bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
No effect of acute normobaric hypoxia on plasma triglyceride levels in fasting healthy men
Authors: Mahat Bimit , Chassé Étienne , Lindon Clare , Mauger Jean-François , Imbeault Pascal
Published: February 2018

Circulating fatty acids are a major systemic energy source in the fasting state as well as a determinant of hepatic triglycerides (TG)-rich very-low-density lipoprotein production. Upon acute hypoxia, sympathetic arousal induces adipose tissue lipolysis, resulting in an increase in circulating nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA). Animal studies suggest that TG clearance may also be strongly reduced under hypoxia, though this effect has been shown to be dependent on temperature. Whether the hypoxia-induced rise in blood fatty acid concentrations affects fasting TG levels in humans under thermoneutral conditions remains unknown. TG, NEFA, and glycerol levels were measured in fasted healthy young men (n = 10) exposed for 6 h to either normoxia (ambient air) or acute hypoxia (fraction of inspired oxygen = 0.12) in a randomized, crossover design. Participants were casually clothed and rested in front of a fan in an environmental chamber maintained at 28 °C during each trial. Under hypoxia, a significantly greater increase in NEFA occurred (condition × time interaction, p = 0.049) and glycerol levels tended to be higher (condition × time, p = 0.104), suggesting an increase in adipose tissue lipolysis. However, plasma TG levels did not change over time and did not differ between the normoxia and hypoxia conditions. In conclusion, acute exposure to normobaric hypoxia under thermoneutral condition in healthy men during fasting state increased lipolysis without affecting circulating TG.
Local model for moduli space of affine vortices
Authors: Venugopalan Sushmita , Xu Guangbo
Published: February 2018

We show that the moduli space of regular affine vortices, which are solutions of the symplectic vortex equation over the complex plane, has the structure of a smooth manifold. The construction uses Ziltener’s Fredholm theory results [A Quantum Kirwan Map: Bubbling and Fredholm Theory, Memiors of the American Mathematical Society, Vol. 230 (American Mathematical Society, Providence, RI, 2014), pp. 1–129]. We also extend the result to the case of affine vortices over the upper half plane. These results are necessary ingredients in defining the “open quantum Kirwan map” proposed by Woodward [Gauged Floer theory for toric moment fibers, Geom. Funct. Anal. 21 (2011) 680–749].
Restriction properties for the Krull–Schmidt decomposition of vector bundles
Authors: Halic Mihai
Published: February 2018

We obtain decomposability criteria for vector bundles on smooth projective varieties [Formula: see text] by comparing the Krull–Schmidt decomposition on [Formula: see text], on one hand, and along the vanishing locus of a section in an ample vector bundle over [Formula: see text], on the other hand. We determine effective bounds for the amplitude of and also genericity conditions for its sections which ensure that the irreducible components of and those of its restriction correspond bijectively. Moreover, we get a simple splitting criterion for vector bundles on partial flag varieties.
Lignosulfonate-Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis of Mesoporous MnFe2O4 and Fe3O4 for Pb(II) Removal
Authors: Ma Yuan , Xing Shengtao , Wu Yinsu , Gao Yuanzhe , Ma Zichuan
Published: February 2018

The development of efficient magnetic adsorbents is highly desirable for water treatment. In this work, MnFe2O4 and Fe3O4 were prepared by a lignosulfonate-assisted hydrothermal method. The structure, surface property and adsorption capacity of the products were investigated. The obtained products have a small amount of carbonaceous materials, mesoporous structure and narrow pore size distribution. In comparison with the samples prepared without lignosulfonate, they have more surface hydroxyl groups and highly negatively charged surface in aqueous solution, which favor the adsorption of cations. Fe3O4 and especially MnFe2O4 exhibited high adsorption capacity towards Pb(II). The maximal removal efficiency of Pb(II) (50[Formula: see text]mg[Formula: see text]L[Formula: see text]) on MnFe2O4 was 100% at pH 6.2. The results demonstrate that this method is promising for the synthesis of magnetic adsorbent.
Interfacial self-assembly of nanostructured silver octahedra for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Semenova Anna A. , Baranchikov Alexander E. , Ivanov Vladimir K. , Goodilin Eugene A.
Published: February 2018

A novel robust and effective approach is suggested to form thin film substrates for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) using interfacial self-assembly in demixing water/toluene Pickering emulsions collecting silver octahedral mesocages onto a finally flat interfacial region. The freely floating self-assembled silver films obtained after toluene evaporation can be transferred onto various substrates including those with an ordered superficial relief causing a further alignment of silver octahedra. A special porous aggregative structure of the octahedra mesocages provokes a great number of hot spots allowing a large amplification of Raman scattering signal of model dye analytes and molecular thiol products of crude oil desulfurization. The suggested method seems to be an easy scaling route for SERS active material production.
Enumeration of self-dual cyclic codes of some specific lengths over finite fields
Authors: Prugsapitak Supawadee , Jitman Somphong
Published: February 2018

