bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Platelet-Rich Plasma Increases the Levels of Catabolic Molecules and Cellular Dedifferentiation in the Meniscus of a Rabbit Model
Authors: Lee Hye-Rim , Shon Oog-Jin , Park Se-Il , Kim Han-Jun , Kim Sukyoung , Ahn Myun-Whan , Do Sun
Published: January 2016

Despite the susceptibility to frequent intrinsic and extrinsic injuries, especially in the inner zone, the meniscus does not heal spontaneously owing to its poor vascularity. In this study, the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), containing various growth factors, on meniscal mechanisms was examined under normal and post-traumatic inflammatory conditions. Isolated primary meniscal cells of New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits were incubated for 3, 10, 14 and 21 days with PRP(−), 10% PRP (PRP(+)), IL(+) or IL(+)PRP(+). The meniscal cells were collected and examined using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Culture media were examined by immunoblot analyses for matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) catabolic molecules. PRP containing growth factors improved the cellular viability of meniscal cells in a concentration-dependent manner at Days 1, 4 and 7. However, based on RT-PCR, meniscal cells demonstrated dedifferentiation, along with an increase in type I collagen in the PRP(+) and in IL(+)PRP(+). In PRP(+), the aggrecan expression levels were lower than in the PRP(−) until Day 21. The protein levels of MMP-1 and MMP-3 were higher in each PRP group, i.e., PRP(+) and IL(+)PRP(+), at each culture time. A reproducible 2-mm circular defect on the meniscus of NZW rabbit was used to implant fibrin glue (control) or PRP in vivo. After eight weeks, the lesions in the control and PRP groups were occupied with fibrous tissue, but not with meniscal cells. This study shows that PRP treatment of the meniscus results in an increase of catabolic molecules, especially those related to IL-1α-induced inflammation, and that PRP treatment for an in vivo meniscus injury accelerates fibrosis, instead of meniscal cartilage.
Metformin Restores Parkin-Mediated Mitophagy, Suppressed by Cytosolic p53
Authors: Song Young , Lee Woo , Lee Yong-ho , Kang Eun , Cha Bong-Soo , Lee Byung-Wan
Published: January 2016

Metformin is known to alleviate hepatosteatosis by inducing 5’ adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-kinase-independent, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)-mediated autophagy. Dysfunctional mitophagy in response to glucolipotoxicities might play an important role in hepatosteatosis. Here, we investigated the mechanism by which metformin induces mitophagy through restoration of the suppressed Parkin-mediated mitophagy. To this end, our ob/ob mice were divided into three groups: (1) ad libitum feeding of a standard chow diet; (2) intraperitoneal injections of metformin 300 mg/kg; and (3) 3 g/day caloric restriction (CR). HepG2 cells were treated with palmitate (PA) plus high glucose in the absence or presence of metformin. We detected enhanced mitophagy in ob/ob mice treated with metformin or CR, whereas mitochondrial spheroids were observed in mice fed ad libitum. Metabolically stressed ob/ob mice and PA-treated HepG2 cells showed an increase in expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers and cytosolic p53. Cytosolic p53 inhibited mitophagy by disturbing the mitochondrial translocation of Parkin, as demonstrated by immunoprecipitation. However, metformin decreased ER stress and p53 expression, resulting in induction of Parkin-mediated mitophagy. Furthermore, pifithrin-α, a specific inhibitor of p53, increased mitochondrial incorporation into autophagosomes. Taken together, these results indicate that metformin treatment facilitates Parkin-mediated mitophagy rather than mitochondrial spheroid formation by decreasing the inhibitory interaction with cytosolic p53 and increasing degradation of mitofusins.
Technological Implications of Modifying the Extent of Cell Wall-Proanthocyanidin Interactions Using Enzymes
Authors: Bautista-Ortín Ana , Ben Abdallah Rim , Castro-López Liliana , Jiménez-Martínez María , Gómez-Plaza Encarna
Published: January 2016

The transference and reactivity of proanthocyanidins is an important issue that affects the technological processing of some fruits, such as grapes and apples. These processes are affected by proanthocyanidins bound to cell wall polysaccharides, which are present in high concentrations during the processing of the fruits. Therefore, the effective extraction of proanthocyanidins from fruits to their juices or derived products will depend on the ability to manage these associations, and, in this respect, enzymes that degrade these polysaccharides could play an important role. The main objective of this work was to test the role of pure hydrolytic enzymes (polygalacturonase and cellulose) and a commercial enzyme containing these two activities on the extent of proanthocyanidin-cell wall interactions. The results showed that the modification promoted by enzymes reduced the amount of proanthocyanidins adsorbed to cell walls since they contributed to the degradation and release of the cell wall polysaccharides, which diffused into the model solution. Some of these released polysaccharides also presented some reactivity towards the proanthocyanidins present in a model solution.
Lifestyle Intervention in Surviving Cancer Patients
Authors: Stefani Laura , Petri Cristian , Mascherini Gabriele , Galanti Giorgio
Published: January 2016

