bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diabetes Mellitus and Its Association to the Occurrence of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw
Authors: Rahimi-Nedjat Roman , Sagheb Keyvan , Pabst Andreas , Olk Lukas , Walter Christian
Published: May 2016

To date there is no consensus on the role of diabetes in the development of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MR-ONJ). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of diabetes and pathological glucose metabolism in patients with MR-ONJ compared to the general population. All maxillofacial surgery inpatients in one year at our department were investigated regarding diagnosis, anamnesis, medication, and blood glucose readings. 1374 records were analyzed. 35 patients with MR-ONJ were identified. Diabetics accounted for 14.3%. No significant difference in the prevalence of known diabetes was found, except for pathological glucose metabolism in patients with MR-ONJ (p < 0.001). Diabetes does not necessarily promote the onset of MR-ONJ. Therefore, diabetes should not be considered as a standalone risk factor. On the contrary, hyperglycemia as a possible indicator for poorly managed or yet undetected diabetes is associated with MR-ONJ.
Sparse Estimation Based on a New Random Regularized Matching Pursuit Generalized Approximate Message Passing Algorithm
Authors: Luo Yongjie , Gui Guan , Cong Xunchao , Wan Qun
Published: May 2016

Approximate Message Passing (AMP) and Generalized AMP (GAMP) algorithms usually suffer from serious convergence issues when the elements of the sensing matrix do not exactly match the zero-mean Gaussian assumption. To stabilize AMP/GAMP in these contexts, we have proposed a new sparse reconstruction algorithm, termed the Random regularized Matching pursuit GAMP (RrMpGAMP). It utilizes a random splitting support operation and some dropout/replacement support operations to make the matching pursuit steps regularized and uses a new GAMP-like algorithm to estimate the non-zero elements in a sparse vector. Moreover, our proposed algorithm can save much memory, be equipped with a comparable computational complexity as GAMP and support parallel computing in some steps. We have analyzed the convergence of this GAMP-like algorithm by the replica method and provided the convergence conditions of it. The analysis also gives an explanation about the broader variance range of the elements of the sensing matrix for this GAMP-like algorithm. Experiments using simulation data and real-world synthetic aperture radar tomography (TomoSAR) data show that our method provides the expected performance for scenarios where AMP/GAMP diverges.
Unified Quantum Model of Work Generation in Thermoelectric Generators, Solar and Fuel Cells
Authors: Alicki Robert
Published: May 2016

In the previous papers, the idea of “hidden oscillations” has been applied to explain work generation in semiconductor photovoltaic cells and thermoelectric generators. The aim of this paper is firstly to extend this approach to fuel cells and, secondly, to create a unified quantum model for all types of such devices. They are treated as electron pumps powered by heat or chemical engines. The working fluid is electron gas and the necessary oscillating element (“piston”) is provided by plasma oscillation. Those oscillations are localized around the junction that also serves as a diode rectifying fast electric charge oscillations and yielding a final output direct current (DC). The dynamics of the devices are governed by the Markovian master equations that can be derived in a rigorous way from the underlying Hamiltonian models and are consistent with the laws of thermodynamics. The new ingredient is the derivation of master equations for systems driven by chemical reactions.
Development of Near Optimal Rule-Based Control for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles Taking into Account Drivetrain Component Losses
Authors: Son Hanho , Kim Hyunsoo
Published: May 2016

A near-optimal rule-based mode control (RBC) strategy was proposed for a target plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) taking into account the drivetrain losses. Individual loss models were developed for drivetrain components including the gears, planetary gear (PG), bearings, and oil pump, based on experimental data and mathematical governing equations. Also, a loss model for the power electronic system was constructed, including loss from the motor-generator while rotating in the unloaded state. To evaluate the effect of the drivetrain losses on the operating mode control strategy, backward simulations were performed using dynamic programming (DP). DP selects the operating mode, which provides the highest efficiency for given driving conditions. It was found that the operating mode selection changes when drivetrain losses are included, depending on driving conditions. An operating mode schedule was developed with respect to the wheel power and vehicle speed, and based on the operating mode schedule, a RBC was obtained, which can be implemented in an on-line application. To evaluate the performance of the RBC, a forward simulator was constructed for the target PHEV. The simulation results show near-optimal performance of the RBC compared with dynamic-programming-based mode control in terms of the mode operation time and fuel economy. The RBC developed with drivetrain losses taken into account showed a 4%–5% improvement of the fuel economy over a similar RBC, which neglected the drivetrain losses.
The Influence of Slight Protuberances in a Micro-Tube Reactor on Methane/Moist Air Catalytic Combustion
Authors: Wang Ruirui , Ran Jingyu , Du Xuesen , Niu Juntian , Qi Wenjie
Published: May 2016

