bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Heat Transfer Performance Between Smooth and Enhanced Heat Transfer Tubes
Authors: Kukulka David J. , Li Wei , Smith Rick
Published: December 2019

Heat transfer enhancement is an important factor in obtaining energy efficiency improvements in all heat transfer applications. A numeric study was performed that compares the performance of heat exchangers using the Vipertex enhanced heat transfer tubes (model 1EHT) to the performance of heat exchangers that use smooth surface tubes and other enhanced tubes. Surface enhancement of the 1EHT tube is accomplished through the use of the primary dimple enhancement and a secondary background pattern made up of petal arrays. Utilization of enhanced heat transfer tubes is an effective method that is utilized in the development of high performance thermal systems. Vipertex™ tubes, have been designed and produced through material surface modifications that produce flow optimized heat transfer tubes that increase heat transfer performance. Current energy demands and the desire to increase efficiencies of systems have prompted the development of optimized enhanced heat transfer surfaces. Enhanced heat transfer tubes are widely used in many areas (refrigeration, air-conditioning, process, petrochemical, chemical, etc.) in order to reduce cost, create a smaller application footprint or increase production. A new type of enhanced heat transfer tube has been created; therefore it is important to investigate relevant heat exchanger designs using the Vipertex enhanced surface tube in industrial applications and compare that performance to smooth tubes and other enhanced tubes. Results include design characteristics and performance predictions using the design simulations produced using HTRI Exchanger Suite (2016). Performance for all cases considered using the Vipertex tube predicted over design when compared to a smooth tube design. Vipertex 1EHT tubes produced enhanced heat transfer and cost efficient designs. In some of the case studies the 1EHT tubes produce an overdesign that is more than 35%, while smooth tubes produce an underdesign and other low fin tubes produce overdesign but not as large as the 1EHT tubes.
Experimental and Theoretical Study on the Effect of Pressure and Surface Roughness on Thermal Contact Resistance With LMA As TIM
Authors: Ji Yulong , Xu Jiantong , Gao Weichen , Yan Huilong , Su Fengmin , Ma Hongbin
Published: December 2019

The recent research show that low melting temperature alloys (LMA) is a prospective thermal interface material (TIM). However, the effect of surface roughness and interface contact pressure on the thermal contact resistance with LMA as TIM is unclear. In the current research, copper plates with surface roughness of 0.28 μm, 0.54 μm, 0.96 μm and 2.59 μm were fabricated to make different test samples. Low melting temperature alloys Ga62.5In21.5Sn16 was used as TIM to make the Cu-LMA-Cu three-layer structure samples. The thermal contact resistance of these samples under different pressure of 0.05 MPa, 0.1 MPa, 0.15 MPa, 0.2 MPa, 0.4 MPa and 0.6 MPa were measured based on the steady state method. The results show that when the pressure of 0.05 MPa, 0.1 MPa, 0.15 MPa, 0.2 MPa, 0.4 MPa, 0.6MPa is applied to the samples, the thermal contact resistance of sample with surface roughness of 0.28 μm decreased by 74.3%, 71.1%, 70.1%, 71.5%, 70.8%, 70.1% compared with that of the sample with surface roughness of 2.59 μm. In order to further study the influence of the factors on the thermal contact resistance, a theoretical model of solid-liquid-solid thermal contact resistance with contact pressure and surface roughness as factors was developed. Based on theoretical model, it is concluded that (1) the thermal contact resistance decreases as the pressure increases, and gradually stabilizes; (2) as the surface roughness increases, the thermal contact resistance increases; (3) As the surface roughness decreases, the influence of contact pressure on thermal contact resistance decreases. The above conclusions were verified by test results.
Interfacial Thermal Conductance and Thermal Rectification Across In-Plane Graphene/h-BN Heterostructures With Different Bonding Types
Authors: Liang Ting , Zhang Ping , Yuan Peng , Zhou Man , Zhai Siping
Published: December 2019

The in-plane graphene/hexagonal boron nitride (Gr/h-BN) heterostructures have received extensive attention in recent years due to their excellent physical properties and the development potential of next-generation nanoelectronic devices. Generally, different bonding types between Gr and h-BN are considered in different non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations studies. However, which type of bonding is most conducive to interface thermal transport is still very confusing. In this work, we investigate the interfacial thermal conductance (ITC) and the thermal rectification (TR) in five different bonding types of in-plane Gr/h-BN heterostructures by using NEMD simulations. It is found that the ITC depends strongly on the bonding strength and arrangement of different atoms across the boundary. Among the five different bonding types of heterostructures, the C-N bonded heterojunction exhibits the highest ITC due to its stronger interfacial bonding. The analyses on the strain distribution indicated that a low interfacial stress level at the interface junction, may facilitate the heat conduction, thus leading to a higher ITC. In addition, we found that TR occurs in all five bonded heterostructures, and the C-B bonded heterojunction possesses the highest TR factor. The present study is of significance for understanding the thermal transport behavior of Gr/h-BN heterostructures and promoting their future applications in thermal management and thermoelectric devices.
Nusselt Number Prediction for Slip Flow in Confined Porous Media Based on Lattice Boltzmann Method
Authors: Tariq Ammar , Liu Zhenyu , Mu Zhiyu , Wu Huiying
Published: December 2019

