bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High Boron-loaded DNA-Oligomers as Potential Boron Neutron Capture Therapy and Antisense Oligonucleotide Dual-Action Anticancer Agents
Authors: Kaniowski Damian , Ebenryter-Olbińska Katarzyna , Sobczak Milena , Wojtczak Błażej , Janczak Sławomir , Leśnikowski Zbigniew , Nawrot Barbara
Published: August 2017

Boron cluster-modified therapeutic nucleic acids with improved properties are of interest in gene therapy and in cancer boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). High metallacarborane-loaded antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were synthesized through post-synthetic Cu (I)-assisted “click” conjugation of alkyne-modified DNA-oligonucleotides with a boron cluster alkyl azide component. The obtained oligomers exhibited increased lipophilicity compared to their non-modified precursors, while their binding affinity to complementary DNA and RNA strands was slightly decreased. Multiple metallacarborane residues present in the oligonucleotide chain, each containing 18 B-H groups, enabled the use of IR spectroscopy as a convenient analytical method for these oligomers based on the diagnostic B-H signal at 2400–2650 cm−1. The silencing activity of boron cluster-modified ASOs used at higher concentrations was similar to that of unmodified oligonucleotides. The screened ASOs, when used in low concentrations (up to 50 μM), exhibited pro-oxidative properties by inducing ROS production and an increase in mitochondrial activities in HeLa cells. In contrast, when used at higher concentrations, the ASOs exhibited anti-oxidative properties by lowering ROS species levels. In the HeLa cells (tested in the MTT assay) treated (without lipofectamine) or transfected with the screened compounds, the mitochondrial activity remained equal to the control level or only slightly changed (±30%). These findings may be useful in the design of dual-action boron cluster-modified therapeutic nucleic acids with combined antisense and anti-oxidant properties.
Solution NMR Spectroscopy in Target-Based Drug Discovery
Authors: Li Yan , Kang Congbao
Published: August 2017

Solution NMR spectroscopy is a powerful tool to study protein structures and dynamics under physiological conditions. This technique is particularly useful in target-based drug discovery projects as it provides protein-ligand binding information in solution. Accumulated studies have shown that NMR will play more and more important roles in multiple steps of the drug discovery process. In a fragment-based drug discovery process, ligand-observed and protein-observed NMR spectroscopy can be applied to screen fragments with low binding affinities. The screened fragments can be further optimized into drug-like molecules. In combination with other biophysical techniques, NMR will guide structure-based drug discovery. In this review, we describe the possible roles of NMR spectroscopy in drug discovery. We also illustrate the challenges encountered in the drug discovery process. We include several examples demonstrating the roles of NMR in target-based drug discoveries such as hit identification, ranking ligand binding affinities, and mapping the ligand binding site. We also speculate the possible roles of NMR in target engagement based on recent processes in in-cell NMR spectroscopy.
Dendrimers as Nanocarriers for Nucleic Acid and Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Palmerston Mendes Livia , Pan Jiayi , Torchilin Vladimir
Published: August 2017

Dendrimers are highly branched polymers with easily modifiable surfaces. This makes them promising structures for functionalization and also for conjugation with drugs and DNA/RNA. Their architecture, which can be controlled by different synthesis processes, allows the control of characteristics such as shape, size, charge, and solubility. Dendrimers have the ability to increase the solubility and bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs. The drugs can be entrapped in the intramolecular cavity of the dendrimers or conjugated to their functional groups at their surface. Nucleic acids usually form complexes with the positively charged surface of most cationic dendrimers and this approach has been extensively employed. The presence of functional groups in the dendrimer’s exterior also permits the addition of other moieties that can actively target certain diseases and improve delivery, for instance, with folate and antibodies, now widely used as tumor targeting strategies. Dendrimers have been investigated extensively in the medical field, and cancer treatment is one of the greatest areas where they have been most used. This review will consider the main types of dendrimer currently being explored and how they can be utilized as drug and gene carriers and functionalized to improve the delivery of cancer therapy.
Radiolytic Synthesis of Pt-Particle/ABS Catalysts for H2O2 Decomposition in Contact Lens Cleaning
Authors: Ohkubo Yuji , Aoki Tomonori , Seino Satoshi , Mori Osamu , Ito Issaku , Endo Katsuyoshi , Yamamura Kazuya
Published: August 2017

A container used in contact lens cleaning requires a Pt plating weight of 1.5 mg for H2O2 decomposition although Pt is an expensive material. Techniques that decrease the amount of Pt are therefore needed. In this study, Pt nanoparticles instead of Pt plating film were supported on a substrate of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene copolymer (ABS). This was achieved by the reduction of Pt ions in an aqueous solution containing the ABS substrate using high-energy electron-beam irradiation. Pt nanoparticles supported on the ABS substrate (Pt-particle/ABS) had a size of 4–10 nm. The amount of Pt required for Pt-particle/ABS was 250 times less than that required for an ABS substrate covered with Pt plating film (Pt-film/ABS). The catalytic activity for H2O2 decomposition was estimated by measuring the residual H2O2 concentration after immersing the catalyst for 360 min. The Pt-particle/ABS catalyst had a considerably higher specific catalytic activity for H2O2 decomposition than the Pt-film/ABS catalyst. In addition, sterilization performance was estimated from the initial rate of H2O2 decomposition over 60 min. The Pt-particle/ABS catalyst demonstrated a better sterilization performance than the Pt-film/ABS catalyst. The difference between Pt-particle/ABS and Pt-film/ABS was shown to reflect the size of the O2 bubbles formed during H2O2 decomposition.
An Appetite for Modernizing the Regulatory Framework for Protein Content Claims in Canada
Authors: Marinangeli Christopher P. F. , Foisy Samara , Shoveller Anna K. , Porter Cara , Musa-Veloso Kathy , Sievenpiper John L. , Jenkins David J. A.
Published: August 2017

