bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum TLR9 and NF-κB Biochemical Markers in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis on Admission
Authors: Demirtas Erdal , Korkmaz İlhan , Cebecioğlu Kıvanç , Ayan Mustafa , Demirtaş Esin , Yurtbay Sefa , Yıldız Şeymanur , Aydın Hüseyin , Szarpak Lukasz
Published: February 2020

Aim. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum TLR9 and NF-κB levels in patients for the diagnosis and prognostication of AP in the emergency department. Methods. In the current study, we looked at the TLR9 and NF-κB pathways in a cohort of 45 acute pancreatitis patients and compared them with the control group. We also divided the patient groups as mild-moderate or severe and compared the biomarker levels between the groups. Results. Of the patients with acute pancreatitis, 22 (49%) were male and 23 (51%) were female. The mean age of the patient group was 62 years, with a range of 25–95 years. The control group consisted of 19 (43.1%) male and 25 (56.9%) female patients. The serum TLR9 and NF-κB values were significantly higher than those of the control group [1104.44 ± 339.20 vs. 702.08 ± 203.94; p<0.001 and 8.04 ± 1.76 vs. 4.76 ± 1.13; p<0.001, respectively]. We found that TLR9 and NF-κB had a significant discriminative ability, while the cutoff value for TLR9 was 950.4, with a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 93% (p<0.001), and the cutoff value for NF-κB was 6.32, with a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 100% (p<0.001). Conclusion. We demonstrated that the TLR9 and NF-κB pathway is activated in acute pancreatitis and increases the inflammatory process. This may help to further understand the pathogenesis of disorder, diagnosis, and clinical severity. We proposed that blockage of these inflammatory pathways may play a role in the prevention of the disease progression and development of inflammatory complications.
Sum Squeezing of the Field Amplitude in Frequency Upconversion Process
Authors: Giri Dilip Kumar , Choudhary Binod Kumar
Published: February 2020

Sum squeezing of the field amplitude is studied in the nondegenerate and degenerate frequency upconversion process under the short interaction time. It is shown that sum squeezing can be converted into normal squeezing via sum-frequency generation in the nondegenerate frequency upconversion process, while the amplitude-squared squeezing of the fundamental mode directly changed into the squeezing of the harmonic in the degenerate frequency upconversion process. All reachable conditions of uncorrelated modes for obtaining a sum squeezing in two modes and its dependence on the squeezing of individual field modes are investigated. It is found that the squeezed states are associated with large number of pump photons. It is also confirmed that the higher-order squeezing (sum squeezing) is directly associated with coupling of the field and interaction time.
Heat and Mass Transfer in Unsteady Boundary Layer Flow of Williamson Nanofluids
Authors: Kebede Tesfaye , Haile Eshetu , Awgichew Gurju , Walelign Tadesse
Published: February 2020

In this paper, analytic approximation to the heat and mass transfer characteristics of a two-dimensional time-dependent flow of Williamson nanofluids over a permeable stretching sheet embedded in a porous medium has been presented by considering the effects of magnetic field, thermal radiation, and chemical reaction. The governing partial differential equations along with the boundary conditions were reduced to dimensionless forms by using suitable similarity transformation. The resulting system of ordinary differential equations with the corresponding boundary conditions was solved via the homotopy analysis method. The results of the study show that velocity, temperature, and concentration boundary layer thicknesses generally decrease as we move away from the surface of the stretching sheet and the Williamson parameter was found to retard the velocity but it enhances the temperature and concentration profiles near the surface. It was also found that increasing magnetic field strength, thermal radiation, or rate of chemical reaction speeds up the mass transfer but slows down the heat transfer rates in the boundary layer. The results of this study were compared with some previously published works under some restrictions, and they are found in excellent agreement.
Impact of Solar Panel Orientation on the Integration of Solar Energy in Low-Voltage Distribution Grids
Authors: Laveyne Joannes I. , Bozalakov Dimitar , Van Eetvelde Greet , Vandevelde Lieven
Published: February 2020

In Belgium, and many other countries, rooftop solar panels are becoming a ubiquitous form of decentralised energy production. The increasing share of these distributed installations however imposes many challenges on the operators of the low-voltage distribution grid. They must keep the voltage levels and voltage balance on their grids in check and are often regulatory required to provide sufficient reception capacity for new power producing installations. By placing solar panels in different inclinations and azimuth angles, power production profiles can possibly be shifted to align more with residential power consumption profiles. In this article, it is investigated if the orientation of solar panels can have a mitigating impact on the integration problems on residential low voltage distribution grids. An improved simulation model of a solar panel installation is constructed, which is used to simulate the impact on a residential distribution grid. To stay as close to real-life conditions as possible, real irradiation data and a model of an existing grid are used. Both the developed model as the results on grid impact are evaluated.
Error Estimates for the Nearly Singular Momentum-Space Bound-State Equations
Authors: Zhang Yang-Hong , Chen Jiao-Kai
Published: February 2020

