bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Iterative reconstruction for sparse-view X-ray CT using alpha-divergence constrained total generalized variation minimization
Authors: Niu Shanzhou , Huang Jing , Bian Zhaoying , Zeng Dong , Chen Wufan , Yu Gaohang , Liang Zhengrong , Ma Jianhua
Published: April 2017

BCKGROUND:

Accurate statistical model of the measured projection data is essential for computed tomography (CT) image reconstruction. The transmission data can be described by a compound Poisson distribution upon an electronic noise background. However, such a statistical distribution is numerically intractable for image reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE:

Although the sinogram data is easily manipulated, it lacks a statistical description for image reconstruction. To address this problem, we present an alpha-divergence constrained total generalized variation (AD-TGV) method for sparse-view x-ray CT image reconstruction.

METHODS:

The AD-TGV method is formulated as an optimization problem, which balances the alpha-divergence (AD) fidelity and total generalized variation (TGV) regularization in one framework. The alpha-divergence is used to measure the discrepancy between the measured and estimated projection data. The TGV regularization can effectively eliminate the staircase and patchy artifacts which is often observed in total variation (TV) regularization. A modified proximal forward-backward splitting algorithm was proposed to minimize the associated objective function.

RESULTS:

Qualitative and quantitative evaluations were carried out on both phantom and patient data. Compared with the original TV-based method, the evaluations clearly demonstrate that the AD-TGV method achieves higher accuracy and lower noise, while preserving structural details.

CONCLUSIONS:

The experimental results show that the presented AD-TGV method can achieve more gains over the AD-TV method in preserving structural details and suppressing image noise and undesired patchy artifacts. The authors can draw the conclusion that the presented AD-TGV method is potential for radiation dose reduction by lowering the milliampere-seconds (mAs) and/or reducing the number of projection views.
Heat Transfer Investigation of the Unsteady Thin Film Flow of Williamson Fluid Past an Inclined and Oscillating Moving Plate
Authors: Gul Taza , Khan Abdul , Islam Saeed , Alqahtani Aisha , Khan Ilyas , Alshomrani Ali , Alzahrani Abdullah , Muradullah
Published: April 2017

This investigation aims at analyzing the thin film flow passed over an inclined moving plate. The differential type non-Newtonian fluid of Williamson has been used as a base fluid in its unsteady state. The physical configuration of the oscillatory flow pattern has been demonstrated and especial attention has been paid to the oscillatory phenomena. The shear stresses have been combined with the energy equation. The uniform magnetic field has been applied perpendicularly to the flow field. The principal equations for fluid motion and temperature profiles have been modeled and simplified in the form of non-linear partial differential equations. The non-linear differential equations have been solved with the help of a powerful analytical technique known as Optimal Homotopy Asymptotic Method (OHAM). This method contains unknown convergence controlling parameters C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , ... which results in more efficient and fast convergence as compared to other analytical techniques. The OHAM results have been verified by using a second method known as Adomian Decomposition Method (ADM). The closed agreement of these two methods and the fast convergence of OHAM has been shown graphically and numerically. The comparison of the present work and published work has also been equated graphically and tabulated with absolute error. Moreover, the effect of important physical parameters like magnetic parameter M , gravitational parameter m , Oscillating parameter ω , Eckert number E c and Williamson number W e have also been derived and discussed in this article.
Thermal Activation of CuBTC MOF for CO Oxidation: The Effect of Activation Atmosphere
Authors: Zhang Xiuling , Zhan Zhibin , Li Zhuang , Di Lanbo
Published: April 2017

High performance catalysts for carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation were obtained through thermal activation of a CuBTC (BTC: 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid) metal–organic framework (MOF) in various atmospheres. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photonelectron spectroscopy (XPS), N2 adsorption–desorption measurement, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were adopted to characterize the catalysts. The results show that thermal activation by reductive H2 may greatly destroy the structure of CuBTC. Inert Ar gas has a weak influence on the structure of CuBTC. Therefore, these two catalysts exhibit low CO oxidation activity. Activating with O2 is effective for CuBTC catalysts, since active CuO species may be obtained due to the slight collapse of CuBTC structure. The highest activity is obtained when activating with CO reaction gas, since many pores and more effective Cu2O is formed during the thermal activation process. These results show that the structure and chemical state of coordinated metallic ions in MOFs are adjustable by controlling the activation conditions. This work provides an effective method for designing and fabricating high performance catalysts for CO oxidation based on MOFs.
Garbled Quantum Computation
Authors: Kashefi Elham , Wallden Petros
Published: April 2017

