bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature changes alter the acute toxicity responses of cypermethrin in Zebrafish
Authors: Uddin MH , Alim MS , Islam SMM , Rashid H , Shahjahan M
Published: July 2018

The study was carried out to determine the effect of temperature changes on acute toxicity of pyrethroid pesticide cypermethrin in zebrafish. A two-day renewal bioassay system for 96h was conducted to find out LC50 value of cypermethrin at two temperature regimes i.e. 25°C and 30°C considering as T1 and T2, respectively. During the determination of LC50 in both temperatures, blood glucose (mg/dL) levels were measured at lower concentration (0.25 µg/L) of cypermethrin. The results of acute toxicity test at 96h LC50 values were calculated through probit analysis. It was found that 96h LC50 for T1 and T2 groups were about 2.1 and 1.4 µg/L, respectively. Significantly lower LC50 of cypermethrin at T2 compared to T1 showed that higher temperature increased the toxicity of cypermethrin. There was a significant increase (P<0.05) in blood glucose level (mg/dL) in 0.25 µg/L compared to 0 µg/L concentration of cypermethrin at both treatments. Dissolved oxygen decreased and free CO2 increased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing temperature, while the pH of the water was almost unchanged throughout the study period. The present study indicated the impact of increased temperature on pesticide toxicity in the aquatic ecosystem.Progressive Agriculture 29 (1): 64-70, 2018
Examiner seniority and experience are associated with bias when scoring communication, but not examination, skills in objective structured clinical examinations in Australia
Authors: Chong Lauren , Taylor Silas , Haywood Matthew , Adelstein Barbara-Ann , Shulruf Boaz
Published: July 2018

Purpose: The biases that may influence objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) scoring are well understood, and recent research has attempted to establish the magnitude of their impact. However, the influence of examiner experience, clinical seniority, and occupation on communication and physical examination scores in OSCEs has not yet been clearly established. Methods: We compared the mean scores awarded for generic and clinical communication and physical examination skills in 2 undergraduate medicine OSCEs in relation to examiner characteristics (gender, examining experience, occupation, seniority, and speciality). The statistical significance of the differences was calculated using the 2-tailed independent t-test and analysis of variance. Results: Five hundred and seventeen students were examined by 237 examiners at the University of New South Wales in 2014 and 2016. Examiner gender, occupation (academic, clinician, or clinical tutor), and job type (specialist or generalist) did not significantly impact scores. Junior doctors gave consistently higher scores than senior doctors in all domains, and this difference was statistically significant for generic and clinical communication scores. Examiner experience was significantly inversely correlated with generic communication scores. Conclusion: We suggest that the assessment of examination skills may be less susceptible to bias because this process is fairly prescriptive, affording greater scoring objectivity. We recommend training to define the marking criteria, teaching curriculum, and expected level of performance in communication skills to reduce bias in OSCE assessment.
Sleeved Bending Actuators for Soft Grippers: A Durable Solution for High Force-to-Weight Applications
Authors: Miron Geneviève , Bédard Benjamin , Plante Jean-Sébastien
Published: July 2018

Soft grippers are known for their ability to interact with objects that are fragile, soft or of an unknown shape, as well as humans in collaborative robotics applications. However, state-of-the-art soft grippers lack either payload capacity or durability, which limits their use in industrial applications. In fact, high force density pneumatic soft grippers require high strain and operating pressure, both of which impair their durability. This work presents a new sleeved bending actuator for soft grippers that is capable of high force density and durability. The proposed actuator is based on design principles previously proven to improve the life of pneumatic artificial muscles, where a sleeve provides a uniform reinforcement that reduces local stresses and strains in the inflated membrane. The sleeved bending actuator features a silicone membrane and an external two-material sleeve that can support high pressures while providing a flexible grip. The proposed sleeved bending actuators are validated through two grippers, sized according to foreseen soft gripper applications: A small gripper for drone perching and lightweight food manipulation, and a larger one for the manipulation of heavy material (>5 kg) of various weights and sizes. Performance assessment shows that these grippers have payloads up to 5.2 kg and 20 kg, respectively. Durability testing of the grippers demonstrates that the grippers have an expected lifetime ranging from 263,000 cycles to more than 700,000 cycles. The grippers are tested in various settings, including the integration of a gripper into a Phantom 2 quadcopter, a perching demonstration, as well as the gripping of light and heavy food items. Experiments show that sleeved bending actuators constitute a promising avenue for durable and strong soft grippers.
Stable Q-Switched Mode-Locking of 2.7 μm Er:Y2O3 Ceramic Laser Using a Semiconductor Saturable Absorber
Authors: Xue Hao , Wang Li , Zhou Wei , Wang Haotian , Wang Jun , Tang Dingyuan , Shen Deyuan
Published: July 2018