The need for protein-rich plant-based foods continues as dietary guidelines emphasize their contribution to healthy dietary patterns that prevent chronic disease and promote environmental sustainability. However, the Canadian Food and Drug Regulations provide a regulatory framework that can prevent Canadian consumers from identifying protein-rich plant-based foods. In Canada, protein nutrient content claims are based on the protein efficiency ratio (PER) and protein rating method, which is based on a rat growth bioassay. PERs are not additive, and the protein rating of a food is underpinned by its Reasonable Daily Intake. The restrictive nature of Canada’s requirements for supporting protein claims therefore presents challenges for Canadian consumers to adapt to a rapidly changing food environment. This commentary will present two options for modernizing the regulatory framework for protein content claims in Canada. The first and preferred option advocates that protein quality not be considered in the determination of the eligibility of a food for protein content claims. The second and less preferred option, an interim solution, is a framework for adopting the protein digestibility corrected amino acid score as the official method for supporting protein content and quality claims and harmonizes Canada’s regulatory framework with that of the USA.
Reduced Mortality in Maintenance Haemodialysis Patients on High versus Low Dialysate Magnesium: A Pilot Study
Authors: Schmaderer Christoph , Braunisch Matthias , Suttmann Yana , Lorenz Georg , Pham Dang , Haller Bernhard , Angermann Susanne , Matschkal Julia , Renders Lutz , Baumann Marcus , Braun Jürgen , Heemann Uwe , Küchle Claudius
Published: August 2017

Background: Although low magnesium levels have been associated with an increased mortality in dialysis patients, they are kept low by routinely-used dialysates containing 0.50 mmol/L magnesium. Thus, we investigated the impact of a higher dialysate magnesium concentration on mortality. Methods: 25 patients on high dialysate magnesium (HDM) of 0.75 mmol/L were 1:2 matched to 50 patients on low dialysate magnesium (LDM) of 0.50 mmol/L and followed up for 3 years with regards to all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Patients were matched according to age, gender, a modified version of the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and smoking status. Results: During the follow-up period, five patients died in the HDM and 18 patients in the LDM group. Patients in the HDM group had significantly higher ionized serum magnesium levels than matched controls (0.64 ± 0.12 mmol/L vs. 0.57 ± 0.10 mmol/L, p = 0.034). Log rank test showed no difference between treatment groups for all-cause mortality. After adjustment for age and CCI, Cox proportional hazards regression showed that HDM independently predicted a 65% risk reduction for all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 0.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.13, 0.97). Estimated 3-year probability of death from a cardiovascular event was 14.5% (95% CI: 7.9, 25.8) in the LDM group vs. 0% in the HDM group. Log rank test found a significant group difference for cardiovascular mortality (χ2 = 4.15, p = 0.042). Conclusions: Our data suggests that there might be a beneficial effect of an increased dialysate magnesium on cardiovascular mortality in chronic dialysis patients.
Change of Mechanical Properties of Powder Recyclate Reinforced Polyolefin Based on Gamma Radiation
Authors: Kismet Yilmaz
Published: August 2017

In this study, the changes observed in the mechanical properties of standard test specimens that were produced with powder coating reinforced polyolefin (polyethylene and polypropylene) due to gamma radiation were examined. Matrix material of these specimens included low density polyethylene and polypropylene and 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% electrostatic powder coating waste by weight, and the samples were exposed to 44 kGry gamma-radiation for twenty four hours. Mechanical tests applied to the specimens after radiation demonstrated that the physical bonding mechanism between matrix material and filler material was reinforced. In the mechanical tests, tensile strength, three-point bending strength, and Izod impact strength of the samples were investigated and the results were compared to the results obtained in the mechanical tests when they were not radiated. Thus, the effects of gamma radiation on the mechanical properties of the filler material, and the electrostatic powder coating reinforced polyethylene and polypropylene were determined. Furthermore, section images of the radiated samples were taken with a scanning electron microscope and compared to the section images of irradiated samples to observe the physical bonding mechanism.
Enhanced Stimuli-Responsive Electrorheological Property of Poly(ionic liquid)s-Capsulated Polyaniline Particles
Authors: Zheng Chen , Dong Yuezhen , Liu Yang , Zhao Xiaopeng , Yin Jianbo
Published: August 2017

