bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical Study of Bubble Area Evolution During Acoustic Droplet Vaporization-Enhanced HIFU Treatment
Authors: Xin Ying , Zhang Aili , Xu Lisa X. , Brian Fowlkes J.
Published: June 2017

Acoustic droplet vaporization has the potential to shorten treatment time of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) while minimizing the possible effects of microbubbles along the propagation path. Distribution of the bubbles formed from the droplets during the treatment is the major factor shaping the therapeutic region. A numerical model was proposed to simulate the bubble area evolution during this treatment. Using a linear acoustic equation to describe the ultrasound field, a threshold range was defined that determines the amount of bubbles vaporized in the treated area. Acoustic parameters, such as sound speed, acoustic attenuation coefficient, and density, were treated as a function of the bubble size distribution and the gas void fraction, which were related to the vaporized bubbles in the medium. An effective pressure factor was proposed to account for the influence of the existing bubbles on the vaporization of the nearby droplets. The factor was obtained by fitting one experimental result and was then used to calculate bubble clouds in other experimental cases. Comparing the simulation results to these other experiments validated the model. The dynamic change of the pressure and the bubble distribution after exposure to over 20 pulses of HIFU are obtained. It is found that the bubble area grows from a grainlike shape to a “tadpole,” with comparable dimensions and shape to those observed in experiments. The process was highly dynamic with the shape of the bubble area changing with successive HIFU pulses and the focal pressure. The model was further used to predict the shape of the bubble region triggered by HIFU when a bubble wall pre-exists. The results showed that the bubble wall helps prevent droplet vaporization on the distal side of the wall and forms a particularly shaped region with bubbles. This simulation model has predictive potential that could be beneficial in applications, such as cancer treatment, by parametrically studying conditions associated with these treatments and designing treatment protocols.
Full-Scale Turbofan Demonstration of a Deployable Engine Air-Brake for Drag Management Applications1
Authors: Shah Parthiv N. , Pfeiffer Gordon , Davis Rory , Hartley Thomas , Spakovszky Zoltán
Published: June 2017

This paper presents the design and full-scale ground-test demonstration of an engine air-brake (EAB) nozzle that uses a deployable swirl vane mechanism to switch the operation of a turbofan's exhaust stream from thrust generation to drag generation during the approach and/or descent phase of flight. The EAB generates a swirling outflow from the turbofan exhaust nozzle, allowing an aircraft to generate equivalent drag in the form of thrust reduction at a fixed fan rotor speed. The drag generated by the swirling exhaust flow is sustained by the strong radial pressure gradient created by the EAB swirl vanes. Such drag-on-demand is an enabler to operational benefits such as slower, steeper, and/or aeroacoustically cleaner flight on approach, addressing the aviation community's need for active and passive control of aeroacoustic noise sources and access to confined airports. Using NASA's technology readiness level (TRL) definitions, the EAB technology has been matured to a level of six, i.e., a fully functional prototype. The TRL-maturation effort involved design, fabrication, assembly, and ground-testing of the EAB's deployable mechanism on a full-scale, mixed-exhaust, medium-bypass-ratio business jet engine (Williams International FJ44-4A) operating at the upper end of typical approach throttle settings. The final prototype design satisfied a set of critical technology demonstration requirements that included (1) aerodynamic equivalent drag production equal to 15% of nominal thrust in a high-powered approach throttle setting (called dirty approach), (2) excess nozzle flow capacity and fuel burn reduction in the fully deployed configuration, (3) acceptable engine operability during dynamic deployment and stowing, (4) deployment time of 3–5 s, (5) stowing time under 0.5 s, and (6) packaging of the mechanism within a notional engine cowl. For a typical twin-jet aircraft application, a constant-speed, steep approach analysis suggests that the EAB drag could be used without additional external airframe drag to increase the conventional glideslope from 3 deg to 4.3 deg, with about 3 dB noise reduction at a fixed observer location.
Characterization of transparent conductive ZnO and Ga-doped ZnO films on polyethylene naphthalate sheets aged for six years in ambient atmospheric
Authors: Akazawa Housei
Published: June 2017

Transparent conductive ZnO and Ga-doped (GZO) films that had been deposited on polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) sheet substrates were aged in ambient atmosphere conditions for six years. The films then evaluated to characterize the degradation in their sheet resistance over the substrate surface due to moisture permeation. The conductive properties of the ZnO and GZO films deposited on PEN substrates were more degraded compared to those for films deposited on glass substrates, exhibiting a nonuniform distribution of resistance. While ZnO and GZO films thinner than 100 nm were particularly sensitive to moisture infiltration, the increase in sheet resistance relative to the initial value became less obvious as thickness increased. This observation indicates that moisture permeation is limited to a certain depth from the surface. While GZO films thicker than 100 nm were free from signs of aging at Ga concentrations corresponding to standard transparent electrodes, regions with Ga concentrations more than 10% suffered from aging. This phenomenon has been observed in GZO films on glass substrates. The signs of aging were more serious for the ZnO films compared to the GZO films, as the oxygen vacancies in the ZnO films acted as reaction centers with H2O molecules. Furthermore, ZnO films thicker than 200 nm cracked because of misfit strain between the film and the PEN substrate, and cracks were widened and deeper for the thicker films. The cracked films experienced far greater deterioration than the films without cracks because moisture could easily enter the cracks and reach deep regions of the films.
Synthetic Cyclic Peptomers as Type III Secretion System Inhibitors
Authors: Lam Hanh , Schwochert Joshua , Lao Yongtong , Lau Tannia , Lloyd Cameron , Luu Justin , Kooner Olivia , Morgan Jessica , Lokey Scott , Auerbuch Victoria
Published: June 2017

