bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Neutrophil Percentage‐to‐Albumin Ratio as a New Predictor of All‐Cause Mortality in Patients with Cardiogenic Shock
Authors: Yu Yue , Liu Yu , Ling Xinyu , Huang Renhong , Wang Suyu , Min Jie , Xiao Jian , Zhang Yufeng , Wang Zhinong
Published: November 2020

Background. Although the neutrophil percentage‐to‐albumin ratio (NPAR) has proven to be a robust systemic inflammation‐based predictor of mortality in a wide range of diseases, the prognostic value of the NPAR in critically ill patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) remains unknown. This study aimed at investigating the association between the admission NPAR and clinical outcomes in CS patients using real‐world data. Methods. Critically ill patients diagnosed with CS in the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care‐III (MIMIC‐III) database were included in our study. The study endpoints included all‐cause in‐hospital, 30‐day, and 365‐day mortality in CS patients. First, the NPAR was analyzed as a continuous variable using restricted cubic spline Cox regression models. Second, X‐tile analysis was used to calculate the optimal cut‐off values for the NPAR and divide the cohort into three NPAR groups. Moreover, multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to assess the association of the NPAR groups with mortality. Results. A total of 891 patients hospitalized with CS were enrolled in this study. A nonlinear relationship between the NPAR and in‐hospital and 30‐day mortality was observed (all P values for nonlinear trend<0.001). According to the optimal cut‐off values by X‐tile, NPARs were divided into three groups: group I (NPAR < 25.3), group II (25.3 ≤ NPAR < 34.8), and group III (34.8 ≤ NPAR). Multivariable Cox analysis showed that higher NPAR was independently associated with increased risk of in‐hospital mortality (group III vs. group I: hazard ratio [HR] 2.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.72‐3.92, P < 0.001), 30‐day mortality (group III vs. group I: HR 2.42, 95% CI 1.65‐3.54, P < 0.001), and 365‐day mortality (group III vs. group I: HR 6.80, 95% CI 4.10‐11.26, P < 0.001) in patients with CS. Conclusions. Admission NPAR was independently associated with in‐hospital, 30‐day, and 365‐day mortality in critically ill patients with CS.
Determinants of Household Solid Waste Generation and Composition in Homs City, Syria
Authors: Noufal Mohamad , Yuanyuan Liu , Maalla Zena , Adipah Sylvia
Published: November 2020

The absence of accurate information on the state of waste is a challenge to the solid waste management system in Syria. The local authorities commonly estimate the quantity of waste produced and its characterisation, which is the starting point for solid waste management planning. So, this paper aims to evaluate the generation and composition of household solid waste in Homs city, Syria. Also, the study presents factors influencing the waste generation rate and the waste composition. The study was carried out in 300 families from four zones in Homs city, and three sampling stages were conducted during the study duration, which started in July 2017 and ended in February 2019. The outcomes show that an average of 0.68 kg/per/day solid waste generated was calculated for the entire study area in Homs city. Also, the data analysis presents that organic waste constitutes the largest component in the waste mixture (69.1%) followed by plastic (10.6%), inert materials (8.7%), paper (4.6%), textile (2.5%), metal (1.2%), glass (1.1%), wood (0.6%), and hazardous materials (1.6%). The multiple linear regression results showed that the adjusted R2 value was found to be 0.557, 0.839, and 0.709 for the waste generation per capita, the daily household organic waste generation, and the daily household packaging waste generation, respectively. Also, according to Pearson’s coefficient values, a positive correlation was found between household waste generation and monthly income (r = 0.626), household size (r = 0.37), and age of the household head (r = 0.517), whereas a negative correlation was found between household waste generation and the education level of the household head (r = −0.649).
Antiproliferative Activity, Proapoptotic Effect, and Cell Cycle Arrest in Human Cancer Cells of Some Marine Natural Product Extract
Authors: Cui Hong , Bashar Mansour A. E. , Rady Islam , El-Naggar Hussein A. , Abd El-Maoula Lamiaa M. , Mehany Ahmed B. M.
Published: November 2020

Bioactive constituents of numerous marine organisms have been investigated recently for their preclinical and clinical anticancer activity. Three marine organisms: black-spotted sea cucumber: Pearsonothuria graeffei (Pg), lollyfish: Holothuria atra (Ha), and sea hare: Aplysia dactylomela (Ad), were collected during winter 2019 from Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, Egypt, and macerated with ethanol into three different extracts: PgE, HaE, and AdE, where each was in vitro assessed for its antiproliferative and proapoptotic properties on HepG2, HCT-116, and MCF-7 cancer cells. PgE dose-dependently inhibited the growth of HepG2, HCT-116, and MCF-7 cells within IC50 values 16.22, 13.34, and 18.09 μg/mL, respectively, while the IC50 values for the antiproliferative activity of HaE were 12.48, 10.45, and 10.36 μg/mL, respectively, and the IC50 values of AdE were 6.51, 5.33, and 6.87 μg/mL, respectively. All extracts were found to induce G0/G1 cell cycle arrest for HepG2 cells side by side with their inhibition of CDK2 on all three cell lines while all extracts were also showed to induce apoptosis in HepG2 cell line at pre-G1 phase supplemented by their anticancer activity via proapoptotic protein Bax, caspase-3, and cleavage PARP increase, and antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 downturn. Moreover, necrosis has been relatively noticed in HepG2 cell line as an additional anticancer activity for each extract. Our data introduced three ethanolic marine extracts as natural chemotherapeutic agents to be further developed for cancer control.
Detection of Viruses by Multiplex Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid of Patients with Nonresponding Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Zhang Hao , Han Yinling , Jin Zhangchu , Ying Yinghua , Lan Fen , Huang Huaqiong , Wang Shaobin , Zhou Hongwei , Zhang Rong , Hua Wen , Shen Huahao , Li Wen , Yan Fugui
Published: November 2020

