bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distribution of insulin in trigeminal nerve and brain after intranasal administration
Authors: Lochhead Jeffrey J. , Kellohen Kathryn L. , Ronaldson Patrick T. , Davis Thomas P.
Published: February 2019

In the brain, insulin acts as a growth factor, regulates energy homeostasis, and is involved in learning and memory acquisition. Many central nervous system (CNS) diseases are characterized by deficits in insulin signaling. Pre-clinical studies have shown that intranasal insulin is neuroprotective in models of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic brain injury. Clinical trials have also shown that intranasal insulin elicits beneficial cognitive effects in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. It is known that insulin can be detected in the CNS within minutes following intranasal administration. Despite these advances, the anatomical pathways that insulin utilizes to reach the CNS and the cellular CNS targets after intranasal administration are not fully understood. Here, we intranasally administered fluorescently labeled insulin and imaged its localization within the brain and trigeminal nerves. Our data indicates that intranasal insulin can reach cellular CNS targets along extracellular components of the trigeminal nerve. Upon CNS entry, we found insulin significantly increased levels of an activated form of the insulin receptor. These findings suggest that the intranasal route of administration is able to effectively deliver insulin to CNS targets in a biologically active form.
A quasi-reagentless point-of-care test for nitrite and unaffected by oxygen and cyanide
Authors: Monteiro Tiago , Gomes Sara , Jubete Elena , Añorga Larraitz , Silveira Célia M. , Almeida Maria Gabriela
Published: February 2019

The ubiquitous nitrite is a major analyte in the management of human health and environmental risks. The current analytical methods are complex techniques that do not fulfil the need for simple, robust and low-cost tools for on-site monitoring. Electrochemical reductase-based biosensors are presented as a powerful alternative, due to their good analytical performance and miniaturization potential. However, their real-world application is limited by the need of anoxic working conditions, and the standard oxygen removal strategies are incompatible with point-of-care measurements. Instead, a bienzymatic oxygen scavenger system comprising glucose oxidase and catalase can be used to promote anoxic conditions in aired environments. Herein, carbon screen-printed electrodes were modified with cytochrome c nitrite reductase together with glucose oxidase and catalase, so that nitrite cathodic detection could be performed by cyclic voltammetry under ambient air. The resulting biosensor displayed good linear response to the analyte (2–200 µM, sensitivity of 326 ± 5 mA M−1 cm−2 at −0.8 V; 0.8–150 µM, sensitivity of 511 ± 11 mA M−1 cm−2 at −0.5 V), while being free from oxygen interference and stable up to 1 month. Furthermore, the biosensor’s catalytic response was unaffected by the presence of cyanide, a well-known inhibitor of heme-enzymes.
Different sensitivities of two optical magnetometers realized in the same experimental arrangement
Authors: Put Piotr , Popiołek Kacper , Pustelny Szymon
Published: February 2019

In this article, operation of optical magnetometers detecting static (DC) and oscillating (AC) magnetic fields is studied and comparison of the devices is performed. To facilitate the comparison, the analysis is carried out in the same experimental setup, exploiting nonlinear magneto-optical rotation. In such a system, a control over static-field magnitude or oscillating-field frequency provides detection of strength of the DC or AC fields. Polarization rotation is investigated for various light intensities and AC-field amplitudes, which allows to determine optimum sensitivity to both fields. With the results, we demonstrate that under optimal conditions the AC magnetometer is about ten times more sensitive than its DC counterpart, which originates from different response of the atoms to the fields. Bandwidth of the magnetometers is also analyzed, revealing its different dependence on the light power. Particularly, we demonstrate that bandwidth of the AC magnetometer can be significantly increased without strong deterioration of the magnetometer sensitivity. This behavior, combined with the ability to tune the resonance frequency of the AC magnetometer, provide means for ultra-sensitive measurements of the AC field in a broad but spectrally-limited range, where detrimental role of static-field instability is significantly reduced.
Combination of KIR2DS4 and FcγRIIa polymorphisms predicts the response to cetuximab in KRAS mutant metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Borrero-Palacios A. , Cebrián A. , Gómez del Pulgar M. T. , García-Carbonero R. , Garcia-Alfonso P. , Aranda E. , Elez E. , López-López R. , Cervantes A. , Valladares M. , Nadal C. , Viéitez J. M. , Guillén-Ponce C. , Rodríguez J. , Hernández I. , García J. L. , Vega-Bravo R. , Puime-Otin A. , Martínez-Useros J. , Del Puerto-Nevado L. , Rincón R. , Rodríguez-Remírez M. , Rojo F. , García-Foncillas J.
Published: February 2019

