bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling and optimization of a wide-band piezoelectric energy harvester for smart building structures
Authors: Asthana Prateek , Khanna Gargi
Published: January 2020

Piezoelectric energy harvesting refers to conversion of mechanical energy into usable electrical energy. In the modern connected world, wireless sensor nodes are scattered around the environment. These nodes are powered by batteries. Batteries require regular replacement, hence energy harvesters providing continuous autonomous power are used to power these sensor nodes. This work provides two different fixation modes for the resonant frequency for the two modes. Variation in geometric parameter and their effect on resonant frequency and output power have been analyzed. These harvesters capture a wide-band of ambient vibrations and convert them into usable electrical energy. To capture random ambient vibrations, the harvester used is a wide-band energy harvester based on conventional seesaw mechanism. The proposed structure operates on first two resonant frequencies in comparison to the conventional cantilever system working on first resonant frequency. Resonance frequency, as well as response to a varying input vibration frequency, is carried out, showing better performance of seesaw cantilever design. In this work, modeling of wide-band energy harvester with proof mass is being performed. Position of proof mass plays a key role in determining the resonant frequency of the harvester. Placing the proof mass near or away from fixed end results in increase and decrease in stress on the piezoelectric layer. Hence, to avoid the breaking of cantilever, the position of proof mass has been analyzed.
Rheology of Ice Slurry in Circular Pipe at Different Freezing-Point Depressants
Authors: Rayhan Fajri Ashfi , Pamitran Agus Sunjarianto , Yanuar
Published: January 2020

The utilization of ice slurry as a pumpable phase-change material has been getting a lot of attention in research and development discourses. This study attempted to investigate the rheological characteristics of ice slurry at different freezing-point depressants through experiments. Ice slurry was formed by mixing water and different freezing-point depressants (monoethylene glycol, ethanol, and sodium chloride) at a 20% initial concentration. Rheology tests were conducted on the transition from laminar to turbulent flows in a circular pipe. The inner dimension of the pipe was 12.7[Formula: see text]mm in diameter, while the ice mass fraction varied in between 0–28% depending on storage time of ice slurry. Experimental results showed sodium chloride ice slurry to have a higher pressure drop and friction factor compared to those of monoethylene glycol and ethanol ice slurry ones at the same initial concentration and ice mass fraction level. In general, ice slurry was discovered to behave as a Newtonian fluid at 10–15% ice mass fractions, as a shear thinning fluid at 15–20% ice mass fractions, and a shear thickening fluid at 20–28% ice mass fractions. Later, experimental data of shear stress were compared to Ostwald–deWaele and Herschel–Bulkley models based on Mellari method. In fact, a modified Herschel–Bulkley model for monoethylene glycol ice slurry showed a close agreement with experimental data with 4.7% mean deviation. In addition, the experimental viscosity data were compared to the Einstein, Jeffrey, Kunitz, Guth, Steimour, Vand, Mooney, Simha, Happel, Ford, Thomas dan Morio–Ototake models. The best fit was only produced with Morio model for values at low ice mass fraction ([Formula: see text]%).
A High Reliability Sense Amplifier for Computing In-Memory with STT-MRAM
Authors: Zhang Li , Tang Hualian , Xu Beilei , Zhuang Yiqi , Bao Junlin
Published: January 2020

In the era of big data, massive data requires processing efficiently. However, the limited data bandwidth between the memory and the processor in conventional computer systems could not meet the requirement of data transferring. Computing in-memory has been considered an effective solution to address this problem. In this paper, based on the spin transfer torque-magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM), a computing in-memory architecture with as few peripheral circuits as possible is proposed. This computing in-memory architecture gives the specific reference cell so that two rows in one array can be activated simultaneously to perform bitwise logic operations, such as OR/NOR and AND/NAND. In addition, with technology scaling down, STT-MRAM suffers from high sensitivity to process variation, which results in more device mismatch in a sense circuit. Additionally, the negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) seriously affects the life of PMOS transistors used in a sense circuit. In this paper, a high-reliability sense amplifier for computing in-memory with STT-MRAM is proposed. By using two self-enabled switching transistors, the proposed sense amplifier not only can decrease the NBTI effect on PMOS transistors but also can achieve a low sensing error rate. Using a CMOS 40[Formula: see text]nm design-kit and an accurate compact model of the STT magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), mixed transient and statistical simulations have been present to demonstrate the functionality and performance of the proposed circuits.
Epidemiology of Distal Radius Fixations and Functional Outcomes in the Superelderly Population
Authors: Heng Bernice Qi Hui , Kang Yong Chiang , Lim Joel Xue Yi , Chee Kin Ghee
Published: January 2020

Background: Superelderly patients (defined as 80 years old and older) account for 18% of all distal radius fractures in our institution and this number is increasing with the ageing population. When faced with the option of surgery, patients in this age group have concerns with regards to the long term outcomes including functional outcomes and the time to fracture union. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the functional outcomes in this specific population.

Methods: Patient selection for surgery was determined by the fracture stability, the patient’s premorbid function and underlying comorbidities. Post operatively, the time to fracture union after surgical fixation, surgical complications and patients’ functional outcome scores were recorded. The method of anaesthesia and any anaesthesia-related complications were also included.

