Parallel matrix factorization-based collaborative sparsity and smooth prior for estimating missing values in multidimensional data

Pattern Analysis and Applications - Parallel matrix factorization has recently emerged as a powerful tool for low-rank tensor recovery problems. However, using only the low-rank property is often...     

Effect of recycling and injection parameters on gloss properties of smooth colored polypropylene parts: Contribution of surface and skin layer

The aim of this article is to investigate the optical properties of a recycled polymer during numerous processes. The effects of different process parameters (number of grinding‐injection cycles, material temperature, mold temperature, and injection rate) on gloss and color properties of a buff‐colored polypropylene containing 2wt%/wt of pigment was considered. The variations of properties are in the same range that is observed by changing processing parameters. It is found that the roughness is not able to explicate the variation of the optical properties for these variations of conditions. In addition, the optical properties of the skin layer of the injected parts are associated with the observed gloss and color variations. Moreover, the change of spherulite dimensions is related with optical changes. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:1288–1299 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

MT1-MMP Cooperates with TGF-β Receptor-Mediated Signaling to Trigger SNAIL and Induce Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal-like Transition in U87 Glioblastoma Cells

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) recapitulates metastasis and can be induced in vitro through transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling. A role for MMP activity in glioblastoma multiforme has been ascribed to EMT, but the molecular crosstalk between TGF-β signaling and membrane type 1 MMP (MT1-MMP) remains poorly understood. Here, the expression of common EMT biomarkers, induced through TGF-β and the MT1-MMP inducer concanavalin A (ConA), was explored using RNA-seq analysis and differential gene arrays in human U87 glioblastoma cells. TGF-β triggered SNAIL and fibronectin expressions in 2D-adherent and 3D-spheroid U87 glioblastoma cell models. Those inductions were antagonized by the TGF-β receptor kinase inhibitor galunisertib, the JAK/STAT inhibitors AG490 and tofacitinib, and by the diet-derived epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Transient gene silencing of MT1-MMP prevented the induction of SNAIL by ConA and abrogated TGF-β-induced cell chemotaxis. Moreover, ConA induced STAT3 and Src phosphorylation, suggesting these pathways to be involved in the MT1-MMP-mediated signaling axis that led to SNAIL induction. Our findings highlight a new signaling axis linking MT1-MMP to TGF-β-mediated EMT-like induction in glioblastoma cells, the process of which can be prevented by the diet-derived EGCG.     

Preparation of nanocomposite materials from mercaptoacetate-modified platinum nanoparticles and a layered nickel hydroxyacetate salt

Nanocomposites were prepared by a very simple route from preformed platinum particles and a nickel layered hydroxide salt (LHS), these compounds being first synthesized separately by the polyol process. The nanoparticles were treated with mercaptoacetate before being brought into contact with the lamellar compound. XPS and IR spectroscopies give clear evidence for interactions between the platinum nanoparticles and the mercaptoacetate species. XRD, TEM and magnetic characterizations show that the structure of the nickel hydroxide layers is retained and that some of the LHS sheets contain incorporated nanoparticles.     

Optimal diversity-multiplexing tradeoff with group detection for MIMO systems

It is well known that multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems provide two types of gains: diversity gains and spatial multiplexing gains. Recently, a tradeoff function of these two gains has been derived for a point-to-point MIMO system when optimal detection is used. In this paper, we extend the previous work to a more general MIMO system, where the transmitted data is coded in groups. Group detection is applied at the receiver to retrieve the data. It consists of a zero-forcing decorrelation that separates the groups, followed by a joint detection for each of the groups. Two receiver structures are considered in this paper; namely, group zero forcing (GZF) and group successive interference cancellation (GSIC). We assess the diversity-multiplexing tradeoff function of each of these receivers over a richly scattered Rayleigh fading channel. Three rate-allocation algorithms will be considered here; namely, equal rate, group-size proportional rate, and optimal-rate allocation. An explicit expression of the system tradeoff will be derived for both receivers with these three rate allocations. The obtained results will first be optimized over all possible group partitions for a given number of groups. Next, the number of groups will be varied to further optimize the system-tradeoff performance. An overall optimum tradeoff for a general MIMO system with group detection will then be obtained. Numerical results will indicate that optimum performance can be approached with very-low-complexity schemes for a wide range of data rates. It will be also demonstrated that group detection bridges the gap between the traditional decorrelator and the optimal receiver tradeoff performances.     

