bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electromagnetic Performance Evaluation of an Outer-Rotor Flux-Switching Permanent Magnet Motor Based on Electrical-Thermal Two-Way Coupling Method
Authors: Shu Zhengming , Zhu Xiaoyong , Quan Li , Du Yi , Liu Chang
Published: May 2017

Flux-switching permanent magnet (FSPM) motors have gained increasing attention in electric vehicles (EVs) applications due to the advantages of high power density and high efficiency. However, the heat sources of both permanent magnet (PM) and armature winding are located on the limited stator space in the FSPM motors, which may result in the PM overheating and irreversible demagnetization caused by temperature rise, and it is often ignored in the conventional thermal analysis. In this paper, a new electrical-thermal two-way coupling design method is proposed to analyze the electromagnetic performances, where the change of PM material characteristics under different temperatures is taken into consideration. First, the motor topology and design equations are introduced. Second, the demagnetization curves of PM materials under different temperatures are modeled due to PM materials are sensitive to the temperature. Based on the electrical-thermal two-way coupling method, the motor performances are evaluated in detail, such as the load PM flux linkage and output torque. The motor is then optimized, and the electromagnetic performances between initial and improved motors are compared. Finally, a prototype motor is manufactured, and the results are validated by experimental measurements.
Stability Analysis of the Cyber Physical Microgrid System under the Intermittent DoS Attacks
Authors: Fu Rong , Huang Xiaojuan , Sun Jun , Zhou Zhenkai , Chen Decheng , Wu Yingjun
Published: May 2017

Recent research has demonstrated the vulnerabilities of cyber physical microgrid to different rates of denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, which send internal requests to degrade the victim’s performance. However, the interaction between the attacks and the security of microgrid remains largely unknown. In this paper, we address two fundamental questions: (1) What is the impact of intermittent DoS (IDoS) attacks on the security of cyber physical microgrid and (2) how can we analyze the stability of the cyber physical microgrid under IDoS attacks? To tackle these problems, we firstly model the cyber physical microgrid system considering the IDoS attacks on the network server. Based on the model, the interaction between the cyber system and the physical system is analyzed. Then, the impacts of IDoS attacks on the security of the cyber physical microgrid system are studied. It shows that the attack may lead to the system level oscillation with the information variation during the attack period. Therefore, a risk assessment method is proposed to investigate the stability of the cyber physcial microgrid system under IDoS attacks. Lastly, the proposed methodology is verified by simulation results.
Effects of Variable Diffuser Vanes on Performance of a Centrifugal Compressor with Pressure Ratio of 8.0
Authors: Ebrahimi Mohsen , Huang Qiangqiang , He Xiao , Zheng Xinqian
Published: May 2017

In numerous applications, centrifugal compressors are required to provide a high pressure ratio with good efficiency while also working in a wide operating range. This is a challenge because as pressure ratio increases, efficiency and operating range inevitably decline. This paper studies the effects of a variable geometry diffuser on the performance and operating range of a centrifugal compressor with high pressure ratios of up to 8.0. The numerical method employed three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes simulations. An analysis of the matching of the vaned diffuser with the impeller for different working conditions and diffuser vane angles is presented. The results show that improved matching of the adjusted diffuser increased efficiency by 4.5%. The range extension mechanism of the variable diffuser is explained, and it is shown that adjusting the vane angle by +6° to −6° extended the operating range of the compressor by up to 30.0% for pressure ratios between 5.0 and 6.0. The interaction between diffuser and impeller was examined, and the independent characteristic of the impeller is illustrated. The connection between the incidence angle at the leading edge of the impeller and flow separation near the tip of the impeller is discussed.
DNA Methylation Dynamics and Cocaine in the Brain: Progress and Prospects
Authors: Vaillancourt Kathryn , Ernst Carl , Mash Deborah , Turecki Gustavo
Published: May 2017

Cytosine modifications, including DNA methylation, are stable epigenetic marks that may translate environmental change into transcriptional regulation. Research has begun to investigate DNA methylation dynamics in relation to cocaine use disorders. Specifically, DNA methylation machinery, including methyltransferases and binding proteins, are dysregulated in brain reward pathways after chronic cocaine exposure. In addition, numerous methylome-wide and candidate promoter studies have identified differential methylation, at the nucleotide level, in rodent models of cocaine abuse and drug seeking behavior. This review highlights the current progress in the field of cocaine-related methylation, and offers considerations for future research.
Mercury in Children: Current State on Exposure through Human Biomonitoring Studies
Authors: Ruggieri Flavia , Majorani Costanza , Domanico Francesco , Alimonti Alessandro
Published: May 2017

