bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preliminary study of guard hair morphology in four dog breeds
Authors: Tumiłowicz Paweł , Goliszewska Agata , Arct Jacek , Pytkowska Katarzyna , Szczepanik Marcin
Published: June 2018

Background

Morphological differences between mammalian hair types are useful for species distinction. Differences in animal hair structure are observed between species, whereas there may be breed differences within a species.

Hypothesis

Guard hair structure may vary between different dog breeds.

Animals

Hair samples were collected from 73 dogs of four breed types (wire‐haired Dachshund, Labrador retriever, German shepherd dog and Yorkshire terrier).

Methods

Hair was measured and analysed by scanning electron microscopy. The following were evaluated: hair thickness; medulla to hair cross‐sectional area ratio; scale density, pattern and margins; and medulla shape, composition and structure.

Results

There were significant differences in all measured parameters between breeds.

Conclusions and clinical importance

These study findings may be useful for the study of classifying dog breeds and for forensic identification of a dog breed through hair sampling.
The Analysis of Running Distances in National Teams in 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup and Estimation of Oxygen Consumption Capacity Based on These Distances
Authors: Marangoz İrfan
Published: June 2018

This study aims to analyze running distances in national teams during 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup and to propose a new program which estimates oxygen consumption capacity based on running distances. The data were evaluated by SPSS 22.0 statistical package program. The findings demonstrate that among teams participating in 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup, the lowest average running distance and estimated VO2max values belong to Brazil with 7398.77 meters and 43.84 ml/kg/m, respectively. On the other hand, the highest average running distance and estimated VO2max values belong to Australia with 10598 meters and 67.69 ml/kg/m, respectively. The average running distance and estimated VO2max value in national teams participating in 2010 FIFA World Cup was 9635.54 meters and 60.52 ml/kg/m, while they were 9095.82 meters and 52 ml/kg/m in 2014 FIFA World Cup, respectively.
Mechanoadaptation: articular cartilage through thick and thin
Authors: Vincent Tonia L. , Wann Angus K. T.
Published: June 2018

The articular cartilage is exquisitely sensitive to mechanical load. Its structure is largely defined by the mechanical environment and destruction in osteoarthritis is the pathophysiological consequence of abnormal mechanics. It is often overlooked that disuse of joints causes profound loss of volume in the articular cartilage, a clinical observation first described in polio patients and stroke victims. Through the 1980s, the results of studies exploiting experimental joint immobilisation supported this. Importantly, this substantial body of work was also the first to describe metabolic changes that resulted in decreased synthesis of matrix molecules, especially sulfated proteoglycans. The molecular mechanisms that underlie disuse atrophy are poorly understood despite the identification of multiple mechanosensing mechanisms in cartilage. Moreover, there has been a tendency to equate cartilage loss with osteoarthritic degeneration. Here, we review the historic literature and clarify the structural, metabolic and clinical features that clearly distinguish cartilage loss due to disuse atrophy and those due to osteoarthritis. We speculate on the molecular sensing pathways in cartilage that may be responsible for cartilage mechanoadaptation.

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Extinction of Zika Virus and Usutu Virus by Lethal Mutagenesis Reveals Different Patterns of Sensitivity to Three Mutagenic Drugs
Authors: Bassi Maria Rosaria , Sempere Raquel Navarro , Meyn Prashansa , Polacek Charlotta , Arias Armando
Published: June 2018

Flaviviruses constitute an increasing source of public health concern, with growing numbers of pathogens causing disease and geographic spread to temperate climates. Despite a large body of evidence supporting mutagenesis as a conceivable antiviral strategy, there are currently no data on the sensitivity to increased mutagenesis for Zika virus (ZIKV) and Usutu virus (USUV), two emerging flaviviral threats.
Pharmacokinetics of a Pediatric Tribendimidine Dose-Finding Study To Treat Hookworm Infection in African Children
Authors: Hiroshige Noemi , Coulibaly Jean , Huwyler Jörg , Bonate Peter L. , Keiser Jennifer
Published: June 2018

Tribendimidine is a broad-spectrum anthelminthic available in China, which is currently being pursued for U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for soil-transmitted helminth infections.
Mechanism of Virus Inactivation by Cold Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma and Plasma-Activated Water
Authors: Guo Li , Xu Ruobing , Gou Lu , Liu Zhichao , Zhao Yiming , Liu Dingxin , Zhang Lei , Chen Hailan , Kong Michael G.
Published: June 2018

Contamination with pathogenic and infectious viruses severely threatens human health and animal husbandry. Current methods for disinfection have different disadvantages, such as inconvenience and contamination of disinfection by-products (e.g., chlorine disinfection). In this study, atmospheric surface plasma in argon mixed with air and plasma-activated water was found to efficiently inactivate bacteriophages, and plasma-activated water still had strong antiviral activity after prolonged storage. Furthermore, it was shown that bacteriophage inactivation was associated with damage to nucleic acids and proteins by singlet oxygen. An understanding of the biological effects of plasma-based treatment is useful to inform the development of plasma into a novel disinfecting strategy with convenience and no by-product.
Genome Rearrangement Shapes Prochlorococcus Ecological Adaptation
Authors: Yan Wei , Wei Shuzhen , Wang Qiong , Xiao Xilin , Zeng Qinglu , Jiao Nianzhi , Zhang Rui
Published: June 2018

