bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gene expression profiling of progenitor cells isolated from rat rotator cuff musculotendinous junction
Authors: Virk Mandeep S. , Luo Wei , Sikes Katie J. , Li Jun , Plaas Anna , Cole Brian J.
Published: March 2020

Background

Rotator cuff tendon tears are typically degenerative and usually affect the region of tendon insertion on bone. The remnant torn tendon is degenerative and may not be an ideal source for progenitor cells for cell-based therapies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine if musculotendinous junction (MTJ), which is adjacent to tendon would be a viable alternate source of progenitor stem cells. We also sought to study the gene expression profile MTJ progenitors and compare it with progenitors isolated from RC tendon, RC muscle and other existing tissue sources (bone marrow, adipose tissue, and Achilles tendon).

Methods

Rotator cuff tendon (RCT), muscle (RCM), and RCMTJ as well as Achilles tendon (AT) tissues were harvested from healthy male Lewis rats and progenitor cultures were established from these tissues and also from bone marrow and adipose tissue. Quantitative RT-PCR was performed on RNA extracts from intact tissues and progenitor cells using a custom array for the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation marker genes. The gene expression profile of MSC differentiation markers within four tissues types, six progenitor cells, and between tissue and their corresponding progenitors were compared.

Results

Progenitors cells can be isolated from rat rotator cuff musculotendinous tissue and their pattern of MSC gene expression was similar to the rotator cuff tendon progenitors for majority of the genes tested. However, there were significant differences between the MSC gene expression patterns of RCMTJ and RCM progenitors. Furthermore, there were differences in gene expression between the RCMTJ tissue and its progenitor cells with respect to MSC differentiation markers. The gene expression pattern of RCMTJ tissue was similar to RCM tissue with respect to markers of chondrogenesis, myogenesis, tenogenesis, and MSC specific markers.

Conclusion

We demonstrate that the musculotendinous junction contains distinct set of progenitor cells and their MSC gene expression pattern is similar to rotator cuff tendon progenitors. RCMTJ progenitors will be an attractive option for cell-based regenerative treatment of chronic rotator cuff tears.
Reverse wedge effect following intramedullary nailing of a basicervical trochanteric fracture variant combined with a mechanically compromised greater trochanter
Authors: Zhang Yu , Hu Jun , Li Xiang , Qin Xiaodong
Published: March 2020

Background

To introduce an unreported intraoperative complication in intramedullary nailing (IN) of an anatomically reduced trochanteric fracture variant characterized by a basicervical fracture line and coronally disrupted greater trochanter (GT).

Methods

A total of 414 trochanteric fractures (TF) treated with intramedullary nails from 2013 to 2017 were included in this study. After analysis of intraoperative fluoroscopy data, 33 cases, including 21 females and 12 males, with a mean age of 72.5 years (33 to 96 years) were identified for internal rotation of the cephalocervical fragment and inferior opening at the basicervical fracture line caused by nailing a satisfactorily reduced TF. The morphological features of this group of patients were analyzed on computed tomography (CT) scan. On radiograph, the magnitude of the displacement and final femoral neck-shaft angle (NSA) were measured.

Results

CT analysis demonstrated that the basicervical fracture line and the posterolateral fragment (PLF) detached from the GT were the two dominant features of this cohort. They were classified according to the number of main fragments: a 3-fragmentary subgroup containing three consistent fragments (cephalocervical fragment, PLF and distal femoral shaft) and a 4-fragmentary subgroup embracing one additional fragment (lesser trochanter). The four subtypes were as follows: the 3-fragmentary S indicating a small PLF (6 cases), the 3-fragmentary M presenting a moderate PLF (3 cases), the 3-fragmentary L standing for the PLF involving whole lesser trochanter (LT) (4 cases) and the 4-fragmentary GL incorporating separated PLF and LT fragments (20 cases). Geological analysis demonstrated that the majority of the basicervical fracture lines (81.8%) just crossed the center of the piriformis fossa, while the others marginally involved the medial wall of the GT. Postoperatively, the mean width of the inferior opening at the basicervical region was 9.2 ± 4.6 mm. The mean NSA was 135.2 ± 7.8 degrees. The comparison between the 3- and 4-fragmentary subgroups revealed no significant differences in magnitude of displacement and NSA.

Conclusion

This unreported intraoperative complication predominantly occurred in the intramedullary nailed basicervical trochanteric fracture variant combined with a PLF from the GT. The magnitude of the secondary displacement was substantial and resulted in a relative valgus reduction. This secondary displacement was caused by an impingement of the reamer with the superolateral cortex of the cephalocervical fragment and should be addressed during the operation.

Level of evidence

Therapy IV.
A pooled analysis of risk factors of surgically treated leiomyosarcoma of the colon in adults
Authors: Wang Yun , Wang Hao , Yuan Zhi-Lu , Zhao Jing-Fei , Dong Dian-Bo , Gao Qian
Published: March 2020

Background

This current systematic review aimed to evaluate the role of surgical management and risk factors by pooled cases from all identified patients with colonic leiomyosarcomas.

