bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biologicals in rheumatoid arthritis: current and future
Authors: Avci Ali Berkant , Feist Eugen , Burmester Gerd-R
Published: August 2015

The aim of the review is to highlight the current knowledge about established and new biologicals and to summarise recent advances by focusing on comparative efficacy, safety and possible discontinuation of treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Up to now, comparative analyses showed only minor differences with respect to efficacy and safety among the established biologicals. Studies confirmed the excellent drug retention rate as well as efficacy and safety of approved biologicals including their use in monotherapy. Tapering and in some instances discontinuation of biologicals is possible in disease remission. In case of relapse, patients usually show full response after reintroduction of the same compound. The development of biologicals continues fast with several new biologicals targeting different or established cytokines or cellular subsets of the immune system. With several new biologicals in the pipeline and different formulations for established compounds, treatment options for RA will become even more versatile and sophisticated. Although we get closer to the aim of decreasing the proportion of refractory patients, many questions have to be addressed in the near future regarding emerging biosimilars and biologicals with new modes of action.
Intercalating in global health
Authors: Diffey Helena
Published: August 2015

After finishing her third year of veterinary studies at the Royal Veterinary College, Helena Diffey decided to intercalate in global health at Imperial College, London. She explains why global health needs more vets to get involved
First‐year student diary
Authors: Perrett Rosie
Published: August 2015

Rosie Perrett passed her end of year exams and has three months at home to ride, untidy her bedroom and do some EMS.
Cortisol, blood pressure, and heart rate responses to food intake were independent of physical fitness levels in women
Authors: Jayasinghe Sisitha U. , Torres Susan J. , Fraser Steve F. , Turner Anne I.
Published: August 2015

This research tested the hypothesis that women who had higher levels of physical fitness will have lower hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis (cortisol) and sympatho-adrenal medullary system (blood pressure and heart rate) responses to food intake compared with women who had low levels of physical fitness. Lower fitness (n = 22; maximal oxygen consumption = 27.4 ± 1.0 mL∙kg−1·min−1) and higher fitness (n = 22; maximal oxygen consumption = 41.9 ± 1.6 mL∙kg−1·min−1) women (aged 30–50 years; in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle) who participated in levels of physical activity that met (lower fitness = 2.7 ± 0.5 h/week) or considerably exceeded (higher fitness = 7.1 ± 1.4 h/week) physical activity guidelines made their own lunch using standardised ingredients at 1200 h. Concentrations of cortisol were measured in blood samples collected every 15 min from 1145–1400 h. Blood pressures and heart rate were also measured every 15 min between 1145 h and 1400 h. The meal consumed by the participants consisted of 20% protein, 61% carbohydrates, and 19% fat. There was a significant overall response to lunch in all of the parameters measured (time effect for all, p < 0.01). The cortisol response to lunch was not significantly different between the groups (time × treatment, p = 0.882). Overall, both groups showed the same pattern of cortisol secretion (treatment p = 0.839). Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, or heart rate responses (time × treatment, p = 0.726, 0.898, 0.713, and 0.620, respectively) were also similar between higher and lower fitness women. Results suggest that the physiological response to food intake in women is quite resistant to modification by elevated physical fitness levels.
Inhibitory activity of isoniazid and ethionamide againstCryptococcusbiofilms
Authors: Cordeiro Rossana de Aguiar , Serpa Rosana , Marques Francisca Jakelyne de Farias , de Melo Charlline Vládia Silva , Evangelista Antonio José de Jesus , Mota Valquíria Ferreira , Brilhante Raimunda Sâmia Nogueira , Bandeira Tereza de Jesus Pinheiro Gomes , Rocha Marcos Fábio Gadelha , Sidrim José Júlio Costa
Published: August 2015

In recent years, the search for drugs to treat systemic and opportunistic mycoses has attracted great interest from the scientific community. This study evaluated the in vitro inhibitory effect of the antituberculosis drugs isoniazid and ethionamide alone and combined with itraconazole and fluconazole against biofilms of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. Antimicrobials were tested at defined concentrations after susceptibility assays with Cryptococcus planktonic cells. In addition, we investigated the synergistic interaction of antituberculosis drugs and azole derivatives against Cryptococcus planktonic cells, as well as the influence of isoniazid and ethionamide on ergosterol content and cell membrane permeability. Isoniazid and ethionamide inhibited both biofilm formation and viability of mature biofilms. Combinations formed by antituberculosis drugs and azoles proved synergic against both planktonic and sessile cells, showing an ability to reduce Cryptococcus biofilms by approximately 50%. Furthermore, isoniazid and ethionamide reduced the content of ergosterol in Cryptococcus spp. planktonic cells and destabilized or permeabilized the fungal cell membrane, leading to leakage of macromolecules. Owing to the paucity of drugs able to inhibit Cryptococcus biofilms, we believe that the results presented here might be of interest in the designing of new antifungal compounds.
Characterization of the peristaltic reflex in murine distal colon
Authors: Zhang Yong , Paterson William G.
Published: August 2015