This paper studies synchronous Q-switch and mode-locking of an 2.7 μm Er:Y2O3 ceramic laser pumped with a high brightness 976 nm fiber laser and using a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror. The Er:Y2O3 ceramic is home-developed with Er3+ doping concentration of 7 at.%. The laser generated ~92 mW of average output power with stable mode-locked pulses of 100% modulation depth and 130 MHz repetition rate embedded inside Q-switched envelopes of ~1.2 μs width. Repetition rates of the Q-switched pulse envelopes are tunable from 5.1 kHz to 29 kHz with the width varying from 2.7 μs to 1.2 μs.
A Novel Method for Assessing Regional Tendon Stiffness and Its Significance
Authors: Fu Siu Ngor , Wang Hsing-Kuo , Huang Chen
Published: July 2018

Elastography can be used to estimate the regional shear modulus of a tendon. This can advance our knowledge on the impact of patellar alignment and regional patellar tendon stiffness. This is important as patellar tendon abnormality is mainly found in the medial portion of the tendon in subjects with proximal patellar tendinopathy. This paper aims to assess the effect of patellar displacement on differential modulation on the shear modulus of the patellar tendon. Shear modulus is captured on the medial and lateral half of the patella tendon using the Axiplorer® ultrasound unit in conjunction with a 4–15 MHz, 50 mm linear transducer with the patellar being positioned in its resting, medio- and laterally displaced positions on 40 adults (19 females, 21 males). When the patellar is displaced laterally, the shear modulus is significantly increased at the medial half in both genders but decreased at the lateral half only in females. Conclusions: Elastography detects changes in regional tendon stiffness associated with alteration in patellar positions. The modulation on the shear modulus is gender and region specific.
Valley-Selective Response of Nanostructures Coupled to 2D Transition-Metal Dichalcogenides
Authors: Krasnok Alexander , Alù Andrea
Published: July 2018

Monolayer (1L) transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are attractive materials for several optoelectronic applications because of their strong excitonic resonances and valley-selective response. Valley excitons in 1L-TMDCs are formed at opposite points of the Brillouin zone boundary, giving rise to a valley degree of freedom that can be treated as a pseudospin, and may be used as a platform for information transport and processing. However, short valley depolarization times and relatively short exciton lifetimes at room temperature prevent using valley pseudospins in on-chip integrated valley devices. Recently, it was demonstrated how coupling these materials to optical nanoantennas and metasurfaces can overcome this obstacle. Here, we review the state-of-the-art advances in valley-selective directional emission and exciton sorting in 1L-TMDC mediated by nanostructures and nanoantennas. We briefly discuss the optical properties of 1L-TMDCs paying special attention to their photoluminescence/absorption spectra, dynamics of valley depolarization, and the valley Hall effect. Then, we review recent works on nanostructures for valley-selective directional emission from 1L-TMDCs.
Hierarchical Mobile Edge Computing Architecture Based on Context Awareness
Authors: Lee Juyong , Lee Jihoon
Published: July 2018

Due to the recent developments in mobile network technology and the supply of mobile devices, services that require high computing power and fast access speed, such as machine learning and multimedia streaming, are attracting attention. Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) has emerged. MEC allows servers to be located close to users to efficiently handle these services and provides users with ultra-low latency content delivery and powerful computing services. However, there has been a lack of research into the architecture required to efficiently use the computing power and resources of MEC. So, this paper proposes hierarchical MEC architecture in which MEC servers (MECS) are arranged in a hierarchical scheme to provide users with rapid content delivery, high computing performance, and efficient use of server resources.
An Upper Extremity Rehabilitation System Using Efficient Vision-Based Action Identification Techniques
Authors: Chen Yen-Lin , Liu Chin-Hsuan , Yu Chao-Wei , Lee Posen , Kuo Yao-Wen
Published: July 2018

