bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of a docosahexaenoic acid–rich microalgae nutritional product on insulin sensitivity after prolonged dexamethasone treatment in healthy mature horses
Authors: Brennan Kristen M. , Graugnard Daniel E. , Spry Malinda L. , Brewster-Barnes Tammy , Smith Allison C. , Schaeffer Rachel E. , Urschel Kristine L.
Published: September 2015

OBJECTIVE To determine effects of a microalgae nutritional product on insulin sensitivity in horses.

ANIMALS 8 healthy mature horses.

PROCEDURES Horses (n = 4/group) received a basal diet without (control diet) or with docosahexaenoic acid–rich microalgae meal (150 g/d) for 49 days (day 0 = first day of diet). On day 28, an isoglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp procedure was performed. Horses then received dexamethasone (0.04 mg/kg/d) for 21 days. On day 49, the clamp procedure was repeated. After a 60-day washout, horses received the alternate diet, and procedures were repeated. Plasma fatty acid, glucose, and insulin concentrations and glucose and insulin dynamics during the clamp procedure were measured on days 28 and 49. Two estimates of insulin sensitivity (reciprocal of the square root of the insulin concentration and the modified insulin-to-glucose ratio for ponies) were calculated.

RESULTS Baseline glucose and insulin concentrations or measures of insulin sensitivity on day 28 did not differ between horses when fed the control diet or the basal diet plus microalgae meal. On day 49 (ie, after dexamethasone administration), the microalgae meal was associated with lower baseline insulin and glucose concentrations and an improved modified insulin-to-glucose ratio for ponies, compared with results for the control diet.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Although the microalgae meal had no effect on clamp variables following dexamethasone treatment, it was associated with improved plasma glucose and insulin concentrations and insulin sensitivity estimates. A role for microalgae in the nutritional management of insulin-resistant horses warrants investigation.
Effect of laser treatment on first-intention incisional wound healing in ball pythons (Python regius)
Authors: Cole Grayson L. , Lux Cassie N. , Schumacher Juergen P. , Seibert Rachel L. , Sadler Ryan A. , Henderson Andrea L. , Odoi Agricola , Newkirk Kim M.
Published: September 2015

OBJECTIVE To evaluate effects of laser treatment on incisional wound healing in ball pythons (Python regius).

ANIMALS 6 healthy adult ball pythons.

PROCEDURES Snakes were sedated, a skin biopsy specimen was collected for histologic examination, and eight 2-cm skin incisions were made in each snake; each incision was closed with staples (day 0). Gross evaluation of all incision sites was performed daily for 30 days, and a wound score was assigned. Four incisions of each snake were treated (5 J/cm2 and a wavelength of 980 nm on a continuous wave sequence) by use of a class 4 laser once daily for 7 consecutive days; the other 4 incisions were not treated. Two excisional skin biopsy specimens (1 control and 1 treatment) were collected from each snake on days 2, 7, 14, and 30 and evaluated microscopically. Scores were assigned for total inflammation, degree of fibrosis, and collagen maturity. Generalized linear models were used to investigate the effect of treatment on each variable.

RESULTS Wound scores for laser-treated incisions were significantly better than scores for control incisions on day 2 but not at other time points. There were no significant differences in necrosis, fibroplasia, inflammation, granuloma formation, or bacterial contamination between control and treatment groups. Collagen maturity was significantly better for the laser-treated incisions on day 14.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Laser treatment resulted in a significant increase in collagen maturity at day 14 but did not otherwise significantly improve healing of skin incisions.
Physiographic factors affecting the stratigraphy of peat deposits in the Lower Basin of the Biebrza River / Czynniki fizjograficzne wpływające na stratygrafię złoża torfu w Dolnym Basenie Doliny Biebrzy
Authors: Jaros Henryk
Published: September 2015

Analyses of water conditions in the Lower Basin of the Biebrza River and deposit stratigraphy were conducted in cross-sections through the valley, where geodetic measurements were also made. Peat type in particular layers of the soil profile was determined in selected cross-sections at 100 m intervals. The Lower Basin of the Biebrza River is diverse with regard to the type of water supply to a peatbog, the shape of the bio-accumulative basin’s bottom and the slope of peatbog surface along and across the valley. These factors resulted in the development of different habitats in the peatbog. Northern part of the Lower Basin, between the main road in the village Osowiec and the inflows of the Kosódka and Wissa rivers to the Biebrza River, is a narrow valley supplied mainly with overflowing water of the Biebrza River. Habitats and hydrogenic deposits of this area developed in relation to the type and layout of mineral substratum and to the duration and depth of seasonal flooding. North-west part is mainly supplied by ground water from the adjacent upland. Peat layers, developed on ground waters flowing out from the upland, markedly slope toward the bed of the Biebrza River. Considerable fluctuations of the ground water level can be observed there and most frequently the sites are periodically drying. Part of the valley, from the inflows of the Kosódka and Wissa rivers down to the Biebrza and Narew River confluence, is mainly supplied with underground waters from upland.
Mitigating Fatigue in Cantilevered Overhead Sign Structures
Authors: Gallow Mohamed S. , Fouad Fouad H. , Hosch Ian E.
Published: September 2015

