bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Designing a Rule-based Wizard for Visualizing Statistical Data on Thematic Maps
Authors: Tsorlini Angeliki , Sieber René , Hurni Lorenz , Klauser Hubert , Gloor Thomas
Published: November 2017

Thematic maps are used in a wide range of scientific fields to illustrate specific geographic phenomena. For their correct construction, the mapmaker has to select the appropriate data, and then consider different parameters and constraints in order to visualize them effectively. In this paper, these parameters were analyzed, so that a consistent and standardized workflow for producing thematic maps could be set up. This workflow served as the basis for designing and implementing a step-by-step wizard-based application. Its goal is to guide mapmakers—experts or laypersons—to create cartographically sound thematic maps based on statistical data, in a user-friendly way. To standardize the procedure, we analyzed the relationships between different mapping techniques and the types of data with which they are used to illustrate a geographic phenomenon. Based on this analysis, we created a new taxonomy of mapping techniques and used it to automate the selection procedure within the wizard. This analysis could also be of general use for researchers producing thematic maps in different mapping applications.
Review of Unclassed Choropleth Mapping
Authors: Kelly Brett
Published: November 2017

Although unclassed choropleth maps lead to a more accurate representation of data, grouping of data into classes is still common. Commonly-used data classification techniques such as equal-interval, quantiles, and natural breaks produce very different and possibly misleading representations. An unclassed map creates a distinct color for each unique value. The method was introduced by Tobler in 1973 using an x, y coordinate plotter that created crossed-line shadings. Tobler’s unclassed proposal used grayscale values because color displays were not yet available. Current color monitors have the ability to display 16.7 million colors, while most GIS software packages have limits to their color ramps. QGIS defines color ramps with up to 999 classes. It is also possible to define up to 1000 classes in ArcMap, and ArcGIS Pro has an “Unclassed” option when styling choropleth maps. Utilizing more color classes results in a more truthful map due to minimizing error from the grouping of data. The unclassed method is examined here along with color ramps and classification schemes in QGIS and Esri’s ArcMap/ArcGIS Pro. It is demonstrated that it is usually impossible to create a truly unclassed choropleth map using the default color schemes in these programs.
Change in hydration indices associated with an increase in total water intake of more than 0.5 L/day, sustained over 4 weeks, in healthy young men with initial total water intake below 2 L/day
Authors: Stookey Jodi D. , Hamer Janice , Killilea David W.
Published: November 2017

This secondary data analysis addressed gaps in knowledge about effects of chronic water intake. Longitudinal data from the Adapt Study were used to describe effects of prescribing a sustained increase in water intake relative to baseline, for 4 weeks, on multiple indices of total body water (TBW) flux, regulation, distribution, and volume in five healthy, free‐living, young men, with mean total water intake initially below 2 L/day. Indices were measured weekly. Within‐person fixed effect models tested for significant changes in indices over time and associations between changes in indices. Agreement between indices was described. Mixed models tested if baseline between‐person differences in hydration indices modified changes in indices over time. Body water flux: The half‐life of water in the body decreased significantly. Body water regulation: Serum osmolality decreased significantly. Urine anti‐diuretic hormone, sodium, potassium, and osmolality decreased significantly. Plasma aldosterone and serum sodium increased significantly. Body water distribution: No significant changes were observed. Body water volume: Saliva osmolality decreased significantly. Body weight increased significantly by a mean ± SEM of 1.8% ± 0.5% from baseline over 4 weeks. Changes in indices were significantly inter‐correlated. Agreement between indices changed over 4 weeks. Baseline saliva osmolality significantly modified responses to chronic water intake. The results motivate hypotheses for future studies: Chronic TBW deficit occurs in healthy individuals under daily life conditions and increases chronic disease risk; Sustained higher water intake restores TBW through gradual isotonic retention of potassium and/or sodium; Saliva osmolality is a sensitive and specific index of chronic hydration status.
Cholesterol depletion does not alter the capacitance or Ca handling of the surface or t‐tubule membranes in mouse ventricular myocytes
Authors: Gadeberg Hanne C. , Kong Cherrie H. T. , Bryant Simon M. , James Andrew F. , Orchard Clive H.
Published: November 2017

Cholesterol is a key component of the cell plasma membrane. It has been suggested that the t‐tubule membrane of cardiac ventricular myocytes is enriched in cholesterol and that this plays a role in determining t‐tubule structure and function. We have used methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (MβCD) to deplete cholesterol in intact and detubulated mouse ventricular myocytes to investigate the contribution of cholesterol to t‐tubule structure, membrane capacitance, and the distribution of Ca flux pathways. Depletion of membrane cholesterol was confirmed using filipin; however, di‐8‐ANEPPS staining showed no differences in t‐tubule structure following MβCD treatment. MβCD treatment had no significant effect on the capacitance:volume relationship of intact myocytes or on the decrease in capacitance:volume caused by detubulation. Similarly, Ca influx and efflux were not altered by MβCD treatment and were reduced by a similar amount following detubulation in untreated and MβCD‐treated cells. These data show that cholesterol depletion has similar effects on the surface and t‐tubule membranes and suggest that cholesterol plays no acute role in determining t‐tubule structure and function.
Products of Snowflaked Euclidean Lines Are Not Minimal for Looking Down
Authors: Joseph Matthieu , Rajala Tapio
Published: November 2017

