bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS OF STREAMLINING GEOMETRY AND A VECTOR WALL ON THE THERMAL AND FLUID FLOW IN A SRU THERMAL REACTOR
Authors: Yeh Chun-Lang
Published: April 2018

To resolve the abnormality of a SRU thermal reactor under high temperature operation and to improve the recovery of sulfur, the effects of streamlining geometry and a vector wall on the thermal and fluid flow in a SRU thermal reactor are investigated numerically. It is found that the compression effect caused by a streamlined zone 1 corner leads to an increase in the average temperature. However, the corner recirculation zone using a streamlined zone 1 corner becomes smaller and this yields a reduction in temperature. The combined effect of compression and a smaller corner recirculation zone leads to an optimal radius of curvature at the zone 1 corner. The lowest peak temperature is obtained using a radius of curvature 1m at the zone 1 corner. With larger radii of curvature at the zone 1 corner, the compression effect overwhelms the effect of a smaller corner recirculation zone and the peak temperature is higher. The specific arrangement of the vector wall holes results in a spiral motion behind the vector wall. The average temperature increases and becomes more uniform across a vector wall. The peak temperature and the exit sulfur concentration are higher using a vector wall. Finally, the skin friction coefficient increases abruptly across a vector wall but becomes lower downstream, compared with using a choke ring. The results of this paper are helpful in improving the performance and safety of a SRU thermal reactor.
THE INFLUENCE FACTORS ON HEAT TRANSFER PERFORMANCE OF LOOP THERMOSYPHON SYSTEM
Authors: Hsu Li-Chieh , Wong Guo-Wei , Chen Kung-Ting
Published: April 2018

The influence factors on the heat transfer performance of a loop thermosyphon system, a passive cooling device, are studied systematically. The parameters investigated include types of enhanced boiling structure, the depth to width ratio of enhanced boiling structures, the gap of evaporator, the condenser height and the inclination of evaporator. The results show the depth to width ratio and the condenser height has positive influences on the heat transfer performance. An optimal channel gap of evaporator exists and possesses better heat transfer performance. The inclination effect of evaporator may not be favorable to heat transfer. Among those, the horizontal and 90° inclination of evaporator has better cooling performance.
RESEARCH ON CONDITION MONITORING OF SPEED REDUCER OF INDUSTRIAL ROBOT WITH ACOUSTIC EMISSION
Authors: Liu Xiaoqin , Wu Xing , Liu Chang , Liu Tao
Published: April 2018

Articulated industrial robots are widely used for factory automation, e.g., the car manufacture industry. As other machines, the transmission system of industrial robot is prone to fail after long term operation. Speed reducer is the key component of the transmission system, and it is important to detect its incipient faults to avoid breaking down. However, until now, few techniques have been proposed to diagnose the reducer without disassembly. Our research on monitoring and diagnosing the speed reducer of industrial robot is reported in this paper. The technique combines inspection method of acoustic emission and signal processing of vibration signal. The characteristics of acoustic emission signal and their connections with mechanical parts of robot reducer have been studied. A defect in the rolling bearing was detected on a welding robot by this technique and confirmed in disassembly.
Practical considerations on proprioceptive tactile sensing for underactuated fingers
Authors: Belzile Bruno , Birglen Lionel
Published: April 2018

Underactuated mechanisms are becoming more prevalent in new robotic graspers, partly because of the desire to reduce the complexity and associated costs of conventional fully actuated systems. With the same objective of reducing the costs of the components needed to provide a sensory feedback, several authors have worked on finding alternatives to external tactile sensors. This paper is about one of these methods, namely proprioceptive tactile sensing, especially designed for underactuated fingers. It focuses on certain practical considerations, such as the impact of the curvature of the grasped object and the reconfiguration of the finger after the contact, and proposes the analysis of their influence on the precision of the algorithm. To this aim, simulations and experimental data are provided for different grasping scenarios. It is shown that the effect of local curvature remains limited compared with other causes of imprecision such as friction in the system. It is also demonstrated that the reconfiguration, if within reasonable limits, does not cause significant variations on the estimation of the contact location.
Kinematic analysis of a newly designed cable-driven manipulator
Authors: Xu Wei , Wang Yaoyao , Jiang Surong , Yao Jiafeng , Chen Bai
Published: April 2018

In this paper, the cable routing configurations for a cable-driven manipulator are introduced, and the impact of motion coupling caused by cable transmission routing of a 2n type cable-driven manipulator is analyzed in detail. Based on different configurations of cable routings, the relationship between variation of joint angles and the geometrical sizes of guide pulleys is established, represented by a matrix for coupled motion. Moreover, based on the effects of the motion coupling of a cable-driven manipulator, we propose the condition for the invariance of orientation, which can be achieved constraining of the geometrical sizes of guide pulleys and driven wheels. In addition, to identify the correctness of analysis for coupled motion, a 3-DOFs planer cable-driven manipulator prototyping model is constructed, and the kinematics and trajectory planning has been solved. Finally, the relationship among actuator space, joint space, and Cartesian space, including the mapping of the motion coupling, is experimentally validated. The property of invariance of orientation is also validated by an experiment.
Differential equations of smooth loops related to some space-time models: Integrability conditions and geometry
Authors: Sbitneva L.
Published: April 2018

The original approach of Lie to the theory of transformation groups acting on smooth manifolds, on the basis of differential equations, being applied to smooth loops, has permitted the development of the infinitesimal theory of smooth loops generalizing the Lie group theory.

