bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of thermoelastic damping in fully clamped bilayered rectangular microplate resonators based on three-dimensional heat conduction
Authors: Li Xiaopeng , Wang Linlin , Pan Wujiu , Yang Zemin , Xu Jinchi
Published: May 2019

Under the condition that microresonators work at room temperature or vaccum, thermoelastic damping is one of the main mechanisms of energy dissipation. Thermoelastic damping caused by the internal consumption of thermoelastic materials has always prevented the improvement of the quality of microresonators. In this paper, the theoretical model of thermoelastic damping in fully clamped bilayered plate microresonators based on the theory of three-dimensional heat conduction is first established and then verified to be equivalent to the previous single-layer model or not through the formula derivation. Analysis on thermoelastic damping at the first-order frequency where microresonators usually work is carried out afterwards. The differences of thermoelastic damping in the present three-dimensional model with different materials are investigated, including the convergence speed and the value of thermoelastic damping with different thicknesses. Then, with different lengths, widths, and thicknesses, but the same combination of materials, the thermoelastic damping is investigated in the present model. Furthermore, the present bilayered model is compared with the single-layer model to investigate their equivalent relationship. Finally, the present three-dimensional model is compared with the one-dimensional model and FEM models to investigate its feasibility.
Parafermion algebra with bilinear relation
Authors: Chung Won Sang
Published: May 2019

In this paper, we find the parafermion algebra of order [Formula: see text] expressed in terms of bilinear relation (commutator form). We find the correct Hamiltonian of parafermion of order [Formula: see text] by using the parasupersymmetry. Finally, we discuss the comparison of specific heats for several parafermions of order [Formula: see text].
Magnetic and magnetoresistive properties of nanocomposites based on Co and SiO
Authors: Pazukha I. M. , Shkurdoda Y. O. , Chornous A. M. , Dekhtyaruk L. V.
Published: May 2019

A series of thin-film nanocomposites based on ferromagnetic metal Co and insulator SiO were prepared using an electron-beam method. The magnetoresistive and magnetic properties of these structures deposited at room temperature and then annealed to 700 K were investigated. The results showed that at the Co concentration 40 [Formula: see text]x [Formula: see text] 60 at.%, thin-film nanocomposites exhibit magnetoresistance (MR) that is conditional on spin-dependent tunnelling of electrons. This range of concentrations corresponds to the prepercolation area according to the magnetic investigations. For samples with x [Formula: see text] 70 at.%, the anisotropic character of MR peculiar to the homogeneous ferromagnetic materials appears. According to the magnetic properties study, this range of concentrations corresponds to the area after transition through the percolation threshold. The annealing process in temperature range from 300 K to 700 K in the magnetic field slightly influenced the magnetoresistive properties of the thin-film nanocomposites based on Co and SiO for all range of concentrations.
Characterization of Dioctyl terephthalate biodegradation by food waste composting
Authors: Lee Sung Tse , Tran Huu Tuan , Lin Chitsan , Hoang Hong Giang , Vo Thi Dieu Hien , Vu Chi Thanh , Bui Xuan Thanh
Published: May 2019

Dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP), a plasticizer is used as an additive in many plastic products. Disposal of DOTP into environment has been of concern because it is hardly biodegradable in nature. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the biodegradation of DOTP by aerobic composting processes without bioaugmentation. The initial DOTP concentration in the compost mixture was 11,882 mg/kg, after 35-day incubation, the removal efficiency of the compost reactor was 98%. The degradation was found to follow the first-order kinetic with the half-life of 5.2 days. Food waste composting was demonstrated as a technically robust and economically competitive process for the degradation of DOTP, and that of other similar plasticizers are expected.
Universal scaling of meson and baryon spectra in p-Pb collisions at 5.02TeV
Authors: Liu Na , Du Xiaoling , Qiao Liyun , Che Guorong , Zhang Wenchao
Published: May 2019

We systematically investigate the scaling property of mesons (pions and kaons) and baryons (protons, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) transverse momentum ([Formula: see text]) spectra at different centrality classes (0–5[Formula: see text], 5–10[Formula: see text], 10–20[Formula: see text], 20–40[Formula: see text], 40–60[Formula: see text], 60–80[Formula: see text] and 80–100[Formula: see text]) in proton-lead collisions with center of mass energy per nucleon pair 5.02[Formula: see text]TeV. In the low [Formula: see text] region with [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]GeV/c, a universal scaling independent of the centrality is observed in the pion (kaon, proton, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) spectra when a dilatation, [Formula: see text], is applied. Here, [Formula: see text] is a scaling parameter depending on the centrality class. We find that the rates at which ln[Formula: see text] changes with the logarithmic value of the average value of the number of participating nucleons, ln[Formula: see text], are stronger for baryons than those for mesons. In the high [Formula: see text] region, there is a deviation from the scaling. The more peripheral the collisions are, the more obvious the violation of the scaling is. In the framework of the color string percolation (CSP) model, we show that mesons and baryons are generated from the decay of clusters formed by strings overlapping in the transverse plane with the same size dispersion but with different mean size. The mean size of clusters for baryons is smaller than that of mesons. For the same hadrons at different centrality classes, the mean size of clusters decreases with the increase of centrality. The fragmentation functions for cluster decay are different for different hadrons, while they are universal for the same hadrons at different centrality classes. The universal scaling of the meson and baryon spectra in the low [Formula: see text] region can be quantitatively understood with the CSP model at the same time.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF SURFACE ROUGHNESS AND TAPER ANGLE IN ABRASIVE WATER JET MACHINING OF 7075 ALUMINUM COMPOSITE USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY
Authors: SHANMUGAM A. , KRISHNAMURTHY K. , MOHANRAJ T.
Published: May 2019