Methods

The authors searched the Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane databases using the keywords “colonic,” “colon,” and “leiomyosarcoma.” Risk factors of colonic leiomyosarcoma in the pooled cohort were also evaluated.

Results

Between 1923 and 2019, 41 cases of colonic leiomyosarcoma were identified in 22 (53.7%) males and 19 (46.3%) females, with a mean and median age of 58.7 ± 2.2 years and 56.0 years. According to univariate analysis, smaller tumor size < 8 cm was significantly associated with longer progression-free survival (HR = 6.957, 95% CI 1.405–34.442; p = 0.017), and younger age < 60 years was trending toward better overall survival (HR = 2.765, 95% CI 0.924–8.272; p = 0.069).

Conclusions

Colonic leiomyosarcomas are rare neoplasms with aggressive clinical behaviors. Age < 60 years and tumor size < 8 cm were favorable factors for patients’ better survival.
Functional polymorphisms in FOXC2 gene and Epithelial ovarian Cancer susceptibility in Chinese population
Authors: Zhou Zhijiao , Ou Xiang , Zou Qiong , Chu Ling , Quan Xiyun , Chen Yong , Liu Yang
Published: March 2020

Background

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is highly lethal gynecological cancer. Forkhead Box Protein C2 (FOXC2) promotes occurrence and development of various malignant tumors. The present study is aimed at exploring the correlation between the polymorphism of FOXC2 and epithelial ovarian cancer susceptibility in Chinese Han population.

Methods

A case-control design was used to verify the association between FOXC2 polymorphisms and epithelial ovarian cancer. The genotyping was performed using Taqman® SNP Genotyping kit by qRT-PCR. The genetic variants including rs3751794 C > T, rs1035550 A > G, rs4843163 C > G and rs4843396 C > T in FOXC2 gene were analyzed. The strength of the associations was detected using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Stratification analyses showed the association between the FOXC2 gene polymorphisms rs3751794 C > T, rs4843163 C > G and rs4843396 C > T with epithelial ovarian cancer susceptibility in terms of age, metastasis status, clinical stage, pathological grade, pregnant times, pausimenia, and the expression of ER, PR, wild p53 and mutant p53.

Results

Rs3751794 C > T (P = 0.0016), rs4843163 C > G (P < 0.0001) and rs4843396 C > T (P < 0.0001) were significantly associated with increased epithelial ovarian cancer risk. In stratification analyses,rs3751794 C > T, was identified to be dominant in no metastasis patients, clinical stage 4 group, middle grade pathological stage, pregnant time over 3 patients, post-menopause women, strong wild type p53 expression; rs4843163 C > G was dominant in high grade clinical stage, high grade pathological stage, post-menopause women, strong ER expression group and no mutant p53 expression group; rs4843396 C > T was dominant in high grade clinical stage, high grade pathological stage, strong ER expression group. The rs1035550 A > G was not related to epithelial ovarian cancer susceptibility.

Conclusions

The results of the current study verified that FOXC2 gene polymorphisms were associated with increased epithelial ovarian cancer risk and suggested that FOXC2 gene polymorphisms might be a potential biomarker for epithelial ovarian cancer susceptibility.
Evaluating TCP performance of routing protocols for traffic exchange in street-parked vehicles based fog computing infrastructure
Authors: Yura Awangku Muhammad Iqbal , Newaz S. H. Shah , Rahman Fatin Hamadah , Au Thien Wan , Lee Gyu Myoung , Um Tai-Won
Published: March 2020

As most vehicles remain parked 95% of its time, this suggests that leveraging the use of On-board Units (OBUs) in parked vehicles would provide communication and computation services to other mobile and fixed nodes for delivery of services such as multimedia streaming, data storage and data processing. The nearby vehicles can form an infrastructure using IEEE 802.11p communication interface, facilitating communication, computation and storage services to the end users. We refer to this as a Vehicular Fog Computing (VFC) infrastructure. In this study, using NS-2 simulator, we investigate how six routing protocols consisting of two proactive routing protocols, Destination Sequence Destination Vector (DSDV) and Fisheye State Routing (FSR); two reactive routing protocols, Ad Hoc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV) and Dynamic Source Routing (DSR); and two geographic routing protocols, Distance Routing Effect Algorithm for Mobility (DREAM) and Location Aided Routing (LAR) perform when forwarding TCP traffic among the parked vehicles that form a VFC infrastructure in an urban street parking scenario. In order to reflect an urban street parking scenario, we consider a traffic mobility traces that are generated using SUMO in our simulation. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first effort to understand how vehicle density, vehicle speed and parking duration can influence TCP in an urban street parking scenario when packet forwarding decision is made using proactive, reactive and geographic routing protocols. In our performance evaluation, positive results are observed on the influence of parking duration in parked vehicles as TCP performance in all routing protocols increases with longer parking duration. However, variable speed in parked vehicles and moving vehicles in an urban street parking scenario may not have significant influence on TCP performance, especially in case of reactive and proactive routing protocols. Further, our findings reveal that vehicle density in a VFC infrastructure can noticeably influence TCP performance. Towards the end of the paper, we delineate some important future research issues in order to improve routing performance in a street-parked vehicle based VFC infrastructure.
The improved cortical button shows better breaking strength of sutures compared with 10 original cortical button after cyclic loading
Authors: Takahashi Toshiaki , Takahashi Manabu
Published: March 2020

Background

Suspensory cortical buttons are widely used for fixation of reconstructed ligaments during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction because they have high usability and a favorable fixing force. However, it is not always easy to fix a reconstructed ACL while maintaining appropriate ligament tension. Therefore, we developed an improved cortical button that provides temporary tension until suturing is completed.