Understanding flow and heat transfer in porous media is a matter of prime concern for micro devices. In this work, slip flow and heat transfer of gaseous fluid through the confined porous media is numerically simulated using a multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method. The method is employed using an effective curved boundary treatment based on non-equilibrium extrapolation and counter-extrapolation methods. Nusselt number prediction for varying porosity, Knudsen and Reynolds number are studied. Based on the obtained numerical results, it is proved that the current technique can be used to effectively model slip flow and heat transfer at pore-scale.
PTFE Modification to Enhance Boiling Performance of Porous Surface
Authors: Wang Ya-Qiao , Luo Jia-Li , Heng Yi , Mo Dong-Chuan , Lyu Shu-Shen
Published: December 2019

Boiling heat transfer is one of the most effective methods to meet the challenge of heat dissipation of high heat flux devices. Wetting hybrid surface has been demonstrated to have better performance than hydrophilic or hydrophobic surface. But this kind of wetting hybrid modification is always carried out on plain or flat surface. In this paper, we coated PTFE powders on superhydrophilic micro copper dendrite fin surface to build wetting hybrid surface. The pool boiling experimental results showed that after coating, the wall superheat dramatically decreased to 8 K, which is 9K lower than that on original surface at 250 W·cm−2. Besides, it also has much better performance than Silicon pin fin based wetting hybrid surface.
Anomalous Heat Diffusion in a Chain of Large Particles Through Radiative Heat Transfer
Authors: Liu B. K. , Zhao J. M. , Liu L. H.
Published: December 2019

Radiative heat transfer in particulate system has many applications in industry. Recently, the anomalous heat diffusion was reported for particulate system in near field thermal radiation heat transfer, and the existence of heat super-diffusive regimes was observed and the spread of heat can be described by Levy flight. In this work, attention is paid to investigate whether there is anomalous heat diffusion in far-field radiative heat transfer or not. Specifically, this study is focused on the radiative heat transport of a system, consisting of optically large particles, in the geometric optic range. Those particles are arranged in a linear chain surrounded by reflective walls and all particles are identical and equally spaced. The effect of the boundary type and particle surface emissivity on the heat diffusion is also investigated. The heat diffusion behavior in the far-field is studied based on Monte Carlo ray tracing method and the fractional diffusion equation in one dimension. The result indicates the existence of anomalous heat diffusion in the far-field by analyzing the asymptotic behavior of radiation distribution function (RDF). It’s shown that the distribution of RDF decays in power law and can be divided into two parts: for near the source particle, heat diffusive regime is super-diffusive (according to the analysis of fractional diffusion equation), while for far from the source particle, heat diffusive regime becomes sub-diffusive. Moreover, the kind of boundary type and particle wall emissivity have a significant influence on the heat diffusion of the far-field radiation heat transfer. This work will help the understanding of radiation heat transfer in particulate system in the far-field.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of paraesophageal lung tumors – diagnostic yield and added value
Authors: Chira Romeo Ioan , Chira Alexandra , Ichim Vlad Andrei , Nagy Georgiana Anca , Florea Alina , Crisan Doinita , Popovici Bogdan
Published: November 2019

Aims: There are few data on the use of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for the biopsy of suspected malignant lesions of the lung. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of transesophageal EUS fine needle aspiration (EUSFNA) for the diagnosis of paraesophageal lung tumors and also for the confirmation of metastatic sites of lung cancer during the same procedure.Material and methods: We performed a retrospective study in a tertiary care unit including 19 patientswith paraesophageal lung tumors referred to our department for a lung biopsy. Transesophageal EUS-FNA was performed using a linear echoendoscope and 22G needles.Results: In all 19 patients with suspected lung tumors the confirmation of the malignant disease was achieved. Pathological examination revealed 16 cases of non-small cell lung cancers, 2 small cell lung cancers and one case of lung metastases. Diagnostic yield of lung EUS-FNA was 1, with no post-procedural complications. In 7 cases, we performed also biopsies of suspected metastasis and all biopsies revealed the same histopathological type as the primary tumor.Conclusions: Our study supports the use of this minimally invasive technique for paraesophageally locatedlung tumors and demonstrates that EUS-FNA is safe and has an excellent diagnostic yield.
Embryonic Cells Redistribute SUMO1 upon Forced SUMO1 Overexpression
Authors: Lee Andreia , Zhu Yiping , Sabo Yosef , Goff Stephen P.
Published: December 2019

Embryonic stem (ES) cells exhibit unusual transcriptional, proteomic, and signal response profiles, reflecting their unusual needs for rapid differentiation and replication. The work reported here demonstrated that mouse embryonic cell lines did not tolerate the overexpression of SUMO1, the small ubiquitin-like modifier protein that is covalently attached to many substrates to alter their intracellular localization and functionality. Forced SUMO1 overexpression is toxic to ES cells, and surviving cell populations adapt by dramatically reducing the levels of free SUMO1. Such a response is not seen in differentiated cells or with SUMO2 or with nonconjugatable SUMO1 mutants or in the presence of a SUMO1 “sponge” substrate that accepts the modification. The findings suggest that excess SUMO1 modification of specific substrates is not tolerated by embryonic cells and highlight a distinctive need for these cells to control the levels of SUMO1 available for conjugation.
CD138-negative plasma cell myeloma: a diagnostic challenge and a unique entity
Authors: Setiadi Audi Francesca , Sheikine Yuri
Published: December 2019