This study proposes an action identification system for home upper extremity rehabilitation. In the proposed system, we apply an RGB-depth (color-depth) sensor to capture the image sequences of the patient’s upper extremity actions to identify its movements. We apply a skin color detection technique to assist with extremity identification and to build up the upper extremity skeleton points. We use the dynamic time warping algorithm to determine the rehabilitation actions. The system presented herein builds up upper extremity skeleton points rapidly. Through the upper extremity of the human skeleton and human skin color information, the upper extremity skeleton points are effectively established by the proposed system, and the rehabilitation actions of patients are identified by a dynamic time warping algorithm. Thus, the proposed system can achieve a high recognition rate of 98% for the defined rehabilitation actions for the various muscles. Moreover, the computational speed of the proposed system can reach 125 frames per second—the processing time per frame is less than 8 ms on a personal computer platform. This computational efficiency allows efficient extensibility for future developments to deal with complex ambient environments and for implementation in embedded and pervasive systems. The major contributions of the study are: (1) the proposed system is not only a physical exercise game, but also a movement training program for specific muscle groups; (2) The hardware of upper extremity rehabilitation system included a personal computer with personal computer and a depth camera. These are economic equipment, so that patients who need this system can set up one set at home; (3) patients can perform rehabilitation actions in sitting position to prevent him/her from falling down during training; (4) the accuracy rate of identifying rehabilitation action is as high as 98%, which is sufficient for distinguishing between correct and wrong action when performing specific action trainings; (5) The proposed upper extremity rehabilitation system is real-time, efficient to vision-based action identification, and low-cost hardware and software, which is affordable for most families.
Assessment of Aerosol Radiative Forcing with 1-D Radiative Transfer Modeling in the U. S. South-East
Authors: Alston Erica J. , Sokolik Irina N.
Published: July 2018

Aerosols and their radiative properties play an integral part in understanding Earth’s climate. It is becoming increasingly common to examine aerosol’s radiative impacts on a regional scale. The primary goal of this research is to explore the impacts of regional aerosol’s forcing at the surface and top-of-atmosphere (TOA) in the south-eastern U.S. by using a 1-D radiative transfer model. By using test cases that are representative of conditions common to this region, an estimate of aerosol forcing can be compared to other results. Speciation data and aerosol layer analysis provide the basis for the modeling. Results indicate that the region experiences TOA cooling year-round, where the winter has TOA forcings between −2.8 and −5 W/m2, and the summer has forcings between −5 and −15 W/m2 for typical atmospheric conditions. Surface level forcing efficiencies are greater than those estimated for the TOA for all cases considered i.e., urban and non-urban background conditions. One potential implication of this research is that regional aerosol mixtures have effects that are not well captured in global climate model estimates, which has implications for a warming climate where all radiative inputs are not well characterized, thus increasing the ambiguity in determining regional climate impacts.
Mapping Precipitation, Temperature, and Evapotranspiration in the Mkomazi River Basin, Tanzania
Authors: Mmbando Godfrey A. , Kleyer Michael
Published: July 2018

It is still a challenge to provide spatially explicit predictions of climate parameters in African regions of complex relief, where meteorological information is scarce. Here we predict rainfall, temperature, and reference evapotranspiration (ETo) for the southern Mkomazi River Basin in Northeastern Tanzania, East Africa, by means of regression-based, digital elevation models (DEM) at 90 m spatial-resolution and geographic information systems (GIS) techniques. We mapped rainfall for the period 1964–2010. The models accounted for orographic factors which strongly influenced the spatial variability of rainfall in the region. According to orography, the area was divided into three zones for modelling rainfall: windward, leeward, and transition zone. Rainfall indicates high spatial and temporal variability dominated by equatorial East-African climate circulation systems. Maximum and minimum temperatures were modelled for the period 1989–1994, the models accounted only for the altitude gradient. Mean temperature was calculated by arithmetic mean of maximum and minimum temperatures maps in ArcGIS. ETo was estimated in ArcGIS following the method described by Hargreaves and Samani. The maps were made on a monthly basis for rainfall, ETo, and mean, maximum, and minimum temperatures. The obtained maps are useful for the purpose of agriculture, ecological, and water resources management.
To Do List for Research and Development and International Standardization to Achieve the Goal of Running a Majority of Electric Vehicles on Solar Energy
Authors: Araki Kenji , Ji Liang , Kelly George , Yamaguchi Masafumi
Published: July 2018

A car-roof photovoltaic has enormous potential to change our society. With this technology, 70% of a car can run on the solar energy collected by the solar panel on its roof. Unfortunately, it is not a simple extension of conventional photovoltaic technology. This paper lists what we need to do to achieve the goal of running a majority of cars on renewable solar energy, after clarification of the difference to conventional photovoltaic technology. In addition to technological development, standardization will be important and this list was made highlighting standardization.
The Frequency of Focal Thyroid Incidental Findings and Risk of Malignancy Detected by 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in an Iodine Deficient Population
Authors: Gedberg Nina , Karmisholt Jesper , Gade Michael , Fisker Rune V. , Iyer Victor , Petersen Lars J.
Published: July 2018

