bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Generic Model Based Tracking Controller for Hydraulic Valve-Cylinder Drives
Authors: Hansen Anders Hedegaard , Schmidt Lasse , Pedersen Henrik C. , Andersen Torben O.
Published: November 2016

The control of hydraulic valve-cylinder drives is still an active subject of research, and various linear and particularly nonlinear approaches has been proposed, especially in the last two-three decades. In many cases the proposed controllers appear to produce excellent tracking ability due to robust- and/or adaptive functionalities, but also often rely on full state feedback and/or cumbersome and elaborate parameter designs. Also, such sophisticated control approaches often lack tuning methods which, together with the lack of proven reliability, is likely to be the reason why such approaches generally has failed to break through in industry. This paper discusses the dominant properties necessary to take into account when considering position tracking control of hydraulic valve-cylinder drives, and presents two generally applicable, generic control design approaches that combines non-linearity compensation, feed forward control and linear control. The generic properties of the proposed control structures arise with the fact that the designs are based on analytic considerations and rely on meaningful design rules. This also means that the proposed design approaches does not utilize conventional model based linear analysis tools such as bode plots, root loci etc. in order for the controller parameterizations to be realized. However, the analytic approach presented takes offset in such analyzes, but in a generalized fashion. The proposed control structures are focused on industrial applicability, and are therefore constrained to utilize only measurements of the piston position, the valve spool position, the transmission line pressures and the supply pressure, as feedbacks. The control structures are generally targeting a high bandwidth of the controlled cylinder drive and accurate tracking ability in the entire range of operation, rather than reducing stationary errors, and may be parameterized from the desired gain margin, as well as linear model parameters. The proposed control design approaches are evaluated in an experimentally validated, nonlinear simulation model of a hydraulic valve-cylinder drive, and the results demonstrate the excellent tracking effort realized with the proposed design approaches.
Virtual Environment With AMESim and its Integration With MATLAB-Simulink
Authors: Tovo Rafael Luiz da Silva , Vargas Francisco Javier Triveño , Góes Luiz Carlos Sandoval
Published: November 2016

Increasingly, the product development industry coexists with highly complex and integrated systems, parallel to the search for engineering tools that are not difficult to use, reduce the complexity and effort to successfully model the systems and, at the same time, provide reliable results. In this context, to demonstrate the differences between the signal-port and the multi-port modeling approaches, and to analyze the modeling effort demanded by each, this work aims at building, in MATLAB/Simulink® and LMS Imagine.Lab AMESim, a model of flight control’s electro-hydrostatic actuator (EHA). Further, this same EHA system is built in a model that integrates both environments. Simulations then provided data for performance comparisons and conclusions about the possible gains of this integration, for industrial research & development purpose. Lastly, the physical nonlinear EHA AMESim model is linearized, rendering a transfer function model, available to be used in linear control studies in MATLAB-Simulink.
Dynamic Modelling and Performance of a Two Stage Piezoelectric Servovalve
Authors: Persson Johan , Plummer Andrew R. , Bowen Christopher R. , Elliott Phil L.
Published: November 2016

This paper describes the design, simulation and testing of a piezoelectrically-actuated two stage spool valve. The first stage is a small spool controlled by a piezoelectric ring bender and the second stage is a closed loop position controlled main spool. A dynamic mathematical model of the valve has been derived. Step response tests for both the first stage and second stage are presented, and experimental second stage frequency response results are shown. The mathematical models for the amplifier, first stage and second stage spool behaviour are validated against experimental data. The second stage spool behaviour is found to be very sensitive to the first stage flow characteristics. In addition, the displacement of the hydraulic fluid by the piezoelectric ring bender, from one side of the piezoelectric ring bender to the other, had a significant impact on the valve characteristics.
An Investigation of Design Parameters Influencing the Fluid Film Behavior in Scaled Cylinder Block/Valve Plate Interface
Authors: Shang L. , Ivantysynova M.
Published: November 2016

The efficiency of an axial piston pump or motor is dominated by the volumetric and torque losses of the three main lubricating interfaces (piston/cylinder, cylinder block/valve plate, and slipper/swash plate). The research study in this paper only focuses on the cylinder block/valve plate interface. The goal of this research is to investigate a novel approach for scaling the cylinder block/valve plate interface to have the same percentage of volumetric and torque losses of the baseline interface. To achieve this research goal, many design parameters influencing the performance of the interface are investigated. An in-house developed fluid structure and thermal interaction model was used to analyze the cylinder block/valve plate interface including the resulting parts temperature, the parts elastic deformation due to pressure and thermal load, the fluid film properties and resulting energy dissipation, friction torque, and leakage of cylinder block/valve plate interfaces. This model is utilized to simulate the cylinder block/valve plate interface performance of different sizes of the displacement units. In this paper, the displacement volume of the biggest unit is sixty-four times larger than the smallest unit. The computational study reveals the design parameters influencing the elastic deformations of the solid parts and the energy dissipation and stability of the fluid film in cylinder block/valve plate interface of different sizes. Based on these investigations, a novel scaling approach to scale the cylinder block/valve plate interface is discussed.
Development and Construction of an Instrumentalized Workbench With a Hydraulic Motor for Farm Machine Testing
Authors: Valdiero Antonio C. , Ziech Ronei O. , Pinto Mauricio S. , Mantovani Ivan J. , Rasia Luiz A.
Published: November 2016