A loop with the law of associativity verified for its binary operation is a group. It has been shown that the system of differential equations characterizing a smooth loop with the right Bol identity and the integrability conditions lead to the binary-ternary algebra as a proper infinitesimal object, which turns out to be the Bol algebra (i.e. a Lie triple system with an additional bilinear skew-symmetric operation). There exist the analogous considerations for Moufang loops.

We will consider the differential equations of smooth loops, generalizing smooth left Bol loops, with the identities that are the characteristic identities for the algebraic description of some relativistic space-time models. Further examinations of the integrability conditions for the differential equations allow us to introduce the proper infinitesimal object for some subclass of loops under consideration.

The geometry of corresponding homogeneous spaces can be described in terms of tensors of curvature and torsion.
Central Drazin inverses
Authors: Wu Cang , Zhao Liang
Published: April 2018

We introduce and study a subclass of the Drazin invertible elements in a ring [Formula: see text], which are called central Drazin invertible. An element [Formula: see text] is said to be central Drazin invertible if there exists [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for some integer [Formula: see text]. Some basic properties of the central Drazin inverse are obtained. Of particular interest are the central Drazin invertible elements that are simultaneously group invertible, which we show have a property generalizing strong cleanness. Some well-known results related to the cleanness of rings and the reverse order law are generalized.
The entire graph of a module with respect to a submodule
Authors: Shabani Masoumeh , Yousefian Darani Ahmad , Ebrahimi Atani Shahabaddin
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we introduce the entire graph of a module with respect to a submodule, as a generalization of the total graph of a commutative ring in the sense of Anderson–Badawi. Let [Formula: see text] be an [Formula: see text]-module over a commutative ring [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] a submodule of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] the set of all elements [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text]. The entire graph of [Formula: see text] with respect to [Formula: see text] denoted by [Formula: see text] whose vertices are all elements of [Formula: see text] and two distinct elements [Formula: see text] are adjacent if and only if [Formula: see text]. Also, we study two (induced) subgraphs [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], with vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively.
Difference bases in cyclic groups
Authors: Banakh Taras O. , Gavrylkiv Volodymyr M.
Published: April 2018

A subset [Formula: see text] of an Abelian group [Formula: see text] is called a difference basis of [Formula: see text] if each element [Formula: see text] can be written as the difference [Formula: see text] of some elements [Formula: see text]. The smallest cardinality [Formula: see text] of a difference basis [Formula: see text] is called the difference size of [Formula: see text] and is denoted by [Formula: see text]. We prove that for every [Formula: see text] the cyclic group [Formula: see text] of order [Formula: see text] has difference size [Formula: see text]. If [Formula: see text] (and [Formula: see text]), then [Formula: see text] (and [Formula: see text]). Also, we calculate the difference sizes of all cyclic groups of cardinality [Formula: see text].
Unoriented knot polynomials of torus links as Fibonacci-type polynomials
Authors: Altıntaş İsmet , Taşköprü Kemal
Published: April 2018

The focus of this paper is to study the two-variable Kauffman polynomials [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], and the one-variable BLM/Ho polynomial [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]-torus link as the Fibonacci-type polynomials and to express the Kauffman polynomials in terms of the BLM/Ho polynomial. For this purpose, we prove that each of the examined polynomials of [Formula: see text]-torus link can be determined by a third-order recurrence relation and give the recursive properties of them. We correlate these polynomials with the Fibonacci-type polynomials. By using the relations between the BLM/Ho polynomials and Fibonacci-type polynomials, we express the Kauffman polynomials in terms of the BLM/Ho polynomials.
Meet-reducible submaximal clones determined by two central relations
Authors: Jeufack Y. L. T. , Diekouam L. , Temgoua E. R. A.
Published: April 2018

Let [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be two central relations on a finite set [Formula: see text]. It is known from Rosenberg’s classification theorem (1965) that the clones [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] which consist of all operations on [Formula: see text] that preserve [Formula: see text], respectively, [Formula: see text] are among the maximal clones on [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we find all central relations [Formula: see text] such that the clone [Formula: see text] is a maximal subclone of [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a fixed central relation.
Representation theorems of ℝ-trees and Brownian motions indexed by ℝ-trees
Authors: Aksoy Asuman Güven , Al-Ansari Monairah , Peng Qidi
Published: April 2018

We provide a new representation of an [Formula: see text]-tree by using a special set of metric rays. We have captured the four-point condition from these metric rays and shown an equivalence between the [Formula: see text]-trees with radial and river metrics, and these sets of metric rays. In stochastic analysis, these graphical representation theorems are of particular interest in identifying Brownian motions indexed by [Formula: see text]-trees.
An endogenous aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand, ITE, induces regulatory T cells and ameliorates experimental colitis
Authors: Abron Jessica D. , Singh Narendra P. , Mishra Manoj K. , Price Robert L. , Nagarkatti Mitzi , Nagarkatti Prakash S. , Singh Udai P.
Published: April 2018

