bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of postoperative sagittal balance and spinopelvic parameters on the outcome of patients surgically treated for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis
Authors: Radovanovic Ingrid , Urquhart Jennifer C. , Ganapathy Venkat , Siddiqi Fawaz , Gurr Kevin R. , Bailey Stewart I. , Bailey Christopher S.
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE

The object of this study was to determine the association between postoperative sagittal spinopelvic alignment and patient-rated outcome measures following decompression and fusion for lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis.

METHODS

The authors identified a consecutive series of patients who had undergone surgery for lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis between 2008 and 2012, with an average follow-up of 3 years (range 1–6 years). Surgery was performed to address the clinical symptoms of spinal stenosis, not global sagittal alignment. Sagittal alignment was only assessed postoperatively. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on a postoperative sagittal vertical axis (SVA) < 50 mm (well aligned) or ≥ 50 mm (poorly aligned). Baseline demographic, procedure, and outcome measures were compared between the groups. Postoperative outcome measures and postoperative spinopelvic parameters were compared between groups using analysis of covariance.

RESULTS

Of the 84 patients included in this study, 46.4% had an SVA < 50 mm. Multiple levels of spondylolisthesis (p = 0.044), spondylolisthesis at the L3–4 level (p = 0.046), and multiple levels treated with fusion (p = 0.028) were more common among patients in the group with an SVA ≥ 50 mm. Patients with an SVA ≥ 50 mm had a worse SF-36 physical component summary (PCS) score (p = 0.018), a worse Oswestry Disability Index (ODI; p = 0.043), and more back pain (p = 0.039) than those with an SVA < 50 mm after controlling for multiple levels of spondylolisthesis and multilevel fusion. The spinopelvic parameters differing between the < 50-mm and ≥ 50-mm groups included lumbar lordosis (LL; 56.4° ± 4.7° vs 49.8° ± 4.3°, respectively, p = 0.040) and LL < pelvic incidence ± 9° (51% vs 23.1%, respectively, p = 0.013) after controlling for type of surgical procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

Data in this study revealed that patient-rated outcome is influenced by the overall postoperative sagittal balance as defined by the SVA.
Design and Synthesis of (3,5-Disubstituted Isoxazole)-Linked [1,5]-Benzodiazepine Conjugates: Evaluation of their Antimicrobial and Anti-Tyrosinase Activities
Authors: Abdallah Wejdane , Daami-Remadi Mejda , Znati Mansour , Jannet Hichem Ben , Gharbi Rafik
Published: January 2017

A series of novel 2-(3,5-disubstituted isoxazolyl)-1,5-benzodiazepines and 2,4-bis-(3,5-disubstituted isoxazolyl)-1,5-benzodiazepine derivatives have been designed and synthesised by employing an alkyne/nitrile oxide cycloaddition ‘click’ type chemistry protocol. The structures of the compounds were determined on the basis of 1H, 13C and 2D-NMR techniques and by HRMS analysis. These hybrid molecules exhibit moderate to significant antimicrobial and anti-tyrosinase activities.
Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of a Novel Series of Cyclopentenone Derivatives
Authors: El-Samahy Fatma A. , El-Hussieny Marwa , El-Sayed Naglaa F. , Shalaby Elsayed M. , Osman Fayez H.
Published: January 2017

A novel series of cyclopent-2-enone derivatives have been synthesised by the reaction of 4-hydroxy-3,4-diphenylcyclopent-2-enone, cyclic secondary amines, phosphorus reagents, hexamethylphosphoramide and Lawesson's reagent in boiling toluene/THF. The chemical structures of new compounds were identified by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 31P NMR and mass spectra. Furthermore, the structure of one of the synthesised compounds has been confirmed using single crystal X-ray diffraction. The pharmacological evaluation results of antilung and anticolon carcinoma cell line properties for the products are discussed.
Effect of South China Sea Water on Corrosion Behaviour of Copper Alloy and Mild Steel
Authors: Siddiqi Z.M. , Amin M.M.
Published: January 2017

The oxidation behaviour of copper alloy and mild steel were investigated in South China Seawater at temperatures around 50° C for a period of 10 h. A procedure was applied to measure the pH of the seawater at elevated temperature. The susceptibility to heavy internal oxidation increases with increasing time. A mechanism involving chloride and oxygen dissolution in the alloy matrix as well as internal oxidation, exhibits mass gains throughout the experiment. Immersed in South China Seawater, the alloy of incomplete recrytallisation showed thick, loose and porous films, of which the inner layer was metallic oxides/chlorides and the outer layer contained a great amount of seawater species, and of which the underlying substrate was found with severe inter-granular corrosion.

