bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design, Synthesis and Anticancer Screening of Novel Benzothiazole-Piperazine-1,2,3-Triazole Hybrids
Authors: Aouad Mohamed R. , Soliman Moataz A. , Alharbi Muath O. , Bardaweel Sanaa K. , Sahu Pramod K. , Ali Adeeb A. , Messali Mouslim , Rezki Nadjet , Al-Soud Yaseen A.
Published: October 2018

A library of novel regioselective 1,4-di and 1,4,5-trisubstituted-1,2,3-triazole based benzothiazole-piperazine conjugates were designed and synthesized using the click synthesis approach in the presence and absence of the Cu(I) catalyst. Some of these 1,2,3-triazole hybrids possess in their structures different heterocyclic scaffold including 1,2,4-triazole, benzothiazole, isatin and/or benzimidazole. The newly designed 1,2,3-triazole hybrids were assessed for their antiproliferative inhibition potency against four selected human cancer cell lines (MCF7, T47D, HCT116 and Caco2). The majority of the synthesized compounds demonstrated moderate to potent activity against all the cancer cell lines examined. Further, we have established a structure activity relationship with respect to the in silico analysis of ADME (adsorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) analysis and found good agreement with in vitro activity.
Therapeutic Approaches Targeting PAX3-FOXO1 and Its Regulatory and Transcriptional Pathways in Rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Hung , Barr Frederic G.
Published: October 2018

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a family of soft tissue cancers that are related to the skeletal muscle lineage and predominantly occur in children and young adults. A specific chromosomal translocation t(2;13)(q35;q14) that gives rise to the chimeric oncogenic transcription factor PAX3-FOXO1 has been identified as a hallmark of the aggressive alveolar subtype of RMS. PAX3-FOXO1 cooperates with additional molecular changes to promote oncogenic transformation and tumorigenesis in various human and murine models. Its expression is generally restricted to RMS tumor cells, thus providing a very specific target for therapeutic approaches for these RMS tumors. In this article, we review the recent understanding of PAX3-FOXO1 as a transcription factor in the pathogenesis of this cancer and discuss recent developments to target this oncoprotein for treatment of RMS.
An In Silico Study of the Antioxidant Ability for Two Caffeine Analogs Using Molecular Docking and Quantum Chemical Methods
Authors: Costa Josivan da Silva , Ramos Ryan da Silva , Costa Karina da Silva Lopes , Brasil Davi do Socorro Barros , Silva Carlos Henrique Tomich de Paula da , Ferreira Elenilze Figueiredo Batista , Borges Rosivaldo dos Santos , Campos Joaquín María , Macêdo Williams Jorge da Cruz , Santos Cleydson Breno Rodrigues dos
Published: October 2018

The antioxidant activity of molecules constitutes an important factor for the regulation of redox homeostasis and reduction of the oxidative stress. Cells affected by oxidative stress can undergo genetic alteration, causing structural changes and promoting the onset of chronic diseases, such as cancer. We have performed an in silico study to evaluate the antioxidant potential of two molecules of the zinc database: ZINC08706191 (Z91) and ZINC08992920 (Z20). Molecular docking, quantum chemical calculations (HF/6-31G**) and Pearson’s correlation have been performed. Molecular docking results of Z91 and Z20 showed both the lower binding affinity (BA) and inhibition constant (Ki) values for the receptor-ligand interactions in the three tested enzymes (cytochrome P450—CP450, myeloperoxidase—MP and NADPH oxidase—NO) than the control molecules (5-fluorouracil—FLU, melatonin—MEL and dextromethorphan—DEX, for each receptor respectively). Molecular descriptors were correlated with Ki and strong correlations were observed for the CP450, MP and NO receptors. These and other results attest the significant antioxidant ability of Z91 and Z20, that may be indicated for further analyses in relation to the control of oxidative stress and as possible antioxidant agents to be used in the pharmaceutical industry.
Inhibition of Osteoarthritis-Related Molecules by Isomucronulatol 7-O-β-d-glucoside and Ecliptasaponin A in IL-1β-Stimulated Chondrosarcoma Cell Model
Authors: Hong Gwan Ui , Lee Jung-Yun , Kang Hanna , Kim Tae Yang , Park Jae Yeo , Hong Eun Young , Shin Youn Ho , Jung Sung Hoon , Chang Hung-Bae , Kim Young Ho , Kwon Young-In , Ro Jai Youl
Published: October 2018