Surface roughness and taper angle of an abrasive waterjet machined surface of 7075 Aluminum metal matrix composite were deliberately studied. Response surface methodology design of experiments and analysis of variance were used to design the experiments and to identify the effect of process parameters on surface roughness and taper angle. The jet traverse speed and jet pressure were the most significant process parameters which influence the surface roughness and taper angle, respectively. Increasing the pressure and jet traverse speed results in increasing the surface roughness and taper angle. At the same time, decreasing the standoff distance and jet traverse speed possibly enhances both the responses. The optimal process parameters of 1[Formula: see text]mm as standoff distance, 192[Formula: see text]MPa as water pressure and 30[Formula: see text]mm[Formula: see text]min[Formula: see text] as jet traverse speed were identified to obtain the minimum value of surface roughness and taper angle. Based on the optimal parameters, the confirmation test was conducted. The mathematical equation was obtained from the experimental data using regression analysis; it was observed that the error was less than 5% of the experimentally measured values.
INFLUENCE OF Cu CONTENT ON PREFERRED ORIENTATION AND PROPERTIES OF CrCuN COATINGS
Authors: TAN SHUYONG , ZHANG XUHAI , ZHEN RUI , WANG ZHANGZHONG
Published: May 2019

CrCuN coatings were deposited using double target co sputtering by DC pulsed magnetron reactive sputtering. The Cu content increases from 0.7[Formula: see text]at.% to 5.5[Formula: see text]at.% with the increase of Cu target current from 0.08 to 0.24[Formula: see text]A. The influence of Cu content on preferred orientation and properties of CrCuN coatings was investigated. The results show that CrCuN coatings are mainly composed of CrN phase. Except for the coating containing 4.2[Formula: see text]at.% Cu, the other CrCuN coatings show CrN(111) preferred orientation. All the coatings have loose structure, which is chiefly responsible for unsatisfactory hardness. The oriented growth plays an important role in the change of coating hardness with Cu content.
Price and Treatment Decisions in Epidemics — Stackelberg and Bargaining Games: The Role of Cost Functions
Authors: Di Liddo Andrea
Published: May 2019

The shape of cost functions significantly influences the solution of optimization problems related to the treatment of infectious diseases. The classical linear or quadratic cost functions are widely used in the literature more to make the problems tractable than for their relevance with the model studied. For example, they do not seem appropriate when expensive therapies are required to treat a large number of patients, as in the case of the treatment of hepatitis C by sofosbuvir. In this paper, we study the strategic interactions between pharmaceutical companies and public authorities to determine the price of patented drugs and the number of treated infected people. A Stackelberg game and a Nash bargaining game are studied. In particular, we analyze the relationship between the different cost functions and the equilibria of the games.
Qualified Geometric Stiffness for Linear Buckling and Second-Order Nonlinear Analysis of Framed Structures
Authors: Wen Y. , Tan Q. , Chen Z. L.
Published: May 2019

There exist various potential energy formulations dealing with the linear buckling and second-order nonlinear analysis of framed structures with different degrees of refinement in the kinematic model. However, the geometric stiffnesses derived often give rise to different structural behaviors, which indeed represents a confusion regarding their qualified usage in bifurcation and post-buckling analysis. This study aims to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the validity of the geometric stiffness for use at the predictor and corrector phrases of an incremental analysis based on the rigid-body motion test. To remove the unbalanced element forces caused by the nonqualified geometric stiffness, a supplementary correction matrix is developed according to simple kinematic and static analysis in the context of rigid rotations. An updated Lagrangian approach-based force recovery procedure (FRP) is presented for updating the element forces with improved reliability and efficiency, when using relatively large step size. Some benchmark problems which exhibit compound three-dimensional nonlinear behavior of framed structures are solved to clarify the capabilities of rigid-body qualified and nonqualified geometric stiffnesses along with the existing FRPs for different mesh sizes, step sizes and load patterns. It is shown that the proposed procedure can be adopted to predict correct buckling loads and post-buckling equilibrium paths without adding extra computational costs.
Tactile Behaviors with the Vision-Based Tactile Sensor FingerVision
Authors: Yamaguchi Akihiko , Atkeson Christopher G.
Published: May 2019

