bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compliance with point-of-sale tobacco control policies and student tobacco use in Mumbai, India
Authors: Mistry Ritesh , Pednekar Mangesh S , McCarthy William J , Resnicow Ken , Pimple Sharmila A , Hsieh Hsing-Fang , Mishra Gauravi A , Gupta Prakash C
Published: May 2018

Background

We measured how student tobacco use and psychological risk factors (intention to use and perceived ease of access to tobacco products) were associated with tobacco vendor compliance with India’s Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act provisions regulating the point-of-sale (POS) environment.

Methods

We conducted a population-based cross-sectional survey of high school students (n=1373) and tobacco vendors (n=436) in school-adjacent communities (n=26) in Mumbai, India. We used in-class self-administered questionnaires of high school students, face-to-face interviews with tobacco vendors and compliance checks of tobacco POS environments. Logistic regression models with adjustments for clustering were used to measure associations between student tobacco use, psychological risk factors and tobacco POS compliance.

Results

Compliance with POS laws was low overall and was associated with lower risk of student current tobacco use (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.91) and current smokeless tobacco use (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.77), when controlling for student-level and community-level tobacco use risk factors. Compliance was not associated with student intention to use tobacco (OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.21 to 1.18) and perceived ease of access to tobacco (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.53 to 1.00).

Conclusions

Improving vendor compliance with tobacco POS laws may reduce student tobacco use. Future studies should test strategies to improve compliance with tobacco POS laws, particularly in low-income and middle-income country settings like urban India.
Strong field QED in lepton colliders and electron/laser interactions
Authors: Hartin Anthony
Published: May 2018

The studies of strong field particle physics processes in electron/laser interactions and lepton collider interaction points (IPs) are reviewed. These processes are defined by the high intensity of the electromagnetic fields involved and the need to take them into account as fully as possible. Thus, the main theoretical framework considered is the Furry interaction picture within intense field quantum field theory. In this framework, the influence of a background electromagnetic field in the Lagrangian is calculated nonperturbatively, involving exact solutions for quantized charged particles in the background field. These “dressed” particles go on to interact perturbatively with other particles, enabling the background field to play both macroscopic and microscopic roles. Macroscopically, the background field starts to polarize the vacuum, in effect rendering it a dispersive medium. Particles encountering this dispersive vacuum obtain a lifetime, either radiating or decaying into pair particles at a rate dependent on the intensity of the background field. In fact, the intensity of the background field enters into the coupling constant of the strong field quantum electrodynamic Lagrangian, influencing all particle processes. A number of new phenomena occur. Particles gain an intensity-dependent rest mass shift that accounts for their presence in the dispersive vacuum. Multi-photon events involving more than one external field photon occur at each vertex. Higher order processes which exchange a virtual strong field particle resonate via the lifetimes of the unstable strong field states. Two main arenas of strong field physics are reviewed; those occurring in relativistic electron interactions with intense laser beams, and those occurring in the beam–beam physics at the interaction point of colliders. This review outlines the theory, describes its significant novel phenomenology and details the experimental schema required to detect strong field effects and the simulation programs required to model them.
Numerical analysis of the air chemical non-equilibrium effect in combustion for a semi-sphere with opposing jet
Authors: Zhao Fa-Ming , Wang Jiang-Feng , Li Long-Fei
Published: May 2018

The air chemical non-equilibrium effect (ACNEE) on hydrogen-air combustion flow fields at Mach number of 10 is numerically analyzed for a semi-sphere with a sonic opposing-hydrogen jet. The 2D axisymmetric multi-components N-S equations are solved by using the central scheme with artificial dissipation and the S-A turbulence model. Numerical results show that as compared to the result without ACNEE, the ACNEE has little influence on the structure of flow field, but has a considerable impact on fluid characteristics which reduces the maximum value of mass fraction of water in the flow field and increases the maximum value of mass fraction of water on solid surface, as well as the maximum surface temperature.
A Review of Uncertainty Handling Techniques in Smart Grid
Authors: Verma Pranjal Pragya , Srinivasan Dipti , Swarup K. S. , Mehta Rahul
Published: May 2018

This paper is a review of uncertainty modeling techniques used in smart grid studies. The literature dealing with uncertainty from various sources in smart grid is analyzed and presented. In a modern power grid, the risk may arise due to different reasons; in-termittent renewable energy sources, uncertain consumer reactions on demand response, driving patterns of electric vehicles, etc. The paper has two objectives. First is to bring out the trends in uncertainty handling techniques used in electrical power system problems, and second to introduce the scope of new risk processing techniques with the perspective of recent smart grid issues.
EFFECT OF Cr3C2 ADDITION ON THE MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF LASER CLADDING NiCrBSi COATINGS
Authors: PING XUELONG , SUN SHUTING , WANG FENG , FU HANGUANG , LIN JIAN , LIN YINGHUA , LEI YONGPING
Published: May 2018

