bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical Investigation of the Dynamic Responses and Damage of Linings Subjected to Violent Gas Explosions inside Highway Tunnels
Authors: Li Zhipeng , Wu Shunchuan , Cheng Ziqiao , Jiang Yibo
Published: October 2018

The linings of structures suffer severe damage when subjected to internal explosions, which cause numerous casualties and incalculable economic losses. In this paper, a violent gas explosion that occurred inside a highway tunnel in the city of Chengdu, China, is studied through numerical simulations. The evaluated energy of the gas explosion was equivalent to 2428.9 kg of TNT. A fully coupled numerical model consisting of five parts is established with dimensions consistent with the real prototype dimensions and by considering fluid‐structure interaction (FSI) effects. Then, a detailed modelling process is presented and validated through a comparison with empirical formulas. This paper investigates the strength and propagation characteristics of a blast shock wave inside the tunnel, and both the effective stresses and dynamic responses of the lining are analysed under the blast impact loading. The damage mechanism is studied, and the evolution of the lining damage is reproduced, the results of which show good agreement with the actual conditions. Moreover, in terms of the responses and damage of the lining, the fully coupled blast loading model has obvious advantages in comparison with the simplified blast loading model. Furthermore, the damage assessment of the lining conducted using the single degree of freedom (SDOF) method agrees well with the results of the numerical simulation and site investigations. The comprehensive numerical simulation technique used in the present paper and its results could represent valuable references for future research on violent explosions within tunnels or very large underground structures and provide relevant information for the blast‐resistant design of such structures.
Leader-Follower Consensus of Second-Order Multiagent Systems with Absent Velocity Measurement and Time Delay
Authors: Yang Panpan , Tang Ye , Yan Maode , Zuo Lei
Published: October 2018

The leader-follower consensus problem of second-order multiagent systems with both absent velocity measurement and time delay is considered. First of all, the consensus protocol is designed by introducing an auxiliary system to compensate for the unavailability of the velocity information. Then, time delay is incorporated into the consensus protocol and two cases with, respectively, constant time delay and time-varying delay are investigated. For the case of constant time delay, Lyapunov-Razumikhin theorem is deployed to obtain the sufficient conditions that guarantee the stability of the consensus algorithm. For the case of time-varying delay, the sufficient conditions are also derived by resorting to the Lyapunov-Razumkhin theorem and linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Various numerical simulations demonstrate the correctness of the theoretical results.
Geology, Mineralogy, Fluid Inclusion, and H–O–S–Pb Isotope Constraints on Ore Genesis of the Keyue Sb–Pb–Zn–Ag Deposit in Southern Tibet
Authors: Wang Da , Zheng Youye , Yang Wantao , Gyatso Ngawang
Published: October 2018

The Keyue deposit is a medium-sized deposit similar to the Zhaxikang deposit within the North Himalayan Metallogenic Belt (NHMB). The ore formation can be divided into Pb–Zn mineralization (stages 1 and 2), Sb–Ag mineralization (stages 3 and 4), and Sb–Hg mineralization (stages 5 and 6). The fluid inclusion data show that the first two pulses of mineralization have different characteristics, but both belong to the epithermal category (stage 2: 172.9~277.2°C, 7.4~17.0 wt% NaCl eq.; stages 3 and 4: 142.1~321.0°C, 2.7~17.96 wt% NaCl eq.). The H–O isotopic compositions of stages 3 and 4 quartz (δDV-SMOW: –174‰~−120‰, δ18OH2O: 1.59‰~11.34‰) are similar to those of stages 3 and 4 minerals (δDV-SMOW: –165‰~−150‰, δ18OH2O: 6.14‰~13.03‰), whereas they are different from stage 1 and 2 (δDV-SMOW: –108.3‰~−103.6‰, δ18OH2O: 1.92‰~3.82‰) and stage 5 and 6 (δDV-SMOW: –165‰~−138‰, δ18OH2O: −12.91‰~0.82‰) minerals from the Zhaxikang deposit. Additionally, stage 2 sulfides have δ34S values of 5.4‰~11.2‰ that are similar to stage 2 sulfides in the Zhaxikang deposit (7.8‰~12.2‰), and these δ34S values overlap those of many SEDEX-type deposits. The δ34S values also show a decreasing trend from stage 2 through stages 3 and 4 to stage 5 in Keyue and Zhaxikang deposits, which may relate to the overprint by later mineralization events. The Pb isotopic data (206Pb/204Pb: 18.530~19.780, 207Pb/204Pb: 15.674~15.939, and 208Pb/204Pb: 38.618~40.559) show a significant crustal contribution. However, the minerals from different pulses of mineralization also exhibit slightly different Pb isotopic characteristics. These inferences from fluid inclusions and isotope are also demonstrated by geological and mineralogical evidence. Overall, the Keyue deposit is an epithermal deposit and has mainly experienced three pulses of mineralization.
Model Selection Approaches for Predicting Future Order Statistics from Type II Censored Data
Authors: Chiang Jyun-You , Wang Shuai , Tsai Tzong-Ru , Li Ting
Published: October 2018

