bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chiral Anomaly, Topological Field Theory, and Novel States of Matter
Authors: Fröhlich Jürg
Published: June 2018

Starting with a description of the motivation underlying the analysis presented in this paper and a brief survey of the chiral anomaly, I proceed to review some basic elements of the theory of the quantum Hall effect in 2D incompressible electron gases in an external magnetic field, (“Hall insulators”). I discuss the origin and role of anomalous chiral edge currents and of anomaly inflow in 2D insulators with explicitly or spontaneously broken time reversal, i.e. in Hall insulators and “Chern insulators”. The topological Chern–Simons action yielding the large-scale response equations for the 2D bulk of such states of matter is displayed. A classification of Hall insulators featuring quasi-particles with abelian braid statistics is sketched.

Subsequently, the chiral edge spin currents encountered in some time-reversal invariant 2D topological insulators with spin-orbit interactions and the bulk response equations of such materials are described.

A short digression into the theory of 3D topological insulators, including “axionic insulators”, follows next.

To conclude, some open problems are described and a problem in cosmology related to axionic insulators is mentioned.

As far as the quantum Hall effect and the spin currents in time-reversal invariant 2D topological insulators are concerned, this review is based on extensive work my collaborators and I carried out in the early 1990’s.

Dedicated to the memory of Ludvig Dmitrievich Faddeev — a great scientist

who will be remembered
3D Current Algebra and Twisted K Theory
Authors: Mickelsson Jouko
Published: June 2018

Equivariant twisted K theory classes on compact Lie groups [Formula: see text] can be realized as families of Fredholm operators acting in a tensor product of a fermionic Fock space and a representation space of a central extension of the loop algebra [Formula: see text] using a supersymmetric Wess–Zumino–Witten model. The aim of the present paper is to extend the construction to higher loop algebras using an abelian extension of a 3D current algebra. We have only partial success: Instead of true Fredholm operators we have formal algebraic expressions in terms of the generators of the current algebra and an infinite dimensional Clifford algebra. These give rise to sesquilinear forms in a Hilbert bundle which transform in the expected way with respect to 3D gauge transformations but do not define true Hilbert space operators.
Hopfions
Authors: Sutcliffe Paul
Published: June 2018

More than 40 years ago, Faddeev proposed the existence of three-dimensional topological solitons classified by the integer-valued Hopf invariant. These solitons are now known as hopfions and have been investigated in a range of systems, including the original model suggested by Faddeev, where a variety of stable knot and link solutions have been computed numerically. Very recently, numerical computations have predicted the existence of nanoscale hopfions in frustrated magnets and experiments have realized micrometer-sized hopfions in chiral ferromagnetic fluids. All these examples of hopfions will be described and their similarities and differences discussed.
Poincaré gauge gravity: An overview
Authors: Obukhov Yuri N.
Published: June 2018

We review the basics and the current status of the Poincaré gauge theory of gravity. The general dynamical scheme of Poincaré gauge gravity (PG) is formulated, and its physical consequences are outlined. In particular, we discuss exact solutions with and without torsion, highlight the cosmological aspects, and consider the probing of the spacetime geometry.
Nanomaterials in Liver Regeneration: The Prospect for Application
Authors: Li Xiuhua , Yang Yang , Liu Wei , Chen Wenjian , Hu Kangyuan , Wang Wanyin , Wang Chao , Wu Yingfu , Liu Zhongmin , He Zhiying
Published: June 2018

Hepatocyte transplantation has been proved an effective method to help liver regeneration by replacing host deficient cells caused by various disorders or injuries. However, several problems existing in hepatocyte transplantation have limited the clinical application of the technology. These problems include limited survival time of transplanted cells, immune rejection in xenotransplantation and insufficient transplantation efficiency. The rapid development of nanotechnology provides an opportunity for solving these problems. Application of nanomaterials in liver regeneration has been frequently reported recently. According to these researches, nanomaterials have advantages on the aspects of helping cell adhesion and growth, maintaining cell function and inducing cell differentiation. What is more, nanomaterials also exhibited its advantage on cell migration tracking, thus could help to monitor the cells transplantation and noninvasive diagnosis. For the further application of nanomaterials in liver regeneration, a complete understanding of current progress will be necessary and helpful. Our goal in this review is to summarize the current status of the applications of nanomaterials in hepatocyte transplantation. We will focus on nanomaterials that acted as scaffolds for hepatocyte growth and function maintenance, delivery cargo for improving hepatocyte transplantation and trackers for in vivo monitoring.
Progress on the doping and phase boundary design of potassium–sodium niobate lead-free ceramics
Authors: Xing Jie , Zheng Ting , Wu Jiagang , Xiao Dingquan , Zhu Jianguo
Published: June 2018

Potassium–sodium niobate (K,Na)NbO3/(KNN) lead-free ceramics have drawn vast amount of attention as one of the effective alternatives to lead-based ones. In recent years, the author’s group concentrated their work on KNN-based ceramics. This paper reviews the main obtained results in authors’ laboratory on how to enhance the piezoelectric properties of KNN-based ceramics, including the ions or compounds substitution, the constructing and types of phase boundaries near room temperature, the investigation of other tools (sintering aids, synthesis technique, poling conditions) on properties. All the published papers up to now show the developing higher performance with maintaining high Curie temperature of KNN-based ceramics which has great potential for the future and is the key to success for the field.
Inferring Extended Probabilistic Finite-State Automaton Models from Software Executions
Authors: Emam S. S. , Miller J.
Published: June 2018

