bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of Quality Properties of Low-Grade Biodiesel and Its Heating Oil Blends
Authors: Poyadji Kleopatra , Stylianou Marinos , Agapiou Agapios , Kallis Christos , Kokkinos Nikolaos
Published: August 2018

This research work examined how biodiesel produced from frying oils affects the physicochemical properties of its mixtures with conventional heating oil. Through the characterization of biodiesel blends and heating oil, the purpose is to produce an improved heating oil that will meet the specifications of the existing legislation for heating oil, while positively contributing to reducing the production of pollutants. The percentage of biodiesel added to a conventional diesel fuel contributes to the reduction of the pollutants produced during combustion. The examined biodiesel is considered the residual product, which was produced at a factory in Cyprus, and was deemed unsuitable for export, because it does not meet the legal requirements. Using specific volumes of these mixtures, twelve parameters were determined in order to investigate the effect of the mixtures: kinematic viscosity, sulfur content, micro carbon residue (MCR), distillation curves, density, cloud point (CP), fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) content, heat of combustion, iodine value (IV), cetane index (CI) after distillation, oxidation stability, and cold filter plugging point (CFPP). A number of fuel properties including the kinematic viscosity, MCR, distillation temperature—up to 80% distillate—and density showed an increase as the percentage of FAMEs raised from 2.5 to 50%, while others showed a mixed behavior (e.g., IV, CP, CI, CFPP), and the rest an inverse trend (e.g., sulfur content, heat of combustion and oxidation stability). An efficient potential utilization of a residual domestic product is proposed, while the pollutants that accumulate on the urban atmospheres during the winter months, due to increased heating needs of homes and other public or private buildings, will be significantly reduced.
Saccharomycodes ludwigii, Control and Potential Uses in Winemaking Processes
Authors: Vejarano Ricardo
Published: August 2018

Non-Saccharomyces yeasts are becoming important because most of them are considered as spoilage species in winemaking processes, among them the species Saccharomycodes ludwigii. This species is frequently isolated at the end of the fermentation process and/or during storage of the wine, i.e., it can to grow in the presence of high levels of ethanol. Besides, this species is adaptable to unfavorable conditions such as high concentrations of SO2 and is characterized by its capacity to produce high amounts of undesirable metabolites as acetoin, ethyl acetate or acetic acid. To the present, physical (gamma irradiation and continuous pulsed electric fields), chemical (inhibitory compounds such as chitosan and dimethyl dicarbonate) and biological (antagonistic biocontrol by killer yeasts) treatments have been developed in order to control the growth of this spoilage yeast in wines and other fruit derivatives. Therefore, this review is focused on the most relevant studies conducted to control contamination by S. ludwigii. Moreover, potential applications of S. ludwigii in alternative winemaking techniques, for example for ageing-on-lees and stabilization of red wines, and improvement of aromatic profile are also examined.
A Simple Analytical Model for Estimating the Dissolution-Driven Instability in a Porous Medium
Authors: Hadji Layachi
Published: August 2018

This article deals with the stability problem that arises in the modeling of the geological sequestration of carbon dioxide. It provides a more detailed description of the alternative approach to tackling the stability problem put forth by Vo and Hadji (Physics of Fluids, 2017, 29, 127101) and Wanstall and Hadji (Journal of Engineering Mathematics, 2018, 108, 53–71), and it extends two-dimensional analysis to the three-dimensional case. This new approach, which is based on a step-function base profile, is contrasted with the usual time-evolving base state. While both provide only estimates for the instability threshold values, the step-function base profile approach has one great advantage in the sense that the problem at hand can be viewed as a stationary Rayleigh–Bénard problem, the model of which is physically sound and the stability of which is not only well-defined but can be analyzed by a variety of existing analytical methods using only paper and pencil.
Techno-Ethno Genealogy: An African Ancestry Narrative in the Digital Age
Authors: Chandler Mario
Published: August 2018

This article explores ways in which advances in genetic testing have both facilitated and democratized genealogical research for individuals in search of their “roots” or ethnic heritage. These advances coincide with the quests of people of African descent to pinpoint their precise origins and ethnic backgrounds in Africa, revelations that have been denied to many African descendants in the diaspora from slavery times to the present. Genetics and DNA as the “great truth teller”, however, frequently yield results that go contrary to expectations. In this article, the author explores at a personal level the tensions that the “Genetic Revolution” produces between biology and society.
New Insights into the Melanophilin (MLPH) Gene Affecting Coat Color Dilution in Rabbits
Authors: Demars Julie , Iannuccelli Nathalie , Utzeri Valerio Joe , Auvinet Gerard , Riquet Juliette , Fontanesi Luca , Allain Daniel
Published: August 2018

