bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anticancer Activity of Chitosan, Chitosan Derivatives, and Their Mechanism of Action
Authors: Adhikari Hari Sharan , Yadav Paras Nath
Published: December 2018

Tailoring of chitosan through the involvement of its amino, acetamido, and hydroxy groups can give derivatives of enhanced solubility and remarkable anticancer activity. The general mechanism of such activity is associated with the disturbances in normal functioning of cell cycle, interference to the central dogma of biological system from DNA to RNA to protein or enzymatic synthesis, and the disruption of hormonal path to biosynthesis to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Both chitosan and its various derivatives have been reported to selectively permeate through the cancer cell membranes and show anticancer activity through the cellular enzymatic, antiangiogenic, immunoenhancing, antioxidant defense mechanism, and apoptotic pathways. They get sequestered from noncancer cells and provide their enhanced bioavailability in cancer cells in a sustained release manner. This review presents the putative mechanisms of anticancer activity of chitosan and mechanistic approaches of structure activity relation upon the modification of chitosan through functionalization, complex formation, and graft copolymerization to give different derivatives.
Vision-Based Dirt Detection and Adaptive Tiling Scheme for Selective Area Coverage
Authors: Ramalingam Balakrishnan , Veerajagadheswar Prabakaran , Ilyas Muhammad , Elara Mohan Rajesh , Manimuthu Arunmozhi
Published: December 2018

This paper proposes a visual dirt detection algorithm and a novel adaptive tiling-based selective dirt area coverage scheme for reconfigurable morphology robot. The visual dirt detection technique utilizes a three-layer filtering framework which includes a periodic pattern detection filter, edge detection, and noise filtering to effectively detect and segment out the dirt area from the complex floor backgrounds. Then adaptive tiling-based area coverage scheme has been employed to generate the tetromino morphology to cover the segmented dirt area. The proposed algorithms have been validated in Matlab environment with real captured dirt images and simulated tetrominoes tile set. Experimental results show that the proposed three-stage filtering significantly enhances the dirt detection ratio in the incoming images with complex floors with different backgrounds. Further, the selective dirt area coverage is performed by excluding the already cleaned area from the unclean area on the floor map by incorporating the tiling pattern generated by adaptive tetromino tiling algorithm.
Chaos Suppression via Euler-Lagrange Control Design for a Class of Chemical Reacting System
Authors: Aguilar-López Ricardo
Published: December 2018

In this work the problem of chaos suppression for a class of continuous chemical reactor with chaotic dynamics is tackled via a nonlinear control strategy. The proposed controller is developed under the framework of optimal control theory, where a functional is proposed to maximize the chemical reaction rate via a proposed Lagrangian-type which contains directly the state equation of the reacting system, avoiding the problems of Lagrange, the Hamiltonian formulation, and consequently the explicit constraints to the system. This allows solving in an easier form the optimization problem in comparison with the standard methods. This procedure allows suppressing the chaotic behavior of the reacting system by stabilizing the reaction rate term by leading it to an extreme value. Numerical experiments are done in order to show the satisfactory performance of the proposed methodology.
Cerebrovascular Complications and Infective Endocarditis: Impact of Available Evidence on Clinical Outcome
Authors: Schirone Leonardo , Iaccarino Alessandra , Saade Wael , D’Abramo Mizar , De Bellis Antonio , Frati Giacomo , Sciarretta Sebastiano , Mestres Carlos-A. , Greco Ernesto
Published: December 2018

Background. Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening disease. Its epidemiological profile has substantially changed in recent years although 1-year mortality is still high. Despite advances in medical therapy and surgical technique, there is still uncertainty on the best management and on the timing of surgical intervention. The objective of this review is to produce further insight into the short- and long-term outcomes of patients with IE, with a focus on those presenting cerebrovascular complications.
Power Transmission Tower Monitoring with Hydrostatic Leveling System: Measurement Refinement and Performance Evaluation
Authors: Zhang Xingfu , Zhang Yongyi , Zhang Lei , Qiu Guangxin , Wei Dehong
Published: December 2018

A hydrostatic leveling system (HLS) is an automated high-accuracy measurement technology widely used for vertical displacement monitoring. This paper focuses on evaluating the performance of HLS for monitoring the deformation of a power transmission tower base together with a slope sensor and displacement meter. The monitoring results show that HLS measurements are strongly affected by the environmental temperature. Therefore, to obtain the actual deformation of a monitoring target, the measurements should be further processed to reduce the effect of temperature on the result. To this end, four data processing schemes are proposed, which are based on the frequency of processing (i.e., day by day, monthly, quarterly, or annually). The results demonstrate that the quarterly processing scheme effectively reduces the impact of temperature on deformation measurements and therefore provides the most accurate results among the four schemes considered. Since after correction, the HLS measurements are consistent with the independent monitoring results obtained from the slope sensor and displacement meter, the proposed correction strategy is workable and might be considered for similar monitoring scenarios in future.
Xylanase and Fermented Polysaccharide of Hericium caputmedusae Reduce Pathogenic Infection of Broilers by Improving Antioxidant and Anti‐Inflammatory Properties
Authors: Zhang Sitong , Wang Chunfeng , Sun Yang , Wang Gang , Chen Huan , Li Dan , Yu Xiaoxiao , Chen Guang
Published: December 2018

