bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy-Economic Analysis of Plate Evaporator using Brine-based Hybrid Nanofluids as Secondary Refrigerant
Authors: Bhattad Atul , Sarkar Jahar , Ghosh Pradyumna
Published: December 2017

Energy and economic analyses of corrugated plate evaporator have been performed in this study by using brine-based hybrid nanofluids as secondary refrigerant for low temperature applications (milk chilling, ice making and fish freezing). Various hybrid nanofluids containing alumina with different nanoparticles (copper, silver and multi walled carbon nanotube) dispersed in ethylene glycol/water, propylene glycol/water, calcium chloride/water and potassium acetate/water brines have been considered. A comparison has been made based on overall heat transfer coefficient, evaporator size (heat transfer area), pump work, COP, annual cost and payback period. The maximum reduction in heat transfer area has been observed for PG brine-based alumina–silver hybrid nanofluid. Whereas, the maximum reduction in pump work and augmentation in COP have been obtained for PG brine-based alumina–MWCNT hybrid nanofluid. EG brine-based Alumina–Cu hybrid nanofluid yields minimum annual cost. Most of the nanofluids (except PG brine-based Al2O3–Ag nanofluid) seem to be not beneficial for practical use due to comparatively long payback period; however, that can be significantly reduced in future by decreasing nanoparticle cost and increasing nanofluid stability. The present study reveals that the brine-based hybrid nanofluids may be the potential option as next generation secondary refrigerants for low temperature applications.
Micromechanical modeling of 3D printable interpenetrating phase composites with tailorable effective elastic properties including negative Poisson's ratio
Authors: Ai L. , Gao X.-L.
Published: December 2017

3D printable two-phase interpenetrating phase composites (IPCs) are designed by embedding a 3D periodic re-entrant lattice structure (as the reinforcing phase) in a matrix phase. These IPCs display the cubic or tetragonal symmetry. A micromechanical model is developed to evaluate effective elastic properties of the IPCs. Effective Young's moduli, shear moduli and Poisson's ratios (PRs) of each IPC are determined from the effective stiffness and compliance matrices of the composite, which are obtained through a homogenization analysis using a unit cell-based finite element (FE) model incorporating periodic boundary conditions. The FE simulation results are also compared with those based on various analytical bounding techniques in micromechanics, including the Voigt–Reuss, Hashin–Shtrikman, and Tuchinskii bounds. The effective properties of the IPC can be tailored by adjusting five geometrical parameters, including two strut lengths, two re-entrant angles and one strut diameter, and elastic properties of the two constituent materials. The numerical results reveal that IPCs with a negative PR can be generated by using a compliant matrix material and large re-entrant angles. In addition, it is found that the two re-entrant angles can greatly affect other effective elastic properties of the IPC: the effective shear modulus can be enhanced, while the effective Young's modulus can be enhanced or compromised with the increase of the re-entrant angles. Furthermore, it is seen that by adjusting one of the two re-entrant angles or one of the two strut lengths, the material symmetry exhibited by the IPC can be changed from cubic to tetragonal.
Altered skeletal muscle mitochondrial phenotype in COPD: disease vs. disuse
Authors: Gifford Jayson R. , Trinity Joel D. , Kwon Oh-Sung , Layec Gwenael , Garten Ryan S. , Park Song-Young , Nelson Ashley D. , Richardson Russell S.
Published: December 2017

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exhibit an altered skeletal muscle mitochondrial phenotype, which often includes reduced mitochondrial density, altered respiratory function, and elevated oxidative stress. As this phenotype may be explained by the sedentary lifestyle that commonly accompanies this disease, the aim of this study was to determine whether such alterations are still evident when patients with COPD are compared to control subjects matched for objectively measured physical activity (PA; accelerometry). Indexes of mitochondrial density [citrate synthase (CS) activity], respiratory function (respirometry in permeabilized fibers), and muscle oxidative stress [4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) content] were assessed in muscle fibers biopsied from the vastus lateralis of nine patients with COPD and nine PA-matched control subjects (CON). Despite performing similar levels of PA (CON: 18 ± 3, COPD: 20 ± 7 daily minutes moderate-to-vigorous PA; CON: 4,596 ± 683, COPD: 4,219 ± 763 steps per day, P > 0.70), patients with COPD still exhibited several alterations in their mitochondrial phenotype, including attenuated skeletal muscle mitochondrial density (CS activity; CON 70.6 ± 3.8, COPD 52.7 ± 6.5 U/mg, P < 0.05), altered mitochondrial respiration [e.g., ratio of complex I-driven state 3 to complex II-driven state 3 (CI/CII); CON: 1.20 ± 0.11, COPD: 0.90 ± 0.05, P < 0.05), and oxidative stress (4-HNE; CON: 1.35 ± 0.19, COPD: 2.26 ± 0.25 relative to β-actin, P < 0.05). Furthermore, CS activity ( r = 0.55), CI/CII ( r = 0.60), and 4-HNE ( r = 0.49) were all correlated with pulmonary function, assessed as forced expiratory volume in 1 s ( P < 0.05), but not PA ( P > 0.05). In conclusion, the altered mitochondrial phenotype in COPD is present even in the absence of differing levels of PA and appears to be related to the disease itself.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with debilitating alterations in the function of skeletal muscle mitochondria. By comparing the mitochondrial phenotype of patients with COPD to that of healthy control subjects who perform the same amount of physical activity each day, this study provides evidence that many aspects of the dysfunctional mitochondrial phenotype observed in COPD are not merely due to reduced physical activity but are likely related to the disease itself.
Temporal characteristics of exercise-induced diaphragmatic fatigue
Authors: Archiza Bruno , Welch Joseph F. , Geary Caitlin M. , Allen Grayson P. , Borghi-Silva Audrey , Sheel A. William
Published: December 2017

