bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutritional effect, care and support for patients with tuberculosis among diabetes: a study from Warangal district
Authors: Tanniru Sireesha , Asha Syed , Poonem Lavanya , Murahari Divya , Jojula Malathi , T. Suman
Published: July 2017

Objective: Tuberculosis is one of the important infections among the diabetes as per our study and survey reports. Diabetes mellitus has been reported to modify the presenting features of pulmonary tuberculosis, but there are varying data, particularly regarding the association with lower lung field involvement. In our study we would like to determine whether diabetes mellitus alters the clinical and radiographic manifestations of tuberculosis in hosts and to define the determinants of lower lung field involvement due to effect of nutrition supply.Methods: A total of 500 diabetes were identified from both rural and urban population and were confirmed the diabetic status based on questioner and consent of patients. Off 500 patients 200 suspects with bronchial infections was tested for other bacterial and Tuberculosis infections by Grams staining, and culture on Nutrient and blood Agar for bacterial infections based on the staining and culture they were identified to be grams positive or Grams negative bacterial infections.Results: We had conducted a survey and study in Warangal and adjoing districts of Telangana state during 2014- 2017 period, in the study we had counseled approximately 1000 -2000 populations off which 500 were suspects for early diabetes based on the symptoms and clinical investigations off 500 were able to found 200 diabetic type 2 causes.  Off 200 55 were positive for tuberculosis all the suspects were counseled for their nutritional status and other prevailing side effects with treatment. Conclusions: Based on this study we had tried to evaluate the effect, care and support of nutritional among diabetic TB patients.
William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist and Rhetoric–Dialectic Interplay
Authors: Hurley Gavin
Published: July 2017

This article closely analyzes a partnership between the literary, rhetorical, and dialectical dimensions of William Blatty's The Exorcist (1971), a popular horror novel about a twelve-year-old girl possessed by an ancient demon, Pazuzu. The Exorcist navigates the theological understanding of transcendental unity—Beauty, Goodness, and Truth (found in the theories of Plato, Thomas Aquinas, and contemporary Thomists). The “evil” dimensions of The Exorcist (ugliness, sin, and lies, respectively) counterpoint the beauty–goodness–truth relationship; consequently, Blatty's horrific/repulsive elements highlight the role of Catholic truth, heighten the dialectical function of Catholic theology, and enhance the power of argumentation within a literary work. By closely unpacking several dialogues within Blatty's The Exorcist, this article establishes the novel as an accessible piece of “Catholic horror” that persuasively guides popular audiences through modes of theological argumentation toward sites of Catholic understanding.
Shall Not the Judge of All the Earth Do Right? Theodicies inWatchmen
Authors: Imray Kathryn
Published: July 2017

While the apocalyptic elements of the graphic novel Watchmen have previously been explored, the theodical elements of that text remain to be studied. This article does so by focusing on the figure of Dr. Manhattan, the almost all-powerful super “hero” who is the equivalent of God in the Watchmen universe. When the world is threatened by a nuclear holocaust, it is Dr. Manhattan who can defuse the threat. For much of the comic, appeals to him to intercede come up against his inhuman ethic and aesthetic, attitudes that are presented as an outgrowth of his capacity to experience the universe at a subatomic level. This theodicy challenges and is challenged by other perspectives in the book, such as anthropocentric perspectives voiced by the Silk Spectre and Rorschach, namely that life ought to be “fair,” or that, in the moral vacuum left by the absent God, humans must impose their own meaning and morality. Rorschach also offers the alternative theodicy that evil arises from human acts, and the demigod Ozymandias suggests that all human suffering is part of a secret, but just, “higher plan.”
Hollywood Muslims in Iraq
Authors: Petersen Kristian
Published: July 2017

This essay explores how Muslims are represented in the two most successful Iraq War films, American Sniper (2014, US) and The Hurt Locker (2008, US), and offers a comparative analysis of the cultural assertions being deployed in their representation. To do this, I provide a close reading of the films' depictions within visual, discursive, and sonic fields of production and show how their representations of Muslims signify specific meanings to the audience, which render Muslims distrustful, threatening, and uncivilized, thereby legitimizing specific oppressive treatment and policies toward them.
Investigation of crystallization kinetics and deformation behavior in supercooled liquid region of CuZr-based bulk metallic glass
Authors: Yang Ke , Fan Xinhui , Li Bing , Li Yanhong , Wang Xin , Xu Xuanxuan
Published: July 2017

In this paper, a systematic study of crystallization kinetics and deformation behavior is presented for (Cu50Zr50)94Al6 bulk metallic glass in the supercooled liquid region. Crystallization results showed that the activation energy for (Cu50Zr50)94Al6 was calculated using the Arrhenius equation in isothermal mode and the Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose method in non-isothermal mode. The activation energy was quite high compared with other bulk metallic glasses. Based on isothermal transformation kinetics described by the Johson–Mehl–Avrami model, the average Avrami exponent of about 3.05 implies a mainly diffusion controlled three-dimensional growth with an increasing nucleation rate during the crystallization. For warm deformation, the results showed that deformation behavior, composed of homogeneous and inhomogeneous deformation, is strongly dependent on strain rate and temperature. The homogeneous deformation transformed from non-Newtonian flow to Newtonian flow with a decrease in strain rate and an increase in temperature. It was found that the crystallization during high temperature deformation is induced by heating. The appropriate working temperature/strain rate combination for the alloy forming, without in-situ crystallization, was deduced by constructing an empirical deformation map. The optimum process condition for (Cu50Zr50)94Al6 can be expressed as T∼733 K and

ε
.

