bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Label-Free Quantitative Proteomics Combined with Biological Validation Reveals Activation of Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway Contributing to Trastuzumab Resistance in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Liu Wenhu , Yuan Jiangbei , Liu Zhenzhong , Zhang Jianwu , Chang Jinxia
Published: July 2018

Resistance to trastuzumab, which specifically target HER2-positive breast and gastric cancer, can develop ultimately in cancer patients. However, the underlying mechanisms of resistance in gastric cancer have not been fully elucidated. Here, we established trastuzumab-resistant MKN45 and NCI N87 gastric cancer sublines from their parental cells. The resistant cells exhibited characteristics of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and acquired higher migratory and invasive capacities. To exploit the activated pathways and develop new strategies to overcome trastuzumab resistance, we investigated MKN45 and MKN45/R cells via label-free quantitative proteomics, and found pathways that were altered significantly in MKN45/R cells, with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway being the most significant. We further confirmed the activation of this pathway by detecting its key molecules in MKN45/R and NCI N87/R cells via Western blot, in which Wnt3A, FZD6, and CTNNB1 increased, whereas GSK-3β decreased, manifesting the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Correspondingly, inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin pathway by ICG-001, a specific Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor, preferentially reduced proliferation and invasion of trastuzumab-resistant cells and reversed EMT. Concurringly, CTNNB1 knockdown in stable cell lines potently sensitized cells to trastuzumab and induced more apoptosis. Taken together, our study demonstrates that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway mediates trastuzumab resistance, and the combination of Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors with trastuzumab may be an effective treatment option.
Sponsored Libre Research Agreements to Create Free and Open Source Software and Hardware
Authors: Pearce Joshua M.
Published: July 2018

As a growing number of companies reject intellectual property (IP) monopoly-based business models to embrace libre product development of free and open source hardware and software, there is an urgent need to refurbish the instruments of university-corporate research partnerships. These partnerships generally use a proprietary standard research agreement (PSRA), which for historical reasons contains significant IP monopoly language and restrictions for both the company and the university. Such standard research agreements thus create an artificial barrier to innovation as both companies using a libre model and universities they wish to collaborate with must invest significantly to restructure the contracts. To solve this problem, this article provides a new Sponsored Libre Research Agreement (SLRA). The differences between the agreements are detailed. The advantages of using an SLRA are provided for any type of company and include: (1) minimizing research investments on reporting requirements; (2) reducing delays related to confidentiality and publication embargos; and (3) reducing both transaction and legal costs as well as research time losses associated with IP. Moving to libre agreements both speeds up and reduces costs for setting up collaborative research. Under the SLRA, university researchers can spend more time innovating for the same investment.
Donald Trump and Institutional Change Strategies
Authors: Cash Jordan T. , Bridge Dave
Published: July 2018

This article integrates three fields of study: the “regime politics” paradigm in law and courts, the “institutional change” approach in public policy, and the “unilateral presidency” literature. In doing so, we show how law, politics, and public policy are inextricably linked, and that researchers can borrow assumptions, methods, and theories from a variety of fields. We use Donald Trump’s early presidency to show how political actors (especially presidents) can use four different change strategies. In the case of Trump, we highlight: shifting of decision-making authority via insurrectionary displacement; the elimination of the individual mandate via subversive layering; a change in drone use policy via opportunistic conversion; and a gradual desensitization and change in school choice education policy via symbiotic drift. We conclude by offering lessons for all three literatures we incorporate, as well as a way forward for studying a presidential administration that many find difficult to analyze.
Electro-Superplastic Solid State Welding of 40Cr/QCr0.5
Authors: Wang Yaoli , Wang Guangxin , Zhang Keke
Published: July 2018

Hot-squeezed chrome bronze QCr0.5 and ultra-fine treated 40Cr steel have been successfully welded using an electro-superplastic solid-state welding technique. Results have shown that the tensile strength of a 40Cr/QCr0.5 weld joint can be greatly increased, up to or exceeding that of QCr0.5 base metal. The weld interface between 40Cr and QCr0.5 has achieved metallurgical bonding and there are less micro-gaps, thicker transition regions and more copper convexes and dimples on the fracture surface of the 40Cr side when applying an external electrical field of E = 3 kV/cm, as well as with other welding parameters, including no vacuum, no shield gas, a pre-pressure of 56.6 MPa, an initial strain rate of 1.5 × 10−4 s−1, a pressure welding temperature of 710–800 °C, and a pressure welding time of 0–8 min.
Reference and cut-off values for serum ferritin, mean cell volume, and hemoglobin to diagnose iron deficiency in infants aged 9 to 12 months
Authors: Vendt Neve , Talvik Tiina , Kool Pille , Leedo Sirje , Tomberg Karel , Tillmann Vallo , Grünberg Heli
Published: July 2018