Incidental focal uptake of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in the thyroid on positron emission tomography (PET/CT) is rare but often associated with malignancy. The epidemiology of thyroid incidentalomas has only to some extent been described in countries with iodine deficiency. Here we report data from Denmark, a country with known iodine deficiency and wide access to PET/CT. All FDG PET/CT comprising the head and neck region, during 2014, were retrospectively reviewed, and patients with focal FDG uptake in the thyroid gland were identified. A total of 2451 patients had an FDG PET/CT of which 59 (2.4%) patients presented with FDG-avid focal lesions in the thyroid gland. Among the 59 patients with FDG-avid lesions, 33 patients (56%) received work up with ultrasound, thyroid technetium scintigraphy, fine needle aspiration, and/or histology of which 20 patients had a conclusive pathology report. Ten patients with FDG-avid lesions were identified with thyroid malignancy. The risk of thyroid malignancy was 16.9% among patient with incidental FDG-avid thyroid lesions. Our findings indicated a similar frequency of FDG thyroid incidentalomas and malignancy rates in an iodine deficient population compared to summary data from prior studies, studies mostly performed in geographical areas of normal or excess iodine supplementation.
A Novel Two-Stage Photovoltaic Grid-Connected Inverter Voltage-Type Control Method with Failure Zone Characteristics
Authors: Yan Xiangwu , Zhang Xueyuan , Zhang Bo , Jia Zhonghao , Li Tie , Wu Ming , Jiang Jun
Published: July 2018

This paper investigates how to develop a two-stage voltage-type grid-connected control method for renewable energy inverters that can make them simulate the characteristics of a synchronous generator governor. Firstly, the causes and necessities of the failure zone are analyzed, and thus the traditional static frequency characteristics are corrected. Then, a novel inverter control scheme with the governor’s failure zone characteristics is proposed. An enabling link and a power loop are designed for the inverter to compensate fluctuations and regulate frequency automatically. Outside the failure zone, the inverter participates in the primary frequency regulation by disabling the power loop. In the failure zone, the droop curve is dynamically moved to track the corrected static frequency characteristic by enabling the power loop, resisting the fluctuation of grid frequency. The direct current (DC) bus voltage loop is introduced into the droop control to stabilize the DC bus voltage. Moreover, the designed dispatch instruction interface ensures the schedulability of the renewable energy inverter. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed control method are verified by simulation results from MATLAB (R2016a).
A Probabilistic Method Predicting Forest Fire Occurrence Combining Firebrands and the Weather-Fuel Complex in the Northern Part of the Daxinganling Region, China
Authors: Sun Ping , Zhang Yunlin
Published: July 2018

The fire danger rating method currently used in the northern part of the Daxinganling Region with the most severe forest fires in China only uses weather variables without considering firebrands. The discrepancy between fire occurrence and fire risk by FFDWR (Forest Fire-Danger Weather Rating, a method issued by the National Meteorological Bureau, that is used to predict forest fire probability through links between forest fire occurrence and weather variables) in the northern part is more obvious than that in the southern part. Great discrepancy has emerged between fire danger predicted by the method and actual fire occurrence in recent years since a strict firebrand prohibition policy has significantly reduced firebrands in the region. A probabilistic method predicting fire probability by introducing an Ignition Component (IC) in the National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) adopted in the United States to depict effects of both firebrand and weather-fuel complex on fire occurrence is developed to solve the problem. The suitability and accuracy of the new method in the region were assessed. Results show that the method is suitable in the region. IC or the modified IC can be adopted to depict the effect of the weather-fuel complex on fire occurrence and to rate fire danger for periods with fewer firebrands. Fire risk classes and corresponding preparedness level can be determined from IC in the region. Methods of the same principle could be established to diminish similar discrepancy between actual fire occurrence and fire danger in other countries.
Genome Mining of Non-Conventional Yeasts: Search and Analysis of MAL Clusters and Proteins
Authors: Viigand Katrin , Põšnograjeva Kristina , Visnapuu Triinu , Alamäe Tiina
Published: July 2018

Genomic clustering of functionally related genes is rare in yeasts and other eukaryotes with only few examples available. Here, we summarize our data on a nontelomeric MAL cluster of a non-conventional methylotrophic yeast Ogataea (Hansenula) polymorpha containing genes for α-glucosidase MAL1, α-glucoside permease MAL2 and two hypothetical transcriptional activators. Using genome mining, we detected MAL clusters of varied number, position and composition in many other maltose-assimilating non-conventional yeasts from different phylogenetic groups. The highest number of MAL clusters was detected in Lipomyces starkeyi while no MAL clusters were found in Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Blastobotrys adeninivorans. Phylograms of α-glucosidases and α-glucoside transporters of yeasts agreed with phylogenesis of the respective yeast species. Substrate specificity of unstudied α-glucosidases was predicted from protein sequence analysis. Specific activities of Scheffersomycesstipitis α-glucosidases MAL7, MAL8, and MAL9 heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli confirmed the correctness of the prediction—these proteins were verified promiscuous maltase-isomaltases. α-Glucosidases of earlier diverged yeasts L. starkeyi, B. adeninivorans and S. pombe showed sequence relatedness with α-glucosidases of filamentous fungi and bacilli.
Genetic Targeting of GRP78 in the VMH Improves Obesity Independently of Food Intake
Authors: Liñares-Pose Laura , Rial-Pensado Eva , Estévez-Salguero Ánxela , Milbank Edward , González-García Ismael , Rodríguez Claudia , Seoane-Collazo Patricia , Martinez-Sánchez Noelia , Nogueiras Rubén , Prieto Dolores , Diéguez Carlos , Contreras Cristina , López Miguel
Published: July 2018

