bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nikita Hruşov Döneminde SSCB ve Afrika Arasındaki İlişkiler
Authors: GÜRSELER Ceren
Published: July 2019

Hruşov yönetimindeki Sovyet Sosyalist Cumhuriyet Birliği, geçmiş liderlerle kıyasla Afrika
siyasetinde değişikliğe gitmiş ve dolayısıyla olağandışı bir durum yaşanmıştır. Kıtanın özellikleri ve
uluslararası konjonktürdeki değişiklikler, Moskova’nın bu olağandışı tutumunu ise olağan kılmıştır. Buna göre
Sovyet dış politikasında ve ideolojisinde esnekliğe gidilmiş ve Afrika ile ortak nokta bulunmaya, kıtanın
potansiyeli kullanılmaya çalışılmıştır. Kremlin, bağımsızlığını kazanan bu ülkelere komünizmin yerleşmesini,
Sovyet modelinin uygulanmasını sağlayarak ve Üçüncü Dünya’nın bu aktörlerini yanına çekerek Batı’ya karşı
üstünlük sağlanmayı amaçlamıştır. Öncelikli hedeflerin gerçekleşmemesi durumunda ya da hedeflere giden
süreçte farklı veya tamamlayıcı amaçlara başvurulabilmiştir. Sovyetler Birliği ve Afrika arasındaki ortak
noktalar sınırlı olmuş, yakınlaşmaya dair eksikler yeni araçları benimsetmiştir. Afrika’nın sömürge geçmişine
ve kalkınma odaklı geleceğine Moskova yanıt vermiştir. Fakat Hruşov döneminin hedefleri tümüyle
gerçekleşememiştir. Moskova ve Afrika ülkeleri işbirliğinde, ideolojik ve siyasi değişikliğin çizdiği çerçeveye
uyumda sınanmıştır.
DIVERSIFIKASI PRODUK KOLANG KALING PADA KELOMPOK USAHA BERIUK ANGENI DI DESA LEMBAH SARI KABUPATEN LOMBOK BARAT
Authors: Yulendra Lalu , Gede I Putu , Idrus Syech
Published: July 2019

Program Ipteks bagi Masyarakat di Desa Lembah Sari, Batu Layar Kabupaten Lombok Barat ditujukan untuk memberdayakan potensi yang ada pada kelompok usaha kolang kaling sebagai upaya untuk meningkatkan pendapatan masyarakat dan mendukung pengembangan destinasi wisata dan ekonomi kreatif dalam menyangga pembangunan pariwisata di kabupaten Lombok Barat mempunyai peran dan fungsi sangat strategis. Kegiatan Ipteks bagi Masyarakat pada produk kolang kaling ini lebih ditekankan pada penganekaragamannya (diversifikasi), menjadi beberapa produk, seperti; kerupuk kolang kaling, es kolang kaling, manisan dan dodol kolang kaling dengan maksud agar secara teknis proses pembuatan kolang kaling dalam diversifikasi produk olahan camilan dapat dilakukan dengan menggunakan alat bantu berteknologi kekinian, karena adanya temuan bahwa dalam proses pengolahan masih dilakukan secara tradisional dan kurang memperhatikan aspek hyginitas, demikian juga dalam pemasaran pun masih sederhana karena dijanjakan dilapak-lapak pasar dan sekolah. Metode yang digunakan untuk mencapai tujuan dari kegiatan Ipteks bagi Masyarakat ini, dilakukan dengan menggunakan langkah-langkah sebagai berikut; a) melakukan sosialisasi, b) menyusun rencana program, c) melak-sanakan program Ipteks bagi Masyarakat, d) melakukan monitoring, evaluasi dan menyusun laporan. Hasil kegiatan Ipteks bagi Masyarakat ini, antara lain; a) terlaksananya penyuluhan tentang pentingnya pemeliharaan tanaman Enao atau Aren sebagai bahan baku kolang kaling dan meyakinkan pengusaha/masyarakat bahwa camilan kolang kaling dapat dijadikan sebagai salah satu paket wisata kuliner dan wisata agro, b) terlaksananya pelatihan dalam proses pembuatan produk olahan camilan kolang kaling sehat dengan kemasan yang vareatif agar memiliki nilai jual kompetitif, c) terlaksananya kegiatan bimbingan untuk memperluas jangkauan pemasaran dengan memanfaat media sosial.
PENGARUH KOMPETENSI WIRAUSAHA, KREATIVITAS DAN PENGGUNAAN MEDIA SOSIAL TERHADAP PERKEMBANGAN USAHA KERAJINAN BATU PADAS BANJAR SILAKARANG, GIANYAR
Authors: Arniti Ni Ketut
Published: July 2019

This research was conducted to determine the effect of entrepreneurial competence on the development of Padas Stone Crafts, the influence of creativity on the development of Padas Stone Crafts and the influence of the use of social media on the development of the Padas Stone Craft Business. This research was conducted on a number of Padas Stone Carving Art Crafts in the Banjar Silakarang, Sukawati, Gianyar Bali. Data collection was conducted with a questionnaire to 36 respondents. The collected data was analyzed by multiple linear regression, analysis of determination and significance test with t test. The results showed that 1) The amount of the t-count for the entrepreneurial competency variable was 4.702> t table 1.697 with a significance level of 0.000. This means that partially entrepreneurial competence has a real influence on the development of the Craft Business. 2) The amount of the tcount for the creativity variable is 2.962> ttable 1.697 with a significance level of 0.006. This means that partially creativity has a real influence on the development of the Craft Business. 3) The amount of the tcount for the variable social media use is 2.116> t table 1.697 with a significance level of 0.042. This means that partially the use of social media has a real influence on the development of the Craft Business.
An Integrated Wildlife Recognition Model Based on Multi-Branch Aggregation and Squeeze-And-Excitation Network
Authors: Xie Jiangjian , Li Anqi , Zhang Junguo , Cheng Zhean
Published: July 2019

