI]), osteotomy healing on a radiographic scale, time to cessation of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug administration, and wound healing by owner questionnaire.

Results

The only difference detected between groups consisted of a greater improvement in the gait section of the adjusted COI (ACOI) in the LG group (median [interquartile range; IQR] = 6 [4‐7.5]) compared with the PG group (median [IQR] = 4 [2‐6]; P < .05).

Conclusion

The laser protocol used in this study was associated with a greater improvement in ACOI gait in dogs treated with TPLO but did not improve any other clinical metrology instrument scores or bone healing.

Clinical significance

This study provides some evidence that LLLT may improve the gait of dogs recovering from a TPLO, as assessed by owners.
Estimating Beta (β) Values of Stocks in the Creation of Diversified Portfolio - A Detailed Study
Authors: Faisal Syed Mohammad , Khan Ahmad Khalid , Al Aboud Omar Abdullah
Published: April 2018

In this paper researchers investigate thorough analysis of stocks from different sectors in order to estimate beta values and thus creating optimum portfolio of estimated low β values.There are many traditional as well modern stock market theories prevalent in the system to facilitate common investors to enhance their returns from the stock market. Investors usually only focus on expected returns from their investments in the stock market and the forego various types of systematic and unsystematic risks involved in their investments in stock market that is basically risky way for investment.Therefore this paper is an attempt to inculcate some basic as well as advance knowledge to create awareness about various types of risks involved in their investments. In this paper we, researchers have considered beta to be measured of different stocks taken from various sectors in the stock market.
Applying the Strategy of Village Revitalization to Manage the Rural Hollowing in Daba Mountains Area of China
Authors: Lijuan Zhang , Guoyi Zhang
Published: April 2018

In the process of rapid urbanization and industrialization, the “hollowing out” of rural areas in China is getting hotter and hotter. And the situation is grim. The countryside in Daba Mountains Area of China has suffered serious decline. The problem of “hollowing out” has been prominent and is one of the main areas of governance. Therefore, based on the strategy of rural revitalization and based on the status quo of Daba Mountainous Rural Areas, this paper analyzes the causes of the increasing severity of rural” hollows out” and defines the logic and path of governance. Then, promoting the improvement of the hollowing out of rural areas in Daba Mountains Area of China is also the purpose of this paper.
Pre-Sabine room acoustic design guidelines based on human voice directivity
Authors: Postma Barteld N. J. , Jouan Sebastien , Katz Brian F. G.
Published: April 2018

With the work of Wallace C. Sabine on the lecture hall of the Fogg Art Museum and concert hall of Boston Symphony Hall, a foundation for the field of architectural acoustics as a science was laid between 1895 and 1900. Prior to that, architects employed various notions in acoustic design. Previous studies by the authors have reviewed 18th and 19th century design guidelines that were based on the quantification of the perception threshold between direct sound and first order reflections, with these guidelines being followed in the design of several rooms with acoustical demands. This study reviews an alternate metric guideline, based on the directivity and propagation distance of the human voice, which was utilized in several halls also during the 18th and 19th centuries. The related acoustic experiments tested how far sound was perceivable towards the front, sides, and rear of a speaking person. These ratios were used in the acoustical design of at least five lecture halls, four theater halls, one opera hall, and one concert hall, constructed in Germany, England, and the USA. These historic designs, and comparisons to modern measures and guidelines, are reviewed.
Searching for a Stone Age Odysseus
Authors: Lawler Andrew
Published: April 2018

Modern humans and even Neandertals may have plied the Mediterranean long ago.
Robotic weather balloon launchers spread in Alaska
Authors: Rosen Julia
Published: April 2018

U.S. weather service union fears that automation threatens jobs and sacrifices forecasters' local knowledge.
Africa cultivates innovation to boost global reach
Authors: Hoy Anne Q.
Published: April 2018

The Next Einstein Forum's Global Gathering 2018 explores opportunities, identifies challenges
NUFIP1 is a ribosome receptor for starvation-induced ribophagy
Authors: Wyant Gregory A. , Abu-Remaileh Monther , Frenkel Evgeni M. , Laqtom Nouf N. , Dharamdasani Vimisha , Lewis Caroline A. , Chan Sze Ham , Heinze Ivonne , Ori Alessandro , Sabatini David M.
Published: April 2018

A selective autophagy receptor identified

Autophagosomes engulf and degrade cellular components in lysosomes. Degradation of ribosomes is called ribophagy and is an important source of nutrients. Using a recently reported method to isolate lysosomes, Wyant
et al.
profiled the dynamics of the lysosomal proteome under different nutrient conditions (see the Perspective by Nofal and Rabinowitz). The protein NUFIP1 is an autophagy receptor for ribosomes during starvation-induced ribophagy. NUFIP1 shuttles out of the nucleus and targets its ribosome cargo directly by binding to an autophagosome protein. Loss of NUFIP1 means failure to provide sufficient nucleotides during starvation and, therefore, loss of cells under low nutrient conditions.

