bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal and environmental variation in growth and maturity and effects on management reference points of Georges Bank Atlantic cod
Authors: Miller Timothy J. , O’Brien Loretta , Fratantoni Paula S.
Published: February 2018

Temporal variation in demographic rates has been observed in various fish populations and environmental influences are likely to be a key factor. Here we show how it can be important to combine state-space models for environmental covariates and demographic rates when evaluating effects of the former on the latter. In an application to Georges Bank Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), we show how estimates of the environmental covariate can be aliased with unknown temporal variation in growth rates and that stronger and opposite effects of the environment can incorrectly be found when the autocorrelation in the growth rate is not separately modeled. The perception of effects on maturity also depends on whether an appropriate distribution is considered for the maturity observations. Bottom temperature did not improve prediction of maturity parameters, but temporal variation driven by other sources did. Both bottom temperature and temporal variation improved performance of growth models. Finally, we found growth and maturity estimation to be important contributors to uncertainty of spawning biomass and biological reference points when incorporated into a state-space assessment model.
Fish on the move: connectivity of an estuary-dependent fishery species evaluated using a large-scale acoustic telemetry array
Authors: Murray Taryn S. , Cowley Paul D. , Bennett Rhett H. , Childs Amber-Robyn
Published: February 2018

Connectivity — movements of animals between and among numerous habitats — and the factors (rhythmic cycles and environmental variables) influencing connectivity of juvenile Lichia amia (Teleostei: Carangidae) were assessed in complementary acoustic telemetry studies in two geographically separated estuaries (620 km apart) in South Africa. The studies were conducted within a nationwide array of acoustic receivers moored in estuaries and coastal waters. Tagged fish in both the Kowie (n = 21) and Goukou (n = 17) estuaries displayed high levels of multiple habitat connectivity, with 81% and 76% visiting nearby marine and estuarine environments, respectively. The presence of tagged L. amia within the tagging estuaries was significantly influenced by river and sea temperature (Kowie) and river inflow and moon phase (Goukou). Tidal phase, time of day, and season were found to significantly influence marine excursions undertaken by Kowie- and Goukou-tagged fish. Our study provides an assessment of connectivity among multiple estuarine, port, and marine habitats, relating those movements to rhythmic cycles and environmental variables, and highlights the benefits of tracking animals using an extensive acoustic receiver array that spans multiple habitats.
Seasonal timing of reproductive migrations in adfluvial bull trout: an assessment of sex, spawning experience, population density, and environmental factors
Authors: Sinnatamby R. Niloshini , Pinto Madalena C. , Johnston Fiona D. , Paul Andrew J. , Mushens Craig J. , Stelfox Jim D. , Ward Hillary G.M. , Post John R.
Published: February 2018

Using individual tags combined with a fish fence operated at the mouth of Smith-Dorrien Creek, the primary spawning habitat for Lower Kananaskis Lake bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), we approximated a complete census of the spawning population from 1996 to 2000 to assess whether timing of upstream and downstream spawning migrations varied with extrinsic and intrinsic factors. The timing of both upstream and downstream migrations varied with sex, previous spawning experience, density, and temperature. Inferred spawning duration based on the predicted upstream and downstream migration dates indicated that experienced female spawners spent the least amount of time upstream and first-time spawners spent the most time upstream. No consistent differences in upstream migration timing were observed between non-repetitive and repetitive spawners. We suggest that variations in spawning migration timing observed in Lower Kananaskis Lake may be linked to environmental factors that influence upstream swimming ability and acquisition and expenditure of energy with respect to reproduction.
Drag force on heavy quarks and spatial string tension
Authors: Andreev Oleg
Published: February 2018

Heavy quark transport coefficients in a strongly coupled Quark–Gluon Plasma can be evaluated using a gauge/string duality and lattice QCD. Via this duality, one can argue that for low momenta the drag coefficient for heavy quarks is proportional to the spatial string tension. Such a tension is well-studied on the lattice that allows one to straightforwardly make non-perturbative estimates of the heavy quark diffusion coefficients near the critical point. The obtained results are consistent with those in the literature.
The study of the plasmon modes of square atomic clusters based on the eigen-oscillation equation of charge under the free-electron gas model
Authors: Xue Hong-Jie , Wu Reng-Lai , Hu Cheng-Xi , Zhang Ming
Published: February 2018

In atomic clusters, plasmon modes are generally gained by the resonant responses for external fields. However, these resonant methods still carry some defects: some plasmon modes may not have been found as that may not have been excited by the external fields. Recently, by employing the extended Hubbard model to describe electron systems of atomic clusters, we have presented the eigen-oscillation equation of charge to study plasmon modes. In this work, based on the free-electron gas model, we further explore the eigen-equation method. Under different external electric fields, some of the plasmon mode spectrums with obvious differences are found, which display the defects of the resonant methods. All the plasmon modes obtained by the resonant methods are predicted by the eigen-equation method. This effectively shows that the eigen-equation method is feasible and reliable in the process of finding plasmon. In addition, various kinds of plasmons are displayed by charge distributions, and the evolution features of plasmon with system parameters are gained by the energy absorption spectrum.
White Blood Cells Classification with Deep Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Jiang Ming , Cheng Liu , Qin Feiwei , Du Lian , Zhang Min
Published: February 2018

