bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting tuberculosis relapse in patients treated with the standard 6-month regimen: an individual patient data meta-analysis
Authors: Romanowski Kamila , Balshaw Robert F , Benedetti Andrea , Campbell Jonathon R , Menzies Dick , Ahmad Khan Faiz , Johnston James C
Published: November 2018

Background

Relapse continues to place significant burden on patients and tuberculosis (TB) programmes worldwide. We aimed to determine clinical and microbiological factors associated with relapse in patients treated with the WHO standard 6-month regimen and then evaluate the accuracy of each factor at predicting an outcome of relapse.

Methods

A systematic review was performed to identify randomised controlled trials reporting treatment outcomes on patients receiving the standard regimen. Authors were contacted and invited to share patient-level data (IPD). A one-step IPD meta-analysis, using random intercept logistic regression models and receiver operating characteristic curves, was performed to evaluate the predictive performance of variables of interest.

Results

Individual patient data were obtained from 3 of the 12 identified studies. Of the 1189 patients with confirmed pulmonary TB who completed therapy, 67 (5.6%) relapsed. In multipredictor analysis, the presence of baseline cavitary disease with positive smear at 2 months was associated with an increased odds of relapse (OR 2.3(95% CI 1.3 to 4.2)) and a relapse risk of 10%. When area under the curve for each multipredictor model was compared, discrimination between low-risk and higher-risk patients was modest and similar to that of the reference model which accounted for age, sex and HIV status.

Conclusion

Despite its poor predictive value, our results indicate that the combined presence of cavitary disease and 2-month positive smear status may be the best currently available marker for identifying individuals at an increased risk of relapse, particularly in resource-limited setting. Further investigation is required to assess whether this combined factor can be used to indicate different treatment requirements in clinical practice.
Second round results from the Manchester ‘Lung Health Check’ community-based targeted lung cancer screening pilot
Authors: Crosbie Phil A , Balata Haval , Evison Matthew , Atack Melanie , Bayliss-Brideaux Val , Colligan Denis , Duerden Rebecca , Eaglesfield Josephine , Edwards Timothy , Elton Peter , Foster Julie , Greaves Melanie , Hayler Graham , Higgins Coral , Howells John , Irion Klaus , Karunaratne Devinda , Kelly Jodie , King Zoe , Lyons Judith , Manson Sarah , Mellor Stuart , Miller Donna , Myerscough Amanda , Newton Tom , O’Leary Michelle , Pearson Rachel , Pickford Julie , Sawyer Richard , Screaton Nick J , Sharman Anna , Simmons Maggi , Smith Elaine , Taylor Ben , Taylor Sarah , Walsham Anna , Watts Angela , Whittaker James , Yarnell Laura , Threlfall Anthony , Barber Phil V , Tonge Janet , Booton Richard
Published: November 2018

We report results from the second annual screening round (T1) of Manchester’s ‘Lung Health Check’ pilot of community-based lung cancer screening in deprived areas (undertaken June to August 2017). Screening adherence was 90% (n=1194/1323): 92% of CT scans were classified negative, 6% indeterminate and 2.5% positive; there were no interval cancers. Lung cancer incidence was 1.6% (n=19), 79% stage I, treatments included surgery (42%, n=9), stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (26%, n=5) and radical radiotherapy (5%, n=1). False-positive rate was 34.5% (n=10/29), representing 0.8% of T1 participants (n=10/1194). Targeted community-based lung cancer screening promotes high screening adherence and detects high rates of early stage lung cancer.
Thermoregulatory behaviour in cod: Is the thermal preference in free-ranging adult Atlantic cod affected by food abundance?
Authors: Björnsson Björn
Published: November 2018

This study supports the hypothesis that well-fed cod (Gadus morhua) seek higher temperatures to increase growth rate, and poorly fed cod select lower temperatures to save metabolic energy. Depth and temperature of free-ranging adult cod (44–79 cm) were studied with data storage tags as part of a ranching project in an Icelandic fjord. Forage fish were regularly provided at four feeding stations where cod formed distinct “herds” (herd cod) that did not mingle much with the rest of the unconditioned cod in the fjord (wild cod). Several parameters (stomach fullness, liver index (fat reserves), condition factor, and growth rate) indicated that food intake was much greater in herd cod than in wild cod. In August, when the thermocline was well established, the herd cod remained in shallow (15–35 m) and warm water (8–10 °C), whereas the wild cod stayed in deep (80–90 m) and cold water (3–4 °C), but occasionally both groups explored depths and temperatures outside their preferred range. After vertical mixing in autumn when thermoregulation was not possible, the depth difference between the two groups decreased significantly.
A Comparison Between Edge Neighbor Rupture Degree and Edge Scattering Number in Graphs
Authors: Kürkçü Ömür Kıvanç , Aslan Ersin
Published: November 2018

The vulnerability measure of a graph or a network depends on robustness of the remained graph, after being exposed to any intervention or attack. In this paper, we consider two edge vulnerability parameters that are the edge neighbor rupture degree and the edge scattering number. The values of these parameters of some specific graphs and their graph operations are calculated. Thus, we analyze and compare which parameter is distinctive for the different type of graphs by using tables.
Weak gravitational interaction of fermions: Quantum viewpoint
Authors: Olyaei Tahere , Azizi Azizollah
Published: November 2018

