bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Alloying on Stacking Fault Energies in γ-TiAl
Authors: Dumitraschkewitz Phillip , Clemens Helmut , Mayer Svea , Holec David
Published: November 2017

Microstructure and mechanical properties are key parameters influencing the performance of structural multi-phase alloys such as those based on intermetallic TiAl compounds. There, the main constituent, a γ -TiAl phase, is derived from a face-centered cubic structure. Consequently, the dissociation of dislocations and generation of stacking faults (SFs) are important factors contributing to the overall deformation behavior, as well as mechanical properties, such as tensile/creep strength and, most importantly, fracture elongation below the brittle-to-ductile transition temperature. In this work, SFs on the { 111 ) plane in γ -TiAl are revisited by means of ab initio calculations, finding their energies in agreement with previous reports. Subsequently, stacking fault energies are evaluated for eight ternary additions, namely group IVB–VIB elements, together with Ti off-stoichiometry. It is found that the energies of superlattice intrinsic SFs, anti-phase boundaries (APBs), as well as complex SFs decrease by 20–40% with respect to values in stoichiometric γ -TiAl once an alloying element X is present in the fault plane having thus a composition of Ti-50Al-12.5X. In addition, Mo, Ti and V stabilize the APB on the (111) plane, which is intrinsically unstable at 0 K in stoichiometric γ -TiAl.
An Experimental and Analytical Study on the Deflection Behavior of Precast Concrete Beams with Joints
Authors: Park Jongho , Choi Jinwoong , Jang Yongjoon , Park Sun-Kyu , Hong Sungnam
Published: November 2017

The use of precast concrete modular construction in the replacement and rebuilding of old structures has recently increased. However, the joints between modules in this type of construction exhibit special behavior that should be considered when analyzing the behavior of modular members. Both stability and serviceability should be studied; however, existing research has only addressed the former. Research regarding serviceability, involving deflection and crack development and propagation, is lacking. This study considers the difference in strength between on-site cast and precast segmental concrete to accurately evaluate the deflection of precast concrete flexural members with joints within the lapped splice. In addition, to reflect an initial crack, the deflection is calculated and evaluated by reflecting the effect of tension-stiffening and subsequently redefining the attached transmission lengths of the left and right sides of the cracked surface as a new cracked region. As a result of explicitly including joint behavior which is considered attached transmission length and characteristic by concrete strength, a more accurate calculation of deflection is developed.
Fault Diagnosis Model of Photovoltaic Array Based on Least Squares Support Vector Machine in Bayesian Framework
Authors: Sun Jiamin , Sun Fengjie , Fan Jieqing , Liang Yutu
Published: November 2017

With the rapid development of the photovoltaic industry, fault monitoring is becoming an important issue in maintaining the safe and stable operation of a solar power station. In order to diagnose the fault types of photovoltaic array, a fault diagnosis method that is based on the Least Squares Support Vector Machine (LSSVM) in the Bayesian framework is put forward. First, based on the elaborate analysis of the change rules of the output electrical parameters and the equivalent circuit internal parameters of photovoltaic array in different fault states, the input variables of the photovoltaic array fault diagnosis model are determined. Second, through the LSSVM algorithm in the Bayesian framework, the fault diagnosis model based on the output electrical parameters and the equivalent circuit internal parameters of the photovoltaic array is built, which can effectively detect the photovoltaic array faults of short circuit, open circuit, and abnormal aging. Then, the simulation model is built to verify the validity of the LSSVM algorithm in the Bayesian framework by comparing it with the model of LSSVM and the Support Vector Machine (SVM). Moreover, a 5 × 3 photovoltaic array and a reference photovoltaic string are established and experimentally tested to validate the performance of the proposed method.
A Gal-MµS Device to Evaluate Cell Migratory Response to Combined Galvano-Chemotactic Fields
Authors: Mishra Shawn , Vazquez Maribel
Published: November 2017

Electric fields have been studied extensively in biomedical engineering (BME) for numerous regenerative therapies. Recent studies have begun to examine the biological effects of electric fields in combination with other environmental cues, such as tissue-engineered extracellular matrices (ECM), chemical gradient profiles, and time-dependent temperature gradients. In the nervous system, cell migration driven by electrical fields, or galvanotaxis, has been most recently studied in transcranial direct stimulation (TCDS), spinal cord repair and tumor treating fields (TTF). The cell migratory response to galvano-combinatory fields, such as magnetic fields, chemical gradients, or heat shock, has only recently been explored. In the visual system, restoration of vision via cellular replacement therapies has been limited by low numbers of motile cells post-transplantation. Here, the combinatory application of electrical fields with other stimuli to direct cells within transplantable biomaterials and/or host tissues has been understudied. In this work, we developed the Gal-MµS device, a novel microfluidics device capable of examining cell migratory behavior in response to single and combinatory stimuli of electrical and chemical fields. The formation of steady-state, chemical concentration gradients and electrical fields within the Gal-MµS were modeled computationally and verified experimentally within devices fabricated via soft lithography. Further, we utilized real-time imaging within the device to capture cell trajectories in response to electric fields and chemical gradients, individually, as well as in combinatory fields of both. Our data demonstrated that neural cells migrated longer distances and with higher velocities in response to combined galvanic and chemical stimuli than to either field individually, implicating cooperative behavior. These results reveal a biological response to galvano-chemotactic fields that is only partially understood, as well as point towards novel migration-targeted treatments to improve cell-based regenerative therapies.
Entamoeba histolytica under Oxidative Stress: What Countermeasure Mechanisms Are in Place?
Authors: Pineda Erika , Perdomo Doranda
Published: November 2017

Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of human amoebiasis; it affects 50 million people worldwide and causes approximately 100,000 deaths per year. Entamoeba histolytica is an anaerobic parasite that is primarily found in the colon; however, for unknown reasons, it can become invasive, breaching the gut barrier and migrating toward the liver causing amoebic liver abscesses. During the invasive process, it must maintain intracellular hypoxia within the oxygenated human tissues and cellular homeostasis during the host immune defense attack when it is confronted with nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species. But how? This review will address the described and potential mechanisms available to counter the oxidative stress generated during invasion and the possible role that E. histolytica’s continuous endoplasmic reticulum (Eh-ER) plays during these events.
Investigation of Droplet Atomization and Evaporation in Solution Precursor Plasma Spray Coating
Authors: Xiong Hongbing , Sun Weiqi
Published: November 2017

Solution precursor plasma spray (SPPS) is a novel and promising technique in producing nanostructured coatings. This technique involves complex heat, mass and momentum transfer among the liquid feedstock, droplets, plasma jet and the coating material. Nevertheless, the droplet atomization and evaporation in the plasma jet is one of the most essential parts to obtain the desired coating architecture. In the present work, a three-dimensional two-way-coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian code is used to simulate the interactions between the solution precursor and plasma. In order to obtain a more realistic understanding regarding droplet atomization and vaporization, the flash-boiling effect is modeled by an improved vaporization model. This model could provide accurate details for the droplet pyrolysis and help to optimize the solution precursor plasma spray process. We show that the fragmentation of the liquid stock and its vaporization mainly dominate the spraying details and can be decisive to the coating quality. We further investigate their role in SPPS and separately probe their inner link with the flow field relating to the distinctive area when droplets are flying through the thermal flow field. Our studies reveal that ethanol droplets, compared to those of water, show a superior characteristics in SPPS, owing to the low boiling point and low surface tension, conducive to the evaporation and atomization of droplets. In addition, the mixture of the plasma gas with hydrogen breaks the droplets more thoroughly compared to the pure plasma. The numerical results were compared and found to agree well with previous experimental and simulation work.
Metabarcoding of Environmental DNA Samples to Explore the Use of Uranium Mine Containment Ponds as a Water Source for Wildlife
Authors: Klymus Katy E. , Richter Catherine A. , Thompson Nathan , Hinck Jo Ellen
Published: November 2017

Understanding how anthropogenic impacts on the landscape affect wildlife requires a knowledge of community assemblages. Species surveys are the first step in assessing community structure, and recent molecular applications such as metabarcoding and environmental DNA analyses have been proposed as an additional and complementary wildlife survey method. Here, we test eDNA metabarcoding as a survey tool to examine the potential use of uranium mine containment ponds as water sources by wildlife. We tested samples from surface water near mines and from one mine containment pond using two markers, 12S and 16S rRNA gene amplicons, to survey for vertebrate species. We recovered large numbers of sequence reads from taxa expected to be in the area and from less common or hard to observe taxa such as the tiger salamander and gray fox. Detection of these two species is of note because they were not observed in a previous species assessment, and tiger salamander DNA was found in the mine containment pond sample. We also found that sample concentration by centrifugation was a more efficient and more feasible method than filtration in these highly turbid surface waters. Ultimately, the use of eDNA metabarcoding could allow for a better understanding of the area’s overall biodiversity and community composition as well as aid current ecotoxicological risk assessment work.
Thermodynamics: The Unique Universal Science
Authors: Haddad Wassim M.
Published: November 2017

Thermodynamics is a physical branch of science that governs the thermal behavior of dynamical systems from those as simple as refrigerators to those as complex as our expanding universe. The laws of thermodynamics involving conservation of energy and nonconservation of entropy are, without a doubt, two of the most useful and general laws in all sciences. The first law of thermodynamics, according to which energy cannot be created or destroyed, merely transformed from one form to another, and the second law of thermodynamics, according to which the usable energy in an adiabatically isolated dynamical system is always diminishing in spite of the fact that energy is conserved, have had an impact far beyond science and engineering. In this paper, we trace the history of thermodynamics from its classical to its postmodern forms, and present a tutorial and didactic exposition of thermodynamics as it pertains to some of the deepest secrets of the universe.
Performance Evaluation of Downlink Multi-Beam Massive MIMO with Simple Transmission Scheme at Both Base and Terminal Stations
Authors: Ogawa Shota , Nishimori Kentaro , Taniguchi Ryotaro , Mitsui Tsutomu , Hiraguri Takefumi
Published: November 2017

