bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deformation and Energy Absorption of Steel Square Tubes With Optimized Shape Design
Authors: Liu Xiaofang , Fang Ziwen , Hong Haifeng , Wang Jianran , Liu Yanwen , Lu Peng , Xiu Ruixian
Published: January 2020

Square crush tubes have been widely used as impact energy absorbers in automotive and railway vehicles. In this paper, a square tube with vertical plates and dents has been designed to increase the controllability and stability of crash performance. Vertical plates are welded perpendicularly to the side walls of the tube, which increase the transverse stiffness and ensure the tube crashes in longitudinal direction under impact not in ideal axial direction. Dents have been put on the side walls near the front end of the tube to ensure the collapse always start from the front and progress gradually to the end. To validate the design, finite element analysis (FEA) and various experiments has been conducted and evaluated. Firstly, the numerical simulations were carried out using the software LS-DYNA. Then, four specimens were manufactured and tested. The crash velocity, tube deformation and impact force showed great agreement between the simulations and test results. The number of tubes, tube wall thickness, cross-section, trigger plates and dents arrangement can be adjusted to meet the requirements of different applications. In one application, the energy absorbing device with four crush tubes provided progressive controlled collapse with energy absorbing capacity of 1.22MJ and impact force less than 4450kN. This robust crush tube design has been successfully applied in multiple railway vehicles and also has the potential to be applied in other industries such as automotive vehicles.
Cavitation Number As a Function of Disk Cavitator Radius: A Numerical Analysis of Natural Supercavitation
Authors: Prichard Reid , Strasser Wayne , Eldredge Thomas
Published: January 2020

Due to the greater viscosity and density of water compared to air, the maximum speed of underwater travel is severely limited compared to other methods of transportation. However, a technology called supercavitation — which uses a disk-shaped cavitator to envelop a vehicle in a bubble of steam — promises to greatly decrease skin friction drag. While a large cavitator enables the occurrence of supercavitation at low velocities, it adds substantial drag at higher speeds. Based on CFD results, we propose a new relationship between drag coefficient and disk cavitator radius, and we predict the optimum cavitator radius for a particular torpedo design.
Cell-Mediated Immunity Generated in Response to a Purified Inactivated Vaccine for Dengue Virus Type 1
Authors: Friberg Heather , Martinez Luis J. , Lin Leyi , Blaylock Jason M. , De La Barrera Rafael A. , Rothman Alan L. , Putnak J. Robert , Eckels Kenneth H. , Thomas Stephen J. , Jarman Richard G. , Currier Jeffrey R.
Published: January 2020

Dengue is a tropical disease transmitted by mosquitoes, and nearly half of the world’s population lives in areas where individuals are at risk of infection. Several vaccines for dengue are in development, including one which was recently licensed in several countries, although its utility is limited to people who have already been infected with one of the four dengue viruses. One major hurdle to understanding whether a dengue vaccine will work for everyone—before exposure—is the necessity of knowing which marker can be measured in the blood to signal that the individual has protective immunity. This report describes an approach measuring multiple different parts of immunity in order to characterize which signals one candidate vaccine imparted to a small number of human volunteers. This approach was designed to be able to be applied to any dengue vaccine study so that the data can be compared and used to inform future vaccine design and/or optimization strategies.
Paenibacillus odorifer, the Predominant
Paenibacillus
Species Isolated from Milk in the United States, Demonstrates Genetic and Phenotypic Conservation of Psychrotolerance but Clade-Associated Differences in Nitrogen Metabolic Pathways
Authors: Beno Sarah M. , Cheng Rachel A. , Orsi Renato H. , Duncan Diana R. , Guo Xiaodong , Kovac Jasna , Carroll Laura M. , Martin Nicole H. , Wiedmann Martin
Published: January 2020

Although
Paenibacillus
species isolates are frequently isolated from pasteurized fluid milk, the link between the genetic diversity and phenotypic characteristics of these isolates was not well understood, especially as some
Bacillales
isolated from milk are unable to grow at refrigeration temperatures. Our data demonstrate that
Paenibacillus
spp. isolated from fluid milk represent tremendous interspecies diversity, with
P. odorifer
being the predominant
Paenibacillus
sp. isolated. Furthermore, genetic and phenotypic data support that
P. odorifer
is well suited to transition from a soil-dwelling environment, where nitrogen fixation (and other nitrate/nitrite reduction pathways present only in clade A) may facilitate growth, to fluid milk, where its multiple cold shock-associated adaptations enable it to grow at refrigeration temperatures throughout the storage of milk. Therefore, efforts to reduce bacterial contamination of milk will require a systematic approach to reduce
P. odorifer
contamination of raw milk.
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Antibodies in Bactrian and Hybrid Camels from Dubai
Authors: Lau Susanna K. P. , Li Kenneth S. M. , Luk Hayes K. H. , He Zirong , Teng Jade L. L. , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Wernery Ulrich , Woo Patrick C. Y.
Published: January 2020

