bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Tramadol, Low Dose Ketamine and Ondansetron in the Management of Intra-Operative Shivering After Sub Arachnoid Block
Authors: Hasanat Md Aminul , Wadud MM Abdul , Hye Abdul , Akhtaruzzaman AKM , Kabir Lutful , Rahman Md Mahfuzur , Haque Mohammed Ashraful
Published: September 2018

Background: Shivering is a common problem faced by an anesthesiologist during per-operative period as well as in post-operative period.Objective: The present study was designed to observe the efficacy of tramadol, low dose ketamine and ondansetron in the management of intra-operative shivering after sub arachnoid block.Methodology: This single center, parallel, double blind randomized control trialwas conducted in the Department of Anaesthesia, Analgesia and Intensive Care Medicine at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2007 to June 2009 for a period of two (02) years.Patients undergoing surgery with Sub Arachnoid Block, patients with age range from 18 to 60 years, patients from both sexes and ASA class I and class II were selected as study population.After recruitment each subject was allowed to draw one card and grouped accordingly. Group T: Shivering was treated with tramadol. Group K: Low dose ketamine was used to manage shivering. Group 0: Ondansetron was injected for shivering. The patients was also monitored for complications like nausea, vomiting and respiratory depression (defined as respiratory rate <8/minute). Time taken for cessation of shivering was noted for all groups and all patients were watched for recurrence of shivering.Result: A total of 90 (ninety) patients were enrolled in this study of whom thirty (30) patients were enclosed in each group. Among thirty patients in each group. Group T was effective in 27(90%) patients, group K was effective in 21(70%) patients and group O in 20(66.7%) patients with a p value of 0.075. Statistically, though it is not significant but according to the consideration of percentage, Group T is superior to other two groups. Again recurrence of shivering occurred in one patient in Gr.-T, eight (08) person in Gr.-K and three (03) patient in group Gr.-O indicating a p value of 0.024. This equation reflects the lowest statistically significant recurrence of shivering in Group T than others.Out of thirty patients in each group, nausea or vomiting occurred only in 3 patients of T group (10%) respiratory depression occurred in 10 patients (33.3%) of K group only.Conclusion: The efficacy of tramadol is a better option than low dose ketamine and ondansetron in the management of intra-operative shivering after sub arachnoid block.Journal of National Institute of Neurosciences Bangladesh, 2018;4(1): 45-50
Socio-demographic Characteristics and Mode of Traumatic Thoraco-Lumbar Spine Injuries at a Referral Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Md Mizanur , Rahman Md Mahfuzur , Yusuf Md Abdullah , Sattar AFM Arshedi , Ali Md Ayub , Rahman Md Matiur , Siddique Abu Bakar
Published: September 2018

Background: Traumatic thoraco-lumbar spine injuries occur in different ways during working.Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to find out the-demographic Characteristics and Mode of Traumatic Thoraco-Lumbar Spine Injuries.Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2004 to June 2006 for a period of 2(two) years. Patients with diagnosed cases of traumatic thoraco-lumbar spinal injury with complete or incomplete cord lesion irrespective of sex were selected as study population. An elaborate history of the selected patient was taken with an emphasis of mechanism, time of injury, past history of illness.Result: A total number of 17 patients with thoracolumbar spine injury were recruited. Out of 17 patients, 7(41.2%) patients were in the age group of 21-30 years that is very younger age group. The mean age was 29.29 years. The male and female ratio was 4.7:1. In this series most affected people are farmer (47.05%). Most affected groups are injured by fall from height (70.58%) especially from tree and from roof of the buildings.Conclusion: Young age group male workers are most commonly affected in traumatic thoraco-lumbar spine injuries.Journal of National Institute of Neurosciences Bangladesh, 2018;4(1): 51-53
Weed Suppressive Ability of Cover Crop Mixtures Compared to Repeated Stubble Tillage and Glyphosate Treatments
Authors: Schappert Alexandra , Messelhäuser Miriam H. , Saile Marcus , Peteinatos Gerassimos G. , Gerhards Roland
Published: September 2018

The utilization of an effective stubble management practice can reduce weed infestation before and in the following main crop. Different strategies can be used, incorporating mechanical, biological, and chemical measures. This study aims at estimating the effects of cover crop (CC) mixtures, various stubble tillage methods, and glyphosate treatments on black-grass, volunteer wheat and total weed infestation. Two experimental trials were conducted in Southwestern Germany including seven weed management treatments: flat soil tillage, deep soil tillage, ploughing, single glyphosate application, dual glyphosate application, and a CC mixture sown in a mulch-till and no-till system. An untreated control treatment without any processing was also included. Weed species were identified and counted once per month from October until December. The CC mixtures achieved a black-grass control efficacy of up to 100%, whereas stubble tillage and the single glyphosate treatment did not reduce the black-grass population, on the contrary it induced an increase of black-grass plants. The dual glyphosate application showed, similar to the CC treatments, best results for total weed and volunteer wheat reduction. The results demonstrated, that well developed CCs have a great ability for weed control and highlight that soil conservation systems do not have to rely on chemical weed control practices.
District Scale GHG Emission Indicators for Canadian Field Crop and Livestock Production
Authors: Dyer James A. , Vergé Xavier P. C. , Desjardins Raymond L. , Worth Devon E.
Published: September 2018