We used inherently conducting polyaniline as a core to develop a type of poly(ionic liquid)s-capsulated polyaniline composite particles in order to both overcome the surface charged character of pure poly(ionic liquid)s particles prepared by post ion-exchange procedure, and enhance electrorheological (ER) effect. The structure was characterized by different techniques and the electrorheological suspension was prepared by dispersing the composite particles in silicone oil. Under electric fields, the electrorheological properties of the suspensions of poly(ionic liquid)s-capsulated polyaniline composite particles were measured and compared with their single forms. It is demonstrated that the composite particles have distinctly enhanced electrorheological effect compared with the pure poly(ionic liquid)s and polyaniline particles under electric stimuli. At 4 kV/mm of electric field, the yield stress of the suspension of poly(ionic liquid)s-capsulated polyaniline composite particles in silicone oil is about 2.3 kPa, which is twice as high as 1.2 kPa stress of the suspension of poly(ionic liquid) particles and 2.5 times as high as 0.9 kPa stress of the suspension of polyaniline particles. By using dielectric spectroscopy, microscopic observation, and oscillation rheology, we studied the origin of this enhanced electrorheological effect. The results indicated that wrapping polyaniline into poly(ionic liquid)s could partly suppress the positively charged surface state of poly(ionic liquid)s particles prepared by post ion-exchange procedure and improve the column-like electrorheological structure. This suppression should be responsible for the enhanced electrorheological effect of poly(ionic liquid)s-capsulated polyaniline composite particles.
Chitin-Based Anisotropic Nanostructures of Butterfly Wings for Regulating Cells Orientation
Authors: Elbaz Abdelrahman , Lu Jie , Gao Bingbing , Zheng Fuyin , Mu Zhongde , Zhao Yuanjin , Gu Zhongze
Published: August 2017

In recent years, multiple types of substrates have been applied for regulating cell orientation. Among them, surface topography patterns with grooves or ridges have been widely utilizing for cell culturing. However, this construction is still complicated, low cost-effective and exhibits some technological limitations with either “top-down” or “bottom-up” approaches. Here, a simple and green method was developed by utilizing butterfly wings (Morpho menelaus, Papilio ulysses telegonus and Ornithoptera croesus lydius) with natural anisotropic nanostructures to generate cell alignment. A two-step chemical treatment was proposed to achieve more hydrophilic butterfly wings preceding cell culturing. Furthermore, calcein acetoxymethyl ester (Calcein-AM) staining and Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay results demonstrated the appropriate viability of NIH-3T3 fibroblast cells on those butterfly wings. Moreover, the cells displayed a high degree of alignment in each specimen of these wings. We anticipate that those originating from natural butterfly wings will pose important applications for tissue engineering.
Remarriage Timing: Does Religion Matter?
Authors: Xu Xiaohe , Bartkowski John
Published: August 2017

Using pooled data from the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG 2006–2010), we examine the effects of denominational affiliation, worship service attendance, and religious salience on remarriage timing. Survival analyses indicate that both men and women affiliated with conservative Protestant faith traditions are significantly more likely than their unaffiliated and Catholic counterparts to remarry at an accelerated pace following divorce. Results further show that, net of religious affiliation and socio-demographic characteristics, worship service attendance accelerates remarriage timing, whereas the effects of religious salience are weaker or unobserved. These results are largely consistent with prior research on denominational variations in the timing of first marriage and underscore the robust influence of religion on the institution of marriage.
On-Board Ortho-Rectification for Images Based on an FPGA
Authors: Zhou Guoqing , Zhang Rongting , Liu Na , Huang Jingjin , Zhou Xiang
Published: August 2017

The traditional ortho-rectification technique for remotely sensed (RS) images, which is performed on the basis of a ground image processing platform, has been unable to meet timeliness or near timeliness requirements. To solve this problem, this paper presents research on an ortho-rectification technique based on a field programmable gate array (FPGA) platform that can be implemented on board spacecraft for (near) real-time processing. The proposed FPGA-based ortho-rectification method contains three modules, i.e., a memory module, a coordinate transformation module (including the transformation from geodetic coordinates to photo coordinates, and the transformation from photo coordinates to scanning coordinates), and an interpolation module. Two datasets, aerial images located in central Denver, Colorado, USA, and an aerial image from the example dataset of ERDAS IMAGINE 9.2, are used to validate the processing speed and accuracy. Compared to traditional ortho-rectification technology, the throughput from the proposed FPGA-based platform and the personal computer (PC)-based platform are 11,182.3 kilopixels per second and 2582.9 kilopixels per second, respectively. This means that the proposed FPGA-based platform is 4.3 times faster than the PC-based platform for processing the same RS images. In addition, the root-mean-square errors of the planimetric coordinates φX and φY and the distance φS are 1.09 m, 1.61 m, and 1.93 m, respectively, which can meet the requirements of correction accuracy in practice.
Classification of Tree Species in a Diverse African Agroforestry Landscape Using Imaging Spectroscopy and Laser Scanning
Authors: Piiroinen Rami , Heiskanen Janne , Maeda Eduardo , Viinikka Arto , Pellikka Petri
Published: August 2017