Behavioral models are useful tools in understanding how programs work. Although several inference approaches have been introduced to generate extended finite-state automatons from software execution traces, they suffer from accuracy, flexibility, and decidability issues. In this article, we apply a hybrid technique to use both reinforcement learning and stochastic modeling to generate an extended probabilistic finite state automaton from software traces. Our approach—ReHMM (Reinforcement learning-based Hidden Markov Modelling)—is able to address the problems of inflexibility and un-decidability reported in other state-of-the-art approaches. Experimental results indicate that ReHMM outperforms other inference algorithms.
What is "Obamacare"?
Authors: Opel Dawn S.
Published: June 2018

This study audits and analyzes the online content provided by the U.S. government for The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). In order to both educate Americans about the ACA and enroll those who needed insurance into plans offered by the U.S. and/or state governments, policy analysts, communication designers, and web developers at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) created and published a substantial array of online content. These policy statements, infographics, blog posts, videos, forms, and other resources were designed to engage the public and translate the complexities of the ACA into usable information for patients. However, a content audit and analysis of ACA-related online content reveals the ways that this content did not provide a navigational structure for patients newly insured (or already insured) to find them, as over time the e-commerce function of the site buried its educational purpose. From this analysis, designers of online public policy information will gain a better understanding of how to design as a part of a strategy to balance multiple, critical user roles and tasks.
Reflexes, reactions, and usability
Authors: Amant Kirk St.
Published: June 2018

User expectations are often connected to context. This means the better UXD professionals understand connections between location and usability, the greater the chances they can create materials that meet expectations of usability in a particular place. The cognitive factors of prototypes and scripts can provide a foundation for investigating such factors. This entry examines how
prototypes of place
can help identify aspects of location that influence the usability of items in a space. In so doing, the entry also provides strategies for researching expectations of contexts and usability and using resulting data to guide design practices.
From the chair
Authors: Hollingsworth Jeff
Published: June 2018

Summer is nearly here and the busy spring conference season is in full swing. This issue of Connect appears just before PASC, one of SIGHPC's three co-sponsored conferences, which will take place June 26 to 28, 2017 in Lugano Switzerland. The call for papers for PPoPP'18, another cosponsored conference, just came out.
Happy 25th birthday, MPI!
Authors: Lusk Ewing "Rusty" , Träff Jesper Larsson
Published: June 2018

Just over 25 years ago, in April 1992, Jack Dongarra and David Walker organized an open workshop at Rice University to explore in a large group the idea of a standard interface for message-passing systems. That concept had been brewing for a while, and there was even an early draft of what such a standard might look like. But this workshop was the first time that the wide variety of existing experimental systems, both open and proprietary, had been brought together. The result of that workshop, which featured presentations on multiple vendor-specific and portable systems, was a realization that a great diversity of good ideas existed among then-current message-passing libraries but that the lack of a standard was impeding the progress of parallel computing.
Participate in SC17
Authors: Mohr Bernd
Published: June 2018

Preparations for the SC17 conference are in full swing! Be it papers, panels, workshops or tutorials, we have had hundreds of submissions to the SC17 technical program. Early feedback from the reviewers indicates that the quality of the submissions continues to meet the excellent standards set forth by previous SC conferences.
From the chair
Authors: Hollingsworth Jeff
Published: June 2018

Fall is a busy season for most people and even more so for the HPC community with the flurry of activity leading up to the SC conference in November. As you see in the other articles in this issue, we have our second cohort of SIGHPC/Intel Fellows and two new George Michael Fellows. In addition, SIGHPC will present at SC17 the inaugural ACM SIGHPC Emerging Woman Leader in Technical Computing Award to Dr. Ilkay Altintas of the San Diego Supercomputing Center. Congratulations to all and a big thank you to the many people who served on the selection committees for these honors. SIGHPC relies on volunteers to make our activities successful.
Emerging woman leader in technical computing
Authors: Altintas Ilkay
Published: June 2018

The first winner of the ACM SIGHPC Emerging Woman Leader in Technical Computing is Dr. lkay Altintas, of the San Diego Supercomputer Center. She is recognized "for research leadership that makes distributed scientific and technical computing applications more reusable, scalable, and reproducible."
SC17 preview
Authors: Mohr Bernd
Published: June 2018

It's hard to believe that the 30th edition of SC17 is almost here! Our community continues to deliver breakthrough research, best practices, and emerging services, creating a truly exceptional technical program and exhibition for 2017. Whether it be via minds, systems, or science, our SC17 goal is to connect you with the best technology, networking and content. Below, I've highlighted just a few of this year's many excellent events.
From the chair
Authors: Hollingsworth Jeff
Published: June 2018

This newsletter is the first after the SC17 Conference, so let me start with a few highlights of specific importance to SIGHPC. We updated members and heard back from them at our annual SIGHPC business meeting. Three of our SIGHPC chapters also held meetings as part of the BOF program: the SIGHPC Big Data Chapter, SIGHPC Education Chapter, and Special Interest Group on HPC in Resource Constrained Environments (SIGHPCRCE). We will run features on all chapters, beginning with SIGHPC-Edu in this issue. Finally, we presented the inaugural ACM SIGHPC Emerging Woman Leader in Technical Computing Award to Ilkay Altintas (University of California's San Diego Supercomputer Center). It was a busy show!
SC18 selects the next reproducibility challenge paper
Authors: Taufer Michela
Published: June 2018