Infrared camera trapping, which helps capture large volumes of wildlife images, is a widely-used, non-intrusive monitoring method in wildlife surveillance. This method can greatly reduce the workload of zoologists through automatic image identification. To achieve higher accuracy in wildlife recognition, the integrated model based on multi-branch aggregation and Squeeze-and-Excitation network is introduced. This model adopts multi-branch aggregation transformation to extract features, and uses Squeeze-and-Excitation block to adaptively recalibrate channel-wise feature responses based on explicit self-mapped interdependencies between channels. The efficacy of the integrated model is tested on two datasets: the Snapshot Serengeti dataset and our own dataset. From experimental results on the Snapshot Serengeti dataset, the integrated model applies to the recognition of 26 wildlife species, with the highest accuracies in Top-1 (when the correct class is the most probable class) and Top-5 (when the correct class is within the five most probable classes) at 95.3% and 98.8%, respectively. Compared with the ROI-CNN algorithm and ResNet (Deep Residual Network), on our own dataset, the integrated model, shows a maximum improvement of 4.4% in recognition accuracy.
Breast Cancer Diagnosis System Based on Semantic Analysis and Choquet Integral Feature Selection for High Risk Subjects
Authors: Trabelsi Ben Ameur Soumaya , Sellami Dorra , Wendling Laurent , Cloppet Florence
Published: July 2019

In this work, we build a computer aided diagnosis (CAD) system of breast cancer for high risk patients considering the breast imaging reporting and data system (BIRADS), mapping main expert concepts and rules. Therefore, a bag of words is built based on the ontology of breast cancer analysis. For a more reliable characterization of the lesion, a feature selection based on Choquet integral is applied aiming at discarding the irrelevant descriptors. Then, a set of well-known machine learning tools are used for semantic annotation to fill the gap between low level knowledge and expert concepts involved in the BIRADS classification. Indeed, expert rules are implicitly modeled using a set of classifiers for severity diagnosis. As a result, the feature selection gives a a better assessment of the lesion and the semantic analysis context offers an attractive frame to include external factors and meta-knowledge, as well as exploiting more than one modality. Accordingly, our CAD system is intended for diagnosis of breast cancer for high risk patients. It has been then validated based on two complementary modalities, MRI and dual energy contrast enhancement mammography (DECEDM), the proposed system leads a correct classification rate of 99%.
ApoA-I-Mediated Lipoprotein Remodeling Monitored with a Fluorescent Phospholipid
Authors: Neufeld Edward B. , Sato Masaki , Gordon Scott M. , Durbhakula Vinay , Francone Nicolas , Aponte Angel , Yilmaz Gizem , Sviridov Denis , Sampson Maureen , Tang Jingrong , Pryor Milton , Remaley Alan T.
Published: July 2019

We describe simple, sensitive and robust methods to monitor lipoprotein remodeling and cholesterol and apolipoprotein exchange, using fluorescent Lissamine Rhodamine B head-group tagged phosphatidylethanolamine (*PE) as a lipoprotein reference marker. Fluorescent Bodipy cholesterol (*Chol) and *PE directly incorporated into whole plasma lipoproteins in proportion to lipoprotein cholesterol and phospholipid mass, respectively. *Chol, but not *PE, passively exchanged between isolated plasma lipoproteins. Fluorescent apoA-I (*apoA-I) specifically bound to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and remodeled *PE- and *Chol-labeled synthetic lipoprotein-X multilamellar vesicles (MLV) into a pre-β HDL-like particle containing *PE, *Chol, and *apoA-I. Fluorescent MLV-derived *PE specifically incorporated into plasma HDL, whereas MLV-derived *Chol incorporation into plasma lipoproteins was similar to direct *Chol incorporation, consistent with apoA-I-mediated remodeling of fluorescent MLV to HDL with concomitant exchange of *Chol between lipoproteins. Based on these findings, we developed a model system to study lipid transfer by depositing fluorescent *PE and *Chol-labeled on calcium silicate hydrate crystals, forming dense lipid-coated donor particles that are readily separated from acceptor lipoprotein particles by low-speed centrifugation. Transfer of *PE from donor particles to mouse plasma lipoproteins was shown to be HDL-specific and apoA-I-dependent. Transfer of donor particle *PE and *Chol to HDL in whole human plasma was highly correlated. Taken together, these studies suggest that cell-free *PE efflux monitors apoA-I functionality.
Condensed Matter Researches in Cryospheric Science
Authors: Maggi Valter , Xiao Cunde , Marcelli Augusto
Published: July 2019

The comprehensive understanding of the cryosphere’s global biogeochemical cycles represents a great challenge for the present climatic and environmental research on Earth [...]
Statistical Mechanics-Based Schrödinger Treatment of Gravity
Authors: Plastino Angelo , Rocca M. C.
Published: July 2019