Recent data have demonstrated that the hypothalamic GRP78/BiP (glucose regulated protein 78 kDa/binding immunoglobulin protein) modulates brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis by acting downstream on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Herein, we aimed to investigate whether genetic over-expression of GRP78 in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH: a key site regulating thermogenesis) could ameliorate very high fat diet (vHFD)-induced obesity. Our data showed that stereotaxic treatment with adenoviruses harboring GRP78 in the VMH reduced hypothalamic endoplasmic reticulum ER stress and reversed vHFD-induced obesity. Herein, we also demonstrated that this body weight decrease was more likely associated with an increased BAT thermogenesis and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) than to anorexia. Overall, these results indicate that the modulation of GRP78 in the VMH may be a target against obesity.
The Humanities as Contradiction: Against the New Enclosures
Authors: Breu Christopher
Published: July 2018

This essay begins by surveying our current moment in the humanities, diagnosing the language of crisis that frames much of the discourse about them. It argues that the crisis is a manufactured economic one not a symbolic one. The problems with many recent proposals—such as the new aestheticism, surface reading, and postcritique—is that they attempt to solve an economic crisis on the level of symbolic capital. They try to save the humanities by redisciplining them and making them mirror various forms amateur inquiry. I describe these approaches as the new enclosures, attempts at returning the humanities to disciplinarity with the hopes that administrative and neoliberal forces will find what we do more palatable. Instead of attempting to appease such forces by being pliant and apolitical, we need a new workerist militancy (daring to be “bad workers” from the point of view of neoliberal managerial rhetorics) to combat the economic crisis produced by neoliberalism. Meanwhile, on the level of knowledge production, the humanities need to resist the demand to shrink the scope of their inquiry to the disciplinary. The humanities, at their best, have been interdisciplinary. They have foregrounded both the subject of the human and all the complex forces that shape, limit, and exist in relationship and contradiction with the human. The essay concludes by arguing that the humanities, to resist neoliberal symbolic logics, need to embrace both a critical humanism, and the crucial challenges to this humanism that go by the name of antihumanism and posthumanism. It is only by putting these three discourses in negative dialectical tension with each other that we can begin to imagine a reinvigorated humanities that can address the challenges of the twenty-first century.
Waterborne Disease Outbreak Detection: A Simulation-Based Study
Authors: Mouly Damien , Goria Sarah , Mounié Michael , Beaudeau Pascal , Galey Catherine , Gallay Anne , Ducrot Christian , Le Strat Yann
Published: July 2018

Waterborne disease outbreaks (WBDOs) remain a public health issue in developed countries, but to date the surveillance of WBDOs in France, mainly based on the voluntary reporting of clusters of acute gastrointestinal infections (AGIs) by general practitioners to health authorities, is characterized by low sensitivity. In this context, a detection algorithm using health insurance data and based on a space–time method was developed to improve WBDO detection. The objective of the present simulation-based study was to evaluate the performance of this algorithm for WBDO detection using health insurance data. The daily baseline counts of acute gastrointestinal infections were simulated. Two thousand simulated WBDO signals were then superimposed on the baseline data. Sensitivity (Se) and positive predictive value (PPV) were both used to evaluate the detection algorithm. Multivariate regression was also performed to identify the factors associated with WBDO detection. Almost three-quarters of the simulated WBDOs were detected (Se = 73.0%). More than 9 out of 10 detected signals corresponded to a WBDO (PPV = 90.5%). The probability of detecting a WBDO increased with the outbreak size. These results underline the value of using the detection algorithm for the implementation of a national surveillance system for WBDOs in France.
Young Workers’ Access to and Awareness of Occupational Safety and Health Services: Age-Differences and Possible Drivers in a Large Survey of Employees in Italy
Authors: Dragano Nico , Barbaranelli Claudio , Reuter Marvin , Wahrendorf Morten , Wright Brad , Ronchetti Matteo , Buresti Giuliana , Di Tecco Cristina , Iavicoli Sergio
Published: July 2018