Methods

Button holes of our improved EndoButton are not perpendicular to the bone surface on which the button is placed, but have an angle of 45 degrees so that the button can be temporarily fixed by applying tension to the suture. The improved EndoButton and the original EndoButton (Smith & Nephew Inc., Andover, Massachusetts) were each tied to FiberWire 5/7 metric (5 M) (manufactured by Arthrex). Ten cycles of preliminary loading (0–50 N) were applied to each suture, followed by test loading (0–250 N) for 500 or 1000 cycles. Then, a tensile test was performed at a displacement velocity of 20 mm/min.

Results

The breaking strength of the sutures of the improved EndoButton were tend to higher than those of the sutures of the original EndoButton after 1000 loading cycles (p = 0.067, d = 0.883). The moduli of rigidity of the sutures of the improved EndoButton were higher than those of the sutures of the original EndoButton after 500 loading cycles (p = 0.027) and remained almost the same regardless of the number of loading cycles.

Conclusion

We found that compared with the original cortical button, the improved cortical button was better able to retain suture breaking strength and modulus of rigidity, regardless of the number of load cycles.
Elastic vertically transversely isotropic full-waveform inversion using cross-gradient constraints — An application toward high-level radioactive waste repository monitoring
Authors: Manukyan Edgar , Maurer Hansruedi
Published: March 2020

Anisotropic seismic full-waveform inversion (FWI) is a challenging task. In the case of 2D vertically transversely isotropic (VTI) media, there are five independent model parameters. This relatively large number of different parameter types imposes significant trade-off issues and makes the inversion parameterization a challenging task. The problem is less severe in a crosshole configuration, in which a wider angular coverage of the region of interest is available. There exist many suggestions for suitable inversion parameterizations. We have determined that, for a crosshole configuration, a relatively simple velocity-based parameterization provides a good FWI reconstruction of the subsurface. Furthermore, considerable improvements of the tomographic images can be achieved by supplying structural similarity constraints using cross gradients to the inversion problem. With two synthetic data sets, we determine that a structurally constrained VTI FWI workflow produces sharper subsurface images without adversely affecting the parameter trade-off issue. With a second synthetic experiment, we find that structurally constrained VTI FWI is robust to major differences in anomaly locations for different parameter types. We successfully applied the methodology to a crosshole data set acquired to image a downscaled version of a high-level radioactive waste repository. The resulting tomograms allowed a narrow highly fractured zone to be imaged.
Nonlinear inversion of seismic amplitude variation with offset for an effective stress parameter
Authors: Chen Huaizhen , Li Junxiao , Innanen Kristopher A.
Published: March 2020

Effective stress estimates play important roles in reservoir characterization, for instance, in guiding the selection of fracturing areas in unconventional reservoirs. Based on Gassmann’s fluid substitution model, we have set up a workflow for nonlinear inversion of seismic data for dry rock moduli, fluid factors, and a stress-sensitive parameter. We first make an approximation within the fluid substitution equation, replacing the porosity term with a stress-sensitive parameter. We then derive a linearized reflection coefficient as a function of a stress-parameter reflectivity and reexpress it in terms of elastic impedance (EI). An amplitude-variation-with-offset (AVO) inversion workflow is set up, in which the seismic data are transformed to EI, after stacking within five incidence angle ranges; these are then inverted to determine the stress-sensitive parameter. The two-step process involves two inversions with significantly different properties. The first is a model-based least-squares inversion to estimate EI; the second is a more complex nonlinear inversion of the EI for a set of unknowns including the stress-sensitive parameter. Motivated by an interest in hybridizing AVO and full-waveform inversion (FWI), we set the latter step up to resemble some features of a published AVO-FWI formulation. The approach is subjected to synthetic validation, which permits us to analyze the response and test the stability of the workflow. We finally apply the workflow to real data acquired over a gas-bearing reservoir, which reveals that the approach generates potential indicators of fluid presence and stress prediction.
A comparative study of the stress-dependence of dynamic and static moduli for sandstones
Authors: Wang Yang , Han De-Hua , Li Hui , Zhao Luanxiao , Ren Jiali , Zhang Yonghao
Published: March 2020

