bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Response Characteristics of Chinese Pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.) Radial Growth to Climate and Drought Variability Reconstruction in Western Liaoning, Northeast China
Authors: Liu Na , Bao Guang , Bao Ming
Published: September 2019

Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.) plays an important role in maintaining ecosystem health and stability in western Liaoning Province and the southern Horqin sand land, Northeast China, with benefits including sand fixation and soil erosion. In the context of climate change, developing a better understanding of the relationship between climate factors and growth rates of this species will be extremely valuable in guiding management activities and meeting regional conservation objectives. Here, the results based on two groups of tree-ring samples show that the radial growth of Chinese pine is controlled primarily by water conditions. The longer chronology had the highest correlation coefficient with the January–September mean self-calibrating Palmer Drought Severity Index (scPDSI); therefore, drought variability was reconstructed for the period 1859–2014. Statistical analysis showed that our model explained 41.9% of the variance in radial growth during the 1951–2014 calibration period. Extreme dry and wet events, defined as the criteria of one standard deviation less or greater than the mean value, accounted for 19.9% and 18.6% of the 156-year climate record, respectively. During the past century, the regional hydroclimate experienced significant long-term fluctuations. The dry periods occurred from the early-1900s–1930s and 1980s–2000s, and the wet periods occurred from the 1940s–1970s. The drought reconstruction was consistent with the decreasing trend of the East Asian summer monsoon since the late 1970s. The reconstructed temporal patterns in hydroclimate in western Liaoning were closely related to the large-scale climate drivers in the North Pacific and the tropical equatorial Pacific. The teleconnections were confirmed by spatial correlations between the reconstructed sequence and sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Pacific, as well as the correlations with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) indices. Aerosols played an important role in affecting drought variations over the past several decades. Moisture stress caused by global warming and interdecadal changes in the PDO will have long-term effects on the growth of pines in the study area in the future.
Effect of Sequential Inoculation with Non-Saccharomyces and Saccharomyces Yeasts on Riesling Wine Chemical Composition
Authors: Dutraive Ophélie , Benito Santiago , Fritsch Stefanie , Beisert Beata , Patz Claus-Dieter , Rauhut Doris
Published: September 2019

In recent years, studies have reported the positive influence of non-Saccharomyces yeast on wine quality. Many grape varieties under mixed or sequential inoculation show an overall positive effect on aroma enhancement. A potential impact by non-Saccharomyces yeast on volatile and non-volatile compounds should benefit the flavor of Riesling wines. Following this trend, four separate sequential fermentations (using the non-Saccharomyces yeasts Torulaspora delbrueckii, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Pichia kluyveri, and Lachancea thermotolerans with Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were carried out on Riesling must and compared to a pure culture of S. cerevisiae. Sequential fermentations influenced the final wine aroma. Significant differences were found in esters, acetates, higher alcohols, fatty acids, and low volatile sulfur compounds between the different trials. Other parameters, including the production of non-volatile compounds, showed significant differences. This fermentation process not only allows the modulation of wine aroma but also chemical parameters such as glycerol, ethanol, alcohol, acidity, or fermentation by-products. These potential benefits of wine diversity should be beneficial to the wine industry.
A Pathway-Based Kernel Boosting Method for Sample Classification Using Genomic Data
Authors: Zeng Li , Yu Zhaolong , Zhao Hongyu
Published: September 2019

The analysis of cancer genomic data has long suffered “the curse of dimensionality.” Sample sizes for most cancer genomic studies are a few hundreds at most while there are tens of thousands of genomic features studied. Various methods have been proposed to leverage prior biological knowledge, such as pathways, to more effectively analyze cancer genomic data. Most of the methods focus on testing marginal significance of the associations between pathways and clinical phenotypes. They can identify informative pathways but do not involve predictive modeling. In this article, we propose a Pathway-based Kernel Boosting (PKB) method for integrating gene pathway information for sample classification, where we use kernel functions calculated from each pathway as base learners and learn the weights through iterative optimization of the classification loss function. We apply PKB and several competing methods to three cancer studies with pathological and clinical information, including tumor grade, stage, tumor sites and metastasis status. Our results show that PKB outperforms other methods and identifies pathways relevant to the outcome variables.
The Distal and Local Volcanic Ash in the Late Pleistocene Sediments of the Termination I Interval at the Reykjanes Ridge, North Atlantic, Based on the Study of the Core AMK-340
Authors: Matul Alexander , Gablina Irina F. , Khusid Tatyana A. , Libina Natalya V. , Mikhailova Antonina I.
Published: September 2019