Mercury (Hg) in children has multiple exposure sources and the toxicity of Hg compounds depends on exposure routes, dose, timing of exposure, and developmental stage (be it prenatal or postnatal). Over the last decades, Hg was widely recognized as a threat to the children’s health and there have been acknowledgements at the international level of the need of a global policy intervention—like the Minamata treaty—aimed at reducing or preventing Hg exposure and protecting the child health. National human biomonitoring (HBM) data has demonstrated that low levels of exposure of Hg are still an important health concern for children, which no one country can solve alone. Although independent HBM surveys have provided the basis for the achievements of exposure mitigation in specific contexts, a new paradigm for a coordinated global monitoring of children’s exposure, aimed at a reliable decision-making tool at global level is yet a great challenge for the next future. The objective of the present review is to describe current HBM studies on Hg exposure in children, taking into account the potential pathways of Hg exposure and the actual Hg exposure levels assessed by different biomarkers.
The Health Risk of Cd Released from Low-Cost Jewelry
Authors: Pouzar Miloslav , Zvolská Magdalena , Jarolím Oldřich , Audrlická Vavrušová Lenka
Published: May 2017

The composition of the surface layer of 13 low-cost jewelry samples with a high Cd content was analyzed using an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (ED XRF). The analyzed jewels were obtained in cooperation with the Czech Environmental Inspectorate. The jewels were leached in two types of artificial sweat (acidic and alkaline) for 7 days. Twenty microliters of the resulting solution was subsequently placed on a paper carrier and analyzed by an LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectrometry) spectrometer after drying. The Cd content in the jewelry surface layer detected by using ED XRF ranged from 13.4% to 44.6% (weight per weight—w/w). The samples were subsequently leached in artificial alkaline, and the acidic sweat and leachates were analyzed using laser-induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS). The amount of released Cd into alkaline sweat ranged from 24.0 to 370 µg Cd per week, respectively 3.23–61.7 µg/cm2/week. The amount of released Cd into acidic sweat ranged from 16.4 to 1517 µg Cd per week, respectively 3.53–253 µg/cm2/week. The limit of Cd for dermal exposure is not unequivocally determined in the countries of the EU (European Union) or in the U.S. Based on the US EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) approach used to establish the reference dose (RfD) for Cd contained in food and information about the bioavailability of Cd after dermal exposure, we assessed our own value of dermal RfD. The value was compared with the theoretical amount of Cd, which can be absorbed into the organism from jewelry in contact with the skin. The calculation was based on the amount of Cd that was released into acidic and alkaline sweat. The highest amount of Cd was released into acidic sweat, which represents 0.1% of dermal RfD and into alkaline sweat, 0.5% of dermal RfD. These results indicate that the analyzed jewelry contains Cd over the limit for composition of jewelry available within the territory of the EU. The determined amount of Cd in analyzed jewelry does not, however, pose a threat in terms of non-carcinogenic toxic effects.
Replication of High Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Prevalence Rates, Child Characteristics, and Maternal Risk Factors in a Second Sample of Rural Communities in South Africa
Authors: May Philip , De Vries Marlene , Marais Anna-Susan , Kalberg Wendy , Buckley David , Adnams Colleen , Hasken Julie , Tabachnick Barbara , Robinson Luther , Manning Melanie , Bezuidenhout Heidre , Adam Margaret , Jones Kenneth , Seedat Soraya , Parry Charles , Hoyme H.
Published: May 2017

Background: Prevalence and characteristics of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and total fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) were studied in a second sample of three South African rural communities to assess change. Methods: Active case ascertainment focused on children with height, weight and/or head circumference ≤25th centile and randomly-selected children. Final diagnoses were based on dysmorphology, neurobehavioral scores, and maternal risk interviews. Results: Cardinal facial features, head circumference, and total dysmorphology scores differentiated specific FASD diagnostic categories in a somewhat linear fashion but all FASD traits were significantly worse than those of randomly-selected controls. Neurodevelopmental delays were significantly worse for children with FASD than controls. Binge alcohol use was clearly documented as the proximal maternal risk factor for FASD, and significant distal risk factors were: low body mass, education, and income; high gravidity, parity, and age at birth of the index child. FAS rates continue to extremely high in these communities at 89–129 per 1000 children. Total FASD affect 196–276 per 1000 or 20–28% of the children in these communities. Conclusions: Very high rates of FASD persist in these general populations where regular, heavy drinking, often in a binge fashion, co-occurs with low socioeconomic conditions.
Selective Expression of Flt3 within the Mouse Hematopoietic Stem Cell Compartment
Authors: Mooney Ciaran , Cunningham Alan , Tsapogas Panagiotis , Toellner Kai-Michael , Brown Geoffrey
Published: May 2017

The fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (Flt3) is a cell surface receptor that is expressed by various hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) and Flt3-activating mutations are commonly present in acute myeloid and lymphoid leukemias. These findings underscore the importance of Flt3 to steady-state and malignant hematopoiesis. In this study, the expression of Flt3 protein and Flt3 mRNA by single cells within the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) and HPC bone marrow compartments of C57/BL6 mice was investigated using flow cytometry and the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Flt3 was heterogeneously expressed by almost all of the populations studied, including long-term reconstituting HSC and short-term reconstituting HSC. The erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor (M-CSFR) were also found to be heterogeneously expressed within the multipotent cell compartments. Co-expression of the mRNAs encoding Flt3 and EpoR rarely occurred within these compartments. Expression of both Flt3 and M-CSFR protein at the surface of single cells was more commonly observed. These results emphasize the heterogeneous nature of HSC and HPC and the new sub-populations identified are important to understanding the origin and heterogeneity of the acute myeloid leukemias.
Chronic Kidney Disease and Exposure to Nephrotoxic Metals
Authors: Orr Sarah , Bridges Christy
Published: May 2017

