bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of Hydrogen Electron Donor, Alkaline pH, and High Nitrate Concentrations on Microbial Denitrification: A Review
Authors: Albina Pierre , Durban Nadège , Bertron Alexandra , Albrecht Achim , Robinet Jean-Charles , Erable Benjamin
Published: October 2019

Bacterial respiration of nitrate is a natural process of nitrate reduction, which has been industrialized to treat anthropic nitrate pollution. This process, also known as “microbial denitrification”, is widely documented from the fundamental and engineering points of view for the enhancement of the removal of nitrate in wastewater. For this purpose, experiments are generally conducted with heterotrophic microbial metabolism, neutral pH and moderate nitrate concentrations (<50 mM). The present review focuses on a different approach as it aims to understand the effects of hydrogenotrophy, alkaline pH and high nitrate concentration on microbial denitrification. Hydrogen has a high energy content but its low solubility, 0.74 mM (1 atm, 30 °C), in aqueous medium limits its bioavailability, putting it at a kinetic disadvantage compared to more soluble organic compounds. For most bacteria, the optimal pH varies between 7.5 and 9.5. Outside this range, denitrification is slowed down and nitrite (NO2−) accumulates. Some alkaliphilic bacteria are able to express denitrifying activity at pH levels close to 12 thanks to specific adaptation and resistance mechanisms detailed in this manuscript, and some bacterial populations support nitrate concentrations in the range of several hundred mM to 1 M. A high concentration of nitrate generally leads to an accumulation of nitrite. Nitrite accumulation can inhibit bacterial activity and may be a cause of cell death.
Early Postnatal Treatment with Valproate Induces Gad1 Promoter Remodeling in the Brain and Reduces Apnea Episodes in Mecp2-Null Mice
Authors: Ishiyama Misa , Tamura Satoko , Ito Hisanori , Takei Hiroki , Hoshi Manami , Asano Masatake , Itoh Masayuki , Shirakawa Tetsuo
Published: October 2019

The deletion of Mecp2, the gene encoding methyl-CpG-binding protein 2, causes severe breathing defects and developmental anomalies in mammals. In Mecp2-null mice, impaired GABAergic neurotransmission is demonstrated at the early stage of life. GABAergic dysfunction in neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) is considered as a primary cause of breathing abnormality in Mecp2-null mice, but its molecular mechanism is unclear. Here, we report that mRNA expression levels of Gad1, which encodes glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67), in the RVLM of Mecp2-null (Mecp2-/y, B6.129P2(C)-Mecp2tm1.1Bird/J) mice is closely related to the methylation status of its promoter, and valproate (VPA) can upregulate transcription from Gad1 through epigenetic mechanisms. The administration of VPA (300 mg/kg/day) together with L-carnitine (30 mg/kg/day) from day 8 to day 14 after birth increased Gad1 mRNA expression in the RVLM and reduced apnea counts in Mecp2-/y mice on postnatal day 15. Cytosine methylation levels in the Gad1 promoter were higher in the RVLM of Mecp2-/y mice compared to wild-type mice born to C57BL/6J females, while VPA treatment decreased the methylation levels in Mecp2-/y mice. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that the VPA treatment reduced the binding of methyl-CpG binding domain protein 1 (MBD1) to the Gad1 promoter in Mecp2-/y mice. These results suggest that VPA improves breathing of Mecp2-/y mice by reducing the Gad1 promoter methylation, which potentially leads to the enhancement of GABAergic neurotransmission in the RVLM.
An Optical Power Limiting and Ultrafast Photophysics Investigation of a Series of Multi-Branched Heavy Atom Substituted Fluorene Molecules
Authors: Lundén Hampus , Pitrat Delphine , Mulatier Jean-Christophe , Monnereau Cyrille , Minda Iulia , Liotta Adrien , Chábera Pavel , Hopen Didrik K. , Lopes Cesar , Parola Stéphane , Pullerits Tönu , Andraud Chantal , Lindgren Mikael
Published: October 2019

A common molecular design paradigm for optical power limiting (OPL) applications is to introduce heavy atoms that promote intersystem crossing and triplet excited states. In order to investigate this effect, three multi-branched fluorene molecules were prepared where the central moiety was either an organic benzene unit, para-dibromobenzene, or a platinum(II)–alkynyl unit. All three molecules showed good nanosecond OPL performance in solution. However, only the dibromobenzene and Pt–alkynyl compounds showed strong microsecond triplet excited state absorption (ESA). To investigate the photophysical cause of the OPL, especially for the fully organic molecule, photokinetic measurements including ultrafast pump–probe spectroscopy were performed. At nanosecond timescales, the ESA of the organic molecule was larger than the two with intersystem crossing (ISC) promoters, explaining its good OPL performance. This points to a design strategy where the singlet-state ESA is balanced with the ISC rate to increase OPL performance at the beginning of a nanosecond pulse.
Comparative Microbiome Profiles of Sympatric Tick Species from the Far-Western United States
Authors: Chicana Betsabel , Couper Lisa I. , Kwan Jessica Y. , Tahiraj Enxhi , Swei Andrea
Published: October 2019

