bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ephrin Receptor A4 is a New Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Virus Entry Receptor
Authors: Chen Jia , Zhang Xianming , Schaller Samantha , Jardetzky Theodore S. , Longnecker Richard
Published: February 2019

The overall entry mechanism for herpesviruses is not completely known, including those for the human gammaherpesviruses Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). To fully understand the herpesvirus entry process, functional receptors need to be identified. In the current study, we found that EphA4 can also function for a KSHV entry receptor along with EphA2. Interestingly, we found that EphA4 does not function as an entry receptor for EBV, whereas EphA2 does. The discovery of EphA4 as a KSHV entry receptor has important implications for KSHV pathogenesis in humans, may prove useful in understanding the unique pathogenesis of KSHV infection in humans, and may uncover new potential targets that can be used for the development of novel interventional strategies.
Helminth-Based Product and the Microbiome of Mice with Lupus
Authors: Neuman Hadar , Mor Hadar , Bashi Tomer , Givol Or , Watad Abdulla , Shemer Asaf , Volkov Alexander , Barshack Iris , Fridkin Mati , Blank Miri , Shoenfeld Yehuda , Koren Omry
Published: February 2019

Recently, several papers referred to the association of different bacteria with lupus in mice and humans. This is the first report to demonstrate the effect of a compound derived from helminths on the induction of remission in mice with lupus and its association with a bacterial change. We show that several genera, including
Akkermansia
, are associated with clinical and serological parameters of lupus, while other genera, including butyrate-producing bacteria, are associated with amelioration of disease following tuftsin and phosphorylcholine treatment.
The Dimension of Time in Host-Microbiome Interactions
Authors: Uhr Giulia T. , Dohnalová Lenka , Thaiss Christoph A.
Published: February 2019

The intestinal microbiota contains trillions of commensal microorganisms that shape multiple aspects of host physiology and disease. In contrast to the host’s genome, the microbiome is amenable to change over the course of an organism’s lifetime, providing an opportunity to therapeutically modulate the microbiome’s impact on human pathophysiology.
Differential Gene Expression Patterns of
Yersinia pestis
and
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
during Infection and Biofilm Formation in the Flea Digestive Tract
Authors: Chouikha Iman , Sturdevant Daniel E. , Jarrett Clayton , Sun Yi-Cheng , Hinnebusch B. Joseph
Published: February 2019

Y. pestis
emerged as a highly virulent, arthropod-transmitted pathogen on the basis of relatively few and discrete genetic changes from
Y. pseudotuberculosis
. Parallel comparisons of the
in vitro
and
in vivo
transcriptomes of
Y. pestis
and two
Y. pseudotuberculosis
variants that produce a nontransmissible infection and a transmissible infection of the flea vector, respectively, provided insights into how
Y. pestis
has adapted to life in its flea vector and point to evolutionary changes in the regulation of metabolic and biofilm development pathways in these two closely related species.
Sequential Changes in the Mesenteric Lymph Node Microbiome and Immune Response during Cirrhosis Induction in Rats
Authors: Santiago Alba , Sanchez Elisabet , Clark Allison , Pozuelo Marta , Calvo Miguel , Yañez Francisca , Sarrabayrouse Guillaume , Perea Lidia , Vidal Silvia , Gallardo Alberto , Guarner Carlos , Soriano German , Manichanh Chaysavanh
Published: February 2019

Cirrhosis severity in patients was previously shown to be associated with progressive changes in the fecal microbiome in a longitudinal setting. Recent evidence shows that bacterial translocation from the gut to the extraintestinal sites could play a major role in poor disease outcome and patient survival. However, the underlying mechanisms involving the microbiota in the disease progression are not well understood. Here, using an animal model of cirrhosis in a longitudinal and multibody sites setting, we showed the presence of a distinct composition of the microbiome in mesenteric lymph nodes, blood, and ascitic fluid compared to that in feces and ileocecal content, suggesting compartmentalization of the gut microbiome. We also demonstrate that microbiome changes in intestinal sites are associated with shifts in specific microbial groups in the mesenteric lymph nodes as well as an increase in systemic cytokine production, linking inflammation to decompensated cirrhosis in the gut-liver-immunity axis.
How to use abdominal X-rays in preterm infants suspected of developing necrotising enterocolitis
Authors: Soni Roopali , Katana Anastasia , Curry Joe I , Humphries Paul D , Huertas-Ceballos Angela
Published: February 2019

Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm babies is a serious gastrointestinal emergency with potentially devastating consequences. Prompt and accurate diagnosis continues to be a challenge for health professionals. Early identification of clinical warning signs is extremely important, but the diagnosis relies heavily on the interpretation of abdominal radiographs. Postgraduate training of paediatricians and neonatologists in neonatal abdominal radiography is scarce, and there is variability of radiological input to neonatal services. Lack of a standardised approach and descriptive terminology for interpretation may result in inadequate communication between clinical and surgical teams, inaccurate diagnosis, inappropriate treatment, and unnecessary cessation of feeds and transfers to surgical units. This paper offers a guide designed for the doctor who on a busy night shift needs to interpret an abdominal radiograph and decide on a differential diagnosis of NEC in a preterm baby. It helps to provide structure and standardisation to interpretation of radiological signs using a comprehensive but simple method to support the clinical diagnosis. Our aim is to enhance the correct diagnosis of NEC.
Contribution of smoking and alcohol consumption to income differences in life expectancy: evidence using Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish register data
Authors: Östergren Olof , Martikainen Pekka , Tarkiainen Lasse , Elstad Jon Ivar , Brønnum-Hansen Henrik
Published: February 2019

Background

Despite being comparatively egalitarian welfare states, the Nordic countries have not been successful in reducing health inequalities. Previous studies have suggested that smoking and alcohol contribute to this pattern. Few studies have focused on variations in alcohol-related and smoking-related mortality within the Nordic countries. We assess the contribution of smoking and alcohol to differences in life expectancy between countries and between income quintiles within countries.