Using the quantum theory of linearized gravity, gravitational interaction differential cross-sections of one fermion by another fermion, a photon and a scalar particle are calculated in the fermion rest frame. Then, according to the obtained results, it is shown that in the lab frame, the gravitational interaction depends on the spin of the moving particle and is independent of the spin of the rest particle. After that, on the dependency of the gravitational interaction of fermion–photon upon the various states of photons, polarization is discussed.
Comparison of Caputo and conformable derivatives for time-fractional Korteweg–de Vries equation via the finite difference method
Authors: Yokuş Asıf
Published: November 2018

In this study, we investigate the nonlinear time-fractional Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation by using the (1/G[Formula: see text])-expansion method and the finite forward difference method. We first obtain the exact wave solutions of the nonlinear time-fractional KdV equation. In addition, we used the finite-forward difference method to obtain numerical solutions in this equations. When these solutions are obtained, the indexed forms of both Caputo and conformable derivatives are used. By using indexing technique, it is shown that the numerical results of the nonlinear time-fractional KdV equation approaches the exact solution. The two- and three-dimensional surfaces of the obtained analytical solutions are plotted. The von Neumann stability analysis of the used numerical scheme with the studied equation is carried out. The L2and L[Formula: see text] error norms are computed. The exact solutions and numerical approximations are compared by supporting with graphical plots and tables.
PERMEABILITY PREDICTION IN ROUGHENED FRACTURES UNDER STRESS CONDITION USING FRACTAL MODEL
Authors: LEI GANG , CAO NAI , WEN QINGZHI
Published: November 2018

The prediction of permeability in rough fracture under stress condition presents ever more of a challenge in various scientific and engineering fields. However, up to now, the essential controls on stress-dependent permeability of rough fracture are not determined. In order to find a relationship between the microstructure and the permeability of rough fracture, an analytical method for the permeability of roughened fracture under stress condition is proposed based on the fractal model. The validity of the proposed model is obtained by the good agreement between the simulated results and the experimental data. Compared with the previous models, our model takes into account more factors, including the influence of the microstructural parameters of rough fracture and rock lithology. This paper presents that (1) the rock with soft lithology can yield smaller normalized permeability, (2) normalized permeability decreases with the increases of percent of smaller rough elements. The fractal permeability model can reveal more mechanisms that affect the coupled flow deformation behavior in the fractured porous media.
MODULATION OF THE MICRO/NANOTOPOGRAPHY OF PLASMA-SPRAYED BIOMEDICAL COATINGS FOR ENHANCED OSTEOGENIC ACTIVITY
Authors: LYU CHEN , XU ZHENGJIANG , LU HUAIFENG , TANG WEI , LU JIAN , YE DANDAN , ZHAO XIAOBING , WANG GUOCHENG
Published: November 2018

Surface micro/nanotopography of orthopedic implants plays a significant role in determining their biological performance. In this study, plasma jet was for the first time utilized to modulate the micro/nanostructure of the plasma-sprayed 50% Nb2O5-TiO2 coating on the biomedical Ti alloy based on its high temperature and super-high cooling rate characteristics. Results show that the plasma jet can modulate the shape, dimension and distribution of the surface grains in a process-parameter-dependent manner, thus being able to tailor the micro/nanotopography of the surface coating. In vitro cell culture experiments proved that the plasma jet-induced topographical changes have great effects on the osteogenic activity of the MC3T3-E1 cells cultured on the coating surface.
ENHANCED MATERIAL REMOVAL RATE AND SURFACE QUALITY IN Ti-6Al-4V BLISK BLADE POLISHING BY GRA-RBF-FA METHOD
Authors: CHEN ZHEN , SHI YAOYAO , LIN XIAOJUN
Published: November 2018

As an efficient and fast developing surface finishing technique, polishing processes have been widely used in the machining of aero-engine blisk blade. Since a number of processing input variables will influence surface quality and production time, controlling surface finish and machining efficiency require a carefully designed combination of various processing parameters. Therefore, this paper presented a comprehensive multi-objective parameter optimization method that integrates grey relational analysis (GRA), radial basis function (RBF), as well as firefly algorithm (FA). The purpose is to simultaneously obtain the optimal parameter combination for minimum surface roughness and the greatest material removal rate by optimizing rotational speed, feed rate and polishing force in Ti-6Al-4V blisk blade polishing. The hybrid experiments were carried out by combining the orthogonal experimental design with the single-factor experimental design. GRA was run for converting multi-objective response into the single-objective response. Then, RBF was applied to build the relationship between the grey correlation degree and the control variables. Finally, FA was utilized to obtain the optimal grey correlation degree in the range of control variables. The verification tests showed the highest material removal rate of 5.370[Formula: see text]mm2/s and surface quality of 0.374[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m have been successfully achieved.
Textual Sentiment of Chinese Microblog Toward the Stock Market
Authors: Wang Ning , Ke Shanhui , Chen Yibo , Yan Tao , Lim Andrew
Published: November 2018