Insight into the composition and function of the tick microbiome has expanded considerably in recent years. Thus far, tick microbiome studies have focused on species and life stages that are responsible for transmitting disease. In this study we conducted extensive field sampling of six tick species in the far-western United States to comparatively examine the microbial composition of sympatric tick species: Ixodes pacificus, Ixodes angustus, Dermacentor variabilis, Dermacentor occidentalis, Dermacentor albipictus, and Haemaphysalis leporispalustris. These species represent both common vectors of disease and species that rarely encounter humans, exhibiting a range of host preferences and natural history. We found significant differences in microbial species diversity and composition by tick species and life stage. The microbiome of most species examined were dominated by a few primary endosymbionts. Across all species, the relative abundance of these endosymbionts increased with life stage while species richness and diversity decreased with development. Only one species, I. angustus, did not show the presence of a single dominant microbial species indicating the unique physiology of this species or its interaction with the surrounding environment. Tick species that specialize in a small number of host species or habitat ranges exhibited lower microbiome diversity, suggesting that exposure to environmental conditions or host blood meal diversity can affect the tick microbiome which in turn may affect pathogen transmission. These findings reveal important associations between ticks and their microbial community and improve our understanding of the function of non-pathogenic microbiomes in tick physiology and pathogen transmission.
Lethal Effects of High Temperatures on Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Adults before and after Overwintering
Authors: Scaccini Davide , Duso Carlo , Pozzebon Alberto
Published: October 2019

The invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, is causing economic and ecological damage in invaded areas. Its overwintering behavior warrants mitigation practices in warehouses and shipping operations. The aim of this study was to characterize the mortality response curves of H. halys adults to short high-temperature exposure. Here we compared field-collected individuals entering (ENA) and exiting diapause (EXA). EXA adults displayed increased susceptibility to high temperatures compared to ENA individuals. Complete mortality of all tested individuals was obtained after 10 min exposure at 50.0 °C, and after 15 (EXA) or 20 min (ENA) at 47.5 °C. The nutritional status of these insects had no effect on high-temperature tolerance. The mortality curves obtained here may be used for the definition of cost-effective heat treatments aimed at the H. halys control.
Application of Two-Photon-Absorption Pulsed Laser for Single-Event-Effects Sensitivity Mapping Technology
Authors: Gu Cheng , Chen Rui , Belev George , Shi Shuting , Tian Haonan , Nofal Issam , Chen Li
Published: October 2019

Single-event effects (SEEs) in integrated circuits and devices can be studied by utilizing ultra-fast pulsed laser system through Two Photon Absorption process. This paper presents technical ways to characterize key factors for laser based SEEs mapping testing system: output power from laser source, spot size focused by objective lens, opening window of Pockels cell, and calibration of injected laser energy. The laser based SEEs mapping testing system can work in a stable and controllable status by applying these methods. Furthermore, a sensitivity map of a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell with a 65 nm technique node was created through the established laser system. The sensitivity map of the SRAM cell was compared to a map generated by a commercial simulation tool (TFIT), and the two matched well. In addition, experiments in this paper also provided energy distribution profile along Z axis that is the direction of the pulsed laser injection and threshold energy for different SRAM structures.
Comparison of Bone Regeneration between Porcine-Derived and Bovine-Derived Xenografts in Rat Calvarial Defects: A Non-Inferiority Study
Authors: Bae Eun-Bin , Kim Ha-Jin , Ahn Jong-Ju , Bae Hyun-Young , Kim Hyung-Joon , Huh Jung-Bo
Published: October 2019

The present study aimed to compare the bone-regeneration capacity of porcine-derived xenografts to bovine-derived xenografts in the rat calvarial defect model. The observation of surface morphology and in vitro cell studies were conducted prior to the animal study. Defects with a diameter of 8 mm were created in calvaria of 20 rats. The rats were randomly treated with porcine-derived (Bone-XP group) or bovine-derived xenografts (Bio-Oss group) and sacrificed at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery. The new bone regeneration was evaluated by micro-computed tomography (μCT) and histomorphometric analyses. In the cell study, the extracts of Bone-XP and Bio-Oss showed a positive effect on the regulation of osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) without cytotoxicity. The new bone volume of Bone-XP (17.52 ± 3.78% at 4 weeks and 32.09 ± 3.51% at 8 weeks) was similar to that of Bio-Oss (11.6 ± 3.88% at 4 weeks and 25.89 ± 7.43% at 8 weeks) (p > 0.05). In the results of new bone area, there was no significant difference between Bone-XP (9.08 ± 5.47% at 4 weeks and 25.22 ± 13.56% at 8 weeks) and Bio-Oss groups (5.83 ± 2.56% at 4 weeks and 21.68 ± 11.11% at 8 weeks) (p > 0.05). It can be concluded that the porcine-derived bone substitute may offer a favorable cell response and bone regeneration similar to those of commercial bovine bone mineral.
The Effect of a High Amount of Micro-Fillers on the Long-Term Properties of Concrete
Authors: Sičáková Alena , Špak Matej
Published: October 2019