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the common form of arthritis and is characterized by disability and cartilage degradation. Although natural product extracts have been reported to have anti-osteoarthritic effects, the potential bioactivity of Ryupunghwan (RPH), a traditional Korean medicinal botanical formula that contains Astragalus membranaceus, Turnera diffusa, Achyranthes bidentata, Angelica gigas, Eclipta prostrata, Eucommia ulmoides, and Ilex paraguariensis, is not known well. Therefore, the inhibitory effects of single compounds isolated from RPH on the OA-related molecules were investigated using IL-1β-stimulated chondrosarcoma SW1353 (SW1353) cell model. Two bioactive compounds, isomucronulatol 7-O-β-d-glucoside (IMG) and ecliptasaponin A (ES) were isolated and purified from RPH using column chromatography, and then the structures were analyzed using ESI-MS, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR spectrum. The expression or amount of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13), COX1/2, TNF-α, IL-1β or p65 was determined by RT-PCR, Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RPH pretreatment reduced the expression and amounts of MMP13, and the expression of collagen II, COX1/2, TNF-α, IL-1β or p65, which were increased in IL-1β-stimulated SW1353 cells. IMG reduced the expression of all OA-related molecules, but the observed inhibitory effect was less than that of RPH extract. The other single compound ES showed the reduced expression of all OA-related molecules, and the effect was stronger than that in IMG (approximately 100 fold). Combination pretreatment of both single components remarkably reduced the expression of MMP13, compared to each single component. These synergic effects may provide potential molecular modes of action for the anti-osteoarthritic effects of RPH observed in clinical and animal studies.
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Releasing Capacity of Isothiocyanates from Moringa oleifera Lam.
Authors: Wang Xiangshe , Liu Yunjiao , Liu Xingdi , Lin Yi , Zheng Xueqin , Lu Yuyun
Published: October 2018

Moringa oleifera Lam. is rich in phytochemical compounds especially glucosinolates (GSs) and isothiocyanates (ITCs), which are active compounds for cancer chemoprevention benefits of Brassicaceae vegetables. In this study, we determined the total contents of GSs and ITCs and their specific profiles in different Moringa tissues including seeds, stems, leaves and roots. Seeds (seeds with shell and seed kernel) showed significantly higher levels of total GSs and ITCs than that of other Moringa tissues. The hydrogen sulfide (H2S) releasing capacity of total ITCs extracted from different Moringa tissues was determined by lead (II) acetate assay in 24-well plates. The H2S releasing capacity of different Moringa tissues were evaluated and compared. Moringa seeds showed the highest H2S releasing capacity, followed by roots, leaves and stems. Our results suggest that Moringa based foods may exhibit health benefits due to its GSs and ITCs contents that are the precursors for H2S, in addition to the recognized action mechanisms of ITCs.
Unravelling the Thermal Decomposition Parameters for The Synthesis of Anisotropic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Cotin Geoffrey , Kiefer Céline , Perton Francis , Ihiawakrim Dris , Blanco-Andujar Cristina , Moldovan Simona , Lefevre Christophe , Ersen Ovidiu , Pichon Benoit , Mertz Damien , Bégin-Colin Sylvie
Published: October 2018

Iron oxide nanoparticles are widely used as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and may be used as therapeutic agent for magnetic hyperthermia if they display in particular high magnetic anisotropy. Considering the effect of nanoparticles shape on anisotropy, a reproducible shape control of nanoparticles is a current synthesis challenge. By investigating reaction parameters, such as the iron precursor structure, its water content, but also the amount of the surfactant (sodium oleate) reported to control the shape, iron oxide nanoparticles with different shape and composition were obtained, in particular, iron oxide nanoplates. The effect of the surfactant coming from precursor was taking into account by using in house iron stearates bearing either two or three stearate chains and the negative effect of water on shape was confirmed by considering these precursors after their dehydration. Iron stearates with three chains in presence of a ratio sodium oleate/oleic acid 1:1 led mainly to nanocubes presenting a core-shell Fe1−xO@Fe3−xO4 composition. Nanocubes with straight faces were only obtained with dehydrated precursors. Meanwhile, iron stearates with two chains led preferentially to the formation of nanoplates with a ratio sodium oleate/oleic acid 4:1. The rarely reported flat shape of the plates was confirmed with 3D transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) tomography. The investigation of the synthesis mechanisms confirmed the major role of chelating ligand and of the heating rate to drive the cubic shape of nanoparticles and showed that the nanoplate formation would depend mainly on the nucleation step and possibly on the presence of a given ratio of oleic acid and chelating ligand (oleate and/or stearate).
Association of Inadequate Caloric Supplementation with 30-Day Mortality in Critically Ill Postoperative Patients with High Modified NUTRIC Score
Authors: Jung Yun Tae , Park Jung Yun , Jeon Jiyeon , Kim Myung Jun , Lee Seung Hwan , Lee Jae Gil
Published: October 2018

Modified NUTRIC (mNUTRIC) score is a useful assessment tool to determine the risk of malnutrition in patients on mechanical ventilation (MV). We identified associations between postoperative calorie adequacy, 30-day mortality, and surgical outcomes in patients with high mNUTRIC scores. Medical records of 272 patients in the intensive care unit who required MV support for >24 h after emergency gastro-intestinal (GI) surgery between January 2007 and December 2017 were reviewed. Calorie adequacy in percentage (Calorie intake in 5 days ÷ Calorie requirement for 5 days × 100) was assessed in patients with high (5–9) and low (0–4) mNUTRIC scores. In the high mNUTRIC score group, patients with inadequate calorie supplementation (calorie adequacy <70%) had higher 30-day mortality than those with adequate supplementation (31.5% vs. 11.1%; p = 0.010); this was not observed in patients with low mNUTRIC scores. This result was also confirmed through Kaplan–Meier survival curve (p = 0.022). Inadequate calorie supplementation in the high mNUTRIC score group was not associated with Intra-abdominal infection (p = 1.000), pulmonary complication (p = 0.695), wound complication (p = 0.407), postoperative leakage (p = 1.000), or infections (p = 0.847). Inadequate calorie supplementation after GI surgery was associated with higher 30-day mortality in patients with high mNUTRIC scores. Therefore, adequate calorie supplementation could contribute to improved survival of critically ill postoperative patients with high risk of malnutrition.
Real-Space Description of Dynamics of Liquids
Authors: Egami Takeshi
Published: October 2018

