bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of CO2 Reforming SOFC System
Authors: Kushi Takuto , Sato Hideto , Fujita Kenjiro , Amaha Shinji
Published: February 2015

Performance of the SOFC single cell with the CO2 reforming catalyst was investigated utilizing CH4/CO2. It was found that the voltage in CH4/CO2 was comparatively high against conventional steam reforming conditions even in high fuel utilization ranges. The process simulation was conducted to the model of 1 kW CO2 reforming SOFC system with anode off gas recycling. The simulation results such as heat balance and recycling procedure suggested that the CO2 reforming could be one of the feasible approach for high electrical efficiency SOFC system.
Investigation of Hybrid Fuel Cell Battery Systems
Authors: Günlü Göksel , Aktepe Alper , Canan Belkis , Sanli Ayse Elif
Published: February 2015

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) are considered as the alternative propulsion systems. In the hybrid systems electrical storage component is the key element. Because size and weight of the battery defines the cost and performance of the overall system. Another major component of a hybrid system is the fuel cell system consisted of a fuel cell stack, a membrane humidifier and hydrogen storage canisters. The power management system (PMS) is a critical component of hybrid electric vehicles. The purpose of the PMS is to maintain the safety and reliability of the battery, state monitoring and evaluation, charge control, and cell balancing. Three light electric vehicles (LEV) equipped a fuel cell-battery hybrid power system have reviewed in the present work. The hybrid power systems reviewed have consisted of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, a lithium battery and a power management unit. They are “Buddy El-Jet Hybrid Vehicle” from Toyota, “Hydrogen–Electric Hybrid Microcab H2EV Vehicle” tested at CABLED project in England and “Norwegian Buddy El-Jet Hybrid System”.
Investigation of Operating Parameters in Conjunction with Catalyst Deactivation of the Water-Gas Shift Reactor in a Fuel Cell System
Authors: Krekel Daniel , Samsun Remzi Can , Pasel Joachim , Prawitz Matthias , Peters Ralf , Stolten Detlef
Published: February 2015

The operating characteristic of a water-gas shift (WGS) reactor in a fuel cell system was investigated. Deactivation of the catalyst was identified in previous experiments during steady state and after startup/ shutdown, therefore reasons for the deactivation need to be investigated. Experiments on the system level revealed a correlation between deactivation and the fuel used. According to this correlation, a combination of a high amount of aromatic hydrocarbons in the fuel and a high boiling range had a more significant effect than a high amount of aromatics alone, followed by the single effect of a high boiling range. Furthermore, the presence of higher hydrocarbons from incomplete fuel conversion in the autothermal reformer (ATR) was associated with catalyst deactivation of the WGS reactor. To obtain a deeper understanding of the influence of higher hydrocarbons on catalyst activity, experiments were conducted with two commercial noble metal WGS catalysts using ideal and realistic reformate. Results under low-temperature-shift (LTS) conditions showed that both catalysts were only slightly influenced by the amount of higher hydrocarbons added in the steady state, as well as under shutdown conditions.
Novel Application of Carbonate Fuel Cell for Capturing Carbon Dioxide from Flue Gas Streams
Authors: Jolly Stephen , Ghezel-Ayagh Hossein , Willman Carl , Patel Dilip , DiNitto Mathew , Marina Olga A , Pederson Larry , Steen William A
Published: February 2015

To address concerns about climate change resulting from emission of CO2 by coal-fueled power plants, FuelCell Energy, Inc. has developed the Combined Electric Power and Carbon-dioxide Separation (CEPACS) system concept. The CEPACS system utilizes Electrochemical Membrane (ECM) technology derived from the Company’s Direct FuelCell® products. The system separates the CO2 from the flue gas of other plants and produces electric power using a supplementary fuel. FCE is currently evaluating the use of ECM to cost effectively separate CO2 from the flue gas of Pulverized Coal (PC) power plants under a U.S. Department of Energy contract. The overarching objective of the project is to verify that the ECM can achieve at least 90% CO2 capture from the flue gas with no more than 35% increase in the cost of electricity. The project activities include: 1) laboratory scale operational and performance tests of a membrane assembly, 2) performance tests of the membrane to evaluate the effects of impurities present in the coal plant flue gas, in collaboration with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 3) techno-economic analysis for an ECM-based CO2 capture system applied to a 550 MW existing PC plant, in partnership with URS Corporation, and 4) bench scale (11.7 m2 area) testing of an ECM-based CO2 separation and purification system.
Hydrogen Fueling Standardization- Enabling FCEVs with Fast Fueling and Consistent Vehicle Range Equal to Today
Authors: Schneider Jesse Michael
Published: February 2015