Supervised physical exercise and diet are normally suggested for preventing eventual weight gain, especially in cancer patients. However, little data is available on the effects of “unsupervised” mixed exercises associated with simple correct nutritional advice. This study aims to assess the impact of these two aspects in reducing major risk factors. 37 surviving cancer patients including breast (20 females) and colon cancer patients (10 males and seven females), aged 55.51 ± 10.94, were enrolled in this study on the correction of lifestyle habits. After six months from the onset of the study, the anthropometric parameters of Body Mass Index (BMI), circumference of waist/hip and also cardiovascular parameters (heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate during the 6 Minute Walking Test (6MWT) were measured. The resistance program was established using the Sit and Reach, Hand Grip and Chair Test. The anthropometric data showed significant modifications of the main parameters (body density T0: 1013.54 ± 10.48 g/cm3, T6: 1015 ± 10.45 g/cm3, p < 0.03; Fat Mass (FM%) T0: 38.44% ± 5.04%, T6: 37.65% ± 5.00%, p < 0.03; FFM% (Free Fat Mass) T0: 61.56% ± 5.04%, T6: 62.35% ± 5.00%, p < 0.03; TBW% (Total Body Water) T0: 49.26% ± 7.22%, T6: 47.94% ± 5.97%, p < 0.05). The respiratory rate decreased significantly (T0: 31.15 ± 4.61 bpm, T6: 29.42 ± 3.34 bpm, p < 0.04). The functional parameters, evaluated by the number of repetitions of the Chair Test, showed significant improvement (Chair Test T0: 13.20 ± 4.84 at rest, T6: 15.31 ± 3.54 at rest, p < 0.01). Moderate aerobic resistance unsupervised exercises, associated with correct nutritional habits, allow a significant improvement of the principal cardiovascular risk factors in cancer.
Tuning the Performance of Metallic Auxetic Metamaterials by Using Buckling and Plasticity
Authors: Ghaedizadeh Arash , Shen Jianhu , Ren Xin , Xie Yi
Published: January 2016

Metallic auxetic metamaterials are of great potential to be used in many applications because of their superior mechanical performance to elastomer-based auxetic materials. Due to the limited knowledge on this new type of materials under large plastic deformation, the implementation of such materials in practical applications remains elusive. In contrast to the elastomer-based metamaterials, metallic ones possess new features as a result of the nonlinear deformation of their metallic microstructures under large deformation. The loss of auxetic behavior in metallic metamaterials led us to carry out a numerical and experimental study to investigate the mechanism of the observed phenomenon. A general approach was proposed to tune the performance of auxetic metallic metamaterials undergoing large plastic deformation using buckling behavior and the plasticity of base material. Both experiments and finite element simulations were used to verify the effectiveness of the developed approach. By employing this approach, a 2D auxetic metamaterial was derived from a regular square lattice. Then, by altering the initial geometry of microstructure with the desired buckling pattern, the metallic metamaterials exhibit auxetic behavior with tuneable mechanical properties. A systematic parametric study using the validated finite element models was conducted to reveal the novel features of metallic auxetic metamaterials undergoing large plastic deformation. The results of this study provide a useful guideline for the design of 2D metallic auxetic metamaterials for various applications.
Theoretical and Experimental Studies on the Crystal Structure, Electronic Structure and Optical Properties of SmTaO4
Authors: Wang Song , Jiang Miao , Gao Lihong , Ma Zhuang , Wang Fuchi
Published: January 2016

The crystal structure, electronic structure and optical properties of SmTaO4 were identified through an experimental method and first principles calculation. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and a spectrophotometer were used to characterize the crystal structure, reflectivity and band gap of this material; furthermore, the electronic structure and optical properties were investigated according to three exchange-correlation potentials, LDA, GGA and GGA + U. Results show that the SmTaO4 calcined at 1400 °C with the solid-state reaction method is in monoclinic phase in the space group I2/a. In addition, the calculated lattice parameters are consistent with the experimental values. The electron transitions among the O 2p states, Sm 4f states and Ta 5d states play a key role in the dielectric function, refractive index, absorption coefficient and reflectivity of SmTaO4. The calculation of first principles provides considerable insight into the relationship between the electronic structure and optical properties of this material.
Phenylethanol Glycosides from Cistanche tubulosa Suppress Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Block the Conduction of Signaling Pathways in TGF-β1/smad as Potential Anti-Hepatic Fibrosis Agents
Authors: You Shu-Ping , Ma Long , Zhao Jun , Zhang Shi-Lei , Liu Tao
Published: January 2016

Cistanche tubulosa is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine widely used for regulating immunity and phenylethanol glycosides (CPhGs) are among the primary components responsible for this activity. Previous studies have indicated the preventive and therapeutic effects of CPhGs on bovine serum albumin (BSA)-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. The aim of the study was to evaluate the anti-hepatic fibrosis effect of CPhGs and the monomers echinacoside and acteoside by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, blocking the conduction of signaling pathways in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/smad, and determine their in vitro hepatoprotective activity. HSC proliferation was obviously inhibited after treatment with CPhGs (100, 50 μg/mL)/echinacoside (500, 250, 125 μg/mL)/acteoside (6, 3 μg/mL), with IC50 values of 119.125, 520.345 and 6.999 μg/mL, respectively, in the MTT assay. Different concentrations of CPhGs/echinacoside/acteoside did not affect the cellular toxicity on HSC according to lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) measurements. Different concentrations of CPhGs/echinacoside/acteoside increased the mRNA level and protein expression of smad7, and decreased the mRNA levels of smad2, smad3 and the protein expression of smad2, phospho-smad2 (p-smad2), smad3, phospho-smad3 (p-smad3) in HSC. In summary, these results demonstrate that CPhGs/echinacoside/acteoside can block the conduction of the signaling pathways in TGF-β1/smad, and inhibit the activation of HSC, suggesting that C. tubulosa may thus be a potential herbal medicine for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
Antibacterial Peptide CecropinB2 Production via Various Host and Construct Systems
Authors: Lai Wei-Shiang , Kan Shu-Chen , Lin Chia-Chi , Shieh Chwen-Jen , Liu Yung-Chuan
Published: January 2016