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are an emerging threat to global public health. New classes of antibiotics and tools for antimicrobial discovery are urgently needed. Type III secretion systems (T3SS), which are required by dozens of Gram-negative bacteria for virulence but largely absent from nonpathogenic bacteria, are promising virulence blocker targets. The ability of mammalian cells to recognize the presence of a functional T3SS and trigger NF-κB activation provides a rapid and sensitive method for identifying chemical inhibitors of T3SS activity. In this study, we generated a HEK293 stable cell line expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) driven by a promoter containing NF-κB enhancer elements to serve as a readout of T3SS function. We identified a family of synthetic cyclic peptide-peptoid hybrid molecules (peptomers) that exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of T3SS effector secretion in
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
without affecting bacterial growth or motility. Among these inhibitors, EpD-3′N, EpD-1,2N, EpD-1,3′N, EpD-1,2,3′N, and EpD-1,2,4′N exhibited strong inhibitory effects on translocation of the
Yersinia
YopM effector protein into mammalian cells (>40% translocation inhibition at 7.5 μM) and showed no toxicity to mammalian cells at 240 μM. In addition, EpD-3′N and EpD-1,2,4′N reduced the rounding of HeLa cells caused by the activity of
Yersinia
effector proteins that target the actin cytoskeleton. In summary, we have discovered a family of novel cyclic peptomers that inhibit the injectisome T3SS but not the flagellar T3SS.
Preclinical Characterization of PC786, an Inhaled Small-Molecule Respiratory Syncytial Virus L Protein Polymerase Inhibitor
Authors: Coates Matthew , Brookes Daniel , Kim Young-In , Allen Heather , Fordyce Euan A. F. , Meals Elizabeth A. , Colley Thomas , Ciana Claire-Lise , Parra Guillaume F. , Sherbukhin Vladimir , Stockwell Jennifer A. , Thomas Jennifer C. , Hunt S. Fraser , Anderson-Dring Lauren , Onions Stuart T. , Cass Lindsey , Murray Peter J. , Ito Kazuhiro , Strong Pete , DeVincenzo John P. , Rapeport Garth
Published: June 2017

Although respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children, attempts to develop an effective therapy have so far proved unsuccessful. Here we report the preclinical profiles of PC786, a potent nonnucleoside RSV L protein polymerase inhibitor, designed for inhalation treatment of RSV infection. PC786 demonstrated a potent and selective antiviral activity against laboratory-adapted or clinical isolates of RSV-A (50% inhibitory concentration [IC
50
], <0.09 to 0.71 nM) and RSV-B (IC
50
, 1.3 to 50.6 nM), which were determined by inhibition of cytopathic effects in HEp-2 cells without causing detectable cytotoxicity. The underlying inhibition of virus replication was confirmed by PCR analysis. The effects of PC786 were largely unaffected by the multiplicity of infection (MOI) and were retained in the face of established RSV replication in a time-of-addition study. Persistent anti-RSV effects of PC786 were also demonstrated in human bronchial epithelial cells.
In vivo
intranasal once daily dosing with PC786 was able to reduce the virus load to undetectable levels in lung homogenates from RSV-infected mice and cotton rats. Treatment with escalating concentrations identified a dominant mutation in the L protein (Y1631H)
in vitro
. In addition, PC786 potently inhibited RSV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) activity in a cell-free enzyme assay and minigenome assay in HEp-2 cells (IC
50
, 2.1 and 0.5 nM, respectively). Thus, PC786 was shown to be a potent anti-RSV agent via inhibition of RdRp activity, making topical treatment with this compound a novel potential therapy for the treatment of human RSV infections.
The Nonantibiotic Macrolide EM703 Improves Survival in a Model of Quinolone-Treated Pseudomonas aeruginosa Airway Infection
Authors: Kasetty Gopinath , Bhongir Ravi K. V. , Papareddy Praveen , Herwald Heiko , Egesten Arne
Published: June 2017

Macrolide antibiotics are used as anti-inflammatory agents, e.g., for prevention of exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis. Several studies have shown improved outcomes after the addition of macrolides to β-lactam antibiotics for treatment of severe community-acquired pneumonia. However, a beneficial effect of macrolides in treating Gram-negative bacterial airway infections, e.g., those caused byPseudomonas aeruginosa, remains to be shown. Macrolide antibiotics have significant side effects, in particular, motility-stimulating activity in the gastrointestinal tract and promotion of bacterial resistance. In this study, EM703, a modified macrolide lacking antibiotic and motility-stimulating activities but with retained anti-inflammatory properties, was used as an adjunct treatment for experimentalP. aeruginosalung infection, in combination with a conventional antibiotic. Airway infections in BALB/cJRj mice were induced by nasal instillation ofP. aeruginosa; this was followed by treatment with the quinolone levofloxacin in the absence or presence of EM703. Survival, inflammatory responses, and cellular influx to the airways were monitored. Both pretreatment and simultaneous administration of EM703 dramatically improved survival in levofloxacin-treated mice withP. aeruginosaairway infections. In addition, EM703 reduced the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, increased the numbers of leukocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and reduced the numbers of neutrophils present in lung tissue. In summary, the findings of this study show that the immunomodulatory properties of the modified macrolide EM703 can be important when treating Gram-negative pneumonia, as exemplified byP. aeruginosainfection in this study.
B10 Cells Alleviate Periodontal Bone Loss in Experimental Periodontitis
Authors: Wang Yuhua , Yu Xiaoqian , Lin Jiang , Hu Yang , Zhao Qian , Kawai Toshihisa , Taubman Martin A. , Han Xiaozhe
Published: June 2017

