bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improvement of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patient Survival: Single Institution Experience
Authors: Fenocchio Elisabetta , Colombi Federica , Calella Maria Grazia , Filippi Roberto , Depetris Ilaria , Chilà Giovanna , Lombardi Pasquale , Marino Donatella , Cagnazzo Celeste , Ferraris Renato , Vaira Marco , Aglietta Massimo , Leone Francesco
Published: March 2019

The survival rates of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) have improved in recent years. We analysed the survival of mCRC patients followed at a single institution over the last 17 years. We retrospectively collected data from 899 mCRC patients treated from 2001 to 2016. Patients were divided into two groups based on the year of diagnosis: Cohort A (2001–2006) and Cohort B (2007–2014). A total of 788 patients were analysed. The median survival of the whole population was 32.0 months with a significant difference between Cohort A and B (29.2 vs. 33.5 months; p = 0.041). Surgical procedures significantly increased in Cohort B, however, no significant changes in survival were observed in patients undergoing surgery (58.9 months Cohort A vs. 58.2 months Cohort B, p = 0.822). Similarly, we did not demonstrate survival improvement in patients treated with systemic therapy alone (18.9 months Cohort A vs. 20.7 months Cohort B; p = 0.948). At the multivariate analysis, right-sided primary and synchronous metastatic tumour were found to be independent unfavorable prognostic factors. Improvements of mCRC patient survival might relate to integrated approach, with more patients undergoing extra-hepatic surgery. The medical approach seems to have had a more favourable impact on subgroups characterized by a worse prognosis.
The Effects of Pertuzumab and Its Combination with Trastuzumab on HER2 Homodimerization and Phosphorylation
Authors: Nami Babak , Maadi Hamid , Wang Zhixiang
Published: March 2019

Pertuzumab (Perjeta) is an anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody that is used for treatment of HER2-positive breast cancers in combination with trastuzumab (Herceptin) and docetaxel and showed promising clinical outcomes. Pertuzumab is suggested to block heterodimerization of HER2 with EGFR and HER3 that abolishes canonical function of HER2. However, evidence on the exact mode of action of pertuzumab in homodimerization of HER2 are limited. In this study, we investigated the effect of pertuzumab and its combination with trastuzumab on HER2 homodimerization, phosphorylation and whole gene expression profile in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably overexpressing human HER2 (CHO-K6). CHO-K6 cells were treated with pertuzumab, trastuzumab, and their combination, and then HER2 homodimerization and phosphorylation at seven pY sites were investigated. The effects of the monoclonal antibodies on whole gene expression and the expression of cell cycle stages, apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis were studied by cDNA microarray. Results showed that pertuzumab had no significant effect on HER2 homodimerization, however, trastuzumab increased HER2 homodimerization. Interestingly, pertuzumab increased HER2 phosphorylation at Y1127, Y1139, and Y1196 residues, while trastuzumab increased HER2 phosphorylation at Y1196. More surprisingly, combination of pertuzumab and trastuzumab blocked the phosphorylation of Y1005 and Y1127 of HER2. Our results also showed that pertuzumab, but not trastuzumab, abrogated the effect of HER2 overexpression on cell cycle in particular G1/S transition, G2/M transition, and M phase, whereas trastuzumab abolished the inhibitory effect of HER2 on apoptosis. Our findings confirm that pertuzumab is unable to inhibit HER2 homodimerization but induces HER2 phosphorylation at some pY sites that abolishes HER2 effects on cell cycle progress. These data suggest that the clinical effects of pertuzumab may mostly through the inhibition of HER2 heterodimers, rather than HER2 homodimers and that pertuzumab binding to HER2 may inhibit non-canonical HER2 activation and function in non-HER-mediated and dimerization-independent pathway(s).
Atomic Layer Deposition for Preparation of Highly Efficient Catalysts for Dry Reforming of Methane
Authors: Kim Soong Yeon , Cha Byeong Jun , Saqlain Shahid , Seo Hyun Ook , Kim Young Dok
Published: March 2019

In this article, the structural and chemical properties of heterogeneous catalysts prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD) are discussed. Oxide shells can be deposited on metal particles, forming shell/core type catalysts, while metal nanoparticles are incorporated into the deep inner parts of mesoporous supporting materials using ALD. Both structures were used as catalysts for the dry reforming of methane (DRM) reaction, which converts CO2 and CH4 into CO and H2. These ALD-prepared catalysts are not only highly initially active for the DRM reaction but are also stable for long-term operation. The origins of the high catalytic activity and stability of the ALD-prepared catalysts are thoroughly discussed.
Heterostructure Cu2O/(001)TiO2 Effected on Photocatalytic Degradation of Ammonia of Livestock Houses
Authors: Pu Shihua , Wang Hao , Zhu Jiaming , Li Lihua , Long Dingbiao , Jian Yue , Zeng Yaqiong
Published: March 2019

