bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Very rare solitary primary peripheral nerve onset cytotoxic molecule‐positive peripheral T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL)
Authors: Matsumoto Namiko , Sato Kota , Takahashi Yoshiaki , Kawahara Yuko , Yunoki Taijun , Shang Jingwei , Takemoto Mami , Hishikawa Nozomi , Ohta Yasuyuki , Yamashita Toru , Sakamoto Maiko , Kondou Eisei , Shibata Rei , Yoshino Tadashi , Ozaki Toshifumi , Abe Koji
Published: February 2019

Here we present the first report of solitary primary peripheral nerve onset cytotoxic molecule (CM)‐positive peripheral T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL) diagnosed after nerve biopsy. An 84‐year‐old female with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complained of asymmetric severe tenderness in her upper limbs. The biopsy pathology revealed a direct invasion of CM‐positive PTCL. When RA patients complain of numbness, tenderness, or weakness, lymphomatic peripheral nerve invasion should be considered.
Semi‐parametric Regression under Model Uncertainty: Economic Applications
Authors: Malsiner‐Walli Gertraud , Hofmarcher Paul , Grün Bettina
Published: February 2019

Economic theory does not always specify the functional relationship between dependent and explanatory variables, or even isolate a particular set of covariates. This means that model uncertainty is pervasive in empirical economics. In this paper, we indicate how Bayesian semi‐parametric regression methods in combination with stochastic search variable selection can be used to address two model uncertainties simultaneously: (i) the uncertainty with respect to the variables which should be included in the model and (ii) the uncertainty with respect to the functional form of their effects. The presented approach enables the simultaneous identification of robust linear and nonlinear effects. The additional insights gained are illustrated on applications in empirical economics, namely willingness to pay for housing, and cross‐country growth regression.
Prophylactic pulmonary vein isolation during cavotricuspid isthmus ablation for atrial flutter: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Koerber Scott M. , Turagam Mohit K. , Gautam Sandeep , Winterfield Jeffrey , Wharton J. Marcus , Lakkireddy Dhanunjaya , Gold Michael R.
Published: February 2019

Background

Atrial arrhythmias (AA), including atrial fibrillation (AF), have been reported in patients after cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation for typical atrial flutter (AFL). Several studies have examined the effect of performing concomitant pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) with CTI on recurrent AA. These studies were analyzed to determine the overall effect of this approach on recurrent AA.

Methods

PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for randomized trials comparing the incidence of AA after CTI versus CTI + PVI until June 2018. Only patients without prior history of AF were included in the recurrent AA analysis. All patients were included in the analyses of other clinical outcomes.

Results

Four randomized control trials were included in the meta‐analysis. In the recurrent AA analysis, a total of 314 patients were randomized in the studies (n = 158 CTI, n = 156 CTI + PVI). Freedom from AA at 1 year was significantly higher in the CTI + PVI group versus CTI alone (odds ratio [OR] 0.25 [0.14, 0.44] 95% confidence interval [CI], P < 0.00001). A total of 550 patients (n = 336 CTI, n = 214 CTI + PVI) were included in analyses for procedure time, fluoroscopy time, and complications rates. Procedure time and fluoroscopy time were significantly longer in the CTI + PVI group (mean difference [MD]: 103.31 min [94.40, 112.23] 95% CI, P < 0.00001) and (MD: 16.47 min [14.89, 18.05] 95% CI, P < 0.00001), respectively. Total complications were statistically similar between groups.

Conclusion

This meta‐analysis shows addition of a prophylactic PVI during CTI ablation significantly reduces recurrent AA at 1 year without significantly increasing major complications.
Esophageal position, measured luminal temperatures, and risk of atrioesophageal fistula with atrial fibrillation ablation
Authors: Sandhu Amneet , Zipse Matthew M. , Borne Ryan T. , Aleong Ryan G. , Tompkins Christine , Schuller Joseph , Rosenberg Michael , Varosy Paul D. , Tzou Wendy S. , Nguyen Duy T. , Sauer William H.
Published: February 2019

Background

Despite improvement in catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), ability to recognize and prevent esophageal injury remains challenging. We hypothesized that esophageal course may impact esophageal heating, as measured through ablation, and thereby, risk of injury.

Methods

We evaluated all patients undergoing first‐time AF ablation with preprocedural computed tomography (CT) imaging from 2014 to 2016 at our institution, focusing on esophageal position at the left atrial (LA)/pulmonary vein junction. Esophageal luminal temperatures (ELTs) were analyzed by esophageal course. In exploratory work by investigation of published reports of atrioesophageal fistula (AEF), we evaluated for a relationship between esophageal course and risk of AEF.

