bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigations on the Seismic Responses of Structures with a Suspended Mass
Authors: Wei Wenhui , Dai Aoxiong , Pi Yong-Lin , Bradford Mark Andrew
Published: December 2015

This paper presents the shaking table tests and an analytical study of structures with a suspended mass under coupled horizontal and tilting ground motions (CHT) caused by an earthquake. Shaking table tests of a 1:10 scaled model for a converter valve hall with a suspended mass in a high-voltage direct current electric power transmission station are carried out. The equations of motion for the structure, including the influence of the rotary inertia of the suspended mass, are derived. The responses of the model to different ground motions during an earthquake are investigated. It is found that the tilting ground motion plays a significant role in predicting the seismic response of the structure, and it needs to be considered in association with the horizontal ground motion. The response of the structure with a suspended mass to CHT ground motion is much larger than that to horizontal ground motion. The possibility of replacing the steel cables with springs as the suspending components is also investigated, and the spring is shown not to influence the acceleration and displacement responses greatly, but it significantly reduces the tension in the suspending components. Therefore, when a suspended mass is used as a mass-pendulum mitigation system, it is more advantageous to use springs or members having a low axial rigidity as the suspending components. In addition, the effects of the length of the cables and springs on the seismic response of the model with a suspended mass are also explored. It is found that the shorter the cables (or springs), the better the mitigation effects of the suspended mass on the main structure.
Surface-directed multi-dimensional wave structures in confined binary mixtures
Authors: Krasnyuk Igor B.
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we consider the process of formation of wave structures in binary mixtures: for example, polymer chains or binary alloys. This process is described by the three-dimensional linear Cahn–Hilliard equation with nonlinear dynamical boundary conditions. The dynamical boundary conditions with “feedback” describe processes of cyclic crystallization and melting, depending on temperature as on a parameter. We describe an initial value boundary problem in cube and in square. It is shown that by action of boundary conditions in cube appears wave structures of relaxation, pre-turbulent and turbulent type. For large time, the wave patterns are in the form of recurrent parallelepiped in volume or parallelogram in plane. Applications to study separation of polymer blends in the square.
Regional Variation of Transient Precipitation and Rainless-day Frequency Across a Subcontinental Hydroclimate Gradient
Authors: Bishop Daniel A. , Pederson Neil
Published: December 2015

Extreme daily and transient precipitation events have been on the rise in the continental United States. These changes have the potential to disrupt human and natural systems. Tree rings can reconstruct annual estimates of past climate, but have limitations in reconstructing extreme precipitation events. We analyzed instrumental records to evaluate patterns in daily, weekly, and seasonal precipitation in four regions spanning a climatic gradient in the eastern United States. Relationships between tree-ring reconstructions of hydroclimate and precipitation events were analyzed to characterize extreme years over the last 1000 years. From 1944–2013, the Hudson Valley and Ohio Valley regions have experienced wetter summers as well as an increase in the frequency of daily rainfall. Coinciding with these increases, half or more of the extreme wet years in these two regions have occurred in the last 20 years. Significant differences in the structure of weekly growing-season precipitation between extreme wet and dry years were found in late May and late June in the Ohio Valley and early June in the Mississippi Valley, with negligible differences in the northern and southern ends of our gradient. We also found dry-spell duration was significantly different between extreme wet and dry years in all regions except for the northern end of our study gradient. In contrast, dry-spell frequency was significantly different between extreme wet and dry years in all regions except for the southern end of our gradient. Reconstructed Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) was significantly and positively correlated with total summer rainfall and significantly and negatively correlated with rainless-day frequency in all regions, with stronger correlations during extreme years. Working in the region with the strongest relations, we reconstructed summer precipitation and summer rainless days in the Hudson Valley back to 1525 CE and 1625 CE, respectively. From these reconstructions, we infer that the 20th century is characterized by more extreme summer precipitation totals and a decline in rainless days with 75.8% of the last 33 years having fewer dry days than the 377-year mean. The forecasted changes toward longer, more intense droughts over the next century are not yet realized in our study regions. However, should these shifts occur, human and natural systems will likely undergo abrupt change in response to alterations in hydrology, ecological disturbance, and terrestrial productivity, with the Northeast potentially being most vulnerable.
REACH
2
-Mote
Authors: Chen Li , Warner Jeremy , Yung Pak Lam , Zhou Dawei , Heinzelman Wendi , Demirkol Ilker , Muncuk Ufuk , Chowdhury Kaushik , Basagni Stefano
Published: December 2015

A wireless sensor network that employs passive radio wake-up of the sensor nodes can reduce the energy cost for unnecessary idle listening and communication overhead, extending the network lifetime. A passive wake-up radio is powered by the electromagnetic waves transmitted by a wake-up transmitter rather than a battery on the sensor node. However, this method of powering the wake-up radio results in a short wake-up range, which limits the performance of a passive wake-up radio sensor network. In this article, we describe our design of a passive wake-up radio sensor node—REACH
2
-Mote—using a high-efficiency, energy-harvesting module and a very low power wake-up circuit to achieve an extended wake-up range. We implemented REACH
2
-Mote in hardware and performed field tests to characterize its performance. The experimental results show that REACH
2
-Mote can achieve a wake-up range of 44 feet. We also modeled REACH
2
-Mote and evaluated its performance through simulations, comparing its performance to that of another passive wake-up radio approach, an active wake-up radio approach, and a conventional duty cycling approach. The simulation results show that REACH
2
-Mote can significantly extend the network lifetime while achieving high packet delivery rate and low latency.
Donor Cell Myeloid Sarcoma in an Umbilical Cord Transplant Patient: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Hayes Christi , Petersen Bruce , Malone Adriana
Published: December 2015