This paper studies a discriminant problem of location-scale family in case of prediction from type II censored samples. Three model selection approaches and two types of predictors are, respectively, proposed to predict the future order statistics from censored data when the best underlying distribution is not clear with several candidates. Two members in the location-scale family, the normal distribution and smallest extreme value distribution, are used as candidates to illustrate the best model competition for the underlying distribution via using the proposed prediction methods. The performance of correct and incorrect selections under correct specification and misspecification is evaluated via using Monte Carlo simulations. Simulation results show that model misspecification has impact on the prediction precision and the proposed three model selection approaches perform well when more than one candidate distributions are competing for the best underlying distribution. Finally, the proposed approaches are applied to three data sets.
Placental Ras Regulates Inflammation Associated with Maternal Obesity
Authors: Liong Stella , Barker Gillian , Lappas Martha
Published: October 2018

Heightened placental inflammation and dysfunction are commonly associated in pregnant obese women compared to their pregnant lean counterparts. The small GTPase superfamily members known as the rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (Ras) proteins, in particular, the K-Ras and H-Ras isoforms, have been implicated to regulate inflammation. The aims were to determine the placental Ras expression and activity with maternal obesity and its role in regulating placental inflammation. Human placenta was obtained at term Caesarean section from lean and obese pregnant women to determine the effect of maternal obesity on Ras protein expression and activity. To determine the effect of Ras on inflammation induced by bacterial endotoxin LPS and proinflammatory cytokines TNF-αor IL-1β, the chemical inhibitor lonafarnib (total Ras inhibitor) and siRNA (siKRAS and siHRAS) were used. Total Ras protein expression together with combined K-Ras and H-Ras activity was significantly increased in the placenta of obese pregnant women and when stimulated with LPS, IL-1β, or TNF-α. Lonafarnib significantly suppressed LPS-, IL-1β-, or TNF-α-induced IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and GRO-αexpression and secretion in placental tissue. Primary trophoblast cells transfected with siKRAS or siHRAS demonstrated only K-Ras silencing significantly decreased IL-1β-, TNF-α-, or LPS-induced IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 expression and secretion. Furthermore, siKRAS significantly reduced downstream ERK-1/2 activation induced by LPS. In trophoblast cells, ERK-1/2 signalling is required for IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and GRO-αsecretion. These studies implicate a role for K-Ras in regulating inflammation in human placenta. Suppressing overactive placental K-Ras function may prevent adverse fetal outcomes complicated by maternal obesity.
Downregulation of Interleukin- (IL-) 17 through Enhanced Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase (IDO) Induction by Curcumin: A Potential Mechanism of Tolerance towards Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Larussa Tiziana , Gervasi Serena , Liparoti Rita , Suraci Evelina , Marasco Raffaella , Imeneo Maria , Luzza Francesco
Published: October 2018

The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of curcumin suggest its use as an anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) agent, but mechanisms underlying its helpful activity are still not clear. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) promotes the effector T cell apoptosis by catalyzing the rate-limiting first step in tryptophan catabolism, and its high expression in H. pylori-infected human gastric mucosa attenuates Th1 and Th17 immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of curcumin in modulating the expression of IL-17 and IDO in H. pylori-infected human gastric mucosa. In an organ culture chamber, gastric biopsies from 35 patients were treated with and without 200 μM curcumin. In H. pylori-infected patients (n=21), IL-17 was significantly lower, both in gastric biopsies (p=0.0003) and culture supernatant (p=0.0001) while IDO significantly increased (p<0.00001) in curcumin-treated sample compared with untreated samples. In a subgroup of H. pylori-infected patients (n=15), samples treated with curcumin in addition to IDO inhibitor 1-methyl-L-tryptophan (1-MT) showed a higher expression of IL-17 compared with untreated samples and curcumin-treated alone (p<0.00001). Curcumin downregulates IL-17 production through the induction of IDO in H. pylori-infected human gastric mucosa, suggesting its role in dampening H. pylori-induced immune-mediated inflammatory changes.
sST2 as a New Biomarker of Chronic Kidney Disease-Induced Cardiac Remodeling: Impact on Risk Prediction
Authors: Plawecki Maëlle , Morena Marion , Kuster Nils , Chenine Leila , Leray-Moragues Hélène , Jover Bernard , Fesler Pierre , Lotierzo Manuela , Dupuy Anne-Marie , Klouche Kada , Cristol Jean-Paul
Published: October 2018

Heart failure is the most frequent cardiac complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Biomarkers help identify high-risk patients. Natriuretic peptides (BNP and NT-proBNP) are largely used for monitoring patients with cardiac failure but are highly dependent on glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) biomarker is well identified in risk stratification of cardiovascular (CV) events in heart failure. Furthermore, sST2 is included in a bioclinical score to stratify mortality risk. The aims of this study were to evaluate (i) the interest of circulating sST2 level in heart dysfunction and (ii) the bioclinical score (Barcelona Bio-Heart Failure risk calculator) to predict the risk of composite outcome (major adverse coronary events) and mortality in the CKD population. A retrospective study was carried out on 218 CKD patients enrolled from 2004 to 2015 at Montpellier University Hospital. sST2 was measured by ELISA (Presage ST2® kit). GFR was estimated by the CKD-EPI equation (eGFR). Indices of cardiac parameters were performed by cardiac echography. No patient had reduced ejection fraction. 112 patients had left ventricular hypertrophy, and 184 presented cardiac dysfunction, with structural, functional abnormalities or both. sST2 was independent of age and eGFR (ρ=0.05, p=0.44, and ρ=−0.07, p=0.3, respectively). Regarding echocardiogram data, sST2 was correlated with left ventricular mass index (ρ=0.16, p=0.02), left atrial diameter (ρ=0.14, p=0.04), and volume index (ρ=0.13, p=0.05). sST2 alone did not change risk prediction of death and/or CV events compared to natriuretic peptides. Included in the Barcelona Bio-Heart Failure (BCN Bio-HF) score, sST2 added value and better stratified the risk of CV events and/or death in CKD patients (p<0.0001). To conclude, sST2 was associated with cardiac remodeling independently of eGFR, unlike other cardiac biomarkers. Added to the BCN Bio-HF score, the risk stratification of death and/or CV events in nondialyzed CKD patients was highly improved.
Improvement in Analytical Methods for Determination of Sugars in Fermented Alcoholic Beverages
Authors: Debebe Ayalew , Temesgen Shibru , Redi-Abshiro Mesfin , Chandravanshi Bhagwan Singh , Ele Estifanos
Published: October 2018

