bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Precision Nutrition and the Microbiome, Part I: Current State of the Science
Authors: Mills Susan , Stanton Catherine , Lane Jonathan , Smith Graeme , Ross R.
Published: April 2019

The gut microbiota is a highly complex community which evolves and adapts to its host over a lifetime. It has been described as a virtual organ owing to the myriad of functions it performs, including the production of bioactive metabolites, regulation of immunity, energy homeostasis and protection against pathogens. These activities are dependent on the quantity and quality of the microbiota alongside its metabolic potential, which are dictated by a number of factors, including diet and host genetics. In this regard, the gut microbiome is malleable and varies significantly from host to host. These two features render the gut microbiome a candidate ‘organ’ for the possibility of precision microbiomics—the use of the gut microbiome as a biomarker to predict responsiveness to specific dietary constituents to generate precision diets and interventions for optimal health. With this in mind, this two-part review investigates the current state of the science in terms of the influence of diet and specific dietary components on the gut microbiota and subsequent consequences for health status, along with opportunities to modulate the microbiota for improved health and the potential of the microbiome as a biomarker to predict responsiveness to dietary components. In particular, in Part I, we examine the development of the microbiota from birth and its role in health. We investigate the consequences of poor-quality diet in relation to infection and inflammation and discuss diet-derived microbial metabolites which negatively impact health. We look at the role of diet in shaping the microbiome and the influence of specific dietary components, namely protein, fat and carbohydrates, on gut microbiota composition.
Local In Vivo Measures of Muscle Lipid and Oxygen Consumption Change in Response to Combined Vitamin D Repletion and Aerobic Training in Older Adults
Authors: Thomas D. , Schnell David , Redzic Maja , Zhao Mingjun , Abraha Hideat , Jones Danielle , Brim Howard , Yu Guoqiang
Published: April 2019

Intramyocellular (IMCL), extramyocellular lipid (EMCL), and vitamin D deficiency are associated with muscle metabolic dysfunction. This study compared the change in [IMCL]:[EMCL] following the combined treatment of vitamin D and aerobic training (DAT) compared with vitamin D (D), aerobic training (AT), and control (CTL). Male and female subjects aged 60–80 years with a BMI ranging from 18.5–34.9 and vitamin D status of ≤32 ng/mL (25(OH)D) were recruited to randomized, prospective clinical trial double-blinded for supplement with a 2 × 2 factorial design. Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) (10,000 IU × 5 days/week) or placebo was provided for 13 weeks and treadmill aerobic training during week 13. Gastrocnemius IMCL and EMCL were measured with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and MRI. Hybrid near-infrared diffuse correlation spectroscopy measured hemodynamics. Group differences in IMCL were observed when controlling for baseline IMCL (p = 0.049). DAT was the only group to reduce IMCL from baseline, while a mean increase was observed in all other groups combined (p = 0.008). IMCL reduction and the corresponding increase in rVO2 at study end (p = 0.011) were unique to DAT. Vitamin D, when combined with exercise, may potentiate the metabolic benefits of exercise by reducing IMCL and increasing tissue-level VO2 in healthy, older adults.
Association of Full Breastfeeding Duration with Postpartum Weight Retention in a Cohort of Predominantly Breastfeeding Women
Authors: Tahir Muna J. , Haapala Jacob L. , Foster Laurie P. , Duncan Katy M. , Teague April M. , Kharbanda Elyse O. , McGovern Patricia M. , Whitaker Kara M. , Rasmussen Kathleen M. , Fields David A. , Harnack Lisa J. , Jacobs David R. , Demerath Ellen W.
Published: April 2019

Full breastfeeding (FBF) is promoted as effective for losing pregnancy weight during the postpartum period. This study evaluated whether longer FBF is associated with lower maternal postpartum weight retention (PPWR) as compared to a shorter FBF duration. The MILK (Mothers and Infants Linked for Healthy Growth) study is an ongoing prospective cohort of 370 mother–infant dyads, all of whom fully breastfed their infants for at least 1 month. Breastfeeding status was subsequently self-reported by mothers at 3 and 6 months postpartum. Maternal PPWR was calculated as maternal weight measured at 1, 3, and 6 months postpartum minus maternal prepregnancy weight. Using linear mixed effects models, by 6 months postpartum, adjusted means ± standard errors for weight retention among mothers who fully breastfed for 1–3 (3.40 ± 1.16 kg), 3–6 (1.41 ± 0.69 kg), and ≥6 months (0.97 ± 0.32 kg) were estimated. Compared to mothers who reported FBF for 1–3 months, those who reported FBF for 3–6 months and ≥6 months both had lower PPWR over the period from 1 to 6 months postpartum (p = 0.04 and p < 0.01, respectively). However, PPWR from 3 to 6 months was not significantly different among those who reported FBF for 3–6 versus ≥6 months (p > 0.05). Interventions to promote FBF past 3 months may increase the likelihood of postpartum return to prepregnancy weight.
In vitro Comparative Study of Fibroblastic Behaviour on Polymethacrylate (PMMA) and Lithium Disilicate Polymer Surfaces
Authors: Herráez-Galindo Cristina , Rizo-Gorrita María , Luna-Oliva Irene , Serrera-Figallo María-Ángeles , Castillo-Oyagüe Raquel , Torres-Lagares Daniel
Published: April 2019