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic intestinal inflammatory condition that affects millions of people with high morbidity and health care costs. The precise etiology of IBD is unknown, but clear evidence suggests that intestinal inflammation is caused by an excessive immune response to mucosal antigens. Recent studies have shown that activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) induces regulatory T cells (Tregs) and suppresses autoimmune diseases. In the current study, we investigated if a nontoxic ligand of AhR, 2-(1′ H-indole-3′-carbonyl)-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (ITE), can attenuate dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis. Our studies demonstrated that in mice that received ITE treatment in vivo, colitis pathogenesis, including a decrease in body weight, was significantly reversed along with the systemic and intestinal inflammatory cytokines. ITE increased the expression of Tregs in spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), and colon lamina propria lymphocytes (cLPL) of mice with colitis when compared with controls. This induction of Tregs was reversed by AhR antagonist treatment in vitro. ITE treatment also increased dendritic cells (CD11c+) and decreased macrophages (F4/80+) from the spleen, MLNs, and cLPL in mice with colitis. ITE also reversed the systemic and intestinal frequency of CD4+T cells during colitis and suppressed inflammatory cytokines including IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-17, IL-6, and IL-1 as well as induced IL-10 levels. These findings suggest that ITE attenuates colitis through induction of Tregs and reduction in inflammatory CD4+T cells and cytokines. Therefore, our work demonstrates that the nontoxic endogenous AhR ligand ITE may serve as a therapeutic modality to treat IBD.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We report the novel finding that activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor with the nontoxic ligand 2-(1′H-indole-3′-carbonyl)-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (ITE) induces regulatory T cells (Tregs) and suppresses inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our data suggest that ITE diminishes colitis pathology through induction of Tregs; reduces inflammatory cytokines, inflammation score, and macrophage frequency; and induces DCs resulting in amelioration of colitis. Therefore, nontoxic endogenous ITE promotes the induction of Tregs and may be useful for the treatment of IBD.
Effects of mild whole body hypothermia on self-paced exercise performance
Authors: Ferguson Steven A. H. , Eves Neil D. , Roy Brian D. , Hodges Gary J. , Cheung Stephen S.
Published: April 2018

This study examined self-paced, high-intensity exercise during mild hypothermia and whether hyperoxia might offset any potential impairment. Twelve trained males each completed 15-km time trials in three environmental conditions: Neutral (23°C, [Formula: see text] 0.21), Cold (0°C, [Formula: see text] 0.21), and Cold+Hyper (0°C, [Formula: see text] 0.40). Cold and Cold+Hyper trials occurred after a 0.5°C drop in rectal temperature. Rectal temperature was higher ( P ≤ 0.016) throughout Neutral compared with Cold and Cold+Hyper; Cold had a higher ( P ≤ 0.035) rectal temperature than Cold+Hyper from 2.5 to 7.5 km, and hyperoxia did not alter thermal sensation or comfort. Oxyhemoglobin saturation decreased from ~98% to ~94% with Neutral and Cold, but was maintained at ~99% in Cold+Hyper ( P < 0.01). Cerebral tissue oxygenation index (TOI) was higher in Neutral than in Cold throughout the time trial (TT) ( P ≤ 0.001), whereas Cold+Hyper were unchanged ( P ≥ 0.567) from Neutral by 2.5 km. Muscle TOI was maintained in Cold+Hyper compared with Neutral and was higher ( P ≤ 0.046) than Cold throughout the entire TT. Power output during Cold (246 ± 41 W) was lower than Neutral (260 ± 38 W) at all 2.5-km intervals ( P ≤ 0.012) except at 12.5 km. Power output during Cold+Hyper (256 ± 42 W) was unchanged ( P ≥ 0.161) from Neutral throughout the TT, and was higher than Cold from 7.5 km onward. Average cadence was higher in Neutral (93 ± 8 rpm) than in either Cold or Cold+Hyper (Cold: 89 ± 7 and Cold+Hyper: 90 ± 8 rpm, P = 0.031). In conclusion, mild hypothermia reduced self-paced exercise performance; hyperoxia during mild hypothermia restored performance to thermoneutral levels, likely due to maintenance of oxygen availability rather than any thermogenic benefit.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We examined self-paced, high-intensity exercise with 0.5°C rectal temperature decreases in a 0°C ambient environment, along with whether hyperoxia could offset any potential impairment. During a 15-km time trial, power output was lower with hypothermia than with thermoneutral. However, with hypothermia, hyperoxia of [Formula: see text] = 0.40 restored power output despite there being no thermophysiological improvement. Hypothermia impairs exercise performance, whereas hyperoxia likely restored performance due to maintenance of oxygen availability rather than any thermogenic benefit.
Modeling Human Body Using Four-Pole Debye Model in Piecewise Linear Recursive Convolution FDTD Method for the SAR Calculation in the Case of Vehicular Antenna
Authors: Guellab Ammar , Wu Qun
Published: April 2018

