bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Progress on the AGATA Project: A European Ceramic Gas Turbine for Hybrid Vehicles
Authors: Lundberg Robert , Gabrielsson Rolf
Published: February 2015

The European EUREKA project EU 209 or AGATA - Advanced Gas Turbine for Automobiles is a program dedicated to the development of three critical ceramic components; i. catalytic combustor, ii. radial turbine wheel, iii. static heat exchanger, designed for a 60 kW turbogenerator hybrid electric vehicle. The objective is to develop and test the three components as a full scale feasibility study with an industrial perspective. The AGATA partners represent car manufacturers as well as companies and research institutes in the turbine, catalyst and ceramic material fields in France and Sweden. The program has been running since early 1993 with good progress in all three sub-projects.

The turbine wheel design is now completed. FEM calculations indicate that the maximum stress occur during cold start and is below 300 MPa. Extensive mechanical testing of the Si3N4 materials from AC Cerama and C&C has been performed.

The catalytic combustor operates uncooled at 1350°C. This means a severe environment for both the active catalyst and the ceramic honeycomb substrates. Catalysts with high activity even after aging at 1350°C have been developed. Ceramic honeycomb substrates that survive this temperature have also been defined. The catalytic combustor final design is ready and the configurations which will be full scale tested have been selected.

The heat exchanger will be a ceramic recuperator with 90 % efficiency. Both a tube concept and a plate concept have been studied. The plate concept has been chosen for further work. Sub-scale plate recuperators made of either cordierite or SiC have been manufactured by C&C and tested.
Material Evaluation of Large Single Crystal and Directionally Solidified Bucket Castings for Advanced Land-Based Gas Turbines
Authors: Yamamoto H. , Yamamoto M. , Imai K. , Miyazaki M. , Satoh M. , Kobayashi Y. , Matsuzaki H.
Published: February 2015

The development of large single crystal and directionally solidified hollow and solid bucket castings has been carried out for the high performance advanced land-based gas turbine of 1500°c class turbine inlet temperature, using CMSX-2 single crystal and CM247LC directionally solidified alloys*. The castability for large single crystal bucket casting has been established by optimizing the casting parameters and bucket shape in order to prevent the grain defects which tend to be formed more easily for larger casting size and are most harmful for high temperature strength of single crystal. These casting processes were successsfully applied to larger directionally solidified buckets with additional modified molding process.

The developed large single crystal hollow and solid bucket castings after solution and optimized aging treatment indicated excellent microstructure and high temperature mechanical properties such as stress rupture and low cycle fatigue strength. Also, long-term phase stability of both alloys at intermediate temperatures has been verified.
Fatigue Crack Growth Behavior of PWA 1484 Single Crystal Superalloy at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Telesman Jack , Ghosn Louis J.
Published: February 2015

A study was done to determine the fatigue crack growth behavior of a PWA 1484 single crystal nickel base superalloy in a temperature range of 427°C to 871°C. Two distinctive failure modes were observed which were a function of both temperature and frequency. At lower temperatures and higher frequencies crack growth occured on the {111} octahedral slip planes at an oblique angle to the loading direction. Higher temperatures and decrease in frequencies favored a Mode I type failure process. The failure mode transitions were explained by invoking arguments based on environmental damage mechanisms.

The fatigue crack growth rate data were analyzed using three different crack driving force parameters. The parameters investigated consisted of the Mode I stress intensity parameter corrected for the inclined crack trajectory, and two different octahedral Mode II parameters which are based on the calculation of resolved shear stresses on the {111} slip systems. The Mode I ΔK parameter did a fair job in correlating the data but did not collapse it into a single narrow band. The two octahedral crack driving force parameters, ΔKRSS and a newly proposed ΔKOCT, collapsed all the data into a single narrow band. In addition to correlating the fatigue crack growth rates, the two octahedral parameters also predicted the {111} planes on which the crack growth took place.
Surface Integral and Finite Element Hybrid Method for Three-Dimensional Analysis of Arbitrarily-Shaped Surface Cracks
Authors: Keat William D. , Maybury Daniel M. , Annigeri Balkrishna S.
Published: February 2015

A 3D surface integral and finite element hybrid method has been developed for modeling arbitrarily-shaped surface cracks in complex structural components. Accurate stress intensity factors were obtained by decomposing the problem into a surface integral model of the fracture in a domain of infinite extent and a finite element model of the uncracked domain. Boundary conditions were enforced by applying corrective tractions to the surfaces of both constituent models. Coupling between the two formulations was minimized by implementing the fundamental solution for a force multipole near a planar free surface. Surface cracks intersecting nonplanar free surfaces were modeled in a piecewise linear fashion by deploying multiple sets of these functions. The effectiveness of this approach was demonstrated for well-documented cases including: a corner crack in a thick plate and a 3D edge crack. The results of these benchmark studies will be used to develop a set of heuristics for assuring suitable finite element mesh densities in the vicinity of the fracture.
Tests and Expressions of the Recovery Effect of NiTi Shape Memory Alloys
Authors: Du Yanliang , Nie Jingxu , Zhang Xueren , Zhao Changzhan
Published: February 2015

An experimental study of the mechanical properties of NiTi SMA wires and belts is carried out. The shape recovery effect and pseudoelasticity are tested. Emphasis is put on the relation between the recovery stress and testing temperature at different initial strains.
Effective Management of Gas Compressor Station Design Projects
Authors: Cleveland Anthony , Humphries Edwin
Published: February 2015

