bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Encapsulation of Organic and Perovskite Solar Cells: A Review
Authors: Uddin Ashraf , Upama Mushfika Baishakhi , Yi Haimang , Duan Leiping
Published: January 2019

Photovoltaic is one of the promising renewable sources of power to meet the future challenge of energy need. Organic and perovskite thin film solar cells are an emerging cost-effective photovoltaic technology because of low-cost manufacturing processing and their light weight. The main barrier of commercial use of organic and perovskite solar cells is the poor stability of devices. Encapsulation of these photovoltaic devices is one of the best ways to address this stability issue and enhance the device lifetime by employing materials and structures that possess high barrier performance for oxygen and moisture. The aim of this review paper is to find different encapsulation materials and techniques for perovskite and organic solar cells according to the present understanding of reliability issues. It discusses the available encapsulate materials and their utility in limiting chemicals, such as water vapour and oxygen penetration. It also covers the mechanisms of mechanical degradation within the individual layers and solar cell as a whole, and possible obstacles to their application in both organic and perovskite solar cells. The contemporary understanding of these degradation mechanisms, their interplay, and their initiating factors (both internal and external) are also discussed.
Effects of Surface Microstructures on Superhydrophobic Properties and Oil-Water Separation Efficiency
Authors: Chen Yangyang , Yang Shengke , Zhang Qian , Zhang Dan , Yang Chunyan , Wang Zongzhou , Wang Runze , Song Rong , Wang Wenke , Zhao Yaqian
Published: January 2019

In order to explore the effects of microstructures of membranes on superhydrophobic properties, it is critical, though, challenging, to study microstructures with different morphologies. In this work, a combination of chemical etching and oxidation was used and some copper meshes were selected for grinding. Two superhydrophobic morphologies could be successfully prepared for oil-water separation: a parabolic morphology and a truncated cone morphology. The surface morphology, chemical composition, and wettability were characterized. The results indicated that the water contact angle and the advancing and receding contact angles of the parabolic morphology were 153.6°, 154.6° ± 1.1°, and 151.5° ± 1.8°, respectively. The water contact angle and the advancing and receding contact angles of the truncated cone morphology were 121.8°, 122.7° ± 1.6°, and 119.6° ± 2.7°, respectively. The separation efficiency of the parabolic morphology for different oil-water mixtures was 97.5%, 97.2%, and 91%. The separation efficiency of the truncated cone morphology was 93.2%, 92%, and 89%. In addition, the values of the deepest heights of pressure resistance of the parabolic and truncated cone morphologies were 21.4 cm of water and 19.6 cm of water, respectively. This shows that the parabolic morphology had good separation efficiency, pressure resistance, and superhydrophobic ability compared with the truncated cone morphology. It illustrates that microstructure is one of the main factors affecting superhydrophobic properties.
Wettability of DPPC Monolayers Deposited from the Titanium Dioxide–Chitosan–Hyaluronic Acid Subphases on Glass
Authors: Ładniak Agata , Jurak Małgorzata , Wiącek Agnieszka Ewa
Published: January 2019

The investigations were carried out to determine wettability of the 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) monolayers transferred from the liquid subphases containing chitosan (Ch), hyaluronic acid (HA), and/or titanium dioxide (TiO2) to a glass support by means of the Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) technique. For comparative purposes, the analysis of the plates surfaces emerged from the analogous subphases without the phospholipid film was also made. Characterization of the DPPC monolayers was based on the contact angle measurements using three test liquids (water, formamide, diiodomethane) and a simulated body fluid (SBF) solution in which the concentration of ions was close to that of human plasma. After deposition of the DPPC monolayers on the glass plates, a significant increase in the contact angles of all the probe liquids was observed compared to the plates pulled out from the given subphase without floating DPPC. The presence of phospholipid monolayer increased the hydrophobic character of the surface due to orientation of its molecules with hydrocarbon chains towards the air. In addition, the components of the subphase attached along with DPPC to the glass support modify the surface polarity. The largest changes were observed in the presence of TiO2.
Graphite Optics—Current Opportunities, Properties and Limits
Authors: Grigorieva Inna , Antonov Alexander , Gudi Gennadi
Published: January 2019

X-ray graphite optics consists of thin layers of Pyrolytic Graphite (PG) attached to a substrate of focusing shape. Pyrolytic Graphite is a perfect artificial graphite obtained by annealing of carbon deposit at temperatures about 3000 °C under deformation. By varying the annealing conditions, one could get PG of different mosaic structure and mechanical properties. A wide variability of the reflecting layer characteristics and optics shape makes the graphite optics useful in an extended range of applications. The optics could be adjusted to applications that require moderate resolution as EDXRF (energy dispersive X-Ray fluorescence) and as well as for high-resolution applications as EXAFS (extended X-ray absorption fine structure), XANES (X-ray absorption near-edge structure) and XES (X-ray emission spectroscopy). To realize the optics with theoretically optimized parameters the relationship between the production procedure and the mosaicity and reflectivity of the optics was experimentally studied. The influence of thickness, the type of PG (Highly Oriented PG (HOPG) or Highly Annealed PG (HAPG)) and substrate characteristics on the optics performance is presented.
The Effects of Exercise on IL-6 Levels and Cognitive Performance in Patients with Schizophrenia
Authors: Gómez-Rubio Pablo , Trapero Isabel
Published: January 2019

