bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feeding and swallowing difficulties in children with Down syndrome
Authors: Anil M. A. , Shabnam S. , Narayanan S.
Published: April 2019

Background

The anatomical and physiological characteristics such as neuromotor coordination impairments and craniofacial and structural abnormalities frequently interfere with the acquisition of effective oral‐motor skills which can in turn result in the development of potential feeding problems and swallowing dysfunction. The present study was undertaken with the aim of assessing the feeding and swallowing problems, if any, in children with Down syndrome in the age range of 2–7 years.

Methods

A questionnaire was formulated and administered on 17 children with Down syndrome (10 females and 7 males) and 47 typically developing children (20 females and 27 males).

Results

The present study revealed that feeding difficulties were predominantly present in children with Down syndrome. These difficulties were found in all the three phases of swallow and were greatest for solids followed by liquids. They also had issues with physical, functional and emotional aspects of feeding. Further, the children with Down syndrome exhibited poor orosensorimotor abilities which could have lead to the difficulties in feeding.

Conclusions

The study highlights the importance of including feeding assessment in the evaluation protocol of infants and children with Down syndrome.
Time for a makeover‐cosmetics regulation in the United States
Authors: Cornell Erika M. , Janetos Timothy M. , Xu Shuai
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Cosmetics and personal care products are ubiquitous. Consumer pressure arising from recent episodes of products found to be unsafe has led to new policy proposals to modernize cosmetics regulation in the United States.

Methods

We reviewed contemporary cosmetics regulation and collected major past and current policy proposals relating to cosmetics regulation with a focus on public health controversies.

Results

Under a structure originally established in 1938 that places regulation of cosmetics under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), cosmetics manufacturers in the United States are not required to register their products or forward consumer complaints to the FDA, leading to broad under‐reporting of adverse events. The FDA has limited authority to mandate product recalls. The existing FDA database system that collects adverse events related to cosmetics has limited public health utility. Current proposals for new cosmetics regulations seek to establish better systems for data collection and mandatory manufacturer registrations funded by cosmetic manufacturers. Additional policy changes could include a premarket review process for cosmeceuticals (cosmetics that make drug‐like claims) and more advanced real‐world data safety monitoring tools.

Conclusions

With continued consumer concern and several recent cosmetic‐related public health controversies, the FDA should be given more resources and broader authority to protect consumer safety.
MRI Assessment of Oxygen Metabolism and Hemodynamic Status in Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerotic Stenosis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Eker Omer F. , Ameli Roxana , Makris Nikolaos , Jurkovic Thomas , Montigon Olivier , Barbier Emmanuel L. , Cho Tae Hee , Nighoghossian Norbert , Berthezène Yves
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hemodynamic and metabolic impairment in intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) may promote stroke vulnerability particularly in borderzone areas. Perfusion and oxygen mapping magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may provide useful information in this setting.

METHODS

In this pilot study, patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic anterior circulation stenosis ≥60%, without other sources of ischemic stroke, were included. High‐resolution vessel wall MRI quantified the stenosis degree, and hemodynamic and metabolic impairment was assessed at baseline using dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion and multiparametric quantitative blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent (mqBOLD) oxygenation MRI. All parameters were assessed within both hemispheres and in borderzone areas.

RESULTS

Forty‐three subjects with intracranial artery narrowing were screened from November 2014 to January 2016. Eleven patients met the study criteria (mean ± standard deviation age = 64.4 ± 10.6 years, the mean degree of stenosis was 76.9 ± 23.4%). No interhemispheric differences were observed across oxygen (cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen and tissular saturation of oxygen) or perfusion (mean transit time, time to maximum, Tmax, normalized cerebral blood volume [nCBV], and normalized cerebral blood flow) parameters. A positive correlation was observed between the stenosis degree and ipsilateral nCBV (R = .77, P = .008). In addition, a significant increase in CBV was observed in anterior cortical borderzones ipsilateral to stenosis (nCBV = 7.20 ± 1.81 vs. 5.45 ± 1.40 mL/100 g, P = .02).

CONCLUSION

Symptomatic ICAS had no global impact on perfusion and oxygen mapping MRI at resting state. A significant increase in nCBV was found within anterior borderzone areas.
Why So Low?
Authors: Leuschner Anna
Published: April 2019

Empirical evidence indicates that women philosophers tend to submit their work to journals substantially less often than their male colleagues. This paper points out that this difference in submission behavior comes with other specific aspects of women philosophers’ behavior, such as a tendency to be reluctant to participate in discussions, to be willing to do work low in prestige, and to specialize in certain research topics, and it argues that these differences can be understood as indirect effects of social biases: namely, effects on the working behavior of members of targeted social groups. Recent findings from philosophy journals’ book review sections and from other academic disciplines known to suffer from gender problems, especially from STEM disciplines, lend additional weight to this hypothesis.
A meta‐analysis of the criterion‐related validity of prehire work experience
Authors: Van Iddekinge Chad H. , Arnold John D. , Frieder Rachel E. , Roth Philip L.
Published: April 2019

