bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pramlintide: The Effects of a Single Drug Injection on Blood Phosphatidylcholine Profile for Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Tao Qiushan , Zhu Haihao , Chen Xi , Stern Robert A. , Kowall Neil , Au Rhoda , Blusztajn Jan Krzysztof , Qiu Wei Qiao ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Metabolomics Consortium
Published: February 2018

Studies suggest that a single injection of pramlintide, an amylin analog, induces changes in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers in the blood of AD mouse models and AD patients. The aim of this study was to examine whether a pramlintide challenge combined with a phosphatidylcholine (PC) profile diagnoses of AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) better than PC alone. Non-diabetic subjects with cognitive status were administered a single subcutaneous injection of 60 mcg of pramlintide under fasting condition. A total of 71 PCs, amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), and total tau (t-tau) in plasma at different time points were measured and treated as individual variables. A single injection of pramlintide altered the levels of 7 PCs in the blood, while a pramlintide injection plus food modulated the levels of 10 PCs in the blood ( p < 0.05). The levels of 2 PCs in MCI and 12 PCs in AD in the pramlintide challenge were significantly lower than the ones in controls. We found that while some PCs were associated with only Aβ levels, other PCs were associated with both Aβ and t-tau levels. A receiver operating characteristic analysis of the PCs was combined with the Aβ and t-tau data to produce an area under the curve predictive value of 0.9799 between MCI subjects and controls, 0.9794 between AD subjects and controls, and 0.9490 between AD and MCI subjects. A combination of AD biomarkers and a group of PCs post a pramlintide challenge may provide a valuable diagnostic and prognostic test for AD and MCI.
Development of a High-Sensitivity Method for the Measurement of Human Nasal Aβ42, Tau, and Phosphorylated Tau
Authors: Liu Ziyi , Kameshima Naoko , Nanjo Toshifumi , Shiino Akihiko , Kato Tomoko , Shimizu Shino , Shimizu Takeshi , Tanaka Sachiko , Miura Katsuyuki , Tooyama Ikuo
Published: February 2018

Cost-effective and feasible methods for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are needed. We present two methods to measure AD-related biomarkers simultaneously from one nasal smear for the purpose of diagnosing AD. Japanese men and women aged 63–85 years old were recruited in 2015–2016 for this case–control study. A total of 25 AD cases and 25 controls (22 men and 28 women) participated in this research. Nasal smears were collected from the common nasal meatus, inferior concha, middle nasal meatus, and olfactory cleft, and the proteins in the samples were analyzed by two methods, which we named PGD (Pre-treatment with guanidine- n-Dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside solution) method 1 (PGD-I) and 2 (PGD-II). The PGD-I method measured total tau and amyloid-β (Aβ)42, but no differences in median levels of total tau and Aβ42 between AD cases and controls were found in any of the nasal locations. The PGD-II method measured Aβ42, total tau, and phosphorylated tau, but levels of Aβ40 in all nasal locations of both groups were near zero. Median levels of phosphorylated tau to total tau (p-tau/t-tau) ratios in the middle nasal meatus and in the olfactory cleft were significantly higher in AD cases than in controls, and could significantly predict AD. To assess diagnostic reliability, areas under the ROC curve were 0.74 (95% CL = 0.52–0.95, p = 0.030) for the middle nasal meatus and 0.72 (95% CL = 0.52–0.92, p = 0.029) for the olfactory cleft. Thus, PGD-I and PGD-II can detect AD-related biomarkers in nasal smears and PGD-II may be a useful tool for diagnosing AD.
Real World Recruiting of Older Subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment for Exercise Trials: Community Readiness is Pivotal
Authors: Sanders Marit L. , Stuckenschneider Tim , Devenney Kate E. , Lawlor Brian , Schneider Stefan , Olde Rikkert Marcel G.M. ,   on behalf of the NeuroExercise Study Group
Published: February 2018

Prevention trials in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), especially lifestyle interventions, can be difficult to carry out, particularly the recruitment and retention of subjects. We experienced these challenges in our multi-site one-year exercise trial in MCI, NeuroExercise. Trial recruitment rates differed significantly across sites; the non-medical sport university site, providing free access to a range of group exercise in a sports environment, proved far more successful than memory clinics linked to hospitals. This suggests that non-medical settings and a non-medical research community facilitating physical activities may be important factors in recruitment of subjects with MCI for large prevention trials.
Cognitively Healthy Individuals Want to Know Their Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease: What Should We Do?
Authors: Stites Shana D.
Published: February 2018

Richard Milne and colleagues (2018) present the results of a study to discover what cognitively unimpaired research participants hope to gain by learning Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarker results and the associated risk for AD dementia. Their results are useful to develop procedures to safely disclose AD biomarker results in prevention trials. They also foreshadow the ethical and pragmatic challenges of using AD biomarkers in routine clinical practice. What is currently known is largely from studies of cognitively unimpaired or mildly impaired individuals who learned they had genetic markers of AD. Little is known about learning biomarker results. Milne and colleagues found that participants expect they will routinely learn risk reduction strategies and have access to follow up care. Can we meet these expectations? Mixed evidence supports effective therapies for delaying symptoms of AD and virtually nonexistent evidence guides prevention of AD. Healthcare resources, including follow-up, are designed to manage patients who have clinical symptoms—not the potentially large numbers of unimpaired individuals. To meet these needs, researchers who disclose AD biomarker results to cognitively unimpaired research participants may have an obligation to develop effective interventions and provide follow up care.
Levodopa Effect and Motor Function in Late Stage Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Rosqvist Kristina , Horne Malcolm , Hagell Peter , Iwarsson Susanne , Nilsson Maria H. , Odin Per
Published: February 2018

Background:

It is unclear to which degree Levodopa (L-dopa) remains effective also in the late stage of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and to which degree motor fluctuations and dyskinesias remain a problem.