Plasma cell neoplasms may exhibit variations in morphology and immunophenotype, which can mimic mature B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders and pose diagnostic challenges. This case illustrates a rare entity of plasma cell myeloma, where the entire plasma cell population exhibited lymphoid morphology, negativity for CD138, positivity for CD20 and cyclin D1, and positive fluorescence in situ hybridisation for t(11;14) and del(17 p), mimicking a mature B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder, in particular mantle cell lymphoma. In this case, a careful analysis of flow cytometry gating strategies and use of other ancillary tests were keys for correct diagnosis. In addition to the diagnostic implications due to its rarity, CD138-negative plasma cell myeloma may represent a unique entity, which is associated with ‘stem cell’-like clonogenic properties, more aggressive clinical behaviour and resistance to chemotherapy.
Country contextualisation of cost-effectiveness studies: lessons from Ethiopia
Authors: Johansson Kjell Arne , Tolla Mieraf Taddesse , Memirie Solomon Tessema , Miljeteig Ingrid , Habtemariam Mahlet Kifle , Woldemariam Addis Tamire , Verguet Stéphane , Norheim Ole Frithjof
Published: December 2019

Emerging demographic, epidemiological and health system changes in low-income countries require revisions of national essential health services packages in accordance with standard healthcare priority setting methods. Policy makers are in need of explicit and user-friendly methods to compare impact of multiple interventions. We provide experiences of country contextualisation of WHO-CHOICE methods and models to a country level. Results from three contextualised cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) are presented, and we discuss how this evidence can inform priority setting in Ethiopia. Existing models for a range of interventions in obstetric and neonatal care, psychiatric and neurological treatment and prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases are contextualised to the Ethiopian setting. CEAs are defined as contextualised if they include national analysts and use country-specific input for either costs, epidemiology, demography, baseline coverage or effects. Interventions (n=61) are ranked according to incremental cost-effectiveness rates (ICERs), and expected health outcomes (Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) averted) and budget impacts are presented for each intervention. Dominated interventions (n=30) were excluded. A US$2.8 increase per capita in the annual health budget is needed in Ethiopia (currently at US$28 per capita) for increasing coverage by 20%–75% for all the 22 interventions with positive net health benefits. This investment is expected to give a net benefit at around 0.5 million DALYs averted in return in total, with a willingness to pay threshold at US$2000 per DALY averted. In particular, three interventions, neonatal resuscitation, kangaroo mother care and antibiotics for newborn sepsis, stand out as best buys in an Ethiopian setting. Our method of contextualised CEAs provides important information for policy makers. Rank ordering of interventions by ICERs, together with presentations of expected budget impact and net health benefits, is a clear and policy friendly illustration of possible efficient stepwise pathways towards universal health coverage.
Changes in structure and function of bacterial and fungal communities in open composting of Chinese herb residues
Authors: Chang Fan , Jia Fengan , Lv Rui , Zhen Lisha , Li Yan , Wang Yan
Published: December 2019

In this study, dynamic changes in bacterial and fungal communities, metabolic characteristics, and trophic modes in Chinese herb residues open composting for 30 days were analyzed by using high-throughput sequencing, PICRUSt, and FUNGuild, respectively. Bacillaceae and Basidiomycota predominated at the early composting stage, while Proteobacteria and Ascomycota became the dominant phyla during the active phase. Aerobic composting had a significant effect on bacterial metabolic characteristics and fungal trophic modes over the composting time. The function of the bacterial communities changed from environmental information processing to metabolism. Fungal communities changed as well, with the pathogenic fungi decreasing and wood saprotrophs increasing. These results indicated that open composting of Chinese herb residues not only influenced microbial community structure but also changed metabolic characteristics and trophic modes, which became the internal dynamics of composting.
A remark on the extension of L2 holomorphic functions
Authors: Guan Qi’an
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we answer a question on the extension of [Formula: see text] holomorphic functions posed by Ohsawa.
Transition phenomena in diffusive motions due to the change of memory effects
Authors: Kim Dongmi , Kim Hyun-Joo
Published: December 2019

In the anomalous diffusions, the transition phenomena from superdiffusion (or subdiffusion) to normal diffusion have been found in several experiments and studied by stochastic models. In this study, we found the diffusion transition which occurs twice in a stochastic process, first from superdiffusion to subdiffusion, and then from subdiffusion to normal diffusion by using the nonstationary Markovian replication process with the memory of the previous step exponentially decaying with time. In the early stage, when the walker strongly follows the previous step, superdiffusive behaviors occur, while in the intermediate stage in which the memory effect decays exponentially, the motion of the walker shows subdiffusive behaviors. Eventually, as the memory effect almost disappears, the motion reduces to normal diffusion. We also found that the Hurst exponent in the intermediate subdiffusive region becomes smaller when the change of the memory effect is more abrupt.
On the generalized time fractional diffusion equation: Symmetry analysis, conservation laws, optimal system and exact solutions
Authors: Liu Jian-Gen , Yang Xiao-Jun , Feng Yi-Ying , Zhang Hong-Yi
Published: November 2019

