bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Fabrication Techniques for Micro-Tubular Hollow Fiber Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Droushiotis Nicolas , Hankin Anna , Kelsall Geoff H.
Published: June 2013

A novel combination of phase inversion and electrophoretic deposition was used in the fabrication of anode supported micro tubular (hollow fiber) solid oxide fuel cells (MT-HF-SOFCs). The phase inversion process was used to produce ca. 240 μm thick, highly porous 60 wt. % NiO-40 wt. % yttria-stabilised zirconia (YSZ) hollow fiber anode precursors. The electrophoretic deposition process was then used to apply ca. 40 μm thick, particulate YSZ electrolyte layers onto the unsintered NiO-YSZ HFs from an ethanol suspension at an applied electric field of ca. 0.22 kV cm-1. The YSZ-coated NiO-YSZ HFs were sintered at 1500 oC for twelve hours. Dispersions of YSZ-LSM particles were then painted on top of the electrolyte layer, as ‘graded’ YSZ-LSM porous cathode precursors that were sintered at 1200 oC for three hours. The fabrication process was completed by winding silver wire current collectors spirally round the cathodes and through the lumen of the fibers to enable current collection from the anodes. Single MT-HF-SOFCs delivered peak power densities of 0.20, 0.18 and 0.14 W cm-2 at 800, 750 and 700 oC, respectively, with flow rates of 15 cm3 min-1 H2 (97% H2-3% H2O) and 30 cm3 min-1 of air.
Solid Oxide Iron-Air Rechargeable Battery - A New Energy Storage Mechanism
Authors: Zhao Xuan , Xu Nansheng , Li Xue , Gong Yunhui , Huang Kevin
Published: June 2013

Cost effective large-scale energy storage mechanisms are of critical importance to our future energy infrastructure consisting of a large portion of renewables and smart-grid. Rechargeable batteries have a great potential to provide a cost-effective energy storage mechanism for this grand demand. We here report on a novel solid oxide iron-air rechargeable battery derived from solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and chemical looping hydrogen technologies, featuring a separate energy storage unit and electrode configuration. A systematic study shows that the battery’s capacity and round trip efficiency have strong and competing reliance on how much iron is actually utilized. The energy capacity increases with increasing iron utilization, but at the expense of lowered round-trip efficiency. A practical strategy to operate the new battery is to maintain a low iron utilization of inexpensive iron-based energy storage materials as a mean of achieving required energy/power rating with high efficiency.
A Novel High Temperature Metal - Air Battery
Authors: Drenckhahn Wolfgang W , Greiner Horst , Kühne Michael , Landes Harald , Leonide Andre , Litzinger Kevin , Lu C. , Schuh Carsten , Shull Jim , Soller Thomas
Published: June 2013

Based on the planar SOFC and SOE technology, a high temperature metal – air battery was operated at temperatures between 700°C and 800°C. It reached charging and discharging capacities of about 2 hours at power densities of more than 250mW/cm². A Siemens stack concept was developed and validated in numerous lab experiments as well as in several stack demonstrators of more than 1kW power output. The storage material is a proprietary development consisting of a iron/iron oxide combination which can be produced economically. It showed very low degradation rates of 1 - 2% in 1,000 charging / discharging cycles. More than 10,000 cycles were reached in 10x10 cm² short stacks. System efficiencies for the upper MW range of > 60% and a cycle life of about 10,000 cycles will be achieved.
Optimal QoM in Multichannel Wireless Networks Based on MQICA
Authors: Xia Na , Xu Lina , Ni Chengchun
Published: June 2013

In wireless networks, wireless sniffers are distributed in a region to monitor the activities of users. It can be applied for fault diagnosis, resource management, and critical path analysis. Due to hardware limitations, wireless sniffers typically can only collect information on one channel at a time. Therefore, it is a key topic to optimize the channel selection for sniffers to maximize the information collected, so as to maximize the Quality of Monitoring (QoM) for wireless networks. In this paper, a Multiple-Quantum-Immune-Clone-Algorithm- (MQICA-) based solution was proposed to achieve the optimal channel allocation. The extensive simulations demonstrate that MQICA outperforms the related algorithms evidently with higher monitoring quality, lower computation complexity, and faster convergence. The practical experiment also shows the feasibility of this algorithm.
Materials Selection, Synthesis, and Dielectrical Properties of PVC Nanocomposites
Authors: Mobarak Youssef , Bassyouni M. , Almutawa M.
Published: June 2013