Ascending and descending neuromuscular reflexes play an important role in gastrointestinal motility. However, the underlying mechanisms in colon are incompletely understood. Nerve stimulation (NS)- and balloon distention (BD)-mediated reflexes in distal colonic circular smooth muscle (CSM) and longitudinal smooth muscle (LSM) of mice were investigated using conventional intracellular recordings. In the CSM, NS evoked ascending purinergic inhibitory junction potentials (IJPs), whereas BD induced atropine-sensitive ascending depolarization with superimposed action potentials (APs). The ascending depolarization reached a peak ∼4–7 s after the onset of distention and gradually returned to baseline after termination of the distention. In the LSM, NS produced an ascending biphasic IJP followed by a train of atropine-sensitive APs. Both stimuli produced similar descending IJPs in CSM and LSM, which were blocked by MRS-2500 and MRS-2179, putative purinergic receptor blockers. These data indicate that in the murine distal colon, descending purinergic inhibition in both CSM and LSM occurs. Ascending responses are more complex, with NS producing both inhibition and excitation to CSM and LSM, and BD evoking only cholinergic excitation.
Combined fit to BESIII data on e+e−→ hcπ+π− and χc0ω
Authors: Feng X. N. , Gao X. Y. , Shen C. P.
Published: August 2015

The cross-sections of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] were measured by the BESIII experiment. In both cross-section distributions, there are structures at a mass of about [Formula: see text]. A combined fit is performed to the two cross-section distributions, assuming the structures are due to the same vector resonant state, the [Formula: see text]. The parameters of the [Formula: see text] are determined using two fit methods. The ratios [Formula: see text] are obtained, which may help in the understanding of the nature of this structure. Although a similar work was done previously, all the multiple solutions in our fits are taken into account and our conclusions are more precise and complete.
An Improved Potential Field Based Method for Crowd Simulation
Authors: Xing Weiwei , Zhang Jian , Lu Wei , Bao Peng
Published: August 2015

Crowd simulation explores crowd behavior in virtual environments, which has been extensively studied in many areas, such as safety and civil engineering, transportation, social science, and entertainment industry. In this paper, an improved potential field method is proposed to achieve the real-time crowd simulation, which is composed of the global navigation with Dijkstra's algorithm and the potential field based local navigation. First, a region separation is performed to divide the environment into a set of triangles, and thus a topological graph can be built with the triangles as vertices. Then a velocity-density model is introduced for improving the speed controlling mechanism and solving the "maximum speed dilemma" which means the velocity of an individual derived by potential field will be stuck into the maximum due to the ill speed control. Since the movement of an individual in the crowd is influenced by the socio-psychological forces, the individuals' actions express the group attributes. In order to represent the group attributes in the crowd, the repulsive potential function is improved in this paper. Experiments have been carried out and the results show that the improved potential field based method can simulate the crowd in real time and avoid the "maximum speed dilemma".
A Short-Text Oriented Clustering Method for Hot Topics Extraction
Authors: Zheng Yan , Meng Zhaopeng , Xu Chao
Published: August 2015

A major challenge in document clustering is the extremely high dimensionality as well as the sparsity of the sample matrix. In this paper, we propose a new short-text oriented analysis approach to cluster short text automatically and extract the hot topics from each cluster. Different from the previous studies focused on long text, our analysis approach mainly focused on short-text cases. The approach consists of three stages: Firstly, generate feature vector for each sample so as to obtain the whole high-dimensional Vector Space Model; Secondly, use Singular Value Decomposition to achieve the dimensions reduction; Lastly, apply cosine similarity and k-means method to cluster samples on the low-dimensional matrix and extract the hot topics for each cluster. The experimental results show that our analysis approach can deal with the short-text samples and find out the hot topics efficiently and effectively.
An Online Quantified Safety Assessment Method for Train Service State Based on Safety Region Estimation and Hybrid Intelligence Technologies
Authors: Qin Yong , Yu Shan , Zhang Yuan , Jia Limin , Cheng Xiaoqing
Published: August 2015

Facing the important issues of safety analysis and assessment for the train service state, an online quantified safety assessment method based on the safety region estimation and hybrid intelligence technologies was proposed in this paper. First, the previous researches on the safety analysis and assessment were briefly reviewed for the train itself and its key equipment, and the existential problems were further pointed out. Then, using the safety monitoring data and the safety region estimation theory, a new online safety assessment method with data-driven was put forward, which was followed by a detailed description of the concrete implementation steps including the EMD (Local Mean Decomposition) and EM (Energy Moment) based safety risk evaluation index selection, Interval Type 2 Fuzzy C-Means (IT2FCM) clustering based safety region boundary calculation modeling and safety risk grading. Finally, in order to verify its performance through experiments, the above method was applied in analyzing and evaluating service states of the rolling bearings, the key equipment of the train, on the basis of mass field data. The experimental results indicate that this method is valid.
Cloud Computing Research Analysis Using Bibliometric Method
Authors: Cai Yuanyuan , Lu Wei , Wang Liqiang , Xing Weiwei
Published: August 2015