Donor cell leukemia (DCL) represents a rare complication of allogeneic transplantation. The precise incidence remains unclear, though it may be higher following umbilical cord blood transplants. Here, we present an unusual case of a patient with B-ALL who presented with a donor derived myeloid sarcoma of the heart following a double cord blood transplant. To our knowledge, it is the first case of sarcomatous or chloromatous presentation of DCL following a UCBT.
Thermal-Hydraulics Study of a 75 kWth Aqueous Homogeneous Reactor for 99Mo Production
Authors: Milian Pérez Daniel , Milian Lorenzo Daniel E. , Rodriguez Garcia Lorena P. , Cadavid Rodríguez Manuel , Brayner de Oliveira Lira Carlos A. , García Hernández Carlos R. , Salomón Llanes Jesús
Published: December 2015

Tc99m is a very useful radioisotope, which is used in nearly 80% of all nuclear medicine procedures. Tc99m is produced from 99Mo decay. A potentially advantageous alternative to meeting current and future demand for 99Mo is the use of Aqueous Homogeneous Reactors (AHR). In this paper, a thermal-hydraulics study of the core of a 75 kWth AHR conceptual design based on the ARGUS reactor for 99Mo production is presented. As the ARGUS heat removal systems were designed for working at 20 kWth, the main objective of the thermal-hydraulics study was evaluating the heat removal systems in order to show that sufficient cooling capacity exists to prevent fuel solution overheating. The numerical simulations of an AHR model were carried out using the Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) code ANSYS CFX 14. Evaluation shows that the ARGUS heat removal systems working at 75 kWth are not able to provide sufficient cooling capacity to prevent fuel solution overheating. To solve this problem, the number of coiled cooling pipes inside the core was increased from one to five. The results of the CFD simulations with this modification in the design show that acceptable temperature distributions can be obtained.
Neural Mechanisms Involved in Hypersensitive Hearing: Helping Children with ASD Who Are Overly Sensitive to Sounds
Authors: Lucker Jay R. , Doman Alex
Published: December 2015

Professionals working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may find that these children are overly sensitive to sounds. These professionals are often concerned as to why children may have auditory hypersensitivities. This review article discusses the neural mechanisms identified underlying hypersensitive hearing in people. The authors focus on brain research to support the idea of the nonclassical auditory pathways being involved in connecting the auditory system with the emotional system of the brain. The authors also discuss brain mechanisms felt to be involved in auditory hypersensitivity. The authors conclude with a discussion of some treatments for hypersensitive hearing. These treatments include desensitization training and the use of listening therapies such as The Listening Program.
DRSCRO: A Metaheuristic Algorithm for Task Scheduling on Heterogeneous Systems
Authors: Jiang Yuyi , Shao Zhiqing , Guo Yi , Zhang Huanhuan , Niu Kun
Published: December 2015

An efficient DAG task scheduling is crucial for leveraging the performance potential of a heterogeneous system and finding a schedule that minimizes themakespan(i.e., the total execution time) of a DAG is known to be NP-complete. A recently proposed metaheuristic method, Chemical Reaction Optimization (CRO), demonstrates its capability for solving NP-complete optimization problems. This paper develops an algorithm named Double-Reaction-Structured Chemical Reaction Optimization (DRSCRO) for DAG scheduling on heterogeneous systems, which modifies the conventional CRO framework and incorporates CRO with the variable neighborhood search (VNS) method. DRSCRO has two reaction phases for super molecule selection and global optimization, respectively. In the molecule selection phase, the CRO as a metaheuristic algorithm is adopted to obtain a super molecule for accelerating convergence. For promoting the intensification capability, in the global optimization phase, the VNS algorithm with a new processor selection model is used as the initialization under the consideration of scheduling order and processor assignment, and the load balance neighborhood structure of VNS is also utilized in the ineffective reaction operator. The experimental results verify the effectiveness and efficiency of DRSCRO in terms ofmakespanand convergence rate.
Genomic, Epigenomic, and Transcriptomic Profiling towards Identifying Omics Features and Specific Biomarkers That Distinguish Uterine Leiomyosarcoma and Leiomyoma at Molecular Levels
Authors: Miyata Tomoko , Sonoda Kenzo , Tomikawa Junko , Tayama Chiharu , Okamura Kohji , Maehara Kayoko , Kobayashi Hiroaki , Wake Norio , Kato Kiyoko , Hata Kenichiro , Nakabayashi Kazuhiko
Published: December 2015