In strongly disordered matter, such as liquids and glasses, atomic and magnetic excitations are heavily damped and partially localized by disorder. Thus, the conventional descriptions in terms of phonons and magnons are inadequate, and we have to consider spatially correlated atomic and spin dynamics in real-space and time. Experimentally this means that the usual representation of dynamics in terms of the dynamic structure factor, S(Q, E), where Q and E are the momentum and energy exchanges in scattering, is insufficient. We propose a real-space description in terms of the dynamic pair-density function (DyPDF) and the Van Hove function (VHF) as an alternative, and discuss recent results on superfluid 4He by inelastic neutron scattering and water by inelastic X-ray scattering. Today much of the objects of research in condensed-matter physics and materials science are highly complex materials. To characterize the dynamics of such complex materials, the real-space approach is likely to become the mainstream method of research.
An Improved Algorithm for Discriminating Soil Freezing and Thawing Using AMSR-E and AMSR2 Soil Moisture Products
Authors: Gao Huiran , Zhang Wanchang , Chen Hao
Published: October 2018

Discriminating between surface soil freeze/thaw states with the use of passive microwave brightness temperature has been an effective approach so far. However, soil moisture has a direct impact on the brightness temperature of passive microwave remote sensing, which may result in uncertainties in the widely used dual-index algorithm (DIA). In this study, an improved algorithm is proposed to identify the surface soil freeze/thaw states based on the original DIA in association with the AMSR-E and AMSR2 soil moisture products to avoid the impact of soil moisture on the brightness temperature derived from passive microwave remotely-sensed soil moisture products. The local variance of soil moisture (LVSM) with a 25-day interval was introduced into this algorithm as an effective indicator for selecting a threshold to update and modify the original DIA to identify surface soil freeze/thaw states. The improved algorithm was validated against in-situ observations of the Soil Moisture/Temperature Monitoring Network (SMTMN). The results suggest that the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of LVSM can significantly discriminate between surface soil freeze/thaw states. The overall discrimination accuracy of the improved algorithm was approximately 89% over a remote area near the town of Naqu on the East-Central Tibetan Plateau, which demonstrated an obvious improvement compared with the accuracy of 82% derived with the original DIA. More importantly, the correct classification rate for the modified pixels was over 96%.
Deep Distillation Recursive Network for Remote Sensing Imagery Super-Resolution
Authors: Jiang Kui , Wang Zhongyuan , Yi Peng , Jiang Junjun , Xiao Jing , Yao Yuan
Published: October 2018

Deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been widely used and achieved state-of-the-art performance in many image or video processing and analysis tasks. In particular, for image super-resolution (SR) processing, previous CNN-based methods have led to significant improvements, when compared with shallow learning-based methods. However, previous CNN-based algorithms with simple direct or skip connections are of poor performance when applied to remote sensing satellite images SR. In this study, a simple but effective CNN framework, namely deep distillation recursive network (DDRN), is presented for video satellite image SR. DDRN includes a group of ultra-dense residual blocks (UDB), a multi-scale purification unit (MSPU), and a reconstruction module. In particular, through the addition of rich interactive links in and between multiple-path units in each UDB, features extracted from multiple parallel convolution layers can be shared effectively. Compared with classical dense-connection-based models, DDRN possesses the following main properties. (1) DDRN contains more linking nodes with the same convolution layers. (2) A distillation and compensation mechanism, which performs feature distillation and compensation in different stages of the network, is also constructed. In particular, the high-frequency components lost during information propagation can be compensated in MSPU. (3) The final SR image can benefit from the feature maps extracted from UDB and the compensated components obtained from MSPU. Experiments on Kaggle Open Source Dataset and Jilin-1 video satellite images illustrate that DDRN outperforms the conventional CNN-based baselines and some state-of-the-art feature extraction approaches.
Ambient Intelligence Environment for Home Cognitive Telerehabilitation
Authors: Oliver Miguel , Teruel Miguel A. , Molina José Pascual , Romero-Ayuso Dulce , González Pascual
Published: October 2018

Higher life expectancy is increasing the number of age-related cognitive impairment cases. It is also relevant, as some authors claim, that physical exercise may be considered as an adjunctive therapy to improve cognition and memory after strokes. Thus, the integration of physical and cognitive therapies could offer potential benefits. In addition, in general these therapies are usually considered boring, so it is important to include some features that improve the motivation of patients. As a result, computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation systems and serious games for health are more and more present. In order to achieve a continuous, efficient and sustainable rehabilitation of patients, they will have to be carried out as part of the rehabilitation in their own home. However, current home systems lack the therapist’s presence, and this leads to two major challenges for such systems. First, they need sensors and actuators that compensate for the absence of the therapist’s eyes and hands. Second, the system needs to capture and apply the therapist’s expertise. With this aim, and based on our previous proposals, we propose an ambient intelligence environment for cognitive rehabilitation at home, combining physical and cognitive activities, by implementing a Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) that gathers, as far as possible, the knowledge of a rehabilitation expert. Moreover, smart sensors and actuators will attempt to make up for the absence of the therapist. Furthermore, the proposed system will feature a remote monitoring tool, so that the therapist can supervise the patients’ exercises. Finally, an evaluation will be presented where experts in the rehabilitation field showed their satisfaction with the proposed system.
Feature Extraction and Mapping Construction for Mobile Robot via Ultrasonic MDP and Fuzzy Model
Authors: Long Zhili , He Ronghua , He Yuxiang , Chen Haoyao , Li Zuohua
Published: October 2018