Overall, the South China Seawater species have a deleterious effect on the surface of the alloy and rapid degradation is noted. The scale morphologies were determined by Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopic techniques.
Shame is Already a Revolution: The Politics of Affect in the Thought of Gilles Deleuze
Authors: O'Donnell Aislinn
Published: January 2017

The concept of shame is important for Deleuze's ethics and politics. In this essay, shame is positioned within a nexus of concepts: the intolerable, seeing, resistance, powerlessness, and belief in this world. If one has fallen short, it is not because of who one is, how one is seen, or how one has been judged, but it is, in part, because of one's failure to see what is intolerable. In this respect, shame, in particular ‘the shame of the world’, has the potential to be a proto-political and proto-ethical affect because it suspends and precludes the ready invocation of clichés and explanations that buttress us against reality. This disruption in turn opens a space for creativity and resistance.
‘A Part’ of the World: Deleuze and the Logic of Creation
Authors: Satoor Christopher
Published: January 2017

Is there a particular danger in following Deleuze's philosophy to its end result? According to Peter Hallward, Deleuze's philosophy has some rather severe conclusions. Deleuze has been portrayed by him as a theological and spiritual thinker of life. Hallward seeks to challenge the accepted view of Deleuze, showing that these accepted norms in Deleuzian scholarship should be challenged and that, initially, Deleuze calls for the evacuation of political action in order to remain firm in the realm of pure contemplation. This article intends to investigate and defend Deleuze's philosophy against the critical and theological accounts portrayed by Hallward, arguing that Deleuze's philosophy is not only creative and vital but also highly revolutionary and ‘a part’ of the given world. It then goes on to examine Hallward's distortion of the actual/virtual distinction in Deleuze because Hallward is not able to come to grips with the concept of life in Deleuze's philosophy. We live in an intensive and dynamic world and the main points of Deleuze's philosophy concern the transformation of the world. Deleuze is not seeking to escape the world, but rather to deal with inventive and creative methods to transform society.
Wind-Induced Fatigue Analysis of High-Rise Steel Structures Using Equivalent Structural Stress Method
Authors: Fang Zhao , Li Aiqun , Li Wanrun , Shen Sheng
Published: January 2017

Welded beam-to-column connections of high-rise steel structures are susceptive to fatigue damage under wind loading. However, most fatigue assessments in the field of civil engineering are mainly based on nominal stress or hot spot stress theories, which has the disadvantage of dependence on the meshing styles and massive curves selected. To address this problem, in this paper, the equivalent structural stress method with advantages of mesh-insensitive quality and capability of unifying different stress-life curves (S-N curves) into one is introduced to the wind-induced fatigue assessment of a large-scale complicated high-rise steel structure. The multi-scale finite element model is established and the corresponding wind loading is simulated. Fatigue life assessments using equivalent structural stress method, hot spot stress method and nominal stress method are performed, and the results are verified and comparisons are made. The mesh-insensitive quality is also verified. The results show that the lateral weld toe of the butt weld connecting the beam flange plate and the column is the location where fatigue damage most likely happens. Nominal stress method considers fatigue assessment of welds in a more global way by averaging all the stress on the weld section while in equivalent structural stress method and hot spot method local stress concentration can be taken into account more precisely.
A Real-Time Computation Model of the Electromagnetic Force and Torque for a Maglev Planar Motor with the Concentric Winding
Authors: Kou Baoquan , Xing Feng , Zhang Lu , Zhang Chaoning , Zhou Yiheng
Published: January 2017

The traditional model of the electromagnetic force and torque does not take the coil corners into account, which is the major cause for the motor fluctuation. To reduce the fluctuation, a more accurate real-time computation model, which considers the influence of the coil corners, is proposed in this paper. Three coordinate systems respectively for the stator, the mover, and the corner are established. The first harmonic of the magnetic flux density distribution of a Halbach magnet array is taken into account in this model. The coil is divided into the straight coil segment and the corner coil segment based on its structure. For the straight coil segment, the traditional Lorenz force method can be used to compute its electromagnetic force and torque, which is a function of the mover position. For the corner coil segment, however, the numerical calculation method can be used to get its respective electromagnetic force and torque. Based on the above separate analysis, an electromagnetic model can be derived, which is suitable for practical application. Compared with the well-known harmonic model, the proposed real-time computation model is found to have less model inaccuracy. Additionally, the real-time ability of the maglev planar motor model and the decoupling computation is validated by NI PXI platform (Austin, TX, USA).
Critical Minireview: The Fate of tRNACys during Oxidative Stress in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Campos Guillen Juan , Jones George , Saldaña Gutiérrez Carlos , Hernández-Flores José , Cruz Medina Julio , Valenzuela Soto José , Pacheco Hernández Sergio , Romero Gómez Sergio , Morales Tlalpan Verónica
Published: January 2017

Oxidative stress occurs when cells are exposed to elevated levels of reactive oxygen species that can damage biological molecules. One bacterial response to oxidative stress involves disulfide bond formation either between protein thiols or between protein thiols and low-molecular-weight (LMW) thiols. Bacillithiol was recently identified as a major low-molecular-weight thiol in Bacillus subtilis and related Firmicutes. Four genes (bshA, bshB1, bshB2, and bshC) are involved in bacillithiol biosynthesis. The bshA and bshB1 genes are part of a seven-gene operon (ypjD), which includes the essential gene cca, encoding CCA-tRNA nucleotidyltransferase. The inclusion of cca in the operon containing bacillithiol biosynthetic genes suggests that the integrity of the 3′ terminus of tRNAs may also be important in oxidative stress. The addition of the 3′ terminal CCA sequence by CCA-tRNA nucleotidyltransferase to give rise to a mature tRNA and functional molecules ready for aminoacylation plays an essential role during translation and expression of the genetic code. Any defects in these processes, such as the accumulation of shorter and defective tRNAs under oxidative stress, might exert a deleterious effect on cells. This review summarizes the physiological link between tRNACys regulation and oxidative stress in Bacillus.
Wind Profiles and Wave Spectra for Potential Wind Farms in South China Sea. Part II: Wave Spectrum Model
Authors: Liu Yichao , Li Sunwei , Yi Qian , Chen Daoyi
Published: January 2017

