bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Mixed with 5-Aminolevulinic Acid for the Photodynamic Antimicrobial Strategy in Hard Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Shen Yu-Fang , Huang Tsui-Hsien , Ng Hooi-Yee , Fang Hsin-Yuan , Hsu Tuan-Ti
Published: September 2018

Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) based photodynamic antimicrobial strategy can provide good antimicrobial effects and be used for medical applications. The aim of this study was to apply this strategy to Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA), which is commonly used as a filling material for root endings and by doing so, to increase the bactericidal capability of MTA, as well as to investigate its characterization, cytocompatibility, and odontogenic differentiation potential. MTA is known to be a derivative of calcium silicate (CS). In this study, MTA specimens with or without ALA and light treatment were prepared. Diametral tensile strength values (DTS), setting durations, X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra, apatite-mineralization, and antimicrobial abilities of the MTA, were also analyzed. Human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) can proliferate into the newly formed matrix and differentiate into odontoblasts to reinforce and strengthen the root. Levels of hDPCs proliferation and its odontogenic capabilities when cultured on MTA with ALA and light treatment, and the percentages of cells existing in the various cell cycle stages, were further evaluated in this study. The results indicated that MTA added ALA with light treatment had greater antibacterial ability and cytocompatibility, compared to MTA alone. A higher percentage S phase of the cells cultured on MTA added ALA with light treatment was observed. Furthermore, hDPCs cultured on MTA added ALA with light treatment had the highest expression levels of the odontoblastic differentiation markers. ALA has great antimicrobial efficiency and is a potential material for future medical applications. ALA-based photodynamic antibacterial strategy applied in the MTA has great antibacterial ability, cytocompatibility, and odontoblastic differentiation potential, and can facilitate the development of root canal treatment.
Dry Sliding Wear Behavior and Mild–Severe Wear Transition of Mg97Zn1Y2 Alloy at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Li Liang , Feng Jihe , Liang Ce , An Jian
Published: September 2018

Dry sliding wear behavior of Mg97Zn1Y2 alloy was investigated at test temperatures of 50–200 °C under three sliding speeds of 0.8 m/s, 3.0 m/s and 4.0 m/s. The wear mechanisms in mild and severe wear regimes were identified by examination of morphologies and compositions of worn surfaces using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), and from which wear transition maps under different sliding speeds were constructed on rectangular coordinate systems with applied load versus test temperature axes. It is found that under each sliding speed condition, mild–severe transition load decreases almost linearly within the test temperature range of 50 °C to 200 °C. Microstructure observation and hardness measurement in subsurfaces identify that the softening effect generating form dynamic crystallization (DRX) is the dominant mechanism for the mild–severe wear transition at elevated temperatures. The mild–severe wear transition at 50–200 °C follows the contact surface DRX temperature criterion, and the transition loads can be well evaluated using the criterion.
Oleic Acid Nanovesicles of Minoxidil for Enhanced Follicular Delivery
Authors: Kumar Pawan , Singh Shailendra Kumar , Handa Vandana , Kathuria Himanshu
Published: September 2018

Current topical minoxidil (MXD) formulations involve an unpleasant organic solvent which causes patient incompliance in addition to side effects in some cases. Therefore, the objective of this work was to develop an MXD formulation providing enhanced follicular delivery and reduced side effects. Oleic acid, being a safer material, was utilized to prepare the nanovesicles, which were characterized for size, entrapment efficiency, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and morphology. The nanovesicles were incorporated into the emugel Sepineo® P 600 (2% w/v) to provide better longer contact time with the scalp and improve physical stability. The formulation was evaluated for in vitro drug release, ex vivo drug permeation, and drug deposition studies. Follicular deposition of the vesicles was also evaluated using a differential tape stripping technique and elucidated using confocal microscopy. The optimum oleic acid vesicles measured particle size was 317 ± 4 nm, with high entrapment efficiency (69.08 ± 3.07%), narrow PDI (0.203 ± 0.01), and a negative zeta potential of −13.97 ± 0.451. The in vitro drug release showed the sustained release of MXD from vesicular gel. The skin permeation and deposition studies revealed superiority of the prepared MXD vesicular gel (0.2%) in terms of MXD deposition in the stratum corneum (SC) and remaining skin over MXD lotion (2%), with enhancement ratios of 3.0 and 4.0, respectively. The follicular deposition of MXD was 10-fold higher for vesicular gel than the control. Confocal microscopy also confirmed the higher absorption of rhodamine via vesicular gel into hair follicles as compared to the control. Overall, the current findings demonstrate the potential of oleic acid vesicles for effective targeted skin and follicular delivery of MXD.
It Takes a Village: Multidisciplinary Approach to Screening and Prevention of Pediatric Sleep Issues
Authors: Sevecke Jessica R. , Meadows Tawnya J.
Published: September 2018