Cloud computing has been a mainstream solution for the processing and storage of mass data, as well as an exciting area for research. As a novel business model, cloud computing has dramatically changed the provision of services and IT capacity by means of the advanced techniques. In recent years, with the increasing research interests and rapid growth of publications, some review papers provide detailed analysis on cloud computing area. In this paper, a bibliometric-based approach is presented and implemented to quantitatively review the progress in global cloud computing research with the related literature during 2007–2013 from the databases of Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-E), Conference Proceedings Citation Index–Science (CPCI-S), and IEEEXplore. Our work is motivated by the purpose of tracing global advancement in terms of research content, geographic distribution and issue time of the related publications, rather than a specific technological area in cloud computing research. By investigating the characteristics of publications such as keywords, output, geographic distribution and affiliation, we draw some valuable conclusions to guide the further research. The experimental results show that the top 5 active research points of cloud computing concentrate on virtualization, security, mobile cloud, distributed computing, and scheduling. From the location-time aspect, China, USA, and India have published most of the papers, dominate cloud computing research and keep a high level on the international research cooperation. And there is a great increase in publication outputs especially in China and USA. Meanwhile, the analysis results demonstrate the top 3 high-cited research institutes of the University of Melbourne, University of California. Berkeley and University of Vienna in cloud computing research. The mobile cloud will be a future research hotspot and promising application field.
Mining Class Temporal Specification Dynamically Based on Extended Markov Model
Authors: Chen Deng , Huang Rubing , Qu Binbin , Jiang Sheng , Ju Jianping
Published: August 2015

Class temporal specification is a kind of important program specifications especially for object-oriented programs, which specifies that interface methods of a class should be called in a particular sequence. Currently, most existing approaches mine this kind of specifications based on finite state automaton. Observed that finite state automaton is a kind of deterministic models with inability to tolerate noise. In this paper, we propose to mine class temporal specifications relying on a probabilistic model extending from Markov chain. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work of learning specifications from object-oriented programs dynamically based on probabilistic models. Different from similar works, our technique does not require annotating programs. Additionally, it learns specifications in an online mode, which can refine existing models continuously. Above all, we talk about problems regarding noise and connectivity of mined models and a strategy of computing thresholds is proposed to resolve them. To investigate our technique's feasibility and effectiveness, we implemented our technique in a prototype tool ISpecMiner and used it to conduct several experiments. Results of the experiments show that our technique can deal with noise effectively and useful specifications can be learned. Furthermore, our method of computing thresholds provides a strong assurance for mined models to be connected.
Kauffman–Harary conjecture for alternating virtual knots
Authors: Cheng Zhiyun
Published: August 2015

In 1999, Kauffman–Harary conjectured that every non-trivial Fox p-coloring of a reduced, alternating knot diagram with prime determinant p is heterogeneous. Ten years later this conjecture was proved by Mattman and Solis. Williamson generalized this conjecture to alternating virtual knots and proved it for certain families of alternating virtual knots. In this paper, by studying the coloring matrices and the determinants of alternating virtual knot diagrams we give an affirmative answer to the Kauffman–Harary conjecture for alternating virtual knots.
Optical solitons in nonlinear directional couplers with G′/G-expansion scheme
Authors: Mirzazadeh Mohammad , Eslami Mostafa , Zhou Qin , Mahmood M. F. , Zerrad Essaid , Biswas Anjan , Belic Milivoj
Published: August 2015

This paper obtains soliton solutions in optical couplers. The governing equation is solved by the aid of G′/G-expansion scheme. There are four types of nonlinear media that are taken into consideration. These are Kerr law, power law, parabolic law, and dual-power law. There are two kinds optical couplers studied in this paper. They are twin-core couplers and multiple-core couplers, where coupling with nearest neighbors as well as coupling with all neighbors are considered. Dark and singular soliton solutions are retrieved. These soliton solutions come with constraint conditions that must hold for the solitons to exist.
Numerical analysis of optical logic gate based on nonlinear optical loop mirror with a photonic crystal fiber
Authors: Sharma Sneha , Kumar Jitendra
Published: August 2015

Ultrafast all-optical XOR and XNOR logic gates have been analyzed based on photonic crystal fiber (PCF) nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM). The performance of the logic operation is evaluated numerically using the coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equation and split step Fourier method. The wavelength allocation, peak power and the pulse width of signal with respect to the group velocity dispersion (GVD) and the nonlinearity of PCF affect the performance of logic gate. A highly nonlinear PCF with flattened dispersion is proposed to obtain 1 Tb/s operation.
All-optical diode realized by one-dimensional waveguide array
Authors: Peng Zhenjing , Li Hongji , Fan Zhiwei , Zhang Xiangyu , Li Yongyao
Published: August 2015

We demonstrate an optical diode by building a domain wall with one-dimensional waveguide array. The domain wall can be described by dividing the one-dimensional waveguide array into two equal parts, which have different refractive index, so that the waveguide array exists local potential. A Gaussian beam is kicked moving toward the domain wall and interacts with it. Transmission and reflection during the interaction between the Gaussian beam and the domain wall are found by changing related parameters. The detailed behavior of the Gaussian beam dynamics is analyzed numerically. Transmission of the Gaussian beam in one direction is much bigger than the opposite under certain circumstances and optical nonreciprocity is found in such a model, high transmission ratio of such model up to 300 is obtained. Thus the system can serve as an optical diode.
Fractional orbital angular momentum of light beams by topological trajectory
Authors: Shi Xuguang
Published: August 2015