Airborne imaging spectroscopy (IS) and laser scanning (ALS) have been explored widely for tree species classification during the past decades. However, African agroforestry areas, where a few exotic tree species are dominant and many native species occur less frequently, have not yet been studied. Obtaining maps of tree species would provide useful information for the characterization of agroforestry systems and detecting invasive species. Our objective was to study tree species classification in a diverse tropical landscape using IS and ALS data at the tree crown level, with primary interest in the exotic tree species. We performed multiple analyses based on different IS and ALS feature sets, identified important features using feature selection, and evaluated the impact of combining the two data sources. Given that a high number of tree species with limited sample size (499 samples for 31 species) was expected to limit the classification accuracy, we tested different approaches to group the species based on the frequency of their occurrence and Jeffries–Matusita (JM) distance. Surface reflectance at wavelengths between 400–450 nm and 750–800 nm, and height to crown width ratio, were identified as important features. Nonetheless, a selection of minimum noise fraction (MNF) transformed reflectance bands showed superior performance. Support vector machine classifier performed slightly better than the random forest classifier, but the improvement was not statistically significant for the best performing feature set. The highest F1-scores were achieved when each of the species was classified separately against a mixed group of all other species, which makes this approach suitable for invasive species detection. Our results are valuable for organizations working on biodiversity conservation and improving agroforestry practices, as we showed how the non-native Eucalyptus spp., Acacia mearnsii and Grevillea robusta (mean F1-scores 76%, 79% and 89%, respectively) trees can be mapped with good accuracy. We also found a group of six fruit bearing trees using JM distance, which was classified with mean F1-score of 65%. This was a useful finding, as these species could not be classified with acceptable accuracy individually, while they all share common economic and ecological importance.
Mapping Vulnerable Urban Areas Affected by Slow-Moving Landslides Using Sentinel-1 InSAR Data
Authors: Béjar-Pizarro Marta , Notti Davide , Mateos Rosa M. , Ezquerro Pablo , Centolanza Giuseppe , Herrera Gerardo , Bru Guadalupe , Sanabria Margarita , Solari Lorenzo , Duro Javier , Fernández José
Published: August 2017

Landslides are widespread natural hazards that generate considerable damage and economic losses worldwide. Detecting terrain movements caused by these phenomena and characterizing affected urban areas is critical to reduce their impact. Here we present a fast and simple methodology to create maps of vulnerable buildings affected by slow-moving landslides, based on two parameters: (1) the deformation rate associated to each building, measured from Sentinel-1 SAR data, and (2) the building damage generated by the landslide movement and recorded during a field campaign. We apply this method to Arcos de la Frontera, a monumental town in South Spain affected by a slow-moving landslide that has caused severe damage to buildings, forcing the evacuation of some of them. Our results show that maximum deformation rates of 4 cm/year in the line-of-sight (LOS) of the satellite, affects La Verbena, a newly-developed area, and displacements are mostly horizontal, as expected for a planar-landslide. Our building damage assessment reveals that most of the building blocks in La Verbena present moderate to severe damages. According to our vulnerability scale, 93% of the building blocks analysed present high vulnerability and, thus, should be the focus of more in-depth local studies to evaluate the serviceability of buildings, prior to adopting the necessary mitigation measures to reduce or cope with the negative consequences of this landslide. This methodology can be applied to slow-moving landslides worldwide thanks to the global availability of Sentinel-1 SAR data.
Determining the Pixel-to-Pixel Uncertainty in Satellite-Derived SST Fields
Authors: Wu Fan , Cornillon Peter , Boussidi Brahim , Guan Lei
Published: August 2017

The primary measure of the quality of sea surface temperature (SST) fields obtained from satellite-borne infrared sensors has been the bias and variance of matchups with co-located in-situ values. Because such matchups tend to be widely separated, these bias and variance estimates are not necessarily a good measure of small scale (several pixels) gradients in these fields because one of the primary contributors to the uncertainty in satellite retrievals is atmospheric contamination, which tends to have large spatial scales compared with the pixel separation of infrared sensors. Hence, there is not a good measure to use in selecting SST fields appropriate for the study of submesoscale processes and, in particular, of processes associated with near-surface fronts, both of which have recently seen a rapid increase in interest. In this study, two methods are examined to address this problem, one based on spectra of the SST data and the other on their variograms. To evaluate the methods, instrument noise was estimated in Level-2 Visible-Infrared Imager-Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) and Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) SST fields of the Sargasso Sea. The two methods provided very nearly identical results for AVHRR: along-scan values of approximately 0.18 K for both day and night and along-track values of 0.21 K for day and night. By contrast, the instrument noise estimated for VIIRS varied by method, scan geometry and day-night. Specifically, daytime, along-scan (along-track), spectral estimates were found to be approximately 0.05 K (0.08 K) and the corresponding nighttime values of 0.02 K (0.03 K). Daytime estimates based on the variogram were found to be 0.08 K (0.10 K) with the corresponding nighttime values of 0.04 K (0.06 K). Taken together, AVHRR instrument noise is significantly larger than VIIRS instrument noise, along-track noise is larger than along-scan noise and daytime levels are higher than nighttime levels. Given the similarity of results and the less stringent preprocessing requirements, the variogram is the preferred method, although there is a suggestion that this approach overestimates the noise for high quality data in dynamically quiet regions. Finally, simulations of the impact of noise on the determination of SST gradients show that on average the gradient magnitude for typical ocean gradients will be accurately estimated with VIIRS but substantially overestimated with AVHRR.
Statistical-QoS Guaranteed Energy Efficiency Optimization for Energy Harvesting Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Gao Ya , Cheng Wenchi , Zhang Hailin
Published: August 2017

