bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Laser Irradiation on Cell Function and Its Implications in Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Yuan Xiaofei , Song Yanqing , Song Yizhi , Xu Jiabao , Wu Yinhu , Glidle Andrew , Cusack Maggie , Ijaz Umer Z. , Cooper Jonathan M. , Huang Wei E. , Yin Huabing
Published: February 2018

Lasers are instrumental in advanced bioimaging and Raman spectroscopy. However, they are also well known for their destructive effects on living organisms, leading to concerns about the adverse effects of laser technologies. To implement Raman spectroscopy for cell analysis and manipulation, such as Raman-activated cell sorting, it is crucial to identify nondestructive conditions for living cells. Here, we evaluated quantitatively the effect of 532-nm laser irradiation on bacterial cell fate and growth at the single-cell level. Using a purpose-built microfluidic platform, we were able to quantify the growth characteristics, i.e., specific growth rates and lag times of individual cells, as well as the survival rate of a population in conjunction with Raman spectroscopy. Representative Gram-negative and Gram-positive species show similar trends in response to a laser irradiation dose. Laser irradiation could compromise the physiological function of cells, and the degree of destruction is both dose and strain dependent, ranging from reduced cell growth to a complete loss of cell metabolic activity and finally to physical disintegration. Gram-positive bacterial cells are more susceptible than Gram-negative bacterial strains to irradiation-induced damage. By directly correlating Raman acquisition with single-cell growth characteristics, we provide evidence of nondestructive characteristics of Raman spectroscopy on individual bacterial cells. However, while strong Raman signals can be obtained without causing cell death, the variety of responses from different strains and from individual cells justifies careful evaluation of Raman acquisition conditions if cell viability is critical.

IMPORTANCE
In Raman spectroscopy, the use of powerful monochromatic light in laser-based systems facilitates the detection of inherently weak signals. This allows environmentally and clinically relevant microorganisms to be measured at the single-cell level. The significance of being able to perform Raman measurement is that, unlike label-based fluorescence techniques, it provides a “fingerprint” that is specific to the identity and state of any (unlabeled) sample. Thus, it has emerged as a powerful method for studying living cells under physiological and environmental conditions. However, the laser's high power also has the potential to kill bacteria, which leads to concerns. The research presented here is a quantitative evaluation that provides a generic platform and methodology to evaluate the effects of laser irradiation on individual bacterial cells. Furthermore, it illustrates this by determining the conditions required to nondestructively measure the spectra of representative bacteria from several different groups.
Geographic and Host-Associated Variations in Bacterial Communities on the Floret Surfaces of Field-Grown Broccoli
Authors: Kim Min-Soo , Bae Jin-Woo , Park Eun-Jin
Published: February 2018

Fresh vegetables harbor diverse bacterial populations on their surfaces. However, information on this microbiota is limited to a few types of fresh vegetables, and little is known about how it varies with geography and host condition. Here, we analyzed bacterial communities on the floret surfaces of 66 field-grown broccoli collected from 22 farms in four farming regions of Jeju Island, South Korea, using 454 pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons, and we determined their relationships to farming region and host-associated factors. Geographic variations in bacterial community composition and diversity were observed among farming regions, which partly reflected their relative humidity and insolation. The most abundant phyla were
Proteobacteria
, followed by
Actinobacteria
,
Firmicutes
, and
Bacteroidetes
; core operational taxonomic units (OTUs) assigned to
Pseudomonas
,
Acinetobacter
,
Oxalobacteraceae
,
Comamonadaceae
, and
Enterobacteriaceae
contributed to the community differences. Bacterial community composition differed between immature and mature samples, with mature samples harboring higher bacterial diversity. In comparison with communities on other types of fresh vegetables and fruits, bacterial communities on broccoli florets were unique but more similar to those of ground vegetables than to those of tree fruits/vegetables. This study presents novel data on the variability of floret-associated bacterial populations of field-grown broccoli relative to environmental and host-associated factors.

IMPORTANCE
Fresh vegetables harbor diverse and complex bacterial populations on their surfaces. These indigenous bacteria may play a role in human and crop health; however, the diversity and variability of bacterial communities on fresh vegetables require further study. A popular crop of leafy vegetables, broccoli, is of great agricultural and industrial importance. This study provides a detailed description of the bacterial community composition and diversity on the surfaces of broccoli florets. The variability of bacterial communities is associated with the geographic location of farming sites and is affected by host growth and health. The bacterial communities specific to broccoli were identified and showed greater similarity to those found on ground vegetables than to those found on tree fruits/vegetables. This study presents novel data on the impact of environmental and host-associated conditions on the variability of floret-associated bacterial populations present on field-grown broccoli.
Silencing Retinoid X Receptor Alpha Expression Enhances Early-Stage Hepatitis B Virus Infection In Cell Cultures
Authors: Song Mei , Sun Yinyan , Tian Ji , He Wenhui , Xu Guangwei , Jing Zhiyi , Li Wenhui
Published: February 2018