We made the geochemical analysis of the volcanic material from the sediment core AMK-340 (the Russian research vessel “Akademik Mstislav Keldysh” station 340), the central zone of the Reykjanes Ridge. Two ash-bearing sediment units within the interval of the Termination I can be detected. They correlate with the Ash Zone I in the North Atlantic Late Quaternary sediments having an age of 12,170–12,840 years within the Younger Dryas cold chronozone and 13,600–14,540 years within the Bølling–Allerød warm chronozone. The ash of the Younger Dryas unit is presented mostly by the mafic and persilicic material originated from the Icelandic volcanoes. One sediment sample from this unit contained Vedde Ash material. The ash of the Bølling–Allerød unit is presented mostly by the mafic shards which are related to the basalts of the rift zone on the Reykjanes Ridge, having presumably local origin. Possible detection of Vedde Ash could help to specify the timing of the previously reconstructed paleoceanographic changes for the Termination I in the point of the study: significant warming in the area might have occurred as early as 300 years before the end of the conventional Younger Dryas cold chronozone.
Aircraft Noise Effects on Sleep—Results of a Pilot Study Near Philadelphia International Airport
Authors: Basner Mathias , Witte Maryam , McGuire Sarah
Published: September 2019

Current objective data on aircraft noise effects on sleep are needed in the US to inform policy. In this pilot field study, heart rate and body movements were continuously measured during sleep of residents living in the vicinity of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and in a control region without aircraft noise with sociodemographic characteristics similar to the exposed region (N = 40 subjects each). The primary objective was to establish the feasibility of unattended field measurements. A secondary objective was to compare objective and subjective measures of sleep and health between control and aircraft noise exposed groups. For all measurements, there was less than 10% of data loss, demonstrating the feasibility of unattended home measurements. Based on 2375 recorded aircraft noise events, we found a significant (unadjusted p = 0.0136) exposure-response function between the maximum sound pressure level of aircraft noise events and awakening probability inferred from heart rate increases and body movements, which was similar to previous studies. Those living near the airport reported poorer sleep quality and poorer health than the control group in general, but when asked in the morning about their last night’s sleep, no significant difference was found between groups. Neither systolic nor diastolic morning blood pressures differed between study regions. While this study demonstrates the feasibility of unattended field study measurements, for a national study around multiple US airports refinements of the study design are necessary to further lower methodological expense and increase participation rates.
Post-Adversities Recovery and Profitability: The Case of Italian Farmers
Authors: Porrini Donatella , Fusco Giulio , Miglietta Pier Paolo
Published: September 2019

Insurance represents one of the main instruments, together with other risk management mechanisms, to face the adverse effects produced by natural calamity that, despite their growing intensity and the enormous costs, are still perceived as “exceptional”. Risk management is an important part of farming, and it is a concern for those governments which aim at achieving their agricultural policy targets. In this context, crop insurance can also represent a financial mitigation tool for farmers to face climate change consequences. This study is focused on the Italian case analyzing the evolution of public support and its effect on risk management policy in agriculture. Our research, based on panel data regressions, provides two different levels of analysis. The first one evaluates how the reimbursed value issued by insurance companies in favor of agricultural firms, as recovery from natural adversities, affects farmers’ profitability. The second one evaluates how the reimbursed value is used in farm management. The results of the analysis demonstrating the significance of insurance variables and their positive effect on the profitability of the farms, represent a strong advance in the farm risk management field
Compost Quality Recommendations for Remediating Urban Soils
Authors: Heyman Hannah , Bassuk Nina , Bonhotal Jean , Walter Todd
Published: September 2019

Poor soil health is a critical problem in many urban landscapes. Degraded soil restricts plant growth and microorganism activity, limiting the ability of urban landscapes to perform much needed ecosystem services. Incorporation of approximately 33% compost by volume into degraded soil has been proven to improve soil health and structure over time while avoiding the financial and environmental costs of importing soil mixes from elsewhere. However, additions of high volumes of compost could potentially increase the risk of nutrient loss through leaching and runoff. The objective of our study was to consider the effects of different compost amendments on soil health, plant health and susceptibility to nutrient leaching in order to identify ranges of acceptable compost characteristics that could be used for soil remediation in the urban landscape. A bioassay was conducted with Phaseolus vulgaris (Bush Bean) to measure the effect of nine composts from different feedstocks on various plant health parameters. Leachate was collected prior to planting to measure nutrient loss from each treatment. All compost amendments were found to improve soil health. Nutrient-rich, manure-based composts produced the greatest plant growth, but also leached high concentrations of nitrate and phosphorus. Some treatments provided sufficient nutrients for plant growth without excess nutrient loss. When incorporating as much as 33% compost by volume into a landscape bed, the optimal compost will generally have a C:N ratio of 10–20, P-content <1.0% and a soluble salt content between 1.0 and 3.5 mmhos/cm. These recommendations should ensure optimal plant and soil health and minimize nutrient leaching.
Accelerated Molecular Dynamics Applied to the Peptaibol Folding Problem
Authors: Tyagi Chetna , Marik Tamás , Vágvölgyi Csaba , Kredics László , Ötvös Ferenc
Published: September 2019

