bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Porosity, microstructure and mechanical behavior of NiO–YSZ composite anode for solid oxide fuel cells
Authors: Tanhaei Mohammad , Mozammel Mahdi , Javanshir Ehsan , Ilkhechi Nasrollah Najibi
Published: September 2017

In this study, NiO–yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) composite anodes were prepared by using ball-milling followed by a sintering process. For this purpose, two different weight percent ratios of NiO and YSZ powders (50 : 50 and 60 : 40) were mixed by the cost-effective ball-milling method. The morphology and particle size distribution of the mixed powders were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering methods, respectively. The powders were then uniaxially pressed to form pellets with a thickness and diameter of around 1 and 22 mm, respectively. Sintering of the pellets was conducted at 1 100 °C and the microstructure and porosity, as well as phase analysis of bulk composites, were then investigated using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. More importantly, the microhardnesses of the prepared pellets were obtained and compared with literature values to evaluate the accuracy of the sintering process. The results showed that the open porosity of the samples varied between 30 to 40 percent, which makes them suitable for anode application in solid oxide fuel cells. The prepared NiO–YSZ composites with a uniform distribution of Ni particles showed a value of microhardness above 0.5 GPa, and these results were discussed in detail.
Isolated abducens nerve palsy associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage: a localizing sign of ruptured posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms
Authors: Burkhardt Jan-Karl , Winkler Ethan A. , Lasker George F. , Yue John K. , Lawton Michael T.
Published: September 2017

OBJECTIVE

Compressive cranial nerve syndromes can be useful bedside clues to the diagnosis of an enlarging intracranial aneurysm and can also guide subsequent evaluation, as with an acute oculomotor nerve (cranial nerve [CN] III) palsy that is presumed to be a posterior communicating artery aneurysm and a surgical emergency until proven otherwise. The CN VI has a short cisternal segment from the pontomedullary sulcus to Dorello’s canal, remote from most PICA aneurysms but in the hemodynamic pathway of a rupturing PICA aneurysm that projects toward Dorello’s canal. The authors describe a cranial nerve syndrome for posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms that associates subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and an isolated abducens nerve (CN VI) palsy.

METHODS

Clinical and radiological data from 106 surgical patients with PICA aneurysms (66 ruptured and 40 unruptured) were retrospectively reviewed. Data from a group of 174 patients with other aneurysmal SAH (aSAH) were analyzed in a similar manner to control for nonspecific effects of SAH. Univariate statistical analysis compared incidence and risk factors associated with CN VI palsy in subarachnoid hemorrhage.

RESULTS

Overall, 13 (4.6%) of 280 patients had CN VI palsy at presentation, and all of them had ruptured aneurysms (representing 13 [5.4%] of the 240 cases of ruptured aneurysms). CN VI palsies were observed in 12 patients with ruptured PICA aneurysms (12/66 [18.1%]) and 1 patient with other aSAH (1/174 [0.1%], p < 0.0001). PICA aneurysm location in ruptured aneurysms was an independent predictor for CN VI palsy on multivariate analysis (p = 0.001). PICA aneurysm size was not significantly different in patients with or without CN VI palsy (average size 4.4 mm and 5.2 mm, respectively). Within the PICA aneurysm cohort, modified Fisher grade (p = 0.011) and presence of a thick cisternal SAH (modified Fisher Grades 3 and 4) (p = 0.003) were predictors of CN VI palsy. In all patients with ruptured PICA aneurysms and CN VI palsy, dome projection and presumed direction of rupture were directed toward the ipsilateral and/or contralateral Dorello’s canal, in agreement with laterality of the CN palsy. In patients with bilateral CN VI palsies, a medial projection with extensive subarachnoid blood was observed near bilateral canals.

CONCLUSIONS

This study establishes a localizing connection between an isolated CN VI palsy, SAH, and an underlying ruptured PICA aneurysm. CN VI palsy is an important clinical sign in aSAH and when present on initial clinical presentation may be assumed to be due to ruptured PICA aneurysms until proven otherwise. The deficit may be ipsilateral, contralateral, or bilateral and is determined by the direction of the aneurysm dome projection and extent of subarachnoid bleeding toward Dorello’s canal, rather than by direct compression.
Sex differences in delayed cerebral ischemia after subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Germans Menno R. , Jaja Blessing N. R. , de Oliviera Manoel Airton Leonardo , Cohen Ashley H. , Macdonald R. Loch
Published: September 2017

OBJECTIVE

In this study the authors sought to investigate the sex differences in the risk of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), delayed cerebral infarction, and the role of hormonal status.

METHODS

Ten studies included in the SAHIT (SAH International Trialists) repository were analyzed using a fitting logistic regression model. Heterogeneity between the studies was tested using I2 statistics, and the results were pooled using a random-effects model. Multivariable analysis was adjusted for the effects of neurological status and fixed effect of study. An additional model was examined in which women and men were split into groups according to an age cut point of 55 years, as a surrogate to define hormonal status.

