bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breakthroughs in Medicinal Chemistry: New Targets and Mechanisms, New Drugs, New Hopes-3
Authors: Mangoni Arduino , Tuccinardi Tiziano , Collina Simona , Vanden Eynde Jean , Muñoz-Torrero Diego , Karaman Rafik , Siciliano Carlo , De Sousa Maria , Prokai-Tatrai Katalin , Rautio Jarkko , Guillou Catherine , Gütschow Michael , Galdiero Stefania , Liu Hong , Agrofoglio Luigi , Sabatier Jean-Marc , Hulme Christopher , Kokotos George , You Qidong , Gomes Paula
Published: July 2018

n/a
Magnolol Inhibits Osteoclast Differentiation via Suppression of RANKL Expression
Authors: Hwang Youn-Hwan , Kim Taesoo , Kim Rajeong , Ha Hyunil
Published: July 2018

Magnolol, a compound from the traditional Korean herb Magnolia sp., has been exhaustively investigated as a therapeutic agent against several diseases including systemic and local inflammation. We examined the effects of magnolol on osteoclastic differentiation associated with inflammation. Magnolol markedly reduced interleukin (IL)-1-induced osteoclast formation in co-cultures of murine osteoblasts and bone marrow cells, whereas it had no effect on receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast formation in bone marrow macrophage cultures. In osteoblasts, magnolol markedly inhibited both the up-regulation of RANKL expression and the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in response to IL-1 treatment. Addition of exogenous PGE2 reversed the inhibitory effects of magnolol on IL-1-induced RANKL expression in osteoblasts and osteoclast formation in co-cultures. Magnolol inhibited IL-1-induced PGE2 production, at least in part by suppressing cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. Taken together, these results demonstrate that magnolol inhibits IL-1-induced RANKL expression in osteoblasts through suppression of COX-2 expression and PGE2 production, resulting in inhibition of osteoclast differentiation in co-cultures.
Lime Pretreatment of Miscanthus: Impact on BMP and Batch Dry Co-Digestion with Cattle Manure
Authors: Thomas Hélène Laurence , Seira Jordan , Escudié Renaud , Carrère Hélène
Published: July 2018

In Europe, the agricultural biogas sector is currently undergoing fast developments, and cattle manure constitutes an important feedstock. Batch dry digester processes with leachate recirculation prove to be particularly interesting for small-scale plants. However, their startup being relatively slow, the process could be facilitated by co-digestion with energy crops. In this study, Miscanthus xgiganteus was chosen for its high biomass yields and low input requirements. The carbohydrate accessibility of this lignocellulosic biomass is limited but may be improved with alkali pretreatment. The efficiency of lime (CaO) pretreatment with low water addition on the biochemical methane potential (BMP) of miscanthus was investigated through two experimental designs (CaO concentrations ranged between 2.5 and 17.5% and pretreatment lasted 1, 3, or 5 days). The pretreated miscanthus was then co-digested with cattle manure in dry leach bed reactors. CaO pretreatments led to a 14–37% improvement of miscanthus BMP, and a 67–227% increase in the first-order kinetics constant; a high contact time was shown to favor methane production. According to these results and to industrial requirements, miscanthus was pretreated with 5 and 10% CaO for 5 days, then co-digested with manure in dry leach bed reactors. Nevertheless, the promising results of the BMP tests were not validated. This could be related to the high water absorption capacity of miscanthus.
A Novel Oligonucleotide Pair for Genotyping Members of the Pseudomonas Genus by Single-Round PCR Amplification of the gyrB Gene
Authors: Agaras Betina Cecilia , Valverde Claudio
Published: July 2018

Pseudomonas is a phylogenetically diverse bacterial genus which is broadly distributed in different ecological niches, and whose taxonomy is continuously under revision. For that purpose, gyrB is one of the housekeeping genes routinely used for multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA). As we noticed that there was not a single primer pair available in the literature suitable for direct sequencing of this gene, we decided to design a unique oligonucleotide pair and to set up a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol to obtain a single amplicon for the entire Pseudomonas genus. Based on the available gyrB sequence from 148 Pseudomonas species, we identified highly conserved regions to design oligonucleotides without fully degenerate positions. We then set up cycling conditions for achieving high specificity and yield of the PCR protocol. Then, we showed that the amplicons produced with this procedure were appropriate for direct sequencing with both primers, obtaining more than 95% of amplicons coverage. Finally, we demonstrated that a PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) approach served to differentiate among Pseudomonas species, and even between members of the same species.
Evaluation of the PEG Density in the PEGylated Chitosan Nanoparticles as a Drug Carrier for Curcumin and Mitoxantrone
Authors: Chen Yao , Wu Di , Zhong Wu , Kuang Shuwen , Luo Qian , Song Liujiang , He Lihua , Feng Xing , Tao Xiaojun
Published: July 2018

