bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of Diabetes Mellitus with Puerarin, a Natural Isoflavone FromPueraria lobata
Authors: Chen Xiuping , Yu Jie , Shi Jingshan
Published: December 2018

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has become one of the most challenging public health problems globally. The increasing prevalence and mortality rates call for more effective therapeutic agents, especially for DM complications. Traditional herbs have a long clinical application history for DM treatment. Puerarin is a natural isoflavone from Pueraria lobata (Wild.) Ohwi which has been consumed both as a functional food and herb in Eastern Asia countries. Documented data has shown that puerarin has cardio-protective, neuroprotective, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and many other effects. In this review, we will summarize the beneficial effects and underlying mechanisms of puerarin on DM and complications. Puerarin may directly benefit DM by decreasing blood glucose levels, improving insulin resistance, protecting islets, inhibiting inflammation, decreasing oxidative stress and inhibiting Maillard reaction and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formation. Furthermore, puerarin may also benefit DM indirectly by retarding and improving a series of DM complications, such as cardiovascular complications, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy, etc. However, comprehensive studies of its effect and mechanisms are needed. In addition, its efficacy is relatively low, which is partially due to its pharmacokinetics profiles. Though puerarin shows low toxicity to experimental animals, its safety on human remains to be clarified. Collectively, we suggest that puerarin might be a potential adjuvant agent for the treatment of DM and DM complications in future.
Higher spin theories in flat space–time
Authors: Bonora Loriano
Published: December 2018

It is shown that, contrary to a widespread prejudice, massless higher spin (HS) field theories can be defined in flat space–time. Examples of Yang–Mills-like theories with infinite many local fields of any spin are constructed explicitly in any dimension, along with Chern–Simons-like models in any odd dimension. These theories are defined via actions invariant under HS gauge transformations and their equations of motion are derived. It is also briefly explained why these theories circumvent well-known no-go theorems.
A closer study of the framed standard model yielding testable new physics plus a hidden sector with dark matter candidates
Authors: Bordes José , Chan Hong-Mo , Tsou Sheung Tsun
Published: December 2018

This closer study of the FSM (I) retains the earlier results of Ref. 1 in offering explanation for the existence of three fermion generations, as well as the hierarchical mass and mixing patterns of leptons and quarks; (II) predicts a vector boson [Formula: see text] with mass of order TeV which mixes with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] of the standard model. The subsequent deviations from the standard mixing scheme are calculable in terms of the [Formula: see text] mass. While these deviations for (i) [Formula: see text], (ii) [Formula: see text], and (iii) [Formula: see text] are all within present experimental errors so long as [Formula: see text] TeV, they should soon be detectable if the [Formula: see text] mass is not too much bigger; (III) suggests that in parallel to the standard sector familiar to us, there is another where the roles of flavour and colour are interchanged. Though quite as copiously populated and as vibrant in self-interactions as our own, it communicates but little with the standard sector except via mixing through a couple of known portals, one of which is the [Formula: see text] complex noted in (II), and the other is a scalar complex which includes the standard model Higgs. As a result, the new sector appears hidden to us as we appear hidden to them, and so its lowest members with masses of order 10 MeV, being electrically neutral and seemingly stable, but abundant, may make eligible candidates as constituents of dark matter. A more detailed summary of these results together with some remarks on the model’s special theoretical features can be found in the last section of this paper.
First-principles calculations of optoelectronic properties of CaO: Eu+2 (SrO: Eu+2) for energy applications
Authors: Azam Sikander , Abbas Zeesham , Gul Banat , Khan M. Shoaib , Irfan Muhammad , Sohail M. , Khan Saleem Ayaz , Naseer Faiza , Irfan Ali , Khan Gulzar , Rai D. P. , Khenata R.
Published: December 2018

We have performed the first-principles density functional theory (DFT) and DFT[Formula: see text]U calculations on the electronic and optical properties of CaO: Eu[Formula: see text] (SrO: Eu[Formula: see text]) phosphors compounds. Herein, we have focused on the polarization of the electronic structures, i.e., the energy bandgap and the density of states. All electrons were treated within the most common exchange and correlation functional called generalized gradient approximation plus optimized effective Hubbard parameter U as GGA[Formula: see text]U. GGA[Formula: see text]U is a very effective tool for describing the electronic band energy upto considerable accuracy. Hence, we have opted for the arbitrary values of U as 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 and 7.0 eV to treat the strongly correlated electrons for obtaining the matching result with the experimental one. However, GGA[Formula: see text]U is highly expensive in terms of computation due to interaction of d or f electrons. The result shows that the appearance of Eu-4f states at the valance band maximum of the spin-up causes a substantial impact on the electronic properties of the studied compounds. The value of energy bandgap is smaller in case of spin up as compared to spin down case. In case of majority spin, the energy gap of 2.224 (2.14) eV belongs to the Eu-4f orbitals and governs the CBM. The partial densities of states (PDOS) structure displays a strong hybridization that may be pointed to the formation of covalent bonds. The calculated and the measured values are in good agreement with each other. In the study of optical properties of the compound, the optical spectral structure shows a lossless region and uniaxial anisotropy. The value of uniaxial anisotropy is positive at static limit and its value is negative above this value.
Self-sensing characteristics of vibration isolation bearing based on modified magneto-rheological elastomer
Authors: Li Rui , Zhou Mengjiao , Wang Minglian , Liu Lin , Yang Ping’an
Published: December 2018

