bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of the Sparse Uniform-Amplitude Concentric Ring Transmitting Array for Optimal Microwave Power Transmission
Authors: Zhou Hua-Wei , Yang Xue-Xia , Rahim Sajjad
Published: July 2018

Beam capture efficiency (BCE) is one key factor of the overall efficiency for a microwave power transmission (MPT) system, while sparsification of a large-scale transmitting array has a practical significance. If all elements of the transmitting array are excited uniformly, the fabrication, maintenance, and feed network design would be greatly simplified. This paper describes the synthesis method of the sparse uniform-amplitude transmitting array with concentric ring layout using particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm while keeping a higher BCE. Based on this method, uniform exciting strategy, reduced number of elements, and a higher BCE are achieved simultaneously for optimal MPT. The numerical results of the sparse uniform-amplitude concentric ring arrays (SUACRAs) optimized by the proposed method are compared with those of the random-located uniform-amplitude array (RLUAA) and the stepped-amplitude array (SAA), both being reported in the literatures for the maximum BCE. Compared to the RLUAA, the SUACRA saves 32% elements with a 1.1% higher BCE. While compared to the SAA, the SUACRA saves 29.1% elements with a bit higher BCE. The proposed SUACRAs have higher BCEs, simple array arrangement and feed network, and could be used as the transmitting array for a large-scale MPT system.
Neurophysiological Evidence for a Compensatory Activity during a Simple Oddball Task in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Vitvarová Tereza , Neumann David , Šimáková Radka , Kremláček Jan
Published: July 2018

Objective. The poor metabolic control in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) has a negative impact on the developing brain. Hyperglycemia and glycemic fluctuations disrupt mainly executive functions. To assess a hypothesized deficit of the executive functions, we evaluated visual processing and reaction time in an oddball task. Methods. Oddball visual event-related potentials (ERPs), reaction time, and pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were examined in a cohort of twenty-two 12- to 18-year-old T1D patients without diabetic retinopathy at normal glycemia and in nineteen 10- to 21-year-old healthy controls. Results. The P100 peak time of the VEPs was significantly prolonged in T1D patients compared with the control group (p<0.017). In contrast to the deteriorated sensory response, the area under the curve of the P3b component of the ERPs was significantly larger (p=0.035) in patients, while reaction time in the same task did not differ between groups (p=0.713). Conclusions. The deterioration on a sensory level, enhanced activity during cognitive processing, and balanced behavioral response support the view that neuroplasticity counterbalances the neural impairment by enhanced cognitive processing to achieve normal behavioral performance in T1D adolescents.
Study on the Phase Change Characteristics of Carbon-Based Nanofluids
Authors: Teng Tun-Ping , Yu Shang-Pang , Hsiao Ting-Chiang , Chung Chun-Chi
Published: July 2018

In this study, carbon-based nanofluids (CBNFs) with the minimized carbon materials (MCMs) were prepared using a graphite powder-based heating and cooling processing method (GP-HCPM). In addition, sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate (SDBS) was added as a dispersant to enhance the stability of the CBNFs. Two methods, one involving fixed heating and cooling rates and the other involving fixed heating and cooling temperatures, were used to measure and analyze the phase change characteristics of the CBNFs and SDBS aqueous solution in order to evaluate the feasibility of employing CBNFs as phase change materials (PCMs) for cold storage applications. Results revealed that SDBS reduced the thermal conductivity (k) and increased the viscosity (μ), density (ρ), and specific heat (cp) of the samples; the CBNFs tended to increase the k, μ, and ρ values but reduce the cp values of the samples, compared with water. Furthermore, the SDBS aqueous solution and CBNFs significantly reduced the contact angle of droplets, compared with water. Phase change experiments conducted for all samples revealed that the CBNF sample S4 demonstrated the greatest reduction ratios in onset nucleation time, solidification time, and subcooling degree (38.98%, 11.05%, and 35.41%, resp.); thus, S4 was determined to be the most suitable CBNF for use as a PCM in cold storage applications.
High Concentration of Glucose Increases Reactive Oxygen Species Generation and Apoptosis Induced by Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathway in Rabbit Corneal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Lu Jiajun , Sheng Minjie , Yao Panpan , Ran Chaochao , Liu Hao , Chen Li , Liu Rui , Li Bing
Published: July 2018

