bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacological and Phytochemical Evaluation Of Gastric Anti-Ulcer Activity of Parthenium hysterophorus In Different Models
Authors: Chettupalli Ananda Kumar , B. Vasudha , Sanka Krishna
Published: June 2017

The cause of ulceration in patients is mainly due to hyper secretion of gastric juice and also due to hyper secretion of pepsin. In traditional system of medicine a number of herbal preparations have been used for the treatment of peptic ulcers. There are various medicinal plants has been used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. In view of this, in present study we have to evaluate the anti-ulcer activity of parathenium hysterophorus. Study was carried out, by using three methods i.e., alcohol, paracetamol and stress induced ulcers in rats pretreated with the doses of 250 mg/kg AQPH and ALPH, 20mg/kg Omeoprazole and 50 mg/kg Ranitidine. To evaluate the antiulcer activity of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of parathenium hysterophorus leaves (AQPH and ALPH) at 250 doses using different experimentally induced gastric ulcer models in rats. Gastric ulcers were induced in rats by 80% alcohol, paracetamol and forced immersion stress induced methods. In alcohol induced ulcer model, paracetamol induced ulcer model and stress induced model the ulcer index was determined. Where as in stress induced ulcers stress plays an important role in ulcerogenesis. In alcohol-induced ulcers, AQPH and ALPH were effective in reducing lesion index and increasing the gastric mucus content. It was also effective in decreasing ulcer index in paracetamol-induced ulcers. All the results obtained with parathenium hysterophorus were dose dependent. The results suggest that AQPH and ALPH possesses significant and dose dependent antiulcer activity. The antiulcer activity of AQPH and ALPH can be attributed to its cytoprotective and antisecretory action.
Radical Scavenging Activity of Edible Fungal Sporocarp Extracts from the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria
Authors: B. N. Ita , S. I. Eduok
Published: June 2017

The radical scavenging activity of acetone, ethanol and aqueous extracts from Agaricus placomyces, Cantharellus cibarius
and Pleurotus ostreatus from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria was determined with their metal chelating and reducing
power. The extracts exhibited significant free radical scavenging activities in the DPPH assay (IC50 = 2.11 to 4.37 mg/mL)
with the aqueous extract from P. ostreatus being the most potent. Also, the aqueous extracts exhibited better metal chelating
abilities and reducing power than the ethanol and acetone extracts. In addition, higher content of total phenolics and
flavonoids was found in the aqueous extract of A. placomyces (55.63mg GAE/g) and P. ostreatus (15.55 mgQE/g)
respectively, whereas ascorbic acid ranged from 0.33 to 1.22 mgAAE/ in all the extracts. Overall, our results indicate that
mushrooms particularly Agaricus placomyces, and Pleurotus ostreatus contain high amount of polyphenolic compounds
with significant free radical scavenging abilities, notable metal chelating activities and promising reducing power. These
properties indicate that the mushrooms are functional foods with the potential to attenuate oxidative stress associated with
free radical damage in biological systems.
Evaluation of Acute and Subacute Toxicity of Fruit Methanolic Extract from Citrullus colocynthis in male Albino rats
Authors: Soufane S. , Bouzidi A. , Mahdeb N. , Krache S.
Published: June 2017

In this study, we investigated the effects of acute and subacute administration of the methanolic fruit extract of Citrullus
colocynthis (CCT) in male Albino Wistar rats. The acute toxicity study was undertaken firstly to determine the acute
median lethal dose (LD50) of the fruit extract. Then, the second step aimed to evaluate its toxic effects when administered
at single daily oral dose 440mg/kg (1/3 of the LD50) after one, three, five, seven, ten and fourteen days on liver function
indices (AST, ALT, ALP, total proteins), kidney function parameters (uric acid, urea and creatinine), haematological
parameters and electrolyte concentrations (Na+, K+, P-, Ca+2) using standard methods. The sub-chronic toxicity was
undertaken to evaluate the toxic effects of the same extract and the target organs after its oral administration for six weeks
(265 mg/kg) to male rats. The median lethal dose (LD50) of the extract was found to be 1311.45 mg/kg. After acute oral
administration of the methanolic extract a dose of 440mg/kg (1/3 of the LD50), there were remarked a loss in body weight
and a significant reduction in the relative weights of liver, kidney, lungs, spleen and testis of treated rats. The RBC, WBC
count, HCT and HGB concentration were also significantly lower in treated groups than control one. The liver enzymes
ALT and AST activities were higher for the main treated groups and significantly elevated in the group sacrificed after
three days of the treatment. The ALP has enregistered a significant elevation for the majority of the tested groups. The
analysis of kidney function parameters revealed a significantly high creatinine levels for all treatment group (exceptely for
the group sacrificed after 14 days), a significant increase in urea level for the group sacrificed after three days of treatment
with no remarkable changes in uric acid concentrations. Electrolyte concentrations (Na+, K+, Ca+2) were not significantly
affected by CCT alcoholic extract, but the levels of PO4- have shown a significant reduction for the main treatment groups.
Histo-pathological examination revealed a discreetly congestion in hepatic and renal parenchyma in groups sacrificed after
one and five days of treatment. The present study showed that the intake of extract of ripe Citrullus colocynthisfruit induced
a characteristic signs of poisoning: diarrhea, ruffled hair, loss in organ weight and feed intake. The effects on the functions
of the liver, kidney and bone marrow in rats resulted in alterations in serum AST, ALT and ALP activities, in the levels of
total proteins, urea, uric acid, creatinine and electrolytes as well as in organ lesions.
Pharmacognostical Studies on Sarcostemma brevistigma, Wight. and Arn. – An Ethnomedicinal Plant
Authors: Dhivya S. M. , Kalaichelvi K. , Sharmila S.
Published: June 2017