We show that products of snowflaked Euclidean lines are not minimal for looking down. This question was raised in Fractured fractals and broken dreams, Problem 11.17, by David and Semmes. The proof uses arguments developed by Le Donne, Li and Rajala to prove that the Heisenberg group is not minimal for looking down. By a method of shortcuts, we define a new distance d such that the product of snowflaked Euclidean lines looks down on (RN, d), but not vice versa.
Accuracy and repeatability positioning of high-performancel athe for non-circular turning
Authors: Majda Paweł , Powałka Bartosz
Published: November 2017

This paper presents research on the accuracy and repeatability of CNC axis positioning in an innovative lathe with an additional Xs axis. This axis is used to perform movements synchronized with the angular position of the main drive, i.e. the spindle, and with the axial feed along the Z axis. This enables the one-pass turning of non-circular surfaces, rope and trapezoidal threads, as well as the surfaces of rotary tools such as a gear cutting hob, etc. The paper presents and discusses the interpretation of results and the calibration effects of positioning errors in the lathe’s numerical control system. Finally, it shows the geometric characteristics of the rope thread turned at various spindle speeds, including before and after-correction of the positioning error of the Xs axis.
New characterizations of magnetic Sobolev spaces
Authors: Nguyen Hoai-Minh , Pinamonti Andrea , Squassina Marco , Vecchi Eugenio
Published: November 2017

We establish two new characterizations of magnetic Sobolev spaces for Lipschitz magnetic fields in terms of nonlocal functionals. The first one is related to the BBM formula, due to Bourgain, Brezis and Mironescu. The second one is related to the work of the first author on the classical Sobolev spaces. We also study the convergence almost everywhere and the convergence in

L
1

{L^{1}}

appearing naturally in these contexts.
Data compression strategies for ptychographic diffraction imaging
Authors: Loetgering Lars , Rose Max , Treffer David , Vartanyants Ivan A. , Rosenhahn Axel , Wilhein Thomas
Published: November 2017

Ptychography is a computational imaging method for solving inverse scattering problems. To date, the high amount of redundancy present in ptychographic data sets requires computer memory that is orders of magnitude larger than the retrieved information. Here, we propose and compare data compression strategies that significantly reduce the amount of data required for wavefield inversion. Information metrics are used to measure the amount of data redundancy present in ptychographic data. Experimental results demonstrate the technique to be memory efficient and stable in the presence of systematic errors such as partial coherence and noise.
Does empirical data from bilingual and native Spanish corpora meet linguistic theory? The role of discourse context in variation of subject expression
Authors: García-Alcaraz Estela , Bel Aurora
Published: November 2017

The goal of this study is to shed light on how empirical data on the discourse constraints of null and overt third person subject pronouns in L1 and bilingual Spanish meet linguistic theory. A (semi)spontaneous production task was administered to 34 Moroccan Arabic (MA)/Spanish early sequential bilinguals and 30 L1 Spanish controls. All 3rd person subject positions were coded: (1) morphosyntactic form (null pronoun vs. overt pronoun); (2) discourse function ([-Topic Shift] vs. [+Topic Shift]); (3) sentence relation (intrasentential vs. intersentential); (4) clause order within intrasentential contexts (main-subordinate vs. subordinate-main); and (5) access to the antecedent (clear vs. ambiguous antecedent). The results reveal general patterns of use in both L1 and bilingual Spanish: null pronouns express topic maintenance both in inter- and intrasentential contexts (both clause orders) and overt pronouns, especially in intersentential contexts, are generally used for topic change. However, additional analyses provide evidence that null pronouns in L1, but not in bilingual Spanish, are often used in change of reference contexts where the antecedent is not ambiguous. This reveals patterns that have gone unreported by most previous descriptive and theoretical studies. Finally, a higher use of ambiguous null pronouns is attested among bilingual speakers, which suggests a lower control of the mechanisms by which reference is established in discourse and supports, to some extent, the predictions derived from the Interface Hypothesis.
An evaluation of the SENTiFIT 270 analyser for quantitation of faecal haemoglobin in the investigation of patients with suspected colorectal cancer
Authors: Auge Josep M. , Rodriguez Cristina , Espanyol Oihana , Rivero Liseth , Sandalinas Silvia , Grau Jaume , Jimenez Wladimiro , Castells Antoni
Published: November 2017

Background:

An evaluation of SENTiFIT® 270 (Sentinel Diagnostics, Italy; Sysmex, Spain) analyser for the quantitation of faecal haemoglobin (f-Hb) was performed.

Methods:

The analytical imprecision, linearity, carry over and f-Hb stability were determined. Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy was performed on 487 patients.

