bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cognitive Factories: Modeling Situated Entropy in Physical Work Carried Out by Humans and Robots
Authors: Fox Stephen , Kotelba Adrian , Niskanen Ilkka
Published: September 2018

Entropy in factories is situated. For example, there can be numerous different ways of picking, orientating, and placing physical components during assembly work. Physical components can be redesigned to increase the Information Gain they provide and so reduce situated entropy in assembly work. Also, situated entropy is affected by the extent of knowledge of those doing the work. For example, work can be done by knowledgeable experts or by beginners who lack knowledge about physical components, etc. The number of different ways that work can be done and the knowledge of the worker combine to affect cognitive load. Thus, situated entropy in factories relates to situated cognition within which knowledge is bound to physical contexts and knowing is inseparable from doing. In this paper, six contributions are provided for modelling situated entropy in factories. First, theoretical frameworks are brought together to provide a conceptual framework for modelling. Second, the conceptual framework is related to physical production using practical examples. Third, Information Theory mathematics is applied to the examples and a preliminary methodology in presented for modelling in practice. Fourth, physical artefacts in factory production are reframed as carriers of Information Gain and situated entropy, which may or may not combine as Net Information Gain. Fifth, situated entropy is related to different types of cognitive factories that involve different levels of uncertainty in production operations. Sixth, the need to measure Net Information Gain in the introduction of new technologies for embodied and extended cognition is discussed in relation to a taxonomy for distributed cognition situated in factory production. Overall, modelling of situated entropy is introduced as an opportunity for improving the planning and control of factories that deploy human cognition and cognitive technologies including assembly robotics.
Non-Orthogonal eMBB-URLLC Radio Access for Cloud Radio Access Networks with Analog Fronthauling
Authors: Matera Andrea , Kassab Rahif , Simeone Osvaldo , Spagnolini Umberto
Published: September 2018

This paper considers the coexistence of Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) and enhanced Mobile BroadBand (eMBB) services in the uplink of Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN) architecture based on the relaying of radio signals over analog fronthaul links. While Orthogonal Multiple Access (OMA) to the radio resources enables the isolation and the separate design of different 5G services, Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) can enhance the system performance by sharing wireless and fronthaul resources. This paper provides an information-theoretic perspective in the performance of URLLC and eMBB traffic under both OMA and NOMA. The analysis focuses on standard cellular models with additive Gaussian noise links and a finite inter-cell interference span, and it accounts for different decoding strategies such as puncturing, Treating Interference as Noise (TIN) and Successive Interference Cancellation (SIC). Numerical results demonstrate that, for the considered analog fronthauling C-RAN architecture, NOMA achieves higher eMBB rates with respect to OMA, while guaranteeing reliable low-rate URLLC communication with minimal access latency. Moreover, NOMA under SIC is seen to achieve the best performance, while, unlike the case with digital capacity-constrained fronthaul links, TIN always outperforms puncturing.
Cross-Sectoral Information Transfer in the Chinese Stock Market around Its Crash in 2015
Authors: Wang Xudong , Hui Xiaofeng
Published: September 2018

This paper applies effective transfer entropy to research the information transfer in the Chinese stock market around its crash in 2015. According to the market states, the entire period is divided into four sub-phases: the tranquil, bull, crash, and post-crash periods. Kernel density estimation is used to calculate the effective transfer entropy. Then, the information transfer network is constructed. Nodes’ centralities and the directed maximum spanning trees of the networks are analyzed. The results show that, in the tranquil period, the information transfer is weak in the market. In the bull period, the strength and scope of the information transfer increases. The utility sector outputs a great deal of information and is the hub node for the information flow. In the crash period, the information transfer grows further. The market efficiency in this period is worse than that in the other three sub-periods. The information technology sector is the biggest information source, while the consumer staples sector receives the most information. The interactions of the sectors become more direct. In the post-crash period, information transfer declines but is still stronger than the tranquil time. The financial sector receives the largest amount of information and is the pivot node.
Numerical Investigation of Mixed Convection and Entropy Generation in a Wavy-Walled Cavity Filled with Nanofluid and Involving a Rotating Cylinder
Authors: Alsabery Ammar , Ismael Muneer , Chamkha Ali , Hashim Ishak
Published: September 2018

This numerical study considers the mixed convection and the inherent entropy generated in Al 2 O 3 –water nanofluid filling a cavity containing a rotating conductive cylinder. The vertical walls of the cavity are wavy and are cooled isothermally. The horizontal walls are thermally insulated, except for a heat source segment located at the bottom wall. The dimensionless governing equations subject to the selected boundary conditions are solved numerically using the Galerkin finite-element method. The study is accomplished by inspecting different ranges of the physical and geometrical parameters, namely, the Rayleigh number ( 10 3 ≤ R a ≤ 10 6 ), angular rotational velocity ( 0 ≤ Ω ≤ 750 ), number of undulations ( 0 ≤ N ≤ 4 ), volume fraction of Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles ( 0 ≤ ϕ ≤ 0.04 ), and the length of the heat source ( 0.2 ≤ H ≤ 0.8 ) . The results show that the rotation of the cylinder boosts the rate of heat exchange when the Rayleigh number is less than 5 × 10 5 . The number of undulations affects the average Nusselt number for a still cylinder. The rate of heat exchange increases with the volume fraction of the Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles and the length of the heater segment.
Chart for Thermoelectric Systems Operation Based on a Ternary Diagram for Bithermal Systems
Authors: Ramousse Julien , Goupil Christophe
Published: September 2018

