bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilization of antihypertensive drugs among chronic kidney disease patients: Results from the Chinese cohort study of chronic kidney disease (C‐STRIDE)
Authors: Liu Bianling , Wang Qin , Wang Yu , Wang Jinwei , Zhang Luxia , Zhao Minghui ,   On behalf of the C‐STRIDE study group
Published: December 2019

The utilization of antihypertensive drugs plays an important role in blood pressure control among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Limited information was available on how antihypertensive drugs were used among Chinese CKD patients. In the present study, the utilization of antihypertensive drugs among a subgroup of hypertensive participants with a complete record of antihypertensive drug information from the Chinese Cohort Study of Chronic Kidney Disease was analyzed. Among 2213 subjects, 61.7% and 26.5% had their blood pressure controlled to <140/90 mmHg and <130/80 mmHg, respectively. In total, 38.5% were on monotherapy. Of those patients who received combination therapy, 57.8% were treated with a two‐drug combination. Renin‐angiotensin system inhibitors (RASIs) were the most commonly prescribed drugs (71.2%). Only 10.2% of the patients were prescribed diuretics. After multivariable adjustment, participants taking RASI were more likely to have their blood pressure controlled to <140/90 mmHg (prevalence ratio (PR) 1.153, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.071‐1.240). CKD stage 4 (PR 0.548, 95% CI: 0.434‐0.692) was associated with RASIs treatment. Additionally, diabetes (PR 1.498, 95% CI: 1.120‐2.004), albumin/creatinine ratio ≥300 mg/g (PR 1.547, 95% CI: 1.020‐2.344), and CKD stage 4 (PR 2.022, 95% CI: 1.223‐3.343) were associated with diuretic use. The results suggested that combination therapy, diuretics use in general, and utilization of RASIs in advanced CKD stage were insufficient in the current treatment of Chinese hypertensive CKD patients.
A new trick for an old dog: The application of mifepristone in the treatment of adenomyosis
Authors: Che Xuan , Wang Jianzhang , He Jiayi , Yu Qin , Sun Wenting , Chen Shuyi , Zou Gen , Li Tiantian , Guo Xinyue , Zhang Xinmei
Published: December 2019

Adenomyosis is also called internal endometriosis and affects about 20% of reproductive‐aged women. It seriously reduces life quality of patients because current drug therapies face with numerous challenges. Long‐term clinical application of mifepristone exhibits wonderful therapeutic effects with mild side‐effects in many disorders since 1982. Since adenomyosis is a refractory disease, we investigate whether mifepristone can be applied in the treatment of adenomyosis. In this study, we investigated the direct effects of mifepristone on human primary eutopic endometrial epithelial cells and stromal cells in adenomyosis. We found that mifepristone causes cell cycle arrest through inhibiting CDK1 and CDK2 expressions and induces cell apoptosis via the mitochondria‐dependent signalling pathway in endometrial epithelial cells and stromal cells of adenomyosis. Furthermore, mifepristone inhibits the migration of endometrial epithelial cells and stromal cells through decreasing CXCR4 expression and restricts the invasion of endometrial epithelial cells via suppression of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in adenomyosis. We also found that mifepristone treatment decreases the uterine volume, CA125 concentration and increases the haemoglobin concentration in serum for adenomyosis patients. Therefore, we demonstrate that mifepristone could serve as a novel therapeutic drug in the treatment of adenomyosis, and therefore, the old dog can do a new trick.
Adaptation and validation of a structured version of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale for use by non‐clinicians in South Africa (AFFIRM‐HDRS)
Authors: Davies Thandi , Garman Emily C. , Lund Crick , Schneider Marguerite
Published: December 2019

Rationale, aims and objectives

The Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS) is seen as an international gold standard for the measurement of depression. High rates of untreated depression, including perinatal depression, support the rationale to adapt and validate a structured version of the HDRS to be used by non‐clinicians in low‐income settings.

Methods

Using previous structured versions of the HDRS as a foundation, the tool was adapted, translated, and then validated with an isiXhosa speaking perinatal population in South Africa (n = 187), using cognitive testing, test‐retest reliability, and inter‐rater assessments. The AFFIRM‐HDRS was compared with the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) using the non‐parametric Spearman Rho test to assess concurrent validity. Internal consistency was examined using Cronbach's Alpha, and inter‐rater and test‐retest reliability were assessed with the intra‐class coefficient (ICC). Cohen's Kappa was used to assess the overall percentage agreement for each individual item of the AFFIRM‐HDRS.

Results

The AFFIRM‐HDRS showed good construct and content validity had significant associations with the EPDS (Rho = 0.60 and 0.43, P < .001), and acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.74.). Inter‐rater reliability and test‐retest scores were excellent, with intraclass correlations ranging from 0.97 (0.94‐0.99) to 0.98 (0.97‐0.99) between raters, and test‐retest reliability being 0.90 (95% CI: 0.86‐0.93). The tool performed similarly to previous structured versions. Individual item‐rest correlations suggest that the items “Weight loss or gain,” “Insight,” and “Libido” did not fit well with the overall instrument, but that the rest of the items performed well.

