bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A glossary of terms for understanding political aspects in the implementation of Health in All Policies (HiAP)
Authors: Oneka Goldameir , Vahid Shahidi Faraz , Muntaner Carles , Bayoumi Ahmed M , Mahabir Deb Finn , Freiler Alix , O’Campo Patricia , Shankardass Ketan
Published: July 2017

Health in All Policies (HiAP) is a strategy that seeks to integrate health considerations into the development, implementation and evaluation of policies across various non-health sectors of the government. Over the past 15 years, there has been an increase in the uptake of HiAP by local, regional and national governments. Despite the growing popularity of this approach, most existing literature on HiAP implementation remains descriptive rather than explanatory in its orientation. Moreover, prior research has focused on the more technical aspects of the implementation process. Thus, studies that aim to ‘build capacity to promote, implement and evaluate HiAP’ abound. Conversely, there is little emphasis on the political aspects of HiAP implementation. Neglecting the role of politics in shaping the use of HiAP is problematic, since health and the strategies by which it is promoted are partially political.

This glossary addresses the politics gap in the existing literature by drawing on theoretical concepts from political, policy, and public health sciences to articulate a framework for studying how political mechanisms influence HiAP implementation. To this end, the glossary forms part of an on-going multiple explanatory case study of HiAP implementation, HARMONICS (HiAP Analysis using Realist Methods on International Case Studies, harmonics-hiap.ca), and is meant to expand on a previously published glossary addressing the topic of HiAP implementation more broadly. Collectively, these glossaries offer a conceptual toolkit for understanding how politics explains implementation outcomes of HiAP.
Short-term consumption ofIlex paraguariensisextracts protects isolated hearts from ischemia/reperfusion injury and contradicts exercise-mediated cardioprotection
Authors: Cahuê Fábio , Souza Simone , dos Santos Camilli Fernanda Martins , Machado Victor , Nascimento José H.M. , Barcellos Luciane , Salerno Verônica P.
Published: July 2017

Perfusion of hearts with extracts of Ilex paraguariensis (IP/mate) appears to reduce ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. To determine if oral consumption of IP/mate can provide similar cardioprotection, short-term consumption was investigated alone or in association with exercise in rats. Animals were grouped into control (C), IP/mate consumption (M), exercise (E), and exercise with mate (E+M). M and E+M groups consumed IP/mate (1 g·kg−1body weight in 1 mL water) by gavage. E and E+M groups swam 7× per week for 30 min carrying an additional 5% of body weight. After 1 week, hearts were tested ex vivo to measure left ventricle developed pressure (LVDP), systolic and end diastolic pressure (LVSP/LVEDP), maximum velocity of contraction and relaxation (dP/dt+ and dP/dt–) during I/R and infarction size. In addition, cardiac tissue was analyzed for oxidative stress by lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl levels along with activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD). LVDP was higher in hearts from M and E groups as well as decreased infarction sizes than others. At the end of reperfusion, dP/dt+ was increased in E and M and dP/dt– was higher in M. LVSP was higher in M and E compared with C. Protein carbonyl and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels were higher in M while SOD activity was increased in E. No differences were observed in other activities. The results suggest that short-term consumption of IP/mate has protective effects on heart I/R injury similar to exercise, but the combination of these interventions appears to contradict the beneficial adaptations from exercise.
Noninvasive approach to mend the broken heart: Is “remote conditioning” a promising strategy for application in humans?
Authors: Ravingerová Táňa , Farkašová Veronika , Griecsová Lucia , Muráriková Martina , Carnická Slavka , Lonek L’ubomír , Ferko Miroslav , Slezak Jan , Zálešák Marek , Adameova Adriana , Khandelwal Vinoth K.M. , Lazou Antigone , Kolar Frantisek
Published: July 2017

Currently, there are no satisfactory interventions to protect the heart against the detrimental effects of ischemia–reperfusion injury. Although ischemic preconditioning (PC) is the most powerful form of intrinsic cardioprotection, its application in humans is limited to planned interventions, due to its short duration and technical requirements. However, many organs/tissues are capable of producing “remote” PC (RPC) when subjected to brief bouts of ischemia–reperfusion. RPC was first described in the heart where brief ischemia in one territory led to protection in other area. Later on, RPC started to be used in patients with acute myocardial infarction, albeit with ambiguous results. It is hypothesized that the connection between the signal triggered in remote organ and protection induced in the heart can be mediated by humoral and neural pathways, as well as via systemic response to short sublethal ischemia. However, although RPC has a potentially important clinical role, our understanding of the mechanistic pathways linking the local stimulus to the remote organ remains incomplete. Nevertheless, RPC appears as a cost-effective and easily performed intervention. Elucidation of protective mechanisms activated in the remote organ may have therapeutic and diagnostic implications in the management of myocardial ischemia and lead to development of pharmacological RPC mimetics.
The endogenous activity patterns of Africa’s smallest terrestrial mammal, the pygmy mouse (Mus minutoides)
Authors: Hoole C. , McKechnie A.E. , Parker D.M. , Bennett N.C.
Published: July 2017