Methods

We collected data from registers in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden comprising men and women aged 25–79 years during 1995–2007. Estimations of alcohol-related mortality were based on underlying and contributory causes of death on individual death certificates, and smoking-related mortality was based on an indirect method that used lung cancer mortality as an indicator for the population-level impact of smoking on mortality.

Results

About 40%–70% of the between-country differences in life expectancy in the Nordic countries can be attributed to smoking and alcohol. Alcohol-related and smoking-related mortality also made substantial contributions to income differences in life expectancy within countries. The magnitude of the contributions were about 30% in Norway, Sweden and among Finnish women to around 50% among Finnish men and in Denmark.

Conclusions

Smoking and alcohol consumption make substantial contributions to both between-country differences in mortality among the Nordic countries and within-country differences in mortality by income. The size of these contributions vary by country and sex.
Impact of single phase CT angiography collateral status on functional outcome over time: results from the MR CLEAN Registry
Authors: Jansen Ivo GH , Mulder Maxim JHL , Goldhoorn Robert-Jan B , Boers Anna MM , van Es Adriaan CGM , Yo Lonneke SF , Hofmeijer Jeannette , Martens Jasper M , van Walderveen Marianne AA , van der Kallen Bas FW , Jenniskens Sjoerd FM , Treurniet Kilian M , Marquering Henk A , Sprengers Marieke ES , Schonewille Wouter J , Bot Joost CJ , Lycklama a Nijeholt Geert J , Lingsma Hester F , Liebeskind David S , Boiten Jelis , Vos Jan Albert , Roos Yvo BWEM , van Oostenbrugge Robert J , van der Lugt Aad , van Zwam Wim H , Dippel Diederik WJ , van den Wijngaard Ido R , Majoie Charles BLM
Published: February 2019

Background

Collateral status modified the effect of endovascular treatment (EVT) for stroke in several randomized trials. We assessed the association between collaterals and functional outcome in EVT treated patients and investigated if this association is time dependent.

Methods

We included consecutive patients from the Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in The Netherlands (MR CLEAN) Registry (March 2014–June 2016) with an anterior circulation large vessel occlusion undergoing EVT. Functional outcome was measured on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days. We investigated the association between collaterals and mRS in the MR CLEAN Registry with ordinal logistic regression and if this association was time dependent with an interaction term. Additionally, we determined modification of EVT effect by collaterals compared with MR CLEAN controls, and also investigated if this was time dependent with multiplicative interaction terms.

Results

1412 patients were analyzed. Functional independence (mRS score of 0–2) was achieved in 13% of patients with grade 0 collaterals, in 27% with grade 1, in 46% with grade 2, and in 53% with grade 3. Collaterals were significantly associated with mRS (adjusted common OR 1.5 (95% CI 1.4 to 1.7)) and significantly modified EVT benefit (P=0.04). None of the effects were time dependent. Better collaterals corresponded to lower mortality (P<0.001), but not to lower rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (P=0.14).

Conclusion

In routine clinical practice, better collateral status is associated with better functional outcome and greater treatment benefit in EVT treated acute ischemic stroke patients, independent of time to treatment. Within the 6 hour time window, a substantial proportion of patients with absent and poor collaterals can still achieve functional independence.
Impact of flavoured tobacco restriction policies on flavoured product availability in Massachusetts
Authors: Kingsley Melody , Song Glory , Robertson Jennifer , Henley Patricia , Ursprung W W Sanouri
Published: February 2019

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of flavoured tobacco product restriction policies in reducing availability of flavoured products in Massachusetts communities.

Methods

Data were obtained from surveys of tobacco retailers conducted from July 2015 to March 2017. On a community level, flavoured product availability was defined as the per cent of retailers during a given 3-month quarter that sold flavoured cigars/cigarillos, electronic cigarettes and/or e-liquids. Communities that implemented the policy during the study period were grouped into wave 1 (n=18; 1481 retail surveys) and wave 2 (n=20; 483 retail surveys) by date of policy implementation; communities without a flavoured product restriction served as the control group (n=234; 4932 retail surveys). A difference-in-difference analysis was used to compare the change in flavoured product availability in wave 1 and wave 2 communities 3 months pre-policy and post-policy implementation to the change over the same time periods in the control group.

Results

From pre-policy to post-policy implementation period, communities in both waves experienced significant reductions in flavoured product availability (ranging from 27.2% to 50.9%), even after adjusting for community-level characteristics. In both waves 1 and 2, reductions in flavoured product availability were significantly greater compared with comparison communities during the same time frame, adjusting for community-level characteristics.