Exercise plays an important role in brain plasticity, leading to improvements in cognitive function and delaying the cognitive deterioration of healthy people. These effects can be observed in individuals with schizophrenia through improvements in their performance in cognitive tasks and a decrease in the symptomology of the disease. In this review we examine the current evidence for the roles that exercise and the immune system play in patients with schizophrenia, and specifically analyze the interleukin-6 (IL-6) pathway as a potential mechanism resulting in these positive effects. Inflammation and high levels of IL-6 are associated with both the severity of schizophrenia and the cognitive impairment suffered throughout the disease. Performing regular exercise can modulate IL-6 by lowering its basal levels and by causing lower acute increases in the plasma levels of this cytokine in response to exercise (an anti-inflammatory response to physical exertion). Although there is evidence for the positive effects of physical exercise on schizophrenia, more studies will be required to better understand how variation in different exercise parameters affects both the acute and chronic plasma levels of IL-6.
The Correlation Production in Thermodynamics
Authors: Li Sheng-Wen
Published: January 2019

Macroscopic many-body systems always exhibit irreversible behaviors. However, in principle, the underlying microscopic dynamics of the many-body system, either the (quantum) von Neumann or (classical) Liouville equation, guarantees that the entropy of an isolated system does not change with time, which is quite confusing compared with the macroscopic irreversibility. We notice that indeed the macroscopic entropy increase in standard thermodynamics is associated with the correlation production inside the full ensemble state of the whole system. In open systems, the irreversible entropy production of the open system can be proved to be equivalent with the correlation production between the open system and its environment. During the free diffusion of an isolated ideal gas, the correlation between the spatial and momentum distributions is increasing monotonically, and it could well reproduce the entropy increase result in standard thermodynamics. In the presence of particle collisions, the single-particle distribution always approaches the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution as its steady state, and its entropy increase indeed indicates the correlation production between the particles. In all these examples, the total entropy of the whole isolated system keeps constant, while the correlation production reproduces the irreversible entropy increase in the standard macroscopic thermodynamics. In this sense, the macroscopic irreversibility and the microscopic reversibility no longer contradict with each other.
Co-Design of a 3D Virtual Campus for Synchronous Distance Teaching Based on Student Satisfaction: Experience at the University of Almería (Spain)
Authors: González-Yebra Óscar , Aguilar Manuel , Aguilar Fernando , Lucas Manuel
Published: January 2019

This study presents the main advances made in recent years by an innovative teaching group at the University of Almeria, who are attempting to incorporate alternative spaces for teaching–learning interaction. This group is developing a new line of study to obtain the main vectors for creating an accessible 3D virtual campus on the Second Life platform, recognized as a multi-user virtual environment (MUVE). The goal of this work was to measure the satisfaction and perception of a group of university students. To do this, a co-design approach based on student opinions by relating methodological procedures with an adaptation of the Kano model usually used for product design has been followed. The results found by a panel of postgraduate students in the second stage of the educational project, suggest that the synchronous distance teaching proposal developed can effectively facilitate conciliation of family, work and personal life with online teaching–learning. In the case of undergraduate students with class attendance, the use of the 3D virtual campus is perceived as something more complementary.
Emancipatory Education and Youth Engagement in Brazil: A Case Study Bridging the Theory and Practice of Education for Social Transformation
Authors: Melo Veriene
Published: January 2019

Actualizing education beyond the scope of traditional schooling and incorporating elements of critical pedagogy and social transformation are essential for efforts aiming to reduce inequalities and enhance the livelihoods of excluded populations. This article examines emancipatory education through a Freirean lens by considering its dimensions of critical pedagogy, both in practice and in theory. Drawing from a case study of an NGO-led initiative enabling hundreds of young people from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro to formulate and implement their own ideas for social action, the article examines the links between the program’s objectives and practices and the aspects of the negotiated curriculum, problem-posing education, dialogical learning, and praxis that form the theoretical underpinnings of emancipatory education. The case study findings, which highlight the stages of the educational program, reveal how young people are empowered to challenge prevailing environments of exclusion and advance practices of positive community social regeneration. The study, thus, provides evidence of a form of education for social transformation (EST) which can contribute meaningfully to a peaceful struggle for social change while simultaneously redefining and humanizing education as a practice of emancipation.
Analysis of Equivalent Inductance of Three-Phase Induction Motors in the Switching Frequency Range
Authors: Srndovic Milan , Fišer Rastko , Grandi Gabriele
Published: January 2019

