bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Twelve years later
Authors: Michalak Russell S. , Rysavy Monica D.T.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use Song’s 2004 survey to assess this institution’s international business students’ perceptions and expectations of library services to improve the quality of services provided.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors of this study deployed Song’s 2004 survey, with his permission, to 775 international undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the Fall 2016 semester using the online survey tool Qualtrics.

Findings

The current study compared Song’s 2004 survey results (n = 143) with the researchers’ results (n = 149). The response rate of the current survey deployment was 19.2%. This research focused on the comparison of this institution’s Chinese business students’ (n = 71) perceptions of library use and services in 2016 with Song’s Chinese students’ perceptions (n = 24) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne (UIUC) in 2004. The researchers asked the international business students (UG and GR) to rate their perceived importance of five topics of library services: personal study area, public computers, electronic resources, group meeting space and virtual reference. Overall students (n = 149) rated personal study area as being the most important library service (4.34; moderately important) and virtual reference as being the least important library service (3.33; neutral).

Originality/value

Overall the library literature is limited with respect to studies that compare the perceptions and expectations of library services of international students from China, who are studying business at universities or colleges in the USA.
Combustion and emission characteristics of an esterified linseed oil-fuelled variable compression ratio diesel engine
Authors: Warkhade Ganesh S. , Veeresh Babu A.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to get much insight about the combustion and emission characteristics of partially processed high free fatty acid linseed oil, i.e. esterified linseed oil (ELO), and diesel fuel in a single-cylinder compression ignition engine.

Design/methodology/approach

The variable compression ratio (CR) diesel engine (3.5 kW) of CR ranging from 12:1 to 18:1 is used for the experimentation purpose. In this study, CR varied from 16:1 to 18:1 for investigating the combustion and emissions characteristics of ELO. Various features such as combustion pressure, net heat release rate and mean gas temperature are analysed. The emission characteristics such as hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen dioxide are investigated with different loads and CRs. The effect of an ambient temperature condition is also reported.

Findings

Results from this investigation reveal that the burning of ELO is found to be advanced for all CRs as compared to diesel fuel, whereas these features were found to be lower for a CR of 17. Emissions of ELO are found to be higher at all loads and CRs. Overall, this study provides a necessary framework to enhance further research in this area.

Originality/value

This investigation shows that ELO has better combustion in the first phase of combustion. However, the exhaust emissions of ELO have higher value due to improper combustion in the second and subsequent phase of combustion due to higher viscosity.
Asian Hydroclimate Changes and Mechanisms in the Preboreal from an Annually‐laminated Stalagmite, Daoguan Cave, Southern China
Authors: LIU Shushuang , LIU Dianbing , WANG Yongjin , ZHAO Kan
Published: February 2018

One‐year‐resolved and annually‐counted stalagmite multi‐proxies (δ18O, δ13C, and layer width) from Daoguan Cave, Guizhou Province revealed detailed variability regarding the Asian Summer Monsoon (ASM) and local humidity across Bond events (BE) in the Preboreal. During BEs 8 and 7, 1.5± enrichments in δ18O values were generally consistent with high‐ to low‐latitude climate changes. In detail, the decadal‐scale minor δ18O oscillations in BE8 were broadly less than the mean value, in contrast to the significant changes in local soil moisture derived from the δ13C values and layer records. In the mid‐BE7, δ18O variability was generally above the average level, and higher‐ amplitude variations were observed in the three proxy indicators. Wavelet analysis on the total δ18O time series and across the specific time windows of BEs 8 and 7 identified periodicities of about 130, 60, and 20‐a, respectively. Exceptionally strong in BE7, the 60‐a cycle, pervasively observed in instrumental studies, became prominent starting at 11.4 kaBP. Thus, glacial background conditions are important for suppressing the ASM intensity in BE8, while during BE7, tropical hydrological circulations were potentially actively involved. Consequently, climate internal oscillations, analogous to modern conditions, might have occurred in the distant past once the link between the tropical ocean and atmosphere was established as occurs today.
Regulation of the ovarian inflammatory response at ovulation by nuclear progesterone receptor
Authors: Akison Lisa K. , Robertson Sarah A. , Gonzalez Macarena B. , Richards JoAnne S. , Smith C. Wayne , Russell Darryl L. , Robker Rebecca L.
Published: February 2018

Problem

The nuclear progesterone receptor (PGR) transcription factor is essential for ovulation; however, the exact mechanisms by which PGR controls ovulation are not known. The aim of this study was to determine whether PGR regulates inflammatory mediators in the ovary.

Method of Study

Ovaries from mice lacking PGR (PRKO) and heterozygous PR+/− littermates were subjected to microarray analysis of a large panel of inflammatory genes. Immune cell subsets were detected by gene expression; and neutrophils by immunohistochemistry and chemotaxis assay.

Results

PRKO ovaries exhibited dysregulated expression of vasodilator (Edn1), cytokine (Il‐6, Tgfb1), adhesion receptor (Cd34), apoptotic factor (Bax) and transcription factors (Nfkb2, Socs1, Stat3). Ptgs2 was also reduced in PRKO ovaries, but mRNA and protein were not different in granulosa cells. There were reduced neutrophils in ovaries of PRKO mice at ovulation; however, chemotaxis assays showed PRKO neutrophils migrate normally and that PRKO ovarian extracts exhibit chemotactic properties in vitro.