Polyethylene glycolated (PEGylated)curcumin-grafted-chitosan (PCC) conjugates were synthesized with three PEG/chitosan feed molar ratios (1/5, 1/7.5, and 1/10), namely PCC1, PCC2 and PCC3. Chemical structures of these conjugates were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). The degrees of substitution (DS) of PEG were 0.75%, 0.45% and 0.33%, respectively, for PCC1, PCC2 and PCC3by 1H NMR analysis. Self-assembled PCC nanoparticles (NPs) were spherical as observed in transmission electron microscope images. Mitoxantrone (MTO)-loaded PCC NPs were prepared to analyze the particle size, zeta potential, drug loading, drug release and in vitro cytotoxicity. The MTO-loaded PCC3 NP (DS = 0.33%) possessed the smallest size (~183.1 nm), highest zeta potential (~+34.0 mV) and the largest loading capacity of curcumin (CUR, ~16.1%) and MTO (~8.30%). The release results showed that MTO-loaded PCC3 NP demonstrated the lowest percentage of MTO release and increased as pH decreased, but the CUR release could only be detected at pH 4.0. In the cytotoxicity study, MTO-loaded PCC3 NP displayed the highest cytotoxicity in HepG2 cell line and the best synergistic effect among the tested NPs. Our results suggest that the DS of PEG has impacts on the structures and functions of PCC NPs: the smaller DS of PEG was associated with the smaller size, the higher zeta potential, the slower drug release, and the higher cytotoxicity of NPs.
Curcumin in Liver Diseases: A Systematic Review of the Cellular Mechanisms of Oxidative Stress and Clinical Perspective
Authors: Farzaei Mohammad Hosein , Zobeiri Mahdi , Parvizi Fatemeh , El-Senduny Fardous F. , Marmouzi Ilias , Coy-Barrera Ericsson , Naseri Rozita , Nabavi Seyed Mohammad , Rahimi Roja , Abdollahi Mohammad
Published: July 2018

Oxidative stress has been considered a key causing factor of liver damage induced by a variety of agents, including alcohol, drugs, viral infections, environmental pollutants and dietary components, which in turn results in progression of liver injury, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, non-alcoholic liver disease, liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. During the past 30 years and even after the major progress in the liver disease management, millions of people worldwide still suffer from an acute or chronic liver condition. Curcumin is one of the most commonly used indigenous molecules endowed by various shielding functionalities that protects the liver. The aim of the present study is to comprehensively review pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms, as well as clinical evidence, of curcumin as a lead compound in the prevention and treatment of oxidative associated liver diseases. For this purpose, electronic databases including “Scopus,” “PubMed,” “Science Direct” and “Cochrane library” were extensively searched with the keywords “curcumin or curcuminoids” and “hepatoprotective or hepatotoxicity or liver” along with “oxidative or oxidant.” Results showed that curcumin exerts remarkable protective and therapeutic effects of oxidative associated liver diseases through various cellular and molecular mechanisms. Those mechanisms include suppressing the proinflammatory cytokines, lipid perodixation products, PI3K/Akt and hepatic stellate cells activation, as well as ameliorating cellular responses to oxidative stress such as the expression of Nrf2, SOD, CAT, GSH, GPx and GR. Taking together, curcumin itself acts as a free radical scavenger over the activity of different kinds of ROS via its phenolic, β-diketone and methoxy group. Further clinical studies are still needed in order to recognize the structure-activity relationships and molecular mechanisms of curcumin in oxidative associated liver diseases.
Simultaneous Determination of Five Cytochrome P450 Probe Substrates and Their Metabolites and Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide Probe Substrate in Human Plasma Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Heo Jae-Kyung , Kim Hyun-Ji , Lee Ga-Hyun , Ohk Boram , Lee Sangkyu , Song Kyung-Sik , Song Im Sook , Liu Kwang-Hyeon , Yoon Young-Ran
Published: July 2018

A rapid and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous determination of organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) and cytochrome P450 (P450) probe substrates and their phase I metabolites in human plasma was developed. The OATP1B1 (pitavastatin) and five P450 probe substrates, caffeine (CYP1A2), losartan (CYP2C9), omeprazole (CYP2C19), dextromethorphan (CYP2D6), and midazolam (CYP3A) and their metabolites were extracted from human plasma (50 µL) using methanol. Analytes were separated on a C18 column followed by selected reaction monitoring detection using MS/MS. All analytes were separated simultaneously within a 9 min run time. The developed method was fully validated over the expected clinical concentration range for all analytes tested. The intra- and inter-day precisions for all analytes were lower than 11.3% and 8.82%, respectively, and accuracy was 88.5–117.3% and 96.1–109.2%, respectively. The lower limit of quantitation was 0.05 ng/mL for dextromethorphan, dextrorphan, midazolam, and 1′-hydroxymidazolam; 0.5 ng/mL for losartan, EXP-3174, omeprazole, 5′-hydroxyomeprazole, and pitavastatin; and 5 ng/mL for caffeine and paraxanthine. The method was successfully used in a pharmacokinetic study in healthy subjects after oral doses of five P450 and OATP1B1 probes. This analytical method provides a simple, sensitive, and accurate tool for the determination of OATP1B1 and five major P450 activities in vivo drug interaction studies.
“Vibrating between Hope and Fear”: The European War and American Presbyterian Foreign Missions
Authors: Libson Scott P.
Published: July 2018