This work addresses the design and the construction of an instrumentalized workbench with hydraulic motor. The primary purpose of estimating the consumed power for farm machines, as for example the power consumption on the drive shaft of a variable rate fertilizer targeted for applications in precision agriculture. The estimate of the consumed power is important for the better design of the transmission elements and for machines control and design, collaborating for the reduction of the mass and the costs of the prototype. The instrumentalized workbench was used to estimate the actual consumed power in fertilizer dosing devices used in precision agriculture, allowing the correct specification of the power system to drive and the validation of modeling and variable rate control. The aim is to measure and to evaluate the power consumption of a commercial fertilizer in different fertilization rates with usual fertilizer. The used methodology is based on the needs analysis, design and construction of an instrumented bench with hydraulic motor for fertilizer prototype testing. The experimental prototype was tested at the Innovation Center for Automatic Machines and Servo Systems (NIMASS) in UNIJUÍ University with support by IMASA, FINEP and CNPq. Tests with fertilizer mounted allowed the calculation of the consumed volumetric flow rates and the load pressure of the hydraulic motor, thus enabling the estimated consumed power. This research intends to contribute for the modeling and design of hydraulic systems applications in farm machines and the innovations development to technology transfer to manufacturer national company.
Evaluation of an On-Line Fault Detection Method for Proportional Hydraulic Valves
Authors: Raduenz Henrique , Souza Fábio José , Bastos Pedro P. C. , Ferronatto Desyel , De Negri Victor J. , Soares João Marcos Castro
Published: November 2016

This paper presents the analysis of an on-line fault detection method for proportional directional hydraulic valves applied on speed governors of hydroelectric power plants. This application area is very sensitive for unexpected maintenance or long duration stops since most of power plants are interconnected on an electrical power grid. A plant stop must be programmed previously and approved by a regulatory agency. Consequently, the implementation of a fault detection and monitoring system can reduce maintenance and operational costs as well as safety risks of equipment and operators. The developed method is based on monitoring both the valve supply current and spool position related to an input control signal. Therefore, it is applicable for so called servoproportional valves, it means, those including spool position measurement and with embedded electronics. Valve static and dynamic behaviour depends on spool friction, flow forces, solenoid force and valve closed loop controller. Such characteristics are influenced by the spool size, overlapping and manufacturing tolerances. In this paper, the effectiveness of the method to monitor and detected faults in valves with different sizes and constructive parameters is demonstrated experimentally using five proportional valves.
Atomic layer etching of SiO2 by alternating an O2 plasma with fluorocarbon film deposition
Authors: Tsutsumi Takayoshi , Kondo Hiroki , Hori Masaru , Zaitsu Masaru , Kobayashi Akiko , Nozawa Toshihisa , Kobayashi Nobuyoshi
Published: November 2016

This work demonstrated a process for the atomic-scale etching of SiO2 films, consisting of alternating nanometer-thick fluorocarbon film deposition with O2 plasma irradiation in a capacitively coupled plasma reactor. Ar plasma etching after fluorocarbon film deposition tends to suffer from nanometer- or subnanometer-thick carbon films deposited on the SiO2 surface and chamber walls. These carbon films cause various problems, such as reductions in the etching rate per cycle and degradation of the SiO2 quality. In contrast, in our two-step process, O2 plasma removes carbon atoms in such fluorocarbon films. This process therefore allows the atomic scale etching of SiO2 films without any residue or surface contamination. Additionally, since the etching rate per cycle plateaus as both the etching time and deposition time are extended, it is unnecessary to uniformly deposit a fluorocarbon film over the wafer.
Oral thrombin inhibitor aggravates platelet adhesion and aggregation during arterial thrombosis
Authors: Petzold Tobias , Thienel Manuela , Konrad Ildiko , Schubert Irene , Regenauer Ron , Hoppe Boj , Lorenz Michael , Eckart Annekathrin , Chandraratne Sue , Lennerz Carsten , Kolb Christof , Braun Daniel , Jamasbi Janina , Brandl Richard , Braun Siegmund , Siess Wolfgang , Schulz Christian , Massberg Steffen
Published: November 2016

Blood treated with an oral thrombin inhibitor demonstrates enhanced thrombus formation under flow conditions in humans and in rodents.
Nigral dopaminergic PAK4 prevents neurodegeneration in rat models of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Won So-Yoon , Park Mee-Hee , You Soon-Tae , Choi Seung-Won , Kim Hyong-Kyu , McLean Catriona , Bae Suk-Chul , Kim Sang Ryong , Jin Byung Kwan , Lee Kun Ho , Shin Eun-Young , Kim Eung-Gook
Published: November 2016

PAK4-CRTC1 signaling in dopaminergic neurons mediates neuroprotection in rodent models of Parkinson’s disease.
Imaging mitochondrial dynamics in human skin reveals depth-dependent hypoxia and malignant potential for diagnosis
Authors: Pouli Dimitra , Balu Mihaela , Alonzo Carlo A. , Liu Zhiyi , Quinn Kyle P. , Rius-Diaz Francisca , Harris Ronald M. , Kelly Kristen M. , Tromberg Bruce J. , Georgakoudi Irene
Published: November 2016

