bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impacts of carbohydrate‐restricted diets on micronutrient intakes and status: A systematic review
Authors: Churuangsuk Chaitong , Griffiths Daniel , Lean Michael E.J. , Combet Emilie
Published: April 2019

A systematic review of published evidence on micronutrient intake/status with carbohydrate‐restricted diets (CRD) was conducted in Web of Science, Medline, Embase, Scopus, CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov up to October 2018. We identified 10 studies: seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (“Atkins”‐style, n = 5; “Paleolithic” diets, n = 2), two Atkins‐style noncontrolled trials and one cross‐sectional study. Prescribed carbohydrate varied 4% to 34% of energy intake. Only one noncontrolled trial prescribed multivitamin supplements. Dietary intakes/status were reported over 2 to 104 weeks, with weight losses from 2 to 9 kg. No diagnoses of deficiency were reported. Intakes of thiamine, folate, magnesium, calcium, iron, and iodine all decreased significantly (−10% to −70% from baseline) with any CRD types. Atkins diet trials (n = 6; 4%‐34%E carbohydrate) showed inconsistent changes in vitamin A, E, and β‐carotene intakes, while a single “Paleolithic” diet trial (28%E carbohydrate) reported increases in these micronutrients. One other “Paleolithic” diet (30%E carbohydrate) reported a rise in moderate iodine deficiency from 15% to 73% after 6 months. In conclusion, few studies have assessed the impacts of CRD on micronutrients. Studies with different designs point towards reductions in several vitamins and minerals, with potential risk of micronutrient inadequacies. Trial reporting standards are expected to include analysis of micronutrient intake/status. Micronutrients in foods and/or supplements should be considered when designing, prescribing or following CRDs.
Activation of mitophagy in inflamed odontoblasts
Authors: Yang Fuhua , Li Yuan , Duan Huiling , Wang Haisheng , Pei Fei , Chen Zhi , Zhang Lu
Published: April 2019

Objectives

Mitophagy is an important mitochondrial quality control mechanism. In this study, we investigated the mitochondrial damage and mitophagy occurred in inflammatory human dental pulp and lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated preodontoblasts.

Materials and Methods

In dental pulp tissues and lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated preodontoblasts, immunofluorescences and Western blot were performed to detect the expression of mitochondrial and mitophagy‐related proteins, and autophagy markers were also examined. Reactive oxygen species generated by mitochondria were examined by MitoSOX. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to examine the morphology of mitochondria in lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated preodontoblasts.

Results

The active fission activity of mitochondria and mitophagy in inflammatory dental pulp was observed. In lipopolysaccharide‐treated preodontoblasts, mitophagy‐related proteins were also upregulated. Moreover, increased reactive oxygen species in the inflamed preodontoblasts were observed. Additionally, single‐membrane autolysosomes containing partially degraded mitochondria with swollen inner membranes in lipopolysaccharide‐treated preodontoblasts were observed by TEM.

Conclusions

These results indicate that mitochondria were damaged and mitophagy might be activated to degrade impaired mitochondria in inflamed odontoblasts.
Shannon Entropy for Quantifying Uncertainty and Risk in Economic Disparity
Authors: Mishra Saurabh , Ayyub Bilal M.
Published: April 2019

The rise in economic disparity presents significant risks to global social order and the resilience of local communities. However, existing measurement science for economic disparity (e.g., the Gini coefficient) does not explicitly consider a probability distribution with information, deficiencies, and uncertainties associated with the underlying income distribution. This article introduces the quantification of Shannon entropy for income inequality across scales, including national‐, subnational‐, and city‐level data. The probabilistic principles of Shannon entropy provide a new interpretation for uncertainty and risk related to economic disparity. Entropy and information‐based conflict rise as world incomes converge. High‐entropy instances can resemble both happy and prosperous societies as well as a socialist–communist social structure. Low entropy signals high‐risk tipping points for anomaly and conflict detection with higher confidence. Finally, spatial–temporal entropy maps for U.S. cities offer a city risk profiling framework. The results show polarization of household incomes within and across Baltimore, Washington, DC, and San Francisco. Entropy produces reliable results at significantly reduced computational costs than Gini coefficients.
Parent perspectives on perceived dental pain and dental caries in Saudi schoolchildren with intellectual disability
Authors: Alzahrani Abdullah Ali H.
Published: April 2019

Aims

To assess dental pain among male Saudi schoolchildren with intellectual learning disabilities (ILD) compared with controls and evaluate parents’ perceptions of their children's dental pain and dental status.

Methods and Results

A mixed‐method cross‐sectional study of 92 male schoolchildren aged 12‐16 years was conducted at schools in Albaha, Saudi Arabia between March and May 2018. Participants were clinically examined for dental caries. Parents’ perspectives on their children's dental pain were explored using interviews and a questionnaire. Chi‐square, Mann‐Whitney, Kendall's tau‐b, and t‐test analyses were run using SPSS® version 20.0. Children with and without ILD had a high prevalence of dental caries (77% and 86%, respectively). Participants with ILD had significantly higher Dental Discomfort Questionnaire (DDQ) scores than healthy controls (0.75 ± 0.27 and 0.59 ± 0.11, respectively), and their decayed teeth (DT) scores were higher. Parents’ ability to determine the complexity of dental treatment needed was significantly related to oral pain in both groups.