The HPC community continues to recognize the critical role that replication and reproducibility play in reesearch. The SC Conference series, through both its Technical Program and Student Cluster Competition (SCC), has been a pioneer in evaluating HPC applications in terms of their replicability.
SIGHPC education brings many gifts to serve HPC community
Authors: Coffey Richard
Published: June 2018

This year, the SIGHPC Education Chapter received significant gifts: a set of new leaders to take the reins from the pioneers of the SIG Chapter; the joining of memberships between the International HPC Training Consortium and SIGHPC Education, which doubled our numbers; and, finally, the energetic members of SIGHPC who are stepping up and contributing to key focus areas. We'd like to share these gifts with all of you.
From Nanowarming to Thermoregulation: New Multiscale Applications of Bioheat Transfer
Authors: Bischof John C. , Diller Kenneth R.
Published: June 2018

This review explores bioheat transfer applications at multiple scales from nanoparticle (NP) heating to whole-body thermoregulation. For instance, iron oxide nanoparticles are being used for nanowarming, which uniformly and quickly rewarms 50–80-mL (≤5-cm-diameter) vitrified systems by coupling with radio-frequency (RF) fields where standard convective warming fails. A modification of this approach can also be used to successfully rewarm cryopreserved fish embryos (∼0.8 mm diameter) by heating previously injected gold nanoparticles with millisecond pulsed laser irradiation where standard convective warming fails. Finally, laser-induced heating of gold nanoparticles can improve the sensitivity of lateral flow assays (LFAs) so that they are competitive with laboratory tests such as the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This approach addresses the main weakness of LFAs, which are otherwise the cheapest, easiest, and fastest to use point-of-care diagnostic tests in the world. Body core temperature manipulation has now become possible through selective thermal stimulation (STS) approaches. For instance, simple and safe heating of selected areas of the skin surface can open arteriovenous anastomosis flow in glabrous skin when it is not already established, thereby creating a convenient and effective pathway to induce heat flow between the body core and environment. This has led to new applications of STS to increase or decrease core temperatures in humans and animals to assist in surgery (perioperative warming), to aid ischemic stress recovery (cooling), and even to enhance the quality of sleep. Together, these multiscale applications of nanoparticle heating and thermoregulation point to dramatic opportunities for translation and impact in these prophylactic, preservative, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications of bioheat transfer.
Energy-Based Tissue Fusion for Sutureless Closure: Applications, Mechanisms, and Potential for Functional Recovery
Authors: Kramer Eric A. , Rentschler Mark E.
Published: June 2018

As minimally invasive surgical techniques progress, the demand for efficient, reliable methods for vascular ligation and tissue closure becomes pronounced. The surgical advantages of energy-based vessel sealing exceed those of traditional, compression-based ligatures in procedures sensitive to duration, foreign bodies, and recovery time alike. Although the use of energy-based devices to seal or transect vasculature and connective tissue bundles is widespread, the breadth of heating strategies and energy dosimetry used across devices underscores an uncertainty as to the molecular nature of the sealing mechanism and induced tissue effect. Furthermore, energy-based techniques exhibit promise for the closure and functional repair of soft and connective tissues in the nervous, enteral, and dermal tissue domains. A constitutive theory of molecular bonding forces that arise in response to supraphysiological temperatures is required in order to optimize and progress the use of energy-based tissue fusion. While rapid tissue bonding has been suggested to arise from dehydration, dipole interactions, molecular cross-links, or the coagulation of cellular proteins, long-term functional tissue repair across fusion boundaries requires that the reaction to thermal damage be tailored to catalyze the onset of biological healing and remodeling. In this review, we compile and contrast findings from published thermal fusion research in an effort to encourage a molecular approach to characterization of the prevalent and promising energy-based tissue bond.
A novel triple-tracer approach to assess postprandial protein turnover
Authors: Moran Antoinette , Toffolo Gianna , Schiavon Michele , Vella Adrian , Klaus Katherine , Cobelli Claudio , Nair K. Sreekumaran
Published: June 2018

Insulin and nutrients have profound effects on proteome homeostasis. Currently no reliable methods are available to measure postprandial protein turnover. A triple-tracer method was developed using phenylalanine stable isotope tracers to estimate appearance rates of ingested (Ra meal) and endogenous phenylalanine and the rate of phenylalanine disposal (Rd). This was compared with the “traditional” dual-tracer method, using one (1-CM)- and two (2-CM)-compartment models. For both methods, [13C6]phenylalanine was given orally, and [15N]phenylalanine was constantly infused; the triple-tracer method added [2H5]phenylalanine, infused at rates to mimic meal [13C6]phenylalanine appearance. Additionally, incorporation of meal-derived phenylalanine into specific proteins was measured after purification by two-dimensional electrophoresis. The triple-tracer approach reduced modeling errors, allowing improved reconstruction of Ra meal with a tracer-to-tracee ratio that was more constant and better estimated Rd. The 2-CM better described phenylalanine kinetics and Rd than 1-CM. Thus, the triple-tracer approach using 2-CM is superior for measuring non-steady-state postprandial protein turnover. This novel approach also allows measurement of postprandial synthesis rates of specific plasma proteins. We offer a valid non-steady-state model to measure postprandial protein turnover and synthesis of plasma proteins that can safely be applied in adults, children, and pregnant women.
Fecal transplant from resveratrol-fed donors improves glycaemia and cardiovascular features of the metabolic syndrome in mice
Authors: Kim Ty T. , Parajuli Nirmal , Sung Miranda M. , Bairwa Suresh C. , Levasseur Jody , Soltys Carrie-Lynn M. , Wishart David S. , Madsen Karen , Schertzer Jonathan D. , Dyck Jason R. B.
Published: June 2018