A new self-sensing bearing based on magneto-rheological elastomers (MREs) was proposed in this paper. For the application in vibration isolation system, the effects of force input and semi-active controlled electric current (force and magnetic fields) on the self-sensing characteristics of bearing were simultaneously investigated. The modified anisotropic MRE with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) was studied to improve its electrical properties, and the MWNTs can reduce the initial resistivity from 325.06 to [Formula: see text]. To understand the sensing behaviors of bearing, the experimental system was built. The results confirmed that the self-sensing characteristic presents an obvious monotonous declining trend with the vibration force increases, and the mechanical properties of MRB can be regulated in real-time when they are subjected to varying currents (0–1 A). This finding is significant because it suggests that the bearings based on the modified MREs are potentially capable of being used for vibration absorbers and sensors simultaneously. Based on these results, it is expected to simplify the system structure and improve the response performance of vibration isolation.
ONE-YEAR PREVALENCE OF LOW BACK PAIN AND ITS CORRELATES IN HISAR URBAN POPULATION
Authors: Kulandaivelan Sivachidambaram , Ateef Mahamed , Singh Varun , Chaturvedi Rekha , Joshi Shabnam
Published: December 2018

Purpose: To find out overall, age and gender specific prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and its correlates in urban population. Methods: Present study was cross-sectional survey, by door-to-door visit, using multi-stage random sampling technique from Hisar urban geographical area. Pre-designed, validated self-reported questionnaire was used to record 14 variables, one variable was calculated and 4 variables were measured. Primary variable of interest was pain in low back area in the last 12 months. Data was analyzed using IBM-SPSS (21.0 version). Chi-square test was used to see the association between LBP and categories. If there was a significance, univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression was used to identify the correlates. Results: Data of 1540 subjects (response rate 72.2%; females 54.2%) aged 30 years or more from five localities out of six were used. Overall one-year prevalence of LBP was 19%. Female sex (OR 1.60), low education (1.95) and low fasting blood glucose (1.34) were identified as correlates of LBP. Abdominal obesity, not using ghee, low income, low social class, smoking, long sitting and sleeping time increased the prevalence of LBP. Conclusion: Increasing the physical activity/exercise and reducing sedentary behaviors may reduce the prevalence of LBP in this population.
ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF MIGRATION AND BRAIN DRAIN AFTER MAJOR CATASTROPHE: THE CASE OF HURRICANE KATRINA
Authors: FAN QIN , DAVLASHERIDZE MERI
Published: December 2018

We develop a county-level recursive dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model of Orleans Parish (OP) to examine local economic impacts of migration and brain drain after Hurricane Katrina. To incorporate hurricane-induced brain drain in the CGE model, we use a reduced-form model to estimate the change in the share of college graduates caused by hurricane-induced damages. Calibrating the model using pre-disaster social accounting matrices (SAMs) in 2004, we find that permanent loss in population and skilled labor results in 33.57% decline in county-level gross regional product (GRP) in 2012 relative to the 2012 business as usual scenario (BAU) that assumes steady annual growth without Hurricane Katrina. Interestingly, we find that skill loss causes larger decline in GRP than overall decline in population. After accounting for post-disaster public assistance by recalibrating model using 2012 SAMs, we find a lower declining rate of 6.36% in GRP.
The impact of business cycle on capital buffer during the period of Basel-II and Basel-III: Evidence from the Pakistani banks
Authors: Iftikhar Khurram , Iftikhar Syed Faizan
Published: December 2018

The main objective of this study is to examine the behavior of capital buffer (whether procyclicality or countercyclical) for Pakistani banks after implementation of the BASEL-II and BASEL-III accord. The sample in this study consists of 34 commercial banks of Pakistan during the period from 2006 to 2015. The impact of business cycle on Capital Buffer has been obtained by using the two-step system Generalized Method of Moment estimation technique. The empirical findings suggest that the behavior of the banks found to be procyclicality in whole sample period while it turns to be counter-cyclical after implementation of Basel-III accord.
Natural and anthropogenic influences on the Nhecolândia wetlands, SE Pantanal, Brazil
Authors: de Oliveira Emiliano Castro , Pla-Pueyo Sila , Hackney Christopher R.
Published: December 2018

The Nhecolândia region covers the southern wetlands of the Pantanal basin in Brazil. Characterized by myriad shallow freshwater and alkaline–saline lakes, the distinct natural features of the Nhecolândia wetland make it highly sensitive to climate change and the effects of human activities. This paper summarizes the natural and social aspects that have affected this delicate wetland and potential future impacts. We analysed the response of the wetland to historical changes in climate and human activity and used this understanding to forecast the response of the wetland to future changes. The data presented here show that this region is particularly sensitive to alterations in the flood regime, droughts and deforestation, which are intrinsically related to both global and local changes in climate and the intensification of cattle-ranching activities, which include deforestation and the introduction of cultivated pastures.
Mindfulness Meditation and Psychopathology
Authors: Wielgosz Joseph , Goldberg Simon B. , Kral Tammi R.A. , Dunne John D. , Davidson Richard J.
Published: December 2018