Background. The number of different laboratory tests and reference values are used to diagnose iron deficiency, but there is no agreement regarding the diagnostic criteria for infants. Aim of study. To establish reference values for serum ferritin, mean cell volume, and hemoglobin in infants aged from 9 to 12 months in Estonia and to evaluate the diagnostic characteristics of serum ferritin, mean cell volume, and hemoglobin in the diagnosis of iron deficiency. Methods. Altogether 195 healthy infants aged 9–12 months participated in the study. They were randomly selected out of 300 families from seven different counties from all over Estonia. Serum ferritin, hemoglobin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) levels and mean cell volume were measured. The best cut-off values for serum ferritin, mean cell volume, and hemoglobin to diagnose iron deficiency, defined by sTfR>2.45 mg/L (n=25), were determined by receiver operating characteristic curves. Results. The mean and reference values (5th and 95th centiles) for ferritin was 24 µg/L (4– 55), 73 fl (68–80) for mean cell volume, and 112 g/L (101–128) for hemoglobin. The best cut-off values to diagnose iron deficiency were <10.9 µg/L for serum ferritin (sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 80%), <71 fl for mean cell volume (86% and 83%, respectively), and <107 g/L for hemoglobin (67% and 87%, respectively). The sensitivity and specificity of serum ferritin and mean cell volume in the diagnosis of iron deficiency were better than those of hemoglobin. Conclusion. For the diagnosis of iron deficiency in infants aged 9–12 months, the cut-off values of <10.9 µg/L and <71 fl should be used for serum ferritin and mean cell volume, respectively.
Quality of life in stroke survivors
Authors: Krančiukaitė Daina , Rastenytė Daiva , Jurėnienė Kristina , Šopagienė Diana
Published: July 2018

The aim of the study was to compare the quality of life among stroke survivors and healthy controls and to evaluate the influence of age, sex, and social and demographic factors on the quality of life. Contingent and methods. The case group consisted of 508 inhabitants of Kaunas city who were 25–84 years of age and had experienced their first stroke. The control group consisted of age- and sex-stratified randomly selected 508 stroke-free inhabitants of Kaunas city. The quality of life was evaluated using the SF- 12 questionnaire. The study compared the quality of life between stroke survivors and controls in eight domains of quality of life and compared the evaluation of quality of life considering social and demographic features. Results. In the domain of physical and mental health, stroke survivors presented poorer evaluation of their quality of life compared to controls except for the evaluations of mental health in the age groups of 25–34 and 35–44 years. As compared to healthy controls, stroke survivors presented poorer evaluation of their quality of life in all domains except for pain. Only in the control group, females presented poorer evaluation of physical health, whereas no differences in the evaluation of mental health between sexes were found. The evaluation of physical health in both groups worsened with age. Both stroke survivors and controls presented better evaluation of their physical health if they were living not alone, were better educated, and were employed compared to those who were living alone, had poorer education level, and were unemployed. In addition, controls who were currently or previously engaged in mental work evaluated their physical health better. Conclusions. Stroke survivors presented poorer evaluations of their quality of life in both physical and mental health domains compared to controls. Only in the control group, females evaluated their physical health worse than males did. In both groups studied, poorer evaluation of physical health was associated with older age and lower social and demographic status. Relationship between mental health and subjects’ social and demographic status was not statistically significant in either of the studied groups.
Long-term results of incisional hernia treatment
Authors: Venclauskas Linas , Šilanskaitė Jolita , Kanišauskaitė Jurga , Kiudelis Mindaugas
Published: July 2018

Ventral hernia is a common problem in general surgery practice. Incisional hernia can develop in 15–25% of patients after abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to compare two different methods of incisional hernia surgery. Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of database of surgery department from 1997 to 2000 was performed. All patients were divided into two groups. The first group patients were operated using open suture repair (keel technique); the second group patients – using open mesh repair (onlay technique). Long-term follow-up was done by a mail questionnaire. A special questionnaire was sent to all patients. Postoperative evaluation included pain and discomfort in the abdomen, physical activity, and recurrence rate after operation. Statistical evaluation was conduced using descriptive analysis: the unpaired Student t test to compare parametric criterions between two study groups, Mann-Whitney U test to compare the unpaired nonparametric criterions between two study groups, and X2 test to investigate nonparametric criterions between these groups. Results. A total of 202 patients (51 males, 151 females) with incisional hernia were operated during 1997–2000. One hundred seventy-one patients were in the keel technique group, and 31 patients in the onlay technique group. There were no significantly differences in age and sex between these groups. The hospitalization time was significantly longer in the open mesh repair group. The postoperative complication (wound seroma and suppuration) rate was significantly higher in the onlay technique group. One hundred sixty-one patients (79.7%) answered the questionnaire (133 in the keel technique group, 28 the in onlay technique group). The patients’ return to physical activity after surgery was significantly longer in the keel technique group. Forty-one patients (31%) had hernia recurrence in the keel technique group and 3 patients (11%) in the onlay technique group (P<0.05). There were no postoperative deaths in both groups. Conclusions. The rates of postoperative therapeutic complications and hernia recurrence are significantly lower after open mesh repair surgery. Return to normal physical activity after surgery is significantly longer after open suture repair surgery.
The impact of acute cerebral blood flow disturbances on platelet aggregation
Authors: Sabaliauskienė Zita , Grybauskas Pranas , Gaigalaitė Virginija , Ptašekas Julius
Published: July 2018

