bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analytical Solution to the Heat Transfer in Fling-Off Cooling of Spur Gears
Authors: Kromer Christian , Cordes Laura , Keller Marc C. , Schwitzke Corina , Bauer Hans-Jörg
Published: May 2019

In this research paper, the cooling process of an impingement cooled spur gear is examined by means of an analytical model. The process is modeled as a coolant film, which is flung off a rotating gear tooth flank by centrifugal forces. During the process, heat is transferred from the isothermal gear tooth flank to the coolant film. With a numerical solution to the analytical model, a formulation for the transient local Nusselt number is derived. The evaluation of the numerical solution revealed that the heat transfer is dominated by heat conduction in the coolant film. The heat transfer process ends when the thermal capacity of the coolant film is reached. The transient Nusselt number is used to derive a time-averaged and a global heat transfer coefficient. Furthermore, the influence of the initial coolant film height is examined by using a modified version of the analytical model. The global heat transfer coefficient decreases toward smaller initial cooling film heights. The analytical model is then extended to include the temperature dependency of the viscosity of the coolant. A viscosity that decreases with increasing temperature yields a moderate decrease in heat transfer. A discussion is presented regarding the applicability of the analytical model toward impingement cooled spur gears. The effect of the simplifications made in the derivation of the analytical model is outlined and assessed with regard to the heat transfer mechanism.
Bandwidth extension of narrowband-signal intensity calculation using additive, low-level broadband noise
Authors: Cook Mylan R. , Succo Kelli F. , Gee Kent L. , Sommerfeldt Scott D. , Neilsen Tracianne B.
Published: May 2019

Calculation of acoustic intensity using the phase and amplitude gradient estimator (PAGE) method has been shown to increase the effective upper frequency limit beyond the traditional p-p method when the source of interest is broadband in frequency [Torrie, Whiting, Gee, Neilsen, and Sommerfeldt, Proc. Mtgs. Acoust. 23, 030005 (2015)]. PAGE processing calculates intensity for narrowband sources without bias error up to the spatial Nyquist frequency [Succo, Sommerfeldt, Gee, and Neilsen, Proc. Mtgs. Acoust. 30, 030015 (2018)]. The present work demonstrates that for narrowband sources with frequency content above the spatial Nyquist frequency, additive low-level broadband noise can improve intensity calculations. To be effective, the angular separation between the source and additive noise source should be less than 30°, while using phase unwrapping with a smaller angular separation will increase the usable bandwidth. The upper frequency limit for the bandwidth extension depends on angular separation, sound speed, and probe microphone spacing. Assuming the signal-to-additive-noise ratio (SNRa) is larger than 10 dB, the maximum level and angular bias errors incurred by the additive broadband noise beneath the frequency limit—or up until probe scattering effects must be taken into account—are less than 0.5 dB and 2.5°, respectively. Smaller angular separation yields smaller bias errors.
Scientists caught in U.S. crackdown on China
Authors: Cohen Jon , Malakoff David
Published: May 2019

Emory University dismisses neuroscientists, federal agents arrest Los Alamos physicist.
Fungus with a venom gene could be new mosquito killer
Authors: Vogel Gretchen
Published: May 2019

Transgenic approach shows promise in field test but is likely to face regulatory and political hurdles.
Scientific leaders explore pathways to climate solutions
Authors: Hoy Anne Q.
Published: May 2019

Ecologist Jane Lubchenco and nuclear physicist Ernest Moniz offer ways forward from land and sea
The uncertain future of protected lands and waters
Authors: Golden Kroner Rachel E. , Qin Siyu , Cook Carly N. , Krithivasan Roopa , Pack Shalynn M. , Bonilla Oscar D. , Cort-Kansinally Kerry Anne , Coutinho Bruno , Feng Mingmin , Martínez Garcia Maria Isabel , He Yifan , Kennedy Chris J. , Lebreton Clotilde , Ledezma Juan Carlos , Lovejoy Thomas E. , Luther David A. , Parmanand Yohan , Ruíz-Agudelo César Augusto , Yerena Edgard , Morón Zambrano Vilisa , Mascia Michael B.
Published: May 2019

Not all that protected, after all

The intention of creating protected natural areas is to protect them in the long term from destructive human activities. Governments do not always follow these intentions, however, and often legally remove protections and reduce the extent of protected areas. Golden Kroner
et al.
looked across the United States and Amazonia over the past 200 years and found more than 700 such changes, two-thirds of which have occurred since the year 2000 (see the Perspective by Naughton-Treves and Holland). The majority of these were to permit destructive practices, such as resource extraction. Thus, these changes do not just alter status but lead to irreparable environmental harm.