Cantilevered overhead sign structures (COSSs) are widely used across highways in the United States. Several cases of excessive vibrations and failures caused by fatigue wind loads from natural and truck-induced wind gusts have been reported. Not enough research has included the effect of making structural design modifications on the fatigue performance of COSSs. Under fatigue wind-induced loads, the dynamic characteristics (frequency and damping) of COSSs are important parameters affecting their structural behavior. When frequencies of wind load and the structure match, resonance may occur, causing excessive vibrations, depending on the frequency value. If accompanied fatigue stresses exceed the fatigue endurance limit, failure occurs after a certain number of loading cycles. The objective of this study was to investigate stiffness and mass distribution of COSSs to control the structural frequency, thus mitigating fatigue caused by wind-induced gusts. For this purpose, modifications in the members' shape, arrangement, size, and layout of structure were examined. Three layouts were compared: four-chord, two-chord, and monotube COSSs. These layouts were designed according to the 2013 AASHTO Standard Specifications for Structural Supports for Highway Signs, Luminaires, and Traffic Signals and modeled with SAP2000. Wind pressure power spectral density and time history loading functions were applied to these structures to simulate natural and truck-induced wind gusts, respectively. Results showed that the vertical mono-tube COSS design with curved end post had the least mass, but fatigue stresses were comparable with the four-chord COSS. The two-chord COSS design had the largest mass and exhibited the highest fatigue stresses.
Simple Approach to Calculate Displacements and Rotations in Integral Abutment Bridges
Authors: Albhaisi Suhail , Nassif Hani
Published: September 2015

This paper presents a simple approach to calculate the displacements and the rotations induced by thermal loading in integral abutment bridges (IABs). The approach was derived from the results of a parametric study that investigated the effect of substructure stiffness on the performance of short- and medium-length steel IABs built on clay and sand under thermal load effects. Various parameters, such as pile size and orientation, pile material, and foundation soil stiffness, were considered in the study. Detailed three-dimensional (3-D) finite element (FE) models using the software LUSAS were developed to capture the overall behavior of IABs. The developed 3-D FE model was calibrated with field measurements obtained from a previous study. A parametric study was carried out with the calibrated models to study the effects of the above parameters on the performance of IABs under thermal loading using the AASHTO load and resistance factor design temperature ranges. The study showed that most parameters have significant effects on the displacement and rotation of the abutment and the supporting piles. Also, for relatively wide IABs, there were significant variations in the displacement and rotations in the substructure elements between interior and exterior locations. This approach, which used simple equations and charts and included parameters such as the length of the bridge, the stiffness of the foundation soil, and the pile location, provided results that were comparable with those of a detailed FE analysis.
Load Rating a Prestressed Concrete Double T-Beam Bridge without Plans by Field Testing
Authors: Aguilar Carlos V. , Jáuregui David V. , Newtson Craig M. , Weldon Brad D. , Cortez Tamara M.
Published: September 2015

Bridges with no design plans are an issue in New Mexico because of the many that exist throughout the state. Conventional load rating techniques cannot be used because these bridges have limited or no design documentation. This lack of information has created uncertainties regarding the load-carrying capacity of these structures. Only a few states have formal procedures on how these particular bridges should be load rated. A project was conducted for the New Mexico Department of Transportation to develop a procedure for load rating bridges without plans, including prestressed concrete bridges. In accordance with the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation, a prestressed concrete double T-beam bridge was evaluated with advanced analyses and experimental methods (including load testing and nondestructive material evaluation techniques). A four-step load rating procedure was implemented that included estimating the prestressing steel by Magnel diagrams, verifying the estimate with a rebar scanner, testing the bridge at both diagnostic and proof loads based on strain measurements, and using the proof test results to rate the bridge. Rating factors and posting loads were determined for AASHTO and New Mexico legal loads. Because of the poor condition of the shear keys (some of which were broken), it is shown that the load distribution between beams was adversely affected and the bridge should be load posted.
Validation of Benefits of Automated Depth Correction Method
Authors: Romero Francisco A. , Barnes Christopher L. , Azari Hoda , Nazarian Soheil , Rascoe Carl D.
Published: September 2015

Current ASTM specifications provide an approach for directly correlating the top rebar reflection amplitude from ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to deck condition when corrosion is the primary mechanism for concrete deterioration. However, current specifications do not offer an approach to compensate for geometric spreading losses caused by the inevitable variability in as-built concrete rebar cover. Even when cover thickness meets specified tolerances, significant errors may occur in mapping the location and quantity of deteriorated concrete when these amplitude variations are unaccounted for in air-coupled or ground-coupled GPR investigations. The significance of this correction is demonstrated by comparing mapped deterioration quantities that have been corrected and not corrected for depth variation, versus those quantities from independent methods such as half-cell corrosion potential, chain drag, or impact echo. One manual and two automated processes for depth correction are presented. These three processes compare favorably with one another on several mapped decks. One of the automated methods, which sets a deterioration threshold calibrated with half-cell and chain drag results, has been shown to be as accurate as manual methods on numerous decks. This approach is recommended for further evaluation and incorporation within ASTM D6087-08: Standard Method for Evaluating Asphalt-Covered Bridge Decks Using Ground-Penetrating Radar.
Finding Best Model to Forecast Construction Duration of Road Tunnels with New Austrian Tunneling Method Using Bayesian Inference
Authors: Hosseinian Seyedmohammadhossein , Reinschmidt Kenneth F.
Published: September 2015