Along with the commercialization of offshore wind energy in China, the South China Sea has been identified as ideal for constructing offshore wind farms, especially for farms consisting of floating wind turbines over deep waters. Since the wind profiles and wave spectra are somewhat primitive for the design of an offshore wind turbine, engineering models describing the wind and wave characteristics in the South China Sea area are necessary for the offshore wind energy exploitation given the meteorological, hydrological, and geographical differences between the South China Sea and the North/Norwegian Sea, where the commonly used wind profile and wave spectrum models were designated. In the present study; a series of numerical simulations were conducted to reveal the wave characteristics in the South China Sea under both typhoon and non-typhoon conditions. By analyzing the simulation results; the applicability of the Joint North Sea Wave Project (JONSWAP) spectrum model; in terms of characterizing the wind-induced wave fields in the South China Sea; was discussed. In detail; the key parameters of the JONSWAP spectrum model; such as the Phillips constant; spectral width parameter; peak-enhancement factor, and high frequency tail decay; were investigated in the context of finding suitable values.
Improving Electricity Consumption Estimation for Electric Vehicles Based on Sparse GPS Observations
Authors: Wang Jiangbo , Liu Kai , Yamamoto Toshiyuki
Published: January 2017

Improving the estimation accuracy for the energy consumption of electric vehicles (EVs) would greatly contribute to alleviating the range anxiety of drivers and serve as a critical basis for the planning, operation, and management of charging infrastructures. To address the challenges in energy consumption estimation encountered due to sparse Global Positioning System (GPS) observations, an estimation model is proposed that considers both the kinetic characteristics from sparse GPS observations and the unique attributes of EVs: (1) work opposing the rolling resistance; (2) aerodynamic friction losses; (3) energy consumption/generation depending on the grade of the route; (4) auxiliary load consumption; and (5) additional energy losses arising from the unstable power output of the electric motor. Two quantities, the average energy consumption per kilometer and the energy consumption for an entire trip, were focused on and compared for model fitness, parameter, and effectiveness, and the latter showed a higher fitness. Based on sparse GPS observations of 68 EVs in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, the traditional linear regression approach and a multilevel mixed-effects linear regression approach were used for model calibration. The proposed model showed a high accuracy and demonstrated a great potential for application in using sparse GPS observations to predict the energy consumption of EVs.
Assessment of the Governance System Regarding Adoption of Energy Efficient Appliances by Households in Nigeria
Authors: Gana James , Hoppe Thomas
Published: January 2017

The adoption of energy efficient electrical appliances by households has a great potential to reduce electricity consumption in Nigeria. A well-formulated and implemented policy (mix) to spur adoption is said to be required to drive this process. This article presents an assessment of policies that aim to spur adoption among households, and the related governance system. The analytical framework used for this analysis is the Governance Assessment Tool (GAT). Data collection involved semi-structured interviews, a review of policy documents, and secondary quantitative data. The results show that policies in Nigeria had little effect in meeting pre-set goals. The governance system was found to be weakly developed due to a lack of policy, the overlapping work of different governmental organizations, a lack of appropriate resources, and a lack of householders’ involvement in agenda-setting and decision-making processes. Current actions mostly depend on local programmes that run via donor aid. They include the free exchange of CFL bulbs and metering studies of end user energy consumption. The results add further insight in the fields of governance and policy on energy efficiency issues in developing countries. This article also provides suggestions for the design of policies that target the adoption of energy efficient electrical appliances among households in Nigeria.
Phytoplankton Diversity Effects on Community Biomass and Stability along Nutrient Gradients in a Eutrophic Lake
Authors: Tian Wang , Zhang Huayong , Zhao Lei , Zhang Feifan , Huang Hai
Published: January 2017

The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning is a central issue in ecology, but how this relationship is affected by nutrient stress is still unknown. In this study, we analyzed the phytoplankton diversity effects on community biomass and stability along nutrient gradients in an artificial eutrophic lake. Four nutrient gradients, varying from slightly eutrophic to highly eutrophic states, were designed by adjusting the amount of polluted water that flowed into the lake. Mean phytoplankton biomass, species richness, and Shannon diversity index all showed significant differences among the four nutrient gradients. Phytoplankton community biomass was correlated with diversity (both species richness and Shannon diversity index), varying from positive to negative along the nutrient gradients. The influence of phytoplankton species richness on resource use efficiency (RUE) also changed from positive to negative along the nutrient gradients. However, the influence of phytoplankton Shannon diversity on RUE was not significant. Both phytoplankton species richness and Shannon diversity had a negative influence on community turnover (measured as community dissimilarity), i.e., a positive diversity–stability relationship. Furthermore, phytoplankton spatial stability decreased along the nutrient gradients in the lake. With increasing nutrient concentrations, the variability (standard deviation) of phytoplankton community biomass increased more rapidly than the average total biomass. Results in this study will be helpful in understanding the phytoplankton diversity effects on ecosystem functioning and how these effects are influenced by nutrient conditions in aquatic ecosystems.
Coordinated Actions of Glyoxalase and Antioxidant Defense Systems in Conferring Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Plants
Authors: Hasanuzzaman Mirza , Nahar Kamrun , Hossain Md. , Mahmud Jubayer , Rahman Anisur , Inafuku Masashi , Oku Hirosuke , Fujita Masayuki
Published: January 2017

