ALBERT

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2020〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 6, Issue 1〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Hrvoje Budinčević, Petra Črnac Žuna, Christian Saleh, Nicholas Lange, Bartlomiej Piechowski-Jozwiak, Ivan Bielen, Vida Demarin〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Introduction〈/h6〉 〈p〉The aim of the study was to determine the outcome, prescribed therapy, and localization of non-traumatic intracerebral haemorrhage in patients with atrial fibrillation.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Patients and methods〈/h6〉 〈p〉This retrospective study enrolled patients with atrial fibrillation hospitalised for non-traumatic intracerebral haemorrhage from 2004 to 2013. We compared the patients according to previous antithrombotic therapy, demographics, previous CHADS2 score, comorbidities, the international normalised ration, localisation of intracerebral hamorrhage, stroke severity, prescribed antithrombotic therapy and outcome.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Results〈/h6〉 〈p〉A total of 85 patients were enrolled and assigned to an AT+ group (n = 49; 14 on aspirin, 35 on warfarin) and an AT- group (n = 36; without antithrombotic therapy prior to hospitalisation). The latter had a lower proportion of known atrial fibrillation (90% vs 47%, 〈em〉P〈/em〉 〈 0.001). The mean INR was 2.6 ± 1.5. The in-hospital mortality rates in both groups were high: 43% in AT+ group and 47% in AT- group. There were no significant differences in any of the predefined comparisons.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Conclusion〈/h6〉 〈p〉Treating patients with intracerebral haemorrhage and atrial fibrillation is challenging due to higher mortality rates and issues regarding the use of antithrombotic treatment in stroke prevention. Based on our data, prior antithrombotic therapy was not associated with increased in-hospital mortality rates or poorer functional outcome at hospital discharge in comparison with no prior antithrombotic therapy.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2020〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 6, Issue 1〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Jean De Dieu Niyonteze, Fumin Zou, Godwin Norense Osarumwense Asemota, Samuel Bimenyimana, Gilbert Shyirambere〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Until recently, the Rwanda power sector increased rapidly to double the 2010 installed capacity. The energy consumption in Rwanda experienced a steady rise correspondingly with the population and modern socio-economic life. Consequently, Rwanda household access to electricity increased to 53% by September 2019. Not only does 47% of Rwanda's population lack electricity access, there are persistent power failures and the grid is also unstable. Using renewable energy hybrid technologies in off-grid areas might be a solution to this problem. However, the high cost of renewable energy hybrid systems has led to its slow adoption in many developing countries. Hence, it is important to find the most appropriate hybrid combinations that reduce energy cost and access electricity generation that maximizes the available renewable energy resources. This paper examines some new technology development needs related to the power sector in Rwanda. Secondly, four different 100% renewable energy hybrid systems were designed and simulated to support rural and remote areas considering an average load demand of 158.1 kWh/day with a peak load of 18 kW. The hybrid systems simulation and optimization were obtained using HOMER (hybrid optimization model for electric renewables) software. The input data were obtained from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for solar and wind resources, and hydro resources were from real-time field data for selected study site. The simulation results indicate hydro/solar/battery hybrid is the most cost-effective and environmentally viable alternative for off-grid rural electrification because of low net present cost (NPC) and least greenhouse gas emissions. The proposed hybrid combination could apply to other rural areas in the region and elsewhere in the world especially where climate conditions are similar.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2020〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 6, Issue 1〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Francesca Martelli, Eduardo Palermo, Zaccaria Del Prete, Stefano Rossi〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this paper we performed the evaluation of ankle motor performance and motor learning during a goal-directed task, executed using the pediAnklebot robot. The protocol consisted of 3 phases (Familiarization, Adaptation, and Wash Out) repeated one time for each movement direction (plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion). During Familiarization and Wash out subjects performed goal-directed movements in unperturbed environment, whereas during Adaptation phase, a curl viscous force field was applied and it was randomly removed 10 times out of 200. Ankle motor performance was evaluated by means of a set of indices grouped into: accuracy, smoothness, temporal, and stopping indices. Learning Index was calculated to study the motor learning during the adaptation phase, which was subdivided into 5 temporal intervals (target sets). The outcomes related to the ankle motor performance highlighted that the best performance in terms of accuracy and smoothness of the trajectories was obtained in dorsiflexion movements in the sagittal plane, and in inversion rotations in the frontal plane. Differences between movement directions revealed an anisotropic behavior of the ankle joint. Results of the Learning index showed a capability of the subjects to rapidly adapt to a perturbed force field depending on the magnitude of the perceived field.