bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protective Effects of Indole-3-Carbinol-Loaded Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Nanoparticles Against Glutamate-Induced Neurotoxicity
Authors: Jeong Ji Heun , Kim Jwa-Jin , Bak Dong Ho , Yu Kwang Sik , Lee Je Hun , Lee Nam Seob , Jeong Young Gil , Kim Do Kyung , Kim Dong-Kwan , Han Seung-Yun
Published: September 2015

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Nonetheless, the potential of I3C to treat neurodegenerative diseases remains unclear because of its poor ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Because polymer-based drug delivery systems stabilized
by surfactants have been intensively utilized as a strategy to cross the blood-brain barrier, we prepared I3C-loaded poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) that were stabilized by Tween 80 (T80) (I3C-PLGA-T80-NPs) and examined their neuroprotective potential in
vitro. We prepared I3C-PLGA-T80-NPs with an oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion solvent evaporation technique and confirmed their successful synthesis with both transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy. I3C-PLGA-T80-NPs were then used to treat PC12 neuronal
cells injured by glutamate excitotoxicity (GE) and examined the resulting survival rates compared with PC12 cells treated with I3C only. The 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay revealed higher survival rates in I3C-PLGA-T80-NPs-treated cells after GE injury
compared with those treated with I3C only. Furthermore, I3C-PLGA-T80-NPs decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis-related enzymes (Caspase-3 and -8) in GE-damaged neuronal cells. Taken together, I3C-PLGA-T80-NPs might possess neuroprotective effects against GE through
ROS scavenging and subsequent apoptosis blockage.
Fabrication of Magnetic Upconversion Nanohybrid for Luminescent Resonance Energy Transfer-Based Detection of Glutathione
Authors: Nguyen Phuong-Diem , Cong Vu Thanh , Son Sang Jun , Min Junhong
Published: September 2015

This study introduces the facile fabrication of a bimodal nanohybrid for the luminescent ON/OFF detection of glutathione. The proposed nanosensor consists of magnetic (Fe3O4) and upconversion nanoparticles (UCP) co-encapsulated in a silica matrix, and decorated
with gold nanoparticle (AuNP) as a luminescent quencher. The detection mechanism is based on the Luminescent Resonance Energy Transfer (LRET) between the donor (UCP) and the acceptor (AuNP) with the help of a disulfide bond as a bridging element. In the presence of glutathione, the disulfide
bridges between AuNPs and Fe3O4/UCP@SiO2 was cleaved and the amount of glutathione could be traced by the restored luminescence (ON state) of the nanohybrids after magnetic separation.
Surface Corrosion of Nanoscaled Hydroxyapatite During an In Vivo Experiment
Authors: Seo Dong Seok , Lee Jong Kook , Hwang Kyu Hong
Published: September 2015

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is widely used as a bioactive ceramics as it forms a chemical bond with bone. However, the drawback to using this material is its inferior mechanical properties. In this research, surface corrosion and disintegration of nanoscaled HA in a dog were studied, and the
mechanism by which phase-pure HA dissolved In Vivo was investigated. Biological properties of HA In Vivo are affected by the grain-boundary dissolution followed by a surface corrosion and microstructural disintegration. This kind of dissolution process, apparently evidenced at
the grain boundary, causes particle generation, which indicates that both long-term bone in-growth and mechanical properties can dramatically deteriorate. Implant dissolution by osteoclasts In Vivo is also observed on the surface of hydroxyapatite. Implant surface showed an aggressive
corrosion by an osteoclast resorption. Severe and deeper dissolution underwent close to osteoclast resulting in formation of smaller and more round particle shape.
Electrochemical Detection of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation on Fabricated Gold Nano-Dot Cell Chips
Authors: An Jeung Hee , Kim Seung U. , Park Mi-Kyung , Choi Jeong Woo
Published: September 2015

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the capacity for self-renewal and maintain pluripotency, which is defined by their ability to differentiate into cells such as osteoblasts, neurons, and glial cells. In this study, we report a method for defining the status of human MSCs based
on electrochemical detection systems. Gold nano-dot structures were fabricated using a nanoporous alumina mask, and the structural formations were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Human MSCs were allowed to attach to RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) peptide nanopatterned surfaces, and electrochemical
tools were applied to the MSCs attached on the chip surface. The cultured MSCs were shown to differentiate into neural cell types, as indicated by immunocytochemical staining for tyrosine hydroxylase and beta tubulin III. Following treatment with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for 14
days, most of the B10 cells exhibited bipolar or multipolar morphology with branched processes, and the proportion of B10 cells expressing neuronal cell markers considerably increased. Electrophysiological recordings from MSCs treated with bFGF for 5–14 days were examined with cyclic
voltammetry, and the electrochemical signals were shown to increase during differentiation from MSCs to neuronal cells. This human MSC cell line is a useful tool for studying organogenesis, specifically neurogenesis, and in addition, the cell line provides a valuable source of cells for cell
therapy. The electrochemical measurement system proposed here could be utilized in electrical cell chips for numerous applications, including cell differentiation, disease diagnosis, drug detection, and on-site monitoring.
Microgravity Separation of Alginate Empty Capsules from Encapsulated Pancreatic Islets Using a Microfluidic System
Authors: Shin Soojeong , Yoo Young Je , Hong Jong Wook
Published: September 2015