Cetuximab is a standard-of-care treatment forRASwild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) but not for those harbor aKRASmutation since MAPK pathway is constitutively activated. Nevertheless, cetuximab also exerts its effect by its immunomodulatory activity despite the presence of RAS mutation. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of polymorphismFcγRIIIaV158F and killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes on the outcome of mCRC patients withKRASmutations treated with cetuximab. This multicenter Phase II clinical trial included 70 mCRC patients withKRASmutated. We foundKIR2DS4gene was significantly associated with OS (HR 2.27; 95% CI, 1.08–4.77; P = 0.03). In non-functional receptor homozygotes the median OS was 2.6 months longer than in carriers of one copy of full receptor. Multivariate analysis confirmedKIR2DS4as a favorable prognostic marker for OS (HR 6.71) in mCRC patients withKRASmutation treated with cetuximab. These data support the potential therapeutic of cetuximab inKRASmutated mCRC carrying non-functional receptorKIR2DS4since these patients significantly prolong their OS even after heavily treatment.KIR2DS4typing could be used as predictive marker for identifying RAS mutated patients that could benefit from combination approaches of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies and other immunotherapies to overcome the resistance mediated by mutation in RAS.
Activity-Regulated Cytoskeleton-Associated Protein (Arc/Arg3.1) is Transiently Expressed after Heat Shock Stress and Suppresses Heat Shock Factor 1
Authors: Park A Young , Park Yeon Seung , So Dami , Song In-Kang , Choi Jung-Eun , Kim Hee-Jung , Lee Kong-Joo
Published: February 2019

Heat shock proteins are induced by activation of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) in response to heat shock and protect against heat stress. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the downstream signal of heat shock have not been fully elucidated. We found that similarly to canonical Hsps, Arc/Arg3.1 is also markedly induced by heat shock and by other cellular stress inducers, including diamide, sodium arsenite and H2O2in various cells. We noted that heat stress–induced Arc/Arg3.1 protein is short lived, with a half-life of <30 min, and is readily degraded by the ubiquitin–proteasome system. Arc/Arg3.1 overexpression inhibited the up-regulation of heat shock–induced Hsp70 and Hsp27, suggesting that Arc/Arg3.1 is a negative regulator of heat shock response (HSR). Studying the effect of Arc/Arg3.1 on HSF1, a major transcription factor in HSR, we found that Arc/Arg3.1 binds to HSF1 and inhibits its binding to the heat shock element in gene promoters, resulting in reduced induction of Hsp27 and Hsp70 mRNAs, without affecting HSF1′s phosphorylation-dependent activation, or nuclear localization. Arc/Arg3.1 overexpression decreased cell survival in response to heat shock. We conclude that Arc/Arg3.1 is transiently expressed after heat shock and negatively regulates HSF1 in the feedback loop of HSR.
Predicting intradialytic hypotension using heart rate variability
Authors: Park Samel , Kim Wook-Joon , Cho Nam-Jun , Choi Chi-Young , Heo Nam Hun , Gil Hyo-Wook , Lee Eun Young
Published: February 2019

This study aimed to identify whether a new method using heart rate variability (HRV) could predict intradialytic hypotension (IDH) for one month in advance for patients undergoing prevalent hemodialysis. A total 71 patients were enrolled, and baseline clinical characteristics and laboratory results were collected when HRV was measured, then, the frequency of IDH was collected during the observation period. HRV parameters included heart rate, R-R interval, the standard deviation of N-N interval, the square root of the mean squared differences of successive NN intervals, very low frequency, low frequency, high frequency, total power, and low frequency/high frequency ratio. During the one-month observation period, 28 patients experienced 85 cases of IDH (10.0% of a total 852 dialysis sessions). Among the clinical and laboratory parameters, ultrafiltration rate, prior history of diabetes, coronary artery disease, or congestive heart failure, age, intact parathyroid hormone level, and history of antihypertensive drug use were integrated into the multivariate model, referred to as a basic model, which showed significant ability to predict IDH (the area-under-curve [AUC], 0.726; p = 0.002). In HRV parameters, changes between the early and middle phases of hemodialysis (referred to Δ) were identified as significant independent variables. New models were built from the combination of Δ values with the basic model. Among them, a model with the highest AUC value (AUC, 804; p < 0.001) was compared to the basic model and demonstrated improved performance when HRV parameters were used (p = 0.049). Based on our results, it is possible that future IDH might be predicted more accurately using HRV.
Assumptions about the positioning of virtual stimuli affect gaze direction estimates during Augmented Reality based interactions
Authors: Binetti Nicola , Cheng Tianchang , Mareschal Isabelle , Brumby Duncan , Julier Simon , Bianchi-Berthouze Nadia
Published: February 2019

We investigated gaze direction determination in dyadic interactions mediated by an Augmented Reality (AR) head-mounted-display. With AR, virtual content is overlaid on top of the real-world scene, offering unique data visualization and interaction opportunities. A drawback of AR however is related to uncertainty regarding the AR user’s focus of attention in social-collaborative settings: an AR user looking in our direction might either be paying attention to us or to augmentations positioned somewhere in between. In two psychophysical experiments, we assessed what impact assumptions concerning the positioning of virtual content attended by an AR user have on other people’s sensitivity to their gaze direction. In the first experiment we found that gaze discrimination was better when the participant was aware that the AR user was focusing on stimuli positioned on their depth plane as opposed to being positioned halfway between the AR user and the participant. In the second experiment, we found that this modulatory effect was explained by participants’ assumptions concerning which plane the AR user was focusing on, irrespective of these being correct. We discuss the significance of AR reduced gaze determination in social-collaborative settings as well as theoretical implications regarding the impact of this technology on social behaviour.
Reduced hepatocellular lipid accumulation and energy metabolism in patients with long standing type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Wolf Peter , Fellinger Paul , Pfleger Lorenz , Smajis Sabina , Beiglböck Hannes , Gajdošík Martin , Anderwald Christian-Heinz , Trattnig Siegfried , Luger Anton , Winhofer Yvonne , Krššák Martin , Krebs Michael
Published: February 2019

The prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome increases in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). In the general population this is linked with ectopic lipid accumulation in liver (HCL) and skeletal muscle (IMCL), representing hallmarks in the development of insulin resistance. Moreover, hepatic mitochondrial activity is lower in newly diagnosed patients with T1DM. If this precedes later development of diabetes related fatty liver disease is currently not known. This study aims to investigate energy metabolism in liver (kATP) and skeletal muscle (kCK) and its impact on HCL, IMCL, cardiac fat depots and heart function in 10 patients with long standing T1DM compared to 11 well-matched controls by 31P/1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy. HCL was almost 70% lower in T1DM compared to controls (6.9 ± 5% vs 2.1 ± 1.3%; p = 0.030). Also kATP was significantly reduced (0.33 ± 0.1 s−1vs 0.17 ± 0.1 s−1; p = 0.018). In T1DM, dose of basal insulin strongly correlated with BMI (r = 0.676, p = 0.032) and HCL (r = 0.643, p = 0.045), but not with kATP. In the whole cohort, HCL was significantly associated with BMI (r = 0.615, p = 0.005). In skeletal muscle kCK was lower in patients with T1DM (0.25 ± 0.05 s−1vs 0.31 ± 0–04 s−1; p = 0.039). No significant differences were found in IMCL. Cardiac fat depots as well as heart function were not different. Our results in patients with long standing T1DM show that HCL is lower compared to matched controls, despite reduced energy metabolism in liver and skeletal muscle.
Remarkable N2O emissions by draining fallow paddy soil and close link to the ammonium-oxidizing archaea communities
Authors: Wang Ling , Li Kun , Sheng Rong , Li Zhaohua , Wei Wenxue
Published: February 2019

Fallow paddies experience natural flooding and draining water status due to rainfall and evaporation, which could induce considerable nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions and need to be studied specially. In this study, intact soil columns were collected from a fallow paddy field and the flooding-draining process was simulated in a microcosm experiment. The results showed that both N2O concentrations in the soil and N2O emission rates were negligible during flooding period, which were greatly elevated by draining the fallow paddy soil. The remarkable N2O concentrations in the soil and N2O emission/h during draining both had significant relationships with the Arch-amoA gene (P < 0.01) but not the Bac-amoA, narG, nirK, nirS, and nosZ genes, indicating that the ammonium-oxidizing archaea (AOA) might be the important players in soil N2O net production and emissions after draining. Moreover, we observed that N2O concentrations in the upper soil layers (0–10 cm) were not significantly different from that in the 10–20 cm layer under draining condition (P > 0.05). However, the number of AOA and the nitrification substrate (NH4+-N) in the 0–10 cm layer were significantly higher than in the 10–20 cm layer (P < 0.01), indicating N2O production in the 0–10 cm layer might be higher than the measured concentration and would contribute considerably to N2O emissions as shorter distance of gas diffusion to the soil surface.
The role of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 expression in radiocontrast-induced nephropathy
Authors: Kim Ji Eun , Bae So Yeon , Ahn Shin Young , Kwon Young Joo , Ko Gang Jee
Published: February 2019

Radiocontrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is the third most common cause of acute renal failure. The pathophysiology of CIN is related to tubular injury caused by oxidative stress, and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is critical in coordinating intracellular antioxidative processes. We thus investigated the role of Nrf2 in CIN. CIN was established in mice and in NRK-52E cells via iohexol administration according to the protocols of previous studies. To determine the role of Nrf2 in CIN, Nrf2 expression was reduced in vivo using Nrf2 knockout (KO) mice (B6.129 × 1-Nfe2 l2tm1Ywk/J) and in vitro with siRNA treatment targeting Nrf2. Increased Nrf2 expression was observed after iohexol treatment both in vivo and in vitro. Serum creatinine at 24 h after iohexol injection was significantly higher in KO mice than in wild-type (WT) mice. Histologic examination showed that iohexol-induced tubular vacuolization and structural disruption were aggravated in Nrf2 KO mice. Significant increases in apoptosis and F4/80(+) inflammatory cell infiltration were demonstrated in KO mice compared to WT mice. In addition, the increase in reactive oxygen species after iohexol treatment was augmented by Nrf2 inhibition both in vivo and in vitro. Nrf2 may be implicated in the pathogenesis of CIN via the modulation of antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory processes.
Coupling of a viral K+-channel with a glutamate-binding-domain highlights the modular design of ionotropic glutamate-receptors
Authors: Schönrock Michael , Thiel Gerhard , Laube Bodo
Published: February 2019

Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) mediate excitatory neuronal signaling in the mammalian CNS. These receptors are critically involved in diverse physiological processes; including learning and memory formation, as well as neuronal damage associated with neurological diseases. Based on partial sequence and structural similarities, these complex cation-permeable iGluRs are thought to descend from simple bacterial proteins emerging from a fusion of a substrate binding protein (SBP) and an inverted potassium (K+)-channel. Here, we fuse the pore module of the viral K+-channel KcvATCV-1 to the isolated glutamate-binding domain of the mammalian iGluR subunit GluA1 which is structural homolog to SBPs. The resulting chimera (GluATCV*) is functional and displays the ligand recognition characteristics of GluA1 and the K+-selectivity of KcvATCV-1. These results are consistent with a conserved activation mechanism between a glutamate-binding domain and the pore-module of a K+-channel and support the expected phylogenetic link between the two protein families.
Predicting the crystal habit of photoinitiator XBPO and elucidating the solvent effect on crystal faces
Authors: Zhao Pei , Liu Xiaohan , Wang Liping , Gao Zhenguo , Yang Yang , Hao Hongxun , Xie Chuang , Bao Ying
Published: February 2019

