bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lung cancer mortality and exposure to synthetic metalworking fluid and biocides: controlling for the healthy worker survivor effect
Authors: Garcia Erika , Picciotto Sally , Neophytou Andreas M , Bradshaw Patrick T , Balmes John R , Eisen Ellen A
Published: May 2018

Objectives

Synthetic metalworking fluids (MWFs), widely used to cool and lubricate industrial machining and grinding operations, have been linked with increased risk of several cancers. Estimates of their relation with lung cancer, however, are inconsistent. Controlling for the healthy worker survivor effect, we examined the relations between lung cancer mortality and exposure to synthetic MWF, as well as to biocides added to water-based fluids to control microbial growth, in a cohort of autoworkers. Biocides served as a marker for endotoxin, which has reported antitumour effects, and were hypothesised to be the reason prior studies found reduced lung cancer risk associated with exposure to synthetic fluids.

Methods

Using the parametric g-formula, we estimated risk ratios (RRs) comparing cumulative lung cancer mortality under no intervention with what would have occurred under hypothetical interventions reducing exposure to zero (ie, a ban) separately for two exposures: synthetic fluids and biocides. We also specified an intervention on synthetic MWF and biocides simultaneously to estimate joint effects.

Results

Under a synthetic MWF ban, we observed decreased lung cancer mortality risk at age 86, RR=0.96 (0.91–1.01), but when we also intervened to ban biocides, the RR increased to 1.03 (0.95–1.11). A biocide-only ban increased lung cancer mortality (RR=1.07 (1.00–1.16)), with slightly larger RR in younger ages.

Conclusions

Findings suggest a modest positive association for synthetic MWF with lung cancer mortality, contrary to the negative associations reported in earlier studies. Biocide exposure, however, was inversely associated with risk of lung cancer mortality.
Occupational exposures and cancer: a review of agents and relative risk estimates
Authors: Marant Micallef Claire , Shield Kevin David , Baldi Isabelle , Charbotel Barbara , Fervers Béatrice , Gilg Soit Ilg Anabelle , Guénel Pascal , Olsson Ann , Rushton Lesley , Hutchings Sally J , Straif Kurt , Soerjomataram Isabelle
Published: May 2018

Objectives

The contribution of occupational exposures to the cancer burden can be estimated using population-attributable fractions, which is of great importance for policy making. This paper reviews occupational carcinogens, and presents the most relevant risk relations to cancer in high-income countries using France as an example, to provide a framework for national estimation of cancer burden attributable to occupational exposure.

Methods

Occupational exposures that should be included in cancer burden studies were evaluated using multiple criteria: classified as carcinogenic or probably carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs volumes 1–114, being a primary occupational exposure, historical and current presence of the exposure in France and the availability of exposure and risk relation data. Relative risk estimates were obtained from published systematic reviews and from the IARC Monographs.

Results

Of the 118 group 1 and 75 group 2A carcinogens, 37 exposures and 73 exposure-cancer site pairs were relevant. Lung cancer was associated with the most occupational carcinogenic exposures (namely, 18), followed by bladder cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Ionising radiation was associated with the highest number of cancer sites (namely, 20), followed by asbestos and working in the rubber manufacturing industry. Asbestos, bis(chloromethyl)ether, nickel and wood dust had the strongest effect on cancer, with relative risks above 5.

Conclusions

A large number of occupational exposures continues to impact the burden of cancer in high-income countries such as France. Information on types of exposures, affected jobs, industries and cancer sites affected is key for prioritising policy and prevention initiatives.
Schisandrin B alleviates acute oxidative stress via modulation of the Nrf2/Keap1-mediated antioxidant pathway
Authors: Wu Ying , Li Zheng-cai , Yao Li-qing , Li Mai , Tang Mei
Published: May 2018

Schisandrin B (Sch B), one of the main effective components of the dried fruit of Schisandra chinensis, protects neurons from oxidative stress in the central nervous system. Here we investigated the neuroprotective effect of Sch B against damage caused by acute oxidative stress and attempted to define the possible mechanisms. Using the elevated plus maze and open field test, we found that forced swimming, an acute stressor, significantly induced anxiety-like behavior that was alleviated by oral Sch B treatment. In addition, the Sch B treatment reduced toxicity, malondialdehyde levels, and production of reactive oxygen species, an important factor for neuron damage. Antioxidants under the control of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway, such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione, were significantly increased by Sch B treatment. Moreover, a higher percentage of intact cells in the amygdala of treated mice, revealed by Nissl staining, further verified the neuroprotective effect of Sch B. Several proteins, such as Nrf2 and its endogenous inhibitor Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), were abnormally expressed in mice subjected to forced swimming, but this abnormal expression was significantly reversed by Sch B treatment. Our results suggest that Sch B may be a potential therapeutic agent against anxiety associated with oxidative stress. The possible mechanism is neuroprotection through enhanced antioxidant activity.
Seismically induced settlement of ground experiencing undrained shaking and laterally constrained compression
Authors: Mesri Gholamreza , Shahien Marawan , Kane Thierno
Published: May 2018