We propose an efficient finite difference time domain (FDTD) method based on the piecewise linear recursive convolution (PLRC) technique to evaluate the human body exposure to electromagnetic (EM) radiation. The source of radiation considered in this study is a high-power antenna, mounted on a military vehicle, covering a broad band of frequency (100 MHz–3 GHz). The simulation is carried out using a nonhomogeneous human body model which takes into consideration most of the internal body tissues. The human tissues are modeled by a four-pole Debye model which is derived from experimental data by using particle swarm optimization (PSO). The human exposure to EM radiation is evaluated by computing the local and whole-body average specific absorption rate (SAR) for each occupant. The higher in-tissue electric field intensity points are localized, and the SAR values are compared with the crew safety standard recommendations. The accuracy of the proposed PLRC-FDTD approach and the matching of the Debye model with the experimental data are verified in this study.
Evaluation of Offshore Wind Turbine Tower Dynamics with Numerical Analysis
Authors: Dagli Begum Yurdanur , Tuskan Yeşim , Gökkuş Ümit
Published: April 2018

A dynamic behaviour of a cylindirical wind tower with variable cross section is investigated under environmental and earthquake forces. The ground acceleration term is represented by a simple cosine function to investigate both normal and parallel components of the earthquake motions located near ground surface. The function of earthquake force is simplified to apply Rayleigh’s energy method. Wind forces acting on above the water level and wave forces acting on below this level are utilized in computations considering earthquake effect for entire structure. The wind force is divided into two groups: the force acting on the tower and the forces acting on the rotor nacelle assembly (RNA). The drag and the inertial wave forces are calculated with water particle velocities and accelerations due to linear wave theory. The resulting hydrodynamic wave force on the tower in an unsteady viscous flow is determined using the Morison equation. The displacement function of the physical system in which dynamic analysis is performed by Rayleigh’s energy method is obtained by the single degree of freedom (SDOF) model. The equation of motion is solved by the fourth‐order Runge–Kutta method. The two‐way FSI (fluid‐structure interaction) technique was used to determine the accuracy of the numerical analysis. The results of computational fluid dynamics and structural mechanics are coupled in FSI analysis by using ANSYS software. Time‐varying lateral displacements and the first natural frequency values which are obtained from Rayleigh’s energy method and FSI technique are compared. The results are presented by graphs. It is observed from these graphs that the Rayleigh model can be an alternative way at the prelimanary stage of the structural analysis with acceptable accuracy.
Experimental Verification of a Simple Method for Accurate Center of Gravity Determination of Small Satellite Platforms
Authors: Modenini Dario , Curzi Giacomo , Tortora Paolo
Published: April 2018

We propose a simple and relatively inexpensive method for determining the center of gravity (CoG) of a small spacecraft. This method, which can be ascribed to the class of suspension techniques, is based on dual-axis inclinometer readings. By performing two consecutive suspensions from two different points, the CoG is determined, ideally, as the intersection between two lines which are uniquely defined by the respective rotations. We performed an experimental campaign to verify the method and assess its accuracy. Thanks to a quantitative error budget, we obtained an error distribution with simulations, which we verified through experimental tests. The retrieved experimental error distribution agrees well with the results predicted through simulations, which in turn lead to a CoG error norm smaller than 2 mm with 95% confidence level.
A Newton-Type Approach to Approximate Travelling Wave Solutions of a Schrödinger-Benjamin-Ono System
Authors: Muñoz Grajales Juan Carlos
Published: April 2018

We introduce a Newton’s iterative method to approximate periodic and nonperiodic travelling wave solutions of the Schrödinger-Benjamin-Ono system derived by M. Funakoshi and M. Oikawa. We analyze numerically the influence of the model’s parameters on these solutions and illustrate the collision of two unequal-amplitude solitary waves propagating with different speeds computed by using the proposed numerical scheme.
Kernel Principal Component Analysis of Coil Compression in Parallel Imaging
Authors: Chang Yuchou , Wang Haifeng
Published: April 2018

A phased array with many coil elements has been widely used in parallel MRI for imaging acceleration. On the other hand, it results in increased memory usage and large computational costs for reconstructing the missing data from such a large number of channels. A number of techniques have been developed to linearly combine physical channels to produce fewer compressed virtual channels for reconstruction. A new channel compression technique via kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) is proposed. The proposed KPCA method uses a nonlinear combination of all physical channels to produce a set of compressed virtual channels. This method not only reduces the computational time but also improves the reconstruction quality of all channels when used. Taking the traditional GRAPPA algorithm as an example, it is shown that the proposed KPCA method can achieve better quality than both PCA and all channels, and at the same time the calculation time is almost the same as the existing PCA method.
The Use of a Machine Learning Method to Predict the Real-Time Link Travel Time of Open-Pit Trucks
Authors: Sun Xiaoyu , Zhang Hang , Tian Fengliang , Yang Lei
Published: April 2018

Accurate truck travel time prediction (TTP) is one of the critical factors in the dynamic optimal dispatch of open-pit mines. This study divides the roads of open-pit mines into two types: fixed and temporary link roads. The experiment uses data obtained from Fushun West Open-pit Mine (FWOM) to train three types of machine learning (ML) prediction models based on k-nearest neighbors (kNN), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest (RF) algorithms for each link road. The results show that the TTP models based on SVM and RF are better than that based on kNN. The prediction accuracy calculated in this study is approximately 15.79% higher than that calculated by traditional methods. Meteorological features added to the TTP model improved the prediction accuracy by 5.13%. Moreover, this study uses the link rather than the route as the minimum TTP unit, and the former shows an increase in prediction accuracy of 11.82%.
An Analytical Solution for Transient Heat Conduction in a Composite Slab with Time-Dependent Heat Transfer Coefficient
Authors: Chiba Ryoichi
Published: April 2018

