bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TÜRK-İSLÂM DEVLET GELENEĞİNDE MEMLÛKLERLE BAŞLAYAN YENİ BİR KURUM: Dârü’l-Adl Müftüleri
Authors: ŞEKER Mehmet
Published: July 2019

Memlûklerden önceki Türk-İslâm devletlerinde Dârü‟l-Adl Müftüleri

bulunmamaktaydı. Dârü‟l-Adl Müftüleri ilk olarak Memlûk Devleti‟nde karşımıza

çıkmaktadır. Sultan, hukuki bazı meselelerde içinde bulunulan durum hakkında bir

kanun yoksa karar verebilmek için Dârü‟l-Adl Müftüleri‟ne danışır ve onlar da ilgili

konuya dair nihai bir karar oluşturabilmek için fetva verirlerdi. Görülen davalarda

sultanın hüküm vermesi için sultana yardımcı olan Dârü‟l-Adl Müftüleri, sultanın Dârü‟lAdl‟de

düzenlediği duruşmalarda başkadılar ve diğer yüksek rütbeli memurlarla birlikte

protokolde hazır bulunurlardı. Dârü‟l-Adl Müftüleri; kadıların ve bireylerin öne sürdükleri

yasal soruları, daha önce buna benzer dava emsallerine bakarak cevaplarlardı. Dârü‟lAdl

Müftülerinin bir diğer görevi de, sultanla birlikte sefere katılmak ve sefer sırasında

askerlerle alakalı İslâm hukuku alanıyla ilgili işler hususunda fetva vermekti.

Memlûklerde devlet merkezi olan Kahire‟de; şâfî, Hanefî, Mâlikî ve Hanbelî

mezheplerinden birer kiĢi olmak üzere toplam dört Dârü‟l-Adl Müftüsü vardı. Şam‟da da

dört mezhep Dârü‟l-Adl Müftüsü bulunmaktaydı. Diğer büyük şehirlerden Halep‟teyse

ġâfî ve Hanefî mezheplerinden olmak üzere iki Dârü‟l-Adl Müftüsü vardı. Bunların yanı

sıra Trablus, Hama ve Safed gibi Şehirlerde de halkın intisap ettiği mezhebe uygun

olarak Dârü‟l-Adl Müftüleri bulunmaktaydı. Bu makalede, daha önceki devletlerde

bulunmamasına karşın ilk defa Memlûklerde görülen yeni bir kurum olan Dârü‟l-Adl

Müftüleri incelenecektir. Bu yeni kurumun ne olduğu, niçin ihdas edildiği ve tesirlerinin

neler olduğu hususu üzerinde durulacaktır. Kahire
ESKİ ANADOLU TÜRKÇESİ İLE YAZILMIŞ TIP ESERLERİ VE BU ESERLER ÜZERİNE YAPILAN ÇALIŞMALAR
Authors: CANAN YILDIZ Semra
Published: July 2019

Tıp metinleri; insan sağlığını koruma, hastalıklara çare bulma yanında modern ve

geleneksel uygulamalar hakkında birçok bilgi ve yöntem barındırır. Tıbbi yeterliliğin bilgi birikimi

gerektirmesi ve uygulama ile tecrübe edilmesi metinleri oluşturan kişilerin ya da derleyicilerin büyük

çoğunluğunun hekimlerden oluşmasını sağlamıştır. Bu durum metinlerin birçoğunun hekimlere

yönelik olmasına neden olmuştur. Fakat metinlerin konusu tüm insanlığın ortak paydası olan

“sağlık” ile ilgili olduğu için tıp metinleri her dönemde ilgi görmüştür. Tıp metinleri yazıldığı dönemin

dil unsurlarını barındırması yönüyle metin incelemelerinde önemli bir yere sahiptir. Metnin

müellifinin ve müstensihinin ağız özeliklerinden, yazıldığı yerin dil özelliklerine kadar birçok açıdan

bize ipucu veren metinler; arkaik ve ilericil ögeleri tespit etme açısından da önem taşımaktadır. Tıp

metinlerinin konusu itibarıyla tıp tarihine, onomostik (adbilim), farmakoloji (ilaç-ecza bilimi), zooloji

(hayvan bilimi), botanik (bitki bilimi) araştırmalarına malzeme sunması da doğal bir sonuçtur. Bu

yönüyle tıp metinleri incelemelerinde disiplinlerarası bir çalışma alanı mevcuttur.

Türklerin tıp metinlerine olan ilgisinin en yoğun görüldüğü dönem 15. yüzyıldır. Eski

Anadolu Türkçesinin temelinde oluşturulan tıp metinleri telif, tercüme ve aktarma olmak üzere çeşitli

türlerde görülmektedir. Bu noktada inceleme konumuz 15. yüzyılda yer alan tıp konulu metinler

üzerine yapılmış çalışmalardır. Dilin bütünlüklü bir çalışma alanı olması, her metne aynı özeni

göstermeyi gerektirmektedir. Her metnin konusu çerçevesinde bir diğer metni okuma ve

anlamlandırmada yardımcı unsurlar barındırması ile yazıldığı dönemin sosyo-kültürel yapısını

ortaya koyması açısından önem taşımaktadır. Bu noktada yaptığımız çalışmanın mevcut