In this paper, a heterogeneous composite catalyst Cu2O/(001)TiO2 was prepared by the impregnation-reduction method. The crystal form, highly active facet content, morphology, optical properties, and the photogenerated electron-hole recombination rate of the as-prepared catalysts were investigated. The performance of Cu2O/(001)TiO2 was appraised by photocatalytic degradation of ammonia under sunlight and was compared with lone P25, Cu2O, and (001)TiO2 at the same reaction conditions. The results showed that 80% of the ammonia concentration (120 ± 3 ppm) was removed by Cu2O/(001)TiO2, which was a higher degradation rate than that of pure P25 (12%), Cu2O (12%), and (001)TiO2 (15%) during 120 min of reaction time. The reason may be due to the compound’s (Cu2O/(001)TiO2) highly active (001) facets content that increased by 8.2% and the band gap width decreasing by 1.02 eV. It was also found that the air flow impacts the photocatalytic degradation of ammonia. Therefore, learning how to maintain the degradation effect of Cu2O/(001)TiO2 with ammonia will be important in future practical applications.
Hydrogenation of Bio-Oil Model Compounds over Raney-Ni at Ambient Pressure
Authors: Shumeiko Bogdan , Schlackl Klaus , Kubička David
Published: March 2019

Lignocellulosic biofuels are the most promising sustainable fuels that can be added to the crude oil pool to refill the dwindling fossil resources. In this work, we tested a Raney-Ni catalyst for the hydrogenation of four bio-oil model compounds and their binary mixtures to assess their reactivity under mild conditions suitable for bio-oil stabilization preceding green diesel production from lignocellulosic biomass. The hydrogenation experiments were performed at ambient hydrogen pressure at temperatures in the range 30–70 °C. Raney-Ni was found to hydrogenate all investigated model compounds efficiently; both carbonyl groups and double bonds were saturated. In addition, it was also active in the demethoxylation of guaiacol. When studying the binary mixtures, furfuryl alcohol was found to significantly inhibit the hydrogenation of the other model compounds (guaiacol and methyl isobutyl ketone) due to their very strong adsorption.
Effect of Mg/Al2O3 and Calcination Temperature on the Catalytic Decomposition of HFC-134a
Authors: Andrew Swamidoss Caroline Mercy , Sheraz Mahshab , Anus Ali , Jeong Sangjae , Park Young-Kwon , Kim Young-Min , Kim Seungdo
Published: March 2019

This paper evaluated the effect of calcination temperature and the use of Mg/Al2O3 on the decomposition of HFC-134a. Two commercialized catalysts, Al2O3 and Mg/Al2O3, were calcined at two different temperatures (500 and 650 °C) and their physicochemical characteristics were examined by X-ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, and the temperature-programed desorption of ammonia and carbon dioxide analysis. The results show that, in comparison to Al2O3, 5% Mg/Al2O3 exhibited a larger Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area and higher acidity. The relative amount of strong acid sites of the catalysts decreased with increasing calcination temperature. Although a more than 90% decomposition rate of HFC-134a was achieved over all catalysts during the sequential decomposition test of HFC-134a using a vertical plug flow reactor connected directly to a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry system, the lifetime of the catalyst differed according to the catalyst type. Compared to Al2O3, Mg/Al2O3 revealed a longer lifetime and less coke formation due to the increased Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area and weak Lewis acid sites and basic sites arising from Mg impregnation. Higher temperature calcination extended the catalyst lifetime with the formation of less coke due to the smaller number of strong acid sites, which can lead to severe coke formation. A valuable by-product, trifluoroethylene, was formed as a result of the decomposition. Based on the experimental results, a reaction is proposed which reasonably explains the decomposition reaction.
Pt/C and Pt/SnOx/C Catalysts for Ethanol Electrooxidation: Rotating Disk Electrode Study
Authors: Pushkarev Artem S. , Pushkareva Irina V. , Ivanova Natalia A. , du Preez Stephanus P. , Bessarabov Dmitri , Chumakov Ratibor G. , Stankevich Vladimir G. , Fateev Vladimir N. , Evdokimov Anatoly A. , Grigoriev Sergey A.
Published: March 2019

Pt/C and Pt/SnOx/C catalysts were synthesized using the polyol method. Their structure, morphology and chemical composition were studied using a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, transition electron microscope and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope. Electrochemical measurements were based on the results of rotating disk electrode (RDE) experiments applied to ethanol electrooxidation. The quick evaluation of catalyst activity, electrochemical behavior, and an average number of transferred electrons were made using the RDE technique. The usage of SnOx (through the carbon support modification) in a binary system together with Pt causes a significant increase of the catalyst activity in ethanol oxidation reaction and the utilization of ethanol.
Microwave-Assisted Homogeneous Acid Catalysis and Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of Dialkyl Succinate in a Flow Reactor
Authors: Daviot Laura , Len Thomas , Lin Carol Sze Ki , Len Christophe
Published: March 2019

Two new continuous flow systems for the production of dialkyl succinates were developed via the esterification of succinic acid, and via the trans-esterification of dimethyl succinate. The first microwave-assisted continuous esterification of succinic acid with H2SO4 as a chemical homogeneous catalyst was successfully achieved via a single pass (ca 320 s) at 65–115 °C using a MiniFlow 200ss Sairem Technology. The first continuous trans-esterification of dimethyl succinate with lipase Cal B as an enzymatic catalyst was developed using a Syrris Asia Technology, with an optimal reaction condition of 14 min at 40 °C. Dialkyl succinates were produced with the two technologies, but higher productivity was observed for the microwave-assisted continuous esterification using chemical catalysts. The continuous flow trans-esterification demonstrated a number of advantages, but it resulted in lower yield of the target esters.
Catalysts of PtSn/C Modified with Ru and Ta for Electrooxidation of Ethanol
Authors: Queiroz Maria Aparecida Ribeiro , Ribeiro Josimar
Published: March 2019