A method is proposed for estimating seismically induced settlement of saturated sands experiencing undrained shaking and laterally constrained compression. An empirical relationship is developed between the seismic coefficient of vertical compression, mvs, and standard penetration test blow count, N60, as a function of factor of safety against liquefaction, Fℓ, based on data interpreted from 18 sets of laboratory cyclic direct simple shear tests and 23 cases of field observations of seismic liquefaction. The proposed method is compared with seismic settlement observed at 78 sites subjected to 7.1–8.0 magnitude earthquakes, and with predictions by the previous well-known methods of settlement analysis for undrained shaking. For silty–clayey sands, the significant effect of the plasticity of fines on seismic settlement is illustrated. The use of pre- or post-earthquake penetration resistance for back-analyses of field seismic settlement observations is examined. A tentative correction factor is suggested for seismic settlement estimated based on the assumption of undrained shaking and laterally constrained compression for liquefied saturated sublayers at small distances from drainage boundaries or under buildings with small breadths, which may experience volumetric compression during ground shaking.
Phosphorus dynamics in vegetated buffer strips in cold climates: a review
Authors: Kieta Kristen A. , Owens Philip N. , Lobb David A. , Vanrobaeys Jason A. , Flaten Don N.
Published: May 2018

The movement of excess phosphorus (P) into streams, rivers, and lakes poses a significant threat to water quality and the health of aquatic ecosystems and thus, P has been targeted for reduction. In landscapes dominated by agriculture, P is primarily transported through non-point sources, which a number of best management practices aim to target. One such practice is vegetated buffer strips (VBS), which are designed to use dense vegetation above the surface and extensive root systems below the surface to reduce runoff velocity, trap sediments, increase infiltration, and increase plant uptake of nutrients. The effectiveness of VBS in reducing P concentrations has been studied and reviewed, but most studies have been undertaken in warm or temperate climates, where runoff is primarily driven through summer rainfall events and when vegetation is actively growing. In cold climates, the majority of runoff occurs during the snowmelt period, when soils are frozen and vegetation has been flattened by snow and ice over the winter period and is not actively taking up nutrients. These conditions hinder the ability of VBS to work as designed. Additionally, frozen vegetation can release P after undergoing freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs). Thus, this review aimed to (i) summarize research designed to determine the effectiveness of VBS in reducing P transport in cold climates, (ii) collate research on the potential for vegetation to release P after undergoing FTCs, and (iii) identify research gaps to be addressed in determining VBS effectiveness in cold climates. Cold-climate VBS implemented in Canada, the northern United States, and northern Europe have shown P removal efficiencies ranging from −36% to +89%, a range that identifies the uncertainty surrounding the use of VBS in these landscapes. However, there is consensus among researchers globally that vegetation does release P after undergoing FTCs, though P concentrations from different species vary across studies. The design and management of VBS in cold climates requires careful consideration, and VBS may not always be the best management strategy to reduce P transport. Future research should be undertaken at a larger scale in natural systems and focus on VBS design and management strategies.
Entanglement entropy between virtual and real excitations in quantum electrodynamics
Authors: Ardenghi Juan Sebastián
Published: May 2018

The aim of this work is to introduce the entanglement entropy of real and virtual excitations of fermion and photon fields. By rewriting the generating functional of quantum electrodynamics theory as an inner product between quantum operators, it is possible to obtain quantum density operators representing the propagation of real and virtual particles. These operators are partial traces, where the degrees of freedom traced out are unobserved excitations. Then the von Neumann definition of entropy can be applied to these quantum operators and in particular, for the partial traces taken over by the internal or external degrees of freedom. A universal behavior is obtained for the entanglement entropy for different quantum fields at zeroth order in the coupling constant. In order to obtain numerical results at different orders in the perturbation expansion, the Bloch–Nordsieck model is considered, where it is shown that for some particular values of the electric charge, the von Neumann entropy increases or decreases with respect to the noninteracting case.
The Influence of Defuzzification Methods to Decision Support Systems Based on Fuzzy AHP with Scattered Comparison Matrix: Application to 3PLP Selection as a Case Study
Authors: Tuljak-Suban Danijela , Bajec Patricija
Published: May 2018

The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is, in literature, the most frequently used selection method generally in association with fuzzy logic. In this article some incongruities in the use of fuzzy AHP detected in the literature are presented such as improper use of the defuzzification methods and weak consistency checks of the comparison matrix that in case of scattered comparison matrix could produces results that are clearly a contradiction.

