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1
DISTEFANO, Stefania, M. José PALMA, Manuel GÓMEZ, and A. Luis del RÍO. "Characterization of endoproteases from plant peroxisomes." Biochemical Journal 327, no. 2 (October 15, 1997): 399–405. http://dx.doi.org/10.1042/bj3270399.
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In this work, the characterization of endoprotease (EP) isoenzymes in peroxisomes is reported for the first time in cell organelles purified from pea leaves (Pisum sativum L.). A comparative analysis of the endo-proteolytic activity in peroxisomes purified from young (15-day-old) and senescent (50-day-old) leaves was carried out. Peroxisomes purified from senescent leaves showed a much higher endo-proteolytic activity than organelles from young plants. A 16 h incubation with exogenous substrates was the threshold time for the detection of a linear increase in the endo-proteolytic activity of peroxisomes from senescent leaves. Three EP isoenzymes (EP2, EP4 and EP5), having molecular masses of 88, 64 and 50 kDa respectively, were found in young plants by using SDS/polyacrylamide-gradient gels co-polymerized with gelatin. However, four additional isoenzymes (EP1, EP3, EP6 and EP7), with molecular masses of 220, 76, 46 and 34 kDa respectively, were detected in senescent plants. All the isoenzymes detected in peroxisomes from both young and senescent leaves were neutral proteases. By using different class-specific inhibitors, the electrophoretically separated EP isoenzymes were characterized as three serine-proteinases (EP1, EP3 and EP4), two cysteine-proteinases (EP2 and EP6) and a metallo-proteinase (EP7), and EP5 might be a metal-dependent serine-proteinase. Moreover, a peroxisomal polypeptide of 64 kDa was recognized by an antibody against a thiol-protease. The serine-proteinase isoenzymes (EP1, EP3 and EP4), which represent approx. 70% of the total EP activity of peroxisomes, showed a notable thermal stability, not being inhibited by incubation at 50 °C for 1 h.
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Zhang, Wenjie, and Hongping Yuan. "A Bibliometric Analysis of Energy Performance Contracting Research from 2008 to 2018." Sustainability 11, no. 13 (June 27, 2019): 3548. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su11133548.
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Increasing research interests in energy performance contracting (EPC) has resulted in a large number of publications over the past decade. However, very limited attempts have been made to map the global research in this area. To identify the state of the field and trends in EPC research, the VOSviewer software package was used to conduct a series of content analyses and examine global patterns among publications, including the distribution of core authors and institutions, high-frequency categories and keywords, journal and author contributions, highly cited papers, etc. Based on a systematical and deeply qualitative analysis on the 127 identified papers, five mainstream research topics in EPC were summarized, covering implementations of EPC, mechanisms for effective EPC projects, stakeholder behaviors and decisions in EPC projects, energy service company (ESCO) in EPC projects, and risk management in EPC. In addition, six main research gaps in EPC were identified, including lack of effective measurement and verification of energy savings, limited studies on EPC projects in the residential sector, ineffective mechanisms to ensure post-EPC energy-saving, limited research on the dual relationships among EPC project stakeholders, how to improve the energy users’ (EU) attitudes/cognitions toward ESCO/EPC, and lack of effective mechanisms to prevent risks in EPC projects. Furthermore, based on the current EPC research topics and research gaps in EPC, six potential research directions in EPC in future were also explored, which are how to develop effective methods for measuring and verifying energy efficiency?, EPC diffusion issues in the residential sector, effective mechanisms to ensure post-EPC energy-saving, effects of cooperative and competitive relationships between EU and ESCO on the performance of EPC projects, how to improve the EU’s attitudes/cognitions toward ESCO/EPC, and how to deal with risks in EPC projects. The outcomes would be useful for understanding the latest development of global EPC research and guiding future research in the subject.
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Wu, Yun Na, and Ru Hang Xu. "Analysis of Chinese Renewable Energy Engineering." Applied Mechanics and Materials 340 (July 2013): 988–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.340.988.
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Chinese renewable energy power generation construction is undergoing a rapid flourish nowadays, so a large amount of projects need to be contracted to engineer procure construct enterprises, namely EPC enterprises. However, high-level EPC enterprises always outsource specific activities to various vendors simultaneously, thus resulting in many outsourcing risks. This paper aims to find reasonable strategy against these risks. According to first hand empirical study, this article denotes outsourcing contract risk as the major one that EPC enterprise would confront, and categories it into two detailed risks, namely adverse choice and moral risk. A game model between EPC enterprise and vendor is established to discuss bilateral behaviors after signing contract. Nash equilibrium under mixed strategy is found based on two basic hypotheses. At last a two-side strategy called Carrot and Stick is suggested to avoid vendors malversation based on the analysis results.
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Yan, Tao Ping. "The Analysis and Research of EPC Process Engineering." Applied Mechanics and Materials 644-650 (September 2014): 4788–91. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.644-650.4788.
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EPC process, based on the casting structure, technical requirements, production volume, production conditions determines the casting solution, process planning. In this paper, the author from three aspects , the analysis of die casting process design principles, design principles and infiltration technology, makes a deeper understanding on the EPC process, and put forward some standards and requirements of the EPC process technology, which avoid the casting defects and waste caused by technical factors.
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Shao, Yuehjen E. "Recognition of Process Disturbances for an SPC/EPC Stochastic System Using Support Vector Machine and Artificial Neural Network Approaches." Abstract and Applied Analysis 2014 (2014): 1–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/519705.
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Because of the excellent performance on monitoring and controlling an autocorrelated process, the integration of statistical process control (SPC) and engineering process control (EPC) has drawn considerable attention in recent years. Both theoretical and empirical findings have suggested that the integration of SPC and EPC can be an effective way to improve the quality of a process, especially when the underlying process is autocorrelated. However, because EPC compensates for the effects of underlying disturbances, the disturbance patterns are embedded and hard to be recognized. Effective recognition of disturbance patterns is a very important issue for process improvement since disturbance patterns would be associated with certain assignable causes which affect the process. In practical situations, after compensating by EPC, the underlying disturbance patterns could be of any mixture types which are totally different from the original patterns. This study proposes the integration of support vector machine (SVM) and artificial neural network (ANN) approaches to recognize the disturbance patterns of the underlying disturbances. Experimental results revealed that the proposed schemes are able to effectively recognize various disturbance patterns of an SPC/EPC system.
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Zhang and Yuan. "Promoting Energy Performance Contracting for Achieving Urban Sustainability: What is the Research Trend?" Energies 12, no. 8 (April 15, 2019): 1443. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/en12081443.
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The increasing demand for applying energy performance contracting (EPC) for urban energy conservation has resulted in a significant amount of publications over the past decade. This study tries to identify future research trends in the subject of EPC through analyzing 127 journal papers published from 2008 to 2018. Based on the analysis and discussion of the EPC research, several main research trends were identified. The research results reveal an increasing research interest in EPC over the period. The findings imply that case study is the major research method and descriptive analysis and statistical analysis are primarily used for data analysis. In addition, EPC research in the past decade focused on five major research topics, which are ‘implementation of EPC projects’, ‘EPC mechanism and business models’, ‘decision-making in EPC projects’, ‘Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) in EPC projects’, and ‘risk management in EPC projects’. Based on the five research topics, future research trends and directions in EPC were identified as well. The findings of this study can be informative and valuable for guiding future research in EPC, and are particularly helpful for researchers who are keen to open a new window of investigating EPC issues worldwide.
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Mohammed, Shan Darrel, Pamela Savage, and Camilla Zimmermann. "A grounded theory analysis of oncology nurses' perceptions of early palliative care in the context of ambulatory care." Journal of Clinical Oncology 35, no. 31_suppl (November 1, 2017): 96. http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/jco.2017.35.31_suppl.96.
