bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INDICATORS OF OXIDATIVE STRESS AND RESISTANCE OF ERYTHROCYTES IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE STAGE VD DEPENDING ON MODALITY OF RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPY
Authors: Kolesnyk M. , Korol L. , Migal L. , Burdeyna O. , Novakivskyy V.
Published: June 2018

The object was to study the effect of oxidative factors and methods of renal replacement therapy (RRT) on indices of oxidative stress (OS) and resistance cells in blood in patients with chronic kidney disease stage V(CKD VD) and anemic syndrome.

Material and methods. The study involved 47 patients with CKD VD: 14patients were treated by hemodiafiltration (HDF), 14 patients by hemodialysis (HD) and 19 patients by peritoneal dialysis (PD). The severity ofanemia was assessed according to the KDIGO (2012) criteria. The control group consisted of30 healthy people of the same age and sex. Along with the standard diagnostic methods, we defined the content of malonic dialdehyde in serum (MDAs) and in erythrocytes (MDAe), the content of ceruloplasmin (CPs), transferrin (TRs) and SH - groups in the blood serum, the index of the OS (IOS), catalase activity in serum (CTs), glucose - 6 - phosphate dehydrogenase (G - 6 - PDHe) and total peroxidase activity (TPA) in erythrocyte, osmotic (OR) and peroxide resistance (PR) of red blood cells and erythrocyte membrane permeability (EMP). Statistical analysis was performed using the programs Microsoft Excel 5,0 and MedStat.

Results. It has been stated that in the CKD VD patients agains the rates in control group the MDAs content increased by 3.3 times and MDAe - 1.2 times, TRs content reduced by 34%, SH - groups - by 31%, TPAe - by 41% and G - 6 - FDGe - by 58%, marcers of OR by 30%, PR - by 60%; 4.6 times increased CTs activity and OSI; 2 times grew peroxide hemolysis (PH) and 1.3 times - EMP. The analysis (depending on the RRT modality) showed that the patients treated by HDF had typical MDAs increase by 3.9 times on a background of CPs by 24%o, TRs - 33%, SH - groups - 25%, TPAe - 51%, G6 - PDHe - 42%; the increase in serum OSI - 5.4 times and 2.6 times in erythrocytes, PR - by 3.6 times and CTs activity by 3,5 times; HD group were characterized by the highest value of MDAe, OSI, PH and CTs, along with more expressed decrease of indices TRs, SH - groups, TPA and G - 6 - FDHe activity compared with rates in patients with HDF. The patients treated with PD had the lowest content of MDAs and the highest values on the background ofTPAe, the significant increase of CPs by 1.7 times and lowest TRs and G - 6 - PDHe. The patients with PD showed twice lower OS activity by OSI.

Conclusion.Thus, in patients with CKD VD, who had HD, HDF or PD an anemic syndrome was associated with high OS activity and the increased degree of hemolysis. These changes are stipulated by RRT methods: for patients receiving HDF were typical the lowest rates of hemolysis and the highest degree of protection for erythrocytes, and for patients treated with HD - the highest OS.
PREDICTION OF UNFAVORABLE COURSE OF GLOMERULONEPHRITIS WITH NEPHROTIC SYNDROME IN CHILDREN: ENZYMURIC CRITERIA
Authors: Fomina S. P. , Bagdasarova I. V. , Migal L. A.
Published: June 2018

The aim of study was to investigate the possibility of using the detection of urine renospecific enzymes activity in children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) as biomarkers of unfavorable disease course prognosis. Materials and methods. The operating characteristics of urine activity values of N-аcethyl- β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and β-galactosidase (β-Gal) were estimated in 209 nephrotic children depending on disease course. Results. The high activity of NAG and β-Gal confirms the active participation of renal tubules in pathological process in NS. Likelihood of NS progression increased while saving NAG activity >50 Units and β-Gal >30 Units in 8-10 weeks of therapy and at 1.5-3 years of follow-up after treatment withdrawal; increasing of enzymes levels in 6-9 months on tapering treatment period (NAG >100 Units, β-Gal >60 Units). Changing the enzymes activity in the disease active stage before treatment does not have the prognostic defense. The enzymuric fragment of multimarker parallel cascade system for prediction unfavorable NS course has been created. Conclusion. Urine renospecific enzymes activity (NAG and β-Gal) should be used as markers of the progression in NS children with the optimal terms studies and range parameters as summarized in the proposed prediction system.
INTERLEUKIN 10, BODY MASS INDEX AND SERUM ALBUMIN IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE STAGE 5D PATIENTS
Authors: Dudar I. , Drijanska V. , Grigorjeva E. , Gonchar J. , Krasjuk E.
Published: June 2018

IL-10 - one of the central factors in the altered cytokine network of uremia, may play important role in the development of T-helper imbalance, CVD and wasting in dialysis patients.

Aim: to evaluate level of ІL-10 in CKD stage 5D patients depending on the body mass index and serum albumin.

Methods: Thirty-nine HD patients were included (male/female 20/19, age 21- 53 years, mean dialysis treatment time 4.2 ± 1.21 years). Blood tests were taken before a midweek dialysis session. Serum IL-10, serum albumin and BMI were measured.

Results: HD patients had higher serum IL-10 than healthy donors (79.9 ± 7.3 vs. 18.8 ± 1.3 pg/ml, p < 0.001). Patients with low BMI had lower serum IL-10 than patients with normal BMI and large BMI – 31.0 ± 6.3 pg/ml; 76.7 ± 10.1 pg/ml; 117.7 ± 6.2 pg/ml, respectively (p < 0.001). Higher IL-10 was associated with increased serum albumin.