Background. Pathogenic infection in broilers has become an important issue in the development of poultry industry. Xylooligosaccharides released from xylan via xylanase and fermented polysaccharide of Hericium caputmedusae (FPHC) have antimicrobial potential against many pathogens. Objective. We aimed to explore the effects of xylanase and FPHC on pathogenic infection in the broilers (Gallus gallus domesticus). Methods. Three hundred and thirty 21‐day male broilers were assigned into four groups: control group (CG, basic diet), xylanase group (XG, basic diet + xylanase), FPHC group (HG, basic diet + FPHC), and XHG group (basic diet + xylanase + FPHC). Average daily feed intake (ADFI) and daily gain (ADG) were measured. Microflora from broiler feces was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Serum tumor necrosis factor‐ (TNF‐) α, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1ra), IL‐10, total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were detected using kits. The variables were compared using the Student t‐test between two groups. Results. Microbiological investigations showed that 75% of broilers were affected by bacterial pathogens in the CG group, most notably by coagulase‐negative staphylococci. Comparatively, 15%, 26%, and 5% of broilers were affected by bacterial pathogens in the XG, HG, and XHG groups, respectively. Xylanase and FPHC treatment increased the ratio of ADG to ADFI and antioxidant capacity by increasing the levels of T‐AOC, SOD, and GSH‐Px and reducing the levels of MDA (P < 0.05). Xylanase and FPHC treatment improved anti‐inflammatory capacity by increasing serum levels of IL‐1ra and IL‐10 and reducing the levels of IL‐1β and TNF‐α. On the other hand, the treatment increased probiotic concentration of Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, and Lactobacillus plantarum (P < 0.05), which were also proved in cell culture. Conclusions. Xylanase and FPHC ameliorate pathogen infection by increasing antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities of broilers via the increase of probiotics.
Spontaneous Septostomy in a Twin Pregnancy Causing Fatal Amniotic Band Syndrome
Authors: Hvelplund Carolina , Pihl Kasper , Trautner Simon , Pedersen Pernille , Maroun Lisa Leth
Published: December 2018

Complications due to spontaneous septostomy of the dividing membrane in monochorionic diamniotic pregnancies are rarely described. Herein, we report the case of a preterm female neonate from a monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy delivered by caesarean section at 32 weeks of gestation. She was born with a broad band of a transparent membrane-like material firmly attached to her lower abdomen. Postnatally, she developed respiratory distress syndrome and persistent pulmonary hypertension, complicated by bilateral pneumothorax. She died due to respiratory failure when she was 1 day old. Her twin sister survived with no malformations. At postmortem examination, the neonate had severe lung hypoplasia, and the attached material was diagnosed as the dividing septum. We hypothesize that the lung hypoplasia was secondary to local oligohydramnios, which developed as a consequence of the twin being firmly stuck in the defect of the dividing membrane. To our best knowledge, spontaneous septostomy causing an ultimately fatal amniotic band syndrome has not previously been described.
Osteocalcin Serum Levels in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Their Intrinsic and Extrinsic Determinants: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Martinez-Portilla Raigam J. , Villafan-Bernal Jose R. , Lip-Sosa Diana L. , Meler Eva , Clotet Jordi , Serna-Vela Francisco J. , Velazquez-Garcia Sergio , Serrano-Diaz Leopoldo C. , Figueras Francesc
Published: December 2018

Background. Undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) increases insulin release and insulin resistance in mice. In humans, evidence is scarce but a correlation of ucOC and total osteocalcin (tOC) with glycemic status markers has been demonstrated. The relationship of ucOC and tOC with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been even less characterized. Objective. To assess the mean difference of tOC and ucOC serum concentrations among nondiabetic pregnant women and women diagnosed as GDM in the second trimester of pregnancy and to determine the possible intrinsic and extrinsic contributors to this difference. Methods. A systematic search was performed to identify relevant studies published in English and Spanish using PubMed, SCOPUS, ISI Web of Knowledge, and PROSPERO database for meta-analysis. Observational studies measuring mean serum levels of osteocalcin among GDM, with at least 10 subjects analyzed in each group were selected. Mean difference (MD) by random effects model was used. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using Cochran’s Q, H, and I2 statistics. Results. From 38 selected studies, 5 were retained for analysis for a total of 1119 pregnant women. Serum concentrations of tOC were not significantly different among women with GDM and nondiabetic pregnant controls (MD: 1.56; 95% CI: −0.70 to 3.82; p=0.175). Meanwhile, ucOC serum levels were significantly higher among women with GDM (MD: 1.17; 95% CI: 0.24 to 2.11; p=0.013). The only factor influencing tOC was the UV index, showing a reduction in mean difference between GDM and controls when exposed to higher concentrations of UV rays. Conclusions. This meta-analysis provides evidence to support the use of ucOC as a potential marker for GDM rather than tOC, yielding very little variability among studies and no difference among methods or brands used for its analysis.
Effect of Recycling Agents on Rheological and Micromechanical Properties of SBS‐Modified Asphalt Binders
Authors: Guo Meng , Tan Yiqiu , Luo Daisong , Li Yafei , Farooq Asim , Mo Liantong , Jiao Yubo
Published: December 2018