Oral administration of resveratrol attenuates several symptoms associated with the metabolic syndrome, such as impaired glucose homeostasis and hypertension. Recent work has shown that resveratrol can improve glucose homeostasis in obesity via changes in the gut microbiota. Studies involving fecal microbiome transplants (FMTs) suggest that either live gut microbiota or bacterial-derived metabolites from resveratrol ingestion are responsible for producing the observed benefits in recipients. Herein, we show that obese mice receiving FMTs from healthy resveratrol-fed mice have improved glucose homeostasis within 11 days of the first transplant, and that resveratrol-FMTs is more efficacious than oral supplementation of resveratrol for the same duration. The effects of FMTs from resveratrol-fed mice are also associated with decreased inflammation in the colon of obese recipient mice. Furthermore, we show that sterile fecal filtrates from resveratrol-fed mice are sufficient to improve glucose homeostasis in obese mice, demonstrating that nonliving bacterial, metabolites, or other components within the feces of resveratrol-fed mice are sufficient to reduce intestinal inflammation. These postbiotics may be an integral mechanism by which resveratrol improves hyperglycemia in obesity. Resveratrol-FMTs also reduced the systolic blood pressure of hypertensive mice within 2 wk of the first transplant, indicating that the beneficial effects of resveratrol-FMTs may also assist with improving cardiovascular conditions associated with the metabolic syndrome.
Determining Time Variation of Cable Tension Forces in Suspended Bridges Using Time‐Frequency Analysis
Authors: Stromquist-LeVoir Gannon , McMullen Kevin F. , E. Zaghi Arash , Christenson Richard
Published: June 2018

A feasibility study was conducted to develop a novel method to determine the temporal changes of tensile forces in bridge suspender cables using time‐frequency analysis of ambient vibration measurements. An analytical model of the suspender cables was developed to evaluate the power spectral density (PSD) function of a cable with consideration of cable flexural stiffness. Discrete‐time, short‐time Fourier transform (STFT) was utilized to analyze the recorded acceleration histories in both time and frequency domains. A mathematical convolution of the analytical PSD function and time‐frequency data was completed to evaluate changes in cable tension force over time. The method was implemented using acceleration measurements collected from an in‐service steel arch bridge with a suspended deck to calculate the temporal variation in cable forces from the vibration measurements. The observations served as proof of concept that the proposed method may be used for cable fatigue life calculations and bridge weigh‐in‐motion studies.
Multimodal Molecular Imaging: Current Status and Future Directions
Authors: Wu Min , Shu Jian
Published: June 2018

Molecular imaging has emerged at the end of the last century as an interdisciplinary method involvingin vivoimaging and molecular biology aiming at identifying living biological processes at a cellular and molecular level in a noninvasive manner. It has a profound role in determining disease changes and facilitating drug research and development, thus creating new medical modalities to monitor human health. At present, a variety of different molecular imaging techniques have their advantages, disadvantages, and limitations. In order to overcome these shortcomings, researchers combine two or more detection techniques to create a new imaging mode, such as multimodal molecular imaging, to obtain a better result and more information regarding monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment. In this review, we first describe the classic molecular imaging technology and its key advantages, and then, we offer some of the latest multimodal molecular imaging modes. Finally, we summarize the great challenges, the future development, and the great potential in this field.
Basal Insulin Dose in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus on Insulin Pumps in Real-Life Clinical Practice: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Matejko Bartłomiej , Kukułka Aneta , Kieć-Wilk Beata , Stąpór Agnieszka , Klupa Tomasz , Malecki Maciej T.
Published: June 2018

Introduction. Basal insulin (BI) infusion in pump therapy of type 1 diabetes (T1DM) mimics physiological secretion during the night and between meals. The recommended percentage of the total BI to daily insulin dose (termed the %BI) ranges between 30 and 50%. We analyzed whether this recommendation was followed in adults with T1DM from a university center, and whether BI doses were linked with glycemic control. Materials and Methods. We included 260 consecutive patients with T1DM (159 women and 101 men) treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion at the Department of Metabolic Diseases, Krakow, Poland. Data were downloaded from patients’ pumps and collected from medical records. We analyzed the settings of BI and the association of %BI with HbA1c level. Linear regression was performed. Results. The mean age of T1DM individuals was 26.6 ± 8.2 years, BMI was 23.1 ± 3.0 kg/m2, T1DM duration was 13.3 ± 6.4 years, and HbA1c level was 7.4%. There were 69.6% (n=181) of T1DM patients with %BI in the recommended range. The T1DM duration and HbA1c level of patients with a %BI <30% (n=23) was 9.5 years and 6.4%, respectively; for a %BI of 30–50%, it was 13.2 years and 7.4%; and for a %BI >50% (n=56), it was 15.8 years and 7.8% (p<0.001 for both three-group comparisons). Multiple regression identified %BI among independent predictors of the HbA1c level. Conclusion. In this real-life analysis, the recommendations concerning %BI dosing were not followed by almost one-third of adult T1DM patients. Low %BI was associated with better glycemic control; however, this requires further confirmation.
Effect of Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas L.) Juice on Selected Quality Properties of Beef Burgers
Authors: Salejda Anna Marietta , Kucharska Alicja Z. , Krasnowska Grażyna
Published: June 2018

