bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health service utilisation of rural‐to‐urban migrants in Guangzhou, China: does employment status matter?
Authors: Song Xiaolei , Zou Guanyang , Chen Wen , Han Siqi , Zou Xia , Ling Li
Published: October 2016

Objective

To describe the self‐reported health status and service utilisation of employed, retired and unemployed migrants in Guangzhou, a megacity in southern China.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study adapted from the National Health Service Survey was conducted between September and December in 2014. Based on the distribution of occupation of migrants, multistage sampling was used to recruit individuals. Logistic regression was applied to explore the factors influencing their service utilisation.

Results

Of 2906 respondents, 76.6% were employed, 9.2% retired and 14.2% unemployed. Only 8.1% reported having an illness in the previous 2 weeks, and 6.5% reported having been hospitalised in the previous year. Employed migrants had the lowest recent physician consultation rate (3.4%) and the lowest annual hospitalisation rate (4.5%) (P < 0.05); unemployed migrants had the highest rates (6.8% and 14.5% respectively, P < 0.05). Retired migrants were more likely to return to their hometown for health care (8.6%) than employed (1.5%) and unemployed migrants (3.4%) (P < 0.05). After adjusting for age and gender, employment status remained significant in explaining the recent two‐week treatment‐seeking behaviour of migrants (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Disparity of service utilisation continues to be a problem for migrants due to the poor health awareness, lack of time and inconvenience of medical insurance reimbursement. Employed migrants make the least use of health services.
Metabolic switching of astringent and beneficial triterpenoid saponins in soybean is achieved by a loss‐of‐function mutation in cytochrome P450 72A69
Authors: Yano Ryoichi , Takagi Kyoko , Takada Yoshitake , Mukaiyama Kyosuke , Tsukamoto Chigen , Sayama Takashi , Kaga Akito , Anai Toyoaki , Sawai Satoru , Ohyama Kiyoshi , Saito Kazuki , Ishimoto Masao
Published: October 2016

Triterpenoid saponins are major components of secondary metabolites in soybean seeds and are divided into two groups: group A saponins, and 2,3‐dihydro‐2,5‐dihydroxy‐6‐methyl‐4H‐pyran‐4‐one (DDMP) saponins. The aglycone moiety of group A saponins consists of soyasapogenol A (SA), which is an oxidized β‐amyrin product, and the aglycone moiety of the DDMP saponins consists of soyasapogenol B (SB). Group A saponins produce a bitter and astringent aftertaste in soy products, whereas DDMP saponins have known health benefits for humans. We completed map‐based cloning and characterization of the gene Sg‐5, which is responsible for SA biosynthesis. The naturally occurring sg‐5 mutant lacks group A saponins and has a loss‐of‐function mutation (L164*) in Glyma15g39090, which encodes the cytochrome P450 enzyme, CYP72A69. An enzyme assay indicated the hydroxylase activity of recombinant CYP72A69 against SB, which also suggested the production of SA. Additionally, induced Glyma15g39090 mutants (R44* or S348P) lacked group A saponins similar to the sg‐5 mutant, indicating that Glyma15g39090 corresponds to Sg‐5. Endogenous levels of DDMP saponins were higher in the sg‐5 mutant than in the wild‐type lines due to the loss of the enzyme activity that converts SB to SA. Interestingly, the genomes of palaeopolyploid soybean and the closely related common bean carry multiple Sg‐5 paralogs in a genomic region syntenic to the soybean Sg‐5 region. However, SA did not accumulate in common bean samples, suggesting that Sg‐5 activity evolved after gene duplication event(s). Our results demonstrate that metabolic switching of undesirable saponins with beneficial saponins can be achieved in soybean by disabling Sg‐5.
Functional antibodies to Haemophilus influenzae type B, Neisseria meningitidis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae contained in intravenous immunoglobulin products
Authors: Lee Soyoung , Kim Han Wool , Kim Kyung‐Hyo
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND

Intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) replacement therapy is used to prevent invasive infections in patients with primary antibody deficiency (PAD). However, few studies have functionally evaluated specific antibodies against encapsulated bacteria that cause invasive infection in patients with PAD. In this study, functional antibodies against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococci), and Neisseria meningitidis (meningococci) in IVIG therapy were evaluated.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Sixteen lots of IVIG products prepared by two Korean manufacturers (Products A and B) were evaluated. The functional antibodies were measured by serum bactericidal assay for Hib and four meningococcal serogroups and by multiplexed opsonophagocytic assay for 26 pneumococcal serotypes. The estimated trough levels of antibodies against Hib, pneumococcus, and meningococcus were calculated to determine whether the usual IVIG dose is appropriate for protecting patients with PAD.

RESULTS

The functional antibody levels for Hib were similar in all of the IVIG products. In contrast, serum bacterial indices of meningococcal serogroups A and Y showed significant differences between products A and B. Opsonic indices to pneumococci varied depending on the serotype in each IVIG product. The estimated trough levels of antibodies against Hib, pneumococcus, and meningococcus exceeded the protective levels in most of the IVIG products except for the antibodies against two pneumococcal serotypes.

