bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Octa-substituted metallophthalocyanines bearing (2,3-dihydrobenzo-1,4-benzodioxin-2-yl)methoxy and chloro groups: Synthesis, characterization and photophysicochemical studies
Authors: Gorduk Semih
Published: January 2020

In this study, the synthesis and characterization of novel 4-chloro-5-((2,3-dihydrobenzo-1,4-benzodioxin-2-yl)methoxy)phthalonitrile (1) and its peripherally octa-substituted Zn(II) (Pc-Zn), In(III) (PcInCI) and Mg(II) (Pc-Mg) phthalocyanine (Pc) derivatives are reported for the first time. FT-IR, elemental analysis, UV-vis, NMR and MS techniques were used for characterization studies of the compounds. Aggregation properties of the compounds were evaluated in DMF, DMSO and THF solvents in different concentrations, and the compounds did not tend to aggregate in these solvents. In addition, photophysicochemical properties such as fluorescence, photodegradation and singlet oxygen quantum yield of the compounds were examined in DMSO, DMF and THF solvents to show the potential use of these novel compounds as photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT). The effects of zinc, indium and magnesium metals, octa substitutions in peripheral positions and different types of solvents on photophysicochemical properties were investigated. The singlet oxygen quantum yield values of compounds ranged from 0.27 to 0.77 in different solvents. As a result of the photophysicochemical properties, these compounds can be considered as potential candidates for PDT, applications.
Rift-related magmatism influences petroleum system development in the NE Irish Rockall Basin, offshore Ireland
Authors: Jackson Christopher A.-L. , Magee Craig , Jacquemyn Carl
Published: January 2020

Large volumes of hydrocarbons reside in volcanically influenced sedimentary basins. Despite having a good conceptual understanding of how magmatism impacts the petroleum systems of such basins, we still lack detailed case studies documenting precisely how intrusive magmatism influences, for example, trap development and reservoir quality. Here we combine 3D seismic reflection, borehole, petrographical and palaeothermometric data to document the geology of borehole 5/22-1, NE Irish Rockall Basin, offshore western Ireland. This borehole (Errigal) tested a four-way dip closure that formed to accommodate emplacement of a Paleocene–Eocene igneous sill-complex during continental break-up in the North Atlantic. Two water-bearing turbidite-sandstone-bearing intervals occur in the Upper Paleocene; the lowermost contains thin (
c
. 5 m), quartzose-feldspathic sandstones of good reservoir quality, whereas the upper is dominated by poor-quality volcaniclastic sandstones. Palaeothermometric data provide evidence of anomalously high temperatures in the Paleocene–Eocene succession, suggesting the poor reservoir quality within the target interval is likely to reflect sill-induced heating, fluid flow, and related diagenesis. The poor reservoir quality is also probably the result of the primary composition of the reservoir, which is dominated by volcanic grains and related clays derived from an igneous-rock-dominated, sediment source area. Errigal appeared to fail due to a lack of hydrocarbon charge: that is, the low bulk permeability of the heavily intruded Cretaceous mudstone succession may have impeded the vertical migration of sub-Cretaceous-sourced hydrocarbons into supra-Cretaceous reservoirs. Break-up-related magmatism did, however, drive the formation of a large structural closure, with data from Errigal at least proving high-quality, Upper Paleocene deep-water reservoirs. Future exploration targets in the NE Irish Rockall Basin include: (i) stratigraphically trapped Paleocene–Eocene deep-water sandstones that onlap the flanks of intrusion-induced forced folds; (ii) structurally trapped, intra-Cretaceous, deep-water sandstones incorporated within intrusion-induced forced folds; and (iii) more conventional, Mesozoic fault-block traps underlying the heavily intruded Cretaceous succession (e.g. Dooish). Similar plays may exist on other continental margins influenced by break-up magmatism.

Supplementary material:
Borehole-related reports, and litho- and composite logs are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4803267
In Situ Electrochemical Dilatometry Study of (De)lithiation and Polysulfide Dissolution-Induced Dimensional Changes in Lithium-Sulfur Cathodes during Charging and Discharging
Authors: Li Manni , Wang Zeyu , Detsi Eric
Published: January 2020

In this work we use in situ electrochemical dilatometry techniques to demonstrate the existence of two distinct dimensional change mechanisms in lithium-sulfur cathodes during cycling, namely a reversible dimensional change occurring due to the difference in density between pure sulfur and lithiated sulfur compounds, and an irreversible shrinkage associated with polysulfide dissolution into the electrolyte. Our results contribute to elucidate the failure mechanism of lithium-sulfur cathodes, and the new insight can be used to improve the cycle-life of lithium-sulfur batteries. Indeed, while the reversible dimensional changes are fundamentally unavoidable, the irreversible dimensional changes can be mitigated by preventing the loss of active materials during cycling, which should obviously improve the battery cycle-life.
Mechanically Coupled Phase-Field Modeling of Microstructure Evolution in Sodium Ion Batteries Particles of NaxFePO4
Authors: Zhang Tao , Kamlah Marc
Published: January 2020