Under study in this paper is a time fractional generalized nonlinear diffusion equation which can be better to express diffusion phenomena than diffusion equation of integer order. Firstly, we apply the symmetry analysis method to find the symmetry of this considered equation. Then some conservation laws can also be constructed through the above obtained symmetry with the help of the Noether’s theorem. Next, we reduce this equation into an ordinary differential equation of fractional order in the symmetry with Erdélyi–Kober fractional differential operator under one-dimensional subalgebras optimal system framework. Finally, some exact solutions contain the invariant solutions have found for this given equation. The results give us a new interpretation of this type diffusion process.
Regressive Whale Optimization for Workflow Scheduling in Cloud Computing
Authors: Narendrababu Reddy G. , Phani Kumar S.
Published: December 2019

Cloud computing is the advancing technology that aims at providing services to the customers with the available resources in the cloud environment. When the multiple users request service from the cloud server, there is a need of the proper scheduling of the resources to attain good customer satisfaction. Therefore, this paper proposes the Regressive Whale Optimization (RWO) algorithm for workflow scheduling in the cloud computing environment. RWO is the meta-heuristic algorithm, which schedules the task depending on a fitness function. Here, the fitness function is defined based on three major constraints, such as resource utilization, energy, and the Quality of Service (QoS). Therefore, the proposed task scheduling requires minimum time and cost for executing the task in the virtual machines. The performance of the proposed method is analyzed using the four experimental setups, and the results of the analysis prove that the proposed multi-objective task scheduling method performs well than the existing methods. The evaluation metrics considered for analyzing the performance of the proposed workflow scheduling method are resource utilization, energy, cost, and time. Resource utilization is the process of making the most of the resources available for performing tasks. Energy is the quantitative property of the resource to perform tasks. The proposed method attains the maximum resource utilization at a rate of 0.0334, minimal rate of energy, scheduling cost, and time as 0.2291, 0.0181, and 0.0007, respectively.
An Empirical Evaluation of User Movement Data on Smartphones
Authors: Kelley Christopher , Mason Janelle , Esterline Albert , Roy Kaushik
Published: December 2019

Movement data can be collected and used to add new security features and functionality to users’ mobile devices. Measuring a user’s movement using mobile devices allows for the use of behavioral biometrics. This assessment could introduce a shift in our current methods for securing mobile devices: instead of physical attributes like fingerprints or our face, the use of behavioral attributes like the way we walk or perform some personal activity. In this paper, an empirical evaluation of different classification techniques is conducted on user movement data. The datasets used in this empirical evaluation contain accelerometer data that were collected during various experiments from several mobile devices, including smartphones, smart watches, and other accelerometer sensors. We aggregated the user movement data and provided them as input into five traditional machine learning algorithms. The classification performances of the data were compared with a deep learning technique, the Long Short-Term Memory-Recurrent Neural Network (LSTM-RNN). The LSTM-RNN achieved its highest accuracy at 89% compared to 97% from a traditional machine learning algorithm, specifically the k-Nearest Neighbor (k-NN) algorithm on wrist-worn accelerometer data, thus showing the LSTM to be a less viable option.
EFFECT OF FLOOD AND FIRE ACCIDENTS ON ECONOMIC GROWTH IN ODISHA, INDIA: DISTRICT LEVEL ANALYSIS
Authors: PARIDA YASHOBANTA , BHARDWAJ PARUL , SAHOO PRAKASH KUMAR , NAYAK TAPASWINI
Published: December 2019

Natural disasters are a recurrent phenomenon in Odisha. Frequent natural disasters not only affect different sectors of the economy but also disturb different aspects of human life. The natural disasters also increase fiscal pressure of the government. Every year, government of Odisha (GoO) spends around 1.3% of GSDP for flood control and irrigation purpose, and 0.44% of GSDP is spent on relief on account of natural calamities. We employ Pooled Mean Group (PMG) to examine the effect of natural disasters such as flood, lightning and fire accidents on per capita real Gross District Domestic Product (GDDP) growth using district-level panel data for 30 districts of Odisha over the period 2001–2011. The findings of the study are as follows. First, PMG estimate confirms that flood is positively related with per capita real GDDP growth which implies that 10% increase in the number of floods at their mean lead to an increase in per capita real GDDP growth by 0.0011% in the long-run. Second, population killed due to lightning has negative impact on the same. The results confirm that 10% increase in population death due to lightning at their mean leads to a decline in the per capita real GDDP growth by 0.0001% in the long-run. Third, further result shows that property lost by fire is negatively correlated with per capita real GDDP growth which implies that property lost by fire accidents increase by 10% at their mean leading to a decline in per capita real GDDP growth by 0.0008% in the long-run. Finally, results also confirm that districts with better financial markets and higher level of literacy, experience higher per capita real GDDP growth in the long-run. In view of these results, the empirical finding concludes that long-term disaster management policy is essential to mitigate the adverse impact of natural disasters on per capita GDDP growth in Odisha.
The Neural Regulation of Cancer
Authors: Gillespie Shawn , Monje Michelle
Published: December 2019