Results

Of 68 patients, 48.5% had midline, 36.8% leftward, and 14.7% rightward esophageal positions. Of 20 patients (29% of cohort) with esophageal confinement—defined as a midline or leftward position relative to the LA, vertebrae, and aorta, with luminal distortion—14 had leftward position. No significant differences in patient or procedure characteristics were noted between confinement and nonconfinement cohorts. The average peak ELT was significantly higher in those with confinement (36.9°C vs 36.2°C, P < 0.05) and confinement with a left‐sided esophagus (37.1°C vs 36.2°C, P < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between esophageal confinement and risk of AEF (odds ratio [OR]: 2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2‐6.2, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Approximately one‐third of patients undergoing AF ablation display leftward esophageal course along the ablation zone on preprocedure CT imaging, with a significant portion exhibiting esophageal confinement. In those with confinement, higher peak ELTs are noted with ablation. Esophageal confinement may be a risk factor for development of AEF.
Stress priming, memory, and signalling in plants
Authors: Hilker Monika , Schmülling Thomas
Published: February 2019

Plants need to cope with changing environmental conditions, be it variable light or temperature, different availability of water or nutrients, or attack by pathogens or insects. Some of these changing conditions can become stressful and require strong countermeasures to ensure plant survival. Plants have evolved numerous distinct sensing and signalling mechanisms to perceive and respond appropriately to a variety of stresses. Because of the unpredictable nature of numerous stresses, resource‐saving stress response mechanisms are inducible and become activated only upon a stress experience. Furthermore, plants have evolved mechanisms by which they can remember past stress events and prime their responses in order to react more rapidly or more strongly to recurrent stress. Research over the last decade has revealed mechanisms of this information storage and retrieval, which include epigenetic regulation, transcriptional priming, primed conformation of proteins, or specific hormonal or metabolic signatures. There is also increasing understanding of the ecological constraints and relevance of stress priming and memory. This special issue presents research articles and reviews addressing various aspects of this exciting and growing field of research. Here, we introduce the topic by referring to the articles published in this issue, and we outline open questions and future directions of research.
Lack of synergistic effects in tomato plants co‐infected with tomato severe rugose virus and tomato chlorosis virus
Authors: Bampi D. , Favara G. M. , Edwards Molina J. P. , Rezende J. A. M.
Published: February 2019

The begomovirus Tomato severe rugose virus (ToSRV) and the crinivirus Tomato chlorosis virus (ToCV), in single and co‐infections, are very common in tomato crops in Brazil. Both viruses are transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaciMEAM1 (biotype B). The objective of this study was to analyse the interaction between ToSRV and ToCV in tomato plants of cultivars Santa Clara and Kada. Plants at 15, 30 and 45 days after emergence were inoculated with 30 viruliferous B. tabaci per plant. The following treatments were compared: plants inoculated with ToSRV, ToCV, ToSRV + ToCV, and healthy (control). The interaction between these viruses was analysed by measuring the virus titre by qPCR and the fresh and dry weights of the aerial parts of the tomato plants. Based on two independent assays, no significant effects for co‐infection of ToSRV and ToCV on virus titres and plant development were observed compared to single infections. The dry weight of tomato plants of both cultivars infected with ToSRV, ToCV, or co‐infected did not differ significantly. However, the dry weight of Santa Clara tomato plants infected with ToSRV, ToCV and ToSRV + ToCV showed mean reductions of 21.5%, 25.5% and 32%, respectively, compared to healthy plants, and mean reductions for Kada were 31.7%, 37.5% and 38%, respectively.
‘Towards a Global Pact for the Environment’: International environmental law's factual, technical and (unmentionable) normative gaps
Authors: French Duncan , Kotzé Louis J.
Published: February 2019

A key feature of the 2018 United Nations (UN) General Assembly Resolution ‘Towards a Global Pact for the Environment’ is the preparation of a technical and evidence‐based report by the UN Secretary‐General that identifies and assesses possible gaps in international environmental law (IEL) and environment‐related instruments with a view to strengthening their implementation. The gap report will be considered by an ad hoc open‐ended working group to discuss options to address the possible gaps. In this article, we reflect on the likely impact of this initial gap identification and analysis phase of the intergovernmental process. We are specifically concerned with the notion and the nature of ‘gaps’ in the context of the draft Global Pact, the Resolution and more generally in IEL, and will explore whether the concept of ‘gaps’ has meaningful value and whether such gaps are factual, technical or normative in nature. While we believe an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of IEL should be welcomed, we are not entirely convinced, however, that a gap analysis in the form and fashion currently proposed is the most effective or useful way to go about this.
Biopolitics, discipline, and hydro‐citizenship: Drought management and water governance in England
Authors: Sarmiento Eric , Landström Catharina , Whatmore Sarah
Published: February 2019

In this paper we argue that English drought management rests on two imaginaries of hydrocitizenship: an economic/instrumental imaginary that frames people primarily as “customers,” and an imaginary that focuses more on the affectively charged, personal engagements between individuals and “hydrosocial” spaces. These imaginaries, we contend, roughly correspond with the two modalities of a form of governance referred to by Michel Foucault as biopower: biopolitics and discipline. Drawing on fieldwork conducted as part of a large interdisciplinary research project on drought in the UK, we sketch the contours of English drought management, exploring in particular the “macro‐scale” elements of drought management (the biopolitical modality), premised on computer simulation modelling, and the elements of drought management that focus on the level of individual people (the disciplinary modality), premised in part on the work of local environmental organisations. The difference between the two notions of hydrocitizenship informing these two modalities of management, we conclude, produces tensions that potentially undermine water governance as it is currently organised in the UK. Ultimately, our goal in the paper is not solely to expose or critique existing governance efforts or the power relations therein, but rather to examine the interplay of governmentalities that constitute drought management in order to illuminate and expand the potential for “being governed differently.”
Association of blood donation with iron deficiency among adolescent and adult females in the United States: a nationally representative study
Authors: Patel Eshan U. , White Jodie L. , Bloch Evan M. , Grabowski Mary K. , Gehrie Eric A. , Lokhandwala Parvez M. , Brunker Patricia A. R. , Goel Ruchika , Shaz Beth H. , Ness Paul M. , Tobian Aaron A. R.
Published: February 2019

