bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Differentially Affects the Virus-Induced Type I Interferon Response and Mitochondrial Apoptosis Mediated by RIG-I/MAVS
Authors: Pythoud Christelle , Rothenberger Sylvia , Martínez-Sobrido Luis , de la Torre Juan Carlos , Kunz Stefan
Published: April 2015

Arenaviruses are important emerging human pathogens maintained by noncytolytic persistent infection in their rodent reservoir hosts. Despite high levels of viral replication, persistently infected carrier hosts show only mildly elevated levels of type I interferon (IFN-I). Accordingly, the arenavirus nucleoprotein (NP) has been identified as a potent IFN-I antagonist capable of blocking activation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) via the retinoic acid inducible gene (RIG)-I/mitochondrial antiviral signaling (MAVS) pathway. Another important mechanism of host innate antiviral defense is represented by virus-induced mitochondrial apoptosis via RIG-I/MAVS and IRF3. In the present study, we investigated the ability of the prototypic Old World arenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) to interfere with RIG-I/MAVS-dependent apoptosis. We found that LCMV does not induce apoptosis at any time during infection. While LCMV efficiently blocked induction of IFN-I via RIG-I/MAVS in response to superinfection with cytopathic RNA viruses, virus-induced mitochondrial apoptosis remained fully active in LCMV-infected cells. Notably, in LCMV-infected cells, RIG-I was dispensable for virus-induced apoptosis via MAVS. Our study reveals that LCMV infection efficiently suppresses induction of IFN-I but does not interfere with the cell's ability to undergo virus-induced mitochondrial apoptosis as a strategy of innate antiviral defense. The RIG-I independence of mitochondrial apoptosis in LCMV-infected cells provides the first evidence that arenaviruses can reshape apoptotic signaling according to their needs.

IMPORTANCE
Arenaviruses are important emerging human pathogens that are maintained in their rodent hosts by persistent infection. Persistent virus is able to subvert the cellular interferon response, a powerful branch of the innate antiviral defense. Here, we investigated the ability of the prototypic arenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) to interfere with the induction of programmed cell death, or apoptosis, in response to superinfection with cytopathic RNA viruses. Upon viral challenge, persistent LCMV efficiently blocked induction of interferons, whereas virus-induced apoptosis remained fully active in LCMV-infected cells. Our studies reveal that the persistent virus is able to reshape innate apoptotic signaling in order to prevent interferon production while maintaining programmed cell death as a strategy for innate defense. The differential effect of persistent virus on the interferon response versus its effect on apoptosis appears as a subtle strategy to guarantee sufficiently high viral loads for efficient transmission while maintaining apoptosis as a mechanism of defense.
Clinoidal meningioma associated with an internal carotid artery aneurysm
Authors: Waqas Muhammad , Hadi Yousaf Bashir , Ujjan Badar , Javed Gohar
Published: April 2015

Coexistence of primary brain neoplasms with intracranial aneurysms is rare but presents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to healthcare providers. We describe the case of a 60-year-old woman who had a left internal carotid artery aneurysm with a small ipsilateral clinoidal meningioma. The meningioma was an unexpected finding encountered during the surgery for aneurysmal clipping. Both the lesions were dealt with simultaneously.
The epidemiology of groin injury in senior football: a systematic review of prospective studies
Authors: Waldén Markus , Hägglund Martin , Ekstrand Jan
Published: April 2015

Background

Groin injuries are troublesome in men's and women's football.

Aim

To review the literature on the epidemiology of groin injury in senior football and compare injury occurrence between sexes.

Methods

Studies were identified through a search of PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and Web of Science, in the reference lists of the selected articles and the authors’ bibliographies. The number of injuries, percentage of groin injury from all injuries and rate of groin injury per 1000 h were extracted. Exposure and injury data were aggregated across included studies and the absolute differences in groin injury proportion and rate of groin injury were compared between sexes. Risk of bias was assessed using a 5-item checklist.

Results

34 articles met the study criteria and were included. The proportion of groin injury in club-seasonal football was 4–19% in men and 2–14% in women. Aggregated data analysis (29 studies) showed a higher relative proportion of groin injury in men than in women (12.8% vs 6.9%, absolute difference 5.9%, 95% CI 4.6% to 7.1%). The rate of groin injury varied from 0.2 to 2.1/1000 h in men and 0.1 to 0.6/1000 h in women's club football, and aggregated analysis (23 studies) showed a more than two-fold higher rate in men (0.83/1000 h vs 0.35/1000 h, rate ratio 2.4, 95% CI 2.0 to 2.9). High risk of bias was identified for participant selection (18 studies), exposure (17 studies) and precision estimate (16 studies).

Conclusions

Groin injuries are frequent in senior football and are more common in men than women. Future research needs to be of higher quality.
Risk communication with Arab patients with cancer: a qualitative study of nurses and pharmacists
Authors: Wilbur Kerry , Babiker Alya , Al-Okka Maha , Jumaat Ebaa , Al-Yafei Sumaya M Al Saadi , Nashwan Abdulqadir J
Published: April 2015

Objectives

To explore pharmacist and nurse views and experiences in educating patients regarding their treatment safety and tolerability as well as the roles of other professions in this regard.

Design

In this qualitative study, six focus group discussions were conducted.

Setting

The National Center for Cancer Care and Research in Qatar.

Participants

Eleven pharmacists and 22 nurses providing direct patient care.