çalışmalara katkı sağlamasını hedeflemekteyiz. 
Forage Consumption and Its Effects on the Performance of Growing Swine—Discussed in Relation to European Wild Boar (Sus scrofa L.) in Semi-Extensive Systems: A Review
Authors: Rivero M. Jordana , Rodríguez-Estévez Vicente , Pietrosemoli Silvana , Carballo Cecilia , Cooke Andrew S. , Kongsted Anne Grete
Published: July 2019

Due to its distinct properties, wild boar meat is considered a highly desirable consumer product, in a market that is expanding. Outdoor production is also favoured by consumers who value animal welfare and environmental sustainability when choosing meat products. There is evidence that farms that include pasture for grazing typically have reduced feeding costs. Such production systems can also be more environmentally sustainable as the input (pasture) is inedible to humans, compared to conventional indoor systems, which use human-edible feeds (e.g., soya). However, some wild boar farms have performed poorly compared to those rearing other swine such as hybrid wild boar and domestic pigs. Diet is central to all livestock production and is likely a significant influencing factor of wild boar performance, both in terms of forage consumption and nutritional composition. Other factors may also influence performance, such as weather, behaviour and grazing management. Wild boar production systems hold their own intrinsic value in a growing marketplace. However, information gathered through the study of wild boar has external applications in informing outdoor domestic pig production systems to encourage the use of pasture as part of the habitat of domestic pigs.
Acellular Small-Diameter Tissue-Engineered Vascular Grafts
Authors: Li Zhen , Li Xinda , Xu Tao , Zhang Lei
Published: July 2019

Tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) are considered one of the most effective means of fabricating vascular grafts. However, for small-diameter TEVGs, there are ongoing issues regarding long-term patency and limitations related to long-term in vitro culture and immune reactions. The use of acellular TEVG is a more convincing method, which can achieve in situ blood vessel regeneration and better meet clinical needs. This review focuses on the current state of acellular TEVGs based on scaffolds and gives a summary of the methodologies and in vitro/in vivo test results related to acellular TEVGs obtained in recent years. Various strategies for improving the properties of acellular TEVGs are also discussed.
Robust Real-Time Detection of Laparoscopic Instruments in Robot Surgery Using Convolutional Neural Networks with Motion Vector Prediction
Authors: Jo Kyungmin , Choi Yuna , Choi Jaesoon , Chung Jong Woo
Published: July 2019

More than half of post-operative complications can be prevented, and operation performances can be improved based on the feedback gathered from operations or notifications of the risks during operations in real time. However, existing surgical analysis methods are limited, because they involve time-consuming processes and subjective opinions. Therefore, the detection of surgical instruments is necessary for (a) conducting objective analyses, or (b) providing risk notifications associated with a surgical procedure in real time. We propose a new real-time detection algorithm for detection of surgical instruments using convolutional neural networks (CNNs). This algorithm is based on an object detection system YOLO9000 and ensures continuity of detection of the surgical tools in successive imaging frames based on motion vector prediction. This method exhibits a constant performance irrespective of a surgical instrument class, while the mean average precision (mAP) of all the tools is 84.7, with a speed of 38 frames per second (FPS).
Deep Convolutional Neural Network Model for Automated Diagnosis of Schizophrenia Using EEG Signals
Authors: Oh Shu Lih , Vicnesh Jahmunah , Ciaccio Edward J , Yuvaraj Rajamanickam , Acharya U Rajendra
Published: July 2019

A computerized detection system for the diagnosis of Schizophrenia (SZ) using a convolutional neural system is described in this study. Schizophrenia is an anomaly in the brain characterized by behavioral symptoms such as hallucinations and disorganized speech. Electroencephalograms (EEG) indicate brain disorders and are prominently used to study brain diseases. We collected EEG signals from 14 healthy subjects and 14 SZ patients and developed an eleven-layered convolutional neural network (CNN) model to analyze the signals. Conventional machine learning techniques are often laborious and subject to intra-observer variability. Deep learning algorithms that have the ability to automatically extract significant features and classify them are thus employed in this study. Features are extracted automatically at the convolution stage, with the most significant features extracted at the max-pooling stage, and the fully connected layer is utilized to classify the signals. The proposed model generated classification accuracies of 98.07% and 81.26% for non-subject based testing and subject based testing, respectively. The developed model can likely aid clinicians as a diagnostic tool to detect early stages of SZ.
Control Strategy Based on the Flexible Multi-State Switch for Maximum Consumption of Distributed Generations in Distribution Network
Authors: Zhao Guopeng , Liu Jiaxing , Liu Siyuan , Zhou Xinwei , Li Jihong , Lu Yi
Published: July 2019

With the aim of improving the consumption capacity of distributed generation (DG) in the distribution network, the control strategy of the flexible multi-state switch (FMSS) for the maximum consumption of distributed generation is proposed. The principle that FMSS improves the consumption capacity of distributed generation is analyzed and verified by simulation. The estimating method for the maximum accessible capacity of distributed generation at the access point is proposed. For complex systems, the multi-objective function for maximizing the consumption of distributed generation was established, and the analytic hierarchy process and entropy weight method were combined to obtain the weight factor. Then, combined with system constraints, the results can be obtained by optimization algorithms. Finally, the control strategy of FMSS for maximum consumption of distributed generation was realized and verified in a simulation.
Influence of Polypropylene Fiber on Tensile Property of a Cement-Polymer Based Thin Spray-On Liner
Authors: Wei Qun , Zhang Nong , Feng Xiaowei , Xie Zhengzheng , Wu Jiansheng , Cao Juncai
Published: July 2019