Conclusion

Specific inflammatory mediators are altered in the ovaries of PRKO mice indicating that progesterone regulates features of inflammation at ovulation.
A Person‐Centered Approach to Child Temperament and Parenting
Authors: Dalimonte‐Merckling Danielle M. , Brophy‐Herb Holly E.
Published: February 2018

The aim of this study was to examine how variations in children's temperamental reactivity and mothers’ parenting stress relate to parenting behavior. A sample of 3,001 mother–child dyads was assessed when children were 14, 24, 36, and 54 months. Latent profile analysis identified a group of temperamentally “easy” children whose mothers experienced little parenting stress, along with two groups of highly reactive children differentiated by mothers’ stress levels. Maternal negative regard over time was highest in the group of reactive children with highly stressed mothers. Mothers in this group also perceived more child behavior problems and had less knowledge of child development. Results are discussed relative to Person × Environment interactions and the complex interplay between parent and child characteristics.
Disentangling genetic structure for genetic monitoring of complex populations
Authors: Milligan Brook G. , Archer Frederick I. , Ferchaud Anne‐Laure , Hand Brian K. , Kierepka Elizabeth M. , Waples Robin S.
Published: February 2018

Genetic monitoring estimates temporal changes in population parameters from molecular marker information. Most populations are complex in structure and change through time by expanding or contracting their geographic range, becoming fragmented or coalescing, or increasing or decreasing density. Traditional approaches to genetic monitoring rely on quantifying temporal shifts of specific population metrics—heterozygosity, numbers of alleles, effective population size—or measures of geographic differentiation such as FST. However, the accuracy and precision of the results can be heavily influenced by the type of genetic marker used and how closely they adhere to analytical assumptions. Care must be taken to ensure that inferences reflect actual population processes rather than changing molecular techniques or incorrect assumptions of an underlying model of population structure. In many species of conservation concern, true population structure is unknown, or structure might shift over time. In these cases, metrics based on inappropriate assumptions of population structure may not provide quality information regarding the monitored population. Thus, we need an inference model that decouples the complex elements that define population structure from estimation of population parameters of interest and reveals, rather than assumes, fine details of population structure. Encompassing a broad range of possible population structures would enable comparable inferences across biological systems, even in the face of range expansion or contraction, fragmentation, or changes in density. Currently, the best candidate is the spatial Λ‐Fleming‐Viot (SLFV) model, a spatially explicit individually based coalescent model that allows independent inference of two of the most important elements of population structure: local population density and local dispersal. We support increased use of the SLFV model for genetic monitoring by highlighting its benefits over traditional approaches. We also discuss necessary future directions for model development to support large genomic datasets informing real‐world management and conservation issues.
Does it Matter Who Pays for Auto Injuries?
Authors: Heaton Paul , Helland Eric
Published: February 2018

In many states, auto insurers rather than health insurers pay for a substantial fraction of the medical care following auto crashes. We examine whether payer identity affects the care received by auto injury patients. A 2003 Colorado reform shifted a large fraction of auto injury patients from coverage through auto insurers to the traditional health insurance system. Despite negligible changes in auto injury characteristics during this period, treatment supply increased following the reform. Procedure use rose by 5–10 percent and billed charges rose by 5 percent. These changes reflect an increase in resources devoted to treatment, yet do not improve mortality.
Communicating Zika Risk: Using Metaphor to Increase Perceived Risk Susceptibility
Authors: Lu Hang , Schuldt Jonathon P.
Published: February 2018

Effectively communicating the risks associated with emerging zoonotic diseases remains an important challenge. Drawing on research into the psychological effects of metaphoric framing, we explore the conditions under which exposure to the “nation as a body” metaphor influences perceived risk susceptibility, behavioral intentions, and policy support in the context of Zika virus. In a between‐subjects experiment, 354 U.S. adults were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions as part of a 2 (severity message: high vs. low) × 2 (U.S. framing: metaphoric vs. literal) design. Results revealed an interaction effect such that metaphoric (vs. literal) framing increased perceived risk susceptibility in the high‐severity condition only. Further analyses revealed that perceived risk susceptibility and negative affect mediated the path between the two‐way interaction and policy support and behavioral intentions regarding Zika prevention. Overall, these findings complement prior work on the influence of metaphoric framing on risk perceptions, while offering practical insights for risk communicators seeking to communicate about Zika and other zoonotic diseases.
Intermittent Treadmill Running Induces Kinematic Compensations to Maintain Soccer Kick Foot Speed Despite No Change in Knee Extensor Strength
Authors: Greig Matt
Published: February 2018

