bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ti-Doped Pd-Au Catalysts for One-Pot Hydrogenation and Ring Opening of Furfural
Authors: Date Nandan Shreehari , La Parola Valeria , Rode Chandrashekhar Vasant , Testa Maria Luisa
Published: June 2018

Pd-Au bimetallic catalysts with different Pd/Au atomic ratios, supported on ordered structured silica (Hexagonal mesoporous silica—HMS, or Santa Barbara Amorphous-15—SBA-15) were evaluated for one-pot hydrogenation of furfural to 1,2-pentanediol. The surface and structural properties of the catalysts were deeply investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption isotherms (BET), Infrared spectroscopy (IR), and acid capacity measurements. XPS studies revealed that Ti doped supports had higher dispersion of the active phase, particularly in the case of Pd-Au materials in which Ti played an important role in stabilizing the metallic species. Among the various process conditions studied, such as temperature (160 °C), catalyst amount (10% w/w), and reaction time (5 h), H2 pressure (500 psi) was found to improve the 1,2-pentanediol selectivity. The SBA silica bimetallic Ti-doped system showed the best performance in terms of stability and reusability, after multiple cycles. Under specific reaction conditions, the synergism between Pd-Au alloy and Ti doping of the support allowed the ring opening pathway towards the formation of 1,2-pentanediol in furfural hydrogenation.
Reactive Power Planning for Regional Power Grids Based on Active and Reactive Power Adjustments of DGs
Authors: Shen Yangwu , Shen Feifan , Chen Yaling , Liang Liqing , Zhang Bin , Ke Deping
Published: June 2018

To deal with extreme overvoltage scenarios with small probabilities in regional power grids, the traditional reactive power planning model requires a huge VAR compensator investment. Obviously, such a decision that makes a large investment to cope with a small probability event is not economic. Therefore, based on the scenario analysis of power outputs of distributed generations and load consumption, a novel reactive power planning model considering the active and reactive power adjustments of distributed generations is proposed to derive the optimal allocation of VAR compensators and ensure bus voltages within an acceptable range under extreme overvoltage scenarios. The objective of the proposed reactive power planning model is to minimize the VAR compensator investment cost and active power adjustment cost of distributed generations. Moreover, since the proposed reactive power planning model is formulated as a mixed-integer nonlinear programming problem, a primal-dual interior point method-based particle swarm optimization algorithm is developed to effectively solve the proposed model. Simulation results were conducted with the modified IEEE 30-bus system to verify the effectiveness of the proposed reactive power planning model.
Wind Farm Blockage and the Consequences of Neglecting Its Impact on Energy Production
Authors: Bleeg James , Purcell Mark , Ruisi Renzo , Traiger Elizabeth
Published: June 2018

Measurements taken before and after the commissioning of three wind farms reveal that the wind speeds just upstream of each wind farm decrease relative to locations farther away after the turbines are turned on. At a distance of two rotor diameters upstream, the average derived relative slowdown is 3.4%; at seven to ten rotor diameters upstream, the average slowdown is 1.9%. Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations point to wind-farm-scale blockage as the primary cause of these slowdowns. Blockage effects also cause front row turbines to produce less energy than they each would operating in isolation. Wind energy prediction procedures in use today ignore this effect, resulting in an overprediction bias that pervades the entire wind farm.
Thermal Performance through Heat Retention in Integrated Collector-Storage Solar Water Heaters: A Review
Authors: Saint Ruth M. , Garnier Céline , Pomponi Francesco , Currie John
Published: June 2018

Solar thermal systems are a long-standing technology that is receiving increased attention, in terms of research and development, due to ambitious climate change targets and the need for renewable energy solutions. Integrated collector-storage solar water heaters (ICSSWHs) are a potential contributing solution and numerous studies have focussed on the optimisation of their thermal performance and efficiency. A major drawback of these systems is the heavy heat losses experienced during non-collection periods. To combat this, various heat retention strategies have been proposed and evaluated, including baffles plates, additional insulation, multiple glazing layers, selective coatings, and phase change materials. This paper aims to bring together these studies through a systematic review of the existing literature surrounding the performance of ICSSWH systems, focusing on heat retention. This review provides a comprehensive and up-to-date point of reference on relevant research and developments for researchers in this field.
The Quorum Sensing System of Yersinia enterocolitica 8081 Regulates Swimming Motility, Host Cell Attachment, and Virulence Plasmid Maintenance
Authors: Ng Yen-Kuan , Grasso Marco , Wright Victoria , Garcia Vanina , Williams Paul , Atkinson Steve
Published: June 2018