Although microencapsulated pancreatic islets have merits, such as ease of transplantation, viability and functionality improvement, and immune protection in vivo, the co-production of alginate empty capsules during the encapsulation of islets with alginate makes them unusable
for biomedical application. In previous research, the removal of empty alginate capsules with high yield was achieved using density-gradient centrifugation. Here, we report advanced microgravity-based separation techniques in a microfluidic format for alginate empty capsules. The optimal separation
conditions were mathematically evaluated using Stokes’ law and the separation of the encapsulation product was accomplished. A microfluidic chip was designed with two inlets and two outlets at different elevations to mimic the vertical percoll gradient in density-gradient centrifugation.
The separation of alginate empty capsules using microgravitational force resulted in effective separation of encapsulated islets from alginate empty capsules with more than 70% efficiency. Moreover, no loss of encapsulated islets was expected because the process is a one-pot separation, unlike
the previous method. This type of microgravitational particle separation could be used both for the fractionization of heterogeneous encapsulated cells and to remove empty capsules.
Electrochemical Characterization of Poly-L-Lysine Coating on Indium Tin Oxide Electrode for Enhancing Cell Adhesion
Authors: Choi Yonghyun , Yagati Ajay Kumar , Cho Sungbo
Published: September 2015

Nano or microelectrode-based cell chip for stimulating or recording neuronal signals requires better cell adhesion procedures in order to achieve efficient cell based assays for effective cellular diagnosis and for high throughput screening of drug candidates. The cells can be adhered
on protein pre-coated sensing electrodes, but the electrochemical characteristics of cells are highly influenced by the electrical charge of the underlying protein interface. Thus, in this study, we report on experimental and theoretical aspects of poly-L-lysine (PLL) adsorption on transparent
indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes and the interaction between PLL and human embryonic kidney 293/GFP cells. PLL coated ITO electrodes showed a lower transfer resistance compared to bare or bovine serum albumin coated ITO electrodes. In addition, they exhibited more positive potential and higher
magnitude of redox peak currents with increased immersion time of PLL solution. Finally, results of the impedance analysis showed that adhesion of cells was enhanced by PLL coating on ITO electrodes compared to bare ITO electrodes.
Platinum-Tin Nano-Catalysts Supported on Alumina for Direct Dehydrogenation of n-Butane
Authors: Lee Jong Kwon , Seo Hyun , Hong Ung Gi , Park Gle , Yoo Yeonshick , Lee Jinsuk , Chang Hosik , Song In Kyu
Published: September 2015

Al2O3 supports were prepared by a precipitation method using various basic solutions (NaOH, KOH, NH4OH, and Na2CO3) as precipitation agents, and Pt/Sn/Al2O3 nano-catalysts were then prepared by a sequential
impregnation method. The prepared catalysts were applied to the direct dehydrogenation of n-butane to n-butenes and 1,3-butadiene. The effect of precipitation agents on the physicochemical properties and catalytic activities of Pt/Sn/Al2O3 nano-catalysts
in the direct dehydrogenation of n-butane was investigated. Catalytic performance of Pt/Sn/Al2O3 nanocatalysts decreased in order of Pt/Sn/Al2O3 (NaOH) > Pt/Sn/Al2O3 (KOH) > Pt/Sn/Al2O3 (NH4OH)
> Pt/Sn/Al2O3 (Na2CO3). Among the catalysts tested, Pt/Sn/Al2O3 (NaOH) nano-catalyst showed the best catalytic performance in terms of yield for total dehydrogenation products (TDP, n-butenes and 1,3-butadiene). Hydrogen
chemisorption experiments revealed that platinum surface area of the catalyst was closely related to the catalytic performance. Yield for TDP increased with increasing platinum surface area of the catalyst.
Succinate Functionalization of Hyperbranched Polyglycerol-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles as a Draw Solute During Forward Osmosis
Authors: Yang Hee-Man , Choi Hye Min , Jang Sung-Chan , Han Myeong Jin , Seo Bum-Kyoung , Moon Jei-Kwon , Lee Kune-Woo
Published: September 2015

Hyperbranched polyglycerol-coated magnetic nanoparticles (SHPG-MNPs) were functionalized with succinate groups to form a draw solute for use in a forward osmosis (FO). After the one-step synthesis of hyperbranched polyglycerol-coated magnetic nanoparticles (HPG-MNPs), the polyglycerol
groups on the surfaces of the HPG-MNPs were functionalized with succinic anhydride moieties. The resulting SHPG-MNPs showed no change of size and magnetic property compared with HPGMNPs and displayed excellent dispersibility in water up to the concentration of 400 g/L. SHPG-MNPs solution showed
higher osmotic pressure than that of HPG-MNPs solution due to the presence of surface carboxyl groups in SHPG-MNPs and could draw water from a feed solution across an FO membrane without any reverse draw solute leakage during FO process. Moreover, the water flux remained nearly constant over
several SHPG-MNP darw solute regeneration cycles applied to the ultrafiltration (UF) process. The SHPG-MNPs demonstrate strong potential for use as a draw solute in FO processes.
Efficiency Enhancement of Tandem Organic Light-Emitting Devices Fabricated Utilizing an Organic BEDT-TTF and HAT-CN Charge Generation Layer
Authors: Kim Dae Hun , Kim Tae Whan
Published: September 2015