The endogenous rhythmicity of the locomotor activity and subsequent entrainment by light cycles of the pygmy mouse (Mus minutoides A. Smith, 1834) was investigated under laboratory-controlled conditions. Seasonal trapping in the field was used to assess the predominant activity phase in their natural habitat, and determine whether seasonal variation in activity occurs in the field. Mus minutoides were subjected to a series of light cycles starting with a 12 h light (L) : 12 h dark (D) cycle (2 weeks) to determine whether they entrain their activity patterns to light cues, after which they were maintained in constant darkness (3 weeks) and the endogenous rhythm allowed to free run; the tau for each animal’s endogenous activity rhythm was then calculated. This was followed by another 12 h L : 12 h D cycle (2 weeks) before the cycle was inverted to 12 h D : 12 h L (2 weeks) to assess the rate of re-entrainment. The animals were then exposed to long (16 h L : 8 h D) and short (8 h L : 16 h D) photoperiods for a 6-week period under each lighting regime. Changes in foraging behaviour and body mass were recorded throughout the study. Mus minutoides is strictly nocturnal in both the laboratory and the field, it caches food in its nest, and it cannot be trapped during the winter months in this environment.
Groups of automorphisms of local fields of period p and nilpotent class < p, II
Authors: Abrashkin Victor
Published: July 2017

Suppose [Formula: see text] is a finite field extension of [Formula: see text] containing a primitive [Formula: see text]th root of unity. Let [Formula: see text] be the maximal quotient of period [Formula: see text] and nilpotent class [Formula: see text] of the Galois group of a maximal [Formula: see text]-extension of [Formula: see text]. We describe the ramification filtration [Formula: see text] and relate it to an explicit form of the Demushkin relation for [Formula: see text]. The results are given in terms of Lie algebras attached to the appropriate [Formula: see text]-groups by the classical equivalence of the categories of [Formula: see text]-groups and Lie algebras of nilpotent class [Formula: see text].
Yangian and SUSY symmetry of high spin parton splitting amplitudes in generalised Yang–Mills theory
Authors: Kirschner Roland , Savvidy George
Published: July 2017

We have calculated the high spin parton splitting amplitudes postulating the Yangian symmetry of the scattering amplitudes for tensor gluons. The resulting splitting amplitudes coincide with the earlier calculations, which were based on the BCFW recursion relations. The resulting formula unifies all known splitting probabilities found earlier in gauge field theories. It describes splitting probabilities for integer and half-integer spin particles. We also checked that the splitting probabilities fulfil the generalised Kounnas–Ross [Formula: see text] = 1 supersymmetry relations hinting to the fact that the underlying theory can be formulated in an explicit supersymmetric manner.
Synthesis and Analysis of Electronically Adjustable Fractional-Order Low-Pass Filter
Authors: Dvorak Jan , Langhammer Lukas , Jerabek Jan , Koton Jaroslav , Sotner Roman , Polak Josef
Published: July 2017

A proposal of a fractional ([Formula: see text])-order low-pass filter is presented in this paper. The proposed filter operates in the current-mode and it is designed using Multi-Output Current Followers (MO-CFs), Dual-Output Current Follower (DO-CF), Dual-Output Adjustable Current Amplifier (DO-ACA) and Adjustable Current Amplifiers (ACAs) as active elements within the presented topology of the filter. The filter possesses ability to electronically control its order and also the pole frequency by changing the current gain of current amplifiers (ACAs) already present in the structure. Three different values of the order and pole frequency of the proposed low-pass filter were tested as an example. Design of the proposed filter is supported by simulation and experimental results. Simulations of the circuit are carried out in PSPICE simulator with behavioral models of used active elements. The experimental laboratory measurements are performed with the help of available devices forming equivalent circuits. Simulations and experimental results of the electronical control of the order and pole frequency are compared in this contribution.
Analysis and Modeling of a SAR-VCO Hybrid ADC Architecture
Authors: Liang Yuhua , Zhu Zhangming
Published: July 2017

This paper presents a novel Nyquist SAR-VCO ADC architecture. To improve the dynamic performance, a 4-phase counter is introduced to the proposed architecture. Thanks to the employed 4-phase counter, requirements on both the counting time error and the nonlinearity of the VCO gain are relaxed. In addition, rather than adopting the oversampling strategy to realize the noise-shaping, the proposed Nyquist architecture can quantize signals at as high as the Nyquist frequency. Hence, the signal bandwidth is broadened successfully. Beyond these, influences of nonideal effects (such as linearity of the VCO gain, mismatch between the differential VCO gains, counting time error and clock jitter) from practical circuit implementations and layout designs are theoretically analyzed and modeled. Behavioral simulations show that, at the near Nyquist input frequency and 10[Formula: see text]MS/s sampling rate, an SNDR of 61.43[Formula: see text]dB, an SFDR of 78.08[Formula: see text]dB and an ENOB of 9.91 bit are achieved, respectively.
Kauffman–Jones polynomial of a curve on a surface
Authors: Fukuhara Shinji , Kuno Yusuke
Published: July 2017