Self-dual cyclic codes form an important class of linear codes. It has been shown that there exists a self-dual cyclic code of length [Formula: see text] over a finite field if and only if [Formula: see text] and the field characteristic are even. The enumeration of such codes has been given under both the Euclidean and Hermitian products. However, in each case, the formula for self-dual cyclic codes of length [Formula: see text] over a finite field contains a characteristic function which is not easily computed. In this paper, we focus on more efficient ways to enumerate self-dual cyclic codes of lengths [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] are positive integers. Some number theoretical tools are established. Based on these results, alternative formulas and efficient algorithms to determine the number of self-dual cyclic codes of such lengths are provided.
Random matrix ensembles with split limiting behavior
Authors: Burkhardt Paula , Cohen Peter , DeWitt Jonathan , Hlavacek Max , Miller Steven J. , Sprunger Carsten , Vu Yen Nhi Truong , Peski Roger Van , Yang Kevin
Published: February 2018

We introduce a new family of [Formula: see text] random real symmetric matrix ensembles, the [Formula: see text]-checkerboard matrices, whose limiting spectral measure has two components which can be determined explicitly. All but [Formula: see text] eigenvalues are in the bulk, and their behavior, appropriately normalized, converges to the semi-circle as [Formula: see text]; the remaining [Formula: see text] are tightly constrained near [Formula: see text] and their distribution converges to the [Formula: see text] hollow GOE ensemble (this is the density arising by modifying the GOE ensemble by forcing all entries on the main diagonal to be zero). Similar results hold for complex and quaternionic analogues. We are able to isolate each regime separately through appropriate choices of weight functions for the eigenvalues and then an analysis of the resulting combinatorics.
Episodic modes of operation in hydrothermal gold systems: Part I. Deformation, mineral reactions and chaos
Authors: Ord Alison , Hobbs Bruce E.
Published: February 2018

Episodic fluctuations in fluid pressure and temperature are characteristic of the behaviour of orogenic gold systems and are commonly attributed to processes external to the system, such as seismic events and associated adiabatic fault valve or suction pump/piston behaviour; any temperature changes are attributed to the adiabatic nature of the process. Such processes are commonly associated with fluctuations in fluid pressure with little, if any, changes in temperature. We describe aseismic, non-adiabatic processes internal to the hydrothermal system that lead to episodic modes of temperature and fluid pressure behaviour and the deposition of gold. These gold deposition processes are essentially controlled by localized changes in temperature; such temperature-dependent gold deposition processes are normally thought of as inconsequential. We propose that internal episodic behaviour is fundamental in hydrothermal mineralizing systems associated with orogenic gold deposits. Importantly, the time period for these hydrothermal events appears to be small relative to metamorphic systems, with 1–2 myr as an upper limit. This has important ramifications for rates of heat production and for the resultant kinetics of mineral reactions during alteration and mineralization. We explore these systems as non-linear, non-equilibrium dynamic, open flow systems.
Non-Wilsonian break-up predisposed by transforms: examples from the North Atlantic and Arctic
Authors: Lundin E. R. , Doré A. G.
Published: February 2018

The Atlantic Ocean margins formed the basis for the seminal Wilson cycle concept, which suggests that oceans close, form fold belts, and later reopen in a concertina-like fashion. However, we observe that continental break-up of the North Atlantic–Arctic region only weakly reflects Wilson's concept. Rather than utilizing fold belts, transforms have been the dominant weaknesses that guided break-up, primarily because less force is required to break a plate via strike-slip related shearing than via rifting. Some transforms were inherited features, whereas others formed as part of the continental break-up process. Regardless of cause, once a transform has formed, the plate is broken and further rifting is not required before seafloor spreading can start. This is particularly well expressed in the NE Atlantic, where the line of Early Eocene break-up is very sharp, with minor or no preceding Paleocene rifting. Other examples include the De Geer, Ungava and Lomonosov transforms. We propose that the transform break-up mechanism is an important adjunct to the Wilson cycle theory and that it provides an explanation for ‘non-Wilson’ oceans, where old collision zones are not reactivated.
The state of fakery
Authors: Shein Esther
Published: February 2018

How digital media could be authenticated, from computational, legal, and ethical points of view.
Electronic Transport in Two-Dimensional Materials
Authors: Sangwan Vinod K. , Hersam Mark C.
Published: February 2018

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have captured the attention of the scientific community due to the wide range of unique properties at nanometer-scale thicknesses. While significant exploratory research in 2D materials has been achieved, the understanding of 2D electronic transport and carrier dynamics remains in a nascent stage. Furthermore, because prior review articles have provided general overviews of 2D materials or specifically focused on charge transport in graphene, here we instead highlight charge transport mechanisms in post-graphene 2D materials, with particular emphasis on transition metal dichalcogenides and black phosphorus. For these systems, we delineate the intricacies of electronic transport, including band structure control with thickness and external fields, valley polarization, scattering mechanisms, electrical contacts, and doping. In addition, electronic interactions between 2D materials are considered in the form of van der Waals heterojunctions and composite films. This review concludes with a perspective on the most promising future directions in this fast-evolving field.
Voluntary wheel running increases satellite cell abundance and improves recovery from disuse in gastrocnemius muscles from mice
Authors: Brooks Matthew J. , Hajira Ameena , Mohamed Junaith S. , Alway Stephen E.
Published: February 2018