The entropic gravity conception proposes that what has been traditionally interpreted as unobserved dark matter might be merely the product of quantum effects. These effects would produce a novel sort of positive energy that translates into dark matter via E = m c 2 . In the case of axions, this perspective has been shown to yield quite sensible, encouraging results [DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.17894.88641]. Therein, a simple Schrödinger mechanism was utilized, in which his celebrated equation is solved with a potential function based on the microscopic Verlinde’s entropic force advanced in [Physica A 511 (2018) 139]. In this paper, we revisit this technique with regards to fermions’ behavior (specifically, baryons).
Language and Literacy: Issues and Considerations
Authors: Hartman Maria C. , Nicolarakis Onudeah D. , Wang Ye
Published: July 2019

This article provides background on the major perspectives involving the development of English language and literacy with respect to the evolving demography of d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing children and adolescents. It synthesizes research and controversies on the developmental similarity hypothesis—that is, whether the acquisition of English language and literacy of d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing students is developmentally similar to that of typical language/literacy learners. The outcomes of this discussion have instructional implications and proffer guidelines for teacher preparation programs. The article concludes with directions for further research.
Fast Telemetry and Communication Scheme Based on Doppler Diversity Reception under Large Dynamic Doppler for Hypersonic Vehicles
Authors: Shi Lei , Zhao Lei , Zhang Chao , Yao Bo
Published: July 2019

Large dynamic Doppler caused by high-speed flight of hypersonic vehicles brings a great challenge to acquisition, tracking and correct demodulation of telemetry and communication signals. Different from receiving schemes of existing telemetry and communications, a novel communication method based on Doppler diversity reception for hypersonic vehicles was proposed in this study. Firstly, the proposed method offers a coarse acquisition of Doppler frequency offset and its rate-of-change by fast-coarse acquisition method, and then decreases the large Doppler frequency offset into a certain range through compensation. Finally, signals with residual Doppler frequency offset are processed directly by Doppler diversity reception method without a complicated tracing method. Different from the traditional receiving scheme with acquisition and tracking module, the proposed scheme lowers requirements on acquisition accuracy and neglects the accurate tracking module, thus shortening telemetry and communication time significantly for hypersonic vehicles. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method can achieve satisfactory performance when the residual Doppler is no higher than 1 kHz with normalized Doppler frequency offset and when the normalized artificial frequency shift is 0.01 and 0.4 respectively.
Effects of High Sludge Cycle Frequency on Performance and Syntrophic Metabolism of Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor for Treating High-Lipid Kitchen Waste Slurry
Authors: Xiao Xiaolan , Shi Wansheng , Ruan Wenquan
Published: July 2019

The performance and syntrophic metabolism of the Anaerobic Membrane Bio-reactor (AnMBR) treating high-lipid kitchen waste slurry under different sludge cycle frequencies were investigated in this study. When the sludge cycle frequencies were 3.6 cycles/h, 9.0 cycles/h and 14.4 cycles/h, the obtained Organic Loading Rates (OLRs) were 10.3 kg-COD/m3d, 12.4 kg-COD/m3d and 18.1 kg-COD/m3d, while the corresponding biogas productions were 190 L/d, 310 L/d and 520 L/d. Moreover, with an increase of sludge cycle frequency, the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal efficiency improved from 86.2% to 90.4% and 96.3%. Additionally, the higher sludge cycle frequency did not break up the sludge flocs and further affect the syntrophic degradation of the toxic Long-Chain Fatty Acids (LCFAs). Conversely, the higher sludge cycle frequency enhanced LCFA degradation and decreased LCFA accumulation. Meanwhile, under higher sludge cycle frequencies, the abundance of syntrophic Methanobacterium, Syntrophomonas and Clostridium increased and favored the syntrophic metabolism of LCFAs.
Identification of Three-Phase Grid Impedance in the Presence of Parallel Converters
Authors: Luhtala Roni , Messo Tuomas , Roinila Tomi , Alenius Henrik , de Jong Erik , Burstein Andrew , Fabian Alejandra
Published: July 2019

Grid impedance is an important parameter which affects the control performance of grid-connected power converters. Several methods already exist for optimizing the converter control system based on knowledge of grid impedance value. Grid impedance may change rapidly due to fault or disconnection of a transmission line. Therefore, online grid identification methods have been recently proposed to have up-to-date information about the grid impedance value. This is usually done by perturbing the converter output current and measuring the response in output voltage. However, any parallel converters connected to the same interface point will cause errors, since the measured current differs from the current that is flowing through the grid interface point. This paper points out challenges and errors in grid impedance identification, caused by parallel converters and their internal control functions, such as grid-voltage support. Experimental grid-impedance measurements are shown from the power hardware-in-the-loop setup developed at DNV-GL Flexible Power Grid Lab.
Challenges in the Electromagnetic Modeling of Road Embedded Wireless Power Transfer
Authors: Cirimele Vincenzo , Torchio Riccardo , Virgillito Antonio , Freschi Fabio , Alotto Piergiorgio
Published: July 2019

In this paper, starting from the experimental experience of the road embedment of a transmitting coil for wireless power transfer, a numerical model of such device is constructed. The model is then used to perform several parametric analyses which aim at investigating the influence of the main electromagnetic parameters of the concrete and the geometrical parameters of the wireless power transfer on the overall behavior of the device. The results of such study allow for providing guidelines for the design of the coil and the choice of the materials for the embedment. Moreover, as a secondary result of the adopted methodology, the electromagnetic characterization of the concrete adopted for the road embedment is obtained.
Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction as a First Step in a Biorefinery Strategy for Valorisation of Extracted Olive Pomace
Authors: Martínez-Patiño José Carlos , Gómez-Cruz Irene , Romero Inmaculada , Gullón Beatriz , Ruiz Encarnación , Brnčić Mladen , Castro Eulogio
Published: July 2019