We introduce a Kauffman–Jones type polynomial [Formula: see text] for a curve [Formula: see text] on an oriented surface, whose endpoints are on the boundary of the surface. The polynomial [Formula: see text] is a Laurent polynomial in one variable [Formula: see text] and is an invariant of the homotopy class of [Formula: see text]. As an application, we obtain an estimate in terms of the span of [Formula: see text] for the minimum self-intersection number of a curve within its homotopy class. We then give a chord diagrammatic description of [Formula: see text] and show some computational results on the span of [Formula: see text].
NON-DIFFERENTIABLE EXACT SOLUTIONS FOR THE NONLINEAR ODES DEFINED ON FRACTAL SETS
Authors: YANG XIAO-JUN , GAO FENG , SRIVASTAVA H. M.
Published: July 2017

In the present paper, a family of the special functions via the celebrated Mittag–Leffler function defined on the Cantor sets is investigated. The nonlinear local fractional ODEs (NLFODEs) are presented by following the rules of local fractional derivative (LFD). The exact solutions for these problems are also discussed with the aid of the non-differentiable charts on Cantor sets. The obtained results are important for describing the characteristics of the fractal special functions.
PREOPERATIVE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF HIP FRACTURE PATIENTS: A PILOT STUDY IN 116 PATIENTS
Authors: Moon Myung-Sang , Park Min-Suk , Park Bong-Keun , Kim Dong-Hyeon , Yoon Min-Geun
Published: July 2017

Design: Preoperative hematological markers were used. Objectives: The aim was to assess the preoperative nutritional status of hip fracture patients. Background data: There were only a few studies, related to the preoperative nutritional and immune status of the fracture patients. None conducted solely the preoperative nutritional status of the hip fracture patients up to now in Korea. Material and Methods: One hundred and sixteen hip fracture patients, ranged from 4th decade up to over 10th decade, were subjected to this study on the basis of the listed survey chart, particularly the serum albumin level, albumin/globulin ratio, lymphocyte count, and lymphocyte–monocyte ratio. Results: Overall average three physical factors, such as height, weight, and body mass index, were 159[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]2.6[Formula: see text]cm, 56[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]11.1[Formula: see text]kg, and 22.2[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]3.6[Formula: see text]kg/m2. Average hemoglobin, lymphocyte count, monocyte count, L/M ratio, serum albumin and globulin, and A/G ratio were 11.7[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]2.0[Formula: see text]g/dL, 1490[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]994[Formula: see text]mm3, 514[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]250/mm3, 1 versus 2.8, 3.6[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]0.49[Formula: see text]g/dL, 2.8[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]0.45[Formula: see text]g/dL and 1.2, respectively. Twenty-seven patients (22.6%) had normal nutrition, whereas the incidence of single hypoalbuminemia and single lymphocytopenia was 18 (15.1%) and 43 (36.1%) patients. Patients’ numbers showing the combined hypoalbuminemia and lymphocytopenia were 31 (26.5%) out of 116 patients. Conclusion: About 77.3% of elderly hip fracture patients had preoperative malnutrition, although the cause of such high rate was not clarified yet. In those cases, pre- and postoperative nutritional management is essential to bring about the early physical recovery including wound healing and to reduce the infection risk.
LRS Bianchi type-I cosmological model with constant deceleration parameter in f(R,T) gravity
Authors: Bishi Binaya K. , Pacif S. K. J. , Sahoo P. K. , Singh G. P.
Published: July 2017

A spatially homogeneous anisotropic LRS Bianchi type-I cosmological model is studied in [Formula: see text] gravity with a special form of Hubble's parameter, which leads to constant deceleration parameter. The parameters involved in the considered form of Hubble parameter can be tuned to match, our models with the [Formula: see text]CDM model. With the present observed value of the deceleration parameter, we have discussed physical and kinematical properties of a specific model. Moreover, we have discussed the cosmological distances for our model.
A thermodynamical analysis of the inhomogeneous FLRW type model: Redefined Bekenstein–Hawking system
Authors: Haldar Sourav , Bhandari Pritikana , Chakraborty Subenoy
Published: July 2017

A detailed thermodynamical study has been presented for the inhomogeneous FLRW-type model of the Universe bounded by a horizon with three possible modifications of Bekenstein–Hawking formulation of thermodynamical parameters namely entropy and temperature. For the first choice of the thermodynamical system validity of both the first law of thermodynamics (FLT) and the generalized second law of thermodynamics (GSLT) are examined. Also, the integrability conditions for the exact one-forms in both the thermodynamical laws are analyzed and it is found that they are consistent with each other. On the other hand, for the other two choices of the thermodynamical system to hold the first law of thermodynamics, one must restrict the parameters (in the definition of the thermodynamical variables) in some specific integral form.
Bath Energy for Correlated Initial States vs. Information Flow in Local Dephasing Channels
Authors: Giraldi Filippo
Published: July 2017

