bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Welfare in Zoo Animals: Towards Optimum Quality of Life
Authors: Wolfensohn Sarah , Shotton Justine , Bowley Hannah , Davies Siân , Thompson Sarah , Justice William S. M.
Published: July 2018

Zoos are required to maintain a high standard of animal welfare, and this can be assessed using a combination of resource-based and animal-based indices usually divided into behavioural indicators, physiological indicators and clinical/pathological signs. Modern animal welfare assessments should aim to encompass positive affective states and the indicators that are useful in assessing these are discussed. When developing factors to be scored for each species, there is huge variability in the available information about the natural biology for some zoo species and even less information concerning those animals in captivity. Wild baselines are not always the most accurate indicator of what is right for an animal in captivity, which makes the identification of factors to include within species-specific welfare assessment even more challenging. When planning a welfare strategy for any species, it is important that the full range of their biological requirements and needs are considered, but this can be challenging for some zoo species and it is not possible to define a “one size fits all” welfare strategy. The different approaches for welfare assessment are reviewed, including the development of the Animal Welfare Assessment Grid which offers an evidence-based tool for continual welfare assessment, using technology where appropriate, to facilitate decision making and lead to improvements in the animals’ quality of life.
Current Molecular-Targeted Therapies in NSCLC and Their Mechanism of Resistance
Authors: Schrank Zachary , Chhabra Gagan , Lin Leo , Iderzorig Tsatsral , Osude Chike , Khan Nabiha , Kuckovic Adijan , Singh Sanjana , Miller Rachel , Puri Neelu
Published: July 2018

Lung cancer is treated with many conventional therapies, such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. However, these therapies have multiple undesirable side effects. To bypass the side effects elicited by these conventional treatments, molecularly-targeted therapies are currently in use or under development. Current molecularly-targeted therapies effectively target specific biomarkers, which are commonly overexpressed in lung cancers and can cause increased tumorigenicity. Unfortunately, several molecularly-targeted therapies are associated with initial dramatic responses followed by acquired resistance due to spontaneous mutations or activation of signaling pathways. Acquired resistance to molecularly targeted therapies presents a major clinical challenge in the treatment of lung cancer. Therefore, to address this clinical challenge and to improve lung cancer patient prognosis, we need to understand the mechanism of acquired resistance to current therapies and develop additional novel therapies. This review concentrates on various lung cancer biomarkers, including EGFR, ALK, and BRAF, as well as their potential mechanisms of drug resistance.
Highly Active TiO2 Microspheres Formation in the Presence of Ethylammonium Nitrate Ionic Liquid
Authors: Gołąbiewska Anna , Checa-Suárez Micaela , Paszkiewicz-Gawron Marta , Lisowski Wojciech , Raczuk Edyta , Klimczuk Tomasz , Polkowska Żaneta , Grabowska Ewelina , Zaleska-Medynska Adriana , Łuczak Justyna
Published: July 2018

Spherical microparticles of TiO2 were synthesized by the ionic liquid-assisted solvothermal method at different reaction times (3, 6, 12, and 24 h). The properties of the prepared photocatalysts were investigated by means of UV-VIS diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that the efficiency of the phenol degradation was related to the time of the solvothermal synthesis, as determined for the TiO2_EAN(1:1)_24h sample. The microparticles of TiO2_EAN(1:1)_3h that formed during only 3 h of the synthesis time revealed a really high photoactivity under visible irradiation (75%). This value increased to 80% and 82% after 12 h and 24 h, respectively. The photoactivity increase was accompanied by the increase of the specific surface area, thus the poresize as well as the ability to absorb UV-VIS irradiation. The high efficiency of the phenol degradation of the ionic liquid (IL)–TiO2 photocatalysts was ascribed to the interaction between the surface of the TiO2 and ionic liquid components (carbon and nitrogen).
The Effects of Ultrasound on Crystals: Sonocrystallization and Sonofragmentation
Authors: Kim Hyo Na , Suslick Kenneth S.
Published: July 2018

When ultrasound is applied to a solution for crystallization, it can affect the properties of the crystalline products significantly. Ultrasonic irradiation decreases the induction time and metastable zone and increases the nucleation rate. Due to these effects, it generally yields smaller crystals with a narrower size distribution when compared with conventional crystallizations. Also, ultrasonic irradiation can cause fragmentation of existing crystals which is caused by crystal collisions or sonofragmentation. The effect of various experimental parameters and empirical products of sonocrystallization have been reported, but the mechanisms of sonocrystallization and sonofragmentation have not been confirmed clearly. In this review, we build upon previous studies and highlight the effects of ultrasound on the crystallization of organic molecules. In addition, recent work on sonofragmentation of molecular and ionic crystals is discussed.
A Review of the Araucaria-Associated Weevils of the Tribe Orthorhinini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytinae), with Description of New Species of Ilacuris Pascoe, 1865 and Notopissodes Zimmerman & Oberprieler, 2014 and a New Genus, Kuschelorhinus Anderson & Setliff
Authors: Anderson Robert S. , Oberprieler Rolf G. , Setliff Gregory P.
Published: July 2018

