bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MiFIR, EMIR e strumenti derivati: un esempio di Diritto Privato Regolatorio Europeo
Authors: Marcacci Antonio
Published: May 2018

L'articolo affronta il fenomeno dei contratti derivati nel contesto del Diritto Privato Regolatorio Europeo (Dpre). Dopo aver definito cosa si intende per DPRE, viene esaminata la definizione di strumento finanziario derivato nel diritto europeo, per poi passare all'analisi della legislazione europea post-crisi. Prendendo in considerazione i testi normativi europei che affrontano direttamente la materia dei contratti derivati, l'articolo vuole dimostrare come l'interesse del Legislatore europeo sia volto soprattutto all'adozione di standard uniformanti e al favorire l'accesso ai mercati (aspetto regolatorio del diritto privato), piuttosto che ad una disciplina armonizzata del contratto - incluso quello derivato - a livello continentale (diritto privato in senso stretto). Nonostante l'estrema tecnicità economico-finanziaria dell'argomento ne renda difficile un inquadramento in termini giuridici, il rapporto tra gli strumenti finanziari derivati e il diritto europeo pare essere un chiaro esempio di Diritto Privato Regolatorio Europeo.
Plasmonic Conglobation of Ultrathin Ag Nanofilms Far below Their Melting Points by Infrared Illumination
Authors: Dai Han , Zhao Junfeng , Huang Tongjian , Yu Xinxiang , Sun Jie , Fang Hongjie , Zhu Zhenfeng , Zhang Mingfu , Yu Kun
Published: May 2018

Plasmon heating has been employed as a low-temperature annealing method for the conglobation of ultrathin Ag nanofilms into nanoparticles both on silicon and carbon spheres, with complex surface structures, simply under illumination with infrared light. Finite-difference time-domain results provide evidence that the plasmonic light enhancements in the films’ gaps and voids, rather than random surface fluctuations, are the main reason for the conglobation of Ag nanofilms far below the melting point of Ag. This technology can be applied in modern organic optoelectronic devices and photothermal pharma projects to reduce the thermal damage to materials or biological tissues.
The Electrochemical Sodiation of Sb Investigated by Operando X-ray Absorption and 121Sb Mössbauer Spectroscopy: What Does One Really Learn?
Authors: Darwiche Ali , Fehse Marcus , Mahmoud Abdelfattah , La Fontaine Camille , Fraisse Bernard , Hermann Raphael P. , Doublet Marie-Liesse , Monconduit Laure , Sougrati Moulay T. , Ben Yahia Mouna , Stievano Lorenzo
Published: May 2018

In this study, we want to highlight the assets and restrictions of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and Mössbauer spectroscopy for investigating the mechanism of the electrochemical reaction of antimony electrode materials vs. Na. For this, operando XAS was carried out during the first one and a half cycles, and the whole set of measured data was analysed using a statistical-chemometric approach, while low temperature Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements were carried out ex situ on selected samples stopped at different points of the electrochemical reaction. Complementary ab initio calculations were performed to support the experimental findings. Both techniques show that, upon the first sodiation, most Sb reacts with Na to form disordered Na 3 Sb. This step is accompanied by the formation of amorphous Sb as an intermediate. Upon inversion of the current Na 3 Sb is desodiated and an amorphous Sb phase, distinct from the pristine bulk Sb state, is gradually formed. However, both XAS and Mössbauer spectroscopy were unable to spot the formation of intermediate Na x Sb phases, which were evinced in previous works by operando Pair Distribution Function analyses. The results shown here clearly assign such failure to the intrinsic inability of both techniques to identify these intermediates.
Safety of Oral Food Challenges in Early Life
Authors: Anagnostou Katherine
Published: May 2018

Oral food challenges are becoming more frequent in the allergy clinic due to an increased demand related to early food introduction in infants. We examined the safety of oral food challenges in 18 high-risk infants with prior allergic reactions, as well as infants with no known exposure to the food, presenting consecutively in a dedicated food allergy clinic for an oral food challenge. Foods challenged included peanut, tree nuts, sesame, baked egg, baked milk, and soy. A total of 17/18 (94%) infants had a negative challenge. Only 1/18 (6%) had a positive challenge, and in this case, symptoms were mild and limited to the skin. Our results suggest that food challenges in infants and young children up to the age of 2 years are safe with symptoms limited to the skin when reactions occur. In our cohort, the large majority of food challenges were negative, with most infants being sensitized rather than allergic to the food. Larger studies are needed to confirm this finding.
Improving the Efficiency of the ERS Data Analysis Techniques by Taking into Account the Neighborhood Descriptors
Authors: Yamashkin Stanislav , Radovanović Milan , Yamashkin Anatoliy , Vuković Darko
Published: May 2018