CONCLUSION

Most of the tested commercial IVIG products had sufficient functional antibodies against Hib, pneumococcus, and meningococcus to protect patients with PAD receiving IVIG treatment. Regular and continuous evaluation of IVIG products is necessary to maintain an optimal therapeutic effect.
Frequent whole blood donors: understanding this population and predictors of lapse
Authors: Gemelli Carley N. , Hayman Jane , Waller Daniel
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND

Frequent blood donors are an important resource as they contribute many donations over their lifetime. The aim of this research was to develop a demographic profile of Australian frequent whole blood donors and to determine predictors of lapse within this group.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Routinely collected data were used to profile individuals who had donated whole blood frequently (three or more times) between December 2010 and November 2011. Two segments were identified: 1) existing donors who had donated before December 2010 and 2) new donors who had not donated before December 2010. Donation records were followed to the end of December 2013 to examine retention.

RESULTS

A total of 90,867 donated frequently between December 2010 and November 2011. The group was composed of slightly more men (51.4%), was typically of middle socioeconomic status, and many were employed in skilled trades such as a builder or a plumber (21.3%). Existing donors (n = 81,762) were significantly older, more likely to be male, and more likely to have a D– blood type compared to the smaller group of new donors (n = 9105). For both segments, being older and male and having a D– blood type increased the likelihood of return in the follow‐up period. Deferrals and adverse events had negative impacts on retention for both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights specific factors that blood collection agencies may focus on to support continued donation among frequent donors.
Development of a novel dengue virus serotype‐specific multiplex real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction assay for blood screening
Authors: Tezuka Kenta , Kuramitsu Madoka , Okuma Kazu , Nojima Kiyoko , Araki Kumiko , Shinohara Naoya , Matsumoto Chieko , Satake Masahiro , Takasaki Tomohiko , Saijo Masayuki , Kurane Ichiro , Hamaguchi Isao
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND

Dengue fever is caused by four related RNA viruses of the genus Flavivirus, dengue virus (DENV)‐1, ‐2, ‐3, and ‐4, which are transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. Although DENV is not endemic in Japan, an autochthonous dengue outbreak occurred in 2014. Several transfusion‐transmitted cases have also been reported after the use of blood and plasma products in DENV‐endemic countries. The aim of this study was to develop a novel multiplex reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) assay for DENV blood screening.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Large‐scale oligonucleotide screening was performed to obtain DENV‐specific primers and probes using a variety of DENV clinical isolates. A multiplex RT‐PCR assay was then developed using the identified oligonucleotides and the ability of this assay to detect DENV RNA was evaluated.

RESULTS

A number of oligonucleotides suitable for DENV RNA detection were identified and a novel DENV serotype‐specific multiplex RT‐PCR assay was successfully established. Comparative analysis revealed that the multiplex assay could detect levels of viral contamination as low as 100 viral copies/mL.

CONCLUSION

This established serotype‐specific multiplex RT‐PCR assay provides a simple, sensitive, and quantitative detection method for DENV, which could be applied in the screening of blood samples to prevent transfusion‐transmitted DENV infection.
Blood component transfusion and wastage rates in the setting of massive transfusion in three regional trauma centers
Authors: Dunbar Nancy M. , Olson Nicholas J. , Szczepiorkowski Zbigniew M. , Martin Eric D. , Tysarcyk Ryan M. , Triulzi Darrell J. , Alarcon Louis H. , Yazer Mark H.
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND

The purpose of massive transfusion protocols (MTPs) is to provide large quantities of blood products rapidly to exsanguinating patients. The expected rates of blood product transfusion and wastage in this setting have not been defined. This study was undertaken to assess the transfusion and wastage rates for bleeding patients requiring emergency issue of blood components at three American Level I trauma centers.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Three hospitals participated, all of which are Level I trauma centers that have MTPs in place where uncrossmatched red blood cells (RBCs) can be ordered with or without platelets (PLTs), plasma, and cryoprecipitate. Data on the transfusion, return to blood bank, and wastage rates were recorded on all products issued within 3 hours after MTP activation.

RESULTS

The majority of products were issued to the emergency department and/or operating room at all three institutions (84%‐95%). The percentage of RBCs, plasma, and PLTs transfused during MTPs were 39% to 65%, 43% to 66%, and 75% to 100%, respectively. Wastage rates were comparable for RBCs (0%‐9%), plasma (0%‐7%), and PLTs (0%‐7%). Cryoprecipitate had the highest wastage rates at all three sites (7%‐33%).