Conclusions

Compliance with flavoured product restriction policies is high among tobacco retailers throughout Massachusetts, regardless of community demographic and retail characteristics. Reduced availability of flavoured tobacco in the retail environment has the potential to reduce youth exposure, access and use of these products.
Placebo‐controlled study on the effects of oral administration ofAllium sativumL in postweaning piglets
Authors: Ayrle Hannah , Nathues Heiko , Bieber Anna , Durrer Manuela , Quander Nele , Mevissen Meike , Walkenhorst Michael
Published: February 2019

Postweaning diarrhoea (PWD) due toEscherichia coliis an economically important disease in pig production. In this placebo‐controlled study performed in Switzerland, the effects of oral supplementation ofAllium sativumL. (garlic, AS) on performance (bodyweight (BW) and daily weight gain (DWG)) and health (body condition and clinical score) were investigated in postweaning piglets. Piglets (n=600) were randomly assigned to the treatment groups (placebo, AS or colistin) and observed from birth until three weeks postweaning. The treatments were administered for the first two weeks postweaning. Faecal dry matter (FDM) and coliform bacteria on pen level were measured weekly. Data were analysed using generalised mixed‐effect models in R. BW and DWG of the AS group were significantly higher compared with placebo in the third week postweaning. No differences in body condition and FDM were observed. The clinical score of AS‐treated animals was significantly better compared with the colistin group. About 33 per cent of the piglets of the AS and the placebo group had to be treated with antibiotics due to the occurrence of severe PWD. The major finding of this study showed that AS supplementation increased growth performance and improved clinical health, but did not reduce the incidence and severity of PWD.
First-principles study on the structural, elastic and electronic properties of the four Si3Sb4 compounds
Authors: Yang Ruike , Chai Bao , Wei Qun , Xue Minhua , Zhou Ye
Published: February 2019

For novel [Formula: see text]-Si3Sb4, pseudocubic-Si3Sb4, cubic-Si3Sb4 and [Formula: see text]-Si3Sb4, the structural, elastic and electronic properties are investigated using first-principles density functional theory (DFT). The elastic constants and phonon dispersion spectra show that they are mechanically and dynamically stable. The bulk moduli, shear moduli, Young’s moduli, Poisson’s ratios and Pugh ratios for the four compounds have been calculated. The bulk moduli indicate that the bond strength of [Formula: see text]-Si3Sb4 is stronger than others. The values of the Poisson’s ratios and Pugh ratios show that pseudocubic-Si3Sb4 is the stiffest among the four Si3Sb4 compounds. Tetragonal Si3Sb4 are more brittle than cubic Si3Sb4. For the four Si3Sb4 compounds, the elastic anisotropies are analyzed via the anisotropic indexes and the 3D surface constructions. The [Formula: see text]-Si3Sb4 elastic anisotropy is stronger than others and the [Formula: see text]-Si3Sb4 is weaker than others. The calculated band structures show that they exhibit metallic features. The results of their TDOS show that there are many similarities. The peaks of TDOS are derived from the contributions of Si “s”, Si “p”, Sb “s” and Sb “p” states.
Divide and Compact — Stochastic Space Compaction for Faster-than-at-Speed Test
Authors: Sprenger Alexander , Hellebrand Sybille
Published: February 2019

With shrinking feature sizes detecting small delay faults is getting more and more important. But not all small delay faults are detectable during at-speed test. By overclocking the circuit with several different test frequencies faster-than-at-speed test (FAST) is able to detect these hidden delay faults. If the clock frequency is increased, some outputs of the circuit may not have stabilized yet, and these outputs have to be considered as unknown ([Formula: see text]-values). These [Formula: see text]-values impede the test response compaction. In addition, the number and distribution of the [Formula: see text]-values vary with the clock frequency, and thus a very flexible [Formula: see text]-handling is needed for FAST. Most of the state-of-the-art solutions are not designed for these varying [Formula: see text]-profiles. Yet, the stochastic compactor by Mitra et al. can be adjusted to changing environments. It is easily programmable because it is controlled by weighted pseudo-random signals. But an optimal setup cannot be guaranteed in a FAST scenario. By partitioning the compactor into several smaller ones and a proper mapping of the scan outputs to the compactor inputs, the compactor can be better adapted to the varying [Formula: see text]-profiles. Finding the best setup can be formulated as a set partitioning problem. To solve this problem, several algorithms are presented. Experimental results show that independent from the scan chain configuration, the number of [Formula: see text]-values can be reduced significantly while the fault efficiency can be maintained. Additionally, it is shown that [Formula: see text]-reduction and fault efficiency can be adapted to user-defined goals.
Additive primitive length in relatively free algebras
Authors: Drensky Vesselin
Published: February 2019

The additive primitive length of an element [Formula: see text] of a relatively free algebra [Formula: see text] in a variety of algebras [Formula: see text] is equal to the minimal number [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] can be presented as a sum of [Formula: see text] primitive elements. We give an upper bound for the additive primitive length of the elements in the [Formula: see text]-generated polynomial algebra over a field of characteristic 0, [Formula: see text]. The bound depends on [Formula: see text] and on the degree of the element. We show that if the field has more than two elements, then the additive primitive length in free [Formula: see text]-generated nilpotent-by-abelian Lie algebras is bounded by 5 for [Formula: see text] and by 6 for [Formula: see text]. If the field has two elements only, then our bounds are 6 for [Formula: see text] and 7 for [Formula: see text]. This generalizes a recent result of Ela Aydın for two-generated free metabelian Lie algebras. In all cases considered in the paper, the presentation of the elements as sums of primitive elements can be found effectively in polynomial time.
Ordering Garside groups
Authors: Arcis Diego , Paris Luis
Published: February 2019

