bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive Modeling of Corrosion in Al/Mg Dissimilar Joint
Authors: Ahmadvand Seyedsaied , Elahifard Mohammadreza , Peik Bijan , Behjatmanesh-Ardakani Reza , Abbasi Behrooz , Abbasi Bahman
Published: August 2019

In the absence of any abnormality (standard conditions), the gradient of any mechanical/thermodynamic stress would be intensified at the dissimilar joint due to an abrupt change in the chemical composition. This paper aims to investigate the effect of delocalizing this stress by imposing an optimum chemical gradient within the dissimilar joint. In this work, we computationally demonstrated that a homogenous distribution of magnesium atoms in the aluminum (100) structure with a specific chemical gradient could potentially reduce the susceptibility of the Mg/Al dissimilar joint towards micro-galvanic corrosion. This is achieved through the minimization of the work function gradient within the dissimilar joint.
Antimicrobial Activity of Lignin-Derived Polyurethane Coatings Prepared from Unmodified and Demethylated Lignins
Authors: Klein Stephanie Elisabeth , Alzagameem Abla , Rumpf Jessica , Korte Imke , Kreyenschmidt Judith , Schulze Margit
Published: August 2019

Due to global ecological and economic challenges that have been correlated to the transition from fossil-based to renewable resources, fundamental studies are being performed worldwide to replace fossil fuel raw materials in plastic production. One aspect of current research is the development of lignin-derived polyols to substitute expensive fossil-based polyol components for polyurethane and polyester production. This article describes the synthesis of bioactive lignin-based polyurethane coatings using unmodified and demethylated Kraft lignins. Demethylation was performed to enhance the reaction selectivity toward polyurethane formation. The antimicrobial activity was tested according to a slightly modified standard test (JIS Z 2801:2010). Besides effects caused by the lignins themselves, triphenylmethane derivatives (brilliant green and crystal violet) were used as additional antimicrobial substances. Results showed increased antimicrobial capacity against Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, the coating color could be varied from dark brown to green and blue, respectively.
Cocrystals of 2-Aminopyrimidine with Boric Acid—Crystal Engineering of a Novel Nonlinear Optically (NLO) Active Crystal
Authors: Kloda Matouš , Matulková Irena , Císařová Ivana , Becker Petra , Bohatý Ladislav , Němec Petr , Gyepes Róbert , Němec Ivan
Published: August 2019

Crystal engineering of novel materials for nonlinear optics (NLO) based on 2-aminopyrimidine yielded two molecular cocrystals with boric acid—trigonal (P3221 space group) 2-aminopyrimidine—boric acid (3/2) and monoclinic (C2/c space group) 2-aminopyrimidine—boric acid (1/2). In addition to crystal structure determination by single crystal X-ray diffraction, the cocrystals were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR and FT Raman). Large single crystals of the non-centrosymmetric cocrystal 2-aminopyrimidine—boric acid (3/2) were grown to study the optical properties and determine the second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency (using 800 nm fundamental laser line) of powder samples.
Thermal Effect of Different Laying Modes on Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) Insulation and a New Estimation on Cable Ampacity
Authors: Zhu WenWei , Zhao YiFeng , Han ZhuoZhan , Wang XiangBing , Wang YanFeng , Liu Gang , Xie Yue , Zhu NingXi
Published: August 2019

This paper verifies the fluctuation on thermal parameters and ampacity of the high-voltage cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) cables with different insulation conditions and describes the results of a thermal aging experiment on the XLPE insulation with different operating years in different laying modes guided by Comsol Multiphysics modeling software. The thermal parameters of the cables applied on the models are detected by thermal parameter detection control platform and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurement to assure the effectivity of the simulation. Several diagnostic measurements including Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), DSC, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and breakdown field strength were conducted on the treated and untreated specimens in order to reveal the changes of properties and the relationship between the thermal effect and the cable ampacity. Moreover, a new estimation on cable ampacity from the perspective on XLPE insulation itself has been proposed in this paper, which is also a possible way to judge the insulation condition of the cable with specific aging degree in specific laying mode for a period of time.
Design of Magnetic Coupler for Wireless Power Transfer
Authors: Xu Heqi , Wang Chunfang , Xia Dongwei , Liu Yunrui
Published: August 2019

In order to improve the restraint ability of electromagnetic energy in space and improve the coupling efficiency, a magnetic coupler structure with composite magnetic shield is proposed. Firstly, the model is established by using the finite-element simulation software. Then, according to the limit of public exposure to time-varying electromagnetic fields pointed out in ICNIPR (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) guidelines, the characteristics and spatial magnetic field distribution of magnetic couplers with a single shielding structure, double shielding structure, and composite shielding structure are compared and analyzed. Finally, the experimental results show that the structure of magnetic couplers with a composite magnetic shield has a good effect in strengthening magnetic field concentration and reducing the electromagnetic interference of wireless charging systems to the external environment. It also has the advantages of smaller volume, lighter weight, and lower cost, and can effectively improve the transmission efficiency and enhance the stability of wireless charging systems.
A Game Theory-Based Approach for Vulnerability Analysis of a Cyber-Physical Power System
Authors: Chen Keren , Wen Fushuan , Tseng Chung-Li , Chen Minghui , Yang Zeng , Zhao Hongwei , Shang Huiyu
Published: August 2019