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and lithium disilicate are widely used materials in the dental field. PMMA is mainly used for the manufacture of removable prostheses; however, with the incorporation of CAD-CAM technology, new applications have been introduced for this material, including as a provisional implant attachment. Lithium disilicate is considered the gold standard for definitive attachment material. On the other hand, PMMA has begun to be used in clinics as a provisional attachment until the placement of a definitive one occurs. Although there are clinical studies regarding its use, there are few studies on cell reorganization around this type of material. This is why we carried out an in vitro comparative study using discs of both materials in which human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were cultured. After processing them, we analyzed various cellular parameters (cell count, cytoskeleton length, core size and coverage area). We analyzed the surface of the discs together with their composition. The results obtained were mostly not statistically significant, which shows that the qualities of PMMA make it a suitable material as an implant attachment.
Polymeric Nanoparticles in Gene Therapy: New Avenues of Design and Optimization for Delivery Applications
Authors: Rai Raj , Alwani Saniya , Badea Ildiko
Published: April 2019

The field of polymeric nanoparticles is quickly expanding and playing a pivotal role in a wide spectrum of areas ranging from electronics, photonics, conducting materials, and sensors to medicine, pollution control, and environmental technology. Among the applications of polymers in medicine, gene therapy has emerged as one of the most advanced, with the capability to tackle disorders from the modern era. However, there are several barriers associated with the delivery of genes in the living system that need to be mitigated by polymer engineering. One of the most crucial challenges is the effectiveness of the delivery vehicle or vector. In last few decades, non-viral delivery systems have gained attention because of their low toxicity, potential for targeted delivery, long-term stability, lack of immunogenicity, and relatively low production cost. In 1987, Felgner et al. used the cationic lipid based non-viral gene delivery system for the very first time. This breakthrough opened the opportunity for other non-viral vectors, such as polymers. Cationic polymers have emerged as promising candidates for non-viral gene delivery systems because of their facile synthesis and flexible properties. These polymers can be conjugated with genetic material via electrostatic attraction at physiological pH, thereby facilitating gene delivery. Many factors influence the gene transfection efficiency of cationic polymers, including their structure, molecular weight, and surface charge. Outstanding representatives of polymers that have emerged over the last decade to be used in gene therapy are synthetic polymers such as poly(l-lysine), poly(l-ornithine), linear and branched polyethyleneimine, diethylaminoethyl-dextran, poly(amidoamine) dendrimers, and poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate). Natural polymers, such as chitosan, dextran, gelatin, pullulan, and synthetic analogs, with sophisticated features like guanidinylated bio-reducible polymers were also explored. This review outlines the introduction of polymers in medicine, discusses the methods of polymer synthesis, addressing top down and bottom up techniques. Evaluation of functionalization strategies for therapeutic and formulation stability are also highlighted. The overview of the properties, challenges, and functionalization approaches and, finally, the applications of the polymeric delivery systems in gene therapy marks this review as a unique one-stop summary of developments in this field.
VB1 Promoted Green Synthesis of Chalcones and Its Neuroprotection Potency Evaluation
Authors: Yin Huanhuan , Shi Ximeng , Wang Hao , Liu Guixia , Ma Lei
Published: April 2019

For the first time, thiamine hydrochloride (VB1) has been employed as a catalyst for the synthesis of chalcones by metal-free Claisen–Schmidt condensation. Such an environmentally benign approach has several advantages such as a wide range of functional groups tolerance, a high yield of products, and the recoverability of this catalyst. Moreover, this unprecedented methodology enables the synthesis of the pharmaceutically important molecule 2′,4′-dihydroxy-6′-methoxy-3′,5′-dimethylchalcone (3f) and its derivatives. Moreover, 3f and its derivatives were screened for their preliminary in vitro neuroprotective activity against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cell lines. Most of the compounds exhibited the neuroprotective activity, and one of the prepared chalcones (3s), which incorporates prenyl moiety, showed the most potency by decreasing the expression of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, Bax, and p53 protein.
Screening and Optimization of Demulsifiers and Flocculants Based on ASP Flooding-Produced Water
Authors: Huang Bin , Wang Jie , Zhang Wei , Fu Cheng , Wang Ying , Liu Xiangbin
Published: April 2019

The water produced by alkaline–surfactant–polymer (ASP) flooding is difficult to treat due to the presence of residual chemicals. Therefore, research and development of efficient and low-cost methods for the treatment of ASP flooding produced water is necessary. Chemical destabilization is the most common and effective way to treat the produced water. This paper describes an optimization method for demulsification and flocculation. Some demulsifiers and flocculants commonly used in oilfields were screened, compounded, and optimized. Since the effect of treatment using only demulsifier or flocculant to treat the produced water is often not enough to meet the reinjection standard, an orthogonal experiment was carried out to study the demulsification–flocculation method to treat produced water. Five main influencing factors of the oil concentration were investigated. Based on the results of the range analysis and the relationship between the five factors and oil concentration, the order of significant factors was found to be demulsifier dosage > flocculant dosage > settling time > stirring time > stirring intensity, and the optimal demulsification–flocculation treatment conditions were successfully optimized.
Reflections on Sixty-Eight Years of Research on Race and Intelligence
Authors: Lynn Richard
Published: April 2019