Although Yersinia enterocolitica genomes are highly heterogeneous, they contain a conserved N-acylhomoserine lactone-dependent (AHL) quorum sensing (QS) system consisting of the luxR and luxI orthologs yenR and yenI respectively. Certain hypervirulent strains also contain a putative orphan luxR gene, ycoR, that is not linked to an AHL synthase. To explore the contribution of yenR/yenI/ycoR to QS-dependent phenotypes in Yersinia enterocolitica strain 8081, single and multiple mutants were constructed. AHL profiling identified N-(3-oxohexanoyl) homoserine lactone, N-hexanoylhomoserine lactone, and N-(3-oxoseptanoyl) homoserine lactone as the most abundant. The AHL profiles of the yenR, ycoR and yenR/ycoR mutants were similar to the parent suggesting that the two LuxR homologues do not regulate AHL production while the yenI mutants were AHL-negative. A role for QS in swimming motility and cell attachment was demonstrated. Down-regulation of the virulence plasmid partition gene, spyA, in yenI and yenI/yenR/ycoR mutants is consistent with the greater loss of the Y. enterocolitica pYVe virulence plasmid in the yenI mutant during serial passage at 37 °C but not at 22 °C. A role for QS-regulated spyA in virulence plasmid maintenance is suggested.
Construction of Red Fox Chromosomal Fragments from the Short-Read Genome Assembly
Authors: Rando Halie M. , Farré Marta , Robson Michael P. , Won Naomi B. , Johnson Jennifer L. , Buch Ronak , Bastounes Estelle R. , Xiang Xueyan , Feng Shaohong , Liu Shiping , Xiong Zijun , Kim Jaebum , Zhang Guojie , Trut Lyudmila N. , Larkin Denis M. , Kukekova Anna V.
Published: June 2018

The genome of a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was recently sequenced and assembled using next-generation sequencing (NGS). The assembly is of high quality, with 94X coverage and a scaffold N50 of 11.8 Mbp, but is split into 676,878 scaffolds, some of which are likely to contain assembly errors. Fragmentation and misassembly hinder accurate gene prediction and downstream analysis such as the identification of loci under selection. Therefore, assembly of the genome into chromosome-scale fragments was an important step towards developing this genomic model. Scaffolds from the assembly were aligned to the dog reference genome and compared to the alignment of an outgroup genome (cat) against the dog to identify syntenic sequences among species. The program Reference-Assisted Chromosome Assembly (RACA) then integrated the comparative alignment with the mapping of the raw sequencing reads generated during assembly against the fox scaffolds. The 128 sequence fragments RACA assembled were compared to the fox meiotic linkage map to guide the construction of 40 chromosomal fragments. This computational approach to assembly was facilitated by prior research in comparative mammalian genomics, and the continued improvement of the red fox genome can in turn offer insight into canid and carnivore chromosome evolution. This assembly is also necessary for advancing genetic research in foxes and other canids.
H1.0 Linker Histone as an Epigenetic Regulator of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation
Authors: Di Liegro Carlo Maria , Schiera Gabriella , Di Liegro Italia
Published: June 2018

H1 linker histones are a class of DNA-binding proteins involved in the formation of supra-nucleosomal chromatin higher order structures. Eleven non-allelic subtypes of H1 are known in mammals, seven of which are expressed in somatic cells, while four are germ cell-specific. Besides having a general structural role, H1 histones also have additional epigenetic functions related to DNA replication and repair, genome stability, and gene-specific expression regulation. Synthesis of the H1 subtypes is differentially regulated both in development and adult cells, thus suggesting that each protein has a more or less specific function. The somatic variant H1.0 is a linker histone that was recognized since long ago to be involved in cell differentiation. Moreover, it has been recently found to affect generation of epigenetic and functional intra-tumor heterogeneity. Interestingly, H1.0 or post-translational forms of it have been also found in extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from cancer cells in culture, thus suggesting that these cells may escape differentiation at least in part by discarding H1.0 through the EV route. In this review we will discuss the role of H1.0 in development, differentiation, and stem cell maintenance, also in relation with tumorigenesis, and EV production.
The Case of X and Y Localization of Nucleolus Organizer Regions (NORs) in Tragulus javanicus (Cetartiodactyla, Mammalia)
Authors: Proskuryakova Anastasia A. , Kulemzina Anastasia I. , Perelman Polina L. , Serdukova Natalia A. , Ryder Oliver A. , Graphodatsky Alexander S.
Published: June 2018

There are differences in number and localization of nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) in genomes. In mammalian genomes, NORs are located on autosomes, which are often situated on short arms of acrocentric chromosomes and more rarely in telomeric, pericentromeric, or interstitial regions. In this work, we report the unique case of active NORs located on gonоsomes of a eutherian mammal, the Javan mouse-deer (Tragulus javanicus). We have investigated the position of NORs by FISH experiments with ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences (18S, 5.8S, and 28S) and show the presence of a single NOR site on the X and Y chromosomes. The NOR is localized interstitially on the p-arm of the X chromosome in close proximity with prominent C-positive heterochromatin blocks and in the pericentromeric area of mostly heterochromatic Y. The NOR sites are active on both the X and Y chromosomes in the studied individual and surrounded by GC enriched heterochromatin. We hypothesize that the surrounding heterochromatin might have played a role in the transfer of NORs from autosomes to sex chromosomes during the karyotype evolution of the Javan mouse-deer.
CoreProbe: A Novel Algorithm for Estimating Relative Abundance Based on Metagenomic Reads
Authors: Ai Dongmei , Pan Hongfei , Huang Ruocheng , Xia Li C.
Published: June 2018