Science
, this issue p.
881
; see also p.
832
Multiple Copies of
qnrA1
on an IncA/C
2
Plasmid Explain Enhanced Quinolone Resistance in an Escherichia coli Mutant
Authors: Vinué Laura , Sater Mohamad R. A. , Herriott Ian , Huntley Miriam H. , Jacoby George A. , Hooper David C.
Published: May 2019

In a previous study, mutants with enhanced ciprofloxacin resistance (Cip
r
) were selected from
Escherichia coli
J53/pMG252 carrying
qnrA1
. Strain J53 Cip
r
8-2 showed an increase in the copy number and transcription level of
qnrA1
. We sequenced the plasmids on Illumina and MinION platforms.
Structure-Function Analysis of the Phosphoesterase Component of the Nucleic Acid End-Healing Enzyme
Runella slithyformis
HD-Pnk
Authors: Munir Annum , Shuman Stewart
Published: May 2019

5′-end healing and 3′-end healing are key steps in nucleic acid break repair in which 5′-OH ends are phosphorylated by a polynucleotide kinase, and 3′-PO
4
or 2′,3′-cyclic-PO
4
ends are hydrolyzed by a phosphoesterase to generate 5′-PO
4
and 3′-OH termini needed for joining by DNA and RNA ligases. This study interrogates, biochemically and via mutagenesis, the phosphoesterase activity of
Runella slithyformis
HD-Pnk, a bifunctional bacterial 5′- and 3′-end-healing enzyme composed of HD phosphoesterase and P-loop kinase modules. HD-Pnk homologs are found in 129 bacterial genera from 11 phyla. In 123/129 instances, HD-Pnk is encoded in an operon-like gene cluster with a putative ATP-dependent polynucleotide ligase (LIG), suggesting that HD-Pnk and LIG are agents of a conserved bacterial nucleic acid repair pathway.
Prevalence of non-communicable diseases by age, gender and nationality in publicly funded primary care settings in Qatar
Authors: Syed Mohamed A , Alnuaimi Ahmed S , Zainel Abdul Jaleel , A/Qotba Hamda A
Published: May 2019

Background

In Qatar, as with other countries, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have been the leading cause of death. This study aims to describe the prevalence of four NCDs clusters (cardiovascular diseases (coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease), cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM)) by age, gender and nationality (Qataris and non-Qataris) accessing publicly funded primary care services to inform healthcare planning and strategies.

Methods

Cross-sectional study design was used. Data for individuals aged ≥18 and who visited a publicly funded primary health centre in Qatar during 2017 were extracted from electronic medical records and analysed.

Results

The findings showed that approximately 16.2 % of the study population (N = 68 421) had one or more of the four NCDs. The prevalence of NCDs showed an increasing trend with increasing age. Highest increases in the prevalence of NCDs were seen in a relatively young age group (30–49 years). The prevalence of all NCDs except cancers was higher in men. Prevalence rates of CHD and cancers in the study were found to be similar in both Qataris and non-Qataris; however, COPD and T2DM rates were higher in Qataris compared with non-Qataris. T2DM accounted for the highest prevalence of any NCD among both Qataris (230/1000) and non-Qataris (183/1000).

Conclusions

Although not comprehensive and nationally representative, this study is suggestive of a higher prevalence of NCDs among a younger population, men and in Qatari, Western Asian, Southern Asian, Sub-Saharan Africans, South-Eastern Asians Northern African and Western European nationalities. Prevention, treatment and control of NCDs and their risk factors are a public health problem in Qatar, and resources need to be invested towards targeted interventions with a multisectoral approach.
Multicentre, randomised trial comparing acellular porcine collagen implant versus gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap for reconstruction of the pelvic floor after extended abdominoperineal excision of rectum: study protocol for the Nordic Extended Abdominoperineal Excision (NEAPE) study
Authors: Rutegård Martin , Rutegård Jörgen , Haapamäki Markku M
Published: May 2019

Introduction

Different surgical techniques are used to cover the defect in the floor of the lesser pelvis after an ‘extralevator’ or ‘extended’ abdominoperineal excision for advanced rectal cancer. However, these operations are potentially mutilating, and the reconstruction method of the pelvic floor has been studied only sparsely. We aim to study whether a porcine-collagen implant is superior or equally beneficial to a gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap as a reconstruction method.

Methods and analysis

This is a multicentre non-blinded randomised controlled trial with the experimental arm using a porcine-collagen implant and the control arm using a gluteus maximus muscle and skin rotation flap. Considered for inclusion are patients with rectal cancer, who are operated on with a wide abdominoperineal rectal excision including most of the levator muscles and where the muscle remnants cannot be closed in the midline with sutures. Patients with a primary or recurrent rectal cancer with an estimated survival of more than a year are eligible. The randomisation is computer generated with a concealed sequence and stratified by participating hospital and preoperative radiotherapy regimen. The main outcome is physical performance 6 months after surgery measured with the timed-stands test. Secondary outcomes are perineal wound healing, surgical complications, quality of life, ability to sit and other outcomes measured at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. To be able to state experimental arm non-inferiority with a 10% margin of the primary outcome with 90% statistical power and assuming 10% attrition, we aim to enrol 85 patients from May 2011 onwards.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by the Regional Ethical Review board at Umeå University (protocol no: NEAPE-2010-335-31M). The results will be disseminated through patient associations and conventional scientific channels.

Trial registration number

NCT01347697; Pre-results.
Anterior neck soft tissue thickness for airway evaluation measured by MRI in patients with cervical spondylosis: prospective cohort study
Authors: Han Yongzheng , Fang Jingchao , Zhang Hua , Xu Mao , Guo Xiangyang
Published: May 2019

Objectives

Anterior neck soft tissue thickness, usually measured by ultrasound, is increasingly being investigated to predict difficult laryngoscopy, but the results have not been validated. Considering the conflicting measurement data, different measuring body positions and lack of a standard ultrasound procedure, we used MRI to verify the efficacy of these popular ultrasonographic parameters.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

A tertiary hospital in Beijing, China.