The combustion characteristics of methane/moist air in micro-tube reactors with different numbers and shapes of inner wall protuberances are investigated in this paper. The micro-reactor with one rectangular protuberance (six different sizes) was studied firstly, and it is shown that reactions near the protuberance are mainly controlled by diffusion, which has little effect on the outlet temperature and methane conversion rate. The formation of cavities and recirculation zones in the vicinity of protuberances leads to a significant increase of the Arrhenius reaction rate of CH4 and gas velocity. Next, among the six different simulated conditions (0–5 rectangular protuberances), the micro-tube reactor with five rectangular protuberances shows the highest methane conversion rate. Finally, the effect of protuberance shape on methane/moist air catalytic combustion is confirmed, and it is found that the protuberance shape has a greater influence on methane conversion rate than the number of protuberances. The methane conversion rate in the micro-tube decreases progressively in the following order: five triangular slight protuberances > five rectangular protuberances > five trapezoidal protuberances > smooth tube. In all tests of methane/moist air combustion conditions, the micro-tube with five triangular protuberances has the peak efficiency and is therefore recommended for high efficiency reactors.
Working Fluid Stability in Large-Scale Organic Rankine Cycle-Units Using Siloxanes—Long-Term Experiences and Fluid Recycling
Authors: Erhart Tobias , Gölz Jürgen , Eicker Ursula , Van den Broek Martijn
Published: May 2016

The results in this work show the influence of long-term operation on the decomposition of working fluids in eight different organic rankine cycle (ORC) power plants (both heat-led and electricity-led) in a range of 900 kW el to 2 MW el . All case study plants are using octamethyltrisiloxane (MDM) as a working fluid; the facilities are between six to 12 years old. Detailed analyses, including the fluid distribution throughout the cycle, are conducted on one system. All presented fluid samples are analyzed via head space gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS). Besides the siloxane composition, the influence of contaminants, such as mineral oil-based lubricants (and their components), is examined. In most cases, the original working fluid degrades to fractions of siloxanes with a lower boiling point (low boilers) and fractions with a higher boiling point (high boilers). As a consequence of the analyses, a new fluid recycling and management system was designed and tested in one case study plant (Case Study #8). Pre-post comparisons of fluid samples prove the effectiveness of the applied methods. The results show that the recovery of used working fluid offers an alternative to the purchase of fresh fluid, since operating costs can be significantly reduced. For large facilities, the prices for new fluid range from € 15 per liter (in 2006) to € 22 per liter (in 2013), which is a large reinvestment, especially in light of filling volumes of 4000 liters to 7000 liters per unit. Using the aforementioned method, a price of € 8 per liter of recovered MDM can be achieved.
Pesticides Drive Stochastic Changes in the Chemoreception and Neurotransmission System of Marine Ectoparasites
Authors: Núñez-Acuña Gustavo , Boltaña Sebastián , Gallardo-Escárate Cristian
Published: May 2016

Scientific efforts to elucidate the mechanisms of chemical communication between organisms in marine environments are increasing. This study applied novel molecular technology to outline the effects of two xenobiotic drugs, deltamethrin (DM) and azamethiphos (AZA), on the neurotransmission system of the copepod ectoparasite Caligus rogercresseyi. Transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were conducted to evaluate treatment effects on the glutamatergic synaptic pathway of the parasite, which is closely related to chemoreception and neurotransmission. After drug treatment with DM or AZA, stochastic mRNA expression patterns of glutamatergic synapse pathway components were observed. Both DM and AZA promoted a down-regulation of the glutamate-ammonia ligase, and DM activated a metabotropic glutamate receptor that is a suggested inhibitor of neurotransmission. Furthermore, the delousing drugs drove complex rearrangements in the distribution of mapped reads for specific metabotropic glutamate receptor domains. This study introduces a novel methodological approach that produces high-quality results from transcriptomic data. Using this approach, DM and AZA were found to alter the expression of numerous mRNAs tightly linked to the glutamatergic signaling pathway. These data suggest possible new targets for xenobiotic drugs that play key roles in the delousing effects of antiparasitics in sea lice.
Follicle Loss and Apoptosis in Cyclophosphamide-Treated Mice: What’s the Matter?
Authors: Chen Xiu-Ying , Xia He-Xia , Guan Hai-Yun , Li Bin , Zhang Wei
Published: May 2016

With increasing numbers of young female cancer survivors following chemotherapy, chemotherapy-induced fertility loss must be considered. Menstrual disorder and infertility are of particular concern in female cancer patients. We showed that treatment with the alkylating agent cyclophosphamide (CTX) could cause severe primordial follicle loss and growing follicle apoptosis, resulting in loss of ovarian reserve. SPF C57BL/6 female mice were treated with a single dose of 120 mg/kg of CTX or saline as a control, and both sides of ovaries were collected three or seven days after injection. Following CTX treatment, the ovaries were mostly composed of collapsed oocytes and presented marked cortical fibrosis and a reduced number of follicles, especially primordial follicles. The loss of primordial follicles was confirmed by primordial follicle counting, immunohistochemistry and Western blot detection of DDx4/MVH. Follicle apoptosis was tested by a TUNEL assay and the number of TUNEL-positive follicle cells increased, as expected, in CTX-treated mice. Furthermore, expression of APAF-1 and cleaved caspase-3 was also increased after CTX treatment. Analysis of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway showed that CTX increased phosphorylation of Akt, mTOR and downstream proteins without affecting total levels. These results demonstrated that the CTX treatment led to the hyperactivation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in ovaries which may be related to primordial follicle loss and growing follicle apoptosis.
Hereditary Predispositions to Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Authors: Bannon Sarah , DiNardo Courtney
Published: May 2016