In this paper, the enhancement of NiCrBSi coatings by adding Cr3C2 were investigated. The NiCrBSi coatings with different additions of Cr3C2 were produced by laser cladding. The microstructure, hardness and wear resistance of the coatings were studied by optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), microhardness tester and M-200 wear tester. It is found that the main phases in the coatings are [Formula: see text]-Ni, Cr[Formula: see text]C6 and Cr7C3, and they also contain a small amount of CrB, Ni4B3 and Ni3Si2. Moreover, with the increase of Cr3C2 addition, the microhardness and wear resistance of coatings are obviously improved. When the addition of Cr3C2 is 20%, the wear resistance of the coating is the best, and the wear resistance of the coating increased by 191.2% than that of the Cr3C2-free coating. The wear resistance of coating decreases when the addition of Cr3C2 reaches 30%.
On the Convexity Correction Approximation in Pricing Volatility Swaps and VIX Futures
Authors: Zhu Song-Ping , Lian Guang-Hua
Published: May 2018

Convexity correction is a well-known approximation technique used in pricing volatility swaps and VIX futures. However, the accuracy of the technique itself and the validity condition of this approximation have hardly been addressed and discussed in the literature. This paper shows that, through both theoretical analysis and numerical examples, this type of approximations is not necessarily accurate and one should be very careful in using it. We also show that a better accuracy cannot be achieved by extending the convexity correction approximation from a second-order Taylor expansion to third-order or fourth-order Taylor expansions. We then analyze why and when it deteriorates, and provide a validity condition of applying the convexity correction approximation. Finally, we propose a new approximation, which is an extension of the convexity correction approximation, to achieve better accuracies.
Aggregation Operators: Applications to Human Trafficking and Slavery
Authors: Mordeson John N. , Mathew Sunil , Acharjee Santanu
Published: May 2018

We introduce the idea of using aggregation operators to replace the concepts of minimum and maximum in the basic definitions and results involving fuzzy relations and fuzzy graphs. This development has begun with the replacement of minimum and maximum with [Formula: see text]-norms and [Formula: see text]-conorms, respectively. With this new theory, it will be possible to open the door to new theoretical results and at times more useful application methods. We apply our results in the areas of human trafficking and slavery.
Optimal Allocation of LDOs and Decoupling Capacitors within a Distributed On-Chip Power Grid
Authors: Sadat Sayed Abdullah , Canbolat Mustafa , Köse Selçuk
Published: May 2018

Parallel on-chip voltage regulation, where multiple regulators are connected to the same power grid, has recently attracted significant attention with the proliferation of small on-chip voltage regulators. In this article, the number, size, and location of parallel low-dropout (LDO) regulators and intentional decoupling capacitors are optimized using mixed integer non-linear programming formulation. The proposed optimization function concurrently considers multiple objectives such as area, power noise, and overall power consumption. Certain objectives are optimized by putting constraints on the other objectives with the proposed technique. Additional constraints have been added to avoid the overlap of LDOs and decoupling capacitors in the optimization process. The results of an optimized LDO allocation in the POWER8 chip is compared with the recent LDO allocation in the same IBM chip in a case study where a 20% reduction in the noise is achieved. The results of the proposed multi-criteria objective function under a different area, power, and noise constraints are also evaluated with a sample ISPD’11 benchmark circuits in another case study.
Ordered Escape Routing with Consideration of Differential Pair and Blockage
Authors: Jiao Fengxian , Dong Sheqin
Published: May 2018

Ordered escape routing is a critical issue in high-speed PCB routing. Differential pair and thermal-blockage-avoided are useful in PCB design to obtain high noise immunity and low electromagnetic interference. In this article, a Min-cost Multi-commodity Flow (MMCF) approach is proposed to solve the ordered escape routing. First, the characteristic of grid pin array and staggered pin array is analyzed and then a basic network model is used to convert ordered escape routing to MMCF model. To satisfy the constraints of ordered escape routing, three novel transformations, such as non-crossing transformation, ordering transformation, and capacity transformation, are used to convert the basic network model to the final correct MMCF model. After that, the differential pair in ordered escape routing is discussed. Finally, a method to deal with the blockage issue is proposed.

Experimental results show that our method achieves 100% routability for all the test cases. The method can get both a feasible solution and an optimal solution for ordered escape routing. Compared to published approaches, our method improves in both wire length and CPU time remarkably. At the same time, the proposed method can effectively avoid the blockage and deal with the differential pair.
Abnormal motor cortical adaptation to external stimulus in Unverricht-Lundborg disease (progressive myoclonus type 1, EPM1)
Authors: Julkunen Petro , Löfberg Olli , Kallioniemi Elisa , Hyppönen Jelena , Kälviäinen Reetta , Mervaala Esa
Published: May 2018

