bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Salivary Levels of NLRP3 Inflammasome‐Related Proteins as Potential Biomarkers of Periodontal Clinical Status
Authors: Isaza‐Guzmán Diana M. , Medina‐Piedrahíta Verónica M. , Gutiérrez‐Henao Carolina , Tobón‐Arroyave Sergio I.
Published: July 2017

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that activation of inflammasomes plays a central mechanism in pathogenesis of periodontitis. This study aims to compare salivary levels of nod‐like receptor family pyrin domain containing protein (NLRP) 3, apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), cysteine aspartase (caspase)‐1, and interleukin (IL)‐1β from individuals with aggressive (AgP) or chronic periodontitis (CP) and healthy controls (HC), as well as elucidate its association with periodontal clinical status.

Methods: Saliva samples from individuals with CP (n = 75), AgP (n = 20), and HC (n = 69) were collected. Periodontal status was assessed by measurement of probing depth, clinical attachment level, and extent and severity of disease. Salivary levels of analytes were analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Association between biomarkers with CP or AgP was analyzed using multivariate binary logistic regression models.

Results: Significantly higher levels of NLRP3, ASC, and IL‐1β were detected in periodontitis groups in comparison to the periodontally HC group. However, no significant differences were observed for caspase‐1 levels between clinical groups, and only NLRP3 salivary concentration was significantly higher in AgP compared with CP patients. Also, positive significant correlations among NLRP3, ASC, and IL‐1β salivary concentrations and clinical parameters were observed. Logistic regression analyses revealed a strong/independent association of NLRP3, ASC, and IL‐1β salivary levels with CP and AgP.

Conclusion: Although the concentration of caspase‐1 in saliva samples makes its determination useless for detection of periodontal disease and/or its severity, salivary levels of NLRP3, ASC, and IL‐1β may act as strong/independent indicators of amount and extent of periodontal breakdown in both CP and AgP and could potentially be used for prevention and therapy of this group of diseases.
RGCA: a Reliable GPU Cluster Architecture for Large-Scale Internet of Things Computing Based on Effective Performance-Energy Optimization
Authors: Fang Yuling , Chen Qingkui , Xiong Neal N. , Zhao Deyu , Wang Jingjuan
Published: July 2017

This paper aims to develop a low-cost, high-performance and high-reliability computing system to process large-scale data using common data mining algorithms in the Internet of Things computing. Considering the characteristics of IoT data processing, similar to mainstream high performance computing, we use a GPU cluster to achieve better IoT services. Firstly, we present an energy consumption calculation method (ECCM) based on WSN. Then, using the CUDA Programming model, we propose a Two-level Parallel Optimization Model (TLPOM) which exploits reasonable resource planning and common compiler optimization techniques to obtain the best blocks and threads configuration considering the resource constraints of each node. The key to this part is dynamic coupling Thread-Level Parallelism (TLP) and Instruction-Level Parallelism (ILP) to improve the performance of the algorithms without additional energy consumption. Finally, combining the ECCM and the TLPOM, we use the Reliable GPU Cluster Architecture (RGCA) to obtain a high-reliability computing system considering the nodes’ diversity, algorithm characteristics, etc. The results show that the performance of the algorithms significantly increased by 34.1%, 33.96% and 24.07% for Fermi, Kepler and Maxwell on average with TLPOM and the RGCA ensures that our IoT computing system provides low-cost and high-reliability services.
EFFECTS OF WHOLE BODY VIBRATION INTERVENTION ON HANDGRIP STRENGTH OF BRAZILIAN HEALTHY SOLDIERS
Authors: Morel Danielle Soares , Moreira-Marconi Eloá , Sobrinho Neto Samuel Brandão , Domingos Laisa Liane Paineiras , Souza Patrícia Lopes de , Sá Caputo Danúbia da Cunha de , Costa Glenda Dias , De Figueiredo Cláudia Ferreira , Resende Carmo Roberto Carlos , De Paiva Patrícia de Castro , Sousa Gonçalves Cintia Renata , Kütter Cristiane Ribeiro , De Aguiar Eliane de Oliveira Guedes , Bernardo-Filho Mario
Published: July 2017

Background: Whole body vibration (WBV) exercises have been investigated as an alternative and complementary

method to traditional resistance programs for fitness improvements in healthy subjects. Active militaries must have a

high fitness level and have to improve some physical abilities to accomplish some specific tasks in Army, as climb

ropes, climb walls and pull up.

Materials and methods: Seven young and healthy soldiers from Brazilian Army were exposed to mechanical vibration

in a push-up position, with different frequencies, as 25 (first session), 30 (second session), 35 (third session), 40 (fourth

session) and 45 Hz (fifth session). The WBV intervention consisted of five WBV sessions over a consecutive two and a

half-weeks period of time. A WBV session consisted of twenty bouts, each one with 10- second vibration, interspersed

with 10 seconds of passive rest and 4 minutes pause after the first 10 bouts. Handgrip strength was measured, as

proposed by American Society of Hand Therapists – ASHT, before and after the session using 25 Hz of frequency and

45 Hz of frequency (1st and 5th sessions).

Results: No significant results were found between groups.