Conclusion

Children with ILD had more dental caries and pain than children without disabilities. Future research may use longitudinal studies to examine dental pain and caries in younger children with ILD and assess their parental perspectives. Implementation of oral educational programmes targeting parents of those children may be recommended.
The role of exercise in improving patient‐reported outcomes in individuals on dialysis: A scoping review
Authors: Bohm Clara , Schick‐Makaroff Kara , MacRae Jennifer M. , Tan Maria , Thompson Stephanie
Published: April 2019

Exercise improves objective measures of physical function in individuals on hemodialysis, but its effect on patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) is largely unknown. We performed a scoping review to characterize the existing knowledge base on exercise and PROs in dialysis patients to make recommendations for future research. We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and SPORT Discus from inception to November 28, 2018 and then screened results for randomized controlled trials comparing aerobic/resistance exercise, or both, with no exercise in individuals on dialysis that reported results of any PRO. Of 1374 eligible studies, 25 studies met inclusion criteria. Study interventions included aerobic exercise (11 intradialytic and 3 home‐based trials); intradialytic resistance exercise (seven studies) and combined aerobic and resistance exercise (six intradialytic and one facility‐based trial). The PROs measured included health‐related quality of life (n = 19), depression (n = 6), anxiety (n = 3), symptom burden (n = 4), sleep quality (n = 2), restless legs syndrome (n = 2), disability (n = 2), and self‐reported physical activity level (n = 4). Only five studies included a PRO as a primary outcome. Studies primarily used broad/generic measures of health‐related quality of life and the effect of exercise on symptoms remains relatively unexplored, particularly in peritoneal dialysis populations. Although limited, the role of exercise in improving restless legs was consistent and is a promising outcome for future study. A critical step to improving the quality of the research on this topic includes the use of validated and consistent PRO measures.
Penetration depth variation in atomic layer deposition on multiwalled carbon nanotube forests
Authors: Kane David , Davis Robert , Vanfleet Richard
Published: April 2019

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Al2O3 on tall multiwalled carbon nanotube forests shows concentration variation with depth in discrete steps. While ALD is capable of extremely conformal deposition in high aspect ratio structures, decreasing penetration depth has been observed over multiple thermal ALD cycles on 1.3 mm tall multiwalled carbon nanotube forests. Scanning electron microscopy imaging with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy elemental analysis shows steps of decreasing intensity corresponding to decreasing concentrations of Al2O3. A study of these steps suggests that they are produced by a combination of diffusion limited precursor delivery and the increase in precursor adsorption site density due to nuclei growing during the ALD process. This conceptual model has been applied to modify literature models for ALD penetration on high aspect ratio structures, allowing two parameters to be extracted from the experimental data. The Knudsen diffusion constant for trimethylaluminum (TMA) in these carbon nanotube forests has been found to be 0.3 cm2 s−1. From the profile of the Al2O3 concentration, the sticking coefficient of TMA in the TMA/water thermal ALD process was found to be 0.003.
Effect of water vapor on plasma processing at atmospheric pressure: Polymer etching and surface modification by an Ar/H2O plasma jet
Authors: Luan Pingshan , Kondeti V. S. Santosh K. , Knoll Andrew J. , Bruggeman Peter J. , Oehrlein Gottlieb S.
Published: April 2019

The authors evaluate the effect of water vapor on the plasma processing of materials using a model system consisting of a well-characterized radio-frequency plasma jet, controlled gaseous environment, and polystyrene as target material. The authors find that the effluent of Ar/H2O plasma jet is capable of (1) etching polymers with relatively high etch rate and (2) weakly oxidizing the etched polymer surface by forming O containing moieties. When increasing the treatment distance between the polymer and the Ar/H2O plasma, the authors find that the polymer etch rate drops exponentially, whereas the O elemental composition of the etched surface shows a maximum at intermediate treatment distance. The OH density in the Ar/H2O jet was measured near the substrate surface by laser induced fluorescence, and the density change of the OH radicals with treatment distance is found to be consistent with the exponential decrease of polymer etch rate, which indicates that OH may play a dominant role in the polymer etching process. A control experiment of Ar/H2 plasma shows that the observed fast polymer etching by Ar/H2O plasma cannot be attributed to H atoms. By correlating the OH flux with the polymer etch rate, the authors estimated the etching reaction coefficient of OH radicals (number of C atoms removed per OH radical from the gas phase) as ∼10−2. The polymer etch rate of Ar/H2O plasma is enhanced as the substrate temperature is lowered, which can be explained by the enhanced surface adsorption of gas phase species. For the same molecular admixture concentration and plasma power, the authors find that Ar/H2O/O2 plasma has much reduced etching efficiency compared to either Ar/H2O or Ar/O2 plasma.
Substrate temperature effect on migration behavior of fluorocarbon film precursors in high-aspect ratio structures
Authors: Knoll Andrew J. , Pranda Adam , Lee Hoki , Oehrlein Gottlieb S.
Published: April 2019

