bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Precision Food Safety: a Paradigm Shift in Detection and Control of Foodborne Pathogens
Authors: Kovac Jasna
Published: June 2019

The implementation of whole-genome sequencing in food safety has revolutionized foodborne pathogen tracking and outbreak investigations. The vast amounts of genomic data that are being produced through ongoing surveillance efforts continue advancing our understanding of pathogen diversity and genome biology.
Mantle earthquakes in the Himalayan collision zone
Authors: Schulte-Pelkum Vera , Monsalve Gaspar , Sheehan Anne F. , Shearer Peter , Wu Francis , Rajaure Sudhir
Published: June 2019

Earthquakes are known to occur beneath southern Tibet at depths up to ∼95 km. Whether these earthquakes occur within the lower crust thickened in the Himalayan collision or in the mantle is a matter of current debate. Here we compare vertical travel paths expressed as delay times between S and P arrivals for local events to delay times of P-to-S conversions from the Moho in receiver functions. The method removes most of the uncertainty introduced in standard analysis from using velocity models for depth location and migration. We show that deep seismicity in southern Tibet is unequivocally located beneath the Moho in the mantle. Deep seismicity in continental lithosphere occurs under normally ductile conditions and has therefore garnered interest in whether its occurrence is due to particularly cold temperatures or whether other factors are causing embrittlement of ductile material. Eclogitization in the subducting Indian crust has been proposed as a cause for the deep seismicity in this area. Our observation of seismicity in the mantle, falling below rather than within the crustal layer with proposed eclogitization, requires revisiting this concept and favors other embrittlement mechanisms that operate within mantle material.
Serious infection risk in rheumatoid arthritis compared with non-inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases: a US national cohort study
Authors: Mehta Bella , Pedro Sofia , Ozen Gulsen , Kalil Andre , Wolfe Frederick , Mikuls Ted , Michaud Kaleb
Published: June 2019

Objectives

To identify serious infection (SI) risk by aetiology and site in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with those with non-inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (NIRMD).

Methods

Patients participating in FORWARD from 2001 to 2016 were assessed for SIs; defined by infections requiring hospitalisation, intravenous antibiotics or followed by death. SIs were categorised by aetiology and site. SI risk was assessed through Cox proportional hazards models. Best models were selected using machine learning Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) methodology.

Results

Among 20 361 patients with RA and 6176 patients with NIRMD, 1600 and 276 first SIs were identified, respectively. Incidence of SIs was higher in RA compared with NIRMD (IRR = 1.5; 95% CI 1.2 to 1.5). The risk persisted after adjusting using the LASSO model (HR 1.7; 95% CI 1.5 to 1.8), but attenuated when additionally adjusted for glucocorticoid use (HR 1.3; 95% CI 1.2 to 1.5). SI risk was significantly higher in RA versus NIRMD for bacterial infections as well as for respiratory, skin, bone, joint, bloodstream infections and sepsis irrespective of glucocorticoid use. Compared with NIRMD, SI risk was significantly increased in patients with RA who were in moderate and high disease activity but was similar to those in low disease activity/remission (p trend < 0.001).

Conclusions

The risk of all SIs, particularly bacterial, respiratory, bloodstream, sepsis, skin, bone and joint infections are significantly increased in patients with RA compared with patients with NIRMD. This infection risk appears to be greatest in those with higher RA disease activity.
A CONTEMPORARY REVIEW OF ISLAMIC FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING LITERATURE
Authors: HASSAN M. KABIR , ALIYU SIRAJO , HUSSAIN MUMTAZ
Published: June 2019

This paper reviews empirical studies with a particular interest in Islamic finance literature and highlights future research directions. The earlier literature on Islamic finance was built on the Islamic economic foundation of social justice and fairness, which was formed theoretically from the primary sources of Sharia coupled with some analytical frameworks. Subsequent studies emphasized the empirical investigations without including far-reaching analytical and theoretical postulations in the area. Although empirical studies on Islamic banking are plenty, there is a new body of emerging empirical literature on Islamic finance focusing on corporate finance and Takaful, whereas Islamic accounting studies are mostly qualitative. The literature provides a mixed picture of Islamic financial markets and instruments, showing that the Islamic ones perform better most of the time but also perform worse at times than their conventional counterparts. This paper discusses issues that are relevant to Islamic finance and identifies avenues for future research and policy implications.
A Collaboratory for the Distributed Collaborations Within a Biosecurity Laboratory and Across Different Organizations
Authors: Li Jane , Zic John
Published: June 2019

This paper presents our work in the design and development of collaborative platforms to support distributed scientific collaborations in a national biosecurity laboratory which carries out diagnostics and research work in animal diseases. We have focused on two types of collaboration challenges. One is the “distributed” collaborations between scientists working inside the physical containment areas and scientists working in the general office area within the laboratory. The second is the collaborative diagnosis and decision-making work between this laboratory and other organizations working on the responses of emergency animal diseases. The “biosecurity collaboration platform” which addresses the first challenge has been implemented and used by the scientists in the laboratory. The platform integrates shared digital workspaces and supports the sharing and interaction of scientific data from various resources and laboratory instruments (e.g. microscopes). The “secure collaboration platform” which addresses the second challenge is an extension of the biosecurity collaboration platform and integrates eAuthentication and eAuthorization technologies to support secure communication and information sharing between experts from different organizations. Results from user studies have shown that the collaboration platforms can provide core capabilities of communication, trustworthy information sharing and access to real-time data from scientific instruments in complex collaborations in the biosecurity domain.
n-Matlis cotorsion modules and n-matlis domains
Authors: Pu Yongyan , Tang Gaohua , Wang Fanggui
Published: June 2019