Planning based on reliable information about the Earth’s surface is an important approach to minimize economic expenses conditioned by natural factors. Data collected by Earth remote sensing (ERS), as well as the analysis of such data using automated classification methods, are becoming more and more important for research and practice activities related to assessing the spatio-temporal structure and sustainability of the Earth’s surface. The analysis of the authenticity of the surrounding areas enables a more objective classification of land plots on the basis of spatial patterns. Combined use of various environmental descriptors enables high-quality handling of neighborhood properties, as each descriptor provides its own specific information about a geospatial system. Experiments have shown that the diagnostics of the emergent properties of such internal structure by analyzing the diversity of dynamic characteristics allows reducing exposure to noise, obtaining a generalized result, and improving the classification accuracy.
Multivariate Matching Pursuit Decomposition and Normalized Gabor Entropy for Quantification of Preictal Trends in Epilepsy
Authors: Liu Rui , Karumuri Bharat , Adkinson Joshua , Hutson Timothy Noah , Vlachos Ioannis , Iasemidis Leon
Published: May 2018

Quantification of the complexity of signals recorded concurrently from multivariate systems, such as the brain, plays an important role in the study and characterization of their state and state transitions. Multivariate analysis of the electroencephalographic signals (EEG) over time is conceptually most promising in unveiling the global dynamics of dynamical brain disorders such as epilepsy. We employed a novel methodology to study the global complexity of the epileptic brain en route to seizures. The developed measures of complexity were based on Multivariate Matching Pursuit (MMP) decomposition of signals in terms of time–frequency Gabor functions (atoms) and Shannon entropy. The measures were first validated on simulation data (Lorenz system) and then applied to EEGs from preictal (before seizure onsets) periods, recorded by intracranial electrodes from eight patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and a total of 42 seizures, in search of global trends of complexity before seizures onset. Out of five Gabor measures of complexity we tested, we found that our newly defined measure, the normalized Gabor entropy (NGE), was able to detect statistically significant (p < 0.05) nonlinear trends of the mean global complexity across all patients over 1 h periods prior to seizures’ onset. These trends pointed to a slow decrease of the epileptic brain’s global complexity over time accompanied by an increase of the variance of complexity closer to seizure onsets. These results show that the global complexity of the epileptic brain decreases at least 1 h prior to seizures and imply that the employed methodology and measures could be useful in identifying different brain states, monitoring of seizure susceptibility over time, and potentially in seizure prediction.
NPC Based Design Optimization for a Net Zero Office Building in Hot Climates with PV Panels as Shading Device
Authors: Zubair Muhammad , Bilal Awan Ahmed , Al-Ahmadi Abdullah , Abo-Khalil Ahmed G.
Published: May 2018

Hot areas of the world receive a high amount of solar radiation. As a result, buildings in those areas consume more energy to maintain a comfortable climate for their inhabitants. In an effort to design net-zero energy building in hot climates, PV possesses the unique advantage of generating electrical energy while protecting the building from solar irradiance. In this work, to form a net-zero energy building (NZEB), renewable resources such as solar and wind available onsite for an existing building have been analyzed in a hot climate location. PV and wind turbines in various configurations are studied to form a NZEB, where PV-only systems offer better performance than Hybrid PV Wind systems, based on net present cost (NPC). The self-shading losses in PV placed on rooftop areas are analyzed by placing parallel arrays of PV modules at various distances in between them. The effect on building cooling load by rooftop PV panels as shading devices is investigated. Furthermore, self-shading losses of PV are compared by the savings in cooling loads using PV as shading. In the case study, 12.3% saving in the cooling load of the building is observed when the building rooftop is completed shaded by PV panels; annual cooling load decreased from 3.417 GWh to 2.996 GWh, while only 1.04% shaded losses are observed for fully shaded (FS) buildings compared to those with no shading (NS), as PV generation decreases from 594.39 kWh/m2 to 588.21 kWh/m2. The net present cost of the project has been decreased from US$4.77 million to US$4.41 million by simply covering the rooftop completely with PV panels, for a net-zero energy building.
Reactive Power and Current Harmonic Control Using a Dual Hybrid Power Filter for Unbalanced Non-Linear Loads
Authors: Rodrigues Limongi Leonardo , Bradaschia Fabricio , Hermann de Oliveira Lima Calebe , Cabral Cavalcanti Marcelo
Published: May 2018

An important power quality issue is related to current harmonic components demanded by non-linear loads. A solution to mitigate this issue is to use hybrid power filters (HPFs), that apply low power active filters with passive filters. Some dual-converter topologies have been shown to be attractive due to a better compensation performance compared with single filters, where the HPFs give a reactive power support (an extra feature) together with harmonic compensation. On the other hand, the drawback of dual converters is the high number of active switches. Besides that, due to the high number of unbalanced non-linear loads connected to the electrical grid, triplen harmonics can appear. However, traditional HPFs do not compensate triplen harmonics, which usually have considerable values. Therefore, in this paper, a dual HPF based on the nine-switch inverter (DHPF-NSI) is proposed to compensate current harmonics and to provide reactive power support. The NSI presents a reduced number of switches when compared with classical dual topologies. The compensation of the third harmonic caused by unbalanced nonlinear loads was also inserted in the control system. Experimental results are presented for the DHPF-NSI in order to demonstrate the reactive power and harmonic compensation performances.
Effect of Initial Wettability on Performance of Smart Water Flooding in Carbonate Reservoirs—An Experimental Investigation with IOR Implications
Authors: Al-Nofli Kholood , Pourafshary Peyman , Mosavat Nader , Shafiei Ali
Published: May 2018

