bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Female Economic Participation with Information and Communication Technology Advancement: Evidence from Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Efobi Uchenna R. , Tanankem Belmondo V. , Asongu Simplice A.
Published: April 2018

This study complements existing literature by investigating how the advancement in information and communication technology affects the formal economic participation of women. The focus is on 48 African countries for the period 1990‐2014. The empirical evidence is based on ordinary least squares, fixed effects and the generalized method of moments regressions. The results show that improving communication technology increases female economic participation with the following consistent order of increasing magnitude: mobile phone penetration, internet penetration and fixed broadband subscriptions. The findings are robust to the control for heterogeneities across countries. Policy implications are discussed in the paper.
Dual immune effect of iNKT cells considering human cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis: An example of cell plasticity according to different disease scenarios
Authors: Gois B. M. , Peixoto R. F. , Maciel B. L. L. , Gomes J. A. S. , de Azevedo F. L. A. A. , Veras R. C. , de Medeiros I. A. , de Lima Grisi T. C. S. , de Araújo D. A. M. , do Amaral I. P. G. , Keesen T. S. L.
Published: April 2018

Although the semi‐invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT) are a small subpopulation of cells in the peripheral blood, they are presumed to play a role in early stages of infection against various pathogens, including protozoa. This work investigates the activation status and cytokine profile of iNKT cells during human Leishmania infantum and Leishmania braziliensis infection. We studied iNKT cells in patients with symptomatic active visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) (n = 8), patients with symptomatic active cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) (n = 13), negative endemic controls (NEC) (n = 6) and non‐endemic controls (NonEC) (n = 6), with and without total Leishmania antigen stimulus (TLA). The number of iNKT cells in the peripheral blood of patients with ACL and AVL unaltered in relation to control groups. Moreover, the iNKT cells from ACL showed a hyperactivation profile compared to patients with AVL. Additionally, TLA induced IFN‐gamma production in iNKT cells from patients with ACL, while in iNKT of patients with AVL, TLA induced a decrease in this cytokine. Higher IL‐17 and IL‐10 production by iNKT cells from patients with ACL were also observed compared to all other groups. There were no changes in iNKT IL‐10‐producing cells in AVL after TLA stimulation. However, TLA induced increase in IL‐10 in iNKT cells in patients with ACL. These findings suggest that, although iNKT cells showed distinct profiles in patients with ACL and AVL, they play a dual role in immune modulation in both Leishmania infections.
Improving nonhomogeneous dynamic Bayesian networks with sequentially coupled parameters
Authors: Shafiee Kamalabad Mahdi , Grzegorczyk Marco
Published: April 2018

In systems biology, nonhomogeneous dynamic Bayesian networks (NH‐DBNs) have become a popular modeling tool for reconstructing cellular regulatory networks from postgenomic data. In this paper, we focus our attention on NH‐DBNs that are based on Bayesian piecewise linear regression models. The new NH‐DBN model, proposed here, is a generalization of an earlier proposed model with sequentially coupled network interaction parameters. Unlike the original model, our novel model possesses segment‐specific coupling parameters, so that the coupling strengths between parameters can vary over time. Thereby, to avoid model overflexibility and to allow for some information exchange among time segments, we globally couple the segment‐specific coupling (strength) parameters by a hyperprior. Our empirical results on synthetic and on real biological network data show that the new model yields better network reconstruction accuracies than the original model.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Oscar William
Published: April 2018

International Journal of Contemporary Education (IJCE) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJCE publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 1, Number 1 Alexandra Ingram, University of Tennessee, USAArvind Sharma, Dr. Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University, IndiaBruna Gabriela Augusto Marçal Vieira, Universidade Estadual Paulista, BrazilCarme Pinya, University of Balearic Islands, SpainCristina Simões, Portuguese Catholic University, PortugalFederica Cornali, University of Turin, ItalyFroilan Delute Mobo, Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, PhilippinesGiuseppe Maugeri, Ca' Foscari University, ItalyIonel Bondoc, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Iasi, RomaniaIosif Fragkoulis, Hellenic Open University, GreeceJavier Fombona, Univ. Oviedo, SpainMakrina Nina Zafiri, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GreeceNesrin Ozturk, Ege University, TurkeyNilgün Tosun, Trakya University, TurkeySaid K. Juma, The State University of Zanzibar, FinlandSandro Sehic, Oneida BOCES, USAVassiliki Pliogou, Metropolitan College of Thessaloniki, Greece     William OscarEditorial AssistantInternational Journal of Contemporary Education---------------------------------------------------------Redfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USATel: 1-503-828-0536 ext. 509Fax: 1-503-828-0537E-mail: ijce@redfame.comURL: http://ijce.redfame.com
Gain scheduling LQI controller design for LPV descriptor systems and motion control of two-link flexible joint robot manipulator
Authors: Altun Yusuf
Published: April 2018