Reloading of atrophied muscles after hindlimb suspension unloading (HSU) can induce injury and prolong recovery. Low-impact exercise, such as voluntary wheel running, has been identified as a nondamaging rehabilitation therapy in rodents, but its effects on muscle function, morphology, and satellite cell activity after HSU are unclear. This study tested the hypothesis that low-impact wheel running would increase satellite cell proliferation and improve recovery of muscle structure and function after HSU in mice. Young adult male and female C57BL/6 mice ( n = 6/group) were randomly placed into five groups. These included HSU without recovery (HSU), normal ambulatory recovery for 14 days after HSU (HSU+NoWR), and voluntary wheel running recovery for 14 days after HSU (HSU+WR). Two control groups were used: nonsuspended mouse cage controls (Control) and voluntary wheel running controls (ControlWR). Satellite cell activation was evaluated by providing mice 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) in their drinking water. As expected, HSU significantly reduced in vivo maximal force, decreased in vivo fatigability, and decreased type I and IIa myosin heavy chain (MHC) abundance in plantarflexor muscles. HSU+WR mice significantly improved plantarflexor fatigue resistance, increased type I and IIa MHC abundance, increased fiber cross-sectional area, and increased the percentage of type I and IIA muscle fibers in the gastrocnemius muscle. HSU+WR mice also had a significantly greater percentage of BrdU-positive and Pax 7-positive nuclei inside muscle fibers and a greater MyoD-to-Pax 7 protein ratio compared with HSU+NoWR mice. The mechanotransduction protein Yes-associated protein (YAP) was elevated with reloading after HSU, but HSU+WR mice had lower levels of the inactive phosphorylated YAPserine127, which may have contributed to increased satellite cell activation with reloading after HSU. These results indicate that voluntary wheel running increased YAP signaling and satellite cell activity after HSU and this was associated with improved recovery.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Although satellite cell involvement in muscle remodeling has been challenged, the data in this study suggest that voluntary wheel running increased satellite cell activity and suppressed Yes-associated protein (YAP) protein relative to no wheel running and this was associated with improved muscle recovery of force, fatigue resistance, expression of type I myosin heavy chain, and greater fiber cross-sectional area after disuse.
May the power be with you: are there highly powered studies in neuroscience, and how can we get more of them?
Authors: Algermissen Johannes , Mehler David M. A.
Published: February 2018

Statistical power is essential for robust science and replicability, but a meta-analysis by Button et al. in 2013 diagnosed a “power failure” for neuroscience. In contrast, Nord et al. ( J Neurosci 37: 8051–8061, 2017) reanalyzed these data and suggested that some studies feature high power. We illustrate how publication and researcher bias might have inflated power estimates, and review recently introduced techniques that can improve analysis pipelines and increase power in neuroscience studies.
Time course of ongoing activity during neuritis and following axonal transport disruption
Authors: Satkeviciute Ieva , Goodwin George , Bove Geoffrey M. , Dilley Andrew
Published: February 2018

Local nerve inflammation (neuritis) leads to ongoing activity and axonal mechanical sensitivity (AMS) along intact nociceptor axons and disrupts axonal transport. This phenomenon forms the most feasible cause of radiating pain, such as sciatica. We have previously shown that axonal transport disruption without inflammation or degeneration also leads to AMS but does not cause ongoing activity at the time point when AMS occurs, despite causing cutaneous hypersensitivity. However, there have been no systematic studies of ongoing activity during neuritis or noninflammatory axonal transport disruption. In this study, we present the time course of ongoing activity from primary sensory neurons following neuritis and vinblastine-induced axonal transport disruption. Whereas 24% of C/slow Aδ-fiber neurons had ongoing activity during neuritis, few (<10%) A- and C-fiber neurons showed ongoing activity 1–15 days following vinblastine treatment. In contrast, AMS increased transiently at the vinblastine treatment site, peaking on days 4–5 (28% of C/slow Aδ-fiber neurons) and resolved by day 15. Conduction velocities were slowed in all groups. In summary, the disruption of axonal transport without inflammation does not lead to ongoing activity in sensory neurons, including nociceptors, but does cause a rapid and transient development of AMS. Because it is proposed that AMS underlies mechanically induced radiating pain, and a transient disruption of axonal transport (as previously reported) leads to transient AMS, it follows that processes that disrupt axonal transport, such as neuritis, must persist to maintain AMS and the associated symptoms.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Many patients with radiating pain lack signs of nerve injury on clinical examination but may have neuritis, which disrupts axonal transport. We have shown that axonal transport disruption does not induce ongoing activity in primary sensory neurons but does cause transient axonal mechanical sensitivity. The present data complete a profile of key axonal sensitivities following axonal transport disruption. Collectively, this profile supports that an active peripheral process is necessary for maintained axonal sensitivities.
Growth Differentiation Factor-15 as a Predictor of Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy Progression: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Ham Young Rok , Song Chang Hun , Bae Hong Jin , Jeong Jin Young , Yeo Min-Kyung , Choi Dae Eun , Na Ki-Ryang , Lee Kang Wook
Published: February 2018

