bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilization of Secondary Eye Care Services in Western Kenya
Authors: Rono MMed Hillary K , Macleod David , Bastawrous Andrew , Wanjala Emmanuel , Gichangi Michael , Burton Matthew J.
Published: September 2019

Background: Eye care provision is currently insufficient to meet the population’s eye health needs in Kenya. Many people remain unnecessarily visually impaired or at risk of becoming so due to treatable or preventable conditions. A lack of access and awareness of services are key barriers, in large part due to their being too few eye care providers in the health system for this unmet need. Methods: A hospital-based, retrospective analysis of patients who attended Kitale eye unit, Trans Nzoia County, Kenya from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2015. Age and sex standardized hospital attendance rates by residence, age group, and sex were calculated for Trans Nzoia county and each subcounty. The changing trends in attendance rates were estimated by calculating the difference between base year and last year. Incidence rate ratios for attendance for each age-group, sex, and residence were estimated using a multivariable regression model. Results: 20,695 patients from the county were seen in Kitale Eye Unit in 2013, 2014 and 2015. In that period, 8.3% had either uncorrected refractive error, cataracts or glaucoma, the priority VISION2020 diseases, and 61.0% had allergic or other conjunctivitis or normal eyes, which could potentially be managed at primary eye care. During the study period, overall average annual attendance rate increased from 609 to 792 per 100, 000 population, incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.30 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26–1.35). Attendance rates increased more in females than males (34.7% vs. 25.1%, respectively), IRR 1.07 (1.04–1.10). Attendance rates increased with increasing age, (highest among the elderly compared to the young). We found that in extreme age groups (>75 years and <15years) females were less likely to attend than males and there was reduced utilization from those based furthest from the hospital. Conclusion: Specialist eye services are heavily utilized by people with conditions that could be managed at the primary health care level. Barriers to accessing eye services were distance and gender, especially among the most vulnerable groups (young and the elderly). Integration of primary and secondary eye care services could lower barriers to essential eye care services to the population whilst lowering pressure on the limited specialist services by ensuring more appropriate utilization.
The Importance of Pedestrian Network Connectivity for Adolescent Health: A Cross-sectional Examination of Associations between Neighbourhood Built Environments and Metabolic Health in the Pacific Islands Families Birth Cohort Study
Authors: Smith Melody , Obolonkin Vlad , Plank Lindsay , Iusitini Leon , Forsyth Euan , Stewart Tom , Paterson Janis , Tautolo El-Shadan , Savila Fa’asisila , Rush Elaine
Published: September 2019

The research aim was to investigate associations between objectively-assessed built environment attributes and metabolic risk in adolescents of Pacific Islands ethnicity, and to consider the possible mediating effect of physical activity and sedentary time. Youth (n = 204) undertook a suite of physical assessments including body composition, blood sampling, and blood pressure measurements, and seven day accelerometry. Objective measures of the neighbourhood built environment were generated around individual addresses. Logistic regression and linear modelling were used to assess associations between environment measures and metabolic health, accounting for physical activity behaviours. Higher pedestrian connectivity was associated with an increase in the chance of having any International Diabetes Federation metabolic risk factors for males only. Pedestrian connectivity was related to fat free mass in males in unadjusted analyses only. This study provides evidence for the importance of pedestrian network connectivity for health in adolescent males. Future research is required to expand the limited evidence in neighbourhood environments and adolescent metabolic health.
Are Medical Graduates’ Job Choices for Rural Practice Consistent with their Initial Intentions? A Cross-Sectional Survey in Western China
Authors: Liu Jinlin , Zhu Bin , Zhang Ning , He Rongxin , Mao Ying
Published: September 2019

Global concerns persist regarding the shortage and misdistribution of health workers in rural and remote areas. Medical education is an important input channel of human resources for health. This study aimed to identify the association between medical graduates’ job choices for rural practice and their initial intentions when they began to look for a job in China. Data were extracted from a cross-sectional survey among medical students in ten western provinces in China in 2013. Only medical students who were in the last year of study (i.e., medical graduates) and had found a job were included in this study. Of the 482 participants, 61.04% (293) presented an initial intention of rural practice when they began to look for a job, and 68.88% (332) made a final job choice for rural practice. However, of the 332 graduates with a final job choice of rural practice, only 213 (64.55%) had an initial intention. A univariate association was identified in which medical graduates who were more likely to make final job choices for rural practice were those having initial intentions (OR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.08–2.36); however, after adjusting for controlled variables, it became insignificant and was reduced to a 1.31-fold increase (95% CI: 0.82–2.07). The initial intentions of medical graduates are not assurance of ultimate job outcomes, and it cannot be deduced that all medical graduates who made a final job choice for rural practice had authentic desires for rural practice. Twenty years of age or below, low-income families, majoring in non-clinical medicine, and studying in a junior medical college or below were associated with medical graduates’ final job choices for rural practice. More studies are required on how to translate medical student’s intention of rural medical practice into reality and how to retain these graduates via a job choice in rural practice in the future.
Combinatorial Spatial Data Model for Building Fire Simulation and Analysis
Authors: Song Yiquan , Niu Lei , Li Yi
Published: September 2019