The Araucaria-associated weevils of the tribe Orthorhinini are reviewed, namely the genera Eurhamphus Shuckard, 1838; Ilacuris Pascoe, 1865; Imbilius Marshall, 1938; Notopissodes Zimmerman & Oberprieler, 2014 and Vanapa Pouillaude, 1915. The genus Ilacuris is revised with three species recognized: I. laticollis Pascoe, 1865 and I. suttoni Anderson & Setliff, new species from Australia, and I. papuana Anderson & Setliff, new species from Papua New Guinea. A second species of Notopissodes, N. variegatus Oberprieler, new species from Australia, is also described. Lastly, Kuschelorhinus hirsutus Anderson & Setliff, new genus and new species, is described from Papua New Guinea. The new genus is a close relative of Ilacuris and it is named in honor of our esteemed late colleague, Guillermo ‘Willy’ Kuschel (1918–2017), recognizing his interest in Araucaria-associated Coleoptera. Habitus images, natural history information and a key to the Araucaria-associated Orthorhinini are presented.
Risk Neutral Measure Determination from Price Ranges: Single Period Market Models
Authors: Gzyl Henryk , Molina German , Ter Horst Enrique
Published: July 2018

Risk neutral measures are defined such that the basic random assets in a portfolio are martingales. Hence, when the market model is complete, valuation of other financial instruments is a relatively straightforward task when those basic random assets constitute their underlying asset. To determine the risk neutral measure, it is assumed that the current prices of the basic assets are known exactly. However, oftentimes all we know about the current price, or that of a derivative having it as underlying, is a bid-ask range. The question then arises as to how to determine the risk neutral measure from that information. We may want to determine risk neutral measures from that information to use it, for example, to price other derivatives on the same asset. In this paper we propose an extended version of the maximum entropy method to carry out that task. This approach provides a novel solution to this problem, which is computationally simple and fast.
An Image Fusion Method Based on Sparse Representation and Sum Modified-Laplacian in NSCT Domain
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Sun Yanjing , Huang Xinhua , Qi Guanqiu , Zheng Mingyao , Zhu Zhiqin
Published: July 2018

Multi-modality image fusion provides more comprehensive and sophisticated information in modern medical diagnosis, remote sensing, video surveillance, etc. Traditional multi-scale transform (MST) based image fusion solutions have difficulties in the selection of decomposition level, and the contrast loss in fused image. At the same time, traditional sparse-representation based image fusion methods suffer the weak representation ability of fixed dictionary. In order to overcome these deficiencies of MST- and SR-based methods, this paper proposes an image fusion framework which integrates nonsubsampled contour transformation (NSCT) into sparse representation (SR). In this fusion framework, NSCT is applied to source images decomposition for obtaining corresponding low- and high-pass coefficients. It fuses low- and high-pass coefficients by using SR and Sum Modified-laplacian (SML) respectively. NSCT inversely transforms the fused coefficients to obtain the final fused image. In this framework, a principal component analysis (PCA) is implemented in dictionary training to reduce the dimension of learned dictionary and computation costs. A novel high-pass fusion rule based on SML is applied to suppress pseudo-Gibbs phenomena around singularities of fused image. Compared to three mainstream image fusion solutions, the proposed solution achieves better performance on structural similarity and detail preservation in fused images.
The Assessment of the Quality of Human Resources in the Midwife Profession in the Healthcare Sector of the Czech Republic
Authors: Urbánková Erika , Hospodková Petra , Severová Lucie
Published: July 2018

The objective of this paper is the assessment of the current state of employment in the midwife profession in the health and social care sector, especially from the viewpoint of quality assurance. Primary research focuses on the level of practical and theoretical knowledge and the skills of graduates within the last 10 years, as well as the forms of development of human resources that healthcare facilities offer for the purposes of supplementing knowledge and developing skills that are lacking. The quantitative research took place in private and public healthcare facilities in the Czech Republic in 2017. The results of the quantitative research show that the offers of workers in the midwife profession in the labor market are slightly insufficient in relation to demand. Research results show that the overall educational level of graduates has improved over time. The research also shows that the greatest deficiencies in terms of missing competencies among new graduates are seen in the area of expertise according to Regulation No. 55/2011 Coll. (newly No. 2/2016), and that what the graduates lack most are skills in communicating with patients. Conversely, current graduates are better equipped with language skills, computer skills and time-management ability. The research also shows that overall practical readiness lags far behind theoretical readiness.
Research Progress on Electric and Intelligent Vehicles
Authors: Xiong Rui , Sharkh Suleiman M. , Zhang Xi
Published: July 2018

This editorial summarizes the content of the Special Issue entitled “The International Symposium on Electric Vehicles (ISEV2017)”, which was published in MDPI’s Energies journal. The Special Issue was compiled in 2017 and accepted a total of 26 papers. Lithium-ion battery, energy management of electric vehicles, and motor control in electric vehicles were the most discussed topics, introducing brand new methods with very sound results.
Tri-Axial Shear Tests on Hydrate-Bearing Sediments during Hydrate Dissociation with Depressurization
Authors: Li Dongliang , Wu Qi , Wang Zhe , Lu Jingsheng , Liang Deqing , Li Xiaosen
Published: July 2018

