bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sert Tornalama İşleminde İçten Kriyojenik Soğutmanın Yüzey Pürüzlülüğü ve Kalıntı Gerilmelere Etkileri
Authors: Çetindağ Hüseyin Alp , Çiçek Adem , Uçak Necati
Published: December 2019

Son zamanlarda, çevre ve insan sağlığı üzerideki zararlı etkileri nedeniyle, geleneksel kesme sıvılarının kullanımının, sürdürülebilir imalat yöntemleri ile azaltılması veya ortadan kaldırılması amaçlanmaktadır. Bu sebeple, çevre dostu kesme koşullarının talaşlı imalat proseslerine adaptasyonu, günümüzde daha popüler hale gelmektedir. Bunlar arasında, kriyojenik işleme, özellikle kesilmesi zor malzemelerin talaşlı imalatında, işleme performansını artırmak için etkili bir yöntem olarak da nitelendirilmektedir. Bu çalışma, içten kriyojenik soğutmanın, sertleştirilmiş AISI 52100 rulman çeliğinin bir kesme hızı (200 m/dk), ilerleme (0.1 mm/dev) ve kesme derinliğinde (0.1 mm) tornalanmasında, yüzey pürüzlülüğü ve kalıntı gerilmelere etkilerini araştırmaktadır. Bu amaçla, sıvı azot (LN2) ve karbondioksit (CO2) iki farklı kriyojenik soğutma ortamı olarak seçilmiştir. Test sonuçları, yüzey kalitesini iyileştirmenin ve daha fazla basma gerilmeleri elde etmenin CO2 koşulunda mümkün olduğunu göstermektedir.
Analysis of ECG Signals Recorded Using Different Stimuli from Patients in Intensive Care Unit: A Case Study
Authors: Altıntop Çiğdem Gülüzar , Latifoğlu Fatma , Yazar Mehmet Akif , Akın Aynur Karayol , İleri Ramis
Published: December 2019

Intensive Care Units (ICUs) are more difficult and complex areas of hospital as treatment and care. In these units, the patients are monitored continuously with a bedside monitor for respiration, O2 saturation and pulse information. However, this information, which is periodically noted on the patient observation papers, may not represent a definite diagnose/follow up about the patient's health condition in all times. Therefore, in order to assist the physician in these units where the diagnosis/follow up is important, attributes are extracted from ECG signals easy-to-obtain by using signal processing methods. ECG signals were obtained from 3 patients at different days. Attributes were analyzed statistically to see if the patient reacted to oral/touch stimuli and to monitor his / her health condition. As a result, it was possible to evaluate the coma patients' response to stimuli and to follow-up for improving physiological well-being using ECG signals.
Effect of Organic Additives of Okra Cultivated in Unheated Greenhouses on Certain Fruit Characteristics
Authors: Hameed Jaber Aman , Abdul Aziz Abdullah Abdullah , Ahmed Taain Dhia
Published: December 2019

The experiment conducted during the winter season 2017-2018 in one of the unheated greenhouse in the Research Station of the Faculty of Agriculture collage - All Muthanna University in the south of Iraq inAll Samawah city, in order to study the "Effect of addition cows fertilizer , Water hyacinth compost and spray nanoparticle algae minutes and there impact on some qualities of okra fruits (Hasnawiya cultivar)". The experiment was contain (27) factor treatments and separated in possible combinations among three levels of bovine fertilizer (0, 2, 4) kg/m2and three levels of Water hyacinth compost (0, 2, 4) kg/m2and three concentrations of Organic fertilizer for marine algae nanoparticles extract (0, 0.75, 1.5) ml/L.The statistical design is split-split plot design and the experiment performed twice for three randomized sections and compared to the averages of the coefficients using the least significant difference test at the probability level (0.05). The main results are summarized as follows.1. The addition of bovine fertilizers in the levels of (2, 4) kg/m2the Significant increase in the percentage of total soluble solids for fruits, by an increase of (8.64, 7.08%) and dry matter of fruits by an increase (6.04, 9.78)%. Significant increase in fiber content (0.56 and 0.95%) compared to the comparison treatment, respectively, while the level of 4 kg/m2achieved significant increase in fruit content in vitamin C compared to the comparison treatment and an increase of 5.16%. 2. Levels (2 , 4) kg/m2Significant increase in percentage of total dissolved solids Vitamin C increased by 24.85, 42.23% by 20.02 and 27.00% by the percentage of dry matter and by 9.91 and 12.81%, which led to a significant decrease in fiber percentage by 6.28 and 11.78% Comparative treatment, respectively.3. Spraying with nanoparticle algae minutes in two concentrations (0.75 and 1.5) ml/l significantly increased the percentage of total dissolved solids by (27.13, 53.87)% and in the amount of vitamin C by (24.05 and 50.01%) and in percentage. The dry matter of the fruit increased by 5.90 and 12.36%, which resulted in a significant decrease in the percentage of fiber by 3.74 and 1.85% compared to the comparison treatment, respectively.4. Some bilateral and triple interference showed significant effect in some studied traits.
ACCOUNTING AND ACCURACY OF ACCOUNTING STATEMENTS, ELEMENTS OF ORGANIZATION IN TOURIST DEVELOPMENT IN KOSOVO AND ALBANIA
Authors: Dumi Alba , Murataj Najada
Published: December 2019

Tourism development can produce an inflation effect, especially in the early stages when the supply of goods and services often does not respond to rising demand. Often there is an inequality between the spending power of the tourist and the host population. Likewise, as a result of tourist demand for housing, house prices rise rapidly.