We derive a rigorous quantum formula called topological trajectory to describe orbital angular momentum (OAM) index based on linear momentum density of Laguerre–Gauss (L–G) light beam. By considering the correspondence between optics and quantum theory, we construct a coherent state from two L–G modes light beam. The light beams with fractional OAM are described by the coherent state. By making use of topological trajectory, we present the conditions that OAM index is fractional.
Analyzing thoracic cavity gas during pneumothorax treatment to monitor the pneumothorax conditions in real time for updating the treatment strategy: A pilot study
Authors: Ma Hui , Jia Wei , Li Yuechuan
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To monitor the pneumothorax conditions in real time by analyzing thoracic cavity gas during pneumothorax treatment, and provide instructions for updating the treatment strategy.

Methods

The partial pressures of O2 and CO2 in the thoracic cavity from 49 pneumothorax patients was analyzed before the management and after chest tube clogging during the management. The pneumothorax type was differentially diagnosed according to the partial pressure results, and the treatment strategy was updated accordingly.

Results

The 49 pneumothorax patients were divided into four groups, as follows: Group A, 30 patients with a closed pneumothorax were confirmed to have a closed pneumothorax in the second analysis; Group B, 10 patients with an open pneumothorax were confirmed to have an open pneumothorax in the second analysis; Group C, three patients with a tension pneumothorax confirmed to have a tension pneumothorax in the second analysis; and Group D, six patients with a closed pneumothorax were re-diagnosed to have an open pneumothorax in the second analysis. The cure rates of the four groups after treatment were as follows: Group A (97%, 29/30), Group B (100%, 16/16), Group C (100%, 3/3) and Group D (100%, 6/6).

Conclusions

Analyzing thoracic cavity gas during pneumothorax treatment is suggested as an efficient way to monitor the pneumothorax conditions in real time and to provide instructions for updating the treatment strategy.
A Conversation with Adam Heller
Authors: Heller Adam , Cairns Elton J.
Published: August 2015

Adam Heller, Ernest Cockrell Sr. Chair in Engineering Emeritus of the John J. McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, recalls his childhood in the Holocaust and his contributions to science and technology that earned him the US National Medal of Technology and Innovation in a conversation with Elton J. Cairns, Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Heller, born in 1933, describes the enslavement of his father by Hungarians in 1942; the confiscation of his family's home, business, and all its belongings in 1944; and his incarceration in a brick factory with 18,000 Jews who were shipped by the Hungarians to be gassed by Germans in Auschwitz. Dr. Heller and his immediate family survived the Holocaust and arrived in Israel in 1945. He studied under Ernst David Bergmann at the Hebrew University, and then worked at Bell Laboratories and GTE Laboratories, where he headed Bell Lab's Electronic Materials Research Department. At GTE Laboratories, he built in 1966 the first neodymium liquid lasers and in 1973 with Jim Auborn conceived and engineered the lithium thionyl chloride battery, one of the first to be manufactured lithium batteries, which is still in use. After joining the faculty of engineering of The University of Texas at Austin, he cofounded with his son Ephraim Heller TheraSense, now a major part of Abbott Diabetes Care, which produced a microcoulometer that made the monitoring of glucose painless by accurately measuring the blood glucose concentration in 300 nL of blood. He also describes the electrical wiring of enzymes, the basis for Abbott's state-of-the-art continuous glucose monitoring system. He discusses his perspective of reducing the risk of catastrophic global warming in a wealth-accumulating, more-energy-consuming world and provides advice for students entering careers in science or engineering.
Gasification of Woody Biomass
Authors: Dai Jianjun , Saayman Jean , Grace John R. , Ellis Naoko
Published: August 2015

Interest in biomass to produce heat, power, liquid fuels, hydrogen, and value-added chemicals with reduced greenhouse gas emissions is increasing worldwide. Gasification is becoming a promising technology for biomass utilization with a positive environmental impact. This review focuses speci-fically on woody biomass gasification and recent advances in the field. The physical properties, chemical structure, and composition of biomass greatly affect gasification performance, pretreatment, and handling. Primary and secondary catalysts are of key importance to improve the conversion and cracking of tars, and lime-enhanced gasification advantageously combines CO2 capture with gasification. These topics are covered here, including the reaction mechanisms and biomass characterization. Experimental research and industrial experience are investigated to elucidate concepts, processes, and characteristics of woody biomass gasification and to identify challenges.
In-Situ Electrochemical Functionalization of Reduced Graphene Oxide: Positive Lead Acid Case
Authors: Dada Oluwaseun John , Yuen Matthew Ming-Fai
Published: August 2015

Reduced graphene and graphene oxide sheets have been in-situ functionalized during electrochemical reactions in lead acid cathode system. This research investigated the comparative differences in surface chemistry of reduced graphene and graphene oxide sheets, and their influence on electrochemical activity during the charge and discharge reactions at lead acid system. The reduction of graphene oxide sheets, brought about by the activity of OH- and H+ activity on graphene sheets within the gel zone. The grafting of HSO4
- and PbO(OH)+ ions from PbO…OH- gel zone intermediate complex, via covalent and non-covalent means, is determined to facilitate the ionic reactions at interphase zone of the positive active material.
Preparation and Properties of Graphene/Polyurethane Conductive Polymer Composite Films
Authors: Pang Beili , Yu Liyan , Dong Hongzhou , Dong Lifeng
Published: August 2015