BACKGROUND

Blood donation results in a loss of iron stores, which is particularly concerning for young female blood donors. This study examines the association of blood donation and iron deficiency among adolescent and adult females in the United States.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A cross‐sectional analysis was performed using data from the 1999–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Females who reported their blood donation history in the preceding year and had serum ferritin (SF) measurements were included. Analyses were weighted and stratified by adolescents (16–19 years; n = 2419) and adults (20–49 years; n = 7228). Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) were estimated by multivariable Poisson regression. Standard errors were estimated by Taylor series linearization.

RESULTS

Geometric mean SF levels (ng/mL) were lower in blood donors compared to nondonors among adolescents (21.2 vs. 31.4; p < 0.001) and among adults (26.2 vs. 43.7; p < 0.001). The prevalence of absent iron stores (SF < 12 ng/mL) was higher in blood donors compared to nondonors among adolescents (22.6% vs. 12.2%; aPR = 2.03 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.45–2.85]) and among adults (18.3% vs. 9.8%; aPR = 2.06 [95% CI = 1.48–2.88]). Additionally, the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (SF < 26 ng/mL and hemoglobin < 12.0 g/dL) was also higher in blood donors compared to nondonors among adolescents (9.5% vs. 6.1%; aPR = 2.10 [95% CI = 1.13–3.90]) and among adults (7.9% vs. 6.1%; aPR = 1.74 [95% CI = 1.06–2.85]). Similar results were observed in a sensitivity analysis restricted to adolescents aged 16 to 18 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Blood donation is associated with iron deficiency among adolescent and adult females in the United States. These national data call for further development and implementation of blood donation practices aimed toward mitigating iron deficiency.
A blockage monoclonal antibody protocol as an alternative strategy to avoid anti‐CD38 interference in immunohematological testing
Authors: Chinoca Ziza Karen N. , Paiva Tainá A. , Mota Sabrina R. , Dezan Marcia Regina , Schmidt Luciana Cayres , Brunetta Denise Menezes , Ricci Gustavo , Basques Fernando Valadares , Barroso‐Duarte Fernando , Rocha Vanderson , Mendrone‐Junior Alfredo , Dinardo Carla Luana
Published: February 2019

BACKGROUND

As CD38 is expressed on red blood cells (RBCs), the plasma of patients on daratumumab (DARA) reacts with the panel cells of pretransfusion tests, masking underlying alloantibodies. The treatment of RBCs with dithiothreitol (DTT) is the most disseminated method to overcome DARA effect on immunohematological tests, but it hampers the identification of potentially harmful antibodies. Our goal was to validate a new strategy, the blockage monoclonal antibody protocol (BMAP), to mitigate the DARA interference on RBCs using anti‐CD38 and antihuman globulin.

METHODS

Samples of patients receiving DARA were included in the study. Sera were tested using both DTT‐ and BMAP‐treated RBCs, which comprised three steps: 1) titration of monoclonal anti‐CD38, 2) treatment of RBCs obtained from donors with anti‐CD38, and 3) blockage of anti‐CD38–adsorbed RBCs with antihuman globulin.

RESULTS

Twenty patients were included in the study. Donor RBCs were treated with anti‐CD38 and successfully blocked with antihuman globulin. In 19 patients, DARA‐mediated agglutination was eliminated using both DTT‐ and BMAP‐treated RBCs. In one patient, agglutination persisted when tested against the BMAP‐treated RBCs, and alloantibodies were identified. Patient samples were mixed with commercial anti‐D, ‐C, −e, ‐K, −Jka, ‐Kpb and tested against antigen‐positive BMAP‐treated RBCs, resulting in detection of these antibodies.

CONCLUSION

This study validated a new strategy to minimize the interference of DARA on immunohematological tests. The protocol preserves the integrity of RBC antigens, permitting the detection of antibodies from all blood group systems. The BMAP has potential use in other situations where specific antibodies may interfere with pretransfusion screening.
Diphenhydramine pharmacokinetics after oral and intravenous administration of diphenhydramine and oral administration of dimenhydrinate to healthy dogs, and pharmacodynamic effect on histamine‐induced wheal formation: a pilot study
Authors: Ehling Sarah , Bäumer Wolfgang , Papich Mark G.
Published: February 2019

Background

Histamine type‐1 (H1) receptor antagonists such as diphenhydramine are frequently used for treatment of pruritus in dogs, yet therapeutic efficacy for allergic disorders is reported to be highly variable. Dimenhydrinate is a salt of diphenhydramine and 8‐chlorotheophylline, and has been reported to produce superior oral absorption of diphenhydramine.