Since its first appearance in 2012, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) has affected >25 countries, with >2,400 cases and an extremely high fatality rate of >30%. The total number of mortalities due to MERS is already greater than that due to severe acute respiratory syndrome. MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has been confirmed to be the etiological agent. So far, dromedaries are the only known animal reservoir for MERS-CoV. Previously published serological studies showed that sera of Bactrian camels were all negative for MERS-CoV antibodies. In this study, we observed that 41% of the Bactrian camel sera and 55% of the hybrid camel sera from Dubai (where dromedaries are also present), but none of the sera from Bactrian camels in Xinjiang (where dromedaries are absent), were positive for MERS-CoV antibodies. Based on these results, we conclude that in addition to dromedaries, Bactrian and hybrid camels are also potential sources of MERS-CoV infection.
HHV-8-negative multicentric Castleman disease presenting as a crescentic immune complexes membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis
Authors: Nunes Maria Brito , Rotman Samuel , Duss Francois-Regis , Halfon Matthieu
Published: January 2020

Multicentric Castleman disease is a rare polyclonal lymphoproliferative disorder mainly associated with two renal manifestations: thrombotic microangiopathy and amyloidosis. Nevertheless, we report here a case of human herpes virus-8 negative multicentric Castleman disease with membranous proliferative glomerulonephritis and extracapillary proliferation. A patient was successfully treated with corticosteroids, anti-CD20 and cyclophosphamide therapy.
Efficacy of clindamycin compared with amoxicillin-metronidazole after a 7-day regimen in the treatment of periodontitis in patients with diabetes: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Gómez-Sandoval Juan Ramón , Robles-Cervantes José Antonio , Hernández-González Sandra Ofelia , Espinel-Bermudez María Claudia , Mariaud-Schmidt Rocío , Martínez-Rodríguez Vianeth , Morgado-Castillo Karina Celia , Mercado-Sesma Arieh Roldán
Published: January 2020

Objective

To determine the efficacy of clindamycin compared with amoxicillin-metronidazole after a 7-day regimen during nonsurgical treatment of periodontitis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Research design and methods

In this double-blind, randomized clinical trial, a total of 42 patients with chronic periodontitis and type 2 diabetes were included. Patients were randomly assigned to treatment with either clindamycin or amoxicillin-metronidazole three times a day during 7 days. Clinical determinations (probing depth, bleeding on probe, and plaque index) were performed to determine the extent and severity of periodontitis before and after the pharmacological treatment.

Results

After 7 days of administration of clindamycin or amoxicillin-metronidazole, no differences were observed between the clinical determinations, probing depth (0.44 vs 0.50 mm, p=0.624), plaque index (17.62 vs 15.88%, p=0.910), and bleeding on probing (16.12 vs 22.17%, p=0.163), respectively. There were no adverse events in either group.

Conclusion

The administration during 7 days of clindamycin or amoxicillin/metronidazole showed the same efficacy for the reduction of probing depth, plaque index, and bleeding on probing in patients with periodontitis and type 2 diabetes.
Splenic vein thrombosis: rare cause of abdominal pain
Authors: Martín-Jiménez Antonio J , Mera-Gallardo Oliva , García-Gil Daniel
Published: January 2020

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An 83-year-old woman with a history of hypertension, diabetes and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation anticoagulated with acenocoumarol was brought to the emergency department due to dyspnoea. At admission, the patient reported a 1-week history of malaise, shortness of breath and non-productive cough. She denied fever but reported pain on the left flank. On examination, auscultation showed arrhythmic tones and crackles in the left lower lung field. Laboratory findings showed leucocytosis of 15.32×103/μL, and the C reactive protein was 177 mg/L. The activated partial thromboplastin time was 54.8 s, and the international normalised ratio was 7.09. A chest X-ray showed left lower lobe consolidation with pleural effusion. Point-of-care ultrasound was performed using a low-frequency curved transducer (2–5 MHz). The probe was placed in the left posterior axillary showing a pulmonary consolidation, but also a hypoechoic lesion in the spleen was found (figure 1).

Figure 1

Ultrasound image of the spleen in longitudinal section demonstrating a large, hypoechoic, wedge-shaped lesion.

Question

What is the most likely diagnosis?

Splenic abscess

Subcapsular splenic haematoma

Splenic infarction

Splenic hydatid cyst

For answer see page 2
Application of 2016 WHO classification in the diagnosis of paediatric high-gradeMYC-negative mature B-cell lymphoma with Burkitt-like morphological features
Authors: Zhang Lei , Brown Laura E , Bowen Laurel M , McCarthy Laura C , Cooley Linda D , Repnikova Elena , Gener Melissa A , Garola Robert , August Keith J , Hays J Allyson , Zwick David L , Li Weijie
Published: January 2020

Aims

Historically, there has been no consensus on the diagnostic classification of high-grade B-cell lymphoma (HGBCL) with morphological features of Burkitt lymphoma (BL) but noMYCgene rearrangement (MYC-negative). The 2016 WHO classification of tumours of haematopoietic and lymphoid tissues has shed some light on this field with the modification of the grey-zone lymphoma with features intermediate between BL and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and the creation of several new entities. The aim of this study was to investigate how the revised WHO classification affects our practice in diagnosing these lymphomas in children.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed cases of mature HGBCL diagnosed at our hospital between 2015 and 2018.