Hydrogen Fueling Standardization: Enabling ZEVs with "Same as Today" Fueling and FCEV Range Zero Emission vehicles are essential to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. Wide scale adoption of electric vehicles has been challenging due to the limited range and long charging times. Fueling with hydrogen offers the possibility to fuel Fuel Cell Electric vehicles in a few minutes and allow them to achieve a consistent high SOC, enabling 300+ mile range. Hydrogen Vehicles are slated to first enter into a small-scale commercial phase in three markets (Germany, California, and Japan) with the advent of multiple OEMs 2015-2017. SAE created a fueling protocol to standardize this fueling worldwide base on modeling, lab and real-world data. The objective of the SAE J2601 hydrogen fueling protocol is to fuel all FCEV vehicles within a reasonable timeframe, with a high fueling density, without exceeding the hydrogen safety storage limits. SAE J2601 creates a "Customer Acceptable" hydrogen fueling, with rapid hydrogen Fueling (<5 minutes) at 70MPa and 35MPa utilizing pre-cooling of hydrogen to offset the heat of compression. SAE J2799 Communications fueling is also possible enabling close to 100% rated density or state of charge (SOC). After 13 years of development, the J2601 and J2799 standards, published in 2014 will enable the first generation of commercial fuel cell vehicle and hydrogen fueling infrastructure which enables the "same as today" fueling experience and vehicle range.
Optimization of Operating Condition for CO2 Facilitated Transport Membrane in Hydrogen Station
Authors: Takahasi Ryohei , Sugiura Kimihiko , Akiyama Kazumi , Nonouchi Tamotsu , Hanai Nobuaki , Kiyohara Yasato , Miyata Junya , Okada Osamu
Published: February 2015

The hydrogen station in Japan is only 17 points though Toyota began to sell FCV from 15th November, 2014. The main reasons for which the spread of HS is late are a high construction cost and the indefinitely of spread prospect of FCV. However, it became clear that FCV in Japan spreads surely because the order for FCV exceeded 1000 from release in one week. The remaining problem is to reduce the cost of construction of 300 million yen. Therefore, we proposed membrane reactor composed of the reformer and the CO2 facilitated transport membrane to reduce the construction cost. It is necessary to achieve heat resistance of 160°C so that it is adopted for the membrane reactor. Therefore, we aim to optimize the operating condition (humidity, partial pressure of CO2 and differential pressure) of NDP to obtain the indicator of the heat resistance improvement at first. As a result, it is clear that the optimum operating condition of NDP is 80% of relative humidity, 200kPaG of the differential pressure and 40kPaG of the CO2 partial pressure.
Efficiency Gain of Single Solid Oxide Fuel Cells by Using Anode Gas Recycle
Authors: Terayama Takeshi , Momma Akihiko , Tanaka Yohei , Kato Tohru
Published: February 2015

Recently, anode gas recycle (AGR) is spotlighted as one of the efficiency-enhancing methods on SOFCs. However, performance of SOFCs under AGR conditions has not been sufficiently evaluated, because of experimental complexity. In this work, an influence on SOFCs by introducing AGR is investigated experimentally. In order to facilitate experiment, we developed equipment which can easily synthesize reformate gases of both AGR and no AGR conditions with high accuracy. By using this equipment, an efficiency gain by introducing AGR is quantitatively elucidated, comparing SOFC performance between with and without AGR conditions under high fuel utilization. In addition, dependency of AGR SOFC performance on fuel utilization is also investigated. This paper will present details of these results.
Development and User Evaluation of an AlH3 Wearable Power System (WPS)
Authors: Thampan Tony , Shah Deepal , Cook Clifford , Shah Shailesh , Atwater Terrill
Published: February 2015

Aluminum hydride (AlH3) has been identified as a promising H2 storage material for soldier wearable power applications. Presented is the development and performance of a wearable 20W AlH3 based fuel cell system which has achieved a high energy density (582 Wh/kg for a 20W/72 h load) while maintaining a small size (0.7 kg, 0.622 L). The paper also reviews AlH3 properties and safety aspects. Soldier system evaluation as well as future developments are also discussed.
Evaluation of Generation Current inside Membrane Electrode Assembly in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Using Static Magnetic Field around Fuel Cell
Authors: Yamanashi Ryu , Gotoh Yuji , Izumi Masaaki , Nara Takaaki
Published: February 2015

Polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) is one of desired clean energy converters. In order to raise the power generation efficiency of PEFC, it is necessary to monitor the generation of current inside MEA (membrane electrode assembly) in PEFC. In this paper, a non-contacting technique for detecting the distribution of power generation current inside the MEA using the static magnetic field around the PEFC is examined. The estimating method of the generation current distribution using the extended evolution strategy by 3D FEM (finite element method) is proposed, and the effectiveness of the method is investigated by verification experiment using an actual fuel cell.
Operational Performance Envelope for Irreversible Fuel Cell Heat Engine Hybrids
Authors: Williams Mark Christopher , Gemmen Randall , Gerdes Kirk
Published: February 2015

The performance envelope for the fuel cell heat engine hybrid (FCH) with irreversibilities is developed and explored. Fuel cell hybrids are combination of energy conversion sub-systems – fuel cells and heat engines. Fuel cell hybrids are important for the future for they are the most efficient devices when converting chemical energy of methane from renewable fuels to electricity. While the perfect fuel cell and heat engine would have no irreversibilities and undergo no degradation, practical fuel cells and heat engines exhibit irreversibilities and will degrade. Various working reactions (WR) can be used in a FCH, for example, hydrogen oxidation, carbon monoxide oxidation, etc. For the FCH each working reaction has a characteristic transition temperature and a characteristic optimal operating temperature for maximum power. The characteristic optimal operating temperature of 1070 K for the FCH with an ideal heat engine and hydrogen oxidation WR is not a function of ASR for ASR not a function of temperature. The path of maximum power can be pursued as a FCH operational strategy. In the case of degradation, or changing ASR, the path can be followed by varying the fuel flow rate (fuel cell current) at constant fuel utilization. This is a continuation of work previously published by the authors in the ECS Transactions.
Deleted in breast cancer 1 plays a functional role in adipocyte differentiation
Authors: Moreno-Navarrete José María , Moreno María , Vidal Marta , Ortega Francisco , Serrano Marta , Xifra Gemma , Ricart Wifredo , Fernández-Real José Manuel
Published: February 2015