Currently, interest in finding new feedstock as sources of natural food antioxidants is growing. The extracted olive pomace (EOP), which is an agro-industrial residue from the olive pomace extracting industries, is generated yearly in big amounts, mainly in the Mediterranean countries. EOP was subjected to an ultrasound assisted extraction with ethanol-water mixtures. The effect of main parameters, such as ethanol concentration (30–70% v/v), ultrasound amplitude (20–80%), and extraction time (5–15 min), on the extraction of antioxidant compounds was evaluated according to a Box–Behnken experimental design. The antioxidant capacity of the resulting extracts was determined by measuring their content in total phenolic compounds (TPC) and flavonoids (TFC), as well as their antioxidant activity by DPPH, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and ABTS assays. Considering the simultaneous maximization of these five responses, the optimal conditions were found to be 43.2% ethanol concentration, 70% amplitude, and 15 min. The ultrasound assisted extraction of EOP under these optimized conditions yielded an extract with a phenolic and flavonoid content (per gram of EOP) of 57.5 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and 126.9 mg rutin equivalent (RE), respectively. Likewise, the values for DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assay (per gram of EOP) of 56.7, 139.1, and 64.9 mg Trolox equivalent, respectively were determined in the optimized extract.
The Role of Supercapacitors in Regenerative Braking Systems
Authors: Partridge Julius , Abouelamaimen Dina Ibrahim
Published: July 2019

A supercapacitor module was used as the energy storage system in a regenerative braking test rig to explore the opportunities and challenges of implementing supercapacitors for regenerative braking in an electric drivetrain. Supercapacitors are considered due to their excellent power density and cycling characteristics; however, the performance under regenerative braking conditions has not been well explored. Initially the characteristics of the supercapacitor module were tested, it is well known that the capacitance of a supercapacitor is highly dependent on the charge/discharge rate with a drop of up to 9% found here between the rated capacitance and the calculated value at a 100 A charge rate. It was found that the drop in capacitance was significantly reduced when a variable charge rate, representative of a regenerative braking test, was applied. It was also found that although supercapacitors have high power absorbing characteristics, the state-of-charge significantly impacts on the charging current and the power absorbing capacity of a supercapacitor-based regenerative braking system. This owed primarily to the current carrying capacity of the power electronic converters required to control the charge and discharge of the supercapacitor module and was found to be a fundamental limitation to the utilisation of supercapacitors in a regenerative braking system. In the worst cases this was found to impact upon the ability of the motor to apply the desired braking torque. Over the course of the tests carried out the overall efficiency was found to be up to 68%; however, the main source of loss was the motor. It was found that measurement of the state-of-charge using the rated capacitance significantly over-estimates the efficiency of the system.
The Influence of Mass Composition of Water-Fuel Emulsion on Ecological Characteristics of a Diesel Engine
Authors: Iakovenko Andrey , Dunin Andrey , Dushkin Pavel , Savastenko Eduard , Shatrov Mikhail
Published: July 2019

The influence of the mass composition of a water–fuel emulsion on the ecological characteristics of a diesel engine was evaluated. Research was performed on the diesel engine MMZ D-245.10 (4-cylinder, D = 110 mm, S = 125 mm) fueled with an emulsion having a water content of 10%, 20%, and 30% by weight. A noticeable drop of nitrogen oxide emissions with a growth of the mass fraction of water in the emulsion was revealed, which is a consequence of a decrease in the cycle’s average temperature. During research into engine operation using emulsions, its structure-borne noise was evaluated. For all engine operation modes investigated, the lowest noise level was achieved when the engine was running on diesel fuel (DF), and the highest when an emulsion consisting of 70% DF and 30% water was used.
Semi-Analytical Solutions for the Poiseuille–Couette Flow of a Generalised Phan-Thien–Tanner Fluid
Authors: Ribau Ângela M. , Ferrás Luís L. , Morgado Maria L. , Rebelo Magda , Afonso Alexandre M.
Published: July 2019

This work presents new analytical and semi-analytical solutions for the pure Couette and Poiseuille–Couette flows, described by the recently proposed (Ferrás et al., A Generalised Phan-Thien–Tanner Model, JNNFM 2019) viscoelastic model, known as the generalised Phan-Thien–Tanner constitutive equation. This generalised version considers the Mittag–Leffler function instead of the classical linear or exponential functions of the trace of the stress tensor, and provides one or two new fitting constants in order to achieve additional fitting flexibility. The analytical solutions derived in this work allow a better understanding of the model, and therefore contribute to improve the modelling of complex materials, and will provide an interesting challenge to computational rheologists, to benchmarking and to code verification.
Race and 1918 Influenza Pandemic in the United States: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Økland Helene , Mamelund Svenn-Erik
Published: July 2019