Multi-beam massive multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) configurations that utilize high-power beam selection in the analog parts and blind algorithms such as the constant modulus algorithm (CMA), which do not require channel state information (CSI), in the digital parts, have been proposed in the literature to improve the transmission rates and efficiency. In this paper, we evaluate the transmission performance in the downlink, with simple control at the base station (BS) and user terminal (UTs), for massive MIMO transmissions. Through computer simulations, it is shown that the analog multi-beam selection at the BS and the application of CMA at the UT with two antennas can effectively realize transmissions with high-order modulation schemes. In addition, the weight update switching by the CMA is proposed in order to obtain fast and stable performance with a realistic data size.
Modeling of Electricity Demand for Azerbaijan: Time-Varying Coefficient Cointegration Approach
Authors: Mikayilov Jeyhun , Hasanov Fakhri , Bollino Carlo , Mahmudlu Ceyhun
Published: November 2017

Recent literature has shown that electricity demand elasticities may not be constant over time and this has investigated using time-varying estimation methods. As accurate modeling of electricity demand is very important in Azerbaijan, which is a transitional country facing significant change in its economic outlook, we analyze whether the response of electricity demand to income and price is varying over time in this economy. We employed the Time-Varying Coefficient cointegration approach, a cutting-edge time-varying estimation method. We find evidence that income elasticity demonstrates sizeable variation for the period of investigation ranging from 0.48% to 0.56%. The study has some useful policy implications related to the income and price aspects of the electricity consumption in Azerbaijan.
Kinetics and Mechanism of NaOH-Impregnated Calcined Oyster Shell-Catalyzed Transesterification of Soybean Oil
Authors: Jin Han , Kolar Praveen , Peretti Steven , Osborne Jason , Cheng Jay
Published: November 2017

The objective of this research is to develop a kinetic model to describe the transesterification of soybean oil with methanol using NaOH-impregnated calcined oyster shell (Na-COS). Batch experiments were performed via a two-factor randomized complete block design using a molar ratio of methanol to oil (MR) of 6, 12, and 18 and catalyst loadings (CL) (mass of catalyst/mass of oil in %) of 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% to obtain fatty acid methyl ester yields. In addition, the catalyst was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and time-of-flight secondary ion spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) to elucidate the role of the catalyst in the transesterification reaction. XRD and XPS analyses suggested that the formation of sodium peroxide (Na2O2) on the surface contributed to catalytic activity. The TOF-SIMS analysis suggested that the transesterification occurred between adsorbed triglyceride and free methanol, similar to the Eley-Rideal mechanism. The transesterification of adsorbed triglyceride to adsorbed diglyceride was found to be the rate-determining step with a rate constant of 0.0059 ± 0.0002 L mol−1 min−1.
Optimal Design of Thermal Radiative Heating of Horizontal Thin Plates Using the Entropy Generation Minimization Method
Authors: Gholamalizadeh Ehsan , Abdollahzadeh Jamalabadi Mohammad , Oveisi Majid
Published: November 2017

Thermal radiant heating through distinct heat sources is of interest for the thermal loading of thin objects as it is used in residential applications, furnaces, and insulator designs. In this paper, an optimal design for a thermal radiant system by discrete suspended heat sources is analyzed in a side open cavity used for heating the top plate, while the bottom plate is kept at a constant temperature, using the entropy generation minimization method. To avoid pressure fluctuations, the semi-implicit method for pressure linked equations method is used, which solves the continuity, Navier-Stokes, fluid energy, and surface energy equations simultaneously. The system is optimized based on the characteristic length of discrete heat sources, height of discrete heat sources from the bottom plate, the distance between discrete heat sources, the number of discrete heat sources, and the aspect ratio of the cavity that finds the optimal location of heating elements. In addition to the geometrical parameters, the effects of the thermal loading parameters on the optimal position are investigated.
Optimization of a Heliostat Field Layout on Annual Basis Using a Hybrid Algorithm Combining Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm and Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Li Chao , Zhai Rongrong , Yang Yongping
Published: November 2017

Of all the renewable power generation technologies, solar tower power system is expected to be the most promising technology that is capable of large-scale electricity production. However, the optimization of heliostat field layout is a complicated process, in which thousands of heliostats have to be considered for any heliostat field optimization process. Therefore, in this paper, in order to optimize the heliostat field to obtain the highest energy collected per unit cost (ECUC), a mathematical model of a heliostat field and a hybrid algorithm combining particle swarm optimization algorithm and genetic algorithm (PSO-GA) are coded in Matlab and the heliostat field in Lhasa is investigated as an example. The results show that, after optimization, the annual efficiency of the heliostat field increases by approximately six percentage points, and the ECUC increases from 12.50 MJ/USD to 12.97 MJ/USD, increased about 3.8%. Studies on the key parameters indicate that: for un-optimized filed, ECUC first peaks and then decline with the increase of the number of heliostats in the first row of the field (Nhel1). By contrast, for optimized field, ECUC increases with Nhel1. What is more, for both the un-optimized and optimized field, ECUC increases with tower height and decreases with the cost of heliostat mirror collector.
Optimal Curtailment of Non-Synchronous Renewable Generation on the Island of Tenerife Considering Steady State and Transient Stability Constraints
Authors: Ledesma Pablo , Arredondo Francisco , Castronuovo Edgardo D.
Published: November 2017