Materials selection process for electrical insulation application was carried out using Cambridge Engineering Selector (CES) program. Melt mixing technique was applied to prepare polyvinyl-chloride- (PVC-) nanofumed silica and nanomontmorillonite clay composites. Surface analysis and particles dispersibility were examined using scanning electron microscope. Dielectrical properties were assessed using Hipot tester. An experimental work for dielectric loss of the nanocomposite materials has been investigated in a frequency range of 10 Hz–50 kHz. The initial results using CES program showed that microparticles of silica and clay can improve electrical insulation properties and modulus of elasticity of PVC. Nano-montmorillonite clay composites were synthesized and characterized. Experimental analyses displayed that trapping properties of matrix are highly modified by the presence of nanofillers. The nanofumed silica and nanoclay particles were dispersed homogenously in PVC up to 10% wt/wt. Dielectric loss tangent constant of PVC-nanoclay composites was decreased successfully from 0.57 to 0.5 at 100 Hz using fillers loading from 1% to 10% wt/wt, respectively. Nano-fumed silica showed a significant influence on the electrical resistivity of PVC by enhancing it up to 1 × 1011 Ohm·m.
Relationships of Adiponectin with Markers of Systemic Inflammation and Insulin Resistance in Infants Undergoing Open Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Cao Yukun , Yang Ting , Yu Shiqiang , Sun Guocheng , Gu Chunhu , Yi Dinghua
Published: June 2013

Background. Insulin resistance and systemic inflammation frequently occur in infants undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, while adiponectin has been demonstrated to have insulin-sensitizing and anti-inflammatory properties in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this prospective study, we aimed to investigate the association of adiponectin with insulin resistance and inflammatory mediators in infants undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.Methods and Results. From sixty infants undergoing open cardiac surgery, blood samples were taken before anesthesia, at the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass and at 0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after the termination of cardiopulmonary bypass. Plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and adiponectin levels were assessed in blood samples. Insulin resistance was measured by assessment of the insulin requirement to maintain euglycaemia and repeated measurements of an insulin glycaemic index. Insulin glycaemic index, IL-6, and TNF-αincreased up to 3–8-fold 6 h after the operation. Adiponectin is negatively correlated with markers of systemic inflammation 6 h after CPB.Conclusions. Although the level of serum adiponectin decreased significantly, there was a significant inverse association of adiponectin with markers of systemic inflammation and insulin resistance in infants undergoing open cardiac surgery.
Mixed Convection Boundary Layers with Prescribed Temperature in the Unsteady Stagnation Point Flow toward a Stretching Vertical Sheet
Authors: Nik Long Nik Mohd Asri , Koo Lee Feng , Wong Tze Jin , Suali Melini
Published: June 2013

Mixed convection boundary layer caused by time-dependent velocity and the surface temperature in the two-dimensional unsteady stagnation point flow of an in-compressible viscous fluid over a stretching vertical sheet is studied. The transformed nonlinear boundary layer equations are solved numerically using the shooting technique in cooperation with Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg (RKF) method. Different step sizes are used ranging from 0.0001 to 1. Numerical results for the skin friction coefficient and local Nusselt number are presented for both assisting and opposing flows. It is found that the dual solutions exist for the opposing flow, whereas the solution is unique for the assisting flow. Important features of the flow characteristics are displayed graphically. Comparison with the existing results for the steady case show an excellent agreement.
Prediction of Heavy Metal Removal by Different Liner Materials from Landfill Leachate: Modeling of Experimental Results Using Artificial Intelligence Technique
Authors: Turan Nurdan Gamze , Gümüşel Emine Beril , Ozgonenel Okan
Published: June 2013

An intensive study has been made to see the performance of the different liner materials with bentonite on the removal efficiency of Cu(II) and Zn(II) from industrial leachate. An artificial neural network (ANN) was used to display the significant levels of the analyzed liner materials on the removal efficiency. The statistical analysis proves that the effect of natural zeolite was significant by a cubic spline model with a 99.93% removal efficiency. Optimization of liner materials was achieved by minimizing bentonite mixtures, which were costly, and maximizing Cu(II) and Zn(II) removal efficiency. The removal efficiencies were calculated as 45.07% and 48.19% for Cu(II) and Zn(II), respectively, when only bentonite was used as liner material. However, 60% of natural zeolite with 40% of bentonite combination was found to be the best for Cu(II) removal (95%), and 80% of vermiculite and pumice with 20% of bentonite combination was found to be the best for Zn(II) removal (61.24% and 65.09%). Similarly, 60% of natural zeolite with 40% of bentonite combination was found to be the best for Zn(II) removal (89.19%), and 80% of vermiculite and pumice with 20% of bentonite combination was found to be the best for Zn(II) removal (82.76% and 74.89%).
Cardiovascular Effects of Salvianolic Acid B
Authors: Wang Jie , Xiong Xingjiang , Feng Bo
Published: June 2013

Salvianolic acid B (SAB, Sal B) is the representative component of phenolic acids derived from the dried root and rhizome ofSalvia miltiorrhizaBge (Labiatae) which has been used widely and successfully in Asian countries for clinical therapy of various vascular disturbance-related diseases for hundreds of years. However, its exact cardioprotective components and the underlying mechanism for therapeutic basis are still poorly understood. This paper discussed and elucidated the underlying biological mechanisms and pharmacology of Sal B and their potential cardioprotective effects.
Regions of Positive Vorticity in Steady Axisymmetric Flow Past a Viscous Spherical Drop
Authors: Moremedi G. M. , Mason D. P.
Published: June 2013