The genus Sarcostemma finds a prominent place in different Indian systems of medicine. The different ethnic communities
in India have used different species of Sarcostemma in the treatment of various human ailments. The plant Sarcostemma
brevistigma is a perennial leafless, twining trailing shrub, with green cylindrical, fleshy, glabrous, green pendulous stems,
exhibiting longitudinal ridges and nodes and exuding milky white latex. Plant shows circular vascular bundles in stem,
absence of pith in root and anomocytic type of stomata on stem bark. The powder is fibrous, light greenish brown in colour
and bitter in taste. It shows the presence of rosettes of calcium oxalate crystals, fragments of pitted, spiral vessels and
laticifers. Laticiferous canals are wide, thick walled and non septate. The macroscopic, microscopic, histological
identification and microscopic constants of Sarcostemma brevistigma can be used as a rapid, inexpensive and botanical
identification technique which would be of immense value in standardization and authentication of this plant.
Strategie e-marketingu na przykładzie firmy BlaBlaCar
Authors: Bąk Bartłomiej , Zalega Tomasz
Published: June 2017

Wiele podmiotów na rynku chciałoby wyróżniać się od konkurencji poprzez osiąganie przewagi w różnych dziedzinach funkcjonowania przedsiębiorstwa. Używanie e-marketingu z pewnością jest w stanie zapewnić taką przewagę, jednakże wymaga to zrozumienia i poprawnego wdrożenia. Jednakże skuteczne wprowadzenie marketingu internetowego wymaga spojrzenia na działalność firmy z szerszej perspektywy. Aby wprowadzenie e-marketingu było skuteczne, trzeba zestawić ze sobą strategię firmy, funkcjonowanie działu sprzedaży oraz działania marketingowe online i offline. Celem artykułu jest zaprezentowanie nowych koncepcji marketingowych oraz narzędzi, które są dostępne dla przedsiębiorstw chcących reklamować się poprzez Internet. W pierwszej części tekstu, po wyjaśnieniu pojęcia i istoty marketingu internetowego, w sposób syntetyczny, omówiono jego najważniejsze klasyczne narzędzia. Natomiast W drugiej części opracowania przeanalizowano działalność firmy BlaBlaCar w obszarze e-marketingu. Podsumowanie rozważań i ważniejsze wnioski kończą niniejszy artykuł.
Real-Time Energy-Saving Optimization for Multiple Trains Based on Multiagent Cooperative Control
Authors: Zhang Rui-Fen , ShangGuan Wei , Cai Bai-Gen , Wang Jian , Jiang Wei , Liu Jiang
Published: June 2017

Nowadays, the energy-saving optimization problem has gradually become a hot spot in the subject of high-speed train control. Traditional static train trajectory planning is designed offline according to a preplanned timetable, but ignored are the uncertainties of parameters because of line conditions and other factors in the process of operation. Thus, the previous operation strategy may not suit the remaining section. The cooperative control strategy for multiple trains was investigated with the aim of conserving energy between successive stations under the constraints of safety and punctuality. First, combined with the train operation strategy under the quasi-moving block system of the Chinese Train Control System, a train cooperative interaction mechanism based on multiagent input is proposed to obtain the real-time running characteristics of trains on the railway via the Radio Block Center (RBC) agent. In the case of unanticipated events of railway line conditions, train operation is often out of accord with the timetable. Therefore, a resilience set related to trip-time deviation and headway variation is introduced to evaluate the robustness of the railway system and achieve balance in the train group. Also, a multigroup parallel differential evolution algorithm is developed to solve the online optimization problem of a high-speed train group according to real-time information. The proposed approach is analyzed by using operational data from the Wuhan–Changsha highspeed railway line in China to assess energy savings and punctuality. Results of the case study show superior performance and effectiveness of the model, and the methodology is illustrated.
Synthesis of dehydroindolizidine-type poison-frog alkaloids via Michael-type conjugate addition
Authors: Zhou De-Jun , Li Xue-Yan , Li Dong , Guo Zhong-Shuai , Zhang Qin-Ling , Bie Hong-yan , Cui Zheng-Guo
Published: June 2017

A concise stereoselective synthesis of proposed dehydroindolizidine-alkaloids of types 179 and 207E1 was accomplished via Michael-type conjugate addition. A comparison of natural 207E and synthesised compound 207E on GC–FTIR revealed the double bond of natural 207E is most likely at the 7,8-position.
An efficient synthesis of naphtho[2,1-b]furan-2(1H)-ones catalysed by Nafion-H supported on silica-coated super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Abarghooei Mohammad Akrami , Mohebat Razieh , Karimi-Jaberi Zahed , Mosslemin Mohammad Hossein
Published: June 2017