Objective:

To assess responsiveness of motor symptomatology to L-dopa in a group of patients with late stage PD. Moreover, to investigate the extent to which motor fluctuations and dyskinesias occur.

Methods:

Thirty PD patients in Hoehn and Yahr (HY) stages IV and V in “on” were included. L-dopa responsiveness was assessed with a standardized L-dopa test in the defined “off” and defined “on” states. Motor function was assessed by the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS) III and timed tests. Motor fluctuations and dyskinesias were assessed by the UPDRS IV. The participants were further monitored for 10 days with a mobile movement-analyses-system, the Parkinson’s Kinetigraph (PKG). The median (q1–q3) L-dopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD) was 799 (536–973) mg.

Results:

The UPDRS III score improved with ≥15% in 15 (50%) and with ≥30% in six (20%) participants during the L-dopa test. The median (q1–q3) UPDRS III score in “off” was 46 (37–53) and in “on” 36 (28–46). Twenty-one (70%) of the participants reported either predictable or unpredictable “off” fluctuations (items 36–37). The prevalence of dyskinesias (item 32, duration of dyskinesias ≥1) was 47%. The PKG indicated that dyskinesias primarily were mild and that a majority had a pronounced “off” symptomatology, spending a large proportion of the day either asleep or very inactive.

Conclusions:

Half of a group of patients with late stage PD had an L-dopa response of ≥15% on the UPDRS III. According to the UPDRS IV, a majority of the patients had motor fluctuations and about half had dyskinesias, although the PKG results suggested that these were not very severe.
Monoaminergic Markers Across the Cognitive Spectrum of Lewy Body Disease
Authors: van der Zee Sygrid , Vermeiren Yannick , Fransen Erik , Van Dam Debby , Aerts Tony , Gerritsen Marleen J. , Spikman Jacoba M. , van Laar Teus , De Deyn Peter P.
Published: February 2018

Background:

Lewy body disorders, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), are characterized by profound central and peripheral monoaminergic dysfunction.

Objective:

To investigate whether these alterations depend on dementia status, we measured cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum monoamine and metabolite levels across subgroups of the cognitive spectrum, and evaluated their marker potential afterwards.

Methods:

In total, 153 subjects were included, of which 43 healthy controls (HC), 28 PD patients with normal cognition (PD-NC), 26 patients with PD and mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI), 18 PDD patients, and 38 DLB patients. The levels of monoamines and metabolites in paired CSF and serum samples were analyzed applying reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

Results:

Firstly, when comparing subgroups, CSF 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) levels were found lowest in HC and PD-NC groups and significantly higher in PDD/DLB patients. In addition, CSF 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels differed significantly between HC and PD-MCI/PDD, and DLB patients ( P≤0.001), but not between HC and PD-NC patients. Secondly, when performing logistic regression, it was shown that particularly CSF/serum MHPG levels and the serum MHPG to noradrenaline (NA) ratio effectively differentiated between HC and (non-)pooled PD subgroups (AUC = 0.914–0.956), and PDD and DLB patients (AUC = 0.822), respectively. Furthermore, CSF 5-HIAA was the most discriminative parameter to differentiate between PD-NC and PD-MCI (AUC = 0.808), and, PD-NC and PDD subgroups (AUC = 0.916).

Conclusions:

Our data revealed that especially alterations of the noradrenergic neurotransmitter system could distinguish between Lewy body disorder subtypes, pinpointing CSF/serum MHPG and NA as potential stage markers across the cognitive spectrum.
Effectiveness of a Goal-Based Intensive Rehabilitation in Parkinsonian Patients in Advanced Stages of Disease
Authors: Ortelli Paola , Ferrazzoli Davide , Bera Rossana , Caremani Luca , Giladi Nir , Maestri Roberto , Frazzitta Giuseppe
Published: February 2018

Background:

Parkinsonian patients in advanced stages of disease suffer from many motor and non-motor symptoms, whose responsiveness to dopamine replacement therapy and deep brain stimulation is poor. It is necessary to find complementary strategies in order to improve the clinical conditions of patients in advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD) stages.

Objective:

We aimed to understand whether an inpatient, motor-cognitive, multidisciplinary, aerobic, intensive and goal-based rehabilitation treatment (MIRT), specifically designed for PD, is effective for patients in advanced stages of disease.

Methods:

638 Parkinsonian patients, hospitalized to undergo a 4-week MIRT, were retrospectively identified. According to the Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) scale, 496 were in H&Y stage 3 and 142 in H&Y stage 4-5. Outcome measures included: Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and Parkinson’s Disease Disability Scale (PDDS).

