bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analyzing the topological characteristic and key nodes of Chinese air sector network
Authors: Ren Guangjian , Lu Chaoyang , Zhu Jinfu , Liu Xinyi
Published: March 2019

In this paper, an air sector network (ASN) model is established based on the airspace of Chinese mainland. Meanwhile, the ASN is a weighted graph whose nodes are sectors, and its edge weight is the flights between sectors. In addition, a node ranking algorithm is proposed according to the variation coefficient method (VCM). Then, the topological structure of the ASN is analyzed by the complex network theory, simultaneously, the key sectors are ranked through the proposed VCM. The results indicate that the ASN has heterogeneous and assortativity structure characteristics to a certain extent. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed VCM centrality measure is verified by the susceptible-infected-removed (SIR) model and Kendall’s tau coefficient. Results show that the VCM centrality method is applicable and effective.
Chaos in Saw Map
Authors: Begun Nikita , Kravetc Pavel , Rachinskii Dmitrii
Published: March 2019

We consider the dynamics of a scalar piecewise linear “saw map” with infinitely many linear segments. In particular, such maps are generated as a Poincaré map of simple two-dimensional discrete time piecewise linear systems involving a saturation function. Alternatively, these systems can be viewed as a feedback loop with the so-called stop hysteresis operator. We analyze chaotic sets and attractors of the “saw map” depending on its parameters.
Limit Cycles for Discontinuous Planar Piecewise Linear Differential Systems Separated by an Algebraic Curve
Authors: Llibre Jaume , Zhang Xiang
Published: March 2019

We study how to change the maximum number of limit cycles of the discontinuous piecewise linear differential systems with only two pieces in function of the degree of the discontinuity of the algebraic curve between the two linear differential systems. These discontinuous differential systems appear frequently in applied sciences.
Innovative Intelligent Methodology for the Classification of Soil Salinization Degree Using a Fractional-Order Master-Slave Chaotic System
Authors: Tian An-Hong , Fu Cheng-Biao , Xiong Hei-Gang , Yau Her-Terng
Published: March 2019

Soil salinization has become a highly significant eco-system issue that is encountered all over the world. Serious soil salinization leads to soil deterioration and has a negative impact on sustainable development of the eco-system and agriculture. However, the spectral reflectance of soils with high overlap and indecipherability makes it difficult to classify the soil salinization degree quickly and accurately. In this paper, an innovative, intelligent methodology using a fractional-order chaotic system to classify the soil salinization degree is proposed. To select a suitable order for the fractional-order chaotic system, the integer-order and noninteger order master-slave Lorenz chaotic systems were used to observe variations in the phase plane distributions. Movement traces of the chaotic system show that severely saline soil will exhibit more active changes, and its distribution status of the Lorenz chaotic system will be more scattered. After analyzing the characteristics of phase plane distributions, a preferred 0.9 fractional-order chaotic system is selected to obtain good analytical characteristics. Finally, extenics theory is used to verify the accuracy of salinization status classified by the coordinate values of the chaotic attractors, and an extenic matter element model is established to analyze the salinization degree. From the results, it was found that 100% analysis accuracy in the judgment of salinization level could be achieved under noninteger order status, and this judgment method is also suitable for soils in different human activity areas. This method has now become a benchmark for testing soil salinization with a chaotic system and is an innovative method that can be used to test the soil salinization degree quickly and accurately.
On Certain Identities with Automorphisms on Lie Ideals in Prime and Semiprime Rings
Authors: De Filippis Vincenzo , Rehman Nadeem ur
Published: March 2019

Let R be a prime ring of characteristic different from 2, Z(R) its center, L a Lie ideal of R, and m, n, s, t ≥ 1 fixed integers with t ≤ m + n + s. Suppose that α is a non-trivial automorphism of R and let Φ(x, y) = [x, y]t – [x, y]m [α([x, y]),[x, y]]n [x, y]s. Thus, (a) if Φ(u, v) = 0 for any u, v ∈ L, then L ⊆ Z(R); (b) if Φ(u, v) ∈ Z(R) for any u, v ∈ L, then either L ⊆ Z(R) or R satisfies s4, the standard identity of degree 4. We also extend the results to semiprime rings.
Non-peripherally alkylamino-substituted phthalocyanines: Synthesis, spectral, photophysical and acid-base properties
Authors: Kociscakova Lucia , Senipek Merve Ipek , Zimcik Petr , Novakova Veronika
Published: March 2019