Conclusion: Intervention of WBV exercises with 25 and 45 Hz of frequency applied by hands of healthy and young

soldiers had no significant results. Further investigations should focus on the efficacy of WBV in the improvement of

handgrip strength of young and healthy people.
Use of Nickel Nanoparticles for Promoting Aquathermolysis Reaction During Cyclic Steam Stimulation
Authors: Yi Siyuan , Babadagli Tayfun , Andy Li Huazhou
Published: July 2017

Late cycles of cyclic steam stimulation (CSS) are characterized by a decreasing heavy-oil recovery and an increasing water cut. Nickel nanoparticles can be used to promote aquathermolysis reactions between water and heavy oil in steam-injection processes, thereby increasing the recovery factor (RF). In this paper, detailed investigations were performed to determine the optimal operational parameters and answers to the following questions:

What is the optimal concentration of nickel nanoparticles for promoting aquathermolysis under high steam temperature? Can we improve oil recovery at lower steam temperatures with the presence of nickel nanoparticles? What effect does the penetration depth of nickel nanoparticles have on the final oil recovery?

CSS experiments were conducted between temperatures of 150 and 220°C. Steam generated under these temperatures was injected into sandpacks saturated with Mexican heavy oil. Powder-form nickel nanoparticle was introduced into this process to boost the oil production. In an attempt to obtain the optimal concentration, different concentrations were tested. Next, oil sands without any nanoparticle additives were first added into the cylinder. Then, only one-third of the sandpack was mixed with nickel nanoparticles near the injection port. Experiments were executed to study the effects of temperature, nickel concentrations, and nanoparticle-penetration depth on the ultimate oil recovery and produced oil/water ratios after each cycle. Produced-oil quality and emulsion formation were evaluated with gas-chromatography (GC) analysis, viscosity measurements, saturates/asphaltenes/resins/aromatics (SARA) tests, and microscopic analysis of the effluents.

Experimental results show that the best concentration of nickel nanoparticles, which gives the highest ultimate oil RF, is 0.20 wt% of initial oil in place (IOIP) under 220°C, whereas the nickel concentration of 0.05 wt% provides the highest RFs at the early stages. A lower temperature of 150°C provides a much-lower RF than 220°C, which is mainly because of a lower level of aquathermolysis reactions at 150°C. By analyzing the compositions of produced oil and gas samples with GC and SARA tests, we confirm that the major reaction mechanism during the aquathermolysis reaction is the breakage of the carbon/sulfur (C/S) bond; the nickel nanoparticles can act as catalyst for the aquathermolysis reaction; and the catalytic effect becomes less remarkable from cycle to cycle. One run of the experiment to test the effect of particle-penetration depth revealed that the nickel nanoparticles distributed near the injection port greatly contributed to the ultimate RF.
Echocardiographic assessment of right ventricle diastolic function in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease
Authors: Sinelnikov Yu. , Orekhova E. , Osetrova O. , Balyshova O.
Published: July 2017

Aim. The study was aimed at assessing the right ventricle diastolic function in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease.Methods. 62 patients (32 males (51.6 %)) with multivessel coronary artery disease (SYNTAX Score 33.04±4.1) were examined over a period from 2014 to 2016. The mean age was 58.5±8.3 years). To examine the diastolic function of the left and right ventricles (LV, RV), conventional echocardiographic (EchoCG) parameters, as well as a longitudinal diastolic strain rate at the level of RV free wall segments were analyzed by using tissue Doppler imaging in 2D strain imaging mode.Results. The systolic function of both ventricles was moderately decreased (LV EF 43.2 ± 5.5%, RV EF 42±6 %). 41 patients (66.1 %) demonstrated LV diastolic dysfunction (DD, impaired relaxation) of grade I and 46 patients (74.2 %) – RV DD of grade I. Pseudonormal LV DD grade II was revealed in 18 patients (29 %) and RV DD of grade II – in 15 patients (24.2 %). 3 patients (4.8 %) had LV DD (restrictive) of grade III and only 1 patient (1.6 %) showed a restrictive type of RV filling. The early diastolic strain rate (ESR) was 0.86±0.18 s–1 in patients with DD of grade I, the late diastolic strain rate was 0.88±0.27 s–1 (ASR), with their ratio ESR / ASR running to 0.99±0.16. For patients with DD of grade II, ESR was 0.62±0.04 s–1, ASR – 0.41±0.04 s–1 and the ratio of ESR / ASR – 1.5±0.19. For patients with DD of grade III (n = 1), ESR was 0.41 s–1, ASR – 0.2 s–1 and the ratio ESR / ASR – 2.05.  A significant inverse correlation between the coronary artery disease complexity (SYNTAX Score) and the strain rate in the early diastolic phase of RV filling ESR (RS = –0.73, p = 0.001) was identified.Conclusion. Longitudinal systolic strain and diastolic strain rate decrease in parallel, thus reflecting a close relation of systolic and diastolic mechanics of the right ventricle. The intensity of right ventricle diastolic dysfunction is associated with the coronary artery disease complexity.Received 18 October 2016. Accepted 6 February 2017.Financing: The study required no additional funding and sponsorship.Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.Author contributionsConception and study design: E.N. Orekhova, O.A. Osetrova.Data collection and analysis: O.A. Osetrova, O.A. Balyshova.Drafting the article: E.N. Orekhova, O.A. Osetrova.Critical revision of the article: Yu.S. Sinelnikov, E.N. Orekhova.Final approval of the version to be published: Yu.S. Sinelnikov, E.N. Orekhova, O.A. Osetrova, O.A. Balyshova.
Public-Private Partnerships in Biobanking: Current Practices
Authors: Morente Manuel M. , de Luna Francisco , Marín Maria C. , Ajenjo Nuria
Published: July 2017

