bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuropsychiatric Burden in Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Paoli Ricardo , Botturi Andrea , Ciammola Andrea , Silani Vincenzo , Prunas Cecilia , Lucchiari Claudio , Zugno Elisa , Caletti Elisabetta
Published: June 2017

Huntington’s disease is a disorder that results in motor, cognitive, and psychiatric problems. The symptoms often take different forms and the presence of disturbances of the psychic sphere reduces patients’ autonomy and quality of life, also impacting patients’ social life. It is estimated that a prevalence between 33% and 76% of the main psychiatric syndromes may arise in different phases of the disease, often in atypical form, even 20 years before the onset of chorea and dementia. We present a narrative review of the literature describing the main psychopathological patterns that may be found in Huntington’s disease, searching for a related article in the main database sources (Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, and Medscape). Psychiatric conditions were classified into two main categories: affective and nonaffective disorders/symptoms; and anxiety and neuropsychiatric features such as apathy and irritability. Though the literature is extensive, it is not always convergent, probably due to the high heterogeneity of methods used. We summarize main papers for pathology and sample size, in order to present a synoptic vision of the argument. Since the association between Huntington’s disease and psychiatric symptoms was demonstrated, we argue that the prevalent and more invalidating psychiatric components should be recognized as early as possible during the disease course in order to best address psychopharmacological therapy, improve quality of life, and also reduce burden on caregivers.
Insights into the Experiences of Treatment for An Eating Disorder in Men: A Qualitative Study of Autobiographies
Authors: Thapliyal Priyanka , Mitchison Deborah , Hay Phillipa
Published: June 2017

Eating disorders are increasingly recognized as a problem for men but help-seeking is low and little is known about their treatment experiences. This paper sought to determine the treatment experiences of men who have suffered from an eating disorder using autobiographical data. Inclusion criteria were autobiographies of men who had experienced an eating disorder and sought any form of treatment for this, written in the English language, published between 1995 and 2015, and available for purchase in 2016. The search resulted in six books that were thematically analyzed. Analysis of data resulted in two broad themes (1. Positive experiences; 2. Negative experiences) with sub-themes. With regards to the first theme, factors such as concern of staff members, therapist’s expertise (in treating eating disorders in men), and a collaborative treatment approach were considered favorable for treatment. In contrast to the first theme, apathy of staff members, the authors’ own negative preconceptions, treatment providers being perceived as prioritizing financial concerns, perceived as incompetent and judgmental behavior of therapist(s), and time limitations of sessions were considered unfavorable treatment experiences. In this study, the perceived success of treatment depended on therapist’s features and the form of treatment provided. Further research examining these is indicated.
Does the Energy Label (EL) Matter in the Residential Market? A Stated Preference Analysis in Barcelona
Authors: Marmolejo-Duarte Carlos , Bravi Marina
Published: June 2017

Energy performance in buildings has become a milestone in EU environmental policy in the last 15 years. Nonetheless, in some countries such as Spain the full acceptance of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is still relatively rare and novel, with little evidence as to how relevant it is in the real estate market. There are different reasons for this phenomenon: on the one hand, the real estate crisis has paralyzed the completion of most of the works in new/refurbished efficient buildings (which renders it impossible to use revealed preference methods); on the other hand, information is not complete and the consumer’s perception of the relevant cost/benefits could be incorrect. For this reason, assessing the trade-off between the energy label and other specific attributes of the housing market has become important. To that end, a choice experiment following an RPL (Random Parameter Logit) model was employed. This form is suitable to accommodate various empirical situations where the assumptions of the Conditional Logit model have to be relaxed. Results suggest that the Energy Label (EL) does matter in the real estate market in relation to other residential attributes. Marginal willingness to pay for an “A” label instead of an “E” is significantly higher than the stated savings in energy costs. The respondents’ utility function seems to be also influenced by their educational level, as well as by their preference to own a house as opposed to renting it.
Overview of Real-Time Simulation as a Supporting Effort to Smart-Grid Attainment
Authors: Ibarra Luis , Rosales Antonio , Ponce Pedro , Molina Arturo , Ayyanar Raja
Published: June 2017

The smart-grid approach undergoes many difficulties regarding the strategy that will enable its actual implementation. In this paper, an overview of real-time simulation technologies and their applicability to the smart-grid approach are presented as enabling steps toward the smart-grid’s actual implementation. The objective of this work is to contribute with an introductory text for interested readers of real-time systems in the context of modern electric needs and trends. In addition, a comprehensive review of current applications of real-time simulation in electric systems is provided, together with the basis to understand real-time simulation and the topologies and hardware used to implement it. Furthermore, an overview of the evolution of real-time simulators in the industrial and academic background and its current challenges are introduced.
Prototyping a Software Defined Utility
Authors: Martín de Pozuelo Ramon , Zaballos Agustín , Navarro Joan , Corral Guiomar
Published: June 2017