The use of enhanced sampling molecular dynamics simulations to facilitate the folding of proteins is a relatively new approach which has quickly gained momentum in recent years. Accelerated molecular dynamics (aMD) can elucidate the dynamic path from the unfolded state to the near-native state, “flattened” by introducing a non-negative boost to the potential. Alamethicin F30/3 (Alm F30/3), chosen in this study, belongs to the class of peptaibols that are 7–20 residue long, non-ribosomally synthesized, amphipathic molecules that show interesting membrane perturbing activity. The recent studies undertaken on the Alm molecules and their transmembrane channels have been reviewed. Three consecutive simulations of ~900 ns each were carried out where N-terminal folding could be observed within the first 100 ns, while C-terminal folding could only be achieved almost after 800 ns. It took ~1 μs to attain the near-native conformation with stronger potential boost which may take several μs worth of classical MD to produce the same results. The Alm F30/3 hexamer channel was also simulated in an E. coli mimicking membrane under an external electric field that correlates with previous experiments. It can be concluded that aMD simulation techniques are suited to elucidate peptaibol structures and to understand their folding dynamics.
Mismatch Recognition by Saccharomyces cerevisiae Msh2-Msh6: Role of Structure and Dynamics
Authors: Li Yan , Lombardo Zane , Joshi Meera , Hingorani Manju M. , Mukerji Ishita
Published: September 2019

The mismatch repair (MMR) pathway maintains genome integrity by correcting errors such as mismatched base pairs formed during DNA replication. In MMR, Msh2–Msh6, a heterodimeric protein, targets single base mismatches and small insertion/deletion loops for repair. By incorporating the fluorescent nucleoside base analog 6-methylisoxanthopterin (6-MI) at or adjacent to a mismatch site to probe the structural and dynamic elements of the mismatch, we address how Msh2–Msh6 recognizes these mismatches for repair within the context of matched DNA. Fluorescence quantum yield and rotational correlation time measurements indicate that local base dynamics linearly correlate with Saccharomyces cerevisiae Msh2–Msh6 binding affinity where the protein exhibits a higher affinity (KD ≤ 25 nM) for mismatches that have a significant amount of dynamic motion. Energy transfer measurements measuring global DNA bending find that mismatches that are both well and poorly recognized by Msh2–Msh6 experience the same amount of protein-induced bending. Finally, base-specific dynamics coupled with protein-induced blue shifts in peak emission strongly support the crystallographic model of directional binding, in which Phe 432 of Msh6 intercalates 3′ of the mismatch. These results imply an important role for local base dynamics in the initial recognition step of MMR.
Association of Obesity with DNA Methylation Age Acceleration in African American Mothers from the InterGEN Study
Authors: Li Chengchen , Wang Zeyuan , Hardy Theresa , Huang Yunfeng , Hui Qin , Crusto Cindy A. , Wright Michelle L. , Taylor Jacquelyn Y. , Sun Yan V.
Published: September 2019

African American women are affected by earlier onset of age-associated health deteriorations and obesity disproportionally, but little is known about the mechanism linking body mass index (BMI) and biological aging among this population. DNA methylation age acceleration (DNAm AA), measuring the difference between DNA methylation age and chronological age, is a novel biomarker of the biological aging process, and predicts aging-related disease outcomes. The present study estimated cross-tissue DNA methylation age acceleration using saliva samples from 232 African American mothers. Cross-sectional regression analyses were performed to assess the association of BMI with DNAm AA. The average chronological age and DNA methylation age were 31.67 years, and 28.79 years, respectively. After adjusting for smoking, hypertension diagnosis history, and socioeconomic factors (education, marital status, household income), a 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI is associated with 0.14 years increment of DNAm AA (95% CI: (0.08, 0.21)). The conclusion: in African American women, high BMI is independently associated with saliva-based DNA methylation age acceleration, after adjusting for smoking, hypertension, and socioeconomic status. This finding supports that high BMI accelerates biological aging, and plays a key role in age-related disease outcomes among African American women.
Oral Administration of Microencapsulated B. Longum BAA-999 and Lycopene Modulates IGF-1/IGF-1R/IGFBP3 Protein Expressions in a Colorectal Murine Model
Authors: Valadez-Bustos Nancy , Escamilla-Silva Eleazar M. , García-Vázquez Francisco J. , Gallegos-Corona Marco A. , Amaya-Llano Silvia L. , Ramos-Gómez Minerva
Published: September 2019

The Insulin-like growth factor-I/Insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-1/IGF-1R) system is a major determinant in colorectal cancer (CRC) pathogenesis. Probiotics (Bifidobacterium longum, BF) and lycopene (LYC) have been individually researched for their beneficial effects in the prevention of CRC. However, the effect of a combined treatment of microencapsulated BF and LYC on IGF-1/IGF-1R/IGFBPs (Insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins) expression in an azoxymethane (AOM)-dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced CRC model have not been demonstrated. BF was microencapsulated by the spray drying technique, with high viability, and daily gavaged with LYC for 16 weeks to CD-1 mice in an AOM-DSS model. The results indicated that BF- and BF + LYC-treated groups had significantly lower inflammation grade, tumor incidence (13–38%) and adenocarcinoma (13–14%) incidence compared to the AOM + DSS group (80%), whereas LYC treatment only protected against inflammation grade and incidence. Caecal, colonic and fecal pH and β-glucuronidase (β-GA) values were significantly normalized by BF and LYC. Similarly, BF and BF + LYC treatments significantly reduced both the positive rate and expression grade of IGF-1 and IGF-1R proteins and normalized Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) expression. Based on intestinal parameters related to the specific colon carcinogenesis in an AOM-DSS-induced model, LYC and microencapsulated BF supplementation resulted in a significant chemopreventive potential through the modulation of IGF-1/IGF-1R system.
The Reliable, Automatic Classification of Neonates in First-Tier MALDI-MS Screening for Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: El Osta Marven , Naubourg Pierre , Grunewald Olivier , Renom Gilles , Ducoroy Patrick , Périni Jean Marc
Published: September 2019