An analytical solution is derived for one-dimensional transient heat conduction in a composite slab consisting of n layers, whose heat transfer coefficient on an external boundary is an arbitrary function of time. The composite slab, which has thermal contact resistance at n-1 interfaces, as well as an arbitrary initial temperature distribution and internal heat generation, convectively exchanges heat at the external boundaries with two different time-varying surroundings. To obtain the analytical solution, the shifting function method is first used, which yields new partial differential equations under conventional types of external boundary conditions. The solution for the derived differential equations is then obtained by means of an orthogonal expansion technique. Numerical calculations are performed for two composite slabs, whose heat transfer coefficient on the heated surface is either an exponential or a trigonometric function of time. The numerical results demonstrate the effects of temporal variations in the heat transfer coefficient on the transient temperature field of composite slabs.
Exendin‐4 and Liraglutide Attenuate Glucose Toxicity‐Induced Cardiac Injury through mTOR/ULK1‐Dependent Autophagy
Authors: Yu Wei , Zha Wenliang , Ren Jun
Published: April 2018

Mitochondrial injury and defective autophagy are common in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Recent evidence supports benefits of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) agonists exendin‐4 (Exe) and liraglutide (LIRA) against diabetic cardiomyopathy. This study was designed to examine the effect of Exe and LIRA on glucose‐induced cardiomyocyte and mitochondrial injury, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy change. Cardiomyocytes isolated from adult mice and H9c2 myoblast cells were exposed to high glucose (HG, 33 mM) with or without Exe or LIRA. Cardiac contractile properties were assessed including peak shortening, maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening (±dL/dt), time to PS, and time‐to‐90% relengthening (TR90). Superoxide levels, apoptotic proteins such as cleaved caspase‐3, Bax, and Bcl‐2, and autophagy proteins including Atg5, p62, Beclin‐1, LC3B, and mTOR/ULK1 were evaluated using Western blot. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) changes were assessed using JC‐1, and autophagosomes were determined using GFP‐LC3. Cardiomyocyte exposure to HG exhibited prolonged TR90 associated with significantly decreased PS and ±dL/dt, the effects of which were partly restored by GLP‐1 agonists, the effects of which were negated by the mTOR activator 3BDO. H9c2 cell exposure to HG showed increased intracellular ROS, apoptosis, MMP loss, dampened autophagy, and elevated p‐mTOR and p‐ULK1, the effects of which were nullified by the GLP‐1 agonists. These results suggested that GLP‐1 agonists rescued glucose toxicity likely through induction of mTOR‐dependent autophagy.
Isopropyl Caffeate: A Caffeic Acid Derivative—Antioxidant Potential and Toxicity
Authors: Lira Andressa Brito , Montenegro Camila de Albuquerque , de Oliveira Kardilandia Mendes , de Oliveira Filho Abrahão Alves , da Paz Alexandre Rolim , de Araújo Marianna Oliveira , de Sousa Damião Pergentino , de Almeida Cynthia Layse Ferreira , da Silva Teresinha Gonçalves , Lima Caliandra Maria Bezerra Luna , Diniz Margareth de Fátima Formiga Melo , Pessôa Hilzeth de Luna Freire
Published: April 2018

Phenolic compounds, among them isopropyl caffeate, possess antioxidant potential, but not without toxicity and/or adverse effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity and toxicity of isopropyl caffeate through in silico, in vitro and in vivo testing. The results showed that isopropyl caffeate presents no significant theoretical risk of toxicity, with likely moderate bioactivity: GPCR binding, ion channel modulation, nuclear receptor binding, and enzyme inhibition. Isopropyl caffeate induced hemolysis only at the concentrations of 500 and 1000 μg/ml. We observed types A and O erythrocyte protection from osmotic stress, no oxidation of erythrocytes, and even sequestrator and antioxidant behavior. However, moderate toxicity, according to the classification of GHS, was demonstrated through depressant effects on the central nervous system, though there was no influence on water and food consumption or on weight gain, and it did present possible hepatoprotection. We conclude that the effects induced by isopropyl caffeate are due to its antioxidant activity, capable of preventing production of free radicals and oxidative stress, a promising molecule with pharmacological potential.
Difference in the Vitreal Protein Profiles of Patients with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy with and without Intravitreal Conbercept Injection
Authors: Zou Chen , Zhao Minjie , Yu Jingjing , Zhu Dandan , Wang Yunzhi , She Xinping , Hu Yanan , Zheng Zhi
Published: April 2018