The necessary step in the diagnosis of leukemia by the attending physician is to classify the white blood cells in the bone marrow, which requires the attending physician to have a wealth of clinical experience. Now the deep learning is very suitable for the study of image recognition classification, and the effect is not good enough to directly use some famous convolution neural network (CNN) models, such as AlexNet model, GoogleNet model, and VGGFace model. In this paper, we construct a new CNN model called WBCNet model that can fully extract features of the microscopic white blood cell image by combining batch normalization algorithm, residual convolution architecture, and improved activation function. WBCNet model has 33 layers of network architecture, whose speed has greatly been improved compared with the traditional CNN model in training period, and it can quickly identify the category of white blood cell images. The accuracy rate is 77.65% for Top-1 and 98.65% for Top-5 on the training set, while 83% for Top-1 on the test set. This study can help doctors diagnose leukemia, and reduce misdiagnosis rate.
Hybrid Invasive Weed Optimization Algorithm for Parameter Inversion Problems
Authors: Deng Tan , Du Jiayi
Published: February 2018

A hybrid invasive weed optimization (HIWO) algorithm based on the Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno (BFGS) algorithm is proposed for the problems on parameter inversion of the nonlinear models of sun shadow with integer variables in the study. Our presented algorithm can take full advantage of the local search ability of BFGS algorithm and the global search ability of invasive weed optimization (IWO) algorithm. The HIWO algorithm can not only reverse the date of sun shadow model successfully, but also conquer the weaknesses that the classic mathematical methods are hard to address integer nonlinear optimization problems by utilizing integers in some random variables from algorithms. The results of numerical experiments demonstrate that the HIWO algorithm has not only high computing accuracy, but also fast convergence speed. It can effectively improve the accuracy and efficiency of the techniques of sun shadow location, and afford an effective and efficient technique to handle the issues of integer parameter inversion in engineering applications.
Generalized Dirac structure beyond the linear regime in graphene
Authors: Iorio A. , Pais P. , Elmashad I. A. , Ali A. F. , Faizal Mir , Abou-Salem L. I.
Published: February 2018

We show that a generalized Dirac structure survives beyond the linear regime of the low-energy dispersion relations of graphene. A generalized uncertainty principle of the kind compatible with specific quantum gravity scenarios with a fundamental minimal length (here graphene lattice spacing) and Lorentz violation (here the particle/hole asymmetry, the trigonal warping, etc.) is naturally obtained. We then show that the corresponding emergent field theory is a table-top realization of such scenarios, by explicitly computing the third-order Hamiltonian, and giving the general recipe for any order. Remarkably, our results imply that going beyond the low-energy approximation does not spoil the well-known correspondence with analog massless quantum electrodynamics phenomena (as usually believed), but rather it is a way to obtain experimental signatures of quantum-gravity-like corrections to such phenomena.
A 3D Cellular Automaton for Cell Differentiation in a Solid Tumor with Plasticity
Authors: Margarit David H. , Romanelli Lilia , Fendrik Alejandro J.
Published: February 2018

A model with spherical symmetry is proposed. We analyze the appropriate parameters of cell differentiation for different kinds of cells (Cancer Stem Cells (CSC) and Differentiated Cells (DC)). The plasticity (capacity to return from a DC to its previous state of CSC) is taken into account. Following this hypothesis, the dissemination of CSCs to another organ is analyzed. The location of the cells in the tumor and the plasticity range for possible metastasis is discussed.
Exploiting Nanobodies’ Singular Traits
Authors: Ingram Jessica R. , Schmidt Florian I. , Ploegh Hidde L.
Published: February 2018

The unique class of heavy chain–only antibodies, present in Camelidae, can be shrunk to just the variable region of the heavy chain to yield VHHs, also called nanobodies. About one-tenth the size of their full-size counterparts, nanobodies can serve in applications similar to those for conventional antibodies, but they come with a number of signature advantages that find increasing application in biology. They not only function as crystallization chaperones but also can be expressed inside cells as such, or fused to other proteins to perturb the function of their targets, for example, by enforcing their localization or degradation. Their small size also affords advantages when applied in vivo, for example, in imaging applications. Here we review such applications, with particular emphasis on those areas where conventional antibodies would face a more challenging environment.
High-Temperature Dielectric Materials for Electrical Energy Storage
Authors: Li Qi , Yao Fang-Zhou , Liu Yang , Zhang Guangzu , Wang Hong , Wang Qing
Published: February 2018

The demand for high-temperature dielectric materials arises from numerous emerging applications such as electric vehicles, wind generators, solar converters, aerospace power conditioning, and downhole oil and gas explorations, in which the power systems and electronic devices have to operate at elevated temperatures. This article presents an overview of recent progress in the field of nanostructured dielectric materials targeted for high-temperature capacitive energy storage applications. Polymers, polymer nanocomposites, and bulk ceramics and thin films are the focus of the materials reviewed. Both commercial products and the latest research results are covered. While general design considerations are briefly discussed, emphasis is placed on material specifications oriented toward the intended high-temperature applications, such as dielectric properties, temperature stability, energy density, and charge-discharge efficiency. The advantages and shortcomings of the existing dielectric materials are identified. Challenges along with future research opportunities are highlighted at the end of this review.
First-Principles Calculations of Point Defects for Quantum Technologies
Authors: Dreyer Cyrus E. , Alkauskas Audrius , Lyons John L. , Janotti Anderson , Van de Walle Chris G.
Published: February 2018