Thermoelectric system’s operation needs careful attention to ensure optimal power conversion depending on the application aims. As a ternary diagram of bithermal systems allows a synthetic graphical analysis of the performance attainable by any work-heat conversion system, thermoelectric systems operation is plotted as a parametric curve function of the operating conditions (electric current and reservoirs’ temperature), based on the standard model of Ioffe. The threshold of each operating mode (heat engine, heat pump, thermal dissipation, and forced thermal transfer), along with the optimal efficiencies and powers of the heat pump and heat engine modes, are characterized graphically and analytically as a function of the material properties and the operating conditions. The sensibility of the performance aims (maximum efficiency vs. maximum power) with the operating conditions is, thus, highlighted. In addition, the specific contributions of each phenomenon involved in the semiconductor (reversible Seebeck effect, irreversible heat leakage by conduction and irreversible thermal dissipation by Joule effect) are discussed in terms of entropy generation. Finally, the impact of the exo-irreversibilities on the performance is analyzed by taking the external thermal resistances into account.
Glass Houses and Friends-and-Neighbors Voting: An Exploratory Analysis of the Impact of Political Scandal on Localism
Authors: Mixon Franklin G.
Published: September 2018

The 2017 U.S. Senate Special Election in Alabama, which was decided on 12 December 2017, was one of the most contentious and scandal-laden political campaigns in recent memory. The Republican candidate, Roy Moore, gained notoriety during the 2017 campaign when a number of women alleged to national media that as teenagers they were subject to sexual advances by Moore, who was then in his early 30s and serving as a local assistant district attorney. The process and results of this particular election provide the heretofore unexamined impact of political scandal on localism or friends-and-neighbors voting in political contests. Based on data from the 2017 special election in Alabama, econometric results presented here suggest that a candidate who is embroiled in political scandal suffers an erosion in the usual friends-and-neighbors effect on his or her local vote share. In this particular case, the scandal hanging over Moore eroded all of the friends-and-neighbors effect that would have been expected (e.g., about five percentage points) in his home county, as well as about 40% of the advantage Moore had at home over his opponent in terms of constituent political ideology.
Time Sequential Motion-to-Photon Latency Measurement System for Virtual Reality Head-Mounted Displays
Authors: Choi Song-Woo , Lee Siyeong , Seo Min-Woo , Kang Suk-Ju
Published: September 2018

Because the interest in virtual reality (VR) has increased recently, studies on head-mounted displays (HMDs) have been actively conducted. However, HMD causes motion sickness and dizziness to the user, who is most affected by motion-to-photon latency. Therefore, equipment for measuring and quantifying this occurrence is very necessary. This paper proposes a novel system to measure and visualize the time sequential motion-to-photon latency in real time for HMDs. Conventional motion-to-photon latency measurement methods can measure the latency only at the beginning of the physical motion. On the other hand, the proposed method can measure the latency in real time at every input time. Specifically, it generates the rotation data with intensity levels of pixels on the measurement area, and it can obtain the motion-to-photon latency data in all temporal ranges. Concurrently, encoders measure the actual motion from a motion generator designed to control the actual posture of the HMD device. The proposed system conducts a comparison between two motions from encoders and the output image on a display. Finally, it calculates the motion-to-photon latency for all time points. The experiment shows that the latency increases from a minimum of 46.55 ms to a maximum of 154.63 ms according to the workload levels.
Research on Active Disturbance Rejection Control Technology of Electromechanical Actuators
Authors: Han Jing , Wang Hongfu , Jiao Guotai , Cui Liming , Wang Yuren
Published: September 2018

It has been proven that the properties of non-linearity, multi-disturbance, and time-variation are the main factors affecting the performance of the electromechanical actuator (EMA) for guided artillery rockets. In particular, its controller should have good dynamic characteristics and strong anti-disturbance features when the projectile is maneuvered at the end of its guidance. For these reasons, an active disturbance rejection controller (ADRC) was designed for a guided artillery rocket’s EMA with a ball screw drive. Compared to other control methods, it has been shown that the ADRC had a stronger disturbance rejection ability than PID, Fuzzy-PID, and BP-PID under the condition of 20% maximum control torque disturbance, and it also had a large stability margin and bandwidth.
Social and Infrastructural Conditioning of Lowering Energy Costs and Improving the Energy Efficiency of Buildings in the Context of the Local Energy Policy
Authors: Mrówczyńska Maria , Skiba Marta , Bazan-Krzywoszańska Anna , Bazuń Dorota , Kwiatkowski Mariusz
Published: September 2018