Multiple steps of the life cycle of hepatitis B virus (HBV) are known to be coupled to hepatic metabolism. However, the details of involvement of the hepatic metabolic milieu in HBV infection remain incompletely understood. Hepatic lipid metabolism is controlled by a complicated transcription factor network centered on retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRα). Here, we report that RXRα negatively regulates HBV infection at an early stage in cell cultures. The RXR-specific agonist bexarotene inhibits HBV in HepG2 cells expressing the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) (HepG2-NTCP), HepaRG cells, and primary
Tupaia
hepatocytes (PTHs); reducing RXRα expression significantly enhanced HBV infection in the cells. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of HepG2-NTCP cells with a disrupted
RXR
α gene revealed that reduced gene expression in arachidonic acid (AA)/eicosanoid biosynthesis pathways, including the AA synthases phospholipase A2 group IIA (PLA2G2A), is associated with increased HBV infection. Moreover, exogenous treatment of AA inhibits HBV infection in HepG2-NTCP cells. These data demonstrate that RXRα is an important cellular factor in modulating HBV infection and implicate the participation of AA/eicosanoid biosynthesis pathways in the regulation of HBV infection.

IMPORTANCE
Understanding how HBV infection is connected with hepatic lipid metabolism may provide new insights into virus infection and its pathogenesis. By a series of genetic studies in combination with transcriptome analysis and pharmacological assays, we here investigated the role of cellular retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRα), a crucial transcription factor for controlling hepatic lipid metabolism, in
de novo
HBV infection in cell cultures. We found that silencing of RXRα resulted in elevated HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) formation and viral antigen production, while activation of RXRα reduced HBV infection efficiency. Our results also showed that silencing phospholipase A2 group IIA (PLA2G2A), a key enzyme of arachidonic acid (AA) synthases, enhanced HBV infection efficiency in HepG2-NTCP cells and that exogenous AA treatment reduced
de novo
HBV infection in the cells. These findings unveil RXRα as an important cellular factor in modulating HBV infection and may point to a new strategy for host-targeted therapies against HBV.
Physiological Heterogeneity Triggers Sibling Conflict Mediated by the Type VI Secretion System in an Aggregative Multicellular Bacterium
Authors: Troselj Vera , Treuner-Lange Anke , Søgaard-Andersen Lotte , Wall Daniel
Published: February 2018

A hallmark of social microorganisms is their ability to engage in complex and coordinated behaviors that depend on cooperative and synchronized actions among many cells. For instance, myxobacteria use an aggregation strategy to form multicellular, spore-filled fruiting bodies in response to starvation. One barrier to the synchronization process is physiological heterogeneity within clonal populations. How myxobacteria cope with these physiological differences is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the interactions between closely related but physiologically distinct
Myxococcus xanthus
populations. We used a genetic approach to create amino acid auxotrophs and tested how they interact with a parental prototroph strain. Importantly, we found that auxotrophs were killed by their prototroph siblings when the former were starved for amino acids but not when grown on rich medium or when both strains were starved. This antagonism depended on the type VI secretion system (T6SS) as well as gliding motility; in particular, we identified the effector-immunity pair (TsxEI) as the mediator of this killing. This sibling antagonism resulted from lower levels of the TsxI immunity protein in the starved population. Thus, when starving auxotrophs were mixed with nonstarving prototrophs, the auxotrophs were susceptible to intoxication by the TsxE effector delivered by the T6SS from the prototrophs. Furthermore, our results suggested that homogeneously starving populations have reduced T6SS activity and, therefore, do not antagonize each other. We conclude that heterogeneous populations of
M. xanthus
use T6SS-dependent killing to eliminate starving or less-fit cells, thus facilitating the attainment of homeostasis within a population and the synchronization of behaviors.

IMPORTANCE
Social bacteria employ elaborate strategies to adapt to environmental challenges. One means to prepare for unpredictable changes is for clonal populations to contain individuals with diverse physiological states. These subpopulations will differentially respond to new environmental conditions, ensuring that some cells will better adapt. However, for social bacteria physiological heterogeneity may impede the ability of a clonal population to synchronize their behaviors. By using a highly cooperative and synchronizable model organism,
M. xanthus
, we asked how physiological differences between interacting siblings impacted their collective behaviors. Physiological heterogeneity was experimentally designed such that one population starved while the other grew when mixed. We found that these differences led to social conflict where more-fit individuals killed their less-fit siblings. For the first time, we report that the T6SS nanoweapon mediates antagonism between siblings, resulting in myxobacterial populations becoming more synchronized to conduct social behaviors.
Layered Structure and Complex Mechanochemistry Underlie Strength and Versatility in a Bacterial Adhesive
Authors: Hernando-Pérez Mercedes , Setayeshgar Sima , Hou Yifeng , Temam Roger , Brun Yves V. , Dragnea Bogdan , Berne Cécile
Published: February 2018