A one-pot procedure is descibed for the synthesis of naphtho[2,1- b]furan-2(1 H)-ones via a multicomponent reaction of aryl aldehydes, hippuric acid, acetic anhydride and β-naphthol in the presence of Nafion-H supported on silica-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles under microwave irradiation. The catalyst can be recovered easily and reused several times without significant loss of catalytic activity.
Solvent-free synthesis of functionalised indenothiazoles using four-component reactions of ninhydrin
Authors: Moradi Ali Varasteh
Published: June 2017

A one-pot synthesis of indenothiazole derivatives via four-component reactions of ninhydrin, acid chlorides, ammonium thiocyanate and primary amines at 70 °C is described. The method offers several advantages including high yields of products and an easy experimental work-up procedure.
Distribution of Types of Dementia in the First 100 Patients Seen at a Dementia Clinic in India
Authors: Chandra Vijay , Mehta Veer Singh
Published: June 2017

The aim of our study was to determine if the distribution of types of dementia could explain the reported lower prevalence of dementia in India. The study is an observational study of the first 100 cases of dementia. All patients were evaluated clinically and with blood tests and MRI of the brain. The causes of dementia were: Lewy body dementia (22%), depression (20%), Alzheimer’s disease (13%), and mild cognitive impairment (18%). Other dementias were less common. The distribution of dementia types in this series is different from that reported globally. The observation of Lewy body dementia being the most common cause of dementia needs to be verified.
Evaluation of the Reliability, Validity, and Predictive Validity of the Subscales of the Perceived Stress Scale in Older Adults
Authors: Jiang Julie M. , Seng Elizabeth K. , Zimmerman Molly E. , Sliwinski Martin , Kim Mimi , Lipton Richard B.
Published: June 2017

Background:

The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is made up of two subscales but is typically used as a single summary measure. However, research has shown that the two subscales may have differential properties in older adults.

Objective:

To evaluate the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and the concurrent and predictive validity for development of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) of the positively-worded (PSS-PW) and negatively-worded (PSS-NW) subscale scores of the PSS in older adults.

Methods:

We recruited community residing older adults free of dementia from the Einstein Aging Study. Reliability of the PSS-PW and PSS-NW was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency and intraclass correlation for one year test-retest reliability. Concurrent validity was evaluated by examining the relationship between the PSS subscales and depression, anxiety, neuroticism, and positive and negative affect. Predictive validity was assessed using multivariate Cox regression analyses to examine the relationship between baseline PSS-PW and PSS-NW score and subsequent onset of aMCI.

Results:

Both PSS-PW and PSS-NW showed adequate internal consistency and retest reliabilities. Both the PSS-PW and PSS-NW were associated with depression, neuroticism, and negative affect. The PSS-NW was uniquely associated with anxiety while the PSS-PW was uniquely associated with positive affect. Only the PSS-PW was associated with a statistically significant increased risk of incident aMCI (HR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.06–1.51 for every 5-point increase in PSS-PW).

Conclusions:

Evaluating the separate effects of the two PSS subscales may reveal more information than simply using a single summation score. Future research should investigate the PSS-PW and PSS-NW as separate subscales.
Extraction, characterization and evaluation of Eruca sativa against streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in rat
Authors: Kishore Lalit , Kaur Navpreet , Kajal Anu , Singh Randhir
Published: June 2017

The present study was aimed to evaluate petroleum ether and hydroalcohol extracts of Eruca sativa seeds in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy in the rat model. GC-MS analysis of petroleum ether extract revealed the presence of fatty acids and erucic acid. Quercetin and kaempferol were isolated from the hydroalcohol extract. Diabetes was induced in rat by streptozotocin (65 mg/kg i.p.) 15 min after nicotinamide (230 mg/kg, i.p.) administration. Both the extracts at different doses produced a significant attenuation in the elevated serum glucose level. Elevated renal parameters, lipid and anti-oxidant enzyme levels were restored in a dose-dependant manner. Moreover, both extracts produced significant reduction in the formation of advanced glycation end products in the kidney. These findings suggest that E. sativa might inhibit the progression of diabetic nephropathy and could be a therapeutic agent for the management of diabetic nephropathy.
Video Clip of Methodology:
Extraction of compounds from seeds: 3 min 45 sec   Full Screen   Alternate
Higher Education and Public Engagement: Open University and BBC Drama Co-productions on BBC2 in the 1970s
Authors: Wrigley Amanda
Published: June 2017

This article explores the relationship between television and higher education in the 1970s, focusing on the co-production by the BBC and the Open University (OU) of sixteen theatre plays for transmission mainly on BBC2 as part of the OU's A307 Drama course for adult distance-learners which ran annually from 1977. It considers how, on the one hand, A307 gave its students access to performances of the plays being studied, a distinctive and significant activity in terms of the evolution of a pedagogy for drama which managed in an innovatory fashion the rather paradoxical use of the television medium to develop a critical understanding of live theatre. And, on the other, it considers how these productions were designed to reach a wider public audience, thus satisfying the OU's mission to serve the general public as well as its registered students. On occasion, however, course content proved too challenging for the BBC, leading to arguments and, on one rare occasion, censorship. Drawing on extant archival materials, interviews with academics and producers, and critical responses in the press, this article examines the opportunities and tensions which arose from delivering academic course content through a public service broadcasting medium. It therefore contributes to understanding of contemporary perceptions of the roles and responsibilities of television – and BBC2 in particular – with regard to higher education and broader public engagement in the 1970s, the first decade of the OU's existence.
Derrida's Error and Immunology
Authors: Timár Eszter
Published: June 2017