The smart grid can be seen as a hybrid system composed by many systems. From a large scale point of view, it combines the electric power system itself and a heterogeneous information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure. Additionally, these systems are composed by many building blocks that are designed and managed as separated systems which are hard to fully integrate between each other. Relying on the experiences arisen and the knowledge gathered from the partners during the development of the FP7 European projects INTEGRIS (intelligent electrical grid sensor communications) and FINESCE (future internet smart utility services), this paper presents the software defined utility (SDU) concept for the management of the smart grid and its security, which advocates for the migration of the utility infrastructure to software systems instead of relying on complex and rigid hardware based systems. Following this approach, SDU proposes the evolution of power systems’ ICT and the usage of programmable commodity hardware, low-cost sensors, and reliable high-speed IP-based communications underneath. More concretely, this paper proposes some building blocks for the deployment of the SDU (flexible data management infrastructure, context-aware security and web of things interface) and evaluates their functionalities and benefits for the smart grids of the future.
The Impact of Service Dogs on Engagement in Occupation among Females with Mobility Impairments: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
Authors: Herlache-Pretzer Ellen , Winkle Melissa Y. , Csatari Rachel , Kolanowski Alyssa , Londry Amy , Dawson Rachel
Published: June 2017

It is becoming more common for people with disabilities to procure service dogs as a form of assistive technology (AT). However, there is little qualitative research examining the impact of service dogs on engagement in valued daily activities (occupations) among persons with mobility impairments. This study used a qualitative descriptive methodology to learn about the experiences of four female service dog owners with mobility impairments, with a focus on the impact of service dog use on the performance of daily occupations and participation in social activities, and their experiences utilizing a service dog as a form of AT. Data analysis indicated that each participant’s service dog made a significant impact on their everyday lives and their ability to independently perform everyday activities; however, there are also unique challenges associated with service dog ownership that must be considered when evaluating benefits of service dog partnership. Overall, the positive outcomes reported by participants indicate that service dogs can be considered a beneficial, adaptable form of AT for some persons with mobility impairments.
Media Coverage of Alcohol Issues: A Critical Political Economy Framework—A Case Study from Ireland
Authors: Mercille Julien
Published: June 2017

There is a growing literature on news media representations of alcohol-related issues. However, current scholarship has neglected critical political economic frameworks to interpret media coverage of alcohol. This paper presents such a framework that conceives of news organisations as corporations that share the values and interests of political and economic elites. The media are thus expected to present viewpoints that are more aligned with the alcohol industry than the scientific consensus on public health policy would warrant. The media are also expected, but to a lesser extent, to present a certain amount of support for public health perspectives because these are supported by a few socioeconomic elite groups (the medical professions, progressive politicians). The case of Ireland from 2012 to 2017 illustrates the framework empirically. Four main newspapers’ coverage of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill and related policies is examined. Results show that, overall, 44.0% of articles support public health measures and 56.0% are opposed or remain neutral. It is argued that the media are not strong proponents of public health for multiple reasons: there are more articles opposed to or neutral toward public health measures than supporting them; the number of supportive articles remains relatively small and there are still many pieces presenting drinks industry views; there are virtually no calls in the media for stronger measures; supportive coverage is partially explained by the pub owners lobby’s support for minimum unit pricing; the media often downplay or ignore the negative consequences of alcohol, such as its role in accidents; many news articles normalise drinking and promote events sponsored by the industry; there is not a single Irish journalist covering alcohol issues systematically; and other policy issues that are prioritised by elites receive multiple times more media coverage than public health measures. In short, the media reflect the views of the political and economic establishment on public health measures: there is some support from the medical professions and progressive politicians, but overall, there is a clear reluctance to support strong public health strategies. One main recommendation for public health advocates to promote their perspectives is to diversify the mass media and make them less commercial in nature, as well as to engage with non-corporate, so-called progressive “alternative media” outlets.
Targeting Autophagy in Cancer: Update on Clinical Trials and Novel Inhibitors
Authors: Chude Cynthia , Amaravadi Ravi
Published: June 2017

Eukaryotes use autophagy as a mechanism for maintaining cellular homeostasis by degrading and recycling organelles and proteins. This process assists in the proliferation and survival of advanced cancers. There is mounting preclinical evidence that targeting autophagy can enhance the efficacy of many cancer therapies. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is the only clinically-approved autophagy inhibitor, and this systematic review focuses on HCQ use in cancer clinical trials. Preclinical trials have shown that HCQ alone and in combination therapy leads to enhancement of tumor shrinkage. This has provided the base for multiple ongoing clinical trials involving HCQ alone and in combination with other treatments. However, due to its potency, there is still a need for more potent and specific autophagy inhibitors. There are multiple autophagy inhibitors in the pre-clinical stage at various stages of development. Additional studies on the mechanism of HCQ and other autophagy inhibitors are still required to answer questions surrounding how these agents will eventually be used in the clinic.
Human Rights and Social Justice
Authors: Hibbert Neil
Published: June 2017

