bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aspiring to Lead: Physics Teacher Leaders Influencing Science Education Policy
Authors: Bundy Becky , Dahl Julie , Guiñals-Kupperman Seth , Martino Katie , Hengesbach Jeff , Metzler John , Smith Trey , Spencer Nichole , Whitehurst Amanda , Vargas Michael , Vieyra Rebecca
Published: February 2019

Teachers are increasingly recognizing the need—and their power—to advocate on behalf of the teaching profession for the sake of their students and communities. National organizations like AAPT have a key role in amplifying teachers’ voices. Building on the strategic vision for K-12 physics teacher professional development of the “Aspiring to Lead” report (Fig. 1), AAPT broke new ground by supporting teams of educators in addressing local- and state-level issues related to physics education.
The Difference Between a Probability and a Probability Density
Authors: Kohnle Antje , Jackson Alexander , Paetkau Mark
Published: February 2019

Learning introductory quantum physics is challenging, in part due to the different paradigms in classical mechanics and quantum physics. Classical mechanics is deterministic in that the equations of motion and the initial conditions fully determine a particle’s trajectory. Quantum physics is an inherently probabilistic theory in that only probabilities for measurement outcomes can be determined. Prior to studying quantum physics, students will typically have little experience with probabilistic analyses of physical systems, and thus probability may be a conceptual hurdle for introductory quantum physics students. This article describes two interactive simulations developed as part of the QuVis Quantum Mechanics Visualization Project that aim to bridge the gap between classical mechanics and quantum physics using probabilistic analyses of classical systems. The simulations illustrate how a probability density can be obtained for two classical systems well known to students. The key learning goals of the simulations are to introduce students to probability densities and to help students distinguish between a probability and a probability density. The simulations build on previous work by Bao and Redish, who developed an activity that used pseudo-random video frames of a glider in harmonic motion to derive a classical probability density for this system, and a University of Washington quantum mechanics tutorial focusing on probability and probability density for a classical system. Interactive simulations allow students to easily carry out experiments and change variables that would be difficult to do with real equipment, and help students connect multiple representations by showing explicitly how they are linked. The simulations described here only require basic knowledge of algebra and classical mechanics. They run on touchscreen devices as well as desktop computers, and can be run in a standard web browser from the QuVis website or downloaded for offline use.
A Study on Parallax Error in Video Analysis
Authors: Stephens Jeff , Bostjancic Melissa , Koskulitz Tara
Published: February 2019

The use of video analysis for the study of motion and forces is well established in the worlds of physics and biomechanics. The issue of parallax error, sometimes referred to as perspective error or scaling error, when videotaping a moving object is known, and the experimenter is often counseled to be “far away.” However, “far away” is not often defined and sometimes experiments have limitations on the distances between camera, object, and scale. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to look into how far away is far enough. Our paper is not meant to be an exhaustive look at errors in video analysis; rather, we hope it may find use as a simple guideline when setting up your own video analysis experiments. We approach the error from parallax in two ways, first as a relative error within the data, and second via an appendix, as a correction factor based on experimental setup. We offer this work as a guide and perhaps a rule of thumb for those using video analysis as a tool in their research or their classroom. We also suggest this experiment as a possible entry point to the topic of experimental errors.
Wooly Willy: Distance dependence of magnetic field
Authors: Henrich Victor E.
Published: February 2019

Every introductory physics course discusses permanent magnets, usually bar magnets. The two main properties of the magnetic field, B, treated there are its direction and strength. The latter is treated qualitatively: “the number of [field] lines per unit area is proportional to the strength of the magnetic field,” with reference to a sketch of field lines for a bar magnet. The quantitative solution of B for a bar magnet is beyond the level of any introductory course.
Individualized prediction of the sound pressure at the eardrum for an earpiece with integrated receivers and microphones
Authors: Vogl Steffen , Blau Matthias
Published: February 2019

Future hearing systems and hearables will likely contain microphones and receivers in the ear canal. In order to predict the sound pressure at the eardrum in such a scenario, a one-dimensional electroacoustic model of a prototype open earpiece with integrated receivers and integrated microphones was developed. The model parameters were obtained in a training setup with well-defined loads at both sides of the earpiece. Subsequently, the prototype earpiece was put on individual subjects, and the model was then used to determine the acoustic impedance of the ear canal, which in turn was used to derive models of the individual ear canal and eardrum, by minimizing five types of cost functions and various parameters. Model predictions of the sound pressure at the individual eardrum were subsequently compared to probe-tube measurements in 12 human subjects. An analysis of the resulting errors led to identifying the best combination of cost function and associated parameters. This best combination resulted in an agreement between measurement and prediction of less than ±3 dB and ±20° up to 3 kHz and less than ±5 dB and ±30° up to 6–8 kHz, performing significantly better than both average transfer models and existing individualized predictions.
Challenges for mesenchymal stromal cell therapies
Authors: Martin Ivan , Galipeau Jacques , Kessler Charles , Le Blanc Katarina , Dazzi Francesco
Published: February 2019

Clinical trials of mesenchymal stromal cell therapies reveal a challenging heterogeneous landscape, including diverse therapeutic targets, patient categories, cell sources, and potential mechanisms of action.
Multi-objective differential evolution based random forest for e-health applications
Authors: Kaur Manjit , Gianey Hemant Kumar , Singh Dilbag , Sabharwal Munish
Published: February 2019

