bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrogen Sulfide in Hypertension and Kidney Disease of Developmental Origins
Authors: Hsu Chien-Ning , Tain You-Lin
Published: May 2018

Adverse environments occurring during kidney development may produce long-term programming effects, namely renal programming, to create increased vulnerability to the development of later-life hypertension and kidney disease. Conversely, reprogramming is a strategy aimed at reversing the programming processes in early life, even before the onset of clinical symptoms, which may counter the rising epidemic of hypertension and kidney disease. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), the third gasotransmitter, plays a key role in blood pressure regulation and renal physiology. This review will first present the role of H2S in the renal system and provide evidence for the links between H2S signaling and the underlying mechanisms of renal programming, including the renin–angiotensin system, oxidative stress, nutrient-sensing signals, sodium transporters, and epigenetic regulation. This will be followed by potential H2S treatment modalities that may serve as reprogramming strategies to prevent hypertension and kidney disease of developmental origins. These H2S treatment modalities include precursors for H2S synthesis, H2S donors, and natural plant-derived compounds. Despite emerging evidence from experimental studies in support of reprogramming strategies targeting the H2S signaling pathway to protect against hypertension and kidney disease of developmental origins, these results need further clinical translation.
mTOR Pathway in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Different Contributions of mTORC1 and mTORC2 Complexes for Tumor Behavior and SLC5A5 mRNA Expression
Authors: Tavares Catarina , Eloy Catarina , Melo Miguel , Gaspar da Rocha Adriana , Pestana Ana , Batista Rui , Bueno Ferreira Luciana , Rios Elisabete , Sobrinho Simões Manuel , Soares Paula
Published: May 2018

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is overactivated in thyroid cancer (TC). We previously demonstrated that phospho-mTOR expression is associated with tumor aggressiveness, therapy resistance, and lower mRNA expression of SLC5A5 in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), while phospho-S6 (mTORC1 effector) expression was associated with less aggressive clinicopathological features. The distinct behavior of the two markers led us to hypothesize that mTOR activation may be contributing to a preferential activation of the mTORC2 complex. To approach this question, we performed immunohistochemistry for phospho-AKT Ser473 (mTORC2 effector) in a series of 182 PTCs previously characterized for phospho-mTOR and phospho-S6 expression. We evaluated the impact of each mTOR complex on SLC5A5 mRNA expression by treating cell lines with RAD001 (mTORC1 blocker) and Torin2 (mTORC1 and mTORC2 blocker). Phospho-AKT Ser473 expression was positively correlated with phospho-mTOR expression. Nuclear expression of phospho-AKT Ser473 was significantly associated with the presence of distant metastases. Treatment of cell lines with RAD001 did not increase SLC5A5 mRNA levels, whereas Torin2 caused a ~6 fold increase in SLC5A5 mRNA expression in the TPC1 cell line. In PTC, phospho-mTOR activation may lead to the activation of the mTORC2 complex. Its downstream effector, phospho-AKT Ser473, may be implicated in distant metastization, therapy resistance, and downregulation of SLC5A5 mRNA expression.
Lipid Nanoparticles Decorated with TNF-Related Aptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) Are More Cytotoxic than Soluble Recombinant TRAIL in Sarcoma
Authors: Gallego-Lleyda Ana , De Miguel Diego , Anel Alberto , Martinez-Lostao Luis
Published: May 2018

Sarcomas are rare and heterogeneous cancers classically associated with a poor outcome. Sarcomas are 1% of the cancer but recent estimations indicate that sarcomas account for 2% of the estimated cancer-related deaths. Traditional treatment with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy has improved the outcome for some types of sarcomas. However, novel therapeutic strategies to treat sarcomas are necessary. TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a death ligand initially described as capable of inducing apoptosis on tumor cell while sparing normal cells. Only few clinical trials have used TRAIL-based treatments in sarcoma, but they show only low or moderate efficacy of TRAIL. Consequently, novel TRAIL formulations with an improved TRAIL bioactivity are necessary. Our group has developed a novel TRAIL formulation based on tethering this death ligand on a lipid nanoparticle surface (LUV-TRAIL) resembling the physiological secretion of TRAIL as a trasmembrane protein inserted into the membrane of exosomes. We have already demonstrated that LUV-TRAIL shows an improved cytotoxic activity when compared to soluble recombinant TRAIL both in hematological malignancies and epithelial-derived cancers. In the present study, we have tested LUV-TRAIL in several human sarcoma tumor cell lines with different sensitivity to soluble recombinant TRAIL, finding that LUV-TRAIL was more efficient than soluble recombinant TRAIL. Moreover, combined treatment of LUV-TRAIL with distinct drugs proved to be especially effective, sensitizing even more resistant cell lines to TRAIL.
Epigenetics of Subcellular Structure Functioning in the Origin of Risk or Resilience to Comorbidity of Neuropsychiatric and Cardiometabolic Disorders
Authors: Zapata-Martín del Campo Carlos , Martínez-Rosas Martín , Guarner-Lans Verónica
Published: May 2018