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common progressive disease that is typically characterized by the permanent loss of functional nephrons. As injured nephrons become sclerotic and die, the remaining healthy nephrons undergo numerous structural, molecular, and functional changes in an attempt to compensate for the loss of diseased nephrons. These compensatory changes enable the kidney to maintain fluid and solute homeostasis until approximately 75% of nephrons are lost. As CKD continues to progress, glomerular filtration rate decreases, and remaining nephrons are unable to effectively eliminate metabolic wastes and environmental toxicants from the body. This inability may enhance mortality and/or morbidity of an individual. Environmental toxicants of particular concern are arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Since these metals are present throughout the environment and exposure to one or more of these metals is unavoidable, it is important that the way in which these metals are handled by target organs in normal and disease states is understood completely.
BDNF Binds Its Pro-Peptide with High Affinity and the Common Val66Met Polymorphism Attenuates the Interaction
Authors: Uegaki Koichi , Kumanogoh Haruko , Mizui Toshiyuki , Hirokawa Takatsugu , Ishikawa Yasuyuki , Kojima Masami
Published: May 2017

Most growth factors are initially synthesized as precursors then cleaved into bioactive mature domains and pro-domains, but the biological roles of pro-domains are poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the pro-domain (or pro-peptide) of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which promotes neuronal survival, differentiation and synaptic plasticity. The BDNF pro-peptide is a post-processing product of the precursor BDNF. Using surface plasmon resonance and biochemical experiments, we first demonstrated that the BDNF pro-peptide binds to mature BDNF with high affinity, but not other neurotrophins. This interaction was more enhanced at acidic pH than at neutral pH, suggesting that the binding is significant in intracellular compartments such as trafficking vesicles rather than the extracellular space. The common Val66Met BDNF polymorphism results in a valine instead of a methionine in the pro-domain, which affects human brain functions and the activity-dependent secretion of BDNF. We investigated the influence of this variation on the interaction between BDNF and the pro-peptide. Interestingly, the Val66Met polymorphism stabilized the heterodimeric complex of BDNF and its pro-peptide. Furthermore, compared with the Val-containing pro-peptide, the complex with the Met-type pro-peptide was more stable at both acidic and neutral pH, suggesting that the Val66Met BDNF polymorphism forms a more stable complex. A computational modeling provided an interpretation to the role of the Val66Met mutation in the interaction of BDNF and its pro-peptide. Lastly, we performed electrophysiological experiments, which indicated that the BDNF pro-peptide, when pre-incubated with BDNF, attenuated the ability of BDNF to inhibit hippocampal long-term depression (LTD), suggesting a possibility that the BDNF pro-peptide may interact directly with BDNF and thereby inhibit its availability. It was previously reported that the BDNF pro-domain exerts a chaperone-like function and assists the folding of the BDNF protein. However, our results suggest a new role for the BDNF pro-domain (or pro-peptide) following proteolytic cleave of precursor BDNF, and provide insight into the Val66Met polymorphism.
A Histopathological Scheme for the Quantitative Scoring of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration and the Therapeutic Utility of Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Intervertebral Disc Regeneration
Authors: Shu Cindy , Smith Margaret , Smith Susan , Dart Andrew , Little Christopher , Melrose James
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this study was to develop a quantitative histopathological scoring scheme to evaluate disc degeneration and regeneration using an ovine annular lesion model of experimental disc degeneration. Toluidine blue and Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining were used to evaluate cellular morphology: (i) disc structure/lesion morphology; (ii) proteoglycan depletion; (iii) cellular morphology; (iv) blood vessel in-growth; (v) cell influx into lesion; and (vi) cystic degeneration/chondroid metaplasia. Three study groups were examined: 5 × 5 mm lesion; 6 × 20 mm lesion; and 6 × 20 mm lesion plus mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) treatment. Lumbar intervertebral discs (IVDs) were scored under categories (i–vi) to provide a cumulative score, which underwent statistical analysis using STATA software. Focal proteoglycan depletion was associated with 5 × 5 mm annular rim lesions, bifurcations, annular delamellation, concentric and radial annular tears and an early influx of blood vessels and cells around remodeling lesions but the inner lesion did not heal. Similar features in 6 × 20 mm lesions occurred over a 3–6-month post operative period. MSCs induced a strong recovery in discal pathology with a reduction in cumulative histopathology degeneracy score from 15.2 to 2.7 (p = 0.001) over a three-month recovery period but no recovery in carrier injected discs.
The Roles of Glutamine in the Intestine and Its Implication in Intestinal Diseases
Authors: Kim Min-Hyun , Kim Hyeyoung
Published: May 2017