This paper proposes a gain scheduling linear quadratic integral (LQI) servo controller design, which is derived from linear quadratic regulator (LQR) optimal control, for non-singular linear parameter varying (LPV) descriptor systems. It is assumed that state space matrices are non-singular since many mechanical systems do not have any non-singular matrices such as the natural state space forms of robotic manipulator, pendulum and suspension systems. A controller design is difficult for the systems due to rational LPV case. Therefore, the proposed gain scheduling controller is designed without the difficulty. Accordingly, the motion control design is implemented for two-link flexible joint robotic manipulator. Finally, the control system simulation is performed to prove the applicability and performance.
Deposition and characterization of nickel gallium thin films
Authors: He Shidong , Pfau Andrew J. , Diulus John Trey , Albuquerque Gustavo H. , Herman Gregory S.
Published: April 2018

Recent studies have indicated that nickel gallium alloys can be effective catalysts for the hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol. To simplify the characterization of NiGa catalysts, the authors are developing model systems using sputter deposited NiGa thin films. The NiGa thin films used in this study were deposited using an equimolar alloy target and annealed in ultrahigh vacuum. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the NiGa films before and after annealing. AFM results showed that film roughness and grain size significantly increased as the film was annealed above 700 °C. XRD patterns indicated that NiGa thin films were nanocrystalline as deposited and then transitioned to the Ni13Ga9 phase after annealing above 500 °C. XPS results indicated that gallium and oxygen segregated to the surface after annealing up to 600 °C, and formed a surface Ga2O3 layer. For anneals above 600 °C, the Ga2O3 XPS signal was reduced in intensity due to desorption/decomposition of Ga2O3 from the NiGa surface.
Word final schwa is driven by intonation—The case of Bari Italian
Authors: Grice Martine , Savino Michelina , Roettger Timo B.
Published: April 2018

In order to convey pragmatic functions, a speaker has to select an intonation contour (the tune) in addition to the words that are to be spoken (the text). The tune and text are assumed to be independent of each other, such that any one intonation contour can be produced on different phrases, regardless of the number and nature of the segments they are made up of. However, if the segmental string is too short, certain tunes—especially those with a rising component—call for adjustments to the text. In Italian, for instance, loan words such as “chat” can be produced with a word final schwa when this word occurs at the end of a question. This paper investigates this word final schwa in the Bari variety in a number of different intonation contours. Although its presence and duration is to some extent dependent on idiosyncratic properties of speakers and words, schwa is largely conditioned by intonation. Schwa cannot thus be considered a mere phonetic artefact, since it is relevant for phonology, in that it facilitates the production of communicatively relevant intonation contours.
Discovering acoustic structure of novel sounds
Authors: Stilp Christian E. , Kiefte Michael , Kluender Keith R.
Published: April 2018

Natural sounds have substantial acoustic structure (predictability, nonrandomness) in their spectral and temporal compositions. Listeners are expected to exploit this structure to distinguish simultaneous sound sources; however, previous studies confounded acoustic structure and listening experience. Here, sensitivity to acoustic structure in novel sounds was measured in discrimination and identification tasks. Complementary signal-processing strategies independently varied relative acoustic entropy (the inverse of acoustic structure) across frequency or time. In one condition, instantaneous frequency of low-pass-filtered 300-ms random noise was rescaled to 5 kHz bandwidth and resynthesized. In another condition, the instantaneous frequency of a short gated 5-kHz noise was resampled up to 300 ms. In both cases, entropy relative to full bandwidth or full duration was a fraction of that in 300-ms noise sampled at 10 kHz. Discrimination of sounds improved with less relative entropy. Listeners identified a probe sound as a target sound (1%, 3.2%, or 10% relative entropy) that repeated amidst distractor sounds (1%, 10%, or 100% relative entropy) at 0 dB SNR. Performance depended on differences in relative entropy between targets and background. Lower-relative-entropy targets were better identified against higher-relative-entropy distractors than lower-relative-entropy distractors; higher-relative-entropy targets were better identified amidst lower-relative-entropy distractors. Results were consistent across signal-processing strategies.
Sequential inversion of self-noise using adaptive particle filter in shallow water
Authors: Bo Liankun , Xiong Jinyu , Ma Shuqing
Published: April 2018

The geoacoustic inversion based on a horizontal towed array sonar receiving tow-ship noise has demonstrated a promising technique for the parameter inversion in shallow water. In order to characterize the evolution of parameters in the time-varying environment, the adaptive particle filter for the sequential inversion is presented in this paper. The inversion problem is formulated as a dynamic and nonlinear process in the Bayesian framework, due to the fact that the self-noise is recorded sequentially in space and time. To deal with the interparameter correlations and time-varying noise process, the adaptive sequential importance sampling is carried out based on the estimated covariance matrix of parameters that is updated on-line. And the particles are proposed with an adaptive shift to handle the rapidly varying parameters. The tonal components at low frequencies of the self-noise are used in the inversion. The sequential inversion method is verified through the processing of both synthetic data and the sea-trial data in the shallow water environment. The results show that the adaptive particle filter method can achieve a more stable and accurate estimate than successively running global optimization algorithms and can do better than particle filter inversion in a rapidly varying environment.
Ultralight and fire-resistant ceramic nanofibrous aerogels with temperature-invariant superelasticity
Authors: Si Yang , Wang Xueqin , Dou Lvye , Yu Jianyong , Ding Bin
Published: April 2018

