bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cranial anatomy of the early cynodont Galesaurus planiceps and the origin of mammalian endocranial characters
Authors: Pusch Luisa C. , Kammerer Christian F. , Fröbisch Jörg
Published: February 2019

The cranial anatomy of the early non‐mammalian cynodont Galesaurus planiceps from the South African Karoo Basin is redescribed on the basis of a computed tomographic reconstruction of the skull. Previously, little was known about internal skull morphology and the nervous and sensory system of this taxon. The endocranial anatomy of various cynodonts has been intensively studied in recent years to understand the origin of mammalian characters in the nasal capsule, brain and ear. However, these studies have focused on only a few taxa, the earliest of which is another Early Triassic cynodont, Thrinaxodon liorhinus. Galesaurus is phylogenetically stemward of Thrinaxodon and thus provides a useful test of whether the mammal‐like features observed in Thrinaxodon were present even more basally in cynodont evolution. The cranial anatomy of G. planiceps is characterized by an intriguing mosaic of primitive and derived features within cynodonts. In contrast to the very similar internal nasal and braincase morphology of Galesaurus and Thrinaxodon, parts of the skull that seem to be fairly conservative in non‐prozostrodont cynodonts, the morphology of the maxillary canal differs markedly between these taxa. Unusually, the maxillary canal of Galesaurus has relatively few ramifications, more similar to those of probainognathian cynodonts than that of Thrinaxodon. However, its caudal section is very short, a primitive feature shared with gorgonopsians and therocephalians. The otic labyrinth of Galesaurus is generally similar to that of Thrinaxodon, but differs in some notable features (e.g. proportional size of the anterior semicircular canal). An extremely large, protruding paraflocculus of the brain and a distinct medioventrally located notch on the anterior surface of the tabular, which forms the dorsal border of the large parafloccular lobe, are unique to Galesaurus among therapsids with reconstructed endocasts. These features may represent autapomorphies of Galesaurus, but additional sampling is needed at the base of Cynodontia to test this.
Risk factors and self‐perception for facial aging among Nepalese population
Authors: Bhatt Navin , Agrawal Sudha , Mehta Kabindra
Published: February 2019

Background

Facial appearance has increasing importance to individuals and women, in particular. Till date, there are no reports of the extrinsic factors influencing skin aging in Nepalese population.

Objectives

To assess the risk factors and self‐perception for facial aging in Nepalese population.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 110 attendees aged 30‐70 years visiting the dermatology outpatient department of B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. An interview of the attendees was conducted to establish their perceived risk factors and age knowledge based on a questionnaire. The facial wrinkling was estimated by facial wrinkle scores using standardized visual assessment method by a dermatologist who was blinded with regard to all risk factors and age of the subjects.

Results

Around 50% of attendees were conscious about facial health, 53% perceived their facial age as their chronological age, 39% used some facial care products, and 68% were aware of the risk factors for facial aging. The major perceived risk factors were unhealthy eating habits, stress, less exercise, dehydration, diseased state and sleeping habits. A significant association was found between increasing age, place of birth in hills or mountains and sun exposure with high wrinkling score.

Conclusion

Facial skin wrinkles can be considered as a marker for intrinsic aging. Though the main factor responsible for extrinsic aging is ultraviolet radiation, identification of the factors may help in motivating the individuals for the adoption of a range of healthy behaviors for facial age in Nepalese population that may provide important public health benefits.
CAN PERSONALITY UNDERPIN ATTITUDES TO BOTH SCIENCE AND RELIGION?
Authors: Cantor Geoffrey
Published: February 2019

Drawing on Peter Harrison's argument that individuals should be attributed a central role in analyses of the relationship between science and religion, this article proposes that an understanding of personality can help us better appreciate a person's attitudes to both science and religion. Rather than seeing an individual's attitudes to these two topics as separate, if sometimes overlapping, parts of their lives, it is suggested that both may result from psychological drives and sometimes from the same psychological drive. Two contrasting case studies are employed to illustrate this proposal. First, Paul Dirac who, it is argued, was on the autistic spectrum, a personality profile that is often linked to both mathematical physics and atheism. By contrast, Michael Faraday's scientific practice and his commitment to a specific form of Christianity were underpinned by his need for security, as assured by the God‐given laws that operated in both the physical and moral domains.
CARGOISM AND SCIENTIFIC JUSTIFICATION IN THE SEARCH FOR EXTRATERRESTRIAL INTELLIGENCE
Authors: Traphagan John W.
Published: February 2019

This article compares justifications of the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) presented by scientists with ideational constructs associated with cargo cults in Melanesia. In focusing on similarities between cargoism and SETI, I argue that, understood in terms of cultural practice, aspects of the science of SETI have significant similarities to the religious elements that characterize cargoism. Through a focus on the construction of meanings, I consider how SETI and cargoism use similar signification systems to communicate meaning related to local social contexts and I draw a parallel with the religious and meaning structure of cargoism to show that SETI and cargoism employ similar strategies to justify beliefs. As a result, in some ways SETI represents a scientific framework that inhabits cultural and epistemological space that overlaps with religious space.
THE ATHENIAN ALTAR AND THE AMAZONIAN CHATBOT: A PAULINE READING OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND APOCALYPTIC ENDS
Authors: Morelli Michael
Published: February 2019