Conclusion

The AFFIRM‐HDRS is adequately structured to be used by non‐clinicians in an isiXhosa speaking perinatal population. It is hoped that this structured tool can be used to assist with identification and referral of these at‐risk populations by non‐clinicians in resource‐constrained environments, thereby playing a role in addressing the treatment gap for perinatal depression in LMICs.
Measurement of squamous cell carcinoma antigen 2 in lichen planus patients
Authors: Khattab Fathia M. , Samir Mai A.
Published: December 2019

Background

Lichen planus (LP) is an autoinflammatory mucocutaneous skin disorder with a multifactorial pathogenesis. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) is a tumor marker recognized as a part of the ovalbumin‐serpin family. In patients' serum and skin, SCCA expression is increased with inflammatory skin diseases as psoriasis.

Aim

This study aimed to estimate serum SCCA2 levels in patients with LP and to assess its relationship with disease severity and types.

Patients and Methods

We included 34 adult patients with LP and 20 healthy adults as control. The total score of LP activity, area, and severity index was calculated for all patients, whereas serum SCCA2 levels were measured in all participants using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

The mean serum SCCA2 levels were significantly higher in patients than their healthy controls (P < .001) and in female patients than male patients (P < .01). The mean serum SCCA2 levels in patients with eruptive LP were significantly higher compared to those with localized (P < .05) and hypertrophic (P < .01) forms. In ROC analysis, when LPAASI = 5 was taken as the limit, an ideal SCCA2 endpoint was discovered at 0.45 ng/mL with the upper Youden index.

Conclusion

Serum SCCA2 might be a potential biomarker for LP as it was elevated in patients with LP and was associated with disease severity. Further studies are needed to assess the therapeutic effect of its blockade, which could be a way to improve outcome in LP patients.
Quantitative elastography of cervical stiffness during the three trimesters of pregnancy with a semiautomatic measurement program: A longitudinal prospective pilot study
Authors: Du Liu , Lin Mei‐Fang , Wu Li‐Hong , Zhang Li‐He , Zheng Qiao , Gu Yu‐Jun , Xie Hong‐Ning
Published: December 2019

Aim

To assess the reproducibility of a semiautomatic quantification tool for cervical stiffness and evaluate the normal changes in cervical elasticity during the three trimesters of pregnancy.

Methods

This longitudinal prospective pilot study evaluated cervical elasticity during the three trimesters of pregnancy (11–14, 20–24 and 28–32 weeks) in women with singleton pregnancies. Women with a history of conization, cerclage, cervical Naboth cysts (diameter > 10 mm), cervical tumors, or uterine malformation were excluded. A semiautomatic tool was used to evaluate the stiffness of the whole cervix and the internal and external cervical os with multiple quantitative elasticity parameters and the cervical length (CL) on the sagittal view via transvaginal elastography. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland–Altman analysis were used to assess intra‐ and interobserver variability. E‐Cervix parameters during the three trimesters were compared using the Friedman test.

Results

In total, 217 women with 651 strain examinations during the three trimesters were included. The intra‐ and interobserver ICC for the E‐Cervix parameters ranged from 0.947 to 0.991 and 0.855 to 0.989, respectively. There were significant differences in all parameters among the three trimesters. Cervical elasticity showed significant softening and became heterogeneous during the three trimesters. The median CL was significantly shorter in the first trimester than in the second and third trimesters (P = 0.004, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

E‐Cervix provides a graphical tool for operators to easily define regions of interest and obtain multiple repeatable measures of elasticity. The normal references for E‐Cervix parameters during the three trimesters reflect the physiological cervical changes during pregnancy.
Herlyn‐Werner‐Wunderlich syndrome with cervical atresia complicated by ovarian endometrioma: A case report
Authors: Miyazaki Yumiko , Orisaka Makoto , Nishino Chihiro , Onuma Toshimichi , Kurokawa Tetsuji , Yoshida Yoshio
Published: December 2019

Herlyn‐Werner‐Wunderlich syndrome (HWWs) is a rare congenital malformation that involves uterus dideslphys, obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis. The obstructed vagina affects menstrual flow and causes related clinical features after menarche. Pelvic endometriosis is one of the common complications of HWWs. Resection of the vaginal septum can release the obstruction and result in good outcomes. However, in the case of cervical atresia, a rare variant of HWWs, ipsilateral hysterectomy is recommended because it is difficult to canalize cervical atresia surgically. Here we present a case of HWWs with cervical atresia complicated with pelvic endometriosis. She was treated with laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy followed by hormonal therapy. Six months after surgery, there is no evidence of recurrence of endometrioma.
Global timing of hepatitis C virus elimination in high‐income countries
Authors: Razavi Homie , Sanchez Gonzalez Yuri , Yuen Cammy , Cornberg Markus
Published: December 2019

Background & Aims

Introduction of highly efficacious pan‐genotypic therapies for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has made the elimination of the disease an attainable goal. This study assessed progress made in 45 high‐income countries towards meeting the World Health Organization's targets for HCV elimination by 2030.