Kicking is a fundamental skill and a primary noncontact mechanism of injury in soccer, with injury incidence increasing during the latter stages of match-play. Ten male professional soccer players completed a 90-minute treadmill protocol based on the velocity profile of soccer match-play. Preexercise, and at 15-minute intervals, players completed a maximal velocity kick subjected to kinematic analysis at 200 Hz. Preexercise, and at the end of each half, players also completed isokinetic concentric knee extensor repetitions at 180°·s−1, 300°·s−1, and 60°·s−1. Kicking foot speed was maintained at ∼19 m·s−1, with no main effect for exercise duration. In relation to proximal–distal sequencing during the kicking action, there was a significant increase in the duration (but not magnitude) of thigh rotation, with a compensatory decrease in the duration (but not magnitude) of shank rotation during the latter stages of the exercise protocol. In relation to long-axis rotation, pelvic orientation at ball contact was maintained at ∼6°, representing a total pelvic rotation in the order of ∼15° during the kicking action. Peak knee extensor torque at all speeds was also maintained throughout the protocol, such that kinematic modifications are not attributable to a decline in knee extensor strength.
Relationship Among Changes in Sedentary Time, Physical Activity, and Body Mass Index in Young Schoolchildren: A 3-Year Longitudinal Study
Authors: Santos Amanda , Silva-Santos Sandra , Duncan Michael , Lagoa Maria João , Vale Susana , Mota Jorge
Published: February 2018

Purposes: To examine the association between sedentary time (ST) and light physical activity (LPA), moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), and body mass index (BMI), and to track these behaviors over a 3-year follow-up in young schoolchildren. Methods: The final sample was 64 children (female: n = 36 or 56.3%), enrolled in schools in Porto, Portugal. Height and mass of children were measured by standard methods, and BMI was then calculated. ST, LPA, and MVPA were measured by accelerometer. Changes (Δ) and relative changes (Δ%) between 2009/2010 and 2012/2013 of ST, LPA, MVPA, and BMI were computed. Multiple linear regression analyses were fit to predict Δ%ST (outcome variable), by Δ%LPA, Δ%MVPA, and Δ%BMI (exposure variables). Results: ST increased and LPA decreased significantly for whole sample (both Ps < .05). No statistically significant difference was found for MVPA over time. There were no differences for ΔST, ΔLPA, ΔMVPA, and ΔBMI between boys and girls. The Δ%LPA and Δ%MVPA were negatively associated with Δ%ST, whereas Δ%BMI was positively associated. Tracking coefficients varied from moderate to strong. Conclusions: Time spent in ST increases due to displacement of time in LPA. This reinforces public health measures and suggests the need for interventions focusing on offsetting the decline ST and increasing MVPA during childhood.
Insights into Carbon Metabolism Provided by FluorescenceIn SituHybridization-Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Imaging of an Autotrophic, Nitrate-Reducing, Fe(II)-Oxidizing Enrichment Culture
Authors: Tominski Claudia , Lösekann-Behrens Tina , Ruecker Alexander , Hagemann Nikolas , Kleindienst Sara , Mueller Carsten W. , Höschen Carmen , Kögel-Knabner Ingrid , Kappler Andreas , Behrens Sebastian
Published: February 2018

The enrichment culture KS is one of the few existing autotrophic, nitrate-reducing, Fe(II)-oxidizing cultures that can be continuously transferred without an organic carbon source. We used a combination of catalyzed amplification reporter deposition fluorescencein situhybridization (CARD-FISH) and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS) to analyze community dynamics, single-cell activities, and interactions among the two most abundant microbial community members (i.e.,Gallionellaceaesp. andBradyrhizobiumspp.) under autotrophic and heterotrophic growth conditions. CARD-FISH cell counts showed the dominance of the Fe(II) oxidizerGallionellaceaesp. under autotrophic conditions as well as ofBradyrhizobiumspp. under heterotrophic conditions. We used NanoSIMS to monitor the fate of13C-labeled bicarbonate and acetate as well as15N-labeled ammonium at the single-cell level for both taxa. Under autotrophic conditions, only theGallionellaceaesp. was actively incorporating13C-labeled bicarbonate and15N-labeled ammonium. Interestingly, bothBradyrhizobiumspp. andGallionellaceaesp. became enriched in [13C]acetate and [15N]ammonium under heterotrophic conditions. Our experiments demonstrated thatGallionellaceaesp. was capable of assimilating [13C]acetate whileBradyrhizobiumspp. were not able to fix CO2, although a metagenomics survey of culture KS recently revealed thatGallionellaceaesp. lacks genes for acetate uptake and that theBradyrhizobiumsp. carries the genetic potential to fix CO2. The study furthermore extends our understanding of the microbial reactions that interlink the nitrogen and Fe cycles in the environment.