In this paper, text mining and statistical models are deployed to explore the relationship between the Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index (SSECI) and the collective emotions of individual investors. The emotions of individual investors are quantified by extracting and aggregating investor online posts that contain finance-related keywords. To identify a set of finance-related keywords, three years of blogs from a famous financial blog site are segmented by an automatic text segmentation method; meanwhile, in the literature of social media, people typically select keywords manually. Posts that discuss the keywords are extracted out of all types of topics from Sina Weibo, the largest microblog platform in China. Statistical results reveal the relationship between daily posts and daily opening prices with a one-day lag, which indicates the existence of information (news) propagation lag. This study contributes to the existing literature by demonstrating that the microblog sentiment level reports can be quantitatively incorporated as a proxy to provide valuable support to portfolio decision making.
A Novel Hybrid Correlation Measure for Probabilistic Linguistic Term Sets and Crisp Numbers and Its Application in Customer Relationship Management
Authors: Zhang Xiao Fang , Xu Ze Shui , Ren Pei Jia
Published: November 2018

With the development of technology, people have entered the Big Data era, where the insurance companies meet with opportunities for their massive customer data. To make full use of these data and promote the insurance companies’ benefits, this paper aims to propose a method to reasonably measure the similarity among customers and segment them. However, there exists a challenge to deal with different types of data, i.e., linguistic data and crisp numbers, in customer relationship management. Considering that probabilistic linguistic term set possesses an apparent superiority in reducing linguistic information losses during the process of customer evaluation and data processing, we give a novel correlation measure of two data sequences with both crisp numbers and probabilistic linguistic term sets. Furthermore, we put forward the weighted form of the correlation measure to increase its application elasticity, and then apply the proposed correlation measures to insurance companies’ customer relationship management based on an improved clustering algorithm. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the validity of our correlation measures.
The impact of base-salt relief on salt flow and suprasalt deformation patterns at the autochthonous, paraautochthonous and allochthonous level: insights from physical models
Authors: Dooley Tim P. , Hudec Michael R. , Pichel Leonardo M. , Jackson Martin P. A.
Published: November 2018

Salt is sensitive to the geometry of the substrate it flows across. We use physical models to investigate the impact of base-salt relief on deformation patterns. First, we investigate early-stage gravity gliding across base-salt relief. Salt flowing onto structural high blocks forms a zone of thickened salt and associated shortening owing to a flux mismatch. On the downdip edge of the basement high another flux mismatch generates a topographic monocline (ramp-syncline basin) with associated extensional and contractional hinges. With multiple base-salt high blocks, this structural pattern was repeated down the entire slope. Laterally discontinuous base-salt relief generated additional complexities such as major rotations of raft blocks and intervening diapirs as salt is channelled around and between base-salt relief. At the allochthonous level, regional dip, salt budget and base-salt relief influence flow patterns. Individual salt sheets spread sub-radially with streamlines skewed down the regional slope. As the canopy coalesced along allosutures, inward flow from the canopy peripheries dominated, driven by more vigorous flow from outer feeders owing to less competition for source-layer salt. Subsequent shortening returned flow patterns to grossly dip-parallel. However, salt flows fastest where it is thickest and thus chains of feeders channel rapid intracanopy flow.
Automated Synthesis of Streaming Transfer Level Hardware Designs
Authors: Daigneault Marc-Andre , David Jean Pierre
Published: November 2018

As modern field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) enable high computing performance and efficiency, their programming with low-level hardware description languages is time-consuming and remains a major obstacle to their adoption. High-level synthesis compilers are able to produce register-transfer-level (RTL) designs from C/C++ algorithmic descriptions, but despite allowing significant design-time improvements, these tools are not always able to generate hardware designs that compare to handmade RTL designs. In this article, we consider synthesis from an intermediate-level (IL) language that allows the description of algorithmic state machines handling connections between streaming sources and sinks. However, the interconnection of streaming sources and sinks can lead to cyclic combinational relations, resulting in undesirable behaviors or un-synthesizable designs. We propose a functional-level methodology to automate the resolution of such cyclic relations into acyclic combinational functions. The proposed IL synthesis methodology has been applied to the design of pipelined floating-point cores. The results obtained show how the proposed IL methodology can simplify the description of pipelined architectures while enabling performances that are close to those achievable through an RTL design methodology.
Canine Cancer Genomics: Lessons for Canine and Human Health
Authors: Ostrander Elaine A. , Dreger Dayna L. , Evans Jacquelyn M.
Published: November 2018

Dogs are second only to humans in medical surveillance and preventative health care, leading to a recent perception of increased cancer incidence. Scientific priorities in veterinary oncology have thus shifted, with a demand for cancer genetic screens, better diagnostics, and more effective therapies. Most dog breeds came into existence within the last 300 years, and many are derived from small numbers of founders. Each has undergone strong artificial selection, in which dog fanciers selected for many traits, including body size, fur type, color, skull shape, and behavior, to create novel breeds. The adoption of the breed barrier rule—no dog may become a registered member of a breed unless both its dam and its sire are registered members—ensures a relatively closed genetic pool within each breed. As a result, there is strong phenotypic homogeneity within breeds but extraordinary phenotypic variation between breeds. One consequence of this is the high level of breed-associated genetic disease. We and others have taken advantage of this to identify genes for a large number of canine maladies for which mouse models do not exist, particularly with regard to cancer.
Epithelial-Stromal Interactions in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Zhang Yaqing , Crawford Howard C. , Pasca di Magliano Marina
Published: November 2018