Non-peripherally substituted metal-free and zinc phthalocyanines (Pcs) bearing four diethylamino groups and four Br atoms were prepared. Optimal conditions for synthesis of corresponding precursor ([Formula: see text] 3-bromo-6-(diethylamino)phthalonitrile) either by nucleophilic substitution or by Buchwald–Hartwig coupling were studied. Noteworthy, 3,6-bis(diethylamino)phthalonitrile was also formed, nevertheless only at low yield (typically below 1%) and all attempts for its cyclotetramerization failed. Q bands of prepared Pcs were strongly red shifted up to the near-IR region (769 and 800 nm in THF for zinc and metal-free Pc, respectively). Unusually large hypsochromic shifts of the Q bands, 130 and 80 nm for metal-free and zinc Pc, respectively, were observed upon treating these Pcs with trifluoroacetic acid, which was attributed to the protonation of non-peripheral amines. Treatment with sulfuric acid led to subsequent protonation on the azomethine nitrogens as well. Photophysical study revealed low fluorescence emission of both derivatives ([Formula: see text] <0.03, in THF) and efficient singlet oxygen production only for zinc Pc ([Formula: see text] 0.77 in THF and 0.60 in DMF).
Distributed Back-Stepping Consensus Protocol for Attitude Synchronization and Tracking on Undirected Graphs
Authors: Yu Yuanjin , Li Zhenhong , Yang Zhaohua , Ding Zhengtao
Published: March 2019

This paper investigates the attitude synchronization and tracking problem for multiple spacecraft with an arbitrary differentiable reference. Considering the reference as a leader, the attitude synchronization and tracking problem is then transformed into a leader-following problem. Based on the quaternion representation of the attitude, the attitude tracking error dynamics and kinematics are derived. Treating the dynamics and kinematics as two cascaded subsystems, a back-stepping consensus protocol is designed, and its stability is analyzed using Lyapunov theorem. The proposed protocol is fully distributed since only the local and neighboring information are used. Finally, numerical simulations are performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed protocol.
Upper Ordovician bryozoans of Morocco
Authors: Ernst Andrej
Published: March 2019

The majority of Upper Ordovician bryozoan occurrences in Morocco are known from the Anti-Atlas. These faunas are abundant and diverse; however, many of them still remain unstudied. The few explored bryozoan faunas of the Katian age exhibit high abundance and diversity of erect branched and massive trepostomes accompanied by few esthonioporines, cryptostomes and fenestrates, whereas cystoporate bryozoans are not known here. They occupied various biotopes within inner- and outer-ramp settings. Bryozoan faunas from the Upper Ordovician of Morocco are rather related to faunas from other parts of the Mediterranean Province (France, Carnic Alps, Sardinia) containing few species of Laurentian and Baltic origin. Trepostome bryozoans from Moroccan occurrences often display signs of gigantism explained by undisturbed growth in cold and quiet environmental conditions.
Evaluating the Effects of Missing Values and Mixed Data Types on Social Sequence Clustering Using t-SNE Visualization
Authors: Lazar Alina , Jin Ling , Spurlock C. Anna , Wu Kesheng , Sim Alex , Todd Annika
Published: March 2019

The goal of this work is to investigate the impact of missing values in clustering joint categorical social sequences. Identifying patterns in sociodemographic longitudinal data is important in a number of social science settings. However, performing analytical operations, such as clustering on life course trajectories, is challenging due to the categorical and multidimensional nature of the data, their mixed data types, and corruption by missing and inconsistent values. Data quality issues were investigated previously on single variable sequences. To understand their effects on multivariate sequence analysis, we employ a dataset of mixed data types and missing values, a dissimilarity measure designed for joint categorical sequence data, together with dimensionality reduction methodologies in a systematic design of sequence clustering experiments. Given the categorical nature of our data, we employ an “edit” distance using optimal matching. Because each data record has multiple variables of different types, we investigate the impact of mixing these variables in a single dissimilarity measure. Between variables with binary values and those with multiple nominal values, we find that the ability to overcome missing data problems is more difficult in the nominal domain than in the binary domain. Additionally, alignment of leading missing values can result in systematic biases in dissimilarity matrices and subsequently introduce both artificial clusters and unrealistic interpretations of associated data domains. We demonstrate the usage of t-distributed stochastic neighborhood embedding to visually guide mitigation of such biases by tuning the missing value substitution cost parameter or determining an optimal sequence span.
Understanding near infrared spectroscopy and its application to skeletal muscle research
Authors: Barstow Thomas J.
Published: March 2019

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a powerful noninvasive tool with which to study the matching of oxygen delivery to oxygen utilization and the number of new publications utilizing this technique has increased exponentially in the last 20 yr. By measuring the state of oxygenation of the primary heme compounds in skeletal muscle (hemoglobin and myoglobin), greater understanding of the underlying control mechanisms that couple perfusive and diffusive oxygen delivery to oxidative metabolism can be gained from the laboratory to the athletic field to the intensive care unit or emergency room. However, the field of NIRS has been complicated by the diversity of instrumentation, the inherent limitations of some of these technologies, the associated diversity of terminology, and a general lack of standardization of protocols. This Cores of Reproducibility in Physiology (CORP) will describe in basic but important detail the most common methodologies of NIRS, their strengths and limitations, and discuss some of the potential confounding factors that can affect the quality and reproducibility of NIRS data. Recommendations are provided to reduce the variability and errors in data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The goal of this CORP is to provide readers with a greater understanding of the methodology, limitations, and best practices so as to improve the reproducibility of NIRS research in skeletal muscle.
Fault Ride-Through Capability Enhancement for Microinverter Applications
Authors: Arab Ansari Sajad , Mizani Amir Reza , Ashouri Siamak , Shokrollahi Moghani Javad
Published: March 2019