The three main farm products from Canadian agriculture, i.e., proteins, vegetable oils, and carbohydrates, account for 98% of the land in annual crops in Canada. The intensities and efficiencies of these field crops in relation to their Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions were assessed for their value as land use change indicators. To facilitate spatial comparisons, this assessment was carried out at the Ecodistrict (ED) scale. The Unified Livestock Industry and Crop Emissions Estimation System (ULICEES) model was modified to operate at the ED scale, and used to quantify the GHG emission intensity of protein. GHG emissions were also calculated for plant products not used for livestock feed. The livestock GHG emissions and GHG-protein intensities estimated using ED scale inputs to ULICEES were reasonably close to GHG-protein intensities generated by the version of ULICEES driven by provincial scale census data. Carbohydrates were split into two groups, i.e., whether or not they supported livestock. Annual farm product data at 5-year intervals were used to generate GHG emissions from all farm operations. The range of GHG emissions from all farm operations in Western Canada was from 42 to 54 Mt CO2e between in 1991 and 2011, while GHG emissions from livestock ranged from 22 to 34 Mt CO2e over the same period. The Eastern Canadian GHG emissions from all farm operations declined gradually from 24 to 22 Mt CO2e over the period, with most of the eastern GHG emissions being from livestock. Ruminant livestock accounted for most of the livestock GHG emissions, particularly in the west. Provincial scale GHG emission efficiencies of the four farm product groups were assessed on a per-unit of GHG emissions basis for 2006. The most GHG-efficient province for protein was Ontario, whereas the most GHG-efficient province for all three plant products was Saskatchewan. The coastal provinces were the least GHG-efficient sources of all four farm product groups.
Road Transport of Farm Animals: Mortality, Morbidity, Species and Country of Origin at a Southern Italian Control Post
Authors: Padalino Barbara , Tullio Daniele , Cannone Saverio , Bozzo Giancarlo
Published: September 2018

Statistics on animal transport and its implications for health and welfare are limited. This study documented the animals transiting through a control post and their welfare outcomes measured by mortality rate and the prevalence of animals considered unfit for further transport (i.e., morbidity). Reports filed by the director of the control post and Official Veterinarians from 2010 to 2015 were analyzed. A total of 60,454 (54.2%) sheep/goats, 45,749 (41.0%) cattle, and 5333 (4.8%) pigs travelled in 225 (16.2%), 1116 (80.2%) and 50 (3.6%) trucks, respectively. Trucks coming mainly from France (71.3%), Spain (14.0%), and Ireland (7.4%) went mainly to Greece (95.4%), which was also the most common nationality of the transport companies (44.6%). Cases of mortality and/or morbidity were reported for only 11 out of the 1391 trucks (0.8%). The average mortality and morbidity rates were 0.025% and 0.010%, with maximum values for transport of lambs (0.084%, and 0.019%). Species of animal being transported and space allowance were associated with the measured welfare outcomes (p < 0.05). Overall, this study provided statistics based on official surveillance reports, suggesting that small space allowance during long haul transportation of sheep/goats may affect their health and welfare.
Adverse Hemodynamic Conditions Associated with Mechanical Heart Valve Leaflet Immobility
Authors: Khalili Fardin , Gamage Peshala P. T. , Sandler Richard H. , Mansy Hansen A.
Published: September 2018

Artificial heart valves may dysfunction, leading to thrombus and/or pannus formations. Computational fluid dynamics is a promising tool for improved understanding of heart valve hemodynamics that quantify detailed flow velocities and turbulent stresses to complement Doppler measurements. This combined information can assist in choosing optimal prosthesis for individual patients, aiding in the development of improved valve designs, and illuminating subtle changes to help guide more timely early intervention of valve dysfunction. In this computational study, flow characteristics around a bileaflet mechanical heart valve were investigated. The study focused on the hemodynamic effects of leaflet immobility, specifically, where one leaflet does not fully open. Results showed that leaflet immobility increased the principal turbulent stresses (up to 400%), and increased forces and moments on both leaflets (up to 600% and 4000%, respectively). These unfavorable conditions elevate the risk of blood cell damage and platelet activation, which are known to cascade to more severe leaflet dysfunction. Leaflet immobility appeared to cause maximal velocity within the lateral orifices. This points to the possible importance of measuring maximal velocity at the lateral orifices by Doppler ultrasound (in addition to the central orifice, which is current practice) to determine accurate pressure gradients as markers of valve dysfunction.
Intravenous Infusion of Nucleated Peripheral Blood Cells Restores Fertility in Mice with Chemotherapy-Induced Premature Ovarian Failure
Authors: El Andaloussi Abdeljabar , Igboeli Prosper , Amer Amero , Al-Hendy Ayman
Published: September 2018