Objective. To determine the changes in platelet function, manifesting as deviations of their aggregation intensity, in persons with acute ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attacks, to evaluate the effect of aspirin on platelet aggregation, dependent upon degree of cerebral blood flow disturbances and patient’s gender, and to compare these changes with those in healthy persons. Material and methods. We examined 50 patients aged 33 to 98 years (mean age, 63.7±2.1 years; 20 men and 30 women) with cerebral blood flow disturbances during acute period (18 with transient ischemic attacks and 32 with ischemic stroke). The diagnosis was confirmed by computer tomography and other clinical examinations. Adenosine diphosphate-, epinephrine-, and collagen-induced platelet aggregation was assessed in platelet-rich plasma. Twelve patients used aspirin at prophylactic doses (100–150 mg/d), and 38 patients did not use. The control group consisted of 25 healthy persons aged 31–64 years (mean age, 45.4±1.9 years; 17 men and 8 women). Results. Increased platelet aggregation induced by all three inducers was significantly more frequent in stroke group. Platelet reaction to collagen was more expressed. Aspirin suppressed aggregation, but did not protect against development of ischemic stroke. Higher activity of platelet function during ischemic stroke was observed in platelets from men’s plasma. Conclusions. During acute period, platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma statistically significantly increases in the stroke group, independently of the severity of the disease. A part of patients, using recommended dose of prophylactic aspirin, developed ischemic stroke. The effect of aspirin on platelets was more pronounced in women than men.
Time trends in the prevalence of asthma and allergy among 6–7-year-old children. Results from ISAAC phase I and III studies in Kaunas, Lithuania
Authors: Kudzytė Jolanta , Griška Eugenijus , Bojarskas Jurgis
Published: July 2018

Objective. To assess the changes in the prevalence of asthma and allergy in 6–7- year-old schoolchildren in Kaunas, Lithuania, using the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC) core questionnaire. Material and methods. Two cross-sectional surveys (1994/1995–2001/2002) according to the ISAAC protocol were carried out. Lithuanian version of the ISAAC core questionnaire was completed by parents randomly selected from Kaunas primary schools. A school-based sample of 1879 participants in the 1994/1995 survey and 2772 participants in the 2001/2002 survey was study population. Results. The response rates in 1994 and 2002 were 93.95% and 92.4%, respectively. There is a tendency towards an increase in the prevalence of current symptoms and diagnoses for all three conditions, but it was more pronounced in boys. Significant increases in the prevalence of asthma (0.9% vs 2.6%), allergic rhinitis (1.4% vs 2.4%), and atopic dermatitis (1.4% vs 3.5%) were observed comparing two surveys. Still a lot of allergic diseases remain undiagnosed. Conclusions. Our study shows that the prevalence of symptoms of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis is increasing, reflecting the changes in morbidity from these conditions in our country.
Antimicrobial activity of soft and purified propolis extracts
Authors: Pavilonis Alvydas , Baranauskas Algirdas , Puidokaitė Ligita , Maželienė Žaneta , Savickas Arūnas , Radžiūnas Raimondas
Published: July 2018

Objective. To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of soft and purified propolis extracts. Study object and methods. Antimicrobial activity of soft and purified propolis extracts was determined with reference cultures of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 33499, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Proteus mirabilis ATCC 12459, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Bacillus cereus ATCC 8035, and fungus Candida albicans ATCC 60193. Microbiological tests were performed under aseptic conditions. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) – the highest dilution of preparation (the lowest concentration of preparation) that suppresses growth of reference microorganisms – was determined. Results. Concentration of phenolic compounds in soft propolis extract that possesses antimicrobial activity against gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis) and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis) is 0.587±0.054 mg and 0.587±0.054–0.394±0.022 mg (P>0.05) and in purified propolis extract – 0.427±0.044 mg and 0.256±0.02 mg (P>0.05). Klebsiella pneumoniae is most resistant to soft propolis extract when the concentration of phenolic compounds is 1.119± 0.152 mg and to purified propolis extract when the concentration of phenolic compounds is 1.013±0.189 mg (P>0.05). Spore-forming Bacillus subtilis bacteria are more sensitive to soft and purified propolis extracts when the concentration of phenolic compounds is 0.134±0.002 mg and 0.075±0.025 mg, respectively, and Bacillus cereus – when the concentration is 0.394±0.022 mg and 0.256±0.02 mg (P>0.05). Sensitivity of fungus Candida albicans to soft and purified propolis extracts is the same as Bacillus subtilis. Encapsulated bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae is most resistant to antimicrobial action of soft and purified propolis extracts as compared with gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis bacteria (P<0.05), gram-negative Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis (P<0.05), sporeforming Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus bacteria (P<0.05), and fungus Candida albicans (P<0.05). There is no statistically significant difference between antimicrobial effect of soft propolis extract and purified propolis extract on gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, spore-forming bacteria, encapsulated bacteria, and Candida fungus. Conclusions. Soft and purified propolis extracts possess antimicrobial activity. They could be recommended as natural preservatives in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products.
The I-CAM-FR: A French Translation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the I-CAM-Q
Authors: Druart Leo , Pinsault Nicolas
Published: July 2018