In recent years academic studies have focused on emotions to explain the behavior of investors and the performance of financial markets. It should be noted that “Traditional finance theory” is built on the assumption that investors always make rational decisions having a single objective, maximizing the benefit in a risk environment and insecurity. The application of financial models means that individuals include information in the decision making process using probability rules and statistics in calculations, leaving aside emotions. However, it should be noted that investors experience a series of emotions as they make a decision, and the more important this decision is, the stronger the emotions.

Tourism development exerts direct economic effects on the activity of economic organizations participating in meeting tourism needs. According to Krapfit professor, these organizations include: hotels, restaurants, cafe bars, shopping facilities, banks and insurance companies. Professionals such as doctors, lawyers, guides, sports institutions, entertainers etc. can also be involved. Participation of these activities in meeting the tourist needs in different countries is different. The numbers for these budgets are not difficult to handle and most managers will give at least some confidence in their benefit. In the objectives of the paper we will also consider how the internal user is oriented to use the accounting information and to use it straight to it.
TOURIST ENTERPRISES, CONCEPT ON TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND ITS ACCOUNTING
Authors: Figetto Antonello , Dumi Alba
Published: December 2019

Nowadays, the tourist phenomenon involves millions of people moving from their permanent home to a temporary residence. To enable tourists to travel these people have different needs: for transport, sleeping, and for meals, etc. The sum of all these services is what we define as the hospitality industry, which is one of the world’s leading economic activities. But what do you mean by economic activity?

Economic activity is the coordinated and organized whole of all actions and actions to find the goods and services that are appropriate for achieving the goal. At the core of any economic activity lies the fulfillment of human needs. The need for tourism thus constitutes the core of the economic activity of enterprises operating in the field of tourism. Economic activity generally relies on very interdependent moments, like finding the necessary resources for production. The first phase of this activity consists in providing the necessary factors for production, raw material, work, capital. The production of goods or services. The second phase that satisfies the needs consists in: the most appropriate combination of resources used; the transformation of goods and labor into finished products or services.
IDENTIFICATION AND EVALUATION OF SOME DETERMINING FACTORS IN THE CONSUMER DEMAND FOR APPLES IN THE TIRANE AREA
Authors: Pazaj Eglantina
Published: December 2019

Knowing consumer preferences on the demand of different products is the key to success for different businesses. Different customers have different preferences regarding the demand for goods and services. Factors affecting demand determine the quantity required for a good. Some of these factors are: sales price, consumer income, consumer preferences, consumer forecasts for the future, substitute and complementary goods prices, etc. By knowing and analyzing these factors well we are able to determine consumer choices for goods and services. In this paper we will analyze how some of the factors determining demand affect apple consumption. The study refers to a survey conducted for casual consumers in the Tirane area on the preferences and quantities consumed by this product.
Essential Oils with High Activity against Stationary Phase Bartonella henselae
Authors: Ma Xiao , Shi Wanliang , Zhang Ying
Published: December 2019

Bartonella henselae is a fastidious Gram-negative intracellular bacterium that can cause cat scratch disease, endocarditis in humans and animals, as well as other complications, leading to acute or chronic infections. The current treatment for Bartonella infections is not very effective presumably due to bacterial persistence. To develop better therapies for persistent and chronic Bartonella infections, in this study, with the help of SYBR Green I/PI viability assay, we performed a high-throughput screening of an essential oil library against the stationary phase B. henselae. We successfully identified 32 essential oils that had high activity, including four essential oils extracted from Citrus plants, three from Origanum, three from Cinnamomum, two from Pelargonium, and two from Melaleuca, as well as frankincense, ylang-ylang, fir needle, mountain savory (winter), citronella, spearmint, elemi, vetiver, clove bud, allspice, and cedarwood essential oils. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination of these 32 top hits indicated they were not only active against stationary phase non-growing B. henselae but also had good activity against log-phase growing B. henselae. The time-kill assay showed 13 active hits, including essential oils of oregano, cinnamon bark, mountain savory (winter), cinnamon leaf, geranium, clove bud, allspice, geranium bourbon, ylang-ylang, citronella, elemi, and vetiver, could eradicate all stationary phase B. henselae cells within seven days at the concentration of 0.032% (v/v). Two active ingredients, carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde, of oregano and cinnamon bark essential oils, respectively, were shown to be very active against the stationary phase B. henselae such that they were able to eradicate all the bacterial cells even at the concentration ≤ 0.01% (v/v). More studies are needed to identify the active components of some potent essential oils, decode their antimicrobial mechanisms, and evaluate their activity against Bartonella infections in animal models.
Natural Compounds as Beneficial Antioxidant Agents in Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Focus on Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Amato Antonella , Terzo Simona , Mulè Flavia
Published: December 2019