Bioactive compounds of plant origin are becoming increasingly popular as food ingredients with a beneficial impact on human health. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the possibility of using different doses (0.5 g–1.5 g) of cornelian cherry juice (CCJ) as a functional additive in the production of beef burgers. Results of the experiment showed CCJ addition to cause high acidification of the meat emulsion and to decrease meat production yield was unbeneficial from the economic point of view. In contrast, the CCJ was highly effective in retarding lipid oxidation in beef burgers during storage wherein even a dose of 0.5 g CCJ resulted in beneficial inhibition of oxidative changes and at the same time had no negative effect on the sensory characteristics of beef burgers. CCJ can be applied in the meat industry to develop novel products; however, future research is needed regarding its acidifying properties.
Age Estimation of Face Images Based on CNN and Divide-and-Rule Strategy
Authors: Liao Haibin , Yan Yuchen , Dai Wenhua , Fan Ping
Published: June 2018

In recent years, the research on age estimation based on face images has drawn more and more attention, which includes two processes: feature extraction and estimation function learning. In the aspect of face feature extraction, this paper leverages excellent characteristics of convolution neural network in the field of image application, by using deep learning method to extract face features, and adopts factor analysis model to extract robust features. In terms of age estimation function learning, age-based and sequential study of rank-based age estimation learning methods is utilized and then a divide-and-rule face age estimator is proposed. Experiments in FG-NET, MORPH Album 2, and IMDB-WIKI show that the feature extraction method is more robust than traditional age feature extraction method and the performance of divide-and-rule estimator is superior to classical SVM and SVR.
Mixed Electrical Conditions on Interface Inclusion in a Piezoelectric Bimaterial under Antiplane Mechanical and Inplane Electric Loadings
Authors: Sheveleva A. , Loboda V. , Kryvoruchko A.
Published: June 2018

An absolutely rigid interface inclusion in a bimaterial piezoelectric space under the action of antiplane mechanical and in-plane electric loadings is analyzed. One zone of the inclusion is electrically insulated while the other part is electrically permeable. This problem is important for engineering application, but it has not been solved earlier in an analytical way. Presenting all electromechanical quantities via sectionally analytic vector functions, the combined Dirichlet-Riemann boundary value problem is formulated. An exact analytical solution of this problem is obtained. Closed form analytical expressions for electromechanical quantities at the interface are derived. Some of these values are also presented graphically along the corresponding parts of the material interface. Singular points of the shear strain and the electric displacement are found and the corresponding intensity factors are determined as well.
An Aerodynamic Load Correction Method for HFFB Technique Based on Signal Decoupling and an Intelligent Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Xie Chengzhu , Xu An , Zhao Ruohong
Published: June 2018

In high‐frequency force balance (HFFB) wind tunnel tests, the aerodynamic wind loads at the base of the building model are usually amplified by the model‐balance system. This paper proposes a new method for eliminating such an amplification effect. Firstly, the measured base bending moment signals are decoupled into independent components. Then, an optimization model is established to represent the problem of identifying the natural frequencies and damping ratios for the different modes of the model‐balance system. Finally, the genetic algorithm (GA) is employed to seek the solution to the optimization problem, and the base bending moment is corrected through the identified dynamic parameters of the model‐balance system. Compared to the conventionally used knocking method, the proposed method requires no extra knocking tests and can take the aerodynamic damping of the model‐balance system into account. An engineering case, the Guangzhou East Tower (GZET), is taken as an example to show the effectiveness of the method.
A Persistent Fog Event Involving Heavy Pollutants in Yancheng Area of Jiangsu Province
Authors: Zhu Yuying , Zhu Chengying , Zu Fan , Wang Hongbin , Yuan Chengsong , Jiao Shengming , Zhou Linyi
Published: June 2018

In the early December 2013, dense fog involving heavy pollutants lasted for 9 days in the Yancheng area. The characteristics, formation, and lasting mechanisms of this persistent fog were analyzed based on observational data at the Sheyang site, reanalysis data, and final analysis data from NCEP/NCAR, combining with the weather background and meteorological and physical variable fields. Results include that (1) the fog process was characterized by long duration, low visibility, and high pollutants concentration, (2) the atmospheric general circulation contributed to the sustainability and development of the heavily polluted fog, (3) deep inversion was the key thermal factor causing the heavily polluted fog, (4) the fog exhibited obvious outbreaks with good visibility weather turned to severe fog several times, and (5) the weak cold air invasion and radiative cooling were the triggering factors to the sudden enhancement of the fog.
Development of an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and Gold-Labelled Immunochromatographic Strip Assay for the Detection of Ancient Wool
Authors: Wang Bing , Gu Jincui , Chen Boyi , Xu Chengfeng , Zheng Hailing , Peng Zhiqin , Zhou Yang , Hu Zhiwen
Published: June 2018