The electrical and optical properties of tandem organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) fabricated utilizing an organic bis(ethylenedithio)-tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF) and 1,4,5,8,9,11- hexaazatriphenylenehexacarbonitrile (HAT-CN) charge generation layer (CGL) were investigated to
enhance their efficiency. While the operating voltage of the tandem OLEDs with a BEDT-TTF and HAT-CN CGL at 50 mA/cm2 was 11.2 V lower than that of the tandem OLEDs without a CGL, the current efficiency of the tandem OLEDs with a BEDT-TTF and a HAT-CN CGL at 50 mA/cm2
was 0.8 cd/A higher than that of the tandem OLEDs without a CGL. An increase in the current efficiency and a decrease in the operating voltage of the tandem OLEDs with a BEDT-TTF and an HAT-CN CGL were attributed to the enhancement of the electron injection due to its existence in the highest
occupied molecular orbital level of the BEDT-TTF between the HAT-CN and the tris-(8- hydroxyquinoline)aluminum layer.
Efficiency Enhancement Mechanisms in Tandem Organic Light-Emitting Devices Fabricated Utilizing a Mixed LCV: HAT-CN Layer Embedded Into a Charge Generation Layer
Authors: Koh Eun Im , Kim Dae Hun , Kim Tae Whan
Published: September 2015

Tandem organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) with a mixed organic n-type 4,4′,4″-methylidynetris (n,n-dimethylaniline) and organic p-type 1,4,5,8,9,11-hexaazatriphenylenehexacarbonitrile layer embedded into a charge generation layer (CGL) were
fabricated to enhance their current efficiency. The operating voltage of the tandem OLEDs with a mixed layer at 10 mA/cm2 was 1 V lower than that of the tandem OLEDs without a mixed layer due to the electrons generated from the mixed layer. The matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization-time-of-flight
mass spectrometer spectra clarified the charge generation behaviors of the mixed layer into the CGL. The current efficiency of the tandem OLEDs with a mixed layer at 10 mA/cm2 was 48.2 cd/A, which was much larger than that without a mixed layer. The increase in the current efficiency
for the tandem OLEDs was attributed to the enhancement of the electron injection efficiency in a CGL resulting from the insertion of the mixed layer.
The Effect of Scattering Layer on the Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Using TiO2 Hollow Spheres/TiO2 Nanoparticles Films as Photoanodes
Authors: Park Su Kyung , Suh Soong-Hyuck , Lee Min Woo , Yun Tae Kwan , Bae Jae Young
Published: September 2015

TiO2 hollow spheres were successfully synthesized using poly styrene as the template. Dyesensitized solar cells are fabricated based on double-layered composite films of TiO2 nanoparticles and TiO2 hollow spheres. The photoelectric conversion performances
of Dye-sensitized solar cells based on TiO2 nanoparticles/TiO2 nanoparticles, TiO2 nanoparticles/TiO2 hollow spheres and TiO2 hollow spheres/TiO2 hollow spheres double-layered films are investigated, and their photoelectric
conversion efficiencies were determined to 4.52, 7.10 and 5.48%, respectively. Dye-sensitized solar cells based on double layered composite films of TiO2 nanoparticles and TiO2 hollow spheres exhibit the highest photo-electric conversion efficiency mainly due to the combined
effect of two factors, the high light scattering of over-layer hollow spheres that enhance harvesting light of the Dye-sensitized solar cells and the under-layer TiO2 nanoparticle layer that ensures good electronic contact between TiO2 film and FTO conducting glass. The
double layered composite TiO2 film electrodes are a promising development in enhancing the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells.
Microstructural and Electrochemical Properties of LiCoO2 Thin Films Prepared by Metal-Induced Crystallization
Authors: Cho Gyubong , Joo Hyeonwoo , Lee Hyunsuk , Nam Taehyun , Choi Hyonkwang , Huh Sunchul , Choi Byeongkeun , Jeong Hyomin , Noh Jungpil
Published: September 2015

LiCoO2 thin films were fabricated using the metal-induced crystallization (MIC) method. The effect of MIC on the microstructural and electrochemical properties of the films was investigated. The crystal structures and surface morphologies of the deposited films were investigated
by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and field emission electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Charge–discharge tests were carried out in order to examine the electrochemical properties of the films. The LiCoO2 thin film fabricated using MIC exhibited better microstructural
and electrochemical properties at a lower annealing temperature.
Preparation of Gold Nanoparticles Deposited Silicon Thin Film Electrode by Self-Assembly Method for the Employment of an Anode Material for Lithium Secondary Batteries
Authors: Halim Martin , Kim Jung Sub , Nguyen Si Hieu , Jeon Bup Ju , Lee Joong Kee
Published: September 2015

