bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LIFETIME EXTENSION OF AGEING OFFSHORE STRUCTURES BY GLOBAL ULTIMATE STRENGTH ASSESSMENT (GUSA)
Authors: Mat Soom Ezanizam , Abu Husain Mohd Khairi , Mohd Zaki Noor Irza , Kamal M Nor M Nasrul , Najafian G.
Published: May 2018

Malaysia is the second largest oil and gas producer in Southeast Asia. Majority ofjacket platforms in Malaysia have exceeded their design life with various types of underwaterstructure irregularities. Therefore, it is essential to address the reliability of the jacket platformsin Malaysia due to ageing, increasing environmental loading and demand to prolong theproduction for a further 25 years. The main purpose of this analyses is to determine thestructure’s risk level over its remaining service life which is a vital information in managingageing facilities to cater for the demand of continuous production. Global Ultimate StrengthAssessment (GUSA) methodology was used to support detailed reassessment applied inmanaging safety, integrity analyses and reliability by evaluating the existing platform’s loading.It is a tool for high-end analysis of structures for Risk-based Assessment (RBA). In this paper,the reassessment of an ageing platform over 30-year-old, still in production is presented todemonstrate GUSA capability to perform the platform’s life extension evaluation. The outcomefrom these analyses can effectively assist in understanding the structure platform’s failuremechanism and correctly identify mitigation actions required. As part of the analyses, non-linearanalysis and probabilistic model as practiced in the industry were used in order to get ReserveStrength Ratio (RSR) and Annual Probability of Failure (POF) results. The accuracy andcomprehensiveness of this method will assist the industry, especially oil and gas fields’ operators,in decision-making, specifically in identifying problem-oriented-solutions as part of theirbusiness risk management in managing ageing facilities.
Tingkah Laku Proaktif Meningkatkan Kejayaan Kerjaya Pekerja
Authors: Ismail Azman , Wan Mohd Nowalid Wan Aishah , Raja Hisham Raja Rizal Iskandar
Published: May 2018

Proactive behavior is an important dispositional element that may positively affect organization and employees. According to the recent literature pertaining to human resource development, proactive behavior consists of two salient elements: proactive personality and social networking. Interestingly, extant studies in this field highlight that the ability of individuals to appropriately use proactive behavior in performing daily job may help them to an enhanced career success in organizations. Although this relationship has been widely studied, the role of proactive behavior as an important determinant is little discussed in the organizational career model. Thus, this study was undertaken to measure the relationship between proactive behavior and career success. A survey method was employed to collect data from officers who serve at a state Islamic institution in south of Peninsular Malaysia. The outcomes of SmartPLS path analysis model confirmed that employees who are able to properly use proactive personality and implement good social networking may gain satisfaction in their career. Conversely, employees who often potrayed their social networking unable to get better promotion in the studied organization. Further, this study offers discussion, implications and conclusion.
Focus prosody of telephone numbers in Tokyo Japanese
Authors: Lee Yong-cheol , Nambu Satoshi , Cho Sunghye
Published: May 2018

Using production and perception experiments, this study examined whether the prosodic structure inherent to telephone numbers in Tokyo Japanese affects the realization of focus prosody as well as its perception. It was hypothesized that prosodic marking of focus differs by position within the digit groups of phone number strings. Overall, focus prosody of telephone numbers was not clearly marked, resulting in poor identification in perception. However, a difference between positions within digit groups was identified, reflecting a prosodic structure where one position is assigned an accentual peak instead of the other. The findings suggest that, conforming to a language-specific prosodic structure, focus prosody within a language can vary under the influence of a particular linguistic environment.
Development and Implementation of a Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire for Ultraendurance Athletes
Authors: Blennerhassett Claire , McNaughton Lars R. , Cronin Lorcan , Sparks S. Andy
Published: May 2018

The nutritional intake of ultraendurance athletes is often poorly matched with the requirements of the sport. Nutrition knowledge is a mediating factor to food choice that could correct such imbalances. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire to assess the nutrition knowledge of ultraendurance athletes. Nutritional knowledge was assessed using a modified sports nutrition knowledge questionnaire (ULTRA-Q). Four independent assessors with specialization in sports nutrition confirmed the content validity of the ULTRA-Q. Registered sports nutritionists, registered dietitians, and those without nutrition training completed the ULTRA-Q on two separate occasions. After the first completion, a significant difference in nutrition scores between groups (p ≤ .001) provided evidence of construct validity. After the second completion, intraclass correlation coefficients comparing nutrition scores between time points (.75–.95) provided evidence of test–retest reliability. Subsequently, experienced ultraendurance athletes (male: n = 74 and female: n = 27) completed the ULTRA-Q. Athletes also documented their sources of nutrition knowledge for ultraendurance events. The total nutrition knowledge score for ultraendurance athletes was 68.3% ± 9.5%, and there were no significant differences in knowledge scores between males and females (67.4% ± 9.6% and 70.7% ± 9.3%, respectively) or between runners and triathletes (69.1% ± 9.7% and 65.1% ± 9.4%, respectively). In general, it appeared that ultraendurance athletes favored other athletes (73%) over nutrition experts (8%) as a source of nutritional information. The findings of this study indicate that ultraendurance athletes had a reasonable level of nutrition knowledge, but interathlete variability suggests a need for targeted nutrition education.
Developmental Sensitivity in Schistosoma mansoni to Puromycin To Establish Drug Selection of Transgenic Schistosomes
Authors: Yan Hong-Bin , Smout Michael J. , Ju Chuan , Folley Anne E. , Skinner Danielle E. , Mann Victoria H. , Loukas Alex , Hu Wei , Brindley Paul J. , Rinaldi Gabriel
Published: May 2018