Due to the fast growth of single-phase grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems, the existing grid codes are expected to be modified to guarantee the availability, quality, and reliability of the electrical system. Therefore, the future single-phase PV systems should become smarter and support low voltage ride-through (LVRT) capability, which are required for three-phase wind power systems. In this paper, the operation principle of a flyback inverter in a low-voltage ride-through operation is demonstrated in order to map future challenges. The steady state performance of the flyback inverter under voltage rise and drop conditions at boundary conduction mode (BCM) and discontinues conduction mode (DCM) is studied theoretically. The simulation results of the flyback inverter for various grid faults are presented to verify the theoretical analyses. The results indicate the fact that the flyback inverter at BCM condition can provide LVRT capability for photovoltaic microinverter applications in distributed generation (DG) systems, even though it does not need any auxiliary control branches and any limitations in components design.
Combined Activation of Guanylate Cyclase and Cyclic AMP in Lung Fibroblasts as a Novel Therapeutic Concept for Lung Fibrosis
Authors: Lambers Christopher , Boehm Panja M. , Karabacak Yasemin , Samaha Eslam , Benazzo Alberto , Jaksch Peter , Roth Michael
Published: March 2019

Remodelling of the peripheral lung tissue and fibrotic foci are the main pathologies of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a disease that is difficult to treat. TGF-β activation of peripheral lung fibroblasts is indicated as the major cause of tissue remodelling in IPF and is resulting in fibroblast hyperplasia and deposition of extracellular matrix. Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators combined with cyclic AMP (cAMP) activators have been reported to reduce proliferation and matrix deposition in other conditions than IPF. Therefore, this drug combination may present a novel therapeutic concept for IPF. This study investigated the effect of BAY 41-2272 and forskolin on remodelling parameters in primary human lung fibroblasts. The study determined TGF-β induced proliferation by direct cell counts after 3 days; and deposition of collagen type-I, type III, and fibronectin. BAY 41-2272 significantly reduced TGF-β induced fibroblast proliferation, but did not reduce viability. This inhibitory effect was further supported by forskolin. Both BAY 41-2272 and forskolin alone reduced TGF-β induced collagen and fibronectin de novo synthesis as well as deposition. This effect was significantly stronger when the two compounds were combined. Furthermore, the TGF-β induced expression of fibrilar α-smooth muscle actin was reduced by BAY 41-2272 and this effect was strengthened by forskolin. In addition, BAY 41-2272 and forskolin reduced TGF-β induced β-catenin. All effects of BAY 41-2272 were concentration dependent. The findings suggest that BAY 41-2272 in combination with cAMP stimulation may present a novel therapeutic strategy to reduce tissue remodelling in IPF.
Deformation and Mechanical Behaviors of SCSF and CCCF Rectangular Thin Plates Loaded by Hydrostatic Pressure
Authors: Gao Jun , Dang Faning , Ma Zongyuan , Ren Jie
Published: March 2019

Elastic rectangular thin plate problems are very important both in theoretical research and engineering applications. Based on this, the flexural deformation functions of the rectangular thin plates with two opposite edges simply supported, one edge clamped and one edge free (SCSF) and three edges clamped and one edge free (CCCF), loaded by hydrostatic pressure are determined by single trigonometric series. And the flexural deformation functions are solved via the principle of minimum potential energy. Next, the internal force and stress functions of rectangular thin plates with two boundary conditions are obtained based on the small deflection bending theory of thin plates. The dimensionless deflection, dimensionless internal force, and dimensionless stress functions of the rectangular thin plates are established as well. The analytic solution in this paper is validated by the finite element method. Finally, the influence of aspect ratio λ and Poisson’s ratio μ on the deformation and mechanical behaviors of the rectangle thin plates is analyzed in this paper. This research can provide references for the plane water gate problem in seaports and channels.
Estimation of Time‐Varying Passenger Demand for High Speed Rail System
Authors: Wei Tangjian , Shi Feng , Xu Guangming
Published: March 2019

Passenger demand plays an important role in railway operation and organization, and this paper aims to estimate passenger time‐varying demand by simulating the ticket‐booking process for High Speed Rail (HSR) system. The ticket‐booking process of each OD pair can be partition into discrete booking phases by the times when the tickets of any itinerary had sold out. The ticket booking volume of each itinerary is reversely assigned to its corresponding expected departure intervals to obtain the time‐varying demand in each booking phase using the rooftop model, and the total time‐varying demand are estimated by summing the time‐varying demand distributions in all booking phases. Only with the data about the itinerary flow, the precedence relationship is introduced to constrain the ticket sold‐out order of all itineraries for each OD pair. Based on the precedence relationships of itineraries, two typical situations are proposed, in which the Single Booking Phase Reverse Assignment (SBPRA) algorithm and the Multiple Booking Phases Reverse Assignment (MBPRA) algorithm are proposed to estimate the time‐varying demand respectively. Case analysis on OD pair Beijing‐Shanghai are presented, and the validity analysis demonstrates that the error rates of SBPRA algorithm and MBPRA algorithm are 8.64% and 6.37%, respectively.
Cloud Features of Tibetan Plateau Vortex Category Cloud Cluster over Different Regions along the Eastward-Moving Path in Summer
Authors: Li Chao , Wang Xiaofang , Zhou Lingli , Cui Chunguang , Jiang Xingwen , Xu Guirong
Published: March 2019