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96 Background: In early palliative care (EPC), palliative supports and resources are provided at an earlier stage in the treatment trajectory. As major care providers, nurses play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of EPC as an emerging model of care delivery. In this study, we examine nurses’ perceptions of EPC in the context of ambulatory oncology care and explore how EPC fits within the broader professional mandate of nursing. Methods: We recruited nurses from several ambulatory care oncology clinics in a tertiary cancer hospital in Ontario, Canada. Nurses participated in semi-structured interviews seeking to qualitatively examine their attitudes and perceptions about EPC. Constructivist grounded theory guided our methods and analysis. Results: A total of 20 nurses that included six staff nurses, ten nurse practitioners, and four advanced practice nurses completed interviews. Participants worked in a variety of clinic settings such as breast, pancreatic, head and neck, and hematology. The core category Perceiving EPC as Synonymous with Fundamental Nursing Care encompasses three subcategories: (1) Prioritizing immediate care needs – recognizing the need for EPC to manage immediate pain and symptom management concerns; (2) Care coordination – viewing EPC as linking resources and organizing interprofessional care; and (3) Safeguarding and preventative care – initiating EPC to protect against difficult transitions between phases of treatment and to prevent being unprepared for active dying. Conclusions: This was the first study to qualitatively examine nurses’ perception of EPC. Nurses not only recognize the value of EPC to ensure good quality care for patients with cancer and their families, but also perceive this care as deeply embedded within the core values of nursing. Recognizing how nurses view EPC has implications for expanding the professional scope of nursing in palliative care and for preparing nurses for the complexities of this work.
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Nikjow, Mohammad Ajmal, Li Liang, Xijing Qi, and Samad Sepasgozar. "Engineering Procurement Construction in the Context of Belt and Road Infrastructure Projects in West Asia: A SWOT Analysis." Journal of Risk and Financial Management 14, no. 3 (February 26, 2021): 92. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jrfm14030092.
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Engineering procurement and construction (EPC) is a normative practice globally approved since China has been engaging in international cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure development. EPC has been adopted in the delivery of BRI infrastructure projects in other countries. Compared to the domestic method of contract, EPC remains at a low level in management practice, such as a lack of coordinating diverse project stakeholders, high cost of information communication, and risk in complex environments in West Asia (WA). However, no research has conducted a strategic analysis of the current situation of EPC for BRI infrastructure projects in West Asian countries. This study aims to understand the current status quo of EPC for BRI projects in WA by performing a strength, weakness, opportunity, and threats (SWOT) analysis and with the support of data collected from the literature review and semi-structured interviews with EPC stakeholders. The study brings awareness along which internally and externally circumstances of the EPC for BRI infrastructure projects can be perceived by major stakeholders participating. The four critical strategies presented based on the SWOTs identified could help EPC firms develop and promote EPC to implement BRI infrastructure projects in WA at the strategic level.
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Lin, Ming Dong, Zhen Yu Ma, Wei Hua Zhang, and Min Xiang. "Configuration Analysis of Supercavitating Vehicles Based on Equivalent Pressure Center Method." Applied Mechanics and Materials 143-144 (December 2011): 63–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.143-144.63.
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Based on a detailed modeling of supercavitating flight, the Equivalent Pressure Center (EPC) method is proposed in this paper. To validating the proposed method, both of EPC and integrated moment, which are highly concerned during configuration design process for supercavitating motion, are studied for different configuration parameters including aspect ratio, fin position and cavitator size of the body. As the relative pitch angle between cavity and the vehicle would change with flight status, well designed vehicle configurations could produce better stability and maneuverability performances by locating the EPC close to the mass center. With detailed analysis of the EPC result, some of the propositional results for configuration parameters of supercavitating vehicles are given.
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Aimin, Li, and Lu Jing. "Research Hotspot Analysis of EPC Pattern Based on CiteSpace in China." E3S Web of Conferences 253 (2021): 02046. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202125302046.
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In this paper, 385 articles from 2010 to 2020 in CNKI database are visualized and analyzed by using CiteSpace software, and corresponding knowledge maps are drawn to mine the literatures related to EPC, this paper describes the current research trends and hot spots in the field of EPC. It is found that the research on EPC mode management has received high attention. Meanwhile, the coordination and management between general contractors, subcontractors and owners, project management, international engineering and hydropower engineering are also the main research hotspots.
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Li, Yu Jia, Jie Wang, and Jing Fei Li. "Discussion on the Development of Energy Performance Contracting in the Field of Building Energy Saving." Applied Mechanics and Materials 744-746 (March 2015): 2289–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.744-746.2289.
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This paper mainly focuses on the application of Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) in building sector and also makes some analysis and discussions on its development. Combining with the characteristics of China’s EPC in building sector, this paper analyses and elaborates on the obstacles that we may face in the process of its development, puts forward some suggestions on the basis of comprehensive analysis, in order to provide reference for the development of China’s EPC on architectural field.
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Bottani, Eleonora. "Reengineering, Simulation and Data Analysis of an RFID System." Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research 3, no. 1 (April 1, 2008): 13–29. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/jtaer3010004.
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We present a discrete event simulation model reproducing the adoption of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for the optimal management of common logistics processes of a Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) warehouse. In this study, simulation is exploited as a powerful tool to replicate both the reengineered RFID logistics processes and the flows of Electronic Product Code (EPC) data generated by such processes. Moreover, a complex tool has been developed to analyze data resulting from the simulation runs, thus addressing the issue of how the flows of EPC data generated by RFID technology can be exploited to provide value-added information for optimally managing the logistics processes. Specifically, an EPCIS compliant Data Warehouse has been designed to act as EPCIS Repository and store EPC data resulting from simulation. Starting from EPC data, properly designed tools, referred to as Business Intelligence Modules, provide value-added information for processes optimization. Due to the newness of RFID adoption in the logistics context and to the lack of real case examples that can be examined, we believe that both the model and the data management system developed can be very useful to understand the practical implications of the technology and related information flow, as well as to show how to leverage EPC data for process management. Results of the study can provide a proof-of-concept to substantiate the adoption of RFID technology in the FMCG industry.
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张, 璐. "Equipment Procurement Risk Analysis under EPC Mode." Journal of Oil and Gas Technology 42, no. 03 (2020): 191–95. http://dx.doi.org/10.12677/jogt.2020.423082.
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Zhu, Guang, and Yu Hong Liu. "Sensitivity Analysis of Flow-Induced Vibration Noise from Elastic Plate with a Cavity." Applied Mechanics and Materials 197 (September 2012): 246–51. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.197.246.
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The flow-induced vibration noise generated by the elastic plate with cavity (EPC), which is a common structure on the surface of autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), can not be ignored with the impact on the signal accuracy of the acoustic instruments mounted on the AUV. In this paper, the fluid-solid coupling vibration noise of elastic plate with a cavity has been modeling by the large eddy simulation (LES)-Lighthill equivalent source method. Then the fluctuation pressure spectrum of the flow field and the radiated noise field are analysed. According to the characteristic of the radiated noise field, the sensitivity of the sound power with respect to thickness of the EPC is calculated. Based on the results of sensitivity analysis, the flow-induced vibration noise generated by the EPC is reduced by local optimizing thickness of the EPC, with the premise of not increasing the structural weight.
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Ma, Xiaotang, Jinju Wang, Jiao Li, Chunlian Ma, Shuzhen Chen, Wei Lei, Yi Yang, Shiming Liu, Ji Bihl, and Can Chen. "Loading MiR-210 in Endothelial Progenitor Cells Derived Exosomes Boosts Their Beneficial Effects on Hypoxia/Reoxygeneation-Injured Human Endothelial Cells via Protecting Mitochondrial Function." Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry 46, no. 2 (2018): 664–75. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000488635.
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Background/Aims: Stem cell-derived exosomes (EXs) offer protective effects on various cells via their carried microRNAs (miRs). Meanwhile, miR-210 has been shown to reduce mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction. In this study, we determined the potential effects of endothelial progenitor cell-derived EXs (EPC-EXs) on hypoxia/ reoxygenation (H/R) injured endothelial cells (ECs) and investigated whether these effects could be boosted by miR-210 loading. Methods: Human EPCs were used to generate EPC-EXs, or transfected with scrambler control or miR-210 mimics to generate EPC-EXssc and EPC-EXsmiR-210. H/R-injured human ECs were used as a model for functional analysis of EXs on apoptosis, viability, ROS production and angiogenic ability (migration and tube formation) by flow cytometry, MTT, dihydroethidium and angiogenesis assay kits, respectively. For mechanism analysis, the mitochondrion morphology, membrane potential (MMP), ATP level and the expression of fission/fusion proteins (dynamin-related protein 1: drp1 and mitofusin-2: mfn2) were assessed by using JC-1 staining, ELISA and western blot, respectively. Results: 1) Transfection of miR-210 mimics into EPCs induced increase of miR-210 in EPC-EXsmiR-210 without change of average size; 2) EPC-EXsmiR-210, but not EPC-EXs or EPC-EXssc, significantly elevated miR-210 level in ECs; 3) EPC-EXsmiR-210 were more effective than EPC-EXs and EPC-EXssc in reducing H/R-induced EC apoptosis, ROS overproduction and angiogenic dysfunction; 4) EPC-EXs decreased mitochondrial fragmentation, elevated MMP and ATP level, as well as improved mitochondrial mfn2 and drp1 dysregulation, which were more effective in EPC-EXsmiR-210. Conclusion: Our results suggest that EPC-EXs protect ECs against H/R injury via improving mitochondrial function and miR-210 enrichment could boost their effects.