Organizations frequently screen or select job applicants based on their work experience. Despite this, surprisingly little is known about the criterion‐related validity of prehire experience, which reflects the amount, duration, or type of experience workers have acquired before they enter a new organization. To address this critical gap in the literature, we used meta‐analysis to synthesize data from 81 independent samples that reported relations between prehire experience and performance or turnover. Results revealed overall corrected correlations of .06 for job performance (k = 44, n = 11,785), .11 for training performance (k = 21, n = 8,176), and .00 for turnover (k = 32, n = 11,676). Measures that capture prehire experience with tasks, jobs, or occupations relevant to workers’ current position also are only weakly related to the outcomes (e.g.,  = .07 for job performance). Two exceptions to our main findings are that (a) prehire experience is somewhat more predictive of job performance when workers first start a new job and (b) measures of task‐level experience predict training performance, although these results are based on small subsets of primary studies. Overall, the present findings suggest that the types of prehire experience measures organizations currently use to screen job applicants generally are poor predictors of future performance and turnover. We therefore caution organizations from selecting employees based on such measures unless more positive evidence emerges.
The potential role of sucrose transport gene expression in the photosynthetic and yield response of rice cultivars to future CO2 concentration
Authors: Zhang Jishuang , Li Danfeng , Xu Xi , Ziska Lewis H. , Zhu Jianguo , Liu Gang , Zhu Chunwu
Published: April 2019

The metabolic basis for observed differences in the yield response of rice to projected carbon dioxide concentrations (CO2) is unclear. In this study, three rice cultivars, differing in their yield response to elevated CO2, were grown under ambient and elevated CO2 conditions, using the free‐air CO2 enrichment technology. Flag leaves of rice were used to determine (1) if manipulative increases in sink strength decreased the soluble sucrose concentration for the ‘weak’ responders and (2), whether the genetic expression of sucrose transporters OsSUT1 and OsSUT2 was associated with an accumulation of soluble sugars and the maintenance of photosynthetic capacity. For the cultivars that showed a weak response to additional CO2, photosynthetic capacity declined under elevated CO2 and was associated with an accumulation of soluble sugars. For these cultivars, increasing sink relative to source strength did not increase photosynthesis and no change in OsSUT1 or OsSUT2 expression was observed. In contrast, the ‘strong’ response cultivar did not show an increase in soluble sugars or a decline in photosynthesis but demonstrated significant increases in OsSUT1 and OsSUT2 expression at elevated CO2. Overall, these data suggest that the expression of the sucrose transport genes OsSUT1 and OsSUT2 may be associated with the maintenance of photosynthetic capacity of the flag leaf during grain fill; and, potentially, greater yield response of rice as atmospheric CO2 increases.
Growing evidence supports healthy older people continuing to donate blood into later life
Authors: Davison Tanya E. , Masser Barbara M. , Thorpe Rachel
Published: April 2019

See article on page 1267–1272, in this issue
Comparison of Cylinder Pressure Measurements on a Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine Using a Switching Adapter
Authors: Dempsey Adam B. , Seiler Patrick J. , Johnson Simon
Published: April 2019

In this study, a variety of piezoelectric pressure transducer designs and mounting configurations were compared for measuring in-cylinder pressure on a heavy-duty single-cylinder diesel engine. A unique cylinder head design was used which allowed cylinder pressure to be measured simultaneously in two locations. In one location, various piezoelectric pressure transducers and mounting configurations were studied. In the other location, a Kistler water-cooled switching adapter with a piezoresistive pressure sensor was used. The switching adapter measured in-cylinder pressure during the low-pressure portion of the cycle. During the high-pressure portion of the cycle the sensor is protected from the high-pressure and high-temperature gases in the cylinder. Therefore, the piezoresistive sensor measured in-cylinder pressure highly accurately, without the impacts of short-term thermal drift, otherwise known as thermal shock. Additionally, the piezoresistive sensor is an absolute pressure sensor which does not require a baseline or “pegging” on every engine cycle. With this measurement setup, the amount of thermal shock and induced measurement variability was accurately assessed for the piezoelectric sensors. Data analysis techniques for quantifying the accuracy of a piezoelectric cylinder pressure measurement are also presented and discussed. It was observed that all the piezoelectric transducers investigated yielded very similar results regarding compression pressure, start of combustion, peak cylinder pressure, and the overall heat release rate shape. Differences emerged when studying the impact of the transducer mounting (e.g., recessed versus flush-mount). Recessed-mount transducers tended to yield a more accurate measurement of the cycle-to-cycle variability when compared to the baseline piezoresistive sensor. This is thought to be due to reduced levels of thermal shock, which can vary from cycle-to-cycle.
Development of Vibration Isolator With Controllable Stiffness Using Permanent Magnets and Coils
Authors: Meng Kai , Sun Yi , Pu Huayan , Luo Jun , Yuan Shujin , Zhao Jinglei , Xie Shaorong , Peng Yan
Published: April 2019