This article explores questions about chatbots in particular and artificial intelligence (AI) in general from a Pauline, that is, a Christian theological perspective. It does so in a way that focuses on a particular scene in the New Testament: Paul in the Athenian Areopagus, considering an altar to an “unknown God,” quoting Greek poets and philosophers, and sharing curious theology as he dialogues with Stoic and Epicurean thinkers (Acts 17:16–34). By examining the sociohistorical nuances of this scene and their philosophical and theological implications, this article shows how the altar Paul considers philosophically and theologically becomes the focal point for an important dialogue about apocalyptic ends, or ideas about who we are, where we are going, and who or what is responsible for that who‐ness and where‐ness. In turn, this can teach us how to ask practical questions, which can uncover the unsuspected apocalyptic ends represented by, or even contained within, common technological objects such as chatbots.
INTRODUCTION TO THE SYMPOSIUM ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND APOCALYPTICISM
Authors: Geraci Robert M. , Robinson Simon
Published: February 2019

This is an introduction to the Symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Apocalypticism, which resulted from a conference hosted by the Centre for the Critical Study of Apocalyptic and Millenarian Movements (CenSAMM) in Bedford, UK. The introduction provides a brief history of scholarly work in the intersections of apocalypticism and artificial intelligence and of the emergence of CenSAMM from a millenarian religious community, the Panacea Society. It concludes by pointing toward the contributions of the symposium's essays.
THE RELIGIOUS PRECONDITIONS FOR THE RACE CONCEPT IN MODERN SCIENCE
Authors: Keel Terence D.
Published: February 2019

The view that science and religion are necessarily in conflict has increasingly lost favor among scholars who have sought more nuanced theoretical frameworks for evaluating the configurations of these two bodies of knowledge in modern life. This article situates, for the first time, the modern study of race into scholarly assessments on the relations between religion and science. I argue that the formation of the race concept in the minds of Western European and American scientists grew out of and remained indebted to Christian intellectual history. Religion was not subtracted from nor stood in conflict with constructions of race developed across the modern life and health sciences.
“LANDSCAPE PLOTTED AND PIECED”: EXPLORING THE CONTOURS OF ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN (NEURO)SCIENCE AND THEOLOGY
Authors: Bennett Pat
Published: February 2019

This article—the first of a linked set of three outlining the development and practice of a different approach to science/religion dialogue—begins with an overview of some persistent tensions in the field. Then, using a threefold heuristic of encounter, engagement, and expression, it explores the routes taken by James Ashbrook and Andrew Newberg to develop a dialogue between theology and neuroscience, discussing some of the problems associated with these and their implications for attempts to further develop neurotheology. Finally, it proposes a different way of thinking about this enterprise and points toward a new methodology for supporting this endeavor.
“THINGS COUNTER, ORIGINAL, SPARE, STRANGE”: DEVELOPING A POSTFOUNDATIONAL TRANSVERSAL MODEL FOR SCIENCE/RELIGION DIALOGUE
Authors: Bennett Pat
Published: February 2019

This second of three articles outlining the development and practice of a different approach to neurotheology discusses the construction of a suitable methodology for the project based on the work of J. Wentzel van Huyssteen. It explores the origin and contours of his concept of postfoundational rationality, its potential as a locus for epistemological parity between science and religion and the distinctive and unique transversal space model for interdisciplinary dialogue which he builds on these. It then proposes a further development of the model which has the potential to produce a very different type of additional and original dialogical outcome. While such “transversal” outputs may initially seem counter and strange they not only flow naturally from the models’ own inherent dynamics but also open up the possibility of a distinctively different form of neurotheology.
CHRISTIAN THOUGHT, RACE, BLUMENBACH, AND HISTORICIZING
Authors: Hamm Ernie
Published: February 2019

Terence Keel's Divine Variations: How Christian Thought Became Racial Science attributes the origins of “racial science” to Christian intellectual history. This is a bold and original argument, but it is not without deep difficulties, particularly in the early sections of the book. The concept of “race” is not sufficiently historicized and the treatment of Johann Friedrich Blumenbach needs to be more firmly grounded in the world of eighteenth‐century natural history.
“ÁLL TRÁDES, THEIR GEAR AND TACKLE AND TRIM”: THEOLOGY, COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE, AND PSYCHONEUROIMMUNOLOGY IN TRANSVERSAL DIALOGUE
Authors: Bennett Pat
Published: February 2019

This third of three articles outlining a different approach to science/religion dialogue generally and to engagement between theology and the neurosciences specifically, gives a brief account of the model in practice. It begins by introducing the question to be investigated—whether the experience of relational connection can affect health outcomes by directly moderating immune function. Then, employing the same threefold heuristic of encounter, exchange, and expression used previously, it discusses how the transversal model set out in these articles has been used to investigate this question and to develop a theoretical physiological model for the proposed link between relationality and health.
“WHITE CRISIS” AND/AS “EXISTENTIAL RISK,” OR THE ENTANGLED APOCALYPTICISM OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Authors: Ali Syed Mustafa
Published: February 2019

