bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental and numerical studies on pumping viscoplastic fluids
Authors: Cai Jianan , Azimi Amir H. , Zhu David Z. , Rajaratnam Nallamuthu
Published: April 2016

Experimental and numerical studies were performed to investigate the pumping withdrawal of a Bingham plastic fluid using a vertical circular pipe. A Laponite suspension with 3% mass concentration was used for the experimental study. Results are compared with the theoretical solution of a point sink. A virtual point sink can be identified to exist below the intake along its centerline. With the assumption of an axisymmetric flow condition, radial velocity is found to be the same within a conical zone, but varies with the axial angle outside this zone in spherical polar coordinates. It was found that the flow viscosity and yield stress do not change the location of the virtual sink but they reduce the horizontal velocity of the Laponite suspension. The extent of the sheared flow region was also studied and the deformation radius was found to be proportional to the 1/3 power of the pumping rate.
Conodont faunal dynamics across the Middle and Upper Ordovician boundary in the Yichang area, western Hubei Province, South China
Authors: Wu Rong-Chang , Stouge Svend , Zhan Ren-Bin , Liu Jian-Bo , Liang Yan
Published: April 2016

A total of 6094 conodont specimens, assigned to 18 genera and 27 species, have been recovered from the uppermost Kuniutan and Miaopo formations, spanning the latest Darriwilian – early Sandbian in age, at the Jieling section, Yichang, Hubei Province. Three conodont zones have been recognized, i.e., in ascending order, the Pygodus serra Zone, the Pygodus anserinus – Yangtzeplacognathus jianyeensis Zone, and the Baltoniodus alobatus Zone. The conodont biodiversity in the Miaopo Formation shows a decreasing trend at Jieling. Multivariate statistical analysis of the conodont fauna from the Jieling section shows that the Baltoniodus and Periodon biofacies are present in the uppermost Kuniutan Formation, and the Periodon and Scabbardella biofacies can be recognized in the Miaopo Formation.
Large-scale investment in the excavation and “camouflaging” phases by nesting Leatherback Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea)
Authors: Burns Thomas J. , Davidson Hannah , Kennedy Malcolm W.
Published: April 2016

Nesting female Leatherback Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea (Vandelli, 1761)) are ungainly and vulnerable to predation, stranding, and physiological stress, dangers encountered repeatedly in a nesting season. Minimising these risks must be balanced against optimising investment in nest-site selection, excavation, refilling, and concealment of their egg clutches. We investigated the relative investment in the different phases of nesting in Leatherback Turtles by recording the duration of, and respiratory frequency during, each phase. Nest excavation and the final sand scattering (usually termed “camouflage” or “disguise”) phases were the longest in duration. By combining the relative durations of nesting phases with literature estimates of oxygen consumption, we found that these may be the most expensive phases energetically, sand scattering in particular. Leatherback Turtles follow convoluted paths during the sand scattering phase, which were mapped and measured. They disturb large areas (mean (±SD) 30.3 ± 11.1 m2, maximum 57 m2), the centroids of which were always offset from the nest itself. Interestingly, in none of 26 nestings observed did the centre line of females move over the nest itself. Nesting Leatherbacks therefore invest heavily in obscuring the egg clutch, and the pattern of their movements in doing so suggests decoy behaviour.
Modified cubic B-spline differential quadrature method for numerical solution of three-dimensional coupled viscous Burger equation
Authors: Shukla H. S. , Tamsir Mohammad , Srivastava Vineet K. , Rashidi Mohammad Mehdi
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we propose a modified cubic B-spline differential quadrature method (MCB-DQM) to solve three-dimensional (3D) coupled viscous Burger equation with appropriate initial and boundary conditions. In this method, modified cubic B-spline is treated as a basis function in the differential quadrature method (DQM) to compute the weighting coefficients. In this way, the Burger equation is reduced into a system of ordinary differential equations. An optimal strong stability-preserving Runge–Kutta (SSP-RK) method is employed to solve the resulting system of ordinary differential equations. In order to illustrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method, a numerical problem is considered. From the numerical experiment, it is found that the computed result is in good agreement with the exact solution. Stability analysis of the method is also carried out using the matrix stability analysis method and found to be unconditionally stable.
Coupling centrality and authority of co-processing model on complex networks
Authors: Zhang Zhanli , Li Huibin
Published: April 2016

Coupling centrality and authority of co-processing model on complex networks are investigated in this paper. As one crucial factor to determine the processing ability of nodes, the information flow with potential time lag is modeled by co-processing diffusion which couples the continuous time processing and the discrete diffusing dynamics. Exact results on master equation and stationary state are obtained to disclose the formation. Considering the influence of a node to the global dynamical behavior, coupling centrality and authority are introduced for each node, which determine the relative importance and authority of nodes in the diffusion process. Furthermore, the experimental results on large-scale complex networks confirm our analytical prediction.
Novel Design of Heterogeneous Automation Controller Based on Real-Time Data Distribution Service Middleware to Avoid Obsolescence Challenges
Authors: Sait Sadiq M. , Al-Hashim Ghalib A.
Published: April 2016

Oil and gas processing facilities utilize various process automation systems with proprietary controllers. As the systems age; older technologies become obsolete resulting in frequent premature capital investments to sustain their operation.

