bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanical Evaluation of Locking, Nonlocking, and Hybrid Plating Constructs Using a Locking Compression Plate in a Canine Synthetic Bone Model
Authors: Rowe‐Guthrie Kathleen M. , Markel Mark D. , Bleedorn Jason A.
Published: August 2015

Objective

To evaluate the mechanical properties of locking screw placement in hybrid plating in comparison to all‐locked and all nonlocked constructs.

Study Design

Completely randomized design. Forty‐eight synthetic bone cylinders (4th generation composite Sawbones®) across 6 construct types (n = 8 each).

Methods

An 8‐hole 3.5 mm LCP was placed across a 2 mm cylinder gap to mimic an unstable fracture model. The plates were secured with all locking screws, all nonlocking screws, or a combination of locking screws and nonlocking screws in the hybrid constructs. Constructs were cyclically tested nondestructively in 4‐point bending, axial compression, and torsion, and then tested to failure in torsion. The stiffness and strength of each construct were calculated and compared across construct types.

Results

Constructs with a locking screw located adjacent to the fracture gap were stiffer in bending and stronger in torsion to failure than constructs without an adjacent locking screw. Hybrid and nonlocking screw constructs more frequently failed by catastrophic breakage of the bone cylinder, compared to all locking screw constructs that failed by plastic deformation of the plate.

Conclusions

Mechanical testing of synthetic bone model constructs shows that hybrid constructs are at least as stiff and strong as entirely nonlocked constructs, and with some screw configurations, are not statistically different from entirely locked constructs.
A Brief Overview of Recent Developments in Thermal Management in Data Centers
Authors: Alkharabsheh Sami , Fernandes John , Gebrehiwot Betsegaw , Agonafer Dereje , Ghose Kanad , Ortega Alfonso , Joshi Yogendra , Sammakia Bahgat
Published: August 2015

Data centers are mission critical facilities that typically contain thousands of data processing equipment, such as servers, switches, and routers. In recent years, there has been a boom in data center usage, leading their energy consumption to grow by about 10% a year continuously. The heat generated in these data centers must be removed so as to prevent high temperatures from degrading their reliability, which would cost additional energy. Therefore, precise and reliable thermal management of the data center environment is critical. This paper focuses on recent advancements in data center modeling and energy optimization. A number of currently available and developmental thermal management technology in data centers are broadly reviewed. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for raised-floor data centers, experimental measurements, containment systems, economizer cooling, hybrid cooling, and device level cooling are all thoroughly reviewed. The paper concludes with a summary and presents areas of potential future research, which are based on the holistic integration of workload prediction and allocation, and thermal management using smart control systems.
High-Resolution Measurements of Velocity and Shear Stress in Leakage Jets From Bileaflet Mechanical Heart Valve Hinge Models
Authors: Klusak Ewa , Bellofiore Alessandro , Loughnane Sarah , Quinlan Nathan J.
Published: August 2015

In flow through cardiovascular implants, hemolysis, and thrombosis may be initiated by nonphysiological shear stress on blood elements. To enhance understanding of the small-scale flow structures that stimulate cellular responses, and ultimately to design devices for reduced blood damage, it is necessary to study the flow-field at high spatial and temporal resolution. In this work, we investigate flow in the reverse leakage jet from the hinge of a bileaflet mechanical heart valve (BMHV). Scaled-up model hinges are employed, enabling measurement of the flow-field at effective spatial resolution of 167 μm and temporal resolution of 594 μs using two-component particle image velocimetry (PIV). High-velocity jets were observed at the hinge outflow, with time-average velocity up to 5.7 m/s, higher than reported in previous literature. Mean viscous shear stress is up to 60 Pa. For the first time, strongly unsteady flow has been observed in the leakage jet. Peak instantaneous shear stress is up to 120 Pa, twice as high as the average value. These high-resolution measurements identify the hinge leakage jet as a region of very high fluctuating shear stress which is likely to be thrombogenic and should be an important target for future design improvement.
Two-Dimensional Thermal Model of Asperity Heating in a Disk Pair in Dry Friction Between Two Rough Surfaces
Authors: Elhomani A. , Farhang K.
Published: August 2015

In this paper, a formulation for the rate of heat generation due to the contact of one asperity with asperities on a second surface is proposed. A statistical approach is used to obtain the heat generation rate due to one asperity and employed to develop the equation for generation of heat rate between two rough surfaces. This heat rate formulation between the two rough surfaces has been incorporated into the 2D lumped parameter model of disk pair in dry friction developed by Elhomani and Farhang (2010, “A 2D Lumped Parameter Model for Prediction of Temperature in C/C Composite Disk Pair in Dry Friction Contact,” ASME J. Therm. Sci. Eng. Appl., 2(2), p. 021001). In this paper, the disk brake is viewed as consisting of three main regions: (1) the surface contact, (2) the friction interface, and (3) the bulk. Both surfaces of the disk brake are subjected to frictional heating. This model is considered to be a necessary step for simulating the aircraft braking system that consists of a stack of multiple disks.
Epitaxial growth of tungsten layers on MgO(001)
Authors: Zheng Pengyuan , Ozsdolay Brian D. , Gall Daniel
Published: August 2015