The equivalent inductance of three-phase induction motors is experimentally investigated in this paper, with particular reference to the frequency range from 1 kHz to 20 kHz, typical for the switching frequency in inverter-fed electrical drives. The equivalent inductance is a basic parameter when determining the inverter-motor current distortion introduced by switching modulation, such as rms of current ripple, peak-to-peak current ripple amplitude, total harmonic distortion (THD), and synthesis of the optimal PWM strategy to minimize the THD itself. In case of squirrel-cage rotors, the experimental evidence shows that the equivalent inductance cannot be considered constant in the frequency range up to 20 kHz, and it considerably differs from the value measured at 50 Hz. This frequency-dependent behaviour can be justified mainly by the skin effect in rotor bars affecting the rotor leakage inductance in the considered frequency range. Experimental results are presented for a set of squirrel-cage induction motors with different rated power and one wound-rotor motor in order to emphasize the aforesaid phenomenon. The measurements were carried out by a three-phase sinusoidal generator with the maximum operating frequency of 5 kHz and a voltage source inverter operating in the six-step mode with the frequency up to 20 kHz.
Development of a Miniaturized Frequency Standard Comparator Based on FPGA
Authors: Tang Sheng , Ke Jing , Wang Tianxiang , Deng Zhouhu
Published: January 2019

Frequency standard comparison measurement has important practical significance for the rational use of frequency standard in engineering. This paper was devoted to the study of frequency standard comparison measurement based on classical dual mixing time difference method. However, in the actual system design and implementation, the commonly used counter was discarded and the phase difference was measured by a digital signal processing method based on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). A miniaturized 10 MHz frequency standard comparator with good noise floor was successfully developed. The size of the prototype circuit board is only about 292.1 cm2. The experimental results showed that the noise floor of the frequency standard comparator was typically better than 7.50 × 10−12/s, and its relative error of phase difference measurement was less than 1.70 × 10−5.
Wood Density Variations of Legume Trees in French Guiana along the Shade Tolerance Continuum: Heartwood Effects on Radial Patterns and Gradients
Authors: Lehnebach Romain , Bossu Julie , Va Stéphanie , Morel Hélène , Amusant Nadine , Nicolini Eric , Beauchêne Jacques
Published: January 2019

Increasing or decreasing wood density (WD) from pith to bark is commonly observed in tropical tree species. The different types of WD radial variations, long been considered to depict the diversity of growth and mechanical strategies among forest guilds (heliophilic vs. shade-tolerant), were never analyzed in the light of heartwood (HW) formation. Yet, the additional mass of chemical extractives associated to HW formation increases WD and might affect both WD radial gradient (i.e., the slope of the relation between WD and radial distance) and pattern (i.e., linear or nonlinear variation). We studied 16 legumes species from French Guiana representing a wide diversity of growth strategies and positions on the shade-tolerance continuum. Using WD measurements and available HW extractives content values, we computed WD corrected by the extractive content and analyzed the effect of HW on WD radial gradients and patterns. We also related WD variations to demographic variables, such as sapling growth and mortality rates. Regardless of the position along the shade-tolerance continuum, correcting WD gradients reveals only increasing gradients. We determined three types of corrected WD patterns: (1) the upward curvilinear pattern is a specific feature of heliophilic species, whereas (2) the linear and (3) the downward curvilinear patterns are observed in both mid- and late-successional species. In addition, we found that saplings growth and mortality rates are better correlated with the corrected WD at stem center than with the uncorrected value: taking into account the effect of HW extractives on WD radial variations provides unbiased interpretation of biomass accumulation and tree mechanical strategies. Rather than a specific feature of heliophilic species, the increasing WD gradient is a shared strategy regardless of the shade tolerance habit. Finally, our study stresses to consider the occurrence of HW when using WD.
Measuring Livelihood Diversification and Forest Conservation Choices: Insights from Rural Cameroon
Authors: Kimengsi Jude , Pretzsch Jürgen , Kechia Mukong , Ongolo Symphorien
Published: January 2019

While forests’ contribution to rural livelihoods has been unearthed scientifically, the patterns, determinants and forest conservation policy implications of livelihood diversification still beg for more scientific and policy edification. This paper makes a contribution in this regard, using household data (N = 200) from eight villages around the Kilum-Ijim Forest Landscape of Cameroon. The ordinary least square and the logit model are used to explore the determinants of livelihood diversification and the likelihood of forest dependence, respectively. The diversification patterns were analysed using a simple t-test, and the multinomial logit for conservation choices. We find that forest-related activities are a source of livelihood diversification for 63% of households, with non-timber forest products (NTFP) domestication (31%) and medicinal plant extraction (30%) being the most preferred. For non-forest activities, migration is the most preferred diversification strategy. Generally, households with favourable socio-economic status prefer non-forest to forest activities for livelihood diversification. The regression estimates indicate that older respondents are more likely to depend on the forest than the young, whereas males and individuals with at least some secondary education are less likely than their respective counterparts to rely on the forest. The results also suggest those who participated in training, educated household heads and older individuals are significantly more likely to choose high-valued diversification strategies. Concerning conservation activities, households with favourable socio-economic status are on average less likely to adopt NTFP domestication and more likely to adopt bee-keeping as a conservation choice. The results suggest the need for policy considerations to: (i) effectively integrate women in forest management processes, (ii) intensify trainings for conservation-friendly diversification approaches, (iii) regulate unclean energy use and (iv) encourage value chain improvement for conservation-friendly products.
Effects of Understory Shrub Biomass on Variation of Soil Respiration in a Temperate-Subtropical Transitional Oak Forest
Authors: Liu Yanchun , Shang Qing , Wang Lei , Liu Shirong
Published: January 2019