Methods

We enrolled 315 adult patients who underwent cervical spinal surgery in Peking University Third Hospital from April to October 2016. We analysed MRI data to predict difficult laryngoscopy. Cormack–Lehane scales were assessed during intubation, and patients with a class III or IV view were assigned to the difficult laryngoscopy group.

Results

Univariate analysis showed that male sex (p<0.01), older age (p=0.03) and body weight (p=0.02) were associated with difficult laryngoscopy. MRI data consisted of five common ultrasonographic variables used to predict difficult laryngoscopy, but none was a valuable predictor: skin to hyoid (p=0.18), skin to midpoint of epiglottis (p=0.72), skin to thyroid cartilage at the level of the vocal cords (p=0.10), skin to vocal cords (p=0.44) or skin to anterior to the trachea at the level of suprasternal notch (p=0.92). Adjusted by sex, age and body weight, none of the five MRI indicators had predictive value (p>0.05).

Conclusion

The five most commonly studied ultrasonographic indicators of anterior soft tissue thickness appeared unreliable to predict difficult laryngoscopy in patients with cervical spondylosis. Further study is needed to validate the most valuable indicator to predict difficult laryngoscopy.

Trial registration number

ChiCTRROC-16008598; Pre-results.
Donor metabolic characteristics drive effects of faecal microbiota transplantation on recipient insulin sensitivity, energy expenditure and intestinal transit time
Authors: de Groot Pieter , Scheithauer Torsten , Bakker Guido J , Prodan Andrei , Levin Evgeni , Khan Muhammad Tanweer , Herrema Hilde , Ackermans Mariette , Serlie Mireille J M , de Brauw Maurits , Levels Johannes H M , Sales Amber , Gerdes Victor E , Ståhlman Marcus , Schimmel Alinda W M , Dallinga-Thie Geesje , Bergman Jacques JGHM , Holleman Frits , Hoekstra Joost B L , Groen Albert , Bäckhed Fredrik , Nieuwdorp Max
Published: May 2019

Objective

Bariatric surgery improves glucose metabolism. Recent data suggest that faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) using faeces from postbariatric surgery diet-induced obese mice in germ-free mice improves glucose metabolism and intestinal homeostasis. We here investigated whether allogenic FMT using faeces from post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass donors (RYGB-D) compared with using faeces from metabolic syndrome donors (METS-D) has short-term effects on glucose metabolism, intestinal transit time and adipose tissue inflammation in treatment-naïve, obese, insulin-resistant male subjects.

Design

Subjects with metabolic syndrome (n=22) received allogenic FMT either from RYGB-D or METS-D. Hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity as well as lipolysis were measured at baseline and 2 weeks after FMT by hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic stable isotope (2H2-glucose and2H5-glycerol) clamp. Secondary outcome parameters were changes in resting energy expenditure, intestinal transit time, faecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and bile acids, and inflammatory markers in subcutaneous adipose tissue related to intestinal microbiota composition. Faecal SCFA, bile acids, glycaemic control and inflammatory parameters were also evaluated at 8 weeks.

Results

We observed a significant decrease in insulin sensitivity 2 weeks after allogenic METS-D FMT (median rate of glucose disappearance: from 40.6 to 34.0 µmol/kg/min; p<0.01). Moreover, a trend (p=0.052) towards faster intestinal transit time following RYGB-D FMT was seen. Finally, we observed changes in faecal bile acids (increased lithocholic, deoxycholic and (iso)lithocholic acid after METS-D FMT), inflammatory markers (decreased adipose tissue chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) gene expression and plasma CCL2 after RYGB-D FMT) and changes in several intestinal microbiota taxa.

Conclusion

Allogenic FMT using METS-D decreases insulin sensitivity in metabolic syndrome recipients when compared with using post-RYGB-D. Further research is needed to delineate the role of donor characteristics in FMT efficacy in human insulin-resistant subjects.

Trial registration number

NTR4327.
Impact of the WHO FCTC on tobacco control: perspectives from stakeholders in 12 countries
Authors: Craig Lorraine , Fong Geoffrey T , Chung-Hall Janet , Puska Pekka
Published: May 2019

Background

The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), the first WHO treaty, entered into force in 2005. In April 2015, a seven-member independent expert group (EG) was established by a decision of the FCTC Conference of the Parties to assess the impact of the Treaty in its first decade.

One component of the EG’s methodology was to gather evidence on WHO FCTC impact from Parties themselves. This paper presents findings from 12 country missions on how the FCTC impacted progress on tobacco control.

Methods

Between November 2015 and May 2016, EG members conducted missions in 12 countries representing each of the six WHO regions and the four World Bank economic development levels. In each country, the EG interviewed a broad range of stakeholders to assess the extent to which the FCTC had contributed to tobacco control. The primary objective was to assess whether tobacco control measures would have been developed or passed, or implemented at all, or as quickly, if there had been no FCTC. Through this counterfactual inquiry, the EG sought to determine the FCTC’s causal role.