Scholars have argued that World War I and its aftermath caused a rapid transformation in American global philanthropy. The decline of the American “moral empire” coincided with the rise of professional, bureaucratic, and secular philanthropy. The reasons for this transformation appear almost self-evident: the crisis greatly exceeded the capabilities of all private organizations, leading to the growth of state-supported, public, and semi-public organizations like the American Red Cross. In fact, though, mainline foreign missions grew rapidly after the war and did not decline until the Great Depression. In 1920, for instance, they combined to receive over 80 percent of Red Cross receipts. Even amid the decline of the “moral empire”, therefore, mainline foreign missions remained major sources of philanthropic aid and primary representatives of American interests abroad. This article looks at the hopes and fears of Presbyterian (USA) foreign missions in the years before American entry into the (imprecisely named) European War, in order to understand the resilience of foreign missions during a period of crisis. The war created numerous practical, financial, and conceptual challenges. But, it also inspired the mission boards to seek greater sacrifices among donors, to coordinate with other boards and the federal government, and to find alternative methods to achieve its goals. These efforts in the first half of the 1910s prefigured a nationwide transformation in ideas about service and voluntary giving. After the United States entered the war, these “social goods” became nearly obligatory in the minds of many Americans.
Annual Glacier-Wide Mass Balance (2000–2016) of the Interior Tibetan Plateau Reconstructed from MODIS Albedo Products
Authors: Zhang Zhimin , Jiang Liming , Liu Lin , Sun Yafei , Wang Hansheng
Published: July 2018

Glaciers in the Tibetan Plateau (TP) play a crucial role in regulating agriculture irrigation, river discharge and the regional/global climate system. However, mass balance records of TP glaciers have remained scarce due to challenging mountainous terrain and harsh weather conditions, which limits our understanding of the influence of melting glaciers on local water resources and responses to climate change. Here, we present and assess an albedo-based method to derive annual mass balance for three glaciers in the interior TP from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) albedo data during 2000–2016. A strong linear correlation (R2 = 0.941, P < 0.001) is found between annual minimum-averaged glacier-wide albedo (AMGA) values and annual mass balance measurements on the Xiao Dongkemadi glacier. Furthermore, the 17-year-long annual mass balance series of the Xiao Dongkemadi glacier and the Geladandong mountain region glaciers, and the Purogangri ice cap are reconstructed for the first time, with a mass loss rate of 535 ± 63 mm w.e.a−1, 243 ± 66 mm w.e.a−1 and 113 ± 68 mm w.e.a−1, respectively. The results are verified by geodetic estimates, with relative error ranging from 4.55% to 11.80%, confirming that the albedo-based method can be used to estimate specific mass budgets for interior TP glaciers. A strong correlation between the mass balance series and air temperature infers that increasing summer air temperature may be one of main reasons for glacier shrinkage of the three studied glaciers.
Teleconnections and Interannual Transitions as Observed in African Vegetation: 2015–2017
Authors: Anyamba Assaf , Glennie Erin , Small Jennifer
Published: July 2018

El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) teleconnections present a hemispheric dipole pattern in both rainfall and vegetation between eastern and southern Africa. We analyze precipitation and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) departures during the 2015–2017 ENSO cycle; with one of the strongest warm events (El Niño) on record followed by a short and weak cold event (La Niña). Typically, southern (eastern) Africa is associated with dry (wet) conditions during El Niño, and wet (dry) conditions during La Niña. In general, the temporal and spatial evolution of vegetation responses show the expected dipole pattern during the 2015–2016 El Niño and following 2016–2017 La Niña. However, in 2015–2016 the eastern African impacts were displaced to the west and south of the canonical pattern. Composites of seasonal vegetation anomalies highlight the magnitude and position of impacts. Further investigation through empirical orthogonal teleconnections and spatial correlation analysis confirms the similar, but opposite, teleconnection impacts in eastern and southern Africa. The diametrically opposed patterns have particular implications for agricultural production and the availability of fodder and forage, especially in the pastoral communities of the two regions.
A Novel Cloud Removal Method Based on IHOT and the Cloud Trajectories for Landsat Imagery
Authors: Chen Shuli , Chen Xuehong , Chen Xiang , Chen Jin , Cao Xin , Shen Miaogen , Yang Wei , Cui Xihong
Published: July 2018