Genetic deletion of Dbc1 in mice reduced adipose tissue senescence and inflammation while promoting an expansion of this tissue. Here, we aimed to investigate DBC1 mRNA and protein levels in human adipose tissue from subjects with a wide spectrum of fat mass ( cohort 1; n = 105) and insulin resistance ( cohort 2; n = 47); we also investigated the effects of DBC1 knockdown on 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation. DBC1 mRNA was relatively abundant in both visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) (mainly in the adipocyte fraction), being decreased in adipose tissue from obese compared with lean subjects. In both VAT and SAT, DBC1 mRNA levels were negatively associated with BMI and positively associated with age and the expression of PPARγ, GLUT4, IRS1, lipogenic ( FASN, ACACA), lipid droplet-associated genes ( PLIN1, FSP27, ADRP, and TIP47), and lipolytic ( ABDH5, AKAP, and PRKACA) genes but negatively associated with ADIPOQ in VAT. DBC1 mRNA and protein levels were increased in the early stages of adipocyte differentiation of human and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Dbc1 knockdown (KD) with lentivirus led to enhanced adipocyte differentiation, increasing intracellular lipid accumulation and adipogenic gene expression. In conclusion, although DBC1 gene expression was reduced in adipose tissue from obese subjects, it was negatively associated with ADIPOQ gene expression in VAT, suggesting that DBC1 might promote visceral adipose tissue dysfunction. In vitro data supported the antiadipogenic effects of DBC1.
Passenger Traffic Evaluation and Price Formation on the Transportation Services Market
Authors: Bure V. M. , Mazalov V. V. , Melnik A. V. , Plaksina N. V.
Published: February 2015

This paper investigates equilibrium formation in the passenger traffic model. First, we propose an estimation technique for the distribution of incoming passengers at each stop with respect to subsequent stops of a route based on available information on incoming and outgoing passengers. Second, we employ the obtained information on passenger traffic to introduce a game-theoretic model of passenger traffic distribution with respect to transport facilities.
Approximation Properties of a Gradient Recovery Operator Using a Biorthogonal System
Authors: Lamichhane Bishnu P. , McNeilly Adam
Published: February 2015

A gradient recovery operator based on projecting the discrete gradient onto the standard finite element space is considered. We use an oblique projection, where the test and trial spaces are different, and the bases of these two spaces form a biorthogonal system. Biorthogonality allows efficient computation of the recovery operator. We analyze the approximation properties of the gradient recovery operator. Numerical results are presented in the two-dimensional case.
Arginine Adjunctive Therapy in Active Tuberculosis
Authors: Farazi Aliasghar , Shafaat Omid , Sofian Masoomeh , Kahbazi Manijeh
Published: February 2015

Background. Dietary supplementation has been used as a mechanism to augment the immune system. Adjunctive therapy with L-arginine has the potential to improve outcomes in active tuberculosis.Methods. In a randomized clinical trial 63 participants with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Markazi Province of Iran were given arginine or placebo for 4 weeks in addition to conventional chemotherapy. The final treatment success, sputum conversion, weight gain, and clinical symptoms after one and two months were considered as primary outcomes and secondary outcomes were ESR, CRP, and Hg. Data were collected and analyzed with SPSS software (ver. 18).Results. Arginine supplementation reduced constitutional symptoms (P=0.032) in patients with smear-positive TB at the end of the first month of treatment. Arginine treated patients had significantly increased BMI at the end of the first and second months of treatment (P=0.032andP=0.04) and a reduced CRP at the end of the first month of treatment (P=0.03) versus placebo group.Conclusion. Arginine is useful as an adjunctive therapy in patients with active tuberculosis, in which the effects are more likely mediated by the increased production of nitric oxide and improved constitutional symptoms and weight gain. This trial is registered with Clinical Trials Registry of Iran:IRCT201211179855N2.
Assessment of the Exercise Intensity of Short Stick Exercises in Elderly Individuals
Authors: Kurasawa Shigeki , Yokoi Katsushi , Miyai Nobuyuki , Yoshimasu Kouichi , Takemura Shigeki , Miyashita Kazuhisa
Published: February 2015

The present study was to obtain basic data for applying the short stick exercises to frail elderly individuals. A total of 20 individuals aged ≥60 years (10 men, and 10 women) with independence in activities of daily living participated in a short stick exercise program. During the exercise program, the time required and the number of times the short stick was dropped were investigated. The exercise intensity was also evaluated based on expired gas and heart rate measurements. The mean exercise intensity of the short stick exercises was 1.9 ± 0.3 metabolic equivalents (METs), equivalent to talking while standing or walking indoors. Compared to the early elderly (those aged 60 to 74 years), the late elderly (those aged ≥75 years) had a significantly higher number of stick drops and significantly lower increase in heart rate from resting to the warming-up exercise. The short stick exercises had a low exercise intensity and can be applicable to exercise interventions of the frail elderly individuals. However, in the case of the late elderly, the high frequency of short stick drops and the change in heart rate during warming up must be considered.
Prediction of Protein-Protein Interactions Related to Protein Complexes Based on Protein Interaction Networks
Authors: Liu Peng , Yang Lei , Shi Daming , Tang Xianglong
Published: February 2015