Objective. To investigate the effect of high concentration of glucose on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in rabbit corneal epithelial cells (RECEs) and explore whether the increased ROS initiates the apoptosis process of RECEs through oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway. Methods. RECEs were treated by different concentrations of glucose for a while, and then the production of ROS was detected by flow cytometry. The expressions of PERK, p-PERK, Akt, p-Akt, and CHOP were determined by western blot, and the cell viability was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). Flow cytometry was used to detect the early apoptosis rate. Meanwhile, the effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an active oxygen inhibitor, on the experimental results were observed. Results. Compared with the normal glucose concentration group, the fluorescence intensity of ROS in the high concentration (1 mM glucose) of glucose group was significantly increased (P<0.05). NAC-inhibited ROS production was induced by high concentration of glucose (P<0.05).Western blot demonstrated that the expressions of the p-PERK and CHOP increased significantly (P<0.05), the p-Akt expression decreased (P<0.05), and the PERK and Akt expressions did not change significantly in the high concentration of glucose group compared to the normal concentration group. CCK-8 results revealed that compared with the normal concentration of glucose group, the cell activity of the high concentration of glucose group decreased. For the cells in the high concentration of glucose group, the cell survival rate of NAC-treated cells was higher than that of untreated (P<0.05). The flow cytometry results indicated that the early apoptosis rate of the cells in the high concentration of glucose group increased in contrast with that in the normal concentration of glucose group (P<0.05). Treating the cells in the high concentration of glucose group with NAC could reduce the cell apoptosis resulted from high glucose (P<0.05). Conclusions. High concentration of glucose may induce the formation of ROS which leads to oxidative stress and ER stress in RECEs and even leads to cell apoptosis. The reactive oxygen inhibitor, NAC, can play a protective character in the high concentration of glucose environment. These results might provide theoretical basis for the study of the diabetes-related dry eye.
Involvement of Flavonoids from the Leaves of Carya cathayensis Sarg. in Sirtuin 1 Expression in HUVEC Senescence
Authors: Guo Yan , Xing Liwan , Qian Chaodong , Ding Zhishan , Jin Bo
Published: July 2018

Atherosclerosis is the commonest cause of death in the world and one of the most important processes that occurs with increasing age because it is accompanied by progressive endothelial dysfunction. Recent studies demonstrated that Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) might potentially affect cell senescence. However, the effect of SIRT1 on the regulation of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) senescence with total flavonoids (TFs) has not been addressed previously. This study investigated how SIRT1 functions in the process of HUVEC senescence when TFs are present and identified the potential molecular mechanisms involved. Using a model of HUVEC senescence induced by angiotensin II, TFs pretreatment reduced the percentage of senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal) cells and p53 mRNA expression. The level of SIRT1 protein and E2F1 decreased during HUVEC senescence and could be partially recovered when cells were coincubated with TFs, while the levels of proteins p53 and p21 increased during cell senescence and diminished in response to the TFs treatment. When coincubated with 20 mM nicotinamide, the results with SA‐β‐gal‐positive cells and the expression of SIRT1, E2F1, p53, and p21 were contrary to that obtained with only TFs pretreatment. The data indicate that the TFs exert their effect on HUVEC senescence through SIRT1.
Chitosan-Capped Au Nanoparticles for Laser Photothermal Ablation Therapy: UV-Vis Characterization and Optothermal Performances
Authors: Margheri Giancarlo , Trigari Silvana , Berti Mariabeatrice , Muniz Miranda Maurizio , Traversi Rita
Published: July 2018

We have reported on the synthesis and characterization of near-infrared- (NIR-) absorbing colloidal nanoparticles prepared by exploiting the one-step reaction of HAuCl4 and Na2S2O3, followed by their stabilization with chitosan. This reaction also produces a big amount of unwanted nanoparticles detuned with respect to the NIR spectral region. For this reason, it is usually assumed that the product has to be filtered and enriched to enhance its NIR absorption, and the possible exploitation of the simpler raw product has never been worthy to be considered. Aiming to investigate this missing aspect, we chose to avoid the purification steps and rather focused on the preparation of the unrefined colloid, identifying the synthesis conditions that maximize its NIR absorbance and, subsequently, testing it as an optothermal transducer by measuring its molar heating rate (MHR). As expected, we found that the performances of the raw colloid are indeed lower than those of its refined version, but only to a limited extent. Moreover, MHR is unexpectedly higher than that deducible for other classical NIR-absorbing nanoparticles, like Au nanorods or Au nanostars. Thus, the product of the simpler preparation protocol appears as a competitive trade-off solution between easy manufacturing and optothermal performances.
Analyzing the Coupling Coordination among Economic, Social, and Environmental Benefits of Urban Infrastructure: Case Study of Four Chinese Autonomous Municipalities
Authors: Sun Yu , Cui Yin
Published: July 2018

Urban infrastructure is a necessary condition for urban development. Its use generates three benefits which are economic, social, and environmental benefits of urban infrastructure. They are the positive impacts on urban economy, society, and environment generated by the use of urban infrastructure, respectively. This paper evaluates the coupling coordination among these three benefits taking four Chinese autonomous municipalities as examples. These four cities have large-scale urban infrastructure but its basic function has not been fully fulfilled. Whether three benefits of urban infrastructure have been developed in harmony or not was unclear. We analyzed the coordinated development among three benefits by constructing coupling coordination degree model and studied the impacts of three benefits on their coupling coordination degree using panel regression model. The results showed that the levels of coordinated development among three benefits of urban infrastructure were low in these four cities and the impact of social benefit on their coordinated development was largest. Therefore, urban infrastructure social benefit needs to be improved mainly in these four cities.
Incidental Finding of Left Ventricular False Chamber: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Cuccaro Antonello , Gorla Riccardo , Lumia Domenico , Barbiero Mattia , De Ponti Roberto
Published: July 2018

We present the case of a 75-year-old man with incidental finding of a left ventricular false chamber at echocardiography. A multimodality imaging approach including also transesophageal echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging allowed to better characterize the lesion and identify it as a pseudoaneurysm. Surgery showed an infective aetiology, which is rare, due to the finding of a large abscess in the cavity.
High Circulating Caspase-Cleaved Keratin 18 Fragments (M30) Indicate Short-Term Mortality in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Koch Alexander , Yagmur Eray , Linka Janine , Schumacher Fabienne , Bruensing Jan , Buendgens Lukas , Herbers Ulf , Koek Ger H. , Weiskirchen Ralf , Trautwein Christian , Tacke Frank
Published: July 2018