Forecasting project final duration (i.e., time at completion) is crucial to project risk management and is always sought by project managers during the construction period. Because of a strong correlation between past and future performances in linear projects, past progress data are the best source of information to forecast final duration of this type of project, including tunneling projects constructed by the new Austrian tunneling method (NATM). Bayesian inference is a robust probabilistic approach that can provide accurate forecasts of final duration based on a project's past performance. However, results of research in this field have shown that selecting an appropriate model, which represents the unknown pattern of the project's actual progress well, is the most challenging and subjective part of this approach. Effective risk management necessitates looking for the best model that can forecast project final duration accurately and precisely, especially early in the project. This research was aimed at finding a best progress model for NATM tunneling projects by conducting Bayesian analysis on available data of a massive project, the Niayesh highway tunnel in Iran. The analysis showed that the dual Gompertz function (with flexible lower asymptote) was the most reliable model for this purpose. The results of this research bring advantages to the planning and risk management of NATM tunneling projects, which are discussed in this paper, and can be very useful for future NATM tunnel constructions.
Ultimate Strength Testing of Two Deteriorated Metal Culverts Repaired with Spray-On Cementitious Liners
Authors: Moore Ian D. , García David Becerril
Published: September 2015

Two deteriorated corrugated steel pipelines were buried in the west test pit at Queen's University and then repaired with spray-on cementitious liners with target liner thicknesses of 3 in. (76 mm) and 2 in. (51 mm), respectively. After service load testing described elsewhere, tandem axle loading was applied at the ground surface over each of the rehabilitated culverts; forces up to and beyond fully factored loads were used that brought the culverts to their ultimate limit states, evident by the development of both longitudinal cracks along the crown and invert of each structure, as well as circumferential (ring) fractures at various locations. The repaired pipes were then exhumed and measurements made to characterize the actual (as opposed to nominal) liner thicknesses achieved by the repairs. The level of composite interaction between the liners and steel pipes was also examined. Ultimate load testing at cover depth of 4 ft (1.2 m) induced the first signs of liner cracking at tandem loads of 180 kips (800 kN) and 145 kips (650 kN) for Pipelines 1 and 2, respectively. Circumferential cracks were observed under the wheel pairs and near the midpoint of the axle. Mean liner thicknesses were found to be 2.5 in. (64 mm) for Pipeline 1 (84% of the target thickness) and 1.7 in. (44 mm) for Pipeline 2 (87% of the target). Higher thicknesses were observed at the pipe crowns, and lower thicknesses were seen at the invert. Assessment of composite interaction during flexure of the lined steel pipes indicated that although full interaction was observed at some locations, only partial interaction occurred at other positions. Therefore, liner design should not rely on an assumption of a bond between the two components.
Fire Resistance of Structural Concrete Retrofitted with Carbon Fiber–Reinforced Polymer Composites
Authors: Reddy D. V. , Sobhan Khaled , Young Jody D.
Published: September 2015

This paper presents an experimental investigation for evaluating the effects of fire exposure on properties of structural elements retrofitted by carbon fiber–reinforced polymers (CFRPs). Mechanical properties of CFRP-strengthened reinforced concrete (RC) members, protected with secondary insulation, were investigated, before and after (residual) direct fire exposure. Direct fire contact resulted in a reduction in capacity of 9% to 20% for CFRP-strengthened RC beams and 15% to 34% for CFRP-strengthened RC columns. Furthermore, a similitude analysis was developed for a heat transfer relationship between full-scale and small-scale specimens, allowing a one-fourth exposure time reduction for the latter. Results from the experimental investigations demonstrated the benefits of employing secondary fire protection to CFRP-strengthened structures, despite the glass transition temperature being exceeded in the early stages of the elevated-temperature exposure. Therefore, it is suggested that fire protection is necessary for a CFRP-strengthened structure to retain integrity throughout the duration of the fire exposure and on return to ambient temperature. The conclusions of this investigation will lead to recommendations and guidelines to designers and practicing engineers for using CFRP materials in retrofitting RC structures with adequate fire resistance by contributing to the missing information for fire protection requirements not available in codes of practice.
Nonlinear torsional vibration characteristics of PMSM for HEV considering electromagnetic excitation
Authors: Chen Xing , Hu Jibin , Peng Zengxiong , Chen Kai
Published: September 2015