This paper addresses the question of the normative domains of human rights and social justice. Today, the dominant view in political philosophy is that they occupy largely distinct spheres, with social justice being a set of stronger egalitarian norms and human rights functioning as baseline protections against common threats posed by states to the general interests of persons subjected to them. Reflecting on current human rights practice and discourse, this paper develops a reconstructed normative model of social justice and human rights as nested membership norms in political societies. By connecting membership to processes of political legitimacy, human rights are conceptualized as increasingly functioning as the language of contesting and reforming barriers of exclusion to that status. This leads to an understanding of the possible content of human rights that is dynamic and relational, bringing it closer in line with the egalitarianism of social justice.
Probing Transition-Metal Silicides as PGM-Free Catalysts for Hydrogen Oxidation and Evolution in Acidic Medium
Authors: Mittermeier Thomas , Madkikar Pankaj , Wang Xiaodong , Gasteiger Hubert , Piana Michele
Published: June 2017

In this experimental study, we investigate various transition-metal silicides as platinum-group-metal-(PGM)-free electrocatalysts for the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR), and for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic environment for the first time. Using cyclic voltammetry in 0.1 M HClO4, we first demonstrate that the tested materials exhibit sufficient stability against dissolution in the relevant potential window. Further, we determine the HOR and HER activities for Mo, W, Ta, Ni and Mo-Ni silicides in rotating disk electrode experiments. In conclusion, for the HOR only Ni2Si shows limited activity, and the HER activity of the investigated silicides is considerably lower compared to other PGM-free HER catalysts reported in the literature.
Off the Shelf Fouling Management
Authors: Rittschof Daniel
Published: June 2017

This chapter tells the story of a research thread that identified and modified a pharmaceutical that could be a component of environmentally benign fouling management coatings. First, I present the background context of biofouling and how fouling is managed. The major target of the research is disrupting transduction of a complex process in all macrofouling organisms: metamorphosis. Using a bioassay directed approach we first identified a pharmaceutical candidate. Then, based on structure function studies coupled with laboratory and field bioassays, we simplified the molecule, eliminating halogens and aromatic rings to a pharmacophore that could be readily broken down by bacteria. Next, we did further structure function studies coupled to lab and field bioassays of modifications that enabled delivery of the molecule in a variety of coatings. The outcome is a different way of thinking about managing fouling and concepts in which molecules are designed to perform a function and then degrade. This work is discussed in the context of existing fouling management approaches and business models which use long-lived broad-spectrum biocides which have consequences for human, environmental health, and food security.
Vetiver Essential Oil in Cosmetics: What Is New?
Authors: Burger Pauline , Landreau Anne , Watson Marie , Janci Laurent , Cassisa Viviane , Kempf Marie , Azoulay Stéphane , Fernandez Xavier
Published: June 2017

Background: Vetiver is a key ingredient for the perfume industry nowadays. However, with the constant and rapid changes of personal tastes, this appeal could vanish and this sector could decline quite quickly. New dissemination paths need to be found to tap this valuable resource. Methods: In this way, its potential use in cosmetics either as an active ingredient per se (with cosmeceutical significance or presenting antimicrobial activity) has hence been explored in vitro. Results: In this contribution, we demonstrated that vetiver essential oil displays no particularly significant and innovative cosmetic potential value in formulations apart from its scent already largely exploited. However, evaluated against twenty bacterial strains and two Candida species using the in vitro microbroth dilution method, vetiver oil demonstrated notably some outstanding activities against Gram-positive strains and against one Candida glabrata strain. Conclusions: Based on these findings, vetiver essential oil appears to be an appropriate aspirant for the development of an antimicrobial agent for medicinal purposes and for the development of a cosmetic ingredient used for its scent and displaying antimicrobial activity as an added value.
Flotation Separation of Scheelite from Fluorite Using Sodium Polyacrylate as Inhibitor
Authors: Zhang Ying , Li Youyu , Chen Rong , Wang Yuhua , Deng Jiushuai , Luo Ximei
Published: June 2017

The depressing properties of sodium polyacrylate (PA-Na) for scheelite and fluorite were studied by micro-flotation tests, infrared spectroscopy (IR), zeta potentials, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and density functional theory (DFT). The flotation results reveal that the selective depression effect of PA-Na is better than that of sodium silicate, and PA-Na can depress fluorite more effectively than scheelite. The flotation recovery of scheelite and fluorite keeps at about 75% and 10%, respectively, at the pulp pH 9.3~9.6 and PA-Na concentration from 30 to 50 mg/L. IR spectra results suggest that PA-Na has a chemical effect on the surface of scheelite and fluorite. The zeta potential of fluorite becomes more negative than that of scheelite after PA-Na addition. XPS analysis deduces the occurrence of chemisorption between PA-Na and mineral surfaces, and the chemisorption of PA-Na on fluorite is stronger than on scheelite. DFT demonstrates that the absolute value of the adsorption energy in the presence of PA-Na is larger on the fluorite {111} surface than on the scheelite {111} surface. Thus, fluorite is more readily depressed than scheelite, which remarkably matches the micro-flotation test results.
Erratum: Intake of Marine-Derived Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Mortality in Renal Transplant Recipients; Nutrients 2017, 9, 363
Authors:   Nutrients Editorial Office
Published: June 2017