Building fire is a complex geographic process related to the indoor spatial environment, a smart spatial data model can accurately describe the spatial-temporal information of a building fire scene, which is important for modeling a fire process. With the development of fire dynamics and computer science, many building fire models have been proposed and widely used. However, the spatial representation of these models is relatively weak. In this study, a fire process modeled via the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) and the requirements of a spatial data model are initially analyzed. Then, a new spatial data model named the Combinatorial Spatial Data Model (CSDM) is combined with Geographic Information System (GIS). The key features of the CSDM, which include spatial, semantic, topological, event and state representations of a building fire scene modeled via the CSDM are subsequently presented. In addition, the Unified Modeling Language (UML) class diagram of the CSDM is also presented, and then experiments with a simplified building are conducted as a CSDM implementation case. A method of transferring data from the CSDM to FDS and a building fire analysis approach using the CSDM are subsequently proposed.
UAV Photogrammetry-Based 3D Road Distress Detection
Authors: Tan Yumin , Li Yunxin
Published: September 2019

The timely and proper rehabilitation of damaged roads is essential for road maintenance, and an effective method to detect road surface distress with high efficiency and low cost is urgently needed. Meanwhile, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with the advantages of high flexibility, low cost, and easy maneuverability, are a new fascinating choice for road condition monitoring. In this paper, road images from UAV oblique photogrammetry are used to reconstruct road three-dimensional (3D) models, from which road pavement distress is automatically detected and the corresponding dimensions are extracted using the developed algorithm. Compared with a field survey, the detection result presents a high precision with an error of around 1 cm in the height dimension for most cases, demonstrating the potential of the proposed method for future engineering practice.
Global Proteome of LonP1+/− Mouse Embryonal Fibroblasts Reveals Impact on Respiratory Chain, but No Interdependence between Eral1 and Mitoribosomes
Authors: Key Jana , Kohli Aneesha , Bárcena Clea , López-Otín Carlos , Heidler Juliana , Wittig Ilka , Auburger Georg
Published: September 2019

Research on healthy aging shows that lifespan reductions are often caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, it is very interesting that the deletion of mitochondrial matrix peptidase LonP1 was observed to abolish embryogenesis, while deletion of the mitochondrial matrix peptidase Caseinolytic Mitochondrial Matrix Peptidase Proteolytic Subunit (ClpP) prolonged survival. To unveil the targets of each enzyme, we documented the global proteome of LonP1+/− mouse embryonal fibroblasts (MEF), for comparison with ClpP−/− depletion. Proteomic profiles of LonP1+/− MEF generated by label-free mass spectrometry were further processed with the STRING (Search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes) webserver Heidelberg for protein interactions. ClpP was previously reported to degrade Eral1 as a chaperone involved in mitoribosome assembly, so ClpP deficiency triggers the accumulation of mitoribosomal subunits and inefficient translation. LonP1+/− MEF also showed Eral1 accumulation, but no systematic effect on mitoribosomal subunits. In contrast to ClpP−/− profiles, several components of the respiratory complex-I membrane arm, of the glutathione pathway and of lysosomes were accumulated, whereas the upregulation of numerous innate immune defense components was similar. Overall, LonP1, as opposed to ClpP, appears to have no effect on translational machinery, instead it shows enhanced respiratory dysfunction; this agrees with reports on the human CODAS syndrome (syndrome with cerebral, ocular, dental, auricular, and skeletal anomalies) caused by LonP1 mutations.
Another Step in the Ladder of DNS-Based Covert Channels: Hiding Ill-Disposed Information in DNSKEY RRs
Authors: Anagnostopoulos Marios , Seem John André
Published: September 2019

Covert channel communications are of vital importance for the ill-motivated purposes of cyber-crooks. Through these channels, they are capable of communicating in a stealthy way, unnoticed by the defenders and bypassing the security mechanisms of protected networks. The covert channels facilitate the hidden distribution of data to internal agents. For instance, a stealthy covert channel could be beneficial for the purposes of a botmaster that desires to send commands to their bot army, or for exfiltrating corporate and sensitive private data from an internal network of an organization. During the evolution of Internet, a plethora of network protocols has been exploited as covert channel. DNS protocol however has a prominent position in this exploitation race, as it is one of the few protocols that is rarely restricted by security policies or filtered by firewalls, and thus fulfills perfectly a covert channel’s requirements. Therefore, there are more than a few cases where the DNS protocol and infrastructure are exploited in well-known security incidents. In this context, the work at hand puts forward by investigating the feasibility of exploiting the DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) as a covert channel. We demonstrate that is beneficial and quite straightforward to embed the arbitrary data of an aggressor’s choice within the DNSKEY resource record, which normally provides the public key of a DNSSEC-enabled domain zone. Since DNSKEY contains the public key encoded in base64 format, it can be easily exploited for the dissemination of an encrypted or stego message, or even for the distribution of a malware’s binary encoded in base64 string. To this end, we implement a proof of concept based on two prominent nameserver software, namely BIND and NDS, and we publish in the DNS hierarchy custom data of our choice concealed as the public key of the DNS zone under our jurisdiction in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed covert channel.
“Intelligent” Pt Catalysts Based on Thin LaCoO3 Films Prepared by Atomic Layer Deposition
Authors: Mao Xinyu , Foucher Alexandre C. , Stach Eric A. , Gorte Raymond J.
Published: September 2019