Young workers are in particular need of occupational safety and health (OSH) services, but it is unclear whether they have the necessary access to such services. We compared young with older workers in terms of the access to and awareness of OSH services, and examined if differences in employment conditions accounted for age-differences. We used survey data from Italy (INSuLA 1, 2014), with a sample of 8000 employed men and women aged 19 to 65 years, including 732 young workers aged under 30 years. Six questions measured access to services, and five questions assessed awareness of different OSH issues. Several employment conditions were included. Analyses revealed that young workers had less access and a lower awareness of OSH issues compared with older workers. For instance, odds ratios (OR) suggest that young workers had a 1.44 times higher likelihood [95%—confidence interval 1.21–1.70] of having no access to an occupational physician, and were more likely (2.22 [1.39–3.38]) to be unaware of legal OSH frameworks. Adjustment for selected employment conditions (company size, temporary contract) substantially reduced OR’s, indicating that these conditions contribute to differences between older and younger workers. We conclude that OSH management should pay particular attention to young workers in general and, to young workers in precarious employment, and working in small companies in particular.
Technical Efficiency of Banks in Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Horvatova Eva
Published: July 2018

The purpose of this article is to examine what affected the technical efficiency of banks in Central and Eastern European countries during the financial crisis. Firstly, this article analyzes the technical efficiency of banks in the selected countries in Central and Eastern Europe during the period 2006–2013. In this article, the technical efficiency of Central and Eastern European banks is explored in respect to the size of the banks (large or small) and their belonging in a specific group of countries. The results of the analysis show a strong association between the numbers of efficient banks and belonging of banks in the group of V4 countries (Visegrad countries are the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia). The banks in Balkan countries have a negative association with the number of efficient banks in the group; the banks in this group of countries have the highest average efficiency (when the output was net interest margin). There is a weak association between the number of efficient banks and their belonging in the group of Baltic countries. The bank efficiency and the size of the bank’s assets are also weakly associated. Secondly, the results of panel regression models for the specific groups of countries (V4, Baltic, and Balkan countries), as well as for the whole group of Central and Eastern European countries show that the customer deposits had a positive impact on the technical efficiency of banks during the financial crisis.
Selumetinib Activity in Thyroid Cancer Cells: Modulation of Sodium Iodide Symporter and Associated miRNAs
Authors: Wächter Sabine , Wunderlich Annette , Greene Brandon H. , Roth Silvia , Elxnat Moritz , Fellinger Sebastian A. , Verburg Frederik A. , Luster Markus , Bartsch Detlef K. , Di Fazio Pietro
Published: July 2018

Background: The MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase)–inhibitor selumetinib led to increased radioiodine uptake and retention in a subgroup of patients suffering from radioiodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer (RR-DTC). We aimed to analyse the effect of selumetinib on the expression of sodium iodide symporter (NIS; SLC5A5) and associated miRNAs in thyroid cancer cells. Methods: Cytotoxicity was assessed by viability assay in TPC1, BCPAP, C643 and 8505C thyroid cancer cell lines. NIS, hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-146b-5p, and hsa-miR-146b-3p expression was determined by quantitative RT-PCR. NIS protein was detected by Western blot. Radioiodine uptake was performed with a Gamma counter. Results: Selumetinib caused a significant reduction of cell viability in all thyroid cancer cell lines. NIS transcript was restored by selumetinib in all cell lines. Its protein level was found up-regulated in TPC1 and BCPAP cells and down-regulated in C643 and 8505C cells after treatment with selumetinib. Treatment with selumetinib caused a down-regulation of hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-146b-5p and hsa-miR-146b-3p in TPC1 and BCPAP cells. In 8505C cells, a stable or down-regulated hsa-miR-146b-5p was detected after 1h and 48h of treatment. C643 cells showed stable or up-regulated hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-146b-5p and hsa-miR-146b-3p. Selumetinib treatment caused an increase of radioiodine uptake, which was significant in TPC1 cells. Conclusions: The study shows for the first time that selumetinib restores NIS by the inhibition of its related targeting miRNAs. Further studies are needed to clarify the exact mechanism activated by hsa-miR-146b-5p, hsa-miR-146b-3p and hsa-let7f-5p to stabilise NIS. Restoration of NIS could represent a milestone for the treatment of advanced RR-DTC.
The Dietary Antioxidant Piceatannol Inhibits Adipogenesis of Human Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Limits Glucose Transport and Lipogenic Activities in Adipocytes
Authors: Carpéné Christian , Pejenaute Héctor , Del Moral Raquel , Boulet Nathalie , Hijona Elizabeth , Andrade Fernando , Villanueva-Millán Maria , Aguirre Leixuri , Arbones-Mainar José Miguel
Published: July 2018