The main objective of this study was to improve the performance of analytical methods for the determination of sugars in fermented alcoholic beverages based on mid-infrared-partial least squares (MIR-PLS), high-performance liquid chromatography with the ultraviolet detector (HPLC-UV), high-performance liquid chromatography with the refractive index detector (HPLC-RI), and sulfuric acid methods. The MIR-PLS method was found to give good prediction of individual sugars: glucose, fructose, sucrose, and maltose in the alcoholic beverages with less than 4% error. The HPLC-UV method can be used for the determination of glucose in alcoholic beverages after derivatization withp-aminobenzoic acid ethyl ester. The HPLC-RI method was found to be applicable for the determination of individual sugars: glucose, fructose, sucrose, and maltose in the alcoholic beverages. The limit of detection (%, w/w) and recovery (%) of the individual sugars by the HPLC-RI method were fructose 0.001, 89.4–106; glucose 0.002, 92.4–109; and sucrose 0.002, 94.2–95.1. The sulfuric acid method was found to be useful for the determination of total sugar in the alcoholic beverages. The limit of detection (%, w/w) and recovery (%) of the total sugar by the sulfuric acid method were found to be 0.009, 98.2–109. The HPLC-RI method was applied to determine the level of individual sugars, while the sulfuric acid method was used to determine total sugar in Ethiopian traditional fermented alcoholic beverages:Tella,Netch Tella,Filter Tella,Borde,Tej,Korefe,Keribo, andBirz. The sugar contents in the real samples were found in the ranges (%): glucose 0.07–5.60, fructose 0.09–8.50, sucrose and maltose 0.08–3.00, and total sugar 12.0–64.5. The levels of sugars in Ethiopian traditional fermented alcoholic beverages were found to be comparable with literature data.
Design and Implementation of a Modular Bidirectional Switch Using SiC-MOSFET for Power Converter Applications
Authors: Maqueda Edgar , Rodas Jorge , Toledo Sergio , Gregor Raúl , Caballero David , Gavilan Federico , Rivera Marco
Published: October 2018

The bidirectional switch (Bi-Sw) is a power device widely used by power conversion systems. This paper presents a novel modular design of a Bi-Sw with the purpose of providing to beginner researchers the key issues to design a power converter. The Bi-Sw has been designed in modular form using the SiC-MOSFET device. The Bi-Sw uses the advantages of SiC-MOSFET to operate at high switching frequencies. The verification of the module is carried out experimentally by means of the implementation in a voltage regulating converter, where performance analysis, power losses, and temperature dissipation are performed.
Potassium Channel Activation Is Involved in the Cardiovascular Effects Induced by Freeze DriedSyzygium jambolanum(Lam.) DC Fruit Juice
Authors: Assis Kívia S. , Araújo Islania G. A. , de Azevedo Fátima de L. A. A. , Maciel Priscilla M. P. , Machado Calzerra Natália T. , da Silva Tays A. F. , Assis Valéria L. , de Vasconcelos Aliny P. , Santos Carlos A. G. , Meireles Bruno R. L. A. , Cordeiro Angela M. T. M. , Araújo Demetrius A. M. , Ribeiro Thais P. , Medeiros Isac A.
Published: October 2018

This work aimed to explore the cardiovascular effects induced by freeze-dried juice from Syzygium jambolanum (Lam.) DC fruits (JSJ). JSJ presented high polyphenol content and steroids. HPLC analysis revealed that 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic and caffeic acid were present in higher amounts in the JSJ extract. In rat, JSJ induces hypotension and vasodilatation in mesenteric arteries, with or without vascular endothelium. JSJ-mediated vasodilation response against contractions induced with KCl (60 mM) depolarizing solution was significantly lower than the responses induced by JSJ when evaluated against phenylephrine-induced contractions. To investigate the involvement of potassium channels we used Tyrode’s solution with KCl (20 mM) or tetraethylammonium (1.0, 3.0, or 5.0 mM). In these conditions JSJ-induced effects were significantly attenuated. To investigate the potassium channel subtypes involved in the response, we used 4-aminopyridine, glibenclamide, BaCl2, and iberiotoxin. In the presence (simultaneous) of different potassium channel blockers we observed a significant attenuation of JSJ-induced effect. Inhibition was also observed when using BaCl2, glibenclamide, or 4-aminopyridine, separately. However, incubation with iberiotoxin did not promote changes in either maximum effect, or potency. We also evidenced a discrete participation ofCaVchannels in the JSJ-induced vasorelaxant effect. In addition, patch-clamp studies demonstrated that JSJ could activate potassium channels. In conclusion, JSJ promotes hypotension and vasorelaxation in rats, involving, at least, the activation of potassium channels.
Damage Identification in Timber Structures Based on Wavelet Singular Spectrum Entropy
Authors: Li Shengcai , Zhang Lei , Tang Jie , Ling Daijian , Wang Peixuan
Published: October 2018