There is evidence suggesting diaphragmatic fatigue (DF) occurs relatively early during high-intensity exercise; however, studies investigating the temporal characteristics of exercise-induced DF are limited by incongruent methodology. Eight healthy adult males (25 ± 5 yr) performed a maximal incremental exercise test on a cycle ergometer on day 1. A constant-load time-to-exhaustion (TTE) exercise test was conducted on day 2 at 60% delta between the calculated gas exchange threshold and peak work rate. Two additional constant-load exercise tests were performed at the same intensity on days 3 and 4 in a random order to either 50 or 75% TTE. DF was assessed on days 2, 3, and 4 by measuring transdiaphragmatic twitch pressure (Pdi,tw) in response to cervical magnetic stimulation. DF was present after 75 and 100% TTE (≥20% decrease in Pdi,tw). The magnitude of fatigue was 15.5 ± 5.7%, 23.6 ± 6.4%, and 35.0 ± 12.1% at 50, 75, and 100% TTE, respectively. Significant differences were found between 100 to 75 and 50% TTE (both P < 0.01), and 75 to 50% TTE ( P < 0.01). There was a significant relationship between the magnitude of fatigue and cumulative diaphragm force output ( r = 0.785; P < 0.001). Ventilation, the mechanical work of breathing (WOB), and pressure-time products were not different between trials ( P > 0.05). Our data indicate that exercise-induced DF presents a relatively late onset and is proportional to the cumulative WOB; thus the ability of the diaphragm to generate pressure progressively declines throughout exercise.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The notion that diaphragmatic fatigue (DF) occurs relatively early during exercise is equivocal. Our results indicate that DF occurs during high-intensity endurance exercise in healthy men and its magnitude is strongly related to the amount of pressure and work generated by respiratory muscles. Thus we conclude that the work of breathing is the major determinant of exercise-induced DF.
Fusion Surgery Required for Recurrent Pediatric Atlantoaxial Rotatory Fixation after Failure of Temporary Fixation with Instrumentation
Authors: Matsuyama Yoshiyuki , Ishikawa Tetsuhiro , Ozone Ei , Aramomi Masaaki , Ohtori Seiji
Published: December 2017

In cases of chronic irreducible and recurrent unstable atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF), closed reduction and its maintenance are often unsuccessful, requiring surgical treatment. The purpose of the present report is to describe a rare case of pediatric AARF that required multiple treatments. A 6-year-old boy was diagnosed as having type 2 AARF. After conservative treatment, the patient was treated with temporary fixation surgery (C1-C2 Magerl) without a bone graft in consideration of motion preservation after screw removal. AARF recurred after the screw removal and required fusion surgery (Magerl–Brooks) with an iliac bone graft. Ultimately, bone union was achieved and the screws were removed 11 months after the surgery. We recommend surgeons be cautious when choosing temporary fixation surgery for AARF in small children. Further investigation is needed to determine the optimal time before screw removal.
Overexpression of GRK3, Promoting Tumor Proliferation, Is Predictive of Poor Prognosis in Colon Cancer
Authors: Jiang Tao , Yang Chun , Ma Liyuan , Wu Zehua , Ye Ling , Ma Xiaoqiang , Li Hai , Fan Junwei , Yang Yinxue
Published: December 2017

Deregulation of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 3 (GRK3), which belongs to a subfamily of kinases called GRKs, acts as a promoter mechanism in some cancer types. Our study found that GRK3 was significantly overexpressed in 162 pairs of colon cancer tissues than in the matched noncancerous mucosa (

P
<
0.01

). Based on immunohistochemistry staining of TMAs, GRK3 was dramatically stained positive in primary colon cancer (130/180, 72.22%), whereas it was detected minimally or negative in paired normal mucosa specimens (50/180, 27.78%). Overexpression of GRK3 was closely correlated with AJCC stage (

P
=
0.001

), depth of tumor invasion (

P
<
0.001

), lymph node involvement (

P
=
0.004

), distant metastasis (

P
=
0.016

), and histologic differentiation (

P
=
0.004

). Overexpression of GRK3 is an independent prognostic indicator that correlates with poor survival in colon cancer patients. Consistent with this, downregulation of GRK3 exhibited decreased cell growth index, reduction in colony formation ability, elevated cell apoptosis rate, and impaired colon tumorigenicity in a xenograft model. Hence, a specific overexpression of GRK3 was observed in colon cancer, GRK3 potentially contributing to progression by mediating cancer cell proliferation and functions as a poor prognostic indicator in colon cancer and potentially represent a novel therapeutic target for the disease.
Misplacement of a Port Catheter: A Differentiated View
Authors: Evers Christoph , Gazis Angelos , Thuss-Patiance Wendy , Kretzschmar Albrecht
Published: December 2017