This paper presents a modeling approach to feature classification and environment mapping for indoor mobile robotics via a rotary ultrasonic array and fuzzy modeling. To compensate for the distance error detected by the ultrasonic sensor, a novel feature extraction approach termed “minimum distance of point” (MDP) is proposed to determine the accurate distance and location of target objects. A fuzzy model is established to recognize and classify the features of objects such as flat surfaces, corner, and cylinder. An environmental map is constructed for automated robot navigation based on this fuzzy classification, combined with a cluster algorithm and least-squares fitting. Firstly, the platform of the rotary ultrasonic array is established by using four low-cost ultrasonic sensors and a motor. Fundamental measurements, such as the distance of objects at different rotary angles and with different object materials, are carried out. Secondly, the MDP feature extraction algorithm is proposed to extract precise object locations. Compared with the conventional range of constant distance (RCD) method, the MDP method can compensate for errors in feature location and feature matching. With the data clustering algorithm, a range of ultrasonic distances is attained and used as the input dataset. The fuzzy classification model—including rules regarding data fuzzification, reasoning, and defuzzification—is established to effectively recognize and classify the object feature types. Finally, accurate environment mapping of a service robot, based on MDP and fuzzy modeling of the measurements from the ultrasonic array, is demonstrated. Experimentally, our present approach can realize environment mapping for mobile robotics with the advantages of acceptable accuracy and low cost.
Real-Time Geometric Parameter Measurement of High-Speed Railway Fastener Based on Point Cloud from Structured Light Sensors
Authors: Cui Hao , Hu Qingwu , Mao Qingzhou
Published: October 2018

With the increase in the number of service years for high-speed railways, the foundation of the rail track suffers from settlement, which causes rail track irregularity. To adjust the position of the track and meet track regularity demands, several components of the fastening system will be replaced by different sized components. It is important to measure the exact geometric parameters for the components of a fastening system before adjusting the track. Currently, the measurement process is conducted manually, which is laborious and error-prone. In this paper, a real-time geometric parameter measurement system for high-speed railway fastener based on 2-D laser profilers is presented. Dense and precise 3-D point clouds of high-speed railway fasteners are obtained from the system. A fastener extraction method is presented to extract fastener point cloud and a region-growing algorithm is used to locate key components of the fastener. Then, the geometric parameter of the fastener is worked out. An experiment was conducted on a high-speed railway near Wuhan, China to verify the accuracy and repeatability of the system. The maximum root-mean-square-error between the manual measurement and the system measurement is 0.3 mm, which demonstrates adequate accuracy. This system can replace manual measurements and greatly improve the efficiency of geometric parameter measurements for fasteners.
Landslides and Cropland Abandonment in China’s Mountainous Areas: Spatial Distribution, Empirical Analysis and Policy Implications
Authors: Deng Xin , Xu Dingde , Zeng Miao , Qi Yanbin
Published: October 2018

Cropland, as the largest land use type in the human landscape, contributes to not only biodiversity but also global food security. However, cropland abandonment not only is harmful to agricultural cultural landscapes but also threatens food security. Prior studies have suggested that changes in the social environment drive farmers to abandon cropland. In contrast, this study reveals that factors of the natural environment (e.g., landslides) have steadily and significantly affected cropland abandonment after controlling the factors of the social environment. More specifically, based on the survey data of a large sample of 4850 mountainous households in 24 provinces of China and following the theoretical framework of “environment → land use”, this study quantitatively identified the impacts of landslides on cropland abandonment in mountainous areas using the Probit and Tobit models. The results show that: (1) There is a similar spatial agglomeration trend between landslides and cropland abandonment. Namely, an area that has a high incidence of landslides also has a high incidence of cropland abandonment. (2) There is a significant and positive correlation between landslides and cropland abandonment. Namely, compared with peasants who have not suffered from landslides, the probability that peasants suffering from landslides will abandon cropland and the area abandoned increase by 6.8% and 0.064 mu, respectively. (3) Elderly farmers (over 64 years old) and the development of urbanization help curb cropland abandonment in the mountains. The results of this study may provide reference for the government to implement effective policies for managing landslides and revitalizing unused cropland resources.
A Hybrid Wind Speed Forecasting Method and Wind Energy Resource Analysis Based on a Swarm Intelligence Optimization Algorithm and an Artificial Intelligence Model
Authors: Fu Tonglin , Wang Chen
Published: October 2018