Hypothesis/Objective

To determine the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of diphenhydramine in dogs after intravenous (1 mg/kg) and oral (5 mg/kg) administration, and when given orally as dimenhydrinate at a dose of 10 mg/kg (≈5 mg/kg diphenhydramine).

Animals

Each drug was administered to six healthy, fasted mixed‐breed dogs in a research facility, using a cross‐over design.

Methods and materials

Blood samples were collected for pharmacokinetic analysis of diphenhydramine and chlorotheophylline at defined intervals. Pharmacodynamic response was measured by histamine‐mediated cutaneous wheal formation.

Results

There was great variability in the data and one dog was an extreme outlier. The mean systemic availabilities of diphenhydramine were 7.8% and 22.0% after oral administration of diphenhydramine and dimenhydrinate, respectively, whereas the mean maximum concentrations were 36 (± 20) and 124 (± 46) ng/mL. The terminal elimination half‐lives of diphenhydramine and dimenhydrinate were 5.0 (± 7.1) and 11.6 (± 17.7) h, respectively. Plasma diphenhydramine concentrations did not correlate with the percentage reduction in histamine‐induced wheal formation. Theophylline reached plasma concentrations considered to be therapeutic for dogs.

Conclusion

Oral absorption of diphenhydramine was approximately three times greater with a longer half‐life when it was administered as the combination product dimenhydrinate.
Clinicopathological findings and clinical outcomes in 49 cases of feline pemphigus foliaceus examined in Northern California, USA (1987–2017)
Authors: Jordan Tyler J.M. , Affolter Verena K. , Outerbridge Catherine A. , Goodale Elizabeth C. , White Stephen D.
Published: February 2019

Background

Few studies have described the pathophysiology, clinical course, treatment outcomes and quality of life (QoL) of cats with pemphigus foliaceus (PF).

Objective

Describe clinicopathological features, treatment outcomes and impacts on QoL in felinePF.

Animals

Forty‐nine client‐owned cats withPFthat presented to a veterinary teaching hospital between 1987 and 2017.

Methods and materials

Medical records and histopathological reports were reviewed to obtain clinicopathological data and treatment outcomes. Owners were contacted and requested to complete a questionnaire to obtain long‐term follow‐up and evaluate the impacts ofPFon QoL of cats and owners.

Results

Domestic short/medium/long hair breeds were most commonly affected, with pinnae, head, haired face, nasal planum and ungual folds most frequently involved. Associated pruritus and systemic signs of illness were common. Vasculopathological changes were noted in a small proportion of cats. Corticosteroid monotherapy was sufficient to induce complete remission in the majority of cats. Pemphigus foliaceus and its management had a negative impact on QoL of both cats and owners. Receiving/administering medications, attending veterinary appointments, and financial and time commitments were cited sources of stress for affected cats and/or owners.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Results illustrate that affected cats generally respond favourably to treatment but do require long‐term therapy. The exact aetiology of the vasculopathological changes was unclear; it may reflect the stage or severity of disease or suggest the presence of a cutaneous adverse drug reaction. Clinicians managing cats withPFshould be aware of the potential negative impact on QoL of owners and cats and adjust management accordingly.
First report of the rare RhCE‐depleted D‐‐phenotype in sixteen people of Iranian origin
Authors: Shahverdi Ehsan , Moghaddam Mostafa , Abolghasemi Hassan
Published: February 2019

Background and Objectives

In transfusion medicine, it may be a challenge to acquire compatible blood for patients who have clinically important alloantibodies to high‐prevalence antigens. The aim of this study was to study prevalence of rare D‐‐ phenotype in samples from patients and their relatives referred to the Immunohematology reference laboratory of the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization and the detection and identification of the phenotype and associated antibodies, particularly in an antenatal setting. This is the first report of the cases evaluated by the IBTO and family studies of the D‐‐ proposita in Iran and possibly the first attempted comprehensive study in the current transfusion‐related literatures.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective cross‐sectional study was carried out on 6720 pregnant women and individuals with difficult positive pretransfusion testing referred for ABO/Rh(D) typing and antibody screening during a period of 8 years from 2008 to December 2016 in the Immunohematology Reference Laboratory of the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization, Tehran, Iran.

Results

During 2008 to December 2016, 16 persons from ten families were detected to have rare D‐‐ phenotype. Anti‐Rh17 and anti‐c were identified in plasma of the 11 persons, including 10 females with a history of multiple unsuccessful pregnancy and the total number of 24 abortions and one male with history of blood transfusion vs. 5 individuals, including an unmarried single woman, 1 person with a history of first‐time pregnancy and 3 persons with a history of multiple pregnancy, who showed no alloimmunization. Based on these collective findings, we interpreted these results as being confirmed as D‐‐ phenotype (0.23%).