Variations of the bath energy are compared with the information flow in local dephasing channels. Special correlated initial conditions are prepared from the thermal equilibrium of the whole system, by performing a selective measurement on the qubit. The spectral densities under study are ohmic-like at low frequencies and include logarithmic perturbations of the power-law profiles. The bath and the correlation energy alternately increase or decrease, monotonically, over long times, according to the value of the ohmicity parameter, following logarithmic and power laws. Consider initial conditions such that the environment is in a thermal state, factorized from the state of the qubit. In the superohmic regime the long-time features of the information flow are transferred to the bath and correlation energy, by changing the initial condition from the factorized to the specially correlated, even with different temperatures. In fact, the low-frequency structures of the spectral density that provide information backflow with the factorized initial condition, induce increasing (decreasing) bath (correlation) energy with the specially correlated initial configuration. By performing the same change of initial conditions, the spectral properties providing information loss, produce decrease (increase) of the bath (correlation) energy.
Probing the Eigenstates Thermalization Hypothesis with Many-Particle Quantum Walks on Lattices
Authors: Musumbu Dibwe Pierrot , Przybylska Maria , Maciejewski Andrzej J.
Published: July 2017

We simulate the dynamics of many-particle system of bosons and fermions using discrete time quantum walks on lattices. We present a computational proof of the behaviour of the simulated systems similar to the one observed in Hamiltonian dynamics during quantum thermalization. We record the time evolution of the entropy and the temperature of a specific particle configuration during the entire dynamics and observe how they relax to a state which we call the quantum walk thermal state. This observation is made on two types of lattices while simulating different numbers of particles walking on two grid graphs with 25 vertices. In each case, we observe that the vertices counting statistics, the temperature of the indexed configuration and the dimension of the effective configuration Hilbert space relax simultaneously and remain relaxed for the rest of the many-particle quantum walk.
Bose-Einstein Condensation of a Stochastic Liquid
Authors: Maćkowiak Jan
Published: July 2017

The Bogoliubov-Lee-Huang theory of superfluid 4He is modified by introducing an effective temperature scale (which accounts for the deep well of the interatomic potential) and by incorporating into the Hamiltonian a stochastic term Vl, which simulates liquidity of HeI and liquidity of the normal and superfluid component of HeII. Vl depends on two independent random angles αn, αs ∈ [0, π], which characterize the locally ordered motion of the two fluids (the normal fluid and superfluid) comprising HeII. The resulting thermodynamics improves the thermodynamic functions and excitation spectrum Ep(αn, αs) of the superfluid phase, obtained previously, leaving the heat capacity CV (T) of the normal phase, with a minimum at Tmin > 2.17K, unchanged. The theoretical velocity of sound in HeII, equal to the initial slope of Ep(π, π), agrees with experiment.
Measuring World Trade Organization (WTO) Accession Commitments and their Economic Effects
Authors: Chemutai Vicky , Escaith Hubert
Published: July 2017

This paper builds an index to measure the depth of accession commitments and estimate the impact of World Trade Organization (WTO) accession. We find that WTO accession has a positive and significant influence on an economy’s trade and investment. The impact of WTO accession on the ratio of trade to gross domestic product is significantly higher than in previous studies on developing countries. Trade in services also tends to increase after accession. Moreover, greater openness does not negatively affect the trade balance of Article XII members. The results on investment, be it domestic or foreign, are also encouraging, but are not fully conclusive.
Multiple Reserve Currencies and Renminbi Use
Authors: Gupta Satyendra Kumar , Goyal Ashima
Published: July 2017

We analyze prospects for the Chinese renminbi to become a major international currency, along with the US dollar, in a multiple reserve currency world. Analytical models on switching costs in networks and on currency choice under direct and indirect transaction costs are used to derive variables for empirical analysis. While network size and financial market depth (lower transaction costs) favor incumbents, changes in trade-related bargaining power and in currency volatility could favor newcomers. The models also point to political determinants affecting currency choice. We develop indices to quantify some of these. When the bargaining power index is used in estimation, it shows capital account openness and currency stability have to complement a rise in trade share for an aspiring reserve currency.
Applying the Möbius Strip Model to Corporate Social Responsibility: Survey-Based Findings from Italian Social Enterprises
Authors: Lopez Arceiz Francisco , Solferino Nazaria , Solferino Viviana , Tortia Ermanno C.
Published: July 2017

In this work, we apply the electro-magnetism geometrical model of the Möbius Strip in the context of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in order to test the relationship between CSR and organizational performance. We exploit a unique dataset that includes 4135 workers in a matched sample of 320 Italian social enterprises. Results show that CSR is the strongest determinant of firm performance, although there is an indirect effect of cooperation and worker alienation in terms of higher job satisfaction.
Effort and trust: the underpinnings of active learning
Authors: Adams Seana , Bilimoria Krish , Malhotra Neha , Rangachari P. K.
Published: July 2017

Three undergraduate students and their teacher discuss two crucial issues that form the implicit basis of active learning: effort and trust. They use a single course in a Health Sciences Program to anchor their comments.
Adipose tissue and liver
Authors: Lundbom Jesper
Published: July 2017