Conclusion: Compensative increase of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in serum is typical in HD patients. Patients with nutrition deficit are characterized by lower serum IL-10.
USING OF LONG ACTION ERYTHROPOES STIMULATED AGENTS FOR TREATMENT OF ANEMIA IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASES V D ST
Authors: Kolesnyk M. , Kulyzkyp M. , Busygina Y. , Bilenko A. , Novakivskyy V.
Published: June 2018

the article describes approaches to cost optimization of anemia treatment in CKD–VDst. patients by comparison of costs in phase correction and support treatment with long action ESA in patients on HD and HDF.

Aims. To reveal the influence of HD and HDF to summary dozes of ESA in anemia treatment, to reveal the influence of different long action ESA to hemoglobin variability and find connection between HD, HDF and ESA type to cost of ESA using.

Materials and methods. There were 14 patients on HD and 14 on HDF. All patients were treated with dialysis 3 time per week, session duration was 4,5–5 hours. eKt/У were 1,39±0,06 in HDF group and 1,29±0,07 in HD group. Mean hemoglobin was 98,3±2,46 g/l in HDF group and 92,76±2,46 g/l in HD group. In correction phase we used pegylated erythropoietin–p in both groups before achievement target hemoglobin 110 g/l, then was support phase ofanemia treatment during 6 months with hemoglobin target 100g/l to 120 g/l. Next 6 months patients were switched to darbepoetin alfa.

Results. It is investigated optimization of anemia correction with long action ESP in patients on HD and HDF. It is revealed a tendency to decrease treatment cost with pegylated erythropoietin–p compared to darbepoetin alfa (1965,13±250,69 vs 2117,39±147,59 Gr/mth) and HDF group compared HD group with pegylated erythropoietin–p (1983,9±345,9 vs 1950,69±367,1 Gr/mth). Treatment with darbepoetin alfa associated with higher hemoglobin variability compared with pegylated erythropoietin–p.

Conclusion. The result of our investigation lead to prove some hope to optimization of anemia treatment in patients with CKD Vst. On hemodialysis, but to have statistically reliability we need lager patients groups.
CLINICAL CASE OF ABO INCOMPATIBLEKIDNEYTRANSPLANTATTHE О. SHALIMOV’S NATIONAL INSTITUTE OFSURGERYAND TRANSPLANTOLOGYIN UKRAINE
Authors: Zograbian R. , Zakordonets V. , Malik A. , Zakrutko O. , Tarasenko L.
Published: June 2018

Kidney transplantation is the gold standard for treating end - stage kidney disease. But the lack of cadaveric organ donation in Ukraine makes this operation available only for patients with living related donor. The absence of ABO - compatible living donor in the family is found in 20 - 30% of cases. This is the case for ABO - incompatible transplantation, but it is associated with an increased risk of acute rejection and requires special pre - transplant management. The article describes the first in Ukraine successful case of ABO - incompatible kidney transplantation in A.A. Shalimov’s National Institute of Surgery and Transplantology.
DYSLIPIDAEMIA IN CHILDREN ON DIALYSIS AND AFTER KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION
Authors: Baiko S. V.
Published: June 2018

Cardiovascular complications are the main problems associated with end stage renal disease (ESRD) in adult, which began renal replacement therapy (RRT) in childhood. One of the factors contributing to this can be an imbalance of blood lipids.

Aim of the study was to evaluate changes in the lipid profile in children with ESRD, depending on the RRT method and age, and also after kidney transplantation depending on the glomerular filtration rate.

Materials and methods. In 91 children with ESRD at the age of 2–17 years who received peritoneal dialysis (PD) or hemodialysis (HD), or after kidney transplantation (Tx), total cholesterol (CH), triglycerides (TG), lipoproteins high density (HDL) ) were measured in 663 samples of blood and calculated fraction of non–HDL (CH – HDL). Dyslipidemia was defined as TG>1,13 mmol/1 (0–9years) and >1,47mmol/l (10–17years), CH> 5,18mmol/l, non–HDL >3,7mmol/l, HDL <1.0 mmol/l.

Results. The prevalence of dyslipidemia in children was 90,4% on PD, 65,2% on HD and 32,6% after Tx, mainly due to hypertriglyceridemia in 80,8% on PD, 65,2% on HD and 20,8% after Tx. The levels ofTG and non–HDL were also significantly higher in PD and HD patients than after Tx. Children of the younger age group (2–5 years) on PD had the worst lipid profile. After kidney transplantation a significant reduction of TG and cholesterol was detected in PD patients and only TG in HD patients. Reduction of the glomerular filtration rate in children after kidney transplantation is accompanied by an increase in TG levels.