Clinical radiological controls after the insertion of central venous catheters (CVC) are of high importance. Misplacement of the CVC, outside of large vessels, as described in our first case, occurs in more than 7% of cases and may be associated with life-threatening events. A persistent left-sided superior vena cava (PLSSVC) occurs in 0.3–0.5% of the standard population. In one of the cases a CT scan of the chest showed the catheter in a PLSSVC. Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy was indicated in a patient with an adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. Under hospitalised monitoring, full-dose chemotherapy was given. Consequences for the patients arise when the findings are known for future interventions. If a PLSSVC is expected and a CVC is to be inserted, the venous return to the heart should be evaluated first, to preclude a possible backflow to the left atrium. With this constellation, a right-to-left shunt can be expected in 10% of cases. Affected patients face a high risk of developing cardioembolic events.
Single-Centre Experience of Systemic Treatment with Vincristine, Ifosfamide, and Doxorubicin Alternating with Etoposide, Ifosfamide, and Cisplatin in Adult Patients with Ewing Sarcoma
Authors: Requilé Annelies , Clement Paul M. , Bechter Oliver E. , Dumez Herlinde , Verbiest Annelies , Sciot Raf , Hompes Daphne , Sinnaeve Friedl , Van Limbergen Erik , Schöffski Patrick
Published: December 2017

The treatment of Ewing sarcoma (ES) in adult patients requires a multidisciplinary approach. Systemic therapy remains an important component of clinical management of this disease. ES is extremely rare in adult patients. Due to the rarity of the disease, no standard of care in terms of chemotherapy for the adult population exists, and the level of evidence for individual agents or some multidrug combinations is limited. Most regimens that are used in both adults and children include anthracyclines, etoposide, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and ifosfamide. In this report, we describe our experience with the alternating use of triple combination therapies based on vincristine, ifosfamide, and doxorubicin (VIA) and an etoposide, ifosfamide, and cisplatin combination (VIP). We retrospectively evaluated the response rates, outcome, and tolerance of adult patients (n = 64) treated with VIA/VIP between 1990 and 2014. The patients included were treated with perioperative chemotherapy (53.1% neoadjuvant therapy and 17.2% adjuvant therapy) or had synchronous metastases at diagnosis (29.7%). Five-year overall survival rate was 52.2% for all patients, 72.2% for patients with localized disease, and 5.3% in patients with synchronous metastases. Overall response rate (ORR) was 37% after 2 cycles of VIA and 2 cycles of VIP. There were no patients with progressive disease (PD).
Creating Agent-Based Energy Transition Management Models That Can Uncover Profitable Pathways to Climate Change Mitigation
Authors: Hoekstra Auke , Steinbuch Maarten , Verbong Geert
Published: December 2017

The energy domain is still dominated by equilibrium models that underestimate both the dangers and opportunities related to climate change. In reality, climate and energy systems contain tipping points, feedback loops, and exponential developments. This paper describes how to create realistic energy transition management models: quantitative models that can discover profitable pathways from fossil fuels to renewable energy. We review the literature regarding agent-based economics, disruptive innovation, and transition management and determine the following requirements. Actors must be detailed, heterogeneous, interacting, learning, and strategizing. Technology should be represented as a detailed and heterogeneous portfolio that can develop in a bottom-up manner, using endogenous feedback loops. Assumptions about discount rates and the social cost of carbon should be configurable. The model should contain interactions between the global, national, local, and individual level. A review of modelling techniques shows that equilibrium models are unsuitable and that system dynamics and discrete event simulation are too limited. The agent-based approach is found to be uniquely suited for the complex adaptive sociotechnical systems that must be modelled. But the choice for agent-based models does not mean a rejection of other approaches because they can be accommodated within the agent-based framework. We conclude with practical guidelines.
Modeling and Multiresponse Optimization for Anaerobic Codigestion of Oil Refinery Wastewater and Chicken Manure by Using Artificial Neural Network and the Taguchi Method
Authors: Mehryar Esmaeil , Ding Weimin , Hemmat Abbas , Hassan Muhammad , Talha Zahir , Kafashan Jalal , Huang Hongying
Published: December 2017

To study the optimum process conditions for pretreatments and anaerobic codigestion of oil refinery wastewater (ORWW) with chicken manure, L9 (34) Taguchi’s orthogonal array was applied. The biogas production (BGP), biomethane content (BMP), and chemical oxygen demand solubilization (CODS) in stabilization rate were evaluated as the process outputs. The optimum conditions were obtained by using Design Expert software (Version 7.0.0). The results indicated that the optimum conditions could be achieved with 44% ORWW, 36°C temperature, 30 min sonication, and 6% TS in the digester. The optimum BGP, BMP, and CODS removal rates by using the optimum conditions were 294.76 mL/gVS, 151.95 mL/gVS, and 70.22%, respectively, as concluded by the experimental results. In addition, the artificial neural network (ANN) technique was implemented to develop an ANN model for predicting BGP yield and BMP content. The Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm was utilized to train ANN, and the architecture of 9-19-2 for the ANN model was obtained.
Newly Developed Nano-Calcium Carbonate and Nano-Calcium Propanoate for the Deacidification of Library and Archival Materials
Authors: Bicchieri Marina , Valentini Federica , Calcaterra Andrea , Talamo Maurizio
Published: December 2017