During epidemics, the poorest part of the population usually suffers the most. Alfred Crosby noted that the norm changed during the 1918 influenza pandemic in the US: The black population (which were expected to have higher influenza morbidity and mortality) had lower morbidity and mortality than the white population during the autumn of 1918. Crosby’s explanation for this was that black people were more exposed to a mild spring/summer wave of influenza earlier that same year. In this paper, we review the literature from the pandemic of 1918 to better understand the crossover in the role of race on mortality. The literature has used insurance, military, survey, and routine notification data. Results show that the black population had lower morbidity, and during September, October, and November, lower mortality but higher case fatality than the white population. The results also show that the black population had lower influenza morbidity prior to 1918. The reasons for lower morbidity among the black population both at baseline and during the herald and later waves in 1918 remain unclear. Results may imply that black people had a lower risk of developing the disease given exposure, but when they did get sick, they had a higher risk of dying.
Do Older People with Diabetes Meet the Recommended Weekly Physical Activity Targets? An Analysis of Objective Physical Activity Data
Authors: Pizzol Damiano , Smith Lee , Koyanagi Ai , Stubbs Brendon , Grabovac Igor , Jackson Sarah E. , Veronese Nicola
Published: July 2019

Appropriate management of diabetes mellitus (DM) includes following a healthy lifestyle, in which reaching physical activity (PA) recommendations is an important factor. Despite this, it remains unclear whether people with DM meet the recommended PA targets. We therefore aimed to investigate the proportion of older adults with DM (type 1 and 2) engaging in the recommended amount of PA per week in a cross-sectional study. PA levels were objectively measured using the GT1M ActiGraph accelerometer for seven consecutive days, and the cut-off of 150 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was used. To assess the relationship between not meeting the recommendation for, and the significant factors associated with PA level (MVPA < 150 min/week), a multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied. 197 diabetic participants (mean age = 66.8 years; 46.7% males) spent only 74.5 ± 94.4 min/weekly in MVPA, and only 39 (=19.8%) reached the cut-off for sufficient PA levels. Significant correlates of not meeting the recommendation for PA levels were female sex, depressive symptoms, and age. In conclusion, only one-fifth of diabetic people reached the recommended amount of PA, suggesting that more intervention is needed to increase PA levels in this population.
Simulation and Analysis of Road Traffic Noise among Urban Buildings Using Spatial Subdivision-Based Beam Tracing Method
Authors: Wang Haibo , Cai Ming , Cui Hongjun
Published: July 2019

In order to realize the simulation and evaluation of road traffic noise among urban buildings, a spatial subdivision-based beam-tracing method is proposed in this study. First, the road traffic source is divided into sets of point sources and described with the help of vehicle emission model. Next, for each pair of source and receiver, spatial subdivision-based beam-tracing method is used in noise paths generation. At last, noise distribution can be got by noise calculation of all receivers considering the complex transmission among urban buildings. A measurement experiment with a point source is carried out to validate the accuracy of the method; the 0.8 m height and 2.5-m height average errors are about 0.9 dB and 1.2 dB, respectively. Moreover, traffic noise analysis under different building layouts and heights are presented by case applications and conclusions can be reached: (1) Different patterns result in different noise distributions and patterns designed as self-protective can lead to an obvious noise abatement for rear buildings. Noise differences between the front and rear buildings are about 7–12 dB with different patterns. (2) Noise value might not show a linear variation along with the height as shielding of different layers is various in reality.
Identifying the Driving Factors of Black Bloom in Lake Bay through Bayesian LASSO
Authors: Wang Liang , Wang Yulin , Cheng Haomiao , Cheng Jilin
Published: July 2019

Black blooms are a serious and complex problem for lake bays, with far-reaching implications for water quality and drinking safety. While Fe(II) and S(−II) have been reported as the most important triggers of this phenomenon, little effort has been devoted in investigating the relationships between Fe(II) and S(−II) and the host of potentially important aquatic factors. However, a model involving many putative predictors and their interactions will be oversaturated and ill-defined, making ordinary least squares (OLS) estimation unfeasible. In such a case, sparsity assumption is typically required to exclude the redundant predictors from the model, either through variable selection or regularization. In this study, Bayesian least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was employed to identify the major influence variables from 11 aquatic factors for Fe(II), S(−II), and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) in the Chaohu Lake (Eastern of China) bay during black bloom maintenance. Both the main effects and the interactions between these factors were studied. The method successfully screened the most important variables from many items. The determination coefficients (R2) and adjusted determination coefficients (Adjust R2) showed that all regression equations for Fe(II), S(-II), and SSC were in good agreement with the situation observed in the Chaohu Lake. The outcome of correlation and LASSO regression indicated that total phosphorus (TP) was the single most important factor for Fe(II), S(-II), and SSC in black bloom with explanation ratios (ERs) of 76.1%, 37.0%, and 12.9%, respectively. The regression results showed that the interaction items previously deemed negligible have significant effects on Fe(II), S(−II), and SSC. For the Fe(II) equation, total nitrogen (TN) × dissolved oxygen (DO) and chlorophyll a (CHLA) × oxidation reduction potential (ORP), which contributed 10.6% and 13.3% ERs, respectively, were important interaction variables. TP emerged in each key interaction item of the regression equation for S(−II). Water depth (DEP) × Fe(II) (30.7% ER) was not only the main interaction item, but DEP (5.6% ER) was also an important single factor for the SSC regression equation. It also indicated that the sediment in shallow bay is an important source for SSC in water. The uncertainty of these relationships was also estimated by the posterior distribution and coefficient of variation (CV) of these items. Overall, our results suggest that TP concentration is the most important driver of black blooms in a lake bay, whereas the other factors, such as DO, DEP, and CHLA act in concert with other aquatic factors. There results provide a basis for the further control and management policy development of black blooms.
The Effect of an Innovative Financing and Payment Model for Tuberculosis Patients on Health Service Utilization in China: Evidence from Hubei Province of China
Authors: Jiang Junnan , Lucas Henry , Long Qian , Xin Yanjiao , Xiang Li , Tang Shenglan
Published: July 2019