In this article, I present a critique of Robert Geraci's Apocalyptic artificial intelligence (AI) discourse, drawing attention to certain shortcomings which become apparent when the analytical lens shifts from religion to the race–religion nexus. Building on earlier work, I explore the phenomenon of existential risk associated with Apocalyptic AI in relation to “White Crisis,” a modern racial phenomenon with premodern religious origins. Adopting a critical race theoretical and decolonial perspective, I argue that all three phenomena are entangled and they should be understood as a strategy, albeit perhaps merely rhetorical, for maintaining white hegemony under nonwhite contestation. I further suggest that this claim can be shown to be supported by the disclosure of continuity through change in the long‐durée entanglement of race and religion associated with the establishment, maintenance, expansion, and refinement of the modern/colonial world system if and when such phenomena are understood as iterative shifts in a programmatic trajectory of domination which might usefully be framed as “algorithmic racism.”
AN INTERDISCIPLINARY FRAMEWORK FOR ISLAMIC COGNITIVE THEORIES
Authors: Kaplick Paul M. , Chaudhary Yaqub , Hasan Abdullah , Yusuf Asim , Keshavarzi Hooman
Published: February 2019

The Islamic psychology (IP) community in Europe has recently witnessed a heated debate about the credentials required to participate in the theoretical substantiation of IP and Islamically integrated psychotherapy and counseling. This debate has provided convenient circumstances for Muslim psychologists and Islamic scholars alike to rethink their roles within the flourishing movement. Specifically, the discussions hint toward the importance of adopting a collaborative research methodology for IP, in particular for basic research. The methodology of choice will need to define the necessary qualifications and responsibilities of scholars and psychologists in a collaborative research process (personal collaboration) and evince its capability to appropriately marry knowledge and data, diverging research methods, and perspectives, concepts, and theories from Islamic studies and contemporary psychology (content‐related collaboration). Here, we devise and offer a case illustration of an Islamic Psychology Basic Research Framework (coined the SALAAM Framework). This framework uses the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies (IIS) Model of Interdisciplinary Research, developed by the IIS at the University of Amsterdam. Our first aim is to appropriate the IIS model for the IP literature by applying the model's research process phases and technique for the integration of disparate bodies of knowledge—that is, the identification of common ground—to methodological approaches in the contemporary IP literature. Our second aim is to exemplify the devised SALAAM Framework using the relatively unexplored area of Islamic cognitive theories (ICTs), which remain underdeveloped in contemporary psychological literature, primarily because of a lack of commensurability with the nomenclature of contemporary psychology. We thus provide a primer on the potential scope of ICTs. Toward the end of this article, we discuss the potential of the project of interdisciplinary construction of Islamic psychological theory, and the ability of the SALAAM Framework to establish a research program in IP that centers on cognition. We finally offer our reflections on the distinctiveness of Islamic psychologies in comparison to mainstream and Christian psychology.
Thyroglossal duct cyst: dynamic ultrasound evaluation and sonoanatomy revisited
Authors: Chang Ke-Vin , Wu Wei-Ting , Özçakar Levent
Published: February 2019

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A brief report on EFSUMB Guidelines and Recommendations for elastography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound
Authors: Constantinescu Codruta , Saftoiu Adrian
Published: February 2019

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Estimating cholera incidence with cross-sectional serology
Authors: Azman Andrew S. , Lessler Justin , Luquero Francisco J. , Bhuiyan Taufiqur Rahman , Khan Ashraful Islam , Chowdhury Fahima , Kabir Alamgir , Gurwith Marc , Weil Ana A. , Harris Jason B. , Calderwood Stephen B. , Ryan Edward T. , Qadri Firdausi , Leung Daniel T.
Published: February 2019

Cross-sectional
Vibrio cholerae
–related antibody measures can be used to estimate cholera incidence in a population.
A Fractal Dimension and Empirical Mode Decomposition-Based Method for Protein Sequence Analysis
Authors: Yang Lina , Wei Pu , Zhong Cheng , Meng Zuqiang , Wang Patrick , Tang Yuan Yan
Published: February 2019

In bioinformatics, the biological functions of proteins and their interactions can often be analyzed by the similarity of their sequences. In this paper, the authors combine the fractal dimension, empirical mode decomposition (EMD), and sliding window for protein sequence comparison. First, the protein sequence is characterized and digitized into a signal, and then the signal characteristics are obtained by using EMD and fractal dimension. Each protein sequence can be decomposed into Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs). The fixed window’s fractal dimension is applied to each IMF and the original signal to extract the protein sequence characteristics. Experiments have shown that the feature extracted by this hybrid method is superior to the EMD method alone.
Positively twisted torus knots which are torus knots
Authors: Lee Sangyop
Published: February 2019