Coat color dilution corresponds to a specific pigmentation phenotype that leads to a dilution of wild type pigments. It affects both eumelanin and pheomelanin containing melanosomes. The mode of inheritance of the dilution phenotype is autosomal recessive. Candidate gene approaches focused on the melanophilin (MLPH) gene highlighted two variants associated with the dilution phenotype in rabbits: The c.111-5C>A variant that is located in an acceptor splice site or the c.585delG variant, a frameshift mutation. On the transcript level, the skipping of two exons has been reported as the molecular mechanism responsible for the coat color dilution. To clarify, which of the two variants represents the causal variant, (i) we analyzed their allelic segregation by genotyping Castor and Chinchilla populations, and (ii) we evaluated their functional effects on the stability of MLPH transcripts in skin samples of animals with diluted or wild type coat color. Firstly, we showed that the c.585delG variant showed perfect association with the dilution phenotype in contrast to the intronic c.111-5C>A variant. Secondly, we identified three different MLPH isoforms including the wild type isoform, the exon-skipping isoform and a retained intron isoform. Thirdly, we observed a drastic and significant decrease of MLPH transcript levels in rabbits with a coat color dilution (p-values ranging from 10−03 to 10−06). Together, our results bring new insights into the coat color dilution trait.
Soil–Water Retention Curves Derived as a Function of Soil Dry Density
Authors: Chen Yulong
Published: August 2018

The soil–water retention curves (SWRC) of soil plays a key role in unsaturated soil mechanics, which is a relatively new field of study having wide applications particularly in geotechnical and geo-environmental engineering. SWRCs were used to evaluate the ability of unsaturated soils to attract water with various water contents and matric suctions. Drying and wetting SWRCs for a sandy soil with different dry densities were studied in a laboratory. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance, image processing technology, and mercury intrusion porosimetry were used to characterize the microscopic mechanisms of pore size distribution in the soil. Soil–water retention in the soil samples was strongly dependent on the dry density. With zero matric suction, soil samples with a higher dry density had a lower initial volumetric water content. Volumetric water content changed at a slower rate when values of matric suction increased in soils with a higher dry density. Soil samples had residual matric suction and a larger air-entry value with a smaller slope of the SWRC when they had a higher density. Dry density change is mainly responsible for the large pores. The number of large pores decreased as dry density increased. As the dry density increased, the area of macropores occupying the largest portion decreased, while the area of mesopores and micropores increased. Minipores accounted for the smallest proportion of total area and they were nearly constant. The proportion of large diameter pores decreased relative to pores with small diameters in the tested soils. The total pore volume was lower for soil specimens that had larger dry densities, as compared to relatively loose specimens. There was hysteresis between the drying and wetting curves for all soil samples. Hysteresis decreased as the dry density of the soil increased. The different liquid–solid contact angle was the main factor causing hysteresis of SWRC.
The Critical Role of the Boundary Layer Thickness for the Initiation of Aeolian Sediment Transport
Authors: Pähtz Thomas , Valyrakis Manousos , Zhao Xiao-Hu , Li Zhen-Shan
Published: August 2018

Here, we propose a conceptual framework of Aeolian sediment transport initiation that includes the role of turbulence. Upon increasing the wind shear stress τ above a threshold value τ t ′ , particles resting at the bed surface begin to rock in their pockets because the largest turbulent fluctuations of the instantaneous wind velocity above its mean value u ¯ induce fluid torques that exceed resisting torques. Upon a slight further increase of τ , rocking turns into a rolling regime (i.e., rolling threshold τ t ≃ τ t ′ ) provided that the ratio between the integral time scale T i ∝ δ / u ¯ (where δ is the boundary layer thickness) and the time T e ∝ d / [ ( 1 − 1 / s ) g ] required for entrainment (where d is the particle diameter and s the particle–air–density ratio) is sufficiently large. Rolling then evolves into mean-wind-sustained saltation transport provided that the mean wind is able to compensate energy losses from particle-bed rebounds. However, when T i / T e is too small, the threshold ratio scales as τ t / τ t ′ ∝ T e / T i ∝ s d 2 / δ 2 , consistent with experiments. Because δ / d controls T i / T e and the relative amplitude of turbulent wind velocity fluctuations, we qualitatively predict that Aeolian sediment transport in natural atmospheres can be initiated under weaker (potentially much weaker) winds than in wind tunnels, consistent with indirect observational evidence on Earth and Mars.
The ca. 2785–2805 Ma High Temperature Ilivertalik Intrusive Complex of Southern West Greenland
Authors: Næraa Tomas , Kokfelt Thomas F. , Scherstén Anders , Petersson Andreas
Published: August 2018

Ferroan granitoid intrusions are rare in the Archaean rock record, but have played a large role in the evolution of the Proterozoic crust, particular in relation to anorthosite-mangerite-charnockite-granite suites. Here we discuss the petrogenesis of the ca. 2785–2805 Ma ferroan Ilivertalik Intrusive Complex, which has many geochemical similarities to Proterozoic iron rich granitoids. We present major and trace element whole rock chemistry and combined in-situ zircon U-Pb, Hf and O isotope data. The intrusive complex divides into: (i) minor tabular units of mainly diorite-tonalite compositions, which are typically situated along contacts to the host basement and (ii) interior larger, bodies of mainly granite-granodiorite composition. Geochemically these two unites display continuous to semi-continuous trends in Haker-diagrams. Whole rock REE enrichment display increases from Yb to La, from 10–25 to 80–100 times chondrite, respectively. The diorite-tonalite samples are generally more enriched in REE compared to the granite-granodiorite samples. The complex has hafnium isotope compositions from around +1.5 to −2.5 epsilon units and δ18O compositions in the range of 6.3 to 6.6‰. The complex is interpreted to be derived from partial melting in a crustal source region during anomalously high crustal temperatures.
Crank up the Feminism: Poetic Inquiry as Feminist Methodology
Authors: Faulkner Sandra L.
Published: August 2018