Science
, this issue p.
751
; see also p.
710
Incentivizing responsible antibiotic use
Superbugs: An Arms Race Against Bacteria
William Hall, Anthony McDonnell, and Jim O'Neill
Harvard University Press, 2018. 246 pp.
Authors: Laxminarayan Ramanan
Published: April 2018

In the fight against antimicrobial resistance, confronting economic challenges is key
Regenerating tissues
Authors: Tanaka Elly M.
Published: April 2018

Studies of regeneration inform us about how to position organs
Plastics recycling with a difference
Authors: Sardon Haritz , Dove Andrew P.
Published: April 2018

A novel plastic with useful properties can easily be recycled again and again
Assessing whether the 2017
M
w
5.4 Pohang earthquake in South Korea was an induced event
Authors: Kim Kwang-Hee , Ree Jin-Han , Kim YoungHee , Kim Sungshil , Kang Su Young , Seo Wooseok
Published: April 2018

Triggering quakes in a geothermal space

Enhanced geothermal systems (EGSs) provide a potentially clean and abundant energy source. However, two magnitude-5 earthquakes recently occurred in South Korea during EGS site development. Grigoli
et al.
and Kim
et al.
present seismic and geophysical evidence that may implicate the second of these earthquakes, which occurred in Pohang, as an induced event. The combination of data from a local seismometer network, well logs, satellite observations, teleseismic waveform analysis, and stress modeling leads to the assessment that the earthquake was probably or almost certainly anthropogenically induced. The possibility remains that the earthquake occurred coincidentally at the EGS site location, but the aftershock distribution and other lines of evidence are concerning for future development of this geothermal resource.

Science
, this issue p.
1003
, p.
1007
Günter Blobel (1936–2018)
Authors: Walter Peter , Anderson David
Published: April 2018

Passionate cell biologist and inspirational mentor
The Artemisinin Derivative Artemisone Is a Potent Inhibitor of Human Cytomegalovirus Replication
Authors: Oiknine-Djian E. , Weisblum Y. , Panet A. , Wong H. N. , Haynes R. K. , Wolf D. G.
Published: April 2018

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a major cause of disease in immunocompromised individuals and the most common cause of congenital infection and neurosensorial disease. The expanding target populations for HCMV antiviral treatment along with the limitations of the currently available HCMV DNA polymerase inhibitors underscore the need for new antiviral agents with alternative modes of action. The antimalarial artemisinin derivative artesunate was shown to inhibit HCMV
in vitro
yet has demonstrated limited antiviral efficacy
in vivo
, prompting our search for more potent anti-HCMV artemisinin derivatives. Here we show that the innovative artemisinin derivative artemisone, which has been screened for its activity against malaria parasites in human clinical studies, is a potent and noncytotoxic inhibitor of HCMV. Artemisone exhibited an antiviral efficacy comparable to that of ganciclovir (50% effective concentration, 1.20 ± 0.46 μM) in human foreskin fibroblasts, with enhanced relative potency in lung fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Significantly, the antiviral efficacy of artemisone was consistently ≥10-fold superior to that of artesunate in all cells. Artemisone effectively inhibited both laboratory-adapted and low-passage-number clinical strains, as well as drug-resistant HCMV strains. By using quantitative viral kinetics and gene expression studies, we show that artemisone is a reversible inhibitor targeting an earlier phase of the viral replication cycle than ganciclovir. Importantly, artemisone most effectively inhibited HCMV infection
ex vivo
in a clinically relevant multicellular model of integral human placental tissues maintained in organ culture. Our promising findings encourage preclinical and clinical studies of artemisone as a new inhibitor against HCMV.
Autoregulation of SafA Assembly through Recruitment of a Protein Cross-Linking Enzyme
Authors: Fernandes Catarina G. , Moran Charles P. , Henriques Adriano O.
Published: April 2018

