bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ginger in gastrointestinal disorders: A systematic review of clinical trials
Authors: Nikkhah Bodagh Mehrnaz , Maleki Iradj , Hekmatdoost Azita 
Published: November 2018

AbstractGinger, the rhizome of Zingiber officinale, which is used as a spice globally has a long history of medicinal use that stimulates investigators to assess its potential roles as an adjuvant therapy or alternative medicine in a range of diseases. Anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, and antiulcer effects of ginger have been proven in many scientific studies, and some of the ancient applications of ginger as a home remedy has been confirmed in human. In this review, we summarized the current evidence on the effects of ginger consumption on gastrointestinal disorders based on clinical trials. Our data indicate that divided lower daily dosage of 1500 mg ginger is beneficial for nausea relief. Because of limited number of studies on some other gastrointestinal disorders, the results may not be as much powered as to find significant results. Therefore, more extensive and well‐controlled human studies of ginger or its standard extracts are required to demonstrate its efficacy as a gastroprotective agent. Dose‐finding studies should be undertaken to accurately determine the effective dose and preparation of ginger in further clinical trials protocol.
Telomere length, ZNF208 genetic variants and risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Hainan Li population
Authors: Ding Yipeng , Zhou Xiaoman , Wu Cibing , Li Quanni , Sun Juan , Niu Huan , Lin Daobo , Sun Dingwei , Xie Pingdong , Wu Duoyi , Zhao Jie , He Ping 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease characterized by airflow limitation. It is not completely reversible and shows progressive development. ZNF208 rs8105767 affects telomere length, although the impact of telomere on COPD is still controversial. In the present study, we aimed to explore the impact of the ZNF208 gene polymorphism on telomere length and also that of telomere length on COPD in the Hainan Li population.MethodsIn total, 270 COPD patients and 288 controls were recruited. Telomere length was measured by a quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms in ZNF208 were selected and genotyping was performed using MassARRAY software (Agena Bioscience Co. Ltd, San Diego, CA, USA). Differences in telomere length among the subjects with three genotypes of related genes were assessed using analysis of variance. Unconditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) as the indicator of association between telomere length and COPD risk.ResultsRelative telomere length in the COPD group and control group was 0.66 ± 0.47 and 1.44 ± 0.89, respectively. We grouped according to a median of 0.8284 for telomere length and observed that the risk of COPD for individuals with a telomere length less than 0.8284 is 2.92 times that for individuals with a telomere length longer than 0.8284 (OR = 2.92, 95% confidence interval = 2.01–4.25, p = 1.91 × 10–8). Subjects carrying the G allele of rs2188972 had a longer telomere length. Subjects carrying the carrying the CA genotype of rs8103163 and AC genotype of rs7248488 had a longer telomere length compared to wild‐type individuals.ConclusionsShorter telomeres increase COPD risk and the ZNF208 polymorphism affects telomere length in COPD patients.
Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Psychological Comorbidities Among U.S. Active Duty Service Members, 2006–2013
Authors: Walter Kristen H. , Levine Jordan A. , Highfill‐McRoy Robyn M. , Navarro Melissa , Thomsen Cynthia J. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAmong active duty service members, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnoses have increased dramatically since 2000. Because psychiatric comorbidity is more common for PTSD than for other mental health disorders, we examined the prevalence estimates of disorders comorbid or trimorbid with PTSD in this study. The medical records of 523,626 female and male active duty Sailors and Marines who entered the U.S. military between 2006 and 2013 were examined for diagnoses of PTSD and 14 potentially comorbid disorders. Results showed that 1.8% of military members had a PTSD diagnosis; among those with PTSD, 83.3% had a comorbid mental health disorder, and 62.2% had a third (i.e., trimorbid) disorder. Most frequently, PTSD co‐occurred with depressive disorder (49.0%), adjustment disorder (37.0%), generalized anxiety disorder (36.1%), and alcohol use disorder (26.9%). All disorders we examined were significantly more likely to be diagnosed in service members with PTSD than in those without PTSD, odds ratios = 1.52–29.63. For service members with PTSD, comorbid mental health disorders are the rule rather than the exception. Consequently, it is important that clinicians also assess for other disorders and select treatment options that address both PTSD and comorbid conditions.
