bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrafast enzymatic reaction dynamics in protochlorophyllide-oxidoreductase.
Authors: Heyes Derren J. , Hunter C. Neil , van Grondelle Rienk , Groot Marie Louise
Published: February 2020

The chlorophyll biosynthesis enzyme protochlorophyllide reductase (POR) catalyzes the reduction of protochlorophyllide into chlorophyllide in the presence of NADPH. This reaction is light dependent and provides a unique opportunity to initiate enzyme catalysis with a short laser pulse and study subsequent reaction dynamics. We used pump-probe absorption spectroscopy to obtain time-resolved data on enzymatic proton and hydride transfer. A NADPH-PChlide-POR complex, PChlide in solution and a Y189F mutant lacking the putative proton donor Tyr189 were examined. Only in wild-type in the presence of NADPH, POR catalyzed the formation of the Chlide-product. We conclude that the light-activated reaction path is multi-dimensional and involves both a single-step proton/hydride mechanism occurring in ~3 ps and a sequential mechanism in which hydride transfer (~400ps) is rate limiting.
Energy relaxation of carotenoids in solution and in LH2 complexes studied with sub-10-fs temporal resolution
Authors: Cerullo G. , Polli D. , Lanzani G. , De Silvestri S. , Cogdell R.J. , Hashimoto H.
Published: February 2020

Carotenoids are among the most investigated molecules in organic physics and chemistry [1]. They perform several vital functions in photosynthetic systems: (i) light harvesting, by absorbing energy in the blue-green region and transferring it to the chlorophylls with very high efficiency; (ii) photoprotection via quenching of the chlorophyll triplet states; (iii) singlet oxygen scavenging. In carotenoids both the ground state (S0) and the first excited state (S1) possess Ag character (according to the approximate C
2h
symmetry), while the second excited state (S2) possesses Bu symmetry. Therefore only the S0→S2 transition is optically allowed; however, after photoexcitation, an ultrafast internal conversion (IC) to S1 takes place. The dynamics of this process is important for the understanding of photosynthesis, because energy transfer from the carotenoids to the chlorophylls can take place either from S2 or from S1. The recent availability of sub-10-fs laser pulses in the visible has allowed to directly study IC in carotenoids with unprecedented time resolution [2].
Photophysics of even-parity excited states in polymeric semiconductors
Authors: Essex R. Jane , Friend Richard H. , Silva Carlos , Beljonne David , Brédas Jean-Luc
Published: February 2020

We present detailed femtosecond transient absorption measurements and quantum chemical calculations on the energetics and photophysics of even-parity excited states in phenylene oligomers. The role of these states on exciton dissociation processes is discussed.
Die Judäer/Aramäer von Elephantine und ihre Religion
Authors: Schipper Bernd U.
Published: February 2020

Die Judäer/Aramäer waren Teil einer multikulturellen Gemeinschaft in der Siedlung von Elephantine. Sie hatten – analog zu einem kleinen ägyptischen Heiligtum – einen eigenen Tempel und orientierten sich am Kult des Hauptgottes von Elephantine (Schwurformel bei »Jahu und Chnum«). Dies änderte sich mit der Mission des Hananjah im Jahr 419, der einen Erlass Darius’ II. über eine Kalenderfrage nutzte, um religiöse Maßnahmen durchzuführen, die auf eine Abgrenzung von der ägyptischen Religion hinausliefen. Die Zerstörung des Jahu-Tempels im Jahr 410 war in der Kultpraxis verursacht, da das Ritual des Brandopfers in Konkurrenz zum ägyptischen Haupttempel des Chnum stand. Demgegenüber orientierte sich der Kult im wiederaufgebauten Jahu-Tempel an ägyptischen Vorgaben (Jahu-Triade).
Hormonal Treatment and Cardiovascular Risk Profile in Transgender Adolescents
Authors: Klaver Maartje , de Mutsert Renée , van der Loos Maria A.T.C. , Wiepjes Chantal M. , Twisk Jos W.R. , den Heijer Martin , Rotteveel Joost , Klink Daniel T.
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

The effects of endocrinological treatment on cardiovascular risk profile in transgender adolescents are unknown. In this retrospective cohort study, we aim to investigate these effects and assess obesity and dyslipidemia prevalence in transgender adolescents at 22 years compared with peers.

METHODS:

Changes in BMI, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), glucose, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and lipid values during treatment, along with the prevalence of obesity and dyslipidemia at 22 years, were recorded in 71 transwomen and 121 transmen who started gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists in their adolescence (15 years), with a subsequent addition of sex hormones (17 years).

RESULTS:

In transwomen, changes in BMI (+3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6 to 4.4), SBP (−2 mm Hg; 95% CI −7 to 3), DBP (+10 mm Hg; 95% CI 7 to 14), glucose (0.0 mmol/L; 95% CI −0.2 to 0.2), HOMA-IR (+0.6; 95% CI −0.6 to 1.9), and lipid values were similar or more favorable compared with peers. The same was true for transmen regarding changes in BMI (+2.3; 95% CI 1.7 to 2.9), SBP (+7 mm Hg; 95% CI 3 to 10), DBP (+7 mm Hg; 95% CI 5 to 10), glucose (+0.1 mmol/L; 95% CI −0.1 to 0.3), HOMA-IR (−0.2; 95% CI −0.8 to 0.3), and lipid values. At age 22, obesity prevalence was 9.9% in transwomen, 6.6% in transmen, 2.2% in ciswomen, and 3.0% in cismen.