This work describes a self-assembly method of gold nanoparticles coating on the surface of silicon thin films for the anode material of lithium secondary batteries. The preparation of the silicon thin films was carried out by electron cyclotron resonance metal organic chemical vapor
deposition (ECR-MOCVD) process. The obtained films were further coated with (3-aminopropyl)-trimethoxysilane (APTMS) which has a role to bind the oxygen functional groups on Si surface and the gold nanoparticles. The dispersed gold nanoparticles on the surface of silicon thin films could be
prepared due to self-assembly phenomena which interact between attraction and repulsion in gold nanoparticles colloidal solution (GNCS). The use of reducing agent of sodium citrate and tannic acid in GNCS significantly affected the size of gold nanoparticle in our experimental range. Based
on our experimental results, the higher reversible capacity was exhibited for the silicon that was immersed in the GNCS consisted of only sodium citrate. The GNCS consisted of both sodium citrate and tannic acid produced severe coagulated nanoparticles when deposited on the silicon surface
and thus inhibited the lithium movement from electrolyte to silicon surface. Consequently, the reversible capacity of silicon anode material with coagulated gold nanoparticles coating showed the reduced performance.
A Multiresolution Approach to Estimating the Value Added by Regional Climate Models
Authors: Parker Ryan J. , Reich Brian J. , Sain Stephan R.
Published: September 2015

Climate models have emerged as an essential tool for studying the earth’s climate. Global models are computationally expensive, and so a relatively coarse spatial resolution must be used within the model. This hinders direct application for many impacts studies that require regional and local climate information. A regional model with boundary conditions taken from the global model achieves a finer spatial scale for local analysis. In this paper the authors propose a new method for assessing the value added by these higher-resolution models, and they demonstrate the method within the context of regional climate models (RCMs) from the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCAP) project. This spectral approach using the discrete cosine transformation (DCT) is based on characterizing the joint relationship between observations, coarser-scale models, and higher-resolution models to identify how the finer scales add value over the coarser output. The joint relationship is computed by estimating the covariance of the data sources at different spatial scales with a Bayesian hierarchical model. Using this model the authors can then estimate the value added by each data source over the others. For the NARCCAP data, they find that the higher-resolution models add value starting with low wavenumbers corresponding to features 550 km apart (or 11 total 50-km grid boxes per cycle) all the way down to higher wavenumbers at 150 km apart (3 grid boxes per cycle).
A Probabilistic Approach to Forecast the Uncertainty with Ensemble Spread
Authors: Van Schaeybroeck Bert , Vannitsem Stéphane
Published: September 2015

The ensemble spread is often used as a measure of forecast quality or uncertainty. However, it is not clear whether the spread is a good measure of uncertainty and how the spread–error relationship can be properly assessed. Even for perfectly reliable forecasts the error for a given spread varies considerably in amplitude and the spread–error relationship is therefore strongly heteroscedastic. This implies that the forecast of the uncertainty based only on the knowledge of spread should itself be probabilistic.

Simple probabilistic models for the prediction of the error as a function of the spread are introduced and evaluated for different spread–error metrics. These forecasts can be verified using probabilistic scores and a methodology is proposed to determine what the impact is of estimating uncertainty based on the spread only. A new method is also proposed to verify whether the flow-dependent spread is a realistic indicator of uncertainty. This method cancels the heteroscedasticity by a logarithmic transformation of both spread and error, after which a linear regression can be applied. An ensemble system can be identified as perfectly reliable with respect to its spread.

The approach is tested on the ECMWF Ensemble Prediction System over Europe. The use of spread only does not lead to skill degradation, and replacing the raw ensemble by a Gaussian distribution consistently improves scores. The influences of non-Gaussian ensemble statistics, small ensemble sizes, limited predictability, and different spread–error metrics are investigated and the relevance of binning is discussed. The upper-level spread–error relationship is consistent with a perfectly reliable system for intermediate lead times.
The Power of Transparency
Authors: Rosenfeld Jake , Denice Patrick
Published: September 2015

Does the dissemination of organizational financial information shift power dynamics within workplaces, as evidenced by increasing workers’ wages? That is the core question of this investigation. We utilize the 2004 and 2011 series of the British Workplace Employment Relations Survey (WERS) to test whether employees who report that their managers disclose workplace financial data earn more than otherwise similar workers not privy to such information. Our findings suggest that disclosure results in higher wages for workers after adjusting for profit and productivity levels and a range of other workplace and worker characteristics. We estimate that workers who report their managers are “very good” at sharing organizational financial information outearn those who report their managers are “very poor” at financial disclosure by between 8 and 12 percent. We argue that disclosure is a key resource that reduces information asymmetries, thereby providing legitimacy to workers’ claims in wage bargaining. More broadly, our focus on managerial transparency and its effects on worker earnings reveals a largely ignored characteristic of modern workplaces that has implications for contemporary trends in inequality and wage stagnation in Great Britain and other liberal market economies.
Why Do States Build Walls? Political Economy, Security, and Border Stability
Authors: Carter David B. , Poast Paul
Published: September 2015

