bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation and Characterization of Two New Antimicrobial Acids from Quercus incana (Bluejack Oak)
Authors: Sarwar Rizwana , Farooq Umar , Naz Sadia , Riaz Nadia , Majid Bukhari Syed , Rauf Abdur , Mabkhot Yahia N. , Al-Showiman Salim S.
Published: January 2018

Two new compounds [1-2] were purified from ethyl acetate fraction of Quercus incana. The structure of these compounds is mainly established by using advanced spectroscopic technique such as UV, IR, one-dimensional (ID) and two-dimensional (2D) NMR techniques, and EI mass. The structural formula was deduced to be 4-hydroxydecanoic acid [1] and 4-hydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl) pentanoic acid [2]. Both isolated compounds were tested for their antimicrobial potential and showed promising antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus.
Air‐Cured Fiber‐Cement Composite Mixtures with Different Types of Cellulose Fibers
Authors: Soydan Ali Murat , Sari Abdul Kadir , Duymaz Burcu , Akdeniz Recep , Tunaboylu Bahadır
Published: January 2018

This present study was carried out to check the feasibility of different cellulose fibers obtained from cropped virgin cellulose, blenched eucalyptus, and araucaria pulps through different new environmentally friendly curing processes for fiber‐cement production. The aim is to introduce the different sources of cellulose fibers with lower cost to produce the “fiber‐cement without autoclave” (FCWA). The slurries used in the experiments contain approximately 8% wt. of cellulose. The influence of the waste marble powder addition to the cement mixture was also studied. The physical and mechanical properties of the products which were prepared with this method under different curing conditions were investigated. The mechanical properties of eucalyptus cellulose appear to offer the best combination, especially after longer air‐cure cycles. The results showed that the production of FCWA is very economical by using waste marble powders. And moreover, two new types of cellulose fibers (eucalyptus and araucaria celluloses; EuC and ArC, resp.), which provide a better density and packing in the fiber‐cement leading to better modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) values as virgin cellulose (ViC), are very usable for production of the fiber‐cement in industrial scale.
Clinical Significance and Biological Role of HuR in Head and Neck Carcinomas
Authors: Levidou Georgia , Kotta-Loizou Ioly , Tasoulas Jason , Papadopoulos Thomas , Theocharis Stamatios
Published: January 2018

Background. Hu-antigen R (HuR) is a posttranscriptional regulator of several target mRNAs, implicated in carcinogenesis. This review aims to present the current evidence regarding the biological role and potential clinical significance of HuR in head and neck carcinomas. Methods. The existing literature concerning HuR expression and function in head and neck carcinomas is critically presented and summarised. Results. HuR is expressed in the majority of the examined samples, showing higher cytoplasmic levels in malignant or premalignant cases. Moreover, HuR modulates several genes implicated in biological processes important for malignant transformation, growth, and invasiveness. HuR seems to be an adverse prognosticator in patients with OSCCs, whereas a correlation with a more aggressive phenotype is reported in several types of carcinomas. Conclusions. A consistent role of HuR in the carcinogenesis and progression of head and neck carcinomas is suggested; nevertheless, further studies are warranted to expand the present information.
Vertical Indexing for Moving Objects in Multifloor Environments
Authors: Alamri Sultan , Taniar David , Nguyen Kinh
Published: January 2018

The indexing and tracking of objects moving in indoor spaces has increasingly become an important area of research, which presents a fundamentally different challenge. There are two main reasons for why indoor should be treated as cellular space. Firstly, an indoor space has entities, such as rooms and walls, that constrain the movement of the moving objects. Secondly, the relevant notion of locations of an object is cell based rather than an exact Euclidean coordinate. As a solution, in our earlier works, we proposed a cell-based indexing structure, called the C-tree, for indexing objects moving in indoor space. In this paper, we extend the C-tree to solve another interesting problem. It can be observed that many indoor spaces (such as shopping centers) contain wings/sections. For such a space, there are queries for which the wing/section location of an object, rather than the cellular location, is the relevant answer (e.g., “the object is in the east wing”). In this paper, we propose a new index structure, called the GMI-tree (“GMI” stands for “Graph-based Multidimensional Index”). The GMI-tree is based on two notions of distance, or equivalently, two notions of adjacency: one represents horizontal adjacency and the other represents vertical adjacency.
Extent of Entry Capacity Loss at Roundabouts Caused by Rainy Conditions
Authors: Ben-Edigbe J. , Pakshir A. H. , Ibijola S. O.
Published: January 2018

Entry capacity loss at multilane roundabouts caused by rainfall was investigated. Traffic and rainfall data were collected continuously for eight weeks at selected sites in South Africa and Malaysia. Three classes of rainfall (light, moderate, and heavy) were used. Both linear and exponential techniques were used to model the relationship between entry and circulating traffic flows. Correction factor for entry angle and radius was introduced in the linear model equations to allow for variations in geometric data. Correction factor is not required for the exponential model technique. Notwithstanding, both techniques predicted that entry capacity loss would result from rainfalls irrespective of their intensity. Results show that light rainfall may cause about 5% entry and circulating capacity loss, moderate rainfall may cause about 12% capacity loss, and heavy rainfall may cause about 17% capacity loss. This paper proposed further studies into the effect of two circulating lanes rather than one on entry capacity at roundabouts.
Biodegradable Alginate-Chitosan Hollow Nanospheres for Codelivery of Doxorubicin and Paclitaxel for the Effect of Human Lung Cancer A549 Cells
Authors: Tao Liu , Jiang Jie , Gao Yu , Wu Chao , Liu Ying
Published: January 2018