Background. Nonresponding pneumonia is responsible for the most mortality of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, thus far, it is not clear whether viral infection plays an important role in the etiology of nonresponding CAP and whether there is a significant difference in the clinical characteristics between viral and nonviral nonresponding CAP. Methods. From 2016 to 2019, nonresponding CAP patients were retrospectively enrolled in our study. All patients received bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and virus detection in BAL fluid by multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and clinical, laboratory, and radiographic data were collected. Results. A total of 43 patients were included. The median age was 62 years, and 65.1% of patients were male. Overall, 20 patients (46.5%) were identified with viral infection. Of these viruses, influenza virus (n = 8) and adenovirus (n = 7) were more frequently detected, and others included herpes simplex virus, human enterovirus, cytomegalovirus, human coronavirus 229E, rhinovirus, and parainfluenza virus. Compared with nonviral nonresponding CAP, only ground-glass opacity combined with consolidation was a more common imaging manifestation in viral nonresponding CAP. However, no obvious differences were found in clinical and laboratory findings between the presence and the absence of viral infections. Conclusions. Viral infections were particularly frequent in adults with nonresponding CAP. The ground-glass opacity combined with consolidation was a specific imaging manifestation for viral nonresponding CAP, while the clinical and laboratory data showed no obvious differences between viral and nonviral nonresponding CAP.
An Enhanced Method for Detecting and Repairing the Cycle Slips of Dual-Frequency Onboard GPS Receivers of LEO Satellites
Authors: Yang Zhouming , Liu Xin , Guo Jinyun , Xia Yaowei , Chang Xiaotao
Published: November 2020

Cycle slip detection and repair play important roles in the processing of data from dual-frequency GPS receivers onboard low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. To detect and repair cycle slips more comprehensively, an enhanced error method (EEM) is proposed. EEM combines single-frequency and narrow-lane carrier phase observations to construct special observations and observation equation groups. These special observations differ across time and satellite (ATS). ATS observations are constructed by three steps. The first step is differencing single-frequency and narrow-lane observations through a time difference (TD). The second step is to select a satellite as a reference satellite and other satellites as nonreference satellites. The third step is to difference the single-frequency TD observations from the reference satellite and the narrow-lane TD observations from the nonreference satellites by a satellite difference. If cycle slips occur at the reference satellite, the correction values for these ATS observations can be significantly enlarged. To process all satellites, the EEM selects each satellite as a reference satellite and builds the corresponding equation group. The EEM solves these observation equation groups according to the weighted least-squares adjustment (LSA) criterion and obtains the correction values; these correction values are then used to construct the

χ

2

values corresponding to different equation groups, and the EEM subsequently carries out a chi-square distribution test for these

χ

2

. The satellite corresponding to the maximum

χ

2

will be marked. Then, the EEM iteratively processes the other satellites. Cycle slips can be estimated by rounding the float solutions of changes in the ambiguities of cycle slip satellites to the nearest integer. The simulation test results show that the EEM can be used to detect special cycle slip pairs such as (1, 1) and (9, 7). The EEM needs only observation data in two adjacent epochs and is still applicable to observation epochs with continuous cycle slips.
Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells into Neuron, Cholinergic, and Glial Cells
Authors: Hosseini Kimia , Lekholm Emilia , Ahemaiti Aikeremu , Fredriksson Robert
Published: November 2020

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are pluripotent cells, capable of differentiation into different cellular lineages given the opportunity. Derived from the inner cell mass of blastocysts in early embryonic development, the cell self-renewal ability makes them a great tool for regenerative medicine, and there are different protocols available for maintaining hESCs in their undifferentiated state. In addition, protocols for differentiation into functional human neural stem cells (hNSCs), which have the potential for further differentiation into various neural cell types, are available. However, many protocols are time-consuming and complex and do not always fit for purpose. In this study, we carefully combined, optimized, and developed protocols for differentiation of hESCs into adherent monolayer hNSCs over a short period of time, with the possibility of both expansion and freezing. Moreover, the method details further differentiation into neurons, cholinergic neurons, and glial cells in a simple, single step by step protocol. We performed immunocytochemistry, qPCR, and electrophysiology to examine the expression profile and characteristics of the cells to verify cell lineage. Using presented protocols, the creation of neuronal cultures, cholinergic neurons, and a mixed culture of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes can be completed within a three-week time period.
On Durrmeyer Typeλ-Bernstein Operators via (p,q)-Calculus
Authors: Cai Qing-Bo , Zhou Guorong
Published: November 2020