Unverricht-Lundborg disease (EPM1) is associated with progressive functional and anatomic changes in the thalamus and motor cortex. The neurophysiological mechanisms behind the impaired thalamocortical system were studied through short-term adaptation of the motor cortex to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) via repetition suppression (RS) phenomenon. RS is considered to be related to neural processing of external stimuli. We hypothesized that this neural processing is progressively impaired in EPM1 from adolescence to adulthood. Eight adult patients with EPM1 (age: 40 ± 13 yr), six adolescent patients with EPM1 (age: 16 ± 1 yr), and ten adult controls (age: 35 ± 12 yr) were studied using navigated TMS and RS study protocol including trains of four repeated stimuli with intertrain interval of 20 s and interstimulus interval of 1 s. Changes in RS were investigated from adolescence to adulthood in EPM1 by comparing with adult controls. In controls, the RS was seen as 50–55% reduction in motor response amplitudes to TMS after the first stimulus. RS was mild or missing in EPM1. RS from first to second stimulus within the stimulus trains was significantly stronger in adolescent patients than in adult patients ( P = 0.046). Abnormal RS correlated with the myoclonus severity of the patients. In agreement with our hypothesis, neural processing of external stimuli is progressively impaired in EPM1 possibly due to anatomically impaired thalamocortical system or inhibitory tonus preventing sufficient adaptive reactiveness to stimuli. Our results suggest that RS abnormality might be used as a biomarker in the therapeutic trials for myoclonus.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Unverricht-Lundborg disease (EPM1) is associated with impaired thalamocortical function, which we studied in 8 adult and 6 adolescent patients and in 10 adult controls through repetition suppression (RS) of the motor cortex. We hypothesized that neural processing is progressively impaired in EPM1 from adolescence to adulthood. RS was normal in controls, whereas it was mild or missing in EPM1. Stronger RS was seen in adolescent patients than in adult patients correlating with the myoclonus severity.
Nitric oxide augments single persistent Na+channel currents via the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway in Kenyon cells isolated from cricket mushroom bodies
Authors: Ikeda Mariko , Yoshino Masami
Published: May 2018

The nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic GMP signaling pathway has been suggested to be important in the formation of olfactory memory in insects. However, the molecular targets of the NO signaling cascade in the central neurons associated with olfactory learning and memory have not been fully analyzed. In this study, we investigated the effects of NO donors on single voltage-dependent Na+channels in intrinsic neurons, called Kenyon cells, in the mushroom bodies in the brain of the cricket. Step depolarization on cell-attached patch membranes induces single-channel currents with fast-activating and -inactivating brief openings at the beginning of the voltage steps followed by more persistently recurring brief openings all along the 150-ms pulses. Application of the NO donor S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) increased the number of channel openings of both types of single Na+channels. This excitatory effect of GSNO on the activity of these Na+channels was diminished by KT5823, an inhibitor of protein kinase G (PKG), indicating an involvement of PKG in the downstream pathway of NO. Application of KT5823 alone decreased the activity of the persistent Na+channels without significant effects on the fast-inactivating Na+channels. The membrane-permeable cGMP analog 8Br-cGMP increased the number of channel openings of both types of single Na+channels, similar to the action of NO. Taken together, these results indicate that NO acts as a critical modulator of both fast-inactivating and persistent Na+channels and that persistent Na+channels are constantly upregulated by the endogenous cGMP/PKG signaling cascade.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study clarified that nitric oxide (NO) increases the activity of both fast-inactivating and persistent Na+channels via the cGMP/PKG signaling cascade in cricket Kenyon cells. The persistent Na+channels are also found to be upregulated constantly by endogenous cGMP/PKG signaling. On the basis of the present results and the results of previous studies, we propose a hypothetical model explaining NO production and NO-dependent memory formation in cricket large Kenyon cells.
Handedness results from complementary hemispheric dominance, not global hemispheric dominance: evidence from mechanically coupled bilateral movements
Authors: Woytowicz Elizabeth J. , Westlake Kelly P. , Whitall Jill , Sainburg Robert L.
Published: May 2018

Two contrasting views of handedness can be described as 1) complementary dominance, in which each hemisphere is specialized for different aspects of motor control, and 2) global dominance, in which the hemisphere contralateral to the dominant arm is specialized for all aspects of motor control. The present study sought to determine which motor lateralization hypothesis best predicts motor performance during common bilateral task of stabilizing an object (e.g., bread) with one hand while applying forces to the object (e.g., slicing) using the other hand. We designed an experimental equivalent of this task, performed in a virtual environment with the unseen arms supported by frictionless air-sleds. The hands were connected by a spring, and the task was to maintain the position of one hand while moving the other hand to a target. Thus the reaching hand was required to take account of the spring load to make smooth and accurate trajectories, while the stabilizer hand was required to impede the spring load to keep a constant position. Right-handed subjects performed two task sessions (right-hand reach and left-hand stabilize; left-hand reach and right-hand stabilize) with the order of the sessions counterbalanced between groups. Our results indicate a hand by task-component interaction such that the right hand showed straighter reaching performance whereas the left hand showed more stable holding performance. These findings provide support for the complementary dominance hypothesis and suggest that the specializations of each cerebral hemisphere for impedance and dynamic control mechanisms are expressed during bilateral interactive tasks.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We provide evidence for interlimb differences in bilateral coordination of reaching and stabilizing functions, demonstrating an advantage for the dominant and nondominant arms for distinct features of control. These results provide the first evidence for complementary specializations of each limb-hemisphere system for different aspects of control within the context of a complementary bilateral task.
Screening Biomarker as an Alternative to Endoscopy for the Detection of Early Gastric Cancer: The Combination of Serum Trefoil Factor Family 3 and Pepsinogen
Authors: Lee Hyun Seok , Jeon Seong Woo , Nomura Sachiyo , Seto Yasuyuki , Kwon Yong Hwan , Nam Su Youn , Ishibashi Yuko , Ohtsu Hiroshi , Ohmoto Yasukazu , Yang Hae Min
Published: May 2018