Let [Formula: see text] be a domain with its field [Formula: see text] of quotients, [Formula: see text] an [Formula: see text]-module and [Formula: see text] a fixed non-negative integer. Then [Formula: see text] is called [Formula: see text]-Matlis cotorsion if [Formula: see text] for any integer [Formula: see text]. Also [Formula: see text] is said to be [Formula: see text]-Matlis flat if [Formula: see text] for any [Formula: see text]-Matlis cotorsion [Formula: see text]-module [Formula: see text]. We proved that [Formula: see text] is a complete hereditary cotorsion theory, where [Formula: see text] (respectively, [Formula: see text]) denotes the class of all [Formula: see text]-Matlis flat (respectively, [Formula: see text]-Matlis cotorsion) [Formula: see text]-modules. In this paper, it is proved that [Formula: see text] is an [Formula: see text]-Matlis domain if and only if epic images of [Formula: see text]-Matlis cotorsion [Formula: see text]-modules are again [Formula: see text]-Matlis cotorsion if and only if [Formula: see text]-Matlis flat [Formula: see text]-modules are of projective dimension [Formula: see text] if and only if [Formula: see text] if and only if [Formula: see text].
Nonuniversality of fluctuations of outliers for Hermitian polynomials in a complex Wigner matrix and a spiked diagonal matrix
Authors: Capitaine Mireille
Published: June 2019

We study the fluctuations associated to the a.s. convergence of the outliers established by Belinschi–Bercovici–Capitaine of an Hermitian polynomial in a complex Wigner matrix and a spiked deterministic real diagonal matrix. Thus, we extend the nonuniversality phenomenon established by Capitaine–Donati-Martin–Féral for additive deformations of complex Wigner matrices, to any Hermitian polynomial. The result is described using the operator-valued subordination functions of free probability theory.
Robust Regression via Heuristic Corruption Thresholding and Its Adaptive Estimation Variation
Authors: Zhang Xuchao , Lei Shuo , Zhao Liang , Boedihardjo Arnold P. , Lu Chang-Tien
Published: June 2019

The presence of data noise and corruptions has recently invoked increasing attention on robust least-squares regression (
RLSR
), which addresses this fundamental problem that learns reliable regression coefficients when response variables can be arbitrarily corrupted. Until now, the following important challenges could not be handled concurrently: (1) rigorous recovery guarantee of regression coefficients, (2) difficulty in estimating the corruption ratio parameter, and (3) scaling to massive datasets. This article proposes a novel Robust regression algorithm via Heuristic Corruption Thresholding (
RHCT
) that concurrently addresses all the above challenges. Specifically, the algorithm alternately optimizes the regression coefficients and estimates the optimal uncorrupted set via heuristic thresholding without a pre-defined corruption ratio parameter until its convergence. Moreover, to improve the efficiency of corruption estimation in large-scale data, a Robust regression algorithm via Adaptive Corruption Thresholding (
RACT
) is proposed to determine the size of the uncorrupted set in a novel adaptive search method without iterating data samples exhaustively. In addition, we prove that our algorithms benefit from strong guarantees analogous to those of state-of-the-art methods in terms of convergence rates and recovery guarantees. Extensive experiments demonstrate that the effectiveness of our new methods is superior to that of existing methods in the recovery of both regression coefficients and uncorrupted sets, with very competitive efficiency.
A Generalized Parallel Task Model for Recurrent Real-Time Processes
Authors: Bonifaci Vincenzo , Wiese Andreas , Baruah Sanjoy K. , Marchetti-Spaccamela Alberto , Stiller Sebastian , Stougie Leen
Published: June 2019

A model is considered for representing recurrent precedence-constrained tasks that are to execute on multiprocessor platforms. A recurrent task is specified as a directed acyclic graph (DAG), a period, and a relative deadline. Each vertex of the DAG represents a sequential job, while the edges of the DAG represent precedence constraints between these jobs. All the jobs of the DAG are released simultaneously and need to complete execution within the specified relative deadline of their release. Each task may release jobs in this manner an unbounded number of times, with successive releases occurring at least the specified period apart. Conditional control structures are also allowed. The scheduling problem is to determine whether a set of such recurrent tasks can be scheduled to always meet all deadlines upon a specified number of identical processors.

