bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From Amines to Alkynes – Lighting the Way
Authors: Gryko Dorota , Ociepa Michał , Turkowska Joanna
Published: June 2018

We present a metal-free photoredox strategy for the formation of Csp3-Csp bonds from redox-activated primary amine derivatives. The developed reaction of 2,4,6-triphenylpyridiniu salts with alkynyl tosylates, leading to functionalized alkynes , is easily scalable, offers broad substrate scope, high chemoselectivity, and mild conditions. Its potentials also highlighted by diversification of complex molecular scaffolds. Moreover, mechanistic studies contribute to the elucidation of unexpected differences in reactivity of primary, secondary and alkyl pyridinium salts.
Transmission potential of modified measles during an outbreak, Japan, March‒May 2018
Authors: Mizumoto Kenji , Kobayashi Tetsuro , Chowell Gerardo
Published: June 2018

A recent outbreak of measles in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan ended with 33 measles cases whose symptoms were masked because of insufficient protection against the disease (modified measles). Using quantitative modelling, we determined the transmission potential of measles by clinical presentation (classic vs modified measles). We found low ascertainment probabilities among modified measles cases, indicating that intensified public health interventions that specifically target this group should be implemented to better contain outbreaks with modified measles cases.
Remote production and mobile contribution over 5G networks: scenarios, requirements and approaches for broadcast quality media streaming
Authors: Keltsch Madeleine , Prokesch Sebastian , Prieto Gordo Oscar , Serrano Javier , Phan Truong Khoa , Fritzsch Igor
Published: June 2018

Media applications are amongst the most demanding services requiring high amounts of network capacity as well as extremely low latency for synchronous audio-visual streaming in production quality. Recent technological advances in the 5G domain hold the promise to unlock the potential of the media industry by offering high quality media services through dynamic efficient resource allocation. Actual implementations are now required to validate whether advanced media applications can be realised benefiting from ultra-low latency, very-high bandwidth and flexible dynamic configuration offered by these new 5G networks. A truly integrated approach is needed that focuses on the media applications not only on the management of generic network functions and the orchestration of resources at the various radio, fronthaul/backhaul, edge and core network segments. The H2020 5G PPP Phase 2 project 5GMEDIA [1] leverages new options for more flexible, ad-hoc and cost-effective production workflows by replacing dedicated lines and hardware equipment with software functions (VNFs) facilitating (semi-) automated smart production in remote locations. Highly scalable virtualized media services deployed on or close to the edge reduce complexity for the user, ensure operational reliability and increase the Quality of Experience (QoE). Virtual compression engines have the potential to replace dedicated encoder/decoder hardware while the network optimisation (Cognitive Network Optimizer) in combination with the Quality of Service (QoS) monitoring helps to overcome the current internet best-effort principle and ensures that the required performance needs are met at all times.
Fitopatolojide Nanoteknoloji
Authors: ATAKAN AYDIN , ÖZGÖNEN ÖZKAYA Hülya
Published: June 2018

Son yıllarda farklı alanlarda
kullanılan nanoteknoloji tarımda; zirai ilaç kullanımını azaltma, bitki ve
hayvan ıslahı geliştirme, bitki hastalıklarını önlemede, aynı zamanda hastalık
tespitinde ve yeni nano-bioendüstriyel ürünler oluşturmada gelecek vaat
etmektedir. Çok farklı nanopartiküller kullanılarak üretilen nanofungisitlerin
klasik formülasyonlarla karşılaştırıldığında oldukça avantajları olduğu
görülmektedir. Ayrıca pestisitin etkin kullanımı ve hastalık kontrolünde etkili
sonuç alınabilmesi için akıllı salım metodları geliştirilmektedir. Sonuç
olarak, bitki hastalıkarının kontrolünde nanopestisitlerin kullanımının
temelleri eskilere dayanmasına karşın son yıllarda popüleritesi artan yeni bir
yaklaşım olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır.
Şanlıurfa Tek Tek Dağları’nda Farklı Yöneylerdeki Meraların Bitki Kompozisyonları ile Ot Verimi ve Kalitelerinin Belirlenmesi
Authors: POLAT Tahir , BÜYÜKHATİPOĞLU Şehnaz , AKKAYA Gökhan
Published: June 2018

Bu çalışma Şanlıurfa Tek Tek dağları
meralarında farklı yöneylerdeki bitki türü ve kompozisyonları ot verimi ve
kalitelerini belirlemek amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Nokta (Nokta Çerçeve) Yöntemi
kullanılarak mera parsellerinde yapılan araştırmada; merada bitki ile kaplı
alan %34.07 olarak belirlenirken, geri kalan alan %65.93 taşlık ve boş alandan
oluşmaktadır. Araştırmada sonuçlarına göre meranın bitki boyu ortalaması 73.96 cm olduğu tespit
edilmiştir. En yüksek bitki boyu  (83.10
cm) batı merasında elde edilmiştir. Meranın kuru ot verim ortalaması 184.32 kg da-1 bulunmuş, en
yüksek kuru ot verimi 232.25 kg da-1 ile
batı
merasında elde edilmiştir. Botanik kompozisyonda buğdaygillerin oranı % 69.80,
baklagillerin oranı %10.61 ve diğer familya bitkileri oranı da % 19.56 olarak
bulunmuştur. Kuru ot ham protein oranları % 6.01 ile % 8.60, ham protein
verimleri %12.01-13.60 arasında değişim gösterdiği tespit edilmiştir.  Otlatma kapasitesi 40.96 BBHB olarak
hesaplanmıştır. Araştırmada 51 bitki türü tespit edilmiştir. Yöney
ortalamalarına göre botanik
kompozisyon oranları en fazla yer tutan baskın bitki türleri sırasıyla Avena
fatua  % 18.83, Trifolıum setellatum % 10.47, Poa bulbosa % 
8.47, Bromus inermis  % 7.78
ve Trifolium scabrum % 4.42
oranlarıyla yer almaktadır. Mera kalite derecesi 2.45 değeri ile batı merasından elde edilmiş ve mera
durumu zayıf olarak belirlenmiştir.
Toprakların C:N Oranı ve Bazı Toprak Özellikleri ile İlişkisi: Mardin Mazıdağı Örneği
Authors: Abak Munzur , Sakin Erdal
Published: June 2018