Smooth single crystal W(001) layers were grown on MgO(001) substrates by magnetron sputtering at 900 °C. X-ray diffraction ω–2θ scans, ω-rocking curves, pole figures, and reciprocal space maps indicate a 45°-rotated epitaxial relationship: (001)W‖(001)MgO and [010]W‖[110]MgO, and a relaxed lattice constant of 3.167 ± 0.001 nm. A residual in-plane biaxial compressive strain is primarily attributed to differential thermal contraction after growth and decreases from −0.012 ± 0.001 to −0.001 ± 0.001 with increasing layer thickness d = 4.8–390 nm, suggesting relaxation during cooling by misfit dislocation growth through threading dislocation glide. The in-plane x-ray coherence length increases from 3.4 to 33.6 nm for d = 4.8–390 nm, while the out-of-plane x-ray coherence length is identical to the layer thickness for d ≤ 20 nm, but is smaller than d for d ≥ 49.7 nm, indicating local strain variations along the film growth direction. X-ray reflectivity analyses indicate that the root-mean-square surface roughness increases from 0.50 ± 0.05 to 0.95 ± 0.05 nm for d = 4.8–19.9 nm, suggesting a roughness exponent of 0.38, but remains relatively constant for d > 20 nm with a roughness of 1.00 ± 0.05 nm at d = 47.9 nm.
Localization-delocalization transition in the dynamics of dipolar-coupled nuclear spins
Authors: Álvarez Gonzalo A. , Suter Dieter , Kaiser Robin
Published: August 2015

The dynamics of dipolar interactions

Well-controlled systems, such as cold atomic gases, can simulate more complicated materials. Applying this quantum simulation concept to the study of magnetism, Alvarez
et al.
add an interesting twist. Instead of cold atoms, a network of nuclear spins of hydrogen in polycrystalline adamantane serves as a simulator. Using nuclear magnetic resonance techniques, the authors could induce a transition from a state in which all spins coupled to each other to a state in which coherent spins grouped into clusters.

Science
, this issue p.
846
An alternative splicing event amplifies evolutionary differences between vertebrates
Authors: Gueroussov Serge , Gonatopoulos-Pournatzis Thomas , Irimia Manuel , Raj Bushra , Lin Zhen-Yuan , Gingras Anne-Claude , Blencowe Benjamin J.
Published: August 2015

Regulation of splicing regulators

The messenger RNAs of most eukaryotic genes are formed by splicing together a series of exons and removing the intervening introns. The identity and order of the exons can vary between mRNAs for the same gene. The alternatively spliced products can generate an increased diversity of protein products. Gueroussov
et al.
show that the alternative splicing of a mammalian splicing regulatory factor affects, in turn, the alternative splicing of a wide range of target RNAs. This regulation mechanism controls a brain-specific alternative splicing program.

Science
, this issue p.
868
The unique ecology of human predators
Authors: Darimont Chris T. , Fox Caroline H. , Bryan Heather M. , Reimchen Thomas E.
Published: August 2015

An anomalous and unbalanced predator

In the past century, humans have become the dominant predator across many systems. The species that we target are thus far in considerable decline; however, predators in the wild generally achieve a balance with their prey populations such that both persist. Darimont
et al.
found several specific differences between how humans and other predatory species target prey populations (see the Perspective by Worm). In marine environments, for example, we regularly prey on other predator species. These differences may contribute to our much larger ecological impact when compared with other predators.

Science
, this issue p.
858
; see also p.
784
Sup35p in Its Soluble and Prion States Is Packaged inside Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Kabani Mehdi , Melki Ronald
Published: August 2015

The yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
harbors several prions that constitute powerful models to investigate the mechanisms of epigenetic structural inheritance. [
PSI
+
] is undoubtedly the best-known yeast prion and results from the conversion of the translation termination factor Sup35p into self-perpetuating protein aggregates. Structurally different conformers of Sup35p aggregates can lead to [
PSI
+
] strains with weak or strong prion phenotypes. Yeast prions are faithfully transmitted from mother to daughter cells during cell division, upon cytoplasmic mixing during mating, or when Sup35p fibrils made in test tubes are introduced into spheroplasts. Virtually all living cells in the three domains of life,
Bacteria
,
Archaea
, and
Eukarya
, secrete small membrane vesicles in the extracellular space. These extracellular vesicles (EV) have gained increasing interest as vehicles for the intercellular transfer of signaling molecules, nucleic acids, and pathogenic factors, as well as prion-like protein aggregates associated with neurodegenerative diseases. To begin to explore the question of whether EV could represent a natural mean for yeast prion transmission from cell to cell, we purified these extracellular vesicles and assessed whether they contained Sup35p. Here, we show that Sup35p is secreted within EV released in the extracellular medium of yeast cultures. We demonstrate that Sup35p within EV isolated from strong and weak [
PSI
+
] cells is in an infectious prion conformation. Among the possible implications of our work is the possibility of previously unsuspected EV-mediated horizontal cell-to-cell transfer of fungal prions.