The universal blind quantum computation protocol (UBQC) enables an almost classical client to delegate a quantum computation to an untrusted quantum server (in the form of a garbled quantum circuit) while the security for the client is unconditional. In this contribution, we explore the possibility of extending the verifiable UBQC, to achieve further functionalities following the analogous research for classical circuits (Yao 1986). First, exploring the asymmetric nature of UBQC (the client preparing only single qubits, while the server runs the entire quantum computation), we present a “Yao”-type protocol for secure two-party quantum computation. Similar to the classical setting, our quantum Yao protocol is secure against a specious (quantum honest-but-curious) garbler, but in our case, against a (fully) malicious evaluator. Unlike the previous work on quantum two-party computation of Dupuis et al., 2010, we do not require any online-quantum communication between the garbler and the evaluator and, thus, no extra cryptographic primitive. This feature will allow us to construct a simple universal one-time compiler for any quantum computation using one-time memory, in a similar way to the classical work of Goldwasser et al., 2008, while more efficiently than the previous work of Broadbent et al., 2013.
Situatedness and Embodiment of Computational Systems
Authors: Miłkowski Marcin
Published: April 2017

In this paper, the role of the environment and physical embodiment of computational systems for explanatory purposes will be analyzed. In particular, the focus will be on cognitive computational systems, understood in terms of mechanisms that manipulate semantic information. It will be argued that the role of the environment has long been appreciated, in particular in the work of Herbert A. Simon, which has inspired the mechanistic view on explanation. From Simon’s perspective, the embodied view on cognition seems natural but it is nowhere near as critical as its proponents suggest. The only point of difference between Simon and embodied cognition is the significance of body-based off-line cognition; however, it will be argued that it is notoriously over-appreciated in the current debate. The new mechanistic view on explanation suggests that even if it is critical to situate a mechanism in its environment and study its physical composition, or realization, it is also stressed that not all detail counts, and that some bodily features of cognitive systems should be left out from explanations.
Rapid Reserve Generation from a Francis Turbine for System Frequency Control
Authors: Giosio Dean R. , Henderson Alan D. , Walker Jessica M. , Brandner Paul A.
Published: April 2017

The increase in contributions from non base load renewables, such as wind and solar, can have adverse effects on the stability of an electrical grid. In this study, the possibility of rapidly loading a Francis turbine from a tail water depression (TWD) mode for providing additional system frequency control is investigated. Based on the analysis of full-scale TWD test results and key findings from the transient testing of a micro-hydro scale turbine unit, a detailed description of the TWD transition process is given. The formulation of an improved turbine model for use in one-dimensional hydro-electric plant models is presented with simulation results compared to full-scale data. The analytical model, which calculates output power according to the conservation of angular momentum and identified sources of loss, is used in parallel with full-scale and model scale test observations to elucidate the events and mechanisms occurring during this proposed transition. The output response, in terms of active power, was found to be highly dependent on guide vane opening rate in both full-scale and model tests. For an approximate doubling in opening rate, the duration of the reverse power flow was reduced by 38% and 21%, for full-scale and model units, while the low pressure transient increased by 16% and 8%, respectively. The analytical model was shown to capture the general response characteristic in all cases tested; however, output power response was over predicted due to two identified model assumptions made, while, for the more rapid opening, the penstock pressure was under predicted by approximately 15%.
Smart Distribution Networks: A Review of Modern Distribution Concepts from a Planning Perspective
Authors: Kazmi Syed Ali Abbas , Shahzad Muhammad Khuram , Khan Akif Zia , Shin Dong Ryeol
Published: April 2017

Smart grids (SGs), as an emerging grid modernization concept, is spreading across diverse research areas for revolutionizing power systems. SGs realize new key concepts with intelligent technologies, maximizing achieved objectives and addressing critical issues that are limited in conventional grids. The SG modernization is more noticeable at the distribution grid level. Thus, the transformation of the traditional distribution network (DN) into an intelligent one, is a vital dimension of SG research. Since future DNs are expected to be interconnected in nature and operation, hence traditional planning methods and tools may no longer be applicable. In this paper, the smart distribution network (SDN) concept under the SG paradigm, has presented and reviewed from the planning perspective. Also, developments in the SDN planning process have been surveyed on the basis of SG package (SGP). The package presents a SDN planning foundation via major SG-enabling technologies (SGTF), anticipated functionalities (SGAF), new consumption models (MDC) as potential SDN candidates, associated policies and pilot projects and multi-objective planning (MOP) as a real-world optimization problem. In addition, the need for an aggregated SDN planning model has also been highlighted. The paper discusses recent notable related works, implementation activities, various issues/challenges and potential future research directions; all aiming at SDN planning.
Barking at Heaven’s Door: Pluto Mehra in the Hindi Film Dil Dhadakne Do
Authors: Consolaro Alessandra
Published: April 2017

In this article, I discuss the representation of pets in the 2015 commercial Hindi comedy-drama (commonly known as Bollywood) Dil Dhadakne Do (DDD), which translates to Let the Heart Beat; this is the first ever case of a Hindi movie having a dog as a narrator. For centuries, Indian animal tales have had a habit of anthropomorphizing, but generally narratives about dogs uphold the basic prejudice that they are polluting and degraded animals. DDD introduces a dog named Pluto Mehra, not only as a pet, but as the fifth member of the Mehra family, with the role of the sutradhaar (storyteller, narrator) who recounts the story of a rich, dysfunctional family. Pluto knows the Mehras’ foibles and follies, and he is the only voice of reason among them. A generational shift in one’s outlook towards pets has taken place in the Indian middle classes: pets are no longer perceived as animals that must serve some purpose, but are actually considered to be equal members of the family, even becoming a statement of style for pet owners. I analyze this attitude reversal toward animals within the context of a globalized economy and consumerist ideology.
Urban–Rural Variations in Quality-of-Life in Breast Cancer Survivors Prescribed Endocrine Therapy
Authors: Cahir Caitriona , Thomas Audrey , Dombrowski Stephan , Bennett Kathleen , Sharp Linda
Published: April 2017