A series of tri-axial shear tests were carried out to determine the stress and strain characteristics, as well as the volume deformation of methane hydrate-bearing sediments during gas hydrate dissociation. An innovative type of depressurization was adopted with a high-pressure and low-temperature tri-axial apparatus. Results show that: (1) decrease in pore pressure during the shear process may result in the failure of hydrate-bearing sediments, but they did not collapse completely due to high effective confining pressure; (2) depressurization leads to the contraction of volumetric strain and the ultimate deformation shows no difference compared to that prior depressurization; (3) high saturation hydrate-bearing sediments were more sensitive to depressurization, which could be due to the methane hydrate acting as a skeleton structure at some sites when the pore hydrates’ saturation is high.
The Impact of Climate Condition on the Optimal Operation of Direct Coupled Photovoltaic Solar-Vehicle Systems
Authors: Jendoubi Abdessattar , Bella Chedly Ben , Nsibi Walid , Bacha Faouzi
Published: July 2018

In a photovoltaic solar-vehicle system, many factors may present disturbances and thus affect its operation. Among the disturbing parameters are the variable output voltage of the photovoltaic generator (GPV) and unbalanced irradiation throughout a day, as well as both the variable load (considered as a resistor in our case) and duty cycle. For a better quality output voltage, the optimization of the transfer power, and the protection of the photovoltaic solar vehicle system, the following is required: a constant and non-oscillating tension in the continuous bus and the extraction of the maximum power generated by the photovoltaic array under variable climatic conditions, as well as a specific model of boost converter. This paper discusses the optimization of the transfer power between the photovoltaic array and load in the first step, the study of an average model of the direct current/direct current (DC/DC) converter, and finally the design of a stable and robust tension controller. The results achieved confirm the rightness of the proposed control structure, which is simple, robust, and can secure the stability and good quality dynamics of the controlled system, as well as ensure invariance against disturbances. Also, the average model of the DC/DC converter used was found to be efficient.
Application of GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Decision Technique in Exploration of Suitable Site Options for Anaerobic Digestion of Food and Biodegradable Waste in Oita City, Japan
Authors: Babalola Micky A.
Published: July 2018

Recently, the popularity of anaerobic digestion (AD) has been increasing, and selecting a site for AD is a complex process for both individuals and decision-makers. This process requires the selected site to fulfill all regulation requirements, simultaneously reducing environmental, sociocultural, technical, political, economic, and public health costs. A geographic-information-system-based multi-criteria decision analysis (GIS-MCDA) is presented in this study to evaluate and examine the suitability of the study area in order to propose a suitable site for an AD facility in Oita City, Japan. Multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) was used to standardize the map layers into fuzzy membership functions. The proximity variables were classified into seven factors and three constraint groups, specifically, environmental, sociocultural, and technical/economic criteria. The proximity and criteria maps were combined using weighted linear combination (WLC) techniques, and the resulting suitability map was evaluated on a grading scale of 0–255 B. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) ranking analysis indicated that an area of about 13.36 km2 from the entire study area is the most suitable and that the remaining two options are still suitable for the intended purpose, but the entire decision will be entrusted to the decision-makers’ judgment.
Comparison and Combination of Mobile and Terrestrial Laser Scanning for Natural Forest Inventories
Authors: Bienert Anne , Georgi Louis , Kunz Matthias , Maas Hans-Gerd , Von Oheimb Goddert
Published: July 2018

Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) has been successfully used for three-dimensional (3D) data capture in forests for almost two decades. Beyond the plot-based data capturing capabilities of TLS, vehicle-based mobile laser scanning (MLS) systems have the clear advantage of fast and precise corridor-like 3D data capture, thus providing a much larger coverage within shorter acquisition time. This paper compares and discusses advantages and disadvantages of multi-temporal MLS data acquisition compared to established TLS data recording schemes. In this pilot study on integrated TLS and MLS data processing in a forest, it could be shown that existing TLS data evaluation routines can be used for MLS data processing. Methods of automatic laser scanner data processing for forest inventory parameter determination and quantitative structure model (QSM) generation were tested in two sample plots using data from both scanning methods and from different seasons. TLS in a multi-scan configuration delivers very high-density 3D point clouds, which form a valuable basis for generating high-quality QSMs. The pilot study shows that MLS is able to provide high-quality data for an equivalent determination of relevant forest inventory parameters compared to TLS. Parameters such as tree position, diameter at breast height (DBH) or tree height can be determined from MLS data with an accuracy similar to the accuracy of the parameter derived from TLS data. Results for instance in DBH determination by cylinder fitting yielded a standard deviation of 1.1 cm for trees in TLS data and 3.7 cm in MLS data. However, the resolution of MLS scans was found insufficient for successful QSM generation. The registration of MLS data in forests furthermore requires additional effort in considering effects caused by poor GNSS signal.
Investigating Seed Dormancy in Pinus bungeana Zucc. ex Endl.: Understanding the Contributions of Enclosing Tissues and Temperature on Germination
Authors: Guo Congcong , Shen Yongbao , Shi Fenghou
Published: July 2018