RESULTS

A pooled cohort of 6713 patients was analyzed. The risk of DCI was statistically significantly higher in women than in men (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.12–1.48); no difference was found with respect to cerebral infarction (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.98–1.40). No difference was found in the risk of DCI when comparing women ≤ 55 and > 55 years (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.74–1.02; p = 0.08) or when comparing men ≤ 55 and > 55 years (p = 0.38). Independent predictors of DCI were World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grade, Fisher grade, age, and sex. Independent predictors of infarction included WFNS grade, Fisher grade, and aneurysm size.

CONCLUSIONS

Female sex is associated with a higher risk of DCI. Sex differences may play a role in the pathogenesis of DCI but are not associated with menopausal status. The predictors of DCI and cerebral infarction were identified in a very large cohort and reflect experience from multiple institutions.
The origins and persistence of psychosurgery in the state of Iowa
Authors: Jareczek Francis J. , Holland Marshall T. , Howard Matthew A. , Walch Timothy , Abel Taylor J.
Published: September 2017

Neurosurgery for the treatment of psychological disorders has a checkered history in the United States. Prior to the advent of antipsychotic medications, individuals with severe mental illness were institutionalized and subjected to extreme therapies in an attempt to palliate their symptoms. Psychiatrist Walter Freeman first introduced psychosurgery, in the form of frontal lobotomy, as an intervention that could offer some hope to those patients in whom all other treatments had failed. Since that time, however, the use of psychosurgery in the United States has waxed and waned significantly, though literature describing its use is relatively sparse. In an effort to contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of psychosurgery, the authors describe the history of psychosurgery in the state of Iowa and particularly at the University of Iowa Department of Neurosurgery. An interesting aspect of psychosurgery at the University of Iowa is that these procedures have been nearly continuously active since Freeman introduced the lobotomy in the 1930s. Frontal lobotomies and transorbital leukotomies were performed by physicians in the state mental health institutions as well as by neurosurgeons at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (formerly known as the State University of Iowa Hospital). Though the early technique of frontal lobotomy quickly fell out of favor, the use of neurosurgery to treat select cases of intractable mental illness persisted as a collaborative treatment effort between psychiatrists and neurosurgeons at Iowa. Frontal lobotomies gave way to more targeted lesions such as anterior cingulotomies and to neuromodulation through deep brain stimulation. As knowledge of brain circuits and the pathophysiology underlying mental illness continues to grow, surgical intervention for psychiatric pathologies is likely to persist as a viable treatment option for select patients at the University of Iowa and in the larger medical community.
Exploring the brain through posterior hypothalamus surgery for aggressive behavior
Authors: Rizzi Michele , Trezza Andrea , Messina Giuseppe , De Benedictis Alessandro , Franzini Angelo , Marras Carlo Efisio
Published: September 2017

Neurological surgery offers an opportunity to study brain functions, through either resection or implanted neuromodulation devices. Pathological aggressive behavior in patients with intellectual disability is a frequent condition that is difficult to treat using either supportive care or pharmacological therapy. The bulk of the laboratory studies performed throughout the 19th century enabled the formulation of hypotheses on brain circuits involved in the generation of emotions. Aggressive behavior was also studied extensively. Lesional radiofrequency surgery of the posterior hypothalamus, which peaked in the 1970s, was shown to be an effective therapy in many reported series. As with other surgical procedures for the treatment of psychiatric disorders, however, this therapy was abandoned for many reasons, including the risk of its misuse. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) offers the possibility of treating neurological and psychoaffective disorders through relatively reversible and adaptable therapy. Deep brain stimulation of the posterior hypothalamus was proposed and performed successfully in 2005 as a treatment for aggressive behavior. Other groups reported positive outcomes using target and parameter settings similar to those of the original study. Both the lesional and DBS approaches enabled researchers to explore the role of the posterior hypothalamus (or posterior hypothalamic area) in the autonomic and emotional systems.
The early argument for prefrontal leucotomy: the collision of frontal lobe theory and psychosurgery at the 1935 International Neurological Congress in London
Authors: Boettcher Lillian B. , Menacho Sarah T.
Published: September 2017

The pathophysiology of mental illness and its relationship to the frontal lobe were subjects of immense interest in the latter half of the 19th century. Numerous studies emerged during this time on cortical localization and frontal lobe theory, drawing upon various ideas from neurology and psychiatry. Reflecting the intense interest in this region of the brain, the 1935 International Neurological Congress in London hosted a special session on the frontal lobe. Among other presentations, Yale physiologists John Fulton and Carlyle Jacobsen presented a study on frontal lobectomy in primates, and neurologist Richard Brickner presented a case of frontal ablation for olfactory meningioma performed by the Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon Walter Dandy. Both occurrences are said to have influenced Portuguese neurologist Egas Moniz (1874–1955) to commence performing leucotomies on patients beginning in late 1935. Here the authors review the relevant events related to frontal lobe theory leading up to the 1935 Neurological Congress as well as the extent of this meeting’s role in the genesis of the modern era of psychosurgery.
History of psychosurgery at Sainte-Anne Hospital, Paris, France, through translational interactions between psychiatrists and neurosurgeons
Authors: Zanello Marc , Pallud Johan , Baup Nicolas , Peeters Sophie , Turak Baris , Krebs Marie Odile , Oppenheim Catherine , Gaillard Raphael , Devaux Bertrand
Published: September 2017

Sainte-Anne Hospital is the largest psychiatric hospital in Paris. Its long and fascinating history began in the 18th century. In 1952, it was at Sainte-Anne Hospital that Jean Delay and Pierre Deniker used the first neuroleptic, chlorpromazine, to cure psychiatric patients, putting an end to the expansion of psychosurgery. The Department of Neuro-psychosurgery was created in 1941. The works of successive heads of the Neurosurgery Department at Sainte-Anne Hospital summarized the history of psychosurgery in France.