The coat of
Bacillus subtilis
spores is a multiprotein protective structure that also arbitrates many of the environmental interactions of the spore. The coat assembles around the cortex peptidoglycan layer and is differentiated into an inner and an outer layer and a crust. SafA governs assembly of the inner coat, whereas CotE drives outer coat assembly. SafA localizes to the cortex-coat interface. Both SafA and its short form C30 are substrates for Tgl, a coat-associated transglutaminase that cross-links proteins through ε-(γ-glutamyl)lysyl isopeptide bonds. We show that SafA and C30 are distributed between the coat and cortex layers. The deletion of
tgl
increases the extractability of SafA, mainly from the cortex. Tgl itself is mostly located in the inner coat and cortex. The localization of Tgl-cyan fluorescent protein (Tgl-CFP) is strongly, but not exclusively, dependent on
safA
. However, the association of Tgl with the cortex requires
safA
. Together, our results suggest an assembly pathway in which Tgl is first recruited to the forming spore in a manner that is only partially dependent on SafA and then is drafted to the cortex by SafA. Tgl, in turn, promotes the conversion of coat- and cortex-associated SafA into forms that resist extraction, possibly by catalyzing the cross-linking of SafA to other coat proteins, to the cortex, and/or to cortex-associated proteins. Therefore, the final assembly state of SafA relies on an autoregulatory pathway that requires the subcellular localization of a protein cross-linking enzyme. Tgl most likely exerts a “spotwelding” activity, cross-linking preformed complexes in the cortex and inner coat layers of spores.

IMPORTANCE
In this work, we show how two proteins work together to determine their subcellular location within the coat of bacterial endospores.
Bacillus subtilis
endospores are surrounded by a multilayer protein coat composed of over 80 proteins, which surrounds an underlying peptidoglycan layer (the spore cortex) protecting it from lytic enzymes. How specific coat proteins are targeted to specific layers of the coat is not well understood. We found that the protein SafA recruits a protein-cross-linking enzyme (a transglutaminase) to the cortex and inner layers of the coat, where both are cemented, by cross-linking, into macromolecular complexes.
Global prevalence of visual impairment associated with myopic macular degeneration and temporal trends from 2000 through 2050: systematic review, meta-analysis and modelling
Authors: Fricke Timothy R , Jong Monica , Naidoo Kovin S , Sankaridurg Padmaja , Naduvilath Thomas J , Ho Suit May , Wong Tien Yin , Resnikoff Serge
Published: April 2018

Purpose

We used systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and assimilate evidence quantifying blindness and visual impairment (VI) associated with myopic macular degeneration (MMD), then derived models to predict global patterns. The models were used to estimate the global prevalence of blindness and VI associated with MMD from 2000 to 2050.

Methods

The systematic review identified 17 papers with prevalence data for MMD VI fitting our inclusion criteria. Data from six papers with age-specific data were scaled to relative age-dependent risk and meta-analysed at VI and blindness levels. We analysed variance in all MMD VI and blindness data as a proportion of high myopia against variables from the place and year of data collection, with a model based on health expenditure providing the best correlation. We used this model to estimate the prevalence and number of people with MMD VI in each country in each decade.

Results

We included data from 17 studies comprising 137 514 participants. We estimated 10.0 million people had VI from MMD in 2015 (prevalence 0.13%, 95% CI 5.5 to 23.7 million, 0.07% to 0.34%), 3.3 million of whom were blind (0.04%, 1.8 to 7.8 million, 0.03% to 0.10%). We estimate that by 2050, without changing current interventions, VI from MMD will grow to 55.7 million people (0.57%, 29.0 to 119.7 million, 0.33% to 1.11%), 18.5 million of whom will be blind (0.19%, 9.6 to 39.7 million, 0.11% to 0.37%).

Conclusion

The burden of MMD blindness and VI will rise significantly without efforts to reduce the development and progression of myopia and improve the management of MMD.
N. C. Craig Sharp
Authors: Jarrett Oswald , Murray Max , Boyd Jack , Wright Norman
Published: April 2018

A vet whose journey took him from veterinary physiology, through pathology to sports science, a field in which he was world‐renowned.
Magnetic field effects on a nonlinear radioactive rate-type fluid impinging obliquely over a heated stretched plate
Authors: Mehmood R. , Rana S.
Published: April 2018

Magnetic fluids with complex rheology are evident in several industrial and manufacturing processes. This study frames applied magnetic field effects on a radioactive rate-type fluid impinging obliquely over a stretched plate. The Oldroyd-B non-Newtonian model is employed, which allows relaxation and retardation effects to be included. The physical framework of the problem under consideration is attained by means of eminent Navier–Stokes theory. The governing physical problem is attained by means of scaling group of transformations, which is then solved numerically. Influence of relatable parameters on normal and tangential velocity and temperature is portrayed. The results revealed that flow and thermal characteristics are significantly affected by sundry parameters. The physical quantity of engineering interest, best known as heat transfer rate, is investigated numerically. It has been observed that thickness of momentum boundary layer decreases with Deborah number K1 and magnetic field parameter M while it enhances with Deborah number K2. Moreover boundary layer thickness related to thermal effects rises due to Deborah number K1 and magnetic field parameter M. The accuracy of the present study is authenticated through excellent agreement with previous literature as a special case.
Experimental investigation of flow-induced vibration in the control rod guide cylinder of pressurized-water reactor
Authors: Lu Dao-Gang , Zhang Hui-Min , Wang Yuan-Peng
Published: April 2018