Schistosomiasis is considered the most important disease caused by helminth parasites, in terms of morbidity and mortality. Tools to facilitate gain- and loss-of-function approaches can be expected to precipitate the discovery of novel interventions, and drug selection of transgenic schistosomes would facilitate the establishment of stable lines of engineered parasites. Sensitivity of developmental stages of schistosomes to the aminonucleoside antibiotic puromycin was investigated. For the schistosomulum and sporocyst stages, viability was quantified by fluorescence microscopy following dual staining with fluorescein diacetate and propidium iodine. By 6 days in culture, the 50% lethal concentration (LC
50
) for schistosomula was 19 μg/ml whereas the sporocysts were 45-fold more resilient. Puromycin potently inhibited the development of
in vitro
-laid eggs (LC
50
, 68 ng/ml) but was less effective against liver eggs (LC
50
, 387 μg/ml). Toxicity for adult stages was evaluated using the xCELLigence-based, real-time motility assay (xWORM), which revealed LC
50
s after 48 h of 4.9 and 17.3 μg/ml for male and female schistosomes, respectively. Also, schistosomula transduced with pseudotyped retrovirus encoding the puromycin resistance marker were partially rescued when cultured in the presence of the antibiotic. Together, these findings will facilitate selection on puromycin of transgenic schistosomes and the enrichment of cultures of transgenic eggs and sporocysts to facilitate the establishment of schistosome transgenic lines. Streamlining schistosome transgenesis with drug selection will open new avenues to understand parasite biology and hopefully lead to new interventions for this neglected tropical disease.
Could Positive Feedback Enable Bacterial Pheromone Signaling To Coordinate Behaviors in Response to Heterogeneous Environmental Cues?
Authors: Stabb Eric V.
Published: May 2018

Pheromone signaling (PS) underlies many important bacterial behaviors, yet its ecological functions remain unresolved. Because pheromone-mediated behaviors require high cell density, the term “quorum sensing” is widely used to describe and make sense of PS. However, while this term has unified and popularized the field, bacterial PS clearly has roles beyond census taking, and the complexities of PS circuits indicate broader functional capacities. Two common features of bacterial PS are its regulation in response to environmental conditions and positive-feedback loops. Combined, these could enable PS to coordinate quorum-dependent group behaviors in response to heterogeneous environmental cues. Particularly in PS systems where positive feedback is strong, cells that are relatively far from a stimulatory environment could be recruited to a group response. Testing this model will benefit from
in situ
examination of relevant environmental cues and PS outputs in cells across populations, with and without positive feedback, in heterogeneous environments.
A Mechanism of Unidirectional Transformation, Leading to Antibiotic Resistance, Occurs within Nasopharyngeal Pneumococcal Biofilm Consortia
Authors: Lattar Santiago M. , Wu Xueqing , Brophy Jennifer , Sakai Fuminori , Klugman Keith P. , Vidal Jorge E.
Published: May 2018

Streptococcus pneumoniae
acquires genes for resistance to antibiotics such as streptomycin (Str) or trimethoprim (Tmp) by recombination via transformation of DNA released by other pneumococci and closely related species. Using naturally transformable pneumococci, including strain D39 serotype 2 (S2) and TIGR4 (S4), we studied whether pneumococcal nasopharyngeal transformation was symmetrical, asymmetrical, or unidirectional. Incubation of S2
Tet
and S4
Str
in a bioreactor simulating the human nasopharynx led to the generation of Spn
Tet/Str
recombinants. Double-resistant pneumococci emerged soon after 4 h postinoculation at a recombination frequency (rF) of 2.5 × 10
−4
while peaking after 8 h at a rF of 1.1 × 10
−3
. Acquisition of antibiotic resistance genes by transformation was confirmed by treatment with DNase I. A high-throughput serotyping method demonstrated that all double-resistant pneumococci belonged to one serotype lineage (S2
Tet/Str
) and therefore that unidirectional transformation had occurred. Neither heterolysis nor availability of DNA for transformation was a factor for unidirectional transformation given that the density of each strain and extracellular DNA (eDNA) released from both strains were similar. Unidirectional transformation occurred regardless of the antibiotic-resistant gene carried by donors or acquired by recipients and regardless of whether competence-stimulating peptide-receptor cross talk was allowed. Moreover, unidirectional transformation occurred when two donor strains (e.g., S4
Str
and S19F
Tmp
) were incubated together, leading to S19F
Str/Tmp
but at a rF 3 orders of magnitude lower (4.9 × 10
−6
). We finally demonstrated that the mechanism leading to unidirectional transformation was due to inhibition of transformation of the donor by the recipient.