The vorticity exterior and interior to a viscous liquid drop in steady motion in an unbounded fluid is investigated. The perturbation solution to first order in the Reynolds number derived by Taylor and Acrivos (1964) is used. New analytical results are derived for the attached region of positive vorticity behind the drop and for the region of positive vorticity inside the drop.
Existence and Controllability Results for Fractional Impulsive Integrodifferential Systems in Banach Spaces
Authors: Qin Haiyong , Zuo Xin , Liu Jianwei
Published: June 2013

We firstly study the existence of PC-mild solutions for impulsive fractional semilinear integrodifferential equations and then present controllability results for fractional impulsive integrodifferential systems in Banach spaces. The method we adopt is based on fixed point theorem, semigroup theory, and generalized Bellman inequality. The results obtained in this paper improve and extend some known results. At last, an example is presented to demonstrate the applications of our main results.
Self-Microemulsifying Drug Delivery System: Formulation and Study Intestinal Permeability of Ibuprofen in Rats
Authors: Subudhi Bharat Bhushan , Mandal Surjyanarayan
Published: June 2013

The study was aimed at developing a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) of Ibuprofen for investigating its intestinal transport behavior using the single-pass intestinal perfusion (SPIP) method in rat. Methods. Ibuprofen loaded SMEDDS (ISMEDDS) was developed and was characterized. The permeability behavior of Ibuprofen over three different concentrations (20, 30, and 40 µg/mL) was studied in each isolated region of rat intestine by SPIP method at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. The human intestinal permeability was predicted using the Lawrence compartment absorption and transit (CAT) model since effective permeability coefficients (Peff) values for rat are highly correlated with those of human, and comparative intestinal permeability of Ibuprofen was carried out with plain drug suspension (PDS) and marketed formulation (MF). Results. The developed ISMEDDS was stable, emulsified upon mild agitation with 44.4 nm ± 2.13 and 98.86% ± 1.21 as globule size and drug content, respectively. Higher Peff in colon with no significant Peff difference in jejunum, duodenum, and ileum was observed. The estimated human absorption of Ibuprofen for the SMEDDS was higher than that for PDS and MF (P<0.01). Conclusion. Developed ISMEDDS would possibly be advantageous in terms of minimized side effect, increased bioavailability, and hence the patient compliance.
A Time-Varying Seasonal Autoregressive Model-Based Prediction of Respiratory Motion for Tumor following Radiotherapy
Authors: Ichiji Kei , Homma Noriyasu , Sakai Masao , Narita Yuichiro , Takai Yoshihiro , Zhang Xiaoyong , Abe Makoto , Sugita Norihiro , Yoshizawa Makoto
Published: June 2013

To achieve a better therapeutic effect and suppress side effects for lung cancer treatments, latency involved in current radiotherapy devices is aimed to be compensated for improving accuracy of continuous (not gating) irradiation to a respiratory moving tumor. A novel prediction method of lung tumor motion is developed for compensating the latency. An essential core of the method is to extract information valuable for the prediction, that is, the periodic nature inherent in respiratory motion. A seasonal autoregressive model useful to represent periodic motion has been extended to take into account the fluctuation of periodic nature in respiratory motion. The extended model estimates the fluctuation by using a correlation-based analysis for adaptation. The prediction performance of the proposed method was evaluated by using data sets of actual tumor motion and compared with those of the state-of-the-art methods. The proposed method demonstrated a high performance within submillimeter accuracy. That is, the average error of 1.0 s ahead predictions was0.931±0.055 mm. The accuracy achieved by the proposed method was the best among those by the others. The results suggest that the method can compensate the latency with sufficient accuracy for clinical use and contribute to improve the irradiation accuracy to the moving tumor.
Exact Traveling Wave Solutions for a Nonlinear Evolution Equation of Generalized Tzitzéica-Dodd-Bullough-Mikhailov Type
Authors: Rui Weiguo
Published: June 2013

By using the integral bifurcation method, a generalized Tzitzéica-Dodd-Bullough-Mikhailov (TDBM) equation is studied. Under different parameters, we investigated different kinds of exact traveling wave solutions of this generalized TDBM equation. Many singular traveling wave solutions with blow-up form and broken form, such as periodic blow-up wave solutions, solitary wave solutions of blow-up form, broken solitary wave solutions, broken kink wave solutions, and some unboundary wave solutions, are obtained. In order to visually show dynamical behaviors of these exact solutions, we plot graphs of profiles for some exact solutions and discuss their dynamical properties.
A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study of the Triple Stimulation Technique in the Assessment of Electroacupuncture for Motor Function Recovery in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Tan Feng , Wang Xuewen , Li Hui-qin , Lu Lin , Li Ming , Li Ji-huang , Fang Meifeng , Meng Di , Zheng Guo-qing
Published: June 2013

