bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Short-term legacy effects of feedlot manure amendments on irrigated barley yield and soil macronutrient supply
Authors: Miller J.J. , Beasley B.W. , Bremer E. , Drury C.F. , Larney F.J. , Hao X. , Chanasyk D.S.
Published: February 2019

Limited research exists on short-term legacy effects of land application of different feedlot manures on barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) yield and soil macronutrient (NO3-N, PO4-P, K, and SO4-S) supply. In a study conducted in southern Alberta, feedlot manures with straw (ST) or wood-chip (WD) bedding were either stockpiled or composted and applied annually to a clay loam soil at 13, 39, and 77 Mg ha−1dry wt. for 17 yr. Control treatments without any amendments or with inorganic fertilizer were included. In the second and third year (2016–2017) after discontinuing manure applications in 2014, barley silage yield and soil nutrient supply measured in situ with plant root simulator (PRS®) probes were determined. No significant (P > 0.05) treatment effects occurred on barley yield. Significant treatment effects occurred on soil nutrient supply, but these depended on date and interaction with other treatment factors. Manure rate generally increased soil nutrient supply. Soil NO3-N and PO4-P supply were 40%–59% lower for composted manure with ST than the other three manure type-bedding treatments, and they were 26%–53% greater for stockpiled than composted manure. This indicated variable manure type effects at different dates. At the two highest rates, soil K supply was 60%–106% greater for ST than WD bedding, and the reverse trend occurred where SO4-S supply was 40%–174% greater for WD than ST bedding. Overall, short-term legacy effects of feedlot manure type and bedding were more persistent on soil macronutrient supply than barley silage yield.
Barcoding the Neotropical freshwater fish fauna using a new pair of universal COI primers with a discussion of primer dimers and M13 primer tails
Authors: Jennings W. Bryan , Ruschi Piero A. , Ferraro Gustavo , Quijada Carla Christie , Silva-Malanski Ana Cecilia Gomes , Prosdocimi Francisco , Buckup Paulo A.
Published: February 2019

Designing primers for DNA barcoding is a significant challenge for the rich Neotropical fish fauna, which is comprised of ∼6000 species. Previously, researchers required multiple pairs of PCR primers or primer cocktails to obtain standard COI (i.e., mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) barcode sequences from assemblages of freshwater fish in this region. To simplify DNA barcoding and metabarcoding studies of Neotropical freshwater fish, we present a new pair of COI primers, which have yielded high quality barcodes across six teleost orders—Characiformes, Cichliformes, Cyprinodontiformes, Gymnotiformes, Siluriformes, and Synbranchiformes—native to South America. Following previous fish barcoding studies, we also tailed our primers with M13 forward and reverse primers to facilitate the DNA sequencing process. Although this practice generates primer dimers, we obtained complete and high quality COI barcode sequences for all samples. We discuss the problem of primer dimers and suggest strategies for neutralizing their influence on data quality.
HTTP/2-based Frame Discarding for Low-Latency Adaptive Video Streaming
Authors: Yahia Mariem Ben , Louedec Yannick Le , Simon Gwendal , Nuaymi Loutfi , Corbillon Xavier
Published: February 2019

In this article, we propose video delivery schemes insuring around 1s delivery latency with Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH), which is a standard version of HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), so as to benefit from the video representation switching between successive video segments. We also propose HTTP/2-based algorithms to apply video frame discarding policies inside a video segment when a selected DASH representation does not match with the available network resources. The current solutions with small buffer suffer from rebuffering events. Rebuffering not only impacts the Quality of Experience (QoE) but also increases the delivery delay between the displayed and the original video streams. In this work, we completely eliminate rebuffering events by developing optimal and practical video frame discarding algorithms to meet the 1s latency constraint. In all our algorithms, we request the video frames individually through HTTP/2 multiple streams, and we selectively drop the least meaningful video frames thanks to HTTP/2 stream resetting feature. Our simulations show that the proposed algorithms eliminate rebuffering while insuring an acceptable video quality with at least a Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) of 35dB compared to 25dB of the basic First In First Out (FIFO) algorithm. We also quantify and qualify the resulting temporal distortion of the video segments per algorithm. An important number of missing video frames results in a temporal fluidity break known as
video jitter
. The displayed video looks like a series of snapshots. We show that both the optimal Integer Linear Program (ILP) and practical algorithms decrease the frequency and duration of the jitters. For example, practical algorithms reduce the number of crashed displayed videos (presenting one jitter longer than 1,350ms) with 22% compared to the basic FIFO algorithm. We also show that requesting video frames separately with HTTP/2 slightly increases the overhead from 4.34% to 5.76%.
Morning exercise mitigates the impact of prolonged sitting on cerebral blood flow in older adults
Authors: Wheeler Michael J. , Dunstan David W. , Smith Brianne , Smith Kurt J. , Scheer Anna , Lewis Jaye , Naylor Louise H. , Heinonen Ilkka , Ellis Kathryn A. , Cerin Ester , Ainslie Philip N. , Green Daniel J.
Published: February 2019