The main problem in creating successful efficiency improvement policies is adjusting objectives to local development programs, dependent on public awareness. This article attempts to find a framework for the costs of changing energy policies using neural networks to identify the social-infrastructure conditions. An analysis model is presented of social-infrastructure conditions of energy costs reduction and buildings’ efficiency improvement. Data were obtained from standardized interviews with Zielona Góra, Poland inhabitants and the Town Energy Audit documentation. The data were analyzed using an artificial neural network. This allowed the creation of a model to estimate the cost inhabitants will incur if the energy is sourced from RES (Renewable Energy Systems). The city social-infrastructural correlation model enabled diagnosing its fragments that can support decision-making. The paper contributes to the current knowledge demonstrating the possibilities of hierarchical investments, different for various buildings and neighborhoods, that allow for rational public funding. Knowledge of the correlation conditions matters when implementing effective local policy. This work is based on pilot studies not financed by the parties concerned. Multiple themes were intentionally investigated: emission control, reducing energy consumption, renovating buildings, supplying with RES, and energy poverty, to show methods to match the goal (hard) to social conditions (soft), rarely presented in studies.
QoE-Aware Smart Home Energy Management Considering Renewables and Electric Vehicles
Authors: Li Mingfu , Li Guan-Yi , Chen Hou-Ren , Jiang Cheng-Wei
Published: September 2018

To reduce the peak load and electricity bill while preserving the user comfort, a quality of experience (QoE)-aware smart appliance control algorithm for the smart home energy management system (sHEMS) with renewable energy sources (RES) and electric vehicles (EV) was proposed. The proposed algorithm decreases the peak load and electricity bill by deferring starting times of delay-tolerant appliances from peak to off-peak hours, controlling the temperature setting of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), and properly scheduling the discharging and charging periods of an EV. In this paper, the user comfort is evaluated by means of QoE functions. To preserve the user’s QoE, the delay of the starting time of a home appliance and the temperature setting of HVAC are constrained by a QoE threshold. Additionally, to solve the trade-off problem between the peak load/electricity bill reduction and user’s QoE, a fuzzy logic controller for dynamically adjusting the QoE threshold to optimize the user’s QoE was also designed. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed smart appliance control algorithm with a fuzzy-controlled QoE threshold significantly reduces the peak load and electricity bill while optimally preserving the user’s QoE. Compared with the baseline case, the proposed scheme reduces the electricity bill by 65% under the scenario with RES and EV. Additionally, compared with the method of optimal scheduling of appliances in the literature, the proposed scheme achieves much better peak load reduction performance and user’s QoE.
DC Offset Error Compensation Algorithm for PR Current Control of a Single-Phase Grid-Tied Inverter
Authors: Lee Jae Suk , Hwang Seon-Hwan
Published: September 2018

In a single-phase grid-tied inverter, the direct current (DC) offset error included in the measured grid side phase current has various causes, such as a non-ideal current sensor, unbalanced power supply of an operational amplifier, and nonlinear features of analog components in interface circuits, etc. If the DC offset error is included in the measured current, it causes the secondary harmonic of fundamental frequency and the DC component in grid phase current which result in degradation of inverter performance. In this paper, a theoretical detection method of the secondary harmonic of the fundamental frequency and a DC component in grid phase current for a proportional-resonant (PR) current control system is introduced. Based on the detection method, an algorithm for compensating DC offset error is also presented for single-phase grid-tied inverters. Simulation results and experimental verification of the DC offset error compensation algorithm are shown in this paper.
Practical Maximum-Power Extraction in Single Microbial Fuel Cell by Effective Delivery through Power Management System
Authors: Yeo Jeongjin , Kim Taeyoung , Jang Jae Kyung , Yang Yoonseok
Published: September 2018

Power management systems (PMSs) are essential for the practical use of microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology, as they replace the unstable stacking of MFCs with step-up voltage conversion. Maximum-power extraction technology could improve the power output of MFCs; however, owing to the power consumption of the PMS operation, the maximum-power extraction point cannot deliver maximum power to the application load. This study proposes a practical power extraction for single MFCs, which reserves more electrical energy for an application load than conventional maximum power-point tracking (MPPT). When experimentally validated on a real MFC, the proposed method delivered higher output power during a longer PMS operation time than MPPT. The maximum power delivery enables more effective power conditioning of various micro-energy harvesting systems.
Game-Theory Modeling for Social Welfare Maximization in Smart Grids
Authors: Hwang Yu Min , Sim Issac , Sun Young Ghyu , Lee Heung-Jae , Kim Jin Young
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we study the Stackelberg game-based evolutionary game with two players, generators and energy users (EUs), for monetary profit maximization in real-time price (RTP) demand response (DR) systems. We propose two energy strategies, generator’s best-pricing and power-generation strategy and demand’s best electricity-usage strategy, which maximize the profit of generators and EUs, respectively, rather than maximizing the conventional unified profit of the generator and EUs. As a win–win strategy to reach the social-welfare maximization, the generators acquire the optimal power consumption calculated by the EUs, and the EUs obtain the optimal electricity price calculated by the generators to update their own energy parameters to achieve profit maximization over time, whenever the generators and the EUs execute their energy strategy in the proposed Stackelberg game structure. In the problem formulation, we newly formulate a generator profit function containing the additional parameter of the electricity usage of EUs to reflect the influence by the parameter. The simulation results show that the proposed energy strategies can effectively improve the profit of the generators to 45% compared to the beseline scheme, and reduce the electricity charge of the EUs by 15.6% on average. Furthermore, we confirmed the proposed algorithm can contribute to stabilization of power generation and peak-to-average ratio (PAR) reduction, which is one of the goals of DR.
Boosting the Power-Generation Performance of Micro-Sized Al-H2O2 Fuel Cells by Using Silver Nanowires as the Cathode
Authors: Zhang Heng , Yang Yang , Liu Tianyu , Chang Honglong
Published: September 2018

