Integrating hypertext with information systems through dynamic mapping

This dissertation presents a general hypertext model (GHMI) supporting integration of hypertext and information systems through dynamic mapping. Information systems integrated based on this model benefit from hypertext function-alities (such as linking, backtracking, history, guided tours, annotations, etc.) while preserving their own computation capabilities. Although systems supporting integration of hypertext and interface-oriented information systems do exist in hypertext literature, there is no existing model or system effectively supporting integration of hypertext and computation-oriented information systems. GHMI makes its major contributions by both extending and specifying the well-known Dexter Hypertext Reference Model. GHMI extends the Dexter model to overcome its limitations. GHMI also maps its capabilities to the extended Dexter model with appropriate specifications to meet the requirements of our dynamic mapping environment. The extended Dexter functions apply bridge laws in the hypertext knowledge base to map information system objects and relationships to hypertext constructs at run-time. We have implemented GHMI as a prototype to prove its feasibility

Preparation and characterizations of three-dimensional porous collagen/graphene oxide/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Studies have reported that the incorporation of graphene oxide (GO) and hydroxyapatite (HA) into biocompatible polymers (such as collagen (Col), chitosan, alginate, etc) results in enhanced structural and mechanical properties respectively. The objective of this study was to prepare and characterize three-dimensional (3D) porous Col/GO/HA nanocomposite scaffolds and to investigate cytocompatibility and osteogenic differentiation potential of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) on the as-prepared scaffolds. The SEM images revealed that the scaffolds were porous with the pore diameter inversely proportional to the concentration of HA. XRD results were able to depict the characteristic peaks for HA which shows that HA was incorporated into the scaffolds. The rBMSCs which were cultured on the scaffolds were able to attach and proliferate during the 21 days of the experiment which indicates that the as-prepared scaffolds are cytocompatible. The Alizarin red staining demonstrated the presence of calcium deposits as there were orange-red stains on the samples after culturing the cells using the osteogenic differentiation medium. These results demonstrate the promising potential of the 3D porous Col/GO/HA nanocomposite scaffolds for applications in bone tissue engineering

Proceedings of the 28th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences- 1995 LHM: A Logic-based Hypertext Data Model for Integrating Hypertext and Information Systems

This work employs logic modeling as a common language to integrate two independent information domains-document management and hypertext. This paper extends the authors ’ previous work by introduc-ing the concept of composite objects to the logic models. Allowing high-level descriptions of both the hypertext and application domazns greatly extends the expressive power of these models, as well as the logical bridge laws that map application elements to hypertext elements.

Improved synergistic anticancer action of quercetin and tamoxifen citrate supported by an electrospun complex nanostructure

A tri-fluid electrospinning process was successfully developed to prepare tri-chamber complex nanofibers. The core–shell and Janus structure were combined to form a delicate and complicated architecture for solving the problem of co-administration of quercetin and tamoxifen citrate, improving the oral bioavailability, and enhancing their synergistic anti-breast cancer actions. Scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and confocal fluorescent microscopy images showed the complex structure of the designed nanofibers. Fourier transform infrared and X-ray diffraction analyses verified that the model drugs and the polymeric excipients had good compatibility and were presented in an amorphous state. The in vitro release study certified that the tri-chamber nanofibers facilitated the rapid release of quercetin compared with that of the crude drug (90% versus 38%) and the delayed and sustained release of tamoxifen citrate at the same time interval (decreased by 1.88 times). The in vivo pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analysis verified that the tri-chamber nanofibers could result in increased oral bioavailability and enhanced synergistic anticancer action of quercetin and tamoxifen citrate. The findings proved that a new medicated drug delivery system with advanced dual-, time-, and target-specific drug release profiles was developed using the electrospun complex nanostructure

Mechanism of Rake Frame Shear Drainage during Gravity Dewatering of Ultrafine Unclassified Tailings for Paste Preparation

To study the mechanism of reverse percolation and drainage of unclassified tailings, improve the disposal concentration of tailings and solve the bottleneck in the development of filling technology, this study performed semi-industrial flocculation and sedimentation tests using macroscopic continuous thickener tests and a self-developed continuous thickener test platform to observe the evolution pattern and formation mechanism of unclassified tailings flocs. Then, in situ sampling was performed on the compressed thickener zone of tailings at the bottom of the bed with the help of industrial CT scanning tests and 3D images. Avizo software was used to establish the seepage channels and construct an evolutionary model to analyze the effect of tailings dewatering and concentration on tailings concentration from a microscopic perspective. The study shows that the distribution of seepage channels is closely related to the height of the bed. As the bed height increases, the bed concentration increases; shear has a significant effect on the water flow inside the pore space. After shear, the water between the sample pores has been discharged. Therefore, the flow rate is relatively slow. Shear produces pressure and tension effects, breaking the static equilibrium between flocs and water forming seepage channels. Shear can effectively break the floc structure and release the water so that the mutual position between flocs and water constantly changes, The concentration of the tailings bed is increased

A new strategy for enhancing the oral bioavailability of drugs with poor water-solubility and low liposolubility based on phospholipid complex and supersaturated SEDDS.

