bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Game-Theoretic Analysis for Distributed Honeypots
Authors: Li Yang , Shi Leyi , Feng Haijie
Published: March 2019

A honeypot is a decoy tool for luring an attacker and interacting with it, further consuming its resources. Due to its fake property, a honeypot can be recognized by the adversary and loses its value. Honeypots equipped with dynamic characteristics are capable of deceiving intruders. However, most of their dynamic properties are reflected in the system configuration, rather than the location. Dynamic honeypots are faced with the risk of being identified and avoided. In this paper, we focus on the dynamic locations of honeypots and propose a distributed honeypot scheme. By periodically changing the services, the attacker cannot distinguish the real services from honeypots, and the illegal attack flow can be recognized. We adopt game theory to illustrate the effectiveness of our system. Gambit simulations are conducted to validate our proposed scheme. The game-theoretic reasoning shows that our system comprises an innovative system defense. Further simulation results prove that the proposed scheme improves the server’s payoff and that the attacker tends to abandon launching attacks. Therefore, the proposed distributed honeypot scheme is effective for network security.
Correction: Mouza, A.A. et al. A Simplified Model for Predicting Friction Factors of Laminar Blood Flow in Small-Caliber Vessels. Fluids, 2018, 3, 75
Authors: Mouza Aikaterini A. , Skordia Olga D. , Tzouganatos Ioannis D. , Paras Spiros V.
Published: March 2019

In the published paper [...]
Characterising the Long-Term Variability of Blazars in Leptonic Models
Authors: Thiersen Hannes , Zacharias Michael , Böttcher Markus
Published: March 2019

Most research on blazar variability focuses on individual flares to explain acceleration and radiation mechanisms and improve on current models. These short-time events (being minutes, hours, or days) might not be representative of the underlying mechanisms causing small-amplitude variability and/or continuous emission which is present most of the time. We will therefore investigate long-term (months to years) variability of blazar emission in the framework of current leptonic blazar models. For this purpose, we introduce generated time-dependent parameter variations which are based on typical Power Spectral Densities (PSDs) associated with the variability of accretion flows. The PSDs from the resulting light curves are analyzed and compared to one another, as well as the PSD of the input variation. Correlations between light curves are also investigated to aid identification of characteristic variation patterns associated with leptonic models.
Acute Effects of Air Pollution and Noise from Road Traffic in a Panel of Young Healthy Adults
Authors: Moshammer Hanns , Panholzer Julian , Ulbing Lisa , Udvarhelyi Emanuel , Ebenbauer Barbara , Peter Stefanie
Published: March 2019

Panel studies are an efficient means to assess short-term effects of air pollution and other time-varying environmental exposures. Repeated examinations of volunteers allow for an in-depth analysis of physiological responses supporting the biological interpretation of environmental impacts. Twenty-four healthy students walked for 1 h at a minimum of four separate occasions under each of the following four settings: along a busy road, along a busy road wearing ear plugs, in a park, and in a park but exposed to traffic noise (65 dB) through headphones. Particle mass (PM2.5, PM1), particle number, and noise levels were measured throughout each walk. Lung function and exhaled nitrogen oxide (NO) were measured before, immediately after, 1 h after, and approximately 24 h after each walk. Blood pressure and heart rate variability were measured every 15 min during each walk. Recorded air pollution levels were found to correlate with reduced lung function. The effects were clearly significant for end-expiratory flows and remained visible up to 24 h after exposure. While immediate increases in airway resistance could be interpreted as protective (muscular) responses to particulate air pollution, the persisting effects indicate an induced inflammatory reaction. Noise levels reduced systolic blood pressure and heart rate variability. Maybe due to the small sample size, no effects were visible per specific setting (road vs. park).
The Synergistic Effects of Organizational Justice and Trust to Supervisor on Vagal Tone: Preliminary Findings of an Empirical Investigation
Authors: Herr Raphael M. , Li Jian , Angerer Peter
Published: March 2019

The influence of perceived unfairness at the workplace (organizational injustice) on employee health is well established. Several theories explain the unpleasant and stressful nature of the experience of injustice, using trust as a central element. This study examines the effect of trust to supervisor on the association of perceived injustice with vagal tone—an objective marker for stress experience. Questionnaires assessed organizational justice and trust. Vagal tone was measured by indictors of heart rate variability (HRV), which captured parasympathetic (pNN50, RMSSD, and HF) and parasympathetic and sympathetic (SDNN, and LF) regulation. Synergistic effects were tested by linear regressions with interaction terms between organizational justice and trust to supervisor in 38 managers. Organizational justice was related to HRV indicators that reflect in particular the parasympathetic branch (βpNN50 = 0.32, p < 0.05; βRMSSD = 0.27, p < 0.1), and interaction effects with trust to supervisor were also most pronounced there (interaction βpNN50 = −0.41, p < 0.01; βRMSSD = −0.47, p < 0.01). In conclusion, the combination of low perceived justice and trust to supervisor appears substantial to the physiological stress threat of employees. Promoting fairness at the workplace might reduce stress; if not possible, trust to supervisor should be enhanced.
Risk Assessment for Musculoskeletal Disorders in Forestry: A Comparison between RULA and REBA in the Manual Feeding of a Wood-Chipper
Authors: Micheletti Cremasco Margherita , Giustetto Ambra , Caffaro Federica , Colantoni Andrea , Cavallo Eugenio , Grigolato Stefano
Published: March 2019