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) is a major cause of nephrotic syndrome. No biomarker to predict the long-term prognosis of IMN is currently available. Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily and has been associated with chronic inflammatory disease. It has the potential to be a useful prognostic marker in patients with renal diseases, such as diabetic nephropathy and IgA nephropathy. This study examined whether GDF-15 is associated with the clinical parameters in IMN and showed that GDF-15 can predict IMN disease progression. A total of 35 patients with biopsy-proven IMN, treated at Chungnam National University Hospital from January 2010 to December 2015, were included. Patients younger than 18 years, those with secondary membranous nephropathy, and those lost to follow-up before 12 months were excluded. Levels of GDF-15 at the time of biopsy were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Disease progression was defined as a ≥30% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or the development of end-stage renal disease. The mean follow-up was 44.1 months (range: 16–72 months). Using receiver operating curve analysis, the best serum GDF-15 cut-off value for predicting disease progression was 2.15 ng/ml (sensitivity: 75.0%, specificity: 82.1%, p=0.007). GDF-15 was significantly related to age and initial renal function. In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, the risk of disease progression increased in patients with GDF-15 ≥ 2.15 ng/ml when compared with those with GDF-15 < 2.15 ng/ml (50.0% versus 9.7%) (p=0.012). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders, only GDF-15 was significantly associated with disease progression in IMN (p=0.032). In conclusion, the GDF-15 level at the time of diagnosis has a significant negative correlation with initial renal function and is associated with a poor prognosis in IMN. Our results suggest that GDF-15 provides useful prognostic information in patients with IMN.
Disease Sequences High-Accuracy Alignment Based on the Precision Medicine
Authors: Li ManZhi , Long HaiXia , Wang HongTao , Fu HaiYan , Xu Dong , Shen YouJian , Yao YuHua , Liao Bo
Published: February 2018

High-accuracy alignment of sequences with disease information contributes to disease treatment and prevention. The results of multiple sequence alignment depend on the parameters of the objective function, including gap open penalties (GOP), gap extension penalties (GEP), and substitution matrix (SM). Firstly, the theory parameter formulas relating to GOP, GAP, and SM are inferred, combining unaligned sequence length, number, and identity. Secondly, we tested the rationality of the theory parameter formulas, with experiment on the ClustalW and MAFFT program. In addition, we obtained a group of MAFFT program parameters according to the formulas proposed. The results of all experiments show that the SPS (sum-of-pair score) obtained from theory parameters is better than the SPS obtained from the default parameters of ClustalW and MAFFT. In both theory and practice, our method to determine the parameters is feasible and efficient. These can provide high-accuracy alignment results for precision medicine.
Topological Derivative for Imaging of Thin Electromagnetic Inhomogeneity: Least Condition of Incident Directions
Authors: Park Won-Kwang
Published: February 2018

It is well-known that using topological derivative is an effective noniterative technique for imaging of crack-like electromagnetic inhomogeneity with small thickness when small number of incident directions are applied. However, there is no theoretical investigation about the configuration of the range of incident directions. In this paper, we carefully explore the mathematical structure of topological derivative imaging functional by establishing a relationship with an infinite series of Bessel functions of integer order of the first kind. Based on this, we identify the condition of the range of incident directions and it is highly depending on the shape of unknown defect. Results of numerical simulations with noisy data support our identification.
Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Group A Beta-Haemolytic Streptococcal Infection: An Indication for Tonsillectomy? A Review of the Literature
Authors: Rajgor Amarkumar Dhirajlal , Hakim Navid Akhtar , Ali Sanah , Darr Adnan
Published: February 2018

Background.Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infection (PANDAS) is the acute onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms following group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal infection. The aetiology remains elusive. However, with group A streptococcus being the most common bacterial cause of tonsillitis, surgical intervention in the form of tonsillectomy has often been considered as a potential therapy.Methods.A MEDLINE® search was undertaken using keywords “PANDAS” or “paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus” combined with “tonsillectomy”.Results. Six case reports and 3 case series met the inclusion criteria. Demesh et al. (case series) reported a dramatic reduction in neuropsychiatric symptom severity in the patient cohort undergoing tonsillectomy. Two case series suggest that there is no association between tonsillectomy and resolution of PANDAS.Conclusion. Due to the lack of uniform data and sporadic reports, tonsillectomy should be carefully adopted for the treatment of this disorder. In particular, tonsillectomies/adenoidectomies to alleviate neuropsychiatric symptoms should be avoided until more definitive evidence is at our disposal. This review highlights the importance of a potential collaborative prospective study.
A Proposed Middle-Range Theory of Nursing in Hypertension Care
Authors: Drevenhorn Eva
Published: February 2018

