bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
5‐Aminolevulinic acid‐mediated photodynamic therapy for bladder cancer
Authors: Inoue Keiji
Published: February 2017

Photodynamic therapy using 5‐aminolevulinic acid is a treatment method in which the fluorescent substance of protoporphyrin IX excessively accumulated specifically in cancer cells is excited by visible red or green light irradiation, and reactive oxygen is produced and injures cancer cells. Photodynamic therapy using 5‐aminolevulinic acid less markedly influences the surrounding normal cells and tissue as a result of no accumulation of protoporphyrin IX, being a low‐invasive, less harmful treatment localized to cancer. Furthermore, photodynamic therapy using 5‐aminolevulinic acid is painless, requiring no anesthesia because localized lesions are treated at a low‐energy level, and repeatedly applicable, unlike radiotherapy, and so is expected to be a new low‐invasive treatment based on a concept completely different from existing treatments. In fact, photodynamic therapy using 5‐aminolevulinic acid for bladder cancer was clinically demonstrated mainly for treatment‐resistant bladder carcinoma in situ, and favorable outcomes have been obtained. Photodynamic therapy using 5‐aminolevulinic acid are photodynamic technologies based on the common biological characteristic of cancers, and are expected as novel therapeutic strategies for many types of cancer.
Onion thrips colonization of onion fields bordering crop and non‐crop habitats in muck cropping systems
Authors: Smith E. A. , Shields E. J. , Nault B. A.
Published: February 2017

Onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman, colonization of onion fields may be influenced by bordering crop and non‐crop habitats. Identifying habitats adjacent to onion fields associated with high T. tabaci infestations would be valuable for improving scouting efforts and management decisions. A 3‐year study examined adult T. tabaci colonization patterns within onion fields early (June through early July) and late in the season (August) in three muck regions in New York (USA). We hypothesized that early‐season adult densities would be greater in onion fields bordering other crops (e.g. carrot, corn and potato) and non‐crops (e.g. woods) than those bordering other onion fields and that more adults would occur along onion field edges than field centres. Results indicated similar adult densities in onion fields regardless of bordering crop and non‐crop habitats in seven of nine muck region × year data sets; exceptions were more adults in onion fields bordering potato (Elba region only) and corn (Potter region only) than those bordering other onion fields. Adult densities decreased as distance into onion fields increased in only four of nine muck region × year data sets; in these cases only 38% more adults were found along field edges than field centres. Later in the season, we hypothesized that adult densities would be greater in non‐mature onion fields bordering mature onion fields, and densities would be greater along field edges than field centres. Results indicated that adult densities in non‐mature onion fields bordering mature onion fields were 54 times greater than those bordering other non‐mature onion fields, and four times more adults occurred along field edges than field centres; adult densities were similar along field edges and centres in non‐mature onion fields bordering other non‐mature onion fields. Implications for T. tabaci management in onion based on these colonization patterns are discussed.
The social wasp Polybia fastidiosuscula Saussure (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) uses herbivore‐induced maize plant volatiles to locate its prey
Authors: Saraiva N. B. , Prezoto F. , Fonseca M. das G. , Blassioli‐Moraes M. C. , Borges M. , Laumann R. A. , Auad A. M.
Published: February 2017

Social wasps in the Polybia genus are important for use as pest‐control agents in agricultural systems. The objective of this study was to investigate the behavioural responses of Polybia fastidiosuscula Saussure (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) to volatiles from maize, both constitutive volatiles and those induced by the herbivory of Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). To assess the behavioural response of P. fastidiosuscula to S. frugiperda larvae, undamaged plants, S. frugiperda‐damaged plants, mechanically damaged plants, mechanically damaged plants plus regurgitant from larvae and extracts from various treatments, bioassays were conducted in a Y‐olfactometer. In addition, the volatiles from plants subjected to different treatments were collected via aeration, and they were quantified and identified. The wasps showed a greater preference for plants with damage induced either by larval feeding or by being mechanically damaged plus regurgitant than for undamaged plants or either larvae alone or mechanically damaged plants. Wasps were more attracted to extracts from plants + S. frugiperda larvae and to an extract from mechanically damaged plants + the regurgitant of larvae compared to hexane. The primary compounds induced by herbivory for 5–6 h after the beginning of the damage or regurgitant treatment were identified as α‐pinene, β‐myrcene, (Z)‐3‐hexenyl acetate, limonene, (E)‐ocimene, linalool, DMNT, (E)‐β‐farnesene, TMTT and indole. The results presented here show that the social wasp P. fastidiosuscula uses herbivore‐induced plant volatiles from maize to locate its prey.
Susceptibility of cold hardy grapes to Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae)
Authors: Pelton E. , Gratton C. , Guédot C.
Published: February 2017

Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae), known commonly as spotted wing drosophila, is a vinegar fly originating from South‐East Asia and a major pest to many soft‐skinned fruits. Due to the species recent arrival in North America in 2008, many fruit varieties are yet untested for susceptibility to infestation. While previous work has focused on Vitis vinifera, this study aimed to determine grape susceptibility of cold hardy varieties based on hybrids of V. labrusca, V. riparia and V. vinifera. Field sampling was conducted in Southern Wisconsin (USA) vineyards to establish adult and larval abundance and determine whether the number of adults caught in traps correlates with fruit infestation. Host susceptibility was further assessed through no‐choice bioassays of both intact and damaged fruits. The field study found D. suzukii adults present in all varieties, low larval abundance and no correlation between adult abundance and larval presence. Peak adult abundance occurred mid‐season between veraison and harvest, while larval infestation rates were highest near harvest. In laboratory no‐choice tests, significantly more eggs, larvae and adults occurred in damaged than undamaged grapes. In damaged grapes, larvae and adult abundance was comparable between varieties and to the highly susceptible control of undamaged raspberry; however, D. suzukii developed significantly faster in raspberry than grapes. Fruit characteristics (°Brix, titratable acidity, pH) in grapes were uncorrelated with D. suzukii performance. Together, these findings suggest that cold hardy grapes are overall resistant to D. suzukii if intact and highly susceptible if damaged.
Deficiency of TREK‐1 potassium channel exacerbates secondary injury following spinal cord injury in mice
Authors: Fang Yongkang , Huang Xiaojiang , Wan Yue , Tian Hao , Tian Yeye , Wang Wei , Zhu Suiqiang , Xie Minjie
Published: February 2017

Spinal cord injury (SCI) involves complex pathological process which can be complicated by secondary injury. TREK‐1 is a member of the two‐pore domain potassium (K2P) channel family, which can be modulated by a number of physiological and pathological stimuli. Recent studies suggest that TREK‐1 plays an active role in depression, pain and neuroprotection. However, its role in the pathological process after SCI remains unclear. In this study, we tested the expression and function of TREK‐1 in spinal cord of mice after traumatic SCI. TREK‐1 was widely expressed in mice spinal cord, including astrocytes and neurons. Deficiency of TREK‐1 significantly exacerbated focal inflammatory responses as indicated by the increased accumulation of microglia/macrophage as well as pro‐inflammatory factor interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha expression. Meanwhile, TREK‐1 knockout mice showed enhanced reactive astrogliosis, chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs) production and decreased glutamate transporter‐1 expression compared to the wide‐type mice after SCI. Furthermore, TREK‐1 deficiency promoted neurons and oligodendrocytes apoptosis, aggravated demyelination, cavity formation and retarded motor recovery. In summary, our findings provide the first in vivo evidence suggesting that TREK‐1 may thereby constitute a promising therapeutic target to treat acute SCI.

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“An Economics of Capital”: Genealogies of Everyday Financial Conduct
Authors: Aitken Rob
Published: February 2017

Although recent forms of neoliberalism have been associated with everyday forms of ‘investment’, this paper argues that the financial conduct of everyday populations has long been an intense site of intervention. Drawing on the history of nineteenth and twentieth‐century Canadian government savings, annuities and tax deferral programs, this paper argues that everyday financial conduct has long been a key site of experimentation and innovation in practices of the self. These programs experiment with a language and practice of investment which emphasizes everyday conduct as a space of individual responsibility attached to diverse political goals. This suggests that enterprise as a mode of self and citizenship has a diverse and longer trajectory that predates neoliberalism. By extension, this paper conclude with a case for more diversified, complicated and historically‐situated analyses of ‘neoliberalism’.
Comparing self‐reported and clinically diagnosed unmet dental treatment needs using a nationally representative survey
Authors: Farmer J. , Ramraj C. , Azarpazhooh A. , Dempster L. , Ravaghi V. , Quiñonez C.
Published: February 2017

Objectives

To describe the validity and diagnostic accuracy of self‐reported data compared with clinically assessed data for the ascertainment of clinical dental treatment needs in the Canadian population.

Methods

A secondary analysis of data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (2007‐2009) was undertaken. Clinical treatment needs were classified into preventive and diagnostic, restorative, endodontic, periodontic, surgical, and orthodontic categories. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (NPVs), kappa statistics and likelihood ratios (LR) were calculated to compare self‐reported and clinically determined needs. Survey weights were applied to generate nationally representative findings of the Canadian population.

Results

Generally across most dental need categories, agreement between self‐reported and clinically‐determined dental need was found to be moderate to poor (kappa <0.6). For most needs, self‐reported data was found to be highly specific (>90 percent) but not very sensitive. Low positive (<60 percent) and high NPVs (>80 percent) revealed that self‐reported information was found to be more precise in reassuring when most dental needs were not present, opposed to confirming needs that were required. High positive LRs were obtained for endodontic (+LR = 12.15) and orthodontic needs (+LR = 14.82), indicating good diagnostic accuracy of positive self‐report for these outcomes.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that in general, self‐reports are poor estimates for normative dental treatment needs but do have some merit in confirming non‐needs. Exceptionally, self‐reports do have suitable diagnostic accuracy for predicting orthodontic and endodontic needs.
Extreme protomeric development in a burlingiid trilobite from Cambrian glacial erratics of Denmark
Authors: Ebbestad Jan Ove R. , Weidner Thomas
Published: February 2017