Permanent magnet synchronous motor is an electromechanical coupled system. Electromagnetic field can result in change of the dynamic behaviors of the PMSM's rotor system. Here, changes to the electromagnetic torque excitation caused by the torsional displacement are considered using electromechanical coupled dynamic equations for the rotor. Steady state solutions and their stability are determined. Effects of inner power factor angle, pole pairs, saturation coefficient and torsional stiffness of shaft are investigated. Also, numerical integration is used to validate and carry out perturbation results. Based on the results, amplitude jump and bifurcation instability phenomenon can be avoided through reasonable control of permanent magnet synchronous motors, electromagnetic and mechanical parameters design and consequently control the torsional vibration of PMSM's rotor system.
Combining sliding mode neural network with Cuckoo Search to make a uniform microwave heating process
Authors: Li Jianshuo , Xiong Qingyu , Wang Kai , Liang Shan , Gao Min
Published: September 2015

Microwave heating has been widely used for its advantage of volumetric heating. For the material exposed by two input sources, due to microwave superposition property, different phase between the input sources can generate different power distribution. To achieve a uniform temperature rising process, a sliding mode neural network combined with Cuckoo Search algorithm is constructed. By regarding the power dissipation at each sampling point as an independent actuator, a sliding mode neural network control method is used to get the suitable inputs for those sampling points under uncertain process parameters. As the constraint that only three inputs variables, which are two input powers and the phase difference between the two sources, can be controlled, Cuckoo Search is used to get the best fit values to approximate the calculated inputs at those sampling points. Tap water and White Pudding are chosen as the heating material to show the correctness and the feasibility of this algorithm, and a uniform temperature rising process can be obtained. Compared with genetic algorithm, Cuckoo Search uses less time and has a better tracking result. The algorithm is also verified in the test of microwave source output powers randomly jumping around 100 ± 40% of the calculated values, sampling temperature with the error of -0.3 ∼ 0.3 K, long sampling period of 4 seconds, and uniform temperature rising processes can be also achieved. The average temperature of those sampling points can well follow the reference trajectory.
A hybrid FDTD-SPICE method for the analysis of microwave circuits
Authors: Xu Guanghui , Chen Xing , Zheng Zhi , Huang Kama
Published: September 2015

A hybrid full-wave electromagnetic (EM) field-circuit simulation method, which aims at accurately analyzing microwave circuits, is proposed. This method adopts the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithm for the EM simulation, the sophisticated equivalent models in a general circuit simulator SPICE for the circuit simulation, and hybridizes the FDTD and SPICE by using the equivalent current source (ECS) approach. Moreover, three techniques, which map a lumped circuit into FDTD cells as a wire, surface or volume structure respectively, are thoroughly studied. The formulae of the ECS with these three techniques are derived and introduced in detail, and their influences on the simulation accuracy are analyzed. The proposed method is applied to two sample circuits, a microstrip line and a frequency selective surface (FSS), both of which are loaded with diode pairs. The simulation results are compared with the measurement ones, and good agreement is observed, indicating the accuracy and versatility of the method.
Measurement of initial phase for movers in magnetically levitated planar actuators
Authors: Tu Xiao , Zhou Rougang , Zhou Yunfei , Cheng Xin , Chien Chou Jay Tsai
Published: September 2015

Mover position initialization is the prerequisite to realize the precision motion control of magnetically levitated planar actuators (MLPAs), while its basis is the initial phase positioning. In this paper, an estimation algorithm was proposed to position the mover's geometric center as well as the rolling angle in motionless MLPAs. The mechanism was that: based on the linear Hall sensors distributed at different points in the MLPA mover, the magnetic flux density at motionless state was measured, and then the first-order harmonic model of magnetic flux density distribution above the magnet array was used to solve the magnetic field phase and rolling angle at the MLPA's geometric center. Moreover, the positioning precision was improved by adding a redundant sensor and via rational arrangement of sensors, which ensured that data would not be collected at the magnetic field peaks. The experiments indicate that after addition of one redundant sensor, the maximum errors in phase positioning and rolling positioning were both reduced.
Self-powered synchronized switch damping on negative capacitance for broadband vibration suppression of flexible structures
Authors: Qureshi Ehtesham Mustafa , Shen Xing , Chang Lulu
Published: September 2015

Synchronized switch damping (SSD) techniques using piezoelectric materials have been used by different researchers for many years for the structure vibration control. In these techniques, a piezoelectric patch is bonded on or embedded into the vibrating structure and connected to or disconnected from a network of electrical components through an electronic switch, which is controlled by a digital signal processor (DSP), in synchronous with the structure motion. Recently, Self-powered SSD techniques have emerged in which the DSP is replaced by a low pass filter, thus making the whole system self-powered. The control performance of the previously used Self-powered SSD techniques heavily relied on the electrical quality factor of the shunt circuit, thus limiting their control performance as the electrical quality factor could not be increased beyond certain limit. However, in order to bypass the influence of the electrical quality factor on the control performance, a new Self-powered SSD technique has been proposed in this paper in which the inductance in the previous Self-powered SSD techniques has been replaced with a negative capacitance thus making the whole circuit capacitive without resonance. However, it is found that the voltage on the piezoelectric patch can still be inverted. In order to access the control performance of the proposed technique in comparison with the previous Self-powered SSD techniques, experiments are performed on a cantilever beam subjected to both single mode and multimode excitations. Keeping the value of negative capacitance slightly greater than the inherent capacitance of the piezoelectric patch gave the optimum damping performance. Experiments results confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed technique as compared to the previous SSD techniques.
Quasi-two-dimensional case studies of MHD flow and heat transfer behind a square cylinder in a duct
Authors: Farahi Shahri Mohammad , Hossein Nezhad Alireza
Published: September 2015