PtSn/C-type catalysts modified with Ta and Ru were prepared by the thermal decomposition of polymeric precursors with the following nominal compositions: Pt70Sn10Ta20/C, Pt70Sn10Ta15Ru5/C, Pt70Sn10Ta10Ru10/C and Pt70Sn10Ta5Ru15/C. The physicochemical characterization was performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The electrochemical characterization was performed using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and fuel cell testing. PtSnTaRu/C catalysts were characterized in the absence and presence of ethanol in an acidic medium (H2SO4 0.5 mol L−1). All the catalysts showed activity for the oxidation of ethanol. The results indicated that the addition of Ta increased the stability and performance of the catalysts, as the Pt70Sn10Ta20/C catalyst had the maximum power density of 27.3 mW cm−2 in an acidic medium. The results showed that the PtSn/C-type catalysts modified with Ta and Ru showed good performance against alcohol oxidation, representingan alternative to the use of direct ethanol fuel cells.
Hyaluronan-Based Hydrogel Scaffolds for Limbal Stem Cell Transplantation: A Review
Authors: Yazdani Mazyar , Shahdadfar Aboulghassem , Jackson Catherine Joan , Utheim Tor Paaske
Published: March 2019

Hyaluronan (HA), also termed hyaluronic acid or hyaluronate, is a major component of the extracellular matrix. This non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan plays a key role in cell proliferation, growth, survival, polarization, and differentiation. The diverse biological roles of HA are linked to the combination of HA’s physicochemical properties and HA-binding proteins. These unique characteristics have encouraged the application of HA-based hydrogel scaffolds for stem cell-based therapy, a successful method in the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). This condition occurs following direct damage to limbal stem cells and/or changes in the limbal stem cell niche microenvironment due to intrinsic and extrinsic insults. This paper reviews the physical properties, synthesis, and degradation of HA. In addition, the interaction of HA with other extracellular matrix (ECM) components and receptor proteins are discussed. Finally, studies employing HA-based hydrogel scaffolds in the treatment of LSCD are reviewed.
The Emerging Roles of TERRA in Telomere Maintenance and Genome Stability
Authors: Bettin Nicole , Oss Pegorar Claudio , Cusanelli Emilio
Published: March 2019

The finding that transcription occurs at chromosome ends has opened new fields of study on the roles of telomeric transcripts in chromosome end maintenance and genome stability. Indeed, the ends of chromosomes are required to be protected from activation of DNA damage response and DNA repair pathways. Chromosome end protection is achieved by the activity of specific proteins that associate with chromosome ends, forming telomeres. Telomeres need to be constantly maintained as they are in a heterochromatic state and fold into specific structures (T-loops), which may hamper DNA replication. In addition, in the absence of maintenance mechanisms, chromosome ends shorten at every cell division due to limitations in the DNA replication machinery, which is unable to fully replicate the extremities of chromosomes. Altered telomere structure or critically short chromosome ends generate dysfunctional telomeres, ultimately leading to replicative senescence or chromosome instability. Telomere biology is thus implicated in multiple human diseases, including cancer. Emerging evidence indicates that a class of long noncoding RNAs transcribed at telomeres, known as TERRA for “TElomeric Repeat-containing RNA,” actively participates in the mechanisms regulating telomere maintenance and chromosome end protection. However, the molecular details of TERRA activities remain to be elucidated. In this review, we discuss recent findings on the emerging roles of TERRA in telomere maintenance and genome stability and their implications in human diseases.
Increased Levels of cAMP by the Calcium-Dependent Activation of Soluble Adenylyl Cyclase in Parkin-Mutant Fibroblasts
Authors: Tanzarella Paola , Ferretta Anna , Barile Simona Nicol , Ancona Mariella , De Rasmo Domenico , Signorile Anna , Papa Sergio , Capitanio Nazzareno , Pacelli Consiglia , Cocco Tiziana
Published: March 2019

Almost half of autosomal recessive early-onset parkinsonism has been associated with mutations in PARK2, coding for parkin, which plays an important role in mitochondria function and calcium homeostasis. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is a major second messenger regulating mitochondrial metabolism, and it is strictly interlocked with calcium homeostasis. Parkin-mutant (Pt) fibroblasts, exhibiting defective mitochondrial respiratory/OxPhos activity, showed a significant higher value of basal intracellular level of cAMP, as compared with normal fibroblasts (CTRL). Specific pharmacological inhibition/activation of members of the adenylyl cyclase- and of the phosphodiesterase-families, respectively, as well as quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis, indicate that the higher level of cAMP observed in Pt fibroblasts can contribute to a higher level of activity/expression by soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) and to low activity/expression of the phosphodiesterase isoform 4 (PDE4). As Ca2+ regulates sAC, we performed quantitative calcium-fluorimetric analysis, showing a higher level of Ca2+ in the both cytosol and mitochondria of Pt fibroblasts as compared with CTRL. Most notably, inhibition of the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter decreased, specifically the cAMP level in PD fibroblasts. All together, these findings support the occurrence of an altered mitochondrial Ca2+-mediated cAMP homeostasis in fibroblasts with the parkin mutation.
Hepatitis C Direct Acting Antivirals and Ribavirin Modify Lipid but not Glucose Parameters
Authors: Doyle Mary-Anne , Galanakis Chrissi , Mulvihill Erin , Crawley Angela , Cooper Curtis L.
Published: March 2019

Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection perturbs lipid and glucose metabolism. The influence of direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatment and ribavirin on these measures was evaluated. Furthermore, the effect of HCV cure on these parameters was assessed. Participants were allocated to one of three 12-week treatment groups: non-cirrhotic genotype 1a-paritaprevir/ritonavir/ombitasvir/dasabuvir (PrOD) plus ribavirin; non-cirrhotic 1b-PrOD; compensated cirrhotic 1a or 1b-PrOD plus ribavirin. Fasting insulin, glucose, lipid and apolipoprotein measures were assessed at baseline, Treatment Weeks 4 and 12, and 12 and 24 weeks post-dosing. Twenty-three of 24 participants achieved SVR (PP= 23/24, 96% SVR). Overall, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride levels all increased in treatment and post-dosing. However, LDL-C levels decreased during treatment in ribavirin recipients. Fasting glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR were unchanged during treatment and 12 weeks post-treatment. By 12 weeks post-treatment, controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) scores, a measure of steatosis, increased from baseline (mean 30.3 ± 63.5, p = 0.05). This regimen was safe and highly effective and did not influence glucose metabolism. Ribavirin exposure may mitigate some on-treatment lipid changes. Further mechanistic studies are needed to understand how ribavirin impacts lipid pathways, as there could be therapeutic implications. The metabolic pathophysiology of increased CAP score with HCV treatment requires explanation.
Ursodeoxycholic Acid Regulates Hepatic Energy Homeostasis and White Adipose Tissue Macrophages Polarization in Leptin-Deficiency Obese Mice
Authors: Chen Yu-Sheng , Liu Hsuan-Miao , Lee Tzung-Yan
Published: March 2019

Obesity has been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of several forms of metabolic syndrome, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been shown to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and prevents mitochondrial dysfunction in the progression of obesity-associated diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the mechanisms of UDCA during obesity-linked hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction and obesity-associated adipose tissue macrophage-induced inflammation in obese mice. UDCA significantly decreased lipid droplets, reduced free fatty acids (FFA) and triglycerides (TG), improved mitochondrial function, and enhanced white adipose tissue browning in ob/ob mice. This is associated with increased hepatic energy expenditure, mitochondria biogenesis, and incorporation of bile acid metabolism (Abca1, Abcg1 mRNA and BSEP, FGFR4, and TGR5 protein). In addition, UDCA downregulated NF-κB and STAT3 phosphorylation by negative regulation of the expression of SOCS1 and SOCS3 signaling. These changes were accompanied by decreased angiogenesis, as shown by the downregulation of VEGF, VCAM, and TGF-βRII expression. Importantly, UDCA is equally effective in reducing whole body adiposity. This is associated with decreased adipose tissue expression of macrophage infiltration (CD11b, CD163, and CD206) and lipogenic capacity markers (lipofuscin, SREBP-1, and CD36). Furthermore, UDCA significantly upregulated adipose browning in association with upregulation of SIRT-1-PGC1-α signaling in epididymis adipose tissue (EWAT). These results suggest that multi-targeted therapies modulate glucose and lipid biosynthesis fluxes, inflammatory response, angiogenesis, and macrophage differentiation. Therefore, it may be suggested that UDCA treatment may be a novel therapeutic agent for obesity.
Drugging the Small GTPase Pathways in Cancer Treatment: Promises and Challenges
Authors: Prieto-Dominguez Néstor , Parnell Christopher , Teng Yong
Published: March 2019

Small GTPases are a family of low molecular weight GTP-hydrolyzing enzymes that cycle between an inactive state when bound to GDP and an active state when associated to GTP. Small GTPases regulate key cellular processes (e.g., cell differentiation, proliferation, and motility) as well as subcellular events (e.g., vesicle trafficking), making them key participants in a great array of pathophysiological processes. Indeed, the dysfunction and deregulation of certain small GTPases, such as the members of the Ras and Arf subfamilies, have been related with the promotion and progression of cancer. Therefore, the development of inhibitors that target dysfunctional small GTPases could represent a potential therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment. This review covers the basic biochemical mechanisms and the diverse functions of small GTPases in cancer. We also discuss the strategies and challenges of inhibiting the activity of these enzymes and delve into new approaches that offer opportunities to target them in cancer therapy.
Intimate Partner Violence: A Potential Challenge for Women’s Health in Angola
Authors: Yaya Sanni , Kunnuji Michael O. N. , Bishwajit Ghose
Published: March 2019