The nervous system is intimately involved in physiological processes from development and growth to tissue homeostasis and repair throughout the body. It logically follows that the nervous system has the potential to play analogous roles in the context of cancer. Progress toward understanding the crucial role of the nervous system in cancer has accelerated in recent years, but much remains to be learned. Here, we highlight rapidly evolving concepts in this burgeoning research space and consider next steps toward understanding and therapeutically targeting the neural regulation of cancer.
Early Deprivation Revisited: Contemporary Studies of the Impact on Young Children of Institutional Care
Authors: Gunnar Megan R. , Reid Brie M.
Published: December 2019

There is clear evidence that early deprivation in the form of early institutional care affects children both immediately and long after they are removed from the institution. This article reviews the modern literature on the impact of institutional care from animal models to longitudinal studies in humans. Importantly, we examine the current understanding of neuroendocrine regulation in the context of early deprivation. We discuss the opportunities and limitations of studying the effects of deprivation in previously institutionalized children, review behavioral findings and related neurobiological studies, and address the physical health ramifications of institutional care. Finally, we touch on future directions for both science and intervention.
Striated muscle-specific serine/threonine-protein kinase beta segregates with high versus low responsiveness to endurance exercise training
Authors: Kusić Denis , Connolly Joanne , Kainulainen Heikki , Semenova Ekaterina A. , Borisov Oleg V. , Larin Andrey K. , Popov Daniil V. , Generozov Edward V. , Ahmetov Ildus I. , Britton Steven L. , Koch Lauren G. , Burniston Jatin G.
Published: December 2019

Bidirectional selection for either high or low responsiveness to endurance running has created divergent rat phenotypes of high-response trainers (HRT) and low-response trainers (LRT). We conducted proteome profiling of HRT and LRT gastrocnemius of 10 female rats (body weight 279 ± 35 g; n = 5 LRT and n = 5 HRT) from generation 8 of selection. Differential analysis of soluble proteins from gastrocnemius was conducted by label-free quantitation. Genetic association studies were conducted in 384 Russian international-level athletes (age 23.8 ± 3.4 yr; 202 men and 182 women) stratified to endurance or power disciplines. Proteomic analysis encompassed 1,024 proteins, 76 of which exhibited statistically significant ( P < 0.05, false discovery rate <1%) differences between HRT and LRT muscle. There was significant enrichment of enzymes involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis in LRT muscle but no enrichment of gene ontology phrases in HRT muscle. Striated muscle-specific serine/threonine-protein kinase-beta (SPEG-β) exhibited the greatest difference in abundance and was 2.64-fold greater ( P = 0.0014) in HRT muscle. Coimmunoprecipitation identified 24 potential binding partners of SPEG-β in HRT muscle. The frequency of the G variant of the rs7564856 polymorphism that increases SPEG gene expression was significantly greater (32.9 vs. 23.8%; OR = 1.6, P = 0.009) in international-level endurance athletes ( n = 258) compared with power athletes ( n = 126) and was significantly associated (β = 8.345, P = 0.0048) with a greater proportion of slow-twitch fibers in vastus lateralis of female endurance athletes. Coimmunoprecipitation of SPEG-β in HRT muscle discovered putative interacting proteins that link with previously reported differences in transforming growth factor-β signaling in exercised muscle.
Changes in Index of Microcirculatory Resistance during PCI in the Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery in Relation to Total Length of Implanted Stents
Authors: Ekenbäck Christina , Jokhaji Fadi , Östlund-Papadogeorgos Nikolaos , Mir-Akbari Habib , Linder Rikard , Witt Nils , Törnerud Mattias , Samad Bassem , Persson Jonas
Published: December 2019

Aim. To investigate the relationship between stent length and changes in microvascular resistance during PCI in stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods and Results. We measured fractional flow reserve (FFR), index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR), and coronary flow reserve (CFR) before and after stenting in 42 consecutive subjects with stable coronary artery undergoing PCI with stent in the LAD. Patients that had very long stent length (38–78 mm) had lower FFR before stenting than patients that had long (23–37 mm) and moderate (12–22 mm) stent length (0.59 (±0.16), 0.70 (±0.12), and 0.75 (±0.07); p=0.002). FFR improved after stenting and more so in subjects with very long stent length compared to long and moderate stent length (0.27 (s.d ± 16), 0.15 (s.d ± 0.12), and 0.12 (s.d ± 0.07); p for interaction = 0.013). Corrected IMR (IMRcorr) increased after stenting in subjects who had very long stent length, whereas IMRcorr was lower after stenting in subjects who had long or moderate stent length (4.6 (s.d. ± 10.7), −1.4 (s.d. ± 9,9), and −4.2 (s.d. ± 7.8); p for interaction = 0.009). Conclusions. Changes in IMR during PCI in the LAD in stable CAD seem to be related to total length of stents implanted, possibly influencing post-PCI FFR. Larger studies are needed to confirm the relationship.
Benefits and Risks of Clopidogrel vs. Aspirin Monotherapy after Recent Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Paciaroni Maurizio , Ince Birsen , Hu Bo , Jeng Jiann-Shing , Kutluk Kursad , Liu Liping , Lou Min , Parfenov Vladimir , Wong Ka Sing Lawrence , Zamani Babak , Paek Dara , Min Han Jung , del Aguila Michael , Girotra Shalini
Published: December 2019