Understanding the differences between the static and dynamic elastic moduli of reservoir rocks is essential for the successful exploration and production of hydrocarbon reservoirs. However, the controlling factors on the dynamic-static discrepancy for sandstones remain ambiguous. Consequently, we have purposely selected three outcrop sandstone samples with large porosity contrast to investigate the effects of the stress state, magnitude, and load-unload history on the dynamic and static moduli through laboratory measurements. The results suggest that the dynamic moduli are systematically larger than the static moduli at almost any hydrostatic or deviatoric stress magnitude. In contrast, the static moduli are much more sensitive to the stress variations than the dynamic ones, leading to the decreasing dynamic-static difference upon hydrostatic loading and the increasing dynamic-static difference upon deviatoric loading. When the maximum stress in a cycle is initially reversed, the dynamic-static ratio tends to approach one, whatever the bulk modulus under hydrostatic pressure condition or the Young’s modulus under triaxial stress condition. Under the subsequent unloading process, the static bulk modulus is always higher than that derived during loading. However, the unloading static Young’s modulus is larger than the loading Young’s modulus only at a relatively high deviatoric stress magnitude greater than 30 MPa, while showing an opposite trend at a low-stress condition of less than 25 MPa. From the microstructural viewpoint, it is believed that the static tests accumulate the elastic, viscoelastic, and nonelastic properties within a certain stress or strain range. In contrast to the dynamic modulus, the static modulus exhibits greater sensitivity to the pressure or stress changes under hydrostatic and deviatoric stress conditions. The strong stress dependence makes it important to consider the in situ stress conditions when establishing dynamic-static modulus relations.
Mechanistic 3D finite-difference simulation of borehole spontaneous potential measurements
Authors: Bautista-Anguiano Joshua , Torres-Verdín Carlos , Strobel Joachim
Published: March 2020

The quantitative interpretation of borehole spontaneous potential (SP) measurements via Nernst’s equation often relies on limiting assumptions such as shallow mud-filtrate invasion, negligible streaming potentials, and uniform borehole symmetry. To overcome these limitations while honoring the governing physics of coupled mass transport associated with SP phenomena, we have developed a 3D finite-difference algorithm to simulate borehole SP measurements acquired across water-bearing rocks that incorporates electrochemical, membrane, and electrokinetic SP. The algorithm is based on a mechanistic description of nonequilibrium thermodynamics that enables its coupling with a fluid flow simulator to quantify the effects of continuously varying properties within permeable formations due to mud-filtrate invasion. Numerical modeling of SP measurements acquired under complex petrophysical and geometric conditions enables uncertainty quantification in the estimation of formation-water resitivity, location of bed boundaries, or detection of permeable beds while accounting for shoulder-bed effects, borehole deviation, and borehole eccentricity. Our results indicate that for well trajectories with a relative dip of less than 30°, the assumption of perpendicular beds does not entail significant errors in SP-related calculations, thereby reducing CPU time by a factor of at least 1.76. In vertical wells, SP provides the best resolution possible because deviated wells or dipping beds result in more extended and pronounced shoulder-bed effects. Furthermore, electrokinetic effects can be neglected for commonly used pressure overbalance ranges. In cases in which electrokinetic contributions are not negligible, we conclude that they are more significant when the rock permeability is in the two-figure millidarcy range. Finally, the simulation algorithm enables hypothesis testing to determine the origin and conditions under which SP shale-baseline shifts may occur. The latter shifts can signal vertical variations in salt concentration, which are crucial in the estimation of water saturation and detection of aquifer compartments.
Complex Cancer Surgery in the Outpatient Setting: The Josie Robertson Surgery Center
Authors: Tokita Hanae , Twersky Rebecca , Laudone Vincent , Levine Marcia , Stein Daniel , Scardino Peter , Simon Brett A.
Published: March 2020

Minimally invasive operative techniques and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have transformed clinical practice and made it possible to perform increasingly complex oncologic procedures in the ambulatory setting, with recovery at home after a single overnight stay. Capitalizing on these changes, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Josie Robertson Surgery Center (JRSC), a freestanding ambulatory surgery facility, was established to provide both outpatient procedures and several surgeries that had previously been performed in the inpatient setting, newly transitioned to this ambulatory extended recovery (AXR) model. However, the JRSC core mission goes beyond rapid recovery, aiming to be an innovation center with a focus on superlative patient experience and engagement, efficiency, and data-driven continuous improvement. Here, we describe the JRSC genesis, design, care model, and outcome tracking and quality improvement efforts to provide an example of successful, patient-centered surgical care for select patients undergoing relatively complex procedures in an ambulatory setting.
Racial, Ethnic, and Gender Diversity in Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship and Anesthesiology Residency Programs in the United States: Small Reservoir, Leaky Pipeline
Authors: Nafiu Olubukola O. , Leis Aleda M. , Wang Wendy , Wixson Matthew , Zisblatt Lara
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND:

The critical question of racial and gender diversity in pediatric anesthesia training programs has not been previously explored. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate trends by race/ethnicity and gender in pediatric anesthesiology fellowship training programs in the United States for the years 2000 to 2018.