Using the data of CloudSat satellite, FY series satellite, CMORPH hourly precipitation, and ERA-interim reanalysis products, this paper aims to reveal the cloud features of Tibetan Plateau Vortex (TPV) category cloud clusters over its eastward-moving regions. 107 cases of eastward-moving TPV category that occurred in the summer half-year (April to September) are picked out, and then the cloud features of them are further analyzed by statistics. The results show that the eastward-moving TPV category occurs mostly in May and June, but leastly in July and September. With consecutive enhancement of precipitation intensity and convection intensity, an increasing trend is found in the proportions of deep convection clouds and multiple layer clouds during the TPV category eastward movement. In order to reveal the inner connection among the precipitation intensity, the convection intensity, and the microphysical characteristics of TPV category cloud clusters, the TPV category cloud clusters are classified into different categories by the criteria of the precipitation intensity and the convection intensity separately. Consequently, the two different criteria share the commonality that the number concentration of both ice crystal and cloud droplets increases obviously with the enhancement of precipitation intensity or convection intensity. However, the discrepancy of conclusions also exists between the two classification criteria. A notable stretching upward trend is found in the number concentration distribution of the ice crystal and downward trend in the number concentration distribution of the cloud droplet. The same increasing trend is also discovered in the effective average radius of the ice crystal and cloud droplet. But the TPV category cloud clusters with severe convection do not present the similar variation trend both in the number concentration and the effective average radius. Hence, although the above findings confirm that the precipitation intensity, the convection intensity, and the distribution of cloud hydrometers are associated and interacting mutually, the closed function relationship among them cannot be established, and other meteorology factors related to the ambient conditions should also be taken into consideration as a complete cloud microphysical system.
Pharmacological Effects of Verticine: Current Status
Authors: Yin Zhenhua , Zhang Juanjuan , Guo Qingfeng , Chen Lin , Zhang Wei , Kang Wenyi
Published: March 2019

Verticine is the major bioactive constituent of Fritillaria as a kind of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Pharmacological researches have reported various benefits of verticine, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, protecting against acute lung injury, tracheobronchial relaxation, antitussive, expectorant, sedative, and analgesic activities, in addition to inhibiting proliferation of cultured orbital fibroblast, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and inhibiting hERG potassium channels. The underlying mechanisms of verticine are still under investigation. This review will comprehensively summarize the metabolism, biological activities, and possible mechanism of verticine.
Learning Users’ Intention of Legal Consultation through Pattern-Oriented Tensor Decomposition with Bi-LSTM
Authors: Guo Xiaoding , Zhang Hongli , Ye Lin , Li Shang
Published: March 2019

Online legal consultation plays an increasingly important role in the modern rule-of-law society. This study aims to understand the intention of legal consultation of users with different language expressions and legal knowledge background. A critical issue is a method through which users’ legal consultation data are classified and the feature of each category is extracted. Traditional classification methods rely considerably on lexical and syntactic features and frequently require strict sentence formatting, which eliminates substantial energy and may not be universally applicable. We aim to extract the patterns of users’ consultation on different categories, which minimally depend on lexical, syntax, and sentence formatting. However, research in this area has rarely been conducted in previous legal advisory service studies. In this study, a classification approach for multiclass users’ intention based on pattern-oriented tensor decomposition and Bi-LSTM is proposed, and each user’s legal consulting statement is expressed as a tensor. Moreover, we propose a pattern-oriented tensor decomposition method that can obtain a core tensor that approximates the patterns of users’ consultation. These patterns can improve the accuracy of classifying users’ intention of legal consultation. We use Bi-LSTM to automatically learn and optimize these patterns. Evidently, Bi-LSTM with a pattern-oriented tensor decomposition layer performs better than a recurrent neural network only. Results show that our method is more accurate than the previous work, and the factor matrix and core tensor calculated by the pattern-oriented tensor decomposition are interpretable.
Assessment of Intratumoral Doxorubicin Penetration after Mild Hyperthermia-Mediated Release from Thermosensitive Liposomes
Authors: Derieppe Marc , Escoffre Jean-Michel , Denis de Senneville Baudouin , van Houtum Quincy , Rijbroek Angelique Barten-van , van der Wurff-Jacobs Kim , Dubois Ludwig , Bos Clemens , Moonen Chrit
Published: March 2019