IMPORTANCE
Pneumococcal transformation in the human nasopharynx may lead to the acquisition of antibiotic resistance genes or genes encoding new capsular variants. Antibiotics and vaccines are currently putting pressure on a number of strains, leading to an increase in antibiotic resistance and serotype replacement. These pneumococcal strains are also acquiring virulence traits from vaccine types via transformation. In this study, we recapitulated multiple-strain colonization with strains carrying a resistance marker and selected for those acquiring resistance to two or three antibiotics, such as would occur in the human nasopharynx. Strains acquiring dual and triple resistance originated from one progenitor, demonstrating that transformation was unidirectional. Unidirectional transformation was the result of inhibition of transformation of donor strains. Unidirectional transformation has implications for the understanding of acquisition patterns of resistance determinants or capsule-switching events.
51-year old man with tingling, burning and progressive limb weakness
Authors: Gupta Anu , Kumar Pappula Santhosh , Puri Vinod , Saran Ravindra Kumar , Narang Poonam , Chowdhury Debashish
Published: May 2018

Peripheral neuropathy is a common reason for referral to neurology. Chronic acquired demyelinating neuropathies are an important and varied group with overlapping presentations, and may have an immune-mediated cause. Their correct diagnosis is important as they respond to different treatments; timely intervention can prevent irreversible axonal degeneration. We present a case that highlights the approach to an adult presenting with a chronic demyelinating neuropathy.
Nutritional recovery from a low-protein diet during pregnancy does not restore the kinetics of insulin secretion and Ca2+ or alterations in the cAMP/PKA and PLC/PKC pathways in islets from adult rats
Authors: Marin Leonardo , Silva Hellen Barbosa Faria , Damin Gabriela , Ignacio-Souza Letícia Martins , Reis Sílvia Regina de Lima , de Oliveira Camila Aparecida Machado , Ribeiro Rosane Aparecida , Reis Marise Auxiliadora de Barros , Latorraca Márcia Queiroz , Ferreira Fabiano , Arantes Vanessa Cristina
Published: May 2018

We investigated the insulin release induced by glucose, the Ca2+ oscillatory pattern, and the cyclic AMP (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) and phospholipase C (PLC)/protein kinase C (PKC) pathways in islets from adult rats that were reared under diets with 17% protein (C) or 6% protein (LP) during gestation, suckling, and after weaning and in rats receiving diets with 6% protein during gestation and 17% protein after birth (R). First-phase glucose-induced insulin secretion was reduced in LP and R islets, and the second phase was partially restored in the R group. Glucose stimulation did not modify intracellular Ca2+ concentration, but it reduced the Ca2+ oscillatory frequency in the R group compared with the C group. Intracellular cAMP concentration was higher and PKA-Cα expression was lower in the R and LP groups compared with the C group. The PKCα content in islets from R rats was lower than that in C and LP rats. Thus, nutritional recovery from a low-protein diet during fetal life did not repair the kinetics of insulin release, impaired Ca2+ handling, and altered the cAMP/PKA and PLC/PKC pathways.
ADJUSTING PORE SIZE AND SHAPE TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED CAPACITANCE OF BORON-DOPED DIAMOND ELECTRODES
Authors: ZHANG JING , YU XIANG , ZHANG ZHEN , LI JIA , ZHAO ZHI-YAN
Published: May 2018

Tailoring pore-creating method to fit the various demands of different researchers is the frontier issue in the research of electrode capacitance of boron-doped diamond (BDD). Two critical factors in achieving the desired capacitance are the pore size and shape. This work compares the characteristics and applicability of various pore-creating methods, and reveals the influence mechanism of factors such as surface area, size and shape of the pore, on the capacitance of BDD electrodes. Obtained results could facilitate researchers to develop a personalized pore-creating method to achieve the desired capacitance.
Computationally Efficient and Robust Nonlinear 3D Cyclic Modeling of RC Structures Through a Hybrid Finite Element Model (HYMOD)
Authors: Markou George , Mourlas Christos , Papadrakakis Manolis
Published: May 2018

A computationally efficient and robust simulation method is presented in this work, for the cyclic modeling of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. The proposed hybrid modeling (HYMOD) approach alleviates numerical limitations regarding the excessive computational cost during the cyclic analysis and provides a tool for the detailed simulation of the 3D cyclic nonlinear behavior of full-scale RC structures. The simplified HYMOD approach is integrated in this work with a computationally efficient cyclic concrete material model so as to investigate its numerical performance under extreme cyclic loading conditions. The proposed approach adopts a hybrid modeling concept that combines hexahedral and beam-column finite elements (FEs), in which the coupling between them is achieved through the implementation of kinematic constraints. A parametric investigation is performed through the use of the Del Toro Rivera frame joint and two RC frames with a shear wall. The proposed modeling method managed to decrease the computational cost in all numerical tests performed in this work, while it induced additional numerical stability during the cyclic analysis, in which the required number of internal iterations per displacement increment was found to be always smaller compared with the unreduced (hexahedral) model. The HYMOD provides for the first time with the required 3D detailed FE solution tools in order to simulate the nonlinear cyclic response of full-scale RC structures without hindering the numerical accuracy of the derived model nor the need of developing computationally expensive models that practically cannot be solved through the use of standard computer systems.
Prime ideals of gamma semigroups on weak nearness approximation spaces
Authors: Öztürk Mehmet Ali̇
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we introduce the concepts of a [Formula: see text]-prime (respectively semiprime) ideals of the [Formula: see text]-semigroup on [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are two different weak near approximation spaces. Several characterizations of them are furnished.
The first oil exploration campaign in the UK, 1918–22
Authors: Corfield Stephen M.
Published: May 2018