While designing synthetic adhesives that perform in aqueous environments has proven challenging, microorganisms commonly produce bioadhesives that efficiently attach to a variety of substrates, including wet surfaces. The aquatic bacterium
Caulobacter crescentus
uses a discrete polysaccharide complex, the holdfast, to strongly attach to surfaces and resist flow. The holdfast is extremely versatile and has impressive adhesive strength. Here, we used atomic force microscopy in conjunction with superresolution microscopy and enzymatic assays to unravel the complex structure of the holdfast and to characterize its chemical constituents and their role in adhesion. Our data support a model whereby the holdfast is a heterogeneous material organized as two layers: a stiffer nanoscopic core layer wrapped into a sparse, far-reaching, flexible brush layer. Moreover, we found that the elastic response of the holdfast evolves after surface contact from initially heterogeneous to more homogeneous. From a composition point of view, besides
N
-acetyl-

d

-glucosamine (NAG), the only component that had been identified to date, our data show that the holdfast contains peptides and DNA. We hypothesize that, while polypeptides are the most important components for adhesive force, the presence of DNA mainly impacts the brush layer and the strength of initial adhesion, with NAG playing a primarily structural role within the core. The unanticipated complexity of both the structure and composition of the holdfast likely underlies its versatility as a wet adhesive and its distinctive strength. Continued improvements in understanding of the mechanochemistry of this bioadhesive could provide new insights into how bacteria attach to surfaces and could inform the development of new adhesives.

IMPORTANCE
There is an urgent need for strong, biocompatible bioadhesives that perform underwater. To strongly adhere to surfaces and resist flow underwater, the bacterium
Caulobacter crescentus
produces an adhesive called the holdfast, the mechanochemistry of which remains undefined. We show that the holdfast is a layered structure with a stiff core layer and a polymeric brush layer and consists of polysaccharides, polypeptides, and DNA. The DNA appears to play a role in the structure of the brush layer and initial adhesion, the peptides in adhesive strength, and the polysaccharides in the structure of the core. The complex, multilayer organization and diverse chemistry described here underlie the distinctive adhesive properties of the holdfast and will provide important insights into the mechanisms of bacterial adhesion and bioadhesive applications.
The Viscoelastic Properties of the Fungal Cell Wall Allow Traffic of AmBisome as Intact Liposome Vesicles
Authors: Walker Louise , Sood Prashant , Lenardon Megan D. , Milne Gillian , Olson Jon , Jensen Gerard , Wolf Julie , Casadevall Arturo , Adler-Moore Jill , Gow Neil A. R.
Published: February 2018

The fungal cell wall is a critically important structure that represents a permeability barrier and protective shield. We probed
Candida albicans
and
Cryptococcus neoformans
with liposomes containing amphotericin B (AmBisome), with or without 15-nm colloidal gold particles. The liposomes have a diameter of 60 to 80 nm, and yet their mode of action requires them to penetrate the fungal cell wall to deliver amphotericin B to the cell membrane, where it binds to ergosterol. Surprisingly, using cryofixation techniques with electron microscopy, we observed that the liposomes remained intact during transit through the cell wall of both yeast species, even though the predicted porosity of the cell wall (pore size, ~5.8 nm) is theoretically too small to allow these liposomes to pass through intact.
C. albicans
mutants with altered cell wall thickness and composition were similar in both their
in vitro
AmBisome susceptibility and the ability of liposomes to penetrate the cell wall. AmBisome exposed to ergosterol-deficient
C. albicans
failed to penetrate beyond the mannoprotein-rich outer cell wall layer. Melanization of
C. neoformans
and the absence of amphotericin B in the liposomes were also associated with a significant reduction in liposome penetration. Therefore, AmBisome can reach cell membranes intact, implying that fungal cell wall viscoelastic properties are permissive to vesicular structures. The fact that AmBisome can transit through chemically diverse cell wall matrices when these liposomes are larger than the theoretical cell wall porosity suggests that the wall is capable of rapid remodeling, which may also be the mechanism for release of extracellular vesicles.

IMPORTANCE
AmBisome is a broad-spectrum fungicidal antifungal agent in which the hydrophobic polyene antibiotic amphotericin B is packaged within a 60- to 80-nm liposome. The mode of action involves perturbation of the fungal cell membrane by selectively binding to ergosterol, thereby disrupting membrane function. We report that the AmBisome liposome transits through the cell walls of both
Candida albicans
and
Cryptococcus neoformans
intact, despite the fact that the liposome is larger than the theoretical cell wall porosity. This implies that the cell wall has deformable, viscoelastic properties that are permissive to transwall vesicular traffic. These observations help explain the low toxicity of AmBisome, which can deliver its payload directly to the cell membrane without unloading the polyene in the cell wall. In addition, these findings suggest that extracellular vesicles may also be able to pass through the cell wall to deliver soluble and membrane-bound effectors and other molecules to the extracellular space.
Zika Virus Alters DNA Methylation of Neural Genes in an Organoid Model of the Developing Human Brain
Authors: Janssens Sylvie , Schotsaert Michael , Karnik Rahul , Balasubramaniam Vinod , Dejosez Marion , Meissner Alexander , García-Sastre Adolfo , Zwaka Thomas P.
Published: February 2018

Scientific research on human neural stem cells and cerebral organoids has confirmed the congenital neurotropic and neurodestructive nature of the Zika virus. However, the extent to which prenatal ZIKV infection is associated with more subtle brain alterations, such as epigenetic changes, remains ill defined. Here, we address the question of whether ZIKV infection induces DNA methylation changes with the potential to cause brain disorders later in life.
‘The industry must be inconspicuous’: Japan Tobacco’s corruption of science and health policy via the Smoking Research Foundation
Authors: Iida Kaori , Proctor Robert N
Published: February 2018

Objective

To investigate how and why Japan Tobacco, Inc. (JT) in 1986 established the Smoking Research Foundation (SRF), a research-funding institution, and to explore the extent to which SRF has influenced science and health policy in Japan.