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are heterogeneous clonal hematopoietic disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, bone marrow dysplasia, and peripheral cytopenias. Familial forms of MDS have traditionally been considered rare, especially in adults; however, the increasing availability of somatic and germline genetic analyses has identified multiple susceptibility loci. Bone marrow failure syndromes have been well-described in the pediatric setting, e.g., Fanconi anemia (FA), dyskeratosis congenita (DC), Diamond–Blackfan anemia (DBA), and Shwachman–Diamond syndrome (SBS), hallmarked by clinically-recognizable phenotypes (e.g., radial ray anomalies in FA) and significantly increased risks for MDS and/or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in the setting of bone marrow failure. However, additional families with multiple cases of MDS or AML have long been reported in the medical literature with little known regarding potential hereditary etiologies. Over the last decade, genomic investigation of such families has revealed multiple genes conferring inherited risks for MDS and/or AML as the primary malignancy, including RUNX1, ANKRD26, DDX41, ETV6, GATA2, and SRP72. As these syndromes are increasingly appreciated in even apparently de novo presentations of MDS, it is important for hematologists/oncologists to become familiar with these newly-described syndromes. Herein, we provide a review of familial MDS syndromes and practical aspects of management in patients with predisposition syndromes.
Longitudinal Effects of Embryonic Exposure to Cocaine on Morphology, Cardiovascular Physiology, and Behavior in Zebrafish
Authors: Mersereau Eric , Boyle Cody , Poitra Shelby , Espinoza Ana , Seiler Joclyn , Longie Robert , Delvo Lisa , Szarkowski Megan , Maliske Joshua , Chalmers Sarah , Darland Diane , Darland Tristan
Published: May 2016

A sizeable portion of the societal drain from cocaine abuse results from the complications of in utero drug exposure. Because of challenges in using humans and mammalian model organisms as test subjects, much debate remains about the impact of in utero cocaine exposure. Zebrafish offer a number of advantages as a model in longitudinal toxicology studies and are quite sensitive physiologically and behaviorally to cocaine. In this study, we have used zebrafish to model the effects of embryonic pre-exposure to cocaine on development and on subsequent cardiovascular physiology and cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in longitudinal adults. Larval fish showed a progressive decrease in telencephalic size with increased doses of cocaine. These treated larvae also showed a dose dependent response in heart rate that persisted 24 h after drug cessation. Embryonic cocaine exposure had little effect on overall health of longitudinal adults, but subtle changes in cardiovascular physiology were seen including decreased sensitivity to isoproterenol and increased sensitivity to cocaine. These longitudinal adult fish also showed an embryonic dose-dependent change in CPP behavior, suggesting an increased sensitivity. These studies clearly show that pre-exposure during embryonic development affects subsequent cocaine sensitivity in longitudinal adults.
Low Titer Pneumocystis jirovecii Infections: More than Just Colonization?
Authors: Prickartz Alexander , Lüsebrink Jessica , Khalfaoui Soumaya , Schildgen Oliver , Schildgen Verena , Windisch Wolfram , Brockmann Michael
Published: May 2016

Non-pneumonia Pneumocystis jirovecii colonization is thought to occur frequently in immunocompetent individuals. The aim was to analyze if P. jirovecii low-titer detections have more impact than just colonization. From our total cohort of patients for which P. jirovecii testing by qPCR was requested, we selected exclusively those that were fully immunocompetent. Patients were defined as fully immunocompetent if they did not receive immunosuppressive therapy, displayed regular antibody titers, and did not suffer from acquired, inherited or autoimmune diseases. Only those patients with complete medical records available were included. A retrospective analysis identified patients with P. jirovecii colonization and successful antibiotic therapy in response to laboratory pathogen detection. We identified 30 fully immunocompetent patients with P. jirovecii colonization suspected to suffer from infection with the pathogen, but with milder symptoms than pneumonia. All patients were successfully treated with cotrimoxazole against P. jirovecii and resolved from chronic cough and recurrent pulmonary infections. The fact that all patients displayed recovery from their clinical symptoms gives raise to the hypothesis that P. jirovecii infections may also occur in immunocompetent patients but with milder symptoms.
2II-VII, 3I-VII, 6I-VII-Icosa-O-acetyl-2I-deoxy-cyclomaltoheptaose
Authors: Miyagawa Atsushi , Kano Kazuki , Yoshida Aya , Yamamura Hatsuo
Published: May 2016

Deoxygenation of a secondary hydroxy group on β-cyclodextrin was conducted to prepare the title compound 2II-VII, 3I-VII, 6I-VII-icosa-O-acetyl-2I-deoxy-cyclomaltoheptaose. The synthetic procedure comprised a two-step reaction—phenoxythiocarbonylation and Barton-McCombie deoxygenation. The synthesized compound was characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HRMS, and elemental analysis.
Two Novel C3N4 Phases: Structural, Mechanical and Electronic Properties
Authors: Fan Qingyang , Chai Changchun , Wei Qun , Yang Yintang
Published: May 2016