Methods

A Markov model developed to forecast annual HCV‐infected population was populated with demographic and epidemiological inputs, with historical incidence calibrated to reported prevalence of chronic HCV for each country. Future incidence was assumed to be a linear function of overall prevalence (or prevalence of minimal fibrosis in countries with treatment restrictions). 2017 levels of diagnosis and treatment were assumed constant in the future. The analysis estimated the year countries would meet HCV elimination targets for 80% reduction in incidence, 65% reduction in liver‐related deaths, 90% diagnosis coverage and 80% treatment among the treatment‐eligible population.

Results

Of the 45 countries analyzed, nine (Australia, France, Iceland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) are on track towards meeting the HCV elimination targets by 2030. While Austria, Germany and Malta could also reach the targets with expanded screening efforts, 30 countries are not projected to eliminate HCV before 2050. Incidence was the most difficult target to achieve, followed by liver‐related deaths.

Conclusions

Even with introduction of curative therapies, 80% of high‐income countries are not on track to meet HCV elimination targets by 2030, and 67% are off track by at least 20 years. Immediate action to improve HCV screening and treatment is needed globally to make HCV elimination attainable.
Aid to agriculture, trade and structural change
Authors: Pelloni Alessandra , Stengos Thanasis , Tedesco Ilaria
Published: December 2019

This paper studies the effect on the industrialization process of developing countries of foreign aid given to agriculture to expand its productive capacity. According to our theoretical analysis, this effect is conditional on the openness of receiving countries. Our empirical results based on panel data for developing countries confirm this analysis, as we find that the effect of this kind of agricultural aid on the rate of growth of the industrial sector of landlocked countries is indeed positive.
Lipoxin suppresses inflammation via the TLR4/MyD88/NF‐κB pathway in periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Ali Muhanad , Yang Fang , Jansen John A. , Walboomers X. Frank
Published: December 2019

Objective

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory effects of lipoxin A4 (LXA4) for the treatment of periodontitis in an in vitro model.

Methods

Human PDLCs were challenged with Escherichia coli (E. coli) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to evoke an inflammatory response. This was done either in monoculture or in coculture with THP‐1, a monocytic cell line. Thereafter, cytokine expression was measured by ELISA, with or without LXA4. In addition, the effects of LXA4 were analyzed on the TLR‐MyD88‐NF‐κB (TMN)‐mediated intracellular signal pathway using immunocytochemistry.

Results

In response to LPS, the level of the pro‐inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha increased, whereas the anti‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐4 decreased significantly (p < .05). These effects were consistently reversed when LPS‐challenged PDLCs were also treated with LXA4. The results in the coculture system were comparable to the monoculture. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative assessment confirmed the importance of the TMN signal pathway in these processes.

Conclusion

These results corroborate earlier findings that PDLCs play an important role in inflammation. Moreover, LXA4 might offer new approaches for the therapeutic treatment of periodontal disease.
Effects of walking on sundown syndrome in community‐dwelling people with Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Shih Yen‐Hua , Pai Ming‐Chyi , Lin Huey‐Shyan , Sung Pi‐Shan , Wang Jing‐Jy
Published: December 2019

Background

Sundown syndrome is an important care issue for people with dementia (PwD) and for family caregivers. Walking is a safe and simple physical activity for most PwD, yet no research has explored the effects of different long‐term walking periods on sundown syndrome.

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the effects of walking on sundown syndrome, and to identify whether different walking time periods would show different effects on sundown syndrome in community‐dwelling people with Alzheimer's disease.

Methods

A quasi‐experimental designed study with repeated measurements was conducted. Sixty PwD were recruited and assigned to either the control group or the morning or afternoon walking group according to their caregiver's preference. The participants in the two walking groups completed an average of 120‐min walking per week, accompanied by their caregivers. Forty‐six achieved the 6‐month intervention. Four measurements were taken, one at the pretest and one at weeks 8, 16 and 24. The Chinese version of the Cohen‐Mansfield Agitation Inventory, community form (C‐CMAI) was used to assess the severity of the sundown syndrome. The generalised estimating equation (GEE) was applied for the longitudinal data analysis.

Results

There was a significant change across the study period (p = .048) in the morning walking group, indicating that the score for sundown syndrome decreased when PwD walked in the morning. Considering group effects, compared to the control group, the C‐CMAI scores significantly decreased after 16 weeks of walking in the afternoon walking group (p = .001) and after 24 weeks in both the morning and afternoon walking groups (p = .001), indicating that after PwD had walked for 16 weeks, sundown syndrome ameliorated in the afternoon group and continually decreased after 24 weeks in both the morning and afternoon groups. However, there was no significant group difference between the morning and afternoon walking groups during the 24‐week walking intervention.