I first encountered the question of race and intelligence sixty-eight years ago [...]
Quantum Computing, Seifert Surfaces, and Singular Fibers
Authors: Planat Michel , Aschheim Raymond , Amaral Marcelo M. , Irwin Klee
Published: April 2019

The fundamental group π 1 ( L ) of a knot or link L may be used to generate magic states appropriate for performing universal quantum computation and simultaneously for retrieving complete information about the processed quantum states. In this paper, one defines braids whose closure is the L of such a quantum computer model and computes their braid-induced Seifert surfaces and the corresponding Alexander polynomial. In particular, some d-fold coverings of the trefoil knot, with d = 3 , 4, 6, or 12, define appropriate links L, and the latter two cases connect to the Dynkin diagrams of E 6 and D 4 , respectively. In this new context, one finds that this correspondence continues with Kodaira’s classification of elliptic singular fibers. The Seifert fibered toroidal manifold Σ ′ , at the boundary of the singular fiber E 8 ˜ , allows possible models of quantum computing.
Something More Than a Monument—The Long-term Sustainability of Rural Historic Temples in China
Authors: Tam Lui
Published: April 2019

The southeast part of Shanxi Province in China is a region with the highest concentration of early timber structures in the country, among which a majority are located in rural and semi-rural religious spaces. Social changes regarding rural population, religious demography as well as the ‘heritagisation’ process of these places of worship have presented unprecedented challenges to their long-term survival. A national campaign, the Southern Project, which lasted from 2005–2015 has facilitated a series of restoration projects in this region, covering 105 national heritage sites with pre-Yuan Dynasty structures, yet their maintenance, management and sustainable functions remain uncertain despite their improved ‘physical’ health. It also raises the question of how these (former) places of worship can be integrated into contemporary society. By analysing the data collected through reviews of the relevant legislative and administrative system and policies, interviews with various stakeholder groups, as well as on-site observations in the case region, this paper aims to identify not only the observable challenges in the long-term sustainability of religious heritage sites, but also the underlying issues situated in China’s heritage management mechanisms and systems behind, in order to pave the way for further discussions of a sustainable way forward.
Biomass Energy: An Overview of Biomass Sources, Energy Potential, and Management in Southeast Asian Countries
Authors: Tun Maw Maw , Juchelkova Dagmar , Win Myo Min , Thu Aung Myat , Puchor Tomáš
Published: April 2019

Potential depletion of fossil fuel and climate change have globally accelerated the demand in renewable and alternative energy. Most of the Southeast Asian countries have an abundance of biomass sources for the energy sector due to their agriculture-based economy and enormous forest resources. Therefore, the study aimed at highlighting an overview of biomass energy in the Southeast Asia countries to convey the environmental and economic benefits from the available biomass sources in the region. In order to achieve the aim, the study synthesized and evaluated the biomass sources, energy potential, utilization, and management in the region, based on the published research papers, review papers, and country reports. It was found that the major biomass sources in this region were fuelwood, wood residues, rice husk, rice straw, sugarcane residues, oil palm residues, and coconut residues. The total annual quantity of the biomass potential from agriculture and forest sector in the region was estimated at more than 500 million tons per year and equal to over 8000 million gigajoules of total energy potential. In order to implement the sustainable utilization of biomass sources, the study specified the barriers and challenges of biomass utilization in these countries and proposed a sustainable approach of biomass energy, by comparing the way of traditional biomass utilization.
Managing Innovation Resources in Accordance with Sustainable Development Ethics: Typological Analysis
Authors: Ljovkina Anastasia O. , Dusseault David L. , Zaharova Olga V. , Klochkov Yury
Published: April 2019

The regional development path depends on managing innovation resources. However, increasing the quantity of innovation activity and managing innovation resources only by financial indicators does not guarantee progress in sustainable development. This paper argues that basic conditions for effective sustainability-oriented innovation activities are: (1) the accordance of relevant activities with sustainable development ethics and (2) their marked focus on systemic and long-term sustainable development targets. These parameters can be considered fundamental principles for designing and developing effective sustainability-oriented innovation systems and innovation policies. Analysis of the two basic principles precedes estimation of the effectiveness of innovation activities, innovation systems, or innovation policies. In this paper, a special typological analysis technique was applied to assess basic conditions for the effectiveness of sustainability-oriented innovation activities observed in the case of the Tyumen region, Russia. It was found that since 2009 the Tyumen regional innovation support system has not been conceptually designed in accordance with sustainable development ethics or considering a long-term vision. Therefore, the projects themselves afford only temporary solutions to regional problems by implementing innovations that mainly have short-term and mid-term social–economic effects. As a result of the analysis of fundamental conditions for sustainability-oriented innovation activities in Tyumen region, this paper proposes recommendations on necessary measures for redesigning decision-making principles of regional innovation support systems in order to significantly increase the potential impact on the development of a truly sustainable regional economy.
Particle Swarm Optimization-Based Noise Filtering Algorithm for Photon Cloud Data in Forest Area
Authors: Huang Jiapeng , Xing Yanqiu , You Haotian , Qin Lei , Tian Jing , Ma Jianming
Published: April 2019

The Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2), which is equipped with the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS), was launched successfully in 15 September 2018. The ATLAS represents a micro-pulse photon-counting laser system, which is expected to provide more comprehensive and scientific data for carbon storage. However, the ATLAS system is sensitive to the background noise, which poses a tremendous challenge to the photon cloud noise filtering. Moreover, the Density Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) is a commonly used algorithm for noise removal from the photon cloud but there has not been an in-depth study on its parameter selection yet. This paper presents an automatic photon cloud filtering algorithm based on the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm, which can be used to optimize the two key parameters of the DBSCAN algorithm instead of using the manual parameter adjustment. The Particle Swarm Optimization Density Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (PSODBSCAN) algorithm was tested at different laser intensities and laser pointing types using the MATLAS dataset of the forests located in Virginia, East Coast, and the West Coast, USA. The results showed that the PSODBSCAN algorithm and the localized statistical algorithm were effective in identifying the background noise and preserving the signal photons in the raw MATLAS data. Namely, the PSODBSCAN achieved the mean F value of 0.9759, and the localized statistical algorithm achieved the mean F value of 0.6978. For both laser pointing types and laser intensities, the proposed algorithm achieved better results than the localized statistical algorithm. Therefore, the PSODBSCAN algorithm could support the MATLAS photon cloud data noise filtering applicably without manually selecting parameters.
Observing System Experiments with an Arctic Mesoscale Numerical Weather Prediction Model
Authors: Randriamampianina Roger , Schyberg Harald , Mile Máté
Published: April 2019

In the Arctic, weather forecasting is one element of risk mitigation, helping operators to have knowledge on weather-related risk in advance through forecasting capabilities at time ranges from a few hours to days ahead. The operational numerical weather prediction is an initial value problem where the forecast quality depends both on the quality of the forecast model itself and on the quality of the specified initial state. The initial states are regularly updated using environmental observations through data assimilation. This paper assesses the impact of observations, which are accessible through the global telecommunication and the EUMETCast dissemination systems on analyses and forecasts of an Arctic limited area AROME (Application of Research to Operations at Mesoscale) model (AROME-Arctic). An assessment through the computation of degrees of freedom for signals on the analysis, the utilization of an energy norm-based approach applied to the forecasts, verifications against observations, and a case study showed similar impacts of the studied observations on the AROME-Arctic analysis and forecast systems. The AROME-Arctic assimilation system showed a relatively high sensitivity to the humidity or humidity-sensitive observations. The more radiance data were assimilated, the lower was the estimated relative sensitivity of the assimilation system to different conventional observations. Data assimilation, at least for surface parameters, is needed to produce accurate forecasts from a few hours up to days ahead over the studied Arctic region. Upper-air conventional observations are not enough to improve the forecasting capability over the AROME-Arctic domain compared to those already produced by the ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecast). Each added radiance data showed a relatively positive impact on the analyses and forecasts of the AROME-Arctic. The humidity-sensitive microwave (AMSU-B/MHS) radiances, assimilated together with the conventional observations and the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI)-assimilated on top of conventional and microwave radiances produced enough accurate one-day-ahead forecasts of polar low.
Remote Sensing of Pigment Content at a Leaf Scale: Comparison among Some Specular Removal and Specular Resistance Methods
Authors: Li Yingying , Huang Jingfeng
Published: April 2019

Leaf pigment content retrieval is negatively affected by specular reflectance. To alleviate this effect, some specific techniques that take specular reflectance or specular effects into account have been proposed. In this study, continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and specific techniques including some vegetation indices (VIs), radiative transfer (RT), and hybrid models, were examined and compared in the nadir and near the mirror-like direction, with a 30° incident zenith angle. Results show that the RT and hybrid models appeared to be ill-posed, and they were not applicable at this high-incident zenith angle (>20°). Most VIs effectively alleviated the specular disturbance in the forward 35° direction, and comparable accuracy was obtained between the two viewing directions. Multiple linear regression (MLR), derivative transformation, and CWT were effective for specular interference alleviation. The MLR-based methods (reflectance, derivatives, etc., as the independent variables and pigment content as the response) generally obtained higher retrieval accuracies than the VIs. With MLR-based methods, the retrieval was more accurate for chlorophylls than for carotenoids. CWT plus MLR (MLR on wavelet coefficients) was the most prominent among all the methods, and it generally obtained the highest accuracy. The results are 2.68 and 0.88 μg/cm2 for chlorophylls and carotenoids, respectively, in the nadir direction, and 2.42 and 0.86 μg/cm2 in the forward 35° direction, with reflectance or the first derivative input for CWT. In the retrieval, wavelet coefficients at the optimal decomposition scale may achieve a balance in corresponding to fine, and broad absorption features, and the overall reflectance properties.
An Improved GrabCut Method Based on a Visual Attention Model for Rare-Earth Ore Mining Area Recognition with High-Resolution Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Peng Yan , Zhang Zhaoming , He Guojin , Wei Mingyue
Published: April 2019