Results: There were 76 superelderly patients who underwent surgical fixation of their distal radius fractures identified from our institution’s prospective database from 2009 to 2016. Overall there were good functional outcome scores. The DASH scores at 3 months and 6 months were 17 and 10 respectively. Furthermore, the mean time to fracture union in our population was 47 days (approximately 7 weeks). There were only 2 post-operative surgical complications but no anaesthesia-related complications.

Conclusions: Surgical fixation of distal radius fractures in appropriately selected patients in the superelderly population yields good functional outcomes.
Robots That Use Language
Authors: Tellex Stefanie , Gopalan Nakul , Kress-Gazit Hadas , Matuszek Cynthia
Published: January 2020

This article surveys the use of natural language in robotics from a robotics point of view. To use human language, robots must map words to aspects of the physical world, mediated by the robot's sensors and actuators. This problem differs from other natural language processing domains due to the need to ground the language to noisy percepts and physical actions. Here, we describe central aspects of language use by robots, including understanding natural language requests, using language to drive learning about the physical world, and engaging in collaborative dialogue with a human partner. We describe common approaches, roughly divided into learning methods, logic-based methods, and methods that focus on questions of human–robot interaction. Finally, we describe several application domains for language-using robots.
Progress in the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy’s Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Program
Authors: Vora Shailesh D , Jesionowski Gary , Williams Mark Christopher
Published: January 2020

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy (FE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Program is committed to developing efficient, low-cost electricity from natural gas for MWe-class distributed generation applications in the near-term. In the long-term, the Program is focused on natural gas and coal based central power generation applications with carbon capture; maintaining cell development and core technology research to increase the reliability, robustness, and durability of cell, stack, and system technology; and providing the technology base to permit cost-competitive distributed generation applications. The program is a unique balance of strategically oriented research and development activities spanning fundamental research to prototype testing. The SOFC Program collaborates and coordinates with other fuel cell programs government-wide, including ARPA-E and DOE EERE’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Office. The progress of these activities, along with the status of the program’s integrated systems tests and the roadmap to deploy a MWe-class natural gas-fueled distributed generation system, will be presented.
Impacts of Hydrogen-Natural Gas Mixtures on a Commercial Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System
Authors: Hormaza Mejia Alejandra , Yoshioka Masaya , Kim Jun Yong , Brouwer Jack
Published: January 2020

In this study, the emissions and performance of a commercial Solid Oxide Fuel Cell system with micro-combined heat and power (SOFC mCHP) capabilities are analyzed at various power output levels and with various hydrogen (H2) – natural gas (NG) fuel mixture concentrations. The SOFC mCHP system, although designed to be fueled by pure NG, is intentionally fueled with mixtures between 0 and 30% vol of H2 mixed with NG (balance) and is operated between 0.5 and 1.5 kW. Since these units are used in residential and commercial applications, it is important to ensure that if H2 becomes widely injected into the NG system that the corresponding H2-NG mixtures would not negatively impact the emissions or performance of the system. The performance of the system is characterized by measurement of major exhaust species concentrations (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, water, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, etc.). These measurements confirm that NOx emissions are extremely low and that adding hydrogen to the NG system does not increase NOx emissions. In addition, the system’s efficiency at part load experienced a small reduction with increasing H2 concentrations in the mixture, compared to pure NG operation.
Intestinal epithelial regeneration: active versus reserve stem cells and plasticity mechanisms
Authors: Karmakar Soham , Deng Lu , He Xi C. , Li Linheng
Published: January 2020

The gastrointestinal system is arguably one of the most complicated developmental systems in a multicellular organism, as it carries out at least four major functions: digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, excretion of hormones, and defense against pathogens. Anatomically, the fetal gut has a tubular structure with an outer layer of smooth muscle derived from lateral splanchnic mesoderm and an inner lining of epithelium derived from the definitive endoderm. During morphogenesis of the gut tube, the definitive endoderm transforms into a primitive gut tube with a foregut, midgut, and hindgut. During the course of further development, the midgut gives rise to the small and proximal large intestine and the hindgut gives rise to the distal large intestine and rectum. The small intestine is subdivided into three parts: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, whereas the large intestine is subdivided into the cecum, colon, and rectum.
Intestine-specific deletion of metal transporter Zip14 (Slc39a14) causes brain manganese overload and locomotor defects of manganism
Authors: Aydemir Tolunay B. , Thorn Trista L. , Ruggiero Courtney H. , Pompilus Marjory , Febo Marcelo , Cousins Robert J.
Published: January 2020