Paper-based cultural heritage objects are subject to natural deterioration due to internal and external factors, that is, the presence of heavy metals, incorrect conservation, humidity, exposure of the artifacts to pollutants, light, and high temperatures. To contrast the decay of the original objects, it is necessary to study and apply innovative specific techniques, set up novel preservation methodologies, and implement or synthesize new products. As the nanomaterial science field developed over the last decades, the usage of nanomaterials in cultural heritage gained a prominent role. Such an excitement for the novel materials opened the path for an uncontrolled transfer of nanoparticles developed for different applications to paper restoration, neglecting all their possible interactions with the support or the graphic media. The aim of this work was to synthesize new nanomaterialsexpressly conceivedfor the treatment of library materials. To evaluate their possible insertion in the official conservation treatments that are subjected to validation by Istituto Centrale Restauro e Conservazione Patrimonio Archivistico e Librario, the new nanomaterials were tested both on laboratory paper samples and on original documents. This work presents the results of these studies (some of which still preliminary) stressing the positive and extremely promising outcomes of this research.
Computational Insight into Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B Inhibition: A Case Study of the Combined Ligand- and Structure-Based Approach
Authors: Zhang Xiangyu , Jiang Hailun , Li Wei , Wang Jian , Cheng Maosheng
Published: December 2017

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is an attractive target for treating cancer, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. In our work, the way of combined ligand- and structure-based approach was applied to analyze the characteristics of PTP1B enzyme and its interaction with competitive inhibitors. Firstly, the pharmacophore model of PTP1B inhibitors was built based on the common feature of sixteen compounds. It was found that the pharmacophore model consisted of five chemical features: one aromatic ring (R) region, two hydrophobic (H) groups, and two hydrogen bond acceptors (A). To further elucidate the binding modes of these inhibitors with PTP1B active sites, four docking programs (AutoDock 4.0, AutoDock Vina 1.0, standard precision (SP) Glide 9.7, and extra precision (XP) Glide 9.7) were used. The characteristics of the active sites were then described by the conformations of the docking results. In conclusion, a combination of various pharmacophore features and the integration information of structure activity relationship (SAR) can be used to design novel potent PTP1B inhibitors.
The Effects of Surface Mechanical Deformation and Bovine Serum Albumin on the Tribological Properties of Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogel as an Artificial Cartilage
Authors: Li Feng , Zhang Gang , Wang Anmin , Guo Feng
Published: December 2017

The mechanical and tribological properties of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel as an artificial cartilage were studied under water and bovine serum albumin-lubricated sliding conditions. The frictional properties of the polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel were investigated via reciprocating frictional tests. The effect of surface mechanical deformation on the tribological properties of the polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel as an artificial cartilage was studied by concurrently recording the z-axis displacement and friction coefficient time. Three different factors were chosen including load, speed, and lubrication. The results showed that the albumin solution could reverse the trend in the coefficient of friction in tests at different loading levels. There was no improvement in the friction condition in albumin at low speeds. However, when the speed was increased to 2 Hz, the coefficient of friction was significantly reduced. Wear testing was also conducted, and wear tracks were found on the sample surface. The results also showed that even though the surface deformation could recover as the water phase of the porous structure recovered, the coefficient of friction continued to increase simultaneously. This relationship between mechanical and frictional tests indicated that biphasic lubrication effects may not be the only dominant factor underlying the excellent friction properties of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel.
Retrospective Identification of Herpes Simplex 2 Virus-Associated Acute Liver Failure in an Immunocompetent Patient Detected Using Whole Transcriptome Shotgun Sequencing
Authors: Ono Atsushi , Hayes C. Nelson , Akamatsu Sakura , Imamura Michio , Aikata Hiroshi , Chayama Kazuaki
Published: December 2017

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a severe condition in which liver function rapidly deteriorates in individuals without prior history of liver disease. While most cases result from acetaminophen overdose or viral hepatitis, in up to a third of patients, no clear cause can be identified. Liver transplantation has greatly reduced mortality among these patients, but 40% of patients recover without liver transplantation. Therefore, there is an urgent need for rapid determination of the etiology of acute liver failure. In this case report, we present a case of herpes simplex 2 virus- (HSV-) associated ALF in an immunocompetent patient. The patient recovered without LT, but the presence of HSV was not suspected at the time, precluding more effective treatment with acyclovir. To determine the etiology, stored blood samples were analyzed using whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing followed by mapping to a panel of viral reference sequences. The presence of HSV-DNA in blood samples at the time of admission was confirmed using real-time polymerase chain reaction, and, at the time of discharge, HSV-DNA levels had decreased by a factor of 106. Conclusions. In ALF cases of undetermined etiology, uncommon causes should be considered, especially those for which an effective treatment is available.
Cross-Layer QoS Scheme Based on Priority Differentiation in Multihop Wireless Networks
Authors: Wang Mingjiu , Fan Shu
Published: December 2017