This paper presents a new design of automation controller to provide inherent mechanisms for upgrades and/or partial replacement of any obsolete components without obligation for a complete system replacement throughout the expected life cycle of the processing facilities.

The input/output racks are physically and logically decoupled from the controller by converting them into distributed autonomous process interface systems. The proprietary input/output communication between the conventional controller CPU and the associated input/output racks is replaced with standard real-time data distribution service middleware for providing seamless cross-vendor interoperable communication between the controller and the distributed autonomous process interface systems. The objective of this change is to allow flexibility of supply for all controller’s subcomponents from multiple vendors to safeguard against premature automation obsolescence challenges.

Detailed performance analysis was conducted to evaluate the viability of using the standard real-time data distribution service middleware technology in the design of automation controller to replace the proprietary input/output communication. The key simulation measurements to demonstrate its performance sustainability while growing in controller’s size based on the number of input/output signals are communication latency, variation in packets delays, and communication throughput. The overall performance results confirm the viability of the new proposal as the basis for designing cost effective evergreen process automation solutions that would result in optimum total cost of ownership capital investment throughout the systems’ life span. The only limiting factor is the selected network infrastructure.
On certain pure sextic fields related to a problem of Hasse
Authors: Ahmad Shahzad , Nakahara Toru , Hameed Abdul
Published: April 2016

An algebraic number ring is monogenic, or one-generated, if it has the form [Formula: see text] for a single algebraic integer [Formula: see text]. It is a problem of Hasse to characterize, whether an algebraic number ring is monogenic or not. In this note, we prove that if [Formula: see text] is a square-free rational integer, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], then the pure sextic field [Formula: see text] is not monogenic. Our results are illustrated by examples.
Regular charged black holes, quasilocal energy and energy conditions
Authors: Balart Leonardo , Peña Francisco
Published: April 2016

We revisit the relationship of inequality between the gravitational field energy and the Komar charge, both quantities evaluated at the event horizon, for static and spherically symmetric regular black hole solutions obtained with nonlinear electrodynamics. We found a way to characterize these regular black hole solutions by the energy conditions that they satisfy. In particular, we show the relation between the direction of the inequality and the energy condition that satisfies the regular black hole solutions.
Theoretical studies on structure, formation and nature of bond in a Disila-, Digerma- and distannacyclobutene ring
Authors: Bayat Mehdi , Amraie Fatemeh , Salehzadeh Sadegh
Published: April 2016

A theoretical study on the structure, formation and nature of E–E and C–E bonds (E[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]Si, Ge, Sn) in catenated compounds of the group 14 elements including disila-, digerma- and distannacyclobutene ring formed from the reaction of 1-thiacyclohept-4-yne and E(NR)2SiR2molecules [E[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]Si, Ge, Sn, R[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]t-Bu, H, F, Cl, Br] in 1:2 mole ratio has been investigated at the M06/def2-TZVPP level of theory. The results showed that the formation energy of the products of the reaction above with Si(NBr)2SiBr2and Sn(NF)2SiF2reactants has greatest and the smallest value, respectively. In agreement with the values of formation energies, both the calculated Wiberg bond indices (WBI) for E—E and C—E bonds and [Formula: see text](BCP) of E—E bond in the products of two above reactants have largest and smallest values, respectively. The nature of E—E bond in the products was also studied with atoms in molecules (AIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses. The data confirmed that the E—E bond is partly covalent. In addition, the nature of C—E bond was investigated with energy decomposition analysis (EDA) and it was shown that the covalent contribution is in the range 48–53% depending on the types of E atom and corresponding substituents.
Surface-ligand effect on radiosensitization of ultrasmall luminescent gold nanoparticles
Authors: Jiang Xingya , Du Bujie , Yu Mengxiao , Jia Xun , Zheng Jie
Published: April 2016

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) could serve as potential radiotherapy sensitizers because of their exceptional biocompatibility and high-Z material nature; however, since in vitro and in vivo behaviors of AuNPs are determined not only by their particle size but also by their surface chemistries, whether surface ligands can affect their radiosensitization has seldom been investigated in the radiosensitization of AuNPs. By conducting head-to-head comparison on radiosensitization of two kinds of ultrasmall ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nm) near-infrared (NIR) emitting AuNPs that are coated with zwitterionic glutathione and neutral polyethylene glycol (PEG) ligands, respectively, we found that zwitterionic glutathione coated AuNPs (GS-AuNPs) can reduce survival rates of MCF-7 cells under irradiation of clinically used megavoltage photon beam at low dosage of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]Gy. On the other hand, PEG-AuNPs can serve as a radiation-protecting agent and enabled MCF-7 cells more resistant to the irradiation, clearly indicating the key role of surface chemistry in radiosensitization of AuNPs. More detailed studies suggested that such difference was independent of cellular uptake and its efficiency, but might be related to the ligand-induced difference in photoelectron generation and/or interactions between AuNPs and X-ray triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Photovoltaic lithium-ion battery fabricated by molecular precursor method
Authors: Nagai Hiroki , Suzuki Tatsuya , Takahashi Yoshihisa , Sato Mitsunobu
Published: April 2016