A method for predicting protein-protein interactions based on detected protein complexes is proposed to repair deficient interactions derived from high-throughput biological experiments. Protein complexes are pruned and decomposed into small parts based on the adaptivek-cores method to predict protein-protein interactions associated with the complexes. The proposed method is adaptive to protein complexes with different structure, number, and size of nodes in a protein-protein interaction network. Based on different complex sets detected by various algorithms, we can obtain different prediction sets of protein-protein interactions. The reliability of the predicted interaction sets is proved by using estimations with statistical tests and direct confirmation of the biological data. In comparison with the approaches which predict the interactions based on the cliques, the overlap of the predictions is small. Similarly, the overlaps among the predicted sets of interactions derived from various complex sets are also small. Thus, every predicted set of interactions may complement and improve the quality of the original network data. Meanwhile, the predictions from the proposed method replenish protein-protein interactions associated with protein complexes using only the network topology.
Factors Affecting the Occurrence of Out-of-Hospital Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Uchmanowicz Izabella , Bartkiewicz Wiesław , Sowizdraniuk Jarosław , Rosińczuk Joanna
Published: February 2015

Objective. This paper aims to discover the risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest (out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest (OHSCA)) which significantly affect the decision about prioritizing emergency interventions before dispatching medical emergency teams, risk of deterioration of the patient’s condition at the scene, and emergency procedures.Methods. A retrospective study taking into account the international classification of diseases ICD-10 based on an analysis of medical records of Emergency Medical Service in Wroclaw (Poland).Results. The main risk factor of OHSCA is coexistence of external cause leading to illness or death (ICD Group V-10) as well as the occurrence of diseases from the group of endocrine disorders (group E), in particular diabetes. The increase in the risk of OHSCA incidence is affected by nervous system diseases (group G), especially epilepsy of various etiologies, respiratory diseases (group J), mainly COPD, and bronchial asthma or mental and behavioral disorders (group F), with particular emphasis on the drugs issue. The procedure for receiving calls for Emergency Notification Centre does not take into account clinical risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).Conclusion. Having knowledge of OHSCA risk factors can increase the efficiency of rescue operations from rapid assessment and provision of appropriate medical team, through effective performance of medical emergency treatment and prevention of SCA or finally reducing the costs.
Impaired Translocation of GLUT4 Results in Insulin Resistance of Atrophic Soleus Muscle
Authors: Xu Peng-Tao , Song Zhen , Zhang Wen-Cheng , Jiao Bo , Yu Zhi-Bin
Published: February 2015

Whether or not the atrophic skeletal muscle induces insulin resistance and its mechanisms are not resolved now. The antigravity soleus muscle showed a progressive atrophy in 1-week, 2-week, and 4-week tail-suspended rats. Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp showed that the steady-state glucose infusion rate was lower in 4-week tail-suspended rats than that in the control rats. The glucose uptake rates under insulin- or contraction-stimulation were significantly decreased in 4-week unloaded soleus muscle. The key protein expressions of IRS-1, PI3K, and Akt on the insulin-dependent pathway and of AMPK, ERK, and p38 on the insulin-independent pathway were unchanged in unloaded soleus muscle. The unchanged phosphorylation of Akt and p38 suggested that the activity of two signal pathways was not altered in unloaded soleus muscle. The AS160 and GLUT4 expression on the common downstream pathway also was not changed in unloaded soleus muscle. But the GLUT4 translocation to sarcolemma was inhibited during insulin stimulation in unloaded soleus muscle. The above results suggest that hindlimb unloading in tail-suspended rat induces atrophy in antigravity soleus muscle. The impaired GLUT4 translocation to sarcolemma under insulin stimulation may mediate insulin resistance in unloaded soleus muscle and further affect the insulin sensitivity of whole body in tail-suspended rats.
Drug Repositioning for Gynecologic Tumors: A New Therapeutic Strategy for Cancer
Authors: Banno Kouji , Iida Miho , Yanokura Megumi , Irie Haruko , Masuda Kenta , Kobayashi Yusuke , Tominaga Eiichiro , Aoki Daisuke
Published: February 2015

The goals of drug repositioning are to find a new pharmacological effect of a drug for which human safety and pharmacokinetics are established and to expand the therapeutic range of the drug to another disease. Such drug discovery can be performed at low cost and in the short term based on the results of previous clinical trials. New drugs for gynecologic tumors may be found by drug repositioning. For example, PPAR ligands may be effective against ovarian cancer, since PPAR activation eliminates COX‐2 expression, arrests the cell cycle, and induces apoptosis. Metformin, an antidiabetic drug, is effective for endometrial cancer through inhibition of the PI3K‐Akt‐mTOR pathway by activating LKB1‐AMPK and reduction of insulin and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 due to AMPK activation. COX‐2 inhibitors for cervical cancer may also be examples of drug repositioning. PGE2 is induced in the arachidonate cascade by COX‐2. PGE2 maintains high expression of COX‐2 and induces angiogenic factors including VEGF and bFGF, causing carcinogenesis. COX‐2 inhibitors suppress these actions and inhibit carcinogenesis. Combination therapy using drugs found by drug repositioning and current anticancer drugs may increase efficacy and reduce adverse drug reactions. Thus, drug repositioning may become a key approach for gynecologic cancer in drug discovery.
Evaluation of Early versus Delayed Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Acute Cholecystitis
Authors: Agrawal Rati , Sood K. C. , Agarwal Bhupender
Published: February 2015