In the present paper, Durrmeyer typeλ-Bernstein operators via (p,q)-calculus are constructed, the first and second moments and central moments of these operators are estimated, a Korovkin type approximation theorem is established, and the estimates on the rate of convergence by using the modulus of continuity of second order and Steklov mean are studied, a convergence theorem for the Lipschitz continuous functions is also obtained. Finally, some numerical examples are given to show that these operators we defined converge faster in someλcases than Durrmeyer type (p,q)-Bernstein operators.
Prognostic Value of Long Noncoding RNA SNHG12 in Various Carcinomas: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Li Zhi-Ran , Yang Qin , Zhou Tao , Huang Yan-Hua , Zhang Hua-Zhu , Meng Rui , He Gong-Hao
Published: November 2020

Background. Numerous recent studies suggested that overexpression of the long noncoding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 12 (SNHG12) exhibited prooncogenic activity in multiple cancers. However, results regarding the prognostic value of SNHG12 in cancers still remained controversial. Therefore, we conducted a meta‐analysis complemented with bioinformatics analysis to elucidate the clinical significance of SNHG12 in cancer patients. Methods. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and Weipu databases were searched for eligible studies until July 2020. Additionally, bioinformatics analysis was applied to verify the results of meta‐analysis. Results. Twenty‐three related studies consisting of 1389 cancer patients were enrolled in the current meta‐analysis. Elevated SNHG12 expression was found to be significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.81; 95% CI: 1.53‐2.13; P < 0.001) and disease‐free survival (DFS) (HR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.12‐1.76; P = 0.004) in multiple cancers, which were also verified by the results of bioinformatics analysis. Moreover, overexpression of SNHG12 was also related to clinicopathological characteristics including LNM, distant metastasis, high clinical stage, large tumor size, and poor tumor differentiation in diverse types of cancers. Conclusion. The present findings indicated that SNHG12 might act as a novel biomarker for diagnosis or prognosis in human cancers.
Changes in Hippocampal Plasticity in Depression and Therapeutic Approaches Influencing These Changes
Authors: Xu Wenbo , Yao Xiaoxiao , Zhao Fangyi , Zhao Haisheng , Cheng Ziqian , Yang Wei , Cui Ranji , Xu Songbai , Li Bingjin
Published: November 2020

Depression is a common neurological disease that seriously affects human health. There are many hypotheses about the pathogenesis of depression, and the most widely recognized and applied is the monoamine hypothesis. However, no hypothesis can fully explain the pathogenesis of depression. At present, the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurogenesis hypotheses have highlighted the important role of plasticity in depression. The plasticity of neurons and glial cells plays a vital role in the transmission and integration of signals in the central nervous system. Plasticity is the adaptive change in the nervous system in response to changes in external signals. The hippocampus is an important anatomical area associated with depression. Studies have shown that some antidepressants can treat depression by changing the plasticity of the hippocampus. Furthermore, caloric restriction has also been shown to affect antidepressant and hippocampal plasticity changes. In this review, we summarize the latest research, focusing on changes in the plasticity of hippocampal neurons and glial cells in depression and the role of BDNF in the changes in hippocampal plasticity in depression, as well as caloric restriction and mitochondrial plasticity. This review may contribute to the development of antidepressant drugs and elucidating the mechanism of depression.
The Effect of Intersection Angle on the Failure Mechanism of Utility Tunnel
Authors: Fangtao Li , Wang Qiyao , Hu Zhiping , Yonghui Zhang , Xiang Ren , Xuexu An
Published: November 2020

Planning utility tunnel network in the area with geological disasters poses serious concerns, especial for the utility tunnel built in the ground fissures developed cities. Many prevention and control measures have been taken when the utility tunnel crossed the ground fissures, such as finding the right intersection angle when planning the utility tunnel. In order to study the effect of intersection angle for utility tunnel when crossing ground fissures, this paper compares outcomes when the utility tunnel crosses ground fissures with different intersection angle through numerical simulation method. Because actually the intersection angle of utility tunnel and ground fissures is varied, in order to make stress‐strain relationship of the model more realistic, a trilinear mode of reinforcing bar stress‐strain relationship was established, and the material property of utility tunnel and soil were assigned to concrete damaged plasticity and Mohr‐Coulomb plasticity, respectively. The simulation result shows that the axial tension stress and vertical shear stress of utility tunnel are increased with the increasing of intersection angle, but displacement and shear stress of utility tunnel in horizontal direction are increased with the decreasing of intersection angle. The variation of intersection angle of utility tunnel and ground fissures cannot significantly reduce the damage of utility tunnel. The vertical displacement of utility tunnel does not vary with intersection angle. Finally, this paper suggests that the strengthening length of utility tunnel should not be less than 50 meters (10 times the height of utility tunnel) on both sides of the ground fissures no matter the variation of intersection angle.
Influence of Full-Life Cycle Wheel Profile on the Contact Performance of Wheel and Standard Fixed Frog in Heavy Haul Railway
Authors: Ma He , Zhang Jinming , Zhang Jun , Jin Tao Tao , Song Chun Yu
Published: November 2020