Results

Among 14 mature HGBCL cases with BL morphological features, 11 showedMYCrearrangement consistent with BL and 3 wereMYC-negative. TwoMYC-negative cases showed regions of 11q gain and loss by microarray consistent with Burkitt-like lymphoma with 11q aberration (BLL-11q). The thirdMYC-negative case showed diffuse and strong MUM1 expression, translocation involving 6p25 by chromosome analysis andIRF4rearrangement by fluorescence in situ hybridisation analysis consistent with large B-cell lymphoma withIRF4rearrangement (LBL-IRF4). All patients were treated according to applicable chemotherapeutic protocols and achieved remission.

Conclusions

BLL-11q and LBL-IRF4, two newly defined entities, should be considered in paediatricMYC-negative mature HGBCL cases. Accurate diagnosis needs careful histopathological examination and proper cytogenetic testing. Since they have unique cytogenetic features, specific treatments for them may emerge in the future. Therefore, accurate diagnosis based on the 2016 WHO classification is clinically significant.
The ethical case for non-directed postmortem sperm donation
Authors: Hodson Nathan , Parker Joshua
Published: January 2020

In this article we outline and defend the concept of voluntary non-directed postmortem sperm donation. This approach offers a potential means of increasing the quantity and heterogeneity of donor sperm. This is pertinent given the present context of a donor sperm shortage in the UK. Beyond making the case that it is technically feasible for dead men to donate their sperm for use in reproduction, we argue that this is ethically permissible. The inability to access donor sperm and the suffering this causes, we argue, justifies allowing access to sperm donated after death. Moreover, it is known that individuals and couples have desires for certain sperm donor characteristics which may not be fulfilled when numbers of sperm donors are low. Enacting these preferences contributes significantly to the well-being of intended parents, so we argue that this provides apro tantoreason for respecting them. Finally, we explore the benefits and possible disadvantages of such a system for the various parties affected.
Effect of pterygopalatine blockade on perioperative stress and inflammatory outcomes following paediatric cataract surgery
Authors: Oleshchenko Irina , Cok Oya Yalcin , Iureva Tatiana , Zabolotskii Dmitrii , Kripak Anna
Published: January 2020

Background

General anesthesia is required to perform pediatric cataract surgery. To reduce severity of surgical intervention and postoperative complications, regional techniques have been concomitantly used. The traditional regional ophthalmic techniques are retrobulbar, peribulbar and sub-Tenon blocks, which present some technical difficulties and associated complication risks. The pterygopalatine blockade has been exempt of many of these concerns as it is performed out of the orbit. The purpose of this study was to compare the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the pterygopalatine blockade with retrobulbar block in children undergoing elective congenital cataract surgery.

Methods

After approval of ethics committee and informed consents, patients were enrolled to the study to have either ultrasound-guided pterygopalatine block (group P) or retrobulbar block (group R), with 2 mL lidocaine 2% and 1 mL ropivacaine 0.5%. Hemodynamic monitoring was recorded throughout the perioperative period. Cortisol level and oxidation–reduction status were assessed before and after surgery. Pain and inflammatory response (Tyndall effect, corneal syndrome and edema) were assessed on the first postoperative day.

Results

Comparative analysis demonstrated a decrease in cortisol of 123.24% (p˂0.05) and an increase in the redox coefficient of 37.7% (p˂0.05) in group P. Pain intensity was significantly higher in group R until the 16th postoperative hour. The corneal syndrome in patients in group P and group R was noted by 7.6% and in 32.1%, respectively (p˂0.05).

Conclusion

The use of the pterygopalatine blockade as a component of anesthesia in pediatric cataract surgery allows reduction of the severity of surgical stress during surgical intervention, providing intraoperative hemodynamic stability and prolonged analgesia.
Applying the 2019 EULAR/ACR lupus criteria to patients from an established cohort: a Latin American perspective
Authors: Pons-Estel Guillermo J , Ugarte-Gil Manuel Francisco , Harvey Guillermina B , Wojdyla Daniel , Quintana Rosana , Saurit Verónica , Soriano Enrique R , Bonfa Eloisa , Massardo Loreto , Cardiel Mario , Vila Luis M , Griffin Russell , Pons-Estel Bernardo A , Alarcón Graciela S
Published: January 2020

Objective

To evaluate the performance of the 2019 European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR)/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) criteria in terms of earlier patients’ classification in comparison to the 1982/1997 ACR or the 2012 Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) criteria.

Materials and methods

Patients from a Latin America, multiethnic, multicentre cohort, where SLE was defined using the physicians’ diagnosis, were included. To calculate the sensitivity of the 2019 EULAR/ACR criteria, the 1982/1997 ACR criteria were considered the gold standard. Additionally, comparison of the 1982/1997 ACR criteria and the 2012 SLICC criteria with the 2019 EULAR/ACR criteria was performed.

Results

The sensitivity of the 2019 EULAR/ACR criteria when compared with the 1982/1997 ACR criteria as the gold standard was 91.3%. This new set of criteria allowed an earlier SLE patient classification in 7.4% (mean 0.67 years) and 0.6% (mean 1.47 years) than the 1982/1997 ACR and the 2012 SLICC criteria, respectively. Patients accruing the 2019 EULAR/ACR earlier than the 1982/1997 ACR criteria were more likely to have high anti-dsDNA titres; those accruing them later were less likely to have mucocutaneous and joint manifestations; this was not observed when comparing them with the 2012 SLICC criteria.