Prochlorococcus
, the most abundant and smallest known free-living photosynthetic microorganism, plays a key role in marine ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles.
Prochlorococcus
genome evolution is a fundamental issue related to how
Prochlorococcus
clades adapted to different ecological niches. Recent studies revealed that the gene gain and loss is crucial to the clade differentiation. The significance of our research is that we interpreted the
Prochlorococcus
genome evolution from the perspective of genome structure and associated the genome rearrangement with the
Prochlorococcus
clade differentiation and subsequent ecological adaptation.
Core Genome Multilocus Sequence Typing and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Analysis in the Epidemiology of Brucella melitensis Infections
Authors: Janowicz Anna , De Massis Fabrizio , Ancora Massimo , Cammà Cesare , Patavino Claudio , Battisti Antonio , Prior Karola , Harmsen Dag , Scholz Holger , Zilli Katiuscia , Sacchini Lorena , Di Giannatale Elisabetta , Garofolo Giuliano
Published: June 2018

The use of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology has become a widely accepted method for microbiology laboratories in the application of molecular typing for outbreak tracing and genomic epidemiology. Several studies demonstrated the usefulness of WGS data analysis through single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) calling from a reference sequence analysis for
Brucella melitensis
, whereas gene-by-gene comparison through core-genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) has not been explored so far.
Bacterial RecA Protein Promotes Adenoviral Recombination during
In Vitro
Infection
Authors: Lee Jeong Yoon , Lee Ji Sun , Materne Emma C. , Rajala Rahul , Ismail Ashrafali M. , Seto Donald , Dyer David W. , Rajaiya Jaya , Chodosh James
Published: June 2018

Adenoviruses are common human mucosal pathogens of the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genitourinary tracts and ocular surface. Here, we report finding Chi-like sequences in adenovirus recombination hot spots. Adenovirus coinfection in the presence of bacterial RecA protein facilitated homologous recombination between viruses. Genetic recombination led to evolution of an important external feature on the adenoviral capsid, namely, the penton base protein hypervariable loop 2, which contains the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid motif critical to viral internalization. We speculate that free Rec proteins present in gastrointestinal secretions upon bacterial cell death facilitate the evolution of human adenoviruses through homologous recombination, an example of viral commensalism and the complexity of virus-host interactions, including regional microbiota.
Trends in the prevalence, incidence and surgical management of carpal tunnel syndrome between 1993 and 2013: an observational analysis of UK primary care records
Authors: Burton Claire L , Chen Ying , Chesterton Linda S , van der Windt Danielle A
Published: June 2018

Objectives

To describe the prevalence, incidence and surgical management of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), between 1993 and 2013, as recorded in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD).

Design

We completed a series of cross-sectional epidemiological analyses to observe trends over time.

Setting

Primary care data collected between 1993 and 2013, stored in the CPRD.

Population

Individuals aged ≥18 years were selected. Prevalent and incident episodes of CTS and episodes of surgical intervention were identified using a list of preidentified Read codes.

Analysis

We defined incident episodes as those with no preceding diagnostic code for CTS in the past 2 years of data. Episodes of surgery were expressed as a percentage of the prevalent population during the same calendar year. Joinpoint regression was used to determine significant changes in the underlying trend.

Results

The prevalence of CTS increased over the study period, with a particular incline between 2000 and 2004 (annual percentage change 7.81). The female-to-male prevalence ratio reduced over time from 2.74 in 1993 to 1.93 in 2013. The median age of females and males with CTS were noted to increase from 49 and 53 years, respectively in 1993 to 54 and 59 years, respectively in 2013. Incidence was also noted to increase over time. After an initial increase between 1993 and 2007, the percentage of prevalent patients with a coded surgical episode began to decrease after 2007 to 27.41% in 2013 (annual percentage change −1.7).

Conclusion

This study has demonstrated that the prevalence and incidence of CTS increased over the study period between 1993 and 2013. Rates of surgery for CTS also increased over the study period; however after 2007, the per cent of patients receiving surgery showed a statistically significant decline back to the rate seen in 2004.
Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and mortality risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kuitunen-Paul Sören , Roerecke Michael
Published: June 2018

Background

We summarise the evidence for an association between screening scores from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and all-cause mortality.

Methods

Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, prospective cohort studies reporting all-cause mortality risk by AUDIT scores (complete AUDIT-10 or AUDIT-C) were identified through MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed and Web of Science up to September 2016. Risk estimates were pooled using random effects meta-analyses.

