bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Surfactant Structure on the Stability of Water-in-Oil Emulsions under High-Temperature High-Salinity Conditions
Authors: Mohamed Abdelhalim I. A. , Sultan Abdullah S. , Hussein Ibnelwaleed A. , Al-Muntasheri Ghaithan A.
Published: October 2017

Emulsified water-in-oil (W/O) systems are extensively used in the oil industry for water control and acid stimulation. Emulsifiers are commonly utilized to emulsify a water-soluble material to form W/O emulsion. The selection of a particular surfactant for such jobs is critical and certainly expensive. In this work, the impact of surfactant structure on the stability of W/O emulsions is investigated using the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of the surfactant. Different commercial surfactants were evaluated for use as emulsifiers for W/O systems at high-temperature (up to 120°C) high-salinity (221,673 ppm) HTHS conditions. Diverse surfactants were examined including ethoxylates, polyethylene glycols, fluorinated surfactants, and amides. Both commercial Diesel and waste oil are used for the oleic phase to prepare the emulsified system. Waste oil has shown higher stability (less separation) in comparison with Diesel. This work has successfully identified stable emulsified W/O systems that can tolerate HTHS environments using HLB approach. Amine Acetate family shows higher stability in comparison with Glycol Ether family and at even lower concentration. New insights into structure-surfactant stability relationship, beyond the HLB approach, are provided for surfactant selection.
Intelligent Image Recognition System for Marine Fouling Using Softmax Transfer Learning and Deep Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Chin C. S. , Si JianTing , Clare A. S. , Ma Maode
Published: October 2017

The control of biofouling on marine vessels is challenging and costly. Early detection before hull performance is significantly affected is desirable, especially if “grooming” is an option. Here, a system is described to detect marine fouling at an early stage of development. In this study, an image of fouling can be transferred wirelessly via a mobile network for analysis. The proposed system utilizes transfer learning and deep convolutional neural network (CNN) to perform image recognition on the fouling image by classifying the detected fouling species and the density of fouling on the surface. Transfer learning using Google’s Inception V3 model with Softmax at last layer was carried out on a fouling database of 10 categories and 1825 images. Experimental results gave acceptable accuracies for fouling detection and recognition.
Potential Role of Exosomes in Mending a Broken Heart: Nanoshuttles Propelling Future Clinical Therapeutics Forward
Authors: Dougherty Julie A. , Mergaye Muhamad , Kumar Naresh , Chen Chun-An , Angelos Mark G. , Khan Mahmood
Published: October 2017

Stem cell transplantation therapy is a promising adjunct for regenerating damaged heart tissue; however, only modest improvements in cardiac function have been observed due to poor survival of transplanted cells in the ischemic heart. Therefore, there remains an unmet need for therapies that can aid in attenuating cardiac damage. Recent studies have demonstrated that exosomes released by stem cells could serve as a potential cell-free therapeutic for cardiac repair. These exosomes/nanoshuttles, once thought to be merely a method of waste disposal, have been shown to play a crucial role in physiological functions including short- and long-distance intercellular communication. In this review, we have summarized studies demonstrating the potential role of exosomes in improving cardiac function, attenuating cardiac fibrosis, stimulating angiogenesis, and modulating miRNA expression. Furthermore, exosomes carry an important cargo of miRNAs and proteins that could play an important role as a diagnostic marker for cardiovascular disease post-myocardial infarction. Although there is promising evidence from preclinical studies that exosomes released by stem cells could serve as a potential cell-free therapeutic for myocardial repair, there are several challenges that need to be addressed before exosomes could be fully utilized as off-the-shelf therapeutics for cardiac repair.
An Undiagnosed Paraganglioma in a 58-Year-Old Female Who Underwent Tumor Resection
Authors: Fox William C. , Read Matthew , Moon Richard E. , Moretti Eugene W. , Colin Brian J.
Published: October 2017

Paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors that can have high morbidity and mortality if undiagnosed. Here we report a case of an undiagnosed paraganglioma in a 58-year-old female who underwent tumor resection. The patient became severely hypertensive intraoperatively with paroxysmal swings in blood pressure and then later became acutely hypotensive after tumor removal. She was managed in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) postoperatively and discharged from the hospital without acute complications. We briefly discuss the epidemiology, clinical presentation, perioperative management, and possible complications of these tumors to assist healthcare providers if one were to encounter them.
Troxerutin Reduces Kidney Damage against BDE‐47‐Induced Apoptosis via Inhibiting NOX2 Activity and Increasing Nrf2 Activity
Authors: Shan Qun , Zhuang Juan , Zheng Guihong , Zhang Zifeng , Zhang Yanqiu , Lu Jun , Zheng Yuanlin
Published: October 2017