Results:

Within-run and between-run imprecision ranged 1.7%–5.1% and 3.8%–6.2%, respectively. Linearity studies revealed a mean recovery of 101.1% (standard deviation, 6.7%) for all dilutions. No carry over was detected below 7650 μg Hb/g faeces. Decay of f-Hb in refrigerated samples ranged 0.2%–0.5% per day. f-Hb in patients with advanced colorectal neoplasia (ACRN) (colorectal cancer [CRC] plus advanced adenoma [AA]) were significantly higher than from those with a normal colonoscopy. Sensitivity for ACRN at f-Hb cutoffs from 10 to 60 μg Hb/g faeces ranged from 28.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 21.7%–37.2%) to 46.5% (95% CI, 38.1%–55%), the specificity ranged from 85% (95% CI, 82.3%–87.3%) to 93.2% (95% CI, 91.2%–94.8%), positive predictive values for detecting CRC and AA ranged from 11.6% (95% CI, 7.6%–17.2%) to 20.6% (95% CI, 13.3%–30.3%) and from 34.7% (95% CI, 28.1%–42%) to 42.3% (95% CI, 32.4%–52.7%), respectively, and the negative predictive value for ACRN ranged from 90.2% (95% CI, 87.9%–92.2%) to 88.4% (95% CI, 86%–90.4%). Using two samples per patient sensitivity increased with a slight decrease in specificity.

Conclusions:

The analytical and clinical performances of SENTiFIT assay demonstrate a specific and accurate test for detecting ACRN in symptomatic patients and those undergoing surveillance.
Towards Pressure-Robust Mixed Methods for the Incompressible Navier–Stokes Equations
Authors: Ahmed Naveed , Linke Alexander , Merdon Christian
Published: November 2017

In this contribution, we review classical mixed methods
for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations that relax the divergence constraint
and are discretely inf-sup stable. Though the relaxation of the divergence constraint was claimed to be harmless since
the beginning of the 1970s,
Poisson locking is just replaced by another more subtle kind of locking phenomenon, which
is sometimes called poor mass conservation
and led in computational practice to the exclusion
of mixed methods with low-order pressure approximations like the Bernardi–Raugel
or the Crouzeix–Raviart finite element methods. Indeed, divergence-free mixed methods
and classical mixed methods behave
qualitatively in a different way:
divergence-free mixed methods are
pressure-robust, which means that, e.g., their velocity error is independent
of the continuous pressure. The lack of pressure robustness in classical
mixed methods can be traced back to a consistency error
of an appropriately defined discrete Helmholtz projector.
Numerical analysis and numerical examples reveal that
really locking-free mixed methods must be discretely inf-sup stable and
pressure-robust, simultaneously. Further, a recent discovery shows that
locking-free,
pressure-robust mixed methods do not have to be divergence free.
Indeed, relaxing the divergence constraint in the velocity trial functions
is harmless, if the relaxation of the divergence constraint in
some velocity test functions is repaired, accordingly.
Thus, inf-sup stable, pressure-robust mixed methods will potentially
allow in future to reduce the approximation order of the discretizations used in computational
practice, without compromising the accuracy.
Transmediality in Symbolist and Surrealist Photo-Literature
Authors: Walden Lauren
Published: November 2017

The fin de siècle period throughout Europe undoubtedly cultivated the “interdisciplinary principle of la fraternité des arts” (Genova 158). Literature, poetry, visual art and music superseded former hierarchical structures favouring the painterly. Correspondence between intellectuals would cross-fertilise between disparate realms through publishing in interdisciplinary cultural journals that were distributed internationally across cosmopolitan cityscapes. The ability for the photograph to be mechanically reproduced, postulated by Walter Benjamin in 1936, allowed for one of the first transmedial aesthetics, to become known as photo-literature. Previously, reproduction had been confined to the textual realm. Bruges La Morte by Georges Rodenbach was the first ever work of photo-literature to commingle these respective art forms, sixty-five years after the invention of photography in 1827. Rodenbach’s novella was first published in 1892 at the height of the symbolist movement which spanned literature, painting, photography and more. Its pseudo-progeny, Andre Breton’s surrealist text Nadja was published in 1928 depicting the author’s meandering through the Parisian cityscape. In these works, text and image engender a sense of cosmopolitanism through the function of transposition.
Link between endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy in neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Hosoi Toru , Nomura Jun , Tanaka Keigo , Ozawa Koichiro , Nishi Akinori , Nomura Yasuyuki
Published: November 2017

Increasing evidence suggests that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy play an important role in regulating brain function. ER stress activates three major branches of the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways, namely inositol-requiring enzyme-1 (IRE1), double stranded RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR)-like ER kinase (PERK) and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6)-mediated pathways. Recent studies have suggested that these UPR signals may be linked to autophagy. In this review article, we summarize recent evidence and discuss a possible link between ER stress and autophagy with regard to neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, possible pharmacological strategies targeting UPR and autophagy are discussed.
Grain size statistics and depositional pattern of the Ecca Group sandstones, Karoo Supergroup in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Authors: Baiyegunhi Christopher , Liu Kuiwu , Gwavava Oswald
Published: November 2017

Grain size analysis is a vital sedimentological tool used to unravel the hydrodynamic conditions, mode of transportation and deposition of detrital sediments. In this study, detailed grain-size analysis was carried out on thirty-five sandstone samples from the Ecca Group in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Grain-size statistical parameters, bivariate analysis, linear discriminate functions, Passega diagrams and log-probability curves were used to reveal the depositional processes, sedimentation mechanisms, hydrodynamic energy conditions and to discriminate different depositional environments. The grain-size parameters show that most of the sandstones are very fine to fine grained, moderately well sorted, mostly near-symmetrical and mesokurtic in nature. The abundance of very fine to fine grained sandstones indicate the dominance of low energy environment. The bivariate plots show that the samples are mostly grouped, except for the Prince Albert samples that show scattered trend, which is due to the either mixture of two modes in equal proportion in bimodal sediments or good sorting in unimodal sediments. The linear discriminant function analysis is dominantly indicative of turbidity current deposits under shallow marine environments for samples from the Prince Albert, Collingham and Ripon Formations, while those samples from the Fort Brown Formation are lacustrine or deltaic deposits. The C-M plots indicated that the sediments were deposited mainly by suspension and saltation, and graded suspension. Visher diagrams show that saltation is the major process of transportation, followed by suspension.
Carbonate stable isotope constraints on sources of arsenic contamination in Neogene tufas and travertines of Attica, Greece
Authors: Kampouroglou Evdokia E. , Tsikos Harilaos , Economou-Eliopoulos Maria
Published: November 2017