A biodegradable alginate coated chitosan hollow nanosphere (ACHN) was prepared by a hard template method and used for codelivery of doxorubicin (DOX) and paclitaxel (PTX) to investigate the effect on human lung cancer A549 cells. PTX was loaded into the nanometer hollow structure of ACHN through adsorption method. DOX was coated on surface of ACHN through electrostatic interaction. Drug release studies exhibited a sustained-release effect. According to X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis, DOX structure in the loading samples (DOX-PTX-ACHN) was of amorphous state while PTX was microcrystalline. Cytotoxicity experiments showed ACHN was nontoxic as carrier material and the combination of DOX and PTX in DOX-PTX-ACHN exhibited a good inhibiting effect on cell proliferation. Cell uptake experiments demonstrated that DOX-PTX-ACHN accumulated in the cytoplasm. Degradation experiments illustrated that ACHN was a biodegradable material. In summary, these results clearly indicate that ACHN can be utilized as a potential biomaterial to transport multiple drugs to be used in combination therapy.
A Clustering K-Anonymity Privacy-Preserving Method for Wearable IoT Devices
Authors: Liu Fang , Li Tong
Published: January 2018

Wearable technology is one of the greatest applications of the Internet of Things. The popularity of wearable devices has led to a massive scale of personal (user-specific) data. Generally, data holders (manufacturers) of wearable devices are willing to share these data with others to get benefits. However, significant privacy concerns would arise when sharing the data with the third party in an improper manner. In this paper, we first propose a specific threat model about the data sharing process of wearable devices’ data. Then we propose a K-anonymity method based on clustering to preserve privacy of wearable IoT devices’ data and guarantee the usability of the collected data. Experiment results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Lung Cancer Mortality in Tuscany from 1971 to 2010 and Its Connections with Silicosis: A Space-Cohort Analysis Based on Shared Models
Authors: Dreassi Emanuela
Published: January 2018

Lung cancer mortality in Tuscany (Italy) for males, from 1971 and 2010, is investigated. A hierarchical Bayesian model for space-time disease mapping is introduced. Such a model belongs to the class of shared random effect models and exploits the birth-cohort as the relevant time dimension. It allows for highlighting common and specific patterns of risk for each birth-cohort. The results show that different birth-cohorts exhibit quite different spatial patterns, even if the socioeconomic status is taken into account. In fact, there were different occupational exposures before and after the Second World War. The birth-cohort 1930–35 exhibits high relative risks related to particular areas. This fact could be connected with occupational exposure to risk factors for silicosis, perhaps a prognostic status for lung cancer.
Bacterial Infection and Predictors of Mortality in Patients with Autoimmune Liver Disease-Associated Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Chen Ping , Gao Hainv , Hao Shaorui , Yang Meifang , Zhao Hong , Hu Jianhua , Ma Weihang , Li Lanjuan
Published: January 2018

Objective. To date, few studies are available on autoimmune liver disease-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). The aim of this study is to investigate bacterial infection and predictors of mortality in these patients. Methods. We retrospectively studied patients with autoimmune liver disease from August 2012 to August 2017. Clinical data of the patients were retrieved for analysis. Results. There were 53 ACLF patients and 53 patients without ACLF in this study. The ACLF group had a higher prevalence of complications (P<0.05). The 28-day and 90-day mortality rates were also obviously high in patients with ACLF (38.3% and 74.5%, resp.) (P<0.05). No predictor was significantly associated with 28-day and 90-day transplant-free mortality. In 53ACLF patients, 40 (75.5%) patients showed bacterial infection. ACLF patients with bacterial infection showed high Child-Pugh score, MELD score, CLIF-SOFA score, 28-day mortality, and 90-day mortality (P>0.05). Moreover, C-reactive protein (CRP) using 12.15 mg/L cut-off value proved to be more accurate than procalcitonin in identifying patients with infection. Conclusions. Autoimmune liver disease-associated ACLF showed more complications and high mortality. Bacterial infection patients displayed a more severe condition than those without infection. Elevated CRP is an accurate marker for diagnosing bacterial infection in autoimmune liver disease-associated ACLF patients.
Evaluation of Potential Mechanisms Controlling the Catalase Expression in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Glorieux Christophe , Sandoval Juan Marcelo , Dejeans Nicolas , Nonckreman Sandrine , Bahloula Khadija , Poirel Hélène A. , Calderon Pedro Buc
Published: January 2018