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is the worst malignancy among the gynecologic cancers. Uterine leiomyoma (LM), a benign tumor of myometrial origin, is the most common among women of childbearing age. Because of their similar symptoms, it is difficult to preoperatively distinguish the two conditions only by ultrasound and pelvic MRI. While histopathological diagnosis is currently the main approach used to distinguish them postoperatively, unusual histologic variants of LM tend to be misdiagnosed as LMS. Therefore, development of molecular diagnosis as an alternative or confirmatory means will help to diagnose LMS more accurately. We adopted omics-based technologies to identify genome-wide features to distinguish LMS from LM and revealed that copy number, gene expression, and DNA methylation profiles successfully distinguished these tumors. LMS was found to possess features typically observed in malignant solid tumors, such as extensive chromosomal abnormalities, overexpression of cell cycle-related genes, hypomethylation spreading through large genomic regions, and frequent hypermethylation at the polycomb group target genes and protocadherin genes. We also identified candidate expression and DNA methylation markers, which will facilitate establishing postoperative molecular diagnostic tests based on conventional quantitative assays. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of establishing such tests and the possibility of developing preoperative and noninvasive methods.
An Opposition-Based Group Search Optimizer with Diversity Guidance
Authors: Wang Dan , Xiong Congcong , Zhang Xiankun
Published: December 2015

Group search optimizer (GSO) which is an effective evolutionary algorithm has been successfully applied in many applications. However, the purely stochastic resampling or selection mechanism in GSO leads to long computing time and premature convergence. In this paper, we propose a diversity-guided group search optimizer (DGSO) with opposition-based learning (OBL) to overcome these limitations. Opposition-based learning is utilized to accelerate the convergence rate of GSO, while the diversity guidance (DG) is used to increase the diversity of population. When compared with the standard GSO, a novel operator using OBL and DG is developed for the population initialization as well as the generation jumping. A comprehensive set of 19 complex benchmark functions is used for experiment verification and is compared to the original GSO algorithm. Numerical experiments show that the proposed DGSO leads to better performance in comparison with the standard GSO in the convergence rate and the solution accuracy.
Metrics on the Sets of Nonsupersingular Elliptic Curves in Simplified Weierstrass Form over Finite Fields of Characteristic Two
Authors: Hakuta Keisuke
Published: December 2015

Elliptic curves have a wide variety of applications in computational number theory such as elliptic curve cryptography, pairing based cryptography, primality tests, and integer factorization. Mishra and Gupta (2008) have found an interesting property of the sets of elliptic curves in simplified Weierstrass form (or short Weierstrass form) over prime fields. The property is that one can induce metrics on the sets of elliptic curves in simplified Weierstrass form over prime fields of characteristic greater than three. Later, Vetro (2011) has found some other metrics on the sets of elliptic curves in simplified Weierstrass form over prime fields of characteristic greater than three. However, to our knowledge, no analogous result is known in the characteristic two case. In this paper, we will prove that one can induce metrics on the sets of nonsupersingular elliptic curves in simplified Weierstrass form over finite fields of characteristic two.
Immunoexpression of Ki-67, MCM2, and MCM3 in Ameloblastoma and Ameloblastic Carcinoma and Their Correlations with Clinical and Histopathological Patterns
Authors: Carreón-Burciaga Ramón Gil , González-González Rogelio , Molina-Frechero Nelly , Bologna-Molina Ronell
Published: December 2015

Cell proliferation assays are performed using antibodies against nuclear proteins associated with DNA replication. These nuclear proteins have gained special interest to predict the biological and clinical behaviors of various tumors. The aim of this study was to analyze the presence of Ki-67 protein and the minichromosome maintenance-2 (MCM2) and maintenance-3 (MCM3) proteins in ameloblastoma.Materials and Methods. Cell proliferation marker expression levels were assessed via immunohistochemistry in 111 ameloblastoma cases (72 unicystic ameloblastoma samples, 38 solid/multicystic ameloblastoma samples, and 1 ameloblastic carcinoma). The label index was performed as described previously.Results.MCM2 and MCM3 showed higher proliferation indexes in all variants of ameloblastoma compared to the classic marker Ki-67. No correlation between the proliferation index and the clinical and protein expression data was observed.Conclusion.The results suggest that clinical features do not directly affect tumor cell proliferation. Moreover, the high levels of cellular proliferation of MCM2 and MCM3 compared with Ki-67 may indicate that MCM2 and MCM3 are more sensitive markers for predicting the growth rate and eventually might be helpful as a tool for predicting aggressive and recurrent behaviors in these tumors.
EMI Susceptibility Issue in Analog Front-End for Sensor Applications
Authors: Richelli Anna
Published: December 2015

The susceptibility to electromagnetic interferences of the analog circuits used in the sensor readout front-end is discussed. Analog circuits still play indeed a crucial role in sensor signal acquisition due to the analog nature of sensory signals. The effect of electromagnetic interferences has been simulated and measured in many commercial and integrated analog circuits; the main cause of the electromagnetic susceptibility is investigated and the guidelines to design high EMI immunity circuits are provided.
Impacts of Model Bias on the Climate Change Signal and Effects of Weighted Ensembles of Regional Climate Model Simulations: A Case Study over Southern Québec, Canada
Authors: Eum Hyung-Il , Gachon Philippe , Laprise René
Published: December 2015