Preventing declines in cerebral blood flow is important for maintaining optimal brain health with aging. We compared the effects of a morning bout of moderate-intensity exercise, with and without subsequent light-intensity walking breaks from sitting, on cerebral blood velocity over 8 h in older adults. In a randomized crossover trial, overweight/obese older adults ( n = 12, 70 ± 7 yr; 30.4 ± 4.3 kg/m2), completed three acute conditions (6-day washout); SIT: prolonged sitting (8 h, control); EX+SIT: sitting (1 h), moderate-intensity walking (30 min), followed by uninterrupted sitting (6.5 h); and EX + BR: sitting (1 h), moderate-intensity walking (30 min), followed by sitting (6.5 h) interrupted with 3 min of light-intensity walking every 30 min. Bilateral middle cerebral artery velocities (MCAv) were determined using transcranial Doppler at 13 time points across the day. The temporal pattern and average MCAv over 8 h was determined. The pattern of MCAv over 8 h was a negative linear trend in SIT ( P < 0.001), but a positive quadratic trend in EX + SIT ( P < 0.001) and EX + BR ( P < 0.01). Afternoon time points in SIT were lower than baseline within condition ( P ≤ 0.001 for all). A morning dip in MCAv was observed in EX + SIT and EX + BR ( P < 0.05 relative to baseline), but afternoon time points were not significantly lower than baseline. The average MCAv over 8 h was higher in EX + SIT than SIT ( P = 0.007) or EX + BR ( P = 0.024). Uninterrupted sitting should be avoided, and moderate-intensity exercise should be encouraged for the daily maintenance of cerebral blood flow in older adults. The clinical implications of maintaining adequate cerebral blood flow include the delivery of vital oxygen and nutrients to the brain.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to measure the combined effects of an exercise bout with breaks in sitting on cerebral blood velocity in older adults. Using frequent recordings over an 8-h period, we have performed a novel analysis of the pattern of cerebral blood velocity, adjusting for concurrent measures of mean arterial pressure and other potential confounders in a linear mixed effects regression.
Diaphragm shear modulus reflects transdiaphragmatic pressure during isovolumetric inspiratory efforts and ventilation against inspiratory loading
Authors: Bachasson Damien , Dres Martin , Niérat Marie-Cécile , Gennisson Jean-Luc , Hogrel Jean-Yves , Doorduin Jonne , Similowski Thomas
Published: February 2019

The reference method for the assessment of diaphragm function relies on the measurement of transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi). Local muscle stiffness measured using ultrafast shear wave elastography (SWE) provides reliable estimates of muscle force in locomotor muscles. This study aimed at investigating whether SWE could be used as a surrogate of Pdi to evaluate diaphragm function. Fifteen healthy volunteers underwent a randomized stepwise inspiratory loading protocol of 0–60% of maximal isovolumetric inspiratory pressure during closed-airways maneuvers and 0–50% during ventilation against an external inspiratory threshold load. During all tasks, Pdi was measured and SWE was used to assess shear modulus of the right hemidiaphragm (SMdi) at the zone of apposition. Pearson correlation coefficients ( r) and repeated-measures correlation coefficients ( R) were computed to determine within-individual and overall relationships between Pdi and SMdi, respectively. During closed-airways maneuvers, mean Pdi correlated to mean SMdi in all participants [ r ranged from 0.77 to 0.96, all P < 0.01; R = 0.82, 95% confidence intervals (0.76, 0.86), P < 0.01]. During ventilation against inspiratory threshold loading, Pdi swing correlated to maximal SMdi in all participants [ r ranged from 0.40 to 0.90, all P < 0.01; R = 0.70, 95% confidence intervals (0.66, 0.73), P < 0.001]. Changes in diaphragm stiffness as assessed by SWE reflect changes in transdiaphragmatic pressure. SWE provides a new opportunity for direct and noninvasive assessment of diaphragm function.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Accurate and specific estimation of diaphragm effort is critical for evaluating and monitoring diaphragm dysfunction. The measurement of transdiaphragmatic pressure requires the use of invasive gastric and esophageal probes. In the present work, we demonstrate that changes in diaphragm stiffness assessed with ultrasound shear wave elastography reflect changes in transdiaphragmatic pressure, therefore offering a new noninvasive method for gauging diaphragm effort.
Nasal high flow reduces minute ventilation during sleep through a decrease of carbon dioxide rebreathing
Authors: Pinkham Maximilian , Burgess Russel , Mündel Toby , Tatkov Stanislav
Published: February 2019

Nasal high flow (NHF) is an emerging therapy for respiratory support, but knowledge of the mechanisms and applications is limited. It was previously observed that NHF reduces the tidal volume but does not affect the respiratory rate during sleep. The authors hypothesized that the decrease in tidal volume during NHF is due to a reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) rebreathing from dead space. In nine healthy males, ventilation was measured during sleep using calibrated respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP). Carbogen gas mixture was entrained into 30 l/min of NHF to obtain three levels of inspired CO2: 0.04% (room air), 1%, and 3%. NHF with room air reduced tidal volume by 81 ml, SD 25 ( P < 0.0001) from a baseline of 415 ml, SD 114, but did not change respiratory rate; tissue CO2and O2remained stable, indicating that gas exchange had been maintained. CO2entrainment increased tidal volume close to baseline with 1% CO2and greater than baseline with 3% CO2by 155 ml, SD 79 ( P = 0.0004), without affecting the respiratory rate. It was calculated that 30 l/min of NHF reduced the rebreathing of CO2from anatomical dead space by 45%, which is equivalent to the 20% reduction in tidal volume that was observed. The study proves that the reduction in tidal volume in response to NHF during sleep is due to the reduced rebreathing of CO2. Entrainment of CO2into the NHF can be used to control ventilation during sleep.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The findings in healthy volunteers during sleep show that nasal high flow (NHF) with a rate of 30 l/min reduces the rebreathing of CO2from anatomical dead space by 45%, resulting in a reduced minute ventilation, while gas exchange is maintained. Entrainment of CO2into the NHF can be used to control ventilation during sleep.
Axial Spacing Effects on Rotor-Rotor Interaction Noise and Vibration in a Contra-Rotating Fan
Authors: Luan Hengxuan , Weng Liyuan , Liu Ranhui , Li Dongmin , Wang Mingwei
Published: February 2019