A novel thin-film lithium-ion battery (LIB) which can be charged by the light irradiation was fabricated by molecular precursor method. The unprecedented, translucent thin-film LIB, fabricated on a fluorine-doped tin oxide pre-coated glass substrate, was attained by using the active materials, titania for anode and LiCoO2 for cathode, respectively. The averaged potential at 2.04[Formula: see text]V was observed by applying a constant current of 0.2[Formula: see text]mA. Then, that at 1.82[Formula: see text]V was detected after 60[Formula: see text]s during the sequential self-discharge process. The charging voltage of the assembled battery was 1.38[Formula: see text]V with irradiation of 1-sun, the self-discharge voltage was 1.37[Formula: see text]V. Based on the calibration curve of the charging voltages over constant currents ranging from 0–1.0[Formula: see text]mA, the detected value can be theoretically reduced to the charging operation by applying a constant current of approximately 60[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]A. The charge and discharge of this device was stable voltage at least 30 cycles. The two-in-one device can simultaneously generate and store electricity from solar light, the renewable energy source, and may be applied in smart windows for distributed power system according to on-site demand.
Condensation of R-134a on Horizontal Enhanced Tubes Having Three-Dimensional Roughness
Authors: Kim Nae-Hyun
Published: April 2016

Enhanced tubes are widely used in shell and tube condensers of refrigeration, air-conditioning and process industries because of their high heat transfer performance. In this study, condensation heat transfer tests were conducted for four three-dimensional enhanced tubes having different fin density and fin height using R-134a. The satuartion temperature was 40[Formula: see text]C. The heat transfer was significantly enhanced by the present enhanced geometry. At 5[Formula: see text]K wall subcooling, the enhancement ratio is 6.3 for 1654[Formula: see text]fpm, 4.6 for 1575[Formula: see text]fpm, 4.0 for 1496[Formula: see text]fpm and 3.3 for 1102[Formula: see text]fpm tubes. Within the geometric variation of the present study, the condensation heat transfer coefficient increased with the increase of fin density and of fin height. The heat transfer coefficients of the 1654[Formula: see text]fpm tube were approximately the same as those of the commercial three-dimensional enhanced tube Turbo-C.
Toxic Heavy Metal and Metalloid Accumulation in Crop Plants and Foods
Authors: Clemens Stephan , Ma Jian Feng
Published: April 2016

Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury are toxic elements that are almost ubiquitously present at low levels in the environment because of anthropogenic influences. Dietary intake of plant-derived food represents a major fraction of potentially health-threatening human exposure, especially to arsenic and cadmium. In the interest of better food safety, it is important to reduce toxic element accumulation in crops. A molecular understanding of the pathways responsible for this accumulation can enable the development of crop varieties with strongly reduced concentrations of toxic elements in their edible parts. Such understanding is rapidly progressing for arsenic and cadmium but is in its infancy for lead and mercury. Basic discoveries have been made in Arabidopsis, rice, and other models, and most advances in crops have been made in rice. Proteins mediating the uptake of arsenic and cadmium have been identified, and the speciation and biotransformations of arsenic are now understood. Factors controlling the efficiency of root-to-shoot translocation and the partitioning of toxic elements through the rice node have also been identified.
Chronic plus binge ethanol feeding induces myocardial oxidative stress, mitochondrial and cardiovascular dysfunction, and steatosis
Authors: Matyas Csaba , Varga Zoltan V. , Mukhopadhyay Partha , Paloczi Janos , Lajtos Tamas , Erdelyi Katalin , Nemeth Balazs T. , Nan Mintong , Hasko Gyorgy , Gao Bin , Pacher Pal
Published: April 2016

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy in humans develops in response to chronic excessive alcohol consumption; however, good models of alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy in mice are lacking. Herein we describe mouse models of alcoholic cardiomyopathies induced by chronic and binge ethanol (EtOH) feeding and characterize detailed hemodynamic alterations, mitochondrial function, and redox signaling in these models. Mice were fed a liquid diet containing 5% EtOH for 10, 20, and 40 days (d) combined with single or multiple EtOH binges (5 g/kg body wt). Isocalorically pair-fed mice served as controls. Left ventricular (LV) function and morphology were assessed by invasive pressure-volume conductance approach and by echocardiography. Mitochondrial complex (I, II, IV) activities, 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) levels, gene expression of markers of oxidative stress (gp91phox, p47phox), mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC1α, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α), and fibrosis were examined. Cardiac steatosis and fibrosis were investigated by histological/immunohistochemical methods. Chronic and binge EtOH feeding (already in 10 days EtOH plus single binge group) was characterized by contractile dysfunction (decreased slope of end-systolic pressure-volume relationship and preload recruitable stroke work), impaired relaxation (decreased time constant of LV pressure decay and maximal slope of systolic pressure decrement), and vascular dysfunction (impaired arterial elastance and lower total peripheral resistance). This was accompanied by enhanced myocardial oxidative/nitrative stress (3-NT; gp91phox; p47phox; angiotensin II receptor, type 1a) and deterioration of mitochondrial complex I, II, IV activities and mitochondrial biogenesis, excessive cardiac steatosis, and higher mortality. Collectively, chronic plus binge EtOH feeding in mice leads to alcohol-induced cardiomyopathies (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism models) characterized by increased myocardial oxidative/nitrative stress, impaired mitochondrial function and biogenesis, and enhanced cardiac steatosis.
The emergence of Applied Physiology within the discipline of Physiology
Authors: Tipton Charles M.
Published: April 2016