Mechanisms controlling mitochondrial function, protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and nuclear processes such as telomere length and DNA repair may be subject to epigenetic cues that relate the genomic expression and environmental exposures in early stages of life. They may also be involved in the comorbid appearance of cardiometabolic (CMD) and neuropsychiatric disorders (NPD) during adulthood. Mitochondrial function and protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum are associated with oxidative stress and elevated intracellular calcium levels and may also underlie the vulnerability for comorbid CMD and NPD. Mitochondria provide key metabolites such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), ATP, α-ketoglutarate and acetyl coenzyme A that are required for many transcriptional and epigenetic processes. They are also a source of free radicals. On the other hand, epigenetic markers in nuclear DNA determine mitochondrial biogenesis. The ER is the subcellular organelle in which secretory proteins are folded. Many environmental factors stop the ability of cells to properly fold proteins and modify post-translationally secretory and transmembrane proteins leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress and oxidative stress. ER functioning may be epigenetically determined. Chronic ER stress is emerging as a key contributor to a growing list of human diseases, including CMD and NPD. Telomere loss causes chromosomal fusion, activation of the control of DNA damage-responses, unstable genome and altered stem cell function, which may underlie the comorbidity of CMD and NPD. The length of telomeres is related to oxidative stress and may be epigenetically programmed. Pathways involved in DNA repair may be epigenetically programmed and may contribute to diseases. In this paper, we describe subcellular mechanisms that are determined by epigenetic markers and their possible relation to the development of increased susceptibility to develop CMD and NPD.
When Robots Get Bored and Invent Team Sports: A More Suitable Test than the Turing Test?
Authors: Trenchard Hugh
Published: May 2018

Increasingly, the Turing test—which is used to show that artificial intelligence has achieved human-level intelligence—is being regarded as an insufficient indicator of human-level intelligence. This essay extends arguments that embodied intelligence is required for human-level intelligence, and proposes a more suitable test for determining human-level intelligence: the invention of team sports by humanoid robots. The test is preferred because team sport activity is easily identified, uniquely human, and is suggested to emerge in basic, controllable conditions. To expect humanoid robots to self-organize, or invent, team sport as a function of human-level artificial intelligence, the following necessary conditions are proposed: humanoid robots must have the capacity to participate in cooperative-competitive interactions, instilled by algorithms for resource acquisition; they must possess or acquire sufficient stores of energetic resources that permit leisure time, thus reducing competition for scarce resources and increasing cooperative tendencies; and they must possess a heterogeneous range of energetic capacities. When present, these factors allow robot collectives to spontaneously invent team sport activities and thereby demonstrate one fundamental indicator of human-level intelligence.
Lay-Up and Consolidation of a Composite Pipe by In Situ Ultrasonic Welding of a Thermoplastic Matrix Composite Tape
Authors: Dell’Anna Riccardo , Lionetto Francesca , Montagna Francesco , Maffezzoli Alfonso
Published: May 2018

In this work, the potential of preformed thermoplastic matrix composite tapes for the manufacturing of composite pipes by filament winding assisted by in situ ultrasonic welding was evaluated. Unidirectional tapes of E-glass-reinforcedamorphous poly (ethylene terephthalate) were laid up and consolidated in a filament winding machine that was modified with a set-up enabling ultrasonic welding. The obtained composite specimens were characterized by means of morphological and dynamic mechanical analysis as well as void content evaluation, in order to correlate welding parameters to composite properties.
Performance of Nanocomposite Membranes Containing 0D to 2D Nanofillers for CO2 Separation: A Review
Authors: Janakiram Saravanan , Ahmadi Mahdi , Dai Zhongde , Ansaloni Luca , Deng Liyuan
Published: May 2018

Membrane technology has the potential to be an eco-friendly and energy-saving solution for the separation of CO2 from different gaseous streams due to the lower cost and the superior manufacturing features. However, the performances of membranes made of conventional polymers are limited by the trade-off between the permeability and selectivity. Improving the membrane performance through the addition of nanofillers within the polymer matrix offers a promising strategy to achieve superior separation performance. This review aims at providing a complete overview of the recent advances in nanocomposite membranes for enhanced CO2 separation. Nanofillers of various dimensions and properties are categorized and effects of nature and morphology of the 0D to 2D nanofillers in the corresponding nanocomposite membranes of different polymeric matrixes are discussed with regard to the CO2 permeation properties. Moreover, a comprehensive summary of the performance data of various nanocomposite membranes is presented. Finally, the advantages and challenges of various nanocomposite membranes are discussed and the future research and development opportunities are proposed.
Removal Process of Structural Oxygen from Tetrahedrons in Muscovite during Acid Leaching of Vanadium-Bearing Shale
Authors: Zheng Qiushi , Zhang Yimin , Liu Tao , Huang Jing , Xue Nannan
Published: May 2018