Purpose. To examine the difference in the vitreal protein profiles of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) with and without preoperative intravitreal conbercept (IVC) treatment.Methods. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry- (LC-MS/MS-) based proteomic methods were used to determine the protein profiles of the vitreous humor in patients with PDR treated with (IVC group;n=9) and without (PDR group;n=8) preoperative IVC. Gene ontology (GO) annotation and REACTOME pathway analysis were obtained to overview differentially expressed proteins between each group. Intravitreal levels of apolipoprotein A-II (APOA2) and ceruloplasmin (CP) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Results. 307 proteins were expressed differentially between PDR and IVC groups, including 218 proteins downregulated in response to IVC. The most notable GO annotations in level 3 and REACTOME pathways describing the differentially expressed proteins were “innate immune response” and “platelet degranulation.” The intravitreal levels of APOA2 and CP were lower in the IVC group than in the PDR group (p<0.01).Conclusions. In addition to decreasing the intravitreal vascular endothelial growth factor level, IVC may alter the vitreal protein profile in patients with PDR, with the differentially regulated proteins involved in the immune response, platelet degranulation, complement activation, and inflammation.
Initial-Stage Primary Intraosseous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Derived from Odontogenic Keratocyst with Unusual Keratoameloblastomatous Change of the Maxilla: A Case Report and Literature Discussion
Authors: Kikuchi Kentaro , Ide Fumio , Takizawa Shota , Suzuki Seiji , Sakashita Hideaki , Li Tie-Jun , Kusama Kaoru
Published: April 2018

Primary intraosseous squamous cell carcinoma (PIOSCC) is a rare malignant neoplasm derived from odontogenic epithelial remnants in the central jaw bone. Most PIOSCCs originate from odontogenic cysts with a nonkeratinized epithelial lining, especially from radicular/residual and dentigerous cysts. There have been few reports of PIOSCCs derived from the odontogenic keratocyst (OKC), particularly those describing pathological features at the initial stage. The diagnosis of PIOSCC is difficult and based on exclusion of other carcinomas, including metastatic tumors from other primary sites. Here, we report an extremely rare case of initial-stage PIOSCC derived from the OKC with unusual keratoameloblastomatous change of the maxilla.
Analysis of Adaptive Synchronization for Stochastic Neutral-Type Memristive Neural Networks with Mixed Time-Varying Delays
Authors: Hong Desheng , Xiong Zuoliang , Yang Cuiping
Published: April 2018

Linear feedback control and adaptive feedback control are proposed to achieve the synchronization of stochastic neutral-type memristive neural networks with mixed time-varying delays. By applying the stochastic differential inclusions theory, Lyapunov functional, and linear matrix inequalities method, we obtain some new adaptive synchronization criteria. A numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of our results.
Consumption of Sugars, Sugary Foods, and Sugary Beverages in Relation to Adiposity-Related Cancer Risk in the Framingham Offspring Cohort (1991–2013)
Authors: Makarem Nour , Bandera Elisa V. , Lin Yong , Jacques Paul F. , Hayes Richard B. , Parekh Niyati
Published: April 2018

Background: Higher sugar consumption may increase cancer risk by promoting insulin-glucose dysregulation, oxidative stress, hormonal imbalances, and excess adiposity. This prospective study investigates the association between dietary sugars (fructose and sucrose) and sugary foods and beverages in relation to combined and site-specific (breast, prostate, colorectal) adiposity-associated cancers.

Methods: The analytic sample consisted of 3,184 adults, aged 26–84 years, from the Framingham Offspring cohort. Diet data were first collected between 1991 and 1995 using a food frequency questionnaire. Intakes of fructose, sucrose, sugary foods, and sugary beverages (fruit juice and sugar-sweetened beverages) were derived. Participants were followed up until 2013 to ascertain cancer incidence; 565 doctor-diagnosed adiposity-related cancers, including 124 breast, 157 prostate, and 68 colorectal cancers occurred. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate associations. Tests for interaction with BMI and waist circumference were conducted.

Results: No associations were observed between fructose, sucrose, sugary food consumption, and combined incidence of adiposity-related cancers or the examined site-specific cancers. While total consumption of sugary beverages was not associated with site-specific cancer risk, higher intakes of fruit juice were associated with 58% increased prostate cancer risk (HR: 1.58; 95% CI, 1.04–2.41) in multivariable-adjusted models. In exploratory stratified analyses, higher sugary beverage intakes increased overall adiposity-related cancer risk by 59% in participants with excessive central adiposity (HR: 1.59; 95% CI, 1.01–2.50; Ptrend = 0.057).

Conclusions: In this cohort of American adults, higher sugary beverage consumption was associated with increased cancer risk among participants with central adiposity.

Impact: These analyses suggest that avoiding sugary beverages represents a simple dietary modification that may be used as an effective cancer control strategy. Cancer Prev Res; 11(6); 347–58. ©2018 AACR.
Predictive Factors of Portal Hypertensive Enteropathy Exacerbation in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: A Capsule Endoscopy Study
Authors: Kunihara Sayoko , Oka Shiro , Tanaka Shinji , Otani Ichiro , Igawa Atsushi , Nagaoki Yuko , Aikata Hiroshi , Chayama Kazuaki
Published: April 2018

Background/Aims: The clinical course and exacerbation of portal hypertensive enteropathy (PHE) are yet to be fully clarified. This study aimed to identify factors related to PHE exacerbation in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). Methods: Fifty patients with LC (33 male; mean age, 67 years), who underwent capsule endoscopy (CE) at the Hiroshima University Hospital between February 2009 and September 2015, were followed up for >6 months. Exacerbation is defined as the appearance of new lesions or worsening of existing lesions. The association between PHE exacerbation and the clinical factors was evaluated. Results: PHE exacerbation was identified in 24 out of 50 (48%) of cases: erythema (14 cases); angioectasia (11 cases); erosions (9 cases); villous edema (8 cases); and esophageal varices (EVs; 6 cases). The following factors were significantly associated with PHE exacerbation: portosystemic shunts, EVs and portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) exacerbation. After therapy, CE findings among the 24 cases were as follows: villous edema (19 cases); erythema (17 cases); angioectasia (16 cases); erosions (12 cases); and EVs (9 cases), and no observable abnormalities in 2 cases. On multivariate analysis, exacerbation of EVs and PHG were independent predictors of PHE exacerbation. Conclusion: EVs and PHG exacerbation may predict PHE exacerbation in patients with LC.
Before and after Anorectal Surgery: Which Information Is Needed from the Functional Laboratory
Authors: Witte Maria , Schwandner Frank , Klar Ernst
Published: April 2018