LaCoO3 films were deposited onto MgAl2O4 powders by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and then used as catalyst supports for Pt. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that the 0.5 nm films exhibited a perovskite structure after redox cycling at 1073 K, and scanning transmission electron microscopy and elemental mapping via energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (STEM/EDS) data demonstrated that the films covered the substrate uniformly. Catalysts prepared with 3 wt % Pt showed that the Pt remained well dispersed on the perovskite film, even after repeated oxidations and reductions at 1073 K. Despite the high Pt dispersion, CO adsorption at room temperature was negligible. Compared with conventional Pt on MgAl2O4, the reduced forms of the LaCoO3-containing catalyst were highly active for the CO oxidation and water gas shift (WGS) reactions, while the oxidized catalysts showed much lower activities. Surprisingly, the reduced catalysts were much less active than the oxidized catalysts for toluene hydrogen. Catalysts prepared from thin films of Co3O4 or La2O3 exhibited properties more similar to Pt/MgAl2O4. Possible reasons for how LaCoO3 affects properties are discussed.
Significance of the Glasgow Prognostic Score in Predicting the Postoperative Outcome of Patients with Stage III Gastric Cancer
Authors: Hsueh Shun-Wen , Liu Keng-Hao , Hung Chia-Yen , Kuo Yung-Chia , Tsai Chun-Yi , Hsu Jun-Te , Hung Yu-Shin , Tsang Ngan-Ming , Chou Wen-Chi
Published: September 2019

This study aimed at investigating the ability of a preoperative Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) to predict postoperative complications and survival outcomes in patients with stage III gastric cancer undergoing D2 gastrectomy. We retrospectively reviewed data from 272 such patients, treated between 2010 and 2016, at a Taiwanese medical center. The patients were categorized according to their GPS. In total, 36.8%, 48.5%, and 14.7% of the patients were assigned to groups with a GPS of 0, 1, and 2, respectively. Overall surgical complication rates in these groups were 30%, 45.5%, and 52.5% (p = 0.016); postoperative intensive care unit admission rates were 10%, 14.4%, and 22.5% (p = 0.15); postoperative 30-day re-admission rates were 6%, 15.2%, and 20% (p = 0.034); and the in-hospital mortality rates were 1.0%, 1.5%, and 10.0%, respectively (p = 0.006). The median survival times of the patients were 42.9 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 29.1–56.6), 22.6 months (95% CI, 19.3–25.8), and 16.6 months (95% CI, 7.8–25.4), respectively (p< 0.001). A significant correlation was observed between the preoperative GPS, short-term postoperative complications, and long-term survival outcomes in patients with gastric cancer undergoing D2 gastrectomy. These findings recommend the usage of the GPS as a predictive and prognostic factor in patients with gastric cancer considering surgical resection.
Increased Ratio of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)/Tissue Inhibitor Metalloproteinase-1 from Alveolar Macrophages in Chronic Asthma with a Fast Decline in FEV1 at 5-Year Follow-up
Authors: Chung Fu-Tsai , Huang Hung-Yu , Lo Chun-Yu , Huang Yu-Chen , Lin Chang-Wei , He Chih-Chen , He Jung-Ru , Sheng Te-Fang , Wang Chun-Hua
Published: September 2019

Chronic asthma is associated with progressive airway remodeling, which may contribute to declining lung function. An increase in matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9)/tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) may indicate airway inflammation and bronchial injury. Bronchial biopsy specimens and alveolar macrophages (AMs) were obtained from patients with asthma under regular treatment with inhaled corticosteroids or combination therapy and normal subjects (n = 10). Asthmatics included those with a slow forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) decline (<30 mL/year, n = 13) and those with a fast FEV1 decline (≥30 mL/year, n = 8) in 5-year follow-up. Immunostaining expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 was detected in airway tissues. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 was measured from AMs cultured for 24 h. After the 5-year treatment, the methacholine airway hyperresponsiveness of the slow FEV1 decline group was decreased, but that of the fast FEV1 decline group was increased (PC20, provocative concentration causing a 20% decrease in FEV1, 3.12 ± 1.10 to 1.14 ± 0.34 mg/dL, p < 0.05). AMs of asthma with a fast FEV1 decline released a higher level of MMP-9 (8.52 ± 3.53 pg/mL, p < 0.05) than those of a slow FEV1 decline (0.99 ± 0.20 pg/mL). The MMP-9/TIMP ratio in the fast FEV1 decline group (0.089 ± 0.032) was higher than that of the slow FEV1 decline group (0.007 ± 0.001, p < 0.01). The annual FEV1 decline in 5 years was proportional to the level of MMP-9 (r = 57, p < 0.01) and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio (r = 0.58, p < 0.01). The airways of asthma with greater yearly decline in FEV1 showed an increased thickness of submucosa and strong expression of MMP-9. An increase in MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 in airways or AMs could be indicators of chronic airway inflammation and contribute to a greater decline in lung function of patients with chronic asthma.
The Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Count Ratio Predicts Mortality in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Patients
Authors: Siwicka-Gieroba Dorota , Malodobry Katarzyna , Biernawska Jowita , Robba Chiara , Bohatyrewicz Romuald , Rola Radoslaw , Dabrowski Wojciech
Published: September 2019