Individual effect of aging and rejuvenator recycling on basic properties of asphalt is readily recognized, but there is only limited understanding about whether the recycling of SBS‐ (styrene‐butadiene‐styrene‐) modified asphalt is an inverse process of aging or not. To compare the effects of aging and rejuvenator on microproperties and molecular composition of SBS‐modified asphalt, comprehensive performance tests and physical‐chemistry experiments were conducted. The results of infrared spectroscopy tests demonstrate that the reticular crosslinking structure of asphalt was destroyed and SBS’s modification effect was gradually lost after aging. This can cause the strengthening of high‐temperature performance and reduction of the low‐temperature anticrack property of SBS‐modified asphalt. Scanning electron microscope shows that the island structure of SBS‐modified asphalt disappeared after aging. Energy spectrum analysis shows that the C (carbon) content of aged SBS‐modified asphalt has decreased, while the O (oxygen) content and S (sulfur) content have increased obviously. Results of the fluorescence microscope, SEM, and rheological tests show that the epoxy functional group compounds of aliphatic glycidyl ether resin had high reactivity; the triblock molecular structure of SBS and the mechanical performance of SBS‐modified asphalt were recovered.
Intravenous Cyclophosphamide Therapy for Anti-IFN-Gamma Autoantibody-AssociatedMycobacterium abscessusInfection
Authors: Chetchotisakd Ploenchan , Anunnatsiri Siriluck , Nanagara Ratanavadee , Nithichanon Arnone , Lertmemongkolchai Ganjana
Published: December 2018

Introduction. Anti-interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) autoantibodies are increasingly recognized as a cause of adult-onset immunodeficiency (AOID) worldwide. These patients are susceptible to various intracellular pathogens especially nontuberculous mycobacteria. Most of the patients have a refractory clinical course. Herein, we report the use of immunotherapy with pulse intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVCY) in patients who had progressive, refractoryMycobacterium abscessusinfection.Method. We included patients, seen at Srinagarind Hospital, Thailand, infected withM. abscessus, who had received ≥3 courses of parenteral antibiotics within the last 12 months and who received pulse IVCY with a tapering dose of prednisolone.Results. There were 8 AOID patients who met the criteria and received pulse IVCY between January 2011 and December 2015. One patient was lost to follow-up after 5 courses of IVCY: he had died at home 3 months later. Five patients had favorable outcomes: 2 were able to discontinue NTM therapy, and 3 had stable disease and were on NTM treatment without hospitalization for parenteral antibiotics. Two patients relapsed and needed hospitalization. The IFN-γAb titers among the 7 patients were significantly decreased during treatment, and the median initial antibody titer started at 200,000 and then decreased to 5,000 after 2 years of treatment (P<0.0001). The antibody titer reduction among responsive vs. nonresponsive patient was significantly different after 6 months of treatment: the median antibody titer was 5,000 and 100,000, respectively (P=0.0467).Conclusion. IVCY therapy might be an alternative treatment for AOID patients infected withM. abscessusand refractory to antimycobacterial therapy.
Two-Year Changes in Hyperuricemia and Risk of Diabetes: A Five-Year Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Liu Jia , Tao Lixin , Zhao Zhan , Mu Yongmin , Zou Dechun , Zhang Jingbo , Guo Xiuhua
Published: December 2018

Background. Hyperuricemia is known to be a risk factor for diabetes. However, information is limited regarding the association between changes in hyperuricemia and the risk of diabetes.Methods. A total of 15,403 participants who were free of diabetes at the time of 2009 and 2011 surveys in the Beijing Health Management Cohort (BHMC) study were recruited and followed up until 2016. Participants were classified into four groups according to 2-year changes in hyperuricemia: no hyperuricemia, remittent hyperuricemia, incident hyperuricemia, and persistent hyperuricemia. Modified Poisson regression models were used to evaluate the effect of 2-year changes in hyperuricemia on the risk of diabetes.Results. During the 5-year follow-up, we identified 841 new cases of diabetes (216 women). Remittent hyperuricemia and incident hyperuricemia had a 35% and 48% higher risk for developing diabetes compared with no hyperuricemia. Especially, persistent hyperuricemia was associated with a 75% higher risk of diabetes (RR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.47-2.08). Compared with minor serum uric acid (SUA) change, over 10% decline and over 30% increase in SUA levels were subsequently associated with lower (RR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.72-0.99) and higher (RR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.27-2.30) diabetes risk, respectively.Conclusions. Changes in hyperuricemia, especially persistent hyperuricemia, are more appropriate to reflect the risk of diabetes than a single measurement of hyperuricemia at baseline. Strategies aiming at preventing hyperuricemia are urgently needed to reduce the increasing burden of diabetes.
Biomechanical Effects of Incisional Negative Wound Pressure Dressing: An Ex Vivo Model Using Human and Porcine Abdominal Walls
Authors: Jansen-Winkeln Boris , Niebisch Stefan , Scheuermann Uwe , Gockel Ines , Mehdorn Matthias
Published: December 2018