The positive role of nutrition in chronic neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) suggests that dietary interventions represent helpful tools for preventing NDs. In particular, diets enriched with natural compounds have become an increasingly attractive, non-invasive, and inexpensive option to support a healthy brain and to potentially treat NDs. Bioactive compounds found in vegetables or microalgae possess special properties able to counteract oxidative stress, which is involved as a triggering factor in neurodegeneration. Here, we briefly review the relevant experimental data on curcuminoids, silymarin, chlorogenic acid, and compounds derived from the microalga Aphanizomenon flos aquae (AFA) which have been demonstrated to possess encouraging beneficial effects on neurodegeneration, in particular on Alzheimer’s disease models.
The Health-Promoting Potential of Salix spp. Bark Polar Extracts: Key Insights on Phenolic Composition and In Vitro Bioactivity and Biocompatibility
Authors: Ramos Patrícia A. B. , Moreirinha Catarina , Silva Sara , Costa Eduardo M. , Veiga Mariana , Coscueta Ezequiel , Santos Sónia A. O. , Almeida Adelaide , Pintado M. Manuela , Freire Carmen S. R. , Silva Artur M. S. , Silvestre Armando J. D.
Published: December 2019

Salix spp. have been exploited for energy generation, along with folk medicine use of bark extracts for antipyretic and analgesic benefits. Bark phenolic components, rather than salicin, have demonstrated interesting bioactivities, which may ensure the sustainable bioprospection of Salix bark. Therefore, this study highlights the detailed phenolic characterization, as well as the in vitro antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, Staphylococcus aureus growth inhibitory effects, and biocompatibility of Salix atrocinerea Brot., Salix fragilis L., and Salix viminalis L. bark polar extracts. Fifteen phenolic compounds were characterized by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet detection-mass spectrometry analysis, from which two flavan-3-ols, an acetophenone, five flavanones, and a flavonol were detected, for the first time, as their bark components. Salix bark extracts demonstrated strong free radical scavenging activity (5.58–23.62 µg mL−1 IC50 range), effective inhibition on angiotensin-I converting enzyme (58–84%), and S. aureus bactericidal action at 1250–2500 µg mL−1 (6–8 log CFU mL−1 reduction range). All tested Salix bark extracts did not show cytotoxic potential against Caco-2 cells, as well as S. atrocinerea Brot. and S. fragilis L. extracts at 625 and 1250 µg mL−1 against HaCaT and L929 cells. These valuable findings can pave innovative and safer food, nutraceutical, and/or cosmetic applications of Salix bark phenolic-containing fractions.
Use of 3D Printing in Model Manufacturing for Minor Surgery Training of General Practitioners in Primary Care
Authors: Luque M.C. , Calleja-Hortelano A. , Romero P.E.
Published: December 2019

In order to increase the efficiency of the Spanish health system, minor surgery programs are currently carried out in primary care centers. This organizational change has led to the need to train many general practitioners (GPs) in this discipline on a practical level. Due to the cost of the existing minor surgery training models in the market, pig’s feet or chicken thighs are used to practice the removal of figured lesions and the suture of wounds. In the present work, the use of 3D printing is proposed, to manufacture models that reproduce in a realistic way the most common lesions in minor surgery practice, and that allow doctors to be trained in an adequate way. Four models with the most common dermal lesions have been designed and manufactured, and then evaluated by a panel of experts. Face validity was demonstrated with four items on a five-point Likert scale that was completed anonymously. The models have obtained the following results: aesthetic recreation, 4.6 ± 0.5; realism during anesthesia infiltration, 4.8 ± 0.4; realism during lesion removal, 2.8 ± 0.4; realism during surgical wound closure, 1.2 ± 0.4. The score in this last section could be improved if a more elastic skin-colored filament were found on the market.
Feasibility Study of the Installation of Wave Energy Converters in Existing Breakwaters in the North of Spain
Authors: Lacasa M. Carmen , Esteban M. Dolores , López-Gutiérrez José-Santos , Negro Vicente , Zang Zhipeng
Published: December 2019

In a context of growing global awareness of environmental sustainability, given the risks associated with global warming and climate change, the transition from environmental models to highly intensive fossil fuel production towards new clean energy systems marks the future of global public agendas. In this scenario, a feasibility study of the installation of wave energy converters, such as the Sea Slot-Cone Generator (SSG) and the Oscillating Water Column (OWC), was carried out in existing breakwaters in the North of Spain, choosing Punta Langosteira (Outer Port of A Coruña), Dique Torres and Dique Norte (Port el Musel, Gijón) and Punta Lucero (Port of Bilbao). It was aimed at capturing the great energy potential of the Atlantic Ocean, as an innovative solution linked to the development of renewable energy sources of marine origin. The selection of the most optimal and efficient alternative will depend on different aspects: the quantitative availability of the wave energy resource at the study points, the production of energy obtained by the device and the capacity factor, the capacity of the wave energy facility to supply the energy consumption in every port to boost the image of “Green Port”, the constructive viability so that the condition of having the construction works only during one year and an economic estimation of each alternative.
Currency Crises Prediction Using Deep Neural Decision Trees
Authors: Alaminos David , Becerra-Vicario Rafael , Fernández-Gámez Manuel Á. , Cisneros Ruiz Ana J.
Published: December 2019