Methods

We analysed documents in the Truth Tobacco Industry Documents archive, along with recent Japanese litigation documents and published documents.

Results

JT’s effort to combat effective tobacco control was strengthened in the mid-1980s, following privatisation of the company. While remaining under the protection of Japan’s Ministry of Finance, the semiprivatised company lost its ‘access to politicos’, opening up a perceived need for collaboration with global cigarette makers. One solution, arrived at through clandestine planning with American companies, was to establish a third-party organisation, SRF, with the hope of capturing scientific and medical authority for the industry. Guarded by powerful people in government and academia, SRF was launched with the covert goal of influencing tobacco policy both inside and outside Japan. Scholars funded by SRF have participated in international conferences, national advisory committees and tobacco litigation, in most instances helping the industry to maintain a favourable climate for the continued sale of cigarettes.

Conclusions

Contrary to industry claims, SRF was never meant to be independent or neutral. With active support from foreign cigarette manufacturers, SRF represents the expansion into Asia of the denialist campaign that began in the USA in 1953.
The biology and ecology of slimy sculpin: A recipe for effective environmental monitoring
Authors: Gray Michelle A. , Curry R. Allen , Arciszewski Tim J. , Munkittrick Kelly R. , Brasfield Sandra M.
Published: February 2018

Recently, the use of small-bodied fish in environmental monitoring has increased, particularly within the Canadian environmental effects monitoring (EEM) and other adaptive programs. Although it is possible to measure changes with many small-bodied species, interpretation is often complicated by the absence of information on the biology and ecology of fish not of commercial, recreational, or traditional interest. Knowing and understanding the basic biology of these fishes aids in the sensitivity of study designs (i.e., ability to detect change) and the interpretation of all biological levels of responses (e.g., cellular to community). The increased use of slimy sculpin ( Cottus cognatus Richardson, 1836) in impact assessment studies in North America provides a considerable amount of information on life history aspects. The slimy sculpin has the most ubiquitous North American distribution among cottids but yet has a very small home range, thus integrating environmental conditions of localized areas. This paper describes aspects of slimy sculpin life cycle that affect collection efficiency and timing, and describes and provides data collected over more than 10 years of studies at more than 20 reference study sites. This overview provides a functional and informative compilation to support adaptive environmental monitoring and provide a baseline for comparative ecological study.
Portable multi-node LQCD Monte Carlo simulations using OpenACC
Authors: Bonati Claudio , Calore Enrico , D’Elia Massimo , Mesiti Michele , Negro Francesco , Sanfilippo Francesco , Schifano Sebastiano Fabio , Silvi Giorgio , Tripiccione Raffaele
Published: February 2018

This paper describes a state-of-the-art parallel Lattice QCD Monte Carlo code for staggered fermions, purposely designed to be portable across different computer architectures, including GPUs and commodity CPUs. Portability is achieved using the OpenACC parallel programming model, used to develop a code that can be compiled for several processor architectures. The paper focuses on parallelization on multiple computing nodes using OpenACC to manage parallelism within the node, and OpenMPI to manage parallelism among the nodes. We first discuss the available strategies to be adopted to maximize performances, we then describe selected relevant details of the code, and finally measure the level of performance and scaling-performance that we are able to achieve. The work focuses mainly on GPUs, which offer a significantly high level of performances for this application, but also compares with results measured on other processors.
Interaction phenomenon to dimensionally reducedp-gBKP equation
Authors: Zhang Runfa , Bilige Sudao , Bai Yuexing , Lü Jianqing , Gao Xiaoqing
Published: February 2018

Based on searching the combining of quadratic function and exponential (or hyperbolic cosine) function from the Hirota bilinear form of the dimensionally reduced p-gBKP equation, eight class of interaction solutions are derived via symbolic computation with Mathematica. The submergence phenomenon, presented to illustrate the dynamical features concerning these obtained solutions, is observed by three-dimensional plots and density plots with particular choices of the involved parameters between the exponential (or hyperbolic cosine) function and the quadratic function. It is proved that the interference between the two solitary waves is inelastic.
Variable speed limit strategies analysis with link transmission model on urban expressway
Authors: Li Shubin , Cao Danni
Published: February 2018