Introduction. Incisional negative pressure wound therapy (iNPWT) has been of recent interest in different surgical fields as beneficial outcomes on high-risk wounds have been reported. Nevertheless, its mechanisms of function are not widely studied to date. Methods. We established two ex vivo setups of iNPWT in porcine and human abdominal wall for measuring pressures within the wound which result from iNPWT application. For pressure measurements, a high-resolution manometry catheter and a balloon catheter probe were used in a wound sealed with either a commercially available PREVENA VAC kit or a self-made iNPWT kit. Furthermore, we evaluated seroma evacuation by iNPWT. Results. Both setups showed similar characteristics of pressure curves within the wound when applying increasing negative pressures. Application of high pressures did not result in a similar increase in wound pressure. Only subtotal evacuation of seroma by iNPWT application (about 75% of volume) could be detected. Conclusion. Our ex vivo model of iNPWT in porcine and human abdominal wall could show reproducible measurements of pressures within the wounds in both types of tissue. As intrawound pressures did not increase in the same way as the applied negative pressure, we suggest that our results do not advocate the idea of using iNPWT for wound care especially as seroma evacuation remains insufficient.
Interesting Case of Skin Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer and Review of Literature
Authors: Amarjothi J. M. V. , Villalan R. , Jeyasudhahar J. , NaganathBabu O. L.
Published: December 2018

Skin metastasis is a complication rarely seen after curative resection for colorectal cancer and chemotherapy. The article describes a metachronous case of skin metastasis after curative resection. This article is presented to illustrate that genetic and molecular profiling of carcinoma is a must for diagnosis of aggressive biological behavior and that skin metastasis is usually a harbinger of adverse outcome.
A Comparison Study of Antiultraviolet and Sustained Release Properties of Polydopamine/Avermectin Microcapsule and Microsphere
Authors: Shen Zhichuan , Zhou Xinhua , Qiu Huina , Xu Hua , Chen Huayao , Zhou Hongjun
Published: December 2018

By using dopamine (DA) as the monomer, the model drug avermectin (AVM) was loaded on polydopamine microspheres (AVM/PDAMS) and polydopamine microcapsules (AVM@PDAMC) by the method of impregnation and encapsulation, respectively. The materials’ structures were systematically characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The comparison of antiultraviolet capability as well as release behaviors under different pH values of the materials were studied. The results showed that a spherical appearance was observed from both materials. The use of AVM/PDAMS and AVM@PDAMC made the decomposition temperature of AVM increase to 235°C and 245°C, respectively. After being exposed to ultraviolet light for 1400 min, the residual ratios of AVM of AVM/PDAMS and AVM@PDAMC were 42% and 54%, respectively. Both AVM/PDAMS and AVM@PDAMC showed acid sensitivity. AVM/PDAMS and AVM@PDAMC took about 13 h and 60 h to reach the release rate of 50% under pH 3. The release process of AVM/PDAMS could be explained by the Weibull model at pH 3, while the release behavior of AVM@PDAMC fitted the Baker–Lonsdale equation. At pH 7 and pH 9, both of the delivery materials followed the Korsmeyer–Peppas model and belonged to the Fick diffusion.
Effect of Alkaloid Extract from African Jointfir (Gnetum africanum) Leaves on Manganese‐Induced Toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Oboh Ganiyu , Ogunsuyi Opeyemi Babatunde , Awonyemi Olatunde Isaac , Atoki Victor Ayomide
Published: December 2018

Metal‐induced toxicity in fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) is one of the established models for studying neurotoxicity and neurodegenerative diseases. Phytochemicals, especially alkaloids, have been reported to exhibit neuroprotection. Here, we assessed the protective effect of alkaloid extract from African Jointfir (Gnetum africanum) leaf on manganese‐ (Mn‐) induced toxicity in wild type fruit fly. Flies were exposed to 10 mM Mn, the alkaloid extract and cotreatment of Mn plus extract, respectively. The survival rate and locomotor performance of the flies were assessed 5 days posttreatment, at which point the flies were homogenized and assayed for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, nitric oxide (NO), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Results showed that the extract significantly reverted Mn‐induced reduction in the survival rate and locomotor performance of the flies. Furthermore, the extract counteracted the Mn‐induced elevation in AChE activity, NO, and ROS levels. The alkaloid extract of the African Jointfir leaf may hence be a source of useful phytochemicals for the development of novel therapies for the management of neurodegeneration.
Anorectal Cancer with Bone Marrow and Leptomeningeal Metastases
Authors: Zeeneldin Ahmed , Al-Dhaibani Nasser , Saleh Yasser M. , Ismail Amal Mostafa , Alzibair Zuhair , Moona Mohamed Shafi , Mohamed Wael
Published: December 2018

This is an interesting case of anorectal signet ring carcinoma with first presentation of an early stage disease, showing the aggressive disease and the undetectable behavior of this type of histology which can mislead diagnosis. Brain/CNS metastasis from colorectal cancer (CRC) is rare occurring in 3% of cases, and leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC) is extremely rare in CRC (<0.02%). Symptoms and signs of LMC are pleomorphic and may be localized to three compartments: cerebral hemispheres, cranial nerves, and spinal cords and roots. Treatment of metastatic rectal cancer has been improving over the last few years with a lot of changes toward longer survival and improvement in quality of life and to change the disease into a chronic condition. However, in our case, the overall survival from the onset of LMC was 3 weeks only. Revising the evidence in the treatment of signet ring histology of rectal cancer, there is no specific treatment recommendation that is for this histology and for such very aggressive behavior which could be considered as a separate entity to the classic adenocarcinoma histology.
Mechanical Energy Expenditure-based Comfort Evaluation Model for Gesture Interaction
Authors: Wang Wenjie , Qin Xiansheng , Zheng Chen , Wang Hongbo , Li Jing , Niu Junlong
Published: December 2018