Cecropin is a cationic antibacterial peptide composed of 35–39 residues. This peptide has been identified as possessing strong antibacterial activity and low toxicity against eukaryotic cells, and it has been claimed that some types of the cecropin family of peptides are capable of killing cancer cells. In this study, the host effect of cloning antibacterial peptide cecropinB2 was investigated. Three different host expression systems were chosen, i.e., Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Pichia pastoris. Two gene constructs, cecropinB2 (cecB2) and intein-cecropinB2 (INT-cecB2), were applied. Signal peptide and propeptide from Armigeres subalbatus were also attached to the gene construct. The results showed that the best host for cloning cecropinB2 was P. pastoris SMD1168 harboring the gene of pGAPzαC-prepro-cecB2 via Western blot confirmation. The cecropinB2 that was purified using immobilized-metal affinity chromatography resin showed strong antibacterial activity against the Gram-negative strains, including the multi-drug-resistant bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii.
Exploration of Scaffolds from Natural Products with Antiplasmodial Activities, Currently Registered Antimalarial Drugs and Public Malarial Screen Data
Authors: Egieyeh Samuel , Syce James , Christoffels Alan , Malan Sarel
Published: January 2016

In light of current resistance to antimalarial drugs, there is a need to discover new classes of antimalarial agents with unique mechanisms of action. Identification of unique scaffolds from natural products with in vitro antiplasmodial activities may be the starting point for such new classes of antimalarial agents. We therefore conducted scaffold diversity and comparison analysis of natural products with in vitro antiplasmodial activities (NAA), currently registered antimalarial drugs (CRAD) and malaria screen data from Medicine for Malaria Ventures (MMV). The scaffold diversity analyses on the three datasets were performed using scaffold counts and cumulative scaffold frequency plots. Scaffolds from the NAA were compared to those from CRAD and MMV. A Scaffold Tree was also generated for each of the datasets and the scaffold diversity of NAA was found to be higher than that of MMV. Among the NAA compounds, we identified unique scaffolds that were not contained in any of the other compound datasets. These scaffolds from NAA also possess desirable drug-like properties making them ideal starting points for antimalarial drug design considerations. The Scaffold Tree showed the preponderance of ring systems in NAA and identified virtual scaffolds, which may be potential bioactive compounds.
An Unusual Stress Metabolite from a Hydrothermal Vent Fungus Aspergillus sp. WU 243 Induced by Cobalt
Authors: Ding Chihong , Wu Xiaodan , Auckloo Bibi , Chen Chen-Tung , Ye Ying , Wang Kuiwu , Wu Bin
Published: January 2016

A novel hybrid polyketide-terpenoid, aspergstressin (1), possessing a unique fused polycyclic structure, was induced from culture broth of strain Aspergillus sp. WU 243 by cobalt ion stimulation. The strain was isolated from the digestive gland of Xenograpsus testudinatus, a unique type of crab which dwells in the Kueishantao hydrothermal vents off Taiwan. The chemical structure and relative configuration of the stress metabolite were established by spectroscopic means. Aspergillus sp. WU 243 produced aspergstressin (1) only under cobalt stressed culture conditions. The results show that stress-driven discovery of new natural products from hydrothermal vent fungi is an effective strategy to unveil the untapped reservoir of small molecules from species found in the hydrothermal vent environment.
Assessment of Egg Yolk Oil Extraction Methods of for ShiZhenKang Oil by Pharmacodynamic Index Evaluation
Authors: Wu Ping , Pan Yu , Yan Jianye , Huang Dan , Li Shunxiang
Published: January 2016

To assess the extraction methods of egg yolk oil in ShiZhenKang (SZK) oil, which is used to treat eczema, a mice model of eczema was established by using 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). The therapeutic effects of egg yolk oil extracted by different methods from SZK oil on the model of acute eczema in mice were evaluated. The oil yield rate of ethanol extraction is 42.06%. Its egg yolk oil is orange and has a rich, sweet, egg smell. Moreover, the SZK oil prepared from it has a very good therapeutic effect on the model of acute eczema in mice. The alcohol extraction method is the preferable method according to a comprehensive evaluation of each index of seven kinds of methods to extract the egg yolk oil.
An Amidochlorin-Based Colorimetric Fluorescent Probe for Selective Cu2+ Detection
Authors: Li Wenting , Zhu Guohua , Li Jinghua , Wang Zhiqiang , Jin Yingxue
Published: January 2016