Process mineralogy shows that most vanadium in mica-type black shale exists in the octahedral sites of muscovite. The extraction of vanadium mainly occurs in the acid leaching process with participation of H ions. In this work, we firstly analyzed the dissolution rules of elements in acid leaching of muscovite, then adopted the density functional theory (DFT) calculation to accurately visualize the primary process of the surface corrosion of muscovite by H ions. The experimental results show that K releases the fastest and the release of Al is consistent with K. The simulation results find that the H preferentially shifts to the unsaturated structured O of the tetrahedron to form a strong 001 surface hydroxyl after replacing K, as well as relaxing the near Al(Si)–O bonds for the further removal of structural oxygen. Then, the 001 surface hydroxyls more likely participate in the dehydroxylation reaction through the reverse-path mechanism to remove the structural oxygen and break the hexagonal rings of the tetrahedral sheets. Remarkably, the formation and removal of structural water are overall endoergic, meaning that the disintegration of muscovite requires a sustained supply of heat. Further, the octahedral sheets where vanadium exists can be exposed to the acid environment for overall destruction. This detailed atomic migration process in acid leaching of black shale is visualized, which not only illuminates the reaction mechanism of H ions with the muscovite, but also provides guidance for vanadium extraction from black shale and a new concept for the destruction of other minerals.
Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Novel Immunomodulatory Small Molecules Targeting the CD40–CD154 Costimulatory Protein-Protein Interaction
Authors: Bojadzic Damir , Chen Jinshui , Alcazar Oscar , Buchwald Peter
Published: May 2018

We report the design, synthesis, and testing of novel small-molecule compounds targeting the CD40–CD154 (CD40L) costimulatory interaction for immunomodulatory purposes. This protein-protein interaction (PPI) is a TNF-superfamily (TNFSF) costimulatory interaction that is an important therapeutic target since it plays crucial roles in the activation of T cell responses, and there is resurgent interest in its modulation with several biologics in development. However, this interaction, just as all other PPIs, is difficult to target by small molecules. Following up on our previous work, we have now identified novel compounds such as DRI-C21091 or DRI-C21095 that show activity (IC50) in the high nanomolar to low micromolar range in the binding inhibition assay and more than thirty-fold selectivity versus other TNFSF PPIs including OX40–OX40L, BAFFR-BAFF, and TNF-R1-TNFα. Protein thermal shift (differential scanning fluorimetry) assays indicate CD154 and not CD40 as the binding partner. Activity has also been confirmed in cell assays and in a mouse model (alloantigen-induced T cell expansion in a draining lymph node). Our results expand the chemical space of identified small-molecule CD40–CD154 costimulatory inhibitors and provide lead structures that have the potential to be developed as orally bioavailable immunomodulatory therapeutics that are safer and less immunogenic than corresponding biologics.
A Comprehensive Genome Survey Provides Novel Insights into Bile Salt Hydrolase (BSH) in Lactobacillaceae
Authors: Liang Lifeng , Yi Yunhai , Lv Yunyun , Qian Junwei , Lei Xuejing , Zhang Gengyun
Published: May 2018

Bile salt hydrolase (BSH) is a well-known enzyme that has been commonly characterized in probiotic bacteria, as it has cholesterol-lowering effects. However, its molecular investigations are scarce. Here, we build a local database of BSH sequences from Lactobacillaceae (BSH–SDL), and phylogenetic analysis and homology searches were employed to elucidate their comparability and distinctiveness among species. Evolutionary study demonstrates that BSH sequences in BSH–SDL are divided into five groups, named BSH A, B, C, D and E here, which can be the genetic basis for BSH classification and nomenclature. Sequence analysis suggests the differences between BSH-active and BSH-inactive proteins clearly, especially on site 82. In addition, a total of 551 BSHs from 107 species are identified from 451 genomes of 158 Lactobacillaceae species. Interestingly, those bacteria carrying various copies of BSH A or B can be predicted to be potential cholesterol-lowering probiotics, based on the results of phylogenetic analysis and the subtypes that those previously reported BSH-active probiotics possess. In summary, this study elaborates the molecular basis of BSH in Lactobacillaceae systematically, and provides a novel methodology as well as a consistent standard for the identification of the BSH subtype. We believe that high-throughput screening can be efficiently applied to the selection of promising candidate BSH-active probiotics, which will advance the development of healthcare products in cholesterol metabolism.
Novel Guanidine Compound against Multidrug-Resistant Cystic Fibrosis-Associated Bacterial Species
Authors: Saeed Aamer , Bosch Alejandra , Bettiol Marisa , Nossa González Diana , Erben Mauricio , Lamberti Yanina
Published: May 2018