Previous research has shown that a MALDI-MS technique can be used to screen for sickle cell disease (SCD), and that a system combining automated sample preparation, MALDI-MS analysis and classification software is a relevant approach for first-line, high-throughput SCD screening. In order to achieve a high-throughput “plug and play” approach while detecting “non-standard” profiles that might prompt the misclassification of a sample, we have incorporated various sets of alerts into the decision support software. These included “biological alert” indicators of a newborn’s clinical status (e. g., detecting samples with no or low HbA), and “technical alerts” indicators for the most common non-standard profiles, i.e., those which might otherwise lead to sample misclassification. We evaluated these alerts by applying them to two datasets (produced by different laboratories). Despite the random generation of abnormal spectra by one-off technical faults or due to the nature and quality of the samples, the use of alerts fully secured the process of automatic sample classification. Firstly, cases of β-thalassemia were detected. Secondly, after a visual check on the tagged profiles and reanalysis of the corresponding biological samples, all the samples were correctly reclassified without prompting further alerts. All of the samples for which the results were not tagged were well classified (i.e., sensitivity and specificity = 1). The alerts were mainly designed for detecting false-negative classifications; all the FAS samples misclassified by the software as FA (a false negative) were marked with an alert. The implementation of alerts in the NeoScreening® Laboratory Information Management System’s decision support software opens up perspectives for the safe, reliable, automated classification of samples, with a visual check solely on abnormal results or samples. It should now be possible to evaluate the combination of the NeoSickle® analytical solution and the NeoScreening® Laboratory Information Management System in a real-life, prospective study of first-line SCD screening.
Strategies and Recommendations for the Management of Uncertainty in Research Tools and Environments for Digital History
Authors: Edmond Jennifer
Published: September 2019

This paper takes a high-level view of both the sources and status of uncertainty in historical research and the manners in which possible negative effects of this omnipresent characteristic might be managed and mitigated. It draws upon both the experience of a number of digital projects and research into the many-faceted concept of uncertainty in data, and in particular, it explores the conflicting strategies for the management of uncertainty in historical research processes that are reflected in the historiographical and digital humanities literature. Its intention is to support a dialogue between the humanities and computer science, able to realise the promise of digital humanities without a reversion to a new positivism in disciplines such as history and literary studies and it therefore concludes with recommendations for the developers of research tools and environments for digital history.
A Neonicotinoid Insecticide at a Rate Found in Nectar Reduces Longevity but Not Oogenesis in Monarch Butterflies, Danaus plexippus (L.). (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)
Authors: James David G.
Published: September 2019

The monarch butterfly in North America has suffered a serious population decline since the mid-1990s. The introduction and widespread use of neonicotinoid insecticides during the same time period has been suggested as a potential driver of this decline but no studies have looked at the impact of these insecticides on adult monarchs. A brief laboratory study assessed the impact of Imidacloprid, the most commonly used neonicotinoid, on western monarch butterfly longevity and oogenesis. Imidacloprid at 23.5 ppb, a field-realistic rate reported from wild nectar and pollen, was fed ad libitum to newly-eclosed monarchs in a sugar-based diet for 22 days. Treated monarchs showed reduced longevity, suffering 78.8% mortality by day 22, compared to 20% in untreated monarchs. Prior to death, butterflies exhibited signs of poisoning including uncoordinated flapping of wings and uncontrolled vibrating of wings and body. Imidacloprid did not reduce egg production. Shortened adult longevity has serious consequences for monarch population development, migration and overwintering. The potential widespread impact of imidacloprid-contaminated crop and wild flower nectar, may be a significant driver of monarch population decline. More research on the impact of neonicotinoid insecticides on the monarch and other butterflies should be viewed as a serious priority.
Suppression of Gene Juvenile Hormone Diol Kinase Delays Pupation in Heortia vitessoides Moore
Authors: Lyu Zihao , Li Zhixing , Cheng Jie , Wang Chunyan , Chen Jingxiang , Lin Tong
Published: September 2019