Many machine learning techniques have been used in past few decades for various medical applications. However, these techniques suffer from parameter tuning issue. Therefore, an efficient tuning of these parameters has an ability to improve the performance of existing machine learning techniques. Therefore, in this work, a novel multi-objective differential evolution based random forest technique is proposed. The proposed technique is able to tune the parameters of random forest in an efficient manner. Extensive experiments are carried out by considering the proposed and the existing competitive machine learning techniques on various medical applications. It is observed that the proposed technique outperforms existing techniques in terms of accuracy, f-measure, sensitivity and specificity.
Propagation of two-dimensional extremely short optical pulses in photonic crystal with silicene
Authors: Konobeeva Natalia N. , Belonenko Mikhail B.
Published: February 2019

We consider the wave equation for an electromagnetic field propagating in silicene placed in photonic crystal (PC). We study the effects observed when the depth of the nonlinearity modulation are varied, as well as the initial amplitude of the electromagnetic pulse.
Martensitic transformation and magnetic properties in Pd2MnGa Heusler alloy by DFT study
Authors: Yang Bin , Li Zhinan , Zhu Fanghui , Jiang Liwu , Zhang Chuan-Hui
Published: February 2019

The electronic structure, martensitic transformation and magnetic properties of [Formula: see text] Heusler alloy were studied by first-principles calculations. It is found that the stable structure of austenitic [Formula: see text] is the ferromagnetic [Formula: see text] structure, and a martensitic transformation is possible to occur with the distortion degree of 1.26. By the analysis of the electronic structure, some results of magnetic moment are consistent with previous theoretical calculations.
Analysis of decoy-state measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution system
Authors: Zhang Peng , Jiao Rong-Zhen
Published: February 2019

The performance of measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) with different numbers of decoy-state are compared. The statistical fluctuation due to the finite length of data is considered based on the standard statistical analysis. The simulation results show that two-decoy-state method is a nearly optimal estimation in the asymptotic case. In the condition of considering statistical fluctuations, the finite length of raw key will slightly decrease the secret key rate. In all simulation cases, the key rate is maximized by optimizing the intensities of the signals. Our numerical simulation may provide valuable theoretical reference for the practical MDI-QKD experiments.
Time evolution of quantum-memory-assisted entropic uncertainty relation and quantum correlations under dissipative environment
Authors: Pourkarimi Mohammad Reza
Published: February 2019

By assuming the effect of dissipative environment and the Hamiltonian XY-model and external magnetic field, the time evolution of the entropic uncertainty relation (EUR) in the presence of quantum-memory and the dynamics of quantum correlations (QC) are investigated. It is shown that EUR and QC may evolve in different ways during the time. However, they can behave similarly when the time tends to infinity. The effects of external magnetic field and anisotropic parameter are different on the dynamics of EUR and QC.
Two-way quantum key distribution in a uniformly distributed quantum space via a special mapping and its analytical security proofs
Authors: Kang Guodong , Zhou Qingping , Fang Maofa
Published: February 2019

Within the field of quantum cryptography, two-way direct quantum secure communication is a relatively new proposal for sharing secret information that is not fully explored yet. We propose a general model for two-way deterministic quantum key distribution, and a special mapping from integers to a uniformly distributed quantum space is introduced for qubit pad preparation. A reduced model, more practical, is also proposed by relaxing the security assumption of the qubit pad preparation. The main work of this paper focuses on the security proofs of these two models. Under collective attacks, we fully analyze the security basis of the general model, and, in a relatively simple way, we provide an analytical security proof for the reduced model in a depolarization quantum channel. Our results show exactly the analytical upper-bound of the amount of useful key that a powerful eavesdropper could extract in both models, and the security of the reduced model is not reduced. One advantage of this work is that the special mapping guarantees the random distribution property of the qubit pad in a uniformly distributed quantum space, thus guaranteeing the security of the two models, and the other advantage is the simplicity of the analytical derivations of security proofs.
Possible involvement of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal in the pathogenesis of leptin resistance in obesity
Authors: Hosoi Toru , Kuwamura Ayaka , Thon Mina , Tsuchio Kyoji , Abd El-Hafeez Amer Ali , Ozawa Koichiro
Published: February 2019

Insensitivity to the antiobesity hormone, leptin, has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of obesity. However, the pathological mechanisms underlying the development of leptin resistance are not well-understood. This study aimed to examine the pathological mechanisms of leptin resistance in obesity. In the present study, we found that 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), an aldehyde, may be involved in the development of leptin resistance. The SH-SY5Y-Ob-Rb human neuroblastoma cell line, transfected to express the Ob-Rb leptin receptor stably, was treated with 4-HNE, and leptin-induced signal transduction was analyzed. We found that 4-HNE dose- and time-dependently inhibited leptin-induced signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation, a major antiobesity signal of leptin. On the other hand, 4-HNE did not affect tyrosine phosphorylation of broad cellular proteins, suggesting that the inhibitory effect may be selective to leptin signaling. Mechanistically, 4-HNE induced the eukaryotic initiation factor 2α-CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein arm of endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of leptin resistance. Overall, these results suggest that 4-HNE may partly affect endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced unfolded protein response signaling and may be involved in the pathogenesis of leptin resistance.
Inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase ameliorates hyperhomocysteinemia-induced hepatic steatosis by enhancing β-oxidation of fatty acid in mice
Authors: Yao Liu , Cao Boyang , Cheng Qian , Cai Wenbin , Ye Chenji , Liang Jing , Liu Wenli , Tan Lu , Yan Meng , Li Bochuan , He Jinlong , Hwang Sung Hee , Zhang Xu , Wang Chunjiong , Ai Ding , Hammock Bruce D. , Zhu Yi
Published: February 2019