A twisted torus knot [Formula: see text] is obtained from a torus knot [Formula: see text] by twisting [Formula: see text] adjacent strands of [Formula: see text] fully [Formula: see text] times. In this paper, we determine the parameters [Formula: see text] for which [Formula: see text] is a torus knot with [Formula: see text].
Idempotents in Tangle Categories Split
Authors: Blair Ryan , Sack Joshua
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we use 3-manifold techniques to illuminate the structure of the category of tangles. In particular, we show that every idempotent morphism [Formula: see text] in such a category naturally splits as [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] is an identity morphism.
Virtual tribrackets
Authors: Nelson Sam , Pico Shane
Published: February 2019

We introduce virtual tribrackets, an algebraic structure for coloring regions in the planar complement of an oriented virtual knot or link diagram. We use these structures to define counting invariants of virtual knots and links and provide examples of the computation of the invariant; in particular, we show that the invariant can distinguish certain virtual knots.
Finite n-quandles of torus and two-bridge links
Authors: Crans Alissa S. , Mellor Blake , Shanahan Patrick D. , Hoste Jim
Published: February 2019

We compute Cayley graphs and automorphism groups for all finite [Formula: see text]-quandles of two-bridge and torus knots and links, as well as torus links with an axis.
Biquandle coloring invariants of knotoids
Authors: Gügümcü Neslihan , Nelson Sam
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we consider biquandle colorings for knotoids in [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text], and we construct several coloring invariants for knotoids derived as enhancements of the biquandle counting invariant. We first enhance the biquandle counting invariant by using a matrix constructed by utilizing the orientation a knotoid diagram is endowed with. We generalize Niebrzydowski’s biquandle longitude invariant for virtual long knots to obtain new invariants for knotoids. We show that biquandle invariants can detect mirror images of knotoids and show that our enhancements are proper in the sense that knotoids which are not distinguished by the counting invariant are distinguished by our enhancements.
GEODESICS OF HIGHER-DIMENSIONAL SIERPINSKI GASKET
Authors: GU JIANGWEN , YE QIANQIAN , XI LIFENG
Published: February 2019

It is of great interest to analyze geodesics in fractals. We investigate the structure of geodesics in [Formula: see text]-dimensional Sierpinski gasket [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text], and prove that there are at most eight geodesics between any pair of points in [Formula: see text]. Moreover, we obtain that there exists a unique geodesic for almost every pair of points in [Formula: see text].
FRACTAL-BASED CLASSIFICATION OF ELECTROMYOGRAPHY (EMG) SIGNAL BETWEEN FINGERS AND HAND’S BASIC MOVEMENTS, FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENTS, AND FORCE PATTERNS
Authors: NAMAZI HAMIDREZA
Published: February 2019

Analysis of human ability to move the body (hand, feet, etc.) is one of the major issues in rehabilitation science. For this purpose, scientists analyze different signals govern from human body. Electromyography (EMG) signal is the main indicator of human movement that can be analyzed using different techniques in order to classify different movements. In this paper, we analyze the complex non-linear structure of EMG signal from subjects while they underwent three exercises that include basic movements of the fingers and of the wrist, grasping and functional movements, and force patterns. For this purpose, we employ fractal dimension as indicator of complexity. The result of our analysis showed that the EMG signal experiences the greatest complexity when subjects think to press combinations of fingers with an increasing force (force pattern). The method of analysis employed in this research can be widely applied to analyze and classify different types of human movements.
DECODING OF THE RELATION BETWEEN FRACTAL STRUCTURE OF CUTTING FORCE AND SURFACE ROUGHNESS OF MACHINED WORKPIECE IN END MILLING OPERATION
Authors: NAMAZI HAMIDREZA , FARID ALI AKHAVAN , CHANG TECK SENG
Published: February 2019

Analysis of the surface quality of workpiece is one of the major works in machining operations. Variations of cutting force is an important factor that highly affects the quality of machined workpiece during operation. Therefore, investigating about the variations of cutting forces is very important in machining operation. In this paper, we employ fractal analysis in order to investigate the relation between complex structure of cutting force and surface roughness of machined surface in end milling operation. We run the machining operation in different conditions in which cutting depths, type of cutting tool (serrated versus square end mills) and machining conditions (wet and dry machining) change. Based on the obtained results, we observed the relation between complexity of cutting force and surface roughness of generated surface of machined workpiece due to engagement with the flute surface of end mill, in case of using square end mill in dry machining condition, and also in case of using serrated end mill in wet machining condition. The fractal approach that was employed in this research can be potentially examined in case of other machining operations in order to investigate the possible relation between complex structure of cutting force and surface quality of machined workpiece.
THE CARDINALITY OF ORTHOGONAL EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS ON THE SPATIAL SIERPINSKI GASKET
Authors: ZHENG JIA , LIU JING-CHENG , CHEN MING-LIANG
Published: February 2019