Quantification of the temporal and spatial variations of soil respiration is an essential step in modeling soil carbon (C) emission associated with the spatial distribution of plants. To examine the temporal and spatial variations of soil respiration and its driving factors, we investigated soil respiration, microclimate, and understory vegetation in a 50 m × 70 m plot in a climatic transitional zone oak forest in Central China. The temporal variation of soil respiration based on the 21 measurements ranged from 15.01% to 30.21% across the 48 subplots. Structural equation modeling showed that soil temperature and understory shrub biomass had greater positive effects on the seasonal variability of soil respiration. The spatial variation of soil respiration of the 48 subplots varied from 3.61% to 6.99% during the 21 measurement campaigns. Understory shrub biomass and belowground fine root biomass positively regulated the spatial variation of soil respiration. Soil respiration displayed strong spatial autocorrelation, with an average spatial correlation length of 20.1 m. The findings highlight the importance of understory shrub and belowground biomass in regulating the temporal and spatial heterogeneity of soil respiration in forest ecosystems, and the need to carefully address it to robustly estimate the contribution of soil C emission in terrestrial C cycling.
Dynamics of Tropical Forest Twenty-Five Years after Experimental Logging in Central Amazon Mature Forest
Authors: Amaral Márcio R. M. , Lima Adriano J. N. , Higuchi Francisco G. , dos Santos Joaquim , Higuchi Niro
Published: January 2019

Long-term studies of the dynamics of managed forests in tropical regions are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the dynamics of a tropical forest, over a 25-year period, that was experimentally logged in 1987 and 1988 and submitted to three different cutting intensities. All trees with diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 10 cm have been measured annually since 1990. The three logging intensities that were applied were: light (T1)-trees harvested with DBH ≥ 55 cm; medium (T2)-DBH ≥ 50 cm; and heavy (T3)-DBH ≥ 40 cm. Control plots (T0) were also monitored. The highest mean annual mortality rates (1.82% ± 0.38), recruitment rates (2.93% ± 0.77) and diameter increments (0.30 ± 0.02 cm) occurred in the T3 treatment. Shifts in dynamics of the forest were mainly caused by a striking increase in a fast-growing pioneer species and their high mortality rates. The loss in stocking caused by mortality was greater than to that of replacement by recruitment. The results demonstrated that selective logging altered the natural dynamics of the forest through increased: mortality rates, recruitment and growth rates of the residual trees.
Comparing Non-Destructive Methods to Estimate Volume of Three Tree Taxa in Beijing, China
Authors: Liu Jincheng , Feng Zhongke , Mannan Abdul , Khan Tauheed Ullah , Cheng Zhuxin
Published: January 2019

Establishing the tree volume table is an important aspect of forest inventory for managing the forest ecosystem. The traditional volume models used to build tree volume tables are time consuming and expensive, demanding huge labor and material resources. Aiming at the improvement of the current destructive, costly and time-consuming volume model, we propose a new non-destructive, low-cost and efficient method for calculating the tree volume model with high precision by using the electronic theodolite. For testing and comparing the accuracy of our model with the traditional model, we collected data of three main tree taxa including Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco, Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr and Populus spp. L. from different districts and counties of Beijing, China. We collected a total of 1750 tree samples (250 Platycladus orientalis, 300 Larix principis-rupprechtii, and 1200 Populus spp.) to establish our models; 721 pieces of accurate data (94 Platycladus orientalis, 149 Larix principis-rupprechtii, and 478 Populus spp.) were used as test samples, to evaluate the accuracy of the newly established volume models of three tree species (group). After that, the established volume models (unary/binary models) were compared and analyzed with the corresponding ministerial models for applicability and accuracy. The results showed that the difference between the data observed by the new method and the measurement data of parsing trees was not significant. The total relative error (TRE) and the mean system error (MSE) of the newly established unary/binary volume models were all within ±3%, satisfying the accuracy standard specified by the technical indicators. Compared with the ministerial models applied to the same data, our models’ performance and accuracy were higher (close to the field measurements). Our results also showed that the accuracy of ministerial models was lower than the required standards. It is a promising methodology to use the electronic theodolite non-destructive observation method to establish tree volume tables in the future, especially in areas where cutting is prohibited or restricted and there is a lack of tree volume tables. In addition, this method has also shown a great potential of applicability in forest ecology and environmental protection.
Current Advances in Seed Orchard Layouts: Two Case Studies in Conifers
Authors: Chaloupková Kateřina , Stejskal Jan , El-Kassaby Yousry A. , Frampton John , Lstibůrek Milan
Published: January 2019