We demonstrate how even a careful definition of the third party logistics providers (3PLP) selection criteria may lead to improper results, if the appropriate methods of defuzzification are not used and the concept of “vague” is not well interpreted, both in the comparison phase and in the calculation phase.
Comparative analysis of protein-coding and long non-coding transcripts based on RNA sequence features
Authors: Volkova Oxana A. , Kondrakhin Yury V. , Kashapov Timur A. , Sharipov Ruslan N.
Published: May 2018

RNA plays an important role in the intracellular cell life and in the organism in general. Besides the well-established protein coding RNAs (messenger RNAs, mRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have gained the attention of recent researchers. Although lncRNAs have been classified as non-coding, some authors reported the presence of corresponding sequences in ribosome profiling data (Ribo-seq). Ribo-seq technology is a powerful experimental tool utilized to characterize RNA translation in cell with focus on initiation (harringtonine, lactimidomycin) and elongation (cycloheximide). By exploiting translation starts obtained from the Ribo-seq experiment, we developed a novel position weight matrix model for the prediction of translation starts. This model allowed us to achieve 96% accuracy of discrimination between human mRNAs and lncRNAs. When the same model was used for the prediction of putative ORFs in RNAs, we discovered that the majority of lncRNAs contained only small ORFs ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nt) in contrast to mRNAs.
Topology Optimization of the Interior Structure of Blades with an Outer Surface Determined Through Aerodynamic Design
Authors: McClanahan Dustin R. , Liu G. R. , Turner Mark G. , Anantharaman Devanathan
Published: May 2018

This work performs a topology optimization of the interior structure of engine blades in compressors with any given geometry of the desired outer-surface shape that may be determined by CFD and aerodynamic design software for the desired performance for thermal and fluid flows. A lofted compressor airfoil surface from the aerodynamic design was used to create a three-dimensional (3D) solid in SolidWorks. This was converted to an .IGS file that would be imported into HyperMesh® for the meshing and submitted to OptiStruct® for optimization. An optimization process is designed to produce an optimal interior structure, considering both pressure on the outer surface and centrifugal forces produced by rotational movements. The optimized blade becomes hollow in an optimal pattern with minimum materials needed for the pressure loading on outer skin and the distributed centrifugal forces. The final design was compared to the initial design using finite element method (FEM) to confirm that the mass, stress, strain, and displacement were reduced. The mass was reduced by 59.8% and the stresses reduced by a factor of 3.66! These results were validated by conducting a mesh independence study. 3D printers were used to produce the optimized blades in both plastic and metal.
A Space-Time Discontinuous Galerkin Spectral Element Method for Nonlinear Hyperbolic Problems
Authors: Pei Chaoxu , Sussman Mark , Hussaini M. Yousuff
Published: May 2018

A space-time discontinuous Galerkin spectral element method is combined with two different approaches for treating problems with discontinuous solutions: (i) adding a space-time dependent artificial viscosity, and (ii) tracking the discontinuity with space-time spectral accuracy. A Picard iteration method is employed to solve nonlinear system of equations derived from the space-time DG spectral element discretization. Spectral accuracy in both space and time is demonstrated for the Burgers’ equation with a smooth solution. For tests with discontinuities, the present space-time method enables better accuracy at capturing the shock strength in the element containing shock when higher order polynomials in both space and time are used. The spectral accuracy of the shock speed and location is demonstrated for the solution of the inviscid Burgers’ equation obtained by the tracking method.
A Moving Element Method for the Dynamic Analysis of Composite Plate Resting on a Pasternak Foundation Subjected to a Moving Load
Authors: Cao Tan Ngoc Than , Luong Van Hai , Vo Hoang Nhi , Nguyen Xuan Vu , Bui Van Nhut , Tran Minh Thi , Ang Kok Keng
Published: May 2018

The paper proposes a computational approach to simulate the dynamic responses of composite plate resting on a Pasternak foundation subjected a moving load using the moving element method (MEM). The plate element stiffness matrix is formulated in a coordinate system which moves with the load. The main convenience is that the load is static in this coordinate system, which avoids the updating of the load locations due to the change of the contact points with the elements. The effects of the Pasternak foundation, energy dissipation mechanisms, load’s velocity, material properties on the dynamic responses of the composite plates are investigated.
How Simple Funny Video Games and Short Comedy Movies Impact Creative Idea Generation
Authors: Nikghadam-Hojjati Sanaz , Rajabzadeh-Ghatari Ali , Alborzi Mahmood , Hassanzadeh Gholamreza
Published: May 2018

Video games and movie industry are and have always been billion-dollar businesses. In the last decades, they have had a major impact on how people spend their leisure time, and it is widely recognized that they are changing people’s behaviors and activities. On the other hand, one of the key characteristics of today’s societies is creative idea generation. This study intends to investigate the relation between simple funny video games and short comedy movies and creative idea generation. The contribution of this paper is to suggest that certain short, simple funny/comedy digital audiovisual technologies are important to drive creativity. In particular, it is shown that both simple funny video games and short comedy movies have a positive and meaningful correlation with computer users’ creative idea generation. The results of this research may have positive impact on organizational resources management, especially, human resources management and it can justify the creation of new start-ups in the multimedia industry targeting the production of special video games and movies addressing organizational objectives.
Scalar–tensor teleparallel gravity with boundary term by Noether symmetries
Authors: Gecim G. , Kucukakca Y.
Published: May 2018

