bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Short‐chain fatty acids augment rat duodenal mucosal barrier function
Authors: Wan Saudi Wan Salman , Sjöblom Markus
Published: April 2017

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Small intestinal epithelium is exposed to high concentrations of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs), but their role in regulating intestinal mucosal barrier function and motility is not fully understood.

What is the main finding and its importance?

By perfusing the duodenal segment in anaesthetized rats, we show that acetate and propionate significantly decrease mucosal paracellular permeability and transepithelial net fluid flux and increase mucosal bicarbonate secretion. Likewise, SCFAs administered i.v. decrease mucosal permeability but decrease bicarbonate secretion. Altered luminal chemosensing or aberrant signalling in response to SCFAs might contribute to symptoms observed in patients with suppressed mucosal barrier function.

Short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are produced by bacterial fermentation in the large intestine, particularly from diets containing fibres and carbohydrates. The small intestinal epithelium is exposed to SCFAs derived mainly from oral bacteria or food supplementation. Although luminal nutrients are important in regulation of intestinal functions, the role of SCFAs in regulation of small intestinal mucosal barrier function and motility has not been fully described. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effects of acetate and propionate on duodenal mucosal barrier function and motility. Rats were anaesthetized with thiobarbiturate, and a 30 mm segment of proximal duodenum with an intact blood supply was perfused. The effects on duodenal bicarbonate secretion, blood‐to‐lumen clearance of 51Cr‐EDTA, motility and transepithelial net fluid flux were investigated. Perfusion of the duodenum with acetate or propionate significantly decreased mucosal paracellular permeability and transepithelial net fluid flux and significantly increased bicarbonate secretion. Acetate or propionate administered as an i.v. infusion decreased the mucosal paracellular permeability, but significantly decreased bicarbonate secretion. Luminal SCFAs changed the duodenal motility pattern from migrating motor complexes to fed patterns. Systemic administration of glucagon‐like peptide‐2 induced increases in both bicarbonate secretion and net fluid absorption, but did not change motility. Glucagon‐like peptide‐2 infusion during luminal perfusion of SCFAs significantly reduced the motility. In conclusion, SCFAs decreased duodenal paracellular permeability and net fluid flux. Short‐chain fatty acids induced opposite effects on bicarbonate secretion after luminal and i.v. administration. Presence of SCFAs in the lumen induces fed motility patterns. Altered luminal chemosensing and aberrant signalling in response to SCFAs might contribute to symptoms observed in patients with suppressed barrier function.
Early vertebrate origin and diversification of small transmembrane regulators of cellular ion transport
Authors: Pirkmajer Sergej , Kirchner Henriette , Lundell Leonidas S. , Zelenin Pavel V. , Zierath Juleen R. , Makarova Kira S. , Wolf Yuri I. , Chibalin Alexander V.
Published: April 2017

Key points

Small transmembrane proteins such as FXYDs, which interact with Na+,K+‐ATPase, and the micropeptides that interact with sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase play fundamental roles in regulation of ion transport in vertebrates.

Uncertain evolutionary origins and phylogenetic relationships among these regulators of ion transport have led to inconsistencies in their classification across vertebrate species, thus hampering comparative studies of their functions.

We discovered the first FXYD homologue in sea lamprey, a basal jawless vertebrate, which suggests small transmembrane regulators of ion transport emerged early in the vertebrate lineage.

We also identified 13 gene subfamilies of FXYDs and propose a revised, phylogeny‐based FXYD classification that is consistent across vertebrate species.

These findings provide an improved framework for investigating physiological and pathophysiological functions of small transmembrane regulators of ion transport.

Small transmembrane proteins are important for regulation of cellular ion transport. The most prominent among these are members of the FXYD family (FXYD1–12), which regulate Na+,K+‐ATPase, and phospholamban, sarcolipin, myoregulin and DWORF, which regulate the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase (SERCA). FXYDs and regulators of SERCA are present in fishes, as well as terrestrial vertebrates; however, their evolutionary origins and phylogenetic relationships are obscure, thus hampering comparative physiological studies. Here we discovered that sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), a representative of extant jawless vertebrates (Cyclostomata), expresses an FXYD homologue, which strongly suggests that FXYDs predate the emergence of fishes and other jawed vertebrates (Gnathostomata). Using a combination of sequence‐based phylogenetic analysis and conservation of local chromosome context, we determined that FXYDs markedly diversified in the lineages leading to cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes) and bony vertebrates (Euteleostomi). Diversification of SERCA regulators was much less extensive, indicating they operate under different evolutionary constraints. Finally, we found that FXYDs in extant vertebrates can be classified into 13 gene subfamilies, which do not always correspond to the established FXYD classification. We therefore propose a revised classification that is based on evolutionary history of FXYDs and that is consistent across vertebrate species. Collectively, our findings provide an improved framework for investigating the function of ion transport in health and disease.
Supercharging the Double-Fueled Spark Ignition Engine: Performance and Efficiency
Authors: Pipitone Emiliano , Beccari Stefano , Genchi Giuseppe
Published: April 2017