Nursing in hypertension care comprises counselling about lifestyle changes, blood pressure measurement, and being a translator for the physician. For the patient, changing lifestyle means performing self-care. As not much in the form of research and guidelines for nurses is available, a middle-range theory of nursing in hypertension care was developed to guide nurses in their practice, in order to improve the nursing of patients and design studies for investigating nursing in hypertension care. Concepts are presented related to the patient (attitude and beliefs regarding health and sickness, autonomy, personality and traits, level of perceived vulnerability, hardiness, sense of coherence, locus of control, self-efficacy, and access to social support and network) and the nursing (applying theories and models for behavioural change in the consultation and using counselling skills, patient advocacy, empowerment, professional knowledge and health education, and supporting the patient). Then the concepts related to the consultation (communication, shared decision-making, concordance, coping, adherence, and self-care) are integrated with Orem’s theory of nursing. Clinical and research implications of the theory are discussed.
Artificial Neural Network Modeling of Drying Kinetics and Color Changes of Ginkgo Biloba Seeds during Microwave Drying Process
Authors: Bai Jun-Wen , Xiao Hong-Wei , Ma Hai-Le , Zhou Cun-Shan
Published: February 2018

Ginkgo biloba seeds were dried in microwave drier under different microwave powers (200, 280, 460, and 640 W) to determinate the drying kinetics and color changes during drying process. Drying curves of all samples showed a long constant rate period and falling rate period along with a short heating period. The effective moisture diffusivities were found to be 3.318 × 10−9 to 1.073 × 10−8 m2/s within the range of microwave output levels and activation energy was 4.111 W/g. The L⁎ and b⁎ values of seeds decreased with drying time. However, a⁎ value decreased firstly and then increased with the increase of drying time. Artificial neural network (ANN) modeling was employed to predict the moisture ratio and color parameters (L⁎, a⁎, and b⁎). The ANN model was trained for finite iteration calculation with Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm as the training function and tansig-purelin as the network transfer function. Results showed that the ANN methodology could precisely predict experimental data with high correlation coefficient (0.9056–0.9834) and low mean square error (0.0014–2.2044). In addition, the established ANN models can be used for online prediction of moisture content and color changes of ginkgo biloba seeds during microwave drying process.
Variation of Energy in Photobiomodulation for the Control of Radiotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis: A Clinical Study in Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Authors: Guedes Cizelene do Carmo Faleiros Veloso , de Freitas Filho Silas Antonio Juvencio , Faria Paulo Rogério de , Loyola Adriano Mota , Sabino-Silva Robinson , Cardoso Sérgio Vitorino
Published: February 2018

Oral mucositis (OM) is a frequent and severe adverse effect of therapy against head and neck cancer. Photobiomodulation with the low-power laser is known to be effective against OM, but the diversity of protocols and the possibility of stimulating residual tumor cells are still obstacles. The present study aimed to compare two doses of laser energy delivered to the oral mucosa of patients under oncologic treatment for head and neck cancer, looking for differences in the control of mucositis, as well as in the frequency of tumoral recurrences. Fifty-eight patients undergoing radiotherapy were randomized into two groups, distinguished according to the energy delivered by laser irradiation, namely, 0.25 J and 1.0 J. The groups were compared according to frequency, severity, or duration of OM, as well as the frequency of tumoral recurrences. OM was significantly less frequent in patients receiving 1.0 J of energy, but the groups did not differ regarding severity or duration of OM. Tumoral recurrence also did not vary significantly between the groups. Photobiomodulation with a higher dose of energy (1.0 J versus 0.25 J) is associated with better control of radiotherapy-induced OM and does not significantly increase the risk of neoplastic recurrence.
Judgement Theorems and an Approach for Solving the Constellation-to-Ground Coverage Problem
Authors: Song Zhiming , Hu Xiangyun , Wang Maocai , Dai Guangming
Published: February 2018

The satellite constellation-to-ground coverage problem is a basic and important problem in satellite applications. A group of judgement theorems is given, and a novel approach based on these judgement theorems for judging whether a constellation can offer complete single or multiple coverage of a ground region is proposed. From the point view of mathematics, the constellation-to-ground coverage problem can be regarded as a problem entailing the intersection of spherical regions. Four judgement theorems that can translate the coverage problem into a judgement about the state of a group of ground points are proposed, thus allowing the problem to be efficiently solved. Single- and multiple-coverage problems are simulated, and the results show that this approach is correct and effective.
The Potential Effect of Chinese Herbal Formula Hongqijiangzhi Fang in Improving NAFLD: Focusing on NLRP3 Inflammasome and Gut Microbiota
Authors: Liang Shu , Zhang Yupei , Deng Yuanjun , He Yifang , Liang Yinji , Liang Zien , Chen Yanning , Tang Kairui , Chen Runsen , Yang Qinhe
Published: February 2018