In this study, a novel vibration isolator is presented. The presented isolator possesses the controllable stiffness and can be employed in vibration isolation at a low-resonance frequency. The controllable stiffness of the isolator is obtained by manipulating the negative stiffness-based current in a system with a positive and a negative stiffness in parallel. By using an electromagnetic device consisting of permanent magnetic rings and coils, the designed isolator shows that the stiffness can be manipulated as needed and the operational stiffness range is large in vibration isolation. We experimentally demonstrate that the modeling of controllable stiffness and the approximation of the negative stiffness expressions are effective for controlling the resonance frequency and the transmissibility of the vibration isolation system, enhancing applications such as warship stealth technology, vehicles suspension system, and active vibration isolator.
Application of Variable Valve Actuation Strategies and Direct Gasoline Injection Schemes to Reduce Combustion Harshness and Emissions of Boosted HCCI Engine
Authors: Hunicz Jacek , Mikulski Maciej
Published: April 2019

The present study investigates various measures to reduce pressure rise rates (PRRs) in a residual-affected homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine. At the same time, the impact of those measures on efficiency and emissions is assessed. Experimental research was performed on a single cylinder engine equipped with a fully flexible valve train mechanism and direct gasoline injection. The HCCI combustion mode with exhaust gas trapping was realized using negative valve overlap (NVO) and fuel reforming, achieved via the injection of a portion of fuel during exhaust recompression. Three measures are investigated for the PRR control under the same reference operating conditions, namely: (i) variable intake and exhaust valve timing, (ii) boost pressure adjustment, and (iii) split fuel injection to control the amount of fuel injected for reforming. Variable exhaust valve timing enabled control of the amount of trapped residuals, and thus of the compression temperature. The reduction in the amount of trapped residuals, at elevated engine load, delays auto-ignition, which results in a simultaneous reduction of pressure rise rates and nitrogen oxides emissions. The effects of intake valve timing are much more complex because they include the variability in the amount of intake air, the thermodynamic compression ratio, as well as the in-cylinder fluid flow. It was found, however, that both early and late intake valve openings (IVOs) delay auto-ignition and prolong combustion. Additionally, the reduction of the amount of fuel injected during exhaust recompression further delays combustion and reduces combustion rates. Intake pressure reduction has by far the largest effect on peak pressure reduction yet is connected with excessive NOX emissions. The research successfully identifies air-path and injection techniques, which allow for the control of combustion rates and emissions under elevated load regime.
Multiscale Analysis of Powder-Propellant Conveying Stability Through a Nozzle
Authors: Sun Haijun , Hu Chunbo , Xu Yihua
Published: April 2019

The conveying stability of the powder propellant is significant for the feeding-system design and particle-combustion performance of powder engines. In this study, a nozzle structure was employed to increase the conveying stability in a pipeline. The gas–solid flow through the nozzle was visualized, and the pressure signals were analyzed using multiscale methods: the standard deviation, wavelet transform, and higher order statistics. The nozzle structure helped to reorganize the downstream gas–solid by accelerating the gas–solid two-phase flow. The results for the standard deviation indicated that the upstream was more stable and less affected by the downstream at higher fluidized pressures. Through wavelet analysis, the energy fraction of the frequency band was used to represent the gas–solid characteristics, and the particle collision and nonlinear drag of the gas–solid interaction represented by the low-frequency band were determined to be the main factors affecting the downstream stability. Additionally, a high fluidized pressure (>2 MPa) yielded a relatively stable downstream flow. The higher order statistics method provided a better result than the standard deviation because of its high resolution and strong noise suppression. The analysis results indicate that increasing the particle size enhances the downstream stability.
Graphical Processing Unit-Accelerated Open-Source Particle Image Velocimetry Software for High Performance Computing Systems
Authors: Dallas Cameron , Wu Maria , Chou Vincent , Liberzon Alex , Sullivan Pierre E.
Published: April 2019

Particle image velocimetry (PIV) data processing time can constrain data set size and limit the types of statistical analyses performed. General purpose graphics processing unit (GPGPU) computing can accelerate PIV data processing allowing for larger datasets and accompanying higher order statistical analyses. However, this has not been widespread likely due to limited accessibility to the GPU-PIV hardware and software. Most GPU-PIV software is platform dependent and proprietary, which restricts the computing systems that can be used and makes the details of the algorithm unknown. This work highlights the development of an open-source, cross-platform, GPU-accelerated, PIV algorithm. Validation of the algorithm is done using both synthetic and experimental images. The algorithm was found to accurately resolve the time-averaged flow, instantaneous velocity fluctuations, and vortices. All data processing was done on a GPU supercomputing cluster and notably outperformed the central processing unit version of the software by a factor of 175. The algorithm is freely available and included in the OpenPIV distribution.
Histopathological and Tumor Characteristics Associated with False Negative Axillary Ultrasonography Results in Breast Cancer
Authors: Gursoy Merve , Sezgin Gulten , Horoz Emine Merve , Dirim Mete Berna , Erdogan Nezahat
Published: April 2019