In this paper, magnetohydrodynamic duct flow and heat transfer behind a square cylinder is studied numerically, using a quasi-two-dimensional (Q2D) model known as SM82. A variety of case studies are performed to signify the effects of the magnetic field intensity and the cylinder size on the total channel wall heat flux of a liquid metal (GaInSn) and the required pumping power. Comparing the results of the present study with the experimental data argued that the present Q2D model yields reliable results. Increasing the magnetic field intensity reduces the total channel wall heat flux. Current case studies show that in order to maximize heat transfer rate from the heated channel wall, one can use a larger cylinder but at the expense of greater pumping powers.
Optimization design of alternating current field measurement inducer
Authors: Zheng Wenpei , Zhang Laibin , Su Yinao , Fang Taian
Published: September 2015

Optimization design of alternating current field measurement inducer is done by means of experiments. Two kinds of magnetic inducers, twin coil inducer and U-shaped inducer are designed and a number of experiments are conducted to study influencing parameters of magnetic inducer to the perturbed magnetic field above the crack. Based on the experimental results, the optimization design of magnetic inducer is accomplished. Then quantitative detection performance and detection capacity of the optimized probe is determined by detection experiments on a serious of cracks of different dimentions. The results show that the optimized probe has the capacity of detecting cracks as small as 3 mm in length.
A Cross-Sectional Study of Horse-Related Injuries in Veterinary and Animal Science Students at an Australian University
Authors: Riley Christopher , Liddiard Jessica , Thompson Kirrilly
Published: September 2015

Specific estimates of the risk of horse-related injury (HRI) to university students enrolled in veterinary and animal sciences have not been reported. This study aimed to determine the risk of student HRI during their university education, the nature and management of such injuries. A retrospective questionnaire solicited demographic information, data on students’ equine experience prior to and during their educational programs, and on HRI during their program of study. Of 260 respondents, 22 (8.5%) reported HRI (27 incidents). Including concurrent injuries the most commonly injured body parts were the foot or ankle (nine of 32 injures), the upper leg or knee (eight of 32), and hands (three of 32). Trampling and being kicked by a hind limb were each associated with 30.4% of HRI, and 13% with being bitten. Bruising (91.3% of respondents) and an open wound (17.4%) were most commonly described. No treatment occurred for 60.9% of incidents; professional medical treatment was not sought for the remainder. Most incidents (56.5%) occurred during program-related work experience placements. Although injury rates and severity were modest, a proactive approach to injury prevention and reporting is recommended for students required to handle horses as part of their education. Student accident and injury data should be monitored to ensure effective evaluation of risk-reduction initiatives. The risk and nature of university student horse-related injury (HRI) was studied. Of 260 students, 22 (8.5%) reported HRI (27 incidents). Including multiple injuries, reports described involvement of the foot or ankle (nine of 32 injures), upper leg or knee (eight of 32), and hands (three of 32). Trampling (30.4%) and being kicked (30.4%) accounted for most HRI. The injuries were usually bruising (91.3%) or an open wound (17.4%). Most (60.9%) injuries were untreated; professional medical treatment was not sought for the rest. Most incidents (56.5%) occurred during program-related off-campus work experiences. A proactive approach to injury prevention is recommended for students handling horses.
Antimicrobial Peptides as Mediators of Innate Immunity in Teleosts
Authors: Katzenback Barbara
Published: September 2015

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been identified throughout the metazoa suggesting their evolutionarily conserved nature and their presence in teleosts is no exception. AMPs are short (18–46 amino acids), usually cationic, amphipathic peptides. While AMPs are diverse in amino acid sequence, with no two AMPs being identical, they collectively appear to have conserved functions in the innate immunity of animals towards the pathogens they encounter in their environment. Fish AMPs are upregulated in response to pathogens and appear to have direct broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity towards both human and fish pathogens. However, an emerging role for AMPs as immunomodulatory molecules has become apparent—the ability of AMPs to activate the innate immune system sheds light onto the multifaceted capacity of these small peptides to combat pathogens through direct and indirect means. Herein, this review focuses on the role of teleost AMPs as modulators of the innate immune system and their regulation in response to pathogens or other exogenous molecules. The capacity to regulate AMP expression by exogenous factors may prove useful in modulating AMP expression in fish to prevent disease, particularly in aquaculture settings where crowded conditions and environmental stress pre-dispose these fish to infection.
Facile and Low-Cost Preparation of Nb/Al Oxide Catalyst with High Performance for the Conversion of Kiwifruit Waste Residue to Levulinic Acid
Authors: Wang Rui , Xie Xiaolin , Liu Yanxiu , Liu Zhigang , Xie Guofang , Ji Ning , Ma Lizhi , Tang Mingquan
Published: September 2015