Concretes in which a large portion of fine natural aggregate is replaced with inert mineral powders would offer both economic and ecological benefits for the concrete industry, and they represent eco-friendly materials. Moreover, using the powders having potential pozzolanic effect could have positive extra effect on the properties of concrete. This paper analyses the impact of a high dosage of three kinds of micro-fillers (brick, concrete and glass powders) on the properties of concrete over a three-year period. Microfillers were applied as 40% replacement of 0/4 aggregate by volume. Samples having high dosage of micro-fillers and thus a higher binder volume achieved excellent values of both compressive (from 31 to 48 MPa in 28 days, and from 67 to 93 MPa in three years) and flexural strength (from 6.3 to 8.4 MPa in 28 days, and from 7.1 to 11.1 MPa in three years). Both samples with brick powder and concrete powder achieved the biggest strength values; however, due to better performance in durability parameters (capillary water absorption coefficient and density), sample prepared with glass powder can be identified as having the biggest potential for intended use.
Overcoming the Challenges for a Mass Manufacturing Machine for the Assembly of PEMFC Stacks
Authors: Porstmann Sebastian , Wannemacher Thomas , Richter Thilo
Published: October 2019

One of the major obstacles standing in the way of a break-through in fuel cell technology is its relatively high costs compared to well established fossil-based technologies. The reasons for these high costs predominantly lie in the use of non-standardized components, complex system components, and non-automated production of fuel cells. This problem can be identified at multiple levels, for example, the electrochemically active components of the fuel cell stack, peripheral components of the fuel cell system, and eventually on the level of stack and system assembly. This article focused on the industrialization of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack components and assembly. To achieve this, the first step is the formulation of the requirement specifications for the automated PEMFC stack production. The developed mass manufacturing machine (MMM) enables a reduction of the assembly time of a cell fuel cell stack to 15 minutes. Furthermore the targeted automation level is theoretically capable of producing up to 10,000 fuel cell stacks per year. This will result in a ~50% stack cost reduction through economies of scale and increased automation. The modular concept is scalable to meet increasing future demand which is essential for the market ramp-up and success of this technology.
A New Method for De-Noising of Well Test Pressure Data Base on Legendre Approximation
Authors: Zhang Fengbo , Zheng Yuandan , Zhao Zhenyu , Li Zhi
Published: October 2019

In this paper, noise removing of the well test data is considered. We use the Legendre expansion to approximate well test data and a truncated strategy has been employed to reduce noise. The parameter of the truncation will be chosen by a discrepancy principle and a corresponding convergence result has been obtained. The theoretical analysis shows that a well numerical approximation can be obtained by the new method. Moreover, we can directly obtain the stable numerical derivatives of the pressure data in this method. Finally, we give some numerical tests to show the effectiveness of the method.
Universal Function Approximation by Deep Neural Nets with Bounded Width and ReLU Activations
Authors: Hanin Boris
Published: October 2019

This article concerns the expressive power of depth in neural nets with ReLU activations and a bounded width. We are particularly interested in the following questions: What is the minimal width w min ( d ) so that ReLU nets of width w min ( d ) (and arbitrary depth) can approximate any continuous function on the unit cube [ 0 , 1 ] d arbitrarily well? For ReLU nets near this minimal width, what can one say about the depth necessary to approximate a given function? We obtain an essentially complete answer to these questions for convex functions. Our approach is based on the observation that, due to the convexity of the ReLU activation, ReLU nets are particularly well suited to represent convex functions. In particular, we prove that ReLU nets with width d + 1 can approximate any continuous convex function of d variables arbitrarily well. These results then give quantitative depth estimates for the rate of approximation of any continuous scalar function on the d-dimensional cube [ 0 , 1 ] d by ReLU nets with width d + 3 .
Erythrina suberosa: Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry and Biological Activities
Authors: Patti Felicia , Taheri Yasaman , Sharifi-Rad Javad , Martorell Miquel , Cho William C. , Pezzani Raffaele
Published: October 2019

Plants are a great and irreplaceable source of medicines, fuel, food, energy and even cosmetics. Since prehistory, humans have learned to use plants for survival, growth and proliferation and still today it relies on natural and cultivated vegetables for food and the source of novel compounds with pharmacological activity. Not only herbs and flowers, but also trees are used. Indeed, Erythrina suberosa Roxb. is a deciduous tree of the family Fabaceae, common in Southeast Asia. In India, E. suberosa is called the “corky coral tree” or simply the “Indian coral tree”, given its peculiar red-orange flowers that can flower throughout the year and its corky irregular bark covered by prickles. It is a plant commonly used as an ornamental tree, but it also holds ethnopharmacological and socioeconomic uses. This article explored phytobiological features of E. suberosa, analysing its taxonomy, examining its traditional and common uses and investigating its bioactive components and pharmacological properties.
Toxicological Aspects and Determination of the Main Components of Ayahuasca: A Critical Review
Authors: Simão Ana Y. , Gonçalves Joana , Duarte Ana Paula , Barroso Mário , Cristóvão Ana Clara , Gallardo Eugenia
Published: October 2019