Due to a mistake during the production process, there was a spelling error in one of the author names in the original published version [1]. [...]
Microbiota and Probiotics in Health and HIV Infection
Authors: D’Angelo Chiara , Reale Marcella , Costantini Erica
Published: June 2017

Microbiota play a key role in various body functions, as well as in physiological, metabolic, and immunological processes, through different mechanisms such as the regulation of the development and/or functions of different types of immune cells in the intestines. Evidence indicates that alteration in the gut microbiota can influence infectious and non-infectious diseases. Bacteria that reside on the mucosal surface or within the mucus layer interact with the host immune system, thus, a healthy gut microbiota is essential for the development of mucosal immunity. In patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), including those who control their disease with antiretroviral drugs (ART), the gut microbiome is very different than the microbiome of those not infected with HIV. Recent data suggests that, for these patients, dysbiosis may lead to a breakdown in the gut’s immunologic activity, causing systemic bacteria diffusion and inflammation. Since in HIV-infected patients in this state, including those in ART therapy, the treatment of gastrointestinal tract disorders is frustrating, many studies are in progress to investigate the ability of probiotics to modulate epithelial barrier functions, microbiota composition, and microbial translocation. This mini-review analyzed the use of probiotics to prevent and attenuate several gastrointestinal manifestations and to improve gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) immunity in HIV infection.
Lipid Accumulation in HepG2 Cells Is Attenuated by Strawberry Extract through AMPK Activation
Authors: Forbes-Hernández Tamara , Giampieri Francesca , Gasparrini Massimiliano , Afrin Sadia , Mazzoni Luca , Cordero Mario , Mezzetti Bruno , Quiles José , Battino Maurizio
Published: June 2017

Regulation of lipid metabolism is essential for treatment and prevention of several chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, which are responsible for most deaths worldwide. It has been demonstrated that the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has a direct impact on lipid metabolism by modulating several downstream-signaling components. The main objective of the present work was to evaluate the in vitro effect of a methanolic strawberry extract on AMPK and its possible repercussion on lipid metabolism in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2). For such purpose, the lipid profile and the expression of proteins metabolically related to AMPK were determined on cells lysates. The results demonstrated that strawberry methanolic extract decreased total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and triglycerides levels (up to 0.50-, 0.30-, and 0.40-fold, respectively) while it stimulated the p-AMPK/AMPK expression (up to 3.06-fold), compared to the control. AMPK stimulation led to the phosphorylation and consequent inactivation of acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) and inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), the major regulators of fatty acids and cholesterol synthesis, respectively. Strawberry treatment also entailed a 4.34-, 2.37-, and 2.47-fold overexpression of LDL receptor, sirtuin 1 (Sirt1), and the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), respectively, compared to control. The observed results were counteracted by treatment with compound C, an AMPK pharmacological inhibitor, confirming that multiple effects of strawberries on lipid metabolism are mediated by the activation of this protein.
Awareness and Use of mHealth Apps: A Study from England
Authors: Kayyali Reem , Peletidi Aliki , Ismail Muhammad , Hashim Zahra , Bandeira Pedro , Bonnah Jennifer
Published: June 2017

Purpose: Mobile health (mHealth) solutions have become an inevitable element of the healthcare landscape. The recommendation and use of mHealth is important, but it is often underutilised. This study was conducted in England. It aimed to determine the use and recommendation of mHealth apps by pharmacists, the public’s perceptions of mHealth apps in general, and the awareness and use of health apps by diabetic patients in particular. Methods: The study used a mixed research approach, utilising a sequence of survey-based questionnaires with pharmacists and the general public, followed by semi-structured interviews with diabetic patients. Results: Pharmacists’ questionnaires revealed that 56% of the respondents were aware of health apps, 60% of which recommended them to patients. Over 76% of the individuals owned a smartphone. The types of applications that saw the most use from the general public were health and lifestyle apps (24%), social apps (19%), followed by news (18%). Although eight out of nine diabetic patients owned a smartphone, only three used diabetes apps. Diabetic patients also suggested an interest in using diabetes apps to aid in optimising care via the utilisation of visual aids, reminders, recording patient data, social coaching, and remote collaboration with healthcare professionals (HCPs), but time was seen as the biggest obstacle to using a diabetes mHealth application. Conclusion: Despite the growing number of mHealth apps, the level of awareness and usability of such apps by patients and pharmacists was still relatively low. Nevertheless, the majority who used health apps found them to be beneficial, and the public agreed that it helped them to live a healthier lifestyle. Therefore, health apps have great potential in health promotion. Pharmacists are ideally placed to promote them and make patients more aware of them. To increase the use of these apps, it is necessary to first increase awareness and knowledge of these apps, both to the public and to healthcare professionals.
An Unobtrusive Fall Detection and Alerting System Based on Kalman Filter and Bayes Network Classifier
Authors: He Jian , Bai Shuang , Wang Xiaoyi
Published: June 2017