Micro-sized fuel cells represent one of the pollution-free devices available to power portable electronics. However, the insufficient power output limits the possibility of micro-sized fuel cells competing with other power sources, including supercapacitors and lithium batteries. In this study, a novel aluminum-hydrogen peroxide fuel cell is fabricated using uniform silver nanowires with diameters of 0.25 µm as the catalyst at the cathode side. The Ag nanowire solution is prepared via a polyol method, and mixed uniformly with Nafion and ethanol to enhance the adhesion of Ag nanowires. We carry out electrochemical tests, including cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Tafel polarization, to characterize the performance of this catalyst in H2O2 reduction. The Ag nanowires exhibit a high effectiveness and durability while catalyzing the reduction of H2O2 with a low impedance. The micro-sized Al-H2O2 fuel cell equipped with Ag nanowires delivers a power density of 43 W·m−2 under a low concentration of H2O2 (0.1 M), which is substantially higher than the previously reported devices.
Cavitation Effects on the Structural Resonance of Hydraulic Turbines: Failure Analysis in a Real Francis Turbine Runner
Authors: Liu Xin , Luo Yongyao , Presas Alexandre , Wang Zhengwei , Zhou Lingjiu
Published: September 2018

When discussing potential resonances in hydraulic turbine runners, cavitation effects are usually neglected. Nevertheless, recent studies have experimentally proved, that large cavitation volumes in the proximity of flexible simple structures, such as hydrofoils, greatly modify their natural frequencies. In this paper, we analyze a resonance case in a Francis runner that leads to multiple fractures on the trailing edge of the blades, after just one day of operation at deep part load. If simple acoustic Fluid-Structure-Interaction (FSI) simulations are used, where the runner’s surrounding fluid is considered as a homogenous acoustic medium (water), the risk of structural resonances seems to be limited as the predicted natural frequencies are far enough from the excited frequencies by the flow. It is shown that the only hydraulic phenomenon which could have produced such fractures in the present case is the Rotor Stator Interaction (RSI). In order to analyze possible cavitation effects on the natural frequencies of the turbine runner, CFD simulations of the deep part load conditions have been performed, which predict large inter-blade vortex cavities. These cavities have been then introduced in the acoustical FSI model showing that under such conditions, natural frequencies of the runner increase approaching to some of the RSI excited frequencies. In particular, a possible resonance of the four-nodal diameter (4ND) mode has been found which would explain the fast behavior of the crack propagation. Furthermore, the shape and the position of the real fracture found agree with the local maximum stress spots at the junction between the trailing edges and the crown.
A Control Algorithm for the Novel Regenerative–Mechanical Coupled Brake System with by-Wire Based on Multidisciplinary Design Optimization for an Electric Vehicle
Authors: He Changran , Wang Guoye , Gong Zhangpeng , Xing Zhichao , Xu Dongxin
Published: September 2018

Current regenerative braking systems in electric vehicles have several problems, such as complex structures, too many control parameters, and inconsistent braking responses. To solve these problems, a control algorithm with multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) is proposed based on the novel regenerative–mechanical coupled brake-by-wire system. A dynamic model of the novel regenerative braking system was established to analyze the mechanism of coupled braking and propose a braking torque distribution strategy. To realize a better balance between the optimum braking stability and the maximum regenerative energy recovery based on the braking torque distribution strategy and sample points, the MDO mathematical model was developed to optimize the control parameters with the collaborative optimization algorithm. The finite sample points comprising the vehicle speed, battery state-of-charge, and braking severity were obtained through an optimal Latin hypercube design and represent the overall design space. A network was established based on the sample points and the optimization results. Using this network, the in-depth characteristics of the sample points and the optimization results were obtained through supervised learning to develop the control algorithm for vehicle braking. A simulation was performed using the normal braking condition, and the simulation results demonstrated that the control algorithm has higher control precision than conventional methods and better real-time performance than online optimization.
Incremental Capacity Analysis on Commercial Lithium-Ion Batteries using Support Vector Regression: A Parametric Study
Authors: Feng Xuning , Weng Caihao , He Xiangming , Wang Li , Ren Dongsheng , Lu Languang , Han Xuebing , Ouyang Minggao
Published: September 2018