Ayahuasca is a psychoactive beverage prepared traditionally from a mixture of the leaves and stems of Psychotria viridis and Banisteriopsis caapi, respectively, being originally consumed by indigenous Amazonian tribes for ritual and medicinal purposes. Over the years, its use has spread to other populations as a means to personal growth and spiritual connection. Also, the recreational use of its isolated compounds has become prominent. The main compounds of this tea-like preparation are N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), β-Carbolines, and harmala alkaloids, such as harmine, tetrahydroharmine, and harmaline. The latter are monoamine-oxidase inhibitors and are responsible for DMT psychoactive and hallucinogenic effects on the central nervous system. Although consumers defend its use, its metabolic effects and those on the central nervous system are not fully understood yet. The majority of studies regarding the effects of this beverage and of its individual compounds are based on in vivo experiments, clinical trials, and even surveys. This paper will not only address the toxicological aspects of the ayahuasca compounds but also perform a comprehensive and critical review on the analytical methods available for their determination in biological and non-biological specimens, with special focus on instrumental developments and sample preparation approaches.
Targeted Metabolic Profiling of Methionine Cycle Metabolites and Redox Thiol Pools in Mammalian Plasma, Cells and Urine
Authors: Behringer Sidney , Wingert Victoria , Oria Victor , Schumann Anke , Grünert Sarah , Cieslar-Pobuda Artur , Kölker Stefan , Lederer Ann-Kathrin , Jacobsen Donald W. , Staerk Judith , Schilling Oliver , Spiekerkoetter Ute , Hannibal Luciana
Published: October 2019

The concentration of thiol and thioether metabolites in plasma has diagnostic value in genetic diseases of B-vitamin metabolism linked to methionine utilization. Among these, cysteine/cystine (Cys/CSSC) and glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) act as cellular redox buffers. A new LC-MS/MS method was developed for the simultaneous detection of cystathionine (Cysta), methionine (Met), methionine sulfoxide (MSO), creatinine and the reduced and oxidized pairs of homocysteine (Hcy/HSSH), cysteine (Cys/CSSC) and glutathione (GSH/GSSG). A one-step thiol-blocking protocol with minimal sample preparation was established to determine redox thiol pairs in plasma and cells. The concentrations of diagnostic biomarkers Hcy, Met, Cysta, and Cys in a cohort of healthy adults (n = 53) agreed with reference ranges and published values. Metabolite concentrations were also validated in commercial samples of human, mouse, rat and Beagle dog plasma and by the use of a standardized ERNDIM quality control. Analysis of fibroblasts, endothelial and epithelial cells, human embryonic stem cells, and cancer cell lines showed cell specificity for both the speciation and concentration of thiol and thioether metabolites. This LC-MS/MS platform permits the fast and simultaneous quantification of 10 thiol and thioether metabolites and creatinine using 40 µL plasma, urine or culture medium, or 500,000 cells. The sample preparation protocols are directly transferable to automated metabolomic platforms.
Safety of Food and Water Supplies in the Landscape of Changing Climate
Authors: Fouladkhah Aliyar Cyrus , Thompson Brian , Camp Janey Smith
Published: October 2019

In response to evolving environmental, production, and processing conditions, microbial communities have tremendous abilities to move toward increased diversity and fitness by various pathways such as vertical and horizontal gene transfer mechanisms, biofilm formation, and quorum sensing [...]
The Site Occupancy Assessment in Beryl Based on Bond-Length Constraints
Authors: Bačík Peter , Fridrichová Jana
Published: October 2019

The site preference for each cation and site in beryl based on bond-length calculations was determined and compared with analytical data. Tetrahedral SiO4 six-membered rings normally have no substitutions which results from very compact Si4+–O bonds in tetrahedra. Any substitution except Be would require significant tetrahedral ring distortion. The Be tetrahedron should also be negligibly substituted based on the bond-valence calculation; the tetrahedral Li–O bond length is almost 20% larger than Be2+–O. Similar or smaller bond lengths were calculated for Cr3+, V3+, Fe3+, Fe2+, Mn3+, Mg2+, and Al3+, which can substitute for Be but also can occupy a neighboring tetrahedrally coordinated site which is completely vacant in the full Be occupancy. The octahedral site is also very compressed due to dominant Al with short bond lengths; any substitution results in octahedron expansion. There are two channel sites in beryl: the smaller 2b site can be occupied by Na+, Ca2+, Li+, and REE3+ (Rare Earth Elements); Fe2+ and Fe3+ are too small; K+, Cs+, Rb+, and Ba2+ are too large. The channel 2a-site average bond length is 3.38 Å which allows the presence of simple molecules such as H2O, CO2, or NH4 and the large-sized cations-preferring Cs+.
The Fragment-Based Development of a Benzofuran Hit as a New Class of Escherichia coli DsbA Inhibitors
Authors: Duncan Luke F. , Wang Geqing , Ilyichova Olga V. , Scanlon Martin J. , Heras Begoña , Abbott Belinda M.
Published: October 2019

A fragment-based drug discovery approach was taken to target the thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase enzyme DsbA from Escherichia coli (EcDsbA). This enzyme is critical for the correct folding of virulence factors in many pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria, and small molecule inhibitors can potentially be developed as anti-virulence compounds. Biophysical screening of a library of fragments identified several classes of fragments with affinity to EcDsbA. One hit with high mM affinity, 2-(6-bromobenzofuran-3-yl)acetic acid (6), was chemically elaborated at several positions around the scaffold. X-ray crystal structures of the elaborated analogues showed binding in the hydrophobic binding groove adjacent to the catalytic disulfide bond of EcDsbA. Binding affinity was calculated based on NMR studies and compounds 25 and 28 were identified as the highest affinity binders with dissociation constants (KD) of 326 ± 25 and 341 ± 57 µM respectively. This work suggests the potential to develop benzofuran fragments into a novel class of EcDsbA inhibitors.
Dietary Patterns May Be Nonproportional Hazards for the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes: Evidence from Korean Adult Females
Authors: Chung Sangwon , Kim Myung Sunny , Kwock Chang Keun
Published: October 2019