IMPORTANCEMicrobial mechanisms by which Fe(II) is oxidized with nitrate as the terminal electron acceptor are generally referred to as “nitrate-dependent Fe(II) oxidation” (NDFO). NDFO has been demonstrated in laboratory cultures (such as the one studied in this work) and in a variety of marine and freshwater sediments. Recently, the importance of NDFO for the transport of sediment-derived Fe in aquatic ecosystems has been emphasized in a series of studies discussing the impact of NDFO for sedimentary nutrient cycling and redox dynamics in marine and freshwater environments. In this article, we report results from an isotope labeling study performed with the autotrophic, nitrate-reducing, Fe(II)-oxidizing enrichment culture KS, which was first described by Straub et al. (1) about 20 years ago. Our current study builds on the recently published metagenome of culture KS (2).
Emerging Technologies for Molecular Diagnosis of Sepsis
Authors: Sinha Mridu , Jupe Julietta , Mack Hannah , Coleman Todd P. , Lawrence Shelley M. , Fraley Stephanie I.
Published: February 2018

Rapid and accurate profiling of infection-causing pathogens remains a significant challenge in modern health care. Despite advances in molecular diagnostic techniques, blood culture analysis remains the gold standard for diagnosing sepsis. However, this method is too slow and cumbersome to significantly influence the initial management of patients. The swift initiation of precise and targeted antibiotic therapies depends on the ability of a sepsis diagnostic test to capture clinically relevant organisms along with antimicrobial resistance within 1 to 3 h. The administration of appropriate, narrow-spectrum antibiotics demands that such a test be extremely sensitive with a high negative predictive value. In addition, it should utilize small sample volumes and detect polymicrobial infections and contaminants. All of this must be accomplished with a platform that is easily integrated into the clinical workflow. In this review, we outline the limitations of routine blood culture testing and discuss how emerging sepsis technologies are converging on the characteristics of the ideal sepsis diagnostic test. We include seven molecular technologies that have been validated on clinical blood specimens or mock samples using human blood. In addition, we discuss advances in machine learning technologies that use electronic medical record data to provide contextual evaluation support for clinical decision-making.
Seeking the balance between caregiving in dementia, family and employment: study protocol for a mixed methods study in Northern Germany
Authors: Neubert Lydia , König Hans-Helmut , Brettschneider Christian
Published: February 2018

Introduction

The debate on reconciliation between childcare and working has to be expanded to caregiving for the elderly, since the importance of informal caregiving will increase in the future due to populations’ ageing and women’s increasing labour force participation. Informal caregivers who are caring for the rising number of persons with dementia (PwD) are often female and subjected to high caregiving requirements. These are added to further demands emerging from their family and work life. How affected caregivers seek to balance those requirements depends on, inter alia, their own characteristics and the informal caregiving network to whom they relate. Both aspects were not yet considered in previous studies. This mixed methods study thus aims to explore the reconciliation between caregiving in dementia, family and employment by including different members of caregiving networks of home-dwelling PwD and by considering their personal characteristics.

Methods and analysis

By purposive sampling, we include at least five caregiving networks of home-dwelling PwD; each of them consisting of at least three informal caregivers living in Northern Germany. Narrative interviews of participants will be recorded, transcribed verbatim and interpreted according to the Documentary Method (QUAL). By completing standardised questionnaires, participants will provide sociodemographic and psychographic data concerning themselves and the networks from whom they arise (quan). This supplemental, descriptive information will give further background to the themes and types emerging from the interviews. Hence, the quan-data enrich the QUAL-data by exploring the narratives of participants in the light of their personal and network-related characteristics.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the German Society of Nursing Sciences. Study results will be disseminated through conference presentations and publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

DRKS00012929.
Improving Conduct and Reporting of Narrative Synthesis of Quantitative Data (ICONS-Quant): protocol for a mixed methods study to develop a reporting guideline
Authors: Campbell Mhairi , Katikireddi Srinivasa Vittal , Sowden Amanda , McKenzie Joanne E , Thomson Hilary
Published: February 2018

Introduction

Reliable evidence syntheses, based on rigorous systematic reviews, provide essential support for evidence-informed clinical practice and health policy. Systematic reviews should use reproducible and transparent methods to draw conclusions from the available body of evidence. Narrative synthesis of quantitative data (NS) is a method commonly used in systematic reviews where it may not be appropriate, or possible, to meta-analyse estimates of intervention effects. A common criticism of NS is that it is opaque and subject to author interpretation, casting doubt on the trustworthiness of a review’s conclusions. Despite published guidance funded by the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council on the conduct of NS, recent work suggests that this guidance is rarely used and many review authors appear to be unclear about best practice. To improve the way that NS is conducted and reported, we are developing a reporting guideline for NS of quantitative data.

Methods

We will assess how NS is implemented and reported in Cochrane systematic reviews and the findings will inform the creation of a Delphi consensus exercise by an expert panel. We will use this Delphi survey to develop a checklist for reporting standards for NS. This will be accompanied by supplementary guidance on the conduct and reporting of NS, as well as an online training resource.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval for the Delphi survey was obtained from the University of Glasgow in December 2017 (reference 400170060). Dissemination of the results of this study will be through peer-reviewed publications, and national and international conferences.
The prognostic value of sST2 and galectin-3 considering different aetiologies in non-ischaemic heart failure
Authors: Binas David , Daniel Hanna , Richter Anette , Ruppert Volker , Schlüter Klaus-Dieter , Schieffer Bernhard , Pankuweit Sabine
Published: February 2018

Objective

Several studies indicate a prognostic value of sST2 and galectin-3 in heart failure (HF). While previous studies focused on ischaemic cause of HF, we investigated the role of sST2 and galectin-3 in patients with non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

Methods

sST2 and galectin-3 serum concentrations were measured in 262 subjects with DCM. Survival rates were determined for all-cause mortality (ACM) and cardiac mortality (CM).