The influence of a polypropylene fiber on the tensile properties of a cement-polymer based thin spray-on liner (TSL) was investigated in this study. Two different contents of fiber were added to the liner, yielding two TSL groups. Tensile tests were performed (in accordance with the ASTM D638 standard) on the two groups of specimens as well as the control group at 1, 7, 14, and 28-day curing. The test result verified the large plasticity and low elastic modulus of the TSL compared with the fiber. SEM examination revealed that fibers lying parallel to the load direction ruptured or were pulled out from the matrix, which was beneficial to the tensile strength, but detrimental to the elongation because of their high stiffness. Other fibers lying perpendicular with the load direction were detrimental to both tensile strength and elongation through aggravating the propagation of the cracks. The tensile strength was improved by fiber incorporation, while the elongation was reduced at all curing. The influence of fibers on tensile toughness was uncertain since tensile toughness depended on strength as well as deformity.
Effect of Particulate Disintegration on Biomethane Potential of Particle-Rich Substrates in Batch Anaerobic Reactor
Authors: Tassew Fasil Ayelegn , Bergland Wenche Hennie , Dinamarca Carlos , Bakke Rune
Published: July 2019

An investigation of particle disintegration was carried out using batch anaerobic reactors and a particle-rich substrate from pig manure supernatant. Two types of samples were applied, one high in suspended particles (raw feed) and another low in suspended particle content (centrifuged feed). Both feeds were digested with and without cellulase enzyme addition to obtain a better understanding of particle degradation mechanisms. An automatic methane potential test system (AMPTS) was used to carry out batch reactions at 35 °C. The raw feed with high-suspended solids had higher biomethane potential than the centrifuged feed but the conversion rate and methane yield was lower. The addition of cellulase increased biomethane production rates in both high- and low-particle content samples enhancing yield by 54% and 40%, respectively and converting 69% and 87% of feed chemical oxygen demand (COD), respectively. This implies that the feed particles have high contents of cellulose. This is also the case for the smaller particles remaining after centrifugation. Comparisons of anaerobic digestion model no. 1 (ADM1) simulations with experimental data reveal that classifying substrate particles into a fast and a slow degrading fraction with separate disintegration kinetics fit the experimental data better than lumping all particles into one parameter.
Development of High-Fidelity Numerical Methodology Based on Wavenumber-Frequency Transform for Quantifying Internal Aerodynamic Noise in Critical Nozzle
Authors: Ku Garam , Lee Songjune , Cheong Cheolung , Kang Woong , Kim Kuksu
Published: July 2019

In industrial fields dealing with high-temperature and high-pressure gas such as chemical, petrochemical, and offshore oil production plants, piping systems with valves are frequently used to protect the relevant system and equipment from being damaged by such gases. However, excessive noise is sometimes generated by the valve flow in the piping system, causing so-called acoustic induced vibration in the pipe wall. Therefore, it is of great importance to design the related system to avoid this phenomenon. In this study, a high-fidelity numerical procedure is proposed to assess the acoustic power generated by pressure relief devices in a pipe. The method consists of three sequential steps: high accuracy large eddy simulation, wavenumber-frequency transform, and duct acoustic theory. The critical nozzle is selected as a target system since it is commonly used as a flowmeter and thus there are a lot of relevant data for comparison. First, the steady Reynold-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) solver is used to predict the flow rate of the two-dimensional axisymmetric critical nozzles, and its validity is confirmed by comparing the predicted results with the measured ones. There is good agreement between the two results. Then, a high accuracy Large Eddy Simulation (LES) technique is performed on the three-dimensional critical nozzle, and the steady-state RANS result is used as the initial condition to accelerate the convergence of the unsteady simulation. The validity of the unsteady LES results is also confirmed by comparing them with measured surface pressure data. The wavenumber-frequency transform is taken on the LES results, and the compressible surface pressure components matching the acoustical duct modes are identified in the wavenumber-frequency pressure diagram. The inverse wavenumber-frequency transform taken on the compressible pressure components leads to the acoustic power spectrum. These results reveal that the current numerical procedure can be used to more accurately predict the acoustic power generated by pressure relief device in the piping system.
DNA Methylation Status in Cancer Disease: Modulations by Plant-Derived Natural Compounds and Dietary Interventions
Authors: Jasek Karin , Kubatka Peter , Samec Marek , Liskova Alena , Smejkal Karel , Vybohova Desanka , Bugos Ondrej , Biskupska-Bodova Kristina , Bielik Tibor , Zubor Pavol , Danko Jan , Adamkov Marian , Kwon Taeg Kyu , Büsselberg Dietrich
Published: July 2019