Caspase-cleaved fragments of the intermediate filament protein keratin 18 (cytokeratin-18 (CK18)) can be detected in serum as M30 levels and may serve as a circulating biomarker indicating apoptosis of epithelial and parenchymal cells. In order to evaluate M30 as a biomarker in critical illness, we analyzed circulating M30 levels in 243 critically ill patients (156 with sepsis, 87 without sepsis) at admission to the medical intensive care unit (ICU), in comparison to healthy controls (n=32). M30 levels were significantly elevated in ICU patients compared with healthy controls. Circulating M30 was closely associated with disease severity but did not differ between patients with sepsis and ICU patients without sepsis. M30 serum levels were correlated with biomarkers of inflammation, cell injury, renal failure, and liver failure in critically ill patients. Patients that died at the ICU showed increased M30 levels at admission, compared with surviving patients. A similar trend was observed for the overall survival. Regression analyses confirmed that M30 levels are associated with mortality, and patients with M30 levels above 250.8 U/L displayed an excessive short-term mortality. Thus, our data support the utility of circulating levels of the apoptosis-related keratin fragment M30 as a prognostic biomarker at ICU admission.
Rating Scale Measures in Multiple-Choice Exams: Pilot Studies in Pharmacology
Authors: Melzer Andreas , Gergs Ulrich , Lukas Josef , Neumann Joachim
Published: July 2018

Multiple-choice questions are widely used in clinical education. Usually, the students have to mark the one and only correct answer from a set of five alternatives. Here, in a voluntary exam, at the end of an obligatory pharmacology exam, we tested a format where more than one alternative could be correct (N=544 students from three year groups). Moreover, the students were asked to rate each item. The students were unaware how many correct answers were contained in the questions. Finally, a questionnaire had to be filled out about the difficulty of the new tests compared to the one out of five tests. In the obligatory final exam, all groups performed similarly. From the results, we conclude that the new rating scales were a better challenge and could be adapted to assess student knowledge and confidence in more depth than previous multiple-choice questions.
Three Pillars of Novel Nonthermal Food Technologies: Food Safety, Quality, and Environment
Authors: Režek Jambrak Anet , Vukušić Tomislava , Donsi Francesco , Paniwnyk Larysa , Djekic Ilija
Published: July 2018

This review gives an overview of the impact of novel nonthermal food technologies on food safety, on quality, and on the environment. It confirms that research in this field is mainly focused on analyzing microbial and/or chemical aspects of food safety. However, recent research shows that in spite of various food safety benefits, some negative (quality oriented) features occur. Finally, this paper shows the necessity of analyzing the environmental dimension of using these technologies.
Automatic Robot Trajectory for Thermal‐Sprayed Complex Surfaces
Authors: Fang Dandan , Zheng You , Zhang Botao , Li Xiangbo , Ju Pengfei , Li Hua , Zeng Cunnian
Published: July 2018

Automatic trajectory generation for thermal spray application is highly desirable for today’s automotive manufacturing. Automatic robot trajectory for free‐form surfaces to satisfy the coating uniform is still highly challenging due to the complex geometry of free‐form surfaces. The purpose of this study is to present and implement a method for automatic generation of robot trajectory according to the given spray parameters on polygon profile and complex curved free‐form surfaces, such as torch speed, spray distance, spray angle, and so on. This software development foundation is an Add‐In programme of RobotStudio, which is off‐line programming and simulation software of ABB Company. The experimental results show that the robot trajectory can be generated rapidly, accurately, and automatically on the complex geometries by this method.
Fuzzy Logic Expert System for Classifying Solonchaks of Algeria
Authors: Hadj Miloud Samir , Djili Kaddour , Benidir Mohamed
Published: July 2018

Under arid and semiarid regions of the North of Africa, the soils considered as Solonchaks contain both calcium carbonate and gypsum. When these elements are presented at high quantities, these Solonchaks are getting close to Calcisol or Gypsisol. The World Reference Base (WRB) for soil classification does not take into account the soil as a continuum. Instead, this international soil system classification is based on threshold values that define hierarchical diagnostic criteria. Consequently, the distinction between Solonchaks, Calcisol, and Gypsisol is still not clear. To avoid this situation, fuzzy logic based on the Mamdani inference system (MFIS) was used to determine to what extent soil classified as Solonchak in WRB can interfere with Calcisols and Gypsisols. For that purpose, membership values of Solonchaks (Is), Calcisols (Ic), and Gypsisols (Ig) indices were calculated from 194 soil profiles previously classified as Solonchak in WRB. Data analyses revealed that Solonchaks soils were subdivided into Solonchaks (61%), Calcisols (1%), Gypsisols (0.5%), Solonchaks-Calcisols intergrades (29%), Solonchaks-Gypsisols intergrades (5%), and Solonchaks-Calcisols-Gypsisols intergrades (2%). Moreover, Is, Ic, and Ig showed high significant correlations with almost all WRB diagnostic criteria (P<0.05). Under our study, soil classification obtained by employing MFIS was analogous to that provided by WRB; however, MFIS exhibited high precision concerning the membership value between soils and their intergrades. Therefore, the application of MFIS for other soil classifications in the world is possible and could lead to improvement in conventional soil classification.
Methylation-Demethylation Dynamics: Implications of Changes in Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Chakraborty Anubhav , Viswanathan Pragasam
Published: July 2018