Glutamine, the most abundant free amino acid in the human body, is a major substrate utilized by intestinal cells. The roles of glutamine in intestinal physiology and management of multiple intestinal diseases have been reported. In gut physiology, glutamine promotes enterocyte proliferation, regulates tight junction proteins, suppresses pro-inflammatory signaling pathways, and protects cells against apoptosis and cellular stresses during normal and pathologic conditions. As glutamine stores are depleted during severe metabolic stress including trauma, sepsis, and inflammatory bowel diseases, glutamine supplementation has been examined in patients to improve their clinical outcomes. In this review, we discuss the physiological roles of glutamine for intestinal health and its underlying mechanisms. In addition, we discuss the current evidence for the efficacy of glutamine supplementation in intestinal diseases.
Validation and Inter-Comparison of Spaceborne Derived Global and Continental Land Cover Products for the Mediterranean Region: The Case of Thessaly
Authors: Manakos Ioannis , Karakizi Christina , Gkinis Ioannis , Karantzalos Konstantinos
Published: May 2017

Space agencies, international and national organisations and institutions recognize the importance of regularly updated and homogenized land cover information, in the context of both nomenclature and spatial resolution. Moreover, ensuring credibility to the users through validated products with transparent procedures is similarly of great importance. To this end, this study contributes with a systematic accuracy performance evaluation of continental and global land cover layers. Confidence levels during validation and a weighted accuracy assessment were designed and applied. Google Earth imagery were employed to assess the accuracy of three land cover products for the years 2010 and 2012. Results indicate high weighted overall accuracy rates of 89, 90, and 86% for CORINE Land Cover 2012, GIO High Resolution Layers, and Globeland30 datasets, respectively. Moreover, their inter-comparison highlights notable differences especially for classes Artificial Surfaces and Water. The deviation of specific classes from the general producer’s and user’s accuracy trends were identified. It is concluded that the different aspects of the employed land cover products can be highlighted more transparently and objectively by integrating confidence levels during the reference data annotation, by employing a stratified sampling based on the several Corine Level-3 subclasses and by applying a weighted overall accuracy procedure.
Three New Indole Diterpenoids from the Sea-Anemone-Derived Fungus Penicillium sp. AS-79
Authors: Hu Xue-Yi , Meng Ling-Hong , Li Xin , Yang Sui-Qun , Li Xiao-Ming , Wang Bin-Gui
Published: May 2017

Three new indolediterpenoids, namely, 22-hydroxylshearinine F (1), 6-hydroxylpaspalinine (2), and 7-O-acetylemindole SB (3), along with eight related known analogs (4–11), were isolated from the sea-anemone-derived fungus Penicillium sp. AS-79. The structures and relative configurations of these compounds were determined by a detailed interpretation of the spectroscopic data, and their absolute configurations were determined by ECD calculations (1 and 2) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (3). Some of these compounds exhibited prominent activity against aquatic and human pathogenic microbes.
Enhanced Sensitivity of MoTe2 Chemical Sensor through Light Illumination
Authors: Feng Zhihong , Xie Yuan , Wu Enxiu , Yu Yuanyuan , Zheng Shijun , Zhang Rui , Chen Xuejiao , Sun Chonglin , Zhang Hao , Pang Wei , Liu Jing , Zhang Daihua
Published: May 2017

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) semiconducting materials have recently attracted wide attention and been regarded as promising building blocks for chemical sensors due to their high surface-to-volume ratio. However, their low response hinders the realization of high-performance 2D TMDCs chemical sensors. Here, we demonstrate the improvement of sensing performance of molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2) gas sensor through continuous light illumination. The dependence of sensing performance on the energy of photons and light intensity is systematically studied. The response to NH3 is dramatically enhanced by more than 25 times under 254 nm ultraviolet (UV) light illumination with intensity of 2.5 mW/cm2. Moreover, a remarkable low detection limit of 3 ppb is achieved, which is improved by 80 times compared with that in dark condition. The results demonstrate that light illumination is a promising method to improve the sensitivity of 2D TMDCs chemical sensors.
Indium Mineralization in a Sn-Poor Skarn Deposit: A Case Study of the Qibaoshan Deposit, South China
Authors: Liu Jianping
Published: May 2017

Indium (In) is commonly hosted in Sn-rich deposits but rarely reported in Sn-poor deposits. However, an In-rich and Sn-poor skarn deposit, the Qibaoshan Cu-Zn-Pb deposit, has been identified in south China. Geochemical analyses were undertaken on 23 samples representing the following mineral assemblages: sphalerite-pyrite, pyrite-chalcopyrite, pyrite-sphalerite-galena-chalcopyrite, pyrite, magnetite-pyrite, and magnetite. The results show that In is richest in the sphalerite-pyrite ores, with concentrations of 28.9–203.0 ppm (average 122.8 ppm) and 1000 In/Zn values of 2.7–10.9 (average 7.0). Other ore types in the Qibaoshan deposit are In poor, whereas all are Sn poor (10 to 150 ppm), with most samples having Sn concentrations of ≤70 ppm. Indium is mainly hosted by sphalerite, as inferred from the strong correlation between In and Zn, and weak correlation between In and Sn. Mineral paragenetic relationships indicate sphalerite formed from late quartz-sulfide stage of mineralization processes. Indium in the Qibaoshan deposit is richer in vein-type orebodies than in lenticular-type orebodies occurring at contact zones between carbonate and quartz porphyry, or in carbonate xenoliths. Igneous intrusions that were Sn poor and emplaced at shallow depths formed the In-rich orebodies of the Qibaoshan deposit.
Alkamides from Anacyclus pyrethrum L. and Their in Vitro Antiprotozoal Activity
Authors: Althaus Julia B. , Malyszek Claudine , Kaiser Marcel , Brun Reto , Schmidt Thomas J.
Published: May 2017