This study aimed to examine the association between the incidence of type 2 diabetes and various risk factors including dietary patterns based on the rigorous proportional hazards assumption tests. Data for 3335 female subjects aged 40–69 years from the Korea Genome and Epidemiology Study were used. The assumption of proportional hazards was tested using the scaled Schoenfeld test. The stratified Cox regression was used to adjust the nonproportionality of diabetic risk factors, and the regression was adjusted for potential confounding variables, such as age, marital status, physical activity, drinking, smoking, BMI, etc. Metabolic syndrome and meat and fish pattern variables were positively associated with diabetes. However, dietary patterns and metabolic syndrome variables violated the proportional hazards assumption; therefore, the stratified Cox regression with the interaction terms was applied to adjust the nonproportionality and to allow the possible different parameters over each stratum. The highest quartile of meat and fish pattern was associated with diabetes only in subjects aged over 60 years. Moreover, subjects who were obese and had metabolic syndrome had higher risk in bread and snacks (HR: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.00–3.40) and meat and fish pattern (HR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.01–3.26), respectively. In conclusion, a quantitative proportional hazards assumption test should always be conducted before the use of Cox regression because nonproportionality of risk factors could induce limited effect on diabetes incidence.
Antigenic Site Variation in the Hemagglutinin of Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Viruses between 2009–2017 in Ukraine
Authors: Zolotarova Oksana , Budzanivska Iryna , Leibenko Liudmyla , Radchenko Larysa , Mironenko Alla
Published: October 2019

The hemagglutinin (HA) is a major influenza virus antigen, which, once recognized by antibodies and substitutions in HA genes, helps virus in escaping the human immune response. It is therefore critical to perform genetic and phylogenetic analysis of HA in circulating influenza viruses. We performed phylogenetic and genetic analysis of isolates from Ukraine, the vaccine strain and reference strains were used to phylogenetically identify trends in mutation locations and substitutions. Ukrainian isolates were collected between 2009–2017 and clustered in the influenza genetic groups 2, 6, 7, and 8. Genetic changes were observed in each of the antigenic sites: Sa – S162T, K163Q, K163I; Sb – S185T, A186T, S190G, S190R; Ca1 – S203T, R205K, E235V, E235D, S236P; Ca2 – P137H, H138R, A141T, D222G, D222N; Cb – A73S, S74R, S74N. In spite of detected mutations in antigenic sites, Ukrainian isolates retained similarity to the vaccine strain A/California/07/09 circulated during 2009–2017. However, WHO recommended a new vaccine strain A/Michigan/45/2015 for the Southern Hemisphere after the emergence of the new genetic groups 6B.1 and 6B.2. Our study demonstrated genetic variability of HA protein of A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses isolated in 2009–2017 in Ukraine. Influenza surveillance is very important for understanding epidemiological situations.
An Acute Stress Model in New Zealand White Rabbits Exhibits Altered Immune Response to Infection with West Nile Virus
Authors: Suen Willy W. , Imoda Mitchell , Thomas Albert W. , Nasir Nur N.B.M. , Tearnsing Nawaporn , Wang Wenqi , Bielefeldt-Ohmann Helle
Published: October 2019

The immune competence of an individual is a major determinant of morbidity in West Nile virus (WNV)-infection. Previously, we showed that immunocompetent New Zealand White rabbits (NZWRs; Oryctolagus cuniculus) are phenotypically resistant to WNV-induced disease, thus presenting a suitable model for study of virus-control mechanisms. The current study used corticosteroid-treated NZWRs to model acute “stress”-related immunosuppression. Maximal effects on immune parameters were observed on day 3 post dexamethasone-treatment (pdt). However, contrary to our hypothesis, intradermal WNV challenge at this time pdt produced significantly lower viremia 1 day post-infection (dpi) compared to untreated controls, suggestive of changes to antiviral control mechanisms. To examine this further, RNAseq was performed on RNA extracted from draining lymph node—the first site of virus replication and immune detection. Unaffected by dexamethasone-treatment, an early antiviral response, primarily via interferon (IFN)-I, and induction of a range of known and novel IFN-stimulated genes, was observed. However, treatment was associated with expression of a different repertoire of IFN-α-21-like and IFN-ω-1-like subtypes on 1 dpi, which may have driven the different chemokine response on 3 dpi. Ongoing expression of Toll-like receptor-3 and transmembrane protein-173/STING likely contributed to signaling of the treatment-independent IFN-I response. Two novel genes (putative HERC6 and IFIT1B genes), and the SLC16A5 gene were also highlighted as important component of the transcriptomic response. Therefore, the current study shows that rabbits are capable of restricting WNV replication and dissemination by known and novel robust antiviral mechanisms despite environmental challenges such as stress.
Climatic Niche Shift during Azolla filiculoides Invasion and Its Potential Distribution under Future Scenarios
Authors: Rodríguez-Merino Argantonio , Fernández-Zamudio Rocío , García-Murillo Pablo , Muñoz Jesús
Published: October 2019