The variable speed limit (VSL) is a kind of active traffic management method. Most of the strategies are used in the expressway traffic flow control in order to ensure traffic safety. However, the urban expressway system is the main artery, carrying most traffic pressure. It has similar traffic characteristics with the expressways between cities. In this paper, the improved link transmission model (LTM) combined with VSL strategies is proposed, based on the urban expressway network. The model can simulate the movement of the vehicles and the shock wave, and well balance the relationship between the amount of calculation and accuracy. Furthermore, the optimal VSL strategy can be proposed based on the simulation method. It can provide management strategies for managers. Finally, a simple example is given to illustrate the model and method. The selected indexes are the average density, the average speed and the average flow on the traffic network in the simulation. The simulation results show that the proposed model and method are feasible. The VSL strategy can effectively alleviate traffic congestion in some cases, and greatly promote the efficiency of the transportation system.
ℤ2-graded identities of the Grassmann algebra over a finite field
Authors: Fonseca Luís Felipe Gonçalves
Published: February 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be a finite field with the characteristic [Formula: see text] and let [Formula: see text] be the unitary Grassmann algebra generated by an infinite dimensional vector space [Formula: see text] over [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we determine a basis for [Formula: see text]-graded polynomial identities for any [Formula: see text]-grading such that its underlying vector space is homogeneous.
Group algebras of free products of finite groups which are CS-rings
Authors: Kondo Shoichi
Published: February 2018

This paper proves that the infinite dihedral group is only such a free product of two finite groups that its group algebra over a field [Formula: see text] is a CS-ring in case the orders of two groups are not zero in [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, it is shown that the group algebra of any free product of two finite cyclic groups does not satisfy the condition [Formula: see text].
The dominant dimension of cohomological Mackey functors
Authors: Linckelmann Markus
Published: February 2018

We show that a separable equivalence between symmetric algebras preserves the dominant dimensions of certain endomorphism algebras of modules. We apply this to show that the dominant dimension of the category [Formula: see text] of cohomological Mackey functors of a [Formula: see text]-block [Formula: see text] of a finite group with a nontrivial defect group is [Formula: see text].
Extensions of Probability Intuitionistic Fuzzy Aggregation Operators in Fuzzy MCDM/MADM
Authors: Sirbiladze Gia , Sikharulidze Anna
Published: February 2018

New family of intuitionistic fuzzy operators for aggregation of information on interactive criteria/attributes in Multi-Criteria/attributes Decision Making (MCDM/MADM) problems are constructed. New aggregations are based on the Choquet integral and the associated probability class of a fuzzy measure. Propositions on the correctness of the extension are presented. Connections between the operators and the compositions of dual triangular norms [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are described. The conjugate connections between the constructed operators are considered. It is known that when interactions between criteria/attributes are strong, aggregation operators based on Choquet integral reflect these interactions at a certain degree, but these operators consider only consonant structure of criteria/attributes. New operators reflect interactions among all the combinations of the criteria/attributes in the fuzzy MCDM/MADM process. Several variants of new operators are used in the decision making problem regarding the assessment of software development risks.
Information Sharing Assessment in Supply Chain: Hierarchical Fuzzy Rule-Based System
Authors: Farajpour Farnoush , Taghavifard Mohammad Taghi , Yousefli Amir , Taghva Mohammad Reza
Published: February 2018

As one of three prominent flows (material, money, information) in a supply chain, the information flow plays a key role in supply chain performance and also in reaching high degrees of integrity and cooperation between supply chain members. Regarding the vagueness and multi-dimensional nature of information sharing, evaluating the information sharing level in supply chain is a complex problem. This paper aims to develop a new rule-based inference system to evaluate the level of information sharing in a supply chain. To this end, first, the influencing parameters are obtained from the literature and are screened and refined by the experts, using Lexicography method. Then, they are categorised into a multi-level hierarchical structure. Finally, a hierarchical inference system, which consists of a set of fuzzy rule bases, is constructed to infer the information sharing degree. The use of fuzzy rule bases is due to the lack of explicit functions between the influencing factors as well as ambiguity of these parameters. Also, in this research, the input parameters’ measurement process is defined and some relevant indices are designed. The developed assessment system is a four-leveled hierarchical inference system, built of six fuzzy rule bases. The inference system has eight input parameters, the values of which are calculated utilising six designed indices and two quick questionnaires. Eventually, the developed inference system and the measuring method are implemented in a real case.
*-Relations on ternary semigroups
Authors: Ashrafi Nahid , Yazdanmehr Zahra
Published: February 2018

In this paper, we define certain equivalence relations called *-relations on ternary semigroups and we mention some properties of these relations. We study these relations in respect to Green’s relations in ternary semigroups and by bringing some examples, we show that while some propositions are correct for Green’s relations, they are not necessarily true for these relations. Then we investigate *-relations in certain ternary semigroups.
Changes of phthalocyanine visible color caused by near-IR solvatochromism
Authors: Furuyama Taniyuki , Uchiyama Shiori , Iwamoto Takayuki , Maeda Hajime , Segi Masahito
Published: February 2018