Introduction: Neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio (NLCR) is a simple and low-cost marker of inflammatory response. NLCR has shown to be a sensitive marker of clinical severity in inflammatory-related tissue injury, and high value of NLCR is associated with poor outcome in traumatic brain injured (TBI) patients. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively analyze NLCR and its association with outcome in a cohort of TBI patients in relation to the type of brain injury. Methods: Adult patients admitted for isolated TBI with Glasgow Coma Score lower than eight were included in the study. NLCR was calculated as the ratio between the absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte count immediately after admission to the hospital, and for six consecutive days after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Brain injuries were classified according to neuroradiological findings at the admission computed tomography (CT) as DAI—patients with severe diffuse axonal injury; CE—patients with hemispheric or focal cerebral edema; ICH—patients with intracerebral hemorrhage; S-EH/SAH—patients with subdural and/or epidural hematoma/subarachnoid hemorrhage. Results: NLCR was calculated in 144 patients. Admission NLCR was significantly higher in the non-survivors than in those who survived at 28 days (p < 0.05) from admission. Persisting high NLCR value was associated with poor outcome, and admission NLCR higher than 15.63 was a predictor of 28-day mortality. The highest NLCR value at admission was observed in patients with DAI compared with other brain injuries (p < 0.001). Concussions: NLCR can be a useful marker for predicting outcome in TBI patients. Further studies are warranted to confirm these results.
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subunit Alpha-5 Promotes Radioresistance via Recruiting E2F Activity in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Lin Che-Hsuan , Lee Hsun-Hua , Kuei Chia-Hao , Lin Hui-Yu , Lu Long-Sheng , Lee Fei-Peng , Chang Jungshan , Wang Jia-Yi , Hsu Kai-Cheng , Lin Yuan-Feng
Published: September 2019

Radiotherapy is commonly used to treat patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but a subpopulation of OSCC patients shows a poor response to irradiation treatment. Therefore, identifying a biomarker to predict the effectiveness of radiotherapy in OSCC patients is urgently needed. In silico analysis of public databases revealed that upregulation of CHRNA5, the gene encoding nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-5, is extensively detected in primary tumors compared to normal tissues and predicts poor prognosis in OSCC patients. Moreover, CHRNA5 transcript level was causally associated with the effective dose of irradiation in a panel of OSCC cell lines. Artificial silencing of CHRNA5 expression enhanced, but nicotine reduced, the radiosensitivity of OSCC cells. Gene set enrichment analysis demonstrated that the E2F signaling pathway is highly activated in OSCC tissues with high levels of CHRNA5 and in those derived from patients with cancer recurrence after radiotherapy. CHRNA5 knockdown predominantly suppressed E2F activity and decreased the phosphorylation of the Rb protein; however, nicotine treatment dramatically promoted E2F activity and increased Rb phosphorylation, which was mitigated after CHRNA5 knockdown in OSCC cells. Notably, the signature combining increased mRNA levels of CHRNA5 and the E2F signaling gene set was associated with worse recurrence-free survival probability in OSCC patients recorded to be receiving radiotherapy. Our findings suggest that CHRNA5 is not only a useful biomarker for predicting the effectiveness of radiotherapy but also a druggable target to enhance the cancericidal effect of irradiation on OSCC.
Contribution of Pumping Action of Wave-Induced Pore-Pressure Response to Development of Fluid Mud Layer
Authors: Yang Zhongnian , Zhu Yongmao , Liu Tao , Sun Zhongqiang , Ling Xianzhang , Zheng Yuqian
Published: September 2019

To investigate the vertical migration response of fine sediments, the pore pressure response of the silty seabed under the action of waves was tested. Under the action of waves, there is an obvious pumping phenomenon in the sludge accumulated by pore pressure. The excess pore water pressure caused by the waves in the seabed is unevenly distributed with respect to depth and there is an extreme value of up to 1.19 kPa. The pressure affects the liquefaction properties of the sludge. According to instantaneous-liquefaction judgment, the liquefaction of surface soil occurs, but the soil is not completely liquefied. Using theoretical calculations, the vertical source supply of floating mud development was analyzed. The pumping effect of the wave-induced excess pore pressure manifests in two aspects, as follows: (1) The centralized migration of splitting channels, which is visible to the naked eye, and (2) the general migration of fine particles between particle gaps at the mesoscopic level, which accounts for up to 22.2% of the migration of fine particles.
Perspective: Cellular and Molecular Profiling Technologies in Personalized Oncology
Authors: Cruz Andrea , Peng Weng Kung
Published: September 2019

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide and therefore one of the most important public health concerns. In this contribution, we discuss recent key enabling technological innovations (and their challenges), including biomarker-based technologies, that potentially allow for decentralization (e.g., self-monitoring) with the increasing availability of point-of-care technologies in the near future. These technological innovations are moving the field one step closer toward personalized oncology.
Skewness Preference and Asset Pricing: Evidence from the Japanese Stock Market
Authors: Yang Sheng-Ping , Nguyen Thanh
Published: September 2019