The design and synthesis of selective and sensitive chemosensors for the quantification of environmentally and biologically important ionic species has attracted widespread attention. Amidochlorin p6 (ACP); an effective colorimetric and fluorescent probe for copper ions (Cu2+) in aqueous solution derived from methyl pheophorbide-a (MPa) was designed and synthesized. A remarkable color change from pale yellow to blue was easily observed by the naked eye upon addition of Cu2+; and a fluorescence quenching was also determined. The research of fluorescent quenching of ACP-Cu2+ complexation showed the detection limit was 7.5 × 10−8 mol/L; which suggested that ACP can act as a high sensitive probe for Cu2+ and can be used to quantitatively detect low levels of Cu2+ in aqueous solution. In aqueous solution the probe exhibits excellent selectivity and sensitivity toward Cu2+ ions over other metal ions (M = Zn2+; Ni2+; Ba2+; Ag+; Co2+; Na+; K+; Mg2+; Cd2+; Pb2+; Mn2+; Fe3+; and Ca2+). The obvious change from pale yellow to blue upon the addition of Cu2+ could make it a suitable “naked eye” indicator for Cu2+.
A Review of the Application of Optical and Radar Remote Sensing Data Fusion to Land Use Mapping and Monitoring
Authors: Joshi Neha , Baumann Matthias , Ehammer Andrea , Fensholt Rasmus , Grogan Kenneth , Hostert Patrick , Jepsen Martin , Kuemmerle Tobias , Meyfroidt Patrick , Mitchard Edward , Reiche Johannes , Ryan Casey , Waske Björn
Published: January 2016

The wealth of complementary data available from remote sensing missions can hugely aid efforts towards accurately determining land use and quantifying subtle changes in land use management or intensity. This study reviewed 112 studies on fusing optical and radar data, which offer unique spectral and structural information, for land cover and use assessments. Contrary to our expectations, only 50 studies specifically addressed land use, and five assessed land use changes, while the majority addressed land cover. The advantages of fusion for land use analysis were assessed in 32 studies, and a large majority (28 studies) concluded that fusion improved results compared to using single data sources. Study sites were small, frequently 300–3000 km 2 or individual plots, with a lack of comparison of results and accuracies across sites. Although a variety of fusion techniques were used, pre-classification fusion followed by pixel-level inputs in traditional classification algorithms (e.g., Gaussian maximum likelihood classification) was common, but often without a concrete rationale on the applicability of the method to the land use theme being studied. Progress in this field of research requires the development of robust techniques of fusion to map the intricacies of land uses and changes therein and systematic procedures to assess the benefits of fusion over larger spatial scales.
Wireless Relay Selection in Pocket Switched Networks Based on Spatial Regularity of Human Mobility
Authors: Huang Jianhui , Cheng Xiuzhen , Bi Jingping , Chen Biao
Published: January 2016

Pocket switched networks (PSNs) take advantage of human mobility to deliver data. Investigations on real-world trace data indicate that human mobility shows an obvious spatial regularity: a human being usually visits a few places at high frequencies. These most frequently visited places form the home of a node, which is exploited in this paper to design two HomE based Relay selectiOn (HERO) algorithms. Both algorithms input single data copy into the network at any time. In the basic HERO, only the first node encountered by the source and whose home overlaps a destination’s home is selected as a relay while the enhanced HERO keeps finding more optimal relay that visits the destination’s home with higher probability. The two proposed algorithms only require the relays to exchange the information of their home and/or the visiting frequencies to their home when two nodes meet. As a result, the information update is reduced and there is no global status information that needs to be maintained. This causes light loads on relays because of the low communication cost and storage requirements. Additionally, only simple operations are needed in the two proposed algorithms, resulting in little computation overhead at relays. At last, a theoretical analysis is performed on some key metrics and then the real-world based simulations indicate that the two HERO algorithms are efficient and effective through employing only one or a few relays.
Compensation Method of Natural Head Movement for Gaze Tracking System Using an Ultrasonic Sensor for Distance Measurement
Authors: Jung Dongwook , Lee Jong , Gwon Su , Pan Weiyuan , Lee Hyeon , Park Kang , Kim Hyun-Cheol
Published: January 2016

Most gaze tracking systems are based on the pupil center corneal reflection (PCCR) method using near infrared (NIR) illuminators. One advantage of the PCCR method is the high accuracy it achieves in gaze tracking because it compensates for the pupil center position based on the relative position of corneal specular reflection (SR). However, the PCCR method only works for user head movements within a limited range, and its performance is degraded by the natural movement of the user’s head. To overcome this problem, we propose a gaze tracking method using an ultrasonic sensor that is robust to the natural head movement of users. Experimental results demonstrate that with our compensation method the gaze tracking system is more robust to natural head movements compared to other systems without our method and commercial systems.
A Time-Aware Routing Map for Indoor Evacuation
Authors: Zhao Haifeng , Winter Stephan
Published: January 2016

Knowledge of dynamic environments expires over time. Thus, using static maps of the environment for decision making is problematic, especially in emergency situations, such as evacuations. This paper suggests a fading memory model for mapping dynamic environments: a mechanism to put less trust on older knowledge in decision making. The model has been assessed by simulating indoor evacuations, adopting and comparing various strategies in decision making. Results suggest that fading memory generally improves this decision making.
Modeling Sensor Reliability in Fault Diagnosis Based on Evidence Theory
Authors: Yuan Kaijuan , Xiao Fuyuan , Fei Liguo , Kang Bingyi , Deng Yong
Published: January 2016