The number of breast cancer survivors has increased as a result of rising incidence and increased survival. Research has revealed significant urban–rural variation in clinical aspects of breast cancer but evidence in the area of survivorship is limited. We aimed to investigate whether quality of life (QoL) and treatment-related symptoms vary between urban and rural breast cancer survivors prescribed endocrine therapy. Women with a diagnosis of stages I–III breast cancer prescribed endocrine therapy were identified from the National Cancer Registry Ireland and invited to complete a postal survey (N = 1606; response rate = 66%). A composite measure of urban–rural classification was created using settlement size, population density and proximity to treatment hospital. QoL was measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-G) and an endocrine subscale. The association between urban–rural residence/status and QoL and endocrine symptoms was assessed using linear regression with adjustment for socio-demographic and clinical covariates. In multivariable analysis, rural survivors had a statistically significant higher overall QoL (β = 3.81, standard error (SE) 1.30, p < 0.01), emotional QoL (β = 0.70, SE 0.21, p < 0.01) and experienced a lower symptom burden (β = 1.76, SE 0.65, p < 0.01) than urban survivors. QoL in breast cancer survivors is not simply about proximity and access to healthcare services but may include individual and community level psychosocial factors.
Alleviation of Ultraviolet B-Induced Photodamage by Coffea arabica Extract in Human Skin Fibroblasts and Hairless Mouse Skin
Authors: Wu Po-Yuan , Huang Chi-Chang , Chu Yin , Huang Ya-Han , Lin Ping , Liu Yu-Han , Wen Kuo-Ching , Lin Chien-Yih , Hsu Mei-Chich , Chiang Hsiu-Mei
Published: April 2017

Coffea arabica extract (CAE) containing 48.3 ± 0.4 mg/g of chlorogenic acid and a trace amount of caffeic acid was found to alleviate photoaging activity in human skin fibroblasts. In this study, polyphenol-rich CAE was investigated for its antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties, as well as for its capability to alleviate ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced photodamage in BALB/c hairless mice. The results indicated that 500 μg/mL of CAE exhibited a reducing power of 94.7%, ferrous ion chelating activity of 46.4%, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of 20.3%. The CAE dose dependently reduced UVB-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in fibroblasts. Furthermore, CAE inhibited the UVB-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and p-inhibitor κB, and the translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) to the nucleus of fibroblasts. In addition, CAE alleviated UVB-induced photoaging and photodamage in BALB/c hairless mice by restoring the collagen content and reduced UVB-induced epidermal hyperplasia. CAE also inhibited UVB-induced NF-κB, interleukin-6, and matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression in the hairless mouse skin. The results indicated that CAE exhibits antiphotodamage activity by inhibiting UV-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. Therefore, CAE is a candidate for use in antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and antiphotodamage products.
Emerging Roles of IL-33/ST2 Axis in Renal Diseases
Authors: Chen Wei-Yu , Li Lung-Chih , Yang Jenq-Lin
Published: April 2017

Renal diseases, including acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), have a great impact on health care systems worldwide. Similar to cardiovascular diseases, renal diseases are inflammatory diseases involving a variety of cytokines. Primary causes of renal injury include ischemia, uremic toxins, bacteremia, or nephrotoxicity. Inflammation represents an important component following kidney injury. Interleukin (IL)-33 is a member of the IL-1 cytokine family, which is widely expressed in epithelial barrier tissues and endothelial cells, and mediates both tissue inflammation and repair responses. IL-33 is released as a nuclear alarmin in response to tissue damage and triggers innate and adaptive immune responses by binding to its receptor, suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2). Recent evidence from clinical and experimental animal studies indicates that the IL-33/ST2 axis is involved in the pathogenesis of CKD, renal graft injury, systemic lupus nephritis, and AKI. In this review, we discuss the pathological and tissue reparative roles of the IL-33/ST2 pathway in different types of renal diseases.
Gene-Diet Interaction and Precision Nutrition in Obesity
Authors: Heianza Yoriko , Qi Lu
Published: April 2017

The rapid rise of obesity during the past decades has coincided with a profound shift of our living environment, including unhealthy dietary patterns, a sedentary lifestyle, and physical inactivity. Genetic predisposition to obesity may have interacted with such an obesogenic environment in determining the obesity epidemic. Growing studies have found that changes in adiposity and metabolic response to low-calorie weight loss diets might be modified by genetic variants related to obesity, metabolic status and preference to nutrients. This review summarized data from recent studies of gene-diet interactions, and discussed integration of research of metabolomics and gut microbiome, as well as potential application of the findings in precision nutrition.
4-Methoxy-3-(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)-7-[(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)oxy]quinolin-2(1H)-one from Melicope Moluccana T.G. Hartley
Authors: Tanjung Mulyadi , Saputri Ratih , Wahjoedi Ryan , Tjahjandarie Tjitjik
Published: April 2017