Results

Concepts related to three key themes were drawn from the seeding questions and included factors for determining the level of risk they communicated: the specific treatment regimen in question; the patient; and their assessment of the patient. Patient-related considerations arose from additional subthemes; both nurses and pharmacists described aspects related to the perceived psychological health status of the patient, as well as anticipated comprehension, as ascertained by demonstrated education and language abilities. In all discussions, it was noted that physician and family non-disclosure of cancer diagnosis to the patient profoundly influenced the nature of information they provided. While a high level of cohesion in safety communication prioritisation among these two health disciplines was found, a number of pharmacists asserted a more formal role compared to informal and repeated teaching by nurses.

Conclusions

Nurses and pharmacists in this Middle East healthcare environment were not reluctant to discuss treatment side effects with patients and draw on similar professional judgements in prioritising treatment risk information. We found that they did not always recognise each other's informal educational encounters and that there are opportunities to explore increased collaboration in this regard to enhance the patient care experience.
Use of nurse-led telephone follow-up as a sole method of assessing patients after nasal surgery
Authors: Sooby Paul , Kirkland Paul
Published: April 2015

Patients undergoing nasal surgery have historically been routinely followed up in consultant led clinics some months after surgery. It has been noted that a significant proportion of these patients either did not attend these appointments or did not require them, impacting on the efficiency of ENT outpatient clinics. A quality improvement project was undertaken to assess this problem and to propose a new patient pathway whereby patients are contacted by ENT nursing staff by telephone three months following surgery. During these telephone conversations only 9.5% of patients requested outpatient follow-up and all of these patients were discharged upon their follow-up. The project demonstrates that nurse-led follow up is an efficient, effective and safe way of managing patient care post-nasal surgery.
The mating game
Authors: Rees Gwen
Published: April 2015

THIS series gives readers the opportunity to consider and contribute to discussion of some of the ethical dilemmas that can arise in veterinary practice. Each month, a case scenario is presented, followed by discussion of some of the issues involved.

In addition, a possible way forward is suggested; however, there is rarely a cut‐and‐dried answer in such cases, and readers may wish to suggest an alternative approach. This month's dilemma, ‘The mating game’, was submitted by Richard Brown and is discussed by Gwen Rees. Readers with comments to contribute are invited to send them as soon as possible, so that they can be considered for publication in the next issue. Discussion of the dilemma ‘Always tell the truth?’, which was published in the March issue of In Practice, appears on page 207.

The series is being coordinated by Siobhan Mullan, of the University of Bristol. It is hoped it will provide a framework that will help practices find solutions when facing similar dilemmas.
Setting up veterinary nurse clinics
Authors: Ackerman Nicola
Published: April 2015

The veterinary nursing profession is evolving and, with increasing customer expectations, the role of nurses in practice is more important than ever. Nicola Ackerman discusses how running clinics can make the most of veterinary nurses' talents and skills, while also increasing client compliance and practice profits.
Comments on the dilemma in the March issue: ‘Always tell the truth?’
Authors: Mullan Siobhan
Published: April 2015

The dilemma in the March issue considered the predicament of a vet who, during a follow‐up vaginal examination, had discovered that a colleague had unknowingly caused a cow, from a good line, to abort a four‐month‐old conceptus. The colleague had inserted a progesterone releasing IUT and injected the cow with prostaglandin, after being called in by the farmer, who was concerned that this cow had not been seen in oestrus (IP, March 2015, vol 37, pp 150–151). Gwen Rees noted that, as the farmer had not been present during the examination, the immediate temptation might be to say nothing, but that this would contravene the declaration all vets make on admission to the RCVS to ‘pursue the work of my profession with integrity’. She suggested instead being honest and asking the farmer if he was aware that his cow had been pregnant. She also stressed the importance of having accurate records in place and of making the practice aware of the situation as soon as possible. She added that it might be wise to contact the Veterinary Defence Society in case a complaint was made.
Characterisation of subpopulations of myeloid cells in infantile haemangioma
Authors: Tan Elysia M S , Chudakova Daria A , Davis Paul F , Brasch Helen D , Itinteang Tinte , Tan Swee T
Published: April 2015

Aims

Cells expressing markers of mast cells, macrophages and dendritic cells have previously been demonstrated within the interstitium of infantile haemangioma (IH). This study characterised these myeloid cellular subpopulations within IH.

Methods

Immunohistochemical staining was performed on proliferating and involuted IHs for the expression of Nanog, tryptase, CD163, DC-SIGN and CD45. The presence of mRNA corresponding to Nanog, tryptase α/β-1, tryptase β-2, CD163 and DC-SIGN was confirmed by NanoString and RT-PCR in snap-frozen IH tissues.

Results

Immunohistochemical staining showed expression of Nanog by interstitial phenotypical mast cells within proliferating IH, which were separate from the interstitial M2-polarised macrophages that also expressed DC-SIGN, a dendritic cell marker. These two myeloid cellular subpopulations in IH did not express the pan-haematopoietic marker, CD45.