Incremental capacity analysis (ICA) has been used pervasively to characterize the degradation mechanisms of the lithium-ion batteries, and several online state-of-health estimation algorithms are built based on ICA. However, the stairs and the noises in the discrete sampled voltage data obstruct the calculation of the capacity differentiation over voltage (dQ/dV), therefore we need methods to fit the sampled voltage first. In this paper, the support vector regression (SVR) algorithm is used to smooth the sampled voltage curve using Gaussian kernels. A parametric study has been conducted to show how to enhance the performances of the SVR algorithm, including (1) speeding up the algorithm by downsampling; (2) avoiding overfitting and under-fitting using proper standard deviation σ in the Gaussian kernel; (3) making precise capture of the characteristic peaks. A novel method using linear approximation has been proposed to help judge the accuracy of the SVR algorithm in tracking the ICA peaks. And advanced SVR algorithms using double σ and using cost function that directly regulates the differentiation result have been proposed. The advanced SVR algorithm can make accurate curve fitting for ICA with overall error less than 1% (maximum 3%) throughout cycle lives, for four kinds of commercial lithium-ion batteries with LiFePO4 and LiNixCoyMnzO2 cathodes, making it promising to be further applied in online SOH estimation algorithms.
Targeting EZH2 in Multiple Myeloma—Multifaceted Anti-Tumor Activity
Authors: Alzrigat Mohammad , Jernberg-Wiklund Helena , Licht Jonathan D.
Published: September 2018

The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is the enzymatic subunit of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) that exerts important functions during normal development as well as disease. PRC2 through EZH2 tri-methylates histone H3 lysine tail residue 27 (H3K27me3), a modification associated with repression of gene expression programs related to stem cell self-renewal, cell cycle, cell differentiation, and cellular transformation. EZH2 is deregulated and subjected to gain of function or loss of function mutations, and hence functions as an oncogene or tumor suppressor gene in a context-dependent manner. The development of highly selective inhibitors against the histone methyltransferase activity of EZH2 has also contributed to insight into the role of EZH2 and PRC2 in tumorigenesis, and their potential as therapeutic targets in cancer. EZH2 can function as an oncogene in multiple myeloma (MM) by repressing tumor suppressor genes that control apoptosis, cell cycle control and adhesion properties. Taken together these findings have raised the possibility that EZH2 inhibitors could be a useful therapeutic modality in MM alone or in combination with other targeted agents in MM. Therefore, we review the current knowledge on the regulation of EZH2 and its biological impact in MM, the anti-myeloma activity of EZH2 inhibitors and their potential as a targeted therapy in MM.
Antioxidant and Phytochemical Studies of 31 Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata (L. Walp.)) Genotypes from Burkina Faso
Authors: Sombié Pierre , Compaoré Moussa , Coulibaly Ahmed , Ouédraogo Jeremy , Tignégré Jean-Baptiste , Kiendrébéogo Martin
Published: September 2018

Antioxidant compounds of dietary plants have been widely studied because of their bioactive properties. The objective of this research study was to analyse the health enhancing attributes of 31 cowpeas varieties from Burkina Faso. Significant variations were observed in the phenolic content as well as the antioxidant and anti-lipid peroxidation activities amongst the cowpea varieties. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis showed that the ferric reducing ability (r = 0.954) and anti-lipid peroxidation (r = 0.616) were positively correlated with the total phenolic content. A significant relationship between cowpea ferric reducing ability and anti-lipid peroxidation (r = 0.64) was also revealed. However, nitric oxide scavenging potential was found not to be related to its total phenolic and total flavonoid content. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radicals scavenging potentials were not correlated with the total flavonoid content. The pigmented seeds of cowpea varieties possess higher total phenolic, total flavonoid content, ferric reduction ability, and anti-lipid peroxidation activities than the colourless ones. The results obtained from this study suggest that Burkina Faso cowpea cultivars are rich in phenolic compounds and have significant antioxidant and anti-lipid peroxidation activities. Consumption of the cowpea, particularly of coloured cowpea seed varieties, should be beneficial for chronic human diseases prevention.
Thiol-Mediated Chemoselective Strategies for In Situ Formation of Hydrogels
Authors: Su Jing
Published: September 2018

Hydrogels are three-dimensional networks composed of hydrated polymer chains and have been a material of choice for many biomedical applications such as drug delivery, biosensing, and tissue engineering due to their unique biocompatibility, tunable physical characteristics, flexible methods of synthesis, and range of constituents. In many cases, methods for crosslinking polymer precursors to form hydrogels would benefit from being highly selective in order to avoid cross-reactivity with components of biological systems leading to adverse effects. Crosslinking reactions involving the thiol group (SH) offer unique opportunities to construct hydrogel materials of diverse properties under mild conditions. This article reviews and comments on thiol-mediated chemoselective and biocompatible strategies for crosslinking natural and synthetic macromolecules to form injectable hydrogels for applications in drug delivery and cell encapsulation.
Contrasting Textural and Chemical Signatures of Chromitites in the Mesoarchaean Ulamertoq Peridotite Body, Southern West Greenland
Authors: Guotana Juan Miguel , Morishita Tomoaki , Yamaguchi Ryoko , Nishio Ikuya , Tamura Akihiro , Tani Kenichiro , Harigane Yumiko , Szilas Kristoffer , Pearson D. Graham
Published: September 2018