Development of cancer cell resistance against prooxidant drugs limits its potential clinical use. MCF‐7 breast cancer cells chronically exposed to ascorbate/menadione became resistant (Resox cells) by increasing mainly catalase activity. Since catalase appears as an anticancer target, the elucidation of mechanisms regulating its expression is an important issue. In MCF‐7 and Resox cells, karyotype analysis showed that chromosome 11 is not altered compared to healthy mammary epithelial cells. The genomic gain of catalase locus observed in MCF‐7 and Resox cells cannot explain the differential catalase expression. Since ROS cause DNA lesions, the activation of DNA damage signaling pathways may influence catalase expression. However, none of the related proteins (i.e., p53, ChK) was activated in Resox cells compared to MCF‐7. The c‐abl kinase may lead to catalase protein degradation via posttranslational modifications, but neither ubiquitination nor phosphorylation of catalase was detected after catalase immunoprecipitation. Catalase mRNA levels did not decrease after actinomycin D treatment in both cell lines. DNMT inhibitor (5‐aza‐2 ′‐deoxycytidine) increased catalase protein level in MCF‐7 and its resistance to prooxidant drugs. In line with our previous report, chromatin remodeling appears as the main regulator of catalase expression in breast cancer after chronic exposure to an oxidative stress.
The Difference in Cervical Vertebral Skeletal Maturation between Cleft Lip/Palate and Non-Cleft Lip/Palate Orthodontic Patients
Authors: Batwa Waeil , Almoammar Khalid , Aljohar Aziza , Alhussein Abdullah , Almujel Saad , Zawawi Khalid H.
Published: January 2018

Objective. The aim was to evaluate differences in the cervical vertebral skeletal maturity of unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and non-cleft lip/palate (non-CLP) Saudi male orthodontic patients. Method. This cross-sectional multicenter study took place at the dental school, King Saud University and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between October 2014 and September 2015. The records of Saudi male orthodontic patients with UCLP n=69 were collected. Cervical vertebral maturation was assessed using their cephalometric radiographs. The records of 138 age-matched non-CLP Saudi male orthodontic patients served as controls. Results. There was a significant difference in skeletal maturity between the UCLP and non-CLP groups, as evident in the delayed skeletal development among the UCLP participants. Moreover, pubertal growth spurt onset was significantly earlier in the non-cleft participants in comparison with the UCLP participants p=0.009. Conclusions. There is delayed skeletal maturity among the UCLP Saudi male population in comparison with their non-CLP age-matched peers.
Face Recognition and Drunk Classification Using Infrared Face Images
Authors: Hermosilla Gabriel , Verdugo José Luis , Farias Gonzalo , Vera Esteban , Pizarro Francisco , Machuca Margarita
Published: January 2018

The aim of this study is to propose a system that is capable of recognising the identity of a person, indicating whether the person is drunk using only information extracted from thermal face images. The proposed system is divided into two stages, face recognition and classification. In the face recognition stage, test images are recognised using robust face recognition algorithms: Weber local descriptor (WLD) and local binary pattern (LBP). The classification stage uses Fisher linear discriminant to reduce the dimensionality of the features, and those features are classified using a classifier based on a Gaussian mixture model, creating a classification space for each person, extending the state-of-the-art concept of a “DrunkSpace Classifier.” The system was validated using a new drunk person database, which was specially designed for this work. The main results show that the performance of the face recognition stage was 100% with both algorithms, while the drunk identification saw a performance of 86.96%, which is a very promising result considering 46 individuals for our database in comparison with others that can be found in the literature.
The Pathophysiological Mechanisms and the Quest for Biomarkers in Psoriasis, a Stress-Related Skin Disease
Authors: Tampa Mircea , Sarbu Maria-Isabela , Mitran Madalina-Irina , Mitran Cristina-Iulia , Matei Clara , Georgescu Simona-Roxana
Published: January 2018

Psoriasis is a physically, emotionally, and socially invalidating multifactorial disorder, with a significant impact on the patients’ quality of life. Stress is one of the leading triggers for psoriasis and has been associated with disease onset and subsequent flare-ups, while the flare-ups by themselves often lead to psychological discomfort. The treatment of psoriasis is individualized, depending on the patients’ measurable severity of illness, as well as the impact the skin condition has on patients’ quality of life, as assessed by standardized questionnaires. The clinical scales used nowadays for measuring the severity of psoriasis are characterized by low reproducibility and high variability between examiners. Hence, there is a real need to identify objectively measurable biomarkers to standardize the assessment of the severity of psoriasis. We aim to review the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in psoriasis, focusing on the most critical advances in psoriasis biomarker discovery, pointing out those biomarkers which have also been studied in other stress-related conditions, thus emphasizing the relationship between psoriasis and stress.
Origins of Chalcocite Defined by Copper Isotope Values
Authors: Mathur R. , Falck H. , Belogub E. , Milton J. , Wilson M. , Rose A. , Powell W.
Published: January 2018

The origin of chalcocite is explored through a comparison of the copper isotope values of this mineral from supergene enrichment, sedimentary copper/red bed, and high-temperature hypogene mineralization around the world. Data from the literature and the data presented here (n=361) reveal that chalcocite from high-temperature mineralization has the tightest cluster of values of δCu65=0±0.6 in comparison to sedimentary copper/red bed δCu65=-0.9±1.0 and supergene enrichment δCu65=+1.9±1.8. Although the errors of the means overlap, large portions of the data lie in different values, allowing for distinguishing ranges for δCu65 of <−1‰ for sedimentary copper/red bed, between -1 and +1 for high-temperature hypogene, and >+1 for supergene enrichment chalcocite. The copper isotope values of sedimentary copper/red bed and supergene enrichment chalcocite are caused by redox reactions associated with the dissolution and transport of copper, whereas the tighter range of copper isotope values for hypogene minerals is associated with processes active with equilibrium conditions.
Excessive Pretreatment Weight Loss Is a Risk Factor for the Survival Outcome of Esophageal Carcinoma Patients Undergoing Radical Surgery and Postoperative Adjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Yu Xiao-Li , Yang Jin , Chen Ting , Liu Yi-min , Xue Wei-ping , Wang Ming-Hui , Bai Shou-Min
Published: January 2018