Background: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is growing every year. The extent of its use is still not clear, and it is difficult to undertake comparative studies due to the variety of data collection tools used. Therefore, a standardized International Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (I-CAM-Q) has been recommended to determine data about its usage. The purpose of the present study is to present a controlled translation of the questionnaire into French which is also properly adapted to a French audience. Methods: The English-written questionnaire, the I-CAM-Q, was submitted to three independent translators. Each translator produced a separate French translation (FT.1.1, FT.1.2, FT.1.3) that was then synthesized into a unique new version (FT.2.0). Version FT.2.0 was then submitted to three new translators, who translated them back to three distinct English versions (BT.1.1, BT.1.2, BT.1.3). These versions were once again synthesized in a unique questionnaire (BT.2.0). The version BT.2.0 was then submitted to an expert committee that compared it to the original I-CAM-Q in order to review the process and adapt FT.2.0 according to differences between the I-CAM-Q and BT.2.0. This led to a revised French version, PT.0.0. Version PT.0.0 was then tested with the use of cognitive interviews. These interviews allowed a final adjustment of the translations to produce a definitive version in French: the I-CAM-FR. Results: Four French translations and four versions in English of the I-CAM-Q questionnaire were produced. This allowed us to present a consolidated French translation to an expert committee. Their adjustments were taken into account before testing the final French-translated questionnaire on a group of people (n = 10) representing a diverse sample of the French population. The expert committee then suggested changes according to the errors due to the translation process sought out by the pre-tests, and recommendations based on the errors that were not due to the translation process. Conclusions: Through a rigorous methodology, we produced a French translation and a cross-cultural adaptation of the I-CAM-Q questionnaire. This work has led to the creation of an equivalent questionnaire available for use in France, the I-CAM-FR.
Origins and Geochemistry of Dolomites and Their Dissolution in the Middle Triassic Leikoupo Formation, Western Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Zhang Shunli , Lv Zhengxiang , Wen Yi , Liu Sibing
Published: July 2018

Triassic dolomites occur pervasively in the Western Sichuan Basin. Although these strata have been deeply buried and affected by multiple phases of dolomitization and dissolution, some intervals in the upper part of the Leikoupo Formation have developed high porosity. Based on their petrographic and geochemical features, three major types of dolomite fabrics are recognized, namely, dolomicrite, fabric-retentive dolomite, and fabric-destructive dolomite. Geochemical evidence indicates that the dolomicrite formed following the Sabkha model in a low-temperature hypersaline environment, as these rocks exhibit abnormally high Sr and Na contents, lower Fe and Mn contents, δ18O values generally ranging from −1.70‰ to −1.67‰ (with an average value of −1.69‰), and higher Mg/Ca ratios. The fabric-retentive dolomite formed following the seepage-reflux model in a shallow burial environment, and these rocks exhibit the highest 87Sr/86Sr ratios, δ18O values generally ranging from −6.10‰ to −2.50‰ (with an average value of −3.98‰), and a wide range of Fe and Mn contents, indicating that they may have been altered by meteoric water. The fabric-destructive dolomite formed following the burial model at elevated temperatures; these rocks exhibit the lowest Sr and Na contents, δ18O values generally ranging from −7.01‰ to −6.62‰ (with an average value of −6.79‰), relatively higher Mg/Ca values, and lower 87Sr/86Sr ratios. The early Sabkha, seepage-reflux dolomitization and penecontemporaneous periodic meteoric freshwater selective dissolution processes formed multi-period, overlapping moldic pores, algal framework pores, and intragranular dissolution pores. The superposition of organic acid dissolution during the burial period is the main controlling factor of the formation of deeply buried, high-quality dolomite reservoirs in the Leikoupo Formation.
Cytotoxicity-Guided Isolation of Two New Phenolic Derivatives from Dryopteris fragrans (L.) Schott
Authors: Zhang Tong , Wang Li , Duan De-Hua , Zhang Yi-Hao , Huang Sheng-Xiong , Chang Ying
Published: July 2018

