A novel context-aware recommender system based on a deep sequential learning approach (CReS)

Neural Computing and Applications - With an increase in online longitudinal users’ interactions, capturing users’ precise preferences and giving accurate recommendations have become an...     

Failure Analysis and Robust Optimization of an Exhaust Manifold Diffuser Plate

Diffuser plates in exhaust system manifolds are designed to provide uniform flow pattern within the manifold for maximum utilization of the catalytic converter substrate during high-temperature applications. In this paper, failure analysis of a diffuser which survived only 20% duration of a manifold crack test and various design optimization studies of the diffuser plate using computer-aided engineering (CAE) analyses are presented. During the manifold crack test, the failure occurred at the inner and outer periphery of the diffuser. Metallurgical failure analysis coupled with CAE thermal fatigue analysis of the component concluded that thermal fatigue was the root cause of the failure. The new recommended robust design showed considerable improvement in the thermal durability of the diffuser plate assembly.     

Scheduled WiFi using distributed contention in WLANs: algorithms,experiments, and case-studies

The ubiquitous adoption of WiFi introduces large diversity in types of application requirements and topological characteristics. Consequently, considerable attention is being devoted to making WiFi networks controllable without compromising their scalability. However, the main MAC protocol of WiFi, distributed coordination function (DCF), is a contention-based protocol using random backoff. Thus, operating under DCF, the access of channel is hard to control and nonpredictable. In order to provide controllability of channel access in WiFi, we propose Rhythm, a MAC protocol that achieves scheduled WiFi efficiently using distributed contention. By achieving scheduled WiFi, channel access can be controlled by manipulating the schedule decision. We evaluate the performance of Rhythm through analysis, experiments, and case-studies.     

Betel Nut Arecoline Induces Different Phases of Growth Arrest between Normal and Cancerous Prostate Cells through the Reactive Oxygen Species Pathway

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a reproductive system cancer in elderly men. We investigated the effects of betel nut arecoline on the growth of normal and cancerous prostate cells. Normal RWPE-1 prostate epithelial cells, androgen-independent PC-3 PCa cells, and androgen-dependent LNCaP PCa cells were used. Arecoline inhibited their growth in dose- and time-dependent manners. Arecoline caused RWPE-1 and PC-3 cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and LNCaP cell arrest in the G0/G1 phase. In RWPE-1 cells, arecoline increased the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-1, p21, and cyclins B1 and D3, decreased the expression of CDK2, and had no effects on CDK4 and cyclin D1 expression. In PC-3 cells, arecoline decreased CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, p21, p27, and cyclin D1 and D3 protein expression and increased cyclin B1 protein expression. In LNCaP cells, arecoline decreased CDK2, CDK4, and cyclin D1 expression; increased p21, p27, and cyclin D3 expression; had no effects on CDK1 and cyclin B1 expression. The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine blocked the arecoline-induced increase in reactive oxygen species production, decreased cell viability, altered the cell cycle, and changed the cell cycle regulatory protein levels. Thus, arecoline oxidant exerts differential effects on the cell cycle through modulations of regulatory proteins.     

Th17 Cells as Potential Probiotic Therapeutic Targets in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are characterized by wasting and chronic intestinal inflammation triggered by various cytokine-mediated pathways. In recent years, it was shown that T helper 17 (Th17) cells are involved in the pathogenesis of IBD, which makes them an attractive therapeutic target. Th17 cells preferentially produce interleukin (IL)-17A–F as signature cytokines. The role of the interplay between host genetics and intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of IBD was demonstrated. Probiotics are live microorganisms that when orally ingested in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit to the host by modulating the enteric flora or by stimulating the local immune system. Several studies indicated the effectiveness of probiotics in preventing and treating IBD (ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease). Furthermore, there is mounting evidence of probiotics selectively targeting the Th17 lineage in the prevention and management of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as IBD. This review highlights critical roles of Th17 cells in the pathogenesis of IBD and the rationale for using probiotics as a novel therapeutic approach for IBD through manipulation of Th17 cells. The potential molecular mechanisms by which probiotics modulate Th17 cells differentiation and production are also discussed.     

Effects of ionic radius on phase evolution in Ln-Al co-doped Ca1-xLnxZrTi2-xAlxO7 (Ln = La,Nd, Gd,Ho, Yb) solid solutions

Zirconolite ceramic has been considered as a promising matrix to dispose high-level radioactive waste due to its excellent performance in immobilizing radionuclides. In this work, a series of zirconate solid solutions with stoichiometric Ca_1-xLn_xZrTi_2-xAl_xO₇ (Ln = La, Nd, Gd, Ho, Yb; x?=?0.1–1) were systematically studied to investigate the radius effect on their phase evolution. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-Ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX) were used to characterize the products. XRD and SEM results show that complete solid solutions of Ln and Al in zirconolite phase for Ca_1-xLn_xZrTi_2-xAl_xO₇ cannot found. In the Ca_1-xLa_xZrTi_2-xAl_xO₇ ceramics, single zirconolite phase cannot form, instead of multiple phases, such as zirconolite-2M, zirconia, perovskite and LaTi₂Al₉O₁₉. In the Nd-Al co-doping ceramics, nearly single zirconolite-2M and zirconolite-3O were found at x?≤?0.6 and 0.8?≤?x?≤?0.9, respectively. The miscibility gap between zirconolite-2M and 3O was found at x?=?0.7. Single zirconolite-2M formed in the Gd-Al, Ho-Al and Yb-Al co-doped ceramics can only be detected in a compositional range of 0.1?≤?x?≤?0.8. Higher incorporation contents in these three series can form an additional phase cubic zirconia which is usually a ceramic waste form for radionuclides. Based on the XRD data, lattice parameters of zirconolite-2M and zirconolite-3O were calculated by Pawley refinement method. The evolution of lattice parameters of zirconolite-2M shows great difference between different lanthanide ions, indicating different substitution mechanisms in the Ln-Al co-doped zirconolite-2M.     

Green synthesis of porous Ni-silicate catalyst for hydrogen generation via ammonia decomposition

A simple synthetic method without organic template is proposed for the synthesis of Ni-silicate. The resulting Ni-phyllosilicates are reconstructed by hydrothermal treatment to a porous structure with a high surface area (552 m² g⁻¹). Notably, the residual filtrate has a Ni²⁺ ion content of less than 0.1 ppm, and therefore satisfies the effluent standard in Taiwan (<1.0 ppm). As a result, it can be disposed of directly without the need for additional treatment. The effects of the pH value and hydrothermal treatment time on the structure, morphology, and surface area of the Ni-silicate composites have been investigated. When applied to hydrogen production, the mesoporous Ni-silicate shows a high catalytic capability (>99%) toward ammonia decomposition at a temperature of 400°C. Overall, the proposed synthetic method is facile and easily extendable to the production of other metal-silicate materials for hydrogen generation.     

Mixed Broadcast Techniques of Leisure Information in Vehicular Ad-Hoc Networks

Telecommunication Systems - Vehicle-to-vehicle communication and probabilistic broadcast are important means for information dissemination in vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs). In contrast to...