The analysis of the postural attitude of workers during the interaction with workstation’s elements and working environment is essential in the evaluation and prevention of biomechanical overload risk in workplaces. RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) and REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) are the two easiest methods for postural risk assessment in the workplace. Few studies investigated postural risk in forestry sector with regard to human–machine interaction, in particular manually fed wood-chippers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the postures assumed by an operator during the manual feeding of a wood-chipper, and to compare RULA and REBA, in order to identify the more effective and appropriate method for the assessment of the risk of biomechanical postural overload. The results pointed out several postural issues of the upper limbs, and showed that RULA is a more precautionary method to protect operator’s health during the targeted tasks. Implications to improve the human–wood-chipper interaction are discussed.
Real Foliage Plants as Visual Stimuli to Improve Concentration and Attention in Elementary Students
Authors: Oh Yun-Ah , Kim Seon-Ok , Park Sin-Ae
Published: March 2019

This study was conducted to determine the physiological and psychological benefits of foliage plants as visual stimuli. Twenty-three elementary students (aged 11 to 13 years old) participated in this study. In a crossover design, electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure and determine the psycho-physiological effects of four different visual stimuli: an actual plant, artificial plant, photograph of a plant, and no plant. Subjective evaluations of emotions were assessed using the profile of mood state and semantic differential methods immediately after exposure to each visual stimulus. A significant decrease in theta waves of the frontal lobe was associated with presentation of the actual plants. This response indicated that the viewing of living plants prompted improvements in the attention and concentration of the elementary students. Furthermore, the presentation of the living plants was associated with more positive mood states, such as feelings of comfort and naturalness. In conclusion, actual plants may improve attention and prompt psychological relaxation in elementary students relative to artificial plants, photographs of plants, or the absence of plants.
NoiseModelling: An Open Source GIS Based Tool to Produce Environmental Noise Maps
Authors: Bocher Erwan , Guillaume Gwenaël , Picaut Judicaël , Petit Gwendall , Fortin Nicolas
Published: March 2019

The urbanisation phenomenon and related cities expansion and transport networks entail preventing the increase of population exposed to environmental pollution. Regarding noise exposure, the Environmental Noise Directive demands on main metropolis to produce noise maps. While based on standard methods, these latter are usually generated by proprietary software and require numerous input data concerning, for example, the buildings, land use, transportation network and traffic. The present work describes an open source implementation of a noise mapping tool fully implemented in a Geographic Information System compliant with the Open Geospatial Consortium standards. This integration makes easier at once the formatting and harvesting of noise model input data, cartographic rendering and output data linkage with population data. An application is given for a French city, which consists in estimating the impact of road traffic-related scenarios in terms of population exposure to noise levels in relation to both a threshold value and level classes.
Growth Factor Screening in Dystrophic Muscles Reveals PDGFB/PDGFRB-Mediated Migration of Interstitial Stem Cells
Authors: Camps Jordi , Grosemans Hanne , Gijsbers Rik , Maes Christa , Sampaolesi Maurilio
Published: March 2019

Progressive muscle degeneration followed by dilated cardiomyopathy is a hallmark of muscular dystrophy. Stem cell therapy is suggested to replace diseased myofibers by healthy myofibers, although so far, we are faced by low efficiencies of migration and engraftment of stem cells. Chemokines are signalling proteins guiding cell migration and have been shown to tightly regulate muscle tissue repair. We sought to determine which chemokines are expressed in dystrophic muscles undergoing tissue remodelling. Therefore, we analysed the expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors in skeletal and cardiac muscles from Sarcoglycan-α null, Sarcoglycan-β null and immunodeficient Sgcβ-null mice. We found that several chemokines are dysregulated in dystrophic muscles. We further show that one of these, platelet-derived growth factor-B, promotes interstitial stem cell migration. This finding provides perspective to an approachable mechanism for improving stem cell homing towards dystrophic muscles.
Nutrition and Wound Healing: An Overview Focusing on the Beneficial Effects of Curcumin
Authors: Barchitta Martina , Maugeri Andrea , Favara Giuliana , Magnano San Lio Roberta , Evola Giuseppe , Agodi Antonella , Basile Guido
Published: March 2019