An experiment was conducted to investigate flow-induced vibration (FIV) in the control rods of a pressurized-water reactor (PWR). Control rods and a guide cylinder (full scale compared with the real structure) were installed on an FIV experiment platform, with which flow distributions were simulated according to actual situations. The vibration displacements of the control rods were observed in different flow rate ranges of transverse and vertical flows. Several FIV characteristics of the control rods under different transverse and vertical flows were determined by analyzing the experimental results. A formula was also proposed to predict vibration.
Structural, morphological and magnetic properties of divalent copper-substituted Co–Zn Nanoferrites
Authors: Vara Prasad B. B. V. S. , Ramesh K. V. , Srinivas Adiraj
Published: April 2018

Nanocrystalline Co[Formula: see text]Zn[Formula: see text]Cu[Formula: see text]Fe2O4 spinel ferrites were prepared by autocombustion method with citric acid as fuel. Paramagnetic divalent copper ions substituted in place of ferromagnetic cobalt ions resulted in the modifications of structural and magnetic properties of the system. All samples were characterized with X-ray diffraction technique for structure determination. Crystallite sizes were calculated using Williamson–Hall plot and size–strain plots. Cation distribution and all other structural parameters were presented. Transmission electron microscopy measurements were done for x = 0 and x = 0.15 and they showed well-developed spherical particles with average sizes of 35 nm and 48 nm. Morphological studies were performed and grain growth was observed to be increased with copper concentration. EDAX measurements revealed the stoichiometric proportions of the samples as per the chemical composition. Mid-IR spectroscopy was used to characterize the spinel phase and displayed two characteristic absorption bands in all samples with a slight shift. M–H loops were recorded using vibrating sample magnetometer at room-temperature and highest saturation magnetization was observed to be 50.2 emu/g for the base (x = 0) sample. Magnetocrystalline anisotropy was discussed with the help of magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant K1.
Optimization of Conflicting Tram Signal Priority Requests Based on Spatiotemporal Interlocking Logic Using Microscopic Simulation
Authors: Ou Dongxiu , Yan Huang , Li Hongming , Li Wei
Published: April 2018

This paper proposes a method to optimize the conflicting tram signal priority requests at a multi-lines (M-lines) interchange intersection. The method is formulated on the basis of the spatiotemporal logic of complex switch area operations and the characteristics of multiple conflicting tram priority requests. Our study first depicts the interlocking logic of tram system operation according to the phases design and the spatial rules. Furthermore, it classifies the tram priority requests by the intersection entrances, priority phases and tram routes. Finally, it optimizes the serving sequences under the conditions of tram travel delay and switch operation delay. A microscopic traffic simulator, VISSIM, was used to simulate tram system and collect vehicle data. An external application program interface, VISSIM's COM-interface, was used to implement the proposed optimization method. The results show that the proposed method significantly outperforms the no-priority and the conventional first-come-first-served (FCFS) policy in terms of reducing tram delays. More specifically, the average tram delay is reduced by more than 26.6% over the no-priority policy and 13.0% on the FCFS policy in the initial operation. In addition, we find that the average delay which is caused by the switch operation delay increases with the tramline frequency. But the benefits of the proposed method are greater than those of the no-priority strategies.
A NEW NONLINEAR BIVARIATE FRACTAL INTERPOLATION FUNCTION
Authors: RI SONG-IL
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we present a new nonlinear bivariate fractal interpolation function (FIF) by using the Matkowski’s fixed point theorem and the Rakotch contraction. In particular, we give a new nonlinear fractal interpolation surface (FIS) on a rectangular grid. Our technique is different from the methods presented in the literature.
Inference of gene networks from gene expression time series using recurrent neural networks and sparse MAP estimation
Authors: Chen Chi-Kan
Published: April 2018

Background:

The inference of genetic regulatory networks (GRNs) provides insight into the cellular responses to signals. A class of recurrent neural networks (RNNs) capturing the dynamics of GRN has been used as a basis for inferring small-scale GRNs from gene expression time series. The Bayesian framework facilitates incorporating the hypothesis of GRN into the model estimation to improve the accuracy of GRN inference.

Results:

We present new methods for inferring small-scale GRNs based on RNNs. The weights of wires of RNN represent the strengths of gene-to-gene regulatory interactions. We use a class of automatic relevance determination (ARD) priors to enforce the sparsity in the maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimates of wire weights of RNN. A particle swarm optimization (PSO) is integrated as an optimization engine into the MAP estimation process. Likely networks of genes generated based on estimated wire weights are combined using the majority rule to determine a final estimated GRN. As an alternative, a class of [Formula: see text]-norm ([Formula: see text]) priors is used for attaining the sparse MAP estimates of wire weights of RNN. We also infer the GRN using the maximum likelihood (ML) estimates of wire weights of RNN. The RNN-based GRN inference algorithms, ARD-RNN, [Formula: see text]-RNN, and ML-RNN are tested on simulated and experimental E. coli and yeast time series containing 6–11 genes and 7–19 data points. Published GRN inference algorithms based on regressions and mutual information networks are performed on the benchmark datasets to compare performances.