Over the years, the epigenetic landscape has grown increasingly complex. Until recently, methylation of DNA and histones was considered one of the most important epigenetic modifications. However, with the discovery of enzymes involved in the demethylation process, several exciting prospects have emerged that focus on the dynamic regulation of methylation and its crucial role in development and disease. An interplay of the methylation-demethylation machinery controls the process of gene expression. Since acute kidney injury (AKI), a major risk factor for chronic kidney disease and death, is characterised by aberrant expression of genes, understanding the dynamics of methylation and demethylation will provide new insights into the intricacies of the disease. Research on epigenetics in AKI has only made its mark in the recent years but has provided compelling evidence that implicates the involvement of methylation and demethylation changes in its pathophysiology. In this review, we explore the role of methylation and demethylation machinery in cellular epigenetic control and further discuss the contribution of methylomic changes and histone modifications to the pathophysiology of AKI.
Effect of Fluid Flow Rate on Efficacy of Fluid Warmer: An In Vitro Experimental Study
Authors: Thongsukh Vorasruang , Kositratana Chanida , Jandonpai Aree
Published: July 2018

Introduction. In patients who require a massive intraoperative transfusion, cold fluid or blood transfusion can cause hypothermia and potential adverse effects. One method by which to prevent hypothermia in these patients is to warm the intravenous fluid before infusion. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the fluid flow rate on the efficacy of a fluid warmer. Methods. The room air temperature was controlled at 24°C. Normal saline at room temperature was used for the experiment. The fluid was connected to an infusion pump and covered with a heater line, which constantly maintained the temperature at 42°C. The fluid temperature after warming was measured by an insulated thermistor at different fluid flow rates (100, 300, 600, 900, and 1200 mL/h) and compared with the fluid temperature before warming. Effective warming was defined as an outlet fluid temperature of >32°C. Results. The room temperature was 23.6°C ± 0.9°C. The fluid temperature before warming was 24.95°C ± 0.5°C. The outlet temperature was significantly higher after warming at all flow rates (p<0.001). The increases in temperature were 10.9°C ± 0.1°C, 11.5°C ± 0.1°C, 10.2°C ± 0.1°C, 10.1°C ± 0.7°C, and 8.4°C ± 0.2°C at flow rates of 100, 300, 600, 900, and 1200 mL/h, respectively. The changes in temperature among all different flow rates were statistically significant (p<0.001). The outlet temperature was >32°C at all flow rates. Conclusions. The efficacy of fluid warming was inversely associated with the increase in flow rate. The outlet temperature was <42°C at fluid flow rates of 100 to 1200 mL/h. However, all outlet temperatures reached >32°C, indicating effective maintenance of the core body temperature by infusion of warm fluid.
Bilateral Pheochromocytomas in a Patient with Y175C Von Hippel-Lindau Mutation
Authors: Astapova Olga , Biswas Anindita , DiMauro Alessandra , Moalem Jacob , Hammes Stephen R.
Published: July 2018

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease, caused by germline mutations in the VHL gene, is characterized by metachronously occurring tumors including pheochromocytoma, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and hemangioblastoma. Although VHL disease leads to reduced life expectancy, its diagnosis is often missed and tumor screening guidelines are sparse. VHL protein acts as a tumor suppressor by targeting hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) for degradation through an oxygen-dependent mechanism. VHL mutants with more severely reduced HIF degrading function carry a high risk of RCC, while mutants with preserved HIF degrading capacity do not cause RCC but still lead to other tumors. VHL disease is classified into clinical types (1 and 2A-2C) based on this genotype-phenotype relationship. We report a case of bilateral pheochromocytomas and no other VHL-related tumors in a patient with Y175C VHL and show that this mutant preserves the ability to degrade HIF in normal oxygen conditions but, similar to the wild-type VHL protein, loses its ability to degrade HIF under hypoxic conditions. This study adds to the current understanding of the structure-function relationship of VHL mutations, which is important for risk stratification of future tumor development in the patients.
Public‐Private Partnerships in the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in China: An Illustrative Case Study
Authors: Wang Kun , Ke Yongjian
Published: July 2018

Effective supply of charging infrastructure is a necessary support for the development of electric vehicle and also an important strategic measure to promote energy consumption revolution and green development. The construction and operation of charging infrastructure in China is unfortunately not smooth, lagging behind the actual demand. Public‐Private Partnerships (PPPs) may offer a promising way forward and accelerate the development of charging infrastructure by tapping the private sectors’ financial resources and professional skills. However, PPP has not been commonly adopted in this sector yet. This paper hence studied an illustrative case of Anqing Project in China to demonstrate how governments structure a PPP deal in the electric vehicle charging infrastructures. A content analysis was conducted on the important project documents to investigate key elements including the planning, construction, risk sharing, profit distribution, and supervision during the execution stage. Based on the illustration, some key lessons and recommendations were provided to offer a reference for future charging infrastructure PPP projects in China.
Experimental and Runge–Kutta Method Simulation to Investigate Corrosion Kinetics of Mild Steel in Sulfuric Acid Solutions
Authors: Alwaan Ismaeel M.
Published: July 2018