Juvenile hormone diol kinase (JHDK) is a critical enzyme involved in juvenile hormone degradation in insects. In this study, HvJHDK in the Heortia vitessoides Moore (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) transcriptional library was cloned. Stage-specific expression patterns of HvJHDK, HvJHEH, and HvJHE as well as juvenile hormone titers were determined. The three tested enzymes participated in juvenile hormone degradation. Moreover, juvenile hormone titers peaked after larval–larval molts, consistent with a role for juvenile hormone in inhibition of metamorphosis. HvJHDK was subsequently suppressed using RNA interference (RNAi) to reveal its functions. Different concentrations of dsJHDK elicited the optimal interference efficiency at different life stages of H. vitessoides. Suppression of HvJHDK decreased HvJHDK content and increased the juvenile hormone titer, thereby resulting in reduced triglyceride content, sharply declined survival rate, clearly lethal phenotypes, and extended larval growth. Moreover, suppression of HvJHDK upregulated HvJHEH and HvJHE expression levels, suggesting that there is feedback regulation in the juvenile hormone metabolic pathway. Taken together, our findings provide molecular references for the selection of novel insecticidal targets.
Characteristics of Patients Showing Discrepancy Between Bruch’s Membrane Opening-Minimum Rim Width and Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness
Authors: Cho Hyun-kyung , Kee Changwon
Published: September 2019

Background: To investigate clinical characteristics of patients showing discrepancy between Bruch’s membrane opening minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. Correlation with the visual field (VF) was also inspected. Methods: In this prospective, cross-sectional study, 106 eyes (106 subjects) showing normal BMO-MRW classification but abnormal RNFL classification were included. All patients underwent confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and standard automated perimetry. Results: Clinical characteristics were as follows: mean age: 52.79 ± 14.75 years; spherical equivalent (SE), −2.52 ± 3.48 diopter (D); SE < −5.0 D, 34 (32.1%) eyes; large disc (>2.43 mm2), 40.6%; small disc (<1.63 mm2), 12.5%; VF index, 96.72 ± 9.58%; mean deviation, −1.74 ± 3.61 dB; β-peripapillary atrophy (PPA), 96.2%; γ-PPA, 75.5%. Majority (86.1%) of these cases demonstrated normal (71.3%) or borderline (14.9%) on VF. Temporal and nasal RNFL showed significant differences among disc size subgroups (all p < 0.05). Nasal RNFL was significantly thicker in a large disc group than other subgroups. Temporal, superotemporal, inferotemporal, inferonasal RNFL, and superior RNFL peak location showed significant differences (all p < 0.05) among SE subgroups. Temporal RNFL was significantly thicker in the high myopia group than other subgroups. Conclusions: Temporalization of RNFL peaks in myopia and nasalization of RNFL peaks in large disc that display abnormal classifications might show normal classification of BMO-MRW. These findings of discrepancy between classifications should be considered in the diagnosis of early glaucoma.
Research into the Automatic Berthing of Underactuated Unmanned Ships under Wind Loads Based on Experiment and Numerical Analysis
Authors: Piao Zaiji , Guo Chen , Sun Shuang
Published: September 2019

With the continuous improvement of unmanned ship automation requirements, research into the automatic berthing of underactuated unmanned ships has important theoretical significance and practical value. In order to determine the trajectory of unmanned ships, the line of sight (LOS) algorithm was applied due to the characteristics of underactuated unmanned ships without side thrusters. In order to resist wind disturbance, the active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) method was applied to keep the ship moving on its intended trajectory. Then, to carry out the simulation analysis before the tank experiment, a remote-control simulation system based on a user datagram protocol (UDP) communication was built, and the ability of the ADRC controller to make the ship perform completely automatic berthing in both wind and no wind conditions was verified in simulations. Combined with the simulation results, a tank experiment was accomplished at the Japanese National Research Institute of Fishery Engineering. The experimental results also showed that the ADRC controller has good robustness, that the problems of insufficient autonomous route determination and the disturbance rejection ability in the process of the automatic berthing of underactuated unmanned ships are solved, and the safety of ship navigation is improved, which lays a theoretical and experimental foundation for the further development of unmanned ship control.
Numerical Study on Transient State of Inductive Fault Current Limiter Based on Field-Circuit Coupling Method
Authors: Li Wenrong , Sheng Jie , Qiu Derong , Cheng Junbo , Ye Haosheng , Hong Zhiyong
Published: September 2019

As the capacity of the power grid continues to expand, high-level fault currents might be caused during a contingency, and the problem of short-circuit current over-limitation is imminent. The high-temperature superconducting (HTS) fault current limiter (FCL) is an effective method to solve this problem. In this paper, a transient numerical model for the process of limiting current in the inductive FCL is proposed. The model is based on the coupling of multiphysics finite element simulation and a circuit model. The voltage source is used as input, which can simulate the macroscopic characteristics in the process of limiting current, such as the voltage and current waveforms, and can also simulate microscopic characteristics, such as temperature, magnetic field, and electrodynamic force distribution. The short-circuit experimental data of an air core inductive superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) prototype was compared with the simulation results to verify the reliability of the simulation.
Sound Insulation and Reflection Properties of Sonic Crystal Barrier Based on Micro-Perforated Cylinders
Authors: Dimitrijević Stefan M. , García-Chocano Víctor M. , Cervera Francisco , Roth Emelie , Sánchez-Dehesa José
Published: September 2019