Impaired manganese (Mn) homeostasis can result in excess Mn accumulation in specific brain regions and neuropathology. Maintaining Mn homeostasis and detoxification is dependent on effective Mn elimination. Specific metal transporters control Mn homeostasis. Human carriers of mutations in the metal transporter ZIP14 and whole body Zip14-knockout (WB-KO) mice display similar phenotypes, including spontaneous systemic and brain Mn overload and motor dysfunction. Initially, it was believed that Mn accumulation due to ZIP14 mutations was caused by impaired hepatobiliary Mn elimination. However, liver-specific Zip14-KO mice did not show systemic Mn accumulation or motor deficits. ZIP14 is highly expressed in the small intestine and is localized to the basolateral surface of enterocytes. Thus, we hypothesized that basolaterally localized ZIP14 in enterocytes provides another route for the elimination of Mn. Using wild-type and intestine-specific Zip14-KO (I-KO) mice, we have shown that ablation of intestinal Zip14 is sufficient to cause systemic and brain Mn accumulation. The lack of intestinal ZIP14-mediated Mn excretion was compensated for by the hepatobiliary system; however, it was not sufficient to maintain Mn homeostasis. When supplemented with extra dietary Mn, I-KO mice displayed some motor dysfunctions and brain Mn accumulation based on both MRI imaging and chemical analysis, thus demonstrating the importance of intestinal ZIP14 as a route of Mn excretion. A defect in intestinal Zip14 expresssion likely could contribute to the Parkinson-like Mn accumulation of manganism.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Mn-induced parkinsonism is recognized as rising in frequency because of both environmental factors and genetic vulnerability; yet currently, there is no cure. We provide evidence in an integrative animal model that basolaterally localized ZIP14 regulates Mn excretion and detoxification and that deletion of intestinal ZIP14 leads to systemic and brain Mn accumulation, providing robust evidence for the indispensable role of intestinal ZIP14 in Mn excretion.
A recent history of preeclampsia is associated with elevated central pulse wave velocity and muscle sympathetic outflow
Authors: Usselman Charlotte W. , Adler Tessa E. , Coovadia Yasmine , Leone Cheryl , Paidas Michael J. , Stachenfeld Nina S.
Published: January 2020

We demonstrate that resting muscle sympathetic nerve activity is elevated in women with a recent history of preeclampsia relative to women who have recently had uncomplicated pregnancies and without a history of preeclampsia. Structural changes in the central arteries are associated with arterial stiffness following preeclampsia, independent of changes in the sympathetic nervous system. The structural changes are observed in these relatively young previously preeclamptic women, indicating elevated cardiovascular risk. Our data suggest that with aging (and the gradual loss of vascular protection for women, as established by others), this risk will become exaggerated compared with women who have had normal pregnancies.
A stepwise approach to resolving small ionic currents in vascular tissue
Authors: Sancho Maria , Hald Bjorn O. , Welsh Donald G.
Published: January 2020

Arterial membrane potential ( Vm) is set by an active interplay among ion channels whose principal function is to set contractility through the gating of voltage-operated Ca2+ channels. To garner an understanding of this electrical parameter, the activity of each channel must be established under near-physiological conditions, a significant challenge given their small magnitude. The inward rectifying K+ (KIR) channel is illustrative of the problem, as its outward “physiological” component is almost undetectable. This study describes a stepwise approach to dissect small ionic currents at physiological Vm using endothelial and smooth muscle cells freshly isolated from rat cerebral arteries. We highlight three critical steps, beginning with the voltage clamping of vascular cells bathed in physiological solutions while maintaining a giga-ohm seal. KIR channels are then inhibited (micromolar Ba2+) so that a difference current can be created, once Ba2+ traces are corrected for the changing seal resistance and subtle instrument drift, pulling the reversal potential rightward. The latter is a new procedure and entails the alignment of whole cell current traces at a voltage where KIR is silent and other channels exhibit limited activity. We subsequently introduced corrected and uncorrected currents into computer models of the arterial wall to show how these subtle adjustments markedly impact the importance of KIR in Vm and arterial tone regulation. We argue that this refined approach can be used on an array of vascular ion channels to build a complete picture of how they dynamically interact to set arterial tone in key organs like the brain.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This work describes a stepwise approach to resolve small ionic currents involved in controlling Vm in resistance arteries. Using this new methodology, we particularly resolved the outward component of the KIR current in native vascular cells, voltage clamped in near-physiological conditions. This novel approach can be applied to any other vascular currents and used to better interpret how vascular ion channels cooperate to control arterial tone.
Acyloxyacyl hydrolase regulates voiding activity
Authors: Aguiniga Lizath M. , Searl Timothy J. , Rahman-Enyart Afrida , Yaggie Ryan E. , Yang Wenbin , Schaeffer Anthony J. , Klumpp David J.
Published: January 2020

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) regulates diverse physiological functions, including bladder control. We recently reported that Crf expression is under genetic control of Aoah, the locus encoding acyloxyacyl hydrolase (AOAH), suggesting that AOAH may also modulate voiding. Here, we examined the role of AOAH in bladder function. AOAH-deficient mice exhibited enlarged bladders relative to wild-type mice and had decreased voiding frequency and increased void volumes. AOAH-deficient mice had increased nonvoiding contractions and increased peak voiding pressure in awake cystometry. AOAH-deficient mice also exhibited increased bladder permeability and higher neuronal firing rates of bladder afferents in response to stretch. In wild-type mice, AOAH was expressed in bladder projecting neurons and colocalized in CRF-expressing neurons in Barrington’s nucleus, an important brain area for voiding behavior, and Crf was elevated in Barrington’s nucleus of AOAH-deficient mice. We had previously identified aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ as transcriptional regulators of Crf, and conditional knockout of AhR or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ in Crf-expressing cells restored normal voiding in AOAH-deficient mice. Finally, an AhR antagonist improved voiding in AOAH-deficient mice. Together, these data demonstrate that AOAH regulates bladder function and that the AOAH- Crf axis is a therapeutic target for treating voiding dysfunction.
miR-214 represses mitofusin-2 to promote renal tubular apoptosis in ischemic acute kidney injury
Authors: Yan Yu , Ma Zhengwei , Zhu Jiefu , Zeng Mengru , Liu Hong , Dong Zheng
Published: January 2020