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Wu, Yun Na, He Ping Wang, Si Wu, and Ru Hang Xu. "Adverse Choice Analysis on Chinese Renewable Energy Power Generation Construction." Applied Mechanics and Materials 209-211 (October 2012): 1748–53. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.209-211.1748.
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Chinese Renewable energy Power Generation Construction (RPGC) is undergoing a rapid flourish nowadays, so a large amount of projects need to be contracted to engineer procure construct enterprises, namely EPC enterprises. However, high-level EPC enterprises always outsource specific activities to various vendors simultaneously, thus resulting in many outsourcing risks with regard to contract due to the underdeveloped Chinese RPGC outsourcing market mechanism. Based on the analysis of Chinese RPGC outsourcing market's features, an index evaluation system of vendor’s comprehensive ability is built up to help select the most suitable vendor, therefore reducing adverse choice risk. Moreover, with decrease of Chinese RPGC developing speed and gradual maturity of market, risks that EPC enterprises encounter will undoubtedly transmit and change, which are the risks requiring further research.
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Oktaviono, Yudi Her, Hanang Anugrawan Ahmad, Makhyan Jibril Al Farabi, Parama Gandi, Caesar Lagaliggo Givani, Indah Sari Purna Lumeno, and Yusuf Azmi. "Enhancement of EPC migration by high-dose lisinopril is superior compared to captopril and ramipril." F1000Research 10 (January 11, 2021): 15. http://dx.doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.26395.1.
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Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been shown to promote endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) function. However, the efficacies of different ACE inhibitors in improving the migratory capabilities of ECPs in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients is unclear. This study compared the effectiveness of captopril, lisinopril, and ramipril toward the migration capability of impaired EPCs from CAD patients. Methods: We isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), separated EPCs from PBMCs, and divided them into an untreated group (control) and treated groups of captopril, lisinopril, and ramipril at doses of 1mM, 10mM, and 100mM. EPC migration was evaluated using the Boyden chamber assay. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed using SPSS 25.0. Results: This study showed that treatment with captopril, lisinopril, and ramipril starting at the lowest dose (1 mM) increased EPC migration (65,250 ± 6,750 cells; 60,750± 5,030 cells; and 49,500 ± 8,400 cells, respectively) compared to control (43,714 ± 7,216 cells). Increased migration of EPCs was observed by increasing the treatment dose to 10 mM with captopril, lisinopril, and ramipril (90,000 ± 16,837 cells; 79,071 ± 2,043 cells; and 64,285 ± 11,824 cells, respectively). The highest EPC migration was shown for lisinopril 100 mM (150,750 ± 16,380 cells), compared to captopril and ramipril at the same dose (105,750 ± 8112 cells and 86,625 ± 5,845 cells, respectively). Conclusions: Captopril, ramipril, and lisinopril were shown to increase EPC migration in a dose-dependent manner. Low-dose (1 mM) and medium-dose (10 mM) captopril had a larger effect on ECP migration than lisinopril and ramipril. Meanwhile, high-dose lisinopril (100mM) had the highest migration effect, suggesting it may be preferable for promoting EPC migration in CAD patients.
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Zhu, Jiong, and Wei Gang Han. "Research on the Application of BIM in EPC Delivery Model." Applied Mechanics and Materials 357-360 (August 2013): 2845–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.357-360.2845.
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In order to promote the application of BIM in EPC delivery model, the characteristics of EPC delivery model and the building information modeling are analyzed respectively. The effectiveness of promoting the EPC delivery model from the combination of EPC delivery model and BIM is described. Then EPC delivery modelvalue analysis modeling is brought into BIM from the perspective of the service characteristics of the life cycle of BIM, i.e. setting up reasonable cost and benefit distribution principle through the contractors response to meet the owners needs.
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Zhang, Jian Wei, Feng Shan Wang, Ru Shan Zhou, and Bin Liu. "Purchase Research on Supply Chain for EPC Project." Advanced Materials Research 779-780 (September 2013): 1762–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.779-780.1762.
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Procurement decides the quality of materials supply in the process of engineering development and it is the important link in EPC project. This paper shows the advantages of supply chain procurement through comparing and revealing the connotation and characteristics of supply chain procurement in EPC project. Moreover, making an integration and reconstruction of every part of EPC project procurement through adding supply management mode and building supply chain procurement management mode of EPC project which is proper for now and future development, there will be the significance for the practice of EPC project procurement management. Keywords: EPC Project; Comparative Analysis; Supply Chain Management; Integration and Reconstruction; Supply Chain Procurement Management Mode
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Deutsch, Varda R., Haim Shmilovich, Anastasia Abashidze, Hylton Miller, Gad Keren, Elizabeth Naparstek, and Jacob George. "Comparative Analysis of Methods for Assessment of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells Indicated Heterogeneity of Subpopulations at Various Stages of Differentiation." Blood 104, no. 11 (November 16, 2004): 4134. http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood.v104.11.4134.4134.
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Abstract The cells of the vasculature are derived from pluripotent stem cells, known as hemangioblasts, which also give rise to blood. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels is considered to result from the proliferation and migration of mature endothelial cells from existing blood vessels or from the recently described, but not yet well characterized endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). The number and properties of EPC in disease states is of considerable interest due to the promising therapeutic potential of these cells. EPCs have been shown to be mobilized from the bone marrow and contribute to angiogenesis following vascular injury, organ ischaemia and tumor progression. However, mechanisms that drive the EPC response to injury remain elusive and the lack of definitions of EPC subpopulations and the many methods used by different groups to identify these cells make correlation of results difficult. To begin to understand the potential of these cells, we performed a comparative analysis of several methods used for circulating EPC assessment in 40 healthy individuals (mean age of 33±9 years) and correlated them with humoral factors known to influence their numbers. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained and evaluated by flow cytometeric analysis with antibodies to CD34, CD45, CD133 and KDR, and the remaining cells grown under endothelial cell conditions for assessment of colony forming unit (CFU) numbers and adhesive properties. Levels of circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), erythropoietin and C-reactive protein were determined and correlated with each of the EPC markers. CFU numbers did not correlate with the number of CD34/KDR (VEGFR2) or CD34/CD133/KDR positive cells and negatively correlated with CD34/CD133 (which includes hematopoietic progenitors). CD34/KDR number correlated with CD34/CD133/KDR but not with CD34/CD133. Only the VEGFR2 positive cells populations (CD34/KDR and CD34/CD133/KDR) correlated with VEGF serum levels. The number of EPC adhering to fibronectin and endothelial-cells correlated with CFU numbers but not with EPC membrane markers. Our results indicate for the first time that EPC, like hematopoietic precursors may be a heterogeneous cell population comprised of progenitors at various stages of differentiation, having varied proliferative capacity. This could explain the lack of correlation in results obtained using different methods for quantitatively assessing the numbers of circulating EPC. These data also suggest that co-expression of CD34, CD133and KDR-VEGFR2 is appropriate for defining a population of circulating EPC whereas CFU are more likely to reflect the proliferative capacity of the progenitors.
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Zhong, Yang, Aiwen Lin, Chiwei Xiao, and Zhigao Zhou. "Research on the Spatio-Temporal Dynamic Evolution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Electrical Power Consumption in Three Urban Agglomerations of Yangtze River Economic Belt, China Based on DMSP/OLS Night Light Data." Remote Sensing 13, no. 6 (March 17, 2021): 1150. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs13061150.