Previous studies have shown that investor preference for positive skewness creates a potential premium on negatively skewed assets. In this paper, we attempt to explore the connection between investors’ skewness preferences and corresponding demand for a risk premium on asset returns. Using data from the Japanese stock market, we empirically study the significance of risk aversion with skewness preference that potentially delivers a premium. Compared to studies on other stock markets, our finding suggests that Japanese investors exhibit preference for positively skewed assets, but do not display dislike for ones that are negatively skewed. This implies that investors from different countries having dissimilar attitudes toward risk may possess different preferences toward positive skewness, which would result in a different magnitude of expected risk premium on negatively skewed assets.
Land and Landscape; Linking Use, Experience and Property Development in Urban Areas
Authors: Lindholm Gunilla
Published: September 2019

This article brings together the concepts of land and landscape, tightly linked in urban transformative situations, but rarely used for the purpose to strengthen strategic planning for sustainability. They are investigated as a combined base for land use deliberations, in early phases of planning processes, in practices of different scale, especially in a European context, drawing on planning and landscape policies generally agreed upon, as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This article argues for taking into consideration the landscape as experienced human habitat, in relation to the understanding of land as both a common resource, and as pieces of property. This is motivated partly by the more or less global political trend and the turn from state interventions to individualistic capitalism (calling for new methods to solve common challenges), but also by a changing planning profession, increased collaborative planning processes, increased significance of public space as a scarce resource in densified cities, the need for holistic perspectives in sustainable urban development and the need for unifying concepts for urban and rural land at a local and regional scale. A new concept “around-scape” is suggested, in order to make visible the subjective binding between available perceived resources and spatial transformation.
Lateral Spacing of TiO2 Nanotubes Modulates Osteoblast Behavior
Authors: Necula Madalina Georgiana , Mazare Anca , Ion Raluca Nicoleta , Ozkan Selda , Park Jung , Schmuki Patrik , Cimpean Anisoara
Published: September 2019

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotube coated substrates have revolutionized the concept of implant in a number of ways, being endowed with superior osseointegration properties and local drug delivery capacity. While accumulating reports describe the influence of nanotube diameter on cell behavior, little is known about the effects of nanotube lateral spacing on cells involved in bone regeneration. In this context, in the present study the MC3T3-E1 murine pre-osteoblast cells behavior has been investigated by using TiO2 nanotubes of ~78 nm diameter and lateral spacing of 18 nm and 80 nm, respectively. Both nanostructured surfaces supported cell viability and proliferation in approximately equal extent. However, obvious differences in the cell spreading areas, morphologies, the organization of the actin cytoskeleton and the pattern of the focal adhesions were noticed. Furthermore, investigation of the pre-osteoblast differentiation potential indicated a higher capacity of larger spacing nanostructure to enhance the expression of the alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin and osteocalcin osteoblast specific markers inducing osteogenic differentiation. These findings provide the proof that lateral spacing of the TiO2 nanotube coated titanium (Ti) surfaces has to be considered in designing bone implants with improved biological performance.
Basalt Short Fibers Dispersion and Fabric Impregnation with Magnesium Alloy (AZ63): First Results
Authors: Marini Danilo , Valente Marco
Published: September 2019

Magnesium is one of the lightest structural metals used in different industrial sectors and many works in the literature have studied its reinforcement by filler addition. Basalt fibers are natural fillers that have good mechanical properties, excellent resistance to high temperatures, and lower cost than carbon fibers. Considering this, in recent years, they have been increasingly used in the production of composite materials with polymeric matrices. However, very little information is available in the literature about the use of basalt fibers as reinforcement in metal matrix composite materials. It is well known that the impregnation of fiber reinforcement affects the mechanical behavior of the composite materials. The aim of this study was to investigate the impregnation and the behavior of basalt fibers in a magnesium alloy composite material manufactured by a centrifugal casting technique.
Discussing Different Approaches for the Time-Zero as Start for Autogenous Shrinkage in Cement Pastes Containing Superabsorbent Polymers
Authors: Tenório Filho José Roberto , Pereira Gomes de Araújo Maria Adelaide , Snoeck Didier , De Belie Nele
Published: September 2019

Many studies have already been published concerning autogenous shrinkage in cementitious materials. Still, no consensus can be found in the literature regarding the determination of the time-zero to initiate the recording of autogenous shrinkage. With internal curing agents, a correct evaluation of their efficiency depends on an appropriate choice of the time-zero. This study investigates different approaches to estimate the time-zero for cement paste mixtures with and without superabsorbent polymers as internal curing agents. The initial and final setting times were determined by an electronic Vicat and ultrasonic pulse velocity measurements (UPV); the transition point between the fluid and solid state was determined from the autogenous strain curve; the development of the capillary pressure was also studied. The choice of time-zero before the transition point led to higher values of shrinkage strain that should not be taken into account for autogenous shrinkage. A negligible difference was found between the strains when the final setting time and the transition point were taken as time-zero. Considering the artefacts and practical issues involving the different methods, the use of the transition point from the autogenous strain curve is the most suitable technique for determining the time-zero.
Effect of Metal Surface Topography on the Interlaminar Shear and Tensile Strength of Aluminum/Polyamide 6 Polymer-Metal-Hybrids
Authors: Saborowski Erik , Dittes Axel , Steinert Philipp , Lindner Thomas , Scharf Ingolf , Schubert Andreas , Lampke Thomas
Published: September 2019