Objective. The serum pepsinogen test has limitation in its predictive power as a noninvasive biomarker for gastric cancer screening. We aimed to investigate whether the combination of TFF3 and pepsinogen could be an effective biomarker for the detection of gastric cancer even in the early stages. Methods. In total, 281 patients with early gastric cancer (EGC), who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection in Korea, and 708 healthy individuals from Japan were enrolled in the derivation cohort. The validation cohort included 30 Korean patients with EGC and 30 Korean healthy control blood donors. Serum TFF3 levels were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. Using a cutoff of 6.73 ng/mL in the derivation cohort, the sensitivity of the combination of tests for EGC detection was superior (87.5%) to that of TFF3 (80.4%) or pepsinogen test alone (39.5%). Similarly, in the validation cohort, the sensitivity of TFF3 plus pepsinogen was higher (90.4%) than that of TFF3 (80.0%) or pepsinogen test alone (33.3%). Conclusion. The combination of serum TFF3 and pepsinogen is a more effective noninvasive biomarker for gastric cancer detection compared with pepsinogen or TFF3 alone, even in EGC. This trial is registered with NCT03046745.
Calibration of Material Models against TSTM Test for Crack Risk Assessment of Early‐Age Concrete Containing Fly Ash
Authors: Ji G. M. , Kanstad T. , Bjøntegaard Ø.
Published: May 2018

Making reliable cracking risk assessment involves experimental testing and advanced modeling of the time‐ and temperature‐dependent behavior of the properties, the restraint conditions of the structure, and the external environmental conditions. Mineral additives such as silica fume (SF), blast furnace slag (BFS), and fly ash (FA) have been used extensively in production of high performance concrete in the last decades. The mineral additives such as fly ash and blast furnace slag will reduce the hydration heat during the hardening phase, and the mineral additives also have significant influence on the development of mechanic and viscoelastic properties at early age. Within the NOR‐CRACK project, extensive test programs were performed to investigate the material properties related to cracking risk of early‐age concrete containing mineral additives. In current paper, the advanced modeling of the heat of hydration, volume changes (autogenous shrinkage and thermal dilation) during hardening, the development of mechanical properties (E‐modulus, compressive strength, and tensile strength), and creep/relaxation properties are discussed. Tests were performed in “temperature stress testing machine” (TSTM) to measure the restraint stress, and well‐documented material models were verified by performing 1‐D analysis of restraint stress development in the TSTM (Ji, 2008).
Alpha-Fetoprotein as a Predictive Marker for Patients with Hepatitis B-Related Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure
Authors: Wang Xiaoping , Shen Caifei , Yang Jianjiang , Yang Xianjun , Qin Sen , Zeng Haijun , Wu Xiaoling , Tang Shanhong , Zeng Weizheng
Published: May 2018

Background and Aims. The value of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in hepatitis B-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBACLF) is not fully understood. The present study aimed to evaluate the prognostic effect of AFP on the prediction of HBACLF outcomes. Methods. We investigated a cohort of patients with HBACLF admitted from January 2013 to May 2017. The endpoint of followup was 180 days, death, or liver transplantation. AFP concentrations were estimated on admission. To make statistical comparisons, we used chi-squared test, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, survivorship curve analysis, and Cox proportional-hazards model. Results. A total of 92 patients (81.5% male, median age of 46 years) were included. Overall survival rate within 180 days was 43.48%, and the value of log10AFP⁡  ≥ 2.04 indicated a better prognosis with 76.9% specificity and 62.5% sensitivity for patients with HBACLF. Age (HR 1.041), total bilirubin (HR 1.004), log10AFP⁡  (HR 2.155), and INR (HR 1.446) were found to be risk factors of survival. Conclusion. AFP could be a useful marker to predict outcomes of acute-on-chronic liver failure.
Group Gap Acceptance: A New Method to Analyze Driver Behavior and Estimate the Critical Gap at Multilane Roundabouts
Authors: Shaaban Khaled , Hamad Hassan
Published: May 2018

The operations of multilane roundabouts, especially three-lane roundabouts, are unique and more complicated than any other type of roundabouts. This study aims to analyze driver behavior and estimate the critical gap at three-lane roundabouts. Video data were collected at two roundabouts. The analysis identified a pattern of group gap acceptance, where vehicles entering the roundabout from different lanes moved in groups during the same gap. In this case, the decision of vehicles entering from outside lanes greatly depended on the gap acceptance decision of vehicles in the inside lane. Analysis showed that the vast majority of the vehicles accept the gap in groups and the critical gap was estimated accordingly. The study provides a new explanation for the operation at multilane roundabouts. The use of this simple method is recommended when estimating critical gaps for multilane roundabouts.
Simultaneous Diagnosis of Acute Crohn’s Disease and Endometriosis in a Patient Affects HIV
Authors: Casiraghi S. , Baggi P. , Lanza P. , Bozzola A. , Vinco A. , Villanacci V. , Castelli F. , Ronconi M.
Published: May 2018

This is the case report of a 45-year-old woman affected by HIV, who was hospitalized for diffuse abdominal pain, constipation, and weight loss present for over one month. A colonoscopy showed the presence of a nontransitable stenosis of the ascending colon. A right hemicolectomy was performed. The histological examination reports CD with outbreaks of endometriosis. CD and the HIV infection may coexist in the same individual and it seems that HIV reduces the relapse rate in IBD patients. CD and intestinal endometriosis can also occur simultaneously. The diagnosis is often only made after surgical resection of the diseased segment. These patients were more likely to have stricturing CD but endometriosis does not seem to impact the natural history of CD.
Reduced NLRP3 Gene Expression Limits the IL-1β Cleavage via Inflammasome in Monocytes from Severely Injured Trauma Patients
Authors: Kany Shinwan , Horstmann Johann-Philipp , Sturm Ramona , Mörs Katharina , Relja Borna
Published: May 2018