In this autoethnographic essay, the author argues for the use of poetic inquiry as a feminist methodology by showing her use of poetry as research method during the past 13 years. Through examples of her poetic inquiry work, the author details how poetry as research offers Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies scholars a means of doing, showing, and teaching embodiment and reflexivity, a way to refuse the mind-body dialectic, a form of feminist ethnography, and a catalyst for social agitation and change. The author uses examples of her ethnographic poetry that critique middle-class White motherhood, address the problems of White feminism, and reflects the nuances of identity negotiation in research and personal life to show the breadth of topics and approaches of poetic inquiry as feminist research practice and feminist pedagogy.
The Effects of Vitamin E from Elaeis guineensis (Oil Palm) in a Rat Model of Bone Loss Due to Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Wong Sok Kuan , Chin Kok-Yong , Suhaimi Farihah Hj , Ahmad Fairus , Ima-Nirwana Soelaiman
Published: August 2018

The beneficial effects of vitamin E in improving components of MetS or bone loss have been established. This study aimed to investigate the potential of palm vitamin E (PVE) as a single agent, targeting MetS and bone loss concurrently, using a MetS animal model. Twelve-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. The baseline group was sacrificed upon arrival. The normal group was given standard rat chow. The remaining three groups were fed with high-carbohydrate high-fat (HCHF) diet and treated with tocopherol-stripped corn oil (vehicle), 60 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg PVE. At the end of the study, the rats were evaluated for MetS parameters and bone density. After euthanasia, blood and femurs were harvested for the evaluation of lipid profile, bone histomorphometric analysis, and remodeling markers. PVE improved blood pressure, glycemic status, and lipid profile; increased osteoblast surface, osteoid surface, bone volume, and trabecular thickness, as well as decreased eroded surface and single-labeled surface. Administration of PVE also significantly reduced leptin level in the HCHF rats. PVE is a potential agent in concurrently preventing MetS and protecting bone loss. This may be, in part, achieved by reducing the leptin level and modulating the bone remodeling activity in male rats.
Hospitalisation Cost of Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers in Valencia (Spain) in the Period 2009–2013: A Retrospective Descriptive Analysis
Authors: Nieto-Gil Pilar , Ortega-Avila Ana Belen , Pardo-Rios Manuel , Cobo-Najar Manuel , Blasco-Garcia Carlos , Gijon-Nogueron Gabriel
Published: August 2018

Ulcers are the main cause of hospitalisation and clinical complications in patients with diabetes. We analyse the length and cost of hospital stay of patients with diabetic foot ulcers, taking into consideration that hospitalisation and, if necessary, amputation represent the greatest area of expense to the healthcare system for such patients. This analysis focuses on the treatment provided to these patients in public hospitals in the region of Valencia (Spain), registered in the Spanish Minimum Basic Data Set, during the period 2009–2013. The number of acute hospital admissions in this respect is increasing and has a high socioeconomic cost. During the study period, there were over 2700 hospital admissions, an average of nearly 550 per year. The total hospital stay for these patients was 30,886 days, with an average of 11.4 days and a cost of €7633 per admission. Preventive policies and the deployment of multidisciplinary teams are essential to reduce these costs and avoid future complications such as amputation.
School Nurses’ Perceptions, Knowledge, and Related Factors Associated with Evidence-Based Practice in Taiwan
Authors: Hsieh Pei-Lin , Chen Sue-Hsien , Chang Li-Chun
Published: August 2018

The implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) in health care has been focused mainly on hospital settings and there is little research on EBP adoption and implementation among school nurses in Taiwan. This study aimed to determine primary school nurses’ perceptions regarding EBP and to explore the factors that influence EBP in Taiwan. A cross-sectional design was used and the School Nurse Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire was developed to collect data. A total of 2679 elementary school nurses in Taiwan were invited to participate in this study, and 1200 completed questionnaires were returned, with a 45% response rate. Participants’ mean age was 37.5 (range: 31–62) years and the mean duration of employment as a school nurse was 8.4 (range: 1–20) years. The majority of participants had a Bachelor’s degree (56%). The results revealed that participants had insufficient EBP knowledge and skills. However, they had a positive attitude toward and moderate self-efficacy in EBP. The demographic data positively correlated with knowledge, attitudes, skills, self-efficacy, and influencing factors. Certain influencing factors were highlighted. As school nurses play a crucial role in promoting children’s health, they ought to embrace EBP so as to provide more effective services. School organization should play a supportive role with regard to EBP implementation.
Development Initiatives, Micro-Enterprise Performance and Sustainability
Authors: Mustapa Wan Nurulasiah binti Wan , Al Mamun Abdullah , Ibrahim Mohamed Dahlan
Published: August 2018