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2020〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 6, Issue 1〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Olayinka Mohammed Olabanji, Khumbulani Mpofu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this article, a novel hybridized Multi-Attribute Decision Model (MADM) is developed to identify an optimal design of a Reconfigurable Assembly Fixture (RAF) from a set of alternative design concepts. The model combines the comparative advantage of Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and the computational strength of the Fuzzy Weighted Average (FWA) based on left and right scores in order to obtain aggregates for the design alternatives considering the relative importance of the design criteria as needed in the optimal design. The model was applied to evaluate four design concepts of a RAF with six design features having numerous sub-features. Results obtained from the evaluation process shows that there are differences in final values of the design alternatives. However, a close variation exists between these values. These differences can be accrued to the interrelationships between the design features and sub-features obtained from the Fuzzy Synthetic Extent (FSE) of the FAHP and an unambiguity judgment of the FWA when aggregating availability of the design features and sub-features in the design alternatives.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2020〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 6, Issue 1〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Vahid Moslemi, Vahid Erfanian, Mansour Ashoor〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉The system matrix (SM) being a main part of statistical image reconstruction algorithms establishes relationship between the object and projection space. The aim was to determine it in a short duration time, towards obtaining the best quality of contrast images. In this study, a new analytical method based on Cavalieri's principle as subdividing common regions has been proposed in which the precision of the amounts of estimated areas was improved by increasing the number of divisions (NOD), and consequently the total SM's time was increased. An important issue is the tradeoff between the NODs and computational time. For this purpose, a Monte Carlo simulated Jaszczak phantom study was performed by the Monte Carlo N-Particle transport code version 5 (MCNP5) in which the tomographic images of resolution and contrast phantoms were reconstructed by maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM) algorithm, and the influence of NODs variations was investigated. The results show that the lowest and best quality have been obtained at the NODs of 0 and 8, respectively and in the optimum case, the SM's total time at NOD of 8 was 925 s, which was much lower than those of the conventional Monte Carlo simulations and experimental test.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2020〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 6, Issue 1〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Pratiksha Singh, Pankaj Baisthakur, Omprakash S. Yemul〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Plastic films for food wrapping, packing are widely used due to their special properties. These fossil fuel derived films are associated with long degradation time, toxicity and environmental pollution. Pineapple waste, sea weed can be very good renewable, alternative carbon sources to produce edible films. These edible films can be consumed by lower animals thereby overcoming the disposal problems of accumulating waste plastic and hence reducing pollution. In the present study, crosslinked polymers are prepared from pectin (P)/sodium alginate (SA) through crosslinking with bio-based acids such as citric acid (CA) and tartaric acid (TA). Pectin was extracted from waste pineapple shell and sodium alginate extracted from seaweed. The crosslinked films were characterized by using various analytical techniques such as FT-IR, thermogravimetry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mice feed study (testing of edibility), plant growth substrate and vermicomposting of these films was studied. Finally a suitable application of these newly prepared polymeric films has been evaluated as wrapping material on food products such as chocolate and Indian vegetable puff to enhance the shelf life of food.