METHODS:

Demographic data on pediatric anesthesiology fellows and anesthesiology residents were obtained from the self-reported data collected for the Journal of the American Medical Association’s annual report on Graduate Medical Education for the years 2000 to 2018. Diversity was assessed by calculating the proportions of trainees per year by gender and racial/ethnic groups in pediatric anesthesiology fellowship and anesthesiology residency programs. Logistic regression equations were developed to estimate the annual growth rate of each racial/ethnic groups.

RESULTS:

The number of pediatric anesthesiology fellows increased from 57 trainees in 2000–2001 to 202 in 2017–2018 at an average rate of 9 fellows per year (95% confidence interval [CI], 8–10). These increases were primarily due to white trainees (54.4%–63.4%) as the proportions of black (7.0%–4.5%), Asian (26.3%–21.3%), and other minority (12.3%–10.9%) trainees have remained low. The number of anesthesiology residents increased from 3950 trainees in 2000–2001 to 5940 in 2017–2018 at an average rate of 99 residents per year (95% CI, 88–111). Within all anesthesiology trainees, these increases were due to white trainees (55.7%–61.3%) as the proportion of black (5.0%–6.0%), Asian (25.8%–24.1%), and other minority trainees (8.2%–8.5%) has remained fairly constant over the time period. Despite the overall lower proportion of female anesthesiology residents (range: 27.0%–37.5%), a steady increase in the number of women in pediatric anesthesiology fellowship programs has reversed the gender imbalance in this population as of 2010.

CONCLUSIONS:

While historic gains have been made in gender diversity in pediatric anesthesiology, there is persistent underrepresentation of black and Hispanic trainees in pediatric anesthesiology. It appears that their low numbers in anesthesiology residency programs (the reservoir) may be partly responsible. Efforts to increase ethnic/racial diversity in pediatric anesthesiology fellowship and anesthesiology residency training programs are urgently needed.
Postpartum Headache due to Cerebellar Infarct Initially Misdiagnosed as Postdural Puncture Headache: A Case Report
Authors: Zandi Shokrollah , Atcheson Carrie Leigh Hamby , Yousefi Seyedeh Reyhaneh , Zahedi Farhad , Mirkarimi Sadafsadat , Nasseri Karim
Published: March 2020

We present the case of a 39-year-old woman with postpartum cerebellar infarction (CI) following spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. The patient experienced mild headache after postoperative day 1 and returned on postoperative day 6 with a severe headache. For the subsequent 3 days, she underwent conservative treatment for presumed postdural puncture headache (PDPH) before neurologic decline and diagnosis of CI on postoperative day 9. She subsequently underwent craniotomy and debridement of necrotic tissues. Prolonged or position-independent postpartum headache should prompt broadening of the differential diagnosis beyond PDPH to include other more rare but serious causes of postpartum headache.
From both sides of the bed rails
Authors: Greenaway Beth
Published: March 2020

In the latest in the Patient Story series, Beth Greenaway recalls how her condition has impacted her life, from her career choices to her living situation.
Q&A: highlighting careers, nurse-led work and innovation in cardiovascular nursing
Authors: McCabe Michelle
Published: March 2020

This month, we hear from Michelle McCabe, an acute chest pain nurse specialist at the Manchester Royal Infirmary.
Advancing Professional Practice: first UK MSc specialising in heart failure
Authors: Allkins Suzannah , Duckett Simon , McDermott Sarah
Published: March 2020

This year, the UK's first MSc pathway specialising in heart failure was introduced at Keele University, the British Journal of Cardiac Nursing's Suzannah Allkins interviewed Simon Duckett, the cardiology consultant who led the team that created the programme, and Sarah McDermott, a delegate from the first year of the course.
Time to make enhanced recovery after surgery the standard
Authors: John Joseph B , Hemsley Anthony , Nunns Michael , McGrath John S
Published: March 2020

Multimodality perioperative interventions could accelerate patient recovery and improve cost-effectiveness. An evidence review found an association between enhanced recovery after surgery and decreased length of stay, while complications and recovery time were unchanged or reduced. More specialties should develop and implement enhanced recovery after surgery pathways.
Traction Control Development for Heavy-Duty Off-Road Vehicles Using Sliding Mode Control
Authors: Alexander Addison , Vacca Andrea
Published: March 2020

Construction equipment represents a unique field for operator assistance systems. These machines operate in applications where safety and productivity are paramount. One mechanism of interest recently is traction control. In order to push the limits of the traction control capability, a nonlinear controller is created. To do this, a nonlinear model of a representative construction machine is developed. Based on this model, a sliding mode-type controller is generated. The controller is then run in simulation and implemented on a prototype machine. The sliding mode design shows an improvement in both wheel slip and machine pushing force over previous work.
Confocal terahertz SAR imaging of hidden objects through rough-surface scattering
Authors: Ou Zhan , Wu Jiamin , Geng Hua , Deng Xiaojiao , Zheng Xiaoping
Published: March 2020