2,2,4,4‐Tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE‐47), one of the persistent organic pollutants, seriously influences the quality of life; however, its pathological mechanism remains unclear. Troxerutin is a flavonoid with pharmacological activity of antioxidation and anti‐inflammation. In the present study, we investigated troxerutin against BDE‐47‐induced kidney cell apoptosis and explored the underlying mechanism. The results show that troxerutin reduced renal cell apoptosis and urinary protein secretion in BDE‐47‐treated mice. Western blot analysis shows that troxerutin supplement enhanced the ratio of Bcl‐2/Bax; inhibited the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, the activation of procaspase‐9 and procaspase‐3, and the cleavage of PARP; and reduced FAS, FASL, and caspase‐8 levels induced by BDE‐47. In addition, troxerutin decreased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased the activities of antioxidative enzymes. Furthermore, troxerutin blunted Nrf2 ubiquitylation, enhanced the activity of Nrf2, decreased the activity of NOX2, and ameliorated kidney oxidant status of BDE‐47‐treated mice. Together, these results confirm that troxerutin could alleviate the cytotoxicity of BDE‐47 through antioxidation and antiapoptosis, which suggests that its protective mechanism is involved in the inhibition of apoptosis via suppressing NOX2 activity and increasing Nrf2 signaling pathway.
Spatiotemporal High-Resolution Cloud Mapping with a Ground-Based IR Scanner
Authors: Brede Benjamin , Thies Boris , Bendix Jörg , Feister Uwe
Published: October 2017

The high spatiotemporal variability of clouds requires automated monitoring systems. This study presents a retrieval algorithm that evaluates observations of a hemispherically scanning thermal infrared radiometer, the NubiScope, to produce georeferenced, spatially explicit cloud maps. The algorithm uses atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles and an atmospheric radiative transfer code to differentiate between cloudy and cloudless measurements. In case of a cloud, it estimates its position by using the temperature profile and viewing geometry. The proposed algorithm was tested with 25 cloud maps generated by the Fmask algorithm from Landsat 7 images. The overall cloud detection rate was ranging from 0.607 for zenith angles of 0 to 10° to 0.298 for 50–60° on a pixel basis. The overall detection of cloudless pixels was 0.987 for zenith angles of 30–40° and much more stable over the whole range of zenith angles compared to cloud detection. This proves the algorithm’s capability in detecting clouds, but even better cloudless areas. Cloud-base height was best estimated up to a height of 4000 m compared to ceilometer base heights but showed large deviation above that level. This study shows the potential of the NubiScope system to produce high spatial and temporal resolution cloud maps. Future development is needed for a more accurate determination of cloud height with thermal infrared measurements.
Multipoint and Multiobjective Optimization of a Centrifugal Compressor Impeller Based on Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Li Xiaojian , Liu Zhengxian , Lin Yujing
Published: October 2017

The design of high efficiency, high pressure ratio, and wide flow range centrifugal impellers is a challenging task. The paper describes the application of a multiobjective, multipoint optimization methodology to the redesign of a transonic compressor impeller for this purpose. The aerodynamic optimization method integrates an improved nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA‐II), blade geometry parameterization based on NURBS, a 3D RANS solver, a self‐organization map (SOM) based data mining technique, and a time series based surge detection method. The optimization results indicate a considerable improvement to the total pressure ratio and isentropic efficiency of the compressor over the whole design speed line and by 5.3% and 1.9% at design point, respectively. Meanwhile, surge margin and choke mass flow increase by 6.8% and 1.4%, respectively. The mechanism behind the performance improvement is further extracted by combining the geometry changes with detailed flow analysis.
The Effect of Water Chemistry on Thermochemical Sulfate Reduction: A Case Study from the Ordovician in the Tazhong Area, Northwest China
Authors: Li Hongxia , Cai Chunfang , Jia Lianqi , Xu Chenlu , Zhang Ke
Published: October 2017

Formation water chemistry, sulfate sulfur isotopes, and associated H2S contents and sulfur isotopes were measured from the Ordovician in Tazhong area, Tarim Basin. The aim is to elucidate the effects of geochemical composition of formation water on thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) and potential usage of SO4/Cl ratios as a new proxy for TSR extents in areas, where H2S and thiaadamantanes (TAs) data are not available. The formation water has SO4/Cl ratios from 0.0002 to 0.016, significantly lower than 0.04 to 0.05 from 3 to 7 times evapoconcentrated seawater. Thus, the low values are explained to result from TSR. Furthermore, the SO4/Cl ratios show negative correlation relationships to TAs and H2S concentrations, indicating that TSR occurred in a relatively closed system and SO4/Cl ratio can be used to indicate TSR extents in this area. Extensive TSR in the Cambrian in the Tazhong area, represented by low SO4/Cl ratios and high H2S and TAs concentrations, is accompanied by formation water with high TDS and Mg concentrations, indicating the effects of water chemistry on TSR under a realistic geological background. In contrast, the low TSR extent in the Ordovician may have resulted from limited TSR reaction duration and total contribution of aqueousSO42-.
Delayed Tibial Osteomyelitis after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with Hamstrings Autograft and Bioabsorbable Interference Screw: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Weiss Kevin S. , Weatherall Justin M. , Eick Jen , Ross James R.
Published: October 2017

Osteomyelitis following arthroscopically assisted anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has rarely been reported in the literature. We report a case of a 20-year-old female who had delayed tibial osteomyelitis and a pretibial cyst with culture-positive, oxacillin sensitive Staphylococcus epidermidis 15 months after an ACL reconstruction with hamstring autograft. Soft tissue fixation within the tibial tunnel was with a poly-L-D-lactic acid (PLDLA) bioabsorbable interference screw. The patient underwent surgical treatment with curettage, debridement, hardware removal, and bone grafting of the tibial tunnel followed by a course of intravenous antibiotics. Arthroscopic evaluation demonstrated an intact ACL graft without any evidence of intra-articular infection. The patient returned to collegiate athletics without any complications. While the most common biologic complications include pretibial cysts, granuloma formation, tunnel widening, and inflammatory reactions, infection is exceedingly rare. Late infection and osteomyelitis are also rare but can occur and should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Bioinformatics Genes and Pathway Analysis for Chronic Neuropathic Pain after Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Zhang Guan , Yang Ping
Published: October 2017