Conclusions

The 2019 EULAR/ACR criteria classified earlier only a small proportion of Latin America patients than with the two other criteria sets in real-life clinical practice scenarios. Further studies in different patient populations are needed before these new criteria are adopted worldwide.
Primary bone hemangiosarcoma involving the 4th digit in a Siberian Husky dog
Authors: Moon Jeonghyeon , Hillers Kim , Kim Min Su
Published: January 2020

An 11‐year‐old female spayed Siberian Husky was presented with a left hind, swollen, bleeding mass involving digit 4. Radiographs revealed osteolytic lesions involving the distal phalanx (P3) and part of the middle phalanx (P2). Digit amputation was performed; histopathology was consistent with hemangiosarcoma. Although no signs of systemic involvement were detected around the time of amputation, the patient was euthanised 47 days later due to regional and distant metastasis.
Study on anti-seepage slurry of landfill site modified by sodium carboxymethyl cellulose
Authors: Dai Guozhong , Zhang Zenan , Shi Guicai , Li Shujin , Shi Weicheng , Li Xiongwei
Published: January 2020

To meet the needs of underground anti-seepage projects such as landfills better, the anti-seepage slurry modified by sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na) was prepared through laboratory experiments on the basis of the preliminary study of PBFC anti-seepage slurry. The main material of the slurry is bentonite modified by sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, cement, fly ash and auxiliary materials such as sodium carbonate and polycarboxylate superplasticizer. The optimal ratio of the basic components of the anti-seepage slurry was optimized by the orthogonal test method. The permeability coefficient of the slurry was tested by the self-made constant head permeameter, and the age-resistant compressive strength was tested by the electronic press. The optimal mass ratio of each component of 1 liter slurry is: 20–22% bentonite, 20–22% cement, 16% fly ash, 0.15–0.2% sodium carbonate, 0.15–0.2% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, 0.3% polycarboxylate superplasticizer. The permeability coefficient of the slurry consolidation body for 28 days is less than [Formula: see text]cm/s, and the unconfined compressive strength is 0.5–2.0 MPa. The performance indexes of the slurry are higher than those of the existing anti-seepage slurry, which can better meet the anti-seepage standard of urban landfill in China.
The investigation on anomalous isotope effect coefficient of LaSrCuO superconductor
Authors: Mycharoen P. , Udomsamuthirun P.
Published: January 2020

In this research, the anomalous isotope effect coefficient of LaSrCuO superconductor was investigated in the weak-coupling method. The constant and van Hove singularity density of state, pseudogap, and the form of pseudogap temperature dependence on critical temperature are included in our calculation. Finally, the numerical results are shown in comparison with the experimental data of LaSrCuO superconductor. We found that the van Hove singularity density of state and the inversely relation of pseudogap temperature and critical temperature can fit well with the anomalous isotope effect coefficient data of LaSrCuO superconductor.
Tectonic interpretation of active fault extending in Myanmar, Laos and China by relief map of ASTER GDEM and harmonized geological map
Authors: Okubo Yasukuni , Soe Myint , Takahashi Yutaka , Wongsomsak Sompob , Fujita Masaru
Published: January 2020

In 24 March 2011, an earthquake on the scale of
M
w
6.8 occurred at the west end of the Nam Ma Fault, which is 215 km long, crossing Myanmar, Laos and China. The rupture occurred on a 30 km-long segment in Myanmar. The earthquake was limited to individual segments, reducing its magnitude. The ASTER GDEM is accessible from a download site. Its relief map illustrates linear features reflecting fault scarps, step-overs, pull-apart areas and bends associated with tectonic deformation. A harmonized geological map of the study area that was continuous over the cross-border areas was compiled. The map reveals lithologies, ages of formations, continuous displacement lines and exotic terranes. Intensive field surveys provided information on tectonics in Myanmar while on the Laos side intensive surveys were not conducted. The ASTER GDEM data and the harmonized geological maps were used to support mapping of the entire segmentation of the Nam Ma Fault. The mapped Nam Ma Fault consists of five segments. Estimated slip-plane areas and magnitudes of possible earthquakes of the respective segments indicate that the greatest magnitude is 7.3 in the case of rupture of a 100 km long segment.
Pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila protects from fat mass gain but not from bone loss
Authors: Lawenius Lina , Scheffler Julia M. , Gustafsson Karin L. , Henning Petra , Nilsson Karin H. , Colldén Hannah , Islander Ulrika , Plovier Hubert , Cani Patrice D. , de Vos Willem M. , Ohlsson Claes , Sjögren Klara
Published: January 2020