The modulation of the activity of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) represents a crucial epigenetic mechanism affecting gene expressions or DNA repair mechanisms in the cells. Aberrant modifications in the function of DNMTs are a fundamental event and part of the pathogenesis of human cancer. Phytochemicals, which are biosynthesized in plants in the form of secondary metabolites, represent an important source of biomolecules with pleiotropic effects and thus provide a wide range of possible clinical applications. It is well documented that phytochemicals demonstrate significant anticancer properties, and in this regard, rapid development within preclinical research is encouraging. Phytochemicals affect several epigenetic molecular mechanisms, including DNA methylation patterns such as the hypermethylation of tumor-suppressor genes and the global hypomethylation of oncogenes, that are specific cellular signs of cancer development and progression. This review will focus on the latest achievements in using plant-derived compounds and plant-based diets targeting epigenetic regulators and modulators of gene transcription in preclinical and clinical research in order to generate novel anticancer drugs as sensitizers for conventional therapy or compounds suitable for the chemoprevention clinical setting in at-risk individuals. In conclusion, indisputable anticancer activities of dietary phytochemicals linked with proper regulation of DNA methylation status have been described. However, precisely designed and well-controlled clinical studies are needed to confirm their beneficial epigenetic effects after long-term consumption in humans.
Differential Roles of Dendritic Cells in Expanding CD4 T Cells in Sepsis
Authors: Darkwah Samuel , Nago Nodoka , Appiah Michael G. , Myint Phyoe Kyawe , Kawamoto Eiji , Shimaoka Motomu , Park Eun Jeong
Published: July 2019

Sepsis is a systemically dysregulated inflammatory syndrome, in which dendritic cells (DCs) play a critical role in coordinating aberrant immunity. The aim of this study is to shed light on the differential roles played by systemic versus mucosal DCs in regulating immune responses in sepsis. We identified a differential impact of the systemic and mucosal DCs on proliferating allogenic CD4 T cells in a mouse model of sepsis. Despite the fact that the frequency of CD4 T cells was reduced in septic mice, septic mesenteric lymph node (MLN) DCs proved superior to septic spleen (SP) DCs in expanding allogeneic CD4 T cells. Moreover, septic MLN DCs markedly augmented the surface expression of MHC class II and CD40, as well as the messaging of interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Interestingly, IL-1β-treated CD4 T cells expanded in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that this cytokine acts as a key mediator of MLN DCs in promoting septic inflammation. Thus, mucosal and systemic DCs were found to be functionally different in the way CD4 T cells respond during sepsis. Our study provides a molecular basis for DC activity, which can be differential in nature depending on location, whereby it induces septic inflammation or immune-paralysis.
White Matter Hyperintensity Regression: Comparison of Brain Atrophy and Cognitive Profiles with Progression and Stable Groups
Authors: Al-Janabi Omar M. , Bauer Christopher E. , Goldstein Larry B. , Murphy Richard R. , Bahrani Ahmed A. , Smith Charles D. , Wilcock Donna M. , Gold Brian T. , Jicha Gregory A.
Published: July 2019

Subcortical white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) in the aging population frequently represent vascular injury that may lead to cognitive impairment. WMH progression is well described, but the factors underlying WMH regression remain poorly understood. A sample of 351 participants from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative 2 (ADNI2) was explored who had WMH volumetric quantification, structural brain measures, and cognitive measures (memory and executive function) at baseline and after approximately 2 years. Selected participants were categorized into three groups based on WMH change over time, including those that demonstrated regression (n = 96; 25.5%), stability (n = 72; 19.1%), and progression (n = 209; 55.4%). There were no significant differences in age, education, sex, or cognitive status between groups. Analysis of variance demonstrated significant differences in atrophy between the progression and both regression (p = 0.004) and stable groups (p = 0.012). Memory assessments improved over time in the regression and stable groups but declined in the progression group (p = 0.003; p = 0.018). WMH regression is associated with decreased brain atrophy and improvement in memory performance over two years compared to those with WMH progression, in whom memory and brain atrophy worsened. These data suggest that WMHs are dynamic and associated with changes in atrophy and cognition.
Synthesis and Study of CdSe QDs by a Microfluidic Method and via a Bulk Reaction
Authors: Liu Jinfeng , Gu Yarong , Wu Qirui , Wang Xiaohong , Zhao Lijuan , deMello Andrew , Wen Weijia , Tong Rui , Gong Xiuqing
Published: July 2019

In this work, we synthesized monodispersed CdSe quantum dots (QDs) by a microfluidic method and via a bulk reaction. The structures of the CdSe QDs were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The optical properties of the prepared CdSe QDs were determined using ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The CdSe QDs obtained by the microfluidic method have a faster crystal growth rate and a higher absolute photoluminescence quantum yield than those obtained via the bulk reaction. Additionally, we investigated the growth process of the CdSe QDs with increasing residence times.
Self-Efficacy of Teachers in Initial Training: A Comparison between the Populations of Two Universities
Authors: Chaves-Barboza Eduardo , Solá-Martínez Tomás , Marín-Marín José-Antonio , Sanz-Prieto Mariano
Published: July 2019

This article carries out a comparison of the self-efficacy of teachers in initial training, between the populations of two universities. A questionnaire with two Likert scales is applied in two samples, 836 subjects from the Universidad Nacional (Costa Rica) and 588 from the Universidad de Granada (Spain). The data is reviewed by means of descriptive and inferential statistics (95% confidence interval), correlation tests (Kendall τ correlation coefficient) and variance analysis (Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis H test). The results indicate that both populations show high levels of self-efficiency during their initial training, where the self-perceived capacity to pay attention to the explanations and instructions of the teachers excels. Meaningful differences are observed with getting ahead with difficult situations, doing the extra-class tasks and having motivation in the less interesting classes.
Is Anthropogenic Pyrodiversity Invisible in Paleofire Records?
Authors: Roos Christopher I. , Williamson Grant J. , Bowman David M. J. S.
Published: July 2019