Objective. Traumatic injury or severe surgery leads to a profound immune response with a diminished functionality of monocytes and subsequently their IL-1β release. IL-1β plays an important role in host immunity and protection against infections. Its biological activation via IL-1β-precursor processing requires the transcription of inflammasome components and their activation. Deregulated activity of NOD-like receptor inflammasomes (NLR) like NLRP3 that leads to the maturation of IL-1β has been described in various diseases. While the role of other inflammasomes has been studied in monocytes, nothing is known about NLRP3 inflammasome after a traumatic injury. Here, the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in impaired monocyte functionality after a traumatic injury was analyzed. Measurements and Main Results. Ex vivo-in vitro stimulation of isolated CD14+ monocytes with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) showed a significantly higher IL-1β secretion in healthy volunteers (HV) compared to trauma patients (TP) after admission. Reduced IL-1β secretion was paralleled by significantly lowered gene expression of NLRP3 in monocytes from TP compared to those of HV. Transfection of monocytes with NLRP3-encoding plasmid recovered the functionality of monocytes from TP regarding the IL-1β secretion. Conclusions. This study demonstrates that CD14+ monocytes from TP are significantly diminished in their function and that the presence of NLRP3 components is necessary in recovering the ability of monocytes to produce active IL-1β. This recovery of the NLRP3 inflammasome in monocytes may imply a new target for treatment and therapy of immune suppression after severe injury.
Screening and Characterizing Tyrosinase Inhibitors fromSalvia miltiorrhizaandCarthamus tinctoriusby Spectrum-Effect Relationship Analysis and Molecular Docking
Authors: Wang Ya-Li , Hu Guang , Zhang Qian , Yang Yu-Xiu , Li Qiao-Qiao , Hu Yuan-Jia , Chen Hua , Yang Feng-Qing
Published: May 2018

Tyrosinase (TYR) is a rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of melanin, while direct TYR inhibitors are a class of important clinical antimelanoma drugs. This study established a spectrum-effect relationship analysis method and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis method to screen and identify the active ingredients that inhibited TYR inSalvia miltiorrhiza–Carthamus tinctorius(Danshen–Honghua, DH) herbal pair. Seventeen potential active compounds (peaks) in the extract of DH herbal pair were predicted, and thirteen of them were tentatively identified by LC-MS analysis. Furthermore, TYR inhibitory activities of five pure compounds obtained from the DH herbal pair were validated in the test in which kojic acid served as a positive control drug. Among them, three compounds including protocatechuic aldehyde, hydroxysafflor yellow A, and tanshinone IIA were verified to have high TYR inhibitory activity (IC50 value of 455, 498, and 1214 μM, resp.) and bind to the same amino acid residues in TYR catalytic pocket according to the results of the molecular docking test. However, the other two compounds lithospermic acid and salvianolic acid A had a weak effect on TYR, as they do not combine with the active amino acid residues or act on the active center of TYR. Therefore, the developed methods (spectrum-effect relationship analysis and molecular docking) could be used to effectively screen TYR inhibitors in complex mixtures such as natural products.
Sensitivity and Specificity of the ECAS in Parkinson’s Disease and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Authors: Foley Jennifer A. , Niven Elaine H. , Paget Andrew , Bhatia Kailash P. , Farmer Simon F. , Jarman Paul R. , Limousin Patricia , Warner Thomas T. , Morris Huw R. , Bak Thomas H. , Abrahams Sharon , Cipolotti Lisa
Published: May 2018

Disentangling Parkinson’s disease (PD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) may be a diagnostic challenge. Cognitive signs may be useful, but existing screens are often insufficiently sensitive or unsuitable for assessing people with motor disorders. We investigated whether the newly developed ECAS, designed to be used with people with even severe motor disability, was sensitive to the cognitive impairment seen in PD and PSP and able to distinguish between these two disorders. Thirty patients with PD, 11 patients with PSP, and 40 healthy controls were assessed using the ECAS, as well as an extensive neuropsychological assessment. The ECAS detected cognitive impairment in 30% of the PD patients, all of whom fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for mild cognitive impairment. The ECAS was also able to detect cognitive impairment in PSP patients, with 81.8% of patients performing in the impaired range. The ECAS total score distinguished between the patients with PSP and healthy controls with high sensitivity (91.0) and specificity (86.8). Importantly, the ECAS was also able to distinguish between the two syndromes, with the measures of verbal fluency offering high sensitivity (82.0) and specificity (80.0). In sum, the ECAS is a quick, simple, and inexpensive test that can be used to support the differential diagnosis of PSP.
Deoxycholic Acid-Mediated Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor 2 Signaling Exacerbates DSS-Induced Colitis through Promoting Cathepsin B Release
Authors: Zhao Shengnan , Gong Zizhen , Du Xixi , Tian Chunyan , Wang Lingyu , Zhou Jiefei , Xu Congfeng , Chen Yingwei , Cai Wei , Wu Jin
Published: May 2018