Conclusion

Irrespective of Rh (D) group a serological antibody screening test is recommended to be required in a National prenatal testing guideline.
Cyanobacterial toxins: an emerging threat in South African irrigation water
Authors: Pindihama Glynn K. , Gitari Mugera W.
Published: February 2019

The deterioration of water quality is a serious concern for a water scarce‐country like South Africa (SA). This article looks at the risks posed by the common practice of using surface waters to irrigate crops, as these are usually contaminated with harmful cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins which can be bio‐accumulated by plants. In addition to cyanotoxins, SA waters are also heavily impacted by other pollutants such as toxic metals, salts and high electrical conductivity. The consumption of food contaminated with cyanotoxins is a growing human health concern for countries like SA which are faced with surface water eutrophication‐related challenges. The country also lacks research on human exposure to cyanotoxins via irrigated crops and regulations to manage cyanotoxins in irrigation water. Such lack of data and policies thus prompts an urgent need for local evidence‐based research to guide policies and guidelines on cyanotoxins in irrigation water, food plants and water used for livestock.
COMPARISON OF PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION AND RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY IN FERMENTATION MEDIA OPTIMIZATION OF FLEXIRUBIN PRODUCTION
Authors: Suhaimi Siti Nurulasilah , Shamsuddin Siti Mariyam , Ahmad Wan Azlina , Hasan Shafaatunnur , Venil Chidambaram Kulandaisamy
Published: February 2019

At present, response surface methodology (RSM) is the most preferred method for fermentation media optimization. However, in the last two decades, artificial intelligence algorithm has become one of the most efficient methods for empirical modelling and optimization. One of the popular developed approaches is Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), which is used in optimizing a problem. This paper focuses on comparative studies between RSM and PSO in fermentation media optimization for the production of flexirubin production using Chryseobacterium artocarpi CECT 8497T. Two methodologies were compared for in terms of their modeling, sensitivity analysis, and optimization abilities. All experiments were performed accordingly to box-behnken design (BBD), and the generated data was analyzed using RSM and PSO. The sensitivity analysis performed by both methods has given comparative results. Based on the correlation coefficient, the model developed with PSO was found to be superior to the model developed with RSM. The result shows that PSO gives a better pigmentation yield with optimal fermentation concentration.
ADSORPTION OF CESIUM FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION USING CHITOSAN BEADS
Authors: Awang Nor Asikin , Wan Salleh Wan Norharyati , Alisah Mohamad Fakrudin Mustakim , Ismail Ahmad Fauzi , Rosman Nurafiqah , Yusof Norhaniza
Published: February 2019

Due to rapid population growth, technological advancement and industrial revolution, the rate of generated waste effluents has become a grave concern. Cesium, which possesses high fission yield, is generally transferred into liquid wastes, especially those emanated from nuclear power plants, reprocessing of spent fuels, nuclear weapon testing, and radionuclides production facilities for medical applications. Radiocesium (137Cs) is one of the hazardous radionuclides which have adverse effects on human health and the environment. Thus, from a health point of view, the removal of cesium from wastewater is imperative. Several techniques have been introduced as solution, and recently, adsorption has been gaining increasing attention among the scientific community owing to a number of reasons. Hence, this research presents an experimental work on sorption of cesium from wastewaters. In this study, chitosan was used as an adsorbent. The effects of several critical parameters, namely contact time, initial concentration, and absorbent dosage on the absorbent performance were investigated. From the findings, the optimum condition for the adsorption of cesium was optimized at pH 1 at 300 mg/L for 5 hours of contact time. The sorption data fitted well with Freundlich adsorption model, with the value of R2 = 0.9940, and was best described by pseudo-first-order model with the value of correlation coefficient, R2 = 0.9952.
SIMULTANEOUS METHYL ESTER PRODUCTION AND CAROTENE RECOVERY FROM CRUDE PALM OIL USING MEMBRANE REACTOR
Authors: Ngurah Makertihartha I Gusti Bagus , Khoiruddin Khoiruddin , Pratama Nabu Eryk Bone , Prihartini Aryanti Putu Teta , Wenten I Gede
Published: February 2019

Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) or biodiesel¸ which is considered as an alternative renewable fuel is usually produced via transesterification reaction of triglyceride from vegetable oil. Generally, there are two major challenges in the production of biodiesel i.e., reversible reaction of transesterification and immiscibility between oil and alcohol. Membrane reactor (MR), which combines reaction and separation, is an alternative process to overcome those challenges. The aim of the integrated reaction-separation process is to shift the equilibrium reaction, and to achieve a higher reaction conversion. The methyl ester that is produced may be separated to meet the biodiesel quality standards. FAME purification using membrane can be conducted without water washing (dry process), and this is interesting as the associated wastewater treatment step is eliminated. Another attractive feature of MR in esterification process is carotenoid recovery which is beneficial to improve the efficiency of the process. Several studies have indicated the efficacy of carotenoids recovery from methyl ester mixture. This paper reviews the use of MR for palm oil esterification. Membrane separation performances in methyl ester purification are also discussed. In addition, the potential of carotene recovery during esterification process is highlighted.
PROBABILISTIC GLYCEMIC CONTROL DECISION SUPPORT IN ICU: PROOF OF CONCEPT USING BAYESIAN NETWORK
Authors: Abu-Samah Asma , Abdul Razak Normy Norfiza , Mohamad Suhaimi Fatanah , Jamaludin Ummu Kulthum , Md. Ralib Azrina
Published: February 2019