In a Cyber-Physical Power System (CPPS), the interaction between the power cyber system and the power physical system becomes more extensive and more in-depth. The failure of a cyber component could have an impact on the security and reliability of the power physical system. Existing publications have focused on the impacts of the power cyber network on the power physical network, while a general CPPS model considering the mutual impacts of these two networks is less studied. Given this background, a game-theoretic approach for a cyber-physical power system vulnerability analysis is proposed. First, a CPPS interactive model framework is structured, consisting of five types of elements: P-nodes, PP-links, C-nodes, CC-links and CP-links. The interactions among these elements are considered. On this basis, the system cascading failure under potential attacks is analyzed, followed with an optimal load curtailment operation when in an emergency. To further illustrate the system vulnerability, a bi-level optimization model under a game-theoretic framework is presented to describe the interactions between a CPPS attacker and a system defender. Optimal resource allocation by the system defender for maintaining system reliability can be obtained by solving the problem. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method are demonstrated by a revised version of the IEEE 14-bus power system.
An Optimal Energy Management System for Real-Time Operation of Multiagent-Based Microgrids Using a T-Cell Algorithm
Authors: Harmouch Fatima Zahra , Ebrahim Ahmed F. , Esfahani Mohammad Mahmoudian , Krami Nissrine , Hmina Nabil , Mohammed Osama A.
Published: August 2019

The real-time operation of the energy management system (RT-EMS) is one of the vital functions of Microgrids (MG). In this context, the reliability and smooth operation should be maintained in real time regardless of load and generation variations and without losing the optimum operation cost. This paper presents a design and implementation of a RT-EMS based on Multiagent system (MAS) and the fast converging T-Cell algorithm to minimize the MG operational cost and maximize the real-time response in grid-connected MG. The RT-EMS has the main function to ensure the energy dispatch between the distributed generation (DG) units that consist in this work on a wind generator, solar energy, energy storage units, controllable loads and the main grid. A modular multi-agent platform is proposed to implement the RT-EMS. The MAS has features such as peer-to-peer communication capability, a fault-tolerance structure, and high flexibility, which make it convenient for MG context. Each component of the MG has its own managing agent. While, the MG optimizer (MGO) is the agent responsible for running the optimization and ensuring the seamless operation of the MG in real time, the MG supervisor (MGS) is the agent that intercepts sudden high load variations and computes the new optimum operating point. In addition, the proposed RT-EMS develops an integration of the MAS platform with the Data Distribution Service (DDS) as a middleware to communicate with the physical units. In this work, the proposed algorithm minimizes the cost function of the MG as well as maximizes the use of renewable energy generation; Then, it assigns the power reference to each DG of the MG. The total time delay of the optimization and the communication between the EMS components were reduced. To verify the performance of our proposed system, an experimental validation in a MG testbed were conducted. Results show the reliability and the effectiveness of the proposed multiagent based RT-EMS. Various scenarios were tested such as normal operation as well as sudden load variation. The optimum values were obtained faster in terms of computation time as compared to existing techniques. The latency from the proposed system was 43% faster than other heuristic or deterministic methods in the literature. This significant improvement makes this proposed system more competitive for RT applications.
Model-Based Condition Monitoring of a Vanadium Redox Flow Battery
Authors: Meng Shujuan , Xiong Binyu , Lim Tuti Mariana
Published: August 2019

The safe, efficient and durable utilization of a vanadium redox flow battery (VRB) requires accurate monitoring of its state of charge (SOC) and capacity decay. This paper focuses on the unbiased model parameter identification and model-based monitoring of both the SOC and capacity decay of a VRB. Specifically, a first-order resistor-capacitance (RC) model was used to simulate the dynamics of the VRB. A recursive total least squares (RTLS) method was exploited to attenuate the impact of external disturbances and accurately track the change of model parameters in realtime. The RTLS-based identification method was further integrated with an H-infinity filter (HIF)-based state estimator to monitor the SOC and capacity decay of the VRB in real-time. Experiments were carried out to validate the proposed method. The results suggested that the proposed method can achieve unbiased model parameter identification when unexpected noises corrupt the current and voltage measurements. SOC and capacity decay can also be estimated accurately in real-time without requiring additional open-circuit cells.
Development of A Low-Alcoholic Fermented Beverage Employing Cashew Apple Juice and Non-Conventional Yeasts
Authors: Gamero Amparo , Ren Xiao , Lamboni Yendouban , de Jong Catrienus , Smid Eddy J. , Linnemann Anita R.
Published: August 2019