Aims: As the false-negative rates of axillary ultrasonography (AUS) (21%-48%) are not optimal, the demand for axillary surgery remains even if AUS is negative. The aim of this study is to determine the histopathological and tumor characteristics associated with false-negative AUS results.Materials and methods: Patients with normal AUS were divided into two groups as true-negative and false-negative according to the histopathology results of axillary lymph nodes. Two groups were compared in terms of age, histological grade of the primary tumor, histological size of the primary tumor, histological type, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and ultrasonography BI-RADS classification of the primary tumor. The number of metastatic lymph nodes, size of the largest metastatic lymph node and the number of micrometastatic lymph nodes were also noted in the false-negative group.Results: There were 152 patients with normal preoperative AUS in the study group. The false-negative AUS rate was 20.4%. The incidence of invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) and the mean tumor size was significantly greater in the false-negative group. Micrometastasis was present in 3 patients (3/31, 9.6%), the mean of the largest metastatic lymph nodes was 12.5 mm, the mean total number of malignant lymph nodes was 1.9 in the false-negative group. In 25/31 (80.6%) of the patients, there were less than or equal to 2 metastatic lymph nodes. The presence of LVI was higher in the false-negative group. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the other parameters.Conclusion: Before stating that the axilla is normal on ultrasonography, a careful evaluation should be made in patients with a mass >2 cm in size and/ or ILC diagnosis
Budd-Chiari syndrome - various etiologies and imagistic findings. A pictorial review
Authors: Iliescu Laura , Toma Letitia , Mercan-Stanciu Adriana , Grumeza Mihaela , Dodot Mihai , Isac Teodora , Ioanitescu Simona
Published: April 2019

Budd Chiari syndrome defines an obstruction of the hepatic venous outflow. Primary causes include pro-coagulant states resulting in venous thrombosis, while secondary Budd Chiari syndrome appears in conditions associated with extrinsic compression of the hepatic veins or tumor invasion. Clinical presentation is greatly varied, from incidentally discovered asymptomatic thrombosis to fulminant liver failure due to hepatic congestion. Abdominal ultrasonography is the key diagnostic tool of Budd Chiari syndrome. This pictorial essay aims to show the ultrasonographic aspect of Budd-Chiari syndrome associated with other medical conditions (abdominal malignancy, hematologic disorders and abdominal surgery)
Enrolling in animal‐assisted therapy programmes
Authors: Coghlan Simon
Published: April 2019

THIS series gives readers the opportunity to consider and contribute to discussion of some of the ethical dilemmas that can arise in veterinary practice. Each month, a case scenario is presented, followed by discussion of some of the issues involved.

In addition, a possible way forward is suggested; however, there is rarely a cut‐and‐dried answer in such cases, and readers may wish to suggest an alternative approach. This month's dilemma, ‘Enrolling in animal‐assisted therapy programmes’, was submitted and is discussed by Simon Coghlan. Readers with comments to contribute are invited to send them as soon as possible, so that they can be considered for publication in the next issue.

The series is being coordinated by Steven McCulloch, senior lecturer in human animal studies at the Centre for Animal Welfare, University of Winchester. It aims to provide a framework that will help practising veterinarians find solutions when facing similar dilemmas.
Improving the specific diagnosis of trematode, cestode and nematode infections by a multiplex single-tube real-time PCR assay
Authors: Wong Samson S Y , Poon Rosana W S , To Kelvin K W , Chan Jasper F W , Lu Gang , Xing Fanfan , Cheng Vincent C C , Yuen Kwok-Yung
Published: April 2019

Aims

Helminth infections are becoming uncommon in high-income countries and laboratory staff may lose expertise in their morphological identification, especially in histological sections where speciation of helminths is challenging. Commercially available molecular diagnostic panels for faecal specimens only offer tests for protozoa but not helminths. We aim to improve the identification accuracy of helminths using a multiplex PCR assay.

Methods

We designed three pairs of PCR primers and probes targeting multicopy genes for a multiplex single-tube real-time PCR assay which covers 16 trematode (28S rRNA gene), 24 cestode (cox1gene) and 33 nematode (cox1gene) species. Helminths (n=27) from faecal samples (n=10), fresh parasites (n=11), formalin-fixed specimens (n=4), cerebrospinal fluid (n=1) and bile (n=1) were examined morphologically and tested by PCR. Fifty stool samples negative for parasites by microscopy were also tested.

Results

The PCR assay correctly identified the genera of all tested helminths. Agarose gel electrophoresis and sequencing of the purified PCR amplicons confirmed that the PCR products were of correct sizes with 100% correlation with the respective species. Sequencing of thecox1gene failed to identifyCapillariaspp. in one sample owing to the lack of corresponding sequences in GenBank. PCR and sequencing of the nematode 18S rRNA gene using consensus primers showed 100% homology withCapillariaspp. sequence. No positive PCR products were found in the negative stool samples.