Herein, we show that the Zn complex of 1,4,8,11,15,18,22,28-octakis(butoxy)phthalocyanine exhibits solvatochromism and characterize the corresponding visible color changes. In particular, we reveal that although the variation of the solvent-dependent position of the Q band is relatively small (~100 nm), the solution colors change from red to yellow and green depending on the composition of the solvent mixture. Moreover, the above Q band was located at the border between the visible and near-IR regions, [Formula: see text]. its red shift could not be directly recognized by the human naked eye. Substituents on oxygen atoms were shown to influence phthalocyanine aggregation and thus affect near-IR absorption, with the observed near-IR solvatochromism providing a new strategy of color change in response to weak external stimuli.
Synthesis and photophysical and electrochemical properties of novel unsymmetrical phthalocyanines with a Sudan IV moiety
Authors: Özçeşmeci İbrahim , Büyük Pınar , Nar Ilgın , Gül Ahmet
Published: February 2018

The synthesis of novel, A[Formula: see text]B type unsymmetrical metal-free and metallophthalocyanines bearing one aza dye group Sudan IV and three nitro terminal moieties was achieved by cyclotetramerization of novel 4-((1-((E)-(2-methyl-4-((E)-[Formula: see text]-tolyldiazenyl)phenyl)diazenyl)naphthalen-2-yl)oxy)phthalonitrile and 4-nitrophthalonitrile. The new unsymmetrical metal-free and metallophthalocyanines have been characterized using elemental analyses, [Formula: see text]H NMR, FT-IR, UV-vis and mass spectroscopic data. The aggregation properties of the compounds were investigated in a concentration range of 1.0 × 10[Formula: see text] M–6.25 × 10[Formula: see text] M. General trends were also studied for fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes of these phthalocyanine compounds in tetrahydrofuran. The fluorescence of the synthesized unsymmetrical metal-free and metallophthalocyanines is effectively quenched by 1,4-benzoquinone (BQ) in THF. In-depth investigation of the electrochemical properties showed that nitro groups extended the reduction potentials.
New approximation method for Volterra nonlinear integro-differential equation
Authors: Segni Sami , Ghiat Mourad , Guebbai Hamza
Published: February 2018

In this work, we build a new numerical method to approximate the solution of Volterra’s nonlinear integro-differential equation. This method needs fewer conditions to converge, compared to the direct Nytröm method. Numerical tests show its efficiency. This new method is more practical and compatible with the Volterra nonlinear integro-differential equation.
Sampling-Based Methods for Motion Planning with Constraints
Authors: Kingston Zachary , Moll Mark , Kavraki Lydia E.
Published: February 2018

Robots with many degrees of freedom (e.g., humanoid robots and mobile manipulators) have increasingly been employed to accomplish realistic tasks in domains such as disaster relief, spacecraft logistics, and home caretaking. Finding feasible motions for these robots autonomously is essential for their operation. Sampling-based motion planning algorithms are effective for these high-dimensional systems; however, incorporating task constraints (e.g., keeping a cup level or writing on a board) into the planning process introduces significant challenges. This survey describes the families of methods for sampling-based planning with constraints and places them on a spectrum delineated by their complexity. Constrained sampling-based methods are based on two core primitive operations: ( a) sampling constraint-satisfying configurations and ( b) generating constraint-satisfying continuous motion. Although this article presents the basics of sampling-based planning for contextual background, it focuses on the representation of constraints and sampling-based planners that incorporate constraints.
Use of Electrohydrodynamic Processing for Encapsulation of Sensitive Bioactive Compounds and Applications in Food
Authors: Jacobsen Charlotte , García-Moreno Pedro J. , Mendes Ana C. , Mateiu Ramona V. , Chronakis Ioannis S.
Published: February 2018

The use of vitamins, polyphenolic antioxidants, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and probiotics for the fortification of foods is increasing. However, these bioactive compounds have low stability and need to be protected to avoid deterioration in the food system itself or in the gastrointestinal tract. For that purpose, efficient encapsulation of the compounds may be required. Spray drying is one of the most commonly used encapsulation techniques in the food industry, but it uses high temperature, which can lead to decomposition of the bioactive compounds. Recently, alternative technologies such as electrospraying and electrospinning have received increasing attention. This review presents the principles of electrohydrodynamic processes for the production of nano-microstructures (NMSs) containing bioactive compounds. It provides an overview of the current use of this technology for encapsulation of bioactive compounds and discusses the future potential of the technology. Finally, the review discusses advanced microscopy techniques to study the morphology of NMSs.
The Genomic Commons
Authors: Contreras Jorge L. , Knoppers Bartha M.
Published: February 2018

Over its 30 or so years of existence, the genomic commons—the worldwide collection of publicly accessible repositories of human and nonhuman genomic data—has enjoyed remarkable, perhaps unprecedented, success. Thanks to the rapid public data release policies initiated by the Human Genome Project, free access to a vast array of scientific data is now the norm, not only in genomics, but in scientific disciplines of all descriptions. And far from being a monolithic creation of bureaucratic fiat, the genomic commons is an exemplar of polycentric, multistakeholder governance. But like all dynamic and rapidly evolving systems, the genomic commons is not without its challenges. Issues involving scientific priority, intellectual property, individual privacy, and informed consent, in an environment of data sets of exponentially expanding size and complexity, must be addressed in the near term. In this review, we describe the characteristics and unique history of the genomic commons, then address some of the trends, challenges, and opportunities that we envision for this valuable public resource in the years to come.
Permutationally Invariant Potential Energy Surfaces
Authors: Qu Chen , Yu Qi , Bowman Joel M.
Published: February 2018