Wind power has the most potential for clean and renewable energy development. Wind power not only effectively solves the problem of energy shortages, but also reduces air pollution. In recent years, wind speed time series analyses have increasingly become a concern of administrators and power grid dispatchers searching for a reasonable way to reduce the operating cost of wind farms. However, analyzing wind speed in detail has become a difficult task, because the traditional models sometimes fail to capture data features due to the randomness and intermittency of wind speed. In order to analyze wind speed series in detail, in this paper, an effective and practical analysis system is studied and developed, which includes a data analysis module, a data preprocessing module, a parameter optimization module, and a wind speed forecasting module. Numerical results show that the wind time series analysis system can not only assess wind energy resources of a wind farm, but also master future changes of wind speed, and can be an effective tool for wind farm management and decision-making.
An Empirical Analysis of Students’ Involvement and Exit Behaviors in College Organizations: The Case of Nanjing Agricultural University in China
Authors: Zhang Qi , Fan Yubing , Zhang Mingyang
Published: October 2018

Student organization is considered an important approach for the sustainable development of ideological and political education, and it helps construct learning style and campus culture. This research studies college students’ motivations for their involvement and exit behaviors. Using a binary choice model, we analyze critical factors affecting the involvement and exit behaviors of college students based on social cognition theory, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, and expectancy theory. On the one hand, our results show active cognition is most influential for the involvement behavior, followed by personal interest. Meanwhile, active cognition is positively affected by mother’s higher education level and senior students’ influence. Respondents who agree that joining organizations brings closer relations with teachers and other students as well as promoting heterosexual communication are more likely to join. On the other hand, the most influential factor for the exit behavior is unclear promotion mechanisms. Low-quality activities and wasting time with organizations cause students to quit. Moreover, lack of training opportunities and professional guidance dampens members’ enthusiasm. Complicated interpersonal relations, bureaucratic style, entering a higher grade and changing psychology cause some members to quit and further affect organizational learning. We provide additional insights on management strategies towards organization sustainability, such as improving leader selection and building harmonious interpersonal relations.
Evaluating Water Resource Security in Karst Areas Using DPSIRM Modeling, Gray Correlation, and Matter–Element Analysis
Authors: Sun Deliang , Wu Jianping , Zhang Fengtai , Su Weici , Hui Hong
Published: October 2018

To evaluate the long-term security of water resources in Guizhou, this paper presents an evaluation index that incorporates the driving force–pressure–state–impact–response–management (DPSIRM) framework, the gray correlation method, and matter–element analysis. For the period of 2005–2012, our results show that water resources were within the “generally safe” limits for all years except 2006 and 2011, which were characterized by drought conditions. In karst regions, drought has a relatively large impact on water security and is compounded in Guizhou by rapid economic development, nonpoint-source agricultural pollution, and inadequate sewage treatment. Nonetheless, recent efforts to return farmland to forest and grassland and to control desertification have led to increased forest cover and higher levels of soil and water conservation, while systems have been implemented to foster the effective management of water resources in karst areas. In this study, we used both gray matter–element analysis and a DPSIRM framework to assess the state of water resources in Guizhou, the results of which were compared and verified by the gray set pair method, and to provide a reference for evaluating other karst areas.
Sclerotinia minor Endornavirus 1, a Novel Pathogenicity Debilitation-Associated Mycovirus with a Wide Spectrum of Horizontal Transmissibility
Authors: Yang Dan , Wu Mingde , Zhang Jing , Chen Weidong , Li Guoqing , Yang Long
Published: October 2018

Sclerotinia minor is a phytopathogenic fungus causing sclerotinia blight on many economically important crops. Here, we have characterized the biological and molecular properties of a novel endornavirus, Sclerotinia minor endornavirus 1 (SmEV1), isolated from the hypovirulent strain LC22 of S. minor. The genome of SmEV1 is 12,626 bp long with a single, large open reading frame (ORF), coding for a putative protein of 4020 amino acids. The putative protein contains cysteine-rich region (CRR), viral methyltransferase (MTR), putative DEXDc, viral helicase (Hel), and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) domains. The putative protein and the conserved domains are phylogenetically related to endornaviruses. SmEV1 does not contain a site-specific nick characteristic of most previously described endornaviruses. Hypovirulence and associated traits of strain LC22 and SmEV1 were readily cotransmitted horizontally via hyphal contact to isolates of different vegetative compatibility groups of S. minor. Additionally, SmEV1 in strain LC22 was found capable of being transmitted vertically through sclerotia. Furthermore, mycelium fragments of hypovirulent strain LC22 have a protective activity against attack by S. minor. Taken together, we concluded that SmEV1 is a novel hypovirulence-associated mycovirus with a wide spectrum of transmissibility, and has potential for biological control (virocontrol) of diseases caused by S. minor.
Stomatal Conductance Responses of Acacia caven to Seasonal Patterns of Water Availability at Different Soil Depths in a Mediterranean Savanna
Authors: Sepulveda M. Marcelo , Bown Horacio E. , Fernandez L. Bonifacio
Published: October 2018

Soil water availability controls plant productivity in seasonally dry ecosystems, although plant water use at different soil depths and times is, to the best of our knowledge, not clearly understood. Environmental variables at the canopy level and the soil volumetric water content (VWC) at five different soil depths were continuously recorded for three years (2011–2014) in an Acacia caven savanna site in central Chile. Stomatal conductance ( g s ) was measured every hour during daytime for 42 days distributed across the study period. Values of g s were weakly controlled by photosynthetically active radiation, vapor pressure deficit, and leaf temperature when considering the whole series. The variance proportion being explained increased from 5% to 20% if the whole series was partitioned into a dry and a wet season. According to the above, A. caven exhibited a more anisohydric behavior than previously thought. When we added the VWC in the root zone, to the g s atmospheric variables model, R2 increased to 47% when separately considering the dry and wet seasons. However, we did not find a differentiated use of water in the root zone, but instead a joint activity of the radicular system within the top 100 cm of the soil controlling g s .
Flood Prediction Using Machine Learning Models: Literature Review
Authors: Mosavi Amir , Ozturk Pinar , Chau Kwok-wing
Published: October 2018