Pinus bungeana Zucc. ex Endl. is an endangered conifer tree species that is endemic to Western Central China. With the aim to confirm whether the Pinus bungeana seeds were dormant or not, an isolated embryo was cultured and seed coat interference with imbibition was examined by the water uptake test; the contribution of enclosing structures to germination inhibition and the effect of different temperatures (10 °C, 15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C, and 30 °C) on seed germination were investigated by the germination test, then total germination percentage (TGP) and mean germination time (MGT) were calculated. Results showed that the Pinus bungeana seeds were non-dormant, seeds without any prechilling treatment germinated readily and achieved high germination (approximately 90%) at favorable temperatures (15 and 20 °C). At 25 °C, seed germination was inhibited and intact seeds exhibited 5% germination, but an interference with imbibition was not responsible for this result. In the seed tissue removal experiment, cracking the seed coat did not improve germination effectively, removing the seed coat and leaving the nucellar membrane either intact or having a quarter of it removed both elicited greater germination (34.7% and 40%, respectively). Meanwhile, removing the seed coat and removing either half or all of the nucellar membrane both promoted higher germination (approximately 80%), with germination rates that were nearly the same as that for the isolated embryos (86%). Germination inhibition was mainly induced by the enclosing structures and the nucellar membrane played an important role in inhibiting germination.
Lachancea thermotolerans Applications in Wine Technology
Authors: Morata Antonio , Loira Iris , Tesfaye Wendu , Bañuelos María Antonia , González Carmen , Suárez Lepe José Antonio
Published: July 2018

Lachancea (kluyveromyces) thermotolerans is a ubiquitous yeast that can be naturally found in grapes but also in other habitats as soil, insects and plants, extensively distributed around the world. In a 3-day culture, it shows spherical to ellipsoidal morphology appearing in single, paired cells or short clusters. It is a teleomorph yeast with 1–4 spherical ascospores and it is characterized by a low production of volatile acidity that helps to control global acetic acid levels in mixed or sequential inoculations with either S. cerevisiae or other non-Saccharomyces species. It has a medium fermentative power, so it must be used in sequential or mixed inoculations with S. cerevisiae to get dry wines. It shows a high production of lactic acid able to affect strongly wine pH, sometimes decreasing wine pH by 0.5 units or more during fermentation. Most of the acidification is produced at the beginning of fermentation facilitating the effect in sequential fermentations because it is more competitive at low alcoholic degree. This application is especially useful in warm areas affected by climatic change. pH reduction is produced in a natural way during fermentation and prevents the addition of tartaric acid, that produces tartrate precipitations, or the use of cation exchangers resins highly efficient reducing pH but with undesirable effects on wine quality. Production of lactic acid is done from sugars thus reducing slightly the alcoholic degree, especially in strains with high production of lactic acid. Also, an improvement in the production of 2-phenylethanol and glycerol has been described.
A Brief Review of New Fiber Microsphere Geometries
Authors: Gomes André Delgado , Monteiro Catarina Silva , Silveira Beatriz , Frazão Orlando
Published: July 2018

A brief review of new fiber microsphere geometries is presented. Simple microspheres working as Fabry–Perot cavities are interrogated in reflection and in transmission. Two microspheres were also spliced together, and subjected to different physical parameters. These structures are an alternative solution for load measurement and, when read in transmission, it is also possible to apply strain. Moreover, the structure is capable of being used under extreme ambient temperatures up to 900 °C. Random signal in cleaved microspheres was demonstrated with the possibility of using it for random laser or sensing applications. All this work was developed at the Centre for Applied Photonics, INESC TEC.
Disease Resistance Mechanisms in Plants
Authors: Andersen Ethan J. , Ali Shaukat , Byamukama Emmanuel , Yen Yang , Nepal Madhav P.
Published: July 2018

Plants have developed a complex defense system against diverse pests and pathogens. Once pathogens overcome mechanical barriers to infection, plant receptors initiate signaling pathways driving the expression of defense response genes. Plant immune systems rely on their ability to recognize enemy molecules, carry out signal transduction, and respond defensively through pathways involving many genes and their products. Pathogens actively attempt to evade and interfere with response pathways, selecting for a decentralized, multicomponent immune system. Recent advances in molecular techniques have greatly expanded our understanding of plant immunity, largely driven by potential application to agricultural systems. Here, we review the major plant immune system components, state of the art knowledge, and future direction of research on plant–pathogen interactions. In our review, we will discuss how the decentralization of plant immune systems have provided both increased evolutionary opportunity for pathogen resistance, as well as additional mechanisms for pathogen inhibition of such defense responses. We conclude that the rapid advances in bioinformatics and molecular biology are driving an explosion of information that will advance agricultural production and illustrate how complex molecular interactions evolve.
Coastal Karst Groundwater in the Mediterranean: A Resource to Be Preferably Exploited Onshore, Not from Karst Submarine Springs
Authors: Bakalowicz Michel
Published: July 2018