Mindfulness meditation is increasingly incorporated into mental health interventions, and theoretical concepts associated with it have influenced basic research on psychopathology. Here, we review the current understanding of mindfulness meditation through the lens of clinical neuroscience, outlining the core capacities targeted by mindfulness meditation and mapping them onto cognitive and affective constructs of the Research Domain Criteria matrix proposed by the National Institute of Mental Health. We review efficacious applications of mindfulness meditation to specific domains of psychopathology including depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and substance abuse, as well as emerging efforts related to attention disorders, traumatic stress, dysregulated eating, and serious mental illness. Priorities for future research include pinpointing mechanisms, refining methodology, and improving implementation. Mindfulness meditation is a promising basis for interventions, with particular potential relevance to psychiatric comorbidity. The successes and challenges of mindfulness meditation research are instructive for broader interactions between contemplative traditions and clinical psychological science.
Positive Psychology: A Personal History
Authors: Seligman Martin E.P.
Published: December 2018

As president of the American Psychological Association in 1998, I organized researchers and practitioners to work on building well-being, not just on the traditional task of reducing ill-being. Substantial research then found that well-being causes many external benefits, including better physical and mental health. Among the applications of Positive Psychology are national psychological accounts of well-being, Positive Psychotherapy, the classification of strengths and virtues, Comprehensive Soldier Fitness, and Positive Education. Positive Psychology has spread beyond psychology into neuroscience, health, psychiatry, theology, and even to the humanities. Positive Psychology has many critics, and I comment on the strongest criticisms. I conclude with the hope that the building of well-being will become a cornerstone of morality, politics, and religion.
Unveiling the Active Nature of Living-Membrane Fluctuations and Mechanics
Authors: Turlier Hervé , Betz Timo
Published: December 2018

Soft-condensed matter physics has provided, in the past decades, many of the relevant concepts and methods allowing successful description of living cells and biological tissues. This recent quantitative physical description of biological systems has profoundly advanced our understanding of life, which is shifting from a descriptive to a predictive level. Like other active materials investigated in condensed matter physics, biological materials still pose great challenges to modern physics as they form a specific class of nonequilibrium systems. Actively driven membranes have been studied for more than two decades, taking advantage of rapid progress in membrane physics and in the experimental development of reconstituted active membranes. The physical description of activity within living biological membranes remains, however, a key challenge that animates a dynamic research community, bringing together physicists and biologists. Here, we first review the past two decades of experimental and theoretical advances that enabled the characterization of mechanical properties and nonequilibrium fluctuations in active membranes. We distinguish active processes originating from membrane proteins or from external interactions, such as cytoskeletal forces. Then, we focus on the emblematic case of red blood cell flickering, the active origin of which has been debated for decades until recently. We finally close this review by discussing future challenges in this ever more interdisciplinary field.
Control Across Scales by Positive and Negative Feedback
Authors: Sepulchre R. , Drion G. , Franci A.
Published: December 2018

Feedback is a key element of regulation, as it shapes the sensitivity of a process to its environment. Positive feedback upregulates, and negative feedback downregulates. Many regulatory processes involve a mixture of both, whether in nature or in engineering. This article revisits the mixed-feedback paradigm, with the aim of investigating control across scales. We propose that mixed feedback regulates excitability and that excitability plays a central role in multiscale neuronal signaling. We analyze this role in a multiscale network architecture inspired by neurophysiology. The nodal behavior defines a mesoscale that connects actuation at the microscale to regulation at the macroscale. We show that mixed-feedback nodal control provides regulatory principles at the network scale, with a nodal resolution. In this sense, the mixed-feedback paradigm is a control principle across scales.
Formal Methods for Control Synthesis: An Optimization Perspective
Authors: Belta Calin , Sadraddini Sadra
Published: December 2018

In control theory, complicated dynamics such as systems of (nonlinear) differential equations are controlled mostly to achieve stability. This fundamental property, which can be with respect to a desired operating point or a prescribed trajectory, is often linked with optimality, which requires minimizing a certain cost along the trajectories of a stable system. In formal verification (model checking), simple systems, such as finite-state transition graphs that model computer programs or digital circuits, are checked against rich specifications given as formulas of temporal logics. The formal synthesis problem, in which the goal is to synthesize or control a finite system from a temporal logic specification, has recently received increased interest. In this article, we review some recent results on the connection between optimal control and formal synthesis. Specifically, we focus on the following problem: Given a cost and a correctness temporal logic specification for a dynamical system, generate an optimal control strategy that satisfies the specification. We first provide a short overview of automata-based methods, in which the dynamics of the system are mapped to a finite abstraction that is then controlled using an automaton corresponding to the specification. We then provide a detailed overview of a class of methods that rely on mapping the specification and the dynamics to constraints of an optimization problem. We discuss advantages and limitations of these two types of approaches and suggest directions for future research.
Robotic Micromanipulation: Fundamentals and Applications
Authors: Zhang Zhuoran , Wang Xian , Liu Jun , Dai Changsheng , Sun Yu
Published: December 2018