With the rapid development of high-throughput sequencing technology, the analysis of metagenomic sequencing data and the accurate and efficient estimation of relative microbial abundance have become important ways to explore the microbial composition and function of microbes. In addition, the accuracy and efficiency of the relative microbial abundance estimation are closely related to the algorithm and the selection of the reference sequence for sequence alignment. We introduced the microbial core genome as the reference sequence for potential microbes in a metagenomic sample, and we constructed a finite mixture and latent Dirichlet models and used the Gibbs sampling algorithm to estimate the relative abundance of microorganisms. The simulation results showed that our approach can improve the efficiency while maintaining high accuracy and is more suitable for high-throughput metagenomic data. The new approach was implemented in our CoreProbe package which provides a pipeline for an accurate and efficient estimation of the relative abundance of microbes in a community. This tool is available free of charge from the CoreProbe’s website: Access the Docker image with the following instruction: sudo docker pull panhongfei/coreprobe:1.0.
A Numerical 1.5D Method for the Rapid Simulation of Geophysical Resistivity Measurements
Authors: Shahriari Mostafa , Rojas Sergio , Pardo David , Rodríguez-Rozas Angel , Bakr Shaaban A. , Calo Victor M. , Muga Ignacio
Published: June 2018

In some geological formations, borehole resistivity measurements can be simulated using a sequence of 1D models. By considering a 1D layered media, we can reduce the dimensionality of the problem from 3D to 1.5D via a Hankel transform. The resulting formulation is often solved via a semi-analytic method, mainly due to its high performance. However, semi-analytic methods have important limitations such as, for example, their inability to model piecewise linear variations on the resistivity. Herein, we develop a multi-scale finite element method (FEM) to solve the secondary field formulation. This numerical scheme overcomes the limitations of semi-analytic methods while still delivering high performance. We illustrate the performance of the method with numerical synthetic examples based on two symmetric logging-while-drilling (LWD) induction devices operating at 2 MHz and 500 KHz, respectively.
Diabetic Retinopathy: Pathophysiology and Treatments
Authors: Wang Wei , Lo Amy C. Y.
Published: June 2018

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). It has long been recognized as a microvascular disease. The diagnosis of DR relies on the detection of microvascular lesions. The treatment of DR remains challenging. The advent of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy demonstrated remarkable clinical benefits in DR patients; however, the majority of patients failed to achieve clinically-significant visual improvement. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of new treatments. Laboratory and clinical evidence showed that in addition to microvascular changes, inflammation and retinal neurodegeneration may contribute to diabetic retinal damage in the early stages of DR. Further investigation of the underlying molecular mechanisms may provide targets for the development of new early interventions. Here, we present a review of the current understanding and new insights into pathophysiology in DR, as well as clinical treatments for DR patients. Recent laboratory findings and related clinical trials are also reviewed.
Hot Deformation Behavior and Microstructure Evolution of 14Cr ODS Steel
Authors: Zhao Qian , Yu Liming , Ma Zongqing , Li Huijun , Wang Zumin , Liu Yongchang
Published: June 2018

Hot deformation tests of 14Cr oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steel fabricated by mechanical alloying and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) were performed on a Gleeble-1500D simulator at temperatures ranging from 1050 to 1200 °C with the strain rate range of 0.001−1 s−1. The relationship between the rheological stress and the deformation condition was studied, and a processing map at the true strain of 0.5 was proposed. Microstructure evolution during the deformation process and the effects of deformation conditions on microstructures were also investigated, as well as the stability of nanoparticles. Results show that the 14Cr ODS steel possesses positive strain rate sensitivity. The flow stress increases with the decrease of deformation temperature and the increase of strain rate. The recrystallization process is promoted by the increase of deformation temperature and the reduction of strain rate. Nanoparticles possess excellent stability during the deformation process and are coherent with the matrix.
Quadratic Solid–Shell Finite Elements for Geometrically Nonlinear Analysis of Functionally Graded Material Plates
Authors: Chalal Hocine , Abed-Meraim Farid
Published: June 2018

In the current contribution, prismatic and hexahedral quadratic solid–shell (SHB) finite elements are proposed for the geometrically nonlinear analysis of thin structures made of functionally graded material (FGM). The proposed SHB finite elements are developed within a purely 3D framework, with displacements as the only degrees of freedom. Also, the in-plane reduced-integration technique is combined with the assumed-strain method to alleviate various locking phenomena. Furthermore, an arbitrary number of integration points are placed along a special direction, which represents the thickness. The developed elements are coupled with functionally graded behavior for the modeling of thin FGM plates. To this end, the Young modulus of the FGM plate is assumed to vary gradually in the thickness direction, according to a volume fraction distribution. The resulting formulations are implemented into the quasi-static ABAQUS/Standard finite element software in the framework of large displacements and rotations. Popular nonlinear benchmark problems are considered to assess the performance and accuracy of the proposed SHB elements. Comparisons with reference solutions from the literature demonstrate the good capabilities of the developed SHB elements for the 3D simulation of thin FGM plates.
Factors influencing development of atrial fibrillation after implantation of cardiac pacemaker for sinus node dysfunction
Authors: Aidietis Audrius , Barysienė Jūratė , Marinskis Germanas , Aidietienė Sigita , Kairevičiūtė Diana , Jurkuvėnas Paulius , Aganauskienė Jūratė , Bagdonas Kęstutis , Ježovas Vladimiras , Laucevičius Aleksandras
Published: June 2018