Glycemic control in intensive care patients is complex in terms of patients’ response to care and treatment. The variability and the search for improved insulin therapy outcomes have led to the use of human physiology model based on per-patient metabolic condition to provide personalized automated recommendations. One of the most promising solutions for this is the STAR protocol, which is based on a clinically validated insulin-nutrition-glucose physiological model. However, this approach does not consider demographical background such as age, weight, height, and ethnicity. This article presents the extension to intensive care personalized solution by integrating per-patient demographical, and upon admission information to intensive care conditions to automate decision support for clinical staff. In this context, a virtual study was conducted on 210 retrospectives intensive care patients’ data. To provide a ground, the integration concept is presented roughly, but the details are given in terms of a proof of concept using Bayesian Network, linking the admission background and performance of the STAR control. The proof of concept shows 71.43% and 73.90% overall inference precision, and reliability, respectively, on the test dataset. With more data, improved Bayesian Network is believed to be reproduced. These results, nevertheless, points at the feasibility of the network to act as an effective classifier using intensive care units data, and glycemic control performance to be the basis of a probabilistic, personalized, and automated decision support in the intensive care units.
FLUORESCENCE ENHANCEMENT OF Al3+– SODIUM MORIN–5–SULFONATE COMPLEX BY IMIDAZOLIUM IONIC LIQUID AND ITS APPLICATION IN DETERMINATION OF Al3+ IONS IN AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION
Authors: Nizar Syaza Atikah , Abdul Satar Nurul Syamimi , Shaik Amar Shaik Azri , Abdullah Fatin Hazirah , Mehamod Faizatul Shimal , Mohd Suah Faiz Bukhari
Published: February 2019

This study describes the preparation of sodium morin–5–sulfonate (NaMSA) as a new reagent for the determination of aluminium(III) (Al3+) ions based on the formation of a ternary complex. The complex consists of Al3+, NaMSA, and 1–Butyl–3–methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM–PF6). It was found that this method was sensitive compared to the binary complex of Al3+ and NaMSA. The ternary complex was excited at 420 nm, and the fluorescence signal was measured at 518 nm. Maximum fluorescence signal produced at pH 5.0 (acetic acid–acetate buffer), with 0.02% v/v BMIM–PF6 and 1.0 × 10-4 molL-1 of NaMSA. The calibration graph in linear up to 10 mgL-1 with the calculated detection limit of 0.017 mgL-1. Effect of foreign ions towards the ternary complex was also studied. Finally, the method was applied in the determination of Al3+ ions in water samples, and satisfactory results were obtained.
White Oppression and Black Resistance in Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye
Authors: Al-Abbood MHD Noor
Published: February 2019

Many critical interpretations of Morrison’s The Bluest Eye are driven by the belief that the novel pessimistically depicts an African American community so helplessly captivated by an insidious white aesthetic ideology that it is incapable of resistance, self-regeneration, or change. Pointing out the flawed premises of these readings, this article argues that the novel presents rather an effective example of resistance to the dominant white ideology thematically and formally. Morrison’s deconstructive rewriting of the “Dick and Jane” primer effectively subverts the terms of the white oppressive discourse and demolishes its ideological foundations, thus paving the way for African American self-affirmation. This is reflected in Claudia’s increasing awareness of, and mounting rebellion against, the destructive white aesthetic. Her rejection of the white beauty myth, demonstrated by her confused early childhood’s destruction of white baby dolls, culminates in a more sophisticated perception of the operation of this myth and in a radical retrieval and re-affirmation of the black beauty and worth which the white beauty myth denies in order to legitimate itself and establish its hegemony. The article argues that the radical resistance to the dehumanizing white ideology Claudia develops is, like Morrison’s formal deconstructive project, quite indebted to African American music and, more crucially, to the rich heritage behind it. The article concludes by emphasizing that in the world depicted in The Bluest Eye possibilities of resistance and chances of survival are vitally dependent on the strength of one’s connection to African American culture and heritage, as the story of Claudia’s survival proves.
Trial for Monitoring the Water Temperature Utilizing the Frequency Dependence of Reflection Coefficient of Ultrasound Passing Through Thin Layer
Authors: Tohmyoh Hironori , Terashima Shu
Published: February 2019

This paper describes a new concept to monitor the temperature of water utilizing the acoustic resonance, which occurs when ultrasound passes through a thin layer. In the ultrasonic transmission system that comprises of the reflection plate, thin film, and water, the reflection coefficient of the ultrasound at the plate/film/water interface depends on the frequency and takes its minimum value at the resonant frequency. Notably, this is closely related to the acoustic impedance of the water; moreover, it is a known fact that the acoustic impedance of the water demonstrates temperature dependence. Against this background, the present study aims to develop a technique in order to monitor the temperature of water utilizing the aforementioned correlation between the reflection coefficient and water temperature. First, a theoretical model was developed to determine the acoustic impedance of water from the difference in the amplitude spectra of echoes reflected at the back of the plate in the cases both with and without the film. It was found that the ratio of the amplitude spectrum of the echo recorded in the case with the film to that in the case without the film clearly decreased with a drop in water temperature. From this, we obtained the equation for determining water temperature experimentally. Finally, the temperature of water, which was brought down by air or ice cooling, was monitored by the proposed method. It was found that the behavior of temperature determined by the proposed method was congruent with that which was measured by a thermocouple.
Measurement and Modeling of the Effect of Sensory Conflicts on Driver Steering Control
Authors: Nash Christopher J. , Cole David J.
Published: February 2019