Downsizing and reduction in permanent engineering and design staff in gas transmission companies raises problems in coping with peak work loads, finding specialist expertise, and managing major projects. The solution being adopted by more and more organizations to deal with these issues is to call in a consultant. Consultants can provide the personnel and expertise to carry out this work with the added benefit that once completed there would be no in-house layoffs or redundancy expenses involved. Effective use of the consultant however, demands close attention to a number of things if waste of time and money is to be avoided. The paper considers the issues involved in the key selection of, and working with, a Consultant, and the key elements in the successful completion of the project. The importance of good communication and team work is stressed and the consequences of failure are discussed in case studies.
Boundary Layer Development in Axial Compressors and Turbines: Part 2 of 4 — Compressors
Authors: Halstead David E. , Wisler David C. , Okiishi Theodore H. , Walker Gregory J. , Hodson Howard P. , Shin Hyoun-Woo
Published: February 2015

This is Part Two of a four-part paper. It begins with Section 6.0 and continues to describe the comprehensive experiments and computational analyses that have led to a detailed picture of boundary layer development on airfoil surfaces in multistage turbomachinery.

In this part, we present the experimental evidence used to construct the composite picture for compressors given in the discussion in Section 5.0 of Part 1. We show the data from the surface hot-film gauges and the boundary layer surveys, give a thorough interpretation for the baseline operating condition and then show how this picture changes with variations in Reynolds number, airfoil loading, frequency of occurrence of wakes and wake turbulence intensity. Detailed flow features are described using raw time traces. The use of rods to simulate airfoil wakes is also evaluated.
The Role of Fuel Preparation in Low Emissions Combustion
Authors: Lefebvre A. H.
Published: February 2015

The attainment of very low pollutant emissions, in particular oxides of nitrogen (NOx), from gas turbines is not only of considerable environmental concern but has also become an area of increasing competitiveness between the different engine manufacturers. For stationary engines, the attainment of ultra-low NOx has become the foremost marketing issue. This paper is devoted primarily to current and emerging technologies in the development of ultra-low emissions combustors for application to aircraft and stationary engines. Short descriptions of the basic design features of conventional gas turbine combustors and the methods of fuel injection now in widespread use are followed by a review of fuel spray characteristics and recent developments in the measurement and modeling of these characteristics. The main gas turbine generated pollutants and their mechanisms of formation are described, along with related environmental risks and various issues concerning emissions regulations and recently-enacted legislation for limiting the pollutant levels emitted by both aircraft and stationary engines. The impact of these emissions regulations on combustor and engine design are discussed first in relation to conventional combustors and then in the context of variable-geometry and staged combustors. Both these concepts are founded on emissions reduction by control of flame temperature. Basic approaches to the design of “dry” low NOx and ultra-low NOx combustors are reviewed. At the present time lean, premix, prevaporize, combustion appears to be the only technology available for achieving ultra-low NOx emissions from practical combustors. This concept is discussed in some detail, along with its inherent problems of autoignition, flashback, and acoustic resonance. Attention is also given to alternative methods of achieving ultra-low NOx emissions, notably the rich-bum, quick-quench, lean-burn and catalytic combustors. These concepts are now being actively developed, despite the formidable problems they present in terms of mixing and durability. The final section reviews the various correlations which are now being used to predict the exhaust gas concentrations of the main gaseous pollutant emissions from gas turbine engines. Comprehensive numerical methods have not yet completely displaced these semi-empirical correlations but are nevertheless providing useful insight into the interactions of swirling and recirculating flows with fuel sprays, as well as guidance to the combustion engineer during the design and development stages. Throughout the paper emphasis is placed on the important and sometimes pivotal role played by the fuel preparation process in the reduction of pollutant emissions from gas turbines.
Interaction with Enzyme IIBMpo(EIIBMpo) and Phosphorylation by Phosphorylated EIIBMpoExert Antagonistic Effects on the Transcriptional Activator ManR of Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Zébré Arthur Constant , Aké Francine Moussan , Ventroux Magali , Koffi-Nevry Rose , Noirot-Gros Marie-Françoise , Deutscher Josef , Milohanic Eliane
Published: February 2015

Listeriae take up glucose and mannose predominantly through a mannose class phosphoenolpyruvate:carbohydrate phosphotransferase system (PTSMan), whose three components are encoded by themanLMNgenes. The expression of these genes is controlled by ManR, a LevR-type transcription activator containing two PTS regulation domains (PRDs) and two PTS-like domains (enzyme IIAMan[EIIAMan]- and EIIBGat-like). We demonstrate here that inListeria monocytogenes, ManR is activated via the phosphorylation of His585 in the EIIAMan-like domain by the general PTS components enzyme I and HPr. We also show that ManR is regulated by the PTSMpoand that EIIBMpoplays a dual role in ManR regulation. First, yeast two-hybrid experiments revealed that unphosphorylated EIIBMpointeracts with the two C-terminal domains of ManR (EIIBGat-like and PRD2) and that this interaction is required for ManR activity. Second, in the absence of glucose/mannose, phosphorylated EIIBMpo(P∼EIIBMpo) inhibits ManR activity by phosphorylating His871 in PRD2. The presence of glucose/mannose causes the dephosphorylation of P∼EIIBMpoand P∼PRD2 of ManR, which together lead to the induction of themanLMNoperon. Complementation of a ΔmanRmutant with variousmanRalleles confirmed the antagonistic effects of PTS-catalyzed phosphorylation at the two different histidine residues of ManR. Deletion ofmanRprevented not only the expression of themanLMNoperon but also glucose-mediated repression of virulence gene expression; however, repression by other carbohydrates was unaffected. Interestingly, the expression ofmanLMNinListeria innocuawas reported to require not only ManR but also the Crp-like transcription activator Lin0142. Unlike Lin0142, theL. monocytogeneshomologue, Lmo0095, is not required formanLMNexpression; its absence rather stimulatesmanexpression.