We systematically studied the physical properties of a novel superhard (t-C3N4) and a novel hard (m-C3N4) C3N4 allotrope. Detailed theoretical studies of the structural properties, elastic properties, density of states, and mechanical properties of these two C3N4 phases were carried out using first-principles calculations. The calculated elastic constants and the hardness revealed that t-C3N4 is ultra-incompressible and superhard, with a high bulk modulus of 375 GPa and a high hardness of 80 GPa. m-C3N4 and t-C3N4 both exhibit large anisotropy with respect to Poisson’s ratio, shear modulus, and Young’s modulus. Moreover, m-C3N4 is a quasi-direct-bandgap semiconductor, with a band gap of 4.522 eV, and t-C3N4 is also a quasi-direct-band-gap semiconductor, with a band gap of 4.210 eV, with the HSE06 functional.
Reactions in Electrodeposited Cu/Sn and Cu/Ni/Sn Nanoscale Multilayers for Interconnects
Authors: Chia Pay , Haseeb A. , Mannan Samjid
Published: May 2016

Miniaturization of electronic devices has led to the development of 3D IC packages which require ultra-small-scale interconnections. Such small interconnects can be completely converted into Cu-Sn based intermetallic compounds (IMCs) after reflow. In an effort to improve IMC based interconnects, an attempt is made to add Ni to Cu-Sn-based IMCs. Multilayer interconnects consisting of stacks of Cu/Sn/Cu/Sn/Cu or Cu/Ni/Sn/Ni/Sn/Cu/Ni/Sn/Ni/Cu with Ni = 35 nm, 70 nm, and 150 nm were electrodeposited sequentially using copper pyrophosphate, tin methanesulfonic, and nickel Watts baths, respectively. These multilayer interconnects were investigated under room temperature aging conditions and for solid-liquid reactions, where the samples were subjected to 250 °C reflow for 60 s and also 300 °C for 3600 s. The progress of the reaction in the multilayers was monitored by using X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscope, and Energy dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy. FIB-milled samples were also prepared for investigation under room temperature aging conditions. Results show that by inserting a 70 nanometres thick Ni layer between copper and tin, premature reaction between Cu and Sn at room temperature can be avoided. During short reflow, the addition of Ni suppresses formation of Cu3Sn IMC. With increasing Ni thickness, Cu consumption is decreased and Ni starts acting as a barrier layer. On the other hand, during long reflow, two types of IMC were found in the Cu/Ni/Sn samples which are the (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 and (Cu,Ni)3Sn, respectively. Details of the reaction sequence and mechanisms are discussed.
A Conceptual Model for the Interaction between Carbon Content and Manganese Sulphide Inclusions in the Short-Term Seawater Corrosion of Low Carbon Steel
Authors: Melchers Robert , Chaves Igor , Jeffrey Robert
Published: May 2016

The critical role of manganese sulphide (MnS) inclusions for the initiation of the short-term growth of pitting or localized corrosion of low carbon steels has long been recognized. Classical results show that pitting probability and pitting severity increases with increased sulphide concentration for low carbon steels as a result of magnesium sulphides acting as local cathodes for initiating pitting corrosion. However, the iron carbides (cementite) in steels can also act as local cathodes for initiation of pitting corrosion. Herein it is proposed that there is competition between pits for cathodic area and that this will determine the severity of pitting and general corrosion observed in extended exposures. Preliminary experimental data for immersion exposures of up to 56 days in natural seawater of three low carbon steels show, contrary to conventional wisdom, greater pit depths for the steels with lower S content. However, the pit depth results are consistent with lower C/S ratios. This is considered to support the concept of cathodic competition between C and S. It is proposed that this offers explanations for a number of other phenomena, including the thus far unexplained apparently higher reactivity of some MnS inclusions.
Significant Improvement of Metabolic Characteristics and Bioactivities of Clopidogrel and Analogs by Selective Deuteration
Authors: Xu Xueyu , Zhao Xue , Yang Zhichao , Wang Hao , Meng Xiangjun , Su Chong , Liu Mingyuan , Fawcett John , Yang Yan , Gu Jingkai
Published: May 2016

In the search for prodrug analogs of clopidogrel with improved metabolic characteristics and antiplatelet bioactivity, a group of clopidogrel and vicagrel analogs selectively deuterated at the benzylic methyl ester group were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated. The compounds included clopidogrel-d3 (8), 2-oxoclopidogrel-d3 (9), vicagrel-d3 (10a), and 12 vicagrel-d3 analogs (10b–10m) with different alkyl groups in the thiophene ester moiety. The D3C-O bond length in 10a was shown by X-ray single crystal diffraction to be shorter than the H3C-O bond length in clopidogrel, consistent with the slower rate of hydrolysis of 8 than of clopidogrel in rat whole blood in vitro. A study of the ability of the compounds to inhibit ADP-induced platelet aggregation in fresh rat whole blood collected 2 h after oral dosing of rats with the compounds (7.8 μmol/kg) showed that deuteration increased the activity of clopidogrel and that increasing the size of the alkyl group in the thiophene ester moiety reduced activity. A preliminary pharmacokinetic study comparing 10a with vicagrel administered simultaneously as single oral doses (72 μmol/kg of each drug) to male Wistar rats showed 10a generated more of its active metabolite than vicagrel. These results suggest that 10a is a potentially superior antiplatelet agent with improved metabolic characteristics and bioactivity, and less dose-related toxicity.
An Approach to Characterizing the Complicated Sequential Metabolism of Salidroside in Rats
Authors: Luo Zhiqiang , Ma Xiaoyun , Liu Yang , Lu Lina , Yang Ruirui , Yu Guohua , Sun Mohan , Xin Shaokun , Tian Simin , Chen Xinjing , Zhao Haiyu
Published: May 2016