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In this paper, based on electrical power consumption (EPC) data extracted from DMSP/OLS night light data, we select three national-level urban agglomerations in China’s Yangtze River Economic Belt(YREB), includes Yangtze River Delta urban agglomerations(YRDUA), urban agglomeration in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River(UAMRYR), and Chengdu-Chongqing urban agglomeration(CCUA) as the research objects. In addition, the coefficient of variation (CV), kernel density analysis, cold hot spot analysis, trend analysis, standard deviation ellipse and Moran’s I Index were used to analyze the Spatio-temporal Dynamic Evolution Characteristics of EPC in the three urban agglomerations of the YREB. In addition, we also use geographically weighted regression (GWR) model and random forest algorithm to analyze the influencing factors of EPC in the three major urban agglomerations in YREB. The results of this study show that from 1992 to 2013, the CV of the EPC in the three urban agglomerations of YREB has been declining at the overall level. At the same time, the highest EPC value is in YRDUA, followed by UAMRYR and CCUA. In addition, with the increase of time, the high-value areas of EPC hot spots are basically distributed in YRDUA. The standard deviation ellipses of the EPC of the three urban agglomerations of YREB clearly show the characteristics of “east-west” spatial distribution. With the increase of time, the correlations and the agglomeration of the EPC in the three urban agglomerations of the YREB were both become more and more obvious. In terms of influencing factor analysis, by using GWR model, we found that the five influencing factors we selected basically have a positive impact on the EPC of the YREB. By using the Random forest algorithm, we found that the three main influencing factors of EPC in the three major urban agglomerations in the YREB are the proportion of secondary industry in GDP, Per capita disposable income of urban residents, and Urbanization rate.
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Cespedes-Lopez, Mora-Garcia, Perez-Sanchez, and Perez-Sanchez. "Meta-Analysis of Price Premiums in Housing with Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)." Sustainability 11, no. 22 (November 9, 2019): 6303. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su11226303.
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Studies have found that housing with energy performance certificates have a positive premium in sales price. However, other studies have obtained negative or unexpected results. The objective of this study is to determine whether or not housing with energy performance certificates (EPC) have positive premiums in the sales price. For this purpose, a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of prior studies were conducted in order to determine whether the existence of an EPC influences sales price. A total of 66 documents were examined, with a total of 173 sales registers. The impact of having or not having an EPC was analyzed for housing sales price premiums on a global level, as well as the premiums in Europe for each of the ABCDEFG qualification letters. The results suggest that: 1) Globally speaking, it is estimated that housing with an EPC has an overall price premium of 4.20%, on a continent level, with premiums of 5.36% being obtained in North America, 4.81% in Asia, and 2.32% in Europe; 2) in Europe, the results are not conclusive with regards to the ABCDEFG qualification, since there is no consensus as to the letter base to be used as a reference for comparisons, thereby generating small comparable samples.
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Kamata, Sokichi, Shigeru Miyagawa, Satsuki Fukushima, Satoshi Nakatani, Atsuhiko Kawamoto, Atsuhiro Saito, Akima Harada, et al. "Improvement of Cardiac Stem Cell Sheet Therapy for Chronic Ischemic Injury by Adding Endothelial Progenitor Cell Transplantation: Analysis of Layer-Specific Regional Cardiac Function." Cell Transplantation 23, no. 10 (October 2014): 1305–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.3727/096368913x665602.
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The transplantation of cardiac stem cell sheets (CSC sheets) is a promising therapeutic strategy for ischemic cardiomyopathy, although potential ischemia in the transplanted area remains a problem. Injected endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) can reportedly induce angiogenesis in the injected area. We hypothesized that concomitant CSC sheet transplantation and EPC injection might show better therapeutic effects for chronic ischemic injury model than the transplantation of CSC sheets alone. Scaffold-free CSC sheets were generated from human c-kit-positive heart-derived cells. A porcine chronic ischemic injury model was generated by placing an ameroid constrictor around the left coronary artery for 4 weeks. The animals then underwent a sham operation, epicardial transplantation of CSC sheet over the ischemic area, intramyocardial injection of EPCs into the ischemic and peri-ischemic area, or CSC sheet transplantation plus EPC injection. The efficacy of each treatment was then assessed for 2 months. Speckle-tracking echocardiography was used to dissect the layer-specific regional systolic function by measuring the radial strain (RS). The epicardial RS in the ischemic area was similarly greater after treatment with the CSC-derived cell sheets alone (19 ± 5%) or in combination with EPC injection (20 ± 5%) compared with the EPC only (9 ± 4%) or sham (7 ± 1%) treatment. The endocardial RS in the ischemic area was greatest after the combined treatment (14 ± 1%), followed by EPC only (12 ± 1%), compared to the CSC only (11 ± 1%) and sham (9 ± 1%) treatments. Consistently, either epicardial CSC sheet implantation or intramyocardial EPC injection yielded increased capillary number and reduced cardiac fibrosis in the ischemic epicardium or endocardium, respectively. Concomitant EPC injection induced the migration of transplanted CSCs into the host myocardium, leading to further neovascularization and reduced fibrosis in the ischemic endocardium, compared to the CSC sole therapy. Transplantation of CSC sheets induced significant functional recovery of the ischemic epicardium, and concomitant EPC transplantation elicited transmural improvement in chronic ischemic injury.
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Ghaithi, Alaa Khalfan Al, Rafeeq Ameen Kattiparuthi, and Alaa Moosa Koya. "Delay Analysis in EPC Projects using Ishikawa Diagram." International Journal of Advanced Engineering, Management and Science 3, no. 7 (2017): 750–55. http://dx.doi.org/10.24001/ijaems.3.7.7.
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Hong Pham, Linh, and Harimurti Hadikusumo. "Schedule delays in engineering, procurement, and construction petrochemical projects in Vietnam." International Journal of Energy Sector Management 8, no. 1 (April 1, 2014): 3–26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ijesm-06-2013-0009.
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Purpose – Petrochemical projects play a very important role in the economic development of Vietnam. For the past ten years, many large-scale petrochemical plants have been developed using the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) project delivery system for completing the project faster. However, many projects have suffered from schedule delays. In order to solve the delay problem, a clear understanding of the EPC business model and its delays problems are studied in this research. A qualitative research method by using case study on selected EPC projects was adopted. This paper aims to define the current business models used in the Vietnamese petrochemical industry and explores the root cause of delays. Design/methodology/approach – The research methodology used in this study is multiple case studies by purposive sampling on EPC projects. This is chosen due to the limited number of EPC projects in petrochemical in Vietnam and to obtain schedule delay factors from both delayed and on-time projects. In this purposive sampling, the researcher decided on what needs to know and sets out to find the people who can and are willing to share their information. From each project, project manager and project engineer were interviewed to understand the delay factors in their EPC projects. Data from the interview were analyzed by using “pattern coding” described by Miles and Huberman. Then, cross-case analysis was used to identify the common and unique factors occurring in each case. By comparing the three cases, the authors can identify the delay factors in EPC petrochemical in Vietnam. Findings – By interviewing the management level officers in three cases and performing exploratory work on the secondary data, it was observed that the local and foreign contractors of EPC projects in Vietnam have generally similar business process. Then, the codes were grounded based on the EPC business process, and subjected to the cross-case analysis. The root cause of problems in each phase was provided. Originality/value – The paper fulfills an identified root cause of EPC projects in Vietnam.
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Subhash, G., and W. Zhang. "Finite Element Analysis of Brittle Cracking due to Single Grit Rotating Scratch." Journal of Applied Mechanics 70, no. 1 (January 1, 2003): 147–51. http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/1.1526119.
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Finite element analysis of single grit rotating scratch on brittle materials was conducted using an “elastic-plastic-cracking” (EPC) model. The brittle material removal mechanism was modeled based on a critical crack-opening displacement criterion. It was found that the tangential and normal force profiles as well as the damage morphology observed in scratch experiments were fully captured by the EPC model. The results revealed that the induced damage zone size increases linearly with a brittleness parameter EY/σf21/3 as well as the maximum depth of cut.
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Klotz, R. L. "Sediment Control of Soluble Reactive Phosphorus in Hoxie Gorge Creek, New York." Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 45, no. 11 (November 1, 1988): 2026–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f88-236.
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Stream sediments were found to regulate the soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) of stream water by geochemical processes. This conclusion was based on sediment analysis, laboratory sorption experiments, and measurement of the equilibrium phosphorus concentration (EPC). EPC is the concentration of P in the water at which there is neither sorption nor desorption of P by the sediments. At low flow conditions, streamwater SRP was highly correlated with EPC at six sites along Hoxie Gorge Creek (r = 0.979). EPC was inversely related to the ionic strength of the equilibrating solution, with Ca2+ producing larger changes than Na+. Minimum EPC values occurred near the neutral pH of the stream water and increased sharply in acidic and basic solutions. Also, EPC was negatively correlated with the exchangeable Al content of the sediments at the six sites. These data are consistent with a mechanism previously verified for soils in which solution cations displace exchangeable Al(III) from sediments; hydrolyzed Al(III) reacts with phosphate and removes it from solution. EPC and streamwater SRP were lower at sites with sediments that had higher concentrations of P-binding sites, despite also having higher sediment P.