Paleofire studies frequently discount the impact of human activities in past fire regimes. Globally, we know that a common pattern of anthropogenic burning regimes is to burn many small patches at high frequency, thereby generating landscape heterogeneity. Is this type of anthropogenic pyrodiversity necessarily obscured in paleofire records because of fundamental limitations of those records? We evaluate this with a cellular automata model designed to replicate different fire regimes with identical fire rotations but different fire frequencies and patchiness. Our results indicate that high frequency patch burning can be identified in tree-ring records at relatively modest sampling intensities. However, standard methods that filter out fires represented by few trees systematically biases the records against patch burning. In simulated fire regime shifts, fading records, sample size, and the contrast between the shifted fire regimes all interact to make statistical identification of regime shifts challenging without other information. Recent studies indicate that integration of information from history, archaeology, or anthropology and paleofire data generate the most reliable inferences of anthropogenic patch burning and fire regime changes associated with cultural changes.
Numerical Modelling of Air Pollutant Dispersion in Complex Urban Areas: Investigation of City Parts from Downtowns Hanover and Frankfurt
Authors: Idrissi Mohamed Salah , Ben Salah Nabil , Chrigui Mouldi
Published: July 2019

Hazardous gas dispersion within a complex urban environment in 1:1 scaled geometry of German cities, Hanover and Frankfurt, is predicted using an advanced turbulence model. The investigation involves a large group of real buildings with a high level of details. For this purpose, Computer Aided Design (CAD) of two configurations are cleaned, then fine grids meshed in. Weather conditions are introduced using power law velocity profiles at inlets boundary. The investigation focused on the effects of release locations and material properties of the contaminants (e.g., densities) on the convection/diffusion of pollutants within complex urban area. Two geometries demonstrating different topologies and boundaries conditions are investigated. Pollutants are introduced into the computational domain through chimney and/or pipe leakages in various locations. Simulations are carried out using Large Eddy Simulation (LES) turbulence model and species transport for the pollutants. The weather conditions are accounted for using a logarithmic velocity profile at inlets. CH4 and CO2 distributions, as well as turbulence quantities and velocity profiles, show important influences on the dispersion behavior of the hazardous gas.
Combined 3D Surveying and Raman Spectroscopy Techniques on Artifacts Preserved at Archaeological Museum of Lipari
Authors: Giuffrida Dario , Mollica Nardo Viviana , Giacobello Fausta , Adinolfi Oreste , Mastelloni Maria Amalia , Toscano Giovanna , Ponterio Rosina Celeste
Published: July 2019

Over the last years, the documentation of Heritage has been increasingly enriched with new forms of data representation and contents deriving from technological applications on artifacts and the progress of computer graphics: if, on the one hand, 3D survey has become an effective tool supplementing and supporting traditional study activities, as it can generate accurate and high-resolution digital models (available especially when physical access to materials is not possible, but also for enhancement or to formulate hypothetic reconstruction), on the other, archaeometry investigations can provide all that information (about composition, firing temperature of clay, etc.) that autopsy, comparison, formal, contextual, or bibliographic analysis cannot do on their own. This paper aims to show the potentialities of combined use of these non-destructive and non-contact approaches on the archaeological artifacts preserved at the Regional Museum of Lipari "L. Bernabò Brea" for the analysis, diagnostic, fruition, and forthcoming restoration purposes. Different methodologies, such as laser-based surveying, sfm digital photogrammetry, and Raman spectroscopy have been, respectively, adopted and combined to get reconstruction and characterize several clay masks and two figured calyx-kraters. The latter technique, in particular, has proved to be useful in compositional analysis of dyes and pigments contained in the clay.
Evaluation of the Peri-Implant Bone Level around Platform-Switched Dental Implants: A Retrospective 3-Year Radiographic Study
Authors: Pan Yu Hwa , Lin His Kuei , Lin Jerry C-Y , Hsu Yung-Szu , Wu Yi-Fan , Salamanca Eisner , Chang Wei-Jen
Published: July 2019

Objective: To describe remodeling of the mesial and distal marginal bone level around platform-switched (PS) and platform-matched (PM) dental implants that were sandblasted with large grit and etched with acid over a three-year period. Materials and Methods: Digital periapical radiographs were obtained at the following time-points: during Stage I of the surgical placement of dental implants, before loading, immediately after loading (baseline), and one, three, six, 12, and 36 months after loading for measuring the horizontal and vertical marginal bone levels. Results: Sixty implants were successfully osseointegrated during the overall observation period. Vertical marginal bone levels for the PS and PM dental implants were 0.78 ± 0.77 and 0.98 ± 0.81 mm, respectively, whereas the horizontal marginal bone levels for the PS and PM implants were 0.84 ± 0.45 and 0.98 ± 0.68 mm, respectively. During the time leading up to the procedure until 36 months after the procedure, the average vertical marginal bone level resulted in less bone loss for the PS and PM groups—0.96 ± 1.28 and 0.30 ± 1.15 mm, respectively (p < 0.05). The mean levels of the horizontal marginal bone also showed increases of 0.48 ± 1.01 mm in the PS and 0.37 ± 0.77 mm in the PM groups from the time before loading until 36 months after the procedure. However, these increases were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: PS dental implants appeared to be more effective than PM implants for minimizing the mean marginal vertical and horizontal marginal bone loss during the three-year period. Regardless of which abutment connection was used, the dental implant in the present retrospective investigation exhibited minimal marginal bone remodeling, thus indicating long-term stability.
Inhalation Exposure Analysis of Lung-Inhalable Particles in an Approximate Rat Central Airway
Authors: Dong Jingliang , Ma Jiawei , Tian Lin , Inthavong Kiao , Tu Jiyuan
Published: July 2019