The objective of this pilot study was to objectively assess electroacupuncture for motor function recovery in patients with acute ischemic stroke using the triple-stimulation technique (TST). The patients received either electroacupuncture plus western conventional medication (WCM) (n=32) or single WCM (n=31) for 14 days. The total clinical effective rate was statistically significantly superior in electroacupuncture group to that in WCM group (P<0.01). Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale (FMA) score, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, andTSTratiowere statistically more significant in electroacupuncture group than those in WCM group (P<0.01). There was positive correlation betweenTSTratioand NIHS score both before and after treatment (P<0.01) and negative correlation betweenTSTratioand FAM score both before treatment and after treatment (P<0.01). Comparing between the two groups or between pretreatment and posttreatment, adverse events, electrocardiogram, liver function, and kidney function showed no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). In conclusion, electroacupuncture was beneficial for the motor function recovery of patients with acute ischemic stroke and was generally safe. TST can be used for quantitative evaluation of electroacupuncture for motor function recovery in patients with acute ischemic stroke because it can objectively analyze the injury and recovery of corticospinal tract impairments.
Influence of the Soil Genesis on Physical and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Marschalko Marian , Yilmaz Işık , Fojtová Lucie , Kubečka Karel , Bouchal Tomáš , Bednárik Martin
Published: June 2013

The paper deals with the influence of soil genesis on the physical‐mechanical properties. The presented case study was conducted in the region of the Ostrava Basin where there is a varied genetic composition of the Quaternary geological structure on the underlying Neogeneous sediments which are sediments of analogous granulometry but different genesis. In this study, 7827 soil samples of an eolian, fluvial, glacial, and deluvial origin and their laboratory analyses results were used. The study identified different values in certain cases, mostly in coarser‐grained foundation soils, such as sandy loam S4 (MS) and clayey sand F4 (CS). The soils of the fluvial origin manifest different values than other genetic types. Next, based on regression analyses, dependence was proved neither on the deposition depth (depth of samples) nor from the point of view of the individual foundation soil classes or the genetic types. The contribution of the paper is to point at the influence of genesis on the foundation soil properties so that engineering geologists and geotechnicians pay more attention to the genesis during engineering‐geological and geotechnical investigations.
Rapid Analysis of Geographical Origins and Age ofTorreya grandisSeeds by NIR Spectroscopy and Pattern Recognition Methods
Authors: Xu Lu , Yan Si-Min , Cai Chen-Bo , Zhong Wei , Yu Xiao-Ping
Published: June 2013

This paper develops a rapid method for discriminating the geographical origins and age of roastedTorreya grandisseeds by near infrared (NIR) spectroscopic analysis and pattern recognition. 337 samples were collected from three main producing areas and produced in the last two years. The objective of geographical origins analysis is to discriminate the seeds from Fengqiao with a protected geographical indication (PGI) from those of another two provinces. Age classification is aimed to detect the old seeds produced in the last year from the freshly produced ones. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA) was used to develop classification models, and the influence of data preprocessing methods on classification performance was also investigated. Taking second-order derivatives of the raw spectra proves to be the most proper and effective preprocessing method, which can remove baselines and backgrounds and reduce model complexity. With second derivative spectra, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.939 and 0.871 for age discrimination, respectively. Perfect classification was obtained, and both sensitivity and specificity were 1 for discrimination of geographical origins.
The Extended Trial Equation Method for Some Time Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Pandir Yusuf , Gurefe Yusuf , Misirli Emine
Published: June 2013

Nonlinear fractional partial differential equations have been solved with the help of the extended trial equation method. Based on the fractional derivative in the sense of modified Riemann-Liouville derivative and traveling wave transformation, the fractional partial differential equation can be turned into the nonlinear nonfractional ordinary differential equation. For illustrating the reliability of this approach, we apply it to the generalized third order fractional KdV equation and the fractionalKn,nequation according to the complete discrimination system for polynomial method. As a result, some new exact solutions to these nonlinear problems are successfully constructed such as elliptic integral function solutions, Jacobi elliptic function solutions, and soliton solutions.
The Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid DHA Induces Simultaneous Apoptosis and Autophagy via Mitochondrial ROS-Mediated Akt-mTOR Signaling in Prostate Cancer Cells Expressing Mutant p53
Authors: Shin Soyeon , Jing Kaipeng , Jeong Soyeon , Kim Nayeong , Song Kyoung-Sub , Heo Jun-Young , Park Ji-Hoon , Seo Kang-Sik , Han Jeongsu , Park Jong-Il , Kweon Gi-Ryang , Park Seung-Kiel , Wu Tong , Hwang Byung-Doo , Lim Kyu
Published: June 2013

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) induces autophagy-associated apoptotic cell death in wild-type p53 cancer cells via regulation of p53. The present study investigated the effects of DHA on PC3 and DU145 prostate cancer cell lines harboring mutant p53. Results show that, in addition to apoptosis, DHA increased the expression levels of lipidated form LC3B and potently stimulated the autophagic flux, suggesting that DHA induces both autophagy and apoptosis in cancer cells expressing mutant p53. DHA led to the generation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), as shown by the mitochondrial ROS-specific probe mitoSOX. Similarly, pretreatment with the antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) markedly inhibited both the autophagy and the apoptosis triggered by DHA, indicating that mitochondrial ROS mediate the cytotoxicity of DHA in mutant p53 cells. Further, DHA reduced the levels of phospho-Akt and phospho-mTOR in a concentration-dependent manner, while NAC almost completely blocked that effect. Collectively, these findings present a novel mechanism of ROS-regulated apoptosis and autophagy that involves Akt-mTOR signaling in prostate cancer cells with mutant p53 exposed to DHA.
A Continuous-Time Model for Valuing Foreign Exchange Options
Authors: Kung James J.
Published: June 2013