Falls are one of the main health risks among the elderly. A fall detection system based on inertial sensors can automatically detect fall event and alert a caregiver for immediate assistance, so as to reduce injuries causing by falls. Nevertheless, most inertial sensor-based fall detection technologies have focused on the accuracy of detection while neglecting quantization noise caused by inertial sensor. In this paper, an activity model based on tri-axial acceleration and gyroscope is proposed, and the difference between activities of daily living (ADLs) and falls is analyzed. Meanwhile, a Kalman filter is proposed to preprocess the raw data so as to reduce noise. A sliding window and Bayes network classifier are introduced to develop a wearable fall detection system, which is composed of a wearable motion sensor and a smart phone. The experiment shows that the proposed system distinguishes simulated falls from ADLs with a high accuracy of 95.67%, while sensitivity and specificity are 99.0% and 95.0%, respectively. Furthermore, the smart phone can issue an alarm to caregivers so as to provide timely and accurate help for the elderly, as soon as the system detects a fall.
Hyperspectral IASI L1C Data Compression
Authors: García-Sobrino Joaquín , Serra-Sagristà Joan , Bartrina-Rapesta Joan
Published: June 2017

The Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI), implemented on the MetOp satellite series, represents a significant step forward in atmospheric forecast and weather understanding. The instrument provides infrared soundings of unprecedented accuracy and spectral resolution to derive humidity and atmospheric temperature profiles, as well as some of the chemical components playing a key role in climate monitoring. IASI collects rich spectral information, which results in large amounts of data (about 16 Gigabytes per day). Efficient compression techniques are requested for both transmission and storage of such huge data. This study reviews the performance of several state of the art coding standards and techniques for IASI L1C data compression. Discussion embraces lossless, near-lossless and lossy compression. Several spectral transforms, essential to achieve improved coding performance due to the high spectral redundancy inherent to IASI products, are also discussed. Illustrative results are reported for a set of 96 IASI L1C orbits acquired over a full year (4 orbits per month for each IASI-A and IASI-B from July 2013 to June 2014) . Further, this survey provides organized data and facts to assist future research and the atmospheric scientific community.
Integration of P-CuO Thin Sputtered Layers onto Microsensor Platforms for Gas Sensing
Authors: Presmanes Lionel , Thimont Yohann , El Younsi Imane , Chapelle Audrey , Blanc Frédéric , Talhi Chabane , Bonningue Corine , Barnabé Antoine , Menini Philippe , Tailhades Philippe
Published: June 2017

P-type semiconducting copper oxide (CuO) thin films deposited by radio-frequency (RF) sputtering were integrated onto microsensors using classical photolithography technologies. The integration of the 50-nm-thick layer could be successfully carried out using the lift-off process. The microsensors were tested with variable thermal sequences under carbon monoxide (CO), ammonia (NH3), acetaldehyde (C2H4O), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) which are among the main pollutant gases measured by metal-oxide (MOS) gas sensors for air quality control systems in automotive cabins. Because the microheaters were designed on a membrane, it was then possible to generate very rapid temperature variations (from room temperature to 550 °C in only 50 ms) and a rapid temperature cycling mode could be applied. This measurement mode allowed a significant improvement of the sensor response under 2 and 5 ppm of acetaldehyde.
Root System Water Consumption Pattern Identification on Time Series Data
Authors: Figueroa Manuel , Pope Christopher
Published: June 2017

In agriculture, soil and meteorological sensors are used along low power networks to capture data, which allows for optimal resource usage and minimizing environmental impact. This study uses time series analysis methods for outliers’ detection and pattern recognition on soil moisture sensor data to identify irrigation and consumption patterns and to improve a soil moisture prediction and irrigation system. This study compares three new algorithms with the current detection technique in the project; the results greatly decrease the number of false positives detected. The best result is obtained by the Series Strings Comparison (SSC) algorithm averaging a precision of 0.872 on the testing sets, vastly improving the current system’s 0.348 precision.
Long-Term In-Service Monitoring and Performance Assessment of the Main Cables of Long-Span Suspension Bridges
Authors: Deng Yang , Liu Yang , Chen Suren
Published: June 2017

