bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of Experiments to Investigate Geometric Effects on Fluid Leakage Rate in a Balance Drum Seal
Authors: Morgan Neal R. , Untaroiu Alexandrina , Migliorini Patrick J. , Wood Houston G.
Published: August 2014

Annular labyrinth seals are designed as tortuous paths that force a working fluid to expand and contract repeatedly through small clearances between high and low pressure stages of turbomachinery. The resulting expansion and recirculation reduces kinetic energy of the flow and minimizes leakage rate between regions of high and low pressure through the seal. Most current seal geometries are selected based on what has worked in the past, or by incremental improvements on existing designs. In the present research, a balance drum used in a multistage centrifugal pump was chosen as a starting point. A design of experiments (DOEs) study was performed to investigate the influence of groove scale on leakage rate across the seal for a fixed pressure differential. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of the selected labyrinth seal has an upstream region leading to 20 evenly spaced semicircular grooves along a 267 mm seal length, with a clearance region of 0.305 mm. The seal geometry was specified by a set of five variables. The variables allow for variation in scale of the semicircular grooves within a pattern of five independently scaled grooves repeated four times along the seal length. The seal was constructed with a parameterized CFD model in ansys-CFX as a 5 deg sector of the full 3D seal. A noncentral composite designed experiment was performed to investigate the effects of five parameters on leakage rate in the system. This study demonstrates a practical approach for investigating the effects of various geometric factors on leakage rate for balance drum seals. The empirical ten-parameter linear regression model fitted to the results of the experimental design yields suggested groove radii that could be applied to improve performance of future seals.
Tilting Pad Journal Bearings: On Bridging the Hot Gap Between Experimental Results and Model Predictions
Authors: San Andrés Luis , Tao Yujiao , Li Yingkun
Published: August 2014

The accurate prediction of the forced performance of tilting pad journal bearings (TPJBs) relies on coupling a fluid film model that includes thermal energy transport, and on occasion fluid inertia, to the structural stiffness of the pads' pivots and the thermomechanical deformation of the pads' surfaces. Often enough, the flexibility of both pads and pivots is ignored prior to the bearing actual operation; practice dictating that force coefficients, damping in particular, decrease dramatically due to pivot flexibility. Even in carefully conducted experiments, components' flexibilities are invoked to explain dramatic differences between measurements and predictions. A multiple-year test program at TAMU has demonstrated the dynamic forced response of TPJBs can be modeled accurately with matrices of constant stiffness K, damping C, and added mass M coefficients. The K-C-M model, representing frequency independent force coefficients, is satisfactory for excitation frequencies less or equal to the shaft synchronous speed. However, as shown by San Andrés and Tao (2013, “The Role of Pivot Stiffness on the Dynamic Force Coefficients of Tilting Pad Journal Bearings,” ASME J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power, 135, p. 112505), pivot flexibility reduces the applicability of the simple constant parameter model to much lower excitation frequencies. Presently, a fluid film flow model predicts the journal eccentricity and force coefficients of a five-pad rocker-back TPJB tested at TAMU under a load-between-pad (LBP) configuration. The predictions agree well with the test results provided the model uses actual hot bearing clearances and an empirical characterization of the pivot stiffness. A study follows to determine the effects of pad preload, r¯P = 0.0, 0.27 (test article), and 0.50, as well as the load orientation, LBP, and load-on-pad (LOP), on bearing performance with an emphasis on ascertaining the configuration with most damping and stiffness, largest film thickness, and the least drag friction. In the study, a rigid pivot and two flexible pivots are considered throughout. Further examples present the effective contribution of the pads' mass and mass moment of inertia and film fluid inertia on the bearing force coefficients. To advance results of general character, predictions are shown versus Sommerfeld number (S), a design parameter proportional to shaft speed and decreasing with applied load. Both LBP and LOP configurations show similar performance characteristics; the journal eccentricity increasing with pivot flexibility. For LBP and LOP bearings with 0.27 preload, pivot flexibility decreases dramatically the bearing damping coefficients, in particular, at the low end of S, i.e., large loads. The model and predictions aid to better design TPJBs supporting large specific loads.
Prediction of Gas Thrust Foil Bearing Performance for Oil-Free Automotive Turbochargers
Authors: San Andrés Luis , Ryu Keun , Diemer Paul
Published: August 2014