We presented new C and O isotope data of rockforming calcite in terrestrial carbonate deposits from Neogene basins of Attica (Greece), coupled with standard mineralogical and bulk geochemical results. Whereas both isotope datasets [
A facile synthesis of (E)-2-(aryl/hetaryl)vinyl-4-phenylquinoline-3-carboxylic acids
Authors: Gao Wentao , Li Xingpeng , Wang Yu , Wang Yang
Published: November 2017

New synthetic approach to (E)-2-aryl/hetarylvinyl-4-phenyl-quinoline-3-carboxylic acids was developed, featuring three different synthetic transformations, namely the Arbuzov reaction, in situ Horner-Emmons olefination and subsequent ester hydrolysis occurring as a one-pot procedure. The molecular structures of newly synthesized products were confirmed by spectral data and elemental analysis.
Liquid sorption, swelling and surface energy properties of unmodified and thermally modified Scots pine heartwood after extraction
Authors: Källbom Susanna , Sedighi Moghaddam Maziar , Wålinder Magnus E.P.
Published: November 2017

The effect of extractives removal on liquid sorption, swelling and surface energy properties of unmodified wood (UW) and thermally modified Scots pine heartwood (hW) (TMW) was studied. The extraction was performed by a Soxtec procedure with a series of solvents and the results were observed by the multicycle Wilhelmy plate method, inverse gas chromatography (IGC) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A significantly lower rate of water uptake was found for the extracted UW, compared with the unextracted one. This is due to a contamination effect in the latter case from water-soluble extractives increasing the capillary flow into the wood voids, proven by the decreased water surface tension. The swelling in water increased after extraction 1.7 and 3 times in the cases of UW and TMW, respectively. The dispersive part of the surface energy was lower for the extracted TMW compared to the other sample groups, indicating an almost complete removal of the extractives. The FTIR spectra of the extracts showed the presence of phenolic compounds but also resin acids and aliphatic compounds.
Are jokes funnier in one’s native language?
Authors: Ayçiçeği-Dinn Ayşe , Şişman-Bal Simge , Caldwell-Harris Catherine L
Published: November 2017

Appreciating the humor in jokes involves incongruity-detection and resolution, which requires good language skills. Foreign language comprehension is challenging, including interpreting words within their sentence context. An implication is that jokes in a foreign language will be more difficult to understand and therefore probably less humorous, compared to native language jokes. To study this question while preserving humor across translations, jokes were selected from Turkish and English websites to minimize language play and cultural references. Turkish university students rated both Turkish and English jokes for humor. Humor for foreign language jokes was positively correlated with ease-of-understanding of specific jokes and also by the individual-differences characteristics of English proficiency and likely career investment (e.g., preparing for a future career as English teacher or translator). We propose the proficiency X investment theory: Foreign language jokes will be experienced as funnier than native language jokes when proficiency levels are high (ranging from good to excellent) and bilinguals have a high level of L2 investment. When proficiency levels are only adequate, and without special investment in L2, native language jokes will be evaluated as funnier than foreign language jokes. With intermediate proficiency and investment, jokes can be experienced as similarly humorous in the two language. Important in this pattern is the proposal that weaker L2-proficiency can trade-off with language investment to bolster L2 humor appreciation.
Humor and scatology in contemporary Zulu ceremonial songs
Authors: Turner Noleen
Published: November 2017

This article focuses on humor embedded in the delivery and lyrics of a form of song sung by Zulu women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa still widely practiced in rural areas, called amaculo omgonqo ‘puberty songs.’ The aim is to ascertain how and why young Zulu females sing these unusual songs which are normally sung in the days preceding two rites of passage ceremonies; firstly, the umhlonyane ceremony, which is held to mark a young girl’s first menstruation during her puberty years, and secondly, approximately 10 years later, the umemulo ‘coming of age’ ceremony which is held for young girls who have reached marriageable age. Analysis is made of the unusual use of scatological and ribald language in these songs, which are sung by young girls before these two ceremonies. These songs are rendered socially acceptable only because of the context in which they are sung, and for the bawdy humor which is core to the lyrics.
Placement of Synchronized Measurements for Power System Observability during Cascaded Outages
Authors: Thirugnanasambandam Venkatesh , Jain Trapti
Published: November 2017