Conclusion:

ARD and [Formula: see text]-norm priors are used for the estimation of wire weights of RNN. Results of GRN inference experiments show that ARD-RNN, [Formula: see text]-RNN have similar best accuracies on the simulated time series. The ARD-RNN is more accurate than [Formula: see text]-RNN, ML-RNN, and mostly more accurate than the reference algorithms on the experimental time series. The effectiveness of ARD-RNN for inferring small-scale GRNs using gene expression time series of limited length is empirically verified.
A Deterministic Sensor Deployment Method for Target Coverage
Authors: Jiang Ye , Xiao Shuyan , Liu Jian , Chen Bo , Zhang Bangbang , Zhao Hongzhi , Jiang Zhaoneng
Published: April 2018

In order to monitor the gas leakage, the gas sensors are deployed conventionally in chemical industry park, with little considerations given to the gas characteristics and weather conditions, which give rise to the problems of coverage hole and coverage repetition. To solve the problems, this paper proposes a deterministic sensor deployment method with the gas diffusion models which takes into account wind speed and direction and then studies the influence of wind speed and direction on the monitoring error of gas sensors. Then, we research the deterministic deployment method of gas sensors in condition of the main wind speed and direction somewhere. Firstly, we use the CFD theory to simulate the gas diffusion situation so as to obtain the concentration value of the relevant points. Secondly, we put forward a new optimization criterion, namely, the more alarm concentration points covered by gas sensors, the coverage performance is better, and the deployment method is better. Accordingly, a new objection function is built. Thirdly, we obtain the weight values of the function using entropy estimation method. Finally, we deploy the gas sensors determinately using particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The simulation results show that the proposed method can improve the monitoring efficiency and the coverage performance of gas sensor network.
Characterization of Site-Specific Phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 in Retinal Cells in Response to High Glucose and Cytokine Polarization
Authors: Shi Haoshen , Berger Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2018

Background. Inflammation is an important contributor to the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). NF-κB is a master transcriptional regulator for numerous inflammatory genes. Although NF-κB is comprised of multiple subunits, p65 has received the most attention. However, the p65 subunit can be phosphorylated at numerous sites, for which the effects of DR-related conditions are not well characterized. Since dysregulation of NF-κB has been linked to chronic inflammation, the current study examines site-specific p65 phosphorylation in retinal cells exposed to high glucose and investigates the effects of cytokine polarization.Methods. Phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 sites was examined in human primary retinal endothelial cells (HREC) and MIO-M1 Müller cells after exposure to high glucose (HG) and pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines. Related downstream gene activation was selectively measured by real-time RT-PCR, ELISA, and/or Western blot.Results. HG exposure resulted in differential phosphorylation of p65 subunit sites between HREC and Müller cells. Proinflammatory cytokines further increased phosphorylation of these sites and additional sites that were not altered in HG. In contrast, IL-4 exhibited a suppressive effect on the phosphorylation of p65 sites in both cell types and promoted IκBαexpression. Downstream inflammatory mediators were increased in response to proinflammatory cytokine treatment versus HG exposure. IL-4 inhibited proinflammatory cytokines, while IL-10 was enhanced despite HG exposure.Conclusion. The current study is the first to characterize HG-induced NF-κB p65 phosphorylation after cytokine polarization. By understanding NF-κB phosphorylation and cytokine influence during hyperglycemic conditions, intervention points can be identified for early-stage treatment of DR.
Effects of Anti-TNFαTreatment on Mucosal Expression of IL-17A, IL-21, and IL-22 and Cytokine-Producing T Cell Subsets in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Dige Anders , Magnusson Maria K. , Uhrenholt Claus , Rasmussen Tue Kruse , Kragstrup Tue , Öhman Lena , Dahlerup Jens , Agnholt Jørgen
Published: April 2018