Pengia Geyer & Corbacho is a Cambrian burlingiid trilobite with fused trunk segments devoid of any articulation in the anamorphic and epimorphic phases of development. The type species is Pengia fusilis (Peng et al.) from the Wanshania wanshanensis Zone of China. Here we describe a second species, Pengia palsgaardia sp. nov., from the Lejopyge laevigata Zone of the Paradoxides forchhammeri Superzone. It comes from a glacial erratic in Denmark which probably originated in the Alum Shale Formation of Västergötland, Sweden. Pengia palsgaardia is a large burlingiid (~10 mm in length), with 14 fused segments in the trunk whose boundaries are marked by ridges. The axis is narrow, with the axial furrows faintly indicated or effaced across the median. Laterally along the axis and the tapering glabella, symmetrical globular lobes are developed that are pinched at their base. During ontogeny the glabellar furrows are pit‐like adaxially but shallow towards the axial furrow as the globular lobes develop. Their pit‐like appearance in Pengia palsgaardia and some other burlingiid species is not considered similar to the condition seen in oryctocephalid trilobites. A median preglabellar ridge resembling that of Schmalenseeia Moberg develops late in ontogeny but in early ontogeny the preglabellar field resembles that of Burlingia Walcott, Alumenella Geyer & Corbacho and Niordilobites Geyer & Corbacho. This gives Pengia a more basal position in the schmalenseeid lineage, outside the derived Schmalenseeia. In mature specimens the facial sutures in P. palsgaardia are fused, but an ocular suture may have been present. During ontogeny Pengia would have gone through the anamorphic and protomeric protaspid segmental conditions, but articulation between either the cephalon and pygidium, or pygidium and thoracic segments of the trunk never developed so it did not progress beyond the protaspid phase. This extreme protomeric development is considered to be a derived feature in Pengia.
Paracrine regulation of melanocyte genomic stability: a focus on nucleotide excision repair
Authors: Jarrett Stuart Gordon , Carter Katharine Marie , D'Orazio John August
Published: February 2017

UV radiation is a major environmental risk factor for the development of melanoma by causing DNA damage and mutations. Resistance to UV damage is largely determined by the capacity of melanocytes to respond to UV injury by repairing mutagenic photolesions. The nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway is the major mechanism by which cells correct UV photodamage. This multistep process involves the basic steps of damage recognition, isolation, localized strand unwinding, assembly of a repair complex, excision of the damage‐containing strand 3′ and 5′ to the photolesion, synthesis of a sequence‐appropriate replacement strand, and finally ligation to restore continuity of genomic DNA. In melanocytes, the efficiency of NER is regulated by several hormonal pathways including the melanocortin and endothelin signaling pathways. Elucidating molecular mechanisms by which melanocyte DNA repair is regulated offers the possibility of developing novel melanoma‐preventive strategies to reduce UV mutagenesis, especially in UV‐sensitive melanoma‐prone individuals.
Multiple Regression, Longitudinal Data and Welfare in the 19th Century: Reflections on Yule (1899)
Authors: Plewis Ian
Published: February 2017

The paper that G. U. Yule read to the Royal Statistical Society in 1899 is, by virtue of its application of multiple regression to observational data, a landmark in social statistics. It is also an illustration of the value of relating a change in an explanatory variable to a change in the response when wishing to draw causal conclusions. This paper returns to Yule's data and analysis from a 21st-century perspective. A range of multilevel and fixed effects models are fitted to the reconstructed data set and his conclusions are re-examined. The social and political contexts of Yule's work are also considered.
Cell tube block: a new technique to produce cell blocks from fluid cytology samples
Authors: Marcos Ricardo , Santos Marta , Marrinhas Carla , Caniatti Mario
Published: February 2017

Background

Cell blocks are widely used in human cytopathology. Several techniques have been proposed to convert fluid specimens into solid material, which after embedding in paraffin can be used for histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, or molecular testing. In contrast, only in the last few years, have cell blocks begun to be used in the veterinary field.

Objectives

The purpose of the study was to present the production and features of cell tube blocks (CTB) with veterinary liquid samples.

Methods

Liquid samples including cerebrospinal fluid, cutaneous cyst fluid, pericardial and pleural effusions, bronchoalveolar lavage, urine, and blood were centrifuged in a microhematocrit centrifuge. Capillary tubes were broken at the liquid–solid interface and fixed in 10% formalin for 24 hours. After paraffin embedding, sections ofCTBwere used for different stains including immunohistochemistry.

Results

The morphology and cellular detail inCTBsections were comparable to conventional histologic sections and other existing cell block techniques. The use of special stains such as Gram, Giemsa, alcian blue, and periodic acid–Schiff was straightforward, and immunohistochemistry results with antibodies to pan‐cytokeratin,PAX‐5, andCD3 were considered good.