Towards improving the socio-economic condition of low-income households, development organizations offer a repertoire of initiatives. This study focused on the impacts of access to working capital and enterprise development training programs, on the performance and sustainability of micro-enterprises owned and managed by low-income households, in the state of Kelantan, Peninsular Malaysia. The data of 450 micro-entrepreneurs, was randomly selected from the participants’ list of three development organizations servicing Kelantan: Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM); National Entrepreneurs Economic Group Fund (TEKUN); and Malaysia Fisheries Development Board (LKIM). This study revealed several participation indicators (i.e., years of participation, total number of trainings, total number of training hours received, and number of center meetings or discussions attended, etc.), which have a positive effect on micro-enterprise performance and sustainability. However, the findings were inconclusive as one of the key participation indicators, ‘total amount of economic loans received’, showed a negative (not statistically significant) effect on micro-enterprise performance and sustainability. This study expanded the limited literature on micro-enterprise performance and sustainability, and the role of working capital and enterprise development training programs; thus providing a clearer understanding of the effectiveness of current development initiatives.
Place and City: Toward Urban Intelligence
Authors: Acedo Albert , Painho Marco , Casteleyn Sven , Roche Stéphane
Published: August 2018

Place, as a concept, is subject to a lively, ongoing discussion involving different disciplines. However, most of these discussions approach the issue without a geographic perspective, which is the natural habitat of a place. This study contributes to this discourse through the exploratory examination of urban intelligence utilizing the geographical relationship between sense of place and social capital at the collective and individual level. Using spatial data collected through a web map-based survey, we perform an exhaustive examination of the spatial relationship between sense of place and social capital. We found a significant association between sense of place and social capital from a spatial point of view. Sense of place and social capital spatial dimensions obtain a non-disjoint relationship for approximately half of the participants and a spatial clustering when they are aggregated. This research offers a new exploratory perspective for place studies in the context of cities, and simultaneously attempts to depict a platial–social network based on sense of place and social capital, which cities currently lack.
Evaluation of the Genetic Diversity and Differentiation of Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) Based on Genomic and Expressed Sequence Tag-Simple Sequence Repeats
Authors: Guo Qi , Li Xiuyu , Yang Shuhong , Yang Zhiheng , Sun Yuhan , Zhang Jiangtao , Cao Sen , Dong Li , Uddin Saleem , Li Yun
Published: August 2018

Understanding the genetic diversity and differentiation of the genetic resources of a species is important for the effective use and protection of forest tree resources. Ex situ development is a common method for the protection of genetic diversity and an essential resource for users who require ready access to a species’ germplasm. In this study, we collected seeds of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) from 19 provenances, covering most of its natural distribution; we randomly selected 367 tender leaves with well-grown and different maternal strains from this group for further analysis. Forty-eight simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers were successfully selected from 91 pairs of SSR primers using native-deformation polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In addition, we identified identical genotypes among all individuals and evaluated the quality of the markers. From this, 35 loci were confirmed for analyses of genetic diversity and differentiation of the black locust provenances, which contained 28 expressed sequence tag-derived simple sequence repeats (EST-SSRs) and 7 genomic DNA-derived simple sequence repeats (G-SSRs). We observed high genetic diversity among the native black locust provenances, from which Wright’s fixation index and molecular variance suggested that a majority of the genetic differentiation variation could be attributed to within-provenance differences. The genetic distance and identity results indicated that geographic distance was not a dominating factor influencing the distribution of black locust. This is the first study to evaluate provenance genetic variation in native black locust samples using two types of SSR markers, which provides a comprehensive theoretical basis for ex situ conservation and utilization of genetic resources, with an emphasis on breeding applications.
Normal and Abortive Buds Transcriptomic Profiling of Broccoli ogu Cytoplasmic Male Sterile Line and Its Maintainer
Authors: Shu Jinshuai , Zhang Lili , Liu Yumei , Li Zhansheng , Fang Zhiyuan , Yang Limei , Zhuang Mu , Zhang Yangyong , Lv Honghao
Published: August 2018

Bud abortion is the main factor affecting hybrid seeds’ yield during broccoli cross breeding when using ogura cytoplasmic male sterile (ogu CMS) lines. However, the genes associated with bud abortion are poorly understood. We applied RNA sequencing to analyze the transcriptomes of normal and abortive buds of broccoli maintainer and ogu CMS lines. Functional analysis showed that among the 54,753 annotated unigenes obtained, 74 and 21 differentially expressed genes in common were upregulated and downregulated in ogu CMS abortive buds compared with ogu CMS normal buds, maintainer normal, and abortive buds, respectively. Nineteen of the common differentially expressed genes were enriched by GO terms associated with glycosyl hydrolases, reactive oxygen species scavenging, inhibitor, and protein degradation. Ethylene-responsive transcription factor 115 and transcriptional factor basic helix-loop-helix 137 were significantly upregulated; transcription factors DUO1 and PosF21/RF2a/BZIP34 were downregulated in ogu CMS abortive buds compared with the other groups. Genes related to polygalacturonase metabolism, glycosyl hydrolases, oxidation reduction process, phenylalanine metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis were significantly changed in ogu CMS abortive buds. Our results increase our understanding of bud abortion, provide a valuable resource for further functional characterization of ogu CMS during bud abortion, and will aid in future cross breeding of Brassica crops.
Biochemical Characterization and Structural Modeling of Fused Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase-Phosphogluconolactonase from Giardia lamblia
Authors: Morales-Luna Laura , Serrano-Posada Hugo , González-Valdez Abigail , Ortega-Cuellar Daniel , Vanoye-Carlo America , Hernández-Ochoa Beatriz , Sierra-Palacios Edgar , Rufino-González Yadira , Castillo-Rodríguez Rosa Angélica , Pérez de la Cruz Verónica , Moreno-Vargas Liliana , Prada-Gracia Diego , Marcial-Quino Jaime , Gómez-Manzo Saúl
Published: August 2018