Pancreatic cancer is characterized by an extensive fibroinflammatory reaction that includes immune cells, fibroblasts, extracellular matrix, vascular and lymphatic vessels, and nerves. Overwhelming evidence indicates that the pancreatic cancer microenvironment regulates cancer initiation, progression, and maintenance. Pancreatic cancer treatment has progressed little over the past several decades, and the prognosis remains one of the worst for any cancer. The contribution of the microenvironment to carcinogenesis is a key area of research, offering new potential targets for treating the disease. Here, we explore the composition of the pancreatic cancer stroma, discuss the network of interactions between different components, and describe recent attempts to target the stroma therapeutically. We also discuss current areas of active research related to the tumor microenvironment.
Antidiabetic Activity of Picris japonica Thunb Aqueous Extract in Diabetic KK‐Ay Mice
Authors: Jia Yanmei , Chen Lirong
Published: November 2018

Objective. To evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of Picris japonica Thunb (Asteraceae) on KK‐Ay mice. Methods. The hypoglycemic effect of Picris japonica aqueous extract (PJE) in a spontaneous type 2 diabetic model (KK‐Ay mice) was studied in the present research. PJE was administrated at doses of 700 mg/kg and 350 mg/kg (calculated as crude herb) for 14 days and blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, plasma insulin level, and blood lipid were evaluated. Meanwhile, Rosiglitazone was used for the positive control. Results. It was found the PJE treatment significantly reduced blood glucose level and improved oral glucose tolerance ability (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05) in a dose‐dependent manner compared to the control diabetic mice. The blood insulin levels were significantly reduced in PJE‐treated mice (700 mg/kg) and Rosiglitazone compared with the diabetic control (p < 0.01). Compared with the control diabetic group, the serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were reduced by PJE (700 mg/kg) and Rosiglitazone (p < 0.05), and the serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly increased only by Rosiglitazone (p < 0.01). Conclusions. The findings demonstrate that Picris japonica has remarkable antidiabetic effect in diabetic KK‐Ay mice, which suggests that Picris japonica may be beneficial to the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Increased Autophagy Levels Mediate Cisplatin Resistance in Cisplatin-Resistant Cells While Also Rendering Them Vulnerable to Autophagy Induction
Authors: Duan Guihua , Song Zhengji , Qi Min , Bai Xuan , Wang Jingzhai , Zhang Yu , Zou Xiaoping , Guo Qiang , Wan Ping
Published: November 2018

Autophagy plays an important role in tumor development because of its capacity to maintain energy homeostasis by recycling damaged intracellular proteins and organelles, and increased autophagy levels are reported to mediate drug resistance in many cancers. However, whether high autophagy levels negatively impact tumor cell growth is unknown. Herein, we found that cisplatin (ddp)-resistant cells were more sensitive to glutamine (Gln) deprivation than ddp-sensitive cells, and they showed significant G1 arrest and increased apoptosis rates under Gln-deficient conditions. Furthermore, ddp-resistant cells had a higher level of autophagy, which mediated ddp resistance. Further analysis indicated that Gln deficiency could trigger apoptosis by enhancing activation of the autophagy signaling pathway AMPK/ULK1 in ddp-resistant cells due to their high basal autophagy level. Interestingly, ddp-resistant cells were more sensitive to rapamycin, and rapamycin could efficiently suppress the growth of ddp-resistant cells in vivo. Taken together, our study demonstrated that ddp-resistant cells became vulnerable to Gln deprivation because of their increased level of autophagy, and for the first time, we showed that suppressing the growth of ddp-resistant cells via enhancing autophagy induction was possible with rapamycin treatment.
Alpha‐Stable Distribution and Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis‐Based Fault Diagnosis Method Application for Axle Box Bearings
Authors: Xiong Qing , Zhang Weihua , Xu Yanhai , Peng Yiqiang , Deng Pengyi
Published: November 2018

A railway vehicle’s key components, such as wheelset treads and axle box bearings, often suffer from fatigue failures. If these faults are not detected and dealt with in time, the running safety of the railway vehicle will be seriously affected. To detect these components’ early failure and extend their fatigue life, a regular maintenance becomes critical. Currently, the regular maintenance of axle box bearings mainly depends on manual off‐line inspection, which has low working efficiency and precision of fault diagnosis. In order to improve the maintenance efficiency and effectiveness of railway vehicles, this study proposes a method of integrating the vibration monitoring system of the axle box bearing in the underfloor wheelset lathe, where the integration scheme and work flow of the system are introduced followed by the detailed fault diagnosis method and application examples. Firstly, the band‐pass filter and envelope analysis is successively performed on the original signal acquired by an accelerometer. Secondly, the alpha‐stable distribution (ASD) and multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MFDFA) analysis of the envelope signal are performed, and five characteristic parameters with significant stability and sensitivity are extracted and then brought into the least squares support vectors machine based on particle swarm optimization to determine the state of the bearing quantitatively. Finally, the effectiveness of the method is validated by bench test data. The results demonstrated that the proposed method can accomplish effective diagnosis of axle box bearings’ fault location and fault degree and can yield better diagnosis accuracy than the single method of ASD or MFDFA.
A Case of Upper Limb Osteomyelitis and Septic Arthritis Presenting as Pseudoparalysis in a Two-Week-Old
Authors: Stohr Kuldeep , Xu Guang Xia
Published: November 2018