Internal combustion engine development focuses mainly on two aspects: fuel economy improvement and pollutant emissions reduction. As a consequence, light duty spark ignition (SI) engines have become smaller, supercharged, and equipped with direct injection and advanced valve train control systems. The use of alternative fuels, such as natural gas (NG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), thanks to their lower cost and environmental impact, widely spread in the automotive market, above all in bifuel vehicles, whose spark ignited engines may run either with gasoline or with gaseous fuel. The authors in previous works experimentally tested the strong engine efficiency increment and pollutant emissions reduction attainable by the simultaneous combustion of gasoline and gaseous fuel (NG or LPG). The increased knock resistance, obtained by the addition of gaseous fuel to gasoline, allowed the engine to run with stoichiometric mixture and best spark timing even at full load. In the present work, the authors extended the research by testing the combustion of gasoline–NG mixtures, in different proportions, in supercharged conditions, with several boost pressure levels, in order to evaluate the benefits in terms of engine performance, efficiency, and pollutant emissions with respect to pure gasoline and pure NG operation. The results indicate that a fuel mixture with a NG mass percentage of 40% allows to maximize engine performance by adopting the highest boost pressure (1.6 bar), while the best efficiency would be obtained with moderate boosting (1.2 bar) and NG content between 40% and 60% in mass.
Numerical Investigation on Diffusion Slot Hole With Various Cross-Sectional End Shapes
Authors: An Bai-Tao , Liu Jian-Jun
Published: April 2017

The diffusion hole constructed on a slot-type cross section has the potential to obtain high film cooling performance. However, the end shape of the cross section can greatly affect film cooling characteristics. This study examined eight cases of diffusion slot holes with various cross-sectional end shapes. The comparison of the eight diffusion slot holes and a typical fan-shaped hole was performed with a flat plate model using a three-dimensional (3D) steady computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. The rectangular cross section had an aspect ratio of about 3.4. The end shape variation can be described based on sidewall contraction location, size, and form. The simulations were performed under an engine-representative condition of mainstream inlet Mach number 0.3 and turbulence intensity 5.2%. The simulated results showed that a strip separation bubble caused by inlet “jetting effect” occurs near the downstream wall of the diffusion slot hole and interacts with the diffusion flow. The different end shape of the rectangular cross section leads to different sidewall static pressure and exit velocity profiles, thereby produces three cooling effectiveness patterns, single-peak, bipeak, and tripeak patterns. The tripeak pattern produces higher cooling effectiveness and relatively uniform film coverage. The structure with moderate contraction and smooth transition on two sides of the downstream wall favors creation of a tripeak pattern. Compared with the fan-shaped hole, the discharge coefficient of diffusion slot hole is slightly small in low pressure ratio range, the pressure loss ratio has little difference.
Pore Scale Investigation of Heat Conduction of High Porosity Open-Cell Metal Foam/Paraffin Composite
Authors: Yao Yuanpeng , Wu Huiying , Liu Zhenyu
Published: April 2017

In this paper, a numerical model employing an approximately realistic three-dimensional (3D) foam structure represented by Weaire–Phelan foam cell is developed to study the steady-state heat conduction of high porosity open-cell metal foam/paraffin composite at the pore-scale level. The conduction problem is considered in a cubic representative computation unit of the composite material with a constant temperature difference between one opposite sides of the cubic unit (the other outer surfaces of the cubic unit are thermally insulated). The effective thermal conductivities (ETCs) of metal foam/paraffin composites are calculated with the developed pore-scale model considering small-scale details of heat conduction, which avoids using adjustable free parameters that are usually adopted in the previous analytical models. Then, the reason why the foam pore size has no evident effect on ETC as reported in the previous macroscopic experimental studies is explored at pore scale. Finally, the effect of air cavities existing within solid paraffin in foam pore region on conduction capacity of metal foam/paraffin composite is investigated. It is found that our ETC data agree well with the reported experimental results, and thus by direct numerical simulation (DNS), the ETC data of different metal foam/paraffin composites are provided for engineering applications. The essential reason why pore size has no evident effect on ETC is due to the negligible interstitial heat transfer between metal foam and paraffin under the present thermal boundary conditions usually used to determine the ETC. It also shows that overlarge volume fraction of air cavity significantly weakens the conduction capacity of paraffin, which however can be overcome by the adoption of high conductive metal foam due to enhancement of conduction.
Large Eddy Simulation of Cylindrical Jet Breakup and Correlation of Simulation Results With Experimental Data
Authors: Moghe Shashank S. , Janowiak Scott M.
Published: April 2017