While Derrida's work is often seen as removed from matter, influential arguments have also been made about deconstruction's capacity to capture some foundational logic of matter or life. I offer an example of the way Derrida's work may be read to suggest the latter, even in a case where Derrida may be wrong: based on Thomas Pradeu's Limits of the Self, I suggest that Derrida's arguably erroneous use of autoimmunity anticipated recent developments in immunology. However, instead of simply concluding that Derrida ‘anticipates’ immunology, I suggest that Pradeu's theory had earlier been prefigured in immunology around the term ‘allergy’ in agreement with the Derridean use of it in ‘Plato's Pharmacy’. Last, I will briefly consider what Derrida calls ‘life in general’, in order to demonstrate a resistance in his work to be simply proven right within what he understands as the organicist discourse of living matter.
Laughing Matters: On Democritus
Authors: Stoholski Mark
Published: June 2017

In his On Medical Experience, Galen notes a central aporia in Democritus' thought: insofar as sensory qualities are held to be merely conventional and without reality, they offer no sure path for the derivation of the theory of atoms and void that ostensibly explains the emergence of these very qualities. This is not necessarily a flaw in Democritus' thought; rather it reflects the movement of dissemblance that the atomist depicts as integral to perception and thinking writ large. The theory of atoms and void cannot ground itself, but rather emerges as a kind of mockery, the semblance of theory passing for a theory of semblances. It is perhaps worthy only of the laughter that one ascribes to Democritus, and yet this laughter is itself a figure for the nonsensical convulsions of atoms transgressing the void.
The Impacts of Atmospheric Moisture Transportation on Warm Sector Torrential Rains over South China
Authors: Zhong Shuixin , Chen Zitong
Published: June 2017

Warm Sector Torrential Rains (WSTRs) occurring during the outbreak of the monsoon in May of 2015 in South China were studied using surface automatic weather observational data, sounding, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis interim Data (ERA-interim), satellite and radar data, and a four-level nested grid simulation with the finest grid spacing of 1 km using the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF). The results show that the extreme precipitation event, which had maximum rainfall amounts of 406.3 mm in 10 h and 542.2 mm in 24 h on 20 May 2015, and was characterized by its rapid development and its highly concentrated and long duration of heavy rainfall, occurred over the trumpet-shaped topography of Haifeng. The simulation results indicated that the South China Sea (SCS) atmospheric moisture transportation (AMT) was crucial in triggering the precipitation of the WSTR over South China. The simulation of the WSTR was conducted by using the total energy-mass flux scheme (TEMF), which provided a reasonable simulation of the circulation and the vertical profile in the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) as well as the estimation of the precipitation. The AMT, which extends from the Beibu Gulf and the South China Sea to the coastal areas and provides Shanwei with a considerable amount of moisture in the boundary layer, and the effects within the PBL, which include orographic effects, an extra low-level jet, and a high-energy tongue characterized by a high-potential pseudo-equivalent temperature tongue with a warm and moist southwesterly wind, were the important large-scale factors causing the WSTR.
Regularizing Neural Networks via Retaining Confident Connections
Authors: Zhang Shengnan , Hou Yuexian , Wang Benyou , Song Dawei
Published: June 2017

Regularization of neural networks can alleviate overfitting in the training phase. Current regularization methods, such as Dropout and DropConnect, randomly drop neural nodes or connections based on a uniform prior. Such a data-independent strategy does not take into consideration of the quality of individual unit or connection. In this paper, we aim to develop a data-dependent approach to regularizing neural network in the framework of Information Geometry. A measurement for the quality of connections is proposed, namely confidence. Specifically, the confidence of a connection is derived from its contribution to the Fisher information distance. The network is adjusted by retaining the confident connections and discarding the less confident ones. The adjusted network, named as ConfNet, would carry the majority of variations in the sample data. The relationships among confidence estimation, Maximum Likelihood Estimation and classical model selection criteria (like Akaike information criterion) is investigated and discussed theoretically. Furthermore, a Stochastic ConfNet is designed by adding a self-adaptive probabilistic sampling strategy. The proposed data-dependent regularization methods achieve promising experimental results on three data collections including MNIST, CIFAR-10 and CIFAR-100.
Entropy Analysis of the Interaction between the Corner Separation and Wakes in a Compressor Cascade
Authors: Wang Hao , Lin Dun , Su Xinrong , Yuan Xin
Published: June 2017