In previous work, a new model of driver steering control incorporating sensory dynamics was derived and used to explain the performance of drivers in a simulator with full-scale motion feedback. This paper describes further experiments investigating how drivers steer with conflicts between their visual and vestibular measurements, caused by scaling or filtering the physical motion of the simulator relative to the virtual environment. The predictions of several variations of the new driver model are compared with the measurements to understand how drivers perceive sensory conflicts. Drivers are found to adapt well in general, unless the conflict is large, in which case they ignore the physical motion and rely on visual measurements. Drivers make greater use of physical motion which they rate as being more helpful, achieving a better tracking performance. Sensory measurement noise is shown to be signal-dependent, allowing a single set of parameters to be found to fit the results of all the trials. The model fits measured linear steering behavior with an average “variance accounted for (VAF)” of 86%.
Active Disturbance Rejection Based Robust Trajectory Tracking Controller Design in State Space
Authors: Sariyildiz Emre , Mutlu Rahim , Zhang Chuanlin
Published: February 2019

This paper proposes a new active disturbance rejection (ADR) based robust trajectory tracking controller design method in state space. It can compensate not only matched but also mismatched disturbances. Robust state and control input references are generated in terms of a fictitious design variable, namely differentially flat output, and the estimations of disturbances by using differential flatness (DF) and disturbance observer (DOb). Two different robust controller design techniques are proposed by using Brunovsky canonical form and polynomial matrix form approaches. The robust position control problem of a two mass-spring-damper system is studied to verify the proposed ADR controllers.
Numerical Simulation of Drag Reduction in Microgrooved Substrates Using Lattice-Boltzmann Method
Authors: Asadzadeh H. , Moosavi A. , Etemadi A.
Published: February 2019

We study drag reduction of a uniform flow over a flat surface due to a series of rectangular microgrooves created on the surface. The results reveal that making grooves on the surface usually leads to the generation of secondary vortices inside the grooves that, in turn, decreases the friction drag force and increases the pressure drag force. By increasing the thickness of the grooves to the thickness of the obstacle, the pressure drag increases due to the enhancement of the generated vortices and the occurrence of separation phenomenon and the friction drag reduces due to a decrease of the velocity gradient on the surface. In addition, by increasing the grooves depth ratio, the pressure drag coefficient decreases and the friction drag coefficient increases. However, the impact of the pressure drag coefficient is higher than that of the friction drag coefficient. From a specific point, increasing the groove depth ratio does not effect on decreasing the total pressure drag of the plate. Therefore, creating the grooves in flat surfaces would reduce the total drag coefficient of the plate if the thickness of the grooves does not exceed a specific size and the depth of the grooves is chosen to be sufficiently large. The lattice-Boltzmann method (LBM) is used and the optimal reduction of the drag coefficient is calculated. It is found that for the width ratio equal to 0.19 and the groove depth ratio equal to 0.2548, about 7% decrease is achieved for the average total drag.
A Kriging Surrogate Model for Computing Gas Mixture Equations of State
Authors: Ouellet Frederick , Park Chanyoung , Rollin Bertrand , Haftka Raphael T. , Balachandar S.
Published: February 2019

Accurate simulation of the complex flow following the detonation of an explosive material is a challenging problem. In these flows, the detonation products of the explosive must be treated as a real gas while the surrounding air is treated as an ideal gas. As the detonation process unfolds and the blast wave moves into the surrounding ambient air, the products of detonation expand outward and interact with the air creating a mixture region. In this region, both of the state equations for air and the products must be satisfied. One of the most accurate, yet computationally expensive, methods to handle this problem is an algorithm that iterates between the equations of state until both pressure and temperature reach an equilibrium inside of a computational cell. Since this mixture region moves and grows over time, this algorithm must be performed millions, or even billions, of times in a typical detonation simulation. As such, these calculations can account for a large percentage of the overall solution time. This work aims to use a kriging surrogate model to replace this process. The iterative method solves a nonlinear system of equations created from the gas mixture density, internal energy, and composition using a Broyden iterative solver to obtain an output pressure and temperature. Kriging is used to produce curve fits which interpolate selected pressures and temperatures from this solver from appropriate ranges of the mixture input quantities. Using a finite volume hydrocode, the performance of the model with respect to the iterative solver is demonstrated in the simulation of a pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) charge detonation. The model's computational speed and accuracy are quantified as a function of the choice of sampling points in order to try optimize the combination as well as to show the benefits of this novel approach.
Waveform-Dependent Electrosurgical Effects on Soft Hydrated
Tissues
Authors: Karaki Wafaa , Lopez Carlos A. , Rahul  , Borca-Tasciuc Diana-Andra , De Suvranu
Published: February 2019