Acute intestinal obstruction and pregnancy. Apropos of 3 cases

The axillary artery has been successfully cannulated in critically ill adult and paediatric patients. There is little information about experience with this technique in neonates. We report the use of axillary cannulation in 62 mechanically ventilated neonates with birth weight from 750 to 3800 g (mean 1950 g). The axillary artery was catheterized with 24 or 22 gauge teflon catheters by means of the catheter-over-a-needle technique. Arterial access was used for blood pressure monitoring, blood sampling and in seven cases for blood removal during exchange transfusions. Cannulae were removed when the fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) was less than 0.3. During cannulation capillary refill, radial artery pulse and neurological status of the arm were checked daily. The mean period of cannulation was 4.1 days (1-10 days). During cannulation and after catheter removal there were no complications related to the chosen vessel e.g. no change in the skin colour, skin warmth, capillary refill and the quality of the radial pulse. No changes in the motor activity of the limb on the cannulated side were observed. CONCLUSION: Axillary artery cannulation is a useful alternative for establishing an arterial access in ventilated neonates. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term consequences of this technique.     

Characterization of the absorption of theophylline from immediate- and controlled-release dosage forms with a numerical approach using the in vitro dissolution-permeation process using caco-2 cells

After oral administration, drug absorption rate is recognized to be dependent on two major factors: dissolution and intestinal cells permeability. Caco-2 monolayer cells have been largely used as a permeation study model. In this study, a numerical approach funded on an exponential first-order time relationship was tested to compare immediate- and controlled-release tablets of theophylline using a dissolution-permeation system. The dissolution performance using USP II paddle apparatus was coupled to the permeability studies investigated in Caco-2 cell monolayers. The dissolved samples were taken at different times; their pH and osmolarity were adjusted to render them suitable to Caco-2 permeability studies (osmolarity = 300 mosm, pH = 7.4). The experimental data show that the dissolution fits the exponential first-order relationship rate. The permeability values were in a range of 4.45 10(- 6)-5.28 10(- 6) cm/s, and percentages of absorbed drug dose were dependent on the fraction initially present in the donor compartment, indicating that absorption of theophylline was dissolution rate limited. Plotting experimental absorbed fractions (F(a)) against experimental dissolved fractions (F(d)) show that permeation is the rate-limiting step in drug absorption process in the extended release form of theophylline. Our results demonstrate a general agreement between observed F(a)/F(d) relationships and theoretical F(a)/F(d) relationships obtained with our approach funded on dissolution and permeation behavior. We concluded that the couple dissolution-caco-2 system could be a useful tool to characterize intestinal permeation for a new formulation of a drug compared with the conventional one.     

One-step synthesis and characterization of carbon nanospheres via natural gas condensate pyrolysis

Abstract

In the current work, carbon nanospheres (CNSs) were prepared via pyrolysis of gas condensate in N₂ at 1273?K and atmospheric pressure for 2?h using ferric chloride as a catalyst precursor. X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) in scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectrometry (Raman), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) are employed for the structural and morphological characterization of the nanomaterials formed. The conductivity of these films was measured using the four probe method. As results, SEM-EDX and TEM analysis reveal spherical shaped particles, with diameter varying between 100 and 200 nm and graphene interlayer distance of 0.339 nm. The very low I_D/I_G ratio obtained reveals a relatively low amount of disorder in the nanostructures and TGA analysis implies that thermal stability was achieved after 470?°C. Our work provides a simple synthetic strategy in one-step sample preparation of CNSs, which can be used for furfur applications such as high-performance supercapacitors or adsorbents.