Because of the potential technical advantages, the contra-rotation technology has become a renewed interest in aviation and other applications. Contra-rotation increases efficiency in comparison with the single-rotor design, but this advantage is not fully harnessed. The axial spacing of two-stage contra-rotating blade rows has a significant impact on a contra-rotating fan/compressor. The results show that with a contra-rotation pattern, the strong unsteadiness of two-stage rotors is caused by the rotor-rotor interaction. The unsteadiness of rotor 1 is caused by the potential disturbance, and the upstream wake leads to the strong unsteadiness of rotor 2. With the increase of axial spacing, the rotor-rotor interaction is weakened, while unsteady features of two-stage rotor blades tend to be consistent. The acoustic and vibration effects of axial spacing are studied. It is found that the axial spacing has great influence of aerodynamic noise. The mean value of sound pressure level decreases by 17.2 dB in total when the axial spacing increased to 1.1 chord from 0.3 chord. For the accuracy of calculation, the scattering effect of the casing wall should be considered in the prediction of the noise. The axial spacing does not have obvious effects on the natural frequencies of the two-stage rotor blades but has certain effect on blade deformation.
Optimal Layer Reinsurance for Compound Fractional Poisson Model
Authors: Zhang Jiesong
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we study the optimal retentions for an insurer with a compound fractional Poisson surplus and a layer reinsurance treaty. Under the criterion of maximizing the adjustment coefficient, the closed form expressions of the optimal results are obtained. It is demonstrated that the optimal retention vector and the maximal adjustment coefficient are not only closely related to the parameter of the fractional Poisson process, but also dependent on the time and the claim intensity, which is different from the case in the classical compound Poisson process. Numerical examples are presented to show the impacts of the three parameters on the optimal results.
The Tissue Distribution of Four Major Coumarins after Oral Administration of Angelicae Pubescentis Radix Extract to Rats Using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Ge Yuanyuan , Chen Shujing , Luo Qian , Wang Chun-peng , Hao Jia , He Jun , Chen Xiaopeng , Yang Xuejing , Li Jin , Chang Yan-xu
Published: February 2019

Angelicae pubescentis radix (APR) is widely applied in treating rheumatoid arthritis in China. Coumarins are the major active compounds of APR extract including columbianetin, columbianetin acetate, osthole, and columbianadin. The in vivo behavior of the four major coumarins of APR has not been systematically reported. A feasible and reliable ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method was established and validated for the quantification of the above four coumarins in rat various tissues (including heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, uterus, ovary, and muscle) after oral administration of APR extract. The separation was implemented on a Waters ACQUITY BEH C18 column (4.6 mm × 100 mm, 1.7 μm) with gradient mobile phase comprising acetonitrile-water (with 1mM formic acid) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The tissue homogenate samples were prepared by liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. The calibration curves were linear in the range of 1.6-20000 ng/mL for four coumarins with the lower limit of quantitation of 1.6 ng/mL in rat tissues. The intraday and interday precisions and recoveries were all within 80-100% with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) which were all less than 10.9%. The method was successfully applied to the tissue distribution research after oral administration of 6.0 g/kg APR extract to rat. The results revealed that the tissues distributions of four coumarins were in the liver, followed by the ovary, uterus, kidney, lung, heart, spleen, and muscle.
Creating Nodes at Selected Locations in a Harmonically Excited Structure Using Feedback Control and Green’s Function
Authors: Albassam Bassam A.
Published: February 2019

The paper deals with designing a control force to create nodal point(s) having zero displacements and/or zero slopes at selected locations in a harmonically excited vibrating structure. It is shown that the steady‐state vibrations at desired points can be eliminated using feedback control forces. These control forces are constructed from displacement and/or velocity measurements using sensors located either at the control force position or at some other locations. Dynamic Green’s function is exploited to derive a simple and exact closed from expression for the control force. Under a certain condition, this control force can be generated using passive elements such as springs and dampers. Numerical examples demonstrate the applicability of the method in various cases.
Adaptations in Protein Expression and Regulated Activity of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Multienzyme Complex in Human Systolic Heart Failure
Authors: Sheeran Freya L. , Angerosa Julie , Liaw Norman Y. , Cheung Michael M. , Pepe Salvatore
Published: February 2019

Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex, a multienzyme complex at the nexus of glycolytic and Krebs cycles, provides acetyl-CoA to the Krebs cycle and NADH to complex I thus supporting a critical role in mitochondrial energy production and cellular survival. PDH activity is regulated by pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatases (PDP1, PDP2), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases (PDK 1-4), and mitochondrial pyruvate carriers (MPC1, MPC2). As NADH-dependent oxidative phosphorylation is diminished in systolic heart failure, we tested whether the left ventricular myocardium (LV) from end-stage systolic adult heart failure patients (n=26) exhibits altered expression of PDH complex subunits, PDK, MPC, PDP, and PDH complex activity, compared to LV from nonfailing donor hearts (n=21). Compared to nonfailing LV, PDH activity and relative expression levels of E2, E3bp, E1α, and E1βsubunits were greater in LV failure. PDK4, MPC1, and MPC2 expressions were decreased in failing LV, whereas PDP1, PDP2, PDK1, and PDK2 expressions did not differ between nonfailing and failing LV. In order to examine PDK4 further, donor human LV cardiomyocytes were induced in culture to hypertrophy with 0.1 μM angiotensin II and treated with PDK inhibitors (0.2 mM dichloroacetate, or 5 mM pyruvate) or activators (0.6 mM NADH plus 50 μM acetyl CoA). In isolated hypertrophic cardiomyocytesin vitro, PDK activators and inhibitors increased and decreased PDK4, respectively. In conclusion, in end-stage failing hearts, greater expression of PDH proteins and decreased expression of PDK4, MPC1, and MPC2 were evident with higher rates of PDH activity. These adaptations support sustained capacity for PDH to facilitate glucose metabolism in the face of other failing bioenergetic pathways.
Application of a Combined Homogenate and Ultrasonic Cavitation System for the Efficient Extraction of Flavonoids from Cinnamomum camphora Leaves and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant Activity In Vitro
Authors: Liu Zaizhi , Kong Lingtao , Lu Shunbao , Zou Zhengrong
Published: February 2019

A free-of-dust pollution extraction method combined-homogenate and ultrasonic cavitation system, namely, homogenate-combined ultrasonic cavitation synergistic extraction (HUCSE), was proposed for the efficient extraction of flavonoids from Cinnamomum camphora leaves. Response surface methodology of Box–Behnken design was employed to optimize the HUCSE process, and the optimum operation conditions attained with an extraction yield of 7.95 ± 0.27 mg/g were ethanol concentration 76%, homogenate/ultrasonic time 25 min, solvent-to-solid ratio 22 mL/g, and ultrasonic power 240 W. A second-order kinetic mathematical methodology was performed to depict the behaviors of HUCSE and heat reflux extraction method. The results suggested that the developed HUCSE is an efficient and green method for the extraction of C. camphora flavonoids or other plant natural products, where the obvious higher parameters of extraction capacity at saturation, second-order extraction rate constant, and original extraction rate were obtained when compared to the heat reflux method. The antioxidant activity assays in vitro showed that the C. camphora flavonoids possessed strong antioxidant activity and are promising to be applied as a natural alternative antioxidant.
Coculture of hWJMSCs and pACs in Oriented Scaffold Enhances Hyaline Cartilage Regeneration In Vitro
Authors: Zhang Yu , Liu Shuyun , Guo Weimin , Hao Chunxiang , Wang Mingjie , Li Xu , Zhang Xueliang , Chen Mingxue , Wang Zehao , Sui Xiang , Peng Jiang , Wang Yu , Lu Shibi , Guo Quanyi
Published: February 2019

Seed cells of articular cartilage tissue engineering face many obstacles in their application because of the dedifferentiation of chondrocytes or unstable chondrogenic differentiation status of pluripotent stem cells. To overcome mentioned dilemmas, a simulation of the articular cartilage microenvironment was constructed by primary articular cartilage cells (pACs) and acellular cartilage extracellular matrix- (ACECM-) oriented scaffold cocultured with human umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hWJMSCs) in vitro. The coculture groups showed more affluent cartilage special matrix ingredients including collagen II and aggrecan based on the results of histological staining and western blotting and cut down as many pACs as possible. The RT-PCR and cell viability experiments also demonstrated that hWJMSCs were successfully induced to differentiate into chondrocytes when cultured in the simulated cartilage microenvironment, as confirmed by the significant upregulation of collagen II and aggrecan, while the cell proliferation activity of pACs was significantly improved by cell-cell interactions. Therefore, compared with monoculture and chondrogenic induction of inducers, coculture providing a simulated native articular microenvironment was a potential and temperate way to regulate the biological behaviors of pACs and hWJMSCs to regenerate the hyaline articular cartilage.
The Comprehensive Assessment Method of Concrete Damage after Disastrous Fire Based on Game Theory‐Normal Cloud Model
Authors: Gao Zhongwei , Ma Donghui , Guo Xiaodong , Wang Wei , Wang Zhitao
Published: February 2019

Rapidly and correctly assessing the extent of the damage to a concrete structure after a disastrous fire has great engineering significance. In this paper, an assessment method is proposed based on the game theory‐normal cloud model. The surface colors of concrete, exfoliation, cracks, and hammering responses are chosen as the comprehensive assessment indices of concrete damage after fire to establish the corresponding assessment criteria. The normal cloud generator is used to calculate the certainty degree of the grading assessment index of concrete damage after fire. By adopting game theory, the objective weight obtained by the information entropy method and the subjective weight obtained by precedence chart are combined into a comprehensive weight. The comprehensive certainty degree value of concrete damage after fire is then calculated by certainty and weight matrices. The project case analysis shows the assessment results are both intuitive and realistic. This method provides a new approach to the assessment of concrete damage after fire which is more efficient and easier to apply than existing methods.
Thermodynamic Properties of Aqueous Species Calculated Using the HKF Model: How Do Different Thermodynamic and Electrostatic Models for Solvent Water Affect Calculated Aqueous Properties?
Authors: Miron George D. , Leal Allan M. M. , Yapparova Alina
Published: February 2019