This problem is shown to be computationally intractable, but amenable to efficient approximate solutions. Earliest Deadline First (EDF) and Deadline Monotonic (DM) are shown to be good approximate global scheduling algorithms. Polynomial and pseudo-polynomial time schedulability tests, of differing effectiveness, are presented for determining whether a given task set can be scheduled by EDF or DM to always meet deadlines on a specified number of processors.
Private Land Conservation and Public Policy: Land Trusts, Land Owners, and Conservation Easements
Authors: Parker Dominic P. , Thurman Walter N.
Published: June 2019

We highlight the extraordinary growth in private conservation via land trusts and conservation easements and describe the problems arising from the interplay of public finance and private decisions. We offer a framework for understanding the popularity of easements and land trusts and for evaluating policy reforms aimed at improving their performance. The framework, grounded in institutional and organizational economics in the tradition of Ronald Coase, Oliver Williamson, and Yoram Barzel, focuses on the measurement and monitoring costs faced by public and private stakeholders under current and prospective policy arrangements. We illustrate how the framework can be applied to contemporary debates about the appropriate tax treatment of donated easements, requirements that they be held in perpetuity, and the extent to which government should regulate private land trusts.
Influence of Rotation and Magnetic Fields on a Functionally Graded Thermoelastic Solid Subjected to a Mechanical Load
Authors: Gunghas Ankush , Kumar Rajesh , Deswal Sunita , Kalkal Kapil Kumar
Published: June 2019

The current manuscript is presented to study two-dimensional deformations in a nonhomogeneous, isotropic, rotating, magneto-thermoelastic medium in the context of Green-Naghdi model III. It is assumed that the functionally graded material has nonhomogeneous mechanical and thermal properties in the x-direction. The exact expressions for the displacement components, temperature field, and stresses are obtained in the physical domain by using normal mode technique. These are also computed numerically for a copper-like material and presented graphically to observe the variations of the considered physical variables. Comparisons of the physical quantities are shown in figures to depict the effects of angular velocity, nonhomogeneity parameter, and magnetic field.
−254C>G SNP in theTRPC6Gene Promoter Influences Its Expression via Interaction with the NF-κB Subunit RELA in Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome Children
Authors: Kuang Xinyu , Zhou Qian , Li Zhuying , Hu Yujie , Kang Yulin , Huang Wenyan
Published: June 2019

This study is aimed at exploring the mechanism by which the −254C>G single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on the transient receptor potential cation channel 6 (TRPC6) gene promoter could increase its activation in steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome children of China. Plasmids containing theTRPC6promoter region (with the −254C or G allele) were constructed and then transfected into human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T cells and human podocytes. Luciferase assays were used to test the promoter activity in both cell lines with or without tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) treatment, and chromatin immunoprecipitation-polymerase chain reaction (ChIP-PCR) analysis was used to verify the transcription factor that could bind to this mutant sequence. Luciferase results indicate that the activity of the mutant promoter was greater than that of the normal promoter of theTRPC6gene in both cell lines. We further predicted and verified that this variation was mediated by the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) subunit RELA, and TNF-αsignificantly enhanced the transcription activity ofTRPC6with the −254G allele. In conclusion, the −254C>G SNP is a gain-of-function variation of theTRPC6gene, and it is also an early and effective factor for predicting steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) in Chinese children.
Preparation and Adsorption Properties of Biochar/g-C3N4 Composites for Methylene Blue in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Li Xiaodong
Published: June 2019

Using straw and urea as raw materials, biochar (BC) and g-C3N4 were prepared by oxygen-free pyrolysis at 300°C and 550°C. BC/g-C3N4 was prepared by loading different amounts of g-C3N4 onto the surface of biochar and characterized by SEM and FT-IR. The adsorption effect on methylene blue (MB) was investigated from the aspects of dosage and pH. The studies of adsorption equilibrium isotherms and the kinetic and the thermodynamic parameters on the BC/g-C3N4 adsorbents are discussed. The results showed that BC/g-C3N4 0.16 g/L with a doping ratio of 1 : 3 was added to the MB solution with an initial concentration of 50 mg/L and pH=11. The adsorption rate and adsorption amount were 96.72% and 302.25 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption process included surface adsorption and intraparticle diffusion, which conformed to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir-Freundlich model. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔG0<0, ΔH0>0, and ΔS0>0) showed that the adsorption reaction is spontaneous, which positively correlated with temperature.
Fetal Dermal Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Accelerate Cutaneous Wound Healing by Activating Notch Signaling
Authors: Wang Xiao , Jiao Ya , Pan Yi , Zhang Longxiao , Gong Hongmin , Qi Yongjun , Wang Maoying , Gong Huiping , Shao Mingju , Wang Xinglei , Jiang Duyin
Published: June 2019

Fetal dermal mesenchymal stem cells (FDMSCs), isolated from fetal skin, are serving as a novel MSC candidate with great potential in regenerative medicine. More recently, the paracrine actions, especially MSC-derived exosomes, are being focused on the vital role in MSC-based cellular therapy. This study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of exosomes secreted by FDMSCs in normal wound healing. First, the in vivo study indicated that FDMSC exosomes could accelerate wound closure in a mouse full-thickness skin wound model. Then, we investigated the role of FDMSC-derived exosomes on adult dermal fibroblast (ADFs). The results demonstrated that FDMSC exosomes could induce the proliferation, migration, and secretion of ADFs. We discovered that after treatment of exosomes, the Notch signaling pathway was activated. Then, we found that in FDMSC exosomes, the ligands of the Notch pathway were undetectable expect for Jagged 1, and the results of Jagged 1 mimic by peptide and knockdown by siRNA suggested that Jagged 1 may lead the activation of the Notch signal in ADFs. Collectively, our findings indicated that the FDMSC exosomes may promote wound healing by activating the ADF cell motility and secretion ability via the Notch signaling pathway, providing new aspects for the therapeutic strategy of FDMSC-derived exosomes for the treatment of skin wounds.
Prenatal Androgenization Induces Anxiety-Like Behavior in Female Rats, Associated with Reduction of Inhibitory Interneurons and Increased BDNF in Hippocampus and Cortex
Authors: Rankov Petrovic Bojana , Hrncic Dragan , Mladenovic Dusan , Simic Tatjana , Suvakov Sonja , Jovanovic Djurdja , Puskas Nela , Zaletel Ivan , Velimirovic Milica , Cirkovic Valentina , Macut Djuro , Stanojlovic Olivera , Rasic-Markovic Aleksandra
Published: June 2019