Results

In a univariate model, sST2 as a continuous variable was a predictor of ACM (HR 1.05; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.07, P<0.001) and CM (HR 1.03; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.06, P=0.040). In the subgroup of patients with inflammatory and/or viral DCM (DCMi⋎viral), the endpoints ACM (HR 1.10; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.17, P<0.001) and CM (HR 1.10; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.18, P=0.013) were significant. In the subgroup of patients with idiopathic DCM, the endpoint ACM (HR 1.04; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.07, P=0.019) was significant. In a multivariate model, the prognostic value of the sST2 main group remained intact for ACM (HR 1.04; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.07, P=0.003).

Univariate and multivariate analysis of galectin-3 as continuous variable did not show any significant result. However, in a quartile model, intermediate values of galectin-3 were significantly associated with a lower event rate of ACM and CM.

Conclusion

The study revealed that sST2 predicts ACM and CM in patients with non-ischaemic HF and could be useful especially in patients with inflammatory background. Our findings that intermediate levels of galectin-3 allow for better prognosis were new and different to other investigations.

Trial registration number

NCT03090425; Results.
Pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis in the emerging pathogen Pseudomonas monteilii
Authors: Chunduru Jayendra , West Thomas P.
Published: February 2018

Regulation of pyrimidine biosynthesis by pyrimidines in the emerging, opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas monteilii ATCC 700476 was evident. When wild-type cells were grown on succinate in the presence of uracil or orotic acid, the activities of all 5 pyrimidine biosynthetic enzymes were depressed while the activities of 3 of the enzymes decreased in glucose-grown cells supplemented with uracil or orotic acid compared with unsupplemented cells. Pyrimidine limitation of succinate- or glucose-grown pyrimidine auxotrophic cells lacking orotate phosphoribosyltransferase activity resulted in more than a doubling of the pyrimidine biosynthetic enzyme activities relative to their activities in uracil-grown cells. Independent of carbon source, pyrimidine-limited cells of the pyrimidine auxotrophic cells deficient for dihydroorotase activity generally resulted in a slight elevation or depression of the pyrimidine biosynthetic enzyme activities compared with their activities in cells grown under saturating uracil conditions. Aspartate transcarbamoylase activity in P. monteilii was regulated at the enzyme activity level, since the enzyme was strongly inhibited by CTP, UMP, GMP, GDP, ADP, and UTP. In summary, the regulation of pyrimidine biosynthesis in P. monteilii could be used to control its growth or to differentiate it biochemically from other related species of Pseudomonas.
Alpine limnology of the Rocky Mountains of Canada and the USA in the context of environmental change
Authors: Redmond Laura E.
Published: February 2018

The cumulative impacts of multiple environmental and anthropogenic stressors on freshwater biodiversity have been studied in systems across the globe. The magnitude of multiple interdependent stressors on alpine systems may lead to increased primary productivity and jeopardize these unique communities. In this review, the consequences of individual stressors on alpine lake and pond ecology are synthesized, as well as the cumulative and potentially synergistic or antagonistic effects of multiple stressors. Beside temperature variability, other stressors reviewed include ultra violet (UV) radiation, organic pollutants, nutrient deposition, and biological invasions. Each stressor was evaluated individually and in combination with increasing water temperatures. In alpine environments, climatic warming is anticipated to increase with elevation, therefore amplifying the effects of temperature-related responses. The purpose of this review is to highlight the ecological effects of climate change on alpine lakes and ponds in the Rocky Mountains of North America and fill knowledge gaps between disciplines of aquatic studies. This work underscores that to better understand and face the overall effects of climate change on alpine biota, investigations must continue to assess the compounded impacts of multiple stressors. Emphasis must be put on the standardization of monitoring methods across alpine regions to aid in consistent trend and prediction analysis within the context of both current and future climate change.
SPONTANEOUS IMBIBITION PROCESS IN MICRO–NANO FRACTAL CAPILLARIES CONSIDERING SLIP FLOW
Authors: SHEN YINGHAO , LI CAOXIONG , GE HONGKUI , GUO XUEJING , WANG SHAOJUN
Published: February 2018