To support different QoS requirements of diverse types of services, a cross-layer QoS scheme providing different QoS guarantees is designed. This scheme sets values of service priorities according to services’ data arrival rates and required end-to-end delay to endow different services with diverse scheduling priorities. To support QoS requirements better and maintain fairness, this scheme introduces delay and throughput weight coefficients. The methods of calculating the coefficients are also proposed. Through decomposing the optimization problem that uses weighted network utility as its optimization objective using Lyapunov optimization technique, this scheme can simultaneously support different QoS requirements of various services. The throughput utility optimality of the scheme is also proved. To reduce the computational complexity of the scheme, a distributed media access control scheme is proposed. A power control algorithm for this cross-layer scheme is also designed, and this algorithm transforms the power control into the solution of a multivariate equation. The simulation results evaluated with Matlab show that, compared with the existing works, the algorithm presented in this paper can simultaneously satisfy the delay demands of different services with maintaining high throughput.
Effect of Phosphate Buffered Saline Solutions on Top-Down Fabricated ZnO Nanowire Field Effect Transistor
Authors: Sultan S. M. , de Planque M. R. R. , Ashburn P. , Chong H. M. H.
Published: December 2017

ZnO based nanowire FETs have been fabricated by implementing a top-down approach, which uses optical photolithography, atomic layer deposition (ALD) of ZnO thin film, and anisotropic plasma etching. The effects of Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) solution on the surface of ZnO nanowire were investigated by measuring the FET characteristics at different PBS dilutions. The drain current, ION, exhibited an increase of 39 times in the highest PBS solution concentration compared to measurement in air. From the measured transfer characteristics and output characteristics in various PBS dilutions, the device was found to maintain n-type behaviour. These results indicate that the device can be effectively used for biomolecules sensing.
Synthesis, Antimicrobial, and Computational Evaluation of Novel Isobutylchalcones as Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: Shaik Afzal Basha , Yejella Rajendra Prasad , Shaik Shahanaaz
Published: December 2017

A series of 25 new chalcones were synthesized by Claisen-Schmidt condensation, well characterized by spectroscopic data, and evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities by serial tube dilution method. Among the compounds tested,A3andA6containing 2,4-dichlorophenyl and 2,4-difluorophenyl moiety, respectively, were found to be the most potent in the series against both bacterial and fungal strains with a MIC value of 16 µg/mL in each case. Further computational evaluation for antimicrobial activity was performed by atom based 3D-QSAR using PHASE™ software in order to have a correlation between the observed activities and predicted activities. The computational studies were in agreement with thein vitroantimicrobial results and had identified the most promising chalcones as antimicrobial agents and the responsible structural features for the proposed activity.
Gallium-68 Labeled Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Coated with 2,3-Dicarboxypropane-1,1-diphosphonic Acid as a Potential PET/MR Imaging Agent: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Karageorgou Maria-Argyro , Vranješ-Djurić Sanja , Radović Magdalena , Lyberopoulou Anna , Antić Bratislav , Rouchota Maritina , Gazouli Maria , Loudos George , Xanthopoulos Stavros , Sideratou Zili , Stamopoulos Dimosthenis , Bouziotis Penelope , Tsoukalas Charalampos
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study was to develop a dual-modality PET/MR imaging probe by radiolabeling iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (IONPs), surface functionalized with water soluble stabilizer 2,3-dicarboxypropane-1,1-diphosphonic acid (DPD), with the positron emitter Gallium-68. Magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 MNPs) were synthesized via coprecipitation method and were stabilized with DPD. The Fe3O4-DPD MNPs were characterized based on their structure, morphology, size, surface charge, and magnetic properties. In vitro cytotoxicity studies showed reduced toxicity in normal cells, compared to cancer cells. Fe3O4-DPD MNPs were successfully labeled with Gallium-68 at high radiochemical purity (>91%) and their stability in human serum and in PBS was demonstrated, along with their further characterization on size and magnetic properties. The ex vivo biodistribution studies in normal Swiss mice showed high uptake in the liver followed by spleen. The acquired PET images were in accordance with the ex vivo biodistribution results. Our findings indicate that Ga68-Fe3O4-DPD MNPs could serve as an important diagnostic tool for biomedical imaging.
Analysis of the Influencing Factors on the Well Performance in Shale Gas Reservoir
Authors: Dai Cheng , Xue Liang , Wang Weihong , Li Xiang
Published: December 2017

Due to the ultralow permeability of shale gas reservoirs, stimulating the reservoir formation by using hydraulic fracturing technique and horizontal well is required to create the pathway of gas flow so that the shale gas can be recovered in an economically viable manner. The hydraulic fractured formations can be divided into two regions, stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) region and non-SRV region, and the produced shale gas may exist as free gas or adsorbed gas under the initial formation condition. Investigating the recovery factor of different types of shale gas in different region may assist us to make more reasonable development strategies. In this paper, we build a numerical simulation model, which has the ability to take the unique shale gas flow mechanisms into account, to quantitatively describe the gas production characteristics in each region based on the field data collected from a shale gas reservoir in Sichuan Basin in China. The contribution of the free gas and adsorbed gas to the total production is analyzed dynamically through the entire life of the shale gas production by adopting a component subdivision method. The effects of the key reservoir properties, such as shale matrix, secondary natural fracture network, and primary hydraulic fractures, on the recovery factor are also investigated.
Multiple Depots Vehicle Routing Problem in the Context of Total Urban Traffic Equilibrium
Authors: Chen Dongxu , Yang Zhongzhen
Published: December 2017

