High-Fat Diet Aggravates Cerebral Infarct,Hemorrhagic Transformation and Neuroinflammation in a Mouse Stroke Model

Background: Stroke in context of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with a poorer outcome than in non-diabetic conditions. We aimed at creating a new reproducible mouse model of stroke in impaired glucose tolerance conditions induced by high-fat diet. Methods: Adult C57BL6 mice were fed for 2 months with either normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD). We used a model of Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) for 90 min. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) and Insulin Tolerance Test (ITT) were used to assess pre-diabetic status. Brain infarct volume, hemorrhagic transformation (HT) as well as systemic and cerebral inflammatory markers were evaluated. Results: HFD was associated with an increased body weight and glycemia following OGTT. The HFD group presented a significant increase in brain infarct volume (38.7 (IQR 30–46.7%) vs. 28.45 (IQR 21–30%); p = 0.016) and HT (HFD: 2 (IQR 1–5) vs. ND: 0 (IQR 0–1); p = 0.012) and higher levels of IL-6 and MCP-1 in infarcted hemisphere compared to the ND group. Conclusion: Two months of HFD in adult mice were sufficient to alter the lipid profile and the control of hyperglycemia. These metabolic perturbations were significantly associated with increased infarct volume and hemorrhagic complications.     

On the Catalytic Activity of Sn Monomers and Dimers at Graphene Edges and the Synchronized Edge Dependence of Diffusing Atoms in Sn Dimers

In this study, in situ transmission electron microscopy is performed to study the interaction between single (monomer) and paired (dimer) Sn atoms at graphene edges. The results reveal that a single Sn atom can catalyze both the growth and etching of graphene by the addition and removal of C atoms respectively. Additionally, the frequencies of the energetically favorable configurations of an Sn atom at a graphene edge, calculated using density functional theory calculations, are compared with experimental observations and are found to be in good agreement. The remarkable dynamic processes of binary atoms (dimers) are also investigated and is the first such study to the best of the knowledge. Dimer diffusion along the graphene edges depends on the graphene edge termination. Atom pairs (dimers) involving an armchair configuration tend to diffuse with a synchronized shuffling (step-wise shift) action, while dimer diffusion at zigzag edge terminations show a strong propensity to collapse the dimer with each atom diffusing in opposite directions (monomer formation). Moreover, the data reveals the role of C feedstock availability on the choice a single Sn atom makes in terms of graphene growth or etching. This study advances the understanding single atom catalytic activity at graphene edges.     

Association between patient psychosocial characteristics and receipt of in‐center nocturnal hemodialysis among prevalent dialysis patients

Introduction: Compared to traditional in‐center hemodialysis (HD), in‐center nocturnal dialysis (INHD) is characterized by longer sessions and nighttime administration, which may lead to better outcomes for some patients. Given the importance of patient choice in the decision to initiate INHD, we explored associations between patients’ psychosocial characteristics and their receipt of INHD. Methods: Among hemodialysis patients at a medium‐sized dialysis organization, we identified INHD patients as those for whom ≥80% of dialysis sessions were INHD sessions—starting at 6:30 pm or later and lasting ≥5 hours—over the 3 months (≥20 sessions total) after their first INHD session. We extracted dialysis session data from electronic medical records and psychosocial data from social worker assessments. We tested associations of patients’ psychosocial characteristics—as well as demographic and clinical characteristics—with INHD receipt among all hemodialysis patients (INHD and HD) in bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression models. Findings: Among 759 patients with complete data, we identified 47 (6.2%) as INHD patients. On average, these patients were more likely than HD patients to be employed (full‐time 10.6% vs. 5.2%; part‐time 17.0% vs. 4.2%; P < 0.001), and they were significantly less likely to require ambulatory assistance (14.9% vs. 39.6%, P < 0.001). In multivariable regressions, we found that part‐time employment (versus being unemployed) was associated with a 7.1 percentage‐point higher likelihood of being an INHD patient (P = 0.01), and the negative association with ambulatory assistance needs approached statistical significance (P = 0.056). No other psychosocial factors included in this main regression analysis were statistically significantly associated with INHD patient status. Discussion: Researchers comparing the outcomes of patients undergoing INHD versus other treatment modalities will need to account for differences in employment status—and other factors like requiring ambulatory assistance and age which may predict the ability to work—between INHD users and comparison patients to avoid bias in estimates.     

Solving distribution problems in content-based recommendation system with gaussian mixture model

Applied Intelligence - Recommendation systems play an important role in boosting purchasing consumption for many manufacturers by helping consumers find the most appropriate items. Furthermore,...     