Conclusions

There are two interstitial subpopulations of myeloid cells within IH: phenotypical mast cells which also express Nanog, indicating a primitive phenotype; and M2-polarised macrophages which also express DC-SIGN.
Ten‐minute chat
Authors: Baig Aiz
Published: April 2015

Having achieved his clinical goals, Aiz Baig did an MBA. He is currently senior product marketing manager with Eickemeyer Veterinary Equipment, helping vets and nurses improve clinical outcomes.
One Health: a doctor's perspective
Authors: Järhult Josef D.
Published: April 2015

One Health has been gaining traction over recent years, particularly among veterinarians and veterinary scientists, but the medical sector appears to be less engaged. Here, Josef Järhult, a doctor practising in Sweden, who is also a proponent of One Health, suggests some reasons why medics have yet to embrace the idea and how this could be overcome.
Geology and paleoecology of a Middle Wisconsin fossil occurrence in Zorra Township, southwestern Ontario, Canada
Authors: Bajc A.F. , Karrow P.F. , Yansa C.H. , Curry B.B. , Nekola Jeffrey C. , Seymour Kevin L. , Mackie G.L.
Published: April 2015

Nonglacial deposits of Middle Wisconsin age are being discovered with increased frequency across a broad region of southern Ontario, Canada, and provide strong evidence for a time of significant ice withdrawal from the lower Great Lakes region. With each new discovery, a refined understanding of regional climatic and paleoecological environments is emerging. In this paper, we present the results of a sedimentological and paleoecological study of a subtill organic deposit in Zorra Township, southwestern Ontario. The organic deposit, which lies beneath Nissouri Phase Catfish Creek Till (Late Wisconsin), has been dated by accelerator mass spectrometry at between 50.5 and 42.9 14C ka BP. The organic remains are contained within slack water pond deposits infilling a channel incised into till either of Early Wisconsin or Illinoian age. The fossil assemblage appears to be strongly influenced by taphonomic processes, including degradation due to oxidation, bacterial and fungal decay, and glacial overriding. Reworking and (or) recycling and selective sorting as well as long-distance transport has also influenced the composition of the fossil assemblage preserved. Nonetheless, meaningful paleoecological information is still obtained from this record. Collectively, the pollen and plant macrofossils indicate a boreal-type pine–spruce forest with temperatures cooler than present. The absence of arctic tundra plants, as are found in many other deposits of similar age in the lower Great Lakes basin, is notable. A pond or wetland inhabited by shoreline herbs, shrubs, and trees was present at or proximal to the site. The freshwater mollusc and ostracode assemblages are consistent with a shallow water habitat with dense submerged vegetation. The terrestrial mollusc assemblage suggests a taiga or transitional taiga–tundra fauna. Together, these fossil groups provide one of the most comprehensive environmental reconstructions of Middle Wisconsin time (oxygen isotope stage 3 or OIS3) in southern Ontario and serve to build on the ever-increasing database of paleoecological information accumulating for this episode of the late Quaternary.
Vacuum brazing of high volume fraction SiC particles reinforced aluminum matrix composites
Authors: Cheng Dongfeng , Niu Jitai , Gao Zeng , Wang Peng
Published: April 2015

This experiment chooses A356 aluminum matrix composites containing 55% SiC particle reinforcing phase as the parent metal and Al – Si – Cu – Zn – Ni alloy metal as the filler metal. The brazing process is carried out in vacuum brazing furnace at the temperature of 550°C and 560°C for 3 min, respectively. The interfacial microstructures and fracture surfaces are investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy spectrum analysis (EDS). The result shows that adequacy of element diffusion are superior when brazing at 560°C, because of higher activity and liquidity. Dislocations and twins are observed at the interface between filler and composite due to the different expansion coefficient of the aluminum alloy matrix and SiC particles. The fracture analysis shows that the brittle fracture mainly located at interface of filler and composites.
Evaluation of residual strength in the basalt fiber reinforced composites under impact damage
Authors: Kim Yun-Hae , Lee Jin-Woo , Moon Kyung-Man , Yoon Sung-Won , Baek Tae-Sil , Hwang Kwang-Il
Published: April 2015

Composites are vulnerable to the impact damage by the collision as to the thickness direction, because composites are being manufactured by laminating the fiber. The understanding about the retained strength after the impact damage of the material is essential in order to secure the reliability of the structure design using the composites. In this paper, we have tried to evaluate the motion of the material according to the kinetic energy and potential energy and the retained strength after impact damage by testing the free fall test of the basalt fiber reinforced composite in the limelight as the environment friendly characteristic.
The study and fabrication of DLC micropattern on roll mold
Authors: Kwon Young Woo , Lee Tae Dong , Park Yeong Min , Cho Hyun , Kim Jin Kon , Kim Tae Gyu
Published: April 2015

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating is becoming a promising protective coating layers due to its superior properties. In this study, instead of protective coating, DLC film was applied as the only component for micropattern then etched with lithography and lift-off process selectively. Furthermore, DLC film has been fabricated on aluminum roll mold. Then UV curing resin was applied to form the pattern on the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. The dimension and formation of the DLC micropattern on roll mold were analyzed. Moreover, the Raman spectroscopic of nitrogen-doped DLC film was analyzed.
Influence of notch radius on the fracture load of piezoelectric ceramics
Authors: Kim Dae Weon , Shin Dong Chul , Park Yeong Min , Kim Tae Gyu
Published: April 2015

The influence of root radius of notch applied fracture load on piezoelectric ceramics under various conditions of electric fields was studied using the three-point bending test. And the linear finite element analysis associated with energy density of crack as a feasible parameter of fracture was performed with piezoelectricity. It was found that the fracture load is decreased according to reduction of the curvature radius of notch but the finite element analysis showed reverse result, the fracture load in case of the crack is increased. The energy density of crack as the governing fracture parameter was finally introduced and discussed.
High temperature stability of aluminide-coated Inconel 617
Authors: Cho Hyun , Lee Byeong Woo
Published: April 2015