Topraklar, kurak ve yarı kurak iklim
bölgelerinde global karbon döngüsünde önemli bir rol oynamaktadır. Bu
alanlardaki çok küçük bir değişim atmosferik karbondioksit miktarını (CO2)
olumsuz etkilemektedir. Karasal ekosistemlerde, toprakların geniş karbon (C) ve
azot (N) depolama kapasitesi nedeni ile öncelikli çalışmalar bu iki konu
üzerinde odaklanmıştır. Bu nedenle bu çalışmada, Mardin – Mazidağı Şenyuva
Ovası topraklarının C ve N miktarları ile C:N oranları belirlenmiştir. Alınana
toprak örneklerinde yapılan analizler sonucunda, organik madde miktarı üst horizonlarda
(0-25 cm) % 1.07-1.74 arasında değişirken, alt horizonlarda (75-100 cm) %
0.03-0.88 arasında değişmiştir. Örneklerin azot miktarı üst derinlikte (0-25) %
0.08-0.12 ve alt derinlikte (75-100) % 0.01-0.08 arasında değişmiştir.
Toprakların C:N oranları üst horizonda (0-25) ~ 6:1-10:1, alt horizonlarda ise
(75-100) ~ 3:1-4:1 arasında değişmiştir. Sonuç olarak, bölge topraklarının
kurak ve yarı kurak iklim bölgesinde yer alması, sıcaklığın yüksek, yağışların
düşük olması ve tarım topraklarının bilinçsizce (aşırı kimyasal gübre, yoğun
tarım, mono kültürel üretim v.b) kullanılması nedeni ile tarım topraklarında
C:N oranlarının düşük olmasına neden olmuştur. Ayrıca tarımsal aktivitelerde
aşırı azotlu gübrelerin kullanılması toprakların C:N oranlarının düşmesine
neden olduğu tahmin edilmiştir. C:N oranlarını dengelemek veya yükseltmek için,
hasat sonrası atıkların toprağa karıştırılması, anıza ekimin yapılması, mono
kültürel üretimden vazgeçilmesi, baklagil gibi ürünlerin ekimine önem
verilmesi, yeşil gübre veya ahır gübresi gibi organik gübrelerin kullanılmasına
önem verilmelidir.
DETERMINANTES DEL AUMENTO O DISMINUCIÓN DE EMPRESAS: ANÁLISIS POR ENTIDAD FEDERATIVA Y ESTRATO DE EDAD
Authors: Valdez Rolando I. , Noda-Ramírez Eder J.
Published: June 2018

En este trabajo, se pone a prueba la hipótesis de que los mismos factores afectan de manera distinta el aumento o disminución de empresas, según su edad. Para ello, se usan dos modelos de datos panel, cuya variable dependiente es el estrato de edad de la empresa: recién nacida, joven, adulta y mayor. En total, se estiman ocho ecuaciones utilizando variables explicativas de tipo económico y social. Entre los resultados más importantes destaca que el PIB, PIB per cápita, la TIIE, la Tasa de interés bancaria y la liquidez de la economía ejercen el mismo efecto, ceteris paribus, sobre la cantidad de empresas, independientemente de su edad. No obstante, la migración y la inseguridad afectan solo a las empresas recién nacidas y a las jóvenes. Abstract In this present study, the hypothesis that is tested is that the same factors diversely affect the ups and downs in the number of firms, taking into consideration their age. To prove this, there are two specific panel data models, whose dependent variable is the firm’s age stratum: infant, young, adult and elderly. Overall, eight equations are estimated, taking into account economic and social explanatory variables as well. The main results highlight that gdp, gdp per cápita, the interest rate, the banking interest rate and economic liquidity equally impact, ceteris paribus, the number of firms, independent to their age. However, migration and social insecurity impact only infant firms as well as young firms.
AddressingHistory: A Web 2.0 Community Engagement Tool and API
Authors: Macdonald Stuart
Published: June 2018

AddressingHistory: A Web 2.0 Community Engagement Tool and API
Editor's notes: Data, the whole Data, and nothing but the Data... and the Metadata, and access to the Data
Authors: Rasmussen Karsten Boye
Published: June 2018

Editor's notes: Data, the whole Data, and nothing but the Data... and the Metadata, and access to the Data
Distributing Access to Data, not Data
Authors: Schiller David , Welpton Richard
Published: June 2018

Distributing Access to Data, not Data
Creating Rich, Structured Metadata: Lessons Learned in the Metadata Portal Project
Authors: Vardigan Mary , Donakowski Darrell , Heus Pascal , Ionescu Sanda , Rotondo Julia
Published: June 2018