The increasing penetration of non-synchronous, renewable energy in modern power systems displaces synchronous generation and affects transient stability. This is just one of the factors that has led to preventive curtailment of renewable energy sources in an increasing number of electrical grids. Transient stability constrained optimal power flow (OPF) techniques provide a tool to optimize the dispatch of power systems while ensuring a secure operation. This work proposes a transient stability-constrained OPF model that includes non-synchronous generation with fault ride-through capability and reactive support during voltage dips. The model is applied it to the IEEE 39 Bus benchmark test case and to the power system of the Spanish island of Tenerife, and solved using the open-source library IPOPT that implements a primal-dual interior point algorithm. The solution of the model makes it possible to optimize the dispatch of conventional plants and the curtailment of non-synchronous generation, as well as to explore methods to reduce generation cost. Fault ride-through capability, synchronous inertia and fault clearing times are identified as useful tools to reduce the curtailment of non-synchronous generation, especially during periods of low load and high availability of renewable energy sources.
A Cycle Voltage Measurement Method and Application in Grounding Grids Fault Location
Authors: Yang Fan , Wang Yongan , Dong Manling , Kou Xiaokuo , Yao Degui , Li Xing , Gao Bing , Ullah Irfan
Published: November 2017

The corrosion of grounding grids can result in a grounding accident of a power system, and much attentions has been concentrated on the method used to detect a corrosion fault in a grounding grid, in which the methods of voltage measurement and magnetic field measurement are usually used. In this paper, a cycle voltage measurement method and L-curve regularization method are proposed to locate the faults in grounding grids. The L-curve method was used to select the appropriate regularization parameter, which can effectively balance the error and stability of the solution to the inverse problem. The uncertainty of the solution due to the ill-posed problem in the inverse problem has been well-solved. Experiments were conducted in a laboratory with two network types. In addition, a field experiment was carried out in a 110-kV substation. Both of the results showed that the method can effectively locate a branch fault with a single branch and multiple branches in the grounding grids.
Using Linear Mixed-Effects Models with Quantile Regression to Simulate the Crown Profile of Planted Pinus sylvestris var. Mongolica Trees
Authors: Sun Yunxia , Gao Huilin , Li Fengri
Published: November 2017

Crown profile is mostly related to the competition of individual trees in the stands, light interception, growth, and yield of trees. A total of 76 sample trees with a total number of 889 whorls and 3658 live branches were used to develop the outer crown profile model of the planted Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica trees in Heilongjiang Province, China. The power-exponential equation, modified Kozak equation, and simple polynomial equation were used and the model which showed the best performance was used as the basic model. The dummy variable approach was used to analyze the effect of stand age and stand density on the crown profile. Quantile regression for linear mixed-effects model, where the correlations between the series measurements on the same subject were considered, was used to model the outer crown profile. The results indicated that the power-exponential equation had the smallest error and was used as the basic model. Based on the dummy variable approach, stand age and stand density showed significant effects on the crown profile on the whole. Thus, they were directly included into the linear form of the power-exponential equation by a natural logarithm transformation to develop the quantile regression for the linear mixed-effects model. The 0.95th quantile regression model performed best in modeling the outer crown profile when compared to other quantiles. The prediction accuracy of the 0.95th quantile regression model by adding the random effects increased when compared to the quantile regression without random effect. The quantile regression for the linear mixed-effects model also showed an excellent performance in the largest crown radius prediction when compared to the quantile regression model. From suppressed trees to dominant trees, the crown radius increased, with tree size increasing for the same stand age and stand density increases. The crown radius of the suppressed trees from 21 to 40 year stands was the largest and the smallest was from older (>40 years) stands. The crown radius for both the intermediate and dominant trees from 21 to 40 year stands were similar and were larger than the younger (10–20 years) stands. The crown radius increased with tree size when the stand variables were constant. Furthermore, the crown radius increased with the increase of stand age, decreased with increasing stand density, and decreased with increased ratio of tree height to diameter at the breast height (HD) for trees with the same tree variables. Stand density had a weaker effect on the crown profile when compared to the HD. The growth rate of the crown radius of planted Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica trees increased with increasing stand age, and decreased with decreasing stand density. The growth rate of the crown radius decreased with increasing HD.
Biomass Losses Caused by Teratosphaeria Leaf Disease in Eucalyptus globulus Short Rotation Forestry
Authors: Pérez Severiano , Renedo Carlos , Ortiz Alfredo , Ortiz Félix , Santisteban Agustín
Published: November 2017