Floods are among the most destructive natural disasters, which are highly complex to model. The research on the advancement of flood prediction models contributed to risk reduction, policy suggestion, minimization of the loss of human life, and reduction of the property damage associated with floods. To mimic the complex mathematical expressions of physical processes of floods, during the past two decades, machine learning (ML) methods contributed highly in the advancement of prediction systems providing better performance and cost-effective solutions. Due to the vast benefits and potential of ML, its popularity dramatically increased among hydrologists. Researchers through introducing novel ML methods and hybridizing of the existing ones aim at discovering more accurate and efficient prediction models. The main contribution of this paper is to demonstrate the state of the art of ML models in flood prediction and to give insight into the most suitable models. In this paper, the literature where ML models were benchmarked through a qualitative analysis of robustness, accuracy, effectiveness, and speed are particularly investigated to provide an extensive overview on the various ML algorithms used in the field. The performance comparison of ML models presents an in-depth understanding of the different techniques within the framework of a comprehensive evaluation and discussion. As a result, this paper introduces the most promising prediction methods for both long-term and short-term floods. Furthermore, the major trends in improving the quality of the flood prediction models are investigated. Among them, hybridization, data decomposition, algorithm ensemble, and model optimization are reported as the most effective strategies for the improvement of ML methods. This survey can be used as a guideline for hydrologists as well as climate scientists in choosing the proper ML method according to the prediction task.
Evidence for Cosmic-Ray Escape in the Small Magellanic Cloud Using Fermi Gamma Rays
Authors: Lopez Laura A. , Auchettl Katie , Linden Tim , Bolatto Alberto D. , Thompson Todd A. , Ramirez-Ruiz Enrico
Published: October 2018

Galaxy formation simulations demonstrate that cosmic-ray (CR) feedback may be important in the launching of galactic-scale winds. CR protons dominate the bulk of the CR population, yet most observational constraints of CR feedback come from synchrotron emission of CR electrons. In this paper, we analyze 105 months of Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope observations of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), with the aim of exploring CR feedback and transport in an external galaxy. We produce maps of the 2–300 GeV emission and detect statistically significant extended emission along the “Bar” and the “Wing,” where active star formation is occurring. Gamma-ray emission is not detected above 13 GeV, and we set stringent upper limits on the flux above this energy. We find the best fit to the gamma-ray spectrum is a single-component model with a power law of index

and an exponential cutoff energy of

 GeV. We assess the relative contribution of pulsars and CRs to the emission, and we find that pulsars may produce up to 10

% of the flux above 100 MeV. Thus, we attribute most of the gamma-ray emission (based on its spectrum and morphology) to CR interactions with the interstellar medium. We show that the gamma-ray emissivity of the SMC is at least five times smaller than that of the Milky Way and that the SMC is far below the “calorimetric limit,” where all CR protons experience pion losses. We interpret these findings as evidence that CRs are escaping the SMC via advection and diffusion.
Low-frequency View of GW170817/GRB 170817A with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope
Authors: Resmi L. , Schulze S. , Ishwara-Chandra C. H. , Misra K. , Buchner J. , Pasquale M. De , Sánchez-Ramírez R. , Klose S. , Kim S. , Tanvir N. R. , O’Brien P. T.
Published: October 2018

The short gamma-ray burst (GRB) 170817A was the first GRB associated with a gravitational-wave event. Due to the exceptionally low luminosity of the prompt γ-ray and the afterglow emission, the origin of both radiation components is highly debated. The most discussed models for the burst and the afterglow include a regular GRB jet seen off-axis and the emission from the cocoon encompassing a “choked” jet. Here, we report low radio frequency observations at 610 and 1390 MHz obtained with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope. Our observations span a range of ∼7 to ∼152 days after the burst. The afterglow started to emerge at these low frequencies about 60 days after the burst. The 1390 MHz light curve barely evolved between 60 and 150 days, but its evolution is also marginally consistent with an F

ν
 ∝ t
0.8 rise seen in higher frequencies. We model the radio data and archival X-ray, optical, and high-frequency radio data with models of top-hat and Gaussian structured GRB jets. We performed a Markov Chain Monte Carlo analysis of the structured-jet parameter space. Though highly degenerate, useful bounds on the posterior probability distributions can be obtained. Our bounds of the viewing angle are consistent with that inferred from the gravitational-wave signal. We estimate the energy budget in prompt emission to be an order of magnitude lower than that in the afterglow blast wave.
A Search for Black Hole Microlensing Signatures in Globular Cluster NGC 6656 (M22)
Authors: Kains N. , Calamida A. , Sahu K. C. , Anderson J. , Casertano S. , Bramich D. M.
Published: October 2018

