bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Erratum: Balconi, M.; et al. Evidences from Rewarding System, FRN and P300 Effect in Internet-Addiction in Young People SHORT TITLE: Rewarding System and EEG in Internet-Addiction Brain Sciences 2017, 7, 81
Authors: Balconi Michela , Venturella Irene , Finocchiaro Roberta
Published: September 2017

We would like to submit the following erratum to our recently published paper [1] due to the error in the title.[...]
A Comparative Study on the Elastic Characteristics of an Aluminum Thin-Film Using Laser Optical Measurement Techniques
Authors: Lee Seonwook , Kim Yun , Cho Younho
Published: September 2017

The increase of a surface area-to-volume ratio with the reduction of material dimensions significantly alters the characteristics of materials from their macroscopic status. Therefore, efforts have been made to establish evaluation techniques for nanoscale films. While contact mechanics-based techniques are conventionally available, non-contact and nondestructive methods would be preferable in case damages left on a sample after testing are not desirable, or an in situ assessment is required. In the present study, the Young’s modulus of an aluminum thin-film was evaluated using two different laser optical measurement techniques. First, microscale beam testing has been performed so that the resonant frequency change of a microfabricated cantilever beam induced by coating of a 153 nm thick aluminum layer on its top surface can be detected using a laser interferometer in order to evaluate the mechanical property through modal analysis using the finite element method. Second, picosecond ultrasonics were employed for cross-verification so that the mechanical characteristics can be evaluated through the investigation of the longitudinal bulk wave propagation behavior. Results show that the Young’s moduli from both measurements agree well with each other within 3.3% error, proving that the proposed techniques are highly effective for the study of nanoscale films.
Water-Soluble Organic Germanium Promotes Both Cornified Cell Envelope Formation and Ceramide Synthesis in Cultured Keratinocytes
Authors: Kato Megumi , Zeng Haifeng , Gu Lihao , Maeda Kazuhisa
Published: September 2017

We investigated whether 3-(trihydroxygermyl) propionic acid increases the formation of cornified cell envelopes and the level of ceramide in cultured epidermal keratinocytes and in a three-dimensional human epidermis model. The activity and mRNA expression of transglutaminase were increased when 3-(trihydroxygermyl) propionic acid was added to the cell cultures. The formation of cornified cell envelopes in cultured human epidermal keratinocytes was increased in the presence of 3-(trihydroxygermyl) propionic acid. Ceramide levels were increased in the presence of 3-(trihydroxygermyl) propionic acid. The activity of serine palmitoyltransferase and mRNA levels of serine palmitoyltransferase 2 were also increased when 3-(trihydroxygermyl) propionic acid was added to the cultures. The extent to which ceramide levels were increased in the presence of 3-(trihydroxygermyl) propionic acid appeared dependent on serine palmitoyltransferase 2 upregulation. These results suggest that 3-(trihydroxygermyl) propionic acid can promote cornified cell envelope formation by inducing transglutaminase expression and ceramide synthesis via the induction of serine palmitoyltransferase activity, thereby improving the barrier function and moisture of dry, rough skin.
Thermal Performance Analysis of Multi-Phase Change Material Layer-Integrated Building Roofs for Energy Efficiency in Built-Environment
Authors: Reddy K. , Mudgal Vijay , Mallick Tapas
Published: September 2017

Thermal energy storage using phase change materials (PCMs) plays a significant role in maintaining thermal comfort and reducing energy consumption in a building because of its ability to absorb/release heat within small temperature variations. In this paper, the thermal performance of roofs has been investigated based on various factors like the integration of a single PCM layer, integration of a double PCM layer, the thickness of the PCM, phase transition temperature and heat of fusion of the PCM. The analysis shows that integration of a single PCM layer of different thickness and phase transition temperature and heat of fusion in roof structures is unable to maintain a comfortable constant temperature inside the building due to incomplete solidification and melting of the PCM. However, the analysis shows that with multi-PCM layers of appropriate thickness it is possible to maintain a constant comfortable temperature of about 28 °C in the building throughout the day in Chennai, India. The analysis also shows that there is reduction in heat gain by 17 to 26% for a single PCM layered roof and 25 to 36% for a double PCM layered roof compared to the roof without PCM layer for the different months of the year.
Hanging Wall Pressure Relief Mechanism of Horizontal Section Top-Coal Caving Face and Its Application—A Case Study of the Urumqi Coalfield, China
Authors: Guo Jinshuai , Ma Liqiang , Wang Ye , Wang Fangtian
Published: September 2017