Results

Seven observational studies with 18 920 observed deaths among 309 991 participants were identified. At-risk drinking (ie, hazardous/harmful consumption, AUDIT-10 ≥8 and AUDIT-C ≥4) was associated with elevated mortality risk after 2–10 years of follow-up (pooled relative risk (RR)=1.24, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.37) compared with moderate drinking (AUDIT-10=1–7, AUDIT-C=1–3). Compared to past year abstainers (AUDIT=0), moderate drinkers had a lower mortality risk (RR=0.75, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.79) in US Veterans and a similar mortality risk (RR=0.99, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.38) in population-based studies. Most data came from studies among Veterans using the short AUDIT-C in men and showed a dose–response relationship (RR=1.04, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.05 for each AUDIT-C score among drinkers). Data for women and young adults were scarce.

Conclusion

AUDIT screening scores were associated with mortality risk. The association was differential depending on the population examined, which may be related to prevalence of former drinkers among current abstainers. Due to heterogeneity between studies and the small number of populations examined, generalisability may be limited.
Valuation of growing stock using multisource GIS data, a stem quality database, and bucking simulation
Authors: Sanz Blanca , Malinen Jukka , Leppänen Vesa , Valbuena Rubén , Kauranne Tuomo , Tokola Timo
Published: June 2018

Customer-oriented production as a sawmill strategy requires up-to-date information on the available raw material resources. Bucking is a process in which the tree stem is divided into products based on the roundwood user’s needs regarding products and their quality and dimensions. Optimization methods are employed in bucking to recover the highest value of the stem for a given product price matrix and requested length–diameter distribution. A method is presented here for assessing the value of harvestable timber stands based on their product yield. Airborne laser scanning, multispectral imagery, and field plots were used to produce timber statistics for a grid covering the target area. The statistics for the plots were generated from this grid. The value of the estimated tree list was assessed using a bucking-to-value simulator together with a stem quality database. Different product yield simulations in terms of volumes, timber assortment recoveries, wood paying capabilities (WPC) and value estimations based on the presented method, and extensive field measurements were compared. As a conclusion, this method can estimate WPC for pulpwood and sawlogs with root mean squared errors of 32.7% and 38.5%, respectively, relative to extensive field measurements.
Integrability of the geodesic flow on the resolved conifolds over Sasaki–Einstein space T1,1
Authors: Visinescu Mihai
Published: June 2018

Methods of Hamiltonian dynamics are applied to study the geodesic flow on the resolved conifolds (rcs) over Sasaki–Einstein space [Formula: see text]. We construct explicitly the constants of motion and prove complete integrability of geodesics in the five-dimensional Sasaki–Einstein space [Formula: see text] and its Calabi–Yau metric cone. The singularity at the apex of the metric cone can be smoothed out in two different ways. Using the small resolution, the geodesic motion on the rc remains completely integrable. Instead, in the case of the deformation of the conifold, the complete integrability is lost.
Effects of a brane world on gravitational time advancement
Authors: Deng Xue-Mei
Published: June 2018

Solar System tests of a brane world, which is called DMPR model, were studied in recent works. The correction of DMPR model to the general relativity (GR) in the four-dimensional curved spacetime can be parametrized by a “tidal charge” parameter [Formula: see text]. The parameter [Formula: see text] in this model was obtained and improved as [Formula: see text] by the Earth–Mercury ranging. A new test of the DMPR model based on gravitational time advancement is proposed and investigated in this work. The advancement is a gravitational consequence on round-trip proper time duration of a photon. For ranging a distant spacecraft, it is shown that (1) the “tidal charge” parameter can make the advancement larger or smaller than the one of GR, depending on the sign of [Formula: see text]; (2) the superior conjunction (SC) and the inferior conjunction (IC) are all suitable for detecting the advancement; (3) the advancement can be complementary to the classical test of Shapiro time delay for detecting the brane world; and (4) the implementation of optical clocks and planetary laser ranging will provide more insights on the brane world model in the future.
Pseudo-Riemannian universe from Euclidean bulk
Authors: Vasilić Milovan
Published: June 2018

I develop the idea that our world is a brane-like object embedded in Euclidean bulk. In its ground state, the brane constituent matter is assumed to be homogeneous and isotropic, and of negligible influence on the bulk geometry. The analysis of this paper is model independent, in the sense that action functional of bulk fields is not specified. Instead, the behavior of the brane is derived from the universally valid conservation equation of the bulk stress tensor. The present work studies the behavior of a 3-sphere in the five-dimensional Euclidean bulk. The sphere is made of bulk matter characterized by the equation of state [Formula: see text]. It is shown that stability of brane vibrations requires [Formula: see text]. Then, the stable brane perturbations obey Klein–Gordon-like equation with an effective metric of Minkowski signature. The argument is given that it is this effective metric that is detected in physical measurements. The corresponding effective Universe is analyzed for all the values of [Formula: see text]. In particular, the effective metric is shown to be a solution of Einstein’s equations coupled to an effective perfect fluid. As an illustration, one simple choice of the brane constituent matter is studied in detail.
A STUDY OF BIFURCATION OF PREY–PREDATOR MODEL WITH TIME DELAY AND HARVESTING USING FUZZY PARAMETERS
Authors: PAL D. , MAHAPATRA G. S. , SAMANTA G. P.
Published: June 2018