In order to prevent future biological invasions, it is crucial to know non-native species distributions. We evaluated the potential global distribution of Azolla filiculoides, a free-floating macrophyte native to the Americas by using species distribution models and niche equivalency tests to analyze the degree of niche overlap between the native and invaded ranges of the species. The models were projected under two future emission scenarios, three global circulation models and two time periods. Our results indicate a possible niche shift between the distribution ranges of the species, indicating that A. filiculoides can adapt to novel environmental conditions derived from climatic differences during the invasion process. Our models also show that the future potential distribution of A. filiculoides will decrease globally, although the species could colonize new vulnerable regions where it is currently absent. We highlight that species occurrence records in the invaded area are necessary to generate accurate models, which will, in turn, improve our ability to predict potential invasion risk areas.
Structural Design of Three-Dimensional Graphene/Nano Filler (Al2O3, BN, or TiO2) Resins and Their Application to Electrically Conductive Adhesives
Authors: Zhang Chia-Hsin , Huang Chia-Hung , Liu Wei-Ren
Published: October 2019

In this study, we designed a three-dimensional structure of electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs) by adding three different kinds of nano filler, including BN, TiO2, and Al2O3 particles, into a few-layered graphene (FLG)/polymer composite to avoid FLG aggregation. Three different lateral sizes of FLG (FLG3, FLG8, and FLG20) were obtained from graphite (G3, G8, and G20) by a green, facile, low-cost, and scalable jet cavitation process. The corresponding characterizations, such as Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), verified the successful preparation of graphene flakes. Based on the results of four-point probe measurements, FLG20 demonstrated the lowest sheet resistance value of ~0.021 Ω/■. The optimized ECAs’ composition was a 60% solid content of FLG20 with the addition 2 wt.% of Al2O3. The sheet resistance value was as low as 51.8 Ω/■, which was a reduction of 73% compared to that of pristine FLG/polymer. These results indicate that this method not only paves the way for the cheaper and safer production of graphene, but also holds great potential for applications in energy-related technologies.
Suppression of Aluminum Dust Explosion by Ca(H2PO4)2/RM Composite Powder with Core–Shell Structure: Effect and Mechanism
Authors: Wang Junfeng , Meng Xiangbao , Yan Ke , Chen Jinshe
Published: October 2019

A Ca(H2PO4)2/RM composite powder suppressant with core–shell structure was prepared with modified red mud (RM) as the carrier and Ca(H2PO4)2 as the loaded particles, using a solvent–antisolvent process, in an attempt to suppress aluminum dust explosion more effectively. The suppression effects of the Ca(H2PO4)2/RM composite powder suppressant for aluminum dust flame propagation and for explosion overpressure were tested in a vertical glass tube test apparatus and a 20 L explosion vessel. The results show that the Ca(H2PO4)2/RM composite powder suppressant was more effective in suppressing aluminum dust flame propagation and explosion overpressure than either Ca(H2PO4)2 or RM powder alone. Finally, the suppression mechanism of the Ca(H2PO4)2/RM composite powder suppressant was analyzed. On the one hand, a large amount of burning heat was absorbed through the decomposition of Ca(H2PO4)2 and the melting phase transformation of the decomposition product; on the other hand, the strong isolation provided by the RM helped limit flame propagation. The strong adsorptivity of RM allowed this material to adsorb the radicals from the explosion reaction perfectly.
A Preliminary Controlled Vocabulary for the Description of Hagiographic Texts
Authors: DiValerio David M.
Published: October 2019

As a genre defined by its content rather than by its form, the extreme diversity of the kinds of texts that can be considered “hagiographic” often proves an impediment to the progress of comparative hagiology. This essay offers some suggestions for the creation of a controlled vocabulary for the formal description of hagiographic texts, demonstrating how having a more highly developed shared language at our disposal will facilitate both the systematic analysis and the comparative discussion of hagiography.
Local Climate Zone (LCZ) Map Accuracy Assessments Should Account for Land Cover Physical Characteristics that Affect the Local Thermal Environment
Authors: Johnson Brian Alan , Jozdani Shahab Eddin
Published: October 2019

Local climate zone (LCZ) maps are increasingly being used to help understand and model the urban microclimate, but traditional land use/land cover map (LULC) accuracy assessment approaches do not convey the accuracy at which LCZ maps depict the local thermal environment. 17 types of LCZs exist, each having unique physical characteristics that affect the local microclimate. Many studies have focused on generating LCZ maps using remote sensing data, but nearly all have used traditional LULC map accuracy metrics, which penalize all map classification errors equally, to evaluate the accuracy of these maps. Here, we proposed a new accuracy assessment approach that better explains the accuracy of the physical properties (i.e., surface structure, land cover, and anthropogenic heat emissions) depicted in an LCZ map, which allows for a better understanding of the accuracy at which the map portrays the local thermal environment.
Vehicle Logo Recognition Based on Enhanced Matching for Small Objects, Constrained Region and SSFPD Network
Authors: Liu Ruikang , Han Qing , Min Weidong , Zhou Linghua , Xu Jianqiang
Published: October 2019