Pierre Puech defined psychosurgery as the necessary cooperation between neurosurgeons and psychiatrists to treat the conditions causing psychiatric symptoms, from brain tumors to mental health disorders. He reported the results of his series of 369 cases and underlined the necessity for proper follow-up and postoperative re-education, illustrating the relative caution of French neurosurgeons concerning psychosurgery.

Marcel David and his assistants tried to follow their patients closely postoperatively; this resulted in numerous publications with significant follow-up and conclusions. As early as 1955, David reported intellectual degradation 2 years after prefrontal leucotomies.

Jean Talairach, a psychiatrist who eventually trained as a neurosurgeon, was the first to describe anterior capsulotomy in 1949. He operated in several hospitals outside of Paris, including the Sarthe Psychiatric Hospital and the Public Institution of Mental Health in the Lille region. He developed stereotactic surgery, notably stereo-electroencephalography, for epilepsy surgery but also to treat psychiatric patients using stereotactic lesioning with radiofrequency ablation or radioactive seeds of yttrium-90.

The evolution of functional neurosurgery has been marked by the development of deep brain stimulation, in particular for obsessive-compulsive disorder, replacing the former lesional stereotactic procedures.

The history of Sainte-Anne Hospital’s Neurosurgery Department sheds light on the initiation—yet fast reconsideration—of psychosurgery in France. This relatively more prudent attitude toward the practice of psychosurgery compared with other countries was probably due to the historically strong collaboration between psychiatrists and neurosurgeons in France.
Psychosurgery, ethics, and media: a history of Walter Freeman and the lobotomy
Authors: Caruso James P. , Sheehan Jason P.
Published: September 2017

At the peak of his career, Walter J. Freeman II was a celebrated physician and scientist. He served as the first chairman of the Department of Neurology at George Washington University and was a tireless advocate of surgical treatment for mental illness. His eccentric appearance, engaging personality during interviews, and theatrical demonstrations of his surgical techniques gained him substantial popularity with local and national media, and he performed more than 3000 prefrontal and transorbital lobotomies between 1930 and 1960. However, poor patient outcomes, unfavorable portrayals of the lobotomy in literature and film, and increased regulatory scrutiny contributed to the lobotomy’s decline in popularity. The development of antipsychotic medications eventually relegated the lobotomy to rare circumstances, and Freeman’s reputation deteriorated. Today, despite significant advancements in technique, oversight, and ethical scrutiny, neurosurgical treatment of mental illness still carries a degree of social stigma.

This review presents a historical account of Walter Freeman’s life and career, and the popularization of the lobotomy in the US. Additionally, the authors pay special attention to the influence of popular literature and film on the public’s perception of psychosurgery. Aided by an understanding of this pivotal period in medical history, neurosurgeons are poised to confront the ethical and sociological questions facing psychosurgery as it continues to evolve.
Alternating force induces less pronounced fatigue-related responses than constant repeated force muscle actions
Authors: Smith Cory M. , Housh Terry J. , Hill Ethan C. , Johnson Glen O. , Schmidt Richard J.
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND:

Little is known regarding the influence of force application during fatigue when the total amount of work is equal. That is, do changes in force applications result in different fatigue mechanisms despite the overall work being the same.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of the current study was to examine the effects of alternating forces versus repeated constant force muscle actions on the time course of changes in neuromuscular responses.

METHODS:

Sixteen adults performed 50-intermittent isometric leg extensions at alternating 40 then 80% maximal voluntary isometric contraction (40/80% MVIC) or repeated constant forces at 60% MVIC. Each protocol resulted in equal, averaged force across all 50 repetitions. Electromyographic amplitude (EMG RMS), mechanomyographic (MMG) RMS, EMG mean power frequency (MPF), and MMG MPF were recorded from the vastus lateralis.

RESULTS:

Alternating force protocol resulted in less fatigue-induced changes in neuromuscular responses compared to repeated constant force protocol. The repeated constant force protocol resulted in earlier increases in EMG RMS and MMG RMS as well as earlier decreases in EMG MPF and MMG MPF compared to the alternating force protocol.