This study examined the impact of model biases on climate change signals for daily precipitation and for minimum and maximum temperatures. Through the use of multiple climate scenarios from 12 regional climate model simulations, the ensemble mean, and three synthetic simulations generated by a weighting procedure, we investigated intermodel seasonal climate change signals between current and future periods, for both median and extreme precipitation/temperature values. A significant dependence of seasonal climate change signals on the model biases over southern Québec in Canada was detected for temperatures, but not for precipitation. This suggests that the regional temperature change signal is affected by local processes. Seasonally, model bias affects future mean and extreme values in winter and summer. In addition, potentially large increases in future extremes of temperature and precipitation values were projected. For three synthetic scenarios, systematically less bias and a narrow range of mean change for all variables were projected compared to those of climate model simulations. In addition, synthetic scenarios were found to better capture the spatial variability of extreme cold temperatures than the ensemble mean scenario. These results indicate that the synthetic scenarios have greater potential to reduce the uncertainty of future climate projections and capture the spatial variability of extreme climate events.
The Modulatory Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Sharaf-Eldin Wessam E. , Abu-Shahba Nourhan , Mahmoud Marwa , El-Badri Nagwa
Published: December 2015

The effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on bone formation has been extensively demonstrated through several in vitro and in vivo studies. However, few studies addressed the effect of MSCs on osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. Under physiological conditions, MSCs support osteoclastogenesis through producing the main osteoclastogenic cytokines, RANKL and M‐CSF. However, during inflammation, MSCs suppress osteoclast formation and activity, partly via secretion of the key anti‐osteoclastogenic factor, osteoprotegerin (OPG). In vitro, co‐culture of MSCs with osteoclasts in the presence of high concentrations of osteoclast‐inducing factors might reflect the in vivo inflammatory pathology and prompt MSCs to exert an osteoclastogenic suppressive effect. MSCs thus seem to have a dual effect, by stimulating or inhibiting osteoclastogenesis, depending on the inflammatory milieu. This effect of MSCs on osteoclast formation seems to mirror the effect of MSCs on other immune cells, and may be exploited for the therapeutic potential of MSCs in bone loss associated inflammatory diseases.
The Microtubule-Associated Protein Tau and Its Relevance for Pancreatic Beta Cells
Authors: Maj Magdalena , Hoermann Gregor , Rasul Sazan , Base Wolfgang , Wagner Ludwig , Attems Johannes
Published: December 2015

Structural and biochemical alterations of the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) are associated with degenerative disorders referred to as tauopathies. We have previously shown that MAPT is present in human islets of Langerhans, human insulinomas, and pancreatic beta-cell line models, with biophysical similarities to the pathological MAPT in the brain. Here, we further studied MAPT in pancreatic endocrine tissue to better understand the mechanisms that lead to functional dysregulation of pancreatic beta cells. We found upregulation of MAPT protein expression in human insulinomas when compared to human pancreatic islets of Langerhans and an imbalance between MAPT isoforms in insulinomas tissue. We cloned one 3-repeat domain MAPT and transduced this into a beta-cell derived rodent cell line Rin-5F. Proliferation experiments showed higher growth rates and metabolic activities of cells overexpressing MAPT protein. We observed that a MAPT overexpressing cell line demonstrates altered insulin transcription, translation, and insulin secretion rates. We found the relative insulin secretion rates were significantly decreased in a MAPT overexpressing cell line and these findings could be confirmed using partial MAPT knock-down cell lines. Our findings support that MAPT may play an important role in insulin granule trafficking and indicate the importance of balanced MAPT phosphorylation and dephosphorylation for adequate insulin release.
A Prospective and Controlled Clinical Trial on Stromal Vascular Fraction Enriched Fat Grafts in Secondary Breast Reconstruction
Authors: Tissiani L. A. L. , Alonso N.
Published: December 2015

Background. Fat grafting is a tremendous tool in secondary breast reconstruction. Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) enriched fat grafts have been presenting promising results regarding volume maintenance. Methods. We developed a method that produces a superior SVF enrichment rate (2 : 1) in the operating theatre. This prospective and controlled trial analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively fat grafts with (stem cells group, SG) and without (control group, CG) SVF enrichment in secondary breast reconstruction, through MRI‐based volumetry, immunophenotyping, and cell counting. Also, patient satisfaction, aesthetic outcomes, and complications were analyzed. Results. Volumetric persistence in the SG was 78,9% and 51,4% in the CG; however it did not reach statistical significant difference. CD90 was the only marker highly expressed in the SG and showed a positive correlation with volumetric persistence (r = 0.651, p = 0.03). Fat necrosis occurred in 4 patients in the SG and in none in the CG. Patients in the CG showed a trend to be more satisfied. Considering aesthetics, both groups presented improvements. No locoregional recurrences were observed. Conclusions. Results are encouraging despite the fact that SVF enrichment in a higher supplementation rate did not improve, with statistical significance, fat graft volumetric persistence. Enriched fat grafts have proven to be safe in a 3‐year follow‐up.
Smart Aggregate-Piezoceramic Patch Combination for Health Monitoring of Concrete Structures
Authors: Zhao Jinlei , Bao Tengfei , Chen Shanying , Kundu Tribikram
Published: December 2015