Point defects in semiconductors and insulators form an exciting system for realizing quantum technologies, including quantum computing, communication, and metrology. Defects provide a platform that combines the environmental isolation necessary to maintain the coherence of quantum states with the ability to perform electrical and optical manipulation. First-principles calculations play a crucial role in identifying, characterizing, and developing defects for quantum applications. We review the first-principles methodologies for calculating the relevant structural, electronic, vibrational, optical, and magnetic properties of defects for quantum technologies. We illustrate the utility and accuracy of these techniques by using examples from the literature. We also point out areas in which further development of the computational techniques is desirable.
Characterization of Intermediate Oxidation States in CO2 Activation
Authors: Dodson Leah G. , Thompson Michael C. , Weber J. Mathias
Published: February 2018

Redox chemistry during the activation of carbon dioxide involves changing the charge state in a CO2 molecular unit. However, such changes are usually not well described by integer formal charges, and one can think of COO functional units as being in intermediate oxidation states. In this article, we discuss the properties of CO2 and CO2-based functional units in various charge states. Besides covering isolated CO2 and its ions, we describe the CO2-based ionic species formate, oxalate, and carbonate. Finally, we provide an overview of CO2-based functional groups and ligands in clusters and metal–organic complexes.
Chemical Kinetics for Bridging Molecular Mechanisms and Macroscopic Measurements of Amyloid Fibril Formation
Authors: Michaels Thomas C.T. , Šarić Anđela , Habchi Johnny , Chia Sean , Meisl Georg , Vendruscolo Michele , Dobson Christopher M. , Knowles Tuomas P.J.
Published: February 2018

Understanding how normally soluble peptides and proteins aggregate to form amyloid fibrils is central to many areas of modern biomolecular science, ranging from the development of functional biomaterials to the design of rational therapeutic strategies against increasingly prevalent medical conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. As such, there is a great need to develop models to mechanistically describe how amyloid fibrils are formed from precursor peptides and proteins. Here we review and discuss how ideas and concepts from chemical reaction kinetics can help to achieve this objective. In particular, we show how a combination of theory, experiments, and computer simulations, based on chemical kinetics, provides a general formalism for uncovering, at the molecular level, the mechanistic steps that underlie the phenomenon of amyloid fibril formation.
Elementary Chemical Reactions in Surface Photocatalysis
Authors: Guo Qing , Zhou Chuanyao , Ma Zhibo , Ren Zefeng , Fan Hongjun , Yang Xueming
Published: February 2018

Photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and organic degradation on oxide materials have been extensively investigated in the last two decades. Great efforts have been dedicated to the study of photocatalytic reaction mechanisms of a variety of molecules on TiO2 surfaces by using surface science methods under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) conditions, providing fundamental understanding of surface chemical reactions in photocatalysis. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in the study of photocatalysis of several important species (water, methanol, and aldehydes) on different TiO2 surfaces. The results of these studies have provided us deep insights into the elementary processes of surface photocatalysis and stimulated a new frontier of research in this area. Based on the results of these studies, a new dynamics-based photocatalysis model is also discussed.
Sensing Chirality with Rotational Spectroscopy
Authors: Domingos Sérgio R. , Pérez Cristóbal , Schnell Melanie
Published: February 2018

Chiroptical spectroscopy techniques for the differentiation of enantiomers in the condensed phase are based on an established paradigm that relies on symmetry breaking using circularly polarized light. We review a novel approach for the study of chiral molecules in the gas phase using broadband rotational spectroscopy, namely microwave three-wave mixing, which is a coherent, nonlinear, and resonant process. This technique can be used to generate a coherent molecular rotational signal that can be detected in a manner similar to that in conventional Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. The structure (and thermal distribution of conformations), handedness, and enantiomeric excess of gas-phase samples can be determined unambiguously by employing tailored microwave fields. We discuss the theoretical and experimental aspects of the method, the significance of the first demonstrations of the technique for enantiomer differentiation, and the method's rapid advance into a robust choice to study molecular chirality in the gas phase. Very recently, the microwave three-wave mixing approach was extended to enantiomer-selective population transfer, an important step toward spatial enantiomer separation on the fly.
Connections Between Theory and Experiment for Gold and Silver Nanoclusters
Authors: Weerawardene K.L. Dimuthu M. , Häkkinen Hannu , Aikens Christine M.
Published: February 2018