This paper introduces a vision-based tactile sensor FingerVision, and explores its usefulness in tactile behaviors. FingerVision consists of a transparent elastic skin marked with dots, and a camera that is easy to fabricate, low cost, and physically robust. Unlike other vision-based tactile sensors, the complete transparency of the FingerVision skin provides multimodal sensation. The modalities sensed by FingerVision include distributions of force and slip, and object information such as distance, location, pose, size, shape, and texture. The slip detection is very sensitive since it is obtained by computer vision directly applied to the output from the FingerVision camera. It provides high-resolution slip detection, which does not depend on the contact force, i.e., it can sense slip of a lightweight object that generates negligible contact force. The tactile behaviors explored in this paper include manipulations that utilize this feature. For example, we demonstrate that grasp adaptation with FingerVision can grasp origami, and other deformable and fragile objects such as vegetables, fruits, and raw eggs.
A Modified Newton–Özban Composition for Solving Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Sharma Rajni , Sharma Janak Raj , Kalra Nitin
Published: May 2019

In this work, a modified Newton–Özban composition of convergence order six for solving nonlinear systems is presented. The first two steps of proposed scheme are based on third-order method given by Özban [Özban, A. Y. [2004] “Some new variants of Newton’s method,” Appl. Math. Lett. 17, 677–682.] for solving scalar equations. Computational efficiency of the presented method is discussed and compared with well-known existing methods. Numerical examples are studied to demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed method. The basins of attraction of some of the existing methods along with the proposed method are given to exhibit their performance.
Traps study of Ca2BO3Cl: Eu2+ Dy3+ long-persistent phosphor by electron paramagnetic resonance
Authors: Zeng Wei , Wang Yujia , Wang Lina , Lan Yali , Zao Jie
Published: May 2019

Trap types of the yellow emitting long-persistent phosphor Ca2BO3Cl: [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] were analyzed in this study. [Formula: see text] acting as luminescent centers produced a broad emission band located at 580[Formula: see text]nm, which ascribes to the 5d-4f transitions. Four kinds of traps in this afterglow phosphor were detected by thermoluminescence spectra. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, which is a considerable testing method, was used to identify the traps caused by different reasons. Based on it, detailed processes and traps analyses were examined and discussed.
Nepal earthquake evidence from GNSS data at the Everest Pyramid Lab
Authors: Poretti G. , Morsut F. , Pettenati F.
Published: May 2019

The permanent GNSS station located at the Everest Pyramid Laboratory of EvK2CNR recorded its position coordinates during the earthquakes at the Gorkha (25 April 2015) and Ghorthali zones (12 May 2015) at an interval of every 30 s. The data recorded over three days prior to and after the earthquakes were analysed and the movement indicated a shifting of the GNSS station point from its original position every 30 s. From an accurate analysis of the coordinates of the station determined using GNSS Bernese software, it is possible to detect the movements of the station during the seismic events.

The shifts in the GNSS point were summed to provide an integral function (PIF, Pyramid Integral Function) that can be computed for each of the three components. Comparing them with the displacement record of the GURALP broadband seismic station (IO-EVN) of the OGS (Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale, OGS, Trieste), located at the Pyramid, it is possible to establish a correlation, particularly with the vertical and north components; the maxima of the PIF coincide with the time of occurrence of the earthquakes.
Analysis of Dissipative Losses in Modular Reconfigurable Energy Storage Systems Using SystemC TLM and SystemC-AMS
Authors: Zimmermann Thomas , Mora Mathias , Steinhorst Sebastian , Mueller-Gritschneder Daniel , Jossen Andreas
Published: May 2019

Battery storage systems are becoming more popular in the automotive industry as well as in stationary applications. To fulfill the requirements in terms of power and energy, the literature is increasingly discussing electrically reconfigurable interconnection topologies. However, these topologies use switching elements on the cell and module level that exhibit an electric resistance due to their design and hence generate undesirable dissipative losses. In this article, we propose a new analysis and optimization framework to examine and minimize the losses in such topologies.

For this purpose, we develop a SystemC model to investigate static and dynamic load scenarios, e.g., from the automotive domain. The model uses SystemC TLM for the digital subsystem, SystemC-AMS for the mixed-signal subsystem, and host-compiled simulation for the microcontroller executing the embedded software. Here, we analyze the impact of the dissipative losses on the system efficiency that depend on the modularization level, implying the number of serial and parallel switching elements.

Our analysis clearly shows that in reconfigurable topologies, the modularization level has a significant influence on the losses, which in our automotive example covers several orders of magnitude. For the topologies we have investigated, the highest efficiency can be reached when a parallel-only modularization is aspired and the number of serial switching elements is minimized.

It is also shown that the losses of the state-of-the-art topology with one battery pack protection switch are almost as high as in a smart cell approach in which each energy storage cell has its own switching element. However, due to the high number of switching elements, this results in a reduction of energy density and increases the system costs, showing that this is a multi-criteria optimization problem.
AMPK mediates inhibition of electrolyte transport and NKCC1 activity by reactive oxygen species
Authors: King Stephanie J. , Bunz Michael , Chappell Alfred , Scharl Michael , Docherty Michael , Jung Barbara , Lytle Christian , McCole Declan F.
Published: May 2019