In our ongoing study to evaluate the antiprotozoal activity of alkamides from Asteraceae, a dichloromethane extract from the roots of Anacyclus pyrethrum L. showed a moderate in vitro activity against the NF54 strain of Plasmodium falciparum and against Leishmania donovani (amastigotes, MHOM/ET/67/L82 strain). Seven pure alkamides and a mixture of two further alkamides were isolated by column chromatography followed by preparative high performance liquid chromatography. The alkamides were identified by mass- and NMR-spectroscopic methods as tetradeca-2E,4E-dien-8,10-diynoic acid isobutylamide (anacycline, 1), deca-2E,4E-dienoic acid isobutylamide (pellitorine, 2), deca-2E,4E,9-trienoic acid isobutylamide (3), deca-2E,4E-dienoic acid 2-phenylethylamide (4), undeca-2E,4E-dien-8,10-diynoic acid isopentylamide (5), tetradeca-2E,4E,12Z-trien-8,10-diynoic acid isobutylamide (6), and dodeca-2E,4E-dien acid 4-hydroxy-2-phenylethylamide (7). Two compounds—undeca-2E,4E-dien-8,10-diynoic acid 2-phenylethylamide (8) and deca-2E,4E-dienoic acid 4-hydroxy-2-phenylethylamide (9)—were isolated as an inseparable mixture (1:4). Compounds 3, 4, and 5 were isolated from Anacyclus pyrethrum L. for the first time. While compounds 4 and 5 were previously known from the genus Achillea, compound 3 is a new natural product, to the best of our knowledge. All isolated alkamides were tested in vitro for antiprotozoal activity against Plasmodium falciparum, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania donovani and for cytotoxicity against L6 rat skeletal myoblasts.
Effects of Long-Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Endothelial Vasodilator Function and Cognition—Are They Interrelated?
Authors: Kuszewski Julia , Wong Rachel , Howe Peter
Published: May 2017

Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCn-3 PUFA) may improve brain functions by acting on endothelial cells in the cerebrovasculature to facilitate vasodilatation and perfusion. The aim of this review is to explore this hypothesis by analyzing the effect of LCn-3 PUFA supplementation on systemic vasodilator and cognitive function and finding evidence to link LCn-3 PUFA intake, vasodilator function and cognition. Forty randomized controlled trials examining the effect of LCn-3 PUFA supplementation in humans on either endothelial vasodilator function or cognition were identified and pooled effects measured with a weighted analysis. Compared to placebo, LCn-3 PUFA tended to increase flow-mediated dilatation and significantly improved cognitive function. Emerging evidence links vasodilator dysfunction to cognitive impairment, but evidence that LCn-3 PUFA can improve cognition through enhancements of vasodilator function is still lacking. Further research is needed to determine: (1) whether LCn-3 PUFA can enhance dilatation of cerebral vessels; (2) if improvements in cerebrovascular responsiveness by LCn-3 PUFA are accompanied by cognitive benefits; and (3) the target population groups.
Desalted Duck Egg White Peptides Promote Calcium Uptake and Modulate Bone Formation in the Retinoic Acid-Induced Bone Loss Rat and Caco-2 Cell Model
Authors: Hou Tao , Liu Yanshuang , Kolba Nikolai , Guo Danjun , He Hui
Published: May 2017

Desalted duck egg white peptides (DPs) have been proven to promote calcium uptake in Caco-2 cells and rats treated with a calcium-deficient diet. The retinoic acid-induced bone loss model was used to evaluate the effect of DPs on calcium absorption and bone formation. Three-month-old Wistar female rats were treated with 0.9% saline, DPs (800 mg/kg), or alendronate (5 mg/kg) for three weeks immediately after retinoic acid treatment (80 mg/kg) once daily for two weeks. The model group was significantly higher in serum bone alkaline phosphatase than the other three groups (p < 0.05), but lower in calcium absorption rate, serum osteocalcin, bone weight index, bone calcium content, bone mineral density, and bone max load. After treatment with DPs or alendronate, the absorption rate increased and some serum and bone indices recovered. The morphology results indicated bone tissue form were ameliorated and numbers of osteoclasts decreased after supplementation with DPs or alendronate. The in vitro study showed that the transient receptor potential vanilloid 6 (TRPV6) calcium channel was the main transport pathway of both DPs and Val-Ser-Glu-Glu peptitde (VSEE), which was identified from DPs. Our results indicated that DPs could be a promising alternative to current therapeutic agents for bone loss because of the promotion of calcium uptake and regulation of bone formation.
Factors Associated with Stunting among Children Aged 0 to 59 Months from the Central Region of Mozambique
Authors: García Cruz Loida , González Azpeitia Gloria , Reyes Súarez Desiderio , Santana Rodríguez Alfredo , Loro Ferrer Juan , Serra-Majem Lluis
Published: May 2017