Chronic pulmonary infection is a hallmark of lung disease in cystic fibrosis (CF). Infections dominated by non-fermentative Gram-negative bacilli are particularly difficult to treat and highlight an urgent need for the development of new class of agents to combat these infections. In this work, a small library comprising thiourea and guanidine derivatives with low molecular weight was designed; these derivatives were studied as antimicrobial agents against Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and a panel of drug-resistant clinical isolates recovered from patients with CF. One novel compound, a guanidine derivative bearing adamantane-1-carbonyl and 2-bromo-4,6-difluouro-phenyl substituents (H-BDF), showed potent bactericidal activity against the strains tested, at levels generally higher than those exhibited by tobramycin, ceftazimide and meropenem. The role that different substituents exert in the antimicrobial activity has been determined, highlighting the importance of the halo-phenyl group in the guanidine moiety. The new compound displays low levels of cytotoxicity against THP-1 and A549 cells with a selective index (SI) > 8 (patent application PCT/IB2017/054870, August 2017). Taken together, our results indicate that H-BDF can be considered as a promising antimicrobial agent.
Solubility of Cyclodextrins and Drug/Cyclodextrin Complexes
Authors: Saokham Phennapha , Muankaew Chutimon , Jansook Phatsawee , Loftsson Thorsteinn
Published: May 2018

Cyclodextrins (CDs), a group of oligosaccharides formed by glucose units bound together in a ring, show a promising ability to form complexes with drug molecules and improve their physicochemical properties without molecular modifications. The stoichiometry of drug/CD complexes is most frequently 1:1. However, natural CDs have a tendency to self-assemble and form aggregates in aqueous media. CD aggregation can limit their solubility. Through derivative formation, it is possible to enhance their solubility and complexation capacity, but this depends on the type of substituent and degree of substitution. Formation of water-soluble drug/CD complexes can increase drug permeation through biological membranes. To maximize drug permeation the amount of added CD into pharmaceutical preparation has to be optimized. However, solubility of CDs, especially that of natural CDs, is affected by the complex formation. The presence of pharmaceutical excipients, such as water-soluble polymers, preservatives, and surfactants, can influence the solubilizing abilities of CDs, but this depends on the excipients’ physicochemical properties. The competitive CD complexation of drugs and excipients has to be considered during formulation studies.
The Effect of Lean-Seafood and Non-Seafood Diets on Fasting and Postprandial Serum Metabolites and Lipid Species: Results from a Randomized Crossover Intervention Study in Healthy Adults
Authors: Schmedes Mette , Balderas Claudia , Aadland Eli Kristin , Jacques Hélène , Lavigne Charles , Graff Ingvild Eide , Eng Øyvin , Holthe Asle , Mellgren Gunnar , Young Jette Feveile , Sundekilde Ulrik Kræmer , Liaset Bjørn , Bertram Hanne Christine
Published: May 2018

The metabolic effects associated with intake of different dietary protein sources are not well characterized. We aimed to elucidate how two diets that varied in main protein sources affected the fasting and postprandial serum metabolites and lipid species. In a randomized controlled trial with crossover design, healthy adults (n = 20) underwent a 4-week intervention with two balanced diets that varied mainly in protein source (lean-seafood versus non-seafood proteins). Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses were applied to examine the effects of the two diets on serum metabolites. In the fasting state, the lean-seafood diet period, as opposed to the non-seafood diet period, significantly decreased the serum levels of isoleucine and valine, and during the postprandial state, a decreased level of lactate and increased levels of citrate and trimethylamine N-oxide were observed. The non-seafood diet significantly increased the fasting level of 26 lipid species including ceramides 18:1/14:0 and 18:1/23:0 and lysophosphatidylcholines 20:4 and 22:5, as compared to the lean-seafood diet. Thus, the lean-seafood diet decreased circulating isoleucine and valine levels, whereas the non-seafood diet elevated the levels of certain ceramides, metabolites that are associated with insulin-resistance.
In Vitro Human Microbiota Response to Exposure to Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesized with Mushroom Extract
Authors: Vamanu Emanuel , Ene Mihaela , Biță Bogdan , Ionescu Cristina , Crăciun Liviu , Sârbu Ionela
Published: May 2018

The ability to orally administer silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in enteric capsules implies a direct interaction with the colon microbiota. The in vitro effect provides a portrayal of the functional properties under in vivo conditions. The purpose of this study was to describe a green AgNP synthesis process, using aqueous extract from Lactarius piperatus mushroom, and to characterize the nanomaterial. We determined its antimicrobial and antioxidant effects in vitro in the microbiota of healthy individuals via the GIS1 system—a colon transit simulator. Per the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) results, the antimicrobial properties of the AgNPs affected the initial share of different enteric species by decreasing the Bacteroides, Enterobacteriaceae, and Lactobacillus populations and favoring the Bifidobacterium group. The association between AgNPs and wild mushroom L. piperatus extract had a synergistic antibacterial activity against various pathogenic microorganisms while the mushroom extract reduced biofilm formation. Administration of AgNP maintained its constant antioxidant status, and it was correlated with a reduction in ammonium compounds. The physicochemical characterization of these NPs complemented their biochemical characterization. The maximum ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS) absorbance was observed at 440 nm, while the Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum reached a peak at 3296 cm–1, which was correlated with the high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis (HPLC). The major phenolic compound was homogentisic acid. The size (49 ± 16 nm in diameter) and spherical shape of the NPs were correlated with their biological effects in vitro.
The Algebraic View of Computation: Implementation, Interpretation and Time
Authors: Egri-Nagy Attila
Published: May 2018