Aluminum diffusion coatings were applied to the Inconel 617 by a pack cementation. The effect of coatings on the thermal stability and wear resistance of the Inconel alloy after heat-treatment under an air and a helium atmosphere at 1000°C, 48 h has been studied. The aluminide-coated Inconel specimens are prepared at 850°C and 1000°C for 1 h. An aluminiding layer indexed as AlxNi1-x(x = 0.4–0.6) was formed near the surface region and it played a role as a barrier layer against the surface diffusion of Cr . The thin Cr2O3film formed in situ on the alloy surface is protective inhibiting further oxidation at moderate temperatures. As the temperature increases further, the thermal stability of the Inconel alloy is limited by the instability of the Cr2O3scale. The aluminide-coated Inconel 617 samples showed the better performances, the enhanced thermal stability and improved wear resistance, most likely due to the barrier layer formation with the reduced amount of Cr2O3scale formation.
Optimization of process parameters for dimensional accuracy in an area-forming rapid prototyping system using the Taguchi method
Authors: Chiu Shih-Hsuan , Chen Cheng-Chin , Chen Kun-Ting , Su Chun-Hao
Published: April 2015

Rapid prototyping (RP) technologies have been extensively applied to build products in recent decades. The area-forming rapid prototyping is an emerging RP technology with the advantages of a simple procedure with a short processing time. With the expansion in fields of application, the strictness on product quality has also increased. The dimensional accuracy of a product is one of the most critical quality characteristics. In order to improve the dimensional accuracy of a product from an area-forming RP system, this study optimizes the seven factors via the Taguchi method, and the result is verified with an extra sample.
Study of thermoelectric properties of Ca-doped LaCoO3
Authors: Murai Kei-Ichiro , Nagai Ken , Takahashi Masaru , Takakusa Shosuke , Moriga Toshihiro
Published: April 2015

The samples of La 1-x Ca x CoO 3 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15) were synthesized by solid state reaction method for studying thermoelectric properties. The properties of electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient were measured in the temperature ranging from room temperature to 573 K. The results of electrical conductivity was increasing Ca substitution. The highest value of electrical conductivity is 1574 S/cm. It is concluded that Ca 2+ doping in LaCoO 3 has the effect to inhibit Seebeck coefficient from decreasing.
Characteristics of AZO thin films prepared at various Al target input current deposited on PET substrate
Authors: Kim Yun-Hae , Park Chang-Wook , Lee Jin-Woo , Lee Dong Myung
Published: April 2015

Transparent conductive oxide is a thin film to be used in numerous applications throughout the industry in general. Transparent electrode materials used in these industries are in need of light transmittance with excellent high and low electrical characteristics, substances showing the most excellent physical properties while satisfying all the characteristics such as indium tin oxide film. However, reserves of indium are very small, there is an environmental pollution problem. So the study of zinc oxide ( ZnO ) is actively carried out in an alternative material. This study analyzed the characteristics by using a direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering system. The electric and optical properties of these films were studied by Hall measurement and optical spectroscopy, respectively. When the Al target input current is 2 mA and 4 mA, it demonstrates about 80% transmittance in the range of the visible spectrum. Also, when Al target input current was 6 mA, sheet resistance was the smallest on PET substrate. The minimum resistivity is 3.96×10-3 ohm/sq.
Field electron emission characteristics of plasma treated carbon nanotubes
Authors: Koinkar Pankaj M. , Yonekura Daisuke , Murakami Ri-Ichi , Moriga Toshihiro , More Mahendra A.
Published: April 2015

This paper reports the effect of hydrogen ( H 2) plasma treatment on field emission property of double walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) synthesized by using chemical vapor deposition method. The hydrogen plasma treatment was carried out for various duration. The DWCNTs films were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that the field emission properties of DWCNTs were influenced with increasing plasma treatment duration. The Raman spectra of samples clearly show structural defects after hydrogen plasma treatment. It is observed that the change in the field emission characteristics of DWCNTs is attributed to the structural defects due to the H 2 plasma and depends on the plasma treatment duration.
Conducting polyaniline nanowire electrode junction
Authors: Gaikwad Sumedh , Bodkhe Gajanan , Deshmukh Megha , Patil Harshada , Rushi Arti , Shirsat Mahendra D. , Koinkar Pankaj , Kim Yun-Hae , Mulchandani Ashok
Published: April 2015

In this paper, a synthesis of conducting polyaniline nanowires electrode junction (CPNEJ) has been reported. Conducting polyaniline nanowires electrode junction on Si / SiO 2 substrate (having 3 μm gap between two gold microelectrodes) is prepared. Polyaniline nanowires with diameter (ca. 140 nm to 160 nm) were synthesized by one step electrochemical polymerization using galvanostatic (constant current) technique to bridge this gap. The surface morphology of CPNEJ was studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The synthesized CPNEJ is an excellent platform for biosensor applications.
Leaching of metals from steel samples in peracetic acid
Authors: Yabutani Tomoki , Nakamura Takamasa , Takayabagi Toshio
Published: April 2015