Probiotic bacteria can protect from ovariectomy (ovx)-induced bone loss in mice. Akkermansia muciniphila is considered to have probiotic potential due to its beneficial effect on obesity and insulin resistance. The purpose of the present study was to determine if treatment with pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila (p Akk) could prevent ovx-induced bone loss. Mice were treated with vehicle or p Akk for 4 wk, starting 3 days before ovx or sham surgery. Treatment with p Akk reduced fat mass accumulation confirming earlier findings. However, treatment with p Akk decreased trabecular and cortical bone mass in femur and vertebra of gonadal intact mice and did not protect from ovx-induced bone loss. Treatment with p Akk increased serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and increased expression of the calcium transporter Trpv5 in kidney suggesting increased reabsorption of calcium in the kidneys. Serum amyloid A 3 (SAA3) can suppress bone formation and mediate the effects of PTH on bone resorption and bone loss in mice and treatment with p Akk increased serum levels of SAA3 and gene expression of Saa3 in colon. Moreover, regulatory T cells can be protective of bone and p Akk-treated mice had decreased number of regulatory T cells in mesenteric lymph nodes and bone marrow. In conclusion, treatment with p Akk protected from ovx-induced fat mass gain but not from bone loss and reduced bone mass in gonadal intact mice. Our findings with p Akk differ from some probiotics that have been shown to protect bone mass, demonstrating that not all prebiotic and probiotic factors have the same effect on bone.
Protective role of cardiac-specific overexpression of caveolin-3 in cirrhotic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kim So Yeon , Kim Kang Ho , Schilling Jan M. , Leem Joseph , Dhanani Mehul , Head Brian P. , Roth David M. , Zemljic-Harpf Alice E. , Patel Hemal H.
Published: January 2020

Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is a clinical syndrome in patients with liver cirrhosis characterized by blunted cardiac contractile responses to stress and/or heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval prolongation. Caveolin-3 (Cav-3) plays a critical role in cardiac protection and is an emerging therapeutic target for heart disease. We investigated the protective role of cardiac-specific overexpression (OE) of Cav-3 in cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. Biliary fibrosis was induced in male Cav-3 OE mice and transgene negative (TGneg) littermates by feeding a diet containing 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC; 0.1%) for 3 wk. Liver pathology and blood chemistries were assessed, and stress echocardiography, telemetry, and isolated heart perfusion studies to assess adrenergic responsiveness were performed. Cav-3 OE mice showed a similar degree of hyperdynamic contractility, pulmonary hypertension, and QTc interval prolongation as TGneg mice after 3 wk of DDC diet. Blunted systolic responses were shown in both DDC-fed Cav-3 OE and TGneg hearts after in vivo isoproterenol challenge. However, QTc interval prolongation after in vivo isoproterenol challenge was significantly less in DDC-fed Cav-3 OE hearts compared with DDC-fed TGneg hearts. In ex vivo perfused hearts, where circulatory factors are absent, isoproterenol challenge showed hearts from DDC-fed Cav-3 OE mice had better cardiac contractility and relaxation compared with DDC-fed TGneg hearts. Although Cav-3 OE in the heart did not prevent cardiac alterations in DDC-induced biliary fibrosis, cardiac expression of Cav-3 reduced QTc interval prolongation after adrenergic stimulation in cirrhosis.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Prevalence of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is up to 50% in cirrhotic patients, and liver transplantation is the only treatment. However, cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is associated with perioperative morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation; therefore, management of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy is crucial for successful liver transplantation. This study shows cardiac myocyte specific overexpression of caveolin-3 (Cav-3) provides better cardiac contractile responses and less corrected QT prolongation during adrenergic stress in a cirrhotic cardiomyopathy model, suggesting beneficial effects of Cav-3 expression in cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.
Drug-Coated Balloons versus Everolimus-Eluting Stents in Patients with In-Stent Restenosis: A Pair-Wise Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials
Authors: Peng Nina , Liu Wei , Li Zongzhuang , Wei Jun , Chen Xuejun , Wang Wei , Lin Hao
Published: January 2020

Objective. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of drug-coated balloons (DCB) with everolimus-eluting stents (EES) in the treatment of in-stent restenosis (ISR) and the differential relative effect of DCB in patients with drug-eluting stents (DES)-ISR and bare metal stents (BMS)-ISR. Background. The efficiency and safety of DCB and EES need to be assessed for the treatment of ISR. Methods. A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed and EMBASE to identify all relevant studies. Angiographic results and clinical events were separately assessed. Subgroup meta-analyses were performed according to the type of restenosed stent. Results. Six randomized trials with 1134 patients were included. The overall pooled outcomes indicated that DCB was associated with lower minimum lumen diameter (mean difference MD=−0.17, 95% CI = −0.29 to −0.05, P=0.006) and higher target lesion revascularization (risk ratio RR=2.38, 95% CI = 1.36 to 4.18, P=0.002) than EES. However, the subgroup meta-analyses showed that DCB was inferior to EES only in DES-ISR patients, with lower minimum lumen diameter (MD=−0.25, 95% CI = −0.37 to −0.14, P<0.001), higher percent diameter stenosis (MD=5.37, 95% CI = 1.33 to 9.42, P=0.009), more binary restenosis (RR=2.07, 95% CI = 1.20 to 3.58, P=0.009), and higher incidence of target vessel revascularization (RR=2.07, 95% CI = 1.22 to 3.50, P=0.007) and target lesion revascularization (RR=2.43, 95% CI = 1.28 to 4.22, P=0.002). No differences in angiographic results and clinical events were found between DCB and EES in BMS-ISR patients. Conclusions. DCB was inferior to EES in DES-ISR and comparable in BMS-ISR in terms of angiographic results and clinical events.
Mitigation of Bullwhip Effect in Closed-Loop Supply Chain Based on Fuzzy Robust Control Approach
Authors: Zhang Songtao , Zhang Min
Published: January 2020