A new method combining an embedded smart aggregate and surface mounted piezoceramic patches is introduced for health monitoring of concrete structures. The smart aggregate is embedded in a concrete beam as an actuator (or transmitter), and piezoceramic patches are attached on the surface of the concrete beam as sensors. Two tests using the smart aggregate and the piezoceramic patches are conducted. The first test investigates the sensitivity of the recorded signal amplitude-frequency relation on the piezoceramic patches. To explain the significant amplitude fluctuations in the results, the possibility of resonance occurring in the piezoceramic patches in a certain frequency range is verified through finite element modeling. In the second test, a damage index is proposed to evaluate the health of concrete structures and a three-point bending test is conducted to induce damage in the concrete beam. It is observed that, with increasing severity of damage in the concrete beam, the recorded signal amplitude at the patches decreases gradually while the value of the damage index increases significantly. The experimental results show that the proposed method is an effective tool for health monitoring of concrete structures.
SOD1 Overexpression Preserves Baroreflex Control of Heart Rate with an Increase of Aortic Depressor Nerve Function
Authors: Hatcher Jeffrey , Gu He , Cheng Zixi (Jack)
Published: December 2015

Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as the superoxide radical (), is associated with diseases which compromise cardiac autonomic function. Overexpression of SOD1 may offer protection against ROS damage to the cardiac autonomic nervous system, but reductions of may interfere with normal cellular functions. We have selected the C57B6SJL‐Tg (SOD1)2 Gur/J mouse as a model to determine whether SOD1 overexpression alters cardiac autonomic function, as measured by baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and aortic depressor nerve (ADN) recordings, as well as evaluation of baseline heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Under isoflurane anesthesia, C57 wild‐type and SOD1 mice were catheterized with an arterial pressure transducer and measurements of HR and MAP were taken. After establishing a baseline, hypotension and hypertension were induced by injection of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and phenylephrine (PE), respectively, and ΔHR versus ΔMAP were recorded as a measure of baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). SNP and PE treatment were administered sequentially after a recovery period to measure arterial baroreceptor activation by recording aortic depressor nerve activity. Our findings show that overexpression of SOD1 in C57B6SJL‐Tg (SOD1)2 Gur/J mouse preserved the normal HR, MAP, and BRS but enhanced aortic depressor nerve function.
Composite Motion Design Procedure for Vibration Assisted Small-Hole EDM Using One Voice Coil Motor
Authors: Cui Jing , Chu Zhongyi
Published: December 2015

To address the problem of debris accumulation in small-hole electrical discharge machine (EDM) and simplify the design of the spindle head, the paper proposes a novel composite motion design procedure integrated high frequency vibration and large stroke feed using one voice coil motor (VCM). Particularly, for the purposes of high servo accuracy and high frequency response of the composite motion, an improved zero-phase-error tracking controller (ZPETC) algorithm decoupled with the feedback controller is developed for the process control, in which the feedback parameter adjustment is very simple to reduce the computation complexity. At last, the proposed procedure is validated by the experimental study of the established VCM positioning table; the results verify the efficiency of the proposed method.
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Tissue‐Specific Progenitor Cells: Their Role in Tissue Homeostasis
Authors: Klimczak Aleksandra , Kozlowska Urszula
Published: December 2015

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) reside in many human organs and comprise heterogeneous population of cells with self‐renewal ability. These cells can be isolated from different tissues, and their morphology, immunophenotype, and differentiation potential are dependent on their tissue of origin. Each organ contains specific population of stromal cells which maintain regeneration process of the tissue where they reside, but some of them have much more wide plasticity and differentiate into multiple cells lineage. MSCs isolated from adult human tissues are ideal candidates for tissue regeneration and tissue engineering. However, MSCs do not only contribute to structurally tissue repair but also MSC possess strong immunomodulatory and anti‐inflammatory properties and may influence in tissue repair by modulation of local environment. This paper is presenting an overview of the current knowledge of biology of tissue‐resident mesenchymal stromal and progenitor cells (originated from bone marrow, liver, skeletal muscle, skin, heart, and lung) associated with tissue regeneration and tissue homeostasis.
Multidetector CT Enterography versus Double-Balloon Enteroscopy: Comparison of the Diagnostic Value for Patients with Suspected Small Bowel Diseases
Authors: Wang Jingjing , Guo Qiaozhen , Zhao Jianping , Liu Mei , Liao Guangquan , Chen Nianjun , Tian Dean , Wu Xiaoli
Published: December 2015