It is well known spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause chronic neuropathic pain (NP); however its underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. This study aimed to disclose differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and activated signaling pathways in association with SCI induced chronic NP, in order to identify its diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Microarray dataset GSE5296 has been downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Significant analysis of microarray (SAM), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, and pathway network analysis have been used to compare changes of DEGs and signaling pathways between the SCI and sham-injury group. As a result, DEGs analysis showed there were 592 DEGs with significantly altered expression; among them Ccl3 expression showed the highest upregulation which implicated its association with SCI induced chronic NP. Moreover, KEGG analysis found 209 pathways changed significantly; among them the most significantly activated one is MAPK signaling pathway, which is in line with KEGG analysis results. Our results show Ccl3 is highly associated with SCI induced chronic NP; as the exosomes with Ccl3 can be easily and efficiently detected in peripheral blood, Ccl3 may serve as a potential prognostic target for the diagnosis and treatment of SCI induced chronic NP.
21-Year-Old Pregnant Woman with MODY-5 Diabetes
Authors: Mikuscheva Anastasia , McKenzie Elliot , Mekhail Adel
Published: October 2017

The term “Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young” (MODY) was first described in 1976 and is currently referred to as monogenic diabetes. There are 14 known entities accounting for 1-2% of diabetes and they are frequently misdiagnosed as either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. MODY-5 is an entity of monogenic diabetes that is associated with genitourinary malformations and should be considered by obstetricians in pregnant women with a screen positive for diabetes, genitourinary malformations, and fetal renal anomalies. Correct diagnosis of monogenic diabetes has implications on managing patients and their families. We are reporting a case of a 21-year-old pregnant woman with a bicornuate uterus, fetal renal anomalies, and a family history of diabetes that were suggestive of a MODY-5 diabetes.
Enhanced Piezoelectric Behavior of PVDF Nanocomposite by AC Dielectrophoresis Alignment of ZnO Nanowires
Authors: Choi Kyungwho , Choi Woongchul , Yu Choongho , Park Yong Tae
Published: October 2017

In contrast to commercial piezoelectric ceramics, lead-free materials such as ZnO and a polymer matrix are proper candidates for use in ecofriendly applications. In this article, the authors represent a technique using ZnO nanowires with a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix in a piezoelectric polymer composite. By aligning the nanowires in the matrix in a desired direction by AC dielectrophoresis, the piezoelectric behavior was enhanced. The dielectric constant of the composite was improved by increasing the concentration of the ZnO nanowires as well. Specifically, the resulting dielectric constant shows an improvement of 400% with aligned ZnO nanowires by increasing the poling effect compared to that of a randomly oriented nanowire composite without a poling process.
Stability Switches and Hopf Bifurcations in a Second‐Order Complex Delay Equation
Authors: Roales M. , Rodríguez F.
Published: October 2017

The existence of stability switches and Hopf bifurcations for the second‐order delay differential equation x′′(t) + ax′(t − τ) + bx(t) = 0,   t > 0, with complex coefficients, is studied in this paper.
Axial Length and Ocular Development of Premature Infants without ROP
Authors: Zha Yi , Zhu Guangdong , Zhuang Jinfei , Zheng Haihua , Cai Jianqiu , Feng Wangqiang
Published: October 2017

Purpose. To investigate the ocular parameters of premature infants without ROP at gestational age (GA) more than 28 weeks and their relationship with growth parameters. Methods. 76 preterm infants without ROP and 65 term infants were involved to undergo portable slit lamp, RetCam3, ultrasonic A-scan biometry, and cycloplegic streak examination at their 40 weeks’ postconceptional ages (PCA). Ocular parameters of infants’ right eye and growth parameters were used for analysis. Results. All the infants were examined at 40 weeks’ PCA. No significant difference was found between male and female in axial length of preterm infants (p = 0.993) and term infants (p=0.591). Significant differences were found in axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), and vitreous depth (VD) between preterm and term infants. No significant correlation was found between AL and spherical equivalent in preterm infants’ group. In preterm group, AL was significantly correlated with gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), and head circumference (HC). Conclusions. Preterm infants had shorter AL, shallow ACD, thicker LT, and thinner VD compared to term infants. Refractive error in preterm infants at GA between 28 to 37 weeks was not related to axial length. Among all the growth parameters of preterm infants, GA, BW, and HC had effect on axial length.
Isolation and Characterization of Thermophilic Bacteria from Jordanian Hot Springs:Bacillus licheniformisandThermomonas hydrothermalisIsolates as Potential Producers of Thermostable Enzymes
Authors: Mohammad Balsam T. , Al Daghistani Hala I. , Jaouani Atef , Abdel-Latif Saleh , Kennes Christian
Published: October 2017