Pseudoparalysis presenting in infants is a rare manifestation, where infection and trauma are the principle differentials. We present a case of a two-week-old baby boy with pseudoparalysis who was initially diagnosed as Erb’s palsy when presented in the emergency department and later re-presented with signs of sepsis. A later diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the humerus and septic arthritis of the shoulder was made. Despite antibiotic therapy and surgical drainage, the proximal epiphysis of his humerus remains abnormal; however, he has no apparent functional deficit of his right arm at four-year follow-up.
Acetylation of HMGB1 by JNK1 Signaling Promotes LPS-Induced Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells Apoptosis
Authors: Cao Shirong , Li Shu , Wang Yating , Shen Jiani , Zhou Yi , Li Huiyan , Yu Xueqing , Mao Haiping
Published: November 2018

Increased high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in dialysis effluence is associated with the presence of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis in patients and peritoneal dysfunction in acute peritonitis mice model, but it remains unclear whether HMGB1 is involved in peritoneal mesothelial cell injury and functions via molecular posttranslational modifications by acetylation in this process. Here we first showed correlation between HMGB1 acetylation level in dialysis effluence of patients and occurrence of Gram-negative peritonitis. The increased level of acetylated HMGB1 was similarly observed under the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) treatment in both human peritoneal mesothelial cell line (HMrSV5) and mice visceral peritoneum tissue. Overexpression of wild-type, but not hypoacetylation mutant of HMGB1, enhanced LPS-induced apoptosis in HMrSV5 cells, which was accompanied by elevated protein levels of BAX and cleaved-caspase 3 compared to the control. Pretreatment of HMrSV5 cell with JNK inhibitor attenuated LPS-induced HMGB1 acetylation. Consistently, primary peritoneal mesothelial cells from Jnk1-/- mice showed a lower protein contents of acetylated HMGB1, fewer apoptosis, and decreased protein expression of BAX and cleaved-caspase3 after LPS exposure, as compared to those from wild-type mice. In conclusion, our data demonstrated HMGB1 promotes LPS-induced peritoneal mesothelial cells apoptosis, which is associated with JNK1-mediated upregulation of HMGB1 acetylation.
Analytical Formulation for Temperature Evolution in Flat Wheel-Rail Sliding Surfaces
Authors: Alizadeh Otorabad Hossein , Hosseini Tehrani Parisa , Younesian Davood , Sietsma Jilt , Petrov Roumen
Published: November 2018

Studying the temperature evolution of the thermally affected zone (TAZ) of sliding surfaces is crucial because of its influence on microstructural evolution, wear, and fatigue. Due to the complexity of thermal analysis of sliding bodies, relationships that predict their surface temperature evolution are very helpful because they can be used as time-dependent boundary conditions; this makes the thermal analysis of sliding bodies independent. In this paper, by assuming thermal contact conductance (TCC) at the sliding common surface, the differential equation governing the thermal analysis of the wheel-rail sliding is solved throughout a wheel flat. The temperature evolution of wheel and rail surfaces and the heat partitioning factor are among the main results. Finally, the equations obtained for wheel and rail surface temperatures are applied to a freight wagon and a passenger car as two real cases. The results are discussed and compared to existing data in the literature and a solid agreement is achieved.
Overlying Strata Movement Laws Induced by Longwall Mining of Deep Buried Coal Seam with Superhigh‐Water Material Backfilling Technology
Authors: Wang Fangtian , Ma Qi , Li Gang , Wu Chengguo , Guo Guangli
Published: November 2018

The “Three Under Mining” (mining under the buildings, the railways, and the waters) coal resources are stored in the central and eastern China. Many large‐scale mine disasters occurred due to overburden strata movement and surface subsidence. Longwall mining with superhigh‐water material backfilling technology has been improved efficiently to prevent the underground disasters and protect the surface ecological environment. Since underground mine pressure behavior and overlying strata movement are influenced by the backfilling strength and backfilling rates, rational design of backfilling parameters is key to realize the green mining of deep buried coal seams. Based on the combination of geological and production conditions of a deep buried coal seam with composite beam theory, the roof fracture distance was analyzed. The software of UDEC was used to simulate the overlying strata movement laws affected by the different backfilling strength and backfilling rates. With the comparative analysis of the vertical displacement movements and the vertical stress distributions, the reasonable filling rate and water volume fraction were determined to be 90% and 95%, respectively. According to the field experiments, the underground dynamic load was low enough for the safe mining, and the village building can be kept in a stable state with the application of the backfilling technology. The research results in a scientific basis for the coordinated development between the safe and efficient mining of deep buried coal resources and protection of the surface ecological environment.
Relationship between Pain, Somatisation, and Emotional Awareness in Primary School Children
Authors: Rossi M. , Bruno G. , Chiusalupi M. , Ciaramella A.
Published: November 2018