Coastal karst aquifers are common in the Mediterranean basin. With their significant potential storage capacity, they are an attractive groundwater resource in areas where the water demand is the most important. They discharge either at the coastal zone or directly into the sea at karst submarine springs (KSMS). Decision makers take an interest in this unconventional groundwater resource and are convinced by companies and research consultancies that KSMS’s should be exploited because they would discharge huge amount of fresh water. Being now well documented, the occurrence of KSMS’s along the Mediterranean coast is discussed in the light of recent geological history favourable to the development of karst. Conduit flow conditions are common, inherited from an intense phase of karstification during the Messinian Crisis of Salinity at the end of Miocene, when the sea level was 1500 to 2500 m below present sea level. From investigations carried out along the coasts of France and the Levant, compared with studies done along other Mediterranean coastlines, it appears that capturing groundwater discharged at KSMS raises different problems which make the operation dicey and expansive.
Vegetated Channel Flows: Turbulence Anisotropy at Flow–Rigid Canopy Interface
Authors: Caroppi Gerardo , Gualtieri Paola , Fontana Nicola , Giugni Maurizio
Published: July 2018

This laboratory study aimed at investigating the mean and turbulent characteristics of a densely vegetated flow by testing four different submergence ratios. The channel bed was covered by a uniform array of aligned metallic cylinders modeling rigid submerged vegetation. Instantaneous velocities, acquired with a three-component acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV), were used to analyze the mean and turbulent flow structure. The heterogeneity of the flow field was described by the distributions of mean velocities, turbulent intensities, skewness, kurtosis, Reynolds stresses, and Eulerian integral scales. The exchange processes at the flow–vegetation interface were explored by applying the turbulence triangle technique, a far less common technique for vegetated flows based on the invariant maps of the anisotropic Reynolds stress tensor.
The Relationship of Safety with Burnout for Mobile Health Employees
Authors: Leiter Michael P. , Jackson Lois , Bourgeault Ivy , Price Sheri , Kruisselbrink Audrey , Barber Pauline Gardiner , Nourpanah Shiva
Published: July 2018

Objective: The study examined the relationship of occupational safety with job burnout. Design: The study used a cross-sectional survey design. Setting: The setting was Nova Scotia, Canada. Participants: Mobile health employees (N = 156) completed surveys on road safety, workload, burnout and supervisor incivility. Main outcome measure: The main outcome measure was the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Results: Results found that safety concerns improved the prediction of exhaustion beyond that provided by workload concerns alone. Further, confidence in safety buffered the relationship of exhaustion with cynicism such that the exhaustion/cynicism relationship was stronger for employees who had lower confidence in road safety. Conclusions: Employees’ confidence in occupational safety while addressing work responsibilities on the road has implications for their experience of job burnout.
Mapping Creative Spaces in Omaha, NE: Resident Perceptions versus Creative Firm Locations
Authors: Bereitschaft Bradley
Published: July 2018

In an era increasingly shaped by automation and globalization, industries that rely on creativity, innovation, and knowledge-generation are considered key drivers of economic growth in the U.S. and other advanced capitalist economies. This study examines the spatial distribution of creative firms and how they might align with perceptions of creativity in Omaha, Nebraska, a mid-sized U.S. urban area. Utilizing a survey, participant mapping exercise, and geospatial analyses, the primary goal was to identify formal and informal spaces of creative production and consumption, and determine to what extent the location of creative firms (both arts/media- and science/technology-focused) may shape perceptions of creativity across the urban landscape. The results suggest that local area residents primarily view dense, vibrant, mixed-use, and often historic urban neighborhoods as particularly creative, whether or not there exists a dense concentration of creative firms. Similarly, creative firms were more spatially diffuse than the clusters of “creative locations” identified by residents, and were more frequently found in suburban locations. Furthermore, while there was no discernible difference among “creative” and “non-creative” workers, science/technology firms were more likely than arts/media firms to be found in suburban locations, and less likely to be associated with perceptions of creativity in Omaha.
Metformin in Pregnancy: Mechanisms and Clinical Applications
Authors: Hyer Steve , Balani Jyoti , Shehata Hassan
Published: July 2018

Metformin use in pregnancy is increasing worldwide as randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence is emerging demonstrating its safety and efficacy. The Metformin in Gestational Diabetes (MiG) RCT changed practice in many countries demonstrating that metformin had similar pregnancy outcomes to insulin therapy with less maternal weight gain and a high degree of patient acceptability. A multicentre RCT is currently assessing the addition of metformin to insulin in pregnant women with type 2 diabetes. RCT evidence is also available for the use of metformin in pregnancy for women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and for nondiabetic women with obesity. No evidence of an increase in congenital malformations or miscarriages has been observed even when metformin is started before pregnancy and continued to term. Body composition and metabolic outcomes at two, seven, and nine years have now been reported for the offspring of mothers treated in the MiG study. In this review, we will briefly discuss the action of metformin and then consider the evidence from the key clinical trials.
Antioxidant Properties of Buffalo-Milk Dairy Products: A β-Lg Peptide Released after Gastrointestinal Digestion of Buffalo Ricotta Cheese Reduces Oxidative Stress in Intestinal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Basilicata Manuela Giovanna , Pepe Giacomo , Adesso Simona , Ostacolo Carmine , Sala Marina , Sommella Eduardo , Scala Maria Carmina , Messore Antonella , Autore Giuseppina , Marzocco Stefania , Campiglia Pietro
Published: July 2018