Results:

At baseline all measures, except UPDRS IV, significantly worsened passing from H&Y stage 3 to H&Y stage 4-5 ( p≤0.002 all). After rehabilitation all outcome measures significantly improved in both groups of patients ( p < 0.0001 all). Comparing the amount of improvement in the two groups, significant differences were observed only for the changes in BBS and TUG (both p < 0.0001 after adjustment), with a better improvement in the H&Y stage 4-5 group.

Conclusions:

A multidisciplinary, motor-cognitive, intensive and goal-based rehabilitation treatment, such as MIRT, could be an effective complementary treatment in PD patients in advanced stages of disease.
Exact Traveling Wave Solutions to Benney- Luke Equation
Authors: Islam Zahidul , Hossain Mohammad Mobarak , Sheikh Md Abu Naim
Published: February 2018

By using the improved (G¢/G) -expansion method, we obtained some travelling wave solutions of well-known nonlinear Sobolev type partial differential equations, namely, the Benney-Luke equation. We show that the improved (G¢/G) -expansion method is a useful, reliable, and concise method to solve these types of equations.GANIT J. Bangladesh Math. Soc.Vol. 37 (2017) 1-14
Mathematical Analysis of Epidemiological Model of Influenza a (H1N1) Virus Transmission Dynamics in Perspective of Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Rafiqul , Biswas Md Haider Ali , Jamali ARM Jalal Uddin
Published: February 2018

This study deals with transmission dynamics of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus to understand the evolution of its epidemic in Bangladesh. For this purpose an SEIR model has been employed to study the dynamics of A (H1N1) virus relating to data of Bangladesh. To find threshold conditions, the equilibria and stability of the equilibria of the model have been determined and also analyzed. Basic Reproductive Number (R0) is determined relating to data of Bangladesh by which Herd Immunity Threshold has been estimated. Our numerical result suggests that vaccinating 12.69% population of Bangladesh can control spread of the pandemic novel A (H1N1) virus when outbreak occurs.GANIT J. Bangladesh Math. Soc.Vol. 37 (2017) 39-50
Hawking Non-thermal and Purely Thermal Radiations of Rotating Black Hole in Anti-de Sitter Space Time by Hamilton-Jacobi Method
Authors: Hossain M Ilias
Published: February 2018

We have explored Hawking non-thermal and purely thermal radiations of Kerr-anti-de Sitter (KAdS) black hole using massive particles tunneling method by taking into account the space time background as dynamical, energy and angular momentum as conserved incorporating the selfgravitation effect of the emitted particles. The results we have obtained for KAdS black hole have shown that the tunneling rates are related to the change of Bekenstein-Hawking entropy and the derived emission spectrum deviates from the pure thermal spectrum and also the obtaining results for KAdS black hole are accordant with Parikh and Wilczek’s opinion and gives a correction to the Hawking radiation of KAdS black hole.GANIT J. Bangladesh Math. Soc.Vol. 37 (2017) 99-109
Heat Transfer Behaviour Inside a Sinusoidal Cavity Using Water Based Tio2 Nanofluid
Authors: Saha Goutam
Published: February 2018

A numerical investigation is carried out to observe the augmentation of heat transfer because of the presence of TiO2 nanofluid inside a sinusoidal cavity. In this study, upper and lower walls of the cavity are considered adiabatic, higher and lower temperature are maintained at left and right vertical walls respectively. Also, 2D contour of velocity and temperature with average heat transfer rate are presented and discussed. Our findings show that augmentation of heat transfer is feasible with the increase of concentrations of nanoparticles.GANIT J. Bangladesh Math. Soc.Vol. 37 (2017) 121-129
Simulation of Thermodynamic Features of a Thunderstorm Event over Dhaka using WRF-ARW Model
Authors: Rahman Md Mijanur , Samad Md Abdus , Hassan SM Quamrul
Published: February 2018

An attempt has been made to simulate the thermodynamic features of the thunderstorm (TS) event over Dhaka (23.81°N, 90.41°E) occurred from 1300 UTC to 1320 UTC of 4 April 2015 using Advanced Research dynamics solver of Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF-ARW). The model was run to conduct a simulation for 48 hours on a single domain of 5 km horizontal resolution utilizing six hourly Global Final Analysis (FNL) datasets from 0600 UTC of 3 April 2015 to 0600 UTC of 5 April 2015 as initial and lateral boundary conditions. Kessler schemes for microphysics, Yonsei University (YSU) scheme for planetary boundary layer (PBL) parametrization, Revised MM5 scheme for surface layer physics, Rapid Radiative Transfer Model (RRTM) for longwave radiation, Dudhia scheme for shortwave radiation and Kain–Fritsch (KF) scheme for cumulus parameterization were used. Hourly outputs produced by the model have been analyzed numerically and graphically using Grid Analysis and Display System (GrADS). Deep analyses were carried out by examining several thermodynamic parameters such as mean sea level pressure (MSLP), wind pattern, vertical wind shear, vorticity, temperature, convective available potential energy (CAPE), relative humidity (RH) and rainfall. To validate the model performance, simulated values of MSLP, maximum and minimum temperature and RH were compared with observational data obtained from Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). Rainfall values were compared with that of BMD and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Based on the comparisons and validations, the present study advocates that the model captured the TS event reasonably well.GANIT J. Bangladesh Math. Soc.Vol. 37 (2017) 131-145
Numerical Solutions of System of Second Order Boundary Value Problems using Galerkin Method
Authors: Rupa Mahua Jahan , Islam Md Shafiqul
Published: February 2018