Wound healing implicates several biological and molecular events, such as coagulation, inflammation, migration-proliferation, and remodeling. Here, we provide an overview of the effects of malnutrition and specific nutrients on this process, focusing on the beneficial effects of curcumin. We have summarized that protein loss may negatively affect the whole immune process, while adequate intake of carbohydrates is necessary for fibroblast migration during the proliferative phase. Beyond micronutrients, arginine and glutamine, vitamin A, B, C, and D, zinc, and iron are essential for inflammatory process and synthesis of collagen. Notably, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of curcumin might reduce the expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) and restore the imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant activity. Since curcumin induces apoptosis of inflammatory cells during the early phase of wound healing, it could also accelerate the healing process by shortening the inflammatory phase. Moreover, curcumin might facilitate collagen synthesis, fibroblasts migration, and differentiation. Although curcumin could be considered as a wound healing agent, especially if topically administered, further research in wound patients is recommended to achieve appropriate nutritional approaches for wound management.
Evolutionary Toxicogenomics of the Striped Killifish (Fundulus majalis) in the New Bedford Harbor (Massachusetts, USA)
Authors: Ruggeri Paolo , Du Xiao , Crawford Douglas L. , Oleksiak Marjorie F.
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we used a Genotyping-by-Sequencing (GBS) approach to find and genotype more than 4000 genome-wide SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) from striped killifish exposed to a variety of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other aromatic pollutants in New Bedford Harbor (NBH, Massachusetts, USA). The aims of this study were to identify the genetic consequences of exposure to aquatic pollutants and detect genes that may be under selection. Low genetic diversity (HE and π) was found in the site exposed to the highest pollution level, but the pattern of genetic diversity did not match the pollution levels. Extensive connectivity was detected among sampling sites, which suggests that balanced gene flow may explain the lack of genetic variation in response to pollution levels. Tests for selection identified 539 candidate outliers, but many of the candidate outliers were not shared among tests. Differences among test results likely reflect different test assumptions and the complex pollutant mixture. Potentially, selectively important loci are associated with 151 SNPs, and enrichment analysis suggests a likely involvement of these genes with pollutants that occur in NBH. This result suggests that selective processes at genes targeted by pollutants may be occurring, even at a small geographical scale, and may allow the local striped killifish to resist the high pollution levels.
Insecticide Exposure Triggers a Modulated Expression of ABC Transporter Genes in Larvae of Anopheles gambiae s.s.
Authors: Mastrantonio Valentina , Ferrari Marco , Negri Agata , Sturmo Tommaso , Favia Guido , Porretta Daniele , Epis Sara , Urbanelli Sandra
Published: March 2019

Insecticides remain a main tool for the control of arthropod vectors. The urgency to prevent the insurgence of insecticide resistance and the perspective to find new target sites, for the development of novel molecules, are fuelling the study of the molecular mechanisms involved in insect defence against xenobiotic compounds. In this study, we have investigated if ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, a major component of the defensome machinery, are involved in defence against the insecticide permethrin, in susceptible larvae of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto. Bioassays were performed with permethrin alone, or in combination with an ABC transporter inhibitor. Then we have investigated the expression profiles of five ABC transporter genes at different time points following permethrin exposure, to assess their expression patterns across time. The inhibition of ABC transporters increased the larval mortality by about 15-fold. Likewise, three genes were up-regulated after exposure to permethrin, showing different patterns of expression across the 48 h. Our results provide the first evidences of ABC transporters involvement in defence against a toxic in larvae of An. gambiae s.s. and show that the gene expression response is modulated across time, being continuous, but stronger at the earliest and latest times after exposure.
Simple, Immediate and Calibration-Free Cyclotron Proton Beam Energy Determination Using Commercial Targets
Authors: do Carmo Sergio J.C. , de Oliveira Pedro M. , Alves Francisco
Published: March 2019

This work presents a simple method for determining the energy of the proton beam in biomedical cyclotrons, using no additional experimental set-up and only materials from radioisotope routine productions that are therefore available on-site. The developed method requires neither absolute efficiency calibration nor beam current measurements, thus avoiding two major sources of uncertainty. Two stacks composed of natural titanium thin foils, separated by an energy degrader of niobium, were mounted in a commercial target and irradiated. The resulting activities of 48V were assessed by a HPGe spectrometer.
Properties of Ambient-Cured Normal and Heavyweight Geopolymer Concrete Exposed to High Temperatures
Authors: Aslani Farhad , Asif Zohaib
Published: March 2019

Ambient-cured heavyweight geopolymer concrete (HWGC) is a new type of concrete that combines the benefits of both heavyweight concrete (HWC) and geopolymer concrete (GC). HWGC provides proper protection from the sources that emit harmful radiations in medical and nuclear industries. Furthermore, HWGC may also be used in offshore structures for pipeline ballasting and similar underwater structures. In this study, heavyweight aggregates (magnetite) have been used and replaced by normal-weight coarse aggregates in GC at volume ratios of 50, 75, and 100% to attain heavyweight classification according to British standards. This study investigates the impacts of high temperatures on standard ambient-cured geopolymer concrete and ambient-cured HWGC through its residual properties regarding compressive and tensile strengths, mass loss, spalling intensity, and flexural strength. The residual properties were examined by heating 100 × 200 mm cylinder specimens to 100, 300, 600, and 900 °C. The results indicated that the maximum compressive strengths of 40.1 and 39.0 MPa were achieved by HWGC at 300 and 100 °C, respectively. The overall result shows that the strength of HWGC increases by increasing magnetite aggregate proportion, while the mass loss, intensity of spalling, and loss of strengths is proportional to temperature after a certain point. Minor spalling with holes and cracking was observed only at 900 °C in HWGC.
Inhibition of Grain Growth by a Ce-rich Precipitate During the Annealing of Spray-Casted Magnesium Alloy
Authors: Liu Liang , Yu Huan , Yang Wei , Wang Zhitai
Published: March 2019