This paper makes use of stochastic calculus to develop a continuous-time model for valuing European options on foreign exchange (FX) when both domestic and foreign spot rates follow a generalized Wiener process. Using the dollar/euro exchange rate as input for parameter estimation and employing our FX option model as a yardstick, we find that the traditional Garman-Kohlhagen FX option model, which assumes constant spot rates, values incorrectly calls and puts for different values of the ratio of exchange rate to exercise price. Specifically, it undervalues calls when the ratio is between 0.70 and 1.08, and it overvalues calls when the ratio is between 1.18 and 1.30, whereas it overvalues puts when the ratio is between 0.70 and 0.82, and it undervalues puts when the ratio is between 0.86 and 1.30.
Noninvasive Measurement of Murine Hepatic Acetyl-CoA13C-Enrichment Following Overnight Feeding with13C-Enriched Fructose and Glucose
Authors: Carvalho Filipa , Duarte Joao , Simoes Ana Rita , Cruz Pedro F. , Jones John G.
Published: June 2013

The13C-isotopomer enrichment of hepatic cytosolic acetyl-CoA of overnight-fed mice whose drinking water was supplemented with [U-13C]fructose, and [1-13C]glucose andp-amino benzoic acid (PABA) was quantified by13C NMR analysis of urinaryN-acetyl-PABA. Four mice were given normal chow plus drinking water supplemented with 5% [1-13C]glucose, 2.5% [U-13C]fructose, and 2.5% fructose (Solution 1) overnight. Four were given chow and water containing 17.5% [1-13C]glucose, 8.75% [U-13C]fructose and 8.75% fructose (Solution 2). PABA (0.25%) was present in both studies. UrinaryN-acetyl-PABA was analyzed by13C NMR. In addition to [2-13C]- and [1,2-13C]acetyl isotopomers from catabolism of [U-13C]fructose and [1-13C]glucose to acetyl-CoA, [1-13C]acetyl was also found indicating pyruvate recycling activity. This precluded precise estimates of [1-13C]glucose contribution to acetyl-CoA while that of [U-13C]fructose was unaffected. The fructose contribution to acetyl-CoA from Solutions 1 and 2 was 4.0 ± 0.4% and 10.6 ± 0.6%, respectively, indicating that it contributed to a minor fraction of lipogenic acetyl-CoA under these conditions.
Metal Species in Biology: Bottom-Up and Top-Down LC Approaches in Applied Toxicological Research
Authors: Gailer Jürgen
Published: June 2013

Since the inception of liquid chromatography (LC) more than 100 years ago this separation technique has been developed into a powerful analytical tool that is frequently applied in life science research. To this end, unique insights into the interaction of metal species (throughout this manuscript “metal species” refers to “toxic metals, metalloid compounds, and metal-based drugs” and “toxic metals” to “toxic metals and metalloid compounds”) with endogenous ligands can be obtained by using LC approaches that involve their hyphenation with inductively coupled plasma-based element specific detectors. This review aims to provide a synopsis of the different LC approaches which may be employed to advance our understanding of these interactions either in a “bottom-up” or a “top-down” manner. In the “bottom-up” LC-configuration, endogenous ligands are introduced into a physiologically relevant mobile phase buffer, and the metal species of interest is injected. Subsequent “interrogation” of the on-column formed complex(es) by employing a suitable separation mechanism (e.g., size exclusion chromatography or reversed-phase LC) while changing the ligand concentration(s), the column temperature or the pH can provide valuable insight into the formation of complexes under near physiological conditions. This approach allows to establish the relative stability and hydrophobicity of metal-ligand complexes as well as the dynamic coordination of a metal species (injected) to two ligands (dissolved in the mobile phase). Conversely, the “top-down” analysis of a biological fluid (e.g., blood plasma) by LC (e.g., using size exclusion chromatography) can be used to determine the size distribution of endogenous metalloproteins which are collectively referred to as the “metalloproteome”. This approach can provide unique insight into the metabolism and the plasma protein binding of metal species, and can simultaneously visualize the dose-dependent perturbation of the metalloproteome by a particular metal species. The concerted application of these LC approaches is destined to provide new insight into biochemical processes which represent an important starting point to advance human health in the 21st century.
Microcontroller Based Less Switches Topology and Digital Gating Technique for Single-Phase Five-Level Inverter
Authors: Shaker Mahmoud , Jasim Samir , Sha'ban Ali
Published: June 2013