The authors investigate the effect of substrate temperature on the migration of fluorocarbon film precursor species into a model high aspect ratio feature with precise temperature control and shielding from direct plasma line of sight interactions. Increased substrate temperature shows fluorocarbon deposition further into the high aspect ratio feature and scales with aspect ratio for two different width gap sizes. Modeling of the deposition behavior suggests that multiple neutral species contribute to the deposition behavior, which have different survival rates as they travel into the high aspect ratio feature and experience encounters with surfaces. The work shows how slight changes in substrate temperature can be used to control migration behavior of neutral species in high aspect ratio features.
Epitaxial growth and atomic arrangement in Fe2CrO4 on crystal symmetry matched (001) MgAl2O4
Authors: Scafetta Mark D. , Yang Zhenzhong , Spurgeon Steven R. , Bowden Mark E. , Kaspar Tiffany C. , Heald Steven M. , Chambers Scott A.
Published: April 2019

The authors report on the chemical, structural, and optical properties of molecular beam epitaxy synthesized thin films of multifunctional Fe2CrO4 on (001)-oriented MgAl2O4 (MAO). Substrate temperatures near 500 °C are required to obtain smooth films with an out-of-plane lattice parameter consistent with the 3.8% compressive strain induced by the film and substrate lattice mismatch. Mg diffusion from the MAO substrate is kinetically suppressed up to 500 °C. They discuss antiphase boundaries in symmetry matched epitaxial systems. This research provides new insight into the epitaxial growth and crystalline properties of crystal symmetry matched Fe2CrO4/MAO(001) heterostructures.
Optimized reactive silencers composed of closely-spaced elongated side-branch resonators
Authors: Červenka Milan , Bednařík Michal , Groby Jean-Philippe
Published: April 2019

This paper reports a theoretical study of the sound propagation in a rectangular waveguide loaded by closely-spaced elongated side-branch resonators forming a simple low-frequency broadband reactive silencer. Semi-analytical calculations account for the evanescent modes both in the main waveguide and side-branch resonators and for the viscothermal losses in the silencer elements. Reasonable accuracy is maintained in the evaluation of transmission, reflection, and absorption coefficients, while the calculation time is reduced by a few hundred times in comparison with the finite element method. Therefore, the proposed method is particularly suitable for optimization procedure. The lengths of the individual equally spaced side-branch resonators are optimized by a heuristic evolutionary algorithm that maximizes the minimum transmission loss (TL) over a pre-defined frequency range. Numerical results indicate that the minimum TL of the optimized silencers is reduced due to the destructive effect of the evanescent coupling from the resonators of the nearest side-branches. In the opposite, the TL increases linearly with the number of the side-branch resonators.
The Microbiology of Bloodstream Infection: 20-Year Trends from the SENTRY Antimicrobial Surveillance Program
Authors: Diekema Daniel J. , Hsueh Po-Ren , Mendes Rodrigo E. , Pfaller Michael A. , Rolston Kenneth V. , Sader Helio S. , Jones Ronald N.
Published: April 2019

Bloodstream infection (BSI) organisms were consecutively collected from >200 medical centers in 45 nations between 1997 and 2016. Species identification and susceptibility testing followed Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute broth microdilution methods at a central laboratory.
Dynamics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Ag85B Revealed by a Sensitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Authors: Ernst Joel D. , Cornelius Amber , Bolz Miriam
Published: April 2019

Bacterial protein secretion contributes to host-pathogen interactions, yet the process and consequences of bacterial protein secretion during infection are poorly understood. We developed a sensitive ELISA to quantitate a protein (termed Ag85B) secreted by
M. tuberculosis
and used it to find that Ag85B secretion occurs with slower kinetics than for proteins secreted by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and that accumulation of Ag85B in the lungs is markedly regulated as a function of the bacterial population density. Our results demonstrate that quantitation of bacterial proteins during infection can reveal novel insights into host-pathogen interactions.
Bacterial Genome-Wide Association Identifies Novel Factors That Contribute to Ethionamide and Prothionamide Susceptibility in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Hicks Nathan D. , Carey Allison F. , Yang Jian , Zhao Yanlin , Fortune Sarah M.
Published: April 2019

Phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility testing in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
is slow and cumbersome. Rapid molecular diagnostics promise to help guide therapy, but such assays rely on complete knowledge of the molecular determinants of altered antibiotic susceptibility. Recent genomic studies of antibiotic-resistant
M. tuberculosis
have identified several candidate loci beyond those already known to contribute to antibiotic resistance; however, efforts to provide experimental validation have lagged. Our study identifies a gene (Rv0565c) that is associated with resistance to the second-line antibiotic ethionamide at a population level. We then use bacterial genetics to show that the variants found in clinical strains of
M. tuberculosis
improve bacterial survival after ethionamide exposure.
Influence of the Intestinal Microbiota on Colonization Resistance to
Salmonella
and the Shedding Pattern of Naturally Exposed Pigs
Authors: Argüello Héctor , Estellé Jordi , Leonard Finola C. , Crispie Fiona , Cotter Paul D. , O’Sullivan Orla , Lynch Helen , Walia Kavita , Duffy Geraldine , Lawlor Peadar G. , Gardiner Gillian E.
Published: April 2019