Mechanical interlocking has been proven to be an effective bonding mechanism for dissimilar material groups like polymers and metals. Therefore, this contribution assesses several surface pretreatments for the metallic adherent. Blasting, etching, combined blasting and etching, thermal spraying, and laser structuring processes are investigated with regard to the achievable interlaminar strength and the corresponding surface roughness parameters. The experiments are carried out on EN AW-6082/polyamide 6 polymer-metal-hybrids, utilizing a novel butt-bonded hollow cylinder specimen geometry for determining the shear and tensile strength. The experimental results indicate that the surface roughness slope has a major impact on the interlaminar strength. A laser-generated pin structure is found to provide the best mechanical performance as well as the highest surface slope of all investigated structuring methods.
Skew Rolling of Rods from Scrap Rail Heads
Authors: Tomczak Janusz , Pater Zbigniew , Bulzak Tomasz
Published: September 2019

This paper presents the results of theoretical and experimental investigations of a new process of rolling rods from scrap rail heads. First, the industrial applications of scrap railway rails and methods of their recycling are discussed, and then the concept of two-stage rolling of rods from heads cut off from scrap rails is proposed. In the first stage of the process, a rail head preform was rolled in a hexagonal pass of a longitudinal rolling mill. Then in the second stage, the hexagonal bar was skew rolled into a rod in a helical roll pass. Theoretical considerations were based on finite element numerical modelling. The rolling process was simulated under 3D deformation using Forge NxT v.1.1 software developed by Transvalor Company. Calculations were carried out to determine the material flow kinematics, strength, and thermal parameters of the process and to identify the phenomena that might constrain its implementation. The numerical results were verified in experimental tests, during which preforms and rods were formed from scrap rail heads. The tests were conducted in longitudinal and skew rolling mills. The results indicate that rods can be effectively formed from scrap rail heads in just two steps. Rods obtained using the proposed method can be used as full-featured, semifinished products for the manufacture of various types of machine parts.
Hermite–Hadamard-Type Inequalities for Convex Functions via the Fractional Integrals with Exponential Kernel
Authors: Wu Xia , Wang JinRong , Zhang Jialu
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we establish three fundamental integral identities by the first- and second-order derivatives for a given function via the fractional integrals with exponential kernel. With the help of these new fractional integral identities, we introduce a few interesting Hermite–Hadamard-type inequalities involving left-sided and right-sided fractional integrals with exponential kernels for convex functions. Finally, some applications to special means of real number are presented.
Influence of Arc Brazing Parameters on Microstructure and Joint Properties of Electro-Galvanized Steel
Authors: Lee Soon Jae , Sharma Ashutosh , Jung Do Hyun , Jung Jae Pil
Published: September 2019

Arc brazing of zinc-coated steel (EG, Electro-galvanized steel) using Cu-3 wt%Si filler metal was performed. The influence of arc current and brazing speed on the bonding properties of the joint, such as bead characteristics, arc penetration, joint hardness, and tensile shear strength were evaluated. The microstructural characteristics of the joint were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the compositional information was revealed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The throat thickness varies inversely with the brazing speed. The EG joint shows the formation of Fe2Si phases, which result in higher microhardness than the base metal. The tensile samples were fractured in base metal, while minor bead cracks developed in the samples brazed at 80 cm/min-80 A, 60 cm/min-70 A, 70 cm/min-70 A.
Production of Active Poly- and Oligosaccharidic Fractions from Ulva sp. by Combining Enzyme-Assisted Extraction (EAE) and Depolymerization
Authors: Fournière Mathilde , Latire Thomas , Lang Marie , Terme Nolwenn , Bourgougnon Nathalie , Bedoux Gilles
Published: September 2019

Data on fractionation and depolymerization of the matrix ulvan polysaccharides, and studies on the biological activities on skin cells, are very scarce. In this work, crude ulvans were produced by using EAE (enzyme-assisted extraction) and compared to maceration (an established procedure). After different fractionation procedures—ethanolic precipitation, dialysis, or ammonium sulfate precipitation—the biochemical composition showed that EAE led to an increased content in ulvans. Coupling EAE to sulfate ammonium precipitation led to protein enrichment. Oligosaccharides were obtained by using radical depolymerization by H2O2 and ion-exchange resin depolymerization. Sulfate groups were partially cleaved during these chemical treatments. The potential bioactivity of the fractions was assessed using a lipoxygenase inhibition assay for anti-inflammatory activity and a WST-1 assay for human dermal fibroblast viability and proliferation. All ulvans extracts, poly- and oligosaccharidic fractions from EAE, expanded the fibroblast proliferation rate up to 62%. Our research emphasizes the potential use of poly- and oligosaccharidic fractions of Ulva sp. for further development in cosmetic applications.
Editorial for the Special Issue on “Micro- and Nanofluidics for Bionanoparticle Analysis”
Authors: Cheng Xuanhong , Zeng Yong
Published: September 2019