The microstructure evolution of the cathode material Na

x

FePO
4 of sodium-ion batteries is investigated during insertion, using a mechanically coupled phase-field model. A direct comparison between Na

x

FePO
4 and Li

x

FePO
4 is made in terms of the microstructure evolution and the stress evolution. The dynamics of single wave propagation in spherical particles of Na

x

FePO
4 is obtained, and the interface morphology between phases that goes across the particle dynamically changes to minimize its proportion. When mechanics is accounted for, the interface gets more widened for Na

x

FePO
4, and its miscibility gap is significantly reduced. In contrast to the constant stresses in each phase occurring in shrinking-core dynamics, both, tensile and compressive stresses coexist in each phase, and the related gradient of hydrostatic stress induces Na

x

FePO
4 a steeper concentration inhomogeneity in each phase. It is expected that the particle surface of the species-rich phase is more prone to cracking. Compared with Li

x

FePO
4, the stress magnitudes at the interface are smaller in Na

x

FePO
4. Although the miscibility gap of Na

x

FePO
4 is smaller, the stress magnitudes at the particle surface are larger in this material, which makes it less mechanically reliable.
Vascular function is related to blood flow during high-intensity, but not low-intensity, knee extension exercise
Authors: Hanson Brady E. , Proffit Meagan , Gifford Jayson R.
Published: January 2020

While vascular function, assessed as the ability of the vasculature to dilate in response to a stimulus, is related to cardiovascular health, its relationship to exercise hyperemia is unclear. This study sought to determine if blood flow during submaximal and maximal exercise is related to vascular function. Nineteen healthy adults completed multiple assessments of vascular function specific to the leg, including passive leg movement (PLM), rapid onset vasodilation (ROV), reactive hyperemia (RH), and flow-mediated dilation (FMD). On a separate day, exercise blood flow (Doppler ultrasound) was assessed in the same leg during various intensities of single-leg, knee-extension (KE) exercise. Vascular function, determined by PLM, ROV, and RH, was related to exercise blood flow at high intensities, including maximum work rate (WRmax) ( r = 0.58–0.77, P < 0.001), but not low intensities, like ~21% WRmax ( r = 0.12–0.34, P = 0.12–0.62). Relationships between multiple indices of vascular function and peak exercise blood flow persisted when controlling for quadriceps mass and exercise work rate ( P < 0.05), indicating vascular function is independently related to the blood flow response to intense exercise. When divided into two groups based upon the magnitude of the PLM response, subjects with a lower PLM response exhibited lower exercise flow at several absolute work rates, as well as lower peak flow ( P < 0.05). In conclusion, leg flow during dynamic exercise is independently correlated with multiple different indices of microvascular function. Thus microvascular function appears to modulate the hyperemic response to high-intensity, but not low-intensity, exercise.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY While substantial evidence indicates that individuals with lower vascular function are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, with many redundant vasodilator pathways present during exercise, it has been unclear if low vascular function actually impacts blood flow during exercise. This study provides evidence that vascular function, assessed by multiple noninvasive methods, is related to the blood flow response to high-intensity leg exercise in healthy young adults. Importantly, healthy young adults with lower levels of vascular function, particularly microvascular function, exhibit lower blood flow during high-intensity, and maximal knee extension exercise. Thus it appears that in addition to increasing one’s risk of cardiovascular disease, lower vascular function is also related to a blunted blood flow response during high-intensity exercise.
The fractal geometry of bronchial trees differs by strain in mice
Authors: Glenny Robb W. , Krueger Melissa , Bauer Christian , Beichel Reinhard R.
Published: January 2020

Fractal biological structures are pervasive throughout the plant and animal kingdoms, with the mammalian lung being a quintessential example. The lung airway and vascular trees are generated during embryogenesis from a small set of building codes similar to Turing mechanisms that create robust trees ideally suited to their functions. Whereas the blood flow pattern generated by these fractal trees has been shown to be genetically determined, the geometry of the trees has not. We explored a newly established repository providing high-resolution bronchial trees from the four most commonly studied laboratory mice (B6C3F1, BALB/c, C57BL/6 and CD-1). The data fit a fractal model well for all animals with the fractal dimensions ranging from 1.54 to 1.67, indicating that the conducting airway of mice can be considered a self-similar and space-filling structure. We determined that the fractal dimensions of these airway trees differed by strain but not sex, reinforcing the concept that airway branching patterns are encoded within the DNA. The observations also highlight that future study design and interpretations may need to consider differences in airway geometry between mouse strains.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Similar to larger mammals such as humans, the geometries of the bronchial tree in mice are fractal structures that have repeating patterns from the trachea to the terminal branches. The airway geometries of the four most commonly studied mice are different and need to be considered when comparing results that employ different mouse strains. This variability in mouse airway geometries should be incorporated into computer models exploring toxicology and aerosol deposition in mouse models.
Synthesis and Characterization of Aluminum Nanoparticles Prepared in Vinegar Using a Pulsed Laser Ablation Technique
Authors: Altuwirqi Reem M. , Baatiyah Bayan , Nugali Eman , Hashim Zeina , Al-Jawhari Hala
Published: January 2020

