bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Process Intensification in Glutamic Acid Production
Authors: Pal P.
Published: June 2018

This chapter discusses issues on process intensification and business sustainability in glutamic acid production. How such process intensification can be achieved using a membrane-integrated hybrid production system in this bio-based process industry has been described in detail. The chapter begins with an introduction on the importance of glutamic acid production and subsequently delves into the issues pertaining to current production processes with sustainability challenges, process intensification approaches, and potential of process intensification of membrane-integrated reactor systems, operation of a novel process representing high process intensification, analysis of process intensification parameters and sustainability of a novel process. Major discussion revolves around a three-stage membrane-integrated hybrid reactor system that has been developed recently and investigated for direct and continuous production of l-(+)-glutamic acid from a cheap and renewable carbon source. Corynebacterium glutamicum has been used for selective production of glutamic acid from fermentation of sugar cane juice. It is observed that judicious integration of appropriate membrane modules with a traditional fermenter can culminate in the development of a novel process with a high degree of process intensification, as analyzed in terms of space intensification, application flexibility, capacity flexibility, energy saving and cost advantage. The membrane integration route leads to an economically viable green process.
An early fire sensor based on infrared gas analytical methods
Authors: Dang Jingmin , Yu Haiye , Zheng Chuantao , Wang Yiding , Sun Yujing
Published: June 2018

A CO sensor based on a 2.33 μm DFB laser and the WMS technique for early fire detection.
End-of-life incineration of nanocomposites: new insights into nanofiller partitioning into by-products and biological outcomes of airborne emission and residual ash
Authors: Pourchez J. , Chivas-Joly C. , Longuet C. , Leclerc L. , Sarry G. , Lopez-Cuesta J.-M.
Published: June 2018

The assessment of nanofiller partitioning into by-products is a key point to understand the biological outcome of airborne emission and residual ash from the incineration of nanocomposites.
Ferromagnetic nanoparticle-embedded hybrid nanogenerator for harvesting omnidirectional vibration energy
Authors: Kim Daewon , Jin Ik Kyeong , Choi Yang-Kyu
Published: June 2018

A ferromagnetic nanoparticle-embedded hybrid nanogenerator (FHNG) which combines triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) and electromagnetic generator (EMG) was is proposed. Through a simple treatment, high-triboelectric monolayers of nanoscale thicknesses are formed.
Towards personalised rapid label free miRNA detection for cancer and liver injury diagnostics in cell lysates and blood based samples
Authors: Duffy James , Padovani Francesco , Brunetti Giulio , Noy Peter , Certa Ulrich , Hegner Martin
Published: June 2018

Label free nanomechanical miRNA detection from biological samples utilising cantilever arrays in an automated diagnostic platform.
Polarized olefins as enabling (co)catalysts for the polymerization of γ-butyrolactone
Authors: Walther Patrick , Frey Wolfgang , Naumann Stefan
Published: June 2018

N-Heterocyclic olefins (NHOs) can homopolymerize GBL via anionic or zwitterionic pathways, whereby polymerization mode and polymer topology depend on the chemical structure of the NHO and the presence of LiCl as cocatalyst.
Aryl bis-sulfonamides bind to the active site of a homotrimeric isoprenoid biosynthesis enzyme IspF and extract the essential divalent metal cation cofactor
Authors: Root Katharina , Barylyuk Konstantin , Schwab Anatol , Thelemann Jonas , Illarionov Boris , Geist Julie G. , Gräwert Tobias , Bacher Adelbert , Fischer Markus , Diederich François , Zenobi Renato
Published: June 2018

Native ESI-MS delivers unprecedented insight into unknown homomeric protein binding mechanisms involving complex, multistage binding equilibria with cofactors and ligands.
Self-assembly of toroidal proteins explored using native mass spectrometry
Authors: Yewdall N. Amy , Allison Timothy M. , Pearce F. Grant , Robinson Carol V. , Gerrard Juliet A.
Published: June 2018

The peroxiredoxins are a well characterised family of toroidal proteins which can self-assemble into a striking array of quaternary structures, including protein nanotubes, making them attractive as building blocks for nanotechnology.
Hemostasis in the Very Young
Authors: Barg Assaf , Nowak-Göttl Ulrike , Kenet Gili
Published: June 2018

Hemostasis is a dynamic process that starts in utero. The coagulation system evolves with age, as evidenced by marked physiological differences in the concentration of the majority of hemostatic proteins in early life compared with adulthood. This concept, known as “developmental hemostasis,” has important biological and clinical implications. Overall, impaired platelet function, along with physiologically reduced levels of vitamin K–dependent and contact coagulation factors, may cause poorer clot firmness even in healthy neonates. However, increased activity of von Willebrand factor and low levels of coagulation inhibitors that promote hemostasis counterbalance the delicate and immature hemostatic system. Since this hemostatic system has little reserve capacity, preterm neonates or sick infants are extremely vulnerable and predisposed to either hemorrhagic or thrombotic complications. This review will address the concept and manifestations of developmental hemostasis with respect to clinical disease phenotypes. It will discuss bleeding diagnosis in neonates, dealing especially with the devastating complications of intracerebral and pulmonary hemorrhage in preterm infants. Neonates, especially the sickest preterm ones, are also extremely susceptible to thrombotic complications; thus, thrombosis in neonates will be reviewed, with special focus on arterial ischemic perinatal stroke. Based on the concept of developmental hemostasis, the phenotypes of clinically relevant bleeding or thrombotic disorders among neonates may differ from those of older infants and children. Treatment options for these conditions will be suggested and reviewed.
The future of the philosophy of religion is the philosophy of culture—and vice versa
Authors: Grimshaw Mike
Published: June 2018