IMPORTANCEListeria monocytogenesis a human pathogen causing the foodborne disease listeriosis. The expression of most virulence genes is controlled by the transcription activator PrfA. Its activity is strongly repressed by carbohydrates, including glucose, which is transported intoL. monocytogenesmainly via a mannose/glucose-specific phosphotransferase system (PTSMan). Expression of themanoperon is regulated by the transcription activator ManR, the activity of which is controlled by a second, low-efficiency PTS of the mannose family, which functions as glucose sensor. Here we demonstrate that the EIIBMpocomponent plays a dual role in ManR regulation: it inactivates ManR by phosphorylating its His871 residue and stimulates ManR by interacting with its two C-terminal domains.
The bronze kidney: membranous glomerulonephritis associated with iron overload
Authors: Vaziri Arash , Jennings Adrian , Broecker Verena , Bradley John Richard
Published: February 2015

A 55-year-old man with a history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia developed increasing peripheral oedema over the course of several months. He was found to have nephrotic range proteinuria (15.7 g/24 h). His renal ultrasound scan was normal and the autoimmune screen was negative. His renal biopsy demonstrated evidence of membranous glomerulonephritis and increased iron deposition. At this juncture, a serum ferritin was checked which showed an initial value 933 µg/L with transferrin saturation at 96.6%. A subsequent liver biopsy also showed evidence of iron overload but without fibrotic changes. Genetic studies including C282Y HFE, ferroportin and DMT1 studies were also negative. He was subsequently treated with interval venesection which was associated with significant symptomatic and biochemical evidence of improvement in oedema and proteinuria.
Traumatic intradiploic epidermoid cyst manifest as scalp papule
Authors: Dupre Derrick Andrew , Pu Cunfeng , Yu Alex , Tomycz Nestor
Published: February 2015

A posterior fossa intradiploic epidermoid cyst was removed from the calvarium of an otherwise healthy 34-year-old woman after work up for dizziness and blurry vision. The patient admitted to a history of a firm papule that occurred occasionally after a trauma sustained to the region years prior. The authors propose that trauma and cutaneous stigmata are potential associations with intradiploic epidermoid cysts.
Siegel modular forms of genus 2 and level 2
Authors: Cléry Fabien , van der Geer Gerard , Grushevsky Samuel
Published: February 2015

We study vector-valued Siegel modular forms of genus 2 on the three level 2 groups Γ[2] ◁ Γ1[2] ◁ Γ0[2] ⊂ Sp(4, ℤ). We give generating functions for the dimension of spaces of vector-valued modular forms, construct various vector-valued modular forms by using theta functions and describe the structure of certain modules of vector-valued modular forms over rings of scalar-valued Siegel modular forms.
Factorization breaking in diffraction
Authors: Valkárová Alice
Published: February 2015

The measurements of diffractive dijet and open charm electron–proton cross-sections in deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) and photoproduction at HERA are discussed with an emphasis on possible quantum chromodynamics (QCD) factorization breaking.
Finding Maximum Clique in Stochastic Graphs Using Distributed Learning Automata
Authors: Rezvanian Alireza , Meybodi Mohammad Reza
Published: February 2015

Because of unpredictable, uncertain and time-varying nature of real networks it seems that stochastic graphs, in which weights associated to the edges are random variables, may be a better candidate as a graph model for real world networks. Once the graph model is chosen to be a stochastic graph, every feature of the graph such as path, clique, spanning tree and dominating set, to mention a few, should be treated as a stochastic feature. For example, choosing stochastic graph as the graph model of an online social network and defining community structure in terms of clique, and the associations among the individuals within the community as random variables, the concept of stochastic clique may be used to study community structure properties. In this paper maximum clique in stochastic graph is first defined and then several learning automata-based algorithms are proposed for solving maximum clique problem in stochastic graph where the probability distribution functions of the weights associated with the edges of the graph are unknown. It is shown that by a proper choice of the parameters of the proposed algorithms, one can make the probability of finding maximum clique in stochastic graph as close to unity as possible. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithms significantly reduce the number of samples needed to be taken from the edges of the stochastic graph as compared to the number of samples needed by standard sampling method at a given confidence level.
On a New Class of Fuzzy Coimplications Derived from Generalizedh-Generators and Fuzzy Negations
Authors: Zhang Feng-Xia
Published: February 2015

In this paper, a new class of fuzzy coimplications, called (h, N)-coimplications, is introduced. Basic properties of this class of coimplications are discussed. Furthermore, the classical tautologies that involve coimplications, such as the importation law, the contraction law and the distributive law, are investigated.
Bridge Damage Identification from Moving Load Induced Deflection Based on Wavelet Transform and Lipschitz Exponent
Authors: Yu Zhu , Xia He , Goicolea José María , Xia Chaoyi
Published: February 2015