Ultralight and fire-resistant ceramic nanofibrous aerogels with temperature-invariant superelasticity to 1100°C.
Pulmonary Surfactant Promotes Virulence Gene Expression and Biofilm Formation in Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Willsey Graham G. , Ventrone Sebastian , Schutz Kristin C. , Wallace Aaron M. , Ribis John W. , Suratt Benjamin T. , Wargo Matthew J.
Published: April 2018

The interactions between
Klebsiella pneumoniae
and the host environment at the site of infection are largely unknown. Pulmonary surfactant serves as an initial point of contact for inhaled bacteria entering the lung and is thought to contain molecular cues that aid colonization and pathogenesis. To gain insight into this ecological transition, we characterized the transcriptional response of
K. pneumoniae
MGH 78578 to purified pulmonary surfactant. This work revealed changes within the
K. pneumoniae
transcriptome that likely contribute to host colonization, adaptation, and virulence
in vivo
. Notable transcripts expressed under these conditions include genes involved in capsule synthesis, lipopolysaccharide modification, antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, and metabolism. In addition, we tested the contributions of other surfactant-induced transcripts to
K. pneumoniae
survival using engineered isogenic KPPR1 deletion strains in a murine model of acute pneumonia. In these infection studies, we identified the MdtJI polyamine efflux pump and the ProU glycine betaine ABC transporter to be significant mediators of
K. pneumoniae
survival within the lung and confirmed previous evidence for the importance of
de novo
leucine synthesis to bacterial survival during infection. Finally, we determined that pulmonary surfactant promoted type 3 fimbria-mediated biofilm formation in
K. pneumoniae
and identified two surfactant constituents, phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol, that drive this response. This study provides novel insight into the interactions occurring between
K. pneumoniae
and the host at an important infection site and demonstrates the utility of purified lung surfactant preparations for dissecting host-lung pathogen interactions
in vitro
.
Hospitalisation cost analysis on hip fracture in China: a multicentre study among 73 tertiary hospitals
Authors: Wang Yilin , Cui Haoran , Zhang Dianying , Zhang Peixun
Published: April 2018

Objective

To describe and analyse the hospitalisation cost of patients with hip fracture under the influence of various factors and to provide references for Chinese national medical insurance policy.

Materials and methods

All data were collected from the Chinese National Medical Data Centre database, which contained the hospitalisation data of 73 tertiary hospitals from 24 provinces. The included patients were first hospitalised with the main diagnosis of femoral neck or intertrochanteric fracture, and were discharged between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2015. Secondary hospitalisation, multiple trauma or pathologic fracture (except for osteoporotic fracture) patients or patients with missing data were excluded. The impact of various factors on the cost was investigated using analysis of variance and multivariable linear regression analysis. The Gross Domestic Product per capita and average annual disposable income were obtained from the website of the National Bureau of Statistics.

Results

27 205 cases were included in the study. The mean cost of all patients was ¥53 440. 60–69 years age group had a significantly higher cost compared with 80 years and above age group. The mean cost of femoral neck fractures was lower than that of the patients with intertrochanteric fractures; the mean cost of hip replacement was higher than that of internal fixation, which showed a strong effect of the surgical approach to the cost. Patients in low-income provinces spent less than those in high-income provinces, while the gap between high-income and middle-income provinces were relatively small.

Conclusion

The hospitalisation cost of hip fracture has become a great burden to the patients’ families. The Chinese medical insurance policy may need further consideration of the demographic and economic factors.
Evaluation of plasma microRNA-122, high-mobility group box 1 and keratin-18 concentrations to stratify acute gallstone disease: a pilot observational cohort study in an emergency general surgery unit
Authors: Th’ng Francesca , Vliegenthart Bastiaan , Lea Jonathan D , Antoine Daniel J , Dear James W , Mole Damian J
Published: April 2018

Objective

To obtain pilot data to evaluate the discriminatory power of biomarkers microRNA-122 (miR-122), high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), full-length keratin-18 (flk-18) and caspase-cleaved keratin-18 (cck-18) in plasma to identify potential biliary complications that may require acute intervention.

Design

An observational biomarker cohort pilot study.

Setting

In a Scottish University teaching hospital for 12 months beginning on 3 September 2014.

Participants

Blood samples were collected from adults (≥16 years old) referred with acute biliary-type symptoms who have presented to hospital within 24 hours prior were recruited. Patients unable or refused to give informed consent or were transferred from a hospital outside the National Health Service regional trust were excluded.

Primary outcome measures

To evaluate whether circulating miR-122, HMGB1, flk-18 and cck-18 can discriminate between people with and without gallstone disease and uncomplicated from complicated gallstone disease during the first 24 hours of hospital admission.