Conclusion

The FCTC was reported to have made contributions along the entire policy/regulation process: the development of a measure, building legislative and political support for a measure and its implementation. These stakeholder perspectives support the conclusion that the FCTC has played a pivotal role in accelerating and strengthening the implementation of tobacco control measures, although tobacco industry interference continues to be a significant obstacle to further advancement.
Characterising KandyPens-related posts to Instagram: implications for nicotine and cannabis use
Authors: Majmundar Anuja , Kirkpatrick Matthew , Cruz Tess Boley , Unger Jennifer B , Allem Jon-Patrick
Published: May 2019

Background

This study analysed posts to Instagram related to KandyPens, an open-system pod mod e-cigarette company, marketing its products as aromatherapy devices. The objective was to determine themes, corresponding user profiles and references to types of e-liquid solutions used with KandyPens.

Methods

Data consisted of publicly available posts to Instagram with the hashtag ‘#kandypens’ collected from 8 June to 8 August 2018 (n=1775). Identified themes included: product appearance (eg, highlighting design features including colour of device), user experience (eg, vape tricks), flavours (eg, strawberry) and promotions (eg, $10 off). The type of e-liquid solutions (nicotine, aromatherapy and cannabis) used with KandyPens were also recorded. Instagram profiles were categorised into: vaping enthusiast/advocates, influencers, KandyPens’ official Instagram account, vape vendors and average Instagram users.

Results

User experience (28.90%) and product appearance (21.80%) were predominant themes followed by promotions (10.08%), and flavours (1.01%). About 32.43 % of posts referenced cannabis-related solutions, 2.98 % of the posts mentioned nicotine-related solutions and 0.11 % of the posts mentioned aromatherapy. Average Instagram users (24.89%) posted the majority of posts followed by vape vendors (20.72%), KandyPens’ official account (17.96%), vaping enthusiasts/advocates (10.75%) and influencers (0.45%).

Conclusion

KandyPens markets its products as aromatherapy devices; however, Instagram posts related to these products rarely mentioned their purported purpose. Future research should consider product design, user experience and the co-use of nicotine and cannabis with KandyPens to assess implications related to product appeal and abuse liability.
Consumption of legal and illegal cigarettes in the Gambia
Authors: Chisha Zunda , Janneh Mohammed L , Ross Hana
Published: May 2019

Background

The prevalence of cigarette smoking in the Gambia is relatively high, compared with most African countries. Little is known about the characteristics of the smokers and their habits, particularly with regard to tobacco tax avoidance and tax evasion.

Methods

A nationally representative survey of 1211 smokers conducted in November/December 2017 employed a three-stage stratified sampling method and resulted in 1205 complete observations. The sociodemographic characteristics and smoking behaviours were analysed, including smoking intensity and brand preferences. Information on the physical features of cigarette packs that smokers had, observed by enumerators, and self-reported cigarette prices were used to estimate the proportion of illegal cigarettes on the market.

Findings

As in many African countries, most smokers were male, between the ages of 25 and 54 years living primarily in urban areas. The three most popular cigarette brands are Piccadilly, Royal Business and Bond Street, which account for over three-quarters of all cigarette purchases. Price information suggests that about 7.3% of smokers purchased an illicit cigarette at their last purchase. When smoking intensity was taken into account, 8.6% of the total cigarette market was estimated to be illicit. Using an alternative method of evaluating pack’s features revealed that only 0.9% of last purchases were illicit.

Conclusion

Despite recent excise tobacco tax increases, the use of illicit cigarettes in the Gambia is low and does not represent a significant obstacle to reaching both the public health and fiscal goals of higher tobacco taxes.
Reconstructing the deformation of the North Anatolian Fault Zone through restoring the Oligo–Miocene exhumation pattern of the Almacık Block (northwestern Turkey) based on the apatite (U–Th)/He ages
Authors: Sunal Gürsel , Erturaç Mehmet Korhan , Gutsuz Pınar , Dunkl István , Cakir Ziyadin
Published: May 2019

The Almacık Block is an approximately 73 km long and 21 km wide tectonic sliver formed by the North Anatolian Fault Zone in northwestern Turkey. Morphologically, it is one of the most pronounced structures along the North Anatolian Fault Zone. All the segments bounding the Almacık Block were ruptured during the second half of the 20th century. The fifty-four apatite (U–Th)/He ages we obtained showed that the region including the Almacık Block was exhumed during the Oligo–Miocene interval and then original exhumation pattern was distorted by the North Anatolian Fault Zone during the Miocene to recent. To interpret this distortion and to reconstruct it to the original state, we modelled “Λ”-shaped mountain fronts in the most probable deformation scenarios. The block has been tilted southward about an approximately east–west-trending horizontal (slightly dipping to the east) axis. As a result of this rotation, the northern part of the block has been uplifted about 2800 m, whereas the southern part has subsided about 430 m, likely during the last 2.5 Myr. The exhumation in the studied region started at around 34 Ma and lasted until 16 Ma with a mean exhumation rate of about 60 m/Myr.
Understory vascular plant responses to retention harvesting with and without prescribed fire
Authors: Franklin Caroline M.A. , Nielsen Scott E. , Macdonald S. Ellen
Published: May 2019