The corner separation in the high-loaded compressors deteriorates the aerodynamics and reduces the stable operating range. The flow pattern is further complicated with the interaction between the aperiodic corner separation and the periodically wake-shedding vortices. Accurate prediction of the corner separation is a challenge for the Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) method, which is based on the linear eddy-viscosity formulation. In the current work, the corner separation is investigated with the Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (DDES) approach. DDES results agree well with the experiment and are systematically better than the RANS results, especially in the corner region where massive separation occurs. The accurate results from DDES provide a solid foundation for mechanism study. The flow structures and the distribution of Reynolds stress help reveal the process of corner separation and its interaction with the wake vortices. Before massive corner separation occurs, the hairpin-like vortex develops. The appearance of the hairpin-like vortex could be a signal of large-scale corner separation. The strong interaction between corner separation and wake vortices significantly enhances the turbulence intensity. Based on these analyses, entropy analysis is conducted from two aspects to study the losses. One aspect is the time-averaged entropy analysis, and the other is the instantaneous entropy analysis. It is found that the interaction between the passage vortex and wake vortex yields remarkable viscous losses over the 0–12% span when the corner separation has not yet been triggered; however, when the corner separation occurs, an enlarged region covering the 0–30% span is affected, and it is due to the interaction between the corner separation and wake vortices. The detailed coherent structures, local losses information and turbulence characteristics presented can provide guidance for the corner separation control and better design.
Influence Analysis and Prediction of ESDD and NSDD Based on Random Forests
Authors: Ren Ang , Li Qingquan , Xiao Huaishuo
Published: June 2017

Equivalent salt deposit density (ESDD) and non-soluble deposit density (NSDD) measurements are a basic requirement of power systems. In order to predict the site pollution severity (SPS) of insulators, a new method based on random forests (RFs) is proposed. Using mutual information (MI) theory and RFs, the weights of factors related to the SPS of insulators are analyzed. The samples of contaminated insulators are extracted from the transmission lines of high voltage alternating current (HVAC) and high voltage direct current transmission (HVDC). The regression models of RFs and support vector machines (SVM) are constructed and compared, which helps to support the lack of information in predicting NSDD in previous works. The results are as follows: according to the mean decrease accuracy (MDA), mean decrease Gini, (MDG), and MI, the types of the insulators (including surface area, surface orientation, and total length) as well as the hydrophobicity are the main factors affecting both ESDD and NSDD. Compared with NSDD, the electrical parameters have a significant effect on ESDD. For the influence factors of ESDD, the weights of the insulator type, hydrophobicity, and meteorological factors are 52.94%, 6.35%, and 21.88%, respectively. For the influence factors of NSDD, the weights of the insulator type, hydrophobicity, and meteorological factors are 55.37%, 11.04%, and 14.26%, respectively. The influence voltage level (vl), voltage type (vt), polarity/phases (pp) exerted on ESDD are 1.5 times, 3 times, and 4.5 times of NSDD, respectively. The influence that distance from the coastline (d), wind velocity (wv), and rainfall (rf) exert on NSDD are 1.5 times, 2 times, and 2.5 times that of ESDD, respectively. Compared with the natural contamination test and the SVM regression model, the RFs regression model can effectively predict the contamination degree of insulators, and the relative error of the predicted ESDD and NSDD is 8.31% and 9.62%, respectively.
A Single-Phase Bidirectional AC/DC Converter for V2G Applications
Authors: Peng Tao , Yang Peng , Dan Hanbing , Wang Hui , Han Hua , Yang Jian , Wang Hao , Dong Hui , Wheeler Patrick
Published: June 2017

This paper presents a single-phase bidirectional current-source AC/DC converter for vehicle to grid (V2G) applications. The presented converter consists of a line frequency commutated unfolding bridge and an interleaved buck-boost stage. The low semiconductor losses of the line frequency commutated unfolding bridge contribute to the comparatively good efficiency of this converter. The buck and boost operating modes of the interleaved buck-boost stage provide operation over a wide battery voltage range. The interleaved structure of the interleaved buck-boost stage results in lower battery current ripple. In addition, sinusoidal input current, bidirectional power flow and reactive power compensation capability are also guaranteed. This paper presents the topology and operating principles of the presented converter. The feasibility of the converter is validated using MATLAB simulations, as well as experimental results.
An Ad-Hoc Initial Solution Heuristic for Metaheuristic Optimization of Energy Market Participation Portfolios
Authors: Faia Ricardo , Pinto Tiago , Vale Zita , Corchado Juan
Published: June 2017

The deregulation of the electricity sector has culminated in the introduction of competitive markets. In addition, the emergence of new forms of electric energy production, namely the production of renewable energy, has brought additional changes in electricity market operation. Renewable energy has significant advantages, but at the cost of an intermittent character. The generation variability adds new challenges for negotiating players, as they have to deal with a new level of uncertainty. In order to assist players in their decisions, decision support tools enabling assisting players in their negotiations are crucial. Artificial intelligence techniques play an important role in this decision support, as they can provide valuable results in rather small execution times, namely regarding the problem of optimizing the electricity markets participation portfolio. This paper proposes a heuristic method that provides an initial solution that allows metaheuristic techniques to improve their results through a good initialization of the optimization process. Results show that by using the proposed heuristic, multiple metaheuristic optimization methods are able to improve their solutions in a faster execution time, thus providing a valuable contribution for players support in energy markets negotiations.
A Vertical Flux-Switching Permanent Magnet Based Oscillating Wave Power Generator with Energy Storage
Authors: Zou Yu , Cheng Ka
Published: June 2017