In solid tumors, rapid local intravascular release of anticancer agents, e.g., doxorubicin (DOX), from thermosensitive liposomes (TSLs) can be an option to overcome poor extravasation of drug nanocarriers. The driving force of DOX penetration is the drug concentration gradient between the vascular compartment and the tumor interstitium. In this feasibility study, we used fibered confocal fluorescence microscopy (FCFM) to monitor in real-time DOX penetration in the interstitium of a subcutaneous tumor after its intravascular release from TSLs, Thermodox®. Cell uptake kinetics of the released DOX was quantified, along with an in-depth assessment of released-DOX penetration using an evolution model. A subcutaneous rat R1 rhabdomyosarcoma xenograft was used. The rodent was positioned in a setup including a water bath, and FCFM identification of functional vessels in the tumor tissue was applied based on AngioSense. The tumor-bearing leg was immersed in the 43°C water for preheating, and TSLs were injected intravenously. Real-time monitoring of intratumoral (i.t.) DOX penetration could be performed, and it showed the progressing DOX wave front via its native fluorescence, labeling successively all cell nuclei. Cell uptake rates (1/k) of 3 minutes were found (n=241  cells), and a released-DOX penetration in the range of 2500 µm2·s−1 was found in the tumor extravascular space. This study also showed that not all vessels, identified as functional based on AngioSense, gave rise to local DOX penetration.
Efficacy of a Methanolic Extract of Adansonia digitata Leaf in Alleviating Hyperglycemia, Hyperlipidemia, and Oxidative Stress of Diabetic Rats
Authors: Ebaid Hossam , Bashandy Samir A. E. , Alhazza Ibrahim M. , Hassan Iftekhar , Al-Tamimi Jameel
Published: March 2019

Traditionally, in many countries, various parts of the Adansonia digitata (A. digitata) tree have been used in the treatment of many clinical ailments including diarrhea and dysentery. The phytochemical screening has indicated that the leaf extract of A. digitata contains flavonoids, saponins, mucilage, steroids, and alkaloids. Thus, this paper aims to evaluate the hyperglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects of methanolic extract of A. digitata leaves (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) in diabetic rats. The extract was administered orally for six weeks in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The treatment with the extract caused a significant reduction in the blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels by 46.7%, 46.15%, 48.91%, 43%, 60%, 66%, 45.45%, and 30.4%, respectively, as compared to the diabetic group after the sixth week of treatment. The leaf extract also mitigated the decline of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level, RBCs count, hemoglobin level, packed cell volume (PCV %), and erythropoietin concentration in diabetic rats by 31%, 33.25%, 24.72%, 51.42%, and 220.68% with respect to the diabetic group. Also, the extract maintained the level of antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the diabetic rats. It also reduced the elevation in the white blood corpuscles (WBC) count in the STZ-induced diabetic rats. Our study, therefore, indicates that methanolic extract of A. digitata leaf exerts strong antidiabetic and hypolipidaemic properties in a dose-dependent manner by improving the hematological properties and redox parameters in the experimental diabetic rats.
Cord Blood Banking: Antenatal Care Provider’s Roles and Responsibilities
Authors: Gupta Vishal , Agarwal Lipisha , Ballal Priya , Pandey Deeksha
Published: March 2019

Background. Umbilical Cord Blood (UCB) banking done either for private storage or for donation to public cord blood banks involves active participation of obstetricians. Counseling the expectant parents, providing them with unbiased and balanced information, and collecting the UCB with diligence confer a lot of social as well as moral responsibility upon obstetricians. This makes it even more important that the obstetricians in current practice stay well-informed and updated with UCB collection and its storage guidelines. The present study was conducted to assess the current status of obstetricians about UCB banking in terms of their awareness, attitude, and expectations from it. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted across three hospitals. A self-administered 22-item questionnaire was given to obstetricians to assess their awareness, attitude, and expectations about UCB banking. Finally, 154 completed questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS software (version 15.0). The awareness, attitude, and expectations were assessed and reported as primary endpoints and the self-rated knowledge levels, and sources of information were reported as secondary endpoints. Results. Overall, the awareness was poor, but the attitude was favorable for UCB banking amongst obstetricians. Around 74% felt that obstetricians must be well-informed about UCB banking-related counseling and collection protocols. However, 55% felt it to be an additional burden for the obstetrician, and 57% believed that financial compensation must be given to obstetricians involved with cord blood collection procedures. The majority remained unclear about their expectations from UCB banking. The self-rated knowledge was poor and very poor for 75% obstetricians. 89.6% derived their information from representatives of private cord blood companies. Conclusion. Although poor in awareness levels, obstetricians possessed a favorable attitude towards UCB banking. Continuing medical education needs to focus more on such current issues of public importance to keep professionals updated. This is one way to minimise percolation of wrong facts and figures by the industries with conflicting interest to the healthcare providers.
Resveratrol Enhances Apoptotic and Oxidant Effects of Paclitaxel through TRPM2 Channel Activation in DBTRG Glioblastoma Cells
Authors: Öztürk Yasin , Günaydın Caner , Yalçın Fatma , Nazıroğlu Mustafa , Braidy Nady
Published: March 2019