Conclusions

The highly specific test correctly identified all helminths in our cohort. It is a useful adjunct to helminth identification in difficult situations such as histological sections.
Neuroimaging studies on cognitive impairment due to cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: Du Jing , Xu Qun
Published: April 2019

Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is a major contributor to age-related dementing illnesses which imposes a tremendous burden on families and society. It is a heterogeneous group of brain disorders. However, cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) accounts for about 50%–70% of VCI, which represented a more homogeneous subtype of VCI. Advanced multimodal neuroimaging techniques like brain network connectome analyses are currently applied to explore the underlying mechanism of VCI. Some progress in the field of structural and functional brain network researches on a poststroke longitudinal CSVD cohort (Renji CSVD Cohort Study) was reported. Global and regional brain network characters were compared between patients with CSVD and healthy control. It suggested that distributed brain structural network disruption may play a pivot role in the cognitive decline. The results showed that brain structural network characters have distinctive differentiating capacity on the cognition of patients with CSVD.
Cigarette smoking quit ratios among adults in the USA with cannabis use and cannabis use disorders, 2002–2016
Authors: Weinberger Andrea H , Pacek Lauren R , Wall Melanie M , Gbedemah Misato , Lee Joun , Goodwin Renee D
Published: April 2019

Background

The prevalence of cigarette smoking is nearly three times higher among persons who use cannabis and have cannabis use disorders (CUDs), relative to those who do not. The current study examined cigarette quit ratios from 2002 to 2016 among US adults with and without cannabis use and CUDs.

Methods

The current study analysed US adults aged 18 years and older from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an annual cross-sectional study. Quit ratios (ie, proportion of former smokers among ever-smokers) were calculated annually from 2002 to 2016. Time trends in quit ratios by cannabis use/CUDs were tested using logistic regression.

Results

In 2016, the quit ratios for people with any cannabis use (23%) and CUDs (15%) were less than half the quit ratios of those without cannabis use and CUDs (51% and 48%, respectively). After controlling for demographics and substance use disorders, the quit ratio did not change from 2002 to 2016 among persons with CUD, though it non-linearly increased among persons with cannabis use, without cannabis use and without CUDs. Quit ratios increased more rapidly among those who reported past-month cannabis use compared with those without past-month cannabis use.

Conclusions

Cigarette smoking quit ratios remain dramatically lower among people who use cannabis and have CUDs and quit ratios did not change significantly from 2002 to 2016 among those with CUDs. Public health and clinical attention are needed to increase quit ratios and reduce harmful cigarette smoking consequences for persons with cannabis use and CUDs.
Heat transfer of three-dimensional micropolar fluid on a Riga plate
Authors: Nadeem S. , Malik M.Y. , Abbas Nadeem
Published: April 2019

In this article, we deal with prescribed exponential surface temperature and prescribed exponential heat flux due to micropolar fluids flow on a Riga plate. The flow is induced through an exponentially stretching surface within the time-dependent thermal conductivity. Analysis is performed inside the heat transfer. In our study, two cases are discussed here, namely prescribed exponential order surface temperature (PEST) and prescribed exponential order heat flux (PEHF). The governing systems of the nonlinear partial differential equations are converted into nonlinear ordinary differential equations using appropriate similarity transformations and boundary layer approach. The reduced systems of nonlinear ordinary differential equations are solved numerically with the help of bvp4c. The significant results are shown in tables and graphs. The variation due to modified Hartman number M is observed in θ (PEST) and [Formula: see text] (PEHF). θ and [Formula: see text] are also reduced for higher values of the radiation parameter Tr. Obtained results are compared with results from the literature.
Tight binding model of induced band shift in CoO nanoparticles
Authors: Nelson C.B. , Fang H.
Published: April 2019

Recently researchers have shown that water splitting occurs in 6 nm particles of Co-O, an effect not seen in the pure crystal, indicating that the band shift in these particles is probably due in part to surface modification. Others have shown that band edges in metal oxide crystals can be shifted up by induced dipoles on the surface. These are created by attaching polar molecules or passive ligands. Here we present a tight binding model that predicts that the observed band shift in Co-O is caused by the formation of local dipole moments, which result from dangling bonds on a distorted surface coupled to attached water molecules. Holding the bond distances fixed, we show that this effect occurs at a variety of bond angles. We show that the most probable angle is [Formula: see text], implying that this technique can be applied to the study of amorphous surfaces.
Study of Bs0 → ℓ+ℓ−γ decays in a nonuniversal Z′ model
Authors: Banerjee D. , Kumar M. , Nayek P. , Sahoo S.
Published: April 2019

We investigate [Formula: see text] decays in a nonuniversal [Formula: see text] model derived from the extension of the Standard Model (SM). Considering the [Formula: see text]-mediated flavor-changing neutral current (FCNC) effects, we calculate the branching ratio and forward–backward asymmetry [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] decay processes. We compare the obtained results with predictions of the SM and discuss the sensitivity of the observables to [Formula: see text] boson coupling parameters. We find that the branching ratios are enhanced by one order from SM predictions in [Formula: see text] model scenario. We also observe that the variation of forward–backward asymmetry with the [Formula: see text] boson coupling parameters portrays discrimination between NP effects and SM results.
An Effective Couple Method for Reliability-Based Multi-Objective Optimization of Truss Structures with Static and Dynamic Constraints
Authors: Vo-Duy T. , Duong-Gia D. , Ho-Huu V. , Nguyen-Thoi T.
Published: April 2019