4-Methoxy-3-(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)-7-[(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)oxy]quinolin-2(1H)-one (1) was isolated from the leaves of Melicope moluccana T.G. Hartley. The chemical structure of 1 was elucidated using mainly UV, IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D-NMR spectroscopy.
Bioactive Metabolites from the Deep Subseafloor Fungus Oidiodendron griseum UBOCC-A-114129
Authors: Navarri Marion , Jégou Camille , Bondon Arnaud , Pottier Sandrine , Bach Stéphane , Baratte Blandine , Ruchaud Sandrine , Barbier Georges , Burgaud Gaëtan , Fleury Yannick
Published: April 2017

Four bioactive compounds have been isolated from the fungus Oidiodendron griseum UBOCC-A-114129 cultivated from deep subsurface sediment. They were structurally characterized using a combination of LC–MS/MS and NMR analyses as fuscin and its derivatives (dihydrofuscin, dihydrosecofuscin, and secofuscin) and identified as polyketides. Albeit those compounds were already obtained from terrestrial fungi, this is the first report of their production by an Oidiodendron species and by the deepest subseafloor isolate ever studied for biological activities. We report a weak antibacterial activity of dihydrosecofuscin and secofuscin mainly directed against Gram-positive bacteria (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) equal to Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), in the range of 100 μg/mL). The activity on various protein kinases was also analyzed and revealed a significant inhibition of CDC2-like kinase-1 (CLK1) by dihysecofuscin.
Effects of Low-Molecular-Weight Fucoidan and High Stability Fucoxanthin on Glucose Homeostasis, Lipid Metabolism, and Liver Function in a Mouse Model of Type II Diabetes
Authors: Lin Hong-Ting , Tsou Yu-Chi , Chen Yu-Ting , Lu Wen-Jung , Hwang Pai-An
Published: April 2017

The combined effects of low-molecular-weight fucoidan (LMF) and fucoxanthin (Fx) in terms of antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and hepatoprotective activities were investigated in a mouse model of type II diabetes. The intake of LMF, Fx, and LMF + Fx lowered the blood sugar and fasting blood sugar levels, and increased serum adiponectin levels. The significant decrease in urinary sugar was only observed in LMF + Fx supplementation. LMF and Fx had ameliorating effects on the hepatic tissue of db/db mice by increasing hepatic glycogen and antioxidative enzymes, and LMF was more effective than Fx at improving hepatic glucose metabolism. As for glucose and lipid metabolism in the adipose tissue, the expression of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1, glucose transporter (GLUT), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and uncoupling protein (UCP)-1 mRNAs in the adipose tissue of diabetic mice was significantly upregulated by Fx and LMF + Fx, and levels of inflammatory adipocytokines, such as adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were significantly modulated only by LMF + Fx supplementation. The efficacy of LMF + Fx supplementation on the decrease in urinary sugar and on glucose and lipid metabolism in the white adipose tissue of db/db mice was better than that of Fx or LMF alone, indicating the occurrence of a synergistic effect of LMF and Fx.
Descriptive Analysis of LAP1 Distribution and That of Associated Proteins throughout Spermatogenesis
Authors: Serrano Joana , Martins Filipa , Sousa João , Pereira Cátia , Van Pelt Ans , Rebelo Sandra , Da Cruz e Silva Odete
Published: April 2017

Spermatogenesis comprises highly complex differentiation processes. Nuclear envelope (NE) proteins have been associated with these processes, including lamins, lamina-associated polypeptide (LAP) 2 and the lamin B-receptor. LAP1 is an important NE protein whose function has not been fully elucidated, but several binding partners allow predicting putative LAP1 functions. To date, LAP1 had not been associated with spermatogenesis. In this study, LAP1 expression and cellular/subcellular localization during spermatogenesis in human and mouse testes is established for the first time. The fact that LAP1 is expressed during nuclear elongation in spermiogenesis and is located at the spermatids’ centriolar pole is singularly important. LAP1 binds to members of the protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) family. Similar localization of LAP1 and PP1γ2, a testis-specific PP1 isoform, suggests a shared function for both proteins during spermiogenesis. Furthermore, this study suggests an involvement of LAP1 in manchette development and chromatin regulation possibly via interaction with acetylated α-tubulin and lamins, respectively. Taken together, the present results indicate that, by moving to the posterior pole in spermatids, LAP1 can contribute to the achievement of non-random, sperm-specific chromatin distribution, as well as modulate cellular remodeling during spermiogenesis. In addition, LAP1 seems to be associated with dynamic microtubule changes related to manchette formation and flagella development.
Optimization of Ionic Liquid-Assisted Extraction of Biflavonoids from Selaginella doederleinii and Evaluation of Its Antioxidant and Antitumor Activity
Authors: Li Dan , Qian Yan , Tian Yu-Jia , Yuan Shi-Meng , Wei Wei , Wang Gang
Published: April 2017