An imbibition process of water into a matrix is required to investigate the influences of large-volume fracturing fluids on gas production of unconventional formations. Slip flow has been recognized by recent studies as a major mechanism of fluid transport in nanotubes. For nanopores in shale, a slip boundary is nonnegligible in the imbibition process. In this study, we established an analytic equation of spontaneous imbibition considering slip effects in capillaries. A spontaneous imbibition model that couples the analytic equation considering the slip effect was constructed based on fractal theory. We then used a model for various conditions, such as slip boundary, pore structure, and fractal dimension of pore tortuosity, to capture the imbibition characteristics considering the slip effect. A dynamic contact angle was integrated into the modeling. Results of our study verify that the slip boundary influences water imbibition significantly. The imbibition speed is significantly improved when slip length reaches the equivalent diameter of a tube. Therefore, disregarding the slip effect will underestimate the imbibition speed in shale samples.
Non-Abelian finite groups whose character sums are invariant but are not Cayley isomorphism
Authors: Abdollahi Alireza , Zallaghi Maysam
Published: February 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be a group and [Formula: see text] an inverse closed subset of [Formula: see text]. By a Cayley graph [Formula: see text], we mean the graph whose vertex set is the set of elements of [Formula: see text] and two vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are adjacent if [Formula: see text]. A group [Formula: see text] is called a CI-group if [Formula: see text] for some inverse closed subsets [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] for some automorphism [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]. A finite group [Formula: see text] is called a BI-group if [Formula: see text] for some inverse closed subsets [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] for all positive integers [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] denotes the set [Formula: see text]. It was asked by László Babai [Spectra of Cayley graphs, J. Combin. Theory Ser. B 27 (1979) 180–189] if every finite group is a BI-group; various examples of finite non-BI-groups are presented in [A. Abdollahi and M. Zallaghi, Character sums of Cayley graph, Comm. Algebra 43(12) (2015) 5159–5167]. It is noted in the latter paper that every finite CI-group is a BI-group and all abelian finite groups are BI-groups. However, it is known that there are finite abelian non-CI-groups. Existence of a finite non-abelian BI-group which is not a CI-group is the main question which we study here. We find two non-abelian BI-groups of orders 20 and 42 which are not CI-groups. We also list all BI-groups of orders up to 30.
On root-involutions and root-subgroups of E6(K) for fields K of characteristic two
Authors: Aldhafeeri S. , Bani-Ata M.
Published: February 2018

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the root-involutions and root-subgroups of the Chevalley group [Formula: see text] for fields [Formula: see text] of characteristic two. The approach we follow is elementary and self-contained depends on the notion of [Formula: see text]-sets which we have introduced in [Aldhafeeri and M. Bani-Ata, On the construction of Lie-algebras of type [Formula: see text] for fields of characteristic two, Beit. Algebra Geom. 58 (2017) 529–534]. The approach is elementary on the account that it consists of little more than naive linear algebra. It is remarkable to mention that Chevalley groups over fields of characteristic two have not much been researched. This work may contribute in this regard. This paper is divided into three main sections: the first section is a combinatorial section, the second section is on relations among [Formula: see text]-sets, the last one is on Lie algebra.
Bass numbers of derived local cohomology with respect to a specialization closed subset
Authors: Zargar Majid Rahro
Published: February 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be a specialization closed subset of Spec [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] a left homologically bounded complex with finitely generated homologies. We provide some inequalities between the Bass numbers of [Formula: see text] and its local cohomology modules with respect to [Formula: see text]. As an application of these inequalities, we provide a comparison between the injective dimensions of [Formula: see text] and its nonzero local cohomology module [Formula: see text]. Our versions contain variations of some results already known in these areas.
The Dedekind different of a Cayley–Bacharach scheme
Authors: Kreuzer Martin , Linh Tran N. K. , Long Le Ngoc
Published: February 2018

Given a 0-dimensional scheme [Formula: see text] in a projective space [Formula: see text] over a field [Formula: see text], we characterize the Cayley–Bacharach property (CBP) of [Formula: see text] in terms of the algebraic structure of the Dedekind different of its homogeneous coordinate ring. Moreover, we characterize Cayley–Bacharach schemes by Dedekind’s formula for the conductor and the complementary module, we study schemes with minimal Dedekind different using the trace of the complementary module, and we prove various results about almost Gorenstein and nearly Gorenstein schemes.
Spectral primal spaces
Authors: Echi Othman , Turki Tarek
Published: February 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be a mapping. Consider [Formula: see text] Then, according to Echi, [Formula: see text] is an Alexandroff topology. A topological space [Formula: see text] is called a primal space if its topology coincides with an [Formula: see text] for some mapping [Formula: see text].

We denote by [Formula: see text] the set of all fixed points of [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] the set of all periodic points of [Formula: see text].

The topology [Formula: see text] induces a preorder [Formula: see text] defined on [Formula: see text] by: [Formula: see text] if and only if [Formula: see text], for some integer [Formula: see text].

The main purpose of this paper is to provide necessary and sufficient algebraic conditions on the function [Formula: see text] in order to get [Formula: see text] (respectively, the one-point compactification of [Formula: see text]) a spectral topology.

More precisely, we show the following results.

(1) [Formula: see text] is spectral if and only if [Formula: see text] is a finite set and every chain in the ordered set [Formula: see text] is finite. (2) The one-point(Alexandroff) compactification of [Formula: see text] is a spectral topology if and only if [Formula: see text] and every nonempty chain of [Formula: see text] has a least element. (3) The poset [Formula: see text] is spectral if and only if every chain is finite.