The grain refinement and thermal stability behavior of a spray-casted AZ91D magnesium alloy were investigated with the addition of 0.75 wt% Ce. The results showed that the adoption of non-equilibrium solidification leads to remarkable grain refinement and the formation of a supersaturated solid solution, which suppresses the needle-like Al11Ce3 phase with a low cooling rate. After annealing at 420 °C, the grain morphology of rapidly solidified AZ91D+0.75Ce alloy changed from a granular to polygonal shape. Moreover, Mg12Ce particles precipitated and distributed homogeneously, which played an important role in grain boundary pinning at an elevated temperature. Consequently, the grain growth occurring during the isothermal annealing stage could be suppressed and the resultant grain size varied slightly, as did for the time, which increased from 2 h to 8 h.
The Influence of Clamping Pressure on Joint Formation and Mechanical Performance of Ti6Al4V/CF-PEEK Friction-Riveted Joints
Authors: Borba Natascha Z. , dos Santos Jorge F. , Amancio-Filho Sergio T.
Published: March 2019

This work aims at investigating the influence of pre-set clamping pressure on the joint formation and mechanical strength of overlapping direct-friction-riveted joints. A pneumatic fixture device was developed for this work, with clamping pressure varying from 0.2 MPa to 0.6 MPa. A case study on overlapping joints using Ti6Al4V rivets and woven carbon fiber-reinforced polyether-ether-ketone (CF-PEEK) parts were produced. Digital image correlation and microscopy revealed the expected compressive behavior of the clamping system and the continuous pressure release upon the joining process owing to the rivet plastic deformation and the polymer squeezing flow. Two preferential paths of material flow were identified through the alternate replacement of the upper and lower composite parts by a poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) plate—the composite upward and squeezing flow between the parts which induced their separation. The ultimate lap shear forces up to 6580 ± 383 N were achieved for the direct-friction-riveted CF-PEEK overlap joints. The formation of a gap to accommodate squeezed polymer between the composite parts during the process had no influence on the joint mechanical performance. The increase in the clamping pressure for joints produced with a low friction force did not affect the joint-anchoring efficiency and consequently the joint strength. On the other hand, the combined effect of a high-friction force and clamping pressure induced the inverted bell shape of the plastically deformed rivet tip, a lower anchoring efficiency, and the delamination of the composite, all of which decrease the mechanical strength by 31%. Therefore, the higher the friction force and clamping pressure, the more defects would be generated in the composite parts and the more changes in the shape of the plastically deformed rivet tip, leading to a lower level of quasi-static mechanical performance. All the joints failed by initial bearing of the composite and final rivet pull-out. The findings of this work can contribute to further improvement of the clamping design for industrial application.
Dynamic Thermomechanical Analysis on Water Tree Resistance of Crosslinked Polyethylene
Authors: Sun Kun , Chen Junqi , Zhao Hong , Sun Weifeng , Chen Yinsheng , Luo Zhongming
Published: March 2019

The water tree resistance of crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) initiated by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation technique is investigated through a water blade electrode method, and the effects of the mechanism of UV irradiation crosslinking on inhibiting water tree growth are revealed with dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMA). The accelerated water tree aging experiment shows that UV irradiation crosslinking inhibits the growth rate of water trees, and the water tree length and width is reduced with the increase of the crosslinking degree of XLPE. The DMA result demonstrates that the molecular activity of the amorphous phase in XLPE as represented by polyethylene β-relaxation is gradually intensified with the increase of the crosslinking reaction. Combined with the fatigue mechanism of water tree growth in semi-crystalline polymers, it is suggested that the UV irradiation crosslinking reaction can significantly improve the anti-water-tree performance of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). The crosslinking bond in the amorphous phase of UV-photoinitiated crosslinking polyethylene can produce a large number of cross-connected polymer chains, by which the length of fiber is obviously increased, leading to an reduced force from the micro-water beads onto the crack tip and thus decreasing the rate of the material being destroyed by micro-water beads.
Characteristics of ZrC Barrier Coating on SiC-Coated Carbon/Carbon Composite Developed by Thermal Spray Process
Authors: Kang Bo Ram , Kim Ho Seok , Oh Phil Yong , Lee Jung Min , Lee Hyung Ik , Hong Seong Min
Published: March 2019

A thick ZrC layer was successfully coated on top of a SiC buffer layer on carbon/carbon (C/C) composites by vacuum plasma spray (VPS) technology to improve the ablation resistance of the C/C composites. An optimal ZrC coating condition was determined by controlling the discharge current. The ZrC layers were more than 70 µm thick and were rapidly coated under all spraying conditions. The ablation resistance and the oxidation resistance of the coated layer were evaluated in supersonic flames at a temperature exceeding 2000 °C. The mass and linear ablation rate of the ZrC-coated C/C composites increased by 2.7% and 0.4%, respectively. During flame exposure, no recession was observed in the C/C composite. It was demonstrated that the ZrC coating layer can fully protect the C/C composites from oxidation and ablation.
Effects of Cement and Emulsified Asphalt on Properties of Mastics and 100% Cold Recycled Asphalt Mixtures
Authors: Li Yanan , Lyv Yuchao , Fan Liang , Zhang Yuzhen
Published: March 2019