Cashew apples are by-products in the production of cashew nuts, which are mostly left to rot in the fields. Cashew apple juice (CAJ), a highly nutritious beverage, can be produced from them. It is rich in sugars and ascorbic acid, but its high polyphenol content makes it bitter and astringent, and therefore difficult to commercialize. The kingdom of fungi contains more than 2000 yeast species, of which only a few species have been studied in relation to their potential to produce aroma compounds. The aim of this research was to develop a new low-alcoholic fermented beverage to valorize cashew apples. For this purpose, a screening was carried out employing non-conventional yeast species and some species of the genus Saccharomyces for comparison, followed by a more detailed study with four selected strains cultured at different conditions. The production of volatile aroma compounds as a function of the presence of oxygen, temperature, and yeast species was investigated. The results showed that the more diverse aroma profiles appeared at 25 °C under anaerobic cultivation conditions, where Saccharomyces cerevisiae WUR 102 and Hanseniaspora guilliermondii CBS 2567 excelled in the synthesis of certain aroma compounds, such as β-phenylethanol and its acetate ester (rose aroma). Further studies are needed to test consumer acceptance of these new products.
Scheduling for Multi-User Multi-Input Multi-Output Wireless Networks with Priorities and Deadlines
Authors: Raviv Li-on , Leshem Amir
Published: August 2019

The spectral efficiency of wireless networks can be significantly improved by exploiting spatial multiplexing techniques known as multi-user MIMO. These techniques enable the allocation of multiple users to the same time-frequency block, thus reducing the interference between users. There is ample evidence that user groupings can have a significant impact on the performance of spatial multiplexing. The situation is even more complex when the data packets have priority and deadlines for delivery. Hence, combining packet queue management and beamforming would considerably enhance the overall system performance. In this paper, we propose a combination of beamforming and scheduling to improve the overall performance of multi-user MIMO systems in realistic conditions where data packets have both priority and deadlines beyond which they become obsolete. This method dubbed Reward Per Second (RPS), combines advanced matrix factorization at the physical layer with recently-developed queue management techniques. We demonstrate the merits of the this technique compared to other state-of-the-art scheduling methods through simulations.
Influence of Variety and Storage Time of Fresh Garlic on the Physicochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Black Garlic
Authors: Toledano Medina M. Ángeles , Pérez-Aparicio Jesús , Moreno-Ortega Alicia , Moreno-Rojas Rafael
Published: August 2019

Black garlic is made from the fresh kind, submitting it to a controlled temperature (~65 °C) and humidity (>85 °C) for a prolonged period of time. The aim of this study was to assess the differences in the process and in the final product as a result of employing three garlic varieties (Spanish Roja, Chinese Spring and California White), and to check the influence of the storage time on fresh garlic in the quality of the final product by using garlic obtained in two different agricultural seasons, that of the current year (2014) and of the previous one (2013). The results revealed some differences in the parameters analysed during the manufacturing of the black garlic from the three varieties used, and even according to the harvest in question. However, when comparing initial and final values of the samples, a very similar evolution in their acidity, reducing sugars, °Brix, pH, polyphenol content, and antioxidant capacity was noted.
Effect of Season and Factory on Cheese-Making Efficiency in Parmigiano Reggiano Manufacture
Authors: Franceschi Piero , Malacarne Massimo , Formaggioni Paolo , Cipolat-Gotet Claudio , Stocco Giorgia , Summer Andrea
Published: August 2019

The assessment of the efficiency of the cheese-making process (ECMP) is crucial for the profitability of cheese-factories. A simple way to estimate the ECMP is the measure of the estimated cheese-making losses (ECL), expressed by the ratio between the concentration of each constituent in the residual whey and in the processed milk. The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of the season and cheese factory on the efficiency of the cheese-making process in Parmigiano Reggiano cheese manufacture. The study followed the production of 288 Parmigiano Reggiano cheese on 12 batches in three commercial cheese factories. For each batch, samples of the processed milk and whey were collected. Protein, casein, and fat ECL resulted in an average of 27.01%, 0.72%, and 16.93%, respectively. Both milk crude protein and casein contents were negatively correlated with protein ECL, r = −0.141 (p ≤ 0.05), and r = −0.223 (p ≤ 0.001), respectively. The same parameters resulted in a negative correlation with casein ECL (p ≤ 0.001) (r = −0.227 and −0.212, respectively). Moreover, fat ECL was correlated with worse milk coagulation properties and negatively correlated with casein content (r = −0.120; p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, ECLs depend on both milk characteristics and season.
Analysis of Apple Candying by Microwave Spectroscopy
Authors: Tomas-Egea Juan  A. , Fito Pedro J. , Castro-Giraldez Marta
Published: August 2019

Process control in the industry requires fast, safe and easily applicable methods. In this sense, the use of dielectric spectroscopy in the microwave range can be a great opportunity to monitor processes in which the mobility and quantity of water is the main property to produce a quality and safety product. The candying of fruits is an operation in which the samples are first osmotically dehydrated and then exposed to a hot air-drying operation. This process produces changes in both the structure of the tissue and the relationships between water, the solid matrix and the added soluble solids. The aim of this paper is to develop a dielectric tool to predict the water/sucrose states throughout the candying of apple, by considering the complexity of the tissue and describing the different transport phenomena and the different transition processes of the sucrose inside the sample.
Ubuntu: Revisiting an Endangered African Philosophy in Quest of a Pan-Africanist Revolutionary Ideology
Authors: Fagunwa Temitope
Published: August 2019