Conclusions

The results indicated that both morning walking and afternoon walking are beneficial for ameliorating the symptoms of sundown syndrome; however, walking in the afternoon may have a faster effect on the symptoms than walking in the morning. Walking is a safe, simple, feasible and effective intervention to benefit individuals with sundown syndrome.

Implications for practice

Regularly walking for 30 min a day, four times a week, is beneficial to alleviate sundown syndrome among PwD living in the community. Either morning or afternoon walking is effective for decreasing sundown syndrome, and the longer the walking time, the greater the impact on sundown syndrome.
Periodic shell decollation as an ecology‐driven strategy in the early Cambrian Cupitheca
Authors: Sun Haijing , Yin Zongjun , Li Guoxiang , Zhao Fangchen , Zeng Han , Zhu Maoyan
Published: December 2019

Shell decollation is a growth strategy that has been adopted by a number of invertebrate taxa to offset the metabolic and ecological disadvantages of shell growth. However, little is known about the origin and evolution of this process. We here describe well‐preserved specimens of the hyolith Cupitheca decollata sp. nov. preserving the decollation process, from the early Cambrian Yu'anshan Formation (c. 518 Ma) of South China. Based on a large number of specimens collectively representing different developmental stages, we use high‐resolution X‐ray microtomography and scanning electronic microscopy to reconstruct the process of decollation in this taxon. Cupitheca is among the earliest known small shelly fossils, and thus our discovery confirms that periodic decollation had evolved by the onset of the Cambrian explosion, reflecting the high intensity of the predator–prey arms race in early Cambrian ecosystems. A comparison between the decollation processes of Cupitheca and other shelly invertebrates suggests that periodic decollation and the associated molecular mechanisms of calcium dissolution, uptake, allocation and deposition may have had multiple independent origins.
What is macroevolution?
Authors: Hautmann Michael
Published: December 2019

Definitions of macroevolution fall into three categories: (1) evolution of taxa of supraspecific rank; (2) evolution on the grand time‐scale; and (3) evolution that is guided by sorting of interspecific variation (as opposed to sorting of intraspecific variation in microevolution). Here, it is argued that only definition 3 allows for a consistent separation of macroevolution and microevolution. Using this definition, speciation has both microevolutionary and macroevolutionary aspects: the process of morphological transformation is microevolutionary, but the variation among species that it produces is macroevolutionary, as is the rate at which speciation occurs. Selective agents may have differential effects on intraspecific and interspecific variation, with three possible situations: effect at one level only, effect at both levels with the same polarity but potentially different intensity, and effects that oppose between levels. Whereas the impact of all selective agents is direct in macroevolution, microevolution requires intraspecific competition as a mediator between selective agents and evolutionary responses. This mediating role of intraspecific competition occurs in the presence of sexual reproduction and has therefore no analogue at the macroevolutionary level where species are the evolutionary units. Competition between species manifests both on the microevolutionary and macroevolutionary level, but with different effects. In microevolution, interspecific competition spurs evolutionary divergence, whereas it is a potential driver of extinction at the macroevolutionary level. Recasting the Red Queen hypothesis in a macroevolutionary framework suggests that the effects of interspecific competition result in a positive correlation between origination and extinction rates, confirming empirical observations herein referred to as Stanley's rule.
A Video of Ultrasound‐Guided S1 Transforaminal Epidural Injection Using Color Doppler: Technical Reports
Authors: Lee Byung Joo , Han Jin , Park Donghwi
Published: December 2019

Lumbosacral radicular pain with or without radiculopathy is a fairly common clinical condition. In such cases, lumbosacral transforaminal epidural injection (TFEI) is one of the most commonly performed interventions. Recent studies have explored the effectiveness of ultrasound (US)‐guided lumbosacral TFEI. Most of these studies have focused on lumbar TFEI via an in‐plane approach. S1 TFEI can also be easily performed, since the S1 foramen is more superficial than the lumbar foramen. However, most studies regarding US‐guided sacral TFEI use an out‐of‐plane technique. Therefore, in this report we present a video of US‐guided S1 TFEI via an in‐plane approach.
The Role of Regional Media in Shaping Political Awareness of Youth: Evidence from Egypt
Authors: Khodair Amany Ahmed , AboElsoud Mostafa E. , Khalifa Mahmoud
Published: December 2019

This is an exploratory study that aims to answer the question of whether and to what extent regional media are influential in shaping political awareness and its role in influencing public opinion, especially that of young people. We examined regional media in Egypt, more precisely in the Suez Canal Region. To ensure the validity of our results, we deployed a number of different data collection methods: the collection, analysis, and integration of quantitative and qualitative research. The results reveal that regional media have the potential to contribute effectively in raising youths' political awareness of the public policy‐making process. The recommendations specified are the elimination of red tape, governmental bureaucracy, and centralization in the management of regional radio and television is required; also necessary are financial independence and the restructuring of the organizational hierarchy of all state‐run regional media.