A sonic crystal barrier, consisting of empty micro-perforated cylindrical shells, was built on the campus at the Universitat Politècnica de València in 2011 and characterised by using a non-standardised measurement technique. In this paper, the sonic crystal barrier, upgraded with rubber crumb inside the micro-perforated cylindrical shells, was characterised by using standardised measurement techniques according to EN 1793-5 and EN 1793-6. As a result of the characterisation, sound insulation properties of the barrier were shown to be a combination of the absorptive properties of the individual building units and the reflective properties of their periodic distribution. In addition, its performance was compared with a similar barrier consisting of rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cylinders, which was recently characterised using the same standardised techniques. In comparison with the barrier based on PVC cylinders, the barrier investigated here produced a broadband enhancement of the sound insulation and lower reflection indices in the targeted frequency range. It was also shown that the influence of leakage under the barrier and the width of the temporal window on sound insulation was negligible. While EN 1793-5 and 1793-6 allow a direct comparison of the performance of different noise barriers, the applicability to this new type of barriers requires further investigation.
Electrospinning of Fish Gelatin Solution Containing Citric Acid: An Environmentally Friendly Approach to Prepare Crosslinked Gelatin Fibers
Authors: Liguori Anna , Uranga Jone , Panzavolta Silvia , Guerrero Pedro , de la Caba Koro , Focarete Maria Letizia
Published: September 2019

The majority of the crosslinking approaches employed to confer water resistance properties to electrospun gelatin mats are based on the use of potential cytotoxic agents, turning out to be not suitable for biomedical applications. Environmentally friendly chemical strategies based on the use of non-toxic agents are, therefore, strongly demanded. In the present work, the possibility to produce crosslinked electrospun fish gelatin mats by electrospinning an aqueous solution, containing citric acid as a crosslinking agent, is reported. The effect of pH on solution rheological properties, as well as on the electrospun mat morphology, chemistry, and crosslinking degree, is assessed. The increase of solution pH from 1.8 to 3.7 allows for obtaining fibers that maintain the fibrous morphology also in the mat. Subsequent thermal treatment of the electrospun mat (80 °C for 30 min) turns out to increase the crosslinking degree and morphological stability of the mat.
Geometry Effects of Axisymmetric Flow-Focusing Microchannels for Single Cell Encapsulation
Authors: Nooranidoost Mohammad , Kumar Ranganathan
Published: September 2019

Cell microencapsulation is a promising technique to protect living cells in biomedical applications. Microfluidic devices can be utilized to control the production of high-throughput cell-laden droplets. This paper demonstrates the effects of flow-focusing geometry on the droplet size, frequency of droplet generation, and number of cells per droplet. Orifice radius, orifice length, and nozzle-to-orifice distance can significantly influence the flow-field and manipulate droplet formation. This paper analyzes these geometry effects using a numerical front-tracking method for the three fluid phases. It is found that as the orifice radius increases, the drop size and the number of cells in the droplet increase. For a short orifice radius, increasing the orifice length results in the generation of smaller droplets at higher frequency and fewer cells per droplet. On the other hand, for a longer orifice, droplet production is invariant with respect to orifice length. It is also found that shorter distances between the nozzle and the orifice lead to a more controlled and uniform production of droplets. When the nozzle-to-orifice length is increased, the droplet formation becomes non-uniform and unpredictable. Probability charts are plotted with respect to the orifice length and orifice radius, which show that a greater than 50 % probability of single cell encapsulation can be achieved consistently.
Antimicrobial Activity of Protamine-Loaded Calcium Phosphates against Oral Bacteria
Authors: Fujiki Masashi , Abe Kodai , Hayakawa Tohru , Yamamoto Takatsugu , Torii Mana , Iohara Keishi , Koizumi Daisuke , Togawa Rie , Aizawa Mamoru , Honda Michiyo
Published: September 2019

Protamine is an antimicrobial peptide extracted from fish. In this study, we loaded protamine onto dicalcium phosphate anhydride (DCPA), a dental material. Protamine was loaded by stirring DCPA into a protamine solution. To explore the antimicrobial activity of the materials, we cultivated Streptococcus mutans on fabricated discs for 24 h. When S. mutans was cultivated on the discs under no sucrose conditions, the loaded protamine was not released, and the ratio of dead bacteria increased on the surface of P (125) DCPA (half of the saturated level of protamine (125 ppm protamine) was loaded). Aside from P (500) DCPA (saturated level of protamine was loaded), some protamine was released, and the number of planktonic bacteria in the supernatant decreased. Using medium containing 1% sucrose, the release of protamine was promoted from P (125) DCPA due to lowered pH. However, lowering of the pH decreased the antimicrobial activity of protamine. On the other hand, P (500) DCPA released protamine before the pH was lowered, and biofilm formation was inhibited. The loaded protamine expressed antimicrobial activity, both on the surface of the materials and in the surrounding environment. The interaction of loaded protamine with calcium phosphates could promote the application of protamine in the dental field.
Weakly Semiprime Segments in Ordered Semigroups
Authors: Luangchaisri Panuwat , Changphas Thawhat
Published: September 2019