Hepatic steatosis is the beginning phase of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is a significant risk factor. Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) hydrolyzes epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and other epoxy fatty acids, attenuating their cardiovascular protective effects. However, the involvement of sEH in HHcy-induced hepatic steatosis is unknown. The current study aimed to explore the role of sEH in HHcy-induced lipid disorder. We fed 6-wk-old male mice a chow diet or 2% (wt/wt) high-metnionine diet for 8 wk to establish the HHcy model. A high level of homocysteine induced lipid accumulation in vivo and in vitro, which was concomitant with the increased activity and expression of sEH. Treatment with a highly selective specific sEH inhibitor (0.8 mg·kg−1·day−1 for the animal model and 1 μM for cells) prevented HHcy-induced lipid accumulation in vivo and in vitro. Inhibition of sEH activated the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α), as evidenced by elevated β-oxidation of fatty acids and the expression of PPAR-α target genes in HHcy-induced hepatic steatosis. In primary cultured hepatocytes, the effect of sEH inhibition on PPAR-α activation was further confirmed by a marked increase in PPAR-response element luciferase activity, which was reversed by knock down of PPAR-α. Of note, 11,12-EET ligand dependently activated PPAR-α. Thus increased sEH activity is a key determinant in the pathogenesis of HHcy-induced hepatic steatosis, and sEH inhibition could be an effective treatment for HHcy-induced hepatic steatosis.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY In the current study, we demonstrated that upregulation of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is involved in the hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy)-caused hepatic steatosis in an HHcy mouse model and in murine primary hepatocytes. Improving hepatic steatosis in HHcy mice by pharmacological inhibition of sEH to activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α was ligand dependent, and sEH could be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
α-Adrenergic receptor regulation of skeletal muscle blood flow during exercise in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Barrett-O’Keefe Zachary , Lee Joshua F. , Ives Stephen J. , Trinity Joel D. , Witman Melissa A. H. , Rossman Matthew J. , Groot H. Jon , Sorensen Jacob R. , Morgan David E. , Nelson Ashley D. , Stehlik Josef , Richardson Russell S. , Wray D. Walter
Published: February 2019

Patients suffering from heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) experience impaired limb blood flow during exercise, which may be due to a disease-related increase in α-adrenergic receptor vasoconstriction. Thus, in eight patients with HFrEF (63 ± 4 yr) and eight well-matched controls (63 ± 2 yr), we examined changes in leg blood flow (Doppler ultrasound) during intra-arterial infusion of phenylephrine (PE; an α1-adrenergic receptor agonist) and phentolamine (Phen; a nonspecific α-adrenergic receptor antagonist) at rest and during dynamic single-leg knee-extensor exercise (0, 5, and 10 W). At rest, the PE-induced reduction in blood flow was significantly attenuated in patients with HFrEF (−15 ± 7%) compared with controls (−36 ± 5%). During exercise, the controls exhibited a blunted reduction in blood flow induced by PE (−12 ± 4, −10 ± 4, and −9 ± 2% at 0, 5, and 10 W, respectively) compared with rest, while the PE-induced change in blood flow was unchanged compared with rest in the HFrEF group (−8 ± 5, −10 ± 3, and −14 ± 3%, respectively). Phen administration increased leg blood flow to a greater extent in the HFrEF group at rest (+178 ± 34% vs. +114 ± 28%, HFrEF vs. control) and during exercise (36 ± 6, 37 ± 7, and 39 ± 6% vs. 13 ± 3, 14 ± 1, and 8 ± 3% at 0, 5, and 10 W, respectively, in HFrEF vs. control). Together, these findings imply that a HFrEF-related increase in α-adrenergic vasoconstriction restrains exercising skeletal muscle blood flow, potentially contributing to diminished exercise capacity in this population.
2′,3′-cGMP exists in vivo and comprises a 2′,3′-cGMP-guanosine pathway
Authors: Jackson Edwin K. , Mi Zaichuan , Janesko-Feldman Keri , Jackson Travis C. , Kochanek Patrick M.
Published: February 2019