This paper reads the future of the Philosophy of Religion via a critical engagement with the thought of Paul Tillich and diversions into other thinkers to support the main thrust of the argument. It takes as a starting point Tillich’s discussion of the relationship between religion and culture inOn the Boundary(1967), in particular his statement “As religion is the substance of culture, culture is the form of religion” (69–70). With (unlikely) diversions via TS Eliot and Karl Barth, the argument is developed through a re-reading of Tillich’s work on a theology of culture and in particular the statement fromSystematic Theology III(1964b) that “…religion cannot express itself even in a meaningful silence without culture, from which it takes all forms of meaningful expression. And we must restate that culture loses its depth and inexhaustibility without the ultimacy of the ultimate” (264). Central to the rethinking of this paper is then the reworking of Tillich’s statement inOn the Boundarythat “My philosophy of religion …consciously remains on the boundary between theology and philosophy, taking care not to lose the one in the other. It attempts to express the experience of the abyss in philosophical concepts and the idea of justification as the limitation of philosophy” (52). While this can be seen as expressing the basis of continental philosophy and its creative tension between theology and philosophy, this paper inserts culture as the meeting point that holds theology and philosophy in tension and not opposition. That is, a theology of culture also engages with a philosophy of culture; just as a philosophy of religion must engage with a philosophy of culture; for it is culture that gives rise to both theology and philosophy, being the place where they both meet and distinguish themselves. The final part of this paper articulates a rethought Philosophy of Culture as the boundary space from which the future of the Philosophy of Religion can be thought, in creative tension with a Tillich-derived radical theology.
Relationships among climate variability, Cladocera phenology and the pelagic food web in deep lakes in different trophic states
Authors: Leoni Barbara , Nava Veronica , Patelli Martina
Published: June 2018

Achieving a better understanding of the role of climate change in altering population phenology, seasonal cycles in freshwater organisms, and ecosystem structure and function is of high scientific and economic value. The present paper has demonstrated the different food-web responses to teleconnection indices, which are proxy of climate fluctuations, in lakes characterised by different trophic levels. We analysed an 18-year long-term dataset (1998–2015) recorded in the deep eutrophic Lake Iseo and we compared our results to those concerning deep southern-Alpine oligotrophic lakes. Our results confirmed that winter large-scale circulation patterns (for Mediterranean area: East Atlantic Pattern and Eastern Mediterranean Pattern) control a chain of linked causal factors, affecting the winter air temperature, spring water temperature, the resulting water vertical-mixing depth and epilimnetic concentration of total phosphorus. We highlighted that in a lake, characterised by high phosphorus concentration, the spring enrichment in nutrients did not result in either a considerable increase of phytoplankton growth, nor, consequently, in a zooplankton density peak. Whereas in oligotrophic lakes, cascading effects influenced the algal carrying capacity and Daphnia population density. We observed that climatic fluctuations, mediated by, for example, colder water temperature in spring, postponed the timing of population recovery after diapause of both primary consumers (Daphnia and Eubosmina) and secondary consumers (Bythotrephes and Leptodora). The latter being verified for the first time in a eutrophic lake.
Manifolds with Odd Euler Characteristic and Higher Orientability
Authors: Hoekzema Renee S
Published: June 2018

It is well known that odd-dimensional manifolds have Euler characteristic zero. Furthermore, orientable manifolds have an even Euler characteristic unless the dimension is a multiple of $4$. We prove here a generalisation of these statements: a $k$-orientable manifold (or more generally Poincaré complex) has even Euler characteristic unless the dimension is a multiple of $2^{k+1}$, where we call a manifold $k$-orientable if the i-th Stiefel–Whitney class vanishes for all $0<i< 2^k$ ($k\geq 0$). More generally, we show that for a $k$-orientable manifold the Wu classes $v_l$ vanish for all $l$ that are not a multiple of $2^k$. For $k=0,1,2,3$, $k$-orientable manifolds with odd Euler characteristic exist in all dimensions $2^{k+1}m$, but whether there exists a 4-orientable manifold with an odd Euler characteristic is an open question.
High sensitivity mapping of cortical dopamine D2 receptor expressing neurons
Authors: Khlghatyan Jivan , Quintana Clémentine , Parent Martin , Beaulieu Jean-Martin
Published: June 2018