CONCLUSIONS:

Fatigue in occupational, sporting activities, or various fatiguing tasks may be dependent on the order that force is applied.
Cortical Metabolic and Cognitive Correlates of Disorientation in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Weissberger Gali H. , Melrose Rebecca J. , Fanale Candace M. , Veliz Joseph V. , Sultzer David L.
Published: September 2017

Orientation to time, date, and place is commonly utilized in clinical settings to aid in diagnosis, staging, and monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aimed to identify the cerebral metabolic correlates of orientation in patients with AD, and the degree to which regions associated with orientation overlap with memory-related structures. Eighty-five patients with a diagnosis of probable AD underwent fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and neuropsychological testing. Orientation items from the Dementia Rating Scale and recognition performance from the Consortium to Establish a Registry for AD (CERAD) Word List Learning test were correlated with cerebral glucose metabolism. Post-hoc analyses examined neuropsychological predictors of orientation. Better orientation performance related to greater cerebral metabolism in the bilateral middle-inferior temporal lobes, bilateral middle-posterior cingulate, left angular gyrus, and left middle occipital gyrus. In comparison, higher CERAD recognition discriminability score was associated with greater metabolic activity in left medial temporal lobe regions including the hippocampal and parahippocampal gyri, and the left fusiform gyrus. Post-hoc behavioral analyses revealed multiple cognitive functions to be related to orientation, including list learning, recognition memory, visuospatial functioning, attention, and language. Findings from the present study suggest that disorientation in AD results from dysfunction of a network of structures and cognitive abilities commonly found to be implicated in AD. The study supports the notion that memory is necessary but not sufficient for successful orientation.
Persistence with Antihypertensive Drugs in Patients with Hypertension and Dementia in Germany
Authors: Jacob Louis , Adam-Schnepf Leonie , Kostev Karel
Published: September 2017

Background:

Hypertension, a chronic disease resulting from aging and its related physiopathological dysregulations, is often associated with dementia.

Objective:

The goal was to analyze the persistence with antihypertensive drugs in patients affected by both hypertension and dementia in Germany.

Methods:

This study included hypertension patients who were initially treated with antihypertensive drugs in 1,262 general practices in Germany between January 2013 and December 2015 (index date). Patients with hypertension and comorbid dementia were matched (1 : 1) to patients without dementia by age, gender, type of residence (nursing home versus home-care setting), physician, and initial antihypertensive therapy, using a propensity score method. The primary outcome was the rate of patients without treatment discontinuation with antihypertensive drugs in cases and controls in the 12 months following the index date. Cox regressions were used to determine the impact of dementia on persistence with antihypertensive treatment.

Results:

This study included 2,191 patients with hypertension and comorbid dementia and 2,191 patients with hypertension but without dementia. The mean age was 79.3 years (SD = 10.3 years) in both groups. Twelve months after initiation of antihypertensive therapy, 73.5% of cases and 69.5% of controls were persistent ( p < 0.001). Dementia was associated with a significant decrease in the risk of non-persistence with antihypertensive drugs in the entire population (HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.79–0.93). This finding was corroborated in five different subgroups (age ≤60 years, age 61–70 years, men, women, and patients living in home-care settings).

Conclusions:

Dementia was found to be a protective factor for persistence with antihypertensive drugs in Germany.
Genetically-Predicted Adult Height and Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Larsson Susanna C. , Traylor Matthew , Burgess Stephen , Markus Hugh S.
Published: September 2017

Background:

Observational studies have linked increased adult height with better cognitive performance and reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is unclear whether the associations are due to shared biological processes that influence height and AD or due to confounding by early life exposures or environmental factors.

Objective:

To use a genetic approach to investigate the association between adult height and AD.

Methods:

We selected 682 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with height at genome-wide significance ( p < 5×10–8) in the Genetic Investigation of ANthropometric Traits (GIANT) consortium. Summary statistics for each of these SNPs on AD were obtained from the International Genomics of Alzheimer’s Project (IGAP) of 17,008 individuals with AD and 37,154 controls. The estimate of the association between genetically predicted height and AD was calculated using the inverse-variance weighted method.

Results:

The odds ratio of AD was 0.91 (95% confidence interval, 0.86–0.95; p = 9.8×10–5) per one standard deviation increase (about 6.5 cm) in genetically predicted height based on 682 SNPs, which were clustered in 419 loci. In an analysis restricted to one SNP from each height-associated locus ( n = 419 SNPs), the corresponding OR was 0.92 (95% confidence interval, 0.86–0.97; p = 4.8×10–3).

Conclusions:

This finding suggests that biological processes that influence adult height may have a role in the etiology of AD.
Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis Relies on a Twofold Clinical-Biological Algorithm: Three Memory Clinic Case Reports
Authors: Levy Nogueira Marcel , Samri Dalila , Epelbaum Stéphane , Lista Simone , Suppa Per , Spies Lothar , Hampel Harald , Dubois Bruno , Teichmann Marc
Published: September 2017

The International Working Group recently provided revised criteria of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) proposing that the diagnosis of typical amnesic AD should be established by a clinical-biological signature, defined by the phenotype of an “amnesic syndrome of the hippocampal type” (ASHT) combined with positive in vivo evidence of AD pathophysiology in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or on amyloid PET imaging. The application and clinical value of this refined diagnostic algorithm, initially intended for research purposes, is explored in three memory clinic cases presenting with different cognitive profiles including an ASHT, hippocampal atrophy, and CSF AD-biomarker data. The case reports highlight that the isolated occurrence of one of the two proposed AD criteria, ASHT or positive pathophysiological markers, does not provide a reliable diagnosis of typical AD. It is proposed that the twofold diagnostic IWG algorithm can be applied and operationalized in memory clinic settings to improve the diagnostic accuracy of typical amnesic AD in clinical practice.
Structural design and performance analysis of a new type of axial magnetic bearings with multi-ring redundant structure in circular direction
Authors: Wang Xiaoguang , Fu Jing , Zhao Xuan , Hou Leilei
Published: September 2017