The identification of ancient wool is of great importance in archaeology. Despite lots of meaningful information can be achieved by conventional detection methods, that is, light and electron microscopy, spectroscopy, and chromatography, the efficacy is likely to be limited in the detection of ancient samples with contamination or severe degradation. In this work, an immunoassay was proposed and performed for the identification of ancient wool. First, a specific antibody, which has the benefits of low cost, easy operation, and extensive applicability, was developed directly through immunizing rabbits with complete antigen (keratin). Then, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a colloidal gold-labelled immunochromatographic strip (ICS) were developed to qualitatively identify the corresponding protein in ancient wool samples unearthed from Kazakhstan and China. The anti-keratin antibody exhibited high sensitivity and specificity for the identification of modern and ancient wool. The limit of detection (LOD) of the ELISA method was 10 ng/mL, and no cross-reactions with other interfering antigens have been noted. It is concluded that the immunoassays are reliable methods for the identification of ancient wool.
Metal Detection Sensor Utilizing Magneto-Impedance Magnetometer
Authors: Choi Kyoo Nam
Published: June 2018

A magnetometer with a longitudinal sensing line using the MI effect was examined experimentally to find an application to replace conventional metal sensors based on an LVDT. A sampling to the second peak signal from the pickup coil on the sensing head with a long, thin soft magnetic ribbon and driven with an ultrashort pulse train with a pulse width of 5~7 ns formed the front end of the metal sensor. Unmatched degaussing and geomagnetic field compensation methods were effective not only to minimize the remnant magnetic field but also to prevent the saturation of the magnetic ribbon and expand the dynamic range. The active noise reduction process reduced the inherent noise to the 1/3 level with a minimum influence on the detection signal. The proposed metal sensor with unmatched degaussing, geomagnetic field compensation, and active noise reduction techniques demonstrated the detection of a 0.2 mm diameter magnetized ferrous ball.
Broadband Frequency-Tunable Whispering-Gallery-Mode Superradiant Light from Quantum Dots in Colloidal Solution
Authors: AlSalhi Mohamad S. , Prasad Saradh , Aljaafreh Mamduh J. , Othman Ahmad H. S.
Published: June 2018

We examine superradiant (SR) light or amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) from a whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) laser comprising various sized (CdSe) ZnS quantum dots (QDs) in colloidal liquid. Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 40 nm is observed when the colloidal QD system is pumped with 2 mJ of laser light at 355 nm (3rd harmonic of Nd:YAG laser). Under optimal conditions of pump energy and focusing, ASE at 520 nm with a bandwidth of Δλ=8 nm (FWHM) and divergence of 9 mrad is observed. When the QDs are embedded on a high-Q factor silica microsphere ((functionalized with an amine), SMA), they generate WGMs with random peak distributions. Finally, when all the QDs embedded in SMAs are mixed and placed in a cuvette, we obtain a “WGM laser” that is almost continuously tunable from 520 nm to 630 nm with a spectral width less than 2 nm (FWHM) in the WGM and less than 1.2 nm in the cavity mode. We believe that this is the first report on a frequency tunable laser obtained using (CdSe) ZnS QDs embedded in an SMA, exhibiting an efficiency of 0.06%.
Conducting Polymer-Based Cantilever Sensors for Detection Humidity
Authors: Steffens Clarice , Brezolin Alexandra Nava , Steffens Juliana
Published: June 2018

This paper describes the use of different conducting polymers (polyaniline, poly(o-ethoxyaniline), and polypyrrole) as a sensitive layer on a silicon cantilever sensor. The mechanical response (deflection) of the bimaterial (the coated cantilever) was investigated under the influence of relative humidity. The variations in the deflection of the coated cantilevers when exposed to relative humidity were evaluated. The results indicated a linear sensitivity in ranges, where the high value was obtained for a polypyrrole-sensitive layer between 20 and 45% of humidity. Furthermore, the sensor shows excellent performance along with rapid response and recovery times, relatively low hysteresis, and excellent stability. The sensors developed are potentially excellent materials for sensing low humidity for long time.
Fully Discrete Finite Element Methods for Two-Dimensional Bingham Flows
Authors: Fang Cheng , Li Yuan
Published: June 2018

This paper presents fully discrete stabilized finite element methods for two-dimensional Bingham fluid flow based on the method of regularization. Motivated by the Brezzi-Pitkäranta stabilized finite element method, the equal-order piecewise linear finite element approximation is used for both the velocity and the pressure. Based on Euler semi-implicit scheme, a fully discrete scheme is introduced. It is shown that the proposed fully discrete stabilized finite element scheme results in the h1/2 error order for the velocity in the discrete norms corresponding to L2(0,T;H1(Ω)2)∩L∞(0,T;L2(Ω)2).
Candida glabrata: A Unique Cause of Necrotizing Urethritis
Authors: Ibilibor Christine , Cammack James T.
Published: June 2018