Green technologies are a mandate in a world concerned with saving resources and protecting the environment. Oil-free turbocharger (TC) systems for passenger and commercial vehicles dispense with the lubricant in the internal combustion engine (ICE), hence eliminating not just oil coking, but also suppressing nonlinear behavior, instability and excessive noise; all factors to poor reliability and premature mechanical failure. The work hereby presented is a stepping stone in a concerted effort toward developing a computational design tool integrating both radial and thrust foil gas bearings for oil-free automotive TCs. The paper presents the physical analysis and numerical model for prediction of the static and dynamic forced performance of gas thrust foil bearings (GTFBs). A laminar flow, thin film flow model governs the generation of hydrodynamic pressure and a finite element plate model determines the elastic deformation of a top foil and its support bump strip layers. For a specified load, the analysis predicts the minimum gas film thickness, deformation and pressure fields, the drag torque and power loss, and the axial stiffness and damping force coefficients, respectively. Open source archival test data on load capacity and drag torque serves to benchmark some of the model predictions. Next, predictions are obtained for a GTFB configuration designed for an oil-free TC operating at increasing gas temperatures, axial loads, and shaft rotational speeds. The largest drag torque occurs at the highest temperature since the gas viscosity is also highest, whereas the largest load determines operation with a minute film thickness that sets a limit for the manufacturing tolerance. While airborne, the drag friction factor for the bearing is small, ranging from 0.009 to 0.015, thus demonstrating the advantage of an air bearing technology over engine oil-lubricated bearings. The synchronous speed axial stiffness increases with operating speed (and load), whereas the axial damping coefficient remains nearly invariant. The operating gas temperature plays an insignificant role on the variation of the force coefficients with frequency, whereas the operating speed and the ensuing applied thrust load determine the largest changes. The model predicts, as an excitation frequency (ω) increases, a GTFB axial stiffness (Kz) that hardens and a damping coefficient (Cz) that quickly vanishes. The most important finding is that CzΩ/Kz ≈ γ = the material loss factor for the bearing. Hence, the success of foil bearing technology relies on the selection of a metal underspring structure that offers the largest mechanical energy dissipation characteristics.
Model Development and Performance Studies of a Concentrating Direct Absorption Solar Collector
Authors: Kaluri Ramsatish , Vijayaraghavan Sanjay , Ganapathisubbu S.
Published: August 2014

A detailed three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of a direct absorption solar collector (DAC) is presented. Radiative transfer equation (RTE) is coupled with Navier–Stokes equations and solved numerically to predict the collector efficiency. The spectral properties of absorbing liquids are captured using a band-averaged absorption model. This numerical model is validated with experimental data for two different types of absorbing fluids viz., gray (graphite particles in water) and nongray (copper sulfate) fluids. The validated model is used for parametric studies to determine the right design choices for an improved collector. Impact of optical concentration ratio (CR), optical density of the fluid, mass flowrate, and thermal insulation on the collector efficiency were studied. Increase in collector efficiency of up to 28% is seen due to higher optical CRs, which is attributable to good absorption characteristics of the receiver and reduced area for losses. The collector efficiency does not improve with absorption coefficient of the fluid beyond a certain value for a given thickness of the fluid layer. The range of mass flow rates considered in the study was found to have no impact on collector efficiency. Thermal insulation is found to be very effective in minimizing the overall thermal losses and enhancing the collector efficiency. The numerical model presented here may be used to identify optimum CR, absorption coefficient of liquid for a direct absorption concentrating collector.
An uncommon case of hepatopulmonary amoebiasis
Authors: Patrício Catarina , Amaral Patrícia , Lourenço João
Published: August 2014

Amoebiasis is an uncommon infection in developed countries caused by the protozoanEntamoeba histolytica. Amoebic liver abscess is the most frequent extraintestinal presentation of the disease; pleuropulmonary involvement is rare, occurring mostly by rupture of the abscess into the pleural space or lung parenchyma. We describe a case of a 48-year-old migrant from São Tomé e Príncipe, with fever, wasting, dry cough and right upper abdominal pain for the past 2 months. The CT scan revealed a voluminous liver abscess with thrombosis of the right suprahepatic and inferior vena cava, right pulmonary lobar abscess and multiple diffuse condensations in both lungs. Aspirated pus resembled anchovy sauce; blood and aspirated material cultures for infectious agents were negative. Serology forE. histolyticawas positive, and the diagnosis of hepatopulmonary amoebiasis with infectious phlebitis was confirmed by positive PCR in the liver pus. Treatment with metronidazole+paramomycin led to clinical and radiological resolution.
Pulmonary leucostasis syndrome presented by unilateral pulmonary infiltrates
Authors: Trof Ronald Jan , Schaafsma Ron , Beishuizen Bert
Published: August 2014

A 48-year-old woman presented with suspected acute myelogenous leukaemia with a leucocyte count of 80×109/L. On admission, she had high fever and shortness of breath. Chest X-ray demonstrated unilateral consolidations of right lung suggestive for pneumonia and broad spectrum antibiotics were started. Her condition rapidly deteriorated and despite the clinical diagnosis of pulmonary leucostasis and treatment with leucapheresis the patient died within 2 days after admission from progressive respiratory failure and multiorgan failure. Autopsy showed diffuse leucostasis in the pulmonary capillaries. The present case illustrates that pulmonary leucostasis may be presented by unilateral chest X-ray abnormalities and without clear neurological symptoms (headache and blurred vision). Clinicians should be aware of this since delayed treatment may increase mortality.
Severe low back pain as the initial symptom of venous thrombosis of the inferior vena cava
Authors: Tabatabai Mohsen Abdul Wahab , Butros Victor Mikhaeel , Mahdi Shihab Ahmed , Ahmad Mohammad Javad
Published: August 2014

A 45-year-old previously well male truck driver presented to the emergency department with severe low back pain; lumbosacral X-ray was normal and he was given analgaesics and discharged. The following day, he presented to the emergency department again, his pain had not responded to the analgaesics; this time he also presented with massive bilateral swelling of lower limbs and left testicle that started 3 h earlier. The pain was severe, dull and interfered with the patient's ability to walk. An urgent workup revealed extensive thrombosis of the inferior vena cava.
Bilateral talus fracture dislocation: is avascular necrosis inevitable?
Authors: Balaji G Gopisankar , Arockiaraj Justin
Published: August 2014