Cold recycled asphalt mixtures (CRAM) are a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way to reuse reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). This paper evaluates the rheological properties and microstructure of mineral filler-asphalt mastic, mineral filler-residue mastic, and cement-residue mastic. Then, based on the premise of using 100% RAP with a gradation that was determined experimentally, the effects of emulsified asphalt and cement on the porosity, indirect tensile strength, tensile strength ratio, dynamic stability, and mechanical properties of CRAM were evaluated. It was found that the rheological properties and cohesive coefficient of the cement-residue mastic varied differently to those of the first two types of mastic and the results show that the addition of cement can greatly improve the interfacial bonding between binders and fillers in the mastic, thereby improving the water damage resistance and high-temperature stability of CRAM. The relationships between cement content and the dynamic modulus and phase angle of CRAM are different to that for emulsified asphalt obviously. In addition, under certain conditions, the properties of CRAM can meet the requirements of relevant technical specifications for its application to subsurface layer of pavement. Hence, the use of 100% RAP in CRAM may be feasible.
Surface Modification of Liposomes by a Lipopolymer Targeting Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen for Theranostic Delivery in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Yari Hooman , Nkepang Gregory , Awasthi Vibhudutta
Published: March 2019

Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a marker for diagnosis and targeted delivery of therapeutics to advanced/metastasized prostate cancer. We report a liposome-based system for theranostic delivery to PSMA-expressing (PSMA+) LNCaP cells. A lipopolymer (P3) comprising of PSMA ligand (PSMAL), polyethylene glycol (PEG2000), and palmitate was synthesized and post-inserted into the surface of preformed liposomes. These P3-liposomes were loaded with doxorubicin and radiolabeled with 99mTc radionuclide to study their theranostic characteristics. Differential expression of PSMA on LNCaP and PC3 cells was confirmed by immunoblotting as well as by uptake of PSMAL labeled with 18F radionuclide. We found that the uptake of 99mTc-labeled P3-liposomes by LNCaP cells was >3-fold higher than 99mTc-labeled Plain-liposomes; the amount of doxorubicin delivered to LNCaP cells was also found to be >3-fold higher by P3-liposomes. Cell-based cytotoxicity assay results showed that doxorubicin-loaded P3-liposomes were significantly more toxic to LNCaP cells (p < 0.05), but not to PSMA-negative PC3 cells. Compared to doxorubicin-loaded Plain-liposomes, the IC50 value of doxorubicin-loaded P3-liposomes was reduced by ~5-fold in LNCaP cells. Together, these results suggest that surface functionalization of liposomes with small PSMA-binding motifs, such as PSMAL, can provide a viable platform for specific delivery of theranostics to PSMA+ prostate cancer.
Scale Effects in Orthotropic Composite Assemblies as Micropolar Continua: A Comparison between Weak- and Strong-Form Finite Element Solutions
Authors: Leonetti Lorenzo , Fantuzzi Nicholas , Trovalusci Patrizia , Tornabene Francesco
Published: March 2019

The aim of the present work was to investigate the mechanical behavior of orthotropic composites, such as masonry assemblies, subjected to localized loads described as micropolar materials. Micropolar models are known to be effective in modeling the actual behavior of microstructured solids in the presence of localized loads or geometrical discontinuities. This is due to the introduction of an additional degree of freedom (the micro-rotation) in the kinematic model, if compared to the classical continuum and the related strain and stress measures. In particular, it was shown in the literature that brick/block masonry can be satisfactorily modeled as a micropolar continuum, and here it is assumed as a reference orthotropic composite material. The in-plane elastic response of panels made of orthotropic arrangements of bricks of different sizes is analyzed herein. Numerical simulations are provided by comparing weak and strong finite element formulations. The scale effect is investigated, as well as the significant role played by the relative rotation, which is a peculiar strain measure of micropolar continua related to the non-symmetry of strain and work-conjugated stress. In particular, the anisotropic effects accounting for the micropolar moduli, related to the variation of microstructure internal sizes, are highlighted.
A Product Conceptual Design Method Based on Evolutionary Game
Authors: Huo Yun-Liang , Hu Xiao-Bing , Chen Bo-Yang , Fan Ru-Gu
Published: March 2019

In this paper, an intelligent-design method to deal with conceptual optimization is proposed for the decisive impact of the concept on the product-development cycle cost and performance. On the basis of matter-element analysis, an effective functional-structure combination model satisfying multiple constraints is first established, which maps the product characteristics obtained by expert research and customer-requirements analysis of the function and structure domain. Then, the Evolutionary Game Algorithm (EGA) was utilized to solve the model, in which a strategy-combination space is mapped to the solution-search space of the conceptual-solution problem, and the game-utility function is mapped to the objective functions of concept evaluation. Constant disturbance and Best-Response Correspondence were applied cross-repeatedly until the optimal equilibrium Pareto state corresponding to the global optimal solution was obtained. Finally, the method was simulated on MATLAB 8.3 and applied to the design for fixed winch hoist, which greatly shortens its design cycle.
Toward Optimality of Proper Generalised Decomposition Bases
Authors: Alameddin Shadi , Fau Amélie , Néron David , Ladevèze Pierre , Nackenhorst Udo
Published: March 2019