Thermodynamic properties of aqueous species are essential for modeling of fluid-rock interaction processes. The Helgeson-Kirkham-Flowers (HKF) model is widely used for calculating standard state thermodynamic properties of ions and complexes over a wide range of temperatures and pressures. To do this, the HKF model requires thermodynamic and electrostatic models of water solvent. In this study, we investigate and quantify the impact of choosing different models for calculating water solvent volumetric and dielectric properties, on the properties of aqueous species calculated using the HKF model. We identify temperature and pressure conditions at which the choice of different models can have a considerable effect on the properties of aqueous species and on fluid mineral equilibrium calculations. The investigated temperature and pressure intervals are 25–1000°C and 1–5 kbar, representative of upper to middle crustal levels, and of interest for modeling ore-forming processes. The thermodynamic and electrostatic models for water solvent considered are: Haar, Gallagher and Kell (1984), Wagner and Pruß (2002), and Zhang and Duan (2005), to calculate water volumetric properties, and Johnson and Norton (1991), Fernandez and others (1997), and Sverjensky and others (2014), to calculate water dielectric properties. We observe only small discrepancies in the calculated standard partial molal properties of aqueous species resulting from using different water thermodynamic models. However, large differences in the properties of charged species can be observed at higher temperatures (above 500°C) as a result of using different electrostatic models. Depending on the aqueous speciation and the reactions that control the chemical composition, the observed differences can vary. The discrepancy between various electrostatic models is attributed to the scarcity of experimental data at high temperatures. These discrepancies restrict the reliability of the geochemical modeling of hydrothermal and ore formation processes, and the retrieval of thermodynamic parameters from experimental data at elevated temperatures and pressures.
Design, Construction, and Operation of a High‐Energy Mill for Handling Magnesium Powder
Authors: Paredes Rojas J. C. , Álvarez Ramírez L. E. , Urriolagoitia Sosa G. , Torres San Miguel C. R. , Romero Ángeles B. , Leal Naranjo J. A. , Urriolagoitia Calderón G. M.
Published: February 2019

A high‐energy mill was designed and built with the purpose of processing magnesium (Mg) powders. The main characteristics of the mill are grinding capacity of 1 kg and demolition elements of 10 kg; it has a distributed form to the interior ten blades of similar geometry, six of which are of the same size and four of them were increased in length in order to avoid the accumulation of the ground material. It has a jacket with a diameter of 240 mm as a cooling system to prevent high temperatures during grinding and possible chemical reactions; likewise, type 304 stainless steel was used for its construction. 10 mills were made during a period of 4, 6, and 8 hours, in order to obtain microparticles; with these particles, an analysis of X‐ray spectroscopy was made to verify their physical and chemical characteristics. The outcome shows powder particles with dimensions of 0.1‐4 mm, which will be used to the storage and handling hydrogen in the solid state (MgH2).
Predicting MicroRNA Target Genes and Identifying Hub Genes in IIA Stage Colon Cancer Patients Using Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Dong Zhiyong , Lin Wei , Kujawa Stacy A. , Wu Shike , Wang Cunchuan
Published: February 2019

Background. Colon cancer is a heterogeneous disease, differing in clinical symptoms, epigenetics, and prognosis for each individual patient. Identifying the core genes is important for early diagnoses and it provides a more precise method for treating colon cancer. Materials and Methods. In this study, we wanted to pinpoint these core genes so we obtained GSE101502 microRNA profiles from the GEO database, which resulted in 17 differential expressed microRNAs that were identified by GEO2R analysis. Then, 875 upregulated and 2920 downregulated target genes were predicted by FunRich. GO and KEGG pathway were used to do enrich analysis. Results. GO analysis indicated that upregulated genes were significantly enriched in the regulation of cell communication and signaling and in nervous system development, while the downregulated genes were significantly enriched in nervous system development and regulation of transcription from the RNA polymerase II promoter. KEGG pathway analysis suggested that the upregulated genes were enriched in axon guidance, MAPK signaling pathway, and endocytosis, while the downregulated genes existed in pathways in cancer, focal adhesion, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. The top four molecules including 82 hub genes were identified from the PPI network and involved in endocytosis, spliceosome, TGF-beta signaling pathway, and lysosome. Finally, NUDT21, GNB1, CLINT1, and COL1A2 core gene were selected due to their correlation with the prognosis of IIA stage colon cancer. Conclusion. this study suggested that NUDT21, GNB1, CLINT1, and COL1A2 might be the core genes for colon cancer that play an important role in the development and prognosis of IIA stage colon cancer.
Interval State Estimation of Linear Multicellular Systems
Authors: Huang Zhaoxia , Liu Jun , Qian Fucai
Published: February 2019

Linear multicellular system is a type of differential inclusion system, which can be deemed as an extension of linear control system with set‐valued mapping. As an important issue in existing control systems, interval state estimation has been widely applied in engineering practices. Over the years, the objects of the studies on interval state estimation have been extended from the initial linear time‐invariant systems to linear time‐varying systems, chaotic systems, feedback linearization systems, and nonlinear Lipschitz systems. However, there is no report on the design of interval observer for linear multicellular system. To make up for this gap, this chapter attempts to explore the design of an interval observer for linear multicellular systems.
Multi‐Dictionary Based Collaborative Representation: With Applications to 3D Ear and 3D Palmprint Identification
Authors: Zhang Lin , Zhu Xining , Li Lida
Published: February 2019