IMPORTANCE
Most living cells in the three domains of life,
Bacteria
,
Archaea
, and
Eukarya
, secrete small membrane vesicles in the extracellular space. These extracellular vesicles (EV) were long viewed as “trash cans” by which cells disposed of unwanted macromolecules. EV gained renewed interest as their roles as vehicles for the cell-to-cell transfer of nucleic acids, signaling molecules, and pathogenic factors were recently uncovered. Of particular interest is their proposed role in the prion-like propagation of toxic protein aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases. Yeasts naturally harbor prion proteins that are excellent models to investigate the mechanisms of formation, propagation, and elimination of self-perpetuating protein aggregates. Here we show for the first time that a yeast prion is secreted within EV in its infectious aggregated state. A major implication of our work is the possibility of EV-mediated horizontal spread of fungal prions.
Recent advances in paediatric respiratory medicine
Authors: Turnbull Andrew , Balfour-Lynn Ian M
Published: August 2015

This review highlights important advances in paediatric respiratory medicine since 2014, excluding cystic fibrosis. It focuses mainly on the more common conditions, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, bronchiolitis and preschool wheezing, asthma, pneumonia and sleep, and highlights some of the rarer conditions such as primary ciliary dyskinesia and interstitial lung disease (ILD).
Getting controls under control: the time is now for immunohistochemistry
Authors: Torlakovic Emina Emilia , Nielsen Søren , Vyberg Mogens , Taylor Clive R
Published: August 2015

For several decades, immunohistochemistry (IHC), more specifically diagnostic IHC (dIHC), has been considered an art rather than a laboratory test. There was no clarity about what test performance characteristics are relevant to dIHC, test performance characteristics were not fully defined for dIHC and partly as a consequence of that, there were no standardised controls or reference standards. Herein, we discuss the role of standardisation of external controls for test performance characteristics and the role of standardised controls and reference standards for overall standardisation of IHC.
Scaling behavior of circular colliders dominated by synchrotron radiation
Authors: Talman Richard
Published: August 2015

The scaling formulas in this paper — many of which involve approximation — apply primarily to electron colliders like CEPC or FCC-ee. The more abstract “radiation dominated” phrase in the title is intended to encourage use of the formulas — though admittedly less precisely — to proton colliders like SPPC, for which synchrotron radiation begins to dominate the design in spite of the large proton mass.

Optimizing a facility having an electron–positron Higgs factory, followed decades later by a p, p collider in the same tunnel, is a formidable task. The CEPC design study constitutes an initial “constrained parameter” collider design. Here the constrained parameters include tunnel circumference, cell lengths, phase advance per cell, etc. This approach is valuable, if the constrained parameters are self-consistent and close to optimal. Jumping directly to detailed design makes it possible to develop reliable, objective cost estimates on a rapid time scale.

A scaling law formulation is intended to contribute to a “ground-up” stage in the design of future circular colliders. In this more abstract approach, scaling formulas can be used to investigate ways in which the design can be better optimized. Equally important, by solving the lattice matching equations in closed form, as contrasted with running computer programs such as MAD, one can obtain better intuition concerning the fundamental parametric dependencies. The ground-up approach is made especially appropriate by the seemingly impossible task of simultaneous optimization of tunnel circumference for both electrons and protons. The fact that both colliders will be radiation dominated actually simplifies the simultaneous optimization task.

All GeV scale electron accelerators are “synchrotron radiation dominated”, meaning that all beam distributions evolve within a fraction of a second to an equilibrium state in which “heating” due to radiation fluctuations is canceled by the “cooling” in RF cavities that restore the lost energy. To the contrary, until now, the large proton to electron mass ratio has caused synchrotron radiation to be negligible in proton accelerators. The LHC beam energy has still been low enough that synchrotron radiation has little effect on beam dynamics; but the thermodynamic penalty in cooling the superconducting magnets has still made it essential for the radiated power not to be dissipated at liquid helium temperatures. Achieving this has been a significant challenge. For the next generation p, p collider this will be even more true. Furthermore, the radiation will effect beam distributions on time scales measured in minutes, for example causing the beams to be flattened, wider than they are high. In this regime scaling relations previously valid only for electrons will be applicable also to protons.
COMPUTATIONAL DETERMINATION OF THE DETACHMENT TIME OF THE LEUKOCYTE UNDER DIFFERENT KINETIC DISSOCIATION RATE PARAMETERS
Authors: HASSANI-ARDEKANI HAJAR , NIROOMAND-OSCUII HANIEH , KHISMATULLIN DAMIR
Published: August 2015

Three-dimensional simulation of the leukocyte detachment subjected to blood flow is presented. The initially captured leukocyte is modeled as a sphere adhered to the bottom wall of a cylindrical vessel via receptor/ligand bonds (P-selectin/PSGL-1). Ansys Parametric Design Language is used to create the geometrical model and couple the Navier–Stokes flow solver with structural equations and the Monte Carlo equation to define the stochastic breakage of the bonds. The assumption of equal forces on bonds has been ignored and the force on each bond is obtained from the balance between hydrodynamic forces and cellular viscoelasticity at every time step. In this model, catch-slip behavior of the P-selectin/PSGL-1 is considered by using the two-pathway dissociation model instead of the Bell model to define the rate of dissociation of each bond. Detachment time of the leukocyte is the time elapsed until all the bonds break. The effects of various values of blood inlet velocities, bond stiffness and kinetic properties of the catch bonds on the detachment time of the leukocyte are studied.
Analytic and numerical nonlinear stability/instability of solitons for a Kawahara-like model
Authors: Quintero José R. , Muñoz Juan Carlos
Published: August 2015