Cancer treatment with specific chemotherapeutic agents has been well documented to have an adverse impact on female fertility leading to premature ovarian failure (POF). The objective of this study is to investigate if chemotherapeutic induced POF can be reversed by the infusion of autologous nucleated peripheral blood cells (PBMC). To reach our goal, mice were treated with a single intraperitoneal injections of busulfan and cyclophosphamide to induce POF. This was followed by transfusion of PBMC. The ovarian morphology and functional parameters were monitored by radioimmunoassay, real-time PCR, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry analysis. Our study showed that chemotherapy (CTX) protracted estrous cycle period and repressed E2 production. In addition, CTX decreased the expressions of steroidogenesis markers, CYP-17 synthesis, StAR (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein), and Connexin-43 protein expression in the ovarian follicles. We also observed reduced numbers and sizes of the primordial and primary follicles in CTX-treated mice compared to untreated controls (p < 0.05). When both CTX and untreated control groups were stimulated with gonadotrophin, the control group produced ten times more ova than the CTX group. Finally, the treatment of premature ovarian failure induced by CTX with autologous PBMC transfusion resulted in over-expression and a statistically significant increase in several stem cell markers and restoration of fertility. Infusion with PBMC in CTX further decreased the estrous cycle length by 2.5 times (p < 0.01). We found that transfusion of autologous PBMC to mice with chemotherapy induced POF was very effective at restoring fertility. These results are similar to other studies using bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells.
Motivational Climate in Youth Football Players
Authors: Castro-Sánchez Manuel , Zurita-Ortega Félix , Ubago-Jiménez José , Ramírez-Granizo Irwin , Chacón-Cuberos Ramón
Published: September 2018

(1) Background: In recent decades, the psychology of sport has gained special relevance in this field, due to the influence of psychological variables on sports performance and the regularity of sports practice. The aim of this research is to analyse the motivational climate of footballers. (2) Methods: This study uses a descriptive cross-sectional design on a sample of 156 adolescent football players, using an ad-hoc questionnaire for the recording of socio-demographic variables and the PMCSQ-2 questionnaire on motivational climate in sport. (3) Results: The results of the present investigation indicate that footballers are more oriented towards task than ego, sportsmen who compete in Honor Division being the those who are more oriented towards ego and those of National Division being more oriented towards task. (4) Conclusions: The main conclusion of this research is those who are the motivational climate is related to the division in which the players compete.
Factors Secreted by Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts that Sustain Cancer Stem Properties in Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma Cells as Potential Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Álvarez-Teijeiro Saúl , García-Inclán Cristina , Villaronga M. Ángeles , Casado Pedro , Hermida-Prado Francisco , Granda-Díaz Rocío , Rodrigo Juan P. , Calvo Fernando , Del-Río-Ibisate Nagore , Gandarillas Alberto , Morís Francisco , Hermsen Mario , Cutillas Pedro , García-Pedrero Juana M.
Published: September 2018

This study investigates for the first time the crosstalk between stromal fibroblasts and cancer stem cell (CSC) biology in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), with the ultimate goal of identifying effective therapeutic targets. The effects of conditioned media from cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and normal fibroblasts (NFs) on the CSC phenotype were assessed by combining functional and expression analyses in HNSCC-derived cell lines. Further characterization of CAFs and NFs secretomes by mass spectrometry was followed by pharmacologic target inhibition. We demonstrate that factors secreted by CAFs but not NFs, in the absence of serum/supplements, robustly increased anchorage-independent growth, tumorsphere formation, and CSC-marker expression. Modulators of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGFR), and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) activity were identified as paracrine cytokines/factors differentially secreted between CAFs and NFs, in a mass spectrometry analysis. Furthermore, pharmacologic inhibition of EGFR, IGFR, and PDGFR significantly reduced CAF-induced tumorsphere formation and anchorage-independent growth suggesting a role of these receptor tyrosine kinases in sustaining the CSC phenotype. These findings provide novel insights into tumor stroma–CSC communication, and potential therapeutic targets to effectively block the CAF-enhanced CSC niche signaling circuit.
Porosity Characterization of Cold Sprayed Stainless Steel Coating Using Three-Dimensional X-ray Microtomography
Authors: Wang Yingying , Adrien Jérôme , Normand Bernard
Published: September 2018

Cold gas-dynamic spray (cold spray) is an evolving coating deposition and restoration technology in which particles are deposited above the sonic speed. This paper presents the non-destructive three-dimensional characterization of cold sprayed stainless steel coating. The visualization of coating morphology and volumetric porosity and the analyses of porosity size and spatial distributions confirmed that dense stainless steel coating with non-connected, micron-sized gradient porosity can be successfully produced by cold spray. The suitability of X-ray tomography for characterizing cold sprayed coatings was also assessed.
Selective Area Growth and Structural Characterization of GaN Nanostructures on Si(111) Substrates
Authors: Roshko Alexana , Brubaker Matt , Blanchard Paul , Harvey Todd , Bertness Kris A.
Published: September 2018