In this paper, an effective low-speed oscillating wave power generator and its energy storage system have been proposed. A vertical flux-switching permanent magnet (PM) machine is designed as the generator while supercapacitors and batteries are used to store the energy. First, the overall power generation system is established and principles of the machine are introduced. Second, three modes are proposed for the energy storage system and sliding mode control (SMC) is employed to regulate the voltage of the direct current (DC) bus, observe the mechanical input, and feedback the status of the storage system. Finally, experiments with load and sinusoidal mechanical inputs are carried out to validate the effectiveness and stability of power generation for wave energy. The results show that the proposed power generation system can be employed in low-speed environment around 1 m/s to absorb random wave power, achieving over 60% power efficiency. The power generation approach can be used to capture wave energy in the future.
Minimization of Construction Costs for an All Battery-Swapping Electric-Bus Transportation System: Comparison with an All Plug-In System
Authors: Fang Shyang-Chyuan , Ke Bwo-Ren , Chung Chen-Yuan
Published: June 2017

The greenhouse gases and air pollution generated by extensive energy use have exacerbated climate change. Electric-bus (e-bus) transportation systems help reduce pollution and carbon emissions. This study analyzed the minimization of construction costs for an all battery-swapping public e-bus transportation system. A simulation was conducted according to existing timetables and routes. Daytime charging was incorporated during the hours of operation; the two parameters of the daytime charging scheme were the residual battery capacity and battery-charging energy during various intervals of daytime peak electricity hours. The parameters were optimized using three algorithms: particle swarm optimization (PSO), a genetic algorithm (GA), and a PSO–GA. This study observed the effects of optimization on cost changes (e.g., number of e-buses, on-board battery capacity, number of extra batteries, charging facilities, and energy consumption) and compared the plug-in and battery-swapping e-bus systems. The results revealed that daytime charging can reduce the construction costs of both systems. In contrast to the other two algorithms, the PSO–GA yielded the most favorable optimization results for the charging scheme. Finally, according to the cases investigated and the parameters of this study, the construction cost of the plug-in e-bus system was shown to be lower than that of the battery-swapping e-bus system.
MYC Modulation around the CDK2/p27/SKP2 Axis
Authors: Hydbring Per , Castell Alina , Larsson Lars-Gunnar
Published: June 2017

MYC is a pleiotropic transcription factor that controls a number of fundamental cellular processes required for the proliferation and survival of normal and malignant cells, including the cell cycle. MYC interacts with several central cell cycle regulators that control the balance between cell cycle progression and temporary or permanent cell cycle arrest (cellular senescence). Among these are the cyclin E/A/cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) complexes, the CDK inhibitor p27KIP1 (p27) and the E3 ubiquitin ligase component S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2), which control each other by forming a triangular network. MYC is engaged in bidirectional crosstalk with each of these players; while MYC regulates their expression and/or activity, these factors in turn modulate MYC through protein interactions and post-translational modifications including phosphorylation and ubiquitylation, impacting on MYC’s transcriptional output on genes involved in cell cycle progression and senescence. Here we elaborate on these network interactions with MYC and their impact on transcription, cell cycle, replication and stress signaling, and on the role of other players interconnected to this network, such as CDK1, the retinoblastoma protein (pRB), protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), the F-box proteins FBXW7 and FBXO28, the RAS oncoprotein and the ubiquitin/proteasome system. Finally, we describe how the MYC/CDK2/p27/SKP2 axis impacts on tumor development and discuss possible ways to interfere therapeutically with this system to improve cancer treatment.
Plantago asiatica L. Seed Extract Improves Lipid Accumulation and Hyperglycemia in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice
Authors: Yang Qiming , Qi Meng , Tong Renchao , Wang Dandan , Ding Lili , Li Zeyun , Huang Cheng , Wang Zhengtao , Yang Li
Published: June 2017

Obesity and its common association with type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases are worldwide epidemics. Currently, to prevent or treat obesity and associated metabolic disorders, herbal dietary supplements or medicines have attracted more and more attention owing to their relative effectiveness with fewer significant side effects. We investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of Plantago asiatica L. seed extract (PSE) on obesity and associated metabolic disorders in high-fat (HF) diet-induced mice. Our results displayed that PSE did not modify food intake or body weight but decreased abdominal white adipose tissue ratio, white/brown adipocyte size, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol, free fatty acid, and hepatic TG concentrations when compared with the HF group. The levels of fasting blood glucose and glucose tolerance were improved in the PSE group when compared with the HF group. Furthermore, PSE upregulated mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) and target genes related to fatty acid metabolism and energy expenditure in liver and adipose tissue of obese mice when compared with the HF group. PSE treatment effectively improved lipid and glucose metabolism in HF diet-induced obese mice. These effects might be attributed to the upregulation of PPAR signaling
The Impact of Melatonin on Colon Cancer Cells’ Resistance to Doxorubicin in an in Vitro Study
Authors: Fic Magdalena , Gomulkiewicz Agnieszka , Grzegrzolka Jedrzej , Podhorska-Okolow Marzenna , Zabel Maciej , Dziegiel Piotr , Jablonska Karolina
Published: June 2017