We study orbital stability of solitary waves of least energy for a nonlinear Kawahara-type equation (Benney–Luke–Paumond) that models long water waves with small amplitude, from the analytic and numerical viewpoint. We use a second-order spectral scheme to approximate these solutions and illustrate their unstable behavior within a certain regime of wave velocity.
On the general homogenization of von Kármán plate equations from three-dimensional nonlinear elasticity
Authors: Velčić Igor
Published: August 2015

Starting from three-dimensional elasticity equations we derive the model of the homogenized von Kármán plate by means of [Formula: see text]-convergence. This generalizes the recent results, where the material oscillations were assumed to be periodic.
Weighted maximal estimates along curve associated with dispersive equations
Authors: Ding Yong , Niu Yaoming
Published: August 2015

In the present paper, we give the local and global weighted [Formula: see text] maximal estimate for the operator [Formula: see text] which is defined by [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] satisfies some growth conditions, [Formula: see text] is a pseudo-differential operator with symbol [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] satisfies Hölder’s condition of order [Formula: see text] and bilipschitz conditions. As a corollary of the above conclusions, we show that if [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] In particular, if taking [Formula: see text], then this improves a result in [C. Cho, S. Lee and A. Vargas, Problems on pointwise convergence of solutions to the Schrödinger equation, J. Fourier Anal. Appl. 18 (2012) 972–994], where [Formula: see text] holds for [Formula: see text] only.
Elliptic curves with square-free Δ
Authors: Baier Stephan
Published: August 2015

Under the Riemann Hypothesis for Dirichlet [Formula: see text]-functions, we improve on the error term in a smoothed version of an estimate for the density of elliptic curves with square-free [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the discriminant, by the author and Browning [Inhomogeneous cubic congruences and rational points on Del Pezzo surfaces, J. Reine Angew. Math. 680 (2013) 69–151]. To achieve this improvement, we elaborate on our methods for counting weighted solutions of inhomogeneous cubic congruences to powerful moduli. The novelty lies in going a step further in the explicit evaluation of complete exponential sums and saving a factor by averaging over the moduli.
Zariski topology on lattice modules
Authors: Ballal Sachin , Kharat Vilas
Published: August 2015

Let [Formula: see text] be a lattice module over a [Formula: see text]-lattice [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be the set of all prime elements in lattice modules [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we study the generalization of the Zariski topology of multiplicative lattices [N. K. Thakare, C. S. Manjarekar and S. Maeda, Abstract spectral theory II: Minimal characters and minimal spectrums of multiplicative lattices, Acta Sci. Math. 52 (1988) 53–67; N. K. Thakare and C. S. Manjarekar, Abstract spectral theory: Multiplicative lattices in which every character is contained in a unique maximal character, in Algebra and Its Applications (Marcel Dekker, New York, 1984), pp. 265–276.] to lattice modules. Also we investigate the interplay between the topological properties of [Formula: see text] and algebraic properties of [Formula: see text].
Extensions of strongly reflexive rings
Authors: Peng Zhaiming , Gu Qinqin , Zhao Liang
Published: August 2015

This is a further study of reflexive rings over polynomial rings and monoid rings. The concepts of strongly reflexive rings and strongly [Formula: see text]-reflexive rings are introduced and investigated. Some characterizations of various extensions of the two classes of rings are obtained. It is proved that a ring [Formula: see text] is strongly reflexive if and only if [Formula: see text] is strongly reflexive if and only if [Formula: see text] is strongly reflexive. For a right Ore ring [Formula: see text] with classical right quotient ring [Formula: see text], we show that [Formula: see text] is strongly reflexive if and only if [Formula: see text] is strongly reflexive. Moreover, we prove that if [Formula: see text] is a unique product monoid (u.p.-monoid) and [Formula: see text] is a reduced ring, then [Formula: see text] is strongly [Formula: see text]-reflexive. It is shown that finite direct sums of strongly [Formula: see text]-reflexive rings are strongly [Formula: see text]-reflexive.
Oil and Anthropology
Authors: Rogers Douglas
Published: August 2015

In addition to its established interest in the relationships among states, corporations, and communities near extraction sites, recent anthropological and allied interdisciplinary interest in oil extends to encompass pipeline infrastructures, financial and commodity markets, reserve estimates and calculations, international legal battles, and the creation of geological, environmental, and petrochemical knowledge. This review suggests that, across these issues and around the world, two analytic issues have emerged as topics of special interest: temporality and materiality. The former includes the ways in which the oil complex shapes senses of cyclical boom and bust, of acceleration and deceleration, and of past, present, and future. The latter includes the ways in which humans encounter, transform, and represent various qualities and properties of oil as a substance.
Of What Does Self-Knowing Consist? Perspectives from Bangladesh and Pakistan
Authors: Khan Naveeda
Published: August 2015

Taking my cue from two novels, Mohammad Hanif's A Case of Exploding Mangos and Zia Haider Rahman's In the Light of What We Know, I posit that their respective senses of living in Pakistan or being from Bangladesh capture a shared intuition of not knowing enough to know oneself or one's place in the world. In this review, I ask, Can we speak of an inheritance of the colonial imperative to know when the need is not to know and rule others, but to know and rule oneself? Can we speak of an overturning or transfiguring of the colonial imperative to revise the central question for new nation-states to be, “Who are we, who have done all this”? Or, is that question too quickly dispossessed of agency and made to serve development goals and utilitarian ends? And if so, how are claims to self-knowledge asserted in the face of a constant arrogation of agency?
Modeling of Fine-Particle Formation in Turbulent Flames
Authors: Raman Venkat , Fox Rodney O.
Published: August 2015