Vehicle Logo Recognition (VLR) is an important part of vehicle behavior analysis and can provide supplementary information for vehicle identification, which is an essential research topic in robotic systems. However, the inaccurate extraction of vehicle logo candidate regions will affect the accuracy of logo recognition. Additionally, the existing methods have low recognition rate for most small vehicle logos and poor performance under complicated environments. A VLR method based on enhanced matching, constrained region extraction and SSFPD network is proposed in this paper to solve the aforementioned problems. A constrained region extraction method based on segmentation of the car head and car tail is proposed to accurately extract the candidate region of logo. An enhanced matching method is proposed to improve the detection performance of small objects, which augment each of training images by copy-pasting small objects many times in the unconstrained region. A single deep neural network based on a reduced ResNeXt model and Feature Pyramid Networks is proposed in this paper, which is named as Single Shot Feature Pyramid Detector (SSFPD). The SSFPD uses the reduced ResNeXt to improve classification performance of the network and retain more detailed information for small-sized vehicle logo detection. Additionally, it uses the Feature Pyramid Networks module to bring in more semantic context information to build several high-level semantic feature maps, which effectively improves recognition performance. Extensive evaluations have been made on self-collected and public vehicle logo datasets. The proposed method achieved 93.79% accuracy on the Common Vehicle Logos Dataset and 99.52% accuracy on another public dataset, respectively, outperforming the existing methods.
Interference-Aware Subcarrier Allocation for Massive Machine-Type Communication in 5G-Enabled Internet of Things
Authors: Hou Wenjun , Li Song , Sun Yanjing , Zhou Jiasi , Yun Xiao , Lu Nannan
Published: October 2019

Massive machine-type communication (mMTC) is investigated as one of three typical scenes of the 5th-generation (5G) network. In this paper, we propose a 5G-enabled internet of things (IoT) in which some enhanced mobile broadband devices transmit video stream to a centralized controller and some mMTC devices exchange short packet data with adjacent devices via D2D communication to promote inter-device cooperation. Since massive MTC devices have data transmission requirements in 5G-enabled IoT with limited spectrum resources, the subcarrier allocation problem is investigated to maximize the connectivity of mMTC devices subject to the quality of service (QoS) requirement of enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) devices and mMTC devices. To solve the formulated mixed-integer non-linear programming (MINLP) problem, which is NP-hard, an interference-aware subcarrier allocation algorithm for mMTC communication (IASA) is developed to maximize the number of active mMTC devices. Finally, the performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated by simulation. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the three traditional benchmark methods, which significantly improves the utilization of the uplink spectrum. This indicates that the proposed IASA algorithm provides a better solution for IoT application.
Commercial Devices-Based System Designed to Improve the Treatment Adherence of Hypertensive Patients
Authors: João da Silva Vandermi , da Silva Souza Vinicius , Guimarães da Cruz Robson , Mesquita Vidal Martínez de Lucena Juliana , Jazdi Nasser , Ferreira de Lucena Junior Vicente
Published: October 2019

This paper presents an intelligent system designed to increase the treatment adherence of hypertensive patients. The architecture was developed to allow communication among patients, physicians, and families to determine each patient’s medication intake and self-monitoring of blood pressure rates. Concerning the medication schedule, the system is designed to follow a predefined prescription, adapting itself to undesired events, such as mistakenly taking medication or forgetting to take medication on time. When covering the blood pressure measurement, it incorporates best medical practices, registering the actual values in recommended frequency and form, trying to avoid the known “white-coat effect.” We assume that taking medicine precisely and measuring blood pressure correctly may lead to good adherence to the treatment. The system uses commercial consumer electronic devices and can be replicated in any home equipped with a standard personal computer and Internet access. The resulting architecture has four layers. The first is responsible for adding electronic devices that typically exist in today’s homes to the system. The second is a preprocessing layer that filters the data generated from the patient’s behavior. The third is a reasoning layer that decides how to act based on the patient’s activities observed. Finally, the fourth layer creates messages that should drive the reactions of all involved actors. The reasoning layer takes into consideration the patient’s schedule and medication-taking activity data and uses implicit algorithms based on the J48, RepTree, and RandomTree decision tree models to infer the adherence. The algorithms were first adjusted using one academic machine learning and data mining tool. The system communicates with users through smartphones (anytime and anywhere) and smart TVs (in the patient’s home) by using the 3G/4G and WiFi infrastructure. It interacts automatically through social networks with doctors and relatives when changes or mistakes in medication intake and blood pressure mean values are detected. By associating the blood pressure data with the history of medication intake, our system can indicate the treatment adherence and help patients to achieve better treatment results. Comparisons with similar research were made, highlighting our findings.
Farmers’ Satisfaction and its Influencing Factors in the Policy of Economic Compensation for Cultivated Land Protection: A Case Study in Chengdu, China
Authors: Xiao Dongyang , Niu Haipeng , Fan Liangxin , Zhao Suxia , Yan Hongxuan
Published: October 2019