Ligand-stabilized gold and silver nanoparticles are of tremendous current interest in sensing, catalysis, and energy applications. Experimental and theoretical studies have closely interacted to elucidate properties such as the geometric and electronic structures of these fascinating systems. In this review, the interplay between theory and experiment is described; areas such as optical absorption and doping, where the theory–experiment connections are well established, are discussed in detail; and the current status of these connections in newer fields of study, such as luminescence, transient absorption, and the effects of solvent and the surrounding environment, are highlighted. Close communication between theory and experiment has been extremely valuable for developing an understanding of these nanocluster systems in the past decade and will undoubtedly continue to play a major role in future years.
Pharmacological assessment of the contribution of the arterial baroreflex to sympathetic discharge patterns in healthy humans
Authors: Limberg Jacqueline K. , Ott Elizabeth P. , Holbein Walter W. , Baker Sarah E. , Curry Timothy B. , Nicholson Wayne T. , Joyner Michael J. , Shoemaker J. Kevin
Published: February 2018

To study how changes in baroreceptor afferent activity affect patterns of sympathetic neural activation, we manipulated arterial blood pressure with intravenous nitroprusside (NTP) and phenylephrine (PE) and measured action potential (AP) patterns with wavelet-based methodology. We hypothesized that 1) baroreflex unloading (NTP) would increase firing of low-threshold axons and recruitment of latent axons and 2) baroreflex loading (PE) would decrease firing of low-threshold axons. Heart rate (HR, ECG), arterial blood pressure (BP, brachial catheter), and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA, microneurography of peroneal nerve) were measured at baseline and during steady-state systemic, intravenous NTP (0.5–1.2 µg·kg−1·min−1, n = 13) or PE (0.2–1.0 µg·kg−1·min−1, n = 9) infusion. BP decreased and HR and integrated MSNA increased with NTP ( P < 0.01). AP incidence (326 ± 66 to 579 ± 129 APs/100 heartbeats) and AP content per integrated burst (8 ± 1 to 11 ± 2 APs/burst) increased with NTP ( P < 0.05). The firing probability of low-threshold axons increased with NTP, and recruitment of high-threshold axons was observed (22 ± 3 to 24 ± 3 max cluster number, 9 ± 1 to 11 ± 1 clusters/burst; P < 0.05). BP increased and HR and integrated MSNA decreased with PE ( P < 0.05). PE decreased AP incidence (406 ± 128 to 166 ± 42 APs/100 heartbeats) and resulted in fewer unique clusters (15 ± 2 to 9 ± 1 max cluster number, P < 0.05); components of an integrated burst (APs or clusters per burst) were not altered ( P > 0.05). These data support a hierarchical pattern of sympathetic neural activation during manipulation of baroreceptor afferent activity, with rate coding of active neurons playing the predominant role and recruitment/derecruitment of higher-threshold units occurring with steady-state hypotensive stress.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY To study how changes in baroreceptor afferent activity affect patterns of sympathetic neural activation, we manipulated arterial blood pressure with intravenous nitroprusside and phenylephrine and measured sympathetic outflow with wavelet-based methodology. Baroreflex unloading increased sympathetic activity by increasing firing probability of low-threshold axons (rate coding) and recruiting new populations of high-threshold axons. Baroreflex loading decreased sympathetic activity by decreasing the firing probability of larger axons (derecruitment); however, the components of an integrated burst were unaffected.
Thrombomodulin as a New Marker of Endothelial Dysfunction in Chronic Kidney Disease in Children
Authors: Drożdż Dorota , Łątka Monika , Drożdż Tomasz , Sztefko Krystyna , Kwinta Przemko
Published: February 2018

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) and oxidative stress are potential new pathomechanisms of cardiovascular diseases in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of the study was to assess the association between endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress biomarkers, and cardiovascular risk factors in children with CKD. Serum oxidized LDL (oxLDL), protein carbonyl group, urea, creatinine, cystatin C, thrombomodulin, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), von Willebrand factor, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), lipids, high sensitivity C‐reactive protein, intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 levels, and albuminuria were measured. Anthropometric, ambulatory blood pressure (BP) measurements and echocardiography were performed. The studied group consisted of 59 patients aged 0.7–18.6 (mean 11.1) years with stages 1 to 5 CKD. Thrombomodulin strongly correlated with creatinine (R = 0.666; p < 0.001), cystatin C (R = 0.738; p < 0.001), BNP (R = 0.406; p = 0.001), ADMA (R = 0.353; p = 0.01), oxLDL (R = 0.340; p = 0.009), 24‐hour systolic (R = 0.345; p = 0.011) and mean (R = 0.315; p < 0.05) BP values, and left ventricular mass index (LVMI, R = 0.293; p = 0.024) and negatively with estimated glomerular filtration rate (R = −0.716; p < 0.001). In children with CKD, TM strongly depended on kidney function parameters, oxLDL levels, and 24‐hour systolic and mean BP values. Thrombomodulin seems to be a valuable marker of ED in CKD patients, correlating with CKD stage as well as oxidative stress, BP values, and LVMI.
Displacement Investigation of KNN‐Bitumen‐Based Piezoceramics in Asphalt Concrete
Authors: Tang Ning , Yang Kaikai , Pan Wenhao , Wu Limei , Wang Qing , Chen Yanwen
Published: February 2018