Energy harvesting, which offers a never-ending energy supply, has emerged as a prominent technology to prolong the lifetime and reduce costs for the battery-powered wireless sensor networks. However, how to improve the energy efficiency while guaranteeing the quality of service (QoS) for energy harvesting based wireless sensor networks is still an open problem. In this paper, we develop statistical delay-bounded QoS-driven power control policies to maximize the effective energy efficiency (EEE), which is defined as the spectrum efficiency under given specified QoS constraints per unit harvested energy, for energy harvesting based wireless sensor networks. For the battery-infinite wireless sensor networks, our developed QoS-driven power control policy converges to the Energy harvesting Water Filling (E-WF) scheme and the Energy harvesting Channel Inversion (E-CI) scheme under the very loose and stringent QoS constraints, respectively. For the battery-finite wireless sensor networks, our developed QoS-driven power control policy becomes the Truncated energy harvesting Water Filling (T-WF) scheme and the Truncated energy harvesting Channel Inversion (T-CI) scheme under the very loose and stringent QoS constraints, respectively. Furthermore, we evaluate the outage probabilities to theoretically analyze the performance of our developed QoS-driven power control policies. The obtained numerical results validate our analysis and show that our developed optimal power control policies can optimize the EEE over energy harvesting based wireless sensor networks.
Virtual Sensor for Kinematic Estimation of Flexible Links in Parallel Robots
Authors: Bengoa Pablo , Zubizarreta Asier , Cabanes Itziar , Mancisidor Aitziber , Pinto Charles , Mata Sara
Published: August 2017

The control of flexible link parallel manipulators is still an open area of research, endpoint trajectory tracking being one of the main challenges in this type of robot. The flexibility and deformations of the limbs make the estimation of the Tool Centre Point (TCP) position a challenging one. Authors have proposed different approaches to estimate this deformation and deduce the location of the TCP. However, most of these approaches require expensive measurement systems or the use of high computational cost integration methods. This work presents a novel approach based on a virtual sensor which can not only precisely estimate the deformation of the flexible links in control applications (less than 2% error), but also its derivatives (less than 6% error in velocity and 13% error in acceleration) according to simulation results. The validity of the proposed Virtual Sensor is tested in a Delta Robot, where the position of the TCP is estimated based on the Virtual Sensor measurements with less than a 0.03% of error in comparison with the flexible approach developed in ADAMS Multibody Software.
A Biological Signal-Based Stress Monitoring Framework for Children Using Wearable Devices
Authors: Choi Yerim , Jeon Yu-Mi , Wang Lin , Kim Kwanho
Published: August 2017

The safety of children has always been an important issue, and several studies have been conducted to determine the stress state of a child to ensure the safety. Audio signals and biological signals including heart rate are known to be effective for stress state detection. However, collecting those data requires specialized equipment, which is not appropriate for the constant monitoring of children, and advanced data analysis is required for accurate detection. In this regard, we propose a stress state detection framework which utilizes both audio signal and heart rate collected from wearable devices, and adopted machine learning methods for the detection. Experiments using real-world data were conducted to compare detection performances across various machine learning methods and noise levels of audio signal. Adopting the proposed framework in the real-world will contribute to the enhancement of child safety.
Effect of Planting Date on Accumulated Temperature and Maize Growth under Mulched Drip Irrigation in a Middle-Latitude Area with Frequent Chilling Injury
Authors: Wang Dan , Li Guangyong , Mo Yan , Cai Mingkun , Bian Xinyang
Published: August 2017

Given that chilling injury, which involves late spring cold and early autumn freezing, significantly affects maize growth in middle-latitude cold areas, a highly efficient cultivation technique combining suitable planting date (PD) and mulched drip irrigation is being studied to guarantee maize production. A field experiment for medium-mature variety “Xianyu 335” was conducted in 2015 to 2016 in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China, to explore the effects of PD on the active accumulated temperature (AAT) distribution and maize growth under mulched drip irrigation. Based on the dates (around May 1) of late spring cold occurring in the area, four PDs were designed, namely, April 20 (MD1), May 2–3 (MD2), May 12 (MD3), and May 22 (MD4), and a non-film mulching treatment (NM-D2) was added on the second PD. Results indicated that: (1) the warming effect of film mulching effectively compensated for the lack of heat during the early stages of maize growth. Compared with that in NM-D2, the soil temperature under mulching in MD2 for the sowing–emergence and seedling stage increased by 14.3% and 7.6%, respectively, promoting maize emergence 4 days earlier and presenting 5.6% and 9.7% increases in emergence rate and grain yield, respectively; (2) the AAT reduction caused by PD delay was mainly observed in reproductive stage, which reached 96.6 °C for every 10 days of PD delay in this stage; (3) PD markedly affected maize growth process and yield, which were closely related to the chilling injury. The late spring cold slowed down the emergence or jointing for maize (under MD1 and MD2), but brought insignificant adverse effect on maize later growth and grain yield (16.1 and 15.9 Mg·ha−1, respectively). While the maize in both MD3 and MD4 treatments suffered from early autumn freezing damage at the anthesis–maturity stages, resulting in shortening in reproductive period by 4–8 days and decrease in grain yield by 11.4–17.3% compared with those in MD1 and MD2; and (4) taking the typical date (May 1) of late spring cold occurring as the starting point, the grain yield penalty reached 8.5% for every 10 days of PD delay; for every 100 °C of AAT decrease during reproductive stage, the grain yield decreased by 6.1%. The conclusions offer certain reference values for maize cultivation in the same latitude areas with similar ecological environments.
The Importance of a Participatory and Integrated One Health Approach for Rabies Control: The Case of N’Djaména, Chad
Authors: Lechenne Monique , Mindekem Rolande , Madjadinan Séraphin , Oussiguéré Assandi , Moto Daugla Doumagoum , Naissengar Kemdongarti , Zinsstag Jakob
Published: August 2017