Dryopteris fragrans is a valuable medicinal plant resource with extensive biological activities including anti-cancer, anti-oxidation, and anti-inflammation activities. This work aims to study further the cytotoxic constituents from Dryopteris fragrans. In this work, two new phenolic derivatives known as dryofragone (1) and dryofracoumarin B (2) with six known compounds (3–8) were isolated from the petroleum ether fraction of the methanol extract of the aerial parts of Dryopteris fragrans (L.) Schott by two round cytotoxicity-guided tracking with the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Their structures were elucidated by the extensive spectroscopic analysis (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and two dimensions NMR), chemical derivatization, and comparison with data reported in the literature. All the isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against nine cancer cell lines as well as their in vitro immunomodulatory activity. The results showed that compounds have a modest cytotoxicity toward human HeLa cell line with IC50 value below 30 μM and compounds 4 and 5 may modulate immunity to affect the growth of tumor cells.
Morphology, Optical Properties and Photocatalytic Activity of Photo- and Plasma-Deposited Au and Au/Ag Core/Shell Nanoparticles on Titania Layers
Authors: Müller Alexander , Peglow Sandra , Karnahl Michael , Kruth Angela , Junge Henrik , Brüser Volker , Scheu Christina
Published: July 2018

Titania is a promising material for numerous photocatalytic reactions such as water splitting and the degradation of organic compounds (e.g., methanol, phenol). Its catalytic performance can be significantly increased by the addition of co-catalysts. In this study, Au and Au/Ag nanoparticles were deposited onto mesoporous titania thin films using photo-deposition (Au) and magnetron-sputtering (Au and Au/Ag). All samples underwent comprehensive structural characterization by grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Nanoparticle distributions and nanoparticle size distributions were correlated to the deposition methods. Light absorption measurements showed features related to diffuse scattering, the band gap of titania and the local surface plasmon resonance of the noble metal nanoparticles. Further, the photocatalytic activities were measured using methanol as a hole scavenger. All nanoparticle-decorated thin films showed significant performance increases in hydrogen evolution under UV illumination compared to pure titania, with an evolution rate of up to 372 μL H2 h−1 cm−2 representing a promising approximately 12-fold increase compared to pure titania.
Iodine Status and Consumption of Key Iodine Sources in the U.S. Population with Special Attention to Reproductive Age Women
Authors: Herrick Kirsten A. , Perrine Cria G. , Aoki Yutaka , Caldwell Kathleen L.
Published: July 2018

We estimated iodine status (median urinary iodine concentration (mUIC (µg/L))) for the US population (6 years and over; n = 4613) and women of reproductive age (WRA) (15–44 years; n = 901). We estimated mean intake of key iodine sources by race and Hispanic origin. We present the first national estimates of mUIC for non-Hispanic Asian persons and examine the intake of soy products, a potential source of goitrogens. One-third of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) participants in 2011–2014 provided casual urine samples; UIC was measured in these samples. We assessed dietary intake with one 24-h recall and created food groups using the USDA’s food/beverage coding scheme. For WRA, mUIC was 110 µg/L. For both non-Hispanic white (106 µg/L) and non-Hispanic Asian (81 µg/L) WRA mUIC was significantly lower than mUIC among Hispanic WRA (133 µg/L). Non-Hispanic black WRA had a mUIC of 124 µg/L. Dairy consumption was significantly higher among non-Hispanic white (162 g) compared to non-Hispanic black WRA (113 g). Soy consumption was also higher among non-Hispanic Asian WRA (18 g compared to non-Hispanic black WRA (1 g). Differences in the consumption pattern of key sources of iodine and goitrogens may put subgroups of individuals at risk of mild iodine deficiency. Continued monitoring of iodine status and variations in consumption patterns is needed.
A Novel Desloratadine-Benzoic Acid Co-Amorphous Solid: Preparation, Characterization, and Stability Evaluation
Authors: Ainurofiq Ahmad , Mauludin Rachmat , Mudhakir Diky , Soewandhi Sundani Nurono
Published: July 2018

Low physical stability is the limitation of the widespread use of amorphous drugs. The co-amorphous drug system is a new and emerging method for preparing a stable amorphous form. Co-amorphous is a single-phase amorphous multicomponent system consisting of two or more small molecules that are a combination of drugs or drugs and excipients. The co-amorphous system that uses benzoic acid (BA) as an excipient was studied to improve the physical stability, dissolution, and solubility of desloratadine (DES). In this study, the co-amorphous formation of DES and BA (DES–BA) was prepared by melt-quenching method and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and polarized light microscopy (PLM). Dissolution, solubility, and physical stability profiles of DES–BA were determined. The DES crystals were converted into DES–BA co-amorphous form to reveal the molecular interactions between DES and BA. Solid-state analysis proved that the co-amorphous DES–BA system (1:1) is amorphous and homogeneous. The DSC experiment showed that the glass transition temperature (Tg) of tested DES–BA co-amorphous had a higher single Tg compared to the amorphous DES. FTIR revealed strong interactions, especially salt formation. The dissolution rate and solubility of co-amorphous DES–BA (1:1) obtained were larger than the DES in crystalline form. The PXRD technique was used to assess physical stability for three months at 40 °C with 75% RH. The DES–BA co-amorphous system demonstrated better physical stability than a single form of amorphous DES. Co-amorphous DES–BA has demonstrated the potential for improving solid-state stability, as the formation of DES–BA co-amorphous salt increased solubility and dissolution when compared to pure crystalline DES. This study also demonstrated the possibility for developing a DES–BA co-amorphous system toward oral formulations to improve DES solubility and bioavailability.
Simultaneous Energy and Water Optimisation in Shale Exploration
Authors: Oke Doris , Majozi Thokozani , Mukherjee Rajib , Sengupta Debalina , El-Halwagi Mahmoud M.
Published: July 2018