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is the first enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway and is highly relevant in the metabolism of Giardia lamblia. Previous reports suggested that the G6PD gene is fused with the 6-phosphogluconolactonase (6PGL) gene (6pgl). Therefore, in this work, we decided to characterize the fused G6PD-6PGL protein in Giardia lamblia. First, the gene of g6pd fused with the 6pgl gene (6gpd::6pgl) was isolated from trophozoites of Giardia lamblia and the corresponding G6PD::6PGL protein was overexpressed and purified in Escherichia coli. Then, we characterized the native oligomeric state of the G6PD::6PGL protein in solution and we found a catalytic dimer with an optimum pH of 8.75. Furthermore, we determined the steady-state kinetic parameters for the G6PD domain and measured the thermal stability of the protein in both the presence and absence of guanidine hydrochloride (Gdn-HCl) and observed that the G6PD::6PGL protein showed alterations in the stability, secondary structure, and tertiary structure in the presence of Gdn-HCl. Finally, computer modeling studies revealed unique structural and functional features, which clearly established the differences between G6PD::6PGL protein from G. lamblia and the human G6PD enzyme, proving that the model can be used for the design of new drugs with antigiardiasic activity. These results broaden the perspective for future studies of the function of the protein and its effect on the metabolism of this parasite as a potential pharmacological target.
Autologous Mesenchymal Stroma Cells Are Superior to Allogeneic Ones in Bone Defect Regeneration
Authors: Rapp Anna E. , Bindl Ronny , Erbacher Annika , Kruchen Anne , Rojewski Markus , Schrezenmeier Hubert , Müller Ingo , Ignatius Anita
Published: August 2018

The application of autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) for the treatment of bone defects requires two invasive procedures and several weeks of ex vivo cell expansion. To overcome these limitations, the administration of allogeneic MSC may be attractive, because they are anticipated to be immunoprivileged. Because preclinical studies using various animal models are conflicting with respect to the efficacy of allogeneic MSC, we investigated whether autologous and allogeneic human MSC (hMSC) are equally effective in regenerating bone in a humanized mouse model resembling the human immune system. Applying autologous and allogeneic hMSC in critically sized femoral defects, we found that allogeneic hMSC elicited a mild immune response early after implantation, whereas early angiogenic processes were similar in both treatments. At later healing time points, the transplantation of allogeneic hMSC resulted in less bone formation than autologous hMSC, associated with a reduced expression of the osteogenic factor Runx2 and impaired angiogenesis. We found by species-specific staining for collagen-type-1α2 that MSCs of either source did not synthesize new bone matrix, indicating an indirect contribution of transplanted hMSC to bone regeneration. In conclusion, our data suggest that the application of autologous hMSC is superior to that of allogeneic cells for bone defect treatment.
Development and Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies to the 32 kDa Viral Attachment Protein of Lymphocystis Disease Virus and Their Neutralizing Ability in Vitro
Authors: Zhong Ying , Tang Xiaoqian , Sheng Xiuzhen , Xing Jing , Zhan Wenbin
Published: August 2018

In previous research, a 32 kDa protein in lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV) was identified as viral attachment protein (VAP) that specifically interacted with the 27.8 kDa cellular receptor from flounder Paralichthys olivaceus gill (FG) cells, and the recombinant VAP (rVAP) was expressed in Escherichia coli strain BL21 (DE3). In this study, monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against 32 kDa VAP are produced by immunization of BALB/c mice with the rVAP. Seven hybridoma secreting MAbs were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, five of which designated as 1C6, 1C8, 3B5, 3D11 and 3H10 are cloned by the limiting dilution method, depending on the strongly positive results of ELISA. Western blotting analysis shows that the five MAbs can specifically react with the 32 kDa protein of LCDV and the purified 50 kDa rVAP, and the subtype of the MAbs is identified as IgG. Immunofluorescence results demonstrate that the specific fluorescence signals for LCDV appear in the cytoplasm of FG cells at 24 h post LCDV infection. Neutralization assay results indicate that pre-incubations of LCDV with the five MAbs can significantly decrease the LCDV copy numbers and delay the development of the cytopathic effect in FG cells, revealing that the five MAbs can neutralize the LCDV particles and block viral infection in vitro. The neutralizing MAbs against 32 kDa VAP would be useful for the study on the LCDV–host interaction and might be promising inhibitors of LCDV infection in fish.
Imprecise Bayesian Networks as Causal Models
Authors: Kinney David
Published: August 2018