We introduce a structure on a Garside group that we call Dehornoy structure and we show that an iteration of such a structure leads to a left-order on the group. We define two conditions on a Garside group [Formula: see text] and we show that if [Formula: see text] satisfies these two conditions, then [Formula: see text] has a Dehornoy structure. Then, we show that the Artin groups of type [Formula: see text] and of type [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] satisfy these conditions, and therefore have Dehornoy structures. As indicated by the terminology, one of the orders obtained by this method on the Artin groups of type [Formula: see text] coincides with the Dehornoy order.
Families of not perfectly straight knots
Authors: Owad Nicholas J.
Published: February 2019

We present two families of knots which have straight number higher than crossing number. In the case of the second family, we have computed the straight number explicitly. We also give a general theorem about alternating knots that states adding an even number of crossings to a twist region will not change whether the knots are perfectly straight or not perfectly straight.
FRACTAL SETS IN THE FIELD OF p-ADIC ANALOGUE OF THE COMPLEX NUMBERS
Authors: LI YIN , QIU HUA
Published: February 2019

The [Formula: see text]-adic number field [Formula: see text] and the [Formula: see text]-adic analogue of the complex number field [Formula: see text] have a rich algebraic and geometric structure that in some ways rivals that of the corresponding objects for the real or complex fields. In this paper, we attempt to find and understand geometric structures of general sets in a [Formula: see text]-adic setting. Several kinds of fractal measures and dimensions of sets in [Formula: see text] are studied. Some typical fractal sets are constructed. It is worthwhile to note that there exist some essential differences between [Formula: see text]-adic case and classical case.
Study on the height distribution of atmospheric nonlinear refractive index with a theoretical calculation model
Authors: Zeng QingWei , Liu Lei , Gao TaiChang , Chen Ming , Wang Qi , Zhang KeJin
Published: February 2019

The crucial role of nonlinear propagation effects in the self-guiding of femtosecond laser pulses required accurate representation of nonlinearities to describe them. In this paper, an improved theoretical model has been proposed to study the height distribution of the atmospheric nonlinear refractive index. The results show that the revised model obviously improves accurate estimation of nonlinear index at the long wavelength band. Based on the model, we also found the atmospheric nonlinear refractive index differs much from the lower atmosphere to the upper atmosphere. Our results are essential for engineering applications based on the long-distance ultrashort laser pulses’ transmission in diverse atmosphere.
Fattening of ACM arrangements of codimension 2 subspaces in ℙN
Authors: Fashami Mohammad Zaman , Haghighi Hassan , Szemberg Tomasz
Published: February 2019

In the present note, we study configurations of codimension 2 flats in projective spaces and classify those with the smallest rate of growth of the initial sequence. Our work extends those of Bocci, Chiantini in [Formula: see text] and Janssen in [Formula: see text] to projective spaces of arbitrary dimension.
Regularity of bicyclic graphs and their powers
Authors: Cid-Ruiz Yairon , Jafari Sepehr , Nemati Navid , Picone Beatrice
Published: February 2019

Let [Formula: see text] be the edge ideal of a bicyclic graph [Formula: see text] with a dumbbell as the base graph. In this paper, we characterize the Castelnuovo–Mumford regularity of [Formula: see text] in terms of the induced matching number of [Formula: see text]. For the base case of this family of graphs, i.e. dumbbell graphs, we explicitly compute the induced matching number. Moreover, we prove that [Formula: see text], for all [Formula: see text], when [Formula: see text] is a dumbbell graph with a connecting path having no more than two vertices.
Characterization of quasi-Yetter–Drinfeld modules
Authors: Zhu Haixing , Liu Guohua , Yang Tao
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we characterize quasi-Yetter–Drinfeld modules over a Hopf algebra [Formula: see text], which was introduced in [Y. Bazlov and A. Berenstein, Braided doubles and rational Cherednik algebras, Adv. Math. 220 (2009), 1466–1530]. We first show that the quasi-Drinfeld center of the category of [Formula: see text]-modules is equivalent to the category [Formula: see text] of quasi-Yetter–Drinfeld modules. Next, we prove that [Formula: see text] is equivalent to the category of generalized Hopf bimodules. Finally, we show that [Formula: see text] is also equivalent to the category of quasi-coactions over some Majid’s braided group if [Formula: see text] is quasi-triangular.
New approach for the synthesis, docking of new porphyrins and their antitumor activity
Authors: Tawfik Eman H. , Fadda Ahmed A. , Soliman Nanees N. , Abou-Zeid Laila , Negm Amr
Published: February 2019

A new methodology for the synthesis of a new series of mesotetrakis[aryl]-21H,23H-porphyrin derivatives 5a–5d, 6a–6c, 7 and 8 is presented. Structures of new compounds were established based on both elemental and spectral data. Cytotoxicity activity of the newly synthesized compounds was investigated against two human cell lines MCF-7 and HepG2. Molecular docking was performed to investigate the binding between the most active porphyrin derivatives and Bcl-2 molecular biomarkers in HepG2 cells.
Chemical traffic light: A self-calibrating naked-eye sensor for fluoride
Authors: D’Andrea Alessia , Pomarico Giuseppe , Nardis Sara , Paolesse Roberto , Di Natale Corrado , Lvova Larisa
Published: February 2019