Aim. Though combination of clopidogrel added to aspirin has been compared to aspirin alone in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack, limited data exists on the relative efficacy and safety between clopidogrel and aspirin monotherapy in patients with a recent ischemic stroke. We aimed to compare clopidogrel versus aspirin monotherapy in this population. Methods. PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL databases were searched from inception to May 2018 to identify clinical trials and observational studies comparing clopidogrel versus aspirin for secondary prevention in patients with recent ischemic stroke within 12 months. Pooled effect estimates were calculated using a random effects model and were reported as risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results. Five studies meeting eligibility criteria were included in the analysis. A total of 29,357 adult patients who had recent ischemic stroke received either clopidogrel (n=14,293) or aspirin (n=15,064) for secondary prevention. Pairwise meta-analysis showed a statistically significant risk reduction in the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (risk ratio 0.72 [95% CI, 0.53–0.97]), any ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke (0.76 [0.58, 0.99), and recurrent ischemic stroke (0.72 [0.55, 0.94]) in patients who received clopidogrel versus aspirin. The risk of bleeding was also lower for clopidogrel versus aspirin (0.57 [0.45, 0.74]). There was no difference in the rate of all-cause mortality between the two groups. Conclusions. The analysis showed lower risks of major adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events, recurrent stroke, and bleeding events for clopidogrel monotherapy compared to aspirin. These findings support clinical benefit for single antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel over aspirin for secondary prevention in patients with recent ischemic stroke.
Strain Distribution Evaluation of Rat Tibia under Axial Compressive Load by Combining Strain Gauge Measurement and Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Gao Jiazi , Liu Bei , Zhang Min , Gong He , Gao Bingzhao
Published: December 2019

This study is aimed at providing an effective method for determining strain-load relationship and at quantifying the strain distribution within the whole tibia under axial compressive load on rats. Rat tibial models with axial compressive load were designed. Strains in three directions (0°, 45°, and 90°) at the proximal shaft of the tibia were measured by using a strain gauge rosette, which was used to calculate the maximum and minimum principal strains. Moreover, the strain at the midshaft of the tibia was measured by a single-element strain gauge. The slopes of the strain-load curves with different peak loads were calculated to assess the stability of the strain gauge measurement. Mechanical environment in the whole tibia by the axial compressive load was quantified using finite element analysis (FEA) based on microcomputed tomography images. The von Mises elastic strain distributions of the whole tibiae were evaluated. Slopes of the strain-load curves showed no significant differences among different peak loads (ANOVA; P>0.05), indicating that the strain-load relationship obtained from the strain gauge measurement was reasonable and stable. The FEA results corresponded to the experimental results with an error smaller than 15% (paired Student’s t-test, P>0.05), signifying that the FEA can simulate the experiment reasonably. FEA results showed that the von Mises elastic strain was the lowest in the middle and gradually increased to both sides along the lateral direction, with the maximal von Mises elastic strain being observed on the posterior side under the distal tibiofibular synostosis. The method of strain gauge measurements and FEA used in this study can provide a feasible way to obtain the mechanical environment of the tibiae under axial compressive load on the rats and serve as a reference for further exploring the mechanical response of the bone by axial compressive load.
Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of the Cytochrome B5 Protein Family in Chinese Cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. Pekinensis)
Authors: Zheng Han , Li Xin , Shi Lin , Jing Ying , Song Qingqing , Chen Yanan , He Lilong , Wang Fengde , Gao Jianwei , Bi Yuping
Published: December 2019

Cytochrome B5 (CB5) family proteins play an important role in various oxidation/reduction reactions in cells as the electron donor and are involved in a variety of biotic and abiotic stress processes. However, the function of the CB5s in Brassica rapa is still unclear. In this study, we carried out genome-wide identification, characterization, and expression analysis of BrCB5s in different tissues under adversities and stresses. It was identified that fifteen BrCB5s were distributed on different chromosomes, which were classified into seven groups (A-G) according to its phylogenetic relationship. Phylogenetic analysis of the CB5 protein sequences from six species showed that the BrCB5s conduct a close evolutionary process with the CB5s of Arabidopsis thaliana and far from those of Oryza sativa. Protein interaction analysis showed that 40 interaction patterns were predicted including two Sucrose Transporter 4 subfamily proteins (SUT 4) and Fatty Acid Hydroxylase 2 protein (FAH 2) can interact with most members of BrCB5s. The expression profile analysis indicated that BrCB5s were differentially expressed in different tissues, and the transcript abundances were significantly different under various abiotic stresses and plant hormone treatments. Our study provides a basis for a better understanding of the characteristics and biological functions of the CB5 family genes in Chinese cabbage during plant development, especially in plant responses to multiple stresses.
Effect of Axial Pressure on Lime‐Treated Expansive Soil Subjected to Wetting and Drying Cycles
Authors: Tang Chuxuan , Lu Zheng , Yao Hailin
Published: December 2019