CONCLUSIONS:

Generally, endocrinological treatment in transgender adolescents is safe regarding cardiovascular risk. Because obesity is more prevalent in transgender adolescents compared with peers, body weight management should be important during the medical trajectory.
sciMAP-ATAC v1
Authors: Adey Andrew , Thornton Casey
Published: February 2020

High-throughput single cell genomic assays resolve the heterogeneity of cell states in complex tissues, however, the spatial orientation within the network of interconnected cells is lost. As cell localization is a necessary dimension in understanding complex tissues and disease states, we present a tool for highly scalable spatially-resolved single cell profiling of chromatin state. We use high density multiregional sampling to perform single-cell combinatorial indexing on Microbiopsies Assigned to Positions for the Assay for Transposase Accessible Chromatin (sciMAP-ATAC) to produce single-cell data of equivalent quality to non-spatial single-cell ATAC-seq.
Preparing bryophyte specimens for DNA extractions for Sanger sequencing v1
Authors: L Forrest Laura
Published: February 2020

This protocol describes part of the pipeline employed at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh to generate DNA barcode reference libraries for bryophytes using Sanger sequencing protocols. Here we describe the steps from field or herbarium sampling to tissue homogenization, prior to starting a specific DNA extraction protocol.
THE PROFILE OF FRACTURE IN PATIENTS UNDER 17 YEARS OF AGE AT RSUD DR SOETOMO IN THE PERIOD OF 2013-2014
Authors: Sya'ban Satria Nur , Fatmaningrum Widati , Bayusentono Sulis
Published: February 2020

Fractures in children are important problem nowadays. Governmental census lists people under 17 years old as the largest contributor to fracture cases in Indonesia. The rapid increase in motor vehicle use, a hallmark of economic growth in developing countries, led to sharp increase in road saturation and consequently, rise in traffic related injuries. Variables involved in pediatric fractures needs to be identified and mapped to provide basis for the creation of better preventive measures to reduce problem before it happens. Thus, the purpose of this research is to create a profile of fracture in patients under the age of 17 years’ old at RSUD Dr Soetomo. The research is descriptive study which is performed by analyzing medical records in RSUD Dr Soetomo against the following: Age, Sex, Type of fracture, Cause of fracture, Time of fracture, Location of fracture, and Duration between admission and treatment. Data is then tabulated and converted into a bar graph for easier analysis. The research found that fractures in children most commonly occur at the 10-14 years’ age group (41.8%), happens more frequently in boys than in girls (69.5%), is dominated by closed fractures over open fractures (75.9%), and is most often caused by traffic accidents (60.9%). Consequently, the location in which fractures are most prevalent is the “street” (63.1%). It is also found that the highest incidence of fractures cases happens within the 12.01-18.00 time-span (19.1%) and is treated within the first 8 hours of admission to the hospital (79.4%).
Exploring three-nucleon forces via three- and four-nucleon scattering
Authors: Sekiguchi Kimiko
Published: February 2020

Three-nucleon force effects in three- and four-nucleon scattering are
discussed from an experimental point of view.
The Hoyle Family: break-up measurements to probe α-condensation in light nuclei
Authors: Smith Robin , Bishop Jack , Hirst Joel , Kokalova Tzany , Wheldon Carl
Published: February 2020

The ^{12}12C
Hoyle state is a candidate for \alphaα-condensation,
due to its large volume and \alphaα-cluster
structure. This paper discusses precision break-up measurements and how
they can elucidate \alphaα-condensate
structures. Two experiments are discussed in detail, firstly concerning
the break-up of ^{12}12C
and then the decays of heavier nuclei. With more theoretical input, and
increasingly complex detector setups, precision break-up measurements
can, in principle, provide insight into the structures of states in
\alphaα-conjugate
nuclei. At present, such searches have not delivered evidence for
\alphaα-condensation
in ^{12}12C
or ^{16}16O.
Tubulin Proteins in Cancer Resistance: A Review
Authors: Kamal Mohammad Amjad , Al-Zahrani Maryam Hassan , Khan Salman Hasan , Khan Mateen Hasan , Al-Subhi Hani Awad , Kuerban Abudukadeer , Aslam Muhammad , Al-Abbasi Fahad Ahmed , Anwar Firoz
Published: February 2020

Cancer cells are altered with cell cycle genes or they are mutated, leading to a high rate of proliferation
compared to normal cells. Alteration in these genes leads to mitosis dysregulation and becomes the basis of tumor
progression and resistance to many drugs. The drugs which act on the cell cycle fail to arrest the process, making
cancer cell non-responsive to apoptosis or cell death. Vinca alkaloids and taxanes fall in this category and are
referred to as antimitotic agents. Microtubule proteins play an important role in mitosis during cell division as a
target site for vinca alkaloids and taxanes. These proteins are dynamic in nature and are composed of α-β-tubulin
heterodimers. β-tubulin specially βΙΙΙ isotype is generally altered in expression within cancerous cells. Initially,
these drugs were very effective in the treatment of cancer but failed to show their desired action after initial
chemotherapy. The present review highlights some of the important targets and their mechanism of resistance
offered by cancer cells with new promising drugs from natural sources that can lead to the development of a new
approach to chemotherapy.
Implementasi Kebijakan Sekolah Tentang Poin Pelanggaran Tata Tertib Siswa Dalam Membentuk Perilaku Siswa Yang Berkaraktar di SMA Negeri 7 Kediri
Authors: Qisthi Churiyatul , Rahmadiah Annisa
Published: February 2020