Currently, there has been an increasing demand on seed orchard designs with respect to mitigating inbreeding in advanced generations or facing severe mortality at sites. Optimum Neighborhood Algorithm design (ONA) excels in solving these issues, as shown in two case studies. The first demonstrates the application of the ONA for populating empty positions in an existing orchard. Following this concept, the ONA can be used for upgrading existing orchards, where only high-value parents are retained and new parents are introduced, thus avoiding the genetic penalty associated with the establishment of new-generation seed orchards. The second illustrates benefits of combining the ONA with the Minimum Inbreeding (MI) seed orchard design. Utilizing the MI, distances among clonal rows of selected clones were maximized on the orchard grid while the remaining single-tree positions were populated by ONA.
Study of Fractal Dimensions of Microcrystalline Cellulose Obtained by the Spray-Drying Method
Authors: Ioelovich Michael
Published: January 2019

In this research, the fractal structure of beads of different sizes obtained by the spray-drying of aqueous dispersions of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was studied. These beads were formed as a result of the aggregation of rod-shaped cellulose nanocrystalline particles (CNP). It was found that increasing the average radius (R) of the formed MCC beads resulted in increased specific pore volume (P) and reduced apparent density (ρ). The dependences of P and ρ on the scale factor (R/r) can be expressed by power-law equations: P = Po (R/r)E−Dp and ρ = d (R/r)Dd−E, where the fractal dimensions Dp = 2.887 and Dd = 2.986 are close to the Euclidean dimension E = 3 for three-dimensional space; r = 3 nm is the radius of the cellulose nanocrystalline particles, Po = 0.03 cm3/g is the specific pore volume, and d = 1.585 g/cm3 is the true density (specific gravity) of the CNP, respectively. With the increase in the size of the formed MCC beads, the order in the packing of the beads was distorted, conforming to theory of the diffusion-limited aggregation process.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Galaxies in 2018
Authors:   Galaxies Editorial Office
Published: January 2019

Rigorous peer-review is the cornerstone of high-quality academic publishing [...]
Macrophages from Susceptible and Resistant Chicken Lines have Different Transcriptomes following Marek’s Disease Virus Infection
Authors: Chakraborty Pankaj , Kuo Richard , Vervelde Lonneke , Dutia Bernadette , Kaiser Pete , Smith Jacqueline
Published: January 2019

Despite successful control by vaccination, Marek’s disease (MD) has continued evolving to greater virulence over recent years. To control MD, selection and breeding of MD-resistant chickens might be a suitable option. MHC-congenic inbred chicken lines, 61 and 72, are highly resistant and susceptible to MD, respectively, but the cellular and genetic basis for these phenotypes is unknown. Marek’s disease virus (MDV) infects macrophages, B-cells, and activated T-cells in vivo. This study investigates the cellular basis of resistance to MD in vitro with the hypothesis that resistance is determined by cells active during the innate immune response. Chicken bone marrow-derived macrophages from lines 61 and 72 were infected with MDV in vitro. Flow cytometry showed that a higher percentage of macrophages were infected in line 72 than in line 61. A transcriptomic study followed by in silico functional analysis of differentially expressed genes was then carried out between the two lines pre- and post-infection. Analysis supports the hypothesis that macrophages from susceptible and resistant chicken lines display a marked difference in their transcriptome following MDV infection. Resistance to infection, differential activation of biological pathways, and suppression of oncogenic potential are among host defense strategies identified in macrophages from resistant chickens.
Genome Assembly and Annotation of the Trichoplusia ni Tni-FNL Insect Cell Line Enabled by Long-Read Technologies
Authors: Talsania Keyur , Mehta Monika , Raley Castle , Kriga Yuliya , Gowda Sujatha , Grose Carissa , Drew Matthew , Roberts Veronica , Cheng Kwong Tai , Burkett Sandra , Oeser Steffen , Stephens Robert , Soppet Daniel , Chen Xiongfeng , Kumar Parimal , German Oksana , Smirnova Tatyana , Hautman Christopher , Shetty Jyoti , Tran Bao , Zhao Yongmei , Esposito Dominic
Published: January 2019

Background: Trichoplusia ni derived cell lines are commonly used to enable recombinant protein expression via baculovirus infection to generate materials approved for clinical use and in clinical trials. In order to develop systems biology and genome engineering tools to improve protein expression in this host, we performed de novo genome assembly of the Trichoplusia ni-derived cell line Tni-FNL. Methods: By integration of PacBio single-molecule sequencing, Bionano optical mapping, and 10X Genomics linked-reads data, we have produced a draft genome assembly of Tni-FNL. Results: Our assembly contains 280 scaffolds, with a N50 scaffold size of 2.3 Mb and a total length of 359 Mb. Annotation of the Tni-FNL genome resulted in 14,101 predicted genes and 93.2% of the predicted proteome contained recognizable protein domains. Ortholog searches within the superorder Holometabola provided further evidence of high accuracy and completeness of the Tni-FNL genome assembly. Conclusions: This first draft Tni-FNL genome assembly was enabled by complementary long-read technologies and represents a high-quality, well-annotated genome that provides novel insight into the complexity of this insect cell line and can serve as a reference for future large-scale genome engineering work in this and other similar recombinant protein production hosts.
A Hydrogeologic Framework for Understanding Local Groundwater Flow Dynamics in the Southeast Deschutes Basin, Oregon, USA
Authors: Caruso Phil , Ochoa Carlos G. , Jarvis W. Todd , Deboodt Tim
Published: January 2019