In this paper, the effects of salinity and active ions on wettability alteration in carbonate reservoirs with different initial wettability conditions with implications in smart water flood design, optimization, and performance analysis are experimentally investigated. Contact angle measurement was used as the main tool to study the alteration in wettability. Other analytical techniques such as pH measurements along with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to support the analysis. Initial wettability of the tested carbonate samples ranges from strongly water wet to preferentially water wet, neutral wet, oil wet, and strongly oil wet (5 cases or groups) condition. Four different synthetic brines, namely high salinity (Hsal), low salinity (Lsal), and smart waters 1 and 2 (SW1 = a Mg brine, and SW2 = a Mg and sulfate brine) were prepared and used by adjusting the salinity and ion concentration to study their effects on wettability alteration. Low-salinity brine (Lsal) proved to be more effective than high-salinity brine (Hsal) for the wettability alteration of calcite surfaces at intermediate (neutral) or oil-wet conditions. The smart brine containing only the Mg2+ ion (SW1) was able to alter the wettability of calcite surfaces in intermediate or oil-wet states. The sulfate ion played a catalytic role in wettability alteration by the magnesium ion, and the process was faster, as indicated by higher wettability alteration index values. High-salinity brine (Hsal) is a good choice for design of water floods in reservoir rocks with initial wettability in the range of strongly water wet to neutral wet conditions. In the wettability alteration process of oil-wet samples, brine with a high magnesium ion concentration was slower than brine containing high concentrations of both magnesium and sulfate ions. This can be attributed to the catalytic role of the sulfate ion compared to that of the magnesium ion. Finally, the results showed that the initial wettability of the reservoir rock plays a major role in design of a proper water flood to maximize oil recovery from carbonate reservoirs. The results obtained from this research work suggests that some effective smart water flooding scenarios can be developed and executed incorporating different smart brines to manage the reservoir rock wettability and maximize the oil recovery from carbonate oil reservoirs.
Modeling and Control of a Combined Heat and Power Unit with Two-Stage Bypass
Authors: Gao Yaokui , Hu Yong , Zeng Deliang , Liu Jizhen , Chen Feng
Published: May 2018

This paper presents a non-linear dynamic model of a combined heat and power (CHP) unit with two-stage bypass for the first time. This model is derived through an analysis of the material and energy balance of the CHP unit. The static parameters are determined via the design data of the CHP unit, and the dynamic parameters refer to model parameters of same type of units in other references. Based on the model, an optimized control scheme for the coordination system of the unit is proposed. This scheme introduces a stair-like feedforward-feedback predictive control algorithm to solve the control problem of large delays in boiler combustion, and integrates decoupling control to reduce the effect of external disturbance on the main steam pressure. Simulation results indicate that the model effectively reflects the dynamics of the CHP unit and can be used for designing and verifying its coordinated control system; the control scheme can achieve decoupling control of the CHP unit; the fluctuation of main steam pressure is considerably reduced; and the adjustment of coal feed flow is stable. In this case, the proposed scheme can guarantee the safe, stable and flexible operation of the unit and lay the foundation for decoupling the heat load-based constraint of CHP units, thereby expanding the access space of wind power in northern China.
Efficient Planar Hybrid n-Si/PEDOT:PSS Solar Cells with Power Conversion Efficiency up to 13.31% Achieved by Controlling the SiOx Interlayer
Authors: Zhang Chenxu , Zhang Yuming , Guo Hui , Jiang Qubo , Dong Peng , Zhang Chunfu
Published: May 2018

In this work, the effects of the SiOx interface layer grown by exposure in air on the performance of planar hybrid n-Si/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) solar cells are investigated. Compared to the cell with a hydrogen-terminated Si surface, the cell with an oxygen-terminated Si surface reveals improved characteristics in power conversion efficiency, increased from 10.44% to 13.31%. By introducing the SiOx, the wettability of the Si surface can be improved, allowing an effective spread of the PEDOT:PSS solution and thus a good contact between the PEDOT:PSS film and Si. More importantly, it can change the polarity of the Si surface from a negative dipole to a positive dipole, owing to the introduction of the SiOx interface. The Si energy band will bend up and give rise to a favorable band alignment between Si and PEDOT:PSS to promote carrier separation. These results could be potentially employed to further development of this simple, low-cost heterojunction solar cell.
Voltage Regulation and Power Loss Minimization in Radial Distribution Systems via Reactive Power Injection and Distributed Generation Unit Placement
Authors: Fandi Ghaeth , Ahmad Ibrahim , Igbinovia Famous O. , Muller Zdenek , Tlusty Josef , Krepl Vladimir
Published: May 2018