With the continuous development of magnetic bearings in aerospace and military, reactor turbine power generation, flywheel energy storage and other fields, the request for the reliability of magnetic bearing system becomes higher. In order to improve the reliability of the magnetic bearing, a novel axial magnetic bearing with multi rings in peripheral direction (AMB-MRC) is proposed. By studying the influence of rings number and current direction through coils on bearing capacity, as well as the method of redundant reconstruction and the property after reconstruction, the corresponding design criteria are proposed. The redundancy, bearing capacity and eddy current loss of the AMB-MRC compared with the existing AMB-MRR with 2 rings. The results show that the bearing capacity of proposed novel bearing is nearly equal to AMB-MRR with 2 rings when their volume is the same, but the redundancy of proposed novel bearing is better in improving the reliability of the magnetic bearing system.
Fixed-point time-periodic FEM taking into account hysteresis characteristics of laminated core under DC bias
Authors: Wang Shuaibing , Li Lin , Zhao Xiaojun , Xie Yuqing
Published: September 2017

The special hysteresis characteristics of the laminated core (LC) under DC bias are analyzed and the hysteresis loops are simulated by the hysteresis model based on consuming function. The field-circuit coupled time-periodic FEM (TPFEM) combined with the locally convergent fixed-point method is presented to calculate the excitation current and magnetic field of LC under DC bias. A method by increasing the resistance and setting up a compensation voltage artificially is proposed in this paper, which can solve the stability problems caused by the lack of convergence of solutions when the DC-biased condition becomes more serious. Besides, the excitation current of LC with no-load and different loads under DC bias is analyzed based on the field-circuit coupled fixed-point TPFEM.
De-noising surface electromyograms using an adaptive wavelet approach
Authors: Wei Wei , Hong Jie , Wang Chao , Wang Lu
Published: September 2017

The recorded surface Electromyogram (sEMG) signals is inevitably influenced by noise during the signal acquisition process. Because of the constant deviation that is known as the Pseudo-Gibbs phenomenon, which exists in conventional wavelet threshold de-noising, noise pertaining to sEMG is inevitable. In order to avoid or minimize noise in the recorded sEMG signals, the objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of developing a new de-nosing function that uses the advantage of the adaptive threshold adopted in the Brige-Massart algorithm and test the performance of the new function. The simulation results show that applying this new de-noising function could effectively remove noise in the recorded sEMG signals. Furthermore, when compared with conventional threshold de-noising function, the new function achieved higher performed de-noising effect, and thereby enabling better signal analysis subsequently.
Effect of Monoculture and Polyculture Systems on Growth and Production of Fishes in Seasonal Waterbodies of Haor Villages, Sunamganj District
Authors: Ali M. S. , Islam M. S. , Begum N. , Suravi I. N. , Mia M. , Kashem M. A.
Published: September 2017

The study was conducted to assess the growth and production of Thai sarpunti (Puntius gonionotus), tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and rui (Labeo rohita) under monoculture and polyculture systems in seasonal waterbodies of haor environment. Selected waterbodies were divided into three treatments as T1 (sarpunti), T2 (sarpunti+tilapia) and T3 (sarpunti+tilapia+rui). Each treatment had three replicates and same stocking density (40,000 ha-1) of fishes was maintained in all treatments. Stocked fishes were fed with rice bran and wheat flour as supplemental feed at a decreasing rate of 10-5% of total biomass for twice daily. The highest final weight of sarpunti (122.32 g), tilapia (102.58 g) and rui (140.0 g) was obtained in T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Significantly higher production of sarpunti was secured in T1 (3,446.13 kg ha-1) than T2 (2,942.6 kg ha-1) and T3 (2,804.1 kg ha-1), and tilapia production was better in T2 (2,786.07 kg ha-1) than T3 (2,172.52 kg ha-1). Combined production of sarpunti, tilapia and rui was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T3 (8,341.41 kg ha-1) followed by T2 (5,728.67 kg ha-1) and T1 (3,446.13 kg ha-1). Therefore, polyculture practice of sarpunti, tilapia and rui may be suggested to disseminate at farmers level for boost up fish production.
Characterization of Piezoelectric Microgenerator with Nanobranched ZnO Grown on a Polymer Coated Flexible Substrate
Authors: Aleksandrova Mariya , Kolev Georgi , Vucheva Yordanka , Pathan Habib , Denishev Krassimir
Published: September 2017