Over the past decade, about 50 potential energy surfaces (PESs) for polyatomics with 4–11 atoms and for clusters have been calculated using the permutationally invariant polynomial method. This is a general, mainly linear least-squares method for precise mathematical fitting of tens of thousands of electronic energies for reactive and nonreactive systems. A brief tutorial of the methodology is given, including several recent improvements. Recent applications to the formic acid dimer (the current record holder in size for a reactive system), the H2-H2O complex, and four protonated water clusters [H+(H2O)n=2,3,4,6] are given. The last application also illustrates extension to large clusters using the many-body representation.
Confucian Political Theory in Contemporary China
Authors: Jiang Yi-Huah
Published: February 2018

This article discusses what traditional Confucian political theory represents and how it is reconstructed by contemporary Confucians to cope with the various challenges that it faces in modern times. Specifically, I examine the school of New Confucianism in Taiwan and Hong Kong, political Confucianism and civic Confucianism in mainland China, and the theory of Confucian political meritocracy. I then analyze how the Communist Party of China attempts to promote Confucianism in order to consolidate its authoritarian rule and what damage this may cause to resurgent Confucianism. Finally, I evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each approach and suggest some areas of interest for further exploration.
Optimal Design Parameters of a Percussive Drilling System for Efficiency Improvement
Authors: Song Changheon , Chung Jintai , Cho Jae-Sang , Nam Yun-Joo
Published: February 2018

This paper aims to determine the optimal design parameters for percussive drilling systems considering the bit‐rock interaction. First, the motion dynamics of a bit impacted by a dropped piston are modeled by impact stress propagation and a rock‐breaking mechanism representing the penetration resistance coefficient and unloading constant. Next, the damping vibration behavior of the bit is investigated considering the impact duration and the rock loading/unloading condition. In addition, the proposed dynamics are simplified by adopting two dimensionless parameters representing the bit‐piston mass ratio and the rock‐piston stiffness ratio. Finally, the drilling efficiency, defined by the energy transmitted from the piston to the rock, is presented in terms of the proposed parameters. The use of optimal design parameters for percussive drilling systems improved the drilling efficiency. These results are applicable to the design and performance estimation of down‐the‐hole and top‐hammer systems.
Efficacy and Safety of Wei Bi Mei, a Chinese Herb Compound, as an Alternative to Bismuth for Eradication of Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Li Lei , Meng FanDong , Zhu Shengtao , Guo ShuiLong , Wang YongJun , Zhao Xin , Sun YiLin , Zhang Yan , Wang QinQin , Xu HuFeng , Zhang ShuTian
Published: February 2018

Bismuth‐containing quadruple therapy has been recommended as the first line of treatment in areas of high clarithromycin or metronidazole resistance. However, safety concerns of bismuth agents have long been raised. We first assessed the efficacy and safety of Wei Bi Mei granules, which are bismuth compounds consisting of three synthetic drugs and five medicinal herbs, compared to bismuth aluminate and colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS) in H. pylori‐infected mouse model. We then used atomic fluorescence spectroscopy and autometallography to measure the accumulation of three bismuth agents in the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys in adult Sprague‐Dawley rats. We also evaluated the safety of bismuth agents by conducting clinical biochemistry tests in blood samples of experimental animals. Wei Bi Mei granules exhibited the highest efficacy of anti‐H. pylori activity and yielded the lowest bismuth accumulation when compared to CBS and bismuth aluminate. Our findings show that Wei Bi Mei granules are a safe Chinese medicinal herb with potent anti‐H. pylori activity and can be considered as an alternative to current bismuth compounds. Thus, Wei Bi Mei granules merit further evaluation, particularly with regard to efficacy and safety when they are combined with other H. pylori eradication medications in the clinical setting.
Effects of Shrinkage‐Compensation on Mechanical Properties and Repair Performance of Strain‐Hardening Cement Composite Materials
Authors: Jang Seok-Joon , Kim Sun-Woo , Park Wan-Shin , Kobayashi Koichi , Yun Hyun-Do
Published: February 2018

This paper describes the effects of expansive admixture on the mechanical properties of strain‐hardening cement‐based composite (SHCC) mixtures. Also, this study investigates structural performance of reinforced concrete (RC) beam specimens repaired with SHCC and Ex‐SHCC (SHCC with expansive admixture). In this study, SHCC and Ex‐SHCC mixtures with two specified compressive strength values of 30 MPa and 60 MPa and the fiber volume fraction of 1.5% were investigated. The expansive admixture replacement ratio of 10% by cement weight was used in this study. The test results indicate that the compressive, tensile, and flexural strength values of the SHCC mixtures increased when expansive admixture was included in the mix; however, their toughness and ductility decreased. The study results also show that the application of both SHCC and Ex‐SHCC mixtures to repair damaged RC beam specimens can lead to significant structural performance improvement by mitigating crack damage and increasing ductility.
Utilization of Sandy Soil as the Primary Raw Material in Production of Unfired Bricks
Authors: Tao Guilan , Pan Yuepeng , Qiao Zhaoyang , Jiang Chaohua
Published: February 2018