In the framework of teleparallel gravity, the Friedman–Robertson–Walker (FRW) cosmological model with scalar tensor theory, where scalar field is non-minimally coupled to both the torsion scalar and boundary term, is studied. Utilizing the Noether symmetry approach in such a theory, we obtain the explicit forms of the couplings and potential as a function of the scalar field. We present some important cosmological solutions for the modified field equations using these functions gotten via the Noether symmetry approach. Finally, the interesting cosmological properties of these solutions are discussed in detail, and it is shown that they can describe a universe leading to the late-time accelerating expansion.
Static spherically symmetric solutions in a subclass of Horndeski theories of gravity
Authors: Sebastiani Lorenzo
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we will consider a subclass of models of Horndeski theories of gravity and we will check for several Static Spherically Symmetric solutions. We will find a model which admits an exact black hole (BH) solution and we will study its thermodynamics by using the Euclidean Action. We will see that, in analogy with the case of General Relativity (GR), the integration constant of the solution can be identified with the mass of the BH itself. Other solutions will be discussed, by posing special attention on the possibility of reproducing the observed profiles of the rotation curves of galaxies. a
An Improved Neutrosophic Number Optimization Method for Optimal Design of Truss Structures
Authors: Ye Jun
Published: May 2018

To overcome the complex calculation and difficult solution problems in existing solution methods of neutrosophic number (NN) optimization models, this paper proposes an improved NN optimization method to solve NN optimization models by use of the Matlab built-in function “fmincon()” corresponding to the indeterminacy [Formula: see text] and the indeterminate scale [Formula: see text]. Next, the proposed NN optimization method is applied to a three-bar planar truss structural design with indeterminate information to achieve the minimum weight objective under stress and deflection constraints as a NN nonlinear optimization design example. The optimal solutions of the truss structural design demonstrate the feasibility and flexibility of the proposed NN nonlinear optimization method under indeterminate environment. Finally, by taking some specified indeterminate scale we can also obtain a suitable optimal solution to satisfy some specified actual requirement under indeterminate environments.
Enhancements to SAT Attack
Authors: Chen Yung-Chih
Published: May 2018

Logic encryption is an IC protection technique for preventing an IC design from overproduction and unauthorized use. It hides a design’s functionality by inserting key gates and key inputs, such that a secret key is required to activate the design and make it functioncorrectly. The security of a logic encryption algorithm is evaluated according to the difficulty of cracking the secret key. The state-of-the-art attack method identifies a secret key with a series of SAT-solving calls to prune all the incorrect keys. Although it can break most of the existing logic encryption algorithms within a few hours, we observe that there exist two enhancements for increasing its efficiency. First, we introduce a preprocess to identify and eliminate redundant key inputs and simplify SAT problems. Second, we present a key checking process for increasing the pruned incorrect keys in each SAT-solving iteration. We conducted the experiments on a set of benchmark circuits encrypted by six different logic encryption algorithms. The simulation results show that the enhanced method can successfully unlock 10 benchmark circuits which originally could not be cracked within 1 hour. For all the benchmark circuits, the average speedup is approximately 2.2x in terms of simulation time. Furthermore, a recent logic encryption method locks a design by creating cyclic paths, which can invalidate the SAT-based attack method. We analyze the impact of cyclic paths and propose an enhancement to break the cyclic logic encryption method.
The role of microRNA-1 targeting of MAPK3 in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats undergoing sevoflurane preconditioning via the PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Hao Yun-Ling , Fang Hong-Cheng , Zhao Hong-Lei , Li Xiao-Li , Luo Ying , Wu Bao-Quan , Fu Ming-Jie , Liu Wei , Liang Jin-Jie , Chen Xie-Hui
Published: May 2018

Recent studies have uncovered the vital roles played by microRNAs in regulating cardiac injury. Among them, the cardiac enriched microRNA-1 (miR-1) has been extensively studied and proven to be detrimental to cardiac myocytes. Hence, the current study aimed to explore whether miR-1 affects myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) in rats undergoing sevoflurane preconditioning and the underlying mechanism. After successful model establishment, rats with MIRI were transfected with mimics or inhibitors of miR-1, or siRNA against MAPK3, and then were injected with sevoflurane. A luciferase reporter gene assay was conducted to evaluate the targeting relationship between miR-1 and MAPK3. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were employed to evaluate the expressions of miR-1, MAPK3, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and Akt. Additionally, the concentration of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was determined. Cell apoptosis and viability were assessed using TUNEL and cell counting kit-8 assays, and the ischemic area at risk and infarct size were detected using Evans blue and triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. MAPK3 was found to be the target gene of miR-1. miR-1 expressed at a high level whereas MAPK3 expressed at a low level in MIRI rats. Overexpressing miR-1 or silencing MAPK3 blocked the PI3K/Akt pathway to increase cell apoptosis, ischemic area at risk, and infarct area but decreased cell viability and increased LDH concentration. In contrast, miR-1 downregulation abrogated the effects induced by miR-1 mimics or siRNA against MAPK3. These findings indicate that inhibition of miR-1 promotes MAPK3 to protect against MIRI in rats undergoing sevoflurane preconditioning through activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.
Arginase upregulation and eNOS uncoupling contribute to impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation in a rat model of intrauterine growth restriction
Authors: Grandvuillemin Isabelle , Buffat Christophe , Boubred Farid , Lamy Edouard , Fromonot Julien , Charpiot Philippe , Simoncini Stephanie , Sabatier Florence , Dignat-George Françoise , Peyter Anne-Christine , Simeoni Umberto , Yzydorczyk Catherine
Published: May 2018