Currency crises are major events in the international monetary system. They affect the monetary policy of countries and are associated with risks of vulnerability for open economies. Much research has been carried out on the behavior of these events, and models have been developed to predict falls in the value of currencies. However, the limitations of existing models mean further research is required in this area, since the models are still of limited accuracy and have only been developed for emerging countries. This article presents an innovative global model for predicting currency crises. The analysis is geographically differentiated for regions, considering both emerging and developed countries and can accurately estimate future scenarios for currency crises at the global level. It uses a sample of 162 countries making it possible to account for the regional heterogeneity of the warning indicators. The method used was deep neural decision trees (DNDTs), a technique based on decision trees implemented by deep learning neural networks, which was compared with other methodologies widely applied in prediction. Our model has significant potential for the adaptation of macroeconomic policy to the risks derived from falls in the value of currencies, providing tools that help ensure financial stability at the global level.
Experimental Investigation on Contaminated Friction of Hydraulic Spool Valve
Authors: Fan Shuai , Xu Rui , Ji Hong , Yang Shengqing , Yuan Qingyun
Published: December 2019

This paper focuses on the contaminated friction of fit clearance between the spool and valve body to explore the influence principles of clamping stagnation phenomenon. From the perspective of surface morphology and size of particulates in the clearance, designing and manufacturing the valve body, rough spool, conical spool, and standard morphology spool, the test bench was built up and the curves of real-time contaminated friction in the movement of spools were obtained through experiments. The curves show that the contaminated frictions have a feature of pulsation; meanwhile, the stagnation-sensitive size of particulates is between 0.7 and 0.9 times that of clearance. Compared to the ideal morphology spool within the range of sensitive size, the contaminated fiction of rough spool is increased, whereas the lower limit of stagnation-sensitive size range of particulates on conical spool is decreased. The contaminated friction is gradually increased on cis-conical spool but increased first and then decreased on invert cone spool.
On-Line Tendency Control of Dissolved Oxygen Concentration during Aerobic Fed-Batch Fermentations
Authors: Zheng Rongjian , Pan Feng
Published: December 2019

In this paper, an on-line control strategy that aims to guarantee the maintenance of a minimum dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration during aerobic fed-batch fermentations is proposed. It is a difficult task to maintain the DO concentration, especially during fed-batch fermentation, due to strongly nonlinear, variable conditions and probe dynamics. The algorithm uses information contained in the slope of the profile of the DO, as this evolves in a timely way to adapt to process variations. Moving window technology was used to track the DO tendency variation. This method was tested in Corynebacterium glutamicum and Pichia pastoris fermentations. The performance of tendency control was compared with that of manual control. The experimental results clearly show that the on-line tendency control of DO is effective and can also reduce the frequency of activity of the controller as well as the manpower burden.
Posture Stabilization of Wheeled Mobile Robot Based on Passivity-Based Robust Switching Control with Model Uncertainty Compensation
Authors: Jung DaeYi , Bang Suji
Published: December 2019

This study presents apassivity-based robust switching control for the posture stabilization of wheeled mobile robots (WMRs) with model uncertainty. Essentially, this proposed strategy is switching between (1) passivity-based robust control to lead the robot to the neighborhood of local minima with a finite time and (2) another robust control to perturb the w-rotational motion of the WMR before the v-kinetic energy of the WMR become meaningless, thereby, eventually converging to the desired posture. Thus, combining two switching control laws ensures the global convergence of (x,y)-navigation of WMRs from any initial position to desired set. Especially, the inter-switching time is intentionally selected before the WMR completely loses its mobility, which ensures a strict decrease in (x,y)-navigation potential energy and a better global convergence rate. In addition, this control architecture also includes model uncertainty compensation, often neglected in practice, and analytical study of rotational perturbation was also conducted. The Lyapunov technique and energetic passivity were utilized to derive this control law. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique. It was found from the results that the WMR was quickly converged to the desired posture even under the presence of model uncertainty.
Composition of Modern Dust and Holocene Aeolian Sediments in Archaeological Structures of the Southern Levant
Authors: Lucke Bernhard , Sandler Amir , Vanselow Kim André , Bruins Hendrik J. , Abu-Jaber Nizar , Bäumler Rupert , Porat Naomi , Kouki Paula
Published: December 2019