The aim of this study was the isolation and characterization of thermophilic bacteria from hot springs in Jordan. Ten isolates were characterized by morphological, microscopic, biochemical, molecular, and physiological characteristics. Sequencing of the 16S rDNA of the isolates followed by BLAST search revealed that nine strains could be identified asBacillus licheniformisand one isolate asThermomonas hydrothermalis. This is the first report on the isolation ofThermomonasspecies from Jordanian hot springs. The isolates showed an ability to produce some thermostable enzymes such as amylase, protease, cellulose, gelatins, and lecithin. Moreover, the UPGMA dendrogram of the enzymatic characteristics of the ten isolates was constructed; results indicated a high phenotypic diversity, which encourages future studies to explore further industrial and environmental applications.
Adaptive PID and Model Reference Adaptive Control Switch Controller for Nonlinear Hydraulic Actuator
Authors: Zuo Xin , Liu Jian-wei , Wang Xin , Liang Hua-qing
Published: October 2017

Nonlinear systems are modeled as piecewise linear systems at multiple operating points, where the operating points are modeled as switches between constituent linearized systems. In this paper, adaptive piecewise linear switch controller is proposed for improving the response time and tracking performance of the hydraulic actuator control system, which is essentially piecewise linear. The controller composed of PID and Model Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC) adaptively chooses the proportion of these two components and makes the designed system have faster response time at the transient phase and better tracking performance, simultaneously. Then, their stability and tracking performance are analyzed and evaluated by the hydraulic actuator control system, the hydraulic actuator is controlled by the electrohydraulic system, and its model is built, which has piecewise linear characteristic. Then the controller results are compared between PID and MRAC and the switch controller designed in this paper is applied to the hydraulic actuator; it is obvious that adaptive switch controller has better effects both on response time and on tracking performance.
SIRT1 Regulates Cognitive Performance and Ability of Learning and Memory in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Models
Authors: Cao Yue , Yan Zi , Zhou Tong , Wang Guixia
Published: October 2017

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a complex age-related metabolic disease. Cognitive dysfunction and learning and memory deficits are main characteristics of age-related metabolic diseases in the central nervous system. The underlying mechanisms contributing to cognitive decline are complex, especially cognitive dysfunction associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. SIRT1, as one of the modulators in insulin resistance, is indispensable for learning and memory. In the present study, deacetylation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, microRNA, and tau phosphorylation are considered in the context of mechanism and significance of SIRT1 in learning and memory in diabetic and nondiabetic murine models. In addition, future research directions in this field are discussed, including therapeutic potential of its activator, resveratrol, and application of other compounds in cognitive improvement. Our findings suggest that SIRT1 might be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cognitive impairment induced by type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Uncoupling Protein 2: A Key Player and a Potential Therapeutic Target in Vascular Diseases
Authors: Pierelli Giorgia , Stanzione Rosita , Forte Maurizio , Migliarino Serena , Perelli Marika , Volpe Massimo , Rubattu Speranza
Published: October 2017

Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is an inner mitochondrial membrane protein that belongs to the uncoupling protein family and plays an important role in lowering mitochondrial membrane potential and dissipating metabolic energy with prevention of oxidative stress accumulation. In the present article, we will review the evidence that UCP2, as a consequence of its roles within the mitochondria, represents a critical player in the predisposition to vascular disease development in both animal models and in humans, particularly in relation to obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. The deletion of the UCP2 gene contributes to atherosclerosis lesion development in the knockout mice, also showing significantly shorter lifespan. The UCP2 gene downregulation is a key determinant of higher predisposition to renal and cerebrovascular damage in an animal model of spontaneous hypertension and stroke. In contrast, UCP2 overexpression improves both hyperglycemia‐ and high‐salt diet‐induced endothelial dysfunction and ameliorates hypertensive target organ damage in SHRSP. Moreover, drugs (fenofibrate and sitagliptin) and several vegetable compounds (extracts from Brassicaceae, berberine, curcumin, and capsaicin) are able to induce UCP2 expression level and to exert beneficial effects on the occurrence of vascular damage. As a consequence, UCP2 becomes an interesting therapeutic target for the treatment of common human vascular diseases.
Potential Anticancer Mechanisms of a Novel EGFR/DNA-Targeting Combi-Molecule (JDF12) against DU145 Prostate Cancer Cells: An iTRAQ-Based Proteomic Analysis
Authors: Zheng Haofeng , Liang Guancan , Chen Yanxiong , Lin Sijie , Liu Wei , Fang Youqiang
Published: October 2017

The development of multitargeting drugs is an emerging trend in cancer research. To promote further development and clinical application of multitargeting drugs, this research was performed. MTT assay and flow cytometry of Annexin V/propidium iodide staining were used to confirm the proapoptotic efficacy of a novel combi-targeting molecule, JDF12, against DU145 prostate cancer (PCa) cells. Differentially expressed proteins between control and JDF12-treated cultures were revealed by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ), and part of them was confirmed by quantitative PCR. Differentially expressed proteins were further analyzed for function, pathway association, and protein−protein interactions using GO, KEGG, and STRING databases. A total of 119 differentially expressed proteins, 70 upregulated and 49 downregulated, were implicated in the anticancer effects of JDF12. Many of these proteins are involved in biosynthesis, response to stress, energy metabolism, and signal transduction. This study provides important information for understanding the anti-PCa mechanisms of JDF12, and well-designed combi-targeting drugs may possess stronger anticancer efficacy than single-targeting drugs and are thus promising candidates for clinical application.
Interventional Pain Management in Multidisciplinary Chronic Pain Clinics: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study with One-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Gouvinhas Cláudia , Veiga Dalila , Mendonça Liliane , Sampaio Rute , Azevedo Luís Filipe , Castro-Lopes José Manuel
Published: October 2017