Wheel wear is unavoidable, which affects the contact performance of the wheel and rail. This article explores the effects of wheel profile wear on the static contact and dynamic interaction between wheel and standard fixed frog in heavy haul railway. The coupling dynamic models of the vehicle-fixed frog system are established to calculate the change regulation of displacement, contact force, and acceleration when a vehicle passes through the standard fixed frog at a speed of 50 km/h in the facing move in the diverging line. Besides, the finite element models of wheel and standard fixed frog at key positions are developed to simulate the contact patch and distribution of von Mises stress in the regions of the wheel-fixed frog. Compared with the standard profile, the maximum lateral displacement of the worn profile can be reduced by up to 9 mm. The vertical contact force can be reduced from 750 kN to 320 kN, and the decrease is 57.3%. The von Mises stress could decrease up to 34% compared with the standard. And the results show that the wheel profile wear changes the positions of the wheel-rail contact points along the longitudinal direction and affects the dynamic interaction of vehicle and standard fixed frog. For the measured worn wheel profiles in this article, profile wear relieves the dynamic responses and it is good for the nose rail.
Manufacturing and Testing of an In Situ Stretching Sample Environment Equipment for Neutron Scattering Experiments
Authors: Chen Haibin , Li Rongyong , Liu Yu
Published: November 2020

Neutron scattering technology is one of the most promising ways to observe microstructures of different materials. As a powerful microstructure characterization technology, neutron scattering is widely used in many disciplines. With the help of sample environment equipment, the microstructure detection for materials in various application scenarios can be further realized. In order to detect the microstructure changes of materials under different tensile conditions, an in situ stretching sample environment equipment for neutron scattering experiments was designed and manufactured. Stretching force holding test, sample breaking test, and vacuum maintaining test were carried out. In those tests, a tensile force holding test with no less than 5 hours, a breaking test with a screw bolt as the sample, and a vacuum leakage rate test with no less than 5 hours were obtained, respectively. Through analyzing values obtained, it is shown that the developed prototype of the sample environment equipment is able to meet the experiment requirements. The present prototype provides a reference for further development of sample environment equipment for different application scenarios in neutron scattering experiment.
APOC3 rs2070667 Associates with Serum Triglyceride Profile and Hepatic Inflammation in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Xu Qing-Yang , Li Han , Cao Hai-Xia , Pan Qin , Fan Jian-Gao
Published: November 2020

Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) play important role in lipid metabolism, and dyslipidemia underlies nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). But the correlation of serum lipidomics, APOC3 SNPs, and NAFLD remains limited understood. Enrolling thirty‐four biopsy‐proven NAFLD patients from Tianjin, Shanghai, Fujian, we investigated their APOC3 genotype and serum lipid profile by DNA sequencing and ultraperformance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS), respectively. Scoring of hepatocyte steatosis, ballooning, lobular inflammation, and liver fibrosis was then performed to reveal the role of lipidomics‐affecting APOC3 SNPs in NAFLD‐specific pathological alterations. Here, we reported that APOC3 SNPs (rs4225, rs4520, rs5128, rs2070666, and rs2070667) intimately correlated to serum lipidomics in NAFLD patients. A allele instead of G allele at rs2070667, which dominated the SNPs underlying lipidomic alteration, exhibited downregulatory effect on triacylglycerols (TGs: TG 54 : 7, TG 54 : 8, and TG 56 : 9) containing polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). Moreover, subjects with low‐level PUFA‐containing TGs were predisposed to high‐grade lobular inflammation (TG 54 : 7, rho = −0.454 and P = 0.007; TG 54 : 8, rho = −0.411 and P =0.016; TG 56 : 9, rho = −0.481 and P = 0.004). The significant correlation of APOC3 rs2070667 and inflammation grading [G/G vs. G/A+A/A: 0.00 (0.00 and 1.00) vs. 1.50 (0.75 and 2.00), P = 0.022] further confirmed its pathological action on the basis of lipidomics‐impacting activity. These findings suggest an inhibitory effect of A allele at APOC3 rs2070667 on serum levels of PUFA‐containing TGs, which are associated with high‐grade lobular inflammation in NAFLD patients.
Characterization of the Microstructure and Bonding Properties of Zirconium-Carbon Steel Clad Materials by Explosive Welding
Authors: Zhao Hui
Published: November 2020

An investigation was carried out to characterize the microstructure and bonding properties of the zirconium-carbon steel explosive clad. The microstructure and the composition of the clad were characterized using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Bonding properties were inspected by using bending and shearing tests. The examination results indicate that the R60702 and Cr70 plates were joined successfully without visible defects. The interface wave is symmetrical. There is no element diffusion across the interface of the clad plate. There are melt blocks at the interface. Bending and shearing test results indicate that the bonding properties of the clad meet the requirements of the ASTM B898 specification. And after shell rolling, no delamination appeared at the interface. Thus, it indicates that the clad plates have good bonding quality and meet the processing requirement.
Nitric Oxide Mediates Inflammation in Type II Diabetes Mellitus through the PPARγ/eNOS Signaling Pathway
Authors: Guo Hua , Zhang Qinglan , Yuan Haipo , Zhou Lin , Li Fang-fang , Wang Sheng-Ming , Shi Gang , Wang Maojuan
Published: November 2020

Inflammation accounts for the process of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the specific mechanism of which is still to be elucidated yet. Nitric oxide (NO), a critical inflammation regulator, the role of which is the inflammation of T2DM, is rarely reported. Therefore, our study is aimed at exploring the effect of NO on the inflammation in T2DM and the corresponding mechanism. We analyzed the NO levels in plasma samples from T2DM patients and paired healthy adults by Nitric Oxide Analyzer then measured the expression of inflammatory cytokines (C-reactive protein, heptoglobin, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6) in insulin-induced HepG2 cells treated with NO donor or NO scavenger, and the PPARγ, eNOS, C-reactive protein, heptoglobin, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels were detected by RT-PCR and western blot in insulin-induced HepG2 cells transfected with si-PPARγ. The results showed that excess NO increased the inflammation marker levels in T2DM, which is activated by the PPARγ/eNOS pathway. These findings will strengthen the understanding of NO in T2DM and provide a new target for the treatment of T2DM.
Trends in Clinical Trials for Spinal Cord Stimulation
Authors: Harmsen Irene E. , Hasanova Dilafruz , Elias Gavin J.B. , Boutet Alexandre , Neudorfer Clemens , Loh Aaron , Germann Jürgen , Lozano Andres M.
Published: November 2020