Salah satu masalah yang paling urgen untuk segera ditangani di Indonesia adalah persoalan pendidikan karakter pada siswa. Dengan demikian, sekolah memiliki peran yang sangat penting dalam membangun dan membentuk perilaku para generasi muda supaya menjadi generasi yang berkarakter. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk: 1). mendeskripsikan model pelaksanaan kebijakan sekolah tentang poin pelanggaran tata tertib siswa 2). mendeskripsikan hambatan-hambatan dalam pelaksanaan kebijakan sekolah tentang poin pelanggaran tata tertib siswa. 3). mendeskripsikan upaya-upaya  mengatasi hambatan dalam melaksanakan kebijakan sekolah tentang poin pelanggaran tata tertib siswa. 4). mendeskripsikan implementasi kebijakan sekolah tentang poin pelanggaran tata tertib siswa di  SMAN 7 Kediri. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah melalui pendekatan kualitatif dengan jenis study kasus. Objek yang diteliti adalah SMAN 7 Kediri. Peneliti mengobservasi suatu kebijakan yang telah ada dengan menggunakan pengamatan, wawancara langsung dan studi dokumen. Dalam wawancara peneliti melibatkan WAKA Humas, Tim Tata Tertib (Tatib), guru BK, serta peserta didik. Teknik analisis data dalam penelitian ini menggunakan model interaktif Miles dan Huberman, yaitu kondensasi data, display data, dan menarik  kesimpulan. Keabsahan data menggunakan triangaluasi dan diskusi teman sejawat.Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan: 1). Pelanggaran tata tertib siswa dengan menggunakan poin pelanggaran, 2). Hambatan-hambatan dalam pelaksanaan tata tertib siswa meliputi hambatan lingkungan fisik sekolah dan kesadaran siswa. 3). Upaya mengatasi hambatan pelaksanaan tata tertib siswa dilakukan dengan cara kepala sekolah mengadakan pembinaan guru, karyawan, dan semua elemen yang ada di sekolah 4). Dampak kebijakan sekolah adalah jumlah pelanggaran yang dilakukan siswa menurun, perilaku siswa sudah mulai menunjukkan adanya perilaku yang berkarakter diantaranya, berdisiplin, menghormati norma-norma hukum yang berlaku, bertanggung jawab, bergaya hidup sehat.
Sumber Daya Dalam Implementasi Kebijakan pendidikan Inklusi di SDN Betet 1 Kediri
Authors: Kusnia Nurin
Published: February 2020

Pendidikan yang baik, ketika mampu mengakomodir seluruh peserta didik, pendidikan yang memberikan pelayanan tanpa membedakan kondisi fisik, mental, intelektual, sosial, emosi, dan sebagainya, di mana semua anak dapat belajar bersama-sama, baik di sekolah formal maupun non formal yang disesuaikan dengan kondisi dan kebutuhan masing-masing anak.  Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mendiskripsikan sumber daya dalam implementasi pendidikan inklusi di SDN Betet 1 Kediri. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah dengan pendekatan kualitatif dengan jenis studi kasus. Pengumpulan data menggunakan teknik observasi, wawancara dan dokumentasi.Dalam pelaksanaan implementasi kebijakan penyelenggaraan inklusi di SDN Betet 1 Kediri terdapat beberapa masalah sumber daya. Sumber daya dalam implementasi penyelenggaraan inklusi ini memiliki masalah yaitu mengenai kuranganya guru pendamping khusus (GPK), tidak ada tenaga psikologi, terapis, dan tim khususnya, tidak tersedianya ruang khusus penanganan anak berkebutuhan khusus (ABK), ruang kelas untuk anak berkebutuhan khusus (ABK) yang kurang memadai.            Hasi penelitia menunjukan bahwa sumber daya dalam implementasi kebijakan masih mengalami kendala. Oleh karena itu, perlu segera dialokasikan sumber daya manusia dan non manusia yang belum tersedia agar proses pembelajaran dapat berjalan secara maksimal.
The Role of p53-Mediated Signaling in the Therapeutic Response of Colorectal Cancer to 9F, a Spermine-Modified Naphthalene Diimide Derivative
Authors: Gao Lei , Ge Chaochao , Wang Senzhen , Xu Xiaojuan , Feng Yongli , Li Xinna , Wang Chaojie , Wang Yuxia , Dai Fujun , Xie Songqiang
Published: February 2020

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers due to its frequency and high rate of mortality. Polyamine-vectorized anticancer drugs possess multiple biological properties. Of these drugs, 9F has been shown to inhibit tumor growth and the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. This current study aims to investigate the effects of 9F on CRC and determine its molecular mechanisms of action. Our findings demonstrate that 9F inhibits CRC cell growth by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, and suppresses migration, invasion and angiogenesis in vitro, resulting in the inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Based on RNA-seq data, further bioinformatic analyses suggest that 9F exerts its anticancer activities through p53 signaling, which is responsible for the altered expression of key regulators of the cell cycle, apoptosis, the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and angiogenesis. In addition, 9F is more effective than amonafide against CRC. These results show that 9F can be considered as a potential strategy for CRC treatment.
A Splice Variant of NCOR2, BQ323636.1, Confers Chemoresistance in Breast Cancer by Altering the Activity of NRF2
Authors: Leung Man-Hong , Tsoi Ho , Gong Chun , Man Ellen PS , Zona Stefania , Yao Shang , Lam Eric W.-F. , Khoo Ui-Soon
Published: February 2020