Sensor data fusion plays an important role in fault diagnosis. Dempster–Shafer (D-R) evidence theory is widely used in fault diagnosis, since it is efficient to combine evidence from different sensors. However, under the situation where the evidence highly conflicts, it may obtain a counterintuitive result. To address the issue, a new method is proposed in this paper. Not only the statistic sensor reliability, but also the dynamic sensor reliability are taken into consideration. The evidence distance function and the belief entropy are combined to obtain the dynamic reliability of each sensor report. A weighted averaging method is adopted to modify the conflict evidence by assigning different weights to evidence according to sensor reliability. The proposed method has better performance in conflict management and fault diagnosis due to the fact that the information volume of each sensor report is taken into consideration. An application in fault diagnosis based on sensor fusion is illustrated to show the efficiency of the proposed method. The results show that the proposed method improves the accuracy of fault diagnosis from 81.19% to 89.48% compared to the existing methods.
The Effect of Personalization on Smartphone-Based Fall Detectors
Authors: Medrano Carlos , Plaza Inmaculada , Igual Raúl , Sánchez Ángel , Castro Manuel
Published: January 2016

The risk of falling is high among different groups of people, such as older people, individuals with Parkinson's disease or patients in neuro-rehabilitation units. Developing robust fall detectors is important for acting promptly in case of a fall. Therefore, in this study we propose to personalize smartphone-based detectors to boost their performance as compared to a non-personalized system. Four algorithms were investigated using a public dataset: three novelty detection algorithms—Nearest Neighbor (NN), Local Outlier Factor (LOF) and One-Class Support Vector Machine (OneClass-SVM)—and a traditional supervised algorithm, Support Vector Machine (SVM). The effect of personalization was studied for each subject by considering two different training conditions: data coming only from that subject or data coming from the remaining subjects. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was selected as the primary figure of merit. The results show that there is a general trend towards the increase in performance by personalizing the detector, but the effect depends on the individual being considered. A personalized NN can reach the performance of a non-personalized SVM (average AUC of 0.9861 and 0.9795, respectively), which is remarkable since NN only uses activities of daily living for training.
Commercially Available Materials Selection in Sustainable Design: An Integrated Multi-Attribute Decision Making Approach
Authors: Zhao Rui , Su Han , Chen Xiaolang , Yu Yanni
Published: January 2016

This paper presents an integrated multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) approach to aid selection of commercially available materials in the context of sustainable design. The MADM couples grey relational analysis (GRA) with an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to rank alternative materials in terms of their economic, environmental, and social performance. AHP is used to determine the corresponding weighting values for the selected indicators. In addition, a case example is used to verify the proposed MADM method and demonstrate its practical application. Three alternative polymer materials, i.e., poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE), are examined to determine their sustainability for plastic pipe design. The associated MADM result and the limitations of the approach are discussed to lay the foundation for further improvement.
Risk Evaluation of Qinghai–Tibet Power Grid Interconnection Project for Sustainability
Authors: Li Cunbin , Liu Yunqi , Li Shuke
Published: January 2016

The Qinghai–Tibet power grid interconnection project is the first power transmission project with the highest altitude, longest transmission lines, longest distance running across the plateau frozen ground, and highest iron tower in the world. The risk evaluation on it can identify the overall risk level and key risk factors, which can reduce risk-induced loss and promote sustainable construction. In this paper, the risk of the Qinghai–Tibet power grid interconnection project was evaluated by employing a matter-element extension model under a fuzzy environment. After building the risk evaluation index system, the performances and weights of criteria were qualitatively judged by three groups of experts in different fields, and then the risk of the Qinghai–Tibet power grid interconnection project was rated by employing matter-element extension model. Meanwhile, the sensitivity analysis was performed to identify key risk criteria. The empirical results indicate the risk of the Qinghai–Tibet power grid interconnection project belongs to the “stronger” grade, tending to the “strongest” grade. “Social stability risk”, “altitude sickness seizure risk”, “permafrost-induced risk”, “severe weather-induced risk”, and “ecological destruction risk” are key sub-criteria, which should be paid more attention to when taking risk management measures. Finally, some countermeasures for key risks of the Qinghai–Tibet power grid interconnection project were given. The findings in this paper can provide references for engineering managers and related stakeholders.
Evaluation and Clustering Maps of Groundwater Wells in the Red Beds of Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Authors: Zhang Haijing , Du Qingyun , Yao Min , Ren Fu
Published: January 2016

Since the start of the 21st century, groundwater wells have been placed in red beds to solve the problem of scarce water resources in Southwest China and have rapidly expanded to other areas. By providing examples of cartography in Chengdu and Sichuan, China, and using the locations of groundwater in fractures and pores when monitoring and managing red sandstone and mudstone wells, a series of maps of groundwater wells at different scales in the red beds of Chengdu was obtained. Most of the wells located in red beds are located in Jintang, Dayi, and Qingbaijiang and exhibit different cluster features. The kernel density estimation and spatial cluster analysis classification methods were used based on the Density Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise algorithm (DBSCAN) in three concentrated areas. This method describes the trends of the clustering results and the relationships between the locations of residents and red bed wells. The cartography results show that the groundwater wells in red beds are mainly distributed in hilly areas and partially correspond with the locations of villages and settlements, particularly their geological and topographic factors, which satisfy the maximum requirements of water use and recycling in Southwest China. The irrigation wells located in red beds are not only reliable and efficient but also replace inefficient water resources in the recharge-runoff-discharge groundwater process, which promotes the sustainable development of groundwater resources.
Exploring Intra-Urban Accessibility and Impacts of Pollution Policies with an Agent-Based Simulation Platform: GaMiroD
Authors: Fosset Pierre , Banos Arnaud , Beck Elise , Chardonnel Sonia , Lang Christophe , Marilleau Nicolas , Piombini Arnaud , Leysens Thomas , Conesa Alexis , Andre-Poyaud Isabelle , Thevenin Thomas
Published: January 2016