In vivo, label-free evaluation of mitochondrial function in human skin epithelia noninvasively differentiates healthy from cancerous tissues.
Imaging serotonin reuptake in the living brain
Authors: Fung Lawrence K.
Published: November 2016

A new molecular fMRI method allows for investigation of serotonin dynamics in the living brain.
Integrated Role of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp.
lactis
Supplementation in Gut Microbiota, Immunity, and Metabolism of Infant Rhesus Monkeys
Authors: He Xuan , Slupsky Carolyn M. , Dekker James W. , Haggarty Neill W. , Lönnerdal Bo
Published: November 2016

Probiotics are becoming increasingly popular due to their perceived effects on health, despite a lack of mechanistic information on how they impart these benefits. Infant formula and complementary foods are common targets for supplementation with probiotics. However, different probiotic strains have different properties, and there is a lack of data on long-term health effects on the consumer. Given the increasing interest in supplementation with probiotics and the fact that the gastrointestinal tracts of infants are still immature, we sought to determine whether consumption of infant formula containing the probiotic
Bifidobacterium animalis
subsp.
lactis
HN019 for 3 months starting at birth would impact gut microbial colonization, as well as infant immunity and metabolism, when compared with consumption of formula alone.
First reported case of peroneal tenosynovitis caused byCoccidioides immitissuccessfully treated with fluconazole
Authors: Majeed Aneela , Ullah Waqas , Hamadani Auon Abbas , Georgescu Anca
Published: November 2016

Coccidioidomycosis is an insidious infection caused byCoccidioidesspp (C. immitisandC. posadasii). Disseminated disease occasionally involves tendon sheaths and synovium of the joints leading to tenosynovitis. Here, we describe the case of a 72-year-old woman from southern Arizona, who presented with right ankle pain, redness and swelling for 2 months. Her serum IgG was positive forC. immitison complement fixation, and her MRI of the right ankle joint showed extensive tenosynovitis of the right peroneal tendons, and subtalar joint effusions with associated synovitis. The purpose of this case is to report an extremely rare manifestation of disseminatedC. immitis, that is, peroneal tenosynovitis and challenges involved with diagnosis and treatment. We also document that azole therapy is an effective treatment option for peroneal tenosynovitis caused byC. immitis, and we had to double the dose for slow symptom resolution with 4-week trial with usual 400 mg oral dose of fluconazole.
Benign reactive lymphoid hyperplasia of the conjunctiva in childhood
Authors: AlAkeely Adel G , Alkatan Hind M , Alsuhaibani Adel H , AlKhalidi Hisham , Safieh Leen Abu , Coupland Sarah E , Edward Deepak P
Published: November 2016

Background/aim

Our aim is to the report the clinical and histopathological features of benign reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (BRLH) of the conjunctiva in children and the outcomes of treatment.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed for children aged 0–18 years, diagnosed with conjunctival BRLH from January 2000 to December 2013 at two large ophthalmology hospitals in the Middle East. Data were collected on patient demographics, features of the lesions, the site of the lesion, location, adnexal involvement, lymph nodes involvement, local spread, histopathology and molecular genetic studies of the cases (if available), outcomes of treatment and recurrence.

Results

There were 24 patients with lymphoid lesions classified as conjunctival BRLH during the 12-year period evaluated in this study. The mean age at diagnosis was 11.6 years. Twenty-three patients were males (96%). Systemic medical history included three patients with bronchial asthma, one patient with Down's syndrome, one patient with generalised skeletal malformation and one patient with gastritis. The initial uncorrected visual acuity was 20/30 or better in 93.5% of the eyes. At presentation, the tumour was unilateral in 12 cases (50%). The conjunctival mass was located on the bulbar conjunctiva in all cases. The mass was present nasally in 96% of lesions. No cases (that were tested) had an infectious aetiology. PCR demonstrated monoclonality suggestive of lymphoma in two cases; however, this did not alter the final diagnosis as BRLH per histopathological criteria and clinical course,

Conclusions

All investigated cases of paediatric conjunctival BRLH had a benign clinical course with no local or systemic dissemination and a male predominance. Recurrence was rare, and in our cohort, it was not associated with malignant transformation.
Optical coherence tomography angiography of foveal hypoplasia
Authors: Pakzad-Vaezi Kaivon , Keane Pearse A , Cardoso João Nobre , Egan Catherine , Tufail Adnan
Published: November 2016

Aims

To discuss foveal development in the context of detailed retinal vasculature imaging in foveal hypoplasia using optical coherence tomography angiography.

Methods

In this case series, the optical coherence tomography angiography results of four patients with idiopathic foveal hypoplasia and two patients with foveal hypoplasia secondary to oculocutaneous albinism are presented.

Results

Cases with intact visual acuity demonstrated lower grades of foveal hypoplasia on optical coherence tomography, while those with poor vision demonstrated high grades of foveal hypoplasia. The superficial retinal capillary plexus was intact in the foveal area in all cases, with no demonstrable foveal avascular zone. The deep retinal capillary plexus was absent to variable degrees in most cases, but was most persistent in those cases with reduced vision.