Background. The prognostic values of weight loss and body mass index (BMI) in esophageal carcinoma remain controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of weight loss on the survival of patients undergoing radical surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods. The medical records of 189 consecutive patients with nonmetastatic esophageal carcinoma treated in our hospital between January 2012 and December 2013 were reviewed, and 121 patients were included for analysis. Results. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the 3-year overall survival rate was significantly higher in the low pretreatment weight loss (pre-LWL) group than in the high pretreatment weight loss (pre-HWL) group (P<0.001). In addition, the 3-year overall survival rate of normal weight group was higher than that of overweight and underweight groups (P=0.007). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that pre-LWL group had a significantly better 3-year overall survival than pre-HWL group (P=0.027, HR = 1.89, and 95% CI = 1.07–3.32). pN stage and age were also the survival prognostic factors. Conclusions. Our study showed that low pretreatment weight loss predicted a better survival outcome in the esophageal carcinoma patients with radical surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. However, BMI and weight loss during treatment had no impact on the survival outcome.
Sickle Cell Anemia Patients in Use of Hydroxyurea: Association between Polymorphisms in Genes Encoding Metabolizing Drug Enzymes and Laboratory Parameters
Authors: Yahouédéhou Sètondji Cocou Modeste Alexandre , Carvalho Magda Oliveira Seixas , Oliveira Rodrigo Mota , Santiago Rayra Pereira , da Guarda Caroline Conceição , Carvalho Suellen Pinheiro , Ferreira Júnia Raquel Dutra , Aleluia Milena Magalhães , Adorno Elisângela Vitória , Gonçalves Marilda de Souza
Published: January 2018

This study investigated associations between SNPs in genes encoding metabolizing drug enzymes and laboratory parameters in sickle cell anemia patients under hydroxyurea (SCA-HU+). We evaluated hematologic and biochemical parameters by electronic methods and SNPs by PCR-RFLP and multiplex PCR in 35 SCA-HU+patients and 67 SCA-HU−patients. The HbS, total cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin and fractions levels, and leukocyte, eosinophil, monocyte, and erythroblast counts were reduced in SCA-HU+patients (p<0.05). Moreover, they presented higher HbF, C-reactive protein, and ferritin levels and elevated MCH and MCV values (p<0.05). Genotype frequencies of variants GA + AA ofMPO−463G>A and c1c2 + c2c2 ofCYP2E1−1293G>C/−1053C>T were higher in SCA-HU+patients (p<0.05). Independent associations were found between the variant A allele and lower total cholesterol, between c2 allele and low alpha-1 antitrypsin and between the null GSTT1 variant and high indirect and total bilirubin in SCA-HU+patients. In SCA-HU−patients, independent associations were found between the variant A allele and high uric acid and between c2 allele and high urea. Our results suggest that SNPsMPO−463G>A,CYP2E1−1293G>C/−1053C>T, andGSTT1can be associated with alterations in lipid, inflammatory, renal, hemolytic, and hepatic profiles. However, further studies are needed to elucidate these associations.
Analysis on Invulnerability of Wireless Sensor Network towards Cascading Failures Based on Coupled Map Lattice
Authors: Fu Xiuwen , Yang Yongsheng , Yao Haiqing
Published: January 2018

Previous research of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) invulnerability mainly focuses on the static topology, while ignoring the cascading process of the network caused by the dynamic changes of load. Therefore, given the realistic features of WSNs, in this paper we research the invulnerability of WSNs with respect to cascading failures based on the coupled map lattice (CML). The invulnerability and the cascading process of four types of network topologies (i.e., random network, small‐world network, homogenous scale‐free network, and heterogeneous scale‐free network) under various attack schemes (i.e., random attack, max‐degree attack, and max‐status attack) are investigated, respectively. The simulation results demonstrate that the rise of interference R and coupling coefficient ε will increase the risks of cascading failures. Cascading threshold values Rc and εc exist, where cascading failures will spread to the entire network when R > Rc or ε > εc. When facing a random attack or max‐status attack, the network with higher heterogeneity tends to have a stronger invulnerability towards cascading failures. Conversely, when facing a max‐degree attack, the network with higher uniformity tends to have a better performance. Besides that, we have also proved that the spreading speed of cascading failures is inversely proportional to the average path length of the network and the increase of average degree 〈k〉 can improve the network invulnerability.
Investigation of the Effects of Marble Material Properties on the Surface Quality
Authors: Cevheroğlu Çıra Sümeyra , Dağ Ahmet , Karakuş Askeri
Published: January 2018