Intimate partner violence (IPV), as the most common form of violence against women, is recognised as a fundamental violation of women’s human rights and a significant public health concern worldwide. IPV is also a widespread phenomenon in Africa where the associated health challenges can be particularly serious due to fragile healthcare systems. To date, there is no systematic research on IPV and its association with healthcare use among adult women in Angola. Therefore, we conducted the present study on IPV among women of childbearing age (15–49 years) in Angola by analysing cross-sectional data from Angola Demographic and Health Survey (2015–2016). The objectives were to assess the predictors of IPV and its association with healthcare use. IPV was assessed by women’s experience of physical, emotional and sexual violence, and healthcare use was assessed by self-reported medical visits during last 12 months. Logistic regression methods were used to analyse the data. Our findings showed that more than two-fifths of the women reported experiencing any IPV (41.1%, 95%Confidence Interval (CI)= 38.7 to 43.6), with physical IPV (32.3%, 95%CI = 30.3 to 34.5) being the most prevalent followed by emotional (27.3%, 95%CI = 25.3 to 29.4), and sexual IPV (7.4%, 95%I = 6.6 to 8.4). In the multivariate analysis, women’s religious background, husband’s alcohol drinking, spousal age difference, and frequency of attending church appeared to be the most important predictors of IPV. Nonpregnant women who experienced emotional [OR = 1.476, 95%CI = 1.154,1.887] and sexual IPV [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.393, 95%CI = 1.068,1.816] had increase odds of healthcare visits during last 12 months. In conclusion, our findings suggest a noticeably high prevalence of IPV among Angolan women. Those who experience emotional and sexual IPV might be at higher odds of suffering from medical conditions and should be given special attention in primary care settings.
Electrochemical Glucose Quantification as a Strategy for Ethanolic Fermentation Monitoring
Authors: Acevedo-Restrepo Isabel , Blandón-Naranjo Lucas , Hoyos-Arbeláez Jorge , Della Pelle Flavio , Vázquez Mario V.
Published: March 2019

The possibility of using an electrochemical biosensor, using screen-printed electrodes modified with a carbonaceous material and a commercial kit for the determination of glucose, to monitor an ethanolic fermentation was analyzed. The determination is based on the electrochemical oxidation reaction of NADH that occurs at a potential where the components of the kit do not generate a current signal, even in the presence of the fermentation medium. The electrochemical system was used to analyze the variation of glucose concentration during a laboratory-scale fermentation. The results were contrasted with the variation of standard characterization parameters such as pH, total soluble solids (TSS), the viability of the yeast, and concentration of ethanol produced. Of these values, the total soluble solids should be related to the concentration of glucose obtained by the electrochemical sensor, however, this last measure is more specific for sugar since the TSS refers to all soluble solids. The obtained results allow us to verify the usefulness of the electrochemical method for real-time monitoring of a fermentation.
A Lagrangian Ocean Model for Climate Studies
Authors: Haertel Patrick
Published: March 2019

Most weather and climate models simulate circulations by numerically approximating a complex system of partial differential equations that describe fluid flow. These models also typically use one of a few standard methods to parameterize the effects of smaller-scale circulations such as convective plumes. This paper discusses the continued development of a radically different modeling approach. Rather than solving partial differential equations, the author’s Lagrangian models predict the motions of individual fluid parcels using ordinary differential equations. They also use a unique convective parameterization, in which the vertical positions of fluid parcels are rearranged to remove convective instability. Previously, a global atmospheric model and basin-scale ocean models were developed with this approach. In the present study, components of these models are combined to create a new global Lagrangian ocean model (GLOM), which will soon be coupled to a Lagrangian atmospheric model. The first simulations conducted with the GLOM examine the contribution of interior tracer mixing to ocean circulation, stratification, and water mass distributions, and they highlight several special model capabilities: (1) simulating ocean circulations without numerical diffusion of tracers; (2) modeling deep convective transports at low resolution; and (3) identifying the formation location of ocean water masses and water pathways.
DLC and DLC-WS2 Coatings for Machining of Aluminium Alloys
Authors: Brzezinka Tomasz L. , Rao Jeff , Paiva Jose M. , Kohlscheen Joern , Fox-Rabinovich German S. , Veldhuis Stephen C. , Endrino Jose L.
Published: March 2019

Machine-tool life is one limiting factor affecting productivity. The requirement for wear-resistant materials for cutting tools to increase their longevity is therefore critical. Titanium diboride (TiB2) coated cutting tools have been successfully employed for machining of AlSi alloys widely used in the automotive industry. This paper presents a methodological approach to improving the self-lubricating properties within the cutting zone of a tungsten carbide milling insert precoated with TiB2, thereby increasing the operational life of the tool. A unique hybrid Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) system was used in this study, allowing diamond-like carbon (DLC) to be deposited by filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA) while PVD magnetron sputtering was employed to deposit WS2. A series of ~100-nm monolayer DLC coatings were prepared at a negative bias voltage ranging between −50 and −200 V, along with multilayered DLC-WS2 coatings (total thickness ~500 nm) with varying number of layers (two to 24 in total). The wear rate of the coated milling inserts was investigated by measuring the flank wear during face milling of an Al-10Si. It was ascertained that employing monolayer DLC coating reduced the coated tool wear rate by ~85% compared to a TiB2 benchmark. Combining DLC with WS2 as a multilayered coating further improved tool life. The best tribological properties were found for a two-layer DLC-WS2 coating which decreased wear rate by ~75% compared to TiB2, with a measured coefficient of friction of 0.05.
Chitosan Coating Applications in Probiotic Microencapsulation
Authors: Călinoiu Lavinia-Florina , Ştefănescu Bianca Eugenia , Pop Ioana Delia , Muntean Leon , Vodnar Dan Cristian
Published: March 2019