${\rm{\dot \varepsilon }}$

∼ 10−3 s−1.
A development of swept-frequency eddy current for aging characterization of heat resistant steel
Authors: Kiattisaksri Peerapong , Phung-On Isaratat , Poopat Bovornchok
Published: July 2017

This study presents an application of the swept-frequency eddy current (SFEC) technique for characterization of aging conditions of 5Cr-0.5Mo heat resistant steel by a U-shaped, eddy current probe. An optimal eddy current probe was established and employed to investigate the specimens under different simulated service conditions. Sweep frequencies from 500 to 10,000 Hz were generated to measure the impedance changes using a precision LCR meter. As results, the normalized impedances showed the highest differences in each aging condition at the frequency of 3,200 Hz. Microstructural observations were utilized to give details of the differences in microstructures among aged conditions, which related to the carbide precipitation characteristics of the specimens. In addition, a micro-hardness was tested on the carbide colonies in complement the aged conditions. The results showed that the hardness correlated well to the normalized impedances obtained from the swept-frequency eddy current testing.
Detectability evaluation of eddy current testing probes for inspection of defects in carbon fiber reinforced polymer laminates
Authors: Du Yali , Xie Shejuan , Chen Zhenmao , Zhu Guangyi , Li Peng
Published: July 2017

With the growing interest to use composite materials in industrial fields such as the aerospace and the transportation engineering, more attention is devoted to the development and application of non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques to the inspection of defects in carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). High frequency eddy current testing method is considered to be a promising tool for the NDT of CRFP. In this work, an anisotropic numerical code based on Ar formulation is developed and validated at first. The detectability of four different types of ECT probes is then evaluated by using the developed numerical code for detecting the crack type defects in CFRP laminates. Furthermore, the S/N ratios of the four probes related to the inclination noise are calculated numerically and compared to evaluate the detectability of these ECT probes. As conclusion, the newly proposed dual function vertical coil probe is found most suitable for the CFRP fiber breakage detection.
Silica Sol-gel Coatings with Improved Light Transmittance and Stability
Authors: Kócs Lenke , Albert Emőke , Tegze Borbála , Kabai-Faix Márta , Major Csaba , Szalai András , Basa Péter , Hórvölgyi Zoltán
Published: July 2017

Silica sol-gel coatings on different substrate materials and their use as model systems have been studied. Mesoporous silica coatings with thicknesses of 85 - 135 nm and porosity of 18 ˗ 37% were prepared by dip-coating on polycarbonate and glass substrates. In order to eliminate the shrinkage of the porous structure acid or base vapour treatment was applied. Thickness and refractive index of the coatings were determined by analysing the transmittance spectra of the samples. Ellipsometric porosimetry measurements were carried out to determine the porosity, pore radius distribution, thickness and refractive index. The thickness of the samples was further confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The adsorption capacity of the porous coatings was also studied by dye impregnation tests. The temporal stability of the samples was investigated by UV-Vis spectrometry and it was found that the advantageous optical properties (Tmax = 98 – 99%) of the samples remained constant even after a 1 year storage period.
Detection of Newcastle disease virus of poultry by real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Rahman MM , Barman LR , Chowdhury EH , Islam MR
Published: July 2017

A real-time reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) was used for the detection of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) of poultry. A panel of seven known isolates of NDV in the form of allantoic fluid, obtained from a laboratory repository, was used for the development of the test. RNA was extracted from the allantoic fluid with a magnetic processor based automated RNA extraction system. The identity of the reference virus was first reconfirmed by a conventional RT-PCR specific for the Fusion (F) protein gene. Using these RNA, the rRT-PCR protocol was optimized with regard to the reaction mix and thermal profile using published primers and probes specific for M gene. The sensitivity of standardized rRT-PCR was compared to that of the conventional RT-PCR using serial 10-fold dilutions of the RNA of a selected sample. The thermal profile was modified from the published one; the annealing and extension steps were combined to a single step performed at 60ºC. The adopted rRT-PCR successfully amplified M gene from all the seven reference samples with a CT value ranging from 15.28 to 32.68. The rRT-PCR for M gene was 100-fold more sensitive than the conventional RT-PCR for F gene. This is the first report of the use of rRT-PCR for the detection of NDV in Bangladesh. This test will be useful for virological surveillance, particularly for screening NDV in respiratory infections.Bangl. vet. 2016. Vol. 33, No. 1, 16-22
Comparative Study on Dimensional Stability of Polyvinylsiloxane and Alginate as Interocclusal Recording Materials
Authors: Begum Shahnaj , Munira Mahenaz , Islam Fakrul , Ferdushi Hasina Mahmuda , Sultana Alia
Published: July 2017