The kiwifruit industry is booming worldwide. As a result, a great deal of kiwifruit waste residue (KWR) containing monosaccharides is produced and discarded. This material shows great potential for the production of platform chemicals. In this study, a series of Nb/Al oxide catalysts were synthesized via a facile and low-cost coprecipitation method, and their structures were characterized using: thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), XRD, FESEM, TEM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), NH3-TPD, N2 adsorption-desorption, and FTIR-Pyridine adsorption. Experimental results of sugar-to-levulinic acid (LA) conversion revealed that the 20%Nb/Al oxide catalyst provided the highest catalytic performance and durability in terms of LA yield from fructose (74.2%) at 463 K after 10 min and from glucose (47.5%) at 473 K after 15 min. Notably, the 20% Nb/Al oxide catalyst with a 10% dosage is capable of converting kiwifruit waste residue to LA at 473 K after 10 min. In conclusion, the enhanced catalytic performance was obtained due to the high acidity, and large surface areaof Nb/Al oxide catalyst.
Shannon Entropy-Based Wavelet Transform Method for Autonomous Coherent Structure Identification in Fluid Flow Field Data
Authors: Bulusu Kartik , Plesniak Michael
Published: September 2015

The coherent secondary flow structures (i.e., swirling motions) in a curved artery model possess a variety of spatio-temporal morphologies and can be encoded over an infinitely-wide range of wavelet scales. Wavelet analysis was applied to the following vorticity fields: (i) a numerically-generated system of Oseen-type vortices for which the theoretical solution is known, used for bench marking and evaluation of the technique; and (ii) experimental two-dimensional, particle image velocimetry data. The mother wavelet, a two-dimensional Ricker wavelet, can be dilated to infinitely large or infinitesimally small scales. We approached the problem of coherent structure detection by means of continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and decomposition (or Shannon) entropy. The main conclusion of this study is that the encoding of coherent secondary flow structures can be achieved by an optimal number of binary digits (or bits) corresponding to an optimal wavelet scale. The optimal wavelet-scale search was driven by a decomposition entropy-based algorithmic approach and led to a threshold-free coherent structure detection method. The method presented in this paper was successfully utilized in the detection of secondary flow structures in three clinically-relevant blood flow scenarios involving the curved artery model under a carotid artery-inspired, pulsatile inflow condition. These scenarios were: (i) a clean curved artery; (ii) stent-implanted curved artery; and (iii) an idealized Type IV stent fracture within the curved artery.
Identification of Green, Oolong and Black Teas in China via Wavelet Packet Entropy and Fuzzy Support Vector Machine
Authors: Wang Shuihua , Yang Xiaojun , Zhang Yudong , Phillips Preetha , Yang Jianfei , Yuan Ti-Fei
Published: September 2015

To develop an automatic tea-category identification system with a high recall rate, we proposed a computer-vision and machine-learning based system, which did not require expensive signal acquiring devices and time-consuming procedures. We captured 300 tea images using a 3-CCD digital camera, and then extracted 64 color histogram features and 16 wavelet packet entropy (WPE) features to obtain color information and texture information, respectively. Principal component analysis was used to reduce features, which were fed into a fuzzy support vector machine (FSVM). Winner-take-all (WTA) was introduced to help the classifier deal with this 3-class problem. The 10 × 10-fold stratified cross-validation results show that the proposed FSVM + WTA method yields an overall recall rate of 97.77%, higher than 5 existing methods. In addition, the number of reduced features is only five, less than or equal to existing methods. The proposed method is effective for tea identification.
Optimal Scheduling of a Battery Energy Storage System with Electric Vehicles’ Auxiliary for a Distribution Network with Renewable Energy Integration
Authors: Yang Yuqing , Zhang Weige , Jiang Jiuchun , Huang Mei , Niu Liyong
Published: September 2015

With global conventional energy depletion, as well as environmental pollution, utilizing renewable energy for power supply is the only way for human beings to survive. Currently, distributed generation incorporated into a distribution network has become the new trend, with the advantages of controllability, flexibility and tremendous potential. However, the fluctuation of distributed energy resources (DERs) is still the main concern for accurate deployment. Thus, a battery energy storage system (BESS) has to be involved to mitigate the bad effects of DERs’ integration. In this paper, optimal scheduling strategies for BESS operation have been proposed, to assist with consuming the renewable energy, reduce the active power loss, alleviate the voltage fluctuation and minimize the electricity cost. Besides, the electric vehicles (EVs) considered as the auxiliary technique are also introduced to attenuate the DERs’ influence. Moreover, both day-ahead and real-time operation scheduling strategies were presented under the consideration with the constraints of BESS and the EVs’ operation, and the optimization was tackled by a fuzzy mathematical method and an improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO) algorithm. Furthermore, the test system for the proposed strategies is a real distribution network with renewable energy integration. After simulation, the proposed scheduling strategies have been verified to be extremely effective for the enhancement of the distribution network characteristics.
Active Participation of Air Conditioners in Power System Frequency Control Considering Users’ Thermal Comfort
Authors: Zhang Rongxiang , Chu Xiaodong , Zhang Wen , Liu Yutian
Published: September 2015