We report a low-cost sensing platform for effective naked-eye detection of fluoride ion in aqueous media. The sensor is based on silicon complex of 5,10,15-tritolylcorrole (SiTTCorr) deposited on paper support and designed in a particular way that permits it to perform in a unique sensing event an internal sensor self-calibration and subsequent analysis of fluoride ion in a concentration range from 20 [Formula: see text]g/L to 200 mg/L with a LOD 9 [Formula: see text]g/L, much lower than the WHO guideline value of 1.5 mg/L for fluoride in drinking water. The influence of tetradodecylammonium chloride (TDACl) anion exchanger addition to the performance of SiTTCorr-based sensors was studied and the sensor with optimal ionophore: exchanger [Formula: see text] 2:1 ratio demonstrated the highest sensitivity. The evident color variation of SiTTCorr-based optode from dark pink to intense green occurred upon addition of increasing concentrations of fluoride. A smartphone application equipped with home-written color intensity analysis software as a detector of developed sensor output permitted fluoride content quantification in bottled water and toothpaste samples. Moreover, since at the quantification step the SiTTCorr color variation was significant for the red component of visible light and increase of fluoride content evidently changed this color from red to yellow and then to green, the developed optode was compared to a kind of chemical traffic light, able to detect the presence of fluoride in permitted, borderline or dangerous concentrations, respectively.
Maximal distance spectral radius of trees
Authors: Bose S. S. , Nath M. , Sarma D.
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we determine the unique tree that maximizes the distance spectral radius in the class of all trees in which each non-pendent vertex has degree at least [Formula: see text].
China and the SDR: Financial Liberalization through the Back Door
Authors: Eichengreen Barry , Xia Guangtao
Published: February 2019

We analyze the motives for China’s campaign to secure the addition of its currency, the renminbi, to the basket of currencies comprising the International Monetary Fund’s Special Drawing Rights. Our argument is that the campaign to add the renminbi to the SDR basket was not just a vanity project; it was a strategy used by the advocates of financial liberalization in China to force the pace of reform. It was also a strategy with significant risks.
A Case-Control Study on Risk Factors and Their Interactions with Prediabetes among the Elderly in Rural Communities of Yiyang City, Hunan Province
Authors: Hu Zhao , Gao Fan , Qin Lulu , Yang Yang , Xu Huilan
Published: February 2019

Background. The prevalence of prediabetes has been increasing significantly in recent years. Individuals with prediabetes have an increased risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The objectives of this study were to identify risk factors for prediabetes and their interactions among the elderly in rural communities of Hunan Province and to provide a scientific basis for prediabetes prevention. Methods. A case-control study was conducted to explore risk factors for prediabetes among the elderly in rural areas. The general sociodemographic information, lifestyle behaviours, and physiological results of elderly individuals with prediabetes and controls were collected by a questionnaire and laboratory testing. Conditional logistic regression was performed to identify the risk factors for prediabetes among the elderly, and additive interactions were used to analyse the interactions between risk factors. Results. A total of 425 elderly subjects with prediabetes were included in the case group, and 425 elderly subjects with normal plasma glucose levels were included in the control group. The main risk factors for prediabetes among the elderly in rural communities of Hunan Province were a family history of diabetes (OR=2.48; 95% CI: 1.13, 5.46), physical inactivity (OR=3.27; 95% CI: 1.95, 5.49), a lack of health literacy on diabetes prevention and control (OR=3.26; 95% CI: 1.62, 6.55), hypertension (OR=2.01; 95% CI: 1.38, 2.93), overweight (OR=2.53; 95% CI: 1.67, 3.81), obesity (OR=3.08; 95% CI: 1.48, 6.40), and a high waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (OR=2.26; 95% CI: 1.45, 3.51). Additive interactions for prediabetes were detected between a high WHR and physical inactivity, with a relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) of 6.30 (95% CI: 0.42, 12.18), and between a high WHR and overweight or obesity, with an RERI of 2.92 (95% CI: 0.56, 5.29). Conclusion. The independent risk factors for prediabetes are a family history of diabetes, physical inactivity, a lack of health literacy on diabetes prevention and control, hypertension, overweight or obesity, and a high WHR. A high WHR has additive interactions with physical inactivity and overweight or obesity for the risk of prediabetes. These findings have significant implications for prediabetes prevention among the elderly in rural areas.
Comparative Serological Study for the Prevalence of Anti-MERS Coronavirus Antibodies in High- and Low-Risk Groups in Qatar
Authors: Al Kahlout Reham A. , Nasrallah Gheyath K. , Farag Elmoubasher A. , Wang Lingshu , Lattwein Erik , Müller Marcel A. , El Zowalaty Mohamed E. , Al Romaihi Hamad E. , Graham Barney S. , Al Thani Asmaa A. , Yassine Hadi M.
Published: February 2019