Background. Interventional Pain Management (IPM) is performed in multidisciplinary chronic pain clinics (MCPC), including a range of invasive techniques to diagnose and treat chronic pain (CP) conditions. Current patterns of use of those techniques in MCPC have not yet been reported. Objective. We aimed to describe quantitatively and qualitatively the use of IPM and other therapeutic procedures performed on-site at four Portuguese MCPC. Methods. A prospective cohort study with one-year follow-up was performed in adult patients. A structured case report form was systematically completed at baseline and six and 12 months. Results. Among 808 patients referred to the MCPC, 17.2% had been prescribed IPM. Patients with IPM were on average younger and had longer CP duration and lower levels of maximum pain and pain interference/disability. The three main diagnoses were low back pain (n=28), postoperative CP, and knee pain (n=16 each). From 195 IPM prescribed, nerve blocks (n=108), radiofrequency (n=31), and viscosupplementation (n=22) were the most prevalent. Some IPM techniques were only available in few MCPC. One MCPC did not provide IPM. Conclusions. IPM are seldom prescribed in Portuguese MCPC. Further studies on IPM safety and effectiveness are necessary for clear understanding the role of these techniques in CP management.
Effect of Chronic Administration of Resveratrol on Cognitive Performance during Aging Process in Rats
Authors: Navarro-Cruz A. R. , Ramírez y Ayala R. , Ochoa-Velasco C. , Brambila E. , Avila-Sosa R. , Pérez-Fernández S. , Morales-Medina J. C. , Aguilar-Alonso P.
Published: October 2017

The increase in the elderly population has generated concern to meet health demands. The research efforts to elucidate the mechanisms of damage associated with aging have also been significantly increased, especially in order to avoid the reduction of the cognitive abilities in geriatric patients, resulting from the damage generated mainly at the level of the hippocampus during old age. At present, many studies describe resveratrol as an antiaging component. There are reports that it can activate the Sirt1 gene related to antiaging, emulating the effects obtained by caloric restriction in rodents. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of chronic administration of resveratrol (10 mg/kg) on cognitive performance in behavioral tests after 8 months of treatment and on the preservation of cerebral integrity in the cytoarchitecture of regions CA1 and CA2. Results showed that the cytoarchitecture of the CA1 and CA2 regions in the hippocampus retained their integrity over time in rats treated with resveratrol, and the behavioral test performed revealed that chronic resveratrol administration for 8 months showed improvements in cognitive performance. The results indicate that resveratrol may exhibit therapeutic potential for age‐related conditions.
Multifocal Pulmonary Granular Cell Tumor Presenting with Postobstructive Pneumonia
Authors: Farooqui Samid M. , Khan Muhammad S. , Adhikari Laura , Doshi Viral
Published: October 2017

Granular cell tumor (GCT) is a neoplasm of Schwann cell origin. Its presence in the aerodigestive tract is uncommon and becomes a diagnostic challenge on initial presentation. Our case is of a 59-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with a history of productive cough and dyspnea associated with fever and chest pain. An initial chest X-ray (CXR) showed a right middle lobe consolidation with follow-up Computed Tomography (CT) scan showing a mass in the right bronchus. Bronchoscopy revealed a polypoid, sessile granular mass in the right bronchus intermedius with multiple white lesions in trachea, left main bronchus, and right upper bronchi. Histology revealed a benign GCT. Bronchoalveolar lavage from the right middle lobe grew Streptococcus pneumoniae. Patient was treated with intravenous levofloxacin during hospital stay and discharged on a 7-day course of oral antibiotics to be followed as outpatient but was lost to follow-up. GCT can present as a polypoid tumor causing recurrent postobstructive pneumonia. Surgical resection is the most successful treatment option. The tumor is more common in third and fourth decade of life and our patient is the oldest patient, according to our knowledge, to have a GCT.
Weak Solutions for Partial Random Hadamard Fractional Integral Equations with Multiple Delays
Authors: Abbas Saïd , Benchohra Mouffak , Zhou Yong , Alsaedi Ahmed
Published: October 2017

We present some results concerning the existence of weak solutions for some functional integral equations of Hadamard fractional order with random effects and multiple delays by applying Mönch’s and Engl’s fixed point theorems associated with the technique of measure of weak noncompactness.
A Case Study of Offshore Advection of Boundary Layer Rolls over a Stably Stratified Sea Surface
Authors: Svensson Nina , Sahlée Erik , Bergström Hans , Nilsson Erik , Badger Merete , Rutgersson Anna
Published: October 2017