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2020〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 6, Issue 1〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Fabian A. Ikwu, Gideon A. Shallangwa, Paul A. Mamza, Adamu Uzairu〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship studies were carried out on arylpiperazine derivatives to investigate their anti-proliferate activity against prostate PC-3 cancer cell lines. The built model with statistical parameters; R〈sup〉2〈/sup〉 = 0.8483, R〈sup〉2〈/sup〉〈sub〉adj〈/sub〉 = 0.8078, Q〈sup〉2〈/sup〉〈sub〉cv〈/sub〉 = 0.7122 and external validation (R〈sup〉2〈/sup〉〈sub〉test〈/sub〉) 0.6682 revealed that the anti-proliferate activities were strongly dependent on the descriptors: MATS7c, MATS3e, maxwHBa and WPSA-3. The Variance Inflation Factor of the descriptors were all greater than one but less than two and all descriptors were poorly correlated (r 〈 0.4). A graph of the experimental activities and predicted activities showed a high correlation and a William's plot showed the presence of only one outlier compound. These results are similar to those reported for stable and robust models with high predicting power. Molecular docking studies of compounds 5 (1-phenyl-4-(4-(2-(p-tolyloxy)ethyl)benzyl)piperazine) and 17 (4-(4-((4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl)phenethoxy)benzonitrile) with the androgen receptor gave binding affinities of −7.5 and −7.1 kcal/mol respectively. Compound 5 formed a more stable complex having hydrogen, electrostatic and hydrophobic bond interactions while compound 17 had hydrogen and hydrophobic bond interactions only. This study provides a roadmap to the design of more potent anti-prostate cancer compounds.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2020〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 6, Issue 1〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Daniele Borin, Brisa Peña, Suet Nee Chen, Carlin S. Long, Matthew R.G. Taylor, Luisa Mestroni, Orfeo Sbaizero〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉Given the clinical effect of laminopathies, understanding lamin mechanical properties will benefit the treatment of heart failure. Here we report a mechano-dynamic study of 〈em〉LMNA〈/em〉 mutations in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVM) using single cell spectroscopy with Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and measured changes in beating force, frequency and contractile amplitude of selected mutant-expressing cells within cell clusters. Furthermore, since beat-to-beat variations can provide clues on the origin of arrhythmias, we analyzed the beating rate variability using a time-domain method which provides a Poincaré plot. Data were further correlated to cell phenotypes. Immunofluorescence and calcium imaging analysis showed that mutant lamin changed NRVMs beating force and frequency. Additionally, we noted an altered microtubule network organization with shorter filament length, and defective hemichannel membrane localization (Connexin 43). These data highlight the interconnection between nucleoskeleton, cytoskeleton and sarcolemmal structures, and the transcellular consequences of mutant lamin protein in the pathogenesis of the cardiac 〈em〉laminopathies〈/em〉.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2020〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 6, Issue 1〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Jeffrey S. Lee, Gerald B. Cleaver〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉〈p〉In this paper, it is shown that the quantum electrodynamic vacuum particle production rate by a vaporization laser is negligible and is not a significant energy sink at electric field strengths beyond the Schwinger Limit.〈/p〉〈/div〉 〈/div〉

Description: 〈p〉Publication date: January 2020〈/p〉 〈p〉〈b〉Source:〈/b〉 Heliyon, Volume 6, Issue 1〈/p〉 〈p〉Author(s): Shriniwas P. Patil〈/p〉 〈div xml:lang="en"〉 〈h5〉Abstract〈/h5〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Introduction〈/h6〉 〈p〉〈em〉Alectra parasitica〈/em〉 (Scrophulariaceae/Orobanchaceae) is a rarely occurring parasitic plant grows on roots of 〈em〉Vitex negundo〈/em〉 L. (Verbenaceae). As per Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, it can be used in treatment of various diseases. So far, this plant has not been explored phyto-chemically in detail. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is mostly occurring type of lung cancer, which so far can be treated by chemotherapy approach including cisplatin.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Aim〈/h6〉 〈p〉Present research work was aimed towards preparation of methanolic fraction of 〈em〉A. parasitica〈/em〉 rhizomes; its phytochemical analysis by 1H-NMR and HR-LC/MS; evaluation of its anti-cancer property against NSCLC-A549 cell line.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Methods〈/h6〉 〈p〉For preparation of methanolic fraction (MF), 〈em〉A. parasitica〈/em〉 rhizome powder was defatted; extracted with combination of water and alcohol (1:1); added with lead acetate and then sulphuric acid; fractionation of ethyl acetate fraction with methanol. After phytochemical analysis of MF by preliminary chemical testing, TLC, 〈sup〉1〈/sup〉H-NMR and HR-LC/MS techniques, MF was screened for its anti - cancer property against NSCLC-A549 cell line by MTT assay.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Results〈/h6〉 〈p〉Detail phytochemical analysis reflected successful preparation of tannin-less MF of 〈em〉A. parasitica〈/em〉 rhizomes. Different types of analytical techniques first time proved the proved the presence of various types of phytochemicals in this plant. On MTT assay, it was found that MF has anti-cancer property against NSCLC-A549 cell line with IC〈sub〉50〈/sub〉 value, 306.51 μg/ml.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈div〉 〈h6〉Conclusion〈/h6〉 〈p〉MF contains different phytochemicals like iridoids, flavonoids, steroid glycosides and also strigalactones; which cumulatively exert anti-cancer effect on A549. Appearance of all these compounds is significant in chemotaxonomic surveillance of this rare plant and specially, strigalactones can be proved important in establishing their parasitism with host plant.〈/p〉 〈/div〉 〈/div〉