Disruption of mitochondrial dynamics is an important pathogenic event in both acute and chronic kidney diseases, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we report the regulation of mitofusin-2 (Mfn2; a key mitochondrial fusion protein) by microRNA-214 (miR-214) in renal ischemia-reperfusion that contributes to mitochondrial fragmentation, renal tubular cell death, and ischemic acute kidney injury (AKI). miR-214 was induced, whereas Mfn2 expression was decreased, in mouse ischemic AKI and cultured rat kidney proximal tubular cells (RPTCs) following ATP depletion treatment. Overexpression of miR-214 decreased Mfn2. Conversely, inhibition of miR-214 with anti-miR-214 prevented Mfn2 downregulation in RPTCs following ATP depletion. Anti-miR-214 further ameliorated mitochondrial fragmentation and apoptosis, whereas overexpression of miR-214 increased apoptosis, in ATP-depleted RPTCs. To test regulation in vivo, we established a mouse model with miR-214 specifically deleted from kidney proximal tubular cells (PT- miR-214−/−). Compared with wild-type mice, PT- miR-214−/− mice had less severe tissue damage, fewer apoptotic cells, and better renal function after ischemic AKI. miR-214 induction in ischemic AKI was suppressed in PT- miR-214−/− mice, accompanied by partial preservation of Mfn2 in kidneys. These results unveil the miR-214/Mfn2 axis that contributes to the disruption of mitochondrial dynamics and tubular cell death in ischemic AKI, offering new therapeutic targets.
Effects of Highly Oxygenated Water in a Hyperuricemia Rat Model
Authors: Fang Chih-Hsiang , Tsai Cheng-Chia , Shyong Yan-Jye , Yang Chun-Ting , Li Keng-Yuan , Lin Yi-Wen , Chang Kuo-Chi , Wang Mao-Hsien , Wu Tang-Ming , Lin Feng-Huei
Published: January 2020

Recent years have seen a rapidly rising number of oxygenated water brands that claim to impart health benefits and increase athletic performance by improving oxygen availability in the body. Drinks with higher dissolved oxygen concentrations have in recent times gained popularity as potential ergogenic aids, despite the lack of evidence regarding their efficacy. The aim of this study was to characterize oxygenated water and assess the improvement in uric acid metabolism while identifying performance enhancements in animals administered oxygenated water. Oxygenated water was characterized by hydrogen and oxygen nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Hyperuricemia in rats was induced by treatment with oxonic acid potassium salt, and the animals were given oxygenated drinking water before, during, or after oxonic acid treatment. Serum uric acid was measured to confirm the effects on uric acid metabolism. Following oxygenation, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) was reduced to 11.56 Hz and 64.16 Hz in the hydrogen and oxygen NMR spectra, respectively. Oxygenated water molecule clusters were reduced in size due to the reduction in FWHM. Oxygen concentration did not vary significantly with increased temperature. However, standing time played a critical role in the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water. The rat studies indicated that oxygenated water reduced serum uric acid levels and their rate of increase and enhanced uric acid metabolism. A significant improvement in uric acid metabolism and rate of increase in serum uric acid concentration was observed in hyperuricemic rats administered oxygenated water compared to that in rats administered regular water. High oxygen concentrations enhanced the rate of oxygen absorption, leading to increased glycolysis and mitochondrial protein synthesis. Therefore, oxygenated water is a potential adjuvant therapy or health food for treatment of hyperuricemia.
Two Parallel Machines Scheduling with Two-Vehicle Job Delivery to Minimize Makespan
Authors: Cao Lisi , Hao Jianhong , Jiang Dakui
Published: January 2020

A problem of parallel machine scheduling with coordinated job deliveries is handled to minimize the makespan. Different jobs call for dissimilar sizes of storing space in the process of transportation. A range of jobs of one customer in the problem have priority to be processed on two identical parallel machines without preemption and then delivered to the customer by two vehicles in batches. For this NP-hard problem, we first prove that it is impossible to have a polynomial heuristic with a worst-case performance ratio bound less than 2 unless P = NP. Thereafter, we develop a polynomial heuristic for this problem, the worst-case ratio of which is bounded by 2.
A Genetic Algorithm-Based Soft Decision Fusion Scheme in Cognitive IoT Networks with Malicious Users
Authors: Khan Muhammad Sajjad , Gul Noor , Kim Junsu , Qureshi Ijaz Mansoor , Kim Su Min
Published: January 2020