Reactive oxygen species such as H2O2are believed to play a prominent role in the injury and loss of transport function that affect the intestinal epithelium in inflammatory conditions such as inflammatory bowel diseases. Defects in intestinal epithelial ion transport regulation contribute to dysbiosis and inflammatory phenotypes. We previously showed that H2O2inhibits Ca2+-dependent Cl−secretion across intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) via a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)- and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-dependent mechanism that occurs, at least in part, through inhibition of the basolateral Na+-K+-2Cl−cotransporter NKCC1. NKCC1 governs Cl−entry into crypt IECs and thus plays a critical role in maintaining the driving force for Cl−secretion. Electrolyte transport consumes large amounts of cellular energy, and direct pharmacological activation of the cellular energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been shown to inhibit a number of ion transport proteins. Here, we show that H2O2activates AMPK in human IEC lines and ex vivo human colon. Moreover, we demonstrate that the inhibitory effect of H2O2on Ca2+-dependent Cl−secretion and NKCC1 activity is AMPK-dependent. This inhibitory effect is associated with a physical interaction between AMPK and NKCC1, as well as increased phosphorylation (Thr212,217) of NKCC1, without causing NKCC1 internalization. These data identify a key role for AMPK-NKCC1 interaction as a point of convergence for suppression of colonic epithelial ion transport by inflammatory reactive oxygen species.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY H2O2inhibition of intestinal epithelial Ca2+-dependent Cl−secretion involves recruitment of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) downstream of ERK and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathways, physical interaction of AMPK with the Na+-K+-2Cl−cotransporter NKCC1, and AMPK-dependent suppression of NKCC1-mediated electrolyte influx without causing NKCC1 internalization. It is intriguing that, in human intestinal epithelial cell lines and human colon, H2O2activation of AMPK increased phosphorylation of NKCC1 residues required for promoting, not inhibiting, NKCC1 activity. These data identify an elevated complexity of AMPK regulation of NKCC1 in the setting of an inflammatory stimulus.
Distinct muscle-tendon interaction during running at different speeds and in different loading conditions
Authors: Werkhausen Amelie , Cronin Neil J. , Albracht Kirsten , Bojsen-Møller Jens , Seynnes Olivier R.
Published: May 2019

The interaction between the Achilles tendon and the triceps surae muscles seems to be modulated differently with various task configurations. Here we tested the hypothesis that the increased forces and ankle joint work during running under contrasting conditions (altered speed or load) would be met by different, time-dependent adjustments at the muscle-tendon level. Ultrasonography, electromyography, kinematics, and ground reaction force measurements were used to examine Achilles tendon, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscle mechanics in 16 runners in four different running conditions, consisting of a combination of two different speeds (preferred and +20% of preferred speed) and two loading conditions (unloaded and +20% of body mass). Positive ankle joint work increased similarly (+13%) with speed and load. Gastrocnemius and soleus muscle fascicle length and peak velocity were not altered by either condition, suggesting that contractile conditions are mostly preserved despite the constraints imposed in this experimental design. However, at higher running speed, tendon length changes were unaltered but mean muscle electromyographic activity increased in gastrocnemius (+10%, P < 0.01) and soleus (+14%, P < 0.01). Conversely, when loading was increased, mean muscle activity remained similar to unloaded conditions but the mean velocity of gastrocnemius fascicles was reduced and tendon recoil increased (+29%, P < 0.01). Collectively, these results suggest that the neuromuscular system meets increased mechanical demands by favoring economical force production when enough time is available.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrate that muscle-tendon mechanics are adjusted differently when running under constraints imposed by speed or load, despite comparable increases in work. The neuromuscular system likely modulates the way force is produced as a function of availability of time and potential energy.
Synthesis and Photocatalytic Properties of Co-Doped Zn1-xCoxMn2O Hollow Nanospheres
Authors: Ma Long , Wei Zhiqiang , Zhu Xueliang , Liang Jiahao , Zhang Xudong
Published: May 2019

A series of Co-doped Zn1-xCoxMn2O nanocrystals with a spinel structure were successfully prepared by hydrothermal method, and the influence of Co doping concentration on the microstructure, morphology, elemental composition, and optical and photocatalytic properties of the samples was characterized. The experimental results show that all samples exhibit a tetragonal structure, Co2+ ions are successfully substituted for the lattice site of Zn2+ to generate ZnMn2O4 nanocrystals, and the crystalline size decreases as Co-doped concentration increase. The morphologies are loose hollow microsphere structures. The band gap of Zn1−xCoxMn2O samples is smaller than that of pure ZnMn2O4 and has been red shifted. The photocatalytic activity of doped Zn1−xCoxMn2O4 samples is obviously higher than that of pure ZnMn2O4 samples for the photodegradation of MO under visible light irradiation. All these results demonstrate that Co-doped spinel ZnMn2O4 nanocrystals are a meaningful choice for photocatalytic degradation of the pollutants.
Optimal Control against the Human Papillomavirus: Protection versus Eradication of the Infection
Authors: Saldaña Fernando , Korobeinikov Andrei , Barradas Ignacio
Published: May 2019