Salmonella
is a global threat for public health, and pork is one of the main sources of human salmonellosis. However, the complex epidemiology of the infection limits current control strategies aimed at reducing the prevalence of this infection in pigs. The present study analyzes for the first time the impact of the gut microbiota in
Salmonella
infection in pigs and its shedding pattern in naturally infected growing pigs. Microbiome (16S rRNA amplicon) analysis reveals that maturation of the gut microbiome could be a key consideration with respect to limiting the infection and shedding of
Salmonella
in pigs. Indeed, seronegative animals had higher richness of the gut microbiota early after weaning, and uninfected pigs had higher abundance of strict anaerobes from the class
Clostridia
, results which demonstrate that a fast transition from the suckling microbiota to a postweaning microbiota could be crucial with respect to protecting the animals.
40 years after Alma-Ata, is building new hospitals in low-income and lower-middle-income countries beneficial?
Authors: Chabrol Fanny , Albert Lucien , Ridde Valéry
Published: April 2019

Public hospitals in low-income and lower-middle-income countries face acute material and financial constraints, and there is a trend towards building new hospitals to contend with growing population health needs. Three cases of new hospital construction are used to explore issues in relation to their funding, maintenance and sustainability. While hospitals are recognised as a key component of healthcare systems, their role, organisation, funding and other aspects have been largely neglected in health policies and debates since the Alma Ata Declaration. Building new hospitals is politically more attractive for both national decision-makers and donors because they symbolise progress, better services and nation-building. To avoid the ‘white elephant’ syndrome, the deepening of within-country socioeconomic and geographical inequalities (especially urban–rural), and the exacerbation of hospital-centrism, there is an urgent need to investigate in greater depth how these hospitals are integrated into health systems and to discuss their long-term economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Abnormal red blood cell morphological changes in thalassaemia associated with iron overload and oxidative stress
Authors: Chaichompoo Pornthip , Qillah Ariz , Sirankapracha Pornpan , Kaewchuchuen Jirada , Rimthong Poramate , Paiboonsukwong Kittiphong , Fucharoen Suthat , Svasti Saovaros , Worawichawong Suchin
Published: April 2019

Aims

Iron overload is a major factor contributing to the overall pathology of thalassaemia, which is primarily mediated by ineffective erythropoiesis and shorter mature red blood cell (RBC) survival. Iron accumulation in RBCs generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause cellular damage such as lipid peroxidation and RBC membrane deformation. Abnormal RBCs in patients with thalassaemia are commonly known as microcytic hypochromic anaemia with poikilocytosis. However, iron and ROS accumulation in RBCs as related to RBC morphological changes in patients with thalassaemia has not been reported.

Methods

Twenty-one patients with thalassaemia, including HbH, HbH with Hb Constant Spring and β-thalassaemia/HbE (splenectomy and non-splenectomy) genotypes, and five normal subjects were recruited. RBC morphology was analysed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Systemic and RBC iron status and oxidative stress were examined.

Results

Decreased normocytes were observed in the samples of patients with thalassaemia, with RBC morphological abnormality being related to the type of disease (α-thalassaemia or β-thalassaemia) and splenic status. Target cells and crenated cells were mainly found in splenectomised patients with β-thalassaemia/HbE, while target cells and teardrop cells were found in non-splenectomised patients. Patients with thalassaemia had high levels of serum ferritin, red cell ferritin and ROS in RBCs compared with normal subjects (p<0.05). Negative correlations between the amount of normocytes and serum ferritin (rs=−0.518, p=0.011), red cell ferritin (rs=−0.467, p=0.025) or ROS in RBCs (rs=−0.672, p<0.001) were observed.

Conclusions

Iron overload and its consequent intracellular oxidative stress in RBCs were associated with reduce normocytes in patients with thalassaemia.
Prevalence of antenatal depression in South Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mahendran Rahini , Puthussery Shuby , Amalan Mahendran
Published: April 2019

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of antenatal depression in South Asia and to examine variations by country and study characteristics to inform policy, practice and future research.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive search of 13 databases including international databases and databases covering scientific literature from South Asian countries in addition to Google Scholar and grey sources from 1 January 2007 to 31 May 2018. Studies reporting prevalence estimates of antenatal depression using a validated diagnostic/screening tool were identified, screened, selected and appraised. Primary outcome was proportion (%) of pregnant women identified as having antenatal depression.

Results

Thirty-three studies involving 13 087 pregnant women were included in the meta-analysis. Twelve studies were rated as high quality and 21 studies were of moderate quality. Overall pooled prevalence of antenatal depression was 24.3 % (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 19.03 to 30.47). Studies showed a high degree of heterogeneity (I2=97.66%) and evidence of publication bias (p=0.668). Prevalence rates for India (17.74%, 95% CI 11.19 to 26.96) and Sri Lanka (12.95%, 95% CI 8.29 to 19.68) were lower compared with the overall prevalence, whereas prevalence rates for Pakistan (32.2%, 95% CI 23.11 to 42.87) and Nepal (50%, 95% CI 35.64 to 64.36) were higher.