Despite the availability and utilization of the physiology textbooks authored by Albrecht von Haller during the 18th century that heralded the modern age of physiology, not all physicians or physiologists were satisfied with its presentation, contents, or application to medicine. Initial reasons were fundamental disagreements between the “mechanists,” represented by Boerhaave, Robinson, and von Haller, and the “vitalists,” represented by the faculty and graduates of the Montpellier School of Medicine in France, notably, Bordeu and Barthez. Subsequently, objections originated from Europe, United Kingdom, and the United States in publications that focused not only on the teaching of physiology to medical and secondary students, but on the specific applications of the content of physiology to medicine, health, hygiene, pathology, and chronic diseases. At the turn of the 20th century, texts began to appear with applied physiology in their titles and in 1926, physician Samson Wright published a textbook entitled Applied Physiology that was intended for both medical students and the medical profession. Eleven years later, physicians Best and Taylor published The Physiological Basis of Medical Practice: A University of Toronto Texbook in Applied Physiology. Although both sets of authors defined the connection between applied physiology and physiology, they failed to define the areas of physiology that were included within applied physiology. This was accomplished by the American Physiological Society (APS) Publications Committee in 1948 with the publication of the Journal of Appplied Physiology, that stated the word “applied” would broadly denote human physiology whereas the terms stress and environment would broadly include work, exercise, plus industrial, climatic and social factors. NIH established a study section (SS) devoted to applied physiology in 1964 which remained active until 2001 when it became amalgamated into other SSs. Before the end of the 20th century when departments were changing their titles to reflect a stronger science orientation, many established laboratories and offered degree programs devoted to Applied Physiology. We concluded that Applied Physiology has been an important contributor to the discipline of physiology while becoming an integral component of APS.
Adaptive Moving Sliding Mode Control for SISO Systems: Application to an Electropneumatic System
Authors: Ayadi Assil , Hajji Soufien , Smaoui Mohamed , Chaari Abdessattar
Published: April 2016

This paper aims to propose and develop an adaptive moving sliding mode controller (AMSMC) that can be applied for nonlinear single-input single-output (SISO) systems with external disturbances. The main contribution of this framework consists to overcome the chattering phenomenon problem. The discontinuous term of the classic sliding mode control is replaced by an adaptive term. Moreover, a moving sliding surface is proposed to have better tracking and to guarantee robustness to the external disturbances. The parameters of the sliding surface and the adaptive law are deduced based on Lyapunov stability analysis. An experimental application of electropneumatic system is treated to validate the theoretical results.
Growth Parameters for Films of Hydrothermally Synthesized One-Dimensional Nanocrystals of Zinc Oxide
Authors: Mahmood Mohammad A. , Jan Sadaqat , Shah Ibrar A. , Khan Imran
Published: April 2016

Zinc oxide has been the focus of material research due to its potential applications in a variety of novel fields. The material exhibits anisotropic growth in the form of single crystal rods/wires of length in microns and thickness in several tens of nanometers through a facile and low temperature hydrothermal route wherein size, morphology, orientation, and growth rate are strongly dependent on a number of synthesis parameters. In this review article we intend to present/discuss the effects of important growth parameters of zinc oxide that have been reported in the literature. These parameters include concentration of the precursor solution, growth time, role of hexamine, synthesis temperature, pH of the precursor, and seeding layer deposited on a substrate.
Radial Body Forces Influence on FGM and Non-FGM Cylindrical Pressure Vessels
Authors: Nagler Jacob
Published: April 2016

This study deals with the influence of radial body forces on FGM and non-FGM pressure vessels. It contains an extended overview of pressure vessels made from both kinds of material. Furthermore, full mathematical development of stress-strain field for both kinds of cylindrical vessels while being influenced by body forces has been performed. In addition, a new power law model for FGM materials was suggested and discussed. Finally, tables of composed plastic-elastic states are discussed.
Inhibition of Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Exosomes Secreted from Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Zhang Heng , Xiang Meng , Meng Dan , Sun Ning , Chen Sifeng
Published: April 2016

Exosomes secreted by mesenchymal stem cells have shown great therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine. In this study, we performed meta‐analysis to assess the clinical effectiveness of using exosomes in ischemia/reperfusion injury based on the reports published between January 2000 and September 2015 and indexed in the PUBMED and Web of Science databases. The effect of exosomes on heart function was evaluated according to the following parameters: the area at risk as a percentage of the left ventricle, infarct size as a percentage of the area at risk, infarct size as a percentage of the left ventricle, left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular fraction shortening, end‐diastolic volume, and end‐systolic volume. Our analysis indicated that the currently available evidence confirmed the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cell‐secreted exosomes in the improvement of heart function. However, further mechanistic studies, therapeutic safety, and clinical trials are required for optimization and validation of this approach to cardiac regeneration after ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Production and Partial Characterization of an Alkaline Xylanase from a Novel FungusCladosporium oxysporum
Authors: Guan Guo-Qiang , Zhao Peng-Xiang , Zhao Jin , Wang Mei-Juan , Huo Shu-Hao , Cui Feng-Jie , Jiang Jian-Xin
Published: April 2016