Piezoelectric material has excellent characteristics of electromechanical coupling so that it could be widely applied in structural health monitoring field. Nondestructive testing of piezoelectric technique becomes a research focus on piezoelectric field. Asphalt concrete produces cumulative damage under the multiple repeated vehicle load and natural situation, so it is suited material and structure for nondestructive application. In this study, a test system was established by driving power of piezoceramic, laser displacement sensor, computer, and piezo‐embedded asphalt concrete. Displacement, hysteresis, creeps, and dynamic behavior of KNN piezoceramic element embedded in asphalt concrete were tested. The results indicate that displacement output attained 0.4 μm to 0.7 μm when the loads were from 0 N to 150 N. The hysteresis was not obvious when the load was from 0 N to 100 N, aside from higher loads. The creep phenomenon can be divided into two parts: uptrend and balance. The more serious the asphalt binder ageing is, the larger the displacement is, when piezo‐asphalt concrete has already been in serious ageing.
Targeting Mitochondrial Bioenergetics as a Therapeutic Strategy for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Roy Chowdhury Subir , Banerji Versha
Published: February 2018

Altered cellular metabolism is considered a hallmark of cancer and is fast becoming an avenue for therapeutic intervention. Mitochondria have recently been viewed as an important cellular compartment that fuels the metabolic demands of cancer cells. Mitochondria are the major source of ATP and metabolites necessary to fulfill the bioenergetics and biosynthetic demands of cancer cells. Furthermore, mitochondria are central to cell death and the main source for generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Overall, the growing evidence now suggests that mitochondrial bioenergetics, biogenesis, ROS production, and adaptation to intrinsic oxidative stress are elevated in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Hence, recent studies have shown that mitochondrial metabolism could be targeted for cancer therapy. This review focuses the recent advancements in targeting mitochondrial metabolism for the treatment of CLL.
New Exact Superposition Solutions to KdV2 Equation
Authors: Rozmej Piotr , Karczewska Anna
Published: February 2018

New exact solutions to the KdV2 equation (also known as the extended KdV equation) are constructed. The KdV2 equation is a second-order approximation of the set of Boussinesq’s equations for shallow water waves which in first-order approximation yields KdV. The exact solutionsA/2dn2[B(x-vt),m]±m cn[B(x-vt),m]dn[B(x-vt),m]+Din the form of periodic functions found in the paper complement other forms of exact solutions to KdV2 obtained earlier, that is, the solitonic ones and periodic ones given by singlecn2ordn2Jacobi elliptic functions.
Fuzzy Logic System for Intermixed Biogas and Photovoltaics Measurement and Control
Authors: Matindife Liston , Wang Zenghui , Sun Yanxia
Published: February 2018

This study develops a new integrated measurement and control system for intermixed biogas and photovoltaic systems to achieve safe and optimal energy usage. Literature and field studies show that existing control methods on small- to medium-scale systems fall short of comprehensive system optimization and fault diagnosis, hence the need to revisit these control methods. The control strategy developed in this study is intelligent as it is wholly based on fuzzy logic algorithms. Fuzzy logic controllers due to their superior nonlinear problem solving capabilities to classical controllers considerably simplify controller design. The mathematical models that define classical controllers are difficult or impossible to realize in biogas and photovoltaic generation process. A microcontroller centered fuzzy logic measurement and control embedded system is designed and developed on the existing hybrid biogas and photovoltaic installations. The designed system is able to accurately predict digester stability, quantify biogas output, and carry out biogas fault detection and control. Optimized battery charging and photovoltaic fault detection and control are also successfully implemented. The system is able to optimize the operation and performance of biogas and photovoltaic energy generation.
A Simulation Platform for Combined Rail/Road Transport in Multiyards Intermodal Terminals
Authors: Chen Xuchao , He Shiwei , Li Tingting , Li Yubin
Published: February 2018

With the rapid development of multiyards railway intermodal terminal (MYRIT) construction in China, performance evaluation has become an important issue for terminal design and management departments. Due to the complexity of the multiyards terminal and the associated rail network, the train moving process and related terminal operations have become more complicated compared with the traditional intermodal container terminal. However, in general simulation platforms, the train moving process is simplified and train route scheduling rules are not considered in existing simulation models. In order to provide an accurate and comprehensive quantitative evaluation tool for MYRIT, a simulation platform based on the Timed Petri Net model has been developed, which can offer decision support for terminal design and management departments. In this platform, a yards and facilities layout module has been created to give simulation users access to designing the railway network on this platform. And a train route dispatching simulation method has been integrated to provide an accurate simulation of the train moving process. Based on a real case of Qianchang railway intermodal terminal that is located in Fujian Province, China, the platform is thoroughly validated against historical data. And the test scenarios show that train routes arrangement and handling equipment configuration both have a significant influence on overall terminal performance, which need to be carefully considered during terminal design and management.
Transplantation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Prevents Radiation‐Induced Artery Injury by Suppressing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
Authors: Shen Yanjun , Jiang Xin , Meng Lingbin , Xia Chengcheng , Zhang Lihong , Xin Ying
Published: February 2018