Conclusions

The superficial retinal capillary plexus is present in cases with foveal hypoplasia, while the deep retinal capillary plexus is absent to varying degrees. Our findings support the hypothesis that an intact foveal avascular zone of the deep capillary plexus allows for outer retinal photoreceptor specialisation to occur unimpeded, resulting in preserved visual acuity, while this process may be inhibited by an absent deep capillary foveal avascular zone with resultant poor vision.
Refractive improvements and safety with topography-guided corneal crosslinking for keratoconus: 1-year results
Authors: Nordström Maria , Schiller Maria , Fredriksson Anneli , Behndig Anders
Published: November 2016

Purpose

To assess the refractive improvements and the corneal endothelial safety of an individualised topography-guided regimen for corneal crosslinking in progressive keratoconus.

Methods

An open-label prospective randomised clinical trial was performed at the Department of Clinical Sciences, Ophthalmology, Umeå University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden. Thirty-seven patients (50 eyes) with progressive keratoconus planned for corneal crosslinking were included. The patients were randomised to topography-guided crosslinking (photorefractive intrastromal crosslinking (PiXL); n=25) or uniform 9 mm crosslinking (corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL); n=25). Visual acuity, refraction, keratometry (K1, K2 and Kmax) and corneal endothelial morphometry were assessed preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The PiXL treatment involved an asymmetrical treatment zone centred on the area of maximum corneal steepness with treatment energies ranging from 7.2 to 15.0 J/cm2; the CXL treatment was a uniform 9 mm 5.4 J/cm2pulsed crosslinking. The main outcome measures were changes in refractive errors and corneal endothelial cell density.

Results

The spherical refractive errors decreased (p<0.05) and the visual acuity improved (p<0.01) at 3, 6 and 12 months after PiXL, but not after CXL. The between-groups differences, however, were not significant. K2 and Kmaxdecreased at 3, 6 and 12 months after PiXL (p<0.01), but not after CXL (p<0.01 when comparing the two treatments). No corneal endothelial cell loss was seen after either treatment.

Conclusions

Individualised topography-based crosslinking treatment centred on the ectatic cone has the potential to improve the corneal shape in keratoconus with decreased spherical refractive errors and improved visual acuity, without damage to the corneal endothelium.

Trial registration number

NCT02514200, Results.
Topography of the supraorbital nerve with reference to the lacrimal caruncle: danger zone for direct browplasty
Authors: Gil Young-Chun , Shin Kang-Jae , Lee Shin-Hyo , Song Wu-Chul , Koh Ki-Seok , Shin Hyun Jin
Published: November 2016

Purpose

To elucidate the course of the supraorbital nerve (SON) with reference to the lacrimal caruncle in order to facilitate safer direct browplasty by preventing nerve injury.

Methods

Thirty-four hemifaces from 18 embalmed Korean cadavers were dissected. A vertical line through the upmost point of the lacrimal caruncle and a horizontal line through the supraorbital margin were used as the horizontal and vertical reference positions, respectively. The course of the SON in the frontal view and the point at which it pierced the overlaying musculature were examined.

Results

The SON divides into a superficial branch and a deep branch just after exiting the orbit. In all cases, the deep SON remains in the subgaleal plane deep to the corrugator and frontalis muscles. The superficial SON travels under the corrugator muscle dividing into three branches (medial, intermediate and lateral) and pierced the frontalis muscle at 19–32 mm above the supraorbital margin. However, in 11 cases (32%) the medial branch of the superficial SON pierced the lower portion of the corrugator muscle at 3.6 mm above the supraorbital margin and ran in front of the muscle along with the vertical line through the upmost point of the lacrimal caruncle.

Conclusions

One-third of the medial branch of the superficial SON without corrugator muscle protection is vulnerable to iatrogenic injury during direct browplasty. Therefore, the oculofacial surgeon must bring the dissection plane of the forehead tissue more superficially around the vertical line through the upmost point of the lacrimal caruncle in order to avoid nerve injury.
Ethics of genetic testing and research in sport: a position statement from the Australian Institute of Sport
Authors: Vlahovich Nicole , Fricker Peter A , Brown Matthew A , Hughes David
Published: November 2016

As Australia's peak high-performance sport agency, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has developed this position statement to address the implications of recent advances in the field of genetics and the ramifications for the health and well-being of athletes. Genetic testing has proven of value in the practice of clinical medicine. There are, however, currently no scientific grounds for the use of genetic testing for athletic performance improvement, sport selection or talent identification. Athletes and coaches should be discouraged from using direct-to-consumer genetic testing because of its lack of validation and replicability and the lack of involvement of a medical practitioner in the process. The transfer of genetic material or genetic modification of cells for performance enhancement is gene doping and should not be used on athletes. There are, however, valid roles for genetic research and the AIS supports genetic research which aims to enhance understanding of athlete susceptibility to injury or illness. Genetic research is only to be conducted after careful consideration of a range of ethical concerns which include the provision of adequate informed consent. The AIS is committed to providing leadership in delivering an ethical framework that protects the well-being of athletes and the integrity of sport, in the rapidly changing world of genomic science.
Insulin resistance of protein anabolism accompanies that of glucose metabolism in lean, glucose-tolerant offspring of persons with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Burgos Sergio A , Chandurkar Vikram , Tsoukas Michael A , Chevalier Stéphanie , Morais José A , Lamarche Marie , Marliss Errol B
Published: November 2016