Phenolic compounds are among the most investigated herbal remedies, as is especially the case for resveratrol. Many reports have shown its anti-aging properties and the ability to reduce obesity and diabetes induced by high-fat diet in mice. However, such beneficial effects hardly translate from animal models to humans. The scientific community has therefore tested whether other plant phenolic compounds may surpass the effects of resveratrol. In this regard, it has been reported that piceatannol reproduces in rodents the anti-obesity actions of its parent polyphenol. However, the capacity of piceatannol to inhibit adipocyte differentiation in humans has not been characterized so far. Here, we investigated whether piceatannol was antiadipogenic and antilipogenic in human preadipocytes. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC), isolated from adipose tissues of lean and obese individuals, were differentiated into mature adipocytes with or without piceatannol, and their functions were explored. Fifty μM of piceatannol deeply limited synthesis/accumulation of lipids in both murine and hMSC-derived adipocytes. Interestingly, this phenomenon occurred irrespective of being added at the earlier or later stages of adipocyte differentiation. Moreover, piceatannol lowered glucose transport into adipocytes and decreased the expression of key elements of the lipogenic pathway (PPARγ, FAS, and GLUT4). Thus, the confirmation of the antiadipogenic properties of piceatanol in vitro warrants the realization of clinical studies for the application of this compound in the treatment of the metabolic complications associated with obesity.
Cognitive Models in Intelligence Research: Advantages and Recommendations for Their Application
Authors: Frischkorn Gidon T. , Schubert Anna-Lena
Published: July 2018

Mathematical models of cognition measure individual differences in cognitive processes, such as processing speed, working memory capacity, and executive functions, that may underlie general intelligence. As such, cognitive models allow identifying associations between specific cognitive processes and tracking the effect of experimental interventions aimed at the enhancement of intelligence on mediating process parameters. Moreover, cognitive models provide an explicit theoretical formalization of theories regarding specific cognitive processes that may help in overcoming ambiguities in the interpretation of fuzzy verbal theories. In this paper, we give an overview of the advantages of cognitive modeling in intelligence research and present models in the domains of processing speed, working memory, and selective attention that may be of particular interest for intelligence research. Moreover, we provide guidelines for the application of cognitive models in intelligence research, including data collection, the evaluation of model fit, and statistical analyses.
Indicators for Measuring Spatial Justice and Land Tenure Security for Poor and Low Income Urban Dwellers
Authors: Uwayezu Ernest , De Vries Walter T.
Published: July 2018

There exist various indicators that measure land tenure security for urbanites. Most of those indicators measure the degree to which land titling promotes the security of tenure. Based on the reviewed literature, it is admitted that land titling is not a panacea to land tenure security. Measuring the degree of land tenure security should not rely only on the legalisation of landownership. This paper makes a meta-analysis and conceptual modelling to connect spatial justice and land tenure security. It discusses the potential of inclusive urban development grounded on the claim that spatial justice enhances land tenure security. A comprehensive framework of indicators which can measure the degree of land tenure security from a spatial justice lens is thereafter derived. The meta-analysis and conceptual modelling were coupled with research synthesis to perform an in-depth review and qualitative content analysis of the literature on concepts of spatial justice, land tenure security, and urban (re)development processes. This study proposes 60 indicators which measure the degree of spatial justice and land tenure security along a continuum of spatial justice and land tenure security. Those indicators provide a more holistic approach for measuring land tenure security from a spatial justice lens than the separated sets of existing indicators.
A Multi-Parameter Perturbation Solution for Functionally Graded Piezoelectric Cantilever Beams under Combined Loads
Authors: Lian Yongsheng , He Xiaoting , Shi Sijie , Li Xue , Yang Zhixin , Sun Junyi
Published: July 2018

In this study, we use a multi-parameter perturbation method to solve the problem of a functionally graded piezoelectric cantilever beam under combined loads, in which three piezoelectric coefficients are selected as the perturbation parameters. First, we derive the two basic equations concerning the Airy stress function and electric potential function. By expanding the unknown Airy stress function and electric potential function with respect to three perturbation parameters, the two basic equations were decoupled, thus obtaining the corresponding multi-parameter perturbation solution under boundary conditions. From the solution obtained, we can see clearly how the piezoelectric effects influence the behavior of the functionally graded piezoelectric cantilever beam. Based on a numerical example, the variations of the elastic stresses and displacements as well as the electric displacements of the cantilever beam under different gradient exponents were shown. The results indicate that if the pure functionally graded cantilever beam without a piezoelectric effect is regarded as an unperturbed system, the functionally graded piezoelectric cantilever beam can be looked upon as a perturbed system, thus opening the possibilities for perturbation solving. Besides, the proposed multi-parameter perturbation method provides a new idea for solving similar nonlinear differential equations.
Micromechanical Modeling of the Elasto-Viscoplastic Behavior and Incompatibility Stresses of β-Ti Alloys
Authors: Lhadi Safaa , Chini Maria-Rita , Richeton Thiebaud , Gey Nathalie , Germain Lionel , Berbenni Stéphane
Published: July 2018