Abundant steeply-dipping thick coal seams (SDTCS) have been found in Xinjiang, China, and they are mined largely by the horizontal section top-coal caving (HSTCC) method. The hanging wall of the HSTCC face is nearly vertical and does not fracture easily after the underlying coal is extracted. As a result, stress tends to concentrate in the hanging wall of the lower-section working face (LSWF) and then induce dynamic disasters. In this study, a mechanical model of a HSTCC face’s hanging wall in steeply-dipping seams was constructed to study the characteristics of hanging wall deformation. The mechanism of hanging wall pressure relief by deep-hole blasting (DHB) was analyzed and the effectiveness of DHB was investigated by simulation using the LS-DYNA software. Based on these studies, parameters relevant to pressure relief by DHB were determined and then DHB was applied to the 4301 working face in the Jiangou coal mine. The results show that the average pressure of measured at the 4301 working face decreased about 34% from those at the 4501 face where the hanging wall was not blasted. Accidents related to dynamic rock pressure, such as support crushing and large-scale rib fall, did not occur at the 4301 working face throughout the mining process. Additionally, in order to constrain the surface “V”-shaped collapsed grooves induced by repeated mining of HSTCC faces and prevent the subsequent failure of the surrounding rock on the sides of the collapsed grooves, loess was used to fill in the grooves to provide constraint and dynamic control on the surrounding rock. The two complementary technologies proposed in this study provide a guide on how to control hanging wall of SDTCS in similar conditions.
Transmission Expansion Planning Using TLBO Algorithm in the Presence of Demand Response Resources
Authors: Zakeri Amir , Askarian Abyaneh Hossein
Published: September 2017

Transmission Expansion Planning (TEP) involves determining if and how transmission lines should be added to the power grid so that the operational and investment costs are minimized. TEP is a major issue in smart grid development, where demand response resources affect short- and long-term power system decisions, and these in turn, affect TEP. First, this paper discusses the effects of demand response programs on reducing the final costs of a system in TEP. Then, the TEP problem is solved using a Teaching Learning Based Optimization (TLBO) algorithm taking into consideration power generation costs, power loss, and line construction costs. Simulation results show the optimal effect of demand response programs on postponing the additional cost of investments for supplying peak load.
Updating Bark Proportions for the Estimation of Tropical Timber Volumes by Indigenous Community-Based Forest Enterprises in Quintana Roo, Mexico
Authors: Rosell Julieta , Wehenkel Christian , Pérez-Martínez Abraham , Arreola Palacios José , García-Jácome Sandra , Olguín Marcela
Published: September 2017

Sustainable management of tropical forests is essential for conserving the ecosystem services they provide and protecting the livelihoods of the millions of people who depend on these forests. Community-based forest management in Quintana Roo, Mexico, has shown that conserving forests while generating economic benefits is achievable in the tropics. However, this management is carried out with technical gaps that jeopardize sustainable use of these resources. Crucial among these gaps is a lack of equations for precise calculations of logged timber volumes. Current equations employ a proportion of bark volume (PBV) of 0.14 for mahogany and a flat 0.10 for species with dense woods, despite their wide variation in bark thickness. Here, using Meyer’s method, we calculated species-specific PBVs for the most commercially-important species in the Felipe Carrillo Puerto community-based logging operation. For most species, the new PBVs were smaller, indicating that wood volumes are currently underestimated. However, for two species, PBVs were higher. New values could influence the profits of the local enterprise and on the management of some of the most commercially-important species of Mexico’s tropical forests through changes in the numbers of individuals felled.
Antimicrobial Electrospun Fibers of Polyester Loaded with Engineered Cyclic Gramicidin Analogues
Authors: Maione Silvana , Del Valle Luis , Pérez-Madrigal Maria , Cativiela Carlos , Puiggalí Jordi , Alemán Carlos
Published: September 2017

Biodegradable polyester fibers have been loaded with two engineered analogues of gramicidin soviet. In these cyclic peptide derivatives, which were designed in a previous work to stabilize the bioactive conformation while enhancing the antimicrobial activity, the D-Phe was replaced by D-Pro, and the L-Pro was changed by 1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid (Ac3c) or by an Ac3c derivative with two vicinal phenyl substituents in a trans relative disposition (S,S-c3diPhe). The diameter, topography, thermal stability and wettability of the polyester fibers, which have been obtained by electrospinning, strongly depend on the molecular constraints and stability of the loaded peptides. More specifically, unloaded and linear gramicidin-loaded fibers (used as control) are hydrophobic, rough and micrometric, while fibers loaded with the cyclic peptides are hydrophilic, ultra-smooth, nanometric and less thermally stable. The activity of the two cyclic peptides increases when loaded into polyester fibers, suggesting that the polymeric matrix stabilizes the bioactive β-sheet structure. The peptide with S,S-c3diPhe displays higher antibiotic potency and biocompatibility than that with Ac3c, which indicates not only that the bioactive conformation is better preserved by the former but also the significant role played by the phenyl rings in the recognition by living cells.
Polyphenols in Raw and Cooked Cereals/Pseudocereals/Legume Pasta and Couscous
Authors: Carcea Marina , Narducci Valentina , Turfani Valeria , Giannini Vittoria
Published: September 2017

Pasta and couscous are popular foods manufactured (in their traditional form) from durum wheat semolina. In recent years, the consumers’ quest for novel, functional, gluten-free, wholegrain foods has prompted the industry to manufacture new pasta and couscous products in which durum wheat has been partially or totally replaced by other vegetable flours. Besides dietary fibre, these raw materials might be an interesting source of phytochemicals. In this work, 16 commercial samples of pasta and four samples of couscous representative of the new products and made of refined and wholegrain flours of different species of cereals, pseudocereals and legumes were analysed for free, hydrolysable bound and total polyphenol content by means of the Folin-Ciocalteu procedure. Analyses were repeated on cooked samples to assess the quantity of polyphenols ingested by the consumers. The raw legume and pseudocereal products had a total polyphenol content higher than most cereal products (up to 1743.4 mg of Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE) per 100 g dry weight). Wholegrain products had higher contents than refined products. The free fraction underwent up to 46% loss with cooking, probably because of solubility in water. The water absorption of pasta and couscous during cooking was in a ratio of 2:3, resulting in higher dilution of polyphenols in the cooked couscous.
Exact Discretization of an Economic Accelerator and Multiplier with Memory
Authors: Tarasova Valentina , Tarasov Vasily
Published: September 2017