This article presents the results of a study that examines the loss of biomass and energy, per hectare, caused by Teratosphaeria leaf disease (TLD) in Eucalyptus globulus short rotation forestry. The 95 Eucalyptus globulus taxa analyzed are from seeds of open pollinated families of both Spanish and Australian origin. Tree height and diameter were measured and the crown damage index (CDI) assessed at 27 months of age. Taxa that have a certain tolerance to the disease have been identified. The taxon identified as code 283 is the one that shows lower CDI (42%) and with an average volume that exceeded 0.017 m3 at 27 months of age. Biomass losses were determined for each fraction of dry biomass of the tree (leaves, branches, twigs and bark) based on CDI. These losses were translated into terms of energy lost per hectare, depending on the CDI. A comparison was then carried out between the productivity of Eucalyptus globulus exhibiting various levels of TLD severity and poplar and willow clones used for bioenergy in Europe. In our region, the results show that despite the losses of biomass associated with TLD, Eucalyptus globulus remains competitive as long as CDI values are lower than 56%.
Decision Support System for Adaptive Regional-Scale Forest Management by Multiple Decision-Makers
Authors: Yamada Yusuke , Yamaura Yuichi
Published: November 2017

Various kinds of decision support approaches (DSAs) are used in adaptive management of forests. Existing DSAs are aimed at coping with uncertainties in ecosystems but not controllability of outcomes, which is important for regional management. We designed a DSA for forest zoning to simulate the changes in indicators of forest functions while reducing uncertainties in both controllability and ecosystems. The DSA uses a Bayesian network model based on iterative learning of observed behavior (decision-making) by foresters, which simulates when and where zoned forestry activities are implemented. The DSA was applied to a study area to evaluate wood production, protection against soil erosion, preservation of biodiversity, and carbon retention under three zoning alternatives: current zoning, zoning to enhance biodiversity, and zoning to enhance wood production. The DSA predicted that alternative zoning could enhance wood production by 3–11% and increase preservation of biodiversity by 0.4%, but decrease carbon stock by 1.2%. This DSA would enable to draw up regional forest plans while considering trade-offs and build consensus more efficiently.
Soil Degradation and the Decline of Available Nitrogen and Phosphorus in Soils of the Main Forest Types in the Qinling Mountains of China
Authors: Zheng Xiaofeng , Yuan Jie , Zhang Tong , Hao Fan , Jose Shibu , Zhang Shuoxin
Published: November 2017

Soil degradation has been reported worldwide. To better understand this degradation, we selected Pinus armandii and Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata forests, and a mixed forest of Q. aliena var. acuteserrata and P. armandii in the Qinling Mountains in China for our permanent plots and conducted three investigations over a 20-year period. We determined the amounts of available nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the soil to track the trajectory of soil quality and compared these with stand characteristics, topographic and climatic attributes to analyze the strength of each factor in influencing the available N and P in the soil. We found that the soil experienced a severe drop in quality, and that degradation is continuing. Temperature is the most critical factor controlling the soil available N, and species composition is the main factor regulating the soil available P. Given the huge gap in content and the increasing rate of nutrients loss, this reduction in soil quality will likely negatively affect ecosystem sustainability.
Differential Expression Patterns of Pleurotus ostreatus Catalase Genes during Developmental Stages and under Heat Stress
Authors: Wang Lining , Wu Xiangli , Gao Wei , Zhao Mengran , Zhang Jinxia , Huang Chenyang
Published: November 2017

Catalases are ubiquitous hydrogen peroxide-detoxifying enzymes. They participate in fungal growth and development, such as mycelial growth and cellular differentiation, and in protecting fungi from oxidative damage under stressful conditions. To investigate the potential functions of catalases in Pleurotus ostreatus, we obtained two catalase genes from a draft genome sequence of P. ostreatus, and cloned and characterized them (Po-cat1 and Po-cat2). Po-cat1 (group II) and Po-cat2 (group III) encoded putative peptides of 745 and 528 amino acids, respectively. Furthermore, the gene structures were variant between Po-cat1 and Po-cat2. Further research revealed that these two catalase genes have divergent expression patterns during different developmental stages. Po-cat1/Po-cat1 was at a barely detectable level in mycelia, accumulated gradually during reproductive growth, and was maximal in separated spores. But no catalase activity of Po-cat1 was detected by native-PAGE during any part of the developmental stages. In contrast, high Po-cat2/Po-cat2 expression and Po-cat2 activity found in mycelia were gradually lost during reproductive growth, and at a minimal level in separated spores. In addition, these two genes responded differentially under 32 °C and 40 °C heat stresses. Po-cat1 was up-regulated under both temperature conditions, while Po-cat2 was up-regulated at 32 °C but down-regulated at 40 °C. The accumulation of catalase proteins correlated with gene expression. These results indicate that the two divergent catalases in P. ostreatus may play different roles during development and under heat stress.
Quit Methods Used by American Smokers, 2013–2014
Authors: Rodu Brad , Plurphanswat Nantaporn
Published: November 2017