Elaborating the solvent effect on crystal faces using an affinity degree model at the molecular level.
Comparison of hydrogen vacancies in KDP and ADP crystals: a combination of density functional theory calculations and experiment
Authors: Sui Tingting , Lian Yafei , Xu Mingxia , Zhang Lisong , Li Yanlu , Zhao Xian , Xu Xinguang , Sun Xun
Published: February 2019

KDP and ADP crystals were grown by the rapid growth method, and the origin of the extra optical absorption in both crystals has been explored by theoretical method. The calculation results well explain the experimental phenomenon, and confirm the existence of hydrogen vacancies in both crystals.
Stereocomplex formation in mixed polymers filled with two-dimensional nanofillers
Authors: Gu Zhouzhou , Xu Ying , Lu Qingqiang , Han Cunhao , Liu Rongjuan , Zhou Zhiping , Hao Tongfan , Nie Yijing
Published: February 2019

Nanosheets promote the formation of stereocomplex crystallites due to the heterogeneous nucleation of mixed polymer chains on filler surfaces.
Synthesis and characterisation of homoleptic 2,9-diaryl-1,10-phenanthroline copper(i) complexes: influencing selectivity in photoredox-catalysed atom-transfer radical addition reactions
Authors: Nicholls Thomas P. , Caporale Chiara , Massi Massimiliano , Gardiner Michael G. , Bissember Alex C.
Published: February 2019

Novel bis(2,9-diaryl-1,10-phenanthroline)copper(i) complexes were prepared to study a photoredox-catalysed reaction.
Peptides from chicken processing by-product inhibit DPP-IV and promote cellular glucose uptake: potential ingredients for T2D management
Authors: Lima Rita de Cássia Lemos , Berg Ragnhild Stenberg , Rønning Sissel Beate , Afseth Nils Kristian , Knutsen Svein Halvor , Staerk Dan , Wubshet Sileshi Gizachew
Published: February 2019

A low molecular weight peptide fraction from chicken by-product hydrolysate was found to inhibit DPP-IV in vitro and promote cellular glucose uptake ex vivo.
A diffusion-based microfluidic device for single-cell RNA-seq
Authors: Sarma Mimosa , Lee Jiyoung , Ma Sai , Li Song , Lu Chang
Published: February 2019

Scalable microfluidic devices containing reaction and loading chambers were developed to conduct single-cell transcriptomic studies.
Preparation and evaluation of 99mTc-labeled porphyrin complexes prepared using PNP and HYNIC cores: studying the effects of core selection on pharmacokinetics and tumor uptake in a mouse model
Authors: Guleria Mohini , Das Tapas , Vats Kusum , Amirdhanayagam Jeyachitra , Mathur Anupam , Sarma Haladhar D. , Dash Ashutosh
Published: February 2019

Demonstration of the effect of using two different 99mTc-cores for radiolabeling of the same ligand: differential in vivo outcome.
Maternal, placental and cordonal metallomic profiles in gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Roverso Marco , Di Marco Valerio , Badocco Denis , Pastore Paolo , Calanducci Marilia , Cosmi Erich , Visentin Silvia
Published: February 2019

76 pregnant women, among them 38 affected by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and 38 control subjects, were recruited at the University Hospital of Padua (Italy). Placenta samples, maternal whole blood and umbilical cord whole blood were collected after delivery and analysed via ICP-MS to determine the metallome, i.e. the whole elemental content. Results were statistically evaluated to evidence the correlation between the elemental concentrations in all samples and the presence of the disease. The results obtained in whole cord blood showed that many elements were correlated with GDM: Ca, Cu, Na, and Zn were present in higher concentration in GDM cord blood than in control samples, whereas Fe, K, Mn, P, Rb, S and Si showed an opposite trend. It was also highlighted that the cord blood from GDM patients exhibited an elemental composition more similar to that of the mother blood compared with the cord blood from control subjects. These results, in part interpreted in the light of the literature, open the possibility to use cord blood as a GDM marker, thus helping to delineate more accurate nutritional guidelines for pregnant women and to explain the biochemical processes occurring in the fetus and placenta during GDM.
Growth of CdS nanotubes and their strong optical microcavity effects
Authors: Zhang Li , Zhang Yongyou , Guo Yongchang , Wang Yanguo , Liu Ruibin , Chen Bingkun , Zhong Haizheng , Zou Bingsuo
Published: February 2019

CdS nanotubes are obtained by chemical vapor deposition method and have enhanced microcavity effect.
Enhanced photocatalytic properties of TiO2nanosheets@2D layered black phosphorus composite with high stability under hydro-oxygen environment
Authors: Liu Yueli , Zhou Min , Zhang Wenchao , Chen Keqiang , Mei Aohan , Zhang Yuyao , Chen Wen
Published: February 2019

Typical HRTEM image of the TiO2nanosheets@BP composite and photocatalytic performance of the BP nanosheets, TiO2nanosheets and TiO2nanosheets@BP composite under visible-light irradiation (λ> 420 nm).
Preparation of cellulose acetate derived carbon nanofibers by ZnCl2 activation as a supercapacitor electrode
Authors: Fan Qingchao , Ma Chang , Wu Liqiang , Wei Chengbiao , Wang Huihui , Song Yan , Shi Jingli
Published: February 2019