Archaeological structures are often filled with sediments and may serve as effective dust traps. The physical parameters and chemical composition of archaeological soils in hilltop ruins, ancient runoff-collecting terraces, and cleanout spoils of cisterns were determined in the Petra region in southern Jordan and the Northern Negev in Israel. Different types of ruins are characterized by certain soil structures, but could not be distinguished with regard to substrate composition. This reflects a predominance of aeolian processes for primary sedimentation, while fluvial processes seem to only re-distribute aeolian material. In the Petra region, the physical and chemical properties of all archaeological soils show a significant local contribution from associated weathered rocks. Compared to modern settled dust, archaeological soils in Southern Jordan are enriched with various major and trace elements associated with clays and oxide coatings of fine silt particles. This seems connected with preferential fixation of silt and clay by surface crusts, and a role of moisture in sedimentation processes as calcareous silt was found to be deposited in greater amounts when associated with precipitation. In contrast, the contribution of rocks is negligible in the Negev due to greater rock hardness and abundant biological crusts that seal surfaces. Archaeological soils in the Negev are chemically similar to current settled dust, which consists of complex mixtures of local and remote sources, including significant portions of recycled material from paleosols. Archaeological soils are archives of Holocene dust sources and aeolian sedimentation processes, with accretion rates exceeding those of Pleistocene hilltop loess in the Negev. Comparison with Pleistocene paleosols suggests that dust sources did not change significantly, but disappearance of snow could have reduced dust accumulation during the Holocene.
Characterization of Terpene Synthase from Tea Green Leafhopper Being Involved in Formation of Geraniol in Tea (Camellia sinensis) Leaves and Potential Effect of Geraniol on Insect-Derived Endobacteria
Authors: Zhou Ying , Liu Xiaoyu , Yang Ziyin
Published: December 2019

When insects attack plants, insect-derived elicitors and mechanical damage induce the formation and emission of plant volatiles that have important ecological functions and flavor properties. These events have mainly been studied in model plants, rather than crop plants. Our study showed that tea green leafhopper (Empoasca (Matsumurasca) onukii Matsuda), a major pest infesting tea attack significantly induced the emission of geraniol from tea leaves, but did not affect the crude enzyme activity of geraniol synthase in tea leaves. An enzyme extract of E. (M.) onukii specifically produced geraniol from geraniol diphosphate. Furthermore, a terpene synthase (EoTPS) was isolated from E. (M.) onukii. This terpene synthase was able to convert geraniol diphosphate to geraniol in vitro. In addition, geraniol had in vitro ability to inhibit the growth of Acinetobacter johnsonii that is endobacterial isolated from E. (M.) onukii. This information illustrates that elicitors from piercing-sucking insects can induce the formation of volatiles from crop plants and advances our understanding of the roles of plant volatiles in the interaction among crops-insects-microorganisms.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Contusion: A Comparative Study on Small and Large Animal Models
Authors: Mukhamedshina Yana , Shulman Iliya , Ogurcov Sergei , Kostennikov Alexander , Zakirova Elena , Akhmetzyanova Elvira , Rogozhin Alexander , Masgutova Galina , James Victoria , Masgutov Ruslan , Lavrov Igor , Rizvanov Albert
Published: December 2019

Here, we provide a first comparative study of the therapeutic potential of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow (BM-MSCs), adipose tissue (AD-MSCs), and dental pulp (DP-MSCs) embedded in fibrin matrix, in small (rat) and large (pig) spinal cord injury (SCI) models during subacute period of spinal contusion. Results of behavioral, electrophysiological, and histological assessment as well as immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis suggest that application of AD-MSCs combined with a fibrin matrix within the subacute period in rats (2 weeks after injury), provides significantly higher post-traumatic regeneration compared to a similar application of BM-MSCs or DP-MSCs. Within the rat model, use of AD-MSCs resulted in a marked change in: (1) restoration of locomotor activity and conduction along spinal axons; (2) reduction of post-traumatic cavitation and enhancing tissue retention; and (3) modulation of microglial and astroglial activation. The effect of an autologous application of AD-MSCs during the subacute period after spinal contusion was also confirmed in pigs (6 weeks after injury). Effects included: (1) partial restoration of the somatosensory spinal pathways; (2) reduction of post-traumatic cavitation and enhancing tissue retention; and (3) modulation of astroglial activation in dorsal root entry zone. However, pigs only partially replicated the findings observed in rats. Together, these results indicate application of AD-MSCs embedded in fibrin matrix at the site of SCI during the subacute period can facilitate regeneration of nervous tissue in rats and pigs. These results, for the first time, provide robust support for the use of AD-MSC to treat subacute SCI.
A Novel Anti-PD-L1 Vaccine for Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunoprevention
Authors: Chen Jie , Liu Hui , Jehng Tiffany , Li Yanqing , Chen Zhoushi , Lee Kuan-Der , Shen Hsieh-Tsung , Jones Lindsey , Huang Xue F. , Chen Si-Yi
Published: December 2019