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors influencing the success of atrial fibrillation treatment associated with the sick sinus syndrome after pacemaker implantation. Methods and results. In 163 patients with sick sinus syndrome followed up after pacemaker implantation, statistical analysis showed that the recurrence of atrial fibrillation increased 2.8 times and 2.5 times when the left atrium or the right atrium, respectively, were increased by 1 cm (P=0.001). In addition, the recurrence of atrial fibrillation increased 2.5 times when the interventricular septum was thickened (P=0.007). Probability of atrial fibrillation recurrence was 2.73 times higher in the presence of grade II mitral regurgitation as compared to absent or grade I mitral regurgitation (P=0.029). The results of atrial fibrillation treatment did not significantly depend on age, gender, duration of atrial fibrillation symptoms, other cardiac structural changes, and concomitant noncardiac diseases. Conclusions. In patients with sick sinus syndrome, the effectiveness of atrial fibrillation treatment after pacemaker implantation is influenced by enlargement of the left and the right atria, increased interventricular septum thickness, and grade II mitral regurgitation. Evaluation of echocardiographic data before pacemaker implantation has prognostic value for determining the probability of maintenance of sinus rhythm.
Do the quality of health care services provided at personal health care institutions of Kaunas city and access to it meet expectations of pregnant women
Authors: Vanagienė Virginija , Žilaitienė Birutė , Vanagas Tadas
Published: June 2018

Objectives. To evaluate if the quality of services provided by family physicians and obstetricians/gynecologists at primary personal health care institutions of Kaunas city and access to it meet the needs and expectations of pregnant women. Material and methods. Pregnant women visiting the selected health care institutions at their third trimester of pregnancy were asked to fill in the anonymous questionnaire. The study was conducted at two randomly selected maternity centers of Kaunas city and two family practices of Kaunas city where antenatal care was provided by family physicians. The questionnaires were given to 106 patients visiting family physicians (response rate was 88.7%) and to 202 patients visiting obstetricians/ gynecologists (response rate was 81.7%). Results. Health services provided by family physicians and obstetricians/gynecologists met the expectations of pregnant women in respect of providing with information and communication. The patients of obstetricians/gynecologists significantly more often stated that they were very satisfied with patient-physician communication (P<0.05), they significantly more often understood explanations given by the physician (P<0.001) and claimed having sufficient knowledge about pregnancy (P<0.05), while the patients of family physicians significantly more often asserted that the physician helped them in preparation for childbirth (P<0.05). The patients of obstetricians/gynecologists significantly more often did not face any problems with access to services as compared to the patients of family physicians (z=3.0). Most of pregnant women stated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of health care at the health care facility providing them with antenatal care irrespective of the physician’s specialty. Conclusions. The quality of antenatal health care provided by both family physicians and obstetricians/gynecologists and access to it satisfied the needs and expectations of the surveyed women. Correction of the limitations noticed, e.g., closer communication, more understandable explanations, more attention to preparation for childbirth, better work planning, could improve the quality of antenatal care provided by the family physicians.
Trace Element Analysis of Pyrite from the Zhengchong Gold Deposit, Northeast Hunan Province, China: Implications for the Ore-Forming Process
Authors: Shao Yong-Jun , Wang Wen-Shu , Liu Qing-Quan , Zhang Yu
Published: June 2018

The Zhengchong gold deposit is located in the central segment of the Jiangnan Orogen in northeastern Hunan Province, South China. The host rocks of this deposit are the Neoproterozoic slates of the Lengjiaxi Group and granodiorite. The structures in the Zhengchong gold deposit are dominated by NE-trending reverse faults, which control the gold-bearing veins. The orebody consists of NE-trending laminated quartz veins and NW-trending quartz veins. The alteration styles include silicification, carbonatization, sulfidation, sericitization and chloritization. The Zhengchong gold mineralization can be divided into four stages: Quartz-pyrite (stage I), quartz-pyrite-arsenopyrite (stage II), quartz-polysulfide (stage III) and quartz-carbonate (stage IV). Three generations of hydrothermal pyrite were identified: Disseminated euhedral to subhedral cubes in altered wall-rock (PyI), euhedral to subhedral cubes inter-grown with arsenopyrite and tetrahedrite in quartz veins and wall-rock (PyII), and euhedral cubes with microinclusions (native gold, galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite, and pyrrhotite) or metasomatic textures in sulfide-rich veins or veinlets (PyIII). PyII and PyIII are arsenian pyrite and represent the main Au-bearing minerals. PyI records the lowest concentrations of Au; PyII and PyIII record similar amounts of Au, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Bi, but PyIII is more enriched in Co, Ni, Te, and Se. The substitution of As, Se and Te for S and that of Co and Ni for Fe occurs by direct-ion exchange. Invisible gold is uniformly distributed within the arsenian pyrite, and visible gold fills microfractures in PyII or occurs as inclusions in PyIII. Co, Ni, Cu exhibit positive correlations with Au and a negative correlation between Au + Cu + Co + Ni and Fe reflect that Fe vacancies may have been a major cause of the precipitation of invisible Au and other metal elements in pyrite structure. There are systematic trace element differences between the three generations of pyrite (PyI, PyII, PyIII). The more Co, Ni and Se, Te substitution that occurred for Fe and S, respectively, the greater the increase in the Co/Ni ratio (<1) and the decrease in the Se/Te ratio (<10) in stage III, indicating that a more reduced, lower-temperature metamorphic hydrothermal fluid was present in stage III.
Insights into Resistance Mechanisms of Inhibitors to Mps1 C604Y Mutation via a Comprehensive Molecular Modeling Study
Authors: Chen Yuan , Yu Wenquan , Jiang Cui-cui , Zheng Jin-gui
Published: June 2018