Breast cancer is the most common type of female cancer. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are vital in regulating signaling pathways that control cell survival and cell proliferation. Chemotherapeutic drugs such as anthracyclines induce cell death via ROS induction. Chemoresistance development is associated with adaptive response to oxidative stress. NRF2 is the main regulator of cytoprotective response to oxidative stress. NRF2 can enhance cell growth, antioxidant expression, and chemoresistance by providing growth advantage for malignant cells. Previously, we identified BQ323636.1 (BQ), a novel splice variant of nuclear co-repressor NCOR2, which can robustly predict tamoxifen resistance in primary breast cancer. In this study, we found that BQ was overexpressed in epirubicin-resistant cells and demonstrated that BQ overexpression could reduce the levels of epirubicin-induced ROS and confer epirubicin resistance. In vivo analysis using tissue microarray of primary breast cancer showed direct correlation between BQ expression and chemoresistance. In vitro experiments showed BQ could modulate NRF2 transcriptional activity and upregulate antioxidants. Luciferase reporter assays showed that although NCOR2 repressed the transcriptional activity of NRF2, the presence of BQ reduced this repressive activity. Co-immunoprecipitation confirmed that NCOR2 could bind to NRF2 and that this interaction was compromised by BQ overexpression, leading to increased transcriptional activity in NRF2. Our findings suggest BQ can regulate the NRF2 signaling pathway via interference with NCOR2 suppressive activity and reveals a novel role for BQ as a modulator of chemoresistance in breast cancer.
The Effects on Inappropriate Weight for Gestational Age of an SMS Based Educational Intervention for Pregnant Women in Xi’an China: A Quasi-Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Zhou Zhongliang , Su Yanfang , Heitner Jesse , Si Yafei , Wang Dan , Zhou Zhiying , Yuan Changzheng
Published: February 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of maternal text messages on inappropriate weight for gestational age (IWGA) in newborns in rural China. Methods: Participants were pregnant women presenting for antenatal care at a Maternal and Child Health Center in Xi’an, China during the 2013–2015 period. In total, 2115 women completed the program with follow-up information included in the final analyses. All mothers were divided into four groups, including (1) a control group that received only a few “Basic” messages, (2) a Care-Seeking (CS) message group, (3) Good Household Prenatal Practices (GHPP) message group, and (4) a group receiving all 148 text messages. The primary outcome was IWGA, including small for gestational age (SGA) and macrosomia (weighing ≥4000g at birth). Multivariable logistic regression using an intent-to-treat estimate was utilized. Results: In total, 19.5% of newborns were IWGA. The risk of IWGA was 23.0% in the control group, 19.6% in the CS group, 18.9% in the GHPP group, and 16.5% in the group with All Texts. Compared to the control group, the odds ratio of IWGA was 0.65 (0.48–0.89) for the group receiving All Texts, which remained statistically significant after performing the Holm-Bonferroni correction. The odds ratio of macrosomia was 0.54 (0.34–0.87) and 0.57 (0.36–0.49) for the Care Seeking message group and the All Texts group, respectively, with statistical significance. Conclusion: A package of free informational text messages, including advice for good household prenatal practices and care seeking, may prevent the inappropriate weight for gestational age through a protective effect on macrosomia. Advice to encourage care seeking in pregnancy may prevent macrosomia among neonates in rural China as well.
The Influence of the Depth of Cut in Single-Pass Grinding on the Microstructure and Properties of the C45 Steel Surface Layer
Authors: Szkodo Marek , Chodnicka-Wszelak Karolina , Deja Mariusz , Stanisławska Alicja , Bartmański Michał
Published: February 2020

The paper contains the results of a metallographic examination and nanoindentation test conducted for the medium carbon structural steel with low content of Mn, Si, Cu, Cr, and Ni after its grinding to a depth ranging from 2 μm to 20 μm, at constant cutting speed (peripheral speed) of vs = 25 ms−1 and constant feed rate of vft = 1 m/min. Applied grinding parameters did not cause the surface layer hardening, which could generate an unfavorable stress distribution. The increase in the surface hardness was obtained due to the work hardening effect. Microstructure, phase composition, and chemical composition of the grinded surface layer were examined using an X-ray diffractometer, light microscope, and scanning microscope equipped with X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy, respectively. Hardness on the grinded surface and on the cross-section was also determined. It was shown that the grinding of C45 steel causes work hardening of its surface layer without phase transformation. What is more, only grinding to a depth of 20 μm caused the formation of an oxide scale on the work-hardened surface layer. Nanoindentation test on the cross-section, at a short distance from the grinded surface, has shown that ferrite grains were more susceptible to work hardening than pearlite grains due to the creation of an equiaxed cellular microstructure, and that different dislocation substructure was created in the work-hardened surface layer after grinding to different depths.
Comparison of Self-Reported Speed of Eating with an Objective Measure of Eating Rate
Authors: Woodward Eilis , Haszard Jillian , Worsfold Anna , Venn Bernard
Published: February 2020