The solution of structural problems with nonlinear material behaviour in a model order reduction framework is investigated in this paper. In such a framework, greedy algorithms or adaptive strategies are interesting as they adjust the reduced order basis (ROB) to the problem of interest. However, these greedy strategies may lead to an excessive increase in the size of the ROB, i.e., the solution is no more represented in its optimal low-dimensional expansion. Here, an optimised strategy is proposed to maintain, at each step of the greedy algorithm, the lowest dimension of a Proper Generalized Decomposition (PGD) basis using a randomised Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) algorithm. Comparing to conventional approaches such as Gram–Schmidt orthonormalisation or deterministic SVD, it is shown to be very efficient both in terms of numerical cost and optimality of the ROB. Examples with different mesh densities are investigated to demonstrate the numerical efficiency of the presented method.
Dually Efficacious Medicine Against Fibrosis and Cancer
Authors: Chen Daohong
Published: March 2019

Although there is a contemporary consensus of managing a severe disease with multi-targeted approach-based therapeutic combinations, it should not be ignored that certain patho-biological pathways are shared by distinct medical conditions and can be exploited to develop an exceptional type of medication conferring a dual efficacy. This article thus presents a spectrum of emerging molecular targets that substantially contribute to the pathogenesis of both fibrotic and neoplastic disorders, including kinase activities, cytokine cascades, and protein dynamics among others. Moreover, recently approved therapeutic agents in this regard have been sorted out to corroborate the drug’s ability upon targeting each one of these molecular pathways to treat fibrosis and cancer simultaneously. It not only streamlines an overlapping mechanistic profile in the pathogenesis across these two medical conditions, but also inspires clinicians and pharmaceutical innovation to tackle concomitant diseases, such as fibrosis and cancer, with an optimally efficacious medication.
The Evolution of Internal Damage Identified by Means of X-ray Computed Tomography in Two Steels and the Ensuing Relation with Gurson’s Numerical Modelling
Authors: Suárez Fernando , Sket Federico , Gálvez Jaime C. , Cendón David A. , Atienza José M. , Molina-Aldareguia Jon
Published: March 2019

This paper analyzes the evolution of the internal damage in two types of steel that show different fracture behaviors, with one of them being the initial material used for manufacturing prestressing steel wires, and the other one being a standard steel used in reinforced concrete structures. The first of them shows a flat fracture surface perpendicular to the loading direction while the second one shows the typical cup-cone surface. 3 mm-diameter cylindrical specimens are tested with a tensile test carried out in several loading steps and, after each of them, unloaded and analyzed with X-ray tomography, which allows detection of internal damage throughout the tensile test. In the steel used for reinforcement, damage is developed progressively in the whole specimen, as predicted by Gurson-type models, while in the steel used for manufacturing prestressing steel-wire, damage is developed only in the very last part of the test. In addition to the experimental study, a numerical analysis is carried out by means of the finite element method by using a Gurson model to reproduce the material behavior.
Experiments and Modeling of Fatigue Behavior of Friction Stir Welded Aluminum Lithium Alloy
Authors: Cisko Abby R. , Jordon James B. , Avery Dustin Z. , Liu Tian , Brewer Luke N. , Allison Paul G. , Carino Ricolindo L. , Hammi Youssef , Rushing Timothy W. , Garcia Lyan
Published: March 2019

An extensive experimental and computational investigation of the fatigue behavior of friction stir welding (FSW) of aluminum–lithium alloy (AA2099) is presented. In this study, friction stir butt welds were created by joining AA2099 using two different welding parameter sets. After FSW, microstructure characterization was carried out using microhardness testing, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. In particular, the metastable strengthening precipitates T1 (Al2CuLi) and δ’(Al3Li) seen in the base metal were observed to coarsen and dissolve due to the FSW process. In order to evaluate the static and fatigue behavior of the FSW of the AA2099, monotonic tensile and fully-reversed strain-controlled fatigue testing were performed. Mechanical testing of the FSW specimens found a decrease in the ultimate tensile strength and fatigue life compared to the base metal. While the process parameters had an effect on the monotonic properties, no significant difference was observed in the number of cycles to failure between the FSW parameters explored in this study. Furthermore, post-mortem fractography analysis of the FSW specimens displayed crack deflection, transgranular fracture, and delamination failure features commonly observed in other parent Al–Li alloys. Lastly, a microstructurally-sensitive fatigue model was used to elucidate the influence of the FSW process on fatigue life based on variations in grain size, microhardness, and particle size in the AA2099 FSW.
Nb–Ta–Ti Oxides in Topaz Granites of the Geyersberg Granite Stock (Erzgebirge Mts., Germany)
Authors: René Miloš
Published: March 2019