Infection with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) could be asymptomatic or cause mild influenza-like illness. Therefore, the prevalence of MERS-CoV infections in the general population could be underestimated, which necessitates active surveillance to determine the epidemiological importance of asymptomatic cases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of various serological assays and to estimate the seroprevalence of anti-MERS-CoV antibodies in high- and low-risk groups in Qatar. A total of 4858 samples were screened, including 4719 samples collected from healthy blood donors (BD) over a period of five years (2012-2016), 135 samples from baseline case contacts (CC) collected from individuals in close contact with three positive PCR-confirmed patients (CP), and four samples from MERS-CoV CP. Initial screening using anti-MERS-CoV IgG (IgG rS1-ELISA kit) revealed ten reactive samples from BD (10/4719, 0.21%), one from CC (1/135, 0.74%), and three from CP (3/4, 75%). Samples from CP but not from BD were also reactive by whole-virus anti-MERS-CoV IgG (n=3/4) and IgM (n=1/4) indirect immunefluorescent tests (IIFT) and pseudoparticle neutralization test (ppNT). The reactive sample from CC was also confirmed by ppNT. Surprisingly, one out of thirteen (7.7%) randomly selected IgG rS1-ELISA-negative BD samples from the initial screening was reactive by the IgM-IIFT (but not by the IgG-IIFT) and was subsequently confirmed by ppNT. All IgG rS1-ELISA-reactive samples from BD exhibited considerable reactivity to the four circulating human coronaviruses (HKU1, OC43, 229E, and NL63). Cross-reactivity with SARS was only reported for samples from CP using IgG and IgM-IIFT. In conclusion, we report a low prevalence of anti-MERS antibodies in the general population, which coincides with the low number of all reported cases by the time of our study (2017) in Qatar (n=21). The false-positive results and the observed cross-reactivity between MERS-CoV and other circulating human coronavirus necessitate more detailed evaluation of available serological assays.
Wideband Dual-Polarized Quasi-Omnidirectional Antenna with High Isolation for Mobile Applications in High-Speed Vehicles
Authors: Luo Peng , Nie Chengguo , Gong Qing , Cui Yuehui
Published: February 2019

A new wideband dual-polarized (DP) quasi-omnidirectional antenna is proposed. The DP antenna consists of a vertical slot for horizontal polarization (HP) and a folded horizontal slot for vertical polarization (VP). A tapered strip is employed to coupling feed the vertical slot while a straight strip is used to excite the horizontal slot. Due to the coupling feed and the orthogonality between the vertical and horizontal slots, the DP antenna features a wide bandwidth and a very high isolation. The simulated isolation is higher than 70 dB, although the measured isolation is about 50 dB. As experimental results indicate, the DP antenna realizes an impedance bandwidth (BW) of 45% (1.7–2.73 GHz) with quasi-omnidirectional radiation patterns for both HP and VP. The DP quasi-omnidirectional antenna may be packaged into a radome with a shape of a blade for mobile applications in high-speed vehicles.
Improved Butler–Reeds–Dawson Algorithm for the Inversion of Two‐Dimensional NMR Relaxometry Data
Authors: Su Guanqun , Zhou Xiaolong , Wang Lijia , Wang Xin , Yang Peiqiang , Nie Shengdong , Zhang Yingli
Published: February 2019

Two‐dimensional (2D) NMR relaxometry has been widely used as a powerful new tool for identifying and characterizing molecular dynamics. Various inversion algorithms have been introduced to obtain the versatile relaxation information conveyed by spectra. The inversion procedure is especially challenging because the relevant data are huge in 2D cases and the inversion problem is ill‐posed. Here, we propose a new method to process the 2D NMR relaxometry data. Our approach varies from Tikhonov regularization, known previously in CONTIN and Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) methods, which need additional efforts to compute an appropriate regularization factor. This variety improves Butler–Reeds–Dawson algorithm to optimize the Tikhonov regularization problem and the regularization factor is calculated alongside. The calculation is considerably faster than the mentioned algorithms. The proposed method is compared with some widely used methods on simulated datasets, regarding algorithm efficiency and noise vulnerability. Also, the result of the experimental data is presented to test the practical utility of the proposed algorithm. The results suggest that our approach is efficient and robust. It can meet different application requirements.
Lightweight Verification Schema for Image-Based Palmprint Biometric Systems
Authors: Giełczyk Agata , Choraś Michał , Kozik Rafał
Published: February 2019

Palmprint biometrics is a promising modality that enables efficient human identification, also in a mobile scenario. In this paper, a novel approach to feature extraction for palmprint verification is presented. The features are extracted from hand geometry and palmprint texture and fused. The use of a fusion of features facilitates obtaining a higher accuracy and, at the same time, provides more robustness to intrusive factors like illumination, variation, or noise. The major contribution of this paper is the proposition and evaluation of a lightweight verification schema for biometric systems that improves the accuracy without increasing computational complexity which is a necessary requirement in real-life scenarios.
Management of Corneal Ectasia after LASIK with Phototherapeutic Keratectomy Combined with Photorefractive Keratectomy and Collagen Cross-Linking
Authors: Zhou Weiyan , Wang Hongya , Zhang Xiao , Tian Mingxia , Cui Changxia , Li Xin , Mu Guoying
Published: February 2019