The present study aims to explore the protective effect of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) on radiation‐induced aortic injury (RIAI). hBMSCs were isolated and cultured from human bone marrow. Male C57/BL mice were irradiated with a dose of 18‐Gy 6MV X‐ray and randomly treated with either vehicle or hBMSCs through tail vein injection with a dose of 103 or 104 cells/g of body weight (low or high dose of hBMSCs) within 24 h. Aortic inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular remodeling were assessed by immunohistochemical staining at 3, 7, 14, 28, and 84 days after irradiation. The results revealed irradiation caused aortic cell apoptosis and fibrotic remodeling indicated by aortic thickening, collagen accumulation, and increased expression of profibrotic cytokines (CTGF and TGF‐β). Further investigation showed that irradiation resulted in elevated expression of inflammation‐related molecules (TNF‐α and ICAM‐1) and oxidative stress indicators (4‐HNE and 3‐NT). Both of the low and high doses of hBMSCs alleviated the above irradiation‐induced pathological changes and elevated the antioxidant enzyme expression of HO‐1 and catalase in the aorta. The high dose even showed a better protective effect. In conclusion, hBMSCs provide significant protection against RIAI possibly through inhibition of aortic oxidative stress and inflammation. Therefore, hBMSCs can be used as a potential therapy to treat RIAI.
Controllability, Reachability, and Stabilizability of Finite Automata: A Controllability Matrix Method
Authors: Li Yalu , Dou Wenhui , Li Haitao , Liu Xin
Published: February 2018

This paper investigates the controllability, reachability, and stabilizability of finite automata by using the semitensor product of matrices. Firstly, by expressing the states, inputs, and outputs as vector forms, an algebraic form is obtained for finite automata. Secondly, based on the algebraic form, a controllability matrix is constructed for finite automata. Thirdly, some necessary and sufficient conditions are presented for the controllability, reachability, and stabilizability of finite automata by using the controllability matrix. Finally, an illustrative example is given to support the obtained new results.
Application of Electrochemical Techniques on Study of Effect of Nano-ZnO in Conductive Polyaniline Containing Zinc-Rich Primer
Authors: Li Ximing , Castaneda Homero
Published: February 2018

Effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on anticorrosion performance has been studied in conductive polyaniline containing zinc-rich primer in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution, using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and localized electrochemical Scanning Vibrating Electrode Technique (SVET). The results showed that the addition of nano-zinc oxide particles in conductive polyaniline containing zinc-rich primer made the reaction of zinc more stable and slower, further increasing the effective cathodic protection period. EIS and SVET results confirmed that three performance evolution stages were obtained for zinc-rich primer being immersed in 3.5 wt% sodium chloride solution.
Minimal Cut Sets-Based Reliability Evaluation of the More Electric Aircraft Power System
Authors: Zhao Yuancheng , Che Yanbo , Lin Tingjun , Wang Chuanyan , Liu Jiaxuan , Xu Jianmei , Zhou Jinhuan
Published: February 2018

The More Electric Aircraft (MEA) stands for the direction of aviation development in the new era, and the reliability of power systems on the MEA has attracted widespread attention. Based on the characteristics of MEA power systems, an equivalent method of electrical topology structure is presented in this article, and evaluation method is proposed which shows the reliability of the overall system with the reliability of specific nodes. Firstly, electrical topology structure of a MEA power system is converted into a network node diagram according to the proposed equivalent method. Then, the minimal path sets of specific nodes are obtained by the adjacent matrix algorithm, and the low-order minimal cut sets of disjointed are obtained. After that, the actual failure rate of components is converted to node failure rate, and the reliability of the overall system is evaluated by operational reliability indexes of specific nodes. Finally, taking the MEA A380 as an example, this paper compares and analyzes the reliability of AC loads, DC loads, and key loads to verify the validity and feasibility of the proposed evaluation method. This evaluation system can predict the weak points existing in the MEA power system, as well as providing theoretical support for maintenance schedule.
ERβ-Mediated Alteration of circATP2B1 and miR-204-3p Signaling Promotes Invasion of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Han Zhenwei , Zhang Yong , Sun Yin , Chen Jiaqi , Chang Chawnshang , Wang Xiaolu , Yeh Shuyuan
Published: February 2018

Early studies have indicated that estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) can influence the progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Here, we report the mechanistic details of ERβ-mediated progression of ccRCC. ERβ increased ccRCC cell invasion via suppression of circular RNA ATP2B1 (circATP2B1) expression by binding directly to the 5′ promoter region of its host gene ATPase plasma membrane Ca2+ transporting 1 (ATP2B1). ERβ-suppressed circATP2B1 then led to reduced miR-204-3p, which increased fibronectin 1 (FN1) expression and enhanced ccRCC cell invasion. Targeting ERβ with shRNA suppressed ccRCC metastasis in a murine model of RCC; adding circATP2B1 shRNA partly reversed this effect. Consistent with these experimental results, ccRCC patient survival data from The Cancer Genome Atlas indicated that a patient with higher ERβ and FN1 expression had worse overall survival and a patient with higher miR-204-3p expression had significantly better overall survival. Together, these results suggest that ERβ promotes ccRCC cell invasion by altering the ERβ/circATP2B1/miR-204-3p/FN1 axis and that therapeutic targeting of this newly identified pathway may better prevent ccRCC progression.