Background. The role of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis with cholelithiasis is not yet established. The aim of our prospective randomized study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of early LC for acute cholecystitis and to compare the results with delayed LC.Methods. Between March 2007 to December 2008, 50 patients with diagnosis of acute cholecystitis were assigned randomly to early group,n=25(LC within 24 hrs of admission), and delayed group,n=25(initial conservative treatment followed by delayed LC, 6–8 weeks later).Results. We found in our study that the conversion rate in early LC and delayed LC was 16% and 8%, respectively, Operation time for early LC was 69.4 min versus 66.4 min for delayed LC, postoperative complications for early LC were 24% versus 8% for delayed LC, and blood loss was 159.6 mL early group versus 146.8 mL for delayed group. However early LC had significantly shorter hospital stay (4.1 days versus 8.6 days).Conclusions. Early LC for acute cholecystitis with cholelithiasis is safe and feasible, offering the additional benefit of shorter hospital stay. It should be offered to the patients with acute cholecystitis, provided that the surgery is performed within 96 hrs of acute symptoms by an experienced surgeon.
A Novel Multiple Instance Learning Method Based on Extreme Learning Machine
Authors: Wang Jie , Cai Liangjian , Peng Jinzhu , Jia Yuheng
Published: February 2015

Since real-world data sets usually contain large instances, it is meaningful to develop efficient and effective multiple instance learning (MIL) algorithm. As a learning paradigm, MIL is different from traditional supervised learning that handles the classification of bags comprising unlabeled instances. In this paper, a novel efficient method based on extreme learning machine (ELM) is proposed to address MIL problem. First, the most qualified instance is selected in each bag through a single hidden layer feedforward network (SLFN) whose input and output weights are both initialed randomly, and the single selected instance is used to represent every bag. Second, the modified ELM model is trained by using the selected instances to update the output weights. Experiments on several benchmark data sets and multiple instance regression data sets show that the ELM-MIL achieves good performance; moreover, it runs several times or even hundreds of times faster than other similar MIL algorithms.
Novel Synthesis Method of Micronized Ti-Zeolite Na-A and Cytotoxic Activity of Its Silver Exchanged Form
Authors: Youssef H. F. , Hegazy W. H. , Abo-almaged H. H. , El-Bassyouni G. T.
Published: February 2015

The core-shell method is used as a novel synthetic process of micronized Ti-Zeolite Na-A which involves calcination at 700°C of coated Egyptian Kaolin with titanium tetrachloride in acidic medium as the first step. The produced Ti-coated metakaolinite is subjected to microwave irradiation at low temperature of 80°C for 2 h. The prepared micronized Ti-containing Zeolites-A (Ti-Z-A) is characterized by FTIR, XRF, XRD, SEM, and EDS elemental analysis. Ag-exchanged form of Ti-Z-Ag is also prepared and characterized. The Wt% of silver exchanged onto the Ti-Zeolite structure was determined by atomic absorption spectra. Thein vitrocytotoxic activity of Ti-Z-Ag against human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HePG2), colon cell line carcinoma (HCT116), lung carcinoma cell line (A549), and human Caucasian breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) is reported. The results were promising and revealed that the exchanged Ag form of micronized Ti-Zeolite-A can be used as novel antitumor drug.
Effects of Intense Pulsed Light on Tissue Vascularity and Wound Healing: A Study with Mouse Island Skin Flap Model
Authors: Cao Minh Trinh , Xuan Hai Do , Thi Ngoc Pham
Published: February 2015

Intense pulsed light (IPL) has been used extensively in aesthetic and cosmetic dermatology. To test whether IPL could change the tissue vascularity and improve wound healing, mice were separated into 4 groups. Mice in Group I were not treated with IPL, whereas, dorsal skins of mice in Groups II, III, and IV were treated with 35 J/cm2, 25 J/cm2, and 15 J/cm2 IPL, respectively. After 2 weeks, dorsal island skin flaps were raised, based on the left deep circumflex iliac vessels as pedicles; then, survival rate was assessed. Flaps in Group IV (treated with lowest dose of IPL) have a survival rate significantly higher than other groups. Counting blood vessels did not demonstrate any significant differences; however, vessel dilation was found in this group. The results show that IPL at the therapeutic doses which are usually applied to humans is harmful to mouse dorsal skin and did not enhance wound healing, whereas, IPL at much lower dose could improve wound healing. The possible mechanism is the dilation of tissue vasculature thanks to the electromagnetic character of IPL. Another mechanism could be the heat-shock protein production.
A Randomized Study on the Effectiveness of Prophylactic Clipping during Endoscopic Resection of Colon Polyps for the Prevention of Delayed Bleeding
Authors: Dokoshi Tatsuya , Fujiya Mikihiro , Tanaka Kazuyuki , Sakatani Aki , Inaba Yuhei , Ueno Nobuhiro , Kashima Shin , Goto Takuma , Sasajima Junpei , Tominaga Motoya , Ito Takahiro , Moriichi Kentaro , Tanabe Hiroki , Ikuta Katsuya , Ohtake Takaaki , Kohgo Yutaka
Published: February 2015