Slow eating may be beneficial in reducing energy intake although there is limited research quantifying eating rate. Perceived speed of eating was self-reported by 78 adults using a standard question “On a scale of 1–5 (very slow–very fast), how fast do you believe you eat?” Timing the completion of meals on three occasions was used to assess objective eating rate. The mean (SD) speeds of eating by self-reported categories were 49 (13.7), 42 (12.2), and 35 (10.5) g/min for fast, medium, and slow eaters, respectively. Within each self-reported category, the range of timed speed of eating resulted in considerable overlap between self-identified ‘fast’, ‘medium’ and ‘slow’ eaters. There was 47.4% agreement (fair) between self-reported speed of eating and the objective measure of eating rate (κ = 0.219). Self-reported speed of eating was sufficient at a group level to detect a significant difference (10.9 g/min (95% CI: 2.7, 19.2 g/min, p = 0.009)) between fast and slow; and fast and medium eaters (6.0 g/min (0.5, 11.6 g/min p = 0.033)). The mean difference (95% CI) between slow and medium eaters was 4.9 (−3.4, 12.2) g/min (p = 0.250). At an individual level, self-report had poor sensitivity. Compared to objectively measured speed of eating, self-reported speed of eating was found to be an unreliable means of assessing an individual’s eating rate. There are no standard protocols for assessing speed of eating or eating rate. Establishing such protocols would enable the development of population reference ranges across various demographic groups that may be applicable for public health messages and in clinical management.
Nanocrystals of Fusidic Acid for Dual Enhancement of Dermal Delivery and Antibacterial Activity: In Vitro, Ex Vivo and In Vivo Evaluation
Authors: Ahmed Iman S. , Elnahas Osama S. , Assar Nouran H. , Gad Amany M. , El Hosary Rania
Published: February 2020

With the alarming rise in incidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the scarcity of newly developed antibiotics, it is imperative that we design more effective formulations for already marketed antimicrobial agents. Fusidic acid (FA), one of the most widely used antibiotics in the topical treatment of several skin and eye infections, suffers from poor water-solubility, sub-optimal therapeutic efficacy, and a significant rise in FA-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (FRSA). In this work, the physico-chemical characteristics of FA were modified by nanocrystallization and lyophilization to improve its therapeutic efficacy through the dermal route. FA-nanocrystals (NC) were prepared using a modified nanoprecipitation technique and the influence of several formulation/process variables on the prepared FA-NC characteristics were optimized using full factorial statistical design. The optimized FA-NC formulation was evaluated before and after lyophilization by several in-vitro, ex-vivo, and microbiological tests. Furthermore, the lyophilized FA-NC formulation was incorporated into a cream product and its topical antibacterial efficacy was assessed in vivo using a rat excision wound infection model. Surface morphology of optimized FA-NC showed spherical particles with a mean particle size of 115 nm, span value of 1.6 and zeta potential of −11.6 mV. Differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffractometry confirmed the crystallinity of FA following nanocrystallization and lyophilization. In-vitro results showed a 10-fold increase in the saturation solubility of FA-NC while ex-vivo skin permeation studies showed a 2-fold increase in FA dermal deposition from FA-NC compared to coarse FA. Microbiological studies revealed a 4-fofd decrease in the MIC against S. aureus and S. epidermidis from FA-NC cream compared to commercial Fucidin cream. In-vivo results showed that FA-NC cream improved FA distribution and enhanced bacterial exposure in the infected wound, resulting in increased therapeutic efficacy when compared to coarse FA marketed as Fucidin cream.
Identifying the Contributions of Multi-Source Data for Winter Wheat Yield Prediction in China
Authors: Cao Juan , Zhang Zhao , Tao Fulu , Zhang Liangliang , Luo Yuchuan , Han Jichong , Li Ziyue
Published: February 2020

Wheat is a leading cereal grain throughout the world. Timely and reliable wheat yield prediction at a large scale is essential for the agricultural supply chain and global food security, especially in China as an important wheat producing and consuming country. The conventional approach using either climate or satellite data or both to build empirical and crop models has prevailed for decades. However, to what extent climate and satellite data can improve yield prediction is still unknown. In addition, socio-economic (SC) factors may also improve crop yield prediction, but their contributions need in-depth investigation, especially in regions with good irrigation conditions, sufficient fertilization, and pesticide application. Here, we performed the first attempt to predict wheat yield across China from 2001 to 2015 at the county-level by integrating multi-source data, including monthly climate data, satellite data (i.e., Vegetation indices (VIs)), and SC factors. The results show that incorporating all the datasets by using three machine learning methods (Ridge Regression (RR), Random Forest (RF), and Light Gradient Boosting (LightGBM)) can achieve the best performance in yield prediction (R2: 0.68~0.75), with the most individual contributions from climate (~0.53), followed by VIs (~0.45), and SC factors (~0.30). In addition, the combinations of VIs and climate data can capture inter-annual yield variability more effectively than other combinations (e.g., combinations of climate and SC, and combinations of VIs and SC), while combining SC with climate data can better capture spatial yield variability than others. Climate data can provide extra and unique information across the entire growing season, while the peak stage of VIs (Mar.~Apr.) do so. Furthermore, incorporating spatial information and soil proprieties into the benchmark models can improve wheat yield prediction by 0.06 and 0.12, respectively. The optimal wheat prediction can be achieved with approximately a two-month leading time before maturity. Our study develops timely and robust methods for winter wheat yield prediction at a large scale in China, which can be applied to other crops and regions.
Analysis of Barriers to Transitioning from a Linear to a Circular Economy for End of Life Materials: A Case Study for Waste Feathers
Authors: Dieckmann Elena , Sheldrick Leila , Tennant Mike , Myers Rupert , Cheeseman Christopher
Published: February 2020