Background: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a neuromodulation technology widely used in the treatment of intractable chronic pain syndromes. SCS is now being applied more broadly as a possible therapy for a range of indications, including neurological, cardiac, and gastrointestinal disorders. Ongoing research in this field is critical in order to gain further insights into the mechanisms of SCS, determine its role in new indications, and refine programming techniques for the optimization of therapeutic outcomes. Objective: To assess the state of SCS-related human research by cataloging and summarizing clinical trials that have been recently completed or are currently underway in this field. Methods: A search was conducted for clinical trials pertaining to SCS using the ClinicalTrials.gov database. Trials were analyzed to generate a detailed overview of ongoing SCS-related research. Specifically, trials were categorized by intervention, trial start date, study completion status, clinical phase, projected subject enrollment, condition, country of origin, device manufacturer, funding source, and study topic. Results: In total, 212 relevant clinical trials were identified. 175 trials (82.5%) involved invasive SCS, while the remaining 37 trials (17.5%) used noninvasive forms of spinal stimulation. Most trials examined the efficacy of SCS for chronic pain syndromes or new indications, while others assessed different stimulation parameters. The studies spanned >27 different disorders, with almost 20% of trials pertaining to conditions other than chronic pain syndromes. The majority of SCS trials were US-based (55.7% of studies), but many countries (e.g., Belgium and UK) are becoming increasingly active. The ratio of investigator-sponsored to industry-sponsored trials was 2:1. Emphasizing the need to optimize therapeutic outcomes of SCS, one-quarter of trials predominantly focused on the assessment of alternative stimulation parameters such as burst or high-frequency stimulation. Conclusions: A large number of clinical trials of SCS are underway. Improvements in the treatment of pain and novel indications for SCS constitute the majority of studies. This overview of SCS-related clinical trials provides a window into future new indications, novel stimulation techniques, and a heightened understanding of the mechanisms of action.
Adding RFC 4814 Random Port Feature to Siitperf: Design, Implementation and Performance Estimation
Authors: Lencse Gábor
Published: November 2020

Siitperf is the World’s first free software RFC 8219 compliant SIIT (also called stateless NAT64) tester written in C++ using DPDK, which is also suitable for benchmarking IPv4 / IPv6 network interconnect devices in RFC 2544 / RFC 5180 compliant ways. Originally, siitperf followed RFC 2544 Appendix C.2.6.4 test frame format resulting in “hard coded” source and destination UDP port numbers. RFC 4814 Section 4.5 recommended random, uniformly distributed source and destination port numbers, which can make a very significant difference, when the DUT (Device Under Test) has multiple CPU cores, what is very common today. Therefore, adding this feature to siitperf is essential to be able to produce meaningful benchmarking results. In this paper, we disclose the design, implementation and performance estimation of this extension of siitperf.
New records of the sponge-symbiotic shrimp genus Anchistioides from the Indo-West Pacific (Decapoda, Caridea)
Authors: Fransen Charles H. J. M.
Published: November 2020

The family Anchistioididae comprises a single genus Anchistioides with three species: A. compressus and A. willeyi from the tropical Indo-West Pacific, and A. antiguensis from the tropical West Atlantic. The two Indo-West Pacific species are known to be symbionts of sponges. Material collected in recent years throughout the Indo-West Pacific yielded range extensions as well as new host records. This material is herein described and their infraspecific morphological variation discussed.
Sicyonella liui sp. nov., a new sergestid shrimp (Decapoda, Dendrobranchiata) discovered from Madagascar
Authors: Chan Tin-Yam
Published: November 2020

A new species of the sergestid shrimp genus Sicyonella Borradaile, 1910 was discovered in a recent expedition to southern Madagascar. The presence of Sicyonella in Madagascar is also a new genus record for the country. The new species has the petasma and thelycum very different from the three known species of the genus, and is also unique in the basal part of the mesial antennular flagellum not being modified in males.
A new species of Stygiopontius (Copepoda, Siphonostomatoida, Dirivultidae) from a deep-sea cold seep in the South China Sea
Authors: Ma L. , Wang M.-X. , Li X.-Z.
Published: November 2020

A new species of the copepod genus Stygiopontius is described based on samples from a cold seep in northeastern South China Sea southwest to Taiwan, which were collected by the ROV Faxian with its mother vessel R/V Kexue in September 2017. The copepods were obtained by washing Shinkaia crosnieri Baba & Williams, 1998 (Decapoda: Munidopsidae) caught at a depth of 1124 m. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characteristics: caudal rami about 3.5 times as long as wide; basis of maxilliped with plumose seta, endopodal claw of maxilliped stout, with a row of fine spinules on inner margin; coxa of leg 1 with one inner seta; basis of leg 1 with stout spine exceeding to end of first endopodal segment; second endopodal segment of female leg 4 with pointed process; third exopodal segment of leg 4 with three outer spines. This is the first record of a Stygiopontius species from a cold seep.
Ruiyupotamon, a new genus and four new species of freshwater crabs from northwestern Yunnan, China (Decapoda, Brachyura, Potamidae)
Authors: Wang Pengfei , Zhang Zewei , Sun Hongying
Published: November 2020