Nowadays, probiotic bacteria are extensively used as health-related components in novel foods with the aim of added-value for the food industry. Ingested probiotic bacteria must resist gastrointestinal exposure, the food matrix, and storage conditions. The recommended methodology for bacteria protection is microencapsulation technology. A key aspect in the advancement of this technology is the encapsulation system. Chitosan compliments the real potential of coating microencapsulation for applications in the food industry due to its physicochemical properties: positive charges via its amino groups (which makes it the only commercially available water-soluble cationic polymer), short-term biodegradability, non-toxicity and biocompatibility with the human body, and antimicrobial and antifungal actions. Chitosan-coated microcapsules have been reported to have a major positive influence on the survival rates of different probiotic bacteria under in vitro gastrointestinal conditions and in the storage stability of different types of food products; therefore, its utilization opens promising routes in the food industry.
Wetting Properties of Polyetheretherketone Plasma Activated and Biocoated Surfaces
Authors: Przykaza Kacper , Woźniak Klaudia , Jurak Małgorzata , Wiącek Agnieszka Ewa
Published: March 2019

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) biomaterial is a polymer which has been widely used since the early 90s as a material for human bone implant preparations. Nowadays it is increasingly used due to its high biocompatibility and easily modeling, as well as better mechanical properties and price compared to counterparts made of titanium or platinum alloys. In this paper, air low-temperature and pressure plasma was used to enhance PEEK adhesive properties as well as surface sterilization. On the activated polymeric carrier, biologically-active substances have been deposited with the Langmuir-Blodgett technique. Thereafter, the surface was characterized using optical profilometry, and wettability was examined by contact angle measuring. Next, the contact angle hysteresis (CAH) model was used to calculate the surface free energy of the modified surface of PEEK. The variations of wettability and surface free energy were observed depending on the deposited monolayer type and its components.
Noninvasive Skin Barrier Assessment: Multiparametric Approach and Pilot Study
Authors: Logger Jade G. M. , Olydam Jill I. , Woliner-van der Weg Wietske , van Erp Piet E. J.
Published: March 2019

The epidermal barrier function is disrupted in various inflammatory skin diseases. Accurate methods to measure skin barrier function are needed to assess the effect of therapeutic agents. Therefore, we developed a noninvasive multiparametric approach to measure four different parameters regarding the skin barrier. In the current pilot study, we evaluate this method in 14 healthy volunteers. We assessed erythema, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), water content, and epidermal thickness at both cheeks before and 30 min after application of Lanette and Vaseline-Lanette cream. For this, we used spectrophotometry, the Aquaflux device, the Epsilon device, and reflection confocal microscopy, respectively. Stratum corneum (SC) thickness was significantly increased after application of both creams (p < 0.05), and this increase was larger after Lanette cream compared to after Vaseline-Lanette cream (p = 0.035). Erythema, TEWL, and water content did not significantly change after cream application. Our multiparametric approach is promising and offers a feasible and practical way to quickly obtain multifaceted information about skin barrier function. Further exploration of this approach after prolonged use of cream and in conditions of disrupted skin barrier are recommended areas for future research.
The Anti-Aging Potential of Extracts from Chaenomeles sinensis
Authors: Itoh Shintaro , Yamaguchi Manami , Shigeyama Keita , Sakaguchi Ikuyo
Published: March 2019

The Chaenomeles sinensis fruit is used as an effective antitussive agent, analgesic, and diuretic in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been reported that C. sinensis fruit extracts have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. However, there are very few reports about the effects of C. sinensis extracts on skin. In this study, we investigated the effect of C. sinensis extracts on skin aging. The results of in vitro assays showed that whole fruit extracts of C. sinensis had superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity and inhibited the activity of dermal extracellular matrix proteases: Elastase and collagenase. The inhibitory effect of the whole fruit (containing seeds) extract on elastase activity was higher than that of the sarcocarp (seeds removed) extract. Further, the sarcocarp extract showed a higher level of SOD-like activity and a greater inhibitory effect on collagenase activity than the whole fruit extract. In particular, among the three activities studied, the sarcocarp extract showed the most significant inhibitory effect on collagenase activity at low concentrations. The polyphenol-rich fraction obtained from the sarcocarp showed significant collagenase inhibition. Based on these results, we concluded that phenolic compounds from C. sinensis sarcocarp have the potential to protect against skin aging through anti-collagenase activity.
Hybrid Biomimetic Materials from Silica/Carbonate Biomorphs
Authors: Opel Julian , Unglaube Niklas , Wörner Melissa , Kellermeier Matthias , Cölfen Helmut , García-Ruiz Juan-Manuel
Published: March 2019

The formation of a polymer protection layer around fragile mineral architectures ensures that structures stay intact even after treatments that would normally destroy them going along with a total loss of textural information. Here we present a strategy to preserve the shape of silica-carbonate biomorphs with polymers. This method converts non-hybrid inorganic-inorganic composite materials such a silica/carbonate biomorphs into hybrid organic/carbonate composite materials similar to biominerals.
Building Model-Driven Decision Support System in Product Redesign Plan
Authors: Kuik Swee , Diong Li
Published: March 2019