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) and relationships are essential to expedite
the resolution of the challenges currently facing Medicine. Biobanking is not an island
within biomedical research as a whole, and public–private partnerships in biobanking
must therefore be considered in the global context of biomedical research.
PPPs are certainly desirable, since they offer benefits to both sides, create win-win
situations and are extremely advantageous for the whole society, but they have their
own limitations and frontiers.
The current chapter tries to introduce the general aspects of current PPP practices in
biobanking, keeping in mind that the main objective should be the promotion of health
rather than the sustainability of biobanks or benefits for industry.
Compliance with applicable legislation, mutual trust, transparency and open dialogue
are the key components of such partnerships.
Quality Criteria in Oncology: Lessons learned from the B4MED Biobank
Authors: Pruneri Giancarlo , Bonizzi Giuseppina
Published: July 2017

Since the beginning, the scientific research was an integral part of the
mission of the European Oncology Institute (IEO). Its position is at the intersection
between Surgical Units, the Department of Pathology and Research Units. This
organization makes the IEO Biobank for Translational Medicine (B4MED) a critical
resource that reflects the mission of IEO to perform “Research for Care”.
The B4MED collects, catalogues and stores biological samples that are non-essential
for diagnostic purposes from patients who provide informed consent for the use of their
tissues for research purposes. A direct pipeline with the operating theatres for the
collection of tissue samples ensures negligible sample degradation. Surgically-excised
pathological and non-pathological tissue samples, plasma/serum, total blood, DNA and
RNA are collected and stored according to specific protocols and standard operating
procedures. All biobanked samples are managed and tracked through a software
package that is fully integrated with the hospital medical records database, pathology
database and central registry of patient demographic information. This ensures that
each sample is linked to a full complement of anonymous or anonymized (according to
patient choice) patient information that is accessible solely by authorized Biobank
personnel.
The high quality biospecimens collected by the B4MED are used for biomarker and
drug discovery experiments, both for basic research and for clinical research, with the
ultimate aim of providing excellence in patient care through excellence in research.
Big Data in traumatic brain injury; promise and challenges
Authors: Agoston Denes V , Langford Dianne
Published: July 2017

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a spectrum disease of overwhelming complexity, the research of which generates enormous amounts of structured, semi-structured and unstructured data. This resulting big data has tremendous potential to be mined for valuable information regarding the “most complex disease of the most complex organ”. Big data analyses require specialized big data analytics applications, machine learning and artificial intelligence platforms to reveal associations, trends, correlations and patterns not otherwise realized by current analytical approaches. The intersection of potential data sources between experimental TBI and clinical TBI research presents inherent challenges for setting parameters for the generation of common data elements and to mine existing legacy data that would allow highly translatable big data analyses. In order to successfully utilize big data analyses in TBI, we must be willing to accept the messiness of data, collect and store all data and give up causation for correlation. In this context, coupling the big data approach to established clinical and pre-clinical data sources will transform current practices for triage, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis into highly integrated evidence-based patient care.
Antivilo, Julia (2015). Entre lo sagrado y lo profano se tejen rebeldías. Arte Feminista nuestroamericano. Bogotá: desde abajo. 239 p.
Authors: Salinero Stella
Published: July 2017

Reseña
Monstruosidad y barroquismo en el arte contemporáneo: reivindicación del “rito del angelito” en la obra de Zaida González
Authors: Navarrete Constanza
Published: July 2017

La diferenciación de un otro existe en América desde su descubrimiento por Europa. El otro o diferente según una hegemonía, entendido a veces como monstruoso, es problematizado por la fotógrafa chilena Zaida González a través de sus retratos mortuorios de fetos deformes. Ella les realiza un rito tradicional ya casi desechado, el velorio del angelito, del cual se apropia para insertarlo en el ámbito del arte contemporáneo de una forma barroca, con teatralidad e ironía. Lo barroco se vuelve, así, un modo de representar este rito descontextualizado, con una intención crítica frente a la sociedad y la ética institucional.
Efektivitas Antihiperurisemia Ekstrak Etanol Daun Seledri (EEDS) pada Tikus Induksi Kalium Oksonat
Authors: Rakanita Yasinta , L Hastuti , Tandi Joni , Mulyani Sri
Published: July 2017