Wildfire is the predominant natural disturbance in the boreal forests of western Canada. Natural disturbance based forest management involves the use of retention harvesting to retain stand structural diversity after harvest; however, unlike fire, this partial harvesting technique does not cause combustion of the forest floor. Application of prescribed burning to areas treated with retention harvesting might emulate the influence of wildfires more effectively than harvesting alone. We compared understory vascular plant diversity, abundance, and composition between forest stands subjected to dispersed retention harvesting (10% retention) with and without prescribed burning 1, 6, and 11 or 12 years after burning. Untreated forest was included as a reference. Research was conducted in conifer-dominated, mixedwood, and deciduous-dominated boreal forest stands in northwestern Alberta, Canada. In deciduous-dominated stands, burned areas of retention harvested stands had higher species richness and greater cover than did unburned areas. In all three forest cover types, effects of harvest with and without burn on species richness, cover, and composition were still evident a decade after disturbance. Fire-adapted species benefited most from the prescribed burn treatment. The combination of prescribed burning with retention harvesting can be considered a useful option in forest management that aims to emulate natural disturbance.
Subsampling sector plots
Authors: Smith N.J. , Iles K. , Raynor K.
Published: May 2019

Sector plots are fixed-angle “sector-shaped” samples of objects, typically in small irregular polygons, with a central ray extending from sector vertex or pivot point to polygon boundary. If the number of objects in the sector plot is very high, a subsample may be used. The sector angle can be reduced, or small fixed-area “subplots” can be installed along the central ray. The simplicity of subplot establishment is offset by additional computations that are avoided in the full sector plots. Specifically, to compute ray means or totals, trees in the plots must be weighted by the distance from the pivot point. When several rays are sampled in the same polygon, the ray totals or means should be weighted by the squared number of plots along the ray. Finally, polygon edge overlap with plots may also need correction. Different sampling strategies to avoid bias and increase efficiency are discussed. The sampling design is new to forestry and may have novel statistical applications such as subsampling dense natural regeneration.
Enhancing Game Agent Pathfinding Through Dynamic Graph Reweighting
Authors: Stawarz Paweł
Published: May 2019

This paper proposes a computationally inexpensive algorithm that utilizes player data to optimize nonplayer character pathfinding in a competitive, multiplayer environment and focuses on imitating the player behavior. The algorithm’s input consists of player statistics gathered during the current and previous matches with additional time and space context, similar in design to influence maps. The input is then enriched with two additional, novel variables, allowing easy online fine-tuning of the output. The obtained result influences the final edge values of the map graph. Any known pathfinding algorithm that works with digraphs can then be utilized to control the agent. This paper contains exemplary results obtained when analyzing input on a map modeled after an existing map in the video game Unreal Tournament.
ELECTROCATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF Ni–Mn–Sn ALLOY FOAMS FOR OXYGEN EVOLUTION REACTION (OER)
Authors: TAHERIAN NILOOFAR , SANJABI SOHRAB
Published: May 2019

This study carried out to examine electrocatalytic activity of Ni–Mn–Sn alloy foams for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media. As the first step, Ni–Mn–Sn alloy foams were prepared of sulfate bath on copper substrate. Next, after optimization of electrodeposition condition by cyclic voltammetry (CV) test, foams were electrodeposited at different current densities 100, 120, 140 and 180[Formula: see text]mA[Formula: see text]⋅[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text]. Then, they were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) along with energy disperse x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to investigate surface morphologies and chemical compositions. According to FE-SEM results, it was revealed that formation of foam like structures were due to the presence of dynamic hydrogen bubbles template (DHBT). To survey their structure, grazing incidence X-ray diffractometer (GIXRD) analysis was performed. The resulted diffraction pattern determined not only FCC nickel structure of foams, but also mixed phases composed. Following this, Ni–Mn–Sn alloy foams were placed in 0.1 M KOH and related CV tests were applied to measure their electrocatalytic activity for OER. This study demonstrated good electrocatalytic activity for Ni–Mn–Sn alloy foams by showing favorable oxygen evolution overpotenitals and Tafel slopes.
Hyaluronic Acid Dynamics and its Interaction with Synovial Fluid Components as a Source of the Color Noise
Authors: Siódmiak Jacek , Bełdowski Piotr
Published: May 2019

This work presents the process of physical crosslinking of hyaluronic acid (HA) in the presence of phospholipids (PL) as applied to the lubrication in articular cartilage system. Three time scales of the process have been studied using Molecular Dynamics simulation: 2[Formula: see text]ps, 200[Formula: see text]ps and 20[Formula: see text]ns. The simulations were carried out for long and short chains of HA in the presence and in the absence of PL. We show that in contrast to the macroscopic thermal (white) noise, the short-time noise on the molecular scale has the properties of color noise with the power spectrum distribution proportional to the inverse of frequency, [Formula: see text]. The long-time simulations are characterized by a power spectrum similar to that of white noise.
Unanticipated Uses of the Global Positioning System
Authors: Larson Kristine M.
Published: May 2019