This research aimed to develop a simple but robust method to identify the key barriers to the transition from a linear to a circular economy (CE) for end of life products or material. Nine top-tier barrier categories have been identified that influence this transition. These relate to the basic material properties and product characteristics, the availability of suitable processing technology, the environmental impacts associated with current linear management, the organizational context, industry and supply chain issues, external drivers, public perception, the regulatory framework and the overall economic viability of the transition. The method provides a novel and rapid way to identify and quantitatively assess the barriers to the development of CE products. This allows mitigation steps to be developed in parallel with new product design. The method has been used to assess the potential barriers to developing a circular economy for waste feathers generated by the UK poultry industry. This showed that transitioning UK waste feathers to circularity faces significant barriers across numerous categories and is not currently economically viable. The assessment method developed provides a novel approach to identifying barriers to circularity and has potential to be applied to a wide range of end of life materials and products.
Dual Solutions and Stability Analysis of a Hybrid Nanofluid over a Stretching/Shrinking Sheet Executing MHD Flow
Authors: Lund Liaquat Ali , Omar Zurni , Khan Ilyas , Sherif El-Sayed M.
Published: February 2020

In this paper, the unsteady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow of hybrid nanofluid (HNF) composed of C u − A l 2 O 3 /water in the presence of a thermal radiation effect over the stretching/shrinking sheet is investigated. Using similarity transformation, the governing partial differential equations (PDEs) are transformed into a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs), which are then solved by using a shooting method. In order to validate the obtained numerical results, the comparison of the results with the published literature is made numerically as well as graphically and is found in good agreements. In addition, the effects of many emerging physical governing parameters on the profiles of velocity, temperature, skin friction coefficient, and heat transfer rate are demonstrated graphically and are elucidated theoretically. Based on the numerical results, dual solutions exist in a specific range of magnetic, suction, and unsteadiness parameters. It was also found that the values of f ″ ( 0 ) rise in the first solution and reduce in the second solution when the solid volume fraction ϕ C u is increased. Finally, the temporal stability analysis of the solutions is conducted, and it is concluded that only the first solution is stable.
A Privacy-Protected Image Retrieval Scheme for Fast and Secure Image Search
Authors: Du Anyu , Wang Liejun , Cheng Shuli , Ao Naixiang
Published: February 2020

With the development of multimedia technology, the secure image retrieval scheme has become a hot research topic. However, how to further improve algorithm performance in the ciphertext needs to be further explored. In this paper, we propose a secure image retrieval scheme based on a deep hash algorithm for index encryption and an improved 4-Dimensional(4-D)hyperchaotic system. The main contributions of this paper are as follows: (1) A novel secure retrieval scheme is proposed to control data transmission. (2) An improved 4-D hyperchaotic system is proposed to preserve privacy. (3) We propose an improved deep pairwise-supervised hashing (DPSH) algorithm and secure kNN to perform index encryption and propose an improved loss function to train the network model. (4) A secure access control scheme is shown, which aims to achieve secure access for users. The experimental results show that the proposed scheme has better retrieval efficiency and better security.
General Solutions for Descriptor Systems of Coupled Generalized Sylvester Matrix Fractional Differential Equations via Canonical Forms
Authors: Tansri Kanjanaporn , Chansangiam Pattrawut
Published: February 2020

We investigate a descriptor system of coupled generalized Sylvester matrix fractional differential equations in both non-homogeneous and homogeneous cases. All fractional derivatives considered here are taken in Caputo’s sense. We explain a 4-step procedure to solve the descriptor system, consisting of vectorization, a matrix canonical form concerning ranks, and matrix partitioning. The procedure aims to reduce the descriptor system to a descriptor system of fractional differential equations. We also impose a condition on coefficient matrices, related to the symmetry of the solution for descriptor systems. It follows that an explicit form of its general solution is given in terms of matrix power series concerning Mittag–Leffler functions. The main system includes certain systems of coupled matrix/vector differential equations, and single matrix differential equations as special cases. In particular, we obtain an alternative procedure to solve linear continuous-time descriptor systems via a matrix canonical form.
The Properties of a Decile-Based Statistic to Measure Symmetry and Asymmetry
Authors: Mahmoudi Mohammad Reza , Nasirzadeh Roya , Baleanu Dumitru , Pho Kim-Hung
Published: February 2020

This paper studies a simple skewness measure to detect symmetry and asymmetry in samples. The statistic can be obviously applied with only three short central tendencies; i.e., the first and ninth deciles, and the median. The strength of the statistic to find symmetry and asymmetry is studied by employing numerous Monte Carlo simulations and is compared with some alternative measures by applying some simulation studies. The results show that the performance of this statistic is generally good in the simulation.
An Improved Network Traffic Classification Model Based on a Support Vector Machine
Authors: Cao Jie , Wang Da , Qu Zhaoyang , Sun Hongyu , Li Bin , Chen Chin-Ling
Published: February 2020