Backgrounds. The efficacy of clipping for preventing the delayed bleeding after the removal of colon polyps is still controversial. In order to clarify this efficacy, a randomized controlled study was performed.Methods. One hundred and fifty-six patients with colon neoplasms (288 lesions) were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: clipping or nonclipping groups using a sealed envelope method before the endoscopic resections. Eight specialists and nine residents were invited to perform this procedure. The risk factors and the rates of delayed bleeding after the endoscopic resections in each group were investigated.Results. There were no significant differences in the bleeding rate between the clipping and nonclipping groups, while the length of the procedure was significantly longer and the cost was higher in the clipping group than in the nonclipping group. The rate of bleeding was significantly higher in cases with polyps 2 cm or larger and with a longer procedure time, while none of the other factors affected the bleeding rate.Conclusions. This randomized controlled study revealed no significant effect of prophylactic clipping for preventing delayed bleeding after the endoscopic resection of colon polyps.
Age- and Sex-Dependent Changes in Androgen Receptor Expression in the Developing Mouse Cortex and Hippocampus
Authors: Tsai Houng-Wei , Taniguchi Saori , Samoza Jason , Ridder Aaron
Published: February 2015

During the perinatal period, male mice are exposed to higher levels of testosterone (T) than females, which promotes sexual dimorphism in their brain structures and behaviors. In addition to acting via estrogen receptors after being locally converted into estradiol by aromatase, T also acts directly through androgen receptor (AR) in the brain. Therefore, we hypothesized that AR expression in the developing mouse cortex and hippocampus was sexually dimorphic. To test our hypothesis, we measured and determined AR mRNA and protein levels in mouse cortex/hippocampus collected on the day of birth (PN0) and 7 (PN7), 14 (PN14), and 21 (PN21) days after birth. We demonstrated that, as age advanced, AR mRNA levels increased in the cortex/hippocampus of both sexes but showed no sex difference. Two AR proteins, the full-length (110 kDa) and a smaller isoform (70 kDa), were detected in the developing mouse cortex/hippocampus with an age-dependent increase in protein levels of both AR isoforms at PN21 and a transient masculine increase in expression of the full-length AR protein on PN7. Thus, we conclude that the postnatal age and sex differences in AR protein expression in combination with the sex differences in circulating T may cause sexual differentiation of the mouse cortex/hippocampus.
Multiobjective Route Planning Model and Algorithm for Emergency Management
Authors: Gai Wen-mei , Jiang Zhong-an , Deng Yun-feng , Li Jing , Du Yan
Published: February 2015

In order to model route planning problem for emergency logistics management taking both route timeliness and safety into account, a multiobjective mathematical model is proposed based on the theories of bounded rationality. The route safety is modeled as the product of safety through arcs included in the path. For solving this model, we convert the multiobjective optimization problem into its equivalent deterministic form. We take uncertainty of the weight coefficient for each objective function in actual multiobjective optimization into account. Finally, we develop an easy-to-implement heuristic in order to gain an efficient and feasible solution and its corresponding appropriate vector of weight coefficients quickly. Simulation results show the effectiveness and feasibility of the models and algorithms presented in this paper.
Experimental Study of Hysteretic Steel Damper for Energy Dissipation Capacity
Authors: Teruna Daniel R. , Majid Taksiah A. , Budiono Bambang
Published: February 2015

This study aims to evaluate energy absorption capacity of hysteretic steel damper for earthquake protection of structures. These types of steel dampers are fabricated from mild steel plate with different geometrical shapes on the side part, namely, straight, concave, and convex shapes. The performance of the proposed device was verified experimentally by a series of tests under increasing in-plane cyclic load. The overall test results indicated that the proposed steel dampers have similar hysteretic curves, but the specimen with convex-shaped side not only showed stable hysteretic behavior but also showed excellent energy dissipation capabilities and ductility factor. Furthermore, the load-deformation relation of these steel dampers can be decomposed into three parts, namely, skeleton curve, Bauschinger part, and elastic unloading part. The skeleton curve is commonly used to obtain the main parameters, which describe the behavior of steel damper, namely, yield strength, elastic stiffness, and postyield stiffness ratio. Moreover, the effective stiffness, effective damping ratio, cumulative plastic strain energy, and cumulative ductility factor were also derived from the results. Finally, an approximation trilinear hysteretic model was developed based on skeleton curve obtained from experimental results.
Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation in the Developing World: Experience from a Center in Western India
Authors: Shah Chirag A. , Karanwal Arun , Desai Maharshi , Pandya Munjal , Shah Ravish , Shah Rutvij
Published: February 2015