B10 cells can regulate inflammatory responses in innate immunity. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in B cell-mediated immune responses in periodontal disease. This study aimed to determine the effects of TLR-activated B10 cells on periodontal bone loss in experimental periodontitis. Spleen B cells isolated from C57BL/6J mice were cultured with
Porphyromonas gingivalis
lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cytosine-phospho-guanine (CpG) oligodeoxynucleotides for 48 h. B10-enriched CD1d
hi
CD5
+
B cells were sorted by flow cytometry and were adoptively transferred to recipient mice through tail vein injection. At the same time,
P. gingivalis
-soaked ligatures were placed subgingivally around the maxillary second molars and remained there for 2 weeks before the mice were euthanized. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) production and the percentage of CD1d
hi
CD5
+
B cells were significantly increased with treatment with
P. gingivalis
LPS plus CpG compared to those in mice treated with
P. gingivalis
LPS or CpG alone. Mice with CD1d
hi
CD5
+
B cell transfer demonstrated reduced periodontal bone loss compared to the no-transfer group and the group with CD1d
lo
CD5
−
B cell transfer. Gingival IL-10 mRNA expression was significantly increased, whereas expressions of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and IL-1β were significantly inhibited in the CD1d
hi
CD5
+
B cell transfer group. The percentages of CD19
+
IL-10
+
cells, CD19
+
CD1d
hi
CD5
+
cells, and
P. gingivalis
-binding CD19
+
cells were significantly higher in recovered mononuclear cells from gingival tissues of the CD1d
hi
CD5
+
B cell transfer group than in tissues of the no-transfer group and the CD1d
lo
CD5
−
B cell transfer group. This study indicated that the adoptive transfer of B10 cells alleviated periodontal inflammation and bone loss in experimental periodontitis in mice.
Metabolism Dealing with Thermal Degradation of NAD
+
in the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Thermococcus kodakarensis
Authors: Hachisuka Shin-ichi , Sato Takaaki , Atomi Haruyuki
Published: June 2017

NAD
+
is an important cofactor for enzymatic oxidation reactions in all living organisms, including (hyper)thermophiles. However, NAD
+
is susceptible to thermal degradation at high temperatures. It can thus be expected that (hyper)thermophiles harbor mechanisms that maintain
in vivo
NAD
+
concentrations and possibly remove and/or reuse undesirable degradation products of NAD
+
. Here we confirmed that at 85°C, thermal degradation of NAD
+
results mostly in the generation of nicotinamide and ADP-ribose, the latter known to display toxicity by spontaneously linking to proteins. The hyperthermophilic archaeon
Thermococcus kodakarensis
possesses a putative ADP-ribose pyrophosphatase (ADPR-PPase) encoded by the TK2284 gene. ADPR-PPase hydrolyzes ADP-ribose to ribose 5-phosphate (R5P) and AMP. The purified recombinant TK2284 protein exhibited activity toward ADP-ribose as well as ADP-glucose. Kinetic analyses revealed a much higher catalytic efficiency toward ADP-ribose, suggesting that ADP-ribose was the physiological substrate. To gain insight into the physiological function of TK2284, a TK2284 gene disruption strain was constructed and examined. Incubation of NAD
+
in the cell extract of the mutant strain at 85°C resulted in higher ADP-ribose accumulation and lower AMP production compared with those in experiments with the host strain cell extract. The mutant strain also exhibited lower cell yield and specific growth rates in a synthetic amino acid medium compared with those of the host strain. The results obtained here suggest that the ADPR-PPase in
T. kodakarensis
is responsible for the cleavage of ADP-ribose to R5P and AMP, providing a means to utilize the otherwise dead-end product of NAD
+
breakdown.

IMPORTANCE
Hyperthermophilic microorganisms living under high temperature conditions should have mechanisms that deal with the degradation of thermolabile molecules. NAD
+
is an important cofactor for enzymatic oxidation reactions and is susceptible to thermal degradation to ADP-ribose and nicotinamide. Here we show that an ADP-ribose pyrophosphatase homolog from the hyperthermophilic archaeon
Thermococcus kodakarensis
converts the detrimental ADP-ribose to ribose 5-phosphate and AMP, compounds that can be directed to central carbon metabolism. This physiological role for ADP-ribose pyrophosphatases might be universal in hyperthermophiles, as their homologs are widely distributed among both hyperthermophilic bacteria and archaea.
The Proline Variant of the W[F/L/M][T/S]R Cyclic Di-GMP Binding Motif Suppresses Dependence on Signal Association for Regulator Function
Authors: Chodur Daniel M. , Guo Linda , Pu Meng , Bruger Eric , Fernandez Nico , Waters Chris , Rowe-Magnus Dean A.
Published: June 2017