Poor emotional awareness (EA) seems to play an important role in the aetiology of functional somatic complaints featuring pain as a form of somatisation. The aim of this study was to shed more light on this relationship by investigating the links between pain, somatisation, and emotional awareness in a nonclinical population of 445 children aged 6–10. Assessing pain through the Children's Somatisation Inventory (CSI), a very high percentage of the entire sample complained of experiencing pain at least one site (84.07%) over the preceding 2 weeks. Although no difference in the prevalence of pain (whole) was found when the sample was subdivided by Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale-Children (LEAS-C), a relationship between low level of LEAS-Self and prevalence of headache (H) was detected (χ2=7.69, p=0.02). LEAS (Self) was correlated with the intensity of back pain (BP) (r=-0.12; p< 0.05), H (r=-0.12; p< 0.05) but not with abdominal pain (AP). Pain worsened QoL, and the greatest negative correlation with total KidScreen-10 was found for abdominal pain (r=-0.14; p< 0.01). Our results suggest that low EA is a predictor of somatisation, BP severity, H, and severity of pain in general, but not AP.
Tuberculosis of the Thyroid Gland Presented as a Rapid Enlargement of a Preexisting Goiter
Authors: Oueslati Ibtissem , Sakka Imen , Ismail Olfa , Akrout Ines , Marghli Adel , Chihaoui Melika
Published: November 2018

Thyroid involvement with tuberculosis is an uncommon condition even in endemic countries. As its clinical presentation is not specific, diagnosis is often difficult and requires histopathological confirmation. Herein we report an observation of secondary tuberculosis of the thyroid gland in a woman with a type 2 diabetes mellitus and a primary hypothyroidism. She presented with a rapid enlargement of a preexisting goiter without compressive symptoms. The imaging exams showed a voluminous plunging multinodular thyroid gland and multiple bilateral lung nodules. Malignancy was suspected and the patient underwent a total thyroidectomy and a lung biopsy. Histopathological examination revealed multiple tuberculous foci involving both the thyroid gland and the lungs.
Differential Diagnosis Model of Hypocellular Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Aplastic Anemia Based on the Medical Big Data Platform
Authors: Wu Jianhui , Zhang Lu , Yin Sufeng , Wang Haidong , Wang Guoli , Yuan Juxiang
Published: November 2018

The arrival of the era of big data has brought new ideas to solve problems for all walks of life. Medical clinical data is collected and stored in the medical field by utilizing the medical big data platform. Based on medical information big data, new ideas and methods for the differential diagnosis of hypo‐MDS and AA are studied. The basic information, peripheral blood classification counts, peripheral blood cell morphology, bone marrow cell morphology, and other information were collected from patients diagnosed with hypo‐MDS and AA diagnosed in the first diagnosis. First, statistical analysis was performed. Then, the logistic regression model, decision tree model, BP neural network model, and support vector machine (SVM) model of hypo‐MDS and AA were established. The sensitivity, specificity, Youden index, positive likelihood ratio (+LR), negative likelihood ratio (−LR), area under curve (AUC), accuracy, Kappa value, positive predictive value (+PV), negative predictive value (−PV) of the four model training set and test set were compared, respectively. Finally, with the support of medical big data, using logistic regression, decision tree, BP neural network, and SVM four classification algorithms, the decision tree algorithm is optimal for the classification of hypo‐MDS and AA and analyzes the characteristics of the optimal model misjudgment data.
Use of Artificial Neural Network in Determination of Shade, Light Curing Unit, and Composite Parameters’ Effect on Bottom/Top Vickers Hardness Ratio of Composites
Authors: Deniz Arısu Hacer , Eligüzeloglu Dalkilic Evrim , Alkan Fehime , Erol Sebnem , Uctasli Mine Betul , Cebi Alican
Published: November 2018

Objective.To assess the influence of light emitting diode (LED) and quartz tungsten halogen (QTH) light curing unit (LCU) on the bottom/top (B/T) Vickers Hardness Number (VHN) ratio of different composites with different shades and determination of the most significant effect on B/T VHN ratio of composites by shade, light curing unit, and composite parameters using artificial neural network.Method.Three composite resin materials [Clearfil Majesty Esthetic (CME), Tetric N Ceram (TNC), and Tetric Evo Ceram (TEC)] in different shades (HO, A2, B2, Bleach L, Bleach M) were used. The composites were polymerized with three different LED LCUs (Elipar S10, Bluephase 20i, Valo) and halogen LCU (Hilux). Vickers hardness measurements were made at a load of 100 g for 10 sec on the top and bottom surfaces and B/T VHN ratio calculated. The data were statistically analyzed with three-way ANOVA and Tukey test at a significance level of 0.05. The obtained measurements and data were then fed to a neural network to establish the correlation between the inputs and outputs.Results.There were no significant differences between the B/T VHN ratio of LCUs for the HO and B shades of CME (p>0.05), but there were significant differences between the B/T VHN ratio of LCUs for shade A2 (p<0.05). No significant difference was determined between the B/T VHN ratio of LCUs for all shades of TNC (p>0.05). For TEC, there was no significant difference between the B/T VHN ratio of halogen and LED LCUs (p>0.05), but a significant difference was determined among the LED LCUs (p<0.05). The artificial neural network results showed that a combination of the curing light and composite parameter had the most significant effect on the B/T VHN ratio of composites. Shade has the lowest effect on the B/T VHN ratio of composites.Conclusion.The B/T VHN ratio values of different resin-based composite materials may vary depending on the light curing device. In addition, the artificial neural network results showed that the LCU and composite parameter had the most significant effect on the B/T VHN ratio of the composites. Shade has the lowest effect on the B/T VHN ratio of composites.
Implications of the Intestinal Microbiota in Diagnosing the Progression of Diabetes and the Presence of Cardiovascular Complications
Authors: Leustean Alina Mihaela , Ciocoiu Manuela , Sava Anca , Costea Claudia Florida , Floria Mariana , Tarniceriu Claudia Cristina , Tanase Daniela Maria
Published: November 2018