Anxiety is one of the most frequent psychiatric disorders. Despite the fact that most studies describe an anxiolytic effect of testosterone, hyperandrogenemia in mothers is assumed to be related to an increased risk of mood disorders in their offspring. An increasing body of scientific evidence suggests that an altered expression of interneuronal markers of the hippocampus may be the cause of anxiety. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of maternal hyperandrogenemia on behavioral parameters of anxiety-like behavior, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and parvalbumin (PV) expression in the hippocampus, and the level of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Pregnant female Wistar albino rats were treated with testosterone undecanoate on the 20th day of gestation. Anxiety-like behavior in adult female offspring was evaluated by the elevated plus maze test and the open field. The number of PV and NPY immunoreactive cells in the hippocampus was determined immunohistochemically. The level of BDNF expression in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex was analyzed with the Western blot test. Prenatal hyperandrogenization increased anxiety-like behavior in female offspring and decreased expression of NPY+ and PV+ in the CA1 region of the hippocampus as compared to the control group. BDNF expression in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of prenatally androgenized female offspring was significantly increased in comparison with the controls. Prenatal hyperandrogenization may be the cause of anxiety-like behavior in female offspring. Decrease in NPY and PV expression in the hippocampus may explain the possible mechanism of hyperandrogenization induced anxiety.
Is Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra Associated with Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?
Authors: Abbas Janan , Peled Natan , Hershkovitz Israel , Hamoud Kamal
Published: June 2019

The aim of this study was to shed light on the association between lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) and degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS). A cross-sectional retrospective study was performed on 165 individuals that were diagnosed with clinical picture of DLSS (age range: 40-88 years; sex ratio: 80M/85F) and 180 individuals without DLSS related symptoms (age range: 40-99 years; sex ratio: 90M/90F). All participants had undergone high-resolution CT scan for the lumbar region in the same position. We also used the volume rendering method to obtain three-dimensional CT images of the lumbosacral area. Both males and females in the stenosis group manifest greater prevalence of LSTV than their counterparts in the control group (P<0.001). Furthermore, the presence of LSTV increases the likelihood of degenerative spinal stenosis (odds ratio= 3.741, P<0.001). In the control group, LSTV was more common in males, and sacral slope angle of males was significantly greater in LSTV group compared to non-LSTV. This study indicates that LSTV was significantly associated with symptomatic DLSS.
Associated Credit Risk Contagion and Spillover Effect Based on Supply Chain Buy‐Back Guarantee Contract
Authors: Xie Xiaofeng , Yang Yang , Xu Kai , Zhou Zongfang
Published: June 2019

We take the supply chain with a supplier and a retailer as the research objects and study the contagion and spillover effect of the associated credit risk in the supply chain under the scenario of the buy‐back guarantee contract. The associated credit risk in the supply chain refers to the phenomenon that the credit default of the retailer causes the credit default of the supplier or increases the probability of default. The buy‐back guarantee in the supply chain refers to the assumption by the retailer of the supplier’s buy‐back contract as a financing mechanism. At present, the buy‐back guarantee has become a new channel of contagion for the associated credit risk in the supply chain. Under the dual Stackelberg game analysis framework of the lending institutions, suppliers, and retailers, this paper clarifies the contagion mechanism of associated credit risk in the supply chain under the condition of the buy‐back guarantee and constructs mathematical models to explore the contagion and spillover effect of the associated credit risk in the supply chain. The results show that, under the condition of the buy‐back guarantee, the contagion effect of the associated credit risk in the supply chain has trigger thresholds, and the probability of triggering the contagion effect is related to the retailer’s order quantity, supplier’s wholesale price, and product’s market price. The contagion effect is positively affected by the buy‐back rate, production costs, and loan interest rates and negatively affected by the product’s market price. In contrast, the degree of buy‐back guarantee aggravates the negative spillover effect of the associated credit risk and raises the risk level of lending institutions.
Successful Management of Immune Thrombocytopenia Presenting with Lethal Alveolar Hemorrhage
Authors: Nagaharu Keiki , Masuya Masahiro , Kawakami Keiki , Katayama Naoyuki
Published: June 2019