Bionanoparticles such as microorganisms and exosomes are recognized as important targets for clinical diagnostic and therapeutic applications as well as for food safety and environmental monitoring [...]
Microfluidic-Based Mechanical Phenotyping of Androgen-Sensitive and Non-sensitive Prostate Cancer Cells Lines
Authors: Liu Na , Du Panpan , Xiao Xiaoxiao , Liu Yuanyuan , Peng Yan , Yang Chen , Yue Tao
Published: September 2019

Cell mechanical properties have been identified to characterize cells pathologic states. Here, we report our work on high-throughput mechanical phenotyping of androgen-sensitive and non-sensitive human prostate cancer cell lines based on a morphological rheological microfluidic method. The theory for extracting cells’ elastic modulus from their deformation and area, and the used experimental parameters were analyzed. The mechanical properties of three types of prostate cancer cells lines with different sensitivity to androgen including LNCaP, DU145, and PC3 were quantified. The result shows that LNCaP cell was the softest, DU145 was the second softest, and PC3 was the stiffest. Furthermore, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to verify the effectiveness of this high-throughput morphological rheological method.
Editorial for the Special Issue on Implantable Microdevices
Authors: Li Wen , Qiu Zhen
Published: September 2019

Implantable microdevices, providing accurate measurement of target analytes in animals and humans, have always been important in biological science, medical diagnostics, clinical therapy, and personal healthcare [...]
Microfluidic System for Observation of Bacterial Culture and Effects on Biofilm Formation at Microscale
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Yan , Sun Kai , Abulimiti Aliya , Xu Pian-Pian , Li Zhe-Yu
Published: September 2019

Biofilms exist in the natural world and applied to many industries. However, due to the variety of characteristics caused by their complex components, biofilms can also lead to membrane fouling and recurrent infections which pose threats to human health. So, to make the best use of their advantages and avoid their disadvantages, knowing the best time and methods for improving or preventing biofilm formation is important. In situ observation without fluorescence labeling in microscale and according to a time scale is useful to research biofilm and confine its formation. In this study, we developed a microfluidic system for real-time observation of bacteria culture and biofilms development at microscale. We cultured E. coli ATCC 25922 on a chip at continuous flow of the velocity, which could promote bacterial formation. Biofilms formation under the condition of adding amoxicillin at different times is also discussed. In addition, the mixed strains from sludge were also cultured on chip, and possible factors in biofilm formation are discussed. Our results show that a microfluidic device could culture microorganisms in continuous flow and accelerate them to adhere to the surface, thereby promoting biofilm formation. Overall, this platform is a useful tool in research on initial biofilm formation, which can contribute to preventing biofouling and infections.
Effect of Diosmin Administration in Patients with Chronic Venous Disorders on Selected Factors Affecting Angiogenesis
Authors: Feldo Marcin , Wójciak-Kosior Magdalena , Sowa Ireneusz , Kocki Janusz , Bogucki Jacek , Zubilewicz Tomasz , Kęsik Jan , Bogucka-Kocka Anna
Published: September 2019

Diosmin is a natural compound with a wide range of biological activity, e.g., it improves lymphatic drainage, supports microcirculation, and increases venous tone, and venous elasticity, hence, it is applied in the pharmacotherapy of chronic venous disorders (CVD). The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between diosmin administration (2 × 600 mg daily) in patients suffering from CVD and the levels of selected factors influencing angiogenesis, which are involved in CVD pathophysiology. Thirty-five CVD patients were examined. Levels of plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A and VEGF-C); angiostatin, interleukin 6 (IL-6), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2); and plasminogen (PLG) were measured with an Elisa assay before and after three months of diosmin administration. The clinical symptoms of CVD were monitored using ultrasound images, echo Doppler assay, visual analogue scale (VAS), and measurement of the leg circumference. The average content of TNF alpha, VEGF-C, VEGF-A IL-6, and FGF2 decreased after the therapy with diosmin in a significant manner; with p < 0.001, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.01, and p < 0.01, respectively, and a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the plasma angiostatin level after the three-month treatment was found. A significant (p < 0.05) decrease in edema and the average leg circumference of the patients was observed after the therapy. Diosmin influences the angiogenic and inflammatory mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of edema presented in patients with a different class of CVD.
Effect of Wine Matrix Composition on the Quantification of Volatile Sulfur Compounds by Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography-Pulsed Flame Photometric Detection
Authors: Davis Peter M. , Qian Michael C.
Published: September 2019

The analysis of volatile sulfur compounds using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) is heavily influenced by matrix effects. The effects of a wine matrix, both non-volatile and volatile components (other than ethanol) were studied on the analysis of several common sulfur volatiles found in wine, including hydrogen sulfide (H2S), methanethiol (MeSH), dimethyl sulfide (DMS), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS), diethyl disulfide (DEDS), methyl thioacetate (MeSOAc), and ethyl thioacetate (EtSOAc). Varying levels of devolatilized wine and common wine volatiles (acids, esters, alcohols) were added to synthetic wine samples to act as matrices. Sulfur standards were added and analyzed using gas chromatography with pulsed-flame photometric detection (GC-PFPD). Five internal standards were used to find best representatives of each compound despite matrix effects. Sensitivity remained stable with the addition of devolatilized wine, while addition of volatile components decreased sensitivity. DMS was found to be best measured against EMS; DMDS and the thioacetates were best measured against DES; H2S, MeSH, DEDS, and DMTS were best measured against DIDS. The method was used to quantitate the volatile sulfur compounds in 21 wines with various ethanol contents and volatile profiles.
Characterization of Volatile Compounds in Four Different Rhododendron Flowers by GC×GC-QTOFMS
Authors: Qian Chen-Yu , Quan Wen-Xuan , Xiang Zhang-Min , Li Chao-Chan
Published: September 2019