CONCLUSION

A large portion of blood products issued during MTPs are not transfused. Some are wasted due to stringent storage requirements and/or limited shelf lives. The optimum ratio of transfused to returned products in these patients is likely to be determined more by clinical need than by transfusion service policy.
A randomized trial to evaluate the use of text messaging, letter, and telephone call reminders to improve return of blood donors with reactive serologic tests
Authors: Porto‐Ferreira Francisco Augusto , de Almeida‐Neto Cesar , Murphy Edward L. , Montebello Sandra de Camargo , Nogueira Fátima Aparecida Hangai , Koga da Silva Edina Mariko , MacFarland William , Custer Brian
Published: October 2016

BACKGROUND

Low return rates for notification and counseling among donors with reactive serologic screening tests have been reported worldwide. A randomized trial to test the effectiveness of text message, letter, or telephone call reminders to improve return among nonresponding first‐time blood donors with reactive serologic tests was conducted.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Donors with serologically reactive screening test results who had a cell phone and resided in the metropolitan telephone area code of São Paulo in the period from August 2013 through July 2014 were eligible. A consecutive sample of first‐time donors with reactive screening tests who had not responded to a standard letter requesting the donor return to the blood center were randomly assigned to receive a text, a new letter, or a telephone call requesting return for notification and counseling. Return rates were measured over the subsequent 30 days.

RESULTS

The return rate after a phone call reminder was better than that for a text message (39.8% vs. 28.4%; odds ratio [OR], 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05‐2.64) but not better than that for a letter (39.8% vs. 34.4%; OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.80‐1.99). Older age was a predictor of higher rate of return with each year increase in age associated with a 2% increase in the odds of return (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01‐1.04).

CONCLUSION

In nonresponding serologic reactive donors, telephone call led to a higher return rate than text message. The results of this study suggest that use of text messages, while attractive for its simplicity, will not lead to increased donor notification success after serologically reactive marker results from blood donation in Brazil.
Outreach of Pro-poor Housing Programs and Projects: Is it sustained?
Authors: Dubagunta Gowthami Sai , Patel Sejal
Published: October 2016

Affordable housing for urban poor is one among the hot button issues among all policy makers and planners in countries of global south.  Grand schemes with extravagant promises in the formal sector and gigantic hope for informal sector, to capture the opportunity at bottom of pyramid, are simultaneously trying to curb the problem of affordable housing shortage for urban poor. Even though private sector does not purposely seek to cater housing for lower income sections, yet large quantum of investment have been witnessed in housing for the urban poor. It is well known that in a free market tussle, the highest bidder is always the winner.  This has been a major reason for creation of artificial shortage of housing for poor. And the scenario is worse in case of public housing, where, half of the units are either left purposeless or used by ineligible users, largely due to risk of impoverishment and improper post occupancy vigilance. The magnitude of post occupancy problems being unexplored, the objective of paper pertains to looks at the challenges and issues in sustaining targeted outreach to intended beneficiaries in housing supply models for urban poor. The paper elaborates distinct challenges through three housing supply models in Ahmedabad, India. The models are Rehabilitation Housing, Subsidized Housing by government and market provided Housing. The method is mixed method i.e. qualitative and quantitative research using primary and secondary data sources. The critical analysis of effective outreach is carried by studying policy rhetoric in each of the models to on ground veracity in the post occupancy stage of model by assessing end user satisfaction in each model.
Application of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in Evaluating the Achievement Level of Objectives of Urban Development Plan
Authors: Ranasinghe Gayani , De Silva Lalith
Published: October 2016

Planning evaluation can be a systematic assessment of plans, planning processes, objectives and outcomes compared with explicit standards or indicators. Evaluating the achievement level of objectives of development plan has been ignored in the field of planning due to lack of proper method. But in practice, these evaluations are complicated because objectives are not always clear and measurable. Therefore this study is supposed to evaluate the level of achievement of objectives of the development plan by applying Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) when objectives are not measurable. Public perception on achievement of objectives criteria of related action projects considering overall benefits of each project were judged as ex post facto evaluation. Field surveys and questionnaire surveys were carried out to identify different views of different stakeholders. This application can be used as an objective evaluation tool for planners and policy makers to improve planning practices and provide necessary knowledge for revising plans.
NMT as Green Mobility Solution for First/Last Mile Connectivity to Mass Transit Stations for Delhi
Authors: Chidambara Chidambara
Published: October 2016

The objective of this paper is to examine the role of non-motorized transport (NMT) as green mobility solutions in improving the last mile connectivity (LMC) to mass transit systems. There are evidences of its growing significance, which is established through various international experiences, and case studies. The paper discusses transport policies for Indian cities with respect to LMC, NMT and transit systems and their interface. The paper also presents the empirical findings of a study on NMT usage as first/last mile options for a few metro stations in Delhi, India. It analyses metro user characteristics and choices for the selected stations with a lens on NMT usage for covering the last mile. It is observed that NMT comes out as the most preferred option for covering the first/last mile to transit systems, despite the challenging situations under which NMTs operate. The study further points out that the type of NMT mode availed by commuters varies with varying situational context and depends on locational and user attributes. It is interesting to note that while introduction of “bicycles on hire” worked very well at a particular station, the same had no takers at another. The paper contends that resorting to standard solutions for LMC may not be the right approach; rather it must be based on user and other contextual analysis. The paper concludes with outlining a holistic policy approach that treats NMT planning as a non-negotiable component of transit planning to achieve higher ridership (for the transit operator), better journey experience (for the commuter) and larger sustainability goals.
Differential roles of two delayed rectifier potassium currents in regulation of ventricular action potential duration and arrhythmia susceptibility
Authors: Devenyi Ryan A. , Ortega Francis A. , Groenendaal Willemijn , Krogh‐Madsen Trine , Christini David J. , Sobie Eric A.
Published: October 2016

Key points

Arrhythmias result from disruptions to cardiac electrical activity, although the factors that control cellular action potentials are incompletely understood.