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) typically presents with bleeding due to immunologic thrombocytopenia. Severe hemorrhage due to ITP is sometimes lethal, and the urgent recovery of platelets is necessary. In addition to conventional therapeutic strategies, romiplostim shows promising efficacy for chronic ITP. However, there is little evidence for the utilization of this treatment for acute ITP or acute exacerbation of chronic ITP. We report the case details of three elderly ITP patients presenting with lethal diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. These patients had the following underlying pulmonary diseases: case 1, nontuberculous mycobacterial infection and sarcoidosis; case 2, cryptogenic organizing pneumonia; case 3, pulmonary emphysema. These patients recovered following treatment with romiplostim at a higher dose (10 μg/kg), in addition to conventional therapies including corticosteroids and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin. In summary, the addition of romiplostim resulted in earlier recovery of thrombocytopenia than has been previously reported. Our three cases suggest that early romiplostim at a higher dose could be an efficacious therapeutic option for acute ITP patients with severe lethal bleeding.
Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells Have the Ability to Differentiate into Alveolar Epithelial Cells and Ameliorate Lung Injury Caused by Elastase-Induced Emphysema in Mice
Authors: Fukui Eriko , Funaki Soichiro , Kimura Kenji , Momozane Toru , Kimura Atsuomi , Chijimatsu Ryota , Kanzaki Ryu , Kanou Takashi , Ose Naoko , Minami Masato , Miyagawa Shigeru , Sawa Yoshiki , Okumura Meinoshin , Shintani Yasushi
Published: June 2019

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a leading cause of mortality globally, with no effective therapy yet established. Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are useful for ameliorating lung injury in animal models. However, whether ADSCs differentiate into functional cells remains uncertain, and no study has reported on the mechanism by which ADSCs improve lung functionality. Thus, in this study, we examined whether ADSCs differentiate into lung alveolar cells and are able to ameliorate lung injury caused by elastase-induced emphysema in model mice. Here, we induced ADSCs to differentiate into type 2 alveolar epithelial cells in vitro. We demonstrated that ADSCs can differentiate into type 2 alveolar epithelial cells in an elastase-induced emphysematous lung and that ADSCs improve pulmonary function of emphysema model mice, as determined with spirometry and129Xe MRI. These data revealed a novel function for ADSCs in promoting repair of the damaged lung by direct differentiation into alveolar epithelial cells.
Low Bioelectrical Impedance Phase Angle Is a Significant Risk Factor for Frailty
Authors: Tanaka Satoshi , Ando Kei , Kobayashi Kazuyoshi , Seki Taisuke , Hamada Takashi , Machino Masaaki , Ota Kyotaro , Morozumi Masayoshi , Kanbara Shunsuke , Ito Sadayuki , Ishiguro Naoki , Hasegawa Yukiharu , Imagama Shiro
Published: June 2019

The phase angle, which is measured via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), is a clinically important bioimpedance parameter used for nutritional assessment and evaluating the risk of various diseases, such as locomotive syndrome (LS). It remains unclear if the phase angle is associated with frailty (fragile state of physical and mental health). We therefore examined this association in a large prospective sample. Of 1081 individuals receiving health checkups, 550 (male; 235, female; 365) were enrolled in this study. We applied the Japanese version of the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria to evaluate frailty and administered the 25-Item Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale to diagnose LS. The phase angle was measured via BIA. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the phase angle and frailty. For all participants and for each sex, the phase angle was significantly lower among individuals with frailty. After controlling for age, sex, and body mass index, we found that a low phase angle was a significant risk factor of frailty. As a result of multiple regression analysis including other confounding factors, among male participants, a low phase angle was significantly related with both frailty (P = 0.015) and LS (P < 0.001), whereas among female participants, the low phase angle had a stronger association with frailty (P = 0.001) than with LS (P = 0.52). Our findings suggest that a low angle is a risk factor of frailty. Furthermore, among female participants, frailty has a stronger relation with the phase angle than does LS. Therefore, the phase angle may be considered a useful indicator of frailty that does not require lengthy or costly assessment.
Robust Power Allocation for Cooperative Localization in Jammed Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Ke Mingxing , Tian Shiwei , Lu Lu , Wang Chuang
Published: June 2019

In this paper, we propose robust power allocation strategies to improve the localization performance in cooperative wireless sensor localization systems when suffering interference of jammer nodes. In wireless sensor localization systems, transmitting power strategies will affect the localization accuracy and determine the lifetime of wireless sensor networks. At the same time, the power allocation problem will be evolution to a new challenge when there are jammed nodes. So in this paper, we first present the optimization framework in jammed cooperative localization systems. Moreover, the imperfect parameter estimations of agent and jammer nodes are considered to develop robust power allocation strategies. In particular, this problem can be transformed into second-order cone programs (SOCPs) to obtain the end solution. Numerical results show the proposed power allocation strategies can achieve better performance than uniform power allocation and the robust schemes can ensure lower localization error than nonrobust power control when systems are subject to uncertainty.
Ginkgolide B Mediated Alleviation of Inflammatory Cascades and Altered Lipid Metabolism in HUVECs via Targeting PCSK-9 Expression and Functionality
Authors: Wang Gang , Liu Zhenbin , Li Menghu , Li Yu , Alvi Sahir Sultan , Ansari Irfan Ahmad , Khan M. Salman
Published: June 2019