A new fungusCladosporium oxysporumGQ-3 producing extracellular xylanase was isolated from decaying agricultural waste and identified based on the morphology and comparison of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA gene sequence.C. oxysporumproduced maximum xylanase activity of 55.92 U/mL with wheat bran as a substrate and NH4Cl as a nitrogen source. Mg2+improvedC. oxysporumxylanase production.Partially purified xylanase exhibited maximum activity at 50°C and pH 8.0, respectively, and showed the stable activity after 2-h treatment in pH 7.0–8.5 or below 55°C. Mg2+enhanced the xylanase activity by 2% while Cu2+had the highest inhibition ratio of 57.9%. Furthermore,C. oxysporumxylanase was resistant to most of tested neutral and alkaline proteases. Our findings indicated thatCladosporium oxysporumGQ-3 was a novel xylanase producer, which could be used in the textile processes or paper/feed industries.
Circulating Betatrophin Is Increased in Patients with Overt and Subclinical Hypothyroidism
Authors: Han Cheng , Xia Xinghai , Liu Aihua , Zhang Xiaowen , Zhou Mi , Xiong Chuhui , Liu Xin , Sun Jie , Shi Xiaoguang , Shan Zhongyan , Teng Weiping
Published: April 2016

Thyroid hormone (TH) affects many metabolic processes such as promoting oxidation of sugar, fat, and protein in many tissues. Thyroid dysfunction is associated with metabolic disorders. The newly discovered adipocyte- and hepatocyte-derived cytokine, betatrophin, has been reported to be involved in metabolic diseases, but its influence on thyroid dysfunction is uncertain. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate circulating betatrophin levels in subjects with different thyroid function status and to predict the factors associated with betatrophin levels, especially whether thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), TH, or thyroid autoantibodies are associated with betatrophin levels. In the study, serum betatrophin was measured in the subjects grouped as overt hypothyroidism (OH), subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), euthyroid with isolated thyroid peroxidase antibody positivity (isolated Ab), and healthy control (HC), according to their thyroid functions. From our results, we found that betatrophin may be associated with thyroid insufficiency but not thyroid autoimmunity. Thus, when interpreting the results of betatrophin, thyroid functions should also be taken into consideration.
Gypenoside AttenuatesβAmyloid-Induced Inflammation in N9 Microglial Cells via SOCS1 Signaling
Authors: Cai Hui , Liang Qianlei , Ge Guanqun
Published: April 2016

Reducingβamyloid- (Aβ-) induced microglial activation is believed to be effective in treating Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Microglia can be activated into classic activated state (M1 state) or alternative activated state (M2 state), and the former is harmful; in contrast, the latter is beneficial. Gypenoside (GP) is the major bioactive constituent ofGynostemma pentaphyllum, a traditional Chinese herb medicine. In this study, we hypothesized that GP attenuates Aβ-induced microglial activation by ameliorating microglial M1/M2 states, and the process may be mediated by suppressor of cell signaling protein 1 (SOCS1). In this study, we found that Aβexposure increased the levels of microglial M1 markers, including iNOS expression, tumor necrosis factorα(TNF-α), interleukin 1β(IL-1β), and IL-6 releases, and coadministration of GP reversed the increase of M1 markers and enhanced the levels of M2 markers, including arginase-1 (Arg-1) expression, IL-10, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) releases in the Aβ-treated microglial cells. SOCS1-siRNA, however, significantly abolished the GP-induced effects on the levels of microglial M1 and M2 markers. These findings indicated that GP attenuates Aβ-induced microglial activation by ameliorating M1/M2 states, and the process may be mediated by SOCS1.
Cognitive Privacy for Personal Clouds
Authors: Radenkovic Milena
Published: April 2016

This paper proposes a novel Cognitive Privacy (CogPriv) framework that improves privacy of data sharing between Personal Clouds for different application types and across heterogeneous networks. Depending on the behaviour of neighbouring network nodes, their estimated privacy levels, resource availability, and social network connectivity, each Personal Cloud may decide to use different transmission network for different types of data and privacy requirements. CogPriv is fully distributed, uses complex graph contacts analytics and multiple implicit novel heuristics, and combines these with smart probing to identify presence and behaviour of privacy compromising nodes in the network. Based on sensed local context and through cooperation with remote nodes in the network, CogPriv is able to transparently and on-the-fly change the network in order to avoid transmissions when privacy may be compromised. We show that CogPriv achieves higher end-to-end privacy levels compared to both noncognitive cellular network communication and state-of-the-art strategies based on privacy-aware adaptive social mobile networks routing for a range of experiment scenarios based on real-world user and network traces. CogPriv is able to adapt to varying network connectivity and maintain high quality of service while managing to keep low data exposure for a wide range of privacy leakage levels in the infrastructure.
Ligustrazine for the Treatment of Unstable Angina: A Meta‐Analysis of 16 Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Cao Suman , Zhao Wenli , Bu Huaien , Zhao Ye , Yu Chunquan
Published: April 2016