The generation of nanostructured particles in high-temperature flames is important both for the control of emissions from combustion devices and for the synthesis of high-value chemicals for a variety of applications. The physiochemical processes that lead to the production of fine particles in turbulent flames are highly sensitive to the flow physics and, in particular, the history of thermochemical compositions and turbulent features they encounter. Consequently, it is possible to change the characteristic size, structure, composition, and yield of the fine particles by altering the flow configuration. This review describes the complex multiscale interactions among turbulent fluid flow, gas-phase chemical reactions, and solid-phase particle evolution. The focus is on modeling the generation of soot particles, an unwanted pollutant from automobile and aircraft engines, as well as metal oxides, a class of high-value chemicals sought for specialized applications, including emissions control. Issues arising due to the numerical methods used to approximate the particle number density function, the modeling of turbulence-chemistry interactions, and model validation are also discussed.
Indirect Adaptive Attitude Control for a Ducted Fan Vertical Takeoff and Landing Microaerial Vehicle
Authors: Sheng Shouzhao , Sun Chenwu , Zhao Hong
Published: August 2015

The present paper addresses an attitude tracking control problem of a ducted fan microaerial vehicle. The proposed indirect adaptive controller can greatly reduce tracking error in the initial stage of the adaptive learning process by using an error compensation strategy and can achieve good capability to eliminate the adverse effect of measurement noises on the convergence of adjustable parameters. Moreover, the learning rate adaptation strategy is proposed to further minimize the adverse effect of large learning rates on the convergence of adjustable parameters. The experimental tests have illustrated the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive controller.
Nonlinear Dynamics, Fixed Points and Coupled Fixed Points in Generalized Gauge Spaces with Applications to a System of Integral Equations
Authors: Petruşel Adrian , Petruşel Gabriela
Published: August 2015

We will discuss discrete dynamics generated by single-valued and multivalued operators in spaces endowed with a generalized metric structure. More precisely, the behavior of the sequence(fn(x))n∈Nof successive approximations in complete generalized gauge spaces is discussed. In the same setting, the case of multivalued operators is also considered. The coupled fixed points for mappingst1:X1×X2→X1andt2:X1×X2→X2are discussed and an application to a system of nonlinear integral equations is given.
Impact of Noise on a Dynamical System: Prediction and Uncertainties from a Swarm-Optimized Neural Network
Authors: López-Caraballo C. H. , Lazzús J. A. , Salfate I. , Rojas P. , Rivera M. , Palma-Chilla L.
Published: August 2015

An artificial neural network (ANN) based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) was developed for the time series prediction. The hybrid ANN+PSO algorithm was applied on Mackey-Glass chaotic time series in the short-termxt+6. The performance prediction was evaluated and compared with other studies available in the literature. Also, we presented properties of the dynamical system via the study of chaotic behaviour obtained from the predicted time series. Next, the hybrid ANN+PSO algorithm was complemented with a Gaussian stochastic procedure (calledstochastichybrid ANN+PSO) in order to obtain a new estimator of the predictions, which also allowed us to compute the uncertainties of predictions for noisy Mackey-Glass chaotic time series. Thus, we studied the impact of noise for several cases with a white noise levelσNfrom 0.01 to 0.1.
A Novel Electrochemical Method for Protionamide Determination Based on Its Interaction with Alizarin Red S
Authors: Zhang Weili , Niu Xueliang , Zhang Hua , Jiang Qingqing , Zhang Pingping
Published: August 2015

The interaction of protionamide with alizarin red S (ARS) and its analytical application were carefully investigated in this contribution. The interaction conditions were carefully studied and optimized by cyclic voltammetry. Under the optimum conditions, the cyclic voltammetry curve of ARS showed an oxidation peak with the peak potential of 0.57 V. After the addition of protionamide to the ARS solution, the peak potential was negatively moved, and meanwhile the oxidation peak current decreased apparently to the concentration of protionamide and then a new method for the protionamide determination was established. The linear equation between the decreasing current (Δip) and protionamide concentration was got as Δip (μA) = 0.01514C(mg/L) −0.01553  (n=9; r=0.991)with the linear range of 10.0~50.0 mg/L, and the detection limit (3σ) was got as 8.25 μg/mL. The effects of coexisting substances on the determination were carefully investigated and the protionamide artificial and tablet samples were detected with satisfactory results.
Analysis of the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer in Retinitis Pigmentosa Using Optic Coherence Tomography
Authors: Yıldırım Medine Aslı , Erden Burak , Tetikoğlu Mehmet , Kuru Özlem , Elçioğlu Mustafa
Published: August 2015