The potential of oxidized-LDL (Ox-LDL) to elicit inflammatory responses in macrophages leading to the atherosclerosis (AS) progression is well known. Since proprotein convertase subtilisin/Kexin-9 (PCSK-9), the posttranslational regulator of LDL-receptor, is associated with elevated LDL in the circulation, the present report was aimed to uncover the ameliorative effects of Ginkgolide B, a terpenic lactone fromGinkgo biloba, against Ox-LDL-induced alterations in cholesterol metabolism in HUVECs. Consequently, our results demonstrated that incubation with Ox-LDL significantly upregulated the PCSK-9 expression in HUVECs, which was significantly downregulated, both at mRNA and protein level, after Ginkgolide B treatment via subsequent suppression of sterol element binding protein (SREBP-2) expression. Moreover, Ginkgolide B-mediated inhibition of PCSK-9 activity was also validated byin silicomethods which revealed that it interferes the PSCK-9 interaction with LDL-receptor (LDL-R). Interestingly, Ox-LDL-induced LDL-R expression was further enhanced by Ginkgolide B treatment in HUVECs. Moreover, Ginkgolide B treatment lead to downregulation of lectin-like Ox-LDL receptor (LOX-1) and NADPH oxidase (NOX-4) expression which was upregulated in Ox-LDL-treated HUVECs, along with the attenuation of mitochondrial ROS generation. Furthermore, Ginkgolide B significantly inhibited the augmented expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in Ox-LDL-activated HUVECs. Ginkgolide B also significantly ameliorated the inflammatory response in Ox-LDL-activated HUVECs by suppressing the expression of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, CXCL-1, CXCL-2, and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP-1), at mRNA and protein level. Ourin vitroandin silicostudy established that Ginkgolide B alleviated the Ox-LDL-induced inflammatory cascades and altered lipid metabolism in HUVECs by suppressing the PCSK-9 and, thus, could be established as a treasured alternative therapeutic candidate in the atherosclerosis management.
HLA Haplotype Association with Celiac Disease in Albanian Pediatric Patients from Kosovo
Authors: Ramosaj-Morina Atifete , Burek Kamenaric Marija , Azemi Mehmedali , Spahiu Lidvana , Grubic Zorana , Zunec Renata
Published: June 2019

Genetic predisposition to celiac disease (CD) is strongly associated with the presence of HLA alleles in the individual genotype encoding HLA-DQ2 and/or HLA-DQ8 heterodimers. The main aim of this study was to analyze the HLA-A, -B, -DRB1, and -DQ allele and five-locus haplotype frequencies in 60 Albanian pediatric CD patients and 124 non-CD children from Kosovo. The most prevalent haplotype in patients was the ancestral AH 8.1 haplotype present in 22.5% of the cases compared to 2.8% of the controls (P<0.0001). Additionally, two other haplotypes were also overrepresented in patients (HLA-A∗02~B∗50~DRB1∗07~DQA1∗02:01~DQB1∗02:02 and HLA-A∗68~B∗44~DRB1∗07~DQA1∗02:01~DQB1∗02:02). Analysis showed that 95.0% of CD patients and 43.3% of controls were carriers of HLA-DQ2 and/or HLA-DQ8 heterodimers. The most frequent CD-predisposing HLA-DQ haplotypes in patients were HLA-DQ2.5 (46.7%) and HLA-DQ2.2 (11.6%), while the most prevalent genotypes were HLA-DQ2.5/DQX (58.3%) and HLA-DQ2.5/DQ2.2 (20.0%). The frequency of the HLA-DQ8 heterodimer among CD patients (4.2%) compared to the control group (8.1%) was without statistical significance. The given data demonstrate differences in the distribution of HLA haplotypes among Albanian CD patients from Kosovo in comparison to other European and non-European populations, as well as provide additional population data to supplement the thus far undisputed importance of the role of HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 heterodimers in the development of CD.
Phase Synchronization Control of Two Eccentric Rotors in the Vibration System with Asymmetric Structure Using Discrete‐Time Sliding Mode Control
Authors: Chen Xiaozhe , Li Lingxuan
Published: June 2019

Control synchronization of two eccentric rotors (ERs) in the vibration system with the asymmetric structure is studied to make the vibration system obtain the maximum excited resultant force and the driven power. Because this vibration system is essentially an underactuated system, a decoupling strategy for the control goal of the same phase motion between two ERs is proposed to reduce the order of state equation of the vibration system. According to the master‐slave control scheme, the complex control objects are converted into the velocity control of the master motor and the phase control of the slave motor. Considering the self‐adjusting of the vibration system as interference, controllers of the velocity and the phase difference are designed by applying the discrete‐time sliding mode control, which is proved by Lyapunov theory. A vibration machine is designed for evaluating the performance of the proposed controllers. Two control schemes are presented: controlling one motor and controlling two motors, and two group experiments are achieved to investigate the dynamic coupling characteristic of the vibration system in the state of control synchronization. The experimental results show that control synchronization is an effective and feasible technology to remove the limitation of vibration synchronization.
Comparison of Solar Radiation and Myopia Occurrence in South Korean Children
Authors: Choo Hun Gu , Rah Sang Hoon , Kim Soo Han
Published: June 2019