In this paper, results from the fabrication and study of a piezoelectric microgenerator using nanobranched zinc oxide (ZnO) film grown on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiphene) doped with a sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS)-coated flexible substrate are presented. The aim of the study is to extract information about the electrical behavior of the harvester at different frequencies, temperatures, and positions, as related to the ZnO nanostructure, as well as to examine its piezoelectric response. Radiofrequency (RF) sputtering with oxygen deficit during growth on an amorphous sublayer was used to obtain the nanobranched structure. The microdevice was studied at frequencies ranging from 1 Hz to 1 MHz for temperatures in the range of −10 °C to 40 °C, in both a non-bended position, and a radius of curvature position bended to 12 mm. It was found that non-ordered ZnO nanoformations facilitate the dipoles’ motion, thus leading to low dielectric losses of 10−3, and a higher relative permittivity of εr ~15, compared with typically known values. The losses increase with one order of magnitude at bending, but still remain low. Dielectric characteristics indicate that the favorable working range of the microgenerator is within the lower frequency region, from 10 Hz to 10 kHz. The results were confirmed by the measured open circuit voltage, which reaches approximately 1 V within this range, versus 300 mV out of the range.
Precision Irrigation System (PIS) Using Sensor Network Technology Integrated with IOS/Android Application
Authors: Işık Mehmet , Sönmez Yusuf , Yılmaz Cemal , Özdemir Veysel , Yılmaz Ercan
Published: September 2017

One of the most important factors for successful agricultural production is the irrigation system in place. In this study, a precision irrigation system, which takes advantage of the various phases of plant growth, was developed and implemented using the sensor network technology integrated with IOS/Android. The amount of water in the soil was measured via sensors that were placed on certain points of the area to be irrigated. These sensors were placed near the root of the product. Data from sensors was transmitted via Wi-Fi in real-time to a mobile phone based on IOS/Android. In the light of obtained data, the seasonal precision irrigation system was created depending on the amount of water required by the plants at each stage of their growth stage. The required energy of the system was provided by solar energy. The system can be controlled by smart phones, which increases the usability of the system. When design performance was analyzed, it was observed that some important advantages such as obtaining high efficiency with water, time and energy saving and reducing the workforce were ensured. Five separate laterals were used for the irrigation system. There were valves on each lateral, which realized the opening and closing process depending on the water need. A total of 16 humidity sensors were used in the irrigation system and the data from these sensors was transferred to the IOS/Android server via the programmable controller (PLC). The basic electrical equipment in the irrigation system was monitored and controlled via mobile devices. Control parameters were obtained by comparing the real values and reference values by a closed-loop system and determine the new working status of the irrigation system.
Temporally Programmable Hybrid MOPA Laser with Arbitrary Pulse Shape and Frequency Doubling
Authors: Nie Mingming , Liu Qiang , Ji Encai , Cao Xuezhe , Fu Xing
Published: September 2017

An arbitrary pulse shape by compensating gain saturation in a solid-state Master oscillator power amplifier (MOPA) system made up of three Neodymium doped yttrium vanadate (Nd:YVO4) amplifiers is demonstrated. By investigating the amplifier dynamics in detail, car-shaped pulse shapes were obtained with compensated pulse distortion. Desired pulse shapes, such as multiple-step, square, parabolic, and Gaussian pulses, were achieved, with a high peak power level of 41.6 kW and a narrow linewidth less than 0.06 nm. In addition, through second harmonic generation (SHG), a green laser with different pulse shapes was obtained, with a maximum conversion efficiency of 42.6%.
Multi-Scale Evaluation of the Interphase Zone between the Overlay and Concrete Substrate: Methods and Descriptors
Authors: Sadowski Łukasz
Published: September 2017

This article presents the problem of examining the interphase zone between the overlay and concrete substrate at different levels of observation. The possibility of applying available modern research methods in order to examine the interphase zone with regard to the level of observation is presented. These levels were defined in the paper. Examples of tests that show a possible approach to the examination of the interphase zone are also presented.
Perspective on Double Pulsed Gas Metal Arc Welding
Authors: Wang Leilei , Xue Jiaxiang
Published: September 2017

Aluminum alloy welding suffers from problems such as solidification cracking and hydrogen-induced porosity, which are sufficiently severe to limit its potential applications. Because mitigated porosity incidence and solidification cracking are observed in aluminum welds using double pulsed gas metal arc welding (DP-GMAW), a comprehensive review of the mechanism is necessary, but absent from the literature. The oscillation of arc force and droplet pressure causes a weld pool stir effect. The expansion and shrinkage of the weld pool cause unusual remelting and resolidification of the previously solidified metal. DP-GMAW has an increased solidification growth rate and cooling rate, compared with conventional pulsed welding at same heat input. Both numerical and experimental results reveal the remarkable concept that refined microstructure in the fusion zone is obtained by using DP-GMAW. The mechanism of microstructural refinement is revealed as a weld pool stir effect and increased cooling rate. Hydrogen bubbles easily float out and then release from the weld pool originated from the weld pool stir effect. Reduced solidification cracking is achieved due to the refined solidification structure that originated from the increased cooling rate. The advantages, evolution process, and future trend of DP-GMAW are discussed.
A Review of Distributed Fibre Optic Sensors for Geo-Hydrological Applications
Authors: Schenato Luca
Published: September 2017