Cloud removal is a prerequisite for the application of Landsat datasets, as such satellite images are invariably contaminated by clouds. Clouds affect the transmission of radiation signal to different degrees because of their different thicknesses, shapes, heights and distributions. Existing methods utilize pixel replacement to remove thick clouds and pixel correction techniques to rectify thin clouds in order to retain the land surface information in contaminated pixels. However, a major limitation of these methods refers to their deficiency in retrieving land surface reflectance when both thick clouds and thin clouds exist in the images, as the two types of clouds differ in the transmission of radiation signal. As most remotely sensed images show rather complex cloud contamination patterns, an efficient method to alleviate both thin and thick cloud effects is in need of development. To this end, the paper proposes a new method to rectify cloud contamination based on the cloud detection of iterative haze-optimized transformation (IHOT) and the cloud removal of cloud trajectory (IHOT-Trajectory). The cloud trajectory is able to take consideration of signal transmission for different levels of cloud contamination, which characterizes the spectral response of a certain type of land cover under increasing cloud thickness. Specifically, this method consists in four steps. First, the cloud thicknesses of contaminated pixels are estimated by the IHOT. Second, areas affected by cloud shadows are marked. Third, cloud trajectories are fitted with the aid of neighboring similar pixels under different cloud thickness. Last, contaminated areas are rectified according to the relationship between the land surface reflectance and the IHOT. The experimental results indicate that the proposed approach is able to effectively remove both the thin and thick clouds and erase the cloud shadows of Landsat images under different scenarios. In addition, the proposed method was compared with the dark object subtraction (DOS), the modified neighborhood similar pixel interpolator (MNSPI) and the multitemporal dictionary learning (MDL) methods. Quantitative assessments show that the IHOT-Trajectory method is superior to the other cloud removal methods overall. For specific spectral bands, the proposed method performs better than other methods in visible bands, whereas it does not necessarily perform better in infrared bands.
Bio-Optical Characterization and Ocean Colour Inversion in the Eastern Lagoon of New Caledonia, South Tropical Pacific
Authors: Favareto Luciane Rafaele , Rudorff Natália , Kampel Milton , Frouin Robert , Röttgers Rüdiger , Doxaran David , Murakami Hiroshi , Dupouy Cécile
Published: July 2018

The Eastern Lagoon of New Caledonia (ELNC) is a semi-enclosed system surrounded by an extensive coral reef barrier. The system has been suffering impacts from climate variability and anthropogenic activities, including mining exploitation. Satellite monitoring is thus an essential tool to detect such changes. The present study aimed to assess the bio-optical variability of the ELNC and examine the applicability of ocean colour algorithms, using in situ bio-optical and radiometric data, collected during the March 2014 CALIOPE 2 cruise. The chlorophyll a concentration (Chla) varied from 0.13–0.72 mg·m−3, and the coastal stations were spectrally dominated by non-algal particles (NAP) and coloured dissolved organic matter (CDOM) (>80% of the total non-water absorption at 443 nm), due to the contribution of allochthonous sources. The phytoplankton specific absorption was generally lower (mean, 0.049 m2·mg Chla−1) than typical values observed for the corresponding Chla range, as well as the spectral slopes of the absorption of CDOM plus NAP (adg) (mean, 0.016 nm−1) and of the particle backscattering coefficient (bbp) (mean, 0.07 nm−1). The remote sensing reflectance obtained using two in-water approaches and modelled from Inherent Optical Properties (IOPs) showed less than 20% relative percent differences (RPD). Chla estimates were highly biased for the empirical (OC4 and OC3) and semi-analytical (GSM, QAA, GIOP, LMI) algorithms, especially at the coastal stations. Excluding these stations, the GSM01 yielded the best retrievals with 35–40% RPD. adg(443) was well retrieved by all algorithms with ~18% RPD, and bbp(443) with ~40% RPD. Turbidity algorithms also performed reasonably well (30% RPD), showing the capacity and usefulness of the derived products to monitor the water quality of the ELNC, provided accurate atmospheric correction of the satellite data. Regionally tuned algorithms may potentially improve the Chla retrievals, but better parameterization schemes that consider the spatiotemporal variability of the specific IOPs are still needed.
Multimed: An Integrated, Multi-Application Platform for the Real-Time Recording and Sub-Millisecond Processing of Biosignals
Authors: Pirog Antoine , Bornat Yannick , Perrier Romain , Raoux Matthieu , Jaffredo Manon , Quotb Adam , Lang Jochen , Lewis Noëlle , Renaud Sylvie
Published: July 2018

Enhanced understanding and control of electrophysiology mechanisms are increasingly being hailed as key knowledge in the fields of modern biology and medicine. As more and more excitable cell mechanics are being investigated and exploited, the need for flexible electrophysiology setups becomes apparent. With that aim, we designed Multimed, which is a versatile hardware platform for the real-time recording and processing of biosignals. Digital processing in Multimed is an arrangement of generic processing units from a custom library. These can freely be rearranged to match the needs of the application. Embedded onto a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), these modules utilize full-hardware signal processing to lower processing latency. It achieves constant latency, and sub-millisecond processing and decision-making on 64 channels. The FPGA core processing unit makes Multimed suitable as either a reconfigurable electrophysiology system or a prototyping platform for VLSI implantable medical devices. It is specifically designed for open- and closed-loop experiments and provides consistent feedback rules, well within biological microseconds timeframes. This paper presents the specifications and architecture of the Multimed system, then details the biosignal processing algorithms and their digital implementation. Finally, three applications utilizing Multimed in neuroscience and diabetes research are described. They demonstrate the system’s configurability, its multi-channel, real-time processing, and its feedback control capabilities.
A Data Model for Using OpenStreetMap to Integrate Indoor and Outdoor Route Planning
Authors: Wang Zhiyong , Niu Lei
Published: July 2018