Fractional differential equations of macroeconomics, which allow us to take into account power-law memory effects, are considered. We describe an economic accelerator and multiplier with fading memory in the framework of discrete-time and continuous-time approaches. A relationship of the continuous- and discrete-time fractional-order equations is considered. We propose equations of the accelerator and multiplier for economic processes with power-law memory. Exact discrete analogs of these equations are suggested by using the exact fractional differences of integer and non-integer orders. Exact correspondence between the equations with finite differences and differential equations lies not so much in the limiting condition, when the step of discretization tends to zero, as in the fact that mathematical operations, which are used in these equations, satisfy in many cases the same mathematical laws.
Evaluation of a Pilot Implementation to Integrate Alcohol-Related Care within Primary Care
Authors: Bobb Jennifer , Lee Amy , Lapham Gwen , Oliver Malia , Ludman Evette , Achtmeyer Carol , Parrish Rebecca , Caldeiro Ryan , Lozano Paula , Richards Julie , Bradley Katharine
Published: September 2017

Alcohol use is a major cause of disability and death worldwide. To improve prevention and treatment addressing unhealthy alcohol use, experts recommend that alcohol-related care be integrated into primary care (PC). However, few healthcare systems do so. To address this gap, implementation researchers and clinical leaders at Kaiser Permanente Washington partnered to design a high-quality Program of Sustained Patient-centered Alcohol-related Care (SPARC). Here, we describe the SPARC pilot implementation, evaluate its effectiveness within three large pilot sites, and describe the qualitative findings on barriers and facilitators. Across the three sites (N = 74,225 PC patients), alcohol screening increased from 8.9% of patients pre-implementation to 62% post-implementation (p < 0.0001), with a corresponding increase in assessment for alcohol use disorders (AUD) from 1.2 to 75 patients per 10,000 seen (p < 0.0001). Increases were sustained over a year later, with screening at 84.5% and an assessment rate of 81 patients per 10,000 seen across all sites. In addition, there was a 50% increase in the number of new AUD diagnoses (p = 0.0002), and a non-statistically significant 54% increase in treatment within 14 days of new diagnoses (p = 0.083). The pilot informed an ongoing stepped-wedge trial in the remaining 22 PC sites.
The Relationship between Survival Sex and Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms in a High Risk Female Population
Authors: Ivanich Jerreed , Welch-Lazoritz Melissa , Dombrowski Kirk
Published: September 2017

Engaging in survival sex and mental illness are overrepresented within homeless populations. This article assesses the relationship between symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and engaging in survival sex among homeless women. One hundred and fifty-eight homeless women completed surveys on self-reported BPD symptomology and sexual history. Bivariate and multivariate analyses conducted in this study provided insights into the association of experiencing BPD symptoms and engaging in survival sex. Results indicate that some symptoms of BPD are robustly correlated with engaging in survival sex among homeless adult women. Implications for service agencies and others working with at-risk female populations are discussed.
The Effects of Socioeconomic Vulnerability, Psychosocial Services, and Social Service Spending on Family Reunification: A Multilevel Longitudinal Analysis
Authors: Esposito Tonino , Delaye Ashleigh , Chabot Martin , Trocmé Nico , Rothwell David , Hélie Sonia , Robichaud Marie-Joelle
Published: September 2017

Socio-environmental factors such as poverty, psychosocial services, and social services spending all could influence the challenges faced by vulnerable families. This paper examines the extent to which socioeconomic vulnerability, psychosocial service consultations, and preventative social services spending impacts the reunification for children placed in out-of-home care. This study uses a multilevel longitudinal research design that draws data from three sources: (1) longitudinal administrative data from Quebec’s child protection agencies; (2) 2006 and 2011 Canadian Census data; and, (3) intra-province health and social services data. The final data set included all children (N = 39,882) placed in out-of-home care for the first time between 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2013, and followed from their initial out-of-home placement. Multilevel hazard results indicate that socioeconomic vulnerability, controlling for psychosocial services and social services spending, contributes to the decreased likelihood of reunification. Specifically, socioeconomic vulnerability, psychosocial services, and social services spending account for 24.0% of the variation in jurisdictional reunification for younger children less than 5 years of age, 12.5% for children age 5 to 11 years and 21.4% for older children age 12 to 17 years. These findings have implications for decision makers, funding agencies, and child protection agencies to improve jurisdictional resources to reduce the socioeconomic vulnerabilities of reunifying families.
TRIM44 Is a Poor Prognostic Factor for Breast Cancer Patients as a Modulator of NF-κB Signaling
Authors: Kawabata Hidetaka , Azuma Kotaro , Ikeda Kazuhiro , Sugitani Ikuko , Kinowaki Keiichi , Fujii Takeshi , Osaki Akihiko , Saeki Toshiaki , Horie-Inoue Kuniko , Inoue Satoshi
Published: September 2017