Understanding local hydrogeology is important for the management of groundwater resources and the ecosystems that depend on them. The main objective of this study conducted in central Oregon, USA was to characterize the hydrogeologic framework of a part of the semiarid Upper Deschutes Basin. Information on local geology and hydrology was synthesized to construct a hydrogeologic framework and a conceptual model of groundwater movement in shallow and previously unmapped deeper aquifers. Study results show that local geology drives many of the surface water and groundwater connections that sustain groundwater-related ecosystems and ranching-related activities in the geographical area of interest. Also, the findings of this study suggest that ecohydrological investigations can be used to mitigate concerns regarding groundwater development. Likewise, newly-developed conceptual models of the hydrogeology of previously unstudied areas within a groundwater basin undergoing regulation offer opportunities to not only address concerns regarding integrated surface water–groundwater interactions but also provide supplemental sources of water for nearby areas undergoing groundwater depletion through proposed bulk water transfers.
Dissemination Strategies for Cultural Heritage: The Case of the Tomb of Zechariah in Jerusalem, Israel
Authors: Bercigli Monica
Published: January 2019

This paper reports the research carried out using Structure from Motion survey techniques, which were developed on the basis of previous surveys and their subsequent representation through two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) drawings of the tomb, comparing them with drawings and watercolors by several painters of the past. This survey technique enables the reconstruction of three-dimensional models through photographs. The aim of this work is to define a procedural process which allows accurate and reliable three-dimensional reconstructions to be performed for the acquisition of knowledge and the dissemination of cultural heritage, taking advantage of representation and visualization techniques that have been developed in the last decade and that are based on historical references. The variety of digital products which can be produced (video games, 3D models, prints, websites, and augmented reality applications) allows a different approach to the representation to be taken, thereby re-evaluating limits, aims, and expressive potential. The virtual representative systems, enriched with cultural content, scientific information, and data, enhance the participation and awareness of knowledge of the final users of the products and are able to increase the interaction between the user and the information.
Hormonal Regulation of Early Fruit Development in European Pear (Pyrus communis cv. ‘Conference’)
Authors: Quinet Muriel , Buyens Christel , Dobrev Petre I. , Motyka Václav , Jacquemart Anne-Laure
Published: January 2019

European pear requires inter-cultivar cross-pollination by insects to develop fertilized fruits. However, some European pear cultivars such as ‘Conference’ naturally produce parthenocarpic seedless fruits. To better understand the hormonal regulation of fruit set and early fruit development in this European pear cultivar, the phytohormone and polyamine profiles in ‘Conference’ flowers and fruits resulting from both fertilization and parthenocarpic processes were analyzed. The expression of genes involved in phytohormone metabolism and signaling were also investigated. Phytohormone profiles differed more at flower stage 3 days after treatment than in 15 day- and 30-day-old fruits in response to fertilization and parthenocarpy. An increase in auxins, abscisic acid, ethylene precursor, and spermine, and a decrease in putrescine were recorded in the fertilized flowers as compared to the parthenocarpic flowers. Fertilization also upregulated genes involved in gibberellin synthesis and down-regulated genes involved in gibberellin catabolism although the total gibberellin content was not modified. Moreover, exogenous gibberellin (GA3, GA4/7) and cytokinin (6BA) applications did not increase parthenocarpic induction in ‘Conference’ as observed in other European and Asian pear cultivars. We hypothesize that the intrinsic parthenocarpy of ‘Conference’ could be related to a high gibberellin level in the flowers explaining why exogenous gibberellin application did not increase parthenocarpy as observed in other pear cultivars and species.
Energy-Dependent Endocytosis Is Involved in the Absorption of Indomethacin Nanoparticles in the Small Intestine
Authors: Ishii Miyu , Fukuoka Yuya , Deguchi Saori , Otake Hiroko , Tanino Tadatoshi , Nagai Noriaki
Published: January 2019