Numerous studies have reported a strong association between increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the pathobiology of several diseases, and cancer in particular. Therefore, manipulation of cellular oxidative stress levels represents an important therapeutic target. Recently, resveratrol (RESV), a naturally occurring phytochemical, has been shown to sensitize several cell lines to the anticancer effects of other chemotherapeutic agents, including paclitaxel (PAX). However, the molecular mechanisms of action of RESV through oxidative sensitive TRPM2 channel activation remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of combination therapy of RESV and PAX on activation of TRPM2 in DBTRG glioblastoma cells. DBTRG cells were divided into four treatment groups: control, RESV (50 μM), PAX (50 μM), and PAX + RESV for 24 hours. Our data shows that markers for apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane depolarization and mitochondrial function, intracellular steady-state ROS levels, caspase 3 activity, TRPM2 current density, and Ca2+ florescence intensity were significantly increased in DBTRG cells following treatment with PAX and RESV, respectively, although cell viability was also decreased by these treatments. These biochemical markers were further increased to favor the anticancer effects of PAX in DBTRG cells in combination with RESV. The PAX and RESV-mediated increase in current density and Ca2+ florescence intensity was decreased with a TRPM2 blocker. This suggests that for this combination therapy to have a substantial effect on apoptosis and cell viability, the TRPM2 channel must be stimulated.
Thermodynamic Characteristics of Methane Adsorption of Coal with Different Initial Gas Pressures at Different Temperatures
Authors: Cai Tingting , Feng Zengchao , Jiang Yulong , Zhao Dong
Published: March 2019

The adsorption of methane in coal depends on both pressure and temperature, and the adsorption gas content decreases as the temperature rises while increases as the pressure increases. When the gas molecule switches between the free state and adsorbed state, energy exchange is accompanied. To study the thermodynamic characteristics (adsorption heat, adsorption content, and adsorption time) of the methane adsorption of coal, the isothermal methane adsorption experiments of coal with different initial free gas pressures at different temperatures (30–90°C) were conducted. In this paper, a well-defined mathematical function of the adsorption heat was established on the basis of the actual gas state equation, Boltzmann energy distribution theory, and the two-state energy model, and the function was verified by the experimental data. The results show that the mathematical function of the adsorption heat can well describe the relationship among the adsorption heat, temperature, and initial free gas pressure in the closed adsorption system, and the adsorption heat involves the initial free gas pressure. The greater the initial free gas pressure, the less the adsorption heat is. In the adsorption process with different initial free gas pressures at different temperatures, the real-time free gas content increases with time and the adsorption system shows desorption process generally. For the adsorption process with the same initial free gas pressure, the adsorption time increases with the rising temperature. For the adsorption process with different initial free gas pressures at the same temperature, the greater the initial free gas pressure, the shorter the adsorption time it takes to reach an equilibrium state. The results help to understand the thermodynamic characteristics and the heat and mass transfer of methane in coal adsorption.
The Role of Microbes in Coffee Fermentation and Their Impact on Coffee Quality
Authors: Haile Mesfin , Kang Won Hee
Published: March 2019

Coffee is one of the most important and widely used commercial crops in the world. After ripe coffee cherries are harvested, coffee must pass through several steps to become (green) raw coffee beans. Commonly, there are three different processing methods used to obtain green coffee beans from coffee cherries, namely, the wet, dry, and semidry methods. Microorganisms (yeasts and bacteria) play a major role in coffee fermentation process by degrading mucilage by producing different enzymes (pectinase), acids, and alcohols. Starter culture development is crucial and is done by selecting microorganisms that have certain characteristics, such as mucilage degradation ability, tolerance to stress during fermentation, the ability to suppress the growth of pathogenic fungi, and a positive impact on the sensory quality of the coffee. Currently, green coffee beans obtained from farms that use any of the above processing methods are fermented with selected microorganisms to improve the flavour and aroma of the coffee. This is the result of a new insight into the development of unique flavoured coffee and into engaging with the coffee market to better benefit. This review gives a comprehensive overview of the fermentation process, microorganisms and starter cultures, and fermentation’s impact on coffee quality. Future prospects are also discussed through the incorporation of recent research.
Red Cell Distribution Width as a Novel Marker for Different Types of Atrial Fibrillation in Low and High Altitude
Authors: Han Kaiyue , Su Xiaoling , Liu Jiang , Yao Fengcai , Lu FeiYan
Published: March 2019

Background. Increased red cell distribution width (RDW) can predict the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular diseases. However, there are limited data on the relationship between RDW and altitude and the subtype of atrial fibrillation (AF). We investigated the effects of altitude on RDW in patients with different types of AF. Methods. A total of 303 patients with nonvalvular AF were included. Of these, 156 lived in low altitude (77 paroxysmal AF, PAF; 79 persistent AF, PeAF) and 147 in high altitude (77 paroxysmal AF, PAF; 70 persistent AF, PeAF). In these groups, baseline characteristics, complete blood counts, serum biochemistry, and echocardiography were evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the independent predictors of AF at the different altitudes. Results. In both low and high altitudes, RDW and left atrial diameter (LAD) were higher in AF than control subjects (P<0.05) and higher in persistent AF than paroxysmal AF (P<0.05). Compared with any groups (PAF group, PeAF group, or control group) of low-altitude, RDW and LAD were found higher in high-altitude corresponding groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that RDW, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and LAD levels independently associated with AF patients in low altitude (RDW, OR 1.687, 95% CI 1.021–2.789; P<0.05), while in high altitude, RDW, MCV, creatinine (Cr), and LAD were independent predictors for AF patients (RDW, OR 1.755, 95% CI 1.179–2.613; P<0.05). Conclusion. Elevated RDW levels may be an independent risk marker for nonvalvular AF, affected by type of AF and altitude.
Classification of Vegetation to Estimate Forest Fire Danger Using Landsat 8 Images: Case Study
Authors: Yankovich Ksenia S. , Yankovich Elena P. , Baranovskiy Nikolay V.
Published: March 2019