Conclusion. Dyslipidemia is widespread in children on RRT. Preemptive kidney transplantation can prevent the development of severe lipid imbalance which persists of dialysis treatment.
KONYA İLİ İÇİN ÇOK ÖLÇÜTLÜ KARAR ANALİZLERİ İLE EN UYGUN ARICILIK YERLERİNİN BELİRLENMESİ
Authors: CEYLAN Durmuş Ali , SARI Fatih
Published: June 2018

Arıcılık, günümüzde ülke genelinde önemi giderek artan ve özellikle biyoçeşitlilik, ekosistem,sürdürülebilir tarım ve insan sağlığı alanlarında ön plana çıkmaya başlayan faaliyetlerdendir. Arıcılıkfaaliyetlerinden elde edilen verimin artması ve üretimde sürdürülebilirliğin sağlanması amacıylaarıcılığa uygun yerlerin belirlenmesi gerekli hale gelmiştir. Özellikle arıcılığın kırsal kalkınmaüzerindeki etkisi göz önüne alındığında en uygun arıcılık yerlerinin belirlenmesi işleminin önemiortaya çıkmaktadır.Bu çalışmada Konya ilinde Çok Ölçütlü Karar Analizleri ve Coğrafi Bilgi Sistemleri kullanılarak enuygun arıcılık yerlerinin belirlenmesi işlemi gerçekleştirilmiştir. Oluşturulan uygunluk haritası ilemevcut arı konulan yerler çakıştırılarak uygunluğun kullanılabilirliği ve güvenirliliği araştırılmıştır.Sonuçların uygunluk haritası ile çakıştırılması sonucunda, tarımsal alanlar haricinde %82 oranındakesişmenin olduğu belirlenmiştir.
Pengaruh Kualitas Produk, Harga, Promosi dan Tempat Pendistibusian Terhadap Keputusan Pembelian Sepeda Motor Yamaha Pada Perusahaan Tjahaja Baru Bukittinggi
Authors: Syaleh Hariman
Published: June 2018

Yamaha as a growing automotive company today realizes the importance of strategy in winning market competition.This research aims to determine the effect of product quality, price, promotion and istribution place on purchasing decision of yamaha motorcycle in Tjahaja Baru Bukittinggi. Sample of this research are 96 customers who buy Yamaha motorcycle in company Tjahaja Baru Bukittinggi which is chosen by accidental sampling technique.Variablesused in this research are of Product X1, Price X2, Promotion X3 and Distribution X4 as independent variable and purchase decision as dependent variable. Data analysis technique used is multiple linear regression.The result of this study indicate that the product, promotion and distribution have a positive and significant effect on purchasing decision of Yamaha motor in company Tjahaja Baru Bukittinggi, while price has a positive but not significant effect on purchasing decision of Yamaha motor in company New Tjahaja Bukittinggi.

 

Keywords: Products, Price, Promotion, Distribution, Buying decision
Pengaruh Motivasi dan Gaya Kepemimpinan terhadap Produktivitas Kerja Karyawan pada Perusahaan Cahaya Berlian
Authors: Hendriati Yossi
Published: June 2018

Low labor productivity of employees in an organization or company is a symptom or problem that can cause the company is less stable because it can cause the unfulfillment of achievement of corporate goals. This study aims to analyze the influence of motivation and leadership style on employee productivity in company Cahaya Berlian. The population in this research is company Cahaya Berlian employees and the sample used is representative of the population with the number of 100 respondents by using nonprobability sampling technique in data collection. The results showed that the motivation and leadership style partially has significant effect on the performance of employees of company Cahaya Berlian.

Key words:Motivation, Leadership style, Employee Productivity.
Pengaruh Ukuran Perusahaan, ROA, DAR, Dan Reputasi Auditor terhadap Audit Delay
Authors: Irman Mimelientesa
Published: June 2018

This study aims to analyze the factors that affect audit delay on manufacturing companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange. This test uses multiple linear regression model. Sample of this study are 20 companies in manufacturing sector. Observation period is 6 years from 2010 to 2015. Independent variables in this study consisted of company size, profitability, solvency, and auditors reputation which tested its influence on audit delay as dependent variable. The results showed that company size, profitability, solvency, and auditors reputation significantly influence on audit delay of manufacturing companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange period 2010 until 2015 

Keywords: Firm size, ROA, DAR, Reputation Auditor and Audit Delay
Pengaruh Edukasi Pendekatan Spiritual Berbasis Video terhadap Kepatuhan Pembatasan Cairan Klien ESRD yang Menjalani Hemodialisa
Authors: Wijaya Andri Kusuma , Busjra Busjra , Azzam Rohman
Published: June 2018

The purpose of this research to know effect of health education with spiritual approach based video toward adherence fluid restriction or interdialysis weight gain of patients  undergoing hemodialysis. This is a pre experimental onegroup pretest post test. Using total sampling method 22 patients. The mean of samples interdialysis weight gain total score after education was significantly decrease than before education p value 0.011. While proved there was significantly between the adherence fluid restriction patients undergoing hemodialysis will be increas after health education spiritual approach with video based controlled by family support p value 0, 047 while proved was no significantly  between the ages of p value 0.364, education level alue 0.949 to interdialysis weight gain of patients undergoing hemodialysis. Health education with spiritual approach to improve adherence fluid restriction in patients undergoing hemodialysis, which is expected to implemented in order clinic especially patients who undergoing hemodialysis therapy who experienced non-compliance restrictions fluid.