Seledri adalah tanaman yang memiliki kandungan kimia seperti alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, dan tanin. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membuktikan efektivitas ekstrak etanol daun seledri dalam menurunkan kadar asam urat pada tikus putih jantan dan menentukan dosis ekstrak daun seledri yang efektif dalam menurunkan kadar asam urat pada tikus putih jantan. Ekstrak daun seledri dibuat secara maserasi dengan pelarut etanol 96%. Rancangan penelitian yang digunakan adalah Rancangan Acak Kelompok. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis dengan mengunakan uji statistik Analisis Sidik Ragam pada taraf kepercayaan 95% yang mengunakan 30 ekor  tikus putih jantan dibagi 6 kelompok perlakuan, tiap perlakuan terdiri dari 5 ekor. Model hewan dibuat hiperurisemia menggunakan penginduksi kalium oksonat dengan dosis 250 mg/kg BB. Kelompok I (normal) diberikan pakan standar, kelompok II (negatif) diberi suspensi Na CMC 0,5%, kelompok III (positif) diberi suspensi allopurinol 5,4 mg/kg BB, kelompok IV, V, dan VI diberi ekstrak etanol daun seledri masing-masing dengan dosis 50 mg/kg BB, 100 mg/kg BB, dan 200 mg/kg BB. Berdasarkan uji lanjut BNJ diperoleh hasil bahwa dosis ekstrak etanol daun seledri yang efektif adalah 50 mg/kg BB.
Cronología personal sobre la enseñanza de los audiovisuales en Colombia
Authors: Campo Oscar
Published: July 2017

A partir de la experiencia del autor como profesor del taller de audiovisuales de la Escuela de Comunicación Social de la Universidad del Valle, este texto revisa las transformaciones en la producción y enseñanza universitaria de los audiovisuales en Colombia en las últimas tres décadas. Tomando como punto de partida las tensiones que se generan entre la academia, el estado y el mercado, el autor destaca algunas de las transformaciones más significativas en la producción audiovisual originada en el contexto universitario desde los años 80's; a su vez correlaciona estas tensiones con las vicisitudes sociales del país,en el que fenómenos como el conflicto armado, el desplazamiento forzado y la concentración de la población en las grandes capitales inciden en la cantidad y la calidad de la inversión que tanto el estado como el mercado hacen a la televisión y a la producción audiovisual. De otra parte, el autor se refiere al papel del realizador audiovisual en las mutaciones profesionales del comunicador social que entra en choque con formas des reguladas de vinculación al mercado laboral y con permanentes cruces con otros perfiles laborales y profesionales (diseñadores, artistas, cineastas, etc.).
La pantalla domesticada (Entrevista a Ramiro Arbeláez)
Authors: Toro Hernán
Published: July 2017

Ramiro Arbeláez, profesor de la Escuela de Comunicación de la Universidad del Valle, ha estado vinculado a la historia del cine club en Cali desde finales de los años sesenta y comienzos de los setenta tanto como promotor y agente de este tipo como de intelectual que reflexiona esa práctica. Su competencia para el cine y el video es reconocida nacionalmente. El cine club de la organización cultural Lugar a dudas, en la ciudad de Cali, en su última impresa (cronológicamente hablando). La presente entrevista ha querido adelantar, a partir de esta experiencia, una reflexión acerca de las continuidades y discontinuidades reconocibles en la historia del cin club en Cali, y de los nuevos desarrollo derivados del nuevo paisaje social y tecnológico en el que estamos sumergidos (para bien y para mal).
Nictálopes (Breve ensayo sobre la "objetividad" en los discursos de la información)
Authors: Toro Hernán
Published: July 2017

Este texto discute la noción de "objetividad" con la que los medios legitiman la relación de sus discursos informativos con la realidad que refieren, pone en entredicho la exclusividad del ojo en la comprobación de lo objetivo y afirma la posibilidad de ver con algo distinto de la mirada.
Men, Women, and Wine: A Gender-Based Analysis of Lucanian Necropoleis
Authors: Albanesi Chiara , Battiloro Ilaria
Published: July 2017

In this paper we provide a fresh perspective on how societies of ancient Lucania were structured, focusing especially on the role of high-ranking women. In particular, we explore the social implications of ritual banquet and sympotic practices that the Italic populations borrowed from the Greeks living in the coastal poleis, as demonstrated by the deposition of sympotic items in high-ranking burials as means of self-representation. Current literature on the Lucanian world asserts a clear-cut division of roles between male and female, men being the protagonists of social and political life, and women being confined within domestic boundaries. Our research addresses whether and to what extent this simplistic dichotomy is valid. Examining a group of sample tombs from a few cemetery sites reveals a far more nuanced and intricate picture. High-ranking female burials display grave goods that imply the practice of sacrifice-banquet, which also involved wine consumption. What does the presence of these objects in female tombs mean? Do they testify to women’s participation in convivial practices that, in the Greek world, were considered exclusively male? If so, what are the social implications? To address these questions, we look at the recurrence of sympotic objects and banquet tools in female burials; at the association of grave goods of different types within the same tomb; and finally, at the socio-economic role of the deceased.
European Influences: Local Solutions The Pulpit Altar as a Means of Expression
Authors: Harmati Béla László
Published: July 2017

In the Evangelical-Lutheran Church, the use of pulpit altars has never been obligatory or exclusive. However, the importance of the cult centre in the increasingly uniform internal space as a principle of interior design brought this form into life; one that is exclusively characteristic of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church. In Hungary, pulpit altars were built from the time of the Edict of Tolerance (1781) until the end of the 19th century. In their form, they were mostly to local specifications and options, which played an important role over and above the strong Western European influences. In the evolution of the typology, it is not only the interaction between the Catholic and Reformed elements that can be pinpointed but also the national differences so characteristic within the Evangelical-Lutheran Church.The Slovak, German and Hungarian speaking Lutheran communities, with their diversified and unique relationships, had enriched the forms used in church furnishing in Hungary; this can best be seen in the pulpit altars constructed in the same period.
Multiple Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries Are Associated with Increased Rates of Health Symptoms and Gulf War Illness in a Cohort of 1990–1991 Gulf War Veterans
Authors: Yee Megan , Janulewicz Patricia , Seichepine Daniel , Sullivan Kimberly , Proctor Susan , Krengel Maxine
Published: July 2017