Cortical D2 dopamine receptor (Drd2) have mostly been examined in the context of cognitive function regulation and neurotransmission modulation of medial prefrontal cortex by principal neurons and parvalbumin positive, fast-spiking, interneurons in schizophrenia. Early studies suggested the presence of D2 receptors in several cortical areas, albeit with major technical limitations. We used combinations of transgenic reporter systems, recombinase activated viral vectors, quantitative translatome analysis and high sensitivity in situ hybridization to identify D2 receptor expressing cells and establish a map of their respective projections. Our results identified previously uncharacterized clusters of D2 expressing neurons in limbic and sensory regions of the adult mouse brain cortex. Characterization of these clusters by translatome analysis and cell type specific labeling revealed highly heterogeneous expression of D2 receptors in principal neurons and various populations of interneurons across cortical areas. Transcript enrichment analysis also demonstrated variable levels of D2 receptor expression and several orphan G-protein-coupled receptors co-expression in different neuronal clusters, thus suggesting strategies for genetic and therapeutic targeting of D2 expressing neurons in specific cortical areas. These results pave the way for a thorough reexamination of cortical D2 receptor functions, which could provide information about neuronal circuits involved in psychotic and mood disorders.
Metabolic Diversity within the Globally Abundant Marine Group IIEuryarchaeaOffers Insight into Ecological Patterns
Authors: Tully Benjamin J
Published: June 2018

Despite their discovery over 25 years ago, the Marine Group IIEuryarchaea(MGII) have remained a difficult group of organisms to study, lacking cultured isolates and genome references. The MGII have been identified in marine samples from around the world and evidence supports a photoheterotrophic lifestyle combining phototrophy via proteorhodopsins with the remineralization of high molecular weight organic matter. Divided between two clades, the MGII have distinct ecological patterns that are not understood based on the limited number of available genomes. Here, I present the comparative genomic analysis of 250 MGII genomes, providing the most detailed view of these mesophilic archaea to-date. This analysis identified 17 distinct subclades including nine subclades that previously lacked reference genomes. The metabolic potential and distribution of the MGII genera revealed distinct roles in the environment, identifying algal-saccharide-degrading coastal subclades, protein-degrading oligotrophic surface ocean subclades, and mesopelagic subclades lacking proteorhodopsins common in all other subclades. This study redefines the MGII and provides an avenue for understanding the role these organisms play in the cycling of organic matter throughout the water column.
Toads and roads: transport infrastructure severely impacts dispersal regardless of life stage
Authors: Cayuela Hugo , Bonnaire Éric , Besnard Aurélien
Published: June 2018

Transport infrastructure such as roads has been reported to negatively affect dispersal. Their effects on dispersal are thought to be complex, depending on the characteristics of the structure and the intensity of the traffic using it. In addition, individual factors, such as age, may strongly affect dispersal decisions and success when individuals are confronted with transport infrastructure. Despite the importance of this topic for wildlife conservation, few studies have investigated the effect of transport infrastructure on individuals’ dispersal decisions before and after sexual maturity. We examined the effects on two kinds of infrastructure, gravel tracks and paved roads, on the dispersal of an endangered amphibian, the yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata). We used capture-recapture data collected during a five-year period on a large, spatially structured population of B. variegata. Our study revealed that emigration rates increased with an individual’s age, while dispersal distance decreased. It also showed that both tracks and roads had negative effects on dispersal. The negative effect of roads was stronger than that of tracks. We additionally found that the effect of tracks on dispersal slightly decreased with a toad’s age. In contrast, the negative effect of roads was severe and relatively similar across age classes.
Effects of planting density on the growth and photosynthetic characteristics ofAlternanthera philoxeroidesunder different nutrient conditions
Authors: Li Ke , Chen Hao , Zhang Haijie , Huang Miansong , Quan Quan , Wang Tong , Liu Jian
Published: June 2018

Density and nutrient level are important factors that might affect the growth of invasive plants. To reveal the effects of plant density on the performance of invasive plantAlternanthera philoxeroidesunder different nutrient conditions, a greenhouse experiment was conducted in whichA. philoxeroideswas planted at three densities (low, medium and high) under three nutrient levels (low, medium and high). The results showed that both planting density and nutrient levels had significant effects on the growth of the plant. The biomass of individual plant and all plants in one pot under medium nutrient level were the highest while the photosynthetic rate and total chlorophyll content were the highest at the high nutrient level. Under different nutrient levels, the photosynthetic rate was the highest at medium planting density. The biomass of single plant decreased with the increase of population density, while the total biomass in the whole pot increased with the increase of density. These characteristics might contribute to the invasion ofA. philoxeroidesand help the plant to form monodominant community.
GIMLET: Identifying Biological Modulators in Context-Specific Gene Regulation Using Local Energy Statistics
Authors: Shimamura Teppei , Matsui Yusuke , Kajino Taisuke , Ito Satoshi , Takahashi Takashi , Miyano Satoru
Published: June 2018