An improved GrabCut method based on a visual attention model is proposed to extract rare-earth ore mining area information using high-resolution remote sensing images. The proposed method makes use of advantages of both the visual attention model and GrabCut method, and the visual attention model was referenced to generate a saliency map as the initial of the GrabCut method instead of manual initialization. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was designed as a bound term added into the Energy Function of GrabCut to further improve the accuracy of the segmentation result. The proposed approach was employed to extract rare-earth ore mining areas in Dingnan County and Xunwu County, China, using GF-1 (GaoFen No.1 satellite launched by China) and ALOS (Advanced Land Observation Satellite) high-resolution remotely-sensed satellite data, and experimental results showed that FPR (False Positive Rate) and FNR (False Negative Rate) were, respectively, lower than 12.5% and 6.5%, and PA (Pixel Accuracy), MPA (Mean Pixel Accuracy), MIoU (Mean Intersection over Union), and FWIoU (frequency weighted intersection over union) all reached up to 90% in four experiments. Comparison results with traditional classification methods (such as Object-oriented CART (Classification and Regression Tree) and Object-oriented SVM (Support Vector Machine)) indicated the proposed method performed better for object boundary identification. The proposed method could be useful for accurate and automatic information extraction for rare-earth ore mining areas.
Analysis of the Frequency Shift versus Force Gradient of a Dynamic AFM Quartz Tuning Fork Subject to Lennard-Jones Potential Force
Authors: Chang Chia-Ou , Chang-Chien Wen-Tien , Song Jia-Po , Zhou Chuang , Huang Bo-Shiun
Published: April 2019

A self-sensing and self-actuating quartz tuning fork (QTF) can be used to obtain its frequency shift as function of the tip-sample distance. Once the function of the frequency shift versus force gradient is acquired, the combination of these two functions results in the relationship between the force gradient and the tip-sample distance. Integrating the force gradient once and twice elucidates the values of the interaction force and the interatomic potential, respectively. However, getting the frequency shift as a function of the force gradient requires a physical model which can describe the equations of motion properly. Most papers have adopted the single harmonic oscillator model, but encountered the problem of determining the spring constant. Their methods of finding the spring constant are very controversial in the research community and full of discrepancies. By circumventing the determination of the spring constant, we propose a method which models the prongs and proof mass as elastic bodies. Through the use of Hamilton’s principle, we can obtain the equations of motion of the QTF, which is subject to Lennard-Jones potential force. Solving these equations of motion analytically, we get the relationship between the frequency shift and force gradient.
Spotlight on Siblings: Considering Social Context in Home Modification Practice
Authors: Moller Jessica , Schneider Alison , Steel Emily J.
Published: April 2019

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) recognizes the role of Assistive Technologies (AT) in enabling independent living and inclusion of people with disabilities. Research into the provision of AT and disability services in general has highlighted the importance of social context and its influence on individual outcomes. However, there is little recognition of sibling roles, relationships and rights in the guidance available for practitioners. This paper explores the socio-technical context of home modification practice and the importance of involving siblings. The international context and concepts behind AT provision, including home modifications, and issues emerging from practice in Australia’s new National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) are discussed. Based on extensive practical experience and peer review, the “5 S’s for Siblings” is presented as a practice approach for involving siblings in the home modification process. Policy and practice implications are presented, including communication strategies for working in partnership with individuals and their families, and alignment with national standards and human rights principles. Involving siblings in the home modification process recognizes the important role they play in the lives of people with disabilities, both now and in the future.
Victims as Prosecutors: England 1800–1835
Authors: Reynolds Kathrine M. , Liston Carol
Published: April 2019

This paper examines the role of the victim through the prism of prosecutor in the first third of the nineteenth century when England did not have a public prosecutor or national police force and most crimes were prosecuted in the courts by the victim. The selection of cases is drawn from a larger investigation of female offenders punished by transportation to New South Wales, Australia. The cases demonstrate the diversity of victims, the power they held as prosecutors and highlight the process from apprehension to conviction. Historical records of regional English Assizes and Sessions were investigated to identify the victim and record the prosecution process.
Investigating Sustained Participation in Open Design Community in China: The Antecedents of User Loyalty
Authors: Liang Ruo-Yu , Guo Wei , Zhang Ling-Hao , Wang Lei
Published: April 2019

Understanding what drives user loyalty is a central theme in the research fields of open design community (ODC) and sustained innovation. Drawing on theories of network externalities and expectation disconfirmation, this paper develops a theoretical model reflecting the effect of determinants on user loyalty. The model is tested utilizing survey data amassed from 389 users of a typical ODC, Xiaomi Corporation’s forum, in China. The major findings of our work as follows: First, satisfaction plays the most important role in explaining the user loyalty to ODCs, and disconfirmation of fan care is the most critical factor influencing user satisfaction. Second, the perceived network size exerts negative impact on user loyalty to an ODC. Third, impacts of different factors on user loyalty vary due to gender difference. This research advanced the knowledge in Open Design by demonstrating the antecedents of participant’s loyalty towards ODC, and highlighting the motivations of individual’s open design participation behavior.
Prediction of the Energy Demand Trend in Middle Africa—A Comparison of MGM, MECM, ARIMA and BP Models
Authors: Wang Lili , Zhan Lina , Li Rongrong
Published: April 2019