For the self-affine measures [Formula: see text] generated by a diagonal matrix [Formula: see text] with entries [Formula: see text] and the digit set [Formula: see text], Li showed that there exists an infinite orthogonal exponential functions set in [Formula: see text] if and only if at least two of the three numbers [Formula: see text] are even, and conjectured that there exist at most four mutually orthogonal exponential functions in [Formula: see text] for other cases [J.-L. Li, Non-spectrality of self-affine measures on the spatial Sierpinski gasket, J. Math. Anal. Appl. 432 (2015) 1005–1017]. This conjecture was disproved by Wang and Li through constructing a class of the eight-element orthogonal exponential functions [Q. Wang and J.-L. Li, There are eight-element orthogonal exponentials on the spatial Sierpinski gasket, Math. Nachr. 292 (2019) 211–226]. In this paper, we will show that there are any number of orthogonal exponential functions in [Formula: see text] if two of the three numbers [Formula: see text] are different odd and the other is even.
BOX DIMENSION OF WEYL–MARCHAUD FRACTIONAL DERIVATIVE OF LINEAR FRACTAL INTERPOLATION FUNCTIONS
Authors: PENG WEN LIANG , YAO KUI , ZHANG XIA , YAO JIA
Published: February 2019

This paper mainly explores Weyl–Marchaud fractional derivative of linear fractal interpolation functions (FIFs). We prove that Weyl–Marchaud fractional derivative of a linear FIF is still a linear FIFs. More generally, we get a conclusion that there exists some linear relationship between the order of Weyl–Marchaud fractional derivative and box dimension of linear FIFs.
A formulation of Newton–Cartan gravity and quantum mechanics using D-differentiation
Authors: Hurley D. J. , Vandyck M. A.
Published: February 2019

The Newton–Cartan theory of gravity is expressed in the language of [Formula: see text]-differentiation. A characteristic of this approach is that the same framework accommodates, together with classical gravity, also non-relativistic Quantum Mechanics (coupled to gravity), both in its standard Schrödingerian form and in that of de Broglie and Bohm.
On generalization of Zermelo navigation problem on Riemannian manifolds
Authors: Kopacz Piotr
Published: February 2019

With the extended navigation data, we consider the generalized Zermelo navigation on Riemannian manifolds, admitting a space-dependent ship’s speed in the presence of perturbation determined by a weak velocity vector field, with application of Finsler metric of Randers type. The approach is shown via indicatrix and inner product. We also compare our findings in the context of conformality for the cases of weak and critical winds. The study is illustrated with the example in dimension 2.
Two Kinds of Finite Element Variables Based on B-Spline Wavelet on Interval for Curved Beam
Authors: He Yanfei , Zhang Xingwu , Geng Jia , Chen Xuefeng , Li Zengguang
Published: February 2019

Curved beam structure has been widely used in engineering, due to its good load-bearing and geometric characteristics. More common methods for analyzing and designing this structure are the finite element methods (FEMs), but these methods have many disadvantages. Fortunately, the multivariable wavelet FEMs can solve these drawbacks. However, the multivariable generalized potential energy functional of curved beam, used to construct this element, has not been given in previous literature. In this paper, the generalized potential energy functional for curved beam with two kinds of variables is derived initially. On this basis, the B-spline wavelet on the interval (BSWI) is used as the interpolation function to construct the wavelet curved beam element with two kinds of variables. In the end, several typical numerical examples of thin to thick curved beams are given, which show that the present element is more effective in static and free vibration analysis of curved beam structures.
CO2 Adsorption on the B12N12 Nanocage Encapsulated with Alkali Metals: A Density Functional Study
Authors: Liang Ximin , Zhang Qiyan , Zhao Qinfu , Zhao He , Feng Yifan , Suo Bingbing , Han Huixian , Song Qi , Li Yawei , Zou Wenli , Zhu Haiyan
Published: February 2019

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been carried out to study the capacity of the B[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] nanocage encapsulated with alkali metals (Li, Na, K) for the CO2 adsorption and activation. It is found that after encapsulating alkali metals, the alkali metal atoms are closer to one side of clusters instead of exactly lying at the center, and a considerable charge transfers from the inner alkali metal atoms to the B[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] cage. Besides, the HOMO–LUMO gap (HLG) values of Li@B[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text], Na@B[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] and K@B[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] are decreased to about 6[Formula: see text]eV, being much smaller than that of the pristine B[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text]. Although the geometry structure parameters and the energy differences of M06-2X are slightly different from the ones of [Formula: see text]B97X-D, some identical results of two kinds of functional can be obtained. CO2 can be adsorbed chemically and physically on majority bonds of all the clusters, except for some bonds with large change in bond length and bond indices. The encapsulation of alkali-metal atoms may enhance the physical and chemical adsorption of CO2 on the surface of the clusters, in which Na@B[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] and K@B[Formula: see text]N[Formula: see text] are the most powerful physical and chemical adsorbent for CO2, respectively.
New carbon for electrochemical energy storage and conversion
Authors: Liang Xinqi , Chen Minghua , Pan Guoxiang , Wu Jianbo , Xia Xinhui
Published: February 2019