Recent research demonstrated a relation between traumatic brain injury (TBI), health symptoms and diagnosis of Gulf War Illness (GWI) in Gulf War Veterans, but no study has examined the impact of multiple mild TBIs (mTBIs). A total of 229 male Gulf War Veterans from the Ft Devens Cohort were categorized by a number of mTBIs reported. One-way ANOVA and chi-square test of independence were used to test for differences in total reported health symptoms and diagnosis of chronic multisymptom illness (CMI) or Kansas GWI criteria, two of the most common case definitions of GWI. A total of 72 veterans reported no mTBIs (31.4%), 26 reported one mTBI (11.4%), 25 reported two mTBIs (10.9%), and 106 veterans reported sustaining three or more mTBIs (46.3%). Veterans reporting two or more mTBIs (p < 0.01) or three or more mTBIs (p < 0.001) endorsed significantly higher rates of health symptoms than Veterans reporting no mTBIs. Significantly higher rates of CMI (p = 0.035) and Kansas GWI criteria (p < 0.001) were seen in the three or more mTBI group. Results suggest two mTBIs increase risk of health symptoms, but three mTBIs may be the threshold needed to sustain chronic symptom reporting needed for a formal diagnosis. These findings highlight the importance of implementing policies and procedures monitoring head injuries in military personnel.
The Role of miRNAs in Angiogenesis, Invasion and Metabolism and Their Therapeutic Implications in Gliomas
Authors: Beyer Sasha , Fleming Jessica , Meng Wei , Singh Rajbir , Haque S. , Chakravarti Arnab
Published: July 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding, endogenous RNA molecules that function in gene silencing by post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. The dysregulation of miRNA plays a pivotal role in cancer tumorigenesis, including the development and progression of gliomas. Their small size, stability and ability to target multiple oncogenes have simultaneously distinguished miRNAs as attractive candidates for biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets for glioma patients. In this review, we summarize the most frequently cited miRNAs known to contribute to gliomagenesis and progression by regulating the defining hallmarks of gliomas, including angiogenesis, invasion, and cell metabolism. We also discuss their promising potential as prognostic and predictive biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets, in addition to the challenges that must be overcome before their translation from bench to bedside.
Progress in Wear Resistant Materials for Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Khanna Rohit , Ong Joo , Oral Ebru , Narayan Roger
Published: July 2017

Current trends in total hip arthroplasty (THA) are to develop novel artificial hip joints with high wear resistance and mechanical reliability with a potential to last for at least 25–30 years for both young and old active patients. Currently used artificial hip joints are mainly composed of femoral head of monolithic alumina or alumina-zirconia composites articulating against cross-linked polyethylene liner of acetabular cup or Co-Cr alloy in a self-mated configuration. However, the possibility of fracture of ceramics or its composites, PE wear debris-induced osteolysis, and hypersensitivity issue due to metal ion release cannot be eliminated. In some cases, thin ultra-hard diamond-based, TiN coatings on Ti-6A-4V or thin zirconia layer on the Zr-Nb alloy have been fabricated to develop high wear resistant bearing surfaces. However, these coatings showed poor adhesion in tribological testing. To provide high wear resistance and mechanical reliability to femoral head, a new kind of ceramic/metal artificial hip joint hybrid was recently proposed in which 10–15 μm thick dense layer of pure α-alumina was formed onto Ti-6Al-4V alloy by deposition of Al metal layer by cold spraying or cold metal transfer methods with 1–2 μm thick Al3Ti reaction layer formed at their interface to improve adhesion. An optimal micro-arc oxidation treatment transformed Al to dense α-alumina layer, which showed high Vickers hardness 1900 HV and good adhesion to the substrate. Further tribological and cytotoxicity analyses of these hybrids will determine their efficacy for potential use in THA.
Program for the Special State Theory of Quantum Measurement
Authors: Schulman Lawrence
Published: July 2017

Establishing (or falsifying) the special state theory of quantum measurement is a program with both theoretical and experimental directions. The special state theory has only pure unitary time evolution, like the many worlds interpretation, but only has one world. How this can be accomplished requires both “special states” and significant modification of the usual assumptions about the arrow of time. All this is reviewed below. Experimentally, proposals for tests already exist and the problems are first the practical one of doing the experiment and second the suggesting of other experiments. On the theoretical level, many problems remain and among them are the impact of particle statistics on the availability of special states, finding a way to estimate their abundance and the possibility of using a computer for this purpose. Regarding the arrow of time, there is an early proposal of J. A. Wheeler that may be implementable with implications for cosmology.
Fault Diagnosis of On-Load Tap-Changer Based on Variational Mode Decomposition and Relevance Vector Machine
Authors: Liu Jinxin , Wang Guan , Zhao Tong , Zhang Li
Published: July 2017