Results

300 patients were screened of which 285 patients were included. Plasma miR-122, cck-18 and flk-18 concentrations were increased in patients with gallstones compared with those without (miR-122: median: 2.89×104 copies/mL vs 0.90×104 copies/mL (p<0.001); cck-18: 121.2 U/L vs 103.5 U/L (p=0.031); flk-18: 252.4 U/L vs 145.1 U/L (p<0.001)). Uncomplicated gallstone disease was associated with higher miR-122 and cck-18 concentrations than complicated disease (miR-122: 5.72×104 copies/mL vs 2.26×104 copies/mL (p=0.023); cck-18: 139.7 U/L vs 113.6 U/L (p=0.047)). There was no significant difference in HMGB1 concentration between patients with and without gallstones (p=0.559). Separation between groups for all biomarkers was modest.

Conclusion

miR-122 and keratin-18 plasma concentrations are elevated in patients with gallstones. However, this result is confounded by the association between biomarker concentrations, age and gender. In this pilot study, miR-122 and keratin-18 were not sufficiently discriminatory to be progressed as clinically useful biomarkers in this context.
Can an automated sleep detection algorithm for waist-worn accelerometry replace sleep logs?
Authors: Barreira Tiago V. , Redmond Jessica G. , Brutsaert Tom D. , Schuna John M. , Mire Emily F. , Katzmarzyk Peter T. , Tudor-Locke Catrine
Published: April 2018

The purpose of this study was to test whether estimates of bedtime, wake time, and sleep period time (SPT) were comparable between an automated algorithm (ALG) applied to waist-worn accelerometry data and a sleep log (LOG) in an adult sample. A total of 104 participants were asked to log evening bedtime and morning wake time and wear an ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometer at their waist for 24 h/day for 7 consecutive days. Mean difference and mean absolute difference (MAD) were computed. Pearson correlations and dependent-sample t tests were used to compare LOG-based and ALG-based sleep variables. Effect sizes were calculated for variables with significant mean differences. A total of 84 participants provided 2+ days of valid accelerometer and LOG data for a total of 368 days. There was no mean difference (p = 0.47) between LOG 472 ± 59 min and ALG SPT 475 ± 66 min (MAD = 31 ± 23 min, r = 0.81). There was no significant mean difference between bedtime (2348 h and 2353 h for LOG and ALG, respectively; p = 0.14, MAD = 25 ± 21 min, r = 0.92). However, there was a significant mean difference between LOG (0741 h) and ALG (0749 h) wake times (p = 0.01, d = 0.11, MAD = 24 ± 21 min, r = 0.92). The LOG and ALG data were highly correlated and relatively small differences were present. The significant mean difference in wake time might not be practically meaningful (Cohen’s d = 0.11), making the ALG useful for sample estimates. MAD, which gives a better estimate of the expected differences at the individual level, also demonstrated good evidence supporting ALG individual estimates.
On task: Considerations and future directions for studies of corticospinal excitability in exercise neuroscience and related disciplines
Authors: Kalmar Jayne M.
Published: April 2018

Over the last few decades, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has emerged as a conventional laboratory technique in human neurophysiological research. Exercise neuroscientists have used TMS to study central nervous system contributions to fatigue, training, and performance in health, injury, and disease. In such studies, corticospinal excitability is often assessed at rest or during simple isometric tasks with the implication that the results may be extrapolated to more functional and complex movement outside of the laboratory. However, the neural mechanisms that influence corticospinal excitability are both state- and task-dependent. Furthermore, there are many sites of modulation along the pathway from the motor cortex to the muscle; a fact that is somewhat obscured by the all-encompassing and poorly defined term “corticospinal excitability”. Therefore, the tasks we use to assess corticospinal excitability and the conclusions that we draw from such a global measure of the motor pathway must be taken into consideration. The overall objective of this review is to highlight the task-dependent nature of corticospinal excitability and the tools used to assess modulation at cortical and spinal sites of modulation. By weighing the advantages and constraints of conventional approaches to studying corticospinal excitability, and considering some new and novel approaches, we will continue to advance our understanding of the neural control of movement during exercise.
Highly efficient production of ordered wafer-scale gold nanoparticle arrays film by simple heat treatment based on colloidal monolayer
Authors: Xiang Junhuai , Wang Chu , Li Huilin , Men Dandan , Qiu Xiaofang , Zhang Honghua
Published: April 2018

Periodic hexagonal gold crystal spherical nanoparticle arrays with controllable size and periodicity are fabricated by physical vapor deposition and further heat treatment based on monolayer colloidal crystal template. The size and center-to-center spacing of nanoparticles (NPs) were manipulated conveniently by tuning the deposition thickness of Au film and the size of colloidal spheres of the template, respectively. The thickness range of deposited Au film dependent on the size of colloidal spheres was investigated comprehensively. Dewetting model was established and employed to analyze the whole process of the evolution from gold film to spherical nanoparticle with uniform size. Additionally, localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) responses of these Au nanoparticle arrays were systematically measured. It is found that the extinction properties are significantly influenced by the particle size and periodicity of arrays. With the increase of particle size, the LSPR peak shows a red shift due to the quantum size effect of the nanoscaled Au particle. Meanwhile, the diffraction peaks also show small red shift due to a slight increase of average refractive index of arrays. This is highly helpful to improve its practical applications for detecting biochemical molecules based on LSPR and diffraction peak sensing.
Stability of boundary layer flow based on energy gradient theory
Authors: Dou Hua-Shu , Xu Wenqian , Khoo Boo Cheong
Published: April 2018