This study aims to investigate the effects of material properties of marble on surface roughness and glossiness. For this purpose, four types of limestones were investigated. Physicomechanical properties of samples were determined through laboratory measurements. Mineralogical and petrographical characterizations were made using thin‐section analysis. X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) semiquantitative method was used for chemical analysis. Six different grinding‐polishing tests for each marble unit were done under fixed operational conditions using the same abrasive series. Relationship between the material properties and the surface quality was investigated. Although the polishing‐grinding tests were conducted under the same operational conditions, different levels of roughness and glossiness were observed on different samples. Data obtained from the study proved that the main cause of this difference is textural and chemical composition variations of the marble specimen. Moreover, statistical evaluations showed that porosity, uniaxial compressive strength, and indirect tensile strength have strong effects on the surface roughness and glossiness of the marble specimen. The presence of an inverse relationship between the glossiness and roughness levels was determined as the result of this study as well.
Prediction of GPCR-Ligand Binding Using Machine Learning Algorithms
Authors: Seo Sangmin , Choi Jonghwan , Ahn Soon Kil , Kim Kil Won , Kim Jaekwang , Choi Jaehyuck , Kim Jinho , Ahn Jaegyoon
Published: January 2018

We propose a novel method that predicts binding of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and ligands. The proposed method uses hub and cycle structures of ligands and amino acid motif sequences of GPCRs, rather than the 3D structure of a receptor or similarity of receptors or ligands. The experimental results show that these new features can be effective in predicting GPCR-ligand binding (average area under the curve [AUC] of 0.944), because they are thought to include hidden properties of good ligand-receptor binding. Using the proposed method, we were able to identify novel ligand-GPCR bindings, some of which are supported by several studies.
Parameter Identification and Hybrid Synchronization in an Array of Coupled Chaotic Systems with Ring Connection: An Adaptive Integral Sliding Mode Approach
Authors: Siddique Nazam , Rehman Fazal ur
Published: January 2018

This article presents an adaptive integral sliding mode control (SMC) design method for parameter identification and hybrid synchronization of chaotic systems connected in ring topology. To employ the adaptive integral sliding mode control, the error system is transformed into a special structure containing nominal part and some unknown terms. The unknown terms are computed adaptively. Then the error system is stabilized using integral sliding mode control. The controller of the error system is created that contains both the nominal control and the compensator control. The adapted laws and compensator controller are derived using Lyapunov stability theory. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is validated through numerical examples.
A Coupled Lattice Boltzmann-Volume Penalization for Flows Past Fixed Solid Obstacles with Local Mesh Refinement
Authors: Guo Kai , Cui Xiongwei , Liu Minghao
Published: January 2018

A coupled Lattice Boltzmann-Volume Penalization (LBM-VP) with local mesh refinement is presented to simulate flows past obstacles in this article. Based on the finite-difference LBM, the local mesh refinement is incorporated into the LBM to improve computing efficiency. The volume penalization method is introduced into the LBM by an external forcing term. In the LBM-VP method, the processes of interpolating velocities on the boundaries points and distributing the force density to the Eulerian points near the boundaries are unnecessary. Performing the LBM-VP on a certain point, only the variables of this point are needed, which means the whole procedure can be conducted parallelly. As a consequence, the whole computing efficiency can be improved. To verify the presented method, flows past a single circular cylinder, a pair of cylinders in tandem arrangement, and a NACA-0012 are investigated. A good agreement between the present results and the data in the previous literatures is achieved, which demonstrates the accuracy and effectiveness of the present method to solve the flows past obstacle problems.
The Underestimated Significance of Conditioning in Placebo Hypoalgesia and Nocebo Hyperalgesia
Authors: Bräscher Anne-Kathrin , Witthöft Michael , Becker Susanne
Published: January 2018

Placebo and nocebo effects are intriguing phenomena in pain perception with important implications for clinical research and practice because they can alleviate or increase pain. According to current theoretical accounts, these effects can be shaped by verbal suggestions, social observational learning, and classical conditioning and are necessarily mediated by explicit expectation. In this review, we focus on the contribution of conditioning in the induction of placebo hypoalgesia and nocebo hyperalgesia and present accumulating evidence that conditioning independent from explicit expectation can cause these effects. Especially studies using subliminal stimulus presentation and implicit conditioning (i.e., without contingency awareness) that bypass the development of explicit expectation suggest that conditioning without explicit expectation can lead to placebo and nocebo effects in pain perception. Because only few studies have investigated clinical samples, the picture seems less clear when it comes to patient populations with chronic pain. However, conditioning appears to be a promising means to optimize treatment. In order to get a better insight into the mechanisms of placebo and nocebo effects in pain and the possible benefits of conditioning compared to explicit expectation, future studies should carefully distinguish both methods of induction.
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Support Endometriotic Stromal CellsIn Vitro
Authors: Abomaray Fawaz , Gidlöf Sebastian , Bezubik Bartosz , Engman Mikael , Götherström Cecilia
Published: January 2018

Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease marked by ectopic growth of endometrial cells. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have immunosuppressive properties that have been suggested as a treatment for inflammatory diseases. Therefore, the aim herein was to examine effects of allogeneic MSC on endometriosis-derived cellsin vitroas a potential therapy for endometriosis. MSC from allogeneic adipose tissue (Ad-MSC) and stromal cells from endometrium (ESCendo) and endometriotic ovarian cysts (ESCcyst) from women with endometriosis were isolated. The effects of Ad-MSC on ESCendoand ESCcystwere investigated usingin vitroproliferation, apoptosis, adhesion, tube formation, migration, and invasion assays. Ad-MSC significantly increased proliferation of ESC compared to untreated controls. Moreover, Ad-MSC significantly decreased apoptosis and increased survival of ESC. Ad-MSC significantly increased adhesion of ESCendoand not ESCcyston fibronectin. Conditioned medium from cocultures of Ad-MSC and ESC significantly increased tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells on matrigel. Ad-MSC may significantly increase migration of ESCcystand did not increase invasion of both cell types. The data suggest that allogeneic Ad-MSC should not be considered as a potential therapy for endometriosis, because they may support the pathology by maintaining and increasing growth of ectopic endometrial tissue.
Effect of Deformation Temperature on Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Low‐Carbon High‐Mn Steel
Authors: Grajcar Adam , Kozłowska Aleksandra , Topolska Santina , Morawiec Mateusz
Published: January 2018

This work addresses the influence of deformation temperature in a range from −40°C to 200°C on the microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of a low‐carbon high‐manganese austenitic steel. The temperature range was chosen to cope at the time during sheet processing or car crash events. Experimental results show that yield stress and ultimate tensile strength gradually deteriorate with an increase in the tensile testing temperature. The dominant mechanism responsible for the strain hardening of steel changes as a function of deformation temperature, which is related to stacking fault energy (SFE) changes. When the deformation temperature rises, twinning decreases while a role of dislocation slip increases.
Health Risk Behaviour among Adolescents Living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ssewanyana Derrick , Mwangala Patrick N. , van Baar Anneloes , Newton Charles R. , Abubakar Amina
Published: January 2018

The burden of health risk behaviour (HRB) among adolescents living with HIV (ALWHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is currently unknown. A systematic search for publications on HRB among ALWHIV in SSA was conducted in PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts databases. Results were summarized following PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Heterogeneity was assessed by the DerSimonian and Laird method and the pooled estimates were computed. Prevalence of current condom nonuse behaviour was at 59.8% (95% CI: 47.9–71.3%), risky sexual partnerships at 32.9% (95% CI: 15.4–53.2%), transactional sex at 20.1% (95% CI: 9.2–33.8%), and the experience of sexual violence at 21.4% (95% CI: 16.3–27.0%) among ALWHIV. From this meta-analysis, we did not find statistically significant differences in pooled estimates of HRB prevalence between ALWHIV and HIV uninfected adolescents. However, there was mixed evidence on the occurrence of alcohol and drug use behaviour. Overall, we found that research on HRB among ALWHIV tends to focus on behaviour specific to sexual risk. With such a high burden of HRB for the individuals as well as society, these findings highlight an unmet need for age-appropriate interventions to address the behavioural needs of these adolescents.
Effects of Welding Heat Input on Microstructure and Electrochemical Behavior of Flux‐Cored Arc‐Welded Q690 HSLA Steel
Authors: Wang Kai , Lu Qinghua , Yi Yaoyong , Yi Jianglong , Niu Ben , Jiang Zexin , Ma Jinjun
Published: January 2018

In this work, the weld metal (WM) for the Q690 high‐strength low‐alloy (HSLA) steel was prepared through flux‐cored arc welding (FCAW) at 10 kJ/cm and 20 kJ/cm heat inputs. The effect of welding heat input on the relationship between the microstructural factors and the electrochemical behavior of the FCAW Q690 steel was studied. Due to the fine grain and acicular ferrite affected by the 10 kJ/cm low heat input, the WM presented similar electrochemical behavior to the Q690 base metal, which would minimize the risk of galvanic corrosion. Also, at 20 kJ/cm of high welding heat input, the WM with higher‐sized bainite structure was prone to galvanic corrosion risk minimization.
Reduction of Residual Stress for High‐Strength Low‐Alloy Steel Strip Based on Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Qiu Zengshuai , He Anrui , Shao Jian , Xia Xiaoming
Published: January 2018

Intensive cooling technology is widely utilized in the production of high‐strength hot‐rolled steel strip. However, intensive cooling at high cooling rate may cause stress heterogeneity on a steel strip, which further generates great residual stress and influences steel strip shape. In this study, a three‐dimensional finite element (FE) model of high‐strength low‐alloy steel strip on the run‐out table coupled with heat transfer, phase transformation, and strain/stress is developed by ABAQUS software. To enhance modeling precision, several experiments are conducted, such as uniaxial tensile test at multiple temperatures, dynamic continuous cooling transformation, and scanning electron microscopy, to determine the material properties and boundary conditions of the FE model. Four new models are established based on this model to reduce the residual stress of strip by modifying the initial and boundary conditions. Results show that reducing the initial transverse temperature difference is the most effective in reducing residual stress, followed by sparse cooling, edge masking, and posterior cooling.
Improving Learning Tasks for Mentally Handicapped People Using AmI Environments Based on Cyber-Physical Systems
Authors: Martín Diego , Bordel Borja , Alcarria Ramón , Castro Yone
Published: January 2018