Being sessile organisms, plants are frequently exposed to various environmental stresses that cause several physiological disorders and even death. Oxidative stress is one of the common consequences of abiotic stress in plants, which is caused by excess generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Sometimes ROS production exceeds the capacity of antioxidant defense systems, which leads to oxidative stress. In line with ROS, plants also produce a high amount of methylglyoxal (MG), which is an α-oxoaldehyde compound, highly reactive, cytotoxic, and produced via different enzymatic and non-enzymatic reactions. This MG can impair cells or cell components and can even destroy DNA or cause mutation. Under stress conditions, MG concentration in plants can be increased 2- to 6-fold compared with normal conditions depending on the plant species. However, plants have a system developed to detoxify this MG consisting of two major enzymes: glyoxalase I (Gly I) and glyoxalase II (Gly II), and hence known as the glyoxalase system. Recently, a novel glyoxalase enzyme, named glyoxalase III (Gly III), has been detected in plants, providing a shorter pathway for MG detoxification, which is also a signpost in the research of abiotic stress tolerance. Glutathione (GSH) acts as a co-factor for this system. Therefore, this system not only detoxifies MG but also plays a role in maintaining GSH homeostasis and subsequent ROS detoxification. Upregulation of both Gly I and Gly II as well as their overexpression in plant species showed enhanced tolerance to various abiotic stresses including salinity, drought, metal toxicity, and extreme temperature. In the past few decades, a considerable amount of reports have indicated that both antioxidant defense and glyoxalase systems have strong interactions in conferring abiotic stress tolerance in plants through the detoxification of ROS and MG. In this review, we will focus on the mechanisms of these interactions and the coordinated action of these systems towards stress tolerance.
Reprogramming Methods Do Not Affect Gene Expression Profile of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Trevisan Marta , Desole Giovanna , Costanzi Giulia , Lavezzo Enrico , Palù Giorgio , Barzon Luisa
Published: January 2017

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are pluripotent cells derived from adult somatic cells. After the pioneering work by Yamanaka, who first generated iPSCs by retroviral transduction of four reprogramming factors, several alternative methods to obtain iPSCs have been developed in order to increase the yield and safety of the process. However, the question remains open on whether the different reprogramming methods can influence the pluripotency features of the derived lines. In this study, three different strategies, based on retroviral vectors, episomal vectors, and Sendai virus vectors, were applied to derive iPSCs from human fibroblasts. The reprogramming efficiency of the methods based on episomal and Sendai virus vectors was higher than that of the retroviral vector-based approach. All human iPSC clones derived with the different methods showed the typical features of pluripotent stem cells, including the expression of alkaline phosphatase and stemness maker genes, and could give rise to the three germ layer derivatives upon embryoid bodies assay. Microarray analysis confirmed the presence of typical stem cell gene expression profiles in all iPSC clones and did not identify any significant difference among reprogramming methods. In conclusion, the use of different reprogramming methods is equivalent and does not affect gene expression profile of the derived human iPSCs.
Modulation of the Unfolded Protein Response by Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid Counteracts Apoptotic Cell Death and Fibrosis in a Mouse Model for Secondary Biliary Liver Fibrosis
Authors: Paridaens Annelies , Raevens Sarah , Devisscher Lindsey , Bogaerts Eliene , Verhelst Xavier , Hoorens Anne , Van Vlierberghe Hans , Van Grunsven Leo , Geerts Anja , Colle Isabelle
Published: January 2017

The role of endoplasmic reticulum stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR) in cholestatic liver disease and fibrosis is not fully unraveled. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), a hydrophilic bile acid, has been shown to reduce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and counteract apoptosis in different pathologies. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of TUDCA in experimental secondary biliary liver fibrosis in mice, induced by common bile duct ligation. The kinetics of the hepatic UPR and apoptosis during the development of biliary fibrosis was studied by measuring markers at six different timepoints post-surgery by qPCR and Western blot. Next, we investigated the therapeutic potential of TUDCA, 10 mg/kg/day in drinking water, on liver damage (AST/ALT levels) and fibrosis (Sirius red-staining), in both a preventive and therapeutic setting. Common bile duct ligation resulted in the increased protein expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) at all timepoints, along with upregulation of pro-apoptotic caspase 3 and 12, tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 1A (TNFRsf1a) and Fas-Associated protein with Death Domain (FADD) expression. Treatment with TUDCA led to a significant reduction of liver fibrosis, accompanied by a slight reduction of liver damage, decreased hepatic protein expression of CHOP and reduced gene and protein expression of pro-apoptotic markers. These data indicate that TUDCA exerts a beneficial effect on liver fibrosis in a model of cholestatic liver disease, and suggest that this effect might, at least in part, be attributed to decreased hepatic UPR signaling and apoptotic cell death.
Methodology for Fast and Facile Characterisation of Carbon-Based Electrodes Focused on Bioelectrochemical Systems Development and Scale Up
Authors: Mateos Raúl , Alonso Raúl , Escapa Adrián , Morán Antonio
Published: January 2017