Background: Anorectal surgery covers a wide spectrum of surgery. Diagnostic workup of anorectal disease is based on clinical examination with basic functional tests followed by more elaborate diagnostic tests. Since the incidence of anorectal disorders increases with age, more patients will present in outpatient clinics, thus underlining the relevance of this topic. Methods: A PubMed literature search was performed using the terms ‘anal incontinence', ‘anal and rectal surgery', ‘functional diagnostics', and combinations of these terms. No restriction regarding publication year or publication type was applied but randomized trials, ‘metanalyses', or guidelines were ranked higher. Only articles in English or German were included. Results: The diagnostic value of digital rectal examination, anal manometry and endosonography, the water holding procedure, contrast enema, and incontinence scores is summarized. Conclusion: The article focusses on basic clinical and functional diagnostic tests which can be easily applied in the pre- and postoperative setting to evaluate the postoperative outcome.
Clinical Significance of Reddish Depressed Lesions Observed in the Gastric Mucosa after Helicobacter pylori Eradication
Authors: Kotachi Takahiro , Ito Masanori , Boda Tomoyuki , Kiso Mariko , Masuda Kazuhiko , Hata Kosaku , Kawamura Toru , Sanomura Yoji , Yoshihara Masaharu , Tanaka Shinji , Chayama Kazuaki
Published: April 2018

Background and Aim: Reddish depressed lesions (RDLs) frequently observed in patients following Helicobacter pylori eradication are indistinguishable from gastric cancer. We examined the clinical and histological feature of RDLs and its relevant endoscopic diagnosis including magnifying narrow-band imaging (M-NBI). Methods: We enrolled 301 consecutive patients with H. pylori eradication who underwent endoscopy using white light imaging (WLI). We examined the prevalence and host factors contributing to the presence of RDLs. Next, we used M-NBI in 90 patients (104 RDLs), and compared the diagnostic efficacy between M-NBI and WLI groups using propensity-score matching analysis. Results: In 301 patients after eradication, 117 (39%) showed RDLs. Male, open-type atrophy, and gastric cancer history were risk factors for RDLs. A gastric biopsy was needed in 83 (71%) during WLI observation and only 2 were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. In M-NBI group, a biopsy was performed in 21 (20%), and 9 were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. A biopsy was required in fewer patients, and the positive predictive value of a biopsy was statistically higher in M-NBI than in the WLI group (p < 0.01). Conclusions: RDLs are frequently observed in high-risk patients for gastric cancer after eradication. M-NBI demonstrated significantly superior diagnostic efficacy with respect to RDL.
A Novel 2-Methoxyestradiol Analogue Is Responsible for Vesicle Disruption and Lysosome Aggregation in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Nkandeu Sandra D. , van den Bout Iman , Cronjé Marianne J. , van Papendorp Dirk H. , Joubert Anna M.
Published: April 2018

Background: 2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME2) is an endogenous metabolite of 17-β-estradiol with anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic properties. Due to 2ME2’s rapid metabolism and low oral bioavailability in in vivo settings, 2ME2 analogues have been designed to alleviate these issues. One of these compounds is 2-ethyl-3-O-sulphamoyl-estra-1,3,5(10)16-tetraene (ESE-16). A previous work alluded to the ability of ESE-16 to induce autophagic cell death. Therefore, we investigated the mode of action of ESE-16 by studying its effects on autophagy, vesicle formation, and lysosomal organisation. Summary: Vesicle formation and autophagy induction were analysed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining and Lysotracker staining, while autophagosome turnover was analysed using microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3 lipidation) analysis. MDC staining of acidic vesicles revealed an increase both in the number and size of vesicles after ESE-16 exposure. This was confirmed by TEM. Lysotracker staining indicated an increase in the size of lysosomes, as well as changes in their distribution within the cell. However, autophagy was not induced, since LC3 lipidation did not increase after exposure to ESE-16. Key ­Messages: This study showed that ESE-16 exposure leads to the aggregation of acidic vesicles, identified as lysosomes, not accompanied by an induction of autophagy. Therefore, ESE-16 disrupts normal endocytic vesicle maturation likely through the inhibition of the microtubule function.
The Prognostic Prediction Role of Preoperative Serum Albumin Level in Patients with Intahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Following Hepatectomy
Authors: Shen Junyi , Wen Tianfu , Li Chuan , Yan Lvnan , Li Bo , Yang Jiayin
Published: April 2018