Cascaded outages often result in power system islanding followed by a blackout and therefore considered as a severe disturbance. Maintaining the observability of each island may help in taking proper control actions to preserve the stability of individual islands thus, averting system collapse. With this intent, a strategy for placement of synchronized measurements, which can be obtained from phasor measurement units (PMU), has been proposed in this paper to keep the system observable during cascaded outages also. Since, all the cascaded failures may not lead to islanding situations, therefore, failures leading to islanding as well as non-islanding situations have been considered. A topology based algorithm has been developed to identify the islanding/non-islanding condition created by a particular cascaded event. Additional contingencies such as single line loss and single PMU failure have also been considered after the occurrence of cascaded events. The proposed method is further extended to incorporate the measurement redundancy, which is desirable for a reliable state estimation. The proposed scheme is tested on IEEE 14-bus, IEEE 30-bus and a practical Indian 246-bus networks. The numerical results ensure the observability of the power system under system intact as well as during cascaded islanding and non-islanding disturbances.
A Kalman Filter Based Technique for Stator Turn-Fault Detection of the Induction Motors
Authors: Ghanbari Teymoor , Samet Haidar
Published: November 2017

Monitoring of the Induction Motors (IMs) through stator current for different faults diagnosis has considerable economic and technical advantages in comparison with the other techniques in this content. Among different faults of an IM, stator and bearing faults are more probable types, which can be detected by analyzing signatures of the stator currents. One of the most reliable indicators for fault detection of IMs is lower sidebands of power frequency in the stator currents. This paper deals with a novel simple technique for detecting stator turn-fault of the IMs. Frequencies of the lower sidebands are determined using the motor specifications and their amplitudes are estimated by a Kalman Filter (KF). Instantaneous Total Harmonic Distortion (ITHD) of these harmonics is calculated. Since variation of the ITHD for the three-phase currents is considerable in case of stator turn-fault, the fault can be detected using this criterion, confidently. Different simulation results verify high performance of the proposed method. The performance of the method is also confirmed using some experiments.
Drying Damage on Physiological Properties of Rice Seed Associated with Ultrastructure Changes
Authors: Wang Pan , Li Dong , Wang Li-jun
Published: November 2017

The aim of the present study was to investigate the alterations of the physiological properties associated with the ultrastructure changes of rice seed after drying at different temperatures. The drying process was accomplished at 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90°C and at 29.3%, 13.0%, 6.4%, 3.2%, and 1.8% relative humidity, respectively. As a result, the germination percentage of the rice seeds was reduced as the increasing of the drying temperature and the highest value of vigor index was recorded at 45°C due to the dormancy breakage. There were no changes in the color of the raw rice seed dried at different temperatures; however, the yellowness of the brown rice and the electrical conductivity increased with the increasing drying temperature. The starch granules of the rice endosperm dried at 45°C were wrinkled and wilted and this damage occurred with high intensity after drying at temperatures above 60°C. The structure of the starch granules eventually became rupture when the drying temperature reached to 90°C. The cells of the rice embryo presented a contraction of their volumes drying at temperatures above 45°C due to the degradation of the middle lamella. The form of the oil drops was also altered after drying. At temperature above 75°C, the drops broke up and coalesced. It was concluded that the physiological quality of rice seed was closely associated with the alterations of cell structure during drying process.
Modeling and Simulation of Nitrogen Injection in Olive Oil
Authors: Ferrari Filippo , Vignali Giuseppe
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study is to analyze, by means of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis, the injection of gaseous nitrogen (N2) in olive oil. This process, called sparging, is important to enhance oil shelf life, because it removes the oxygen (O2) dissolved in the product. In fact, when tank filling begins, N2 bubbles start to rise toward the free surface of the product, taking with them part of the dissolved O2. In this way, the probability of oxidative reactions is reduced and this consequently reduces the possibility of oil degradation. The final goal of this study is to compare different sparger configurations and observe how they influence the stripping process during the tank-filling phase. The various configurations have been compared in terms of O2 residual inside the tank at the end of the filling phase. The simulations still need to be experimentally validated.
Physical and Viscoelastic Properties of Different Moisture Content Highland Barley Kernels
Authors: Zhu Ying-dan , Fu Nan , Li Dong , Wang Li-jun , Chen Xiao Dong
Published: November 2017

The study is conducted to investigate the physical and viscoelastic properties of the highland barley kernels in different moisture content range from 10.1 %% to 20.5 %% (w.b.). Highland barley kernel samples were selected with physical properties in terms of length, width, thickness, 1000-kernel weight, volume, geometric and arithmetic mean diameter changing in linear trends. By using a dynamic mechanical analyzer, the 4-element Burgers model was found to adequately represent the creep behavior of the highland barley kernels (R
2 > 0.977). The creep behavior of the ventral groove and dorsal side was also matched perfectly with Burgers model (R
2 > 0.946). The creep behavior of these kernels at long-time frame was studied applying time-temperature superposition (TTS). TTS method was successfully used to predict the creep behavior of these kernels at longer frame of time. The Tg values for the kernels decreased with increasing moisture content. The Tg values for the kernels at the moisture contents of 10.1 %%and 20.5 %% were 114.33 °C and 67.95 °C, respectively. The magnitude of the storage modulus, loss tangent and their change rates with frequency were maximum at 10.1 %% and minimum at 20.5 %% moisture contents.
Inactivation of Lipoxygenase in Soymilk by Pulsed Light
Authors: Alhendi Abeer , Yang Wade , Goodrich-Schneider Renee , Sarnoski Paul J.
Published: November 2017