Electrosurgical procedures are ubiquitously used in surgery. The commonly used power modes, including the coagulation and blend modes, utilize nonsinusoidal or modulated current waveforms. For the same power setting, the coagulation, blend, and pure cutting modes have different heating and thermal damage outcomes due to the frequency dependence of electrical conductivity of soft hydrated tissues. In this paper, we propose a multiphysics model of soft tissues to account for the effects of multifrequency electrosurgical power modes within the framework of a continuum thermomechanical model based on mixture theory. Electrical and frequency spectrum results from different power modes at low- and high-power settings are presented. Model predictions are compared with in vivo electrosurgical heating experiments on porcine liver tissue. The accuracy of the model in predicting experimentally observed temperature profiles is found to be overall greater when frequency-dependence is included. An Arrhenius type model indicates that more tissue damage is correlated with larger duty cycles in multifrequency modes.
Numerical Study of Incomplete Stent Apposition Caused by Deploying Undersized Stent in Arteries With Elliptical Cross Sections
Authors: Jiang Bo , Thondapu Vikas , Poon Eric K. W. , Barlis Peter , Ooi Andrew S. H.
Published: February 2019

Incomplete stent apposition (ISA) is one of the causes leading to poststent complications, which can be found when an undersized or an underexpanded stent is deployed at lesions. The previous research efforts have focused on ISA in idealized coronary arterial geometry with circular cross section. However, arterial cross section eccentricity plays an important role in both location and severity of ISA. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are carried out to systematically study the effects of ISA in arteries with elliptical cross section, as such stents are partially embedded on the minor axis sides of the ellipse and malapposed elsewhere. Overall, ISA leads to high time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) at the proximal end of the stent and low TAWSS at the ISA transition region and the distal end. Shear rate depends on both malapposition distance and blood stream locations, which is found to be significantly higher at the inner stent surface than the outer surface. The proximal high shear rate signifies increasing possibility in platelet activation, when coupled with low TAWSS at the transition and distal regions which may indicate a nidus for in-stent thrombosis.
Development and Validation of a Thermometallurgical Model for Furnace-Based Austenitization During Hot Stamping
Authors: Verma M. , Yan H. , Culham J. R. , Di Ciano M. , Daun K. J.
Published: February 2019

In hot-forming die-quenching (HFDQ) boron manganese steel blanks are heated within a roller hearth furnace, and then simultaneously quenched and formed into fully martensitic body-in-white components. Industry needs models that can predict the instantaneous temperature and austenite phase fraction within the roller furnace to diagnose problems (e.g., incomplete austenitization), forecast costs, and optimize process settings. This paper introduces a thermometallurgical model for Al–Si coated 22MnB5, consisting of a coupled heat transfer and austenitization submodels. Two candidate austenitization submodels are considered: an empirical first-order model and a model based on the detailed austenitization kinetics. In the case of the first-order model, a detailed Monte Carlo procedure is used to construct 95% credibility intervals for the blank temperature and austenite phase fraction that accounts for uncertainties in the furnace temperature and model parameters. The models are first assessed using temperature and austenite phase fractions from Al–Si coated 22MnB5 coupons heated in a laboratory-scale muffle furnace, and then used to simulate austenitization of patched blanks within an industrial roller hearth furnace. The results show that the empirical first-order model provides a more robust estimate of austenite phase fraction compared to the detailed model.
Characterizing the Pathogenic, Genomic, and Chemical Traits of
Aspergillus fischeri
, a Close Relative of the Major Human Fungal Pathogen
Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Mead Matthew E. , Knowles Sonja L. , Raja Huzefa A. , Beattie Sarah R. , Kowalski Caitlin H. , Steenwyk Jacob L. , Silva Lilian P. , Chiaratto Jessica , Ries Laure N. A. , Goldman Gustavo H. , Cramer Robert A. , Oberlies Nicholas H. , Rokas Antonis
Published: February 2019

Aspergillus fumigatus
is the primary cause of aspergillosis, a devastating ensemble of diseases associated with severe morbidity and mortality worldwide.
A. fischeri
is a close relative of
A. fumigatus
but is not generally observed to cause human disease. To gain insights into the underlying causes of this remarkable difference in pathogenicity, we compared two representative strains (one from each species) for a range of pathogenesis-relevant biological and chemical characteristics. We found that disease progression in multiple
A. fischeri
mouse models was slower and caused less mortality than
A. fumigatus
. Remarkably, the observed differences between
A. fischeri
and
A. fumigatus
strains examined here closely resembled those previously described for two commonly studied
A. fumigatus
strains, AF293 and CEA10.
A. fischeri
and
A. fumigatus
exhibited different growth profiles when placed in a range of stress-inducing conditions encountered during infection, such as low levels of oxygen and the presence of chemicals that induce the production of reactive oxygen species. We also found that the vast majority of
A. fumigatus
genes known to be involved in virulence are conserved in
A. fischeri
, whereas the two species differ significantly in their secondary metabolic pathways. These similarities and differences that we report here are the first step toward understanding the evolutionary origin of a major fungal pathogen.