Air conditioners have great potential to participate in power system frequency control. This paper proposes a control strategy to facilitate the active participation of air conditioners. For each air conditioner, a decentralized control law is designed to adjust its temperature set point in response to the system frequency deviation. The decentralized control law accounts for the user’s thermal comfort that is evaluated by a fuzzy algorithm. The aggregation of air conditioners’ response is conducted by using the Monte Carlo simulation method. A structure preserving model is applied to the multi-bus power system, in which air conditioners are aggregated at certain load buses. An inner-outer iteration scheme is adopted to solve power system dynamics. An experiment is conducted on a test air conditioner to examine the performance of the proposed decentralized control law. Simulation results on a test power system verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy for air conditioners participating in frequency control.
Predictors of Successful Quitting among Thai Adult Smokers: Evidence from ITC-SEA (Thailand) Survey
Authors: Jampaklay Aree , Borland Ron , Yong Hua-Hie , Sirirassamee Buppha , Fotuhi Omid , Fong Geoffrey
Published: September 2015

This study uses longitudinal data from the International Tobacco Control Southeast Asia (ITC-SEA Thailand) survey to explore patterns and predictors of successful quitting among Thai adult smokers as a function of time quit. A cohort of a representative sample of 2000 smokers was surveyed four times from 2005 to 2009. A sample of 1533 individuals provided data for at least one of the reported analyses. Over the four years of follow-up, 97% made attempts to quit. Outcomes were successful quitting/relapse: (a) quit attempts of at least one month (short-term relapse, 43%) (57% remaining quit); (b) surviving at least six months (medium-term) (31%); (c) relapse between one and six months (45%); (d) having continuously quit between Waves 3 and 4 (sustained abstinence) (14%); and (e) relapse from six months on (44%) compared to those who continuously quit between Waves 3 and 4 (56%). Predictors for early relapse (<1 month) differ from longer-term relapse. Age was associated with reduced relapse over all three periods, and was much stronger for longer periods of abstinence. Cigarette consumption predicted relapse for short and medium terms. Self-assessed addiction was predictive of early relapse, but reversed to predict abstinence beyond six months. Previous quit history of more than one week was predictive of early abstinence, but became unrelated subsequently. Self-efficacy was strongly predictive of abstinence in the first month but was associated with relapse thereafter. Some determinants of relapse change with time quit, but this may be in somewhat different to patterns found in the West.
Residential Radon Exposure and Incidence of Childhood Lymphoma in Texas, 1995–2011
Authors: Peckham Erin , Scheurer Michael , Danysh Heather , Lubega Joseph , Langlois Peter , Lupo Philip
Published: September 2015

There is warranted interest in assessing the association between residential radon exposure and the risk of childhood cancer. We sought to evaluate the association between residential radon exposure and the incidence of childhood lymphoma in Texas. The Texas Cancer Registry (n = 2147) provided case information for the period 1995–2011. Denominator data were obtained from the United States Census. Regional arithmetic mean radon concentrations were obtained from the Texas Indoor Radon Survey and linked to residence at diagnosis. Exposure was assessed categorically: ≤25th percentile (reference), >25th to ≤50th percentile, >50th to ≤75th percentile, and >75th percentile. Negative binomial regression generated adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). We evaluated lymphoma overall and by subtype: Hodgkin (HL; n = 1248), Non-Hodgkin excluding Burkitt (non-BL NHL; n = 658), Burkitt (BL; n = 241), and Diffuse Large B-cell (DLBCL; n = 315). There was no evidence that residential radon exposure was positively associated with lymphoma overall, HL, or BL. Areas with radon concentrations >75th percentile had a marginal increase in DLBCL incidence (aIRR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.03–2.91). In one of the largest studies of residential radon exposure and the incidence of childhood lymphoma, we found little evidence to suggest a positive or negative association; an observation consistent with previous studies.
Early and Degressive Putamen Atrophy in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Krämer Julia , Meuth Sven , Tenberge Jan-Gerd , Schiffler Patrick , Wiendl Heinz , Deppe Michael
Published: September 2015