This report describes the quit methods used in the past 12 months by current and former smokers in the baseline Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study during 2013–2014. Descriptive statistics were used to report the use of single and two or more quit methods; survey weights were used to compute population estimates. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between past year former smokers and single quit method, including individual characteristics. Results: Of 11,402 current smokers and 4919 former smokers, 4541 had tried and 839 had quit in the past 12 months. Unaided quit attempts were the most common; the number was almost as high as all single methods combined (n = 1797 and n = 1831 respectively). The most frequently used single method was help from friends and family (n = 676) followed by e-cigarettes (n = 587). Use of e-cigarettes was the only method with higher odds of users being a former smoker than unaided attempts (OR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.12–1.81). Current use of e-cigarettes among current (34%) and former (54%) smokers was significantly higher than current use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Conclusions: In 2013–2014 e-cigarettes were used by American adult smokers as quit-smoking aids more frequently than NRT products or prescription drugs.
Social Environment and Hospitalisation after Release from Prison: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Love Alexander , Kinner Stuart , Young Jesse
Published: November 2017

This study examined the association between remoteness and area disadvantage, and the rate of subsequent hospitalisation, in a cohort of adults released from prisons in Queensland. A baseline survey of 1267 adult prisoners within 6 weeks of expected release was prospectively linked with hospital, mortality and reincarceration records. Postcodes were used to assign remoteness and area disadvantage categories. Multivariate Andersen–Gill regression models were fitted to test for associations between remoteness, area disadvantage and hospitalisation after release from prison. Over a total of 3090.9 person-years of follow-up, the highest crude incidence rates were observed in areas characterised by remoteness and area disadvantage (crude incidence rate (IR) = 649; 95%CI: 526–791), followed by remoteness only (IR = 420; 95%CI: 349–501), severe area disadvantage only (IR = 403; 95%CI: 351–461), and neither of these factors (IR = 361; 95%CI: 336–388). Unadjusted analyses indicated that remoteness (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.32; 95%CI: 1.04–1.69; p = 0.024) was associated with increased risk of hospitalisation; however, this attenuated to the null after adjustment for covariate factors. The incidence of hospitalisation for those who live in remote or socio-economically disadvantaged areas is increased compared to their counterparts in more urban and less socio-economically disadvantaged areas. Experiencing both these factors together may compound the hospitalisation in the community.
Cross-Sectional Serological Survey for Leptospira spp. in Beef and Dairy Cattle in Two Districts in Uganda
Authors: Dreyfus Anou , Odoch Terence , Alinaitwe Lordrick , Rodriguez-Campos Sabrina , Tsegay Amanuel , Jaquier Valentine , Kankya Clovice
Published: November 2017

Seroprevalence of Leptospira spp. in cattle is unknown in Uganda. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of L. interrogans Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona, L. kirschneri Butembo, Grippotyphosa, L. borgpetersenii Nigeria, Hardjo, Wolfii, and Kenya and an overall seroprevalence in cattle from Kole and Mbale districts. Two hundred-seventy five bovine sera from 130 small holder farms from Kole (n = 159) and Mbale (n = 116), collected between January and July 2015, were tested for antibodies against eight Leptospira strains by Microscopic Agglutination Test. A titer of ≥100 was considered seropositive, indicating past exposure. Overall, the seroprevalence was 19.27% (95% CI 14.9–24.5%). Pomona seroprevalence was highest with 9.45% (6.4–13.7%), followed by Kenya 5.09% (2.9–8.6%), Nigeria 4.00% (2.1–7.2%), Wolfii 3.27% (1.6–6.3%), Butembo 1.86% (0.7–4.4%), Hardjo 1.45% (0.5–3.9%), and Icterohaemorragiae and Grippotyphosa with less than 1% positive. Seroprevalence did not differ between districts and gender (p ≥ 0.05). Seven animals had titers ≥400. Cross-reactions or exposure to ≥1 serovar was measured in 43% of serum samples. Seroprevalence of 19% implies exposure of cattle to leptospires.
Using Twitter to Explore (un)Healthy Housing: Learning from the #Characterbuildings Campaign in New Zealand
Authors: Chisholm Elinor , O’Sullivan Kimberley
Published: November 2017

While increasingly used for research, Twitter remains largely untapped as a source of data about housing. We explore the growth of social media and use of Twitter in health and social research, and question why housing researchers have avoided using Twitter to explore housing issues to date. We use the #characterbuildings campaign, initiated by an online media platform in New Zealand in 2014 to illustrate that Twitter can provide insights into housing as a public health and social problem. We find that Twitter users share details of problems with past and present homes on this public platform, and that this readily available data can contribute to the case for improving building quality as a means of promoting public health. Moreover, the way people responded to the request to share details about their housing experiences provides insight into how New Zealanders conceive of housing problems.
Environmental Exposure to Dioxins, Dibenzofurans, Bisphenol A, and Phthalates in Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder Living near the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Rahbar Mohammad , Swingle Hanes , Christian MacKinsey , Hessabi Manouchehr , Lee MinJae , Pitcher Meagan , Campbell Sean , Mitchell Amy , Krone Ryan , Loveland Katherine , Patterson Jr. Donald
Published: November 2017