Product recovery strategy requires a thoughtful consideration of environmental implications of operational processes, undergone by a manufactured product in its entire product lifecycle, from stages of material processing, manufacturing, assembly, transportation, product use, product post-use and end-of-life. At the returns stream from product use stage, those parts and/or component assemblies from a used product have several disposition alternatives for recovery, such as direct reuse, remanufacture, recycle or disposal. Due to such complexity of the manufacturing processes in recovery, current decision methodologies focus on the performance measures of cost, time, waste and quality separately. In this article, an integrated decision model for used product returns stream is developed to measure the recovery of utilisation value in the aspects of cost, waste, time, and quality collectively. In addition, we proposed a model-driven decision support system (DSS) that may be useful for manufacturers in making recovery disposition alternatives. A case application was demonstrated with the use of model-driven DSS to measure recovery utilisation value for the used product disposition alternatives. Finally, the future work and contributions of this study are discussed.
Current Diabetes Technology: Striving for the Artificial Pancreas
Authors: Allen Natalie , Gupta Anshu
Published: March 2019

Diabetes technology has continually evolved over the years to improve quality of life and ease of care for affected patients. Frequent blood glucose (BG) checks and multiple daily insulin injections have become standard of care in Type 1 diabetes (T1DM) management. Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) allow patients to observe and discern trends in their glycemic control. These devices improve quality of life for parents and caregivers with preset alerts for hypoglycemia. Insulin pumps have continued to improve and innovate since their emergence into the market. Hybrid closed-loop systems have harnessed the data gathered with CGM use to aid in basal insulin dosing and hypoglycemia prevention. As technology continues to progress, patients will likely have to enter less and less information into their pump system manually. In the future, we will likely see a system that requires no manual patient input and allows users to eat throughout the day without counting carbohydrates or entering in any blood sugars. As technology continues to advance, endocrinologists and diabetes providers need to stay current to better guide their patients in optimal use of emerging management tools.
Infrared Brazing of CoCrFeMnNi Equiatomic High Entropy Alloy Using Nickel-Based Braze Alloys
Authors: Lin Chieh , Shiue Ren-Kae , Wu Shyi-Kaan , Huang Huai-Li
Published: March 2019

Infrared vacuum brazing of CoCrFeMnNi high entropy alloy (HEA) using BNi-2 and MBF601 fillers has been investigated. Both brazes show poor wettability at temperatures only 20 °C above their liquidus temperatures. However, the wettability of BNi-2 and MBF601 fillers on CoCrFeMnNi HEA is greatly improved with increasing the test temperatures, 50 °C above their liquidus temperatures. The BNi-2 brazed joints are dominated by Ni-rich matrix with huge CrB and a few tiny boride precipitates. Average shear strengths of joints increase with increasing brazing temperature and/or time, and fracture location changes from blocky CrB in the brazed zone to grain boundary boride in the substrate. The MBF601 brazed joints are composed of CoCrFeMnNi-based matrix, particles of B/Co/Cr/Fe/Mn/Ni/P compounds, and some phosphides form along the grain boundaries of the substrate. The specimen brazed with MBF601 filler foil at 1050 °C for 600 s has the highest average shear strength of 321 MPa, while that brazed at 1080 °C for 600 s has a lower average shear strength of 271 MPa due to the presence of solidification shrinkage voids.
Thermodynamics of Majority-Logic Decoding in Information Erasure
Authors: Sheng Shiqi , Herpich Tim , Diana Giovanni , Esposito Massimiliano
Published: March 2019

We investigate the performance of majority-logic decoding in both reversible and finite-time information erasure processes performed on macroscopic bits that contain N microscopic binary units. While we show that for reversible erasure protocols single-unit transformations are more efficient than majority-logic decoding, the latter is found to offer several benefits for finite-time erasure processes: Both the minimal erasure duration for a given erasure and the minimal erasure error for a given erasure duration are reduced, if compared to a single unit. Remarkably, the majority-logic decoding is also more efficient in both the small-erasure error and fast-erasure region. These benefits are also preserved under the optimal erasure protocol that minimizes the dissipated heat. Our work therefore shows that majority-logic decoding can lift the precision-speed-efficiency trade-off in information erasure processes.
Entropy Analysis of Temperature Swing Adsorption for CO2 Capture Using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Method
Authors: Guo Zhihao , Deng Shuai , Li Shuangjun , Lian Yahui , Zhao Li , Yuan Xiangzhou
Published: March 2019

Carbon capture by adsorption is supposed to be an effective method to reduce CO2 emissions, among which Temperature Swing Adsorption (TSA) can utilize low-grade thermal energy even from renewable energy source. At present, TSA technology still has several challenges to be practical application, such as intensive energy-consumption and low energy-efficiency. Thermodynamics could be a powerful method to explore the energy conversion mechanism of TSA, among which entropy analysis could further provide a clear picture on the irreversible loss, even with a possible strategy of energy-efficient improvement. Based on the theory of non-equilibrium thermodynamics, the entropy analysis of TSA cycle is conducted, using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method. The physical model and conservation equations are established and calculation methods for entropy generation are presented as well. The entropy generation of each process in cycle is analyzed, and the influence from the main parameters of desorption process is presented with optimization analysis. Finally, the performance of the cycle with regeneration is compared with that of the cycle without regeneration, and the method of reducing the entropy generation is obtained as well. This paper provides possible directions of performance improvement of TSA cycle with regards on energy utilization efficiency and the reduction of irreversible loss.
Effect of Mn Addition on the Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of CoCrFeNiPd High Entropy Alloy
Authors: Tan Yiming , Li Jinshan , Wang Jun , Kou Hongchao
Published: March 2019