The second harmonic wavelength of a neodymium-doped yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd-YAG) laser (λ=532 nm) was used in a pulsed laser ablation technique (PLAL) to synthesize aluminum nanoparticles suspended in white vinegar from an aluminum target. The nanoparticles were characterized by HRTEM and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. They were found to range in size between 2 and 50 nm in diameter, with an average diameter of 12±9 nm. The nanoparticles had a maximum absorption peak at 237 nm and were found to exhibit a core-shell structure with an Al core coated by a thin layer of an amorphous material which could be attributed to amorphous carbon. HRTEM results revealed that the small nanoparticles (<20 nm) had an fcc phase of aluminum crystalline structure, where the larger particles represented alumina (γ-Al2O3) nanoparticles. Such observation suggests that the use of white vinegar as an ablation medium could facilitate the synthesis of aluminum nanoparticles with minimal evidence of the existence of aluminum oxide nanoparticles in the resultant suspension.
[Retracted] Cardiac Contractility Modulation Attenuates Chronic Heart Failure in a Rabbit Model via the PI3K/AKT Pathway
Authors: Hao Qingqing , Zhang Feifei , Wang Yudan , Li Yingxiao , Qi Xiaoyong
Published: January 2020

The Akt plays an important role in regulating cardiac growth, myocardial angiogenesis, and cell death in cardiac myocytes. However, there are few studies to focus on the responses of the Akt pathway to cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) in a chronic heart failure (HF) model. In this study, the effects of CCM on the treatment of HF in a rabbit model were investigated. Thirty six‐month‐old rabbits were randomly separated into control, HF, and CCM groups. The rabbits in HF and CCM groups were pressure uploaded, which can cause an aortic constriction. Then, CCM was gradually injected to the myocardium of rabbits in the CCM group, and this process lasted for four weeks with six hours per day. Rabbit body weight, heart weight, and heart beating rates were recorded during the experiment. To assess the CCM impacts, rabbit myocardial histology was examined as well. Additionally, western blot analysis was employed to measure the protein levels of Akt, FOXO3, Beclin, Pi3k, mTOR, GSK‐3β, and TORC2 in the myocardial histology of rabbits. Results showed that the body and heart weight of rabbits decreased significantly after suffering HF when compared with those in the control group. However, they gradually recovered after CCM application. The CCM significantly decreased collagen volume fraction in myocardial histology of HF rabbits, indicating that CCM therapy attenuated myocardial fibrosis and collagen deposition. The levels of Akt, FOXO3, Beclin, mTOR, GSK‐3β, and TORC2 were significantly downregulated, but Pi3k concentration was greatly upregulated after CCM utilization. Based on these findings, it was concluded that CCM could elicit positive effects on HF therapy, which was potentially due to the variation in the Pi3k/Akt signaling pathway.
Reversible Image Watermarking Algorithm Based on Quadratic Difference Expansion
Authors: Zhang Zhengwei , Zhang Mingjian , Wang Liuyang
Published: January 2020

To improve the visual quality and embedding rate of existing reversible image watermarking algorithms, a reversible image watermarking algorithm based on quadratic difference expansion is proposed. First, the pixel points with grayscale values 0 and 255 in the original image are removed, and then, the half-scrambled watermark information is embedded into the original image using linear difference expansion. Finally, the remaining half of the watermark information is embedded into the previously generated watermarked image by the quadratic difference expansion, meanwhile the removed pixel points with grayscale values 0 and 255 in the image are merged, and the final watermarked image is generated accordingly. The experimental results show that the algorithm has both a high embedding rate and a high visual quality, which can completely recover the original image. Compared with other difference expansion watermarking algorithms, it has certain advantages without having to consider the smoothness of the embedded image region.
Research on Optimization of Production Decision Based on Payment Time and Price Coordination
Authors: Yan Yanyang , Yuan Liang , Li Yemei
Published: January 2020

This paper focuses on the coordination and optimization between a manufacturer and multiple retailers in a supply chain. The manufacturer makes product quotes and delivery deadlines for all retailers, and each retailer selects product offers and delivery deadlines based on their own needs. Manufacturers maximize their own total profits by setting optimal quotes and delivery deadlines. This paper constructs the mathematical model of the optimal quotation and delivery deadline and proposes a scheduling algorithm that is different from the general M/M/1 and then studies the production scheduling problem and explores the effective implementation of quotation policy in management practice.
Bifurcation Analysis of a Discrete-Time Two-Species Model
Authors: Khan A. Q.
Published: January 2020

We study the local dynamics and bifurcation analysis of a discrete-time modified Nicholson–Bailey model in the closed first quadrant R+2. It is proved that model has two boundary equilibria: O0,0,Aζ1−1/ζ2,0, and a unique positive equilibrium Brer/er−1,r under certain parametric conditions. We study the local dynamics along their topological types by imposing method of Linearization. It is proved that fold bifurcation occurs about the boundary equilibria: O0,0,Aζ1−1/ζ2,0. It is also proved that model undergoes a Neimark–Sacker bifurcation in a small neighborhood of the unique positive equilibrium Brer/er−1,r and meanwhile stable invariant closed curve appears. From the viewpoint of biology, the stable closed curve corresponds to the period or quasi-periodic oscillations between host and parasitoid populations. Some simulations are presented to verify theoretical results. Finally, bifurcation diagrams and corresponding maximum Lyapunov exponents are presented for the under consideration model.
Obesity‐Induced Upregulation of ZBTB7A Promotes Lipid Accumulation through SREBP1
Authors: Zhou Jing-ping , Ren Yan-dan , Xu Qin-yu , Song Yang , Zhou Fei , Chen Mei-Ya , Liu Jing-jing , Chen Li-Gang , Pan Jin-Shui
Published: January 2020