Individuals born after intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in adulthood, notably hypertension (HTN). Alterations in the vascular system, particularly impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation, may play an important role in long-term effects of IUGR. Whether such vascular dysfunction precedes HTN has not been fully established in individuals born after IUGR. Moreover, the intimate mechanisms of altered endothelium-dependent vasodilation remain incompletely elucidated. We therefore investigated, using a rat model of IUGR, whether impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation precedes the development of HTN and whether key components of the l-arginine-nitric oxide (NO) pathway are involved in its pathogenesis. Pregnant rats were fed with a control (CTRL, 23% casein) or low-protein diet (LPD, 9% casein) to induce IUGR. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured by tail-cuff plethysmography in 5- and 8-wk-old male offspring. Aortic rings were isolated to investigate relaxation to acetylcholine, NO production, endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) protein content, arginase activity, and superoxide anion production. SBP was not different at 5 wk but significantly increased in 8-wk-old offspring of maternal LPD (LP) versus CTRL offspring. In 5-wk-old LP versus CTRL males, endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation was significantly impaired but restored by preincubation with l-arginine or the arginase inhibitor S-(2-boronoethyl)-l-cysteine; NO production was significantly reduced but restored by l-arginine pretreatment; total eNOS protein, dimer-to-monomer ratio, and arginase activity were significantly increased; superoxide anion production was significantly enhanced but normalized by pretreatment with the NO synthase inhibitor Nω-nitro-l-arginine. In this model, IUGR leads to early-impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, resulting from arginase upregulation and eNOS uncoupling, which precedes the development of HTN.
Neck muscle spindle noise biases reaches in a multisensory integration task
Authors: Abedi Khoozani Parisa , Blohm Gunnar
Published: May 2018

Reference frame transformations (RFTs) are crucial components of sensorimotor transformations in the brain. Stochasticity in RFTs has been suggested to add noise to the transformed signal due to variability in transformation parameter estimates (e.g., angle) as well as the stochastic nature of computations in spiking networks of neurons. Here, we varied the RFT angle together with the associated variability and evaluated the behavioral impact in a reaching task that required variability-dependent visual-proprioceptive multisensory integration. Crucially, reaches were performed with the head either straight or rolled 30° to either shoulder, and we also applied neck loads of 0 or 1.8 kg (left or right) in a 3 × 3 design, resulting in different combinations of estimated head roll angle magnitude and variance required in RFTs. A novel three-dimensional stochastic model of multisensory integration across reference frames was fitted to the data and captured our main behavioral findings: 1) neck load biased head angle estimation across all head roll orientations, resulting in systematic shifts in reach errors; 2) increased neck muscle tone led to increased reach variability due to signal-dependent noise; and 3) both head roll and neck load created larger angular errors in reaches to visual targets away from the body compared with reaches toward the body. These results show that noise in muscle spindles and stochasticity in general have a tangible effect on RFTs underlying reach planning. Since RFTs are omnipresent in the brain, our results could have implications for processes as diverse as motor control, decision making, posture/balance control, and perception.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We show that increasing neck muscle tone systematically biases reach movements. A novel three-dimensional multisensory integration across reference frames model captures the data well and provides evidence that the brain must have online knowledge of full-body geometry together with the associated variability to plan reach movements accurately.
The quality of visual information about the lower extremities influences visuomotor coordination during virtual obstacle negotiation
Authors: Kim Aram , Kretch Kari S. , Zhou Zixuan , Finley James M.
Published: May 2018