Borders constitute the international system of states. Accordingly, states will, from time to time, take assertive measures to secure the border, with among the most aggressive strategies being the construction of physical barriers, which we refer to as “border walls.” Using original data on man-made border wall construction from 1800 to 2014, we theorize and find that in many cases, wall construction is about economic security. Significant economic disparities between the states will create incentives to illegally transport people or move goods readily available in the poorer country but highly regulated in the richer country. We find that economic disparities have a substantial and significant impact on the presence of a physical wall that is independent of formal border disputes and concerns over instability from civil wars in neighbors. In other words, “prominent examples such as the Maginot Line”, constructed largely out of fear of attack, is an exception, not the exemplar, of the reasons states construct border walls.
Opening Doors and Holding Them Open for Others
Authors: Simpson Lois V. , Abadie Jeanne M. , Seyler Carla D.
Published: September 2015

Charles Tubre responded to a paralyzing injury at the age of 14 by becoming an accomplished disability rights advocate. His advocacy began when he was a college student at the University of New Orleans during the 1970s. In overcoming the barriers to his independence, he created community, legislative, and legal solutions to reduce the barriers for others with disabilities. He took the spirit of the independent living movement that began in Berkeley in the 1960s, and he pushed it forward across Louisiana. Working with every available resource and frequently with the Advocacy Center, Louisiana’s statewide protection and advocacy system, his persistent efforts were a major contribution to making accessible public transportation, centers for independent living, and funding for personal care attendant services a reality. He assisted in the accessible design of such public spaces as the National World War II Museum, the Morial Convention Center, Ogden Museum of Art, and the Aquarium of the Americas. He was an artist, bird watcher, music lover, and celebrant of all things New Orleans.
A word from the seminarian: The time has come to talk of many things
Authors: Vandergriff Kenneth A.
Published: September 2015

For many, a call to ministry is a time to talk of many things. Theological education is not something to be taken lightly. An acceptance of a call to ministry requires careful consideration of the correct institution of higher education. Furthermore, theological education is a time in which those called to ministry begin to explore and refine the calling—to find the place in which God has called them to minister, whether that is a church, a hospital, a foreign country, or a classroom. The changing landscape of this post-modern, post-Christian world will require seminaries and divinity schools to change, it will require ministers to change, and it will require ministry to change.
Post-Gulag Christology: Contextual Considerations from a Lithuanian Perspective
Authors: Ryliškytė Ligita
Published: September 2015

This article aims at enriching the global theology of Jesus Christ by offering a contribution to Christology from an Eastern European perspective. Such Christology emerges in the context of the experience of the Gulag era as interpreted in the following period. From the viewpoint of one Baltic nation, Lithuania, the author draws on an influential image of popular culture to develop christological insight and delineates the work still to be done in Christology in Eastern Europe.
Biogeography of the Anthropocene
Authors: Young Kenneth R.
Published: September 2015

The past and present impacts of humans on the biosphere have altered many ecological and evolutionary processes. One of the most dramatic set of examples comes from domestication, which has transformed species, landscapes, and socioeconomic systems over the last 30 millennia. Recent research driven by advances in molecular biology and information sciences, and enriched by whole genome analyses of the main plant and animal domesticates, is now able to elucidate obscure phylogenetic relationships complicated by past hybridization and chromosome rearrangements. These methods also reveal information on the historical events that converted wild species into useful, and in some cases, codependent taxa. A further set of human-domesticate interactions produces the great diversification behind the origin and maintenance of numerous crop landraces, fruit and vegetable variants, and animal breeds. Fashion, taste preferences, and familial dynamics are some of the additional factors involved beyond usefulness that collectively result in human-caused artificial selection. Domestication is an important dimension to consider in understanding the biogeographical implications of the Anthropocene.
Effects of temperature profiles of microwave curing processes on mechanical properties of carbon fibre–reinforced composites
Authors: Hang Xiang , Li Yingguang , Hao Xiaozhong , Li Nanya , Wen Youyi
Published: September 2015

The microwave curing of composites is a promising technology to manufacture the composite components faster than conventional thermal curing. But how the shortened temperature profiles, which determine the duration of microwave curing processes, will affect the outcome of cured parts is still not clear. In this study, the effects of microwave curing processes governed by different temperature profiles on the mechanical properties of carbon fibre–reinforced composite material have been experimentally investigated. The results showed that microwave-cured composites have similar curing kinetics as the conventional thermally cured ones, and they were better in interlaminar shear and flexural strengths than thermally cured ones, while slightly lower in tensile and compressive strengths. The increase in heating rates in the temperature profiles enhanced the compressive and flexural strengths of the composites within a certain range, but moderately compromised the tensile and interlaminar strengths; the reduction in holding time can decrease the mechanical performances of the composites moderately, except for the interlaminar shear strength. The micrographs of the fracture surfaces after the interlaminar shear tests demonstrated the enhancing effect of microwave curing on the fibre–matrix interfacial bonding, but this effect can be slightly compromised when increasing the heating rates. These results could serve for the tradeoffs between reducing the manufacturing time and preserving the mechanical properties of the microwave-cured composites.
External high-order multistage modified elliptical helical gears and design procedure of their gear pairs
Authors: Han Jiang , Liu Youyu , Li Dazhu , Xia Lian
Published: September 2015