Distributed optical fibre sensing, employing either Rayleigh, Raman, or Brillouin scattering, is the only physical-contact sensor technology capable of accurately estimating physical fields with spatial continuity along the fibre. This unique feature and the other features of standard optical fibre sensors (e.g., minimal invasiveness and lightweight, remote powering/interrogating capabilities) have for many years promoted the technology to be a promising candidate for geo-hydrological monitoring. Relentless research efforts are being undertaken to bring the technology to complete maturity through laboratory, physical models, and in-situ tests. The application of distributed optical fibre sensors to geo-hydrological monitoring is here reviewed and discussed, along with basic principles and main acquisition techniques. Among the many existing geo-hydrological processes, the emphasis is placed on those related to soil levees, slopes/landslide, and ground subsidence that constitute a significant percentage of current geohazards.
Distinguishing Different Cancerous Human Cells by Raman Spectroscopy Based on Discriminant Analysis Methods
Authors: Tang Mingjie , Xia Liangping , Wei Dongshan , Yan Shihan , Du Chunlei , Cui Hong-Liang
Published: September 2017

An approach to distinguish eight kinds of different human cells by Raman spectroscopy was proposed and demonstrated in this paper. Original spectra of suspension cells in the frequency range of 623~1783 cm−1 were acquired and pre-processed by baseline calibration, and principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to extract the useful spectral information. To develop a robust discrimination model, a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA) were attempted comparatively in the work. The results showed that the QDA model is better than the LDA model. The optimal QDA model was generated with 12 principal components. The classification rates are 100% in the calibration and prediction set, respectively. From the experimental results, it is concluded that Raman spectroscopy combined with appropriate discriminant analysis methods has significant potential in human cell detection.
Problems in Classifying Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): One or Multiple Syndromes?
Authors: Díaz-Mardomingo María , García-Herranz Sara , Rodríguez-Fernández Raquel , Venero César , Peraita Herminia
Published: September 2017

As the conceptual, methodological, and technological advances applied to dementias have evolved the construct of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), one problem encountered has been its classification into subtypes. Here, we aim to revise the concept of MCI and its subtypes, addressing the problems of classification not only from the psychometric point of view or by using alternative methods, such as latent class analysis, but also considering the absence of normative data. In addition to the well-known influence of certain factors on cognitive function, such as educational level and cultural traits, recent studies highlight the relevance of other factors that may significantly affect the genesis and evolution of MCI: subjective memory complaints, loneliness, social isolation, etc. The present work will contemplate the most relevant attempts to clarify the issue of MCI categorization and classification, combining our own data with that from recent studies which suggest the role of relevant psychosocial factors in MCI.
Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T Cell Therapy for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM)
Authors: Klampatsa Astero , Haas Andrew , Moon Edmund , Albelda Steven
Published: September 2017

Cancer immunotherapy has now become a recognized approach to treating cancers. In addition to checkpoint blockade, adoptive T cell transfer (ACT) using chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) has shown impressive clinical outcomes in leukemias and is now being explored in solid tumors. CARs are engineered receptors, stably or transiently transduced into T cells, that aim to enhance T cell effector function by recognizing and binding to a specific tumor-associated antigen. In this review, we provide a summary of CAR T cell preclinical studies and clinical trials for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), a rare, locally invasive pleural cancer with poor prognosis. We list other attractive potential targets for CAR T cell therapy for MPM, and discuss augmentation strategies of CAR T cell therapy with other forms of immunotherapy in this disease.
The Role of Non-Framework Lewis Acidic Al Species of Alkali-Treated HZSM-5 in Methanol Aromatization
Authors: Lai Po-Chen , Hsieh Chi-Ying , Chen Chao-Huang , Lin Yu-Chuan
Published: September 2017

Mesoporous HZSM-5 prepared by alkaline treatment (also termed desilication) has drawn significant attention due to its potential in large-scale production and in versatile applications, such as separation and catalysis. Alkali-treated HZSM-5 contains considerable amounts of non-framework (amorphous) Lewis acidic Al species on the external surface, and is deemed to be essential in affecting its catalytic performances. This study intends to clarify the catalytic nature of amorphous Al species of alkali-treated HZSM-5 in methanol aromatization. Physicochemical characterizations, including N2 adsorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), magic-angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR), inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis, NH3 temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), and methanol-TPD, were performed. The outcomes showed that non-framework Al promotes the hydride transfer in mesoporous HZSM-5, thereby facilitating the aromatization reaction. Among aromatic products, durene can be promoted by non-framework Al through methylation/transalkylation of other aromatics, particularly xylenes, instead of being promoted by reduced space confinement in mesoporous HZSM-5.
Polyoxometalate (POM)-Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH) Composite Materials: Design and Catalytic Applications
Authors: Li Tengfei , Miras Haralampos , Song Yu-Fei
Published: September 2017