In this paper we derive the formulation of one dimensional linear and nonlinear system of second order boundary value problems (BVPs) for the pair of functions using Galerkin weighted residual method. Here we use Bernstein and Legendre polynomials as basis functions. The proposed method is tested on several examples and reasonable accuracy is found. Finally, the approximate solutions are compared with the exact solutions and also with the solutions of the existing methods.GANIT J. Bangladesh Math. Soc.Vol. 37 (2017) 161-174
Squatting: The Fight for Decent Shelter, 1970s–1980s
Authors: Marsland John
Published: February 2018

During the twenty years after the Second World War, housing began to be seen as a basic right among many in the west, and the British welfare state included many policies and provisions to provide decent shelter for its citizens. This article focuses on the period circa 1968–85, because this was a time in England when the lack of affordable, secure-tenured housing reached a crisis level at the same time that central and local governmental housing policies received wider scrutiny for their ineffectiveness. My argument is that despite post-war laws and rhetoric, many Britons lived through a housing disaster and for many the most rational way they could solve their housing needs was to exploit loopholes in the law (as well as to break them out right). While the main focus of the article is on young British squatters, there is scope for transnational comparison. Squatters in other parts of the world looked to their example to address the housing needs in their own countries, especially as privatization of public services spread globally in the 1980s and 1990s. Dutch, Spanish, German and American squatters were involved in a symbiotic exchange of ideas and sometimes people with the British squatters and each other, and practices and rhetoric from one place were quickly adopted or rejected based on the success or failure in each place.
Oulibertinage: Play and pudeur in Anne Garréta's Pas un jour
Authors: Kemp Anna
Published: February 2018

Since the turn of the century, women-authored sexual confessions have proliferated. However, these succès de scandale have been paralleled by anxiety regarding self-exposure and a sense that, for women writers, the ‘taboo’ has become something of an obligation. In this article, I will consider how Anne Garréta's autofictional Pas un jour engages critically with the genre of sexual confession and what Garréta sees as the overexposed culture in which it has flourished. In particular, I will pay attention to the text's Oulipian dimensions, arguing that Garréta's construction of the text as an Oulipian game is a means of acquiring critical distance from and also renewing contemporary rituals of seduction. The article will situate Pas un jour within broader trends in contemporary French women's writing and will conclude with a consideration of whether Oulipian methods might provide a resource for women writers who, like Garréta, resist the demand for full disclosure.
La pseudo-traduction sous la plume de Mme Riccoboni, stratégie de légitimation d'un discours critique des pratiques de la sociabilité française
Authors: Tremblay Isabelle
Published: February 2018

(French): L'anglophilie, dont le roman français des Lumières porte la marque, laisse deviner une transformation de la représentation de la sociabilité. Grâce à la pseudo-traduction et à la formule de l'histoire anglaise, Marie-Jeanne Riccoboni fait lire une critique des règles et des codes qui sous-tendent l'organisation sociale de la France dans la seconde moitié du dix-huitième siècle. Plus libre et tolérante, la société du roman qu'elle met en scène dans les Lettres de Fanni Butlerd (1757) puis dans les Lettres de mylord Rivers (1777) révèle une réflexion sur la sociabilité française en plus de consigner un certain nombre de préoccupations sur la condition des femmes. De quelles façons les pratiques de sociabilité sont-elles redéfinies et de quelles significations idéologiques sont-elles désormais chargées sous la plume de Mme Riccoboni grâce à la pseudo-traduction?
François Bon's Pseudo-Translated Writing Handbook: The Curious Case of Malt Olbren's The Creative Writing No-Guide
Authors: Meyntjens Gert-Jan
Published: February 2018

This article investigates the case of François Bon's pseudo-translation of Malt Olbren's The Creative Writing No-Guide (2013). If Bon believes that the making public of writing atelier practices is crucial, then why does he share his know-how by means of a pseudo-translation? Moreover, why does he limit himself to a digital version? I will first argue that Bon's choice for the digital format not only fits within his general move towards the Internet, but also has to do with the audience he targets. Then, I will show how The Creative Writing No-Guide's set-up as a pseudo-translation permits Bon not only to criticize more conventional handbooks through means of parody, but also to transmit writing tools successfully by means of what sociologist Richard Sennett calls expressive instructions.
Effects of Random Values for Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Dai Hou-Ping , Chen Dong-Dong , Zheng Zhou-Shun
Published: February 2018

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is generally improved by adaptively adjusting the inertia weight or combining with other evolution algorithms. However, in most modified PSO algorithms, the random values are always generated by uniform distribution in the range of [0, 1]. In this study, the random values, which are generated by uniform distribution in the ranges of [0, 1] and [−1, 1], and Gauss distribution with mean 0 and variance 1 (

U

[

0
,
1

]

,

U

[

−
1
,
1

]

and

G
(
0
,
1
)