The discovery in 2009 that 2′,3′-cAMP exists in biological systems was rapidly followed by identification of 2′,3′-cGMP in cell and tissue extracts. To determine whether 2′,3′-cGMP exists in mammals under physiological conditions, we used ultraperformance LC-MS/MS to measure 2′,3′-cAMP and 2′,3′-cGMP in timed urine collections (via direct bladder cannulation) from 25 anesthetized mice. Urinary excretion rates (means ± SE) of 2′,3′-cAMP (15.5 ± 1.8 ng/30 min) and 2′,3′-cGMP (17.9 ± 1.9 ng/30 min) were similar. Mice also excreted 2′-AMP (3.6 ± 1.1 ng/20 min) and 3′-AMP (9.5 ± 1.2 ng/min), hydrolysis products of 2′,3′-cAMP, and 2′-GMP (4.7 ± 1.7 ng/30 min) and 3′-GMP (12.5 ± 1.8 ng/30 min), hydrolysis products of 2′,3′-cGMP. To validate that the chromatographic signals were from these endogenous noncanonical nucleotides, we repeated these experiments in mice ( n = 18) lacking 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase (CNPase), an enzyme known to convert 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotides to their corresponding 2′-nucleotides. In CNPase-knockout mice, urinary excretions of 2′,3′-cAMP, 3′-AMP, 2′,3′-cGMP, and 3′-GMP were increased, while urinary excretions of 2′-AMP and 2′-GMP were decreased. Infusions of exogenous 2′,3′-cAMP increased urinary excretion of 2′,3′-cAMP, 2′-AMP, 3′-AMP, and adenosine, whereas infusions of exogenous 2′,3′-cGMP increased excretion of 2′,3′-cGMP, 2′-GMP, 3′-GMP, and guanosine. Together, these data suggest the endogenous existence of not only a 2′,3′-cAMP-adenosine pathway (2′,3′-cAMP → 2′-AMP/3′-AMP → adenosine), which was previously identified, but also a 2′,3′-cGMP-guanosine pathway (2′,3′-cGMP → 2′-GMP/3′-GMP → guanosine), observed here for the first time. Because it is well known that adenosine and guanosine protect tissues from injury, our data support the concept that both pathways may work together to protect tissues from injury.
Motoneuron firing properties are modified by trans-spinal direct current stimulation in rats
Authors: Bączyk M. , Drzymała-Celichowska H. , Mrówczyński W. , Krutki P.
Published: February 2019

Spinal polarization evoked by direct current stimulation [trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS)] is a novel method for altering spinal network excitability; however, it remains not well understood. The aim of this study was to determine whether tsDCS influences spinal motoneuron activity. Twenty Wistar rats under general pentobarbital anesthesia were subjected to 15 min anodal ( n = 10) or cathodal ( n = 10) tsDCS of 0.1 mA intensity, and the electrophysiological properties of their motoneurons were intracellularly measured before, during, and after direct current application. The major effects of anodal intervention included increased minimum firing frequency and the slope of the frequency-current ( f-I) relationship, as well as decreased rheobase and currents evoking steady-state firing (SSF). The effects of cathodal polarization included decreased maximum SSF frequency, decreased f-I slope, and decreased current evoking the maximum SSF. Notably, the majority of observed effects appeared immediately after the current onset, developed during polarization, and outlasted it for at least 15 min. Moreover, the effects of anodal polarization were generally more pronounced and uniform than those evoked by cathodal polarization. Our study is the first to present polarity-dependent, long-lasting changes in spinal motoneuron firing following tsDCS, which may aid in the development of more safe and accurate application protocols in medicine and sport.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Trans-spinal direct current stimulation induces significant polarity-dependent, long-lasting changes in the threshold and firing properties of spinal motoneurons. Anodal polarization potentiates motoneuron firing whereas cathodal polarization acts mainly toward firing inhibition. The alterations in rheobase and rhythmic firing properties are not restricted to the period of current application and can be observed long after the current offset.
Linear‐Quadratic Stackelberg Game for Mean‐Field Backward Stochastic Differential System and Application
Authors: Du Kai , Wu Zhen
Published: February 2019

This paper is concerned with a new kind of Stackelberg differential game of mean‐field backward stochastic differential equations (MF‐BSDEs). By means of four Riccati equations (REs), the follower first solves a backward mean‐field stochastic LQ optimal control problem and gets the corresponding open‐loop optimal control with the feedback representation. Then the leader turns to solve an optimization problem for a 1 × 2 mean‐field forward‐backward stochastic differential system. In virtue of some high‐dimensional and complicated REs, we obtain the open‐loop Stackelberg equilibrium, and it admits a state feedback representation. Finally, as applications, a class of stochastic pension fund optimization problems which can be viewed as a special case of our formulation is studied and the open‐loop Stackelberg strategy is obtained.
Chemical Constituents and an Antineuroinflammatory Lignan, Savinin from the Roots of Acanthopanax henryi
Authors: Li Xiao-Jun , Kim Kwan-Woo , Oh Hyuncheol , Liu Xiang-Qian , Kim Youn-Chul
Published: February 2019