Adipose tissue and liver are central tissues in whole body energy metabolism. Their composition, structure, and function can be noninvasively imaged using a variety of measurement techniques that provide a safe alternative to an invasive biopsy. Imaging of adipose tissue is focused on quantitating the distribution of adipose tissue in subcutaneous and intra-abdominal (visceral) adipose tissue depots. Also, detailed subdivisions of adipose tissue can be distinguished with modern imaging techniques. Adipose tissue (or adipocyte) accumulation or infiltration of other organs can also be imaged, with intramuscular adipose tissue a common example. Although liver fat content is now accurately imaged using standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, inflammation and fibrosis are more difficult to determine noninvasively. Liver imaging efforts are therefore concerted on developing accurate imaging markers of liver fibrosis and inflammatory status. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is presently the most reliable imaging technique for measuring liver fibrosis but requires an external device for introduction of shear waves to the liver. Methods using multiparametric diffusion, perfusion, relaxometry, and hepatocyte-specific MRI contrast agents may prove to be more easily implemented by clinicians, provided they reach similar accuracy as MRE. Adipose tissue imaging is experiencing a revolution with renewed interest in characterizing and identifying distinct adipose depots, among them brown adipose tissue. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy provides an interesting yet underutilized way of imaging adipose tissue metabolism through its fatty acid composition. Further studies may shed light on the role of fatty acid composition in different depots and why saturated fat in subcutaneous adipose tissue is a marker of high insulin sensitivity.
Characterization of 2-Path Product Signed Graphs with Its Properties
Authors: Sinha Deepa , Sharma Deepakshi
Published: July 2017

A signed graph is a simple graph where each edge receives a sign positive or negative. Such graphs are mainly used in social sciences where individuals represent vertices friendly relation between them as a positive edge and enmity as a negative edge. In signed graphs, we define these relationships (edges) as of friendship (“+” edge) or hostility (“-” edge). A 2-path product signed graph S#^S of a signed graph S is defined as follows: the vertex set is the same as S and two vertices are adjacent if and only if there exists a path of length two between them in S. The sign of an edge is the product of marks of vertices in S where the mark of vertex u in S is the product of signs of all edges incident to the vertex. In this paper, we give a characterization of 2-path product signed graphs. Also, some other properties such as sign-compatibility and canonically-sign-compatibility of 2-path product signed graphs are discussed along with isomorphism and switching equivalence of this signed graph with 2-path signed graph.
Comparative Study of One-Step Cross-Linked Electrospun Chitosan-Based Membranes
Authors: Aguirre-Chagala Yanet E. , Pavón-Pérez Laura B. , Altuzar Víctor , Domínguez-Chávez Jorge G. , Muñoz-Aguirre Severino , Mendoza-Barrera C.
Published: July 2017

Chitosan membranes are widely applied for tissue engineering; however, a major drawback is their low resistance in aqueous phases and therefore the structure collapses impeding their long-term use. Although there is extensive research, because of chitosan’s importance as a biomaterial, studies involving chitosan-based membranes are still needed. Herein, a detailed investigation of diverse chemical routes to cross-link fibers in situ by electrospinning process is described. In case of using genipin as cross-linker, a close relationship with the content and the mean diameter values is reported, suggesting a crucial effect over the design of nanostructures. Also, the physical resistance is enhanced for the combination of two types of methods, such as chemical and physical methods. Cross-linked fibers upon exposure to long wave ultraviolet A (UVA light) change their morphology, but not their chemical composition. When they are incubated in aqueous phase for 70 days, they show an extensive improvement of their macrostructural integrity which makes them attractive candidates for tissue engineering application. As a result, the thermal properties of these materials reveal less crystallinity and higher temperature of degradation.
New Generalizations of Exponential Distribution with Applications
Authors: Rather N. A. , Rather T. A.
Published: July 2017

The main purpose of this paper is to present k-Generalized Exponential Distribution which among other things includes Generalized Exponential and Weibull Distributions as special cases. Besides, we also obtain three-parameter extension of Generalized Exponential Distribution. We shall also discuss moment generating functions (MGFs) of these newly introduced distributions.
Design of Thermal Barrier Coatings Thickness for Gas Turbine Blade Based on Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Li Biao , Fan Xueling , Li Dingjun , Jiang Peng
Published: July 2017

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are deposited on the turbine blade to reduce the temperature of underlying substrate, as well as providing protection against the oxidation and hot corrosion from high temperature gas. Optimal ceramic top‐coat thickness distribution on the blade can improve the performance and efficiency of the coatings. Design of the coatings thickness is a multiobjective optimization problem due to the conflicts among objectives of high thermal insulation performance, long operation durability, and low fabrication cost. This work developed a procedure for designing the TBCs thickness distribution for the gas turbine blade. Three‐dimensional finite element models were built and analyzed, and weighted‐sum approach was employed to solve the multiobjective optimization problem herein. Suitable multiregion top‐coat thickness distribution scheme was designed with the considerations of manufacturing accuracy, productivity, and fabrication cost.
Underwater Shockwave Pretreatment Process to Improve the Scent of Extracted Citrus junos Tanaka (Yuzu) Juice
Authors: Kuraya Eisuke , Touyama Akiko , Nakada Shina , Higa Osamu , Itoh Shigeru
Published: July 2017