This article considers the extent to which Bayesian networks with imprecise probabilities, which are used in statistics and computer science for predictive purposes, can be used to represent causal structure. It is argued that the adequacy conditions for causal representation in the precise context—the Causal Markov Condition and Minimality—do not readily translate into the imprecise context. Crucial to this argument is the fact that the independence relation between random variables can be understood in several different ways when the joint probability distribution over those variables is imprecise, none of which provides a compelling basis for the causal interpretation of imprecise Bayes nets. I conclude that there are serious limits to the use of imprecise Bayesian networks to represent causal structure.
Experimental Investigation of Impact Localization in Composite Plate Using Newly Developed Imaging Method
Authors: Faisal Haider Mohammad , Migot Asaad , Bhuiyan Md Yeasin , Giurgiutiu Victor
Published: August 2018

This paper focuses on impact localization of composite structures, which possess more complexity in the guided wave propagation due to the anisotropic behavior of composite materials. In this work, a composite plate was manufactured by using a compression molding process with proper pressure and temperature cycle. Eight layers of woven composite prepreg were used to manufacture the composite plate. A structural health monitoring (SHM) technique was implemented with piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWAS) to detect and localize the impact on the plate. There were two types of impact event that were considered in this paper (a) low energy impact event (b) high energy impact event. Two clusters of sensors recorded the guided acoustic waves generated from the impact. The acoustic signals were then analyzed using a wavelet transform based time-frequency analysis. The proposed SHM technique successfully detected and localized the impact event on the plate. The experimentally measured impact locations were compared with the actual impact locations. An immersion ultrasonic scanning method was used to visualize the composite plate before and after the impact event. A high frequency 10 MHz 1-inch focused transducer was used to scan the plate in the immersion tank. Scanning results showed that there was no visible manufacturing damage in the composite plate. However, clear impact damage was observed after the high-energy impact event.
Journal of Cybersecurity and Privacy: A New Open Access Journal
Authors: Trappe Wade , Straub Jeremy
Published: August 2018

Journal of Cybersecurity and Privacy is critical to society at large, and its importance is growing daily. The rapid advancement in technology has caused a large-scale integration of computing, communication, and information technologies into virtually every aspect of our modern society[...]
Fabrication and Multiscale Structural Properties of Interconnected Porous Biomaterial for Tissue Engineering by Freeze Isostatic Pressure (FIP)
Authors: Prakasam Mythili , Chirazi Ali , Pyka Grzegorz , Prokhodtseva Anna , Lichau Daniel , Largeteau Alain
Published: August 2018

Biomaterial for tissue engineering is a topic of huge progress with a recent surge in fabrication and characterization advances. Biomaterials for tissue engineering applications or as scaffolds depend on various parameters such as fabrication technology, porosity, pore size, mechanical strength, and surface available for cell attachment. To serve the function of the scaffold, the porous biomaterial should have enough mechanical strength to aid in tissue engineering. With a new manufacturing technology, we have obtained high strength materials by optimizing a few processing parameters such as pressure, temperature, and dwell time, yielding the monolith with porosity in the range of 80%–93%. The three-dimensional interconnectivity of the porous media through scales for the newly manufactured biomaterial has been investigated using newly developed 3D correlative and multi-modal imaging techniques. Multiscale X-ray tomography, FIB-SEM Slice & View stacking, and high-resolution STEM-EDS electronic tomography observations have been combined allowing quantification of morphological and geometrical spatial distributions of the multiscale porous network through length scales spanning from tens of microns to less than a nanometer. The spatial distribution of the wall thickness has also been investigated and its possible relationship with pore connectivity and size distribution has been studied.
The Ser/Thr Kinase PknH Is Essential for Maintaining Heterocyst Pattern in the Cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. Strain PCC 7120
Authors: Fukushima Shun-ichi , Ehira Shigeki
Published: August 2018

In the filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain, PCC 7120, heterocysts (which are nitrogen-fixing cells) are formed in the absence of combined nitrogen in the medium. Heterocysts are separated from one another by 10 to 15 vegetative cells along the filaments, which consist of a few hundred of cells. hetR is necessary for heterocyst differentiation; and patS and hetN, expressed in heterocysts, play important roles in heterocyst pattern formation by laterally inhibiting the expression of hetR in adjacent cells. The results of this study indicated that pknH, which encodes a Ser/Thr kinase, was also involved in heterocyst pattern formation. In the pknH mutant, the heterocyst pattern was normal within 24 h after nitrogen deprivation, but multiple contiguous heterocysts were formed from 24 to 48 h. A time-lapse analysis of reporter strains harboring a fusion between gfp and the hetR promoter indicated that pknH was required to suppress hetR expression in cells adjacent to the preexisting heterocysts. These results indicated that pknH was necessary for the lateral inhibition of heterocyst differentiation to maintain the heterocyst pattern.
1-[5-(4-Tolyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl]methanamine
Authors: Shimoga Ganesh , Shin Eun-Jae , Kim Sang-Youn
Published: August 2018

1-[5-(4-Tolyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl]methanamine (3) has been successfully synthesized by reacting p-toluic hydrazide (1) and glycine (2) via the polyphosphoric acid condensation route. The course of the reaction was found to be high yielding (87%) and the title compound was spectroscopically characterized by UV-Vis, FTIR, DSC, 13C/1H-NMR, and sass spectrometric techniques.
Production and Physicochemical Characterization of Cu-Doped Silicate Bioceramic Scaffolds
Authors: Baino Francesco , Potestio Isabel , Vitale-Brovarone Chiara
Published: August 2018