Keywords     : Spiritual Based Video, End Stage Renal Disease
Optimasi Multirespon Proses Wire-EDM Menggunakan Metode Taguchi Logika Fuzzy
Authors: R Pathya
Published: June 2018

Abstrak                Penelitian ini membahas optimasi proses pemesinan wire-EDM multirespon karakteristik menggunakan metode Taguchi dan logika fuzzy. Multirespon yang digunakan pada penelitian ini adalah recast layer dan surface roughness dimana masing-masing mempunyai karakteristik kualitas semakin kecil semakin baik. Pada percobaan ini dilakukan dengan memvariasikan enam parameter proses, yaitu on time, open  voltage, off time, servo voltage, wire feed, dan water flow. Karena setiap parameter proses tersebut memiliki tiga level, maka rancangan percobaan yang digunakan adalah matriks orthogonal array L27. Untuk mengoptimasi kedua karakteristik dari kedua respon digunakan logika fuzzy. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa karakteristik dari kedua respon tersebut mengalami peningkatan secara efektif dengan metode ini. Parameter proses pemesinan yang secaara signifikan mempengaruhi recast layer dan surface roughness adalah on time, open voltage dan wire feed.Kata kunci: wire-EDM, Taguchi, logika fuzzy, recast layer, surface roughness
Analisa Bentuk Penampang Batang Engkol Menggunakan Metode Elemen Hingga
Authors: Rasyid Mohammad Kurniadi
Published: June 2018

Penelitian ini memfokuskan pada disain batang engkol (connecting rod) yang digunakan pada mesin kendaraan baik roda dua mapun roda empat. Latar belakang masalah adalah karena banyak batang engkolyang mengalami kerusakan setelah beberapa waktu penggunaannya. Tujuan dari makalah ini adalah untuk mencari  bentuk batang engkolyang lebih tahan terhadap beban yang terjadi selama proses pembakaran dalam ruang bakar mesin. Tiga konsep disain dibuat dan pemilihan konsep terbaik dianalisa menggunakan simulasi numerik. Computer Aided Design (CAD) perangkat lunak digunakan dalam merancang model ini. Kemudian model CAD dianalisis melalui perangkat lunak rekayasa Solidwork. Analisis elemen hingga dilakukan oleh perangkat lunak ini. Analisis dilakukan pada dua jenis bahan yang dipakai, yaitu aluminium dan baja tempa. Beban yang sama diaplikasikan pada ketiga model.  Lendutan dan tegangan yang terjadi kemudian di evaluasi. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa model nomor satu dengaan pengurangan material di bagian tengah penampang adalah model  terbaik bila digunakan sebagai batang engkol. Bahan baja tempa lebih tahan terhadap beban yang terjadi pada batang engkol dibanding alumunium.
Sequelae and management of radiation vasculopathy in neurosurgical patients
Authors: Twitchell Spencer , Karsy Michael , Guan Jian , Couldwell William T. , Taussky Philipp
Published: June 2018

The term “radiation vasculopathy” defines a heterogeneous and poorly defined complex of vessel injury due to radiation. Radiation vasculopathy remains underrecognized and poorly treated with respect to head and neck radiotherapy. Distinct injury patterns to small (≤ 100-μm), medium (> 100-μm), and large (> 500-μm) vessels can occur, resulting in carotid stenosis, intracranial stenosis, and vascular anomalies (e.g., cavernous malformations, aneurysms). Because of the lack of clinical evidence and guidelines, treatment plans involve medical management, carotid endarterectomy, and carotid artery stenting and are developed on a patient-by-patient basis. In this review, the authors discuss the current pathophysiology, imaging, clinical impact, and potential treatment strategies of radiation vasculopathy with clinical pertinence to practicing neurosurgeons and neurologists. A review of 4 patients with prior head and neck tumors in whom delayed radiation vasculopathy developed after radiotherapy demonstrates the application of various treatment options in a case-by-case manner. Earlier recognition of radiation vasculopathy disease patterns may enable earlier initiation of treatment and monitoring for complications. Standardized terminology and treatments may assist with improving clinical outcomes.
State Complexity of Multiple Catenations
Authors: Caron Pascal , Luque Jean-Gabriel , Patrou Bruno
Published: June 2018

We improve some results relative to the state complexity of the multiple catenations described by Gao and Yu. In particular we nearly divide by 2 the size of the alphabet needed for witnesses. We also give some refinements to the algebraic expression of the state complexity, which is especially complex with this operation. We obtain these results by using peculiar DFAs defined by Brzozowski.
S-[18F]THK-5117-PET and [11C]PIB-PET Imaging in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus in Relation to Confirmed Amyloid-β Plaques and Tau in Brain Biopsies
Authors: Leinonen Ville , Rauramaa Tuomas , Johansson Jarkko , Bottelbergs Astrid , Tesseur Ina , van der Ark Peter , Pemberton Darrel , Koivisto Anne M. , Jääskeläinen Juha E. , Hiltunen Mikko , Herukka Sanna-Kaisa , Blennow Kaj , Zetterberg Henrik , Jokinen Pekka , Rokka Johanna , Helin Semi , Haaparanta-Solin Merja , Solin Olof , Okamura Nobuyuki , Kolb Hartmuth C. , Rinne Juha O.
Published: June 2018

Background:

Detection of pathological tau aggregates could facilitate clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and monitor drug effects in clinical trials. S-[18F]THK-5117 could be a potential tracer to detect pathological tau deposits in brain. However, no previous study have correlated S-[18F]THK-5117 uptake in PET with brain biopsy verified tau pathology in vivo.

Objective:

Here we aim to evaluate the association between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers, S-[18F]THK-5117, and [11C]PIB PET against tau and amyloid lesions in brain biopsy.

Methods:

Fourteen patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) with previous shunt surgery including right frontal cortical brain biopsy and CSF Aβ1 - 42, total tau, and P-tau181 measures, underwent brain MRI, [11C]PIB PET, and S-[18F]THK-5117 PET imaging.