As new green solvents, ionic liquids (ILs) have been generally applied in the extraction and separation of natural product. In this study, microwave assisted extraction based on IL (IL-MAE) was firstly employed to extract total biflavonoids from Selaginella doederleinii. Based on single-factor experiment, microwave power (300–700 W), extract time (30–50 min) and extract temperature (40–60 °C) on total bioflavonoids and antioxidant activities of the extracts were further investigated by a Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology (RSM) selecting total bioflavonoids yields and IC50 of radical scavenging as index. Besides antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydarzyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate (ABTS) radical scavenging assay, ferric reducing power assay and chelation of ferrous ions assay, and then anticaner activity was also researched against A549 cell line and 7721 cell line. The results illustrated that three factors and their interactions could be well suited for second-order polynomial models (p < 0.05). Through process parameters, optimization of the extract (460 W, 40 min, and 45 °C) and detection of bioactivity, the yield of total bioflavonoids was 16.83 mg/g and IC50 value was 56.24 μg/mL, respectively, indicating the extract has better anti-oxidation effect and antitumor activity. Furthermore, IL-MAE was the most efficient extracting method compared with MAE and Soxhlet extraction, which could improve extraction efficiency in a shorter time and at a lower temperature. In general, ILs-MAE was first adopted to establish a novel and green extraction process on the yields of total biflavonoids from S. doederleinii. In addition, the extract of containing biflavones showed potent antioxidant and anticancer capacity as a utilized valuable bioactive source for natural medicine.
Cytotoxicity of ZnO Nanowire Arrays on Excitable Cells
Authors: Wang Yongchen , Wu Yu , Quadri Farhan , Prox Jordan , Guo Liang
Published: April 2017

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires have been widely studied for their applications in electronics, optics, and catalysts. Their semiconducting, piezoelectric, fluorescent, and antibacterial properties have also attracted broad interest in their biomedical applications. Thus, it is imperative to evaluate the biosafety of ZnO nanowires and their biological effects. In this study, the cellular level biological effects of ZnO nanowire arrays are specifically tested on three types of excitable cells, including NG108-15 neuronal cell line, HL-1 cardiac muscle cell line, and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Vertically aligned and densely packed ZnO nanowire arrays are synthesized using a solution-based method and used as a substrate for cell culture. The metabolism levels of all three types of cells cultured on ZnO nanowire arrays are studied using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays of a full factorial design. Under the studied settings, the results show statistically significant inhibitory effects of ZnO nanowire arrays on the metabolism of NG108-15 and HL-1 cells in comparison to gold, glass, and polystyrene substrates, and on the metabolism of cardiomyocytes in comparison to gold substrate.
A Facile Approach for Fabrication of Core-Shell Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Nanospheres towards Hypericin
Authors: Cheng Wenxia , Fan Fengfeng , Zhang Ying , Pei Zhichao , Wang Wenji , Pei Yuxin
Published: April 2017

By taking advantage of the self-polymerization of dopamine on the surface of magnetic nanospheres in weak alkaline Tris-HCl buffer solution, a facile approach was established to fabricate core-shell magnetic molecularly imprinted nanospheres towards hypericin (Fe3O4@PDA/Hyp NSs), via a surface molecular imprinting technique. The Fe3O4@PDA/Hyp NSs were characterized by FTIR, TEM, DLS, and BET methods, respectively. The reaction conditions for adsorption capacity and selectivity towards hypericin were optimized, and the Fe3O4@PDA/Hyp NSs synthesized under the optimized conditions showed a high adsorption capacity (Q = 18.28 mg/g) towards hypericin. The selectivity factors of Fe3O4@PDA/Hyp NSs were about 1.92 and 3.55 towards protohypericin and emodin, respectively. In addition, the approach established in this work showed good reproducibility for fabrication of Fe3O4@PDA/Hyp.
A Comprehensive Guide for Performing Sample Preparation and Top-Down Protein Analysis
Authors: Padula Matthew , Berry Iain , O′Rourke Matthew , Raymond Benjamin , Santos Jerran , Djordjevic Steven P.
Published: April 2017