The story of UK onshore exploration goes back to the days of World War I and was prompted by the increasing use of oil for the war effort. The war was drawing to a close as the campaign commenced in 1918. The UK government sponsored the drilling with a budget of £1 000 000 and the work was undertaken by S. Pearson & Sons, a UK engineering company owned by Lord Cowdray (Weetman Pearson). Pearson also had oil interests and he owned the Mexican Eagle Company that had had exploration success in Mexico. Pearson hired a team of American geologists to select suitable drilling locations in the UK. The Carboniferous rocks in the area surrounding the Derbyshire Dome in England and the Midland Valley in Scotland were chosen because of their similarity to the oil-producing areas of Pennsylvania and West Virginia in the USA. Eleven wells were sunk: seven in Derbyshire, two in North Staffordshire and two in Scotland. The first well to be spudded was at Hardstoft in Derbyshire in October 1918 and it was also the first oil discovery. The geological reasoning behind the selection of the drilling sites will be compared with the actual results from 1918–22.
Need a Thought Leader?
Authors: Phelps Yvonne , Welzant Heather
Published: May 2018

This article explores the characteristics of the type of thought leadership needed to drive high quality design and delivery of online/hybrid programs. The thought leaders of today must constantly scan the higher-education environment, as well as the world at large, to look for new and innovative ways to practice effective quality assurance. Further, today's higher education leaders must not only be up to speed on the current quality assurance debate, but they also need to be thought leaders in the disciple of quality assurance. The article includes examples of thought leaders currently paving the way for more innovative and effective practices. The leaders in such organizations as Entangled Solutions, The Quality Commons, and C-BEN are skilled situational leaders who are transforming in the area of quality assurance
A Comparative Study of Hydrogen-Induced Cracking Resistances of API 5L B and X52MS Carbon Steels
Authors: Figueredo Rodrigo Monzon , de Oliveira Mariana Cristina , de Paula Leandro Jesus , Acciari Heloisa Andréa , Codaro Eduardo Norberto
Published: May 2018

Susceptibility to hydrogen-induced cracking of API 5L B and X52MS low-carbon steels in NACE 177-A, 177-B, and 284-B solutions has been investigated by the present work. A metallographic analysis of these steels was performed before and after NACE TM0284 standard testing. Corrosion products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray dispersive energy spectrometry, which were subsequently identified by X-ray diffraction. Thus it was found that pH directly affects the solubility of corrosion products and hydrogen permeation. Both steels showed generalized corrosion in solution 177-A, and a discontinuous film was formed on their surfaces in solution 177-B; however, only the API 5L B steel failed the HIC test and exhibited greater crack length ratio in solution 177-A. In solution 284-B whose pH is higher, the steels exhibited thick mackinawite films with no internal cracking.
Proximate Composition and Heavy Metal Analysis of Three Aquatic Foods in Makoko River, Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Ayanda Isaac Opeyemi , Dedeke Gabriel Adewumi , Ekhator Ukinebo Imuentiyan , Etiebet Mary Kufreabasi
Published: May 2018

Three aquatic products, tilapia fish, lobster and crab, were collected from the landing site of fishermen in Makoko, a fishing suburb in Lagos State, Nigeria. They were analyzed for their proximate composition, and concentration of heavy metals (Cr, Cd, and Pb) was also measured in them. The nutrient values varied among the three organisms. The lobsters and crabs had higher protein values while tilapia was richer in lipid and moisture content. In most cases, these differences were not significant. The concentration of heavy metals also differed in the three organisms. All organisms had high concentrations of the three heavy metals analyzed. The heavy metal load as observed in this study is consistent with some previously reported values in literature. Plausible reasons for these differences were discussed in light of size, trophic level, choice of food of the organisms, and anthropogenic activities. It may be advisable that heavy metal concentrations are regularly monitored in edible aquatic food products so that human health is not at risk.
Synthesis of Pyrazolone Derivatives and Their Nanometer Ag(I) Complexes and Physicochemical, DNA Binding, Antitumor, and Theoretical Implementations
Authors: Althagafi Ismail , El-Metwaly Nashwa M. , Elghalban Marwa G. , Farghaly Thoraya A. , Khedr Abdalla M.
Published: May 2018

Four pyrazolone derivatives and their corresponding silver complexes were synthesized and characterized. Based on elemental analysis, 1 : 2 (M : L) molar ratio was suggested for all inspected complexes. 1H, 13C NMR, mass, UV-Vis, TGA, and IR were the spectral tools used for describing the formulae. Moreover, XRD patterns and SEM pictures were used to evaluate the particle sizes which appeared strongly in nanometer range. CT-DNA study is the major consideration in this study, to test the interacting ability of all synthesized cationic complexes towards cell DNA. Each binding constant was computed and correlated with the Hammett sigma constant. Antitumor activity was examined upon three carcinoma cell lines (MCF-7, HepG2, and HCT116). The high efficiency was recorded towards MCF-7 (breast carcinoma) cell line. Kinetic studies yield essential parameters to assert on the rule of metal atom on thermal feature of organic compounds. Molecular modeling was implemented to optimize the structures of compounds. Also, molecular docking was achieved to obtain a clear view about proposed drug behavior within the affected cells. This was achieved through comparing the calculated internal energy values of all docking complexes. All the tested compounds displayed a significant interaction with breast cancer protein (strong matching with practical result) followed by DNA polymerase protein.
RePage: A Novel Over‐Air Reprogramming Approach Based on Paging Mechanism Applied in Fog Computing
Authors: Qiu Jiefan , Li Sai , Cao Bin
Published: May 2018