As an application the main theorem [12, Theorem 3. 5] of Echi–Naimi may be derived immediately from the general setting of the above results.
A note on multiplicative commutators of division rings
Authors: Hazrat Roozbeh
Published: February 2018

We give an example of a division ring [Formula: see text] whose multiplicative commutator subgroup does not generate [Formula: see text] as a vector space over its center, thus disproving the conjecture posed in [M. Aghabali, S. Akbari, M. Ariannejad and A. Madadi, Vector space generated by the multiplicative commutators of a division ring, J. Algebra Appl. 12(8) (2013) 7 pp.].
Processing and characterization of lead-free ceramics on the base of sodium–potassium niobate
Authors: Politova E. D. , Golubko N. V. , Kaleva G. M. , Mosunov A. V. , Sadovskaya N. V. , Stefanovich S. Yu. , Kiselev D. A. , Kislyuk A. M. , Panda P. K.
Published: February 2018

Lead-free sodium–potassium niobate-based piezoelectric materials are most intensively studied in order to replace the widely used Pb-based ones. In this work, the effects of modification of compositions by donor and acceptor dopants in the A- and B-sites of perovskite lattice on structure, dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties of ceramics from Morphotropic Phase Boundary in the ([Formula: see text])(K[Formula: see text]Na[Formula: see text])NbO3–[Formula: see text]BaTiO3 system and in compositions with [Formula: see text] and 0.06 additionally doped by Ni[Formula: see text] cations have been studied.
A Pyridazine-Based Fluorescent Probe Targeting AβPlaques in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Park Yong Dae , Kim Jeum-Jong , Lee Sungbeom , Park Chul-Hong , Bai Hyoung-Woo , Lee Seung Sik
Published: February 2018

Accumulation ofβ-amyloid (Aβ) plaques comprising Aβ40 and Aβ42 in the brain is the most significant factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Thus, the detection of Aβplaques has increasingly attracted interest in the context of AD diagnosis. In the present study, a fluorescent pyridazine-based dye that can detect and image Aβplaques was designed and synthesized, and its optical properties in the presence of Aβaggregates were evaluated. An approximately 34-fold increase in emission intensity was exhibited by the fluorescent probe after binding with Aβaggregates, for which it showed high affinity (KD = 0.35 µM). Moreover, the reasonable hydrophobic properties of the probe (logP = 2.94) allow it to penetrate the blood brain barrier (BBB). In addition, the pyridazine-based probe was used in the histological costaining of transgenic mouse (APP/PS1) brain sections to validate the selective binding of the probe to Aβplaques. The results suggest that the pyridazine-based compound has the potential to serve as a fluorescent probe for the diagnosis of AD.
Efficacy of rhBMP-2 Loaded PCL/β-TCP/bdECM Scaffold Fabricated by 3D Printing Technology on Bone Regeneration
Authors: Bae Eun-Bin , Park Keun-Ho , Shim Jin-Hyung , Chung Ho-Yun , Choi Jae-Won , Lee Jin-Ju , Kim Chang-Hwan , Jeon Ho-Jun , Kang Seong-Soo , Huh Jung-Bo
Published: February 2018

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of 3D printed polycaprolactone (PCL)/β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) scaffold containing bone demineralized and decellularized extracellular matrix (bdECM) and human recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) on bone regeneration. Scaffolds were divided into PCL/β-TCP, PCL/β-TCP/bdECM, and PCL/β-TCP/bdECM/BMP groups. In vitro release kinetics of rhBMP-2 were determined with respect to cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. These three reconstructive materials were implanted into 8 mm diameter calvarial bone defect in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were sacrificed four weeks after implantation for micro-CT, histologic, and histomorphometric analyses. The findings obtained were used to calculate new bone volumes (mm3) and new bone areas (%). Excellent cell bioactivity was observed in the PCL/β-TCP/bdECM and PCL/β-TCP/bdECM/BMP groups, and new bone volume and area were significantly higher in the PCL/β-TCP/bdECM/BMP group than in the other groups (p<.05). Within the limitations of this study, bdECM printed PCL/β-TCP scaffolds can reproduce microenvironment for cells and promote adhering and proliferating the cells onto scaffolds. Furthermore, in the rat calvarial defect model, the scaffold which printed rhBMP-2 loaded bdECM stably carries rhBMP-2 and enhances bone regeneration confirming the possibility of bdECM as rhBMP-2 carrier.
Therapeutic Potential of Pien Tze Huang on Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Rat
Authors: Qiu Xuemei , Luo Hui , Liu Xue , Guo Qingqing , Zheng Kang , Fan Danping , Shen Jiawen , Lu Cheng , He Xiaojuan , Zhang Ge , Lu Aiping
Published: February 2018

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). There is still lack of commercially viable treatment currently. Pien Tze Huang (PZH), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been proved to have anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and immunoregulatory effects. This study investigated the possible therapeutic effects of PZH on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) rats, a classic animal model of MS. Male Lewis rats were immunized with myelin basic protein (MBP) peptide to establish an EAE model and then treated with three doses of PZH. Clinical symptoms, organ coefficient, histopathological features, levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and chemokines as well as MBP and Olig2 were analyzed. The results indicated that PZH ameliorated the clinical severity of EAE rats. It also remarkably reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the CNS of EAE rats. Furthermore, the levels of IL-17A, IL-23, CCL3, and CCL5 in serum and the CNS were significantly decreased; the p-P65 and p-STAT3 levels were also downregulated in the CNS, while MBP and Olig2 in the CNS of EAE rats had a distinct improvement after PZH treatment. In addition, PZH has no obvious toxicity at the concentration of 0.486 g/kg/d. This study demonstrated that PZH could be used to treat MS.
Nonlinear Dynamics of Imperfect FGM Conical Panel
Authors: Niu Yan , Hao Yuxin , Yao Minghui , Zhang Wei , Yang Shaowu
Published: February 2018