Volatile compounds in flowers of Rhododendron delavayi, R. agastum, R. annae, and R. irroratum were analyzed using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC×GC) coupled with high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOFMS). A significantly increased number of compounds was separated by GC×GC compared to conventional one-dimensional GC (1DGC), allowing more comprehensive understanding of the volatile composition of Rhododendron flowers. In total, 129 volatile compounds were detected and quantified. Among them, hexanal, limonene, benzeneacetaldehyde, 2-nonen-1-ol, phenylethyl alcohol, citronellal, isopulegol, 3,5-dimethoxytoluene, and pyridine are the main compounds with different content levels in all flower samples. 1,2,3-trimethoxy-5-methyl-benzene exhibits significantly higher content in R. irroratum compared to in the other three species, while isopulegol is only found in R. irroratum and R. agastum.
Recognition of Thiols in Living Cells and Zebrafish Using an Imidazo[1,5-α]pyridine-Derivative Indicator
Authors: Chen Song , Hou Peng , Sun Jingwen , Wang Haijun , Liu Lei
Published: September 2019

A new cyan fluorescent probe, MIPY-DNBS, using an imidazo[1,5-α]pyridine derivative as the fluorophore and 2,4-dinitrobenzensufonate as the recognition site for the selective detection of thiols (Cys, GSH, and Hcy), was designed and synthesized. Probe MIPY-DNBS exhibited a 172 nm Stokes shift, a fast response time (400 s), low cytotoxicity, low detection limits (12.7 nM for Cys), and excellent selectively in the detection of thiols. In addition, MIPY-DNBS was successfully applied to imaging thiols in living MCF-7 cells and zebrafish.
Polyphenol Composition and (Bio)Activity of Berberis Species and Wild Strawberry from the Argentinean Patagonia
Authors: Chamorro Melina F. , Reiner Gabriela , Theoduloz Cristina , Ladio Ana , Schmeda-Hirschmann Guillermo , Gómez-Alonso Sergio , Jiménez-Aspee Felipe
Published: September 2019

The Argentinean Patagonia berries Berberis microphylla, Berberis darwinii, and Fragaria chiloensis ssp. chiloensis f. patagonica were investigated for their polyphenol content and composition by means of liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The in vitro antioxidant activity and inhibition of metabolic syndrome-associated enzymes (α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and lipase) of the fruit extracts was assessed. The most complex polyphenol profile was found in the Berberis samples, with 10 anthocyanins, 27 hydroxycinnamic acids, 3 proanthocyanidins, 2 flavan-3-ol, and 22 flavonols. Fragaria presented four anthocyanins, nine ellagitannins, two proanthocyanidin dimers, one flavan-3-ol, and five flavonols. The Berberis samples showed the best antioxidant capacity, while Fragaria displayed better activity against α-glucosidase and lipase. The phenolic content and composition of the Argentinean Patagonia berries was similar to that reported for Chilean samples but with some chemical differences between Eastern (Argentina) and Western (Chile) Patagonia. The data obtained supports the consumption of these berries as sources of beneficial polyphenols.
Dual-Functional Liposomes with Carbonic Anhydrase IX Antibody and BR2 Peptide Modification Effectively Improve Intracellular Delivery of Cantharidin to Treat Orthotopic Hepatocellular Carcinoma Mice
Authors: Zhang Xue , Lin Congcong , Chan Waikei , Liu Kanglun , Lu Aiping , Lin Ge , Hu Rong , Shi Hongcan , Zhang Hongqi , Yang Zhijun
Published: September 2019

Liposomal nanotechnology has a great potential to overcome the current major problems of chemotherapy. However, the lack of penetrability and targetability retards the successful delivery of liposomal carriers. Previously, we showed that BR2 peptide modification endowed cantharidin-loaded liposomes with intracellular penetration that enhanced the drug cytotoxic effects. Here, we aimed to improve the targeting delivery of drugs into cancer cells via highly expressed carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) receptors by modifying our previous catharidin-loaded BR2-liposomes with anti-CA IX antibody. A higher cellular uptake of dual-functional liposomes (DF-Lp) than other treatments was observed. Induction of CA IX over-expressing resulted in a higher cellular binding of DF-Lp; subsequently, blocking with excess antibodies resulted in a decreased cancer-cell association, indicating a specific targeting property of our liposomes towards CA IX expressed cells. After 3h tracking, most of the liposomes were located around the nucleus which confirmed the involvement of targeting intracellular delivery. Cantharidin loaded DF-Lp exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity in vitro and was most effective in controlling tumor growth in vivo in an orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma model compared to other groups. Collectively, our results presented the advantage of the BR2 peptide and CA IX antibody combination to elevate the therapeutic potential of cantharidin loaded DF-liposomes.