Metabolic study of bioactive compounds that undergo a dynamic and sequential process of metabolism is still a great challenge. Salidroside, one of the most active ingredients of Rhodiola crenulata, can be metabolized in different sites before being absorbed into the systemic blood stream. This study proposed an approach for describing the sequential biotransformation process of salidroside based on comparative analysis. In vitro incubation, in situ closed-loop and in vivo blood sampling were used to determine the relative contribution of each site to the total metabolism of salidroside. The results showed that salidroside was stable in digestive juice, and it was metabolized primarily by the liver and the intestinal flora and to a lesser extent by the gut wall. The sequential metabolism method described in this study could be a general approach to characterizing the metabolic routes in the digestive system for natural products.
Antioxidative and Antidiabetic Effects of Natural Polyphenols and Isoflavones
Authors: Umeno Aya , Horie Masanori , Murotomi Kazutoshi , Nakajima Yoshihiro , Yoshida Yasukazu
Published: May 2016

Many polyphenols that contain more than two phenolic hydroxyl groups are natural antioxidants and can provide health benefits to humans. These polyphenols include, for example, oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, catechin, chlorogenic acids, hesperidin, nobiletin, and isoflavones. These have been studied widely because of their strong radical-scavenging and antioxidative effects. These effects may contribute to the prevention of diseases, such as diabetes. Insulin secretion, insulin resistance, and homeostasis are important factors in the onset of diabetes, a disease that is associated with dysfunction of pancreatic β-cells. Oxidative stress is thought to contribute to this dysfunction and the effects of antioxidants on the pathogenesis of diabetes have, therefore, been investigated. Here, we summarize the antioxidative effects of polyphenols from the perspective of their radical-scavenging activities as well as their effects on signal transduction pathways. We also describe the preventative effects of polyphenols on diabetes by referring to recent studies including those reported by us. Appropriate analytical approaches for evaluating antioxidants in studies on the prevention of diabetes are comprehensively reviewed.
A Deoxyuridine-Based Far-Red Emitting Viscosity Sensor
Authors: Wang Mengyuan , Zhang Yuanwei , Yue Xiling , Yao Sheng , Bondar Mykhailo , Belfield Kevin
Published: May 2016

A novel deoxyuridine (dU) benzothiazolium (BZ) derivative, referred to as dU-BZ, is reported that was synthesized via Sonogashira coupling reaction methodology. The deoxyuridine building block was introduced to enhance hydrophilicity, while an alkynylated benzothiazolium dye was incorporated for long wavelength absorption to reduce potential phototoxicity that is characteristic of using UV light to excite common fluorphores, better discriminate from native autofluorescence, and potentially facilitate deep tissue imaging. An impressive 30-fold enhancement of fluorescence intensity of dU-BZ was achieved upon increasing viscosity. Fluorescence quantum yields in 99% glycerol/1% methanol (v/v) solution as a function of temperature (293–343 K), together with viscosity-dependent fluorescence lifetimes and radiative and non-radiative rate constants in glycerol/methanol solutions (ranging from 4.8 to 950 cP) were determined. Both fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes increased with increased viscosity, consistent with results predicted by theory. This suggests that the newly-designed compound, dU-BZ, is capable of functioning as a probe of local microviscosity, an aspect examined by in vitro bioimaging experiments.
Correction of MHS Viscosimetric Constants upon Numerical Simulation of Temperature Induced Degradation Kinetic of Chitosan Solutions
Authors: De Benedictis Vincenzo , Soloperto Giulia , Demitri Christian
Published: May 2016

The Mark–Houwink–Sakurada (MHS) equation allows for estimation of rheological properties, if the molecular weight is known along with good understanding of the polymer conformation. The intrinsic viscosity of a polymer solution is related to the polymer molecular weight according to the MHS equation, where the value of the constants is related to the specific solvent and its concentration. However, MHS constants do not account for other characteristics of the polymeric solutions, i.e., Deacetilation Degree (DD) when the solute is chitosan. In this paper, the degradation of chitosan in different acidic environments by thermal treatment is addressed. In particular, two different solutions are investigated (used as solvent acetic or hydrochloric acid) with different concentrations used for the preparation of chitosan solutions. The samples were treated at different temperatures (4, 30, and 80 °C) and time points (3, 6 and 24 h). Rheological, Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermal Gravimetric Analyses (TGA) were performed in order to assess the degradation rate of the polymer backbones. Measured values of molecular weight have been integrated in the simulation of the batch degradation of chitosan solutions for evaluating MHS coefficients to be compared with their corresponding experimental values. Evaluating the relationship between the different parameters used in the preparation of chitosan solutions (e.g., temperature, time, acid type and concentration), and their contribution to the degradation of chitosan backbone, it is important to have a mathematical frame that could account for phenomena involved in polymer degradation that go beyond the solvent-solute combination. Therefore, the goal of the present work is to propose an integration of MHS coefficients for chitosan solutions that contemplate a deacetylation degree for chitosan systems or a more general substitution degree for polymers in which viscosity depends not only on molecular weight and solvent combinations.
Precise Point Positioning Using Triple GNSS Constellations in Various Modes
Authors: Afifi Akram , El-Rabbany Ahmed
Published: May 2016