Selective area growth (SAG) of GaN nanowires and nanowalls on Si(111) substrates with AlN and GaN buffer layers grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy was studied. For N-polar samples filling of SAG features increased with decreasing lattice mismatch between the SAG and buffer. Defects related to Al–Si eutectic formation were observed in all samples, irrespective of lattice mismatch and buffer layer polarity. Eutectic related defects in the Si surface caused voids in N-polar samples, but not in metal-polar samples. Likewise, inversion domains were present in N-polar, but not metal-polar samples. The morphology of Ga-polar GaN SAG on nitride buffered Si(111) was similar to that of homoepitaxial GaN SAG.
Dynamic Virtual Network Reconfiguration Method for Hybrid Multiple Failures Based on Weighted Relative Entropy
Authors: Su Yuze , Meng Xiangru , Kang Qiaoyan , Han Xiaoyang
Published: September 2018

Network virtualization can offer more flexibility and better manageability for next generation Internet. With the increasing deployments of virtual networks in military and commercial networks, a major challenge is to ensure virtual network survivability against hybrid multiple failures. In this paper, we study the problem of recovering virtual networks affected by hybrid multiple failures in substrate networks and provide an integer linear programming formulation to solve it. We propose a heuristic algorithm to tackle the complexity of the integer linear programming formulation, which includes a faulty virtual network reconfiguration ranking method based on weighted relative entropy, a hybrid multiple failures ranking algorithm, and a virtual node migration method based on weighted relative entropy. In the faulty virtual network reconfiguration ranking method based on weighted relative entropy and virtual node migration method based on weighted relative entropy, multiple ranking indicators are combined in a suitable way based on weighted relative entropy. In the hybrid multiple failures ranking algorithm, the virtual node and its connective virtual links are re-embedded, firstly. Evaluation results show that our heuristic method not only has the best acceptance ratio and normal operation ratio, but also achieves the highest long-term average revenue to cost ratio compared with other virtual network reconfiguration methods.
Entropy Contribution to the Line Tension: Insights from Polymer Physics, Water String Theory, and the Three-Phase Tension
Authors: Bormashenko Edward
Published: September 2018

The notion of three-phase (line) tension remains one of the most disputable notions in surface science. A very broad range of its values has been reported. Experts even do not agree on the sign of line tension. The polymer-chain-like model of three-phase (triple) line enables rough estimation of entropic input into the value of line tension, estimated as Γ e n ≅ k B T d m ≅ 10 − 11 N , where d m is the diameter of the liquid molecule. The introduction of the polymer-chain-like model of the triple line is justified by the “water string” model of the liquid state, predicting strong orientation effects for liquid molecules located near hydrophobic moieties. The estimated value of the entropic input into the line tension is close to experimental findings, reported by various groups, and seems to be relevant for the understanding of elastic properties of biological membranes.
Bidirectional DC Converter with Frequency Control: Analysis and Implementation
Authors: Lin Bor-Ren , Huang Yen-Chieh
Published: September 2018

In this paper, a direct current (dc) converter with the abilities of bidirectional power transfer and soft switching characteristics is studied and implemented. The circuit schematic of the developed dc converter is built by a half-bridge converter and a center-tapped rectifier with synchronous rectifier. Under forward power transfer, a half-bridge circuit is controlled to regulate the low-voltage side at a stable value. For backward power transfer, a center-tapped rectifier with synchronous rectifier is regulated to control the high-voltage side at the desired voltage value, and the half-bridge circuit is operated as a voltage doubler rectifier. Active power devices are operated at zero-voltage switching using a series resonant technique on the high-voltage side with frequency modulation and inductive load operation. The practicability of the developed converter is established from experiments with a laboratory prototype circuit.
An Analysis of the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Problem for Distributed Energy Systems
Authors: Li Yanbin , Shao Shuangshuang , Zhang Feng
Published: September 2018

Choosing a distributed energy system (DES) is a multi-criteria decision-making problem. Decision-makers should not only consider the cost of the system, but also consider the energy efficiency and environmental protection of the system. In order to help decision-makers choose the best DES, this paper designs seven different DESs based on specific examples, using five criteria: investment cost, operation cost, primary energy consumption, primary energy utilization, and yearly CO2 emission. Additionally, three methods of super-efficiency Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), and Complex Proportional Assessment (COPRAS) are used to evaluate the system priority and analyze the sensitivity under different decision-making scenarios. The results show that when decision-makers only consider cost factors, traditional systems are the best choice. However, renewable energy systems are the best choice when decision-makers consider energy efficiency and environmental protection rather than cost. Among them, the photovoltaic storage system is the best system in many decision-making scenarios, because of its comprehensive advantages in cost, energy efficiency, and environmental benefit. Simultaneously, the system’s prioritization of different decision-making methods is different. In this paper, according to the Spearman correlation index test, the results achieved from TOPSIS and COPRAS are relevant and feasible.
Influences on High-Voltage Electro Pulse Boring in Granite
Authors: Li Changping , Duan Longchen , Tan Songcheng , Chikhotkin Victor
Published: September 2018