Introduction: The fabrication of dental prosthesis requires the transfer of interocclusal records from patient's mouth to an articulator using different kinds of recording materials. Any inaccuracy in these interocclusal records leads to occlusal error in the final prosthesis. Interocclusal recording materials should have good dimensional stability for precise articulation.Purpose: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the dimensional stability of two types of interocclusal recording materials at various time intervals.Materials and Methods: The materials used in this study were polyvinylsiloxane (Reprosil Silicone Putty) and alginate (irreversible hydrocolloid). In this experimental study, specimen of polyvinylsiloxane and alginate were prepared from a custom made stainless steel die according to ADA specification no-19, in the form of a disk included three parallel lines on the surface which were provided as an indicator to see the dimensional stability of tested materials. The distance between parallel lines was measured at two fixed points using a traveling micrometer microscope. A total of 20 samples were made from group-A and group-B consisting of ten samples of each group. The measurements were made at time intervals of 1, 24, 48 and 72 hrs.Results: Two readings were taken for each sample at each time interval and the mean was considered to measure the dimensional change by comparing with that of the original measurements in the die. The results obtained were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 12 and paired t test. The result of significance was expressed as p value. P value <0.05 was considered as significance. Both materials showed significant changes ie <0.05.Conclusion: Dimensional stability is influenced by both the material used and the time factors and was found to decreased dimensional stability as the time factors increased. Group A was dimensionally stable than Group-B.Update Dent. Coll. j: 2017; 7 (1): 10-13
Detection and Response of Sugarcane against the Infection of Sugarcane Mosaic Virus (SCMV) in Indonesia
Authors: Addy Hardian , Nurmalasari  , Wahyudi Agus , Sholeh Ahmil , Anugrah Cahya , Iriyanto Febrian , Darmanto Win , Sugiharto Bambang
Published: July 2017

Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) is one among many viruses that infect sugarcane, cause yield loss, and become serious disease agents on sugarcane plantations. Since the morphological symptoms of SCMV are similar to other symptoms caused by Sugarcane streak mosaic virus (SCSMV) or nitrogen deficiency, the detection of SCMV is important through accurate diagnostic-like ELISA or RT-PCR. This research aimed to study the causative mosaic pathogen of SCMV in East Java, Indonesia, including mosaic development. The results showed that the mosaic symptom is present in all sugarcane plantations with 78% and 65% disease incidence and severity, respectively. Moreover, the detection procedure based on an amplification of cDNA of the coat protein gene sequence confirmed that SCMV was the causative agent of mosaic disease on sugarcane. Re-inoculation of healthy sugarcane plants with plant sap from a symptomatic leaf from the field showed similar mosaic or yellowish chlorotic areas on the leaf blade, and appeared on the fourth leaves upward from the inoculation leaf, in addition to showing different levels of peroxidase but not total phenol. Mosaic also correlated with the amount of total chlorophyll. Although Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) protein accumulation and activity were at a lower level in infected leaves, sucrose accumulation was at a higher level in the same leaves.
A New Method for Haul Road Design in Open-Pit Mines to Support Efficient Truck Haulage Operations
Authors: Baek Jieun , Choi Yosoon
Published: July 2017

The design of a haul road for an open-pit mine can significantly affect the cost associated with hauling ore and waste to the surface. This study proposes a new method for haul road design in open-pit mines to support efficient truck haulage operations. The road layout in open-pit mines was optimized by using raster-based least-cost path analysis, and the resulting zigzag road sections were simplified by applying the Douglas-Peucker algorithm. In addition, the road layout was modified by reflecting the radius of curvature suggested in the road design guides. Finally, a three-dimensional model reflecting the results of the road design was created by combining the road layout modification result with the slope of the open-pit mine and the bench design result. The application of the proposed method to an area containing gold deposits made it possible to design a haul road for open-pit mines such that it supported efficient truck haulage operations; furthermore, the time required for truck movement along the road could be estimated. The proposed method is expected to be useful for planning and designing open-pit mines and to facilitate the improvement of the road design function of existing mining software applications.
Temperature-Dependent Diffusion of H2SO4 in Air at Atmospherically Relevant Conditions: Laboratory Measurements Using Laminar Flow Technique
Authors: Brus David , Škrabalová Lenka , Herrmann Erik , Olenius Tinja , Trávničková Tereza , Makkonen Ulla , Merikanto Joonas
Published: July 2017