Biometrics based personal authentication has been found to be an effective method for recognizing, with high confidence, a person’s identity. With the emergence of reliable and inexpensive 3D scanners, recent years have witnessed a growing interest in developing 3D biometrics systems. As a commonsense, matching algorithms are crucial for such systems. In this paper, we focus on investigating identification methods for two specific 3D biometric identifiers, 3D ear and 3D palmprint. Specifically, we propose a Multi‐Dictionary based Collaborative Representation (MDCR) framework for classification, which can reduce the negative effects aroused by some local regions. With MDCR, a range map is partitioned into overlapping blocks and, from each block, a feature vector is extracted. At the dictionary construction stage, feature vectors from blocks having the same locations in gallery samples can form a dictionary and, accordingly, multiple dictionaries are obtained. Given a probe sample, by coding its each feature vector on the corresponding dictionary, multiple class labels can be obtained and then we use a simple majority‐based voting scheme to make the final decision. In addition, a novel patch‐wise and statistics‐based feature extraction scheme is proposed, combining the range image’s local surface type information and local dominant orientation information. The effectiveness of the proposed approach has been corroborated by extensive experiments conducted on two large‐scale and widely‐used benchmark datasets, the UND Collection J2 3D ear dataset and the PolyU 3D palmprint dataset. To make the results reproducible, we have publicly released the source code.
Preparation of Prolonged-Circulating Galangin-Loaded Liposomes and Evaluation of Antitumor Efficacy In Vitro and Pharmacokinetics In Vivo
Authors: Yao Hui , Lu Hao , Zhang Jun , Xue Xuemei , Yin Chao , Hu Jun , Zou Rong , Wang Lun , Xu Hanlin
Published: February 2019

Galangin has been reported to have many pharmacological effects including being anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal and a suppressor of vitiligo, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer. The purpose of this research was to characterize and determine the efficacy of the antitumor activity and pharmacokinetics of galangin-loaded PEGylated liposomes compared with free galangin. Galangin-loaded liposomes and galangin-loaded PEGylated liposomes were prepared using thin-film dispersion prior to ultrasonication. The mean particle size of the galangin-loaded PEGylated liposomes was approximately 120 nm, the polydispersity index was 0.212, the zeta potential was -2.24 mV, and the entrapment efficiency was 76.31%. The release of galangin from galangin-loaded PEG-modified liposomes was slowest as gauged by dynamic dialysis in vitro. In the apoptosis experiment, galangin-loaded PEG-modified liposomes demonstrated cytotoxicity to hepatoma cells by apoptosis that was greater than the two other forms of drug carrier. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the half-life of galangin in PEG-modified liposomes was 4 hours in the plasma of rats, significantly longer than that of free galangin. The experimental results suggest that the PEG modification of liposomes effectively increases the solubility of galangin and alters its pharmacokinetic parameters, such that it may be effective in the treatment of liver cancer.
Intelligent Municipal Heritage Management Service in a Smart City: Telecommunication Traffic Characterization and Quality of Service
Authors: Rodriguez-Hernandez Miguel A. , Jiang Zhuhan , Gomez-Sacristan Angel , Pla Vicent
Published: February 2019

The monitoring of cultural heritage is becoming common in cities to provide heritage preservation and prevent vandalism. Using sensors and video cameras for this task implies the need to transmit information. In this paper, the teletraffic that cameras and sensors generate is characterized and the transmissions’ influence on the municipal communications network is evaluated. Then, we propose models for telecommunication traffic sources in an intelligent municipal heritage management service inside a smart sustainable city. The sources were simulated in a smart city scenario to find the proper quality of service (QoS) parameters for the communication network, using Valencia City as background. Specific sensors for intelligent municipal heritage management were selected and four telecommunication traffic sources were modelled according to real-life requirements and sensors datasheet. Different simulations were performed to find the proper CIR (Committed Information Rate) and PIR (Peak Information Rate) values and to study the effects of limited bandwidth networks. Packet loss, throughput, delay, and jitter were used to evaluate the network’s performance. Consequently, the result was the selection of the minimum values for PIR and CIR that ensured QoS and thus optimized the traffic telecommunication costs associated with an intelligent municipal heritage management service.
Bone Mineral Density, TBS, and Body Composition Indexes in Ukrainian Men with Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Povoroznyuk Vladyslav , Bystrytska Maryna , Grygorieva Nataliia , Karaban Iryna , Karasevich Nina
Published: February 2019