We investigate the optimal vaccination and screening strategies to minimize human papillomavirus (HPV) associated morbidity and the interventions cost. We propose a two-sex compartmental model of HPV-infection with time-dependent controls (vaccination of adolescents, adults, and screening) which can act simultaneously. We formulate optimal control problems complementing our model with two different objective functionals. The first functional corresponds to the protection of the vulnerable group and the control problem consists of minimizing the cumulative level of infected females over a fixed time interval. The second functional aims to eliminate the infection, and, thus, the control problem consists of minimizing the total prevalence at the end of the time interval. We prove the existence of solutions for the control problems, characterize the optimal controls, and carry out numerical simulations using various initial conditions. The results and properties and drawbacks of the model are discussed.
Dendritic Cells in Subcutaneous and Epicardial Adipose Tissue of Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity, and Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Mráz Miloš , Cinkajzlová Anna , Kloučková Jana , Lacinová Zdeňka , Kratochvílová Helena , Lipš Michal , Pořízka Michal , Kopecký Petr , Lindner Jaroslav , Kotulák Tomáš , Netuka Ivan , Haluzík Martin
Published: May 2019

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells contributing to regulation of lymphocyte immune response. DCs are divided into two subtypes: CD11c-positive conventional or myeloid (cDCs) and CD123-positive plasmacytoid (pDCs) DCs. The aim of the study was to assess DCs (HLA-DR+ lineage-) and their subtypes by flow cytometry in peripheral blood and subcutaneous (SAT) and epicardial (EAT) adipose tissue in subjects with (T2DM, n=12) and without (non-T2DM, n=17) type 2 diabetes mellitus undergoing elective cardiac surgery. Subjects with T2DM had higher fasting glycemia (8.6±0.7 vs. 5.8±0.2 mmol/l, p<0.001) and glycated hemoglobin (52.0±3.4 vs. 36.9±1.0 mmol/mol, p<0.001) and tended to have more pronounced inflammation (hsCRP: 9.8±3.1 vs. 5.1±1.9 mg/ml, p=0.177) compared with subjects without T2DM. T2DM was associated with reduced total DCs in SAT (1.57±0.65 vs. 4.45±1.56% for T2DM vs. non-T2DM, p=0.041) with a similar, albeit insignificant, trend in EAT (0.996±0.33 vs. 2.46±0.78% for T2DM vs. non-T2DM, p=0.171). When analyzing DC subsets, no difference in cDCs was seen between any of the studied groups or adipose tissue pools. In contrast, pDCs were increased in both SAT (13.5±2.0 vs. 4.6±1.9% of DC cells, p=0.005) and EAT (29.1±8.7 vs. 8.4±2.4% of DC, p=0.045) of T2DM relative to non-T2DM subjects as well as in EAT of the T2DM group compared with corresponding SAT (29.1±8.7 vs. 13.5±2.0% of DC, p=0.020). Neither obesity nor coronary artery disease (CAD) significantly influenced the number of total, cDC, or pDC in SAT or EAT according to multiple regression analysis. In summary, T2DM decreased the amount of total dendritic cells in subcutaneous adipose tissue and increased plasmacytoid dendritic cells in subcutaneous and even more in epicardial adipose tissue. These findings suggest a potential role of pDCs in the development of T2DM-associated adipose tissue low-grade inflammation.
Technology Roadmapping Architecture Based on Knowledge Management: Case Study for Improved Indigenous Coffee Production from Guerrero, Mexico
Authors: Contreras-Medina D. I. , Sánchez Osorio E. , Olvera Vargas L. A. , Romero Romero Y.
Published: May 2019

Having demonstrated its importance for economic and human developments, technological change is considered one of the biggest supports worldwide. Today, with the population increase, the inclusion of technology is considered the most appropriate way to reduce the impact of this challenge. Considering 171 indigenous coffee producers from Paraje Montero and Tierra Colorada from Guerrero, Mexico, the present study proposes technological routes for the indigenous coffee production chain and the inclusion of emerging technologies such as sensors, actuators, and processing devices basing on the requirements of the chain. During face-to-face sessions, questionaries, field visits, and literature review for knowledge management, the results expose the need of effective actions against diseases and the reduction of climate change, lack of infrastructure, old plantations, and lack of commercialization channels; for these and considering the requirement of greenhouse technology by indigenous coffee producers and following the labor value driver of the digital compass, the necessity of several kinds of sensors, technologies, and methodologies has been identified with high possibilities to be implemented by similar producers analyzed in this manuscript to help in solving the problems identified in this work. The combination of remote sensing, signal processing, and spectroscopy could be employed to explore mineralogical features of soil and help problems with fertilization; sensor modules to collect temperature, humidity, and light intensity data are a priority for greenhouse monitoring; electrochemical sensors and optical technologies could be of great help to detect the presence of diseases in coffee plants; and the installation of a greenhouse solar dryer is necessary to reduce the time of the sun drying process and protect the coffee cherry. These emerging technologies will help to improve the production of coffee. The study contributes to identify a technology roadmap proposing technological implements according to indigenous coffee production chain requirements and serves as support for future studies in indigenous regions.
Process‐Based Identification of Critical Factors for Residual Value Risk in China′s Highway PPP Projects
Authors: Zheng Chuanjun , Yuan Jingfeng , Li Lingzhi , Skibniewski Mirosław J.
Published: May 2019