Africa has abundant energy resources, but African energy research level is relatively low. In response to this gap, this paper takes Middle Africa as an example to systematically predict energy demand to give support. In this paper, we utilize four models, metabolic grey model (MGM), modified exponential curve method (MECM), autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and BP neural network model (BP), to predict the energy consumption of Middle Africa in the next 14 years. Comparing four completely different types of predictive models can fully depict the characteristics of the predictive data and give an all-round analysis of the predicted results. These proposed models are applied to simulate Middle Africa’s energy consumption between 1994 and 2016 to test their accuracy. Among them, the mean absolute percent error (MAPE) of MGM, MECM, ARIMA and BP are 2.41%, 4.80%, 1.91%, and 0.88%. The results show that MGM, MECM, ARIMA, and BP presented in this paper can produce reliable forecasting results. Therefore, the four models are used to forecast energy demand in the next 14 years (2017–2030). Forecasts show that energy demand of Middle Africa will continue to grow at a rate of about 5.37%.
Multi-Party Agroforestry: Emergent Approaches to Trees and Tenure on Farms in the Midwest USA
Authors: Keeley Keefe O. , Wolz Kevin J. , Adams Kaitie I. , Richards Jeannine H. , Hannum Erin , von Tscharner Fleming Severine , Ventura Stephen J.
Published: April 2019

Agroforestry represents a solution to land degradation by agriculture, but social barriers to wider application of agroforestry persist. More than half of all cropland in the USA is leased rather than owner-operated, and the short terms of most leases preclude agroforestry. Given insufficient research on tenure models appropriate for agroforestry in the USA, the primary objective of this study was to identify examples of farmers practicing agroforestry on land they do not own. We conducted interviews with these farmers, and, in several cases, with landowners, in order to document their tenure arrangements. In some cases, additional parties also played a role, such as farmland investors, a farmer operating an integrated enterprise, and non-profit organizations or public agencies. Our findings include eleven case studies involving diverse entities and forms of cooperation in multi-party agroforestry (MA). MA generally emerged from shared objectives and intensive planning. MA appears to be adaptable to private, investor, institutional, and public landowners, as well as beginning farmers and others seeking land access without ownership. We identify limitations and strategies for further research and development of MA.
Hamilton–Jacobi Wave Theory in Manifestly-Covariant Classical and Quantum Gravity
Authors: Cremaschini Claudio , Tessarotto Massimo
Published: April 2019

The axiomatic geometric structure which lays at the basis of Covariant Classical and Quantum Gravity Theory is investigated. This refers specifically to fundamental aspects of the manifestly-covariant Hamiltonian representation of General Relativity which has recently been developed in the framework of a synchronous deDonder–Weyl variational formulation (2015–2019). In such a setting, the canonical variables defining the canonical state acquire different tensorial orders, with the momentum conjugate to the field variable g μ ν being realized by the third-order 4-tensor Π μ ν α . It is shown that this generates a corresponding Hamilton–Jacobi theory in which the Hamilton principal function is a 4-tensor S α . However, in order to express the Hamilton equations as evolution equations and apply standard quantization methods, the canonical variables must have the same tensorial dimension. This can be achieved by projection of the canonical momentum field along prescribed tensorial directions associated with geodesic trajectories defined with respect to the background space-time for either classical test particles or raylights. It is proved that this permits to recover a Hamilton principal function in the appropriate form of 4-scalar type. The corresponding Hamilton–Jacobi wave theory is studied and implications for the manifestly-covariant quantum gravity theory are discussed. This concerns in particular the possibility of achieving at quantum level physical solutions describing massive or massless quanta of the gravitational field.
Extended Degenerate r-Central Factorial Numbers of the Second Kind and Extended Degenerate r-Central Bell Polynomials
Authors: Kim Dae San , Dolgy Dmitry V. , Kim Taekyun , Kim Dojin
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we introduce the extended degenerate r-central factorial numbers of the second kind and the extended degenerate r-central Bell polynomials. They are extended versions of the degenerate central factorial numbers of the second kind and the degenerate central Bell polynomials, and also degenerate versions of the extended r-central factorial numbers of the second kind and the extended r-central Bell polynomials, all of which have been studied by Kim and Kim. We study various properties and identities concerning those numbers and polynomials and also their connections.
The Critical Interspecies Transmission Barrier at the Animal–Human Interface
Authors: Subbarao Kanta
Published: April 2019

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) infect humans and a wide range of animal species in nature, and waterfowl and shorebirds are their reservoir hosts. Of the 18 haemagglutinin (HA) and 11 neuraminidase (NA) subtypes of IAV, 16 HA and 9 NA subtypes infect aquatic birds. However, among the diverse pool of IAVs in nature, only a limited number of animal IAVs cross the species barrier to infect humans and a small subset of those have spread efficiently from person to person to cause an influenza pandemic. The ability to infect a different species, replicate in the new host and transmit are three distinct steps in this process. Viral and host factors that are critical determinants of the ability of an avian IAV to infect and spread in humans are discussed.
Culicoides Biting Midges—Underestimated Vectors for Arboviruses of Public Health and Veterinary Importance
Authors: Sick Franziska , Beer Martin , Kampen Helge , Wernike Kerstin
Published: April 2019