Sleep is essential to human development. Poor sleep can have significant effects on cognition, learning and memory, physical and behavioral health, and social-emotional well-being. This paper highlights the prevalence of common pediatric sleep problems and posits that a multidisciplinary approach to the assessment and intervention of sleep problems is ideal. Primary care providers are often the first professionals to discuss sleep issues with youth and families. However, dentists, otolaryngologists, childcare providers, school personnel, and behavioral health providers have a vital role in screening and prevention, providing intervention, and monitoring the progress of daily functioning. The strengths of this approach include better provider-to-provider and provider-to-family communication, streamlined assessment and intervention, earlier identification of sleep issues with more efficient referral, and longer-term monitoring of progress and impact on daily functioning. Barriers to this approach include difficulty initiating and maintaining collaboration among providers, limited provider time to obtain the necessary patient permission to collaborate among all multidisciplinary providers, lack of financial support for consultation and collaboration outside of seeing patients face-to-face, geographic location, and limited resources within communities. Research investigating the utility of this model and the overall impact on pediatric patient sleep issues is warranted and strongly encouraged.
Joining of γ-TiAl Alloy to Ni-Based Superalloy Using Ag-Cu Sputtered Coated Ti Brazing Filler Foil
Authors: Simões Sónia , Tavares Carlos José , Guedes Aníbal
Published: September 2018

Joining γ-TiAl alloy to Ni-based superalloy Hastelloy using Ag-Cu sputtered coated Ti foil as brazing filler was investigated in this study. Brazing experiments were performed at 900, 950, and 980 °C with a dwelling stage of 10 min in vacuum. The microstructure and the chemical composition of the resulting interfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. Sound joints were produced after brazing at 980 °C, presenting a multilayered interface, consisting mainly of Ti-Al and Ti-Ni-Al intermetallics close to the γ-TiAl alloy, and of Ti-rich, Ti-Ni, and Cr-Ni-Mo rich phases near Hastelloy. The hardness of the interface, ranging from around 300 to 1100 HV0.01, is higher than both base materials, but no segregation of either Ag solid solution or coarse intermetallic particles was observed. Therefore, the developed brazing filler also avoids the need to perform post-brazing heat treatments that aim to eliminate detrimental extensive segregation of either soft phases or of hard and brittle compounds.
Structural Formation of Oil-in-Water (O/W) and Water-in-Oil-in-Water (W/O/W) Droplets in PDMS Device Using Protrusion Channel without Hydrophilic Surface Treatment
Authors: Yoon Dong Hyun , Tanaka Daiki , Sekiguchi Tetsushi , Shoji Shuichi
Published: September 2018

This paper presents a simple method of droplet formation using liquids that easily wet polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surfaces without any surface treatment. Using only structural features and uniform flow focusing, Oil-in-Water (O/W) and Water-in-Oil-in-Water (W/O/W) droplets were formed in the full PDMS structure. Extrusion channel and three-dimensional flow focusing resulted in effective fluidic conditions for droplet formation and the droplet size could be precisely controlled by controlling the flow rate of each phase. The proposed structure can be utilized as an important element for droplet based research, as well as a droplet generator.
Comparative Analysis of Attachment to Chalcopyrite of Three Mesophilic Iron and/or Sulfur-Oxidizing Acidophiles
Authors: Li Qian , Yang Baojun , Zhu Jianyu , Jiang Hao , Li Jiaokun , Zhang Ruiyong , Sand Wolfgang
Published: September 2018

Adhesion plays an important role in bacterial dissolution of metal sulfides, since the attached cells initiate the dissolution. In addition, biofilms, forming after bacterial attachment, enhance the dissolution. In this study, interactions between initial adhesion force, attachment behavior and copper recovery were comparatively analyzed for Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans during bioleaching of chalcopyrite. The adhesion forces between bacteria and minerals were measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM). L. ferrooxidans had the largest adhesion force and attached best to chalcopyrite, while A. ferrooxidans exhibited the highest bioleaching of chalcopyrite. The results suggest that the biofilm formation, rather than the initial adhesion, is positively correlated with bioleaching efficiency.
Ultra-Small Pd(0) Nanoparticles into a Designed Semisynthetic Lipase: An Efficient and Recyclable Heterogeneous Biohybrid Catalyst for the Heck Reaction under Mild Conditions
Authors: Lopez-Tejedor David , De las Rivas Blanca , Palomo Jose M.
Published: September 2018

A novel heterogeneous enzyme-palladium (Pd) (0) nanoparticles (PdNPs) bionanohybrid has been synthesized by an efficient, green, and straightforward methodology. A designed Geobacillus thermocatenulatus lipase (GTL) variant genetically and then chemically modified by the introduction of a tailor-made cysteine-containing complementary peptide- was used as the stabilizing and reducing agent for the in situ formation of ultra-small PdNPs nanoparticles embedded on the protein structure. This bionanohybrid was an excellent catalyst in the synthesis of trans-ethyl cinnamate by Heck reaction at 65 °C. It showed the best catalytic performance in dimethylformamide (DMF) containing 10–25% of water as a solvent but was also able to catalyze the reaction in pure DMF or with a higher amount of water as co-solvent. The recyclability and stability were excellent, maintaining more than 90% of catalytic activity after five cycles of use.
Thickness-Dependent Differential Reflectance Spectra of Monolayer and Few-Layer MoS2, MoSe2, WS2 and WSe2
Authors: Niu Yue , Gonzalez-Abad Sergio , Frisenda Riccardo , Marauhn Philipp , Drüppel Matthias , Gant Patricia , Schmidt Robert , Taghavi Najme S. , Barcons David , Molina-Mendoza Aday J. , De Vasconcellos Steffen Michaelis , Bratschitsch Rudolf , Perez De Lara David , Rohlfing Michael , Castellanos-Gomez Andres
Published: September 2018