The development and practical implementation of bioelectrochemical systems (BES) requires an in-depth characterisation of their components. The electrodes, which are critical elements, are usually built from carbon-based materials due to their high specific surface area, biocompatibility and chemical stability. In this study, a simple methodology to electrochemically characterise carbon-based electrodes has been developed, derived from conventional electrochemical analyses. Combined with classical electrochemical theory and the more innovative fractal geometry approach, our method is aimed at comparing and characterising the performance of carbon electrodes through the determination of the electroactive surface and its fractal dimension. Overall, this methodology provides a quick and easy method for the screening of suitable electrode materials to be implemented in BES.
Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNCs) from Corn Stalk: Activation Energy Analysis
Authors: Huang Siwei , Zhou Ling , Li Mei-Chun , Wu Qinglin , Zhou Dingguo
Published: January 2017

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were isolated from corn stalk using sulfuric acid hydrolysis, and their morphology, chemical structure, and thermal stability properties were characterized. The CNCs had an average length of 120.2 ± 61.3 nm and diameter of 6.4 ± 3.1 nm (L/D = 18.7). The degree of crystallinity of the CNCs increased to 69.20% from the 33.20% crystallinity of raw corn stalk fiber, while the chemical structure was well kept after sulfuric acid hydrolysis. Thermal stability analysis showed that the degradation temperature of the CNCs reached 239.5 °C, which was higher than that of the raw fiber but lower than that of the extracted cellulose. The average activation energy values for the CNCs, evaluated using the Friedman, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (F-W-O) and Coats-Redfern methods, were 312.6, 302.8, and 309 kJ·mol−1 in the conversion range of 0.1 to 0.8. The isolated CNCs had higher values of activation energy than did the purified cellulose, which was attributed to the stronger hydrogen bonds present in the crystalline domains of CNCs than in those of cellulose. These findings can help better understand the thermal properties of polymer/CNC composites.
Metal-Organic Framework of Lanthanoid Dinuclear Clusters Undergoes Slow Magnetic Relaxation
Authors: Iwami Hikaru , Nakanishi Ryo , Horii Yoji , Katoh Keiichi , Breedlove Brian , Yamashita Masahiro
Published: January 2017

Lanthanoid metal-organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs) can adopt a variety of new structures due to the large coordination numbers of Ln metal ions, and Ln-MOFs are expected to show new luminescence and magnetic properties due to the localized f electrons. In particular, some Ln metal ions, such as Dy(III) and Tb(III) ions, work as isolated quantum magnets when they have magnetic anisotropy. In this work, using 4,4′,4″-s-triazine-2,4,6-triyl-tribenzoic acid (H3TATB) as a ligand, two new Ln-MOFs, [Dy(TATB)(DMF)2] (1) and [Tb(TATB)(DMF)2] (2), were obtained. The Ln-MOFs contain Ln dinuclear clusters as secondary building units, and 1 underwent slow magnetic relaxation similar to single-molecule magnets.
Three-Dimensional Interaction of a Large Number of Dense DEP Particles on a Plane Perpendicular to an AC Electrical Field
Authors: Xie Chuanchuan , Chen Bo , Wu Jiankang
Published: January 2017

The interaction of dielectrophoresis (DEP) particles in an electric field has been observed in many experiments, known as the “particle chains phenomenon”. However, the study in 3D models (spherical particles) is rarely reported due to its complexity and significant computational cost. In this paper, we employed the iterative dipole moment (IDM) method to study the 3D interaction of a large number of dense DEP particles randomly distributed on a plane perpendicular to a uniform alternating current (AC) electric field in a bounded or unbounded space. The numerical results indicated that the particles cannot move out of the initial plane. The similar particles (either all positive or all negative DEP particles) always repelled each other, and did not form a chain. The dissimilar particles (a mixture of positive and negative DEP particles) always attracted each other, and formed particle chains consisting of alternately arranged positive and negative DEP particles. The particle chain patterns can be randomly multitudinous depending on the initial particle distribution, the electric properties of particles/fluid, the particle sizes and the number of particles. It is also found that the particle chain patterns can be effectively manipulated via tuning the frequency of the AC field and an almost uniform distribution of particles in a bounded plane chip can be achieved when all of the particles are similar, which may have potential applications in the particle manipulation of microfluidics.
Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of New 1-Thia-4-azaspiro[4.5]decane, Their Derived Thiazolopyrimidine and 1,3,4-Thiadiazole Thioglycosides
Authors: Flefel Eman , El-Sayed Wael , Mohamed Ashraf , El-Sofany Walaa , Awad Hanem
Published: January 2017

New 1-thia-azaspiro[4.5]decane derivatives, their derived thiazolopyrimidine and 1,3,4-thiadiazole compounds were synthesized. The thioglycoside derivatives of the synthesized (1,3,4-thiadiazolyl)thiaazaspiro[4.5]decane and thiazolopyrimidinethione compounds were synthesized by glycosylation reactions using acetylated glycosyl bromides. The anticancer activity of synthesized compounds was studied against the cell culture of HepG-2 (human liver hepatocellular carcinoma), PC-3 (human prostate adenocarcinoma) and HCT116 (human colorectal carcinoma) cell lines and a number of compounds showed moderate to high inhibition activities.
Wheat Bran Does Not Affect Postprandial Plasma Short-Chain Fatty Acids from 13C-inulin Fermentation in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Deroover Lise , Verspreet Joran , Luypaerts Anja , Vandermeulen Greet , Courtin Christophe , Verbeke Kristin
Published: January 2017