Objective. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is among the most common chronic liver diseases. However, the pathogenesis of NAFLD is not still unclear. This study aims at evaluating the role of zinc finger and BTB domain‐containing 7A (ZBTB7A) in NAFLD. Methods. Western blotting, real‐time reverse transcription PCR (RT‐PCR), and immunohistochemistry were submitted to evaluate the level of ZBTB7A in the high fatty diet‐ (HFD‐) induced NAFLD mouse model. In vitro, the expression of ZBTB7A was assessed in oleic acid‐ (OA‐) induced HepG2 cells with western blotting and RT‐PCR. The luciferase reporter assay was used to estimate the effect of ZBTB7A on the SREBP1 and NF‐κB, and the ChIP assay was subjected to evaluate the direct binding to the SREBP1 promoter. Oil Red staining was used to detect lipid accumulation, and the ELISA was used to verify the levels of TG, T‐CHO, and MDA. ZBTB7A was knocked down with siRNA, and RT‐PCR was performed to analyze the lipogenesis‐, fatty acid transporter‐, and oxidation metabolism‐related genes expression. The levels of ZBTB7A in primary hepatocyte, Kupffer, and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were tested by RT‐PCR. Results. The upregulation of ZBTB7A expression was assessed in NAFLD mice, and ZBTB7A expression was positively correlated with TNFα, IL‐6, TG, T‐CHO, and MDA. ZBTB7A was highly expressed in the hepatocytes. In vitro, OA‐induced ZBTB7A expression and ZBTB7A expression were closely associated with SREBP1c. ZBTB7A could activate the promoter activity of SREBP1 and activate NF‐κB activity. Interestingly, the direct binding of ZBTB7A in the SREBP1 promoter was acquired in HepG2 cells. Inhibition of ZBTB7A expression could attenuate OA‐induced lipid accumulation, inhibit the expression of the lipogenesis‐related genes and fatty acid transporter genes, and promote the expression of oxidation metabolism‐related genes. Conclusion. ZBTB7A plays a significant role in the development process of NAFLD, and obesity‐induced upregulation of ZBTB7A promotes lipid accumulation through activation of SREBP1 and NF‐κB. ZBTB7A may be a potential novel target for the therapy of NAFLD.
MicroRNA‐384 Inhibits the Progression of Papillary Thyroid Cancer by Targeting PRKACB
Authors: Wang Yongxia , Wang Beixi , Zhou Hong , Zhang Xiangnan , Qian Xinlai , Cui Jing
Published: January 2020

Background. Growing evidence shows that dysregulation of miRNAs plays a significant role in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) tumorigenesis and development. The abnormal expression of miR‐384 has been acknowledged in the proliferation or metastasis of some cancers. However, the function and the underlying mechanism of miR‐384 in PTC progression remain largely unknown. Methods. Real‐time PCR was conducted to detect miR‐384 expression in 58 cases of PTC and their adjacent noncancerous tissues. MTT, soft agar assay Transwell assay, and wound‐healing assay were carried out to explore the biological function of miR‐384 in PTC cell lines of BCPAP and K1. Bioinformatics analysis, dual‐luciferase reporter assay, western blot, and functional complementation analysis were conducted to explore the target gene of miR‐384. Moreover, Spearman’s correlation analysis was conducted to reveal the correlation between miR‐384 and PRKACB mRNA in PTC. Results. The expression of miR‐384 decreased obviously in PTC, especially in the tumors with lymph node metastasis or larger tumor size. The ectopic upregulation of miR‐384 significantly suppressed PTC progression, and the inhibition of miR‐384 had the opposite effects. Moreover, PRKACB gene was confirmed as the target of miR‐384. Conclusion. The study suggests that miR‐384 serves as a tumor suppressor in PTC progression by directly targeting the 3′‐UTR of PRKACB gene.
Selection and Validation of Appropriate Reference Genes for Quantitative RT‐PCR Analysis in Rubia yunnanensis Diels Based on Transcriptome Data
Authors: Yi Shanyong , Lin Qianwen , Zhang Xuejia , Wang Jing , Miao Yuanyuan , Tan Ninghua
Published: January 2020

Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) has been widely applied in gene expression and transcription abundance analysis because of its high sensitivity, good repeatability, and strong specificity. Selection of relatively stable reference genes is a precondition in order to obtain the reliable analysis results. However, little is known about evaluation of a set of reference genes through scientific experiments in Rubia plants. Here, 15 candidate reference genes were selected from R. yunnanensis transcriptome database and analyzed under abiotic stresses, hormone treatments, and different tissues. Among these 15 candidate reference genes, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP), TATA binding protein (TBP), ribosomal protein L5 (RPL5), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), and elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1α) were indicated as the five most stable reference genes by four statistical programs (geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder). Ultimately, the validity of reference genes was confirmed by normalizing the expression of o-succinylbenzoate-CoA ligase (OSBL) and isochorismate synthase (ICS) involved in the anthraquinone biosynthesis pathway in different tissues and hormone treatments. Meanwhile, four other putative genes involved in the anthraquinone biosynthesis pathway were also normalized with the selected reference genes, which showed similar expression levels with those given by transcriptome data. This work is the first research that aims at a systematic validation on the stability of reference genes selected from R. yunnanensis transcriptome data and will be conducive to analyze gene expression in R. yunnanensis or other Rubia species.
Pulmonary Mucormycosis: A Case Report of a Rare Infection with Potential Diagnostic Problems
Authors: Mekki Salwa O. , Hassan Amal A. , Falemban Afnan , Alkotani Nashwa , Alsharif Salem M. , Haron Ahmed , Felemban Basim , Iqbal Mohammad S. , Tabassum Aisha
Published: January 2020