T helper 17 (Th17) cells produce interleukin (IL) 17-A. In addition, Th17 cells produce IL-21 and IL-22. Th17 cells have a disease-promoting role in Crohn’s disease (CD). We investigated the effects of anti-TNFαtreatment on mucosal gene expression (qPCR) of IL-17A, IL-21, and IL-22 as well as on the frequency of lamina propria (LP) T cell subsets producing these cytokines (flow cytometry) in 12 active CD patients before and after 4 weeks of anti-TNFαtreatment with adalimumab. At baseline, in inflamed mucosa we found increased gene expression of IL-17A and IL-22 but not IL-21 when compared to noninflamed mucosa. There were increased frequencies of IL-21-producing LP T cells but no differences in the frequencies of IL-17A- or IL-22-producing LP T cells when comparing inflamed versus noninflamed mucosa at baseline. There were no changes in the mucosal gene expression of IL-17A, IL-21, and IL-22 or the frequencies of IL-17A-, IL-21- and IL-22-producing LP T cell subsets between baseline and following 4 weeks of adalimumab initiation. Our results do not support the hypothesis that anti-TNFαtreatment has an early effect on the mucosal levels of IL-17A, IL-21, and IL-22 or LP T cell production of these cytokines in CD.
Multipopulation Management in Evolutionary Algorithms and Application to Complex Warehouse Scheduling Problems
Authors: Yu Yadong , Ma Haiping , Yu Mei , Ye Sengang , Chen Xiaolei
Published: April 2018

Multipopulation is an effective optimization strategy which is often used in evolutionary algorithms (EAs) to improve optimization performance. However, it is of remarkable difficulty to determine the number of subpopulations during the evolution process for a given problem, which may significantly affect optimization ability of EAs. This paper proposes a simple multipopulation management strategy to dynamically adjust the subpopulation number in different evolution phases throughout the evolution. The proposed method makes use of individual distances in the same subpopulation as well as the population distances between multiple subpopulations to determine the subpopulation number, which is substantial in maintaining population diversity and enhancing the exploration ability. Furthermore, the proposed multipopulation management strategy is embedded into popular EAs to solve real‐world complex automated warehouse scheduling problems. Experimental results show that the proposed multipopulation EAs can easily be implemented and outperform other regular single‐population algorithms to a large extent.
Irreversible Electroporation in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer: How Important Is the New Weapon?
Authors: Tian Guo , Liu Xueping , Zhao Qiyu , Xu Danxia , Jiang Tian’an
Published: April 2018

Background. Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a deadly disease with poor prognosis in the general population. We aimed to quantitate overall survival of patients with PC after irreversible electroporation (IRE) and the incidence of relevant complications. Methods. We performed a literature search via five electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases) up to August 2017. The primary outcomes were overall survival and prognosis. Secondary outcomes included the response of post-IRE complications. Fixed-effects or random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to pool these data. Results. A total of 15 eligible articles involving 535 patients were included. The primary outcomes showed that the pooled prevalence estimates of overall survival were 94.1% (95% CI: 90.7–97.5), 80.9% (95% CI: 72.5–89.4), 54.5% (95% CI: 38.3–70.6), and 33.8% (95% CI: 14.2–53.5) at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months, and the pooled prevalence data of complete response (CR) at 2 months, partial response (PR) at 3 months, and progression at 3 months were 12.5% (95% CI: 2.9–22.2), 48.5% (95% CI: 39.4–57.6), and 19.7% (95% CI: 7.3–32.2), respectively. The secondary outcomes showed that the pooled prevalence values of post-IRE complications were abscess 6.6% (95% CI: 0.2–13), fistula 10.6% (95% CI: 2.5–18.7), pain 33.5% (95% CI: 14.5–52.5), infection 16.1% (95% CI: 3.9–28.4), thrombosis 4.9% (95% CI: 1.2–8.5), pancreatitis 7.2% (95% CI: 3.1–11.2), bleeding 4.2% (95% CI: −0.5–8.9), cholangitis 4.2% (95% CI: −0.5–8.9), nausea 9.6% (95% CI: 4.4–14.8), biliary obstruction 13.8% (95% CI: 4.2–23.3), chest tightness 7.6% (95% CI: 0.5–14.6), and hypoglycemia 5.9% (95% CI: −0.4–12.2). Conclusions. This meta-analysis indicated a clear survival benefit for PC patients who received irreversible electroporation therapy, although future safety and effectivity monitoring from more large-scale studies will be needed.
Design of a Bidirectional Antenna inside a Vehicle and Measurement of Power Link for Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication at 5.8 GHz
Authors: Oh Soon-Soo , Kim Dong-Woo , Na Se-Woong , Kim Jin-Dae , Park Wook-Ki
Published: April 2018

Communication between moving vehicles is very important for safety. In this paper, a bidirectional antenna that can be installed inside a vehicle is proposed and tested in a real vehicular environment at 5.8 GHz. The forward link and backward link seated by two persons and three persons were compared in terms of received RF power and the peak-to-average power ratio (PAR). It was found that, even with three persons, the power link fulfilled the communication requirements using the proposed antenna.
Revealing Synergistic Mechanism of Multiple Components in Gandi Capsule for Diabetic Nephropathy Therapeutics by Network Pharmacology
Authors: Zhang Jian , Zhang Qiqiang , Chen Xiaofei , Liu Yan , Xue Jiyang , Dahan Arik , Zhang Hai , Chai Yifeng
Published: April 2018