Wheat bran (WB) is a constituent of whole grain products with beneficial effects for human health. Within the human colon, such insoluble particles may be colonized by specific microbial teams which can stimulate cross-feeding, leading to a more efficient carbohydrate fermentation and an increased butyrate production. We investigated the extent to which WB fractions with different properties affect the fermentation of other carbohydrates in the colon. Ten healthy subjects performed four test days, during which they consumed a standard breakfast supplemented with 10 g 13C-inulin. A total of 20 g of a WB fraction (unmodified WB, wheat bran with a reduced particle size (WB RPS), or de-starched pericarp-enriched wheat bran (PE WB)) was also added to the breakfast, except for one test day, which served as a control. Blood samples were collected at regular time points for 14 h, in order to measure 13C-labeled short-chain fatty acid (SCFA; acetate, propionate and butyrate) concentrations. Fermentation of 13C-inulin resulted in increased plasma SCFA for about 8 h, suggesting that a sustained increase in plasma SCFA can be achieved by administering a moderate dose of carbohydrates, three times per day. However, the addition of a single dose of a WB fraction did not further increase the 13C-SCFA concentrations in plasma, nor did it stimulate cross-feeding (Wilcoxon signed ranks test).
Soothing Properties of Glycerol in Cough Syrups for Acute Cough Due to Common Cold
Authors: Eccles Ronald , Mallefet Pascal
Published: January 2017

The treatment and management of acute cough due to common cold costs billions of dollars of healthcare expenditure and there is a growing opinion that a simple linctus containing glycerol with flavourings such as honey and lemon is a safe and effective treatment for acute cough in children and adults. Glycerol is a component of most cough syrups, and although it is often thought of only as a solvent or thickening agent in cough syrups, it may be a major component for the efficacy of cough syrups due to its special properties of lubrication, demulcency, sweetness, and acting as a humectant. The major benefit of cough syrups in soothing cough is likely due to the properties of the syrup rather than the active ingredients and this review discusses the special properties of glycerol in relation to the treatment of acute cough.
Comment on Hicham Bahi, et al. Effects of Urbanization and Seasonal Cycle on the Surface Urban Heat Island Patterns in the Coastal Growing Cities: A Case Study of Casablanca, Morocco. Remote Sens. 2016, 8, 829
Authors: Lofgren Brent
Published: January 2017

A statement in this recently published paper makes a point that is largely at odds with the main point of the paper that is cited. Stating that higher air temperatures lead to greater evapotranspiration is an oversimplification; the true story is more complex. Although this is by no means central to the conclusions of the paper being commented on, we have demonstrated the danger in taking too literally the idea that air temperature determines potential evapotranspiration.
Multi-Staged NDVI Dependent Snow-Free Land-Surface Shortwave Albedo Narrowband-to-Broadband (NTB) Coefficients and Their Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Peng Shi , Wen Jianguang , Xiao Qing , You Dongqin , Dou Baocheng , Liu Qiang , Tang Yong
Published: January 2017

Narrowband-to-broadband conversion is a critical procedure for mapping land-surface broadband albedo using multi-spectral narrowband remote-sensing observations. Due to the significant difference in optical characteristics between soil and vegetation, NTB conversion is influenced by the variation in vegetation coverage on different surface types. To reduce this influence, this paper applies an approach that couples NTB coefficient with the NDVI. Multi-staged NDVI dependent NTB coefficient look-up tables (LUT) for Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Polarization and Directionality of Earth’s Reflectance (POLDER) and Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) were calculated using 6000 spectra samples collected from two typical spectral databases. Sensitivity analysis shows that NTB conversion is affected more by the NDVI for sensors with fewer band numbers, such as POLDER and AVHRR. Analysis of the validation results based on simulations, in situ measurements and global albedo products indicates that by using the multi-staged NDVI dependent NTB method, the conversion accuracies of these two sensors could be improved by 2%–13% on different NDVI classes compared with the general method. This improvement could be as high as 15%, on average, and 35% on dense vegetative surface compared with the global broadband albedo product of POLDER. This paper shows that it is necessary to consider surface reflectance characteristics associated with the NDVI on albedo-NTB conversion for remote sensors with fewer than five bands.
A Wide-Range Displacement Sensor Based on Plastic Fiber Macro-Bend Coupling
Authors: Liu Jia , Hou Yulong , Zhang Huixin , Jia Pinggang , Su Shan , Fang Guocheng , Liu Wenyi , Xiong Jijun
Published: January 2017

This paper proposes the strategy of fabricating an all fiber wide-range displacement sensor based on the macro-bend coupling effect which causes power transmission between two twisted bending plastic optical fibers (POF), where the coupling power changes with the bending radius of the fibers. For the sensor, a structure of two twisted plastic fibers is designed with the experimental platform that we constructed. The influence of external temperature and displacement speed shifts are reported. The displacement sensor performance is the sensor test at different temperatures and speeds. The sensor was found to be satisfactory at both room temperature and 70 °C when the displacement is up to 140 mm. The output power is approximately linear to a displacement of 110 mm–140 mm under room temperature and 2 mm/s speed at 19.805 nW/mm sensitivity and 0.12 mm resolution. The simple structure of the sensor makes it reliable for other applications and further utilizations, promising a bright future.
SisFall: A Fall and Movement Dataset
Authors: Sucerquia Angela , López José , Vargas-Bonilla Jesús
Published: January 2017