Results:

Seven patients had amyloid-β (Aβ, 4G8) plaques, two both Aβ and phosphorylated tau (P τ, AT8) and one only P τ in biopsy. As expected, increased brain biopsy Aβ was well associated with higher [11C]PIB uptake in PET. However, S-[18F]THK-5117 uptake did not show any statistically significant correlation with either brain biopsy P τ or CSF P-tau181 or total tau.

Conclusions:

S-[18F]THK-5117 lacked clear association with neuropathologically verified tau pathology in brain biopsy probably, at least partially, due to off-target binding. Further studies with larger samples of patients with different tau tracers are urgently needed. The detection of simultaneous Aβ and tau pathology in iNPH is important since that may indicate poorer and especially shorter response for CSF shunt surgery compared with no pathology.
Experimental investigation on photo-deformation effect of PLZT ceramic with bias electric field
Authors: Liu Yafeng , Wang Xinjie , Qiao Kun , Wang Jiong
Published: June 2018

The lanthanum-doped lead zirconate titannate (PLZT) ceramic has been widely used in light-controlled wireless actuators activated by ultraviolet light for their characteristic of converting light energy directly into the mechanical energy. The photovoltaic effect of PLZT is the result of multi-physics fields coupling, and the primary purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive experimental analysis on the influence of photo-induced deformation of PLZT ceramics under the action of bias electric field. To this end, the amount and the speed of arriving at the electrodes of photo-generated carriers are analyzed. Furthermore, whether the bias electric field promotes the photovoltaic effect is investigated by a series of experiments. The experimental results indicate that the deformation of PLZT ceramic with combined action of ultraviolet light and bias electric field is larger than that with only irradiation action. However, the increment is only contributed by bias electric field based on the converse piezoelectric effect, and the bias electric field has no effect on the photo-generated carriers. Therefore, adding a bias electric field cannot promote the photo-induced deformation of PLZT.
Numerical Analysis and Strength Evaluation of an Exposed River Crossing Pipeline with Casing Under Flood Load
Authors: Liu Xiaoben , Zhang Hong , Xia Mengying , Chen Yanfei , Wu Kai , Wang Baodong
Published: June 2018

Pipelines in service always experience complicated loadings induced by operational and environmental conditions. Flood is one of the common natural hazard threats for buried steel pipelines. One exposed river crossing X70 gas pipeline induced by flood erosion was used as a prototype for this study. A mechanical model was established considering the field loading conditions. Morison equations were adopted to calculate distributional hydrodynamic loads on spanning pipe caused by flood flow. Nonlinear soil constraint on pipe was considered using discrete nonlinear soil springs. An explicit solution of bending stiffness for pipe segment with casing was derived and applied to the numerical model. The von Mises yield criterion was used as failure criteria of the X70 pipe. Stress behavior of the pipe were analyzed by a rigorous finite element model established by the general-purpose Finite-Element package ABAQUS, with 3D pipe elements and pipe-soil interaction elements simulating pipe and soil constraints on pipe, respectively. Results show that, the pipe is safe at present, as the maximum von Mises stress in pipe with the field parameters is 185.57 MPa. The critical flow velocity of the pipe is 5.8 m/s with the present spanning length. The critical spanning length of the pipe is 467 m with the present flow velocity. The failure pipe sections locate at the connection point of the bare pipe and the pipe with casing or the supporting point of the bare pipe on riverbed.
Superpixel Segmentation Using Weighted Coplanar Feature Clustering on RGBD Images
Authors: Fang Zhuoqun , Yu Xiaosheng , Wu Chengdong , Chen Dongyue , Jia Tong
Published: June 2018

Superpixel segmentation is a widely used preprocessing method in computer vision, but its performance is unsatisfactory for color images in cluttered indoor environments. In this work, a superpixel method named weighted coplanar feature clustering (WCFC) is proposed, which produces full coverage of superpixels in RGB-depth (RGBD) images of indoor scenes. Basically, a linear iterative clustering is adopted based on a cluster criterion that measures the color similarity, space proximity and geometric resemblance between pixels. However, to avoid the adverse impact of RGBD image flaws and to make full use of the depth information, WCFC first preprocesses the raw depth maps with an inpainting algorithm called a Cross-Bilateral Filter. Second, a coplanar feature is extracted from the refined RGBD image to represent the geometric similarities between pixels. Third, combined with the colors and positions of the pixels, the coplanar feature constructs the feature vector of the clustering method; thus, the distance measure, as the cluster criterion, is computed by normalizing the feature vectors. Finally, in order to extract the features of the RGBD image dynamically, a content-adaptive weight is introduced as a coefficient of the coplanar feature, which strikes a balance between the coplanar feature and other features. Experiments performed on the New York University (NYU) Depth V2 dataset demonstrate that WCFC outperforms the available state-of-the-art methods in terms of accuracy of superpixel segmentation, while maintaining a high speed.
Signal-Targeted Therapies and Resistance Mechanisms in Pancreatic Cancer: Future Developments Reside in Proteomics
Authors: Cintas Célia , Douché Thibaut , Therville Nicole , Arcucci Silvia , Ramos-Delgado Fernanda , Basset Céline , Thibault Benoît , Guillermet-Guibert Julie
Published: June 2018

For patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer that are not eligible for surgery, signal-targeted therapies have so far failed to significantly improve survival. These therapeutic options have been tested in phase II/III clinical trials mostly in combination with the reference treatment gemcitabine. Innovative therapies aim to annihilate oncogenic dependency, or to normalize the tumoural stroma to allow immune cells to function and/or re-vascularisation to occur. Large scale transcriptomic and genomic analysis revealed that pancreatic cancers display great heterogeneity but failed to clearly delineate specific oncogene dependency, besides oncogenic Kras. Beyond these approaches, proteomics appears to be an appropriate approach to classify signal dependency and to identify specific alterations at the targetable level. However, due to difficulties in sampling, proteomic data for this pathology are scarce. In this review, we will discuss the current state of clinical trials for targeted therapies against pancreatic cancer. We will then highlight the most recent proteomic data for pancreatic tumours and their metastasis, which could help to identify major oncogenic signalling dependencies, as well as provide future leads to explain why pancreatic tumours are intrinsically resistant to signal-targeted therapies. We will finally discuss how studies on phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signalling, as the paradigmatic pro-tumoural signal downstream of oncogenic Kras in pancreatic cancer, would benefit from exploratory proteomics to increase the efficiency of targeted therapies.
Gallium-Promoted Ni Catalyst Supported on MCM-41 for Dry Reforming of Methane
Authors: Al-Fatesh Ahmed S. , Ibrahim Ahmed A. , Abu-Dahrieh Jehad K. , Al-Awadi Abdulrahman S. , El-Toni Ahmed Mohamed , Fakeeha Anis H. , Abasaeed Ahmed E.
Published: June 2018

The stability and catalytic activity of mesoporous Ni/MCM-41 promoted with a Ga loading of (0.0, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 wt %) as an innovative catalyst was examined for syngas production via CO2 reforming of CH4. The objective of present work was to develop a potential catalyst for CO2 reforming of methane. For this purpose different loadings of gallium were used to promote 5% nickel catalyst supported on MCM-41. An incipient wetness impregnation method was used for preparing the catalysts and investigated at 800 °C. Physicochemical characterization techniques—including BET, XRD, TPD, TPR, TEM, and TGA—were used to characterize the catalysts. The addition of small amounts of Ga resulted in higher surface areas with a maximum surface area of 1036 m2/g for 2.5% Ga. The incorporation of Ga to the catalyst decreased the medium and strong basic sites and reduced the amount of carbon deposited. There was no weight loss for 3%Ga+5%Ni/MCM-41. The 2% Ga loading showed the highest CH4 conversion of 88.2% and optimum stability, with an activity loss of only 1.58%. The Ga promoter raised the H2/CO ratio from 0.9 to unity.
Entropy SVM–Based Recognition of Transient Surges in HVDC Transmissions
Authors: Luo Guomin , Yao Changyuan , Liu Yinglin , Tan Yingjie , He Jinghan
Published: June 2018

Protection based on transient information is the primary protection of high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems. As a major part of protection function, accurate identification of transient surges is quite crucial to ensure the performance and accuracy of protection algorithms. Recognition of transient surges in an HVDC system faces two challenges: signal distortion and small number of samples. Entropy, which is stable in representing frequency distribution features, and support vector machine (SVM), which is good at dealing with samples with limited numbers, are adopted and combined in this paper to solve the transient recognition problems. Three commonly detected transient surges—single-pole-to-ground fault (GF), lightning fault (LF), and lightning disturbance (LD)—are simulated in various scenarios and recognized with the proposed method. The proposed method is proved to be effective in both feature extraction and type classification and shows great potential in protection applications.
All SiC Grid-Connected PV Supply with HF Link MPPT Converter: System Design Methodology and Development of a 20 kHz, 25 kVA Prototype
Authors: Öztürk Serkan , Canver Mehmet , Çadırcı Işık , Ermiş Muammer
Published: June 2018

Design methodology and implementation of an all SiC power semiconductor-based, grid-connected multi-string photovoltaic (PV) supply with an isolated high frequency (HF) link maximum power point tracker (MPPT) have been described. This system configuration makes possible the use of a simple and reliable two-level voltage source inverter (VSI) topology for grid connection, owing to the galvanic isolation provided by the HF transformer. This topology provides a viable alternative to the commonly used non-isolated PV supplies equipped with Si-based boost MPPT converters cascaded with relatively more complex inverter topologies, at competitive efficiency figures and a higher power density. A 20 kHz, 25 kVA prototype system was designed based on the dynamic model of the multi-string PV panels obtained from field tests. Design parameters such as input DC link capacitance, switching frequencies of MPPT converter and voltage source inverter, size and performance of HF transformer with nanocrystalline core, DC link voltage, and LCL filter of the VSI were optimized in view of the site dependent parameters such as the variation ranges of solar insolation, module surface temperature, and grid voltage. A modified synchronous reference frame control was implemented in the VSI by applying the grid voltage feedforward to the reference voltages in abc axes directly, so that zero-sequence components of grid voltages are taken into account in the case of an unbalanced grid. The system was implemented and the proposed design methodology verified satisfactorily in the field on a roof-mounted 23.7 kW multi-string PV system.
Electric Field Distribution and Switching Impulse Discharge under Shield Ball Surface Scratch Defect in an UHVDC Hall
Authors: Geng Jianghai , Qin Yuchen , Lv Fangcheng , Yao Xiuyuan , Ding Yujian
Published: June 2018