Uncertainties and lead times make the closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) more complex, less stable, and then the bullwhip effect (BE) will become more intense. This paper will address a fuzzy robust control (FRC) approach to mitigate the BE in the uncertain CLSC with lead times. For the reverse channels for products in the CLSC, the customers’ used products are recycled by both the manufacturer and the third party recovery provider, and new products bought by customers within a certain period of time can be returned to the retailer. In the CLSC system, the state transformation equations of the inventories and the total operation cost are set up. A new FRC approach is proposed to mitigate the BE and realize the robust stability of the uncertain CLSC with lead times. A simulation example verifies the mitigation effect of the BE under the proposed FRC approach.
Analysis of Memreactance with Fractional Kinetics
Authors: Banchuin Rawid
Published: January 2020

In this work, the analysis of the memreactance, i.e., meminductor and memcapacitor, with fractional-order kinetics has been proposed. The meminductances, memcapacitances, and related parameters due to both DC and periodic input waveforms have been derived. The behavioral analysis has been thoroughly performed with the aid of numerical simulation. The effects of fractional-order kinetics have been explored where both linear and nonlinear dopant drift scenarios have been considered. Moreover, the emulation of memreactance with fractional-order kinetics by using the memristor and the effect of the fractional-order kinetics on the memreactance-based circuits have also been mentioned along with the extension of our results to the fractional-order memreactance.
AVBH: Asymmetric Learning to Hash with Variable Bit Encoding
Authors: Ren Yanduo , Qian Jiangbo , Dong Yihong , Xin Yu , Chen Huahui
Published: January 2020

Nearest neighbour search (NNS) is the core of large data retrieval. Learning to hash is an effective way to solve the problems by representing high-dimensional data into a compact binary code. However, existing learning to hash methods needs long bit encoding to ensure the accuracy of query, and long bit encoding brings large cost of storage, which severely restricts the long bit encoding in the application of big data. An asymmetric learning to hash with variable bit encoding algorithm (AVBH) is proposed to solve the problem. The AVBH hash algorithm uses two types of hash mapping functions to encode the dataset and the query set into different length bits. For datasets, the hash code frequencies of datasets after random Fourier feature encoding are statistically analysed. The hash code with high frequency is compressed into a longer coding representation, and the hash code with low frequency is compressed into a shorter coding representation. The query point is quantized to a long bit hash code and compared with the same length cascade concatenated data point. Experiments on public datasets show that the proposed algorithm effectively reduces the cost of storage and improves the accuracy of query.
A Meta-Analysis of Robotic Surgery in Endometrial Cancer: Comparison with Laparoscopy and Laparotomy
Authors: Wang Jia , Li Xiaomao , Wu Haotian , Zhang Yu , Wang Fei
Published: January 2020

Background. The safety and effectiveness of robotic surgery are evaluated by comparing perioperative outcomes with laparoscopy and laparotomy in endometrial cancer. Method. PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, and other databases were searched for eligible studies up to April 2019. Studies that compared robotic surgery with laparoscopy or laparotomy in surgical staging of endometrial cancer were included. The pooled odds ratio and weighted mean difference were calculated using a random-effects or a fixed-effects model to summarize the results. Results. Twenty-seven articles were ultimately included, with one randomized controlled trial and 26 observational studies. A total of 6568 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that robotic surgery had less estimated blood loss (P<0.001), blood transfusion (P=0.04), intraoperative complications (P=0.001), and conversion to open surgery (P=0.001), and a shorter hospital stay (P=0.001), but had a longer operation time (P=0.04) in surgical staging of endometrial cancer compared with laparoscopy. There were no significant differences in postoperative complications, the total number of lymph nodes harvested, the number of pelvic lymph nodes harvested, and the number of para-aortic lymph nodes harvested between techniques. Robotic surgery had a longer operation time (P=0.008), less estimated blood loss (P<0.001), blood transfusion (P<0.001), and postoperative complications (P<0.001), and a shorter hospital stay (P<0.001) compared with laparotomy. There were no significant differences in other variables between techniques. Conclusion. Robotic surgery is a safer surgical approach than laparoscopy and laparotomy in surgical staging of endometrial cancer, with less estimated blood loss, blood transfusion, and conversion, and the same number of lymph nodes harvested.
Community-Based Essential Newborn Care Practices and Associated Factors among Women of Enderta, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2018
Authors: Weldeargeawi Gebrehiwot Gebremariam , Negash Zenawi , Kahsay Alemayehu Bayray , Gebremariam Yemane , Tekola Kidanemaryam Berhe
Published: January 2020