Research on fall and movement detection with wearable devices has witnessed promising growth. However, there are few publicly available datasets, all recorded with smartphones, which are insufficient for testing new proposals due to their absence of objective population, lack of performed activities, and limited information. Here, we present a dataset of falls and activities of daily living (ADLs) acquired with a self-developed device composed of two types of accelerometer and one gyroscope. It consists of 19 ADLs and 15 fall types performed by 23 young adults, 15 ADL types performed by 14 healthy and independent participants over 62 years old, and data from one participant of 60 years old that performed all ADLs and falls. These activities were selected based on a survey and a literature analysis. We test the dataset with widely used feature extraction and a simple to implement threshold based classification, achieving up to 96% of accuracy in fall detection. An individual activity analysis demonstrates that most errors coincide in a few number of activities where new approaches could be focused. Finally, validation tests with elderly people significantly reduced the fall detection performance of the tested features. This validates findings of other authors and encourages developing new strategies with this new dataset as the benchmark.
Enhanced Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal by Woody Plants with Deep-Planting Technique for the Potential Environmental Management of Carcass Burial Sites
Authors: Seo Byoung-Hwan , Kim Hyuck , Kuppusamy Saranya , Kim Kye-Hoon , Kim Kwon-Rae
Published: January 2017

Phytoremediation is a promising technology to remediate carcass burial sites where deep soil layers are contaminated with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and other potential contaminants by leachate. The current study was conducted to examine the remedial efficiency of two different woody plants, poplar (Populus euramericana) and willow (Salix alba), by employing the deep-planting technique for the enhanced removal of N and P for the soil affected by leachate. For this, pot trials to assess N and P removal efficiency of poplar and willow in liquid manure-applied soil, and pilot-scale column experiments to evaluate the suitability of the deep-planting technique for the enhanced phytoremediation of deep soil layer were conducted. The results of this study showed that poplar and willow removed N and P from soils effectively while surviving under deep-planting conditions. Notably, compared to the surface planted roots, the roots of the deep-planted poplar and willow could transfer significant amounts of N and P leachate from the deep soil layer to the rhizosphere, from where it can be absorbed by the plants. For the first time, the use of poplar or willow plants are recommended by employing the deep-planting technique for the successful remediation of carcass burial sites.
A (1 + 2)-Dimensional Simplified Keller–Segel Model: Lie Symmetry and Exact Solutions. II
Authors: Cherniha Roman , Didovych Maksym
Published: January 2017

A simplified Keller–Segel model is studied by means of Lie symmetry based approaches. It is shown that a (1 + 2)-dimensional Keller–Segel type system, together with the correctly-specified boundary and/or initial conditions, is invariant with respect to infinite-dimensional Lie algebras. A Lie symmetry classification of the Cauchy problem depending on the initial profile form is presented. The Lie symmetries obtained are used for reduction of the Cauchy problem to that of (1 + 1)-dimensional. Exact solutions of some (1 + 1)-dimensional problems are constructed. In particular, we have proved that the Cauchy problem for the (1 + 1)-dimensional simplified Keller–Segel system can be linearized and solved in an explicit form. Moreover, additional biologically motivated restrictions were established in order to obtain a unique solution. The Lie symmetry classification of the (1 + 2)-dimensional Neumann problem for the simplified Keller–Segel system is derived. Because Lie symmetry of boundary-value problems depends essentially on geometry of the domain, which the problem is formulated for, all realistic (from applicability point of view) domains were examined. Reduction of the the Neumann problem on a strip is derived using the symmetries obtained. As a result, an exact solution of a nonlinear two-dimensional Neumann problem on a finite interval was found.
An Orthogonal Multi-Swarm Cooperative PSO Algorithm with a Particle Trajectory Knowledge Base
Authors: Yang Jun , Zhu Haihua , Wang Yingcong
Published: January 2017

A novel orthogonal multi-swarm cooperative particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm with a particle trajectory knowledge base is presented in this paper. Different from the traditional PSO algorithms and other variants of PSO, the proposed orthogonal multi-swarm cooperative PSO algorithm not only introduces an orthogonal initialization mechanism and a particle trajectory knowledge base for multi-dimensional optimization problems, but also conceives a new adaptive cooperation mechanism to accomplish the information interaction among swarms and particles. Experiments are conducted on a set of benchmark functions, and the results show its better performance compared with traditional PSO algorithm in aspects of convergence, computational efficiency and avoiding premature convergence.
Control of Hepatitis B Virus by Cytokines
Authors: Xia Yuchen , Protzer Ulrike
Published: January 2017