Terahertz (THz) radar imaging has gained great interests in various applications due to its capability of deep penetration in some specific contents such as plastic and non-conductive materials without water. However, the image quality would be highly degraded by the scattering of the rough surfaces, which remains a challenge in the area. Here, we propose a confocal terahertz synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to alleviate the scattering issues with both improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and resolution. Inspired by the confocal non-line-of-sight imaging in visible wavelength, a convex lens is added into the conventional SAR system to localize the effect of scattering within each spatial sampling point by the confocal configuration. Then, the random phase aberration caused by scattering could be corrected through a simple shift in temporal domain. The performance of the proposed method under different roughness occlusions is evaluated through experiments. All the results demonstrate great enhancements in both resolution and SNR over the conventional methods.
Design of a six-gas NDIR gas sensor using an integrated optical gas chamber
Authors: Liu Hehuan , Shi Yunbo , Wang Tian
Published: March 2020

A non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) gas sensor with an integrated optical gas chamber was designed to accurately detect multiple gas concentrations in a complex polluted environment. This chamber consists of a hexagonal prism shell and a reflection plate. In particular, six dual-channel infrared detectors for sensing different gases and one collimated infrared light source are integrated in the gas chamber. The IR light emitted by the collimated IR light source arrives at these detectors after four reflections. The result of simulation and data collection for optical path length and luminous flux shows that the average optical path length in the chamber is 63 mm, and the effective utilization rate of the luminous flux can reach 78.8%. The highly compact NDIR sensor can detect the concentrations of a mixture of gases (CO, CO2, CH4, H2CO, NH3, and NO with a volume fraction ranging from 0 to 4%).
Ageing in a foreign land: Stressors and coping strategies in the discourse of older adult Spanish speakers in Australia
Authors: Rojas-Lizana Sol , Cordella Marisa
Published: March 2020

Using discourse analysis we explore the connections between ageing and coping in the discourse of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) older Spanish speakers in Australia in relation to the stressor ‘uncertainty about future care’. We examined nineteen semi-structured interviews of CALD seniors living in Brisbane to identify and analyse discursively the coping strategies that they used when talking about future care giving. The results indicate that the participants use active and passive coping strategies to deal with their stressors. The active strategies favour a connection between family members and community support, while the passive strategies show a level of self-protective resignation about what the future holds for them by resorting to religious comfort. Although participants express preference for the way care was provided to older people in their country of origin, they also seem resigned to their children adopting Anglo-Australian customs, and justify this choice as an unavoidable product of cultures in contact.
Perceived discrimination in the discourse of second-wave Latin American immigrants in Brisbane
Authors: Rojas-Lizana Sol
Published: March 2020

Perceived discrimination (PD) in the field of discourse analysis is the study of discourse that focuses on the perspectives of the victims of discrimination, exploring what they say and how they say it. This article studies the discourse of PD of ten Latin American immigrants to Brisbane, during semi-structured, co-constructed interviews. Data were classified into a typology of discrimination that identified verbal and non-verbal forms. The analysis of these forms shows that the verbal form ‘microagressions’ dominated the discourse and that most experiences had a connection with ‘accent’ as a triggering factor. In some cases, participants were ‘new’ to discrimination and they reported confusion regarding the nature of the experience and a deep emotional weight. Other participants reported discrimination as pervasive and covert, mainly occurring in the workplace. Participants resorted to several discursive strategies when conveying their experiences: mitigation strategies when wanting to minimize it and hedging and repetition to convey urgency and pervasiveness. Metaphorical expressions relating to illness and injury were also used to express the powerful effect of discrimination on people.
International student mobility from Latin America in Australia: What we already know and what we still need to find out
Authors: Paull David
Published: March 2020

This article identifies five main mobility characteristics of international students from Latin America in Australia by comparative analysis of the overall student population. International student numbers from Latin America to Australia have reached unprecedented levels. A growing body of research exists on Latin American migrants in Australia and scholars such as Burges and Calderon have provided insightful analyses into educational trade relations between the two. Despite this, there still lacks a deeper understanding of the mobility characteristics of Latin American students, embedded within the scholarship of international migration broadly and international student mobility (ISM) specifically. In order to address this gap, the article interprets publicly available data in a growing segment of ISM research that understands mobility as an ongoing, processional and lifelong journey. This article therefore paints a picture of what we already know and what we still need to find out about Latin American students in Australia.
‘I wanted to see if you are one of us’: The role of identity in the migration experience, a case study of Latin Americans in Australia
Authors: Gomes Catherine , Mejía Glenda
Published: March 2020