Bilateral simultaneous fracture dislocation of the talus is a very rare injury. It occurs usually following high-velocity injuries. We report a 45-year-old man who presented with bilateral talar fracture dislocation following a heavy stone falling on him. On his right side, he had open talus dislocation with lateral process fracture and on his left side he had closed talar neck fracture dislocation. He underwent immediate debridement and external fixator application for his right side and open reduction and internal fixation for his left talus. At the end of 34 months’ follow-up, he was able to walk up to 2 km without pain. His ankle range of movements were restricted bilaterally. Radiographs revealed bilateral avascular necrosis with right side showing complete collapse. We present this case for its rare presentation of bilateral talar fracture dislocation with bilateral avascular necrosis with sequential radiographs.
Refractory focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in the adult: complete and sustained remissions of two episodes of nephrotic syndrome after a single dose of rituximab
Authors: Marasà Maddalena , Cravedi Paolo , Ruggiero Barbara , Ruggenenti Piero
Published: August 2014

Rituximab therapy may achieve remission of proteinuria in children or adolescents with refractory focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), but its effectiveness in adults is uncertain. We describe the case of a 22-year-old Caucasian woman with refractory FSGS that achieved complete and sustained remission of nephrotic syndrome (NS) with one single 375 mg/m2rituximab infusion. At 4 months after complete circulating B-cell depletion, proteinuria declined from 4.5 to 0.27 g/24 h and serum albumin normalised. Rituximab was well tolerated and allowed complete withdrawal of previous immunosuppression with steroids and azathioprine. The patient was in sustained remission up to month 32, when she experienced a relapse. A second infusion of rituximab (375 mg/m2) achieved prompt proteinuria reduction with no additional immunosuppressants. At 48 months after the initial treatment, this patient is in complete remission without any immunosuppression. This case suggests that rituximab, even a single dose, may safely promote NS remission in adults with refractory FSGS.
Keratoconus and granular dystrophy
Authors: Wilson Clare M , D'Ath Penny J , Parmar Dipak N , Sykakis Evripidis
Published: August 2014

Concurrent bilateral keratoconus and granular dystrophy is reported in a 32-year-old patient with decreased vision. Initially contact lenses were attempted unsuccessfully to treat the conditions. There are a handful of other reports of these combined pathologies in the literature, and the likelihood of a chance cause or possible genetic linkage between the conditions is discussed.
Environmental trends in the variation of biologically active phenolic compounds in Labrador tea, Rhododendron groenlandicum, from northern Quebec, Canada
Authors: Rapinski Michel , Liu Rui , Saleem Ammar , Arnason John Thor , Cuerrier Alain
Published: August 2014

The impact of several environmental factors on the production of phenolic compounds in a North American medicinal plant, Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum (Oeder) Kron & Judd), was studied. Leaves were harvested in 2006 and 2010 over a latitudinal gradient in northern Quebec, and known phenolic markers were quantified by HPLC-DAD. The concentration of selected compounds varied geographically where they were higher between the 51st and 53rd parallel of northern Quebec and lower in the peripheral northern and southern region. Major variations were observed in the following marker compounds: (+)-catechin, (–)-epicatechin, quercetin-3-galactoside, and an undetermined quercetin-glycoside. The variation in phenolic compounds was best explained by short-term changes in annual temperature range and long-term estimates of insolation parameters such as solar radiation and photoperiod in the month of June.
Preparation of platy Co/Al hydrotalcites using aluminum hydroxide and investigation of their tribological properties in base oil
Authors: Zhao Dong , Kasrai Masoud , Sham Tsun-Kong , Bai Zhimin , Zhao Fuyan , Li Shuo
Published: August 2014

In this study, the synthesis of Co/Al hydrotalcite (layered double hydroxides: LDHs) using insoluble Al(OH)3 by a hydrothermal method is described. The syntheses were conducted under various conditions. The as-prepared Co/Al-CO32–-LDH was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The tribological properties of the products were evaluated in base oil using four-ball and Plint friction testers. The LDH thus synthesized displays perfect hexagonal platelike morphology having a disk diameter in the range of 0.2–1.5 μm with a thickness of 40 nm. The addition of the product Co/Al-CO32–-LDH, as an additive to the base oil, significantly reduces the friction coefficient (22.3%) and wear (26.1%) compared to base oil alone. The morphology and chemistry of the worn surface were characterized by SEM, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. The results show that the structural distortion of LDH induced by mechanochemical processes during friction consumes the friction force between the rubbed surfaces, and as a result, the friction and the wear is reduced. Thus, our results show that the LDH sheets absorbed on the worn surface can prevent direct contact between the friction pairs (surfaces) and decreases the roughness of the worn surface.
Comparing predictive cyanobacterial models from temperate regions
Authors: Beaulieu Marieke , Pick Frances , Palmer Michelle , Watson Sue , Winter Jenny , Zurawell Ron , Gregory-Eaves Irene
Published: August 2014