Mono-polar spindle 1 (Mps1/TTK) represents a protein kinase reported to be vital for cell division processes and is generally regarded as an attractive target for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, breast carcinoma, and colon cancer. However, the C604Y mutation has been linked to acquired resistance. Recently, three potential small-molecule inhibitors of Mps1 (i.e., reversine, NMS-P715, and its derivative Cpd-5) were reported for the C604Y mutation that exhibit significant resistance to NMS-P715 and Cpd-5, but retain affinity for reversine. In this study, classical molecular dynamic (MD) simulations, accelerated MD (aMD) simulations, and umbrella sampling (US) simulations were performed to illustrate the resistance mechanisms of inhibitors to Mps1. The classical MD simulations combined with free energy calculations revealed that reversine features similar binding affinity characteristics to both Mps1WT and Mps1C604Y, but both NMS-P715 and Cpd-5 feature much higher binding affinities to Mps1WT than to Mps1C604Y. The major variations were shown to be controlled by electrostatic energy and the conformational change of A-loop-induced entropy increased. The large conformational changes of Mps1C604Y bound to NMS-P715 and Cpd-5 were also observed in aMD simulations. The US simulation results further suggest that reversine and Cpd-5 both exhibit similar dissociation processes from both Mps1WT and Mps1C604Y, but Cpd-5 and NMS-P715 were found to dissociate more easily from Mps1C604Y than from Mps1WT, thus a reduced residence time was responsible for the inhibitors resistance to the C604Y mutation. The physical principles provided by the present study may provide important clues for the discovery and rational design of novel inhibitors to combat the C604Y mutation of Mps1.
Metabolomic Analysis of Biochemical Changes in the Serum and Urine of Freund’s Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis in Rats after Treatment with Silkworm Excrement
Authors: Zheng Tianyao , Su Shulan , Dai Xinxin , Zhang Liwen , Duan Jin-Ao , Ou-Yang Zhen
Published: June 2018

Silkworm excrement (SE), is used as a traditional antirheumatic medicine in China. The present study was designed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of water fraction of SE (ST) and ethanol fraction of SE (CT) at two different doses on adjuvant induced arthritis (AA) rats. Arthritis severity was evaluated by body weight, paw thickness, histological changes and index of paws oedema and spleen. Serum samples were collected for estimation of biochemical indicators and cytokines. In addition, a metabonomic method based on the ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) had been established to investigate the holistic efficacy of SE by serum and urine. Multivariate statistical approaches, such as partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and orthogonal projection to latent structures squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were built to evaluate the therapeutic effects of SE and find potential biomarkers and metabolic pathways. Administration with SE significantly ameliorated the AA severity, including body weight loss, paw swelling, histological changes and the levels of biochemical index. 33 endogenous metabolites had been identified (10 in serum and 23 in urine) in the AA rats. Urinary and serum metabolic profiling revealed that the metabolites underpin the metabolic pathway including nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism; pentose and glucuronate interconversions; TCA cycle; beta-Alanine metabolism; purine metabolism and glycolysis or gluconeogenesis. The altered metabolites could be regulated closer to normal level after SE intervention. The results suggested SE possesses substantial anti-arthritic activity and demonstrated that metabonomics is a powerful tool to gain insight in the mechanism of SE formula in therapy.
Expression, Purification, and Characterization of a Novel Hybrid Peptide with Potent Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Wei Xubiao , Wu Rujuan , Zhang Lulu , Ahmad Baseer , Si Dayong , Zhang Rijun
Published: June 2018