Some chemical properties of hazelnut husk and its suitability for particleboard production

Hazelnut husk is a renewable natural resource that has not industrial utilization yet. The objective of this study was to examine some chemical properties (holocellulose, cellulose, lignin and ash contents, alcohol–benzene, hot and cold water solubility and solubility in dilute alkali (1% NaOH)) of hazelnut husk and to evaluate its suitability to produce composite panels. For this study, particleboards were produced using hazelnut husk as an alternative raw material for the forest products industry. Two panel density levels (0.6 and 0.7 g/cm³) and three types of resins (urea-formaldehyde (UF), phenol formaldehyde (PF), melamine-formaldehyde (MUF)) were selected as treatments. The findings indicated that hazelnut husk waste is a valuable renewable natural resource for particleboard production and could be utilized as a substitute for wood in board production. Its shortcomings, such as higher water absorption and thickness swelling could easily be controlled by adding water repellent chemicals in production. The bending and the internal bond strength properties of the hazelnut husk boards produced met the requirement for the general purpose product standards (TS-EN 312-2) at 0.70 g/cm³ density.     

Global–local interaction and its impact on cities

This introduction paper to the special issue of Journal of Housing and the Built Environment explores the interrelations among ‘globalization, urban systems, and local development’ by focusing on global-local interactions and their impacts on cities. After tackling the idea that globalization is about the spread of capitalism and capitalist principles throughout the world, the paper introduces the questions that each article intends to answer. The issues addressed by these questions were grouped under four headings: global versus local forces and urban change; urban systems within the global network of cities; globalization and property markets; and governance of globalizing cities.     

A simplified analysis method for correlating rotary atomizer performance on droplet size and coating appearance

The dominant method of atomizing automotive paint is through the use of rotating bell sprayers. For this class of atomizer, the problem of paint thickness across the bell has been theoretically solved on a representative geometry that includes factors such as fluid flow rate, bell speed, bell cup radius, and fluid properties. It was assumed that the paint film eventually forms uniform ligaments at the bell cup edge that break due to hydrodynamic stability during the paint spray process; thus, creating a characteristic particle size distribution for the spray. These particle size distributions will vary as the spray parameters, specifically fluid flow rate, bell speed, and bell cup radius, vary. The theoretical model that has been developed strongly correlates to the literature data available for paint droplet size from rotary bell atomizers. Expansion of the correlation of the theoretical model to paint appearance wavelength measurements, Wc and Wd, in place of droplet size provides further understanding of the effect of paint spray parameters on paint appearance. Use of these correlations can help to optimize paint appearance and improve paint spray simulation results.     

西九文化区

正OMA发展西九文化区,必须面对一项挑战:将一个盛载政府极大抱负,以及持分者多元利益的超大型多用途项目,转化成一个既有趣又严肃、既有规划又允许即兴、既中国化又国际化的文化区。这个文化区规模庞大,但不失亲密融洽的感觉;富地标性,但十分谦和;容易理解,却能带来惊喜。为避免造成过分冲击,OMA采纳了一种每个香港市民都熟悉的建筑类型作为方案的发展     

Facile growth of novel morphology correlated Ag/Co-doped ZnO nanowire/flake-like composites for superior photoelectrochemical water splitting activity

In this paper, novel morphology correlation between silver nanowires (AgNWs) and cobalt (Co)-doped ZnO (Co-ZnO) flake-like thin films (nanowire/flake-like) has been proposed for enhanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting activity. Here in, high-quality AgNWs/Co-ZnO heterostructures enabled superior visible light water splitting activity compared to the pure ZnO and AgNWs/ZnO. To address the strategic effect of AgNWs coupling and transition metal (Co-2?at%) doping into the ZnO host lattice, we have carried out the X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV–Vis transmittance, water contact angle and PEC analyses. In this way, PEC water splitting activity was mainly examined by linear sweep voltammetry (I-V), amperometric I-t and photoconversion efficiency (η) studies. The experimental results provide clear evidence of morphology correlation between AgNWs and Co-ZnO flake-like structures for strong visible light absorption. Specifically, AgNWs/Co-ZnO composites exhibited significant enhancement in the photocurrent density (7.0?×?10^?4 A/cm²) than AgNWs/ZnO (3.2?×?10^?4 A/cm²) and pure ZnO (1.5?×?10^?6 A/cm²). As a result, detailed AgNWs/Co-ZnO geometry has great potential for photoconversion efficiency (0.73%). In a word, the merits of controllable AgNWs/Co-ZnO heterostructure are proposed to improve the visible light harvesting and charge carrier generation for energy conversion devices.