Although the Chinese government at all levels has increasingly embraced Public‐Private Partnership (PPP) as their preferred approach to deliver large‐scale infrastructure since 2014, residual value risk (RVR) has been ignored in PPP practice. To systematically explore the critical risk factors (CRFs) responsible for measuring RVR in highway PPP projects, this paper proposes and refines a conceptual model composed of two risk dimensions (four risk categories) and 29 indicators through process‐based viewpoint. Through literature review and expert interview, a structured questionnaire was developed to collect responses with rich working experience in construction industry or highway PPP projects. The refined measurement model with 21 CRFs was validated through mean value analysis (MVA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) performed by SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 23.0, respectively. The findings indicate that 21 CRFs are significant in influencing RVR of highway PPP projects. Moreover, RVR from system dimension is mainly concentrating on institutional environment, macroeconomy, and relationship aspects, whereas financing in preconstruction, quality in construction, and market demand in operation are the most significant CRFs in nonsystem dimension. Furthermore, there is an accumulative exposure of RVR during the project process, especially in preconstruction and operation. This paper sheds light on the significance of lifecycle management on RVR and provides a practical approach for measuring RVR and implementing sustainable practice in highway or other transportation PPP projects.
Demand Prediction of Emergency Supplies under Fuzzy and Missing Partial Data
Authors: Zhang Ming , Wu Hanlin , Qiu Zhifeng , Zhang Yifan , Li Boquan
Published: May 2019

An accurate demand prediction of emergency supplies according to disaster information and historical data is an important research subject in emergency rescue. This study aims at improving supplies demand prediction accuracy under partial data fuzziness and missing. The main contributions of this study are summarized as follows.(1)In view that it is difficult for the turning point of the whitenization weight function to determine fuzzy data, two computational formulas solving “core” of fuzzy interval grey numbers were proposed, and the obtained “core” replaced primary fuzzy information so as to reach the goal of transforming uncertain information into certain information.(2)For partial data missing, the improved grey k-nearest neighbor (GKNN) algorithm was put forward based on grey relation degree and K-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm. Weights were introduced in the filling and logic test conditions were added after filling so that filling results were of higher truthfulness and accuracy.(3)The preprocessed data are input into the improved algorithm based on the genetic algorithm and BP neural networks (GABP) to obtain the demand prediction model. Finally the calculation presents that the prediction accuracy and its stability are improved at the five-group comparative tests of calculated examples of actual disasters. The experiments indicated that the supplies demand prediction model under data fuzziness and missing proposed in this study was of higher prediction accuracy.
Characteristics of Bed Bug Infested Patients in the Emergency Department
Authors: Sheele Johnathan M. , Crandall Cameron J. , Chang Brandon F. , Arko Brianna L. , Dunn Colin T. , Negrete Alejandro
Published: May 2019

Cimex lectularius L., the common bed bug, is a hematophagous human ectoparasite that has undergone a global resurgence in the past two decades. We surveyed 706 active emergency department (ED) patients about their experiences with bed bugs. We found that 2% of ED patients reported having a current bed bug infestation, significantly more than the historical number of ED patients upon which we find bed bug; 37% of ED patients report previously having been fed on by a bed bug; 15% currently know someone with an active infestation; and 59% know someone that has had an infestation within ≤ 5 years. Only 18% of bed bug infested patients reported their infestation to emergency medicine providers and only 21% were put in isolation precautions. We found that 25% of patients with bed bugs worried about receiving worse healthcare because of their infestation. Persons with bed bugs were more likely compared to those without bed bugs to be older (52 vs. 41 years) and arrive by ambulance (57% vs. 14%) (p < 0.05), but not reporting insomnia (50% vs. 49%) (p = 1.0). Bed bug infested patients can be common in the ED. Most bed bug infested patients are older, arrive to the ED by ambulance, do not report their infestation to healthcare providers, and are not adequately placed into isolation precautions, potentially putting other patients and providers at risk for acquiring the infestation.
Atomic Layer Deposition of TiO2 Nanocoatings on ZnO Nanowires for Improved Photocatalytic Stability
Authors: Kao Emmeline , Park Hyun Sung , Zang Xining , Lin Liwei
Published: May 2019

Photocatalytic water splitting represents an emerging technology well positioned to satisfy the growing need for low-energy, low CO2, economically viable hydrogen gas production. As such, stable, high-surface-area electrodes are increasingly being investigated as electrodes for the photochemical conversion of solar energy into hydrogen fuel. We present a titanium dioxide (TiO2)/zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowire array using a hybrid hydrothermal/atomic layer deposition (ALD) for use as a solar-powered photoelectrochemical device. The nanowire array consists of single crystalline, wurtzite ZnO nanowires with a 40 nm ALD TiO2 coating. By using a TiO2 nanocoating on the high surface area-ZnO array, three advancements have been accomplished in this work: (1) high aspect ratio nanowires with TiO2 for water splitting (over 8 μm), (2) improved stability over bare ZnO nanowires during photocatalysis, and (3) excellent onset voltage. As such, this process opens up new class of the micro/nanofabrication process for making efficient photocatalytic gas harvesting systems.
Modified Sick Neonatal Score (MSNS): A Novel Neonatal Disease Severity Scoring System for Resource-Limited Settings
Authors: Mansoor K. P. , Ravikiran S. R. , Kulkarni Vaman , Baliga Kiran , Rao Suchetha , Bhat Kamalakshi G. , Baliga B. Shantharam , Kamath Nutan
Published: May 2019