Vibration responses of building structure closely related to the structural health status. In this paper, wavelet singular spectrum entropy (WSSE) is proposed to evaluate the damage condition of building structure. A 1/3 scaled model of a Chinese ancient timber structure has been constructed, and three damage conditions and one restored condition of the structure are simulated. The acceleration responses for undamaged and the four simulated damaged and restored conditions are measured and analyzed by employing WSSE to identify the location at which the structure has incurred damage. Results show that (1) the relative variation rate of WSSE for the damaged position changes significantly; (2) the relative variation rate of WSSE of the point that is damaged more severely would become higher; and (3) signals of North-South and East-West directions are required for further identification. Moreover, a finite element modeling analysis of the timber structure under different damage conditions is performed, and the results verify the applicability of the method proposed.
Erchen Decoction Ameliorates Lipid Metabolism by the Regulation of the Protein CAV‐1 and the Receptors VLDLR, LDLR, ABCA1, and SRB1 in a High‐Fat Diet Rat Model
Authors: Ding Shanshan , Kang Jie , Tong Ling , Lin Yuchen , Liao Linghong , Gao Bizhen
Published: October 2018

Lipid metabolism disorder is a common metabolic disorder characterized by abnormal lipid levels in blood. Erchen decoction (ECD) is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, which is used for the treatment of diseases caused by retention of phlegm dampness. It has been reported to ameliorate the disorder of lipid metabolism. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of ECD in lipid metabolism disorder induced by a high‐fat diet (HFD) in rats. ECD (4.35g/kg/d) and atorvastatin (10mg/kg/d, positive control) were orally administered to HFD‐fed rats for four weeks. The parameters, food, water consumption, body weight, body length, liver, and visceral fat weight and the content of serum lipids and lipid transporters were assessed. The effects of ECD on the mRNA and protein expression levels of lipid transport factors were measured by real‐time PCR and western blotting. The present study demonstrated that ECD improved the disorders of serum lipid and lipid transporters in HFD‐fed rats, TG (0.70±0.08 mmol/L, p<0.01), LDL‐C (1.50±0.19 mmol/L, p<0.01), LDL (1.38±0.21 mmol/L, p<0.05), and oxLDL (1.77±0.39 ng/mL, p<0.05) were downregulated, while HDL‐C (0.87±0.13 mmol/L, p<0.01), FFA (0.62±0.13 mmol/L, p<0.05), HDL (38.8±4.0 mg/dL, p<0.05), and CETP (903.6±120.0 ng/mL, p<0.05) were upregulated. But ECD obviously had no effects on the indices food/water/energy intake, body/tissue (liver and fat) weight, and BMI (p>0.05). Concomitantly, ECD reversed the abnormal expressions of those lipid transport factors in the liver and visceral fat.
Forecasting Short-Term Traffic Flow by Fuzzy Wavelet Neural Network with Parameters Optimized by Biogeography-Based Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Chen Jeng-Fung , Lo Shih-Kuei , Do Quang Hung
Published: October 2018

Forecasting short-term traffic flow is a key task of intelligent transportation systems, which can influence the traveler behaviors and reduce traffic congestion, fuel consumption, and accident risks. This paper proposes a fuzzy wavelet neural network (FWNN) trained by improved biogeography-based optimization (BBO) algorithm for forecasting short-term traffic flow using past traffic data. The original BBO is enhanced by the ring topology and Powell’s method to advance the exploration capability and increase the convergence speed. Our presented approach combines the strengths of fuzzy logic, wavelet transform, neural network, and the heuristic algorithm to detect the trends and patterns of transportation data and thus has been successfully applied to transport forecasting. Other different forecasting methods, including ANN-based model, FWNN-based model, and WNN-based model, are also developed to validate the proposed approach. In order to make the comparisons across different methods, the performance evaluation is based on root-mean-squared error (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and correlation coefficient (R). The performance indexes show that the FWNN model achieves lower RMSE and MAPE, as well as higherR, indicating that the FWNN model is a better predictor.
A New Challenge for Radiologists: Radiomics in Breast Cancer
Authors: Crivelli Paola , Ledda Roberta Eufrasia , Parascandolo Nicola , Fara Alberto , Soro Daniela , Conti Maurizio
Published: October 2018

Introduction. Over the last decade, the field of medical imaging experienced an exponential growth, leading to the development of radiomics, with which innumerable quantitative features are obtained from digital medical images, providing a comprehensive characterization of the tumor. This review aims to assess the role of this emerging diagnostic tool in breast cancer, focusing on the ability of radiomics to predict malignancy, response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, prognostic factors, molecular subtypes, and risk of recurrence. Evidence Acquisition. A literature search on PubMed and on Cochrane database websites to retrieve English-written systematic reviews, review articles, meta-analyses, and randomized clinical trials published from August 2013 up to July 2018 was carried out. Results. Twenty papers (19 retrospective and 1 prospective studies) conducted with different conventional imaging modalities were included. Discussion. The integration of quantitative information with clinical, histological, and genomic data could enable clinicians to provide personalized treatments for breast cancer patients. Current limitations of a routinely application of radiomics are represented by the limited knowledge of its basics concepts among radiologists and by the lack of efficient and standardized systems of feature extraction and data sharing.
Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Assessment of Macular and Optic Nerve Alterations in Patients with Glaucoma and Correlation with Visual Field Index
Authors: Martucci Alessio , Toschi Nicola , Cesareo Massimo , Giannini Clarissa , Pocobelli Giulio , Garaci Francesco , Mancino Raffaele , Nucci Carlo
Published: October 2018