As the exploration and drilling of oil, natural gas and geothermal wells are expanding continuously, research into high-efficiency rock drilling technology is imperative. High-voltage electro pulse boring (EPB) has the advantages of high rock breaking efficiency and good wall quality, and is a new and efficient potential method of rock breaking. The design of electrode drill bits and the selection of drilling process parameters are the main obstacles restricting the commercialization of EPB. Accordingly, it is necessary to determine the influences on high-voltage EPB. In this study, based on the equivalent circuit of high-voltage electro pulse breakdown, a mathematical model of high-voltage electro pulse discharge in rock is established. Meanwhile, a numerical simulation model of high-voltage EPB of hard granite is established based on a coaxial cylindrical electrode structure, which is often used for electrode drill bits. The simulation analysis software Comsol Multiphysics (Comsol Multiphysics®5.3a, COMSOL Co., Ltd., Stockholm, Sweden) is used to study the influences of granite composition, electrode spacing and electrode shape on the high-voltage EPB process. In addition, the influences of electrical parameters on high-voltage EPB are calculated according to a model of high-voltage electro pulse discharge in rock. Finally, it is demonstrated that high-voltage EPB is influenced by granite composition, electrical parameters, electrode spacing, and electrode shape, and the relationships between these factors are obtained. This study is of guiding significance for improving rock breaking efficiency, reducing energy loss, designing electrode drill bits and selecting drilling process parameters.
Enhancing Green Building Rating of a School under the Hot Climate of UAE; Renewable Energy Application and System Integration
Authors: Al Dakheel Joud , Tabet Aoul Kheira , Hassan Ahmed
Published: September 2018

Similar to many fast growing countries, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) witnessed fast population and urbanization growth. The building sector accounts for a major share of its electricity consumption, reaching up to 70%. To encourage sustainable development and reduce energy consumption and emissions, the government introduced a sustainability initiative called “Estidama”, which employs the use of the Pearl Building Rating System (PBRS). Government buildings, which constitute 20% of the built environment, aim to lead the way, and are therefore required to attain a high level of achievement, based on their PBRS ranking (minimum of two out of five pearls). Schools, led by Abu Dhabi Educational Council (ADEC), are governmental buildings and aim to attain a higher level of achievement (three out of five pearls). The ADEC plans to build one hundred schools to be built by 2020, through its Future Schools Program. Over half of the schools have been completed, but only 20% reached the targeted rating (of three out of five pearls). The Renewable Energy (RE) application in the UAE is minimal, although it represents 25% of the local rating code. The objective of this paper is to explore the sustainable performance of one representative school that did not reach the desired green rating level, with the objective to assess opportunities for an enhanced performance. This is done through testing the performance and the application of three RE systems comprising of photovoltaics (PV) array, an absorption cooling system and a geothermal cooling system through Transient Systems Simulation (TRNSYS) software. Cumulatively, implementation of these options results in RE potentially contributing to 19% of the school’s annual energy consumption, enhancing the school’s performance by up to 14 additional credit points, and reaching the target level of achievement (a three pearl rating). Furthermore, system integration of RE into the existing school were also considered. Results indicate the significant potential of integrating RE systems in future schools in hot climatic contexts, for an improved energy performance.
Nonlinear Temperature-Dependent State Model of Cylindrical LiFePO4 Battery for Open-Circuit Voltage, Terminal Voltage and State-of-Charge Estimation with Extended Kalman Filter
Authors: Chin Cheng Siong , Gao Zuchang , Chiew Joel Hay King , Zhang Caizhi
Published: September 2018

Ambient temperature affects the performance of a battery power system and its accuracy in state-of-charge (SOC) estimation for electric vehicles and smart grid systems. This paper proposes a battery model that considered ambient temperature, cell temperature, hysteresis voltage and thermal aging on capacity due to multiple charging and discharging. The SOC is then estimated using an extended Kalman filter. Several forms of validation were tested on an actual cell battery under specific ambient temperatures to verify the battery cell model, terminal voltage and SOC estimation performance. The SOC estimation results show an improvement in root-mean-squared error as compared to Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) without considering the temperature dependency. The proposed battery temperature-dependent model gave a smaller root-mean square error in SOC and terminal voltage at 5 °C, 15 °C and 45 °C.
Leveraging Hybrid Filter for Improving Quasi-Type-1 Phase Locked Loop Targeting Fast Transient Response
Authors: Li Yunlu , Yang Junyou , Wang Haixin , Ge Weichun , Ma Yiming
Published: September 2018

In renewable energy generation applications, phase locked loop (PLL) is one of the most popular grid synchronization technique. The main objective of PLL is to rapidly and precisely extract phase and frequency especially when the grid voltage is under non-ideal conditions. This motivates the recent development of moving average filters (MAFs) based PLL in a quasi-type-1 system (i.e., QT1-PLL). Despite its success in certain applications, the transient response is still unsatisfactory, mainly due to the fact that the time delay caused by MAFs is still large. This has significantly limited the utilization of QT1-PLL, according to common grid codes such as German and Spanish grid codes. This challenge has been tackled in this paper. The basic idea is to develop a new hybrid filtering stage, consisting of adaptive notch filters (ANFs) and MAFs, arranged at the inner loop of QT1-PLL. Such an idea can greatly improve the transient response of QT1-PLL, owing to the fact that ANFs are utilized to remove the fundamental frequency negative voltage sequence (FFNS) component while other dominant harmonics can be removed by MAFs with a small time delay. By applying the proposed technique, the settling time is reduced to less than one cycle of grid frequency without any degradation in filtering capability. Moreover, the proposed PLL can be easily expanded to handle dc offset rejection. The effectiveness is validated by comprehensive experiments.
Intelligent Communication in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Bendjima Mostefa , Feham Mohammed
Published: September 2018