Conclusions

While robust prevalence studies are sparse in most South Asian countries, available data suggest one in four pregnant women is likely to experience antenatal depression in the region. Findings highlight the need for recognition of the issue in health policy and practice and for resource allocation for capacity building at regional and national levels for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Preparing for PrEP: estimating the size of the population eligible for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men in England
Authors: Mitchell Holly D , Desai Sarika , Mohammed Hamish , Ong Koh Jun , Furegato Martina , Hall Victoria , Desai Monica , Saunders John Michael , Hughes Gwenda , Field Nigel , Gill O Noel
Published: April 2019

Objectives

The size of the population of men who have sex with men (MSM) who may be eligible for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (HIV-PrEP) in England remains unknown. To plan for a national PrEP implementation trial, we estimated the number of MSM attending sexual health clinics (SHCs) that may be eligible for HIV-PrEP in England.

Methods

Sexually transmitted infection (STI) surveillance data from 2010 to 2015 from the GUMCAD surveillance system were used to estimate the annual number of HIV-negative MSM who may be eligible for HIV-PrEP in England. Based on national eligibility criteria, we identified HIV-negative MSM attending SHCs with a HIV-negative test in the past year and used diagnosed bacterial STI (past year) in this group as a proxy for condomless sex and eligibility for HIV-PrEP. We estimated HIV incidence per 100 person-years (py) in these groups in 2014.

Results

During 2010–2015, the number of HIV-negative MSM attending SHCs with a HIV-negative test in the past year doubled from 14 643 to 29 023, and HIV incidence in this group was 1.9 (95% CI 1.6 to 2.2) per 100 py in 2014. In the same period, the subgroup with a bacterial STI diagnosis (past year), and therefore considered potentially eligible for HIV-PrEP in this analysis, increased from 4365 (30%) to 10 276 (35%). HIV incidence in this subgroup was 3.3 (95% CI 2.7 to 4.0) per 100 py in 2014.

Conclusions

In 2015, approximately 10 000 HIV-negative MSM were considered potentially eligible for HIV-PrEP based on clinic history in GUMCAD. These data were used to inform the initial recruitment target for the PrEP Impact Trial and will inform future evaluations at a population level.
West Asian climate during the last millennium according to the EC-Earth model
Authors: Karami M.P. , Mohtadi M. , Zhang Q. , Koenigk T.
Published: April 2019

West Asia is one of the most vulnerable regions to ongoing climate change but has been poorly investigated. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the impact of anthropogenic greenhouse gas, natural forcing, and internal climate variability on temperature and rainfall in this region. In this study, we focus on the climate of West Asia during the last millennium by using a transient simulation of the global earth system model EC-Earth (v3.1). The model performs well in terms of present-day temperature and precipitation patterns and their regional averages. Time series of yearly-mean precipitation and temperature of West Asia show that precipitation increases until the start of the Little Ice Age (1450–1850 CE) and subsequently decreases, whereas temperature shows a cooling trend during the entire last millennium. We first discuss the model output data for climate trends during two periods, 850–1450 CE and 1450–1850 CE. In 850–1450 CE, the largest wetting trend occurred in the eastern regions to the north of the Persian Gulf because of a westward shift of the Indian precipitation core and more moisture transport from the Arabian Sea. The precipitation trend in 1450–1850 CE had a different pattern with a drying trend in the west of the Caspian Sea and overall getting less wet compared with the first period. Temperature showed cooling trends for both periods with the largest values happening in the northern regions. The North Atlantic sea surface temperature cooling and the subsequent change in atmospheric circulation played a role in the wetting and cooling of West Asia. In the second part of the study, we remove the trends and discuss the multi-decadal variability of West Asian climate. It was found that Atlantic multi-decadal and Pacific decadal oscillations strongly contributed to West Asian temperature variability. For West Asian precipitation variability, we found remote connections with the Nordic seas and tropical Pacific Ocean.
Allicin inhibitsPseudomonas aeruginosavirulence by suppressing therhlandpqsquorum-sensing systems
Authors: Xu Zhimin , Zhang Hong , Yu Hua , Dai Qian , Xiong Junzhi , Sheng Halei , Qiu Jing , Jiang Lu , Peng Jin , He Xiaomei , Xin Rong , Li Defeng , Zhang Kebin
Published: April 2019

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a virulent bacterium that secretes a variety of virulence factors that aid in establishing infections in individuals. Allicin, derived from garlic, has been shown to inhibit virulence factor production and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa. However, the mechanisms underlying the allicin-mediated regulation of P. aeruginosa virulence remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the possible mechanisms underlying allicin-mediated virulence regulation in P. aeruginosa. The results showed that allicin attenuates the production of P. aeruginosa virulence-associated factors, such as elastase, pyocyanin, pyoverdine, and rhamnolipids, by inhibiting the rhl and pqs quorum-sensing systems. Further analysis revealed that the rhl and pqs systems play different roles during the allicin-mediated regulation process. Taken together, these results support the potential use of allicin as a therapeutic agent in controlling P. aeruginosa infection and associated mechanisms.
Vortex states in rotating two-component dipolar Bose–Einstein condensates
Authors: Zhao Qiang
Published: April 2019