Distributed Generation (DG) has become an essential part of the smart grids due to the widespread integration of renewable energy sources. Reactive power compensation is still one of most important research topics in smart grids. DG units can be used for reactive power compensation purposes, therefore we can improve the voltage profile and minimize power losses in order to improve the power quality. In this paper two methods will be used to accomplish the mentioned tasks; the first technique depends on the reactive power demand change of the proposed network loads, whereas the second technique uses an algorithm to control DG units according to the measured voltage values in the feeders to generate the needed reactive power. Both methods were applied to different scenarios of DG unit positions and different reactive power values of loads. The chosen DG unit is made up of a Type-4 wind farm which could be used as a general unit where it is able to control reactive power generation in a wider range separately from active power. The simulation results show that using these two methods, the voltage profile could be improved, power losses reduced and the power factor increased according to the placement of DG units.
A Pressurized Vitiated Co-Flow Burner and Its Preliminary Application for a Methane Lifted Flame
Authors: Qin Qiushi , Wu Zhijun , Zhang Qing , Xie Wei , Li Liguang , Deng Jun
Published: May 2018

A new pressurized vitiated co-flow burner (PVCB) was designed and built for the investigation of lifted flame properties and was supported by a vitiated co-flow of hot combustion products from a lean H2/air flame at a controllable pressure; its preliminary application for a methane lifted flame was tested. The distribution of the co-flow temperature, oxygen mole fraction, flow rate, and pressure of the PVCB was measured and calculated. The research results show that the co-flow temperature range is from 300 to 1300 K, the background pressure range is from 1 to 1.5 bar, the stable temperature field of the PVCB is wider, and the background pressure of the PVCB can be controlled. The simulation results show that the PVCB provides a controllable, pressurized co-flow of hot and vitiated gases, which makes it possible to investigate flame stabilization mechanisms. The PVCB has the advantages of controllable background pressure and a stable temperature field. The well-defined uniform boundary conditions and simplified flow of the PVCB simplify the establishment of a numerical model and decouple the turbulent chemical kinetics from the complex recirculating flow. It can be widely used in the research on lifted flames. A lifted flame of methane was recorded under conditions of a co-flow temperature of 1133 K and pressure from 1 to 1.043 bar. The lift-off height decreased and stabilized with the increase in the background pressure. The laminar flame speed and the autoignition delay time were tested and simulated at the same time by Chemkin; the influence of background pressure on the lift-off height, laminar flame speed, and autoignition delay were analyzed. The results show that the autoignition, as well as the flame propagation, dominated the stabilization mechanism of the lifted flame in the PVCB.
Numerical Investigation of Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Flow inside PEMFC Gas Channels with Rectangular and Trapezoidal Cross Sections
Authors: Kim Jin , Kim Woo
Published: May 2018

The dynamics of liquid water in the gas channels with rectangular sections (REC), trapezoidal sections with open angles of 60 degrees (T60), and trapezoidal sections with open angles of 72 degrees (T72) are numerically investigated via the volume of fluid method. The effects of the contact angle of the top and side walls (CATS), the water inlet configuration, and the air inlet velocity are studied based on the temporal evolution of gas-liquid interface, the water volume fraction (WVF), the water coverage ratio of the gas diffusion layer (GDL) surface (GWCR), and the pressure drop between the air inlet and the outlet. For the hydrophobic GDL surface and the hydrophilic top and side walls, the T72 provides the lowest WVF and GWCR of around 7 percent due to periodic pressure spikes. The REC and T60 show a higher WVF and a lower GWCR as most of liquid water moves along the channel while attached to the top wall. As the CATS increases from 60 to 120 degrees, the behaviors of liquid water become similar for the three cross-sectional shapes. The T72 shows especially similar results irrespective of the CATS. When the liquid water emergence is concentrated along the side wall, the T72 shows the best water removal characteristics. For all the three channel cross-sectional shapes, water slugs move faster and have smaller sizes as the air inlet velocity increases.
Biomass Feedstock and Climate Change in Agroforestry Systems: Participatory Location and Integration Scenario Analysis of Biomass Power Facilities
Authors: Jeong Jin Su
Published: May 2018

Producing energy with biomass feedstocks as a renewable energy source can contribute to the mitigation of climate change through direct CO2 sequestration and higher CO2-emitting fuel replacement. Here, the correct location of a biomass power facility can be considered as a critical position due to their geographical and spatial characteristic. This research presents a novel approach involving a geographic information system (GIS) location and its integration scenario analysis with the consideration of biomass feedstocks and climate change in agroforestry systems, the agro-silvo-pastoral system (ASPS), of a Spanish case study. A combined participatory operative approach, that is, fuzzy-decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (F-DEMATEL) with simple additive weighting (SAW) and sensitivity analysis in various disciplines and criteria, is applied by professionals. In particular, an analysis of five biomass power facilities in the area assessed by the methodology found that only one facility (BPF4) is located in the suitable area. Among five integration scenarios (A to E) as the likelihood test by the stakeholders, scenario E (suitability layer) was most supported—that is, it was selected as the most suitability map—while scenario D (general geophysical layer) was least supported, in that the results encapsulated foreseeable problems derived from the effects. Hence, the validation of the methodology proposed can be employed as a decision-making tool to support proper sustainable planning and development of a biomass power facility under the impact of climate change.
Older Adults’ Beliefs, Knowledge and Preferences for Achieving Healthy Vitamin D Status: A Narrative Review
Authors: Christides Tatiana
Published: May 2018