Redox signaling regulates different gastrointestinal (G.I.) epithelium functions. At the intestinal level, the loss of redox homeostasis in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) is responsible for the pathogenesis and development of a wide diversity of G.I. disorders. Thus, the manipulation of oxidative stress in IECs could represent an important pharmacological target for different diseases. In this study, peptides released from in vitro gastro intestinal digestion of different buffalo-milk commercial dairy products were identified and evaluated for their bioactive properties. In particular, six G.I. digests of dairy products were tested in a model of oxidative stress for IECs. Among them, buffalo ricotta cheese was the most active and the presence of an abundant β-lactoglobulin peptide (YVEELKPTPEGDL, f:60-72) was also revealed. The antioxidant potential of the identified peptide was also evaluated in a model of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative stress in the IEC-6 cell line. The peptide was able to reduce ROS release, while, on the other hand, it increased nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) activation and the expression of antioxidant cytoprotective factors, such as heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). These results indicate that buffalo ricotta cheese-isolated peptide could have potential in the treatment of some gastrointestinal disorders.
Foxn1 in Skin Development, Homeostasis and Wound Healing
Authors: Bukowska Joanna , Kopcewicz Marta , Walendzik Katarzyna , Gawronska-Kozak Barbara
Published: July 2018

Intensive research effort has focused on cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate skin biology, including the phenomenon of scar-free skin healing during foetal life. Transcription factors are the key molecules that tune gene expression and either promote or suppress gene transcription. The epidermis is the source of transcription factors that regulate many functions of epidermal cells such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and migration. Furthermore, the activation of epidermal transcription factors also causes changes in the dermal compartment of the skin. This review focuses on the transcription factor Foxn1 and its role in skin biology. The regulatory function of Foxn1 in the skin relates to physiological (development and homeostasis) and pathological (skin wound healing) conditions. In particular, the pivotal role of Foxn1 in skin development and the acquisition of the adult skin phenotype, which coincides with losing the ability of scar-free healing, is discussed. Thus, genetic manipulations with Foxn1 expression, specifically those introducing conditional Foxn1 silencing in a Foxn1+/+ organism or its knock-in in a Foxn1−/− model, may provide future perspectives for regenerative medicine.
Time Dependent Pathway Activation of Signalling Cascades in Rat Organs after Short-Term Hyperoxia
Authors: Hinkelbein Jochen , Braunecker Stefan , Danz Matthias , Böhm Lennert , Hohn Andreas
Published: July 2018

Administration of oxygen is one of the most common interventions in medicine. Previous research showed that differential regulated proteins could be linked to hyperoxia-associated signaling cascades in different tissues. However, it still remains unclear which signaling pathways are activated by hyperoxia. The present study analyses hyperoxia-induced protein alterations in lung, brain, and kidney tissue using a proteomic and bioinformatic approach. Pooled data of 36 Wistar rats exposed to hyperoxia were used. To identify possible hyperoxia biomarkers, and to evaluate the relationship between protein alterations in hyperoxia affected organs and blood, proteomics data from brain, lung, and kidney were analyzed. Functional network analyses (IPA®, PathwaysStudio®, and GENEmania®) in combination with hierarchical cluster analysis (Perseus®) was used to identify relevant pathways and key proteins. Data of 54 2D-gels with more than 2500 significantly regulated spots per gel were collected. Thirty-eight differentially expressed proteins were identified and consecutively analyzed by bioinformatic methods. Most differences between hyperoxia and normoxia (21 proteins up-regulated, 17 proteins down-regulated) were found immediately after hyperoxia (15 protein spots), followed by day 3 (13 spots), and day 7 (10 spots). A highly significant association with inflammation and the inflammatory response was found. Cell proliferation, oxidative stress, apoptosis and cell death as well as cellular functions were revealed to be affected. Three hours of hyperoxia resulted in significant alterations of protein expression in different organs (brain, lung, kidney) up to seven days after exposure. Further studies are required to interpret the relevance of protein alterations in signaling cascades during/after hyperoxia.
Spatial Analysis of the Public Transport Accessibility for Modelling the Modal Split in the Context of Site Identification for Charging Infrastructure
Authors: Brost Waldemar , Funke Teresa , Lembach Michael
Published: July 2018

The spread of charging infrastructure (CIS) for battery electric vehicles is crucial for coping with the increasing number of electric vehicles. Therefore, the selection of ideal (fast-) charging locations determines acceptance, utilization and, thus, the economic viability of a single site or the whole charging network. The methodology of the Integrated Model Approach STELLA (STELLA is the acronym for the German term “STandortfindungsmodell für ELektrische LAdeinfrastruktur”) for site identification of CIS uses reliable methods of traffic modeling such as the classic four-step traffic modeling in a new context to enable statements regarding the positioning of CIS. Because only (electric) motorized individual traffic is of importance for CIS, the share of trips is calculated by differentiating the modal split between various transport groups. To estimate the public transport share in the model approach STELLA there are several factors used. One aspect is the accessibility of stops, which can be determined with accessibility radii one the one hand, and with network analyses on the other hand. The methods have been evaluated for the region of Nuremberg. Depending on the spatial characteristics there is a difference of up to 60% between the two methods in the area covered by public transport. Therefore, the network analysis leads to a more accurate estimation of the public transport share. The modal split determination is then implemented in the model approach STELLA, which is currently developed for a planning area covering the entire territory of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Shoreline Change around a River Delta on the Cox’s Bazar Coast of Bangladesh
Authors: Mahamud Upal , Takewaka Satoshi
Published: July 2018