The research field of two dimensional (2D) materials strongly relies on optical microscopy characterization tools to identify atomically thin materials and to determine their number of layers. Moreover, optical microscopy-based techniques opened the door to study the optical properties of these nanomaterials. We presented a comprehensive study of the differential reflectance spectra of 2D semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), MoS2, MoSe2, WS2, and WSe2, with thickness ranging from one layer up to six layers. We analyzed the thickness-dependent energy of the different excitonic features, indicating the change in the band structure of the different TMDC materials with the number of layers. Our work provided a route to employ differential reflectance spectroscopy for determining the number of layers of MoS2, MoSe2, WS2, and WSe2.
Ex Situ Fabrication of Polypyrrole-Coated Core-Shell Nanoparticles for High-Performance Coin Cell Supercapacitor
Authors: Han Hoseong , Cho Sunghun
Published: September 2018

Silica-conducting polymer (SiO2-CP) has the advantages of high electrical conductivity, structural stability, and the facile formation of thin-film. This work deals with the preparation and optimization of polypyrrole (PPy)-encapsulated silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) using an ex situ method. The SiO2-PPy core-shell NPs prepared by the ex situ method are well dispersed in water and facilitate the mass production of thin-film electrodes with improved electrical and electrochemical performances using a simple solution process. As-prepared SiO2-PPy core-shell NPs with different particle sizes were applied to electrode materials for two-electrode supercapacitors based on coin cell batteries. It was confirmed that the areal capacitance (73.1 mF/cm2), volumetric capacitance (243.5 F/cm3), and cycling stability (88.9% after 5000 cycles) of the coin cell employing the ex situ core-shell was superior to that of the conventional core-shell (4.2 mF/cm2, 14.2 mF/cm3, and 82.2%). Considering these facts, the ex situ method provides a facile way to produce highly-conductive thin-film electrodes with enhanced electrical and electrochemical properties for the coin cell supercapacitor application.
A Plant-Based High-Carbohydrate, Low-Fat Diet in Overweight Individuals in a 16-Week Randomized Clinical Trial: The Role of Carbohydrates
Authors: Kahleova Hana , Dort Sara , Holubkov Richard , Barnard Neal D.
Published: September 2018

The effects of carbohydrates on body weight and insulin sensitivity are controversial. In this 16-week randomized clinical trial, we tested the role of a low-fat, plant-based diet on body weight, body composition and insulin resistance. As a part of this trial, we investigated the role of changes in carbohydrate intake on body composition and insulin resistance. Participants (n = 75) were randomized to follow a plant-based high-carbohydrate, low-fat (vegan) diet (n = 38) or to maintain their current diet (n = 37). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure body composition. Insulin resistance was assessed with the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA-IR) index. A repeated measure ANOVA model was used to test the between-group differences from baseline to 16 weeks. A linear regression model was used to test the relationship between carbohydrate intake, and body composition and insulin resistance. Weight decreased significantly in the vegan group (treatment effect −6.5 [95% CI −8.9 to −4.1] kg; Gxt, p < 0.001). Fat mass was reduced in the vegan group (treatment effect −4.3 [95% CI −5.4 to −3.2] kg; Gxt, p < 0.001). HOMA-IR was reduced significantly in the vegan group (treatment effect −1.0 [95% CI −1.2 to −0.8]; Gxt, p = 0.004). Changes in consumption of carbohydrate, as a percentage of energy, correlated negatively with changes in BMI (r = −0.53, p < 0.001), fat mass (r = −0.55, p < 0.001), volume of visceral fat (r = −0.35, p = 0.006), and HOMA (r = −0.27, p = 0.04). These associations remained significant after adjustment for energy intake. Changes in consumption of total and insoluble fiber correlated negatively with changes in BMI (r = −0.43, p < 0.001; and r = −0.46, p < 0.001, respectively), fat mass (r = −0.42, p < 0.001; and r = −0.46, p < 0.001, respectively), and volume of visceral fat (r = −0.29, p = 0.03; and r = −0.32, p = 0.01, respectively). The associations between total and insoluble fiber and changes in BMI and fat mass remained significant even after adjustment for energy intake. Increased carbohydrate and fiber intake, as part of a plant-based high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet, are associated with beneficial effects on weight, body composition, and insulin resistance.
Cardioprotective Effects of Nanoemulsions Loaded with Anti-Inflammatory Nutraceuticals against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity
Authors: Quagliariello Vincenzo , Vecchione Raffaele , Coppola Carmela , Di Cicco Chiara , De Capua Alberta , Piscopo Giovanna , Paciello Rolando , Narciso Viviana , Formisano Carmen , Taglialatela-Scafati Orazio , Iaffaioli Rosario Vincenzo , Botti Gerardo , Netti Paolo Antonio , Maurea Nicola
Published: September 2018