In fog computing, fog nodes running different tasks near the sources of data are required. Limited to on‐board resource, fog node finds it hard to execute multiple tasks and needs over‐air reprogramming to rearrange them. With respect to reprogramming, energy efficiency is one of the key issues for over‐air reprogramming. Most of traditional reprogramming approaches focus on the energy efficiency during data transmission within network. However, program rebuilding on fog node is, as another significant energy cost, caused by writing/reading local high‐power memory. We present a novel incremental reprogramming approach, RePage, in three stages. Firstly, we design a function paging mechanism that makes similar functions to one function page and caches them in low‐power volatile memory to save energy. Secondly, we design new cache replacement algorithm for function page considering both modification times and range on the page. At last, further reducing writing/reading operations, we also redesign function invocation manner by centralized managing function addresses. Experiment results show that RePage reduces the sum of reading/writing operations on volatile memory by 89.1% and 92.5% compared to EasiCache and Tiny Module‐link, and its hit rate is improved by 10.4% to Least Recently Used (LRU) algorithm.
Genetic Polymorphisms ofIL1B, IL6,andTNFαin a Chinese Han Population with Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Wu Shouquan , Wang Yu , Zhang Miaomiao , Shrestha Saurav S. , Wang Minggui , He Jian-Qing
Published: May 2018

Background. The factors that predispose to pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) are not fully understood. Previous studies have shown that cytokine gene polymorphisms were associated with PTB.Objectives. In this study, we have investigated the relationship betweenILB,IL6,andTNFαpolymorphisms and a predisposition toMycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB) infection and PTB.Methods. A total of 209 cases of PTB, 201 subjects with latent TB infection (LTBI), and 204 healthy controls (HCS) were included in this study. Logistic regression analyses under allelic, homozygous, and heterozygous models were used to calculatePvalues, odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for assessing the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and disease risk, adjusting for sex and age. Genotyping was conducted using the improved multiplex ligase detection reaction (iMLDR) method.Results. When comparing PTB patients with LTBI subjects, significant associations with disease development were observed for SNPs ofIL6andTNFα. When comparing LTBI subjects with HCS,IL1Bpolymorphisms were significantly associated with LIBI. Haplotype analyses suggested that the CGG haplotype ofIL1Bwas associated with an increased risk of PTB (P=0.039, OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.01–1.76), while the TTGCG haplotype ofTNFαwas a protective factor against PTB (P=0.039, OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.44–0.98).Conclusion. Our study demonstrated thatIL1Bvariants were related to LTBI andIL6andTNFαvariants were associated with PTB.
Redesign of the Hannover Coupler: Optimized Vibration Transfer from Floating Mass Transducer to Round Window
Authors: Müller Mathias , Salcher Rolf , Prenzler Nils , Lenarz Thomas , Maier Hannes
Published: May 2018

Introduction. In order to reduce the large variations in clinical outcomes of patients with implanted MED-EL Floating Mass Transducer (FMT) at the round window (RW), several approaches were proposed to optimize FMT-RW coupling. Our previous study showed improved FMT-RW coupling by applying static RW loads utilizing the “Hannover Coupler” (HC) FMT-prosthesis but also demonstrated insufficient low frequency performance. Hence, a redesigned HC version (HCv2) was investigated in this study. Methods. Experiments were performed in ASTM F2504-05 compliant fresh human temporal bones. The HCv2 is a FMT-prosthesis redesigned from a previous prototype to specifically improve low frequency performance. Stapes footplate (SFP) displacements in response to acoustic stimulation of the tympanic membrane and to FMT-RW stimulation at varying static force (0–100 mN) were measured by Laser-Doppler vibrometry. Results. SFP displacements were highly dependent on the applied RW load and had a global maximum at 15 mN when averaged at speech relevant frequencies (0.5–4 kHz). SFP responses at frequencies ≤ 1 kHz were up to 25 dB higher than responses achieved with the previous HC version. Conclusion. Optimizing the HC prosthesis design resulted in improved SFP responses to RW stimulation especially at lower frequencies (≤1 kHz).
Cost-Benefit Analysis for the Concentrated Solar Power in China
Authors: Yang Shuxia , Zhu Xianguo , Guo Weishang
Published: May 2018

In 2016, the first batch of concentrated solar power (CSP) demonstration projects of China was formally approved. Due to the important impact of the cost-benefit on the investment decisions and policy-making, this paper adopted the static payback period (SP), net present value (NPV), net present value rate (NPVR), and internal rate of return (IRR) to analyze and discuss the cost-benefit of CSP demonstration plants. The results showed the following. (1) The SP of CSP systems is relatively longer, due to high initial investment; but the cost-benefit of CSP demonstration plants as a whole is better, because of good expected incomes. (2) Vast majority of CSP projects could gain excess returns, on the basis of meeting the profitability required by the benchmark yield of 10%. (3) The cost-benefit of solar tower CSP technology (IRR of 12.33%) is better than that of parabolic trough CSP technology (IRR of 11.72%) and linear Fresnel CSP technology (IRR of 11.43%). (4) The annual electricity production and initial costs have significant impacts on the cost-benefit of CSP systems; the effects of operation and maintenance costs and loan interest rate on the cost-benefit of CSP systems are relatively smaller but cannot be ignored.
Reactive Astrocytes as Drug Target in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Assefa Brhane Teklebrhan , Gebre Abadi Kahsu , Altaye Birhanetensay Masresha
Published: May 2018