A recent erosional problem around a river delta on the Cox’s Bazar coast was analyzed in this study. The coastline extends from south to north. Rapid erosion has affected some portions of a 24-km road along the coast, and local authorities have attempted to protect the road via revetment. However, the structure was soon buried with sediment because of a growing sand spit along the river delta, and a new area was eroded. Shoreline positions for a 44-year (1972–2016) period were digitized using Landsat images. From the time stack images, we observed a sand spit growing in a northward direction from 2000 to 2015, and the adjacent erosion area extended in the same direction. We employed a numerical model (MIKE21FM SM) for the computation of wave-driven currents and sediment transport along the coast, and attempted to reproduce recent erosional processes. The numerical result shows that net littoral drift is dominant in the northward direction along the coast, which is the same direction of the spit growth observed in the satellite images. A higher amplitude spit induces higher sediment transport compared to a low amplitude spit because of the difference in local incident wave angles resulting in greater positive gradient of the longshore sediment flux distribution, causing erosion in the downcoast.
PaPro1 and IDC4, Two Genes Controlling Stationary Phase, Sexual Development and Cell Degeneration in Podospora anserina
Authors: Gautier Valérie , Tong Laetitia Chan Ho , Nguyen Tinh-Suong , Debuchy Robert , Silar Philippe
Published: July 2018

Filamentous fungi frequently undergo bistable phenotypic switches. Crippled Growth of Podospora anserina is one such bistable switch, which seems to rely upon the mis-activation of a self-regulated PaMpk1 MAP kinase regulatory pathway. Here, we identify two new partners of this pathway: PaPro1, a transcription factor orthologous to Sordaria macrospora pro1 and Neurospora crassa ADV-1, and IDC4, a protein with an AIM24 domain. Both PaPro1 and IDC4 regulate stationary phase features, as described for the other actors of the PaMpk1 signaling pathway. However, PaPro1 is also involved in the control of fertilization by activating the transcription of the HMG8 and the mating type transcription factors, as well as the sexual pheromones and receptor genes. The roles of two components of the STRIPAK complex were also investigated by inactivating their encoding genes: PaPro22 and PaPro45. The mutants of these genes were found to have the same phenotypes as PaPro1 and IDC4 mutants as well as additional phenotypes including slow growth, abnormally shaped hyphae, pigment accumulation and blockage of the zygotic tissue development, indicating that the STRIPAK complex regulates, in addition to the PaMpk1 one, other pathways in P. anserina. Overall, the mutants of these four genes confirm the model by which Crippled Growth is due to the abnormal activation of the PaMpk1 MAP kinase cascade.
Preface to Special Issue on ‘Cytochrome P450 Variation in Pharmacogenomics’
Authors: Rettie Allan , Liggett Stephen
Published: July 2018

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Composition Relation between Nonlinear Bloch Waves and Gap Solitons in Periodic Fractional Systems
Authors: Dong Liangwei , Huang Changming
Published: July 2018

Evolution of beams in nonlinear optical media with a fractional-order diffraction is currently attracting a growing interest. We address the existence of linear and nonlinear Bloch waves in fractional systems with a periodic potential. Under a defocusing nonlinearity, nonlinear Bloch waves at the centers or edges of the first Brillouin zone bifurcate from the corresponding linear Bloch modes at different band edges. They can be constructed by directly copying a fundamental gap soliton (in one lattice site) or alternatively copying it and its mirror image to infinite lattice channels. The localized truncated-Bloch-wave solitons bridging nonlinear Bloch waves and gap solitons are also revealed. We thus prove that fundamental gap solitons can be used as unit cells to build nonlinear Bloch waves or truncated-Bloch-wave solitons, even in fractional configurations. Our results provide helpful hints for understanding the dynamics of localized and delocalized nonlinear modes and the relation between them in periodic fractional systems with an optical nonlinearity.
A Study on Microstructure and Properties of PHS Fiber Laser Welded Joints Obtained in Air Atmospheres
Authors: Sun Qian , Di Hong-Shuang , Wang Xiao-Nan , Chen Xia-Ming , Qi Xiao-Nan , Li Jian-Ping
Published: July 2018