Optimization of optical current sensor based on rare‐earth magneto‐optical glass
Authors: Shen Yan , Ge Jin‐Ming , Liu Rui‐Tong , Fan Wei , Yang Ying‐Xuan 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCompared to the present diamagnetic glass used in the sensing element of optical current sensors (OCSs), the high‐sensitivity characteristics of the rare‐earth magneto‐optical glass (REMOG) can significantly improve the performance of an REMOG sensing element. The optimization objective of this study was to enhance the sensitivity of the sensing element and reduce linear birefringence. Theoretical analysis and experimental data were combined to study the practical influences of a few factors, such as the size and spatial position of the glass, the wavelength of the incident light, and the rare‐earth doping concentration, on the sensitivity of an OCS sensing element. Finally, an optimal parameter combination was obtained. The experimental results showed that the response sensitivity of the REMOG sensing element is seven times the sensitivity using diamagnetic glass.
Bandwidth enlargement of low‐profile slot antenna using ground resonance mode
Authors: Moon Sungjin , Kim Hyeongdong 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIn this paper, we propose a method to increase the coupling between the ground and the antenna to improve the radiation performance of the mobile antenna. By adjusting the length of the slot antenna located at the center of the 48 mm × 15 mm ground resonating at 2.45 GHz, the coupling between the ground and the antenna can be controlled. When the coupling between the ground and the antenna is sufficiently strong, the ground resonance mode is strongly excited and a better radiation performance can be obtained. As the length of the slot antenna increases from 5 to 10 mm, the coupling between the ground and the antenna becomes stronger and the impedance bandwidth of −10 dB at 2.45 GHz becomes five times wider from 160 MHz (6.5%) to 780 MHz (31.8%).
A finite element method for localized erosion in porous media with applications to backward piping in levees
Authors: Rotunno Andrea Francesco , Callari Carlo , Froiio Francesco 
Published: November 2018

SummaryThis paper presents a computational method able to effectively model both the simultaneous processes typically observed in backward erosion piping, ie, the pipe tip propagation and the conduit cross‐section enlargement. The numerical method is based on the novel formulation of a problem of localized erosion along a line propagating in a multidimensional porous medium. In this line, a conduit with evolving transverse size is embedded, which conveys a multiphase flow. The two systems, porous medium and pipe, are bridged by exchange terms of multiphase fluid mass and by a shared fluid pressure field. On the contrary, different fields are considered to describe flows, which are assumed as Darcian in the porous medium and turbulent in the conduit. These two flows drive pipe propagation and enlargement, respectively, as modeled by means of proper erosion kinetic laws. The corresponding numerical formulation is based on the combination between one‐ and multidimensional finite elements, to model the erosion conduit and the porous medium, respectively. Several simulations are proposed to demonstrate the ability of the proposed approach in reproducing available experimental data of real‐scale tests on levees. Our results point out the crucial role played by the combined influence of pipe propagation and enlargement, as well as of three‐dimensional (3D) effects. We also assess the mesh independence of the proposed numerical solution, particularly as concerns the calculated pipe propagation history.