Internet of Things (IoT) is a new challenging paradigm for connecting a variety of heterogeneous networks. Since its introduction, many researchers have been studying how to efficiently exploit and manage spectrum resource for IoT applications. An explosive increase in the number of IoT devices accelerates towards the future-connected society but yields a high system complexity. Cognitive radio (CR) technology is also a promising candidate for future wireless communications. CR via dynamic spectrum access provides opportunities to secondary users (SUs) to access licensed spectrum bands without interfering primary users by performing spectrum sensing before accessing available spectrum bands. However, multipath effects can degrade the sensing capability of an individual SU. Therefore, for more precise sensing, it is helpful to exploit multiple collaborative sensing users. The main problem in cooperative spectrum sensing is the presence of inaccurate sensing information received from the multipath-affected SUs and malicious users at a fusion center (FC). In this paper, we propose a genetic algorithm-based soft decision fusion scheme to determine the optimum weighting coefficient vector against SUs’ sensing information. The weighting coefficient vector is further utilized in a soft decision rule at FC in order to make a global decision. Through extensive simulations, the effectiveness of the proposed scheme is evaluated compared with other conventional schemes.
Whole‐Exome Sequencing Reveals a Rare Missense Variant in SLC16A9 in a Pedigree with Early‐Onset Gout
Authors: Huang Xiu-Feng , Sun Li , Zhang Chunwu , Zhou Zhenni , Chen Hui , Zhang Linhua , Brown Matthew A. , Xia Xiaoru
Published: January 2020

Gout is a common inflammatory arthritis triggered by monosodium urate deposition after longstanding hyperuricemia. In the general community, the disease is largely polygenic in genetic architecture, with many polymorphisms having been identified in gout or urate‐associated traits. In a small proportion of cases, rare high penetrant mutations associated with monogenic segregation of the disease in families have been demonstrated to be disease causative. In this study, we recruited a two‐generation pedigree with early‐onset gout. To elucidate the genetic predisposition, whole‐exome sequencing (WES) was performed. After comprehensive variant analyses and cosegregation testing, we identified a missense variant (c.277C>A, p.L93M) in SLC16A9, an extremely rare variant in genetic databases. Moreover, in silico assessments showed strong pathogenicity. This variant cosegregated with the disease phenotype perfectly in the family and is located in a highly conserved functional domain. A few studies supported our results of the association between SLC16A9 and gout and serum urate levels. In conclusion, we provide the first evidence for the association of rare missense in SLC16A9 with early‐onset gout. These findings not only expand our current understanding of gout but also may have further implications for the treatment and prevention of gout.
Dispersion of an SH-Guided Wave in Weld Seam Based on Peridynamics Theory
Authors: Zhang Xiaolong , Xu Zhenying
Published: January 2020

The dispersion characteristics of shear horizontal- (SH-) guided waves in a weld seam are critical to identifying defects. By considering the force on the virtual boundary layer near the weld surface, a dispersion equation for the SH-guided wave in the weld seam was established here based on the peridynamics method. The wave dispersion equation is similar to the traditional theory. The SH wave in the infinite peridynamics medium has dispersion characteristics, and the group velocity of the SH-guided wave in the weld seam is slightly slower than that in the conventional theory. In the welded structure, the group velocity of the SH-guided wave is unevenly distributed in different regions due to the differences in material parameters between the weld seam and the steel plate and residual weld height on the weld seam. The distance from the different sensors to the defect can be precisely calculated via the group velocity distribution; thus, the defect can be accurately located. By compared with the finite element method and experiments under the same conditions, the reliability of the peridynamics method is verified. We used the group velocity of the SH-guided wave in the weld seam and peridynamics theory to better reflect the experimental conditions versus finite element simulations.
An Extended Clustering Membrane System Based on Particle Swarm Optimization and Cell-Like P System with Active Membranes
Authors: Wang Lin , Liu Xiyu , Sun Minghe , Qu Jianhua
Published: January 2020

An extended clustering membrane system using a cell-like P system with active membranes based on particle swarm optimization (PSO), named PSO-CP, is designed, developed, implemented, and tested. The purpose of PSO-CP is to solve clustering problems. In PSO-CP, evolution rules based on the standard PSO mechanism are used to evolve the objects and communication rules are adopted to accelerate convergence and avoid prematurity. Subsystems of membranes are generated and dissolved by the membrane creation and dissolution rules, and a modified PSO mechanism is developed to help the objects escape from local optima. Under the control of the evolution-communication mechanism, the extended membrane system can effectively search for the optimal partitioning and improve the clustering performance with the help of the distributed parallel computing model. This extended clustering membrane system is compared with five existing PSO clustering approaches using ten benchmark clustering problems, and the computational results demonstrate the effectiveness of PSO-CP.
An Enhanced VMD with the Guidance of Envelope Negentropy Spectrum for Bearing Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Wang Haien , Jiang Xingxing , Guo Wenjun , Shi Juanjuan , Zhu Zhongkui
Published: January 2020