We combined mathematical modelling with experiments in heart cells from guinea pigs to determine how cellular electrical activity is regulated.

A mismatch between modelling predictions and the experimental results allowed us to construct an improved, more predictive mathematical model.

The balance between two particular potassium currents dictates how heart cells respond to perturbations and their susceptibility to arrhythmias.

Imbalances of ionic currents can destabilize the cardiac action potential and potentially trigger lethal cardiac arrhythmias. In the present study, we combined mathematical modelling with information‐rich dynamic clamp experiments to determine the regulation of action potential morphology in guinea pig ventricular myocytes. Parameter sensitivity analysis was used to predict how changes in ionic currents alter action potential duration, and these were tested experimentally using dynamic clamp, a technique that allows for multiple perturbations to be tested in each cell. Surprisingly, we found that a leading mathematical model, developed with traditional approaches, systematically underestimated experimental responses to dynamic clamp perturbations. We then re‐parameterized the model using a genetic algorithm, which allowed us to estimate ionic current levels in each of the cells studied. This unbiased model adjustment consistently predicted an increase in the rapid delayed rectifier K+ current and a drastic decrease in the slow delayed rectifier K+ current, and this prediction was validated experimentally. Subsequent simulations with the adjusted model generated the clinically relevant prediction that the slow delayed rectifier is better able to stabilize the action potential and suppress pro‐arrhythmic events than the rapid delayed rectifier. In summary, iterative coupling of simulations and experiments enabled novel insight into how the balance between cardiac K+ currents influences ventricular arrhythmia susceptibility.
Influence of Uniform Blowing/Suction on the Free Convection of Non-Newtonian Fluids Over a Vertical Cone in Porous Media With Thermal Radiation and Soret/Dufour Effects: Uniform Wall Temperature/Uniform Wall Concentration
Authors: Huang Chuo-Jeng
Published: October 2016

This work studies numerically the combined heat and mass transfer of uniform blowing/suction, non-Newtonian power-law fluid, and thermal radiation effects on free convection adjacent to a vertical cone within a porous medium in the presence of Soret/Dufour effects. The surface of the vertical cone has a uniform wall temperature and uniform wall concentration (UWT/UWC). The Rosseland diffusion approximation is employed to describe the radiative heat flux. A nonsimilarity analysis is performed, and the transformed governing equations are solved by Keller box method (KBM). The effects of these major parameters of the Dufour parameter, Soret parameter, Lewis number, buoyancy ratio, power-law index of the non-Newtonian fluids, blowing/suction parameter, and thermal radiation parameter on the heat and mass transfer characteristics have been carried out. In general, for the case of blowing, both the local Nusselt number and the local Sherwood number decrease. This trend reversed for suction of fluid. The physical aspects of the problem are discussed in detail.
Simulation of Phonon Transport in Semiconductors Using a Population-Dependent Many-Body Cellular Monte Carlo Approach
Authors: Sabatti Flavio F. M. , Goodnick Stephen M. , Saraniti Marco
Published: October 2016

A Monte Carlo rejection technique for numerically solving the complete, nonlinear phonon Boltzmann transport equation (BTE) is presented in this work, including three particles interactions. The technique has been developed to explicitly model population-dependent scattering within a full-band cellular Monte Carlo (CMC) framework, to simulate phonon transport in semiconductors, while ensuring conservation of energy and momentum for each scattering event within gridding error. The scattering algorithm directly solves the many-body problem accounting for the instantaneous distribution of the phonons. Our general approach is capable of simulating any nonequilibrium phase space distribution of phonons using the full phonon dispersion without the need of approximations used in previous Monte Carlo simulations. In particular, no assumptions are made on the dominant modes responsible for anharmonic decay, while normal and umklapp scattering are treated on the same footing. In this work, we discuss details of the algorithmic implementation of both the three-particle scattering for the treatment of the anharmonic interactions between phonons, as well as treating isotope and impurity scattering within the same framework. The simulation code was validated by comparison with both analytical and experimental results; in particular, the simulation results show close agreement with a wide range of experimental data such as thermal conductivity as function of the isotopic composition, the temperature, and the thin-film thickness.
Combined Effects of Freestream Pressure Gradient and Density Ratio on the Film Cooling Effectiveness of Round and Shaped Holes on a Flat Plate
Authors: Vinton Kyle R. , Watson Travis B. , Wright Lesley M. , Crites Daniel C. , Morris Mark C. , Riahi Ardeshir
Published: October 2016