Pulmonary mucormycosis is a relatively rare pulmonary fungal disease, which is difficult to diagnose early and lacks effective treatment. It is seen in patients with hematological malignancies, diabetes mellitus, and immunocompromised states. The diagnosis depends primarily on the detection of fungi in lung tissue. Here, we present a case of a 52-year-old male who has type 2 diabetes mellitus and a past history of treated pulmonary tuberculosis. Clinical diagnosis is difficult in pulmonary mucormycosis, and early diagnosis is needed for this life-threatening infection. Histopathological examination of a resected cavity confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary mucormycosis. This report highlights the difficulty of diagnosis and the importance of histological examination in detecting mucormycosis which will help for early management.
Cerebral Blood Flow Alterations in High Myopia: An Arterial Spin Labeling Study
Authors: Wang Huihui , Li Shanshan , Chen Xi , Wang Yanling , Li Jing , Wang Zhenchang
Published: January 2020

Objective. The aim of this study was to explore cerebral blood flow (CBF) alterations in subjects with high myopia (HM) using three-dimensional pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling (3D-pcASL). Methods. A total of sixteen patients with bilateral HM and sixteen age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. All subjects were right-handed. Image data preprocessing was performed using SPM8 and the DPABI toolbox. Clinical parameters were acquired in the HM group. Two-sample t-tests and Pearson correlation analysis were applied in this study. Results. Compared to HCs, patients with HM exhibited significantly increased CBF in the bilateral cerebellum, and no decreases in CBF were detected in the brain. However, no relationship was found between the mean CBF values in the different brain areas and the disease duration (P>0.05). Conclusions. Using ASL analysis, we detected aberrant blood perfusion in the cerebellum in HM patients, contributing to a better understanding of brain abnormalities and brain plasticity through a different perspective.
PPARs and the Development of Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Holm Laurits J. , Mønsted Mia Øgaard , Haupt-Jorgensen Martin , Buschard Karsten
Published: January 2020

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a family of transcription factors with a key role in glucose and lipid metabolism. PPARs are expressed in many cell types including pancreatic beta cells and immune cells, where they regulate insulin secretion and T cell differentiation, respectively. Moreover, various PPAR agonists prevent diabetes in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model of type 1 diabetes. PPARs are thus of interest in type 1 diabetes (T1D) as they represent a novel approach targeting both the pancreas and the immune system. In this review, we examine the role of PPARs in immune responses and beta cell biology and their potential as targets for treatment of T1D.
Use of Procalcitonin to Guide Discontinuation of Antimicrobial Therapy in Patients with Persistent Intra-Abdominal Collections: A Case Series
Authors: Motoa Gabriel , Pate Amy , Franco-Paredes Carlos , Chastain Daniel B. , Henao-Martínez Andrés F. , Hojat Leila
Published: January 2020

Objective. Limited evidence exists for the use of procalcitonin (PCT) to guide the duration of antimicrobial therapy in patients with intra-abdominal abscesses (IAA). In this case series, we describe clinical presentations and outcomes using PCT to guide cessation of antimicrobial therapy in patients with persistent IAA who exhibited clinical improvement. Methods. A retrospective analysis of patients with IAA who had PCT levels available to review was performed in a tertiary academic teaching institution in the United States between 2017 and 2018. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes were obtained from the medical records. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 180 days after completion of antimicrobial therapy to determine if evidence of recurrence or mortality was present. Results. We identified four patients with IAA. They underwent early drainage of the source of infection and received empiric antimicrobial therapy according to individual risk factors and clinical scenarios. Antimicrobials were discontinued after clinical and radiographic improvement and evidence of normal PCT levels, regardless of the persistence of fluid collections. No evidence of recurrence or mortality was observed during the follow-up period. Conclusions. We found PCT to be a useful aid in the medical decision-making process to safely discontinue antimicrobial therapy in a series of patients with persistent intra-abdominal collections despite early drainage and appropriate course of antimicrobial therapy.
Transit Route Network Design for Low-Mobility Individuals Using a Hybrid Metaheuristic Approach
Authors: Zhang Tao , Ren Gang , Yang Yang
Published: January 2020

This paper follows the previous effort of authors and builds the model of transit route network design for low-mobility individuals, proposing an appropriate solution methodology. Firstly, a desired objective, whose priority is to meet transit demands of low-mobility individuals followed by those of general public, is presented to minimize the weighted sum of direct traveler, transfer, and unsatisfied demand costs. Then, a hybrid metaheuristic approach based on ant colony and genetic algorithms is formulated to solve the proposed model in accordance with current conditions (i.e., existing routes that may need to undergo configuration adjustments to different degrees). Finally, the case study of Wenling is presented to highlight the performance and benefits of the proposed model and solution methodology.
Evolution of Enterprise Competitiveness in Multiplex Networks of Standards: A Case Study of the Communication Industry in China
Authors: Chen Fangyu , Wei Yongchang
Published: January 2020