Multi-drug resistance (MDR) is the main cause of low effectiveness of cancer chemotherapy. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is one of the main factors determining MDR. Some studies indicate the potential role of melatonin (MLT) in MDR. In this study, we examined the effect of MLT on colon cancer cell’s resistance to doxorubicin (DOX). Using the sulforhodamine B (SRB), method the effect of tested substances on the survival of LoVo (colon cancer cells sensitive to DOX) and LoVoDX (colon cancer cells resistant to DOX) was rated. Using immunocytochemistry (ICC), the expression of P-gp in the LoVo and LoVoDX was determined. With the real-time PCR (RT-PCR) technique, the ABCB1 expression in LoVoDX was evaluated. Based on the results, it was found that MLT in some concentrations intensified the cytotoxicity effect of DOX in the LoVoDX cells. In the ICC studies, it was demonstrated that certain concentrations of MLT and DOX cause an increase in the percentage of cells expressing P-gp, which correlates positively with ABCB1 expression (RT-PCR). The mechanism of overcoming resistance by MLT is probably not only associated with the expression of P-gp. It seems appropriate to carry out further research on the use of MLT as the substance supporting cancer chemotherapy.
Capsaicin-Sensitive Sensory Nerves Are Necessary for the Protective Effect of Ghrelin in Cerulein-Induced Acute Pancreatitis in Rats
Authors: Bonior Joanna , Warzecha Zygmunt , Ceranowicz Piotr , Gajdosz Ryszard , Pierzchalski Piotr , Kot Michalina , Leja-Szpak Anna , Nawrot-Porąbka Katarzyna , Link-Lenczowski Paweł , Pędziwiatr Michał , Olszanecki Rafał , Bartuś Krzysztof , Trąbka Rafał , Kuśnierz-Cabala Beata , Dembiński Artur , Jaworek Jolanta
Published: June 2017

Ghrelin was shown to exhibit protective and therapeutic effect in the gut. Aim of the study was to investigate the role of sensory nerves (SN) in the protective effect of ghrelin in acute pancreatitis (AP). Studies were performed on male Wistar rats or isolated pancreatic acinar cells. After capsaicin deactivation of sensory nerves (CDSN) or treatment with saline, rats were pretreated intraperitoneally with ghrelin or saline. In those rats, AP was induced by cerulein or pancreases were used for isolation of pancreatic acinar cells. Pancreatic acinar cells were incubated in cerulein-free or cerulein containing solution. In rats with intact SN, pretreatment with ghrelin led to a reversal of the cerulein-induced increase in pancreatic weight, plasma activity of lipase and plasma concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). These effects were associated with an increase in plasma interleukin-4 concentration and reduction in histological signs of pancreatic damage. CDSN tended to increase the severity of AP and abolished the protective effect of ghrelin. Exposure of pancreatic acinar cells to cerulein led to increase in cellular expression of mRNA for TNF-α and cellular synthesis of this cytokine. Pretreatment with ghrelin reduced this alteration, but this effect was only observed in acinar cells obtained from rats with intact SN. Moreover, CDSN inhibited the cerulein- and ghrelin-induced increase in gene expression and synthesis of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in those cells. Ghrelin exhibits the protective effect in cerulein-induced AP on the organ and pancreatic acinar cell level. Sensory nerves ablation abolishes this effect.
Land‐Use and Land‐Cover Change in the Páramo of South‐Central Ecuador, 1979–2014
Authors: Ross Cristina , Fildes Stephen , Millington Andrew
Published: June 2017

Land use and land cover were mapped between 3500 and 5000 meters above sea level m.a.s.l. in the Río Chambo basin in south-central Ecuador from Landsat MSS, TM, ETM and OLI imagery acquired between 1979 and 2014. The area mapped has been dominated by páramo and a variety of agricultural land uses since 1979. The main land-use transitions have been from páramo to agriculture, native forest to páramo and agriculture, and agriculture back to páramo. Significant areas of páramo have remained unchanged over the 35-year period analyzed, while the area of native forest has declined and that of bare soil increased. Plantations of non-native timber species increased from 1979 to 1999, but their area has now declined. Most land-use transformations have occurred at lower elevations in the 3500–5000 m.a.s.l. range. This is particularly the case for the loss of native forest and the degradation of páramo and agriculture to areas of bare (eroded) soils. A drivers-based approach revealed that these land-use transformations were related to import substitution and afforestation policies geared toward internal markets, exports and environmental conservation.
Tribological Investigation of Layered Zirconium Phosphate in Anhydrous Calcium Grease
Authors: Dai Yingjing , Niu Wenxing , Zhang Xiaosheng , Xu Hong , Dong Jinxiang
Published: June 2017