Currently, study on the relevant methods of variational mode decomposition (VMD) is mainly focused on the selection of the number of decomposed modes and the bandwidth parameter using various optimization algorithms. Most of these methods utilize the genetic-like algorithms to quantitatively analyze these parameters, which increase the additional initial parameters and inevitably the computational burden due to ignoring the inherent characteristics of the VMD. From the perspective to locate the initial center frequency (ICF) during the VMD decomposition process, we propose an enhanced VMD with the guidance of envelope negentropy spectrum for bearing fault diagnosis, thus effectively avoiding the drawbacks of the current VMD-based algorithms. First, the ICF is coarsely located by envelope negentropy spectrum (ENS) and the fault-related modes are fast extracted by incorporating the ICF into the VMD. Then, the fault-related modes are adaptively optimized by adjusting the bandwidth parameters. Lastly, in order to identify fault-related features, the Hilbert envelope demodulation technique is used to analyze the optimal mode obtained by the proposed method. Analysis results of simulated and experimental data indicate that the proposed method is effective to extract the weak faulty characteristics of bearings and has advantage over some advanced methods. Moreover, a discussion on the extension of the proposed method is put forward to identify multicomponents for broadening its applied scope.
Targeting Refractory Sarcomas and Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors in a Phase I/II Study of Sirolimus in Combination with Ganetespib (SARC023)
Authors: Kim AeRang , Lu Yao , Okuno Scott H. , Reinke Denise , Maertens Ophélia , Perentesis John , Basu Mitali , Wolters Pamela L. , De Raedt Thomas , Chawla Sant , Chugh Rashmi , Van Tine Brian A. , O’Sullivan Geraldine , Chen Alice , Cichowski Karen , Widemann Brigitte C.
Published: January 2020

Purpose. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are aggressive soft tissue sarcomas. Combining Hsp90 inhibitors to enhance endoplasmic reticulum stress with mTOR inhibition results in dramatic MPNST shrinkage in a genetically engineered MPNST mouse model. Ganetespib is an injectable potent small molecule inhibitor of Hsp90. Sirolimus is an oral mTOR inhibitor. We sought to determine the safety, tolerability, and recommended dose of ganetespib and sirolimus in patients with refractory sarcomas and assess clinical benefits in patients with unresectable/refractory MPNSTs. Patients and Methods. In this multi-institutional, open-label, phase 1/2 study of ganetespib and sirolimus, patients ≥16 years with histologically confirmed refractory sarcoma (phase 1) or MPNST (phase 2) were eligible. A conventional 3 + 3 dose escalation design was used for phase 1. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic measures were evaluated. Primary objectives of phase 2 were to determine the clinical benefit rate (CBR) of this combination in MPNSTs. Patient-reported outcomes assessed pain. Results. Twenty patients were enrolled (10 per phase). Toxicities were manageable; most frequent non-DLTs were diarrhea, elevated liver transaminases, and fatigue. The recommended dose of ganetespib was 200 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1, 8, and 15 with sirolimus 4 mg orally once daily with day 1 loading dose of 12 mg. In phase 1, one patient with leiomyosarcoma achieved a sustained partial response. In phase 2, no responses were observed. The median number of cycles treated was 2 (1–4). Patients did not meet the criteria for clinical benefit as defined per protocol. Pain ratings decreased or were stable. Conclusion. Despite promising preclinical rationale and tolerability of the combination therapy, no responses were observed, and the study did not meet parameters for further evaluation in MPNSTs. This trial was registered with (NCT02008877).
Green Synthesis of Graphene from Graphite in Molten Salt Medium
Authors: Gürünlü Betül , Taşdelen Yücedağ Çiğdem , Bayramoğlu Mahmut Rahim
Published: January 2020

Green synthesis of graphene from graphite was carried out in molten salt mixture of LiCl-KCl, which is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional methods using a large number of chemicals. The effect of carbonization temperature on the final properties of graphene products was investigated at a temperature range of 500-800°C. The layer numbers of graphene products were determined as a single layer and few layers by XRD and Raman analyses. The highest conductivity value of 1219 S/m was reached with the sample synthesized at 600°C (GGr600), which is 10-fold higher than that of commercial graphene (CG) (115 S/m). The percentage of carbon contents of GGr600 and sample synthesized at 800°C (GGr800) was determined as 86% and 73% by XPS. From the SEM analyses, it was observed that graphene products have sheet-like structures. A TEM image showed that GGr800 has the thickness changing from 5-9 nm, pointing out the graphene with few layers. AFM analysis demonstrated that GGr600 has a single-layer sheet-like structure.
Multifractional Brownian Motion and Quantum-Behaved Partial Swarm Optimization for Bearing Degradation Forecasting
Authors: Wanqing Song , Chen Xiaoxian , Cattani Carlo , Zio Enrico
Published: January 2020

Gradual degradation of the bearing vibration signal is usually studied as a nonstationary stochastic time series. Roller bearings are working at high speed in a heavy load environment so that the combination of bearing faults gradually degraded during the rotation might lead to unpredicted catastrophic accidents. The degradation process has the property of long-range dependence (LRD), so that the fractional Brownian motion (fBm) is taken into account for a prediction model. Because of the dramatic changes in the bearing degradation process, the Hurst exponent that describes the fBm will change during the degradation process. A priori Hurst value of the conventional fBm in the prediction is fixed, thus inducing a minor accuracy of the prediction. To avoid this problem, we propose an improved prediction method. Based on the following steps, at the initial data processing, a skip-over factor is selected as the characteristics parameter of the bearing degradation process. A multifractional Brownian motion (mfBm) replaces the fBm for the degradation modeling. We will show that also our mfBm has the same property of long-range dependence as the fBm. Moreover, a time-varying Hurst exponent H(t) is taken to replace the constant H in fBm. Finally, we apply the quantum-behaved partial swarm optimization (QPSO) to optimize H(t) for a finite interval. Some tests and corresponding experimental results will show that our model QPSO + mfBm have a much better performance on the prediction effect than fBm.
The Role of Rho GTPases in Motility and Invasion of Glioblastoma Cells
Authors: Al-Koussa Houssam , Atat Oula El , Jaafar Leila , Tashjian Hagop , El-Sibai Mirvat
Published: January 2020