Citrus junos Tanaka (yuzu) has a strong characteristic aroma and thus its juice is used in various Japanese foods. Herein, we evaluate the volatile compounds in yuzu juice to investigate whether underwater shockwave pretreatment affects its scent. A shockwave pretreatment at increased discharge and energy of 3.5 kV and 4.9 kJ, respectively, increased the content of aroma-active compounds. Moreover, the underwater shockwave pretreatment afforded an approximate tenfold increase in the scent intensity of yuzu juice cultivated in Rikuzentakata. The proposed treatment method exhibited reliable and good performance for the extraction of volatile and aroma-active compounds from the yuzu fruit. The broad applicability and high reliability of this technique for improving the scent of yuzu fruit juice were demonstrated, confirming its potential for application to a wide range of food extraction processes.
Certificateless Public Auditing with Privacy Preserving for Cloud-Assisted Wireless Body Area Networks
Authors: Kang Baoyuan , Wang Jiaqiang , Shao Dongyang
Published: July 2017

With cloud computing being integrated with wireless body area networks, the digital ecosystem called cloud-assisted WBAN was proposed. In cloud-assisted medical systems, the integrity of the stored data is important. Recently, based on certificateless public key cryptography, He et al. proposed a certificateless public auditing scheme for cloud-assisted WBANs. But He et al.’s scheme is not a scheme with privacy preserving. After many checks on some of the same data blocks, the auditor can derive these data blocks. In this paper, we propose a certificateless public auditing scheme with privacy preserving for cloud-assisted WBANs. In the proof phase of the proposed scheme, the proof information is protected from being directly exposed to the auditor. So, the curious auditor could not derive the data blocks. We also prove that the proposed scheme is secure in the random oracle model under the assumption that the Diffie-Hellman problem is hard, and we give a comparison of the proposed scheme with He et al.’s scheme in terms of security and computation cost.
Sustainability of Endovenous Iron Deficiency Anaemia Treatment: Hospital-Based Health Technology Assessment in IBD Patients
Authors: Poscia A. , Stojanovic J. , Kheiraoui F. , Proli E. M. , Scaldaferri F. , Volpe M. , Di Pietro M. L. , Gasbarrini A. , Fabrizio L. , Boccia S. , Favaretti C.
Published: July 2017

Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the main extraintestinal manifestation affecting patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The Health Technology Assessment approach was applied to evaluate the sustainability of intravenous (IV) iron formulations in the Italian hospital setting, with particular focus on ferric carboxymaltose. Data on the epidemiology of IBD and associated IDA, in addition to the efficacy and safety of IV iron formulations currently used in Italy, were retrieved from scientific literature. A hospital-based cost-analysis of the outpatient delivery of IV iron treatments was performed. Organizational and ethical implications were discussed. IDA prevalence in IBD patients varies markedly from 9 to 73%. IV iron preparations were proven to have good efficacy and safety profiles, and ferric carboxymaltose provided a fast correction of haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels in iron-deficient patients. Despite a higher price, ferric carboxymaltose would confer a beneficial effect to the hospital, in terms of reduced cost related to individual patient management and additionally to the patient by reducing the number of infusions and admissions to healthcare facilities. Ethically, the evaluation is appropriate due to its efficacy and compliance. This assessment supports the introduction of ferric carboxymaltose in the Italian outpatient setting.
Premature Valvular Heart Disease in Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Fahed Akl C. , Shibbani Kamel , Andary Rabih R. , Arabi Mariam T. , Habib Robert H. , Nguyen Denis D. , Haddad Fady F. , Moubarak Elie , Nemer Georges , Azar Sami T. , Bitar Fadi F.
Published: July 2017

Valvular heart disease frequently occurs as a consequence of premature atherosclerosis in individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Studies have primarily focused on aortic valve calcification in heterozygous FH, but there is paucity of data on the incidence of valvular disease in homozygous FH. We performed echocardiographic studies in 33 relatively young patients (mean age: 26 years) with homozygous FH (mean LDL of 447 mg/dL, 73% on LDL apheresis) to look for subclinical valvulopathy. Twenty-one patients had evidence of valvulopathy of the aortic or mitral valves, while seven subjects showed notable mitral regurgitation. Older patients were more likely to have aortic valve calcification (>21 versus ≤21 years: 59% versus 12.5%; p = 0.01) despite lower LDL levels at the time of the study (385 versus 513 mg/dL; p = 0.016). Patients with valvulopathy were older and had comparable LDL levels and a lower carotid intima-media thickness. Our data suggests that, in homozygous FH patients, valvulopathy (1) is present across a wide age spectrum and LDL levels and (2) is less likely to be influenced by lipid-lowering treatment. Echocardiographic studies that focused on aortic root thickening and stenosis and regurgitation are thus likely an effective modality for serial follow-up of subclinical valvular heart disease.
Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s Disease: New and Emerging Targets for Refractory Motor and Nonmotor Symptoms
Authors: Anderson Dustin , Beecher Grayson , Ba Fang
Published: July 2017