The present study investigates the potential therapeutic mechanism underlying the effects of the Chinese herbal formula Hongqijiangzhi Fang (HJF) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rats. Male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 8): control group was fed a normal diet, three other groups were fed high‐fat diets (HFD), and the two treatment groups were intragastrically given a compound probiotic or HJF during the molding time. After 16 w, related indices were detected. The results showed that HJF significantly reduced abdominal aorta serum cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), IL‐1β, and IL‐18, portal venous serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and liver TC and TG levels in HFD‐fed rats. HJF ameliorated hepatic steatosis in the liver and improved the intestinal barrier in HFD‐fed rats. Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome was reduced by HJF in HFD‐fed rats. Additionally, the abundances of A. muciniphila (Verrucomicrobiaceae), F. rappini (Helicobacteraceae), and Enterobacteriaceae bacteria significantly decreased in HJF‐treated HFD‐fed rats. In conclusion, these result suggested that the Chinese herbal formula HJF reduced hepatic steatosis maybe through decreasing certain gut bacteria (such as Enterobacteriaceae bacteria and F. rappini), alleviating intestinal endotoxemia and reducing NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Small-Sized Parabolic Trough Collector System for Solar Dehumidification Application: Design, Development, and Potential Assessment
Authors: Chaudhary Ghulam Qadar , Kousar Rubeena , Ali Muzaffar , Amar Muhammad , Amber Khuram Pervez , Lodhi Shabaz Khan , Din Muhammad Rameez ud , Ditta Allah
Published: February 2018

The current study presents a numerical and real-time performance analysis of a parabolic trough collector (PTC) system designed for solar air-conditioning applications. Initially, a thermodynamic model of PTC is developed using engineering equation solver (EES) having a capacity of around 3 kW. Then, an experimental PTC system setup is established with a concentration ratio of 9.93 using evacuated tube receivers. The experimental study is conducted under the climate of Taxila, Pakistan in accordance with ASHRAE 93-1986 standard. Furthermore, PTC system is integrated with a solid desiccant dehumidifier (SDD) to study the effect of various operating parameters such as direct solar radiation and inlet fluid temperature and its impact on dehumidification share. The experimental maximum temperature gain is around 5.2°C, with the peak efficiency of 62% on a sunny day. Similarly, maximum thermal energy gain on sunny and cloudy days is 3.07 kW and 2.33 kW, respectively. Afterwards, same comprehensive EES model of PTC with some modifications is used for annual transient analysis in TRNSYS for five different climates of Pakistan. Quetta revealed peak solar insolation of 656 W/m2 and peak thermal energy 1139 MJ with 46% efficiency. The comparison shows good agreement between simulated and experimental results with root mean square error of around 9%.
Neural Network-Based Laser Interferometer Compensation for Seismic Signal Detection
Authors: Lee Kyunghyun , Kwon Hyungkwan , You Kwanho
Published: February 2018

We propose a seismic wave detection method in the frequency domain using a heterodyne laser interferometer, which is used in ultraprecision fields as a displacement measurement device. In seismology, it is important to accurately measure seismic waves. To overcome the limited frequency range and low resolution of accelerometers and velocimeters and to enhance the precision of seismic data analysis, we use the heterodyne laser interferometer as a seismic detection apparatus. We apply the data fusion algorithm with the adaptive standard deviation ratio (ς) derived from the neural network to improve the laser interferometer’s measurement precision. Moreover, by using the interferometric characteristics, we analyze the seismic data in the frequency domain. To determine the location of the epicenter from the body wave propagation analysis, we apply the STA/LTA algorithm to the measurement data. The effectiveness of the proposed laser interferometric seismometer is shown through experiments to locate the precise epicenter.
Infant Oral Mutilation
Authors: Pope Emily A. , Roberts Michael W. , LaRee Johnson E. , Morris Clark L.
Published: February 2018

Ebinyorefers to the practice of removing primary canine tooth follicles in infants without anesthetic by African traditional healers or elders using unsterilized instruments. This report describes a case ofebinyoor infant oral mutilation (IOM) and associated sequelae in a child adopted from a remote African tribe. The intraoral examination revealed that the patient was missing his primary maxillary and mandibular canines. The maxillary anterior periapical radiograph displayed a dysmorphic ectopic unerupted maxillary right primary canine positioned mesial to the maxillary right primary first molar. Periapical films taken confirmed partial or complete absence of the patient’s primary mandibular left (73) and mandibular right (83) canines, and a bitewing and periapical film confirmed the absence of the patient’s primary maxillary left (63) canine. The permanent canines will be monitored for possible hypoplasia secondary to trauma to the tooth buds during extirpation of the primary canines. Research presented in this report reveals that there are serious health implications involved with the practice ofebinyo.
It Is Not Always Sepsis: Fatal Tachypnea in a Newborn
Authors: Levene Rachel , Pollak-Christian Elza , Garg Ashish , Keenaghan Michael
Published: February 2018

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a congenital cardiac malformation that is well understood. Despite being well characterized, CoA is a commonly missed congenital heart disease (CHD) during the newborn period. We report a full-term nine-day-old male who presented to the pediatric emergency department (ED) with isolated tachypnea. After an initial sepsis workup, subsequent investigations revealed critical CoA. Because the primary workup focused on sepsis, there was a significant delay in prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) initiation. This case illustrates the importance of early CoA recognition and timely initiation of PGE1in newborns who present with suspected sepsis along with tachypnea.
Application of Distributed Optical Fiber Sensing Technology in Surrounding Rock Deformation Control of TBM-Excavated Coal Mine Roadway
Authors: Tang Bin , Cheng Hua
Published: February 2018