With a rapidly-growing volume of volunteered geographic information (VGI), there is an increasing trend towards using VGI to provide location-based services. In this study, we investigate using OpenStreetMap data to integrate indoor and outdoor route planning for pedestrians. To support indoor and outdoor route planning, in this paper, we focus on the connections inside buildings and propose a data model, which uses OSM primitives (nodes, ways and relations) and tags to capture horizontal and vertical indoor components, as well as the connection between indoor and outdoor environments. A set of new approaches is developed to support indoor modeling and mapping. Based on the proposed data model, we present a workflow that enables automatic generation of a routing graph and provide an algorithm to calculate integrated indoor-outdoor routes. We applied our data model to a set of test cases. The application results demonstrate the capability of our data model in modeling built environments and its feasibility for the integration of indoor and outdoor navigation.
A Conformal Driving Class IV Flextensional Transducer
Authors: Zhou Tianfang , Lan Yu , Zhang Qicheng , Yuan Jingwen , Li Shichang , Lu Wei
Published: July 2018

Class IV Flextensional Transducers (FTs) are the most popular among various FTs used as low-frequency and high power underwater acoustic sources. However, an undeniable fact exists in Class IV FTs is that the resonance frequency of breathing mode regulator used is fairly raised by its longitudinal driver stacks. In this research, a conformal driving Class IV FT in which the driver stacks are kept conformal with its oval shell was proposed aiming at the limitations of conventional driving Class IV FTs described above. The device exhibits competitive Transmitting Voltage Responses (TVRs) but much lower operation frequencies with respect to conventional driving Class IV FTs, through the designs of conformal and segmentally controlled driver stacks. Geometric parameters analysis was carried out extensively by Finite Element (FE) simulations for the design optimizations and then a conformal driving Class IV FT resonating at 510 Hz (45% approximately lower than that of conventional driving Class IV FT with the same shell geometry) was finalized. Subsequently the conformal driving Class IV was fabricated and tested in the anechoic tank experimentally. Good agreements of both FE predictions and experimental results demonstrate its low-frequency and small-size acoustic performance.
An Antenna Proximity Sensor for Mobile Terminals Using Reflection Coefficient
Authors: Lim Wonsub , Yang Dongil , Yang Youngoo
Published: July 2018

This paper presents a new antenna proximity sensor for mobile terminals based on the measured reflection coefficient using a bidirectional coupler which is positioned between the main antenna and the front-end module. Using the coupled forward and reverse long-term evolution signals by the bidirectional coupler, the reflection coefficient looking into the antenna was calculated in the base-band processor. The measured reflection coefficients showed clear differences for both the types of objects, and the distances between the terminal and the objects. The proposed antenna proximity sensor showed a recognition distance that was approximately 5 mm longer than that of a conventional capacitive proximity sensor.
Real Time Precise Relative Positioning with Moving Multiple Reference Receivers
Authors: Li Hui , Gao Shuang , Li Liang , Jia Chun , Zhao Lin
Published: July 2018

The stationary reference receiver with precisely known coordinates is difficult to establish in some special real-time relative positioning applications. To improve the relative position estimation accuracy and the reliability simultaneously for the RTK without a precisely known reference receiver, multiple receivers mounted on a moving platform are used as the base station. A code and phase measurement fusion model is proposed to reduce the communication burden and generate measurements at any virtual position where it is inconvenient to install the GPS receiver. To keep the integer property of the ambiguity of fused phase measurements, the RTK method with the moving reference receivers is proposed by implementing the integer ambiguity transformation and error absorption strategy based on the known geometry of multiple receivers. Static and kinematic experiments were carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed relative positioning method. When compared with the single-receiver solution, static results have shown that the proposed method can improve position accuracy by 15.9% and 15.7% for the horizontal and the vertical component, respectively. The kinematic results have shown that the proposed method can achieve position accuracy enhancement by 26.9% for the vertical component.
A Visual Cortex-Inspired Imaging-Sensor Architecture and Its Application in Real-Time Processing
Authors: Wei Hui , Wang Luping
Published: July 2018