In view of the limited quantity of modified segments for high-order and two-stage modified elliptical helical gears, and poor adjustment capacity for transmission ratio, the formation mechanism of a high-order multistage modified ellipse was studied, and a unified mathematical expression of the family of ellipses was derived. Thus, a design procedure for the helical gear pairs of the high-order multistage modified ellipse was suggested, and then their transmission characteristics were discussed exhaustively. Moreover, some checking methods such as curvature radius of pitch curve, convexity, pressure angle, undercutting, and contact ratio were offered. Finally, two design cases, including two-order and three-stage modified elliptical helical gear pair and two-order and four-stage one, were implemented. The cases indicate that a high-order multistage modified elliptical helical gear can be utilized in practice.
Noise reduction of the automobile multi-mode muffler using differential gap control and neural network control
Authors: Jeong Un-Chang , Kim Jin-Su , Kim Yong-Dae , Oh Jae-Eung
Published: September 2015

In this study, a controllable multi-mode exhaust system was investigated by analysing the acoustic structure of a low-noise low-back-pressure air exhaust system and forming its controller. After selecting the exhaust system structure that considered the frequency characteristics of the vehicle’s exhaust noise with a large acoustic transmission loss, the basic muffler of the controllable multi-mode exhaust system was designed. The basic structure of the controllable multi-mode muffler with a curved side inlet and a curved side outlet was determined. The theoretical and experimental values of the acoustic transmission loss for straight pipes and for curved pipes were compared with no significant difference. To control the curved multi-mode exhaust system, a differential gap controller and a neural network controller were designed and simulated for control tests. The study findings reveal that the use of the proposed model for noise control achieves a noise reduction of 40–50% over systems with no noise control, proving that this exhaust system is effective in noise control. The feasibility of the noise-controllable multi-mode exhaust system was investigated using both a differential gap controller and a neural network controller.
The energy divide: Integrating energy transitions, regional inequalities and poverty trends in the European Union
Authors: Bouzarovski Stefan , Tirado Herrero Sergio
Published: September 2015

Energy poverty can be understood as the inability of a household to secure a socially and materially necessitated level of energy services in the home. While the condition is widespread across Europe, its spatial and social distribution is highly uneven. In this paper, the existence of a geographical energy poverty divide in the European Union (EU) provides a starting point for conceptualizing and exploring the relationship between energy transitions – commonly described as wide-ranging processes of socio-technical change – and existing patterns of regional economic inequality. We have undertaken a comprehensive analysis of spatial and temporal trends in the national-scale patterns of energy poverty, as well as gas and electricity prices. The results of our work indicate that the classic economic development distinction between the core and periphery also holds true in the case of energy poverty, as the incidence of this phenomenon is significantly higher in Southern and Eastern European EU Member States. The paper thus aims to provide the building blocks for a novel theoretical integration of questions of path-dependency, uneven development and material deprivation in existing interpretations of energy transitions.
Micro-profiling of Shopping Mall Customers in Chennai: A Study
Authors: Shajahan S
Published: September 2015

This paper discusses the consumer attitude and responses towards the emerging concept in retail business-shopping mall. The study was conducted among 600 household and 300 in-store customers in Chennai in the month of March 2001. Statistical judgement sampling was resorted to for the study. The study displays the changing cultural trends and the lifestyle of the people of Chennai. We can observe from the analysis that shopping has taken the form of an entertainment in today's scenario. Shopping malls have the ability to attract customers and make them stay longer and spend more than they had planned to.
Cutaneous histiocytic sarcoma with E-cadherin expression in a Pembroke Welsh Corgi dog
Authors: Hirako Ayano , Sugiyama Akihiko , Sakurai Masashi , Ozaki Kiyokazu , Sakai Hiroki , Takeuchi Takashi , Morita Takehito , Moore Peter F.
Published: September 2015

An 11-year-old male neutered Pembroke Welsh Corgi dog displayed a mass measuring 7.5 cm × 6.6 cm × 1.6 cm in the skin. Neoplastic tissue was nonencapsulated, and the neoplastic cells showed infiltrative growth into the surrounding tissue on microscopic examination. The neoplastic tissue was mainly located from the dermis to the subcutis. Epidermotropism of neoplastic cells was not observed. The tissue was composed of irregular, solid nests of round to polygonal cells. Nests were separated by fine fibrovascular stroma. Mitotic index was high (7.90 ± 0.38 per high power field) and extensive necrosis was observed in the neoplastic tissue. Vascular invasion was often observed in the neoplastic tissue. Neoplastic cells were positive for vimentin, HLA-DR antigen, Iba1, CD18, and E-cadherin, but cells did not express cytokeratin, S100, CD20, CD79α, CD3, MUM-1, lambda light chain, kappa light chain, lysozyme, CD204, or CD11d by immunohistochemistry. Electron microscopic analysis revealed dendrites on these cells. From the above-mentioned findings, the tumor was diagnosed as a cutaneous histiocytic sarcoma with E-cadherin expression. It is possible that neoplastic cells in the present case were derived from cutaneous Langerhans cell. To our knowledge, cutaneous histiocytic sarcoma with E-cadherin expression in domestic animals has not been previously diagnosed in domestic animals.
Adhesives in the footwear industry
Authors: Paiva Rosa MM , Marques Eduardo AS , da Silva Lucas FM , António Carlos AC , Arán-Ais Francisca
Published: September 2015