Rats have been widely used as surrogates for evaluating the adverse health effects of inhaled airborne particulate matter. This paper presents a computational fluid and particle dynamics (CFPD) study of particle transport and deposition in an approximate rat central airway model. The geometric model was constructed based on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging data sourced from previous study. Lung-inhalable particles covering a diameter range from 20 nm to 1.0 µm were passively released into the trachea, and the Lagrangian particle tracking approach was used to predict individual particle trajectories. Overall, regional and local deposition patterns in the central airway were analyzed in detail. A preliminary interspecies data comparison was made between present rat models and previously published human data. Results showed deposition “hot spots” were mainly concentrated at airway bifurcation apexes, and a gravitational effect should also be considered for inertia particles when using a rat as a laboratory animal. While for humans, this may not happen as the standing posture is completely different. Lastly, the preliminary interspecies data comparison confirms the deposition similarity in terms of deposition enhancement factors, which is a weighted deposition concentration parameter. This interspecies comparison confirms feasibility of extrapolating surrogate rat deposition data to humans using existing data extrapolation approach, which mostly relies on bulk anatomical differences as dose adjustment factors.
Challenges in Implementing Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in Poland
Authors: Goniewicz Krzysztof , Burkle Frederick M.
Published: July 2019

Currently, weather conditions and extreme weather are becoming more frequent and more intense. Along with climate change, the vulnerability of society and individual regions to the risk of various types of threats also increases. The objectives of “The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030”, are the first global political frameworks of the United Nations program designed for the period post-2015. The original priority objectives of the Framework are: Understanding disaster risk, strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk, investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience, and enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, and to “Build Back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. The provisions contained in the document are an essential step towards building global political coherence with an apparent reference to health, development, and climate change. The article is briefly reporting current Disaster Risk Reduction related programs and policies in Poland, contributions as part of The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction implementation, and its challenges.
Auxiliary Companies of the Horticultural Sector as a Competitiveness Element: The Case of Almeria (Spain)
Authors: de Pablo Valenciano Jaime , Uribe-Toril Juan , Milán-García Juan , Ruiz-Real José Luis , Torres Arriaza José Antonio
Published: July 2019

The horticultural model of Almeria (Spain) based on the operation of greenhouses is an international reference and has been considered as an economic miracle. Alongside this agricultural development has been the deployment of the diverse productive activity of auxiliary companies. The objective of this article is to understand how these companies operate and analyze their factors of competitiveness, competing needs, and future competitive improvements, taking as reference four of the most important subsectors (machinery, greenhouse infrastructure, plastics, and seeds). The Delphi method was used and through a panel of experts the conditioning factors of each of the variables to be analyzed (factors, needs, and competitiveness improvements) was chosen. Of the 120 companies that were sent questionnaires, 72 participated. The sectors that make up the auxiliary companies are heterogeneous and therefore the results obtained have differed among them. The synergies between the greenhouse crops and the auxiliary companies are an example of diversification of productive activity that can be extrapolated to other production areas worldwide. The future of the auxiliary companies is linked to that of the intensive agriculture and the key variables must be underscored by competitiveness and sustainability.
Gender Differences in Chronic Hormonal and Immunological Responses to CrossFit®
Authors: Poderoso Rodrigo , Cirilo-Sousa Maria , Júnior Adenilson , Novaes Jefferson , Vianna Jeferson , Dias Marcelo , Leitão Luis , Reis Victor , Neto Nacipe , Vilaça-Alves José
Published: July 2019

This study was designed to analyze the chronical responses of the hormonal and immune systems after a CrossFit® training period of six months as well as to compare these results between genders. Twenty-nine CrossFit® practitioners (35.3 ± 10.4 years, 175.0 ± 9.2 cm, 79.5 ± 16.4 kg) with a minimum CrossFit® experience of six months were recruited, and hormonal and immune responses were verified every two months during training. The training was conducted in five consecutive days during the week, followed by two resting days. Testosterone (T) values were significantly higher at the last measurement time (T6 = 346.0 ± 299.7 pg·mL−1) than at all the other times (p < 0.002) and were higher in men than in women (p < 0.001). Cortisol (C) levels were lower at all times compared to the initial level before training, and differences were observed between men and women, with men having a lower value (T0: p = 0.028; T2: p = 0.013; T4: p = 0.002; and T6: p = 0.002). The TC ratio in women was lower at all times (p < 0.0001) than in men. Significant effects on CD8 levels at different times (F(3.81) = 7.287; p = 0.002; ηp2 = 0.213) and between genders (F(1.27) = 4.282; p = 0.048; ηp2 = 0.137), and no differences in CD4 levels were observed. CrossFit® training changed the serum and basal levels of testosterone and cortisol in men (with an increase in testosterone and a decrease in cortisol).
Defining Bronchial Asthma with Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Delta Activation: Towards Endotype-Driven Management
Authors: Jeong Jae Seok , Kim Jong Seung , Kim So Ri , Lee Yong Chul
Published: July 2019