In this study, graphene was prepared by Hummers method and modified by silane coupling agent to introduce vinyl group. Polyurethane copolymer was used as adhesive to crosslink graphene layers, and their composite was synthesized with isophorone diisocyanate, polyethylene glycol (PEG400) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. Composite films were cast on glass substrate and cured after UV irradiation, which demonstrated satisfactory conductivity, transparency and thermal resistance properties as functionalized graphene homogeneously dispersed in polymer matrix and a conductive path was successfully constructed.
The Nature of Graphene Surfaces as Determined from the Wettability Studies of Basal and Edge Planes
Authors: Bhattacharyya Dhiman , Depci Tolga , Assemi Shoeleh , Prisbrey Keith , Miller Jan D
Published: August 2015

Effective exploitation of the electronic properties of graphene in aqueous medium has been limited due to lack of information about its wettability characteristics. In this paper, fundamental wettability studies of the face and edge planes of graphene were accomplished through contact angle measurements of the as-received and oxidized surfaces. Further, Raman spectroscopic studies were performed to analyze the effect of oxidation on the graphene surfaces based on the D and G bands. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used for surface force measurements to determine the iso-electric point (IEP) of the face and edge surface. The interaction of hydrophobic fullerene and hydrophilic fullerol nanoparticles on the graphene face and edge surfaces was studied through AFM imaging. The zeta potential measurements of the above mentioned carbon nanoparticles were also carried out to confirm that the interaction was due to hydrophobic or hydrophilic forces and not due to electrostatic interactions. In addition molecular dynamics and ab-initio simulations were also carried out to verify the interactions of the carbon nanoparticles with the graphite surfaces.
The Role of Nodules in the Growth of Zn Whiskers from Alkaline Cyanide-Free Zn Electrodeposits
Authors: Wu Liang , Ashworth Mark A , Wilcox Geoffrey D
Published: August 2015

Electroplated zinc finishes have been widely used in the packaging of electronic products for many years as a result of their excellent corrosion resistance and relatively low cost. However, the spontaneous formation of whiskers on zinc electroplated components, which are capable of resulting in electrical shorting or other damaging effects, can be highly problematic for the reliability of long life electrical and electronic equipment. The current work investigated whisker growth from commercial alkaline cyanide-free zinc electrodeposits on mild steel substrates. The presence of nodules on the deposit surface significantly reduced the incubation time for whisker growth in comparison with that from planar regions of the deposit. The nodules were probably formed due to the built-in residual stress within the electrodeposit during deposition. The nodules were eliminated by grinding the surface of the steel prior to Zn deposition. However, in the absence of the nodules the incubation time for whisker growth was reduced compared with that from the as-received surface.
Electrochemical Investigation of Benzil/Aluminum Ion Interactions
Authors: Cheek Graham T.
Published: August 2015

The interaction of benzil with aluminum(III) trifluoromethane-sulfonate (Al(TfO)3) has been studied in both acetonitrile (AN) and 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium trifluoromethanesulfonate (BMPY TfO). In AN, benzil forms a strong complex with added Al3+ as suggested by a +0.50 V shift in the benzil reduction potential. Al3+ ions are also involved in the benzil reduction process. In BMPY TfO, benzil does not form a strong Al3+ complex, although Al3+ continues to play a role by strongly interacting with the benzil reduction products.
Effect of CO Poisoning of PEM Fuel Cell Anode on Impedance Spectra-Simulations
Authors: Fasmin Fathima , Ramanathan Srinivasan
Published: August 2015

In low temperature PEM fuel cells, CO poisoning of the anode catalyst lead to severe performance losses. To investigate the CO poisoning effects, researchers employ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), based on electrical equivalent circuits (EEC) models. But, EEC models do not correlate to the physicochemical processes in the cells and are valid only in the vicinity of the operating point. In this work, the CO poisoning model developed by Springer. et. al. (2) is employed to generate the transient behavior and the EIS of a completely poisoned anode by numerical techniques, in the galvanostatic and potentiostatic modes. Linear and bridge adsorbed states of CO on Pt surface are incorporated. The simulated results are compared with the experimental data from literature. The model is found to adequately replicate the experimental data in a qualitative manner. The manifestation of nonlinear effects due to the application of large amplitude perturbation signal is also examined.
Interpreting Impedance Spectra in the Time Constant Domain: Application to the Characterization of Passive Films
Authors: Ni Qing , Kirk Donald W. , Thorpe Steven J.
Published: August 2015

A data analysis method was developed for the interpretation of the electrochemical impedance spectra of electrodes with a layered structure. This method was successfully applied to the study of a layered titanium-supported antimony-tin oxide anode material which had an artificial passive layer. The time constant spectrum showed a distribution of resistance across a wide range of time constants associated with the non-stoichiometric structures of titanium oxide. From this spectrum, the resistance from the electrode material was extracted using deconvolution, and was found in agreement with the value estimated from the distortion of the cyclic voltammogram in ferrocyanide solution.
Studies on Carbon Mediated Paste Screen Printed Sensors for Blood Glucose Sensing Application
Authors: K Varadharaj Eswaramoorthy , Jampana Nagaraju
Published: August 2015