The phytochemical investigation on the roots of Acanthopanax henryi (Araliaceae) resulted in the discovery of twenty compounds whose chemical structures were elucidated by the analysis of 1D-, 2D-NMR, mass spectrometry data, other physicochemical properties, and a comparison of the spectral data with the literature. They were identified as (-)-sesamin (1), helioxanthin (2), savinin (3), taiwanin C (4), 6-methoxy-7-hydroxycoumarin (5), behenic acid (6), 3-O-caffeoyl-quinic acid (7), 5-O-caffeoyl-quinic acid (8), 1,3-di-O-caffeoyl-quinic acid (9), 1,4-di-O-caffeoyl-quinic acid (10), 1,5-di-O-caffeoyl-quinic acid (11), (+)-threo-(7R,8R)-guaiacylglycerol-β-coniferyl aldehyde ether (12), (+)-erythro-(7S,8R)-guaiacylglycerol-β-coniferyl aldehyde ether (13), ferulic acid (14), caffeic acid (15), stigmasterol (16), β-sitosterol (17), adenosine (18), syringin (19), and trans-coniferin (20). Among these isolates, compound 3 showed inhibitory activity against lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production with IC50 values of 2.22 ± 0.11 and 2.28 ± 0.23 μM, respectively. The effects of compound 3 were associated with the suppression of LPS-induced expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein. Furthermore, compound 3 negatively regulated the production of interleukin- (IL-) 1β and tumor-necrosis factor- (TNF-) α at the transcriptional level in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. These antineuroinflammatory effects of compound 3 were mediated by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK).
Image Enhancement Based on Pulse Coupled Neural Network in the Nonsubsample Shearlet Transform Domain
Authors: Qu Zhi , Xing Yaqiong , Song Yafei
Published: February 2019

In this study, pulse coupled neural network (PCNN) was modified and applied to the enhancement of blur images. In the transform domain of nonsubsample shearlet transform (NSST), PCNN was used to enhance the details of images in the low‐ and high‐frequency subbands, and then the enhanced low‐ and high‐frequency coefficients were used for NSST inverse transformation to obtain the enhanced images. The results showed that the proposed method can produce higher‐quality images and suppress noise better than traditional image enhancement strategies.
The Cooperative Stability Evolutionary Game Analysis of the Military‐Civilian Collaborative Innovation for China’s Satellite Industry
Authors: Wei Fang , Chan Wang
Published: February 2019

The military‐civilian collaborative innovation is an implementation path for most countries to develop strategic emerging industries. The satellite industry is an important area in strategic emerging industries. Based on the evolutionary game theory, we build an evolutionary game model of China’s satellite industry military‐civilian collaborative innovation with military enterprises and civil enterprises as the main participators under the bounded rationality. Then we analyze the long‐term evolution of the system and the factors influencing cooperative stability and perform numerical simulation using Matlab. Our research shows that the cooperative stability of China’s satellite industry military‐civilian collaborative innovation is positively related to the cooperation revenue, liquidated damages, and government incentives and negatively related to basic income, R&D costs, information communication costs, technology secondary conversion costs, risk costs, and betrayal income. The reasonable income distribution coefficient is conducive to the cooperative stability, and we give a primary standard for government incentives. Finally, corresponding management implications are put forward.
Roles of Flue Gas in Promoting Steam Flow and Heat Transfer in Multithermal Fluid Flooding
Authors: Wang Zhuangzhuang , Li Zhaomin
Published: February 2019

Multithermal fluid technology is becoming an important method in the field of heavy oil development. However, because of insufficient investigation on the heat transfer for the multithermal fluid, some development phenomena and characteristics still cannot be well explained. In order to determine the effect of flue gas on the thermal swept scope, multithermal fluid flooding experiments were carried out through 1D sandpack. The temperatures along the sandpack were measured. On this basis, steam heat transfer simulation experiments were conducted and the heat transfer coefficients were calculated. The mechanism of flue gas on steam heat transfer was analyzed. The results show that at the same heat injection conditions, the thermal swept scope for the multithermal fluid flooding was larger than that for the steam flooding. With the increase of flue gas proportion in the multithermal fluid, the heat transfer coefficient decreased and the condensation pattern was transformed from drop condensation to film condensation gradually. The flue gas can form gas film on the surface of the cold body and inhibit the heat transfer between steam and the cold body. Because of the inhibiting effect of flue gas on steam heat transfer, flue gas can reduce the heat transferred to the rock matrix in flooding and thus promote steam to carry more heat further. Meanwhile, flue gas can accelerate the flow of steam in porous media, which also leads to the expansion of the thermal swept scope for the multithermal fluid flooding.
Libidibia ferreaFruit Crude Extract and Fractions Show Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Antinociceptive EffectIn Vivoand Increase Cell ViabilityIn Vitro
Authors: Falcão Tamires Rocha , Araújo Aurigena Antunes de , Soares Luiz Alberto Lira , Farias Iuri Brilhante de , Silva Wliana Alves Viturino da , Ferreira Magda Rhayanny Assunção , Araújo Jr Raimundo Fernandes de , Medeiros Juliana Silva de , Lopes Maria Luiza Diniz de Sousa , Guerra Gerlane Coelho Bernardo
Published: February 2019