The advancement of clean electrochemical technologies is highly related to the development of novel active materials. Especially, new carbon materials are playing great roles in the electrochemical energy storage and conversion devices. Herein, we discuss the recent progress on new carbon materials from several important aspects including new mold carbon sources, novel high-efficiency puffing method, tailored carbon arrays morphologies (vertical graphene and carbon nanotubes branch), and modified heteroatom (N and S)-doped carbon materials. Our perspective may shed a light on further study on new carbon materials for applications in energy storage and conversion.
ZIF-67 derived cobalt-based catalysts for hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of alkaline sodium borohydride solution
Authors: Wei Lei , Liu Hongyan , Wang Qian , Li Wenjuan , Peng Lufeng
Published: February 2019

Cobalt-based catalysts are highly efficient and low-cost for sodium borohydride (NaBH[Formula: see text] hydrolysis to generate hydrogen. Co3O4 and carbon-supported metal Co (i.e., Co/C) catalysts were prepared by means of ZIF-67 pyrolysis. Effects of pyrolysis temperature and atmosphere on catalyst composition and performance were mainly investigated. For material analyses, a series of characterizations were carried out including FE-SEM, TEM, XRD, BET, TGA and ICP-AES. Conventional water-displacement method was employed to evaluate the catalyst performance toward NaBH4 hydrolysis. Experimental results indicated that catalytic activity of the Co3O4 was much higher than that of Co/C, and the reasons were discussed in detail.
The generalized relations among the code elements for a new complex Fibonacci matrix
Authors: Prasad Bandhu
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we introduce a new complex Fibonacci matrix [Formula: see text] whose elements are complex Fibonacci numbers and we developed a new coding and decoding method followed from this complex Fibonacci matrix [Formula: see text]. We establish the relations among the code matrix elements, error detection and correction for this coding theory.
Class IV Lupus Nephritis in the Setting of Serologically Quiescent Disease and Normal Urine Sediment in a Patient with Late-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Nnodum Benedicta , Dudley Lauren
Published: February 2019

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that may affect any organ of the body. Lupus nephritis (LN) is a frequent and serious complication of SLE. We report a case of an 80-year-old woman who was initially diagnosed with late-onset SLE and eventually developed LN in the setting of normal complements, double-stranded DNA, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and urine sediment. She developed abnormal renal function (creatinine of 1.7 mg/dl) and mild proteinuria (1-2+) without hematuria. Renal biopsy showed class IV lupus glomerulonephritis, active and chronic. The patient was started on mycophenolate mofetil which led to improvement of proteinuria and stabilization of creatinine. The suspicion for LN in a patient with late-onset SLE should remain high when there is development of suspicious renal or urinary abnormalities even if laboratory values do not suggest high disease activity and urinary sediment is normal. To our knowledge, this is one of the oldest patients with biopsy-proven LN and late-onset SLE.
Dynamic Parameter Optimization and Experimental Study of Tuned Slab Damper on Metro Systems
Authors: Xu Guang-Hui
Published: February 2019

With the increase of axle weight and speed, the interaction between vehicles and the track becomes more and more intense, and the problem of wheel‐rail dynamic action is more serious. In order to reduce the low‐frequency vibration caused by train operation, a three‐layer elastic track damping structure is proposed. The complex method is used to optimize the dynamic parameters, structural patterns, and coupling relations of the track structure, which allows multiple elastic units to work in harmony with each other to achieve the effects of absorbing vibration energy and reducing vibration transmission. Finally, a real size model experimental platform is set up to verify the dynamic parameter optimization results. The results show that the vertical mode of the main track system of the coupling‐tuned slab damper‐floating slab is 26.898 Hz close to the train excitation frequency, and the corresponding equivalent mass is 6074.53 kg. The amplitude of the vibration components in the 20∼40 Hz band can be reduced to 41.8% by using the complex method. The maximum insertion loss is about 10 dB, and the vibration of low‐frequency band is not amplified.
Obesity-Induced Methylation of Osteopontin Contributes to Adipogenic Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Tang Min , Chen Rui , Wang Hao , Sun Guowei , Yin Fan , Liang Beibei , Yang Yang , Sharen Gaowa , Wei Huafeng , Zhou Xuyu , Huang Gang , Zhao Jian
Published: February 2019

Obesity is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases, including diabetes, fatty livers, and cancer. Expansion of the adipose mass has been shown to be related to adipogenic differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs). However, the underlying mechanism of this effect has yet to be elucidated. We found that osteopontin (OPN) is downregulated in ASCs and adipose tissues of obese mice and overweight human beings because of methylation on its promoter, indicating that OPN may affect the development of obesity. Silencing of OPN in wild-type ASCs promotes adipogenic differentiation, while reexpression of OPN reduced adipogenic differentiation in OPN−/− ASCs. The role of extracellular OPN in ASC differentiation was further demonstrated by supplementation and neutralization of OPN. Additionally, OPN suppresses adipogenic differentiation in ASCs through the C/EBP pathways. Consistent with these in vitro results, by intravenous injection of OPN-expressing adenovirus to the mice, we found OPN can delay the development of obesity and improve insulin sensitivity. Therefore, our study demonstrates an important role of OPN in regulating the development of obesity, indicating OPN might be a novel target to attenuate obesity and its complications.
Long Noncoding RNAs in the Regulation of Oxidative Stress
Authors: Wang Xiaole , Shen Chuqiao , Zhu Jie , Shen Guoming , Li Zegeng , Dong Jingcheng
Published: February 2019