Ligustrazine is a principal ingredient of chuanxiong. Concerns regarding the evaluation of the effectiveness of ligustrazine in the treatment of UA have resulted in a meta‐analysis combined with recent clinical evidence. Seven computer databases that included the China hospital knowledge database (CHKD), Wanfang Med Online, the Chinese medical journal database (CMJD), PubMed, Cochrane, Embase (Ovid), and Medline (Ovid) were systematically searched. We included randomized controlled trials and quasi‐randomized controlled trials. Our systematic review identified 16 RCTs that met our eligibility criteria. Ligustrazine combined with conventional medicine was associated with an increased rate of marked improvement in symptoms and an increased rate of marked improvement of ECG compared with conventional Western medicine alone. Additionally, the use of ligustrazine was associated with significant trends in the reduction of the consumption of nitroglycerin and the level of fibrinogen when compared with conventional Western medicine alone. No firm results were found between the intervention and the control method groups in the reduction of the time of onset or the frequency of acute attack angina due to the high level of heterogeneity. In conclusion, our meta‐analysis found that ligustrazine was associated with some benefits for people with unstable angina.
Rictor/mTORC2 Drives Progression and Therapeutic Resistance of HER2-Amplified Breast Cancers
Authors: Morrison Joly Meghan , Hicks Donna J. , Jones Bayley , Sanchez Violeta , Estrada Monica Valeria , Young Christian , Williams Michelle , Rexer Brent N. , Sarbassov Dos D. , Muller William J. , Brantley-Sieders Dana , Cook Rebecca S.
Published: April 2016

HER2 overexpression drives Akt signaling and cell survival and HER2-enriched breast tumors have a poor outcome when Akt is upregulated. Akt is activated by phosphorylation at T308 via PI3K and S473 via mTORC2. The importance of PI3K-activated Akt signaling is well documented in HER2-amplified breast cancer models, but the significance of mTORC2-activated Akt signaling in this setting remains uncertain. We report here that the mTORC2 obligate cofactor Rictor is enriched in HER2-amplified samples, correlating with increased phosphorylation at S473 on Akt. In invasive breast cancer specimens, Rictor expression was upregulated significantly compared with nonmalignant tissues. In a HER2/Neu mouse model of breast cancer, genetic ablation of Rictor decreased cell survival and phosphorylation at S473 on Akt, delaying tumor latency, penetrance, and burden. In HER2-amplified cells, exposure to an mTORC1/2 dual kinase inhibitor decreased Akt-dependent cell survival, including in cells resistant to lapatinib, where cytotoxicity could be restored. We replicated these findings by silencing Rictor in breast cancer cell lines, but not silencing the mTORC1 cofactor Raptor (RPTOR). Taken together, our findings establish that Rictor/mTORC2 signaling drives Akt-dependent tumor progression in HER2-amplified breast cancers, rationalizing clinical investigation of dual mTORC1/2 kinase inhibitors and developing mTORC2-specific inhibitors for use in this setting. Cancer Res; 76(16); 4752–64. ©2016 AACR.
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma Mimicking Papillary Carcinoma: A Report of Three Cases
Authors: Rakha Emad A. , Abbas Areeg , Sheeran Rachael
Published: April 2016

Encapsulated and solid papillary carcinomas (EPCs and SPCs) are considered historically as a special form of ductal carcinoma in situ. Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is characterised by a discohesive growth pattern. There are several variants of ILC, but, as yet, no papillary subtype has been identified. Here we report 3 cases of ILC presenting as papillary carcinoma (PC) with a typical solid papillary growth pattern. One case was reported on core biopsy as EPC (B5a). The 3 ensuing resection specimens showed features typical of SPC with a circumscribed malignant epithelial proliferation containing fibrovascular cores and surrounded, at least focally, by a thick fibrous capsule. The lobular nature of these tumours was confirmed on the resection specimens by the absence of E-cadherin and β-catenin membrane expression. The invasive nature was confirmed by the presence of entrapped fat cells, the absence of myoepithelial cells and focal merging of the solid papillary areas with classic ILC at the periphery. Of note, 1 case was a recurrent carcinoma without an in situ component. Conclusion: This study provides further evidence that EPC and SPC represent a unique growth pattern of breast carcinomas rather than reflecting the in situ or invasive nature of the tumour, and that ILC can acquire a papillary growth pattern.
Chitotriosidase: A New Inflammatory Marker in Diabetic Complications
Authors: Di Rosa Michelino , Malaguarnera Lucia
Published: April 2016

Chitotriosidase (CHIT1) belongs to chitinase family. So far this enzyme has been the best investigated human chitinase regarding its biological activity and association with various disorders. In a healthy population, CHIT1 activity is very low and originates in the circulating polymorphonuclear cells. Conversely, during the development of acute/chronic inflammatory disorders, the enzymatic activity of CHIT1 increases significantly. Recently, CHIT1 has also been involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (DM). Mounting evidence from experimental studies revealing the increase of CHIT1 levels in pathological conditions, such as atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, acute ischemic stroke, cerebrovascular dementia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and osteolytic processes suggest its critical role in the evolutions and complications of DM. This review is addressed to provide mechanistic insights by highlighting the relationship between CHIT1 and diabetes, and their contribution in the exacerbation of this disease.
Embryo Transfer with Controlled Injection Speed to Increase Pregnancy Rates: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Caanen Mirte R. , van der Houwen Lisette E. , Schats Roel , Vergouw Carlijn G. , de Leeuw Bram , Lambers Marieke J. , Groeneveld Els , Lambalk Cornelis B. , Hompes Peter G.
Published: April 2016