Creating Rich, Structured Metadata: Lessons Learned in the Metadata Portal Project
DDI and Enhanced Data Citation
Authors: Hoyle Larry , Vardigan Mary , Greenfield Jay , Hume Sam , Ionescu Sanda , Iverson Jeremy , Kunze John , Radler Barry , Thomas Wendy , Weibel Stuart , Witt Michael
Published: June 2018

DDI and Enhanced Data Citation
Digital Curation Training: The nestor Activities
Authors: Strathmann Stefan , Oßwald Achim
Published: June 2018

Digital Curation Training: The nestor Activities
Guest Editor's Notes
Authors: Adams Peggy
Published: June 2018

Guest Editor's Notes
İSCEHİSAR ANDEZİTLERİNİN TUZ KRİSTALLENMESİNE BAĞLI AYRIŞMASINDA SU İTİCİ KİMYASAL MADDE ETKİSİNİN ARAŞTIRILMASI
Authors: Çelik Mustafa Yavuz , Ersoy Metin , Arsoy Zeyni , Sert Murat , Yeşilkaya Liyaddin
Published: June 2018

Bu çalışmada Afyonkarahisar yöresinde üretilen İscehisar andezitlerinde tuzların yıkıcı etkilerisonucu oluşan bazı fiziksel ve mekanik değişiklikler incelenmiştir. Bu amaçla çalışma kapsamındaandezitlerin petrografik-mineralojik (polarizan mikroskop, XRD), kimyasal analiz, gözenek çapıdağılımı ve fiziko-mekanik özellikleri belirlenmiştir. İkinci aşamada da su emmeyi ve dolayısıylada tuz kristallendirmeyi önlemek amacıyla da su itici ve koruyucu kimyasal maddeler kullanılanandezit numunelerinde aynı deneyler tekrarlanmıştır. Andezit numunelerinin tuz kristallendirmeolaylarına bağlı ayrışma miktarları, ağırlık kaybı, ultrases hızı ve tek eksenli basınç dayanımıgibi bazı fiziksel ve mekanik parametrelerde meydana gelen değişimler yardımıyla belirlenmiştir.Normal numunelerde ortalama %0,3695 kuru kütle kaybı, su itici kimyasal madde uygulanmışnumunelerde ise ortalama %0,186 kütle artışı ölçülmüştür. Basınç dayanımı değerleri normalnumunelerde %32, su itici kimyasal uygulanmış numunelerde %37 azalmıştır.
OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF A CONVENTIONAL TWO-COMPARTMENT BALL MILL GRINDING CIRCUIT AT DIFFERENT CEMENT PRODUCTIONS
Authors: Genç Ömürden , Benzer A.hakan
Published: June 2018

The purpose of the study is to assess the grinding and classification performance of aconventional Polysius® two-compartment ball mill and a Sepol® dynamic air classifier closedcircuit process at Portland CEMI/42.5R and Portland composite CEMII/32.5R cement productiontypes. For this purpose, industrial scale sampling surveys were performed around the circuit.JKSimMet Steady State Mineral Processing Software was used to perform mass balance aroundthe circuits. Size reduction performance of the ball mill was determined for the sampling cases.Classification performance of the dynamic air classifier was evaluated based on the efficiencycurve approach. It was determined that, approximately 12% circuit capacity increase could beachieved in composite cement production when ball mill, ball mill filter and air classifier powerconsumptions were considered. This figure corresponded to overall energy savings of 7% in ballmill grinding.
PERSUASIVE DESIGN IN ADVERTISING AS A FACTOR OF INFLUENCE ON THE BEHAVIORAL ORIENTATION OF THE SOCIETY
Authors: Kolisnyk O. V.
Published: June 2018

To analyze the persuasive design of advertising as a now days phenomenon, and also to consider the influence of design meanings-images on the perception processes and behavioral reactions of a person
Evaluation of core faculty development workshop: experience from Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Nepal
Authors: Joshi Mili , Shrestha Ira , Bhandary Shital
Published: June 2018

Introductions: Faculty development programs (FDP) is important to promote the core education principles/philosophies and instill the innovations planned and/or carried out in any educational program. Thus, Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS) carries regular FDP in order to effectively implement and innovate curriculum, and assessment. Methods: Effectiveness of the workshop was assessed by validated questionnaire of FDP workshop on PBL in 2010 at School of Medicine PAHS. Paired t-test was used to test the differences between before and after scores on knowledge and application on various aspects of the program. Effect size was also calculated to determine the size of the difference between before and after the workshop. Results: There were 19 participants, 11 male and 8 female, mean age was 38.4 years. There was overall increase in mean scores for all 18 items. The overall mean score of knowledge and application increased after FDP. The knowledge and application scale among the participants in terms of their age, gender and discipline increased. The effect sizes were high (d>1.3) and moderately high (0.8<d<1.3) for most scores. Conclusions: The knowledge and application of participants after FDP increased on various aspects of health professions education in the areas of adult teaching-learning, feedback cycle and assessment as part of the formal curriculum.Journal of Patan Academy of Health Sciences. 2016 Dec;3(2):36-40
Studying sensitive and contradictory family situations
Authors: Hämäläinen Kati , Pirskanen Henna , Rautio Susanna
Published: June 2018