Significance: These results identify an ERβ/circATP2B1/miR-204-3p/FN1 signaling axis in RCC, suggesting ERβ and circular RNA ATP2B1 as prognostic biomarkers for this disease. Cancer Res; 78(10); 2550–63. ©2018 AACR.
Lower Serum Irisin Levels Are Associated with Increased Vascular Calcification in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: He Lian , He Wan-Yu , A La-Ta , Yang Wen-Ling , Zhang Ai-Hua
Published: February 2018

Background/Aims: Vascular calcification, which involves an active cellular transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells into bone forming cells, is prevalent and predicts mortality in dialysis patients. Its mechanisms are complex and unclear. We presume that irisin, a newly identified myokine also may play roles in vascular calcification in hemodialysis patients. This study aims to evaluate serum irisin levels and establish their relation to vascular calcification and other parameters in hemodialysis patients. Methods: A total of 150 patients on maintenance hemodialysis treatment and 38 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Serum irisin concentrations were measured by ELISA. Vascular calcification was evaluated by abdominal aortic calcification scores. Results: Serum irisin concentrations were significantly lower in hemodialysis patients than in controls [52.8 (22.0, 100.0) vs. 460.8 (434.8, 483.4) ng/ml, P<0.01]. In addition, irisin was negatively correlated with the parathyroid hormone level (P=0.01). The HD patients with vascular calcification showed significantly lower serum irisin concentrations [39.0 (21.7, 86.2) vs.79.0 (39.5, 130.2) ng/mL, P<0.01]. Compared with the group without vascular calcification multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that serum irisin, HD vintage and age were significant independent determinant factors for vascular calcification in HD patients. Conclusion: Our results are the first to provide a clinical evidence of the association between serum irisin and vascular calcification in HD patients. Lower irisin levels, long-term hemodialysis and old ages are independent risk factors in HD patients.
Retos sobre la carga epidemiológica y económica para diabetes e hipertensión en México
Authors: Arredondo Armando , Orozco Emanuel , Alcalde-Rabanal Jaqueline , Navarro Juan , Azar Alejandra
Published: February 2018

OBJETIVO: Analizar la carga epidemiológica y económica de la demanda de servicios de salud por diabetes e hipertensión en México. MÉTODOS: Investigación evaluativa basada en un estudio de series de tiempo que tomó como universo de estudio la población asegurada y no asegurada que demanda servicios de salud a las tres principales instituciones del Sistema de Salud en México: Secretaría de Salud, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, e Instituto de Servicios y Seguridad Social para los Trabajadores del Estado. El método de costeo tomó como base las técnicas de instrumentación y de consenso por manejo de caso promedio. Para estimar los cambios epidemiológicos y requerimientos financieros, se integró una serie de tiempos de casos observados para diabetes e hipertensión 1994–2013. Se desarrollaron modelos probabilísticos basados en la técnica de Box-Jenkins para el periodo 2013–2018 con intervalos del 95% de confianza y p < 0.05. RESULTADOS: Comparando resultados de 2013 versus 2018, en las cinco regiones, se observaron diferentes tendencias incrementales de 14%–17% en cambios epidemiológicos y de 58%–66% en la carga económica para ambas enfermedades. CONCLUSIONES: Si los factores de riesgo y los diferentes modelos de atención permanecieran como están actualmente en las tres instituciones de análisis, las consecuencias financieras serían de mayor impacto para el Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, siguiendo en orden de importancia el Instituto de Servicios y Seguridad Social para los Trabajadores del Estado y finalmente para la Secretaría de Salud. Los requerimientos financieros para ambas enfermedades representarán aproximadamente del 13%–15% del presupuesto total asignado para población no asegurada y el 15%–17% para población asegurada dependiendo de la región.
Private dental insurance expenditure in Brazil
Authors: Cascaes Andreia Morales , Camargo Maria Beatriz Junqueira de , Castilhos Eduardo Dickie de , Silva Alexandre Emídio Ribeiro , Barros Aluísio J D
Published: February 2018

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the household expenditure per capita and to estimate the percentage of Brazilian households that have spent with dental insurance. METHODS: We analyzed data from 55,970 households that participated in the research Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares in 2008–2009. We have analyzed the annual household expenditure per capita with dental insurance (business and private) according to the Brazilian states and the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the households (sex, age, race, and educational level of the head of the household, family income, and presence of an older adult in the household). RESULTS: Only 2.5% of Brazilian households have reported spending on dental insurance. The amount spent per capita amounted to R$5.10 on average, most of which consisted of private dental insurance (R$4.70). Among the characteristics of the household, higher educational level and income were associated with higher spending. São Paulo was the state with the highest household expenditure per capita (R$10.90) and with the highest prevalence of households with expenditures (4.6%), while Amazonas and Tocantins had the lowest values, in which both spent less than R$1.00 and had a prevalence of less than 0.1% of households, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Only a small portion of the Brazilian households has dental insurance expenditure. The market for supplementary dentistry in oral health care covers a restricted portion of the Brazilian population.
Prognostic Value of Early Postoperative Troponin T in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Gahl Brigitta , Göber Volkhard , Odutayo Ayodele , Tevaearai Stahel Hendrik T. , da Costa Bruno R. , Jakob Stephan M. , Fiedler G. Martin , Chan Olivia , Carrel Thierry P. , Jüni Peter
Published: February 2018

Background

Cardiac troponin T (
cTnT
) is elevated after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the association between
cTnT
elevations between 6 and 12 hours after coronary artery bypass grafting and in‐hospital outcome.