The literature on transnational migrations tells us that new migrants often look for points of similarity and familiarity with people in destination countries. Whether they intend to settle permanently or if they are transient and temporary, new migrants whatever their histories (e.g., as forced, lifestyle, economic, worker and study migrants) look to create connections with people in destination countries. These connections allow migrants to feel a sense of belonging through established or new community networks that anchor them in their adopted/host country. Moreover, these connections provide practical benefit in terms of allowing migrants to access sources of support (e.g., emotional) and information that are useful in navigating everyday life in the new country. Often, the connections that migrants make are with fellow migrants who are from the same country of origin or migrants from elsewhere primarily because of their shared migration experience. This shared migration experience though is subject to variables such as socio-economic class, education levels, religious affiliation and gender, or a combination of these, just to name a few. For migrants, connecting with people who they identify and recognize as fellow migrant actors, in other words, is a common, if not, instinctual occurrence for migrant belonging-making. While this article acknowledges the significance of the identity-migrant nexus by referring to two separate research projects conducted in Australia involving Latin American participants as a case study, it observes that migrants may also seek out those who they perceive to be fellow co-national/co-ethnic migrants through conventional or perceived visual and cultural markers.
Babesia canis spp. in dogs in Baghdad Province, Iraq: First molecular identification and clinical and epidemiological study
Authors: Badawi Naseir Mohammed , Yousif Afaf Abdulrahman
Published: March 2020

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate babesiosis in dogs of different breeds and ages and of both sexes in Baghdad Province by molecular detection of Babesia canis using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing followed by phylogenetic analyses. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 310 dogs of different ages and breeds, and of both sexes in different areas of Baghdad Province from December 2018 to September 2019; during clinical examinations, body temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, and signs of diseases were recorded. PCR was used to amplify a specific 450-bp fragment of the 18S rRNA gene of B. canis. PCR products were sequenced, and MEGA 6.0 software was used for analysis. Chi-square and odds ratio tests were used to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of babesiosis. Results: Clinical signs of babesiosis included paleness or icterus of the mucus membranes, tick infestation, and febrile illness during the acute and subacute phase. The prevalence of infection with B. canis was 5.1%, with the higher prevalence in male dogs and in dogs <3 years of age. Huskies were more likely to be infected than other dogs. Infection prevalence was highest in April and June and was higher in spring and summer than in winter. Using sequence data, 14 isolates of Babesia canis canis and one isolate of each Babesia canis rossi and Babesia canis vogeli were identified. Phylogenetic analyses of B. canis canis revealed that three shared clades and several isolated lineages were similar to other isolates (97-99% similarity), whereas B. canis vogeli and B. canis rossi showed similarities of 98% and 99% with isolates from other geographical regions. Conclusion: This study provides the first molecular record and phylogenic analysis of B. canis in dogs in Iraq, and it will be valuable for confirming clinical signs and studying epidemiological risk factors of babesiosis in dogs.
In vitro evaluation of graded level of Silkworm pupae (Bombyx mori) oil on methane production, fermentation characteristics, and protozoal populations
Authors: Thirumalaisamy G. , Malik Pradeep Kumar , Kolte Atul P. , Bhatta Raghavendra
Published: March 2020

Aim: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of variable levels of silkworm pupae oil and roughage: concentrate ratio on in vitro methane production, fermentation characteristics, and rumen protozoa population.

Materials and Methods: In vitro gas production study (24 h) was performed with graded levels of silkworm pupae oil, namely, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 5% of the basal diet and four variable dietary regimes consisting roughage and concentrate in different proportions (70:30, 60:40, 50:50, and 40:60). At the end of incubation, gas samples were analyzed for methane, while fermented rumen liquor was used for protozoa enumeration. A separate set of incubations was carried out for the determination of in vitro dry matter digestibility.

Results: Results from the in vitro studies revealed no adverse impact of the silkworm pupae oil supplementation up to 2% level on total gas production. However, supplementation beyond 2% has shown a reduction in total gas production. Incubation with variable levels (0.5-5%) of silkworm pupae oil with different dietary regimes indicated negligible (3-5%) to a substantial reduction (25-30%) on methane production. A graded decrement in methane production was recorded with increasing levels of silkworm pupae oil. Similarly, the protozoal populations were decreased from 10 to 51.5% with graded levels of silkworm pupae oil in different dietary regimes as studies did not reveal any significant (p>0.05) variation between 2 and 4% of oil supplementation.

Conclusion: The silkworm pupae oil supplementation at 2% level decreases methane production by 12-15% without any adverse impact on feed fermentation. Oil supplementation may have a more pronounced effect on methane reduction if added to high roughage diet at in vitro conditions. However, in vivo, studies in ruminants are warranted to confirm the methane reduction with silkworm pupae oil supplementation.
MORPHOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF THE FIBERS OF DRY DEFIBRATION METHOD FOR CARDBOARD PRO-DUCTION
Authors: Midukov Nikolay Petrovich , Lyalina Yuliya Artemovna , Kurov Viktor Sergeyevich , Smolin Aleksandr Semonovich
Published: March 2020