The combined effects of a favorable, mainstream pressure gradient and coolant-to-mainstream density ratio have been investigated. Detailed film cooling effectiveness distributions have been obtained on a flat plate with either cylindrical (θ = 30 deg) or laidback, fan-shaped holes (θ = 30 deg and β = γ = 10 deg) using the pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) technique. In a low-speed wind tunnel, both nonaccelerating and accelerating flows were considered, while the density ratio varied from 1 to 4. In addition, the effect of blowing ratio was considered, with this ratio varying from 0.5 to 1.5. The film produced by the shaped hole outperformed the round hole under the presence of a favorable pressure gradient for all the blowing and density ratios. At the lowest blowing ratio, in the absence of freestream acceleration, the round holes outperformed the shaped holes. However, as the blowing ratio increases, the shaped holes prevent lift-off of the coolant and offer enhanced protection. The effectiveness afforded by both the cylindrical and shaped holes, with and without freestream acceleration, increased with density ratio.
Hoarse voice: a rare presentation of tuberculosis lymphadenitis
Authors: Springford Laurie Rigueros , Ramdoo Krishan , Nair Dilip , Taghi Ali
Published: October 2016

A man aged 37 years from Indian descent presented to an inner city London hospital with hoarseness of voice, fatigue, night sweats and a 2 kg weight loss. Laryngoscopy demonstrated a left vocal fold palsy. Extensive investigations were undertaken with disseminated malignancy being primarily investigated. CT/MRI scanning showed non-specific necrotic mediastinal lymph nodes. Tuberculin skin testing, cytology and PCR were eventually undergone. Tests yielded results consistent with tuberculosis (TB) infection and the patient was started on standard TB treatment protocol, with excellent results. TB infection can result in multiple atypical presentations of disease, including hoarseness of voice secondary to vocal cord paralysis. This is a rare but important presentation for community clinician's to consider, especially in populations where TB is epidemiologically thought to be prevalent.
Lung lobar collapse as the first manifestation of pulmonary epithelioid haemangioendothelioma diagnosed with fibreoptic bronchoscopy
Authors: Abdalla Ahmed , Seedahmed Elfateh , Bachuwa Ghassan , Congdon Douglas
Published: October 2016

Pulmonary epithelioid haemangioendothelioma (PEH) is a rare tumour of endothelial origin that usually occurs in the lung and liver. It usually presents as bilateral multiple nodular lesions. We report a middle-aged woman with a unique presentation of PEH with lung lobar collapse. The diagnosis was made with fibreoptic bronchoscopy rather than video-assisted thoracoscopy. Clinicians and pathologists should be aware of rare conditions that can present as lung lobar collapse.
Primary aortoduodenal fistula: a rare entity with lethal effects
Authors: Richards Carly Rachel Noel , McMurray Robert , Criman Erik , Rinehart Shane
Published: October 2016

Primary aortoduodenal fistula (ADF) is a rare but morbid diagnosis. Here, we present the case of a patient with a primary ADF that resulted in mortality. Despite multiple attempts at radiographic and endoscopic diagnosis, the fistula did not declare itself until the patient exsanguinated. Given the morbidity associated with ADF and the imperfection of associated diagnostic studies, a high index of suspicion is required to make a timely diagnosis.
Analysis of energy consumption in the production of hot mix asphalt (batch mix plant)
Authors: Androjić Ivica , Alduk Zlata Dolaček
Published: October 2016

This paper describes tests in which influencing factors that affect energy consumption in the rotary drum were monitored. The monitored influencing factors are moisture, delays in daily production, hourly production capacity, and temperature of produced hot mix asphalt (HMA). The tests include the production of 88 079 t of HMA of continuous and discontinuous gradation on a cyclic asphalt plant in the Republic of Croatia. In 2014, 182 production terms were monitored (155 observed), whereas the moisture content was tested using the same number of input mineral mixture samples. The temperature of the produced asphalt mixture was measured using approximately 67 753 samples during the entire production period. Delays in work and hourly production capacity were measured during production by recording the duration of working time and delays. The final result of this study is the creation of a regression model of the correlation between energy consumption and temperature of the asphalt mixture and the hourly capacity and moisture in the mineral aggregate.
Economic implications of grinding, transporting, and pretreating fresh versus aged forest residues for biofuel production
Authors: Zamora-Cristales Rene , Sessions John , Marrs Gevan
Published: October 2016

The moisture content in forest harvest residues is a key factor affecting the supply cost for bioenergy production. Fresh harvest residues tend to contain higher amounts of water, thus making transportation inefficient. Additionally, fresh harvest residues contain greater amounts of needles and bark that may reduce the polysaccharide content, thus affecting the production of liquid fuels derived from cellulosic components. In this study, we estimated the downstream economic effect in the supply chain of collecting, grinding, transporting and pretreating fresh versus aged residues. Specifically, we analyzed the effect of feedstock moisture content on grinder fuel consumption, bulk density, bark and needle content, and polysaccharide proportion. Fresh forest harvest residues were 60% moisture content (wet basis) and aged forest residues were 15% moisture content. The bark and needle proportion is 6.1% higher in fresh residue than in aged residue. Polysaccharides were 26% higher in aged residue than in fresh residue. On a dry-tonne basis, the cost of grinding fresh residues was about the same as that of aged residues. However, considering the difference in bulk density on transportation cost and the difference in polysaccharide yield, the value gain for in-field drying ranges from US$29.60 to US$74.90 per ovendry tonne.
Probing the Higgs with angular observables at future e+e− colliders
Authors: Liu Zhen
Published: October 2016