Network traffic classification based on machine learning is an important branch of pattern recognition in computer science. It is a key technology for dynamic intelligent network management and enhanced network controllability. However, the traffic classification methods still facing severe challenges: The optimal set of features is difficult to determine. The classification method is highly dependent on the effective characteristic combination. Meanwhile, it is also important to balance the experience risk and generalization ability of the classifier. In this paper, an improved network traffic classification model based on a support vector machine is proposed. First, a filter-wrapper hybrid feature selection method is proposed to solve the false deletion of combined features caused by a traditional feature selection method. Second, to balance the empirical risk and generalization ability of support vector machine (SVM) traffic classification model, an improved parameter optimization algorithm is proposed. The algorithm can dynamically adjust the quadratic search area, reduce the density of quadratic mesh generation, improve the search efficiency of the algorithm, and prevent the over-fitting while optimizing the parameters. The experiments show that the improved traffic classification model achieves higher classification accuracy, lower dimension and shorter elapsed time and performs significantly better than traditional SVM and the other three typical supervised ML algorithms.
Decision to Adopt Neuromarketing Techniques for Sustainable Product Marketing: A Fuzzy Decision-Making Approach
Authors: Nilashi Mehrbakhsh , Yadegaridehkordi Elaheh , Samad Sarminah , Mardani Abbas , Ahani Ali , Aljojo Nahla , Razali Nor Shahidayah , Tajuddin Taniza
Published: February 2020

Sustainable products and their marketing have played a crucial role in developing more sustainable consumption patterns and solutions for socio-ecological problems. They have been demonstrated to significantly decrease social consumption problems. Neuromarketing has recently gained considerable popularity and helped companies generate deeper insights into consumer behavior. It has provided new ways of conceptualizing consumer behavior and decision making. Thus, this research aims to investigate the factors influencing managers’ decisions to adopt neuromarketing techniques in sustainable product marketing using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach. Symmetric triangular fuzzy numbers were used to indicate the relative strength of the elements in the hierarchy. Data were collected from the marketing managers of several companies who have experience with sustainable product marketing through online shopping platforms. The results revealed that the accuracy and bias of neuromarketing techniques have been the main critical factors for managers to select neuromarketing in their business for advertising and branding purposes. This research provides important results on the use of neuromarketing techniques for sustainable product marketing, as well as their limitations and implications, and it also presents useful information on the factors impacting business managers’ decision making in adopting neuroscience techniques for sustainable product development and marketing.
Elastic Deformations and Wigner–Weyl Formalism in Graphene
Authors: Fialkovsky I.V. , Zubkov M.A.
Published: February 2020

We discuss the tight-binding models of solid state physics with the Z 2 sublattice symmetry in the presence of elastic deformations in an important particular case—the tight binding model of graphene. In order to describe the dynamics of electronic quasiparticles, the Wigner–Weyl formalism is explored. It allows the calculation of the two-point Green’s function in the presence of two slowly varying external electromagnetic fields and the inhomogeneous modification of the hopping parameters that result from elastic deformations. The developed formalism allows us to consider the influence of elastic deformations and the variations of magnetic field on the quantum Hall effect.
A Systematic Literature Review on Outlier Detection in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Safaei Mahmood , Asadi Shahla , Driss Maha , Boulila Wadii , Alsaeedi Abdullah , Chizari Hassan , Abdullah Rusli , Safaei Mitra
Published: February 2020

A wireless sensor network (WSN) is defined as a set of spatially distributed and interconnected sensor nodes. WSNs allow one to monitor and recognize environmental phenomena such as soil moisture, air pollution, and health data. Because of the very limited resources available in sensors, the collected data from WSNs are often characterized as unreliable or uncertain. However, applications using WSNs demand precise readings, and uncertainty in data reading can cause serious damage (e.g., health monitoring data). Therefore, an efficient local/distributed data processing algorithm is needed to ensure: (1) the extraction of precise and reliable values from noisy readings; (2) the detection of anomalies from data reported by sensors; and (3) the identification of outlier sensors in a WSN. Several works have been conducted to achieve these objectives using several techniques such as machine learning algorithms, mathematical modeling, and clustering. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a systematic literature review to report the available works on outlier and anomaly detection in WSNs. The paper highlights works conducted from January 2004 to October 2018. A total of 3520 papers are reviewed in the initial search process. Later, these papers are filtered by title, abstract, and contents, and a total of 117 papers are selected. These papers are examined to answer the defined research questions. The current paper presents an improved taxonomy of outlier detection techniques. This will help researchers and practitioners to find the most relevant and recent studies related to outlier detection in WSNs. Finally, the paper identifies existing gaps that future studies can fill.
The Semantic Meaning of Hand Shapes and Z-Dimension Movements of Freehand Distal Pointing on Large Displays
Authors: Chen Chien-Hsiung , Wang Jian-Li
Published: February 2020