We recently have proved that excessive fecal DCA caused by high-fat diet may serve as an endogenous danger-associated molecular pattern to activate NLRP3 inflammasome and thus contributes to the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Moreover, the effect of DCA on inflammasome activation is mainly mediated through bile acid receptor sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2); however, the intermediate process remains unclear. Here, we sought to explore the detailed molecular mechanism involved and examine the effect of S1PR2 blockage in a colitis mouse model. In this study, we found that DCA could dose dependently upregulate S1PR2 expression. Meanwhile, DCA-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation is at least partially achieved through stimulating extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) signaling pathway downstream of S1PR2 followed by promoting of lysosomal cathepsin B release. DCA enema significantly aggravated DSS-induced colitis in mice and S1PR2 inhibitor as well as inflammasome inhibition by cathepsin B antagonist substantially reducing the mature IL-1β production and alleviated colonic inflammation superimposed by DCA. Therefore, our findings suggest that S1PR2/ERK1/2/cathepsin B signaling plays a critical role in triggering inflammasome activation by DCA and S1PR2 may represent a new potential therapeutic target for the management of intestinal inflammation in individuals on a high-fat diet.
Alteration of Occlusal Plane in Orthognathic Surgery: Clinical Features to Help Treatment Planning on Class III Patients
Authors: Marlière Daniel Amaral Alves , Costa Tony Eduardo , Barbosa Saulo de Matos , Pereira Rodrigo Alvitos , Chaves Netto Henrique Duque de Miranda
Published: May 2018

Dentofacial deformities (DFD) presenting mainly as Class III malocclusions that require orthognathic surgery as a part of definitive treatment. Class III patients can have obvious signs such as increasing the chin projection and chin throat length, nasolabial folds, reverse overjet, and lack of upper lip support. However, Class III patients can present different facial patterns depending on the angulation of occlusal plane (OP), and only bite correction does not always lead to the improvement of the facial esthetic. We described two Class III patients with different clinical features and inclination of OP and had undergone different treatment planning based on 6 clinical features: (I) facial type; (II) upper incisor display at rest; (III) dental and gingival display on smile; (IV) soft tissue support; (V) chin projection; and (VI) lower lip projection. These patients were submitted to orthognathic surgery with different treatment plannings: a clockwise rotation and counterclockwise rotation of OP according to their facial features. The clinical features and OP inclination helped to define treatment planning by clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of the maxillomandibular complex, and two patients undergone to bimaxillary orthognathic surgery showed harmonic outcomes and stables after 2 years of follow-up.
Clustering for Probability Density Functions by New k-Medoids Method
Authors: Ho-Kieu D. , Vo-Van T. , Nguyen-Trang T.
Published: May 2018

This paper proposes a novel and efficient clustering algorithm for probability density functions based on k-medoids. Further, a scheme used for selecting the powerful initial medoids is suggested, which speeds up the computational time significantly. Also, a general proof for convergence of the proposed algorithm is presented. The effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed algorithm are verified and compared with various existing algorithms through both artificial and real datasets in terms of adjusted Rand index, computational time, and iteration number. The numerical results reveal an outstanding performance of the proposed algorithm as well as its potential applications in real life.
Palmar Ulnar Artery Perforator Free Flap for Fingertip Reconstruction: Anatomical and Clinical Study
Authors: Pak Chang Sik , Jeon Ji-In , Myung Yujin , Lee Yung Ki , Kim Byung Jun , Jeong Jae Hoon , Kim Baek-Kyu
Published: May 2018

Background. Fingertips are a common site for hand injuries. The ideal substitute for fingertip pulp is tissue that matches texturally with minimal donor site morbidity. We described anatomical findings from cadaveric studies and the reliability of the palmar ulnar artery perforator (PUAP) free flap techniques for the reconstruction of fingertips injuries. Methods. The cadaveric study involving 8 hands was conducted to illuminate the anatomy of the hypothenar region. We investigated the emerging point of perforators, diameter of the artery at the origin, and the length of the pedicle. Forty-four patients with fingertip injuries underwent fingertip reconstruction using PUAP free flaps. Data on the baseline patient demographics, hospital courses, and flap sizes were obtained retrospectively. The 6-month postoperative sensory capacity was determined using a 2-point discrimination test. Results. The cadaveric study found that the PUAP pedicles arose from the superficial palmar arch, the mean length of pedicles, and the diameter and location of perforators were also analyzed. The PUAP flap sizes varied from 2.0 × 2.3 cm to 2.5 × 3.5 cm, and the mean operative time was 124 min. In all cases, we performed neurorrhaphy for fingertip sensory restoration. All donor sites were closed primarily, and the 2-point discrimination test result was 5.7±0.87 mm 6 months after surgery. Conclusions. We confirmed the anatomical consistency of the PUAP. Among the numerous reconstruction options available for fingertip injuries, the PUAP free flap is a useful fingertip reconstruction option.
Impact of Proteinase 3 versus Myeloperoxidase Positivity on Risk of End-Stage Renal Disease in ANCA-Associated Glomerulonephritis Stratified by Histological Classification: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Solbakken Vilde , Fismen Anne-Siri , Bostad Leif , Bjørneklett Rune
Published: May 2018