Robotic micromanipulation is a relatively young field. However, after three decades of development and evolution, the fundamental physics; techniques for sensing, actuation, and control; tool sets and systems; and, more importantly, a research community are now in place. This article reviews the fundamentals of robotic micromanipulation, including how micromanipulators and end effectors are actuated and controlled, how remote physical fields are utilized for micromanipulation, how visual servoing is implemented under an optical microscope, how force is sensed and controlled at the micro- and nanonewton levels, and the similarities and differences between robotic manipulation at the micro- and macroscales. We also review representative milestones over the past three decades and discuss potential future trends of this field.
Big Time
Authors: Hoffman Paul F.
Published: December 2018

The Proterozoic Eon was once regarded as the neglected middle half of Earth history. The name refers to early animals, but they did not appear until the eon (2.5–0.54 Ga) was nearly over. Eukaryotic cells and sexual reproduction evolved much earlier in the eon, as did chloroplasts. Molecular dioxygen, the presence of which altered the geochemical behavior of nearly every element essential to life, rose from negligible to near-modern levels, and then plummeted before rising fitfully again. Plate tectonics took on a modern form, and two supercontinents, Nuna and Rodinia, successively congregated and later dispersed. Climate regulatory failures, i.e., Snowball Earth, appear to be a uniquely Proterozoic phenomenon, having occurred twice in rapid succession near the end of the eon (from 717 to 660 Ma and from 650 to 635 Ma) and arguably once near its beginning (ca. 2.43 Ga). Dynamic sea glaciers covered Snowball Earth oceans from pole to pole, and equatorial sublimation drove slow-moving ice sheets on land. Ultimately, the gradual accumulation of CO2 triggered rapid deglaciation and transient greenhouse aftermaths. Physically based and geologically tested, Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth appears to have molecular legacies in ancient bitumens and modern organisms. This is the story of my love affair with an eon that is now a little less neglected.
Atmospheric Escape and the Evolution of Close-In Exoplanets
Authors: Owen James E.
Published: December 2018

Exoplanets with substantial hydrogen/helium atmospheres have been discovered in abundance, many residing extremely close to their parent stars. The extreme irradiation levels that these atmospheres experience cause them to undergo hydrodynamic atmospheric escape. Ongoing atmospheric escape has been observed to be occurring in a few nearby exoplanet systems through transit spectroscopy both for hot Jupiters and for lower-mass super-Earths and mini-Neptunes. Detailed hydrodynamic calculations that incorporate radiative transfer and ionization chemistry are now common in one-dimensional models, and multidimensional calculations that incorporate magnetic fields and interactions with the interstellar environment are cutting edge. However, comparison between simulations and observations remains very limited. While hot Jupiters experience atmospheric escape, the mass-loss rates are not high enough to affect their evolution. However, for lower-mass planets, atmospheric escape drives and controls their evolution, sculpting the exoplanet population that we observe today. ▪ Observations of some exoplanets have detected atmospheric escape driven by hydrodynamic outflows, causing the exoplanets to lose mass over time. ▪ Hydrodynamic simulations of atmospheric escape are approaching the sophistication required to compare them directly to observations. ▪ Atmospheric escape sculpts sharp features into the exoplanet population that we can observe today; these features have recently been detected.
Impact of hepatic HSP72 on insulin signaling
Authors: Kitano Sayaka , Kondo Tatsuya , Matsuyama Rina , Ono Kaoru , Goto Rieko , Takaki Yuki , Hanatani Satoko , Sakaguchi Masaji , Igata Motoyuki , Kawashima Junji , Motoshima Hiroyuki , Matsumura Takeshi , Kai Hirofumi , Araki Eiichi
Published: December 2018

Heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) is a major inducible molecule in the heat shock response that enhances intracellular stress tolerance. Decreased expression of HSP72 is observed in type 2 diabetes, which may contribute to the development of insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. We used HSP72 knockout (HSP72-KO) mice to investigate the impact of HSP72 on glucose metabolism and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, particularly in the liver. Under a high-fat diet (HFD) condition, HSP72-KO mice showed glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, impaired insulin secretion, and enhanced hepatic gluconeogenic activity. Furthermore, activity of the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) was increased and insulin signaling suppressed in the liver. Liver-specific expression of HSP72 by lentivirus (lenti) in HFD-fed HSP72-KO mice ameliorated insulin resistance and hepatic gluconeogenic activity. Furthermore, increased adipocyte size and hepatic steatosis induced by the HFD were suppressed in HSP72-KO lenti-HSP72 mice. Increased JNK activity and ER stress upon HFD were suppressed in the liver as well as the white adipose tissue of HSP72-KO lenti-HSP72 mice. Thus, HSP72 KO caused a deterioration in glucose metabolism, hepatic gluconeogenic activity, and β-cell function. Moreover, liver-specific recovery of HSP72 restored glucose homeostasis. Therefore, hepatic HSP72 may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.
Flavonoids in Ecuadorian Oreocallis grandiflora (Lam.) R. Br.: Perspectives of Use of This Species as a Food Supplement
Authors: Vinueza Diego , Yanza Karina , Tacchini Massimo , Grandini Alessandro , Sacchetti Gianni , Chiurato Matteo Andrea , Guerrini Alessandra
Published: December 2018