The impact of seasonal moisture variation on subgrade soil, including lime‐treated expansive soil, has been investigated in many studies. However, when performing wetting and drying cycles, the effect of stress, which decides the behavior and mechanical properties of soil, is usually ignored. In this paper, the effect of axial surcharge pressure on the deformation and resilient modulus of lime‐treated expansive soil subjected to wetting and drying cycles was investigated. A self‐made apparatus was chosen to apply axial surcharge pressure and precisely control the variation of moisture content. The lime‐treated specimens were placed in the self‐made apparatus and then subjected to wetting and drying cycles under three different surcharge pressures. The results show that the axial surcharge pressure has a significant influence on the development of axial strain and resilient modulus. In particular, larger surcharge pressure induces accumulate irreversible shrinkage, whereas lower surcharge pressure tends to lead to irreversible swelling. On the contrary, the larger surcharge pressure leads to higher resilient modulus of the tested specimen after wetting and drying cycles.
Comparative Study of Crude and Wine-Processing Corni Fructus on Chemical Composition and Antidiabetic Effects
Authors: Bi Huailong , Niu Dou , Guo Chen , Li Jia , Chen Xue , Zhang Yuan , Wang Shaojun , Bai Jiqing , Li Xing , Kang Jiefang
Published: December 2019

Wine processing is a specialized technology which involves sautéing crude herbal medicine using Chinese rice wine. Herein, we identified the changes in chemical profiles and antidiabetic effects of Corni Fructus (CF) after wine processing in high-fat diet (HFD) streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetic mice. A novel high-efficiency method for simultaneously quantifying gallic acid, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, morroniside, loganin, sweroside, and cornuside by UPLC was developed, and validating crude and wine-processing CF was done for the first time. Mice were randomly divided into the following groups and orally given different solutions for 4 weeks: normal group (NC, 0.4% (w/v) CMC-Na), model group (DM, 0.4% (w/v) CMC-Na), crude CF group (CP, 3.87 g/kg), and wine-processing CF group (PP, 3.87 g/kg) followed by HFD and multiple subcutaneous injection of STZ (40 mg/kg) to induce the diabetes model except the NC group. Biochemical indexes (body weight, fasting blood glucose level, lipid level, insulin, and free fatty acid) and other parameters involving liver toxicity were measured with commercial kits and immunohistochemical method. Comparative studies on pharmacology showed that the crude extracts possess higher efficacy on hypoglycemia and hypolipidemia, while wine-processing products exhibit better effects on liver preservation. Our data suggested that wine processing was recommended when CF was used for protecting the liver; however, crude products should be used as antidiabetic drugs.
Classic Testicular Seminoma in Men Aged 50 Years or Over: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Abou Zahr Rawad , Chalhoub Khalil , Matta Imad , Horani Sawsan , Bedoyan Zarouhie , El Hachem Georges , Ghantous Imad , Jabbour Michel
Published: November 2019

Testicular cancer is the most frequent solid tumor detected in young adult men. Germ cell tumors (GCTs), particularly seminomas, are the most common type of testicular neoplasms seen in that age population. Most publications have reported decreasing incidence of GCTs in patients above forty years of age. Since the biologic activity of seminomas appears similar across ages, recommended management of senior adults involves a multimodal therapy of radical inguinal orchiectomy with radiation or cytotoxic treatment as needed. Attenuating chemotherapy dosages are critical to ensure better tolerability of associated adverse events. Here we report a case series of 2 men older than fifty years of age with metastatic testicular seminoma. We aim to emphasize a rare clinical entity encountered in the senior adult population.
Interaction and Adsorption of Hydrophobically Modified Polyacrylamide on Silica and Asphaltene Surfaces
Authors: Zou Wenjie , Fang Zichuan , Zhang Zhijun , Lu Zhenzhen
Published: November 2019

The adsorption of polymers affects the cost and oil recovery in oil reservoir exploitation and the flocculation effect in the treatment of oil sand tailings. The adhesion and adsorption of a hydrophobically modified polyacrylamide (HMPAM), i.e., P(AM-NaAA-C16DMAAC), on silica and asphaltene were investigated using surface force measurements, thermodynamic analysis and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) measurement. Our study indicates that HMPAM polymer has strong interaction with both silica and asphaltene. The adhesion force of HMPAM on silica was stronger than that on asphaltene surface. Consistently, the adsorption of HMPAM was also greater on silica surface, with a more rigid layer formed on the surface. For HMPAM/silica system, the attractive interaction and the strong adhesion are mainly driven by the hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction. For HMPAM/asphaltene system, it is mainly due to hydrophobic interaction between the long hydrocarbon chains of HMPAM and asphaltene. Furthermore, continuous adsorption of HMPAM was detected and multiple layers formed on both silica and asphaltene surfaces, which can be attributed to the hydrophobic chains of HMPAM polymers. This work has illustrated the interaction mechanism of HMPAM polymer on hydrophilic silica and hydrophobic asphaltene surfaces, which provide insight into the industrial applications of hydrophobically modified polymer.
Gait Regulation of a Bionic Quadruped Robot with Antiparallelogram Leg Based on CPG Oscillator
Authors: Chen Jiupeng , San Hongjun , Wu Xing
Published: December 2019

In order to shorten the research and development cycle of quadruped robot, it is significant to solve the problem of single leg weight‐bearing and obtain a smooth gait switching. Firstly, a leg structure with an antiparallelogram is proposed, which greatly enhances the strength and stiffness of the leg in this paper. Secondly, the Simulink‐ADAMS cosimulation platform is built and the improved Hopf oscillator is used in the control of robot. This control mode based on CPG realizes the walk and trot gait of quadruped robot. Thirdly, in order to solve the problems of breakpoints, phase‐locked, and stopping of gait curve in the process of gait switching by directly replacing the gait matrix, the functional relationship between the right hind leg and duty cycle is introduced to realize the smooth transition of gait curve. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve a smooth gait transformation within 4–6 second, which preliminarily proves the feasibility of the algorithm. Finally, the experimental platform is built and the control algorithm is written into the controller to realize the specific gait of the robot, which proves the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Structural Parameter Optimization of a Tubular Permanent‐Magnet Linear Machine for Regenerative Suspension
Authors: Lu Dongsheng , Zhang Hailong , Liu Jian , Wang Enrong
Published: December 2019