Conclusions

TheCTBmethod was easily implementable under practice conditions (up to the fixation of the microhemtocrit tube), analogous to surgical biopsy submission for histology. Cell tube blocks can increase diagnostic accuracy when the technique is used in tandem after the cytologic evaluation, and the technique allows storage of fluids. Other advantages ofCTBwere the simplicity, low cost, and separation of erythrocytes from the nucleated cells, which was helpful in hemodiluted samples.
Manufacture of Spiral Bevel Gears Using Standard Profile Angle Blade Cutters on a Five-Axis Computer Numerical Control Machine
Authors: Shih Yi-Pei , Zhang Can-Xun
Published: February 2017

Although face milling (FM) is a popular industrial cutting method for mass-producing bevel gears, current machines require many cutters with diverse profile angles to produce different gear types. In this paper, therefore, a flexible cutting method is proposed that eliminated the need of too many cutters for producing the gears with similar size and module by employing cutters with standard profile angle blades on a general five-axis machine. The settings for this machine are derived by mathematically modeling a virtual machine, after which the motion functions of the five-axis coordinates are determined through inverse kinematics. A sensitivity analysis is then performed to bring the tooth surface produced closer to its theoretical counterpart. The results of a cutting simulation confirm the correctness of this proposed method.
Lease-Oriented Opportunistic Maintenance for Multi-Unit Leased Systems Under Product-Service Paradigm
Authors: Xia Tangbin , Xi Lifeng , Pan Ershun , Fang Xiaolei , Gebraeel Nagi
Published: February 2017

With many industries increasingly relying on leased equipment and machinery, many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are turning to product-service packages where they deliver (typically lease) the physical assets. An integrated service contract will be offered for the asset. A classic example being Rolls Royce power-by-the-hour aircraft engines. Service contracts offered by original equipment manufacturers have predominantly focused on maintenance and upkeep activities for a single asset. Interestingly enough, manufacturing industries are beginning to adopt the product-service paradigm. However, one of the unique aspects in manufacturing settings is that the leased system is often not a single asset but instead a multi-unit system (e.g., an entire production line). In this paper, we develop a lease-oriented maintenance methodology for multi-unit leased systems under product-service paradigm. Unlike traditional maintenance models, we propose a leasing profit optimization (LPO) policy to adaptively compute optimal preventive maintenance (PM) schedules that capture the following dynamics: (1) the structural dependencies of the multi-unit system, (2) opportunistic maintenance of multiple system components, and (3) leasing profit savings (LPSs). We demonstrate the performance of our multi-unit maintenance policy by using a leased automotive manufacturing line and investigate its impact on leasing profits.
Determinate Synthesis of Symmetrical, Monolithic Tip–Tilt–Piston Flexure Stages
Authors: Hao Guangbo
Published: February 2017

This paper mainly deals with the determinate design/synthesis of a class of symmetrical and monolithic flexure mechanisms. Each is composed of six identical in-plane wire beams with uniform square cross sections. These flexure stages can provide three out-of-plane tip–tilt–piston motions for applications in high-precision or miniaturization environments. A generic symmetrical structure is proposed at first with a group of defined parameters considering constraint and noninterference conditions. Normalized static analytical compliance entries for the diagonal compliance matrix of a generic structure are derived and symbolically represented by the parameters. Comprehensive compliance analysis is then followed using the analytical results, and quick insights into the effects of parameters on compliances in different directions are gained. Case studies without and with actuation consideration are finally discussed. As a second contribution, a physical prototype with three actuation legs is monolithically fabricated (using computer numerical control milling machining), kinematically modeled, and experimentally tested, which shows that the desired out-of-plane motion can be generated from the in-plane actuation.
Collaborative Evaluation of Individual and Team Performance in Training and Match Environments Using the Coach Logic Online Platform
Authors: Vinson Don , Beeching Kelvin , Morgan Michelle , Jones Gareth
Published: February 2017

Sports coaches’ commonly have a limited appreciation of pedagogy (Light & Evans, 2013). Furthermore, investigations concerning coaches’ use of performance analysis for athlete learning are rare (Groom, Cushion, & Nelson, 2011). Complex Learning Theory (CLT) advocates nonlinear and sociocultural educative approaches (Light, 2013). Considering this digital age, the aim of this investigation was to examine coaches’ use of Coach Logic—an online video-based coaching platform. Seven Head Coaches (five rugby union and two field hockey) were interviewed individually whilst their coaching staff and players contributed to group interviews. Results confirmed a priori themes of active, social and interpretive as derived from CLT. Analysis of these findings established that online coaching platforms have the capacity to facilitate the active involvement of athletes in the process of performance analysis. From a social perspective, online coaching platforms have helped to develop a positive team environment and also interpersonal working. Good practice was evident relating to interpretive approaches; however, the potential for coaches to embrace more radical conceptualisations of knowledge acquisition is stark. Online coaching platforms have a place in contemporary team sport environments and can contribute to athlete learning and other important aspects of team culture and cohesion.
Youth Sport Coaches’ Perspective on Positive Youth Development and its Worth in Mainstream Coach Education Courses
Authors: Santos Fernando , Camiré Martin , MacDonald Dany J. , Campos Henrique , Conceição Manuel , Silva Patricia
Published: February 2017