We describe our experience of first 50 consecutive hematopoietic stem-cell transplants (HSCT) done between 2007 and 2012 at the Apollo Hospital, Gandhinagar, 35 autologous HSCT and 15 allogeneic HSCT. Indications for autologous transplant were multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and acute myeloid leukemia, and indications for allogeneic transplants were thalassemia major, aplastic anaemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, and acute lymphoblastic and myeloid leukaemia. The median age of autologous and allogeneic patient’s cohort was 50 years and 21 years, respectively. Median follow-up period for all patients was 39 months. Major early complications were infections, mucositis, acute graft versus host disease, and venoocclusive disease. All of our allogeneic and autologous transplant patients survived during the first month of transplant. Transplant related mortality (TRM) was 20% (N= 3) in our allogeneic and 3% (N= 1) in autologous patients. Causes of these deaths were disease relapse, sepsis, hemorrhagic complications, and GVHD. 46% of our autologous and 47% of our allogeneic patients are in complete remission phase after a median follow-up of 39 months. 34% of our autologous patients and 13% of our allogeneic patients had disease relapse. Overall survival rate in our autologous and allogeneic patients is 65.7% and 57.1%, respectively. Our results are comparable to many national and international published reports.
A Suspicious Pancreatic Mass in Chronic Pancreatitis: Pancreatic Actinomycosis
Authors: de Clerck F. , Laukens P. , De Wilde V. , Vandeputte L. , Cabooter M. , Van Huysse J. , Orlent H.
Published: February 2015

Introduction. Pancreatic actinomycosis is a chronic infection of the pancreas caused by the suppurative Gram-positive bacteriumActinomyces. It has mostly been described in patients following repeated main pancreatic duct stenting in the context of chronic pancreatitis or following pancreatic surgery. This type of pancreatitis is often erroneously interpreted as pancreatic malignancy due to the specific invasive characteristics ofActinomyces.Case. A 64-year-old male with a history of chronic pancreatitis and repeated main pancreatic duct stenting presented with weight loss, fever, night sweats, and abdominal pain. CT imaging revealed a mass in the pancreatic tail, invading the surrounding tissue and resulting in splenic vein thrombosis. Resectable pancreatic cancer was suspected, and pancreatic tail resection was performed. Postoperative findings revealed pancreatic actinomycosis instead of neoplasia.Conclusion. Pancreatic actinomycosis is a rare type of infectious pancreatitis that should be included in the differential diagnosis when a pancreatic mass is discovered in a patient with chronic pancreatitis and prior main pancreatic duct stenting. Our case emphasizes the importance of pursuing a histomorphological confirmation.
Ultrasound Elastographic Findings of Mammary Fibromatosis
Authors: He Ping , Cui Li-Gang , Lei Yu-Tao , Liu Jian-Ying , Wang Jin-Rui
Published: February 2015

Mammary fibromatosis is an uncommon, benign tumor of the breast. It is locally aggressive and has a high rate of recurrence. Its clinical presentation and imaging results always call for suspicion of malignancy. Here we describe a case of mammary fibromatosis with clinical manifestation, radiographic and pathologic results, and imaging findings from ultrasound elastography.
IL-31 Is Overexpressed in Lichen Planus but Its Level Does Not Correlate with Pruritus Severity
Authors: Welz-Kubiak Kalina , Kobuszewska Anna , Reich Adam
Published: February 2015

Background. Pruritus is one of the major features of lichen planus (LP); however, its pathogenesis remains largely unknown.Objective. The aim of our study was to analyze the role of IL-31 in the pathogenesis of pruritus in LP.Materials and Methods. The study group included 22 patients with LP. Control group consisted of 14 healthy volunteers. All subjects underwent thorough examination. Pruritus severity was evaluated with the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the 12-item Itch Questionnaire. IL-31 expression in the skin was assessed using semiquantitative immunofluorescence analysis.Results. Pruritus maximal intensity according to VAS was6.5±2.7points and according to the 12-item Itch Questionnaire6.9±2.8points. Lesional LP skin showed significantly higher IL-31 expression compared to healthy skin (P<0.001). The most abundant immunofluorescence was observed within granular layer. However, there was no correlation between expression of IL-31 and pruritus intensity assessed according to VAS (VASmax:ρ=−0.08,P=0.73), as well as 12-item Itch Questionnaire:ρ=−0.11,P=0.65.Conclusions. Pruritus is a very common symptom of LP. For the first time we have demonstrated that IL-31 is overexpressed in the lesional skin of LP but its expression does not correlate with intensity of pruritus.
Representation of Group Isomorphisms: The Compact Case
Authors: Ferrer Marita , Gary Margarita , Hernández Salvador
Published: February 2015

LetGbe a discrete group and letAandBbe two subgroups ofG-valued continuous functions defined on two 0-dimensional compact spacesXandY. A group isomorphismHdefined betweenAandBis calledseparatingwhen, for each pair of mapsf, g∈Asatisfying thatf-1eG∪g-1eG=X, it holds thatHf-1eG∪Hg-1eG=Y. We prove that under some mild conditions every biseparating isomorphismH:A→Bcan be represented by means of a continuous functionh:Y→Xas a weighted composition operator. As a consequence we establish the equivalence of two subgroups of continuous functions if there is a biseparating isomorphism defined between them.
Issues concerning Landowner Management Plan Adoption Decisions: A Recursive Bivariate Probit Approach
Authors: Joshi Omkar , Grebner Donald L. , Munn Ian A. , Grala Robert K.
Published: February 2015