Doxorubicin is a highly active antineoplastic agent, but its clinical use is limited because of its cardiotoxicity. Although nutraceuticals endowed with anti-inflammatory properties exert cardioprotective activity, their bioavailability and stability are inconsistent. In an attempt to address this issue, we evaluated whether bioavailable nanoemulsions loaded with nutraceuticals (curcumin and fresh and dry tomato extracts rich in lycopene) protect cardiomyoblasts (H9C2 cells) from doxorubicin-induced toxicity. Nanoemulsions were produced with a high-pressure homogenizer. H9C2 cells were incubated with nanoemulsions loaded with different nutraceuticals alone or in combination with doxorubicin. Cell viability was evaluated with a modified MTT method. The levels of the lipid peroxidation products malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxy-2-butanone (4-HNA), and of the cardiotoxic-related interleukins IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β and IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and nitric oxide were analyzed in cardiomyoblasts. The hydrodynamic size of nanoemulsions was around 100 nm. Cell viability enhancement was 35–40% higher in cardiomyoblasts treated with nanoemulsion + doxorubicin than in cardiomyoblasts treated with doxorubicin alone. Nanoemulsions also protected against oxidative stress as witnessed by a reduction of MDA and 4-HNA. Notably, nanoemulsions inhibited the release of IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, TNF-α and nitric oxide by around 35–40% and increased IL-10 production by 25–27% versus cells not treated with emulsions. Of the nutraceuticals evaluated, lycopene-rich nanoemulsions had the best cardioprotective profile. In conclusion, nanoemulsions loaded with the nutraceuticals described herein protect against cardiotoxicity, by reducing inflammation and lipid oxidative stress. These results set the stage for studies in preclinical models.
Bergamot Polyphenol Fraction Exerts Effects on Bone Biology by Activating ERK 1/2 and Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway and Regulating Bone Biomarkers in Bone Cell Cultures
Authors: Pujia Arturo , Russo Cristina , Maurotti Samantha , Pujia Roberta , Mollace Vincenzo , Romeo Stefano , Montalcini Tiziana
Published: September 2018

Epidemiological studies show that fruit consumption may modulate bone mineral density. However, data regarding the effect of the Citrus bergamia Risso (Bergamot orange), a citrus fruit containing a high concentration of flavonoids, on bone health are still lacking. In this study, we investigated the effects of Bergamot polyphenols on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in two distinct bone cell types (Saos-2 and MG63). Findings showed that exposure to 0.01 and 0.1 mg/mL doses upregulate β-catenin expression (p = 0.001), osteoblast differentiation markers (e.g., RUNX2 and COL1A), and downregulate RANKL (p = 0.028), as compared to the control. Our results highlight, for the first time, that Bergamot polyphenols act on bone cells through the β-catenin pathway. In vivo studies are necessary to fully understand Bergamot’s role against bone resorption.
Diet: Cause or Consequence of the Microbial Profile of Cholelithiasis Disease?
Authors: Gutiérrez-Díaz Isabel , Molinero Natalia , Cabrera Ana , Rodríguez José Ignacio , Margolles Abelardo , Delgado Susana , González Sonia
Published: September 2018

Recent dietary habits and lifestyle could explain the shaping of the gut microbiota composition and, in consequence, the increasing prevalence of certain pathologies. However, little attention has been paid to the influence of diet on microbiotas, other than the gut microbiota. This is important in cholelithiasis, given that changes in the production of bile acids may affect gallbladder microbial communities. Our aim was to assess the association between regular dietary intake and gallbladder microbial composition. Fourteen adults with cholelithiasis and 14 controls, sex‒age-matched and without gastrointestinal pathology, were included. Diet was assessed through a food frequency questionnaire and quantification of gallbladder microbiota sequences by Illumina 16S rRNA gene-based analysis. The cholelithiasic patients showed greater intake of potatoes and lower consumption of vegetables, non-alcoholic drinks, and sauces, which resulted in a lower intake of energy, lipids, digestible polysaccharides, folate, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, and some phenolic compounds. Regarding the altered bile microorganisms in cholelithiasic patients, dairy product intake was negatively associated with the proportions of Bacteroidaceae and Bacteroides, and several types of fiber, phenolics, and fatty acids were linked to the abundance of Bacteroidaceae, Chitinophagaceae, Propionibacteraceae, Bacteroides, and Escherichia‒Shigella. These results support a link between diet, biliary microbiota, and cholelithiasis.
Conductive Cotton by In Situ Laccase-Polymerization of Aniline
Authors: Su Jing , Shim Euijin , Noro Jennifer , Fu Jiajia , Wang Qiang , Kim Hye Rim , Silva Carla , Cavaco-Paulo Artur
Published: September 2018

Conductive cotton fabrics were obtained via in situ aniline polymerization by laccase from Myceliophthora thermophila under mild reaction conditions without the addition of strong proton acids. The reactions were conducted using two types of reactors, namely a water bath (WB) and an ultrasonic bath (US), and the role of a mediator, 1-hydroxybenzotriazol (HBT), on the laccase-assisted polymerization of aniline was investigated. A similar polymerization degree was obtained when using both reactors—however, the ultrasonic bath allowed the experiments to be conducted in shorter periods of time (24 h for WB vs. 2 h for US). The data obtained also revealed that the mediator (1-hydroxybenzotriazol-HBT) played a crucial role in aniline oxidation. A higher conversion yield and polymerization degree were obtained when the reaction was conducted in the presence of this compound, as confirmed by MALDI-TOF analysis. The cotton fabrics coated with polyaniline presented deep coloration and conductivity, especially when the mediator was included on the reactional system. The results obtained are a step forward in the enzymatic polymerization of aniline with the purpose of obtaining coloured conductive textile surfaces, with potential applications in wearable electronics.
High-Strength Nanocomposite Hydrogels with Swelling-Resistant and Anti-Dehydration Properties
Authors: Xu Bo , Liu Yuwei , Wang Lanlan , Ge Xiaodong , Fu Min , Wang Ping , Wang Qiang
Published: September 2018