We report the results of a study aiming to detect signs of astrometric microlensing caused by an intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH) in the center of globular cluster M22 (NGC 6656). We used archival data from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) taken between 1995 and 2014 to derive long-baseline astrometric time series for stars near the center of the cluster, using state-of-the-art software to extract high-precision astrometry from images. We then modeled these time-series data and compared microlensing model fits to simple linear proper-motion fits for each selected star. We find no evidence for astrometric microlensing in M22, in particular for bulge stars, which are much more likely to be lensed than cluster stars, due to the geometry of microlensing events. Although it is in principle possible to derive mass limits from such nondetections, we find that no useful mass limits can be derived for M22 with available data, mostly due to a 10 year gap in coverage. This is a result from difficulties with deriving precise enough astrometry from Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 observations for stars that do not fall on the planetary camera chip. However, this study shows that, for other HST instruments, we are able to reach precisions at which astrometric microlensing signals caused by IMBH in globular clusters could be detected and that this technique is a promising tool to make a first unambiguous detection of an IMBH.
Testing Relativistic Boost as the Cause of Gamma-Ray Quasi-periodic Oscillation in a Blazar
Authors: Yan Dahai , Zhou Jianeng , Zhang Pengfei , Zhu Qianqian , Wang Jiancheng
Published: October 2018

The mechanism for producing gamma-ray quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) in blazars is unknown. One possibility is the geometric model, in which without the need for intrinsic quasi-periodic variation, the relativistic Doppler factor changes periodically, resulting in observed gamma-ray QPO. We propose a method to test this geometric model. We analyze the Fermi-LAT data of PG 1553+113 spanning from 2008 August until 2018 February. According to 29 four-month average spectral energy distributions in the energy range of 0.1–300 GeV, we split the Fermi-LAT energy range into three bands: 0.1–1 GeV, 1–10 GeV, and 10–300 GeV. The spectrum in each energy range can be successfully fitted by a power law. The light curves and photon indices in the three energy ranges are obtained. Then, light curves in three narrow energy ranges, i.e., 0.2–0.5 GeV, 2–5 GeV, and 20–40 GeV, are constructed, and the relative variability amplitudes in the three narrow energy ranges are calculated. A discrete-correlation analysis is performed for the light curves. Our results indicate that (i) the light curves in the different energy ranges follow the same pattern showed in the light curve above 0.1 GeV; (ii) the three groups of photon indices in the energy ranges of 0.1–1 GeV, 1–10 GeV, and 10–300 GeV keep nearly constant; and (iii) the ratio between relative variability amplitudes in different narrow energy ranges are equal (within their errors) to the prediction by the Doppler effect. Our results support the scenario of the relativistic boost producing the gamma-ray QPO for PG 1553+113.
Amplification of mecA gene in multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains from hospital personnel
Authors: Khan Asad U. , Sultan Ayesha , Tyagi Anju , Zahoor Shazia , Akram Mohd , Kaur Sukhminderjit , Shahid Mohd , Vaishnavi Chetana V.
Published: October 2018

Background: Antibiotic resistance is common among bacterial pathogens associated with both community acquired and nosocomial infections. In view of the present problem of drug resistance we investigated the prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and amplified the mecA gene in the isolates from the hand swabs of the hospital personnel.
Methodology: The nuc gene was amplified to characterize these isolates at species level. The S. aureus isolates were analyzed for their susceptibility to different classes of antibiotics using the disk diffusion method. The spot inoculation test was performed to detect methicillinase production in these isolates.
Results: In the screened isolates of S. aureus, 14.2 and 15 kb of plasmids were present. These isolates showed pronounced resistance against β-lactam antibiotics including second- and third-generation cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, macrolides and fluoroquinolone. Some of the isolates included in this study were resistant to three or more antibiotics. Expression of methicillinase was detected by spot inoculation test, and a few of the isolates were found to produce methicillinase. Moreover, mecA gene was also amplified. Of 17 isolates only 7 showed presence of mecA gene.
Conclusion: This study highlights the emerging trend of multiple drug resistance in S. aureus strains isolated from hospital personnel working in a premier hospital in North India.
Contribution to the genus Filipinolotis Miyatake, 1994 (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae, Sticholotidini)
Authors: Lv Yanqing , Zhang Xiaoning , Ślipiński Adam , He Yurong , Wang Xingmin
Published: October 2018

The genusFilipinolotisMiyatake has been reviewed in this study. Descriptions and illustrations of two species (F.latefasciataMiyatake andF.purpuratorotundaWang, Zhang & Ślipiński,sp. n.) in the Luzon island of the Philippines, are given. The male genitalia ofF.latefasciataare described for the first time. A key to known species is also provided.
Six new species and a new record of Linan Hlaváč in China, with a key to species (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Pselaphinae)
Authors: Zhang Yu-Qing , Li Li-Zhen , Yin Zi-Wei
Published: October 2018

Six new species of the genus Linan Hlaváč are described from central to southern China: L.arcitibialissp. n. (Hubei), L.denticulatussp. n. (Guizhou), L.divaricatussp. n. (Jiangxi), L.geneolatussp. n. (Guizhou), L.mangshanussp. n. (Hunan), and L.mulunensissp. n. (Guangxi), with illustrations of habitus and major diagnostic characters. Linanmegalobus Yin & Li, originally described from Guizhou, is newly recorded in Hubei. An updated key to and a distributional map of all 16 known species are provided.
Le travail clinique avec les réfugiés. Réflexions sur le transfert et la langue
Authors: Abdelouahed Houria
Published: October 2018