Porous carbon nanofibers are fabricated by one-step carbonization and activation of electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) nanofibres.
Perovskite solar cells with an MoS2 electron transport layer
Authors: Singh Ranbir , Giri Anupam , Pal Monalisa , Thiyagarajan Kaliannan , Kwak Junghyeok , Lee Jae-Joon , Jeong Unyong , Cho Kilwon
Published: February 2019

MoS2 thin films are directly synthesized over FTO/glass substrate in a one-step process and used as an efficient electron transport layer (ETL) for perovskite solar cells (PSCs).
One-pot synthesis of acid-induced in situ aggregating theranostic gold nanoparticles with enhanced retention in tumor cells
Authors: Cheng Mingbo , Zhang Yahui , Zhang Xiaolei , Wang Wei , Yuan Zhi
Published: February 2019

In this work, we took advantage of a one-pot reaction to prepare tumor-targeting nanoparticles (Au@T), which could respond to the intracellular acidic environment and form aggregates to enhance the retention effect of nanoparticles in tumor cells, for tumor dual-mode diagnose and photothermal therapy.
Self-enhancement of CO reversible absorption accompanied by phase transition in protic chlorocuprate ionic liquids for effective CO separation from N2
Authors: Tu Zhuo-Heng , Zhang Yi-Yang , Wu You-Ting , Hu Xing-Bang
Published: February 2019

An efficient strategy for the high-capacity capture of CO is reported, and a phase change in protic chlorocuprate ionic liquids (PCILs) from liquid to solid is found during CO absorption.
Structural diversity of zinc(ii) coordination polymers with octafluorobiphenyl-4,4′-dicarboxylate based on mononuclear, paddle wheel and cuboidal units
Authors: Cheplakova Anastasia M. , Kovalenko Konstantin A. , Samsonenko Denis G. , Vinogradov Andrey S. , Karpov Victor M. , Platonov Vyacheslav E. , Fedin Vladimir P.
Published: February 2019

Certain modifications of the synthetic conditions lead to 6 novel coordination polymers, thus enriching the coordination chemistry of perfluorinated ligands.
Microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition of microcrystalline diamond films via graphite etching under different hydrogen flow rates
Authors: Yao Kaili , Dai Bing , Tan Xiaojun , Yang Lei , Zhao Jiwen , Ralchenko Victor , Shu Guoyang , Liu Kang , Han Jiecai , Zhu Jiaqi
Published: February 2019

The growth of microcrystalline diamond films with different hydrogen flow rates via etching graphite as the carbon source was studied.
Small-molecule activation with iron porphyrins using electrons, photons and protons: some recent advances and future strategies
Authors: Anxolabéhère-Mallart Elodie , Bonin Julien , Fave Claire , Robert Marc
Published: February 2019

Substituted tetraphenyl Fe porphyrins are versatile molecular catalysts for the activation of small molecules (such as O2, H+or CO2), which could lead to renewable energy storage, the direct production of fuels or new catalytic relevant processes.
Fabrication of durable self-repairing superhydrophobic fabrics via a fluorinate-free waterborne biomimetic silicification strategy
Authors: Sun Yihan , Huang Jinxia , Zhao Siyang , Guo Zhiguang
Published: February 2019

A water-based methodology integrating an in situ biomimetic silicification and fluorinate-free modification strategy for preparing self-repairing superhydrophobic fabrics is presented.
The asymmetric construction of CF3-containing spiro-thiazolone-pyrrolidine compoundsvia[3 + 2] cycloaddition
Authors: Li Boyu , Liu Jikun , Gao Fengyun , Sun Mengmeng , Guo Yifei , Zhou Yuan , Wen Dongwa , Deng Yabo , Chen Hui , Wang Kairong , Yan Wenjin
Published: February 2019

An organocatalytic method for the asymmetric construction of CF3-containing spiro-thiazolone-pyrrolidine compounds has been developed.
Preparation of Ni nanoparticles by liquid-phase reduction to fabricate metal nanoparticle–polyimide composite films
Authors: Fujioka Daiki , Ikeda Shingo , Akamatsu Kensuke , Nawafune Hidemi , Kojima Kazuo
Published: February 2019

Nickel-nanoparticle-containing polyimide composite films were prepared by liquid-phase reduction of Ni2+ ions with potassium borohydride (KBH4). This preparation method could be repeated to increase the number of the nanoparticles in the films.
Self-assembly of surface functionalized amphiphilic carbon dots: tuning in morphological manifestations
Authors: Sarkar Saheli , Dinda Soumik , Choudhury Pritam , Kumar Das Prasanta
Published: February 2019

Various surface functionalized carbon dot-based amphiphiles were synthesized and the self-assembling behaviour towards their morphological evolution from vesicles-to-fiber was demonstrated.
Auxiliary donors for phenothiazine sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells – how important are they really?
Authors: Buene Audun Formo , Ose Eline Ekornhol , Zakariassen Ane Garborg , Hagfeldt Anders , Hoff Bård Helge
Published: February 2019

A comprehensive study into auxiliary donors for phenothiazine sensitizers in DSSCs and a critical look at a remarkably efficient literature dye.
The Recline and Head Lift Exercises: A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Biomechanical Swallowing Outcomes and Perceived Effort in Healthy Older Adults
Authors: Fujiki Robert Brinton , Oliver Abby J. , Malandraki Jaime Bauer , Wetzel Dawn , Craig Bruce A. , Malandraki Georgia A.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare biomechanical swallowing outcomes and perceived effort as well as detraining effects of the established Head Lift Exercise (HLE) and the novel Recline Exercise (RE) in healthy older adults.