Autonomy and mobility are, in many cases, key elements underlying positive ageing. Vitamin D (vitD) is essential to maintaining musculoskeletal health and hence mobility; ensuring adequate vitD status is important in positive ageing. However, vitD deficiency persists in ~10–30% of older adults in the Western world. The aim of this review was to explore older adult vitD beliefs, knowledge and preferences, in order to identify means to prevent vitD deficiency respectful of older peoples’ autonomy. Academic search-engines were used to explore the research literature with the keywords: vitamin D; older adults; preferences; knowledge; practices; beliefs. 22 recent studies were identified; although the majority of older people knew of vitD, knowledge about increased fall risk secondary to deficiency was limited and knowledge did not always correlate with adequate intake or status. There was evidence of confusion regarding vitD food sources, sun-exposure and health benefits, and although General Practitioners were trusted information sources they often did not discuss vitD with patients. Preferences varied significantly depending on geographic location, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education and cultural factors; overall, older people wanted more clear information about vitD. In conclusion, older people have a relatively high awareness of vitD, however, knowledge may be inaccurate and low in those most at risk, and knowledge of deficiency-associated fall risk is under-recognised. Furthermore, studies specifically addressing older adult preferences are lacking; an understanding of preferences, integrated into public health guidelines and implementation strategies, is key not only to decreasing the risk of vitamin D deficiency but also to enabling autonomy in older adults.
On Waxworks Considered as One of the Hyperreal Arts: Exhibiting Jack the Ripper and His Victims
Authors: Krawczyk-Żywko Lucyna
Published: May 2018

The article discusses one of the tropes present in the representations of the Whitechapel killer: the waxworks of either the killer or his victims. These images were shaped by contemporary attitudes: from sensationalism in 1888, through the developing myth and business of ‘Jack the Ripper,’ to the beginnings of attention being paid to his victims. Examined are tableaus created from 1888 to current times, both physical and fictional twenty- and twenty-first-century texts encompassing various media, all of which may be located within the Baudrillardian realm of simulation. What they demonstrate is that the mythical killer keeps overshadowing his victims, who in this part of the Ripper mythos remain to a certain extent as dehumanised and voiceless as when they were actually killed.
Research Trend Visualization by MeSH Terms from PubMed
Authors: Yang Heyoung , Lee Hyuck Jai
Published: May 2018

Motivation: PubMed is a primary source of biomedical information comprising search tool function and the biomedical literature from MEDLINE which is the US National Library of Medicine premier bibliographic database, life science journals and online books. Complimentary tools to PubMed have been developed to help the users search for literature and acquire knowledge. However, these tools are insufficient to overcome the difficulties of the users due to the proliferation of biomedical literature. A new method is needed for searching the knowledge in biomedical field. Methods: A new method is proposed in this study for visualizing the recent research trends based on the retrieved documents corresponding to a search query given by the user. The Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) are used as the primary analytical element. MeSH terms are extracted from the literature and the correlations between them are calculated. A MeSH network, called MeSH Net, is generated as the final result based on the Pathfinder Network algorithm. Results: A case study for the verification of proposed method was carried out on a research area defined by the search query (immunotherapy and cancer and “tumor microenvironment”). The MeSH Net generated by the method is in good agreement with the actual research activities in the research area (immunotherapy). Conclusion: A prototype application generating MeSH Net was developed. The application, which could be used as a “guide map for travelers”, allows the users to quickly and easily acquire the knowledge of research trends. Combination of PubMed and MeSH Net is expected to be an effective complementary system for the researchers in biomedical field experiencing difficulties with search and information analysis.
Influence of Personal Factors on Sound Perception and Overall Experience in Urban Green Areas. A Case Study of a Cycling Path Highly Exposed to Road Traffic Noise
Authors: Aletta Francesco , Van Renterghem Timothy , Botteldooren Dick
Published: May 2018

In contemporary urban design, green public areas play a vital role. They have great societal value, but if exposed to undue environmental noise their restorative potential might be compromised. On the other hand, research has shown that the presence of greenery can moderate noise annoyance in areas with high sound levels, while personal factors are expected to play an important role too. A cycling path bordered by vegetation, but highly exposed to road traffic noise, was here considered as a case study. A sound perception survey was submitted to participants on site and they were subsequently sorted into groups according to their noise sensitivity, visual attention and attitude towards greenery. The aim of this study was testing whether these three personal factors could affect their noise perception and overall experience of the place. Results showed that people highly sensitive to noise and more sceptical towards greenery’s potential as an environmental moderator reported worse soundscape quality, while visually attentive people reported better quality. These three personal factors were found to be statistically independent. This study shows that several person-related factors impact the assessment of the sound environment in green areas. Although the majority of the respondents benefit from the presence of visual green, policy-makers and planners should be aware that for a significant subset of the population, it should be accompanied by a tranquil soundscape to be fully appreciated.
Assessing the Linkages between Knowledge and Use of Veterinary Antibiotics by Pig Farmers in Rural China
Authors: Chen Xiujuan , Wu Linhai , Xie Xuyan
Published: May 2018