Methodologies for the global analysis of proteins in a sample, or proteome analysis, have been available since 1975 when Patrick O′Farrell published the first paper describing two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE). This technique allowed the resolution of single protein isoforms, or proteoforms, into single ‘spots’ in a polyacrylamide gel, allowing the quantitation of changes in a proteoform′s abundance to ascertain changes in an organism′s phenotype when conditions change. In pursuit of the comprehensive profiling of the proteome, significant advances in technology have made the identification and quantitation of intact proteoforms from complex mixtures of proteins more routine, allowing analysis of the proteome from the ‘Top-Down’. However, the number of proteoforms detected by Top-Down methodologies such as 2D-PAGE or mass spectrometry has not significantly increased since O’Farrell’s paper when compared to Bottom-Up, peptide-centric techniques. This article explores and explains the numerous methodologies and technologies available to analyse the proteome from the Top-Down with a strong emphasis on the necessity to analyse intact proteoforms as a better indicator of changes in biology and phenotype. We arrive at the conclusion that the complete and comprehensive profiling of an organism′s proteome is still, at present, beyond our reach but the continuing evolution of protein fractionation techniques and mass spectrometry brings comprehensive Top-Down proteome profiling closer.
Religious Coping as Moderator of Psychological Responses to Stressful Events: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: García Felipe E. , Páez Darío , Reyes-Reyes Alejandro , Álvarez Rodolfo
Published: April 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of positive and negative religious coping with posttraumatic symptoms (PTS) and growth (PTG). Their moderating role was also examined among predictors such as social support and the subjective severity of event with PTS and PTG. Two hundred and eleven Chilean adults (58.3% women) of 18 years and older who had been exposed to highly stressful were surveyed. The Brief-RCOPE, the Brief-COPE subscale of social support, the Subjective Severity of Event Scale, and a socio-demographic questionnaire were used as measurements at time one. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-short form (PTGI-SF) and Short Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (SPRINT-E) was used to collect baseline scores and six months after. The results show that negative religious coping predicts the increase in PTS, positive religious coping predicts the increase in PTG and plays a moderation role: at low levels of positive religious coping it was found a strong association between coping by seeking social support and PTG, while at high level the association is weak. These results are discussed in the framework of the functionality of positive and negative religious coping and its role in adjusting to potentially traumatic events.
Robot-Assisted Crowd Evacuation under Emergency Situations: A Survey
Authors: Sakour Ibraheem , Hu Huosheng
Published: April 2017

In the case of emergency situations, robotic systems can play a key role and save human lives in recovery and evacuation operations. To realize such a potential, we have to address many scientific and technical challenges encountered during robotic search and rescue missions. This paper reviews current state-of-the-art robotic technologies that have been deployed in the simulation of crowd evacuation, including both macroscopic and microscopic models used in simulating a crowd. Existing work on crowd simulation is analyzed and the robots used in crowd evacuation are introduced. Finally, the paper demonstrates how autonomous robots could be effectively deployed in disaster evacuation, as well as search and rescue missions.
Remotely-Sensed Early Warning Signals of a Critical Transition in a Wetland Ecosystem
Authors: Alibakhshi Sara , Groen Thomas , Rautiainen Miina , Naimi Babak
Published: April 2017

The response of an ecosystem to external drivers may not always be gradual and reversible. Discontinuous and sometimes irreversible changes, called ‘regime shifts’ or ‘critical transitions’, can occur. The likelihood of such shifts is expected to increase for a variety of ecosystems, and it is difficult to predict how close an ecosystem is to a critical transition. Recent modelling studies identified indicators of impending regime shifts that can be used to provide early warning signals of a critical transition. The identification of such transitions crucially depends on the ability to monitor key ecosystem variables, and their success may be limited by lack of appropriate data. Moreover, empirical demonstrations of the actual functioning of these indicators in real-world ecosystems are rare. This paper presents the first study which uses remote sensing data to identify a critical transition in a wetland ecosystem. In this study, we argue that a time series of remote sensing data can help to characterize and determine the timing of a critical transition. This can enhance our abilities to detect and anticipate them. We explored the potentials of remotely sensed vegetation (NDVI), water (MNDWI), and vegetation-water (VWR) indices, obtained from time series of MODIS satellite images to characterize the stability of a wetland ecosystem, Dorge Sangi, near the lake Urmia, Iran, that experienced a regime shift recently. In addition, as a control case, we applied the same methods to another wetland ecosystem in Lake Arpi, Armenia which did not experience a regime shift. We propose a new composite index (MVWR) based on combining vegetation and water indices, which can improve the ability to anticipate a critical transition in a wetland ecosystem. Our results revealed that MVWR in combination with autocorrelation at-lag-1 could successfully provide early warning signals for a critical transition in a wetland ecosystem, and showed a significantly improved performance compared to either vegetation (NDVI) or water (MNDWI) indices alone.
Quantitative Detection of NADH Using a Novel Enzyme-Assisted Method Based on Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering
Authors: Teng Haiyan , Lv Mingyang , Liu Luo , Zhang Xin , Zhao Yongmei , Wu Zhenglong , Xu Haijun
Published: April 2017

An enzymatic method for quantitative detection of the reduced form of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NADH) using surface-enhanced Raman scattering was developed. Under the action of NADH oxidase and horseradish peroxidase, NADH can generate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in a 1:1 molar ratio, and the H2O2 can oxidize a chromogen into pigment with a 1:1 molar ratio. Therefore, the concentration of NADH can be determined by detecting the generated pigment. In our experiments, eight chromogens were studied, and o-tolidine (OT) was selected because of the unique Raman peaks displayed by its corresponding pigment. The optimal OT concentration was 2 × 10−3 M, and this gave the best linear relationship and the widest linear range between the logarithmic H2O2 concentration and the logarithmic integrated SERS intensity of the peak centered at 1448 cm−1. Under this condition, the limit of detection for NADH was as low as 4 × 10−7 M. Two NADH samples with concentrations of 2 × 10−4 and 2 × 10−5 M were used to validate the linear relationship, and the logarithmic deviations were less than 3%.
The Identification of the Deformation Stage of a Metal Specimen Based on Acoustic Emission Data Analysis
Authors: Zou Shenao , Yan Fengying , Yang Guoan , Sun Wei
Published: April 2017