For robots equipped with an advanced computer vision-based system, object recognition has stringent real-time requirements. When the environment becomes complicated and keeps changing, existing works (e.g., template-matching strategy and machine-learning strategy) are computationally expensive, compromising object recognition performance and even stability. In order to detect objects accurately, it is necessary to build an efficient imaging sensor architecture as the neural architecture. Inspired by the neural mechanism of primary visual cortex, this paper presents an efficient three-layer architecture and proposes an approach of constraint propagation examination to efficiently extract and process information (linear contour). Through applying this architecture in the preprocessing phase to extract lines, the running time of object detection is decreased dramatically because not only are all lines represented as very simple vectors, but also the number of lines is very limited. In terms of the second measure of improving efficiency, we apply a shape-based recognition method because it does not need any high-dimensional feature descriptor, long-term training, or time-expensive preprocessing. The final results perform well. It is proved that detection performance is good. The brain is the result of natural optimization, so we conclude that a visual cortex-inspired imaging sensor architecture can greatly improve the efficiency of information processing.
Using Stigmergy to Distinguish Event-Specific Topics in Social Discussions
Authors: Cimino Mario G. C. A. , Lazzeri Alessandro , Pedrycz Witold , Vaglini Gigliola
Published: July 2018

In settings wherein discussion topics are not statically assigned, such as in microblogs, a need exists for identifying and separating topics of a given event. We approach the problem by using a novel type of similarity, calculated between the major terms used in posts. The occurrences of such terms are periodically sampled from the posts stream. The generated temporal series are processed by using marker-based stigmergy, i.e., a biologically-inspired mechanism performing scalar and temporal information aggregation. More precisely, each sample of the series generates a functional structure, called mark, associated with some concentration. The concentrations disperse in a scalar space and evaporate over time. Multiple deposits, when samples are close in terms of instants of time and values, aggregate in a trail and then persist longer than an isolated mark. To measure similarity between time series, the Jaccard’s similarity coefficient between trails is calculated. Discussion topics are generated by such similarity measure in a clustering process using Self-Organizing Maps, and are represented via a colored term cloud. Structural parameters are correctly tuned via an adaptation mechanism based on Differential Evolution. Experiments are completed for a real-world scenario, and the resulting similarity is compared with Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) similarity.
A Kind of Joint Routing and Resource Allocation Scheme Based on Prioritized Memories-Deep Q Network for Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Du Yihang , Zhang Fan , Xue Lei
Published: July 2018

Cognitive Radio (CR) is a promising technology to overcome spectrum scarcity, which currently faces lots of unsolved problems. One of the critical challenges for setting up such systems is how to coordinate multiple protocol layers such as routing and spectrum access in a partially observable environment. In this paper, a deep reinforcement learning approach is adopted for solving above problem. Firstly, for the purpose of compressing huge action space in the cross-layer design problem, a novel concept named responsibility rating is introduced to help decide the transmission power of every Secondary User (SU). In order to deal with problem of dimension curse while reducing replay memory, the Prioritized Memories Deep Q-Network (PM-DQN) is proposed. Furthermore, PM-DQN is applied to solve the joint routing and resource allocation problem in cognitive radio ad hoc network for minimizing the transmission delay and power consumption. Simulation results illustrates that our proposed algorithm can reduce the end-to-end delay, packet loss ratio and estimation error while achieving higher energy efficiency compared with traditional algorithm.
A Comparative Study of Four Kinds of Adaptive Decomposition Algorithms and Their Applications
Authors: Liu Tao , Luo Zhijun , Huang Jiahong , Yan Shaoze
Published: July 2018

The adaptive decomposition algorithm is a powerful tool for signal analysis, because it can decompose signals into several narrow-band components, which is advantageous to quantitatively evaluate signal characteristics. In this paper, we present a comparative study of four kinds of adaptive decomposition algorithms, including some algorithms deriving from empirical mode decomposition (EMD), empirical wavelet transform (EWT), variational mode decomposition (VMD) and Vold–Kalman filter order tracking (VKF_OT). Their principles, advantages and disadvantages, and improvements and applications to signal analyses in dynamic analysis of mechanical system and machinery fault diagnosis are showed. Examples are provided to illustrate important influence performance factors and improvements of these algorithms. Finally, we summarize applicable scopes, inapplicable scopes and some further works of these methods in respect of precise filters and rough filters. It is hoped that the paper can provide a valuable reference for application and improvement of these methods in signal processing.
Initial Alignment Algorithm Based on the DMCS Method in Single-Axis RSINS with Large Azimuth Misalignment Angles for Submarines
Authors: Xia Xiu-Wei , Sun Qian
Published: July 2018

Since the inertial sensor error has been modulated effectively by the Rotation Modulation Technique (RMT), the Rotation Strapdown Inertial Navigation System (RSINS) has been widely used for submarines in order to satisfy the requirement of high-accuracy and long working duration. The performance of the initial alignment is main factor affecting the accuracy of the Strapdown Inertial Navigation System (SINS). The traditional initial alignment algorithm based on the compass method has bad performance when the misalignment angle is large, which will make the submarine SINS fail to launch properly in a complex operating environment. Since the RSINS uses the mathematical platform to calculate the navigation information, it allows multiple algorithms to run simultaneously, and different algorithms do not interact with each other. Thus, to improve the alignment accuracy, an initial alignment algorithm based on the Dual Mathematical Calculation System (DMCS) is proposed; moreover, to solve the problem of large azimuth misalignment angle, an improved DMCS-based alignment algorithm is also presented in this paper. Both simulations and experiments showed that the novel algorithm can effectively improve the initial alignment performance under the large misalignment angle environment, enhancing the environmental suitability of the RSINS.
Low-Cost Electronic Tagging System for Bee Monitoring
Authors: De Souza Paulo , Marendy Peter , Barbosa Karien , Budi Setia , Hirsch Pascal , Nikolic Nasiha , Gunthorpe Tom , Pessin Gustavo , Davie Andrew
Published: July 2018