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by deposition of extracellular amyloid-β, intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, and loss of cortical neurons. However, the mechanism underlying neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains to be explored. Many of the researches on AD have been primarily focused on neuronal changes. Current research, however, broadens to give emphasis on the importance of nonneuronal cells, such as astrocytes. Astrocytes play fundamental roles in several cerebral functions and their dysfunctions promote neurodegeneration and, eventually, retraction of neuronal synapses, which leads to cognitive deficits found in AD. Astrocytes become reactive as a result of deposition of Aβ, which in turn have detrimental consequences, including decreased glutamate uptake due to reduced expression of uptake transporters, altered energy metabolism, altered ion homeostasis (K+and Ca+), increased tonic inhibition, and increased release of cytokines and inflammatory mediators. In this review, recent insights on the involvement of, tonic inhibition, astrocytic glutamate transporters and aquaporin in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease are provided. Compounds which increase expression of GLT1 have showed efficacy for AD in preclinical studies. Tonic inhibition mediated by GABA could also be a promising target and drugs that block the GABA synthesizing enzyme, MAO-B, have shown efficacy. However, there are contradictory evidences on the role of AQP4 in AD.
Nontoxic Multinodular Goitre and Incidental Thyroid Cancer: What Is the Best Surgical Strategy?—A Retrospective Study of 2032 Patients
Authors: Kaliszewski Krzysztof , Wojtczak Beata , Grzegrzółka Jędrzej , Bronowicki Jacob , Saeid Sawsan , Knychalski Bartłomiej , Forkasiewicz Zdzisław
Published: May 2018

Objectives. A discussion with regard to the most optimal surgical procedure in nontoxic multinodular goitre (NTMNG). We assessed and compared three main types of operations in 2032 patients with NTMNG. Methods. This is a retrospective study of 2032 patients operated on in one center due to NTMNG. The observation period was 48 to 120 months (mean and SD: 87 ± 20). Results. The early complications included uni- and bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (URLNP, BRLNP), overt tetany (OT), and postoperative bleeding (POB). We observed after TT, STT, and DO URLNP: 15 (1.73%), 3 (0.64%), and 2 (0.28%), respectively (p<0.05); BRLNP: 3 (0.34%), 2 (0.43%), and 0 (0.0%), respectively (p=0.25); OT: 42 (4.84%), 6 (1.29%), and 9 (1.28%), respectively (p<0.0001); and POB: 11 (1.26%), 4 (0.86%), and 3 (0.42%), respectively (p=0.209). Persistent complications we observed after TT, STT, and DO are the following: URLNP: 9 (1.03%), 3 (0.64%), and 1 (0.14%), respectively (p=0.086); BRLNP: 1 (0.11%), 1 (0.21%), and 0 (0.0%), respectively (p=0.51); and OT: 11 (1.26%), 2 (0.43%), and 2 (0.28%), respectively (p=0.052). Incidental thyroid cancer (ITC) was recognized after TT, STT, and DO in 18 (2.07%), 21 (4.52%), and 11 (1.56%), respectively (p=0.039). Recurrent goitre (RG) was observed in 1 (0.11%) after TT, 3 (0.64%) after STT, and 2 (0.28%) after DO (p=0.234). Conclusions. Performing less radical surgery in NTMNG is associated with a significantly lower risk of early and late URLNP and OT. In the case of BRLNP (early and persistent) and POB, no statistically significant differences are seen. The occurrence of ITC is higher following more radical surgeries. Less radical surgery is connected with a higher risk of RG.
Hot Carriers in CVD-Grown Graphene Device with a Top h-BN Layer
Authors: Chuang C. , Mineharu M. , Matsumoto N. , Matsunaga M. , Liu C.-W. , Wu B.-Y. , Kim Gil-Ho , Lin L.-H. , Ochiai Y. , Watanabe K. , Taniguchi T. , Liang C.-T. , Aoki N.
Published: May 2018

We investigate the energy relaxation of hot carriers in a CVD-grown graphene device with a top h-BN layer by driving the devices into the nonequilibrium regime. By using the magnetic field dependent conductance fluctuations of our graphene device as a self-thermometer, we can determine the effective carrier temperature Te at various driving currents I while keeping the lattice temperature TL fixed. Interestingly, it is found that Te is proportional to I, indicating little electron-phonon scattering in our device. Furthermore the average rate of energy loss per carrier Pe is proportional to (Te 2-TL 2), suggesting the heat diffusion rather than acoustic phonon processes in our system. The long energy relaxation times due to the weak electron-phonon coupling in CVD graphene capped with h-BN layer as well as in exfoliated multilayer graphene can find applications in hot carrier graphene-based devices.
Robust Drones Formation Control in 5G Wireless Sensor Network Using mmWave
Authors: Meng Shan , Su Xiaojian , Wen Zhixian , Dai Xin , Zhou Yimin , Yang Weiguo
Published: May 2018

The drones formation control in 5G wireless sensor network is discussed. The base station (BS) is used to receive backhaul position signals from the lead drone in formation and launches the beam to the lead one as the fronthaul flying signal enhancement. It is a promising approach to raise the formation strength of drones during flight control. The BS can transform the direction of the antennas and transmit energy to the lead drone that could widely enlarge the number of the receivers and increase the transmission speed of the data links. The millimeter‐Wave (mmWave) communication system offers new opportunities to meet this requirement owing to the tremendous amount of available spectrums. However, the massive non‐line‐of‐sight (NLoS) transmission and the site constraints in urban environment are severely challenging the conventional deploying terrestrial low power nodes (LPNs). Simulation experiments have been performed to verify the availability and effectiveness of mmWave in 5G wireless sensor network.
Effects of a Psychoeducational Program on Hemoglobin A1c Level and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Mahmoud Samy Shaban , Mahdy Mona Husein EL , Mahfouz Mohamed Salih , Nada Ibrahim Saad , Aqeeli Abdulwahab Abdoh , Darbi Mohammed Ahmed AL , Ahmed Anas Elias
Published: May 2018