A multidepot VRP is solved in the context of total urban traffic equilibrium. Under the total traffic equilibrium, the multidepot VRP is changed to GDAP (the problem of Grouping Customers + Estimating OD Traffic + Assigning traffic) and bilevel programming is used to model the problem, where the upper model determines the customers that each truck visits and adds the trucks’ trips to the initial OD (Origin/Destination) trips, and the lower model assigns the OD trips to road network. Feedback between upper model and lower model is iterated through OD trips; thus total traffic equilibrium can be simulated.
Efficacy and Safety of Sipjeondaebo‐Tang for Anorexia in Patients with Cancer: A Pilot, Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Trial
Authors: Cheon Chunhoo , Yoo Jeong-Eun , Yoo Hwa-Seung , Cho Chong-Kwan , Kang Sohyeon , Kim Mia , Jang Bo-Hyoung , Shin Yong-Cheol , Ko Seong-Gyu
Published: December 2017

Background. Anorexia occurs in about half of cancer patients and is associated with high mortality rate. However, safe and long‐term use of anorexia treatment is still an unmet need. Objective. The purpose of the present study was to examine the feasibility of Sipjeondaebo‐tang (Juzen‐taiho‐to, Shi‐Quan‐Da‐Bu‐Tang) for cancer‐related anorexia. Methods. A total of 32 participants with cancer anorexia were randomized to either Sipjeondaebo‐tang group or placebo group. Participants were given 3 g of Sipjeondaebo‐tang or placebo 3 times a day for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was a change in the Anorexia/Cachexia Subscale of Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT). The secondary outcomes included Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of anorexia, FAACT scale, and laboratory tests. Results. Anorexia and quality of life measured by FAACT and VAS were improved after 4 weeks of Sipjeondaebo‐tang treatment. However, there was no significant difference between changes of Sipjeondaebo‐tang group and placebo group. Conclusions. Sipjeondaebo‐tang appears to have potential benefit for anorexia management in patients with cancer. Further large‐scale studies are needed to ensure the efficacy. Trial Registration. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02468141.
A Text-Based Chat System Embodied with an Expressive Agent
Authors: Alam Lamia , Hoque Mohammed Moshiul
Published: December 2017

Life-like characters are playing vital role in social computing by making human-computer interaction more easy and spontaneous. Nowadays, use of these characters to interact in online virtual environment has gained immense popularity. In this paper, we proposed a framework for a text-based chat system embodied with a life-like virtual agent that aims at natural communication between the users. To achieve this kind of system, we developed an agent that performs some nonverbal communications such as generating facial expression and motions by analyzing the text messages of the users. More specifically, this agent is capable of generating facial expressions for six basic emotions such as happy, sad, fear, angry, surprise, and disgust along with two additional emotions, irony and determined. Then to make the interaction between the users more realistic and lively, we added motions such as eye blink and head movements. We measured our proposed system from different aspects and found the results satisfactory, which make us believe that this kind of system can play a significant role in making an interaction episode more natural, effective, and interesting. Experimental evaluation reveals that the proposed agent can display emotive expressions correctly 93% of the time by analyzing the users’ text input.
Anticancer Effect of a Novel Octahydropyrazino[2,1-a:5,4-a′]diisoquinoline Derivative and Its Synergistic Action with Nigella sativa in Human Gastric Cancer Cells
Authors: Czajkowska Anna , Gornowicz Agnieszka , Pawłowska Natalia , Czarnomysy Robert , Nazaruk Jolanta , Szymanowski Wojciech , Bielawska Anna , Bielawski Krzysztof
Published: December 2017

Many studies have shown that naturally occurring compounds may support prevention and treatment of various diseases, including cancer. Pharmacological investigations revealed a wide spectrum of Nigella sativa biological activities. Combining natural compounds together with synthetic drugs may increase the anticancer activity and limit severe side effects of such a treatment and may be an alternative to monotherapy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the cytotoxic and proapoptotic effects of a novel octahydropyrazino[2,1-a:5,4-a′]diisoquinoline derivative and its effect in combination with Nigella sativa seed oil or extract in human gastric cancer cells (AGS). Etoposide was used as a reference. Our studies proved that combination strategy based on novel octahydropyrazino[2,1-a:5,4-a′]diisoquinoline derivative (OM-90) with Nigella sativa seed oil or extract represents the strongest efficacy in AGS cancer cells as compared to monotherapy and combined treatment with Nigella sativa seed oil or extract together with etoposide. Such a combination also leads to the activation of mitochondrial pathway, which plays a significant role in molecular mechanism of induction of apoptosis by these compounds.
Comparison of Algorithms for the Detection of Enteroviruses in Stool Specimens from Children Diagnosed with Acute Flaccid Paralysis
Authors: Adeniji J. A. , Ayeni F. A. , Ibrahim A. , Tijani K. A. , Faleye T. O. C. , Adewumi M. O.
Published: December 2017