The mild steel is extensively used in different industrial applications and the biggest problem in the application of mild steel is corrosion. In this work, the reaction kinetics of mild steel with sulfuric acid at different concentrations and at different temperatures were studied in combination with the experimental data and theoretical approach using the Runge–Kutta method. The results revealed that the rate of reaction constant for temperatures in the range of 30–50°C was changed from 2618 to 2793 L3/mol3.h, respectively. The order of reaction of mild steel was 4th order in all temperature ranges. The enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy of mild steel reaction at a temperature of 298 K were estimated. The activation energy (E/R) of the reaction was 4.829 K. It was concluded that the sulfuric acid reaction with mild steel occurred easily and the inhibitors should be used in these systems.
Analysis and Optimization of Passenger Flowlines at Zhongchuan High-Speed Railway Station
Authors: Wang Hualan , Wang Baoli , Xu Jiaying , Hu Zunjie
Published: July 2018

In order to optimize the passenger flowlines and improve the operation capacity of Zhongchuan high-speed railway station, the simulation model of passenger flowlines is established based on the simulation software of Anylogic. The simulation of the passenger flowlines during peak and off-peak hours of the station are carried out respectively. The organization problems of passenger flowlines during peak hours are found out, and the optimization methods are put forward. The station capacity after optimization is compared with the original by employed the simulation model. The result shows, after optimization, although the walking distance of passengers who are entering the ticket hall to buy ticket is increased but the flowline separation effect is achieved, the flowlines become more clear, the cross interferences are reduced, and the station capacity is increased.
Effects of Ultrasonic-Microwave-Assisted Technology on Hordein Extraction from Barley and Optimization of Process Parameters Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Guan Xiao , Li Lv , Liu Jing , Li Sen
Published: July 2018

We investigated the process intensification of ultrasonic-microwave-assisted technology for hordein extraction from barley. Response surface methodology was utilized to optimize the extraction conditions and to analyze the interaction between four selected variables: temperature, microwave power, ultrasonic power, and extraction time. The validated extraction yield of hordein reached 8.84% at 78°C, microwave power 298 W, and ultrasonic power 690 W after 20 min as optimum conditions. Compared with traditional water-bath extraction (4.7%), the ultrasonic-microwave-assisted technology effectively increased the hordein extraction yield and shortened the extraction time. According to the obtained quadratic model (R2 = 0.9457), ultrasonic power and extraction time were the first two significant factors. However, temperature limited the effects of other factors during extraction. SDS-PAGE and scanning electron microscopy were used to identify the hordein extract and to clarify the difference between the two hordein fractions extracted with new and traditional methods, respectively. Ultrasonic-microwave-assisted technology provided a new way to improve hordein extraction yield from barley and could be a good candidate for industrial application of process intensification.
Strong Solutions and Global Attractors for Kirchhoff Type Equation
Authors: Chen Xiangping
Published: July 2018

We study the long-time behavior of the Kirchhoff type equation with linear damping. We prove the existence of strong solution and the semigroup associated with the solution possesses a global attractor in the higher phase space.
Angiotensin-I-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Activity and Antioxidant Properties of Cryptides Derived from Natural Actomyosin of Catla catla Using Papain
Authors: Elavarasan Krishnamoorthy , Shamasundar Bangalore Aswathnarayan
Published: July 2018

Natural actomyosin (NAM) from the freshwater fish Catla catla was extracted and hydrolyzed using papain enzyme at different enzyme-to-substrate ratios (0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 5.0%, and 10%) to obtain the cryptides with different degrees of hydrolysis (DH). Derived cryptides were evaluated for bioactive properties such as angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity and antioxidant properties. The pattern of hydrolysis of NAM as a function of time revealed that major protein components such as myosin and actin were hydrolyzed within 10 min of hydrolysis. The cryptides obtained with the DH of 29.4% had significantly higher ACE inhibitory activity and linoleic acid peroxidation inhibitory activity (P<0.05). A higher DPPH free radical-scavenging activity and ferric-reducing power were exhibited by the NAM cryptide mixture obtained with the DH of 17.38 and 26.2%, respectively. The natural actomyosin could be a potential precursor to produce the cryptides with therapeutical and antioxidant properties.
Temperature Adaptability of Asphalt Pavement to High Temperatures and Significant Temperature Differences
Authors: Zhao Xueying , Shen Aiqin , Ma Baofu
Published: July 2018