A new genus Ruiyupotamon gen. nov. and four new species, R. banqiaopingense sp. nov., R. zhongjiangense sp. nov., R. jinjiangense sp. nov., and R. zhongyiense sp. nov. belonging to the subfamily Potamiscinae (Potamidae), collected from northwestern Yunnan Province, P.R. China, are described. Molecular phylogenetic data derived from both mitochondrial (16S), and nuclear (28S and ITS2) markers supports the establishment of the new genus and four new species.
Between the Superpowers
Authors: Uljas Sami , Landborg Anne , Müller Matthias
Published: November 2020

In early Coptic stories of saints and martyrs, demons are usually prototypical adversaries and side with the devil in his battle against Christ. However, it has been noted that in magical texts of a definitely Christian social origin, demons are sometimes invoked for assistance. Such sources might perhaps be dismissed as unrepresentative of the official theological position of the Alexandrian church, but, as is shown in the present paper, demons are occasionally portrayed as champions of Christ also in more ‘respectable’ texts such as hagiographies of the later 1st millennium AD. This is argued to show that the more nuanced analysis of demons does not represent an early folk undercurrent of Egyptian Christianity, but rather reflects an alternative theological view derived from the idea that God created good and evil for a reason.
Rufinus’ Bloody Pagan Tyrants
Authors: Hanaghan Michael P.
Published: November 2020

This article analyses how Rufinus alters and then extends Eusebius’ church history to draw a narrative continuum of pagan idolatry, tyranny and blood sacrifice across the fourth century. It begins with a taxonomy that illustrates the various ways that Rufinus’ text differs from Eusebius’ and then analyses how Rufinus enhances the levels of cruelty and bloody carnage in his Eusebian source, especially with regards to the tyrannical behaviour of the pagan emperors Maximinus, Maxentius, and Licinius. Lastly, it turns to Rufinus’ account of Eugenius’ uprising and the destruction of the temple of Serapis and shows how Rufinus’ repeated criticism of pagan imperial persecution acts to justify Theodosius’ actions.
Human Flourishing and History: A Religious Imaginary for the Anthropocene
Authors: Tirosh-Samuelson Hava
Published: November 2020

The Anthropocene denotes the impact of human activity on Earth systems, resulting in mass extinctions of plant and animal species, pollution of oceans, lakes and rivers, and altering of the atmosphere. The Anthropocene signifies the mass control of nature by humans, the erasure of boundaries between humanity and nature, and the threat to human existence by human-made technology. How can biological humans flourish, if their physical environment, the very condition of their existence, is destroyed? What does it mean to thrive as a human in an age when human-made machines threaten to make humanity obsolete? How does human flourishing relate to human history? This essay argues that the monotheistic traditions, and Judaism in particular, offer meaningful religious imaginaries for the Anthropocene because they envision human flourishing as embodied, ecological and historically grounded. In contrast to secular imaginaries, which either declare the “end of nature” or envision the obsolescence of biological humanity, the Judaic religious imaginary honors the interconnectedness and interdependence of all creatures, while recognizing human responsibility toward the well-being of the natural world. Viewing nature as divinely created, and, thus “enchanted” by the divine presence, the Judaic religious imaginary offers a vision of human flourishing based on the ethics of care and responsibility that enables humanity to respond and perhaps even prevent further ecological collapse.
Taxonomy of Nephrotoma guestfalica (Westhoff, 1879) (Diptera, Tipulidae), with the description of a new subspecies from Morocco
Authors: de Jong Herman , Adghir Aouatif , Bosch Erik-Jan , Kettani Kawtar
Published: November 2020

Northwest African material previously ascribed to the subspecies Nephrotoma guestfalica surcoufi (Pierre, 1925) proved to belong to two distinct morphological forms, the true N. g. surcoufi from Algeria, and Tunisia, and the here newly introduced Nephrotoma guestfalica vaillanti n. subsp. from Morocco. With the distinction of the new form, four subspecies of Nephrotoma guestfalica (Westhoff, 1879) are now recognized, all occurring in the western Palaearctic. An identification key for the males of the four taxa of Nephrotoma guestfalica s.l. is provided. The male terminalia of the four taxa are illustrated. The distribution of the four subspecies is summarized, based on material examined and published data. A map showing the currently known distribution of N. guestfalica surcoufi and N. guestfalica vaillanti is presented. Nephrotoma guestfalica guestfalica is recorded here for the first time from Croatia.
Gomphonema qingyiensis sp. nov., a new freshwater species (Bacillariophyceae) from Qingyi River, China
Authors: ZHANG LIXUAN , YU PAN , KOCIOLEK J.P. , PANG WANTING , WANG QUANXI , YOU QINGMIN
Published: November 2020