Let P 2 ⊂ P 1 be a pair of weakly semiprime ideals of an ordered semigroup ( S , · , ≤ ) . Then, the pair P 2 ⊂ P 1 is called a weakly semiprime segment of S if ⋂ n ∈ N I n ⊆ P 2 for all ideals I of S such that P 2 ⊂ I ⊂ P 1 . In this paper, we classify weakly semiprime segments of an ordered semigroup into four types; those that are simple, exceptional, Archimedean, and decomposable.
The Morphopathogenetic Aspects of Intraabdominal Adhesions in Children under One Year of Age
Authors: Junga Anna , Pilmane Māra , Ābola Zane , Volrāts Olafs
Published: September 2019

Background and Objectives: The morphopathogenesis of adhesions is a complex process, characterized by the accumulation of an extracellular matrix, inflammation and hypoxia. The regulatory role between morphopathogenic factors in adhesions has not yet been defined. The aim was to investigate the appearance of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ), basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), chromogranin A (CgA), interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-7 (IL-7), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), matrix metaloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metaloproteinase-2 tissue inhibitor (TIMP-2) in intraabdominal adhesions. Materials and Methods: The study material was obtained from 49 patients under one year of age with total or partial bowel obstruction. All factors were detected using immunohistochemistry methods and their relative distribution was evaluated by means of the semiquantitative counting method. Results: Intraabdominal adhesions are characterized by increased TGFβ, FGFR1 and decreased FGF-2, PGP 9.5, IL-1, IL-4, IL-8, TIMP-2 findings. The most significant changes observed were the remodulation of the extracellular matrix, promotion of neoangiogenesis and the maintenance of a prolonged inflammation. Conclusions: The increase in TGFβ, as well as the disbalance between MMP-2 and TIMP-2 proves an increased fibrosis in intraabdominal adhesions. Less detected FGF-2 and more prominent FGR1 findings points out a compensatory receptor stimulation in response to the lacking same factor. The decrease in PGP 9.5 indicate hypoxic injury and proves the stimulation of neoangiogenesis. An unpronounced IL-1 and marked IL-10 finding indicate the local tissue protection reaction, the decrease in IL-4 could be the direct cause of giant cells, but the decrease of IL-8 could confirm a delayed chemotaxis of inflammatory cells.
Diuretic Activity of a Novel Peripherally-Restricted Orally-Active Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonist
Authors: Beck Tyler C. , Hapstack Matthew A. , Ghatnekar Gautam S. , Dix Thomas A.
Published: September 2019

Kappa-opioid agonists (KOAs) enhance cardiac performance, as well as reduce infarct size and prevent deleterious cardiac remodeling following myocardial infarction. Additionally, KOAs promote diuresis; however, there has been limited development of KOAs as a class due to the promotion of untoward central nervous system (CNS)-mediated side effects. Our laboratory has developed a peripherally-restricted, orally-active, KOA (JT09) for the treatment of pain and cardiovascular disease. Peripherally-restricted KOAs possess a limited side-effect profile and demonstrate potential in preventing heart failure. The aim of this study was to assess the diuretic activity of lead compound JT09 relative to vehicle control and Tolvaptan through single oral administration to adult male Sprague–Dawley rats. JT09-administered rats demonstrated significantly increased urine output relative to vehicle control. However, the effect persisted for 8 h, whereas Tolvaptan-administered rats demonstrated diuretic activity for 24 h. Relative to Tolvaptan, urine output was significantly reduced in JT09 administered animals at all-time points, suggesting that the overall diuretic effect of JT09 is less profound than Tolvaptan. Additionally, JT09-administered rats demonstrated alterations in clinical chemistry; reduced urine specific gravity; and increased urine pH relative to vehicle control. The following study establishes a preliminary diuretic profile for JT09.
Predicting the Electrical Energy Consumption of Electric Arc Furnaces Using Statistical Modeling
Authors: Carlsson Leo S. , Samuelsson Peter B. , Jönsson Pär G.
Published: September 2019

Statistical modeling, also known as machine learning, has gained increased attention in part due to the Industry 4.0 development. However, a review of the statistical models within the scope of steel processes has not previously been conducted. This paper reviews available statistical models in the literature predicting the Electrical Energy (EE) consumption of the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). The aim was to structure published data and to bring clarity to the subject in light of challenges and considerations that are imposed by statistical models. These include data complexity and data treatment, model validation and error reporting, choice of input variables, and model transparency with respect to process metallurgy. A majority of the models are never tested on future heats, which essentially renders the models useless in a practical industrial setting. In addition, nonlinear models outperform linear models but lack transparency with regards to which input variables are influencing the EE consumption prediction. Some input variables that heavily influence the EE consumption are rarely used in the models. The scrap composition and additive materials are two such examples. These observed shortcomings have to be correctly addressed in future research applying statistical modeling on steel processes. Lastly, the paper provides three key recommendations for future research applying statistical modeling on steel processes.
Three-Dimensional Modeling of Avascular Tumor Growth in Both Static and Dynamic Culture Platforms
Authors: Taghibakhshi Ali , Barisam Maryam , Saidi Mohammad Said , Kashaninejad Navid , Nguyen Nam-Trung
Published: September 2019