The vegetation cover of the Earth plays an important role in the life of mankind, whether it is natural forest or agricultural crop. The study of the variability of the vegetation cover, as well as observation of its condition, allows timely actions to make a forecast and monitor and estimate the forest fire condition. The objectives of the research were (i) to process the satellite image of the Gilbirinskiy forestry located in the basin of Lake Baikal; (ii) to select homogeneous areas of forest vegetation on the basis of their spectral characteristics; (iii) to estimate the level of forest fire danger of the area by vegetation types. The paper presents an approach for estimation of forest fire danger depending on vegetation type and radiant heat flux influence using geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing data. The Environment for Visualizing Images (ENVI) and the Geographic Resources Analysis Support System (GRASS) software were used to process satellite images. The area’s forest fire danger estimation and visual presentation of the results were carried out in ArcGIS Desktop software. Information on the vegetation was obtained using the analysis of the Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) images for a typical forestry of the Lake Baikal natural area. The maps (schemes) of the Gilbirinskiy forestry were also used in the present article. The unsupervised k‐means classification was used. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to increase the accuracy of decoding. The classification of forest areas according to the level of fire danger caused by the typical ignition source was carried out using the developed method. The final information product was the map displaying vector polygonal feature class, containing the type of vegetation and the level of fire danger for each forest quarter in the attribute table. The fire danger estimation method developed by the authors was applied to each separate quarter and showed realistic results. The method used may be applicable for other areas with prevailing forest vegetation.
Designing Carbon/Oxygen Ratios of Graphene Oxide Membranes for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Ahn Minwoo , Liu Renlong , Lee Changgu , Lee Wonyoung
Published: March 2019

Graphene oxide (GO), which is the oxidized form of graphene, has holes and functional groups on the surface and thus has high potential to be used as an electrochemical transport channel material. In this study, differently modified GO membranes are applied as electrolytes of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) with controlled carbon/oxygen ratios. The critical and desired properties of the electrolyte, such as electron conductivity, proton conductivity, interfacial reactivity, and cell performance are evaluated in identical platinum-sputtered model electrodes. Among them, with the help of an increased concentration of oxygen-containing groups, a GO membrane with a low carbon/oxygen ratio shows a 2.9-fold improved maximum power density and advanced electrochemical properties compared with the pristine GO membrane. The characterization of GO suggests that the redox state of the membrane is an important factor for controlling the proton conductivity, interfacial reactivity, and maximum power density of PEMFCs.
Mining the Key Nodes from Software Network Based on Fault Accumulation and Propagation
Authors: Guoyan Huang , Qian Wang , Xinqian Liu , Xiaobing Hao , Huaizhi Yan
Published: March 2019

The increasement of software complexity directly results in the augment of software fault and costs a lot in the process of software development and maintenance. The complex network model is used to study the accumulation and accumulation of faults in complex software as a whole. Then key nodes with high fault probability and powerful fault propagation capability can be found, and the faults can be discovered as soon as possible and the severity of the damage to the system can be reduced effectively. In this paper, the algorithm MFS_AN (mining fault severity of all nodes) is proposed to mine the key nodes from software network. A weighted software network model is built by using functions as nodes, call relationships as edges, and call times as weight. Exploiting recursive method, a fault probability metric FP of a function, is defined according to the fault accumulation characteristic, and a fault propagation capability metric FPC of a function is proposed according to the fault propagation characteristic. Based on the FP and FPC, the fault severity metric FS is put forward to obtain the function nodes with larger fault severity in software network. Experimental results on two real software networks show that the algorithm MFS_AN can discover the key function nodes correctly and effectively.
Experimental Study on the Aperture of Geomagnetic Location Arrays
Authors: Zhang Xiaojun , Kang Xiyuan , Chen Xin , Geng Zhuoshan , Fan Liming , Zheng Quan , Lv Hua , Kang Chong
Published: March 2019

A method of locating a magnetic target based on geomagnetic total field is proposed. In the method, a conjugate gradient algorithm is introduced to eliminate the time-varying and uneven spatial distribution of geomagnetic total field. Then a structure of the measuring array of geomagnetic total field is designed. In the measuring array, the array aperture is a primary factor for the conjugate gradient algorithm. To determine an optimal aperture, we analyze the relationship between the array aperture and the localization accuracy. According to the localization theory based on geomagnetic total field, we simulate the process of determining an optimum array aperture. Based on the simulation, we propose the basis and principle of determining the optimum array aperture. To prove it, we use optically pumped magnetometers with different array apertures to carry out the experiments of locating a car in a suburb. Through the experiment, we get the experimental relationship between apertures and location accuracy. And the relationship agrees with the theory. The result shows that the method is feasible to determine the optimum aperture.
Experimental and Numerical Simulation Study on the Antipenetration Properties of Fiber Ceramic‐Reactive Powder Concrete Composite Targets
Authors: Zou H. H. , Song C. M. , Wang M. Y. , Wang D. R. , Wen D. S.
Published: March 2019