This study compares data on animal rabies cases from the Chadian national rabies laboratory, hosted at the Insitut de Recherche en Elevage pour le Developpement (IRED), with bite case reporting from health facilities. The data collection accompanied a mass dog vaccination intervention over two years in N’Djaména, Chad. This allowed for a comparison of the dynamics of the incidence of animal rabies cases, human bite exposure incidence and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) demand during a dog rabies elimination attempt. Following the mass vaccination, the monthly animal rabies incidence dropped from 1.1/10,000 dogs, as observed prior to the campaign in 2012, to 0.061/10,000 dogs in 2014. However, the PEP demand was found to be largely unaffected. The suspicion of the rabies exposure as reported by health personnel in most cases did not reflect the status of the biting animal but rather the severity of the bite wound, resulting in inappropriate PEP recommendations. In addition, the levels of reporting dead or killed animals to the rabies laboratory was found to be very low. These results reveal a profound lack of communication between health facilities and veterinary structures and the absence of an integrated bite case management (IBCM) approach. Improved communication between human health and veterinary workers is imperative to prevent human rabies deaths through the appropriate use of PEP and to further translate success in animal rabies control into cost savings for the public health sector through a lower PEP demand. Improved training of health and veterinary personnel and the sensitisation of the public are needed to achieve good IBCM practice, to increase the rate of diagnostic testing, to provide adequate and timely PEP, and to reduce the wastage of scarce vaccine resources.
Fighting Cancer with Mathematics and Viruses
Authors: Santiago Daniel , Heidbuechel Johannes , Kandell Wendy , Walker Rachel , Djeu Julie , Engeland Christine , Abate-Daga Daniel , Enderling Heiko
Published: August 2017

After decades of research, oncolytic virotherapy has recently advanced to clinical application, and currently a multitude of novel agents and combination treatments are being evaluated for cancer therapy. Oncolytic agents preferentially replicate in tumor cells, inducing tumor cell lysis and complex antitumor effects, such as innate and adaptive immune responses and the destruction of tumor vasculature. With the availability of different vector platforms and the potential of both genetic engineering and combination regimens to enhance particular aspects of safety and efficacy, the identification of optimal treatments for patient subpopulations or even individual patients becomes a top priority. Mathematical modeling can provide support in this arena by making use of experimental and clinical data to generate hypotheses about the mechanisms underlying complex biology and, ultimately, predict optimal treatment protocols. Increasingly complex models can be applied to account for therapeutically relevant parameters such as components of the immune system. In this review, we describe current developments in oncolytic virotherapy and mathematical modeling to discuss the benefit of integrating different modeling approaches into biological and clinical experimentation. Conclusively, we propose a mutual combination of these research fields to increase the value of the preclinical development and the therapeutic efficacy of the resulting treatments.
Photodynamic Action against Wastewater Microorganisms and Chemical Pollutants: An Effective Approach with Low Environmental Impact
Authors: Bartolomeu Maria , Reis Sílvia , Fontes Milton , Neves Maria , Faustino Maria , Almeida Adelaide
Published: August 2017

Wastewater (WW) from urban and industrial activities is often contaminated with microorganisms and chemical pollutants. To reduce the concentration of microorganisms in WW to levels comparable to those found in natural waters, the sewage effluent is usually subjected to disinfection with chlorine, ozone, or ultraviolet light, which may lead to the formation of toxic products and contribute to the selection of resistant genes. Moreover, the changing patterns of infectious diseases and the emerging of multidrug resistant microbial strains entail the development of new technologies for WW decontamination. Microbial photodynamic inactivation (PDI) with photosensitizers, oxygen, and visible light has demonstrated to be effective in the inactivation of microorganisms via photogeneration of reactive oxygen species able to induce microbial damage at the external structures level. The promising results of PDI suggest that this principle can be applied to WW treatment to inactivate microorganisms but also to photodegrade chemical pollutants. The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of PDI for the microbial and chemical decontamination of secondarily treated WW. To evaluate the efficiency of bacterial inactivation in WW, experiments were done in both phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and filtered WW with the bioluminescent Escherichia coli, using small and large volumes of WW. The potential of PDI to inactivate the native bacteria (E. coli and Enterococcus) present in WW was tested and assays without the adding of bacteria to the WW were performed. It was also tested if the same PDI protocol was able to induce phototransformation of phenol. The cationic porphyrin 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(1-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin tetra-iodide (Tetra-Py+-Me) was shown to be effective against both bacterial groups representing both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria used as microbiological parameters to instigate water quality and even showing the power to photooxidate organic compounds. As the photosensitizer when immobilized on solid matrixes can be easily removed, recovered, and reused, an effective, less-expensive, easy-applicable, and environmentally friendly technology can be applied to treat WW, inactivating microorganisms and degrading chemical contaminants at the same time.
Evidence for Two Hot-Jupiter Formation Paths
Authors: Nelson Benjamin E. , Ford Eric B. , Rasio Frederic A.
Published: August 2017