Despite the recent developments in structural health monitoring, there remain great challenges for accurately, conveniently, and economically assessing the in-service performance of the main cables for long-span suspension bridges. A long-term structural health monitoring technique is developed to measure the tension force with a conventional sensing technology and further provide the in-service performance assessment strategy of the main cable. The monitoring system adopts conventional vibrating strings transducers to monitor the tension forces of separate cable strands of the main cable in the anchor span. The performance evaluation of the main cable is conducted based on the collected health monitoring data: (1) the measured strand forces are used to derive the overall tension force of a main cable, which is further translated into load bearing capacity assessment using the concept of safety factor; and (2) the proposed technique can also evaluate the uniformity of tension forces from different cable strands. The assessment of uniformity of strand forces of a main cable offers critical information in terms of potential risks of partial damage and performance deterioration of the main cable. The results suggest the proposed low-cost monitoring system is an option to provide approximate estimation of tension forces of main cables for suspension bridges. With the long-term monitoring data, the proposed monitoring-based evaluation methods can further provide critical information to assess the safety and serviceability performance of main cables.
High Sensitivity Refractometer Based on Reflective Smf-Small Diameter No Core Fiber Structure
Authors: Zhou Guorui , Wu Qiang , Kumar Rahul , Ng Wai Pang , Liu Hao , Niu Longfei , Lalam Nageswara , Yuan Xiaodong , Semenova Yuliya , Farrell Gerald , Yuan Jinhui , Yu Chongxiu , Zeng Jie , Tian Gui Yun , Fu Yong Qing
Published: June 2017

A high sensitivity refractive index sensor based on a single mode-small diameter no core fiber structure is proposed. In this structure, a small diameter no core fiber (SDNCF) used as a sensor probe, was fusion spliced to the end face of a traditional single mode fiber (SMF) and the end face of the SDNCF was coated with a thin film of gold to provide reflective light. The influence of SDNCF diameter and length on the refractive index sensitivity of the sensor has been investigated by both simulations and experiments, where results show that the diameter of SDNCF has significant influence. However, SDNCF length has limited influence on the sensitivity. Experimental results show that a sensitivity of 327 nm/RIU (refractive index unit) has been achieved for refractive indices ranging from 1.33 to 1.38, which agrees well with the simulated results with a sensitivity of 349.5 nm/RIU at refractive indices ranging from 1.33 to 1.38.
Initial Alignment for SINS Based on Pseudo-Earth Frame in Polar Regions
Authors: Gao Yanbin , Liu Meng , Li Guangchun , Guang Xingxing
Published: June 2017

An accurate initial alignment must be required for inertial navigation system (INS). The performance of initial alignment directly affects the following navigation accuracy. However, the rapid convergence of meridians and the small horizontalcomponent of rotation of Earth make the traditional alignment methods ineffective in polar regions. In this paper, from the perspective of global inertial navigation, a novel alignment algorithm based on pseudo-Earth frame and backward process is proposed to implement the initial alignment in polar regions. Considering that an accurate coarse alignment of azimuth is difficult to obtain in polar regions, the dynamic error modeling with large azimuth misalignment angle is designed. At the end of alignment phase, the strapdown attitude matrix relative to local geographic frame is obtained without influence of position errors and cumbersome computation. As a result, it would be more convenient to access the following polar navigation system. Then, it is also expected to unify the polar alignment algorithm as much as possible, thereby further unifying the form of external reference information. Finally, semi-physical static simulation and in-motion tests with large azimuth misalignment angle assisted by unscented Kalman filter (UKF) validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Technology Forecasting Using a Diffusion Model Incorporating Replacement Purchases
Authors: Lee Chul-Yong , Huh Sung-Yoon
Published: June 2017

Understanding the nature of the diffusion process is crucial for sustainable development of a new technology and product. This study introduces a replacement diffusion model that leads to a better understanding of the growth dynamics of a technology. The model operates in an environment with multiple competitors and overcomes the limitations of existing models. The model (1) consists of a diffusion model and an additional time series model; (2) separately identifies the diffusion of first-time purchases and that of replacement purchases; (3) incorporates players’ marketing-mix variables, affecting a new technology diffusion; and (4) characterizes consumers’ different replacement cycles. The proposed model is applied to South Korea’s mobile handset market. The model performs well in terms of its fit and forecasting capability when compared with other diffusion models incorporating replacement and repeat purchases. The usefulness of the model stems from its ability to describe complicated environments and its flexibility in including multiple factors that drives diffusion in the regression analysis.
Towards Secure Data Retrieval for Multi-Tenant Architecture Using Attribute-Based Key Word Search
Authors: Hong Hanshu , Xia Yunhao , Sun Zhixin
Published: June 2017