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) are designed to collect information by means of a large number of energy-limited battery sensor nodes. Therefore, it is important to minimize the energy consumed by each sensor, in order to extend the network life. The goal of this work is to design an intelligent WSN that collects as much information as possible to process it intelligently. To achieve this goal, an agent is sent to each sensor in order to process the information and to cooperate with neighboring sensors while mobile agents (MA) can be used to reduce information shared between source nodes (SN) and send them to the base station (Sink). This work proposes to use communication architecture for wireless sensor networks based on the multi-agent system (MAS) to ensure optimal information collection. The collaboration of these agents generates a simple message that summarizes the important information in order to transmit it by a mobile agent. To reduce the size of the MA, the sensors of the network have been grouped into sectors. For each MA, we have established an optimal itinerary, consuming a minimum amount of energy with data aggregation efficiency in a minimum time. Successive simulations in large-scale wireless sensor networks through the SINALGO (published under a BSD license) simulator show the performance of the proposed method, in terms of energy consumption and package delivery rate.
Fast Univariate Time Series Prediction of Solar Power for Real-Time Control of Energy Storage System
Authors: Majidpour Mostafa , Nazaripouya Hamidreza , Chu Peter , Pota Hemanshu , Gadh Rajit
Published: September 2018

In this paper, super-short-term prediction of solar power generation for applications in dynamic control of energy system has been investigated. In order to follow and satisfy the dynamics of the controller, the deployed prediction method should have a fast response time. To this end, this paper proposes fast prediction methods to provide the control system with one step ahead of solar power generation. The proposed methods are based on univariate time series prediction. That is, instead of using external data such as the weather forecast as the input of prediction algorithms, they solely rely on past values of solar power data, hence lowering the volume and acquisition time of input data. In addition, the selected algorithms are able to generate the forecast output in less than a second. The proposed methods in this paper are grounded on four well-known prediction algorithms including Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA), K-Nearest Neighbors (kNN), Support Vector Regression (SVR), and Random Forest (RF). The speed and accuracy of the proposed algorithms have been compared based on two different error measures, Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Symmetric Mean Absolute Percentage Error (SMAPE). Real world data collected from the PV installation at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) are used for prediction purposes. The results show that kNN and RF have better predicting performance with respect to SMAPE and MAE criteria.
Impacts of Size and Deformability of β-Lactoglobulin Microgels on the Colloidal Stability and Volatile Flavor Release of Microgel-Stabilized Emulsions
Authors: Murphy Ryan W. , Zhu Lijie , Narsimhan Ganesan , Jones Owen Griffith
Published: September 2018

Emulsions can be prepared from protein microgel particles as an alternative to traditional emulsifiers. Prior experiments have indicated that smaller and more deformable microgels would decrease both the physical destabilization of emulsions and the diffusion-based losses of entrapped volatile molecules. The microgels were prepared from β-lactoglobulin with an average diameter of 150 nm, 231 nm, or 266 nm; large microgels were cross-linked to decrease their deformability. Dilute emulsions of 15–50 μm diameter were prepared with microgels by high shear mixing. Light scattering and microscopy showed that the emulsions prepared with larger, untreated microgels possessed a larger initial droplet size, but were resistant to droplet growth during storage or after acidification, increased ionic strength, and exposure to surfactants. The emulsions prepared with cross-linked microgels emulsions were the least resistant to flocculation, creaming, and shrinkage. All emulsion droplets shrank as limonene was lost during storage, and the inability of microgels to desorb caused droplets to become non-spherical. The microgels were not displaced by Tween 20 but were displaced by excess sodium dodecyl sulfate. Hexanol diffusion and associated shrinkage of pendant droplets was not prevented by any of the microgels, yet the rate of shrinkage was reduced with the largest microgels.
Food Insecurity and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors among Mississippi Adults
Authors: Mendy Vincent L. , Vargas Rodolfo , Cannon-Smith Gerri , Payton Marinelle , Enkhmaa Byambaa , Zhang Lei
Published: September 2018

Background: Food insecurity is a public health problem. There is limited data on food insecurity in Mississippi. Methods: We analyzed data from the 2015 Mississippi Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which included the Social Context Module for 5870 respondents. Respondents who indicated that in the past 12 months they were “always”, “usually”, or “sometimes” “worried or stressed about having enough money to buy nutritious meals” were considered food insecure. Food insecurity was compared across sociodemographic and health characteristics using chi-square tests, and the association between food insecurity and select cardiovascular disease risk factors was assessed using logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of food insecurity was 42.9%. Compared to the referent group, Mississippi adults with high blood pressure had 51% higher odds, those with diabetes had 30% higher odds, those who were not physically active had 36% higher odds, and those who consumed fewer than five fruits and vegetables daily had 50% higher odds of being food insecure. Conclusion: Among Mississippi adults, food insecurity is associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, fruit and vegetable consumption, physical inactivity, and smoking.
Multi-Depot Open Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows Based on Carbon Trading
Authors: Shen Ling , Tao Fengming , Wang Songyi
Published: September 2018