Structures composed of functionally graded materials (FGM) can satisfy many rigorous requisitions in engineering application. In this paper, the nonlinear dynamics of a simply supported FGM conical panel with different forms of initial imperfections are investigated. The conical panel is subjected to the simple harmonic excitation along the radial direction and the parametric excitation in the meridian direction. The small initial geometric imperfection of the conical panel is expressed by the form of the Cosine functions. According to a power‐law distribution, the effective material properties are assumed to be graded along the thickness direction. Based on the first‐order shear deformation theory and von Karman type nonlinear geometric relationship, the nonlinear equations of motion are established by using the Hamilton principle. The nonlinear partial differential governing equations are truncated by Galerkin method to obtain the ordinary differential equations along the radial displacement. The effects of imperfection types, half‐wave numbers of the imperfection, amplitudes of the imperfection, and damping on the dynamic behaviors are studied by numerical simulation. Maximum Lyapunov exponents, bifurcation diagrams, time histories, phase portraits, and Poincare maps are obtained to show the dynamic responses of the system.
Synergistic Integration of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Hydrostatic Pressure in the Expansion and Maintenance of Human Hematopoietic/Progenitor Cells
Authors: Kang Yun Gyeong , Jeong Jee-Yeong , Lee Tae-Hee , Lee Ho Sup , Shin Jung-Woog
Published: February 2018

Ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) has been investigated to improve the clinical outcome of HSPC transplantation. However, ex vivo expansion of HSPCs still faces a major obstacle in that HPSCs tend to differentiate when proliferating. Here, we cocultured HSPCs with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and divided the HSPCs into two fractions according to whether they came into adherent to MSCs or not. Additionally, we used hydrostatic pressure (HP) to mimic the physical conditions in vivo. Even nonadherent cells expanded to yield a significantly larger number of total nucleated cells (TNCs), adherent cells maintained the HSPC phenotype (CD34+, CD34+CD38−, and CD133+CD38−) to a greater extent than nonadherent cells and had superior clonogenic potential. Moreover, applying HP significantly increased the number of TNCs, the frequency of the immature HSPC phenotype, and the clonogenic potential. Furthermore, the genetic markers for the HSPC niche were significantly increased under HP. Our data suggest that the nonadherent fraction is the predominant site of HSPC expansion, whereas the adherent fraction seems to mimic the HSPC niche for immature cells. Moreover, HP has a synergistic effect on expansion and functional maintenance. This first study utilizing HP has a potential of designing clinically applicable expansion systems.
On the Nonlinear Vibrational Responses of a Large Vessel with a Broad Bow Flare under Wave Excitation: Theory and Experiment
Authors: Yu Haicheng , Ren Huilong , Xu Yingbo , Li Tiange
Published: February 2018

A fully coupled nonlinear three‐dimensional (3D) hydroelastic method is developed to investigate vibrational responses of a large ship with a pronounced bow flare subjected to high seas. This numerical model consists of a 3D boundary element method, 1D Euler‐Bernoulli beam model, and a 2D generalized Wagner model. Green water loads were considered. Experimental study was carried out in a towing tank on a self‐propelled segmented model with nonuniform steel backbones. The ship model was tested in regular incident waves of large amplitude. Impact pressure and nonlinear vertical bending moments were measured and compared with numerical predictions. The proposed nonlinear model produced similar results to the experimental model. Furthermore, the effects of elastic modes and nonlinearities on the numerical results were analyzed.
Hepatitis B Vaccination Induced TNF-α- and IL-2-Producing T Cell Responses in HIV− Healthy Individuals Higher than in HIV+ Individuals Who Received the Same Vaccination Regimen
Authors: Chawansuntati Kriangkrai , Chaiklang Kanokporn , Chaiwarith Romanee , Praparattanapan Jutarat , Supparatpinyo Khuanchai , Wipasa Jiraprapa
Published: February 2018

We investigated cytokine production and expression of degranulation marker CD107a after different strategies of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals, which were three doses of 20 μg (standard dose group), four doses of 20 μg (four doses group), or four doses of 40 μg (four double doses group), compared to standard dose vaccination in healthy controls. PBMCs collected at different time points were stimulatedin vitrowith recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen and analyzed by flow cytometry. There was an increase in TNF-αproduction of total and memory CD4+ T cells at 7 months after vaccination in healthy controls compared to the HIV+ group, which received the same standard vaccination regimen. An increase in the IL-2-producing memory CD4+ T cells in the healthy control group was also observed at 7 months after vaccination. No differences were observed between the healthy controls and both groups of four doses at any time point of study. These results suggest that the standard HBV vaccination schedule might induce better production of TNF-αand IL-2 from CD4+ T cells in healthy individuals. Modification of HBV vaccination schedule by increasing the frequency and/or dosage may improve the CMI response in HIV-infected individuals. This trial is registered withNCT1289106.