We consider the stationary state properties of pseudo-spin-1/2 rotating dipolar Bose–Einstein condensates (BECs) by numerical simulations of the Gross–Pitaevskii equation. Different vortex structures in each component are studied, depending on the competition between the dipole–dipole interactions (DDIs) and rotational. We also investigate the differences of vortex number in the two components, showing that anisotropic nature of DDIs plays a significant role in vortices formation process.
Low temperature synthesis of wollastonite using sol–gel combustion method: In vitro bioactivity evaluation
Authors: Riaz Madeeha , Zia Rehana , Aslam Snudia , Qamar Alliya , Hussain Tousif , Anjum Safia
Published: April 2019

In this paper, low temperature, economical sol–gel combustion method was adopted to synthesize wollastonite ceramic. Calcium nitrate tetrahydrate and tetraethyl orthosilicate were taken as source for Ca and Si, while citric acid and nitric acid were used as chelating/combustion agents. The yielded powder calcined at 600[Formula: see text]C for 4 h was characterized by FTIR, XRD and SEM techniques. Results showed that the citrate combustion method was the most efficient method to prepare wollastonite at low temperature. Moreover, in vitro bioactivity test performed in simulated body fluid (SBF) showed good bioactivity of synthesized wollastonite ceramics.
Spinning properties of slag fiber according to viscosity model
Authors: Park Chang Wook , Yoon Sung Won , Park Soo Jeong , Kim Yun Hae
Published: April 2019

Slag means residues that occur during the steelmaking process. Measuring the high temperature viscosity of the slag is difficult and high cost. So, viscosity models can be used to predict the trends in viscosity as a function of the key variables, and so assist in the selection of process conditions and the optimization of the performance of slag fibers. Slag fibers with compositions similar to glass/carbon fibers are also expected to be suitable for spinning at a log viscosity value of 2.8–3. The fiberizing temperature of glass fiber is more than [Formula: see text] and the fiberizing temperature of basalt fiber is more than [Formula: see text], while the slag fiber can be spun at a low temperature.
Facile hydrothermal synthesis of NaTaO3 with high photocatalytic activity
Authors: Yeh Min Yen , Li Jun Hong , Chang Shun Hsyung , Lee Shiow Yueh , Huang Huichun
Published: April 2019

Orthorhombic perovskite structure NaTaO3 with cube shape was successfully synthesized by hydrothermal reaction. The as-prepared NaTaO3 behaves a great photocatalystic activity on degradation of MB solution not only under UV but also visible light irradiation.
Optical dark and singular solitons of generalized nonlinear Schrödinger’s equation with anti-cubic law of nonlinearity
Authors: Raza Nauman , Zubair Asad
Published: April 2019

This work is devoted to scrutinize new optical soliton solutions to the spatially temporal [Formula: see text]-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger’s equation (NLSE) with anti-cubic nonlinearity. Two different versatile integration architectures are used to extract these solitons. Extended direct algebraic method (EDAM) is utilized to pluck out optical, dark and singular soliton solutions, whereas generalized Kudryashov method (GKM) provides rational solutions. The fetched results are new and useful for the propagation of light pulses in optical fibers in [Formula: see text]-dimensions. For the existence of these solitons, constraint conditions are also listed.
Effect of [Li]/[Nb] ratios on segregation coefficient and dopant occupancy of In:Yb:Nd:LiNbO3 crystals
Authors: Dai Li , Shao Yu , Han Xianbo , Liu Chunrui , Wang Luping
Published: April 2019

A series of [Formula: see text] crystals with various [Li]/[Nb] ratios (0.946, 1.05, 1.20 and 1.38) were grown by the Czochralski method. They were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). As the [Li]/[Nb] ratio increases in the melt, the segregation coefficients of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] ions increase, while the segregation coefficient of [Formula: see text] ions decrease. The [Li]/[Nb] ratio in the crystal of sample [Formula: see text] is 0.996, which is near stoichiometric. The dopant occupancy with different [Li]/[Nb] ratios was analyzed by IR transmission spectrum and UV-VIS-NIR spectrum. When the [Li]/[Nb] ratio reaches 1.20, the absorption peak at [Formula: see text] indicates that the threshold concentration of [Formula: see text] is 1 mol.% in the sample [Formula: see text].
A Scaler Design for the RNS Three-Moduli Set {2n+1−1,2n,2n−1} Based on Mixed-Radix Conversion
Authors: Hiasat Ahmad
Published: April 2019

Adopting the moduli set [Formula: see text] for different DSP applications instead of the traditional moduli set [Formula: see text] has the advantage of excluding modulus [Formula: see text]. A multiply-and-accumulate modulo [Formula: see text] unit is more demanding than a modulo [Formula: see text] unit, which signifies the importance of this adoption. This paper introduces a new design for a scaling unit “Scaler”, that deals with the arithmetic-friendly residue number system (RNS) moduli set [Formula: see text]. The scaling factor is the power-of-two moduli [Formula: see text]. The scaling algorithm is based on the mixed-radix conversion (MRC) technique, which converts RNS-based representation into a weighted representation. The proposed approach is compared with other functionally-identical or functionally-similar scalers that perform scaling for the same moduli set under consideration or for the moduli set [Formula: see text]. The comparison is carried using theoretical unit-gate approach and experimental VLSI layout approach. The proposed scaler is shown to be more area and power-efficient than recently published competitive works.
Texture Entropy-Based Classification for Iris Recognition Systems
Authors: Papic Veljko , Krmar Jelena
Published: April 2019