As an advanced interaction mode, the gesture has been widely used for the human-computer interaction (HCI). The paper proposes a comfort evaluation model based on the mechanical energy expenditure (MEE) and the mechanical efficiency (ME) to predict the comfort of gestures. The proposed comfort evaluation model takes nineteen muscles and seven degrees of freedom into consideration based on the data of muscles and joints and is capable of simulating the MEE and the ME of both static and dynamic gestures. The comfort scores (CSs) can be therefore calculated by normalizing and assigning different decision weights to the MEE and the ME. Compared with the traditional comfort prediction methods based on measurement, on the one hand, the proposed comfort evaluation model makes it possible for providing a quantitative value for the comfort of gestures without using electromyography (EMG) or other measuring devices; on the other hand, from the ergonomic perspective, the results provide an intuitive indicator to predict which act has the higher risk of fatigue or injury for joints and muscles. Experiments are conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed model. According to the comparison result among the proposed comfort evaluation model, the model based on the range of motion (ROM) and the model based on the method for movement and gesture assessment (MMGA), a slight difference can be found due to the ignorance of dynamic gestures and the relative kinematic characteristics during the movements of dynamic gestures. Therefore, considering the feedback of perceived effects and gesture recognition rate in HCI, designers can achieve a better optimization for the gesture design by making use of the proposed comfort evaluation model.
Development of Clustered Resistance Gene Analogs-Based Markers of Resistance toPhytophthora capsiciin Chili Pepper
Authors: Kim Nayoung , Kang Won-Hee , Lee Jundae , Yeom Seon-In
Published: January 2019

The soil-borne pathogenPhytophthora capsicicauses severe destruction ofCapsicumspp. Resistance inCapsicumagainstP. capsiciis controlled by numerous minor quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and a consistent major QTL on chromosome 5. Molecular markers onCapsicumchromosome 5 have been developed to identify the predominant genetic contributor to resistance but have achieved little success. In this study, previously reported molecular markers were used to reanalyze the major QTL region on chromosome 5 (6.2 Mbp to 139.2 Mbp). Candidate resistance gene analogs (RGAs) were identified in the extended major QTL region including 14 nucleotide binding site leucine-rich repeats, 3 receptor-like kinases, and 1 receptor-like protein. Sequence comparison of the candidate RGAs was performed between twoCapsicumgermplasms that are resistant and susceptible, respectively, toP. capsici.11 novel RGA-based markers were developed through high-resolution melting analysis which were closely linked to the major QTL forP. capsiciresistance. Among the markers, CaNB-5480 showed the highest cosegregation rate at 86.9% and can be applied to genotyping of the germplasms that were not amenable by previous markers. With combination of three markers such as CaNB-5480, CaRP-5130 and CaNB-5330 increased genotyping accuracy for 61Capsicumaccessions. These could be useful to facilitate high-throughput germplasm screening and further characterize resistance genes againstP. capsiciin pepper.
FPGA Implementation of Digital Images Watermarking System Based on Discrete Haar Wavelet Transform
Authors: Hajjaji Mohamed Ali , Gafsi Mohamed , Ben Abdelali Abdessalem , Mtibaa Abdellatif
Published: January 2019

In this paper we propose a novel and efficient hardware implementation of an image watermarking system based on the Haar Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT). DWT is used in image watermarking to hide secret pieces of information into a digital content with a good robustness. The main advantage of Haar DWT is the frequencies separation into four subbands (LL, LH, HL, and HH) which can be treated independently. This permits ensuring a better compromise between robustness and visibility factors. A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) that is based on a very large scale integration architecture of the watermarking algorithm is developed to accelerate media authentication. A hardware cosimulation strategy using the Matlab-Xilinx system generator (XSG) was applied to prove the validity of the suggested implementation. The hardware cosimulation results show the effectiveness of the developed architecture in terms of visibility and robustness against several attacks. The proposed hardware system presents also a high performance in terms of the operating speed.
Position/Force Tracking Impedance Control for Robotic Systems with Uncertainties Based on Adaptive Jacobian and Neural Network
Authors: Peng Jinzhu , Yang Zeqi , Ma Tianlei
Published: January 2019