Purpose. To investigate the association between regional solar radiation and myopia occurrence in South Korean children. Materials and Methods. A population-based cross-sectional study using data of 1218 children aged 7–9 years from the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey was conducted from January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2012. Myopia prevalence and the mean spherical equivalent were estimated; myopia was defined as spherical equivalent refraction <−1.5 D. Data regarding solar radiation and sunshine duration were collected from 21 national monitoring stations in South Korea. Multiple logistic regression analyses and multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the associations. However, the most important covariate, the time spent outdoors, was not measured and could not be used. Results. In the entire cohort of 1218 participants, solar radiation and sunshine duration were significantly associated with the mean spherical equivalent (P=0.001 and P=0.014, B = 0.088 and B = 0.069, respectively) and solar radiation was significantly associated with myopia prevalence (P=0.008). And, a negative but not statistically significant association between sunshine duration and myopia prevalence was observed (P=0.064, respectively). Conclusions. Solar radiation and sunshine duration are associated with the mean spherical equivalent and myopia prevalence in South Korean children.
Personnel Casualty Assessment for Explosion in the Subway Platform
Authors: Zhang Jinju , Wang Liqiong
Published: June 2019

The subway station is easy to be attacked by terrorist bombings, and it will cause heavy casualties. In this paper, a comprehensive casualty assessment method for personnel in the subway structure was established based on the existing personnel injury model. The spatial distribution characteristics of the shock wave suffered by the personnel in the subway platform were obtained. Combined with the comprehensive casualty assessment method, the personnel casualty area for the explosions in the subway platform was divided. The results show that for the same explosive charge, the maximum positive phase impulse generated by the explosion at the edge of the platform is smallest. The “notch effect” for the stair exit will increase the shock wave load. When the explosive is exploded in the center of the platform, the smaller the explosive charge is, the more obvious the “notch effect” is. When the explosive charge reaches 40 kg, the personnel safety area is reduced to a certain extent behind the stair except for the explosion happening at the stair. Also, the higher the shield door is, the larger the safety area behind the stair is.
Intelligent Turning Tool Monitoring with Neural Network Adaptive Learning
Authors: Du Maohua , Wang Peixin , Wang Junhua , Cheng Zheng , Wang Shensong
Published: June 2019

Tool state monitoring is a key technology in intelligent manufacturing. But it is still in a research stage and lacks general adaptability for different machining conditions. To overcome this limitation, this work systematically investigates an intelligent, real‐time, and visible tool state monitoring through adopting integrated theories and technologies, i.e., (a) through distinctively designed experimental technique with comprehensive consideration of cutting parameters and tool wear values as variables, (b) through bisensor fusion for simultaneous measurements of low and high frequency signals, (c) through multitheory fusion of wavelet decomposition and the Relief‐F algorithm for performing dual feature extraction and feature dimension reduction to achieve more accurate state identification using neural network, and (d) through an innovative programming technique of MATLAB‐nested labVIEW. This tool monitoring system has neural network adaptive learning ability with the change of the experimental sample signals which are collected simultaneously by selected vibration and acoustic emission (AE) sensors in all factors turning experiments. Based on LabVIEW and MATLAB hybrid programming, the waveforms of signals are observed and the significant characteristics of signals are extracted through the time‐frequency domain analysis and then the calculation of the energy proportion of each frequency band obtained using 4 levels of wavelet packet decompositions of the vibration signal as well as 8 levels of wavelet multiresolution decompositions of the AE signal; the ensuing Relief‐F algorithm is used to further reextract the features that are most relevant to the tool state as input of neural network pattern recognition. Through the BP neural network adaptive learning, tool state recognition model is finally established. The results show that the correct recognition rate of BP network model after samples training is 92.59%, which can more accurately and intelligently monitor the tool wear state.
Periatrial Fat Quality Predicts Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Outcome
Authors: Ciuffo Luisa , Nguyen Hieu , Marques Mateus Diniz , Aronis Konstantinos N. , Sivasambu Bhradeev , de Vasconcelos Henrique D. , Tao Susumu , Spragg David D. , Marine Joseph E. , Berger Ronald D. , Lima Joao A.C. , Calkins Hugh , Ashikaga Hiroshi
Published: June 2019

Background:

Previous studies showed that the quantity of the left atrial (LA) periatrial fat tissue predicts recurrence after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). We hypothesized that the quality of the LA periatrial fat tissue, measured by the mean computed tomography attenuation, predicts recurrence after AF ablation independent of the quantity of the LA periatrial fat tissue.

Methods:

We included 143 consecutive patients with drug-refractory AF referred for the first catheter ablation of AF (62.2±10 years, 40% nonparoxysmal AF). All participants had a preablation cardiac computed tomography. We measured the quantity of the LA periatrial fat tissue by the area (millimeter square) and the quality by the mean computed tomography attenuation (Hounsfield units) in a standard 4-chamber view.

Results:

Patients with AF recurrence after ablation (n=57) had a significantly larger fat area (167.6 [interquartile range, 124.1–255] versus 145.4 [95.6–229.3] mm
2
;
P
=0.018) and a higher fat attenuation (−92.0±9.8 versus −96.5±9.4 Hounsfield units;
P
=0.006) than those without recurrence (controls). LA fat attenuation was correlated with LA fat volume and LA bipolar voltage by invasive mapping and was associated with AF recurrence after adjusting for clinical risk factors, including body mass index, AF type, LA dimension, and fat area (hazard ratio, 2.65;
P
=0.001).