We present errors of quadrature rules for the nearly singular integrals in the momentum-space bound-state equations and give the critical value of the nearly singular parameter. We give error estimates for the expansion method, the Nyström method, and the spectral method which arise from the near singularities in the momentum-space bound-state equations. We show the relations amongst the near singularities, the odd phenomena in the eigenfunctions, and the unreliability of the numerical solutions.
Examining the Environmental, Vehicle, and Driver Factors Associated with Crossing Crashes of Elderly Drivers Using Association Rules Mining
Authors: Yang Jia , Higuchi Keiichi , Ando Ryosuke , Nishihori Yasuhide
Published: February 2020

In the aging society, reducing vehicle crashes caused by elderly drivers has become a crucial issue. To find effective methods to reduce these vehicle crashes, it is necessary to give some insights into the characteristics of vehicle crashes and those of traffic violations caused by elderly drivers. However, multiple significant factors associated with crossing crashes due to elderly drivers were not extensively observed in previous studies. To fill this research gap, this study identifies the crash pattern and examines the environmental, vehicle, and driver factors associated with crossing crashes due to elderly drivers. The 5-year crash data in Toyota City, Japan, are used for empirical analysis. The emerging data mining method called association rules mining is applied to discover various factors associated with crossing crashes of elderly and nonelderly drivers, respectively. The significant findings indicate that (1) elderly drivers are more likely to lead to crossing or right-turn crashes, compared with nonelderly drivers; (2) there are more factors including crash location (intersection without signal), lighting (daylight), road condition (dry and other), weather condition (clear and raining), vehicle type (light motor truck), and traffic violation (fail to confirm safety) associated with the large proportion of crossing crashes due to elderly drivers. The findings of this study can be used by traffic safety professionals to implement some countermeasures to reduce the crossing crashes due to elderly drivers.
Investigation of Viscoelastic-Creep and Mechanical-Hysteresis Behaviors of Hydrostatically Stressed Crystal Using the Phase Field Crystal Method
Authors: Em-Udom J. , Pisutha-Arnond N.
Published: February 2020

The phase field crystal (PFC) method is a density-functional-type model with atomistic resolution and operating on diffusive time scales which has been proven to be an efficient tool for predicting numerous material phenomena. In this work, we first propose a method to predict viscoelastic-creep and mechanical-hysteresis behaviors in a body-centered-cubic (BCC) solid using a PFC method that is incorporated with a pressure-controlled dynamic equation which enables convenient control of deformation by specifying external pressure. To achieve our objective, we use constant pressure for the viscoelastic-creep study and sinusoidal pressure oscillation for the mechanical-hysteresis study. The parametric studies show that the relaxation time in the viscoelastic-creep phenomena is proportional to temperature. Also, mechanical-hysteresis behavior and the complex moduli predicted by the model are consistent with those of the standard linear solid model in a low-frequency pressure oscillation. Moreover, the impact of temperature on complex moduli is also investigated within the solid-stabilizing range. These results qualitatively agree with experimental and theoretical observations reported in the previous literature. We believe that our work should contribute to extending the capability of the PFC method to investigate the deformation problem when the externally applied pressure is required.
Railway Safety Risk Assessment and Control Optimization Method Based on FTA-FPN: A Case Study of Chinese High-Speed Railway Station
Authors: Zhang Qi , Zhuang Yanhui , Wei Yuguang , Jiang Hao , Yang Hao
Published: February 2020

In order to make safety risk assessment more accurately and more reasonably for high-speed railway station in China, this paper analyzes risk factors of fault tree and transfers the fault tree of risk accident into fuzzy petri net and then builds the FPN-FTA model by combining the dynamic weighting fuzzy petri net (FPN) and fault tree analysis (FTA) based on the latter. This paper simulates the FTA-FPN model with Stateflow of Matlab software. Then, it builds up a bi-objective risk control model, making the minimum safety risk level and minimum necessary cost as the objectives, and it designs discrete particle swarm optimization algorithm to solve the risk control model. Finally, this paper selects stampede accident of Shijiazhuang high-speed railway station as an example in case study for assessing stampede risk level and gets the risk control schemes for this station. The results verify the feasibility and validity of the model and algorithm.
E-Bayesian Prediction for the Burr XII Model Based on Type-II Censored Data with Two Samples
Authors: Okasha Hassan M. , Wang Chuanmei , Wang Jianhua
Published: February 2020