The wavelet transform and Lipschitz exponent perform well in detecting signal singularity. With the bridge crack damage modeled as rotational springs based on fracture mechanics, the deflection time history of the beam under the moving load is determined with a numerical method. The continuous wavelet transformation (CWT) is applied to the deflection of the beam to identify the location of the damage, and the Lipschitz exponent is used to evaluate the damage degree. The influence of different damage degrees, multiple damage, different sensor locations, load velocity and load magnitude are studied. Besides, the feasibility of this method is verified by a model experiment.
A Framework of Mining Trajectories from Untrustworthy Data in Cyber-Physical System
Authors: Tang Lu-An , Yu Xiao , Gu Quanquan , Han Jiawei , Jiang Guofei , Leung Alice , Porta Thomas La
Published: February 2015

A cyber-physical system (CPS) integrates physical (i.e., sensor) devices with cyber (i.e., informational) components to form a context-sensitive system that responds intelligently to dynamic changes in real-world situations. The CPS has wide applications in scenarios such as environment monitoring, battlefield surveillance, and traffic control. One key research problem of CPS is called
mining lines in the sand
. With a large number of sensors (sand) deployed in a designated area, the CPS is required to discover all trajectories (lines) of passing intruders in real time. There are two crucial challenges that need to be addressed: (1) the collected sensor data are not trustworthy, and (2) the intruders do not send out any identification information. The system needs to distinguish multiple intruders and track their movements. This study proposes a method called
LiSM
(Line-in-the-Sand Miner) to discover trajectories from untrustworthy sensor data.
LiSM
constructs a watching network from sensor data and computes the locations of intruder appearances based on the link information of the network. The system retrieves a
cone model
from the historical trajectories to track multiple intruders. Finally, the system validates the mining results and updates sensors’ reliability scores in a feedback process. In addition,
LoRM
(Line-on-the-Road Miner) is proposed for trajectory discovery on road networks—
mining lines on the roads
.
LoRM
employs a filtering-and-refinement framework to reduce the distance computational overhead on road networks and uses a shortest-path-measure to track intruders. The proposed methods are evaluated with extensive experiments on big datasets. The experimental results show that the proposed methods achieve higher accuracy and efficiency in trajectory mining tasks.
Comparisons of Esophageal Function Tests between Chinese and British Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Authors: Gao Feng , Leach Samantha , Hao Jian Yu , Shang Zhan Min , Hobson Anthony Robert
Published: February 2015

Objective. To investigate the esophageal function tests in British and Chinese patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Methods. Patients with GERD were selected from the functional gut clinic, London, and digestive department, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, after taking the examinations of High-resolution Manometry and Impedance (HRiM) and 24-hour Multi-Channel Intraluminal Impedance and pH Recording (MII/pH) between 2013 and 2014. Chinese healthy volunteers who undertook HRiM were also selected as control group.Results. Fifty-nine British and 82 Chinese patients with GERD and 62 Chinese healthy volunteers were entered. Values for British patients, Chinese patients, and healthy volunteers were as follows: Lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP)16.0±8.6,16.5±10.0, and26.4±10.9 mmHg, peristalsis (normal/small break/large break) 24/12/23, 44/10/28, and 57/1/4, total bolus transit time (TBTT)7.3±1.3,7.6±1.2, and6.9±0.9 s, and complete bolus transit rate (CBTR)66.7±37.8,61.7±36.4, and90.3±14.0%, respectively. Stepwise linear regression analysis showed that age, gender, and ethnicity did not have significant effect on LESP, TBTT, esophageal peristalsis, and CBTR in patients with GERD.Conclusions. British and Chinese patients with GERD presented similar values of LESP, TBTT, and impaired esophageal peristalsis and CBTR.
Molecular Dynamics, Monte Carlo Simulations, and Langevin Dynamics: A Computational Review
Authors: Paquet Eric , Viktor Herna L.
Published: February 2015

Macromolecular structures, such as neuraminidases, hemagglutinins, and monoclonal antibodies, are not rigid entities. Rather, they are characterised by their flexibility, which is the result of the interaction and collective motion of their constituent atoms. This conformational diversity has a significant impact on their physicochemical and biological properties. Among these are their structural stability, the transport of ions through the M2 channel, drug resistance, macromolecular docking, binding energy, and rational epitope design. To assess these properties and to calculate the associated thermodynamical observables, the conformational space must be efficiently sampled and the dynamic of the constituent atoms must be simulated. This paper presents algorithms and techniques that address the abovementioned issues. To this end, a computational review of molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo simulations, Langevin dynamics, and free energy calculation is presented. The exposition is made from first principles to promote a better understanding of the potentialities, limitations, applications, and interrelations of these computational methods.
Nitric Oxide-Sensitive Pulmonary Hypertension in Congenital Rubella Syndrome
Authors: Raimondi Francesco , Migliaro Fiorella , Di Pietro Elisa , Borgia Francesco , Rapacciuolo Antonio , Capasso Letizia
Published: February 2015