The tribological properties of α-zirconium phosphate particles as an additive in anhydrous calcium grease were studied by using an Optimol SRV-V oscillating reciprocating tester and a four-ball tester. Fortunately, α-Zr(HPO4)·H2O (α-ZrP) grease exhibits excellent properties in anti-friction and wear-resistant, load-carrying capacity, and extreme pressure properties. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and 3D analysis show that α-ZrP particles appear to form a protective film allowing increased load capacity and operating frequency of the rubbed pairs. Meanwhile, α-ZrP particles can provide low friction coefficient and wear loss during a long-term test.
An Improved Local Gradient Method for Sea Surface Wind Direction Retrieval from SAR Imagery
Authors: Zhou Lizhang , Zheng Gang , Li Xiaofeng , Yang Jingsong , Ren Lin , Chen Peng , Zhang Huaguo , Lou Xiulin
Published: June 2017

Sea surface wind affects the fluxes of energy, mass and momentum between the atmosphere and ocean, and therefore regional and global weather and climate. With various satellite microwave sensors, sea surface wind can be measured with large spatial coverage in almost all-weather conditions, day or night. Like any other remote sensing measurements, sea surface wind measurement is also indirect. Therefore, it is important to develop appropriate wind speed and direction retrieval models for different types of microwave instruments. In this paper, a new sea surface wind direction retrieval method from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery is developed. In the method, local gradients are computed in frequency domain by combining the operation of smoothing and computing local gradients in one step to simplify the process and avoid the difference approximation. This improved local gradients (ILG) method is compared with the traditional two-dimensional fast Fourier transform (2D FFT) method and local gradients (LG) method, using interpolating wind directions from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) reanalysis data and the Cross-Calibrated Multi-Platform (CCMP) wind vector product. The sensitivities to the salt-and-pepper noise, the additive noise and the multiplicative noise are analyzed. The ILG method shows a better performance of retrieval wind directions than the other two methods.
A Study of Deep CNN-Based Classification of Open and Closed Eyes Using a Visible Light Camera Sensor
Authors: Kim Ki , Hong Hyung , Nam Gi , Park Kang
Published: June 2017

The necessity for the classification of open and closed eyes is increasing in various fields, including analysis of eye fatigue in 3D TVs, analysis of the psychological states of test subjects, and eye status tracking-based driver drowsiness detection. Previous studies have used various methods to distinguish between open and closed eyes, such as classifiers based on the features obtained from image binarization, edge operators, or texture analysis. However, when it comes to eye images with different lighting conditions and resolutions, it can be difficult to find an optimal threshold for image binarization or optimal filters for edge and texture extraction. In order to address this issue, we propose a method to classify open and closed eye images with different conditions, acquired by a visible light camera, using a deep residual convolutional neural network. After conducting performance analysis on both self-collected and open databases, we have determined that the classification accuracy of the proposed method is superior to that of existing methods.
Incorporating Direct Rapid Immunohistochemical Testing into Large-Scale Wildlife Rabies Surveillance
Authors: Middel Kevin , Fehlner-Gardiner Christine , Pulham Natalie , Buchanan Tore
Published: June 2017

Following an incursion of the mid-Atlantic raccoon variant of the rabies virus into southern Ontario, Canada, in late 2015, the direct rapid immunohistochemical test for rabies (dRIT) was employed on a large scale to establish the outbreak perimeter and to diagnose specific cases to inform rabies control management actions. In a 17-month period, 5800 wildlife carcasses were tested using the dRIT, of which 307 were identified as rabid. When compared with the gold standard fluorescent antibody test (FAT), the dRIT was found to have a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 98.2%. Positive and negative test agreement was shown to be 98.3% and 99.1%, respectively, with an overall test agreement of 98.8%. The average cost to test a sample was $3.13 CAD for materials, and hands-on technical time to complete the test is estimated at 0.55 h. The dRIT procedure was found to be accurate, fast, inexpensive, easy to learn and perform, and an excellent tool for monitoring the progression of a wildlife rabies incursion.
High Angular Momentum Halo Gas: A Feedback and Code-independent Prediction of LCDM
Authors: Stewart Kyle R. , Maller Ariyeh H. , Oñorbe Jose , Bullock James S. , Joung M. Ryan , Devriendt Julien , Ceverino Daniel , Kereš Dušan , Hopkins Philip F. , Faucher-Giguère Claude-André
Published: June 2017

We investigate angular momentum acquisition in Milky Way-sized galaxies by comparing five high resolution zoom-in simulations, each implementing identical cosmological initial conditions but utilizing different hydrodynamic codes: Enzo, Art, Ramses, Arepo, and Gizmo-PSPH. Each code implements a distinct set of feedback and star formation prescriptions. We find that while many galaxy and halo properties vary between the different codes (and feedback prescriptions), there is qualitative agreement on the process of angular momentum acquisition in the galaxy’s halo. In all simulations, cold filamentary gas accretion to the halo results in ∼4 times more specific angular momentum in cold halo gas (λ
cold ≳ 0.1) than in the dark matter halo. At z > 1, this inflow takes the form of inspiraling cold streams that are co-directional in the halo of the galaxy and are fueled, aligned, and kinematically connected to filamentary gas infall along the cosmic web. Due to the qualitative agreement among disparate simulations, we conclude that the buildup of high angular momentum halo gas and the presence of these inspiraling cold streams are robust predictions of Lambda Cold Dark Matter galaxy formation, though the detailed morphology of these streams is significantly less certain. A growing body of observational evidence suggests that this process is borne out in the real universe.