I summarize our recent works on using differential observables to explore the physics potential of future [Formula: see text] colliders in the framework of Higgs effective field theory. This proceeding is based upon Refs. 1 and 2. We study angular observables in the [Formula: see text] channel at future circular [Formula: see text] colliders such as CEPC and FCC-ee. Taking into account the impact of realistic cut acceptance and detector effects, we forecast the precision of six angular asymmetries at CEPC (FCC-ee) with center-of-mass energy [Formula: see text] GeV and 5 (30) ab[Formula: see text] integrated luminosity. We then determine the projected sensitivity to a range of operators relevant for the Higgsstrahlung process in the dimension-6 Higgs EFT. Our results show that angular observables provide complementary sensitivity to rate measurements when constraining various tensor structures arising from new physics. We further find that angular asymmetries provide a novel means of constraining the “blind spot” in indirect limits on supersymmetric scalar top partners. We also discuss the possibility of using [Formula: see text]-fusion at [Formula: see text] machines at different energies to probe new operators.
On the Classical Schrödinger Equation
Authors: Benseny Albert , Tena David , Oriols Xavier
Published: October 2016

In this paper, the classical Schrödinger equation (CSE), which allows the study of classical dynamics in terms of wave functions, is analyzed theoretically and numerically. First, departing from classical (Newtonian) mechanics, and assuming an additional single-valued condition for the Hamilton’s principal function, the CSE is obtained. This additional assumption implies inherent non-classical features on the description of the dynamics obtained from the CSE: the trajectories do not cross in the configuration space. Second, departing from Bohmian mechanics and invoking the quantum-to-classical transition, the CSE is obtained in a natural way for the center of mass of a quantum system with a large number of identical particles. This quantum development imposes the condition of dealing with a narrow wave packet, which implicitly avoids the non-classical features mentioned above. We illustrate all the above points with numerical simulations of the classical and quantum Schrödinger equations for different systems.
Decision Mechanism for Supplier Selection Under Sustainability
Authors: Rao Congjun , Goh Mark , Zheng Junjun
Published: October 2016

Against the backdrop of responsible economic development, sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) is key to achieving the sustainable development for enterprise and industry. In this regard, sustainable supplier selection is crucial in SSCM. By integrating the three dimensions of sustainability, economic, environmental and social, this paper presents a new evaluation system for supplier selection from a sustainability perspective. Specifically, we design a decision mechanism for sustainable supplier selection based on linguistic 2-tuple grey correlation degree. In this proposed mechanism, the hybrid attribute values whereby real numbers, interval numbers and linguistic fuzzy variables coexist are transformed into linguistic 2-tuples. A ranking method based on linguistic 2-tuple grey correlation degree is then presented to rank the suppliers. An application example is presented to highlight the implementation, availability and feasibility of the proposed decision making mechanism.
Scale Synthesis of Environment Friendly CIZS/ZnS Core/Shell Quantum Dots for High Color Quality White LEDs
Authors: Abib Mukerem Helil , Chang Yajing , Yao Xudong , Li Guopeng , Yu Dabin , Jiang Yang
Published: October 2016

Environment-friendly CuInZnS (CIZS) core and CuInZnS/ZnS (CIZS/ZnS) core/shell quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized via a facile solution-phase method. Different methods certified that the ZnS shell was successfully coated on CIZS core. The coating of ZnS shell would lead to the quantum yield increase and optical spectra blue shifted. Furthermore, the CIZS and CIZS/ZnS had a long PL lifetime of 257.3[Formula: see text]ns and 411.6[Formula: see text]ns, respectively. Finally, the CIZS/ZnS QDs powder with yellow emission was used to compose white light emitting diodes (WLED) on blue LED chip. The WLED had a [Formula: see text] of 80, [Formula: see text] of 4793[Formula: see text]K, and CIE coordinates of (0.346, 0.321) under 20[Formula: see text]mA current, and had a bright warm white emission, which indicated the promising potential of the CIZS/ZnS QDs in the optoelectronics.
Terminal sliding mode control with self-tuning for coronary artery system synchronization
Authors: Zhao Zhanshan , Li Xiaomeng , Zhang Jing , Pei Yongzhen
Published: October 2016

A terminal sliding mode (TSM) control with self-tuning gain algorithm is proposed for the synchronization of coronary artery system under the existence of the unmodeled dynamics and the external disturbance. Considering the sliding mode dynamics of system, a criterion of selecting the parameters is derived to reach the point of equilibrium in the finite time. The theoretic analysis based on Lyapunov theory proved that the systems with the proposed TSM control with self-tuning scheme could be stabilized in finite time. The proposed method shows that the drive and response systems are synchronized and states of the response system track the states of the drive system in finite time. This information about the bound of unmodeled dynamics and the external disturbance is not needed in advance through self-tuning the gains of controller. The results for coronary artery system synchronization simulation show that the proposed TSM controller with self-tuning achieves better robustness and adaptation against unmodeled dynamics and the external disturbance, which offer the theory basis on curing myocardial infarction.
Bounds on hyper-Wiener index of graphs
Authors: Alhevaz Abdollah , Baghipur Maryam , Rahimi Sadegh
Published: October 2016