Dual androgen receptor (AR) and STAT3 inhibition by a compound targeting the AR amino‐terminal domain
Authors: Hua Yaping , Azeem Waqas , Shen Yunheng , Zhang Shoude , Olsen Jan R. , Øyan Anne M. , Ke Xisong , Zhang Weidong , Kalland Karl‐Henning 
Published: November 2018

AbstractProstate cancer (PCa) often recurs as incurable castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) after the failure of androgen deprivation therapy. CRPC development relies on androgen receptor (AR) signaling. The IL6/STAT3 pathway is also a key driver of CRPC. The crosstalk between IL6/STAT3 and the AR pathways provides opportunities to explore next‐generation agents to treat PCa. Through screening of around 600 natural compounds in our newly established prostate tumorigenesis model, potential STAT3 signaling inhibitors were found and additionally examined for effects on AR signaling. The small molecular compound 154 exhibited dual effects on IL6/STAT3 and AR pathways. We show here that compound 154 inhibits AR and STAT3 transcriptional activity, reduces the expression of phosphorylation of STAT3 (Y705) and downregulates the mRNA levels of AR target genes. Compound 154 also inhibits protein expression of AR and AR splice variants (ARv567es and AR‐V7) without altering AR mRNA levels. Compound 154 binds to AR directly, but not to STAT3 and is identified as an antagonist of the AR amino‐terminal domain (NTD) by disrupting protein‐protein interactions between STAT3 and the AR NTD. Moreover, compound 154 does not reduce AR nuclear translocation. Compound 154 possesses the potential to become a leading compound in novel therapies against CRPC.
Legal, regulatory, and ethical frameworks for development of standards in artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous robotic surgery
Authors: O'Sullivan Shane , Nevejans Nathalie , Allen Colin , Blyth Andrew , Leonard Simon , Pagallo Ugo , Holzinger Katharina , Holzinger Andreas , Sajid Mohammed Imran , Ashrafian Hutan 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundThis paper aims to move the debate forward regarding the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous robotic surgery with a particular focus on ethics, regulation and legal aspects (such as civil law, international law, tort law, liability, medical malpractice, privacy and product/device legislation, among other aspects).MethodsWe conducted an intensive literature search on current or emerging AI and autonomous technologies (eg, vehicles), military and medical technologies (eg, surgical robots), relevant frameworks and standards, cyber security/safety‐ and legal‐systems worldwide. We provide a discussion on unique challenges for robotic surgery faced by proposals made for AI more generally (eg, Explainable AI) and machine learning more specifically (eg, black box), as well as recommendations for developing and improving relevant frameworks or standards.ConclusionWe classify responsibility into the following: (1) Accountability; (2) Liability; and (3) Culpability. All three aspects were addressed when discussing responsibility for AI and autonomous surgical robots, be these civil or military patients (however, these aspects may require revision in cases where robots become citizens). The component which produces the least clarity is Culpability, since it is unthinkable in the current state of technology. We envision that in the near future a surgical robot can learn and perform routine operative tasks that can then be supervised by a human surgeon. This represents a surgical parallel to autonomously driven vehicles. Here a human remains in the ‘driving seat’ as a ‘doctor‐in‐the‐loop’ thereby safeguarding patients undergoing operations that are supported by surgical machines with autonomous capabilities.
Advances in real‐world applications for legged robots
Authors: Bellicoso C. Dario , Bjelonic Marko , Wellhausen Lorenz , Holtmann Kai , Günther Fabian , Tranzatto Marco , Fankhauser Péter , Hutter Marco 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThis paper provides insight into the application of the quadrupedal robot ANYmal in outdoor missions of industrial inspection (autonomous robot for gas and oil sites [ARGOS] challenge) and search and rescue (European Robotics League (ERL) Emergency Robots). In both competitions, the legged robot had to autonomously and semiautonomously navigate in real‐world scenarios to complete high‐level tasks such as inspection and payload delivery. In the ARGOS competition, ANYmal used a rotating light detection and ranging sensor to localize on the industrial site and map the terrain and obstacles around the robot. In the ERL competition, additional real‐time kinematic–global positioning system was used to colocalize the legged robot with respect to a micro aerial vehicle that creates maps from the aerial view. The high mobility of legged robots allows overcoming large obstacles, for example, steps and stairs, with statically and dynamically stable gaits. Moreover, the versatile machine can adapt its posture for inspection and payload delivery. The paper concludes with insight into the general learnings from the ARGOS and ERL challenges.