Oxidative stress takes responsibility for various diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and cardiovascular disease; nevertheless, there is still a lack of specific biomarkers for the guidance of diagnosis and treatment of oxidative stress-related diseases. In recent years, growing studies have documented that oxidative stress has crucial correlations with long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which have been identified as important transcriptions involving the process of oxidative stress, inflammation, etc. and been regarded as the potential specific biomarkers. In this paper, we review links between oxidative stress and lncRNAs, highlight lncRNAs that refer to oxidative stress, and conclude that lncRNAs have played a negative or positive role in the oxidation/antioxidant system, which may be helpful for the further investigation of specific biomarkers of oxidative stress-related diseases.
Network Pharmacology Analysis ofDamnacanthus indicus C.F.Gaertnin Gene-Phenotype
Authors: Long Shengrong , Yuan Caihong , Wang Yue , Zhang Jie , Li Guangyu
Published: February 2019

Damnacanthus indicus C.F.Gaertnis known as Huci in traditional Chinese medicine. It contains a component having anthraquinone-like structure which is a part of the many used anticancer drugs. This study was to collect the evidence of disease-modulatory activities of Huci by analyzing the published literature on the chemicals and drugs. A list of its compounds and direct protein targets is predicted by using Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of TCM. A protein-protein interaction network using links between its directed targets and the other known targets was constructed. The DPT-associated genes in net were scrutinized by WebGestalt. Exploring the cancer genomics data related to Huci through cBio Portal. Survival analysis for the overlap genes is done by using UALCAN. We got 16 compounds and it predicts 62 direct protein targets and 100 DPTs and they were identified for these compounds. DPT-associated genes were analyzed by WebGestalt. Through the enrichment analysis, we got top 10 identified KEGG pathways. Refined analysis of KEGG pathways showed that one of these ten pathways is linked to Rap1 signaling pathway and another one is related to breast cancer. The survival analysis for the overlap genes shows the significant negative effect of these genes on the breast cancer patients. Through the research results ofDamnacanthus indicus C.F.Gaertn, it is shown that medicine network pharmacology may be regarded as a new paradigm for guiding the future studies of the traditional Chinese medicine in different fields.
A Novel Nonlinear LPDA Design for HF Direction Finding
Authors: Ren Xiaofei , Li Hu , Gong Shuxi
Published: February 2019

A novel design of log-periodic dipole array (LPDA) for high-frequency direction finding (DF) is presented. The traditional Carrel method employs fixed values of scale factor and spacing factors in LPDA designs. Here, we propose a design method which uses the continuous change of both the scale factor and the spacing factor so that the length of the dipoles and the space between dipoles vary nonlinearly. One advantage of our design is that the effective distance between the phase center position and the feed point of LPDA can be increased. So the effective radius of the circularly disposed antenna array (CDAA) composed of LPDA is extended, which is important for improving the accuracy of the DF system. Both the simulation and measurement results show that the proposed LPDA achieves larger effective distance and higher gain compared to that using the traditional Carrel method. The proposed LPDA also shows characteristics of wideband impedance matching. The antenna has been successfully applied to practical HF direction finding system.
Lightweight Cement Mortars with Granulated Foam Glass and Waste Perlite Addition
Authors: Pichór Waldemar , Kamiński Adrian , Szołdra Paulina , Frąc Maksymilian
Published: February 2019

This article presents the influence of granulated foam glass (GFG) on thermal insulation and mechanical properties of lightweight cement mortars. The mortars were additionally modified with addition of ground perlite dust. Ground expanded perlite waste was introduced into the cement matrix in the amounts of 10%, 20%, and 30% of cement mass. The results show that application of this waste increases the strength of the mortars as well as decreases their thermal conductivity coefficient. A series of mortars were prepared with introduction of granulated foam glass with mass per unit filler/cement ratio equal to 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2. The aggregate composition of GFG was combined from different monofractions in the range 0–2 mm so that it filled the mortar volume to the maximum. Additionally, mortars were made, in which 20% of 0–0.25 mm GFG volume was replaced with quartz sand with the same granulation. Each mortar series was modified with addition of ground perlite waste in the amount of 20% of cement mass. The results indicate an improvement of thermal insulation properties along with greater participation of perlite in the mortars. The increase of the thermal conductivity coefficient was observed in the mortars, where the GFG was replaced with quartz sand. Greater amount of GFG results in decrease of compressive strength, but it can be improved by replacing part of the lightweight filler with sand or by introducing the addition of ground expanded perlite to the matrix. This also results in lower water absorption of mortars. Research proved that in most cases, the addition of ground expanded perlite decreased the capillary sorption of mortars, as well as the water absorption coefficient by capillary action, with growing proportion of the lightweight filler.
Acutherapy for Knee Osteoarthritis Relief in the Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gong Zidan , Liu Rong , Yu Winnie , Wong Thomas Kwok-Shing , Guo Yuanqi , Sun Yue
Published: February 2019