Hydrogels with excellent mechanical properties have potential for use in various fields. However, the swelling of hydrogels under water and the dehydration of hydrogels in air severely limits the practical applications of high-strength hydrogels due to the influence of air and water on the mechanical performance of hydrogels. In this study, we report on a kind of tough and strong nanocomposite hydrogels (NC-G gels) with both swelling-resistant and anti-dehydration properties via in situ free radical copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (VP) in the water-glycerol bi-solvent solutions containing small amounts of alumina nanoparticles (Al2O3 NPs) as the inorganic cross-linking agents. The topotactic chelation reactions between Al2O3 NPs and polymer matrix are thought to contribute to the cross-linking structure, outstanding mechanical performance, and swelling-resistant property of NC-G gels, whereas the strong hydrogen bonds between water and glycerol endow them with anti-dehydration capacity. As a result, the NC-G gels could maintain mechanical properties comparable to other as-prepared high-strength hydrogels when utilized both under water and in air environments. Thus, this novel type of hydrogel would considerably enlarge the application range of hydrogel materials.
Spirituality and Self-Efficacy in Caregivers of Patients with Neurodegenerative Disorders: An Overview of Spiritual Coping Styles
Authors: González-Rivera Juan Aníbal , Rosario-Rodríguez Adam
Published: September 2018

The objective of this research was to assess the effect of spirituality and self-efficacy in the mental health of caregivers of patients with neurodegenerative disorders. Four styles of spiritual coping were examined to identify which of them can function as protective or risk factors for caregivers of patients with neurodegenerative disorders. Interviews were conducted face-to-face to 116 caregivers of patients diagnosed with some type of neurodegenerative disorder. The results showed that caregivers with a selfless spiritual coping style exhibit significantly higher depression, stress, and perceived overload than those with a collaborative style. No statistically significant differences were found between the means of the other styles of spiritual coping. Simultaneously, it was found that the selfless spiritual coping style is a risk factor for overload, depression, and stress. The study is a first step in understanding how spirituality interacts with self-efficacy to protect the mental health of caregivers of dementia patients in Puerto Rico. Our results theoretically and empirically support the functional compatibility of both psychological resources.
The Gendered Space of the “Oriental Vatican”—Zi-ka-wei, the French Jesuits and the Evolution of Papal Diplomacy
Authors: Mo Wei
Published: September 2018

In a global context, the story of the Jesuit compound in Shanghai, since its establishment by French Jesuits in 1847, reflected not only conflicts between rival powers in Europe but also the fight for their interests in the Eastern world. The female Catholic orders at the east bank of Zi-ka-wei compound provided a unique window approaching the complexity. The Pope, who was stuck without legal status in the Vatican after 1861, was also seeking the chance to save the authority of the Church in the face of questions regarding the extent of his temporal power and the status of Rome in the context of Italian unification. As in the Reformation, a break-through in the east seemed to offer a solution for losses in Europe. However, the Jesuits to the East in the late 19th century were not only troops working and fighting on behalf of the Pope; their identities under the French Protectorate added complexity to an already complicated story involving not just the Church, but the course of world history. Locating the Jesuit-affiliated women and children hospice in the French Concession but outside the Zi-ka-wei compound was a result of how different conflicts played themselves out.
Mapping Mangrove Extent and Change: A Globally Applicable Approach
Authors: Thomas Nathan , Bunting Peter , Lucas Richard , Hardy Andy , Rosenqvist Ake , Fatoyinbo Temilola
Published: September 2018

This study demonstrates a globally applicable method for monitoring mangrove forest extent at high spatial resolution. A 2010 mangrove baseline was classified for 16 study areas using a combination of ALOS PALSAR and Landsat composite imagery within a random forests classifier. A novel map-to-image change method was used to detect annual and decadal changes in extent using ALOS PALSAR/JERS-1 imagery. The map-to-image method presented makes fewer assumptions of the data than existing methods, is less sensitive to variation between scenes due to environmental factors (e.g., tide or soil moisture) and is able to automatically identify a change threshold. Change maps were derived from the 2010 baseline to 1996 using JERS-1 SAR and to 2007, 2008 and 2009 using ALOS PALSAR. This study demonstrated results for 16 known hotspots of mangrove change distributed globally, with a total mangrove area of 2,529,760 ha. The method was demonstrated to have accuracies consistently in excess of 90% (overall accuracy: 92.2–93.3%, kappa: 0.86) for mapping baseline extent. The accuracies of the change maps were more variable and were dependent upon the time period between images and number of change features. Total change from 1996 to 2010 was 204,850 ha (127,990 ha gain, 76,860 ha loss), with the highest gains observed in French Guiana (15,570 ha) and the highest losses observed in East Kalimantan, Indonesia (23,003 ha). Changes in mangrove extent were the consequence of both natural and anthropogenic drivers, yielding net increases or decreases in extent dependent upon the study site. These updated maps are of importance to the mangrove research community, particularly as the continual updating of the baseline with currently available and anticipated spaceborne sensors. It is recommended that mangrove baselines are updated on at least a 5-year interval to suit the requirements of policy makers.
Harnessing the Temporal Dimension to Improve Object-Based Image Analysis Classification of Wetlands
Authors: Halabisky Meghan , Babcock Chad , Moskal L. Monika
Published: September 2018