The purpose of this article is to discuss questions about studying sensitive and contradictory family situations, particularly in the process of gathering qualitative data via interviews. In the article, the authors ask what types of considerations are possible when studying such issues. Three ongoing family studies conducted in the social sciences by the authors are used as the basis for discussing the sensitive and contradictory nature of such family issues. The authors’ studies are about the foster children’s family relations, the sons of problem-drinking fathers and the families participating in a preventive family support system. Family matters are often perceived as being something private that is not to be talked about or shared with outsiders, e.g. talking about negative feelings towards family members may be complicated.
Achieving Universal Participation of Older Adults
Authors: Bigonnesse Catherine , Bigonnesse Jean Marc
Published: June 2018

As a daughter-father collaboration, this paper aims to discuss the challenge of involving older adults in the process of participation in society. It first explores some of the root causes of ageism, such as the stigma attached to discussions of death in our society and the materialist conception of human ontology. In the second part, this paper suggests how a discussion based on spirituality, especially some principles of the Bahá’í Faith, can address this issue. We conclude this paper sharing some thoughts and comments about the role of older adults in the process of community building, a major objective assigned to the global Bahá’í community by the Universal House of Justice, the governing body of the Bahá’í Faith.
Responses of Blue Jays (Cyanocitta Cristata) to Raptors that Differ in Predatory Threat
Authors: Dahl Julie A. , Ritchison Gary
Published: June 2018

Some species of birds use their vocalisations to communicate predator presence and the level of threat they pose, including two species of corvids (Corvidae), American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and Siberian Jays (Perisoreus infaustus). Our objective was to determine if Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata), another corvid, also use specific calls or vary the characteristics of certain calls to convey information about the level of threat posed by aerial predators. During the non-breeding seasons of 2014 and 2015, we recorded and analysed the vocal responses of Blue Jays to study skins of six species of raptors that varied in size and the level of threat they pose to Blue Jays. Experiments were conducted at seven locations in Madison County, Kentucky. The mean number of Blue Jays present during trials was 2.6, and Blue Jays uttered five different vocalisations during trials, with ditonal and monotonal jeers given most frequently. The rate at which Blue Jays uttered ditonal jeers differed among trials, with rates highest during trials with an Eastern Screech-Owl (Megascops asio) and a Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus). However, the characteristics of ditonal and monotonal jeers (duration, low frequency, high frequency, and peak frequency) did not differ among trials. These results suggest that Blue Jays may either perceive Eastern Screech-Owls and Sharp-shinned Hawks as the greatest threats or, alternatively, as potential, but less threatening predators, and, therefore, they were willing to take greater risks when mobbing them. In contrast, Blue Jays mobbed the other raptors, i.e. American Kestrels (Falco sparverius), Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), and Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus), with much less intensity, likely because they posed less of a threat or, in the case of Cooper's Hawks (Accipiter cooperii) that are known predators of Blue Jays, perhaps because mobbing with greater intensity, e.g. approaching more closely, posed too great a risk. Blue Jays in our study used the same calls with the same characteristics when responding to potential predators, only calling rates differed. However, such variation in calling rates when mobbing would likely provide useful information about the presence of, and possibly the threat posed by, potential predators for conspecifics and, perhaps, heterospecifics.
Common Eider (Somateria Mollissima) Body Condition and Parasitic Load during a Mortality Event in the Baltic Proper
Authors: Garbus Svend-Erik , Lyngs Peter , Christensen Jens Peter , Buchmann Kurt , Eulaers Igor , Mosbech Anders , Dietz Rune , Gilchrist H. Grant , Sonne Christian
Published: June 2018

During late spring of 2007 and 2015, we observed unusually high mortality of Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima) on Christiansø in the Baltic Proper. The number of dead birds (2007: 125; 2015: 110) composed 5–10% of the total colony. In 2015, we collected 15 (12 adult females, three subadult males) of the 110 recently deceased Common Eiders for detailed autopsy. The average body mass of the females was 1,040 g (920–1,160 g) which is ca 60% lower than what can be expected of healthy females during wintertime. Similarly, for the subadult males the average body mass of 1,203 g (1,070–1,300 g) comprised only 45% of what can be expected for healthy subadult males during winter. All 15 birds were thus severely emaciated and cachexic with general atrophy of muscles and internal organs. Hunger oedema, distended gall bladder, empty stomach, empty and dilated intestines and dilated cardiomyopathy were observed as well. In addition, all 15 Common Eiders were infected with high loads of the acanthocephalan parasite Polymorphus minutus. No gross morphological changes suggested toxicological, bacteriological or viral causes to the mortality. Taken together, our autopsy suggested starvation leading to secondary metabolic catabolism and eventually congestive heart failure. Five birds that were examined in 2007 showed the same symptoms. We suspect that the introduction of suboptimal feeding conditions in combination with a high parasite load over the last decade synergistically caused high physiological stress leading to population level effects manifested as high mortality.
Hierarchical Representation Based Constrained Multi-objective Evolutionary Optimisation of Molecular Structures
Authors: Dörgő Gyula , Abonyi János
Published: June 2018