Persistent pulmonary hypertension is a very rare presentation of congenital virus infection. We discuss the case of complete congenital rubella syndrome presenting at echocardiography with pulmonary hypertension that worsened after ductus ligation. Cardiac catheterization showed a normal pulmonary valve and vascular tree but aPAP=40 mmHg. The infant promptly responded to inhaled nitric oxide while on mechanical ventilation and was later shifted to oral sildenafil. It is not clear whether our observation may be due to direct viral damage to the endothelium or to the rubella virus increasing the vascular tone via a metabolic derangement.
In Silico Analysis of Bioethanol Overproduction by Genetically Modified Microorganisms in Coculture Fermentation
Authors: Parambil Lisha K. , Sarkar Debasis
Published: February 2015

Lignocellulosic biomass is an attractive sustainable carbon source for fermentative production of bioethanol. In this context, use of microbial consortia consisting of substrate-selective microbes is advantageous as it eliminates the negative impacts of glucose catabolite repression. In this study, a detailed in silico analysis of bioethanol production from glucose-xylose mixtures of various compositions by coculture fermentation of xylose-selective Escherichia coli strain ZSC113 and glucose-selective wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae is presented. Dynamic flux balance models based on available genome-scale metabolic networks of the microorganisms have been used to analyze bioethanol production and the maximization of ethanol productivity is addressed by computing optimal aerobic-anaerobic switching times. A set of genetic engineering strategies for ethanol overproduction by E. coli strain ZSC113 have been evaluated for their efficiency in the context of batch coculture process. Finally, simulations are carried out to determine the pairs of genetically modified E. coli strain ZSC113 and S. cerevisiae that significantly enhance ethanol productivity in batch coculture fermentation.
Chemical Composition and Seasonality of Aromatic Mediterranean Plant Species by NMR-Based Metabolomics
Authors: Scognamiglio Monica , D’Abrosca Brigida , Esposito Assunta , Fiorentino Antonio
Published: February 2015

An NMR-based metabolomic approach has been applied to analyse seven aromatic Mediterranean plant species used in traditional cuisine. Based on the ethnobotanical use of these plants, the approach has been employed in order to study the metabolic changes during different seasons. Primary and secondary metabolites have been detected and quantified. Flavonoids (apigenin, quercetin, and kaempferol derivatives) and phenylpropanoid derivatives (e.g., chlorogenic and rosmarinic acid) are the main identified polyphenols. The richness in these metabolites could explain the biological properties ascribed to these plant species.
Hopf Bifurcation Analysis of a Predator-Prey Biological Economic System with Nonselective Harvesting
Authors: Li Biwen , Li Zhenwei , Chen Boshan , Wang Gan
Published: February 2015

A modified predator-prey biological economic system with nonselective harvesting is investigated. An important mathematical feature of the system is that the economic profit on the predator-prey system is investigated from an economic perspective. By using the local parameterization method and Hopf bifurcation theorem, we analyze the Hopf bifurcation of the proposed system. In addition, the modified model enriches the database for the predator-prey biological economic system. Finally, numerical simulations illustrate the effectiveness of our results.
First Attempt to Implement Ophthalmia Neonatorum Prophylaxis in Angola: Microorganisms, Efficacy, and Obstacles
Authors: Alexandre Isabel , Justel Mar , Martinez Prudencio , Ortiz de Lejarazu Raul , Pastor J. Carlos
Published: February 2015

Purpose. To determine the efficacy of povidone-iodine (P-I) prophylaxis for ophthalmia neonatorum (ON) in Angola and to document maternal prevalence and mother-to-child transmission rates.Methods. Endocervical samples from mothersn=317and newborn conjunctival smearsn=245were analysed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) forChlamydia trachomatis(CT),Neisseria gonorrhoeae(NG), andMycoplasma genitalium(MG). Newborns were randomized into a noninterventional group and an interventional group that received a drop of P-I 2.5% bilaterally after conjunctival smear collection. Mothers were trained to identify signs of ON and attend a follow-up visit.Results. Forty-two newborns had ocular pathology, and 11 (4.4%) had clinical signs of ON at the time of delivery. Maternal PCR was positive for MGn=19, CTn=8, and NGn=2. Six newborns were positive for CTn=4, MGn=2, and NGn=1. Mother-to-child transmission rates were 50% for CT and NG and 10.5% for MG. Only 16 newborns returned for follow-up.Conclusions. Lack of maternal compliance prevented successful testing of prophylactic P-I efficacy in ON prevention. Nevertheless, we documented the prevalence and mother-to-child transmission rates for CT, NG, and MG. These results emphasize the need to develop an effective Angolan educational and prophylactic ON program.
Estimates for Eigenvalues of the Elliptic Operator in Divergence Form on Riemannian Manifolds
Authors: Tan Shenyang , Huang Tiren , Zhang Wenbin
Published: February 2015

We investigate the Dirichlet weighted eigenvalue problem of the elliptic operator in divergence form on compact Riemannian manifolds(M,g,e-ϕdv). We establish a Yang-type inequality of this problem. We also get universal inequalities for eigenvalues of elliptic operators in divergence form on compact domains of complete submanifolds admitting special functions which include the Hadamard manifolds with Ricci curvature bounded below and any complete manifolds admitting eigenmaps to a sphere.
Clinical and Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Findings of Patients with Incomplete Visual Recovery after Anatomically Successful Retinal Detachment Surgery
Authors: Tsilimbaris Miltiadis K. , Chalkia Aikaterini , Tsika Chrysanthi , Anastasakis Anastasios , Kontadakis Georgios A.
Published: February 2015