In this paper, leaching behavior of metallic species from steel samples in peracetic acid was investigated. We compared the leaching efficiency between peracetic acid and acetic acid to estimate the role of peroxo functional group for the leaching. As a result, peracetic acid enhanced the leaching ability of metallic species from the high speed steel and the alloy steel samples. MoO 3, Mo , MO 2 C, W, WO 3, VC and MnO 2 were effectively leached by peracetic acid, while the stainless steel had a high resistance against corrosion by peracetic acid.
Preparation of micro-biosensor for continuous glucose monitoring
Authors: Yasuzawa Mikito , Toba Taketo , Hiura Kentaro , Li Jiang , Koinkar Pankaj M. , Ueki Tomoyuki , Fuchiwaki Yusuke
Published: April 2015

Amperometric glucose sensors with a diameter of less than 10 μm were fabricated by the immobilization of glucose oxidase ( GOx ) on carbon fiber electrodes. Carbon fiber electrodes with platinum thin film were also prepared using electroplating and sputtering. The combination of electrodeposition and electropolymerization was employed for the immobilization of GOx . Although the introduction of Pt film satisfactorily improved the oxidation current of the electrode to hydrogen peroxide, sensitivities of obtained GOx -immobilized electrodes to glucose were not significant. Formation of electroplated-platinum thin film on carbon fiber was effective to reduce the influence of electroactive compounds existing in biological fluid such as ascorbic and uric acids.
Influence of surface roughness of steel plate on self-assembly behavior of silica particles
Authors: Yonezawa Takashi , Yonekura Daisuke
Published: April 2015

This paper describes the influence of surface roughness of steel plate on self-assembly behavior of silica particles based on SEM observations and the wettability of the suspension. The 304 stainless steel plate having two different surface roughness and spherical silica powder were used for the investigation. The silica layer was obtained by dipping the steel plate into the suspension and drawing it under various drawing speed. As a result, silica particle layers were formed on the plate surface when the stainless steel had a rough surface. In contrast, it was difficult to obtain the silica layers for the smooth surface.
Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles by usingGanoderma-mushroom extract
Authors: Ekar S. U. , Khollam Y. B. , Koinkar P. M. , Mirji S. A. , Mane R. S. , Naushad M. , Jadhav S. S.
Published: April 2015

Present study reports the biochemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles ( Ag -NPs) from aqueous medium by using the extract of medicinal mushroom Ganoderma, as a reducing and stabilizing agents. The Ag -NPs are prepared at room temperature by the reduction of Ag+to Ag in aqueous solution of AgNO3. The resultant particles are characterized by using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurement techniques. The formation of Ag -NPs is confirmed by recording the UV-visible absorption spectra for surface plasmon resonance (SPR) where peak around 427 nm. The prominent changes observed in FTIR spectra supported the reduction of Ag+to Ag . The morphological features of Ag -NPs are evaluated from HRTEM. The spherical Ag -NPs are observed in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. The particle size distribution is found to be nearly uniform with average particle size of 2 nm. The Ag -NPs aged for 15, 30, 60 and 120 days showed no profound effect on the position of SPR peak in UV-visible studies, indicating the protecting/capping ability of medicinal mushroom Ganoderma in the synthesis of Ag -NPs.
Characteristics comparison of weld metal zones welded to cast and forged steels for piston crown material
Authors: Moon Kyung-Man , Kim Yun-Hae , Lee Myeong-Hoon , Baek Tae-Sil
Published: April 2015

An optimum repair welding for the piston crown which is one of the engine parts exposed to the combustion chamber is considered to be very important to prolong the engine lifetime from an economical point of view. In this study, two types of filler metals such as 1.25 Cr –0.5 Mo , 0.5 Mo were welded with SMAW method and the other two types of filler metals such as Inconel 625 and 718 were welded with GTAW method, respectively, and the used base metals were the cast and forged steels of the piston crown material. The weld metal zones welded with Inconel 625 and 718 filler metals exhibited higher corrosion resistance compared to 1.25 Cr –0.5 Mo and 0.5 Mo filler metals. In particular, the weld metal zone welded with Inconel 718 and 0.5 Mo , filler metals indicated the best and worst corrosion resistance, respectively. Consequently, it is suggested that the corrosion resistance of the weld metal zone surely depends on the chemical components of each filler metal and welding method irrespective of the types of piston crown material.
Development of the educational Arduino module using the helium gas airship
Authors: Park Se-Ho , Kim Won-Hoe , Seo Suk-Hyun
Published: April 2015

Various educational Arduino modules with its simplicity have been developed since Arduino's release into the market. In this study, the helium gas airship was employed to make an Arduino module by applying Arduino Mini, Bluetooth and Android applications.
Tailored growth of in situAl4SiC4 in laser melted aluminum melt
Authors: Chang Fei , Gu Dongdong
Published: April 2015

The crystallization and growth of in situ crystals during non-equilibrium laser rapid melting/solidification process is an important research topic in the fields of both Applied Physics and Materials Science. The present paper studies the development mechanisms of in situ formed Al 4 SiC 4 ceramic phase within the selective laser melted SiC / AlSi10Mg composites. Two different-structured Al 4 SiC 4 having strip and particle morphologies were disclosed and their growth mechanisms were influenced by laser linear energy density (LED). An elevated LED resulted in a larger degree formation of strip-structured Al 4 SiC 4 with the gradually coarsened crystal sizes in its length and thickness. The homogeneously dispersed particle-shaped Al 4 SiC 4 exhibited a considerably refined nanostructure with a proper increase in LED, but showing a significant coarsening of particles at an excessive LED.
Multi-granularity immunization strategy based on SIRS model in scale-free network
Authors: Nian Fuzhong , Wang Ke
Published: April 2015