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major social and public health problem in China. The “China–Gates TB Project” started in 2012, and one of its objectives was to reduce the financial burden on TB patients and to improve access to quality TB care. The aims of this study were to determine if the project had positive impacts on improving health service utilization. Methods: The ‘China–Gates TB Project’ was launched in Yichang City (YC), Hubei Province in April 2014 and ended in March 2015, lasting for one year. A series of questionnaire surveys of 540 patients were conducted in three counties of YC at baseline and final evaluations. Inpatient and outpatient service utilization were assessed before and after the program, with descriptive statistics. Propensity score matching was used to evaluate the impact of the China–Gates TB Project on health service utilization by minimizing the differences in the other characteristics of baseline and final stage groups. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were held to further enrich the results. Results: A total of 530 patients were included in this study. Inpatient rates significantly increased from 33.5% to 75.9% overall (p < 0.001), with the largest increase occurring for low income patients. Outpatient visits increased from 4.6 to 5.6 (p < 0.001), and this increase was also greatest for the poorest patients. Compared with those who lived in developed counties, the overall increase in outpatient visits for illness in the remote Wufeng county was higher. Conclusions: The China–Gates TB Project has effectively improved health service utilization in YC, and poor patients benefited more from it. TB patients in remote underdeveloped counties are more likely to increase the use of outpatient services rather than inpatient services. There is a need to tilt policy towards the poor, and various measures need to be in place in order to ensure health services utilization in undeveloped areas.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth: From Molecules to Therapy
Authors: Morena Jonathan , Gupta Anirudh , Hoyle J. Chad
Published: July 2019

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) is the most prevalent category of inherited neuropathy. The most common inheritance pattern is autosomal dominant, though there also are X-linked and autosomal recessive subtypes. In addition to a variety of inheritance patterns, there are a myriad of genes associated with CMT, reflecting the heterogeneity of this disorder. Next generation sequencing (NGS) has expanded and simplified the diagnostic yield of genes/molecules underlying and/or associated with CMT, which is of paramount importance in providing a substrate for current and future targeted disease-modifying treatment options. Considerable research attention for disease-modifying therapy has been geared towards the most commonly encountered genetic mutations (PMP22, GJB1, MPZ, and MFN2). In this review, we highlight the clinical background, molecular understanding, and therapeutic investigations of these CMT subtypes, while also discussing therapeutic research pertinent to the remaining less common CMT subtypes.
The XFEL Protein Crystallography: Developments and Perspectives
Authors: Liu Haiguang , Lee Weontae
Published: July 2019

In the past 10 years, the world has witnessed the revolutionary development of X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) and their applications in many scientific disciplinaries [...]
Hydrogel-Encapsulated Mesoporous Silica-Coated Gold Nanoshells for Smart Drug Delivery
Authors: Kim Bo Sang , Chen Yi-Ting , Srinoi Pannaree , Marquez Maria D. , Lee T. Randall
Published: July 2019

A “smart” core@shell composite nanoparticle (NP) having dual-response mechanisms (i.e., temperature and light) was synthesized, and its efficacy in the loading and release of small molecules was explored. These core@shell NPs are composed of an optically active gold nanoshell (GNS) core and a mesoporous (m-) silica layer (m-SiO2). The GNS@m-SiO2 nanoparticles are further encapsulated within a thermo-responsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) hydrogel (PNIPAM-co-AA). The multi-responsive composite NPs were designed to create thermally and optically modulated drug-delivery vehicles with a m-SiO2 layer providing additional non-collapsible space for drug storage. The influence of the m-SiO2 layer on the efficacy of loading and release of methylene blue, which serves as a model for a small-molecule therapeutic drug, was evaluated. The “smart” core@shell composite NPs having a m-SiO2 layer demonstrated an improved capacity to load and release small molecules compared to the corresponding NPs with no m-SiO2 shell. Additionally, an efficient response by the composite NPs was successfully induced by the thermal energy generated from the gold nanoshell core upon exposure to near infrared (NIR) stimulation.
A Unique Panel of Patient-Derived Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines Provides a Preclinical Pathway for Therapeutic Testing
Authors: Hassan Sakinah , Purdie Karin J. , Wang Jun , Harwood Catherine A. , Proby Charlotte M. , Pourreyron Celine , Mladkova Nikol , Nagano Ai , Dhayade Sandeep , Athineos Dimitris , Caley Matthew , Mannella Viviana , Blyth Karen , Inman Gareth J. , Leigh Irene M.
Published: July 2019