This study was designed to compare both the cell culture dependent and independent enterovirus detection algorithms recommended by the WHO and assess how either might impact our perception of the diversity of enterovirus types present in a sample. Sixteen paired samples (16 isolates from RD cell culture and their corresponding stool suspension, i.e., 32 samples) from AFP cases in Nigeria were analyzed in this study. All the samples were subjected to RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, the WHO recommended RT-snPCR, and its modification. Amplicons were sequenced and strains identified. Enterovirus diversity was the same between the isolates and fecal suspension for the control and five of the samples. It was, however, different for the remaining 10 (62.5%) samples. Nine (CV-B4, E6, E7, E13, E14, E19, E29, EV-B75, and EV-B77) and five (CV-A1, CV-A11, CV-A13, EV-C99, and PV2) EV-B and EV-C types, respectively, were detected. Particularly, E19 and EV-B75 were only recovered from the isolates while E14, EV-B77, CV-A11, and CV-A13 were only recovered from fecal suspension. Both the cell culture dependent and independent protocols bias our perception of the diversity of enterovirus types present in a sample. Hence, effort should be directed at harmonizing both for increased sensitivity.
Simulation of Atrial Fibrosis Using Coupled Myocyte-Fibroblast Cellular and Human Atrial Models
Authors: Gao Yuan , Gong Yinglan , Xia Ling
Published: December 2017

Atrial fibrosis is characterized by expansion of extracellular matrix and increase in the number of fibroblasts which has been associated with the development and maintenance of atrial arrhythmias. However, the mechanisms how the fibrosis contributes to atrial arrhythmia remain incompletely understood. In this study, we used a proposed fibroblast model coupled with the human atrial myocyte to investigate the effects of fibrosis on atrial excitability and repolarization at both cellular and macroscopic levels. The 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) was also simulated to explore the index of clinical diagnosis for fibrosis. The simulation results showed that the fibrosis can modify action potential morphology of human atrial myocyte, slow down wave propagation, and have rate adaptation, thus causing the atrial electrical heterogeneity. The fibrosis alone was sufficient to cause arrhythmia, induce reentry wave, and result in low amplitude and wide P waves at normal heart rate and significant prolonged and inverse P waves at high heart rate. All these symptoms aggravated when the level of fibrosis increased. Our simulations demonstrated that fibrosis is the substrate of atrial arrhythmia and thereby may be a potential target in the treatment of atrial arrhythmias.
Magnetic Targeted Delivery of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Promotes Articular Cartilage Repair
Authors: Kotaka Shinji , Wakitani Shigeyuki , Shimamoto Akira , Kamei Naosuke , Sawa Mikiya , Adachi Nobuo , Ochi Mituo
Published: December 2017

Cartilage regeneration treatments using stem cells are associated with problems due to the cell source and the difficulty of delivering the cells to the cartilage defect. We consider labeled induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to be an ideal source of cells for tissue regeneration, and if iPS cells could be delivered only into cartilage defects, it would be possible to repair articular cartilage. Consequently, we investigated the effect of magnetically labeled iPS (m-iPS) cells delivered into an osteochondral defect by magnetic field on the repair of articular cartilage. iPS cells were labeled magnetically and assessed for maintenance of pluripotency by their ability to form embryoid bodies in vitro and to form teratomas when injected subcutaneously into nude rats. These cells were delivered specifically into cartilage defects in nude rats using a magnetic field. The samples were graded according to the histologic grading score for cartilage regeneration. m-iPS cells differentiated into three embryonic germ layers and formed teratomas in the subcutaneous tissue. The histologic grading score was significantly better in the treatment group compared to the control group. m-iPS cells maintained pluripotency, and the magnetic delivery system proved useful and safe for cartilage repair using iPS cells.
Existence and Global Exponential Stability of Pseudo Almost Periodic Solutions for Neutral Type Quaternion-Valued Neural Networks with Delays in the Leakage Term on Time Scales
Authors: Li Yongkun , Meng Xiaofang
Published: December 2017

We propose a class of neutral type quaternion-valued neural networks with delays in the leakage term on time scales that can unify the discrete-time and the continuous-time neural networks. In order to avoid the difficulty brought by the noncommutativity of quaternion multiplication, we first decompose the quaternion-valued system into four real-valued systems. Then, by applying the exponential dichotomic theory of linear dynamic equations on time scales, Banach’s fixed point theorem, the theory of calculus on time scales, and inequality techniques, we obtain some sufficient conditions on the existence and global exponential stability of pseudo almost periodic solutions for this class of neural networks. Our results are completely new even for both the case of the neural networks governed by differential equations and the case of the neural networks governed by difference equations and show that, under a simple condition, the continuous-time quaternion-valued network and its corresponding discrete-time quaternion-valued network have the same dynamical behavior for the pseudo almost periodicity. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the feasibility of our results.
Adaptive and Reversible Resistance to Kras Inhibition in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Authors: Chen Pan-Yu , Muzumdar Mandar Deepak , Dorans Kimberly Judith , Robbins Rebecca , Bhutkar Arjun , del Rosario Amanda , Mertins Philipp , Qiao Jana , Schafer Anette Claudia , Gertler Frank , Carr Steven , Jacks Tyler
Published: December 2017