), are respectively used in the standard PSO and linear decreasing inertia weight (LDIW) PSO algorithms. For comparison, the deterministic PSO algorithm, in which the random values are set as 0.5, is also investigated in this study. Some benchmark functions and the pressure vessel design problem are selected to test these algorithms with different types of random values in three space dimensions (10, 30, and 100). The experimental results show that the standard PSO and LDIW-PSO algorithms with random values generated by

U

[

−
1
,
1

]

or

G
(
0
,
1
)

are more likely to avoid falling into local optima and quickly obtain the global optima. This is because the large-scale random values can expand the range of particle velocity to make the particle more likely to escape from local optima and obtain the global optima. Although the random values generated by

U

[

−
1
,
1

]

or

G
(
0
,
1
)

are beneficial to improve the global searching ability, the local searching ability for a low dimensional practical optimization problem may be decreased due to the finite particles.
Rupture of a Cryogenic Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel Following a High-Speed Particle Impact
Authors: Schonberg William P.
Published: February 2018

A primary spacecraft design consideration is the anticipation and mitigation of the possible damage that might occur in the event of an on-orbit micro-meteoroid or orbital debris (MMOD) particle impact. While considerable effort has been expended in the study of non-pressurized spacecraft components under room temperature conditions to MMOD impacts, technical and safety challenges have limited the number of tests that have been conducted on pressurized elements of such spacecraft, especially under cryogenic conditions. This paper presents the development of a data-driven equation for composite material pressure vessels under cryogenic operating conditions that differentiate between impact conditions that, given a tank wall perforation, would result in only a small hole or crack from those that would cause catastrophic tank failure. This equation would be useful to a spacecraft designer who might be able to tailor the design parameters and operating conditions of, for example, a fuel tank so that if such a tank were to be struck and perforated by the impact of an MMOD particle, then only a hole would occur and neither catastrophic spacecraft failure nor additional sizable debris would be created as a result of that impact.
Dynamic Carbohydrate Supply and Demand Model of Vegetative Growth: Response to Temperature, Light, Carbon Dioxide, and Day Length
Authors: Gent Martin P. N.
Published: February 2018

Predicting the growth response of seedlings from the environmental responses of photosynthesis and metabolism may be improved by considering the dynamics of non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) over a diurnal cycle. Attenuation of growth metabolism when NSC content is low could explain why some NSC is conserved through the night. A dynamic model, incorporating diurnal variation in NSC, is developed to simulate growth of seedlings hour-by-hour. I compare predictions of this model to published growth and NSC data for seedlings that varied according to temperature, light, day length, or CO2. Prolonged-darkness experiments show a temperature dependent upper limit on the respiration capacity. Respiration is attenuated as NSC is depleted. Furthermore, when NSC is high at dawn, inhibition of photosynthesis could attenuate the accumulation of NSC under low temperature, high light, or high CO2. These concepts are used to simulate plant metabolism and growth rates and diurnal variation of NSC in tomato seedlings under two light levels and various temperatures. Comparison of other results using the same model parameters show the dynamic model could predict results for starch and starch-less plants, and when growth was affected by CO2 enrichment and day length.
Numerical Investigation into Effects of Viscous Flux Vectors on Hydrofoil Cavitation Flow and Its Radiated Flow Noise
Authors: Kim Sanghyeon , Cheong Cheolung , Park Warn-Gyu
Published: February 2018

In this study, cavitation flow around a hydrofoil and its radiated hydro-acoustic fields were numerically investigated, with an emphasis on the effects of viscous flux vectors. The full three-dimensional unsteady compressible Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations were numerically solved. The mass transfer model was adopted to model phase changes between liquid water and vapor. To resolve the numerical instability problem arising from the rapid changes in local density and speed of sound of the mixture, the preconditioning and dual-time stepping methods were employed. The filter-based turbulent model was applied to resolve the unstable cavitation flow field more accurately. In splitting the viscous terms, three approaches for dealing with viscous flux vectors were considered: the so-called viscous lagging, full viscous, and thin-layer models. Radiated hydro-acoustic waves were predicted by applying the Ffowcs Williams and Hawkings equations. The effects of the viscous flux vectors on the predicted flow fields and its radiated noise were then examined by comparing the hydro-dynamic forces, velocity distribution, volume fraction, far-field sound directivities, and sound spectrum of the three approaches. The results revealed that the thin-layer model can provide predictions as accurate as the full viscous model, but required less computational time.
Competitive Time Marching Solution Methods for Systems with Friction-Induced Nonlinearities
Authors: Gastaldi Chiara , Berruti Teresa M.
Published: February 2018

Finding efficient and accurate solution methods for nonlinear equilibrium equations is a challenging task. This is the case of systems with friction-induced nonlinearities, e.g., friction-damped turbomachinery assemblies and automotive applications such as brakes. In order to tackle this strategic task, several methods have been developed, both in the time and in the frequency domains. Time marching methods are regarded as the most accurate option, but their computational cost becomes prohibitive when friction nonlinearities are present. This poses a problem in all those cases where alternative frequency domain methods cannot be applied effectively, e.g., if transients, non-periodic excitation/solution, or highly nonlinear systems are of interest. The purpose of this paper is to propose three independent methods to make time-marching more competitive. Two of these methods can be applied to any existing direct integration scheme with minimal adjustments, but the computational time cut they introduce is significant. The last method is instead tailored for systems where the inertia force contribution is negligible. All methods are thoroughly validated numerically using a standard Newmark-