This paper introduces both a hardware and a software system designed to allow low-cost electronic monitoring of social insects using RFID tags. Data formats for individual insect identification and their associated experiment are proposed to facilitate data sharing from experiments conducted with this system. The antennas’ configuration and their duty cycle ensure a high degree of detection rates. Other advantages and limitations of this system are discussed in detail in the paper.
Spatio-Temporal Optimization of Perishable Goods’ Shelf Life by a Pro-Active WSN-Based Architecture
Authors: De Venuto Daniela , Mezzina Giovanni
Published: July 2018

The waste in the perishable goods supply-chain has prompted many global organizations (e.g., FAO and WHO), to develop the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) protocol that ensures a high degree of food quality, minimizing the losses in all the stages of the farm-to-fork chain. It has been proven that good warehouse management practices improve the average life of perishable goods. The advances in wireless sensors network (WSN) technology offers the possibility of a “smart” storage organization. In this paper, a low cost reprogrammable WSN-based architecture for functional warehouse management is proposed. The management is based on the continuous monitoring of environmental parameters (i.e., temperature, light exposure and relative humidity), and on their combination to extract a spatial real-time prediction of the product shelf life. For each product, the quality decay is computed by using a 1st order kinetic Arrhenius model to the whole storage site area. It strives to identify, in a way compatible with the other products’ shelf lives, the position within the warehouse that maximizes the food expiration date. The shelf life computing and the “first-expired first-out” logistic problem are entrusted to a Raspberry Pi-based central unit, which manages a set of automated pallet transporters for the displacement of products, according to the computed shelf lives. The management unit supports several commercial light/temperature/humidity sensor solutions, implementing ZigBee, Bluetooth and HTTP-request interfaces. A proof of concept of the presented pro-active WSN-based architecture is also shown. Comparing the proposed monitoring system for the storage of e.g., agricultural products, with a typical one, the experimental results show an improvement of the expected expiration date of about 1.2 ± 0.5 days, for each pallet, when placed in a non-refrigerated environment. In order to stress the versatility of the WSN solution, a section is dedicated to the implemented system user interfaces that highlight detecting critical situations and allow timely automatic or human interventions, minimizing the latter.
Acceptance Factors of Appropriate Technology: Case of Water Purification Systems in Binh Dinh, Vietnam
Authors: Lee Junmin , Kim Keungoui , Shin Hyunha , Hwang Junseok
Published: July 2018

This study selects a case involving water purification systems in Binh Dinh, Vietnam, as an appropriate example to examine appropriate technology (AT) acceptance factors and derive possible insights into the stable settlement and development processes whereby to diffuse AT. This analysis administered questionnaires to users of water purification systems installed in five elementary and middle schools in Binh Dinh, from which 296 samples were collected for the final analysis. The original unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) was modified by incorporating the factors of physical support and educational support, and empirically studied using structural equation modeling. The findings revealed that all constructs significantly affect the behavioral intentions toward AT, of which performance expectancy and physical support have the most significant impact. Thus, understanding local needs and improving the quality of life by spreading AT are key in its acceptance and diffusion. Furthermore, sustainable technology is guaranteed only if human and economic support is accompanied by AT development that fits the local context and environment. Finally, the analysis results, that moderating effects differ by role, imply that educational support’s influence varies between manager and student groups.
The Role of Planning and Implementation of ICT in Operational Benefits
Authors: Pérez-López Rubén Jesús , Olguín-Tiznado Jesús Everardo , García-Alcaraz Jorge Luis , Camargo-Wilson Claudia , López-Barreras Juan Andrés
Published: July 2018

This article reports a model of structural equations that integrates four latent variables and six hypotheses among them: Integration of information and communication technology (ICT), investment in ICT, training in ICT, and operational benefits obtained in the supply chain (SC). The model is validated with information obtained from 80 surveys applied to manufacturing companies in the municipalities of Ensenada, Mexicali, Tecate, and Tijuana in Mexico. The information is validated by the Cronbach alpha index for internal validity and the R-square index for predictive validity. Partial least-squares algorithms are used to validate the hypotheses in the model and the results indicate that the integration of technology is the basis for the success of the implementation of information technologies, and that the application of these guarantees the obtaining of operational benefits in the productive system.
Gaps between Awareness and Activities on Green Construction in China: A Perspective of On-Site Personnel
Authors: Zhou Jingyang , Tam Vivian W. Y. , Qin Yanjun
Published: July 2018