In this work we address the issue of sustainable cities by focusing on one of their very central components: daily mobility. Indeed, if cities can be interpreted as spatial organizations allowing social interactions, the number of daily movements needed to reach this goal is continuously increasing. Therefore, improving urban accessibility merely results in increasing traffic and its negative externalities (congestion, accidents, pollution, noise, etc.), while eventually reducing the quality of life of people in the city. This is why several urban-transport policies are implemented in order to reduce individual mobility impacts while maintaining equitable access to the city. This challenge is however non-trivial and therefore we propose to investigate this issue from the complex systems point of view. The real spatial-temporal urban accessibility of citizens cannot be approximated just by focusing on space and implies taking into account the space-time activity patterns of individuals, in a more dynamic way. Thus, given the importance of local interactions in such a perspective, an agent based approach seems to be a relevant solution. This kind of individual based and “interactionist” approach allows us to explore the possible impact of individual behaviors on the overall dynamics of the city but also the possible impact of global measures on individual behaviors. In this paper, we give an overview of the Miro Project and then focus on the GaMiroD model design from real data analysis to model exploration tuned by transportation-oriented scenarios. Among them, we start with the the impact of a LEZ (Low Emission Zone) in the city center.
Reactive Oxygen Species as Additional Determinants for Cytotoxicity of Clostridium difficile Toxins A and B
Authors: Frädrich Claudia , Beer Lara-Antonia , Gerhard Ralf
Published: January 2016

Clostridium difficile infections can induce mild to severe diarrhoea and the often associated characteristic pseudomembranous colitis. Two protein toxins, the large glucosyltransferases TcdA and TcdB, are the main pathogenicity factors that can induce all clinical symptoms in animal models. The classical molecular mode of action of these homologous toxins is the inhibition of Rho GTPases by mono-glucosylation. Rho-inhibition leads to breakdown of the actin cytoskeleton, induces stress-activated and pro-inflammatory signaling and eventually results in apoptosis of the affected cells. An increasing number of reports, however, have documented further qualities of TcdA and TcdB, including the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by target cells. This review summarizes observations dealing with the production of ROS induced by TcdA and TcdB, dissects pathways that contribute to this phenomenon and speculates about ROS in mediating pathogenesis. In conclusion, ROS have to be considered as a discrete, glucosyltransferase-independent quality of at least TcdB, triggered by different mechanisms.
Molecular Mechanisms of White Spot Syndrome Virus Infection and Perspectives on Treatments
Authors: Verbruggen Bas , Bickley Lisa , Van Aerle Ronny , Bateman Kelly , Stentiford Grant , Santos Eduarda , Tyler Charles
Published: January 2016

Since its emergence in the 1990s, White Spot Disease (WSD) has had major economic and societal impact in the crustacean aquaculture sector. Over the years shrimp farming alone has experienced billion dollar losses through WSD. The disease is caused by the White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), a large dsDNA virus and the only member of the Nimaviridae family. Susceptibility to WSSV in a wide range of crustacean hosts makes it a major risk factor in the translocation of live animals and in commodity products. Currently there are no effective treatments for this disease. Understanding the molecular basis of disease processes has contributed significantly to the treatment of many human and animal pathogens, and with a similar aim considerable efforts have been directed towards understanding host–pathogen molecular interactions for WSD. Work on the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis in aquatic crustaceans has been restricted by a lack of sequenced and annotated genomes for host species. Nevertheless, some of the key host–pathogen interactions have been established: between viral envelope proteins and host cell receptors at initiation of infection, involvement of various immune system pathways in response to WSSV, and the roles of various host and virus miRNAs in mitigation or progression of disease. Despite these advances, many fundamental knowledge gaps remain; for example, the roles of the majority of WSSV proteins are still unknown. In this review we assess current knowledge of how WSSV infects and replicates in its host, and critique strategies for WSD treatment.
New Insights on the Simultaneous Removal by Adsorption on Organoclays of Humic Acid and Phenol
Authors: Szabó Emese , Pap Zsolt , Simon Gergő , Dombi András , Baia Lucian , Hernádi Klára
Published: January 2016

The exploitation of thermal water as a heat source in houses and apartments (during winter) is a widely used alternative to natural gas. However, this type of water may contain organic contaminants, which must be removed before releasing the used water into rivers and lakes. Because of the presence of a wide range of pollutants (including phenolic compounds and humates), efficient, cheap removal processes are needed. In order to demonstrate their capability in thermal water cleaning, clay minerals were applied for the removal of phenol and humic acid via adsorption. To determine the most efficient removal strategy for the aforementioned pollutants, the following parameters were investigated: the type of the clay mineral, the organophilization strategy (in situ or pre-organophilization), and the individual or simultaneous removability of the model pollutants. The current study revealed that the applied low cost, in situ prepared clay mineral adsorbents are applicable in the removal of pollutants from thermal water.
Roles of N:P Ratios on Trophic Structures and Ecological Stream Health in Lotic Ecosystems
Authors: Yun Young-Jin , An Kwang-Guk
Published: January 2016