Aim. To evaluate the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) changes in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients using spectral domain optic coherence tomography (Sd-OCT).Methods. We retrospectively examined medical records of forty-four eyes of twenty-two RP patients. The results were also compared with those of previously reported forty-four eyes of twenty-two normal subjects (controls). Records of average and four quadrants peripapillary RNFL thickness measurements using Sd-OCT were assessed.Results. In RP patients the mean RNFL thickness was 97.57 ± 3.21 μm. The RNFL in the superior, temporal, nasal, and inferior quadrants was 119.18 ± 4.47 μm, 84.68 ± 2.31 μm, 75.09 ± 3.34 μm, and 113.88 ± 4.25 μm, respectively. While the thinning of RNFL was predominantly observed in the inferior quadrant, the thickening was mostly noted in temporal quadrant. The differences between mean, superior, and nasal quadrant RNFL thicknesses were not statistically significant when compared with control group. The RP patients had thinner inferior quadrant and thicker temporal quadrant than control group (p<0.05).Conclusion. Sd-OCT is highly sensitive and effective instrument to detect RNFL changes in RP patients. RNFL measurements can provide information about the progression of retinitis pigmentosa and may provide prognostic indices for future treatment modalities.
Physical, Spatial, and Molecular Aspects of Extracellular Matrix ofIn VivoNiches and Artificial Scaffolds Relevant to Stem Cells Research
Authors: Akhmanova Maria , Osidak Egor , Domogatsky Sergey , Rodin Sergey , Domogatskaya Anna
Published: August 2015

Extracellular matrix can influence stem cell choices, such as self-renewal, quiescence, migration, proliferation, phenotype maintenance, differentiation, or apoptosis. Three aspects of extracellular matrix were extensively studied during the last decade: physical properties, spatial presentation of adhesive epitopes, and molecular complexity. Over 15 different parameters have been shown to influence stem cell choices. Physical aspects include stiffness (or elasticity), viscoelasticity, pore size, porosity, amplitude and frequency of static and dynamic deformations applied to the matrix. Spatial aspects include scaffold dimensionality (2D or 3D) and thickness; cell polarity; area, shape, and microscale topography of cell adhesion surface; epitope concentration, epitope clustering characteristics (number of epitopes per cluster, spacing between epitopes within cluster, spacing between separate clusters, cluster patterns, and level of disorder in epitope arrangement), and nanotopography. Biochemical characteristics of natural extracellular matrix molecules regard diversity and structural complexity of matrix molecules, affinity and specificity of epitope interaction with cell receptors, role of non-affinity domains, complexity of supramolecular organization, and co-signaling by growth factors or matrix epitopes. Synergy between several matrix aspects enables stem cells to retain their function in vivo and may be a key to generation of long-term, robust, and effective in vitro stem cell culture systems.
Cooperative Spectrum Sensing in Cognitive Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhang Xue , Liu Xiaozhu , Samani Hooman , Jalaian Brian
Published: August 2015

Cognitive wireless sensor network (CWSN) is a combination of cognitive radio and wireless sensor networks (WSNs), which can effectively solve spectrum resource scarcity problem in WSNs. As one of the key technologies in CWSNs, spectrum sensing enables sensors to detect and opportunistic access underutilized idle licensed bands, which remarkably improves the spectrum utilization and system performance. And cooperative spectrum sensing (CSS) has emerged to enhance detection performance of spectrum sensing. Focusing on CSS schemes in CWSNs, this paper explores the cooperative and noncooperative schemes comprehensively. The characteristics of the existing CSS schemes are analyzed in CWSNs. And then, according to the behavior of cognitive sensors, CSS techniques are classified into noncooperative and cooperative schemes. Concentrating on energy consumption, cooperative CSS schemes are classified into three categories: censoring, clustering, and sensor selection. The performance of three kinds of CSS schemes is compared and analyzed thoroughly. Finally, the difficulties and challenges of CSS scheme are addressed in CWSNs.
Modification Effect of Cellulase on the Physicochemical Characteristic of Polysaccharides Edible Films
Authors: Zimoch-Korzycka Anna , Ambrozik-Haba Jagoda , Kulig Dominika , Jarmoluk Andrzej
Published: August 2015

This study was conducted to assess hydrolytic influence of cellulase (C) on the physicochemical stability of chitosan (CH)/hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) films in time of storage (T). Initially, nine films were physically characterized by contact angle, water vapour permeability (WVP), water activity(aw), tensile test, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and chemically by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR). The contact angle results varied from 53.67° to 78.33°. The presence of the enzyme and passing time reduced the WVP from8.46E-09to7.41E-09 g/s·m·Pa. The enzyme treatment improved elasticity but decreased tensile strength of films. After adding cellulaseTgwas shifted to a higher temperature. Thermal stability of the films decreased with addition of cellulase and after prolonging storage time. FTIR analysis proved that chemical changes in polysaccharides structure were caused by cellulase incorporation in films composition, which may be observed in appearance of 1656 cm−1band. Theawvalues did not change.
Preimplantation Exposure to Bisphenol A and Triclosan May Lead to Implantation Failure in Humans
Authors: Yuan Mu , Bai Ming-Zhu , Huang Xu-Feng , Zhang Yue , Liu Jing , Hu Min-Hao , Zheng Wei-Qian , Jin Fan
Published: August 2015

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are chemicals that have the capacity to interfere with normal endocrine systems. Two EDCs, bisphenol A (BPA) and triclosan (TCS), are mass-produced and widespread. They both have estrogenic properties and similar chemical structures and pharmacokinetic features and have been detected in human fluids and tissues. Clinical evidence has suggested a positive association between BPA exposure and implantation failure in IVF patients. Studies in mouse models have suggested that preimplantation exposure to BPA and TCS can lead to implantation failure. This paper reviews the relationship between preimplantation exposure to BPA and TCS and implantation failure and discusses the remaining problems and possible solutions.
Comparison of Three Molecular Simulation Approaches for Cyclodextrin‐Ibuprofen Complexation
Authors: Wang Runmiao , Zhou Hui , Siu Shirley W. I. , Gan Yong , Wang Yitao , Ouyang Defang
Published: August 2015