Conclusions:

The quality of the LA periatrial fat tissue is an independent predictor of recurrence after the first AF ablation. Assessment of LA periatrial fat attenuation can improve AF ablation outcomes by refining patient selection.
Noninferiority Designed Cardiovascular Trials in Highest-Impact Journals
Authors: Bikdeli Behnood , Welsh John W. , Akram Yasir , Punnanithinont Natdanai , Lee Ike , Desai Nihar R. , Kaul Sanjay , Stone Gregg W. , Ross Joseph S. , Krumholz Harlan M.
Published: June 2019

Background:

Noninferiority trials are increasingly being performed. However, little is known about their methodological quality. We sought to characterize noninferiority cardiovascular trials published in the highest-impact journals, features that may bias results toward noninferiority, features related to reporting of noninferiority trials, and the time trends.

Methods:

We identified cardiovascular noninferiority trials published in
JAMA
,
Lancet
, or
New England Journal of Medicine
from 1990 to 2016. Two independent reviewers extracted the data. Data elements included the noninferiority margin and the success of studies in achieving noninferiority. The proportion of trials showing major or minor features that may have affected the noninferiority inference was determined. Major factors included the lack of presenting the results in both intention-to-treat and per-protocol/as-treated cohorts, α>0.05, the new intervention not being compared with the best alternative, not justifying the noninferiority margin, and exclusion or loss of ≥10% of the cohort. Minor factors included suboptimal blinding, allocation concealment, and others.

Results:

From 2544 screened studies, we identified 111 noninferiority cardiovascular trials. Noninferiority margins varied widely: risk differences of 0.4% to 25%, hazard ratios of 1.05 to 2.85, odds ratios of 1.1 to 2.0, and relative risks of 1.1 to 1.8. Eighty-six trials claimed noninferiority, of which 20 showed superiority, whereas 23 (21.1%) did not show noninferiority, of which 8 also demonstrated inferiority. Only 7 (6.3%) trials were considered low risk for all the major and minor biasing factors. Among common major factors for bias, 41 (37%) did not confirm the findings in both intention-to-treat and per-protocol/as-treated cohorts and 4 (3.6%) reported discrepant results between intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses. Forty-three (38.7%) did not justify the noninferiority margin. Overall, 27 (24.3%) underenrolled or had >10% exclusions. Sixty trials (54.0%) were open label. Allocation concealment was not maintained or unclear in 11 (9.9%). Publication of noninferiority trials increased over time (
P
<0.001). Fifty-two (46.8%) were published after 2010 and had a lower risk of methodological or reporting limitations for major (
P
=0.03) and minor factors (
P
=0.002).

Conclusions:

Noninferiority trials in highest-impact journals commonly conclude noninferiority of the tested intervention, but vary markedly in the selected noninferiority margin, and frequently have limitations that may impact the inference related to noninferiority.
Influence of Intracerebral Hemorrhage Location on Outcomes in Patients With Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage
Authors: Eslami Vahid , Tahsili-Fahadan Pouya , Rivera-Lara Lucia , Gandhi Dheeraj , Ali Hasan , Parry-Jones Adrian , Nelson Lilli S. , Thompson Richard E. , Nekoobakht-Tak Saman , Dlugash Rachel , McBee Nichol , Awad Isaam , Hanley Daniel F. , Ziai Wendy C. ,   on behalf of the CLEAR III Investigators
Published: June 2019

Background and Purpose—

We investigated the prognostic significance of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage location in presence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage.

Methods—

We analyzed diagnostic computed tomography scans from 467/500 (excluding primary intraventricular hemorrhage) subjects from the CLEAR (Clot Lysis: Evaluating Accelerated Resolution of Intraventricular Hemorrhage) III trial. We measured intracerebral hemorrhage engagement with specific anatomic regions, and estimated association of each region with blinded assessment of dichotomized poor stroke outcomes: mortality, modified Rankin Scale score of 4 to 6, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of >4, stroke impact scale score of <60, Barthel Index <86, and EuroQol visual analogue scale score of <50 and <70 at days 30 and 180, respectively, using logistic regression models.

Results—

Frequency of anatomic region involvement consisted of thalamus (332 lesions, 71.1% of subjects), caudate (219, 46.9%), posterior limb internal capsule (188, 40.3%), globus pallidus/putamen (127, 27.2%), anterior limb internal capsule (108, 23.1%), and lobar (29, 6.2%). Thalamic location was independently associated with mortality (days 30 and 180) and with poor outcomes on most stroke scales at day 180 on adjusted analysis. Posterior limb internal capsule and globus pallidus/putamen involvement was associated with increased odds of worse disability at days 30 and 180. Anterior limb internal capsule and caudate locations were associated with decreased mortality on days 30 and 180. Anterior limb internal capsule lesions were associated with decreased long-term morbidity.

Conclusions—

Acute intracerebral hemorrhage lesion topography provides important insights into anatomic correlates of mortality and functional outcomes even in severe intraventricular hemorrhage causing obstructive hydrocephalus. Models accounting for intracerebral hemorrhage location in addition to volumes may improve outcome prediction and permit stratification of benefit from aggressive acute interventions.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00784134.