Activating mutations in KRAS are the hallmark genetic alterations in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and the key drivers of its initiation and progression. Longstanding efforts to develop novel KRAS inhibitors have been based on the assumption that PDAC cells are addicted to activated KRAS, but this assumption remains controversial. In this study, we analyzed the requirement of endogenous Kras to maintain survival of murine PDAC cells, using an inducible shRNA-based system that enables temporal control of Kras expression. We found that the majority of murine PDAC cells analyzed tolerated acute and sustained Kras silencing by adapting to a reversible cell state characterized by differences in cell morphology, proliferative kinetics, and tumor-initiating capacity. While we observed no significant mutational or transcriptional changes in the Kras-inhibited state, global phosphoproteomic profiling revealed significant alterations in cell signaling, including increased phosphorylation of focal adhesion pathway components. Accordingly, Kras-inhibited cells displayed prominent focal adhesion plaque structures, enhanced adherence properties, and increased dependency on adhesion for viability in vitro. Overall, our results call into question the degree to which PDAC cells are addicted to activated KRAS, by illustrating adaptive nongenetic and nontranscriptional mechanisms of resistance to Kras blockade. However, by identifying these mechanisms, our work also provides mechanistic directions to develop combination strategies that can help enforce the efficacy of KRAS inhibitors.

Significance: These results call into question the degree to which pancreatic cancers are addicted to KRAS by illustrating adaptive nongenetic and nontranscriptional mechanisms of resistance to Kras blockade, with implications for the development of KRAS inhibitors for PDAC treatment. Cancer Res; 78(4); 985–1002. ©2017 AACR.
Dietary Energy Density, Glycemic Load, Glycemic Index, and Risk for Endometrial Cancer in the CPS-II Nutrition Cohort
Authors: Hartman Terryl J. , McCullough Marjorie L. , Hodge James M. , Gaudet Mia M. , Wang Ying , Gapstur Susan M.
Published: December 2017

Background: The glycemic potential and energy density (ED) of diet may influence endometrial cancer risk. Although glycemic load (GL) is considered a probable risk factor for endometrial cancer, no studies have evaluated the association of total dietary ED with risk.

Methods: We evaluated associations of ED, GL, and glycemic index (GI) with postmenopausal endometrial cancer incidence. Analyses included 30,997 postmenopausal women from the Cancer Prevention Study II Nutrition Cohort with no previous history of cancer or diabetes, who provided information on diet, lifestyle, and medical history in 1999 and were followed for cancer incidence through June 2013. Multivariable-adjusted HRs and 95% confidence intervals were estimated for quartiles (Q) of total dietary ED, GL, and GI in relation to endometrial cancer incidence using Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Results: During a median follow-up time of 13.6 years, 425 endometrial cancer cases were identified. Median dietary ED was 1.5 kcal/g [interquartile range (IQR) = 1.3–1.7 kcal/g]. Median (IQR) GL and GI were 113.7 (100.5–126.8) and 52.5 (50.4–54.5), respectively. After adjustment for age, use of hormone replacement therapy, physical activity, and body mass index (kg/m2), neither ED, GL, nor GI were associated with endometrial cancer risk.

Conclusions: We found no associations of ED, GL, or GI with endometrial cancer risk.

Impact: These results do not support an association between total dietary ED, GL, or GI and risk of postmenopausal endometrial cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 27(1); 113–5. ©2017 AACR.
Exploration of a Novel Intermediate Response Endpoint in Immunotherapy Clinical Studies
Authors: Gao Xin , Zhang Lijun , Sridhara Rajeshwari
Published: December 2017

Purpose: Both objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival as defined by RECIST are weakly associated with overall survival (OS) in trials evaluating immunotherapy drug products. We proposed a novel intermediate response endpoint (IME) for evaluating immunotherapies.

Experimental Design: We defined IME response as having no nontarget lesion progression, no new lesion appearance, and reaching a target lesion response determined by baseline tumor burden, tumor reduction depth, and tumor change dynamics within one year after randomization. Database used consisted of data from randomized active-controlled immunotherapy trials. Criterion for IME was developed on the basis of patient-level data from a training dataset, and further evaluated using an independent testing dataset. A patient-level responder analysis comparing OS between patients with and without an IME response was conducted using combined data. Association between trial-level OS hazard ratio (HR) and IME odds ratio (OR) was analyzed using a weighted linear regression model.

Results: A total of 5,806 patients from 9 randomized studies were included in the database. At patient level, patients with IME response had improved OS compared with nonresponders (HR = 0.09). At trial level, association between OS and IME was moderate (R2 = 0.68).

Conclusions: The IME was moderately associated with OS, and the association appeared to be stronger than the association observed between RECIST-defined ORR and OS. However, the analyses conducted in this research are exploratory and further evaluation is needed before using this endpoint in future studies. Clin Cancer Res; 24(10); 2262–7. ©2017 AACR.