Environmental exposure to organic endocrine disrupting chemicals, including dioxins, dibenzofurans, bisphenol A (BPA), and phthalates has been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We conducted a pilot monitoring study of 30 ASD cases and 10 typically developing (TD) controls ages 2–8 years from communities along the Gulf of Mexico near Alabama, which houses 14 Superfund sites, to assess the concentrations of dioxins and dibenzofurans in serum, and BPA and phthalate ester metabolites in urine. Based on General Linear Models, the lipid- or creatinine-adjusted geometric mean concentrations of the aforementioned chemicals did not differ between the ASD case and TD control groups (all p ≥ 0.27). We compared our findings to the adjusted means as reported by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, survey years 2011–2012, and found that TD controls in our study had lower BPA (59%) and MEHHP (26%) concentrations, higher MBP (50%) concentration, and comparable (<20% difference) MEP, MBZP, MEOHP, and MCPP concentrations. We also conducted a preliminary investigation of dietary exposures and found that the consumption of certain types of fish may be associated with higher OCDD concentrations, and the consumption of soft drinks and juices may be associated with lower BPA and MEOHP concentrations, respectively.
Role of Transforming Growth Factor β in Uterine Fibroid Biology
Authors: Ciebiera Michał , Włodarczyk Marta , Wrzosek Małgorzata , Męczekalski Błażej , Nowicka Grażyna , Łukaszuk Krzysztof , Ciebiera Magdalena , Słabuszewska-Jóźwiak Aneta , Jakiel Grzegorz
Published: November 2017

Uterine fibroids (UFs) are benign tumors of the female genital tract made of the smooth muscle of the uterus. UF growth depends mostly on the influence of the steroid hormones and selected growth factors. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-βs) is a polypeptide that consists of three isoforms: TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3. At present, TGF-β is considered to be one of the key factors in the pathophysiology of UFs. It plays a major role in cellular migration within the tumor, stimulates tumor growth, and enhances tumor metabolism. As a consequence of various dependencies, the synthesis and release of TGF-β in a UF tumor is increased, which results in excessive extracellular matrix production and storage. High concentrations or overexpression of TGF-β mediators may be responsible for clinically symptomatic UFs. The aim of this review was to check the available evidence for the influence of the TGF-β family on UF biology. We conducted their search in PubMed of the National Library of Medicine with the use of the following selected keywords: “uterine fibroid”, “leiomyoma”, and “transforming growth factor β”. After reviewing the titles and abstracts, more than 115 full articles were evaluated. We focused on the TGF-β-related molecular aspects and their influence on the most common symptoms that are associated with UFs. Also, we described how the available data might implicate the current medical management of UFs.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Sequestration Enhances In Vivo Cartilage Formation
Authors: Medeiros Da Cunha Carolina , Perugini Valeria , Bernegger Petra , Centola Matteo , Barbero Andrea , Guildford Anna , Santin Matteo , Banfi Andrea , Martin Ivan , Marsano Anna
Published: November 2017

Autologous chondrocyte transplantation for cartilage repair still has unsatisfactory clinical outcomes because of inter-donor variability and poor cartilage quality formation. Re-differentiation of monolayer-expanded human chondrocytes is not easy in the absence of potent morphogens. The Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) plays a master role in angiogenesis and in negatively regulating cartilage growth by stimulating vascular invasion and ossification. Therefore, we hypothesized that its sole microenvironmental blockade by either VEGF sequestration by soluble VEGF receptor-2 (Flk-1) or by antiangiogenic hyperbranched peptides could improve chondrogenesis of expanded human nasal chondrocytes (NC) freshly seeded on collagen scaffolds. Chondrogenesis of several NC donors was assessed either in vitro or ectopically in nude mice. VEGF blockade appeared not to affect NC in vitro differentiation, whereas it efficiently inhibited blood vessel ingrowth in vivo. After 8 weeks, in vivo glycosaminoglycan deposition was approximately two-fold higher when antiangiogenic approaches were used, as compared to the control group. Our data indicates that the inhibition of VEGF signaling, independently of the specific implementation mode, has profound effects on in vivo NC chondrogenesis, even in the absence of chondroinductive signals during prior culture or at the implantation site.
Emerging Roles of DYRK Kinases in Embryogenesis and Hedgehog Pathway Control
Authors: Singh Rajeev , Lauth Matthias
Published: November 2017

Hedgehog (Hh)/GLI signaling is an important instructive cue in various processes during embryonic development, such as tissue patterning, stem cell maintenance, and cell differentiation. It also plays crucial roles in the development of many pediatric and adult malignancies. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of pathway regulation is therefore of high interest. Dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinases (DYRKs) comprise a group of protein kinases which are emerging modulators of signal transduction, cell proliferation, survival, and cell differentiation. Work from the last years has identified a close regulatory connection between DYRKs and the Hh signaling system. In this manuscript, we outline the mechanistic influence of DYRK kinases on Hh signaling with a focus on the mammalian situation. We furthermore aim to bring together what is known about the functional consequences of a DYRK-Hh cross-talk and how this might affect cellular processes in development, physiology, and pathology.
Warm Pre-Strain: Strengthening the Metastable 304L Austenitic Stainless Steel without Compromising Its Hydrogen Embrittlement Resistance
Authors: Wang Yanfei , Zhou Zhiling , Wu Weijie , Gong Jianming
Published: November 2017