The dimension and surface state of shielding fittings in ultra high voltage direct current (UHVDC) converter station valve halls have a great influence on their surface electric field and switching impulse characteristics, which are important parameters confirming the air gap distance in the valve hall. The characteristics of impulse discharge under different lengths, dent degrees and burrs around the scratches of Φ1.3 m shield balls with a 2 m sphere-plane gap length were tested, in the UHVDC testing base of the Hebei Electric Power Research Institute. The discharge characteristics under the influence of the surface scratches of the shield ball were obtained. The results demonstrate that the discharge voltage of sphere-plane gap decreases obviously when there are unpolished scratches on the surface of the shield ball. However, when the scratches are polished, the discharge voltage has no significant impact. At the same time, a 1:1 full-scale impulse test model was established based on the finite element method. The electric field intensity and the space electric field distribution of the shield ball were obtained under the influence of scratches with or without burrs. The results of the simulation show that when the surface of the shield ball is smooth, the electric field distribution around it is even. The electric field intensity on the surface of the shield ball increases obviously when there are burrs around the scratches. When there is no burr around the scratches, the length and depth of the scratches have no obvious effect on its electric field distribution. Meanwhile, calculation results are consistent with test results. The results can provide an important basis for the design and optimization of shielding fittings, and technical support for its localization.
Experimental Investigation on Influence Factors of Acoustic Emission Activity in Coal Failure Process
Authors: Yang Huiming , Wen Guangcai , Hu Qianting , Li Yuanyuan , Dai Linchao
Published: June 2018

Stress-dominated coal and gas outburst disaster has become one of the main safety problems in deep coal mines. Acoustic emission (AE) or microseismic technology has been viewed as a promising method that can effectively reflect the stress and stability status of rock mass. The AE activity precursor of coal failure is the theoretical basis of this technology. In this study, AE experiments in failure process of coal specimens with different properties and under different stress conditions were performed in laboratory to explore influence factors and their effect of AE activity, and AE activity pattern classification was proposed based on the failure type of coal. The results indicate that the AE activity of different coals under loading are associated with the failure phase, and the evolution pattern of AE activity depends on the failure type of stressed coal. Both the mechanical property and the external stress condition have an important influential effect on the failure type and AE activity pattern in coal failure process. The internal mechanical property decides the inherent tendency of stressed coals to perform brittle or ductile behavior, and the responded AE activity pattern. The contrast of fissure distribution of specimens suggested that fissure structure in coal significantly affects the fracturing mode of coal in uniaxial compression and the AE activity pattern. The external stress condition has a transition effect on AE event energy distribution and AE activity pattern. Under the effect of external stress condition, the energy distribution of AE events was transforming between relative disperse and relative concentration, the failure type and AE activity evolution pattern of coal could appear the brittle-ductile transition. Based on the view of failure type, the pattern of AE activity of coal failure can be classified into three types, i.e., ductile, brittle, and semi-brittle pattern. It is suggested that the high-level AE activity can be viewed as the precursor of brittle instability of coal, and relative quiet phenomenon of AE activity as the precursor of ductile or semi-brittle instability. The research achievement can provide a theoretical base for the prewarning criteria establishment of coal and rock dynamic disasters at depth and improve the insight of AE activity in the coal failure process.
On the Relationships between LncRNAs and Other Orchestrating Regulators: Role of the Circadian System
Authors: Hardeland Rüdiger
Published: June 2018

Numerous lncRNAs exhibit circadian rhythms, sometimes with high amplitudes. Therefore, they are controlled by cellular circadian oscillators. However, they also seem to influence circadian clocks, as shown by the important core oscillator gene Per2, at which antiphasic rhythms of Per2 mRNA and its antisense lncRNA are generated. Circadian cycles have also been described for enhancer and super-enhancer lncRNAs. Various lncRNAs are involved in the generation of the rhythm in the pineal gland, which secretes the circadian regulator molecule, melatonin. This compound acts pleiotropically in presumably all tissues and nucleate cells. At least, some of its effects are mediated by sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). SIRT1 enhances circadian amplitudes as an accessory oscillator component and participates in numerous regulation mechanisms. The interrelated actions of circadian oscillators, melatonin and SIRT1 apparently control at least 30% of all coding genes, processes that involve numerous lncRNAs.
Differences in Leaf Temperature between Lianas and Trees in the Neotropical Canopy
Authors: Guzmán Q. J. Antonio , Sánchez-Azofeifa G. Arturo , Rivard Benoit
Published: June 2018

Leaf temperature (Tleaf) influences photosynthesis and respiration. Currently, there is a growing interest in including lianas in productivity models due to their increasing abundance and their detrimental effects in the carbon stock of tropical ecosystems. Therefore, understanding the differences of Tleaf between lianas and trees is important for future predictions of productivity. Here, we determined the displayed leaf temperature (Td = Tleaf − air temperature) of several species of lianas and their host trees during El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and non-ENSO years to evaluate if the presence of lianas affects the Td of their host trees, and if leaves of lianas and their host trees exhibit differences in Td. Our results suggest that close to midday, the presence of lianas does not affect the Td of their host trees; however, lianas tend to have higher values of Td than their hosts across seasons, in both ENSO and non-ENSO years. Although lianas and trees tend to have similar physiological-temperature responses, differences in Td could lead to significant differences in rates of photosynthesis and respiration based on temperature response curves. Future models should thus consider differences in leaf temperature between these two life forms to achieve robust predictions of productivity.
Local and General Above-Ground Biomass Functions for Pinus palustris Trees
Authors: Gonzalez-Benecke Carlos A. , Zhao Dehai , Samuelson Lisa J. , Martin Timothy A. , Leduc Daniel J. , Jack Steven B.
Published: June 2018