Computational implementations are special relations between what is computed and what computes it. Though the word “isomorphism” appears in philosophical discussions about the nature of implementations, it is used only metaphorically. Here we discuss computation in the precise language of abstract algebra. The capability of emulating computers is the defining property of computers. Such a chain of emulation is ultimately grounded in an algebraic object, a full transformation semigroup. Mathematically, emulation is defined by structure preserving maps (morphisms) between semigroups. These are systematic, very special relationships, crucial for defining implementation. In contrast, interpretations are general functions with no morphic properties. They can be used to derive semantic content from computations. Hierarchical structure imposed on a computational structure plays a similar semantic role. Beyond bringing precision into the investigation, the algebraic approach also sheds light on the interplay between time and computation.
A BDS Interference Suppression Technique Based on Linear Phase Adaptive IIR Notch Filters
Authors: Zhao Hongbo , Hu Yinan , Sun Hua , Feng Wenquan
Published: May 2018

The continuous wave interferences (CWIs) and the narrow-band interferences (NBIs) have significantly impacted the acquisition, tracking and positioning accuracy of Beidou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) receivers. As an interference suppression technology with a simple structure and low hardware cost, the adaptive infinite-duration impulse response (IIR) notch filter has been widely employed in the receivers to mitigate the CWIs and the NBIs. However, the nonlinear phase characteristics introduced by the IIR notch filters into the navigation receivers, may cause the distortion of navigation signals. It also leads to amplitude and phase distortion of the correlation peak in acquisition and loop tracking, which consequently brings on positioning errors in the measurement domain. This problem, however, has been ignored by many previous papers. Meanwhile, some other researchers came up with the idea of equalizers and all-pass networks compensating the distortion, which is also highly infeasible. Therefore, we propose a new method of an adaptive linear phase IIR notch filter with low hardware cost which is composed of three parts—the complex IIR notch filters, the IIR linear phase structure, and the adaptive and variable step-size algorithms. Applying this method, interference suppression and the correlation peak distortion compensation can be achieved with a modest increase hardware cost. This paper compares the performance of the new method with other IIR filters in both CWI and NBI scene and presents the effects of its parameters on the anti-jamming performance. Simulation results show that the proposed module has better anti-jamming performance in NBI scene and can compensate for the correlation peak distortion in the meantime.
Structural Health Monitoring of a Composite Panel Based on PZT Sensors and a Transfer Impedance Framework
Authors: Dziendzikowski Michal , Niedbala Patryk , Kurnyta Artur , Kowalczyk Kamil , Dragan Krzysztof
Published: May 2018

One of the ideas for development of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems is based on excitation of elastic waves by a network of PZT piezoelectric transducers integrated with the structure. In the paper, a variant of the so-called Transfer Impedance (TI) approach to SHM is followed. Signal characteristics, called the Damage Indices (DIs), were proposed for data presentation and analysis. The idea underlying the definition of DIs was to maintain most of the information carried by the voltage induced on PZT sensors by elastic waves. In particular, the DIs proposed in the paper should be sensitive to all types of damage which can influence the amplitude or the phase of the voltage induced on the sensor. Properties of the proposed DIs were investigated experimentally using a GFRP composite panel equipped with PZT networks attached to its surface and embedded into its internal structure. Repeatability and stability of DI indications under controlled conditions were verified in tests. Also, some performance indicators for surface-attached and structure-embedded sensors were obtained. The DIs’ behavior was dependent mostly on the presence of a simulated damage in the structure. Anisotropy of mechanical properties of the specimen, geometrical properties of PZT network as well as, to some extent, the technology of sensor integration with the structure were irrelevant for damage indication. This property enables the method to be used for damage detection and classification.
Cellular-V2X Communications for Platooning: Design and Evaluation
Authors: Nardini Giovanni , Virdis Antonio , Campolo Claudia , Molinaro Antonella , Stea Giovanni
Published: May 2018