Vibrio vulnificus
is an estuarine bacterium and potent opportunistic human pathogen. It enters the food chain by asymptomatically colonizing a variety of marine organisms, most notably oysters. Expression of the
brp
-encoded extracellular polysaccharide, which enhances cell-surface adherence, is regulated by cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) and the activator BrpT. The
Vibrio cholerae
and
Vibrio parahaemolyticus
homologs VpsT and CpsQ, directly bind c-di-GMP via a novel W[F/L/M][T/S]R motif, and c-di-GMP binding is absolutely required for activity. Notably, BrpT belongs to a distinct subclass of VpsT-like regulators that harbor a proline in the third position of the c-di-GMP binding motif (WLPR), and the impact of this change on activity is unknown. We show that the
brp
locus is organized as two linked operons with BrpT specifically binding to promoters upstream of
brpA
and
brpH
. Expression data and structural modeling suggested that BrpT might be less dependent on c-di-GMP binding for activity than VpsT or CpsQ. We show that the affinity of BrpT for c-di-GMP is low and that signal binding is not a requisite for BrpT function. Furthermore, a BrpT mutant engineered to carry a canonical WLTR motif (BrpT
P124T
) bound c-di-GMP with high affinity and its activity was now c-di-GMP dependent. Conversely, introduction of the WLPR motif into VpsT suppressed its dependence on c-di-GMP for activity. This is the first demonstration of reduced dependence on signal association for regulator function within this motif family. Thus, BrpT defines a new class of VpsT-like transcriptional regulators, and the WLPR motif variant may similarly liberate the activity of other subclass members.

IMPORTANCE
A
Vibrio
genome may encode nearly 100 proteins that make, break, and bind c-di-GMP, underscoring its central role in the physiology of these bacteria. The activity of the biofilm regulators VpsT of
V. cholerae
and CpsQ of
V. parahaemolyticus
is regulated by the direct binding of c-di-GMP via a novel W[F/L/M][T/S]R motif. The
V. vulnificus
homolog, BrpT, bears an unusual WLPR variant and remains active at low intracellular c-di-GMP levels. This suggests that the WLPR motif may also liberate the activity of other members of this subclass. A single point mutation at the 3rd position of the motif was sufficient to moderate dependence on c-di-GMP binding for activator function, highlighting the simplicity with which complex bacterial signaling networks can be rewired.
Modernising ophthalmology teaching: introducing a live and interactive video link
Authors: Shah Mital , Aggarwal Kavita , Jackson Daniel , Patel Chetan K
Published: June 2017

The Health Education Thames Valley (HETV) Ophthalmology training programme holds compulsory weekly afternoon teaching sessions in Oxford. Traditionally, trainees travelled considerable distances to attend this teaching. Commuting is a known stress factor and car use has environmental, monetary and health costs. To reduce trainee costs, travelling time and improve teaching experience, we introduced an interactive and live video link across HETV. Teaching sessions were broadcast live using free videolink software between 3 sites. New hardware cost £200 per site. Attendees completed weekly feedback questionnaires on the videolink over 9 months. Over this period, the deanery had 22 trainees with 12 working outside Oxford. Projected annual travel savings were calculated. On average 10.8 trainees (49.1%) completed weekly questionnaires: 5.1 (range:3–8) were trainees working outside Oxford and 5.6 trainees (range 3–10) working in Oxford. Attendee responses showed on average: 78.6% learnt as much as attending in person; 91.17% felt interaction through the videolink was adequate; and 94.6% remained keen on telecommuting. Of the trainees in Oxford, 26.5% felt that the videolink interfered with the teaching session. The average videolink quality rating was 3.73 (1:poor; 5:excellent). Annually, the videolink will save each trainee working outside Oxford an average of 2120 kilometres in travel and £594 in expenses. Most attendees felt the videolink was a valuable tool in delivering teaching sessions. It eliminates unnecessary journeys and travel related stress. Within HETV, a £600 initial investment for new hardware would save trainees approximately £7128 annually. There is potential in expanding the role of the videolink to allow guest speakers worldwide to easily contribute to teaching sessions, eliminating unnecessary travel. This model could be adapted to postgraduate training programmes nationally to improve trainee wellbeing by reducing travelling time and costs.
Evaluating pair versus solitary housing in kennelled domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) using behaviour and hair cortisol: a pilot study
Authors: Grigg Emma K , Nibblett Belle Marie , Robinson James Q , Smits Judit E
Published: June 2017

Numerous studies conducted to assess welfare of domestic dogs housed in kennel facilities have reported that these dogs experience suboptimal living conditions. One important goal of improving welfare of kennelled dogs is to reduce their stress levels, and one recommended approach for improving welfare of kennelled dogs is group or social housing. The beneficial effects of management changes designed to achieve this goal should be measurable in individual animals. Stress is evident through behaviours exhibited, as well as via the concentration of cortisol, a key hormone reflecting stress. Using behavioural and hair cortisol measures, we conducted a pilot study to measure the impact of switching dogs housed in a long‐term kennels facility from solitary to pair housing, using both within‐subjects and between‐groups comparisons. Considerable individual variation in dog responses was noted, with only two of eight pair‐housed dogs showing significant declines in multiple stress‐related behaviours once in pair housing. The most sensitive behaviours were active vigilance and repetitive movements (such as jumping and pacing). Barking was reduced overall in the facility following the housing change, even among dogs still in solitary housing. The long‐term stress as reflected in hormone deposition in hair also provided encouraging indications that the dogs experienced lower stress levels when in paired housing; dogs showed a significant decline in hair cortisol levels from the first (prehousing change) to second (postintervention) samples. Domestic dogs are social animals, and numerous indications of potential benefit were recorded with no negative impacts seen. Based on our findings, we recommend pair or group housing of compatible dogs as a promising addition to the strategies available to those seeking to improve welfare of kennelled dogs. Future studies using higher numbers of animals and that include tracking of hair cortisol, vigilance behaviour, repetitive movements and barking would be desirable.
Jatropha-6(17),11E-diene class derivatives induce apoptosis effects in OVCAR-3 and Caov-4 ovarian cancer cell lines via a mitochondrial pathway
Authors: Bahmani Behzad , Keyvanloo Shahrestanaki Mohammad , Ghanadian Mustafa , Hajiahmadi Sima , Aghaei Mahmoud
Published: June 2017