Type-II censored data is an important scheme of data in lifetime studies. The purpose of this paper is to obtain E-Bayesian predictive functions which are based on observed order statistics with two samples from two parameter Burr XII model. Predictive functions are developed to derive both point prediction and interval prediction based on type-II censored data, where the median Bayesian estimation is a novel formulation to get Bayesian sample prediction, as the integral for calculating the Bayesian prediction directly does not exist. All kinds of predictions are obtained with symmetric and asymmetric loss functions. Two sample techniques are considered, and gamma conjugate prior density is assumed. Illustrative examples are provided for all the scenarios considered in this article. Both illustrative examples with real data and the Monte Carlo simulation are carried out to show the new method is acceptable. The results show that Bayesian and E-Bayesian predictions with the two kinds of loss functions have little difference for the point prediction, and E-Bayesian confidence interval (CI) with the two kinds of loss functions are almost similar and they are more accurate for the interval prediction.
Lump Solutions of a Nonlinear PDE Combining with a New Fourth-Order TermDx2Dt2∗
Authors: Zhang Liqin , Ma Wen-Xiu , Huang Yehui
Published: February 2020

A nonlinear PDE combining with a new fourth-order termDx2Dt2is studied. Adding three new fourth-order derivative terms and some second-order derivative terms, we formulate a combined fourth-order nonlinear partial differential equation, which possesses a Hirota’s bilinear form. The class of lump solutions is constructed explicitly through Hirota’s bilinear method. Their dynamical behaviors are analyzed through plots.
Hardware Module Design and Software Implementation of Multisensor Fire Detection and Notification System Using Fuzzy Logic and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs)
Authors: Sowah Robert A. , Apeadu Kwaku , Gatsi Francis , Ampadu Kwame O. , Mensah Baffour S.
Published: February 2020

This paper presents the design and development of a fuzzy logic-based multisensor fire detection and a web-based notification system with trained convolutional neural networks for both proximity and wide-area fire detection. Until recently, most consumer-grade fire detection systems relied solely on smoke detectors. These offer limited protection due to the type of fire present and the detection technology at use. To solve this problem, we present a multisensor data fusion with convolutional neural network (CNN) fire detection and notification technology. Convolutional Neural Networks are mainstream methods of deep learning due to their ability to perform feature extraction and classification in the same architecture. The system is designed to enable early detection of fire in residential, commercial, and industrial environments by using multiple fire signatures such as flames, smoke, and heat. The incorporation of the convolutional neural networks enables broader coverage of the area of interest, using visuals from surveillance cameras. With access granted to the web-based system, the fire and rescue crew gets notified in real-time with location information. The efficiency of the fire detection and notification system employed by standard fire detectors and the multisensor remote-based notification approach adopted in this paper showed significant improvements with timely fire detection, alerting, and response time for firefighting. The final experimental and performance evaluation results showed that the accuracy rate of CNN was 94% and that of the fuzzy logic unit is 90%.
Exploring the Factors Associated with Car Use for Short Trips: Evidence from Kunming, China
Authors: He Mingwei , Fei Yi , He Min
Published: February 2020

The purpose of this study is to explore the factors associated with car use for short trips. Using the data collected from a travel survey conducted with car users in Kunming, the structural equation model is employed to explore the structural relationships between car use for short trips, attitudes toward cars and alternative travel modes, sociodemographics, and the built environment. The results show that instrumental and symbolic attitudes toward cars are positively related to the affective attitude, and these three attitudes have a significant effect on car use for short trips. The symbolic attitude of drivers is negatively associated with their walking and cycling attitudes. Drivers with a better cycling attitude use a car less frequently for short trips. Concurrently, the effects of sociodemographics and the built environment on the attitudes and car use for short trips are also identified. The findings may contribute to understanding the car use behavior and help policy makers to identify methods for reducing car use more clearly.
Stimulation of Alpha1-Adrenergic Receptor Ameliorates Cellular Functions of Multiorgans beyond Vasomotion through PPARδ
Authors: Lee Yong-Jik , Kim Hyun Soo , Seo Hong Seog , Na Jin Oh , Jang You-Na , Han Yoon-Mi , Kim Hyun-Min
Published: February 2020

Cells can shift their metabolism between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation to enact their cell fate program in response to external signals. Widely distributed α1-adrenergic receptors (ARs) are physiologically stimulated during exercise, were reported to associate with the activating energetic AMPK pathway, and are expected to have biological effects beyond their hemodynamic effects. To investigate the effects and mechanism of AR stimulation on the physiology of the whole body, various in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted using the AR agonist midodrine, 2-amino-N-[2-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-hydroxy-ethyl]-acetamide. The expression of various biomarkers involved in ATP production was estimated through Western blotting, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, oxygen consumption rate, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), fluorescence staining, and Oil red O staining in several cell lines (skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, liver, macrophage, vascular endothelial, and adipose cells). In spontaneously hypertensive rats, blood pressure, blood analysis, organ-specific biomarkers, and general biomolecules related to ATP production were measured with Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and echocardiography. Pharmacological activation of α1-adrenergic receptors in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells promoted mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production by increasing the expression of catabolic molecules, including PPARδ, AMPK, and PGC-1α, through cytosolic calcium signaling and increased GLUT4 expression, as seen in exercise. It also activated those energetic molecules and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation with cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, adipocytes, macrophages, and hepatic cells and affected their relevant cell-specific biological functions. All of those effects occurred around 3 h (and peaked 6 h) after midodrine treatment. In spontaneously hypertensive rats, α1-adrenergic receptor stimulation affected mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production by activating PPARδ, AMPK, and PGC-1α and the relevant biologic functions of multiple organs, suggesting organ crosstalk. The treatment lowered blood pressure, fat and body weight, cholesterol levels, and inflammatory activity; increased ATP content and insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscles; and increased cardiac contractile function without exercise training. These results suggest that the activation of α1-adrenergic receptor stimulates energetic reprogramming via PPARδ that increases mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and has healthy and organ-specific biological effects in multiple organs, including skeletal muscle, beyond its vasomotion effect. In addition, the action mechanism of α1-adrenergic receptor may be mainly exerted via PPARδ.
A Summary of Dynamic Output Feedback Robust MPC for Linear Polytopic Uncertainty Model with Bounded Disturbance
Authors: Ding Baocang , Tang Xiaoming , Hu Jianchen
Published: February 2020