Introduction. To evaluate the sectorial thickness of single retinal layers and optic nerve using spectral domain optic coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and highlight the parameters with the best diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing between normal and glaucoma subjects at different stages of the disease. Material and Methods. For this cross-sectional study, 25 glaucomatous (49 eyes) and 18 age-matched healthy subjects (35 eyes) underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination including visual field testing. Sectorial thickness values of each retinal layer and of the optic nerve were measured using SD-OCT Glaucoma Module Premium Edition (GMPE) software. Each parameter was compared between the groups, and the layers and sectors with the best area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were identified. Correlation of visual field index with the most relevant structural parameters was also evaluated. Results and Discussion. All subjects were grouped according to stage as follows: Controls (CTRL); Early Stage Group (EG) (Stage 1 + Stage 2); Advanced Stage Group (AG) (Stage 3 + Stage 4 + Stage 5). mGCL TI, mGCL TO, mIPL TO, mean mGCL, cpRNFLt NS, and cpRNFLt TI showed the best results in terms of AUC according classification proposed by Swets (0.9 < AUC < 1.0). These parameters also showed significantly different values among group when CTRL vs EG, CTRL vs AG, and EG vs AG were compared. SD-OCT examination showed significant sectorial thickness differences in most of the macular layers when glaucomatous patients at different stages of the disease were compared each other and to the controls.
Coal Temperature Variation Mechanism during Gas Desorption Process
Authors: Yang T. , Nie B. S. , Ye Q. S. , Chen P.
Published: October 2018

To further reveal the mechanism of coal gas migration, the reasons for coal temperature changes during the methane desorption process were analyzed from the aspect of molecular motion and the thermodynamic theory. The temperature change mechanism was investigated, and the mathematical equation was established to describe the variation of temperature change during the methane desorption and diffusion process. The established equation was applied for the calculation of temperature change for two types of coal samples, and the measured and theoretical values of temperature changes were obtained. The results show that the temperature changes in the coal gas desorption process are mainly caused by the heat adsorption. The heat adsorption phenomenon was also caused by free gas expansion during the pressure relief process. The gas diffusion and work done for gas seepage also need heat adsorption. The temperature change is positively correlated to the coal gas pressure, quantity, and limit value of gas desorption volume. Due to the poor insulation in the test system, the difference between the theoretical and the measured temperature change values increase with the adsorption equilibrium pressure. It is helpful to further reveal the mechanism of coal and gas outburst. It also has an important reference value for controlling gas dynamic disasters in coal mines.
Lagrangian Relaxation for an Inventory Location Problem with Periodic Inventory Control and Stochastic Capacity Constraints
Authors: Araya-Sassi Claudio , Miranda Pablo A. , Paredes-Belmar Germán
Published: October 2018

We studied a joint inventory location problem assuming a periodic review for inventory control. A single plant supplies a set of products to multiple warehouses and they serve a set of customers or retailers. The problem consists in determining which potential warehouses should be opened and which retailers should be served by the selected warehouses as well as their reorder points and order sizes while minimizing the total costs. The problem is a Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP) model, which is nonconvex in terms of stochastic capacity constraints and the objective function. We propose a solution approach based on a Lagrangian relaxation and the subgradient method. The decomposition approach considers the relaxation of different sets of constraints, including customer assignment, warehouse demand, and variance constraints. In addition, we develop a Lagrangian heuristic to determine a feasible solution at each iteration of the subgradient method. The proposed Lagrangian relaxation algorithm provides low duality gaps and near-optimal solutions with competitive computational times. It also shows significant impacts of the selected inventory control policy into total system costs and network configuration, when it is compared with different review period values.
Crack Parameters Identification Based on a Kriging Surrogate Model for Operating Rotors
Authors: Wang Danyang , Hua Chunrong , Dong Dawei , He Biao , Lu Zhiwen
Published: October 2018

Parameters identification of cracked rotors has been gaining importance in recent years, but it is still a great challenge to determine the crack parameters including crack location, depth, and angle for operating rotors. This work proposes a new method to identify crack parameters in a rotor‐bearing system based on a Kriging surrogate model and an improved nondominated sorting genetic algorithm‐III (NSGA‐III). A rotor‐bearing system with a breathing crack is established by the finite element method and the superharmonic components are used as index to detect the cracks, the Kriging surrogate model between crack parameters and the superharmonic component amplitudes of the vibration response for rotors are constructed, and an improved NSGA‐III is proposed to obtain the optimal crack parameters. Numerical experiments show that the proposed method can identify the crack location, depth, and angle accurately and efficiently for operating rotors.
Translational Significance of Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators in Psychiatric Disorders
Authors: Khan Mohammad M.
Published: October 2018