Streaky structures of narrow (8-9 km) high wind belts have been observed from SAR images above the Baltic Sea during stably stratified conditions with offshore winds from the southern parts of Sweden. Case studies using the WRF model and in situ aircraft observations indicate that the streaks originate from boundary layer rolls generated over the convective air above Swedish mainland, also supported by visual satellite images showing the typical signature cloud streets. The simulations indicate that the rolls are advected and maintained at least 30–80 km off the coast, in agreement with the streaks observed by the SAR images. During evening when the convective conditions over land diminish, the streaky structures over the sea are still seen in the horizontal wind field; however, the vertical component is close to zero. Thus advected feature from a land surface can affect the wind field considerably for long times and over large areas in coastal regions. Although boundary layer rolls are a well-studied feature, no previous study has presented results concerning their persistence during situations with advection to a strongly stratified boundary layer. Such conditions are commonly encountered during spring in coastal regions at high latitudes.
Analysis of a Class of Fractional Nonlinear Multidelay Differential Systems
Authors: Gao Zhuoyan , Wang JinRong , Zhou Yong
Published: October 2017

We address existence and Ulam-Hyers and Ulam-Hyers-Mittag-Leffler stability of fractional nonlinear multiple time-delays systems with respect to two parameters’ weighted norm, which provides a foundation to study iterative learning control problem for this system. Secondly, we design PID-type learning laws to generate sequences of output trajectories to tracking the desired trajectory. Two numerical examples are used to illustrate the theoretical results.
Lymphangiomatous Polyp Presenting as Tonsillar Mass
Authors: Dhakal Ashish , Karmacharya Sameer , Shrestha Sandhya
Published: October 2017

A 19-year-old female presented to ENT OPD of Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital, with history of foreign body sensation in throat for 2 weeks and mass in left tonsil for 1 week. There is no history of difficulty swallowing or recurrent throat infection. Physical examination revealed a pedunculated mass arising from upper pole of left tonsil. Bilateral tonsillectomy was done under general anaesthesia. Grossly, 2.5 × 1.5 × 1 cm polypoidal mass, soft in consistency, was found to be attached to left tonsil. Histopathology report was consistent with lymphangiomatous polyp of tonsil. Postoperative period was uneventful and she was normal during her follow-up at 1 month with bilateral healthy tonsillar fossa.
Application of Deep Learning in Automated Analysis of Molecular Images in Cancer: A Survey
Authors: Xue Yong , Chen Shihui , Qin Jing , Liu Yong , Huang Bingsheng , Chen Hanwei
Published: October 2017

Molecular imaging enables the visualization and quantitative analysis of the alterations of biological procedures at molecular and/or cellular level, which is of great significance for early detection of cancer. In recent years, deep leaning has been widely used in medical imaging analysis, as it overcomes the limitations of visual assessment and traditional machine learning techniques by extracting hierarchical features with powerful representation capability. Research on cancer molecular images using deep learning techniques is also increasing dynamically. Hence, in this paper, we review the applications of deep learning in molecular imaging in terms of tumor lesion segmentation, tumor classification, and survival prediction. We also outline some future directions in which researchers may develop more powerful deep learning models for better performance in the applications in cancer molecular imaging.
Total Ionizing Dose Effects of Si Vertical Diffused MOSFET with SiO2 and Si3N4/SiO2 Gate Dielectrics
Authors: Mo Jiongjiong , Zhao Xuran , Zhou Min
Published: October 2017

The total ionizing dose irradiation effects are investigated in Si vertical diffused MOSFETs (VDMOSs) with different gate dielectrics including single SiO2 layer and double Si3N4/SiO2 layer. Radiation-induced holes trapping is greater for single SiO2 layer than for double Si3N4/SiO2 layer. Dielectric oxidation temperature dependent TID effects are also studied. Holes trapping induced negative threshold voltage shift is smaller for SiO2 at lower oxidation temperature. Gate bias during irradiation leads to different VTH shift for different gate dielectrics. Single SiO2 layer shows the worst negative VTH at VG=0 V, while double Si3N4/SiO2 shows negative VTH shift at VG=-5 V, positive VTH shift at VG=10 V, and negligible VTH shift at VG=0 V.
Enhancement of Fluorescence and Photostability Based on Interaction of Fluorescent Dyes with Silver Nanoparticles for Luminescent Solar Concentrators
Authors: El-Molla Sara , Mansour A. F. , Hammad A. E.
Published: October 2017

For luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs), it is important to enhance the fluorescence quantum yield (FQY) and photostability. Our measurements have demonstrated that the addition of silver nanoparticles to dye solution causes broadening of absorption bands, so the spectral range of sunlight absorbed by LSC has increased. Silver nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-Vis absorption spectra. UV-Vis spectrum showed a single peak at 442 nm due to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The position of SPR peak exhibited a red shift after the sample was exposed to UV irradiation (unfiltered light). The optical band gap values have a reduction from 2.46 to 2.37 eV after irradiation for 960 minutes. Such reduction in optical band gap may be due to change in particle size calculated using Mie theory. The photostability of organic dyes used was improved after adding silver nanoparticles. The area under fluorescence spectra of dyes with silver NPs increased by 41–31% when compared with identical dye concentrations without silver nanoparticles as a result of interaction of the species with silver NPs.
Naturally Occurring Resistance-Associated Variants to Hepatitis C Virus Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents in Treatment-Naive HCV Genotype 6a-Infected Patients
Authors: Li Zhanyi , Liu Ying , Zhang Ying , Shao Xiaoqiong , Luo Qiumin , Guo Xiaoyan , Lin Guoli , Cai Qingxian , Zhao Zhixin , Chong Yutian
Published: October 2017