Background/Aims: Catheter injection speed affects depth and placement of the embryo into the uterine cavity and is shown to be highly variable in, and between, subjects in a manually performed embryo transfer. In an effort to standardize the injection speed during embryo transfer, we developed an automated transfer pump: the pump-regulated embryo transfer (PRET) device. In this randomized controlled trial, we aimed to investigate if standardization of the injection speed and pressure with this PRET results in a better controlled positioning of the transferred embryo(s). Methods: Five hundred ninety-nine in-vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection/frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles were randomly assigned to the PRET or manual transfer. Positioning of the embryo(s) into the uterine cavity was measured with ultrasound. Results: The PRET device generates a significantly smaller variance of the positioning of the embryo(s) into the uterine cavity. This resulted in an ongoing pregnancy rate of 21% in the PRET versus 17% in the manual (p = 0.22) transfer group; frozen-thawed embryo transfers resulted in 17.5 versus 10.9% (p = 0.097), respectively. Conclusion: The PRET results in better controlled positioning of the embryo(s), and it also gives the opportunity to standardize embryo transfer. Whether the PRET may positively influence pregnancy rates, needs to be investigated in a multicenter trial.
Biventricular Rupture with Extracardiac Left-to-Right Shunt Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Yalonetsky Sergey , Aronson Doron
Published: April 2016

Background: Simultaneous rupture of the left and right ventricles is an extremely rare mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction (MI). When associated with the formation of a false aneurysm, an extracardiac left-to-right shunt may occur. Methods: We summarized all published data describing this unique condition. We searched the PubMed and Google Scholar databases for case reports in peer-reviewed journals from 1 January 1980 to 1 May 2015. We identified 16 articles describing 17 cases. Results: In all but 1 case, biventricular wall rupture (BVWR) resulted from an inferior MI. The clinical presentations of BVWR were variable and included cardiogenic shock, congestive heart failure and an absence of any cardiac symptoms. In most cases, there was a hemodynamically significant left-to-right shunt, with pulmonary to systemic blood flow (Qp/Qs) >2. Diagnostic difficulties were reported in most cases, and some patients were initially misdiagnosed as having ventricular septal rupture (VSR). Surgical closure of the defect was successful in most cases, and some asymptomatic patients were managed conservatively. Conclusion: BVWR with an intact interventricular septum and extracardiac left-to-right shunt is a rare mechanical complication of acute MI, often misdiagnosed as VSR. It has a variable clinical course, probably related to the magnitude of the shunt.
Effects of Erosion Protocol Design on Erosion/Abrasion Study Outcome and on Active Agent (NaF and SnF2) Efficacy
Authors: Schlueter Nadine , Lussi Adrian , Tolle Alexandra , Ganss Carolina
Published: April 2016

There is no standard for testing anti-erosive/anti-abrasive agents, making the assessment and comparison of study results difficult. Factors which are varied in study designs are amongst others the erosive medium regarding concentration and pH or movement type of acid. The present study therefore investigated the impact of these factors on dimension of tissue loss and on efficacy of active agents used as anti-erosive/anti-abrasive therapeutics. In 8 experiments, consisting of 8 groups each (n = 20 each), resulting in a total of 64 groups, enamel specimens were demineralised (10 days, 6 × 2 min/day) using different acids (1, 0.5 and 0.3% citric acid at native pH 2.3, 2.5 and 2.8, respectively, and 0.3% citric acid adjusted to pH 3.6) with two different movement types (jerky or smooth). Specimens were immersed (2 × 2 min/day) in slurries of 1,450 ppm F- toothpaste (NaF), 1,450 ppm F- and 3,436 ppm Sn2+ toothpaste (NaF/SnF2), 970 ppm F- and 3,000 ppm Sn2+ gel (SnF2) or placebo, or were additionally brushed during immersion (15 s, 200 g). All groups were in between stored in a mineral salt solution. Tissue loss was determined profilometrically. Movement type, pH and concentration of acid had a substantial impact on study outcome. The combination of jerky movement and concentrated acid masked, to some extent, differences between erosive and erosive-abrasive tissue loss. The acid at low concentration (0.3%), independent of pH, was too mild to produce any tissue loss. The model with the best ability to demonstrate effects of abrasive impacts and active agents used the 1% acid concentration combined with smooth acid movements.
Trachyonychia and Twenty-Nail Dystrophy: A Comprehensive Review and Discussion of Diagnostic Accuracy
Authors: Jacobsen Audrey A. , Tosti Antonella
Published: April 2016