We investigated the molecular mechanism of apoptosis induced by novel jatropha-6(17),11E-diene class derivatives, compounds A, B, and C that were extracted from Euphorbia osyridea Boiss, in the ovarian cancer cell lines Caov-4 and OVCAR-3. The OVCAR-3 and Caov-4 cell lines were treated with different concentrations of these compounds. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTT, clonogenic survival assay, and flow cytometry assays. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and the activity of caspase 3 and 9 were evaluated. Compounds A, B, and C reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The IC50 values were calculated as 46.27 ± 3.86, and 38.81 ± 3.30 μmol/L for compound A, 36.48 ± 3.18 and 42.59 ± 4.50 μmol/L for compound B, and 85.86 ± 6.75 and 75.65 ± 2.56 μmol/L for compound C against the Caov-4 and OVCAR-3 cell lines, respectively. Apoptosis evaluation showed that jatrophane derivatives increase both early and late apoptosis (P < 0.01). These compounds also increased ROS generation, ΔΨm, and the activity of caspase 3 and 9 in the treated cells. These results showed that compounds A and B have significant inhibitory effects on OVCAR-3 and Caov-4 proliferation and induction of apoptosis.
Development of an excavatability test for backfill materials: numerical and experimental studies
Authors: Morin Caroline , Sedran Thierry , de Larrard François , Dumontet Hélène , Hardy Michel , Murgier Sylvain , Dano Christophe
Published: June 2017

This paper describes research done on a new testing device including its laboratory test procedure; namely, a laboratory punching test for cementitious backfill materials that evaluates their excavatability with a pick. Three-dimensional and two-dimensional numerical studies using a finite element method were carried out according to calibrated parameters of the material obtained by triaxial tests. This made it possible to study the behavior of the backfill material under action induced by a tool (a pick) as well as to optimize the geometry of the punching test specimen. This paper provides detailed information and results for the experimental study of this laboratory test. Attention was particularly focused on energy relating to displacement as well as types of ruptures. The behavior of these types of materials was found to be greatly influenced by gravel in the material. Repeatability of the test was also studied. Finally, a method for this punching test of backfill materials is also provided.
FINANCING FOR INNOVATION OF CHINESE LISTED FIRMS
Authors: XIAOSHENG JU , JIAO CHEN , QI TAN
Published: June 2017

Using a panel data of listed companies, this paper studies how internal financing and external financing affect the innovative investment of Chinese industrial enterprises. It finds that internal fund is the primary source of financing for the innovative investment undertaken by Chinese nonfinancial firms and the role of external financing varies in the ownership structure of the firm. We find that for the centrally controlled State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), bank loans is an important secondary source of financing for innovation, while for both local SOEs and listed non-SOEs bank loans are not important. External smoothing mechanisms also vary across types of ownership structure. We find that central SOEs mainly use bank loans to buffer against negative shocks to internal funds, while both local SOEs and listed non-SOEs use equity financing from the stock market for the same purpose. Our study shows that it is the accumulation of internal fund, rather than the development of formal financial sector, that contributes to the rapid growth of total innovative investment of Chinese firms.
Exactly solvable cases in QED with t-electric potential steps
Authors: Adorno T. C. , Gavrilov S. P. , Gitman D. M.
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we present in detail consistent QED (and scalar QED) calculations of particle creation effects in external electromagnetic field that correspond to three most important exactly solvable cases of t-electric potential steps: Sauter-like electric field, T-constant electric field, and exponentially growing and decaying electric fields. In all these cases, we succeeded to obtain new results, such as calculations in the modified configurations of the above-mentioned steps and detailed considerations of new limiting cases in already studied steps. As was recently discovered by us, the information derived from considerations of exactly solvable cases allows one to make some general conclusions about quantum effects in fields for which no closed form solutions of the Dirac (or Klein–Gordon) equation are known. In the present paper, we briefly represent such conclusions about universal behavior of vacuum mean values in slowly varying strong electric fields.
Active magnetic levitation guide based on magnetic damping control
Authors: Zheng Zhongqiao , Xu Minzheng
Published: June 2017

With the application of active magnetic levitation technology, flutter is a problem in the planar multi-point support system, which reduces the bearing capacity and the control precision, and it is difficult to apply advanced control strategies. Therefore, a new method called magnetic damping control is proposed to solve the flutter problem, which can make active magnetic levitation guide to run smoothly.
Quartic potential inspired warm standard and tachyon scalar fields brane-world inflation
Authors: Jawad Abdul , Rani Shamaila , Ilyas Amara
Published: June 2017