Global Positioning System (GPS) instruments are routinely used today to measure crustal deformation signals from tectonic plate motions, faulting, and glacial isostatic adjustment. In parallel with the expansion of GPS networks around the world, several new and unexpected applications of GPS have been developed. For example, GPS instruments are now being used routinely to measure ground motions during large earthquakes. Access to real-time GPS data streams has led to the development of better hazard warnings for tsunamis, flash floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. Terrestrial water storage changes can be derived from GPS vertical coordinate time series. Finally, GPS signals that reflect on the surfaces below a GPS antenna can be used to measure soil moisture, snow accumulation, vegetation water content, and water levels. In the future, combining GPS with the signals from the Russian, European, and Chinese navigation constellations will significantly enhance these applications. ▪ GPS data are now routinely used to study the dynamics of earthquake rupture. ▪ GPS instruments are an integral part of warning systems for earth- quakes, tsunamis, flash floods, and volcanic eruptions. ▪ Reflected GPS signals provide a new source of soil moisture, snow depth, vegetation water content, and tide gauge data. ▪ GPS networks can sense changes in soil moisture, groundwater, and snow depth and thus can contribute to water resource assessments.
Solving Integrated Process Planning, Dynamic Scheduling, and Due Date Assignment Using Metaheuristic Algorithms
Authors: Erden Caner , Demir Halil Ibrahim , Kökçam Abdullah Hulusi
Published: May 2019

Because the alternative process plans have significant contributions to the production efficiency of a manufacturing system, researchers have studied the integration of manufacturing functions, which can be divided into two groups, namely, integrated process planning and scheduling (IPPS) and scheduling with due date assignment (SWDDA). Although IPPS and SWDDA are well‐known and solved problems in the literature, there are limited works on integration of process planning, scheduling, and due date assignment (IPPSDDA). In this study, due date assignment function was added to IPPS in a dynamic manufacturing environment. And the studied problem was introduced as dynamic integrated process planning, scheduling, and due date assignment (DIPPSDDA). The objective function of DIPPSDDA is to minimize earliness and tardiness (E/T) and determine due dates for each job. Furthermore, four different pure metaheuristic algorithms which are genetic algorithm (GA), tabu algorithm (TA), simulated annealing (SA), and their hybrid (combination) algorithms GA/SA and GA/TA have been developed to facilitate and optimize DIPPSDDA on the 8 different sized shop floors. The performance comparisons of the algorithms for each shop floor have been given to show the efficiency and effectiveness of the algorithms used. In conclusion, computational results show that the proposed combination algorithms are competitive, give better results than pure metaheuristics, and can effectively generate good solutions for DIPPSDDA problems.
Superficial Myofibroblastoma in the Vulva Mimicking Aggressive Angiomyxoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Peng Wei-Xia , Wada Ryuichi , Kure Shoko , Fukunaga Masaharu , Naito Zenya
Published: May 2019

Background: Superficial myofibroblastoma (SMF) is a very rare benign mesenchymal tumor in the female lower genital tract. Only 46 cases have been reported in the English language literature, among which only 7 cases arose in the vulva. Sometimes SMF histologically mimics aggressive angiomyxoma (AA) in which massive myxoid change in stroma is characteristic. We herein report a case of vulvar SMF with prominent myxoid stroma and review the literature with the emphasis on the differential diagnosis of SMF and AA. Case presentation: a 37-year-old woman presented with a painless mass in the vulva. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a well-circumscribed 7 cm mass in the subcutis of the vulva. The tumor was resected. Histopathologically, the tumor was characterized by sparsely populated spindle-shaped cells in the fibromyxoid stroma. Thin-walled blood vessels were detected. Mitoses or pleomorphism was not found. Tumor cells were positive for vimentin, ER, PgR, and desmin. Some cells were positive for alpha-SMA and CD34. All cells were negative for S100 protein. Conclusions: because SMF and AA show different clinical prognoses, distinguishing SMF from AA is important. However, SMF may share many common histological features with AA: superficial localization (above fascia), sharp borderline from adjacent tissue, expansive growth pattern; a specific vascular pattern will lead to an accurate diagnosis of SMF. Familiarization with the histological characteristics of the two entities will help to make a prognostic prediction.
Nonoperative Management of Proximal Tibiofibular Joint Synostosis after Tibial Intramedullary Nailing
Authors: Ebbott David C. , Johnson Alexander J. , Haydel Christopher
Published: May 2019

We report the case of a 28-year-old male semiprofessional basketball player who presented to an outside hospital with nonhealing stress fractures for which he underwent tibial intramedullary nailing (IMN). Two weeks after surgery, he developed pain proximal and lateral to the knee. As he returned to play, the pain worsened with jumping and lateral movement and improved with rest. He presented to our hospital one year after the operation with the same unresolved pain. Imaging one year after the surgery revealed proximal tibiofibular joint (TFJ) synostosis aligned with the drill path. Literature review showed that rare noncongenital cases of proximal TFJ synostosis cases were most often treated nonoperatively. However, two cases involved the removal of excessively protruding screws and two cases involved bone resection that resolved painful disruption of other joints, such as the ankle. The current patient had proper implant positioning and no other impacted joints, so he was managed without operative intervention. By the final 16-month postoperative follow-up, his symptoms had resolved completely. Although an unusual occurrence with limited data, we recommend nonoperative management for proximal TFJ synostosis caused by tibial nailing if implants are properly positioned and no other joints are affected.
Yokukansan Alleviates Cancer Pain by Suppressing Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in a Mouse Bone Metastasis Model
Authors: Nakao Kenta , Fujiwara Atsushi , Komasawa Nobuyasu , Jin Denan , Kitano Manabu , Matsunami Sayuri , Takai Shinji , Ito Seiji , Minami Toshiaki
Published: May 2019