Introduction. Current research studies demonstrate the changes of bone mineral density (BMD) in subjects with Parkinson’s disease (PD); however, data about bone quality and body composition (BC) indexes are insufficient. The aim of the study was to assess the parameters of BMD, ВС, and trabecular bone score (TBS) in PD males. Materials and Methods. We performed a cross-sectional case-control research design and examined 76 males aged 50–77 years old, who were divided into two groups: first group including men without PD n=38 and the second group including subjects with PD n=38. Disease duration was at least 5 years; all PD participants were at levodopa therapy. BMD of lumbar spine, femoral neck, total femur, radius, and total body and TBS Ll−L4 were measured using the DXA method. Whole-body DXA measures were also used for the study of total, lean, and fat masses, skeletal muscle index (SMI), appendicular lean mass index (ALMI), and fat mass index (FMI). Results. Our study showed an increased incidence of osteoporosis and significantly lower total body BMD (respectively, 1.20 ± 0.13 and 1.26 ± 0.10 g/cm2, p=0.05), but not lumbar spine and femoral neck BMDs, and higher TBS value in PD men comparing to the control group (respectively, 1.33 ± 0.12 and 1.22 ± 0.18 un., p=0.005). Also, we established significantly decreased lower extremities BMD indexes, but not upper extremities, spine, and trunk BMDs in PD males. The femoral neck, proximal femur, and lower extremities BMD indexes in PD men were reliably lower at the side of predominance of clinical symptoms. Parameters of appendicular lean mass and ALMI in PD males were reliably higher, but fat mass values and FMI were lower compared to the control group in the absence of significant differences in lean mass values and SMI in weight-matched control. Conclusion. Due to low BMD values, changes in BC are present in PD males, and appropriate screening and preventive strategies should be instigated to maintain bone health in PD subjects.
Discrete Optimization Model and Algorithm for Driver Planning in Periodic Driver Routing Problem
Authors: Huang Lin , Lv Wenya , Sun Qian , Ma Chengle
Published: February 2019

Workforce planning is an operation management problem in the delivery industry to improve service quality and reliability, and the working attitude and passion of drivers, as the direct implementors of delivery service, affect the service level. Consequently, assigning equal workload for drivers so as to improve drivers’ acceptance is a reasonable and efficient workforce plan for managers. This paper investigates a periodic driver routing problem to explore the relationship between workload differential among drivers and total workload; the objective of the optimization problem is to minimize the total workload. To tackle this problem, we first propose a mixed-integer linear programming model, which can be solved by an off-the-shelf mixed-integer linear programming solver, and use the local branching based method to solve larger instances of the problem. Numerical experiments are conducted to validate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed model and solution method, as well as the effect of small workload differential among drivers on the total workload.
Examining Urban and Rural Differences in How Distance to Care Influences the Initiation and Completion of Treatment among Insured Cervical Cancer Patients
Authors: Spees Lisa P. , Brewster Wendy R. , Varia Mahesh A. , Weinberger Morris , Baggett Christopher , Zhou Xi , Petermann Victoria M. , Wheeler Stephanie B.
Published: February 2019

Background:

Although rural cancer patients encounter substantial barriers to care, they more often report receiving timely care than urban patients. We examined whether geographic distance, a contributor to urban–rural health disparities, differentially influences treatment initiation and completion among insured urban and rural cervical cancer patients.

Methods:

We identified women diagnosed with cervical cancer from 2004 to 2013 from a statewide cancer registry linked to multipayer, insurance claims. Primary outcomes were initiation of guideline-concordant care within 6 weeks of diagnosis and, among stage IB2-IVA cancer patients, completion of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in 56 days. We estimated risk ratios using modified Poisson regressions, stratified by urban/rural status, to examine the association between distance and treatment timing (initiation or completion).

Results:

Among 999 stage IA-IVA patients, 48% initiated guideline-concordant care within 6 weeks of diagnosis, and 37% of 492 stage IB2-IVA cancer patients completed CCRT in 56 days. In urban areas, stage IA-IVA patients who lived ≥15 miles from the nearest treatment facility were less likely to initiate timely treatment compared with those <5 miles [risk ratio (RR): 0.72; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.54–0.95]. Among IB2-IVA stage cancer patients, rural women residing ≥15 miles from the nearest radiation facility were more likely to complete CCRT in 56 days (RR: 2.49; 95% CI, 1.12–5.51).

Conclusions:

Geographic distance differentially influences the initiation and completion of treatment among urban and rural cervical cancer patients.

Impact:

Distance was an access barrier for insured cervical cancer patients in urban areas whereas rural patients may require more intensive outreach, support, and resources, even among those living closer to treatment.
Alpha Particle Radium 223 Dichloride in High-risk Osteosarcoma: A Phase I Dose Escalation Trial
Authors: Subbiah Vivek , Anderson Pete M. , Kairemo Kalevi , Hess Kenneth , Huh Winston W. , Ravi Vinod , Daw Najat C. , Somaiah Neeta , Ludwig Joseph A. , Benjamin Robert S. , Chawla Sant , Hong David S. , Meric-Bernstam Funda , Ravizzini Gregory , Kleinerman Eugenie , Macapinlac Homer , Rohren Eric
Published: February 2019

Purpose:

The prognosis of metastatic osteosarcoma continues to be poor. We hypothesized that alpha-emitting, bone-targeting radium 223 dichloride (223RaCl2) can be safely administered to patients with osteosarcoma and that early signals of response or resistance can be assessed by quantitative and qualitative correlative imaging studies and biomarkers.

Patients and Methods:

A 3+3 phase I, dose-escalation trial of 223RaCl2 (50, 75, and 100 kBq/kg) was designed in patients with recurrent/metastatic osteosarcoma aged ≥15 years. Objective measurements included changes in standardized uptake values of positron emission tomography (PET; 18FDG and/or NaF-18) and single-photon emission CT/CT (99mTc-MDP) as well as alkaline phosphatase and bone turnover markers at baseline, midstudy, and the end of the study.

Results:

Among 18 patients enrolled (including 15 males) aged 15–71 years, tumor locations included spine (n = 12, 67%), pelvis (n = 10, 56%), ribs (n = 9, 50%), extremity (n = 7, 39%), and skull (n = 2, 11%). Patients received 1–6 cycles of 223RaCl2; cumulative doses were 6.84-57.81 MBq. NaF PET revealed more sites of metastases than did FDG PET. One patient showed a metabolic response on FDG PET and NaF PET. Four patients had mixed responses, and one patient had a response in a brain metastasis. Bronchopulmonary hemorrhage from Grade 3 thrombocytopenia (N = 1) was a DLT. The median overall survival time was 25 weeks.