This paper introduces a new dual-frequency precise point positioning (PPP) model, which combines the observations from three different global navigation satellite system (GNSS) constellations, namely GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou. Combining measurements from different GNSS systems introduces additional biases, including inter-system bias and hardware delays, which require rigorous modelling. Our model is based on the un-differenced and between-satellite single-difference (BSSD) linear combinations. BSSD linear combination cancels out some receiver-related biases, including receiver clock error and non-zero initial phase bias of the receiver oscillator. Forming the BSSD linear combination requires a reference satellite, which can be selected from any of the GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou systems. In this paper three BSSD scenarios are tested; each considers a reference satellite from a different GNSS constellation. Natural Resources Canada’s GPSPace PPP software is modified to enable a combined GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou PPP solution and to handle the newly introduced biases. A total of four data sets collected at four different IGS stations are processed to verify the developed PPP model. Precise satellite orbit and clock products from the International GNSS Service Multi-GNSS Experiment (IGS-MGEX) network are used to correct the GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou measurements in the post-processing PPP mode. A real-time PPP solution is also obtained, which is referred to as RT-PPP in the sequel, through the use of the IGS real-time service (RTS) for satellite orbit and clock corrections. However, only GPS and Galileo observations are used for the RT-PPP solution, as the RTS-IGS satellite products are not presently available for BeiDou system. All post-processed and real-time PPP solutions are compared with the traditional un-differenced GPS-only counterparts. It is shown that combining the GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou observations in the post-processing mode improves the PPP convergence time by 25% compared with the GPS-only counterpart, regardless of the linear combination used. The use of BSSD linear combination improves the precision of the estimated positioning parameters by about 25% in comparison with the GPS-only PPP solution. Additionally, the solution convergence time is reduced to 10 minutes for the BSSD model, which represents about 50% reduction, in comparison with the GPS-only PPP solution. The GNSS RT-PPP solution, on the other hand, shows a similar convergence time and precision to the GPS-only counterpart.
A Noise Reduction Method for Dual-Mass Micro-Electromechanical Gyroscopes Based on Sample Entropy Empirical Mode Decomposition and Time-Frequency Peak Filtering
Authors: Shen Chong , Li Jie , Zhang Xiaoming , Shi Yunbo , Tang Jun , Cao Huiliang , Liu Jun
Published: May 2016

The different noise components in a dual-mass micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) gyroscope structure is analyzed in this paper, including mechanical-thermal noise (MTN), electronic-thermal noise (ETN), flicker noise (FN) and Coriolis signal in-phase noise (IPN). The structure equivalent electronic model is established, and an improved white Gaussian noise reduction method for dual-mass MEMS gyroscopes is proposed which is based on sample entropy empirical mode decomposition (SEEMD) and time-frequency peak filtering (TFPF). There is a contradiction in TFPS, i.e., selecting a short window length may lead to good preservation of signal amplitude but bad random noise reduction, whereas selecting a long window length may lead to serious attenuation of the signal amplitude but effective random noise reduction. In order to achieve a good tradeoff between valid signal amplitude preservation and random noise reduction, SEEMD is adopted to improve TFPF. Firstly, the original signal is decomposed into intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) by EMD, and the SE of each IMF is calculated in order to classify the numerous IMFs into three different components; then short window TFPF is employed for low frequency component of IMFs, and long window TFPF is employed for high frequency component of IMFs, and the noise component of IMFs is wiped off directly; at last the final signal is obtained after reconstruction. Rotation experimental and temperature experimental are carried out to verify the proposed SEEMD-TFPF algorithm, the verification and comparison results show that the de-noising performance of SEEMD-TFPF is better than that achievable with the traditional wavelet, Kalman filter and fixed window length TFPF methods.
Heart Rate Responses during Small Sided Games and Official Match-Play in Soccer
Authors: Aşçı Alper
Published: May 2016