Method

Twenty-two healthy older adults were randomized to perform either the RE or the HLE for a period of 6 weeks. Subjects underwent videofluoroscopic swallowing studies at 3 time points (baseline, postexercise, and following a 6-week detraining period). Primary outcome measures included biomechanical measures of superior and anterior hyoid excursion and upper esophageal sphincter opening, obtained using kinematic analyses on the recorded swallows. Perceived exertion ratings during exercise, as measured by the Borg scale, were included as a secondary outcome measure. Linear mixed-effects models were utilized to compare exercise groups and evaluation time points.

Results

The 2 exercise groups did not differ significantly in age, body mass index, or body fat percentage at baseline. Significant postexercise increases were seen in superior hyoid excursion,
F
(2, 36.7) = 24.01,
p
≤ .0001, and anterior hyoid excursion,
F
(2, 36.7) = 5.40,
p
= .0088, for both exercise groups. Upper esophageal sphincter opening did not increase significantly following the exercise regimens,
F
(2, 36.5) = 2.14,
p
= .1322. Both groups displayed a significant decrease in perceived exertion levels over the course of the exercises,
F
(5, 98) = 23.73,
p
≤ .0001. On average, Borg ratings were 20% lower for the RE group than the HLE group at all time points,
F
(5, 20) = 7.94,
p
= .0106, indicating that this exercise was perceived as easier to perform. Eighteen participants were followed after detraining, and no differences in detraining effects were seen between groups. In general, gains in biomechanical measures were better maintained on larger bolus types.

Conclusions

In healthy older adults, the HLE and the RE produced similar gains and detraining effects in biomechanical swallow outcomes. The RE exercise, however, required significantly less effort. These findings suggest that the RE is easier to perform for healthy older adults and thus may be a valuable treatment option for individuals who have difficulty performing the HLE. Further investigation in patients with dysphagia is warranted.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.7742897
Computerised decision support for differential lung ventilation
Authors: Tehrani Fleur T.
Published: February 2019

Differential lung ventilation treatment is a mechanical ventilation strategy used for unilateral lung disease or injury. This treatment can be provided to patients who fail to respond to conventional mechanical ventilation to both lungs and is technically challenging to medical personnel. An effective computerised decision support system (CDSS) can be used as a support system to intensivists in providing this treatment to their patients. In this study, a CDSS for differential lung ventilation is presented. By using this system, the mode of ventilation to each lung can be pressure controlled or volume controlled and all ventilation parameters including the peak inspiratory pressure (Pinsp), tidal volume (Vt), positive end‐expiratory pressure, fraction of inspired oxygen (), and the respiratory rate (f) can be assigned individually to each lung. The proposed CDSS has the potential to be used as a support system to clinicians in providing differential lung ventilation treatments to patients.
Efficiency improvement of IPMSG in the electric power generating system of a range‐extended electric vehicle
Authors: Lee Dongsu , Park Gyeong‐Jae , Son Byungkwan , Jung Ho‐Chang
Published: February 2019

This study addresses an optimisation method for interior permanent magnet synchronous generators (IPMSGs) to improve the efficiency of the electric power generating system of a range‐extended electric vehicle. The target operating point of the IPMSG is specified with an optimal operating line (OOL) of the newly developed two‐cylinder engine. The performance and efficiency of the IPMSG throughout the OOL are numerically identified in association with finite element analysis (FEA). For optimal design, intelligent mesh adaptive direct search with clustering and elastic net, which has been validated as a global searching optimisation algorithm with fast convergence on electric machines, is applied for IPMSG to maximise efficiency based on FEA. Furthermore, the optimised prototype is experimentally validated via the resultant efficiency map built up by the static and dynamic dynamometer tests.
On the broken rotor bar diagnosis using time–frequency analysis: ‘Is one spectral representation enough for the characterisation of monitored signals?’
Authors: Panagiotou Panagiotis A. , Arvanitakis Ioannis , Lophitis Neophytos , Antonino‐Daviu Jose A. , Gyftakis Konstantinos N.
Published: February 2019

This work enhances the knowledge of the diagnostic potential of the broken bar fault in induction motors. Since a series of studies have been published over the years regarding condition monitoring and fault diagnostics of these machines, it is essential to reach a common ground on why – sometimes – different techniques render different results. In this context, an investigation is provided with regards to the optimal window that should be adopted for the implementation of a proper time–frequency analysis of the monitored signals. On this agenda, this study attempts to set lower and upper bound limits for proper windowing from the digital signal processing point of view. This is done by proposing a formula for the lower limit, which is derived according to the specific frequencies one desires to put under inspection and which are the fault‐related signatures. Finally, a discussion on the upper bound is put onwards; results from finite‐element simulations are examined with the discussed approach in both the transient regime and the steady state, while experimental results verify the simulations with satisfying accuracy.
Compact slot antenna with enhanced band‐edge selectivity and switchable band‐notched functions for UWB applications
Authors: Yang Hailong , Xi Xiaoli , Zhao Yuchen , Tan Yumeng , Yuan Yanning , Wang Lili
Published: February 2019