The objective of this study was to identify the major socio-demographic, health, and environmental determinants of stunting among children aged 0–59 months from the Tete province (Mozambique) and offering useful information for future healthcare strategies and interventions. A case-control study was conducted among 282 (162 boys; 120 girls) children under five years of age from the central region of Mozambique between 1 May and 3 June 2014. Children with stunting (HAZ < −2 SD according to the WHO Child Growth Standards in 2006) were considered as cases and those who had a Z-score < −2 SD were considered as controls. We collected data related to mothers and children and their environment, and they were assessed in two groups to find a possible association. The software used for data analysis was the SPSS®(version, 21.0) using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, chi-square analyses, bivariate comparisons, and stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis. The results showed that birth weight, mother’s educational status, maternal occupation, living in a rural area, family size, number of children under five years of age in the household, cooking with charcoal, inhabiting wooden or straw housing or housing without proper floors, overall duration of breastfeeding as well as duration of exclusive breastfeeding, and time of initiation of complementary feeding were significantly related to stunting. Thus, appropriate nutritional intervention programmes considering these determinants and the dissemination of knowledge at the population level related to undernutrition are necessary to ameliorate the children´s nutritional status.
Surface Reflectance and Sun-Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy Measurements Using a Small Hyperspectral UAS
Authors: Garzonio Roberto , Di Mauro Biagio , Colombo Roberto , Cogliati Sergio
Published: May 2017

This study describes the development of a small hyperspectral Unmanned Aircraft System (HyUAS) for measuring Visible and Near-Infrared (VNIR) surface reflectance and sun-induced fluorescence, co-registered with high-resolution RGB imagery, to support field spectroscopy surveys and calibration and validation of remote sensing products. The system, namely HyUAS, is based on a multirotor platform equipped with a cost-effective payload composed of a VNIR non-imaging spectrometer and an RGB camera. The spectrometer is connected to a custom entrance optics receptor developed to tune the instrument field-of-view and to obtain systematic measurements of instrument dark-current. The geometric, radiometric and spectral characteristics of the instruments were characterized and calibrated through dedicated laboratory tests. The overall accuracy of HyUAS data was evaluated during a flight campaign in which surface reflectance was compared with ground-based reference measurements. HyUAS data were used to estimate spectral indices and far-red fluorescence for different land covers. RGB images were processed as a high-resolution 3D surface model using structure from motion algorithms. The spectral measurements were accurately geo-located and projected on the digital surface model. The overall results show that: (i) rigorous calibration enabled radiance and reflectance spectra from HyUAS with RRMSE < 10% compared with ground measurements; (ii) the low-flying UAS setup allows retrieving fluorescence in absolute units; (iii) the accurate geo-location of spectra on the digital surface model greatly improves the overall interpretation of reflectance and fluorescence data. In general, the HyUAS was demonstrated to be a reliable system for supporting high-resolution field spectroscopy surveys allowing one to collect systematic measurements at very detailed spatial resolution with a valuable potential for vegetation monitoring studies. Furthermore, it can be considered a useful tool for collecting spatially-distributed observations of reflectance and fluorescence that can be further used for calibration and validation activities of airborne and satellite optical images in the context of the upcoming FLEX mission and the VNIR spectral bands of optical Earth observation missions (i.e., Landsat, Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3).
Ku-Band Sea Surface Radar Backscatter at Low Incidence Angles under Extreme Wind Conditions
Authors: Li Xiuzhong , Zhang Biao , Mouche Alexis , He Yijun , Perrie William
Published: May 2017

This paper reports Ku-band normalized radar cross section (NRCS) at low incidence angles ranging from 0° to 18° and in the wind speed range from 6 to 70 m/s. The precipitation radar onboard the tropical rainfall measuring mission and Jason-1 and 2 have provided 152 hurricanes observations between 2008 and 2013 that were collocated with stepped-frequency microwave radiometer measurements. It is found that the NRCS decreases with increasing incidence angle. The decrease is more dramatic in the 40–70 m/s range of wind speeds than in the 6–20 m/s range, indicating that the NRCS is very sensitive to low incidence angles under extreme wind conditions and insensitive to the extreme wind speed. Consequently, the sea surface appears relatively “smooth” to Ku-band electromagnetic microwaves. This phenomenon validates the observed drag coefficient reduction under extreme wind conditions, from a remote sensing viewpoint. Using the NRCS dependence on incidence angle under extreme wind conditions, we also present an empirical linear relationship between NRCS and incidence angles, which may assist future-satellites missions operating at small incidence angles to measure sea surface wind and wave field.
Optimizing the Processing of UAV-Based Thermal Imagery
Authors: Maes Wouter , Huete Alfredo , Steppe Kathy
Published: May 2017