Small sided games (SSGs) are a match specific type of training. In addition, there is an insufficient number of studies that compare heart rate (HR) responses of SSGs and official match-play (OM). The purpose of this study was to investigate the heart rate responses during SSGs and OM in young soccer players. Twenty-two male soccer players (mean ± SD; age 17.4 ± 0.9 years, height 174.9 ± 6.6 cm, body weight 67.7 ± 8.1 kg) volunteered to participate in this study. The first session included anthropometric measurements and a maximum running test (RT). Following the RT session, all players participated in five different randomly ordered SSG sessions (3-, 4-, 5-, 7- and 9-a-side with goalkeepers). OMs were also monitored in the fourth week of the study. A one-way multivariate repeated-measures analysis of variance (MANOVA) was then conducted to evaluate the differences between the SSGs and OM. The results showed that 3-a-side elicited significantly higher HR and %HRmax than other SSGs and OM, whereas 9-a-side resulted in significantly lower HR and %HRmax compared to other SSG formats and OM (p < 0.05). In conclusion, 3-a-side, 4-a-side and 5-a-side SSG formats provide players with the opportunity to spend sufficient proportion of time spent in high intensity zones that are specific to match demands.
Learning from Regional Sustainable Development in The Netherlands: Explorations from a Learning History
Authors: Smulders-Dane Sietske , Smits Toine , Fielding Glen , Chang Yvonne , Kuipers Kirsten
Published: May 2016

This case report is about a regional land-use planning project in the Netherlands. Initiated by the province of Gelderland and Radboud University (RU), the project aimed to create “Communities of Ownership” (CoO’s), local associations of townspeople who would engage in collaborative vision-building related to sustainable land development. The guiding conceptual model was “The Natural Step” (TNS), a systems-level approach to sustainability. We describe the land-use project and the learning history we constructed to help project managers and facilitators learn from the different perspectives that project actors conveyed. The learning history indicated that the project had limited success. We discuss four factors shaping the project’s results and the lessons learned related to those factors. The first lesson concerns the importance of a shared vision for sustainability among stakeholder groups. The second focuses on the preconditions necessary to work with The Natural Step effectively in certain contexts. Lesson three is about what it takes for a learning history to serve as a catalyst for collective learning and project improvement. Lesson four sheds light on the importance of respecting differences in stakeholders’ levels of sustainability awareness. We speculate that these differences may have shared characteristics with the kind of developmental differences that constructivist stage theorists of human development have articulated. Finally, we discuss the implications of our analysis for the leadership of sustainability initiatives.
Hybrid Data Hiding Scheme Using Right-Most Digit Replacement and Adaptive Least Significant Bit for Digital Images
Authors: Hussain Mehdi , Abdul Wahab Ainuddin , Javed Noman , Jung Ki-Hyun
Published: May 2016

The goal of image steganographic methods considers three main key issues: high embedding capacity, good visual symmetry/quality, and security. In this paper, a hybrid data hiding method combining the right-most digit replacement (RMDR) with an adaptive least significant bit (ALSB) is proposed to provide not only high embedding capacity but also maintain a good visual symmetry. The cover-image is divided into lower texture (symmetry patterns) and higher texture (asymmetry patterns) areas and these textures determine the selection of RMDR and ALSB methods, respectively, according to pixel symmetry. This paper has three major contributions. First, the proposed hybrid method enhanced the embedding capacity due to efficient ALSB utilization in the higher texture areas of cover images. Second, the proposed hybrid method maintains the high visual quality because RMDR has the closest selection process to generate the symmetry between stego and cover pixels. Finally, the proposed hybrid method is secure against statistical regular or singular (RS) steganalysis and pixel difference histogram steganalysis because RMDR is capable of evading the risk of RS detection attacks due to pixel digits replacement instead of bits. Extensive experimental tests (over 1500+ cover images) are conducted with recent least significant bit (LSB)-based hybrid methods and it is demonstrated that the proposed hybrid method has a high embedding capacity (800,019 bits) while maintaining good visual symmetry (39.00% peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR)).
CD133, Selectively Targeting the Root of Cancer
Authors: Schmohl Jörg , Vallera Daniel
Published: May 2016

Cancer stem cells (CSC) are capable of promoting tumor initiation and self-renewal, two important hallmarks of carcinoma formation. This population comprises a small percentage of the tumor mass and is highly resistant to chemotherapy, causing the most difficult problem in the field of cancer research, drug refractory relapse. Many CSC markers have been reported. One of the most promising and perhaps least ubiquitous is CD133, a membrane-bound pentaspan glycoprotein that is frequently expressed on CSC. There is evidence that directly targeting CD133 with biological drugs might be the most effective way to eliminate CSC. We have investigated two entirely unrelated, but highly effective approaches for selectively targeting CD133. The first involves using a special anti-CD133 single chain variable fragment (scFv) to deliver a catalytic toxin. The second utilizes this same scFv to deliver components of the immune system. In this review, we discuss the development and current status of these CD133 associated biological agents. Together, they show exceptional promise by specific and efficient CSC elimination.
Vie itinérante et résidences d'Isabelle de Portugal, duchesse de Bourgogne (1430-1471)
Authors: Sommé Monique
Published: May 2016

Isabelle de Portugal a mené une vie itinérante, souvent avec le duc, de 1430 à 1457. Elle n'a effectué que deux voyages en Bourgogne et a donc passé la plus grande partie de son temps, 87 %, aux Pays-Bas, ce qui correspond à l'évolution géopolitique de la principauté sous le règne de Philippe le Bon. Parmi ses résidences se détachent dans l'ordre Bruxelles, Bruges et Lille, avant Dijon, Hesdin et Gand. Ses déplacements, en moyenne 30 à 40 km par jour, se font surtout par voie terrestre sur les routes qui unissent entre elles les nombreuses villes de résidence, même si la voie d'eau est préférée pour le transport des bagages. Après 1457, année de sa retraite au château de la Motte-au-Bois dans la forêt de Nieppe, elle se déplace encore pour jouer un rôle de direction familiale et, surtout après la mort de Philippe le Bon, de conseil politique auprès de son fils Charles le Téméraire.
Application of project management methods and tools with respect to the project life cycle and the project type
Authors: Kostalova Jana , Tetrevova Libena
Published: May 2016