After roadway excavation, the deformation and failure of roadway surrounding rocks typically results in roadway damage or collapse. Conventional monitoring techniques, such as extensometers, stress meters, and convergence stations, are only capable to detect the stress or strain data with the shallow layers of surrounding rocks, and they require arduous manual works. Moreover, in the abovementioned monitoring techniques, the monitoring instruments are installed behind the excavation face; therefore, the strain and deformation occurring in front of excavation face cannot be detected. In order to eliminate these shortcomings, an innovative monitoring system for surrounding rock deformation control has been developed base on Brillouin optical time domain reflectometry. Compared with conventional monitoring systems, the proposed system provides a reliable, accurate, and real-time monitoring measure for roadway surrounding rock deformation control over wide extension. The optical fiber sensors are installed in boreholes which are situated ahead of the excavation face; therefore, the sensors can be protected well and the surrounding rock deformation behaviors can be studied. The proposed system has been applied within a TBM-excavated roadway in Zhangji coal mine, China. The surrounding rock deformation behaviors have been detected accurately, and the monitoring results provided essential references for surrounding rock deformation control works.
An Improved Method for Computing Eigenpair Derivatives of Damped System
Authors: Wang Pingxin , Wu Jieer , Yang Xibei
Published: February 2018

The calculation of eigenpair derivatives plays an important role in vibroengineering. This paper presents an improved algorithm for the eigenvector derivative of the damped systems by dividing it into a particular solution and general solution of the corresponding homogeneous equation. Compared with the existing methods, the proposed algorithm can significantly reduce the condition number of the equation for particular solution. Therefore, the relative errors of the calculated solutions are notably cut down. The results on two numerical examples show that such strategy is effective in reducing the condition numbers for both distinct and repeated eigenvalues.
Surface Dynamics Transition of Vacuum Vapor Deposited CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Thin Films
Authors: Liu Yunyan , Song Hongsheng , Xiu Junshan , Sun Meiling , Zhao Dong , Su Zisheng , Wei Gongxiang , Jin Fangming
Published: February 2018

The growth dynamics of CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite thin films on ITO covered glass substrate were investigated. The evolution of the film could be divided into two stages. A mound-like surface was obvious at the first stage. Stable dynamic scaling was observed for thicker films at the second stage. Through analyzing the scaling exponent, growth exponent β, and 2D fast Fourier transform, it is concluded that, at the second stage, the growth mechanism of mound formation does not play a major role, and the film growth mechanism can be described by Mullins diffusion equation.
Multicriteria Parent Selection Using Cognitive Radio for RPL in Smart Grid Network
Authors: Kheaksong Adisorn , Srisomboon Kanabadee , Prayote Akara , Lee Wilaiporn
Published: February 2018

To maintain reliability of advanced metering infrastructure network in smart grid, data sent from a smart meter must reach a data concentrator unit efficiently. Parent selecting mechanism in routing protocol for low‐power and lossy (RPL) is a key to maintain the reliability by balancing workload of meters in the network. In this paper, a parent selecting mechanism with three criteria including expected transmission count, residual energy, and expected transmission time is proposed to improve workload balancing and lifetime differences of all meters. A meter selects an immediate parent based on three factors. From simulation results, parents’ workload is better balanced and the lifetime of all meters in the network is depleted nearly at the same time. Moreover, a simulation with cognitive radio enabled meters, where data can be transmitted on a licensed channel opportunistically when the channel is not utilized, shows an improvement in the packet delivery ratio.
Genetic Mosaicism and Cancer: Cause and Effect
Authors: Lichtenstein Anatoly V.
Published: February 2018

Increasing theoretical and experimental evidence suggests that the genomes of both normal and cancer cells are subject to continuous changes as a result of copying errors during replication, defects in chromosome segregation during mitosis, and direct chemical attacks by reactive oxygen species. The process of cellular genetic diversification begins during embryonic development and continues throughout life, leading to the phenomenon of somatic mosaicism. New information about the genetic diversity of cells composing the body makes us reconsider the existing concepts of cancer etiology and pathogenesis. Here, I suggest that a progressively deteriorating microenvironment (“soil”) generates the cancerous “seed” and favors its development. Cancer Res; 78(6); 1375–8. ©2018 AACR.
Quantitative Analysis of Immune Infiltrates in Primary Melanoma
Authors: Gartrell Robyn D. , Marks Douglas K. , Hart Thomas D. , Li Gen , Davari Danielle R. , Wu Alan , Blake Zoë , Lu Yan , Askin Kayleigh N. , Monod Anthea , Esancy Camden L. , Stack Edward C. , Jia Dan Tong , Armenta Paul M. , Fu Yichun , Izaki Daisuke , Taback Bret , Rabadan Raul , Kaufman Howard L. , Drake Charles G. , Horst Basil A. , Saenger Yvonne M.
Published: February 2018