Purpose. To identify causes of incomplete visual recovery in patients with anatomically successful retinal detachment surgery.Methods. This was a retrospective study of 61 eyes of 61 patients with at least 12-month follow-up and complete preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative record. Postoperative visual acuity (VA) more than 0.18 logMAR was considered as incomplete visual recovery. Complete ophthalmic examination and Spectral-Domain OCT (SD-OCT) imaging were performed at last follow-up.Results. Twenty-nine eyes (47.5%) had a postoperative VA < 0.18 logMAR and 32 eyes (52.5%) had a postoperative VA ≥ 0.18 logMAR. Mean follow-up was 32.8 ± 17.3 months. Incomplete visual recovery was strongly correlated with presence of macular pathology (P= 0.002), a detached macula preoperatively (P= 0.02), retinotomy (P= 0.025), and pars plana vitrectomy and use of silicon oil as a tamponade agent (P= 0.009). Also, although there was a strong correlation between ellipsoid zone disruption and incomplete visual recovery, a distinct, more course pathology could be identified in all cases of poor visual recovery related to edema, thickening, or atrophy of the macula.Conclusion. The careful postoperative evaluation of the macula using biomicroscopy and SD-OCT can help in diagnosis of alterations that can be associated with incomplete visual recovery.
Analysis on the Noise for the Different Gearboxes of the Heavy Truck
Authors: Zhong Zhixian , Jiang Zhansi , Long Yuhong , Zhan Xin
Published: February 2015

In order to locate the excessive noise caused by gearbox noise when a heavy vehicle is accelerating, the noise and vibration on the key parts of the gearbox were tested and analyzed, and the peak noise frequency of radiating from the subbox of gearbox was found, which is the same as the peak frequency of pass-by noise. Aiming at the larger gear noise of the gearbox subbox, the experiments of pass-by noise by the two ways of the different speed-ratio gearbox, and the transformation of vice-box with helical gear, the pass-by noise was reduced by 5.6 and 3.9 dB(A), and it was made to reach the less GB limit-value. Meanwhile, the effect of the different-ratio gearbox on the vehicle noise was analyzed. So, the methods provide a practical basis for the vehicle noise and the fault diagnosis of gearbox.
Terminalia chebulaFructus Inhibits Migration and Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Production of Inflammatory Mediators in RAW 264.7
Authors: Lee Hyun-Ho , Paudel Keshav Raj , Kim Dong-Wook
Published: February 2015

Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and neointima formation after angioplasty involves vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) migration and proliferation followed by inflammatory responses mediated by recruited macrophages in the neointima.Terminalia chebulais widely used traditional medicine in Asia for its beneficial effects against cancer, diabetes, and bacterial infection. The study was designed to determine whetherTerminalia chebulafructus water extract (TFW) suppresses VSMC migration and proliferation and inflammatory mediators production in macrophage (RAW 264.7). Our results showed that TFW possessed strong antioxidative effects in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging and lipid peroxidation assays. In addition, TFW reduced nitric oxide (NO) production, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in RAW 264.7 cells. Also, TFW inhibited platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) induced VSMC migration as determined by wound healing and Boyden chamber assays. The antimigratory effect of TFW was due to its inhibitory effect on metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation, and Rho-family of small GTPases (Cdc42 and RhoA) expression in VSMCs. Furthermore, TFW suppressed PDGF-BB induced VSMC proliferation by downregulation of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling molecules. These results suggest that TFW could be a beneficial resource in the prevention of atherosclerosis.
Direct Preparation and Characterization of Copper Pentacyanonitrosylferrate Nanoparticles
Authors: Do Carmo D. R. , Souza M. M. , Bicalho U. O. , Dos Santos V. S. , Souza J. P. , Silvestrini D. R.
Published: February 2015

The present work describes the preparation of nanoparticles of copper pentacyanonitrosyl complexes starting from the compound sodium nitroprusside. Copper pentacyanonitrosylferrate (NCuNP) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by using deionized water and formamide as solvent. The material was characterized by Fourier‐transforming infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐Vis) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results revealed that the electronic spectra of NCuNP exhibited a broad intervalence charge transfer band at 685 nm. An XRD peak broadening pattern of the NCuNP was verified, indicating a particle decrease when formamide is used. The particle size of NCuNP is estimated to be 80 nm. The cyclic voltammogram of the modified graphite paste electrode with NCuNP showed two redox pairs with formal potentials Eθ′ = 0.36 V and Eθ′ = 0.78 V (ν = 20 mV s−1; KCl 1.0 M), attributed to the redox process CuI/ CuII and [FeII(CN)5NO]/[FeIII(CN)5NO], respectively. The graphite paste electrode with NCuNP presents electrocatalytic response for Sulfite determination.
An Algorithm for Generating Boolean Expressions in VHDL Based on Ladder Diagrams
Authors: Xie Hongxia , Zhuang Zheng-Yun
Published: February 2015