Development of ion-releasing implantable biomaterials is a valuable approach for advanced medical therapies. In the effort of tackling this challenge, we explored the feasibility of porous bioceramic scaffolds releasing copper ions, which are potentially able to elicit angiogenetic and antibacterial effects. First, small amounts of CuO were incorporated in the base silicate glass during melting and the obtained powders were further processed to fabricate glass–ceramic scaffolds by sponge replica method followed by sinter crystallization. As the release of copper ions from these foams in simulated body fluid (SBF) was very limited, a second processing strategy was developed. Silicate glass–ceramic scaffolds were coated with a layer of Cu-doped mesoporous glass, which exhibited favorable textural properties (ultrahigh specific surface area >200 m2/g, mesopore size about 5 nm) for modulating the release of copper. All the produced scaffolds, containing biocompatible crystals of wollastonite (CaSiO3), revealed high stability in a biological environment. Furthermore, the materials had adequate compressive strength (>10 MPa) for allowing safe manipulation during surgery. Overall, the results achieved in the present work suggest that these Cu-doped glass-derived scaffolds show promise for biomedical application and motivate further investigation of their suitability from a biological viewpoint.
A Tangible Educative 3D Printed Atlas of the Rat Brain
Authors: Quiñones Darío R. , Ferragud-Agulló Jorge , Pérez-Feito Ricardo , García-Manrique Juan A. , Canals Santiago , Moratal David
Published: August 2018

In biology and neuroscience courses, brain anatomy is usually explained using Magnetic Resonance (MR) images or histological sections of different orientations. These can show the most important macroscopic areas in an animals’ brain. However, this method is neither dynamic nor intuitive. In this work, an anatomical 3D printed rat brain with educative purposes is presented. Hand manipulation of the structure, facilitated by the scale up of its dimensions, and the ability to dismantle the “brain” into some of its constituent parts, facilitates the understanding of the 3D organization of the nervous system. This is an alternative method for teaching students in general and biologists in particular the rat brain anatomy. The 3D printed rat brain has been developed with eight parts, which correspond to the most important divisions of the brain. Each part has been fitted with interconnections, facilitating assembling and disassembling as required. These solid parts were smoothed out, modified and manufactured through 3D printing techniques with poly(lactic acid) (PLA). This work presents a methodology that could be expanded to almost any field of clinical and pre-clinical research, and moreover it avoids the need for dissecting animals to teach brain anatomy.
Towards Developing Bioresponsive, Self-Assembled Peptide Materials: Dynamic Morphology and Fractal Nature of Nanostructured Matrices
Authors: Koss Kyle M. , Unsworth Larry D.
Published: August 2018

(Arginine-alanine-aspartic acid-alanine)4 ((RADA)4) nanoscaffolds are excellent candidates for use as peptide delivery vehicles: they are relatively easy to synthesize with custom bio-functionality, and assemble in situ to allow a focal point of release. This enables (RADA)4 to be utilized in multiple release strategies by embedding a variety of bioactive molecules in an all-in-one “construct”. One novel strategy focuses on the local, on-demand release of peptides triggered via proteolysis of tethered peptide sequences. However, the spatial-temporal morphology of self-assembling nanoscaffolds may greatly influence the ability of enzymes to both diffuse into as well as actively cleave substrates. Fine structure and its impact on the overall effect on peptide release is poorly understood. In addition, fractal networks observed in nanoscaffolds are linked to the fractal nature of diffusion in these systems. Therefore, matrix morphology and fractal dimension of virgin (RADA)4 and mixtures of (RADA)4 and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) cleavable substrate modified (RADA)4 were characterized over time. Sites of high (glycine-proline-glutamine-glycine+isoleucine-alanine-serine-glutamine (GPQG+IASQ), CP1) and low (glycine-proline-glutamine-glycine+proline-alanine-glycine-glutamine (GPQG+PAGQ), CP2) cleavage activity were chosen. Fine structure was visualized using transmission electron microscopy. After 2 h of incubation, nanofiber networks showed an established fractal nature; however, nanofibers continued to bundle in all cases as incubation times increased. It was observed that despite extensive nanofiber bundling after 24 h of incubation time, the CP1 and CP2 nanoscaffolds were susceptible to MMP-2 cleavage. The properties of these engineered nanoscaffolds characterized herein illustrate that they are an excellent candidate as an enzymatically initiated peptide delivery platform.
Composite Gel Polymer Electrolytes Based on Organo-Modified Nanoclays: Investigation on Lithium-Ion Transport and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Simari Cataldo , Lufrano Ernestino , Coppola Luigi , Nicotera Isabella
Published: August 2018