Highly Efficient Removal of Suspended Solid Pollutants from Wastewater by Magnetic Fe3O4‐Graphene Oxides Nanocomposite
Authors: Wu Yuchen , Jiang Gaopeng , Cano Zachary P. , Liu Guihua , Liu Wenwen , Feng Kun , Lui Gregory , Zhang Zisheng , Chen Zhongwei 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIn this work, the magnetic Fe3O4‐graphene oxide (Fe3O4‐GO) nanocomposite is synthesized via a facile one‐pot hydrothermal method and used for settling down and removing solid suspended particles in wastewater. Physicochemical characterizations not only confirm the successful in‐situ deposition of magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles on GO nanosheets, but also disclose the strong interaction between them. The Fe3O4‐GO nanocomposite demonstrates an excellent capability of accelerating the settling process in the presence of magnetic field. It can reduce the Kaolinite solid particle concentration by an order of magnitude within 30 minutes, which is one time faster than that in the absence of magnetic field. The solid suspension absorbing behavior on the Fe3O4‐GO nanocomposite in the presence of magnetic field is found to fit with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models and the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. The calculated adsorption capacity reaches 58.46 mg⋅mg−1, and the initial adsorption rate reaches as high as 0.0275 mg⋅mg−1⋅min−1. The Fe3O4‐GO nanocomposite is proved to be an effective, efficient and promising magnetic coagulant for the rapid treatment of solid suspended particles in wastewater and natural water.
Iron‐Catalyzed Tandem C‐N and C–C bond Cleavage in Diaryl Methanamines: Use of Electron‐Rich Arenes as Leaving Group to Generate Triaryl Methanes
Authors: Paul Dipankar , Khatua Snehadrinarayan , Chatterjee Paresh N. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractA facile FeCl3 catalyzed tandem C−N and C−C bond cleavage in N‐protected diaryl methanamines has been studied where the C−C bond cleavage, interestingly, results in the release of electron‐rich and sterically bulky arenes such as 1,3,5‐trimethoxybenzene or 3,5‐dimethoxytoluene. The tandem bond cleavage reaction generates triaryl methanes in mild conditions under air atmosphere. We found success in isolating the intermediate, formed through the preliminary C−N bond cleavage, and then converted the isolated intermediate to the final triaryl methanes by affecting the subsequent C−C bond cleavage. Several nucleophiles such as indoles, furans, 4‐methoxythiophenol and 1,3‐dimethoxybenzene were found effective under Lewis acidic conditions to cause the unusual yet facile tandem bond cleavage reaction in the diaryl methanamines. Use of electron‐rich and sterically bulky arenes as leaving groups in the present work highlights an innovative concept, which may potentially open up parallel avenues in organic synthesis.
Direct Visualization of Li Dendrite Effect on LiCoO2 Cathode by In Situ TEM
Authors: Yang Zhenzhong , Ong Phuong‐Vu , He Yang , Wang Le , Bowden Mark E. , Xu Wu , Droubay Timothy C. , Wang Chongmin , Sushko Peter V. , Du Yingge 
Published: November 2018

AbstractNonuniform and highly localized Li dendrites are known to cause deleterious and, in many cases, catastrophic effects on the performance of rechargeable Li batteries. However, the mechanisms of cathode failures upon contact with Li metal are far from clear. In this study, using in situ transmission electron microscopy, the interaction of Li metal with well‐defined, epitaxial thin films of LiCoO2, the most widely used cathode material, is directly visualized at an atomic scale. It is shown that a spontaneous and prompt chemical reaction is triggered once Li contact is made, leading to expansion and pulverization of LiCoO2 and ending with the final reaction products of Li2O and Co metal. A topotactic phase transition is identified close to the reaction front, resulting in the formation of CoO as a metastable intermediate. Dynamic structural and chemical imaging, in combination with ab initio simulations, reveal that a high density of grain and antiphase boundaries is formed at the reaction front, which are critical for enabling the short‐range topotactic reactions and long‐range Li propagation. The fundamental insights are of general importance in mitigating Li dendrites related issues and guiding the design principle for more robust energy materials.