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are an important large class of two-dimensional (2D) anionic lamellar materials that possess flexible modular structure, facile exchangeability of inter-lamellar guest anions and uniform distribution of metal cations in the layer. Owing to the modular accessible gallery and unique inter-lamellar chemical environment, polyoxometalates (POMs) intercalated with LDHs has shown a vast array of physical properties with applications in environment, energy, catalysis, etc. Here we describe how polyoxometalate clusters can be used as building components for the construction of systems with important catalytic properties. This review article mainly focuses on the discussion of new synthetic approaches developed recently that allow the incorporation of the element of design in the construction of a fundamentally new class of materials with pre-defined functionalities in catalytic applications. Introducing the element of design and taking control over the finally observed functionality we demonstrate the unique opportunity for engineering materials with modular properties for specific catalytic applications.
Fever in Children: Pearls and Pitfalls
Authors: Barbi Egidio , Marzuillo Pierluigi , Neri Elena , Naviglio Samuele , Krauss Baruch
Published: September 2017

Fever in children is a common concern for parents and one of the most frequent presenting complaints in emergency department visits, often involving non-pediatric emergency physicians. Although the incidence of serious infections has decreased after the introduction of conjugate vaccines, fever remains a major cause of laboratory investigation and hospital admissions. Furthermore, antipyretics are the most common medications administered to children. We review the epidemiology and measurement of fever, the meaning of fever and associated clinical signs in children of different ages and under special conditions, including fever in children with cognitive impairment, recurrent fevers, and fever of unknown origin. While the majority of febrile children have mild, self-resolving viral illness, a minority may be at risk of life-threatening infections. Clinical assessment differs markedly from adult patients. Hands-off evaluation is paramount for a correct evaluation of breathing, circulation and level of interaction. Laboratory markers and clinical prediction rules provide limited help in identifying children at risk for serious infections; however, clinical examination, prudent utilization of laboratory tests, and post-discharge guidance (“safety netting”) remain the cornerstone of safe management of febrile children.
Surface Tension Measurements with the Drop Profile Analysis Tensiometry—Consideration of the Surfactant Mass Balance in a Single Drop
Authors: Kairaliyeva Talmira , Mucic Nenad , Spasojevic Ljiljana , Bucko Sandra , Katona Jaroslav , Aksenenko Eugene , Aidarova Saule , Fainerman Valentin , Makievski Alexander , Tarasevich Yuri , Miller Reinhard
Published: September 2017

In drop profile analysis tensiometry, the ratio of drop surfaces area S to volume V is large, i.e., S/V >> 1. In such a case, the concentration of a surfactant within the drop bulk decreases due to adsorption at the drop surface. In contrast, in bubble profile analysis tensiometry, we have S/V << 1 so that depletion due to adsorption is negligible. A protocol is presented to determine the correct adsorption parameters of surfactants from surface tension data measured by bubble and drop profile analysis tensiometry. The procedure is applied to experimental data measured for selected surfactants of different adsorption activities: C10OH, CTAB, Tween 20, and the equimolar mixture SDS + DoTAB. The results show that for surfactants with higher surface activity, the differences between the surface tensions measured with the drops and bubbles profile analysis tensiometry, respectively, are larger, while for less surface-active surfactants, such as SDS, the results obtained from drop and bubble profile experiments are very close. The correction procedure is based on the same set of adsorption parameters used to fit both the experimental data obtained from drop-based measurements (which involve the depletion effects) and those data measured in a way that depletion effects are negligible.
Recent Advances on p-Type III-Nitride Nanowires by Molecular Beam Epitaxy
Authors: Zhao Songrui , Mi Zetian
Published: September 2017

p-Type doping represents a key step towards III-nitride (InN, GaN, AlN) optoelectronic devices. In the past, tremendous efforts have been devoted to obtaining high quality p-type III-nitrides, and extraordinary progress has been made in both materials and device aspects. In this article, we intend to discuss a small portion of these processes, focusing on the molecular beam epitaxy (MBE)-grown p-type InN and AlN—two bottleneck material systems that limit the development of III-nitride near-infrared and deep ultraviolet (UV) optoelectronic devices. We will show that by using MBE-grown nanowire structures, the long-lasting p-type doping challenges of InN and AlN can be largely addressed. New aspects of MBE growth of III-nitride nanostructures are also discussed.
Influence of Parameter Selection in Fixed Sample Entropy of Surface Diaphragm Electromyography for Estimating Respiratory Activity
Authors: Estrada Luis , Torres Abel , Sarlabous Leonardo , Jané Raimon
Published: September 2017

Fixed sample entropy (fSampEn) is a robust technique that allows the evaluation of inspiratory effort in diaphragm electromyography (EMGdi) signals, and has potential utility in sleep studies. To appropriately estimate respiratory effort, fSampEn requires the adjustment of several parameters. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the influence of the embedding dimension m, the tolerance value r, the size of the moving window, and the sampling frequency, and to establish recommendations for estimating the respiratory activity when using the fSampEn on surface EMGdi recorded for different inspiratory efforts. Values of m equal to 1 and r ranging from 0.1 to 0.64, and m equal to 2 and r ranging from 0.13 to 0.45, were found to be suitable for evaluating respiratory activity. fSampEn was less affected by window size than classical amplitude parameters. Finally, variations in sampling frequency could influence fSampEn results. In conclusion, the findings suggest the potential utility of fSampEn for estimating muscle respiratory effort in further sleep studies.