In this work, a fuzzy prey–predator system with time delay is proposed. The model consists of two preys and one predator. The biological coefficients/parameters are considered as imprecise in nature and quantified by triangular fuzzy numbers. We have studied the effect of gestation delay on the stability of the system in fuzzy environment. The signed distance method for the defuzzification of the proposed fuzzy prey–predator system is adopted. For the underlying fuzzy model, we have provided a solution procedure to find all possible equilibrium points and studied their stabilities in the fuzzy sense. It is observed that there are stability switches, and Hopf-bifurcation occurs when the delay crosses some critical value in fuzzy sense. Numerical illustrations are provided in crisp as well as fuzzy environment with the help of graphical presentations to support our proposed approach.
A FRACTAL MODEL FOR LOW-VELOCITY NON-DARCY FLOW IN TIGHT OIL RESERVOIRS CONSIDERING BOUNDARY-LAYER EFFECT
Authors: WANG FUYONG , LIU ZHICHAO , CAI JIANCHAO , GAO JIAN
Published: June 2018

Flow in nanoscale pore-throats of tight oil reservoirs is strongly affected by boundary-layers, and exhibits low-velocity non-Darcy flow phenomena. The relationship between flow velocity and pressure gradient is highly nonlinear and difficult to be modeled mathematically. This paper proposed a low-velocity non-Darcy flow model which can account for boundary-layer effect in tight oil reservoirs. First, a modified Hagen–Poiseuille equation coupled with boundary-layer effect in a single capillary tube was derived. Then, assuming pores in tight formations following fractal distribution, an analytical expression of nonlinear correlation between flow velocity and pressure gradient in fractal porous media was developed. Finally, the proposed model was validated with experiment data, and parameters influencing low-velocity non-Darcy flow were quantitatively evaluated. The research results show that the decreasing boundary-layer thickness with the increase pressure gradient is the main reason of low-velocity non-Darcy flow in tight oil reservoirs. Our model can effectively describe the nonlinear relationship between flow velocity and pressure gradient. The relationship between threshold pressure gradient (TPG) and pseudo threshold pressure gradient (PTPG) can also be predicted using our model. Fluid viscosity has great impact on nonlinear flow behavior, and with fluid viscosity increasing TPG and PTPG increase significantly. TPG is the function of fluid type, fluid viscosity and maximum pore diameter, and decreases exponentially with the increasing maximum pore size.
COMPLEXITY-BASED ANALYSIS OF THE INFLUENCE OF TOOL GEOMETRY ON CUTTING FORCES IN ROUGH END MILLING
Authors: NAMAZI HAMIDREZA , AKHAVAN FARID ALI , SENG CHANG TECK
Published: June 2018

It is known that geometry of cutting tool affects the cutting forces in machining operations. In addition, the value of cutting forces changes during machining operations and creates a chaotic time series (signal). In this paper, we analyze the variations of the complex structure of cutting force signal in rough end milling operation using fractal theory. In fact, we analyze the variations of cutting force signal due to variations of tool geometry (square end mill versus serrated end mill). In case of each type of end mill, we did the machining operation in wet and dry conditions. Based on the results, the fractal structure of cutting force signal changes based on the type of milling tool. We also did the complexity analysis using approximate entropy to check the variations of the complexity of cutting force signal, where the similar behavior of variations between different conditions was obtained. The method of analysis that was used in this research can be applied to other machining operations to study the influence of different machining parameters on variations of fractal structure of cutting force.
THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF TAPE TRANSFER PRINTING FOR STRETCHABLE ELECTRONIC FABRICATION
Authors: DONG WENTAO , CHENG XIAO , WANG XIAOMING
Published: June 2018

Transfer printing is an effective way to assemble a soft stamp to transfer solid components from one substrate to a soft target substrate. The critical parameter in transfer printing is the adhesion force at the electronic devices/silicon interface. This paper proposes an improved transfer printing method based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) water-soluble tape for reducing the interfacial energy at stretchable electronics/glass interface. Whether the stretchable electronics are peeled off successfully or not, depends on the peeling energy release rate, which is obtained by the home-made peeling experiment platform for stretchable electronics delaminated from the rigid glass. Compared with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate, the critical energy release rate is reduced by 60% via PVA tape transfer printing which is helpful to delaminate the stretchable electronics from the glass surface. The improved transfer printing method provides an effective way for the stretchable electronics to be directly printed to the soft target tissues.
FEW SELF-INVOLVED AGENTS AMONG BOUNDED CONFIDENCE AGENTS CAN CHANGE NORMS
Authors: HUET SYLVIE , MATHIAS JEAN-DENIS
Published: June 2018