Background and Objective. The direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) antiviral therapy has drastically improved the prognosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. However, the viral drug resistance-associated variants (RAVs) can limit the efficacy of DAAs. For the HCV-6a is not the predominant prevalent genotype; the data on the prevalence of naturally occurring RAVs in it is scarce. Our study aims to assess the prevalence of RAVs in treatment-naive HCV-6a patients. Methods. Nested PCR assays were performed on 95 HCV-6a patients to amplify HCV viral regions of NS3, NS5A, and NS5B. Results. In NS3/4A region, we detected Q80K in 95.5% isolates (84/88) and D168E in 2.3% isolates (2/88). In NS5A region, we detected Q30R in 93.2% isolates (82/88), L31M in 4.6% isolates (4/88), and H58P in 6.8% isolates (6/88). In NS5B region, we detected A15G in 2.3% isolates (2/88), S96T in 1.1% isolates (1/88), and S282T in 20.7% isolates (17/88) and we detected I482L in 100% isolates (4/4), V494A in 50% isolates (2/4), and V499A in 100% isolates (4/4). Conclusions. RAVs to DAAs preexist in treatment-naive HCV-6a patients. Further studies should address the issue of the impact of RAVs in response to DAA therapies for HCV-6a patients.
How to read Hasan or the resurrection of a contingent apparition of real readers
Authors: Spahić Vedad
Published: October 2017

How to read Hasan or the resurrection of a contingent apparition of real readersA fragment from the novel Death and the Dervish, the famous monologue by Hasan about the Bosniak identity, to which this review is dedicated, is exceptionally appropriate for an interpretative manipulation. We have approached it from two different methodological starting points. The first reading (the inner approach) attempts to shed light on the aesthetic efficiency of Hasan’s soliloquy in the context of the structure/totality of the novel. The second starting point (the outer approach) is reading the monologue as an auto-imagological, politically instrumentalized discourse. The text should also be understood as an implicit answer to the question of whether it is possible to plausibly combine these approaches despite the incompatibility of the analytical points, while considering the fact that the compatibility of the writer’s and reader’s worldview is not a necessary prerequisite for aesthetic communication. Jak czytać Hasana albo zmartwychwstanie przypadkowego widma rzeczywistych czytelnikówFragment powieści Derwisz i śmierć M. Selimovicia, słynny monolog Hasana na temat bośniackiej tożsamości, któremu poświęcono niniejszy artykuł, jest wyjątkowo podatny na manipulacje interpretacyjne. W tekście dokonano jego analizy, obierając dwa różne metodologiczne punkty wyjścia. Pierwszy typ lektury (podejście wewnętrzne) jest próbą rzucenia światła na estetyczną skuteczność soliloqium Hasana w kontekście struktury całości powieści. Drugi punkt wyjścia (podejście zewnętrzne) to odczytanie monologu jako autoimagologicznego, politycznie zinstrumentalizowanego dyskursu. Celem tekstu jest także (implicit) próba odpowiedzi na pytanie, czy – mimo niezgodności punktów analitycznych – możliwe jest wiarygodne połączenie tych dwóch podejść, biorąc pod uwagę fakt, że zgodność poglądów pisarza i czytelnika nie jest koniecznym warunkiem wstępnym komunikacji estetycznej.
Life-giving springs and The Mother of God Zhivonosen Istochnik / Zoodochos Pege / Balikliyska. Byzantine-Greek-Ottoman intercultural influence and its aftereffects in iconography, religious writings and ritual practices in the region of Plovdiv
Authors: Lubańska Magdalena
Published: October 2017

Life-giving springs and The Mother of God  Zhivonosen Istochnik / Zoodochos Pege / Balikliyska. Byzantine-Greek-Ottoman intercultural influence and its aftereffects in iconography, religious writings and ritual practices in the region of PlovdivThis article looks at veneration of healing springs (ayazma) in Orthodox Christian churches and monasteries in the region of Plovdiv and Asenovgrad (Bulgaria) to raise the problem of its connections to Byzantine, Greek and Ottoman religious cultures of Constantinople/Istanbul. My argument is based on the fieldwork and archival research I conducted in 2012–2014 to seek an answer to a research question that had kept me intrigued for over a decade: namely, what is the meaning, in practical terms, of the claim frequently made by Orthodox Christians that the various religious rituals they engaged in (with the exception of funerary ones) were practiced “for health” (za zdrave). Życiodajne źródła i Bogurodzica Żiwonosen Iztocznik / Zoodochos Pege / Baliklijska. Bizantyńsko-grecko-osmańskie oddziaływania międzykulturowe i ich reperkusje w ikonografii, piśmiennictwie i praktykach rytualnych w regionie PłowdiwuNiniejszy artykuł poświęcono problematyce kultu leczniczych wód (ajazma) na terenie bułgarskich prawosławnych cerkwi i monasterów w regionie Płowdiwu i Asenowgradu oraz jego domniemanych związków z bizantyńską, grecką i osmańską kulturą religijną Konstantynopola/Stambułu. Swoje tezy autorka opiera na badaniach terenowych i kwerendach archiwalnych prowadzonych w latach 2012–2014. Badania miały na celu odnalezienie odpowiedzi na nękające autorkę od ponad dekady pytanie badawcze, co prawosławni wierni mają na myśli, gdy uzasadniają praktycznie wszystkie podejmowane przez siebie religijne rytuały (z wyjątkiem funeralnych) tym, że wykonują je „dla zdrowia” (za zdrave).
Partenij Pavlovič – the “wandering monk” as a networker
Authors: Detrez Raymond
Published: October 2017