In the final analysis, Kwame Nkrumah advanced that pan-Africanism must be about the unity of African masses under socialist governments. However, the concept of pan-Africanism in recent times has been misconstrued in the most treacherous manner. On one hand, the concept has been reduced to a “dansiki-wearing” competition by a layer of cultural nationalists; and on the other hand, it has been reduced to a “Black capitalism” bourgeois agenda. In spite of the apparent failures of capitalism, bourgeois economists like Nigeria’s Tony Elumelu, have been peddling a purported refined capitalist system under the ambiance of “Africapitalism”, as a stimulant for economic growth and development in Africa. Under the pretense of a “pan-African” agenda, bourgeois economists have been touting this neoliberal agenda across the continent and beyond, for self-serving purposes. The danger this portends is the detachment of pan-Africanism from its socialist agenda. Indeed, existing works on African personality have showed the nexus between a pre-colonial communal relationship and socialism. The Sotho epistemology, Ubuntu, is undoubtedly a product of this ancient communal relationship. Ubuntu expresses the humanistic tendencies that are fast going into extinction in today’s individualistic society. Ultimately, the withering of Ubuntu is not unconnected to the dominance of capitalism. The economic system through alienation has not just distorted the relationship among humans, but also between humans and nature. This study thus argues that Ubuntu as a value system is a material product of pre-feudal African society; and that because of this trajectory, Ubuntu must be reassessed as a potential social force for resistance that can pave the way for the emergence of a scientific socialist African society. Ubuntu is not scientific socialism and vice-versa, but the value system if properly understood can lay the foundation towards the birth of the former.
Gradual Distance Dispersal Shapes the Genetic Structure in an Alpine Grasshopper
Authors: Illera Juan Carlos , Arenas Miguel , López-Sánchez Carlos A. , Obeso José Ramón , Laiolo Paola
Published: August 2019

The location of the high mountains of southern Europe has been crucial in the phylogeography of most European species, but how extrinsic (topography of sky islands) and intrinsic features (dispersal dynamics) have interacted to shape the genetic structure in alpine restricted species is still poorly known. Here we investigated the mechanisms explaining the colonisation of Cantabrian sky islands in an endemic flightless grasshopper. We scrutinised the maternal genetic variability and haplotype structure, and we evaluated the fitting of two migration models to understand the extant genetic structure in these populations: Long-distance dispersal (LDD) and gradual distance dispersal (GDD). We found that GDD fits the real data better than the LDD model, with an onset of the expansion matching postglacial expansions after the retreat of the ice sheets. Our findings suggest a scenario with small carrying capacity, migration rates, and population growth rates, being compatible with a slow dispersal process. The gradual expansion process along the Cantabrian sky islands found here seems to be conditioned by the suitability of habitats and the presence of alpine corridors. Our findings shed light on our understanding about how organisms which have adapted to live in alpine habitats with limited dispersal abilities have faced new and suitable environmental conditions.
An Evolutionary Game Model for Industrial Pollution Management under Two Punishment Mechanisms
Authors: Wang Chuansheng , Shi Fulei
Published: August 2019

In recent years, with the rapid development of the economy, industrial pollution problems have become more and more serious. This paper constructs an evolutionary game model for industrial pollution between the local governments and enterprises to study the dynamic evolution path of a game system and the evolutionary stable strategy under two punishment mechanisms. The results show that, in a static punishment mechanism (SPM), the strategy between governments and enterprises is uncertain. Moreover, the evolutionary trajectory between governments and enterprises is uncertain. However, under the dynamic punishment mechanism (DPM), the evolution path between governments and enterprises tends to converge to a stable value. Thus, the DPM is more conducive than the SPM for industrial pollution control.
Effects of Parenting Styles on Self-Regulated Learning and Academic Stress in Spanish Adolescents
Authors: Fuentes María C. , García-Ros Rafael , Pérez-González Francisco , Sancerni Dolores
Published: August 2019

Research has repeatedly highlighted the important influence of parental socialization styles on children’s psychosocial adjustment. However, previous studies about their effects on school adjustment have traditionally addressed a limited set of indicators, such as academic achievement or self-concept, which should be broadened in order to increase our level of knowledge about this topic. Thus, the aim of the present study was to analyze the relationships between parenting styles and other relevant school adjustment criteria (self-regulated learning and academic stress) in adolescence. The study participants were 437 Spanish adolescents (44.7% men) from 12 to 18 years old (M = 14.55, SD = 1.80) who were enrolled in high school. A multivariate factorial design (parenting × sex × educational level) was used for each set of criteria. The results are consistent with previous research, showing that the indulgent style was related to better school adjustment during adolescence, evaluated through self-regulated learning and academic stress, thus increasing the available evidence about the influence of parenting styles in this setting. Additionally, this relationship remains invariant with regard to sex and the educational level of the participants in the study. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of parenting practices related to high acceptance/involvement for the adequate school adjustment of Spanish adolescents.
Transfer of Promotion Effects on Elderly Health with Age: From Physical Environment to Interpersonal Environment and Social Participation
Authors: Zheng Zhenhua , Chen Hong , Yang Liu
Published: August 2019