This paper is the summary and enhancement of the previous studies on dynamic output feedback robust model predictive control (MPC) for the linear parameter varying model (described in a polytope) with additive bounded disturbance. When the state is measurable and there is no bounded disturbance, the robust MPC has been developed with several paradigms and seems becoming mature. For the output feedback case for the LPV model with bounded disturbance, we have published a series of works. Anyway, it lacks a unification of these publications. This paper summarizes the existing results and exposes the ideas in a unified framework. Indeed there is a long way to go for the output feedback case for the LPV model with bounded disturbance. This paper can pave the way for further research on output feedback MPC.
An Adjustment Method for the Customized Trains of the Railway
Authors: Li Xiaojuan , Shi Jiana , Yang Li , Wang Hongwei , Yan Miao
Published: February 2020

The “customized train” is a train operated by the customized service of the passengers. The departure time, total travel time, and the travel classes are decided by passengers’ wishes. Successful operation of customized trains (CT) has a great significance to the future development in the relationship between the railway enterprise and the passenger service. In order to establish a comprehensive method for the CT operation plan, the paper proposes an intention survey method to obtain the passenger travel wishes data. Then, according to the existing timetable, the alternative set of CTs is built. The CT should satisfy the constraints of the passenger demand, the stop, and the train travel time. Based on the alternative set, a bilevel programming model for the maximum operation revenue of the CTs and minimum adjustment cost of existing timetable is established according to the passengers’ travel demands. The model also considers the constraints of actual travel time, arrival headway, departure headway, maximal adjustment time and capacity, and so on. The adjustment strategies for the train operation confliction are established. Finally, the method is proven through the analysis of actual cases, which can provide decision-making basis for future railway enterprises when operating the customized trains.
Coordination of Supply Chains with Competing Manufacturers considering Fairness Concerns
Authors: Jian Jie , Zhang Yuyao , Jiang Lin , Su Jiafu
Published: February 2020

In this study, we examined the contract coordination between manufacturers with peer-induced and distributional fairness concerns. A revenue sharing contract was introduced to coordinate a competitive supply chain, in which the manufacturers have different fairness concerns based on centralized decision-making in terms of fairness neutrality. Then, we constructed two game models—the manufacturer’s peer-induced fairness concern model and the manufacturer’s distributional fairness concern model and analyzed the influence of a revenue sharing contract on the pricing decisions and profit distribution of a competitive supply chain considering fairness concerns. The results show that there is a revenue-sharing contract parameter in both the peer-induced and distributional fairness concerns of manufacturers, which can effectively realize Pareto improvements in a supply chain. Meanwhile, the retail and wholesale prices both decreased with the increase in the revenue-sharing ratio between retailers and manufacturers, and the profits of retailers decreased accordingly, but the overall utility of manufacturers and supply chains improved markedly. Moreover, the coordination condition is closely related to the level of fairness concerns of the manufacturers and the competition intensity between two manufacturers. The sharing contract designed in this study can not only effectively improve the utility of retailers and manufacturers but also enhance the total utility of the channel to ensure that node enterprises have long-term, stable, and cooperative relationships and to strengthen the overall competitiveness of the supply chain.
Estimation of Error Variance-Covariance Parameters Using Multivariate Geographically Weighted Regression Model
Authors: Harini Sri
Published: February 2020