β

integration scheme as a reference.
Sodium Acetate Orientated Hollow/Mesoporous Magnetite Nanoparticles: Facile Synthesis, Characterization and Formation Mechanism
Authors: He Quanguo , Liu Jun , Liang Jing , Liu Xiaopeng , Ding Ziyu , Tuo Du , Li Wen
Published: February 2018

Monodispersed magnetite (Fe3O4) nanospheres with hollow or porous interior structures were synthesized by a facile one-pot solvothermal route. The facile synthetic process was carried out by using iron (III) chloride hexahydrate (FeCl3·6H2O) as only ferric ion resource, and anhydrous sodium acetate (NaAc) as structure-directing agent in an ethylene glycol solution without any templates or surfactants involved. The sizes, morphologies, crystal structures and magnetic properties of hollow Fe3O4 NPs are characterized via Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) techniques. The influences of reaction time, molar ratio of reactants on the morphologies and magnetic performances are also investigated. The different morphologies of magnetite (Fe3O4) particles were presented with tunable size ranging from 85 to 250 nm and controllable structures including porous and hollow construction by using different amount of anhydrous NaAc. A plausible mechanism based on sodium acetate assistant local Ostwald ripening is proposed for acquiring the tailorable morphology and magnetic performance. Such a design conception of anhydrous NaAc assisted Ostwald ripening applied here is a significant alternative for synthesizing hollow magnetic particles, and it could elucidate some light to understand and construct other novel hollow/mesoporous nanostructures.
Bias Impact Analysis and Calibration of UAV-Based Mobile LiDAR System with Spinning Multi-Beam Laser Scanner
Authors: Ravi Radhika , Shamseldin Tamer , Elbahnasawy Magdy , Lin Yun-Jou , Habib Ayman
Published: February 2018

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a technology that uses laser beams to measure ranges and generates precise 3D information about the scanned area. It is rapidly gaining popularity due to its contribution to a variety of applications such as Digital Building Model (DBM) generation, telecommunications, infrastructure monitoring, transportation corridor asset management and crash/accident scene reconstruction. To derive point clouds with high positional accuracy, estimation of mounting parameters relating the laser scanners to the onboard Global Navigation Satellite System/Inertial Navigation System (GNSS/INS) unit, i.e., the lever-arm and boresight angles, is the foremost and necessary step. This paper proposes a LiDAR system calibration strategy for a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based mobile mapping system that can directly estimate the mounting parameters for spinning multi-beam laser scanners through an outdoor calibration procedure. This approach is based on the use of conjugate planar/linear features in overlapping point clouds derived from different flight lines. Designing an optimal configuration for calibration is the first and foremost step in order to ensure the most accurate estimates of mounting parameters. This is achieved by conducting a rigorous theoretical analysis of the potential impact of bias in mounting parameters of a LiDAR unit on the resultant point cloud. The dependency of the impact on the orientation of target primitives and relative flight line configuration would help in deducing the configuration that would maximize as well as decouple the impact of bias in each mounting parameter so as to ensure their accurate estimation. Finally, the proposed analysis and calibration strategy are validated by calibrating a UAV-based LiDAR system using two different datasets—one acquired with flight lines at a single flying height and the other with flight lines at two different flying heights. The calibration performance is evaluated by analyzing correlation between the estimated system parameters, the a-posteriori variance factor of the Least Squares Adjustment (LSA) procedure and the quality of fit of the adjusted point cloud to planar/linear features before and after the calibration process.
Uncertainty Flow Facilitates Zero-Shot Multi-Label Learning in Affective Facial Analysis
Authors: Bai Wenjun , Quan Changqin , Luo Zhiwei
Published: February 2018

Featured Application: The proposed Uncertainty Flow framework may benefit the facial analysis with its promised elevation in discriminability in multi-label affective classification tasks. Moreover, this framework also allows the efficient model training and between tasks knowledge transfer. The applications that rely heavily on continuous prediction on emotional valance, e.g., to monitor prisoners’ emotional stability in jail, can be directly benefited from our framework. Abstract: To lower the single-label dependency on affective facial analysis, it urges the fruition of multi-label affective learning. The impediment to practical implementation of existing multi-label algorithms pertains to scarcity of scalable multi-label training datasets. To resolve this, an inductive transfer learning based framework, i.e.,Uncertainty Flow, is put forward in this research to allow knowledge transfer from a single labelled emotion recognition task to a multi-label affective recognition task. I.e., the model uncertainty—which can be quantified in Uncertainty Flow—is distilled from a single-label learning task. The distilled model uncertainty ensures the later efficient zero-shot multi-label affective learning. On the theoretical perspective, within our proposed Uncertainty Flow framework, the feasibility of applying weakly informative priors, e.g., uniform and Cauchy prior, is fully explored in this research. More importantly, based on the derived weight uncertainty, three sets of prediction related uncertainty indexes, i.e., soft-max uncertainty, pure uncertainty and uncertainty plus are proposed to produce reliable and accurate multi-label predictions. Validated on our manual annotated evaluation dataset, i.e., the multi-label annotated FER2013, our proposed Uncertainty Flow in multi-label facial expression analysis exhibited superiority to conventional multi-label learning algorithms and multi-label compatible neural networks. The success of our proposed Uncertainty Flow provides a glimpse of future in continuous, uncertain, and multi-label affective computing.
The 30–50-Day Intraseasonal Oscillation of SST and Precipitation in the South Tropical Indian Ocean
Authors: Liang Yun , Du Yan , Zhang Lianyi , Zheng Xiaotong , Qiu Shuang
Published: February 2018