An important goal of building “age-friendly communities” is to help the elderly to access more opportunities for social participation and better health. However, little is known about the complex relationships between neighborhood environment, social participation, and elderly health. This study examined the mediating role of social participation in the area of neighborhood environment affecting elderly health and explored the discrepancy among different age groups in 43 neighborhoods of Shanghai. Both neighborhood environment and social participation had significant positive effects on elderly health in all the samples. Meanwhile, social participation served as a mediator of the relationship between interpersonal environment and elderly health. Furthermore, remarkably, health promotion effects transferred from the physical environment to interpersonal environment and social participation with age; the influence of physical environment on elderly health decreased with the increase of age, while the influence of interpersonal environment and social participation on the health of the elderly increased with the increase of age. This study found that physical environment, interpersonal environment, and social participation had different effects on elderly health of different ages. Different policies should be applied toward improving the interpersonal environment, optimizing of physical environment, and guiding the community activities.
GmFAD3A, A ω-3 Fatty Acid Desaturase Gene, Enhances Cold Tolerance and Seed Germination Rate under Low Temperature in Rice
Authors: Wang Xin , Yu Chao , Liu Yi , Yang Lu , Li Yang , Yao Wen , Cai Yicong , Yan Xin , Li Shaobo , Cai Yaohui , Li Shaoqing , Peng Xiaojue
Published: August 2019

Low temperature is an environmental stress factor that is always been applied in research on improving crop growth, productivity, and quality of crops. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play an important role in cold tolerance, so its genetic manipulation of the PUFA contents in crops has led to the modification of cold sensitivity. In this study, we over-expressed an ω-3 fatty acid desaturase from Glycine max (GmFAD3A) drove by a maize ubiquitin promoter in rice. Compared to the wild type (ZH11), ectopic expression of GmFAD3A increased the contents of lipids and total PUFAs. Seed germination rates in GmFAD3A transgenic rice were enhanced under low temperature (15 °C). Moreover, cold tolerance and survival ratio were significantly improved in GmFAD3A transgenic seedlings. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content in GmFAD3A transgenic rice was lower than that in WT under cold stress, while proline content obviously increased. Meanwhile, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), hydroperoxidase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) increased substantially in GmFAD3A transgenic rice after 4 h of cold treatment. Taken together, our results suggest that GmFAD3A can enhances cold tolerance and the seed germination rate at a low temperature in rice through the accumulation of proline content, the synergistic increase of the antioxidant enzymes activity, which finally ameliorated the oxidative damage.
Claudin-7 Modulates Cl− and Na+ Homeostasis and WNK4 Expression in Renal Collecting Duct Cells
Authors: Fan Junming , Tatum Rodney , Hoggard John , Chen Yan-Hua
Published: August 2019

Claudin-7 knockout (CLDN7−/−) mice display renal salt wasting and dehydration phenotypes. To address the role of CLDN7 in kidneys, we established collecting duct (CD) cell lines from CLDN7+/+ and CLDN7−/− mouse kidneys. We found that deletion of CLDN7 increased the transepithelial resistance (TER) and decreased the paracellular permeability for Cl− and Na+ in CLDN7−/− CD cells. Inhibition of transcellular Cl− and Na+ channels has no significant effect on TER or dilution potentials. Current-voltage curves were linear in both CLDN7+/+ and CLDN7−/− CD cells, indicating that the ion flux was through the paracellular pathway. The impairment of Cl− and Na+ permeability phenotype can be rescued by CLDN7 re-expression. We also found that WNK4 (its mutations lead to hypertension) expression, but not WNK1, was significantly increased in CLDN7−/− CD cell lines as well as in primary CLDN7−/− CD cells, suggesting that the expression of WNK4 was modulated by CLDN7. In addition, deletion of CLDN7 upregulated the expression level of the apical epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), indicating a potential cross-talk between paracellular and transcellular transport systems. This study demonstrates that CLDN7 plays an important role in salt balance in renal CD cells and modulating WNK4 and ENaC expression levels that are vital in controlling salt-sensitive hypertension.
Periodontal Disease in Patients Receiving Dialysis
Authors: Miyata Yasuyoshi , Obata Yoko , Mochizuki Yasushi , Kitamura Mineaki , Mitsunari Kensuke , Matsuo Tomohiro , Ohba Kojiro , Mukae Hiroshi , Nishino Tomoya , Yoshimura Atsutoshi , Sakai Hideki
Published: August 2019