The Wiener number [Formula: see text] of a graph [Formula: see text] was introduced by Harold Wiener in connection with the modeling of various physic-chemical, biological and pharmacological properties of organic molecules in chemistry. Milan Randić introduced a modification of the Wiener index for trees (acyclic graphs), and it is known as the hyper-Wiener index. Then Klein et al. generalized Randić’s definition for all connected (cyclic) graphs, as a generalization of the Wiener index, denoted by [Formula: see text] and defined as [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we establish some upper and lower bounds for [Formula: see text], in terms of other graph-theoretic parameters. Moreover, we compute hyper-Wiener number of some classes of graphs.
Proton-exchange membranes with enhanced anhydrous proton conductivity by room temperature ionic liquid anchored to silica
Authors: Peng Pai , Qu Rong , Liu Jie , Xu Jing , Chen Dongzhi , Yin Xianze , Zhang Hongwei
Published: October 2016

A strategy of immobilizing room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) in proton-exchange membranes (PEMs) is demonstrated for the first time. After synthesized by ionic exchange and extraction, RTIL is anchored to the surfaces of silica nanoparticles (SiO2-RTIL) via condensation reaction. Then composite PEMs consisting of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and silica with RTIL are prepared through the solution casting method. The incorporation of SiO2-RTIL markedly improves the physical properties of the composite PEMs as compared to the plain SPEEK membrane, which was probably related to the plasticization and additional proton conductivity of the SiO2-RTIL. The anhydrous proton conductivity of the resultant composite PEM with 30% SiO2-RTIL was 50 times that of the plain membrane at 150[Formula: see text]C.
Model and simulation of four-wheeled robot based on Mecanum wheel
Authors: Zhao Jianwei , Liu Yuanshuang , Qu Yuanyuan , Bian Feng , Ban Yu
Published: October 2016

Based on Mecanum wheels and “[Formula: see text]”-shaped planetary wheels, we combine these two kinds of wheels’ respective motion principle with their advantages to design a new type of four-wheeled robot: install the Mecanum wheels at the end of “[Formula: see text]”-shaped planetary wheel group. The wheel designed based on Mecanum wheels and “[Formula: see text]”-shaped planetary wheel can adapt to the complex terrain such as stairs, steps, and at the same time it can achieve the rotation of the whole body in a limited space. This paper studies the adaptability of the four-wheeled robot to the stairs, analyzing and calculating the parameters of the four-wheeled robot and the stairs.
STRATEGIC CONFLICTS ON THE HORIZON: R&D INCENTIVES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: HEYEN DANIEL
Published: October 2016

Technological innovation is a key strategy for tackling climate change and other environmental problems. The required R&D expenditures however are substantial and fall on self-interested countries. Thus, the prospects of successful innovation critically depend on innovation incentives. This paper focuses on a specific mechanism for strategic distortions in this R&D game. In this mechanism, the outlook of future conflicts surrounding technology deployment directly impacts on the willingness to undertake R&D. Apart from free-riding, a different deployment conflict with distortive effects on innovation can occur. Low deployment costs and heterogeneous preferences might give rise to ‘free-driving’ (Weitzman, ML (2015). A voting architecture for the governance of free-driver externalities, with application to geoengineering. The Scandinavian Journal of Economics, 117(4), 1049–1068): The country with the highest preference for technology deployment, the free driver, may dominate the deployment outcome to the detriment of others. The present paper develops a simple two stage model for analyzing how technology deployment conflicts, free-riding and free-driving, shape R&D incentives of two asymmetric countries. The framework gives rise to rich findings, underpinning the narrative that future deployment conflicts extend to the R&D stage. While the outlook of free-riding unambiguously weakens innovation incentives, the findings for free-driving are more complex, including the possibility of excessive R&D as well as incentives for counter-R&D.
Swimming Exercise Alleviated Insulin Resistance by Regulating Tripartite Motif Family Protein 72 Expression and AKT Signal Pathway in Sprague-Dawley Rats Fed with High-Fat Diet
Authors: Qi Jie , Yang Bo , Ren Cailing , Fu Jian , Zhang Jun
Published: October 2016

We aimed to investigate whether swimming exercise could improve insulin resistance (IR) by regulating tripartite motif family protein 72 (TRIM72) expression and AKT signal pathway in rats fed with high-fat diet. Five-week-old rats were classified into 3 groups: standard diet as control (CON), high-fat diet (HFD), and HFD plus swimming exercise (Ex-HFD). After 8 weeks, glucose infusion rate (GIR), markers of oxidative stress, mRNA and protein expression of TRIM72, protein of IRS, p-AKTSer473, and AKT were determined in quadriceps muscles. Compared with HFD, the GIR, muscle SOD, and GSH-Px were significantly increased (p<0.05, resp.), whereas muscle MDA and 8-OHdG levels were significantly decreased (p<0.05andp<0.01) in Ex-HFD. Expression levels of TRIM72 mRNA and protein in muscles were significantly reduced (p<0.05andp<0.01), whereas protein expression levels of IRS-1, p-AKTSer473, and AKT were significantly increased in Ex-HFD compared with HFD (p<0.01,p<0.01, andp<0.05). These results suggest that an 8-week swimming exercise improves HFD-induced insulin resistance maybe through a reduction of TRIM72 in skeletal muscle and enhancement of AKT signal transduction.
Electroacupuncture Pretreatment at GB20 Exerts Antinociceptive Effects via Peripheral and Central Serotonin Mechanism in Conscious Migraine Rats
Authors: Liu Lu , Pei Pei , Zhao Luo-Peng , Qu Zheng-Yang , Zhu Yu-Pu , Wang Lin-Peng
Published: October 2016