In this paper, a new immunization strategy was established to prevent the epidemic spreading based on the principle of "Multi-granularity" and "Pre-warning Mechanism", which send different pre-warning signal with the risk rank of the susceptible node to be infected. The pre-warning means there is a higher risk that the susceptible node is more likely to be infected. The multi-granularity means the susceptible node is linked with multi-infected nodes. In our model, the effect of the different situation of the multi-granularity immunizations is compared and different spreading rates are adopted to describe the epidemic behavior of nodes. In addition the threshold value of epidemic outbreak is investigated, which makes the result more convincing. The theoretical analysis and the simulations indicate that the proposed immunization strategy is effective and it is also economic and feasible.
Effect ofSndoping on the formation of silicon nanocrystal in silicon nitride films
Authors: Chen Xiaobo , Zhang Li
Published: April 2015

Sn -doped silicon nanocrystals ( Si -NCs) embedded in silicon nitride was synthesized by post-annealing of silicon-rich silicon nitride (SRN) films deposited by co-sputtering. The effects of Sn impurity on the Si crystallization behavior and photoluminescence (PL) in SRN films were investigated. Doping with Sn dopants enhances phase separation in SRN and thus accelerates the crystallization of silicon nanoparticles. It was also found that the existence of Sn decreases crystallization temperature, and could be as low as 800°C. In the Sn -doped samples, the crystalline volume fraction increases monotonically from 16.2% to 78.5% with increasing annealing temperature and the area densities of about ~2.2×1012cm-2can be achieved after annealing at 1100°C. In addition, the intensity of PL of the SRN film could be enhanced by adding Sn impurity.
Oscillator Made of Only One Memristor and One Battery
Authors: Sah Maheshwar PD. , Mannan Zubaer Ibna , Kim Hyongsuk , Chua Leon
Published: April 2015

Contrary to the traditional belief that at least two energy-storage elements (capacitor and/or inductor) and a locally-active nonlinearity are needed to build an electronic oscillator, this paper presents an oscillator made with only two circuit elements, namely, a memristor and a battery. This simplest of all physical oscillators also serves as a textbook example for explaining the intimate relationship between the super-critical Hopf bifurcation phenomenon and the edge of chaos.
A Systematic Design Method for 3-D Grid Multiscroll Chaotic Attractors and Its Circuit Implementation Employing CFOAs
Authors: Wu Xianming , He Yigang
Published: April 2015

A systematic design method for 3-D grid multiscroll chaotic attractors by using staircase nonlinear functions (SNFs) is proposed in this paper. Equations of parameters for 3-D grid multiscroll chaotic attractors are derived in the consideration of the dynamic range for the active device and the number of multiscroll chaotic attractors. 5 × 4 and 4 × 3 of 3-D grid multiscroll chaotic attractors are generated by this method. A chaotic circuit is designed only using current feedback operational amplifiers (CFOAs). The circuit consists of three integrators and two nonlinear circuits. The parameters of the circuit are calculated by the parameters of 3-D grid multiscroll chaotic attractors. The circuit can generate 3-D grid multiscroll chaotic attractors. The central frequency of the circuit is higher with fewer active devices and simpler circuit construction for the good frequency characteristic and port characteristic of the CFOA. Numerical simulation results and the circuit simulation results show that the method is feasible and the designed circuit is correct.
Quasi-Periodic Solutions of Nonlinear Wave Equation with x-Dependent Coefficients
Authors: Gao Yixian , Zhang Weipeng , Ji Shuguan
Published: April 2015

This paper is devoted to the study of quasi-periodic solutions of a nonlinear wave equation with x-dependent coefficients. Such a model arises from the forced vibration of a nonhomogeneous string and the propagation of seismic waves in nonisotropic media. Based on the partial Birkhoff normal form and an infinite-dimensional KAM theorem, we can obtain the existence of quasi-periodic solutions for this model under the general boundary conditions.
Bifurcation of Limit Cycles from a Quintic Center via the Second Order Averaging Method
Authors: Peng Linping , Feng Zhaosheng
Published: April 2015

This paper is concerned with the bifurcation of limit cycles from a quintic system with one center. By using the averaging theory, we show that under any small quintic homogeneous perturbations, up to order 1 in ε, at most three limit cycles bifurcate from periodic orbits of the considered system, and this upper bound can be reached. Up to order 2 in ε, at most seven limit cycles emerge from periodic orbits of the unperturbed one.
ANALYSIS OF THE COMPLEX FRACTURE FLOW IN MULTIPLE FRACTURED HORIZONTAL WELLS WITH THE FRACTAL TREE-LIKE NETWORK MODELS
Authors: WANG WENDONG , SU YULIANG , ZHANG XIAO , SHENG GUANGLONG , REN LONG
Published: April 2015