We report flow tube measurements of the effective sulfuric acid diffusion coefficient at ranges of different relative humidities (from ∼4 to 70%), temperatures (278, 288 and 298 K) and initial H2SO4 concentrations (from 1 × 106 to 1 × 108 molecules·cm−3). The measurements were carried out under laminar flow of humidified air containing trace amounts of impurities such as amines (few ppt), thus representing typical conditions met in Earth’s continental boundary layer. The diffusion coefficients were calculated from the sulfuric acid wall loss rate coefficients that were obtained by measuring H2SO4 concentration continuously at seven different positions along the flow tube with a chemical ionization mass spectrometer (CIMS). The wall loss rate coefficients and laminar flow conditions were verified with additional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model FLUENT simulations. The determined effective sulfuric acid diffusion coefficients decreased with increasing relative humidity, as also seen in previous experiments, and had a rather strong power dependence with respect to temperature, around ∝ T5.6, which is in disagreement with the expected temperature dependence of ∼T1.75 for pure vapours. Further clustering kinetics simulations using quantum chemical data showed that the effective diffusion coefficient is lowered by the increased diffusion volume of H2SO4 molecules via a temperature-dependent attachment of base impurities like amines. Thus, the measurements and simulations suggest that in the atmosphere the attachment of sulfuric acid molecules with base molecules can lead to a lower than expected effective sulfuric acid diffusion coefficient with a higher than expected temperature dependence.
Coagulopathy in the Setting of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Truths and Consequences
Authors: Herbert Joseph , Guillotte Andrew , Hammer Richard , Litofsky N.
Published: July 2017

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a common, although poorly-defined clinical entity. Despite its initially mild presentation, patients with mTBI can rapidly deteriorate, often due to significant expansion of intracranial hemorrhage. TBI-associated coagulopathy is the topic of significant clinical and basic science research. Unlike trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC), TBI-associated coagulopathy does not generally follow widespread injury or global hypoperfusion, suggesting a distinct pathogenesis. Although the fundamental mechanisms of TBI-associated coagulopathy are far from clearly elucidated, several candidate molecules (tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), tissue factor (TF), and brain-derived microparticles (BDMP)) have been proposed which might explain how even minor brain injury can induce local and systemic coagulopathy. Here, we review the incidence, proposed mechanisms, and common clinical tests relevant to mTBI-associated coagulopathy and briefly summarize our own institutional experience in addition to identifying areas for further research.
Sildenafil in Infants and Children
Authors: Simonca Larisa , Tulloh Robert
Published: July 2017

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) management has been transformed in recent times with the advent of cheap and effective diagnostic tools and therapy. Sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase-V inhibitor, has been at the centre of this treatment, and its success in treating PAH has led to its widespread uptake in adult and paediatric pulmonary hypertension (PH), as a first line treatment choice. This might apply to persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) or bronchopulmonary dysplasia, as well as to more complex diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary hypertension. Although recent data regarding long-term mortality and the repeal of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval has complicated the issue, Sildenafil continues to be the major treatment option for paediatric PH for patients in a variety of contexts, and this does not seem likely to change in the foreseeable future. In this review, we provide a summary of pulmonary hypertension in infants and children and the use of Sildenafil for such diseases.
Conceiving Human Interaction by Visualising Depth Data of Head Pose Changes and Emotion Recognition via Facial Expressions
Authors: Kalliatakis Grigorios , Stergiou Alexandros , Vidakis Nikolaos
Published: July 2017

Affective computing in general and human activity and intention analysis in particular comprise a rapidly-growing field of research. Head pose and emotion changes present serious challenges when applied to player’s training and ludology experience in serious games, or analysis of customer satisfaction regarding broadcast and web services, or monitoring a driver’s attention. Given the increasing prominence and utility of depth sensors, it is now feasible to perform large-scale collection of three-dimensional (3D) data for subsequent analysis. Discriminative random regression forests were selected in order to rapidly and accurately estimate head pose changes in an unconstrained environment. In order to complete the secondary process of recognising four universal dominant facial expressions (happiness, anger, sadness and surprise), emotion recognition via facial expressions (ERFE) was adopted. After that, a lightweight data exchange format (JavaScript Object Notation (JSON)) is employed, in order to manipulate the data extracted from the two aforementioned settings. Motivated by the need to generate comprehensible visual representations from different sets of data, in this paper, we introduce a system capable of monitoring human activity through head pose and emotion changes, utilising an affordable 3D sensing technology (Microsoft Kinect sensor).
Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Photoluminescent Properties of Two Supramolecular Architectures Based on Difunctional Ligands Containing Imidazolyl and Carboxyl Groups
Authors: Zhu Mei-An , Guo Xing-Zhe , Shi Shan-Shan , Chen Shui-Sheng
Published: July 2017

Two new supramolecular architectures, namely, [Cd(L1)2(H2O)]n (1) and [Ni(L2)2(H2O)]n (2), were synthesized by the reaction of corresponding metal salts of CdCl2·2.5H2O and NiCl2·6H2O with 2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)benzoic acid (HL1) and 3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)benzoic acid (HL2) respectively, and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). Both HL1 and HL2 ligands are deprotonated to be L1- and L2- anions that coordinate with Cd(II) and Ni(II) atoms to form two-dimensional (2D) layer structure. Topologically, complex 1 is a 2D network with (4, 4) sql topology, while 2 is a typical 63-hcb topology net. Complex 1 exhibits intense light blue emission in the solid state at room temperature.
Cognition and Cooperation in Interfered Multiple Access Channels
Authors: Shimonovich Jonathan , Somekh-Baruch Anelia , (Shitz) Shlomo
Published: July 2017