A prototype to improve learning tasks for mentally handicapped people is shown in this research paper using ambient intelligence techniques and based on cyber-physical systems. The whole system is composed of a worktable, a cyber-glove (both with several RFID and NFC detection zones), and an AmI software application for modeling and workflow guidance. A case study was carried out by the authors where sixteen mentally handicapped people and 3 trainers were involved in the experiment. The experiment consisted in the execution of several memorization tasks of movements of objects using the approach presented in this paper. The results obtained were very interesting, indicating that this kind of solutions are feasible and allow the learning of complex tasks to some types of mentally handicapped people. In addition, at the end of the paper are presented some lessons learned after performing the experimentation.
An Overview of Long Noncoding RNAs Involved in Bone Regeneration from Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Peng Shuping , Cao Lihua , He Shiwei , Zhong Yancheng , Ma Haotian , Zhang Yanru , Shuai Cijun
Published: January 2018

Bone regeneration is very important for the recovery of some diseases including osteoporosis and bone fracture trauma. It is a multiple-step- and multiple-gene-involved complex process, including the matrix secretion and calcium mineralization by osteoblasts differentiated from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and the absorption of calcium and phosphorus by osteoclasts differentiated from hematopoietic stem cells. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a family of transcripts longer than 200 nt without or with very low protein-coding potential. Recent studies have demonstrated that lncRNAs are widely involved in the regulation of lineage commitment and differentiation of stem cells through multiple mechanisms. In this review, we will summarize the roles and molecular mechanism of lncRNAs including H19, MALAT1, MODR, HOTAIR, DANCR, MEG3, HoxA-AS3, and MIAT in osteogenesis ossification; lncRNA ZBED3-AS1 and CTA-941F9.9, DANCR, and HIT in chondrogenic differentiation; and lncRNA DANCR in osteoclast differentiation. These findings will facilitate the development and application of novel molecular drugs which regulate the balance of bone formation and absorption.
Variational and Numerical Analysis of a Static Thermo-Electro-Elastic Problem with Friction
Authors: Baiz Othman , Benaissa Hicham , El Moutawakil Driss , Fakhar Rachid
Published: January 2018

We consider a mathematical model which describes a static frictional contact between a piezoelectric body and a thermally conductive obstacle. The constitutive law is supposed to be thermo-electro-elastic and the contact is modeled with normal compliance and a version of Coulomb’s friction law. We derive a variational formulation of the problem and we prove the existence and uniqueness of its solution. The proof is based on some results of elliptic variational inequalities and fixed point arguments. Furthermore, a finite element approximation and a priori error estimates are obtained.
Spontaneous Regression of Cardiac Rhabdomyoma Presenting as Severe Left Ventricular Inlet Obstruction in a Neonate with Tuberous Sclerosis
Authors: Song Eun Song , Jeong Kumi , Kim Gun , Hwang In Ji , Lee Mi-Ji , Cho Hwa Jin , Cho Young Kuk
Published: January 2018

Cardiac rhabdomyoma can be subclinical or have a fatal presentation according to the onset age and involved site, size, and degree of invasion. Although most cardiac rhabdomyomas become smaller with time, emergency intervention is indicated when severe obstruction has occurred. In this report, we describe the spontaneous regression of a large cardiac rhabdomyoma (20.5 × 15.6 mm) presenting as severe left ventricular inlet obstruction in a neonate with tuberous sclerosis. Although a cardiac rhabdomyoma can be large enough to induce left ventricular inlet obstruction, conservative treatment without aggressive surgical intervention can be considered if the hemodynamic condition does not deteriorate.
Exploitation of Ultrahigh‐Performance Fibre‐Reinforced Concrete for the Strengthening of Concrete Structural Members
Authors: Al-Osta Mohammed A.
Published: January 2018

The repair and strengthening of reinforced concrete members are very important due to several factors, including unexpected increases in load levels and/or the damaging impact of aggressive environmental conditions on structural concrete members. Many researchers have turned to using materials for the repair and strengthening of damaged structures or the construction of new concrete structural members. Ultrahigh‐performance fibre‐reinforced concrete (UHPFRC), characterized by superior structural and durability performance in aggressive environmental conditions, is one of the materials that have been considered for the repair and strengthening of concrete structural members. The repair or strengthening of concrete structures using UHPFRC needs a thorough knowledge of the behaviour of both the strengthening material and the strengthened concrete structure at service load conditions, in addition to an understanding of the design guidelines governing the use of such materials for effective repair and strengthening. In this study, the recent issues and findings regarding the use of UHPFRC as a repair or strengthening material for concrete structural members are reviewed, analysed, and discussed. In addition, recommendations were made concerning areas where future attention and research on the use of UHPFRC as a strengthening material needs to be focused if the material is to be applied in practice.
The Role of Private Health Sector for Tuberculosis Control in Debre Markos Town, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Reta Alemayehu , Simachew Addis
Published: January 2018