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Khodr, Hiba, and Isabella Ruble. 2013. “Energy Policies and Domestic Politics in the MENA Region in the Aftermath of the Arab Upheavals: The Cases of Lebanon, Libya, and KSA.” Politics & Policy 41 (5): 656‐689. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12033.x

Sarquís, David J. 2012. “Democratization after the Arab Spring: The Case of Egypt's Political Transition.” Politics & Policy 40 (5): 871‐903. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2012.00381.x

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Bonney, Victoria. 2018. “How Social Media is Shaping our Political Future.” TEDx Talks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kd99IIWJUw&t=34s

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A novel QTL on chromosome 5AL of Yangmai 158 increases resistance to Fusarium head blight in wheat
Authors: Jiang P. , Zhang X. , Wu L. , He Y. , Zhuang W. , Cheng X. , Ge W. , Ma H. , Kong L.
Published: December 2019

Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat is a destructive fungal disease worldwide and has become more severe over the last two decades. Development of FHB resistant wheat varieties is the most effective way to manage FHB. The middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are the traditional FHB epidemic areas in China. The landraces and germplasms with resistance to FHB originating from this region were used to identity FHB resistance quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Yangmai 158 and Ningmai 9 are the most popular varieties for commercial wheat production in this region and both have moderate FHB resistance. A high‐density genetic map was constructed using 282 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a cross between Ningmai 9 and Yangmai 158. Ten QTLs related to Type II FHB resistance were identified, and QFhb‐3B.1 and QFhb‐5A were stably detected across all environments. Based on position alignment, QFhb‐3B.1 from Ningmai 9 is likely to be Fhb1 and QFhb‐5A from Yangmai 158 is a novel QTL not previously described. A competitive allele‐specific PCR (KASP) marker closely linked to QFhb‐5A was developed and could be used for marker‐assisted selection. Distribution of QFhb‐5A was tested with numerous accessions from a widespread core collection. The results suggest that QFhb‐5A has undergone both natural and artificial selection. Some RILs with both Fhb1 and QFhb‐5A presented better FHB resistance than the parents and could be used in FHB resistance breeding.
Measuring the Content of Presidential Policy Making: Applying Text Analysis to Executive Branch Directives
Authors: Kaufman Aaron R.
Published: December 2019

The executive branch produces huge quantities of text data: policy‐driving documents such as executive orders, national security directives, and agency regulations; procedural documents such as notices of proposed rule making, meeting transcripts, and presidential daily schedules; and public relations documents including press releases, veto statements, and social media posts. Political science is increasingly turning to methods of automated text analysis to rigorously interrogate such corpora. These tools have proved invaluable to scholars of the judiciary, of the legislature, and of political behavior; they hold great promise for the study of the presidency and bureaucracy. These methods' value lies in measuring complex, nuanced, yet theoretically critical quantities of interest like power, agenda setting, policy significance, ideology, and diplomatic resolve: by categorizing individual documents into a researcher‐defined schema, automated text methods produce large‐N data sets with fine temporal granularity. Recent work using text analysis to study unilateral actions illustrates these methods' promise for upturning conventional wisdom, settling long‐standing debates, and illuminating new puzzles in executive politics in the United States.
A bilateral N2pc (N2pcb) component is elicited by search targets displayed on the vertical midline
Authors: Doro Mattia , Bellini Francesco , Brigadoi Sabrina , Eimer Martin , Dell'Acqua Roberto
Published: December 2019

The study of visually elicited event‐related potentials (ERPs) detected at posterior recording sites during visual search has enormously advanced our knowledge about how and when visuo‐spatial attention locks onto one or more laterally presented target objects. The N2pc component to lateral targets has been pivotal to further our understanding of the mechanisms and time course of target selection in visual search. However, the N2pc cannot track visuo‐spatial attention deployment to targets displayed along the vertical midline. Here, we introduce a new ERP marker (N2pcb component) that is elicited during the selection of such midline targets. In line with retinal and callosal projections from striate to ventral extrastriate cortex, this component reflects an enhanced negativity elicited by midline targets over both posterior hemispheres. By comparing the attentional selection of lateral and midline targets in a singleton search condition and a feature search condition, we show that the N2pcb is triggered at the same time as the N2pc to lateral targets, and shows the same onset latency difference between singleton and feature search. We conclude that the N2pcb and N2pc components reflect the same attentional target selection processes in visual search.
Forced Convective of Micropolar Fluid on a Stretching Surface of Another Quiescent Fluid
Authors: Majid Nurazleen Abdul , Mohammad Nurul Farahain , Mohd Kasim Abdul Rahman , Shafie Sharidan
Published: December 2019