Plastic pre-strains were applied to the metastable 304L austenitic stainless steel at both room temperature (20 °C) and higher temperatures (i.e., 50, 80 and 100 °C), and then the hydrogen embrittlement (HE) susceptibility of the steel was evaluated by cathodically hydrogen-charging and tensile testing. The 20 °C pre-strain greatly strengthened the steel, but simultaneously significantly increased the HE susceptibility of the steel, since α′ martensite was induced by the pre-strain, causing the pre-existence of α′ martensite, which provided “highways” for hydrogen to transport deep into the steel during the hydrogen-charging. Although the warm pre-strains did not strengthen the steel as significantly as the 20 °C pre-strain, they retained the HE resistance of the steel. This is because the higher temperatures, particularly 80 and 100 °C, suppressed the α′ martensite transformation during the pre-straining. Pre-strain at a temperature slightly higher than room temperature has a potential to strengthen the metastable 304L austenitic stainless steel without compromising its initial HE resistance.
Time-Resolved Photoluminescence Microscopy for the Analysis of Semiconductor-Based Paint Layers
Authors: Comelli Daniela , Artesani Alessia , Nevin Austin , Mosca Sara , Gonzalez Victor , Eveno Myriam , Valentini Gianluca
Published: November 2017

In conservation, science semiconductors occur as the constituent matter of the so-called semiconductor pigments, produced following the Industrial Revolution and extensively used by modern painters. With recent research highlighting the occurrence of various degradation phenomena in semiconductor paints, it is clear that their detection by conventional optical fluorescence imaging and microscopy is limited by the complexity of historical painting materials. Here, we illustrate and prove the capabilities of time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) microscopy, equipped with both spectral and lifetime sensitivity at timescales ranging from nanoseconds to hundreds of microseconds, for the analysis of cross-sections of paint layers made of luminescent semiconductor pigments. The method is sensitive to heterogeneities within micro-samples and provides valuable information for the interpretation of the nature of the emissions in samples. A case study is presented on micro samples from a painting by Henri Matisse and serves to demonstrate how TRPL can be used to identify the semiconductor pigments zinc white and cadmium yellow, and to inform future investigations of the degradation of a cadmium yellow paint.
Picard’s Iterative Method for Caputo Fractional Differential Equations with Numerical Results
Authors: Lyons Rainey , Vatsala Aghalaya , Chiquet Ross
Published: November 2017

With fractional differential equations (FDEs) rising in popularity and methods for solving them still being developed, approximations to solutions of fractional initial value problems (IVPs) have great applications in related fields. This paper proves an extension of Picard’s Iterative Existence and Uniqueness Theorem to Caputo fractional ordinary differential equations, when the nonhomogeneous term satisfies the usual Lipschitz’s condition. As an application of our method, we have provided several numerical examples.
Synergistic Effects of Danshen (Salvia Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) and Sanqi (Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma) Combination in Angiogenesis Behavior in EAhy 926 Cells
Authors: Zhou Xian , Razmovski-Naumovski Valentina , Kam Antony , Chang Dennis , Li Chunguang , Bensoussan Alan , Chan Kelvin
Published: November 2017

Background: This study investigated the combination effects of the Danshen and Sanqi herb pair on angiogenesis in vitro. Methods: Nine combination ratios of Danshen-Sanqi extracts (DS-SQ) were screened for their angiogenic effects in the human vascular endothelial EAhy 926 cell line via cell proliferation, cell migration and tube formation activities against the damage to the cells exerted by DL-homocysteine (Hcy) and adenosine (Ado). The type of interaction (synergistic, antagonistic, additive) between Danshen and Sanqi was analyzed using combination index (CI) and isobologram models. The angiogenic activities of key bioactive compounds from Danshen and Sanqi were tested in the same models. Results: DS-SQ ratios of 2:8 and 3:7 (50–300 µg/mL) potentiated angiogenic synergistic effects (CI < 1) in all three assays. The observed wound healing effects of DS-SQ 2:8 was significantly attenuated by phosphatidylinositol-3 kinases (PI3K), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) inhibitors which inferred the potential mechanistic pathways. Out of all the tested compounds, Notoginsenoside R1 from Sanqi exhibited the most potent bioactivity in cell proliferation assay. Conclusions: This study provides scientific evidence to support the traditional use of the Danshen-Sanqi combination for vascular disease, in particular through their synergistic interactions on previously unexamined angiogenic pathways.
Effect of Ni-Content on the Transformation Temperatures in NiTi-20 at. % Zr High Temperature Shape Memory Alloys
Authors: Carl Matthew , Smith Jesse , Van Doren Brian , Young Marcus
Published: November 2017

The effect of Ni-content on phase transformation behavior of NiTi-20 at. % Zr high temperature shape memory alloy (HTSMA) is investigated over a small composition range, i.e., 49.8, 50.0 and 50.2 at. % Ni, by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), high-energy synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction (SR-XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). All samples show a monoclinic B19′ martensitic structure at room temperature. It is shown that even with these small variations in Ni-content, the alloy shows vastly different transformation temperatures and responds in a drastically different manner to aging treatments at 550 and 600 °C. Lastly, a discussion on H-phase composition with respect to bulk composition is presented.