The current standard procedure for aligning thermal imagery with structure-from-motion (SfM) software uses GPS logger data for the initial image location. As input data, all thermal images of the flight are rescaled to cover the same dynamic scale range, but they are not corrected for changes in meteorological conditions during the flight. This standard procedure can give poor results, particularly in datasets with very low contrast between and within images or when mapping very complex 3D structures. To overcome this, three alignment procedures were introduced and tested: camera pre-calibration, correction of thermal imagery for small changes in air temperature, and improved estimation of the initial image position by making use of the alignment of RGB (visual) images. These improvements were tested and evaluated in an agricultural (low temperature contrast data) and an afforestation (complex 3D structure) dataset. In both datasets, the standard alignment procedure failed to align the images properly, either by resulting in point clouds with several gaps (images that were not aligned) or with unrealistic 3D structure. Using initial thermal camera positions derived from RGB image alignment significantly improved thermal image alignment in all datasets. Air temperature correction had a small yet positive impact on image alignment in the low-contrast agricultural dataset, but a minor effect in the afforestation area. The effect of camera calibration on the alignment was limited in both datasets. Still, in both datasets, the combination of all three procedures significantly improved the alignment, in terms of number of aligned images and of alignment quality.
An Improved Design of the Spiral-Coil EMAT for Enhancing the Signal Amplitude
Authors: Jia Xiaojuan , Ouyang Qi , Zhang Xinglan
Published: May 2017

The low energy transition efficiency of electromagnetic ultrasonic transducer (EMAT) is a common problem in practical application. For the purpose of enhancing the amplitude of the received signal, an improved double-coil bulk wave EMAT is proposed for the thickness measurement of metallic block. This new configuration of magnets consists of a solid cylindrical magnet and a ring-shaped magnet encircling the outer side of the solid cylindrical one. A double-coil was applied instead of a single spiral-coil. Numerical simulations were performed to analyze and optimize the proposed configuration of the EMAT by the 2-D axisymmetric finite element model (FEM). The experiment effectively verifies the rationality of the new configuration and the feasibility of improving the signal strength.
Power Allocation Based on Data Classification in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Wang Houlian , Zhou Gongbo
Published: May 2017

Limited node energy in wireless sensor networks is a crucial factor which affects the monitoring of equipment operation and working conditions in coal mines. In addition, due to heterogeneous nodes and different data acquisition rates, the number of arriving packets in a queue network can differ, which may lead to some queue lengths reaching the maximum value earlier compared with others. In order to tackle these two problems, an optimal power allocation strategy based on classified data is proposed in this paper. Arriving data is classified into dissimilar classes depending on the number of arriving packets. The problem is formulated as a Lyapunov drift optimization with the objective of minimizing the weight sum of average power consumption and average data class. As a result, a suboptimal distributed algorithm without any knowledge of system statistics is presented. The simulations, conducted in the perfect channel state information (CSI) case and the imperfect CSI case, reveal that the utility can be pushed arbitrarily close to optimal by increasing the parameter V, but with a corresponding growth in the average delay, and that other tunable parameters W and the classification method in the interior of utility function can trade power optimality for increased average data class. The above results show that data in a high class has priorities to be processed than data in a low class, and energy consumption can be minimized in this resource allocation strategy.
Effective Social Relationship Measurement and Cluster Based Routing in Mobile Opportunistic Networks
Authors: Zeng Feng , Zhao Nan , Li Wenjia
Published: May 2017

In mobile opportunistic networks, the social relationship among nodes has an important impact on data transmission efficiency. Motivated by the strong share ability of “circles of friends” in communication networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Wechat and so on, we take a real-life example to show that social relationships among nodes consist of explicit and implicit parts. The explicit part comes from direct contact among nodes, and the implicit part can be measured through the “circles of friends”. We present the definitions of explicit and implicit social relationships between two nodes, adaptive weights of explicit and implicit parts are given according to the contact feature of nodes, and the distributed mechanism is designed to construct the “circles of friends” of nodes, which is used for the calculation of the implicit part of social relationship between nodes. Based on effective measurement of social relationships, we propose a social-based clustering and routing scheme, in which each node selects the nodes with close social relationships to form a local cluster, and the self-control method is used to keep all cluster members always having close relationships with each other. A cluster-based message forwarding mechanism is designed for opportunistic routing, in which each node only forwards the copy of the message to nodes with the destination node as a member of the local cluster. Simulation results show that the proposed social-based clustering and routing outperforms the other classic routing algorithms.
Multilook SAR Image Segmentation with an Unknown Number of Clusters Using a Gamma Mixture Model and Hierarchical Clustering
Authors: Zhao Quanhua , Li Xiaoli , Li Yu
Published: May 2017

This paper presents a novel multilook SAR image segmentation algorithm with an unknown number of clusters. Firstly, the marginal probability distribution for a given SAR image is defined by a Gamma mixture model (GaMM), in which the number of components corresponds to the number of homogeneous regions needed to segment and the spatial relationship among neighboring pixels is characterized by a Markov Random Field (MRF) defined by the weighting coefficients of components in GaMM. During the algorithm iteration procedure, the number of clusters is gradually reduced by merging two components until they are equal to one. For each fixed number of clusters, the parameters of GaMM are estimated and the optimal segmentation result corresponding to the number is obtained by maximizing the marginal probability. Finally, the number of clusters with minimum global energy defined as the negative logarithm of marginal probability is indicated as the expected number of clusters with the homogeneous regions needed to be segmented, and the corresponding segmentation result is considered as the final optimal one. The experimental results from the proposed and comparing algorithms for simulated and real multilook SAR images show that the proposed algorithm can find the real number of clusters and obtain more accurate segmentation results simultaneously.
The Effect of Education through Short Message Service (SMS) Messages on Diabetic Patients Adherence
Authors: Adikusuma Wirawan , Qiyaam Nurul
Published: May 2017