Ready-to-use screen printed glucose sensors are fabricated using Prussian Blue (PB) and Cobalt Phthalocyanine (CoPC) mediated carbon paste as working electrodes. The reference and counter electrodes are screen printed using silver/silver chloride and graphitic carbon paste respectively. The screen printed reference electrode (internal reference electrode (IRE)) is found to be stable for more than 60 minute when examined with standard calomel electrode. Optimal operating voltage for PB and CoPC screen printed sensors as determined by hydrodynamic voltammetric technique. The sensing characteristics of the fabricated sensors towards H2O2 are conducted and response found to be good. Glucose oxidase is immobilized on the working electrodes by cross-linking method. PB mediated glucose sensor exhibits a sensitivity of 5.60 mAcm-2/mM for the range 10 to 1000 μM. Sensitivity CoPC mediated glucose sensor are found to be 5.224 µAcm-2/mM. The amperometeric response is linear for the range, 100 to 1500 μM. Interference studies on the fabricated glucose sensors are conducted with species like uric acid and ascorbic acid. PB mediated sensors showed a completely interference-free behavior; while CoPC mediated sensors are influenced by uric acid and ascorbic acid due to higher operating voltage. The sensing characteristics of PB mediated glucose sensors are also studied in diluted human serum samples and the results are compared with the values obtained by standard clinical method. The co-efficient of variation found to be less than 5 %.
A Poly(ethylene carbonate)/Lithium Bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide/Titanium Oxide Composite Electrolyte Containing a Pyrrolidinium-based Ionic Liquid
Authors: Kimura Kento , Tominaga Yoichi
Published: August 2015

We describe electrochemical properties of a new quaternary poly(ethylene carbonate)/lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI) mixture-based electrolyte containing TiO2 and N-methyl-N-propyl-pyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (Pyr13FSI). Incorporation of TiO2 and Pyr13FSI assured a reasonable ionic conductivity of close to 10-5 S cm-1 at 30 oC with favorable Li transference number (t
Li+) of 0.35 measured by an electrochemical method. A relatively fast conduction of Li cation in comparison with that of FSI anion was also proved by a study combining a solid-state NMR with a pulse field gradient (pfg) technique. In addition, anodic stabilities up to about 3.75 and 4.5 V vs. Li/Li+ were demonstrated at 40-60 oC and 30 oC, respectively.
Charge Trapping Memory with 2.85-nm Si-Nanoparticles Embedded in HfO2
Authors: El-Atab Nazek , Turgut Berk Berkan , Okyay Ali , Nayfeh Ammar
Published: August 2015

In this work, the effect of embedding 2.85-nm Si-nanoparticles charge trapping layer in between double layers of high-қ Al2O3/HfO2 oxides is studied. Using high frequency (1 MHz) C-Vgate measurements, the memory showed a large memory window at low program/erase voltages due to the charging of the Si-nanoparticles. The analysis of the C-V characteristics shows that mixed charges are being stored in the Si-nanoparticles where electrons get stored during the program operation while holes dominate in the Si-nanoparticles during the erase operation. Moreover, the retention characteristic of the memory is studied by measuring the memory hysteresis in time. The obtained retention characteristic (35.5% charge loss in 10 years) is due to the large conduction and valence band offsets between the Si-nanoparticles and the Al2O3/HfO2 tunnel oxide. The results show that band engineering is essential in future low-power non-volatile memory devices. In addition, the results show that Si-nanoparticles are promising in memory applications.
Transient impairment of dynamic renal autoregulation in early diabetes mellitus in rats
Authors: Mitrou Nicholas , Morrison Sidney , Mousavi Paymon , Braam Branko , Cupples William A.
Published: August 2015

Renal autoregulation is impaired in early (1 wk) diabetes mellitus (DM) induced by streptozotocin, but effective in established DM (4 wk). Furthermore nitric oxide synthesis (NOS) inhibition with NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) significantly improved autoregulation in early DM but not in established DM. We hypothesized that autoregulation is transiently impaired in early DM because of increased NO availability in the kidney. Because of the conflicting evidence available for a role of NO in DM, we tested the hypothesis that DM reduces autoregulation effectiveness by reducing the spatial similarity of autoregulation. Male Long-Evans rats were divided into control (CON) and diabetic (DM; streptozotocin) groups and followed for either 1 wk (CON1, n = 6; DM1, n = 5) or 4 wk (CON4, n = 7; DM4, n = 7). At the end of the experiment, dynamic autoregulation was assessed in isoflurane-anesthetized rats by whole kidney RBF during baseline, NOS1 inhibition, and nonselective NOS inhibition. Kidney surface perfusion, monitored with laser speckle contrast imaging, was used to assess spatial heterogeneity of autoregulation. Autoregulation was significantly impaired in DM1 rats and not impaired in DM4 rats. l-NAME caused strong renal vasoconstriction in all rats, but did not significantly affect autoregulation dynamics. Autoregulation was more spatially heterogeneous in DM1, but not DM4. Therefore, our results, which are consistent with transient impairment of autoregulation in DM, argue against the hypothesis that this impairment is NO-dependent, and suggest that spatial properties of autoregulation may also contribute to reduced autoregulatory effectiveness in DM1.
Vascular versus tubular renin: role in kidney development
Authors: Sequeira-Lopez Maria Luisa S. , Nagalakshmi Vidya K. , Li Minghong , Sigmund Curt D. , Gomez R. Ariel
Published: August 2015