Background. While electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment in migraine has been found to attenuate pain and frequencies of attacks, the underlying mechanism of its antinociceptive effect remains poorly understood. Emerging evidence suggests that the serotonin system may be involved in migraine pathophysiology. Method. Forty male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly assigned to Control, Model, EA, and sham acupuncture (SA) groups. HomeCageScan was used to measure the effects on spontaneous nociceptive behaviors. Radioimmunoassay and high‐performance liquid chromatography were used to evaluate the expression of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (HT) in the plasma and three‐key structure of the descending pain modulatory system. Results. Our study showed that EA pretreatment could produce a significant reduction in resting, freezing, and grooming behavior and a significant increase in exploration behavior. Furthermore, we found that the level of 5‐HT in plasma was significantly increased, and it was significantly decreased in the descending pain modulatory system in Model group. The aforementioned results were significantly reversed in EA group; that is, the level of 5‐HT was increased in the rostroventromedial medulla (RVM) and trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC) region and decreased in the plasma. Conclusion. EA pretreatment exerts antinociceptive effects in a rat model of recurrent migraine, possibly via modulation of the serotonin system.
Regulation of Autophagy-Related Protein and Cell Differentiation by High Mobility Group Box 1 Protein in Adipocytes
Authors: Feng Huanhuan , Yu Lili , Zhang Guojun , Liu Guoyan , Yang Can , Wang Hui , Song Xiangfeng
Published: October 2016

High mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) is a molecule related to the development of inflammation. Autophagy is vital to maintain cellular homeostasis and protect against inflammation of adipocyte injury. Our recent work focused on the relationship of HMGB1 and autophagy in 3T3-L1 cells. In vivo experimental results showed that, compared with the normal-diet group, the high-fat diet mice displayed an increase in adipocyte size in the epididymal adipose tissues. The expression levels of HMGB1 and LC3II also increased in epididymal adipose tissues in high-fat diet group compared to the normal-diet mice. The in vitro results indicated that HMGB1 protein treatment increased LC3II formation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in contrast to that in the control group. Furthermore, LC3II formation was inhibited through HMGB1 knockdown by siRNA. Treatment with the HMGB1 protein enhanced LC3II expression after 2 and 4 days but decreased the expression after 8 and 10 days among various differentiation stages of adipocytes. By contrast, FABP4 expression decreased on the fourth day and increased on the eighth day. Hence, the HMGB1 protein modulated autophagy-related proteins and lipid-metabolism-related genes in adipocytes and could be a new target for treatment of obesity and related metabolic diseases.
Neck of Femur Fracture in a Patient with a Chronic Osteomyelitis of the Ipsilateral Foot
Authors: Döring Anne-Carolin , Vochteloo Anne J. H. , van Doorn Kees , Huis in ’t Veld Rianne M. H. A. , Peters Anil
Published: October 2016

This case report describes a successful two-stage treatment in a 75-year-old male with a displaced neck of femur fracture, also suffering from an active chronic osteomyelitis of the ipsilateral calcaneus. In our case, a below-knee amputation was performed first, followed by total hip arthroplasty two weeks later. At 15-month follow-up, full recovery of the prefracture level of activities of daily living without significant impairment was obtained. Only a few cases of total hip arthroplasty in amputees have been published, but the indication for surgery was mainly traumatic or advanced osteoarthritis. Treating patients with this type of comorbidities is challenging; therapeutic dilemmas can be major. The management in cases like these requires a thorough evaluation and a clear surgical and medical treatment plan, preferably conducted by a multidisciplinary orthogeriatric team.
Transitional Remodeling of the Hepatic Extracellular Matrix in Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury
Authors: Poole Lauren G. , Arteel Gavin E.
Published: October 2016

Alcohol consumption is a common custom worldwide, and the toxic effects of alcohol on several target organs are well understood. The liver is the primary site of alcohol metabolism and is therefore the major target of alcohol toxicity. Alcoholic liver disease is a spectrum of disease states, ranging from simple steatosis (fat accumulation), to inflammation, and eventually to fibrosis and cirrhosis if untreated. The fibrotic stage of ALD is primarily characterized by robust accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (collagens) which ultimately impairs the function of the organ. The role of the ECM in early stages of ALD is poorly understood, but recent research has demonstrated that a number of changes in the hepatic ECM in prefibrotic ALD not only are present, but may also contribute to disease progression. The purpose of this review is to summarize the established and proposed changes to the hepatic extracellular matrix (ECM) that may contribute to earlier stages of ALD development and to discuss potential mechanisms by which these changes may mediate the progression of the disease.