The global increase in cyanobacterial bloom reports heightens the need for a critical evaluation of models used for their prediction. In particular, it is unclear whether empirical cyanobacterial models vary regionally because of differences in environmental conditions and (or) community composition. To address this question, we applied linear and nonlinear models as well as mixed-effect models to a dataset of seasonally integrated environmental and cyanobacterial measurements collected from 149 lakes spread across three regions in Canada. Across all lakes, we found that linear models outperformed nonlinear approaches and that nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen) were the best predictors of cyanobacterial biomass. Importantly, there was no significant regional difference in predicted cyanobacterial responses to nutrients, even though the means for these variables were different among regions. From canonical correspondence analyses of taxonomic biomass data, temperature, water column stability, and forms of inorganic nitrogen were also important in explaining cyanobacterial community structure at the regional scale. Based on these analyses, we conclude that North American models are suitable for estimating total cyanobacterial biomass from any particular temperate region in Canada.
Monoammonium glycyrrhizate suppresses tumor necrosis factor-α induced chemokine production in HMEC-1 cells, possibly by blocking the translocation of nuclear factor-κB into the nucleus
Authors: Cao Na , Chen Tao , Guo Zai-pei , Qin Sha , Li Meng-meng
Published: August 2014

Monoammonim glycyrrhizate (MAG) derived from licorice has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Chemokines are vital inflammatory mediators that are involved with endothelial damage from leukocyte infiltrates in various inflammatory skin diseases. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of MAG on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induced chemokine production in a human dermal microvascular endothelial cell line (HMEC-1). HMEC-1 cells were treated with TNF-α, with or without MAG. The results showed that MAG suppressed TNF-α-induced chemokine (including CXCL8, CX3CL1, and CXCL16) mRNA expression in HMEC-1 cells, in a dose-dependent manner, and reduced the secretion of these chemokines in culture supernatant. Moreover, endothelial activation in the presence of MAG blocked the chemotactic activities of TNF-α-stimulated HMEC-1 cell supernatant on the migration of primary neutrophils and primary monocytes. In addition, Western blot and immunofluorescence data revealed that MAG inhibited nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65). It is the first report to demonstrate that MAG suppresses TNF-α-induced chemokine production in HMEC-1 cells, and that the mechanism may be inhibiting the translocation of NF-κB p65 into the nucleus to prevent the starting of inflammatory signaling pathway. Our results revealed that MAG is a potential anti-inflammatory agent capable of improving inflammatory skin diseases.
On 4-cocycles of Alexander quandles on finite fields
Authors: Abe Sukuse
Published: August 2014

We provide a basis of the fourth cohomology group associated with any Alexander quandle on any finite field when its second cohomology vanishes. Furthermore, we give concrete presentations of many 4-cocycles in terms of relatively simple polynomials, which are expected to be useful in the study of surface links.
GLCM-Based Multiclass Iris Recognition Using FKNN and KNN
Authors: Kulkarni S. B. , Kulkarni Raghavendrarao B. , Kulkarni U. P. , Hegadi Ravindra S.
Published: August 2014

Iris recognition is one of the important authentication mechanism used extensively in biometric applications. The majority of the applications use single class iris recognition with normalized iris image. The proposed technique uses multi class iris recognition with region of interest (ROI) iris image on supervised learning. In this paper, the term ROI is referred as Un-normalized iris. The iris features are extracted using gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) and a multiclass training vector is created. Further, iris image is classified based on fuzzy K-nearest neighbor (FKNN) and KNN classification. Test samples features are matched with the stored repository by various matching techniques such as max fuzzy vote, Euclidean distance, cosine and cityblock. The experiment is carried on standard database CASIA-IrisV3-Interval and result shows that multiclass approach with ROI segmented iris has better recognition accuracy using FKNN and KNN.
A FRAMEWORK FOR COMMUNITY DETECTION IN HETEROGENEOUS MULTI-RELATIONAL NETWORKS
Authors: LIU XIN , LIU WEICHU , MURATA TSUYOSHI , WAKITA KEN
Published: August 2014

There has been a surge of interest in community detection in homogeneous single-relational networks which contain only one type of nodes and edges. However, many real-world systems are naturally described as heterogeneous multi-relational networks which contain multiple types of nodes and edges. In this paper, we propose a new method for detecting communities in such networks. Our method is based on optimizing the composite modularity, which is a new modularity proposed for evaluating partitions of a heterogeneous multi-relational network into communities. Our method is parameter-free, scalable, and suitable for various networks with general structure. We demonstrate that it outperforms the state-of-the-art techniques in detecting pre-planted communities in synthetic networks. Applied to a real-world Digg network, it successfully detects meaningful communities.
Three-dimensional manifolds with special Cotton tensor
Authors: Calviño-Louzao E. , García-Río E. , Seoane-Bascoy J. , Vázquez-Lorenzo R.
Published: August 2014

The Cotton tensor of three-dimensional Walker manifolds is investigated. A complete description of all locally conformally flat Walker three-manifolds is given, as well as that of Walker manifolds whose Cotton tensor is either a Codazzi or a Killing tensor.
Substituent position influence on the electrochemical properties and antioxidant activity of tetra(aminophenyl)porphyrins
Authors: Kuzmin Sergey M. , Chulovskaya Svetlana A. , Parfenyuk Vladimir I.
Published: August 2014

Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important intermediate products in physiological processes. In the healthy cell, they are generated and regulated by enzymes and low molecular weight antioxidants. Overproduction of ROS leads to a large list of diseases, so the determination of antioxidant activity of perspective natural and synthetic compounds is necessary for drugs development. In this paper cyclic voltammetry (CV) method was applied to the electrochemical and superoxide scavenging properties of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4′-aminophenyl)porphyrin ( H2T (p- NH2Ph ) P ) and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3′-aminophenyl)porphyrin ( H2T (m- NH2Ph ) P ) investigation. It is shown that the studied porphyrins have very similar electrochemical behavior and slight effect on the quantity of superoxide produced during first CV cycle therefore the estimation of superoxide scavenging properties may be performed by the [Formula: see text] oxidation peak current monitoring. The antioxidant properties of porphyrins were estimated in terms of binding constants. The strong effect of NH2group position on the superoxide scavenging activity are shown: the H2T (p- NH2Ph ) P (kb= 12.7 × 102mol-1) demonstrates the significant superoxide scavenging activities whereas H2T (m- NH2Ph ) P (kb= 0.83 × 102mol-1) — negligible. The most probable mechanism of superoxide scavenges explaining the observed differences are the H -atoms transfer due to N – H bond breaking in the aminophenyl substituent.
Using woven carbon fiber fabric to construct gradient porous structure for passive direct methanol fuel cells
Authors: Yuan Wei , Hu Jinyi , Zhou Bo , Deng Jun , Zhang Zhaochun , Tang Yong
Published: August 2014

The passive direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is a promising candidate power source for portable applications but has to deal with many technical challenges before practical use. This study presents a preliminary investigation on the use of a woven carbon fiber fabric (WCFF) for constructing a gradient porous structure based on the traditional design. The WCFF, carbon paper and carbon-black micro porous layer (MPL) combine into a carbon-based assembly which acts as a mass-transfer-controlling medium at the anode of a passive DMFC. Results show that this novel setup is able to significantly improve the cell performance and facilitate high-concentration operation. A maximum power density of 16.4 mWcm-2 is obtained when two layers of the WCFF are used at a methanol concentration of 8M. This work provides an effective method for using concentrated methanol with no need for major change of the fuel cell configuration.
Resistive switching effect of Ag/MoS2/FTO device
Authors: Sun Bai , Zhao Wenxi , Liu Yonghong , Chen Peng
Published: August 2014

The electric-pulse-driven resistance change of metal/oxides/metal structure, which is called resistive switching effect, is a fascinating phenomenon for the development of next generation non-volatile memory. In this work, an outstanding bipolar resistive switching behavior of Ag / MoS 2/fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) device is demonstrated. The device can maintain superior reversible stability over 100 cycles with an OFF/ON-state resistance ratio of about 103 at room temperature.
Clinical and Genetic Analysis of a Nonsyndromic Oligodontia in a Child
Authors: Coelho Neto Orlando Lopes , Reis Maria Fernanda , de Sabóia Ticiana Medeiros , Tannure Patrícia Nivoloni , Antunes Leonardo Santos , Antonio Andréa Gonçalves
Published: August 2014

The etiology of tooth agenesis may be related to several factors, among them, the genetic alterations that play a fundamental role in the development of this dental anomaly, so that knowledge about it helps the clinician to have a greater understanding of their patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to report the case of a nonsyndromic child, with tooth agenesis of one premolar, three first permanent molars, and all second permanent molars. In addition, a genetic research between polymorphic variants in genes MMP3 and BMP2 was performed in order to observe the association between changes in these genes and congenital tooth absences. For this purpose, DNA from child was extracted and polymorphisms were investigated. It was clinically and radiographically observed that this was a case of oligodontia, in which the authors suggested an association between the polymorphisms found and tooth agenesis diagnosed in that child.
The Protective Effects of the Supercritical-Carbon Dioxide Fluid Extract ofChrysanthemum indicumagainst Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice via Modulating Toll-Like Receptor 4 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Wu Xiao-Li , Feng Xue-Xuan , Li Chu-Wen , Zhang Xiao-Jun , Chen Zhi-Wei , Chen Jian-Nan , Lai Xiao-Ping , Zhang Sai-Xia , Li Yu-Cui , Su Zi-Ren
Published: August 2014

The supercritical-carbon dioxide fluid extract ofChrysanthemum indicumLinné. (CFE) has been demonstrated to be effective in suppressing inflammation. The aim of this study is to investigate the preventive action and underlying mechanisms of CFE on acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice. ALI was induced by intratracheal instillation of LPS into lung, and dexamethasone was used as a positive control. Results revealed that pretreatment with CFE abated LPS-induced lung histopathologic changes, reduced the wet/dry ratio and proinflammatory cytokines productions (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), inhibited inflammatory cells migrations and protein leakages, suppressed the levels of MPO and MDA, and upregulated the abilities of antioxidative enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPx). Furthermore, the pretreatment with CFE downregulated the activations of NF-κB and the expressions of TLR4/MyD88. These results suggested that CFE exerted potential protective effects against LPS-induced ALI in mice and was a potential therapeutic drug for ALI. Its mechanisms were at least partially associated with the modulations of TLR4 signaling pathways.
Assessment of the Bioavailability of Cu, Pb, and Zn throughPetunia axillarisin Contaminated Soils
Authors: Bondareva Lydia , Teisserenc Roman , Pakharkova Nina , Shubin Alexander , Le Dantec Théo , Renon Leïla , Svoboda Ivan
Published: August 2014