Many of the tripartite motif (TRIM) proteins function as E3 ubiquitin ligases and are assumed to be involved in various events, including oncogenesis. In regard to tripartite motif-containing 44 (TRIM44), which is an atypical TRIM family protein lacking the RING finger domain, its pathophysiological significance in breast cancer remains unknown. We performed an immunohistochemical study of TRIM44 protein in clinical breast cancer tissues from 129 patients. The pathophysiological role of TRIM44 in breast cancer was assessed by modulating TRIM44 expression in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. TRIM44 strong immunoreactivity was significantly associated with nuclear grade (p = 0.033), distant disease-free survival (p = 0.031) and overall survival (p = 0.027). Multivariate analysis revealed that the TRIM44 status was an independent prognostic factor for distant disease-free survival (p = 0.005) and overall survival (p = 0.002) of patients. siRNA-mediated TRIM44 knockdown significantly decreased the proliferation of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells and inhibited the migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. Microarray analysis and qRT–PCR showed that TRIM44 knockdown upregulated CDK19 and downregulated MMP1 in MDA-MB-231 cells. Notably, TRIM44 knockdown impaired nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)-mediated transcriptional activity stimulated by tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). Moreover, TRIM44 knockdown substantially attenuated the TNFα-dependent phosphorylation of the p65 subunit of NF-κB and IκBα in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. TRIM44 would play a role in the progression of breast cancer by promoting cell proliferation and migration, as well as by enhancing NF-κB signaling.
Tyrosine-Kinase Inhibitors Therapies with Mainly Anti-Angiogenic Activity in Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: Value of PET/CT in Response Evaluation
Authors: Ranieri Girolamo , Marech Ilaria , Niccoli Asabella Artor , Di Palo Alessandra , Porcelli Mariangela , Lavelli Valentina , Rubini Giuseppe , Ferrari Cristina , Gadaleta Cosmo
Published: September 2017

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most frequent renal tumor and the majority of patients are diagnosed with advanced disease. Tumor angiogenesis plays a crucial role in the development and progression of RCC together with hypoxia and glucose metabolism. These three pathways are strictly connected to the cell growth and proliferation, like a loop that is self-feeding. Over the last few years, the ever-deeper knowledge of its contribution in metastatic RCC led to the discovery of numerous tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting pro-angiogenic receptors at different levels such as sunitinib, sorafenib, pazopanib, axitinib, tivozanib, and dovitinib. As anti-angiogenic agents, TKIs interfere the loop, being able to inhibit tumor proliferation. TKIs are now available treatments for advanced RCC, which demonstrated to improve overall survival and/or progression free survival. Their effects can be detectable early on Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) by change in 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-2-d-glucose (18F-FDG) uptake, the main radiotracer used to date, as a strong indicator of biological response. 18F-FDG PET/CT demonstrated an ability to predict and monitor disease progression, allowing an early and reliable identification of responders, and could be used for image-guided optimization and “personalization” of anti-angiogenic regimens. New radiotracers for biometabolic imaging are currently under investigation, which exploit the other pathways involved in the cancer process, including cellular proliferation, aerobic metabolism, cell membrane synthesis, hypoxia and amino acid transport, as well as the angiogenic process, but they require further studies.
Time Course of the Phenotype of Blood and Bone Marrow Monocytes and Macrophages in the Lung after Cigarette Smoke Exposure In Vivo
Authors: Oliveira da Silva Camila , Monte-Alto-Costa Andréa , Renovato-Martins Mariana , Viana Nascimento Filipe , Dos Santos Valença Samuel , Lagente Vincent , Pôrto Luís , Victoni Tatiana
Published: September 2017

Alveolar macrophages play a central role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Monocytes are recruited from blood during inflammation and then mature into alveolar macrophages. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cigarette smoke (CS) at different times in lung macrophages and monocytes from blood and bone marrow in mice. Male mice (C57BL/6, n = 45) were divided into groups: control, CS 5 days, CS 14 days and CS 30 days. Five days’ CS exposure induced a pronounced influx of neutrophils and macrophages in the lung associated with increased levels of keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12. After 14 days of CS exposure, neutrophil recruitment and cytokine production were greatly reduced. Moreover, chronic CS exposure led to increased recruitment of macrophages (with high expression of CD206), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) production as well as no detection of TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and KC. CS can also change the monocyte phenotype in the blood and bone marrow, with an increase in Ly6Clow cells. These results show for the first time that CS can change not only macrophage polarization but also monocyte. These results suggest that continued recruitment of Ly6Clow monocytes may help the distinct renewing macrophage M2 population required for COPD progression.
Transfusion of Red Blood Cells to Patients with Sepsis
Authors: Chan Yi-Ling , Han Shih-Tsung , Li Chih-Huang , Wu Chin-Chieh , Chen Kuan-Fu
Published: September 2017

Sepsis is one of the major causes of death worldwide, and is the host response to infection which renders our organs malfunctioning. Insufficient tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery have been implicated in the pathogenesis of sepsis-related organ dysfunction, making transfusion of packed red blood cells (pRBCs) a reasonable treatment modality. However, clinical trials have generated controversial results. Even the notion that transfused pRBCs increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood has been challenged. Meanwhile, during sepsis, the ability of our tissues to utilize oxygen may also be reduced, and the increased blood concentrations of lactate may be the results of strong inflammation and excessive catecholamine release, rather than impaired cell respiration. Leukodepleted pRBCs more consistently demonstrated improvement in microcirculation, and the increase in blood viscosity brought about by pRBC transfusion helps maintain functional capillary density. A restrictive strategy of pRBC transfusion is recommended in treating septic patients.
DESTINY: A Comprehensive Tool with 3D and Multi-Level Cell Memory Modeling Capability
Authors: Mittal Sparsh , Wang Rujia , Vetter Jeffrey
Published: September 2017