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways play a critical role in orchestrating the chronic inflammation and the structural changes of the airways in patients with asthma. Recently, a great deal of progress has been made in developing selective and effective PI3K-targeted therapies on the basis of a vast amount of studies on the roles of specific PI3K isoforms and fine-tuned modulators of PI3Ks in a particular disease context. In particular, the pivotal roles of delta isoform of class I PI3Ks (PI3K-δ) in CD4-positive type 2 helper T cells-dominant disorders such as asthma have been consistently reported since the early investigations. Furthermore, there has been great advancement in our knowledge of the implications of PI3K-δ in various facets of allergic inflammation. This has involved the airway epithelial interface, adaptive T and B cells, potent effector cells (eosinophils and neutrophils), and, more recently, subcellular organelles (endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria) and cytoplasmic innate immune receptors such as NLRP3 inflammasome, all of which make this PI3K isoform an important druggable target for treating asthma. Defining subpopulations of asthma patients with PI3K-δ activation, namely PI3K-δ-driven asthma endotype, may therefore provide us with a novel framework for the treatment of the disease, particularly for corticosteroid-resistant severe form, an important unresolved aspect of the current asthma management. In this review, we specifically summarize the recent advancement of our knowledge on the critical roles of PI3K-δ in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma.
Comparative Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analysis to Deeply Investigate the Role of Hydrogen Cyanamide in Grape Bud Dormancy
Authors: Khalil-Ur-Rehman Muhammad , Wang Wu , Dong Yang , Faheem Muhammad , Xu Yanshuai , Gao Zhihong , Guo Shen Zhen , Tao Jianmin
Published: July 2019

Hydrogen cyanamide (HC) is an agrochemical compound that is frequently used to break bud dormancy in grapevines grown under mild winter conditions globally. The present study was carried out to provide an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanism associated with HC releasing bud dormancy in grapevines. For this purpose, RNA-seq based transcriptomic and tandem mass tag (TMT)-based proteomic information was acquired and critically analyzed. The combined results of transcriptomic and proteomic analysis were utilized to demonstrate differential expression pattern of genes at the translational and transcriptional levels. The outcome of the proteomic analysis revealed that a total of 7135 proteins (p-value ≤ 0.05; fold change ≥ 1.5) between the treatments (HC treated versus control) were identified, out of which 6224 were quantified. Among these differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), the majority of these proteins were related to heat shock, oxidoreductase activity, and energy metabolism. Metabolic, ribosomal, and hormonal signaling pathways were found to be significantly enriched at both the transcriptional and translational levels. It was illustrated that genes associated with metabolic and oxidoreductase activity were mainly involved in the regulation of bud dormancy at the transcriptomic and proteomic levels. The current work furnishes a new track to decipher the molecular mechanism of bud dormancy after HC treatment in grapes. Functional characterization of key genes and proteins will be informative in exactly pinpointing the crosstalk between transcription and translation in the release of bud dormancy after HC application.
Lifetime Psychotic Symptoms, Subthreshold Depression and Cognitive Impairment as Barriers to Functional Recovery in Patients with Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Bonnín Caterina Mar , Jiménez Esther , Solé Brisa , Torrent Carla , Radua Joaquim , Reinares María , Grande Iria , Ruíz Victoria , Sánchez-Moreno Jose , Martínez-Arán Anabel , Vieta Eduard
Published: July 2019

(1) Background: bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic disease that often leads to functional impairment. The objective of this study is to elucidate which variables are associated with better functional outcomes in a sample of euthymic patients with BD. (2) Methods: patients were recruited at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona and they underwent a clinical interview, a functional assessment, and a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. After that, patients were divided into two groups according to the Functioning Assessment Short Test total score: functionally remitted vs. functionally impaired. Following this, a multivariate logistic regression was run in order to identify clinical, demographic and cognitive factors associated with functional remission. (3) Results: a total of 420 euthymic patients with BD were assessed for this study, distributed as follows: functionally remitted (n = 221) and functionally impaired (n = 199). Finally, the multivariate logistic regression revealed that only five variables significantly contributed to the model, including: lifetime history of psychotic symptoms (the variable that contributed the most to the model), followed by the Hamilton Depression total score, and cognitive performance (executive functions and verbal memory). (4) Conclusions: treatments to ensure a good functional outcome in BD should specially prevent psychosis, target subthreshold depressive symptoms and enhance cognition, more specifically executive functions and verbal memory.
Effects of Different Design Parameters on the Vortex Induced Vibration of FRP Composite Risers Using Grey Relational Analysis
Authors: Wang Chunguang , Ge Shiquan , Jaworski Justin W. , Liu Liping , Jia Zhirong
Published: July 2019

Risers are indispensable components of offshore platform systems that connect the wellhead at the sea bottom and to the platform at the sea surface and are normally made of high grade steel. Nowadays, fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite has been recognized as an attractive alternative riser material. Similarly to steel risers, FRP composite risers are also vulnerable to vortex induced vibration (VIV), and the effects of the composite makeup of these risers on VIV are the subject of the present investigation. Three risers (the tailored design composite riser, the composite riser with orthogonal reinforcements and the steel riser), three current velocities (0.36 m/s, 1.22 m/s and 2.13 m/s) and three water depths (12.5 m, 25 m and 37.5 m) are considered. In total, 9 study cases using orthogonal array (OA) sampling are investigated to study the risers’ VIV characteristics. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations with coupled fluid–structure interaction (FSI) are used to obtain the risers’ natural frequencies, global displacements, global stresses and the stress distributions in each composite lamina. The effect of 5 parameters (Etension, Ebending, L/Douter, tension force and current velocity) on the VIV amplitude in a cross flow direction of the risers is analyzed using Grey relational analysis (GRA) and the Grey relational grade of these parameters are: r 05 ( Velocity ) > r 03 ( L / D outer ) > r 04 ( Tension   Force ) > r 01 ( E t e n s i o n ) > r 02 ( E b e n d i n g ) .
Formation of Nanoporous Mixed Aluminum-Iron Oxides by Self-Organized Anodizing of FeAl3 Intermetallic Alloy
Authors: Chilimoniuk Paulina , Michalska-Domańska Marta , Czujko Tomasz
Published: July 2019