We previously reported that oral formulations containing indomethacin nanoparticles (IND-NPs) showed high bioavailability, and, consequently, improved therapeutic effects and reduced injury to the small intestine. However, the pathway for the transintestinal penetration of nanoparticles remained unclear. Thus, in this study, we investigated whether endocytosis was related to the penetration of IND-NPs (72.1 nm) using a transcell set with Caco-2 cells or rat intestine. Four inhibitors of various endocytosis pathways were used [nystatin, caveolae-dependent endocytosis (CavME); dynasore, clathrin-dependent endocytosis (CME); rottlerin, macropinocytosis; and cytochalasin D, phagocytosis inhibitor], and all energy-dependent endocytosis was inhibited at temperatures under 4 °C in this study. Although IND-NPs showed high transintestinal penetration, no particles were detected in the basolateral side. IND-NPs penetration was strongly prevented at temperatures under 4 °C. In experiments using pharmacological inhibitors, only CME inhibited penetration in the jejunum, while in the ileum, both CavME and CME significantly attenuated penetration. In conclusion, we found a novel pathway for the transintestinal penetration of drug nanoparticles. Our hypothesis was that nanoparticles would be taken up into the intestinal epithelium by endocytosis (CME in jejunum, CavME and CME in ileum), and dissolved and diffused in the intestine. Our findings are likely to be of significant use for the development of nanomedicines.
Comment on: Endogenous Ouabain and Related Genes in the Translation from Hypertension to Renal Diseases, Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19, 1948
Authors: Fürstenwerth Hauke
Published: January 2019

Dear Editor, In their review “Endogenous Ouabain and Related Genes in the Translation from Hypertension to Renal Diseases” [...]
A Multicentre Pilot Study of a Two-Tier Newborn Sickle Cell Disease Screening Procedure with a First Tier Based on a Fully Automated MALDI-TOF MS Platform
Authors: Naubourg Pierre , El Osta Marven , Rageot David , Grunewald Olivier , Renom Gilles , Ducoroy Patrick , Périni Jean-Marc
Published: January 2019

The reference methods used for sickle cell disease (SCD) screening usually include two analytical steps: a first tier for differentiating haemoglobin S (HbS) heterozygotes, HbS homozygotes and β-thalassemia from other samples, and a confirmatory second tier. Here, we evaluated a first-tier approach based on a fully automated matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) platform with automated sample processing, a laboratory information management system and NeoSickle® software for automatic data interpretation. A total of 6701 samples (with high proportions of phenotypes homozygous (FS) or heterozygous (FAS) for the inherited genes for sickle haemoglobin and samples from premature newborns) were screened. The NeoSickle® software correctly classified 98.8% of the samples. This specific blood sample collection was enriched in qualified difficult samples (premature newborns, FAS samples, late and very late samples, etc.). In this study, the sensitivity of FS sample detection was found to be 100% on the Lille MS facility and 99% on the Dijon MS facility, and the specificity of FS sample detection was found to be 100% on both MS facilities. The MALDI-MS platform appears to be a robust solution for first-tier use to detect the HbS variant: it is reproducible and sensitive, it has the power to analyze 600–1000 samples per day and it can reduce the unit cost of testing thanks to maximal automation, minimal intervention by the medical team and good overall practicability. The MALDI-MS approach meets today’s criteria for the large-scale, cost-effective screening of newborns, children and adults.
HOLMeS: eHealth in the Big Data and Deep Learning Era
Authors: Amato Flora , Marrone Stefano , Moscato Vincenzo , Piantadosi Gabriele , Picariello Antonio , Sansone Carlo
Published: January 2019

Now, data collection and analysis are becoming more and more important in a variety of application domains, as long as novel technologies advance. At the same time, we are experiencing a growing need for human–machine interaction with expert systems, pushing research toward new knowledge representation models and interaction paradigms. In particular, in the last few years, eHealth—which usually indicates all the healthcare practices supported by electronic elaboration and remote communications—calls for the availability of a smart environment and big computational resources able to offer more and more advanced analytics and new human–computer interaction paradigms. The aim of this paper is to introduce the HOLMeS (health online medical suggestions) system: A particular big data platform aiming at supporting several eHealth applications. As its main novelty/functionality, HOLMeS exploits a machine learning algorithm, deployed on a cluster-computing environment, in order to provide medical suggestions via both chat-bot and web-app modules, especially for prevention aims. The chat-bot, opportunely trained by leveraging a deep learning approach, helps to overcome the limitations of a cold interaction between users and software, exhibiting a more human-like behavior. The obtained results demonstrate the effectiveness of the machine learning algorithms, showing an area under ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve (AUC) of 74.65% when some first-level features are used to assess the occurrence of different chronic diseases within specific prevention pathways. When disease-specific features are added, HOLMeS shows an AUC of 86.78%, achieving a greater effectiveness in supporting clinical decisions.
Object Recognition Using Non-Negative Matrix Factorization with Sparseness Constraint and Neural Network
Authors: Lei Songze , Zhang Boxing , Wang Yanhong , Dong Baihua , Li Xiaoping , Xiao Feng
Published: January 2019

UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) have been widely used in many fields, where they need to be detected and controlled. Small-sample UAV recognition requires an effective detecting and recognition method. When identifying a UAV target using the backward propagation (BP) neural network, fully connected neurons of BP neural network and the high-dimensional input features will generate too many weights for training, induce complex network structure, and poor recognition performance. In this paper, a novel recognition method based on non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) with sparseness constraint feature dimension reduction and BP neural network is proposed for the above difficulties. The Edgeboxes are used for candidate regions and Log-Gabor features are extracted in candidate target regions. In order to avoid the complexity of the matrix operation with the high-dimensional Log-Gabor features, preprocessing for feature reduction by downsampling is adopted, which makes the NMF fast and the feature discriminative. The classifier is trained by neural network with the feature of dimension reduction. The experimental results show that the method is better than the traditional methods of dimension reduction, such as PCA (principal component analysis), FLD (Fisher linear discrimination), LPP (locality preserving projection), and KLPP (kernel locality preserving projection), and can identify the UAV target quickly and accurately.
Hierarchical Data Decision Aided 2-Source BPSK H-MAC Channel Phase Estimator with Feed-Back Gradient Solver for WPNC Networks and Its Equivalent Model
Authors: Sykora Jan
Published: January 2019