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by kidney damage with proteinuria, hematuria, and progressive loss of kidney function. The final stage of CKD is known as end-stage renal disease, which usually indicates that approximately 90% of normal renal function is lost, and necessitates renal replacement therapy for survival. The most widespread renal replacement therapy is dialysis, which includes peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD). However, despite the development of novel medical instruments and agents, both dialysis procedures have complications and disadvantages, such as cardiovascular disease due to excessive blood fluid and infections caused by impaired immunity. Periodontal disease is chronic inflammation induced by various pathogens and its frequency and severity in patients undergoing dialysis are higher compared to those in healthy individuals. Therefore, several investigators have paid special attention to the impact of periodontal disease on inflammation-, nutrient-, and bone metabolism-related markers; the immune system; and complications in patients undergoing dialysis. Furthermore, the influence of diabetes on the prevalence and severity of manifestations of periodontal disease, and the properties of saliva in HD patients with periodontitis have been reported. Conversely, there are few reviews discussing periodontal disease in patients with dialysis. In this review, we discuss the available studies and review the pathological roles and clinical significance of periodontal disease in patients receiving PD or HD. In addition, this review underlines the importance of oral health and adequate periodontal treatment to maintain quality of life and prolong survival in these patients.
A 6&1-FEH Encodes an Enzyme for Fructan Degradation and Interact with Invertase Inhibitor Protein in Maize (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Zhao Hongbo , Greiner Steffen , Scheffzek Klaus , Rausch Thomas , Wang Guoping
Published: August 2019

About 15% of higher plants have acquired the ability to convert sucrose into fructans. Fructan degradation is catalyzed by fructan exohydrolases (FEHs), which are structurally related to cell wall invertases (CWI). However, the biological function(s) of FEH enzymes in non-fructan species have remained largely enigmatic. In the present study, one maize CWI-related enzyme named Zm-6&1-FEH1, displaying FEH activity, was explored with respect to its substrate specificities, its expression during plant development, and its possible interaction with CWI inhibitor protein. Following heterologous expression in Pichia pastoris and in N. benthamiana leaves, recombinant Zm-6&1-FEH1 revealed substrate specificities of levan and inulin, and also displayed partially invertase activity. Expression of Zm-6&1-FEH1 as monitored by qPCR was strongly dependent on plant development and was further modulated by abiotic stress. To explore whether maize FEH can interact with invertase inhibitor protein, Zm-6&1-FEH1 and maize invertase inhibitor Zm-INVINH1 were co-expressed in N. benthamiana leaves. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) analysis and in vitro enzyme inhibition assays indicated productive complex formation. In summary, the results provide support to the hypothesis that in non-fructan species FEH enzymes may modulate the regulation of CWIs.
Three-Dimensionally-Printed Polyether-Ether-Ketone Implant with a Cross-Linked Structure and Acid-Etched Microporous Surface Promotes Integration with Soft Tissue
Authors: Feng Xiaoke , Yu Hao , Liu Huan , Yu Xiaonan , Feng Zhihong , Bai Shizhu , Zhao Yimin
Published: August 2019

Polyether-ether-ketone (peek) is one of the most common materials used for load-bearing orthopedic devices owing to its radiolucency and favorable mechanical properties. However, current smooth-surfaced peek implants can lead to fibrous capsule formation. To overcome this issue, here, peek specimens with well-defined internal cross-linked structures (macropore diameters of 1.0–2.0 mm) were fabricated using a three-dimensional (3D) printer, and an acid-etched microporous surface was achieved using injection-molding technology. The cell adhesion properties of smooth and microporous peek specimens was compared in vitro through a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the soft tissue responses to the both microporous and cross-linked structure of different groups were determined in vivo using a New Zealand white rabbit model, and examined through histologic staining and separating test. The results showed that the acid-etched microporous surface promoted human skin fibroblasts (HSF) adherence, while internal cross-linked structure improved the ability of the peek specimen to form a mechanical combination with soft tissue, especially with the 1.5 mm porous specimen. The peek specimens with both the internal cross-linked structure and external acid-etched microporous surface could effectively promote the close integration of soft tissue and prevent formation of fibrous capsules, demonstrating the potential for clinical application in surgical repair.
Progesterone and Estrogen Signaling in the Endometrium: What Goes Wrong in Endometriosis?
Authors: Marquardt Ryan M. , Kim Tae Hoon , Shin Jung-Ho , Jeong Jae-Wook
Published: August 2019

In the healthy endometrium, progesterone and estrogen signaling coordinate in a tightly regulated, dynamic interplay to drive a normal menstrual cycle and promote an embryo-receptive state to allow implantation during the window of receptivity. It is well-established that progesterone and estrogen act primarily through their cognate receptors to set off cascades of signaling pathways and enact large-scale gene expression programs. In endometriosis, when endometrial tissue grows outside the uterine cavity, progesterone and estrogen signaling are disrupted, commonly resulting in progesterone resistance and estrogen dominance. This hormone imbalance leads to heightened inflammation and may also increase the pelvic pain of the disease and decrease endometrial receptivity to embryo implantation. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms governing progesterone and estrogen signaling supporting endometrial function and how they become dysregulated in endometriosis. Understanding how these mechanisms contribute to the pelvic pain and infertility associated with endometriosis will open new avenues of targeted medical therapies to give relief to the millions of women suffering its effects.
Hurdles to Cardioprotection in the Critically Ill
Authors: See Hoe Louise E , Bartnikowski Nicole , Wells Matthew A , Suen Jacky Y , Fraser John F
Published: August 2019