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells that play a critical role in activating cellular and humoral immune responses. DC-based tumor vaccines targeting tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) have been extensively tested and demonstrated to be safe and potent in inducing anti-TAA immune responses in cancer patients. Sipuleucel-T (Provenge), a cancer vaccine of autologous DCs loaded with TAA, was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer. Sipuleucel-T prolongs patient survival, but has little or no effect on clinical disease progression or biomarker kinetics. Due to the overall limited clinical efficacy of tumor vaccines, there is a need to enhance their potency. PD-L1 is a key immune checkpoint molecule and is frequently overexpressed on tumor cells to evade antitumor immune destruction. Repeated administrations of PD-L1 or PD-1 antibodies have induced sustained tumor regression in a fraction of cancer patients. In this study, we tested whether vaccinations with DCs, loaded with a PD-L1 immunogen (PDL1-Vax), are able to induce anti-PD-L1 immune responses. We found that DCs loaded with PDL1-Vax induced anti-PD-L1 antibody and T cell responses in immunized mice and that PD-L1-specific CTLs had cytolytic activities against PD-L1+ tumor cells. We demonstrated that vaccination with PDL1-Vax DCs potently inhibited the growth of PD-L1+ tumor cells. In summary, this study demonstrates for the first time the principle and feasibility of DC vaccination (PDL1-Vax) to actively induce anti-PD-L1 antibody and T cell responses capable of inhibiting PD-L1+ tumor growth. This novel anti-PD-L1 vaccination strategy could be used for cancer treatment and prevention.
Anti-Tumor Effect of Inhibition of DNA Damage Response Proteins, ATM and ATR, in Endometrial Cancer Cells
Authors: Takeuchi Makoto , Tanikawa Michihiro , Nagasaka Kazunori , Oda Katsutoshi , Kawata Yoshiko , Oki Shinya , Agapiti Chuwa , Sone Kenbun , Miyagawa Yuko , Hiraike Haruko , Wada-Hiraike Osamu , Kuramoto Hiroyuki , Ayabe Takuya , Osuga Yutaka , Fujii Tomoyuki
Published: December 2019

While the incidence of endometrial cancer continues to rise, the therapeutic options remain limited for advanced or recurrent cases, and most cases are resistant to therapy. The anti-tumor effect of many chemotherapeutic drugs and radiotherapy depends on the induction of DNA damage in cancer cells; thus, activation of DNA damage response (DDR) pathways is considered an important factor affecting resistance to therapy. When some DDR pathways are inactivated, inhibition of other DDR pathways can induce cancer-specific synthetic lethality. Therefore, DDR pathways are considered as promising candidates for molecular-targeted therapy for cancer. The crosstalking ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3 related and checkpoint kinase 1 (ATR-Chk1) and ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3 related and checkpoint kinase 2 (ATM-Chk2) pathways are the main pathways of DNA damage response. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor effect of inhibitors of these pathways in vitro by assessing the effect of the combination of ATM or ATR inhibitors and conventional DNA-damaging therapy (doxorubicin (DXR), cisplatin (CDDP), and irradiation) on endometrial cancer cells. Both the inhibitors enhanced the sensitivity of cells to DXR, CDDP, and irradiation. Moreover, the combination of ATR and Chk1 inhibitors induced DNA damage in endometrial cancer cells and inhibited cell proliferation synergistically. Therefore, these molecular therapies targeting DNA damage response pathways are promising new treatment strategies for endometrial cancer.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Ozonation of Phenol by Ag/ZnO Nanocomposites
Authors: Peng Junmin , Lu Tong , Ming Hongbo , Ding Zhengxin , Yu Zhiyang , Zhang Jinshui , Hou Yidong
Published: December 2019

Ag/ZnO nanocomposites were synthesized and applied in the photocatalytic ozonation of phenol. Their crystal, textural, morphological, optical, and electrochemical properties were investigated by XRD, Raman, SEM, TEM, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence (PL) techniques in detail. The results indicated that silver nanoparticles were well dispersed on the surface of porous ZnO and the intimate contacts were formed at the Ag/ZnO interfaces. This prominently favored the separation and transfer of photoinduced electrons from ZnO to Ag nanoparticles for the activation of ozone to produce •OH and •O2−. As a result, a significant enhancement in photocatalytic ozonation of phenol was achieved over Ag/ZnO catalysts. It also showed a synergistic effect between photocatalysis and ozonation.
Correlation of the Photocatalytic Activities of Cu, Ce and/or Pt-Modified Titania Particles with their Bulk and Surface Structures Studied by Reversed Double-Beam Photoacoustic Spectroscopy
Authors: Unwiset Preeya , Chen Guangyi , Ohtani Bunsho , Chanapattharapol Kingkaew Chayakul
Published: December 2019

Modified titania photocatalyst powder samples were prepared using the sol-gel method for copper (Cu) and cerium (Ce) doping and impregnation for platinum (Pt) loading. Their bulk crystalline structures were investigated using X-ray diffractometry (XRD) with the Rietveld analysis. The surface/bulk structure, surface properties, and morphologies were observed using reversed double-beam photoacoustic spectroscopy (RDB-PAS), nitrogen adsorption, and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results from the XRD revealed that all samples were mainly anatase (ca. 80% or higher) with small amounts of rutile and non-crystalline components. The specific surface areas of all samples were in the range of 115–155 m2 g−1. Ce and Cu species were mainly distributed, while Pt was potentially loaded as a partially oxidized form on the titania surface. The results from the RDB-PAS indicated the changing of the energy-resolved distribution of electron traps (ERDT) from the original titania surface upon doping of the metals (Cu, Ce, and Pt), which altered their catalytic activities. The metals photocatalytic activities with UV irradiation were measured in two representative reactions; (a) CO2 evolution from acetic acid under the aerobic condition and (b) H2 evolution from deaerated aqueous methanol. In reaction (a), the Cu and/or Ce modification gave almost the same or slightly lower activity compared to the non-modified titania samples, while platinum loading yielded ca. 5–6 times higher activity. For reaction (b), the photocatalytic tests were divided into two sets; without (b1) and with (b2) Pt deposition during the reaction. Similar enhancements of activity from the Pt loading sample (and by Cu modification) were observed in reaction (b1) without in-situ platinum deposition, while the unmodified and Ce-doped samples were almost inactive. For the activities of reaction (b2) with in-situ platinum deposition, the unmodified samples showed the highest activity while the Cu-modified samples showed significantly lower activity.
Research on the Control Algorithm of Coaxial Rotor Aircraft based on Sliding Mode and PID
Authors: Wei Yiran , Chen Han , Li Kewei , Deng Hongbin , Li Dongfang
Published: December 2019