Background. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) risk in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody- (ANCA-) associated glomerulonephritis (ANCA-GN) according to ANCA serotype and stratified by histological classification has not been previously investigated.Methods. Patients from the Norwegian Kidney Biopsy Registry (NKBR) between 1991 and 2012 who had biopsy-verified pauci-immune glomerulonephritis and positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody serology were included. Cases with ESRD during follow-up were identified in the Norwegian Renal Registry. ESRD-free survival with proteinase 3 (PR3) versus myeloperoxidase- (MPO-) ANCA positivity stratified into 4 histological classes was investigated.Results. Three hundred fifty-eight patients, of whom 87 progressed to ESRD during follow-up, were included. Patients with PR3- as compared to MPO-ANCA were younger (58 versus 64 years,p=0.001), had a higher percentage of males (62 versus 41%,p<0.001), had a lower percentage with a sclerozing glomerulonephritis pattern (4 versus 16%,p<0.001), and had a significantly higher cumulative ESRD-free survival (90 versus 80%,p=0.007) at 1-year follow-up. No significant differences in cumulative ESRD-free survival with PR3- as compared to MPO-ANCA were observed by histological stratification.Conclusion. Advanced glomerular sclerosis is found more frequently in patients with MPO-ANCA, explaining the higher risk of ESRD. ANCA serotypes have no impact on prognosis of patients with similar histological findings.
Urethral Steinstrasse following Laser Lithotripsy of Prostatic Urethral Calculi
Authors: Den Jennifer , Kerr Preston S. , Dafashy Tamer J. , Kosarek Christopher D. , Roberts Robyn L. , Sreshta J. Nicholas
Published: May 2018

Symptomatic prostatic calculi are rare occurrences with several management options, the most popular of which is currently transurethral laser lithotripsy. This is a generally well-tolerated procedure with minimal complications. To date, no reported episodes of steinstrasse at the urethral level following prostatic calculi lithotripsy have been documented to our knowledge. We report a unique case of acute urinary retention secondary to obstructive calculi fragments following a transurethral laser lithotripsy of large prostatic calculi, further complicated by stricture at the fossa navicularis.
Iterative Dipole Moment Method for the Dielectrophoretic Particle-Particle Interaction in a DC Electric Field
Authors: Zhang Qing , Zhang Kai
Published: May 2018

Electric force is the most popular technique for bioparticle transportation and manipulation in microfluidic systems. In this paper, the iterative dipole moment (IDM) method was used to calculate the dielectrophoretic (DEP) forces of particle-particle interactions in a two-dimensional DC electric field, and the Lagrangian method was used to solve the transportation of particles. It was found that the DEP properties and whether the connection line between initial positions of particles perpendicular or parallel to the electric field greatly affect the chain patterns. In addition, the dependence of the DEP particle interaction upon the particle diameters, initial particle positions, and the DEP properties have been studied in detail. The conclusions are advantageous in elelctrokinetic microfluidic systems where it may be desirable to control, manipulate, and assemble bioparticles.
The Burden and Outcomes of Abdominal Pain among Children Presenting to an Emergency Department of a Tertiary Hospital in Tanzania: A Descriptive Cohort Study
Authors: Sakita Francis M. , Sawe Hendry R. , Mwafongo Victor , Mfinanga Juma A. , Runyon Michael S. , Murray Brittany L.
Published: May 2018

Background. Abdominal pain in children can represent benign conditions or life-threatening emergencies. Aetiologies of paediatric abdominal pain vary geographically and have not been studied in acute care settings in East Africa. This study describes the clinical profiles and outcomes of children presenting with undifferentiated abdominal pain to the Emergency Department of Muhimbili National Hospital (ED-MNH).Methods. This was a prospective cohort study of children below 18 years of age presenting to the ED-MNH with abdominal pain. A structured case report form was used to collect data on patients from June to December 2016. Data included demographics, clinical presentation, and mortality. Data were summarised using descriptive statistics.Results. Out of 1855 children who presented to ED-MNH, 184 (9.9%) met inclusion criteria, and all were enrolled. The median age was 3.5 years (IQR: 1.3–7.0 years) and 124 (67.4%) were male. Most (138 [75.0%]) were referred from peripheral hospitals. The most frequent ED providers’ diagnoses were hernia (34 [18.5%]) and intra-abdominal malignancy (19 [10.3%]). From the ED, 37 (20.1%) were discharged home, 83 (45.1%) were admitted to medical wards, and 48 (26.1%) were admitted to surgical wards. 16 (8.7%) underwent an operation. 24-hour, seven-day, and three-month mortality rates were 1.1%, 6.5%, and 14.5%, respectively. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 12.2%. Multivariate analysis showed that age below 5 years, female sex, and haemoglobin less than 10.9 g/dl were significant factors associated with in-hospital mortality.Discussion and Conclusion. Abdominal pain is a common complaint among paediatric patients presenting to the ED-MNH. This presentation was associated with a high admission rate and a high mortality rate. Age below 5 years, female sex, and haemoglobin less than 10.9 g/dl were associated with mortality. Further studies and quality improvement efforts should focus on identifying aetiologies, risk stratification, and appropriate interventions to optimise patients outcomes.
Design and Numerical Study of Micropump Based on Induced Electroosmotic Flow
Authors: Zhang Kai , Jiang Lengjun , Gao Zhihan , Zhai Changxiu , Yan Weiwei , Wu Shuxing
Published: May 2018