Enhanced Sensitivity in Nanopore Sensing of Cancer Biomarkers in Human Blood via Click Chemistry
Authors: Zhang Zehui , Li Ting , Sheng Yingying , Liu Lei , Wu Hai‐Chen 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCancer biomarkers are expected to be indicative of the occurrence of certain cancer diseases before the tumors form and metastasize. However, many biomarkers can only be acquired in extremely low concentrations, which are often beyond the limit of detection (LOD) of current instruments and technologies. A practical strategy for nanopore sensing of cancer biomarkers in raw human blood down to the femtomolar level is developed here. This strategy first converts the detection of cancer biomarkers to the quantification of copper ions by conducting a sandwich assay involving copper oxide nanoparticles. The released Cu2+ is then taken to catalyze the “click” reaction which ligates a host–guest modified DNA probe. Finally, this DNA probe is subjected to single‐channel recordings to afford the translocation events that can be used to derive the concentrations of the original biomarkers. Due to the amplification effects of nanoparticle loadings and the “click” reaction, the LOD of this strategy can be as low as the subfemtomolar level. Further, the acid treatment step could effectively eliminate the interferences from plasma proteins in raw human blood and make the strategy highly suitable for the detection of cancer biomarkers in clinical samples.
Evaluating the safe interim use of seismically deficient buildings
Authors: Thiel Charles C. , Zsutty Theodore C. 
Published: November 2018

SummaryHow long can a seismically deficient building be used until the seismic risk becomes too high to be acceptable? A model interim use plan is developed with requirements to abandon the building if retrofit is not completed in the use period. Acceptable seismic performance is keyed to American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 41 levels. The acceptable occupancy or use period is limited to that which results in the same probability of performance as stated for an ASCE 7‐16–compliant building, except that the total risk in the use period is due to all possible earthquakes impacting the site, not just the maximum considered earthquake. The Thiel–Zsutty damage model is used to determine the probabilities for assigned threshold ranges where unacceptable performance can occur. Other response prediction models can be used if they provide an annual probability of a given performance level exceedance. Example applications are given for both marginally and highly deficient buildings located at 17 national sites in high and moderate seismic hazard regions and include ASCE 7 Risk Class I–IV buildings. This approach may be applied to any risk decision‐making issue for which there is an annual probability of damage exceedance.
Quality of Life (QoL) Among Ostomized Patients – a cross-sectional study using Stoma-care QoL questionnaire about the influence of some clinical and demographic data on patients’ QoL
Authors: Silva José O. , Gomes Pedro , Gonçalves David , Viana Charlene , Nogueira Fernanda , Goulart André , Leão Pedro , Mota Maria José , Peixoto Palmira , Rodrigues António Mesquita , Martins Sandra F. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIntroduction In Portugal around 20,000 individuals are ostomized, with all the associated changes in patients’ everyday life that can compromise their Quality of Life (QoL).Objectives Assess and compare QoL of a group of ostomized patients according to sex, age group, type of surgery, primary disease, stoma duration and stoma type.Material and methods Ostomized patients observed in Stomatherapy department in between January 1st and May 30th 2017 was enrolled. QoL was assessed using the questionnaire Stoma Care QoL Questionnaire). Four domains were evaluated: Self-esteem and Self-image – SeSi Score; relation with Family and Friends – FF Score; relation with Sleep and Fatigue – SF score and ostomy Device Functioning insecurities – DeF score.Results Urostomy patients had significantly higher Total Scores, SeSi and FF scores than colostomy and ileostomy patients. Regarding SeSi Score, patients aged 70 years old or more and malignant diseases presented significantly higher scores than their younger counterparts and benign causes, respectively. FF Score document that patients with malignant diseases have significantly higher scores than patients with benign diseases.Conclusions Ileostomy and colostomy patients have a significantly lower QoL than urostomy patients mostly because of its impact on social relations and self-esteem and self-image.