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition characterized by bradykinesia, tremor, rigidity, and postural instability (PI), in addition to numerous nonmotor manifestations. Many pharmacological therapies now exist to successfully treat PD motor symptoms; however, as the disease progresses, it often becomes challenging to treat with medications alone. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has become a crucial player in PD treatment, particularly for patients who have disabling motor complications from medical treatment. Well-established DBS targets include the subthalamic nucleus (STN), the globus pallidus pars interna (GPi), and to a lesser degree the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus. Studies of alternative DBS targets for PD are ongoing, the majority of which have shown some clinical benefit; however, more carefully designed and controlled studies are needed. In the present review, we discuss the role of these new and emerging DBS targets in treating refractory axial motor symptoms and other motor and nonmotor symptoms (NMS).
DYMO Self-Forwarding: A Simple Way for Reducing the Routing Overhead in MANETs
Authors: Zola Enrica , Barcelo-Arroyo Francisco , Martin-Escalona Israel
Published: July 2017

Current routing protocols in Mobile Ad hoc Networks tend to use information on the position of the nodes in order to improve their features. In fact, without this information, protocols are hardly scalable since they tend to overflow the radio media with control packets, most of them being useless at the end. This paper presents the assessment of a modification of the DYMO protocol in order to include and use positioning information. The evaluation is carried out through simulations in realistic environments and connectivity condition. The possible error in the position is seldom considered in this kind of studies but here taken into account to catch the impact of realistic GPS devices or other sources of location techniques.
Existence of Solutions for a Class of Coupled Fractional Differential Systems with Nonlocal Boundary Conditions
Authors: Qi Tingting , Liu Yansheng , Cui Yujun
Published: July 2017

Applying Schauder fixed point theorem and Leray-Schauder nonlinear alternative theory, this paper is concerned with the existence of solutions to coupled fractional differential systems with fractional integral boundary value conditions. Meanwhile, two examples are worked out to illustrate the application of the main results.
Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of Novel Pyridoxine-Based Bioisosteric Analogs of trans-Stilbenes
Authors: Pugachev Mikhail V. , Nguyen Thang T. N. , Bulatov Timur M. , Pavelyev Roman S. , Iksanova Alfia G. , Bondar Oksana V. , Balakin Konstantin V. , Shtyrlin Yurii G.
Published: July 2017

A series of trans-6-phenylethenyl substituted pyridoxine derivatives, novel bioisosteric analogs of drugs based on trans-stilbene scaffold, were synthesized using the Wittig reaction of a bis-triphenylphosphonium pyridoxine derivative with various aromatic aldehydes. Two compounds demonstrated high activity against the estrogen-dependent MCF-7 (breast cancer) cell line with IC50 in the range of 1.9–7.9 µM and very good selectivity for other studied normal and tumor cells, including the estrogen receptor negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The active compounds possessed an intense blue fluorescence, and this feature allowed us to effectively visualize them in cytoplasm and in nucleus. The obtained results make the described chemotype a promising starting point for the development of new anticancer agents for the therapy of estrogen-dependent malignancies.
Multimodal Image Alignment via Linear Mapping between Feature Modalities
Authors: Jiang Yanyun , Zheng Yuanjie , Hou Sujuan , Chang Yuchou , Gee James
Published: July 2017

We propose a novel landmark matching based method for aligning multimodal images, which is accomplished uniquely by resolving a linear mapping between different feature modalities. This linear mapping results in a new measurement on similarity of images captured from different modalities. In addition, our method simultaneously solves this linear mapping and the landmark correspondences by minimizing a convex quadratic function. Our method can estimate complex image relationship between different modalities and nonlinear nonrigid spatial transformations even in the presence of heavy noise, as shown in our experiments carried out by using a variety of image modalities.
Extracting T–S Fuzzy Models Using the Cuckoo Search Algorithm
Authors: Turki Mourad , Sakly Anis
Published: July 2017

A new method called cuckoo search (CS) is used to extract and learn the Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy model. In the proposed method, the particle or cuckoo of CS is formed by the structure of rules in terms of number and selected rules, the antecedent, and consequent parameters of the T–S fuzzy model. These parameters are learned simultaneously. The optimized T–S fuzzy model is validated by using three examples: the first a nonlinear plant modelling problem, the second a Box–Jenkins nonlinear system identification problem, and the third identification of nonlinear system, comparing the obtained results with other existing results of other methods. The proposed CS method gives an optimal T–S fuzzy model with fewer numbers of rules.
Tunable H-Shaped Microstrip Antenna with Dual Feeding
Authors: Al-Zayed Ayman S. , Kourah Mohammed A. , Mahmoud Samir F.
Published: July 2017

The design of a frequency reconfigurable dual-band H-shaped microstrip antenna fed by two coaxial probes is presented. Each probe excites one of the two fundamental modes of the antenna which are linearly polarized and orthogonal to each other. The antenna is symmetrically loaded with four varactor diodes to simultaneously tune these two modes. Simulation results show that the tunable range of the first mode is between 1.69 and 2.19 GHz (1.3 : 1 tuning ratio), whereas it is between 1.94 and 2.72 GHz (1.4 : 1 tuning ratio) for the second mode. In the range between 1.94 and 2.19 GHz, the radiation of the proposed antenna can be switched between two orthogonal linear polarizations by a simple adjustment to the capacitance of the varactor diodes. The proposed antenna achieves a good performance in terms of port-to-port isolation, directivity, and cross-polarization.
Characterization, Preparation, and Purification of Marine Bioactive Peptides
Authors: Wang Xueqin , Yu Huahua , Xing Ronge , Li Pengcheng
Published: July 2017