Temperature adaptability of asphalt pavements is very important, due to their potential influence on pavement structure design, particularly in areas that experience significant temperature differences. In this paper, a finite element (FE) model was developed, and Turpan‐Xiaocao Lake Highway in southern Xinjiang was taken as a case study engineering, which tends to experience this adverse environmental condition (temperature difference: 25.5°C; July 14, 2008). In this model, the generalized Kelvin model and the Burgers model were used. The time‐dependent tire pressure was considered. To guide pavement structure design and control pavement distresses in this area, seven alternative pavement structures were selected to simulate and analyze pavement temperature fields and the mechanical responses. It was observed that the influence of air temperature had the greatest impact on Str‐1, possibly due to the thinnest asphalt course. Moreover, when rutting depth, maximum shear stress of the asphalt course, deflection on the pavement surface, and compressive strains at the subgrade top surface were taken as the evaluation indices, the adaptability of asphalt pavements using compound base courses had obvious advantage due to their strong absorption and reflection of load impact. The adaptability of seven structures analyzed in this paper decreased in the following order: Str‐5 > Str‐6 > Str‐4 > Str‐2 > Str‐m > Str‐1 > Str‐3. In addition, it broke the traditional view that asphalt pavement with a flexible base had the poor ability on rutting resistance. Besides, it also suggests that when the thickness of asphalt courses was equivalent, increasing the thickness of chemical‐treated base courses would help with the deformation resistance, and vice versa.
On (∈,∈∨qk)-Fuzzy Hyperideals in Ordered LA-Semihypergroups
Authors: Azhar Muhammad , Yaqoob Naveed , Gulistan Muhammad , Khalaf Mohammed M.
Published: July 2018

The concept of (∈,∈∨qk)-fuzzy hyperideal of an ordered LA-semihypergroup is introduced by the ordered fuzzy points, and related properties are investigated. We study the relations between different (∈,∈∨qk)-fuzzy hyperideal of an ordered LA-semihypergroup. Furthermore, we study some results on homomorphisms of (∈,∈∨qk)-fuzzy hyperideals.
Relationship between Xanthine Oxidoreductase Redox and Oxidative Stress among Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
Authors: Terawaki Hiroyuki , Hayashi Tomoya , Murase Takayo , Iijima Ryutaro , Waki Kaito , Tani Yoshihiro , Nakamura Takashi , Yoshimura Kazunobu , Uchida Shunya , Kazama Junichiro James
Published: July 2018

Xanthine oxidase (XO), an isoform of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR), is thought to increase the cardiovascular burden among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients via oxidative radical production. Plasma XOR redox, which is characterized by the ratio of XO to total XOR, changes under different oxidative conditions associated with kidney dysfunction. However, the relationship between plasma XOR redox and oxidative stress (OS) is unclear. Thus, we aimed to clarify whether OS is related to XOR redox. We used the redox state of human serum albumin (HSA) as a marker to investigate the status of OS in CKD patients. HSA is composed of human mercaptoalbumin (HMA), which possesses not oxidized cysteine residues, reversibly oxidized human nonmercaptoalbumin‐1 (HNA‐1), and strongly oxidized human nonmercaptoalbumin‐2 (HNA‐2). The subjects included 13 nondialysis patients (7 males and 6 females) with varying degrees of kidney function. We found that ƒ(HMA) was negatively (R = −0.692, P = 0.0071) and ƒ(HNA‐1) was positively (R = 0.703, P = 0.0058) correlated with plasma XO/XOR. ƒ(HNA‐2) showed no correlation with XO/XOR (R = 0.146, P = 0.6412), indicating that plasma XOR redox is not related to the irreversible oxidation of HSA. In conclusion, plasma XOR redox is closely related to HSA redox, particularly reversible oxidation of HSA.
Accuracy Analysis of the Aerosol Backscatter Coefficient Profiles Derived from the CYY-2B Ceilometer
Authors: Liu Lei , Zhang Ting , Wu Yi , Wang Qi , Gao Taichang
Published: July 2018

Ceilometers are originally designed for cloud base height monitoring. Since a few years, the number of ceilometers available worldwide is rapidly increasing, and these simple backscatter lidars are investigated to be used for aerosol research. This study presents an assessment of the potential of CYY-2B ceilometer for the quantitative retrieval of aerosol properties. The signal-to-noise ratio of the ceilometer is calculated, and the effective height of inversion is determined. It is shown that the effective height of the ceilometer for backscatter coefficient profile inversion is 3-4 km at night and about 1.5–2 km during the day, which is lower than that of the micropulse lidar (MPL) system. The accuracy of the backscatter coefficient profiles derived from the CYY-2B ceilometer is analyzed by using the Vaisala CL51 ceilometer, MPL, forward scatter visibility instrument, and aerosol optical depth (AOD) dataset from aerosol robotic network (AERONET). Spectral conversions of the ceilometer’s and lidar’s data are performed using the Ångström exponent estimated by AERONET measurements. A good agreement is found between two ceilometers and the MPL lidar in backscatter coefficient profiles inversion. The AODs agree well with the AERONET AODs during the observation period of small AODs. However, for the period of large AODs, the results are approximately 50%–60% of AERONET AODs. The limited range of extinction integration is the main cause of this problem.
An Interesting Case of Neurobrucellosis Mimicking Neuropsychiatric Lupus
Authors: Bains Ramandeep , Dahhan Tamara , Belzowski Annie , Heinze Emil R. , Wong Andrew L. , Clements Philip J.
Published: July 2018