This work presents a mathematical model for the simultaneous optimisation of water and energy usage in hydraulic fracturing using a continuous time scheduling formulation. The recycling/reuse of fracturing water is achieved through the purification of flowback wastewater using thermally driven membrane distillation (MD). A detailed design model for this technology is incorporated within the water network superstructure in order to allow for the simultaneous optimisation of water, operation, capital cost, and energy used. The study also examines the feasibility of utilising the co-produced gas that is traditionally flared as a potential source of energy for MD. The application of the model results in a 22.42% reduction in freshwater consumption and 23.24% savings in the total cost of freshwater. The membrane thermal energy consumption is in the order of 244 × 103 kJ/m3 of water, which is found to be less than the range of thermal consumption values reported for membrane distillation in the literature. Although the obtained results are not generally applicable to all shale gas plays, the proposed framework and supporting models aid in understanding the potential impact of using scheduling and optimisation techniques to address flowback wastewater management.
Investigation of TLS Intensity Data and Distance Measurement Errors from Target Specular Reflections
Authors: Tan Kai , Zhang Weiguo , Shen Fang , Cheng Xiaojun
Published: July 2018

Terrestrial laser scanners (TLSs) can provide accurate and high-resolution data by measuring the distances (ranges) between the scanned points and the scanner center using time-of-flight or phase-shift-based methods. Distance measurement accuracy is of vital importance in TLSs and mainly influenced by instrument mechanism, atmospheric conditions, scanning geometry, and target surface properties. In general, existing commercial TLSs can achieve millimeter precision. However, significant errors (centimeter and even decimeter levels) beyond the instruments’ nominal accuracy exist in distance observations for targets with highly reflective surfaces whose specular reflections are dominant because these reflections can increase the backscattered laser signal power considerably and cause further disorder in the echo detection and recognition by TLS photodetectors. Apart from distance, the intensity value derived from the backscattered signal and influenced by the same factors as that of the distance measurement errors is recorded by TLSs. A certain link exists between the two instrumental observations. In this study, the anomalous distance measurement errors caused by target specular reflections are explored. The different planar reflective targets scanned by a Faro Focus3D 120 terrestrial scanner are used to experimentally investigate the relationship between the original intensity values and the distance measurement errors. Results imply that the distance measurement errors caused by specular reflections are not as erratic as they ostensibly seem. On the contrary, distance measurement errors are strongly related to the original intensity values. A polynomial can be established to empirically model the relationship between the original intensity data and the distance measurement errors. With use of the original intensity to compensate for the measured distance observations, the point cloud data accuracy can be improved by approximately 55.52%.
Dynamic Deflection of a Railroad Sleeper from the Coupled Measurements of Acceleration and Strain
Authors: Joh Sung-Ho , Magno Katherine , Hwang Sung Ho
Published: July 2018

Dynamic deflection of a railroad sleeper works as an indicator of ballast stiffness, reflecting the health conditions of a ballast track. However, difficulty exists in measuring dynamic deflection of a railroad sleeper by conventional deflection transducers such as a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) or a potentiometer. This is because a fixed reference point is unattainable due to ground vibrations during train passage. In this paper, a patented signal processing technique for evaluation of pseudo-deflection is presented to recover dynamic deflection of a railroad sleeper using a coupled measurement of acceleration and strain at the concrete sleeper. The presented technique combines high-frequency deflections calculated from double integration of acceleration and low-frequency deflections determined from strains. Validity of the combined deflections was shown by the deflections measured with a camera target on a concrete sleeper, captured by a high-resolution DSLR camera with superb video capturing features and processed by computer vision techniques, such as Canny edge detection and Blob analysis.
The Effects of Integrative Leadership on the Enterprise Synergy Innovation Performance in a Supply Chain Cooperative Network
Authors: Zhang Dapeng , Sun Xinbo , Liu Yide , Zhou Shunyi , Zhang Hongfeng
Published: July 2018