Footwear manufacturing is basically a process of transformation and assembly of various components made up of several materials where different adhesives play a key role, because without them, the shoe would lack shape and structure. This paper aims to understand the importance of adhesives in the footwear industry. It is necessary to identify the different processes in a shoemaking where adhesives are involved and the different adhesive joints produced, as well as their technical requirements. The adhesive joint performance will depend on the different adherends’ nature used as footwear materials, the joint design, the surface treatments, the adhesive properties which depend on their formulation, and so on. Adhesive joints in a shoe act under different stress types (peel, shear, tensile, etc.). The most disfavourable are the peel stress. For that reason, the peel strength test is one of the most common to evaluate adhesive joints’ performance. When heat resistance is an important adhesive requirements, a creep test is carried out. Furthermore, aging tests are undertaken in order to evaluate durability. This methodology is described in this paper.

In the literature, one can find several papers on adhesives, specifically on their mechanical properties. However, there is little research related to footwear applications, including not only the mechanical properties that this industry demands, but also the composition of the adhesives. Therefore, this paper aims to connect the important mechanical properties for the footwear industry with the constituents of the adhesives. However, other properties are also important, such as viscosity, wettability, compatibility, etc., depending on the materials and the adhesive joint type.
What do people with dementia and their carers want to know about neuroimaging for dementia?
Authors: Featherstone Hannah , Butler Marie-Louise , Ciblis Aurelia , Bokde Arun L , Mullins Paul G , McNulty Jonathan P
Published: September 2015

Neuroimaging forms an important part of dementia diagnosis. Provision of information on neuroimaging to people with dementia and their carers may aid understanding of the pathological, physiological and psychosocial changes of the disease, and increase understanding of symptoms. This qualitative study aimed to investigate participants’ knowledge of the dementia diagnosis pathway, their understanding of neuroimaging and its use in diagnosis, and to determine content requirements for a website providing neuroimaging information. Structured interviews and a focus group were conducted with carers and people with dementia. The findings demonstrate an unmet need for information on neuroimaging both before and after the examination. Carers were keen to know about neuroimaging at a practical and technical level to help avoid diagnosis denial. People with dementia requested greater information, but with a caveat to avoid overwhelming detail, and were less likely to favour an Internet resource.
Relationship Between Self-Rated Masticatory Ability and Independent Life in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Hironaka Mikiko , Kayama Yoshiko , Misaka Yoshie , Akifusa Sumio
Published: September 2015

Objective: The aim of the present study was to elucidate the influence of self-rated masticatory ability on independent living in community-dwelling older adults. Method: A total of 1,377 subjects aged 65 and over who lived in Kumamoto City, Japan were participated in a survey to investigate critical factors for self-reliance in older adults. In this study, we defined independent life in older adults as self-perceived adequate health without long-term care certification. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess self-perceived masticatory ability in relation to the independent life. Results: The population with adequate self-rated masticatory ability included a significantly higher proportion of subjects with good self-perceived health without long-term care (72.7%) than the remaining subjects (27.3%). A logistic regression analysis revealed that there was significant relationship between subjective adequate mastication and living a self-reliant healthy life ( p < .001). Conclusion: Our results showed that satisfactory masticatory function was positively related to a self-reliant life with subjective healthy conditions in community-dwelling older adults, which was associated with an extended active life expectancy.
ERK1 and ERK2 present functional redundancy in tetrapods despite higher evolution rate of ERK1
Authors: Buscà Roser , Christen Richard , Lovern Matthew , Clifford Alexander M. , Yue Jia-Xing , Goss Greg G. , Pouysségur Jacques , Lenormand Philippe
Published: September 2015

Background

The Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway is involved in essential cell processes and it is abnormally activated in ~30 % of cancers and cognitive disorders. Two ERK isoforms have been described, ERK1 and ERK2; ERK2 being regarded by many as essential due to the embryonic lethality of ERK2 knock-out mice, whereas mice lacking ERK1 are viable and fertile. The controversial question of why we have two ERKs and whether they have differential functions or display functional redundancy has not yet been resolved.

Results

To investigate this question we used a novel approach based on comparing the evolution of ERK isoforms’ sequencesandprotein expression across vertebrates. We gathered and cloned erk1 and erk2 coding sequencesandwe examined protein expression of isoforms in brain extracts in all major clades of vertebrate evolution. For the first time, we measured each isoforms’ relative protein level in phylogenetically distant animals using anti-phospho antibodies targeting active ERKs. We demonstrate that squamates (lizards, snakes and geckos), despite having both genes, do not express ERK2 protein whereas other tetrapods either do not express ERK1 protein or have lost theerk1gene. To demonstrate the unexpected squamates’ lack of ERK2 expression, we targeted each ERK isoform in lizard primary fibroblasts by specific siRNA-mediated knockdown. We also found that undetectable expression of ERK2 in lizard is compensated by a greater strength of lizard’serk1promoter. Finally, phylogenetic analysis revealed that ERK1 amino acids sequences evolve faster than ERK2’s likely due to genomic factors, including a large difference in gene size, rather than from functional differences since amino acids essential for function are kept invariant.