Background.Libidibia ferrea(L. ferrea)is found throughout the northeastern region of Brazil, where it has been used in folk medicine with beneficial effects on many inflammatory disorders.Purpose. This study investigated the phytochemical composition of the crude extract and fractions ofL. ferreafruit and evaluated its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activitiesin vivoand effect on cell viabilityin vitro.Methods. Characterization of polyphenols present in crude extract (CE), hydroalcoholic fractions of 20-80% ethanol (CE20, CE40, CE60, and CE80), aqueous fraction (AqF), and ethyl acetate (EAF) fractions ofL. ferreafruit was performed by chromatographic analysis.Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by using a carrageenan-induced peritonitis model submitted to a leukocyte migration assay and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) analysis. Total glutathione and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed to evaluate the oxidative stress level. Antinociceptive activity was evaluated by acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing and hot plate test.In vitrocell viability was determined by using MTT assay in a mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line (3T3 cells).Results. Chromatography revealed the presence of ellagic acid content in EAF (3.06), CE (2.96), and CE40 (2.89). Gallic acid was found in EAF (12.03), CE 20 (4.43), and CE (3.99).L. ferreacrude extract and all fractions significantly reduced leukocyte migration and MPO activity (p<0.001).L. ferreaantioxidant effect was observed through high levels of total glutathione and reduction of MDA levels (p<0.001). Acetic acid-induced nociception was significantly inhibited after administration ofL. ferreacrude extract and all fractions (p<0.001). Crude extract and all fractions significantly increased the viability of the 3T3 cell line (p<0.05).Conclusions. The appropriate extraction procedure preserves the chemical components ofL. ferreafruit, such as gallic acid and ellargic acid. Crude extract and fractions ofL. ferreafruit exhibited anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antinociceptive activitiesin vivoand enhanced cell viabilityin vitro.
Research on Exact Thresholds for ARAIM MHSS Fault Monitoring
Authors: Zhang Sida , Wang Zhipeng , Gao Zhen
Published: February 2019

Multiple Hypothesis Solution Separation (MHSS) is the baseline algorithm for Advanced Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (ARAIM), and it detects faults by comparing the test statistic with a threshold. However, the cuboid threshold structure of the MHSS fault monitoring baseline algorithm lacks omnidirectionality, which leads to low conformity between the threshold and the spatial distribution of the test statistic and to low fault monitoring accuracy. To resolve these problems, we analyzed the distribution of a test statistic for single‐, double‐, and triple‐fault hypotheses. By extracting the eigenvectors and eigenvalues of the solution separating variance, we designed an omnidirectional threshold structure. The simulation verifies the effectiveness of the fault detection method by detecting faults from noise. The results show that the proposed method is more exact, stable, and applicable than the MHSS fault detection baseline.
Hybrid Relative Attributes Based on Sparse Coding for Zero‐Shot Image Classification
Authors: Lu Nannan , Sun Yanjing , Yun Xiao
Published: February 2019

As a specific case of image recognition, zero‐shot image classification is difficult to solve since its training set cannot cover all the categories of the testing set. From the view point of human vision recognition, the objects can be recognized through the visible and nameable description to the properties. To be the semantic description of the object property, attributes can be taken as a bridge between the seen and unseen categories, which are capable of using into zero‐shot image classification. There are mainly binary attributes and relative attributes for zero‐shot classification, where the relative attributes have the ability to catch more general sematic relationship than the binary ones. But relative attributes do not always work in zero‐shot classification for those categories having similar relative strength attributes. Aiming at solving the defect of the relative attributes in describing the similar categories, we propose to construct the Hybrid Relative Attributes based on Sparse Coding (SC‐HRA). First, sparse coding is implemented on low‐level features to get nonsemantic relative attributes, which are the necessary complement to the existing relative attributes. After that, they are integrated with the relative attributes to form the hybrid relative attributes (HRA). HRA ranking functions are then learned by the relative attribute learning. Finally, the class label is obtained according to the predicted ranking results of HRA and the ranking relations of HRA among the categories. To verify the effectiveness of SC‐HRA, the extensive experiments are conducted on the datasets of faces and natural scenes. The results show that SC‐HRA acquires the higher classification accuracy and AUC value.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Postexposure Prophylaxis against HIV Infection among Healthcare Workers in Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Eticha Endalkachew Mekonnen , Gemeda Ashenafi Beru
Published: February 2019

Background. Postexposure chemoprophylaxis can prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in risk health care workers; however routine adoption of these practices by the workers has been limited. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 311 health care workers of Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital between February and March 2016. Data was collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire and analysed using STATA 12. Results. In all, 83% of the participants had adequate knowledge of postexposure prophylaxis for HIV. All the respondents had heard about postexposure prophylaxis for HIV; however, only 37 (22.4%) workers know the definition of the postexposure prophylaxis. Among study participants, the majority of them, 272 (87.5%), knew the preferable time to initiate postexposure chemoprophylaxis. A significant number of the workers (43.4%) had an unfavorable attitude towards postexposure prophylaxis. Among 53 workers with a potential exposure to HIV, 38 (71.7%) took postexposure chemoprophylaxis and only 26 (44.8%) completed taking postexposure prophylaxis correctly. Conclusion. In all, most of the health care workers had adequate knowledge about postexposure prophylaxis against HIV/AIDS. The result shows that a significant number of individuals had a negative attitude and poor practice with regard to postexposure prophylaxis. Therefore, formal training that aims to improve attitudes and support to improve postexposure prophylaxis implementation and completion are needed. We would recommend the establishment of appropriate guidelines and the supply chain to ensure the availability of postexposure prophylaxis drugs for the protection of healthcare workers with potential high risk exposure to HIV.
On Stability of Multi‐Valued Nonlinear Feedback Shift Registers
Authors: Wang Haiyan , Lin Qiuzhen , Chen Jianyong , Li Jianqiang , Zhong Jianghua , Lin Dongdai , Wang Jia , Ma Lijia
Published: February 2019