Modern engines with increasing power densities have put additional demands on pistons to perform in incrementally challenging thermal environments. Piston cooling is therefore of paramount importance for engine component manufacturers. The objective of this computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study is to identify the effect of a given piston cooling nozzle (PCN) geometry on the cooling oil jet spreading phenomenon. The scope of this study is to develop a numerical setup using the open-source CFD toolkit OpenFoam® for measuring the magnitude of oil jet spreading and comparing it to experimental results. Large eddy simulation (LES) turbulence modeling is used to capture the flow physics that affects the inherently unsteady jet breakup phenomenon. The oil jet spreading width is the primary metric used for comparing the numerical and experimental results. The results of simulation are validated for the correct applicability of LES by evaluating the fraction of resolved turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) at various probe locations and also by performing turbulent kinetic energy spectral analysis. CFD results appear promising since they correspond to the experimental data within a tolerance (of ±10%) deemed satisfactory for the purpose of this study. Further generalization of the setup is underway toward developing a tool that predicts the aforementioned metric—thereby evaluating the effect of PCN geometry on oil jet spreading and hence on the oil catching efficiency (CE) of the piston cooling gallery. This tool would act as an intermediate step in boundary condition formulation for the simulation determining the filling ratio (FR) and subsequently the heat transfer coefficients (HTCs) in the piston cooling gallery.
Fusion of polymeric material-binding peptide to cell-adhesion artificial proteins enhances their biological function
Authors: Waku Tomonori , Imanishi Yuko , Yoshino Yuta , Kunugi Shigeru , Serizawa Takeshi , Tanaka Naoki
Published: April 2017

Orientation-controlled protein immobilization on a solid substrate surface is important for the development of biomedical materials such as scaffolds used in tissue engineering. In this study, the authors demonstrated that the introduction of material-binding peptides (MBPs) in Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-fused artificial proteins called blocking peptide fragment (BPF), which are fragments (residues 419–607) of the molecular chaperone DnaK, enhances the oriented adsorption of proteins on the polymer surface and improves their cell adhesion capability. The authors used isotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) (it-PMMA) binding peptides (c02 peptide; ELWRPTR) as a model system. A quartz crystal microbalance study showed that the fusion of c02 peptide with BPF-RGD proteins slightly enhanced adsorption on it-PMMA surfaces. On the other hand, atomic force microscopic images of it-PMMA surfaces adsorbed with c02-BPF-RGD proteins showed a dotlike pattern, with the sizes of the dots comparable to those of BPF protein dimers, indicating that the immobilization of c02-BPF-RGD partially occurred in an oriented manner via specific interaction between the c02 peptide and it-PMMA. This is in sharp contrast to the random adsorption of BPF-RGD and BPF. These results were supported by results of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using an antihistidine tag antibody. In addition, c02-BPF-RGD adsorbed on it-PMMA showed better cell attachment and spreading ability than BPF-RGD and BPF. This methodology can be applied to other MBP systems and cell-binding motifs. Thus, BPF-based artificial cell adhesion proteins fused with MBPs might be useful as surface modifiers of polymer materials for improving their cell adhesion ability.
Evidence in support of Gaussian mixture models for sparse time varying ocean acoustic response functions
Authors: Gendron Paul J.
Published: April 2017

A hierarchical Gaussian mixture model has been proposed to characterize sparse space-time varying shallow water acoustic response functions [Gendron, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 139, 1923–1937 (2016)]. Considered here is an extension of this model to a uniform linear vertical array in order to provide an empirical validation of the mixture model for receivers of small aperture. An acoustic environment between source and moving receiver is predicated on a small proportion of relatively coherent paths obeying an ensemble frequency-angle-Doppler distribution. Provided are quantile-quantile plots of the discrete mixture model versus the empirical channel coefficients that lend credence to its use as a sparse model for acoustic response functions.
Intradiaphragmatic hybrid lesion: surgical decision-making and value of minimal invasive surgery
Authors: Schuster Blanca , Holland-Cunz Stefan Gerhard , Zimmermann Peter
Published: April 2017

Hybrid lesions (HLs) have elements of congenital pulmonary airway malformation and extrapulmonary sequestration (EPS) and belong to the congenital lung lesions. EPS usually arises in the thorax or the abdomen but rarely in the diaphragm. The preoperative diagnostic work-up based on chest radiograph, ultrasound (US) and CT often shows imprecise results. Therefore, the exact localisation of the lesion can only be ascertained intraoperatively. Here we present a patient, with an intradiaphragmatic HL, and demonstrate the difficulties of surgical decision making regarding the localisation of the lesion and discuss the value of minimal invasive surgery.
Severe vincristine-induced polyneuropathy in a teenager with anaplastic medulloblastoma and undiagnosed Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Authors: Aghajan Yasmin , Yoon Janet M , Crawford John Ross
Published: April 2017

Severe neuropathy is a known adverse effect of vincristine in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). We present the case of a 16-year-old girl with anaplastic medulloblastoma treated with gross total resection and high-dose craniospinal radiation with adjuvant vincristine chemotherapy who developed acute-onset severe quadriplegia and vocal cord paralysis. Vincristine and radiation therapy were discontinued. Although her neuropathy slowly improved over several weeks, she developed metastatic extraneural medulloblastoma and died 5 months after diagnosis. Subsequent genetic testing revealed previously asymptomatic and undiagnosed CMT1A. Our case highlights the importance of early recognition of acute vincristine neurotoxicity that should raise suspicion of an underlying hereditary neuropathy.
IgG4-related disease presenting as posterior scleritis and vitritis, progressing to multifocal orbital involvement
Authors: Reynolds Gavin L , Norris Jonathan H , Aslam Sher , Sharma Srilakshmi
Published: April 2017