The acoustic emission (AE) signals of metal materials have been widely used to identify the deformation stage of a pressure vessel. In this work, Q235 steel samples with different propagation distances and geometrical structures are stretched to get the corresponding acoustic emission signals. Then the obtained acoustic emission signals are de-noised by empirical mode decomposition (EMD), and then decomposed into two different frequency ranges, i.e., one mainly corresponding to metal deformation and the other mainly corresponding to friction signals. The ratio of signal energy between two frequency ranges is defined as a new acoustic emission characteristic parameter. Differences can be observed at different deformation stages in both magnitude and data distribution range. Compared with other acoustic emission parameters, the proposed parameter is valid in different setups of the propagation medium and the coupled stiffness.
Ground Penetrating Radar as a Contextual Sensor for Multi-Sensor Radiological Characterisation
Authors: Ukaegbu Ikechukwu , Gamage Kelum
Published: April 2017

Radioactive sources exist in environments or contexts that influence how they are detected and localised. For instance, the context of a moving source is different from a stationary source because of the effects of motion. The need to incorporate this contextual information in the radiation detection and localisation process has necessitated the integration of radiological and contextual sensors. The benefits of the successful integration of both types of sensors is well known and widely reported in fields such as medical imaging. However, the integration of both types of sensors has also led to innovative solutions to challenges in characterising radioactive sources in non-medical applications. This paper presents a review of such recent applications. It also identifies that these applications mostly use visual sensors as contextual sensors for characterising radiation sources. However, visual sensors cannot retrieve contextual information about radioactive wastes located in opaque environments encountered at nuclear sites, e.g., underground contamination. Consequently, this paper also examines ground-penetrating radar (GPR) as a contextual sensor for characterising this category of wastes and proposes several ways of integrating data from GPR and radiological sensors. Finally, it demonstrates combined GPR and radiation imaging for three-dimensional localisation of contamination in underground pipes using radiation transport and GPR simulations.
In Vivo Bioimpedance Spectroscopy Characterization of Healthy, Hemorrhagic and Ischemic Rabbit Brain within 10 Hz–1 MHz
Authors: Yang Lin , Liu Wenbo , Chen Rongqing , Zhang Ge , Li Weichen , Fu Feng , Dong Xiuzhen
Published: April 2017

Acute stroke is a serious cerebrovascular disease and has been the second leading cause of death worldwide. Conventional diagnostic modalities for stroke, such as CT and MRI, may not be available in emergency settings. Hence, it is imperative to develop a portable tool to diagnose stroke in a timely manner. Since there are differences in impedance spectra between normal, hemorrhagic and ischemic brain tissues, multi-frequency electrical impedance tomography (MFEIT) shows great promise in detecting stroke. Measuring the impedance spectra of healthy, hemorrhagic and ischemic brain in vivo is crucial to the success of MFEIT. To our knowledge, no research has established hemorrhagic and ischemic brain models in the same animal and comprehensively measured the in vivo impedance spectra of healthy, hemorrhagic and ischemic brain within 10 Hz–1 MHz. In this study, the intracerebral hemorrhage and ischemic models were established in rabbits, and then the impedance spectra of healthy, hemorrhagic and ischemic brain were measured in vivo and compared. The results demonstrated that the impedance spectra differed significantly between healthy and stroke-affected brain (i.e., hemorrhagic or ischemic brain). Moreover, the rate of change in brain impedance following hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke with regard to frequency was distinct. These findings further validate the feasibility of using MFEIT to detect stroke and differentiate stroke types, and provide data supporting for future research.
A Novel Robust Trilateration Method Applied to Ultra-Wide Bandwidth Location Systems
Authors: Li Jiahong , Yue Xianghu , Chen Jie , Deng Fang
Published: April 2017

Due to the non-line-of-sight (NLOS) and multipath fading channel (MPF) of the wireless networks, the non-existence of the intersection point often occurs in the range-based localization methods, e.g., the centroid-based trilateration method. To alleviate the problem, a confidence-based intersection method which expands the range of the circle within a certain confidence interval is proposed. In the method, the confidence interval is estimated based on the Cramér–Rao lower bound of the time of flight (TOF) measurement. Furthermore, an intersection determination method is proposed to select the intersection point with higher confidence level. The simulation and experimental results show the superiority of the proposed method in localization accuracy and robustness to noise compared to the conventional trilateration method, e.g., the centroid-based and least squares based trilateration methods.
Characteristics of the BDS Carrier Phase Multipath and Its Mitigation Methods in Relative Positioning
Authors: Dai Wujiao , Shi Qiang , Cai Changsheng
Published: April 2017