A novel supersaturated self-emulsifying drug delivery system (Super-SEDDS) loaded with scutellarin-phospholipid complex (SPC) was developed. The system aimed to address the limitations presented by conventional SEDDS as delivery carriers for drugs with poor water-solubility, low liposolubility and high dose. As an intermediate, SPC was first prepared based on the response surface design. The presence of amorphous scutellarin was demonstrated through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), while enhanced liposolubility was confirmed through comparison with scutellarin powder via an octanol/water distribution test. On the basis of the solubility study and ternary phase diagram, Super-SEDDS containing SPC of up to 200% equilibrium solubility (Seq) was designed, which composed of ethyl oleate, Cremophor RH40 and Transcutol HP with a ratio of 60:25:15 (w/w%). The subsequent in vitro lipolysis study and ex vivo intestinal absorption test indicated that Super-SEDDS enhanced the cumulative dissolution from 70% to 100% and improved the intestinal absorption from 0.04 to 0.12 µg/cm(2) compared with scutellarin powder. Furthermore, an in vivo study demonstrated that Super-SEDDS achieved the AUC0-t of scutellarin up to approximate 1.7-fold as scutellarin powder. It was also proved superior to SPC and the conventional SEDDS. Super-SEDDS showed great potential for expanding the usage of SEDDS and could act as an alternative to conventional SEDDS

Mechanism of Rake Frame Shear Drainage during Gravity Dewatering of Ultrafine Unclassified Tailings for Paste Preparation

To study the mechanism of reverse percolation and drainage of unclassified tailings, improve the disposal concentration of tailings and solve the bottleneck in the development of filling technology, this study performed semi-industrial flocculation and sedimentation tests using macroscopic continuous thickener tests and a self-developed continuous thickener test platform to observe the evolution pattern and formation mechanism of unclassified tailings flocs. Then, in situ sampling was performed on the compressed thickener zone of tailings at the bottom of the bed with the help of industrial CT scanning tests and 3D images. Avizo software was used to establish the seepage channels and construct an evolutionary model to analyze the effect of tailings dewatering and concentration on tailings concentration from a microscopic perspective. The study shows that the distribution of seepage channels is closely related to the height of the bed. As the bed height increases, the bed concentration increases; shear has a significant effect on the water flow inside the pore space. After shear, the water between the sample pores has been discharged. Therefore, the flow rate is relatively slow. Shear produces pressure and tension effects, breaking the static equilibrium between flocs and water forming seepage channels. Shear can effectively break the floc structure and release the water so that the mutual position between flocs and water constantly changes, The concentration of the tailings bed is increased

Enhancement of Immune Response and Anti-Infection of Mice by Porcine Antimicrobial Peptides and Interleukin-4/6 Fusion Gene Encapsulated in Chitosan Nanoparticles

In order to develop a novel and effective immunoregulator to enhance both the immune response and antimicrobial function, a recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid-pVAX1 co-expressing fusion cathelicidin antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) and fusion porcine interleukin-4/6 gene (IL-4/6) was constructed and encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles (CS-VAP4/6), prepared by the ionotropic gelation method. Four-week-old female Kunming mice were divided into three groups and intramuscularly injected, respectively, with CS-VAP, CS-VAP4/6, and CS-pVAX1. On 28 days post-inoculation, the mice were challenged by intraperitoneal injection with Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922); IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells increased significantly in the VAP- and VAP4/6- treated mice, detected by ELISA and flow cytometry, correspondingly (p < 0.05). As analyzed by qPCR, expression levels of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 1, TLR4, TLR6, TLR9, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-12, IL-15, IL-23, Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α, and Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) genes were also significantly up-regulated in comparison with those of the control mice (p < 0.05). Their immunological markers were elevated significantly to different degrees in CS-VAP4/6-treated mice compared with CS-VAP in different days post-inoculation (p < 0.05). After challenge with E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, most of the VAP- and VAP4/6- treated mice survived, and no symptoms of bacterial infection were observed. In contrast, 80% of control mice died of infection. Among the treated groups, VAP4/6 had a stronger resistance against challenge with E. coli infection. These results demonstrated that the fusion gene of antimicrobial peptide and interleukin-4/6 has the promising potential as a safe and effective immunomodulator for the control of bacterial infections