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a rare, chronic inflammatory condition that may involve nearly every organ system. Originally identified as a cause of autoimmune pancreatitis, its characteristic histological and clinical features have been found in a wide variety of inflammatory presentations, including the eye and orbit. Here we describe an example of a case of IgG4-RD initially presenting as scleritis and vitritis, with further progression to multifocal bilateral orbital involvement. Tissue biopsy of an orbital mass was highly characteristic of IgG4-RD histology and a rapid clinical response to corticosteroids was observed. This case highlights IgG4-RD as a rare cause of intraocular inflammation that may progress to involve the orbit.
Mechanical CPR in a child: can one size fit all?
Authors: Sugarman Leah , Hedley David , Crowe Steve
Published: April 2017

This case report describes the successful resuscitation of an 11-year-old boy who suffered out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) using mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by adapting the Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System (LUCAS)2Device by rolling a blanket under the patient’s back to increase his chest height, thus allowing the LUCAS device to administer compliant CPR.
Synthesis of the symmetrical methylene diesters from carboxylic ionic liquids
Authors: Gómora-Herrera D. , Lijanova I.V. , Olivares-Xometl O. , Toscano A. , Likhanova N.V.
Published: April 2017

The reaction between carboxylic ionic liquids and dichloromethane, which provokes the formation of symmetrical methylene diesters, was carried out. The synthesis of these ionic liquid compounds was carried out in a microwave reactor, and the characterization by spectroscopic techniques of methylene diesters (methylene di-2-furoate, methylene di-2-picolinate, methylene dianthranilate, and methylene dioleate) is described and the crystal structures discussed. The crystal packing of methylene dianthranilate is characterized by trimer formation due to hydrogen bonding via interactions between the hydrogen atom of the primary amine group and the oxygen of the carboxylic group.
A single and double slotting radial acoustic metamaterial plate
Authors: Gao Nansha , Hou Hong , Xin Hang
Published: April 2017

This paper presents the low-frequency acoustic properties of a new single and double slotting radial acoustic metamaterial plate which is arranged in the axial coordinate. The band structures, transmission spectra, and eigenmode displacement fields of this kind of acoustic metamaterial are different from previous studies. Numerical calculation results show that the first-order band gap (BG) of the radial flexible elastic metamaterial plate is below 200 Hz. A multiple-vibration coupling mechanism is proposed to explain the low-frequency band gaps. By changing the geometric parameters a, t, and g, the location and width of the low-frequency band gaps can be varied neatly. In summary, rational design of geometries and materials is the crucial pathway to open and lower BGs, and could restrain low-frequency vibration similarly. This can be used to protect infrasound, generate filters, and design acoustic devices.
Structure of Hyperbolic Unitary Groups II: Classification of E-Normal Subgroups
Authors: Preusser Raimund
Published: April 2017

This paper proves the sandwich classification conjecture for subgroups of an even dimensional hyperbolic unitary group [Formula: see text] which are normalized by the elementary subgroup [Formula: see text], under the condition that R is a quasi-finite ring with involution, i.e., a direct limit of module finite rings with involution, and [Formula: see text].
A System of Matrix Equations over the Quaternion Algebra with Applications
Authors: Nie Xiangrong , Wang Qingwen , Zhang Yang
Published: April 2017

We in this paper give necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of the general solution to the system of matrix equations [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] over the quaternion algebra ℍ, and present an expression of the general solution to this system when it is solvable. Using the results, we give some necessary and sufficient conditions for the system of matrix equations [Formula: see text] over ℍ to have a reducible solution as well as the representation of such solution to the system when the consistency conditions are met. A numerical example is also given to illustrate our results. As another application, we give the necessary and sufficient conditions for two associated electronic networks to have the same branch current and branch voltage and give the expressions of the same branch current and branch voltage when the conditions are satisfied.
THE EFFECT OF PATH-DEPENDENCE AND UNCERTAINTY ON THE VALUE OF MATURE TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: ALKAERSIG LARS , BEUKEL KARIN , LAUTO GIANCARLO
Published: April 2017

This paper examines whether technological advances benefit more from path-dependent or path-creating capabilities. Consistently with recent advances in the literature, we argue that multiple technological trajectories can coexist in a field; therefore, firms may contribute to technological development by recombining in novel ways the capabilities that are widespread in the field, or by building novel and rare capabilities. The paper also conceptualises how technological uncertainty affects the value of such capabilities. Using patent data from 1977 to 2007 for firms developing the hydrocracking technology, the paper finds that both rare and widespread capabilities are valuable to the invention process, thereby suggesting that both path-dependent and path-creating strategies are beneficial for technological development. The paper shows that uncertainty has an inverted U-shaped effect on invention value. In particular, under conditions of low uncertainty, path-dependent capabilities tend to be more valuable.
Nonlinear Dynamics of Information Diffusion in Social Networks
Authors: Matsubara Yasuko , Sakurai Yasushi , Prakash B. Aditya , Li Lei , Faloutsos Christos
Published: April 2017