Heavy metals are potentially toxic to human life and the environment. Metal toxicity depends on chemical associations in soils. For this reason, determining the chemical form of a metal in soils is important to evaluate its mobility and the potential accumulation. The aim of this examination is to evaluate the accumulation potential ofPetunia x hybridaas a flower crop for three metals, namely, copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni). Trace metals (Zn, Cu, and Pb) in the soils were partitioned by a sequential extraction procedure into H2O extractable (F1), 1 M CH3COONa extractable (F2). Chemical fractionation showed that F1 and F2 fraction of the metals were near 1% and residue was the dominant form for Zn, Cu, and Pb in all samples. Using fluorescence method allowed us to estimate condition of the plants by adding metals. As result of plant and soil analysis, we can conclude thatPetuniahas Cu, Zn, and Ni tolerance and accumulation. Therefore,Petuniahas the potential to serve as a model species for developing herbaceous, ornamental plants for phytoremediation.
CandidaImmunity
Authors: Naglik Julian R.
Published: August 2014

The human pathogenic fungusCandida albicansis the predominant cause of both superficial and invasive forms of candidiasis.C. albicansprimarily infects immunocompromised individuals as a result of either immunodeficiency or intervention therapy, which highlights the importance of host immune defences in preventing fungal infections. The host defence system utilises a vast communication network of cells, proteins, and chemical signals distributed in blood and tissues, which constitute innate and adaptive immunity. Over the last decade the identity of many key molecules mediating host defence againstC. albicanshas been identified. This review will discuss how the host recognises this fungus, the events induced by fungal cells, and the host innate and adaptive immune defences that ultimately resolveC. albicansinfections during health.
The Low Temperature Specific Heat of Pr0.65Ca0.35MnO3
Authors: Han Zhiyong , Jing Zhenzhu
Published: August 2014

The low temperature specific heat of polycrystalline perovskite-type Pr0.65Ca0.35MnO3manganese oxide has been investigated experimentally. It is found that the low temperature electron specific heat in zero magnetic field is obviously larger than that of ordinary rare-earth manganites oxide. To get the contribution of phonon to the specific heat precisely, the lattice specific heat is calculated by Debye model fitting. Results confirm that the low temperature specific heat of Pr0.65Ca0.35MnO3is related to the itinerant electrons in ferromagnetic clusters and the disorder in the sample.
Response to Statin Therapy in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Joyeux-Faure Marie , Tamisier Renaud , Baguet Jean-Philippe , Dias-Domingos Sonia , Perrig Stephen , Leftheriotis Georges , Janssens Jean-Paul , Trzepizur Wojciech , Launois Sandrine H. , Stanke-Labesque Françoise , Lévy Patrick A. , Gagnadoux Frédéric , Pepin Jean-Louis
Published: August 2014

Rationale.Accumulated evidence implicates sympathetic activation as inducing oxidative stress and systemic inflammation, which in turn lead to hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerosis in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Statins through their pleiotropic properties may modify inflammation, lipid profile, and cardiovascular outcomes in OSA.Methods.This multicenter, randomized, double-blind study compared the effects of atorvastatin 40 mg/day versus placebo over 12 weeks on endothelial function (the primary endpoint) measured by peripheral arterial tone (PAT). Secondary endpoints included office blood pressure (BP), early carotid atherosclerosis, arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV), and metabolic parameters.Results.51 severe OSA patients were randomized. Key demographics for the study population were age 54 ± 11 years, 21.6% female, and BMI 28.5 ± 4.5 kg/m2. In intention to treat analysis, mean PAT difference between atorvastatin and placebo groups was 0.008 (−0.29; 0.28),P=0.979. Total and LDL cholesterol significantly improved with atorvastatin. Systolic BP significantly decreased with atorvastatin (mean difference: −6.34 mmHg (−12.68; −0.01),P=0.050) whereas carotid atherosclerosis and PWV were unchanged compared to the placebo group.Conclusion.In OSA patients, 3 months of atorvastatin neither improved endothelial function nor reduced early signs of atherosclerosis although it lowered blood pressure and improved lipid profile. This trial is registered withNCT00669695.
Fabrication, Characterization, Properties, and Applications of Low‐Dimensional BiFeO3 Nanostructures
Authors: Wu Heng , Zhou Jun , Liang Lizhi , Li Lei , Zhu Xinhua
Published: August 2014