Oreocallis grandiflora (Lam.) R. Br. is an Ecuadorian species belonging to the Proteaceae family, commonly known as cucharillo (Loja and Zamora provinces), cucharilla (Sierra region), gañal (Bolívar province), and algil (Chimborazo province). Its leaves and flowers, collected during blooming, are traditionally used for oral administration to treat liver diseases, vaginal bleeding, and ovary/uterus inflammation and as digestive, diuretic, and hypoglycemic remedy. Related literature does not report any scientific evidences regarding the chemical composition of the used parts of this species (leaves and flowers), while few indications are reported about the healthy properties of their preparations. Based on these premises, the present research was performed with the objectives to fill the gaps of the chemical and biological knowledge about this species, enriching the knowledge related to the plant biodiversity of Amazonian Ecuador and to the ethnobotanical tradition of Andean communities. Chemical and biological investigation (in vitro antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activity) of flower and leaf hydroalcoholic extracts shed a light on the functional metabolites putatively involved in healthy properties of the O. grandiflora traditional preparations. The chemical fingerprinting achieved by HPTLC and 1HNMR analyses showed the presence of flavonoids, subsequently quantitatively estimated by AlCl3 complexation assay and HPLC‐DAD. Silica gel chromatography allowed the isolation of the main compounds of the flower extract: quercetin 3‐O‐β‐glucuronide and myricetin 3‐O‐β‐glucuronide. RP‐HPLC‐DAD‐MS analyses showed the presence of quercetin 3‐O‐rutinoside and isorhamnetin 3‐O‐rutinoside, in addition to the above‐mentioned molecules, in the leaf extract. Regarding the antioxidant (DPPH test, a radical scavenging assay) and anti‐inflammatory (WST‐1 assay, an oxidative burst test) activities, leaf extract showed the most promising results when compared to the positive controls. The same extract, however, exhibited a higher cytotoxicity compared to the flower extract, indicating the latter preparation as the most interesting anti‐inflammatory crude drug.
An Improved AMCL Algorithm Based on Laser Scanning Match in a Complex and Unstructured Environment
Authors: Peng Gang , Zheng Wei , Lu Zezao , Liao Jinhu , Hu Lu , Zhang Gongyue , He Dingxin
Published: December 2018

Adaptive Monte Carlo localization (AMCL) algorithm has a limited pose accuracy because of the nonconvexity of the laser sensor model, the complex and unstructured features of the working environment, the randomness of particle sampling, and the final pose selection problem. In this paper, an improved AMCL algorithm is proposed, aiming to build a laser radar‐based robot localization system in a complex and unstructured environment, with a LIDAR point cloud scan‐matching process after the particle score calculating process. The weighted mean pose of AMCL particle swarm is used as the initial pose of the scan matching process. The LIDAR point cloud is matched with the probability grid map from coarse to fine using the Gaussian‐Newton method, which results in more accurate poses. Moreover, the scan‐matching pose is added into the particle swarm as a high‐weight particle. So the particle swarm after resampling will be more concentrated in the correct position. The particle filter and the scan‐matching process form a closed loop, thus enhancing the localization accuracy of mobile robots. The experiment results demonstrate that the proposed improved AMCL algorithm is superior to the traditional AMCL algorithm in the complex and unstructured environment, by exploiting the high‐accuracy characteristic of scan matching while inheriting the stability of AMCL.
Disseminated Histoplasmosis with Miliary Histoplasmosis, Neurohistoplasmosis, and Histoplasma capsulatum Bacteremia in Probable Neurosarcoidosis
Authors: Bui Peter V.
Published: December 2018

Introduction. Neurosarcoidosis, either isolated or as part of systemic sarcoidosis, is an uncommon entity and has diagnostic uncertainty. Treatment for neurosarcoidosis can increase the risk of infections, including fungal infections such as disseminated histoplasmosis. Neurosarcoidosis may further predispose patients to infections of the central nervous system. Case Presentation. A 54-year-old male with a history of probable neurosarcoidosis on methotrexate and infliximab presented with encephalopathy, hypoxia, and reported fevers. The patient was found to have disseminated histoplasmosis involving the lungs (miliary histoplasmosis), central nervous system (neurohistoplasmosis), and bloodstream. The Histoplasma capsulatum infection was treated with amphotericin and then voriconazole. Discussion. Patients with neurosarcoidosis are suspected to have blood-brain barrier dysfunction. Lumbar puncture should be considered as part of initial investigative studies for infection. Empiric antimicrobial therapy for a patient with neurosarcoidosis on immunosuppressive agents may need to include antifungal agents.
Robust Visual Secret Sharing Scheme Applying to QR Code
Authors: Tan Longdan , Liu Kesheng , Yan Xuehu , Liu Lintao , Lu Tianqi , Chen Jinrui , Liu Feng , Lu Yuliang
Published: December 2018

Different color patterns of quick response (QR) codes, such as RGB, grayscale, and binary QR codes, are widely used in applications. In this paper, we propose a novel XOR-based visual secret sharing (VSS) scheme using grayscale QR codes as cover images and binary QR code as secret image. First, all the codewords of the secret QR code image are encoded into n temporary binary QR code images, which are substituted for the second significant bit planes of the grayscale QR code cover images to generate n shares. Each share is a grayscale QR code image, which can be decoded by a standard QR code decoder, so that it may not attract the attention of potential attackers when distributed in the public channel. The secret image can be recovered by XORing the codewords regions of QR codes which are extracted from the second significant bit planes of the grayscale shares. More importantly, the proposed scheme is robust to JPEG compression, addition of different noises, rotation, resizing, and cropping, which is useful in practice. The effectiveness and robustness of our scheme are shown by the experimental results. The application of QR code is suitable for wireless multimedia data security.
Quality Analysis of Long dan Xie gan Pill by a Combination of Fingerprint and Multicomponent Quantification with Chemometrics Analysis
Authors: Liu Jing , Liu Hui , Dai Zhong , Ma Shuangcheng
Published: December 2018