In this study, a new Gomphonema species from Qingyi River, Anhui Province, China, was identified and named Gomphonema qingyiensis sp. nov. We detailed its morphology using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The LM and SEM photographs illustrate the size ranges and particular ultrastructure of the new species. The valves of G. qingyiensis are clavate and symmetrical to the apical axis. The headpole is broadly rounded and the footpole is narrowly rounded. The axial area is narrow, linear to linear-lanceolate. The central area is small and rectangular in shape. One stigma is evident. Striae are slightly radiate at the center. Biseriate striae and areolae are clearly evident in the LM images. The new species was compared with G. irroratum, G. zairense, G. dirangense, G. doonensis, G. latistigmata, G stoermeri, G marvanii, G cholnokyi, and G. clavatulum and was found to differ from these species in terms of the valve shape, size, striae density and row number, and central area.
A morphological and phylogenetic characterisation of Inocybe similis (Agaricales, Inocybaceae), a rare species described by Bresadola in 1905
Authors: DOVANA FRANCESCO , FERISIN GIULIANO , BIZIO ENRICO , BANDINI DITTE , OLARIAGA IBAI , ESTEVE-RAVENTÓS FERNANDO
Published: November 2020

Inocybe similis, a very rare smooth-spored species originally described from Italy by Bresadola, is illustrated. Based on sequence generated from the type specimen, freshly collected specimens from five sites, Grado in north-east Italy, Tolmin in Slovenia, Forchach and Rieden in Austria and Füssen in Gemany could be asigned to I. similis and a more detailed description is provided here.                The macro- and micromorphological features of I. similis suggest this species should be placed in Inocybe sect. Splendentes according to Singer´s classification. In contrast, our phylogenetic analyses support instead that I. similis belongs to Inocybe sect. Marginatae. From a morphological point of view, I. similis is close to I. vulpinella, but it is phylogenetically close to I. flavobrunnescens in sect. Marginatae.
Eliokarmos humanii (Hyacinthaceae, Ornithogaloideae), a new species from Namaqualand in South Africa and a new combination in the genus
Authors: MARTÍNEZ-AZORÍN MARIO , CRESPO MANUEL B. , ALONSO-VARGAS MARÍA ÁNGELES , PINTER MICHAEL
Published: November 2020

A new species of the southern Africa endemic genus Eliokarmos, that includes the well-known chincherinchees, is described from the vicinity of Kotzesrus, Northern Cape Province of South Africa. Eliokarmos humanii sp. nov. is unique in the genus based on its single, slightly fleshy, suborbicular, convex leaf with ciliate margin, and the short subspiciform inflorescence with almost sessile flowers. A complete description is presented for this species, and data on morphology, ecology, and distribution are reported. In addition, Ornithogalum richtersveldensis, recently described from northwestern South Africa, is transferred to Eliokarmos based on its morphology and biogeography, and a new combination is presented for this species in the latter genus.
Influence of different rhombic surface textures on the tribological performance of water-lubricated bearings
Authors: Cui Zhitao , Guo Zhiwei , Yuan Chengqing
Published: November 2020

Water lubrication has gradually replaced oil lubrication for a wide range of marine stern bearings. However, due to poor water carrying capacity, the tribological performances of water lubricated bearings can be improved by incorporating surface textures. In this work, rhombic textured
thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) specimens, 3D-printed with different heights/depths, 1 mm bulge, 0.5 mm bulge, 0.5 mm dimple, and 1 mm dimple, were tested for their tribological performances when they were lubricated by water and were compared to nontextured specimens. The friction coefficient,
wear mass, and microscopic surface topography of the specimens were collected at a common working load (0.4 MPa) and speed (from 50 to 350 rpm), and at low-speed and heavy load (50 rpm and 0.8 MPa) conditions. Experimental results reflect that the rhombic surface texture can effectively improve
the friction and wear performances of TPU materials. The friction coefficients of most textured specimens are smaller than those of non-textured specimens under various working conditions. The surface wear conditions of all textured specimens are superior to non-textured specimens, since the
rhombic surface texture produces additional hydrodynamic lubrication by creating converge and cavitation effects and prevents abrasive particles from accumulating on the friction surface. Through experimental demonstration, the 1 mm bulge rhombic texture is the best of all the tested textured
specimens. This finding can provide a reference for practical industrial applications.
Novel coumarin amino acid derivatives: Design, synthesis, docking, absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, toxicity (ADMET), quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) and anticancer studies
Authors: Al-Harbi L. M. , Nassar H. S. , Moustfa A. , Alosaimi Abeer M. , Mohamed Hany M. , Khowdiary Manal M. , El-Gazzar M. A. , Elhenawy Ahmed A.
Published: November 2020

Purpose: Obtain a new safe anticancer agent based on the coumarin derivatives. Methods: DFT, docking, MD simulations were used for designing the new compounds. Docking was performed to identify the molecular interaction between the compounds-receptor. The anticancer study
in vitro was evaluated against (MCF-7). The QSAR model was predicted based on; chemical reactivity. Results: The compounds 3, 5–7, 10–12 and 14–16 represented a significant interaction score through Docking experiment. The stability of docked ligands was examined
through molecular dynamic simulation, which showed high stability for tested compounds into active site. These compounds were elected for further Drug studies as likeness and ADME/T, which proposed that these ligands may have a good pharmacokinetic character with no carcinogenic effect. The
compounds 15 and 16 (IC50 = 0.49 and 0.52 M) exhibited the highest anticancer potency among all tested compounds. The compounds 3, 5, 7 and 10 showed higher activity than reference drug. The promising activity for synthesized compounds may be explained by increasing hydrophobicity for these
compounds. The QSAR "Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship" model has been predicted to investigate the structural requirements of MCF-7-inhibitions. This model is statistically significant with good predictive power. Statistical QSAR derivative model with good predictive power.
Conclusion: This study introduces experimental indication toward investigation of the synthesized compounds as the candidate of cancer therapy.
Fe3O4 methylprednisolone plus calpain inhibitor protects against spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats
Authors: Wang Liming , Ma Xiangxing , Zhang Lili , Wang Liwei
Published: November 2020