Introduction. Neonatal mortality contributes a higher percentage of infant mortality, especially in developing countries including Ethiopia where the rate of institutional delivery is low. In Ethiopia, scientific evidences on the level of community-based essential newborn care practice were scanty and inconclusive. Objectives. The aim of the study was to assess community-based essential newborn care practices and associated factors among women who have infant<12 months. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was employed among 634 randomly selected women who have infant<12 months from June 23, 2017, to August 29, 2017, at Enderta district. Data was collected by a face-to-face interview through structured questionnaires, and it was coded, entered, and cleaned using EpiData version 3.1. Then, the data was exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Odds ratios and p value were computed to know the association between the independent variables with the dependent variable. Finally, a variable at p values of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant with the outcome variable. Result. The overall community-based essential newborn care practice was found 40.7%. Educational status (AOR=6.6, 95% CI, 2.49-11.97), previous ANC follow-up (AOR=1.7, 95% CI, 1.2-3.80), weight of the child during birth (AOR=1.3, 95% CI, 1.12-2.98), and place of delivery (AOR=2.1, 95% CI, 1.50-4.63) were found to be significantly associated with community-based essential newborn care. Even though overall newborn practice was found to be good, the cord care practices were found to be poor that indicated there is a need to rise community awareness.
Robust Model of Discrete Competitive Facility Location Problem with Partially Proportional Rule
Authors: Yu Wuyang
Published: January 2020

When consumers faced with the choice of competitive chain facilities that offer exclusive services, current rules cannot describe these customers’ behaviors very well. So we propose a partially proportional rule to represent this kind of customer behavior. In addition, the exact demands of customers in many real-world environments are often difficult to determine. This is contradicting to the assumption in most studies of the competitive facility location problem. For the competitive facility location problem with the partially proportional rule, we establish a robust optimization model to handle the uncertainty of customers’ demands. We propose two methods to solve the robust model by studying the properties of the counterpart problem. The first method MIP is presented by solving a mixed-integer optimization model of the counterpart problem directly. The second method SAS is given by embedding a sorting subalgorithm into the simulated annealing framework, in which the sorting subalgorithm can easily solve the subproblem. The effects of the budget and the robust control parameter to the location scheme are analyzed in a quasi-real example. The result shows that changes in the robust control parameter can affect the customer demands that were captured by the new entrants, thereby changing the optimal solution for facility location. In addition, there is a threshold of the robust control parameter for any given budget. Only when the robust control parameter is larger than this threshold, the market share captured by the new entering firm increases with the increases of this parameter. Finally, numerical experiments show the superiority of the algorithm SAS in large-scare competitive facility location problems.
Research on Improved Deadbeat Control Strategy Based on Interpolation Prediction and Online Inductance Identification
Authors: Fu Zhihe , Xie Huangsheng , Xue Jiaxiang , Luo Haisong , Lin Zhuangbin
Published: January 2020

Aiming at the problem of control delay and inductance deviation, which exist in the traditional deadbeat control of the full-bridge circuit, an improved deadbeat control strategy was proposed. An improved Newton interpolation prediction algorithm was proposed to compensate the delay problem of deadbeat control, and an on-line inductance identification algorithm based on double frequency sampling was proposed to correct the inductance deviation. A mathematical model of deadbeat control for full-bridge inverter was established; besides, the performance of different interpolation prediction algorithms was analyzed. An online inductor identification model is established, on the basis of which the online inductance identification compensation formula is derived. It is indicated that an output constant current of 10 A is available with the deadbeat control relative error of only 0.2%, the grid-connected power factor up to 0.999, and the output current’s total harmonic distortion of only 2.37%. The prototype experiment shows that the output current’s total harmonic distortion is as low as 2.403% and the power factor is as high as 0.998. The results show that the improved deadbeat control strategy can effectively improve the control accuracy and the quality of grid-connected power.
CD26-Related Serum Biomarkers: sCD26 Protein, DPP4 Activity, and Anti-CD26 Isotype Levels in a Colorectal Cancer-Screening Context
Authors: De Chiara Loretta , Páez de la Cadena María , Rodríguez-Berrocal Javier , Alvarez-Pardiñas Mª Carmen , Pardiñas-Añón Mª Carmen , Varela-Calviño Rubén , Cordero Oscar J.
Published: January 2020

Current screening trials are showing reduction in colorectal cancer incidence and mortality. However, participation rates are often low, and blood-based tests could complement existing screening strategies. CD26 protein (sCD26) and its dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP4) enzymatic activity in circulation have been proposed as biomarkers for colorectal cancer and other diseases. However, changes in sCD26 and DPP4 levels show complex degrees of correlation, and their physiological or pathophysiological role is unclear. The aim of this study was to analyse if anti-CD26 autoantibodies are related to sCD26 and DPP4 and to determine their relevance in a context of colorectal cancer screening for complementing the value of sCD26 and DPP4 as biomarkers. These biomarkers were measured in a large prospective cohort (n=497, except the anti-CD26 antibodies, evaluated in 125 samples) that included a subgroup of individuals that were positive for the faecal immunological occult blood test (FIT) (n=86) and underwent a colonoscopy (n=47). We confirmed for the first time higher DPP4 activity in men compared to women (Student’s t test, p=0.002), though this difference between sexes was not seen for serum sCD26 protein. These biomarkers correlated (R=0.246, p=0.003) only in women. Correlations were found between anti-CD26 isotypes but not with DPP4 activity or sCD26 concentration, except for a negative correlation only in men between anti-CD26 IgA isotype and sCD26 (R=−0.232, p=0.044), and an almost significant negative correlation between anti-CD26 IgG and sCD26 limited to FIT-positive men. Interestingly, patients with advanced adenomas displayed the most elevated mean levels of anti-CD26 IgA, IgM, and particularly IgG (Mann-Whitney U test, p=0.030) in comparison with the other FIT positives without adenomas, and these levels did not correlate with sCD26 or its DPP4 activity. Our preliminary results suggest that the combination of these measures using sex as confounder could perhaps be used as biomarkers for colorectal disease. It also suggests that events affecting the gut influence the levels of anti-CD26 antibodies, which show little or no effect in antigen clearance. These findings should be confirmed in a larger cohort of individuals with colonoscopy. The physiological origin of the sex differences observed should be further addressed.
Performance of Finite Precision on Discrete Chaotic Map Based on a Feedback Shift Register
Authors: Huang Chunguang , Ding Qun
Published: January 2020