A warm inflationary universe in the brane-world scenario is being studied by assuming the standard scalar and tachyon field models. For this purpose, the quartic potential ([Formula: see text]) is being utilized which is ruled out by current data in cold inflation but in our models it is analyzed that it is in agreement with recent observational data. Moreover, the generalized form of dissipative coefficient [Formula: see text] is being considered. Within this setup, the inflationary parameters in the weak dissipative regime are being analyzed. It is observed that the ranges of our results of tensor-to-scalar ratio, scalar spectral index and running of spectral favor observational data like BICEP2, WMAP9 and Planck.
On a viable first-order formulation of relativistic viscous fluids and its applications to cosmology
Authors: Disconzi Marcelo M. , Kephart Thomas W. , Scherrer Robert J.
Published: June 2017

We consider a first-order formulation of relativistic fluids with bulk viscosity based on a stress-energy tensor introduced by Lichnerowicz. Choosing a barotropic equation-of-state, we show that this theory satisfies basic physical requirements and, under the further assumption of vanishing vorticity, that the equations of motion are causal, both in the case of a fixed background and when the equations are coupled to Einstein's equations. Furthermore, Lichnerowicz's proposal does not fit into the general framework of first-order theories studied by Hiscock and Lindblom, and hence their instability results do not apply. These conclusions apply to the full-fledged nonlinear theory, without any equilibrium or near equilibrium assumptions. Similarities and differences between the approach explored here and other theories of relativistic viscosity, including the Mueller–Israel–Stewart formulation, are addressed. Cosmological models based on the Lichnerowicz stress-energy tensor are studied. As the topic of (relativistic) viscous fluids is also of interest outside the general relativity and cosmology communities, such as, for instance, in applications involving heavy-ion collisions, we make our presentation largely self-contained.
Densities non-realizable as the Jacobian of a 2-dimensional bi-Lipschitz map are generic
Authors: Viera Rodolfo
Published: June 2017

In this work, positive functions defined on the plane are considered from a generic viewpoint, both in the continuous and bounded setting. By pursuing on constructions of Burago–Kleiner and McMullen, we show that, generically, such a function cannot be written as the Jacobian of a bi-Lipschitz homeomorphism.
A Bright Future for Antibiotics?
Authors: Matzov Donna , Bashan Anat , Yonath Ada
Published: June 2017

Multidrug resistance is a global threat as the clinically available potent antibiotic drugs are becoming exceedingly scarce. For example, increasing drug resistance among gram-positive bacteria is responsible for approximately one-third of nosocomial infections. As ribosomes are a major target for these drugs, they may serve as suitable objects for novel development of next-generation antibiotics. Three-dimensional structures of ribosomal particles from Staphylococcus aureus obtained by X-ray crystallography have shed light on fine details of drug binding sites and have revealed unique structural motifs specific for this pathogenic strain, which may be used for the design of novel degradable pathogen-specific, and hence, environmentally friendly drugs.
Safety and Tolerance of Donor-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Pediatric Living-Donor Liver Transplantation: The MYSTEP1 Study
Authors: Hartleif Steffen , Schumm Michael , Döring Michaela , Mezger Markus , Lang Peter , Dahlke Marc H. , Riethmüller Joachim , Königsrainer Alfred , Handgretinger Rupert , Nadalin Silvio , Sturm Ekkehard
Published: June 2017

Background. Calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) have significantly improved patient and graft survival in pediatric liver transplantation (pLT). However, CNI toxicity leads to significant morbidity. Moreover, CNIs cannot prevent long-term allograft injury. Mesenchymal stem (stromal) cells (MSC) have potent immunomodulatory properties, which may promote allograft tolerance and ameliorate toxicity of high-dose CNI. The MYSTEP1 trial aims to investigate safety and feasibility of donor-derived MSCs in pLT. Methods/Design. 7 to 10 children undergoing living-donor pLT will be included in this open-label, prospective pilot trial. A dose of 1 × 106 MSCs/kg body weight will be given at two time points: first by intraportal infusion intraoperatively and second by intravenous infusion on postoperative day 2. In addition, participants will receive standard immunosuppressive treatment. Our primary objective is to assess the safety of intraportal and intravenous MSC infusion in pLT recipients. Our secondary objective is to evaluate efficacy of MSC treatment as measured by the individual need for immunosuppression and the incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection. We will perform detailed immune monitoring to investigate immunomodulatory effects. Discussion. Our study will provide information on the safety of donor-derived MSCs in pediatric living-donor liver transplantation and their effect on immunomodulation and graft survival.
Method for Detecting the Inside of Coke Drum Using Acoustic Signals
Authors: Guo Qian , Tong Xinglin , Zhang Cui , Deng Chengwei , Zhang Baolin , Xiong Qiao , Zhou Chaoran
Published: June 2017

A distance and acoustic intensity reverberation (DAIR) physical model is developed that can be successfully applied to the signal processing of the hydraulic decoking process online monitoring. In this model, the transmission characteristics of acoustic signals generated by a moving sound source in a dynamic confined space are first analyzed using data recursion and correction according to the coordinate continuity in adjacent area and adjacent time. The results show that the nondetection zone of acoustic signals generated directly by the impact of water is eliminated, and the surface distribution of coke in the drum can be mapped in real time.
Effect of Topical Nepafenac on Central Foveal Thickness following Panretinal Photocoagulation in Diabetic Patients
Authors: Abu Hussein Nahla B. , Mohalhal Ahmed A. , Ghalwash Dalia A. , Abdel-Kader Ahmed A.
Published: June 2017