Objective

To test whether protein anabolic resistance is an early defect in type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Research design and methods

Seven lean, normoglycemic T2D offspring (T2D-O) and eight matched participants without family history (controls; C) underwent a 3-hour hyperinsulinemic (40 mU/m2/min), euglycemic (5.5 mmol/L) and isoaminoacidemic clamp. Whole-body glucose and protein kinetics were measured withd-[3–3H]glucose andl-[l-13C]leucine, respectively. Plasma amino acids were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Results

Fasting glycemia and glucose kinetic variables did not differ between groups. Clamp decreases in glucose rate of appearance were not different, but rate of disappearance increased 29% less in T2D-O, to a significantly lower rate. Fasting leucine was higher in T2D-O, but kinetics did not differ. Clamp increases in leucine oxidation and decreases in endogenous rate of appearance (protein breakdown) were equal, but in T2D-O, non-oxidative rate of disappearance (protein synthesis) did not increase and net balance (synthesis—breakdown) did not become positive as in C.

Conclusions

Resistance of whole-body protein anabolism (synthesis and net balance) accompanies resistance of glucose uptake in T2D-O. Mechanisms responsible, possible roles in the increased risk of developing diabetes, and its potential impact on long-term protein balance require definition.
Ethics in times of conflict: some reflections on Syria, in the backdrop of Iraq
Authors: Sen Kasturi , Hussain Hamid , Al-Faisal Waleed
Published: November 2016

Ethical challenges facing research and reporting from conflict-affected zones are well known; among them is the difficulty of finding reliable information; the tendency to take sides and define actors as either good or evil; the precarious security situation of residents and the ever-changing scenarios on the ground. We observed, however, that these challenges go unacknowledged in research and reporting on health state and on the health system from the conflict in Iraq and Syria, with the lines between science and journalistic reporting routinely blurred in the literature. What should be the restraining factor of academic research against prejudiced reporting on injury, death and the healthcare system has mostly failed in the Syrian conflict. Even social media, with its promise of ‘independent’ and ‘citizens' voice’, can be skewed, with much of the output in the Syria crisis coming from one side only, largely due to access issues. While researchers in conflict-affected zones, such as Syria, may need to take a position on one side or another when reporting, death, destruction and disease, it is important that they admit to the challenges of accessing unbiased data, the near impossibility of obtaining representative samples and the risk of the contamination of evidence, clinical or otherwise. The example of the Syrian and Iraqi conflicts (as context) indicates a need to reassess research ethics in conflict zones and their implications for policy.
Ideal cardiovascular health score and incident end-stage renal disease in a community-based longitudinal cohort study: the Kailuan Study
Authors: Han Quan Le , Wu Shou Ling , Liu Xiao Xue , An Sha Sha , Wu Yun Tao , Gao Jing Sheng , Chen Shuo Hua , Liu Xiao Kun , Zhang Qi , Mao Rui Ying , Shang Xiao Ming , Jonas Jost B
Published: November 2016

Objectives

To investigate an association between ideal cardiovascular health metrics (CVH) and the risk of developing end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Setting

Community of Kailuan in Tangshan/China.

Participants

We examined in a community-based longitudinal cohort study 91 443 participants without history of stroke or myocardial infarction at baseline in 2006–2007, with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ≥15 mL/min at baseline, and who participated in at least 1 of 3 follow-up examinations in 2008–2009, 2010–2011 and 2012–2013.

Interventions

CVH was measured by 7 key health factors (smoking, body mass index, physical activity, healthy dietary score, total cholesterol blood concentration, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose) each of which ranged between ‘ideal’ (2) and ‘poor’ (0). With a maximal CVH score of 14, the study participants were divided into categories of <5, 5–9 and 10–14 points.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

CHV, incidence of ESRD.

Results

Incidence of ESRD ranged from 7.06‰ in the lowest CVH category to 2.34‰ in the highest CVH category. After adjusting for age, sex, educational level, income, alcohol consumption and GFR, the lowest CVH category as compared with the highest CVH category had a significantly higher risk of incident ESRD (adjusted HR 2.87; 95% CI 1.53 to 5.39). For every decrease in group number of the cum-CVH score, the risk of ESRD increased by 20% (HR 1.20; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.28). The effect was consistent across sex and all age groups.

Conclusions

A low CVH score significantly increased the risk of incident ESRD. Risk factors for cardiovascular events may also be associated with an increased risk for kidney failure.
Initial clinical experience using the two-stage aspiration technique (TSAT) with proximal flow arrest by a balloon guiding catheter for acute ischemic stroke of the anterior circulation
Authors: Matsumoto Hiroyuki , Nishiyama Hirokazu , Tetsuo Yoshiaki , Takemoto Hideki , Nakao Naoyuki
Published: November 2016

Background

Our initial experience using the two-stage aspiration technique (TSAT) with proximal flow arrest by a balloon guiding catheter is presented. In TSAT, aspiration is applied with the 5MAX ACE and also with the 3MAX catheter with a Penumbra aspiration pump, while arresting proximal flow by balloon inflation.

Methods

In patients treated with TSAT, clinical data including National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission and the modiﬁed Rankin Scale (mRS) score at discharge, as well as procedural data including the Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) score, procedural time, and complications were analyzed.