Collaborative innovation in a supply chain cooperative network can improve the performance of the enterprise. However, how to achieve the sustainable and stable improvement of the enterprise synergy innovation in a supply chain cooperative network is a common topic of research. Based on a survey of 236 enterprises in 53 supply chain cooperative networks, this study found: (1) Integrative leadership has a positive impact on the enterprise synergy innovation performance in a supply chain cooperative network; (2) Knowledge integration and network relationship embeddedness play partial mediating roles between integrative leadership and the enterprise synergy innovation performance, respectively; (3) Knowledge integration and network relationship embeddedness play a sequenced mediating role between integrative leadership and the enterprise synergy innovation performance; (4) The partial mediation role of knowledge integration and network relationship embeddedness are of no significant difference; however, their single mediating roles are greater than that of the sequenced mediating role of knowledge integration and network relationship embeddedness. This paper further emphasizes the key role of the core organization leadership in a cooperative network and discusses its functional route, which is of great importance in developing the theory system of leadership and providing guidance for the cooperation of the supply chain.
Changes in Risk Perception of Seoul National University Students in Nuclear Power under Opposing Government Policy
Authors: Kim Kyung-Shin
Published: July 2018

This study examined how the perceptions of the risks from nuclear power have changed as the government policy has changed from nuclear-friendly to nuclear phase-out. In 2009, the concern about climate change was growing, and the government’s new policy of “low carbon green growth” received wide public support (KNEA, 2014). In 2018, however, the present government is promoting a nuclear phase-out policy. Specifically, this study surveyed Seoul National University students in 2009 and 2018 in order to find similarities and differences in their perceptions of nuclear power risks and to suggest policy implications. The results of 2018 show that the perceptions of nuclear power risks increased, while that of the benefits decreased from 2009 under the opposing government policy. Specifically, the survey examined how the public support for nuclear power changed under the potential for climate-change and energy security in both 2009 and 2018. The negative perceptions of nuclear power were dramatically increased in 2018, however, and the preference for nuclear power was related more to energy security than climate change. The policy to expand or reduce nuclear power and renewable energy by imposing a new condition can be implemented only when the public acceptance of those energy sources has improved. Therefore, the government needs to define the objective reality of the risks and benefits that derive from each energy source, instead of managing the public acceptance by imposing a new condition. Also, the government needs to enhance the publicity about the public’s acceptance of technology developments and government policy through consensus building with the related stakeholders.
Driving Behaviour Style Study with a Hybrid Deep Learning Framework Based on GPS Data
Authors: Guo Jingqiu , Liu Yangzexi , Zhang Lanfang , Wang Yibing
Published: July 2018

Innovative technologies and traffic data sources provide great potential to extend advanced strategies and methods in travel behaviour research. Considering the increasing availability of real-time vehicle trajectory data and stimulated by the advances in the modelling and analysis of big data, this paper developed a hybrid unsupervised deep learning model to study driving bahaviour and risk patterns. The approach combines Autoencoder and Self-organized Maps (AESOM), to extract latent features and classify driving behaviour. The specialized neural networks are applied to data from 4032 observations collected from Global Positioning System (GPS) sensors in Shenzhen, China. In two case studies, improper vehicle lateral position maintenance, speeding and inconsistent or excessive acceleration and deceleration have been identified. The experiments have shown that back propagation through multi-layer autoencoders is effective for non-linear and multi-modal dimensionality reduction, giving low reconstruction errors from big GPS datasets.
Vulnerability Assessment to Climate Variability and Climate Change in Tijuana, Mexico
Authors: Sánchez Rodríguez Roberto Alejandro , Morales Santos Aarón Eduardo
Published: July 2018

This paper presents research results of a recent project creating an operational approach to assess vulnerability to climate variability and climate change in Tijuana, Mexico. Despite chronic flooding problems throughout the history of the city, local authorities and state authorities have given little attention to vulnerability to climate variability and climate change. This is the first assessment of vulnerability to flooding carried out in Tijuana. Research results show that over 10 percent of the total population in the city (over 153,000 inhabitants) lives in areas with high vulnerability to flooding, and an additional 18 percent (277,000 inhabitants) are in areas with what we classify as medium-high vulnerability. Results by census track identified specific areas and social groups in these categories, as well as the underlying drivers of vulnerability associated with the biophysical conditions of the landscape that have been modified by urban growth and through social processes (namely, deficiencies in local urban planning and its enforcement along with deficient social policies). Information and knowledge of vulnerability is a useful first step in the long process of creating climate adaptation and resilient pathways within the context of sustainable urban development.
Mapping the Processes of Donor-Funded Construction Projects
Authors: Hijazi Ihab , Isikdag Umit , Abunemeh Mohammed , Li Xin , Hashash Mariam , El Meouche Rani , Cansiz Sergen
Published: July 2018

Public construction projects in countries with economic difficulties are funded by donor organizations. These types of projects in low-income countries have been negatively influenced by the communication gap between the among, consultant and the construction contractor, which emerges because of unclear definitions of responsibilities and problems in exchange of information. All stakeholders face significant problems as a result of this gap. The main objective of this paper is to identify and map the processes of donor-funded construction projects to facilitate clear definition of tasks and roles, and support sustainable communication in donor-funded projects. Following a literature review, the paper provides an analysis of the current processes in donor-funded projects and presents a process map for donor funded projects which is developed based on expert interviews and five case studies. Finally, the process map is validated by a set of semi-structured interviews.
Entrepreneurial Marketing and Airline-Cause Sponsorship Congruence: Passenger Sponsorship Response to US-Based Full-Service Airlines
Authors: Kim Joonhyeong Joseph , Kim Insin
Published: July 2018