Induced charge electroosmotic flow is a new electric driving mode. Based on the Navier–Stokes equations and the Poisson–Nernst–Planck (PNP) ion transport equations, the finite volume method is adopted to calculate the equations and boundary conditions of the induced charge electroosmotic flow. In this paper, the formula of the induced zeta potential of the polarized solid surface is proposed, and a UDF program suitable for the simulation of the induced charge electroosmotic is prepared according to this theory. At the same time, on the basis of this theory, a cross micropump driven by induced charge electroosmotic flow is designed, and the voltage, electric potential, charge density, and streamline of the induced electroosmotic micropump are obtained. Studies have shown that when the cross-shaped micropump is energized, in the center of the induction electrode near the formation of a dense electric double layer, there exist four symmetrical vortices at the four corners, and they push the solution towards both outlets; it can be found that the average velocity of the solution in the cross-flow microfluidic pump is nonlinear with the applied electric field, which maybe helpful for the practical application of induced electroosmotic flow in the field of micropump.
Hemodynamic Evaluation of Nonselective β-Blockers in Patients with Cirrhosis and Refractory Ascites
Authors: Ferrarese Alberto , Tikhonoff Valerie , Casiglia Edoardo , Angeli Paolo , Fasolato Silvano , Faggian Diego , Zanetto Alberto , Germani Giacomo , Russo Francesco Paolo , Burra Patrizia , Senzolo Marco
Published: May 2018

Background. Nonselective β-blockers (NSBB) have been associated with increased incidence of paracentesis-induced circulatory dysfunction (PICD) and reduced survival in patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites. Aim. To prospectively evaluate a hemodynamic response to NSBB in cirrhotics listed for liver transplantation with refractory ascites undergoing large volume paracentesis (LVP). Methods. Patients with cirrhosis and refractory ascites, with an indication to start NSBB in primary prophylaxis for variceal bleeding, were enrolled. During two consecutive LVP, while being, respectively, off and on NSBB, cardiac output (CO), systemic vascular resistances (SVR), peripheral vascular resistances (PVR), and plasma renin activity (PRA) were noninvasively assessed. Results. Seventeen patients were enrolled, and 10 completed the study. Before NSBB introduction, SVR (1896 to 1348 dyn·s·cm−5; p=0.028) and PVR (47 to 30 mmHg·min·dl·ml−1; p=0.04) significantly decreased after LVP, while CO showed an increasing trend (3.9 to 4.5 l/m; p=0.06). After NSBB introduction, LVP was not associated with a significant increase in CO (3.4 to 3.8 l/m; p=0.13) nor with a significant decrease in SVR (2002 versus 1798 dyn·s·cm−5; p=0.1). Incidence of PICD was not increased after NSBB introduction. Conclusion. The negative inotropic effect of NSBB was counterbalanced by a smaller decrease of vascular resistances after LVP, probably due to splanchnic β2-blockade. This pilot study showed that NSBB introduction may be void of detrimental hemodynamic effects after LVP in cirrhotics with refractory ascites.
Quality and Pricing Decisions in a Two-Echelon Supply Chain with Nash Bargaining Fairness Concerns
Authors: Li Ji-cai , Lu Ji-hong , Wang Qi-liang , Li Changwen
Published: May 2018

Product quality and pricing, as the important competitive tools, play a key role in attracting consumers. In a supply chain, the decisions on product quality and pricing are usually interlinked and would influence the cooperation relation between the members, especially when they are fairness-concerned and have different bargaining power. However, linking the quality and pricing decisions to the decision-makers’ behavioral factors such as fairness concern draws a little attention in the literature of supply chain management. This paper incorporates the members’ fairness preference and bargaining power into the product quality and pricing decisions in a two-echelon supply chain, where the supplier offers core components with a certain quality level to the downstream manufacturer, who subsequently sells the final products in the end market. Both the supplier and the manufacturer are assumed to be fairness-concerned by adopting Nash bargaining solutions as their fairness reference points. We use game-theoretic models to analyze the equilibrium product quality and pricing strategies under the setting of integrated and decentralized supply chain, respectively. Detailed comparisons and sensitivity analysis are further conducted to examine the impacts of members’ strengths of fairness concern, bargaining power, and decision structure on their equilibrium product quality and pricing strategies and corresponding payoffs.
Modeling, Analysis, and State Feedback Control Design of a Multizone HVAC System
Authors: Abdo-Allah Almahdi , Iqbal Tariq , Pope Kevin
Published: May 2018

A HVAC system is modeled by applying a state space MIMO (multi-input/multioutput) system method for control system design and analysis. Thermal models are developed using the simulation program IDA Indoor Climate and Energy. The building has four floors in total, with separate air-handling units (AHUs) on each floor. The system’s eight main input data are hot water and the energy usage for each AHU, while the eight main outputs are return airflow temperature and CO2 levels for AHUs. The factors of wind direction and velocity are also applied as disturbances. By comparing usage data on simulated power consumption versus measured data for the three months of October, November, and December 2016, good agreement was achieved with simulated data. The main aim is to develop a state feedback controller and then apply it toward optimal functionality of a control system. After utilizing the MATLAB identification toolbox, a MIMO system-based state space model is developed.