The Sea Surface Temperature (SST) in the South Tropical Indian Ocean (STIO) displays significant intraseasonal oscillation (ISO) in two regions. A striking 30–50-day ISO found over the east of thermocline ridge (Region A, 80–90° E, 6–12° S), as identified by the Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) method, is distinguished from the SST signature over the thermocline ridge (Region B, 52.5–65° E, 6–13° S). The 30–50-day ISO of SST in the Region A is active in March–May (MAM) and suppressed in September–November (SON). Meanwhile, a 30–50-day ISO of precipitation correlates with the SST over the Region A. SST leads precipitation by 10 days, implying a pronounced ocean–atmosphere interaction at the intraseasonal timescale, especially the oceanic feedback to the atmosphere during Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) events. Analysis on mechanism of the ISO manifests heat fluxes are critical to the development of the intraseasonal SST variability. The local thermocline in Region A, as the shallowest in MAM and the thickest in SON, is likely to modulate the strength of ISO and contribute to its sustainability. It suggests that thermocline plays a more important role in Region A than in Region B, leading to the difference between the two regions.
Evaluation of Analysis by Cross-Validation, Part II: Diagnostic and Optimization of Analysis Error Covariance
Authors: Ménard Richard , Deshaies-Jacques Martin
Published: February 2018

We present a general theory of estimation of analysis error covariances based on cross-validation as well as a geometric interpretation of the method. In particular, we use the variance of passive observation-minus-analysis residuals and show that the true analysis error variance can be estimated, without relying on the optimality assumption. This approach is used to obtain near optimal analyses that are then used to evaluate the air quality analysis error using several different methods at active and passive observation sites. We compare the estimates according to the method of Hollingsworth-Lönnberg, Desroziers et al., a new diagnostic we developed, and the perceived analysis error computed from the analysis scheme, to conclude that, as long as the analysis is near optimal, all estimates agree within a certain error margin.
Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Conditions in a Primary School with a Green Roof System
Authors: Barmparesos Nikolaos , Assimakopoulos Margarita , Assimakopoulos Vasiliki , Loumos Nikolaos , Sotiriou Maria Aliki , Koukoumtzis Athanasios
Published: February 2018

This paper presents experimental results from a typical school building in Athens, equipped partly with a green roof system (GRS). Environmental monitoring took place in six classrooms located both under the concrete roof and the GRS sectors as well as in the immediate external environment during the warm and cold periods of a school year. Daily measurements of pollutants CO2, TVOCs (Total Volatile Organic Compound), PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 were performed in selected classes. Moreover, indoor ambient temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) measurements were implemented in order to estimate the absolute humidity (AH) and assess the indoor environmental conditions. The results highlight that during summer, the GRS reduces temperature in a classroom on the top floor by about 2.8 °C, in comparison with the respective classroom under the concrete roof and that AH remained relatively stable for both classrooms. Amid winter, a reverse behavior occurs only for temperature. Moreover, air exchange rates (AER) were calculated by using the CO2 decay method for all of the classrooms. The results demonstrated insufficient ventilation for all experimental sights. Finally, concentrations of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10, were found to be relatively decreased, with average values of 0.79, 3.39, and 27.80 μg m−3. Levels of CO2 and TVOCs were elevated during class hours ranging from 469 to 779 ppm and from 6.63 ppm to 13.33 ppm, respectively, but generally within the respective limits of exposure. The examination of the indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratio of air pollutants, demonstrated that the outdoor meteorology affects only PM1 and PM2.5, as PM10 and TVOCs are strongly affected by internal sources and the activities of pupils.
Effect of Pyruvate Decarboxylase Knockout on Product Distribution Using Pichia pastoris (Komagataella phaffii) Engineered for Lactic Acid Production
Authors: Melo Nadiele T. M. , Mulder Kelly C. L. , Nicola André Moraes , Carvalho Lucas S. , Menino Gisele S. , Mulinari Eduardo , Parachin Nádia S.
Published: February 2018

Lactic acid is the monomer unit of the bioplastic poly-lactic acid (PLA). One candidate organism for lactic acid production is Pichia pastoris, a yeast widely used for heterologous protein production. Nevertheless, this yeast has a poor fermentative capability that can be modulated by controlling oxygen levels. In a previous study, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was introduced into P. pastoris, enabling this yeast to produce lactic acid. The present study aimed to increase the flow of pyruvate towards the production of lactic acid in P. pastoris. To this end, a strain designated GLp was constructed by inserting the bovine lactic acid dehydrogenase gene (LDHb) concomitantly with the interruption of the gene encoding pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC). Aerobic fermentation, followed by micro-aerophilic culture two-phase fermentations, showed that the GLp strain achieved a lactic acid yield of 0.65 g/g. The distribution of fermentation products demonstrated that the acetate titer was reduced by 20% in the GLp strain with a concomitant increase in arabitol production: arabitol increased from 0.025 g/g to 0.174 g/g when compared to the GS115 strain. Taken together, the results show a significant potential for P. pastoris in producing lactic acid. Moreover, for the first time, physiological data regarding co-product formation have indicated the redox balance limitations of this yeast.
Octodrine: New Questions and Challenges in Sport Supplements
Authors: Catalani Valeria , Prilutskaya Mariya , Al-Imam Ahmed , Marrinan Shanna , Elgharably Yasmine , Zloh Mire , Martinotti Giovanni , Chilcott Robert , Corazza Ornella
Published: February 2018