Press-hardened steels (PHS) with a 1.5-mm-thick coated Al–Si layer is welded using an IPG YLS6000 continuous fiber laser in the air atmosphere. An SU5000 scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an Oxford EDS X-Max20 energy spectrometer are used to characterize the microstructure, which consists of delta (δ)-ferrite and lath martensite. It is similar to that of the welding performed in the Ar atmosphere, but the content of δ-ferrite is less. The reason is the formation of Al2O3 inclusions in the molten pool, which reacts with oxygen from the air ambient and the Al from the molten Al–Si coating of PHS. The oxygen content is measured with an ONH-3000 analyzer. An HV-1000 microhardness tester and DNS-100 universal material test equipment are performed to test the hardness and tensile strength. Similar hardness and strength of welded joints are achieved welding in the air atmosphere compared to that of the Ar atmosphere. Fracture was initialed in the fusion line of overlapping zone and propagated along the interface of two plates and fusion line due to the Al segregation.
Ionic Liquid-Based Electrolyte Membranes for Medium-High Temperature Lithium Polymer Batteries
Authors: Kim Guk-Tae , Passerini Stefano , Carewska Maria , Appetecchi Giovanni
Published: July 2018

Li+-conducting polyethylene oxide-based membranes incorporating N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide are used as electrolyte separators for all-solid-state lithium polymer batteries operating at medium-high temperatures. The incorporation of the ionic liquid remarkably improves the thermal, ion-transport and interfacial properties of the polymer electrolyte, which, in combination with the wide electrochemical stability even at medium-high temperatures, allows high current rates without any appreciable lithium anode degradation. Battery tests carried out at 80 °C have shown excellent cycling performance and capacity retention, even at high rates, which are never tackled by ionic liquid-free polymer electrolytes. No dendrite growth onto the lithium metal anode was observed.
Inclusion Evolution Behavior of Ti-Mg Oxide Metallurgy Steel and Its Effect on a High Heat Input Welding HAZ
Authors: Lou Hao-Nan , Wang Chao , Wang Bing-Xing , Wang Zhao-Dong , Li Yu-Qian , Chen Zi-Gang
Published: July 2018

We have studied here the evolution of inclusions in ladle furnace (LF), Ruhrstahl & Heraeus furnace (RH), and simulated welded samples during Ti-Mg oxide metallurgy treatment and the mechanical properties of the heat-affected zone (HAZ) after high heat input welding. The study indicated that inclusions in an LF furnace station are silicomanganate and MnS of size range ~0.8–1.0 μm. After Mg addition, fine Ti-Ca-Mg-O-MnS complex oxides were obtained, which were conducive to the nucleation of acicular ferrite (AF). The corresponding microstructure changed from ferrite side plate (FSP) and polygonal ferrite (PF) to AF, PF, and grain boundary ferrite (GBF). After a simulated welding thermal cycle of 200 kJ/cm, disordered arrangements of acicular ferrite plates, fine size cleavage facets, small inclusions, and dimples all promoted high impact toughness.
Geochemistry, Zircon U–Pb Age, and Lu–Hf Isotope of the Granite Porphyry in Leimengou Mo Deposit in the East Qinling Molybdenum Ore Belt, China
Authors: Cao Jing , Ye Huishou , Chen Xiaodan , He Wen , Wang Peng
Published: July 2018

The Leimengou Mo deposit is one of the typical porphyry deposits in the East Qinling molybdenum ore belt. The Mo mineralization mainly hosts in the Leimengou intrusion, with minor by the gneiss of Archean Taihua Group. The Leimengou intrusion is composed of granite porphyry and monzonitic granite porphyry. Zircon U–Pb LA-(MC)-ICP-MS dating of the two rocks yield the same age of 131 ± 0.6 Ma (N = 23, MSWD = 1.6), consistent with 132 ± 2 Ma of Mo mineralization age obtained by the Re–Os method. The Leimengou intrusion is peraluminous (A/CNK = 1.06–1.28) and high-K calc-alkaline series (K2O + Na2O = 7.84%–9.07%). The REE and trace elements are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LREE, K, Rb, Ba, Sr, Th and U), and depleted in high-field strength elements (HREE, Nb, Ti and P), with moderately negative abnormal of Eu. Both granite porphyry and monzonitic granite porphyry show a large variation in zircon Hf isotopic compositions with εHf(t) values of −27.9 to −16.9 and −26.0 to −15.2, and two-stage model ages of 2259 to 2946 Ma and 2149 to 2827 Ma, respectively. Whole rock geochemistry and zircon Lu–Hf isotopic compositions suggest that the Leimengou intrusion was derived mainly from an ancient continental crust (probably Archean Taihua Group), with the addition of mantle-derived components.
Reprocessing of a Southern Chilean Zn Tailing by Flotation—A Case Study
Authors: Babel Bent , Penz Maike , Schach Edgar , Boehme Stefanie , Rudolph Martin
Published: July 2018

The reprocessing of tailings can have economic and environmental benefits compared to the processing of primary ore deposits. In this paper we present the characterization of a tailings dam in southern Chile by means of mineralogical and geochemical investigations, focusing on sphalerite and trace elements with the aim to investigate a potential reprocessing. The assessment is followed by a flotation study, focusing on the recovery of sphalerite with a high selectivity towards sulfidic and non-sulfidic gangue minerals. An in-depth analysis of a selected test based on mineral liberation analysis data is used to refine the liberation, concentration and flotation weighting function for future investigations.