The recent explosion in the adoption of search engines and new media such as blogs and Twitter have facilitated the faster propagation of news and rumors. How quickly does a piece of news spread over these media? How does its popularity diminish over time? Does the rising and falling pattern follow a simple universal law? In this article, we propose SpikeM, a concise yet flexible analytical model of the rise and fall patterns of information diffusion. Our model has the following advantages. First, unification power: it explains earlier empirical observations and generalizes theoretical models including the SI and SIR models. We provide the threshold of the take-off versus die-out conditions for SpikeM and discuss the generality of our model by applying it to an arbitrary graph topology. Second, practicality: it matches the observed behavior of diverse sets of real data. Third, parsimony: it requires only a handful of parameters. Fourth, usefulness: it makes it possible to perform analytic tasks such as forecasting, spotting anomalies, and interpretation by reverse engineering the system parameters of interest (quality of news, number of interested bloggers, etc.). We also introduce an efficient and effective algorithm for the real-time monitoring of information diffusion, namely SpikeStream, which identifies multiple diffusion patterns in a large collection of online event streams. Extensive experiments on real datasets demonstrate that SpikeM accurately and succinctly describes all patterns of the rise and fall spikes in social networks.
Disseminated Necrotizing Leukoencephalopathy Complicating Septic Shock in an Immunocompetent Patient
Authors: Gaspar-da-Costa Pedro , Reimão Sofia , Braz Sandra , Santos João Meneses , Victorino Rui M. M.
Published: April 2017

Disseminated necrotizing leukoencephalopathy (DNL) is characterized by multiple microscopic foci of white matter necrosis. DNL was initially thought to be exclusively associated with immunosuppression conditions but it has been recently described in immunocompetent patients in septic shock. A 90-year-old immunocompetent woman with no previous neurological impairment presented with septic shock and drowsiness that responded well to therapy with clinical improvement and a full neurological recovery. Unexpectedly deterioration with progression to coma occurred. Investigation excluded other causes and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was consistent with the diagnosis of DNL showing bilateral multifocal white matter lesions with a nonvascular pattern with restricted diffusion. Neurological impairment persisted with progression to death. DNL is an unexpected diagnosis in an immunocompetent patient. We compared the present case to those found in the literature of DNL complicating septic shock and discuss the antemortem diagnosis based on MRI findings.
Clustering Vehicle Temporal and Spatial Travel Behavior Using License Plate Recognition Data
Authors: Chen Huiyu , Yang Chao , Xu Xiangdong
Published: April 2017

Understanding travel patterns of vehicle can support the planning and design of better services. In addition, vehicle clustering can improve management efficiency through more targeted access to groups of interest and facilitate planning by more specific survey design. This paper clustered 854,712 vehicles in a week using K-means clustering algorithm based on license plate recognition (LPR) data obtained in Shenzhen, China. Firstly, several travel characteristics related to temporal and spatial variability and activity patterns are used to identify homogeneous clusters. Then, Davies-Bouldin index (DBI) and Silhouette Coefficient (SC) are applied to capture the optimal number of groups and, consequently, six groups are classified in weekdays and three groups are sorted in weekends, including commuting vehicles and some other occasional leisure travel vehicles. Moreover, a detailed analysis of the characteristics of each group in terms of spatial travel patterns and temporal changes are presented. This study highlights the possibility of applying LPR data for discovering the underlying factor in vehicle travel patterns and examining the characteristic of some groups specifically.
Identification of “BRAF-Positive” Cases Based on Whole-Slide Image Analysis
Authors: Popovici Vlad , Křenek Aleš , Budinská Eva
Published: April 2017

A key requirement for precision medicine is the accurate identification of patients that would respond to a specific treatment or those that represent a high-risk group, and a plethora of molecular biomarkers have been proposed for this purpose during the last decade. Their application in clinical settings, however, is not always straightforward due to relatively high costs of some tests, limited availability of the biological material and time, and procedural constraints. Hence, there is an increasing interest in constructing tissue-based surrogate biomarkers that could be applied with minimal overhead directly to histopathology images and which could be used for guiding the selection of eventual further molecular tests. In the context of colorectal cancer, we present a method for constructing a surrogate biomarker that is able to predict with high accuracy whether a sample belongs to the “BRAF-positive” group, a high-risk group comprising V600E BRAF mutants and BRAF-mutant-like tumors. Our model is trained to mimic the predictions of a 64-gene signature, the current definition of BRAF-positive group, thus effectively identifying histopathology image features that can be linked to a molecular score. Since the only required input is the routine histopathology image, the model can easily be integrated in the diagnostic workflow.
Peptide Self-Assembled Nanostructures for Drug Delivery Applications
Authors: Fan Taotao , Yu Xiaoyan , Shen Bing , Sun Leming
Published: April 2017

Peptide self-assembled nanostructures are very popular in many biomedical applications. Drug delivery is one of the most promising applications among them. The tremendous advantages for peptide self-assembled nanostructures include good biocompatibility, low cost, tunable bioactivity, high drug loading capacities, chemical diversity, specific targeting, and stimuli responsive drug delivery at disease sites. Peptide self-assembled nanostructures such as nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanofibers, and hydrogels have been investigated by many researchers for drug delivery applications. In this review, the underlying mechanisms for the self-assembled nanostructures based on peptides with different types and structures are introduced and discussed. Peptide self-assembled nanostructures associated promising drug delivery applications such as anticancer drug and gene drug delivery are highlighted. Furthermore, peptide self-assembled nanostructures for targeted and stimuli responsive drug delivery applications are also reviewed and discussed.
Online Detection of Peroxidase Using 3D Printing, Active Magnetic Mixing, and Spectra Analysis
Authors: Bai Shanshan , Gan Chengqi , Cai Gaozhe , Wang Lei , Chen Mingyong , Han Qingan , Lin Jianhan
Published: April 2017