Peridotites occur as lensoid bodies within the Mesoarchaean orthogneiss in the Akia terrane of Southern West Greenland. The Ulamertoq peridotite body is the largest of these peridotites hosted within the regional orthogneiss. It consists mainly of olivine, orthopyroxene, and amphibole-rich ultramafic rocks exhibiting metamorphic textural and chemical features. Chromitite layers from different localities in Ulamertoq show contrasting characteristics. In one locality, zoned chromites are hosted in orthopyroxene-amphibole peridotites. Compositional zonation in chromites is evident with decreasing Cr and Fe content from core to rim, while Al and Mg increase. Homogeneous chromites from another locality are fairly uniform and Fe-rich. The mineral chemistry of the major and accessory phases shows metamorphic signatures. Inferred temperature conditions suggest that the zoned chromites, homogeneous chromites, and their hosts are equilibrated at different metamorphic conditions. In this paper, various mechanisms during the cumulus to subsolidus stages are explored in order to understand the origin of the two contrasting types of chromites.
Oxygen and Carbon Stable Isotope Composition of Cretaceous to Pliocene Calcareous Paleosols in the Tian Shan Region (Central Asia): Controlling Factors and Paleogeographic Implications
Authors: Jolivet Marc , Boulvais Philippe , Barrier Laurie , Robin Cécile , Heilbronn Gloria , Ledoyen Julie , Ventroux Quentin , Jia Yingying , Guo Zhaojie , Bataleva Elena A.
Published: September 2018

The Late Mesozoic–Cenozoic topographic and climate evolution of Central Asia remains highly debated. The final retreat of the proto-Paratethys Sea from the western Tarim Basin is thought to correspond in time with the onset of tectonic uplift in the Pamir, Tian Shan and Altai ranges, as well as with regional aridification. The oxygen and carbon isotope compositions of the sediment deposits in the various Central Asian basins have already been used to decipher both the topographic and climatic changes that occurred in that region during the Cenozoic, generally concentrating on one sedimentary section and/or on a limited time range and either using multiple-type samples including sandstone calcitic cements, marine carbonates, fossils, or paleosols. In order to get a homogeneous dataset, minimizing variations in the isotopic composition of the material depending on its type and/or depositional environment, we selected only calcareous paleosols sampled in several continuous sections covering a wide time range from the Late Jurassic to the Pliocene. Our sampling also covers a wide area encompassing the whole Tian Shan region, which allows detecting regional variations in the δ18O and δ13C values. We show that the influence of the distance to the proto-Paratethys Sea on the paleosol δ18O record was not significant. Besides local factors such as the occurrence of large lakes that can have a significant effect on the isotopic composition of the calcareous paleosols, the long-term evolution of both the δ18O and δ13C values possibly reflects the hypsometry of the river drainage systems that bring water to the basins. However, as it is commonly accepted that the δ18O of soil carbonates is controlled by the δ18O of in-situ precipitation, this last conclusion remains to be further investigated.
Mid-Regional Pro-Adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) as a Biomarker for Sepsis and Septic Shock: Narrative Review
Authors: Önal Uğur , Valenzuela-Sánchez Francisco , Vandana Kalwaje Eshwara , Rello Jordi
Published: September 2018

Early identification and diagnosis of sepsis and septic shock is vitally important; despite appropriate management, mortality and morbidity rates remain high. For this reason, many biomarkers and screening systems have been investigated in accordance with the precision medicine concept. A narrative review was conducted to assess the role of mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) as a biomarker for sepsis and septic shock. Relevant studies were collected via an electronic PubMed, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library search. The review focused on both diagnosis and prognosis in patients with sepsis and septic shock and specifically in subpopulations of patients with sepsis and septic shock with burns or malignant tumors. No exclusion criteria regarding age, sex, intensive care unit admission, follow-up duration, or co morbidities were used so as to maximize sensitivity and due to lack of randomized controlled trials, opinion paper and reviews were also included in this review. A total of 22 studies, one opinion paper, and one review paper were investigated. MR-proADM levels were found to be useful in assessing patients’ initial evolution and become even more useful during follow-up with increased area under curve values in the mortality prognosis by exceeding values of 0.8 in the data shown in several studies. These results also improve along with other biomarkers or severity scores and especially correlate with the organ failure degree. The results of this study indicate that MR-proADM is a good biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis and septic shock patients as well as for organ failure. Although several publications have discussed its role as a biomarker for pneumonia, its value as a biomarker for sepsis and septic shock should now be assessed in randomized controlled trials and more collaborative prospective studies with larger patient samples.
A Semi-Systematic Review of Capillary Irrigation: The Benefits, Limitations, and Opportunities
Authors: Semananda Niranjani P. K. , Ward James D. , Myers Baden R.
Published: September 2018