Conclusions:

The first evaluation of the safety and efficacy of an alpha particle in high-risk osteosarcoma shows that the recommended phase II dose for 223RaCl2 in osteosarcoma is 100 kBq/kg monthly (twice the dose approved for prostate cancer), with minimal hematologic toxicity, setting the stage for combination therapies.
Metabolic Endoscopy: Development and Perspectives
Authors: Raddatz Dirk
Published: February 2019

Background: Obesity and its metabolic sequelae are among the most serious challenges faced by health systems today and they are expected to pose a serious threat in the future as well. Therapy ranges from lifestyle modification to drug treatment to surgery. Metabolic endoscopy (ME) might close the gap between invasive “metabolic” surgery and conservative, less effective treatment. In recent years, several endoscopic approaches have emerged, promising a safe and effective approach to cope with obesity. Data on metabolic endpoints is scarce. This article will therefore highlight procedures with data on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) as the most prominent component of the metabolic syndrome. Summary: Most procedures showed beneficial effects in terms of weight reduction. For gastric procedures, there were no systematic studies primarily addressing parameters of glucose metabolism or diabetes outcomes. Metabolic benefit, if there is any, is most likely a by-product of weight loss. By contrast, duodenal-jejunal bypass sleeve (DJBS) is conceptually an antidiabetic procedure. Although adverse events are frequent, recent data points to a positive benefit-risk ratio. Key Messages: ME has the potential to constitute a growing field in the treatment of obesity and associated T2DM. While data published on glycaemic parameters in restrictive approaches is not sufficient, there is strong evidence that malabsorptive DJBS has an antidiabetic “plus” effect. Further studies are necessary to define the role of ME within a lifelong concept of treating obesity and T2DM.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A New Tool to Optimize the Prediction of Fetal Anemia?
Authors: Jørgensen Ditte S. , Vejlstrup Niels , Rode Line , Ekelund Charlotte K. , Macgowan Christopher K. , Jensen Lisa N. , Nørgaard Lone Nikoline , Portnoy Sharon , Seed Mike , Sundberg Karin , Søgaard Kirsten , Forman Julie Lyng , Tabor Ann
Published: February 2019

Introduction: The false-positive rate in the prediction of fetal anemia is 10–15%. We investigated if a new, noninvasive MRI method used as a supplement to ultrasound could improve the prediction. Methods: Fetuses suspected of anemia and controls were scanned in a 1.5-tesla MRI scanner 1–4 times during pregnancy. Cases were scanned before and after intrauterine blood transfusion with a T1-mapping MRI sequence in a cross-section of the umbilical vein. Results: Inclusion of 8 cases and 11 controls resulted in 10 case scans (2 cases were included twice) and 33 control scans. In controls, the T1 relaxation time was 1,005–1,391 ms; in cases with severe anemia, 1,505–1,595 ms, moderate anemia 1,503–1,525 ms, and no/mild anemia 1,245–1,410 ms. After blood transfusions, values dropped to 1,123–1,288 ms. The mean value in moderate and severe anemic cases was 275 ms higher than in controls (95% CI 210–341 ms, p < 0.0001), and after blood transfusion it was comparable to controls (3 ms, 95% CI –62 to 68 ms, p = 0.934). A 1,450-ms cut-off would have identified all cases in need of blood transfusion with no false-positive cases. Conclusions: Our findings indicate a potential for this new MRI method to improve the prediction of fetal anemia as a supplement to ultrasound.
Postmicturition Dribble: A Physiological Phenomenon?
Authors: Bretterbauer Katharina M. , Heidler Stefan , Colleselli Daniela , Huber Erik R. , Remzi Mesut , Eredics Klaus , Madersbacher Stephan , Hübner Wilhelm A.
Published: February 2019

Background: Postmicturition dribble (PMD) is a common condition in the male population. Objectives: Despite its common occurrence, there are only a few studies on this topic so far. The aim of this study was to investigate possible physiological aspects of PMD. Method: Seventeen men complaining of PMD and 10 healthy subjects were assessed via uroflometry, IPSS questionnaire, IIEF-5 questionnaire, and an adapted visual analogue scale (VAS) for ejaculation force ­(0–10) and the amount of bother concerning PMD (0–10) were completed. In addition to that, a retrograde urethrography at 40 and 60 cm water column as pressure unit to measure the width of the bulbar urethra was performed, and the amount of PMD was measured with an adjusted pad test. Results: The PMD group showed a significantly worse IPSS score, a lower Qmax rate in uroflowmetry, a worse IIEF-5 score, and a worse VAS score concerning ejaculation force. In both groups, worse IPSS levels correlated with a low bulbar urethral diameter at 40 and 60 cm water column. ­Another correlation was found between a high maximum urine flow rate and a larger bulbar urethral diameter at 40 and 60 cm. Both groups showed urine loss after micturition, with no bother (VAS 0) in the control group, whereas the PMD group showed a VAS of 6. Conclusions: PMD should be regarded as a physiological occurrence in men rather than a disease by itself. Suffering is only to be expected in combination with other lower urinary tract symptoms.