Competing to set industry standards is a strategic option to a variety of industries. This paper aims to investigate the role of standard drafting in the evolution of enterprises’ competitiveness in multiplex networks of standards. Specifically, network-based measurements are deliberately designed to evaluate the enterprises participation, contribution, and collaboration in drafting standards. By demonstrating the development of the standard system in China’s communication industry, the effectiveness of our measurement system is verified. Accompanied by empirical observation, the data analysis shows that the relevant governmental agencies dominate the whole standard system; basic-technology providers acquire greater competitiveness through participating in the standards drafting than the other kinds of enterprises. Finally, the corresponding managerial suggestions are offered.
Elimination of End effects in LMD Based on LSTM Network and Applications for Rolling Bearing Fault Feature Extraction
Authors: Liang Jianhong , Wang Liping , Wu Jun , Liu Zhigui
Published: January 2020

Local mean decomposition (LMD) is widely used in the area of multicomponents signal processing and fault diagnosis. One of the major problems is end effects, which distort the decomposed waveform at each end of the analyzed signal and influence feature frequency. In order to solve this problem, this paper proposes a novel self-adaptive waveform point extended method based on long short-term memory (LSTM) network. First, based on existing signal points, the LSTM network parameters of right and left ends are trained; then, these parameters are used to extend the waveform point at each end-side of signal; furthermore, the corresponding parameters are adaptively updated. The proposed method is compared with the characteristic segment extension and the traditional neural network extension methods through a simulated signal to verify the effectiveness. By combing the proposed method with LMD, an improved LMD algorithm is obtained. Finally, application of rolling bearing fault signal is carried out by the improved LMD algorithm, and the results show that the feature frequencies of the rolling bearing’s ball and inner and outer rings are successfully extracted.
The ICOSL Expression Predicts Better Prognosis for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma via Enhancing Oncoimmunity
Authors: Zhang Geng , Xu Yi , Zhang Sen , Zhou Huifang
Published: January 2020

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor with poor prognosis, high morbidity, and mortality. Currently, immunocheckpoint therapy has led to new treatment strategies for almost all cancers, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Inducible T‐cell aggregation ligand (ICOSL) belongs to the b7‐cd28 immunoglobulin superfamily, which is a ligand of ICOS, and also begins to draw attention for its potential usage in cancer treatment. Previous studies from our laboratory have suggested that ICOS expression in tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes is correlated with beneficial outcome, but little is known about the role of ICOSL in NPC. In the current study, ICOSL expression in NPC tumor sections was stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and both lymphatic metastasis and distant metastasis showed decreased expression, which was negatively correlated with TNM stage of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Importantly, high ICOSL expression was significantly associated with overall survival (OS) in patients with NPC (n = 225, p < 0.001), and multivariate analysis confirmed that high ICOSL expression was an independent prognostic factor. Fresh nasopharyngeal carcinoma specimens were excised, and the specific expression of cytokines was analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression level of ICOSL is positively correlated with interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) concentration in tumor tissues, which is characteristic of T helper 1 (Th1) cells. Knocking down ICOSL by RNAi did not influence the proliferation, migration, and invasion ability of NPC cells. Conclusively, ICOSL expression is associated with increased survival rate in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, which may be a clinical biomarker for prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Postoperative Textiloma Mimicking Intracranial Rebleeding in a Patient with Spontaneous Hemorrhage: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Montemurro Nicola , Murrone Domenico , Romanelli Bruno , Ierardi Aldo
Published: January 2020

During craniotomy, hemostatic materials such as oxidized cellulose and cotton pads, commonly used to control bleeding, may cause a granulomatous reaction that may produce space-occupying mass lesions termed textiloma (or gossypiboma). We present a 46-year-old female who underwent a right frontotemporal craniotomy and surgical removal of intraparenchymal cerebral hemorrhage, and who developed a textiloma during the postoperative period causing seizures. Granulomatous reactions due to hemostatic agents have been reported experimentally, as well as after cranial and spinal operations. We emphasize that although it is rare, an adverse reaction such as a postoperative textiloma due to hemostatic material and subsequent granuloma formation can result in a false image of rebleeding, tumor recurrence, radiation necrosis, or postoperative abscess, depending on the particular clinical history of each patient.
Neuroaesthetical Changes in Sculpture: The Case of Yannoulis Halepas (1851–1938)
Authors: Stefanou Maria Ioanna , Ziemann Ulf
Published: January 2020

The theoretical conceptualization of artistic ingenuity and creativity, as reflections of the highest-level cognitive functions in the human brain, has recently evolved from a purely philosophical pursuit to a compelling neuroscientific undertaking. Changes in artistic style have been extensively studied in association with brain dysfunction in the presence of neurological and psychiatric diseases in famous artists. This paper presents the case of Yannoulis Halepas (1851–1938), who is widely regarded as the most influential sculptor of modern Greek art. At the age of 27, already at the peak of his fame, Halepas abruptly abandoned the sculpture world after developing schizoaffective disorder, only to resurge onto the art scene after an almost 40-year-long hiatus with a fundamentally reformed artistic style. Two distinct periods have preoccupied art critics: Halepas’s early premorbid years (1870–1878), which were imbued with the principles of neoclassicism, and the later postmorbid years (1918–1938), which mark the artist’s transcendence to expressionism and contemporary art. From a neuroaesthetical perspective, the extensive and multifaceted oeuvre that Halepas produced in his lifetime allows a close study of his artistic development throughout and beyond mental disease. In addition, his lifework is a unique account in the history of art of the struggle of artistic genius with the limits of the rational mind and its conscious reality.
Mediated interaction in the digital age
Authors: Thompson John B.
Published: January 2020