In this work, we investigate a three-user cognitive communication network where a primary two-user multiple access channel suffers interference from a secondary point-to-point channel, sharing the same medium. While the point-to-point channel transmitter—transmitter 3—causes an interference at the primary multiple access channel receiver, we assume that the primary channel transmitters—transmitters 1 and 2—do not cause any interference at the point-to-point receiver. It is assumed that one of the multiple access channel transmitters has cognitive capabilities and cribs causally from the other multiple access channel transmitter. Furthermore, we assume that the cognitive transmitter knows the message of transmitter 3 in a non-causal manner, thus introducing the three-user multiple access cognitive Z-interference channel. We obtain inner and outer bounds on the capacity region of the this channel for both causal and strictly causal cribbing cognitive encoders. We further investigate different variations and aspects of the channel, referring to some previously studied cases. Attempting to better characterize the capacity region we look at the vertex points of the capacity region where each one of the transmitters tries to achieve its maximal rate. Moreover, we find the capacity region of a special case of a certain kind of more-capable multiple access cognitive Z-interference channels. In addition, we study the case of full unidirectional cooperation between the 2 multiple access channel encoders. Finally, since direct cribbing allows us full cognition in the case of continuous input alphabets, we study the case of partial cribbing, i.e., when the cribbing is performed via a deterministic function.
Pretreatment and Wavelength Selection Method for Near-Infrared Spectra Signal Based on Improved CEEMDAN Energy Entropy and Permutation Entropy
Authors: Li Xiaoli , Li Chengwei
Published: July 2017

The noise of near-infrared spectra and spectral information redundancy can affect the accuracy of calibration and prediction models in near-infrared analytical technology. To address this problem, the improved Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise (CEEMDAN) and permutation entropy (PE) were used to propose a new method for pretreatment and wavelength selection of near-infrared spectra signal. The near-infrared spectra of glucose solution was used as the research object, the improved CEEMDAN energy entropy was then used to reconstruct spectral data for removing noise, and the useful wavelengths are selected based on PE after spectra segmentation. Firstly, the intrinsic mode functions of original spectra are obtained by improved CEEMDAN algorithm. The useful signal modes and noisy signal modes were then identified by the energy entropy, and the reconstructed spectral signal is the sum of useful signal modes. Finally, the reconstructed spectra were segmented and the wavelengths with abundant glucose information were selected based on PE. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, support vector regression and partial least square regression were used to build the calibration model using the wavelengths selected by the new method, mutual information, successive projection algorithm, principal component analysis, and full spectra data. The results of the model were evaluated by the correlation coefficient and root mean square error of prediction. The experimental results showed that the improved CEEMDAN energy entropy can effectively reconstruct near-infrared spectra signal and that the PE can effectively solve the wavelength selection. Therefore, the proposed method can improve the precision of spectral analysis and the stability of the model for near-infrared spectra analysis.
Two-Dimensional Electronics and Optoelectronics: Present and Future
Authors: Zhou Zhixian , Yap Yoke
Published: July 2017

Since the successful isolation of graphene a little over a decade ago, a wide variety of two-dimensional (2D) layered materials have been studied.[...]
An Optimization Framework for Investment Evaluation of Complex Renewable Energy Systems
Authors: Olave-Rojas David , Álvarez-Miranda Eduardo , Rodríguez Alejandro , Tenreiro Claudio
Published: July 2017

Enhancing the role of renewable energies in existing power systems is one of the most crucial challenges that society faces today. However, the high variability of their generation potential and the temporal disparity between the demand and the generation potential represent technological and operational gaps that burden the massive incorporation of renewable sources into power systems. Energy storage technologies are an alternative to tackle this gap; nonetheless, their incorporation within large-scale power grids calls for decision-making tools that ensure an appropriate design and sizing of power systems that exploit the benefits of incorporating storage facilities along with renewable generation power. In this paper, we present an optimization framework for aiding the evaluation of the strategic design of complex renewable power systems. The developed tool relies on an optimization problem, the generation, transmission, storage energy location and sizing problem, which allows one to compute economically-attractive investment plans given by the location and sizing of generation and storage energy systems, along with the corresponding layout of transmission lines. Results on a real case study (located in the central region of Chile), characterized by carefully-curated data, show the potential of the developed tool for aiding long-term investment planning.
Adaptive Model Predictive Control-Based Energy Management for Semi-Active Hybrid Energy Storage Systems on Electric Vehicles
Authors: Zhou Fang , Xiao Feng , Chang Cheng , Shao Yulong , Song Chuanxue
Published: July 2017