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Sarría-Santamera, Antonio, David B. Matchar, Emma V. Westermann-Clark, and Meenal B. Patwardhan. "Evidence-Based Practice Center network and health technology assessment in the United States: Bridging the cultural gap." International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 22, no. 1 (January 2006): 33–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266462306050811.
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Objectives:The purpose of this study was to identify the Evidence-Based Practice Center (EPC) network participants' perceptions of the characteristics of the EPC process and the relationship of the process to the success of EPC reports.Methods:Semistructured interviews were conducted with the three groups involved in the EPC: EPC staff, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) staff, and representatives of partner organizations.Results:The analysis of the coded transcripts revealed three related major themes, which form the conceptual basis for the interpretation presented here: the definition of a successful report, the determinants of a successful report, and the role of AHRQ in the process.Conclusions:A successful report is a report that is used. The ultimate success of the core health technology assessment objective, moving from research to policy, depends on balancing two values: excellence and relevance. Our findings are consistent with the “two communities thesis,” which postulates the existence of two camps that confer different values to excellence and relevance, with resulting tension. A promising model for approaching this tension is integration or collaboration, which requires linking researchers and policy makers, promoting productive dialogues about the formulation and timing of analysis, and early consideration of how the resulting analysis will be used. This effort suggests that actively blurring the frontiers between these two groups will enhance their interaction. Furthermore, enhancing the role of the AHRQ as scientific broker will maximize the potential of the EPC network.
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Fukui, Kiyoko, Masaki Fujioka, Haruka Matsuo, and Miho Noguchi. "Eccrine Porocarcinoma on the Lateral Nose Wall: A Rare Case Report." Case Reports in Dermatology 11, no. 2 (July 16, 2019): 215–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000501444.
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Eccrine porocarcinoma (EPC) is an uncommon malignant tumor derived from the eccrine sweat glands. We present a case of EPC on the lateral nose wall, in which the tumor was excised, and the resultant defect was reconstructed using a nasolabial flap. A 66-year-old female was referred to the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to receive treatment for a cutaneous tumor on her right lateral nose wall, which had been growing rapidly for 3 months. Histological analysis of a biopsy specimen of the tumor suggested that it was a squamous cell carcinoma. Surgical excision was performed with a 3-mm margin. The tumor was histologically diagnosed as an EPC. EPC exhibits various pathological features; therefore, it is often confused with other malignant cutaneous tumors. We consider that histologically examining surgical specimens obtained via total resection, rather than incisional biopsy specimens, is important for correctly diagnosing EPC.
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Xue, Rui, Zhankui Jia, Xiaomu Kong, Guofu Pi, Shengli Ma, and Jinjian Yang. "Effects of PGE2 EP3/EP4 receptors on bladder dysfunction in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis." American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology 305, no. 12 (December 15, 2013): F1656—F1662. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajprenal.00271.2013.
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To investigate the expression of four subtypes of PGE2 E-prostanoid (EP) receptors (EP1–EP4) and the effects of EP3/EP4 on bladder dysfunction in a new neurogenic bladder model induced by experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the mouse model of EAE was induced using a previously established method, and bladder function in mice with different defined levels of neurological impairment was then examined, including micturition frequencies and voiding weight. Bladders were then harvested for analysis of EP receptor expression by Western blot. Activities of agonists/antagonists of EP3 and EP4 receptors as well as PGE2 were also evaluated at different stages of EAE. The results showed that EAE mice developed profound bladder dysfunction characterized by significantly increased micturition and significantly decreased urine output per micturition. EAE-induced upregulation of EP3 and EP4 receptors in the bladder was accompanied by bladder dysfunction. However, EAE had no significant effect on EP1 and EP2 receptors. Moreover, PGE2 and agonists/antagonists of EP3 and EP4 receptors significantly affected bladder dysfunction in EAE mice. Thus, we believe that EAE mice are useful for investigations of the neurogenic bladder. In addition, EP3 and EP4 receptors play a role in EAE-induced bladder dysfunction, providing us with a new target for the treatment of neurogenic bladders.
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Crawley, Jenny, Phillip Biddulph, Paul J. Northrop, Jez Wingfield, Tadj Oreszczyn, and Cliff Elwell. "Quantifying the Measurement Error on England and Wales EPC Ratings." Energies 12, no. 18 (September 13, 2019): 3523. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/en12183523.
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Domestic Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are used in the UK to provide energy efficiency ratings for use in policy and investment decisions on individual dwellings and at a stock level. There is evidence that the process of creating an EPC introduces measurement error such that repeat assessments of the same property give different ratings, compromising their reliability. This study presents a novel error analysis to estimate the size of this effect, using repeated EPC assessments of 1.6 million existing dwellings in England and Wales. A statistical model of how measurement error contributes to variation between repeated measurements is set out, and exploratory data analysis is used to decide how to apply this model to the available data. The results predict that the one standard deviation measurement error decreases with EPC rating, from around ± 8.0 EPC points on a rating of 35 to ±2.4 on a rating of 85. This predicted error is higher than the limit recommended in UK guidance except in very efficient buildings; it can also result in dwellings being rated in the wrong EPC band, for example it was estimated that 24% of band D homes are rated as band C.
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Zhao, Li Bin, and Mei Juan Shan. "Deformation Analysis of Beam Pipe Installation Mechanism for EPC." Applied Mechanics and Materials 365-366 (August 2013): 375–78. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.365-366.375.
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Beam pipe is a key part of the electron positron collider (EPC). It is very expensive and hard to install due to a limited room and high assembly precision requirement. In order to ensure the beam pipe being installed successfully, an installation scheme is introduced. Key factors affected the deformation of installation mechanism are presented by classical mechanics theory. Different finite element models were analyzed to obtain an optimal geometry size for the protective shaft based on commercial software ANSYS®. The deformation of the determinate installation mechanism satisfies the engineering requirement well.
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Fang, Liang, Wanhong Zhang, and Jimin Gong. "Dynamic analysis of unbonded sand during filling for EPC." International Journal of Cast Metals Research 10, no. 1 (July 1997): 33–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13640461.1997.11819216.
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Ruwanpura, S. M. P. M., K. Noguchi, and I. Ishikawa. "Prostaglandin E2 Regulates Interleukin-1β-induced Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 Production in Human Gingival Fibroblasts." Journal of Dental Research 83, no. 3 (March 2004): 260–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/154405910408300315.
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Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) exerts its biological actions via EP receptors (EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4). In the present study, we investigated whether PGE2 regulated interleukin (IL)-1β-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 production in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) derived from periodontally healthy subjects and diseased patients. In HGF from healthy gingiva, PGE2 down-regulated IL-1β-induced MMP-3 production, whereas in HGF from periodontitis patients, PGE2 enhanced it. Butaprost (an EP2 agonist) and ONO-AE1-329 (an EP4 agonist) suppressed IL-1β-induced MMP-3 production, and 17-phenyl-ω-trinor PGE2 (an EP1 agonist) mimicked the PGE2 effect in HGF from healthy and periodontally diseased tissues, respectively. Analysis of these data suggests that, in HGF from healthy tissue, IL-1β-induced MMP-3 production is down-regulated by PGE2 via EP2 and EP4 receptors, whereas in cells from periodontally diseased tissue, IL-1β-induced MMP-3 production is up-regulated via EP1 receptors. Different regulation of IL-1β-induced MMP-3 production by PGE2 between healthy and periodontally diseased tissues may be involved in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease.
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Li, Huimin, Lelin Lv, Xiaowei An, and Guanghua Dong. "Profit Sharing Mechanism of Large EPC Project considering the Behavior of Fairness Concern." Advances in Civil Engineering 2020 (August 30, 2020): 1–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/3725254.
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A large-scale engineering procurement and construction (EPC) project is often conducted by a joint venture. Many factors affect the success of cooperation among participating enterprises, such as trust and the degree of effort of both parties. The most important one is a rational profit sharing mechanism. Reasonable profit sharing mechanism concerns whether the advantages of the EPC model can be fully utilized. In this study, the proposed EPC project is undertaken by a joint venture integrating design and construction enterprises. Moreover, the profit sharing problem arises from the project optimization implemented by both parties. The fairness concern behavior of both parties is considered, and the profit sharing model for the EPC project is established on the basis of game theory. The effect of the fairness concern behavior of both parties on the EPC project optimization and its profit sharing is further analyzed by simulation analysis. The research findings show that the project optimization profit and its sharing are related to not only the efforts and cost coefficient but also the fairness concern behavior of both parties. The research results are conducive to the application of the EPC model in the field of construction engineering.