We propose an efficient algorithm to generate Pareto optimal set of reliable molecular structures represented by group contribution methods. To effectively handle structural constraints we introduce goal oriented genetic operators to the multi-objective Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II). The constraints are defined based on the hierarchical categorisation of the molecular fragments. The efficiency of the approach is tested on several benchmark problems. The proposed approach is highly efficient to solve the molecular design problems, as proven by the presented benchmark and refrigerant design problems.
Variation in Mating Dynamics across Five Species of Leiobunine Harvestmen (Arachnida: Opliones)
Authors: Fowler-Finn Kasey D. , Boyer Sarah L. , Ikagawa Raine , Jeffries Timothy , Kahn Penelope C. , Larsen Eva M. , Lee Daniel , Smeester Morgan
Published: June 2018

The study of mating choices often focuses on correlates of traits to the overall outcome of a mating interaction. However, mating interactions can proceed through a series of stages, with opportunities for assessment at each stage. We compared whether male or female size predicted mating interaction outcome across several stages of mating in five species of North American leiobunine harvestmen (commonly known as daddy longlegs). Leiobunine harvestmen have been previously shown to exhibit incredible morphological diversity consistent with a spectrum of male–female antagonism. Across all of the species, we found a general progression of female size predicting the outcome (success and timing) of early stages of interactions, and male size or male size relative to female size predicting the outcome and timing of later stages of interactions. We also found that size was not a strong predictor of outcome in the two species on the lower end of the antagonism spectrum. The variation in how female and male size predicted outcomes across species and stages of mating suggests that multiple mechanisms may operate to shape mating dynamics within and across species. Given the close relatedness of the species studied, the patterns we uncovered suggest a rapid evolution of the traits and processes predicting the outcome of mating interactions.
Overcoming Resistance of Human Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma to CD19-CAR CTL Therapy by Celecoxib and Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
Authors: Torres-Collado Antoni Xavier , Jazirehi Ali R.
Published: June 2018

Patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (B-NHL) who fail to respond to first-line treatment regimens or develop resistance, exhibit poor prognosis. This signifies the need to develop alternative treatment strategies. CD19-chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell-redirected immunotherapy is an attractive and novel option, which has shown encouraging outcomes in phase I clinical trials of relapsed/refractory NHL. However, the underlying mechanisms of, and approaches to overcome, acquired anti-CD19CAR CD8+ T cells (CTL)-resistance in NHL remain elusive. CD19CAR transduced primary human CTLs kill CD19+ human NHLs in a CD19- and caspase-dependent manner, mainly via the tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) apoptotic pathway. To understand the dynamics of the development of resistance, we analyzed several anti-CD19CAR CTL-resistant NHL sublines (R-NHL) derived by serial exposure of sensitive parental lines to excessive numbers of anti-CD19CAR CTLs followed by a limiting dilution analysis. The R-NHLs retained surface CD19 expression and were efficiently recognized by CD19CAR CTLs. However, R-NHLs developed cross-resistance to CD19CAR transduced human primary CTLs and the Jurkat human T cell line, activated Jurkat, and lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells, suggesting the acquisition of resistance is independent of CD19-loss and might be due to aberrant apoptotic machinery. We hypothesize that the R-NHL refractoriness to CD19CAR CTL killing could be partially rescued by small molecule sensitizers with apoptotic-gene regulatory effects. Chromatin modifiers and Celecoxib partially reversed the resistance of R-NHL cells to the cytotoxic effects of anti-CD19CAR CTLs and rhTRAIL. These in vitro results, though they require further examination, may provide a rational biological basis for combination treatment in the management of CD19CAR CTL-based therapy of NHL.
Designer Oncolytic Adenovirus: Coming of Age
Authors: Baker Alexander , Aguirre-Hernández Carmen , Halldén Gunnel , Parker Alan
Published: June 2018

The licensing of talimogene laherparepvec (T-Vec) represented a landmark moment for oncolytic virotherapy, since it provided unequivocal evidence for the long-touted potential of genetically modified replicating viruses as anti-cancer agents. Whilst T-Vec is promising as a locally delivered virotherapy, especially in combination with immune-checkpoint inhibitors, the quest continues for a virus capable of specific tumour cell killing via systemic administration. One candidate is oncolytic adenovirus (Ad); it’s double stranded DNA genome is easily manipulated and a wide range of strategies and technologies have been employed to empower the vector with improved pharmacokinetics and tumour targeting ability. As well characterised clinical and experimental agents, we have detailed knowledge of adenoviruses’ mechanisms of pathogenicity, supported by detailed virological studies and in vivo interactions. In this review we highlight the strides made in the engineering of bespoke adenoviral vectors to specifically infect, replicate within, and destroy tumour cells. We discuss how mutations in genes regulating adenoviral replication after cell entry can be used to restrict replication to the tumour, and summarise how detailed knowledge of viral capsid interactions enable rational modification to eliminate native tropisms, and simultaneously promote active uptake by cancerous tissues. We argue that these designer-viruses, exploiting the viruses natural mechanisms and regulated at every level of replication, represent the ideal platforms for local overexpression of therapeutic transgenes such as immunomodulatory agents. Where T-Vec has paved the way, Ad-based vectors now follow. The era of designer oncolytic virotherapies looks decidedly as though it will soon become a reality.
Effect of Notch and PARP Pathways’ Inhibition in Leukemic Cells
Authors: Horvat Luka , Antica Mariastefania , Matulić Maja
Published: June 2018