This paper proposes an effective couple method for solving reliability-based multi-objective optimization problems of truss structures with static and dynamic constraints. The proposed coupling method integrates a single-loop deterministic method (SLDM) into the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) algorithm to give the so-called SLDM-NSGA-II. Thanks to the advantage of SLDM, the probabilistic constraints are treated as approximating deterministic constraints. And therefore the reliability-based multi-objective optimization problems can be transformed into the deterministic multi-objective optimization problems of which the computational cost is reduced significantly. In these reliability-based multi-objective optimization problems, the conflicting objective functions are to minimize the weight and the displacements of the truss. The design variables are cross-section areas of the bars and contraints include static and dynamic constraints. For reliability analysis, the effect of uncertainty of parameters such as force, added mass in the nodes, material properties and cross-section areas of the bars are taken into account. The effectiveness and reliability of the proposed method are demonstrated through three benchmark-type truss structures including a 10-bar planar truss, a 72-bar spatial truss and a 200-bar planar truss. Moreover, the influence of parameters on the reliability-based Pareto optimal fronts is also carried out.
Enabling Workload Engineering in Edge, Fog, and Cloud Computing through OpenStack-based Middleware
Authors: Merlino Giovanni , Dautov Rustem , Distefano Salvatore , Bruneo Dario
Published: April 2019

To enable and support smart environments, a recent ICT trend promotes pushing computation from the remote Cloud as close to data sources as possible, resulting in the emergence of the Fog and Edge computing paradigms. Together with Cloud computing, they represent a stacked architecture, in which raw datasets are first pre-processed locally at the Edge and then vertically offloaded to the Fog and/or the Cloud. However, as hardware is becoming increasingly powerful, Edge devices are seen as candidates for offering data processing capabilities, able to pool and share computing resources to achieve better performance at a lower network latency—a pattern that can be also applied to Fog nodes. In these circumstances, it is important to enable efficient, intelligent, and balanced allocation of resources, as well as their further orchestration, in an elastic and transparent manner. To address such a requirement, this article proposes an OpenStack-based middleware platform through which resource containers at the Edge, Fog, and Cloud levels can be discovered, combined, and provisioned to end users and applications, thereby facilitating and orchestrating offloading processes. As demonstrated through a proof of concept on an intelligent surveillance system, by converging the Edge, Fog, and Cloud, the proposed architecture has the potential to enable faster data processing, as compared to processing at the Edge, Fog, or Cloud levels separately. This also allows architects to combine different offloading patterns in a flexible and fine-grained manner, thus providing new workload engineering patterns. Measurements demonstrated the effectiveness of such patterns, even outperforming edge clusters.
Epigenetic regulation of intercellular communication in the heart
Authors: Segers Vincent F. M. , Gevaert Andreas B. , Boen Jente R. A. , Van Craenenbroeck Emeline M. , De Keulenaer Gilles W.
Published: April 2019

The myocardium is a highly structured tissue consisting of different cell types including cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, inflammatory cells, and stem cells. Microvascular endothelial cells are the most abundant cell type in the myocardium and play crucial roles during cardiac development, in normal adult myocardium, and during myocardial diseases such as heart failure. In the last decade, epigenetic changes have been described regulating cellular function in almost every cell type in the organism. Here, we review recent evidence on different epigenetic changes that regulate intercellular communication in normal myocardium and during myocardial diseases, including cardiac remodeling. Epigenetic changes influence many intercellular communication signaling systems, including the nitric oxide, angiotensin, and endothelin signaling systems. In this review, we go beyond discussing classic endothelial function (for instance nitric oxide secretion) and will discuss epigenetic regulation of intercellular communication.
Heart rate fragmentation: using cardiac pacemaker dynamics to probe the pace of biological aging
Authors: Costa Madalena D. , Goldberger Ary L.
Published: April 2019

This perspectives article discusses the use of a novel set of dynamical biomarkers in the assessment of biological versus chronological age. The basis for this development is a recently delineated property of altered sinoatrial pacemaker-neuroautonomic function, termed heart rate fragmentation (HRF). Fragmented rhythms manifest as an increase in the density of changes in heart rate acceleration sign, not mechanistically explicable by physiological cardiac vagal tone modulation. We reported that HRF increased monotonically with cross-sectional age and that HRF measures, but not conventional heart rate variability metrics, were significantly associated with major incident cardiovascular events in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Furthermore, HRF measures added value to both Framingham and MESA cardiovascular risk indices. Here, we propose that interventions that fundamentally slow or reverse the pace of biological aging, via system-wide effects, should be associated with a decrease in the degree of HRF and possibly with a reemergence of the nonfragmented (“fluent”) patterns associated with more youthful heart rate dynamics.
Rodent Models of Developmental Ischemic Stroke for Translational Research: Strengths and Weaknesses
Authors: Gennaro Mariangela , Mattiello Alessandro , Pizzorusso Tommaso
Published: April 2019