CoCrFeNiPdMnx (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) high entropy alloys (HEAs) were prepared and characterized. With an increase in Mn addition, the microstructures changed from dendrites (CoCrFeNiPd with a single face-centered-cubic (FCC) phase) to divorced eutectics (CoCrFeNiPdMn0.2 and CoCrFeNiPdMn0.4), to hypoeutectic microstructures (CoCrFeNiPdMn0.6), and finally to seaweed eutectic dendrites (CoCrFeNiPdMn0.8). The addition of Mn might change the interface energy anisotropy of both the FCC/liquid and MnPd-rich intermetallic compound/liquid interfaces, thus forming the seaweed eutectic dendrites. The hardness of the FCC phase was found to be highly related to the solute strengthening effect, the formation of nanotwins and the transition from CoCrFeNiPd-rich to CoCrFeNi-rich FCC phase. Hierarchical nanotwins were found in the MnPd-rich intermetallic compound and a decrease in either the spacing of primary twins or secondary twins led to an increase in hardness. The designing rules of EHEAs were discussed and the pseudo binary method was revised accordingly.
Fault Diagnosis Method for Rolling Bearings Based on Composite Multiscale Fluctuation Dispersion Entropy
Authors: Gan Xiong , Lu Hong , Yang Guangyou
Published: March 2019

This paper proposes a new method named composite multiscale fluctuation dispersion entropy (CMFDE), which measures the complexity of time series under different scale factors and synthesizes the information of multiple coarse-grained sequences. A simulation validates that CMFDE could improve the stability of entropy estimation. Meanwhile, a fault recognition method for rolling bearings based on CMFDE, the minimum redundancy maximum relevancy (mRMR) method, and the k nearest neighbor (kNN) classifier (CMFDE-mRMR-kNN) is developed. For the CMFDE-mRMR-kNN method, the CMFDE method is introduced to extract the fault characteristics of the rolling bearings. Then, the sensitive features are obtained by utilizing the mRMR method. Finally, the kNN classifier is used to recognize the different conditions of the rolling bearings. The effectiveness of the proposed CMFDE-mRMR-kNN method is verified by analyzing the standard experimental dataset. The experimental results show that the proposed fault diagnosis method can effectively classify the conditions of rolling bearings.
Different Grouping Strategies for Cooperative Learning in English Majored Seniors and Juniors at Can Tho University, Vietnam
Authors: Nhan Hien , Nhan Thái Anh
Published: March 2019

We present research on the attitudes of seniors and juniors doing a major in English toward different grouping strategies for cooperative learning at Can Tho University, Can Tho city, Vietnam. The collected data is analyzed by a means of quantitative approach. The findings not only facilitate the further understanding of English majors’ opinions on different grouping strategies, but also provide teachers and lecturers who employ cooperative learning as one of their teaching strategies with useful clues on which group formation they should use. More importantly, we hope to give an insight to the characteristics of different grouping strategies, in order to find out the group forming method(s) that simultaneously boosts group dynamics, students’ satisfaction, and academic achievements.
Learning to See the Hidden Part of the Vehicle in the Autopilot Scene
Authors: Xu Yifeng , Wang Huigang , Liu Xing , He Henry Ren , Gu Qingyue , Sun Weitao
Published: March 2019

Recent advances in deep learning have shown exciting promise in low-level artificial intelligence tasks such as image classification, speech recognition, object detection, and semantic segmentation, etc. Artificial intelligence has made an important contribution to autopilot, which is a complex high-level intelligence task. However, the real autopilot scene is quite complicated. The first accident of autopilot occurred in 2016. It resulted in a fatal crash where the white side of a vehicle appeared similar to a brightly lit sky. The root of the problem is that the autopilot vision system cannot identify the part of a vehicle when the part is similar to the background. A method called DIDA was first proposed based on the deep learning network to see the hidden part. DIDA cascades the following steps: object detection, scaling, image inpainting assuming a hidden part beside the car, object re-detection from inpainted image, zooming back to the original size, and setting an alarm region by comparing two detected regions. DIDA was tested in a similar scene and achieved exciting results. This method solves the aforementioned problem only by using optical signals. Additionally, the vehicle dataset captured in Xi’an, China can be used in subsequent research.
A Fault Tolerant Voter for Approximate Triple Modular Redundancy
Authors: Arifeen Tooba , Hassan Abdus Sami , Lee Jeong-A
Published: March 2019

Approximate Triple Modular Redundancy has been proposed in the literature to overcome the area overhead issue of Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR). The outcome of TMR/Approximate TMR modules serves as the voter input to produce the final output of a system. Because the working principle of Approximate TMR conditionally allows one of the approximate modules to differ from the original circuit, it is critical for Approximate TMR that a voter not only be tolerant toward its internal faults but also toward faults that occur at the voter inputs. Herein, we present a novel compact voter for Approximate TMR using pass transistors and quadded transistor level redundancy to achieve a higher fault masking. The design also targets a better Quality of Circuit (QoC), a new metric which we have proposed for highlighting the ability of a circuit to fully mask all possible internal faults for an input vector. Comparing the fault masking features with those of existing works, the proposed voter delivered upto 45.1%, 62.5%, 26.6% improvement in Fault Masking Ratio (FMR), QoC, and reliability, respectively. With respect to the electrical characteristics, our proposed voter can achieve an improvement of up to 50% and 56% in terms of the transistor count and power delay product, respectively.