Culicoides biting midges, small hematophagous dipterans, are the demonstrated or putative vectors of multiple arboviruses of veterinary and public health importance. Despite its relevance in disease spread, the ceratopogonid genus Culicoides is still a largely neglected group of species, predominantly because the major human-affecting arboviruses are considered to be transmitted by mosquitoes. However, when a pathogen is detected in a certain vector species, a thorough search for further vectors often remains undone and, therefore, the relevant vector species may remain unknown. Furthermore, for many hematophagous arthropods, true vector competence is often merely suspected and not experimentally proven. Therefore, we aim to illuminate the general impact of Culicoides biting midges and to summarize the knowledge about biting midge-borne disease agents using the order Bunyavirales, the largest and most diverse group of RNA viruses, as an example. When considering only viruses evidentially transmitted by Culicoides midges, the Simbu serogroup (genus Orthobunyavirus) is presumably the most important group within the virus order. Its members are of great veterinary importance, as a variety of simbuviruses, e.g., the species Akabane orthobunyavirus or Schmallenberg orthobunyavirus, induces severe congenital infections in pregnant animals. The major zoonotic representative of this serogroup occurs in South and Central America and causes the so-called Oropouche fever, an acute febrile illness in humans.
Hepatitis C Virus-Induced FUT8 Causes 5-FU Drug Resistance in Human Hepatoma Huh7.5.1 Cells
Authors: Li Shu , Liu Xiao-Yu , Pan Qiu , Wu Jian , Liu Zhi-Hao , Wang Yong , Liu Min , Zhang Xiao-Lian
Published: April 2019

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of human chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Our recent studies showed that α1,6-fucosyltransferase (FUT8), a key glycosyltransferase, was the most up-regulated glycosyltransferase after the HCV infection of human hepatocellular carcinoma Huh7.5.1 cells. Here, we further studied the effects and possible mechanism of FUT8 on the proliferation of HCV and chemotherapy-resistance of HCV-infected Huh7.5.1 cells. The effects of FUT8 on the proliferation and drug resistance of HCV-infected Huh7.5.1 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry analysis (FCM), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot analysis and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. Results: We found that FUT8 not only promoted Huh7.5.1 proliferation by activating PI3K-AKT-NF-κB signaling, but also stimulated the expression of the drug-resistant proteins P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance related protein 1 (MRP1) and enhanced the 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemo-resistance of Huh7.5.1 cells. Silencing of FUT8 reduced the cell proliferation and increased the 5-FU sensitivity of HCV-infected Huh7.5.1 cells. Inhibition of P-gp and MRP1 increased the 5-FU drug sensitivity in HCV infected Huh7.5.1 cells. HCV-induced FUT8 promotes proliferation and 5-FU resistance of Huh7.5.1 cells. FUT8 may serve as a therapeutic target to reverse chemotherapy resistance in HCV-infected Huh7.5.1 cells.
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) ORF3 Interactome Reveals Inhibition of Virus Replication by Cellular VPS36 Protein
Authors: Kaewborisuth Challika , Yingchutrakul Yodying , Roytrakul Sittiruk , Jongkaewwattana Anan
Published: April 2019

The accessory protein ORF3 of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has been proposed to play a key role in virus replication. However, our understanding of its function regarding virus and host interaction is still limited. In this study, we employed immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry to screen for cellular interacting partners of ORF3. Gene ontology analysis of the host interactome highlighted the involvement of ORF3 in endosomal and immune signaling pathways. Among the identified ORF3-interacting proteins, the vacuolar protein-sorting-associated protein 36 (VPS36) was assessed for its role in PEDV replication. VPS36 was found to interact with ORF3 regardless of its GLUE domain. As a result of VPS36–ORF3 interaction, PEDV replication was substantially suppressed in cells overexpressing VPS36. Interestingly, the ORF3 protein expression was diminished in VPS36-overexpressing cells, an effect that could not be restored by treatment of lysosomal inhibitors. In addition, disruption of endogenously-expressed VPS36 by siRNA could partially augment PEDV replication. Taken together, our study provides mechanistic insights into the contribution of ORF3 in PEDV replication.
A Comparison of Plasmid DNA and mRNA as Vaccine Technologies
Authors: Liu Margaret A.
Published: April 2019