Disk migration and high-eccentricity migration are two well-studied theories to explain the formation of hot Jupiters. The former predicts that these planets can migrate up until the planet–star Roche separation (

) and the latter predicts they will tidally circularize at a minimum distance of 2

. Considering long-running radial velocity and transit surveys have identified a couple hundred hot Jupiters to date, we can revisit the classic question of hot-Jupiter formation in a data-driven manner. We approach this problem using data from several exoplanet surveys (radial velocity, Kepler, HAT, and WASP) allowing for either a single population or a mixture of populations associated with these formation channels, and applying a hierarchical Bayesian mixture model of truncated power laws of the form

to constrain the population-level parameters of interest (e.g., location of inner edges, γ, mixture fractions). Within the limitations of our chosen models, we find that the current radial velocity and Kepler sample of hot Jupiters can be well explained with a single truncated power-law distribution with a lower cutoff near 2

, a result that still holds after a decade, and

. However, the HAT and WASP data show evidence for multiple populations (Bayes factor

). We find that

reside in a component consistent with disk migration (

) and

in one consistent with high-eccentricity migration (

). We find no immediately strong connections with some observed host star properties and speculate on how future exoplanet surveys could improve upon hot-Jupiter population inference.
Weak-lensing Power Spectrum Reconstruction by Counting Galaxies. I. The ABS Method
Authors: Yang Xinjuan , Zhang Jun , Yu Yu , Zhang Pengjie
Published: August 2017

We propose an analytical method of blind separation (ABS) of cosmic magnification from the intrinsic fluctuations of galaxy number density in the observed galaxy number density distribution. The ABS method utilizes the different dependences of the signal (cosmic magnification) and contamination (galaxy intrinsic clustering) on galaxy flux to separate the two. It works directly on the measured cross-galaxy angular power spectra between different flux bins. It determines/reconstructs the lensing power spectrum analytically, without assumptions of galaxy intrinsic clustering and cosmology. It is unbiased in the limit of an infinite number of galaxies. In reality, the lensing reconstruction accuracy depends on survey configurations, galaxy biases, and other complexities due to a finite number of galaxies and the resulting shot noise fluctuations in the cross-galaxy power spectra. We estimate its performance (systematic and statistical errors) in various cases. We find that stage IV dark energy surveys such as Square Kilometre Array and Large Synoptic Survey Telescope are capable of reconstructing the lensing power spectrum at

and

accurately. This lensing reconstruction only requires counting galaxies and is therefore highly complementary to cosmic shear measurement by the same surveys.
How Do Type Ia Supernova Nebular Spectra Depend on Explosion Properties? Insights from Systematic Non-LTE Modeling
Authors: Botyánszki János , Kasen Daniel
Published: August 2017

We present a radiative transfer code to model the nebular phase spectra of supernovae (SNe) in non-LTE (NLTE). We apply it to a systematic study of SNe Ia using parameterized 1D models and show how nebular spectral features depend on key physical parameters, such as the time since explosion, total ejecta mass, kinetic energy, radial density profile, and the masses of 56Ni, intermediate-mass elements, and stable iron-group elements. We also quantify the impact of uncertainties in atomic data inputs. We find the following. (1) The main features of SN Ia nebular spectra are relatively insensitive to most physical parameters. Degeneracy among parameters precludes a unique determination of the ejecta properties from spectral fitting. In particular, features can be equally well fit with generic Chandrasekhar mass (

), sub-

, and super-

models. (2) A sizable (≳0.1

) central region of stable iron-group elements, often claimed as evidence for

models, is not essential to fit the optical spectra and may produce an unusual flat-top [Co iii] profile. (3) The strength of [S iii] emission near 9500 Å can provide a useful diagnostic of explosion nucleosynthesis. (4) Substantial amounts (≳0.1

) of unburned C/O mixed throughout the ejecta produce [O iii] emission not seen in observations. (5) Shifts in the wavelength of line peaks can arise from line-blending effects. (6) The steepness of the ejecta density profile affects the line shapes, offering a constraint on explosion models. (7) Uncertainties in atomic data limit the ability to infer physical parameters.
Prospects of Dynamical Determination of General Relativity Parameter β and Solar Quadrupole Moment
with Asteroid Radar Astronomy
Authors: Verma Ashok K. , Margot Jean-Luc , Greenberg Adam H.
Published: August 2017