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major public health problem worldwide with more than 240 million individuals chronically infected. Current treatments can control HBV replication to a large extent, but cannot eliminate HBV infection. Cytokines have been shown to control HBV replication and contribute to HBV cure in different models. Cytokines play an important role in limiting acute HBV infection in patients and mediate a non-cytolytic clearance of the virus. In this review, we summarize the effects of cytokines and cytokine-induced cellular signaling pathways on different steps of the HBV life cycle, and discuss possible strategies that may contribute to the eradication of HBV through innate immune activation.
Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inhibit T Follicular Helper Cell Expansion through the Activation of iNOS in Lupus-Prone B6.MRL-Faslpr Mice
Authors: Zhang Zhuoya , Feng Ruihai , Niu Lingying , Huang Saisai , Deng Wei , Shi Bingyu , Yao Genhong , Chen Weiwei , Tang Xiaojun , Gao Xiang , Feng Xuebing , Sun Lingyun
Published: January 2017

The aberrant generation or activation of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells contributes to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), yet little is known about how these cells are regulated. In this study, we demonstrated that the frequency of Tfh cells was increased in lupus-prone B6.MRL- Faslpr (B6. lpr) mice and positively correlated to plasma cell proportions and serum total IgG as well as anti-dsDNA antibody levels. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from Wharton's jelly of human umbilical cords (hUC-MSCs) ameliorated lupus symptoms in B6. lpr mice, along with decreased percentages of Tfh cells. In vitro studies showed that the differentiation and proliferation of Tfh cells were markedly suppressed by hUC-MSCs. The production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was dramatically upregulated in hUC-MSCs when cocultured with CD4+ T cells directly, while adding the specific inhibitor of iNOS into the coculture system significantly reversed the inhibitory effect of hUC-MSCs on Tfh cell generation. Interestingly, the efficacy of hUC-MSCs in inhibiting Tfh cells was impaired in the Transwell system, with the reduction of iNOS in both mRNA and protein levels. Taken together, our findings suggest that hUC-MSCs could effectively inhibit Tfh cell expansion through the activation of iNOS in lupus-prone B6. lpr mice, which is highly dependent on cell-to-cell contacts.
Juglanconisgen. nov. onJuglandaceae, and the new familyJuglanconidaceae(Diaporthales)
Authors: Voglmayr H. , Castlebury L.A. , Jaklitsch W.M.
Published: January 2017

Molecular phylogenetic analyses of ITS-LSU rDNA sequence data demonstrate thatMelanconisspecies occurring onJuglandaceaeare phylogenetically distinct fromMelanconiss.str., and therefore the new genusJuglanconisis described. Morphologically, the genusJuglanconisdiffers fromMelanconisby light to dark brown conidia with irregular verrucae on the inner surface of the conidial wall, while inMelanconiss.str. they are smooth.Juglanconisforms a separate clade not affiliated with a described family ofDiaporthales, and the familyJuglanconidaceaeis introduced to accommodate it. Data of macro- and microscopic morphology and phylogenetic multilocus analyses of partial nuSSU-ITS-LSU rDNA,cal,his,ms204,rpb1,rpb2,tef1andtub2sequences revealed four distinct species ofJuglanconis. Comparison of the markers revealed thattef1introns are the best performing markers for species delimitation, followed bycal,ms204andtub2. The ITS, which is the primary barcoding locus for fungi, is amongst the poorest performing markers analysed, due to the comparatively low number of informative characters.Melanconium juglandinum(=Melanconis carthusiana),M. oblongum(=Melanconis juglandis) andM. pterocaryaeare formally combined intoJuglanconis, andJ. appendiculatais described as a new species.Melanconium juglandinumandMelanconis carthusianaare neotypified andM. oblongumandDiaporthe juglandisare lectotypified. A short description and illustrations of the holotype ofMelanconium ershadiifromPterocarya fraxinifoliaare given, but based on morphology it is not considered to belong toJuglanconis. A key to all treated species ofJuglanconisis provided.
GLOBULAR CLUSTER SYSTEMS IN BRIGHTEST CLUSTER GALAXIES. III. BEYOND BIMODALITY
Authors: Harris William E. , Ciccone Stephanie M. , Eadie Gwendolyn M. , Gnedin Oleg Y. , Geisler Douglas , Rothberg Barry , Bailin Jeremy
Published: January 2017

We present new deep photometry of the rich globular cluster (GC) systems around the Brightest Cluster Galaxies UGC 9799 (Abell 2052) and UGC 10143 (Abell 2147), obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) ACS and WFC3 cameras. For comparison, we also present new reductions of similar HST/ACS data for the Coma supergiants NGC 4874 and 4889. All four of these galaxies have huge cluster populations (to the radial limits of our data, comprising from 12,000 to 23,000 clusters per galaxy). The metallicity distribution functions (MDFs) of the GCs can still be matched by a bimodal-Gaussian form where the metal-rich and metal-poor modes are separated by

dex, but the internal dispersions of each mode are so large that the total MDF becomes very broad and nearly continuous from [Fe/H] ≃ −2.4 to solar. There are, however, significant differences between galaxies in the relative numbers of metal-rich clusters, suggesting that they underwent significantly different histories of mergers with massive gas-rich halos. Last, the proportion of metal-poor GCs rises especially rapidly outside projected radii

, suggesting the importance of accreted dwarf satellites in the outer halo. Comprehensive models for the formation of GCs as part of the hierarchical formation of their parent galaxies will be needed to trace the systematic change in structure of the MDF with galaxy mass, from the distinctly bimodal form in smaller galaxies up to the broad continuum that we see in the very largest systems.