The flow of the laminar boundary layer on a flat plate is studied with the simulation of Navier–Stokes equations. The mechanisms of flow instability at external edge of the boundary layer and near the wall are analyzed using the energy gradient theory. The simulation results show that there is an overshoot on the velocity profile at the external edge of the boundary layer. At this overshoot, the energy gradient function is very large which results in instability according to the energy gradient theory. It is found that the transverse gradient of the total mechanical energy is responsible for the instability at the external edge of the boundary layer, which induces the entrainment of external flow into the boundary layer. Within the boundary layer, there is a maximum of the energy gradient function near the wall, which leads to intensive flow instability near the wall and contributes to the generation of turbulence.
An efficient predictor–corrector-based dynamic mesh method for multi-block structured grid with extremely large deformation and its applications
Authors: Guo Tongqing , Chen Hao , Lu Zhiliang
Published: April 2018

Aiming at extremely large deformation, a novel predictor–corrector-based dynamic mesh method for multi-block structured grid is proposed. In this work, the dynamic mesh generation is completed in three steps. At first, some typical dynamic positions are selected and high-quality multi-block grids with the same topology are generated at those positions. Then, Lagrange interpolation method is adopted to predict the dynamic mesh at any dynamic position. Finally, a rapid elastic deforming technique is used to correct the small deviation between the interpolated geometric configuration and the actual instantaneous one. Compared with the traditional methods, the results demonstrate that the present method shows stronger deformation ability and higher dynamic mesh quality.
Numerical simulation of wind loads on solar panels
Authors: Su Kao-Chun , Chung Kung-Ming , Hsu Shu-Tsung
Published: April 2018

Solar panels mounted on the roof of a building or ground are often vulnerable to strong wind loads. This study aims to investigate wind loads on solar panels using computational fluid dynamic (CFD). The results show good agreement with wind tunnel data, e.g. the streamwise distribution of mean surface pressure coefficient of a solar panel. Wind uplift for solar panels with four aspect ratios is evaluated. The effect of inclined angle and clearance (or height) of a solar panel is addressed. It is found that wind uplift of a solar panel increases when there is an increase in inclined angle and the clearance above ground shows an opposite effect.
Development of Real-Time Simulation Application Software for Four-Quadrant Converter System Based on MATLAB
Authors: Fan Yunxin , Yan Gang , Zou Huanqing , Fu Jin
Published: April 2018

For the real-time hardware-in-the-loop simulation of railway rolling stock electric drive system, the equation of equivalent circuit state is the most conventional modeling method. But this method will take up too many resources of real-time simulation system or is not easy to extend to other projects and difficult to adjust the variables on line. By taking the inductor, resistor, capacitor and converter in the equivalent circuit of four-quadrant converter system as the basic components, and using the Kirchhoff laws of voltage and current to combine the basic components, this paper established a new simulation model software based on MATLAB and realized real-time calculation based on dSPACE platform. In order to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of this model software, this author had finished a series of tests onboard and got enough experimental data to make a comparison with the results of the model software real-time calculation.
REMARKS ON QUASISYMMETRIC RIGIDITY OF SQUARE SIERPIŃSKI CARPETS
Authors: RAO FENG , WEN SHENGYOU
Published: April 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be the standard Sierpiński carpet and [Formula: see text] the group of quasisymmetric maps of [Formula: see text] onto itself, where [Formula: see text] is odd. Mario Bonk and Sergei Merenkov proved that [Formula: see text] is finite dihedral and that [Formula: see text] is the isometry group of [Formula: see text]. They conjectured that [Formula: see text] is the isometry group of [Formula: see text] for any odd [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we shall verify this for [Formula: see text].
Investigation of non-hydroxamate scaffolds against HDAC6 inhibition: A pharmacophore modeling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation approach
Authors: Zeb Amir , Park Chanin , Son Minky , Rampogu Shailima , Alam Syed Ibrar , Park Seok Ju , Lee Keun Woo
Published: April 2018