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Chen, Wei Ke, Qing Wei Ge, and Peng Yu. "The Establishment of EPC General Contractor Risk Evaluation Model Based on Extension Matter-Element Theory." Applied Mechanics and Materials 405-408 (September 2013): 3429–36. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.405-408.3429.
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Due to the wide scope, many participants and long construction time of project, the risk of EPC general contracting is far greater than the common engineering contracting. So it needs objective, accurate and reasonable evaluation. Through the EPC contracting risk evaluation index and extension analysis and correlation functions, this study establish the Extension Element model which contributes to evaluate the risk of EPC contracting. On the other hand, this paper put forward objective and comprehensive risk evaluation results and the level of risk to assist decision makers.
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Ma, Pan, Liu, Jiang, Liu, Zhou, and Tang. "Residual Flexural Performance of Epoxy Polymer Concrete under Hygrothermal Conditions and Ultraviolet Aging." Materials 12, no. 21 (October 23, 2019): 3472. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ma12213472.
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Epoxy polymer concrete (EPC) has found increasing applications in infrastructure as a rising candidate among civil engineering materials. In most of its service environments, EPC is inevitably exposed to severe weather conditions, e.g., violent changes in temperature, rain, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In this paper, we designed an accelerated aging test for EPC, which includes periodic variation of temperature and water spray, as well as intensive UV-light irradiation, imitating the outdoor environment in South China. The experimental results show that the flexural performance of EPC is found deteriorate with the aging time. An aging process equivalent to four years (UV radiation dose) results in up to 8.4% reduction of flexural strength. To explore the mechanisms of observed performance degradation, the EPC specimen in the four-point-bending test is considered as a layered beam. The analysis indicates that the loss of flexural load-carrying capacity of an aged EPC beam is dominated by the reduction of mechanical properties of the surface layer. The mechanical properties of the surface layer are closely associated with the aging of epoxy mortar, which can be approximated as a reciprocal function of the aging time. By introducing damage to the surface layer into the layered beam, the proposed model demonstrates a good ability to predict the residual flexural strength of EPC during the aging process
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Sangidorj, Odongua, Seung Hee Yang, Hye Ryoun Jang, Jung Pyo Lee, Ran-hui Cha, Sun Moon Kim, Chun Soo Lim, and Yon Su Kim. "Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells confer renal protection in a murine chronic renal failure model." American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology 299, no. 2 (August 2010): F325—F335. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajprenal.00019.2010.
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Endothelial cell damage and impaired angiogenesis substantially contribute to the progression of chronic renal failure (CRF). The effect of endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) treatment on the progression of CRF is yet to be determined. We performed 5/6 nephrectomy to induce CRF in C57BL/6 mice. EPCs were isolated from bone marrow, grown in conditioned medium, and characterized with surface marker analysis. The serial changes in kidney function and histological features were scrutinized in CRF mice and EPC-treated CRF (EPC-CRF) mice. Adoptively transferred EPCs were present at the glomeruli and the tubulointerstitial area until week 8 after transfer. In CRF mice, renal function deteriorated steadily over time, whereas the EPC-CRF group showed less deterioration of renal function as well as reduced proteinuria along with a relatively preserved kidney structure. Renal expression of proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules was already decreased in the EPC-CRF group at the early stage of disease, at which point the renal function and histology of CRF and EPC-CRF mice were not different. Angiogenic molecules including VEGF, KDR, and thrombospondin-1, which were decreased in the CRF group, were restored by EPC treatment. In conclusion, EPCs trafficked into the injured kidney protected the kidney from the inflammatory condition and consequently resulted in functional and structural renal preservation. Our study suggests EPCs as a potential candidate for a novel therapeutic approach in CRF.
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Wood, Joshua A., Evan Colletti, Laura E. Mead, David A. Ingram, Christopher D. Porada, Esmail D. Zanjani, Mervin C. Yoder, and Graça Almeida-Porada. "Human Cord Blood-Derived Endothelial Progenitor Cells Engraft Following In Utero Transplantation, Integrate into the Developing Cytoarchitecture and Contribute to Ongoing Vasculogenesis." Blood 110, no. 11 (November 16, 2007): 3714. http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood.v110.11.3714.3714.
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Abstract Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC), whether isolated from the bone marrow (BM), peripheral (PB), or cord blood (CB), represent a promising tool for the development of novel cell therapies. EPC have been shown to contribute to re-endothelialization and neovascularization of damaged tissue, and have been proposed to be some of the primary regulators of tissue regeneration in organs such as the liver. Many studies have looked at the role of EPC in vasculogenic processes, but very few, if any, have focused their efforts on determining the complete differentiative potential of EPC upon transplantation in an experimental model that permits the robust formation of donor-derived tissue-specific cells in the absence of selective pressure to drive differentiation towards a specific phenotype. To this end, CB-derived EPC were obtained as previously described (Ingram et al. Blood:104,2004), transduced with a retroviral vector expressing dsRed, and transplanted (Tx) into 55–60 days old fetal sheep recipients (n=8) at concentrations ranging from 0.5–1.5 × 106cells/fetus. Recipients were then evaluated at 85 days post-transplant for the presence of donor (human)-specific cell types using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Using these methods, we found that levels of EPC engraftment in liver, as detected by dsRed expression, correlated directly with the Tx cell dose. Furthermore co-localization of CD31 or vWF was found within the dsRed+ cells. In animals receiving lower cell doses, EPC engrafted throughout the liver at the overall level of 0.12±0.03%; this number doubled in animals that received 2.6 × 106cells. Importantly, there was a preferential distribution of EPC around the vessels, with the EPC comprising 10 to 25% of the cells located around the perivascular areas, with some contributing directly to the endothelial layer of these vessels. Furthermore, expression of Connexin-43 and 45 in engrafted EPC demonstrated that the EPC had not only engrafted, but had also functionally integrated into the developing blood vessels. In addition, co-expression of albumin and alpha-fetoprotein in some of the engrafted EPC suggests that some of these cells may also have contributed to cells with a hepatocyte-like phenotype. Flow cytometric analysis of BM and PB of the transplanted sheep demonstrated that EPC engrafted and proliferated in the BM, with cells expressing CD105 (6.2±2.2) and CD146 (0.6±0.1), and continued to circulate in the PB with cells positive for CD105 (1.4±0.4) and CD146 (0.9±0.2). Of interest is that a CD45 negative aminopeptidase N+ (APN/CD13) population was found in both BM (18±7) and PB (5.6±2). This is particularly interesting, since CD13/APN is a potent regulator of vascular endothelial morphogenesis during angiogenesis. In conclusion, CB derived EPC are able to engraft and proliferate in vivo, integrate into the developing cytoarchitecture, and establish a circulating EPC pool ensuring long-term contribution to ongoing vasculogenesis.
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Chen, Wei Ke, and Chun Wang. "The Engineering Insurance Mode Selection under the EPC Contract Conditions." Applied Mechanics and Materials 405-408 (September 2013): 3442–46. http://dx.doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.405-408.3442.
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The general contractors and owners face more risk in the EPC contract. But the people are usually used in international projects, and it has been applied in Chinese, the use of engineering insurance risk transfer, so choose the right insurance coverage critical to the promotion of the EPC contract. This paper by engineering insurance insuring the two modes: We analysis with the owners insured mode and contractors insured mode, that the contractor insured model is more suitable for the EPC contract, control more effective risk, and eventually reach the owners and contractors a common profits.
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Nguyen, Thi Thuy Hang. "A Shift in U.S. Foreign Policy under the Nixon Administration and European Political Cooperation: A Historical Analysis." Baltic Journal of European Studies 6, no. 1 (February 1, 2016): 157–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/bjes-2016-0007.