The Multivariate Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) model is a development of the Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model that takes into account spatial heterogeneity and autocorrelation error factors that are localized at each observation location. The MGWR model is assumed to be an error vector ε that distributed as a multivariate normally with zero vector mean and variance-covariance matrix Σ at each location ui,vi, which Σ is sized qxq for samples at the i-location. In this study, the estimated error variance-covariance parameters is obtained from the MGWR model using Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) and Weighted Least Square (WLS) methods. The selection of the WLS method is based on the weighting function measured from the standard deviation of the distance vector between one observation location and another observation location. This test uses a statistical inference procedure by reducing the MGWR model equation so that the estimated error variance-covariance parameters meet the characteristics of unbiased. This study also provides researchers with an understanding of statistical inference procedures.
In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory, Anticancer (MCF-7, 3T3, and HeLa Cell Lines), and Brine Shrimp Lethality Assay and FTIR Analysis of the Extract and Fractions of the Whole Plant of Heliotropium europaeum
Authors: Achakzai Jahangir Khan , Panezai Muhammad Anwar , Akhtar Basira , Kakar Shahabuddin , Akbar Ali , Kakar Abdul Manan , Khan Javed , Khan Nazima Yousaf , Khan Ghulam Mustafa , Imran Muhammad , Panezai Marina , Shahwani Nisar Ahmed , Achakzai Tehmina
Published: February 2020

In this study, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, brine shrimp lethality, and FTIR studies were evaluated. The oxidative burst assay using the chemiluminescence technique, MTT assay, brine shrimp lethality assay, and FTIR analysis were the methods used for the evaluation of anti-inflammatory, anticancer, brine shrimp lethality, and FTIR studies, respectively. The whole-plant butanol fraction of Heliotropium europaeum (WBFHE) showed anti-inflammatory activity on ROS having IC5014.7±2.5 while the extract and other fractions of the whole plant of Heliotropium europaeum exhibited no anti-inflammatory activity. None of the extract and fractions of the whole plant of Heliotropium europaeum exhibited anticancer (MCF-7, 3T3, and HeLa cell lines) activities. The whole-plant aqueous fraction of Heliotropium europaeum (WAFHE) and whole-plant butanol fraction of Heliotropium europaeum (WBFHE) showed lethality at high concentration while at low concentration, no toxicity was shown. The whole-plant methanolic extract of Heliotropium europaeum (WMEHE) and whole-plant n-hexane fraction of Heliotropium europaeum (WHFHE) exhibited no toxicity. FTIR interpretation showed the functional groups for the aromatic compounds, phenols, carboxylic acids, esters, alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, alkyl halides, sulfate esters, phosphines, silanes, nitriles, thiols, amines, phosphoric acids, and nitro compounds.
Advances in Two-Dimensional MXenes for Nitrogen Electrocatalytic Reduction to Ammonia
Authors: Yu Lan-lan , Qin Jiang-zhou , Zhao Wen-jun , Zhang Zhi-guang , Ke Jun , Liu Bao-jun
Published: February 2020

As an important chemical raw material, ammonia is mainly produced by the traditional Haber-Bosch process, which has certain limitations such as high energy consumption, high safety responsibility, and severe pollution, thereby having negative impacts on ecosystem. The synthesis of ammonia from dinitrogen at ambient temperature and pressure is one of the most attractive topics in the field of chemistry. As a new two-dimensional nanomaterial, MXene has excellent electrochemical properties and is a potential catalytic material for electrocatalytic nitrogen fixation. In this review, we firstly introduce the crystal, electronic structures of two-dimensional MXenes and summarize the synthesis methods, N2 reduction, and simulation computation, as well as have insight into the challenges of MXenes, which shed light on the development of highly efficient MXene-based electrocatalysts in the reduction of N2 to ammonia.
Analysis of Source Influence on Guided Wave Excitation in Cylindrical Structures Using Spatial Fourier Transform Method
Authors: Li Yunfei , Xu Jiang , Li Qinghua , Chen Guang
Published: February 2020

Guided wave transducers, such as electromagnetic acoustic transducers and piezoelectric transducers, generate multimode waves at a given excitation frequency in a cylindrical structure, making it difficult to detect flaws in such structures. To accurately identify the flaws, the transducers must be well designed to suppress the nonaxisymmetric modes. Instead of using the normal mode expansion (NME) method, a spatial Fourier transform (SFT) method is proposed to analyze source influence on the guided wave excitation in a cylindrical structure. A two-dimensional SFT is performed on the spatial distribution function of the surface loading applied to the cylindrical structure. The spatial distribution function is represented in a cylindrical coordinate system. The circumferential-direction SFT is carried out from the angular coordinate to the circumferential orders of the guided wave modes. The axial-direction SFT is carried out from the axial coordinate to the wavenumbers of the guided wave modes. The results of the two-dimensional SFT represent guided wave excitation capabilities for different circumferential orders and wavenumbers. The specific surface loading conditions on the outer surface of a pipe are analyzed to predict source influence on the guided wave excitation. The results are consistent with those obtained using the NME method. Experiments corresponding to the specific surface loading conditions are carried out on a stainless steel pipe. The results confirm the effectiveness of the SFT method.
Effect of Steam Blanching, Dehydration Temperature & Time, on the Sensory and Nutritional Properties of a Herbal Tea Developed from Moringa oleifera Leaves
Authors: Wickramasinghe Yasara W. H. , Wickramasinghe Indira , Wijesekara Isuru
Published: February 2020