In The media and modernity, Thompson develops an interactional theory of communication media that distinguishes between three basic types of interaction: 1) face-to-face interaction, 2) mediated interaction, and 3) mediated quasi-interaction. In the light of the digital revolution and the growth of the internet, this paper introduces a fourth type: mediated online interaction. Drawing on Goffman’s distinction between front regions and back regions, Thompson shows how mediated quasi-interaction and mediated online interaction create new opportunities for the leakage of information and symbolic content from back regions into front regions, with consequences that can be embarrassing, damaging and, on occasion, hugely disruptive.
Crônica de um verão
Authors: França Fagner Torres de , Almeida Maria Da Conceição de
Published: January 2020

Este artigo propõe discutir a atualidade do método desenvolvido pelo pensador francês Edgar Morin (1921-) na década de 1960, denominado por ele de sociologia do presente. Nossa hipótese é que a sociologia do presente é uma via de abordagem multidimensional da realidade, adequada para analisar fenômenos sociais cada vez mais complexos. Tomamos como referências dois cenários específicos trabalhados pelo autor nas obras Commune en France: la métamorphose de Plozévet (1967) e Crônica de um verão (1961). A partir daí concluímos que as noções centrais de crise e acontecimento, destacadas pelo autor, tornam-se cada dia mais operativas e reflexivas, assim como o método de observação fenomenográfica, entrevista e intervenção.
Um libelo contra o determinismo tecnológico
Authors: Azevedo Fábio Palácio de
Published: January 2020

Em Televisão: tecnologia e forma cultural, livro que ganha – após mais de quarenta anos – sua primeira tradução para a língua portuguesa, Raymond Williams desafia o determinismo tecnológico ao mostrar que as tecnologias de informação e comunicação são antes sintomas do que causas dos fenômenos sociais. Em abordagem abrangente e atual, as ideias desse pioneiro dos estudos culturais lançam luz até mesmo sobre fenômenos que ele não chegou a vivenciar, como a convergência digital de nossos dias.
Massimo Leone: comunicação digital, ontologia e semiótica
Authors: Teixeira Filho Clóvis
Published: January 2020

Entrevista concedida pelo o professor titular da Università di Torino Massimo Leone.
imagem como outro do corpo: considerações acerca da antropologia da imagem em Hans Belting e Dietmar Kamper
Authors: Heilmair Alex Florian , Baitello Junior Norval
Published: January 2020

A proposta deste artigo é apresentar uma abordagem alternativa para as ciências da imagem, ainda pouco exploradas, que trabalham a partir da perspectiva do corpo. Partiremos da premissa bioantropológica de que corpo pede corpo e buscaremos pensar a imagem a partir da antropologia da imagem de Hans Belting, principalmente em relação à triangulação teórica de imagem, mídia e corpo, aliada à sociologia do corpo de Dietmar Kamper, cujo diagnóstico crítico da atual cultura midiática e de sua autorreferencialidade excessiva demonstra uma indesejada imanência do imaginário. Em torno deles orbitam autores que dão aporte ao diagnóstico kamperiano: Vilém Flusser, Günther Anders, Jean Baudrillard, Byung-Chul Han e Christoph Wulf.
Serialidade: continuidade e ruptura no ambiente midiático e cultural contemporâneo
Authors: Buonanno Milly
Published: January 2020

Este artigo objetiva problematizar duas tendências centrais nos estudos recentes sobre a serialidade, mais especificamente como a nova era de abundante produção e consumo de narrativas serializadas se relaciona com a serialidade da forma como ela era avaliada e vivida em épocas passadas. Estão em jogo aqui questões de continuidade e/ou ruptura no mutável cenário das narrativas midiáticas. Defino as duas tendências, respectivamente, como a da continuidade negada – uma vez que defende uma ruptura radical entre as formas televisuais seriais contemporâneas e as anteriores – e a da ruptura ignorada – com referência à aparente cegueira da academia em relação à ruptura com a serialidade provocada pelas novas tecnologias e práticas de assistência culturalmente ativadas.
Para uma Comunicação ex-cêntrica
Authors: Torrico Erick
Published: January 2020

O artigo reflete sobre as dimensões ontológica, epistemológica, teórica e política que fazem com que a comunicação e seu campo de estudo, a Comunicação, estejam numa situação de colonialidade. Contra isso, a partir de uma crítica da Comunicação “Ocidental” e da reinterpretação e acréscimo de elementos da crítica utópica desenvolvida pelos comunicólogos militantes da América Latina, examina a necessidade de promover neste campo uma ruptura decolonial com o “centro universalista” que a Modernidade impôs.
Arte como procedimento, de Viktor Chklóvski
Authors: Molina David Gomiero
Published: January 2020

Segue-se uma nova tradução do ensaio Iskusstvo kak priem, de Viktor Chklóvski. Acompanhando o espírito do original, esta versão procura reconquistar, para o português, algo da estranheza do texto de 1917. Para tanto, e como alternativa ao termo “singularização”, utilizado anteriormente no lugar do russo ostranenie propomos “estranhalização”, palavra que, tal como ostranenie, é não existente mas plausível no idioma, conserva ricas possibilidades de derivação e mantém a raiz russa stran.
A morte inevitável
Authors: Lisboa Isabella Aparecida de Souza
Published: January 2020