Dans les séances, les réfugiés syriens parlent de la blessure du narcissisme, de la situation de précarité, la religion, le fanatisme, l’idéal, l’humiliation, la honte... Étant traductrice de poésie, mon propos portera plus spécifiquement sur la langue. Les patients qui viennent de la Syrie parlent en arabe et disent retrouver dans mon cabinet leur pays. Comment dans la langue commune travailler sur l’enchevêtrement de l’individuel et du collectif ? Comment relancer le mouvement psychique des patients qui souffrent des traumatismes de la guerre ? Comment l’analyste, qui parle dans le pays étranger la langue du patient, pourrait-il ré-occuper cette place de l’étranger qui écoute les mouvements transférentiels ?
Éléments diurnes et éléments de rêve : prendre le temps d’en faire toute une histoire
Authors: Bauer-Motti Fanny
Published: October 2018

Ce texte interroge ce qui constitue le ressort exploratoire et thérapeutique du rêve en partant des restes diurnes et de leur rôle dans l’élaboration du rêve. Le rêveur emporte dans son sommeil tout un matériel, parmi lequel des éléments récents glanés dans la journée, dont va se servir l’inconscient pour apaiser les tensions, reprendre et questionner l’histoire du sujet, choisir les solutions, aborder les problèmes… Entre idées fortuites et représentations non liquidées, ces éléments diurnes fournissent au rêve ses constituants dans une logique de récit inscrite ou non dans un cadre thérapeutique. Ainsi, le ressort exploratoire et thérapeutique du rêve n’est pas uniquement sous-jacent au transfert dans un cadre clinique mais une méthode possible dans la vie quotidienne pour aboutir à ses propres mouvements inconscients.
L’être femme en exil et la mise à l’épreuve du « pas tout »
Authors: Picquet Audrey
Published: October 2018

L’auteur prend appui sur les travaux effectués en recherche clinique et orientés par la psychanalyse, pour montrer que les conséquences du ravivement de l’exil psychique lors de l’exil géographique, relu à la lumière de ce que la perte des repères culturels vient fragiliser les identifications et exacerber l’intraduisible au cœur de toute parole singulière, concernent le « pas tout ». Ainsi, si l’exil renvoie à l’étranger en soi, le féminin apparaît comme un redoublement de cette énigme première, pour les femmes en situation d’exil géographique. Sont interrogés les effets de ce redoublement d’énigmes lors de l’exil géographique. Parce que le féminin et l’exil concernent chaque sujet dans son rapport à l’inconnu, la fragilisation des constructions langagières soutenant le sujet dans son rapport à son identité et dans son lien au collectif, vient modifier ce qui unit l’individu à ses représentations, notamment quant à son être sexué, et plus encore pour les femmes, du fait de leur mode de jouissance propre au ‘pas tout’. S’ouvre lors une alternative pour le sujet subissant une dégradation des processus métaphoriques culturels : la créativité ou le ravage. Lorsque l’étrangeté n’est pas vécue comme un danger, elle est le lieu d’où surgit l’invention. À l’inverse, si dans une fermeture à l’altérité, dans un lieu psychique de désertion subjective, s’actualise un lien de contagion excluant (et se substituant à) l’insu du dessaisissement de soi, se suture toute expression d’une singularité dans la langue.
Un « voyage à travers la folie » à l’aune d’une quête du Sacré
Authors: Veit Camille , Gumpper Stéphane
Published: October 2018

Les auteurs proposent un Voyage à travers l’œuvre de Mary Barnes dont la trajectoire subjective s’arrime à un discours producteur de « crises » (régressions, métanoïa), nommément l’antipsychiatrie britannique. Si le parcours singulier de la muse anglaise témoigne de l’expérience d’un sujet aux prises avec les nouages de sa structure psychique, il est également l’écho d’une existence suspendue à la quête de Quelque chose de Sacré , aux détours de routes jalonnées par la religion, le modèle laingien de la métanoïa et la contre-culture. Ou comment, en étant hérétique au Nom-du-Père, par le biais de la prière, la peinture, l’écriture et la fonction de guide, M. Barnes parvint à trouver un chemin autre, entre mystique et folie, la menant à sa vérité ?
Qu’est-ce que le droit privé réglementaire européen ? Enjeux et perspectives
Authors: Comparato Guido
Published: October 2018

Le droit privé ne peut plus être compris en se référant exclusivement au droit général des contrats que l’on trouve dans les codifications nationales ou dans les décisions de principe des tribunaux. L’influence grandissante des règlements et directives européens destinés à réaliser des objectifs politiques spécifiques, l’interprétation du droit national à la lumière des objectifs économiques selon une dimension transnationale et le développement d’espaces alternatifs, mais percutants, d’élaboration du droit et de règlement des différends, tant aux niveaux européen que nationaux, contribuent à mettre en évidence ce que l’on qualifie de droit privé réglementaire européen. La présente contribution propose une introduction à cette notion et se concentre, en particulier, sur ses fondements théoriques clés, en mettant en exergue tant leur importance pour le droit privé que les problématiques qui en découlent, notamment une discussion autour des critiques qui ont été émises à leur encontre.