This review provides a comparison of the theoretical issues and experimental findings for plasmid DNA and mRNA vaccine technologies. While both have been under development since the 1990s, in recent years, significant excitement has turned to mRNA despite the licensure of several veterinary DNA vaccines. Both have required efforts to increase their potency either via manipulating the plasmid DNA and the mRNA directly or through the addition of adjuvants or immunomodulators as well as delivery systems and formulations. The greater inherent inflammatory nature of the mRNA vaccines is discussed for both its potential immunological utility for vaccines and for the potential toxicity. The status of the clinical trials of mRNA vaccines is described along with a comparison to DNA vaccines, specifically the immunogenicity of both licensed veterinary DNA vaccines and select DNA vaccine candidates in human clinical trials.
Assessment of the Nonlinear Flow Characteristic of Water Inrush Based on the Brinkman and Forchheimer Seepage Model
Authors: Xue Yi , Liu Yang , Dang Faning , Liu Jia , Ma Zongyuan , Zhu Lin , Yang Hongwei
Published: April 2019

Underground fault water inrush is a hydrogeological disaster that frequently occurs in underground mining and tunnel construction projects. Groundwater may pour from an aquifer when disasters occur, and aquifers are typically associated with fractured rock formations. Water inrush accidents are likely to occur when fractured rock masses are encountered during excavation. In this study, Comsol Multiphysics, cross-platform multiphysics field coupling software, was used to simulate the evolution characteristics of water flow in different flow fields of faults and aquifers when water inrush from underground faults occurs. First, the Darcy and Brinkman flow field nonlinear seepage models were used to model the seepage law of water flow in aquifers and faults. Second, the Forchheimer flow field was used to modify the seepage of fluid in fault-broken rocks in the Brinkman flow field. In general, this phenomenon does not meet the applicable conditions of Darcy’s formula. Therefore, the Darcy and Forchheimer flow models were coupled in this study. Simulation results show that flow behavior in an aquifer varies depending on fault permeability. An aquifer near a fault is likely to be affected by non-Darcy flow. That is, the non-Darcy effect zone will either increase or decrease as fault permeability increases or decreases. The fault rupture zone that connects the aquifer and upper roadway of the fault leads to fault water inrush due to the considerably improved permeability of the fractured rock mass.
IND�GENAS EN EL SISTEMA DE EDUCACI�N SUPERIOR DE PREGRADO EN EL ECUADOR: UNA CARACTERIZACI�N DESDE EL RECONOCIMINETO IDEOL�GICO Y LEG�TIMO
Authors: V�squez von Schoettler Werner
Published: April 2019

El presente art�culo caracteriza a los estudiantes ind�genas en el sistema de educaci�n superior de pregrado a partir de datos obtenidos de la Encuesta Nacional de Empleo, Desempleo y Subempleo de 2016, 2017 (INEC) como del Registro Administrativo del Sistema Nacional de Informaci�n de Educaci�n Superior del Ecuador (SNIIESE), de los a�os 2016, 2017 y mayormente del 2018. Metodol�gicamente esta caracterizaci�n es num�rica, porcentual, descriptiva, tanto desde la autoidentificaci�n �tnica, sexo, edad, campo de estudio, titulaci�n, estado civil, pobreza, entre otros, como de autoidentificaci�n de docentes en el sistema de educaci�n superior de pregrado. Se evidencia a partir de la caracterizaci�n y an�lisis desde categor�as de la Teor�a del Reconocimiento, las formas de reconocimiento leg�timo, como de tipo ideol�gico. Las contradicciones en las luchas por una educaci�n intercultural en la denominada Revoluci�n Ciudadana. Se precisa la caracterizaci�n para los a�os indicados en el contexto hist�rico de la comprensi�n de la educaci�n para los ind�genas en el marco de reivindicaciones de un Estado intercultural y plurinacional en ciernes frente a un nuevo momento neoliberal.
RADIKALISME AGAMA DALAM KONTEKS INDONESIA YANG AGAMIS DAN BERPANCASILA
Authors: Dewantara Agustinus Wisnu
Published: April 2019

The reality of religious radicalism in Indonesia is increasingly troubling every day, especially after reform. Religious radicalism is displayed in heartbreaking (inhuman) acts of dishonesty, such as the Bali Bombing, Poso tragedy, Ambon, Sambas, Tolikara, etc. All that is evil, such as the act of killing, terrorizing, burning, destroying fellow humans is strangely framed in the name of religion. This paper wants to limit itself to discussing religious radicalism in Indonesia from a philosophical and theological point of view. The method used is the verstehen method by listening to the reality of radicalism and looking at it in the eyes of philosophy. This becomes important for the growth of a good attitude in objectively viewing religions and living them properly in the context of a multicultural and Pancasila Indonesia. Religious theology, education and lectures should be education of peace, humanist aspects of growth, human culture bloomers, and not education about mastering religious materials that are very formal. Religious education must be in harmony with the values of the nation's called Pancasila.
Passenger rail transport in Hungary
Authors: Boheński Tadeusz
Published: April 2019

The purpose of the article was to examine the passenger rail transport in Hungary. The scope of the research included transport on the public and generally accessible rail network. In the article there has been analyzed the size and structure of the passenger rail transport and their share in total transportation in the years 2001-2014. There was also examined the traffic volume of passenger trains running during weekdays in 2015. Hungary is a country where the rail has one of the largest shares in service of the passenger traffic in Europe. In the analyzed period, the railways transported in this country over 140 million passengers per year (it has to be remembered that the population of that country was less than 10 millions). Despite the popularity of this type of transport in the analyzed period the number of the passenger rail transport has been decreased.