Searchable encryption mechanism and attribute-based encryption (ABE) are two effective tools for providing fine-grained data access control in the cloud. Researchers have also taken their advantages to present searchable encryption schemes based on ABE and have achieved significant results. However, most of the existing key word search schemes based on ABE lack the properties of key exposure protection and highly efficient key updating when key leakage happens. To better tackle these problems, we present a key insulated attribute-based data retrieval scheme with key word search (KI-ABDR-KS) for multi-tenant architecture. In our scheme, a data owner can make a self-centric access policy of the encrypted data. Only when the possessing attributes match with the policy can a receiver generate a valid trapdoor and search the ciphertext. The proposed KI-ABDR-KS also provides full security protection when key exposure happens, which can minimize the damage brought by key exposure. Furthermore, the system public parameters remain unchanged during the process of key updating; this will reduce the considerable overheads brought by parameters synchronization. Finally, our KI-ABDR-KS is proven to be secure under chosen-keyword attack and achieves better efficiency compared to existing works.
Performance Enhancement of Indoor Pedestrian Positioning with Two-Order Bayesian Estimation Based on EKF and PF
Authors: Jiang Tao , Yang Xianfeng , Cui Xufei
Published: June 2017

To improve the accuracy of indoor pedestrian positioning, an indoor pedestrian positioning system with two-order Bayesian estimation based on Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) and Particle Filter (PF) is proposed in this paper. The presented system combines a foot-mounted inertial sensor, a Wi-Fi propagation model and building structure to make good use of these information resources. There are two updates in this system in order to limit the accumulative errors of inertial sensors. In the first update, the inertial navigation system (INS) is the main system in the calculation of pedestrian positioning, and Zero-velocity update (ZUPT) is introduced as the reference to correct the accumulative errors of INS based on EKF. To further limit the accumulative errors of inertial sensors, the estimated results obtained from the first update, including horizontal position information, are introduced as the observations based on PF in the second update; Pedestrian Dead Reckoning (PDR) is the main system in the calculation of pedestrian positioning, and the weight of particles is determined by the Wi-Fi propagation model, building structure information and output of the first update. The results show that the accuracy of positioning is effectively increased.
Biophysical Mode-of-Action and Selectivity Analysis of Allosteric Inhibitors of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Polymerase
Authors: Abdurakhmanov Eldar , Øie Solbak Sara , Danielson U.
Published: June 2017

Allosteric inhibitors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) non-structural protein 5B (NS5B) polymerase are effective for treatment of genotype 1, although their mode of action and potential to inhibit other isolates and genotypes are not well established. We have used biophysical techniques and a novel biosensor-based real-time polymerase assay to investigate the mode-of-action and selectivity of four inhibitors against enzyme from genotypes 1b (BK and Con1) and 3a. Two thumb inhibitors (lomibuvir and filibuvir) interacted with all three NS5B variants, although the affinities for the 3a enzyme were low. Of the two tested palm inhibitors (dasabuvir and nesbuvir), only dasabuvir interacted with the 1b variant, and nesbuvir interacted with NS5B 3a. Lomibuvir, filibuvir and dasabuvir stabilized the structure of the two 1b variants, but not the 3a enzyme. The thumb compounds interfered with the interaction between the enzyme and RNA and blocked the transition from initiation to elongation. The two allosteric inhibitor types have different inhibition mechanisms. Sequence and structure analysis revealed differences in the binding sites for 1b and 3a variants, explaining the poor effect against genotype 3a NS5B. The indirect mode-of-action needs to be considered when designing allosteric compounds. The current approach provides an efficient strategy for identifying and optimizing allosteric inhibitors targeting HCV genotype 3a.
Impact of Future Climate Change on Regional Crop Water Requirement—A Case Study of Hetao Irrigation District, China
Authors: Zhou Tianwa , Wu Pute , Sun Shikun , Li Xiaolei , Wang Yubao , Luan Xiaobo
Published: June 2017

Water shortage is a limiting factor for agricultural production in China, and climate change will affect agricultural water use. Studying the effects of climate change on crop irrigation requirement (CIR) would help to tackle climate change, from both food security and sustainable water resource use perspectives. This paper applied SDSM (Statistical DownScaling Model) to simulate future meteorological parameters in the Hetao irrigation district (HID) in the time periods 2041–2070 and 2071–2099, and used the Penman–Monteith equation to calculate reference crop evapotranspiration (ET0), which was further used to calculate crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and crop water requirement (CWR). CWR and predicted future precipitation were used to calculate CIR. The results show that the climate in the HID will become warmer and wetter; ET0 would would increase by 4% to 7%; ETc and CWR have the same trend as ET0, but different crops have different increase rates. CIR would increase because of the coefficient of the increase of CWR and the decrease of effective precipitation. Based on the current growing area, the CIR would increase by 198 × 106 to 242 × 106 m3 by the year 2041–2070, and by 342 × 106 to 456 × 106 m3 by the years 2071–2099 respectively. Future climate change will bring greater challenges to regional agricultural water use.
Buddhist Temples or Political Battlegrounds? Kaesŏng Temples in Relation to Court and Aristocracy
Authors: Vermeersch Sem
Published: June 2017

Sem Vermeersch

« Temples bouddhiques ou champs de bataille politiques ? Les temples de Kaesŏng et leur relation avec la cour et l'aristocratie »