Renin, the key regulated enzyme of the renin-angiotensin system regulates blood pressure, fluid-electrolyte homeostasis, and renal morphogenesis. Whole body deletion of the renin gene results in severe morphological and functional derangements, including thickening of renal arterioles, hydronephrosis, and inability to concentrate the urine. Because renin is found in vascular and tubular cells, it has been impossible to discern the relative contribution of tubular versus vascular renin to such a complex phenotype. Therefore, we deleted renin independently in the vascular and tubular compartments by crossing Ren1c fl/flmice to Foxd1-cre and Hoxb7-cre mice, respectively. Deletion of renin in the vasculature resulted in neonatal mortality that could be rescued with daily injections of saline. The kidneys of surviving mice showed the absence of renin, hypertrophic arteries, hydronephrosis, and negligible levels of plasma renin. In contrast, lack of renin in the collecting ducts did not affect kidney morphology, intra-renal renin, or circulating renin in basal conditions or in response to a homeostatic stress, such as sodium depletion. We conclude that renin generated in the renal vasculature is fundamental for the development and integrity of the kidney, whereas renin in the collecting ducts is dispensable for normal kidney development and cannot compensate for the lack of renin in the vascular compartment. Further, the main source of circulating renin is the kidney vasculature.
Slow- and fast-twitch hindlimb skeletal muscle phenotypes 12 wk after ⅚ nephrectomy in Wistar rats of both sexes
Authors: Acevedo Luz M. , Peralta-Ramírez Alan , López Ignacio , Chamizo Verónica E. , Pineda Carmen , Rodríguez-Ortiz Maria E. , Rodríguez Mariano , Aguilera-Tejero Escolástico , Rivero José-Luis L.
Published: August 2015

This study describes fiber-type adaptations in hindlimb muscles, the interaction of sex, and the role of hypoxia on this response in 12-wk ⅚ nephrectomized rats (Nx). Contractile, metabolic, and morphological features of muscle fiber types were assessed in the slow-twitch soleus and the fast-twitch tibialis cranialis muscles of Nx rats, and compared with sham-operated controls. Rats of both sexes were considered in both groups. A slow-to-fast fiber-type transformation occurred in the tibialis cranialis of Nx rats, particularly in males. This adaptation was accomplished by impaired oxidative capacity and capillarity, increased glycolytic capacity, and no changes in size and nuclear density of muscle fiber types. An oxidative-to-glycolytic metabolic transformation was also found in the soleus muscle of Nx rats. However, a modest fast-to-slow fiber-type transformation, fiber hypertrophy, and nuclear proliferation were observed in soleus muscle fibers of male, but not of female, Nx rats. Serum testosterone levels decreased by 50% in male but not in female Nx rats. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α protein level decreased by 42% in the tibialis cranialis muscle of male Nx rats. These data demonstrate that 12 wk of Nx induces a muscle-specific adaptive response in which myofibers do not change (or enlarge minimally) in size and nuclear density, but acquire markedly different contractile and metabolic characteristics, which are accompanied by capillary rarefaction. Muscle function and sex play relevant roles in these adaptations.
Doublet potentiation in the triceps surae is limited by series compliance and dynamic fascicle behavior
Authors: Mayfield Dean L. , Lichtwark Glen A. , Cronin Neil J. , Avela Janne , Cresswell Andrew G.
Published: August 2015

Activation of skeletal muscle twice in quick succession results in nonlinear force summation (i.e., doublet potentiation). The force contributed by a second activation is typically of augmented amplitude, longer in duration, and generated at a greater rate. The purpose of this study was to examine force summation in a muscle attached to a compliant tendon, where considerable internal shortening occurs during a fixed-end contraction. The triceps surae of 21 ( Experiment 1) and 9 ( Experiment 2) young adults were maximally activated with doublet stimulation of different interstimulus intervals (ISIs) (5-100 ms) at several muscle lengths. Ultrasound images acquired from lateral gastrocnemius and soleus muscles allowed quantification of dynamic fascicle behavior. Force summation was muscle length dependent. Force augmentation was limited to a short muscle length. Lateral gastrocnemius and soleus fascicles underwent large amounts of active shortening and achieved high velocities in response to doublet stimulation, dynamics unfavorable for force production. Summation amplitude and the sensitivity of summation to ISI were dramatically depressed in the triceps surae after comparison to muscles with less fixed-end compliance. We propose that the internal shortening permitted by high series compliance limited force augmentation by offsetting and/or interfering with activation and cross-bridge processes driving augmentation. High series compliance may also reduce the sensitivity of the summated response to ISI, an assertion supported by predictions from a Hill-type muscle model. These muscles may exhibit greater force augmentation during more accustomed stretch-shorten tasks (i.e., hopping), where the compliance of the Achilles tendon actually enables near-isometric fascicle behavior.
Modeling and simulating the neuromuscular mechanisms regulating ankle and knee joint stiffness during human locomotion
Authors: Sartori Massimo , Maculan Marco , Pizzolato Claudio , Reggiani Monica , Farina Dario
Published: August 2015