Cardiovascular disease is the largest contributor to worldwide mortality, and the deleterious impact of heart failure (HF) is projected to grow exponentially in the future. As heart transplantation (HTx) is the only effective treatment for end-stage HF, development of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) technology has unveiled additional therapeutic options for refractory cardiac disease. Unfortunately, despite both MCS and HTx being quintessential treatments for significant cardiac impairment, associated morbidity and mortality remain high. MCS technology continues to evolve, but is associated with numerous disturbances to cardiac function (e.g., oxidative damage, arrhythmias). Following MCS intervention, HTx is frequently the destination option for survival of critically ill cardiac patients. While effective, donor hearts are scarce, thus limiting HTx to few qualifying patients, and HTx remains correlated with substantial post-HTx complications. While MCS and HTx are vital to survival of critically ill cardiac patients, cardioprotective strategies to improve outcomes from these treatments are highly desirable. Accordingly, this review summarizes the current status of MCS and HTx in the clinic, and the associated cardiac complications inherent to these treatments. Furthermore, we detail current research being undertaken to improve cardiac outcomes following MCS/HTx, and important considerations for reducing the significant morbidity and mortality associated with these necessary treatment strategies.
Current Strategies to Enhance Adipose Stem Cell Function: An Update
Authors: Seo Yoojin , Shin Tae-Hoon , Kim Hyung-Sik
Published: August 2019

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) emerged as a promising therapeutic tool targeting a variety of inflammatory disorders due to their multiple remarkable properties, such as superior immunomodulatory function and tissue-regenerative capacity. Although bone marrow (BM) is a dominant source for adult MSCs, increasing evidence suggests that adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs), which can be easily obtained at a relatively high yield, have potent therapeutic advantages comparable with BM-MSCs. Despite its outstanding benefits in pre-clinical settings, the practical efficacy of ASCs remains controversial since clinical trials with ASC application often resulted in unsatisfactory outcomes. To overcome this challenge, scientists established several strategies to generate highly functional ASCs beyond the naïve cells, including (1) pre-conditioning of ASCs with various stimulants such as inflammatory agents, (2) genetic manipulation of ASCs and (3) modification of culture conditions with three-dimensional (3D) aggregate formation and hypoxic culture. Also, exosomes and other extracellular vesicles secreted from ASCs can be applied directly to recapitulate the beneficial performance of ASCs. This review summarizes the current strategies to improve the therapeutic features of ASCs for successful clinical implementation.
A Narrative Role of Vitamin D and Its Receptor: With Current Evidence on the Gastric Tissues
Authors: Sirajudeen Shaima , Shah Iltaf , Al Menhali Asma
Published: August 2019

Vitamin D is a major steroid hormone that is gaining attention as a therapeutic molecule. Due to the general awareness of its importance for the overall well-being, vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is now recognized as a major health issue. The main reason for VDD is minimal exposure to sunlight. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a member of the steroid hormone receptors that induces a cascade of cell signaling to maintain healthy Ca2+ levels that serve to regulate several biological functions. However, the roles of vitamin D and its metabolism in maintaining gastric homeostasis have not yet been completely elucidated. Currently, there is a need to increase the vitamin D status in individuals worldwide as it has been shown to improve musculoskeletal health and reduce the risk of chronic illnesses, including some cancers, autoimmune and infectious diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, neurocognitive disorders, and general mortality. The role of vitamin D in gastric homeostasis is crucial and unexplored. This review attempts to elucidate the central role of vitamin D in preserving and maintaining the overall health and homeostasis of the stomach tissue.
Experimenting Mobile and e-Health Services with Frail MCI Older People
Authors: Delmastro Franca , Dolciotti Cristina , La Rosa Davide , Di Martino Flavio , Magrini Massimo , Coscetti Simone , Palumbo Filippo
Published: August 2019

The ageing population has become an increasing phenomenon world-wide, leading to a growing need for specialised help. Improving the quality of life of older people can lower the risk of depression and social isolation, but it requires a multi-dimensional approach through continuous monitoring and training of the main health domains (e.g., cognitive, motor, nutritional and behavioural). To this end, the use of mobile and e-health services tailored to the user’s needs can help stabilise their health conditions, in terms of physical, mental, and social capabilities. In this context, the INTESA project proposes a set of personalised monitoring and rehabilitation services for older people, based on mobile and wearable technologies ready to be used either at home or in residential long-term care facilities. We evaluated the proposed solution by deploying a suite of services in a nursing home and defining customised protocols to involve both guests (primary users) and nursing care personnel (secondary users). In this paper, we present the extended results obtained after the one-year period of experimentation in terms of technical reliability of the system, Quality of Experience, and user acceptance for both the user categories.
Reconstruction of Governing Equations from Vibration Measurements for Geometrically Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Didonna Marco , Stender Merten , Papangelo Antonio , Fontanela Filipe , Ciavarella Michele , Hoffmann Norbert
Published: August 2019