Accumulating data from various clinical trial studies suggests that adjuvant therapy with ovarian hormones (estrogens) could be effective in reducing cognitive deficit and psychopathological symptoms in women with psychiatric disorders. However, estrogen therapy poses serious limitations and health issues including feminization in men and increased risks of thromboembolism, hot flashes, breast hyperplasia, and endometrium hyperplasia when used for longer duration in older women (aged ≥ 60 years) or in women who have genetic predispositions. On the other hand, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), which may (or may not) carry some risks of hot flashes, thromboembolism, breast hyperplasia, and endometrial hyperplasia, are generally devoid of feminization effect. In clinical trial studies, adjuvant therapy with tamoxifen, a triphenylethylene class of SERM, has been found to reduce the frequency of manic episodes in patients with bipolar disorder, whereas addition of raloxifene, a benzothiophene class of SERM, to regular doses of antipsychotic drugs has been found to reduce cognitive deficit and psychological symptoms in men and women with schizophrenia, including women with treatment refractory psychosis. These outcomes together with potent neurocognitive, neuroprotective, and cardiometabolic properties suggest that SERMs could be the potential targets for designing effective and safer therapies for psychiatric disorders.
Pharmacological Inhibition of PARP6 Triggers Multipolar Spindle Formation and Elicits Therapeutic Effects in Breast Cancer
Authors: Wang Zebin , Grosskurth Shaun E. , Cheung Tony , Petteruti Philip , Zhang Jingwen , Wang Xin , Wang Wenxian , Gharahdaghi Farzin , Wu Jiaquan , Su Nancy , Howard Ryan T. , Mayo Michele , Widzowski Dan , Scott David A. , Johannes Jeffrey W. , Lamb Michelle L. , Lawson Deborah , Dry Jonathan R. , Lyne Paul D. , Tate Edward W. , Zinda Michael , Mikule Keith , Fawell Stephen E. , Reimer Corinne , Chen Huawei
Published: October 2018

PARP proteins represent a class of post-translational modification enzymes with diverse cellular functions. Targeting PARPs has proven to be efficacious clinically, but exploration of the therapeutic potential of PARP inhibition has been limited to targeting poly(ADP-ribose) generating PARP, including PARP1/2/3 and tankyrases. The cancer-related functions of mono(ADP-ribose) generating PARP, including PARP6, remain largely uncharacterized. Here, we report a novel therapeutic strategy targeting PARP6 using the first reported PARP6 inhibitors. By screening a collection of PARP compounds for their ability to induce mitotic defects, we uncovered a robust correlation between PARP6 inhibition and induction of multipolar spindle (MPS) formation, which was phenocopied by PARP6 knockdown. Treatment with AZ0108, a PARP6 inhibitor with a favorable pharmacokinetic profile, potently induced the MPS phenotype, leading to apoptosis in a subset of breast cancer cells in vitro and antitumor effects in vivo. In addition, Chk1 was identified as a specific substrate of PARP6 and was further confirmed by enzymatic assays and by mass spectrometry. Furthermore, when modification of Chk1 was inhibited with AZ0108 in breast cancer cells, we observed marked upregulation of p-S345 Chk1 accompanied by defects in mitotic signaling. Together, these results establish proof-of-concept antitumor efficacy through PARP6 inhibition and highlight a novel function of PARP6 in maintaining centrosome integrity via direct ADP-ribosylation of Chk1 and modulation of its activity.

Significance:

These findings describe a new inhibitor of PARP6 and identify a novel function of PARP6 in regulating activation of Chk1 in breast cancer cells.
Hsp70 Binds to the Androgen Receptor N-terminal Domain and Modulates the Receptor Function in Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Dong Jun , Wu Zeyu , Wang Dan , Pascal Laura E. , Nelson Joel B. , Wipf Peter , Wang Zhou
Published: October 2018

The androgen receptor (AR) is a key driver and therapeutic target in androgen-sensitive prostate cancer, castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), and CRPC resistant to abiraterone and enzalutamide, two second-generation inhibitors of AR signaling. Because current AR inhibitors target a functioning C-terminal ligand-binding domain (LBD), the identification and characterization of cofactors interacting with the N-terminal domain (NTD) of AR may lead to new approaches to target AR signaling in CRPC. Using a pull-down approach coupled with proteomics, we have identified Hsp70 as a cofactor for the NTD of AR in prostate cancer cells. Hsp70 inhibition using siRNA or small molecules indicated that Hsp70 played an important role in the expression and transactivation of endogenous AR. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) promoter/enhancer-driven luciferase assays showed that Hsp70 was also required for transactivation of AR mutant lacking LBD. Furthermore, clonogenic assays showed that an Hsp70 inhibitor, either alone or in synergy with enzalutamide, can inhibit the proliferation of 22Rv1, a widely used enzalutamide-resistant CRPC prostate cancer cell line. These findings suggest that Hsp70 is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of enzalutamide-resistant CRPC.
Das respiratorische «Overlap-Syndrom»: Wirksamkeit und Nutzen der kombinierten zweifachen Bronchodilatation
Authors: Petrone Albino , Fimognari Filippo Luca , Mormile Francesco , Fuso Leonello , Quartieri Michela , Petrone Ludovico , Romano Francesco
Published: October 2018