Astrocytomas are primary malignant brain tumors that originate from astrocytes. Grade IV astrocytoma or glioblastoma is a highly invasive tumor that occur within the brain parenchyma. The Rho family of small GTPases, which includes Rac1, Cdc42, and RhoA, is an important family whose members are key regulators of the invasion and migration of glioblastoma cells. In this review, we describe the role played by the Rho family of GTPases in the regulation of the invasion and migration of glioblastoma cells. Specifically, we focus on the role played by RhoA, Rac1, RhoG, and Cdc42 in cell migration through rearrangement of actin cytoskeleton, cell adhesion, and invasion. Finally, we highlight the importance of potentially targeting Rho GTPases in the treatment of glioblastoma.
Application of Axis Orbit Image Optimization in Fault Diagnosis for Rotor System
Authors: Pang Xinyu , Shao Jie , Xue Xuanyi , Jiang Wangwang
Published: January 2020

The shape characteristic of the axis orbit plays an important role in the fault diagnosis of rotating machinery. However, the original signal is typically messy, and this affects the identification accuracy and identification speed. In order to improve the identification effect, an effective fault identification method for a rotor system based on the axis orbit is proposed. The method is a combination of ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD), morphological image processing, Hu invariant moment feature vector, and back propagation (BP) neural network. Experiments of four fault forms are performed in single-span rotor and double-span rotor test rigs. Vibration displacement signals in the X and Y directions of the rotor are processed via EEMD filtering to eliminate the high-frequency noise. The mathematical morphology is used to optimize the axis orbit including the dilation and skeleton operation. After image processing, Hu invariant moments of the skeleton axis orbits are calculated as the feature vector. Finally, the BP neural network is trained to identify the faults of the rotor system. The experimental results indicate that the time of identification of the tested axis orbits via morphological processing corresponds to 13.05 s, and the identification accuracy rate ranges to 95%. Both exceed that without mathematical morphology. The proposed method is reliable and effective for the identification of the axis orbit and aids in online monitoring and automatic identification of rotor system faults.
IV JORNADA DE INVESTIGACIÓN Y POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS EN SALUD MENTAL
Authors: MEDICA ARS
Published: January 2020

“El sufrimiento individual como preocupación social: desafíos para la política pública en salud mental”
Delayed Auditory Evoked Responses in Autism Spectrum Disorder across the Life Span
Authors: Matsuzaki Junko , Ku Matthew , Dipiero Marissa , Chiang Taylor , Saby Joni , Blaskey Lisa , Kuschner Emily S. , Kim Mina , Berman Jeffrey I. , Bloy Luke , Chen Yu-han , Dell John , Liu Song , Brodkin Edward S. , Embick David , Roberts Timothy P.L.
Published: January 2020

The M50 and M100 auditory evoked responses reflect early auditory processes in the primary/secondary auditory cortex. Although previous M50 and M100 studies have been conducted on individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and indicate disruption of encoding simple sensory information, analogous investigations of the neural correlates of auditory processing through development from children into adults are very limited. Magnetoencephalography was used to record signals arising from the left and right superior temporal gyrus during auditory presentation of tones to children/adolescents and adults with ASD as well as typically developing (TD) controls. One hundred and thirty-two participants (aged 6–42 years) were included into the final analyses (children/adolescents: TD, n = 36, 9.21 ± 1.6 years; ASD, n = 58, 10.07 ± 2.38 years; adults: TD, n = 19, 26.97 ± 1.29 years; ASD, n = 19, 23.80 ± 6.26 years). There were main effects of group on M50 and M100 latency (p < 0.001) over hemisphere and frequency. Delayed M50 and M100 latencies were found in participants with ASD compared to the TD group, and earlier M50 and M100 latencies were associated with increased age. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant association between language ability and both M50 and M100 latencies. Importantly, differences in M50 and M100 latencies between TD and ASD cohorts, often reported in children, persisted into adulthood, with no evidence supporting latency convergence.
Cardiac-Specific Caveolin-3 Overexpression Prevents Post-Myocardial Infarction Ventricular Arrhythmias by Inhibiting Ryanodine Receptor-2 Hyperphosphorylation
Authors: Zhang Zhihao , Fang Qin , Du Tingyi , Chen Guangzhi , Wang Yan , Wang Dao Wen
Published: January 2020