Necrotizing urethritis is a rare malady with only one other case reported in the literature found to be due to an infectious cause. We report a case of necrotizing urethritis caused byCandida glabrataand review all relevant literature to date. The patient is a 56-year-old man with a past medical history significant for poorly controlled insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus and incomplete bladder emptying who presented to the University Medical Center with perineal pain, fever, and urinary retention. Cross-sectional imaging showed emphysematous changes in the bulb of the corpus spongiosum. After admission, his fever and leukocytosis persisted, and his physical exam worsened with intravenous antibiotics alone. Subsequently, the patient underwent cystourethroscopy with incision and debridement of the corpus spongiosum. Postoperatively, he improved clinically and his spongiosum wound and urine grewCandida glabrata. To our knowledge, we report the first case of necrotizing urethritis caused byCandida glabrata.
Effects of High Glucose on the Expression of LAMA1 and Biological Behavior of Choroid Retinal Endothelial Cells
Authors: Song Guangwei , Lin Da , Bao Licheng , Jiang Qi , Zhang Yinan , Zheng Haihua , Gao Qianying
Published: June 2018

Hyperglycemia is one of the main causes of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) characterized by thickening of the vascular basement membrane. Laminin alpha 1 (LAMA1) is a primary component of laminin, a major protein constituent of the basement membrane. In this study, we investigated the role of LAMA1 in the development of PDR. Retinal choroidal vascular endothelial cells (RF/6A line) were exposed to glucose at different concentrations (5 mM, 15 mM, 25 mM, and 35 mM) and analyzed for cell growth, migration, proliferation, and adhesion. LAMA1 expression was examined 24 and 48 h following glucose treatment using Western blotting, RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence. The results showed that the proliferation, migration, and adhesion of RF/6A cells were increased by high glucose, whereas LAMA1 expression was slightly higher at 15 mM but decreased at 25 mM and 35 mM glucose compared to control. Thus, the changes in the biological behavior of high glucose-exposed retinal vascular endothelial cells correspond to variations in LAMA1 expression, indicating a possibility for LAMA1 involvement in PDR development. Our findings suggest that LAMA1 may play a role in PDR and, thus, may serve as a potential target for DR diagnosis and/or treatment.
Polyphenol Stilbenes from Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Seeds Improve Insulin Sensitivity and Mitochondrial Function in 3T3‐L1 Adipocytes
Authors: Li Gang , Luan Guangxiang , He Yanfeng , Tie Fangfang , Wang Zhenhua , Suo Yourui , Ma Chengjun , Wang Honglun
Published: June 2018

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is a well‐known annual plant that is widely distributed worldwide and has possessed obvious hypoglycemic and hypercholesterolemia characteristics. In our previous study, three polyphenol stilbenes were separated from fenugreek seeds. Here, we investigated the effect of polyphenol stilbenes on adipogenesis and insulin resistance in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. Oil Red O staining and triglyceride assays showed that polyphenol stilbenes differently reduced lipid accumulation by suppressing the expression of adipocyte‐specific proteins. In addition, polyphenol stilbenes improved the uptake of 2‐(N‐(7‐nitrobenz‐2‐oxa‐1,3‐diazol‐4‐yl)amino)‐2‐deoxyglucose (2‐NBDG) by promoting the phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT) and AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK). In present studies, it was found that polyphenol stilbenes had the ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). Results from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and mitochondrial membrane potentials suggested that mitochondria play a critical role in insulin resistance and related signaling activation, such as AKT and AMPK. Rhaponticin, one of the stilbenes from fenugreek, had the strongest activity among the three compounds in vitro. Future studies will focus on mitochondrial biogenesis and function.
Two Surgical Cases of Combined Hepatocellular-Cholangiocarcinoma, Intermediate-Cell Subtype: Potentially Characteristic Gross Features
Authors: Watanabe Jiro , Yamada Sohsuke , Sasaguri Yasuyuki , Inagaki Masaru , Iwagaki Hiromi
Published: June 2018

We herein reported two rare surgical cases of primary combined hepatocellular-cholangiocellular carcinoma, intermediate-cell subtype (CHC-INT), showing potentially characteristic and specific gross findings on their cut surface: both CHC-INTs demonstrated poorly demarcated and expansive and/or infiltrative hepatic nodules in lobulated margins, appearing clearly whitish in color. We were finally able to accurately diagnose the current lesions after thorough analyses including an appropriate and wide panel of immunohistochemical antibodies. Despite that, all pathologists should be aware that the potentially characteristic gross features of primary CHC-INT might also be one of the powerful supplementary tools for reaching its correct, conclusive diagnosis.
Increased Risk for Hip Fractures among Patients with Cholangitis: A Nationwide Population-Based Study
Authors: Hsu Chieh-Cheng , Hsu Horng-Chaung , Lin Che-Chen , Wang Yu-Chiao , Chen Hsuan-Ju , Chiu Yung-Cheng , Chang Chien-Chun , Kuo Shu-Jui
Published: June 2018