Microfluidic cell culture platforms are ideal candidates for modeling the native tumor microenvironment because they can precisely reconstruct in vivo cellular behavior. Moreover, mathematical modeling of tumor growth can pave the way toward description and prediction of growth pattern as well as improving cancer treatment. In this study, a modified mathematical model based on concentration distribution is applied to tumor growth in both conventional static culture and dynamic microfluidic cell culture systems. Apoptosis and necrosis mechanisms are considered as the main inhibitory factors in the model, while tumor growth rate and nutrient consumption rate are modified in both quiescent and proliferative zones. We show that such modification can better predict the experimental results of tumor growth reported in the literature. Using numerical simulations, the effects of the concentrations of the nutrients as well as the initial tumor radius on the tumor growth are investigated and discussed. Furthermore, tumor growth is simulated by taking into account the dynamic perfusion into the proposed model. Subsequently, tumor growth kinetics in a three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic device containing a U-shaped barrier is numerically studied. For this case, the effect of the flow rate of culture medium on tumor growth is investigated as well. Finally, to evaluate the impact of the trap geometry on the tumor growth, a comparison is made between the tumor growth kinetics in two frequently used traps in microfluidic cell culture systems, i.e., the U-shaped barrier and microwell structures. The proposed model can provide insight into better predicting the growth and development of avascular tumor in both static and dynamic cell culture platforms.
Design, Modeling, and Testing of a Novel XY Piezo-Actuated Compliant Micro-Positioning Stage
Authors: Zhang Quan , Zhao Jianguo , Shen Xin , Xiao Qing , Huang Jun , Wang Yuan
Published: September 2019

A novel decoupled XY compliant micro-positioning stage, based on a bridge-type amplification mechanism and parallelogram mechanisms, is designed in this paper. Analytical models of the bridge-type amplification mechanism and parallelogram mechanisms are developed by Castigliano’s second theorem and a Beam constrained model. The amplification ratio, input stiffness, and output stiffness of the stage are further derived, based on the proposed model. In order to verify the theoretical analysis, the finite element method (FEM) is used for simulation and modal analysis, and the simulation results indicate that the errors of the amplification ratio, input stiffness, and output stiffness of the stage between the proposed model and the FEM results are 2.34%, 3.87%, and 2.66%, respectively. Modal analysis results show that the fundamental natural frequency is 44 Hz, and the maximum error between the theoretical model and the FEM is less than 4%, which further validates the proposed modeling method. Finally, the prototype is fabricated to test the amplification ratio, cross-coupling error, and workspace. The experimental results demonstrate that the stage has a relatively large workspace, of 346.1 μm × 357.2 μm, with corresponding amplification ratios of 5.39 in the X-axis and 5.51 in the Y-axis, while the cross-coupling error is less than 1.5%.
Experimental Study on Microfluidic Mixing with Different Zigzag Angles
Authors: Tsai Chia-Hung Dylan , Lin Xin-Yu
Published: September 2019

This paper presents experimental investigations of passive mixing in a microfluidic channel with different zigzag angles. Zigzag channel is commonly used for microfluidic mixing because it does not need an additional control unit and can be easily implemented in a lab-on-a-chip system. In this work, microfluidic channels with six different zigzag angles, from θ = 0° to θ = 75°, are tested under ten different flow rates corresponding to Reynolds number from 0.309 to 309. Two colored liquids are mixed with the zigzag channels and mixing performance is evaluated based on the color of the pixels on the region of interest from captured images. According to the results, we found that the mixing performance is almost independent of the zigzag angle in the low-speed regime where its Reynolds number is less than 4. The mixing became very much depending on the zigzag angle in the high-speed regime where its Reynolds number is greater than 100. Microfluidic mixing is needed for Lab-on-a-chip applications in both low flow speed, such as medium perfusion for cell culture, and high flow speed, such as high-speed sensing on a point-of-care device. This work is aimed to provide practical information on zigzag mixing for chip design and applications.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the Influence of Nanoscale Structure on Water Wetting and Condensation
Authors: Hiratsuka Masaki , Emoto Motoki , Konno Akihisa , Ito Shinichiro
Published: September 2019

Recent advances in the microfabrication technology have made it possible to control surface properties at micro- and nanoscale levels. Functional surfaces drastically change wettability and condensation processes that are essential for controlling of heat transfer. However, the direct observation of condensation on micro- and nanostructure surfaces is difficult, and further understanding of the effects of the microstructure on the phase change is required. In this research, the contact angle of droplets with a wall surface and the initial condensation process were analyzed using a molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the impact of nanoscale structures and their adhesion force on condensation. The results demonstrated the dependence of the contact angle of the droplets and condensation dynamics on the wall structure and attractive force of the wall surface. Condensed water droplets were adsorbed into the nanostructures and formed a water film in case of a hydrophilic surface.