Differentiation of blood cells is one of the most complex processes in the body. It is regulated by the action of transcription factors in time and space which creates a specific signaling network. In the hematopoietic signaling system, Notch is one of the main regulators of lymphocyte development. The aim of this study was to get insight into the regulation of Notch signalization and the influence of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) activity on this process in three leukemia cell lines obtained from B and T cells. PARP1 is an enzyme involved in posttranslational protein modification and chromatin structure changes. B and T leukemia cells were treated with Notch and PARP inhibitors, alone or in combination, for a prolonged period. The cells did not show cell proliferation arrest or apoptosis. Analysis of gene and protein expression set involved in Notch and PARP pathways revealed increase in JAGGED1 expression after PARP1 inhibition in B cell lines and changes in Ikaros family members in both B and T cell lines after γ-secretase inhibition. These data indicate that Notch and PARP inhibition, although not inducing differentiation in leukemia cells, induce changes in signaling circuits and chromatin modelling factors.
Unconventional Secretion and Intercellular Transfer of Mutant Huntingtin
Authors: Tang Bor Luen
Published: June 2018

The mechanism of intercellular transmission of pathological agents in neurodegenerative diseases has received much recent attention. Huntington’s disease (HD) is caused by a monogenic mutation in the gene encoding Huntingtin (HTT). Mutant HTT (mHTT) harbors a CAG repeat extension which encodes an abnormally long polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat at HTT’s N-terminus. Neuronal pathology in HD is largely due to the toxic gain-of-function by mHTT and its proteolytic products, which forms both nuclear and cytoplasmic aggregates that perturb nuclear gene transcription, RNA splicing and transport as well cellular membrane dynamics. The neuropathological effects of mHTT have been conventionally thought to be cell-autonomous in nature. Recent findings have, however, indicated that mHTT could be secreted by neurons, or transmitted from one neuronal cell to another via different modes of unconventional secretion, as well as via tunneling nanotubes (TNTs). These modes of transmission allow the intercellular spread of mHTT and its aggregates, thus plausibly promoting neuropathology within proximal neuronal populations and between neurons that are connected within neural circuits. Here, the various possible modes for mHTT’s neuronal cell exit and intercellular transmission are discussed.
Surface Treatment of Bacterial Cellulose in Mild, Eco-Friendly Conditions
Authors: Frone Adriana Nicoleta , Panaitescu Denis Mihaela , Chiulan Ioana , Nicolae Cristian Andi , Casarica Angela , Gabor Augusta Raluca , Trusca Roxana , Damian Celina Maria , Purcar Violeta , Alexandrescu Elvira , Stanescu Paul Octavian
Published: June 2018

Bacterial cellulose (BC) with increased hydrophobicity is required for several applications including packaging. Surface functionalization of BC may provide good resistance to moisture, increased barrier properties or improved compatibility to polymer matrices. For this purpose, chemical grafting of BC in mild, eco-friendly conditions was carried out using different agents. BC membranes were surface functionalized with vinyl-triethoxy silane (VS) or 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APS), by acylation and acrylation. The efficiency of the surface treatments was highlighted by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, by contact angle measurements and by dynamic mechanical analysis. The morphological investigation by atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed an increased compactness for surface functionalized BC, which correlated well with the different increase of the contact angle. BC treated with APS and VS showed more than a twofold increase in contact angle value. Similarly, the crystallinity degree was reduced to 69.6% and 72.9% after APS and VS treatments as compared with 84.1% for untreated BC, confirming the grafting reaction and the decrease in hydrogen bonding. All the applied treatments delayed the degradation of BC. However, the highest increase in thermal stability was observed for silanes treated membranes. Effective, eco-friendly methods for improving the surface hydrophobicity of bacterial cellulose for food packaging were proposed in this study.
Do Silviculture and Forest Management Affect the Genetic Diversity and Structure of Long-Impacted Forest Tree Populations?
Authors: Aravanopoulos Filippos A. (Phil)
Published: June 2018

The consequences of silviculture and management on the genetic variation and structure of long-impacted populations of forest tree are reviewed assessed and discussed, using Mediterranean forests as a working paradigm. The review focuses on silviculture and management systems, regeneration schemes, the consequences of coppicing and coppice conversion to high forest, the effects of fragmentation and exploitation, and the genetic impact of forestry plantations. It emerges that averaging genetic diversity parameters, such as those typically reported in the assessment of forest population genetics, do not generally present significant differences between populations under certain silvicultural systems/forest management methods and “control” populations. Observed differences are usually rather subtler and regard the structure of the genetic variation and the lasting adaptive potential of natural forest tree populations. Therefore, forest management and silvicultural practices have a longer-term impact on the genetic diversity and structure and resilience of long-impacted populations of forest tree; their assessment should be based on parameters that are sensitive to population perturbations and bottlenecks. The nature and extent of genetic effects and impact of silviculture and forest management practices, call for a concerted effort regarding their thorough study using genetic, genomic, as well as monitoring approaches, in order to provide insight and potential solutions for future silviculture and management regimes.
Detection of Annual Spruce Budworm Defoliation and Severity Classification Using Landsat Imagery
Authors: Rahimzadeh-Bajgiran Parinaz , Weiskittel Aaron , Kneeshaw Daniel , MacLean David
Published: June 2018