The core purpose of the current study is to explore the use of Moringa oleifera leaves, to produce a herbal tea with acceptable sensory properties and nutritional properties by utilizing the steam blanching technique, different dehydration temperatures and time, which can be accepted in the Sri Lankan market. Six sets of samples were prepared where temperature and time combinations were 55°C—6 h, 60°C—4.30 h, 65°C—3 h for the unblanched samples & 55°C—6 h, 60°C—5.30 h & 65°C—4 h for the steam blanched samples. These samples were evaluated, employing a trained panel of 5 tea tasters and a semi trained panel of 35 members. The sample code 706 (steam blanched, 65°C—4 h) was selected as the sample with best sensory attributes. The blanched and unblanched samples dried at 65°C were tested for their proximate, mineral, vitamin, antioxidant and phytochemical contents. The effects of steam blanching on these two samples were evaluated & compared. This study highlights that steam blanching significantly increased the carbohydrates, fat, Mn, Fe, vitamin A, vitamin E and the DPPH scavenging activity whereas steam blanching significantly reduced the protein, fiber, Na, K, Ca, Total phenolic contents and flavonoids content but vitamin C, Zn, Cu and Mg contents were unaffected by steam blanching.
The Role of Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway and Autophagy-Lysosome Pathway in Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Chen Chunli , Qin Haiyun , Tan Jieqiong , Hu Zhiping , Zeng Liuwang
Published: February 2020

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and autophagy-lysosome pathway are two major routes for clearance of aberrant cellular components to maintain protein homeostasis and normal cellular functions. Accumulating evidence shows that these two pathways are impaired during cerebral ischemia, which contributes to ischemic-induced neuronal necrosis and apoptosis. This review aims to critically discuss current knowledge and controversies on these two pathways in response to cerebral ischemic stress. We also discuss molecular mechanisms underlying the impairments of these protein degradation pathways and how such impairments lead to neuronal damage after cerebral ischemia. Further, we review the recent advance on the understanding of the involvement of these two pathways in the pathological process during many therapeutic approaches against cerebral ischemia. Despite recent advances, the exact role and molecular mechanisms of these two pathways following cerebral ischemia are complex and not completely understood, of which better understanding will provide avenues to develop novel therapeutic strategies for ischemic stroke.
Fault Detection for Turbine Engine Disk Based on One-Class Large Vector-Angular Region and Margin
Authors: Chen Jiusheng , Wei Ye , Wang Haibing , Zhang Xiaoyu
Published: February 2020

Fault detection is an important technique to detect divergence based on unknown abnormalities, which involves establishing a computational model exclusively originated from the key features of the normal samples. The multimodality of process data distribution of engine turbine disk is inevitably affected by incorporation of ambient disturbance; the mean and covariance would vary significantly, resulting in decayed detecting accuracy. By adopting a strategy to maximize vector-angular mean and minimize vector-angular variance simultaneously in the feature space, a one-class large vector-angular region and margin (one-class LARM) framework is systematically conducted for fault detection of turbine engine disk which will enhance the robustness of the dynamic multimode process monitoring. Simulation based on the single mode and multimode of turbine engine disk is thoroughly performed and compared that the results of which solidly validated the favorable efficiency of the proposed method.
Meditative Movements for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Xia Tingwei , Yang Yue , Li Weihong , Tang Zhaohui- , Huang Qingsong , Li Zongrun , Guo Yongsong
Published: February 2020

Objective. Physical activity plays a specific role in the fundamental aspect of diabetes care. It is necessary to develop exercise programs for these patients. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize current evidence regarding the effectiveness of meditative movement in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods. The following databases were searched: PubMed, CENTRAL, Web of Science, Ovid LWW, and EMBASE. Two independent investigators searched and screened the studies by finding duplications, excluding irrelevant titles and abstracts, and then selecting eligible studies by reviewing full texts. 21 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Meta‐analyses were performed on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and postprandial blood glucose (PPBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), and body mass index (BMI). Results. Meta‐analyses showed that meditative movements significantly improved FBG, HbA1c, PPBG, TC, LDL‐C, and HDL‐C. No improvement was found in BMI. Conclusions. The results demonstrated a favorable effect or tendency of meditative movements to improve blood glucose and blood lipid levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The special effects of meditative movements in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients need further research.
Product Service Scheduling Problem with Service Matching Based on Tabu Search Method
Authors: Cheng Hao Liu , Yan Hong Wang , Wei Qiu Jia , Zhao Dong Wei , Rui Shan
Published: February 2020

This paper considers the product service scheduling problem with service matching. This problem is a complex scheduling problem that integrates multiple traveling salesman problem (MTSP) and multiple service types. To solve the problem, a tabu search method was presented. With the objective of minimizing the total of engineers’ travel distances, total of the customer penalty values, and makespan, an optimization model of this problem is established. The historical search solutions are taken as tabu object, and limiting the quantity of search neighborhood solution is taken as the aspiration level. At last, the adaptability, validity, and stability of the model are verified by an example.
Deviation Effect of Coaxiality on the Rock Brazilian Split
Authors: Zhao Zenghui , Zhang Mingzhong , Ma Qing , Chen Baosen
Published: February 2020