Gandi capsule, a traditional Chinese herbal medicinal formulation that consists of eight herbs, is used as a clinical therapy for diabetic nephropathy. To clarify the potential synergistic mechanism, this study adopted a network pharmacology strategy to screen the action targets that corresponded to the active components in the Gandi capsule. We first constructed a compound database of 315 components in the Gandi capsule and a target database of diabetic nephropathy, which included 155 target proteins. Six representative compounds were selected to dock with 99 proteins found in the UniProtKB database with their PDB code, and interaction networks between the active ingredients of the Gandi capsule and their targets were mapped out. Results revealed 47 proteins with a high affinity with at least one compound molecule in the Gandi capsule. The main action pathways closely related to the development of diabetic nephropathy were the TGF‐β1, AMPK, insulin, TNF‐α, and lipid metabolism pathways as per network pharmacology analysis. In the interaction network, ACC1, SOD2, COX2, PKC‐B, IR, and ROCK1 proteins had the most frequent interactions with the six compounds. We performed visual molecular docking in silico and experimentally confirmed competitive component‐protein binding by SPR and an enzyme activity test, which highlighted the relationships of wogonin to COX2 and SOD2, astragaloside IV to ACC1, and morroniside to ACC1. We concluded that the potential synergistic mechanism of the Gandi capsule resulted from high affinities with multiple proteins and intervention in multiple pathways in combination therapy of diabetic nephropathy.
A Case of Pyoderma Gangrenosum Misdiagnosed as Necrotizing Infection: A Potential Diagnostic Catastrophe
Authors: Saffie Medina G. , Shroff Anjali
Published: April 2018

In this article, we present a case of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG), misdiagnosed initially as a necrotizing infection that significantly worsened due to repeated surgical debridement and aggressive wound care therapy, almost resulting in limb amputation despite antibiotic therapy. The PG lesions improved after pancytopenia were further investigated, and the diagnosis and treatment of an underlying hematologic malignancy was initiated. The diagnosis and management of PG is challenging given the paucity of robust clinical evidence, lack of standard diagnostic criteria, and absence of clinical practice guidelines. It is imperative that clinicians recognize PG as a clinical diagnosis that must be considered in any patient with enlarging, sterile, necrotic lesions that are unresponsive to prolonged and appropriate antibiotics. Early recognition can prevent devastating sequelae such as deep tissue and bone infections associated with a chronic open wound, severe cosmetic morbidity, and potential limb amputation.
Predictive Value of Adiposity Level, Metabolic Syndrome, and Insulin Resistance for the Risk of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Diagnosis in Obese Children
Authors: Prokopowicz Zofia , Malecka-Tendera Ewa , Matusik Pawel
Published: April 2018

Background. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in obese children. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for curing or slowing down the disease progression. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of NAFLD in this population and to identify anthropometrical and metabolic risk factors for NAFLD prediction and its development. Material and Methods. The study included 108 obese children. Anthropometric measurements, NAFLD diagnosis (based on ALT level and/or liver ultrasound), and metabolic syndrome (MS) components were assessed in all patients. Patients were divided into groups with and without NAFLD. Results. NAFLD was diagnosed in 49 (45%) patients with similar prevalence in boys (27; 55.10%) and girls [22 (44.9%), p=0.089]. NAFLD patients had significantly greater waist circumference, WHR, and WHtR and significantly higher total cholesterol, triglyceride, and fasting insulin concentrations as well as higher glucose and insulin concentrations in 120 minutes of OGTT and higher HOMA-IR levels compared to group of patients without NAFLD. In NAFLD patients, MS was significantly more likely to be diagnosed than in group without NAFLD (40.82% versus 22.81%,  p=0.04), but among the MS components only hypertriglyceridemia was significantly more frequently diagnosed in the group with NAFLD (p=0.002). Among analysed parameters the best independent risk factor for NAFLD was fasting insulin concentration with the cut-off point = 18,9 uIU/ml (AUC = 0.829). Conclusions. NAFLD is a very common disease in obese children. NAFLD predictive risk factors include increased waist circumference, elevated WHR and WHtR, and elevated total cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting insulin as well as elevated glucose and insulin concentration in the OGTT and HOMA-IR index. NAFLD increases the risk of potential cardiovascular complications expressed by diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. The best independent predictive risk factor for diagnosing NAFLD in obese children is fasting insulin > 18.9 uIU/ml.
Design of a Compact UWB MIMO Antenna without Decoupling Structure
Authors: Wu Yanjie , Ding Kang , Zhang Bing , Li Jianfeng , Wu Duolong , Wang Kun
Published: April 2018