Bone cancer pain control is difficult because it includes various characteristics of pain such as nociceptic and neuropathic pain. In this study, we investigated the effect of yokukansan (YKS), one of the traditional Japanese herbal medicines, on cancer pain in mouse bone metastasis model. Oral administration of YKS significantly alleviated pain behavior measured by quantitative body weight bearing. Furthermore, the pain behavior was also significantly alleviated by intrathecal and intraperitoneal administration of matrix metalloproteinase- (MMP-) 9 inhibitor, but not of MMP-2 inhibitor. MMP-9 expression was significantly elevated in the bone tissue on day 3 after carcinoma cell injection and in the ipsilateral spinal cord on day 7, which was suppressed by YKS administration. Taken together, these results suggest that YKS alleviates cancer pain via suppressing MMP-9 expression in bone metastasis model in mice.
Galangin Suppresses Renal Inflammation via the Inhibition of NF-κB, PI3K/AKT and NLRP3 in Uric Acid Treated NRK-52E Tubular Epithelial Cells
Authors: Lu Hao , Yao Hui , Zou Rong , Chen Xiwen , Xu Hanlin
Published: May 2019

Renal inflammation can result in renal injury. Uric acid (UA) is the final product of purine metabolism in humans and because of the lack of urate oxidase, UA may accumulate in tissues, including kidney, causing inflammation. Galangin was isolated from a traditional Chinese medicine plant and possesses several beneficial effects, working as an anti-oxidant, anti-mutagenic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-viral agent. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the molecular mechanism of galangin in the attenuation of UA induced renal inflammation in normal rat kidney epithelial cells NRK-52E. Our findings suggested that galangin treatment efficiently protected NRK-52E cells against UA induced renal inflammation by decreasing tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nitric oxide (NO) release, and it inhibited nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18 mRNA expression. In addition, galangin was not exerting any cytotoxicity at the concentrations that were effective against inflammation as assessed by CCK8 assay. Moreover, western blotting showed that galangin treatment effectively inhibited nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) and nucleotide-binding domain- (NOD-) like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway activation. Taken together, these findings suggested that galangin plays a pivotal role in renal inflammation by suppressing inflammatory responses, which might be closely associated with the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome, NF-κB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activation.
Joint Optimization of Production and Maintenance Using Monte Carlo Method and Metaheuristic Algorithms
Authors: Ma Xiao-Zhi , Lv Wen-Yuan
Published: May 2019

In the competitive business environment, manufacturers are seeking strategies to improve the product quality and the system reliability while reducing the costs. This paper addresses the problem of finding the optimal production and maintenance schedules for a deteriorating manufacturing system with the objective of minimizing the expected cost per unit time. The system consists of one machine which deteriorates with time and it may shift from an in‐control state to an out‐of‐control state with a larger proportion of imperfect products. In addition, the hedging point policy is applied as the production‐inventory control policy. The predictive maintenance is performed based on process inspections, whose sampling intervals are variable. To deal with the proposed problem, we build a joint model that coordinates production, inventory, maintenance, and quality control with 16 scenarios. Then we propose a novel approach speeding up the Monte Carlo simulation to calculate the objective function. Thus it becomes feasible to optimize the objective function by metaheuristic algorithms. Then we use the genetic algorithm to illustrate its feasibility. Next, the advantage of the proposed approach is verified by comparing with the traditional integral method. Finally, a sensitivity analysis with an orthogonal experiment is conducted to help managers find the factors with the most significant effect on the cost.
Assessment of Cytokine Release against Oral Mucosal Cell Line Culture (TR146) Stimulated by Neutrophil Elastase Associated with Behcet’s Disease
Authors: Soomro Azeem Hussain , Khan Erum , Noori Shafaq , Lone Mohid Abrar , Syal Zahid , Sheikh Sabir
Published: May 2019

Aim. Cytokines and chemokines may be involved in the onset of oral ulcer in Behcet’s disease. The aim of our study is to assess the cytotoxic effects of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines on reconstructed oral mucosal cell line (TR146) when treated with different concentrations of neutrophil elastase (NE). Objective. For this purpose, a culture of the oral mucosal model (OMM) prepared from a cell line derived from an oral squamous cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa (TR146) is treated with different concentrations of neutrophil elastase. The cultures were incubated for 4- and 24-hour intervals and designed as follows: culture + artificial saliva served as the negative control; culture + 0.01% SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate) served as the positive control; and culture + NE (10, 50, 100, and 200 nM) served as the treated group. Materials and Methods. We used sandwich ELISA technique to isolate IL-1β (interleukin 1β), IL-8, and TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor). Results. We found no significant level of IL-8 and TNF-α when treated with different concentrations of neutrophil elastase after 4- and 24-hour incubation. The IL-1β level was slightly higher when treated with 100 and 200 nM NE after 24 hours of incubation although a significantly high level was observed at 100 nM NE after 4 hours of incubation. Hence, we found an increase in the level of IL-1β when stimulating the reconstructed oral mucosal model (OMM) with different concentrations of NE. This is a preliminary in vitro study; however, further research is required to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of cytokines and chemokines released when treated with NE. Moreover, high concentrations of NE are recommended to stimulate the release of cytokines and chemokines against the OMM.
Improving Neutron-Gamma Discrimination with Stilbene Organic Scintillation Detector Using Blind Nonnegative Matrix and Tensor Factorization Methods
Authors: Arahmane Hanane , Hamzaoui El-Mehdi , El Moursli Rajaa Cherkaoui
Published: May 2019