The multilevel inverter is the idea of connecting such distributed DC energy sources (solar and fuel cells in addition to rectified output of wind turbines) to a power grid. Multilevel pulse width modulation (PWM) inverters have gained importance in high performance power applications without requiring high ratings on individual devices. The elementary concept of a multilevel converter to achieve higher power is to use a series of power semiconductor switches with several lower voltage DC sources to perform the power conversion by synthesizing a staircase voltage waveform. In the present paper we introduce a power circuit for single-phase five-level inverter which contains a very lower number of switches and the technique for the generation of required signals to control the operation of the inverter switches. The presented technique is implemented via microcontroller ATmega16. The simulation and practical results are presented.
Comparison ofEnterococcusSpecies Diversity in Marine Water and Wastewater Using Enterolert and EPA Method 1600
Authors: Ferguson Donna M. , Griffith John F. , McGee Charles D. , Weisberg Stephen B. , Hagedorn Charles
Published: June 2013

EPA Method 1600 and Enterolert are used interchangeably to measureEnterococcusfor fecal contamination of public beaches, but the methods occasionally produce different results. Here we assess whether these differences are attributable to the selectivity for certain species within theEnterococcusgroup. Both methods were used to obtain 1279 isolates from 17 environmental samples, including influent and effluent of four wastewater treatment plants, ambient marine water from seven different beaches, and freshwater urban runoff from two stream systems. The isolates were identified to species level. Detection of non-Enterococcusspecies was slightly higher using Enterolert (8.4%) than for EPA Method 1600 (5.1%).E. faecalisandE. faecium, commonly associated with human fecal waste, were predominant in wastewater; however, Enterolert had greater selectivity forE. faecalis, which was also shown using a laboratory-created sample. The same species selectivity was not observed for most beach water and urban runoff samples. These samples had relatively higher proportions of plant associated species,E. casseliflavus(18.5%) andE. mundtii(5.7%), compared to wastewater, suggesting environmental inputs to beaches and runoff. The potential for species selectivity among water testing methods should be considered when assessing the sanitary quality of beaches so that public health warnings are based on indicators representative of fecal sources.
An Alternating Direction Method for Mixed Gaussian Plus Impulse Noise Removal
Authors: Wang Si , Huang Ting-Zhu , Zhao Xi-le , Liu Jun
Published: June 2013

A combined total variation and high-order total variation model is proposed to restore blurred images corrupted by impulse noise or mixed Gaussian plus impulse noise. We attack the proposed scheme with an alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM). Numerical experiments demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method and the performance of the proposed method is competitive with the existing state-of-the-art methods.
Quality of Source Water and Drinking Water in Urban Areas of Myanmar
Authors: Sakai Hiroshi , Kataoka Yatsuka , Fukushi Kensuke
Published: June 2013

Myanmar is one of the least developed countries in the world, and very little information is available regarding the nation’s water quality. This report gives an overview of the current situation in the country, presenting the results of various water‐quality assessments in urban areas of Myanmar. River, dam, lake, and well water sources were examined and found to be of generally good quality. Both As and F− were present in relatively high concentrations and must be removed before deep wells are used. Heterotrophic plate counts in drinking water were highest in public pots, followed by nonpiped tap water, piped tap water, and bottled water. Measures need to be taken to improve low‐quality water in pots and nonpiped tap waters.
Challenges in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Obese Subjects: What Is the Evidence and What Are the Myths?
Authors: Chhabra Lovely , Liti Besiana , Kuraganti Gayatri , Kaul Sudesh , Trivedi Nitin
Published: June 2013

The increasing worldwide prevalence of diabetes mellitus and obesity has projected concerns for increasing burden of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The dangers of obesity in adults and children have received more attention than ever in the recent years as more research data becomes available regarding the long-term health outcomes. Weight loss in obese and overweight subjects can be induced via intensive lifestyle modifications, medications, and/or bariatric surgery. These methods have been shown to confer overall health benefits; however, their effect on remission of preexisting diabetes mellitus and reduction in cardiovascular risk has been variable. Recent research data has offered a much better understanding of the pathophysiology and outcomes of these management strategies in obese patients. In this paper, the authors have summarized the results of major studies on remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus and reduction of cardiovascular events by weight loss induced by different methods. Furthermore, the paper aims to clarify various prevailing myths and practice patterns about obesity management among clinicians.
The Changes in Electrical and Interfacial Properties of Polyimide Exposed to Dielectric Barrier Discharge in SF6 Medium
Authors: Alisoy Hafiz Z. , Koseoglu Murat
Published: June 2013

The formation mechanism of space charges in polyimide (PI) which was exposed to dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in SF6 medium and the effects of the space charges on interfacial and electrical properties of PI were investigated. The variation of normalized surface charge density on PI sample was calculated and illustrated for different DBD exposure times. The surface potential was measured to determine the effect of the space charges on the sample. Then, the contact angle values were measured to obtain the relation between the surface energy and the surface charge density. The expressions for the total charge and the concentration of trapped electrons were derived by using Poisson and continuity equations at stationary state. The space charges were determined experimentally by using thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) method. Also, SEM image and FTIR spectrum of virgin and treated samples were presented to observe the structural variations. It was seen that the approach for the formation mechanism of the space charges agreed with the experimental data. However, it was concluded particularly for the short‐time DBD treatments that the space charges accumulated in the sample should be considered besides the effects of surface functionalization in the determination of the surface energy.
Design of Multilayer Dielectric Cover to Enhance Gain and Efficiency of Slot Arrays
Authors: Montisci Giorgio , Jin Zusheng , Li Mingchao , Yang Hu , Casula Giovanni Andrea , Mazzarella Giuseppe , Fanti Alessandro
Published: June 2013