Aim. To compare the diagnostic value of multidetector CT enterography (MDCTE) and double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) for patients with suspected small bowel diseases.Methods. From January 2009 to January 2014, 190 patients with suspected small bowel diseases were examined with MDCTE and DBE. The characteristics of the patients, detection rates, diagnostic yields, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were described and analyzed.Results. The overall detection rates of DBE and MDCTE were 92.6% and 55.8%, respectively (P<0.05), while the overall diagnostic yields were 83.2% and 33.7%, respectively (P<0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of DBE were all higher than those of MDCTE. DBE had a higher diagnostic yield for OGIB (87.3% versus 20.9%,P<0.05). The diagnostic yields of DBE were higher than those of MDCTE for inflammatory diseases, angioma/angiodysplasia, and diverticulums, while being not for gastrointestinal tumors/polyps.Conclusions. The diagnostic value of DBE for small bowel diseases is better than that of MDCTE as a whole, but if gastrointestinal tumors are suspected, MDCTE is also needed to gain a comprehensive and accurate diagnosis.
CCL21 Facilitates Chemoresistance and Cancer Stem Cell‐Like Properties of Colorectal Cancer Cells through AKT/GSK‐3β/Snail Signals
Authors: Lu Lin-Lin , Chen Xiao-Hui , Zhang Ge , Liu Zong-Cai , Wu Nong , Wang Hao , Qi Yi-Fei , Wang Hong-Sheng , Cai Shao Hui , Du Jun
Published: December 2015

Some evidence indicated that chemoresistance associates with the acquisition of cancer stem‐like properties. Recent studies suggested that chemokines can promote the chemoresistance and stem cell properties in various cancer cells, while the underling mechanism is still not completely illustrated. In our study, we found that CCL21 can upregulate the expression of P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) and stem cell property markers such as Bmi‐1, Nanog, and OCT‐4 in colorectal cancer (CRC) HCT116 cells and then improve the cell survival rate and mammosphere formation. Our results suggested that Snail was crucial for CCL21‐mediated chemoresistance and cancer stem cell property in CRC cells. Further, we observed that CCL21 treatment increased the protein but not mRNA levels of Snail, which suggested that CCL21 upregulates Snail via posttranscriptional ways. The downstream signals AKT/GSK‐3β mediated CCL21 induced the upregulation of Snail due to the fact that CCL21 treatment can obviously phosphorylate both AKT and GSK‐3β. The inhibitor of PI3K/Akt, LY294002 significantly abolished CCL21 induced chemoresistance and mammosphere formation of HCT116 cells. Collectively, our results in the present study revealed that CCL21 can facilitate chemoresistance and stem cell property of CRC cells via the upregulation of P‐gp, Bmi‐1, Nanog, and OCT‐4 through AKT/GSK‐3β/Snail signals, which suggested a potential therapeutic approach to CRC patients.
Endothelial Transdifferentiation of Tumor Cells Triggered by the Twist1‐Jagged1‐KLF4 Axis: Relationship between Cancer Stemness and Angiogenesis
Authors: Chen Hsiao-Fan , Wu Kou-Juey
Published: December 2015

Tumor hypoxia is associated with malignant biological phenotype including enhanced angiogenesis and metastasis. Hypoxia increases the expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), which directly participates in angiogenesis by recruiting endothelial cells into hypoxic area and stimulating their proliferation, for increasing vascular density. Recent research in tumor biology has focused on the model in which tumor‐derived endothelial cells arise from tumor stem‐like cells, but the detailed mechanism is not clear. Twist1, an important regulator of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), has been shown to mediate tumor metastasis and induce tumor angiogenesis. Notch signaling has been demonstrated to be an important player in vascular development and tumor angiogenesis. KLF4 (Krüppel‐like factor 4) is a factor commonly used for the generation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. KLF4 also plays an important role in the differentiation of endothelial cells. Although Twist1 is known as a master regulator of mesoderm development, it is unknown whether Twist1 could be involved in endothelial transdifferentiation of tumor‐derived cells. This review focuses on the role of Twist1‐Jagged1/Notch‐KLF4 axis on tumor‐derived endothelial transdifferentiation, tumorigenesis, metastasis, and cancer stemness.
Effect of Buckling Restrained Braces Locations on Seismic Responses of High-Rise RC Core Wall Buildings
Authors: Ahmed Munir , Tayyaba Shahzadi , Ashraf Muhammad Waseem
Published: December 2015

Conventionally, a flexural plastic hinge is designed and detailed at the core wall base and coupling beams ends to control the seismic responses. This strategy is based on allowing the damage to be concentrated on main structural components. To avoid such damage, an alternative strategy using energy dissipating devices (EDDs) such as buckling restrained braces (BRBs) is being studied and implemented nowadays. In this study, effect of BRBs locations on forty- (40-) story high-rise RC core wall case study building has been studied in detail using Nonlinear Response History Analysis (NLRHA) for seven spectrally matched ground motions. BRBs have been installed at critical locations identified with respect to the maximum DBE elastic modal racking shear deformation demands and force (shear and moment) demands in three different options. The force, deformation, and energy demands on structural components are compared for conventional design and different options of BRBs. The comparison with conventional design shows that BRBs not only are effective for reducing shear force demand along wall height, bending moment demand at mid height, and deformation demands by 10%, 45%, and 45%, respectively, but significantly reduce the rotation and energy demands in the core wall by 90% and 250%, respectively.
Unrevealed Depression Involves Dysfunctional Coping Strategies in Crohn’s Disease Patients in Clinical Remission
Authors: Viganò Caterina , Calzolari Roberta , Marinaccio Paola Marianna , Bezzio Cristina , Furfaro Federica , Ba Gabriella , Maconi Giovanni
Published: December 2015