Social issues are generally discussed by highly-involved and less-involved people to build social norms defining what has to be thought and done about them. As self-involved agents share different attitude dynamics to other agents [Wood, W., Pool, G., Leck, K. and Purvis, D., Self-definition, defensive processing, and influence: The normative impact of majority and minority groups, J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. (1996) 1181–1193], we study the emergence and evolution of norms through an individual-based model involving these two types of agents. The dynamics of self-involved agents is drawn from [Huet, S. and Deffuant, G., Openness leads to opinion stability and narrowness to volatility, Adv. Complex Syst. 13 (2010) 405–423], and the dynamics of others, from [Deffuant, G., Neau, D., Amblard, F. and Weisbuch, G., Mixing beliefs among interacting agents, Adv. Complex Syst. 3 (2001) 87–98]. The attitude of an agent is represented as a segment on a continuous attitudinal space. Two agents are close if their attitude segments share sufficient overlap. Our agents discuss two different issues, one of which, called main issue, is more important for the self-involved agents than the other, called secondary issue. Self-involved agents are attracted to both issues if they are close to the main issue, but shift away from their peer’s opinion if they are only close on the secondary issue. Differently, non-self-involved agents are attracted by other agents when they are close on both the main and secondary issues. We observe the emergence of various types of extreme minor clusters. In one or different groups of attitudes, they can lead to an already-built moderate norm or a norm polarized on secondary and/or main issues. They can also push disagreeing agents gathered in different groups to a global moderate consensus.
Damping Analysis of Unidirectional Carbon/Flax Fiber Hybrid Composites
Authors: Ben Ameur Mariem , El Mahi Abderrahim , Rebiere Jean-Luc , Abdennadher Moez , Haddar Mohamed
Published: June 2018

The purpose of the present paper is to study the effect of hybridation, stacking sequences and fiber orientation on the damping properties of unidirectional carbon/flax fiber reinforced epoxy composites. Non-hybrid and hybrid laminates with different stacking sequences were produced by molding vacuum process. Free vibration tests with an impulse technique were performed on test specimens to investigate the dynamic behavior. Finite element analysis was used to model damping to evaluate the different energies dissipated in the material layer directions of the carbon/flax composites. Close agreement was found between the experimentally measured values and those derived from the numerical simulation for the damping coefficients. The results obtained show that flax layers had a significant effect on damping properties.
Static Bending and Free Vibration Analysis of Hybrid Fuzzy-Fiber Reinforced Nanocomposite Beam-A Multiscale Modeling
Authors: Mahmoodi Mohammad Javad , Maleki Mohsen , Hassanzadeh-Aghdam Mohammad Kazem
Published: June 2018

Static and free vibration multiscale analysis of fuzzy-fiber-reinforced composite (FFRC) beam is investigated using a three-dimensional micromechanical model together with two-dimensional elasticity macromechanical theory. In the hybrid nanocomposite, aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are radially grown on the circumferential surfaces of carbon fibers. Influence of the carbon fiber orientation, volume fraction and arrangement; CNT volume fraction and interphase region characteristics on the FFRC beam deflection and natural frequencies are studied. Good agreements are reported for the presented results compared with available experiments and the other modeling strategies at both micro and macro levels. The results reveal that the FFRCs properties are strongly dependent on the carbon fiber off-axis angle. By increasing the off-axis angle from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text], the FFRC beam deflection sharply increases up to [Formula: see text] fiber angle and then its value decreases. It is shown that the growth of CNTs on the carbon fiber surface leads to the highest decrease in the beam deflection for 90[Formula: see text] coupon. Also, increasing the interphase thickness decreases the beam deflection and increases the natural frequencies, especially for [Formula: see text] coupon. Moreover, the increasing the interphase Young’s modulus gives maximum 1.74% increase in the natural frequencies.
Nonlinear Analysis Method for Evaluating the Seismic Stability of Rock Slopes Considering Progressive Failure
Authors: Ishimaru Makoto , Hashi Kazumasa , Oikawa Kenji , Kawai Tadashi
Published: June 2018

This study investigated the applicability of a nonlinear analysis method that considers progressive failure to evaluating the stability of rock slopes, including post-earthquake residual displacement. The vibration step of the nonlinear analysis, which begins after residual displacement occurs, was found to match that of a dynamic centrifugal model test. The nonlinear analysis was concluded to be relatively conservative because it calculated a slightly larger residual displacement than that observed during the model test. A real-scale soft rock slope was analyzed, and the results showed that the proposed analysis method is useful for evaluating slope seismic stability, including post-earthquake residual displacements.
Approach to Assess Influence of Earthquake-Induced Slope Collapse on Nuclear Power Plant Facilities
Authors: Nakamura Susumu , Yoshida Ikumasa , Beppu Masuhiro
Published: June 2018

As a result of the disaster of nuclear power plant caused by the 2011 off the pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake, establishment of a method to estimate the influence of slopes on the seismic safety of nuclear facilities has become necessary. The creation of such a method can yield important information regarding potential risk as well as risk management regarding seismic safety. The existing guidelines used to evaluate landslide risk provide guidance for landslide zoning as well as how landslide risk can be reduced and avoided. According to these guidelines, either people or houses are typically used as targets of risk evaluation. Particularly, for a specific slope, it is necessary to evaluate the damage of the potentially affected structures quantitatively and systematically. Therefore, the definition and basic assessment procedure of three limit states (stability limit, reachable limit and damage limit) are herein described. Furthermore, an evaluation case for a slope model describes the influence of slope collapse due to an earthquake. In this case, the fragility curves, as well as the occurrence probability for each limit state are described and an evaluation example is provided. Regarding new ideas and methods to evaluate the conditional reachable probability and the conditional damage probability as well as a method to evaluate the total probability of all three limit states are proposed. From the results obtained in our example case, it is found that systematical assessment of the risk information of facilities damaged due to slope collapse is useful, and is made possible via numerical analysis.
SHARING OF CLIMATE RISKS ACROSS WORLD REGIONS
Authors: EMMERLING JOHANNES
Published: June 2018