It is difficult to select small targets in freehand distal pointing on large displays due to physical fatigue and jitter. Previous research proposed many solutions but not through the semantic meaning of hand behaviors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the hand behaviors, including hand shapes and motions in the Z-dimension between small and large target selections, by means of two controlled experiments. The generated results indicated that the following: (1) when interacting with a large display from a remote distance, users preferred to complete a low-precision task by the whole hand while using the finger in high-precision tasks. As a result, users moved small targets by the index finger gesture while moving large targets by open hand gesture; (2) selection of small targets led to hand stretching which might reduce the interaction distance; (3) the orientation had significant effects on hand motions in the Z-dimension. The relationship between orientation and hand motions in the Z-dimension is similar to a sinusoidal function; (4) mouse-like pointing had much impact on freehand interaction. Based on these results, some design guidelines for freehand interaction and design suggestions for freehand pointing were discussed.
Food Consumption Data as a Tool to Estimate Exposure to Mycoestrogens
Authors: Martins Carla , Torres Duarte , Lopes Carla , Correia Daniela , Goios Ana , Assunção Ricardo , Alvito Paula , Vidal Arnau , De Boevre Marthe , De Saeger Sarah , Nunes Carla
Published: February 2020

Zearalenone and alternariol are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium and Alternaria species, respectively, that present estrogenic activity and consequently are classified as endocrine disruptors. To estimate the exposure of the Portuguese population to these two mycotoxins at a national level, a modelling approach, based on data from 94 Portuguese volunteers, was developed considering as inputs: i) the food consumption data generated within the National Food and Physical Activity Survey; and ii) the human biomonitoring data used to assess the exposure to the referred mycotoxins. Six models of association between mycoestrogens urinary levels (zearalenone, total zearalenone and alternariol) and food items (meat, cheese, and fresh-cheese, breakfast cereals, sweets) were established. Applying the obtained models to the consumption data (n = 5811) of the general population, the median estimates of the probable daily intake revealed that a fraction of the Portuguese population might exceed the tolerable daily intake defined for zearalenone. A reference intake value for alternariol is still lacking, thus the characterization of risk due to the exposure to this mycotoxin was not possible to perform. Although the unavoidable uncertainties, these results are important contributions to understand the exposure to endocrine disruptors in Portugal and the potential Public Health consequences.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ST80 Clone: A Systematic Review
Authors: Mairi Assia , Touati Abdelaziz , Lavigne Jean-Philippe
Published: February 2020

This review assessed the molecular characterization of the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-ST80 clone with an emphasis on its proportion of total MRSA strains isolated, PVL production, spa-typing, antibiotic resistance, and virulence. A systematic review of the literature was conducted on MRSA-ST80 clone published between 1 January 2000 and 31 August 2019. Citations were chosen for a review of the full text if we found evidence that MRSA-ST80 clone was reported in the study. For each isolate, the country of isolation, the sampling period, the source of isolation (the type of infection, nasal swabs, or extra-human), the total number of MRSA strains isolated, number of MRSA-ST80 strains, antibiotic resistance patterns, PVL production, virulence genes, and spa type were recorded. The data from 103 articles were abstracted into an Excel database. Analysis of the data showed that the overall proportion of MRSA-ST80 has been decreasing in many countries in recent years. The majority of MRSA-ST80 were PVL positive with spa-type t044. Only six reports of MRSA-ST80 in extra-human niches were found. This review summarizes the rise of MRSA-ST80 and the evidence that suggests that it could be in decline in many countries.
Detoxification of Mycotoxins through Biotransformation
Authors: Li Peng , Su Ruixue , Yin Ruya , Lai Daowan , Wang Mingan , Liu Yang , Zhou Ligang
Published: February 2020

Mycotoxins are toxic fungal secondary metabolites that pose a major threat to the safety of food and feed. Mycotoxins are usually converted into less toxic or non-toxic metabolites through biotransformation that are often made by living organisms as well as the isolated enzymes. The conversions mainly include hydroxylation, oxidation, hydrogenation, de-epoxidation, methylation, glycosylation and glucuronidation, esterification, hydrolysis, sulfation, demethylation and deamination. Biotransformations of some notorious mycotoxins such as alfatoxins, alternariol, citrinin, fomannoxin, ochratoxins, patulin, trichothecenes and zearalenone analogues are reviewed in detail. The recent development and applications of mycotoxins detoxification through biotransformation are also discussed.
Mechanism of Action of Botulinum Toxin A in Treatment of Functional Urological Disorders
Authors: Lin Yu-Hua , Chiang Bing-Juin , Liao Chun-Hou
Published: February 2020

Intravesical botulinum toxin (BoNT) injection is effective in reducing urgency and urinary incontinence. It temporarily inhibits the detrusor muscle contraction by blocking the release of acetylcholine (Ach) from the preganglionic and postganglionic nerves in the efferent nerves. BoNT-A also blocks ATP release from purinergic efferent nerves in the detrusor muscle. In afferent nerves, BoNT-A injection markedly reduces the urothelial ATP release and increases nitric oxide (NO) release from the urothelium. BoNT-A injection in the urethra or bladder has been developed in the past few decades as the treatment method for detrusor sphincter dyssyndergia, incontinence due to neurogenic or idiopathic detrusor overactivity, sensory disorders, including bladder hypersensitivity, overactive bladder, and interstitial cystitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Although the FDA only approved BoNT-A injection treatment for neurogenic detrusor overactivity and for refractory overactive bladder, emerging clinical trials have demonstrated the benefits of BoNT-A treatment in functional urological disorders. Cautious selection of patients and urodynamic evaluation for confirmation of diagnosis are crucial to maximize the successful outcomes of BoNT-A treatment.