Background. Tuberculosis has been declared to be a global epidemic. Despite all the effort, only less than half the annual estimated cases are reported by health authorities to the WHO. This could be due to poor reporting from the private sector. In Ethiopia, tuberculosis has also been a major public health problem. The aim of this study was to assess the role of the private health sector in tuberculosis control in Debre Markos. Methods. An institution based cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in private health facilities. A total of 260 tuberculosis suspects attending the private clinics were interviewed. Focus group discussion, checklist, and structured questionnaire were used. Results. Majority of the private clinics were less equipped, poorly regulated, and owned by health workers who were self-employed on a part-time basis. Provider delay of 4 and more months was significantly associated higher likelihood of turning to a private provider (OR = 2.70, 95% CI = (1.20, 6.08)). Conclusions and Recommendations. There is significant delay among tuberculosis patients. Moreover, there is poor regulation of the private health sector by public health authorities. The involvement of the private sector in tuberculosis control should be limited to identification and refer to tuberculosis cases and suspects.
Eosinophils from Physiology to Disease: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Ramirez Giuseppe A. , Yacoub Mona-Rita , Ripa Marco , Mannina Daniele , Cariddi Adriana , Saporiti Nicoletta , Ciceri Fabio , Castagna Antonella , Colombo Giselda , Dagna Lorenzo
Published: January 2018

Despite being the second least represented granulocyte subpopulation in the circulating blood, eosinophils are receiving a growing interest from the scientific community, due to their complex pathophysiological role in a broad range of local and systemic inflammatory diseases as well as in cancer and thrombosis. Eosinophils are crucial for the control of parasitic infections, but increasing evidence suggests that they are also involved in vital defensive tasks against bacterial and viral pathogens including HIV. On the other side of the coin, eosinophil potential to provide a strong defensive response against invading microbes through the release of a large array of compounds can prove toxic to the host tissues and dysregulate haemostasis. Increasing knowledge of eosinophil biological behaviour is leading to major changes in established paradigms for the classification and diagnosis of several allergic and autoimmune diseases and has paved the way to a “golden age” of eosinophil-targeted agents. In this review, we provide a comprehensive update on the pathophysiological role of eosinophils in host defence, inflammation, and cancer and discuss potential clinical implications in light of recent therapeutic advances.
Castleman’s Disease and Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder after Liver Transplant: 3-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Jha Lokesh K. , Ulmer Laura L. , Olivera-Martinez Marco A. , McCashland Timothy M. , Fu Kai , Rochling Fedja A.
Published: January 2018

A 59-year-old male with a history of hepatitis C cirrhosis and history of hepatitis B exposure presented 8 months after orthotopic liver transplant (LT) with fever, fatigue, myalgia, night sweats, nonproductive cough, and shortness of breath. Bone marrow biopsy for pancytopenia was positive for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA. Lymph node biopsy for lymphadenopathy on imaging showed human herpes virus 8 (HHV8) associated Castleman’s disease. Treatment included valganciclovir, rituximab, and prednisone taper with eventual discontinuation. Quantitative HHV8 DNA was initially 611,000 DNA copies/mL and was later undetectable at 6 months following treatment and remained undetectable at 3-year follow-up.
Primary Effusion Lymphoma without an Effusion: A Rare Case of Solid Extracavitary Variant of Primary Effusion Lymphoma in an HIV-Positive Patient
Authors: Hashmi Hamza , Murray Drew , Al-Quran Samer , Tse William
Published: January 2018

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a unique form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, usually seen in severely immunocompromised, HIV-positive patients. PEL is related to human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) infection, and it usually presents as a lymphomatous body cavity effusion in the absence of a solid tumor mass. There have been very few case reports of HIV-positive patients with HHV-8-positive solid tissue lymphomas not associated with an effusion (a solid variant of PEL). In the absence of effusion, establishing an accurate diagnosis can be challenging, and a careful review of morphology, immunophenotype, and presence of HHV-8 is necessary to differentiate from other subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Treatment involves intensive chemotherapy, and prognosis is usually poor. We present a rare case of a PEL variant in an HIV-positive patient who presented with extensive lymphadenopathy without any associated effusions.
Pareto-Optimization of HTS CICC for High-Current Applications in Self-Field
Authors: Tomassetti Giordano , de Marzi Gianluca , Celentano Giuseppe , Rizzo Francesco , Augieri Andrea , della Corte Antonio
Published: January 2018

The ENEA superconductivity laboratory developed a novel design for Cable-in-Conduit Conductors (CICCs) comprised of stacks of 2nd-generation REBCO coated conductors. In its original version, the cable was made up of 150 HTS tapes distributed in five slots, twisted along an aluminum core. In this work, taking advantage of a 2D finite element model, able to estimate the cable’s current distribution in the cross-section, a multiobjective optimization procedure was implemented. The aim of optimization was to simultaneously maximize both engineering current density and total current flowing inside the tapes when operating in self-field, by varying the cross-section layout. Since the optimization process involved both integer and real geometrical variables, the choice of an evolutionary search algorithm was strictly necessary. The use of an evolutionary algorithm in the frame of a multiple objective optimization made it an obliged choice to numerically approach the problem using a nonstandard fast-converging optimization algorithm. By means of this algorithm, the Pareto frontiers for the different configurations were calculated, providing a powerful tool for the designer to achieve the desired preliminary operating conditions in terms of engineering current density and/or total current, depending on the specific application field, that is, power transmission cable and bus bar systems.