Background: There is little information regarding the role of preoperative serum albumin (ALB) in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) patients who underwent liver resection. Methods: Clinicopathological characteristics and survival rate of 91 ICC patients who underwent surgery between 2009 and 2013 were included in this study. The optimal cut-off for ALB were determined by plotting the receiver operating characteristics curves of ALB in predicting overall survival (OS) and utilizing the Youden index. Long-term outcome was calculated by Kaplan-meire method. Results: The pathological characteristics were similar in both groups. The 1- and 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates between the high ALB group and the lower ALB group were 62.7 vs. 25.5% and 27.0 vs. 11.1% respectively (p < 0.001). The 1- and 3-year OS rates between the high ALB group and the lower ALB group were 78.4 vs. 57.5% and 42.6 vs. 6.7% respectively (p < 0.001). The ALB level as continuous variable in multivariate analysis remained a favorable factor for DFS and OS (p < 0.05). Furthermore, ALB could distinguish the prognoses in non-cirrhotic patients. Multivariate analysis showed other pathological risk factors like lymph node involvement, positive surgical margin, satellite lesions, and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 were associated with DFS and OS (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusions: A higher preoperative serum ALB level is associated with better long-term survival in ICC patients.
Delayed Chronic Subdural Hematoma after Total Cranial Vault Reconstruction for Sagittal Synostosis
Authors: Pasarikovski Christopher R. , Abel Taylor J. , Forrest Chris R. , Dirks Peter B. , Ibrahim George M.
Published: April 2018

When diagnosed and treated after the first year of life, the surgical management of sagittal synostosis typically necessitates total cranial vault reconstruction. The safety of total cranial vault reshaping has improved greatly over the past 3 decades. We report on the first published case of an asymptomatic 5-year-old patient who was found to have a large left sided chronic subdural hematoma 4 months after total cranial vault reshaping requiring surgery, detected on routine imaging. We hypothesize that augmentation of venous blood egression through the emissary veins during surgery may have led to venous hypertension and subsequently the development of the chronic subdural hematoma.
Isolated Traumatic Diastasis of the Clival Synchondroses without Clival Fracture
Authors: Faraji Amir H. , Ochalski Pawel G. , Ozpinar Alp , Blatt Jason E. , Pollack Ian F.
Published: April 2018

Traumatic clival fractures in the pediatric population are associated with high mortality rates. In our previously reported series, a subset of clival fractures were associated with traumatic diastasis of the surrounding clival synchondroses. Herein, we describe a pediatric case of an isolated traumatic diastasis of the clival synchondroses without clival fracture with significant injury to neurovascular structures. To our knowledge this is the first report to describe this entity. Careful radiological attention should be made towards the clival synchondroses in crushing head injuries to best tailor screening for cerebrovascular injury even in the absence of clival fractures.
The Use of Low-Calcium Hemodialysis in the Treatment of Hypercalcemic Crisis
Authors: Trabulus Sinan , Oruc Meric , Ozgun Emre , Altiparmak Mehmet Riza , Seyahi Nurhan
Published: April 2018

Background: We reviewed the results of low-calcium hemodialysis (LCHD; 1.25 mmol/L) in the treatment of 42 cases admitting with hypercalcemic crisis. Methods: All patients (≥18 years) who started LCHD due to hypercalcemia between 2002 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Biochemical data were obtained at the beginning of the first hemodialysis and at the end of the last hemodialysis. ­“Refractory” cases were defined as patients having albumin corrected serum total calcium (SCatotal) levels above 10.2 mg/dL despite of all medical, surgical, and hemodialysis treatments. Results: By acceptance of 3 cases admitted again over 6 months as new cases, a total of 42 cases (male, 57.1%) with a mean age of 55.9 ± 14.8 years underwent urgent hemodialysis. Most of the patients (82.1%) had malignancies. The mean SCatotal level at the beginning of hemodialysis sessions was 15.89 ± 2.53 mg/dL. The mean decline of SCatotal level was 4.63 ± 2.72 mg/dL. Refractory cases received hemodialysis after admission significantly later than improved cases (48 [interquartile ranges (IQR) 24–168] vs. 24 [IQR 12–48] h, p = 0.010). Serum creatinine and SCatotal levels at the last visit were significantly more in refractory cases than improved cases (1.92 [IQR 0.81–3.41] vs. 1.30 [IQR 0.8–1.7] mg/dL, p = 0.031 and 12.43 ± 2.53 vs. 8.86 ± 0.67 mg/dL, p = 0.000 respectively). Mortality was significantly higher in refractory cases than improved cases (58.8 vs. 10.5%, p = 0.002). Overall mortality rate was 33.3%. Conclusion: Hypercalcemic crisis is a life-threatening condition and should be managed immediately.
High-Resolution Anorectal Manometry - New Insights in the Diagnostic Assessment of Functional Anorectal Disorders
Authors: Heinrich Henriette , Misselwitz Benjamin
Published: April 2018

Functional anorectal disorders such as faecal incontinence (FI), functional anorectal pain, and functional defecation disorders (FDD) are highly prevalent and represent a high socioeconomic burden. Several tests of anorectal function exist in this setting; however, high-resolution anorectal manometry (HR-ARM) is a new tool that depicts pressure all along the anal canal and can assess rectoanal coordination. HR-ARM is used in the diagnosis of FI and especially FDD although data in health is still sparse, and pressure phenomena seen during simulated defecation, such as dyssynergia, are highly prevalent in health.