Background. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a growing health problem. Care programs should involve the patients to upgrade their diabetes condition and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Objective. The present study aimed to assess the effects of a psychoeducational intervention program on an indicator of glycemic control and HRQoL among type 2 diabetic patients. Methods. In this quasi-experimental (pre- and postinterventional) study, 99 outpatients with type 2 diabetes were selected randomly from those attending primary health care centers in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, in 2016. Hemoglobin A1c levels (HbA1c) were measured by the colorimetric method, and HRQoL was assessed by the Arabic version of the RAND 36-Item Health Survey 1.0 (RAND-36). The psychoeducational program was conducted on the participants for 4 weeks, and preprogram findings were compared with the postprogram findings after a 5-month follow-up. Results. After the intervention, there was a statistically significant reduction in the mean value of HbA1c from 9.8 to 7.7 (P<0.001), and there was significant improvement in the mean scores of the following HRQoL scales: role limitations due to emotional problems, energy/fatigue, emotional well-being, and general health (P<0.01). In addition, the impact of the program on HRQoL was better among males and among patients who were older than forty years than among women and patients who were forty years old or younger. Conclusion. The application of such psychoeducational intervention programs can be helpful in the improvement of HbA1c levels and HRQoL for patients with DM.
A Systematic Review of the Effects of Hyperoxia in Acutely Ill Patients: Should We Aim for Less?
Authors: Stolmeijer R. , Bouma H. R. , Zijlstra J. G. , Drost-de Klerck A. M. , ter Maaten J. C. , Ligtenberg J. J. M.
Published: May 2018

Introduction. Despite widespread and liberal use of oxygen supplementation, guidelines about rational use of oxygen are scarce. Recent data demonstrates that current protocols lead to hyperoxemia in the majority of the patients and most health care professionals are not aware of the negative effects of hyperoxemia.Method. To investigate the effects of hyperoxemia in acutely ill patients on clinically relevant outcomes, such as neurological and functional status as well as mortality, we performed a literature review using Medline (PubMed) and Embase. We used the following terms: hyperoxemia OR hyperoxemia OR [“oxygen inhalation therapy” AND (mortality OR death OR outcome OR survival)] OR [oxygen AND (mortality OR death OR outcome OR survival)]. Original studies about the clinical effects of hyperoxemia in adult patients suffering from acute or emergency illnesses were included.Results. 37 articles were included, of which 31 could be divided into four large groups: cardiac arrest, traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, and sepsis. Although a single study demonstrated a transient protective effect of hyperoxemia after TBI, other studies revealed higher mortality rates after cardiac arrest, stroke, and TBI treated with oxygen supplementation leading to hyperoxemia. Approximately half of the studies showed no association between hyperoxemia and clinically relevant outcomes.Conclusion. Liberal oxygen therapy leads to hyperoxemia in a majority of patients and hyperoxemia may negatively affect survival after acute illness. As a clinical consequence, aiming for normoxemia may limit negative effects of hyperoxemia in patients with acute illness.
Laparoscopic Choledochotomy in a Solitary Common Duct Stone: A Prospective Study
Authors: Deo K. B. , Adhikary S. , Khaniya S. , Shakya V. C. , Agrawal C. S.
Published: May 2018

Background. Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration has all the advantages of minimal access and is also the most cost effective compared to the other options.Objective. To study a profile on laparoscopic common bile duct exploration for a single common duct stone.Methods. A total of 30 consecutive patients with solitary common bile duct stone attending our hospital over a period of one year were enrolled in the study. Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration was done by transductal route in all the patients.Results. There were 18 females and 12 males with age ranging from 28 to 75 years. Jaundice was present in 12 (40%) patients. Twenty-four (80%) patients had raised alkaline phosphatase. The mean size of CBD on ultrasound was 11.55 mm. The mean size of calculus was 11.06 mm and was located in the distal CBD in 26 (86.7%) patients. The mean operative time was 158.4 ± 57.89 min. There were 8 (26.6%) conversions to open procedure. T-tube was used in 26 (86.7%) patients. The postoperative complications were hospital acquired chest infection in 3 (10%), surgical site infection in 3 (10%), acute coronary syndrome in one (3.3%), and bile leak after T-tube removal in one (3.3%) patient.Conclusions. Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration is an effective, safe management of common bile duct stone.
ERK Mutations and Amplification Confer Resistance to ERK-Inhibitor Therapy
Authors: Jaiswal Bijay S. , Durinck Steffen , Stawiski Eric W. , Yin Jianping , Wang Weiru , Lin Eva , Moffat John , Martin Scott E. , Modrusan Zora , Seshagiri Somasekar
Published: May 2018

Purpose: MAPK pathway inhibitors targeting BRAF and MEK have shown clinical efficacy in patients with RAF- and/or RAS-mutated tumors. However, acquired resistance to these agents has been an impediment to improved long-term survival in the clinic. In such cases, targeting ERK downstream of BRAF/MEK has been proposed as a potential strategy for overcoming acquired resistance. Preclinical studies suggest that ERK inhibitors are effective at inhibiting BRAF/RAS-mutated tumor growth and overcome BRAF or/and MEK inhibitor resistance. However, as observed with other MAPK pathway inhibitors, treatment with ERK inhibitors is likely to cause resistance in the clinic. Here, we aimed to model the mechanism of resistance to ERK inhibitors.