Positive youth development (PYD) is a framework that has been widely used within sport research to outline sport’s potential as a developmental context. Past research has indicated how coaches play important roles in facilitating PYD through sport and yet, PYD-related material remains largely absent from mainstream coach education courses (CEC). The purpose of the current study was to examine youth sport coaches’ perspective on PYD and its worth in mainstream coach education courses. The participants were twelve Portuguese youth field hockey coaches (one female and eleven males) who coached athletes between four and eighteen years of age. Findings indicated that coaches valued PYD within their coaching philosophy, but were also highly motivated by performance and improving their players’ motor skills. The participants deemed that CEC generally lack PYD-related material, adding that practical strategies informed by the PYD approach should be inherently part of CEC delivery. The findings have practical implications for coach educators, indicating a need and a desire on the part of coaches to have PYD-related content in mainstream CEC.
Basal cell carcinoma arising in a congenital melanocytic naevus in an adult
Authors: Cooper Lillian , Srinivasan Karthik , Nugent Nora
Published: February 2017

Congenital melanocytic naevi (CMN) are common skin lesions. They harbour a risk of malignant transformation, and various lesions have been described as developing within them. A basal cell cancer occurring within a CMN has never previously been described. A case is described of a woman aged 52 years presenting with a slow-growing, symptomatic 3 cm lesion in the centre of a 10×5 cm CMN on her right upper back. Diagnostic core biopsy revealed an ulcerated, infiltrative basal cell carcinoma which was then further excised. The scar has healed with no evidence of local recurrence at 1-year follow-up.
Synthesis of amphiphilic ABA triblock oligomer via ATRP and its surface properties
Authors: Wang Lei , Wen Shaoqing , Li Zhanxiong
Published: February 2017

A series of novel amphiphilic ABA-type poly(tridecafluorooctylacrylate)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(tridecafluorooctylacrylate) (henceforth referred to as p-TDFA-PEG-p-TDFA) triblock oligomers were successfully synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using well-defined Br-PEG-Br as macroinitiator and copper as catalyst. The block oligomers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and 1H and 19F nuclear magnetic resonances (NMR). Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) showed that the block oligomers have been obtained with narrow molecular weight distributions of 1.22–1.33. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was carried out to confirm the attachment of p-TDFA-PEG-p-TDFA onto the silicon substrate, together with the chemical compositions of p-TDFA-PEG-p-TDFA. The wetabilities of the oligomer films were measured by water contact angles (CAs). Water CAs of p-TDFA-PEG-p-TDFA film were measured and their morphologies were tested by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The result showed that the CAs of the oligomer films, which possess fluoroalkyl groups assembled on the outer surface, increase after heating due to the migration of fluoroalkyl groups and the resulted microphase separation of the p-TDFA-PEG-p-TDFA.
Isentropic calculation for thermodynamic properties of polarized liquid 3He by considering the effect of spin-dependent correlation function
Authors: Bordbar G. H. , Hosseini S. , Poostforush A.
Published: February 2017

Correlations in quantum fluids such as liquid 3He continue to be of high interest to scientists. Based on this prospect, the present work is devoted to study the effects of spin–spin correlation function on the thermodynamic properties of polarized liquid 3He such as pressure, velocity of sound, adiabatic index and adiabatic compressibility along different isentropic paths, using the Lennard–Jones potential and employing the variational approach based on cluster expansion of the energy functional. The inclusion of this correlation improves our previous calculations and leads to good agreements with experimental results.
Design and analysis of miniature tri-axial fluxgate magnetometer
Authors: Zhi Menghui , Tang Liang , Qiao Donghai
Published: February 2017

The detection technology of weak magnetic field is widely used in Earth resource survey and geomagnetic navigation. Useful magnetic field information can be obtained by processing and analyzing the measurement data from magnetic sensors. A miniature tri-axial fluxgate magnetometer is proposed in this paper. This miniature tri-axial fluxgate magnetometer with ring-core structure has a dynamic range of the Earth’s field ±[Formula: see text]65,000 nT, resolution of several nT. It has three independent parts placed in three perpendicular planes for measuring three orthogonal magnetic field components, respectively. A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is used to generate stimulation signal, analog-to-digital (A/D) convertor control signal, and feedback digital-to-analog (D/A) control signal. Design and analysis details are given to improve the dynamic range, sensitivity, resolution, and linearity. Our prototype was measured and compared with a commercial standard Magson fluxgate magnetometer as a reference. The results show that our miniature fluxgate magnetometer can follow the Magson’s change trend well. When used as a magnetic compass, our prototype only has [Formula: see text] deviation compared with standard magnetic compass.
Proton-Beam-Driven Plasma Acceleration
Authors: Adli Erik , Muggli Patric
Published: February 2017