Improper use of veterinary antibiotics (VAs) has led to antibiotic resistance and food safety issues that are harmful for sustainable development and public health. In this study, farmers’ knowledge influencing their usage of veterinary antibiotics was analyzed based on a survey of 654 pig farmers in Funing County, China. A behavior probability model was constructed, and a Matlab simulation was used to evaluate the dynamic changes in farmers’ behavioral choice regarding VAs use. The survey results showed that the 654 pig farmers’ knowledge of VAs were relatively poor, along with a high occurrence of improper behavior. Specifically, 68.35% of the 654 surveyed pig farmers admitted their violation of VAs use regulations, while 55.50% among them overused and 24.31% among them misused VAs. The simulation results showed that the probability of improper VA use decreased with the increase in farmers’ knowledge about VA use specification, and when farmers’ knowledge about the hazards of VA residues increased. However, when farmers had a high level of knowledge about relevant laws and their penalties, there was still a high probability of improper VA use.
Ru(II)-Thymine Complex Causes Cell Growth Inhibition and Induction of Caspase-Mediated Apoptosis in Human Promyelocytic Leukemia HL-60 Cells
Authors: De Souza Oliveira Maiara , De Santana Ádila Angélica Dantas , Correa Rodrigo S. , Soares Milena Botelho Pereira , Batista Alzir Azevedo , Bezerra Daniel Pereira
Published: May 2018

Ruthenium-based compounds represent a class of potential antineoplastic drugs. Recently, we designed, synthesized, and identified the Ru(II)-thymine complex [Ru(PPh3)2(Thy)(bipy)]PF6 (where PPh = triphenylphosphine, Thy = thymine and bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) as a potent cytotoxic agent with the ability to bind to DNA and human and bovine serum albumins. In this study, the underlying cytotoxic mechanism of the [Ru(PPh3)2(Thy)(bipy)]PF6 complex was assessed. This complex displayed potent cytotoxicity in different cancer cell lines; the morphology that is associated with apoptotic cell death, increased internucleosomal DNA fragmentation without cell membrane permeability, loss of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, increased phosphatidylserine externalization, and caspase-3 activation were observed in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells that were treated with the complex. Moreover, pretreatment of HL-60 cells with Z-VAD(OMe)-FMK, a pan-caspase inhibitor, partially reduced the apoptosis that was induced by the complex, indicating that the apoptotic cell death occurred through a caspase-mediated pathway. In conclusion, the [Ru(PPh3)2(Thy)(bipy)]PF6 complex displays potent cytotoxicity to different cancer cells and induces caspase-mediated apoptosis in HL-60 cells.
Preparation and Characterization of Electrostatically Crosslinked Polymer–Liposomes in Anticancer Therapy
Authors: Chiang Yi-Ting , Lyu Sih-Ying , Wen Yu-Han , Lo Chun-Liang
Published: May 2018

pH-sensitive polymer–liposomes can rapidly release their payloads. However, it is difficult to simultaneously achieve stability and pH-responsiveness in the polymer–liposomes. In this study, stable and pH-sensitive crosslinked polymer–liposomes were fabricated through electrostatic interactions. The pH-sensitive copolymer methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(methacrylic acid)-cholesterol (mPEG-b-P(MAAc)-chol) and crosslinking reagent poly(ethylene glycol) with end-capped with lysine (PEG-Lys2) were synthesized and characterized. At physiological conditions, the pH-sensitive copolymers were anionic and interacted electrostatically with the cationic crosslinker PEG-Lys2, forming the electrostatically-crosslinked polymer–liposomes and stabilizing the liposomal structure. At pH 5.0, the carboxylic groups in mPEG-b-P(MAAc)-chol were neutralized, and the liposomal structure was destroyed. The particle size of the crosslinked polymer–liposomes was approximately 140 nm and the polymer–liposomes were loaded with the anticancer drug doxorubicin. At pH 7.4, the crosslinked polymer–liposomes exhibited good stability with steady particle size and low drug leakage, even in the presence of fetal bovine serum. At pH 5.0, the architecture of the crosslinked polymer–liposomes was damaged following rapid drug release, as observed by using transmission electron microscopy and their apparent size variation. The crosslinked polymer–liposomes were pH-sensitive within the endosome and in the human breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231, as determined by using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The intracellular drug release profiles indicated cytotoxicity in cancer cells. These results indicated that the highly-stable and pH-sensitive electrostatically-crosslinked polymer–liposomes offered a potent drug-delivery system for use in anticancer therapies.
Persistent Infiltration and Impaired Response of Peripherally-Derived Monocytes after Traumatic Brain Injury in the Aged Brain
Authors: Chou Austin , Krukowski Karen , Morganti Josh M. , Riparip Lara-Kirstie , Rosi Susanna
Published: May 2018