Climate change impacts are stochastic and highly uncertain and moreover heterogeneous across regions. That is, there is a potential to sharing this risk ex-ante across regions and hence to reduce the welfare-economic costs of these risks. We analyze how climate risks could be reduced via an insurance scheme at the global scale across regions and quantify the potential welfare gains. We introduce risk sharing of global climate risk represented by the equilibrium climate sensitivity, and introduce an asset-based insurance scheme to allow for risk sharing across regions. We estimate that such risk sharing scheme could lead to welfare gains reducing the global costs of climate change by up to 15%. Such a scheme implies transfers of about USD 200 billion per year and faces important implementation challenges. The results provide a motivation for the loss and damage mechanism related negotiations about sharing risks of climate change at the global level.
Preparation and preliminary biological evaluation of 11C-l-SPD
Authors: Tan Haibo , Zhang Zhengwei , Bao Weiqi , Guan Yihui
Published: June 2018

Objective: To explore the method and quality control of [Formula: see text]C radiolabeled [Formula: see text]-SPD ([Formula: see text]-Stepholidine) and biodistribution of [Formula: see text]C-[Formula: see text]-SPD in vivo.

Methods: (1) [Formula: see text]CO2 was produced by CTI RDS III cyclotron, converted [Formula: see text]CO2 to [Formula: see text]C–CH3I by CH3I die-block, and then converted it to [Formula: see text]C-Triflate–CH4, imported [Formula: see text]C-Triflate–CH4 to [Formula: see text]-SPD which was dissolved in Dimethyl sulfoxide [(CH3)2SO], reacted at common temperature and then obtained the product. (2) Take the sample of organs in different times 5, 15, 30, 60, 90[Formula: see text]min after injecting [Formula: see text]C-[Formula: see text]-SPD by vail in mice and measure the radioactive counts per minute (cpm), then the percent injection dose of wet tissue per gram (%ID/g) was calculated.

Results: (1) The synthesis time of [Formula: see text]C-[Formula: see text]-SPD was 15 to 20[Formula: see text]min with chemical [Formula: see text]%, and PH values [Formula: see text], radiochemical [Formula: see text]% in 2[Formula: see text]h. All quality criteria of [Formula: see text]C-[Formula: see text]-SPD met the requirements of the positron radio-pharmaceuticals. (2) [Formula: see text]C-[Formula: see text]-SPD was of the characteristic that metabolism was through the liver, and kidney was the main excretory organ, which was [Formula: see text]%ID/g at 5[Formula: see text]min and was decreasing gradually, which was [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]ID/g in liver at 5[Formula: see text]min.

Conclusion: (1) [Formula: see text]C-[Formula: see text]-SPD can be used to further study the animal or human. (2) [Formula: see text]C-[Formula: see text]-SPD could quickly discharge and decrease to the low level from background of issues in vivo.
Alternanthera mosaic potexvirus: Several Features, Properties, and Application
Authors: Donchenko Ekaterina , Trifonova Ekaterina , Nikitin Nikolai , Atabekov Joseph , Karpova Olga
Published: June 2018

Alternanthera mosaic virus(AltMV) is a typical member of thePotexvirusgenus in its morphology and genome structure; still it exhibits a number of unique features. They allow this virus to be considered a promising object for biotechnology. Virions and virus-like particles (VLPs) of AltMV are stable in a wide range of conditions, including sera of laboratory animals. AltMV VLPs can assemble at various pH and ionic strengths. Furthermore, AltMV virions and VLPs demonstrate high immunogenicity, enhancing the immune response to the target antigen thus offering the possibility of being used as potential adjuvants. Recently, for the first time for plant viruses, we showed the structural difference between morphologically similar viral and virus-like particles on AltMV virions and VLPs. In this review, we discuss the features of AltMV virions, AltMV VLP assembly, and their structure and properties, as well as the characteristics of AltMV isolates, host plants, infection symptoms, AltMV isolation and purification, genome structure, viral proteins, and AltMV-based vectors.
In Vitro Uptake of Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles and Their Effect on Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Yang Xing , Li Yuanyuan , Liu Xujie , Zhang Ranran , Feng Qingling
Published: June 2018