The regulation of transcription factor activity dynamically changes across cellular conditions and disease subtypes. The identification of biological modulators contributing to context-specific gene regulation is one of the challenging tasks in systems biology, which is necessary to understand and control cellular responses across different genetic backgrounds and environmental conditions. Previous approaches for identifying biological modulators from gene expression data were restricted to the capturing of a particular type of a three-way dependency among a regulator, its target gene, and a modulator; these methods cannot describe the complex regulation structure, such as when multiple regulators, their target genes, and modulators are functionally related. Here, we propose a statistical method for identifying biological modulators by capturing multivariate local dependencies, based on energy statistics, which is a class of statistics based on distances. Subsequently, our method assigns a measure of statistical significance to each candidate modulator through a permutation test. We compared our approach with that of a leading competitor for identifying modulators, and illustrated its performance through both simulations and real data analysis. Our method, entitled genome-wide identification of modulators using local energy statistical test (GIMLET), is implemented with R (≥ 3.2.2) and is available from github (https://github.com/tshimam/GIMLET).
Causal inference for spatial constancy across whole-body motion
Authors: Perdreau Florian , Cooke James , Koppen Mathieu , Medendorp W. Pieter
Published: June 2018

The brain can estimate the amplitude and direction of self-motion by integrating multiple sources of sensory information, and use this estimate to update object positions in order to provide us with a stable representation of the world. A strategy to improve the precision of the object position estimate would be to integrate this internal estimate and the sensory feedback about the object position based on their reliabilities. Integrating these cues, however, would only be optimal under the assumption that the object has not moved in the world during the intervening body displacement. Therefore, the brain would have to infer whether the internal estimate and the feedback relate to a same external position (stable object), and integrate and/or segregate these cues based on this inference – a process that can be modeled as Bayesian Causal inference. To test this hypothesis, we designed a spatial updating task across passive whole body translation in complete darkness, in which participants (n=11), seated on a vestibular sled, had to remember the world-fixed position of a visual target. Immediately after the translation, a second target (feedback) was briefly flashed around the estimated “updated” target location, and participants had to report the initial target location. We found that the participants’ responses were systematically biased toward the position of the second target position for relatively small but not for large differences between the “updated” and the second target location. This pattern was better captured by a Bayesian causal inference model than by alternative models that would always either integrate or segregate the internally-updated target position and the visual feedback. Our results suggest that the brain implicitly represents the posterior probability that the internally updated estimate and the sensory feedback come from a common cause, and use this probability to weigh the two sources of information in mediating spatial constancy across whole-body motion.

Author Summary

A change of an object’s position on our retina can be caused by a change of the object’s location in the world or by a movement of the eye and body. Here, we examine how the brain solves this problem for spatial updating by assessing the probability that the internally-updated location during body motion and observed retinal feedback after the motion stems from the same object location in the world. Guided by Bayesian causal inference model, we demonstrate that participants’ errrors in spatial updating depend nonlinearly on the spatial discrepancy between internally-updated and reafferent visual feedback about the object’s location in the world. We propose that the brain implicitly represents the probability that the internally updated estimate and the sensory feedback come from a common cause, and use this probability to weigh the two sources of information in mediating spatial constancy across whole-body motion.
Biodiversity improves the ecological design of sustainable biofuel systems
Authors: Godwin Casey M. , Lashaway Aubrey R. , Hietala David C. , Savage Phillip E. , Cardinale Bradley J.
Published: June 2018

For algal biofuels to become a commercially viable and sustainable means of decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, growers are going to need to design feedstocks that achieve at least three characteristics simultaneously as follows: attain high yields; produce high quality biomass; and remain stable through time. These three qualities have proven difficult to achieve simultaneously under the ideal conditions of the laboratory, much less under field conditions (e.g., outdoor culture ponds) where feedstocks are exposed to highly variable conditions and the crop is vulnerable to invasive species, disease, and grazers. Here, we show that principles from ecology can be used to improve the design of feedstocks and to optimize their potential for “multifunctionality.” We performed a replicated experiment to test these predictions under outdoor conditions. Using 80 ponds of 1,100 L each, we tested the hypotheses that polycultures would outperform monocultures in terms of the following functions: biomass production, yield of biocrude from biomass, temporal stability, resisting population crashes, and resisting invasions by unwanted species. Overall, species richness improved stability, biocrude yield, and resistance to invasion. While this suggests that polycultures could outperform monocultures on average, invasion resistance was the only function where polycultures outperformed the best single species in the experiment. Due to tradeoffs among different functions that we measured, no species or polyculture was able to maximize all functions simultaneously. However, diversity did enhance the potential for multifunctionality—the most diverse polyculture performed more functions at higher levels than could any of the monocultures. These results are a key finding for ecological design of sustainable biofuel systems because they show that while a monoculture may be the optimal choice for maximizing short‐term biomass production, polycultures can offer a more stable crop of the desired species over longer periods of time.
Regulation of
Aspergillus nidulans
CreA-Mediated Catabolite Repression by the F-Box Proteins Fbx23 and Fbx47
Authors: de Assis Leandro José , Ulas Mevlut , Ries Laure Nicolas Annick , El Ramli Nadia Ali Mohamed , Sarikaya-Bayram Ozlem , Braus Gerhard H. , Bayram Ozgur , Goldman Gustavo Henrique
Published: June 2018