In this paper, the problem of forced convection flow of micropolar fluid of lighter density impinging orthogonally on another heavier density of micropolar fluid on a stretching surface is investigated. The boundary layer governing equations are transformed from partial differential equations into a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations using similarity transformation and solved numerically using dsolve function in Maple software version 2016. The velocity, microrotation and temperature of micropolar fluid are analyzed. It is found that both upper fluid and lower fluid display opposite behaviour when micropolar parameter K various with strong concentration n = 0, Pr = 7 and stretching parameter lambda = 0.5. The results also show that stretching surface exert the force that increasing the velocity of micropolar fluid.
Static Watson-Crick Linear Grammars and Its Computational Power
Authors: Abdul Rahman Aqilahfarhana , Heng Fong Wan , Sarmin Nor Haniza , Turaev Sherzod , Mohamad Zulkufli Nurul Liyana
Published: December 2019

DNA computing, or more generally, molecular computing, is a recent development on computations using biological molecules, instead of the traditional silicon-chips. Some computational models which are based on different operations of DNA molecules have been developed by using the concept of formal language theory. The operations of DNA molecules inspire various types of formal language tools which include sticker systems, grammars and automata. Recently, the grammar counterparts of Watson-Crick automata known as Watson-Crick grammars which consist of regular, linear and context-free grammars, are defined as grammar models that generate double-stranded strings using the important feature of Watson-Crick complementarity rule. In this research, a new variant of static Watson-Crick linear grammar is introduced as an extension of static Watson-Crick regular grammar. A static Watson-Crick linear grammar is a grammar counterpart of sticker system that generates the double-stranded strings and uses rule as in linear grammar. The main result of the paper is to determine some computational properties of static Watson-Crick linear grammars. Next, the hierarchy between static Watson-Crick languages, Watson-Crick languages, Chomsky languages and families of languages generated by sticker systems are presented.
An Approximate Solution of Fractional Kolmogorov-Petrovskii-Piskunov Equations
Authors: Khan Sumaira Yousuf , Ahmed Sahar Altaf
Published: December 2019

An approximate-analytical method known as Reduced Differential Transform Method (RDTM) is proposed to approximate the Fractional Kolmogorov- Petrovskii –Piskunov Equations. It is a powerful and convenient approximation analytical tool used for linear and nonlinear equations related to various science, engineering and industrial applications. Some illustrative examples are given to exemplify the competence of the proposed scheme and provide precise solutions for nonlinear problems. In addition, a comparison with the classical equation and Homotopy perturbation method illustrates the competency of the technique. The results show that the proposed technique requires minimum computational cost at rapid convergence. This method can be applied to other partial differential equations of fractional order for the analysis of their solutions.
Numerical Solution of Fractional Electrical Circuits by Haar Wavelet
Authors: Ahmed Sahar Altaf , Khan Sumaira Yousuf
Published: December 2019

In this study, numerical approximation of electrical circuits in terms of Caputo fractional time derivative was examined. The order of the derivative being considered was. Haar Wavelet numerical scheme was used to derive the solutions of the fractional electrical circuits, namely RC, LC and RLC. The comparative analysis of numerical simulation of each equation with the classical ones was also provided.
MINIMIZING BED SCOUR INDUCED BY SHIP BOW-THRUSTERS BY USING QUAY WALL FLOW DEFLECTOR
Authors: Mohamed Galal Elsayed , S. Halabia Nezar , Tolba Ehab Rashad
Published: December 2019

Recently, the combination of larger bow-thrusters installed with vessels have created higher levels of bed scour action affecting the berthing structure and its overall stability. Therefore, the bed near a quay wall structure must have sufficient strength by placing a bed protection which may cause the cost of the project to rise. This research is carried out to investigate experimentally the effect of modifying the geometry of the quay wall surface on minimizing bed scour. This is done by inserting flow deflectors within the longitudinal direction of the wall surface in order to deflect/minimize the water jet affecting the bed near the quay wall. Experimental tests had been carried out for single and triple deflectors. The results showed that the use of flow deflectors achieved a reduction in bed eroded area in front of quay wall face by about 63%, and causes the start point of erosion to move far away from it; this may improve the stability of quay walls. Therefore, the importance of the present study is testing a new possible measure to improve the stability of quay walls by minimizing the scour in front of the wall and to decrease the cost of bottom protection.
Pin(2)-equivariant Seiberg–Witten Floer homology of Seifert fibrations
Authors: Stoffregen Matthew
Published: December 2019

We compute the $\text{Pin}(2)$-equivariant Seiberg–Witten Floer homology of Seifert rational homology three-spheres in terms of their Heegaard Floer homology. As a result of this computation, we prove Manolescu’s conjecture that $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD}=-\bar{\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}}$ for Seifert integral homology three-spheres. We show that the Manolescu invariants $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC},\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD},$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}$ give new obstructions to homology cobordisms between Seifert fiber spaces, and that many Seifert homology spheres $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F4}(a_{1},\ldots ,a_{n})$ are not homology cobordant to any $-\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F4}(b_{1},\ldots ,b_{n})$. We then use the same invariants to give an example of an integral homology sphere not homology cobordant to any Seifert fiber space. We also show that the $\text{Pin}(2)$-equivariant Seiberg–Witten Floer spectrum provides homology cobordism obstructions distinct from $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC},\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FD},$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FE}$. In particular, we identify an $\mathbb{F}[U]$-module called connected Seiberg–Witten Floer homology, whose isomorphism class is a homology cobordism invariant.
Compliant Mechanism as a Motion-Preserving Artificial Spinal Disc: A Novel Concept
Authors: David Or , Shoham Moshe
Published: December 2019