Cause sponsorship is one of the most frequently used cause-related marketing (CRM) strategies for extending brand image, often through strategic alliances with nonprofit organizations. Whilst airlines’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives have received focused attention in the sustainable tourism literature, the effective development of cause sponsorship has not been understood. In particular, an understanding of airlines’ cause sponsorship of non-sports related charitable causes and their influence on perceived congruence between the airline and its associated causes are limited. In order to address this gap, the study delves into the intersection of entrepreneurial marketing and sponsorship of environmental and/or social causes. It investigates the structural relationship between entrepreneurial marketing, congruence, favorability toward the airline, and purchase intention by analyzing a sample of 443 travelers on US-based full-service airlines using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The study demonstrates the positive effects of value creation and risk management on congruence, which in turn has a positive influence on travelers’ favorability toward the airline. Further, it confirms that favorability toward the airline predicts purchase intention. This study highlights that entrepreneurial marketing efforts to create customer value, and effective management of the associated risks, are indispensable to successful conveyance of congruent airline sponsorship programs.
Local Perception of Impact-Attitudes-Actions towards Tourism Development in the Urlaubsregion Murtal in Austria
Authors: Peters Mike , Chan Chung-Shing , Legerer Anita
Published: July 2018

Local residents are always the recipients of economic, environmental and socio-cultural impacts from tourism development. Residents’ perceived impacts, attitudes towards tourism and the resultant supportive or opposing actions collectively affect the success of tourism, but are not thoroughly understood especially in small regions with rapid growth. The study investigated how the tourism impacts receive local perception, determine local attitudes and in turn lead to active or passive supportive action. The predisposition of linkage between attitude and behaviour is explored with the underlying aspects of impacts. Through the establishment of hypotheses of the relationship and an empirical survey-based study in Urlaubsregion Murtal (URM) in Austria, findings from local populations suggest that local attitude is significantly influenced by tourism impacts. In particular, socio-cultural impacts influenced attitude to a greater extent than the economic and environmental dimensions. The overall prevalent residents’ attitude in the URM is highly positive as the respondents indicated a sense of openness towards tourism development and the vast majority agreed that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. A significant positive relationship between attitude and support is detected. However, the residents also intended to act more passively than actively to supporting tourism development, but the connection from attitude to specific active or passive actions is not apparent.
Interaction between Insects, Toxins, and Bacteria: Have We Been Wrong So Far?
Authors: Tetreau Guillaume
Published: July 2018

Toxins are a major virulence factor produced by many pathogenic bacteria. In vertebrates, the response of hosts to the bacteria is inseparable from the response to the toxins, allowing a comprehensive understanding of this tripartite host-pathogen-toxin interaction. However, in invertebrates, this interaction has been investigated by two complementary but historically distinct fields of research: toxinology and immunology. In this article, I highlight how such dichotomy between these two fields led to a biased, or even erroneous view of the ecology and evolution of the interaction between insects, toxins, and bacteria. I focus on the reason behind such a dichotomy, on how to bridge the fields together, and on confounding effects that could bias the outcome of the experiments. Finally, I raise four questions at the border of the two fields on the cross-effects between toxins, bacteria, and spores that have been largely underexplored to promote a more comprehensive view of this interaction.
FUS Negatively Regulates Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus Gene Expression
Authors: Dunker William , Song Yu , Zhao Yang , Karijolich John
Published: July 2018

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a human gammaherpesvirus and the etiological agent of Kaposi’s sarcoma. KSHV is also causally associated with the development of lymphoproliferative diseases, including primary effusion lymphoma (PEL). KSHV reactivation from latency plays an integral role in the progression to KSHV-associated disease as several lytic proteins have angiogenic and anti-apoptotic functions essential to the tumor microenvironment. Thus, restriction of KSHV reactivation represents an attractive therapeutic target. Here, we demonstrate that the cellular protein Fused-in-sarcoma (FUS) restricts KSHV lytic reactivation in PEL and in an epithelial cell-based model. Depletion of FUS significantly enhances viral mRNA and protein expression, resulting in increased viral replication and production of infectious virions. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses demonstrate that FUS is present at several KSHV lytic cycle genes during the latent stage of infection. We further demonstrate that FUS interacts with RNA polymerase II and negatively affects Serine-2 phosphorylation of its C-terminal domain at the KSHV RTA gene, decreasing nascent RNA synthesis. Knockdown of FUS increases transcription of RTA, thus driving enhanced expression of KSHV lytic genes. Collectively, these data reveal a novel role for FUS in regulating viral gene expression and are the first to demonstrate its role as a viral restriction factor.