Novel methods to analyze the tumor microenvironment (TME) are urgently needed to stratify melanoma patients for adjuvant immunotherapy. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) analysis, by conventional pathologic methods, is predictive but is insufficiently precise for clinical application. Quantitative multiplex immunofluorescence (qmIF) allows for evaluation of the TME using multiparameter phenotyping, tissue segmentation, and quantitative spatial analysis (qSA). Given that CD3+CD8+ cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs) promote antitumor immunity, whereas CD68+ macrophages impair immunity, we hypothesized that quantification and spatial analysis of macrophages and CTLs would correlate with clinical outcome. We applied qmIF to 104 primary stage II to III melanoma tumors and found that CTLs were closer in proximity to activated (CD68+HLA-DR+) macrophages than nonactivated (CD68+HLA-DR−) macrophages (P < 0.0001). CTLs were further in proximity from proliferating SOX10+ melanoma cells than nonproliferating ones (P < 0.0001). In 64 patients with known cause of death, we found that high CTL and low macrophage density in the stroma (P = 0.0038 and P = 0.0006, respectively) correlated with disease-specific survival (DSS), but the correlation was less significant for CTL and macrophage density in the tumor (P = 0.0147 and P = 0.0426, respectively). DSS correlation was strongest for stromal HLA-DR+ CTLs (P = 0.0005). CTL distance to HLA-DR− macrophages associated with poor DSS (P = 0.0016), whereas distance to Ki67− tumor cells associated inversely with DSS (P = 0.0006). A low CTL/macrophage ratio in the stroma conferred a hazard ratio (HR) of 3.719 for death from melanoma and correlated with shortened overall survival (OS) in the complete 104 patient cohort by Cox analysis (P = 0.009) and merits further development as a biomarker for clinical application. Cancer Immunol Res; 6(4); 481–93. ©2018 AACR.
Healthy and Pathological Brain Aging: From the Perspective of Oscillations, Functional Connectivity, and Signal Complexity
Authors: Ishii Ryouhei , Canuet Leonides , Aoki Yasunori , Hata Masahiro , Iwase Masao , Ikeda Shunichiro  , Nishida Keiichiro , Ikeda Manabu
Published: February 2018

Healthy aging is associated with impairment in cognitive information processing. Several neuroimaging methods such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography and near-infrared spectroscopy have been used to explore healthy and pathological aging by relying on hemodynamic or metabolic changes that occur in response to brain activity. Since electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) are able to measure neural activity directly with a high temporal resolution of milliseconds, these neurophysiological techniques are particularly important to investigate the dynamics of brain activity underlying neurocognitive aging. It is well known that age is a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and that synaptic dysfunction represents an early sign of this disease associated with hallmark neuropathological findings. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying AD are not fully elucidated. This review addresses healthy and pathological brain aging from a neurophysiological perspective, focusing on oscillatory activity changes during the resting state, event-related potentials and stimulus-induced oscillatory responses during cognitive or motor tasks, functional connectivity between brain regions, and changes in signal complexity. We also highlight the accumulating evidence on age-related EEG/MEG changes and biological markers of brain neurodegeneration, including genetic factors, structural abnormalities on magnetic resonance images, and the biochemical changes associated with Aβ deposition and tau pathology.
ERCP in Portugal: A Wide Survey on the Prevention of Post-ERCP Pancreatitis and Papillary Cannulation Techniques
Authors: Lopes Luís , Canena Jorge
Published: February 2018

Background/Aims: Recently the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy delivered guidelines on the prevention of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP) and on the papillary cannulation and sphincterotomy techniques at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). There are no data concerning current practices in Portugal. The aim of this study was to capture practice patterns of Portuguese pancreaticobiliary endoscopists with special interest in the prevention of PEP and cannulation techniques. Methods: A written survey was distributed to all pancreaticobiliary endoscopists attending the first Portuguese meeting dedicated to ERCP in November 2016. The main outcome measures were: technique used for standard biliary cannulation, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in PEP, attempting prophylactic pancreatic stenting after using pancreatic guidewire (PGW)-assisted biliary cannulation in patients where biliary cannulation was difficult, and use of precut as the first rescue technique when biliary cannulation was difficult. Results: Completed surveys were collected from 28 of the 32 pancreatobiliary endoscopists attending the meeting (answer rate 87.5%). Biliary cannulation was performed using a guidewire access technique by the majority (77%), usually with a sphincterotome. When cannulation was unsuccessful, precut was the first choice for 70%. NSAIDs were administered routinely for PEP by only 54%; PGW-assisted biliary cannulation was the first choice after failed standard cannulation for a minority of them, and only 27% reported to routinely attempt insertion of a pancreatic stent. High-volume endoscopists (> 150/year) tended to use NSAIDs and to insert a stent in PGW-assisted cannulation less often than low-volume-endoscopists (50 vs. 83.3%, p < 0.01, and 40 vs. 100%, p < 0.01, respectively). Precut was started without prior formal training by more than half of the endoscopists. Conclusions: There is a pronounced discrepancy between evidence-based guidelines and current clinical practice. This discrepancy is more pronounced in PEP prophylaxis, especially among high-volume endoscopists. Some advanced techniques in ERCP are initiated unsupervised, without any previous formal training. Key Message: There is a significant gap between guidelines and routine clinical practice.