This paper deals with the energy management strategy (EMS) for an on-board semi-active hybrid energy storage system (HESS) composed of a Li-ion battery (LiB) and ultracapacitor (UC). Considering both the nonlinearity of the semi-active structure and driving condition uncertainty, while ensuring HESS operation within constraints, an adaptive model predictive control (AMPC) method is adopted to design the EMS. Within AMPC, LiB Ah-throughput is minimized online to extend its life. The proposed AMPC determines the optimal control action by solving a quadratic programming (QP) problem at each control interval, in which the QP solver receives control-oriented model matrices and current states for calculation. The control-oriented model is constructed by linearizing HESS online to approximate the original nonlinear model. Besides, a time-varying Kalman filter (TVKF) is introduced as the estimator to improve the state estimation accuracy. At the same time, sampling time, prediction horizon and scaling factors of AMPC are determined through simulation. Compared with standard MPC, TVKF reduces the estimation error by 1~3 orders of magnitude, and AMPC reduces LiB Ah-throughput by 4.3% under Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS) driving cycle condition, indicating superior model adaptivity. Furthermore, LiB Ah-throughput of AMPC under various classical driving cycles differs from that of dynamic programming by an average of 6.5% and reduces by an average of 10.6% compared to rule-based strategy of LiB Ah-throughput, showing excellent adaptation to driving condition uncertainty.
Influence of the Steam Addition on Premixed Methane Air Combustion at Atmospheric Pressure
Authors: Li Mao , Tong Yiheng , Thern Marcus , Klingmann Jens
Published: July 2017

Steam-diluted combustion in gas turbine systems is an effective approach to control pollutant emissions and improve the gas turbine efficiency. The primary purpose of the present research is to analyze the influence of steam dilution on the combustion stability, flame structures, and CO emissions of a swirl-stabilized gas turbine model combustor under atmospheric pressure conditions. The premixed methane/air/steam flame was investigated with three preheating temperatures (384 K/434 K/484 K) and the equivalence ratio was varied from stoichiometric conditions to the flammability limits where the flame was physically blown out from the combustor. In order to represent the steam dilution intensity, the steam fraction Ω defined as the steam to air mass flow rate ratio was used in this work. Exhaust gases were sampled with a water-cooled emission probe which was mounted at the combustor exit. A 120 mm length quartz liner was used which enabled the flame visualization and optical measurement. Time-averaged CH chemiluminescence imaging was conducted to characterize the flame location and it was further analyzed with the inverse Abel transform method. Chemical kinetics calculation was conducted to support and analyze the experimental results. It was found that the LBO (lean blowout) limits were increased with steam fraction. CH chemiluminescence imaging showed that with a high steam fraction, the flame length was elongated, but the flame structure was not altered. CO emissions were mapped as a function of the steam fraction, inlet air temperature, and equivalence ratios. Stable combustion with low CO emission can be achieved with an appropriate steam fraction operation range.
Nutrient and Total Polyphenol Contents of Dark Green Leafy Vegetables, and Estimation of Their Iron Bioaccessibility Using the In Vitro Digestion/Caco-2 Cell Model
Authors: Amagloh Francis , Atuna Richard , McBride Richard , Carey Edward , Christides Tatiana
Published: July 2017

Dark green leafy vegetables (DGLVs) are considered as important sources of iron and vitamin A. However, iron concentration may not indicate bioaccessibility. The objectives of this study were to compare the nutrient content and iron bioaccessibility of five sweet potato cultivars, including three orange-fleshed types, with other commonly consumed DGLVs in Ghana: cocoyam, corchorus, baobab, kenaf and moringa, using the in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model. Moringa had the highest numbers of iron absorption enhancers on an “as-would-be-eaten” basis, β-carotene (14169 μg/100 g; p < 0.05) and ascorbic acid (46.30 mg/100 g; p < 0.001), and the best iron bioaccessibility (10.28 ng ferritin/mg protein). Baobab and an orange-fleshed sweet potato with purplish young leaves had a lower iron bioaccessibility (6.51 and 6.76 ng ferritin/mg protein, respectively) compared with that of moringa, although these three greens contained similar (p > 0.05) iron (averaging 4.18 mg/100 g) and β-carotene levels. The ascorbic acid concentration of 25.50 mg/100 g in the cooked baobab did not enhance the iron bioaccessibility. Baobab and the orange-fleshed sweet potato with purplish young leaves contained the highest levels of total polyphenols (1646.75 and 506.95 mg Gallic Acid Equivalents/100 g, respectively; p < 0.001). This suggests that iron bioaccessibility in greens cannot be inferred based on the mineral concentration. Based on the similarity of the iron bioaccessibility of the sweet potato leaves and cocoyam leaf (a widely-promoted “nutritious” DGLV in Ghana), the former greens have an added advantage of increasing the dietary intake of provitamin A.
Worldwide Regulations of Standard Values of Pesticides for Human Health Risk Control: A Review
Authors: Li Zijian , Jennings Aaron
Published: July 2017