Inactivation of soybean lipoxygenase in soymilk by pulsed light (PL) at different durations and distances from the pulsed light lamp was determined with and without ice surrounding the soymilk sample tray for cooling. The results show that without cooling, the lowest LOX residual activity was 0.37%, 0.00%, and 7.24%, and with cooling the LOX residual activity was 76.3%, 87.2%, and 69.0% for origin fluence of 302 J/cm2, 340 J/cm2, and 567 J/cm2, respectively. The LOX band reduced or disappeared after PL treatments compared with the LOX band control as assessed by electrophoresis. Peroxide value of the soymilk had no significant increase after pulsed light treatment. This research provided evidence that PL treatment could fully inactivate LOX in soymilk, mostly due to heat generated by the PL strobe, therefore the photo-thermal effect was the main factor that impacted LOX activity.
Description of Osmotic Dehydration of Melon Cubes using a Three-dimensional Diffusion Model: An Algorithm to Determine the Effective Diffusivity
Authors: Pinheiro Rubens Maciel Miranda , da Silva Wilton Pereira , Miranda Denise Silva do Amaral , e Silva Cleide M. D. P. S. , Pessoa Taciano , de Medeiros Matheus Serrano
Published: November 2017

This paper aims to study the transient mass diffusion during the osmotic dehydration of melon cubes, using the analytical solution of the diffusion equation with boundary condition of the first kind. Two techniques are used to determine the effective mass diffusivity, using experimental data. In technique 1, available in the literature, the domain of the effective diffusivity is scanned from a value close to zero, until the minimum value of the objective function (Chi-square) is determined. Technique 2, proposed in this paper, uses an algorithm based on the optimal removal of experimental points, until obtaining the objective function with a minimum value, allowing to determine the optimal value for the effective mass diffusivity. The obtained values for diffusivity and statistical indicators revealed that both techniques generate equivalent results and allowed to satisfactorily describe the kinetics of osmotic dehydration of melon cubes. However, technique 2, proposed in this paper, is much faster than technique 1, in the determination of effective mass diffusivity, for all analyzed sets of experimental data.
Takagi function revisited
Authors: Sadowski Łukasz
Published: November 2017

Starting with some equations that characterize the Takagi function in the class of bounded functions, we come naturally to a family of functional equations and extend two classical results by H.-H. Kairies to that family.
Anti-periodic solutions for a higher order difference equation with p-Laplacian
Authors: Kong Lingju , Parsley Jacob , Rizzo Kaitlin , Russell Nicholas
Published: November 2017

A higher order difference equation is studied. The equation is defined on

ℤ

{{\mathbb{Z}}}

and contains a p-Laplacian and both
advance and retardation. Some criteria are established for the existence of infinitely many anti-periodic
solutions of the equation. Several consequences of the main theorems are also included.
Two examples are provided to illustrate the applicability of the results.
Forecasting Air Quality Index Using an Ensemble of Artificial Neural Networks and Regression Models
Authors: Sankar Ganesh S. , Arulmozhivarman Pachaiyappan , Tatavarti Rao
Published: November 2017

Air is the most essential constituent for the sustenance of life on earth. The air we inhale has a tremendous impact on our health and well-being. Hence, it is always advisable to monitor the quality of air in our environment. To forecast the air quality index (AQI), artificial neural networks (ANNs) trained with conjugate gradient descent (CGD), such as multilayer perceptron (MLP), cascade forward neural network, Elman neural network, radial basis function (RBF) neural network, and nonlinear autoregressive model with exogenous input (NARX) along with regression models such as multiple linear regression (MLR) consisting of batch gradient descent (BGD), stochastic gradient descent (SGD), mini-BGD (MBGD) and CGD algorithms, and support vector regression (SVR), are implemented. In these models, the AQI is the dependent variable and the concentrations of NO2, CO, O3, PM2.5, SO2, and PM10 for the years 2010–2016 in Houston and Los Angeles are the independent variables. For the final forecast, several ensemble models of individual neural network predictors and individual regression predictors are presented. This proposed approach performs with the highest efficiency in terms of forecasting air quality index.
Diagnostic values of proenkephalin and S100B protein in traumatic brain injury
Authors: Yalcin Anil , Baydin Ahmet , Tuncel Özgür Korhan , Erenler Ali Kemal , Çokluk Cengiz , Güzel Murat , Tomak Leman
Published: November 2017

Background:

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic values of serum S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) and proenkephalin (P-ENK) levels in brain damage caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods:

We prospectively collected serum blood samples of 58 adult patients admitted to our emergency department due to TBI. Serum S100B and P-ENK levels were measured and compared according to clinical findings and outcomes of the patients.

Results:

When patients with brain injury were compared to controls, statistical significance was determined in both S100B and P-ENK levels. According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, cut-off values for serum S100B and P-ENK levels for the differential diagnosis of patients with and without brain damage were found to be 785.944 ng/mL and 2.445 ng/mL, respectively. There was a statistical significance in both S100B and P-ENK levels when patients who were discharged and those who died were compared.