In this study, a new reconfigurable stepped slot antenna with enhanced band‐edge selectivity of the UWB passband and switchable band‐notched characteristic is presented. Good out‐of‐band rejection and sharp cut‐off at band‐edge are achieved by the use of defected ground structure (DGS) and a parasitic slot near the stepped slot. The well‐designed DGS not only produces transmission zero to obtain good cut‐off property in upper sideband but also provides better impedance matching of in‐band. The frequency range of the proposed antenna is from 3.1 to 11.1 GHz (114%) with the reflection coefficient < − 10 dB. The shape factor is 1.05, which indicates that the proposed design has an excellent selectivity. To obtain the notched band, two passive strip lines near the feeding line are designed. Furthermore, the reconfigurable function with four states can be easily realised by the control of two diodes between the passive strip line and the ground. The structures of the notched band and bias circuit are relatively simple and independent of antenna radiation structure. The performance of the antenna is presented and compared with other competitive antennas. The proposed design has many significant advantages in dimension, good out‐of‐band characteristics, and controllable states for different UWB applications.
Road structure classification through artificial neural network for automotive radar systems
Authors: Sim Heonkyo , Lee Seongwook , Lee Byeong‐ho , Kim Seong‐Cheol
Published: February 2019

This study proposes an artificial neural network‐based method to classify road structures for automotive radar systems. Generally, road structures generate unwanted echoes called clutter, which degrades the performance of target detection, and may cause critical errors in autonomous driving modes. However, recognition and classification of each individual structure type is very difficult, because there are various types of structures made by different materials which cause ambiguity in the recognition and classification process. To deal with these classification ambiguities, the authors propose an artificial neural network‐based recognition and classification method. Road structures are classified by applying artificial neural network to the frequency domain‐received signals of automotive radar systems. Once the neural network has been trained with the received signals, it is used to determine the type of road structure with instantaneous received signals. The classification performance was evaluated by experimenting with the number of antenna elements and radar snapshots. In addition, to find the most suitable artificial neural network structure, the authors experimented with the number of nodes and layers. After completing a period of deep learning using actual experimental data, the total classification accuracy was about 95%.
Specifics in the operating modes of thermosyphon air heater of steam generators №1 and №2 in TPP "Republika" at fuel switch from coal to natural gas
Authors: Iliev Iliya , Terziev Angel , Beloev Hristo , Iliev Christiyan
Published: February 2019

A fuel switch is motivated both by the necessity of increasing energy efficiency and the compliance with the ever-stricter regulations regarding the release of harmful emissions in the environment. In this paper a thorough financial and energy analysis on the fuel switch from coal to natural gas is carried out, in particular with respect to waste heat recovery systems (two phase thermosyphons). As a result of the calculation of the heat transfer coefficients for both fuels, it is established that the system running on natural gas has a lower value, due to the lower air velocity, caused in turn by the lower requirement for excess air. The heat transfer coefficients of the evaporation and condensation zones respectively are established hfgas=104.9 И hair=84.9 (W/m2.K) for coal and hfgas И hair =84.7 (W/m2.K) respectively for gas. A numerical study is also carried out and a methodology for the analysis of the efficiency of two phase thermosyphons with complex geometry is presented.
Influence of furniture arrangement on airflow distribution in open concept passive houses
Authors: Sabie Doru Daniel , Ghiaus Adrian-Gabriel
Published: February 2019

This paper presents the analysis of airflow distribution in an open space room by means of CFD numerical simulation having as case study a pre-certified passive house, located in Cluj-Napoca. The ventilation system comprises two rectangular inlets, located on the floor near the glazing and six exhaust grilles of circular cross section located at the opposite side, at the kitchen's ceiling. An area of interest that represents the simulation/computation domain was selected. Numerical modeling was done through a commercial software, based on the finite element method that simulates a series of interconnected phenomena encountered in the field of applied engineering. Dry air was considered the fluid environment in the computing domain with thermo-physical properties taken from the program database. No slip boundary conditions were used for all the walls, volume flow rate of 215m3/h was specified for the inlets and exhaust nozzles were considered as open boundary. The following simplifying working hypotheses were established: stationary regime, incompressible fluid, constant temperature, isothermal jet, adiabatic system without internal heat sources, disregarding of mass forces. Airflow distribution analysis was performed for two distinct configurations: without furniture and in the presence of furniture. Simulation domain was divided into a large number of finite elements of variable size having a higher density near the boundary areas resulting tens of thousands of nodes. The purpose of the simulation was to evaluate the influence of furniture on the distribution of air currents in the occupied areas with direct impact on the occupants' comfort. Upon the comparative analysis for the two distinct cases, based on the distribution of streamlines, pressure and velocity vectors, the furniture's influence areas, the stationary areas and the air recirculation areas were identified.
Energy analysis of a CHP plant with internal combustion engines, for a district heating system, based on the information from the annual database
Authors: Mărcuş Gabriel , Iordache Vlad , Iordache Florin , Ilie Anica
Published: February 2019