Neonatal disease severity scoring systems are needed to make standardized comparison between performances of different units and to give prognostic information to parents of individual babies admitted. Existing scoring systems are unsuitable for resource-limited settings which lack investigations like pH, pO2/FiO2 ratio, and base excess. This study was planned to evaluate Modified Sick Neonatal Score (MSNS), a novel neonatal disease severity score designed for resource-constrained settings. It was a facility-based cross-sectional analytical study, conducted in the “Special Newborn Care Unit” (SNCU) of government district hospital, attached to Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, India from November 2016 to October 2017. A convenience sample of 585 neonates was included. Disease severity was assessed immediately at admission using MSNS. MSNS had 8 parameters with 0, 1, and 2 scores for each. 41% of study population was preterm (n=240), and 84.1% had birth weight less than 2500 grams (n=492). The mean (SD) of the total MSNS scores for neonates who expired and discharged was, respectively, 8.22 (2.96) and 13.4 (2.14), a difference being statistically significant at P<0.001. Expired newborns had statistically significant frequency of lower scores across each of the parameters. An optimum cutoff score of ≤10 with 80% sensitivity and 88.8% specificity in predicting mortality was obtained when the ROC curve was generated with the MSNS score as the test variable. Area under the curve was 0.913 (95% CI: 0.879–0.946). In conclusion, MSNS is a practicable disease severity score in resource-restricted settings like district SNCUs. It is for application in both term and preterm neonates. Total score ≤10 has a good sensitivity and specificity in predicting mortality of admitted neonates when used early during the course of hospitalization. MSNS could be used as a tool to compare performance of SNCUs and also enable early referral of individual cases to units with better facilities.
Rethinking T Cells in Pancreas Cancer
Authors: Medina Benjamin D. , Miller George
Published: May 2019

Patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma do not benefit from checkpoint blockade. However, human tumors harbor evidence of adaptive immunity in clonally expanded T-cell populations. Immune intact modeling of human tumors identifies stromal sequestration as a mechanism of immune escape. Targeting the stroma combined with checkpoint blockade unleashes antitumor immunity.

See related article by Seo et al., p. 3934
Targeting PARP-1 with Alpha-Particles Is Potently Cytotoxic to Human Neuroblastoma in Preclinical Models
Authors: Makvandi Mehran , Lee Hwan , Puentes Laura N. , Reilly Sean W. , Rathi Komal S. , Weng Chi-Chang , Chan Ho Sze , Hou Catherine , Raman Pichai , Martinez Daniel , Xu Kuiying , Carlin Sean D. , Greenberg Roger A. , Pawel Bruce R. , Mach Robert H. , Maris John M. , Pryma Daniel A.
Published: May 2019

Alpha-emitters can be pharmacologically delivered for irradiation of single cancer cells, but cellular lethality could be further enhanced by targeting alpha-emitters directly to the nucleus. PARP-1 is a druggable protein in the nucleus that is overexpressed in neuroblastoma compared with normal tissues and is associated with decreased survival in high-risk patients. To exploit this, we have functionalized a PARP inhibitor (PARPi) with an alpha-emitter astatine-211. This approach offers enhanced cytotoxicity from conventional PARPis by not requiring enzymatic inhibition of PARP-1 to elicit DNA damage; instead, the alpha-particle directly induces multiple double-strand DNA breaks across the particle track. Here, we explored the efficacy of [211At]MM4 in multiple cancers and found neuroblastoma to be highly sensitive in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, alpha-particles delivered to neuroblastoma show antitumor effects and durable responses in a neuroblastoma xenograft model, especially when administered in a fractionated regimen. This work provides the preclinical proof of concept for an alpha-emitting drug conjugate that directly targets cancer chromatin as a therapeutic approach for neuroblastoma and perhaps other cancers.
Abstract CN01-04: Imaging-guided therapy in different tumor models using positron emission tomography (PET) and optical imaging
Authors: Winkeler Alexandra , Waerzeggers Yannic , Ullrich Roland , Boisgard Raphael , Tavitian Bertrand , Jacobs Andreas H.
Published: May 2019

Positron emission tomography (PET) allows non-invasive assessment of physiological, metabolic and molecular processes in vivo. With the achievements in detector technology, spatial resolution of PET has been improved (1–2mm) enabling investigations in small experimental animals such as mice. With the development in tracer technology a variety of endogenously expressed and exogenously introduced genes can be analyzed by PET. This opens up the exciting and rapidly evolving field of molecular imaging aiming towards the non-invasive localization of the dynamics of disease specific molecular alterations and biological processes in animal models and humans in vivo. The main and most intriguing advantage of molecular imaging is the kinetic analysis of a given molecular event in the same experimental subject over time. This allows non-invasive characterization of animal models of human disease at various disease stages and after therapeutic intervention.

Optical imaging (OI) is a non-invasive molecular imaging technology that uses light to interrogate cellular and molecular function in the living body. Although OI technologies are still limited by light scattering and depth of light penetration they provide a low cost and rapid alternative to the more expensive and time-consuming PET imaging. By introducing multi-modality reporter constructs (PET, fluorescence and/or bioluminescence) drawbacks of each modality can be overcome and advantages will complement one another. Thus, allowing on the one side rapid, cost-effective optical reporter imaging and on the other side tomographic as well as quantitative imaging of reporter gene expression by PET. With PET being a modality well developed for imaging in human subjects as well as small animals it provides a link from bench-to-bedside and may facilitate translation into clinical applications.

Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):CN01-04.
Abstract PL01-03: Drug resistance and tumor maintenance in genetically engineered mice
Authors: Lowe Scott W.
Published: May 2019

Cancer arises through an evolutionary process whereby normal cells acquire mutations that erode growth controls, leading to the inappropriate expansion of aberrantly proliferating cells. Such mutations can involve activation of oncogenes or inactivation of tumor-suppressor genes, each contributing one or more new capabilities to the developing cancer cell. However, cancer is not an inevitable consequence of oncogenic mutations; instead, cells acquiring such mutations can be eliminated or kept in check by innate tumor-suppressor programs that can be activated in these damaged cells. Our laboratory studies tumor-suppressor networks controlling apoptosis and senescence and how their disruption influences malignant behavior. We previously showed that apoptosis and cellular senescence are potent barriers to oncogene-driven tumorigenesis and that each contributes to the antitumor action of many chemotherapeutic drugs. Thus, not only do mutations that disrupt apoptosis and senescence promote tumor progression but, depending on the particular lesion, they can also reduce the efficacy of cancer therapy. To facilitate our research, we have recently developed new mouse cancer models based on the genetic manipulation of stem and progenitor cells ex vivo followed by transplantation of the altered cells into the appropriate organ of syngeneic recipient mice. This approach allows us to rapidly study the impact of many genes and gene combinations on tumorigenesis in a “mosaic” setting where tumor-initiating cells are embedded in normal tissues. Furthermore, we have developed powerful methods for using RNAi to suppress gene function in vivo in either a stable and reversible manner. Current efforts in the laboratory strive to integrate mosaic mouse models, RNA interference, and cancer genomics to identify new components of tumor suppressor gene networks and characterize their impact on tumorigenesis and treatment response. In addition, we are developing new RNAi interference methods to explore the role of tumor suppressor genes in tumor maintenance, and the cell death mechanisms involved in tumor regression.

Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):PL01-03.
Abstract PL02-01: Targeting the PI3K pathway in cancer
Authors: Sellers William R.
Published: May 2019

The role of PI3K activation in transformation was first brought to light by virtue of its association with the transforming oncoprotein Middle T antigen of the Polyoma virus. Subsequently, the discovery of the PTEN tumor suppressor gene and its characterization as a lipid phosphatase with preference for PI-3,4-P2 and PI-3,4,5-P3 brought therapeutic targeting of the PI3K pathway back to the fore. Following the discovery of PTEN direct oncogenic activation of PI3K was found to occur through gene amplification and through the acquisition of activating point mutations in PIK3CA (the gene encoding the catalytic subunit p110α) in a diverse set of malignancies. Lastly, activated oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases including HER2 and EGFR mediated their transforming activity, at least in part, through PI3K-dependent signaling. Thus, we can envision at least 3 prevalent cancer-genetic states that may elicit a dependence on PI3K, namely, loss-of-function of PTEN, gain-of-function of PIK3CA and oncogenic mutation in receptor tyrosine kinases.

The mTOR kinase is a key regulator of cell growth downstream of PI3K. mTOR activity in cancer states is more specifically deregulated in the absence of the normal function of the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex genes (TSC1 and 2). Similarly mutations in LKB1 and PTEN may elicit dependence on mTOR activity. In addition, mTOR activity is a critical regulator of hypoxia signaling. mTOR inhibitors have shown promising clinical activity in states predicated on these pre-clinical discoveries.

These observations/discoveries have motivated and set the stage for the development of therapeutic molecules targeting key pathway components. These include the aformentioned allosteric inhibitors of mTOR already registered as oncology therapeutics, and the more recent entrance of PI3K and AKT inhibitors into the clinic. These events herald the opportunity to answer critical therapy based questions in man. The data emerging from the pre-clinical and clinical development of a series of distinct pathway inhibitors targeting mTOR and PI3K will be discussed with a focus on understanding pathway dependence pre-clinically and the role of relevant biomarker data emerging from the clinic and their potential relationship to efficacious dosing.

Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):PL02-01.
Abstract A05: Validation of breast cancer risk prediction model using Nurses Health and Nurse Health II Studies
Authors: Gao Chi , Choudhury Parichoy Pal , Maas Paige , Tamimi Rulla , Eliassen Heather , Chatterjee Nilanjan , Garcia-Closas Montserrat , Kraft Peter
Published: May 2019

This abstract is being presented as a short talk in the scientific program. A full abstract is printed in the Proffered Abstracts section (PR02) of the Conference Proceedings.

Citation Format: Chi Gao, Parichoy Pal Choudhury, Paige Maas, Rulla Tamimi, Heather Eliassen, Nilanjan Chatterjee, Montserrat Garcia-Closas, Peter Kraft. Validation of breast cancer risk prediction model using Nurses Health and Nurse Health II Studies. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Improving Cancer Risk Prediction for Prevention and Early Detection; Nov 16-19, 2016; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(5 Suppl):Abstract nr A05.