Proteins deacetylation by Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) has been shown in various human chronic diseases like neurodegenerative diseases and cancer, and hence is an important therapeutic target. Since, the existing inhibitors have hydroxamate group, and are not HDAC6-selective, therefore, this study has designed to investigate non-hydroxamate HDAC6 inhibitors. Ligand-based pharmacophore was generated from 26 training set compounds of HDAC6 inhibitors. The statistical parameters of pharmacophore (Hypo1) included lowest total cost of 115.63, highest cost difference of 135.00, lowest RMSD of 0.70 and the highest correlation of 0.98. The pharmacophore was validated by Fischer’s Randomization and Test Set validation, and used as screening tool for chemical databases. The screened compounds were filtered by fit value ([Formula: see text]), estimated Inhibitory Concentration (IC[Formula: see text]) ([Formula: see text]), Lipinski’s Rule of Five and Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET) Descriptors to identify drug-like compounds. Furthermore, the drug-like compounds were docked into the active site of HDAC6. The best docked compounds were selected having goldfitness score [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], and hydrogen bond interaction with catalytic active residues. Finally, three inhibitors having sulfamoyl group were selected by Molecular Dynamic (MD) simulation, which showed stable root mean square deviation (RMSD) (1.6–1.9[Formula: see text]Å), lowest potential energy ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]kJ/mol), and hydrogen bonding with catalytic active residues of HDAC6.
Symptoms-modifying effects of electromotive administration of glucosamine sulphate among patients with knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Onigbinde Ayodele Teslim , Owolabi Adegbenga Rotimi , Lasisi Kamil , Sarah Oghenekewe Isaac , Ibikunle Adeoye Folorunsho
Published: April 2018

Background: Most trials on symptom-modifying effects of glucosamine are limited to administration through oral route with dearth of empirical data on the use of electromotive force.

Objective: The study determined the effects of glucosamine sulphate (GS) iontophoresis (IoT) on radiographic parameters of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Fifty-three patients were randomly assigned to three groups. About 1[Formula: see text]g each of GS was administered using IoT and cross-friction massage (CFM) for participants in groups 1 (IoT) and 2 (CFM), respectively. Group 3 ((Combined therapy) CoT) received 1[Formula: see text]g of GS using both IoT and CFM. Interventions were twice a week for 12 weeks. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the data ([Formula: see text]).

Results: After 12 weeks, the medial joint space width (JSW) of the CFM group was significantly higher than that of IoT and CoT groups ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]). Lateral JSW of IoT group was significantly higher than both CFM ([Formula: see text]) and CoT groups ([Formula: see text]). There were significant decreases in pain intensities; increase in knee flexion and physical functions across the groups ([Formula: see text]; [Formula: see text], respectively).

Conclusion: It was concluded that there were significant decreases in the degenerative changes at the knee joint.
Post-synthetic methods for functionalization of imidazole-fused porphyrins
Authors: Abdulaeva Inna A. , Birin Kirill P. , Gorbunova Yulia G. , Tsivadze Aslan Yu. , Bessmertnykh-Lemeune Alla
Published: April 2018

Several methods for the post-synthetic modification of imidazo[4,5-[Formula: see text]]porphyrins are reported. First, a synthetic approach to the isomeric difunctionalized porphyrins, containing two [Formula: see text]-fused 2-aryl-1[Formula: see text]-imidazole cycles at adjacent or opposite pyrrole rings of the macrocycle is developed. The core chemistry of this synthetic route is the transformation of 2-aryl-1[Formula: see text]-imidazo[4,5-[Formula: see text]]porphyrins into corresponding imidazodioxochlorins followed by Debus–Radziszewski condensation with aromatic aldehyde. Next, 2-(4-bromophenyl)-1[Formula: see text]-imidazo[4,5-[Formula: see text]]-5,10,15,20-tetramesitylporphyrin was transformed into useful carboxy- and phosphonato-substituted precursors for material chemistry according to palladium-catalyzed C–C and C–P bond forming reactions.
Aggregation behavior of unsubstituted magnesium porphyrazine in monolayers at air–water interface and in Langmuir–Schaefer films
Authors: Kharitonova Nadezhda V. , Maiorova Larissa A. , Koifman Oscar I.
Published: April 2018

The aggregation behavior of unsubstituted magnesium porphyrazine (MgPz) was studied in layers at the water–air interface and in Langmuir–Schaefer films. Regions of existence and characteristics of the structure and properties of stable nanostructured monolayers of MgPz were determined with the method of quantitative analysis of compression isotherms of floating layers in a wide range of initial surface coverage degrees (ISCD). MgPz on the water surface forms monolayers of three types: a face-on type and two edge-on types that differ in the structure. The specific feature of the monolayers of the second type is the independence of the structure of two-dimensional MgPz nanoparticles formed on water on the ISCD. A mathematical model and a state diagram of the monolayer were constructed and a passport of MgPz monolayers was compiled. For the first time, the state diagram contains boundary isotherms based on data obtained from the model. Langmuir–Schaefer films of MgPz formed from layers of various types were prepared and studied by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy.
Geology and geomorphology of alluvial and fluvial fans: current progress and research perspectives
Authors: Ventra Dario , Clarke Lucy E.
Published: April 2018