To investigate the neuroprotective effects of pretreatment with Fe3O4 methylprednisolone plus calpain inhibitor against spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury (SCI) in rats. A total of 18 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation, model,
and pretreatment + SCI groups (receiving 25 mg/kg Fe3O4 methylprednisolone plus calpain inhibitor) (n = 6 each). The SCI model was established by clamping the left renal inferior abdominal aorta. Hindlimb motor function was evaluated 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after
reperfusion. At 48 hours after reperfusion, spinal cord tissues were collected for histopathological examination, measurement of oxidation product accumulation (malondialdehyde, MDA), and antioxidant enzyme activity assays [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase
(GSH-PX)]. Motor function scores were compared using non-parametric rank sum (Kruskal-Wallis) test, and mean tissue MDA content and antioxidant enzyme activities were compared using one-way analysis of variance. Compared with the sham operation group, the model group showed significantly increased
MDA content (2.95 vs. 5.90 g mg; P = 0.023); significantly increased GSH-Px activity (0.31 vs. 0.78 U/mg; P = 0.001); significantly decreased SOD (16.03 vs. 8.37 U/mg; P = 0.001) and CAT (1.24 vs. 0.54 U/mg; P = 0.002) activities; and significantly decreased hindlimb
motor function score at 6 hours (21 to 15.5; P =0.001). Compared with the model group, the pretreatment + SCI group showed significantly decreased MDA content (5.90 vs. 3.27 mg; P = 0.0355); significantly decreased GSH-Px activity (0.78 vs. 0.36 U/mg; P = 0.001); and
significantly increased SOD (8.37 vs. 14.79 U/mg; P = 0.001) and CAT (0.54 vs. 0.89 U/mg; P = 0.043) activities. Histopathological changes were significantly less severe in the pretreatment + SCI group than in the model and sham operation groups (P < 0.05). Pretreatment
with Fe3O4 methylprednisolone plus calpain inhibitor can prevent SCI by improving the balance between oxidation and antioxidant systems.
The impact of having a child with special needs: Labour market adaptations of immigrant and majority mothers
Authors: Reisel Liza , Nadim Marjan , Brekke Idunn
Published: November 2020

This article compares how having a child with special needs shapes the labour market adaptations of immigrant and majority mothers. We use longitudinal data from Norwegian public registers including all women who gave birth between 2001 and 2005 ( N = 104,988), and follow the mothers from two years before birth to four years after birth. We find generally large differences in employment and income among immigrant and majority mothers. Majority mothers typically adapt to the intensified care responsibilities associated with having a child with special needs by working somewhat less, but most importantly by combining work with high levels of long-term sickness absence. By contrast, immigrant mothers substantially reduce their work intensity (as measured through labour earnings) after childbirth regardless of whether their child has special needs. Among immigrant mothers whose child has special needs, we do not find elevated sickness absence levels comparable to that of majority mothers. Given the already reduced work intensity among immigrant mothers in the years following the birth of their child, we do not find additional labour market consequences of intensified care responsibilities within this group of mothers.
Incidence of Complicated Appendicitis as a Metric of Health Care Delivery
Authors: Araim Fawaz , Shmelev Artem , Kowdley Gopal C.
Published: November 2020

Background

Complicated acute appendicitis (CAA) has been linked to extremes of age, racial and socioeconomic disparities, public insurance, and remote residency. CAA rate has been used from 2005 to 2018 as a health care quality metric, with the assumption that delay in treatment was a main cause of perforation. We studied factors that could contribute to CAA focusing on modifiable factors which could be altered as part of a health care delivery system.

Materials and Methods

All primary admissions for acute appendicitis (AA) from the 2010 Nationwide Inpatient Sample were linked to 2010 state-level physician density data. CAA was distinguished by codes for perforation, generalized peritonitis, or intra-abdominal abscess. A multivariable logistic regression model for CAA prediction was built.

Results

A total of 288 556 patients were admitted with AA and 86 272 (29.9%) had CAA. Independent factors, linked to CAA, included age outside the 10-39 range (odds ratio (OR) = 2.1-2.4 and all P < .001), male gender (OR = 1.2), malnutrition (OR = 6.2), diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.1), chronic anemias (OR = 1.9), nonprivate insurances (OR 1.2-1.5), nonmetropolitan patient’s residence (OR = 1.15), and Midwest region (OR = 1.2). Patient income and physician coverage were not significant factors after adjustment for all other covariates. Highest CAA fraction of 39.6% was noted in rural patients admitted to urban teaching facilities.

Discussion

Although provider coverage at the state level may seem adequate and not related to increased CAA rates, the distance patients traveled for their definitive surgical care correlated with higher rates of CAA. Adjusting physician distribution into nonurban settings closer to patients could decrease rates of CAA by diminishing time to definitive care.