To enable the design of large capacity memory structures, novel memory technologies such as non-volatile memory (NVM) and novel fabrication approaches, e.g., 3D stacking and multi-level cell (MLC) design have been explored. The existing modeling tools, however, cover only a few memory technologies, technology nodes and fabrication approaches. We present DESTINY, a tool for modeling 2D/3D memories designed using SRAM, resistive RAM (ReRAM), spin transfer torque RAM (STT-RAM), phase change RAM (PCM) and embedded DRAM (eDRAM) and 2D memories designed using spin orbit torque RAM (SOT-RAM), domain wall memory (DWM) and Flash memory. In addition to single-level cell (SLC) designs for all of these memories, DESTINY also supports modeling MLC designs for NVMs. We have extensively validated DESTINY against commercial and research prototypes of these memories. DESTINY is very useful for performing design-space exploration across several dimensions, such as optimizing for a target (e.g., latency, area or energy-delay product) for a given memory technology, choosing the suitable memory technology or fabrication method (i.e., 2D v/s 3D) for a given optimization target, etc. We believe that DESTINY will boost studies of next-generation memory architectures used in systems ranging from mobile devices to extreme-scale supercomputers. The latest source-code of DESTINY is available from the following git repository: https://bitbucket.org/sparshmittal/destinyv2.
A Particle Element Approach for Modelling the 3D Printing Process of Fibre Reinforced Polymer Composites
Authors: Yang Dongmin , Wu Ke , Wan Lei , Sheng Yong
Published: September 2017

This paper presents a new numerical approach for modelling the 3D printing process of fibre reinforced polymer composites by fused deposition modelling (FDM). The approach is based on the coupling between two particle methods, namely smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) and discrete element method (DEM). The coupled SPH-DEM model has distinctive advantages in dealing with the free surface flow, large deformation of fibres, and/or fibre-fibre interaction that are involved in the FDM process. A numerical feasibility study is carried out to demonstrate its capability for both short and continuous fibre reinforced polymer composites, with promising results achieved for the rheological flow and fibre orientation and deformation.
Current Insights Regarding Metal-on-Metal Bearings for Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Van Der Straeten Catherine
Published: September 2017

Modern small diameter metal-on-metal (MoM) bearings for total hip arthroplasty (THA) have been developed in the nineteen-eighties to address the problem of polyethylene wear related osteolysis. Subsequently large diameter MoM hip resurfacings (HRA) were designed for young and active patients to preserve bone and avoid dislocation. Large diameter MoM THA were originally meant as an easy femoral component-only revision solution for femoral neck fractures in HRA, but were then advocated for primary THA as well. In the last decade however, increasing numbers of revisions for adverse local tissues reactions (ALTR) to metal debris have been reported. These ALTR are due to excessive wear of the MoM bearings, usually related to malpositioning of the components leading to edge loading, or in rare cases to metal sensitivity. Besides the immunological reactions, metal particles and ions have a potential local and systemic toxicity. Wear and tribocorrosion at the taper-trunnion connections of MoM THA but also THA with polyethylene and ceramic bearings have also been recognized as a cause of ALTR with extensive tissue destruction. Despite the fact that the long-term survivorship and functional results of certain MoM HRA are excellent and better than THA in the young and active patients group, MoM bearings have become very unpopular and are likely to be replaced by bearing couples of other materials.
Optical Characterization of Nano- and Microcrystals of EuPO4 Created by One-Step Synthesis of Antimony-Germanate-Silicate Glass Modified by P2O5
Authors: Zmojda Jacek , Kochanowicz Marcin , Miluski Piotr , Baranowska Agata , Pisarski Wojciech , Pisarska Joanna , Jadach Renata , Sitarz Maciej , Dorosz Dominik
Published: September 2017

Technology of active glass-ceramics (GC) is an important part of luminescent materials engineering. The classic method to obtain GC is based on annealing of parent glass in proper temperature and different time periods. Generally, only the bulk materials are investigated as a starting host for further applications. However, the effect of an additional heat-treatment process on emission and structural properties during GC processing is omitted. Here, we focus on the possibility of obtaining transparent glass-ceramic doped with europium ions directly with a melt-quenching method. The influence of phosphate concentration (up to 10 mol %) on the inversion symmetry of local environment of Eu3+ ions in antimony-germanate-silicate (SGS) glass has been investigated. The Stark splitting of luminescence spectra and the local asymmetry ratio estimated by relation of (5D0→7F2)/(5D0→7F1) transitions in fabricated glass confirms higher local symmetry around Eu3+ ions. Based on XRD and SEM/EDX measurements, the EuPO4 nano- and microcrystals with monoclinic geometry were determined. Therefore, in our experiment, we confirmed possibility of one-step approach to fabricate crystalline structures (glass-ceramic) in Eu–doped SGS glass without additional annealing process.
Cellulose-Based Smart Fluids under Applied Electric Fields
Authors: Choi Kisuk , Gao Chun , Nam Jae , Choi Hyoung
Published: September 2017