The prevalence of diabetes is steadily rising, and once it occurs, it can cause multiple complications with a negative impact on the whole organism. Complications of diabetes may be macrovascular: such as stroke and ischemic heart disease as well as peripheral vascular and microvascular diseases—retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy. Key factors that cause cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes include hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, obesity, insulin resistance, inflammation, hypertension, autonomic dysfunction, and decreased vascular response capacity. Microbes can be considered a complex endocrine system capable of ensuring the proper functioning of the body but are also responsible for the development of numerous pathologies (diabetes, coronary syndromes, peripheral arterial disease, neoplasia, Alzheimer’s disease, and hepatic steatosis). Changes in the intestinal microbiota may influence the host’s sensitivity to insulin, body weight, and lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Dysbiosis causes activation of proinflammatory mechanisms, metabolic toxicity, and insulin resistance. Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is a microbial organic compound generated by the large intestine, and its concentration increases in the blood after ingestion of foods rich in L-carnitine and choline, such as red meat, eggs, and fish. The interest for TMAO in cardiometabolic research has recently emerged, given the preclinical evidence that reveals a link between TMAO, diabetes, and cardiovascular complications. Intestinal microbiota can be modulated by changing one’s lifestyle but also by antibiotic, probiotic, prebiotic, and fecal transplantation. The purpose of this article is to highlight issues related to the involvement of microbiota and trimethylamine N-oxide in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Better appreciation of the interactions between food intake and intestinal floral-mediated metabolism can provide clinical insights into the definition of individuals with diabetic risk and cardiometabolic disease as well as potential therapeutic targets for reducing the risk of progression of the disease.
A New Car-Following Model with Consideration of Dynamic Safety Distance
Authors: Wang Tao , Zhang Jing , Li Guangyao , Xu Keyu , Li Shubin
Published: November 2018

In the traditional optimal velocity model, safe distance is usually a constant, which, however, is not representative of actual traffic conditions. This paper attempts to study the impact of dynamic safety distance on vehicular stream through a car-following model. Firstly, a new car-following model is proposed, in which the traditional safety distance is replaced by a dynamic term. Then, the phase diagram in the headway, speed, and sensitivity spaces is given to illustrate the impact of a variable safe distance on traffic flow. Finally, numerical methods are conducted to examine the performance of the proposed model with regard to two aspects: compared with the optimal velocity model, the new model can suppress traffic congestion effectively and, for different safety distances, the dynamic safety distance can improve the stability of vehicular stream. Simulation results suggest that the new model is able to enhance traffic flow stability.
Endoscopic Injection of Mitomycin C for the Treatment of Pharyngoesophageal Stenosis Refractory to Endoscopic Treatment with Dilatation in Patients Treated for Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Gusmon-Oliveira Carla Cristina , Kuboki Yeda Mayumi , de Paulo Gustavo Andrade , de Lima Marcelo Simas , Uemura Ricardo Sato , Martins Bruno Costa , Tolentino Luciano Lenz , Safatle-Ribeiro Adriana Vaz , Kulcsar Marco Aurelio , Ribeiro Ulysses , Maluf-Filho Fauze
Published: November 2018

Background. Management of pharyngoesophageal stenosis (PES) in patients after head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment remains a challenge. It is not uncommon that PES is refractory to dilation sessions. This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of Mitomycin C (MMC) endoscopic injection for the treatment of refractory pharyngoesophageal stenosis. Patients and methods. This is a prospective study in patients with dysphagia following head and neck cancer treatment, without evidence suggestive of tumor recurrence, and refractory to endoscopic treatment. These patients were submitted to endoscopic dilation of the stenotic segment with thermoplastic bougies, followed by injection of MMC. We repeated the endoscopic sessions every three weeks. Results. From January 2015 to May 2015, we treated 13 patients with PES. Three patients were initially enrolled in the study for refractory stricture. We observed adverse events in all of them, with intense neck pain and ulcer development, justifying the interruption of the trial. Conclusion. The repeated injection in the short interval of MMC in refractory PES is not recommended, because it resulted in serious adverse events.
Pulmonary Function Tests in Hypertensive Patients Attending Zewditu Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Birhan Mekuriaw Mesfin , Abebe Yekoye
Published: November 2018