Conclusions:

Serum S100B and P-ENK levels are found to be elevated in patients with TBI when compared to controls. Additionally, serum levels of both markers are found to be elevated in patients with multiple lesions when compared to patients with a single lesion. Serum S100B and P-ENK levels may also be used as predictors of mortality in patients with TBI.
Drug design targeting the AMPK signalling pathway with herbal medicines for atherosclerosis therapy
Authors: Zuo Hanheng , Li Yinping , Hao Peng , Liu Jing-Hua
Published: November 2017

Background:

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a vascular disease which causes cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, heart attack and acute coronary syndrome. It is a major cause of death worldwide, especially in developed countries. In AS, the artery walls become thickened due to the accumulation and invasion of white blood cells (foam cells) and form a fibro-fatty plaque. Hence, these investigations aim to identify the potential applications of herbal compounds targeting the AMPK signalling pathway for AS therapy.

Methods:

In this investigation, in vitro kinase activity was determined for a set of herbal compounds present in herbal plants and herbal medicines against 5′ AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). This enzyme plays a vital role in AS, having an effect on the invasion and accumulation of white blood cells, leading to the thickening of artery walls and vascular remodelling. In addition, a molecular docking simulation study was carried out for the AMPK enzyme (PDB ID: 3AQV) against the herbal compounds.

Results:

The in vitro kinase activity showed that 10 of the herbal compounds possessed IC50 values lower than 10 μM, which showed the potent inhibitory effect of the AMPK enzyme. In addition, a molecular docking simulation carried out on the AMPK enzyme (PDB ID: 3AQV) against the herbal compounds observed a positive correlation with IC50 values and docking scores of the docked compounds with an IC50 <10 μM. The subsequent protein-ligand interaction analyses for the best docking hits showed favourable interactions. Also, the molecular dynamics simulation enabled the generation of a trajectory file for the RMSD backbone, illustrating the stability of the docked protein-ligand complex without any structural fluctuations.

Conclusions:

The study concludes that baicalin, curcumin, campesterol, emodin and gingerol provide a promising lead for AS and can therefore be prescribed for the treatment of AS.
Evaluierung und Einführung des STA R Max® Hämostaseologie – Analysators im Zentrallabor eines Großkrankenhauses
Authors: Hofmann Babette , Schröder Cathleen , Geisler Niels , Stamminger Gudrun
Published: November 2017

Im Rahmen des Anbieterwechsels erfolgte im Zentrum für Diagnostik am Klinikum Chemnitz eine umfassende Validation des STA R Max® der Firma Stago. Neben der Ermittlung von Intra- und Interassay – Präzisionen wurden umfassende Vergleichsmessungen mit der bisherigen Routinemethode (BCS XP von Siemens) mit gepoolten Patientenplasmen durchgeführt. In dieser Publikation werden die Ergebnisse für Parameter der Basis – und Notfallversorgung vorgestellt. Die Ergebnisse waren gut bis sehr gut und ließen eine zügige Umstellung zu. Darüber hinaus wurden Anwenderfreundlichkeit von System und Reagenzien, die durchschnittliche Bearbeitungszeit sowie die allgemeine Störanfälligkeit des neuen Systems getestet. Nach verschiedenen Anpassungen im diagnostischen Prozess erfolgte die Überführung der neuen Geräte in die Routine.
Quantity quotient reporting versus z-value for standardizing quantitative laboratory results
Authors: Haeckel Rainer , Wosniok Werner , Gurr Eberhard , Postma Theo , Streichert Thomas
Published: November 2017

The rapid increase to digitalize whatever is possible in human lives will lead to electronic storage of medical data probably during the whole life of most individuals. This requires standardization and condensation of an enormous amount of data. Most laboratory data are already reported in digitalized form, but they are far from being sufficiently standardized. Several attempts for standardization have been suggested. The most common standardizing approach is the z-transformation of laboratory data. It is proposed to modify the z-value to a quantity quotient in analogy to the intelligence quotient well known even to laymen.
Steroid analysis in clinical routine diagnostics – discussing crucial questions
Authors: Gaudl Alexander , Bae Yoon Ju , Kratzsch Jürgen
Published: November 2017

Quantitative steroid analysis via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is applicable to clinical routine diagnostics by now, substituting immunoassays due to its superior selectivity and comparable sensitivity. Multiplexed assays covering a multitude of analytes represent the gold standard in this regard. There are commercially available kits which are easily adapted to individual LC-MS/MS systems required. Prior to and even after their appearance, in-house method development represented the flexible alternative in terms of solving specific analytical problems or focusing on a narrower steroid profile while maximizing sensitivity and high throughput applicability. In this work, commercial assays and in-house methods are discussed in relation to a benchmark LC-MS/MS method. Thereby, prerequisites and results are compared. Furthermore, the effect of concomitant medication on steroid assays was tested and requirements regarding quality assurance in routine steroid analysis are discussed. Most of the different commercially available or in-house LC-MS/MS methods for steroid analysis show a good or reasonable agreement of results. However, the harmonization in the methodology of mass spectrometric assays has to be improved to further reduce their variability. Such a procedure would facilitate the performance of diagnostic tests that involve the measurement of steroid hormones by the tremendous improvement of diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.
Effects of coagulation factor XIII (Val34Leu) polymorphism on recurrent pregnancy loss in Iranian Azeri women
Authors: Isazadeh Alireza , Haj Azimian Saba , Tariverdi Nazila , Rahmani Seyed Ali , Esmaeili Maryam , Karimkhanilouei Samaneh , Mohammadoo-Khorasani Milad
Published: November 2017

Background:

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a heterogeneous condition consisting of two or more consecutive abortions occurring before 20 weeks of gestation. One of the clotting factor genes encodes factor XIII (FXIII), which is involved in fibrin formation. The most common polymorphism in the FXIII genes is the conversion of G to T in exon 2 (val34leu) of the FXIIIA gene, which leads to the substitution of valine with leucine. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between RPL and FXIII val34leu polymorphisms in a sample population of Iranian Azeri women.