Cellulose particles, their derivatives and composites have special environmentally benign features and are abundant in nature with their various applications. This review paper introduces the essential properties of several types of cellulose and their derivatives obtained from various source materials, and their use in electro-responsive electrorheological (ER) suspensions, which are smart fluid systems that are actively responsive under applied electric fields, while, at zero electric field, ER fluids retain a liquid-like state. Given the actively controllable characteristics of cellulose-based smart ER fluids under an applied electric field regarding their rheological and dielectric properties, they can potentially be applied for various industrial devices including dampers and haptic devices.
Coercivity Mechanism of (Nd0.8Ce0.2)2.4Fe12Co2B Ribbons with Ferromagnetic Grain Boundary Phase
Authors: Li Heyun , Liang Yang , Tan Xiaohua , Xu Hui , Hu Pengfei , Ren Kezhi
Published: September 2017

Understanding the coercivity mechanism has had a substantial impact on developing economically more attractive RE-based (RE = rare earth) permanent materials because of price volatility of key RE metals (i.e., Nd and Dy) in recent years. In this work, we investigated the microstructure and magnetic properties of melt-spun (Nd0.8Ce0.2)2.4Fe12Co2B ribbons and annealed samples at 773 K for 15 min with 1 Tesla (T) magnetic field to better understand the coercivity mechanism. We found hard magnetic grains were surrounded by thin and continuous layers along the grain boundaries (GBs) with a high concentration of ferromagnetic elements (Fe + Co >74 at%). The obvious positive peak in the δM plot and the interaction domain structure observed by Lorentz magnetic microscopy indicate that there is strong exchange coupling interaction through the ferromagnetic GB phase between hard magnetic grains. The annealing in an applied magnetic field of 1 T increases the remanence by enhancing the exchange coupling interaction, leading to a maximum product energy ((BH)max) which is 16% higher than that of melt-spun ribbons. We also studied the temperature dependence of the coercivity in a temperature range of 300–500 K, and proposed that the coercivity of melt-spun (Nd0.8Ce0.2)2.4Fe12Co2B ribbons with ferromagnetic GB phase at room temperature was from the combination of strong domain-wall pinning and nucleation. The same mechanism works in the annealed ribbons.
Time-Dependent Material Properties of Shotcrete: Experimental and Numerical Study
Authors: Neuner Matthias , Cordes Tobias , Drexel Martin , Hofstetter Günter
Published: September 2017

A new experimental program, focusing on the evolution of the Young’s modulus, uniaxial compressive strength, shrinkage and creep of shotcrete is presented. The laboratory tests are, starting at very young ages of the material, conducted on two different types of specimens sampled at the site of the Brenner Basetunnel. The experimental results are evaluated and compared to other experiments from the literature. In addition, three advanced constitutive models for shotcrete, i.e., the model by Meschke, the model by Schädlich and Schweiger, and the model by Neuner et al., are validated on the basis of the test data, and the capabilities of the models to represent the observed shotcrete behavior are assessed. Hence, the gap between the the outdated experimental data on shotcrete available in the literature on the one hand and the nowadays available advanced shotcrete models, on the other hand, is closed.
Characterisation of Calcium- and Phosphorus-Enriched Porous Coatings on CP Titanium Grade 2 Fabricated by Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation
Authors: Rokosz Krzysztof , Hryniewicz Tadeusz , Gaiaschi Sofia , Chapon Patrick , Raaen Steinar , Pietrzak Kornel , Malorny Winfried
Published: September 2017

In the paper, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy (GDOES) analyses of calcium- and phosphorus-enriched coatings obtained on commercial purity (CP) Titanium Grade 2 by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO), known also as micro arc oxidation (MAO), in electrolytes based on concentrated phosphoric acid with calcium nitrate tetrahydrate, are presented. The preliminary studies were performed in electrolytes containing 10, 300, and 600 g/L of calcium nitrate tetrahydrate, whereas for the main research the solution contained 500 g/L of the same hydrated salt. It was found that non-porous coatings, with very small amounts of calcium and phosphorus in them, were formed in the solution with 10 g/L Ca(NO3)2·4H2O, whereas the other coatings, fabricated in the consecutive electrolytes containing from 300 up to 650 g/L Ca(NO3)2·4H2O, were porous. Based on the GDOES data, it was also found that the obtained porous PEO coating may be divided into three sub-layers: the first, top, porous layer was the thinnest; the second, semi-porous layer was about 12 times thicker than the first; and the third, transition sub-layer was about 10 times thicker than the first. Based on the recorded XPS spectra, it was possible to state that the top 10-nm layer of porous PEO coatings included chemical compounds containing titanium (Ti4+), calcium (Ca2+), as well as phosphorus and oxygen (PO43− and/or HPO42− and/or H2PO4−, and/or P2O74−).
In Vitro Corrosion Properties of Mg Matrix In Situ Composites Fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Cao Nguyen Q. , Pham Dinh N. , Kai Narita , Dinh Hai V. , Hiromoto Sachiko , Kobayashi Equo
Published: September 2017