Spruce budworm (SBW) is the most destructive forest pest in eastern forests of North America. Mapping annual current-year SBW defoliation is challenging because of the large landscape scale of infestations, high temporal/spatial variability, and the short period of time when detection is possible. We used Landsat-5 and Landsat-MSS data to develop a method to detect and map SBW defoliation, which can be used as ancillary or alternative information for aerial sketch maps (ASMs). Results indicated that Landsat-5 data were capable of detecting and classifying SBW defoliation into three levels comparable to ASMs. For SBW defoliation classification, a combination of three vegetation indices, including normalized difference moisture index (NDMI), enhanced vegetation index (EVI), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), were found to provide the highest accuracy (non-defoliated: 77%, light defoliation: 60%, moderate defoliation: 52%, and severe defoliation: 77%) compared to using only NDMI (non-defoliated: 76%, light defoliation: 40%, moderate defoliation: 43%, and severe defoliation: 67%). Detection of historical SBW defoliation was possible using Landsat-MSS NDVI data, and the produced maps were used to complement coarse-resolution aerial sketch maps of the past outbreak. The method developed for Landsat-5 data can be used for current SBW outbreak mapping in North America using Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 imagery. Overall, the work highlights the potential of moderate resolution optical remote sensing data to detect and classify fine-scale patterns in tree defoliation.
Conversations about Death and Dying with Older People: An Ethnographic Study in Nursing Homes
Authors: Alftberg Åsa , Ahlström Gerd , Nilsen Per , Behm Lina , Sandgren Anna , Benzein Eva , Wallerstedt Birgitta , Rasmussen Birgit H.
Published: June 2018

Nursing homes are often places where older persons “come to die.” Despite this, death and dying are seldom articulated or talked about. The aim of this study was to explore assistant nurses’ experiences of conversations about death and dying with nursing home residents. This study is part of an implementation project through a knowledge-based educational intervention based on palliative care principles. An ethnographic study design was applied in seven nursing homes, where eight assistant nurses were interviewed and followed in their daily assignments through participant observations. The assistant nurses stated that they had the knowledge and tools to conduct such conversations, even though they lacked the time and felt that emotional strain could be a hinder for conversations about death and dying. The assistant nurses used the strategies of distracting, comforting, and disregarding either when they perceived that residents’ reflections on death and dying were part of their illness and disease or when there was a lack of alignment between the residents’ contemplations and the concept of dying well. They indicated that ambivalence and ambiguity toward conversations about death and dying should be taken into consideration in future implementations of knowledge-based palliative care that take place in nursing homes after this project is finalized.
“That Guy, Is He Really Sick at All?” An Analysis of How Veterans with PTSD Experience Nature-Based Therapy
Authors: Poulsen Dorthe Varning , Stigsdotter Ulrika K. , Davidsen Annette Sofie
Published: June 2018

Serving in the military leads to mental diseases, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for a percentage of soldiers globally. The number of veterans with PTSD is increasing and, although medication and psychological treatments are offered, treatment results could be improved. Historically, different forms of nature-based therapy have been used for this target group. However, in spite of anecdotally good results, studies measuring the effect of this form of therapy are still lacking. The aim of this study is to explore how veterans with PTSD manage their everyday lives during and after a ten-week nature-based intervention in a therapy garden. Methods: Eight veterans participated in qualitative interviews, which were conducted during a one-year period and were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Results: Five themes emerged from the IPA analysis: Bodily symptoms; relationships; building new identities; the future; and lessons learned. All the participating veterans gained a greater insight into and mastering of their condition, achieved better control of their lives, and developed tools to handle life situations more appropriately and to build a new identity. This improved their ability to participate in social activities and employment. Conclusion: The results should be considered in the future treatment of veterans with PTSD.
Deep Belief Networks Based Toponym Recognition for Chinese Text
Authors: Wang Shu , Zhang Xueying , Ye Peng , Du Mi
Published: June 2018

In Geographical Information Systems, geo-coding is used for the task of mapping from implicitly geo-referenced data to explicitly geo-referenced coordinates. At present, an enormous amount of implicitly geo-referenced information is hidden in unstructured text, e.g., Wikipedia, social data and news. Toponym recognition is the foundation of mining this useful geo-referenced information by identifying words as toponyms in text. In this paper, we propose an adapted toponym recognition approach based on deep belief network (DBN) by exploring two key issues: word representation and model interpretation. A Skip-Gram model is used in the word representation process to represent words with contextual information that are ignored by current word representation models. We then determine the core hyper-parameters of the DBN model by illustrating the relationship between the performance and the hyper-parameters, e.g., vector dimensionality, DBN structures and probability thresholds. The experiments evaluate the performance of the Skip-Gram model implemented by the Word2Vec open-source tool, determine stable hyper-parameters and compare our approach with a conditional random field (CRF) based approach. The experimental results show that the DBN model outperforms the CRF model with smaller corpus. When the corpus size is large enough, their statistical metrics become approaching. However, their recognition results express differences and complementarity on different kinds of toponyms. More importantly, combining their results can directly improve the performance of toponym recognition relative to their individual performances. It seems that the scale of the corpus has an obvious effect on the performance of toponym recognition. Generally, there is no adequate tagged corpus on specific toponym recognition tasks, especially in the era of Big Data. In conclusion, we believe that the DBN-based approach is a promising and powerful method to extract geo-referenced information from text in the future.
Chemically-Induced DNA Damage, Mutagenesis, and Cancer
Authors: Basu Ashis K. , Nohmi Takehiko
Published: June 2018

n/a
Multiple Attributes Group Decision-Making under Interval-Valued Dual Hesitant Fuzzy Unbalanced Linguistic Environment with Prioritized Attributes and Unknown Decision-Makers’ Weights
Authors: Qi Xiao-Wen , Zhang Jun-Ling , Liang Chang-Yong
Published: June 2018