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause for neurological disabilities world-wide. TBI occurs most frequently among the elderly population, and elderly TBI survivors suffer from reduced recovery and poorer quality of life. The effect of age on the pathophysiology of TBI is still poorly understood. We previously established that peripherally-derived monocytes (CCR2+) infiltrate the injured brain and contribute to chronic TBI-induced cognitive deficits in young animals. Furthermore, age was shown to amplify monocyte infiltration acutely after injury. In the current study, we investigated the impact of age on the subchronic response of peripherally-derived monocytes (CD45hi; CCR2+) and their role in the development of chronic cognitive deficits. In the aged brain, there was a significant increase in the number of peripherally-derived monocytes after injury compared to young, injured animals. The infiltration rate of peripherally-derived monocytes remained elevated subchronically and corresponded with enhanced expression of CCR2 chemotactic ligands. Interestingly, the myeloid cell populations observed in injured aged brains had impaired anti-inflammatory responses compared to those in young animals. Additionally, in the aged animals, there was an expansion of the blood CCR2+ monocyte population after injury that was not present in the young animals. Importantly, knocking out CCR2 to inhibit infiltration of peripherally-derived monocytes prevented chronic TBI-induced spatial memory deficits in the aged mice. Altogether, these results demonstrate the critical effects of age on the peripherally-derived monocyte response during the progression of TBI pathophysiology.
Ligand Access Channels in Cytochrome P450 Enzymes: A Review
Authors: Urban Philippe , Lautier Thomas , Pompon Denis , Truan Gilles
Published: May 2018

Quantitative structure-activity relationships may bring invaluable information on structural elements of both enzymes and substrates that, together, govern substrate specificity. Buried active sites in cytochrome P450 enzymes are connected to the solvent by a network of channels exiting at the distal surface of the protein. This review presents different in silico tools that were developed to uncover such channels in P450 crystal structures. It also lists some of the experimental evidence that actually suggest that these predicted channels might indeed play a critical role in modulating P450 functions. Amino acid residues at the entrance of the channels may participate to a first global ligand recognition of ligands by P450 enzymes before they reach the buried active site. Moreover, different P450 enzymes show different networks of predicted channels. The plasticity of P450 structures is also important to take into account when looking at how channels might play their role.
Presenilins as Drug Targets for Alzheimer’s Disease—Recent Insights from Cell Biology and Electrophysiology as Novel Opportunities in Drug Development
Authors: Duncan R. Scott , Song Bob , Koulen Peter
Published: May 2018

A major cause underlying familial Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are mutations in presenilin proteins, presenilin 1 (PS1) and presenilin 2 (PS2). Presenilins are components of the γ-secretase complex which, when mutated, can affect amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing to toxic forms of amyloid beta (Aβ). Consequently, presenilins have been the target of numerous and varied research efforts to develop therapeutic strategies for AD. The presenilin 1 gene harbors the largest number of AD-causing mutations resulting in the late onset familial form of AD. As a result, the majority of efforts for drug development focused on PS1 and Aβ. Soon after the discovery of the major involvement of PS1 and PS2 in γ-secretase activity, it became clear that neuronal signaling, particularly calcium ion (Ca2+) signaling, is regulated by presenilins and impacted by mutations in presenilin genes. Intracellular Ca2+ signaling not only controls the activity of neurons, but also gene expression patterns, structural functionality of the cytoskeleton, synaptic connectivity and viability. Here, we will briefly review the role of presenilins in γ-secretase activity, then focus on the regulation of Ca2+ signaling, oxidative stress, and cellular viability by presenilins within the context of AD and discuss the relevance of presenilins in AD drug development efforts.
Oxaloacetate Ameliorates Chemical Liver Injury via Oxidative Stress Reduction and Enhancement of Bioenergetic Fluxes
Authors: Kuang Ye , Han Xiaoyun , Xu Mu , Wang Yue , Zhao Yuxiang , Yang Qing
Published: May 2018

Chemical injury is partly due to free radical lipid peroxidation, which can induce oxidative stress and produce a large number of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oxaloacetic acid is an important intermediary in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) and participates in metabolism and energy production. In our study, we found that oxaloacetate (OA) effectively alleviated liver injury which was induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in vitro and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in vivo. OA scavenged ROS, prevented oxidative damage and maintained the normal structure of mitochondria. We further confirmed that OA increased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by promoting the TCA production cycle and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Finally, OA inhibited the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and apoptotic pathways by suppressing tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Our findings reveal a mechanism for OA ameliorating chemical liver injury and suggest a possible implementation for preventing the chemical liver injury.
Crystal Structure and Thermoelectric Properties of Lightly Substituted Higher Manganese Silicides
Authors: Miyazaki Yuzuru , Hamada Haruki , Nagai Hiroki , Hayashi Kei
Published: May 2018