Despite the likely benefits of having a written forest management plan, a small number of landowners in the United States have the one. A recursive bivariate probit model was used to identify the possible relationship between landowners’ decision to obtain a management plan and their interest in future timber harvesting. Our study results based on recursive bivariate model suggest that landowners having larger land ownerships, longer forest ownership tenure, and higher education were more likely to have a forest management plan and future timber harvesting interest. While the landowners having interest for wildlife management were also interested to have a written management plan, they did not prefer to harvest in future. Study results indicate that written management plan means more than a timber harvesting strategy to landowners in general. Many elderly landowners with a low level of income and less formal education and those having small or medium sized tracts of forestland are less likely to own a written management plan. Therefore, this group requires special attention in various government sponsored forest management related extension activities. Future research on understanding landowner perception behind written management plan is recommended.
Targeted Blockade of JAK/STAT3 Signaling Inhibits Ovarian Carcinoma Growth
Authors: Gritsina Galina , Xiao Fang , O'Brien Shane W. , Gabbasov Rashid , Maglaty Marisa A. , Xu Ren-Huan , Thapa Roshan J. , Zhou Yan , Nicolas Emmanuelle , Litwin Samuel , Balachandran Siddharth , Sigal Luis J. , Huszar Dennis , Connolly Denise C.
Published: February 2015

Ovarian carcinoma is the fifth leading cause of death among women in the United States. Persistent activation of STAT3 is frequently detected in ovarian carcinoma. STAT3 is activated by Janus family kinases (JAK) via cytokine receptors, growth factor receptor, and non–growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases. Activation of STAT3 mediates tumor cell proliferation, survival, motility, invasion, and angiogenesis, and recent work demonstrates that STAT3 activation suppresses antitumor immune responses and supports tumor-promoting inflammation. We hypothesized that therapeutic targeting of the JAK/STAT3 pathway would inhibit tumor growth by direct effects on ovarian carcinoma cells and by inhibition of cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME). To test this, we evaluated the effects of a small-molecule JAK inhibitor, AZD1480, on cell viability, apoptosis, proliferation, migration, and adhesion of ovarian carcinoma cells in vitro. We then evaluated the effects of AZD1480 on in vivo tumor growth and progression, gene expression, tumor-associated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, and immune cell populations in a transgenic mouse model of ovarian carcinoma. AZD1480 treatment inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation and DNA binding, and migration and adhesion of cultured ovarian carcinoma cells and ovarian tumor growth rate, volume, and ascites production in mice. In addition, drug treatment led to altered gene expression, decreased tumor-associated MMP activity, and fewer suppressor T cells in the peritoneal TME of tumor-bearing mice than control mice. Taken together, our results show pharmacologic inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway leads to disruption of functions essential for ovarian tumor growth and progression and represents a promising therapeutic strategy. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(4); 1035–47. ©2015 AACR.
Tumor Cells Chronically Treated with a Trastuzumab–Maytansinoid Antibody–Drug Conjugate Develop Varied Resistance Mechanisms but Respond to Alternate Treatments
Authors: Loganzo Frank , Tan Xingzhi , Sung Matthew , Jin Guixian , Myers Jeremy S. , Melamud Eugene , Wang Fang , Diesl Veronica , Follettie Maximillian T. , Musto Sylvia , Lam My-Hanh , Hu William , Charati Manoj B. , Khandke Kiran , Kim Kenny Sung Kyoo , Cinque Mike , Lucas Judy , Graziani Edmund , Maderna Andreas , O'Donnell Christopher J. , Arndt Kim T. , Gerber Hans-Peter
Published: February 2015

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADC) are emerging as clinically effective therapy. We hypothesized that cancers treated with ADCs would acquire resistance mechanisms unique to immunoconjugate therapy and that changing ADC components may overcome resistance. Breast cancer cell lines were exposed to multiple cycles of anti-Her2 trastuzumab–maytansinoid ADC (TM-ADC) at IC80 concentrations followed by recovery. The resistant cells, 361-TM and JIMT1-TM, were characterized by cytotoxicity, proteomic, transcriptional, and other profiling. Approximately 250-fold resistance to TM-ADC developed in 361-TM cells, and cross-resistance was observed to other non–cleavable-linked ADCs. Strikingly, these 361-TM cells retained sensitivity to ADCs containing cleavable mcValCitPABC-linked auristatins. In JIMT1-TM cells, 16-fold resistance to TM-ADC developed, with cross-resistance to other trastuzumab-ADCs. Both 361-TM and JIMT1-TM cells showed minimal resistance to unconjugated mertansine (DM1) and other chemotherapeutics. Proteomics and immunoblots detected increased ABCC1 (MRP1) drug efflux protein in 361-TM cells, and decreased Her2 (ErbB2) in JIMT1-TM cells. Proteomics also showed alterations in various pathways upon chronic exposure to the drug in both cell models. Tumors derived from 361-TM cells grew in mice and were refractory to TM-ADC compared with parental cells. Hence, acquired resistance to trastuzumab–maytansinoid ADC was generated in cultured cancer cells by chronic drug treatment, and either increased ABCC1 protein or reduced Her2 antigen were primary mediators of resistance. These ADC-resistant cell models retain sensitivity to other ADCs or standard-of-care chemotherapeutics, suggesting that alternate therapies may overcome acquired ADC resistance. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(4); 952–63. ©2015 AACR.