Abstract: The impact of pesticide residues on human health is a worldwide problem, as human exposure to pesticides can occur through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. Regulatory jurisdictions have promulgated the standard values for pesticides in residential soil, air, drinking water, and agricultural commodity for years. Until now, more than 19,400 pesticide soil regulatory guidance values (RGVs) and 5400 pesticide drinking water maximum concentration levels (MCLs) have been regulated by 54 and 102 nations, respectively. Over 90 nations have provided pesticide agricultural commodity maximum residue limits (MRLs) for at least one of the 12 most commonly consumed agricultural foods. A total of 22 pesticides have been regulated with more than 100 soil RGVs, and 25 pesticides have more than 100 drinking water MCLs. This research indicates that those RGVs and MCLs for an individual pesticide could vary over seven (DDT drinking water MCLs), eight (Lindane soil RGVs), or even nine (Dieldrin soil RGVs) orders of magnitude. Human health risk uncertainty bounds and the implied total exposure mass burden model were applied to analyze the most commonly regulated and used pesticides for human health risk control. For the top 27 commonly regulated pesticides in soil, there are at least 300 RGVs (8% of the total) that are above all of the computed upper bounds for human health risk uncertainty. For the top 29 most-commonly regulated pesticides in drinking water, at least 172 drinking water MCLs (5% of the total) exceed the computed upper bounds for human health risk uncertainty; while for the 14 most widely used pesticides, there are at least 310 computed implied dose limits (28.0% of the total) that are above the acceptable daily intake values. The results show that some worldwide standard values were not derived conservatively enough to avoid human health risk by the pesticides, and that some values were not computed comprehensively by considering all major human exposure pathways.
Geographic Distribution and Temporal Trends of HIV-1 Subtypes through Heterosexual Transmission in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Xiao Peipei , Li Jianjun , Fu Gengfeng , Zhou Ying , Huan Xiping , Yang Haitao
Published: July 2017

Background: Heterosexual transmission (HST) has become the current predominant transmission pathways of the HIV-1 epidemic in China. The aim of this study was to explore the geographic and dynamic change of HIV-1 subtypes through HST in China from published studies. Methods: Several electronic databases were searched to identify the studies, and the overall prevalence of HIV-1 subtypes was estimated by a meta-analysis method. Subgroup analysis was conducted by study region and time period. Publication bias was evaluated using Egger’s test. The χ2 test was used to evaluate the proportion differences among subgroups. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to assess the stability of the overall prevalence estimates. Results: 42 studies were included in our final analysis. The overall prevalence of CRF01_AE was 46.34% (95% CI: 40.56–52.17%), CRF07_BC was 19.16% (95% CI: 15.02–23.66%), B/B’ was 13.25% (95% CI: 9.68–17.25%), CRF08_BC was 10.61% (95% CI: 7.08–14.70%), and C was 4.29% (95% CI: 1.85–7.48%). In subgroup analysis, the prevalence of CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC increased, while the prevalence of B/B’ decreased over time, whereby the prevalence of CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC have exceeded that of B/B’ since 2010. A significant higher prevalence of CRF01_AE was found in the South provinces, CRF07_BC in East provinces, CRF08_BC and C in Southwest provinces, and B/B’ in North provinces. Conclusions: The HIV-1 prevalent strains have evolved into complicated and diverse subtypes, and the proportion of HIV-1 subtypes through HST has changed constantly in different regions and periods in China. This highlights the urgent need to vigorously strengthen the prevention and control of the HIV-1 epidemic.
Age-Related Loss of Cohesion: Causes and Effects
Authors: Cheng Jin-Mei , Liu Yi-Xun
Published: July 2017

Aneuploidy is a leading genetic cause of birth defects and lower implantation rates in humans. Most errors in chromosome number originate from oocytes. Aneuploidy in oocytes increases with advanced maternal age. Recent studies support the hypothesis that cohesion deterioration with advanced maternal age represents a leading cause of age-related aneuploidy. Cohesin generates cohesion, and is established only during the premeiotic S phase of fetal development without any replenishment throughout a female’s period of fertility. Cohesion holds sister chromatids together until meiosis resumes at puberty, and then chromosome segregation requires the release of sister chromatid cohesion from chromosome arms and centromeres at anaphase I and anaphase II, respectively. The time of cohesion cleavage plays an important role in correct chromosome segregation. This review focuses specifically on the causes and effects of age-related cohesion deterioration in female meiosis.
The Role of p16INK4a Pathway in Human Epidermal Stem Cell Self-Renewal, Aging and Cancer
Authors: D’Arcangelo Daniela , Tinaburri Lavinia , Dellambra Elena
Published: July 2017

The epidermis is a self-renewing tissue. The balance between proliferation and differentiation processes is tightly regulated to ensure the maintenance of the stem cell (SC) population in the epidermis during life. Aging and cancer may be considered related endpoints of accumulating damages within epidermal self-renewing compartment. p16INK4a is a potent inhibitor of the G1/S-phase transition of the cell cycle. p16INK4a governs the processes of SC self-renewal in several tissues and its deregulation may result in aging or tumor development. Keratinocytes are equipped with several epigenetic enzymes and transcription factors that shape the gene expression signatures of different epidermal layers and allow dynamic and coordinated expression changes to finely balance keratinocyte self-renewal and differentiation. These factors converge their activity in the basal layer to repress p16INK4a expression, protecting cells from senescence, and preserving epidermal homeostasis and regeneration. Several stress stimuli may activate p16INK4a expression that orchestrates cell cycle exit and senescence response. In the present review, we discuss the role of p16INK4a regulators in human epidermal SC self-renewal, aging and cancer.
Comparison of Two Stationary Phases for the Determination of Phytosterols and Tocopherols in Mango and Its By-Products by GC-QTOF-MS
Authors: López-Cobo Ana , Martín-García Beatriz , Segura-Carretero Antonio , Fernández-Gutiérrez Alberto , Gómez-Caravaca Ana
Published: July 2017