In order to cut the costs of third-party logistics companies and respond to the Chinese government’s low-carbon economy plans, this paper studies the more practical and complex open vehicle routing problem, which considers low-carbon trading policies. A low-carbon multi-depot open vehicle routing problem with time windows (MDOVRPTW) model is constructed with minimum total costs, which include the driver’s salary, penalty costs, fuel costs and carbon emissions trading costs. Then, a two-phase algorithm is proposed to handle the model. In the first phase, the initial local solution is obtained with particle swarm optimization (PSO); in the second phase, we can obtain a global optimal solution through a further tabu search (TS). Experiments proved that the proposed algorithm is more suitable for small-scale cases. Furthermore, a series of experiments with different values of carbon prices and carbon quotas are conducted. The results of the study indicate that, as carbon trading prices and carbon quotas change, total costs, carbon emission trading costs and carbon emissions are affected accordingly. Based on these academic results, this paper presents some effective proposals for the government’s carbon trading policy-making and also for logistics companies to have better route planning under carbon emission constraints.
Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Associated Factors among Vegetarians in Malaysia
Authors: Ching Yuan Kei , Chin Yit Siew , Appukutty Mahenderan , Gan Wan Ying , Ramanchadran Vasudevan , Chan Yoke Mun
Published: September 2018

The prevalence and factors associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) remain unknown in Malaysian vegetarians. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of MetS among vegetarians in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor and its associated factors. The data on socio-demographic characteristics, vegetarianism practises, lifestyle behaviours, body weight, height, waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and blood lipid profiles were collected from 273 vegetarians. A majority of the respondents were lacto-ovo vegetarians (44.0%), females (64.8%) and Chinese (54.9%). The prevalence of MetS was 24.2%. High BP (48.7%) and high WC (43.6%) were the most common MetS components. Females had lower WC, SBP, DBP, FBG, TG and higher HDL-c (p < 0.05) as compared to males. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that being overweight and obese (Odds Ratio (OR) = 7.74, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 4.04–14.82) was the main risk factor of MetS after being adjusted for sex and age. This study found that one in four vegetarians had MetS. An intervention programme should be developed to reduce Body Mass Index (BMI) among vegetarians, especially among those who are found to be overweight and obese.
Insights into the Influence of Specific Splicing Events on the Structural Organization of LRRK2
Authors: Vlachakis Dimitrios , Labrou Nikolaos E. , Iliopoulos Costas , Hardy John , Lewis Patrick A. , Rideout Hardy , Trabzuni Daniah
Published: September 2018

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) is a large protein of unclear function. Rare mutations in the LRRK2 gene cause familial Parkinson’s disease (PD) and inflammatory bowel disease. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed significant association of the abovementioned diseases at the LRRK2 locus. Cell and systems biology research has led to potential roles that LRRK2 may have in PD pathogenesis, especially the kinase domain (KIN). Previous human expression studies showed evidence of mRNA expression and splicing patterns that may contribute to our understanding of the function of LRRK2. In this work, we investigate and identified significant regional differences in LRRK2 expression at the mRNA level, including a number of splicing events in the Ras of complex protein (Roc) and C-terminal of Roc domain (COR) of LRRK2, in the substantia nigra (SN) and occipital cortex (OCTX). Our findings indicate that the predominant form of LRRK2 mRNA is full length, with shorter isoforms present at a lower copy number. Our molecular modelling study suggests that splicing events in the ROC/COR domains will have major consequences on the enzymatic function and dimer formation of LRRK2. The implications of these are highly relevant to the broader effort to understand the biology and physiological functions of LRRK2, and to better characterize the role(s) of LRRK2 in the underlying mechanism leading to PD.
Cell Lineage Choice during Haematopoiesis: In Honour of Professor Antonius Rolink
Authors: Brown Geoffrey , Ceredig Rhodri
Published: September 2018

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Involvement of NOS2 Activity on Human Glioma Cell Growth, Clonogenic Potential, and Neurosphere Generation
Authors: Palumbo Paola , Lombardi Francesca , Siragusa Giuseppe , Dehcordi Soheila Raysi , Luzzi Sabino , Cimini AnnaMaria , Cifone Maria Grazia , Cinque Benedetta
Published: September 2018