There is an increasing interest in estimating biomass for longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.), an important tree species in the southeastern U.S. Most of the individual-tree allometric models available for the species are local, relying on stem diameter outside bark at breast height (DBH) and total tree height (HT), but seldom include stand-level variables such as stand age, basal area or stand density. Using the biomass dataset of 296 longleaf pine trees sampled in the southeastern U.S. by different forestry research institutions, we developed a set of local and general systems of tree biomass equations to predict total tree total above-stump biomass, bole biomass outside bark, live branch biomass and live foliage biomass. The local systems were based on DBH or DBH and HT, and the general systems included in addition to DBH and HT, stand-level variables such as age, basal area and stand density. This paper reports the first set of general allometric equations reported for longleaf pine trees. These systems of biomass equations provide tools to support managers in making management decisions for the species in a variety of ecological, silvicultural and economics applications. The systems can be applied to trees growing over a large geographical area and having a wide range of ages and stand characteristics.
Detection of β-Lactams and Chloramphenicol Residues in Raw Milk—Development and Application of an HPLC-DAD Method in Comparison with Microbial Inhibition Assays
Authors: Karageorgou Eftychia , Christoforidou Sofia , Ioannidou Maria , Psomas Evdoxios , Samouris Georgios
Published: June 2018

The present study was carried out to assess the detection sensitivity of four microbial inhibition assays (MIAs) in comparison with the results obtained by the High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode-Array Detection (HPLC-DAD) method for antibiotics of the β-lactam group and chloramphenicol in fortified raw milk samples. MIAs presented fairly good results when detecting β-lactams, whereas none were able to detect chloramphenicol at or above the permissible limits. HPLC analysis revealed high recoveries of examined compounds, whereas all detection limits observed were lower than their respective maximum residue limits (MRL) values. The extraction and clean-up procedure of antibiotics was performed by a modified matrix solid phase dispersion procedure using a mixture of Plexa by Agilent and QuEChERS as a sorbent. The HPLC method developed was validated, determining the accuracy, precision, linearity, decision limit, and detection capability. Both methods were used to monitor raw milk samples of several cows and sheep, obtained from producers in different regions of Greece, for the presence of examined antibiotic residues. Results obtained showed that MIAs could be used effectively and routinely to detect antibiotic residues in several milk types. However, in some cases, spoilage of milk samples revealed that the kits’ sensitivity could be strongly affected, whereas this fact does not affect the effectiveness of HPLC-DAD analysis.
A Doctor’s Name as a Brand: A Nationwide Survey on Registered Clinic Names in Taiwan
Authors: Chu Feng-Yuan , Dai Ying-Xiu , Liu Jui-Yao , Chen Tzeng-Ji , Chou Li-Fang , Hwang Shinn-Jang
Published: June 2018

In countries where the private clinics of physicians can be freely named, registering a clinic with a physician’s name is one way to make patients familiar with the physician. No previous study had investigated how clinics make use of this method of personal branding. Therefore, the current study analyzed 10,847 private physician Western medicine clinics in Taiwan. Of those clinics, 31.0% (n = 3363) were named with a physician’s full name, 8.9% (n = 960) with a surname, and 8.1% (n = 884) with a given name. The proportion of clinics registered with a physician’s name was lower in rural areas (37.3%) than in urban (48.5%) and suburban areas (49.2%), respectively. Among clinics with only one kind of specialist, a physician’s name was used most frequently in clinics of obstetrics and gynecology (64.9%), otorhinolaryngology (64.1%), and dermatology (63.4%). In Taiwan, fewer than half of clinics used a physician’s name as a brand. The sociocultural or strategic factors and real benefits of doing so could be further studied in the future for a better understanding of healthcare services management.
Validity of a Short Food Frequency Questionnaire Assessing Macronutrient and Fiber Intakes in Patients of Han Chinese Descent with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Huang Meng-Chuan , Lin Kun-Der , Chen Hung-Jiun , Wu Yu-Ju , Chang Chiao-I , Shin Shyi-Jang , Hung Hsin-Chia , Lee Chien-Hung , Huang Ya-Fang , Hsu Chih-Cheng
Published: June 2018

Few food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) have been developed to assess diet in diabetes patients. This cross-sectional study examined the validity of a 45-item FFQ assessing the intake of macronutrients against three 24-h dietary recalls (24-HDRs) in Taiwan, and compared vegetable and fruit intakes with carotenoid biomarkers. We recruited 126 adults with type 2 diabetes who completed the FFQ and three 24-HDRs administered by a registered dietitian. We measured plasma carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene and lutein) in 71 subjects. Partial Pearson correlation coefficients derived from the FFQs and three 24-HDRs and adjusted for energy were of 0.651, 0.587, 0.639 and 0.664 for protein, fat, carbohydrate and fiber, respectively. Cross-classification analysis revealed that 71.5–81% of the macronutrients and fiber were categorized into the same or adjacent quartiles by the FFQ and 24-HDRs. Bland–Altman plots revealed good agreement for energy/macronutrients/fiber across the range of intakes. Multiple linear regression of backward elimination revealed that tertile levels of dark- or light-colored vegetables obtained by the FFQ were significantly associated with plasma α-carotene and β-carotene, but not lutein. Fruit consumption did not correlate with carotenoid biomarkers. In conclusion, this short FFQ provided a valid assessment of macronutrients and fiber intake in type 2 diabetes patients. Vegetable consumption estimated by the FFQ corresponded to plasma α-carotene and β-carotene concentrations.