The project management theory and standards offer a wide range of project management methods
and tools. To ensure the maximum possible effectiveness of application of a particular methods or
tools, it is necessary to assess suitability of their application within project life cycle stages, and also their
suitability from the point of view of the type of the solved project. The paper authors aimed to identify
suitable project management methods and tools, and assess their applicability from the point of view of
individual project life cycle stages and from the point of view of the type of the solved projects.
Identifying causes of disputes in creative industries: Lithuanian architecture segment case study
Authors: Mitkus Tomas
Published: May 2016

Today creative industries are economically efficient, innovative and constantly growing economic
segment. On the other hand, creative industry and its unique creative work process, brings increased
stress and conflicts possibility to work environment. Causes of conflicts and conflict management
have been analyzed in detail by a number of scholars, although conflicts evolving into disputes have been
analyzed considerably less often. The causes of disputes in Lithuanian architectural segment were identified
and analyzed in this article. These causes were grouped into two main categories – communication
and non-communication causes. Case study results show that in 49% of 107 analyzed cases litigation
could have been avoided if communication process between disputes parties would have been conducted
professionally throughout all stages of production.
Change of management paradigm? – Pilot survey at the university of economics prague
Authors: Mládková Ludmila
Published: May 2016

The paper compares latest views of theorists and practitioners on development of management.
Management as a scientific discipline develops over 150 years. During this period many new practices,
processes, structures and techniques appeared. Some of them were remarkable management innovation
that changed ways how things happen in organization. Recent years brought big changes like globalization,
and ICT development to our lives. Theorists represented by J. Birkinshaw, G. Hamel, and
H. Mintzberg think that these changes initiate new period of huge innovations in management, may be
even the change of the paradigm. We do the research on whether practitioners see the shift in management
predicted by academicians. The paper compares the ideas of academicians with results of the pilot survey
of this research.
Third party logistics companies’ activities and selection methods
Authors: Kotlars Aleksandrs , Skribans Valerijs
Published: May 2016

The purpose of a study is to compare and assess 3PL companies’ selection methods by researching
evaluation criteria of 3PL companies and approaches of these criteria’s classification used by companies
who outsource logistics and transportation services to third parties. Objective of a study is, foremost, to
investigate 3PL companies’ selection methods proposed by leading specialists in field of logistics. Additionally,
investigate operational activities, integration levels and core services provided by logistics companies
in Europe with an emphasis on 3PL companies. The key finding of a study is that Multiple-criteria
decision-making analyses are widely used in order to support strategic decision making in selection of 3PL
companies.
Impact of foreign exchange risk on investment portfolio performance in Latin American stock indexes
Authors: Arribas Iván , González-Bueno Jairo , Guijarro Francisco , Oliver Javier
Published: May 2016

This article aims to analyze whether investing in international assets, and fluctuations in their
own currencies, allow the possibility of structuring diversified investment portfolios that would not only
maximize the expected return, but also minimize risk. For this,it is evaluated the impact of currency risk on
the profitability of investment portfolios in the stock indexes in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico
and Peru from the point of view 6 investors (one American and five located in each of these countries)
during the period 2002–2014.
Impact of public R&D expenditure on economic growth in selected EU countries
Authors: Szarowská Irena
Published: May 2016

The aim of the paper is to investigate influence of research and development (R&D) expenditure
on economic growth in 20 selected EU member states in the period 1995-2013, time span is also divided
into a pre-crisis and a post-crisis period. Basic source of data is Eurostat database.The research is
based on a dynamic panel regression model (GMM) and estimations are based on Arellan-Bond estimator
(1991). Results confirm positive and statistically significant impact of government R&D expenditure,
which is the main driver for economic growth during the analysed period. Importance and positive impact
of higher education R&D expenditure increases in the post-crisis period. Contrary, business expenditure is
found to be insignificant. Traditional growth variables (a higher share of qualified human resources and a
higher intensity of investment) report positive effect, although investment only partly.
Management and intrinsic hurdles in the development process of integrated communication between service providers and consumers
Authors: Ulbinaite Aurelija , Zdanovic Grazina
Published: May 2016

Integrated communication is an effective strategic tool that enables creating and maintaining
tight dialogue and cooperation between service providers and consumers, managing communication chaos,
information flow, matching consumers’ needs. Its successful application requires reorganizing the communication
processes, implementing their strategic changes, introducing new attitudes towards work and
new culture, striving for overall synergy. Under such changes, this article aims at identifying the hurdles
hindering the effective integration of smooth service providers and consumers’ communication. Testing
hypotheses based on a survey demonstrates that hurdles reflecting employees’ competences, integrated
communication development resources and result evaluation are more frequent in the stage of communication
channel integration than in the functional one.