Successful negotiation of obstacles during walking relies on the integration of visual information about the environment with ongoing locomotor commands. When information about the body and the environment is removed through occlusion of the lower visual field, individuals increase downward head pitch angle, reduce foot placement precision, and increase safety margins during crossing. However, whether these effects are mediated by loss of visual information about the lower extremities, the obstacle, or both remains to be seen. Here we used a fully immersive, virtual obstacle negotiation task to investigate how visual information about the lower extremities is integrated with information about the environment to facilitate skillful obstacle negotiation. Participants stepped over virtual obstacles while walking on a treadmill with one of three types of visual feedback about the lower extremities: no feedback, end-point feedback, and a link-segment model. We found that absence of visual information about the lower extremities led to an increase in the variability of leading foot placement after crossing. The presence of a visual representation of the lower extremities promoted greater downward head pitch angle during the approach to and subsequent crossing of an obstacle. In addition, having greater downward head pitch was associated with closer placement of the trailing foot to the obstacle, further placement of the leading foot after the obstacle, and higher trailing foot clearance. These results demonstrate that the fidelity of visual information about the lower extremities influences both feedforward and feedback aspects of visuomotor coordination during obstacle negotiation.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Here we demonstrate that visual information about the lower extremities is utilized for precise foot placement and control of safety margins during obstacle negotiation. We also found that when a visual representation of the lower extremities is present, this information is used in the online control of foot trajectory. Together, our results highlight how visual information about the body and the environment is integrated with motor commands for planning and online control of obstacle negotiation.
Identification of Variations in the Climatic Conditions of the Lerma-Chapala-Santiago Watershed by Comparative Analysis of Time Series
Authors: Manzano-Solís Luis Ricardo , Gómez-Albores Miguel A. , Díaz-Delgado Carlos , Mastachi-Loza Carlos Alberto , Ordoñez-Sierra Raymundo , Bâ Khalidou M. , Franco-Plata Roberto
Published: May 2018

The current study presents a method for automating the Köppen–Garcia climate classification using a GIS module. This method was then applied in a case study of the Lerma-Chapala-Santiago watershed to compare time series data on climate from 1960 to 1989, 1981 to 2010, and 1960 to 2010. The kappa statistic indicated that the climate classifications of the generated model had a perfect degree of agreement with those of a prior nonautomated study. The climate data from the period 1960 to 2010 were used to create a climate map for the watershed. Overall, the dominant climates were dry, semiarid, temperate, and semiwarm temperate with a summer rainfall pattern. A comparative analysis of climate behavior between 1960 and 1989 and between 1981 and 2010 showed changes in temperature and extreme temperatures over 13.6% and 9.9%, respectively, of the watershed; the presence or absence of mid-summer drought also changed over 0.8% of the watershed. The module developed herein can be used to classify climates across all of Mexico, and data of varying spatial resolution and coverage can be inputted to the module. Finally, this module can be used to automate the creation of climate maps or to update climate maps at diverse spatial-temporal scales.
Implications of Antioxidant Systems in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Guan Guiping , Lan Shile
Published: May 2018

The global incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a group of chronic gastrointestinal disorders, has been rising. The preponderance of evidence demonstrates that oxidative stress (OS) performs a critical function in the onset of IBD and the manner of its development. The purpose of this review is to outline the generation of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defense mechanisms in the gastrointestinal tract and the role played by OS in marking the onset and development of IBD. Furthermore, the review demonstrates the various ways through which OS is related to genetic susceptibility and the mucosal immune response. The experimental results suggest that certain therapeutic regimens for IBD could have a favorable impact by scavenging free radicals, reducing cytokine and prooxidative enzyme concentrations, and improving the antioxidative capabilities of cells. However, antioxidative activity characterized by a high level of specificity may be fundamental for the development of clinical therapies and for relapsing IBD patients. Therefore, additional research is required to clarify the ways through which OS is related to the pathogenesis and progression of IBD.
Predicting Interactions between Virus and Host Proteins Using Repeat Patterns and Composition of Amino Acids
Authors: Alguwaizani Saud , Park Byungkyu , Zhou Xiang , Huang De-Shuang , Han Kyungsook
Published: May 2018

Previous methods for predicting protein-protein interactions (PPIs) were mainly focused on PPIs within a single species, but PPIs across different species have recently emerged as an important issue in some areas such as viral infection. The primary focus of this study is to predict PPIs between virus and its targeted host, which are involved in viral infection. We developed a general method that predicts interactions between virus and host proteins using the repeat patterns and composition of amino acids. In independent testing of the method with PPIs of new viruses and hosts, it showed a high performance comparable to the best performance of other methods for single virus-host PPIs. In comparison of our method with others using same datasets, our method outperformed the others. The repeat patterns and composition of amino acids are simple, yet powerful features for predicting virus-host PPIs. The method developed in this study will help in finding new virus-host PPIs for which little information is available.
Finite‐Time Switched Second‐Order Sliding‐Mode Control of Nonholonomic Wheeled Mobile Robot Systems
Authors: Ce Hao , Hongbin Wang , Xiaoyan Cheng , Zhen Zhou , Shungang Ge , Zhongquan Hu
Published: May 2018