Background. Hypertension imposes stresses on many organs like heart and kidney. However, studies that show the effect of hypertension on the lungs are limited. Objective. To assess pulmonary function status of hypertensive patients aged 30-64 years at Zewditu Memorial Hospital, 2017. Methods. Hospital based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 61 hypertensive patients (cases) and 61 nonhypertensive clients (controls) aged 30-64 years. Computerized spirometry was done in all cases and controls which were selected by systematic sampling technique. The study was conducted from January 20, 2017, to May 25, 2017. Result. The values of FVC, FEV1, and FEF25-75% were 3.52±1.02 liters, 2.97±0.89 liters, and 3.34±1.3 liters/second in hypertensive patients and 4.31±0.82 liters, 3.54±0.7 liters, and 3.94±1.09 liters/second in controls, respectively. These values were significantly lower (p<0.05) in hypertensive patients compared to controls. Restrictive pulmonary defect was dominant in hypertensive patients. FEV1% which was 85%±7% in hypertensive patients and 82%±5% in controls was significantly higher (p<0.05) in hypertensive patients compared to controls. Conclusion. Hypertensive patients exhibit lower pulmonary function values. Routine check-up of the pulmonary function status of such patients should be done to prevent undesired outcomes.
Evolution Mechanism of Meandering River Downstream Gigantic Hydraulic Project I: Hydrodynamic Models and Verification
Authors: Liu Linshuang , Zhu Haiqing , Huang Chengtao , Zheng Li
Published: November 2018

The evolution mechanism of meandering river is one of essential references to predict the evolution disciplines of meandering river. Jingjiang curved reaches are the typical meandering river; more specifically, they are located downstream the gigantic hydraulic project named Three Gorge Project (TGP). Because the incoming water and sediment condition have been changed by the gigantic project, the evolution behavior of Jingjiang curved reaches changes a lot, making the evolution behavior unpredictable. However, traditional two-dimensional (2D) hydrodynamic model could not simulate the transportation characteristics of unbalanced and suspended sediment, leading the predict results of 2D model are far from the measured data. This paper presents a theoretical and numerical approach that explores the evolution mechanism of meandering river downstream gigantic hydraulic project. Firstly, the evolution behavior and evolution disciplines of Jingjiang curved reaches were classified before and after the hydraulic project implement respectively. Secondly, a 2D hydrodynamic model was set up and verified according to the measured data. And then a superior three-dimensional (3D) numerical model, whose boundary conditions were simulated by the results of the 2D numerical model, considering the unbalanced water and sediment transportation properties, was developed and verified by the measured data. Research results show that the 2D model displayed a reasonable accuracy in predicting the water level, branch diversion ratio, and flow velocity; the 3D model displayed a better accuracy in predicting the water lever, vertical flow velocity, longitudinal flow velocity, sediment concentration, and sediment variable quantity. Both 2D and 3D models could be applied to study the evolution mechanism of meandering river; especially the proposed 3D model considering the sediment transport in longitudinal, transverse, and vertical directions will improve the accuracy of behavior prediction and will help decision-making for the river regulation.
Wireless Patrol Sign-In System with Mental Fatigue Detection
Authors: Chang Kang-Ming , Xu Hao-Chen , Ching Congo Tak-Shing , Liu Shing-Hong
Published: November 2018

Current sign-in methods of patrolling security guards mainly comprise signature, image identification, and fingerprint identification; notably, none of these methods indicate the physical and mental conditions of such guards. In particular, when patrolling security guards perform their duties consecutively for a long period of time, adequate attention should be directed toward their levels of mental fatigue. When a handwriting sign-in system is adopted, security guards may not record their sign-in time accurately, or they may fake signatures during long shifts. In addition, image identification systems cannot comprehensively reflect the physical and mental statuses of on-duty security guards, particularly their levels of fatigue. Monitor fatigue in patrolling security guards is important to avoid burnout and stress in the workplace. Therefore, in this study, a patrolling sign-in system that integrates physiological signals and images was designed. A thermometer, hand dynamometer, and electromyography sensor were combined to measure physiological signals. Results showed that hand grip strength and the median frequency of electromyography signals gradually reduced when muscle fatigue occurred. The system determined whether a security guard had signed in punctually and whether this person should stay on duty. Overall, this system was verified to operate effectively, and it is therefore applicable for monitoring the sign-in of patrolling security guards who work long shifts. This case series study proposed a conceptual prototype of the system; large-scale testing should be performed in subsequent research.
The Effect of Modified Biolasol Solution on the Efficacy of Storing Isolated Porcine Kidneys
Authors: Ostróżka-Cieślik Aneta , Dolińska Barbara , Ryszka Florian
Published: November 2018

Biolasol is a newly developed solution for storing the liver, pancreas, kidneys, and heart by simple hypothermia. It exhibits high efficacy in maintaining structural and functional integrity of the graft prior to its transplantation. The solution was modified by the addition of ascorbic acid (0.088g/l) and ascorbic acid with prolactin (1 μg/l PRL + 0.088g/l vitamin C). The effectiveness of the obtained solutions in the protection of nephrons of isolated porcine kidneys was assessed based on the analysis of the activity of ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), and LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) as well as lactate concentration determined in perfundates collected after 2 h (0′ and 30′ preservation) and 48 h (0′ and 30′ preservation) of graft storage. It has been found that the synergistic action of Biolasol components determines the integrity and stability of cell membranes, which in turn affects the proper functioning of the organ after transplantation. The addition of ascorbic acid and prolactin to Biolasol affects the maintenance of the normal cytoskeleton of the stored graft.