Platooning is a cooperative driving application where autonomous/semi-autonomous vehicles move on the same lane in a train-like manner, keeping a small constant inter-vehicle distance, in order to reduce fuel consumption and gas emissions and to achieve safe and efficient transport. To this aim, they may exploit multiple on-board sensors (e.g., radars, LiDARs, positioning systems) and direct vehicle-to-vehicle communications to synchronize their manoeuvres. The main objective of this paper is to discuss the design choices and factors that determine the performance of a platooning application, when exploiting the emerging cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) communication technology and considering the scheduled mode, specified by 3GPP for communications over the sidelink assisted by the eNodeB. Since no resource management algorithm is currently mandated by 3GPP for this new challenging context, we focus on analyzing the feasibility and performance of the dynamic scheduling approach, with platoon members asking for radio resources on a per-packet basis. We consider two ways of implementing dynamic scheduling, currently unspecified by 3GPP: the sequential mode, that is somehow reminiscent of time division multiple access solutions based on IEEE 802.11p—till now the only investigated access technology for platooning—and the simultaneous mode with spatial frequency reuse enabled by the eNodeB. The evaluation conducted through system-level simulations provides helpful insights about the proposed configurations and C-V2X parameter settings that mainly affect the reliability and latency performance of data exchange in platoons, under different load settings. Achieved results show that the proposed simultaneous mode succeeds in reducing the latency in the update cycle in each vehicle’s controller, thus enabling future high-density platooning scenarios.
The First Result of Relative Positioning and Velocity Estimation Based on CAPS
Authors: Zhao Jiaojiao , Li Zishen , Ge Jian , Wang Liang , Wang Ningbo , Zhou Kai , Yuan Hong
Published: May 2018

The Chinese Area Positioning System (CAPS) is a new positioning system developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences based on the communication satellites in geosynchronous orbit. The CAPS has been regarded as a pilot system to test the new technology for the design, construction and update of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). The system structure of CAPS, including the space, ground control station and user segments, is almost like the traditional Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs), but with the clock on the ground, the navigation signal in C waveband, and different principles of operation. The major difference is that the CAPS navigation signal is first generated at the ground control station, before being transmitted to the satellite in orbit and finally forwarded by the communication satellite transponder to the user. This design moves the clock from the satellite in orbit to the ground. The clock error can therefore be easily controlled and mitigated to improve the positioning accuracy. This paper will present the performance of CAPS-based relative positioning and velocity estimation as assessed in Beijing, China. The numerical results show that, (1) the accuracies of relative positioning, using only code measurements, are 1.25 and 1.8 m in the horizontal and vertical components, respectively; (2) meanwhile, they are about 2.83 and 3.15 cm in static mode and 6.31 and 10.78 cm in kinematic mode, respectively, when using the carrier-phase measurements with ambiguities fixed; and (3) the accuracy of the velocity estimation is about 0.04 and 0.11 m/s in static and kinematic modes, respectively. These results indicate the potential application of CAPS for high-precision positioning and velocity estimation and the availability of a new navigation mode based on communication satellites.
Vibro-Perception of Optical Bio-Inspired Fiber-Skin
Authors: Li Tao , Zhang Sheng , Lu Guo-Wei , Sunami Yuta
Published: May 2018

In this research, based on the principle of optical interferometry, the Mach-Zehnder and Optical Phase-locked Loop (OPLL) vibro-perception systems of bio-inspired fiber-skin are designed to mimic the tactile perception of human skin. The fiber-skin is made of the optical fiber embedded in the silicone elastomer. The optical fiber is an instinctive and alternative sensor for tactile perception with high sensitivity and reliability, also low cost and susceptibility to the magnetic interference. The silicone elastomer serves as a substrate with high flexibility and biocompatibility, and the optical fiber core serves as the vibro-perception sensor to detect physical motions like tapping and sliding. According to the experimental results, the designed optical fiber-skin demonstrates the ability to detect the physical motions like tapping and sliding in both the Mach-Zehnder and OPLL vibro-perception systems. For direct contact condition, the OPLL vibro-perception system shows better performance compared with the Mach-Zehnder vibro-perception system. However, the Mach-Zehnder vibro-perception system is preferable to the OPLL system in the indirect contact experiment. In summary, the fiber-skin is validated to have light touch character and excellent repeatability, which is highly-suitable for skin-mimic sensing.
Hybrid Transverse Polar Navigation for High-Precision and Long-Term INSs
Authors: Wu Ruonan , Wu Qiuping , Han Fengtian , Zhang Rong , Hu Peida , Li Haixia
Published: May 2018

Transverse navigation has been proposed to help inertial navigation systems (INSs) fill the gap of polar navigation ability. However, as the transverse system does not have the ability of navigate globally, a complicated switch between the transverse and the traditional algorithms is necessary when the system moves across the polar circles. To maintain the inner continuity and consistency of the core algorithm, a hybrid transverse polar navigation is proposed in this research based on a combination of Earth-fixed-frame mechanization and transverse-frame outputs. Furthermore, a thorough analysis of kinematic error characteristics, proper damping technology and corresponding long-term contributions of main error sources is conducted for the high-precision INSs. According to the analytical expressions of the long-term navigation errors in polar areas, the 24-h period symmetrical oscillation with a slowly divergent amplitude dominates the transverse horizontal position errors, and the first-order drift dominates the transverse azimuth error, which results from the g 0 gyro drift coefficients that occur in corresponding directions. Simulations are conducted to validate the theoretical analysis and the deduced analytical expressions. The results show that the proposed hybrid transverse navigation can ensure the same accuracy and oscillation characteristics in polar areas as the traditional algorithm in low and mid latitude regions.
Biological Oscillators in Nanonetworks—Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Shitiri Ethungshan , Vasilakos Athanasios V. , Cho Ho-Shin
Published: May 2018