Background. To evaluate the efficacy of phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) combined with photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and riboflavin with ultraviolet-A collagen cross-linking (CXL), performed sequentially on the same day, in the management of corneal ectasia after LASIK. Methods. This retrospective review comprised consecutive patients with corneal ectasia after LASIK. The patients were administered PTK and PRK on the previous corneal flap, and CXL was given on the same day by the same surgeon. The main outcome measures included age, sex, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), spherical equivalent refraction, cylinder equivalent refraction, steep and flat keratometries (K), central corneal thickness (CCT), endothelial cell count, corneal haze, and ectasia stability. Mean follow-up period was 6, 12, and 24 months. Results. Sixteen eyes of twelve patients were included in the study. Twenty-four months after administration of PTK combined with PRK and CXL, a significant improvement in UDVA was observed. Mean cylinder equivalent refraction was significantly reduced at 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. However, no significant reduction was observed in spherical equivalent refraction. A significant reduction in the flat K and steep K values was observed. No significant change in mean CCT value was observed. Mean endothelial cell count and morphology were unchanged between preoperative and postoperative patients. In addition, no obvious corneal haze was observed. Conclusions. PTK combined with PRK and CXL on the same day is a safe and effective treatment in improving visual acuity in selected patients with corneal ectasia after LASIK.
Antimicrobial-ResistantEscherichia colifrom Environmental Waters in Northern Colorado
Authors: Haberecht Hannah B. , Nealon Nora Jean , Gilliland Jake R. , Holder Amethyst V. , Runyan Connor , Oppel Renee C. , Ibrahim Hend M. , Mueller Link , Schrupp Forrest , Vilchez Samuel , Antony Linto , Scaria Joy , Ryan Elizabeth P.
Published: February 2019

WaterborneEscherichia coliare a major reservoir of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), including but not limited to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) andKlebsiella pneumoniaecarbapenemase (KPC) mechanisms. This study quantified and described ESBL- and KPC-producingE. coliin Northern Colorado from sewer water, surface water, and influent and effluent wastewater treatment sources. Total detected bacteria andE. coliabundances, and the percentages that contain ESBL and/or KPC, were compared between water sources. SeventyE. coliisolates from the various waters had drug resistance validated with a panel of 17 antibiotics using a broth microdilution assay. The diverse drug resistance observed acrossE. coliisolates was further documented by polymerase chain reaction of common ESBL genes and functional relatedness by PhenePlate assay-generated dendrograms (n=70). The totalE. coliabundance decreased through the water treatment process as expected, yet the percentages ofE. coliharboring ESBL resistance were increased (1.70%) in surface water. Whole-genome sequencing analysis was completed for 185 AMR genes in wastewaterE. coliisolates and confirmed the presence of diverse AMR gene classes (e.g., beta-lactams and efflux pumps) in isolate genomes. This study completed surveillance of AMR patterns inE. colithat reside in environmental water systems and suggests a role for integrating both phenotypic and genotypic profiling beyond ESBL and KPC mechanisms. AMR screening via multiple approaches may assist in the prevention of drug-resistantE. colispread from waters to animals and humans.
Mathematical Model of the Piped Vehicle Motion in Piped Hydraulic Transportation of Tube‐Contained Raw Material
Authors: Li Yongye , Sun Xihuan
Published: February 2019

The piped hydraulic transportation of tube‐contained raw material is an emerging technique for transporting materials. In this technique, the piped vehicle is one of the core components, and its motion characteristics directly determine the transportation energy consumption and the transportation cost of this technique. To study the motion characteristics of the piped vehicle, the force of the piped vehicle was analyzed from the mechanical perspective in this paper. On the assumption that the piped vehicle moved steadily and it had sufficient stiffness, the mathematical model of the piped vehicle motion was established in the turbulent flow according to the stress characteristics of the piped vehicle and the factors influencing its motion characteristics, and then the mathematical model was tested by experiments. The findings show that the calculated values of the velocities of the piped vehicle were identical to the experimental values with changes in various influencing factors. When the flow discharge, the diameter or length of the piped vehicle increased, or the mass of transported material decreased, the velocity of the piped vehicle increased. The maximum relative error did not exceed 9.47%, which proved that the mathematical model of the piped vehicle motion was rational. The results can provide theoretical basis to improve the structure of the piped vehicle and the piped hydraulic transportation technique of tube‐contained raw material.
Burnout Syndrome among Emergency Physicians and Nurses in Abha and Khamis Mushait Cities, Aseer Region, Southwestern Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alqahtani Abdulghani M. , Awadalla Nabil J. , Alsaleem Safar A. , Alsamghan Awad S. , Alsaleem Mohammed Abadi
Published: February 2019