Cyclodextrins are widely used for the solubilisation of poorly soluble drugs in the formulations. However, current cyclodextrin formulation development strongly depends on trial‐and‐error in the laboratory, which is time‐consuming and high cost. The aim of this research was to compare three modeling approaches (Docking, molecular dynamics (MD), and quantum mechanics (QM)) for cyclodextrin/drug complexation. Ibuprofen was used as a model drug. Binding free energy from three simulation methods was calculated as an important parameter to compare with the experimental results. Docking results from AutoDock Vina program showed that the scoring of complexation capability between ibuprofen and cyclodextrins is alpha (α), gamma (γ), beta (β), and HP‐beta‐cyclodextrins, which indicated similar ranking with the results from phase, solubility diagram experiments. MD simulation indicated that ibuprofen could form the stable complexes with β‐, γ‐, and HP‐β‐cyclodextrins, but not for alpha cyclodextrin. Binding free energies from the MD simulation for β‐, γ‐, and HP‐β‐cyclodextrins were −3.67, −0.67, and −3.87 kcal/mol, individually. The enthalpies of QM simulation for β‐, γ‐, and HP‐β‐cyclodextrins were −17.22, −14.75, and −20.28 kcal/mol, respectively. Results from all three modeling approaches showed similar ranking between ibuprofen and four cyclodextrin molecules as the experimental data. However, MD simulation with entropy calculation had the closest value to experimental data for β and HP‐beta‐cyclodextrins. Thus, MD simulation with MM‐PBSA method may be fit to in silico screen for cyclodextrin formulations.
Influence of Orthodontic Rapid Maxillary Expansion on Nocturnal Enuresis in Children
Authors: Hyla-Klekot Lidia , Truszel Marek , Paradysz Andrzej , Postek-Stefańska Lidia , Życzkowski Marcin
Published: August 2015

Background. The etiology of nocturnal enuresis (NE) is multifactorial and has not been fully explained yet. New ways of treatment are constantly being investigated, including the rapid maxillary expansion (RME).Methods. A total of 41 patients diagnosed with NE were divided into two experimental groups: A and B. Group A included 16 children who have been treated with RME. Group B comprised 25 children who have not undertaken orthodontic treatment. Children from both groups have been monitored in monthly intervals, during a 12-month period, towards the intensification of NE. The comparative analysis of both groups has been conducted after 3 years of observation.Results. Statistical analysis has shown a 4.5 times increase of the probability of reduction of NE in the case of the treated group in comparison with the group of children who have not undergone orthodontic treatment. Unfortunately, the chance of obtaining total dryness diminished proportionally to the higher degree of intensification of enuresis at the beginning of the test.Conclusion. RME can constitute an alternative method of NE treatment in children, irrespective of the occurrence of upper jaw narrowing.
Decorin-Mediated Inhibition of Human Trophoblast Cells Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion and Promotion of ApoptosisIn Vitro
Authors: Zou Yanfen , Yu Xiang , Lu Jing , Jiang Ziyan , Zuo Qing , Fan Mingsong , Huang Shiyun , Sun Lizhou
Published: August 2015

Preeclampsia (PE) is a unique complication of pregnancy, the pathogenesis of which has been generally accepted to be associated with the dysfunctions of extravillous trophoblast (EVT) including proliferation, apoptosis, and migration and invasion. Decorin (DCN) has been proved to be a decidua-derived TGF-binding proteoglycan, which negatively regulates proliferation, migration, and invasiveness of human extravillous trophoblast cells. In this study, we identified a higher expression level of decorin in severe PE placentas by both real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). And an inhibitory effect of decorin on proliferation, migration, and invasion and an enhanced effect on apoptosis in trophoblast cells HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3 were validatedin vitro. Also the modulations of decorin on trophoblast cells’ metastasis and invasion functions were detected through regulating the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP2 and MMP9). Thus, we suggested that the contribution of decorin to the modulation of trophoblast cells might have implications for the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Mixed Germ Cell Tumor of Testis with Isolated Scapular Metastasis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Samanta Dipti Rani , Bose Chaitali , Krishnappa Roopesh , Mishra Saumyaranjan , Mohanty Sulagna , Upadhyay Ashish , Senapati Surendra Nath
Published: August 2015

Bone metastasis is a rare entity in germ cell tumor of testis and is a poor prognostic site. It is usually associated with synchronous metastasis at other sites. Till now very few cases of isolated bone metastasis of germ cell tumor of testis have been reported but none have reported scapular metastasis. We are reporting a case of nonseminomatous germ cell tumor of right testis that was operated eight months ago and now presented with isolated scapular metastasis. Histopathology of the scapular tissue revealed rhabdomyosarcoma or poorly differentiated synovial sarcoma. Immunohistochemistry with serum markers concluded it to be metastatic germ cell tumor. To the best of our knowledge this is the first reported case of scapular metastasis of testicular germ cell tumor. This case is being reported here due to dilemmatic way of presentation and also to emphasize that histopathology may sometimes misguide and immunohistochemistry is necessary in such cases.
Impact of Pneumococcal Conjugate Universal Routine Vaccination on Pneumococcal Disease in Italian Children
Authors: Fortunato Francesca , Martinelli Domenico , Cappelli Maria Giovanna , Cozza Vanessa , Prato Rosa
Published: August 2015