Results

Thirty-four consecutive patients (19 men (56%); mean age 73 years) were treated with TSAT using a balloon guiding catheter. The patients presented with a mean NIHSS score of 17.4 and 23 (68%) patients received IV tissue plasminogen activator. Median time from groin puncture to successful recanalization was 41 min (range 15–160 min). All patients were successfully revascularized; TICI 2b or better recanalization was achieved in 30 (88%) patients. No patient required an additional procedure such as use of a stent retriever. Procedure-related complications occurred in two (5.9%) patients (vessel injury and guidewire perforation). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in one patient and asymptomatic hemorrhagic infarction occurred in two patients. There were no cases of embolization to new territory (ENT). The mean NIHSS score at discharge improved to 6.1. Sixteen patients (47%) achieved a good outcome with an mRS score of 0–2 at discharge (mean hospitalization period 20 days).

Conclusions

TSAT with proximal flow arrest by a balloon guiding catheter is an effective and safe method to achieve good clinical and angiographic outcomes. This method may reduce ENT in the direct aspiration first-pass thrombectomy (ADAPT) technique.
Parasiticidal effect of synthetic bovine lactoferrin peptides on the enteric parasiteGiardia intestinalis
Authors: Aguilar-Diaz Hugo , Canizalez-Roman Adrian , Nepomuceno-Mejia Tomas , Gallardo-Vera Francisco , Hornelas-Orozco Yolanda , Nazmi Kamran , Bolscher Jan G.M. , Carrero Julio Cesar , Leon-Sicairos Claudia , Leon-Sicairos Nidia
Published: November 2016

Giardia intestinalis is the most common infectious protozoan parasite in children. Despite the effectiveness of some drugs, the disease remains a major worldwide problem. Consequently, the search for new treatments is important for disease eradication. Biological molecules with antimicrobial properties represent a promising alternative to combat pathogens. Bovine lactoferrin (bLF) is a key component of the innate host defense system, and its peptides have exhibited strong antimicrobial activity. Based on these properties, we evaluated the parasiticidal activity of these peptides on G. intestinalis. Trophozoites were incubated with different peptide concentrations for different periods of time, and the growth or viability was determined by carboxyfluorescein-succinimidyl-diacetate-ester (CFDA) and propidium iodide (PI) staining. Endocytosis of peptides was investigated by confocal microscopy, damage was analyzed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and the type of programmed cell death was analyzed by flow cytometry. Our results showed that the LF peptides had giardicidal activity. The LF peptides interacted with G. intestinalis and exposure to LF peptides correlated with an increase in the granularity and vacuolization of the cytoplasm. Additionally, the formation of pores, extensive membrane disruption, and programmed cell death was observed in trophozoites treated with LF peptides. Our results demonstrate that LF peptides exhibit potent in vitro antigiardial activity.
Bovine lactoferrin and lactoferricin exert antitumor activities on human colorectal cancer cells (HT-29) by activating various signaling pathways
Authors: Jiang Rulan , Lönnerdal Bo
Published: November 2016

Lactoferrin (Lf) is an iron-binding glycoprotein that is present at high concentrations in milk. Bovine lactoferricin (LfcinB) is a peptide fragment generated by pepsin proteolysis of bovine lactoferrin (bLf). LfcinB consists of amino acid residues 17–41 proximal to the N-terminus of bLf and a disulfide bond between residues 19 and 36, forming a loop. Both bLf and LfcinB have been demonstrated to have antitumor activities. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in developed countries. We hypothesized that bLf and LfcinB exert antitumor activities on colon cancer cells (HT-29) by triggering various signaling pathways. bLf and LfcinB significantly induced apoptosis in HT-29 cells but not in normal human intestinal epithelial cells, as revealed by the ApoTox-Glo Triplex Assay. The LIVE/DEAD cell viability assay showed that both bLf and LfcinB reduced the viability of HT-29 cells. Transcriptome analysis indicated that bLf, cyclic LfcinB, and linear LfcinB exerted antitumor activities by differentially activating diverse signaling pathways, including p53, apoptosis, and angiopoietin signaling. Immunoblotting results confirmed that both bLf and LfcinBs increased expression of caspase-8, p53, and p21, critical proteins in tumor suppression. These results provide valuable information regarding bLf and LfcinB for potential clinical applications in colon cancer therapy.
Two new genera, Mycophoris gen. nov., (Orchidaceae) and Synaptomitus gen. nov. (Basidiomycota) based on a fossil seed with developing embryo and associated fungus in Dominican amber
Authors: Poinar George
Published: November 2016

Aside from a variety of arthropod remains, Dominican amber also contains an assortment of leaves, flowers, and seeds. An orchid seed with a developing embryo in Dominican amber is described as Mycophoris elongatus gen. et sp. nov. Cells of the developing embryo were infected with a fungus that is described as Synaptomitus orchiphilus gen. et sp. nov. The fungus represents a Basidiomycota that was probably serving as an orchid mycorrhiza (OM), based on its morphology and the formation of pelotons inside infected embryo cells. The single piece of amber containing the fossil was obtained from a mine in the Dominican Republic and is at least 15–20 Ma.
Morphology and stomatal density of developing Arceuthobium americanum (lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe) fruit: a qualitative and quantitative analysis using environmental scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Ziegler Dylan J. , Ross Friedman Cynthia
Published: November 2016