Long dan Xie gan pill is a traditional complex compound preparation with a long history for treatment of diseases, including hepatocolic hygropyrexia, dizziness, tinnitus, and deafness. Quality of products from different manufacturers may be varied. Since the current standard could not control the quality of products in a comprehensive and effective way, this study aimed at establishing a practical and convenient approach for holistic quality control of the preparation. This study included both qualitative and quantitative works to get information on the overall composition and main components, respectively. As a result, HPLC fingerprint (UV 240 nm) similarities of all fifty samples were in the range of 0.65∼0.99. Results indicated that there was a difference among products from different manufacturers. Additionally, ten characteristic peaks of the fingerprint were tentatively identified by LC-MS. Further chemometrics analysis was utilized to evaluate the products from different manufacturers. At the same time, the HPLC (UV 285 nm) multicomponent quantification result showed that contents of gentiopicrin, baicalin, baicalein, and wogonin were in the range of 0.61–5.40, 1.96–5.33, 0.10–3.40, and 0.046–1.16 mg·g−1, respectively. Data analysis verified the main different component of baicalein from the fingerprint statistical analysis. It is worth mentioning that the qualitative fingerprint and quantitative multicomponent determination were simultaneously accomplished by HPLC-DAD with dual channels. The study provided sound basis for improving quality control standards. This study also provided practical strategy for overall quality control of traditional Chinese medicines.
Phase Transition of RN-AdS Black Hole with Fixed Electric Charge and Topological Charge
Authors: Lan Shan-Quan
Published: December 2018

Phase transition of RN-AdS black hole is investigated from a new perspective. Not only is the cosmological constant treated as pressure but also the spatial curvature of black hole is treated as topological charge ϵ. We obtain the extended thermodynamic first law from which the mass is naturally viewed as enthalpy rather than internal energy. In canonical ensemble with fixed topological charge and electric charge Q, interesting van der Waals like oscillatory behavior in T-S and P-V graphs and swallow tail behavior in G-T and G-P graphs is observed. By applying the Maxwell equal area law and analysing the Gibbs free energy, we obtain analytical phase transition coexistence curves which are consistent with each other. The phase diagram is four dimensional with T,P,Q,ϵ.
A Network Pharmacology‐Based Approach to Investigate the Novel TCM Formula against Huntington’s Disease and Validated by Support Vector Machine Model
Authors: Dai Wenjie , Chen Hsin-Yi , Chen Calvin Yu-Chian
Published: December 2018

Several pathways are crucial in Huntington’s disease (HD). Based on the concept of multitargets, network pharmacology‐based analysis was employed to find out related proteins in disease network. The network target method aims to find out related mechanism of efficacy substances in rational design way. Traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions would be used for research and development against HD. Virtual screening was performed to obtain drug molecules with high binding capacity from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) database@Taiwan. Quantitative structure‐activity relationship (QSAR) models were conducted by MLR, SVM, CoMFA, and CoMSIA, constructed to predict the bioactivities of candidates. The compounds with high‐dock score were further analyzed compared with control. Traditional Chinese medicine reported in the literature could be the training set provided for constructing novel formula by SVM model. We tried to find a novel formula that can bind well with these targets at the same time, which indicates our design could be highly related to the HD. Additionally, the candidates would validate by a long‐term molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, 5 microseconds. Thus, we suggested the herbs Brucea javanica, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Dichroa febrifuga, Erythrophleum guineense, etc. which contained active compounds might be a novel medicine formula toward Huntington’s disease.
Association of Serum Alpha-Tocopherol and Retinol with the Extent of Coronary Lesions in Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Fernandes Miranda Carolinne Thaísa de Oliveira , Duarte Victor Hugo Rezende , Cruz Marina Sampaio de Menezes , Duarte Mychelle Kytchia Rodrigues Nunes , de Araújo Jéssica Nayara Góes , Santos Ayda Maria Quirino Silva dos , Oliveira Juliana Marinho de , Paiva Maria Sanali Moura Oliveira , Rezende Adriana Augusto , Hirata Mario Hiroyuki , Hirata Rosario Dominguez Crespo , Ribeiro Karla Danielly da Silva , Luchessi André Ducati , Silbiger Vivian Nogueira
Published: December 2018