Composite materials have been demonstrated to possess excellent antipenetration capacities, but the existing studies have not involved the penetration characteristics of ceramic‐concrete composite targets. To investigate the antipenetration mechanisms of fiber ceramic‐reactive powder concrete (FC‐RPC) composite targets, three pieces of FC‐RPC composite targets were designed to perform penetration tests. Antipenetration tests were performed with a special howitzer with a diameter of 125 mm. The test parameters, such as the impact velocity, failure pattern of projectiles, penetration depth, crater diameter, and failure model of targets, were obtained. It was found that the FC‐RPC targets exhibited an excellent antipenetration capacity and failed in a ductile manner, the target caused an obvious erosion effect on projectiles at low speed (i.e., 375 m/s), and the antipenetration performance of the composite target was improved by increasing the thickness of the FC target. Simultaneously, numerical simulations of FC‐RPC targets subjected to projectile impact were carried out by using LS‐DYNA codes. Separately, combined and integrated finite element models were used to analyze the effect of the fiber layer in the composite target. The numerical results of the combined model were in good agreement with the experimental data, and the reliabilities of simulation were validated. The differential protection factor of the FC‐RPC targets was obtained based on the penetration tests and numerical simulation, and an empirical formula for multilayer targets was presented.
Combined Application of Coagulation/Flocculation/Sedimentation and Membrane Separation for the Treatment of Laundry Wastewater
Authors: Nascimento Camila O. C. , Veit Márcia T. , Palácio Soraya M. , Gonçalves Gilberto C. , Fagundes-Klen Márcia R.
Published: March 2019

The wastewater from industrial laundries has a high quantity of contaminants from the washing process, as well as chemical additives. Aiming at the treatment of this type of wastewater, the present study evaluated the performance of a combined coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation process (C/F/S) and membrane separation to treat laundry wastewater in relation to physicochemical parameters of water quality. For this purpose, a Doehlert experimental design was applied to the C/F/S step using the natural coagulant Tanfloc POP® with maximum color and turbidity removal efficiency obtained of 80.27% and 86.50%, respectively, under conditions of pH of 6.4 and a coagulant concentration of 110 mg·L−1. The supernatant from the C/F/S step was used in the sequential microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) experiments. The maximum values of color, total nitrogen, dissolved solids, and turbidity removal were similar to MF and UF membranes at transmembrane pressure of 1.4 bar, with the greatest flow of permeates (92.2 L·h−1·m−2) presented by the MF membrane at 1.4 bar. The total efficiency of the combined C/F/S-MF process indicated the quality of the treated wastewater since it reduced 98.4% of the color, 99.1% of turbidity, 71.7% of the surfactants, and more than 55% of the total dissolved solids (TDS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total organic carbon (TOC) from the industrial laundry wastewater. This study showed that the C/F/S-MF combined process could be an efficient treatment of laundry wastewater.
Clinical Significance of Aortic Root Modification Associated With Bicuspid Aortic Valve in Marfan Syndrome
Authors: Milleron Olivier , Ropers Jacques , Arnoult Florence , Bouleti Claire , Delorme Gabriel , Langeois Maud , Tchitchinadze Maria , Guien Celine , Beroud Christophe , Boileau Catherine , Jondeau Guillaume
Published: March 2019

Background:

Both bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and Marfan syndrome have been associated with aortic dissection risk, but it is unknown whether the presence of BAV is associated with an increased aortic risk in patients with an
FBN1
gene mutation. We evaluated aortic diameters, aortic valve function, and aortic shape in Marfan syndrome patients with and without BAV and reported aortic events during follow-up.

Methods:

All patients with an
FBN1
gene mutation evaluated in our clinic were included. Aortic root diameters were measured, and the aortic valve was studied using echocardiography at each visit.

Results:

Of the 1437 patients with an
FBN1
gene mutation, 26 patients (1.8%) had a BAV. Both aortic root maximal diameter and normalized
Z
score were larger at all ages, in patients with BAV when compared with patients with tricuspid aortic valve. Prophylactic aortic root surgery tended to be performed in younger patients when BAV was present, although aortic diameter threshold was similar in the 2 populations. No aortic dissection was observed in Marfan syndrome patients with BAV.

Conclusions:

In patients with a
FBN1
mutation, BAV is associated with larger aortic root diameter, with no difference in evolution of
Z
score with age. We found a trend towards prophylactic aortic root surgery at younger ages but similar aortic diameter thresholds without occurrence of aortic dissection. We did not find any evidence for lowering aortic diameter thresholds used to propose preventive aortic root surgery in the presence of BAV in patients with
FBN1
mutations.