This study proposes an algorithm for generating the associated Boolean expression in VHDL, given a ladder diagram (LD) as the input. The purpose of the algorithm is to implement of field-programmable gate array- (FPGA-) based programmable logic controllers (PLCs), where an effective conversion from an LD to its associated Boolean expressions seems rarely mentioned. Based on this core thought, the conversion process of the algorithm first involves abstracting and expressing the encountered LD as an activity-on-vertex (AOV) graph. Next, an AND-OR tree in which AND-nodes and OR-nodes connote the series and the parallel relationships between the vertices of the AOV graph is constructed based on the AOV graph. Therefore, by a traversal to the AND-OR tree, the associated Boolean expression, as the output of the algorithm, can be easily obtained in VHDL. The proposed algorithm is then verified with an illustrative example, wherein a complicated LD is given as the input.
Cytotoxic Effects of Biosynthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Murine Cell Lines
Authors: Namvar Farideh , Rahman Heshu Sulaiman , Mohamad Rosfarizan , Azizi Susan , Tahir Paridah Mohd , Chartrand Max Stanley , Yeap Swee Keong
Published: February 2015

The aim of this study is to evaluate thein vitrocytotoxic activity and cellular effects of previously prepared ZnO-NPs on murine cancer cell lines using brown seaweed (Sargassum muticum) aqueous extract. Treated cancer cells with ZnO-NPs for 72 hours demonstrated various levels of cytotoxicity based on calculated IC50values using MTT assay as follows: 21.7 ± 1.3 μg/mL (4T1), 17.45 ± 1.1 μg/mL (CRL-1451), 11.75 ± 0.8 μg/mL (CT-26), and 5.6 ± 0.55 μg/mL (WEHI-3B), respectively. On the other hand, ZnO-NPs treatments for 72 hours showed no toxicity against normal mouse fibroblast (3T3) cell line. On the other hand, paclitaxel, which imposed an inhibitory effect on WEHI-3B cells with IC50of 2.25 ± 0.4, 1.17 ± 0.5, and 1.6 ± 0.09 μg/mL after 24, 48, and 72 hours treatment, respectively, was used as positive control. Furthermore, distinct morphological changes were found by utilizing fluorescent dyes; apoptotic population was increased via flowcytometry, while a cell cycle block and stimulation of apoptotic proteins were also observed. Additionally, the present study showed that the caspase activations contributed to ZnO-NPs triggered apoptotic death in WEHI-3 cells. Thus, the nature of biosynthesis and the therapeutic potential of ZnO-NPs could prepare the way for further research on the design of green synthesis therapeutic agents, particularly in nanomedicine, for the treatment of cancer.
Association of Serum Bisphenol A with Hypertension in Thai Population
Authors: Aekplakorn Wichai , Chailurkit La-or , Ongphiphadhanakul Boonsong
Published: February 2015

Objective. The present study aimed to examine the association between serum BPA and hypertension and evaluated whether it was influenced by estradiol level.Methods. A subsample of 2588 sera randomly selected from the Thai National Health Examination Survey IV, 2009, was measured for serum BPA and estradiol. Logistic regression was used to examine the association controlling for age, sex, diabetes, body mass index, and estradiol level.Results. Compared with the lowest quartile, the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of hypertension for the fourth quartile of serum BPA was 2.16 (95% CI 1.31, 3.56) in women and 1.44 (0.99, 2.09) in men. There was no interaction between serum BPA and estradiol level. For analysis using log(BPA) as a continuous variable, the AOR per unit change in log(BPA) was 1.09 (95% CI 1.02, 1.16). Among postmenopausal women, the AOR for the fourth quartile of BPA was 2.33 (95% CI 1.31, 4.15) and, for premenopausal women, it was 2.12 (95% CI 0.87, 5.19).Conclusion. Serum BPA was independently associated with hypertension in women and was not likely to be affected by estrogen; however, its mechanism related to blood pressure needs further investigation.
CXCL13 Promotes Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Inhibiting miR-23a Expression
Authors: Tian Feng , Ji Xiang-lu , Xiao Wan-an , Wang Bin , Wang Fei
Published: February 2015

CXC chemokines are essential for osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) for use in bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine in clinical settings. However, an accurate understanding of the underlying mechanisms is still needed. In this study, we analyzed the effects of CXC chemokine ligand-13 (CXCL13) on osteogenic differentiation of rat BMSCs and initiated a preliminary discussion on possible mechanisms. BMSCs were isolated from bone marrow of rat and incubated with CXCL13 recombinant protein in differentiation medium. The main osteogenesis indexes were alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium nodes. Expression of Runx2 and CXCR5 was determined using western blot, while miRNAs were determined with quantitative-RT-PCR. Si-CXCR5 was transfected into MSCs to silence CXCR5. A miRNA-23a mimic was transfected into BMSCs for overexpression of miRNA-23a. Recombinant CXCL13 induced ALP activity, deposition of calcium salts, and formation of calcium nodes, and it also increased expression of Runx2. The expression of recombinant CXCL13 suppressed expression of miRNA-23a. Overexpression of miR-23a reversed CXCL13 induced-osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and expression of Runx2. Recombinant CXCL13 attenuated the interaction of miRNA-23a with the Runx2 3′UTR. Silencing of CXCR5 abrogated recombinant CXCL13-induced downregulation of miRNA-23a expression. In summary, CXCL13 promotes osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by inhibiting miR-23a expression.
Case Reports That Illustrate the Efficacy of SGLT2 Inhibitors in the Type 1 Diabetic Patient
Authors: Bell David S. H.
Published: February 2015