A new method for online detection of peroxidase (POD) using 3D printing, active magnetic mixing, fluidic control, and optical detection was developed and demonstrated in this study. The proposed POD detection system consisted of a 3D printing and active magnetic mixing based fluidic chip for online catalytic reaction, an optical detector with a fluidic flow cell for quantitative determination of the final catalysate, and a single-chip microcontroller based controller for automatic control of two rotating magnetic fields and four precise peristaltic pumps. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was used as research model and a linear relationship between the absorbance at the characteristic wavelength of 450 nm and the concentration of HRP of 1/4–1/128 μg mL−1 was obtained as A  =  0.257ln⁡(C) + 1.425 (R2  = 0.976). For the HRP spiked pork tests, the recoveries of HRP ranged from 93.5% to 110.4%, indicating that this proposed system was capable of detecting HRP in real samples. It has the potential to be extended for online detection of the activity of other enzymes and integration with ELISA method for biological and chemical analysis.
Stress Concentration in the Bulk Cr2O3: Effects of Temperature and Point Defects
Authors: Islam Mazharul M. , Couvant Thierry , Marcus Philippe , Diawara Boubakar
Published: April 2017

Modeling the growth and failure of passive oxide films formed on stainless steels is of general interest for the use of stainless steel as structural material and of special interest in the context of life time extension of light water reactors in nuclear power plants. Using the DFT+U approach, a theoretical investigation on the resistance to failure of the chromium-rich inner oxide layer formed at the surface of chromium-containing austenitic alloys (stainless steel and nickel based alloys) has been performed. The investigations were done for periodic bulk models. The data at the atomic scale were extrapolated by using the Universal Binding Energy Relationships (UBERs) model in order to estimate the mechanical behavior of a 10 μm thick oxide scale. The calculated stress values are in good agreement with experiments. Tensile stress for the bulk chromia was observed. The effects of temperature and structural defects on cracking were investigated. The possibility of cracking intensifies at high temperature compared to 0 K investigations. Higher susceptibility to cracking was observed in presence of defects compared to nondefective oxide, in agreement with experimental observation.
Magnetic Properties of Sm-Fe-N/Co-B Composite Magnets Prepared by Chemical Reduction
Authors: Saito Tetsuji
Published: April 2017

An attempt was made to produce Sm-Fe-N/Co-B composite magnets by chemical reduction. It was found that a composite powder consisting of Sm-Fe-N particles coated with fine Co-B particles could be obtained by chemical reduction. The Sm-Fe-N/Co-B composite powder acted as a single hard magnetic phase and showed a smooth hysteresis loop. The composite powder exhibited a higher remanence of 93.1 Am2/kg and a higher coercivity of 0.45 MA/m than a mixture of the Sm-Fe-N powder and Co-B powder prepared by a similar procedure but using a higher concentration of aqueous solution for the chemical reduction.
Extracellular Xylanopectinolytic Enzymes byBacillus subtilisADI1 from EFB’s Compost
Authors: Nawawi Muhammad Hariadi , Mohamad Rosfarizan , Tahir Paridah Md. , Saad Wan Zuhainis
Published: April 2017

Microbial xylanase and pectinase are two extremely valuable enzymes, which have captivated much attention. This can be seen from the increased demand for these enzymes by many industrial sectors. This study investigates the isolation and screening of extracellular xylanopectinolytic enzymes-producing bacteria in a submerged fermentation (SmF). Samples are collected from the compost of empty fruit bunch (EFB) at Biocompost Pilot Plant, located at Biorefinery Plant, Universiti Putra Malaysia. From the experiment, out of 20 isolates, 11 isolates show xylanase or/and pectinase activity, and only one isolate (EFB-11) shows the concurrent activities of xylanase and pectinase. These activities are selected for enzyme production under submerged fermentation (quantitative screening). At the 72nd hour of incubation, xylanase and pectinase show the highest production, which ranges about 42.33 U/mL and 62.17 U/mL (with low amount of cellulase present), supplemented with 2% (w/v) of rice bran as carbon source at incubation temperature level, which is 30°C. Meanwhile, the pH of media is shifted to 8.42, which indicates that EFB-11 isolate is alkalotolerant bacteria and identified asBacillus subtilisADI1. This strain proves to have potential in agroindustrial bioconversion and has a promising ability to scale up to an industrial scale.
Mycobacterium avium Subsp. paratuberculosis Induces Specific IgE Production in Japanese People with Allergies
Authors: Cossu D. , Otsubo S. , Otsubo Y. , Eda S. , Suzuki T. , Iwao Y. , Kuribayashi T. , Yamamoto S. , Sechi L. A. , Momotani E.
Published: April 2017