With the rapid progress of urbanization, the loss of cultivated land has attracted great attention worldwide, and economic compensation is one of the incentives commonly used by the governments to enhance farmers’ enthusiasm in protecting cultivated land. In recent years, although various economic compensation modes have been implemented by the Chinese government, such modes are still experimental and exploratory. Thus, designing and implementing a national economic compensation mode is urgent to effectively protect the quantity and quality of cultivated land. This study focuses on the mode of cultivated land protection fund (CLPF) in Chengdu, which is the earliest mode of the implementation of economic compensation in China in 2008. First, we analyzed the farmers’ satisfaction with the CLPF through a face-to-face interview with 296 farmers in Chengdu. Then, we used the path analysis method to identify the influencing factors of farmers’ satisfaction from the characteristics of farmers and the policy. Results show that the CLPF was generally supported by farmers. Nevertheless, room for improvement still exists. Particularly, farmers’ satisfaction was low in the design of the government’s supervision management of the CLPF. Farmers’ satisfaction with compensation standard, funding use requirement, and the government’s supervision management were remarkably affected by factors, including farmers’ educational level, cultivated land area, total annual agricultural income, farmers’ knowledge of the CLPF, farmers’ recognition of the value of the CLPF, and farmers’ perception of the changes in household economics. Particularly, the direct influence of farmers’ perception of the changes in household economics was the most important. Finally, we proposed the recommendations for constructing a national economic compensation mode for cultivated land protection. Our results have certain guiding significance for promoting the sustainable development of cultivated land protection policies by means of economic incentives in China and other countries.
Rethinking Institutional Knowledge for Community Participation in Co-Management
Authors: Akonwi Nebasifu Ayonghe , Majory Atong Ngoindong
Published: October 2019

Critics of participation often examine the undesirable consequences of state-led systems without much analysis of institutional knowledge at the local level. In this paper, we investigate whether smaller institutions could offer useful knowledge for meeting the development needs of local people. Using participation theory and related literature on development and power, we investigate a co-management system in communities around Mount Cameroon National Park (MCNP), in sub-Saharan West Africa. Our study adopts a multimethod approach to survey officials in 16 agencies and locals in 17 village groups. The findings indicate factors that hinder the effectiveness of local participation and avenues by which institutional knowledge can be customized to meet local development priorities. This system of participation, we conclude, could work better through open dialogue that is explicitly accountable and transparent.
Impacts of Climate and Land Cover on Soil Organic Carbon in the Eastern Qilian Mountains, China
Authors: Zhou Junju , Xue Dongxiang , Lei Li , Wang Lanying , Zhong Guoshuang , Liu Chunfang , Xiang Juan , Huang Meihua , Feng Wei , Li Qiaoqiao , Zhao Yaru , Zhu Guofeng
Published: October 2019

Soil, as the largest organic carbon pool of terrestrial ecosystem, plays a significant role in regulating the global carbon cycle, atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, and global climate change. It is of great significance to scientifically understand the change rule and influence mechanism of soil organic carbon (SOC) to further understand the "source–sink" transformation of SOC and its influence on climate change. In this paper, the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics and influencing mechanism of SOC were analyzed by means of field investigation and laboratory analysis and the measured data in the Eastern Qilian Mountains. The results showed that the average SOC content of 0–50 cm was 35.74 ± 4.15 g/kg and the range of coefficients of variation (CV) between 48.84% and 75.84%, which suggested that the SOC content exhibited moderate heterogeneity at each soil layer of the Eastern Qilian Mountains. In four land cover types, the SOC content of forestland was the highest, followed by alpine meadow, grassland, and wilderness, which presented surface enrichment, and there was a decreasing trend with the soil depth. From the perspective of seasonal dynamics, there was a uniform pattern of SOC content in different land cover types, shown to be the highest in winter, followed by autumn, spring, and summer, and with the biggest difference between winter and summer appearing in the surface layer. At the same time, our study suggested that the SOC content of different land cover types was closely related to aboveground biomass and negatively related to both the mean monthly temperature and the mean monthly precipitation. Therefore, the distribution and variation of SOC was the result of a combination of climate, vegetation, and other factors.
A Partial Least-Squares Structural Equation Modeling Approach to Investigate the Audit Expectation Gap and Its Impact on Investor Confidence: Perspectives from a Developing Country
Authors: Xu Fengju , Akther Taslima
Published: October 2019

The aim of this study is to empirically explore the existence of the audit expectation gap and its impact on investors’ confidence. As a maiden attempt to assess these relationships, we developed a model with higher order constructs using a partial least-squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM). Based on a questionnaire survey with auditors and institutional investors, as one of the main users of audited financial statements, this study explored investors’ perceptions of both unreasonable and sensible audit expectation gaps from diverse aspects. The findings of this study revealed that the existence of an audit expectation gap was negatively related to investors’ confidence, and the greater the audit expectation gap was, the lower the investors’ confidence on audit. It was also found that auditors’ perceived independence and improved level of communication were negatively related with the audit expectation gap but positively related with investors’ confidence. Moreover, the monitoring role of independent audit oversight acts as a moderator among auditors’ perceived independence, auditors’ improved level of communication, audit expectation gap, and investors’ confidence. As the innate characteristic of an audit is to resolve conflict between owners and management of the organization, this study provides insight about what the investors (owners) expect from the audit and how to mitigate those expectation gaps.