The scintillating technological improvements have changed the process of communication in all parts of the world. Shopping, banking, instant communication, and so on can be operated online and do not care about the linkage of those Internet communications. Because of simple chaotic structure, discrete nature, less arithmetic computation, and high complexity, low-dimensional chaotic systems such as a logistic map and tent map are more attractive than a high-dimensional chaotic system. To overcome the disadvantages of a low-dimensional chaotic map with a finite precision in chaos-based application, the chaotic map with a feedback shift register (CMFSR) is proposed. The related properties and performance associated with CMFSR are analysed. The relationship among the precision of the system, the architecture, and the performance are discussed. The experiments about new pseudorandom number generator (PRNG) based on CMFSR show that our scheme is simple, secure, and easy to accomplish. Experiments show that the proposed architecture of CMFSR is secure for random number generation.
Radiological Safety Analysis for a Hypothetical Accident of a Generic VVER-1000 Nuclear Power Plant
Authors: Gyamfi K. , Birikorang S. A. , Ampomah-Amoako E. , Fletcher J. J.
Published: January 2020

Atmospheric dispersion modelling and radiological safety analysis have been performed for a postulated accident scenario of a generic VVER-1000 nuclear power plant using the HotSpot Health Physics code. The total effective dose equivalent (TEDE), the respiratory time-integrated air concentration, and the ground deposition concentration are calculated considering site-specific meteorological conditions. The results show that the maximum TEDE and ground deposition concentration values of 3.69E – 01 Sv and 3.80E + 06 kBq/m2 occurred at downwind distance of 0.18 km from the release point. This maximum TEDE value is recorded within a distance where public occupation is restricted. The TEDE values at distances of 5.0 km and beyond where public occupation is likely to be found are far below the annual regulatory limits of 1 mSv from public exposure in a year even in the event of worse accident scenario as set in IAEA Safety Standard No. GSR Part 3; no action related specifically to the public exposure is required. The released radionuclides might be transported to long distances but will not have any harmful effect on the public. The direction of the radionuclide emission from the release point is towards the north east. It is observed that the organ with the highest value of committed effective dose equivalent (CEDE) appears to be the thyroid. It was followed by the bone surface, lung, red marrow, and lower large intestine wall in order of decreasing CEDE value. Radionuclides including I-131, I-133, Sr-89, Cs-134, Ba-140, Xe-133, and Xe-135 were found to be the main contributors to the CEDE.
Effect of Electroacupuncture Treatment at Dazhui (GV14) and Mingmen (GV4) Modulates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Rats after Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Li Ke , Liu Juntong , Song Liangyu , Lv Wei , Tian Xi , Li Zhigang , Shi Suhua
Published: January 2020

Electroacupuncture (EA) is widely recognized as clinical treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). The purpose of this study is to elucidate whether and how the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway plays any role in EA treating SCI. Rats were randomly divided into four equal groups: Control Group, Sham-operation Group, Model Group, and EA Group, then further randomly divided into the following subgroups: 1-day (n=12), 1-day rapamycin (n=6), 14-day (n=18), and 28-day (n=18). A rat model of SCI was established by a modified Allen’s weight-drop method. In the EA Group, rats were stimulated on Dazhui (GV14) and Mingmen (GV4) for 20 min by sterilized stainless steel needles. In the EA Group, the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor rating scale showed obvious improved locomotor function, and hematoxylin-eosin staining and magnetic resonance imaging showed that the histological morphology change of injured spinal cord tissue was obviously alleviated. Also, blocking spinal mTOR by injection of rapamycin showed that mTOR existed in the injured spinal cord, and EA could significantly activate mTOR in SCI rats. And immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway showed that levels of PI3K, AKT, mTOR, and p70S6K in the injured spinal cord tissue were greatly increased in the EA Group, while the levels of PTEN and caspase 3 were decreased. The present study suggests that EA could affect cell growth, apoptosis, and autophagy through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
Meningothelial Meningioma Component in a Prepubertal Testicular Teratoma
Authors: Sinha Ruchi , Kumari Madhu , Sinha Ranwir Kumar , Kumar Bindey
Published: January 2020

Teratomas are nonseminomatous germ cell tumors composed of elements derived from more than one germinal layers (endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm). Malignant transformation of teratoma in the testis is well known; however, benign somatic neoplasm arising in a testicular teratoma is a rare occurrence. We report a case of meningothelial variant of meningioma arising in a pure and mature teratoma of the testis in a 5-year-old boy. Immunohistochemistry was positive for epithelial membrane antigen and vimentin. To our knowledge, this is the first report of meningothelial meningioma in a prepubertal testicular teratoma.