The carrier phase multipath effect is one of the most significant error sources in the precise positioning of BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). We analyzed the characteristics of BDS multipath, and found the multipath errors of geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite signals are systematic, whereas those of inclined geosynchronous orbit (IGSO) or medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites are both systematic and random. The modified multipath mitigation methods, including sidereal filtering algorithm and multipath hemispherical map (MHM) model, were used to improve BDS dynamic deformation monitoring. The results indicate that the sidereal filtering methods can reduce the root mean square (RMS) of positioning errors in the east, north and vertical coordinate directions by 15%, 37%, 25% and 18%, 51%, 27% in the coordinate and observation domains, respectively. By contrast, the MHM method can reduce the RMS by 22%, 52% and 27% on average. In addition, the BDS multipath errors in static baseline solutions are a few centimeters in multipath-rich environments, which is different from that of Global Positioning System (GPS) multipath. Therefore, we add a parameter representing the GEO multipath error in observation equation to the adjustment model to improve the precision of BDS static baseline solutions. And the results show that the modified model can achieve an average precision improvement of 82%, 54% and 68% in the east, north and up coordinate directions, respectively.
A Survey on Mobility Support in Wireless Body Area Networks
Authors: Kim Beom-Su , Kim Kyong , Kim Ki-Il
Published: April 2017

Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) have attracted research interests from the community, as more promising healthcare applications have a tendency to employ them as underlying network technology. While taking design issues, such as small size hardware as well as low power computing, into account, a lot of research has been proposed to accomplish the given tasks in WBAN. However, since most of the existing works are basically developed by assuming all nodes in the static state, these schemes therefore cannot be applied in real scenarios where network topology between sensor nodes changes frequently and unexpectedly according to human moving behavior. However, as far as the authors know, there is no survey paper to focus on research challenges for mobility support in WBAN yet. To address this deficiency, in this paper, we present the state-of-the-art approaches and discuss the important features of related to mobility in WBAN. We give an overview of mobility model and categorize the models as individual and group. Furthermore, an overview of networking techniques in the recent literature and summary are compiled for comparison in several aspects. The article also suggests potential directions for future research in the field.
The Impact of Green Open Space on Community Attachment—A Case Study of Three Communities in Beijing
Authors: Zhu Yuemei , Ding Junxiang , Zhu Qing , Cheng Yang , Ma Qiuchen , Ji Xuze
Published: April 2017

With the development of urbanization in China, the quality of urban life and community attachment have attracted increasing attention of the governments and society. Existing research on community attachment has mainly examined how individual characteristics affect community attachment, such as their length of residence and socioeconomic status. However, some scholars have become interested in exploring the effects of green open space on community attachment. This research examined whether the distribution of green open space in communities had significant effects on community attachment, and both the impact and path were also investigated. Through a questionnaire survey, relevant data in three communities of Beijing were collected. The impact of green open space layout on community attachment was evaluated by using hierarchical regression, and the impact path was examined by using a structural equation model. The results showed that green open space in a community had significant effects on the community attachment, with centralized green open space layout having a greater effect than that of dispersed green open space. Moreover, the more complex the shape of green open space is, the greater the impact is. The degree of satisfaction with the green open space had direct effects on the community attachment. The accessibility and perceived area of green open space could indirectly have an impact on the community attachment by affecting the degree of satisfaction with the green open space. Nevertheless, residents’ perceived importance of green open space could affect the community attachment directly and indirectly, as it affects the degree of satisfaction.
Proposing a Process-Oriented Systems Research for Systems Thinking Development
Authors: Yu Jae Eon
Published: April 2017

This paper discusses systems thinking development from Churchman’s systems ideas related to critical systems practice that appreciates the use of systems methods from sociolinguistic perspectives and poststructuralist thought. Systems research enabled us to understand and reinterpret Churchman’s philosophy and systems approach through the works of Deleuze and Foucault. Based upon the interpretation of Churchman’s philosophy and systems approach, I propose ‘process-oriented systems research’ developed from the use of social appreciative process and Churchman’s metasystem approach. By applying a metasystem approach into practice, I basically appreciate Deleuzian ethics and Foucault’s theory of discourse in order to deal with issues of power and knowledge, and metaethics or moral epistemology, where the meaning of good or bad is discussed. A detailed account of an application of process-oriented systems research is given to demonstrate how I use systems methods to examine the usefulness of the systems research in practice.
How and why kinetics, thermodynamics, and chemistry induce the logic of biological evolution
Authors: Pross Addy , Pascal Robert
Published: April 2017

Thermodynamic stability, as expressed by the Second Law, generally constitutes the driving force for chemical assembly processes. Yet, somehow, within the living world most self-organisation processes appear to challenge this fundamental rule. Even though the Second Law remains an inescapable constraint, under energy-fuelled, far-from-equilibrium conditions, populations of chemical systems capable of exponential growth can manifest another kind of stability, dynamic kinetic stability (DKS). It is this stability kind based on time/persistence, rather than on free energy, that offers a basis for understanding the evolutionary process. Furthermore, a threshold distance from equilibrium, leading to irreversibility in the reproduction cycle, is needed to switch the directive for evolution from thermodynamic to DKS. The present report develops these lines of thought and argues against the validity of a thermodynamic approach in which the maximisation of the rate of energy dissipation/entropy production is considered to direct the evolutionary process. More generally, our analysis reaffirms the predominant role of kinetics in the self-organisation of life, which, in turn, allows an assessment of semi-quantitative constraints on systems and environments from which life could evolve.