This paper formulates a fractal-tree network model to address the challenging problem of characterizing the hydraulic fracture network in unconventional reservoirs. It has been proved that the seepage flow in tight/shale oil reservoirs is much more complicated to the conventional formation. To further understand the flow mechanisms in such a complex system, a semi-analytical model considering "branch network fractures" was established stage by stage using point source method and superposition principle. Fractal method was employed to generate and represent induced fracture network around bi-wing fractures. In addition, based on the new established model and solution, deterministic fractal-tree-like fracture network patterns and heterogeneity were carefully investigated and compared with the simulation model. Results show that the fractal dimension for the fracture network has significant effect on the connectivity of the stimulated reservoir. The proposed fractal model may capture the characteristics of the heterogeneous complex fracture network and help in understanding the flow and transport mechanisms of multiple fractured horizontal wells.
Random Vibration Analysis for Impellers of Centrifugal Compressors Through the Pseudo-Excitation Method
Authors: Wang Yuefang , Wang Sujing , Huang Lihua
Published: April 2015

Impellers of centrifugal compressors are generally loaded by fluctuating aerodynamic pressure in operations. Excessive vibration of the impellers can be induced by unsteady airflows and lead to severe fatigue failures. Traditional transient stress analyses implemented in time domain generally require multiple load-step, very time-consuming computations using input of temporal pneumatic force previously obtained from Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses. For quick evaluation of structural integrity of impellers, it is necessary to develop random vibration models and solution approaches defined in frequency domain. In this paper, the Pseudo-Excitation Method (PEM) is used to obtain power spectral density of three-dimensional, dynamic displacement and stress of impellers. A finite element model of an unshrouded impeller of a centrifugal compressor is generated based on the result of unsteady CFD analysis. Compared with the direct transient stress analyses in time domain, the pseudo-excitation method provides accurate and fast estimation of dynamic response of the impeller, making it an applicable and efficient method for analyzing random vibration of impellers.
An Explicit Dynamic Method of Rigid Bodies-Spring Model
Authors: Yagi T. , Takeuchi N.
Published: April 2015

The rigid bodies-spring model (RBSM) has been developed as a numerical model to generalize limit analysis in plasticity, in which the structure to be analyzed is idealized as an assemblage of rigid bodies connected by normal and tangential springs. Originally, this approach was a discrete model for handling static problem. In this paper, we illustrate the formulation of an explicit dynamic method for each element using the principle of hybrid-type virtual work. Additionally, we propose a new RBSM approach for contact mechanism and friction characteristics. Finally, we verify the accuracy of dynamic analysis by RBSM with some numerical examples.
Development of the Cell-based Smoothed Discrete Shear Gap Plate Element (CS-FEM-DSG3) using Three-Node Triangles
Authors: Nguyen-Thoi T. , Nguyen-Thoi M. H. , Vo-Duy T. , Nguyen-Minh N.
Published: April 2015

The paper presents the formulation and recent development of the cell-based smoothed discrete shear gap plate element (CS-FEM-DSG3) using three-node triangles. In the CS-FEM-DSG3, each triangular element will be divided into three sub-triangles, and in each sub-triangle, the original plate element DSG3 is used to compute the strains and to avoid the transverse shear locking. Then the cell-based strain smoothing technique (CS-FEM) is used to smooth the strains on these three sub-triangles. The numerical examples illustrate four superior properties of the CS-FEM-DSG3 including: (1) being a strong competitor to many existing three-node triangular plate elements in the static analysis; (2) giving high accurate solutions for problems with skew geometries in the static analysis; (3) giving high accurate solutions in free vibration analysis; (4) providing accurate values of high frequencies of plates by using only coarse meshes. Due to its superior and simple properties, the CS-FEM-DSG3 has been now developed for various analyses such as: flat shells, stiffened plates, functionally graded plates, composite plates, piezoelectricity composite plates, cracked plate and plates resting on the viscoelastic foundation subjected to moving loads, etc.
DFT: A Theory Full of Holes?
Authors: Pribram-Jones Aurora , Gross David A. , Burke Kieron
Published: April 2015

This article is a rough, quirky overview of both the history and present state of the art of density functional theory. The field is so huge that no attempt to be comprehensive is made. We focus on the underlying exact theory, the origin of approximations, and the tension between empirical and nonempirical approaches. Many ideas are illustrated on the exchange energy and hole. Features unique to this article include how approximations can be systematically derived in a nonempirical fashion and a survey of warm dense matter.
Remote limb ischemic conditioning enhances motor learning in healthy humans
Authors: Cherry-Allen Kendra M. , Gidday Jeff M. , Lee Jin-Moo , Hershey Tamara , Lang Catherine E.
Published: April 2015

Brief bouts of sublethal ischemia have been shown to protect exposed tissue (ischemic conditioning) and tissues at remote sites (remote ischemic conditioning) against subsequent ischemic challenges. Given that the mechanisms of this protective phenomenon are multifactorial and epigenetic, we postulated that remote limb ischemic conditioning (RLIC) might enhance mechanisms responsible for neural plasticity, and thereby facilitate learning. Specifically, we hypothesized that conditioning of the nervous system with RLIC, achieved through brief repetitive limb ischemia prior to training, would facilitate the neurophysiological processes of learning, thus making training more effective and more long-lasting. Eighteen healthy adults participated in this study; nine were randomly allocated to RLIC and nine to sham conditioning. All subjects underwent seven consecutive weekday sessions and 2-wk and 4-wk follow-up sessions. We found that RLIC resulted in significantly greater motor learning and longer retention of motor performance gains in healthy adults. Changes in motor performance do not appear to be due to a generalized increase in muscle activation or muscle strength and were not associated with changes in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration. Of note, RLIC did not enhance cognitive learning on a hippocampus-dependent task. While future research is needed to establish optimal conditioning and training parameters, this inexpensive, clinically feasible paradigm might ultimately be implemented to enhance motor learning in individuals undergoing neuromuscular rehabilitation for brain injury and other pathological conditions.
NUAK2 Amplification Coupled with PTEN Deficiency Promotes Melanoma Development via CDK Activation
Authors: Namiki Takeshi , Yaguchi Tomonori , Nakamura Kenta , Valencia Julio C. , Coelho Sergio G. , Yin Lanlan , Kawaguchi Masakazu , Vieira Wilfred D. , Kaneko Yasuhiko , Tanemura Atsushi , Katayama Ichiro , Yokozeki Hiroo , Kawakami Yutaka , Hearing Vincent J.
Published: April 2015