Background and aims: Fat-soluble vitamins play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease and progression of atherosclerosis. This study aimed at investigating the relationship of the serum levels of alpha-tocopherol and retinol with the extent of coronary lesions in patients with coronary artery disease.Methods. Patients with coronary artery disease (n=177) aged 30–74 years, who underwent their first coronary angiography, were enrolled. The extent of coronary lesions was assessed using the Friesinger index (FI). Accordingly, patients were grouped as follows: FI = 0–4 (n=90), FI = 5–9 (n=50), and FI = 10–15 (n=37). Serum levels of vitamins were ‬determined via high-performance liquid chromatography and serum biochemical analysis.Results. Assessment of FI-based groups revealed that 50.8% patients had a coronary artery lesion to a low extent (FI 0–4). Individuals in this group were younger and had lower glucose and serum alpha-tocopherol levels than the other groups (p<0.05). Low levels of alpha-tocopherol were more frequent in the FI 0–4 group than that in the other groups (p=0.03). No difference was observed between the mean serum retinol levels among the FI-based groups (n=0.492), and the low frequency of retinol was consistent among the FI groups (n=0.348).Conclusions. The low level of alpha-tocopherol together with the presence of dyslipidemia is probably associated with the initial events in atherosclerosis. Increased alpha-tocopherol levels in patients with more extensive coronary artery lesions may have resulted from altered vitamin E metabolism with increased oxidative stress.
Compressive Strength and Microstructure Properties of Alkali‐Activated Systems with Blast Furnace Slag, Desulfurization Slag, and Gypsum
Authors: Cho Bong-Suk , Koo Kyung-Mo , Choi Se-Jin
Published: December 2018

This study investigates the effect of desulfurization slag (DS) and gypsum (G) on the compressive strength and microstructure properties of blast furnace slag‐(BFS‐) based alkali‐activated systems. DS is produced in a Kambara reactor process of molten iron produced in a steel production process. DS contains CaO, SiO2, Fe2O3, and SO3 and is composed of Ca(OH)2 and 2CaO·SiO2 as main compounds. In this investigation, the weight of BFS was replaced by DS at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30%. In addition, G was also applied at 9, 12, and 15% by weight of BFS to improve the compressive strength of the alkali‐activated system with BFS and DS. According to this investigation, the compressive strength of the alkali‐activated mixes with BFS and DS ranged from 14.9 MPa (B95D5) to 19.8 MPa (B90D10) after 91 days. However, the 28 days compressive strength of the alkali‐activated mixes with BFS, DS, and G reached 39.1 MPa, 45.2 MPa, and 48.4 MPa, respectively, which were approximately 78.8 to 97.5% of that of O100 mix (49.6 MPa). The main hydrates of the BFS‐DS (B80D20) binder sample were Ca(OH)2, CaCO3, and low‐crystalline calcium silicate hydrates, while the main hydration product of BFS‐DS‐G (B75D10G15) binder was found as ettringite. The use of BFS‐DS‐G binders would result in the value‐added utilization of steel slag and provide an environmentally friendly construction material, and contribute to a reduction of CO2 in the cement industry.
An Investigation of Vitamin Levels Status in the Serum of Children in China
Authors: Chen Yu-juan , Liu Miao , Mao Cui-yin , Zhang Shu-hua
Published: December 2018

This study was to investigate the vitamin levels in the serum of children in the Northeast of China and some factors associated with the vitamin levels. The sera were obtained from 2096 normal children aged 1 month to 12 years in the Northeast of China. Vitamins A and E were detected using their sera by HPLC, and the level of vitamin D was detected by LC-MS. The 20 overweight children were chosen from the 7-8 age range and took additional vitamins studies for extra 3 months. The data were analyzed by IBM SPSS Statistics 21. The average levels of vitamins A, D, and E in sera samples from the 2096 children were 0.2715mg/L (95%CI, 0.2715-0.2791mg/L), 26.2848μg/L (95%CI, 25.7900-26.7786μg/L), and 8.6137mg/L (95% CI, 8.5077-8.7198mg/L), respectively. The percentages of vitamins A, D, and E deficiency were 19.61%, 47.47%, and 0.62%, respectively. For 20 children from the VDD or VAD groups, after giving them more VA and VD for 3 months, the levels of VA and VD in the sera were increased significantly; however, the average BMI has barely changed. According to our finding, vitamin D deficiency was severe, vitamin A deficiency was common, and vitamin E was insufficient in the sera of children in the Northeast of China. The levels of vitamins A, D, and E were correlated with age and overweight.
Niosome: A Promising Nanocarrier for Natural Drug Delivery through Blood-Brain Barrier
Authors: Gharbavi Mahmoud , Amani Jafar , Kheiri-Manjili Hamidreza , Danafar Hossein , Sharafi Ali
Published: December 2018

Niosomes (the nonionic surfactant vesicles), considered as novel drug delivery systems, can improve the solubility and stability of natural pharmaceutical molecules. They are established to provide targeting and controlled release of natural pharmaceutical compounds. Many factors can influence on niosome construction such as the preparation method, type and amount of surfactant, drug entrapment, temperature of lipids hydration, and the packing factor. The present review discusses about the most important features of niosomes such as their diverse structures, the different preparation approaches, characterization techniques, factors that affect their stability, their use by various routes of administration, their therapeutic applications in comparison with natural drugs, and specially the brain targeting with niosomes-ligand conjugation. It also provides recent data about the various types of ligand agents which make available active targeting drug delivery to the central neuron system. This system has an optimistic upcoming in pharmaceutical uses, mostly with the improving availability of innovative schemes to overcome blood-brain barrier and targeting the niosomes to the brain.
Multiobjective Optimized Routing Protocol for VANETs
Authors: Fahad Taqwa O. , Ali Abduladhem A.
Published: December 2018