Background and Aims. This study investigated the proportion of CD patients in clinical remission with clinical depression, and coping strategies in those with severe depressive disorders.Materials and Methods. One hundred consecutive CD patients in clinical remission were screened for anxiety and depression by using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and patients with depressive symptoms were further investigated by means of Cognitive Behavioural Assessment 2.0 and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Afterwards the coping strategies were assessed through the Brief-COPE questionnaire.Results. Twenty-one patients had anxious symptoms and 16 had depressive symptoms with or without anxiety. Seven of these patients (43.8%) showed significant depressive symptoms. Compared to patients without psychiatric disorders, these patients showed significant lower score in “positive reframing” (p: 0.017) and in “planning” (p: 0.046) and higher score in “use of instrumental social support” (p<0.001), in “denial” scale (p: 0.001), and in “use of emotional social support” (p: 0.003).Conclusions. Depressed CD patients in clinical remission may have dysfunctional coping strategies, meaning that they may not be able to implement functional strategies to manage at best stress related with their disease.
Drought Assessment by a Short-/Long-Term Composited Drought Index in the Upper Huaihe River Basin, China
Authors: Yu Meixiu , Liu Xiaolong , Wei Li , Li Qiongfang , Zhang Jianyun , Wang Guoqing
Published: December 2015

Accurate and reliable drought monitoring is of primary importance for drought mitigation and reduction of social-ecological vulnerability. The aim of the paper was to propose a multiscale composited drought index (CDI) which could be widely used for drought monitoring and early warning in China. In the study, the upper Huaihe River basin above the Xixian gauge station, which has been hit by severe droughts frequently in recent decades, was selected as the case study site. The newly built short-term/long-term CDI comprehensively considered three natural forms of drought (meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural) by selection of different variables that are related to each drought type. The short-term/long-term CDI was developed using the Principle Component Analysis of related drought components. The thresholds of the short-term/long-term CDI were determined according to frequency statistics of different drought indices. Finally, the feasibility of the two CDI was investigated against the self-calibrating Palmer drought severity index, the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index, and the historical drought records. The results revealed that the short-term/long-term CDI could capture the onset, severity, and persistence of drought events very well with the former being better at identifying the dynamic evolution of drought condition and the latter better at judging the changing trend of drought over a long time period.
Literature Survey on Stereo Vision Disparity Map Algorithms
Authors: Hamzah Rostam Affendi , Ibrahim Haidi
Published: December 2015

This paper presents a literature survey on existing disparity map algorithms. It focuses on four main stages of processing as proposed by Scharstein and Szeliski in a taxonomy and evaluation of dense two-frame stereo correspondence algorithms performed in 2002. To assist future researchers in developing their own stereo matching algorithms, a summary of the existing algorithms developed for every stage of processing is also provided. The survey also notes the implementation of previous software-based and hardware-based algorithms. Generally, the main processing module for a software-based implementation uses only a central processing unit. By contrast, a hardware-based implementation requires one or more additional processors for its processing module, such as graphical processing unit or a field programmable gate array. This literature survey also presents a method of qualitative measurement that is widely used by researchers in the area of stereo vision disparity mappings.
The Effects of High Glucose on Adipogenic and Osteogenic Differentiation of Gestational Tissue‐Derived MSCs
Authors: Hankamolsiri Weerawan , Manochantr Sirikul , Tantrawatpan Chairat , Tantikanlayaporn Duangrat , Tapanadechopone Pairath , Kheolamai Pakpoom
Published: December 2015

Most type 2 diabetic patients are obese who have increased number of visceral adipocytes. Those visceral adipocytes release several factors that enhance insulin resistance making diabetic treatment ineffective. It is known that significant percentages of visceral adipocytes are derived from mesenchymal stem cells and high glucose enhances adipogenic differentiation of mouse bone marrow‐derived MSCs (BM‐MSCs). However, the effect of high glucose on adipogenic differentiation of human bone marrow and gestational tissue‐derived MSCs is still poorly characterized. This study aims to investigate the effects of high glucose on proliferation as well as adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs derived from bone marrow and several gestational tissues including chorion, placenta, and umbilical cord. We found that high glucose reduced proliferation but enhanced adipogenic differentiation of all MSCs examined. The expression levels of some adipogenic genes were also upregulated when MSCs were cultured in high glucose. Although high glucose transiently downregulated the expression levels of some osteogenic genes examined, its effect on the osteogenic differentiation levels of the MSCs is not clearly demonstrated. The knowledge gained from this study will increase our understanding about the effect of high glucose on adipogenic differentiation of MSCs and might lead to an improvement in the diabetic treatment in the future.
Imperial designs: Remembering Vietnam at the US–Mexico border wall
Authors: Hattam Victoria
Published: December 2015

Portable helicopter landing mats designed for Vietnam have been reused to build large sections of the US–Mexico border wall. The Army Corps of Engineers provided institutional links between these two geographically distant imperial projects. After documenting the historical connections between war and wall, I shift the analytic lens to show how mid-century modernism and imperial foreign policy were entangled aesthetically. General Westmoreland, Agnes Martin, Sol LeWitt, and Richard Serra all draw from the same social imaginary. Substantive political disagreements notwtihstanding, geometric grids animated aesthetic affinities that have made it more difficult to perceive, let alone critique or dislodge, the long tentacles of American imperialism.
Inhibition of the formation and stability of inorganic colloids in the alkaline disturbed zone of a cementitious repository
Authors: Felipe-Sotelo M. , Milodowski A. E. , Evans N. D. M.
Published: December 2015