Building a model for consumption, production and efficiency of a combined heat and power (CHP) system can bring important data for planning and management activity of such a technological system. The results of this study will show the overall efficiency of a real cogeneration plant over a year. The study is based on the information from the daily database of an economic operator, during 2012. The CHP plant, having reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE) as prime movers, provides the thermal energy to the district heating system of a city from Romania with 129,368 habitants. RICE are operating in simultaneous mode or in partial load. The numerical model reveals the behavior of the daily thermal, electrical and global efficiency, accordingly to the partial load. The model was applied in both calculation assumptions: using the lower heating value and the higher heating value of the natural gas. A statistical analysis of efficiencies of the CHP plant was made. Was performed the statistical analysis of the database efficiency (also called real efficiency) with the global efficiency calculated by the model (also called modelled efficiency). Linear and multiple regression equations explain the variance of the real efficiency and of the modelled global efficiency.
Geometrical form assessment of a CFD based breathing thermal manikins, designed by simplified polygonal shapes
Authors: Ivanov Martin , Mijorski Sergey
Published: February 2019

The presented paper focuses on a CFD based analyses of the complexity in the geometrical shape of the breathing thermal manikins, associated with their main functionalities. Both impacts of the external manikin’s form were studied – over the velocity and over the temperature fields in the thermal plume zone above the head. Three different geometrical shapes are analysed – a physiologically identified (called Humanoid Manikin) and two other shapes, designed to match the overall 95th percentile of the anthropometric size of the standard person (called Polygonal Manikins). The first model represents a comprehensive multifaceted figure of a manikin with high degree of physiological identity with a female human being. The second and third one, are simplified, but still with anatomically realistic component forms, accurately representing the anthropometric size of a standard person. The difference between them is in the presence of additional flow optimization collars in the third model. The numerical results demonstrate the clear impact of the manikins’ geometrical characteristics over the simulated breathing and convective flows. The optimization with the proposed collars had a positive effect over the resulted flow acceleration at top head and chest zones. However, the improvement of the flow characteristics was observed for two of the simulated three breathing phases and further shape optimization is required.
CFD analysis of a dual heat recovery system
Authors: Vizitiu Robert Ştefan , Sosoi Gavril , Burlacu Andrei , Ţurcanu Florin Emilian
Published: February 2019

This paper presents a CFD Heat Transfer Analysis of an originally designed system for heat recovery in the building sector. The heat exchanger has a dual role, which means it will produce simultaneously hot water and warm air. The key to the efficiency of the heat exchanger is the heat pipe system which recovers thermal energy from residual hot water and transfers it to the secondary agents. The paper includes a case study structured by different mesh distributions and flow regimes. The purpose of the heat exchanger is to reduce the costs of producing thermal energy and to increase the overall energy efficiency of buildings.
Solutions for increasing the quality of hydro-technical building elements obtained by numerical simulation
Authors: Fodorean Alexandru , Cureu Adrian , Giurgiu Oana , Opruţa Dan
Published: February 2019

Sewage treatment remains a delicate subject and requires technical improvements to increase the efficiency of the systems responsible for the treatment. Numerical simulations are also a very useful tool, especially if they are used during the design phase. Thus, the paper aims to present the results obtained by CFD numerical simulations in the case of an important element within an existing wastewater treatment plant, namely the waste water treatment well, thus obtaining constructive solutions of a better functionally to the designed version. Through these, the work demonstrates the necessity of analyzes with CFD methods during design of the main elements of hydrotechnical constructions, but also the necessity of adjusting the numerical models with results obtained from experiments, measurements. The results show that the modifications described in the paper would bring significant improvements in waste disposal.
Experimental study of an innovative glazed solar air collector tested in real conditions
Authors: Bejan Andrei-Stelian , Catalina Tiberiu , Barbu Mocănescu Daniel , Ene Alexandra
Published: February 2019

Nowadays, the building sector has a great impact on the CO2 emissions worldwide being responsible for more than a third of energy consumptions. In order to reduce their impact on the environment it is mandatory to implement renewable energy sources (RES) to produce the so called “green energy”. One of the main disadvantages of the systems using RES is the discontinuity in operation and one of the most used RES is the solar radiation which is implemented worldwide and has a great potential to be successfully used. Among the solar systems, solar air collectors (SAC) are systems easy to implement and with low operating costs. For enhancing the overall efficiency of a SAC and to increase the number of hours of operation it is imperative to use thermal energy storage materials (TES). The aim of this paper is to experimentally analyse the implementation of latent heat storage materials (phase changing materials – PCM) in glazed solar air collectors and for this purpose two similar collectors were studied in real conditions. After several experimental analysis conducted we have observed that during the night the PCM slowly releases the energy embodied during the daytime and the rise in temperature is higher in 57% of the time in this case. Moreover the amplitude of outlet temperature variation is lower with 34% in case of using PCMs.
Experimental test rig designed to analyse pumping station operation controlled by pressure at different key points
Authors: Ciuc Petre-Ovidiu , Mădulărea Remus Alexandru , Georgescu Andrei-Mugur , Diminescu Mihaela Amalia , Georgescu Sanda-Carmen
Published: February 2019

The operation of pumps within a pumping station can be controlled by the Pressure Set Point (PSP) value compared to the reading of a pressure sensor placed either at the exit of the pumping station, on the main discharge pipe (classical PSP method), or at a critical/monitoring point within the water distribution network (termed further as remote-control PSP method). We designed and built an experimental test rig, allowing to study both control methods, in the attempt to check the advantage of the remote-control PSP method, with respect to the classical PSP method, since governing equations show that they are equivalent. The design relies on the theoretical approach and numerical results presented within this paper.