Alluvial and fluvial fans are the most widespread depositional landforms bordering the margins of long-lived highland regions and actively subsiding continental basins, across a broad spectrum of tectonic and climatic settings. Their significance is relevant not only to the local morphodynamics of mountain regions and proximal basinal sectors, but also to the long-term evolution of sediment-routing systems, affecting the propagation of stratigraphic signals of environmental change and the preservation potential of stratal successions over much larger spatial scales than those they occupy. Subaerial fan systems archive information on the palaeoclimate, local tectonic history and landscape response to various allogenic factors, although our ability to decipher such information is still limited. Early recognition of alluvial fans dates from the late nineteenth century, but a coordinated research community on these systems has been active only over the last few decades and the full relevance of fluvial fan systems to the geomorphology of present day continental basins and to the interpretation of ancient stratigraphic successions has been convincingly demonstrated only over the last decade. This introductory chapter summarizes advances in our knowledge of alluvial and fluvial fans, identifies potential new lines of future inquiry, and presents the contributions to this volume in the context of the current state of research.
Slope failures along the deformation front of the Cascadia margin: linking slide morphology to subduction zone parameters
Authors: Riedel Michael , Côté Michelle M. , Urlaub Morelia , Geersen Jacob , Scholz Nastasja A. , Naegeli Kathrin , Spence George D.
Published: April 2018

Marine acoustic data are used to map and characterize submarine slope failure along the accretionary prism of Cascadia. Two main styles of slope failure are identified: (1) failures with curved head scarps, which are predominantly associated with incoherent debris-flow deposits; and (2) failures with rectangular head scarps, which are predominantly associated with intact sediment blocks. Rectangular head scarps mostly occur on thrust ridges with slope angles <16° and ridge heights <650 m, whereas curved head scarps occur predominantly on steeper and higher ridges. Off Vancouver Island, failure style and head-scarp geometry also change with ridge azimuth. We propose that the curved head scarps and debris flows may be a result of higher kinetic forcing of the downsliding sediments and a higher degree of mixing. At the more gently sloped, less elevated ridges, the kinetic forcing may be smaller, which leads to intact failure masses. Extensional faults at ridges with curved scarps may result from oversteepening and collapse of the sediments that cannot withstand their own weight due to limited internal shear strength. The slide geometries and potential controls on failure style may inform subsequent studies in assessing the risks for tsunami generation from submarine slope failures along the Cascadia margin.
Extending the terrestrial depositional record of marine geohazards in coastal NW British Columbia
Authors: Huntley David , Bobrowsky Peter , Goff James , Chagué Catherine , Stead Douglas , Donati Davide , Mariampillai Danial
Published: April 2018

Recurrent storms, floods, landslides, earthquakes and tsunamis challenge the development of resilient infrastructure and communities in coastal northwestern British Columbia. Vulnerability assessment first requires extended and improved understanding of geohazards in the Pacific Basin to constrain modelling of future events. An investigation of soils and bedrock structures in the Douglas Channel provides insight into the distribution of deposits attributed to geohazards in the region. Newly discovered marine inundation deposits corroborate numerical models and suggest that Pacific-sourced storms and earthquake-triggered tsunamis expend much of their energy in the outer coast and rarely reach far up the mainland fjords. Small-volume Folisolic slides and rockfalls do not generate tsunamis of any consequence. In contrast, marine sediments deposited beyond storm berms at the fjord head are a record of local tsunamis generated by large-volume marine slumps. Deep-fractured bedrock mapped upslope from relict submarine features would trigger damaging tsunami waves if rapid failure into the fjord were to occur. The observations above suggest only great earthquakes, large landslides and seasonal storms above a certain threshold volume and impulse energy produce geomorphically significant inundation events. However, even small submarine landslides have tsunamigenic potential in Douglas Channel since they occur in shallow water.
Security on Autopilot
Authors: Dennis Alan R. , Minas Randall K.
Published: April 2018

Most current information systems security theories assume a rational actor making deliberate decisions, yet recent research in psychology suggests that such deliberate thinking is not as common as we would expect. Much of human behavior is controlled by nonconscious automatic cognition (called System 1 cognition). The deliberate rational cognition of System 2 is triggered when System 1 detects something that is not normal; otherwise we often operate on autopilot. When we do engage System 2 cognition, it is influenced by the System 1 cognition that preceded it. In this paper we present an alternative theoretical approach to information security that is based on the nonconscious automatic cognition of System 1. In a System 1 world, cognition is a sub-second process of pattern-matching a stimulus to an existing person-context heuristic. These person-context heuristics are influenced by personality characteristics and a lifetime of experiences in the context. Thus System 1 theories are closely tied to individuals and the specific security context of interest. Methods to improve security compliance take on a very new form; the traditional approaches to security education and training that provide guidelines and ways to think about security have no effect when behavior is controlled by System 1, because System 1 cognition is instant pattern matching not deliberative. Thus in a System 1 world, we improve security by changing the heuristics used by System 1's pattern matching and/or by changing what System 1 sees as "normal" so that it triggers the deliberate cognition of System 2. In this article, we examine System 1 and System 2 cognition, while calling for increased research to develop theories of System 1 cognition in the cybersecurity literature.
InfoSec Process Action Model (IPAM)
Authors: Curry Michael , Marshall Byron , Crossler Robert E. , Correia John
Published: April 2018