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AbstractWith a historical approach, this paper examines the Nixon administration’s policy and stance towards the European Political Cooperation (the EPC). In December 1969, at The Hague Summit the leaders of the European Community expressed their determination for deepening European integration. The final communiqué of The Hague Summit stressed the European Community’s desire to achieve the EPC and to parallel the European Community’s increasing economic strength with a role to play in the world affairs. With this in mind, the paper will examine the impacts that Nixon administration’s attempts to rebalance U.S. foreign relations reflected in the opening to China and the détente with the Soviet Union had on the European political integration. Then, it will be argued that the Nixon administration’s shifting of foreign policy priorities can be seen as one of the driving forces of the EPC. The paper puts forth that a European Community, whose weight was increased first by its economic integration and then by its political cooperation, was seen by the Nixon administration as a challenge to the United States. It is concluded that after a long time of consistently supporting European integration as a means to secure peace and prosperity in Europe, the United States under the Nixon administration had to reconsider its foreign relations and rebalance its focus on the global chessboard. This rebalancing certainly impacted the EPC in particular and the European integration process in general.
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Yue, Yujia, Chunlin Wang, Cindy Benedict, Grace Huang, May Truongcao, Rajika Roy, Maria Cimini, et al. "Interleukin-10 Deficiency Alters Endothelial Progenitor Cell–Derived Exosome Reparative Effect on Myocardial Repair via Integrin-Linked Kinase Enrichment." Circulation Research 126, no. 3 (January 31, 2020): 315–29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/circresaha.119.315829.
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Rationale: Systemic inflammation compromises the reparative properties of endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) and their exosomes on myocardial repair, although the underlying mechanism of loss of function of exosomes from inflamed EPCs is still obscure. Objective: To determine the mechanisms of IL-10 (interleukin-10) deficient-EPC–derived exosome dysfunction in myocardial repair and to investigate if modification of specific exosome cargo can rescue reparative activity. Methods and Results: Using IL-10 knockout mice mimicking systemic inflammation condition, we compared therapeutic effect and protein cargo of exosomes isolated from wild-type EPC and IL-10 knockout EPC. In a mouse model of myocardial infarction (MI), wild-type EPC-derived exosome treatment significantly improved left ventricle cardiac function, inhibited cell apoptosis, reduced MI scar size, and promoted post-MI neovascularization, whereas IL-10 knockout EPC-derived exosome treatment showed diminished and opposite effects. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed wild-type EPC-derived exosome and IL-10 knockout EPC-derived exosome contain different protein expression pattern. Among differentially expressed proteins, ILK (integrin-linked kinase) was highly enriched in both IL-10 knockout EPC-derived exosome as well as TNFα (tumor necrosis factor-α)-treated mouse cardiac endothelial cell–derived exosomes (TNFα inflamed mouse cardiac endothelial cell–derived exosome). ILK-enriched exosomes activated NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) pathway and NF-κB–dependent gene transcription in recipient endothelial cells and this effect was partly attenuated through ILK knockdown in exosomes. Intriguingly, ILK knockdown in IL-10 knockout EPC-derived exosome significantly rescued their reparative dysfunction in myocardial repair, improved left ventricle cardiac function, reduced MI scar size, and enhanced post-MI neovascularization in MI mouse model. Conclusions: IL-10 deficiency/inflammation alters EPC-derived exosome function, content and therapeutic effect on myocardial repair by upregulating ILK enrichment in exosomes, and ILK-mediated activation of NF-κB pathway in recipient cells, whereas ILK knockdown in exosomes attenuates NF-κB activation and reduces inflammatory response. Our study provides new understanding of how inflammation may alter stem cell-exosome–mediated cardiac repair and identifies ILK as a target kinase for improving progenitor cell exosome-based cardiac therapies.
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Kumar, Ankit, Manisha Bharti, and Tanya Kumar. "Performance Investigation of 2-D Optical Orthogonal Codes for OCDMA." Journal of Optical Communications 40, no. 4 (October 25, 2019): 455–62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/joc-2017-0112.
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Abstract In this paper, comparative analysis of code performance of dissimilar optical 2-D codes from Optical Orthogonal code family has been studied. Optical 2-D codes considered from OOC family are (n,w,1,2) OOC, SPS/OOC, OCFHC/OOC, EPC/OCS and VWOOC. By utilizing hard limiting error probability (HEP) equations and combinatorial method, code performance of each considered code is evaluated in detail. On the basis of detailed comparative performance analysis, EPC/OCS is concluded as best performing codes among all other optical codes under consideration. EPC/OCS possesses much better correlation properties, along with lower hit probability values which are responsible for its supremacy in performance characteristics to the other OOCs considered.
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Kim, Myung-Hun, Eul-Bum Lee, and Han-Suk Choi. "A Forecast and Mitigation Model of Construction Performance by Assessing Detailed Engineering Maturity at Key Milestones for Offshore EPC Mega-Projects." Sustainability 11, no. 5 (February 27, 2019): 1256. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su11051256.
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The main subject of this research is to develop a forecast and mitigation model of schedule and cost performance during a detailed engineering stage of offshore engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) projects. The weight factors of major elements in detailed engineering completion rating index system (DECRIS) were measured using a fuzzy inference system (FIS) and an analytic hierarchy process (AHP). At five key engineering milestones, from an EPC contract being awarded to the start of construction, detailed engineering maturities were assessed in fourteen historical offshore EPC projects using the DECRIS model. DECRIS cutoff scores for successful project execution were defined at the key engineering milestones. A schedule and cost performance was forecasted and validated through comparison of DECRIS and other models using statistical confidence of a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and a regression analysis. As a mitigation method for engineering risks to EPC contractors, engineering resource enhancement is recommended for trade-off optimization of cost overrun using a Monte Carlo simulation. The main contribution of this research is that EPC contractors could continuously forecast construction costs and schedule performance utilizing the DECRIS model, and could review the adequacy of engineering resources, assessing the trade-off between said resources and cost/schedule risk mitigation.
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Pirl, William F., Joseph A. Greer, Lara Traeger, Vicki Jackson, Inga T. Lennes, Emily R. Gallagher, Pedro Perez-Cruz, Rebecca S. Heist, and Jennifer S. Temel. "Depression and Survival in Metastatic Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Effects of Early Palliative Care." Journal of Clinical Oncology 30, no. 12 (April 20, 2012): 1310–15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/jco.2011.38.3166.
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Purpose In a randomized trial, early palliative care (EPC) in patients with metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was observed to improve survival. In a secondary analysis, we explored the hypothesis that the survival benefit resulted from improving depression. Patients and Methods In total, 151 patients with newly diagnosed metastatic NSCLC participated in a randomized trial of EPC integrated with standard oncology care versus standard oncology care alone. Depression was assessed at baseline and at 12 weeks with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and was scored diagnostically by using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, criteria for major depression syndrome (MDS). Depression response was considered ≥ 50% reduction in PHQ-9 scores at 12 weeks. Survival differences were tested with log-rank and Cox proportional hazards models. Results At baseline, 21 patients (14%) met MDS criteria. MDS significantly predicted worse survival (hazard ratio, 1.82; P = .02). Patients assigned to EPC had greater improvements in PHQ-9 scores at 12 weeks (P < .001); among patients with MDS, those receiving EPC had greater rates of depression response at 12 weeks (P = .04). However, improvement in PHQ-9 scores was not associated with improved survival, except in a sensitivity analysis in which patients who died before 12 weeks were modeled to have worse depression. The group randomly assigned to EPC remained independently associated with survival after adding improvement in PHQ-9 scores to the survival model. Conclusion Depression predicted worse survival in patients with newly diagnosed metastatic NSCLC. Although EPC was associated with greater improvement in depression at 12 weeks, the data do not support the hypothesis that treatment of depression mediated the observed survival benefit from EPC.
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van Niftrik, Christiaan H. B., Frank van der Wouden, Victor E. Staartjes, Jorn Fierstra, Martin N. Stienen, Kevin Akeret, Martina Sebök, et al. "Machine Learning Algorithm Identifies Patients at High Risk for Early Complications After Intracranial Tumor Surgery: Registry-Based Cohort Study." Neurosurgery 85, no. 4 (May 31, 2019): E756—E764. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/neuros/nyz145.