Nonlinear feedback shift registers (NFSRs) are the main building blocks in many convolutional decoders, and a stable NFSR can limit decoding error propagation. Due to lack of efficient algebraic tools, the stability of multi‐valued NFSRs has been much less studied. This paper studies the stability of multi‐valued NFSRs using a logic network approach. A multi‐valued NFSR can be viewed as a logic network. Based on its logic network representation, some sufficient and necessary conditions are provided for globally (locally) stable multi‐valued NFSRs, explicit forms are given for the set of basins, and the algorithm for obtaining the set of basins is provided as well. Finally, a new method is presented for constructing stable n + 1‐stage NFSRs from stable n‐stage NFSRs by the properties of D‐morphism.
Threshold Strategy for Nonsmooth Filippov Stage‐Structured Pest Growth Models
Authors: Tao Fengmei , Kang Baolin , Liu Bing , Qu Leilei
Published: February 2019

In order to control pests and eventually maintain the number of pests below the economic threshold, in this paper, based on the nonsmooth dynamical system, a two‐stage‐structured pest control Filippov model is proposed. We take the total number of juvenile and adult pest population as the control index to determine whether or not to implement chemical control strategies. The sliding‐mode domain and conditions for the existence of regular and virtual equilibria, pseudoequilibrium, boundary equilibria, and tangent points are given. Further, the sufficient condition of the locally asymptotic stability of pseudoequilibrium is obtained. By numerical simulations, the local bifurcations of the equilibria are discussed. Our results show that the total number of pest populations can be successfully controlled below the economic threshold by taking suitable threshold policy.
МЕТОДИ ЛІКУВАННЯ ОЖИРІННЯ У ПІДЛІТКІВ
Authors: Artemenko A. S. , Naumova L. V.
Published: February 2019

У статті висвітлено особливості лікування ожиріння у підлітків. Проаналізовано принципи  дієтотерапії, гіпнозу та оперативних втручань щодо корекції цього стану. Розглянуто основні моменти, на які необхідно звернути увагу під час лікування підліткового ожиріння.
Nanoparticle Therapy for Vascular Diseases
Authors: Flores Alyssa M. , Ye Jianqin , Jarr Kai-Uwe , Hosseini-Nassab Niloufar , Smith Bryan R. , Leeper Nicholas J.
Published: February 2019

Nanoparticles promise to advance strategies to treat vascular disease. Since being harnessed by the cancer field to deliver safer and more effective chemotherapeutics, nanoparticles have been translated into applications for cardiovascular disease. Systemic exposure and drug-drug interactions remain a concern for nearly all cardiovascular therapies, including statins, antithrombotic, and thrombolytic agents. Moreover, off-target effects and poor bioavailability have limited the development of completely new approaches to treat vascular disease. Through the rational design of nanoparticles, nano-based delivery systems enable more efficient delivery of a drug to its therapeutic target or even directly to the diseased site, overcoming biological barriers and enhancing a drug’s therapeutic index. In addition, advances in molecular imaging have led to the development of theranostic nanoparticles that may simultaneously act as carriers of both therapeutic and imaging payloads. The following is a summary of nanoparticle therapy for atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and restenosis and an overview of recent major advances in the targeted treatment of vascular disease.
Antiatherogenic Effect of Resveratrol Attributed to Decreased Expression of ICAM-1 (Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1)
Authors: Seo Youngsik , Park Jinsun , Choi Woosoung , Ju Son Dong , Sung Kim Yoo , Kim Min-Kyun , Yoon Bo-Eun , Pyee Jaeho , Tae Hong Jin , Go Young-Mi , Park Heonyong
Published: February 2019

Objective—

Increasing evidence shows that resveratrol has antiatherogenic effects, but its underlying mechanisms are unknown. Thus, we evaluated the molecular mechanisms underlying the antiatherogenic effect of resveratrol.

Approach and Results—

Using the previously established mouse atherosclerosis model of partial ligation of the left carotid artery, we evaluated the role of resveratrol in antiatherosclerosis. We attempted to determine the mechanisms associated with focal adhesions using vascular endothelial cells. The results showed that resveratrol stimulated focal adhesion kinase cleavage via resveratrol-increased expression of lactoferrin in endothelial cells. Furthermore, we found that an N-terminal focal adhesion kinase fragment cleaved by resveratrol contained the FERM (band 4.1, ezrin, radixin, and moesin)-kinase domain. Furthermore, resveratrol inhibited lipopolysaccharide-stimulated adhesion of THP-1 human monocytes by decreased expression of ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1). A decreased ICAM-1 level was also observed in the left carotid artery of mice treated with resveratrol. To understand the relationship between resveratrol-induced antiinflammation and focal adhesion disruption, endothelial cells were transfected with FERM-kinase. Ectopically expressed FERM-kinase, the resveratrol-cleaved focal adhesion kinase fragment, was found in the nuclear fraction and inhibited the transcription level of
icam-1
via the Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2)-antioxidant response element complex. Finally, ectopically expressed FERM-kinase blocked tumor necrosis factor-α- or IL- (interleukin) stimulated monocytic binding to endothelial cells.