Marine bioactive peptides, as a source of unique bioactive compounds, are the focus of current research. They exert various biological roles, some of the most crucial of which are antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, anticancer activity, antihypertensive activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and so forth, and specific characteristics of the bioactivities are described. This review also describes various manufacturing techniques for marine bioactive peptides using organic synthesis, microwave assisted extraction, chemical hydrolysis, and enzymes hydrolysis. Finally, purification of marine bioactive peptides is described, including gel or size exclusion chromatography, ion-exchange column chromatography, and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, which are aimed at finding a fast, simple, and effective method to obtain the target peptides.
Phase I Trial of Intravenous Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus (GL-ONC1) with Cisplatin and Radiotherapy in Patients with Locoregionally Advanced Head and Neck Carcinoma
Authors: Mell Loren K. , Brumund Kevin T. , Daniels Gregory A. , Advani Sunil J. , Zakeri Kaveh , Wright Mary E. , Onyeama Sara-Jane , Weisman Robert A. , Sanghvi Parag R. , Martin Peter J. , Szalay Aladar A.
Published: July 2017

Purpose: Preclinical models have shown that the effectiveness of GL-ONC1, a modified oncolytic vaccinia virus, is enhanced by radiation and chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the safety of GL-ONC1 when delivered intravenously with chemoradiotherapy to patients with primary, nonmetastatic head and neck cancer.

Experimental Design: Patients with locoregionally advanced unresected, nonmetastatic carcinoma of the head/neck, excluding stage III–IVA p16-positive oropharyngeal cancers, were treated with escalating doses and cycles of intravenous GL-ONC1, along with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The primary aims were to define the MTD and dose-limiting toxicities, and to recommend a dose for phase II trials.

Results: Between May 2012 and December 2014, 19 patients were enrolled. The most frequent adverse reactions included grade 1–2 rigors, fever, fatigue, and rash. Grade 3 adverse reactions included hypotension, mucositis, nausea, and vomiting. In 2 patients, the rash was confirmed as viral in origin by fluorescence imaging and viral plaque assay. In 4 patients, viral presence in tumor was confirmed on midtreatment biopsy by quantitative PCR. In 1 patient, live virus was confirmed in a tongue tumor 7 days after receiving the first dose of virus. The MTD was not reached. With median follow-up of 30 months, 1-year (2-year) progression-free survival and overall survival were 74.4% (64.1%) and 84.6% (69.2%), respectively.

Conclusions: Delivery of GL-ONC1 is safe and feasible in patients with locoregionally advanced head/neck cancer undergoing standard chemoradiotherapy. A phase II study is warranted to further investigate this novel treatment strategy. Clin Cancer Res; 23(19); 5696–702. ©2017 AACR.
Prognostic Impact of Circulating Tumor Cells for Breast Cancer Patients Treated in the Neoadjuvant "Geparquattro" Trial
Authors: Riethdorf Sabine , Müller Volkmar , Loibl Sibylle , Nekljudova Valentina , Weber Karsten , Huober Jens , Fehm Tanja , Schrader Iris , Hilfrich Jörn , Holms Frank , Tesch Hans , Schem Christian , von Minckwitz Gunter , Untch Michael , Pantel Klaus
Published: July 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of circulating tumor cells (CTC) detected in patients with operable or locally advanced breast cancer before and after neoadjuvant therapy (NT) within the clinical trial GeparQuattro.

Experimental Design: Data on CTCs enumerated with the CellSearch system were available for 213 and 207 patients before and after NT, respectively. Associations of CTCs with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed by nonparametric Kaplan–Meier estimates and parametric Cox regression.

Results: After a median follow-up of 67.1 months, the detection of ≥1 CTC/7.5 mL and ≥2 CTCs/7.5 mL before NT was associated with reduced DFS (P = 0.031 and P < 0.0001, respectively) and OS (P = 0.0057 and P < 0.0001, respectively), whereas CTCs detected after NT did not correlate with DFS or OS. In parametric univariate and multivariate Cox models, ≥1 CTC/7.5 mL, ≥2 CTCs/7.5 mL, and absolute CTC numbers before NT revealed to be independent prognostic parameters of DFS and OS. CTC-negative patients with pathologic complete response (pCR) exhibited the best prognosis, whereas those with CTCs and less tumor response were at high risk of tumor relapse. In HER2 (ERBB2)-positive and triple-negative patients, ≥2 CTCs/7.5 mL detected before NT also were significantly associated with worse DFS and OS.

Conclusions: Detection of CTCs before NT is an independent prognostic factor of impaired clinical outcome, and combined with pCR, it could be helpful to stratify breast cancer patients for therapeutic interventions. Clin Cancer Res; 23(18); 5384–93. ©2017 AACR.