The hybrid peptide cecropin A (1–8)–LL37 (17–30) (C–L), derived from the sequence of cecropin A (C) and LL-37 (L), showed significantly increased antibacterial activity and minimized hemolytic activity than C and L alone. To obtain high-level production of C–L, the deoxyribonucleic acid sequence encoding C–L with preferred codons was cloned into pET-SUMO to construct a fusion expression vector, and overexpressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) BL21 (DE3). The maximum fusion protein (92% purity) was obtained with the yield of 89.14 mg/L fermentation culture after purification with Ni-NTA Sepharose column. The hybrid C–L was cleaved from the fusion protein by SUMO-protease, and 17.54 mg/L pure active C–L was obtained. Furthermore, the purified C–L showed identical antibacterial and hemolytic activity to synthesized C–L. Stability analysis results exhibited that the activity of C–L changed little below 80 °C for 20 min, but when the temperature exceeded 80 °C, a significant decrease was observed. Varying the pH from 5.0 to 10.0 did not appear to influence the activity of C–L, however, pH below 4.0 decreased the antibacterial activity of C–L rapidly. Under the challenge of several proteases (pepsin, trypsin, and proteinase K), the functional activity of C–L was maintained over 50%. In summary, this study not only supplied an effective approach for high-level production of hybrid peptide C–L, but paved the way for its further exploration in controlling infectious diseases of farm animals or even humans.
Identification of 2′,4′-Dihydroxychalcone as an Antivirulence Agent Targeting HlyU, a Master Virulence Regulator in Vibrio vulnificus
Authors: Imdad Saba , Batool Nayab , Pradhan Subhra , Chaurasia Akhilesh Kumar , Kim Kyeong Kyu
Published: June 2018

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance and rapid acclimation allows Vibrio vulnificus to rapidly propagate in the host. This problematic pathological scenario can be circumvented by employing an antivirulence strategy, treating Vibrio infections without hindering the bacterial growth. We developed a genome-integrated orthogonal inhibitor screening platform in E. coli to identify antivirulence agents targeting a master virulence regulator of V. vulnificus. We identified 2′,4′-dihydroxychalcone (DHC) from the natural compound library and verified that it decreases the expression of the major toxin network which is equivalent to the ∆hlyU deletion mutant. 2′,4′-DHC also reduced the hemolytic activity of V. vulnificus which was tested as an example of virulence phenotype. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay confirmed that 2′,4′-DHC specifically targeted HlyU and inhibited its binding to PrtxA1 promoter. Under in vivo conditions, a single dose of 2′,4′-DHC protected ~50% wax-worm larvae from V. vulnificus infection at a non-toxic concentration to both V. vulnificus and wax-worm larvae. In the current study, we demonstrated that an orthogonal reporter system is suitable for the identification of antivirulence compounds with accuracy, and identified 2′,4′-DHC as a potent antivirulence agent that specifically targets the HlyU virulence transcriptional regulator and significantly reduces the virulence and infection potential of V. vulnificus.
Faith-Based Mentoring of Ex-Felons in Higher Education: Colson Scholars Reflect on Their Transitions
Authors: Leary Judith A.
Published: June 2018

This qualitative study employs the framework of Schlossberg’s Transition Theory to offer readers an introduction into recently-conducted research on ex-felons transitioning into, through, and out of higher education within the context of the Colson Scholarship program at Wheaton College1, in Wheaton, Illinois. Through the material gathered from personal interviews of six completed Colson Scholars, faith-based mentors were consistently seen as significant sources of support in each stage of the college-going transition. Faith-based mentors played an important role in the outcomes of, specifically, faith-worldview development and emotional development. This article seeks to illuminate the problem of the lack of supportive mentors for ex-offender populations in our communities, and to illustrate how those mentors might be found in faith-based organizations, institutions, and houses of worship, as Johnson (Johnson 2011) asserted and also what gains could result from the involvement of faith-based mentors in the lives of correctional populations post-release.
Introduction to “Transforming Encounters and Critical Reflection: African Thought, Critical Theory, and Liberation Theology in Dialogue”
Authors: Verhoef Anné H.
Published: June 2018

This special issue of Religions, entitled “Transforming Encounters and Critical Reflection: African Thought, Critical Theory, and Liberation Theology in Dialogue”, brought together diverse international scholars and experts to think together on the intersection of African Thought, Critical Theory, and Liberation Theology. One of the aims of this special issue, and of the preceding conference (as stated in the call for papers), was to explore the complex relationship between the West’s pervasive (capitalistic) culture and epistemologies, and the current post-colonial context of (southern) Africa. As such, it provided a platform to engage questions regarding the relationship between colonialism, capitalism, and culture through both a philosophical and theological lens. The final publication of all articles in the special issue not only achieved the above set aims, but accomplished even more by opening up new creative pathways of thinking about the three traditions that were brought into conversation (and not only within their intersection).
Parameterization of Spectral Particulate and Phytoplankton Absorption Coefficients in Sognefjord and Trondheimsfjord, Two Contrasting Norwegian Fjord Ecosystems
Authors: Mascarenhas Veloisa J. , Zielinski Oliver
Published: June 2018