The AMPK-related kinase NUAK2 has been implicated in melanoma growth and survival outcomes, but its therapeutic utility has yet to be confirmed. In this study, we show how its genetic amplification in PTEN-deficient melanomas may rationalize the use of CDK2 inhibitors as a therapeutic strategy. Analysis of array-CGH data revealed that PTEN deficiency is coupled tightly with genomic amplification encompassing the NUAK2 locus, a finding strengthened by immunohistochemical evidence that phospho-Akt overexpression was correlated with NUAK2 expression in clinical specimens of acral melanoma. Functional studies in melanoma cells showed that inactivation of the PI3K pathway upregulated p21 expression and reduced the number of cells in S phase. NUAK2 silencing and inactivation of the PI3K pathway efficiently controlled CDK2 expression, whereas CDK2 inactivation specifically abrogated the growth of NUAK2-amplified and PTEN-deficient melanoma cells. Immunohistochemical analyses confirmed an association of CDK2 expression with NUAK2 amplification and p-Akt expression in melanomas. Finally, pharmacologic inhibition of CDK2 was sufficient to suppress the growth of NUAK2-amplified and PTEN-deficient melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Overall, our results show how CDK2 blockade may offer a promising therapy for genetically defined melanomas, where NUAK2 is amplified and PTEN is deleted. Cancer Res; 75(13); 2708–15. ©2015 AACR.
FoxM1 Drives a Feed-Forward STAT3-Activation Signaling Loop That Promotes the Self-Renewal and Tumorigenicity of Glioblastoma Stem-like Cells
Authors: Gong Ai-hua , Wei Ping , Zhang Sicong , Yao Jun , Yuan Ying , Zhou Ai-dong , Lang Frederick F. , Heimberger Amy B. , Rao Ganesh , Huang Suyun
Published: April 2015

The growth factor PDGF controls the development of glioblastoma (GBM), but its contribution to the function of GBM stem-like cells (GSC) has been little studied. Here, we report that the transcription factor FoxM1 promotes PDGFA-STAT3 signaling to drive GSC self-renewal and tumorigenicity. In GBM, we found a positive correlation between expression of FoxM1 and PDGF-A. In GSC and mouse neural stem cells, FoxM1 bound to the PDGF-A promoter to upregulate PDGF-A expression, acting to maintain the stem-like qualities of GSC in part through this mechanism. Analysis of the human cancer genomic database The Cancer Genome Atlas revealed that GBM expresses higher levels of STAT3, a PDGF-A effector signaling molecule, as compared with normal brain. FoxM1 regulated STAT3 transcription through interactions with the β-catenin/TCF4 complex. FoxM1 deficiency inhibited PDGF-A and STAT3 expression in neural stem cells and GSC, abolishing their stem-like and tumorigenic properties. Further mechanistic investigations defined a FoxM1-PDGFA-STAT3 feed-forward pathway that was sufficient to confer stem-like properties to glioma cells. Collectively, our findings showed how FoxM1 activates expression of PDGF-A and STAT3 in a pathway required to maintain the self-renewal and tumorigenicity of glioma stem-like cells. Cancer Res; 75(11); 2337–48. ©2015 AACR.
TR4 Nuclear Receptor Alters the Prostate Cancer CD133+ Stem/Progenitor Cell Invasion via Modulating the EZH2-Related Metastasis Gene Expression
Authors: Zhu Jin , Yang Dong-Rong , Sun Yin , Qiu Xiaofu , Chang Hong-Chiang , Li Gonghui , Shan Yuxi , Chang Chawnshang
Published: April 2015

The testicular nuclear receptor 4 (TR4) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily that mediates various biologic functions with key impacts on metabolic disorders and tumor progression. Here, we demonstrate that TR4 may play a positive role in prostate cancer CD133+ stem/progenitor (S/P) cell invasion. Targeting TR4 with lentiviral silencing RNA significantly suppressed prostate cancer CD133+ S/P cell invasion both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanism dissection found that TR4 transcriptionally regulates the oncogene EZH2 via binding to its 5′ promoter region. The consequences of targeting TR4 to suppress EZH2 expression may then suppress the expression of its downstream key metastasis-related genes, including NOTCH1, TGFβ1, SLUG, and MMP9. Rescue approaches via adding the EZH2 reversed the TR4-mediated prostate cancer S/P cell invasion. Together, these results suggest that the TR4→EZH2 signaling may play a critical role in the prostate cancer S/P cell invasion and may allow us to develop a better therapy to battle the prostate cancer metastasis. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(6); 1445–53. ©2015 AACR.