Background. Cholangitis is the infectious disease involving the biliary tract, which may induce systemic inflammation. Bone loss is a well-known sequelae after systemic inflammatory disease, and one grave complication after osteoporosis is hip fracture. We want to know whether cholangitis can contribute to increased risk of hip fracture. Methods. All the patients diagnosed with cholangitis since January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2009, were assessed. All the subjects with cancer history, traumatic accident, and previous fracture were excluded. We selected the controls without cholangitis and matched the controls to cholangitis patients by age, sex, osteoporosis, and the use of steroid for more than 30 days by approximately 1:4 ratio. Results. There were 2735 subjects in the cholangitis cohort and 10915 in the noncholangitis cohort. There were 101 hip fractures in the cholangitis cohort with the incidence density of 7.58 per 1000 person-years. As for the noncholangitis cohort, 366 individuals suffered from hip fracture with the incidence density of 5.86 per 1000 person-years. The risk of hip fracture was higher in the cholangitis cohort with a 1.29-fold increased risk than the noncholangitis cohort (hazard ratio = 1.29, 95% confidence interval = 1.03-1.61). The association between cholangitis and the hip fracture was more prominent among subjects less than 65 years (hazard ratio = 2.65, 95% confidence interval =1.30-5.39) and the subjects without comorbidities (hazard ratio = 3.01, 95% confidence interval = 1.42-6.41). Conclusions. Cholangitis is associated with higher risk for hip fracture, especially among young subjects free from medical comorbidities.
Existence and Uniqueness of Positive Solution for p-Laplacian Kirchhoff-Schrödinger-Type Equation
Authors: Han Wei , Yao Jiangyan
Published: June 2018

We study the existence and uniqueness of positive solution for the following p-Laplacian-Kirchhoff-Schrödinger-type equation: -a+b∫Ω∇up∆pu+λvxup-2u=hfu-μgu,  in  Ω,  u>0,  in  Ω,  u=0,on  ∂Ω, where Ω⊂RN  (N≥3), λ,μ≥0 are parameters, v(x),f(u),g(u) and h are under some suitable assumptions. For the purpose of overcoming the difficulty caused by the appearance of the Schrödinger term and general singularity, we use the variational method and some mathematical skills to obtain the existence and uniqueness of the solution to this problem.
Evaluation of Erythroid Disturbance and Thiol-Disulphide Homeostasis in Patients with Psoriasis
Authors: Demir Pektas Suzan , Pektas Gokhan , Tosun Kursad , Dogan Gursoy , Neselioglu Salim , Erel Ozcan
Published: June 2018

This study aims to assess how mean corpuscular volume (MCV), red cell distribution width (RDW), and thiol-disulphide homeostasis are altered in psoriasis patients. This is a cross-sectional review of 76 healthy volunteers and 87 psoriasis patients who were consecutively admitted to the department of dermatology. Psoriasis patients and healthy controls were statistically similar with respect to age, sex, body mass index, blood pressures, and disease duration (p>0.05for all). When compared to healthy controls, psoriasis patients had significantly higher MCV, RDW, C-reactive protein (CRP), disulphide, disulphide/native thiol, and disulphide/total thiol (p<0.001for all). However, psoriasis patients had significantly lower native thiol and native thiol/total thiol (p=0.009andp<0.001, respectively). When compared to healthy controls, the patients with Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) ≤ 10 and patients with PASI > 10 had significantly higher MCV, disulphide, disulphide/native thiol, and disulphide/total thiol (p<0.001for all). The patients with PASI ≤ 10 and patients with PASI > 10 had significantly lower native thiol/native thiol than healthy controls (p<0.001for all). The psoriasis patients with PASI > 10 had significantly higher RDW and CRP than healthy controls and patients with PASI ≤ 10 (p<0.001for all). Disulphide, disulphide/native thiol, disulphide/total thiol, and native thiol/total thiol correlate significantly with both PASI scores and disease duration. Thiol-disulphide homeostasis is enhanced in psoriasis patients. Ongoing inflammation and increased oxidative stress in psoriasis patients also trigger the formation of prooxidants which are neutralized by antioxidants such as thiols. That is why plasma thiol levels are decreased in psoriasis patients.
The Canonical Wnt Pathway Drives Macropinocytosis in Cancer
Authors: Redelman-Sidi Gil , Binyamin Anna , Gaeta Isabella , Palm Wilhelm , Thompson Craig B. , Romesser Paul B. , Lowe Scott W. , Bagul Mukta , Doench John G. , Root David E. , Glickman Michael S.
Published: June 2018

Macropinocytosis has emerged as an important pathway of protein acquisition in cancer cells, particularly in tumors with activated Ras such as pancreatic and colon cancer. Macropinocytosis is also the route of entry of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and other microbial therapies of cancer. Despite this important role in tumor biology and therapy, the full mechanisms by which cancer cells can activate macropinocytosis remain incompletely defined. Using BCG uptake to assay macropinocytosis, we executed a genome-wide shRNA screen for macropinocytosis activators and identified Wnt pathway activation as a strong driver of macropinocytosis. Wnt-driven macropinocytosis was downstream of the β-catenin–dependent canonical Wnt pathway, was PAK1 dependent, and supported albumin-dependent growth in Ras-WT cells. In cells with activated Ras-dependent macropinocytosis, pharmacologic or genetic inhibition of Wnt signaling suppressed macropinocytosis. In a mouse model of Wnt-driven colonic hyperplasia via APC silencing, Wnt-activated macropinocytosis stimulated uptake of luminal microbiota, a process reversed by topical pharmacologic inhibition of macropinocytosis. Our findings indicate that Wnt pathway activation drives macropinocytosis in cancer, and its inhibition could provide a therapeutic vulnerability in Wnt-driven intestinal polyposis and cancers with Wnt activation.

Significance: The Wnt pathway drives macropinocytosis in cancer cells, thereby contributing to cancer growth in nutrient-deficient conditions and, in the context of colon cancer, to the early phases of oncogenesis. Cancer Res; 78(16); 4658–70. ©2018 AACR.