While much of the extant InfoSec research relies on single assessment models that predict intent to act, this article proposes a multi-stage InfoSec Process Action Model (IPAM) that can positively change individual InfoSec behavior. We believe that this model will allow InfoSec researchers to focus more directly on the process that leads to action and develop better interventions that address problematic security behaviors. Building on successful healthcare efforts that resulted in smoking cessation, regular exercise, and a healthier diet, among others, IPAM is a hybrid predictive process approach to behavioral InfoSec improvement. IPAM formulates the motivational antecedents of intent as separate from the volitional drivers of behavior. Singular fear appeals often seen in InfoSec research are replaced by more nuanced treatments appropriately differentiated to support behavioral change as part of a process; phase-appropriate measures of self-efficacy are employed to more precisely assess the likelihood that a participant will act on good intentions; and decisional balance assessment of pro and con perceptions is monitored over time. These notions better align InfoSec research with both leading security practice and successful comparators in healthcare. We believe IPAM can both help InfoSec research models better explain actual behavior and better inform practical security behavior improvement initiatives.
Mechanisms underlying the increased cardiac norepinephrine spillover in heart failure
Authors: Ramchandra Rohit , Hood Sally G. , Xing Daniel , Lambert Gavin W. , May Clive N.
Published: April 2018

Patients with heart failure (HF) have increased levels of cardiac norepinephrine (NE) spillover, which is an independent predictor of mortality. We hypothesized that this increase in NE spillover in HF depends not only on increases in sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) but also on changes in the mechanisms controlling NE release and reuptake. Such changes would lead to differences between the increases in directly recorded SNA and NE spillover to the heart in HF. Experiments were conducted in conscious sheep implanted with electrodes to record cardiac SNA (CSNA). In addition, arterial pressure and cardiac NE spillover were determined. In HF, the levels of both CSNA (102 ± 8 vs. 45 ± 8 bursts/min, P < 0.05) and cardiac NE spillover (21.6 ± 3.8 vs. 3.9 ± 0.8 pmol/min, P < 0.05) were significantly higher than in normal control animals. In HF, baroreflex control of cardiac NE spillover was impaired, and when CSNA was abolished by increasing arterial pressure, there was no reduction in cardiac NE spillover. A decrease in cardiac filling pressures in the HF group led to a significant increase in CSNA, but it significantly decreased cardiac NE spillover. In HF, the levels of cardiac NE spillover were enhanced above those expected from the high level of SNA, suggesting that changes in mechanisms controlling NE release and reuptake further increase the high level of NE at the heart, which will act to enhance the deleterious effects of increased CSNA in HF.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study, to our knowledge, to compare direct recordings of cardiac sympathetic nerve activity with simultaneously measured cardiac norepinephrine (NE) spillover. Our results indicate that in heart failure, increased cardiac sympathetic nerve activity is a major contributor to the increased NE spillover. In addition, there is enhanced NE spillover for the levels of synaptic nerve activity.
Regulators of G protein signaling in cardiovascular function during pregnancy
Authors: Perschbacher Katherine J. , Deng Guorui , Fisher Rory A. , Gibson-Corley Katherine N. , Santillan Mark K. , Grobe Justin L.
Published: April 2018

G protein-coupled receptor signaling mechanisms are implicated in many aspects of cardiovascular control, and dysfunction of such signaling mechanisms is commonly associated with disease states. Investigators have identified a large number of regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins that variously contribute to the modulation of intracellular second-messenger signaling kinetics. These many RGS proteins each interact with a specific set of second-messenger cascades and receptor types and exhibit tissue-specific expression patterns. Increasing evidence supports the contribution of RGS proteins, or their loss, in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular dysfunctions. This review summarizes the current understanding of the functional contributions of RGS proteins, particularly within the B/R4 family, in cardiovascular disorders of pregnancy including gestational hypertension, uterine artery dysfunction, and preeclampsia.
From MGUS to Multiple Myeloma, a Paradigm for Clonal Evolution of Premalignant Cells
Authors: van Nieuwenhuijzen Niels , Spaan Ingrid , Raymakers Reinier , Peperzak Victor
Published: April 2018

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a treatable, but incurable, malignancy of plasma cells (PC) in the bone marrow (BM). It represents the final stage in a continuum of PC dyscrasias and is consistently preceded by a premalignant phase termed monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). The existence of this well-defined premalignant phase provides the opportunity to study clonal evolution of a premalignant condition into overt cancer. Unraveling the mechanisms of malignant transformation of PC could enable early identification of MGUS patients at high risk of progression and may point to novel therapeutic targets, thereby possibly delaying or preventing malignant transformation. The MGUS-to-MM progression requires multiple genomic events and the establishment of a permissive BM microenvironment, although it is generally not clear if the various microenvironmental events are causes or consequences of disease progression. Advances in gene-sequencing techniques and the use of serial paired analyses have allowed for a more specific identification of driver lesions. The challenge in cancer biology is to identify and target those lesions that confer selective advantage and thereby drive evolution of a premalignant clone. Here, we review recent advances in the understanding of malignant transformation of MGUS to MM. Cancer Res; 78(10); 2449–56. ©2018 AACR.