A continuous finite‐time robust control method for the trajectory tracking control of a nonholonomic wheeled mobile robot (NWMR) is presented in this paper. The proposed approach is composed of conventional sliding‐mode control (SMC) in the internal loop and modified switched second‐order sliding‐mode (S‐SOSM) control in the external loop. Sliding‐mode controller is equivalently represented as stabilization of the nominal system without uncertainties. An S‐SOSM control algorithm is employed to counteract the impact of state‐dependent unmodeled dynamics and time‐varying external disturbances, and the unexpected chattering has been attenuated significantly. Particularly, state‐space partitioning is constructed to obtain the bounds of uncertainty terms and accomplish different control objectives under different requirements. Simulation and experiment results are used to demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed approach.
Analysis of the Mechanical Properties of the Human Tympanic Membrane and Its Influence on the Dynamic Behaviour of the Human Hearing System
Authors: Caminos L. , Garcia-Manrique J. , Lima-Rodriguez A. , Gonzalez-Herrera A.
Published: May 2018

The difficulty to estimate the mechanical properties of the tympanic membrane (TM) is a limitation to understand the sound transmission mechanism. In this paper, based on finite element calculations, the sensitivity of the human hearing system to these properties is evaluated. The parameters that define the bending stiffness properties of the membrane have been studied, specifically two key parameters: Young’s modulus of the tympanic membrane and the thickness of the eardrum. Additionally, it has been completed with the evaluation of the presence of an initial prestrain inside the TM. Modal analysis is used to study the qualitative characteristics of the TM comparing with vibration patterns obtained by holography. Higher-order modes are shown as a tool to identify these properties. The results show that different combinations of elastic properties and prestrain provide similar responses. The presence of prestrain at the membrane adds more uncertainty, and it is pointed out as a source for the lack of agreement of some previous TM elastic modulus estimations.
An Alternative Method for Long-Term Culture of Chicken Embryonic Stem CellIn Vitro
Authors: Zhang Li , Wu Yenan , Li Xiang , Wei Shao , Xing Yiming , Lian Zhengxing , Han Hongbing
Published: May 2018

Chicken embryonic stem cells (cESCs) obtained from stage X embryos provide a novel model for the study of avian embryonic development. A new way to maintain cESCs for a long periodin vitrostill remains unexplored. We found that the cESCs showed stem cell-like propertiesin vitrofor a long term with the support of DF-1 feeder and basic culture medium supplemented with human basic fibroblast growth factor (hbFGF), mouse stem cell factor (mSCF), and human leukemia inhibitory factor (hLIF). During the long culture period, the cESCs showed typical ES cell morphology and expressed primitive stem cell markers with a relatively stable proliferation rate and high telomerase activity. These cells also exhibited the capability to differentiate into cardiac myocytes, smooth muscle cells, neural cells, osteoblast, and adipocytein vitro. Chimera chickens were produced by cESCs cultured for 25 passages with this new culture system. The experiments showed that DF-1 was the optimal feeder and hbFGF was an important factor for maintaining the pluripotency of cESCsin vitro.
Immersive Gesture Interfaces for Navigation of 3D Maps in HMD-Based Mobile Virtual Environments
Authors: Lee Yea Som , Sohn Bong-Soo
Published: May 2018

3D maps such as Google Earth and Apple Maps (3D mode), in which users can see and navigate in 3D models of real worlds, are widely available in current mobile and desktop environments. Users usually use a monitor for display and a keyboard/mouse for interaction. Head-mounted displays (HMDs) are currently attracting great attention from industry and consumers because they can provide an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience at an affordable cost. However, conventional keyboard and mouse interfaces decrease the level of immersion because the manipulation method does not resemble actual actions in reality, which often makes the traditional interface method inappropriate for the navigation of 3D maps in virtual environments. From this motivation, we design immersive gesture interfaces for the navigation of 3D maps which are suitable for HMD-based virtual environments. We also describe a simple algorithm to capture and recognize the gestures in real-time using a Kinect depth camera. We evaluated the usability of the proposed gesture interfaces and compared them with conventional keyboard and mouse-based interfaces. Results of the user study indicate that our gesture interfaces are preferable for obtaining a high level of immersion and fun in HMD-based virtual environments.
Nanophthalmos: A Review of the Clinical Spectrum and Genetics
Authors: Carricondo Pedro C. , Andrade Thais , Prasov Lev , Ayres Bernadete M. , Moroi Sayoko E.
Published: May 2018

Nanophthalmos is a clinical spectrum of disorders with a phenotypically small but structurally normal eye. These disorders present significant clinical challenges to ophthalmologists due to a high rate of secondary angle-closure glaucoma, spontaneous choroidal effusions, and perioperative complications with cataract and retinal surgeries. Nanophthalmos may present as a sporadic or familial disorder, with autosomal-dominant or recessive inheritance. To date, five genes (i.e.,MFRP,TMEM98,PRSS56,BEST1, andCRB1) and two loci have been implicated in familial forms of nanophthalmos. Here, we review the definition of nanophthalmos, the clinical and pathogenic features of the condition, and the genetics of this disorder.
Regulation of Intestinal Epithelial Cells Properties and Functions by Amino Acids
Authors: Kong Shanshan , Zhang Yanhui H. , Zhang Weiqiang
Published: May 2018