Objectives. To explore the magnitude and determinants of burnout among emergency physicians and nurses working at emergency departments of hospitals in Abha and Khamis Mushait cities.Subjects and Methods. A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted in emergency departments of hospitals in Abha and Khamis Mushait cities belonging to Ministry of Health. All physicians (n=95) and nurses (n=187) currently working at these sites were invited to participate in the study by filling a validated self-administered questionnaire including two main sections: personal and professional characteristics of physicians and nurses as well as Maslach burnout inventory (MBI) to assess the three components of the burnout syndrome: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment.Results. The study included 282 physicians and nurses. The age of more than half of them (54.3%) ranged between 31 and 35 years. Most of them (70.9%) were females. About two-thirds of the respondents (66.3%) were nurses while the remaining 33.7% were physicians. Majority of the emergency healthcare professionals (88.7%) had high emotional exhaustion. The prevalence of high depersonalization (cynicism) was 20.6% whereas that of low personal accomplishment was 41.1% among emergency healthcare professionals. The overall prevalence of burnout among healthcare professionals was 16.3%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male healthcare professionals were at almost higher three-folded risk for developing burnout compared to females (aOR=2.76; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21-6.28, p=0.017)). Smokers were at higher significant risk for burnout compared to nonsmokers (aOR=15.37; 95% CI: 7.06-33.45, p<0.001). Healthcare professionals who reported a history of taking medications for sleep disorders expressed higher risk for burnout opposed to those with no history of sleep disorder medication (aOR=6.59; 95% CI: 2.08-20.81, p=0.001).Conclusion. A considerable proportion of physicians and nurses working at emergency departments of hospitals in Abha and Khamis Mushait cities had burnout syndrome, particularly high emotional exhaustion and low personal accomplishment.
Different Visual Weighting due to Fast or Slow Vestibular Deafferentation: Before and after Schwannoma Surgery
Authors: Tjernström Fredrik , Fransson Per-Anders , Kahlon Babar , Karlberg Mikael , Lindberg Sven , Siesjö Peter , Magnusson Måns
Published: February 2019

Background. Feedback postural control depends upon information from somatosensation, vision, and the vestibular system that are weighted depending on their relative importance within the central nervous system. Following loss of any sensory component, the weighting changes, e.g., when suffering a vestibular loss, the most common notion is that patients become more dependent on visual cues for maintaining postural control. Dizziness and disequilibrium are common after surgery in schwannoma patients, which could be due to interpretation of the remaining sensory systems involved in feedback-dependent postural control and spatial orientation.Objective. To compare visual dependency in spatial orientation and postural control in patients suffering from unilateral vestibular loss within different time frames.Methods. Patients scheduled for schwannoma surgery: group 1 (n=27) with no vestibular function prior to surgery (lost through years), group 2 (n=12) with remaining vestibular function at the time of surgery (fast deafferentation), and group 3 (n=18) with remaining function that was lost through gentamicin installations in the middle ear (slow deafferentation). All patients performed vibratory posturography and rod and frame investigation before surgery and 6 months after surgery.Results. Postural control improved after surgery in patients that suffered a slow deafferentation (groups 1 and 3) (p<0.001). Patients that suffered fast loss of remaining vestibular function (group 2) became less visual field dependent after surgery (p≤0.035) and were less able to maintain stability compared with group 1 (p=0.010) and group 3 (p=0.010).Conclusions. The nature and time course of vestibular deafferentation influence the weighting of remaining sensory systems in order to maintain postural control and spatial orientation.
Study of Tunnel Damage Caused by Underground Mining Deformation: Calculation, Analysis, and Reinforcement
Authors: Li Peixian , Yan Lili , Yao Dehua
Published: February 2019

Bayueshan tunnel (BYS) is an important construction crossing over coal mine goaf. The underground mining subsidence has led the tunnel cracked seriously in three years after it was built. In order to evaluate the coal mine influence and future stability of the tunnels, probability integral method (PIM) was used to calculate the tunnel deformation. PIM is an experience function method based on random medium theory which is used widely in China. With the parameters analyzed, the tunnels’ subsidence was calculated. The results show that it can interpret the tunnel damage well, and the maximum normal strain positions fit the damaged tunnel positions well. It proved that PIM can be used to evaluate the tunnel’s radial deformation caused by underground coal excavation. In order to maintain tunnels to keep a long‐term stability, the future deformation was calculated in case the coal excavation continues. It shows that the tunnel would be cracked again if the excavation continued. Other reasons such as the old goaf deformation and water and vehicle dynamic load are also important reasons for the tunnels’ deformation. In order to keep traffic safety, it needs to reinforce the cracked foundation under the tunnel. Then, grouting injection was proposed to reduce the old goaf deformation under the tunnels. If the fracture zone under the tunnels disturbed by the dynamic traffic load, the old goaf will face a risk of sudden collapse. So, to ensure the grouting effect, the grouting depth should be deeper than the sum of traffic load influence depth and height of coal mine caved fissure zone. The grouting scope should keep all the crack rock area under the tunnel from being disturbed by the dynamic traffic load. This design can reduce the sudden collapse risk of the goaf and reduces the vehicles’ load disturbance on the cracked rock. The researched technology provides an engineering guidance to tunnel subsidence calculation, stability evaluation, and maintenance in complex geological and engineering situations.
Scenario‐Planning Method for Cost Estimation Using Morphological Analysis
Authors: Ji Sae-Hyun , Ahn Joseph
Published: February 2019

Early cost estimates are emphasized repeatedly in the initial decision‐making process to set a direction for the success of construction projects. Therefore, alternatives need to be examined, and the consequences for the cost should be analyzed carefully. This study proposes a scenario‐planning method that uses morphological analysis for the estimation of construction cost. A case study was conducted using public data on 102 apartment buildings from 10 housing complex projects. The results show estimation accuracy of 4.23 to 4.86% and an average stability enhancement of 1.39 to 1.73%. The proposed process can produce adaptable scenarios and evaluate the impact of the scenarios in a complicated decision‐making process with limited information provided. Furthermore, this method can provide a contingency plan to cushion against uncertainties.