Data-driven system identification procedures have recently enabled the reconstruction of governing differential equations from vibration signal recordings. In this contribution, the sparse identification of nonlinear dynamics is applied to structural dynamics of a geometrically nonlinear system. First, the methodology is validated against the forced Duffing oscillator to evaluate its robustness against noise and limited data. Then, differential equations governing the dynamics of two weakly coupled cantilever beams with base excitation are reconstructed from experimental data. Results indicate the appealing abilities of data-driven system identification: underlying equations are successfully reconstructed and (non-)linear dynamic terms are identified for two experimental setups which are comprised of a quasi-linear system and a system with impacts to replicate a piecewise hardening behavior, as commonly observed in contacts.
Adhesive Cements That Bond Soft Tissue Ex Vivo
Authors: Li Xiuwen , Pujari-Palmer Michael , Wenner David , Procter Philip , Insley Gerard , Engqvist Håkan
Published: August 2019

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the soft tissue bond strength of a newly developed, monomeric, biomimetic, tissue adhesive called phosphoserine modified cement (PMC). Two types of PMCs were evaluated using lap shear strength (LSS) testing, on porcine skin: a calcium metasilicate (CS1), and alpha tricalcium phosphate (αTCP) PMC. CS1 PCM bonded strongly to skin, reaching a peak LSS of 84, 132, and 154 KPa after curing for 0.5, 1.5, and 4 h, respectively. Cyanoacrylate and fibrin glues reached an LSS of 207 kPa and 33 kPa, respectively. αTCP PMCs reached a final LSS of ≈110 kPa. In soft tissues, stronger bond strengths were obtained with αTCP PMCs containing large amounts of amino acid (70–90 mol%), in contrast to prior studies in calcified tissues (30–50 mol%). When αTCP particle size was reduced by wet milling, and for CS1 PMCs, the strongest bonding was obtained with mole ratios of 30–50% phosphoserine. While PM-CPCs behave like stiff ceramics after setting, they bond to soft tissues, and warrant further investigation as tissue adhesives, particularly at the interface between hard and soft tissues.
A Unified Convergence Analysis for Some Two-Point Type Methods for Nonsmooth Operators
Authors: Amat Sergio , Argyros Ioannis , Busquier Sonia , Hernández-Verón Miguel Ángel , Rubio María Jesús
Published: August 2019

The aim of this paper is the approximation of nonlinear equations using iterative methods. We present a unified convergence analysis for some two-point type methods. This way we compare specializations of our method using not necessarily the same convergence criteria. We consider both semilocal and local analysis. In the first one, the hypotheses are imposed on the initial guess and in the second on the solution. The results can be applied for smooth and nonsmooth operators.
Geometric Characterizations of Canal Surfaces in Minkowski 3-Space

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Authors: Qian Jinhua , Su Mengfei , Fu Xueshan , Jung Seoung Dal
Published: August 2019

Canal surfaces are defined and divided into nine types in Minkowski 3-space E 1 3 , which are obtained as the envelope of a family of pseudospheres S 1 2 , pseudohyperbolic spheres H 0 2 , or lightlike cones Q 2 , whose centers lie on a space curve (resp. spacelike curve, timelike curve, or null curve). This paper focuses on canal surfaces foliated by pseudohyperbolic spheres H 0 2 along three kinds of space curves in E 1 3 . The geometric properties of such surfaces are presented by classifying the linear Weingarten canal surfaces, especially the relationship between the Gaussian curvature and the mean curvature of canal surfaces. Last but not least, two examples are shown to illustrate the construction of such surfaces.
The Web-Based Randomized Controlled Intervention as the Enhancer of Cancer Prevention
Authors: Gajda Maksymilian , Kowalska Małgorzata
Published: August 2019

Background and Objectives: Cancer is an unresolved public health issue in society. With the advent of the internet and the development in the technological sector, access to basic health-related information has become more frequent among patients and healthy individuals. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of educational intervention on the participant’s willingness to undergo selected medical procedures in case of suspected cancer. Materials and Methods: From 14 May 2015 to 13 November 2016, a total of 1118 who visited the Polish scientific website were enrolled in the ‘Polish Online Randomized Intervention aimed at Neoplasm Avoidance’ (PORINA) and randomized into two groups (educational and control). The original Cancer Knowledge Index (CKI) was used for the evaluation of participants’ cancer-related knowledge. They were asked to declare whether they would consent to undergo selected medical procedures necessary for cancer diagnosis or treatment. Results: Most participants declared their readiness to undergo abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography, and a nevi excision. The most noticeable changes were found for potential consent to undergo breast fine needle aspiration, mammography and gastroscopy. Conclusions: The level of oncological knowledge has an impact on individual decision to consent to particular medical procedures. Conducted educational intervention has significantly increased the readiness to undergo selected medical procedures.