We present here parameterizations of particulate and phytoplankton absorption coefficients as functions of pigment concentrations (Tchla) in Sognefjord and Trondheimsfjord along the northwestern coast of Norway. The total particulate and non-algal optical densities were measured via quantitative filter technique (QFT) in a spectrophotometer with integrating sphere. The spectral parameter coefficients A(λ) and E(λ) of the power law describing variations of particulate and phytoplankton absorption coefficients as a function of Tchla, were not only different from those provided for open ocean case 1 waters, but also exhibited differences in the two fjords under investigation. Considering the influence of glacial meltwater leading to increased inorganic sediment load in Sognefjord we investigate differences in two different parameterizations, developed by excluding and including inner Sognefjord stations. Tchla are modelled to test the parameterizations and validated against data from the same cruise and that from a repeated campaign. Being less influenced by non-algal particles parameterizations performed well in Trondheimsfjord and yielded high coefficients of determination (R2) of modelled vs. measured Tchla. In Sognefjord, the modelled vs. measured Tchla resulted in better R2 with parameter coefficients developed excluding the inner-fjord stations influenced by glacial meltwater influx.
Downlink Cooperative Broadcast Transmission Based on Superposition Coding in a Relaying System for Future Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Liu Yang , Han Guangjie , Shi Sulong , Li Zhengquan
Published: June 2018

This study investigates the superiority of cooperative broadcast transmission over traditional orthogonal schemes when applied in a downlink relaying broadcast channel (RBC). Two proposed cooperative broadcast transmission protocols, one with an amplify-and-forward (AF) relay, and the other with a repetition-based decode-and-forward (DF) relay, are investigated. By utilizing superposition coding (SupC), the source and the relay transmit the private user messages simultaneously instead of sequentially as in traditional orthogonal schemes, which means the channel resources are reused and an increased channel degree of freedom is available to each user, hence the half-duplex penalty of relaying is alleviated. To facilitate a performance evaluation, theoretical outage probability expressions of the two broadcast transmission schemes are developed, based on which, we investigate the minimum total power consumption of each scheme for a given traffic requirement by numerical simulation. The results provide details on the overall system performance and fruitful insights on the essential characteristics of cooperative broadcast transmission in RBCs. It is observed that better overall outage performances and considerable power gains can be obtained by utilizing cooperative broadcast transmissions compared to traditional orthogonal schemes.
Accurate Smartphone Indoor Visual Positioning Based on a High-Precision 3D Photorealistic Map
Authors: Wu Teng , Liu Jingbin , Li Zheng , Liu Keke , Xu Beini
Published: June 2018

Indoor positioning is in high demand in a variety of applications, and indoor environment is a challenging scene for visual positioning. This paper proposes an accurate visual positioning method for smartphones. The proposed method includes three procedures. First, an indoor high-precision 3D photorealistic map is produced using a mobile mapping system, and the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of the images are obtained from the mapping result. A point cloud is calculated using feature matching and multi-view forward intersection. Second, top-K similar images are queried using hamming embedding with SIFT feature description. Feature matching and pose voting are used to select correctly matched image, and the relationship between image points and 3D points is obtained. Finally, outlier points are removed using P3P with the coarse focal length. Perspective-four-point with unknown focal length and random sample consensus are used to calculate the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of the query image and then to obtain the positioning of the smartphone. Compared with established baseline methods, the proposed method is more accurate and reliable. The experiment results show that 70 percent of the images achieve location error smaller than 0.9 m in a 10 m × 15.8 m room, and the prospect of improvement is discussed.
Spectral-Spatial Feature Extraction of Hyperspectral Images Based on Propagation Filter
Authors: Chen Zhikun , Jiang Junjun , Jiang Xinwei , Fang Xiaoping , Cai Zhihua
Published: June 2018

Recently, image-filtering based hyperspectral image (HSI) feature extraction has been widely studied. However, due to limited spatial resolution and feature distribution complexity, the problems of cross-region mixing after filtering and spectral discriminative reduction still remain. To address these issues, this paper proposes a spectral-spatial propagation filter (PF) based HSI feature extraction method that can effectively address the above problems. The dimensionality/band of an HSI is typically high; therefore, principal component analysis (PCA) is first used to reduce the HSI dimensionality. Then, the principal components of the HSI are filtered with the PF. When cross-region mixture occurs in the image, the filter template reduces the weight assignments of the cross-region mixed pixels to handle the issue of cross-region mixed pixels simply and effectively. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, experiments are carried out on three common HSIs using support vector machine (SVM) classifiers with features learned by the PF. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method effectively extracts the spectral-spatial features of HSIs and significantly improves the accuracy of HSI classification.
Model of Power System Stabilizer Adapting to Multi-Operating Conditions of Local Power Grid and Parameter Tuning
Authors: Hu Wenping , Liang Jifeng , Jin Yitao , Wu Fuzhang
Published: June 2018