Das gleichzeitige Vorliegen von chronisch-obstruktiver Lungenerkrankung (COPD) und obstruktivem Schlafapnoe-Syndrom bei demselben Patienten wird als «Overlap-Syndrom» bezeichnet und stellt einen ungünstigen Prognosefaktor für den Patienten dar. Starke Bronchodilatation kann in der Behandlung dieser Erkrankung sinnvoll sein. Gemäß der GOLD-Leitlinie 2017 kann die Kombination aus Indacaterol und Glycopyrronium positive synergistische Effekte auf die glatten Muskelzellen und den Widerstand der Atemwege haben, mit besonders ausgeprägter Wirksamkeit im Hinblick auf die Hyperinflation der Lunge. So bewirken inhalative Bronchodilatatoren positive Veränderungen der dynamisch determinierten Komponenten der Hyperinflation der Lunge in Ruhe und tragen dazu bei, die hyperinflatierte Lunge zu entleeren. Besonders wichtig ist dies für die Verbesserung der Dyspnoe, körperlichen Belastbarkeit und nächtlichen Sättigung, vor allem in Kombination mit CPAP-Überdruckbeatmung, wie in unserer Fallserie beschrieben. Wir berichten hier über 3 Fälle von COPD; die Patienten wurden in stabilem klinischem Zustand aufgrund von potenziell auf eine obstruktive Schlafapnoe hindeutenden Symptomen der Abteilung für Pathophysiologie der Atemwege am «Mariano Santo»-Krankenhaus in Cosenza zugewiesen und dort erfolgreich mit Indacaterol und Glycopyrronium in fester Dosierung behandelt. Übersetzung aus Respiration 2018;95(suppl 1):15-18 (DOI: 10.1159/000487179)
State of the Art Enamel Remineralization Systems: The Next Frontier in Caries Management
Authors: Philip Nebu
Published: October 2018

The principles of minimally invasive dentistry clearly dictate the need for clinically effective measures to remineralize early enamel caries lesions. While fluoride-mediated remineralization is the cornerstone of current caries management philosophies, a number of new remineralization strategies have been commercialized or are under development that claim to promote deeper remineralization of lesions, reduce the potential risks associated with high-fluoride oral care products, and facilitate caries control over a lifetime. These non-fluoride remineralizing systems can be broadly categorized into biomimetic enamel regenerative technologies and the approaches that repair caries lesions by enhancing fluoride efficacy. This paper discusses the rationale for non-fluoride remineralization and the mechanism of action, challenges, and evidence behind some of the most promising advances in enamel remineralization therapies.
Meiotic Recombination Differences in Rams from Three Breeds of Sheep in the US
Authors: Davenport Kimberly M. , McKay Stephanie , Fahey Alan G. , Gill Clare , Murdoch Brenda M.
Published: October 2018

Meiotic recombination is an important contributor to genetic variation and ensures proper chromosome segregation during gametogenesis. Previous studies suggest that at least 1 crossover (CO) per chromosome arm is important to avoid mis-segregation. While the total number of COs per spermatocyte is known to differ in mice, this is only beginning to be evaluated in sheep. This study used a cytogenetic approach to quantify and compare the number of COs per spermatocyte in rams from 3 breeds of sheep: Suffolk, Icelandic, and Targhee. In total, 2,758 spermatocytes and over 170,000 COs were examined. Suffolk rams exhibited the lowest mean number of COs (61.1 ± 0.15) compared to Icelandic (63.5 ± 0.27) and Targhee (65.9 ± 0.26) rams. Significant differences in the number of COs per spermatocyte were observed between Suffolk, Icelandic, and Targhee breeds as well as within each breed. Additionally, the number and location of COs were characterized for homologous chromosomes in a subset of spermatocytes for each ram. A positive correlation was identified between the number of COs and the length of the homologous chromosome pair. Suffolk and Icelandic rams exhibited up to 7 COs per chromosome, while Targhee rams exhibited up to 9. Further, distinct CO location preferences on homologous chromosome pairs with 1, 2, 3, and 4 COs were observed in all 3 breeds. These data in sheep will aid in elucidating the mechanism of mammalian meiotic recombination, an important contributor to genetic diversity.
Cambios, pervivencias y adaptaciones. La integración de las élites nativas en el virreinato de Perú durante el Siglo XVI
Authors: Leiva Arcas Alejandro
Published: October 2018

Tras la conquista del imperio inca por parte de los soldados españoles, dio comienzo un proceso de articulación social y de gobierno del espacio andino. Con el fin de establecer un control efectivo sobre el territorio, las élites españolas negociaron con los líderes indígenas su nuevo rol en la sociedad emergente. Este artículo explora cómo los caciques andinos asumieron este cambio y cómo ejercieron sus mecanismos de poder para consolidar, reconfigurar y aumentar su estatus en el nuevo orden colonial.
Heterogeneidade estrutural nas relações internacionais da América Latina: um olhar através dos paradigmas de integração regional
Authors: Granato Leonardo , Batista Ian Rebouças
Published: October 2018

O presente artigo busca debater a heterogeneidade que historicamente marca as relações internacionais da América Latina tanto no âmbito nacional quanto no âmbito regional. A proposta é trabalhar a referida heterogeneidade como um fator a ser explicado e como um fator explicativo. No que diz respeito à heterogeneidade como fator a ser explicado, buscaremos as causas de tal fator na condição periférica dependente do continente. Com relação à heterogeneidade como fator explicativo, utilizaremos a heterogeneidade para explicar os entraves à integração regional, ao revisitarmos os paradigmas das propostas na região (velho regionalismo, novo regionalismo e regionalismo pós-liberal) e apontarmos a diversidade de interesses/contextos/desafios, em cada período, nos âmbitos nacional, regional e internacional.
Eleições diretas ao Parlasul na Argentina e no Paraguai: da representação parlamentar na integração à conformação eleitoral regional na esfera doméstica
Authors: Silva Matheus Felipe
Published: October 2018