On-site construction stage has been considered as the key in practicing the view of green construction. Moreover, the unity of awareness and actions of on-site contractors on green construction plays a conclusive role through the implementation of green principles on the construction site. This study aims to investigate the awareness on green construction and to identify the gaps between the awareness and activities in adopting green specifications from the perspective of on-site personnel. A questionnaire survey was conducted with on-site personnel in Mainland China for identifying the gaps between the awareness and activities in the adoption of green construction. The results show that the level of awareness on a certain green requirement is higher than the performance of implementation. Nine groups with large gaps between awareness and activities are identified. Activities about pumping groundwater, burning wooden scraps, preventing strong light, reducing construction sound and noise, adopting green material, optimizing material plan, adopting water recycling devices, and employing energy efficiency machine cannot support high green construction awareness. Moreover, the “utilization of natural resources on-site” has the lowest performance with both low level of awareness and activities. This paper also suggests some useful implications for governments and departments of construction administrations to take measures in ensuring the thorough implementation of green activities on the construction site.
Healthy Practice of Female Soccer and Futsal: Identifying Sources of Stress, Anxiety and Depression
Authors: Olmedilla Aurelio , Ortega Enrique , Robles-Palazón Francisco Javier , Salom Miquel , García-Mas Alexandre
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study was to examine the post-injury psychological impact looking to avoid sources of health issues. We have analyzed differences in the stress, anxiety, and depression levels between male and female football players who have suffered at least one injury during the last season played, with respect to similar players who have not been injured. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. The participants were 187 football players and data on the player’s injuries were collected. A self-reported questionnaire collected number, type, and severity of injuries sustained during the previous sports season (twelve months), and also the player’s current situation, being injured or not injured. To evaluate the psychological variables, the DASS-21 questionnaire was used. Results indicated that the male injured players presented anxiety levels higher than those who were non-injured. When we observe the female players’ data, the stress levels of the non-injured ones are higher than those of the injured players. Regarding the non-injured athletes, results showed that the female non-injured players presented values in anxiety higher than those corresponding to the non-injured male players. Thus, sport injury affects mental health issues such as anxiety and stress, and in a different way regarding gender.
What Can You Do with 100 kWh? A Longitudinal Study of Using an Interactive Energy Comparison Tool to Increase Energy Awareness †
Authors: Hedin Björn , Luis Zapico Jorge
Published: July 2018

Reducing the use of energy is important for several reasons, such as saving money and reducing impact on the climate. However, the awareness among non-experts of how much energy is required by different activities and appliances is generally low, which can lead to wrong prioritizations. In this study, we have developed an interactive tool to increase “energy awareness”, and performed a longitudinal study to evaluate its effect. A group of 58 students first did a test to benchmark their current energy awareness, where their current knowledge of energy used for 14 different activities, such as driving vehicles and using home appliances, was measured. They then tried the interactive learning tool for 10 min. Next, they did the same test immediately after trying the tool, then again one week after trying the tool, and finally again six months after trying the tool. The results showed a significant learning effect in energy awareness with a “huge” effect size of 2.25 immediately after the intervention, a “very large” effect size of 1.70 after one week, and a “large” effect size of 0.93 after six months. The results further showed that the respondents consistently underestimated what 100 kWh could be used for, and especially so for appliances and activities requiring little energy. Before the intervention, on average they underestimated how much 100 kWh could be used for by 95.2%, and six months after the intervention the underestimation was 86.8%.
Corporate Social Responsibility and the Long-Term Performance of Mergers and Acquisitions: Do Regions and Related-Party Transactions Matter?
Authors: Qiao Mingzhe , Xu Shiwei , Wu Guangdong
Published: July 2018

This study investigates the effects of geographical regions and related-party transactions on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and long-term mergers and acquisitions (M&A) performance linkage. We conduct a Heckman two-stage model analysis, using data from listed firms in the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchange markets in China. The results indicate that: (1) buyers’ CSR performance has a significant and positive effect on long-term M&A performance. (2) Significant differences exist across geographical regions in the links between CSR and long-term M&A performance. In our study, the effects of CSR on long-term M&A performance were positive and significant in a sub-sample of firms located in the eastern region, but the effects were negative and insignificant in a sub-sample of firms located in regions other than in the east. (3) Related-party M&A transactions experience more positive and significant CSR long-term M&A performance linkage, compared to non-related party M&A transactions. Our findings might provide more robust evidence to CSR performance linkage, as we have examined the linkage in a special context of M&A activities, using a Heckman two-stage model to alleviate endogeneity bias. We also bring further insights into the effects of two contingent factors (geographical regions and related-party transactions) on the CSR-performance linkage. The findings of this article suggest that it is reasonable for firms to act socially responsibly when generating economic benefits. Policy makers should consider how to encourage firms to better fulfill CSR through improving the market environment and by enhancing their levels of supervision.