Background: Octodrine is the trade name for Dimethylhexylamine (DMHA), a central nervous stimulant that increases the uptake of dopamine and noradrenaline. Originally developed as a nasal decongestant in the 1950’s, it has recently been re-introduced on the market as a pre-workout and ‘fat-burner’ product but its use remains unregulated. Our work provides the first observational cross-sectional analytic study on Octodrine as a new drug trend and its associated harms after a gap spanning seven decades. Methods: A comprehensive multilingual assessment of literature, websites, drug fora and other online resources was carried out with no time restriction in English, German, Russian and Arabic. Keywords included Octodrine’s synonyms and chemical isomers. Results: Only five relevant publications emerged from the literature search, with most of the available data on body building websites and fora. Since 2015, Octodrine has been advertised online as “the next big thing” and “the god of stimulants,” with captivating marketing strategies directed at athletes and a wider cohort of users. Reported side-effects include hypertension, dyspnoea and hyperthermia. Conclusions: The uncontrolled use of Octodrine, its physiological and psychoactive effects raise serious health implications with possible impact on athletes and doping practices. This new phenomenon needs to be thoroughly studied and monitored.
Next Generation Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer: DNA Vaccination is Seeking New Combo Partners
Authors: Cappello Paola , Curcio Claudia , Mandili Giorgia , Roux Cecilia , Bulfamante Sara , Novelli Francesco
Published: February 2018

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDA) is an almost incurable radio- and chemo-resistant tumor, and its microenvironment is characterized by a strong desmoplastic reaction associated with a significant infiltration of T regulatory lymphocytes and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (Tregs, MDSC). Investigating immunological targets has identified a number of metabolic and cytoskeletal related molecules, which are typically recognized by circulating antibodies. Among these molecules we have investigated alpha-enolase (ENO1), a glycolytic enzyme that also acts a plasminogen receptor. ENO1 is also recognized by T cells in PDA patients, so we developed a DNA vaccine that targets ENO1. This efficiently induces many immunological processes (antibody formation and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC)-mediated tumor killing, infiltration of effector T cells, reduction of infiltration of myeloid and Treg suppressor cells), which significantly increase the survival of genetically engineered mice that spontaneously develop pancreatic cancer. Although promising, the ENO1 DNA vaccine does not completely eradicate the tumor, which, after an initial growth inhibition, returns to proliferate again, especially when Tregs and MDSC ensue in the tumor mass. This led us to develop possible strategies for combinatorial treatments aimed to broaden and sustain the antitumor immune response elicited by DNA vaccination. Based on the data we have obtained in recent years, this review will discuss the biological bases of possible combinatorial treatments (chemotherapy, PI3K inhibitors, tumor-associated macrophages, ENO1 inhibitors) that could be effective in amplifying the response induced by the immune vaccination in PDA.
The Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer
Authors: Roche Joëlle
Published: February 2018

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) occurs during normal embryonic development, tissue regeneration, organ fibrosis, and wound healing.[...]
Towards a Clinical Decision Support System for External Beam Radiation Oncology Prostate Cancer Patients: Proton vs. Photon Radiotherapy? A Radiobiological Study of Robustness and Stability
Authors: Walsh Seán , Roelofs Erik , Kuess Peter , Van Wijk Yvonka , Vanneste Ben , Dekker Andre , Lambin Philippe , Jones Bleddyn , Georg Dietmar , Verhaegen Frank
Published: February 2018

We present a methodology which can be utilized to select proton or photon radiotherapy in prostate cancer patients. Four state-of-the-art competing treatment modalities were compared (by way of an in silico trial) for a cohort of 25 prostate cancer patients, with and without correction strategies for prostate displacements. Metrics measured from clinical image guidance systems were used. Three correction strategies were investigated; no-correction, extended-no-action-limit, and online-correction. Clinical efficacy was estimated via radiobiological models incorporating robustness (how probable a given treatment plan was delivered) and stability (the consistency between the probable best and worst delivered treatments at the 95% confidence limit). The results obtained at the cohort level enabled the determination of a threshold for likely clinical benefit at the individual level. Depending on the imaging system and correction strategy; 24%, 32% and 44% of patients were identified as suitable candidates for proton therapy. For the constraints of this study: Intensity-modulated proton therapy with online-correction was on average the most effective modality. Irrespective of the imaging system, each treatment modality is similar in terms of robustness, with and without the correction strategies. Conversely, there is substantial variation in stability between the treatment modalities, which is greatly reduced by correction strategies. This study provides a ‘proof-of-concept’ methodology to enable the prospective identification of individual patients that will most likely (above a certain threshold) benefit from proton therapy.