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Abstract INTRODUCTION Reliable preoperative identification of patients at high risk for early postoperative complications occurring within 24 h (EPC) of intracranial tumor surgery can improve patient safety and postoperative management. Statistical analysis using machine learning algorithms may generate models that predict EPC better than conventional statistical methods. OBJECTIVE To train such a model and to assess its predictive ability. METHODS This cohort study included patients from an ongoing prospective patient registry at a single tertiary care center with an intracranial tumor that underwent elective neurosurgery between June 2015 and May 2017. EPC were categorized based on the Clavien-Dindo classification score. Conventional statistical methods and different machine learning algorithms were used to predict EPC using preoperatively available patient, clinical, and surgery-related variables. The performance of each model was derived from examining classification performance metrics on an out-of-sample test dataset. RESULTS EPC occurred in 174 (26%) of 668 patients included in the analysis. Gradient boosting machine learning algorithms provided the model best predicting the probability of an EPC. The model scored an accuracy of 0.70 (confidence interval [CI] 0.59-0.79) with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.73 and a sensitivity and specificity of 0.80 (CI 0.58-0.91) and 0.67 (CI 0.53-0.77) on the test set. The conventional statistical model showed inferior predictive power (test set: accuracy: 0.59 (CI 0.47-0.71); AUC: 0.64; sensitivity: 0.76 (CI 0.64-0.85); specificity: 0.53 (CI 0.41-0.64)). CONCLUSION Using gradient boosting machine learning algorithms, it was possible to create a prediction model superior to conventional statistical methods. While conventional statistical methods favor patients’ characteristics, we found the pathology and surgery-related (histology, anatomical localization, surgical access) variables to be better predictors of EPC.
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Chen, Zeliang, Decui Pei, Lingxiao Jiang, Yajun Song, Jin Wang, Hongxia Wang, Dongsheng Zhou, et al. "Antigenicity Analysis of Different Regions of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Protein." Clinical Chemistry 50, no. 6 (June 1, 2004): 988–95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1373/clinchem.2004.031096.
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Abstract Background: The widespread threat of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) to human health has made urgent the development of fast and accurate analytical methods for its early diagnosis and a safe and efficient antiviral vaccine for preventive use. For this purpose, we investigated the antigenicity of different regions of the SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) nucleocapsid (N) protein. Methods: The cDNA for full-length N protein and its various regions from the SARS-CoV was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. After purification, all of the protein fragments were printed on glass slides to fabricate a protein microarray and then probed with the sera from SARS patients to determine the reactivity of these protein fragments. Results: The full-length protein and two other fragments reacted with all 52 sera tested. Four important regions with possible epitopes were identified and named as EP1 (amino acids 51–71), EP2 (134–208), EP3 (249–273), and EP4 (349–422), respectively. EP2 and EP4 possessed linear epitopes, whereas EP1 and EP2 were able to form conformational epitopes that could react with most (>80%) of the tested sera. EP3 and EP4 also formed conformational epitopes, and antibodies against these epitopes existed in all 52 of the sera tested. Conclusion: The N protein is a highly immunogenic protein of the SARS-CoV. Conformational epitopes are important for this protein, and antigenicity of the COOH terminus is higher than that of the NH2 terminus. The N protein is a potential diagnostic antigen and vaccine candidate for SARS-CoV.
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Berghorn, George H., and M. G. Matt Syal. "RISK FRAMEWORK FOR ENERGY PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING BUILDING RETROFITS." Journal of Green Building 11, no. 2 (March 2016): 93–115. http://dx.doi.org/10.3992/jgb.11.2.93.1.
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Energy performance contracting (EPC) has emerged as a useful project financing and delivery tool for building retrofits, particularly among building ownerships which have experienced reduced funding for capital projects. Through EPC, a contractor (called the EPC contractor or the energy service company) guarantees minimum energy savings performance and enables the building owner to finance the project using utility savings over the length of the project (which is typically 12–15 years, or longer). Despite its growing use, there is a dearth of literature regarding a contractor's risks related to the delivery and execution of EPC building retrofits. This is particularly important as the performance guarantee effectively transfers project performance risk from the owner to the EPC contractor. This research proposes a project factors-based risk framework for EPC building retrofits, initially developed through a comprehensive review of relevant literature and project documents and refined through the elicited expertise of 19 highly experienced EPC contracting professionals. A Delphi technique-based expertise elicitation strategy was used to confirm the findings of the a priori (literature-based) framework and provide additional analysis related to risk causes and control measures as well as relative risk importance. This information was used to construct a refined risk framework which provides insight into the lengthy project performance period during the earliest phases of the project's life cycle. This has the advantage of providing rapid screening of the project factors that can potentially lead to the greatest project performance risks.
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Tsolas, Ioannis E. "Benchmarking Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Power Plant Projects by Means of Series Two-Stage DEA." Electricity 1, no. 1 (May 4, 2020): 1–11. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/electricity1010001.
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A lot of companies in the power sector use Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracts for complex infrastructure projects such as power plants. This paper presents a series two-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach for the ex ante benchmarking of EPC power plant projects. The current study aims to improve over single-stage DEA and evaluate the efficiency of a group of twelve domestic (located in Greece) and international natural gas-fired power plant projects of different technologies (combined cycle power plant (CCPP) projects with single and multi-shaft configuration, and open cycle power plant (OCPP) projects) by employing a series two-stage DEA model. In the first stage, performance of the EPC mode is evaluated, whereas in the second stage the plant annual operational efficiency is assessed. In the light of the results, there is a lower level of performance in the EPC mode than in operating efficiency. The OCPP projects have the best operating efficiency, whereas they are ranked in-between the CCPP projects with single and multi-shaft configuration in EPC mode performance.
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Zhu, Shengyun, Huiqi Li, Chaoran Lyu, Jing Liang, Lingyu Zeng, and Kailin Xu. "Infusion of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Combined with Epithelial Progenitor Cells Promotes Injured Intestinal Repairing after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation." Blood 134, Supplement_1 (November 13, 2019): 5604. http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood-2019-127584.
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Pre-transplant chemoradiotherapy can impair intestinal barrier function and disrupt immune homeostasis, and thus increase the incidence of infection and other related complications. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the potential to rescue Inflammatory Bowel Disease and intestinal graft versus host disease owing to their immunosuppressive capabilities. However, limited studies regarding MSC administration has been reported to aggravate T cell-mediated tissue injury. Plus, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) could improve endothelium repair, facilitate hematopoietic reconstitution and alleviate complications associated with hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). The key goals of this study were to i) identify the role of MSC derived soluble and contact dependent factors and how these affect intestinal injury; ii) investigate the effect of MSC combined EPC therapy for repairing the injured intestine. In this study, BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups, namely, total body irradiation only, bone marrow transplantation (BMT), MSC(BMT with 1 × 106MSC infusion), EPC(BMT with 5 × 105 EPCs infusion), and MSC+EPC (BMT with 1 × 106 MSC and 5 × 105 EPCs infusion). Results showed that the best performance of intestine was found in the MSC+EPC treated group, which showed more epithelial and goblet cells, and less apoptosis cells and adjacent crypts fusion in intestine morphology. EPC or MSC only group improved the intestinal injuries slightly compared with BMT group. The higher MECA-32 expression level was found in the intestinal tissue of MSC+EPC and MSC groups compared with other treated groups. The tight junction molecules occludin had highest expression level in the intestinal epithelial cells of MSC+EPC group, followed by MSC group and then EPC groups, but the expression level in BMT group was extremely low. Further study demonstrated that in MSC+EPC group the phosphorylated P38 enhanced heat shock protein HSP27 activation, which promoted cytoskeleton reconstruction and intestinal epithelial cells proliferation; and phosphorylated P38 also down-regulated the expression of apoptosis-related molecule caspase3. Moreover, the multiple effects of MSCs on cellular immunity may reflect their diverse influences on the different T-cell subpopulations. MSC+EPC infusion increased the number of IL-17A secreting cells (Th17 and Tc17) in mesenteric lymph nodes early after HCT, and decreased Th1 cells at day 10 and delayed expanding of Tc1 from day 10 to day 15. The soluble IL-17A in intestinal tissue was significantly increased after MSC+EPC infusion in according with IL-17A secreting cells in mesenteric lymph nodes. Furthermore, the gut bacterial information analyzed by high throughput sequencing uncovered that MSC and MSC+EPC groups had higher bacterial diversity and richness compared with other groups, and the bacterial community structures exhibited big changes regarding different treatment. Co-occurrence analysis demonstrated that the genus Akkermansia inducing PD-1 expression of T cells had significant correlation with phosphorylation of P38 and HSP27 in MSC+EPC and EPC treated groups, which indicated Akkermansia may be a key bacteria participanting the intestinal repairing in MSC and MSC+EPC groups. In conclusion, this study confirmed that the MSC+EPC infusion can obviously repair injured intestine, and gut bacteria Akkermansia correlated with phosphorylation of P38 and HSP27 expression and participated in intestinal repairing. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.