Conclusions

ERK isoforms appeared by a single gene duplication at the onset of vertebrate evolution at least 400 Mya. Our results demonstrate that tetrapods can live by expressing either one or both ERK isoforms, supporting the notion that ERK1/2 act interchangeably. Substrate recognition sites and catalytic cleft are nearly invariant in all vertebrate ERKs further suggesting functional redundancy. We suggest that future ERK research should shift towards understanding the role and regulation of total ERK quantity, especially in light of newly describederk2gene amplification identified in tumors.
Phenotypic convergence in bacterial adaptive evolution to ethanol stress
Authors: Horinouchi Takaaki , Suzuki Shingo , Hirasawa Takashi , Ono Naoaki , Yomo Tetsuya , Shimizu Hiroshi , Furusawa Chikara
Published: September 2015

Background

Bacterial cells have a remarkable ability to adapt to environmental changes, a phenomenon known as adaptive evolution. During adaptive evolution, phenotype and genotype dynamically changes; however, the relationship between these changes and associated constraints is yet to be fully elucidated.

Results

In this study, we analyzed phenotypic and genotypic changes in Escherichia coli cells during adaptive evolution to ethanol stress. Phenotypic changes were quantified by transcriptome and metabolome analyses and were similar among independently evolved ethanol tolerant populations, which indicate the existence of evolutionary constraints in the dynamics of adaptive evolution. Furthermore, the contribution of identified mutations in one of the tolerant strains was evaluated using site-directed mutagenesis. The result demonstrated that the introduction of all identified mutations cannot fully explain the observed tolerance in the tolerant strain.

Conclusions

The results demonstrated that the convergence of adaptive phenotypic changes and diverse genotypic changes, which suggested that the phenotype–genotype mapping is complex. The integration of transcriptome and genome data provides a quantitative understanding of evolutionary constraints.
The presurgical T staging of non-small cell lung cancer: efficacy comparison of 64-MDCT and 3.0 T MRI
Authors: Tang Wei , Wu Ning , OuYang Han , Huang Yao , Liu Li , Li Meng
Published: September 2015

Background

Lung cancer has been the main concern of the cancer-related deaths worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is reported the most common subtype of lung cancer. Initial staging of NSCLC is highly associated with the choice of treatment and prognosis of the patients. This study aims to prospectively compare the diagnostic efficacies of 64-multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) and 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in T staging of NSCLC. 

Methods

Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained. Forty-five patients diagnosed with NSCLC who underwent preoperative MRI and MDCT scans were enrolled in the study. The efficacies of determination of T staging on MRI and MDCT were compared by using the McNemar test.

Results

Of 45 patients diagnosed with NSCLC, the primary tumors were correctly staged in 38 (84.4 %) patients on MDCT, and in 37 (82.2 %) patients on MRI. There was no statistically significant difference between the two modalities in the overall T staging of NSCLC with the reference of pathological findings (p = 0.564). However, MDCT was indicated more accurate in determination of NSCLC staged T1 and T2 (100 % vs 75 %, 96.4 % vs 82.1 %), whereas MRI was presented slightly superior in identification of NSCLC staged T3 and T4 (80 % vs 50 %, 100 % vs 33.3 %).

Conclusion

Both MDCT and MRI provided acceptable overall accuracies in determination of T staging in NSCLC. Furthermore, MRI was presented slight superiority for the advanced-stage tumors (i.e., NSCLC staged T3 and T4), whereas MDCT was indicated mild acceptance for the limited-stage tumors (i.e., NSCLC staged T1 and T2).
A systematic and quantitative method for wound-dressing evaluation
Authors: Zhang Xiaorong , Xu Rui , Hu Xiaohong , Luo Gaoxing , Wu Jun , He Weifeng
Published: September 2015

Background

For patients with skin defects such as burns, wound dressing plays important roles in protecting the wound. Before a novel wound dressing is applied to a patient, a series of tests should be performed to ensure its safety and efficacy. Different types of animal wound-healing models have been used to study the bio-function of different wound dressings; however, a systematic way to evaluate the effect of a wound dressing on wound healing and cutaneous regeneration is lacking.

Methods

In the study presented here, full-thickness wound models were established in mice, and a systematic way to quantitatively analyze the wound-healing process and the histological results is described.

Results

It was found that the rate of wound healing in the tested wound dressing (TWD) group was higher than that in the control group, and the re-epithelialization and the formation of granulation tissue were enhanced when the TWD was applied. Meanwhile, the inflammatory response was attenuated in the TWD group, and more mature and better aligned collagen fibers in the healed wound tissue was found in the TWD group compared with that in the control group.

Conclusions

A systematic, quantitative way to analyze the effect of a wound dressing on wound healing was established. And it might be helpful for the design of wound dressing in the future.