Oxide minerals (Nb–Ta-rich rutile, columbite-group minerals and W-bearing ixiolite) represent the most common host for Nb, Ta and Ti in high-F, high-P2O5 Li-mica granites and related rocks from the Geyersberg granite stock in the Krušné Hory/Erzgebirge Mts. batholith. This body forms a pipe like granite stock composed of fine- to middle-grained, porphyritic to equigranular high-F, high-P2O5 Li-mica granites, which contain up to 6 vol. % of topaz. Intrusive breccia’s on the NW margin of the granite stock are composed of mica schists and muscovite gneiss fragments enclosed in fine-grained aplitic and also topaz- and Li-mica-bearing granite. Columbite group minerals occur usually as euhedral to subhedral grains that display irregular or patched zoning. These minerals are represented by columbite-(Fe) with Mn/(Mn + Fe) ratio ranging from 0.07 to 0.15. The rare Fe-rich W-bearing ixiolite occurs as small needle-like crystals. The ixiolite is Fe-rich with relatively low Mn/(Mn + Fe) and Ta/(Ta + Nb) values (0.10–0.15 and 0.06–0.20, respectively). Owing to the high W content (19.8–34.9 wt. % WO3, 0.11–0.20 apfu), the sum of Nb + Ta in the ixiolite does not exceed 0.43 apfu. The Ti content is 1.7–5.7 wt. % TiO2 and Sn content is relatively low (0.3–4.1 wt. % SnO2).
Insecticidal and Nematicidal Contributions of Mexican Flora in the Search for Safer Biopesticides
Authors: Hernández-Carlos Beatriz , Gamboa-Angulo Marcela
Published: March 2019

Plant metabolites have been used for many years to control pests in animals and to protect crops. Here, we reviewed the available literature, looking for the species of Mexican flora for which extracts and metabolites have shown activity against pest insects and parasitic nematodes of agricultural importance, as well as against nematodes that parasitize domestic cattle. From 1996 to 2018, the search for novel and eco-friendly biopesticides has resulted in the identification of 114 species belonging to 36 botanical families of Mexican plants with reported biological effects on 20 insect species and seven nematode species. Most plant species with detected pesticide properties belong to the families Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Lamiaceae. Eighty-six metabolites have been identified as pesticidal active principles, and most have been terpenoids. Therefore, the continuation and intensification of this area of research is very important to contribute to the generation of new products that will provide alternatives to conventional pesticide agents. In addition, future studies will contribute to the recognition and dissemination of the importance of propagating plant species for their conservation and sustainable use.
Dietary Phytochemicals Targeting Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Liskova Alena , Kubatka Peter , Samec Marek , Zubor Pavol , Mlyncek Milos , Bielik Tibor , Samuel Samson Mathews , Zulli Anthony , Kwon Taeg Kyu , Büsselberg Dietrich
Published: March 2019

There is an increasing awareness of the importance of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables for human health. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are characterized as a subpopulation of cancer cells with aberrant regulation of self-renewal, proliferation or apoptosis leading to cancer progression, invasiveness, metastasis formation, and therapy resistance. Anticancer effects of phytochemicals are also directed to target CSCs. Here we provide a comprehensive review of dietary phytochemicals targeting CSCs. Moreover, we evaluate and summarize studies dealing with effects of dietary phytochemicals on CSCs of various malignancies in preclinical and clinical research. Dietary phytochemicals have a significant impact on CSCs which may be applied in cancer prevention and treatment. However, anticancer effects of plant derived compounds have not yet been fully investigated in clinical research.
Surface Structuring Combined with Chemical Surface Functionalization: An Effective Tool to Manipulate Cell Adhesion
Authors: Elsayed Sarah M. , Paschke Stefan , Rau Sibylle J. , Lienkamp Karen
Published: March 2019

In this study, we investigate how a surface structure underneath a surface-attached polymer coating affects the bioactivity of the resulting material. To that end, structured surfaces were fabricated using colloidal lithography (lateral dimensions: 200 nm to 1 µm, height ~15 to 50 nm). The surface structures were further functionalized either with antimicrobial, cell-adhesive polycations or with protein-repellent polyzwitterions. The materials thus obtained were compared to non-functionalized structured surfaces and unstructured polymer monolayers. Their physical properties were studied by contact-angle measurements and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Protein adhesion was studied by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, and the antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli bacteria was tested. The growth of human mucosal gingiva keratinocytes on the materials was analyzed using the Alamar blue assay, optical microscopy, and live-dead staining. The data shows that the underlying surface structure itself reduced protein adhesion and also bacterial adhesion, as evidenced by increased antimicrobial activity. It also enhanced cell adhesion to the surfaces. Particularly in combination with the adhesive polycations, the surfaces increased the cell growth compared to the unstructured reference materials. Thus, functionalizing structured surfaces with adhesive polymer could be a valuable tool for improved tissue integration.
Enhancing Thermal Conductivity and Photo-Driven Thermal Energy Charging/Discharging Rate of Annealed CMK-3 Based Phase Change Material
Authors: Chen Yanfeng , Liu Cuiyin , Situ Yue , Liu Jian , Huang Hong
Published: March 2019