We describe the main ideas, promises and challenges related to proton-driven plasma wakefield acceleration. Existing high-energy proton beams have the potential to accelerate electron beams to the TeV scale in a single plasma stage. In order to drive a wake effectively the available beams must be either highly compressed or microbunched. The self-modulation instability has been suggested as a way to microbunch the proton beams. The AWAKE project at CERN is currently the only planned proton-driven plasma acceleration experiment. A self-modulated CERN SPS beam will be used to drive a plasma wake. We describe the design choices and experimental setup for AWAKE, and discuss briefly the short-term objectives as well as longer-term ideas for the project.
Dielectric Laser Accelerators: Designs, Experiments, and Applications
Authors: Wootton K. P. , McNeur J. , Leedle K. J.
Published: February 2017

Novel laser-powered accelerating structures at the miniaturized scale of an optical wavelength [Formula: see text] open a pathway to high repetition rate, attosecond scale electron bunches that can be accelerated with gradients exceeding 1 GeV/m. Although the theoretical and computational study of dielectric laser accelerators dates back many decades, recently the first experimental realizations of this novel class of accelerators have been demonstrated. We review recent developments in fabrication, testing, and demonstration of these micron scale devices. In particular, prospects for applications of this accelerator technology are evaluated.
Particle Accelerators in China
Authors: Zhang Chuang , Fang Shouxian
Published: February 2017

As the special machines that can accelerate charged particle beams to high energy by using electromagnetic fields, particle accelerators have been widely applied in scientific research and various areas of society. The development of particle accelerators in China started in the early 1950s. After a brief review of the history of accelerators, this article describes in the following sections: particle colliders, heavy-ion accelerators, high-intensity proton accelerators, accelerator-based light sources, pulsed power accelerators, small scale accelerators, accelerators for applications, accelerator technology development and advanced accelerator concepts. The prospects of particle accelerators in China are also presented.
Jerome Lewis Duggan: A Nuclear Physicist and a Well-Known, Six-Decade Accelerator Application Conference (CAARI) Organizer
Authors: Del McDaniel Floyd , Doyle Barney L.
Published: February 2017

Jerry Duggan was an experimental MeV-accelerator-based nuclear and atomic physicist who, over the past few decades, played a key role in the important transition of this field from basic to applied physics. His fascination for and application of particle accelerators spanned almost 60 years, and led to important discoveries in the following fields: accelerator-based analysis (accelerator mass spectrometry, ion beam techniques, nuclear-based analysis, nuclear microprobes, neutron techniques); accelerator facilities, stewardship, and technology development; accelerator applications (industrial, medical, security and defense, and teaching with accelerators); applied research with accelerators (advanced synthesis and modification, radiation effects, nanosciences and technology); physics research (atomic and molecular physics, and nuclear physics); and many other areas and applications. Here we describe Jerry’s physics education at the University of North Texas (B. S. and M. S.) and Louisiana State University (Ph.D.). We also discuss his research at UNT, LSU, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, his involvement with the industrial aspects of accelerators, and his impact on many graduate students, colleagues at UNT and other universities, national laboratories, and industry and acquaintances around the world. Along the way, we found it hard not to also talk about his love of family, sports, fishing, and other recreational activities. While these were significant accomplishments in his life, Jerry will be most remembered for his insight in starting and his industry in maintaining and growing what became one of the most diverse accelerator conferences in the world — the International Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry, or what we all know as CAARI. Through this conference, which he ran almost single-handed for decades, Jerry came to know, and became well known by, literally thousands of atomic and nuclear physicists, accelerator engineers and vendors, medical doctors, cultural heritage experts... the list goes on and on. While thousands of his acquaintances already miss Jerry, this is being felt most by his family and us (B.D. and F.D.M).
Mechanical properties, electronic structure and alkali-ion diffusion of Eldfellite-type AFe(SO4)2 (A = Li, Na, K) as potential cathode materials comparing with LiFePO4
Authors: Chong Xiao Yu , Jiang Yehua , Feng Jing
Published: February 2017

To elucidate the structure-performance relationship of the new potential cathode materials AFe(SO4)2 ([Formula: see text], Na, K) compared with LiFePO4, first-principles calculations are performed to investigate the structure, mechanical stabilities and electronic properties of them. The calculated results show that AFe(SO[Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text], Na, K) compounds are mechanically stable and exhibit strong anisotropy. LiFe(SO[Formula: see text], NaFe(SO[Formula: see text] and KFe(SO[Formula: see text] are more brittle and have higher elastic modulus than LiFePO4, which is attributed to the strong chemical bonding of them. Electronic structure are predicted by HSE06 functional and the band gaps are 5.006, 4.996, 5.146 and 3.711[Formula: see text]eV for LiFe(SO[Formula: see text], NaFe(SO[Formula: see text], KFe(SO[Formula: see text] and LiFePO4, respectively. Full ab initio molecular dynamics simulations are performed to calculate the mean square displacements and diffusion coefficients of the alkali-ion. NaFe(SO[Formula: see text] has large diffusion coefficient as [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m2/s at 1273[Formula: see text]K, as well as larger activation energy as 0.167[Formula: see text]eV. All the results contribute to understand the microscopic origin of the different behaviors of intercalation cathode used in rechargeable battery.
Inflammasomes: Key Mediators of Lung Immunity
Authors: Howrylak Judie A. , Nakahira Kiichi
Published: February 2017