This paper focuses on the channel state estimation (CSE) problem in parametrized Hierarchical MAC (H-MAC) stage in Wireless Physical Layer Network Coding (WPNC) networks with Hierarchical Decode and Forward (HDF) relay strategy. We derive a non-pilot based H-MAC channel phase estimator for 2 BPSK alphabet sources. The CSE is aided only by the knowledge of H-data decisions. At HDF relay, there is no information on individual source symbols available. The estimator is obtained by a marginalization over the hierarchical dispersion. The estimator uses a gradient additive update solver and the indicator function (gradient) is derived in exact closed form and in approximations for low and high SNR. We analyze the properties of the equivalent solver model, particularly the equivalent gradient detector characteristics and its main stable domain properties, and also the detector gain and equivalent noise properties under a variety of channel parameterization scenarios.
Molecular and Functional Characterization of Elicitor PeBC1 Extracted from Botrytis cinerea Involved in the Induction of Resistance against Green Peach Aphid (Myzus persicae) in Common Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
Authors: Basit Abdul , Hanan Abdul , Nazir Talha , Majeed Muhammad Zeeshan , Qiu Dewen
Published: January 2019

Elicitors are biofactors that induce resistance in plants against different insect pests. This in vitro study evaluated the impact of a novel elicitor protein PeBC1, extracted from a necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea, on the development and fecundity parameters of green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) on common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Three different concentrations of PeBC1 elicitor (i.e., 33.56, 25.43, 19.33 µg mL−1) were applied at three different temperature regimes (i.e., 18, 21, and 25 °C). Elicitor treatments were applied topically on the bean plants at 3-leaf stage and newly emerged (0–6 h old) apterous adult aphids were exposed to these treated leaves. In addition to the biological parameters of aphids, the relative expression levels of key genes associated with jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) plant defense pathways were also determined through RT-qPCR. Results of bioassays revealed that the application of PeBC1 elicitor protein exhibited pronounced and significant (p < 0.05) sub-lethal effects on green peach aphids. The fecundity was reduced and the nymphal development time was prolonged by different concentrations of PeBC1 elicitor and temperature regimes. Gene expression studies showed that the exogenous application of PeBC1 induced a significant upregulation of the expression levels of JA and SA pathway-associated genes in bean plants. As compared to control, elicitor-treated plants exhibited an induced resistance against aphids. Our findings suggest the potential use of PeBC1 elicitor protein in future bio-intensive management strategies against sap-sucking insect pests such as green peach aphids.
Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Were Associated with a Risk of Rotator Cuff Diseases
Authors: Wang Wei-Te , Huang Shih-Wei , Liou Tsan-Hon , Lin Hui-Wen
Published: January 2019

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) commonly causes inflammation in the joints and periarticular structures. The association between RA and rotator cuff (RC) has been reported; however, epidemiological studies on RA and RC tendons are scant. Therefore, we investigated RC disease (RCD) risk and analyzed the effects of RA medication, steroids, and methotrexate, on the risk of RCD for patients with RA. We conducted a retrospective cohort study with a 6-year longitudinal follow-up in Taiwan. Patients who received RA diagnoses between 2004 and 2008 were enrolled in the study cohort. The non-RA control cohort comprised age- and sex-matched controls. Propensity score matching was used for other comorbidities and treatments. The hazard ratios (HRs) and adjusted HRs (aHRs) were estimated after confounders were adjusted for. Effects of steroid and methotrexate use on RCD risk were also analyzed. We enrolled 4521 RA patients (study cohort) and 22,605 matched controls. RCD incidence was 145 and 91 per 100,000 person-years in the RA and control cohorts, respectively. In the RA cohort, the crude HR for RCD was 1.62 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.41–1.86, p < 0.001), and the aHR was 1.56 (95% CI, 1.36–1.79, p < 0.001). The methotrexate nonusers exhibited an aHR (vs. controls) of 1.61 (95% CI, 1.40–1.85, p < 0.001), but the methotrexate users did not have a significantly higher aHR than the controls. The steroid nonusers had an aHR (vs. controls) of 1.69 (95% CI, 1.46–1.96, p < 0.001), but the aHR of the steroid users was not significantly higher than the control aHR. Patients with RA had a higher risk for RCD compared with the non-RA control cohort. Steroids or methotrexate use significantly reduces the risk of RCD occurrence in patients with RA. Treatment for RCD symptoms and controlling inflammatory process are important to ensure high-quality care for patients with RA.