Aberrant nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) expression has been suggested as an interesting therapeutic target that is being implicated as a component of the molecular profile of several human malignant tumors, including glioblastoma, which is the most aggressive brain tumor with limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of 1400W, a specific NOS2 inhibitor, on human glioma cells in terms of clonogenic potential, proliferation, migration rate, and neurosphere generation ability. NOS2 expression was determined by Western blotting. Nitric oxide (NO) production was measured through nitrite level determination. The trypan blue exclusion test and the plate colony formation assay were performed to evaluate cell proliferation and clonogenic potential. Cell proliferation and migration ability was assessed by the in vitro wound-healing assay. Neurosphere generation in a specific stemcell medium was investigated. NOS2 was confirmed to be expressed in both the glioma cell line and a human glioma primary culture, and overexpressed in relative derived neurospheres. Experiments that aimed to evaluate the influence of 1400W on U-87 MG, T98G (glioblastoma cell lines) and primary glioma cells sustained the crucial role played by NOS2 in proliferation, colony formation, migration, and neurosphere generation, thus supporting the emerging relevance of a NOS2/NO system as a prognostic factor for glioma malignancy and recurrence.
Experimental Study of the Mechanical Behaviour of Bricks from 19th and 20th Century Buildings in the Province of Zamora (Spain)
Authors: Ramos Gavilán Ana Belén , Rodríguez Esteban María Ascensión , Antón Iglesias María Natividad , Sáez Perez María Paz , Camino Olea María Soledad , Caballero Valdizán Julen
Published: September 2018

Interventions in historic brick buildings require an exhaustive analysis of the current characteristics of bricks in order to establish the role performed by these elements in the buildings. This study presents the results of an experimental analysis of the compressive strength of brick specimens extracted from different buildings built in the 19th and 20th centuries in the province of Zamora (Spain). The study analyses specimens with very different characteristics to compare results from different masonry units and manufacturing processes. Specimens are classified into four groups according to their macroscopic and microscopic analyses. Compressive strength results are correlated to the above classification and to the results of density, absorption and open porosity of the samples. The compressive strength results present high variation between clay bricks (9.2–64.4 N/mm2) and between samples extracted from the same brick due to the heterogeneity of the material. Correlations between compressive strength and open porosity, absorption and dry density values are observed, with less dispersion in the case of high sintering level, up to 1000 °C. Finally, the compliance with the current Spanish Technical Building Code with respect to their compressive strength is checked.
Do Pentraxins Bind to Fungi in Invasive Human Gastrointestinal Candidiasis?
Authors: Golconda Umamaheshwari , Sobonya Richard E. , Klotz Stephen A.
Published: September 2018

Tissue from 13 autopsy cases with invasive gastrointestinal candidiasis was studied for the binding of the pentraxins, C-reactive protein (CRP), pentraxin 3 (PTX3), and serum amyloid P component (SAP) to fungal surfaces. Invasive candidal infection was demonstrated using a hematoxylin and eosin stain and a Gomori methenamine silver stain (GMS). Immunohistochemistry was performed with CRP and PTX3 monoclonal antibodies and did not demonstrate CRP or PTX3 bound to fungi (0 of 13 cases), although CRP was extensively deposited on human tissue. A polyclonal antibody to SAP showed that SAP was bound to fungi in 12 of 13 cases. Although all three pentraxins have been reported to bind to fungi or bacteria, only SAP was bound to filamentous and yeast forms of Candida in human tissue, as detected by immunohistochemistry. SAP was abundantly present on fungi and may have affected the host innate immune response to the invading fungi.
O-Methyl m-Tolylcarbamothioate
Authors: Yeo Chien Ing , Tiekink Edward R. T.
Published: September 2018

The synthesis, spectroscopic, and crystallographic characterisation of the title compound, O-methyl m-tolylcarbamothioate, MeOC(=S)N(H)(m-tolyl) (1), are described. The crystallographic study confirms the structure determined by spectroscopy and shows the presence of the thioamide tautomer, a syn-disposition of the thione-S and thioamide-N-H atoms and, in the crystal, thioamide-N-H…S(thione) hydrogen bonding leading to an eight-membered {…HNCS}2 synthon.
A Multiscale Analysis on the Superelasticity Behavior of Architected Shape Memory Alloy Materials
Authors: Xu Rui , Bouby Céline , Zahrouni Hamid , Ben Zineb Tarak , Hu Heng , Potier-Ferry Michel
Published: September 2018

In this paper, the superelasticity effects of architected shape memory alloys (SMAs) are focused on by using a multiscale approach. Firstly, a parametric analysis at the cellular level with a series of representative volume elements (RVEs) is carried out to predict the relations between the void fraction, the total stiffness, the hysteresis effect and the mass of the SMAs. The superelasticity effects of the architected SMAs are modeled by the thermomechanical constitutive model proposed by Chemisky et al. 2011. Secondly, the structural responses of the architected SMAs are studied by the multilevel finite element method (FE 2 ), which uses the effective constitutive behavior of the RVE to represent the behavior of the macroscopic structure. This approach can truly couple the responses of both the RVE level and structural level by the real-time information interactions between two levels. Through a three point bending test, it is observed that the structure inherits the strong nonlinear responses—both the hysteresis effect and the superelasticity—of the architected SMAs at the cellular level. Furthermore, the influence of the void fraction at the RVE level to the materials’ structural responses can be more specifically and directly described, instead of using an RVE to predict at the microscopic level. Thus, this work could be referred to for optimizing the stiffness, the hysteresis effect and the mass of architected SMA structures and extended for possible advanced applications.