Background: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) incidence continues to rise with increasing morbidity and mortality, with limited treatment options for advanced disease. Future improvements in targeted therapy will rely on advances in genomic/transcriptomic understanding and the use of model systems for basic research. We describe here the panel of 16 primary and metastatic cSCC cell lines developed and characterised over the past three decades in our laboratory in order to provide such a resource for future preclinical research and drug screening. Methods: Primary keratinocytes were isolated from cSCC tumours and metastases, and cell lines were established. These were characterised using short tandem repeat (STR) profiling and genotyped by whole exome sequencing. Multiple in vitro assays were performed to document their morphology, growth characteristics, migration and invasion characteristics, and in vivo xenograft growth. Results: STR profiles of the cSCC lines allow the confirmation of their unique identity. Phylogenetic trees derived from exome sequence analysis of the matched primary and metastatic lines provide insight into the genetic basis of disease progression. The results of in vivo and in vitro analyses allow researchers to select suitable cell lines for specific experimentation. Conclusions: There are few well-characterised cSCC lines available for widespread preclinical experimentation and drug screening. The described cSCC cell line panel provides a critical tool for in vitro and in vivo experimentation.
AtCRK5 Protein Kinase Exhibits a Regulatory Role in Hypocotyl Hook Development during Skotomorphogenesis
Authors: Baba Abu Imran , Andrási Norbert , Valkai Ildikó , Gorcsa Teréz , Koczka Lilla , Darula Zsuzsanna , Medzihradszky Katalin F. , Szabados László , Fehér Attila , Rigó Gábor , Cséplő Ágnes
Published: July 2019

Seedling establishment following germination requires the fine tuning of plant hormone levels including that of auxin. Directional movement of auxin has a central role in the associated processes, among others, in hypocotyl hook development. Regulated auxin transport is ensured by several transporters (PINs, AUX1, ABCB) and their tight cooperation. Here we describe the regulatory role of the Arabidopsis thaliana CRK5 protein kinase during hypocotyl hook formation/opening influencing auxin transport and the auxin-ethylene-GA hormonal crosstalk. It was found that the Atcrk5-1 mutant exhibits an impaired hypocotyl hook establishment phenotype resulting only in limited bending in the dark. The Atcrk5-1 mutant proved to be deficient in the maintenance of local auxin accumulation at the concave side of the hypocotyl hook as demonstrated by decreased fluorescence of the auxin sensor DR5::GFP. Abundance of the polar auxin transport (PAT) proteins PIN3, PIN7, and AUX1 were also decreased in the Atcrk5-1 hypocotyl hook. The AtCRK5 protein kinase was reported to regulate PIN2 protein activity by phosphorylation during the root gravitropic response. Here it is shown that AtCRK5 can also phosphorylate in vitro the hydrophilic loops of PIN3. We propose that AtCRK5 may regulate hypocotyl hook formation in Arabidopsis thaliana through the phosphorylation of polar auxin transport (PAT) proteins, the fine tuning of auxin transport, and consequently the coordination of auxin-ethylene-GA levels.
Whole Genome Microarray Analysis of DUSP4-Deletion Reveals A Novel Role for MAP Kinase Phosphatase-2 (MKP-2) in Macrophage Gene Expression and Function
Authors: Neamatallah Thikryat , Jabbar Shilan , Tate Rothwelle , Schroeder Juliane , Shweash Muhannad , Alexander James , Plevin Robin
Published: July 2019

Background: Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-2 (MKP-2) is a type 1 nuclear dual specific phosphatase (DUSP-4). It plays an important role in macrophage inflammatory responses through the negative regulation of Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling. However, information on the effect of MKP-2 on other aspect of macrophage function is limited. Methods: We investigated the impact of MKP-2 in the regulation of several genes that are involved in function while using comparative whole genome microarray analysis in macrophages from MKP-2 wild type (wt) and knock out (ko) mice. Results: Our data showed that the lack of MKP-2 caused a significant down-regulation of colony-stimulating factor-2 (Csf2) and monocyte to macrophage-associated differentiation (Mmd) genes, suggesting a role of MKP-2 in macrophage development. When treated with macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), Mmd and Csf2 mRNA levels increased but significantly reduced in ko cells in comparison to wt counterparts. This effect of MKP-2 deletion on macrophage function was also observed by cell counting and DNA measurements. On the signalling level, M-CSF stimulation induced extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) phosphorylation, which was significantly enhanced in the absence of MKP-2. Pharmacological inhibition of ERK reduced both Csf2 and Mmd genes in both wild type and ko cultures, which suggested that enhanced ERK activation in ko cultures may not explain effects on gene expression. Interestingly other functional markers were also shown to be reduced in ko macrophages in comparison to wt mice; the expression of CD115, which is a receptor for M-CSF, and CD34, a stem/progenitor cell marker, suggesting global regulation of gene expression by MKP-2. Conclusions: Transcriptome profiling reveals that MKP-2 regulates macrophage development showing candidate targets from monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation and macrophage proliferation. However, it is unclear whether effects upon ERK signalling are able to explain the effects of DUSP-4 deletion on macrophage function.
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Attenuates Autophagy to Ameliorate Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension through Drp1/NOX- and Atg-5/Atg-7/Beclin-1/LC3β Pathways
Authors: Wu Yi-Chia , Wang Wei-Ting , Lee Su-Shin , Kuo Yur-Ren , Wang Ya-Chin , Yen Shih-Jung , Lee Mei-Yueh , Yeh Jwu-Lai
Published: July 2019

Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling, and the abnormal proliferation, apoptosis and migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, liraglutide, has been shown to prevent pulmonary hypertension in monocrotaline-exposed rats. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of liraglutide on autophagy, mitochondrial stress and apoptosis induced by platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB). PASMCs were exposed to PDGF-BB, and changes in mitochondrial morphology, fusion-associated protein markers, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were examined. Autophagy was assessed according to the expressions of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3)-II, LC3 puncta and Beclin-1. Western blot analysis was used to assess apoptosis, mitochondrial stress and autophagy markers. Liraglutide significantly inhibited PDGF-BB proliferation, migration and motility in PASMCs. PDGF-BB-induced ROS production was mitigated by liraglutide. Liraglutide increased the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and decreased the expression of p-Yes-associated protein (p-YAP), inhibited autophagy-related protein (Atg)-5, Atg-7, Beclin-1 and the formation of LC3-β and mitochondrial fusion protein dynamin-related (Drp)1. Therefore, liraglutide can mitigate the proliferation of PASMCs via inhibiting cellular Drp1/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases (NOX) pathways and Atg-5/Atg-7/Beclin-1/LC3β-dependent pathways of autophagy in PAH.
The Effect of the Repression of Oxidative Stress on Tenocyte Differentiation: A Preliminary Study of a Rat Cell Model Using a Novel Differential Tensile Strain Bioreactor
Authors: Hsiao Ming-Yen , Lin Ping-Cheng , Liao Wei-Hao , Chen Wen-Shiang , Hsu Chia-Hsien , He Cheng-Kun , Wu Ya-Wen , Gefen Amit , Iafisco Michele , Liu Lixin , Lin Feng-Huei
Published: July 2019

Because of limitations in the current understanding of the exact pathogenesis of tendinopathy, and the lack of an optimal experimental model, effective therapy for the disease is currently unavailable. This study aims to prove that repression of oxidative stress modulates the differentiation of tendon-derived cells (TDCs) sustaining excessive tensile strains, and proposes a novel bioreactor capable of applying differential tensile strains to cultured cells simultaneously. TDCs, including tendon-derived stem cells, tenoblasts, tenocytes, and fibroblasts, were isolated from the patellar tendons of Sprague‒Dawley rats. Cyclic uniaxial stretching with 4% or 8% strain at 0.5 Hz for 8 h was applied to TDCs. TDCs subjected to 8% strain were treated with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), piracetam, or no medication. Genes representing non-tenocyte lineage (Pparg, Sox9, and Runx2) and type I and type III collagen were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The 8% strain group showed increased expression of non-tenocyte lineage genes and type III/type I collagen ratios compared with the control and 4% strain groups, and the increased expression was ameliorated with addition of EGCG and piracetam. The model developed in this work could be applied to future research on the pathophysiology of tendinopathy and development of treatment options for the disease. Repression of oxidative stress diminishes the expression of genes indicating aberrant differentiation in a rat cell model, which indicates potential therapeutic intervention of tendinopathy, the often relentlessly degenerate condition.
Hypoxia Modulates Effects of Fatty Acids on NES2Y Human Pancreatic β-cells
Authors: Šrámek Jan , Němcová-Fürstová Vlasta , Polák Jan , Kovář Jan
Published: July 2019

Saturated fatty acids (FAs) induce apoptosis in the human pancreatic NES2Y β-cell line while unsaturated FAs have nearly no detrimental effect. Moreover, unsaturated FAs are capable of inhibiting the pro-apoptotic effect of saturated FAs. Hypoxia is also known to have deleterious effects on β-cells function and viability. In the present study, we have tested the modulatory effect of hypoxia on the effect of FAs on the growth and viability of the human pancreatic NES2Y β-cells. This study represents the first study testing hypoxia effect on effects of FAs in pancreatic β-cells as well as in other cell types. We showed that hypoxia increased the pro-apoptotic effect of saturated stearic acid (SA). Endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling seemed to be involved while redistribution of FA transporters fatty acid translocase/cluster of differentiation 36 (FAT/CD36) and fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) do not seem to be involved in this effect. Hypoxia also strongly decreased the protective effect of unsaturated oleic acid (OA) against the pro-apoptotic effect of SA. Thus, in the presence of hypoxia, OA was unable to save SA-treated β-cells from apoptosis induction. Hypoxia itself had only a weak detrimental effect on NES2Y cells. Our data suggest that hypoxia could represent an important factor in pancreatic β-cell death induced and regulated by FAs and thus in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Detection and Characterization of a Biochemical Signature Associated with Diabetic Nephropathy Using Near-infrared Spectroscopy on Tissue Sections
Authors: De Bruyne Sander , Van Dorpe Jo , Himpe Jonas , Van Biesen Wim , Delanghe Sigurd , Speeckaert Marijn M. , Delanghe Joris R.
Published: July 2019

Histological evaluation of renal biopsies is currently the gold standard for acquiring important diagnostic and prognostic information in diabetic nephropathy (DN) patients. Nevertheless, there is an unmet clinical need for new biomarkers that allow earlier diagnosis and risk stratification. As biochemical changes in tissues must precede any symptomatic or morphological expression of a disease, we explored the potential of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy in the detection of a biochemical signature associated with DN. Kidney tissue sections were investigated using NIR spectroscopy, followed by principal component analysis and soft independent modelling of class analogy. A biochemical signature indicative of DN was detected, which enabled perfect discrimination between tissue sections with normal histological findings (n = 27) and sections obtained from DN patients (n = 26). Some spectral changes related to carbamoylation and glycation reactions appeared to be similar to the ones obtained in patients with DN. In addition, treatment with the deglycating enzyme fructosamine-3-kinase resulted in partial to pronounced restorations of the spectral pattern. Significant relationships were found between spectral features and laboratory parameters indicative of glycemic and uremic load, such as hemoglobin A1c, urea, creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and proteinuria. The presented method could be a useful tool to complement histopathological analysis in order to prevent or delay further disease progression, especially in the setting of post-transplant surveillance kidney biopsies.