Vehicular ad hoc network (VANET) routing protocols have been attracting a considerable attention of both research and industrial communities, due to their significant role in intelligent transportation system applications. The present paper adopts an optimized integrated multicast, multicriteria, adaptive route lifetime as a routing protocol for VANETs. Whereby only an optimal subset of neighbor vehicles is chosen to relay route request (RREQ) messages based on distance, direction, speed, and future direction information in a combined sender-receiver manner. Among those selected optimal paths for route discovery, the best route with lowest cost will be chosen for forwarding data packets for a specified duration assigned depending on the obtained cost and number of intermediate vehicles of that route. Fuzzy controllers were employed to assess routes’ costs and their lifetimes. Furthermore, artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm was used to concurrently optimize all used fuzzy systems and obtain the optimal highest rank of links’ cost values within which the neighbors could be selected as relay nodes in route discovery process. Simulation results prove that the proposed routing scheme significantly improves the network performance in both urban and highway scenarios, under different situations of vehicle density.
Finite Element Model Updating in Bridge Structures Using Kriging Model and Latin Hypercube Sampling Method
Authors: Wu Jie , Yan Quansheng , Huang Shiping , Zou Chao , Zhong Jintu , Wang Weifeng
Published: December 2018

Computational cost reduction and best model updating method seeking are the key issues during model updating for different kinds of bridges. This paper presents a combined method, Kriging model and Latin hypercube sampling method, for finite element (FE) model updating. For FE model updating, the Kriging model is serving as a surrogate model, and it is a linear unbiased minimum variance estimation to the known data in a region which have similar features. To predict the relationship between the structural parameters and responses, samples are preselected, and then Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) method is applied. To verify the proposed algorithm, a truss bridge and an arch bridge are analyzed. Compared to the predicted results obtained by using a genetic algorithm, the proposed method can reduce the computational time without losing the accuracy.
TET2-Dependent Hydroxymethylome Plasticity Reduces Melanoma Initiation and Progression
Authors: Bonvin Elise , Radaelli Enrico , Bizet Martin , Luciani Flavie , Calonne Emilie , Putmans Pascale , Nittner David , Singh Nitesh Kumar , Santagostino Sara Francesca , Petit Valérie , Larue Lionel , Marine Jean Christophe , Fuks François
Published: December 2018

Although numerous epigenetic aberrancies accumulate in melanoma, their contribution to initiation and progression remain unclear. The epigenetic mark 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), generated through TET-mediated DNA modification, is now referred to as the sixth base of DNA and has recently been reported as a potential biomarker for multiple types of cancer. Loss of 5hmC is an epigenetic hallmark of melanoma, but whether a decrease in 5hmc levels contributes directly to pathogenesis or whether it merely results from disease progression–associated epigenetic remodeling remains to be established. Here, we show that NRAS-driven melanomagenesis in mice is accompanied by an overall decrease in 5hmC and specific 5hmC gains in selected gene bodies. Strikingly, genetic ablation of Tet2 in mice cooperated with oncogenic NRASQ61K to promote melanoma initiation while suppressing specific gains in 5hmC. We conclude that TET2 acts as a barrier to melanoma initiation and progression, partly by promoting 5hmC gains in specific gene bodies.

Significance:

This work emphasizes the importance of epigenome plasticity in cancer development and highlights the involvement of druggable epigenetic factors in cancer.
The COX2 Effector Microsomal PGE2 Synthase 1 is a Regulator of Immunosuppression in Cutaneous Melanoma
Authors: Kim Sun-Hee , Roszik Jason , Cho Sung-Nam , Ogata Dai , Milton Denái R. , Peng Weiyi , Menter David G. , Ekmekcioglu Suhendan , Grimm Elizabeth A.
Published: December 2018

Purpose:

Microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase 1 (mPGES1) was evaluated as an important downstream effector of the COX2 pathway responsible for tumor-mediated immunosuppression in melanoma.

Experimental Design:

The analysis of a stage III melanoma tissue microarray (n = 91) was performed to assess the association between mPGES1, COX2, CD8, and patient survival. Pharmacologic inhibitors and syngeneic mouse models using PTGES-knockout (KO) mouse melanoma cell lines were used to evaluate the mPGES1-mediated immunosuppressive function.

Results:

We observed correlations in expression and colocalization of COX2 and mPGES1, which are associated with increased expression of immunosuppressive markers in human melanoma. In a syngeneic melanoma mouse model, PTGES KO increased melanoma expression of PD-L1, increased infiltration of CD8a+ T cells, and CD8a+ dendritic cells into tumors and suppressed tumor growth. Durable tumor regression was observed in mice bearing PTGES KO tumors that were given anti–PD-1 therapy. Analysis of a stage III melanoma tissue microarray revealed significant associations between high mPGES1 expression and low CD8+ infiltration, which correlated with a shorter patient survival.

Conclusions:

Our results are the first to illustrate a potential role for mPGES1 inhibition in melanoma immune evasion and selective targeting in supporting the durability of response to PD-1 checkpoint immunotherapy. More research effort in this drug development space is needed to validate the use of mPGES1 inhibitors as safe treatment options.