This case describes a patient presenting with acute onset papilledema, subacute strokes resulting in upper extremity weakness and numbness, arthritis, maculopapular rash, depressed C4 and CH50, and a high titer anti-double-stranded DNA antibody. The patient was given the diagnosis of probable systemic lupus erythematosus, which was supported by the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) criteria. He was aggressively treated for neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) with pulse dose steroids and a dose of intravenous cyclophosphamide. Blood cultures drawn on admission later grew out 2/4 bottles of Gram-variable bacteria, speciated as Brucella melitensis by PCR. Serum Brucella serologies were also positive. On further evaluation, the patient noted a history of eating unpasteurized cheese in Mexico. Given these additional findings, the patient’s presentation was most consistent with a diagnosis of neurobrucellosis. Steroids were tapered off, no further doses of cyclophosphamide were given, and a prolonged course of intravenous and oral antibiotic therapy was administered, resulting in complete resolution of the patient’s presenting symptoms.
Nanocomposites Fe/Activated Carbon/PVA for Microwave Absorber: Synthesis and Characterization
Authors: Abdullah Bualkar , Ilyas Sultan , Tahir Dahlang
Published: July 2018

Nanocomposites, activated carbon/polyvinyl alcohol (AC/PVA) filled with Fe to form Fe/AC/PVA, were characterized by using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and vector network analyzer (VNA). The crystal orientations from Fe are (104), (110), and (200) and the bonding formations of AC are O-H, C-H, and C=C show existence in nanocomposites, which may be due to the Fe that has been filled the pore of AC via a chemical bond. 20% AC (3 mm in thickness) in nanocomposites shows higher performance absorption for C-band (4.65 GHz) with maximum reflection loss of −32.5 dB.
Optimal Scheduling of a Microgrid Including Pump Scheduling and Network Constraints
Authors: Krishnan Ashok , Sampath L. P. M. I. , Foo Eddy Y. S. , Gooi H. B.
Published: July 2018

This paper proposes an efficient energy management system (EMS) for industrial microgrids (MGs). Many industries deploy large pumps for their processes. Oftentimes, such pumps are operated during hours of peak electricity prices. A lot of industries use a mix of captive generation and imported utility electricity to meet their energy requirements. The MG considered in this paper includes diesel generators, battery energy storage systems, renewable energy sources, flexible loads, and interruptible loads. Pump loads found in shipyard dry docks are modelled as exemplar flexible industrial loads. The proposed EMS has a two‐stage architecture. An optimal MG scheduling problem including pump scheduling and curtailment of interruptible loads (ILs) is formulated and solved in the first stage. An optimal power flow problem is solved in the second stage to verify the feasibility of the MG schedule with the network constraints. An iterative procedure is used to coordinate the two EMS stages. Multiple case studies are used to demonstrate the utility of the proposed EMS. The case studies highlight the efficacy of load management strategies such as pump scheduling and curtailment of ILs in reducing the total electricity cost of the MG.
Current Visceral Leishmaniasis Research: A Research Review to Inspire Future Study
Authors: Bi Kaiming , Chen Yuyang , Zhao Songnian , Kuang Yan , John Wu Chih-Hang
Published: July 2018

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), one of the deadliest parasitic diseases in the world, causes more than 50,000 human deaths each year and afflicts millions of people throughout South America, East Africa, South Asia, and Mediterranean Region. In 2015 the World Health Organization classified VL as a neglected tropical disease (NTD), prompting concentrated study of the VL epidemic using mathematical and simulation models. This paper reviews literature related to prevalence and prevention control strategies. More than thirty current research works were reviewed and classified based on VL epidemic study methods, including modeling approaches, control strategies, and simulation techniques since 2013. A summarization of these technical methods, major findings, and contributions from existing works revealed that VL epidemic research efforts must improve in the areas of validating and verifying VL mathematical models with real-world epidemic data. In addition, more dynamic disease control strategies must be explored and advanced simulation techniques must be used to predict VL pandemics.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mortality in the United States, 2011–2014
Authors: Larson Theodore C. , Kaye Wendy , Mehta Paul , Horton D. Kevin
Published: July 2018

Background: The International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision (ICD-10) did not include a code specific for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) until 2017. Instead, code G12.2 included both ALS and other motor neuron diseases (MND). Our objective was to determine US mortality rates for ALS exclusively by excluding other MND and progressive supranuclear palsy. Methods: All mortality data coded as G12.2 under the pre-2017 rubric were obtained for 2011–2014. Deaths without ALS listed in one of the un-coded cause-of-death fields were excluded. ALS death rates per 100,000 persons were age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population using the direct method. Results: The proportion of excluded records coded G12.2 but not ALS was 0.21, resulting in 24,328 ALS deaths. The overall age-adjusted mortality rate was 1.70 (95% CI 1.68–1.72). The rate among males was 2.09 (95% CI 2.05–2.12) and females was 1.37 (95% CI 1.35–1.40). The overall rate among whites was 1.84, blacks 1.03, and other races 0.70. For both sexes and all races, the rate increased with age and peaked among 75–79 year-olds. Rates tended to be greater in states at higher latitudes. Conclusions: Previous reports of ALS mortality in the United States showed similar age, sex, and race distributions but with greater age-adjusted mortality rates due to the inclusion of other diseases in the case definition. When using ICD-10 data collected prior to 2017, additional review of multiple-cause of death data is required for the accurate estimation of ALS deaths.
Expanding Phenotype of Nephronophthisis-Related Ciliopathy: an Elderly Patient with Homozygous RPGRIP1L Mutation
Authors: Kawaguchi Takahisa , Yoshida Tadashi , Hirahashi Junichi , Uehara Tomoko , Takenouchi Toshiki , Kosaki Kenjiro , Itoh Hiroshi , Hayashi Matsuhiko
Published: July 2018