Le bouddhisme jouait sous la dynastie Koryŏ un rôle important en tant que religion officielle. Bien que les moines ne pussent participer à la vie politique, les temples, en tant qu'ils étaient des représentations symboliques du pouvoir dynastique, étaient considérés comme des prolongements du pouvoir politique. Une étude systématique des relations entre les abbés d'importants temples de la capitale Kaesŏng et la lignée royale et les élites politiques au cours des XIe et XIIe siècles montre que la plupart de ces abbés étaient des rejetons des familles qui dominaient le gouvernement temporel. Toutefois, en dépit d'efforts pour maintenir la dignité abbatiale d'un temple donné dans une même famille en la transférant de l'oncle paternel au neveu, les lignées conservaient rarement le contrôle exclusif d'un temple. On observe ainsi, dans la plupart des cas, une alternance entre les abbés issus de familles éminentes et ceux issus d'élites locales moins éminentes. Il n'en reste pas moins que les temples servaient de lieux de rencontre de la vie aristocratique de la capitale, et ils comportaient des bâtiments spéciaux où les élites monastiques et séculières pouvaient nouer des relations, et où d'éminents moines pouvaient se retirer.
Characterization of non-heme iron aliphatic halogenase WelO5* from Hapalosiphon welwitschii IC-52-3: Identification of a minimal protein sequence motif that confers enzymatic chlorination specificity in the biosynthesis of welwitindolelinones
Authors: Zhu Qin , Liu Xinyu
Published: June 2017

The in vitro biochemical characterization revealed that iron/2-oxoglutarate (Fe/2OG)-dependent aliphatic halogenase WelO5* in Hapalosiphon welwitschii IC-52-3 has an enhanced substrate specificity towards 12-epi-hapalindole C (1) in comparison to WelO5 in H. welwitschii UTEX B1830. This allowed us to define the origin of the varied chlorinated versus dechlorinated alkaloid structural diversity between the two welwitindolinone producers. Furthermore, this study, along with the recent characterization of the AmbO5 protein, collectively confirmed the presence of a signature sequence motif in the C-terminus of this newly discovered halogenase enzyme family that confers substrate promiscuity and specificity. These observations may guide the rational engineering and evolution of these proteins for biocatalyst application.
Cumulative readings beyond nominals
Authors: Elliott Patrick D. , Nicolae Andreea Cristina
Published: June 2017

In this paper, our aim is to investigate the limits of semantic plurality; we ask whether semantic plurality constrained by morphosyntactic plurality, and if so, how. In order to shed light on these questions, we focus on two empirical domains of in- quiry in which we find superficial mismatches between semantic and morphosyntactic plurality: (i) group nouns and agreement in British vs. English, and (ii) semantically plural embedded interrogatives. Based on our findings, we argue for a new, negative licensing condition on the insertion of the ∗ and ∗∗ operators.
LIVING POSITIVE EXPERIENCES IN STORE: HOW IT INFLUENCES SHOPPING EXPERIENCE VALUE AND SATISFACTION?
Authors: CACHERO-MARTÍNEZ Silvia , VÁZQUEZ-CASIELLES Rodolfo
Published: June 2017

Retailers have tried to differentiate themselves from their competitors through shopping experience. This is the first study analysing relationships between experience dimensions, shopping experience value and satisfaction. In this article different shopping experience dimensions are identified: emotional, sensory, intellectual, social, and pragmatic. In-depth interviews were conducted with a panel of experts to adapt a set of experience dimensions identified from the literature to the offline environment. A survey was then designed to collect data from consumers who had bought in a retailer, where marketing strategies are linked with experience dimensions. Retailers may use this typology in order to re-design their marketing strategies. Retailers must invest in utilitarian attributes of product assortment offered to consumers, improving quality while maintaining prices and promotions. If a retailer can stimulate social shopping and consumer curiosity, such as imagination and creativity in the store, they will have more devoted consumers.
EFFECT OF SUPPLY CHAIN STRUCTURE AND POWER DYNAMICS ON R&D AND MARKET PERFORMANCES
Authors: YOO Seung Ho , SEO Yong Won
Published: June 2017

This study is the first investigating the effect of supply chain structure and players’ power dynamics on a supply chain’s R&D and market performances. We consider a three-stage supply chain, consisting of a R&D firm, a manufacturer, and a seller. We develop six supply chain models based on various structures and power dynamics, and reveal important implications by comparing the models. R&D performance is a function of supply chain structure; an integrated supply chain can expect improved performance. The selling price is a function of power dynamics, and is higher when R&D has bargaining power. Market and profit performances are higher in an integrated, manufacturer-led supply chain. The manufacturer’s role must be revisited; due to its location in the middle of the supply chain, the manufacturer can directly control the overall chain. On the other hand, a R&D firm could innately be associated with marginalization issues. Therefore, it is important for the R&D firm to have a systematic understanding of the entire system. This study contributes to the literature and practice by not only bridging the gap in the previous studies but also offering important managerial implications.