The attachment of one or more ubiquitin molecules by SCF (
S
kp–
C
ullin–
F
-box) complexes to protein substrates targets them for subsequent degradation by the 26S proteasome, allowing the control of numerous cellular processes. Glucose-mediated signaling and subsequent carbon catabolite repression (CCR) are processes relying on the functional regulation of target proteins, ultimately controlling the utilization of this carbon source. In the filamentous fungus
Aspergillus nidulans
, CCR is mediated by the transcription factor CreA, which modulates the expression of genes encoding biotechnologically relevant enzymes. Although CreA-mediated repression of target genes has been extensively studied, less is known about the regulatory pathways governing CCR and this work aimed at further unravelling these events. The Fbx23 F-box protein was identified as being involved in CCR and the Δ
fbx23
mutant presented impaired xylanase production under repressing (glucose) and derepressing (xylan) conditions. Mass spectrometry showed that Fbx23 is part of an SCF ubiquitin ligase complex that is bridged via the GskA protein kinase to the CreA-SsnF-RcoA repressor complex, resulting in the degradation of the latter under derepressing conditions. Upon the addition of glucose, CreA dissociates from the ubiquitin ligase complex and is transported into the nucleus. Furthermore, casein kinase is important for CreA function during glucose signaling, although the exact role of phosphorylation in CCR remains to be determined. In summary, this study unraveled novel mechanistic details underlying CreA-mediated CCR and provided a solid basis for studying additional factors involved in carbon source utilization which could prove useful for biotechnological applications.

IMPORTANCE
The production of biofuels from plant biomass has gained interest in recent years as an environmentally friendly alternative to production from petroleum-based energy sources. Filamentous fungi, which naturally thrive on decaying plant matter, are of particular interest for this process due to their ability to secrete enzymes required for the deconstruction of lignocellulosic material. A major drawback in fungal hydrolytic enzyme production is the repression of the corresponding genes in the presence of glucose, a process known as carbon catabolite repression (CCR). This report provides previously unknown mechanistic insights into CCR through elucidating part of the protein-protein interaction regulatory system that governs the CreA transcriptional regulator in the reference organism
Aspergillus nidulans
in the presence of glucose and the biotechnologically relevant plant polysaccharide xylan.
Kinematic sensitivity analysis of a novel micro-mechanism for displacement amplification
Authors: Iqbal Sohail , Malik Afzaal , Shakoor Rana I
Published: June 2018

This research article presents the design and analysis of a displacement amplification mechanism based on a microelectromechanical system (MEMS). The mechanism, compared to generic displacement mechanisms, is smaller and capable of amplifying input displacement by a factor of 6.8. Finite element analysis (FEA) is performed with commercial software Intellisuite using the extended finite element method (XFEM) technique to verify the analytical results from mathematical models. Kinematic response and kinematic sensitivity analysis of the amplification mechanism are computationally carried out to predict the effect of different geometric parameters on the performance of the proposed mechanism. The analysis predicts that length and angle of flexure are the two key geometric parameters significantly affecting the amplification factor (AF), with length having a direct relationship and angle of flexure having an inverse relationship. A significant increase in the AF is seen for a flexure length up to 550 μm and angle below 5°. Based on the sensitivity analysis, the design is optimized, and geometric parameters are finalized. Modal analysis and dynamic simulations, including direct-integration transient and steady-state modal analysis, are performed on the mechanism under the application of 25 g. The mechanism can be integrated with any conventional actuating mechanism in a microsystem where the amplification of a small displacement at the output is desired.
Electron acceleration by a circularly polarized electromagnetic wave publishing in plasma with a periodic magnetic field and an axial guide magnetic field
Authors: Abedi-Varaki Mehdi
Published: June 2018

In this paper, we study the electron acceleration by a circularly polarized electromagnetic wave propagating through plasma in the presence of a periodic and an axial guide magnetic field. A numerical calculation in MATLAB software was developed by employing the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method for studying the electron energy and electron trajectory in plasma medium. The equations governing the electron momentum and energy which describe electron acceleration by a circularly polarized laser pulse have been obtained. It is shown that by choosing an appropriate wiggler field frequency at short distances, the electron retains an adequate amount of energy. In addition, it is found that due to the simultaneous existence of the wiggler field and field of laser pulse and their combined effects, the electron in the direction of the laser pulse propagating, turns around and subsequently, the electron transverse momentum increases and as a result the electron escapes from the laser pulse near the laser pulse peak. Furthermore, it is seen that by increasing the laser intensity, the electron energy decreases and by decreasing to an appropriate value while employing a wiggler magnetic field, a higher peak of energy is gained.
Quaternionic arithmetic lattices of rank 2 and a fake quadric in characteristic 2
Authors: Rungtanapirom Nithi
Published: June 2018

We construct a torsion-free arithmetic lattice in [Formula: see text] arising from a quaternion algebra over [Formula: see text]. It is the fundamental group of a square complex with universal covering [Formula: see text], a product of trees with constant valency [Formula: see text], which has minimal Euler characteristic. Furthermore, our lattice gives rise to a fake quadric over [Formula: see text] by means of non-archimedean uniformization.
Robust Structured Low-Rank Representation for Image Segmentation
Authors: You Cong-Zhe , Palade Vasile , Wu Xiao-Jun
Published: June 2018