Nephronophthisis-related ciliopathies (NPHP-RC) are autosomal recessive disorders characterized by renal corticomedullary cysts with the extrarenal symptoms. Typically, patients with NPHP-RC reach end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) before the age of 30 years. We herein report a Japanese woman with NPHP-RC who had unusually delayed progression to ESKD after 6 decades. She exhibited liver dysfunction at the age of 23 years. She also showed mild renal dysfunction at the age of 43 years. Ultrasonography revealed bilateral multiple renal cysts with loss of corticomedullary differentiation. Her liver and renal functions gradually deteriorated. She was diagnosed with liver fibrosis as a result of biopsy, and initiated the maintenance hemodiafiltration therapy for ESKD at the age of 61 years. Because of a unique combination of multiple renal cysts and liver fibrosis, ciliopathy was suspected and medical exome analysis was performed. A novel homozygous missense mutation was identified in RPGRIP1L (c.1810G>A p.Glu604Lys), a causative gene for NPHP-RC. To the best of our knowledge, this patient is the oldest one who progressed to ESKD in NPHP-RC. Our case illustrates that NPHP-RC should be included in the differential diagnosis of the patient with corticomedullary polycystic kidneys accompanied by the extrarenal organ involvements, even if the patient is elderly.
An Overview of Modelling Craniosynostosis Using the Finite Element Method
Authors: Malde Oyvind , Libby Joseph , Moazen Mehran
Published: July 2018

Craniosynostosis is a medical condition caused by the early fusion of the cranial joint. The finite element method (FEM) is a computational technique that can answer a variety of “what if” questions in relation to the biomechanics of this condition. The aim of this study was to review the current literature that has used FEM to investigate the biomechanics of any aspect of craniosynostosis, being its development or its reconstruction. This review highlights that a relatively small number of studies (n = 10) has used FEM to investigate the biomechanics of craniosynostosis. Current studies set a good foundation for the future to take advantage of this method and optimize reconstruction of various forms of craniosynostosis.
Somatostatin Octapeptide Inhibits Cell Invasion and Metastasis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through PEBP1
Authors: Huang Chuan-Zhong , Huang Ai-Min , Liu Jing-Feng , Wang Bin , Lin Ke-Can , Ye Yun-Bin
Published: July 2018

Background/Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major threat to human health. The condition carries a high risk of death; 45% of new cases occur in China. Surgical resection is the first choice for treatment of HCC, but 30.9% of patients experience recurrence within 6 months after the operation. To improve patient survival, we must determine how to reduce the probability of recurrence and metastasis and elucidate the underlying mechanism of disease. We therefore studied the effect of somatostatin octapeptide (octreotide) on the invasion and metastasis of HCC. Methods: The migration and invasion cytological tests were used to detect the effect of octreotide on liver cancer cells (SK-Hep-1 and HepG2). PEBP1 RNAi was used to knockdown expression. Invasion and metastasis were measured with transwell migration and wound-healing assays. Western blotting was used to detect changes in levels of PEBP1 and invasion pathway proteins after octreotide treatment. The effect of octreotide was studied in vivo by establishing a pulmonary metastasis model using SK-Hep-1 cells in nude mice. In-vivo bioluminescence imaging and hematoxylin and eosin staining of lung tissue were used to verify the results. Results: Increasing concentrations of octreotide were progressively more effective in halting the invasion and metastasis of liver cancer cells. Octreotide may upregulate PEBP1, TIMP-2, and E-cadherin while downregulating MMP-2 and Twist to inhibit cell invasion and metastasis. And downregulation of PEBP1 would also change the expression of MMP-2, TIMP-2 and Twist. The in-vivo experiments showed no cancer cell metastasis in 4 of the 6 mice in the octreotide-treatment group, while all of the mice in the control group displayed pulmonary metastasis of human HCC cells. And the survival period of the mice in the octreotide-treatment group was significantly prolonged. Conclusions: Octreotide may weaken invasion and metastasis through the upregulation of PEBP1. Octreotide may reduce the risk of recurrence and metastasis after surgery for liver cancer.
CSN6 and Rab34 Are Involved in Androgen Receptor Trafficking in Mouse Testicular Sertoli Cells
Authors: Deng Qiong , He Chihua , Wu Yong , Zhang Jianwen , Zhang Ying , Wang Zhu , Liang Hui , Yang Fei
Published: July 2018

Background/Aims: Androgen and its receptor (AR) play an important role in maintaining spermatogenesis and male fertility. Our previous studies showed that testosterone at a physiological concentration induces cytoplasmic AR translocation to the Sertoli cell plasma membrane of within 5 minutes. Methods: In this study, mass spectrometry (MS) and bioinformatic analyses were applied to identify candidate proteins mediating AR trafficking. The candidate proteins were knocked down by shRNA transfection. Results: Nine candidate proteins were identified by MS. The data was verified by co-immunoprecipitation and Western blot. Of the candidates, CSN6 regulated AR transport through the phosphorylation signaling pathway and Rab34 affected AR trafficking by regulating Ras activity. Conclusions: CSN6 and Rab34 are involved in AR trafficking by regulating the phosphorylation signaling pathway. These findings provide new insights into the testosterone signaling pathway in Sertoli cells that mediates spermatogenesis.