Durante a disciplina "Cenas da escrita, cenas da leitura", ministrada no primeiro semestre de 2019, pela professora Myriam Ávila, do curso de Pós-graduação em Letras: Estudos Literários, da Faculdade de Letras da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, foi proposto que examinássemos os conceitos de "cena da escrita" e "cena da leitura" em diversos autores, brasileiros ou estrangeiros. Delimitando as especificidades dessas cenas em cada literatura. No caso do presente trabalho, buscou-se relacionar esses conceitos no primeiro capítulo do livro "A Guerra não tem rosto de mulher", da escritora bielorrussa Svetlana Aleksiévitch, em que a autora se questiona, em primeiro momento, do porquê estar escrevendo um livro sobre a Guerra. Ao longo do texto, ela se recorda do que havia lido, na infância, que poderia ter lhe desfrutado este desejo.
David Vigódski, o Tradutor
Authors: Prestes Zoia Ribeiro , Beliakova Elena Ivanovna , Tunes Elizabeth
Published: January 2020

O artigo apresenta alguns detalhes importantes da trajetória de vida e obra do crítico literário, poeta, escritor e tradutor David Vigódski. Praticamente desconhecido no Brasil, David desempenhou um papel importante, nos primeiros anos da União Soviética, de divulgação de obras de escritores da Espanha, de Portugal e dos países da América Latina. O artigo apresenta um material encontrado em arquivos em Moscou, levanta algumas indagações a respeito da tradução do conto do escritor brasileiro Alcides Maya que figura em uma coletânea organizada por David e traz a tradução de um poema escrito por ele antes de morrer tragicamente.
Em busca da emancipação dos brasileiros à mesa
Authors: Fonseca Gabrieli Aparecida da , Camoleze Jean Marcel Caum
Published: January 2020

Este trabalho resulta de um recorte e união de duas pesquisas de doutorado intituladas O papel da informação no resgate da cultura alimentar brasileira: uma análise do catálogo Arca do Gosto e Movimentos sociais e Tipologia Documental: estudo de caso do acervo documental do Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (MST). A partir da análise dos estudos de caso em questão, busca-se refletir aqui a respeito de um ponto comum a ambas pesquisas: a relação entre a defesa de políticas públicas voltadas para questão agrária, consumo e produção de alimentos por parte dos movimentos Slow Food e MST, valorizando a produção da agricultura familiar e o resgate de hábitos saudáveis e sustentáveis da alimentação brasileira.

Slow Food e MST atuam como importantes mediadores na área da alimentação, exercendo influência nos hábitos de consumo da população a partir do desenvolvimento de políticas públicas e uma agricultura sustentável. Trata-se de movimentos que pregam, entre outras coisas, a valorização da agricultura familiar para o desenvolvimento social e econômico do país. Nesse processo, o consumo se faz como um fator de extrema importância, pois é a partir dele que o circuito de produção se concretiza e integra diversos setores da sociedade. Contudo, na atualidade, os indivíduos se encontram presos às armadilhas da alienação da mídia e do agronegócio, que influenciam e regulamentam o mercado consumidor.

Em defesa da biodiversidade, da emancipação do consumidor e uma agricultura sustentável, o Slow Food trabalha com a Arca do Gosto, um catálogo promovido pelo movimento e que seleciona alimentos em risco de extinção a partir da indicação da população, com base em critérios pré-estabelecidos, e o MST realiza ações referentes a questões agrárias nacionais e da estruturação de políticas públicas para o uso social da terra. Nesse sentido, a Arca do Gosto trata de uma seleção de alimentos tradicionais em risco de desaparecer, que informa a população a respeito da importância desses alimentos, e o MST promove ações de acessibilidade universal a uma alimentação saudável. Dessa forma, ambos os movimentos fomentam a preservação da cultura local, a segurança alimentar, a salvaguarda da biodiversidade e estimulam o consumo dos mesmos e da agricultura familiar.

Em complemento ao alerta que a Arca do Gosto oferece à população em relação à neces- sidade de se consumir e proteger alimentos tradicionais, temos as ações do MST pela reforma agrária justa. O MST também age em direção à busca por um futuro onde cada um possa consumir o alimento de seu território. O respeito ao território tende a contribuir com a preservação dos hábitos alimentares, espécies e cultivares tradicionais, pois cada região possui seus modos de preparo e cada espécie/cultivar tem sua origem em um bioma distinto.
Um volume, dois números especiais
Authors: Aguiar Viviane Soares , Bianchini Nicole Leite
Published: January 2020

Lançada em março de 2019, a revista Ingesta surgiu no cenário acadêmico em uma edição especial, restrita a artigos de professores e pesquisadores convidados especialmente para a sua estreia. Em seu segundo número, que publicamos em dezembro do mesmo ano, em vez de enfim entrarmos naquela que será nossa rotina, insistimos em mais uma edição especial: além de quatro artigos, incluímos aqui um caderno com os mais de 100 resumos de todos os trabalhos apresentados durante o II Simpósio Internacional de Pesquisa em Alimentação: circuitos de produção e consumo, realizado na Universidade de São Paulo entre os dias 4 e 6 de dezembro de 2019. Isso talvez comprove como o campo da História da Alimentação e das Drogas têm se mostrado prolífico – ao menos no que diz respeito aos esforços do Laboratório de Estudos Históricos das Drogas e da Alimentação, o LEHDA-USP, responsável tanto por esta publicação quanto pela organização do referido simpósio, ao lado do portal de divulgação acadêmica Comida na Cabeça, do Museu Paulista da USP e do Programa de Pós-Graduação em História Social da USP.