Aiming at a special type of ill-defined complicate multiple attributes group decision-making (MAGDM) problem, which exhibits hybrid complexity features of decision hesitancy, prioritized evaluative attributes, and unknown decision-makers’ weights, we investigate an effective approach in this paper. To accommodate decision hesitancy, we employ a compound expression tool of interval-valued dual hesitant fuzzy unbalanced linguistic set (IVDHFUBLS) to help decision-makers elicit their assessments more comprehensively and completely. To exploit prioritization relations among evaluating attributes, we develop a prioritized weighted aggregation operator for IVDHFUBLS-based decision-making scenarios and then analyze its properties and special cases. To objectively derive unknown decision-makers’ weighting vector, we next develop a hybrid model that simultaneously takes into account the overall accuracy measure of the individual decision matrix and maximizing deviation among all decision matrices. Furthermore, on the strength of the above methods, we construct an MAGDM approach and demonstrate its practicality and effectiveness using applied study on a green supplier selection problem.
Pharmacokinetics of Tedizolid and Pseudoephedrine Administered Alone or in Combination in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Flanagan Shawn , Minassian Sonia , Prokocimer Philippe
Published: June 2018

Therapeutic doses of tedizolid phosphate, an oxazolidinone antibiotic, lack monoamine oxidase inhibition in vivo, potentially resulting in an improved safety profile versus other oxazolidinones. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-period, 2-sequence, crossover, phase 1 study (NCT01577459) assessed the potential for pharmacokinetic (PK) interactions between tedizolid and pseudoephedrine. Eighteen healthy volunteers (age: 18–45 years) were block-randomized to 1 of 2 treatment sequences containing 2 treatment periods (tedizolid phosphate or placebo once daily for 4 days; single dose of pseudoephedrine 60 mg on day 5) separated by a 2-day washout. Median time to maximum plasma concentration for tedizolid and pseudoephedrine ranged from 3 to 4 h, regardless of treatment coadministration. Steady-state tedizolid had no effect on the PK of pseudoephedrine; geometric mean ratio and 90% confidence interval remained within the no-effect 0.8 to 1.25 boundaries. The maximum observed concentration of tedizolid decreased by approximately 14% when pseudoephedrine was coadministered; no changes in the area under the plasma concentration-time curve or the minimum observed plasma concentration occurred. All adverse events (AEs) were mild, and there were no serious AEs or study drug discontinuations. No meaningful PK interactions occurred between tedizolid and pseudoephedrine, and tedizolid was well tolerated when administered in conjunction with pseudoephedrine.
Advancement on Lead-Free Organic-Inorganic Halide Perovskite Solar Cells: A Review
Authors: Sani Faruk , Shafie Suhaidi , Lim Hong Ngee , Musa Abubakar Ohinoyi
Published: June 2018

Remarkable attention has been committed to the recently discovered cost effective and solution processable lead-free organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells. Recent studies have reported that, within five years, the reported efficiency has reached 9.0%, which makes them an extremely promising and fast developing candidate to compete with conventional lead-based perovskite solar cells. The major challenge associated with the conventional perovskite solar cells is the toxic nature of lead (Pb) used in the active layer of perovskite material. If lead continues to be used in fabricating solar cells, negative health impacts will result in the environment due to the toxicity of lead. Alternatively, lead free perovskite solar cells could give a safe way by substituting low-cost, abundant and non toxic material. This review focuses on formability of lead-free organic-inorganic halide perovskite, alternative metal cations candidates to replace lead (Pb), and possible substitutions of organic cations, as well as halide anions in the lead-free organic-inorganic halide perovskite architecture. Furthermore, the review gives highlights on the impact of organic cations, metal cations and inorganic anions on stability and the overall performance of lead free perovskite solar cells.
Modified Polymeric Nanoparticles Exert In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity Against Oral Bacteria
Authors: Toledano-Osorio Manuel , Babu Jegdish P. , Osorio Raquel , Medina-Castillo Antonio L. , García-Godoy Franklin , Toledano Manuel
Published: June 2018

Polymeric nanoparticles were modified to exert antimicrobial activity against oral bacteria. Nanoparticles were loaded with calcium, zinc and doxycycline. Ions and doxycycline release were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer and high performance liquid chromatography. Porphyromonas gingivalis, Lactobacillus lactis, Streptoccocus mutans, gordonii and sobrinus were grown and the number of bacteria was determined by optical density. Nanoparticles were suspended in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 10, 1 and 0.1 mg/mL and incubated with 1.0 mL of each bacterial suspension for 3, 12, and 24 h. The bacterial viability was assessed by determining their ability to cleave the tetrazolium salt to a formazan dye. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Scheffe’s F (p < 0.05). Doxycycline doping efficacy was 70%. A burst liberation effect was produced during the first 7 days. After 21 days, a sustained release above 6 µg/mL, was observed. Calcium and zinc liberation were about 1 and 0.02 µg/mL respectively. The most effective antibacterial material was found to be the Dox-Nanoparticles (60% to 99% reduction) followed by Ca-Nanoparticles or Zn-Nanoparticles (30% to 70% reduction) and finally the non-doped nanoparticles (7% to 35% reduction). P. gingivalis, S. mutans and L. lactis were the most susceptible bacteria, being S. gordonii and S. sobrinus the most resistant to the tested nanoparticles.