A compact high isolation ultrawideband (UWB) multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna is designed. The proposed MIMO antenna consists of a rectangular monopole antenna and a slot antenna fed by two microstrip lines, respectively. To improve the impedance matching, a circular coupling structure is designed to feed the tapered slot antenna. The parasitic resonance introduced by the ground stub helps to extend the impedance bandwidth of monopole antenna at the upper UWB band. Commonly used complex decoupling or coupling structures are eliminated that endow the proposed antenna minimized foot print, which is preferred in mobile handset. Although without decoupling structure, high isolation is obtained between two antenna elements. Simulation and measurement verify the antenna’s desirable performance, showing a broad impedance bandwidth of 3.1–10.6 GHz with |S11| < −10 dB and |S21| < −20 dB over 3.4–10.6 GHz, and |S21| < −18 dB from 3.1–3.4 GHz.
Response Predictors to Calcineurin Inhibitors in Patients with Primary Membranous Nephropathy
Authors: Yu Xiaofang , Cai Jieru , Jiao Xiaoyan , Zhang Shu , Liu Hong , Ding Xiaoqiang
Published: April 2018

Background: Currently, there is an urgent need to find ways of identifying primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) patients who are likely to benefit from calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) or who are resistant to them. In this study, we employed nano-HPLC-MS/MS analysis to identify serum biomarkers that predict the clinical response to CNI therapy in PMN patients. Methods: The endpoint was complete remission (CR) after CNI treatment. PMN patients were grouped into no-remission (NR) or CR groups to screen predictive candidates using the nano-HPLC-MS/MS analysis. Results: Compared with NR patients, 3 upregulated proteins and 5 downregulated proteins were found to present a twofold change in CR patients’ serum. Serum amyloid A1 protein (SAA1) was further validated by ELISA; it was decreased in patients in the NR group compared with patients in the CR group, but SAA1 in patients in these groups was lower than in healthy controls and minimal change disease patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of SAA1 was used to distinguish PMN NR patients from those in remission and was 0.901, with a sensitivity of 78.3% and specificity of 86.8%, similar to that of the phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibody. Combining SAA1 with the PLA2R antibody, the area under the ROC curve was 0.956, which was higher than that of SAA1 or the PLA2R antibody alone. Conclusions: Serum SAA1 may be a candidate PMN biomarker that can be used to discriminate CNI NR cases from remission patients. The combination of SAA1 and the PLA2R antibody increases the accuracy of diagnosis.
A Survey: Space Vector PWM (SVPWM) in 3φ Voltage Source Inverter (VSI)
Authors: Vashishtha Shalini , Rekha K.R.
Published: April 2018

Since last decades, the pulse width modulation (PWM) techniques have been an intensive research subject. Also, different kinds of methodologies have been presented on inverter switching losses, inverter output current/ voltage total harmonic distortion (THD), inverter maximum output of DC bus voltage. The Sinusoidal PWM is generally used to control the inverter output voltage and it helps to maintains drive performance. The recent years have seen digital modulation mechanisms based on theory of space vector i.e. Space vector PWM (SVPWM). The SVPWM mechanism offers the enhanced amplitude modulation indexes (MI) than sinusoidal PWM along with the reduction in the harmonics of inverter output voltage and reduced communication losses. Currently, the digital control mechanisms have got more attention than the analog counterparts, as the performance and reliability of microprocessors has increased. Most of the SVPWM mechanisms are performed by using the analog or digital circuits like microcontrollers and DSPs. From the recent study, analysis gives that use of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) can offer more efficient and faster solutions. This paper discusses the numerous existing research aspects of FPGA realization for voltage source inverter (VSI) along with the future line of research.
Development of Virtual Resistance Meters using LabVIEW
Authors: Lata Suman , Verma H. K. , Kumari Puja
Published: April 2018

This paper presents the development of three virtual resistance meters using LabVIEW. The unknown resistance is measured in terms of a known resistance of high accuracy by employing (a) a real dc voltage source, (b) a real dc current source, and (c) a virtual dc voltage source. In each case, ratio of two voltage signals is acquired by a single-ADC based multichannel data acquisition card. Therefore error of the ADC gets cancelled, when ratio of two voltages is used in the final calculation of the value of unknown resistance. The first two VRMs use a real excitation source and are thus semi-virtual instruments, whereas the third one is fully-virtual as the excitation source is also implemented in the LabVIEW software along with DAC section of the data acquisition card. The three virtual resistance meters have been successfully implemented. The principle of ratio-metric measurement used makes the accuracy (uncertainty) of final measurement free from the uncertainties of the ADC, the DAC and the excitation source. Standard deviations of the readings taken with the three VRMs have been evaluated and compared. It is concluded that the fully-virtual instrument has the lowest and excellent value of standard deviation.