This work presents an electrophysiologically and dynamically consistent musculoskeletal model to predict stiffness in the human ankle and knee joints as derived from the joints constituent biological tissues (i.e., the spanning musculotendon units). The modeling method we propose uses electromyography (EMG) recordings from 13 muscle groups to drive forward dynamic simulations of the human leg in five healthy subjects during overground walking and running. The EMG-driven musculoskeletal model estimates musculotendon and resulting joint stiffness that is consistent with experimental EMG data as well as with the experimental joint moments. This provides a framework that allows for the first time observing 1) the elastic interplay between the knee and ankle joints, 2) the individual muscle contribution to joint stiffness, and 3) the underlying co-contraction strategies. It provides a theoretical description of how stiffness modulates as a function of muscle activation, fiber contraction, and interacting tendon dynamics. Furthermore, it describes how this differs from currently available stiffness definitions, including quasi-stiffness and short-range stiffness. This work offers a theoretical and computational basis for describing and investigating the neuromuscular mechanisms underlying human locomotion.
Sarcoidosis and Histoplasmosis: Is One a Consequence of the Other? A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Bansal Anupam , Drewek Rupali
Published: August 2015

Sarcoidosis involves abnormal collections of inflammatory cells (granulomas) which may form as nodules in multiple organs. 90% of affected patients have respiratory tract abnormalities. We present a 61-year-old male with sarcoidosis who was admitted for respiratory distress. Fibrosing mediastinitis was seen in the chest computograph. Management was conservative and included steroids, antibiotics, and oxygen therapy. Sarcoidosis and fibrosing mediastinitis are rare. Fibrosing mediastinitis is more commonly seen with histoplasmosis. We explore the clinical similarities between histoplasmosis and sarcoidosis. We also explore the potential cause and effect relationship and workup for each disease entity.
A Dilemma in Staging of Esophageal Cancer: How Should We Stage ypT0 N2 M0 Esophageal Cancer after Neoadjuvant Therapy?
Authors: Celik Sebahattin , Erten Remzi , Batur Abdulsamed , Suvak Burak
Published: August 2015

Background. Since neoadjuvant treatment in esophageal cancer began to become popular, a complete pathological response at the primary tumour site has been commonly reported. An issue of conflict is whether complete response in the esophageal lumen means that the esophagus is completely tumour-free. Another important issue is whether lymph nodes that are retrieved from pathologically complete response cases are also tumour-free or not. There is a gap in the esophageal cancer staging system for ypT0 N2 M0 tumours that have received neoadjuvant therapy. Here, we will discuss the problem about staging of esophageal cancer associated with neoadjuvant therapy.Case. A female aged 40 years complaining of dysphagia was diagnosed as having locally advanced thoracic esophageal cancer. Neoadjuvant therapy decision was taken by oncology committee. Six weeks after neoadjuvant therapy, with a curative intention, minimal invasive surgery was performed. The pathology report was as follows. “There were no neoplastic cells in the suspected area of the esophageal mucosa upon examination with all staining. There was no cancer at resection margins. Four metastatic lymph nodes were infiltrated with squamous cell cancer.”Conclusion. Despite the growing use of neoadjuvant treatment in locally advanced esophageal cancer in world, we do not have a protocol for the evaluation of these patients’ pathology reports. We believe that new studies and new ideas are needed to resolve this dilemma associated with neoadjuvant therapy.
Role of Inositol Phosphosphingolipid Phospholipase C1, the Yeast Homolog of Neutral Sphingomyelinases in DNA Damage Response and Diseases
Authors: Tripathi Kaushlendra
Published: August 2015

Sphingolipids play a very crucial role in many diseases and are well-known as signaling mediators in many pathways. Sphingolipids are produced during thede novoprocess in the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) from the nonsphingolipid precursor and comprise both structural and bioactive lipids. Ceramide is the central core of the sphingolipid pathway, and its production has been observed following various treatments that can induce several different cellular effects including growth arrest, DNA damage, apoptosis, differentiation, and senescence. Ceramides are generally produced through the sphingomyelin hydrolysis and catalyzed by the enzyme sphingomyelinase (SMase) in mammals. Presently, there are many known SMases and they are categorized into three groups acid SMases (aSMases), alkaline SMases (alk-SMASES), and neutral SMases (nSMases). The yeast homolog of mammalians neutral SMases is inositol phosphosphingolipid phospholipase C. Yeasts generally have inositol phosphosphingolipids instead of sphingomyelin, which may act as a homolog of mammalian sphingomyelin. In this review, we shall explain the structure and function of inositol phosphosphingolipid phospholipase C1, its localization inside the cells, mechanisms, and its roles in various cell responses during replication stresses and diseases. This review will also give a new basis for our understanding for the mechanisms and nature of the inositol phosphosphingolipid phospholipase C1/nSMase.