Inflammasomes are key inflammatory signaling platforms that detect microbial substances, sterile environmental insults, and molecules derived from host cells. Activation of the inflammasome promotes caspase-1-mediated secretion of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 and pyroptosis. Recent developments in this field demonstrate the crucial role of the inflammasome in a wide range of disease models. Although inflammasomes are a crucial part of host defense mechanisms against pathogens, the exuberant immune response resulting from inflammasome activation also contributes to the development of various diseases. As ongoing studies further elucidate the regulation and function of the inflammasome, more evidence has emerged that the inflammasome appears to play a pivotal role in the development of multiple inflammatory diseases. Here, we discuss recent insights into how inflammasomes are regulated to activate caspase-1 and implicated in human diseases. We also review the contributions of the inflammasome to pulmonary diseases.
Sparse Codebook Model of Local Structures for Retrieval of Focal Liver Lesions Using Multiphase Medical Images
Authors: Wang Jian , Han Xian-Hua , Xu Yingying , Lin Lanfen , Hu Hongjie , Jin Chongwu , Chen Yen-Wei
Published: February 2017

Characterization and individual trait analysis of the focal liver lesions (FLL) is a challenging task in medical image processing and clinical site. The character analysis of a unconfirmed FLL case would be expected to benefit greatly from the accumulated FLL cases with experts’ analysis, which can be achieved by content-based medical image retrieval (CBMIR). CBMIR mainly includes discriminated feature extraction and similarity calculation procedures. Bag-of-Visual-Words (BoVW) (codebook-based model) has been proven to be effective for different classification and retrieval tasks. This study investigates an improved codebook model for the fined-grained medical image representation with the following three advantages: (1) instead of SIFT, we exploit the local patch (structure) as the local descriptor, which can retain all detailed information and is more suitable for the fine-grained medical image applications; (2) in order to more accurately approximate any local descriptor in coding procedure, the sparse coding method, instead of K-means algorithm, is employed for codebook learning and coded vector calculation; (3) we evaluate retrieval performance of focal liver lesions (FLL) using multiphase computed tomography (CT) scans, in which the proposed codebook model is separately learned for each phase. The effectiveness of the proposed method is confirmed by our experiments on FLL retrieval.
Parasitological Indices of Malaria Transmission in Children under Fifteen Years in Two Ecoepidemiological Zones in Southwestern Burkina Faso
Authors: Hien Aristide S. , Sangaré Ibrahim , Coulibaly Sanata , Namountougou Moussa , Paré-Toé Léa , Ouédraogo Anicet Georges , Diabaté Abdoulaye , Foy Brian D. , Dabiré Roch K.
Published: February 2017

Twenty years after the latest publications performed on the parasitological indices of malaria transmission in northwest of the second city of Burkina Faso, it was important to update the epidemiological profile of malaria in children under the age of 15 years. The objective of this study was to determine and compare the parasitological parameters of malaria transmission by season, area, and age in the two zones (rice and savanna) in the northwest of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Overall, the results showed that there was no significant difference in the parasitological indices of malaria transmission within children under fifteen years between the rice site and the savannah site and whatever the season (P>0.05). The profound environmental modifications that occurred in the rice zone would have led to changes in vector behavior and consequently to changes in the epidemiological profile of malaria, contrary to the results obtained since the last publications. An entomological study correlated with this study is therefore necessary for effective decision-making for the malaria control in both areas. Future research must now focus on the impact that these profound environmental modifications of rice area are having on malaria control in Burkina Faso.
Simulation-Based Dynamic Passenger Flow Assignment Modelling for a Schedule-Based Transit Network
Authors: Yao Xiangming , Han Baomin , Yu Dandan , Ren Hui
Published: February 2017

The online operation management and the offline policy evaluation in complex transit networks require an effective dynamic traffic assignment (DTA) method that can capture the temporal-spatial nature of traffic flows. The objective of this work is to propose a simulation-based dynamic passenger assignment framework and models for such applications in the context of schedule-based rail transit systems. In the simulation framework, travellers are regarded as individual agents who are able to obtain complete information on the current traffic conditions. A combined route selection model integrated with pretrip route selection and entrip route switch is established for achieving the dynamic network flow equilibrium status. The train agent is operated strictly with the timetable and its capacity limitation is considered. A continuous time-driven simulator based on the proposed framework and models is developed, whose performance is illustrated through a large-scale network of Beijing subway. The results indicate that more than 0.8 million individual passengers and thousands of trains can be simulated simultaneously at a speed ten times faster than real time. This study provides an efficient approach to analyze the dynamic demand-supply relationship for large schedule-based transit networks.
Restoration: Implant with Devastated Platform through Metal Post
Authors: Tatiana Luna Salinas , Juan Del Valle Lovato
Published: February 2017