In this paper, an adaptive Jacobian and neural network based position/force tracking impedance control scheme is proposed for controlling robotic systems with uncertainties and external disturbances. To achieve precise force control performance indirectly by using the position tracking, the control scheme is divided into two parts: the outer‐loop force impedance control and the inner‐loop position tracking control. In the outer‐loop, an improved impedance controller, which combines the traditional impedance relationship with the PID‐like scheme, is designed to eliminate the force tracking error quickly and to reduce the force overshoot effectively. In this way, the satisfied force tracking performance can be achieved when the manipulator contacts with environment. In the inner‐loop, an adaptive Jacobian method is proposed to estimate the velocities and interaction torques of the end‐effector due to the system kinematical uncertainties, and the system dynamical uncertainties and the uncertain term of adaptive Jacobian are compensated by an adaptive radial basis function neural network (RBFNN). Then, a robust term is designed to compensate the external disturbances and the approximation errors of RBFNN. In this way, the command position trajectories generated from the outer‐loop force impedance controller can be then tracked so that the contact force tracking performance can be achieved indirectly in the forced direction. Based on the Lyapunov stability theorem, it is proved that all the signals in closed‐loop system are bounded and the position and velocity errors are asymptotic convergence to zero. Finally, the validity of the control scheme is shown by computer simulation on a two‐link robotic manipulator.
Comparative Analysis of Neural-Network and Fuzzy Auto-Tuning Sliding Mode Controls for Overhead Cranes under Payload and Cable Variations
Authors: Shehu Muhammad A. , Li Ai-jun , Huang Bing , Wang Yu , Liu Bojian
Published: January 2019

The overhead crane is required to operate fast and precisely with minimal sway. However, high-speed operations cause undesirable load sways, hazardous to operating personnel, the payload being handled, and the crane itself. Thus, a high-quality control is required. In this work, the nonlinear model of the overhead crane was established and the sliding mode control (SMC) was proposed that ensured the existence of sliding motion in the presence of payload and hoisting height variations, and viscous frictions. To maximize the benefits derived from the proposed control method, novel sliding slope-update based on intelligent neural-network and fuzzy algorithms were developed to tune the controller, guaranteeing precise tracking of the actuated variables as well as regulation of the unactuated variables. The proposed methods adjust predetermined value of the sliding manifold’s slope in response to variations in hoisting heights. Control applications were conducted, and results based on graphical, integral absolute error (IAE), and integral time absolute error (ITAE) proved the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms. It was observed that the response of the controller with back-propagation-trained neural-network was more effective relative to that of the fuzzy algorithm.
Tracing Geographical Origins of Teas Based on FT-NIR Spectroscopy: Introduction of Model Updating and Imbalanced Data Handling Approaches
Authors: Hong Xue-Zhen , Fu Xian-Shu , Wang Zheng-Liang , Zhang Li , Yu Xiao-Ping , Ye Zi-Hong
Published: January 2019

This work presents a reliable approach to trace teas’ geographical origins despite changes in teas caused by different harvest years. A total of 1447 tea samples collected from various areas in 2014 (660 samples) and 2015 (787 samples) were detected by FT-NIR. Seven classifiers trained on the 2014 dataset all succeeded to trace origins of samples collected in 2014; however, they all failed to predict origins for the 2015 samples due to different data distributions and imbalanced dataset. Three outlier detection based undersampling approaches—one-class SVM (OC-SVM), isolation forest and elliptic envelope—were then proposed; as a result, the highest macro average recall (MAR) for the 2015 dataset was improved from 56.86% to 73.95% (by SVM). A model updating approach was also applied, and the prediction MAR was significantly improved with increase in the updating rate. The best MAR (90.31%) was first achieved by the OC-SVM combined SVM classifier at a 50% rate.
Socioeconomic Deprivation Status and Air Pollution by PM10 and NO2: An Assessment at Municipal Level of 11 Years in Italy
Authors: Mannocci Alice , Ciarlo Immacolata , D’Egidio Valeria , Del Cimmuto Angela , de Giusti Maria , Villari Paolo , La Torre Giuseppe
Published: January 2019

The aim of this observational study was to assess the relationship between environmental risk factors and some aspects of social economic status (SES) of the population in different Italian municipalities. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) annual means were extracted from ISPRA-BRACE (environmental information system of 483 Italian municipalities, 6% of the total amount of administrative units) from 2002 to 2012. As an indicator of sociodemographic and SES data, we collected the following: resident population, foreign nationality, low level of education, unemployment, nonhome ownership, single-parent family, and overcrowding. Low educational level, unemployment, and lack of home ownership were indirectly associated with the higher mean values of NO2 at the statistically significant level (p<0.05). Major resident population and rental housing percentage determined higher levels of PM10. Northern regions showed similar results compared to the national level, with the exception of foreign residency that showed direct correlation with the increase of PM10. The central regions showed a direct relationship between NO2 and PM10 levels and higher educational levels and between NO2 levels and percentage of single-parent family. In the southern areas, higher NO2 levels were correlated with a higher rental housing percentage, as well as higher PM10 levels with a higher percentage of unemployment and lower housing density. The study shows high heterogeneity in the findings but confirms the relationship between high educational level and employment with the increased concentration of pollutants. The higher rental housing percentage may increase the pollutants’ levels too. The housing density does not seem to be in relationship with NO2 and PM10 at the national level. The analysis stratified by geographical areas showed that the direction of the correlations was different over time as the analysis was at a national level. The study represents an example of how data from national information systems can provide a preliminary evaluation and be a comparative tool for policy-makers to assess environmental risk factors and social inequalities.
Fecal Proteomic Analysis in Healthy Dogs and in Dogs Suffering from Food Responsive Diarrhea
Authors: Cerquetella Matteo , Rossi Giacomo , Spaterna Andrea , Tesei Beniamino , Gavazza Alessandra , Pengo Graziano , Pucciarelli Stefania , Scortichini Luca , Sagratini Gianni , Ricciutelli Massimo , Marchegiani Andrea , Vincenzetti Silvia
Published: January 2019