Low‐dimensional BiFeO3 nanostructures (e.g., nanocrystals, nanowires, nanotubes, and nanoislands) have received considerable attention due to their novel size‐dependent properties and outstanding multiferroic properties at room temperature. In recent years, much progress has been made both in fabrications and (microstructural, electrical, and magnetic) in characterizations of BiFeO3 low‐dimensional nanostructures. An overview of the state of art in BiFeO3 low‐dimensional nanostructures is presented. First, we review the fabrications of high‐quality BiFeO3 low‐dimensional nanostructures via a variety of techniques, and then the structural characterizations and physical properties of the BiFeO3 low‐dimensional nanostructures are summarized. Their potential applications in the next‐generation magnetoelectric random access memories and photovoltaic devices are also discussed. Finally, we conclude this review by providing our perspectives to the future researches of BiFeO3 low‐dimensional nanostructures and some key problems are also outlined.
Feature Selection with Neighborhood Entropy-Based Cooperative Game Theory
Authors: Zeng Kai , She Kun , Niu Xinzheng
Published: August 2014

Feature selection plays an important role in machine learning and data mining. In recent years, various feature measurements have been proposed to select significant features from high-dimensional datasets. However, most traditional feature selection methods will ignore some features which have strong classification ability as a group but are weak as individuals. To deal with this problem, we redefine the redundancy, interdependence, and independence of features by using neighborhood entropy. Then the neighborhood entropy-based feature contribution is proposed under the framework of cooperative game. The evaluative criteria of features can be formalized as the product of contribution and other classical feature measures. Finally, the proposed method is tested on several UCI datasets. The results show that neighborhood entropy-based cooperative game theory model (NECGT) yield better performance than classical ones.
On Ulam’s Type Stability of the Linear Equation and Related Issues
Authors: Brzdęk Janusz , Ciepliński Krzysztof , Leśniak Zbigniew
Published: August 2014

This is a survey paper concerning stability results for the linear functional equation in single variable. We discuss issues that have not been considered or have been treated only briefly in other surveys concerning stability of the equation. In this way, we complement those surveys.
A Simple Approach to Engineer SERS Substrates and Plasmonic Thin Film
Authors: Ahamad Nur Uddin , Al-Amin Md. , Ianoul Anatoli
Published: August 2014

Solid supported 2D assembly of silver nanocubes was fabricated by Langmuir-Blodgett technique and employed to investigate its surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and surface enhance fluorescence (SEF) activities by detecting Rh6G in solution of varied concentrations, that is, 10−12 M, 10−9 M, 10−6 M, and 10−3 M. SERS was detected from a nanomolar concentration of Rh6G whereas SEF was detected from a picomolar concentration. Further, the substrate was subjected to thermal annealing to fabricate plasmonic thin film. The formation of thin film was followed by monitoring its surface plasmon resonance spectra and atomic force microscopic images. It was observed that the characteristic spectral peaks of silver nanocubes merged into a broad spectral band as the annealing time was increased and the intensity of the band decreased with the formation of thin film. The obtained result implies that thermal annealing could be a simple approach to create nanoscale gaps in SERS substrate and to engineer continuous thin film from the assembly of discrete nanoparticles.
Histone Lysine Methylation in Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Sun Guang-dong , Cui Wen-peng , Guo Qiao-yan , Miao Li-ning
Published: August 2014

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) belongs to debilitating microvascular complications of diabetes and is the leading cause of end-stage renal diseases worldwide. Furthermore, outcomes from the DCCT/EDIC study showed that DN often persists and progresses despite intensive glucose control in many diabetes patients, possibly as a result of prior episode of hyperglycemia, which is called “metabolic memory.” The underlying mechanisms responsible for the development and progression of DN remain poorly understood. Activation of multiple signaling pathways and key transcription factors can lead to aberrant expression of DN-related pathologic genes in target renal cells. Increasing evidence suggests that epigenetic mechanisms in chromatin such as DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and methylation can influence the pathophysiology of DN and metabolic memory. Exciting researches from cell culture and experimental animals have shown that key histone methylation patterns and the related histone methyltransferases and histone demethylases can play important roles in the regulation of inflammatory and profibrotic genes in renal cells under diabetic conditions. Because histone methylation is dynamic and potentially reversible, it can provide a window of opportunity for the development of much-needed novel therapeutic potential for DN in the future. In this minireview, we discuss recent advances in the field of histone methylation and its roles in the pathogenesis and progression of DN.
The Cellulose Nanofibers for Optoelectronic Conversion and Energy Storage
Authors: Luo Yongfeng , Zhang Jianxiong , Li Xi , Liao Chunrong , Li Xianjun
Published: August 2014

Cellulose widely exists in plant tissues. Due to the large pores between the cellulose units, the regular paper is nontransparent that cannot be used in the optoelectronic devices. But some chemical and physical methods such as 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl radical (TEMPO) oxidation can be used to improve the pores scale between the cellulose units to reach nanometer level. The cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) have good mechanical strength, flexibility, thermostability, and low thermal expansion. The paper made of these nanofibers represent a kind of novel nanostructured material with ultrahigh transparency, ultrahigh haze, conductivity, biodegradable, reproducible, low pollution, environment friendly and so on. These advantages make the novel nanostructured paper apply in the optoelectronic device possible, such as electronics energy storage devices. This kind of paper is considered most likely to replace traditional materials like plastics and glass, which is attracting widespread attention, and the related research has also been reported. The purpose of this paper is to review CNFs which are applied in optoelectronic conversion and energy storage.
Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Risky Sexual Behavior Leading to HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections among Egyptian Substance Abusers: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bakhoum Atef Y. , Bachmann Max O. , El Kharrat Ehab , Talaat Remon
Published: August 2014