Capillary irrigation systems have been investigated for some years as a means to deliver water to plants in container gardening. This review paper identifies that traditional capillary irrigation systems such as capillary wicks, capillary mats, and ebb and flow systems have been shown to produce higher crop yields and use less water than conventional irrigation methods. In addition, capillary irrigation offers an added advantage by reducing the volume of potentially harmful leachate into surrounding soil environments. However, these systems are basically limited to small pot sizes and are widely used for growing ornamental and nursery plants in glasshouse conditions. Further, the cost and complexity of Negative Pressure Difference Irrigation may have limited its practical use. Conversely, wicking beds (WBs) are low-tech and water-efficient systems which can be used for growing plants with different rooting depths. Irrespective of the wide acceptance of WBs among the growing community, this review recognises that there is no published research providing design recommendations for WBs and their expected performance relative to other irrigation systems. Therefore, some potential advantages of WBs are noted in the context of capillary irrigation research; however, a substantial knowledge gap exists relating to the optimised design and use of WBs.
Multidimensionality of Health Inequalities: A Cross-Country Identification of Health Clusters through Multivariate Classification Techniques
Authors: Alvarez-Galvez Javier
Published: September 2018

Despite major efforts in scientific literature to explain and understand the social determinants of health inequalities, the complex association between social causes and health outcomes remains empirically questionable and theoretically puzzling. To date, the studies on social determinants of health has mainly been generated by research techniques and methods that were developed to answer specific questions about the causes and effects of particular indicators on specific health outcomes. The present exploratory study follows a complex system approach to capture the interdependence between socioeconomic status, lifestyles, and health in a single measure that enables international comparisons of population health. Specifically, this study is aimed to: (a) classify individuals’ state of health according the usage of multidimensional data on physical and mental health, SES, lifestyles and risk behaviors, in order to (b) compare the relative strength of the different predictors of health groups (or clusters) at the individual-level and, finally, (c) to measure the level of health inequalities between different countries. From a complex system approach, this study uses multivariate classification methods to compare health groups in a sample of 29 countries and shows that interdependence models may be useful to describe and compare between-country health inequalities that are not visible through techniques for the analysis of dependence. The present work offers two fundamental contributions. On the one hand, this study compares the relative relevance of different indicators that are susceptible to affect individual health outcomes; on the other hand, the resulting multidimensional classification of countries according health clusters provides an alternative for inter-country health comparisons.
Microbial Growth on Dust-Loaded Filtering Materials Used for the Protection of Respiratory Tract as a Factor Affecting Filtration Efficiency
Authors: Majchrzycka Katarzyna , Okrasa Małgorzata , Jachowicz Anita , Szulc Justyna , Gutarowska Beata
Published: September 2018

This work aims at understanding the effects of various dust-loading conditions and the type of nonwovens used in the construction of FFRs on the safe use of those protective devices in situations of exposure to biological agents. The survival of microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger) in dust-loaded polypropylene nonwovens (melt-blown, spun-bonded, and needle-punched) was experimentally determined using microbiological quantitative method (AATCC TM 100-2004). Scanning electron microscope was used to assess biofilm formation on dust-loaded filtering nonwovens. The impact of the growth of microorganisms on filtration efficiency of nonwovens was analysed based on the measurements of penetration of sodium chloride particles (size range 7–270 nm). Results showed that tested microorganisms were able to survive on dust-loaded polypropylene filtering nonwovens. The survival rate of microorganisms and penetration of nanoparticles and submicron particles depended on the type of microorganism, as well as the type and the amount of dust, which indicates that both of those factors should be considered for FFR use recommendations.
Differences in Context-Specific Sedentary Behaviors According to Weight Status in Adolescents, Adults and Seniors: A Compositional Data Analysis
Authors: Compernolle Sofie , Van Dyck Delfien , De Cocker Katrien , Palarea-Albaladejo Javier , De Bourdeaudhuij Ilse , Cardon Greet , Chastin Sebastien F. M.
Published: September 2018