Different laboratory markers are routinely used in the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal (GI) disease in dogs. In the present study, starting from feces from both healthy dogs and dogs suffering from food responsive diarrhea (FRD), we tried to find proteins differently expressed in the two groups of dogs, by using a proteomic approach. Interestingly, we found that the immunoglobulin J-chain isoform 1 (species:Canis lupus familiaris) was identified only in diseased dogs (not in healthy). J-chain combines especially IgA monomers to IgA dimers and plays a crucial role for their secretions into mucosal interface. Being the first study of that kind in the dog, it is only possible to hypothesize that their presence could be likely due to an increased activation of the immune system or to a mucosal damage or both in FRD patients. Similarly, it is still impossible to assess whether this protein could be used as diagnostic/prognostic marker of GI disease; however, this study represents a promising first step toward fecal proteomics in canine GI disorders.
Facile Synthesis of a Tailored-Designed Au/Pt Nanoanode for Enhanced Formic Acid, Methanol, and Ethylene Glycol Electrooxidation
Authors: Al-Akraa Islam M. , Asal Yaser M. , Mohammad Ahmad M.
Published: January 2019

The recent revolution in nanoscience and global energy demand have motivated research in liquid fuel cells (LFCs) due to their enhanced efficiency, moving flexibility, and reduced contamination. In line with this advancement, a glassy carbon (GC) electrode was modified with platinum (PtNPs) and gold (AuNPs) nanoparticles to fabricate a nanosized anode for formic acid, methanol, and ethylene glycol electrooxidation (abbreviated, respectively, to FAO, MO, and EGO), of the key anodic reactions of LFCs. The deposition sequence of the catalyst’s layers was important where the Au/Pt/GC electrode (in which PtNPs were directly deposited onto the GC surface followed by AuNPs—surface coverage ≈ 32%) exhibited the best catalytic performance. The catalytic performance of the Au/Pt/GC anode excelled (at least threefold) its value obtained at the Pt/GC anode with regard to FAO and EGO, if the oxidation peak currents were compared. This enhancement got reduced to 1.4 times in the case of MO, but the large decrease (− 220 mV) in the onset potential of MO provided compensation. The role of AuNPs in the Au/Pt/GC catalyst was principal in boosting its catalytic performance as it immunized the underlying PtNPs against CO poisoning which is associated with the release of CO as an intermediate during the oxidation. Interestingly, AuNPs succeeded in interrupting the contiguity of the Pt surface sites required for CO adsorption during FAO, MO, and EGO and, thus, presage preventing the deterioration of the catalytic performance of their corresponding LFCs.
An Angiotensinogen Gene Polymorphism (rs5050) Is Associated with the Risk of Coronary Artery Aneurysm in Southern Chinese Children with Kawasaki Disease
Authors: Liu Yunfeng , Fu Lanyan , Pi Lei , Che Di , Xu Yufen , Zheng Hao , Long Haifeng , Zeng Lanlan , Huang Ping , Zhang Li , Yu Tao , Gu Xiaoqiong
Published: January 2019

Background. Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute vasculitis disease that commonly causes acquired heart disease in children. Coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) is a major complication of KD. However, the pathogenesis of KD remains unclear. The results of a genome-wide association study (GWAS) showed that two functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs699A>G and rs5050T>G) in the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene were related to cardiovascular disease susceptibility. The purpose of our study was to estimate the relationship between the two GWAS-identified AGT gene polymorphisms and the risk of CAA in Southern Chinese children with KD. Methods. We genotyped the two AGT gene polymorphisms (rs699A>G and rs5050T>G) in 760 KD cases and 972 healthy controls. We used the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to estimate the degree of the associations. Results. These two AGT gene polymorphisms were not associated with a risk of KD relative to the controls, but after adjusting for sex and age, the carriers of the rs5050G allele with TG/GG vs TT had an adjusted OR=1.56, 95% CI=1.01-2.41, and P=0.044 relative to the carriers of the rs5050TT genotype. The susceptibility to CAA was more predominant in KD patients younger than 12 months old. Conclusions. Our results indicate that the AGT gene polymorphism rs5050T>G may increase the risk of CAA in children with KD, especially those who are younger than 12 months. These results need to be verified by a validation study with a larger sample size.
Synchronization in pth Moment for Stochastic Chaotic Neural Networks with Finite‐Time Control
Authors: Xu Yuhua , Wang Jinmeng , Zhou Wuneng , Wang Xin
Published: January 2019

Finite‐time synchronization in pth moment is considered for time varying stochastic chaotic neural networks. Compared with some existing results about finite‐time mean square stability of stochastic neural network, we obtain some useful criteria of finite‐time synchronization in pth moment for chaotic neural networks based on finite‐time nonlinear feedback control and finite‐time adaptive feedback control, which are efficient and easy to implement in practical applications. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the validity of the derived synchronization conditions.
Stress Response and Virulence Potential Modulating Effect of Peppermint Essential Oil inCampylobacter jejuni
Authors: Kovács J. K. , Felső P. , Horváth Gy. , Schmidt J. , Dorn Á. , Ábrahám H. , Cox A. , Márk L. , Emődy L. , Kovács T. , Schneider Gy.
Published: January 2019