Background. Rapidly growing youth population with changing sexual trend in Egypt raised HIV potential. The aim of this study is to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding unsafe sexual behavior among Egyptian drug abusers.Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2008 in the Freedom Drugs and HIV Program on 410 drug abusers in Egypt. Included respondents were subanalyzed by gender, age, education, and intravenous drug usage.Results. KAP average scores on safe sexual behavior were low compared to the maximum possible denoting low awareness and action of drug addicts towards avoidance of infection. Respondents with higher education had significantly better knowledge about safe sexual behavior. Significant positive correlation was shown between age and knowledge of safe sexual behavior. Older age groups were predicted to know more about safe sex, while gender; educational level and intravenous drug usage were not. Similarly, females and intravenous drug users were predicted to have higher attitude for safe sex while age and educational level did not.Conclusion. KAP of safe sexual behavior were low among drug addicts in Egypt increasing potential towards infection with STDs including HIV. The more the age and education level, the better the knowledge towards safe sexual behavior.
Macroscopic Model and Simulation Analysis of Air Traffic Flow in Airport Terminal Area
Authors: Zhang Honghai , Xu Yan , Yang Lei , Liu Hao
Published: August 2014

We focus on the spatiotemporal characteristics and their evolvement law of the air traffic flow in airport terminal area to provide scientific basis for optimizing flight control processes and alleviating severe air traffic conditions. Methods in this work combine mathematical derivation and simulation analysis. Based on cell transmission model the macroscopic models of arrival and departure air traffic flow in terminal area are established. Meanwhile, the interrelationship and influential factors of the three characteristic parameters as traffic flux, density, and velocity are presented. Then according to such models, the macro emergence of traffic flow evolution is emulated with the NetLogo simulation platform, and the correlativity of basic traffic flow parameters is deduced and verified by means of sensitivity analysis. The results suggest that there are remarkable relations among the three characteristic parameters of the air traffic flow in terminal area. Moreover, such relationships evolve distinctly with the flight procedures, control separations, and ATC strategies.
Spectral Distribution of Transport Operator Arising in Growing Cell Populations
Authors: Wu Hongxing , Wang Shenghua , Yuan Dengbin
Published: August 2014

Transport equation with partly smooth boundary conditions arising in growing cell populations is studied inLp  (1<p<+∞)space. It is to prove that the transport operatorAHgenerates aC0semigroup and the ninth-order remainder termR9(t)of the Dyson-Phillips expansion of the semigroup is compact, and the spectrum of transport operatorAHconsists of only finite isolated eigenvalues with finite algebraic multiplicities in a tripΓω. The main methods rely on theory of linear operators, comparison operators, and resolvent operators approach.
Electrical Transport and Lowered Percolation Threshold in YBa2Cu3O7−δ-Nano-YBa2ZrO5.5 Composites
Authors: Rejith Pullanhiyodan Puthiyaveedu , Vidya Sukumariamma , Thomas Jijimon Kumpukattu
Published: August 2014

We investigated the chemical reactivity and percolation characteristics of insulating nanocrystalline YBa2ZrO5.5 prepared by modified combustion route and the YBa2Cu3O7−δ superconductor composite system. Structural analysis was done by using X-ray diffraction technique, surface morphology of the samples was studied using scanning electron microscopy, and electrical transport measurements like critical transition temperatures (Tc) and self-field transport critical current (Jc) were done by using standard four-probe technique. It is found that, in YBa2Cu3O7−δ-nano-YBa2ZrO5.5 composite system, the superconductor and insulator materials coexist as separate phases without any noticeable chemical reaction even after sintering at high temperatures. Furthermore, percolation threshold and critical exponent are found to be VC=0.3, t=1.68, and u=2.7. And the analysis of the current flow in the polycrystalline samples reveals weak link behavior in the majority of grain connections.
A Clinicopathological and Immunohistochemical Correlation in Cutaneous Metastases from Internal Malignancies: A Five-Year Study
Authors: Nibhoria Sarita , Tiwana Kanwardeep Kaur , Kaur Manmeet , Kumar Sumir
Published: August 2014

Cutaneous metastases from internal malignancies are uncommon and occur in 0.6%–10.4% of all patients with cancer. In most cases, cutaneous metastases develop after the initial diagnosis of the primary internal malignancy and late in the course of the disease. Skin tumors are infrequent in Asian population and cutaneous metastases are quite rare. Cutaneous metastases carry a poor prognosis with average survival of few months. In the present five-year study 1924 malignant tumors were screened which included only nine cases of cutaneous metastatic deposits. A wide range of site and clinical presentations including nodules, plaques, and ulcers was noted. Histopathological findings were significant and corresponded with the primary internal malignancy. Cutaneous metastases from breast carcinoma (44.4%) were the most common finding followed by non-Hodgkin lymphoma and renal cell carcinoma (22.2% each) and carcinoma cervix (11.1%). The aim of our study is to classify the cutaneous metastases and to evaluate their clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical correlation with the primary tumor.