SGLT2 inhibitors are only approved for use in adults with type 2 diabetes. However, because SGLT2 inhibitors have a mechanism of action that does not require the presence of endogenous insulin, these drugs should also be efficacious in type 1 diabetes where endogenous insulin production is greatly reduced or absent. Herein, I present five cases which illustrate the benefits of utilizing an SGLT2 inhibitor with type 1 diabetes. In these cases the use of SGLT2 inhibitors resulted not only in better glycemic control in most patients but also in some patients’ less hypoglycemia, weight loss, and decreased doses of insulin. In type 1 diabetesCandida albicansvaginitis and balanitis may occur more frequently than in type 2 diabetes. These cases show that a large randomized clinical trial of SGLT2 inhibitors in type 1 diabetes needs to be performed.
Validation of Microcirculatory Parameters Derived from the Standard Two-Compartment Model with Murine Xenografts Model
Authors: Hartono Septian , Thng Choon Hua , Ong Richard Weijie , Ng Quan Sing , Lim Tony Kiat Hon , Yu Sidney Wing Kwong , Huynh The Hung , Martarello Laurent , Koh Tong San
Published: February 2015

The purpose of this study was to validate DCE-MRI parameters such as blood flow (F), permeability surface area product (PS), fractional intravascular space (v1), and fractional extracellular extravascular space (v2), obtained using a standard two-compartment model against other established analysis methods and histological indices. DCE-MRI datasets of 28 mice implanted with various human cancer xenografts were acquired and analyzed. Statistically significant correlations were found between the parameters derived from the standard two-compartment model (v1, v2,
F, and PS) with the histological markers of intravascular and interstitial space and with the corresponding flow and permeability estimates obtained by the initial slope method and Patlak plot, respectively.
Controlled Nanoparticle Targeting and Nanoparticle-Driven Nematic Structural Transition
Authors: Dubtsov A. V. , Pasechnik S. V. , Shmeliova D. V. , Kralj S. , Repnik R.
Published: February 2015

We study experimentally and theoretically controlled targeting of specific nanoparticles (NPs) to different regions within nematic liquid crystal. Using a simple mesoscopic Landau-de Gennes-type model in terms of a tensor nematic order parameter, we demonstrate a general mechanism which could be exploited for controlled targeting of NPs within a spatially nonhomogeneous nematic texture. Furthermore, we experimentally demonstrate using polarising microscopy that even a relatively low concentration of localised appropriate NPs could trigger a nematic structural transition. A simple estimate is derived to account for the observed transition.
Two Ports Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair in Children
Authors: Ibrahim Medhat M.
Published: February 2015

Introduction. Several laparoscopic treatment techniques were designed for improving the outcome over the last decade. The various techniques differ in their approach to the inguinal internal ring, suturing and knotting techniques, number of ports used in the procedures, and mode of dissection of the hernia sac.Patients and Surgical Technique. 90 children were subjected to surgery and they undergone two-port laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernia in children. Technique feasibility in relation to other modalities of repair was the aim of this work. 90 children including 75 males and 15 females underwent surgery. Hernia in 55 cases was right-sided and in 15 left-sided. Two patients had recurrent hernia following open hernia repair. 70 (77.7%) cases were suffering unilateral hernia and 20 (22.2%) patients had bilateral hernia. Out of the 20 cases 5 cases were diagnosed by laparoscope (25%). The patients’ median age was 18 months. The mean operative time for unilateral repairs was 15 to 20 minutes and bilateral was 21 to 30 minutes. There was no conversion. The complications were as follows: one case was recurrent right inguinal hernia and the second was stitch sinus.Discussion. The results confirm the safety and efficacy of two ports laparoscopic hernia repair in congenital inguinal hernia in relation to other modalities of treatment.
Outcome of Concurrent Occult Hemothorax and Pneumothorax in Trauma Patients Who Required Assisted Ventilation
Authors: Mahmood Ismail , Tawfeek Zainab , El-Menyar Ayman , Zarour Ahmad , Afifi Ibrahim , Kumar Suresh , Peralta Ruben , Latifi Rifat , Al-Thani Hassan
Published: February 2015

Background. The management and outcomes of occult hemopneumothorax in blunt trauma patients who required mechanical ventilation are not well studied. We aimed to study patients with occult hemopneumothorax on mechanical ventilation who could be carefully managed without tube thoracostomy.Methods. Chest trauma patients with occult hemopneumothorax who were on mechanical ventilation were prospectively evaluated. The presence of hemopneumothorax was confirmed by CT scanning. Hospital length of stay, complications, and outcome were recorded.Results. A total of 56 chest trauma patients with occult hemopneumothorax who were on ventilatory support were included with a mean age of 36 ± 13 years. Hemopneumothorax was managed conservatively in 72% cases and 28% underwent tube thoracostomy as indicated. 29% of patients developed pneumonia, 16% had Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and 7% died. Thickness of hemothorax, duration of mechanical ventilation, and development of ARDS were significantly associated with tube thoracostomy in comparison to no-chest tube group.Conclusions. The majority of occult hemopneumothorax can be carefully managed without tube thoracostomy in patients who required positive pressure ventilation. Tube thoracotomy could be restricted to those who had evidence of increase in the size of the hemothorax or pneumothorax on follow-up chest radiographs or developed respiratory compromise.