Investigations of spinal disc replacement options have been conducted for several decades but, as yet, the suggested solutions have not been proven to correctly preserve the natural joint motion. This paper focuses on a new structure of an artificial intervertebral disc joint that closely supports a close-to-natural three-dimensional motion of two adjacent vertebrae. The disc design is based on a passive parallel mechanism, with different stiffnesses for each link. Optimization of the artificial disc dimensions and link stiffnesses enabled convergence of the finite screw axis (FSA) of the artificial disc joint with that of a natural disc. As a result, the natural motion of the spine vertebrae was maintained and the loads on the facet joints minimized. The mechanism design was optimized, built, tested, and proven to be a feasible artificial disc with natural motion preservation characteristics.
A Comparative Analysis of Mixing Performance of Power-Law Fluid in Cylindrical Microchannels With Sudden Contraction/Expansion
Authors: Banerjee A. , Nayak A. K. , Weigand B.
Published: December 2019

This paper focuses on the comparative electrokinetic micromixing of non-Newtonian fluid in cylindrical microchannels with surface potential heterogeneity due to sudden constriction/expansion. In numerical simulations, the rheology of the aqueous solution is considered to follow power-law characteristic. Based on the Poisson–Nernst–Planck model, the simulations are performed to investigate the mixing efficiency and pressure drop for constricted and expanded configurations over a wide range of the flow behavior index, potential patch strength, and geometric parameters. The results show that, irrespective of geometric configurations, the mixing efficiency can be improved significantly by increasing the flow behavior index, geometric parameters, and the overpotential patch strength. In addition, it is also revealed that the constricted geometry yields better mixing as compared to the other configuration, but the average pressure drop shows reverse characteristics. Thus, a parametric relationship is tried to be established between mixing efficiency and pressure drop for both these configurations to propose an effective and efficient micromixer, which can produce maximum possible mixing efficiency with minimum pressure drop.
Simultaneous Estimation of Pr and Ra in a Natural Convective Flow Using Inverse Technique
Authors: Bharti Omprakash S. , Rajan Devesh , Saha Arun K. , Das Malay K.
Published: December 2019

The present research proposes an inverse natural convection algorithm for simultaneous estimation of correct values of Prandtl number (Pr) and Rayleigh number (Ra). The inverse problem is formulated as the minimization of appropriate functional and is solved iteratively using conjugate gradient algorithm. Since the inverse technique requires temperature data as the input parameter, this work uses schlieren experiments to measure the temperature in a water-filled, differentially heated, cubic cavity. While the proposed inverse technique may be applied for a variety of thermofluidic problems, the simulations are restricted to two-dimensional (2D), laminar-free convective flows in a 50 × 50 × 50 mm3 cavity. The present experiments restrict the wall temperature difference to 6.3 K, allowing the use of Boussinesq approximation in the inverse formulation. The proposed inverse algorithm is found to be highly accurate with an estimation error less than 10% when the measurement data contain about 5% noise.
Challenges in Measuring Lube Oil Consumption of Internal Combustion Engines Using Deuterium As a Tracer
Authors: Rossegger Bernhard , Engelmayer Michael , Wimmer Andreas
Published: December 2019

Lube oil emission is thought to have a negative influence on hydrocarbon and particle emissions, autoignition and the life-cycle cost of internal combustion engines. Thus, one of the major goals of combustion engine research and development is to optimize lube oil consumption, for example by optimizing the tribological behavior of the piston group (interaction between piston rings and cylinder liner). This requires the application of a fast and accurate lube oil consumption measurement method. Methods such as gravimetric and volumetric measurement are outdated for R&D applications because of measurement time, absolute accuracy as well as repeatability, however some OEMs are still applying this method. At present, the use of tracer methods for measuring lube oil consumption is considered the most promising in terms of decreasing measurement time and increasing accuracy. For example, sulfur as a tracer is one of the most established methods for measuring lube oil consumption, but previous publications have revealed downsides and future challenges of its use. This publication, however, highlights the challenges of using the stable hydrogen isotope deuterium as a tracer which are still to overcome, in order to become a viable and reliable method for measuring lube oil consumption on internal combustion engines. In the introduction, a novel concept of measuring lube oil consumption with deuterated engine oil and the test bench setup are explained. Following laboratory experiments, test bench runs on a heavy-duty diesel engine and long-term studies on a field engine, three major challenges facing the new approach are identified and potential solutions are proposed. First, the long-term stability of the tracer in the lube oil and potential changes in the physical and chemical properties of the oil due to deuteration are discussed in light of the results of tests on a field engine that uses deuterated engine oil. Second, the hydrogen-deuterium exchange process to mark the oil with the tracer is examined and potential approaches for reducing cost and duration are highlighted. The universal applicability of the deuteration process to several base oil groups is also explained. Finally, the detection of deuterium in the gas of the engine exhaust and potential cross-sensitivities to trace gases as well as other crucial limitations of the detector in analyzing engine exhaust are addressed. The summary presents the requirements for converting the experiments with a deuterium tracer into a reliable method for lube oil consumption measurement providing crucial properties such as high accuracy, short measurement time, effort and ease of use.
A Fundamental Thermodynamic Study on the Effects of Engine Scale in Diesel Engines
Authors: Burnett Kevin J. , Gupta Ashwani K. , Cowart Jim S.
Published: December 2019