Background. The prevalence of allergies is steadily increasing worldwide; however, the pathogenesis is still unclear. We hypothesized that Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) may contribute to allergy development. This organism can be present in dairy foods, it can elicit an immunomodulatory switch from a Th1 to a Th2 response, and it has been speculated that it is linked to several human autoimmune diseases. To determine the contribution, sera from 99 individuals with various atopic disorders and 45 healthy nonallergic controls were assessed for total IgE levels and successively for MAP-specific IgE by ELISA. Results. The mean total serum IgE level in allergic patients was 256±235 IU/mL, and in the healthy controls it was 62±44 IU/mL (AUC = 0.88; p<0.0001). Among the patient groups, 50 of the 99 subjects had increased IgE total level ≥ 150 IU/mL, while 49 subjects had IgE ≤ 150 IU/mL (mean level: 407±256 IU/mL versus 106±16 IU/mL; p<0.0001). Additionally, 6 out of 50 subjects (12%) with IgE ≥ 150 IU/mL and none (0%) with IgE ≤ 150 IU/mL were positive for specific MAP IgE (AUC = 0.63; p=0.03). Conclusion. The present study revealed that MAP has the ability to induce specific IgE and might contribute to the induction of allergic inflammation in genetically predisposed individuals.
Dynamic Modeling, Control, and Analysis of a Solar Water Pumping System for Libya
Authors: Shebani Muamer M. , Iqbal Tariq
Published: April 2017

In recent years, one of the suitable solar photovoltaic (PV) applications is a water pumping system. The simplest solar PV pumping system consists of PV array, DC-DC converter, DC motor, and water pump. In this paper, water pumping system sizing for Libya is evaluated based on a daily demand using HOMER software, and dynamic modeling of a solar PV water pumping system using a Permanent Magnet DC (PMDC) motor is presented in Matlab/Simulink environment. The system performance with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) based on Fractional Open Circuit Voltage (FOCV) is evaluated with and without a battery storage system. In some applications, a rated voltage is needed to connect a PMDC motor to a PV array through a DC-DC converter and in other applications the input voltage can vary. The evaluation of the system is based on the performance during a change in solar irradiation. Using Matlab/Simulink, simulation results are assessed to see the efficiency of the system when it is operating at a specific speed or at the MPPT. The results show that an improvement in the system efficiency can be achieved when the PMDC motor is running at a specific speed rather than at the peak PV power point.
An Analysis of the Replicator Dynamics for an Asymmetric Hawk-Dove Game
Authors: Kohli Ikjyot Singh , Haslam Michael C.
Published: April 2017

We analyze, using a dynamical systems approach, the replicator dynamics for the asymmetric Hawk-Dove game in which there is a set of four pure strategies with arbitrary payoffs. We give a full account of the equilibrium points and their stability and derive the Nash equilibria. We also give a detailed account of the local bifurcations that the system exhibits based on choices of the typical Hawk-Dove parameters v and c. We also give details on the connections between the results found in this work and those of the standard two-strategy Hawk-Dove game. We conclude the paper with some examples of numerical simulations that further illustrate some global behaviours of the system.
Influence of Steam Curing Method on the Performance of Concrete Containing a Large Portion of Mineral Admixtures
Authors: Li Mengyuan , Wang Qiang , Yang Jun
Published: April 2017

A comparison was made between the impact of raising the thermostatic temperature and the impact of prolonging the thermostatic time on the performance of steam-cured concrete containing a large portion of fly ash (FA) or ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) by analysing the form removal strength, chemically combined water content, reaction degree, strength development, chloride permeability, and volume stability. For the materials and test conditions reported in this study, raising the thermostatic temperature is more favourable for concrete containing FA, as indicated by the significantly higher form removal strength and the higher growth of reaction degree of FA compared with prolonging the thermostatic time. With an increase in the thermostatic temperature, the hydration degree of a binder containing FA or GGBS initially increases and subsequently decreases. Although concrete containing FA can obtain satisfactory form removal strength with steam curing at 80°C, the late strength development of concrete containing FA is slow for the same curing conditions. The effect of the late performance of resistance to chloride ion permeability improved by FA is better than the effect improved by GGBS. The risk of destroying the structure of concrete containing a large portion of FA or GGBS due to delayed ettringite formation (DEF) is minimal when specimens were steam-cured at 80°C.
Disseminated Mycobacterium chimaera Presenting as Vertebral Osteomyelitis
Authors: Moutsoglou Daphne M. , Merritt Frank , Cumbler Ethan
Published: April 2017

Mycobacterium chimaera, a member of the Mycobacterium avium complex, is a slow-growing, nontuberculous mycobacterium associated with outbreaks in cardiac-surgery patients supported on heart-lung machines. We report a case of an elderly woman on chronic prednisone who presented with a six-month history of worsening chronic back pain, recurrent low-grade fevers, and weight loss. Imaging identified multilevel vertebral osteomyelitis and lumbar soft-tissue abscess. Abscess culture identified M. chimaera.
Ten-Year Follow-Up after Bilateral Submacular Neovascular Membrane Removal in a Case of Autosomal Recessive Bestrophinopathy
Authors: Moreira Jr. Carlos A. , Moreira-Neto Carlos A. , Junqueira Nobrega Mario , Cunha de Souza Eduardo
Published: April 2017