Experimental Design: We tested five structurally different ATP-competitive ERK inhibitors representing three different scaffolds on BRAF/RAS-mutant cancer cell lines of different tissue types to generate resistant lines. We have used in vitro modeling, structural biology, and genomic analysis to understand the development of resistance to ERK inhibitors and the mechanisms leading to it.

Results: We have identified mutations in ERK1/2, amplification and overexpression of ERK2, and overexpression of EGFR/ERBB2 as mechanisms of acquired resistance. Structural analysis of ERK showed that specific compounds that induced on-target ERK mutations were impaired in their ability to bind mutant ERK. We show that in addition to MEK inhibitors, ERBB receptor and PI3K/mTOR pathway inhibitors are effective in overcoming ERK-inhibitor resistance.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that combination therapy with MEK or ERBB receptor or PI3K/mTOR and ERK inhibitors may be an effective strategy for managing the emergence of resistance in the clinic. Clin Cancer Res; 24(16); 4044–55. ©2018 AACR.
Novel Regulation of Integrin Trafficking by Rab11-FIP5 in Aggressive Prostate Cancer
Authors: Das Lipsa , Gard Jaime M.C. , Prekeris Rytis , Nagle Raymond B. , Morrissey Colm , Knudsen Beatrice S. , Miranti Cindy K. , Cress Anne E.
Published: May 2018

The laminin-binding integrins, α3β1 and α6β1, are needed for tumor metastasis and their surface expression is regulated by endocytic recycling. β1 integrins share the Rab11 recycling machinery, but the trafficking of α3β1 and α6β1 are distinct by an unknown mechanism. Using a mouse PDX tumor model containing human metastatic prostate cancer, Rab11 family interacting protein 5 (Rab11-FIP5) was identified as a lead candidate for α6β1 trafficking. Rab11-FIP5 and its membrane-binding domain were required for α6β1 recycling, without affecting the other laminin-binding integrin (i.e., α3β1) or unrelated membrane receptors like CD44, transferrin receptor, or E-cadherin. Depletion of Rab11-FIP5 resulted in the intracellular accumulation of α6β1 in the Rab11 recycling compartment, loss of cell migration on laminin, and an unexpected loss of α6β1 recycling in cell–cell locations. Taken together, these data demonstrate that α6β1 is distinct from α3β1 via Rab11-FIP5 recycling and recycles in an unexpected cell–cell location.

Implications: Rab11-FIP5–dependent α6β1 integrin recycling may be selectively targeted to limit migration of prostate cancer cells into laminin-rich tissues. Mol Cancer Res; 16(8); 1319–31. ©2018 AACR.
CircRNA-0004904, CircRNA-0001855, and PAPP-A: Potential Novel Biomarkers for the Prediction of Preeclampsia
Authors: Jiang Min , Lash Gendie E. , Zhao Xueqing , Long Yan , Guo Caijiao , Yang Hongling
Published: May 2018

Background/Aims: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are transcribed prevalently in the genome; however, their potential roles in multiple cardiovascular diseases, particularly preeclampsia (PE), are not yet well understood. This study investigated the expression profiles of circRNAs and explored circRNA-mediated pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) expression as a potential biomarker for PE before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Methods: A nested case-control two-phase screening/validation study was performed in pregnant women before 20 weeks of gestation (before clinical diagnosis) at Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center from 2012 to 2015. In the screening phase, circRNA expression profiles of blood cells were assessed using a human circRNA microarray, which was designed to detect simultaneously 5396 circRNAs, in 5 patients with PE and 5 age- and gestational week-matched controls. In the validation phase, 18 circRNAs in blood cells predicted by bioinformatics tools were validated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR in a cohort of 60 patients (PE and age-, gestational week-, and sample storage time-matched controls). Then, we examined the involvement of circRNAs in PE-related pathways via interactions with miRNAs by multiple bioinformatics approaches. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that hsa_circ_0004904 and hsa_circ_0001855 miRNA sponges directly target PAPP-A. PAPP-A was verified in the serum of the same cohort of patients using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, we combined PAPP-A with circRNAs to create a novel preclinical diagnostic model for PE with logistic regression and evaluated the efficiency of this model with receiver operating curve analysis. Results: Volcano plot analysis using various parameters showed that circRNAs were differentially expressed among both groups (P < 0.01, fold change > 2). In the screening phase, we found that 2178 circRNAs were differentially expressed between the control and PE groups, in which 884 circRNAs were downregulated and 1294 circRNAs were upregulated in the PE group compared with the control group. In the validation phase, two circRNAs, hsa_circ_0004904 and hsa_circ_0001855, were significantly upregulated in PE patients compared with healthy pregnant women (P < 0.05). PAPP-A expression levels, related to the two circRNAs based on bioinformatics prediction, were increased in the PE group compared with the control group. The area under the curve of the combined model was 0.94 in the predicted PE subjects. Conclusions: This is the first study to report circRNA profiling in patients with PE prior to the onset of symptoms. Our data suggested that hsa_circ_0004904 and hsa_circ_0001855 combined with PAPP-A might be promising biomarkers for the detection of PE. Moreover, circRNAs may provide new insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of PE.