In Italy, the effectiveness of pneumococcal universal vaccination in preventing vaccine-type invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in the PCV7/PCV13 shifting period was estimated to be 84.3% (95% CI: 84.0–84.6%) in children <5 years. This study aims at corroborating the estimation of both the effectiveness (VE) of PCVs and its impact in reducing pneumococcal diseases. A 1 : 3 matched-case-control study was conducted among children <5 years old hospitalized for IPD or pneumococcal pneumonia (PP) between 2006 and 2012 in the Puglia region. Moreover, hospitalizations for pneumococcal outcomes in the pre- and postvaccination period and the hospitalization risk ratios (HRRs) with 95% CIs were computed in Italy and in the first eight regions that introduced PCVs in 2006. The overall effectiveness of PCVs was 75% (95% CI: 61%–84%); it was 69% (95% CI: 30%–88%) against IPD and 77% (95% CI: 61%–87%) against PP. PCVs showed a significant impact on IPD and acute otitis media either at a national level or in those regions with a longer vaccination history, with a nearly 40% reduction of hospitalizations for both outcomes. Our findings provide further evidence of the effectiveness of PCVs against pneumococcal diseases and its impact on nasopharyngeal carriage in children <5 years, indicating the importance of maintaining high immunization coverage.
Deformation and Failure Characteristics of the Rock Masses around Deep Underground Caverns
Authors: Zhang Chong , Wang Zhechao , Wang Qi
Published: August 2015

The deformation and failure characteristics of deep rock masses are the focus of this study on deep rock mass engineering. The study identifies the deformation and failure characteristics of a deep cavern under different ground stress conditions using model test and theoretical analysis methods. First, the similarity theory for model tests is introduced, and then the scale factors used in the present study are calculated according to the Froude criterion. Based on the study objectives, the details of the study methods (the similarity coefficient, the loading conditions, the test steps, etc.) are introduced. Finally, the failure characteristics of the deep cavern and the strain distribution characteristics surrounding the caverns under different ground stress conditions are identified using the model test. It was found that compared with shallow rock masses the rock masses of the deep cavern have a much greater tensile range, which reaches 1.5 times the diameter of the cavern under the conditions established in the present study. Under different ground stress conditions, there are differences in failure characteristics and the reasons of the differences were analyzed. The implication of the test results on the design of support system for deep caverns was presented.
Vibration Sensor Based Intelligent Fault Diagnosis System for Large Machine Unit in Petrochemical Industries
Authors: Zhang Qinghua , Qin Aisong , Shu Lei , Sun Guoxi , Shao Longqiu
Published: August 2015

Fault diagnosis is an area which is gaining increasing importance in rotating machinery. Along with the continuous advance of science and technology, the structures of rotating machinery become increasingly of larger scale and higher speed and more complicated, which result in higher probability of various failure in practice. In case one of the most critical components of machinery or equipment breaks down, it cannot only cause enormous economic loss, but also easily cause the loss of many people's lives. It is important to enable reliable, safe, and efficient operation of large-scale and critical rotating machinery, which requires us to achieve accurate and fast diagnosis of fault which has occurred. Aiming at dynamic real-time vibration monitoring and vibration signal analysis for large machine unit in petrochemical industry, which cannot realize real-time, online, and fast fault diagnosis, an intelligent fault diagnosis system using artificial immune algorithm and dimensionless parameters is developed in this paper, innovated with a focus on reliability, remote monitoring, and practicality and applied to the third catalytic flue gas turbine in a petrochemical enterprise, with good effects.
Anaplastic Transformation of Papillary Thyroid Cancer in the Retroperitoneum
Authors: Solomon James P. , Wen Fang , Jih Lily J.
Published: August 2015

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is an aggressive variant of thyroid cancer that in most cases arises from anaplastic transformation of terminally differentiated thyroid carcinomas. This process usually occurs in the thyroid or cervical lymph nodes. Anaplastic transformation in distant metastatic sites is exceedingly rare, only previously documented in a few case reports. We report a rare case of anaplastic transformation of papillary thyroid carcinoma within a large retroperitoneal metastasis in a 64-year-old male 30 years after the initial diagnosis.
Task Assignment for Multi-UAV under Severe Uncertainty by Using Stochastic Multicriteria Acceptability Analysis
Authors: Hu Xiaoxuan , Cheng Jing , Luo He
Published: August 2015

This paper considers a task assignment problem for multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The UAVs are set to perform attack tasks on a collection of ground targets in a severe uncertain environment. The UAVs have different attack capabilities and are located at different positions. Each UAV should be assigned an attack task before the mission starts. Due to uncertain information, many criteria values essential to task assignment were random or fuzzy, and the weights of criteria were not precisely known. In this study, a novel task assignment approach based on stochastic Multicriteria acceptability analysis (SMAA) method was proposed to address this problem. The uncertainties in the criteria were analyzed, and a task assignment procedure was designed. The results of simulation experiments show that the proposed approach is useful for finding a satisfactory assignment under severe uncertain circumstances.