There have been many applications in biomedical fields based on hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HA NPs) over the past decades. However, the biocompatibility of HANPs is affected by exposure dose, particle size, and the way of contact with cells. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of HA NPs with different sizes on osteogenesis using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). Three different-sized HA NPs (~50, ~100, and ~150 nm, resp.) were synthesized to study the cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and effect on osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. The results clearly showed that each size of HA NPs had dose-dependent cytotoxicity on hMSCs. It was found that HA NPs could be uptaken into hMSCs. The osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs was evaluated through alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity measurement, ALP staining, immunofluorescent staining for osteopontin (OPN), and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) examination. As expected, HA NPs of all sizes could promote the differentiation of hMSCs towards osteoblast lineage. Among the three sizes, smaller-sized HA NPs (~50 and ~100 nm) appeared to be more effective in stimulating osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs.
Value of Apoptotic, Antiapoptotic, and Cell Proliferation Markers in the Treatment of Graves’ Disease
Authors: Vasconcelos Jessica Castro de , Barreto Icléia Siqueira , Matos Patrícia Sabino , Maia Frederico Fernandes Ribeiro , Tambascia Marcos Antônio , Parisi Maria Cândida Ribeiro , Zantut-Wittmann Denise Engelbrecht
Published: June 2018

To better understand the genesis of autoimmunity in Graves’ disease (GD), it is essential to study the mechanism of apoptosis and cell proliferation in thyroid cells and intrathyroidal lymphocytic infiltrate of GD patients. Methods. A cross sectional, observational study performed by evaluating histopathological samples of thyroidectomy products from GD patients using immunohistochemistry. New histological sections were prepared for immunohistochemical analysis with markers of cell proliferation, antiproliferation, apoptosis, and antiapoptosis. Results. Patients with GD who underwent radioiodine therapy (RIT) had a lower lymphocytic expression level of p27Kip1, and those who took beta-blockers had higher expression levels of BID (BH3-interacting domain) and a lower Ki-67 expression level in thyrocytes than those who did not. The association of a shorter diagnostic time with a lower expression level of MCL-1 in thyroid cells suggests that the hyperthyroid state was related to a lower antiapoptotic effect on thyrocytes. In comparison to patients with GD not using antithyroid drugs (ATD), we found a lower expression level of BID in lymphocytes for those who used ATD. Conclusion. In GD, the hyperthyroid state was associated with a lower antiapoptotic effect on thyroid cells. RIT, beta-blockers, and thionamide act by stimulating apoptosis of thyrocytes by intrathyroidal lymphocytes.
Rake Angle Effect on a Machined Surface in Orthogonal Cutting of Graphite/Polymer Composites
Authors: Yang Dayong , Wan Zhenping , Xu Peijie , Lu Longsheng
Published: June 2018

Graphite and its composites have been widely used in various industrial fields. It has been generally accepted that, for positive rake angles, there is a significant increase in tension stress at the cutting zone during the machining of brittle materials, and cracks occur and spread easily, degrading the quality of the machined surface quality. However, it is found in this study that positive rake angles can improve the machined surface finish during the orthogonal cutting of graphite/polymer composites. Better machined surface finish is obtained for a larger rake angle. A finite element model is developed to reveal the mechanism of influence of the positive rake angle on the machined surface. Based on the effective stress field obtained from finite element analysis, it can be predicted that the crack initiates at the tool tip, subsequently propagates downward and forward, and later spreads gradually toward the free surface of the workpiece. A larger rake angle can promote crack propagation far from the machined surface. The crack initiation and propagation laws are validated by the edge‐indentation experiments. In addition, the cutting force at various rake angles is investigated.
Theoretical Analysis of the Influence of Asperity’s Dimensions Affected by a Scale Factor on the Mixed Lubrication between Parallel Surfaces
Authors: Robbe-Valloire F. , Progri R. , Da Silva Botelho T.
Published: June 2018

Mixed lubrication between a given pair of surfaces is directly related to the parameter ηu/p. Any change in microgeometry produces a shift in the transition between the boundary and lubricated regimes. Using an asperity based model including five families of asperities (2 for full fluid lubrication and 3 for local boundary lubrication), we simulate mixed lubricated behavior. Our theoretical results confirm the relation between the mixed regime and the ηu/p parameter. All homothetic changes in microgeometry affecting the vertical and horizontal directions by the same scaling factor Sc induce a shift in the transition. The most interesting result is that this shift is exactly the same if speed u is scaled by 1/Sc with the initial microgeometry. This particular behavior, which is in good agreement with experimental results proposed in the literature, comes from the fact that behavior at each asperity can be written using dimensionless parameters. Most of these parameters are independent to any scaling of the microgeometry and only one, the speed parameter, needs to be artificially scaled in order to remain unchanged by the modification of the microgeometry.
Xiao-Xu-Ming Decoction Reduced Mitophagy Activation and Improved Mitochondrial Function in Cerebral Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Lan Rui , Zhang Yong , Wu Tao , Ma Yun-Zhi , Wang Bao-Qi , Zheng Hai-Zhong , Li Ya-Na , Wang Yan , Gu Chun-Qing , Wu Ji-Tao
Published: June 2018