Subspace clustering analysis algorithms are often employed when dealing with high-dimensional data. As a representative approach, Low-Rank Representation (LRR) of data has achieved great success for subspace segmentation tasks in applications such as image processing. The traditional LRR-related methods consist of two separate tasks: first, the affinity graph construction by using lowrank minimization techniques, and then the spectral clustering, which is done on the affinity graph to get the final segmentation. Since these two steps are independent of each other, this method does not guarantee that the results obtained by the algorithm are globally optimal. In this paper, a method called Robust Structured Low-Rank Representation (RSLRR) is proposed, by integrating the two above mentioned tasks and solve a joint optimization problem. This paper also puts forward a method to solve the joint optimization problem, which can efficiently get both the segmentation and the structured low-rank representation. Experiments on several standard datasets show that, compared with other algorithms, the algorithm proposed in this paper can achieve better clustering results.
Entropy as a bound for expectation values and variances of a general quantum mechanical observable
Authors: Sarkar Shubhayan
Published: June 2018

Quantum information-theoretic approach had been identified as a way to understand the foundations of quantum mechanics as early as 1950 due to Shannon. However, there hasn’t been enough advancement or rigorous development of the subject. In the following paper we try to find the relationship between a general quantum mechanical observable and von Neumann entropy. We find that the expectation values and the uncertainties of the observables have bounds which depend on the entropy. The results also show that von Neumann entropy is not just the uncertainty of the state but also encompasses the information about expectation values and uncertainties of any observable which depend on the observers choice for a particular measurement. Also a reverse uncertainty relation is derived for [Formula: see text] quantum mechanical observables.
Pseudo-derivative evolutionary algorithm and convergence analysis
Authors: Yu Yang , Wang Zhongjie , Tianfield Huaglory , Lu Chengchao
Published: June 2018

In this paper, a novel evolutionary algorithm (EA), called pseudo-derivative EA (called PDEA), is proposed. The basic idea of PDEA is to use pseudo-derivative, which is obtained based on the information produced during the evolution, and to help search the solution of optimization problem. The pseudo-derivative drives the search process in a more informed direction. That makes PDEA different from the random optimization methods. The convergence of PDEA is first analyzed based on systems theory. The convergence condition of PDEA is then derived though this condition is too strong to be satisfied. Next, this condition is relaxed based on the entropy theory. Finally, performances of PDEA are evaluated on the benchmark functions and an adaptive liquid level control system of a surge tank. The numeric simulation results show that PDEA is capable of finding the solutions to the optimization problems with good accuracy, reliability, and speed.
Error Analysis of Chebyshev Spectral Element Methods for the Acoustic Wave Equation in Heterogeneous Media
Authors: Oliveira Saulo Pomponet
Published: June 2018

This work concerns the error analysis of the spectral element method with Gauss–Lobatto–Chebyshev collocation points with the implicit Newmark average acceleration scheme for the two-dimensional acoustic wave equation. The analysis is restricted to homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions, constant compressibility and variable density. The proposed error estimates are optimal with respect to the mesh parameter although suboptimal on the polynomial degree. Numerical examples illustrate the theoretical results.
NOD2 Modulates Serotonin Transporter and Interacts with TLR2 and TLR4 in Intestinal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Layunta Elena , Latorre Eva , Forcén Raquel , Grasa Laura , Castro Marta , Arias Maykel A. , Alcalde Ana I. , Mesonero José Emilio
Published: June 2018

Background/Aims: Serotonin (5-HT) is a chief modulator of intestinal activity. The effects of 5-HT depend on its extracellular availability, which is mainly controlled by serotonin transporter (SERT), expressed in enterocytes. On the other hand, innate immunity, mediated by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLRs), is known to control intestinal microbiota and maintain intestinal homeostasis. The dysregulation of the intestinal serotonergic system and innate immunity has been observed in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), the incidence of which has severely increased all over the world. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to analyze the effect of NOD2 on intestinal SERT activity and expression, as well as to study the crosstalk of NOD2 with TLR2 and TLR4. Methods: Intestinal epithelial cell line Caco-2/TC7 was used to analyze SERT activity and SERT, NOD2, TLR2 and TLR4 molecular expression by real-time PCR and western blotting. Moreover, intestinal tract (ileum and colon) from mice deficient in TLR2, TLR4 or TLR2/4 receptors was used to test the interdependence of NOD2 with these TLR receptors. Results: NOD2 activation inhibits SERT activity in Caco-2/TC7 cells, mainly due to the decrement of SERT molecular expression, with RIP2/RICK being the intracellular pathway involved in this effect. This inhibitory effect on SERT would yield an increment of extracellular 5-HT availability. In this sense, 5-HT strongly inhibits NOD2 expression. In addition, NOD2 showed greater interdependence with TLR2 than with TLR4. Indeed, NOD2 expression significantly increased in both cells treated with TLR2 agonists and the intestinal tract of Tlr2-/- mice. Conclusions: It may be inferred from our data that NOD2 could play a role in intestinal pathophysiology not only through its inherent innate immune role but also due to its interaction with other receptors as TLR2 and the modulation of the intestinal serotonergic system decreasing SERT activity and expression.
Uremic Pruritus is Associated with Two-Year Cardiovascular Mortality in Long Term Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Weng Cheng-Hao , Hu Ching-Chih , Yen Tzung-Hai , Hsu Ching-Wei , Huang Wen-Hung
Published: June 2018