Methods and Results

We prospectively studied 1722 patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. We assessed the association between conventional cTnT (749 patients) and high‐sensitivity
cTnT
(hs‐cTnT; 973 patients) 6 to 12 hours postoperatively with in‐hospital major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular events (
MACCE
), a composite of all‐cause death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. The prespecified secondary outcome was a safety composite of
MACCE
, resuscitation, intensive care unit readmission or admission ≥48 hours, inotrope or vasopressor use ≥24 hours, or new‐onset renal insufficiency. Among patients with a conventional
cTnT
measurement, 92 experienced a
MACCE
(12%) and 146 experienced a safety composite event (19%). Likewise, for hs‐
cTnT
, 114 experienced a
MACCE
(12%) and 153 experienced a safety composite event (16%). Compared with
cTnT
≤200 ng/L, each 200‐ng/L increment in
cTnT
was associated with a monotonous increase in the odds of
MACCE
and the safety composite outcome. Conventional and hs‐
cTnT
demonstrated moderate discrimination for
MACCE
(areas under the fitted receiver operating characteristics curve, 0.72 and 0.77 for conventional and hs‐
cTnT
, respectively) and the safety composite outcome (areas under the fitted receiver operating characteristics curve, 0.66 and 0.74 for conventional and hs‐cTnT, respectively) and resulted in improved prognostic performance when added to the Euro
SCORE
. At a cutoff of 800 ng/L, conventional and hs‐
cTnT
provided clinically relevant power to rule in
MACCE
and the safety composite outcome.

Conclusions

cTnT
levels assessed between 6 and 12 hours after coronary artery bypass grafting identify patients at increased risk of
MACCE
or other complications.
Probing Electrophysiological Indices of Perceptual Awareness across Unisensory and Multisensory Modalities
Authors: Noel Jean-Paul , Simon David , Thelen Antonia , Maier Alexander , Blake Randolph , Wallace Mark T.
Published: February 2018

The neural underpinnings of perceptual awareness have been extensively studied using unisensory (e.g., visual alone) stimuli. However, perception is generally multisensory, and it is unclear whether the neural architecture uncovered in these studies directly translates to the multisensory domain. Here, we use EEG to examine brain responses associated with the processing of visual, auditory, and audiovisual stimuli presented near threshold levels of detectability, with the aim of deciphering similarities and differences in the neural signals indexing the transition into perceptual awareness across vision, audition, and combined visual–auditory (multisensory) processing. More specifically, we examine (1) the presence of late evoked potentials (∼>300 msec), (2) the across-trial reproducibility, and (3) the evoked complexity associated with perceived versus nonperceived stimuli. Results reveal that, although perceived stimuli are associated with the presence of late evoked potentials across each of the examined sensory modalities, between-trial variability and EEG complexity differed for unisensory versus multisensory conditions. Whereas across-trial variability and complexity differed for perceived versus nonperceived stimuli in the visual and auditory conditions, this was not the case for the multisensory condition. Taken together, these results suggest that there are fundamental differences in the neural correlates of perceptual awareness for unisensory versus multisensory stimuli. Specifically, the work argues that the presence of late evoked potentials, as opposed to neural reproducibility or complexity, most closely tracks perceptual awareness regardless of the nature of the sensory stimulus. In addition, the current findings suggest a greater similarity between the neural correlates of perceptual awareness of unisensory (visual and auditory) stimuli when compared with multisensory stimuli.
Structural, Optical and Room Temperature Ferromagnetic Properties of Co-Doped Zinc Oxide Nanorods Prepared by Sol–Gel Method
Authors: Ji Hongfen , Cai Changlong , Pang Lixia , Lin Dabin , Liu Weiguo
Published: February 2018

This study reported the synthesis of cobalt (Co)-doped ZnO nanorods using sol–gel method and characterized their microstructures, morphologies, optical and ferromagnetic properties at room temperature by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible absorption
spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectrometry and vibrating sample magnetometry. The results revealed that the formation of the hexagonal shaped wurtzite of Co-doped ZnO nanorods for Co content ≤0.01% suggested that Co2+ occupied the sites of Zn2+ ions in the ZnO crystal
lattice without forming any secondary phase. Moreover, the optical energy band gap (Eg) of the Co-doped ZnO nanorods decreased with increasing Co concentration, while the absorption band edges were at 565, 610 and 653 nm, corresponding to d–d transition of Co2+
ions in the tetrahedral field of ZnO. Furthermore, the strong Zn interstitials and oxygen vacancy defects induced ferromagnetism in the Co-doped ZnO nanorods with a Tc ≥ 300 K. The optimal values of saturation magnetization (Ms), the remanent magnetization
(Mr) and coercive field (Hc) were 1.23 × 10–2 emu/g, 1.7 × 10–3 emu/g and 76 Oe, respectively. These findings suggested that the Co-doped ZnO nanorods exhibited promising attributes for the development of semiconductor
devices with excellent ferromagnetic properties at room temperature.