Research related to object-based image analysis has typically relied on data inputs that provide information on the spectral and spatial characteristics of objects, but the temporal domain is far less explored. For some objects, which are spectrally similar to other landscape features, their temporal pattern may be their sole defining characteristic. When multiple images are used in object-based image analysis, it is often constrained to a specific number of images which are selected because they cover the perceived range of temporal variability of the features of interest. Here, we provide a method to identify wetlands using a time series of Landsat imagery by building a Random Forest model using each image observation as an explanatory variable. We tested our approach in Douglas County, Washington, USA. Our approach exploiting the temporal domain classified wetlands with a high level of accuracy and reduced the number of spectrally similar false positives. We explored how sampling design (i.e., random, stratified, purposive) and temporal resolution (i.e., number of image observations) affected classification accuracy. We found that sampling design introduced bias in different ways, but did not have a substantial impact on overall accuracy. We also found that a higher number of image observations up to a point improved classification accuracy dependent on the selection of images used in the model. While time series analysis has been part of pixel-based remote sensing for many decades, with improved computer processing and increased availability of time series datasets (e.g., Landsat archive), it is now much easier to incorporate time series into object-based image analysis classification.
Evaluating the Performance of Sentinel-2, Landsat 8 and Pléiades-1 in Mapping Mangrove Extent and Species
Authors: Wang Dezhi , Wan Bo , Qiu Penghua , Su Yanjun , Guo Qinghua , Wang Run , Sun Fei , Wu Xincai
Published: September 2018

Mapping mangrove extent and species is important for understanding their response to environmental changes and for observing their integrity for providing goods and services. However, accurately mapping mangrove extent and species are ongoing challenges in remote sensing. The newly-launched and freely-available Sentinel-2 (S2) sensor offers a new opportunity for these challenges. This study presents the first study dedicated to the examination of the potential of original bands, spectral indices, and texture information of S2 in mapping mangrove extent and species in the first National Nature Reserve for mangroves in Dongzhaigang, China. To map mangrove extent and species, a three-level hierarchical structure based on the spatial structure of a mangrove ecosystem and geographic object-based image analysis is utilized and modified. During the experiments, to conquer the challenge of optimizing high-dimension and correlated feature space, the recursive feature elimination (RFE) algorithm is introduced. Finally, the selected features from RFE are employed in mangrove species discriminations, based on a random forest algorithm. The results are compared with those of Landsat 8 (L8) and Pléiades-1 (P1) data and show that S2 and L8 could accurately extract mangrove extent, but P1 obviously overestimated it. Regarding mangrove species community levels, the overall classification accuracy of S2 is 70.95%, which is lower than P1 imagery (78.57%) and slightly higher than L8 data (68.57%). Meanwhile, the former difference is statistically significant, and the latter is not. The dominant species is extracted basically in S2 and P1 imagery, but for the occasionally distributed K. candel and the pioneer and fringe mangrove A. marina, S2 performs poorly. Concerning L8, S2, and P1, there are eight (8/126), nine (9/218), and eight (8/73) features, respectively, that are the most important for mangrove species discriminations. The most important feature overall is the red-edge bands, followed by shortwave infrared, near infrared, blue, and other visible bands in turn. This study demonstrates that the S2 sensor can accurately map mangrove extent and basically discriminate mangrove species communities, but for the latter, one should be cautious due to the complexity of mangrove species.
Observing Water Vapour in the Planetary Boundary Layer from the Short-Wave Infrared
Authors: Trent Tim , Boesch Hartmut , Somkuti Peter , Scott Noëlle A.
Published: September 2018

Water vapour is a key greenhouse gas in the Earth climate system. In this golden age of satellite remote sensing, global observations of water vapour fields are made from numerous instruments measuring in the ultraviolet/visible, through the infrared bands, to the microwave regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. While these observations provide a wealth of information on columnar, free-tropospheric and upper troposphere/lower stratosphere water vapour amounts, there is still an observational gap regarding resolved bulk planetary boundary layer (PBL) concentrations. In this study we demonstrate the ability of the Greenhouse Gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) to bridge this gap from highly resolved measurements in the shortwave infrared (SWIR). These new measurements of near surface columnar water vapour are free of topographic artefacts and are interpreted as a proxy for bulk PBL water vapour. Validation (over land surfaces only) of this new data set against global radiosondes show low biases that vary seasonally between −2% to 5%. Analysis on broad latitudinal bands show biases between −3% and 2% moving from high latitudes to the equatorial regions. Finally, with the extension of the GOSAT program out to at least 2027, we discuss the potential for a new GOSAT PBL water vapour Climate Data Record (CDR).
Land Surface Temperature and Urban Density: Multiyear Modeling and Relationship Analysis Using MODIS and Landsat Data
Authors: Bonafoni Stefania , Keeratikasikorn Chaiyapon
Published: September 2018