Purpose. To evaluate effectiveness of topical nepafenac in reducing macular edema following panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). Design. Prospective randomized double-blinded controlled study. Methods. Sixty eyes of 60 patients having proliferative or severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy had PRP. Patients were then divided into two groups: nepafenac group (30 eyes) receiving 1% topical nepafenac eye drops for 6 months and control group (30 eyes) receiving carboxymethylcellulose eye drops for 6 months. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and macular optical coherence tomography were followed up at 1, 2, 4, and 6 months after PRP. Results. BCVA was significantly better in nepafenac group than in control group at all follow-ups (P<0.01). At 6 months post-PRP, logMAR BCVA was 0.11 ± 0.04 (equivalent to 20/26 Snellen acuity) in the nepafenac group and 0.18 ± 0.08 (equivalent to 20/30 Snellen acuity) in the control group (P<0.01). Central foveal thickness (CFT) increased in both groups from the first month after PRP. Increase in CFT was higher in control group than in nepafenac group throughout follow-up, but the difference became statistically significant only after 4 months. No significant ocular adverse events were reported with topical nepafenac. Conclusion. Topical nepafenac can minimize macular edema and stabilize visual acuity following PRP for diabetic patients.
Economic Feasibility for Recycling of Waste Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules
Authors: D’Adamo Idiano , Miliacca Michela , Rosa Paolo
Published: June 2017

Cumulative photovoltaic (PV) power installed in 2016 was equal to 305 GW. Five countries (China, Japan, Germany, the USA, and Italy) shared about 70% of the global power. End-of-life (EoL) management of waste PV modules requires alternative strategies than landfill, and recycling is a valid option. Technological solutions are already available in the market and environmental benefits are highlighted by the literature, while economic advantages are not well defined. The aim of this paper is investigating the financial feasibility of crystalline silicon (Si) PV module-recycling processes. Two well-known indicators are proposed for a reference 2000 tons plant: net present value (NPV) and discounted payback period (DPBT). NPV/size is equal to −0.84 €/kg in a baseline scenario. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis is conducted, in order to improve the solidity of the obtained results. NPV/size varies from −1.19 €/kg to −0.50 €/kg. The absence of valuable materials plays a key role, and process costs are the main critical variables.
Nonlinear Elliptic Boundary Value Problems at Resonance with Nonlinear Wentzell Boundary Conditions
Authors: Gal Ciprian G. , Warma Mahamadi
Published: June 2017

Given a bounded domain Ω⊂RN with a Lipschitz boundary ∂Ω and p,q∈(1,+∞), we consider the quasilinear elliptic equation -Δpu+α1u=f in Ω complemented with the generalized Wentzell-Robin type boundary conditions of the form bx∇up-2∂nu-ρbxΔq,Γu+α2u=g on ∂Ω. In the first part of the article, we give necessary and sufficient conditions in terms of the given functions f, g and the nonlinearities α1, α2, for the solvability of the above nonlinear elliptic boundary value problems with the nonlinear boundary conditions. In other words, we establish a sort of “nonlinear Fredholm alternative” for our problem which extends the corresponding Landesman and Lazer result for elliptic problems with linear homogeneous boundary conditions. In the second part, we give some additional results on existence and uniqueness and we study the regularity of the weak solutions for these classes of nonlinear problems. More precisely, we show some global a priori estimates for these weak solutions in an L∞-setting.
Comparison of the Neuroprotective and Anti‐Inflammatory Effects of the Anthocyanin Metabolites, Protocatechuic Acid and 4‐Hydroxybenzoic Acid
Authors: Winter Aimee N. , Brenner Matthew C. , Punessen Noelle , Snodgrass Michael , Byars Caleb , Arora Yingyot , Linseman Daniel A.
Published: June 2017

Anthocyanins are being increasingly investigated for their neuroprotective and antineuroinflammatory effects; however, the overall bioavailability of many anthocyanins is relatively low. In contrast, phenolic acids, metabolites of many polyphenols, including anthocyanins, have been shown to accumulate in tissue at higher concentrations than those of parent compounds, suggesting that these metabolites may be the bioactive components of anthocyanin‐rich diets. We examined the neuroprotective capacity of two common phenolic acids, 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) and protocatechuic acid (PCA), in primary cultures of cerebellar granule neurons. Both HBA and PCA are capable of mitigating oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide, which is thought to contribute to neuronal cell death in neurodegeneration. Under conditions of nitrosative stress, which occur during inflammation in the central nervous system, only PCA was neuroprotective, despite similar structural characteristics between HBA and PCA. Intriguingly, this trend was reversed under conditions of excitotoxicity, in which only HBA was neuroprotective. Lastly, we explored the anti‐inflammatory activity of these compounds in microglial cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. PCA was an effective anti‐inflammatory agent, reducing nitric oxide production, while HBA had no effect. These data indicate that phenolic acids possess distinct neuroprotective and anti‐inflammatory characteristics that could make them suitable for the treatment of neurodegeneration.
2,4-Thiazolidinedione Treatment Improves the Innate Immune Response in Dairy Goats with Induced Subclinical Mastitis
Authors: Rosa Fernanda , Osorio Johan S. , Trevisi Erminio , Yanqui-Rivera Francisco , Estill Charles T. , Bionaz Massimo
Published: June 2017