Little is known about the functions of N:P ratios in determining trophic structures and ecological health in lotic ecosystems, even though N:P ratios have been frequently used as a stoichiometric determinant in ambient water for trophic allocation of low-level organisms such as phytoplankton or zooplankton. In this study, nutrients (N, P) and sestonic chlorophyll (CHL) from 40 different streams in the Geum-River watershed were measured from 2008 to 2011. Fish compositions and stream health were also assessed, based on the multi-metric modeling of an index of biological integrity. Land use patterns in these watersheds were a key factor regulating nutrient contents and N:P ratios in ambient water, and also influenced empirical relationships between N:P ratios (or nutrients) and sestonic CHL. Land use patterns in forested, urban and wastewater treatment plant regions were associated with significant differences in stream N:P ratios, and the ratios were mainly determined by phosphorus. Sestonic CHL was significantly correlated with nutrient level (N, P); the ratios had a positive linear relationship with the proportion of omnivores, and a negative relationship with the proportion of insectivores. A similar trend in the N:P ratios was observed in indicator fishes such as N. koreanus and Z. platypus. Overall, the N:P ratio may be a good surrogate variable of ambient concentrations of N or P in assessing trophic linkage and diagnosing the ecological stream health in aquatic ecosystems.
Effect of Plant Harvesting on the Performance of Constructed Wetlands during Summer
Authors: Yang Zhongchen , Wang Qian , Zhang Jian , Xie Huijun , Feng Suping
Published: January 2016

Plants can remove pollutants through direct absorption and by providing habitats for microbes to stimulate their activities. The aboveground plant biomass is usually harvested to remove pollutants absorbed in plant tissues. However, the effect of plant harvesting during summer on the performance of constructed wetlands and microbial abundance is unclear. In this study, three types of microcosms were set up, including: cleared group (both shoots and roots were harvested), harvested group (only shoots were harvested) and unharvested group. The concentrations of ammonia nitrogen and chemical oxygen demand in the effluent of the harvested group were the lowest. The nitrogen mass balance showed that summer harvesting improved nitrogen absorbance by plants, which was 1.24-times higher than that in the unharvested group. Interestingly, the other losses were taken up by the highest amounts in the cleared group, which were 1.66- and 3.72-times higher than in the unharvested and harvested group, respectively. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that harvesting of shoots during summer increased the microbial abundance. Additionally, Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum among all bacteria according to pyrosequencing analysis. These results indicate that harvesting of shoots during summer has positive effects on pollutant removal and microbial abundance.
Lepcitani Saloniniani. À propos d’un bienfait impérial pendant la « crise » du IIIe siècle
Authors: Marmouri Khaled
Published: January 2016

Durant le règne de Gallien, Lepcis Magna adjoint l’épithète Salonina/ Saloniniani à sa titulature officielle et à celle de ses habitants. Ce titre indique clairement que la cité, colonie de droit italique, a reçu un bienfait autre que juridique. L’importance des hommages rendus à la famille licinienne confirme ces liens étroits unissant les Lepcitains au pouvoir impérial. Pour justifier le renouveau de la titulature canonique de Lepcis Magna, on envisage plusieurs hypothèses parmi lesquelles la concession d’avantages fiscaux consécutive à un cataclysme sismique devrait être privilégiée. On est alors amené à se demander pourquoi le surnom de Cornelia Salonina a été préféré à celui de l’empereur Gallien. Dans ce cadre, le rôle tenu par cette princesse à l’échelle de l’Empire, en pleine «c rise du IIIe siècle » , est de nouveau examiné à travers des recoupements numismatiques et épigraphiques.
Création de cités et réorganisations provinciales en Gaule méridionale au début de l’Antiquité tardive
Authors: Christol Michel
Published: January 2016

La documentation épigraphique permet de préciser les étapes qui conduisirent à l’organisation connue par la Liste de Vérone, peu après 312. À la fin du IIIe et au début du IVe siècle, la division de la cité de Vienne, qui comporte la création de la cité de Grenoble et celle de la cité de Genève, se déroule en parallèle des modifications de la géographie provinciale, selon une chronologie qui est précisée. La promotion de Vienne comme chef-lieu de la province de Viennoise et comme siège du vicaire du diocèse de même nom, n’aurait pas été une compensation à la rétraction de son territoire, comme on l’a trop souvent affirmé. Il s’agit de deux phénomènes tardifs, qui se placeraient plutôt après l’élévation de Constantin en 306, sinon après 308.
Les flottements de la préfecture de Lucilius Bassus
Authors: Cosme Pierre
Published: January 2016

Vitellius had made prefect of the two fleets of Misenum and Ravenna Sex. Lucilius Bassus, who resented the emperor’s failing to make him prefect of the praetorians. But the prefect didn’t want to seem the instigator of the defection of his soldiers. Tacitus wrote that the crews of the fleet of Ravenna rejected Lucilius Bassus and chose Cornelius Fuscus, procurator of Pannonia, as their prefect, although they couldn’t have knowm him. Besides, the earliest diploma extant known to have been issued by Vespasian is now of 26 February 70, instead of 7 March 70. The word

beneficiarius is attested in this document for the first time, and this document is issued to serving soldiers rather than after completion of a stated length of service. This military diploma suggests that Sex. Lucilius Bassus has never ceased to be prefect of the fleet of Ravenna. The text may be compared with suffragium legionis, attested in special circumstances to choose centurions.
La Lex Rupilia, un modèle de régime judiciaire provincial à l’époque républicaine ?
Authors: Fournier Julien
Published: January 2016