In this paper, a sliding mode PID control algorithm of coaxial rotor aircraft has been proposed. After that, Adams/MATLAB simulation and experiments were used for verification. The results show that this control method can achieve satisfactory results. Firstly, when considering of the aerodynamic interaction between upper and lower rotor, it is difficult to establish an accurate mathematical model, and the aerodynamic interference between the upper and lower rotors and the brandishing motion of the blades are calculated by using the blade element theory and the dynamic inflow model, and the other parts which are not accurately modeled are compensated for by the control algorithm. Secondly, the sliding mode control algorithm and the PID control algorithm are combined to control the attitude of the aircraft. Among them, the PID control algorithm is used to establish the relationship between attitude and position, so that the aircraft can fly and hover more steadily. Thirdly, the three-dimensional model of the aircraft was imported into Adams to establish the dynamic simulation model. Then, the controller was established in Simulink, after that, and then the controller and the dynamic simulation model were combined for joint simulation. And the sliding mode PID control algorithm has been compared with traditional PID control algorithm through the simulation. Finally, the sliding mode PID control algorithm is verified by the experiment compared with the traditional PID algorithm. The results verify the superiority and practicability of the control method designed in this paper.
Novel Low Voltage and Low Power Array Multiplier Design for IoT Applications
Authors: Lin Jin-Fa , Chan Cheng-Yu , Yu Shao-Wei
Published: December 2019

In this paper, a novel latch-adder based multiplier design, targeting low voltage and low power IoT applications is presented. It employs a semi-dynamic (dynamic circuit with static keeper circuit) full adder design which efficiently incorporates the level sensitive latch circuit with the adder cell. Latch circuit control signals are generated by a chain of delay cell circuits. They are applied to each row of the adder array. This row-wise alignment ensures an orderly procedure, while successfully removing spurious switching resulting in reduced power consumption. Due to the delay cell circuit of our design is also realized by using full adder. Therefore, it is unnecessary to adjust the transistor sizes of the delay cell circuit deliberately. Post-layout simulation results on 8 × 8 multiplier design show that the proposed design has the lowest power consumption of all design candidates. The total power consumption saving compared to conventional array multiplier designs is up to 38.6%. The test chip measurement shows successful operations of our design down to 0.41 V with a power consumption of only 427 nW with a maximum frequency 500 KHz.
Collaborative Computation Offloading and Resource Allocation in Cache-Aided Hierarchical Edge-Cloud Systems
Authors: Lan Yanwen , Wang Xiaoxiang , Wang Chong , Wang Dongyu , Li Qi
Published: December 2019

The hierarchical edge-cloud enabled paradigm has recently been proposed to provide abundant resources for 5G wireless networks. However, the computation and communication capabilities are heterogeneous which makes the potential advantages difficult to be fully explored. Besides, previous works on mobile edge computing (MEC) focused on server caching and offloading, ignoring the computational and caching gains brought by the proximity of user equipments (UEs). In this paper, we investigate the computation offloading in a three-tier cache-assisted hierarchical edge-cloud system. In this system, UEs cache tasks and can offload their workloads to edge servers or adjoining UEs by device-to-device (D2D) for collaborative processing. A cost minimization problem is proposed by the tradeoff between service delay and energy consumption. In this problem, the offloading decision, the computational resources and the offloading ratio are jointly optimized in each offloading mode. Then, we formulate this problem as a mixed-integer nonlinear optimization problem (MINLP) which is non-convex. To solve it, we propose a joint computation offloading and resource allocation optimization (JORA) scheme. Primarily, in this scheme, we decompose the original problem into three independent subproblems and analyze their convexity. After that, we transform them into solvable forms (e.g., convex optimization problem or linear optimization problem). Then, an iteration-based algorithm with the Lagrange multiplier method and a distributed joint optimization algorithm with the adoption of game theory are proposed to solve these problems. Finally, the simulation results show the performance of our proposed scheme compared with other existing benchmark schemes.
Improvement of Stability in a PCM-Controlled Boost Converter with the Target Period Orbit-Tracking Method
Authors: Chen Yanfeng , Xie Fan , Zhang Bo , Qiu Dongyuan , Chen Xi , Li Zi , Zhang Guidong
Published: December 2019