In this study, attempts were made to use sandy soil as the main raw material in making unfired bricks. The sprayed‐cured brick specimens were tested for compressive and flexural strength, rate of water absorption, percentage of voids, bulk density, freezing/thawing, and water immersion resistance. In addition, the microstructures of the specimens were also studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The test results show that unfired brick specimens with the addition of ground‐granulated blast‐furnace slag (GGBS) tend to achieve better mechanical properties when compared with the specimens that added cement alone, with GGBS correcting particle size distribution and contributing to the pozzolanic reactions and the pore‐filling effects. The test specimens with the appropriate addition of cement, GGBS, quicklime, and gypsum are dense and show a low water absorption rate, a low percentage of voids, and an excellent freezing/thawing and water immersion resistance. The SEM observation and XRD analysis verify the formation of hydrate products C–S–H and ettringite, providing a better explanation of the mechanical and physical behavior and durability of the derived unfired bricks. The results obtained suggest that there is a technical approach for the high‐efficient comprehensive utilization of sandy soil and provide increased economic and environmental benefits.
Every Second Counts: Integrating Edge Computing and Service Oriented Architecture for Automatic Emergency Management
Authors: Chen Lei , Englund Cristofer
Published: February 2018

Emergency management has long been recognized as a social challenge due to the criticality of the response time. In emergency situations such as severe traffic accidents, minimizing the response time, which requires close collaborations between all stakeholders involved and distributed intelligence support, leads to greater survival chance of the injured. However, the current response system is far from efficient, despite the rapid development of information and communication technologies. This paper presents an automated collaboration framework for emergency management that coordinates all stakeholders within the emergency response system and fully automates the rescue process. Applying the concept of multiaccess edge computing architecture, as well as choreography of the service oriented architecture, the system allows seamless coordination between multiple organizations in a distributed way through standard web services. A service choreography is designed to globally model the emergency management process from the time an accident occurs until the rescue is finished. The choreography can be synthesized to generate detailed specification on peer-to-peer interaction logic, and then the specification can be enacted and deployed on cloud infrastructures.
A Modification of the Fuzzy Logic Based DASH Adaptation Scheme for Performance Improvement
Authors: Kim Hyun Jun , Son Ye Seul , Kim Joon Tae
Published: February 2018

We propose a modification of the fuzzy logic based DASH adaptation scheme (FDASH) for seamless media service in time‐varying network conditions. The proposed scheme (mFDASH) selects a more appropriate bit‐rate for the next segment by modification of the Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) and estimates more accurate available bandwidth than FDASH scheme by using History‐Based TCP Throughput Estimation. Moreover, mFDASH reduces the number of video bit‐rate changes by applying Segment Bit‐Rate Filtering Module (SBFM) and employs Start Mechanism for clients to provide high‐quality videos in the very beginning stage of the streaming service. Lastly, Sleeping Mechanism is applied to avoid any expected buffer overflow. We then use NS‐3 Network Simulator to verify the performance of mFDASH. Upon the experimental results, mFDASH shows no buffer overflow within the limited buffer size, which is not guaranteed in FDASH. Also, we confirm that mFDASH provides the highest QoE to DASH clients among the three schemes (mFDASH, FDASH, and SVAA) in Point‐to‐Point networks, Wi‐Fi networks, and LTE networks, respectively.
Ma‐Huang‐Fu‐Zi‐Xi‐Xin Decoction for Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zhong Juan , Lai Dan , Zheng Yun , Li Gang
Published: February 2018

Background. The treatment effects and safety of Ma‐Huang‐Fu‐Zi‐Xi‐Xin decoction for patients with allergic rhinitis have yet to be clarified. Objectives. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects and safety of Ma‐Huang‐Fu‐Zi‐Xi‐Xin decoction in patients with allergic rhinitis. Methods. We searched PubMed, EMBASE (Excerpta Medical Database), Cochrane Library, Chinese Cochrane Centre’s Controlled Trials Register Platform, Wanfang Chinese Digital Periodical and Conference Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) Database, and VIP Chinese Science and Technique Journals Database to collect randomized controlled trials of Ma‐Huang‐Fu‐Zi‐Xi‐Xin decoction (MHFZXXD) for allergic rhinitis (AR) prior to May 8, 2017. RevMan 5.3 software was used to conduct a meta‐analysis. GRADE methodology was applied to evaluate the evidence quality for each outcome. Results. Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 576 participants (10–78 years old) were included. A meta‐analysis revealed that the overall effect of MHFZXXD for AR was not better than western medical treatment (RR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.26–0.65; P = 0.0001) for all included studies. However, the evidence quality of these western medical intervention studies was low or very low due to a high risk of bias, small sample sizes, and poor‐quality design.