One of the major issues in molecular communication-based nanonetworks is the provision and maintenance of a common time knowledge. To stay true to the definition of molecular communication, biological oscillators are the potential solutions to achieve that goal as they generate oscillations through periodic fluctuations in the concentrations of molecules. Through the lens of a communication systems engineer, the scope of this survey is to explicitly classify, for the first time, existing biological oscillators based on whether they are found in nature or not, to discuss, in a tutorial fashion, the main principles that govern the oscillations in each oscillator, and to analyze oscillator parameters that are most relevant to communication engineer researchers. In addition, the survey highlights and addresses the key open research issues pertaining to several physical aspects of the oscillators and the adoption and implementation of the oscillators to nanonetworks. Moreover, key research directions are discussed.
Design of an Inertial-Sensor-Based Data Glove for Hand Function Evaluation
Authors: Lin Bor-Shing , Lee I-Jung , Yang Shu-Yu , Lo Yi-Chiang , Lee Junghsi , Chen Jean-Lon
Published: May 2018

Capturing hand motions for hand function evaluations is essential in the medical field. Various data gloves have been developed for rehabilitation and manual dexterity assessments. This study proposed a modular data glove with 9-axis inertial measurement units (IMUs) to obtain static and dynamic parameters during hand function evaluation. A sensor fusion algorithm is used to calculate the range of motion of joints. The data glove is designed to have low cost, easy wearability, and high reliability. Owing to the modular design, the IMU board is independent and extensible and can be used with various microcontrollers to realize more medical applications. This design greatly enhances the stability and maintainability of the glove.
Financial Hazard Map: Financial Vulnerability Predicted by a Random Forests Classification Model
Authors: Tanaka Katsuyuki , Kinkyo Takuji , Hamori Shigeyuki
Published: May 2018

This study develops a systematic framework for assessing a country’s financial vulnerability using a predictive classification model of random forests. We introduce a new indicator that quantifies the potential loss in bank assets and measures a country’s overall vulnerability by aggregating these indicators across the banking sector. We also visualize the degree of vulnerability by creating a Financial Hazard Map that highlights countries and regions with underlying risks in their banking sectors.
Decision Making Based on Benefit-Costs Analysis: Costs of Preventive Retrofit versus Costs of Repair after Earthquake Hazards
Authors: Bostenaru Dan Maria
Published: May 2018

The reduction of seismic risk through the retrofitting of historic buildings serves catastrophe management. In the application of such measures, actors from the spheres of the passive public, experts, as well as active affected people, are involved. The focus of this work is on planning management in the expert area, with a detailed view on the decision space between goals, means, benefits and costs. Buildings of a typology were modelled, and the models translated using a finite elements software with fibre-based modelling of plasticity. The concept of retrofit elements was developed, in order to connect building surveys, construction management, structural simulations, and costs computation based on devices, all related to these retrofit elements. With a view to the general methodology, in order to compare the costs for repairs to buildings after an earthquake with the costs associated with preventive retrofitting of an undamaged building, several cases were considered: damages on a non-retrofitted building, damages on retrofitted building, retrofitting on an undamaged building, retrofitting on a pre-damaged building, and the subsequent damages in an earthquake for the last two. The innovative part of this research lies in the use of the tension-elongation approach to models of building size. Such an analysis allows not only the description of ways of collapsing and the setting of limit states, but also exactly the specific amount and position of the structural members which fail in certain performance criteria. This type of results can form the basis for interdisciplinary studies, such as economic efficiency studies. The method was applied for early reinforced concrete buildings, which are common in Bucharest, Romania, in a deterministic method which takes into account recorded earthquakes. In conclusion, depending on the size of an earthquake, the timing and extent of the retrofit to be applied differ, if we are to obtain cost savings in preventive retrofitting compared to post-earthquake repair. This is presented through a range of costs curves.
Evaluating Water Consumption Based on Water Hierarchy Structure for Sustainable Development Using Grey Relational Analysis: Case Study in Chongqing, China
Authors: Zhang Wanjuan , Yu Yang , Zhou Xueyu , Yang Shuai , Li Chuan
Published: May 2018