Purpose. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of various acutherapies on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) relief in the elderly. Methods. Five databases were accessed from inception to July 2017 for searching randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on acutherapy for KOA relief in the elderly. Data were pooled after trial quality assessment for meta-analysis. Outcomes were the scores of knee pain, knee stiffness, and physical function accessed by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index. Results. 17 RCTs including 4774 subjects were included. The results indicated that acutherapy significantly affected knee pain (standardized mean difference, i.e., SMD = - 0.73, [95% CI, -0.98 to -0.47], P <0.001), knee stiffness (SMD = -0.66, [95%CI, -0.85 to -0.47], P <0.001), and physical function (SMD = -1.56, [95%CI, -2.17 to -0.95], P<0.001) when compared with control condition without intervention of any acutherapy. Moreover, acutherapy was more effective than corresponding sham (placebo) intervention applied on nonacupoints (SMD = -0.16, [95% CI, -0.32 to -0.01], P = 0.04). However, no significant differences were found on treatment effects between acutherapy and sham acutherapy at the same acupoints (SMD= - 0.09, [95%CI, -0.40 to 0.21], P = 0.55). Conclusions. Acutherapy was an effective approach for KOA relief in the elderly. The selection of acupoints position could be a crucial factor that influences the treatment efficacy of acutherapy.
Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) Protein Antagonist VH298 Improves Wound Healing in Streptozotocin-Induced Hyperglycaemic Rats by Activating Hypoxia-Inducible Factor- (HIF-) 1 Signalling
Authors: Qiu Shuo , Jia Yachao , Sun Yunchu , Han Pei , Xu Jia , Wen Gen , Chai Yimin
Published: February 2019

Aims. The purpose of the present research is to investigate the effects of the VHL protein antagonist, VH298, on functional activities of fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells and the effects on the wound healing process in a streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemic rat model. Methods. HIF-1α and hydroxy-HIF-1α protein levels in VH298-treated rat fibroblasts (rFb) were measured by immunoblotting, rFb proliferation was detected by the CCK-8 assay, and mRNA levels of related genes were measured by quantitative RT-PCR. In vitro wound healing was simulated by the scratch test; angiogenesis was measured by the human umbilical vein endothelial cell (hUVEC) tube formation assay. VH298 or PBS was locally injected into wounds in rat models with streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced hyperglycaemia, the wound tissues were harvested, and haematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson trichrome staining and immunohistochemical processes were conducted. Results. HIF-1α and hydroxy-HIF-1α levels increased in VH298-treated rFb, in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Thirty micromolar VH298 could significantly increase cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and gene expression of type I collagen-α1 (Col1-α1), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). The VH298-treated wound had a better healing pattern, activation of HIF-1 signalling, and vascularization. Conclusions. Taken together, VH298 activated the HIF-1 signalling pathway by stabilizing both HIF-1α and hydroxy-HIF-1α. VH298 enhanced rFb functions, promoted hUVEC angiogenesis, and accelerated wound healing in the rat model mimicking diabetes mellitus.
Muscle Atrophy Marker Expression Differs between Rotary Cell Culture System and Animal Studies
Authors: Harding Charles P. , Vargis Elizabeth
Published: February 2019

Muscular atrophy, defined as the loss of muscle tissue, is a serious issue for immobilized patients on Earth and for humans during spaceflight, where microgravity prevents normal muscle loading. In vitro modeling is an important step in understanding atrophy mechanisms and testing countermeasures before animal trials. The most ideal environment for modeling must be empirically determined to best mimic known responses in vivo. To simulate microgravity conditions, murine C2C12 myoblasts were cultured in a rotary cell culture system (RCCS). Alginate encapsulation was compared against polystyrene microcarrier beads as a substrate for culturing these adherent muscle cells. Changes after culture under simulated microgravity were characterized by assessing mRNA expression of MuRF1, MAFbx, Caspase 3, Akt2, mTOR, Ankrd1, and Foxo3. Protein concentration of myosin heavy chain 4 (Myh4) was used as a differentiation marker. Cell morphology and substrate structure were evaluated with brightfield and fluorescent imaging. Differentiated C2C12 cells encapsulated in alginate had a significant increase in MuRF1 only following simulated microgravity culture and were morphologically dissimilar to normal cultured muscle tissue. On the other hand, C2C12 cells cultured on polystyrene microcarriers had significantly increased expression of MuRF1, Caspase 3, and Foxo3 and easily identifiable multinucleated myotubes. The extent of differentiation was higher in simulated microgravity and protein synthesis more active with increased Myh4, Akt2, and mTOR. The in vitro microcarrier model described herein significantly increases expression of several of the same atrophy markers as in vivo models. However, unlike animal models, MAFbx and Ankrd1 were not significantly increased and the fold change in MuRF1 and Foxo3 was lower than expected. Using a standard commercially available RCCS, the substrates and culture methods described only partially model changes in mRNAs associated with atrophy in vivo.