Partenij Pavlovič – the “wandering monk” as a networkerPartenij Pavlovič was a Bulgarian monk (ca. 1700–1760) who spent his entire active life in the service of the Serbian Orthodox Churches of Pec and Karlovci. He used the intellectual network created by the ecclesiastical structures and to some extent also created a personal network that helped him spread the anti-Muslim and anti-Catholic ideas the Orthodox church at that time stood for. As such, he is to a much lesser extent than is often assumed a forerunner of Balkan Enlightenment but appears to be strongly rooted in a rather medieval perception of the world. Partenij Pavlovič – „wędrujący mnich” jako twórca sieci Partenij Pavlovič był bułgarskim mnichem (ok. 1700–1760), który spędził całe swoje życie w służbie Serbskich Cerkwi Prawosławnych w Peći i Karłowicach. Wykorzystywał on sieć intelektualną stworzoną przez struktury kościelne i do pewnego stopnia stworzył osobistą sieć, która pomogła mu rozpowszechniać antymuzułmańskie i antykatolickie idee, propagowane przez ówczesny Kościół Prawosławny. Jako taki jest on w mniejszym stopniu prekursorem oświecenia bałkańskiego, niż to się zwykle twierdzi, był on raczej silnie zakorzeniony w średniowiecznym postrzeganiu świata.
Предсказанията на Матей Лансберг в български фрагмент от XIX в. (щрихи към гадателните книги и профетичната литература на Балканите)
Authors: Цибранска-Костова [TSibranska-Kostova] Марияна [Mariiana]
Published: October 2017

Mathieu Laensberg’s Prophecys in a nineteenth-century Bulgarian fragment (a sketch on fortune-telling books and prophetic literature in the Balkans)The article presents comments on and text edition of two folios of the so-called Bulgarian fragment of Mathieu Laensberg’s prophecy, written in the Bulgarian language of the first thirty years of the nineteenth century. The article does not focus on the prophet’s very speculative biography, neither on one of the Enlightenment’s most valued Almanacs, from Belgian Liege, which since its first appearance in 1636 was also associated with Laensberg. Rather, she aims at sketching preliminary observations about some typological features of the prognostic and prophetic literature, both western and eastern, emphasizing the analysed text and its comparison to the horoscopic portion in’s 1838 Perpetual Calendar by Teodor Pirdopski, who was best known as a gifted compiler of damascenes and miscellanies. Przepowiednie Mathieu Laendsberga w dziewiętnastowiecznym „fragmencie bułgarskim” (szkice o księgach wróżbiarskich i literaturze profetycznej na Bałkanach) Artykuł składa się z komentarzy oraz edycji 2 kart tzw. fragmentu bułgarskiego przepowiedni Mathieu Laensberga, spisanej w bułgarszczyźnie pierwszego trzydziestolecia XIX wieku. Badaczka nie koncentruje uwagi ani na opartej na domysłach biografii samego profety, ani też na jednym z najbardziej cenionych w epoce oświecenia almanachu z belgijskiego Liège, od początku swego istnienia (1636 roku) wiązanego z nazwiskiem Laensberga. Odwołując się do tekstów zachodnio- i wschodnioeuropejskich, badaczka formułuje szereg uwag na temat niektórych typologicznych cech piśmiennictwa wróżbiarskiego i prorockiego, kładąc przy tym nacisk na interesujący ją odpis oraz porównując go z wiecznym kalendarzem Teodora Pirdopskiego (1838), znanego jako kopista i kompilator tzw. damaskinów i zbiorów o treści mieszanej.
Cesarzowa Bułgarów, augusta i bazylisa – Maria-Irena Lekapena i transfer bizantyńskiej idei kobiety-władczyni (imperial feminine) w średniowiecznej Bułgarii
Authors: Brzozowska Zofia A.
Published: October 2017

Empress of Bulgarians, augusta and basilissa – Maria-Irene Lekapene and the transfer of the idea of imperial feminine in the Medieval BulgariaMaria Lekapene was a granddaughter of Byzantine Emperor Romanos I Lekapenos. In 927 she married Peter I of Bulgaria. Her marriage, ceremoniously entered into in Constantinople, aimed to strengthen the newly signed Byzantine-Bulgarian peace treaty. Historians attributed to the Empress a significant impact on the political moves of her husband. The Empress was also to introduce a lot of elements of the Byzantine theory of power in Bulgaria. Cesarzowa Bułgarów, augusta i bazylisa – Maria-Irena Lekapena i transfer bizantyńskiej idei kobiety-władczyni (imperial feminine) w średniowiecznej Bułgarii Maria Lekapena była wnuczką cesarza bizantyńskiego Romana I Lekapena. W 927 roku poślubiła władcę Bułgarii, Piotra. Jej małżeństwo, uroczyście zawarte w Konstantynopolu, miało za zadanie umocnić dopiero co podpisany pokój bizantyńsko-bułgarski. Historycy przypisywali carycy znaczny wpływ na polityczne posunięcia jej męża. Władczyni miała też zaszczepić na gruncie bułgarskim wiele elementów bizantyńskiej teorii władzy.