Cerebral ischemia can occur at any stage in life, but clinical consequences greatly differ depending on the developmental stage of the affected brain structures. Timing of the lesion occurrence seems to be critical, as it strongly interferes with neuronal circuit development and determines the way spontaneous plasticity takes place. Translational stroke research requires the use of animal models as they represent a reliable tool to understand the pathogenic mechanisms underlying the generation, progression, and pathological consequences of a stroke. Moreover, in vivo experiments are instrumental to investigate new therapeutic strategies and the best temporal window of intervention. Differently from adults, very few models of the human developmental stroke have been characterized, and most of them have been established in rodents. The models currently used provide a better understanding of the molecular factors involved in the effects of ischemia; however, they still hold many limitations due to matching developmental stages across different species and the complexity of the human disorder that hardly can be described by segregated variables. In this review, we summarize the key factors contributing to neonatal brain vulnerability to ischemic strokes and we provide an overview of the advantages and limitations of the currently available models to recapitulate different aspects of the human developmental stroke.
Chaos Synchronization in Time‐Dependent Duplex Networks
Authors: Liu Qian , Han Wenchen , Lei Lixing , Dai Qionglin , Yang Junzhong
Published: April 2019

Though the complete chaos synchronization on single‐layer networks has been well understood, it is still a challenge on multiplex networks. In this work, we study the complete chaos synchronization on time‐dependent duplex networks in which interaction pattern among oscillators alternates periodically between two single‐layer networks. The alternations between two layers are characterized by the offset strength A and the switching frequency ω. We find that there are two dynamical regimes depending on ω. For high ω, the critical A for the stable complete synchronization is independent of ω and the fast‐switching approximation suggests that the time‐dependent duplex networks can be approximated by the time‐independent duplex networks with effective coupling strength. For low ω, the critical A depends on ω nonmonotonically. At extremely low ω, the estimation of the critical A can be obtained by a single‐mode approximation taking one dominant transversal network mode to complete synchronization into considerations.
Role of Toll-Like Receptors in Actuating Stem/Progenitor Cell Repair Mechanisms: Different Functions in Different Cells
Authors: Sallustio Fabio , Curci Claudia , Stasi Alessandra , De Palma Giuseppe , Divella Chiara , Gramignoli Roberto , Castellano Giuseppe , Gallone Anna , Gesualdo Loreto
Published: April 2019

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) represent one of the bridges that regulate the cross-talk between the innate and adaptive immune systems. TLRs interact with molecules shared and preserved by the pathogens of origin but also with endogenous molecules (damage/danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs)) that derive from injured tissues. This is probably why TLRs have been found to be expressed on several kinds of stem/progenitor cells (SCs). In these cells, the role of TLRs in the regulation of the basal motility, proliferation, differentiation processes, self-renewal, and immunomodulation has been demonstrated. In this review, we analyze the many different functions that the TLRs assume in SCs, pointing out that they can have different effects, depending on the background and on the kind of ligands that they recognize. Moreover, we discuss the TLR involvement in the response of SC to specific tissue damage and in the reparative processes, as well as how the identification of molecules mediating the differential function of TLR signaling could be decisive for the development of new therapeutic strategies. Considering the available studies on TLRs in SCs, here we address the importance of TLRs in sensing an injury by stem/progenitor cells and in determining their behavior and reparative activity, which is dependent on the conditions. Therefore, it could be conceivable that SCs employed in therapy could be potentially exposed to TLR ligands, which might modulate their therapeutic potentialin vivo. In this context, to modulate SC proliferation, survival, migration, and differentiation in the pathological environment, we need to better understand the mechanisms of action of TLRs on SCs and learn how to control these receptors and their downstream pathways in a precise way. In this manner, in the future, cell therapy could be improved and made safer.
Research on Health Evaluation Method of Tank Diesel Engine
Authors: Zhang X.-M. , Zhou D. X. , Chen M.
Published: April 2019

The idea of diesel engine health evaluation is put forward, and the calculation flow, fast algorithm, and influencing factors of wavelet fractal dimension are analyzed. Through the real vehicle experiment, the corresponding relationship between the fractal dimension of the wavelet and the health condition of the diesel engine is calculated and analyzed. Three quantitative expression parameters, age health degree, dimension health degree, and comprehensive health degree, are defined considering the age and working condition of diesel engine. Finally, the consistency of health degree with vibration intensity, acceleration time, deceleration time, and fuel consumption was confirmed. It has been proved that it is feasible to evaluate the health of diesel engine with health degree.
Detection of False-Positive Deletions from the Database of Genomic Variants
Authors: Duan Junbo , Liu Han , Zhao Lanling , Yuan Xiguo , Wang Yu-Ping , Wan Mingxi
Published: April 2019

Next generation sequencing is an emerging technology that has been widely used in the detection of genomic variants. However, since its depth of coverage, a main signature used for variant calling, is affected greatly by biases such as GC content and mappability, some callings are false positives. In this study, we utilized paired-end read mapping, another signature that is not affected by the aforementioned biases, to detect false-positive deletions in the database of genomic variants. We first identified 1923 suspicious variants that may be false positives and then conducted validation studies on each suspicious variant, which detected 583 false-positive deletions. Finally we analysed the distribution of these false positives by chromosome, sample, and size. Hopefully, incorrect documentation and annotations in downstream studies can be avoided by correcting these false positives in public repositories.
Optimal Financing and Dividend Strategies with Time Inconsistency in a Regime Switching Economy
Authors: Yang Yehong , Cao Guohua
Published: April 2019