The dissipation of MnSi layered precipitates during solidification is critical for further enhancement of the thermoelectric properties of the higher manganese silicides. We have investigated the effects of partial substitution of V in Mn sites and of Ge in Si sites on the crystal structures and thermoelectric properties of these silicides in detail. As previously reported, a small amount of V-substitution is quite effective in completely dissipating the MnSi striations; in contrast, a small proportion of these MnSi striations always remains present in the Ge-substitution case, even in the vicinity of the Ge solubility limits. For completely MnSi-dissipated samples, domain separation of the regular and highly strained arrangements of the Si atoms is realized. This domain separation suppresses the deterioration of the carrier mobility of the partially V-substituted samples and maintains even higher electrical conductivity to yield a high thermoelectric power factor of ∼2.3 mW/K 2 m at higher temperatures.
Participation of Children with Spina Bifida: A Scoping Review Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth (ICF-CY) as a Reference Framework
Authors: Bakanienė Indrė , Žiukienė Laura , Vasiliauskienė Vaida , Prasauskienė Audronė
Published: May 2018

Background and objectives. Participation is a fundamental right of the child, regardless of his health status. Assessing and supporting the participation of children with spina bifida (SB) presents a significant challenge for practitioners. The purpose of this study was to examine what is known about the participation of children with SB. Materials and Methods. The framework for scoping reviews from Arksey & O’Malley was used. A literature search in Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (Medline), PsychINFO and the Education Resources Information Centre (ERIC) databases retrieved 136 papers, 10 of which met the criteria for inclusion and were selected for analysis. Synthesis of the results on participation within occupational domains of leisure, school and community, and factors influencing participation of children with SB was performed. Results. All the included studies were non-experimental and used cross-sectional, population-based or qualitative design. Most studies analysed social participation or participation in physical activities, except one that focused on school participation. Data from these studies have shown that children with SB experience greater participation restrictions compared to their typical peers or children with other chronic diseases. The participation was mainly affected by contextual factors. Relationships between pathology and participation were not sufficiently validated. Conclusions. There is little research on the participation of children with SB. Future studies must consider contextual factors and interventions facilitating or impeding participation.
Knowledge-Based Neuroendocrine Immunomodulation (NIM) Molecular Network Construction and Its Application
Authors: Wang Tongxing , Han Lu , Zhang Xiaorui , Wu Rongrong , Cheng Xiaorui , Zhou Wenxia , Zhang Yongxiang
Published: May 2018

Growing evidence shows that the neuroendocrine immunomodulation (NIM) network plays an important role in maintaining and modulating body function and the homeostasis of the internal environment. The disequilibrium of NIM in the body is closely associated with many diseases. In the present study, we first collected a core dataset of NIM signaling molecules based on our knowledge and obtained 611 NIM signaling molecules. Then, we built a NIM molecular network based on the MetaCore database and analyzed the signaling transduction characteristics of the core network. We found that the endocrine system played a pivotal role in the bridge between the nervous and immune systems and the signaling transduction between the three systems was not homogeneous. Finally, employing the forest algorithm, we identified the molecular hub playing an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), based on the NIM molecular network constructed by us. The results showed that GSK3B, SMARCA4, PSMD7, HNF4A, PGR, RXRA, and ESRRA might be the key molecules for RA, while RARA, STAT3, STAT1, and PSMD14 might be the key molecules for AD. The molecular hub may be a potentially druggable target for these two complex diseases based on the literature. This study suggests that the NIM molecular network in this paper combined with the forest algorithm might provide a useful tool for predicting drug targets and understanding the pathogenesis of diseases. Therefore, the NIM molecular network and the corresponding online tool will not only enhance research on complex diseases and system biology, but also promote the communication of valuable clinical experience between modern medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Characterization of Goat Milk Hydrolyzed by Cell Envelope Proteinases from Lactobacillus plantarum LP69: Proteolytic System Optimization, Bioactivity, and Storage Stability Evaluation
Authors: Shu Guowei , Huang Jie , Chen Li , Lei Ni , Chen He
Published: May 2018

Despite the widespread application of lactic acid bacterium in dairy production through its contribution to acidification, development of sensorial properties, and health-promoting effects, relatively little information is available on the cell envelope proteinases (CEPs) of Lactobacillus plantarum, especially on the proteolytic system and the production of bioactivity peptides. In this study, CEPs from a novel L. plantarum LP69 were involved in goat milk hydrolysis and generated a product with high activity that showed a degree of hydrolysis of 15.68 ± 0.74%, Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory rate of 83.25 ± 1.05%, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging rate of 64.91 ± 1.27%, and hydroxyl radical scavenging rate of 89.17 ± 1.13%. The optimized hydrolysis conditions were time of 4.5 h, temperature of 41 °C, initial pH of 8.5, and enzyme to substrate ratio (E/S) of 12% (w/w) by orthogonal experiments. Application of a stabilizer greatly promoted milk stability. A well-designed stabilizer consists of 0.05% carrageenan, 0.15% gellan gum, and 0.15% sucrose esters, which significantly raised the milk stability coefficient, R, from 70.67% to 98.57%. The storage stability of milk was evaluated during 84 days at room temperature or 4 °C. Our study depicts the contribution of CEPs from L. plantarum LP69 in goat milk, exploring a new way for the development of a functional milk product.