Tension failure is one of the main forms of instability in geotechnical engineering. Aiming at the calculation error caused by the loading direction deviation of the Brazilian disc splitting method, a mechanical model of a disc under chord loading was constructed firstly. Based on the theory of complex variable function, the analytic solutions of stresses in a circular disc were deduced, and the calculation error of the tensile strength under chord loading was characterized by defining the error impact rate. And the stress distribution of a disc and the law of rock fracture under chord loading were detailed analyzed through numerical calculation. Through numerical calculation, the stress distribution of the disc and rock failure law under chordwise loading are discussed in detail. The results show that the stress concentration near the loading point is stronger under the chordwise loading comparing with the radial loading, which makes the disc more vulnerable to produce compression failure near the loading point. The disc exhibits a maximum tensile stress and a minimum compressive stress at the intersection of the loaded string and the horizontal diameter, so that tensile rupture damage is likely to occur here. With the increase of deviation angle, the tensile strength measured by the Brazilian splitting test decreases gradually, and the influence rate of error increases significantly. The proposed analytical solution under chord loading provides theoretical guiding significance for nonradial splitting failure of a disc.
Numerical Low-Back Booster Analysis in a 6-Year-Old Infant during a Dolly Rollover Test
Authors: Cruz-Jaramillo I. L. , Torres-San Miguel C. R. , Martínez-Sáez L. , Ramírez-Vela V. , Urriologoitia-Calderón G. M.
Published: February 2020

This paper analyzes the possible head and chest injuries, produced in a Hybrid III dummy model of a six-year-old child during a rollover test, while the child uses a passive safety system low-back booster (LBB). Vehicle seats and passive safety systems were modeled with a CAD (Computer Aided Design) software; later, all elements were analyzed using the finite element method (FEM) with LS-DYNA® software. The border conditions were established for each study, in accordance with the regulations of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), and following the FMVSS 213 standard for the mounting and fastening of the infant, the FMVSS 208 for the dolly methodology test with the vehicle rollover was performed, implementing such analysis under the same conditions for a vehicle Toyota Yaris 2010. The numerical simulations were performed during an interval of 1 second, obtaining data values for periods of 2 milliseconds. This paper examines the efficiency of the system; three case studies were carried out: Study I: vehicle seat belt (VSB); Study II: the LBB system was secured by the seat belt; Study III: the LBB system with ISOFIX anchorage. The values of decelerations for the head and thorax of the infant were obtained, as well as neck flexion and thoracic deflection. The main factor to reduce injuries during a rollover accident is the correct anchorage of the LBB, and this is achieved with the ISOFIX system, since it prevents the independent movement of the LBB, unlike when it is fastened with the seat belt of the vehicle. The results show low levels of head and chest injury when ISOFIX is used because of reduced thoracic deflection during infant retention.
Adoption and Impact of the Maize Hybrid on the Livelihood of the Maize Growers: Some Policy Insights from Pakistan
Authors: Ali Akhter , Beshir Issa AbduRahman , Rahut Dil Bahadur
Published: February 2020

Despite hybrids being grown on 30–40 percent of the maize area in Pakistan, the retail price of hybrid maize seed is high in Pakistan compared with its neighbors in South Asia and beyond. Hence, this paper analyzes the adoption and impact of hybrid maize on livelihoods using a cross-sectional dataset collected from 822 maize growers in Pakistan. The data were collected from two types of farmers: adopters and nonadopters of hybrid maize, from four major provinces of Pakistan (Punjab, Sindh, KPK, and Balochistan). We use the bivariate probit to analyze the factors influencing the adoption of hybrid maize and the propensity score-matching (PSM) approach to analyze the impact of hybrid maize adoption on livelihood of maize growers, as PSM helps correct sample selection biasedness. The empirical result shows that farm size, farm and household assets, the level of education of farmers, access to market, and social networks positively influence the adoption of hybrid maize in Pakistan. The results from PSM revealed that hybrid maize adopters had higher grain yields in the range of 94–124 kgs per hectare as compared with nonadopters. Similarly household income levels were more in the range of Pakistani rupees 2,176–3,518, while the poverty levels were lower in the range of 2-3 percent for hybrid maize adopters. As hybrid maize adoption has had a positive impact on the livelihood of farmers, policies should aim to scale up the adoption of hybrid maize through enhancing the supply and lowering the seed cost through research and subsidy programs, thereby enabling poor farmers in remote areas to adopt hybrid maize varieties.
Postharvest Storage Practices of Maize in Rift Valley and Lower Eastern Regions of Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Koskei Peter , Bii Christine C. , Musotsi Protus , Muturi Karanja Simon
Published: February 2020