An effective design procedure, based on the Elliot synthesis method, is proposed to investigate the properties of waveguide slot arrays with multilayer dielectric cover. Then, the features of the designed arrays are analyzed by means of a FEM commercial software, namely, Ansys HFSS 13. We show how a proper choice of the dielectric cover configuration allows increasing the array gain and aperture efficiency, while taking advantage of the properties of the radome structure, in terms of insulation, protection, and pressurization of the radiating waveguides. Therefore, a significant outcome of the optimal choice of the multilayer dielectric cover is the reduction of the number of slots with respect to an array radiating into free space with the same gain and efficiency, with a consequent reduction of the production cost.
Effective Preprocessing Procedures Virtually Eliminate Distance-Dependent Motion Artifacts in Resting State FMRI
Authors: Jo Hang Joon , Gotts Stephen J. , Reynolds Richard C. , Bandettini Peter A. , Martin Alex , Cox Robert W. , Saad Ziad S.
Published: June 2013

Artifactual sources of resting-state (RS) FMRI can originate from head motion, physiology, and hardware. Of these sources, motion has received considerable attention and was found to induce corrupting effects by differentially biasing correlations between regions depending on their distance. Numerous corrective approaches have relied on the identification and censoring of high-motion time points and the use of the brain-wide average time series as a nuisance regressor to which the data are orthogonalized (Global Signal Regression, GSReg). We replicate the previously reported head-motion bias on correlation coefficients and then show that while motion can be the source of artifact in correlations, the distance-dependent bias is exacerbated by GSReg. Put differently, correlation estimates obtained after GSReg are more susceptible to the presence of motion and by extension to the levels of censoring. More generally, the effect of motion on correlation estimates depends on the preprocessing steps leading to the correlation estimate, with certain approaches performing markedly worse than others. For this purpose, we consider various models for RS FMRI preprocessing and show that the local white matter regressor (WMeLOCAL), a subset of ANATICOR, results in minimal sensitivity to motion and reduces by extension the dependence of correlation results on censoring.
Finite-Time Stability Analysis and Control for a Class of Stochastic Singular Biological Economic Systems Based on T-S Fuzzy Model
Authors: Xing Shuangyun , Zhang Qingling , Zhang Yi
Published: June 2013

This paper studies the problem of finite-time stability and control for a class of stochastic singular biological economic systems. It shows that such systems exhibit the distinct dynamic behavior when the economic profit is a variable rather than a constant. Firstly, the stochastic singular biological economic systems are established as fuzzy models based on T-S fuzzy control approach. These models are described by stochastic singular T-S fuzzy systems. Then, novel sufficient conditions of finite-time stability are obtained for the stochastic singular biological economic systems, and the state feedback controller is designed so that the population (state of the systems) can be driven to the bounded range by the management of the open resource. Finally, by using Matlab software, numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the obtained results.
Look-Ahead Algorithm with Whole S-Curve Acceleration and Deceleration
Authors: Chen Youdong , Ji Xudong , Tao Yong , Wei Hongxing
Published: June 2013

Tool paths of a complex contour machining generated by commercial CAD/CAM systems are mainly composed of many short linear/circular blocks. Though the look-ahead algorithms can improve speed and accuracy in the machining of short linear/circular segments, most of them just deal with linear segments with trapezoid acceleration and deceleration (acc/dec). In addition, the look-ahead algorithms with S-curve acc/dec are too complex to adopt the equivalent S-curve profile by approximation algorithm. To increase the smoothness of feedrate profile and machining efficiency of continuous short line and circle machining, this paper presents a feedrate profile generation approach and corresponding look-ahead algorithm with whole S-curve acc/dec. With the proposed look-ahead scheme, the feedrate profiles with S-curve acc/dec can work efficiently in a lot of short line and circle segments. Thus, the machining productivity can be increased and the feedrate profiles are smooth. The simulation and experiments verify the feasibility and validity of the proposed approach.
Distributed RobustH∞Consensus Control of Multiagent Systems with Communication Errors Using Dynamic Output Feedback Protocol
Authors: Yang Xi , Wang Jinzhi
Published: June 2013

This paper studies robust consensus problem for multiagent systems modeled by an identical linear time-invariant system under a fixed communication topology. Communication errors in the transferred data are considered, and only the relative output information between each agent and its neighbors is available. A distributed dynamic output feedback protocol is proposed, and sufficient conditions for reaching consensus with a prescribedH∞performance are presented. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the theoretical results.
Juzentaihoto Failed to Augment Antigen-Specific Immunity but Prevented Deterioration of Patients’ Conditions in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer under Personalized Peptide Vaccine
Authors: Yutani Shigeru , Komatsu Nobukazu , Matsueda Satoko , Yoshitomi Munehiro , Shirahama Takahisa , Yamada Akira , Itoh Kyogo , Sasada Tetsuro
Published: June 2013