Putamen atrophy and its long-term progress during disease course were recently shown in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we investigated retrospectively the time point of atrophy onset in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). 68 patients with RRMS and 26 healthy controls (HC) were admitted to 3T MRI in a cross-sectional study. We quantitatively analyzed the putamen volume of individual patients in relation to disease duration by correcting for age and intracranial volume (ICV). Patient’s relative putamen volume (RPV), expressed in percent of ICV, was significantly reduced compared to HC. Based on the correlation between RPV and age, we computed the age-corrected RPV deviation (ΔRPV) from HC. Patients showed significantly negative ΔRPV. Interestingly, the age-corrected ΔRPV depended logarithmically on disease duration: Directly after first symptom manifestation, patients already showed a reduced RPV followed by a further degressive volumetric decline. This means that atrophy progression was stronger in the first than in later years of disease. Putamen atrophy starts directly after initial symptom manifestation or even years before, and progresses in a degressive manner. Due to its important role in neurological functions, early detection of putamen atrophy seems necessary. High-resolution structural MRI allows monitoring of disease course.
Topical PDT in the Treatment of Benign Skin Diseases: Principles and New Applications
Authors: Kim Miri , Jung Haw , Park Hyun
Published: September 2015

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a photosensitizer, light energy, and molecular oxygen to cause cell damage. Cells exposed to the photosensitizer are susceptible to destruction upon light absorption because excitation of the photosensitizing agents leads to the production of reactive oxygen species and, subsequently, direct cytotoxicity. Using the intrinsic cellular heme biosynthetic pathway, topical PDT selectively targets abnormal cells, while preserving normal surrounding tissues. This selective cytotoxic effect is the basis for the use of PDT in antitumor treatment. Clinically, PDT is a widely used therapeutic regimen for oncologic skin conditions such as actinic keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma in situ, and basal cell carcinoma. PDT has been shown, under certain circumstances, to stimulate the immune system and produce antibacterial, and/or regenerative effects while protecting cell viability. Thus, it may be useful for treating benign skin conditions. An increasing number of studies support the idea that PDT may be effective for treating acne vulgaris and several other inflammatory/infective skin diseases, including psoriasis, rosacea, viral warts, and aging-related changes. This review provides an overview of the clinical investigations of PDT and discusses each of the essential aspects of the sequence: its mechanism of action, common photosensitizers, light sources, and clinical applications in dermatology. Of the numerous clinical trials of PDT in dermatology, this review focuses on those studies that have reported remarkable therapeutic benefits following topical PDT for benign skin conditions such as acne vulgaris, viral warts, and photorejuvenation without causing severe side effects.
Evaluating Osteogenic Potential of Ligamentum Flavum Cells Cultivated in Photoresponsive Hydrogel that Incorporates Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 for Spinal Fusion
Authors: Chiang Chih-Wei , Chen Wei-Chuan , Liu Hsia-Wei , Wang I-Chun , Chen Chih-Hwa
Published: September 2015

Regenerative medicine is increasingly important in clinical practice. Ligamentum flava (LF) are typically removed during spine-related surgeries. LF may be a source of cells for spinal fusion that is conducted using tissue engineering techniques. In this investigation, LF cells of rabbits were isolated and then characterized by flow cytometry, morphological observation, and immunofluorescence staining. The LF cells were also cultivated in polyethylene (glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels that incorporated bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) growth factor, to evaluate their proliferation and secretion of ECM and differentiation in vitro. The experimental results thus obtained that the proliferation, ECM secretion, and differentiation of the PEGDA-BMP-2 group exceeded those of the PEGDA group during the period of cultivation. The mineralization and histological staining results differed similarly. A nude mice model was utilized to prove that LF cells on hydrogels could undergo osteogenic differentiation in vivo. These experimental results also revealed that the PEGDA-BMP-2 group had better osteogenic effects than the PEGDA group following a 12 weeks after transplantation. According to all of these experimental results, LF cells are a source of cells for spinal fusion and PEGDA-BMP-2 hydrogel is a candidate biomaterial for spinal fusion by tissue engineering.
Dangerous Liaisons: Caspase-11 and Reactive Oxygen Species Crosstalk in Pathogen Elimination
Authors: Roberts JoAnn , Yilmaz Ӧzlem
Published: September 2015

Recently, the focus of murine caspase-11 and human orthologs caspase-4, -5 research has been on their novel function to induce noncanonical inflammasome activation in direct response to Gram-negative bacterial infection. On the other hand, a new role in anti-bacterial autophagy has been attributed to caspase-11, -4 and -5, which currently stands largely unexplored. In this review, we connect lately emerged evidence that suggests these caspases have a key role in anti-bacterial autophagy and discuss the growing implications of a danger molecule—extracellular ATP—and NADPH oxidase-mediated ROS generation as novel inducers of human caspase-4, -5 signaling during infection. We also highlight the adeptness of persistent pathogens like Porphyromonas gingivalis, a Gram-negative anaerobe and successful colonizer of oral mucosa, to potentially interfere with the activated caspase-4 pathway and autophagy. While, the ability of caspase-4, -5 to promote autophagolysosomal fusion is not well understood, the abundance of caspase-4 in skin and other mucosal epithelial cells implies an important role for caspase-4 in mucosal defense, supporting the view that caspase-4, -5 may play a non-redundant part in innate immunity. Thus, this review will join the currently disconnected cutting-edge research thereby proposing a working model for regulation of caspase-4, -5 in pathogen elimination via cellular-trafficking.