In order to improve the intelligent diagnosis level of an on-load tap-changer’s (OLTC) mechanical condition, a feature extraction method based on variational mode decomposition (VMD) and weight divergence was proposed. The harmony search (HS) algorithm was used to optimize the parameter selection of the relevance vector machine (RVM). Firstly, the OLTC vibration signal was decomposed into a series of finite-bandwidth intrinsic mode function (IMF) by VMD under different working conditions. The weight divergence was extracted to characterize the complexity of the vibration signal. Then, weight divergence was used as training and test samples of the harmony search optimization-relevance vector machine (HS-RVM). The experimental results suggested that the proposed integrated model has high fault diagnosis accuracy. This model can accurately extract the characteristics of the mechanical condition, and provide a reference for the practical OLTC intelligent fault diagnosis.
Audible Noise Performance of Conductor Bundles Based on Cage Test Results and Comparison with Long Term Data
Authors: Wan Baoquan , He Wangling , Pei Chunming , Wu Xiaorui , Chen Yuchao , Zhang Yemao , Lan Lei
Published: July 2017

A reasonable acoustic power formula is vital to precisely evaluate the audible noise (AN) level of ultra-high-voltage (UHV) AC power lines. This study derived a formula by taking several AN measurements under heavy rain conditions, using multiple conductor bundles in a UHV corona cage, and then subjecting these measured values to least squares fitting. The validity of the proposed formula was subsequently verified with statistical data obtained from two long-term stations at Henan and Hubei Province, which are located under the Jindongnan-Nanyang-Jingmen UHV AC transmission lines operating at 1000 kV. The deviation between the prediction and the long-term (L50) value was 0.76 dB for the Henan station and 0.17 dB for the Hubei station. It shows that the acoustic power formula derived in this paper is more accurate than the widely used Bonneville Power Administration formula, in which the corresponding deviations are much larger (3.07 and 2.53 dB).
Feasibility Study of a Socially Assistive Humanoid Robot for Guiding Elderly Individuals during Walking
Authors: Piezzo Chiara , Suzuki Kenji
Published: July 2017

The impact of the world-wide ageing population has commenced with respect to society in developed countries. Several researchers focused on exploring new methods to improve the quality of life of elderly individuals by allowing them to remain independent and healthy to the maximum possible extent. For example, new walking aids are designed to allow elderly individuals to remain mobile in a safe manner because the importance of walking is well-known. The aim of the present study involves designing a humanoid robot guide as a walking trainer for elderly individuals. It is hypothesized that the same service robot provides an assistive and social contribution with respect to interaction between elderly users by motivating them to walk more and simultaneously provides assistance, such as physical assistance and gait monitoring, while walking. This study includes a detailed statement of the research problem as well as a literature review of existing studies related to walking companion robots. A user-centred design approach is adopted to report the results of the current first feasibility study by using a commercially available humanoid robot known as Pepper developed by Softbank-Aldebaran. A quantitative questionnaire was used to investigate all elements that assess intrinsic motivation in users while performing a given activity. Conversely, basic gait data were acquired through a video analysis to test the capability of the robot to modify the gait of human users. The results in terms of the feedback received from elderly subjects and the literature review improve the design of the walking trainer for elderly individuals.
User Modelling Validation over the Security Awareness of Digital Natives
Authors: Gkioulos Vasileios , Wangen Gaute , Katsikas Sokratis
Published: July 2017

Young generations make extensive use of mobile devices, such as smart-phones, tablets and laptops, for a variety of daily tasks with potentially critical impact, while the number of security breaches via portable devices increases exponentially. A plethora of security risks associated with these devices are induced by design shortcomings and vulnerabilities related to user behavior. Therefore, deploying suitable risk treatments requires the investigation of how security experts perceive the digital natives (young people, born in the digital era), when utilizing their user behavior models in the design and analysis of related systems. In this article, we present the results of a survey performed across a multinational sample of security professionals, in comparison to our earlier study over the security awareness of digital natives. Through this study, we seek to identify divergences between user behavior and the conceptual user-models that security experts utilise in their professional tasks. Our results indicate that the experts understanding over the user behaviour does not follow a solidified user-model, while influences from personal perceptions and randomness are also noticeable.
Adoption of Clean Cookstoves after Improved Solid Fuel Stove Programme Exposure: A Cross-Sectional Study in Three Peruvian Andean Regions
Authors: Wolf Jennyfer , Mäusezahl Daniel , Verastegui Hector , Hartinger Stella
Published: July 2017

This study examined measures of clean cookstove adoption after improved solid fuel stove programmes in three geographically and culturally diverse rural Andean settings and explored factors associated with these measures. A questionnaire was administered to 1200 households on stove use and cooking behaviours including previously defined factors associated with clean cookstove adoption. Logistic multivariable regressions with 16 pre-specified explanatory variables were performed for three outcomes; (1) daily improved solid fuel stove use, (2) use of liquefied petroleum gas stove and (3) traditional stove displacement. Eighty-seven percent of households reported daily improved solid fuel stove use, 51% liquefied petroleum gas stove use and 66% no longer used the traditional cookstove. Variables associated with one or more of the three outcomes are: education, age and civil status of the reporting female, household wealth and size, region, encounters of problems with the improved solid fuel stove, knowledge of somebody able to build an improved solid fuel stove, whether stove parts are obtainable in the community, and subsidy schemes. We conclude that to be successful, improved solid fuel stove programmes need to consider (1) existing household characteristics, (2) the household’s need for ready access to maintenance and repair, and (3) improved knowledge at the community level.
Birth Trends among Female Physicians in Taiwan: A Nationwide Survey from 1996 to 2013
Authors: Wang Yi-Jen , Chiang Shu-Chiung , Chen Tzeng-Ji , Chou Li-Fang , Hwang Shinn-Jang , Liu Jui-Yao
Published: July 2017