In this work, the CMK-3 is successfully prepared with SBA-15 as the template and first annealed to 2000 °C to improve thermal conductivity. The annealed CMK-3 has a thermal conductivity of 6.981 W m−1 K−1 higher than un-annealed CMK-3. The annealed CMK-3 is used to encapsulate the RT44HC, and RT44HC/annealed CMK-3 has 10-fold of thermal conductivity and enhanced thermal stability than RT44HC. The RT44HC/annealed CMK-3 has a large melting enthalpy of 177.8 J g−1 and good thermal stability. The RT44HC/annealed CMK-3 has optical absorptive coefficient of visible range of solar spectrum, which identify seven-fold higher than RT44HC. The RT44HC/annealed CMK-3 has great photo-thermal performance, and the photo-driven energy charging and discharging rate of RT44HC/annealed CMK-3 is almost 30-fold larger than the RT44HC. The results show that the annealed CMK-3 is a great mesoporous carbon nanomaterial for phase change materials and the annealed CMK-3 based phase change material has great potential in solar thermal utilizations such as solar water heating system and solar heating building systems.
Revealing the Role of Sidewall Orientation in Wet Chemical Etching of GaN-Based Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diodes
Authors: Wan Hui , Tang Bin , Li Ning , Zhou Shengjun , Gui Chengqun , Liu Sheng
Published: March 2019

We demonstrated that the tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution possesses different etching abilities to the chip sidewalls with different orientations because the orientation of chip sidewall determines the exposed crystallographic plane of gallium nitride (GaN) and these crystallographic planes are with different chemical stability to the TMAH solution. After TMAH etching treatment, trigonal prisms were observed on sidewalls where m-plane GaN was exposed. For the investigated two types of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with orthogonal arrangements, the LEDs with their larger sidewalls orientated along the [11–20] direction exhibited an additional 10% improvement in light output power after TMAH etching treatment compared to the LEDs with larger sidewalls orientated along the [1–100] direction.
Physical Properties and In Vitro Biocompatible Evaluation of Silicone-Modified Polyurethane Nanofibers and Films
Authors: Yin Chuan , Rozet Sélène , Okamoto Rino , Kondo Mikihisa , Tamada Yasushi , Tanaka Toshihisa , Hattori Hatsuhiko , Tanaka Masaki , Sato Hiromasa , Iino Shota
Published: March 2019

In this study, the physical properties and the biocompatibility of electrospun silicone-modified polyurethane (PUSX) nanofibers were discussed and compared with PUSX films. To investigate the effects of different structures on the physical properties, tensile strength, elongation at break, Young’s modulus, water retention, water contact angle (WCA) and thermal conductivity measurements were performed. To prove the in vitro biocompatibility of the materials, cell adhesion, cell proliferation, and cytotoxicity were studied by NIH3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblasts cells following by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) analysis. As a conclusion, the mechanical properties, water retention, and WCA were proven to be able to be controlled and improved by adjusting the structure of PUSX. A higher hydrophobicity and lower thermal conductivity were found in PUSX nanofibers compared with polyurethane (PU) nanofibers and films. An in vitro biocompatibility evaluation shows that the cell proliferation can be performed on both PUSX nanofibers and films. However, within a short period, cells prefer to attach and entangle on PUSX nanofibers rather than PUSX films. PUSX nanofibers were proven to be a nontoxic alternative for PU nano-membranes or films in the biomedical field, because of the controllable physical properties and the biocompatibility.
Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery to the Central Nervous System
Authors: Teleanu Daniel Mihai , Negut Irina , Grumezescu Valentina , Grumezescu Alexandru Mihai , Teleanu Raluca Ioana
Published: March 2019

The intricate microstructure of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is responsible for the accurate intrinsic regulation of the central nervous system (CNS), in terms of neuronal pathophysiological phenomena. Any disruption to the BBB can be associated with genetic defects triggering or with local antigenic invasion (either neurotoxic blood-derived metabolites and residues or microbial pathogens). Such events can be further related to systemic inflammatory or immune disorders, which can subsequently initiate several neurodegenerative pathways. Any degenerative process related to the CNS results in progressive and yet incurable impairment of neuronal cells. Since these particular neurons are mostly scanty or incapable of self-repair and regeneration processes, there is tremendous worldwide interest in novel therapeutic strategies for such specific conditions. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases (AD and PD, respectively) are conditions found worldwide, being considered the most rampant degenerative pathologies related to CNS. The current therapy of these conditions, including both clinical and experimental approaches, mainly enables symptom management and subsidiary neuronal protection and even less disease regression. Still, a thorough understanding of the BBB pathophysiology and an accurate molecular and sub-molecular management of AD and PD will provide beneficial support for more specific and selective therapy. Since nanotechnology-derived materials and devices proved attractive and efficient platforms for modern biomedicine (including detection, imaging, diagnosis, medication, restoration and regeneration), a particular approach for AD and PD management relies on nanoparticle-based therapy. In this paper we will discuss relevant aspects related to the BBB and its impact on drug-based treatment and emphasize that nanoparticles are suitable and versatile candidates for the development of novel and performance-enhanced nanopharmaceuticals for neurodegenerative conditions therapy.