Composite gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) based on organo-modified montmorillonite clays have been prepared and investigated. The organo-clay was prepared by intercalation of CTAB molecules in the interlamellar space of sodium smectite clay (SWy) through a cation-exchange reaction. This was used as nanoadditive in polyacrylonitrile/polyethylene-oxide blend polymer, lithium trifluoromethanesulphonate (LiTr) as salt and a mixture of ethylene carbonate/propylene carbonate as plasticizer. GPEs were widely characterized by DSC, SEM, and DMA, while the ion transport properties were investigated by AC impedance spectroscopy and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. In particular, 7Li and 19F self-diffusion coefficients were measured by the pulse field gradient (PFG) method, and the spin-lattice relaxation times (T1) by the inversion recovery sequence. A complete description of the ions dynamics in so complex systems was achieved, as well as the ion transport number and ionicity index were estimated, proving that the smectite clay surfaces are able to “solvatate” both lithium and triflate ions and to create a preferential pathway for ion conduction.
Processing of AISI H11 Tool Steel Powder Modified with Carbon Black Nanoparticles for the Additive Manufacturing of Forging Tools with Tailored Mechanical Properties by Means of Laser Metal Deposition (LMD)
Authors: Hentschel Oliver , Siegel Laurids , Scheitler Christian , Huber Florian , Junker Daniel , Gorunow Andrej , Schmidt Michael
Published: August 2018

Within the scope of the presented work the processing of AISI H11 (1.2343 or X37CrMoV5-1) tool steel powder modified by adding carbon black nanoparticles in varying concentrations by means of Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) is extensively investigated. On the basis of single weld track experiments, multi-layered cuboid-shaped samples made out of pure AISI H11 tool steel powder as well as modified tool steel powder mixtures were manufactured by applying various process parameters. The main scientific aim of the investigations was to achieve a basic understanding of the influence of the added carbon black nanoparticles on the resulting sample properties. For that purpose, the generated specimens were first analyzed with respect to relative density, inner defects, microstructure, Vickers hardness and chemical composition. Subsequently, the mechanical properties of post-heat-treated specimens were investigated, with the focus on the yield strength (Y0.2%), by means of compression tests. We prove that by adding carbon black nanoparticles to the initial AISI H11 powder, the formation of martensitic and bainitic phases, as well as the precipitation of carbides at the grain boundaries, are enhanced. As a result, a significant increase of Vickers hardness and of the compression yield strength by up to 11% can be achieved in comparison to samples made out of the unmodified AISI H11 powder. Furthermore, it can be fundamentally demonstrated that the fabrication of parts with layer-specific variable hardness can be realized by the controlled changing of the powder mixtures used during the layer-by-layer manufacturing approach.
Effect of α′ Martensite Content Induced by Tensile Plastic Prestrain on Hydrogen Transport and Hydrogen Embrittlement of 304L Austenitic Stainless Steel
Authors: Wang Yanfei , Wu Xuanpei , Wu Weijie
Published: August 2018

Effects of microstructural changes induced by prestraining on hydrogen transport and hydrogen embrittlement (HE) of austenitic stainless steels were studied by hydrogen precharging and tensile testing. Prestrains higher than 20% at 20 °C significantly enhance the HE of 304L steel, as they induce severe α′ martensite transformation, accelerating hydrogen transport and hydrogen entry during subsequent hydrogen exposure. In contrast, 304L steel prestrained at 50 and 80 °C and 316L steel prestrained at 20 °C exhibit less HE, due to less α′ after prestraining. The increase of dislocations after prestraining has a negligible influence on apparent hydrogen diffusivity compared with pre-existing α′. The deformation twins in heavily prestrained 304L steel can modify HE mechanism by assisting intergranular (IG) fracture. Regardless of temperature and prestrain level, HE and apparent diffusivity ( D app ) increase monotonously with α′ volume fraction ( f α ′ ). D app can be described as log D app = log ( D α ′ s α ′ / s γ ) + log [ f α ′ / ( 1 − f α ′ ) ] for 10 % < f α ′ < 90 % , with D α ′ is diffusivity in α′, s α ′ and s γ are solubility in α′ and austenite, respectively. The two equations can also be applied to these more typical duplex materials containing both BCC and FCC phases.
New Technology to Produce 1 GPa Low Carbon Microalloyed Steels from Cast Strip
Authors: Kostryzhev Andrii , Marenych Olexandra
Published: August 2018

Global economy requires steel with further increasing mechanical properties and simultaneously decreasing price. In mass manufacturing three major methods can be used to increase strength: (i) increase microalloying element additions (increases cost), (ii) decrease deformation temperature and (iii) increase cooling rate after high temperature processing (both can be challenging for equipment). Thin strip casting is an effective way to reduce cost as it brings a reduction in number of deformation passes and shortens the production line. However, the mechanical properties can be missed due to insufficient microstructure development. In this article, we investigate a recently proposed technology based on Austenite Conditioning followed by Accelerated Cooling and Warm Deformation (AC2WD). Two low carbon steels microalloyed with either 0.012Ti or 0.1Mo-0.064Nb-0.021Ti (wt.%) were subjected to three processing modifications of the AC2WD-technology with two, one or no deformation of cast microstructure in the austenite temperature field. The Ti- and MoNbTi-steels exhibited 685–765 MPa and 880–950 MPa of the yield stress, 780–840 MPa and 1035–1120 MPa of tensile strength, and 20–30% and 22–24% of elongation to failure, respectively. The nature of strengthening mechanisms associated with the AC2WD-technology is discussed on the basis of detailed microstructure characterisation.