Case Presentation. Implant prostheses are a successful treatment for replacing missing teeth. However, this treatment modality can have biological and mechanical complications causing serious problems for the dentist, as demonstrated in this clinical case. The patient presented with a fractured screw and a severely damaged implant hex connection that corresponded to the second premolar, upper left, stating that she unsuccessfully tried to remove the prosthetic screw, which was most likely to have been loose. After clinical and radiographic review, it was decided to remove small fragments of the fractured prosthetic screw inside the implant head. Removal by conventional methods was unsuccessful but was eventually achieved through use of a bur. Then it was possible to make a cast post (gold-palladium) and develop a fixed prosthesis (silver-palladium), which were attached with luting cement. A cast post (gold-palladium) was made and a fixed prosthesis was developed (silver-palladium), which were attached with luting cement, the same ones that can present mechanical complications such as fractures between the third and fourth thread of the implant, loosening of the abutment, and/or the prosthetic screw in individual crowns, most frequently in partially edentulous patients, mainly in the premolar and molar regions of the maxilla. Conclusion. Therefore the present technique used in this case is very simple, noninvasive, and useful to readers.
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors Assay Using Colorimetric pH Sensitive Strips and Image Analysis by a Smartphone
Authors: Kostelnik Adam , Cegan Alexander , Pohanka Miroslav
Published: February 2017

Smartphones are widely spread and their usage does not require any trained personnel. Recently, smartphones were successfully used in analytical chemistry as a simple detection tool in some applications. This paper focuses on immobilization of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) onto commercially available pH strips with stabilization in the gelatin membrane. AChE degrades acetylcholine into choline and acetic acid which causes color change of acid-base indicator. Smartphone served as a tool for measurement of indicator color change from red to orange while inhibitors blocked this process. AChE inhibitors were measured with limits of detection, 149 nM and 22.3 nM for galanthamine and donepezil, respectively. Organic solvents were measured for method interferences. Measurement procedure was performed on 3D printed holder and digital photography was evaluated using red-green-blue (RGB) channels. The invented assay was validated to the standard Ellman’s test and verified on murine plasma samples spiked with inhibitors. We consider that the assay is fully suitable for practical performance.
Mesenchymal Stem and Progenitor Cells in Regeneration: Tissue Specificity and Regenerative Potential
Authors: Rohban Rokhsareh , Pieber Thomas Rudolf
Published: February 2017

It has always been an ambitious goal in medicine to repair or replace morbid tissues for regaining the organ functionality. This challenge has recently gained momentum through considerable progress in understanding the biological concept of the regenerative potential of stem cells. Routine therapeutic procedures are about to shift towards the use of biological and molecular armamentarium. The potential use of embryonic stem cells and invention of induced pluripotent stem cells raised hope for clinical regenerative purposes; however, the use of these interventions for regenerative therapy showed its dark side, as many health concerns and ethical issues arose in terms of using these cells in clinical applications. In this regard, adult stem cells climbed up to the top list of regenerative tools and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) showed promise for regenerative cell therapy with a rather limited level of risk. MSC have been successfully isolated from various human tissues and they have been shown to offer the possibility to establish novel therapeutic interventions for a variety of hard-to-noncurable diseases. There have been many elegant studies investigating the impact of MSC in regenerative medicine. This review provides compact information on the role of stem cells, in particular, MSC in regeneration.
Spina Bifida: Pathogenesis, Mechanisms, and Genes in Mice and Humans
Authors: Mohd-Zin Siti W. , Marwan Ahmed I. , Abou Chaar Mohamad K. , Ahmad-Annuar Azlina , Abdul-Aziz Noraishah M.
Published: February 2017

Spina bifida is among the phenotypes of the larger condition known as neural tube defects (NTDs). It is the most common central nervous system malformation compatible with life and the second leading cause of birth defects after congenital heart defects. In this review paper, we define spina bifida and discuss the phenotypes seen in humans as described by both surgeons and embryologists in order to compare and ultimately contrast it to the leading animal model, the mouse. Our understanding of spina bifida is currently limited to the observations we make in mouse models, which reflect complete or targeted knockouts of genes, which perturb the whole gene(s) without taking into account the issue of haploinsufficiency, which is most prominent in the human spina bifida condition. We thus conclude that the need to study spina bifida in all its forms, both aperta and occulta, is more indicative of the spina bifida in surviving humans and that the measure of deterioration arising from caudal neural tube defects, more commonly known as spina bifida, must be determined by the level of the lesion both in mouse and in man.
A Psychometric Tool for a Virtual Reality Rehabilitation Approach for Dyslexia
Authors: Pedroli Elisa , Padula Patrizia , Guala Andrea , Meardi Maria Teresa , Riva Giuseppe , Albani Giovanni
Published: February 2017

Dyslexia is a chronic problem that affects the life of subjects and often influences their life choices. The standard rehabilitation methods all use a classic paper and pencil training format but these exercises are boring and demanding for children who may have difficulty in completing the treatments. It is important to develop a new rehabilitation program that would help children in a funny and engaging way. A Wii-based game was developed to demonstrate that a short treatment with an action video game, rather than phonological or orthographic training, may improve the reading abilities in dyslexic children. According to the results, an approach using cues in the context of a virtual environment may represent a promising tool to improve attentional skills. On the other hand, our results do not demonstrate an immediate effect on reading performance, suggesting that a more prolonged protocol may be a future direction.