Background/Aims: Uremic pruritus (UP) is an unpleasant complication in patients undergoing maintenance dialysis. Cardiovascular and infection related deaths are the major causes of mortality in patients undergoing dialysis. Studies on the correlation between cardiovascular or infection related mortality and UP are limited. Methods: We analyze 866 maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients in our hemodialysis centers. Clinical parameters and 24-month cardiovascular and infection-related mortality are recorded. Results: The associations between all-cause, cardiovascular and infection related mortality with clinical data including UP are analyzed. Multivariate Cox regression demonstrated that UP is a significantly predictor for 24-month cardiovascular mortality in the MHD patients (Hazard ratio: 3.164; 95% confidence interval, 1.743–5.744; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Uremic pruritus is one of the predictor of 24-month cardiovascular mortality in MHD patients.
Microbiological Etiologies of Pneumonia Complicating Stroke
Authors: Kishore Amit K. , Vail Andy , Jeans Adam R. , Chamorro Angel , Di Napoli Mario , Kalra Lalit , Langhorne Peter , Roffe Christine , Westendorp Willeke , Nederkoorn Paul J. , Garau Javier , van de Beek Diederik , Montaner Joan , Woodhead Mark , Meisel Andreas , Smith Craig J. ,   on behalf of Pneumonia in Stroke Consensus (PISCES) Group
Published: June 2018

Background and Purpose—

Identifying the causal pathogens of pneumonia complicating stroke is challenging, and antibiotics used are often broad spectrum, without recourse to the microbiological cause. We aimed to review existing literature to identify organisms responsible for pneumonia complicating stroke, before developing a consensus-based approach to antibiotic treatment.

Methods—

A systematic literature review of multiple electronic databases using predefined search criteria was undertaken, in accordance with Cochrane and PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidance. Published studies of hospitalized adults with ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, or both, which identified microbiological etiologies for pneumonia complicating stroke up to January 1, 2017, were considered. Analysis included summary statistics and random-effects meta-analysis where appropriate.

Results—

Fifteen studies (40% ischemic stroke, 60% ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage) involving 7968 patients were included. Reported occurrence of pneumonia varied considerably between studies (2%–63%) with a pooled frequency of 23% (95% confidence interval, 14%–34%;
I
2
=99%). Where reported (60%), the majority of pneumonia occurred within 1 week of stroke (78%). Reported frequency of positive culture data (15%–88%) varied widely. When isolated, aerobic Gram-negative bacilli (38%) and Gram-positive cocci (16%) were most frequently cultured; commonly isolated organisms included
Enterobacteriaceae
(21.8%:
Klebsiella pneumoniae
, 12.8% and
Escherichia coli
, 9%),
Staphylococcus aureus
(10.1%),
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(6%),
Acinetobacter baumanii
(4.6%), and
Streptococcus pneumoniae
(3.5%). Sputum was most commonly used to identify pathogens, in isolation (40%) or in conjunction with tracheal aspirate (15%) or blood culture (20%).

Conclusions—

Although the analysis was limited by small and heterogeneous study populations, limiting determination of microbiological causality, this review suggests aerobic Gram-negative bacilli and Gram-positive cocci are frequently associated with pneumonia complicating stroke. This supports the need for appropriately designed studies to determine microbial cause and a consensus-based approach in antibiotic usage and further targeted antibiotic treatment trials for enhanced antibiotic stewardship.
From Christian Polemic to a Jewish-Converso Dialogue
Authors: Yisraeli Yosi
Published: June 2018

This article presents a new reading of the polemical strategies and arguments embodied in the “anti-Jewish” tractate by the converted bishop of Burgos, Pablo de Santa María (c.1352–1435), the Scrutinium scripturarum (c.1432). It suggests the Scrutinium reflected a unique polemical dynamic that emerged between converts and Jews following the mass conversions of 1391 and the early fifteenth century, regarding the spiritual assimilation of converts to their new faith. Grappling with the new challenges faced by converts, the Scrutinium articulated a Christian approach toward rabbinic traditions and Jewish skepticism that differed dramatically from the scholastic–polemical traditions that were employed at the disputation of Tortosa. Its introduction of rabbinic esotericism provided its Latin-reading audience new historical and theological grounds for the integration of rabbinic authority within Christian scholarship and history. In doing so, it embodied what could be considered a distinct “converso voice,” which challenged the customary religious boundaries between Judaism and Christianity.
Apologetic Glosses—Venues for Encounters: Annotations on Abraham in the Latin Translations of the Qurʾān
Authors: Starczewska Katarzyna K.
Published: June 2018