Introduction: Ventricular arrhythmia is the most important risk factor for sudden cardiac death (SCD) after acute myocardial infarction (MI) worldwide. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these arrhythmias are complex and not completely understood. Objective: Here, we evaluated whether caveolin-3 (Cav3), the structural protein of caveolae, plays an important role in the therapeutic strategy for ventricular arrhythmias. Methods: A model of cardiac-specific overexpression of Cav3 was established to evaluate the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias after MI in mice. Ca2+ imaging was employed to detect the propensity of adult murine cardiomyocytes to generate arrhythmias, and immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence were used to determine the relationship of proteins. Additionally, qRT-PCR and western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression. Results: We found that cardiac-specific overexpression of Cav3 delivered by a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector reduced the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and SCD after MI in mice. Ca2+ imaging and western blotting revealed that overexpression of Cav3 reduced diastolic spontaneous Ca2+ waves by inhibiting the hyperphosphorylation of ryanodine receptor-2 (RyR2) at Ser2814, rather than at Ser2808, compared to in rAAV-red fluorescent protein control mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Cav3-regulated RYR2 hyperphosphorylation relied on plakophilin-2 in hypoxia-stimulated cultured cardiomyocytes by western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence in vitro. Conclusions: Our results suggested a novel role for Cav3 in the prevention of ventricular arrhythmias, thereby identifying a new target for preventing SCD after MI.
Can Short Bouts of Exercise (“Exercise Snacks”) Improve Body Composition in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes? A Feasibility Study
Authors: Hasan Reham , Perez-Santiago Deliamille , Churilla James R. , Montes Brittany , Hossain Jobayer , Mauras Nelly , Darmaun Dominique
Published: January 2020

Introduction: Puberty is associated with a deterioration of blood glucose control in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). The literature suggests that exercise improves homeostasis in adults with diabetes, but lack of time often precludes the performance of exercise. Besides, in earlier work, supplementation with glutamine, a nonessential amino acid, when administered prior to exercise, decreased overnight post-exercise blood glucose in adolescents with long-standing T1D, suggesting that glutamine increased insulin sensitivity or enhanced tissue glucose uptake. The purpose of the current study therefore was to determine the feasibility of a novel form of exercise (“exercise snacks,” that is, short bouts of exercise spread throughout the day) with or without a supplemental amino acid, glutamine, and its impact on blood glucose homeostasis and body composition in adolescents with T1D. Methods: Twelve sedentary adolescents with T1D (HbA1c 8.1 ± 0.6%) performed exercise snacks (6 × 1 min of resistance-based activities) 3 times daily for 3 months; in addition, they were randomized to consume a drink containing either placebo or glutamine (0.5 g/kg/day). Continuous glucose monitoring, HbA1c, and dual X-ray absorptiometry were obtained before and after 3 months of each intervention. Results: Exercise snacks were easy to perform and well tolerated and were associated with a 2.2% loss of body fat mass when both groups were analyzed together (p = 0.015) after 3 months, whereas the change in lean body mass was not significant (p = 0.21). Metabolic control (HbA1c and glucose sensor data) was unchanged as result of the intervention regardless of group, and total daily insulin dose did not decrease. Conclusion: Short bouts of exercise are sustainable over a 3-month period and can improve body composition in adolescents with poorly controlled T1D. Although metabolic control was unchanged as a result of the intervention regardless of group, this was a short-term intervention, hence assessment of metabolic impact will require long-term study.
Novel NR5A1 Pathogenic Variants Cause Phenotypic Heterogeneity in 46,XY Disorders of Sex Development
Authors: Sudhakar Digumarthi V.S. , Jaishankar Shveta , Regur Phanindranath , Kumar Umesh , Singh Raghvendra , Kabilan Usha , Namduri Sree , Dhyani Jaishree , Gupta Nalini J. , Chakravarthy Baidyanath , Vaman Khadilkar , Shabir Iram , Khadgawat Rajesh , Deenadayal Mamata , Chaitanya A Datar , Dada Rima , Sharma Yogendra , Anand Anuranjan , Thangaraj Kumarasamy
Published: January 2020

Steroidogenic factor 1 (NR5A1/SF1) is a key transcription factor that is known to regulate the development of adrenal glands and gonads and is also involved in steroidogenesis. Several pathogenic NR5A1 variants have been reported to cause 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD), with varying clinical phenotypes ranging from hypospadias to complete gonadal dysgenesis. Most often, the primary cause of DSD is due to variants in gene(s) related to gonadal development or the steroidogenic pathway. In the present study, we have analyzed 64 cases of 46,XY DSD for pathogenic NR5A1 variants. We report a total of 3 pathogenic variants of which 2 were novel (p.Gly22Ser and p.Ser143Asn) and 1 was already known (p.Ser32Asn). Functional studies have revealed that the 2 mutations p.Gly22Ser and p.Ser32Asn could significantly affect DNA binding and transactivation abilities. Further, these mutant proteins showed nuclear localization with aggregate formation. The third mutation, p.Ser143Asn, showed unspeckled nuclear localization and normal DNA binding, but the ability of transcriptional activation was significantly reduced. In conclusion, we recommend screening for NR5A1 pathogenic variants in individuals with features of 46,XY DSD for better diagnosis and management.
Targeting Tanycytes: Balance between Efficiency and Specificity
Authors: Langlet Fanny
Published: January 2020

Tanycytes are peculiar ependymoglial cells lining the bottom and the lateral wall of the third ventricle. For a decade, the utilization of molecular genetic approaches allowed us to make important discoveries about their diverse physiological functions. Here, I review the current methods used to target tanycytes, focusing on their specificity, their efficiency, their limitations, as well as their potential future improvements.