Background/Aims: The term trachyonychia, also known as twenty-nail dystrophy, is used to describe thin, brittle nails with excessive longitudinal ridging. The term twenty-nail dystrophy has been incorrectly applied to other conditions that can affect all twenty nails. Therefore, we have conducted a comprehensive review of the clinical features of trachyonychia and have included a discussion regarding the diagnostic accuracy of this condition in the literature. Methods: In November and December 2015, we conducted a thorough literature search using the following search terms: ‘trachyonychia', ‘twenty nail dystrophy', and ‘sandpaper nails'. Articles that reported the epidemiology, disease associations, clinical presentation, histopathology, and treatment options for trachyonychia were included. Particular attention was given to case reports to identify misdiagnosed cases of twenty-nail dystrophy. Results: Our preliminary search yielded 184 results with 72 unique articles ultimately selected for review. Excluded articles included 27 articles in languages other than English, 18 commentaries or reviews, and 67 irrelevant articles. Twelve additional articles described nail abnormalities clinically different from trachyonychia. Conclusion: Many other conditions can cause widespread nail dystrophy. The specific characteristics of trachyonychia need to be considered to make the diagnosis of twenty-nail dystrophy.
Motor Performance and Physical Activity as Predictors of Prospective Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults by Frailty Level: Application of Wearable Technology
Authors: Mohler M. Jane , Wendel Christopher S. , Taylor-Piliae Ruth E. , Toosizadeh Nima , Najafi Bijan
Published: April 2016

Background: Few studies of the association between prospective falls and sensor-based measures of motor performance and physical activity (PA) have evaluated subgroups of frailty status separately. Objective: To evaluate wearable sensor-based measures of gait, balance, and PA that are predictive of future falls in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: The Arizona Frailty Cohort Study in Tucson, Arizona, followed community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and over (without baseline cognitive deficit, severe movement disorders, or recent stroke) for falls over 6 months. Baseline measures included Fried frailty criteria: in-home and sensor-based gait (normal and fast walk), balance (bipedal eyes open and eyes closed), and spontaneous daily PA over 48 h, measured using validated wearable technologies. Results: Of the 119 participants (36% non-frail, 48% pre-frail, and 16% frail), 48 reported one or more fall (47% of non-frail, 33% of pre-frail, and 47% of frail). Although balance deficit and PA were independent fall predictors in pre-frail and frail groups, they were not sensitive to predict prospective falls in the non-frail group. Even though gait performance deteriorated as frailty increased, gait was not a predictor of prospective falls when participants were stratified based on frailty status. In pre-frail and frail participants combined, center of mass sway [odds ratio (OR) = 5.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.6-13.7], PA mean walking bout duration (OR = 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.2), PA mean standing bout duration (OR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.91-0.99), and a fall in previous 6 months (OR = 7.3, 95% CI 1.5-36.4) were independent predictors of prospective falls (area under the curve: 0.882). Conclusion: This study suggests that independent predictors of falls are dependent on frailty status. Among sensor-derived parameters, balance deficit, longer typical walking episodes, and shorter typical standing episodes were the most sensitive predictors of prospective falls in the combined pre-frail and frail sample. Gait deficit was not a sensitive fall predictor in the context of frailty status.
Balloon Cell Malignant Melanoma in a Young Female: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Hattori Yui , Sentani Kazuhiro , Hattori Takuya , Matsuo Yoshimi , Kawai Mikio , Shindo Hajime , Tanaka Maiko , Hide Michihiro , Yasui Wataru
Published: April 2016

Balloon cell malignant melanoma (BCMM) is a very rare malignant melanoma subtype. The clinical appearance of BCMM varies; it may be nodular, ulcerated, polypoid, papillomatous and often non-pigmented. The tumor cells histologically appear large, polygonal or round and contain abundant granular or vacuolated cytoplasm. We herein report the case of a 32-year-old female who presented with a focal eccentric pigmented mass in the left lumbar region of 15 mm in diameter that had been present for several years. She underwent tumor excision. The histopathological analysis showed epithelioid melanocytes with clear cytoplasm. An immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the cells were positive for HMB-45 and S-100 protein and negative for cytokeratin. The balloon cell component stained negative for Fontana-Masson. A month later, the patient underwent excision of the bilateral inguinal lymph nodes and metastatic BCMM was revealed. The lymph node metastases showed the complete replacement of lymph nodes by balloon cells. A diagnosis of BCMM (Breslow depth 10 mm, Clark level V) without ulcer was rendered. Staining with Ki-67 was positive in almost 44% of the balloon cells.
Bichos da ESALQ: quais são, como vivem e como lidar com os animais silvestres do campus
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Marchini Silvio , Ferraz Kátia Maria P. Micchi de Barros ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz
Published: April 2016

Revela ao público a diversa e abundante fauna silvestre do Campus “Luiz de Queiroz”. São mais de 260 espécies de mamíferos, aves, répteis e anfíbios (veja tabela abaixo), das quais a capivara, o sagui, a seriema, o cágado-de-barbicha e a onça-parda são apenas alguns dos exemplos mais emblemáticos. Com figuras e texto simples e acessível tanto aos alunos da ESALQ quanto ao público em geral, apresentamos os principais ícones da fauna silvestre do campus, com destaque para seus impactos materiais e psicológicos. Além disso, abordamos a maneira como o tema da fauna silvestre é tratado na ESALQ nos âmbitos da pesquisa, do ensino e da gestão socioambiental do campus.
Comunicação, mobilização política e dialogia no interior dos movimentos sociais: apontamentos acerca do MST Nacional.
Authors: Oliveira Guilherme Jeronymo Pereira Hernandes e
Published: April 2016

Este trabalho realiza uma investigação acerca das estruturas de comunicação nacionais do Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra e tece considerações sobre seus papéis e potenciais, em especial no que tange a participação direta dos assentados e militantes em tais mídias.