Two different gas chromatography coupled to quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (GC-QTOF-MS) methodologies were carried out for the analysis of phytosterols and tocopherols in the flesh of three mango cultivars and their by-products (pulp, peel, and seed). To that end, a non-polar column ((5%-phenyl)-methylpolysiloxane (HP-5ms)) and a mid-polar column (crossbond trifluoropropylmethyl polysiloxane (RTX-200MS)) were used. The analysis time for RTX-200MS was much lower than the one obtained with HP-5ms. Furthermore, the optimized method for the RTX-200MS column had a higher sensibility and precision of peak area than the HP-5ms methodology. However, RTX-200MS produced an overlapping between β-sitosterol and Δ5-avenasterol. Four phytosterols and two tocopherols were identified in mango samples. As far as we are concerned, this is the first time that phytosterols have been studied in mango peel and that Δ5-avenasterol has been reported in mango pulp. α- and γ-tocopherol were determined in peel, and α-tocopherol was the major tocopherol in this fraction (up to 81.2%); however, only α-tocopherol was determined in the pulp and seed. The peel was the fraction with the highest total concentration of phytosterols followed by seed and pulp, and “Sensación” was the cultivar with the highest concentration of total phytosterols in most cases. There were no significant differences between quantification of tocopherols with both columns. However, in most cases, quantification of phytosterols was higher with RTX-200MS than with HP-5ms column.
Redox Properties of Tryptophan Metabolism and the Concept of Tryptophan Use in Pregnancy
Authors: Xu Kang , Liu Hongnan , Bai Miaomiao , Gao Jing , Wu Xin , Yin Yulong
Published: July 2017

During pregnancy, tryptophan (Trp) is required for several purposes, and Trp metabolism varies over time in the mother and fetus. Increased oxidative stress (OS) with high metabolic, energy and oxygen demands during normal pregnancy or in pregnancy-associated disorders has been reported. Taking the antioxidant properties of Trp and its metabolites into consideration, we made four hypotheses. First, the use of Trp and its metabolites is optional based on their antioxidant properties during pregnancy. Second, dynamic Trp metabolism is an accommodation mechanism in response to OS. Third, regulation of Trp metabolism could be used to control/attenuate OS according to variations in Trp metabolism during pregnancy. Fourth, OS-mediated injury could be alleviated by regulation of Trp metabolism in pregnancy-associated disorders. Future studies in normal/abnormal pregnancies and in associated disorders should include measurements of free Trp, total Trp, Trp metabolites, and activities of Trp-degrading enzymes in plasma. Abnormal pregnancies and some associated disorders may be associated with disordered Trp metabolism related to OS. Mounting evidence suggests that the investigation of the use of Trp and its metabolites in pregnancy will be meanful.
An Appropriate Modulation of Lymphoproliferative Response and Cytokine Release as Possible Contributors to Longevity
Authors: Martínez de Toda Irene , Vida Carmen , De la Fuente Mónica
Published: July 2017

The decrease in the proliferative response of lymphocytes is one of the most evident among the age-related changes of the immune system. This has been linked to a higher risk of mortality in both humans and experimental animals. However, long-lived individuals, in spite of optimally maintaining most of the functions of the immune system, also seem to show an impaired proliferative response. Thus, it was hypothesized that these individuals may have distinct evolution times in this proliferation and a different modulatory capacity through their cytokine release profiles. An individualized longitudinal study was performed on female ICR-CD1 mice, starting at the adult age (40 weeks old), analyzing the proliferation of peritoneal leukocytes at different ages in both basal conditions and in the presence of the mitogen Concanavalin A, for 4, 24 and 48 h of culture. The cytokine secretions (IL-2, IL-17, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10) in the same cultures were also studied. Long-lived mice show a high proliferative capacity after short incubation times and, despite experiencing a functional decline when they are old, are able to compensate this decrease with an appropriate modulation of the lymphoproliferative response and cytokine release. This could explain their elevated resistance to infections and high longevity.
Cytoprotective Effect of the UCP2-SIRT3 Signaling Pathway by Decreasing Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress on Cerebral Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Su Jing , Liu Jie , Yan Xiao-Yu , Zhang Yong , Zhang Juan-Juan , Zhang Li-Chao , Sun Lian-Kun
Published: July 2017

Recovered blood supply after cerebral ischemia for a certain period of time fails to restore brain function, with more severe dysfunctional problems developing, called cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury (CIR). CIR involves several extremely complex pathophysiological processes in which the interactions between key factors at various stages have not been fully elucidated. Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the most important mechanisms of CIR. The mitochondrial deacetylase, sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), can inhibit mitochondrial oxidative stress by deacetylation, to maintain mitochondrial stability. Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) regulates ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) and reactive oxygen species production by affecting the mitochondrial respiratory chain, which may play a protective role in CIR. Finally, we propose that UCP2 regulates the activity of SIRT3 through sensing the energy level and, in turn, maintaining the mitochondrial steady state, which demonstrates a cytoprotective effect on CIR.