Thee peak-current-mode (PCM) control strategy is widely adopted in pulse width-modulated (PWM) DC-DC converters. However, the converters always involve a sub-harmonic oscillating state or chaotic state if the active duty ratio is beyond a certain range. Hence, an extra slope signal in the inductor-current loop is used to stabilize the operation of the converter. This paper presents a new technique for enlarging the stable range of PCM-controlled DC-DC converters, in which the concept of utilizing unstable period-1 orbit (UPO-1) of DC-DC converters is proposed and an implementation scenario based on the parameter-perturbation method is presented. With the proposed technique, perturbations are introduced to the reference current of the control loop, and the converters operating in a chaotic state can be tracked, and thus be stabilized to the target UPO-1. Therefore, the stable operating range of the converters is extended. Based on an example of a PCM-controlled boost converter, simulations are presented as a guide to a detailed implementation process of the proposed technique, and comparisons between the proposed technique and techniques in terms of ramp compensation are provided to show the differentiation in the performance of the converter. Experimental results in the work confirm the effectiveness of the proposed technique.
An IoT Architecture for Continuous Livestock Monitoring Using LoRa LPWAN
Authors: Germani Lorenzo , Mecarelli Vanni , Baruffa Giuseppe , Rugini Luca , Frescura Fabrizio
Published: December 2019

The Internet of Things (IoT) architecture is quickly becoming popular even outside of its originating scenario of home automation. This paper reports the design, implementation, and performance of an IoT hardware and software architecture conceived for the continuous monitoring of livestock located in barns and during grazing. We have adopted the LoRa low power wide area network (LPWAN) technology to cover the diverse environments, and a suitable configuration of web services to perform data storage, analysis, and visualization. Since the LoRa LPWAN (LoRaWAN) medium access control (MAC) layer does not provide a listen-before-talk (LBT) mechanism, we propose a custom MAC layer with LBT-based carrier-sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA). The devised system has been implemented using off-the-shelf hardware, and its performance has also been estimated with the help of a C++ event-based simulator. The preliminary results of our HW implementation on the field confirm the stability of the conceived system and its reliability.
Optimal Robot Motion Planning of Redundant Robots in Machining and Additive Manufacturing Applications
Authors: Beschi Manuel , Mutti Stefano , Nicola Giorgio , Faroni Marco , Magnoni Paolo , Villagrossi Enrico , Pedrocchi Nicola
Published: December 2019

The paper deals with the generation of optimal trajectories for industrial robots in machining and additive manufacturing applications. The proposed method uses an Ant Colony algorithm to solve a kinodynamic motion planning problem. It exploits the kinematic redundancy that is often present in these applications to optimize the execution of trajectory. At the same time, the robot kinematics and dynamics constraints are respected and robot collisions are avoided. To reduce the computational burden, the task workspace is discretized enabling the use of efficient network solver based on Ant Colony theory. The proposed method is validated in robotic milling and additive manufacturing real-world scenarios.
Automated Low-Cost Photogrammetric Acquisition of 3D Models from Small Form-Factor Artefacts
Authors: Collins Tim , Woolley Sandra I. , Gehlken Erlend , Ch’ng Eugene
Published: December 2019

The photogrammetric acquisition of 3D object models can be achieved by Structure from Motion (SfM) computation of photographs taken from multiple viewpoints. All-around 3D models of small artefacts with complex geometry can be difficult to acquire photogrammetrically and the precision of the acquired models can be diminished by the generic application of automated photogrammetric workflows. In this paper, we present two versions of a complete rotary photogrammetric system and an automated workflow for all-around, precise, reliable and low-cost acquisitions of large numbers of small artefacts, together with consideration of the visual quality of the model textures. The acquisition systems comprise a turntable and (i) a computer and digital camera or (ii) a smartphone designed to be ultra-low cost (less than $150). Experimental results are presented which demonstrate an acquisition precision of less than 40 μ m using a 12.2 Megapixel digital camera and less than 80 μ m using an 8 Megapixel smartphone. The novel contribution of this work centres on the design of an automated solution that achieves high-precision, photographically textured 3D acquisitions at a fraction of the cost of currently available systems. This could significantly benefit the digitisation efforts of collectors, curators and archaeologists as well as the wider population.
An Economical Energy Management Strategy for Viable Microgrid Modes
Authors: Abid Samia , Alghamdi Turki Ali , Haseeb Abdul , Wadud Zahid , Ahmed Abrar , Javaid Nadeem
Published: December 2019

In the last couple of decades, numerous energy management strategies have been devised to mitigate the effects of greenhouse gas emission, hence introducing the concept of microgrids. In a microgrid, distributed energy generators are used. Microgrid enables a point which ameliorates in exchanging power with the main grid during different times of day. Based on the system constraints, in this work, we aim to efficiently minimize the operating cost of the microgrid and shave the power consumption peaks. For this purpose, we introduce an improved binary bat (iBBat) algorithm which helps to schedule the load demand of smart homes and energy generation from distributed generator of microgrid to the load demand and supply. The proposed energy management algorithm is applied to both grid-connected and islanded modes of the microgrid. The constraints imposed on the algorithm ensure that the load of electricity consumer does not escalate during peak hours. The simulation results are compared with BBat and binary flower pollination algorithm, which validate that the iBBat reflects substantial reduction in operating cost of microgrid. Moreover, results also show a phenomenal reduction in the peak-to-average ratio of load demand from main the main grid.