Arceuthobium americanum Nutt. ex Engelm., the lodgepole pine dwarf mistletoe, is a dioecious parasitic flowering plant infecting lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta subsp. latifolia (Engelm.) Critchfield) in the Pacific Northwest, compromising timber value by stunting the host’s growth. The plant disperses its seeds by explosive discharge, and thus understanding its reproduction is an integral step toward managing its spread. The life cycle of Arceuthobium americanum occurs over five to six years, and the fruit matures over two consecutive growing seasons, dispersing in the second. Using low-vacuum environmental scanning electron microscopy (eSEM), we examined branching architecture as well as the morphology and anatomy of fruits during their second year of development up to explosive discharge. We found that branching patterns shifted from opposite-decussate to verticillate after several years’ growth. In addition, the perianth parts (sepals), style, and stigma persisted through the season, and the fruit’s abscission zone developed slightly distal to the end of the pedicel. Stomata, found only on the sepals, were located in crypts surrounded by two subsidiary cells, and stomatal density significantly decreased during development. The decline in stomatal density along with the thick pericarp cuticle may function in retaining water inside the fruit to facilitate discharge and (or) provide a heating mechanism through reduced transpiration.
Mercury bioaccumulation increases with latitude in a coastal marine fish (Atlantic silverside,Menidia menidia)
Authors: Baumann Zofia , Mason Robert P. , Conover David O. , Balcom Prentiss , Chen Celia Y. , Buckman Kate L. , Fisher Nicholas S. , Baumann Hannes
Published: November 2016

Human exposure to the neurotoxic methylmercury (MeHg) occurs primarily via the consumption of marine fish, but the processes underlying large-scale spatial variations in fish MeHg concentrations [MeHg], which influence human exposure, are not sufficiently understood. We used the Atlantic silverside (Menidia menidia), an extensively studied model species and important forage fish, to examine latitudinal patterns in total mercury (Hg) [Hg] and [MeHg]. Both [Hg] and [MeHg] significantly increased with latitude (0.014 and 0.048 μg MeHg·g dry weight−1per degree of latitude in juveniles and adults, respectively). Four known latitudinal trends in silverside traits help explain these patterns: latitudinal increase in MeHg assimilation efficiency, latitudinal decrease in MeHg efflux, latitudinal increase in weight loss due to longer and more severe winters, and latitudinal increase in food consumption as an adaptation to decreasing length of the growing season. Given the absence of a latitudinal pattern in particulate MeHg, a diet proxy for zooplanktivorous fish, we conclude that large-scale spatial variation in growth is the primary control of Hg bioaccumulation in this and potentially other fish species.
The effects of Pantoea sp. strain Y4-4 on alfalfa in the remediation of heavy-metal-contaminated soil, and auxiliary impacts of plant residues on the remediation of saline–alkali soils
Authors: Li Shuhuan , Wang Jie , Gao Nanxiong , Liu Lizhu , Chen Yahua
Published: November 2016

The plant-growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) Y4-4 was isolated from plant rhizosphere soil and identified as Pantoea sp. by 16S rRNA sequence analysis. The effects of strain Y4-4 on alfalfa grown in heavy-metals-contaminated soil was investigated using a pot experiment. In a Cu-rich environment, the shoot dry mass and total dry mass of plants inoculated with strain Y4-4 increased by 22.6% and 21%, and Cu accumulation increased by 15%. In a Pb–Zn-rich environment, the shoot dry mass and total dry mass of plants inoculated with strain Y4-4 increased by 23.4% and 22%, and Zn accumulation increased by 30.3%. In addition, the salt tolerance and biomass of wheat seedlings could be improved by applying strain Y4-4 mixed with plant residue as a result of the Cu-rich plant residues providing copper nutrition to wheat. This study offers an efficient PGPR with strong salt tolerance and a safe strategy for the post-treatment of plant residue.
Vibrational spectra and analytical potential energy functions of some electronic states of Na2
Authors: Fan Qunchao , Fan Zhixiang , Sun Weiguo , Zhang Yi , Fu Jia
Published: November 2016

The improved variational algebraic energy consistent method (VAECM) is suggested to study the vibrational spectra and analytical potential energy functions of six excited electronic states [Formula: see text], 21Δg, (5d)1Δg, (6d)1Δg, (7d)1Δg, and (8d)1Δg of Na2. The full vibrational energies, the vibrational spectroscopic constants, the force constants fn, and the expansion coefficients an of the potential are tabulated. The VAECM analytical potential energy function with adjustable parameter λ for each electronic state is determined. The full vibrational energies of each of these electronic states correctly converge to its dissociation energy and have no artificial barrier in all the calculation ranges. The VAECM analytical potentials excellently agree with the Rydberg–Klein–Rees potentials.
Clinical use of high mobility group box 1 and the receptor for advanced glycation end products in the prognosis and risk stratification of heart failure: a literature review
Authors: Marsh Amanda M. , Nguyen Austin Huy , Parker Taylor M. , Agrawal Devendra K.
Published: November 2016

Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome that represents the end stage of heart disease and remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. As heart failure mortality rates remain elevated, additional biomarkers that facilitate early detection or risk stratification in HF is of particularly great interest. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) cause the activation of intracellular signaling, gene expression, and production of inflammatory cytokines and have been linked to many inflammatory disease states such as diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. Few studies have investigated their role in the pathophysiology of HF and any significant correlation remains uncertain. Review of the available literature discussing HMGB1 and RAGE clinical values as independent prognostic variables in HF resulted in the inclusion of 11 studies, which enrolled a total of 2025 heart failure patients. Overall, the data suggests a statistically significant positive correlation between RAGE and HF, with increasing RAGE levels associated with increasing New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class of heart failure. HMGB1 correlations were not as extensively studied, but there is evidence that both HMGB1 and RAGE have a definite potential as biomarkers for the prognosis and risk stratification of HF patients.
How to build a lower-body differential pressure chamber integrated on a tilt-table: A pedagogy tool to demonstrate the cardiovagal baroreflex
Authors: Tymko Michael M.
Published: November 2016

The cardiovagal baroreflex is an important physiological reflex that is commonly taught in health-related university physiology courses. This reflex is responsible for the rapid maintenance of blood pressure through dynamic changes in heart rate (HR) and vascular resistance. The use of lower-body negative pressure (LBNP) and lower-body positive pressure (LBPP) can manipulate these stretch sensitive baroreceptors. High performance and relatively inexpensive homemade LBNP and LBPP chambers can be easily constructed providing a valuable tool for both research and teaching purposes. There has been previous documentation of how to build a LBNP chamber; however, the information available usually lacks appropriate construction details, and there is currently no literature on how to build a chamber that can accommodate both LBNP and LBPP. In addition, a recently developed novel LBNP/LBPP chamber positioned on a 360° tilt-table provided the unique utility of superimposing both LBNP/LBPP and body position as independent or combined stressors to alter central blood volume. The primary purposes of this manuscript are to (1) provide step-by-step instructions on how to build a tilt-table LBNP/LBPP chamber, and (2) demonstrate the effectiveness of a tilt-table LBNP/LBPP chamber to facilitate undergraduate and graduate learning in the laboratory by effectively demonstrating the cardiovagal baroreflex.
Fermi-motion effect on the intermediate energy nucleus–nucleus collision
Authors: Fan G. W. , Kong W. Y. , Han T. F. , Li X. C. , Ma J. B. , Sheng Z. Q. , Shi G. Z. , Tian F. , Wang J. , Zhang C.
Published: November 2016

The Glauber model is modified with the Fermi-motion effect in the calculation of elastic differential cross-sections and momentum distributions of a fragment from mother nucleus. Different reaction systems at low energies are calculated with the modified Glauber model. It is found that calculations including the Fermi-motion provide a better prescription relating the model to a proper nuclear density distribution by comparing with the experimental data. On the basis of the studies, the influence of the correction on the extracted nuclear radius is quantified. The results further confirm the importance of the Fermi-motion in the nucleus–nucleus collision reactions at low energies.
Preheating with fractional powers
Authors: Moghaddam Hossein Bazrafshan , Brandenberger Robert
Published: November 2016

We consider preheating in models in which the potential for the inflaton is given by a fractional power, as is the case in axion monodromy inflation. We assume a standard coupling between the inflaton field and a scalar matter field. We find that in spite of the fact that the oscillation of the inflaton about the field value which minimizes the potential is anharmonic, there is nevertheless a parametric resonance instability, and we determine the Floquet exponent which describes this instability as a function of the parameters of the inflaton potential.
Cosmology in Weyl transverse gravity
Authors: Oda Ichiro
Published: November 2016

We study the Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) cosmology in the Weyl-transverse (WTDiff) gravity in a general spacetime dimension. The WTDiff gravity is invariant under both the local Weyl (conformal) transformation and the volume preserving diffeormorphisms (transverse diffeomorphisms) and is believed to be equivalent to general relativity at least at the classical level (perhaps, even in the quantum regime). It is explicitly shown by solving the equations of motion that the FLRW metric is a classical solution in the WTDiff gravity only when the spatial metric is flat, that is, the Euclidean space, and the lapse function is a nontrivial function of the scale factor.
EPIDEMIC SPREADING ON THREE-LAYER INTERDEPENDENT NETWORKS
Authors: WANG LINGNA , ZHU GUANGHU , KANG HUIYAN , FU XINCHU
Published: November 2016

Many epidemic diseases spread among three different populations with different contact patterns and infection rates. In response to such diseases, we propose two new types of three-layer interdependent networks — string-coupled networks and circular-coupled networks. We investigate an epidemic spreading on the two types of interdependent networks, propose two mathematical models through heterogeneous mean field approach and prove global stability of the disease-free and endemic equilibria. Through theoretical and numerical analysis, we find the following: the increase of each infection rate affects effectively only its own subnetwork and neighbors; in a string-coupled network, the middle subnetwork has bigger impact on the basic reproduction number than the end subnetworks with the growth of network size or infection rates; the basic reproduction number on a circular-coupled network is larger than that on a string-coupled network for a fixed network size; but the change of the basic reproduction number (or the average infection densities) is almost the same on both string-coupled and circular-coupled networks with the increasing of certain infection rate.