In recent years, iris recognition is one of the most widely used techniques for person identification. Automatic iris identification implies a comparison of query iris image with iris entries in a large database to determine the identity of the person. In this paper, we propose a straightforward and effective algorithm for the classification of irises into several categories according to the iris texture characteristics. The goal of the classification is to identify and retrieve a smaller subset of the large database and to narrow down the search space. In this way, the response time of the iris recognition system could be significantly improved. We analyzed several cases for dividing the whole database (we used UPOL, CASIA, and UBIRIS databases) into up to eight subsets and calculated the time savings. The simulation results illustrate the potential of the proposed classification method for large-scale iris databases.
SeRA: Self-Repairing Architecture for Dark Silicon Era
Authors: sriraman Harini , Venkatasubbu Pattabiraman
Published: April 2019

The lifetime reliability of processors has become a major design constraint in the dark silicon era. Processor reliability issues are mainly due to design defects and aging. Unlike design defects, however, aging faults gradually accumulate over time. Many methods have recently been proposed to monitor the performance degradation of circuits. In this study, an architectural solution that extends the circuit-level age monitoring to processor stages is proposed for monitoring performance degradation. When degradation of a stage quantified as delay of half of the reference clock occurs, a self-repairing mechanism is triggered. This mechanism configures an field programmable gate array (FPGA), which takes over the functions of the degraded unit. The proposed self-repairing mechanism is applied to the stages of the processor data-path. This method (SeRA) has lesser area overhead compared with the state-of-art solutions.
FPGA Implementation of the Generalized Parallel Two-Box Model-based Digital Predistorter for Wireless Transmitters
Authors: Belabad Ahmad Rahati , Shahrooz Soheil , Sharifian Saeed , Motamedi Seyed Ahmad
Published: April 2019

In this paper, the FPGA implementation of the generalized parallel two-box (GPTB) model is proposed. The blocks such as multipliers, complex magnitude calculator, and magnitude powers calculator have been utilized to implement the GPTB model. In the implementation of the proposed model, a total of 30 complex multipliers, 56 noncomplex multipliers and 56 adders were used. The GPTB DPD model has been implemented by using System Generator and Vivado software. The FPGA with a part number of xc7vx690t-3 from Xilinx has been employed to implement the model. The simulation results demonstrate the correctness of the implemented model in Vivado. Also, the verification of the GPTB model is accomplished by means of the simulation of the transmitter excited by QAM signals in the ADS software. The measure of an adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR) decreased by about 16[Formula: see text]dB as a result of the simulation.
Spatial Nonhomogeneous Periodic Solutions Induced by Nonlocal Prey Competition in a Diffusive Predator–Prey Model
Authors: Chen Shanshan , Wei Junjie , Yang Kaiqi
Published: April 2019

The diffusive Holling–Tanner predator–prey model with no-flux boundary conditions and nonlocal prey competition is considered in this paper. We show the existence of spatially nonhomogeneous periodic solutions, which is induced by nonlocal prey competition. In particular, the constant positive steady state may lose the stability through Hopf bifurcation when the given parameter passes through some critical values, and the bifurcating periodic solutions near such values could be spatially nonhomogeneous and orbitally asymptotically stable.
Clustering Using Chaotic Circuit Networks with Weighted Couplings
Authors: Uwate Yoko , Takamaru Yuji , Ott Thomas , Nishio Yoshifumi
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we focus on clustering phenomena in a network composed of coupled chaotic circuits. In this investigation, the coupling strength is reflected by the distance information when the chaotic circuits are placed in a two-dimensional grid. We observe various clustering phenomena in the network of coupled chaotic circuits when we vary the scaling parameters, including the coupling strength, the distance between coupled chaotic circuits and the density of the chaotic circuits.
Analysis of Snapback Repellers Using Methods of Symbolic Computation
Authors: Huang Bo , Niu Wei
Published: April 2019

This paper presents an algebraic criterion for determining whether all the zeros of a given polynomial are outside the unit circle in the complex plane. This criterion is used to deduce critical algebraic conditions for the occurrence of chaos in multidimensional discrete dynamical systems based on a modified Marotto’s theorem developed by Li and Chen (called “Marotto–Li–Chen theorem”). Using these algebraic conditions we reduce the problem of analyzing chaos induced by snapback repeller to an algebraic problem, and propose an algorithmic approach to solve this algebraic problem by means of symbolic computation. The proposed approach is effective as shown by several examples and can be used to determine the possibility that all the fixed points are snapback repellers.
Pseudofinite difference fields
Authors: Zou Tingxiang
Published: April 2019

We study a family of ultraproducts of finite fields with the Frobenius automorphism in this paper. Their theories have the strict order property and TP2. But the coarse pseudofinite dimension of the definable sets is definable and integer-valued. Moreover, we establish a partial connection between coarse dimension and transformal transcendence degree in these difference fields.
MODIFICATION IN FOOT PRESSURE AND GAIT PATTERN AFTER ARTHROSCOPIC CARTILAGE REGENERATION FACILITATING PROCEDURES (ACRFP) IN PATIENTS WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS OF KNEE
Authors: WU TSUNG-CHIAO , YEN CHUAN-HSIN , LYU SHAW-RUEY , HUNG SHUO-SUEI
Published: April 2019