The generation and stability of inorganic colloids have been studied under hyperalkaline conditions. For the generation of colloids, intact cores of Bromsgrove Sandstone were flushed with simulated cement leachates, and the eluates were ultrafiltered sequentially (12 μm, 1 μm, 0.1 μm and 30 kDa) for the separation of any colloids found. No colloid formation was observed during the experiments; however the analysis by ICPMS of the eluates showed significant increases in Si and Al, indicating silicate mineral dissolution, as well as reduction of the concentration of Ca in the leachates indicating precipitation of secondary Ca-rich phases. Flow experiments with cement leachates spiked with tritiated water showed a noticeable reduction of the porosity of the sandstone as well as changes in the pore distribution. Additional stability experiments were carried out using model silica and Fe2O3 colloids. The experiments indicated that the stability of the colloids was mainly controlled by the concentration of Ca in solution and that both types were unstable under the chemical conditions in the alkaline disturbed zone. The presence of cement additives such as superplasticisers could enhance the stability of the colloids.
Understanding the likelihood and consequences of post-closure criticality in a geological disposal facility
Authors: Winsley R. J. , Baldwin T. D. , Hicks T. W. , Mason R. M. , Smith P. N.
Published: December 2015

A geological disposal facility (GDF) will include fissile materials that could, under certain conditions, lead to criticality. Demonstration of criticality safety therefore forms an important part of a GDF's safety case.

Containment provided by the waste package will contribute to criticality safety during package transport and the GDF operational phase. The GDF multiple-barrier system will ensure that criticality is prevented for some time after facility closure. However, on longer post-closure timescales, conditions in the GDF will evolve and it is necessary to demonstrate: an understanding of the conditions under which criticality could occur; the likelihood of such conditions occurring; and the consequences of criticality should it occur.

Work has addressed disposal of all of the UK's higher-activity wastes in three illustrative geologies. This paper, however, focuses on presenting results to support safe disposal of spent fuel, plutonium and highlyenriched uranium in higher-strength rock.

The results support a safety case assertion that post-closure criticality is of low likelihood and, if it was to occur, the consequences would be tolerable.
Novel germ line DDX41 mutations define families with a lower age of MDS/AML onset and lymphoid malignancies
Authors: Lewinsohn Maya , Brown Anna L. , Weinel Luke M. , Phung Connie , Rafidi George , Lee Ming K. , Schreiber Andreas W. , Feng Jinghua , Babic Milena , Chong Chan-Eng , Lee Young , Yong Agnes , Suthers Graeme K. , Poplawski Nicola , Altree Meryl , Phillips Kerry , Jaensch Louise , Fine Miriam , D’Andrea Richard J. , Lewis Ian D. , Medeiros Bruno C. , Pollyea Daniel A. , King Mary-Claire , Walsh Tom , Keel Siobán , Shimamura Akiko , Godley Lucy A. , Hahn Christopher N. , Churpek Jane E. , Scott Hamish S.
Published: December 2015

Key Points

Novel missense germ line DDX41 mutations define an earlier age of onset of hematologic malignancies than loss-of-function alleles. Carriers of DDX41 germ line mutations usually have normal blood counts until a myeloid or lymphoid malignancy develops.
A Mathematical Model of the Pathogenesis, Prevention, and Reversal of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Ha Joon , Satin Leslie S. , Sherman Arthur S.
Published: December 2015

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is generally thought to result from the combination of 2 metabolic defects, insulin resistance, which increases the level of insulin required to maintain glucose within the normal range, and failure of insulin-secreting pancreatic β-cells to compensate for the increased demand. We build on a mathematical model pioneered by Topp and colleagues to elucidate how compensation succeeds or fails. Their model added a layer of slow negative feedback to the classic insulin-glucose loop in the form of a slow, glucose-dependent birth and death law governing β-cell mass. We add to that model regulation of 2 aspects of β-cell function on intermediate time scales. The model quantifies the relative contributions of insulin action and insulin secretion defects to T2D and explains why prevention is easier than cure. The latter is a consequence of a threshold separating the normoglycemic and diabetic states (bistability), which also underlies the success of bariatric surgery and acute caloric restriction in rapidly reversing T2D. The threshold concept gives new insight into “Starling's Law of the Pancreas,” whereby insulin secretion is higher for prediabetics and early diabetics than for normal individuals.
Project Networks in Innovation Projects Implementation
Authors: ��������  , Yakovleva Anna , �������  , Yaremchuk R.
Published: December 2015

The problems of creation of project network for innovation projects implementation are observed in the article. The authors study questions regarding the essence and peculiarities of the project networks, as well as approaches to innovation project activity in project networks organization. Special attention is paid to research of the �strong� ties role in both project and project network success and efficiency. Basing on the results the recommendations for project networks implementation are provided.