In order to perform highly qualified neutron-gamma discrimination in mixed radiation field, we investigate the application of blind source separation methods based on nonnegative matrix and tensor factorization algorithms as new and robust neutron-gamma discrimination software-based approaches. These signal processing tools have allowed to recover original source components from real-world mixture signals which have been recorded at the output of the stilbene scintillation detector. The computation of the performance index of separability of each tested nonnegative algorithm has allowed to select Second-Order NMF algorithm and NTF-2 model as the most efficient techniques for discriminating neutrons and gammas. Furthermore, the neutron-gamma discrimination is highlighted through the computation of the cross-correlation function. The performance of the blind source separation methods has been quantified through the obtained results that prove a good neutron-gamma separation.
Identifying the Indoor Space Characteristics of an Urban Railway Station Based on Pedestrian Trajectory Data
Authors: Jeong Eunbi , You Soyoung Iris , Lee Jun , Moon Daeseop
Published: May 2019

Stations are being converted into various living spaces that can be used for public transportation, work, commerce, and leisure. To satisfy the various requirements and expectations for functional extension, it is necessary to investigate and understand the phenomena caused by users. A methodology to cluster the characteristics of pedestrian space of a railway station through the pedestrian trajectory data collected from an actual operating station is proposed in this paper. Then the spatial usability of the movement and stay of pedestrians were defined through the results of the clustering. The procedure to cluster the indoor space characteristics of an urban railway station in this study consists of four steps: data collection, feature vector extraction, K-means clustering, and cluster characteristics analysis. A case study was conducted for the Samseong station. The results of the proposed spatial clustering analysis showed that there are several types of spaces depending on the space occupancy characteristics of pedestrians. The proposed methodology could be applied to indoor space diagnosis from the perspective of station monitoring and management. In addition, the station operator could respond flexibly to unexpected events by monitoring the indoor spaces according to whether the flow is normal or suggestive of an emergency.
Optimal Estimation of Shear Strength Parameters Based on Copula Theory Coupling Information Diffusion Technique
Authors: Zhou Xinlong , Zhang Guang , Hu Shaohua , Li Junzhe
Published: May 2019

In geotechnical reliability analysis, random volatility in marginal distributions of shear strength parameters has been rarely considered. Unfortunately, conventional marginal distribution models cannot characterize real probability distribution accurately, leading to considerable dispersion with incomplete probabilistic information. In this paper, an estimation methodology is proposed based on copula theory coupling information diffusion technique. Firstly, information diffusion distribution is extended to represent one‐dimensional marginal distributions of shear strength parameters. Secondly, copula theory is employed to characterize the dependence structures among the parameters. Eventually, equivalent sample is yielded by information diffusion distribution that has been already established. A case study in Singapore is implemented to enunciate and validate the competence of the proposed method. The performances of the candidate copulas coupling different marginal distributions are further discussed. Results indicate that information diffusion distribution can efficiently capture the random volatility of real distributions of shear strength parameters and hold remarkable superiority in modeling marginal distributions. The equivalent sample, estimated by information diffusion technique in conjunction with Gaussian copula, has considerable consistency with original data. The proposed method can provide a reference to reliability analysis in geotechnical engineering.
Miliary Tuberculosis-Related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Complicated with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Syndrome
Authors: Shiu Sz-Jiun , Li Ting-Ting , Lee Bor-Jen , Fu Pin-Kuei , Wang Chen-Yu , Shiu Sz-Iuan
Published: May 2019

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) are accompanied with poor outcome and high mortality when miliary tuberculosis is a causative pathogen for both of them. A patient complicated with ARDS and HLH is unusual in critical care, and few case reports are present in PudMed. Besides, the relationship between HLH and ARDS is still unknown and has not been reviewed in the literature. In this report, we present the case of a 74-year-old Taiwanese woman suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis and miliary tuberculosis, and she developed ARDS and HLH on the 3rd day after admission. We arranged serial laboratory examination, various serum markers, bone marrow aspiration, and bronchoscopy with alveolar lavage for survey; we prescribed empirical antibiotics and antituberculosis medication soon after alveolar lavage showing positive acid-fast stain. She was extubated on hospital day 31 and discharged on hospital day 73. In conclusion, early diagnosis and intervention for underlying disease and intensive bundle care for multiorgan failure are crucial for both ARDS and HLH.
A cultura da viola caipira na região de São João del-Rei (MG): uma análise de trajetórias
Authors: Resende Cássio Tadeu de
Published: May 2019

O presente estudo tem o objetivo de refletir acerca da cultura de viola na região de São João del-Rei na segunda metade do século XX. Através da análise de bibliografia especializada, periódicos de época e, sobretudo com base em relatos de violeiros e foliões, conseguimos traçar um pouco da trajetória deste instrumento na região. Identificamos uma forte presença da viola nas manifestações populares na segunda metade do século XIX e uma escassez deste instrumento na cidade, nas práticas de música popular ao longo do século XX.