Mastitis is a major disease in dairy cows resulting in significant economic losses. In vitro works suggest that ruminants peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) can aid in improving the response to mastitis and can control milk fat synthesis. The objectives of the present experiment were to test if treatment with the putative PPARγ agonist 2,4-thiazolidinedione (TZD) improves (1) the response to subclinical mastitis and (2) milk fat production. Lactating goats received daily injections of 8 mg/kg BW of TZD or saline for 3 weeks. After one week of TZD injection, half of the goats in each group received intramammary infusion of Strep. uberis or saline in both halves for a total of 4 groups (n=6/group). TZD treatment did not affect milk fat but had positive effect on milk somatic cells count, blood nonesterified fatty acids, inflammatory markers, and liver function. TZD significantly increased myeloperoxidase but did not affect leukocytes phagocytosis or insulin. TZD increased adipocytes size and had minor effect on expression of PPARγ target genes in mammary epithelial cells but not in adipose tissue. Overall, TZD ameliorated the response to intramammary infection but the effect on milk fat synthesis and expression of related transcripts was less than expected.
Shorter Leukocyte Telomere Length in Relation to Presumed Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Mexican-American Men in NHANES 1999–2002
Authors: Wojcicki Janet M. , Rehkopf David , Epel Elissa , Rosenthal Philip
Published: June 2017

Leukocyte telomere length is shorter in response to chronic disease processes associated with inflammation such as diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2002 was used to explore the relationship between leukocyte telomere length and presumed NAFLD, as indicated by elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, obesity, or abdominal obesity. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between telomere length and presumed markers of NAFLD adjusting for possible confounders. There was no relationship between elevated ALT levels, abdominal obesity, or obesity and telomere length in adjusted models in NHANES (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.48–2.65; OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.52–2.62, resp.). Mexican-American men had shorter telomere length in relation to presumed NAFLD (OR 0.07, 95% CI 0.006–0.79) and using different indicators of NAFLD (OR 0.012, 95% CI 0.0006–0.24). Mexican origin with presumed NAFLD had shorter telomere length than men in other population groups. Longitudinal studies are necessary to evaluate the role of telomere length as a potential predictor to assess pathogenesis of NALFD in Mexicans.
Nonrigid Registration of Prostate Diffusion-Weighted MRI
Authors: Hao Lei , Huang Yali , Gao Yuehua , Chen Xiaoxi , Wang Peiguang
Published: June 2017

Motion and deformation are common in prostate diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) during acquisition. These misalignments lead to errors in estimating an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map fitted with DWI. To address this problem, we propose an image registration algorithm to align the prostate DWI and improve ADC map. First, we apply affine transformation to DWI to correct intraslice motions. Then, nonrigid registration based on free-form deformation (FFD) is used to compensate for intraimage deformations. To evaluate the influence of the proposed algorithm on ADC values, we perform statistical experiments in three schemes: no processing of the DWI, with the affine transform approach, and with FFD. The experimental results show that our proposed algorithm can correct the misalignment of prostate DWI and decrease the artifacts of ROI in the ADC maps. These ADC maps thus obtain sharper contours of lesions, which are helpful for improving the diagnosis and clinical staging of prostate cancer.
Hydrogen Sulfide Inhibits High Glucose-Induced sFlt-1 Production via Decreasing ADAM17 Expression in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes
Authors: Hu Tian-xiao , Wang Gang , Wu Wei , Gao Lu , Tan Qing-ying , Wang Jing
Published: June 2017

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has recently been identified as an endogenous gaseous signaling molecule. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of H2S on high glucose- (HG-) induced ADAM17 expression and sFlt-1 production in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Firstly, we found that HG DMEM upregulated the expression of ADAM17 and production of sFlt-1 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Knocking down ADAM17 attenuated the effect of high glucose on sFlt-1 production in adipocytes. HG decreased the expression of CSE and 3-MST, as well as the endogenous H2S production. Furthermore, knocking down CSE and 3-MST significantly increased ADAM17 expression and sFlt-1 production. The addition of exogenous H2S through the administration of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) inhibited HG-induced upregulation of ADAM17 expression and sFlt-1 production. In conclusion, decreased expression of CSE and 3-MST and the subsequent decrease in H2S production contribute to high glucose-induced sFlt-1 production via activating ADAM17 in adipocytes. Exogenous H2S donor NaHS has a potential therapeutic value for diabetic vascular complications.
Textura e Gesto
Authors: Cavalheiro Andrea de Moraes
Published: June 2017

As fotografias deste ensaio foram realizadas entre 2010 e 2012, no âmbito de minha pesquisa de mestrado, durante trabalho de campo, no Instituto de Cegos Padre Chico, escola de ensino fundamental, em São Paulo, especializada em alunos com deficiência visual (cegueira ou baixa visão). Neste ensaio, procuro captar alguns gestos, movimentos incompletos e balanços no ar, que remetem a técnicas corporais instituídas no cerimonial cotidiano do corpo. Nesse adestramento, onde o próprio corpo é instrumento da técnica, figuram dedos que decifram gráficos em relevo, mãos lendo em braile e saltos ao som da corda. Em minha dissertação, exponho como algumas dessas técnicas se conectam a categorias de nomeação, sinais corporais e atributos qualificativos, negociados pelos atores para compor práticas performativas da deficiência visual.