Methods:

A prospective case-control study was performed on a cohort of 310 RPL patients and 290 healthy controls. DNA was extracted from the whole blood and fragments of the Val34Leu polymorphism were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by DNA sequencing. Genotyping was performed using the Sequenom MassArray system.

Results:

The genotype frequencies of FXIII in the case group were 60.64% GG, 34.83% GT, and 4.41% TT, whereas the frequencies in the control group were 58.96% GG, 36.5% GT, and 4.48% TT. T allele frequencies in the case and control groups were 78.06% and 21.93%, respectively, and G allele frequencies were 77.24% and 22.75%, respectively.

Conclusions:

No significant association was observed between the Val34Leu polymorphism and RPL among Iranian Azeri women.
The use of LC tandem mass spectrometry as part of a workflow for the screening and identification of hemoglobin variants. Characterization of Hb Ullevaal as an example
Authors: Weber Matthias , Eekels Julia J.M.
Published: November 2017

Background:

About 2/3 of the hemoglobin (Hb) variants do not show a charge difference to the wildtype entity but most of them differ in hydrophobicity. In addition to cation exchange chromatography, globin differentiation by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (MS) was introduced. Hb Ullevaal was chosen as one example to demonstrate the performance of the approach.

Methods:

Screening for Hb variants was performed using cation exchange HPLC. For globin separation reversed phase-LC/MS was performed. Tryptic digests of variants were separated on RP-HPLC with or without CID-fragmentation and database search for identification of mutation bearing fragments. Sequencing of the β-globin gene has been performed.

Results:

HbS, HbC, HbE, Hb South Florida and Hb Ullevaal show typical and distinct patterns in the globin LC/MS according to the theoretical protein data. The tryptic digest of Hb Ullevaal resulted in the identification of the respective mutated peptide βT9, which was confirmed by genetic sequencing.

Conclusions:

By the application of globin-LC/MS two more dimensions for the Hb identification are added, hydropathicity and protein mass. With this workflow as screening procedure for Hb variants it is expected to be able to detect and identify the majority of variants with the exception of highly unstable variants, which cannot be determined in the peripheral blood at all. A negative result makes the presence of a significant Hb variant in the peripheral blood improbable.
ICAP – ein Versuch zur einheitlichen Beschreibung der Fluoreszenzmuster von antizellulären Antikörpern auf HEp-2-Zellen
Authors: Herold Manfred , Klotz Werner , Sack Ulrich , Conrad Karsten
Published: November 2017

Primäres Ziel von ICAP (internationaler Konsens für antinukleäre Antikörpermuster) ist es, einen Konsens zu finden zur Beschreibung der Fluoreszenzmuster, die mit indirekter Immunfluoreszenztechnik auf HEp-2-Zellen erkannt werden können. 28 Muster (14 Kern-, 9 zytoplasmatische und 5 mitotische Muster) wurden bisher definiert. Neben der Musterbeschreibung wurden alle Muster auch mit AC-Nummern gekennzeichnet, um eine von der Sprache unabhängige Vergleichbarkeit zu gewährleisten. Alle ICAP-Ergebnisse können von der ICAP-Internetseite (www.anapatterns.org) abgerufen werden. ICAP ist ein fortlaufender Prozess. Das nächste und 4. ICAP-Treffen wird im September 2017 im Rahmen des 13. Autoantikörpersymposiums in Dresden stattfinden (www.gfid-ev.de). Anstehende ICAP-Aufgaben sind die Ergänzung der Fluoreszenzmuster, die Erweiterung der Bildersammlung und die genauere Beschreibung der klinischen Bedeutung einzelner Muster.
Erhebliche Diskrepanzen zwischen qualitativen Troponin-Schnelltesten („Karten-Testen“) und klassischer Laboranalytik: ist der Einsatz solcher Schnellteste vertretbar?
Authors: Frohn Christoph
Published: November 2017

Die Bestimmung der kardialen Troponine ist von erheblicher diagnostischer Bedeutung zur Abklärung vermuteter kardialer Ischämien. In einem Kliniklabor war aufgrund äußerer Umstände (Geräteausfall) aufgefallen, daß die als Backup eingesetzten lateral flow-Schnellteste (qualitative „Kartenteste“ ohne Geräteplattform) auch an hoch positiven Proben (weit über den angegebenen Nachweisgrenzen) in einigen Fällen kein positives Ergebnis erbrachten. Diese zunächst zufällige Beobachtung wurde an einer größeren Serie positiver Proben (n=23>0,5 ng/mL Troponin I; n=17>1,0 ng/mL) systematisch unter Verwendung verschiedener lateral-flow-Teste in Vergleich zu zwei verschiedenen Zentrallabor-Troponin-I-Testen überprüft. Im Ergebnis zeigte keiner dieser Schnellteste die positiven Proben zuverlässig an. Damit sind alle untersuchten qualitativen Troponin-Schnellteste als Basis klinischer Entscheidungen ungeeignet.