Herein, we report the case of an 8-year-old girl who presented in December 2000 with a submacular neovascular membrane in the right eye, with a clinical diagnosis of Best disease. At that time, she underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with removal of the subretinal choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Her vision improved from 20/200 to 20/25. Four years later, a new CNV developed in the other eye. Initially, she underwent unsuccessful photodynamic therapy. As her vision worsened, she underwent a second, this time successful, PPV with membrane removal in the left eye, with vision improving to 20/30. Ten years later, she returned complaining of vision loss over the last year. Her vision was 20/200 OU, and optical coherence tomography demonstrated very large intraretinal cystoid spaces resembling bilateral macular schisis. Four ranibizumab injections as well as dorzolamide eye drops were tried, both without success. Finally, she underwent PPV with internal limiting membrane peeling and gas-fluid exchange in the left eye. One month later, the macula appeared flat and vision had improved to 20/60. The same procedure was performed 1 year later for the right eye, with vision improving to 20/80. One year later, mild cystic spaces developed again in both eyes, although much smaller than previously observed. Her vision remained stable.
Apresentação: A habitação na aproximação entre universidade, poder público e sociedade
Authors: Camargo Mônica Junqueira de
Published: April 2017

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Tombamento e participação social: experiência da Vila Maria Zélia, São Paulo-SP
Authors: Scifoni Simone
Published: April 2017

Os anos 1980 marcaram o campo da preservação, no Brasil, como o momento em que novos objetos de atuação foram incorporados ao corpus patrimonial. O tombamento de vilas operárias, armazéns, fábricas, mercados, estações ferroviárias, quilombos e terreiros de candomblé, além de ampliar a representatividade social até então existente nesse conjunto do patrimônio, também trouxeram à tona novas questões. A renovação conceitual, entretanto, não se realizou plenamente, na medida em que os procedimentos e a gestão desse patrimônio continuam ocorrendo de forma discricionária, sem diálogo e interlocução local. O presente artigo busca discutir essa questão a partir da problemática envolvida no tombamento de uma vila operária na cidade de São Paulo, apresentando, para tanto, as recentes iniciativas de aproximação local, patrocinadas pelo órgão municipal de preservação do patrimônio cultural.
Conservación y re-uso de las casas del Movimiento Moderno: un acercamiento a América Latina
Authors: Noelle Louise
Published: April 2017

O tema “casas do movimento moderno” é interessante e complexo, tal como a prória arquitetura do século XX, seja pela sua identificação, conservação, restauração ou proteção. As casas, por sua condição privada, pela ausência dos proprietários originais e pelo interesse imobiliário, oferecem maiores problemas de preservação; por isso o tema de reúso é inerente a este patrimônio. Este artigo propõe debater o tema habitabilidade e as diversas expressões físicas da casa, posto que se trata de uma tipologia arquitetônica por excelência que tem sido o laboratório ideal para os arquitetos que realizam experiências com formas, materiais e técnicas, na busca de respostas para novas ideas de privacidade, conforto e sua relação com o clima e o entorno. Muito se tem escrito sobre este tema, por isso o texto se limita a um breve percurso por algumas casas paradigmáticas de mestres europeus e norte-americanos para enfatizar posteriormente o que acontece na América Latina, particularmente no México. Também se revisam os problemas do reuso e da restauração, que devem ficar nas mãos de especialistas, sempre com a assesoria de historiadores; finalmente faz-se uma recapitulação dos conceitos presentes em algumas cartas e declarações internacionais.
Design and Implementation of a GSI-Based Convection-Allowing Ensemble-Based Data Assimilation and Forecast System for the PECAN Field Experiment. Part II: Overview and Evaluation of a Real-Time System
Authors: Johnson Aaron , Wang Xuguang , Degelia Samuel
Published: April 2017

Multiscale ensemble-based data assimilation and forecasts were performed in real time during the Plains Elevated Convection At Night (PECAN) field experiment. A 20-member ensemble of forecasts at 4-km grid spacing was initialized daily at both 1300 and 1900 UTC, together with a deterministic forecast at 1-km grid spacing initialized at 1300 UTC. The configuration of the GSI-based data assimilation and forecast system was guided by results presented in Part I of this two-part study. The present paper describes the implementation of the real-time system and the extensive forecast products that were generated to support the unique interests of PECAN researchers. Subjective and objective verification of the real-time forecasts from 1 June through 15 July 2015 is conducted, with an emphasis on nocturnal mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), nocturnal convective initiation (CI), nocturnal low-level jets (LLJs), and bores on the nocturnal stable layer. Verification of nocturnal precipitation during overnight hours, a proxy for MCSs, shows both greater skill and spread for the 1300 UTC forecasts than the 1900 UTC forecasts. Verification against observed soundings reveals that the forecast LLJs systematically peak, veer, and dissipate several hours before the observations. Comparisons with bores that passed over an Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer reveal an ability to predict borelike features that is greatly improved at 1-km, compared with 4-km, grid spacing. Objective verification of forecast CI timing reveals strong sensitivity to the PBL scheme but an overall unbiased ensemble.