The regenerative suspension can effectively recover the vibration potential energy of the vehicle suspension, thus has broad prospects in application. In this paper, a tubular permanent‐magnet linear motor (TPMLM) with the Halbach array magnetic pole is analyzed. The magnetic field analysis method of the excitation source separation is proposed, and then, the transient analytical model of output electromagnetic force and the external circuit characteristic under displacement excitation is established. A modified particle swarm optimization algorithm is further adopted to optimize the structural parameters of TPMLM. By comparing with the finite element analysis, the correctness of the proposed analytical model and the optimization are verified. This work lays the theoretical foundation for extensive application of the regenerative suspension.
Single-Stage Craniectomy and Cranioplasty for Multilobular Osteochondrosarcoma Managed with a Custom Additive Manufactured Titanium Plate in a Dog
Authors: Hayes Galina M. , Demeter Elena A. , Choi Eunju , Oblak Michelle
Published: December 2019

A 9-year-old spayed female dachshund presented with a large multilobular osteochondrosarcoma of the crania, with obliteration of approximately 70% of the surface area of the dorsal calvaria and intracranial extension. The mass was excised with histologically clean lateral bone margins (2–4 mm) and invasion at the deep margin. The resulting defect was reconstructed with a custom titanium plate. The patient recovered routinely and was asymptomatic until 7 months postoperatively. The patient developed intractable seizures 7 months postoperatively and was euthanized. Post-mortem examination showed tumor regrowth within the brain parenchyma. No abnormalities were seen associated with the plate. The patient-specific, custom additive manufactured titanium plate provided an excellent option for anatomic reconstruction and protection of the brain over a relatively large area with no complications noted.
High-Affinity Detection of Alpha-Synuclein by Aptamer-Gold Conjugates on an Amine-Modified Dielectric Surface
Authors: You Xuemei , Gopinath Subash C. B. , Lakshmipriya Thangavel , Li Dingan
Published: December 2019

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive health issue and influences an increasingly larger number of people, especially at older ages, affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Alpha-synuclein is a biomarker closely correlated with the CNS and PD. The loss of neuronal cells in the substantia nigra leads to the aggregation of alpha-synuclein in the form of Lewy bodies, and Lewy neuritis is a neuropathological hallmark. The therapeutic approach of PD focuses on alpha-synuclein as an important substrate of PD pathology. So far, research has focused on antialpha-synuclein to minimize the burden of extracellular alpha-synuclein in the brain, and as a consequence, it ameliorates inflammation. Interdigitated electrode (IDE) biosensors are efficient tools for detecting various analytes and were chosen in this study to detect alpha-synuclein on amine-modified surfaces by using antiaptamer-alpha-synuclein as the probe. In addition, a gold nanoparticle-conjugated aptamer was used to enhance the detection limit. The limit of detection for the binding between alpha-synuclein and aptamer was found to be 10 pM. Control experiments were performed with two closely related proteins, amyloid-beta and tau, to reveal the specificity; the results show that the aptamer only recognized alpha-synuclein. The proposed strategy helps to identify the binding of aptamer and alpha-synuclein and provides a possible method to lower alpha-synuclein levels and inflammation in PD patients.
Characterization of the Complete Chloroplast Genome of Acer truncatum Bunge (Sapindales: Aceraceae): A New Woody Oil Tree Species Producing Nervonic Acid
Authors: Ma Qiuyue , Wang Yanan , Zhu Lu , Bi Changwei , Li Shuxian , Li Shushun , Wen Jing , Yan Kunyuan , Li Qianzhong
Published: November 2019

Acer truncatum, which is a new woody oil tree species, is an important ornamental and medicinal plant in China. To assess the genetic diversity and relationships of A. truncatum, we analyzed its complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence. The A. truncatum cp genome comprises 156,492 bp, with the large single-copy, small single-copy, and inverted repeat (IR) regions consisting of 86,010, 18,050, and 26,216 bp, respectively. The A. truncatum cp genome contains 112 unique functional genes (i.e., 4 rRNA, 30 tRNA, and 78 protein-coding genes) as well as 78 simple sequence repeats, 9 forward repeats, 1 reverse repeat, 5 palindromic repeats, and 7 tandem repeats. We analyzed the expansion/contraction of the IR regions in the cp genomes of six Acer species. A comparison of these cp genomes indicated the noncoding regions were more diverse than the coding regions. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that A. truncatum is closely related to A. miaotaiense. Moreover, a novel ycf4-cemA indel marker was developed for distinguishing several Acer species (i.e., A. buergerianum, A. truncatum, A. henryi, A. negundo, A. ginnala, and A. tonkinense). The results of the current study provide valuable information for future evolutionary studies and the molecular barcoding of Acer species.