Background: Although more and more women are becoming physicians, their decisions regarding pregnancy may be affected by the lengthy period of medical education and postgraduate training. The aim of this study was to explore the birth trends among female physicians in Taiwan; Methods: Retrospective analyses of maternal ages at delivery from 1996 to 2013, both for physicians and the general population, were conducted using a nationwide dataset called National Health Insurance Research Database; Results: During the study period, 8540 female physicians were identified. The physicians delivered a total of 4940 births in that time, with a rise from 210 in 1996 to 440 in 2013. In addition, the mean maternal age of the physicians at delivery increased from 32.19 years (standard deviations (SD) 2.80) in 1996 to 33.61 (SD 3.21) in 2013, values significantly higher than those for non-physicians of 27.81 (SD 4.74) in 1996 (p < 0.001) and 31.36 (SD 4.78) in 2013 (p < 0.001); Conclusion: Female physicians usually gave birth at an older age than non-physicians, but the discrepancy between the two groups gradually declined over the 18-year course of the study. The establishment of a maternity-friendly environment for female physicians should be considered by those who determine healthcare system policies.
MicroRNA Signature of Human Microvascular Endothelium Infected with Rickettsia rickettsii
Authors: Sahni Abha , Narra Hema , Patel Jignesh , Sahni Sanjeev
Published: July 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) mediate gene silencing by destabilization and/or translational repression of target mRNA. Infection of human microvascular endothelial cells as primary targets of Rickettsia rickettsii, the etiologic agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, triggers host responses appertaining to alterations in cellular gene expression. Microarray-based profiling of endothelial cells infected with R. rickettsii for 3 or 24 h revealed differential expression of 33 miRNAs, of which miRNAs129-5p, 200a-3p, 297, 200b-3p, and 595 were identified as the top five up-regulated miRNAs (5 to 20-fold, p ≤ 0.01) and miRNAs 301b-3p, 548a-3p, and 377-3p were down-regulated (2 to 3-fold, p ≤ 0.01). Changes in the expression of selected miRNAs were confirmed by q-RT-PCR in both in vitro and in vivo models of infection. As potential targets, expression of genes encoding NOTCH1, SMAD2, SMAD3, RIN2, SOD1, and SOD2 was either positively or negatively regulated. Using a miRNA-specific mimic or inhibitor, NOTCH1 was determined to be a target of miRNA 200a-3p in R. rickettsii-infected human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs). Predictive interactome mapping suggested the potential for miRNA-mediated modulation of regulatory gene networks underlying important host cell signaling pathways. This first demonstration of altered endothelial miRNA expression provides new insights into regulatory elements governing mechanisms of host responses and pathogenesis during human rickettsial infections.
Fluorogenic Labeling Strategies for Biological Imaging
Authors: Li Chenge , Tebo Alison , Gautier Arnaud
Published: July 2017

The spatiotemporal fluorescence imaging of biological processes requires effective tools to label intracellular biomolecules in living systems. This review presents a brief overview of recent labeling strategies that permits one to make protein and RNA strongly fluorescent using synthetic fluorogenic probes. Genetically encoded tags selectively binding the exogenously applied molecules ensure high labeling selectivity, while high imaging contrast is achieved using fluorogenic chromophores that are fluorescent only when bound to their cognate tag, and are otherwise dark. Beyond avoiding the need for removal of unbound synthetic dyes, these approaches allow the development of sophisticated imaging assays, and open exciting prospects for advanced imaging, particularly for multiplexed imaging and super-resolution microscopy.
RETRACTED: Zhang et al. Knockdown of Snail Sensitizes Pancreatic Cancer Cells to Chemotherapeutic Agents and Irradiation. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2010, 11, 4891–4904 and Zhang et al. RNA Interference Targeting Slug Increases Cholangiocarcinoma Cell Sensitivity to Cisplatin via Upregulating PUMA. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2011, 12, 385–400
Authors:   International Journal of Molecular Sciences Editorial office
Published: July 2017

The two articles [1,2] published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences will be retracted [...]
Analytical and Numerical Temperature Prediction in Direct Metal Deposition of Ti6Al4V
Authors: De La Batut Benoit , Fergani Omar , Brotan Vegard , Bambach Markus , El Mansouri Mohamed
Published: July 2017