We evaluated the prospects of quantifying the parameterized post-Newtonian parameter β and solar quadrupole moment

with observations of near-Earth asteroids with large orbital precession rates (9 to 27 arcsec century−1). We considered existing optical and radar astrometry, as well as radar astrometry that can realistically be obtained with the Arecibo planetary radar in the next five years. Our sensitivity calculations relied on a traditional covariance analysis and Monte Carlo simulations. We found that independent estimates of β and

can be obtained with precisions of 6 × 10−4 and 3 × 10−8, respectively. Because we assumed rather conservative observational uncertainties, as is the usual practice when reporting radar astrometry, it is likely that the actual precision will be closer to 2 × 10−4 and 10−8, respectively. A purely dynamical determination of solar oblateness with asteroid radar astronomy may therefore rival the helioseismology determination.
Mrk 71/NGC 2366: The Nearest Green Pea Analog
Authors: Micheva Genoveva , Oey M. S. , Jaskot Anne E. , James Bethan L.
Published: August 2017

We present the remarkable discovery that the dwarf irregular galaxy NGC 2366 is an excellent analog of the Green Pea (GP) galaxies, which are characterized by extremely high ionization parameters. The similarities are driven predominantly by the giant H ii region Markarian 71 (Mrk 71). We compare the system with GPs in terms of morphology, excitation properties, specific star-formation rate, kinematics, absorption of low-ionization species, reddening, and chemical abundance, and find consistencies throughout. Since extreme GPs are associated with both candidate and confirmed Lyman continuum (LyC) emitters, Mrk 71/NGC 2366 is thus also a good candidate for LyC escape. The spatially resolved data for this object show a superbubble blowout generated by mechanical feedback from one of its two super star clusters (SSCs), Knot B, while the extreme ionization properties are driven by the ≲1 Myr-old, enshrouded SSC Knot A, which has ∼10 times higher ionizing luminosity. Very massive stars (>100 M
⊙) may be present in this remarkable object. Ionization-parameter mapping indicates that the blowout region is optically thin in the LyC, and the general properties also suggest LyC escape in the line of sight. Mrk 71/NGC 2366 does differ from GPs in that it is one to two orders of magnitude less luminous. The presence of this faint GP analog and candidate LyC emitter (LCE) so close to us suggests that LCEs may be numerous and commonplace, and therefore could significantly contribute to the cosmic ionizing budget. Mrk 71/NGC 2366 offers an unprecedentedly detailed look at the viscera of a candidate LCE, and could clarify the mechanisms of LyC escape.
Deep, Broadband Spectral Line Surveys of Molecule-rich Interstellar Clouds
Authors: Widicus Weaver Susanna L. , Laas Jacob C. , Zou Luyao , Kroll Jay A. , Rad Mary L. , Hays Brian M. , Sanders James L. , Lis Dariusz C. , Cross Trevor N. , Wehres Nadine , McGuire Brett A. , Sumner Matthew C.
Published: August 2017

Spectral line surveys are an indispensable tool for exploring the physical and chemical evolution of astrophysical environments due to the vast amount of data that can be obtained in a relatively short amount of time. We present deep, broadband spectral line surveys of 30 interstellar clouds using two broadband λ = 1.3 mm receivers at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory. This information can be used to probe the influence of physical environment on molecular complexity. We observed a wide variety of sources to examine the relative abundances of organic molecules as they relate to the physical properties of the source (i.e., temperature, density, dynamics, etc.). The spectra are highly sensitive, with noise levels ≤25 mK at a velocity resolution of ∼0.35 km s−1. In the initial analysis presented here, column densities and rotational temperatures have been determined for the molecular species that contribute significantly to the spectral line density in this wavelength regime. We present these results and discuss their implications for complex molecule formation in the interstellar medium.
Les transformations des comportements politiques au prisme de l’e-pétitionnement
Authors: Contamin Jean-Gabriel , Léonard Thomas , Soubiran Thomas
Published: August 2017

S’appuyant sur la base d’un site de pétitions en ligne relative à plus de 15 000 pétitions qui ont récolté près de 3,8 millions de signatures, cet article montre que l’usage d’une telle source permet de dépasser certaines des apories des méthodes classiques d’étude des actions de mobilisations, notamment en passant de l’étude des déclarations de comportement à l’étude des comportements réels et en pouvant travailler une variété de mobilisations, mais aussi qu’une telle étude se heurte à une difficulté commune aux travaux sur les big data issus de l’Internet : l’absence d’une collecte supervisée aux fins de la recherche qui induit un ensemble de difficultés de traitement. Il invite dès lors à dépasser ces difficultés, d’une part en jouant du recoupement des données inédites issues de la base (horodatage, présence de commentaires…), et d’autre part en éclairant ces données par d’autres méthodes classiquement utilisées en sciences sociales (entretiens, questionnaires, etc.).
Denosumab: Current Use in the Treatment of Primary Bone Tumors
Authors: Savvidou Olga D. , Bolia Ioanna K. , Chloros George D. , Papanastasiou John , Koutsouradis Panagiotis , Papagelopoulos Panayiotis J.
Published: August 2017

Denosumab, a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits bone resorption by binding on the receptor activator of the nuclear factor kappa-β ligand, has recently emerged as an additional option in the treatment of musculoskeletal osteolytic tumors. This article focuses on the recent literature regarding the effectiveness of denosumab in the management of giant cell tumor, multiple myeloma, aneurysmal bone cyst, and osteosarcoma. The mechanism of action of denosumab in the management of these tumors and the associated side effects are discussed in detail. [
Orthopedics.
2017; 40(4):204–210.]