An assessment of local farmers’ knowledge, attitude, and practices on postharvest maize storage and management was carried out with a view of understanding its role in maize contamination with mycotoxins and postharvest losses in Rift Valley and Lower Eastern Regions of Kenya among 165 and 149 farmers, respectively. Differences between the two regions were analyzed using the Chi-square test, Fisher exact test, and two-sample t-test. The median quantity of maize harvested by farmers in the two regions after shelling was 585 kg. A median of 20 kg of maize was put aside as a result of rotting before shelling, and there was a significant mean difference in maize set aside as a result of rotting between the two regions (107.88 kg vs. 31.96 kg; t (306.25) = 5.707, P value <0.001). The quantity of discoloured and mouldy maize consumed ranged from 0 to 90 kg; 7 (2.2%) respondents consumed mouldy maize, 36 (11.5%) fed it to cows, and 19 (6.1%) fed it to poultry. A small percentage (3.5%) believed mouldy maize is safe for human consumption, 23.6% for animal consumption, while 15.0% considered it safe for brewing, with the differences between the two regions being statistically significant (P value <0.05). Nearly half of the respondents (48.4%) kept maize on cobs indoors, 47.1% left it in the field without covering, and 33.1% consumed and sold maize while still green, with more farmers from Lower Eastern practicing this. The results of the study suggest that there were poor postharvest practices and low awareness levels among maize farmers and that this can lead to postharvest losses due to Fusarium spp. infection and mycotoxin contamination that poses a threat to human and animal food safety. This calls for interventions on better postharvest practices.
The Efficacy and Safety of Acellular Matrix Therapy for Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Authors: Huang Wentao , Chen Yongsong , Wang Nasui , Yin Guoshu , Wei Chiju , Xu Wencan
Published: February 2020

Background. Acellular matrix (AM) therapy has shown promise in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in several studies. The clinical effects of AM therapy were not well established. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to examine the efficacy and safety of AM therapy for patients with DFUs. Methods. A literature search of 5 databases was performed to identify RCTs comparing AM therapy to standard therapy (ST) in patients with DFUs. The primary outcome was the complete healing rate and the secondary outcomes mainly included time to complete healing and adverse events. Results. Nine RCTs involving 897 patients were included. Compared with ST group, patients allocated to AM group had a higher complete healing rate both at 12 weeks (risk ratio RR=1.73, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.31 to 2.30) and 16 weeks (RR=1.56, 95% CI: 1.28 to 1.91), a shorter time to complete healing (mean difference MD=−2.41; 95% CI: -3.49 to -1.32), and fewer adverse events (RR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.44 to 0.93). Conclusion. The present study suggests that AM therapy as an adjuvant treatment could further promote the healing of full-thickness, noninfected, and nonischemia DFUs. AM therapy also has a safety profile. More large well-designed randomized clinical trials with long follow-up duration are needed to further explore the efficacy and safety of AM therapy for DFUs.
Study on the Selection Model of Staying Adjustment Bus Lines along Rail Transit
Authors: Cui Jie , Gao Yueer , Cheng Jing , Shi Lei
Published: February 2020

To fully achieve effective rail transit, prevent the waste of conventional bus capacity along a rail transit line, and relieve the urban traffic congestion problem, it is necessary to screen for the adjustment of conventional bus lines prior to the operation of rail transit to provide a basis for further optimization of bus lines. Based on the analysis of spatial relationships between a rail transit line and conventional collinear bus lines and considering the time advantage characteristics of rail transit in rush hours, a model of the generalized travel time costs and travel time savings proportion in the collinear section of rail transit and bus was proposed. To evaluate the utility of rail transit relative to conventional bus collinear lines, the conventional bus lines to be adjusted were determined. Taking Xiamen as an example, the bus lines of Hubin East Road Station as the endpoint of metro line 1 were employed to calculate the model using GPS data of the buses, and the bus lines to be adjusted in the Hubin East Road were determined. The results show that the model is effective in the elastic selection of conventional bus lines that need to be adjusted and provides decision-making support for urban comprehensive public transport planning.
Photodynamic Therapy of Presumed Choroidal Metastasis Secondary to Colorectal Carcinoma: Literature Review
Authors: Biccas Neto Laurentino , Pulido José Z. , Melo Gustavo B. , Lima Luiz H. , Rodrigues Eduardo B.
Published: February 2020

Colorectal cancer may yield metastasis to the choroid. Its management may be challenging, since there is no consensus about treatment. We describe a case of a 70-year-old male with colon cancer who complained of worsening visual acuity of his better-seeing eye to 20/40 secondary to a nonpigmented choroidal mass of medium reflectivity under the inferior temporal arcade and neurosensory foveal detachment. Besides systemic chemotherapy, local treatment with verteporfin photodynamic therapy (vPDT) was performed. After one month, visual acuity improved to 20/25 and subretinal fluid faded. In conclusion, vPDT may be a useful adjuvant treatment modality for choroidal metastasis secondary to colorectal cancer.