The aim of this article is to present a set of glosses to the Qurʾān written by the sixteenth-century Spanish convert Juan Gabriel and to analyze them in the context of apologetic argumentation. The glosses come from a translation commissioned by Egidio da Viterbo (1518). I present here the index of topics covered by the glosses and argue for their conciliatory character. I also select glosses that focus on the identity of Abraham and compare them with annotations that appear in other Latin translations of the Qurʾān. The conclusion of this study is that, although there was a tradition in Latin Europe of glossing the Qurʾān in particular places, for example in passages where biblical figures are mentioned, Juan Gabriel used this tradition to present Islam as compatible with Christianity rather than a heresy.
Singapore’s restructuring of low-wage work: Have cleaning job conditions improved?
Authors: Ng Irene YH , Ng Yi Ying , Lee Poh Choo
Published: June 2018

Singapore’s Progressive Wage Model, introduced in 2012 and mandatory in the cleaning industry since 2015, is a skills- and productivity-based approach to redesigning jobs and restructuring wages in the largely outsourced cleaning, security and landscaping sectors. Focusing on cleaning work in the food and beverage industry, this case study examines some early outcomes of this national drive to reduce wage inequality by improving the pay and conditions of commodified work in a sector subject to outsourcing-based cost competition. Based on interviews with cleaners, supervisors and managers, the findings suggest that in general, government and the trade union and employers’ association have worked together, to set wages and conditions transparently. Nevertheless, enforcement issues mean that cleaners remain vulnerable. They have limited information about their employment benefits and face various types of poor conditions, some sanctioned by and others in violation of labour laws. These vulnerabilities have structural roots, including rent imbalances and cheap sourcing, factors that commodify jobs. The implementation of the Progressive Wage Model may have helped de-commodify cleaning jobs for Singaporeans and permanent residents, but such outcomes are still dependent on non-systemic and unenforceable factors such as the kindness of individual supervisors. While a promising start has been made, Singapore’s initial efforts to improve incomes and conditions in low-wage work will nevertheless require stronger regulatory commitment.
Airway Delivery of Bone Marrow–Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Reverses Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Superimposed with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in an Infant
Authors: Lin Hsin-Chia , Wang Ching-Chia , Chou Heng-Wen , Wu En-Ting , Lu Frank Leigh , Ko Bor-Sheng , Yao Ming , Wang Po-Yuan , Wu Mei-Hwan , Chen Yih-Sharng
Published: June 2018

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a disease affecting extremely premature infants, results from the disruption of normal pulmonary vascular and alveolar growth. Currently, there is no specific effective treatment. We report a case of a 10-mo-old female infant with BPD, who was admitted because of adenovirus pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with prolonged venovenous and arteriovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support (total 125 d). The respiratory condition dramatically improved, and ECMO was removed 25 d after intratracheal delivery of maternal bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). Short tandem repeat examinations revealed that there was no maternal cells in the bronchial wash fluid. To our knowledge, this is the first human report of BM-MSC therapy reversal of the course of BPD superimposed with ARDS. We also suggest that BM-MSC therapy may not only be effective in the newborn stage but also works in infants and children with BPD.
Los medios indígenas en Argentina: caracterización y desafíos a partir de la experiencia de dos radios kollas
Authors: Siares Emilse , Belotti Francesca
Published: June 2018

La Ley 26522 de Servicios de Comunicación Audiovisual de Argentina (2009) reconoce los pueblos originarios como personas de derecho público no estatal habilitadas para prestar servicios de comunicación a través de sus propios medios. Este logro se debe a las reivindicaciones de comunidades y organizaciones indígenas que, durante la discusión de la ley, empujaron la inclusión de su ‘derecho a la comunicación con identidad’. De hecho, solo autorrepresentándose en la arena mediática —esto es, visibilizando sus luchas y culturas— los pueblos originarios pueden descolonizar los discursos estigmatizantes de los medios dominantes y, a la vez, fortalecer su identidad étnica. Por ello, los medios no son solo espacios y herramientas de acompañamiento al movimiento indígena, sino que devienen objetos y sujetos de reivindicación en sí mismos, porque en el espacio público mediatizado se juega la disputa por el poder interpretativo.En este marco, analizamos la experiencia de dos radios kollas del noroeste argentino que se encuentran entre las primeras emisoras autorizadas en el marco de la lSca. A partir de estos casos de estudio, caracterizamos la comunicación indígena mediatizada e identificamos los principales desafíos que los medios de pueblos originarios enfrentan a la hora en que se implementan las políticas del Estado.
La comunicación con identidad. Regulaciones y un estudio de caso
Authors: Lizondo Norma Liliana
Published: June 2018

El siguiente artículo analiza los alcances de la comunicación con identidad en el marco de la aprobación de la Ley de Servicios de Comunicación Audiovisual en Argentina. Los pueblos originarios hicieron llegar a los foros de consulta, previos a la aprobación de la ley, sus voces con la demanda del derecho a la comunicación y con una categoría que emergió en el campo de las ciencias sociales: comunicación con identidad. El artículo también revisa esa categoría en el contexto de una experiencia desarrollada en el norte de Argentina desde el año 2001; la zona en la que emite la radio es rica en diversidad, ya que habitan siete pueblos originarios, criollos e inmigrantes europeos y árabes.