Direct Metal Deposition (DMD) is an additive manufacturing (AM) process capable of producing large components using a layer by layer deposition of molten powder. DMD is increasingly investigated due to its higher deposition rate and the possibility to produce large structural components specifically for the aerospace industry. During fabrication, a complex thermal history is experienced in different regions of the workpiece, depending on the process parameters and part geometry. The thermal history induces residual stress accumulation in the buildup, which is the main cause of distortions. In order to control the process and enhance the product quality, the understanding of the workpiece temperature is substantial. In this study, two methods to predict temperature evolution during the DMD process are introduced based on analytical and finite element methods. The objective is to compare these methods to experimental results and to provide more insights about their capabilities to predict accurately the temperature gradient, the cooling rate, and the melt pool geometry. A comparison of the computational time is also provided. Based on the results of the investigation, It appears that the analytical method provides an effective and accurate method to understand the influence of the process on the workpiece temperature.
Study of Adsorption and Desorption Performances of Zr-Based Metal–Organic Frameworks Using Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Wang Xiaoting , Chen Ying , Zheng Yajun , Zhang Zhiping
Published: July 2017

The dynamic pore systems and high surface areas of flexible metal–organic framework materials make them excellent candidates to be used in different kinds of adsorption processes. However, the adsorption and desorption behaviors of therapeutic drugs on metal–organic frameworks in solution are not fully developed. Here, we systematically investigated the adsorption and desorption behaviors of a typical therapeutic drug, verapamil, over several Zr-based metal–organic frameworks [e.g., Zr-FUM, UiO-66(Zr), UiO-66(Zr)-NH2 and UiO-66(Zr)-2COOH] as well as ZrO2 in an acetonitrile solution by using paper spray mass spectrometry. In contrast to other materials, UiO-66(Zr)-2COOH demonstrated a superior adsorption performance to verapamil due to their strong acid-base and/or hydrogen-bond interactions, and the adsorption process fitted well with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. As verapamil-adsorbed materials were used for desorption experiments, ZrO2 demonstrated the most favorable desorption performance, whereas UiO-66(Zr)-2COOH yielded the poorest desorption capability. These Zr-based materials had also been coated at the surface with filter papers for the analysis of various drugs and proteins in the process of paper spray mass spectrometry. The results demonstrated that among the studied materials, ZrO2-coated paper gave the most favorable desorption performance as a pure drug solution, whereas the paper from UiO-66(Zr) demonstrated the optimal capability in the analyses of therapeutic drugs in a complex matrix (e.g., blood) and a protein (e.g., myoglobin).
Adaptive Crack Modeling with Interface Solid Elements for Plain and Fiber Reinforced Concrete Structures
Authors: Zhan Yijian , Meschke Günther
Published: July 2017

The effective analysis of the nonlinear behavior of cement-based engineering structures not only demands physically-reliable models, but also computationally-efficient algorithms. Based on a continuum interface element formulation that is suitable to capture complex cracking phenomena in concrete materials and structures, an adaptive mesh processing technique is proposed for computational simulations of plain and fiber-reinforced concrete structures to progressively disintegrate the initial finite element mesh and to add degenerated solid elements into the interfacial gaps. In comparison with the implementation where the entire mesh is processed prior to the computation, the proposed adaptive cracking model allows simulating the failure behavior of plain and fiber-reinforced concrete structures with remarkably reduced computational expense.
Full-Field Indentation Damage Measurement Using Digital Image Correlation
Authors: López-Alba Elías , Díaz-Garrido Francisco
Published: July 2017

A novel approach based on full-field indentation measurements to characterize and quantify the effect of contact in thin plates is presented. The proposed method has been employed to evaluate the indentation damage generated in the presence of bending deformation, resulting from the contact between a thin plate and a rigid sphere. For this purpose, the 3D Digital Image Correlation (3D-DIC) technique has been adopted to quantify the out of plane displacements at the back face of the plate. Tests were conducted using aluminum thin plates and a rigid bearing sphere to evaluate the influence of the thickness and the material behavior during contact. Information provided by the 3D-DIC technique has been employed to perform an indirect measurement of the contact area during the loading and unloading path of the test. A symmetrical distribution in the contact damage region due to the symmetry of the indenter was always observed. In the case of aluminum plates, the presence of a high level of plasticity caused shearing deformation as the load increased. Results show the full-field contact damage area for different plates’ thicknesses at different loads. The contact damage region was bigger when the thickness of the specimen increased, and therefore, bending deformation was reduced. With the proposed approach, the elastic recovery at the contact location was quantified during the unloading, as well as the remaining permanent indentation damage after releasing the load. Results show the information obtained by full-field measurements at the contact location during the test, which implies a substantial improvement compared with pointwise techniques.
Novel Durable Antimicrobial Ceramic with Embedded Copper Sub-Microparticles for a Steady-State Release of Copper Ions
Authors: Drelich Adam , Miller Jessie , Donofrio Robert , Drelich Jaroslaw
Published: July 2017

Using pottery clay, porous ceramic stones were molded and then decorated with copper sub-microparticles inside the pores. Copper added antimicrobial functionality to the clay-based ceramic and showed ability in disinfecting water. Populations of both Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae in contaminated water were reduced by >99.9% in 3 h when exposed to an antimicrobial stone. This antimicrobial performance is attributed to a slow release of copper into water at both room and elevated temperatures. Copper is leached by water to produce ion concentrations in water at a level of 0.05–0.20 ppm after 24 to 72 h immersion tests. This concentration is reproducible over a number of cycles >400. To our knowledge, this is the first formulation of copper sub-microparticles inside the porous structure of commercial-sized ceramic stones that can disinfect bacteria-contaminated water over a period of at least several months.