This paper incorporates a manager’s time‐inconsistent preferences into the unified dynamic q‐theoretic framework to investigate their impact on the optimal external financing and dividend payout strategies in a regime switching economy. We find that with a higher degree of time inconsistency, either in a favorable market condition or in a financial crisis, dividends are paid out earlier and the equity issues are smaller in size in each occurrence; in a favorable market condition equity financing occurs particularly early. Hence, time inconsistency would result in a decreasing of a firm’s precautionary savings, which may directly cause capital chain rupture and make liquidation more likely. It also implies that corporate external financing and dividend payout are highly dependent on the degree of the manager’s time‐inconsistent preferences in a regime switching economy.
First-in-Human Phase I Study of the Selective MET Inhibitor, Savolitinib, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors: Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Antitumor Activity
Authors: Gan Hui K. , Millward Michael , Hua Ye , Qi Chuan , Sai Yang , Su Weiguo , Wang Jian , Zhang Lilin , Frigault Melanie M. , Morgan Shethah , Yang Liu , Lickliter Jason D.
Published: April 2019

Purpose:

Aberrant activation of MET (hepatocyte growth factor receptor) signaling is implicated in the tumorigenesis of human cancers. This phase I study assessed the safety, tolerability, and MTD of the potent and selective MET inhibitor, savolitinib (AZD6094, HMPL-504, volitinib).

Patients and Methods:

This open-label, multicenter dose-escalation and -expansion study evaluated oral savolitinib for patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors. A 3 + 3 design assessed repeated daily (QD) and twice daily (BID) dosing schedules. The dose-expansion phase included 12 patients. Primary objectives were to evaluate the safety, tolerability, MTD, and dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) of savolitinib. Secondary and exploratory objectives included pharmacokinetics, biomarker research, and antitumor activity.

Results:

Overall, 48 patients were enrolled. Four patients had DLTs following QD savolitinib (600 mg N = 1, 800 mg N = 1, and 1,000 mg N = 2); the MTD was 800 mg QD and not reached for BID dosing. The recommended phase II dose (RP2D) was 600 mg QD. The most frequent adverse events were nausea (30 patients, 63%), vomiting (20 patients, 42%), fatigue (20 patients, 42%), and peripheral edema (15 patients, 31%). At 600 mg QD, Cmax was 2,414.8 ng/mL, AUC was 17053.9 h·ng/mL, and there was no apparent drug accumulation. Three patients with papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC) and MET aberrations had partial responses with durations from 39 to 147 weeks.

Conclusions:

The tolerability profile of savolitinib was acceptable and the RP2D was established as 600 mg QD. Preliminary antitumor activity was demonstrated supporting further study in patients with PRCC.
miR-31-3p Expression and Benefit from Anti-EGFR Inhibitors in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients Enrolled in the Prospective Phase II PROSPECT-C Trial
Authors: Anandappa Gayathri , Lampis Andrea , Cunningham David , Khan Khurum H. , Kouvelakis Kyriakos , Vlachogiannis Georgios , Hedayat Somaieh , Tunariu Nina , Rao Sheela , Watkins David , Starling Naureen , Braconi Chiara , Darvish-Damavandi Mahnaz , Lote Hazel , Thomas Janet , Peckitt Clare , Kalaitzaki Ria , Khan Nasir , Fotiadis Nicos , Rugge Massimo , Begum Ruwaida , Rana Isma , Bryant Annette , Hahne Jens C. , Chau Ian , Fassan Matteo , Valeri Nicola
Published: April 2019

Purpose:

Anti-EGFR mAbs are effective in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. RAS status and tumor location (sidedness) are predictive markers of patients' response to anti-EGFR mAbs. Recently, low miR-31-3p expression levels have been correlated with clinical benefit from the anti-EGFR mAb cetuximab. Here, we aimed to validate the predictive power of miR-31-3p in a prospective cohort of chemorefractory mCRC patients treated with single-agent anti-EGFR mAbs.

Experimental Design:

miR-31-3p was tested by in situ hybridization (ISH) in 91 pretreatment core biopsies from metastatic deposits of 45 patients with mCRC. Sequential tissue biopsies obtained before treatment, at the time of partial response, and at disease progression were tested to monitor changes in miR-31-3p expression overtreatment. miR-31-3p expression, sidedness, and RAS status in pretreatment cell-free DNA were combined in multivariable regression models to assess the predictive value of each variable alone or in combination.

Results:

Patients with low miR-31-3p expression in pretreatment biopsies showed better overall response rate, as well as better progression-free survival and overall survival, compared to those with high miR-31-3p expression. The prognostic effect of miR-31-3p was independent from age, gender, and sidedness. No significant changes in the expression of miR-31-3p were observed when sequential tissue biopsies were tested in long-term or poor responders to anti-EGFR mAbs. miR-31-3p scores were similar when pretreatment biopsies were compared with treatment-naïve archival tissues (often primary colorectal cancer).

Conclusions:

Our study validates the role of miR-31-3p as potential predictive biomarker of selection for anti-EGFR mAbs.