O presente artigo busca uma reflexão acerca do processo de adequação das legislações eleitorais da Argentina e do Paraguai para a realização de eleições diretas ao Parlasul, atendendo as demandas do seu Protocolo Constitutivo. Considera-se importante observar a participação das delegações nacionais desde a formação de instâncias parlamentares no Mercosul, nas quais foram negociadas os progressos na conformação de um parlamento regional. Estes períodos podem ser apreendidos por análises bibliográficas para compreender a mobilização das delegações dos dois países até o momento de conformação do Parlasul. Estes elementos são utilizados para traçar paralelos com as mobilizações nacionais em torno da conformação de ditas eleições e os resultados das mesmas, buscando continuidades e elementos influenciadores em todo o processo.
Multilateral development banks and state capacity: the IDB, Brazil and Argentina in the neoliberal era (1990-2002)
Authors: Makino Rogério
Published: October 2018

The article analyzes the relationbetween the Inter-American Development Bank’s Modernization of the State programsand the state capacity of Brazil and Argentina during the Neoliberal Era in Latin America (1990-2002).The development studies indicate that state capacity is a precondition for any successful development strategy. Thus, agreater state capacity could be expected from those countries who participated in theseprograms, but the data obtained does not permit this conclusion.
La Segregación Residencial Socioeconómica y su relación con la desigualdad económica en México
Authors: Medina Ortega Marco Antonio , Benavides Rodríguez Laura Elizabeth
Published: October 2018

Existe una gran diversidad de perspectivas en las que se aborda el estudio de la ciudad. En los últimos años se observa un creciente interés por los trabajos que analizan la ciudad desde la vertiente de la desigualdad social y la segregación urbana. En este documento se presentan algunas reflexiones contemporáneas respecto al tema de la segregación residencial socioeconómica; el recorrido se realiza desde los primeros antecedentes de estudios sobre la segregación con la finalidad de concretar un marco analítico base, para posteriormente entrar en materia con el fenómeno de la segregación en la región latinoamericana, así como identificar los estudios de relevancia y concretar un breve estado de la cuestión que se sintetizará en la construcción de dos líneas del tiempo una para América Latina y otra para México.  Sin embargo, nuestra intención es que el presente artículo sea una oportunidad para reflexionar sobre las diferencias y desigualdades socioeconómicas; y concientizar la percepción hacia otros grupos sociales que comparten con nosotros la jerárquica pirámide socioeconómica.
As compreensões intervencionistas da Psicologia Social comunitária latino-americana a partir de uma revisão bibliográfica e bibliométrica
Authors: Pontes Isabela Da Silva , Santos Viviani Teodoro dos , Cassandre Marcio Pascoal
Published: October 2018

O objetivo do estudo é investigar a incidência de propostas intervencionistas de pesquisa pela Psicologia Social Comunitária Latino Americana (PSCLA). Realizou-se estudo bibliográfico e bibliométrico que revelou: i) baixo número de publicações porém em Qualis A1 e A2; ii) a maioria dos estudos são apresentados na língua portuguesa; iii) número de publicações oscilam conforme os anos, iv) os artigos encontrados apresentaram aparato metodológico, porém a discussão se mostrou incipiente sobre possíveis indicações de procedimentos metodológicos específicos  para a PSCLA e v) as técnicas de pesquisa mais utilizadas foram: observação e anotação em diário de campo; entrevistas e questionários.
Subjetividades en dislocamiento
Authors: Morales Bautista Ernesto , Brito Nunes Gabriel
Published: October 2018

El siguiente relato proviene del proyecto artístico transdisciplinario Proyecto Paisajes Migratorios / entre fronteras /, #PPM, de coautoría de los artistas investigadores Ernesto Morales Bautista y Gabriel Brito Nunes, basado en una investigación en desarrollo sobre migración y fronteras cuyo trayecto inaugural se realizó de abril a julio de 2017 por territorio mexicano. Dicho trayecto fue iniciado al norte en los estados fronterizos de México con Estados Unidos – Chihuahua y Coahuila – y concluido en la frontera al sur, entre Guatemala y el estado de Chiapas, después de atravesar los paisajes de los estados intermedios de San Luis Potosí, Oaxaca, Veracruz, entre otros, y la Ciudad de México. Los procesos derivados de esta investigación son constantemente alimentados por las vivencias de sus autores con las personas en dislocamiento – los migrantes – así como los agentes involucrados en la compleja red que se ha formado alrededor del estatus Migrante. Aunado a la lucha por los derechos ante el peligro y la violencia a que son sometidos los centroamericanos durante su desplazamiento, este proyecto tiene estrecha relación con el hecho de que México se ha convertido en una gran frontera para los que atraviesan el territorio de este país en busca del sueño americano.
Peripheral Hemodialysis Shunt With Intracranial Venous Congestion
Authors: Hartmann Andreas , Mast Henning , Stapf Christian , Koch Hans-Christian , Marx Peter
Published: October 2018

Background

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Intracranial venous congestion is often caused by local venous thrombosis or brain arteriovenous fistulas. Hemodialysis shunts are known to cause venous enlargement in the arm or chest but have not been related to intracranial vascular pathology.

Case Description

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A 59-year-old woman who presented with increasing headache, gait instability, and memory loss was a renal transplant recipient who still carried a left upper arm shunt. Cranial CT scan showed enlarged veins in the posterior fossa with incipient hydrocephalus. Extracranial duplex sonography revealed reversed flow in the left internal jugular vein, which normalized on cuff inflation around the shunt-carrying arm. The reversed flow, intracranial venous congestion, and neurological status improved after surgical shunt ligation.

Conclusions

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To our knowledge, this is the first case description of an intracranial venous outflow obstruction caused by a peripheral arteriovenous shunt.