Conclusions—

Our results show that resveratrol inhibits the expression of ICAM-1 via transcriptional regulation of the FERM-kinase and Nrf2 interaction, thereby blocking monocyte adhesion. These suppressive effects on the inflammatory mechanism suggest that resveratrol delayed the onset of atherosclerosis.
Stimulation of Caveolin-1 Signaling Improves Arteriovenous Fistula Patency
Authors: Hashimoto Takuya , Isaji Toshihiko , Hu Haidi , Yamamoto Kota , Bai Hualong , Santana Jeans M. , Kuo Andrew , Kuwahara Go , Foster Trenton R. , Hanisch Jesse J. , Yatsula Bogdan A. , Sessa William C. , Hoshina Katsuyuki , Dardik Alan
Published: February 2019

Objective—

Arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) are the most common access created for hemodialysis; however, many AVF fail to mature and require repeated intervention, suggesting a need to improve AVF maturation. Eph-B4 (ephrin type-B receptor 4) is the embryonic venous determinant that is functional in adult veins and can regulate AVF maturation. Cav-1 (caveolin-1) is the major scaffolding protein of caveolae—a distinct microdomain that serves as a mechanosensor at the endothelial cell membrane. We hypothesized that Cav-1 function is critical for Eph-B4–mediated AVF maturation.

Approach and Results—

In a mouse aortocaval fistula model, both Cav-1 mRNA and protein were increased in the AVF compared with control veins. Cav-1 KO (knockout) mice showed increased fistula wall thickening (
P
=0.0005) and outward remodeling (
P
<0.0001), with increased eNOS (endothelial NO synthase) activity compared with WT (wild type) mice. Ephrin-B2/Fc inhibited AVF outward remodeling in WT mice but not in Cav-1 KO mice and was maintained in Cav-1 RC (Cav-1 endothelial reconstituted) mice (WT,
P
=0.0001; Cav-1 KO,
P
=0.7552; Cav-1 RC,
P
=0.0002). Cavtratin—a Cav-1 scaffolding domain peptide—decreased AVF wall thickness in WT mice and in Eph-B4 het mice compared with vehicle alone (WT,
P
=0.0235; Eph-B4 het,
P
=0.0431); cavtratin also increased AVF patency (day 42) in WT mice (
P
=0.0275).

Conclusions—

Endothelial Cav-1 mediates Eph-B4–mediated AVF maturation. The Eph-B4-Cav-1 axis regulates adaptive remodeling during venous adaptation to the fistula environment. Manipulation of Cav-1 function may be a translational strategy to enhance AVF patency.
Antihyperglycemic and Blood Pressure Effects of Empagliflozin in Black Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension
Authors: Ferdinand Keith C. , Izzo Joseph L. , Lee Jisoo , Meng Leslie , George Jyothis , Salsali Afshin , Seman Leo
Published: February 2019

Background:

Empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor indicated for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), can lower blood pressure (BP) and reduce cardiovascular mortality in patients with T2DM and preexisting cardiovascular disease. Its effects in blacks have been understudied.

Methods:

In this 24-week study, 150 blacks with T2DM and hypertension had glycohemoglobin (primary end point), office and 24-hour ambulatory BP, body weight, and safety assessments. After a 2-week, open-label, placebo run-in, patients were randomly assigned to once daily empagliflozin (10 mg for the first 4 weeks, then force-titrated to 25 mg until week 24) or placebo. A mixed-effects model for repeated measures was performed on the primary and 2 key secondary end points, and an analysis of covariance for nonrepeated measures with last observation carried forward was performed for 2 other key secondary end points. Hierarchical testing was applied for these end points.

Results:

Overall, 52.7% of participants were men, mean (SD) age, 56.8 (9.3) years; mean duration of T2DM, 9.3 (7.1) years. The baseline values of key parameters (mean [SD]) were as follows: glycohemoglobin, 8.59 (1.02)%; ambulatory systolic BP, 146.3 (11.0) mm Hg; and ambulatory diastolic BP, 89.4 (8.1) mm Hg. By week 24, the mean (standard error) change in glycohemoglobin in the empagliflozin group was –0.77 (0.15%) in comparison with an increase of 0.07 (0.16%) in the placebo group; placebo-corrected difference, –0.78% (95% CI, –1.18 to –0.38;
P
=0.0002). Reductions in body weight by week 24 were –2.38 (0.38) empagliflozin and –0.80 (0.47) placebo; the placebo-corrected difference was –1.23 kg (95% CI, –2.39 to –0.07;
P
=0.0382). Empagliflozin significantly reduced 24-hour ambulatory systolic BP versus placebo by weeks 12 and 24 (placebo-corrected difference, –5.21 mm Hg [95% CI, –9.24 to –1.18;
P
=0.0117] and –8.39 mm Hg [95% CI, –13.74 to –3.04;
P
=0.0025], respectively). Diastolic BP was also reduced.

Conclusions:

In blacks with T2DM, empagliflozin reduced glycohemoglobin, body weight, and BP. The effect of empagliflozin on BP increased from 12 to 24 weeks, suggesting a full antihypertensive effect takes ≥6 months to be fully realized. At week 24, the placebo-subtracted BP effect was similar to standard antihypertensive monotherapies, suggesting that empagliflozin may be beneficial for this high-risk population.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02182830.