With the economic development, the demand for water resources has been increasing dramatically during the last several decades. The sustainable development of water resources has become a major challenge in our society. As the largest economic center in west China, Chongqing was chosen as a typical unit to investigate this issue by using statistical data of fifteen years. In this study, the complexity of the water resource system was simplified through hierarchical structure analysis. Then, grey relational analysis was used to measure hierarchical correlation degree. The correlation between the levels of water consumption was analyzed, especially between water consumption and socio-economic indicators. Based on the result of hierarchical grey evaluation, three conclusions were drawn: (1) from the water consumption-oriented aspect, the correlation rankings, from high to low, are production water use, domestic water use, and eco-environmental water use respectively; (2) from industrial structure aspect, the secondary industry has the highest grey relational degree, which is followed by the primary industry (agriculture); and (3) from the economic and social indicators aspect, many significant factors are highly related to water consumption, such as precipitation, urbanization rate, total population, GDP, the proportion of output value of the three industries and residential water price. In this paper, to achieve the goal of the strictest system of water resource management during the 13th Five-Year Period, the corresponding policy suggestions are proposed for the municipal government of Chongqing.
A Cost-Oriented Optimal Model of Electric Vehicle Taxi Systems
Authors: Liu Xiang , Wang Ning , Dong Decun
Published: May 2018

This paper presents a cost optimal model of electric vehicle taxi systems based on the cost of electric vehicle taxi companies, charging or battery swap stations, passengers’ time, and emission costs. Considering the requirement of meeting passengers’ travel demands, an electric taxi demand model using transportation elasticity is formulated to optimize the number of electric taxis. The electric taxi demand model constitutes the measure of electric taxis, the cruise range, the amount of charging or battery swap stations, and other related factors. Simultaneously, to meet the charging requirements of electric taxis, a layout optimal model of EVSE (electric vehicle supply equipment) is designed using a Voronoi polygon method aimed at the cost of charging or battery swap stations and the range cost for changing. Finally, these aforementioned models are mixed to calculate the scale of electric taxis, the allocation of vehicle models, the optimizing level, and the site distribution of charging or battery swap stations. The key findings include the following: (1) the cost of the BEV(battery electric vehicle) taxi system is lower in the charging model than in the battery swap model, (2) the cost of the PHEV taxi system is lower than the BEV taxi system in the charging model, (3) in the Tongzhou District of Beijing, five charging or battery swap stations required being found to meet the charging demands of 5557 BEVs in the charging model or 5316 BEVs in the battery swap model, (4) according to the passengers’ travel demands and traffic conditions in Tongzhou, the BEV’s cruise range ought to be 250 km and BEV’s battery capacity should be 42.5 kW, the price of PHEV should be under 24,000 RMB and the electric-powered cruise range needs to be under 100 km, the daily operating time of EVs is around 16 h and the daily operating range is controlled under 380 km, and (5) a carbon tax is suggested to be imposed on ICEVs but the price should be under 20 RMB per ton.
Total Variation Based Neural Network Regression for Nonuniformity Correction of Infrared Images
Authors: Lai Rui , Yue Gaoyu , Zhang Gangxuan
Published: May 2018

Many existing scene-adaptive nonuniformity correction (NUC) methods suffer from slow convergence rate together with ghosting effects. In this paper, an improved NUC algorithm based on total variation penalized neural network regression is presented. Our work mainly focuses on solving the overfitting problem in least mean square (LMS) regression of traditional neural network NUC methods, which is realized by employing a total variation penalty in the cost function and redesigning the processing architecture. Moreover, an adaptive gated learning rate is presented to further reduce the ghosting artifacts and guarantee fast convergence. The performance of the proposed algorithm is comprehensively investigated with artificially corrupted test sequences and real infrared image sequences, respectively. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively accelerate the convergence speed, suppress ghosting artifacts, and promote correction precision.
Changes in Arsenic, Copper, Iron, Manganese, and Zinc Levels Resulting from the Application of Poultry Litter to Agricultural Soils
Authors: Foust Richard , Phillips Michael , Hull Killian , Yehorova Dariia
Published: May 2018

Twelve applications of poultry litter were made to a 2.1-ha field located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, United States (USA), between March 1999 and August 2014. The field was planted with bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) and used as a pasture on an active farm. Copper, iron, manganese, zinc, and arsenic concentrations in the poultry litter were measured, and the application rates of these metals were calculated. The median application rates were: Cu, 1.32 kg/ha, Fe, 5.57 kg/ha, Mn, 1.80 kg/ha, Zn, 1.39 kg/ha, and As, 0.011 kg/ha. Twelve surface and subsurface soil samples were taken from the treated field in February 2016. Twelve samples were also taken from a comparison site. The comparison site was directly adjacent to the study site, consisted of the same soil type, and had been maintained as an undisturbed forest. Extractable Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, and As concentrations in the soil samples were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy, and the results of the chemical analysis were analyzed by ANOVA. Fe and Mn were depleted from the soil in the treated field, while Cu and Zn levels increased over the 12 years of treatment and grazing, and arsenic levels were unchanged in both the surface and subsurface soils between the comparison and the study site. The changes observed for Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn are within the critical deficiency level and critical toxicity level for these metals, and no arsenic remains in the soil from roxarsone feed supplements, which were added to the poultry feed when the litter was applied to the study site.