The rapid development of the modern power grid has resulted in significant changes to the dynamic characteristics of regional power grids. Moreover, the operating conditions of power grids are increasingly complex, and uncertainty factors are on the rise, which makes it difficult for a conventional power system stabilizer (PSS) to provide enough damping for the power system. To solve the problem where the conventional model and parameter-tuning method of a PSS cannot adapt to the multi-operating conditions of the modern power system, a new emergency control model of PSS (E-PSS) that can adapt to the multi-operating conditions of the local power grid and a method of parameter tuning based on probabilistic eigenvalue are proposed in this paper. An emergency control channel is also installed on the PSS2B. The conventional channel is used to control the system under normal operating conditions, which ensures that the system meets the conditions of dynamic stability in 99% of operating conditions, and the emergency control is adopted immediately in extreme conditions. Through the process of parameter tuning, the adaptability of the PSS to multi-operating conditions and damping coupling are both considered. Finally, it is verified that the emergency control model of the PSS and the parameter tuning method are effective and robust by a series of simulations based on MATLAB and its Power system analysis toolbox (PSAT). The rapidity of the emergency control can guarantee its effectiveness.
Critical Factors to Achieve Dockless Bike-Sharing Sustainability in China: A Stakeholder-Oriented Network Perspective
Authors: Shi Jian-gang , Si Hongyun , Wu Guangdong , Su Yangyue , Lan Jing
Published: June 2018

In China, dockless bike-sharing programs (DBSPs) play a significant role in promoting the goals of sustainable urban travel and carbon emissions reduction. However, the sustainability of DBSPs is increasingly being challenged as various issues associated with different stakeholders emerge. While numerous studies have focused on the barriers to traditional bike-sharing programs, the sustainability performance of new-generation DBSPs is largely overlooked. It is accordingly imperative to understand the primary challenges that impede the sustainability of DBSPs and to consider what stimulative measures can be taken. In this study, we investigate the factors that are critical to DBSPs’ sustainability from a network perspective. Stakeholder-associated factors and their interrelations were identified via literature analysis and interviews, and the social network analysis (SNA) method was employed to recognize the critical factors and links in DBSPs. As a result, 10 critical factors and 10 major interactions were identified and further classified into six challenges. Sharing transport schemes, legislative perfection, public private partnership (PPP), and product lifecycle management (PLM) were proposed to govern these challenges. This paper contributes to the existing body of knowledge of bike-sharing programs via a network approach that integrates the key influencing factors with those factors’ associated stakeholders. Furthermore, these findings provide the government and operators with implications for mitigating the tough challenges and facilitating the sustainability of DBSPs.
The Era of Sustainability: Promises, Pitfalls and Prospects for Sustainable Buildings and the Built Environment
Authors: Conte Emilia
Published: June 2018

Following 25 years of efforts in the field, the author discusses the situation of the construction sector by reflecting on the 3Ps of the era of sustainability: the promises of sustainability; the pitfalls in the interpretation of sustainability for construction; the prospects for sustainable buildings and the built environment in the future. The paper is organized into five sections. The first section introduces the emergence of sustainable construction, its promises and challenges for architects and engineers. The second section considers how sustainability has been interpreted in practice in construction, i.e., primarily through the process of greening buildings and the built environment. The third section describes the main pitfalls that such interpretation has determined, including the role played by evaluation and assessment systems for sustainable buildings. The fourth section examines prospective paths to overcoming such pitfalls, with particular concerns for new professionalisms and the ensuing role for higher education. The fifth section concludes by supporting the idea that the era of sustainability is still necessary, if sustainability itself becomes a sort of ‘container concept’ of all that is necessary for long-lasting natural and human life on Earth.
Coordinating the Dynamic Development of Energy and Industry in Composite Regions: An I-SDOP Analysis of the BTH Region
Authors: Li Xu , Chong Chinhao , Ma Linwei , Liu Pei , Shen Xuesi , Jia Zibo , Wang Cheng , Li Zheng , Ni Weidou
Published: June 2018

In various regions of the world, there is an urgent need to address energy challenges by accelerating the transformation of energy and industrial systems. The problem is quite complex in rapidly developing composite regions, with the necessity to coordinate the dynamic development of energy and industry in several heterogeneous subregions. Through a typical case study on the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region, this study attempts to form a referable methodology for the coordinated development of energy and industry for the sustainable development of rapidly developing composite regions. The concept of an Integrated strategy of Sustainable development objectives, Decision-making systems, Operation systems, and Physical systems (I-SDOP) is proposed to describe the multilayer dynamics of complex energy and industrial systems. A five-step I-SDOP analysis is conducted to determine an integrated strategy for the coordinated development of energy and industry in the BTH region, based on the analysis of its sustainable development objectives, decision-making systems, operation systems, and physical systems. The results indicate the importance of innovation sources and extensive communications to promote market reform and engineering projects that fulfill the strong political wills and strategic plans of China’s central government.
Transformations and the Level of Tourist Function Development in Polish Voivodeship Capital Cities
Authors: Przybyła Katarzyna , Kulczyk-Dynowska Alina
Published: June 2018

The article discusses transformations of the tourist function in Polish voivodeship capital cities in the period between 2005–2015. The first research stage was carried out through the background of the theory of city economic base using two indicators: index of surplus workers (ISW) and Florence specialisation coefficient (FSC). The conducted research covered employment size, structure, and changes, with a particular emphasis on employment in tourism. In the second stage of the study, based on a group of diagnostic characteristics describing the tourist functions performed by cities, taxonomic measures were constructed to determine the level of these functions’ development.