To develop effective sedentary behavior interventions aimed at people who are overweight/obese, detailed insight is needed into the contexts of sedentary behavior of these people. Therefore, the aims of this study were to describe the composition of sedentary behavior and to compare context-specific sedentary behaviors between different weight groups. Cross-sectional data were used from a study conducted in 2013–2014 among a Flemish sample of adolescents (n = 513), adults (n = 301), and seniors (n = 258). Sixteen context-specific sedentary behaviors were assessed using a validated questionnaire during the week and weekend. Compositional descriptive statistics were performed to determine the relative contribution of context-specific sedentary behaviors in the three age groups. Compositional multivariate analysis of covariance and pairwise comparisons were conducted to examine weight group differences in context-specific sedentary behaviors. The compositional means indicated that the highest proportion of sedentary time was spent at school, at work, and while watching television. Statistically significant differences were found in the composition of sedentary behaviors between healthy weight and overweight/obese participants. In all age groups, socially engaging sedentary behaviors were more prevalent in healthy weight people, whereas socially disengaging behaviors were more prevalent in overweight/obese people. Consequently, the findings of this study suggest that future overweight/obesity interventions should no longer focus on total sedentary time, as not all context-specific sedentary behaviors are associated with overweight/obesity. Instead, it might be better to target specific contexts of sedentary behaviors—preferably those less socially engaging—when aiming to reduce overweight/obesity.
Evaluation of Active Brown Adipose Tissue by the Use of Hyperpolarized [1-13C]Pyruvate MRI in Mice
Authors: Riis-Vestergaard Mette Ji , Breining Peter , Pedersen Steen Bønløkke , Laustsen Christoffer , Stødkilde-Jørgensen Hans , Borghammer Per , Jessen Niels , Richelsen Bjørn
Published: September 2018

The capacity to increase energy expenditure makes brown adipose tissue (BAT) a putative target for treatment of metabolic diseases such as obesity. Presently, investigation of BAT in vivo is mainly performed by fluoro-d-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET)/CT. However, non-radioactive methods that add information on, for example, substrate metabolism are warranted. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (HP-MRI) to determine BAT activity in mice following chronic cold exposure. Cold (6 °C) and thermo-neutral (30 °C) acclimated mice were scanned with HP-MRI for assessment of the interscapular BAT (iBAT) activity. Comparable mice were scanned with the conventional method FDG PET/MRI. Finally, iBAT was evaluated for gene expression and protein levels of the specific thermogenic marker, uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). Cold exposure increased the thermogenic capacity 3–4 fold (p < 0.05) as measured by UCP1 gene and protein analysis. Furthermore, cold exposure as compared with thermo-neutrality increased iBAT pyruvate metabolism by 5.5-fold determined by HP-MRI which is in good agreement with the 5-fold increment in FDG uptake (p < 0.05) measured by FDG PET/MRI. iBAT activity is detectable in mice using HP-MRI in which potential changes in intracellular metabolism may add useful information to the conventional FDG PET studies. HP-MRI may also be a promising radiation-free tool for repetitive BAT studies in humans.
Respiratory Bordetella bronchiseptica Carriage is Associated with Broad Phenotypic Alterations of Peripheral CD4+CD25+ T Cells and Differentially Affects Immune Responses to Secondary Non-Infectious and Infectious Stimuli in Mice
Authors: Jeron Andreas , Boehme Julia D. , Volckmar Julia , Gereke Marcus , Yevsa Tetyana , Geffers Robert , Guzmán Carlos A. , Schreiber Jens , Stegemann-Koniszewski Sabine , Bruder Dunja
Published: September 2018

The respiratory tract is constantly exposed to the environment and displays a favorable niche for colonizing microorganisms. However, the effects of respiratory bacterial carriage on the immune system and its implications for secondary responses remain largely unclear. We have employed respiratory carriage with Bordetella bronchiseptica as the underlying model to comprehensively address effects on subsequent immune responses. Carriage was associated with the stimulation of Bordetella-specific CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T cell responses, and broad transcriptional activation was observed in CD4+CD25+ T cells. Importantly, transfer of leukocytes from carriers to acutely B. bronchiseptica infected mice, resulted in a significantly increased bacterial burden in the recipient’s upper respiratory tract. In contrast, we found that respiratory B. bronchiseptica carriage resulted in a significant benefit for the host in systemic infection with Listeria monocytogenes. Adaptive responses to vaccination and influenza A virus infection, were unaffected by B. bronchiseptica carriage. These data showed that there were significant immune modulatory processes triggered by B. bronchiseptica carriage, that differentially affect subsequent immune responses. Therefore, our results demonstrated the complexity of immune regulation induced by respiratory bacterial carriage, which can be beneficial or detrimental to the host, depending on the pathogen and the considered compartment.
Heat Shock Proteins in Alzheimer’s Disease: Role and Targeting
Authors: Campanella Claudia , Pace Andrea , Caruso Bavisotto Celeste , Marzullo Paola , Marino Gammazza Antonella , Buscemi Silvestre , Palumbo Piccionello Antonio
Published: September 2018

Among diseases whose cure is still far from being discovered, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been recognized as a crucial medical and social problem. A major issue in AD research is represented by the complexity of involved biochemical pathways, including the nature of protein misfolding, which results in the production of toxic species. Considering the involvement of (mis)folding processes in AD aetiology, targeting molecular chaperones represents a promising therapeutic perspective. This review analyses the connection between AD and molecular chaperones, with particular attention toward the most important heat shock proteins (HSPs) as representative components of the human chaperome: Hsp60, Hsp70 and Hsp90. The role of these proteins in AD is highlighted from a biological point of view. Pharmacological targeting of such HSPs with inhibitors or regulators is also discussed.