Juzentaihoto (JTT) is a well-known Japanese herbal medicine, which has been reported to modulate immune responses and enhance antitumor immunity in animal models. However, it is not clear whether JTT has similar effects on humans. In particular, there is little information on the effects of JTT in antigen-specific immunity in cancer patients. Here we conducted a randomized clinical study to investigate whether combined usage of JTT could affect antigen-specific immunity and clinical findings in advanced pancreatic cancer patients undergoing personalized peptide vaccination (PPV), in which HLA-matched vaccine antigens were selected based on the preexisting host immunity. Fifty-seven patients were randomly assigned to receive PPV with (n=28) or without (n=29) JTT. Unexpectedly, JTT did not significantly affect cellular or humoral immune responses specific to the vaccine antigens, which were determined by antigen-specific interferon-γsecretion in T cells and antigen-specific IgG titers in plasma, respectively. Nevertheless, JTT prevented deterioration of patients’ conditions, such as anemia, lymphopenia, hypoalbuminemia, plasma IL-6 elevation, and reduction of performance status, which are frequently observed in advanced cancers. To our knowledge, this is the first clinical study that examined the immunological and clinical effects of JTT in cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy in humans.
Positive Expiratory Pressure via Mask Does Not Improve Ventilation Inhomogeneity More than Huffing and Coughing in Individuals with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Chronic Sputum Expectoration
Authors: Osadnik Christian , Stuart-Andrews Christopher , Ellis Samantha , Thompson Bruce , McDonald Christine F. , Holland Anne E.
Published: June 2013

Background: Positive expiratory pressure (PEP) has been used to promote airway clearance in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for many years; however, its mechanism of action and benefits are unclear. Previous authors have suggested that PEP improves collateral ventilation via changes in lung volumes. Objectives: It was the aim of this study to determine whether PEP improves ventilation inhomogeneity more than controlled huffing and coughing in individuals with stable COPD. Methods: Twelve participants with COPD (mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s 45% predicted) and chronic sputum expectoration performed PEP therapy (10-20 cm H2O) or controlled huffing and coughing in random order on alternate study days with a 48-hour washout. Measures of acinar and conductive airway ventilation (Sacin, Scond), lung volumes, spirometry and sputum wet weight were recorded before, immediately after and 90 min following treatment. Ease of expectoration [visual analogue scale (VAS)] and oxyhaemoglobin saturation were assessed immediately following treatment. Results: There were no significant differences between the effect of either test condition at any time point for any test parameter. Mean Sacin immediately following PEP and control conditions was 0.465 and 0.438 litre-1, respectively (p = 0.45 for comparison between conditions) and mean Scond was 0.042 and 0.039 litre-1 (p = 0.55). PEP therapy did not significantly enhance total mean sputum expectoration compared to controlled huffing and coughing (7.06 vs. 6.15 g; p = 0.51) and did not improve ease of expectoration (VAS PEP 4.8 cm vs. control 4.1 cm; p = 0.53). Conclusion: Any therapeutic benefits of PEP in individuals with COPD and chronic sputum expectoration are unlikely to be mediated by improvements in ventilation or lung volumes.
Nox4-Generated Superoxide Drives Angiotensin II-Induced Neural Stem Cell Proliferation
Authors: Topchiy Elena , Panzhinskiy Evgeniy , Griffin W. Sue T. , Barger Steven W. , Das Mita , Zawada W. Michael
Published: June 2013

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been reported to affect neural stem cell self-renewal and therefore may be important for normal development and may influence neurodegenerative processes when ROS activity is elevated. To determine if increasing production of superoxide, via activation of NADPH oxidase (Nox), increases neural stem cell proliferation, 100 nM angiotensin II (Ang II) - a strong stimulator of Nox - was applied to cultures of a murine neural stem cell line, C17.2. Twelve hours following a single treatment with Ang II, there was a doubling of the number of neural stem cells. This increase in neural stem cell numbers was preceded by a gradual elevation of superoxide levels (detected by dihydroethidium fluorescence) from the steady state at 0, 5, and 30 min and gradually increasing from 1 h to the maximum at 12 h, and returning to baseline at 24 h. Ang II-dependent proliferation was blocked by the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Confocal microscopy revealed the presence of two sources of intracellular ROS in C17.2 cells: (i) mitochondrial and (ii) extramitochondrial; the latter indicative of the involvement of one or more specific isoforms of Nox. Of the Nox family, mRNA expression for one member, Nox4, is abundant in neural stem cell cultures, and Ang II treatment resulted in elevation of the relative levels of Nox4 protein. SiRNA targeting of Nox4 mRNA reduced both the constitutive and Ang II-induced Nox4 protein levels and attenuated Ang II-driven increases in superoxide levels and stem cell proliferation. Our findings are consistent with our hypothesis that Ang II-induced proliferation of neural stem cells occurs via Nox4-generated superoxide, suggesting that an Ang II/Nox4 axis is an important regulator of neural stem cell self-renewal and as such may fine-tune normal, stress- or disease-modifying neurogenesis.