We investigated whether Xiao-Xu-Ming decoction reduced mitophagy activation and kept mitochondrial function in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: sham, ischemia and reperfusion (IR), IR plus XXMD (60 g/kg/day) (XXMD60), IR plus cyclosporin A (10 mg/kg/day) (CsA), and IR plus vehicle (Vehicle). Focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion models were induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Cerebral infarct areas were measured by triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining. Cerebral ischemic injury was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE) and Nissl staining. Ultrastructural features of mitochondria and mitophagy in the penumbra of the ischemic cortex were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Mitophagy was detected by immunofluorescence labeled with LC3B and VDAC1. Autophagy lysosome formation was observed by immunofluorescence labeled with LC3B and Lamp1. The expression of LC3B, Beclin1, and Lamp1 was analyzed by Western blot. The rats subjected to MCAO showed worsened neurological score and cell ischemic damage. These were all significantly reversed by XXMD or CsA. Moreover, XXMD/CsA notably downregulated mitophagy and reduced the increase in LC3, Beclin1, and Lamp1 expression induced by cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. The findings demonstrated that XXMD exerted neuroprotective effect via downregulating LC3, Beclin1, Lamp1, and mitochondrial p62 expression level, thus leading to the inhibition of mitophagy.
Neural Dynamics during Resting State: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Exploration with Reduction and Visualization
Authors: Li Wei , Wang Miao , Wen Wen , Huang Yue , Chen Xi , Fan Wenliang , The Alzheimer′s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: June 2018

The brain is a complex high‐order system. Body movements or mental activities are both dependent on the transmission of information among billions of neurons. However, potential patterns are hardly discoverable due to the high dimensionality in neural signals. Previous studies have identified rotary trajectories in rhythm and nonrhythm movements when projecting the neural electrical signals into a two‐dimensional space. However, it is unclear how well this analogy holds at the resting state. Given the low‐frequency fluctuations noted during spontaneous neural activities using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), it is natural to hypothesize that the neural response at resting state also shows a periodic trajectory. In this study, we explored the potential patterns in resting state fMRI data at four frequency bands (slow 2–slow 5) on two cohorts, one of which consisted of young and elderly adults and the other of patients with Alzheimer’s disease and normal controls (NC). The jPCA algorithm was applied to reduce the high‐dimensional BOLD signal into a two‐dimensional space for visualization of the trajectory. The results indicated that the “resting state” is a basic state showing an inherent dynamic pattern with a low frequency and long period during normal aging, with changes appearing in the rotary period at the slow 4 frequency band (0.027–0.073 Hz) during the pathological process of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). These findings expand the original understanding that neural signals can rotate themselves and that motor executive signals consist of neural signals. Meanwhile, the rotary period at band slow 4 may be a physiological marker for AD, and studies of this frequency band may be useful for understanding the potential pathophysiology of AD and ultimately facilitate characterization and auxiliary diagnosis of AD.
Gypenosides Attenuate Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced Neuroinflammation and Memory Impairment in Rats
Authors: Lee Bombi , Shim Insop , Lee Hyejung
Published: June 2018

Neuroinflammation is deliberated a major factor in various neurodegenerative diseases. Gypenosides (GPS) have pharmacological properties with multiple beneficial effects including anti‐inflammatory, antioxidative, and protective properties. In the present study, whether GPS could improve cognitive dysfunction and chronic inflammation caused by injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the hippocampus was investigated. Effects of GPS on inflammatory factors in the hippocampus and the downstream mechanisms of these effects were also examined. Induction of LPS into the lateral ventricle caused inflammatory reactions and memory impairment on the rats. Every day treatment of GPS (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) for 21 consecutive days attenuated spatial recognition, discrimination, and memory deficits. GPS treatment significantly decreased proinflammatory mediators such as interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), and nuclear factor‐kappaB (NF‐κB) levels in the brain. Furthermore, GPS reduced LPS‐induced elevated levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA and inhibition of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA level. Collectively, these results showed that GPS may improve cognitive function and provide a potential therapy for memory impairment caused by neuroinflammation. Based on these, GPS may be effective in inhibiting the progress of neurodegenerative diseases by improving memory functions due to its anti‐inflammatory activities and appropriate modulation of NF‐κB/iNOS/TLR4/BDNF.
Chicken Is a Useful Model to Investigate the Role of Adipokines in Metabolic and Reproductive Diseases
Authors: Mellouk Namya , Ramé Christelle , Barbe Alix , Grandhaye Jérémy , Froment Pascal , Dupont Joëlle
Published: June 2018

Reproduction is a complex and essential physiological process required by all species to produce a new generation. This process involves strict hormonal regulation, depending on a connection between the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis and peripheral organs. Metabolic homeostasis influences the reproductive functions, and its alteration leads to disturbances in the reproductive functions of humans as well as animals. For a long time, adipose tissue has been recognised as an endocrine organ but its ability to secrete and release hormones called adipokines is now emerging. Adipokines have been found to play a major role in the regulation of metabolic and reproductive processes at both central and peripheral levels. Leptin was initially the first adipokine that has been described to be the most involved in the metabolism/reproduction interrelation in mammals. In avian species, the role of leptin is still under debate. Recently, three novel adipokines have been discovered: adiponectin (ADIPOQ, ACRP30), visfatin (NAMPT, PBEF), and chemerin (RARRES2, TIG2). However, their mode of action between mammalian and nonmammalian species is different due to the different reproductive and metabolic systems. Herein, we will provide an overview of the structure and function related to metabolic and reproductive mechanisms of the latter three adipokines with emphasis on avian species.