Mg matrix in situ composites were fabricated from Mg and ZnO powder by a spark plasma sintering method. The composition and microstructure of the sintered samples were characterized. Corrosion properties of fabricated composites were evaluated by immersion and by electrochemical tests using Hanks’ solution. The results showed that the formation of in situ products improved significantly the corrosion resistance of the fabricated composites compared with pure Mg; Mg-10 wt % ZnO composites especially exhibited the lowest corrosion rate. In addition, an energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis showed that calcium phosphate formed as a corrosion product on the surface of Mg-10 wt % ZnO composites, while Mg(OH)2 appeared as a corrosion product on the surface of Mg-20 wt % ZnO composite. The findings suggested Mg-10 wt % ZnO composite as a potential candidate for temporary implant application.
Effect of Al2O3 Nanoparticles as Reinforcement on the Tensile Behavior of Al-12Si Composites
Authors: Ma Pan , Jia Yandong , Konda Gokuldoss Prashanth , Yu Zhishui , Yang Shanglei , Zhao Jian , Li Chonggui
Published: September 2017

Al2O3 nanoparticle-reinforced Al-12Si matrix composites were successfully fabricated by hot pressing and subsequent hot extrusion. The influence of weight fraction of Al2O3 particles on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and the corresponding strengthening mechanisms were investigated in detail. The Al2O3 particles are uniformly distributed in the matrix, when 2 and 5 wt. % of Al2O3 particles were added to the Al-12Si matrix. Significant agglomeration can be found in composites with 10 wt. % addition of Al2O3 nanoparticles. The maximum hardness, the yield strength, and tensile strength were obtained for the composite with 5 wt. % Al2O3 addition, which showed an increase of about ~11%, 23%, and 26%, respectively, compared with the Al-12Si matrix. Meanwhile, the elongation increased to about ~30%. The contribution of different mechanisms including Orowan strengthening, thermal mismatch strengthening, and load transfer strengthening were analyzed. It was shown that the thermal mismatch strengthening has a more significant contribution to strengthening these composites than the Orowan and load transfer strengthening mechanisms.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Ultrasonic Welded Joint of 1060 Aluminum Alloy and T2 Pure Copper
Authors: Liu Guanpeng , Hu Xiaowu , Fu Yanshu , Li Yulong
Published: September 2017

The microstructure and mechanical properties of Al/Cu ultrasonic welding joints were investigated. Results show that: (i) the joint strength increased when the welding time increased within a certain range, and a maximal resistant force of 163.04 N was obtained when the welding duration and welding static pressure were 200 ms and 7.2 MPa, respectively; (ii) with a further increase of welding time, the bonding interface was gradually occupied by a thick strip layer of brittle Al2Cu (θ2) phase, thus decreasing the strength; (iii) the maximum temperature in the welding region was 360 °C during the welding process, and a recrystallization phenomenon was identified near the welding interface; (iv) the average nanohardness of Cu, the Cu-Al interfacial reaction layer and Al were 1.04 GPa, 1.34 GPa, and 0.53 GPa, respectively, which is consistent with the formation of the intermetallic compound identified by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and XRD analysis.
Muscovite 40Ar/39Ar Age and H-O-S Isotopes of the Shimensi Tungsten Deposit (Northern Jiangxi Province, South China) and Their Metallogenic Implications
Authors: Wei Wen-Feng , Yan Bing , Shen Neng-Ping , Liu Lei , Zhang Yong , Xiang Xin-Kui
Published: September 2017

The Shimensi deposit (Northern Jiangxi, South China) is a recently discovered super-large tungsten deposit. Muscovite 40Ar/39Ar dating yielded a plateau age of 145.7 ± 0.9 Ma, with normal and inverse isochronal ages being 145.4 ± 1.4 Ma and 145.3 ± 1.4 Ma, respectively. The muscovite 40Ar/39Ar age, which can represent the mineralization age, coincides well with the published zircon U–Pb ages (143–148 Ma) of the ore-hosting granites, which indicates that the tungsten mineralization was syn-magmatic. The new age reported here confirms that the Shimensi tungsten deposit is part of a large Early Cretaceous (147–136 Ma) tungsten-polymetallic belt in South China. Measured and calculated sulfur isotopic compositions (δ34Sminerals = −3.0‰ to 1.1‰, average −1.3‰; δ 34 S H 2 S = −4.5‰ to +1.2‰, average −1.8‰) of the Shimensi ore-forming fluids indicate that the sulfur was mainly magmatic-derived. The calculated and measured oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions ( δ 18 O H 2 O = 4.1‰ to 6.7‰, δD = −62.7‰ to −68‰) of the ore-forming fluids indicate a dominantly magmatic source with a meteoric water input. Oxygen isotopic modelling of the boiling/mixing processes indicates that the Shimensi tungsten mineralization was caused mainly by fluid mixing of magmatic hydrothermal fluid with meteoric water.
COX Inhibition Profile and Molecular Docking Studies of Some 2-(Trimethoxyphenyl)-Thiazoles
Authors: Oniga Smaranda , Pacureanu Liliana , Stoica Cristina , Palage Mariana , Crăciun Alexandra , Rusu Laurentiu , Crisan Elena-Luminita , Araniciu Cătălin
Published: September 2017