Arthroscopic cartilage regeneration facilitating procedure (ACRFP) has been reported with satisfactory results, yet there is limited research on the biomechanics in these patients. The purpose of this study is to assess the change on the biomechanics after ACRFP, in terms of foot pressure and gait pattern. Patients with chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis and received ACRFP were recruited, and the knee joints in each patient were divided into either study or control group according to radiographical or symptomatic severity. Assessments were done with Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and dynamic foot pressure at the time before surgery, three months and six months postoperatively. A total of 24 patients completed the study. Significant improvement was found of KOOS, at both three and six months postoperatively. No much change in the gait parameters was noted, but there was a significant decrease of foot pressure over lateral side of hindfoot at six months postoperatively. In conclusion, significant clinical improvements could be achieved with surgical results of ACRFP, and shifting of the foot pressure medially may be related to decrease in the knee adduction moment, which is more favorable for the knee joints.
A signal-diffusion-based spectral clustering method for community detection
Authors: Qiong Zheng
Published: April 2019

As the traditional spectral community detection method uses adjacency matrix for clustering which might cause the problem of accuracy reduction, we proposed a signal-diffusion-based spectral clustering for community detection. This method solves the problem that unfixed total signal as using the signal transmission mechanism, provides optimization of algorithm time complexity, improves the performance of spectral clustering with construction of Laplacian based on signal diffusion. Experiments prove that the method reaches as better performance on real-world network and Lancichinetti–Fortunato–Radicchi (LFR) benchmark.
Crashworthiness Optimization of a Vertex Fractal Hexagonal Structure
Authors: Zhang Yong , He Ning , Hou Yubo
Published: April 2019

Thin-walled structures are used in automotive industry due to their excellent lightweight and crashworthiness properties. This paper proposes a vertex fractal multi-cell hexagonal structure to develop a novel lightweight energy absorber. Experimental analysis and numerical modeling are performed to investigate the crashworthiness of the fractal multi-cell hexagonal structures. The numerical results indicate that fractal configurations and geometrical parameters of the fractal hexagonal structure have significant effect on the crashworthiness. In addition, the multi-objective design optimization is performed to seek the optimal crashworthiness parameters and explore the optimal crashworthiness of the fractal hexagonal structure. The results show that the fractal multi-cell hexagonal structure outperforms non-fractal hexagonal structure.
A Novel Gap Element for the Coupling of Incompatible Interface in Component Mode Synthesis Method
Authors: Li Ruoyu , Yao Jianyao , Wang Linlin , Jiang Chen , Wu Fei , Hu Ning
Published: April 2019

The component mode synthesis (CMS) methods are often utilized for modal analysis to investigate the vibration characteristics of the complex structures which are commonly divided into several substructures. However, non-matching finite element meshes may occur at the interfaces between components and virtual gaps are easily produced along the curved interfaces, which limit the application of CMS and lead to larger numerical errors for vibration analysis. To overcome the problem, a novel gap element method (GEM) is employed into a free-interface CMS method in this paper, where both displacements and forces of the nodes on the incompatible interfaces are introduced by two independent Lagrange multipliers to enforce the compatibility conditions. Two-dimensional numerical examples are given to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results of natural frequencies and modal shapes obtained using the proposed method agree very well with the ones obtained using full finite elements model, no matter the gaps along the interface exist or not. The influence of the number of nodes on the non-matching interfaces on the accuracy of frequencies is also discussed.
Some New Iterative Techniques for the Problems Involving Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Ali Faisal , Aslam Waqas , Rafiq Arif
Published: April 2019

We develop some new iterative methods, using decomposition technique, for solving the problems which involve nonlinear equations. Importantly, these methods include the generalization of some well-known existing methods. We prove the convergence criteria of our newly proposed methods. Various test examples are considered to validate the efficiency of our new methods. We also give the numerical as well as graphical analysis for two mathematical models to endorse the performance of these methods.
Impact of High-K Dielectric Materials on Performance Analysis of Underlap In0.17Al0.83N/GaN DG-MOSHEMTs
Authors: Adak Sarosij , Swain Sanjit Kumar
Published: April 2019

This work systematically investigated the effect of high-[Formula: see text] oxide materials on the performance of InAlN/GaN heterostructure underlap double gate (DG) MOS-HEMTs by considering 2D Sentaurus TCAD simulation. During the course of simulation, hydrodynamic mobility model was implemented and the obtained results were used for validating the model with the previously published experimental results. Different device performance parameters are thoroughly studied for different high-[Formula: see text] oxide materials by performing extensive simulations. It is verified that short channel effects (SCEs), key analog and RF figures of merits parameters and [Formula: see text]th improved with an increase in the value of high-[Formula: see text] oxide material. Moreover, it is also revealed that there is a significant growth in the values of key analog and RF figures of merits with respect to high-[Formula: see text] values. This analysis suggested that use of a suitable value of high-[Formula: see text]-valued oxide material in InAlN/GaN heterostructure underlap DG MOS-HEMTs can be one of the alternatives for future high speed and microwave applications.