This work aims to model and relate the urban density and land surface temperature (LST) by a straightforward and efficient approach. Although the urban density-LST relation is widely addressed in literature, this study allows for its modeling and parameterization in an accurate way, providing a further scientific support for the city planning policy. The urban density and the LST analysis is carried out in the Bangkok area for the years 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016; in this time interval, the city exhibited an evident urban expansion. Firstly, by using land cover maps obtained from Landsat reflective observations, the urban land density growth across the years studied is evaluated by applying a ring-based approach, a method employed in urban theory, providing urban density curves as a function of the distance from the city center. For each year, the urban density curve is well modeled by an inverse S-shape function, the parameters of which highlight an urban sprawl over the years studied and an outskirt growth in recent years. Then, employing 237 MODIS LST images, the night-time and daytime mean LST patterns for each year were processed applying the same ring-based analysis, obtaining LST trends versus distance. Albeit the mean LST decreases away from the city core, the daytime and night-time trends are different in both shape and values. The daytime LST exhibits a trend also modeled by an inverse S-shape function, whereas the night-time one is modeled by a quadratic function. Finally, the urban density-LST relationship is inferred across the years: For daytime, the relation is quadratic with a coefficient of determination r2 around 0.98–0.99, whereas for night-time the relation is linear with r2 of the order of 0.95–0.96. The proposed approach allows for reliable modeling and to straightforwardly infer a very accurate urban density-LST relationship.
Using APAR to Predict Aboveground Plant Productivity in Semi-Arid Rangelands: Spatial and Temporal Relationships Differ
Authors: Gaffney Rowan , Porensky Lauren , Gao Feng , Irisarri J. , Durante Martín , Derner Justin , Augustine David
Published: September 2018

Monitoring of aboveground net primary production (ANPP) is critical for effective management of rangeland ecosystems but is problematic due to the vast extent of rangelands globally, and the high costs of ground-based measurements. Remote sensing of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (APAR) can be used to predict ANPP, potentially offering an alternative means of quantifying ANPP at both high temporal and spatial resolution across broad spatial extents. The relationship between ANPP and APAR has often been quantified based on either spatial variation across a broad region or temporal variation at a location over time, but rarely both. Here we assess: (i) if the relationship between ANPP and APAR is consistent when evaluated across time and space; (ii) potential factors driving differences between temporal versus spatial models, and (iii) the magnitude of potential errors relating to space for time transformations in quantifying productivity. Using two complimentary ANPP datasets and remotely sensed data derived from MODIS and a Landsat/MODIS fusion data product, we find that slopes of spatial models are generally greater than slopes of temporal models. The abundance of plant species with different structural attributes, specifically the abundance of C4 shortgrasses with prostrate canopies versus taller, more productive C3 species with more vertically complex canopies, tended to vary more dramatically in space than over time. This difference in spatial versus temporal variation in these key plant functional groups appears to be the primary driver of differences in slopes among regression models. While the individual models revealed strong relationships between ANPP to APAR, the use of temporal models to predict variation in space (or vice versa) can increase error in remotely sensed predictions of ANPP.
A Review of Planar PIV Systems and Image Processing Tools for Lab-On-Chip Microfluidics
Authors: Ergin Fahrettin Gökhan , Watz Bo Beltoft , Gade-Nielsen Nicolai Fog
Published: September 2018

Image-based sensor systems are quite popular in micro-scale flow investigations due to their flexibility and scalability. The aim of this manuscript is to provide an overview of current technical possibilities for Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) systems and related image processing tools used in microfluidics applications. In general, the PIV systems and related image processing tools can be used in a myriad of applications, including (but not limited to): Mixing of chemicals, droplet formation, drug delivery, cell counting, cell sorting, cell locomotion, object detection, and object tracking. The intention is to provide some application examples to demonstrate the use of image processing solutions to overcome certain challenges encountered in microfluidics. These solutions are often in the form of image pre- and post-processing techniques, and how to use these will be described briefly in order to extract the relevant information from the raw images. In particular, three main application areas are covered: Micro mixing, droplet formation, and flow around microscopic objects. For each application, a flow field investigation is performed using Micro-Particle Image Velocimetry (µPIV). Both two-component (2C) and three-component (3C) µPIV systems are used to generate the reported results, and a brief description of these systems are included. The results include detailed velocity, concentration and interface measurements for micromixers, phase-separated velocity measurements for the micro-droplet generator, and time-resolved (TR) position, velocity and flow fields around swimming objects. Recommendations on, which technique is more suitable in a given situation are also provided.
Fabrication and Characterization of a High-Performance Multi-Annular Backscattered Electron Detector for Desktop SEM
Authors: Lin Wei-Ruei , Chuang Yun-Ju , Lee Chih-Hao , Tseng Fan-Gang , Chen Fu-Rong
Published: September 2018