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used therapeutic agents that exhibit frequent and sometimes severe adverse effects, including gastrointestinal ulcerations and cardiovascular disorders. In an effort to obtain safer NSAIDs, we assessed the direct cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition activity and we investigated the potential COX binding mode of some previously reported 2-(trimethoxyphenyl)-thiazoles. The in vitro COX inhibition assays were performed against ovine COX-1 and human recombinant COX-2. Molecular docking studies were performed to explain the possible interactions between the inhibitors and both COX isoforms binding pockets. Four of the tested compounds proved to be good inhibitors of both COX isoforms, but only compound A3 showed a good COX-2 selectivity index, similar to meloxicam. The plausible binding mode of compound A3 revealed hydrogen bond interactions with binding site key residues including Arg120, Tyr355, Ser530, Met522 and Trp387, whereas hydrophobic contacts were detected with Leu352, Val349, Leu359, Phe518, Gly526, and Ala527. Computationally predicted pharmacokinetic profile revealed A3 as lead candidate. The present data prove that the investigated compounds inhibit COX and thus confirm the previously reported in vivo anti-inflammatory screening results suggesting that A3 is a suitable candidate for further development as a NSAID.
Early Embryogenesis of Brown Alga Fucus vesiculosus L. is Characterized by Significant Changes in Carbon and Energy Metabolism
Authors: Tarakhovskaya Elena , Lemesheva Valeriya , Bilova Tatiana , Birkemeyer Claudia
Published: September 2017

Brown algae have an important role in marine environments. With respect to their broad distribution and importance for the environment and human use, brown algae of the order Fucales in particular became a model system for physiological and ecological studies. Thus, several fucoids have been extensively studied for their composition on the molecular level. However, research of fucoid physiology and biochemistry so far mostly focused on the adult algae, so a holistic view on the development of these organisms, including the crucial first life stages, is still missing. Therefore, we employed non-targeted metabolite profiling by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry to create a non-biased picture of the early development of the fucoid alga Fucus vesiculosus. We found that embryogenic physiology was mainly dominated by a tight regulation of carbon and energy metabolism. The first dramatic changes of zygote metabolism started within 1 h after fertilization, while metabolism of 6–9 days old embryos appeared already close to that of an adult alga, indicated by the intensive production of secondary metabolites and accumulation of mannitol and citric acid. Given the comprehensive description and analysis we obtained in our experiments, our results exhibit an invaluable resource for the design of further experiments related to physiology of early algal development.
Isaria fumosorosea KCh J2 Entomopathogenic Strain as an Effective Biocatalyst for Steroid Compound Transformations
Authors: Kozłowska Ewa , Dymarska Monika , Kostrzewa-Susłow Edyta , Janeczko Tomasz
Published: September 2017

The catalytic activity of enzymes produced by an entomopathogenic filamentous fungus (Isaria fumosorosea KCh J2) towards selected steroid compounds (androstenedione, adrenosterone, progesterone, 17α-methyltestosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone) was investigated. All tested substrates were efficiently transformed. The structure of the substrate has a crucial impact on regio- and stereoselectivity of hydroxylation since it affects binding to the active site of the enzyme. Androstenedione was hydroxylated in the 7α-position to give a key intermediate in the synthesis of the diuretic-7α-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione with 82% conversion. Adrenosterone and 17α-methyltestosterone were hydroxylated in the 6β-position. Hydroxylated derivatives such as 15β-hydroxy-17α-methyltestosterone and 6β,12β-dihydroxy-17α-methyltestosterone were also observed. In the culture of Isaria fumosorosea KCh J2, DHEA was effectively hydroxylated in the C-7 position and then oxidized to give 7-oxo-DHEA, 3β,7α- and 3β,7β-dihydroxy-17a-oxa-d-homo-androst-5-ene-17-one. We obtained 7β-OH-DHEA lactone with 82% yield during 3 days transformation of highly concentrated (5 g/L) DHEA.
Alterations in Pharmacokinetics of Gemcitabine and Erlotinib by Concurrent Administration of Hyangsayukgunja-Tang, a Gastroprotective Herbal Medicine
Authors: Kim Tae , Shin Soyoung , Kim Sarah , Bulitta Jürgen , Weon Kwon-Yeon , Joo Sang , Ma Eunsook , Yoo Sun , Park Gi-Young , Kwon Dong , Jeong Seok , Lee Da , Shin Beom
Published: September 2017

Gemcitabine and erlotinib are the chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of various cancers and their combination is being accepted as a first-line treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. Hyangsayukgunja-tang (HYT) is a traditional oriental medicine used in various digestive disorders and potentially helpful to treat gastrointestinal adverse effects related to chemotherapy. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of HYT on the pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine and erlotinib given simultaneously in rats. Rats were pretreated with HYT at an oral dose of 1200 mg/kg/day once daily for a single day or 14 consecutive days. Immediately after pretreatment with HYT, gemcitabine and erlotinib were administered by intravenous injection (10 mg/kg) and oral administration (20 mg/kg), respectively. The effects of HYT on pharmacokinetics of the two drugs were estimated by non-compartmental analysis and pharmacokinetic modeling. The pharmacokinetics of gemcitabine and erlotinib were not altered by single dose HYT pretreatment. However, the plasma levels of OSI-420 and OSI-413, active metabolites of erlotinib, were significantly decreased in the multiple dose HYT pretreatment group. The pharmacokinetic model estimated increased systemic clearances of OSI-420 and OSI-413 by multiple doses of HYT. These data suggest that HYT may affect the elimination of OSI-420 and OSI-413.