Nanostructured anodic oxide layers on an FeAl3 intermetallic alloy were prepared by two-step anodization in 20 wt% H2SO4 at 0 °C. The voltage range was 10.0–22.5 V with a step of 2.5 V. The structural and morphological characterizations of the received anodic oxide layers were performed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Therefore, the formed anodic oxide was found to be highly porous with a high surface area, as indicated by the FE-SEM studies. It has been shown that the morphology of fabricated nanoporous oxide layers is strongly affected by the anodization potential. The oxide growth rate first increased slowly (from 0.010 μm/s for 10 V to 0.02 μm/s for 15 V) and then very rapidly (from 0.04 μm/s for 17.5 V up to 0.13 μm/s for 22.5 V). The same trend was observed for the change in the oxide thickness. Moreover, for all investigated anodizing voltages, the structural features of the anodic oxide layers, such as the pore diameter and interpore distance, increased with increasing anodizing potential. The obtained anodic oxide layer was identified as a crystalline FeAl2O4, Fe2O3 and Al2O3 oxide mixture.
Part I: The Analytical Model Predicting Post-Yield Behavior of Concrete-Encased Steel Beams Considering Various Confinement Effects by Transverse Reinforcements and Steels
Authors: Nguyen Dinh Han , Hong Won-Kee
Published: July 2019

The purpose of the work was to propose analytical model considering double confinements (provided by both transverse reinforcements and a wide flange steel section), which was verified by the nonlinear finite element analysis considering concrete-damaged plasticity. The scope of the effort and the procedures to achieve the aim of this study included the identification of the concrete confinements provided by both transverse reinforcements and a wide flange steel section based on the elasto-plastic model in tension for both rebar/steel sections and elasto-buckling for rebars in compression. The influence of rebar buckling in the compression zone on flexural moment strength was also investigated with and without considering confining effects offered by steel sections. The analytical approach predicted a post-yield behavior of composite beams based on the confining effect offered by both the shear reinforcement and wide steel flange sections. However, for beams without axial loads, the compressive zones with high and partial confinements for concrete sections at the yield and maximum load limit state were limited when compressive buckling failure was not considered, preventing the confining factors from significantly influencing the flexural load resisting capacity. An accurate flexural capacity of composite beams can be obtained when rebar was modeled with buckling in the compression zone.
On the Sum of Reciprocal of Polynomial Applied to Higher Order Recurrences
Authors: Trojovský Pavel
Published: July 2019

Recently a lot of papers have been devoted to partial infinite reciprocal sums of a higher-order linear recursive sequence. In this paper, we continue this program by finding a sequence which is asymptotically equivalent to partial infinite sums, including a reciprocal of polynomial applied to linear higher order recurrences.
Electrochemical, Structural and Morphological Characterization of Hydrothermally Fabricated Binary Palladium Alloys PdCo and PdNi
Authors: Meyer Edson , Taziwa Raymond , Mutukwa Dorcas , Zingwe Nyengerai
Published: July 2019

This article details the development and characterization of binary palladium alloys synthesized via a hydrothermal process. Palladium alloys, being good redox catalysts, could potentially replace platinum in many applications such as in dye sensitized solar cells, capacitors and vehicular catalytic converters where platinum is vital for maximum productivity. A good replacement should be cheap, readily available and be able to offer comparable catalytic activity to that of platinum. As such we hereby attempt to hydrothermally fabricate and characterize binary palladium alloys PdNi and PdCo that could be ideal replacements for platinum. XRD analysis of the as-synthesized binary alloys revealed the existence of only palladium peaks at 2θ values of 40.1°, 46.7°, 68.1°, 82.1° and 86.6°, indicative of the successful formation of the binary alloys. SEM micrographs revealed that both alloys consisted of spherical particles with PdCo agglomerating to an extent, whereas PdNi was widely distributed, thus it could enhance electrolyte adsorption during catalytic reduction reactions. Cyclic voltammetry analysis at 50 mV∙s−1 revealed that PdNi is more electrocatalytically active with a reduction current density of 41 mA∙cm−2 compared to 18 mA∙cm−2 for PdCo. Lower charge transfer resistance from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed the superior catalytic ability of PdNi. The two palladium alloys also produced maximum specific capacitances of 68 and 27 F∙g−1 for PdNi and PdCo respectively. Analysis of the sample stability yielded coulombic efficiency retention of 98.7 and 97% for PdNi and PdCo respectively after 1000 cycles. Results obtained have shown that the palladium alloys with their low charge transfer resistance could be ideal replacements for platinum in dye sensitized solar cells. Modest specific capacitance for PdNi illustrates its potential as an electrode catalyst in capacitors.