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) line the surface of intestinal epithelium, where they play important roles in the digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, and protection of the human body from microbial infections, and others. Dysfunction of IECs can cause diseases. The development, maintenance, and functions of IECs are strongly influenced by external nutrition, such as amino acids. Amino acids play important roles in regulating the properties and functions of IECs. In this article, we briefly reviewed the current understanding of the roles of amino acids in the regulation of IECs’ properties and functions in physiological state, including in IECs homeostasis (differentiation, proliferation, and renewal), in intestinal epithelial barrier structure and functions, and in immune responses. We also summarized some important findings on the effects of amino acids supplementation (e.g., glutamine and arginine) in restoring IECs’ and intestine functions in some diseased states. These findings will further our understanding of the important roles of amino acids in the homeostasis of IECs and could potentially help identify novel targets and reagents for the therapeutic interventions of diseases associated with dysfunctional IECs.
A Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemical Gas Sensor to Sense Butylated Hydroxytoluene in Air
Authors: Emam Shadi , Adedoyin Adedokun , Geng Xiaohua , Zaeimbashi Mohsen , Adams Jason , Ekenseair Adam , Podlaha-Murphy Elizabeth , Sun Nian Xiang
Published: May 2018

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease, which affects millions of people worldwide. Curing this disease has not gained much success so far. Exhaled breath gas analysis offers an inexpensive, noninvasive, and immediate method for detecting a large number of diseases, including AD. In this paper, a new method is proposed to detect butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in the air, which is one of the chemicals found in the breath print of AD patients. A three-layer sensor was formed through deposition of a thin layer of graphene onto a glassy carbon substrate. Selective binding of the analyte was facilitated by electrochemically initiated polymerization of a solution containing the desired target molecule. Subsequent polymerization and removal of the analyte yielded a layer of polypyrrole, a conductive polymer, on top of the sensor containing molecularly imprinted cavities selective for the target molecule. Two sets of sensors have been developed. First, the graphene sensor has been fabricated with a layer of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and tested over 5–100 part per million (ppm). For the second batch, Prussian blue was added to graphene before polymerization, mainly for enhancing the electrochemical properties. The sensor was tested over 0.02-1 parts per billion (ppb) level of concentration while the sensor resistance has been monitored.
The Correlation between the Change in Thoracic Fluid Content and the Change in Patient Body Weight in Fontan Procedure
Authors: Yoon Tae-Gyoon , Jang Kyunghwan , Oh Chung-Sik , Kim Seong-Hyop , Kang Woon-Seok
Published: May 2018

Background. The thoracic fluid content (TFC) and its percent change compared to the baseline (TFCd0%) derived from a bioreactance technique using a noninvasive cardiac output monitoring (NICOM) device correlate well with the amount of fluid removal in patients undergoing hemodialysis and with intraoperative fluid balance in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. We hypothesized that TFC or TFCd0% would also be a useful indicator allowing fluid management in pediatric patients undergoing a Fontan procedure. Methods. The medical records of patients who underwent an elective Fontan procedure were reviewed retrospectively. The intraoperative variables recorded at two time points were used in the analysis: when the NICOM data obtained just after anesthesia induction (T0) and just before transfer of the patient from the operating room to the ICU (T1). The analyzed variables were hemodynamic parameters, TFC, TFCd0%, stroke volume variation, body weight gain, change in the central venous pressure, and difference in the TFC (ΔTFC). Results. The correlation coefficient between TFCd0% and body weight gain was 0.546 (p=0.01); between TFCd0% and body weight gain% 0.572 (p=0.007); and between TFCd0% and intraoperative fluid balance 0.554 (p=0.009). The coefficient of determination derived from a linear regression analysis of TFCd0% versus body weight gain was 0.30 (p=0.01); between TFCd0% and body weight gain% 0.33 (p=0.007); and between TFCd0% and intraoperative fluid balance 0.31 (p=0.009). Conclusions. TFCd0% correlated well with body weight gain, body weight gain%, and intraoperative fluid balance. It is a useful indicator in the intraoperative fluid management of pediatric patients undergoing a Fontan procedure. Trial Registration. This trial is registered with Clinical Research Information Service KCT0002062.
Coulomb Interaction Effects on Pion Production in Au+Au Collisions at Relativistic Energies
Authors: Ristea Catalin , Ristea Oana , Jipa Alexandru
Published: May 2018

Coulomb effects on charged pion transverse momentum spectra measured in Au+Au collisions at RHIC-BES energies are investigated. From these spectra the π-/π+ ratios as a function of transverse momentum are obtained and used to extract the “Coulomb kick”, pc (a momentum change due to the Coulomb interaction), and initial pion ratio for three different collision energies and various centrality classes. The Coulomb kick shows a decrease with the increase of beam energy and a clear centrality dependence, with larger values for the most central collisions. The results are connected with the kinetic freeze-out dynamics.