Scanning electron microscopy has been developed for topographic analysis at the nanometer scale. Herein, we present a silicon p-n diode with multi-annular configuration to detect backscattering electrons (BSE) in a homemade desktop scanning electron microscope (SEM). The multi-annular configuration enables the enhancement of the topography contrast of 82.11 nA/μm as compared with the commercial multi-fan-shaped BSE detector of 40.08 nA/μm. Additionally, we integrated it with lateral p-n junction processing and aluminum grid structure to increase the sensitivity and efficiency of the multi-annular BSE detector that gives higher sensitivity of atomic number contrast and better surface topography contrast of BSE images for low-energy detection. The responsivity data also shows that MA-AL and MA p-n detectors have higher gain value than the MA detector does. The standard deviation of measurements is no higher than 1%. These results verify that MA p-n and MA-AL detectors are stable and can function well in SEM for low-energy applications. It is demonstrated that the multi-annular (MA) detectors are well suited for imaging in SEM systems.
Optimization-Based Wi-Fi Radio Map Construction for Indoor Positioning Using Only Smart Phones
Authors: Tan Jian , Fan Xiangtao , Wang Shenghua , Ren Yingchao
Published: September 2018

Fingerprinting-based Wi-Fi indoor positioning has great potential for positioning in GPS-denied areas. However, establishing a fingerprinting map (also called a radio map) prior to positioning (site survey) is normally a labor-intensive task. This paper proposes a method for easy site survey without need for any extra hardware. The user can conduct the site survey adopting only a smart phone. The collected inertial-based readings are processed using the pedestrian dead-reckoning algorithms to generate a raw trajectory. Then a factor graph optimization method is proposed to re-estimate the trajectory by adding constraints originated from collected Wi-Fi fingerprints and landmark positions. The proposed method is verified through an experiment in a mall. The mean positioning error is 1.10 m and the maximum error is 2.25 m. This level of positioning accuracy is considered sufficient for radio map generation purposes. A classical baseline algorithm, the k-Nearest Neighbor (kNN) algorithm, is adopted to test the positioning performance of the radio map (RM), which also validates the quality of the constructed RM from the proposed method.
Transmission Optimization Metrics Setup Issues in the Field of Time Constrained Communications
Authors: Vondrouš Ondřej , Kocur Zbyněk , Hrad Jaromír
Published: September 2018

This article introduces a new approach in the field of network optimization based on Transmission Optimization Metric (TOM), which is aimed at improving traffic flow continuity and increasing the chances for traffic flow sustainability in a way that helps to minimize inter-packet gaps. The work is mainly focused on harsh transmission conditions in narrow-band networks. Finally, the presented approach has impact on better resource allocation as fewer attempts are necessary for successful completion of a transmission. A significant part of the article deals with parameterization of coefficients used by the TOM optimization method. Examples of analysis for several topologies of narrow-band wireless networks based on CSMA/CA and TDMA protocols are used to demonstrate various issues related to proper setting of parameters. The introduced TOM metric has the potential to become a standard for optimization, for example, in sensor networks that are characterized by the specific nature of data traffic.
DAQUA-MASS: An ISO 8000-61 Based Data Quality Management Methodology for Sensor Data
Authors: Perez-Castillo Ricardo , Carretero Ana G. , Caballero Ismael , Rodriguez Moises , Piattini Mario , Mate Alejandro , Kim Sunho , Lee Dongwoo
Published: September 2018

The Internet-of-Things (IoT) introduces several technical and managerial challenges when it comes to the use of data generated and exchanged by and between various Smart, Connected Products (SCPs) that are part of an IoT system (i.e., physical, intelligent devices with sensors and actuators). Added to the volume and the heterogeneous exchange and consumption of data, it is paramount to assure that data quality levels are maintained in every step of the data chain/lifecycle. Otherwise, the system may fail to meet its expected function. While Data Quality (DQ) is a mature field, existing solutions are highly heterogeneous. Therefore, we propose that companies, developers and vendors should align their data quality management mechanisms and artefacts with well-known best practices and standards, as for example, those provided by ISO 8000-61. This standard enables a process-approach to data quality management, overcoming the difficulties of isolated data quality activities. This paper introduces DAQUA-MASS, a methodology based on ISO 8000-61 for data quality management in sensor networks. The methodology consists of four steps according to the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle by Deming.
Cross-Voting SVM Method for Multiple Vehicle Classification in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhang Heng , Pan Zhongming
Published: September 2018

A novel multi-class classification method named the voting-cross support vector machine (SVM) method was proposed in this study, for classifying vehicle targets in wireless sensor networks. The advantages and disadvantages of available methods were summarized, after a comparative analysis of commonly used multi-objective classification algorithms. To improve the classification accuracy of multi-class classification and ensure the low complexity of the algorithm for engineering implementation on wireless sensor network (WSN) nodes, a framework was proposed for cross-matching and voting on the category to which the vehicle belongs after combining the advantages of the directed acyclic graph SVM (DAGSVM) method and binary-tree SVM method. The SVM classifier was selected as the basis two-class classifier in the framework, after comparing the classification performance of several commonly used methods. We utilized datasets acquired from a real-world experiment to validate the proposed method. The calculated results demonstrated that the cross-voting SVM method could effectively increase the classification accuracy for the classification of multiple vehicle targets, with a limited increase in the algorithm complexity. The application of the cross-voting SVM method effectively improved the target classification accuracy (by approximately 7%), compared with the DAGSVM method and the binary-tree SVM method, whereas time consumption decreased by approximately 70% compared to the DAGSVM method.