The Navy has a wide range of diesel engines with bore sizes varying by a factor of four. In general, diesel engines can have bore scaling over a full order of magnitude. As an engine cylinder gets larger its surface area to volume ratio reduces significantly, which in turn affects in-cylinder heat transfer.

In this study, a fundamental generalized thermodynamic model of diesel engines was developed. The various key model effects were systematically analyzed along with engine bore size. Further, cylinder wall temperature was varied across a range of cold start to stabilized operating temperatures.

The results of this study show that smaller bore diesel engines are always more sensitive to cold start conditions. The effect is reduced with increasing wall temperature yet smaller diesel engines have cooler end-of-compression temperatures as comparted to larger engines. The effects of engine speed, in which mean piston speed is held constant, tend to modestly reduce the differences between various size diesel engines due to non-linear heat transfer effects. When variable specific heat effects are correctly considered, end-of-compression air charge temperatures are only modestly different as a function of engine bore size. The most significant difference is the overall reduced heat transfer in larger engines due to the surface area to volume effect. A difference of a factor of three for in cylinder heat transfer relative to in-cylinder inducted air mass is predicted being much greater for the smaller engines. Higher exhaust temperatures are also characteristic of the larger bore engines. This allows more combustion work to be delivered to the piston with a correspondingly higher thermal efficiency for larger diesel engines. Future work will evaluate fuel effects on varying bore size.
A Methodology for Measuring Turbocharger Adiabatic Maps in a Gas-Stand and its Usage for Calibrating Control Oriented and 1D Models at Early ICE Design Stages
Authors: Serrano José Ramón , Arnau Francisco José , García-Cuevas Luis Miguel , Gómez-Vilanova Alejandro , Guilain Stephane , Batard Samuel
Published: December 2019

Turbocharged engines are the standard architecture for designing efficient spark ignition and compression ignition reciprocating internal combustion engines (ICE). Turbochargers characterization and modeling are basic tasks for the analysis and prediction of the whole engine system performance and this information is needed in quite early stages of the engine design. Turbocharger characteristics (efficiency, pressure ratio, mass flow rates...) traditionally rely in maps of pseudo non-dimensional variables called reduced variables.

These maps must be used by reciprocating ICE designer and modeler not only for benchmarking of the turbocharger, but for a multiplicity of purposes, i.e: assessing engine back-pressure, boost pressure, load transient response, after-treatment inlet temperature, intercooler inlet temperature, low pressure EGR temperature, ... Maps of reduced variables are measured in gas-stands with steady flow but non-standardized fluids conditioning; neither temperatures nor flows. In concrete: turbine inlet gas temperature; lubrication-oil flow and temperature; water-cooling flow and turbo-machinery external heat transfer are non-standardized variables which have a big impact in assessing said multiplicity of purposes. Moreover, adiabatic efficiency, heat losses and friction losses are important data, hidden in the maps of reduced variables, which depend on the testing conditions as much as on the auxiliary fluids temperature and flow rate.

In this work it is proposed a methodology to standardize turbochargers testing based in measuring the maps twice: in close to adiabatic and in diathermal conditions. Along the paper it is discussed with special detail the impact of the procedure followed to achieve said quasi-adiabatic conditions in both the energy balance of the turbocharger and the testing complexity. As a conclusion, the paper proposes a methodology which combines quasi-adiabatic tests (cold and hot gas flow) with diathermal tests (hot gas flow) in order to extract from a turbocharger gas-stand all information needed by engine designers interested in controlling or 1D-modelling the ICE.

The methodology is completed with a guide for calibrating said control-oriented turbocharger models in order to separate aerodynamic efficiency (adiabatic) from heat transfer losses and from friction losses in the analysis of the turbocharger performance. The outsourced calibration of the turbocharger model allows avoiding uncertainties in the global ICE model calibration, what is very interesting for turbochargers benchmarking at early ICE-turbo matching stages or for global system analysis at early control design stages.