Campylobacter jejuniis one of the most common food-borne bacteria that causes gastrointestinal symptoms. In the present study we have investigated the molecular basis of the anti-Campylobactereffect of peppermint essential oil (PEO), one of the oldest EO used to treat gastrointestinal diseases. Transcriptomic, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and proteomic, two-dimensional polyacryl amid gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) methods have revealed that, in the presence of a sublethal concentration of PEO, the expression of several virulence-associated genes was decreased (cheY0.84x;flhB0.79x;flgE0.205x;cadF0.08x;wlaB0.89x;porA0.25x;cbf24.3x) while impaired motility was revealed with a functional analysis. Scanning electron micrographs of the exposed cells showed that, unlike in the presence of other stresses, the originally curvedC. jejunicells straightened upon PEO exposure. Gaining insight into the molecular background of this stress response, we have revealed that in the presence of PEOC. jejunidominantly exerts a general stress response that elevates the expression of general stress genes likednaK,groEL,groES(10.41x, 3.63x, and 4.77x). The most important genesdps,sodB, andkatAinvolved in oxidative stress responses showed however moderate transcriptional elevations (1,58x, 1,55x, and 1,85x).
Optimal Homotopy Asymptotic and Multistage Optimal Homotopy Asymptotic Methods for Solving System of Volterra Integral Equations of the Second Kind
Authors: Biazar Jafar , Montazeri Roya
Published: January 2019

In this paper, optimal homotopy asymptotic method (OHAM) and its implementation on subinterval, called multistage optimal homotopy asymptotic method (MOHAM), are presented for solving linear and nonlinear systems of Volterra integral equations of the second kind. To illustrate these approaches two examples are presented. The results confirm the efficiency and ability of these methods for such equations. The results will be compared to find out which method is more accurate. Advantages of applying MOHAM are also illustrated.
Fuzzy Emergency Model and Robust Emergency Strategy of Supply Chain System under Random Supply Disruptions
Authors: Zhang Songtao , Zhang Panpan , Zhang Min
Published: January 2019

For random distributors under supply disruptions caused by emergency incidents, a fuzzy emergency model and a robust emergency strategy of the supply chain system are studied. First, for a kind of supply chain system composed of a strategic manufacturer, a backup manufacturer, and multiple distributors, the basic emergency models, including the inventory models and a total cost model, are constructed under random supply disruptions. Then, based on the Takagi‐Sugeno fuzzy system, the basic emergency models of the supply chain system are converted into a discrete switching model, which can realize soft switching among the basic emergency models. Furthermore, according to the different inventory levels, the strategic manufacturer’s production strategies and the distributors’ ordering strategies are designed to reduce the inventory costs of the node enterprises in supply chain system. Second, by defining a discrete piecewise Lyapunov function in each maximal overlapped‐rules group, a new fuzzy robust emergency strategy for the supply chain system is proposed through the principle of parallel distributed compensation. This emergency strategy can not only restore the impaired supply chain to the normal operation state but also keep the total cost of the supply chain at a low level and guarantee the robust stability of the emergency supply chain system. Finally, the simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed fuzzy robust emergency strategy of the supply chain system.
Comparison between LigaSure™ and Harmonic® in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Single-Center Experience on 422 Patients
Authors: Velotti N. , Manigrasso M. , Di Lauro K. , Vitiello A. , Berardi G. , Manzolillo D. , Anoldo P. , Bocchetti A. , Milone F. , Milone M. , De Palma G. D. , Musella M.
Published: January 2019

Background. New laparoscopic devices, such as electrothermal bipolar-activated devices (LigaSure™ (LS)) or ultrasonic systems (Harmonic® scalpel (HS)), have been applied recently to bariatric surgery allowing to reduce blood loss and surgical risks. The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare intraoperative performance of HS and LS, postoperative results, and clinical outcomes in a large cohort of patients undergoing LSG. Methods. Data from 422 morbidly obese patients undergoing LSG in our Bariatric Unit at the Advanced Biomedical Sciences Department of the “Federico II” University of Naples (Italy) between January 2009 and December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Subjects were divided into two groups (HS and LS), and operative time, intraoperative complications, and postoperative (within 30 days from surgery) complications were compared. Bleeding from the omentum or from the staple line, use of hemostatic clips, and absorbable hemostat were recorded as intraoperative complications; hemorrhages, abscess formation, gastric leaks, fever, and mortality were considered as postoperative complications. Results. Statistical analysis showed no difference in terms of baseline demographics between the two cohorts. Operative time (48 ± 9 vs 49 ± 6 min, p=0.646) and the rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications did not significantly differ between groups. Conclusion. Harmonic® and LigaSure™ are both useful tools in bariatric surgery, and these two advanced power devices are user-friendly and can facilitate surgeon work; from this point of view, the choice of the energy device should be based on the preference of the surgeon and on the hospital costs policy and availability.