Poor adherence and a lack of understanding of medication instructions for oral antidiabetic use are key factors that inhibit the control of glycemic levels. The aforementioned situation needs intervention to improve medication adherence and the therapy. This study was conducted with a quasi-experimental design with prospective data collection. The subjects of this study were 50 outpatients with type 2 diabetes melitus (T2DM) who had received oral antidiabetic medicine therapy at least six months prior to adherence measurement. The patients were classified into two groups—the control group and the intervention group. The intervention group received Short Message Service (SMS) messages of diabetes education, while the control group did not. Data collection was conducted by doing interviews and administering the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) questionnaire. The results showed the increase in adherence in the intervention group as 1.15 ± 1.04 and that in the control group as 0.72 ± 0.90. These results indicated that there were significant differences in MMAS score between the control and intervention groups (p < 0.05). The decrease in fasting blood glucose and glucose measured 2 h postprandially was greater in the intervention group than that in the control group. It was concluded that the provision of education through SMS had a positive effect on medication adherence and glycemic levels.
Industrial Symbiosis in the Upper Valley: A Study of the Casella-Hypertherm Recycling Partnership
Authors: Krones Jonathan
Published: May 2017

The Casella-Hypertherm Recycling Partnership (CHRP) is a collaboration between a waste management company and a manufacturer that has created a unique recycling environment for companies in the Upper Valley region of Vermont and New Hampshire. This article presents the CHRP as a novel form of industrial symbiosis (IS) using the recently published theoretical framework of IS dynamics proposed by Boons et al. We present this partnership in the academic literature for the first time and also gauge the adequacy of the typology when faced with a new model of IS. We argue that the CHRP exhibits qualities of multiple dynamics, and may in fact be an example of a new dynamic which we call “active facilitation”. Finally, the article also contributes evidence to the Boons et al. generative research question about the relationship between initial conditions and specific dynamics by analyzing the context in which the CHRP emerged.
Local Climate Change and the Impacts on Hydrological Processes in an Arid Alpine Catchment in Karakoram
Authors: Liu Jiao , Luo Min , Liu Tie , Bao Anming , De Maeyer Philippe , Feng Xianwei , Chen Xi
Published: May 2017

Climate change and the impacts on hydrological processes in Karakoram region are highly important to the available water resources in downstream oases. In this study, a modified quantile perturbation method (QPM), which was improved by considering the frequency changes in different precipitation intensity ranges, and the Delta method were used to extract signals of change in precipitation and temperature, respectively. Using a historical period (1986–2005) for reference, an average ensemble of 18 available Global Circulation Models (GCMs) indicated that the annual precipitation will increase by 2.9–4.4% under Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 (RCP4.5) and by 2.8–7.9% in RCP8.5 in different future periods (2020–2039, 2040–2059, 2060–2079 and 2080–2099) due to an increased intensity of extreme precipitation events in winter. Compared with the historical period, the average ensemble also indicated that temperature in future periods will increase by 0.31–0.38 °C/10a under RCP4.5 and by 0.34–0.58 °C/10a under RCP8.5. Through coupling with a well-calibrated MIKE SHE model, the simulations suggested that, under the climate change scenarios, increasing evaporation dissipation will lead to decreased snow storage in the higher altitude mountain region and likewise with regard to available water in the downstream region. Snow storage will vary among elevation bands, e.g., the permanent snowpack area below 5600 m will completely vanish over the period 2060–2079, and snow storage in 5600–6400 m will be reduced dramatically; however, little or no change will occur in the region above 6400 m. Warming could cause stronger spring and early summer stream runoff and reduced late summer flow due to a change in the temporal distribution of snowmelt. Furthermore, both the frequency and intensity of flooding will be enhanced. All the changes in hydrological processes are stronger under RCP8.5 than those under RCP4.5. In Karakoram region, the transformations among different forms of water resources alter the distributions of hydrologic components under future climate scenarios, and more studies are needed on the transient water resources system and the worsening of flood threats in the study area.
The Rise and Fall of Orientalism in Travel, Tourism, and Pilgrimage: Report From Palestine/Israel
Authors: Selwyn Tom
Published: May 2017

Inspired by Edward Said's Orientalism, this article recollects and reflects on various aspects of both historic and contemporary Orientalist thinking in general and in the context of the Israeli occupation of Palestine in particular. Following Said himself, Derek Gregory Rana
Kabbani, and others, the early parts of the article prefigure the place of travel, tourism, and pilgrimage (TTP) in both the construction of Orientalism and resistance to it. Looking through the lens of TTP as part of a broad field including art and cultural production, the latter part of
the article identifies movements and initiatives in this field—across the region and beyond—that seek to resist and ultimately undo Orientalist thinking there.