Cet article revient sur les clauses judiciaires de la lex Rupilia rapportées par Cicéron aux paragraphes 30-34 de la Seconde action contre Verrès. Ces clauses offrent un aperçu détaillé du régime de règlement des litiges dans la province de Sicile à l’époque républicaine. On s’efforce ici de les confronter aux affaires judiciaires détaillées dans le reste des Verrines, mais surtout aux données disponibles dans les provinces orientales de l’empire romain, qui nous renseignent de manière éparse sur le partage des compétences judiciaires entre les cités grecques et la juridiction provinciale. On se demande à cette occasion si la lex Rupilia représentait un régime propre à la province de Sicile, ou si elle reflétait l’état ordinaire de l’administration judiciaire provinciale.
Siculus cum Siculo non eiusdem ciuitatis. Litigation between citizens of different communities in the Verrines
Authors: Kantor Georgy
Published: January 2016

Les dispositions de la lex Rupilia – telles qu’elles sont décrites par Cicéron (Verr. , II, 2, 32) – concernant les cas de litige entre les citoyens de différentes communautés siciliennes, n’étaient ni applicables aux résidents de Sicile qui n’étaient citoyens d’aucune ville sicilienne, ni aux litiges impliquant des Siciliens résidant dans une autre province ou en Italie. Ceci différencie cette loi des dispositions judiciaires des provinces hellénophones romaines qui, du moins dans les communautés privilégiées, entérinaient la juridiction civile sur les résidents étrangers et protégeaient les citoyens d’une communauté particulière, quelle que fût leur résidence dans l’empire romain. Si ces privilèges étaient invoqués par les résidents étrangers en Sicile, cela pouvait contredire et – en raison de l’utilisation du pouvoir discrétionnaire du gouverneur dans de tels cas – miner les iura des Siciliens garantis par la lex Rupilia.
À propos d’un Mars « oublié » en Occident : questions sur la structure religieuse de la cité des Convènes (Ier-IIIe siècle apr. J.-C.)
Authors: Schenck-David Jean-Luc
Published: January 2016

Le territoire de la cité des Convènes dans les Pyrénées centrales est riche de quelque 360 autels votifs, porteurs d’inscriptions. Bien que tous, ou presque, touchent au domaine des cultes privés, ces textes votifs ont beaucoup servi aux études qui ont été consacrées à l’organisation des cultes, publics ou privés -la distinction est rarement faite -, dans la cité romaine des Convènes. Ils ont aussi servi à mesurer la part donnée aux divinités indigènes et à leurs cultes (souvent exprimée comme une forme de «résistance » ) dans la refonte de la structure religieuse qu’a entraînée le développement du système de la cité. La diffusion du culte de Mars sur le territoire convène, où l’on dénombre pas moins d’une soixantaine de dieux, romains et indigènes, peut-elle aider à appréhender la structure des cultes antiques de cette cité ?
Aphrodite’s rivals: devotion to local and other gods at Aphrodisias
Authors: Chaniotis Angelos
Published: January 2016

L’image publique d’Aphrodisias était dominée par la déesse éponyme de la ville. On observe une expression différente des sentiments religieux dans un petit groupe de dédicaces privées en l’honneur de divinités autres qu’Aphrodite. Les dédicants, qui ne mentionnent jamais le nom de leur père, sont des membres des classes sociales les plus basses. Ils font allusion au fait que leurs dédicaces ont été faites après une communication personnelle avec un dieu. Les dédicaces sont adressées aux dieux locaux (Zeus Nineudios, Spaloxios, Plyaris, Plouton et Kore) et à des divinités qui devinrent populaires aux époques hellénistique et impériale (Asklepios, Theos Hypsistos et Némésis). La plupart des dédicaces aux dieux locaux se concentrent aux Ier siècles av. et apr. J.-C., à une période où Aphrodite n’est pas encore devenue la seule patronne de la ville et où Aphrodisias continue de se développer pour devenir le seul centre urbain de cette zone. À travers ces dédicaces privées, nous pouvons déceler des ruptures dans l’image uniforme de la ville d’Aphrodite.
Ναὸς Διονύσου. Le temple de Dionysos entre images, inscriptions et rhétorique
Authors: Jaccottet Anne-Françoise
Published: January 2016

Une mosaïque tardive du Nord de la Syrie, très partiellement publiée, présente un édifice à baldaquin qu’une inscription dans le champ qualifie de Naos Dionusou, posant la question du concept même de temple de Dionysos. Les parallèles iconographiques joints à l’analyse de plusieurs inscriptions conduisent à relativiser la particularité formelle du naos figuré sur la mosaïque : le temple peut prendre les formes les plus inattendues. Le terme de naos renvoie donc moins à une forme bien définie qu’à une fonction ; est un naos l’espace qui fonctionne comme tel. Un dernier détour par la littérature permet de faire apparaître les multiples résonances littéraires et imaginaires liées au temple de Dionysos : objet d’un jeu rhétorique très élaboré, entre réalité et imaginaire, entre physis et technè, le temple de Dionysos est aussi un enjeu littéraire. Il est pensé à l’image du dieu, multiple, varié, changeant, et appartient tant à l’imaginaire culturel qu’à la réalité cultuelle de l’Antiquité. C’est à ces multiples sphères de référence que renvoie la représentation de la mosaïque du naos Dionusou.