Article is devoted to a research of morphological properties of the fibers produced from recovered paper by dry defibration method. Fiber length, roughness, torsion, curvature, fibrillation, fines, etc. properties of the fibers produced by the traditional conventional and dry defibration method are compared. Filler (chalk) losses are estimated by recovered paper preparation in the dry defibration method. The studied morphological properties of fibers and content of chalk define surface (roughness, thickness, whiteness) and mechanical (bursting strength, breaking length) test-liner cardboard indicators with a white surface layer. Determination of morphological properties of recovered paper stock fibers allows recommending a combined method of recovered paper preparation (including dry defibration) for test-liner cardboard manufacturers in our country and in the world. Changes of ash content data before and after dry defibration of fibers determine losses of chalk filler. It is known that content of chalk affects mechanical and surface properties of cardboard. Preliminary results of calculations of energy saving from implementation of dry method, carried out during industrial production, showed that at addition of fibers (25% of total weight of fibers in cardboard) prepared by dry method to the main flow, with preservation of mechanical indices of produced cardboard, up to 50 kWh/t of energy is saved.
Baseline imbalance about depressive symptoms may overestimate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for anxiety disorders.
Authors: Oka Takuya , Watanabe Jun , Tsujimoto Yasushi
Published: March 2020

We read the article by Ninomiya et al. with great interest and appreciate the author's efforts to analyze the effect of primary mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in patients with anxiety disorder in secondary-care settings, compared with a waiting-list group. However, we have concerns about baseline imbalance of depressive symptoms that may influence the conclusion of the trial.

Comorbid major depressive disorder can have caused an underestimation of anxiety symptoms in the waiting-list group and distort effectiveness of MBCT. The wait-list group had more severe depressive symptoms than the intervention group, about 7 points more in the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) scores, and that group might have more major depressive disorder. Indeed, the rate of antidepressant use in the wait-list group was 25% higher than the intervention group.

It is well known that major depressive disorder is associated with cognitive errors and underestimation of self-report outcomes. Baseline imbalance of depressive symptoms may therefore weaken the conclusion of the study, because all outcome measures were self-report questionnaires.

The authors should acknowledge the limitation and provide information about the diagnosis of major depressive disorder.
Spectroscopic Kernel Quality from a Symbiotic Corn Production
Authors: Masoero Giorgio , Mazzinelli Gianfranco , Balconi Carlotta , Locatelli Sabrina , Lanzanova Chiara , Ardigò Annamaria , Giovannetti Giusto , Volpato Silvia , Nuti Marco
Published: March 2020

The management of the inoculation of a plant’s roots, by means of biofertilizers (BF) containing arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, is aimed at inducing modifications of the quality of the seeds. It is here shown that a seed-soil treatment can be elicited in the fingerprints of a symbiotic treatment using Near Infra Red (NIR)-SCiO NIR-SCiO spectra collections of single kernels: overall, a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 73% have been achieved, thus suggesting that it may be possible to assign the symbiotic origin of corn from just twenty kernels, provided that the dataset is adequately representative of the cultivar and AM. A global correlation study has shown a positive general trend (R2 0.45) of quality vs. quantity, in the sense that an increase in yield corresponded to an increase in the spectral differences between the symbiotic spectra and the control ones, but the inverse was also true, as a result of the parasitic behaviour of the BF treatments. The efficacy of the symbiosis can be back predicted from the NIR spectra; in fact, around 90% of the positive yield outcome results were discriminated from the negative ones. A reduction in the foliar pH (R2 0.37) and an increase in the foliar protein (R2 0.43) were observed as immediate phenotypic signs of a productive symbiosis. The commercial raw composition of the kernels appeared to only be affected slightly by the BF treatments; thus, till now uncharted secondary compounds of the maize kernels are involved, as supported by animal performances.
Comparison of the Efficacy of Buspirone and Placebo in Childhood Functional Abdominal Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Badihian Negin , Yaghini Omid , Badihian Shervin , Shahsanai Armindokht , Saneian Hossein
Published: March 2020

INTRODUCTION:

Pharmacological interventions have not been successful in the treatment of childhood functional abdominal pain (FAP) hitherto. Buspirone is suggested to be efficacious in some of the abdominal pain–related functional gastrointestinal disorders based on evidences from the studies on adults. We aim to investigate the efficacy of buspirone on childhood FAP.

METHODS:

This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 117 patients with childhood FAP aged 6–18 years. We randomly assigned patients to receive buspirone or placebo for 4 weeks, with the adjusted dosage for age. Participants completed the questionnaires assessing pain, depression, anxiety, somatization, and sleep disturbances at baseline, at the end of the 4-week therapy (first follow-up), and at 8 weeks after medication discontinuation (second follow-up). The primary outcome was treatment response rate, defined as reduced pain score of ≥2 or reporting no pain at the follow-up assessments.

RESULTS:

Ninety-five patients completed the 4-week therapy (48 and 47 in buspirone and placebo groups, respectively). Both buspirone and placebo reduced pain after 4 weeks of treatment, and these effects were persistent 8 weeks after medication discontinuation (P < 0.001 for both groups at weeks 4 and 12). Treatment response rates for buspirone and placebo were 58.3% and 59.6% at week 4 (P = 0.902) and 68.1% and 71.1% at week 12 (P = 0.753), respectively.

DISCUSSION:

Buspirone effectively improves pain and associated psychological symptoms including depressive symptoms, anxiety, somatization, and sleep disturbances in childhood FAP but has no superiority over placebo. Further studies, with the higher doses of buspirone and longer follow-ups are recommended.