Near β titanium alloys can now compete with quasi-α or α/β titanium alloys for airframe forging applications. The body-centered cubic β-phase can represent up to 40% of the volume. However, the way that its elastic anisotropy impacts the mechanical behavior remains an open question. In the present work, an advanced elasto-viscoplastic self-consistent model is used to investigate the tensile behavior at different applied strain rates of a fully β-phase Ti alloy taken as a model material. The model considers crystalline anisotropic elasticity and plasticity. It is first shown that two sets of elastic constants taken from the literature can be used to well reproduce the experimental elasto-viscoplastic transition, but lead to scattered mechanical behaviors at the grain scale. Incompatibility stresses and strains are found to increase in magnitude with the elastic anisotropy factor. The highest local stresses are obtained toward the end of the elastic regime for grains oriented with their <111> direction parallel to the tensile axis. Finally, as a major result, it is shown that the elastic anisotropy of the β-phase can affect the distribution of slip activities. In contrast with the isotropic elastic case, it is predicted that {112} <111> slip systems become predominant at the onset of plastic deformation when elastic anisotropy is considered in the micromechanical model.
Environmentally Sustainable and Ecosafe Polysaccharide-Based Materials for Water Nano-Treatment: An Eco-Design Study
Authors: Corsi Ilaria , Fiorati Andrea , Grassi Giacomo , Bartolozzi Irene , Daddi Tiberio , Melone Lucio , Punta Carlo
Published: July 2018

Nanoremediation, which is the use of nanoparticles and nanomaterials for environmental remediation, is widely explored and proposed for preservation of ecosystems that suffer from the increase in human population, pollution, and urbanization. We herein report a critical analysis of nanotechnologies for water remediation by assessing their sustainability in terms of efficient removal of pollutants, appropriate methods for monitoring their effectiveness, and protocols for the evaluation of any potential environmental risks. Our purpose is to furnish fruitful guidelines for sustainable water management, able to promote nanoremediation also at European level. In this context, we describe new nanostructured polysaccharide-based materials obtained from renewable resources as alternative efficient and ecosafe solutions for water nano-treatment. We also provide eco-design indications to improve the sustainability of the production of these materials, based on life-cycle assessment methodology.
Experimental Study of the Shaft Penetration Factor on the Torsional Dynamic Response of a Drive Train
Authors: Meeus Hans , Verrelst Björn , Moens David , Guillaume Patrick , Lefeber Dirk
Published: July 2018

Typical rotating machinery drive trains are prone to torsional vibrations. Especially those drive trains that comprise one or more couplings which connect the multiple shafts. Since these vibrations rarely produce noise or vibration of the stationary frame, their presence is hardly noticeable. Moreover, unless an expensive torsional-related problem has become obvious, such drive trains are not instrumented with torsional vibration measurement equipment. Excessive levels can easily cause damage or even complete failure of the machine. So, when designing or retrofitting a machine, a comprehensive and detailed numerical torsional vibration analysis is crucial to avoid such problems. However, to accurately calculate the torsional modes, one has to account for the penetration effect of the shaft in the coupling hub, indicated by the shaft penetration factor, on the torsional stiffness calculation. Many guidelines and assumptions have been published for the stiffness calculation, however, its effect on the damping and the dynamic amplification factor are less known. In this paper, the effect of the shaft penetration factor, and hence coupling hub-to-shaft connection, on the dynamic torsional response of the system is determined by an experimental study. More specifically, the damping is of major interest. Accordingly, a novel academic test setup is developed in which several configurations, with each a different shaft penetration factor, are considered. Besides, different amplitude levels, along with both a sweep up and down excitation, are used to identify their effect on the torsional response. The measurement results show a significant influence of the shaft penetration factor on the system’s first torsional mode. By increasing the shaft penetration factor, and thus decreasing the hub-to-shaft interference, a clear eigenfrequency drop along with an equally noticeable damping increase, is witnessed. On the contrary, the influence of the sweep up versus down excitation is less pronounced.
Protective Effect of Sulfated Polysaccharides from Celluclast-Assisted Extract of Hizikia fusiforme Against Ultraviolet B-Induced Skin Damage by Regulating NF-κB, AP-1, and MAPKs Signaling Pathways In Vitro in Human Dermal Fibroblasts
Authors: Wang Lei , Lee WonWoo , Oh Jae Young , Cui Yong Ri , Ryu BoMi , Jeon You-Jin
Published: July 2018

Our previous study evaluated the antioxidant activities of sulfated polysaccharides from Celluclast-assisted extract of Hizikia fusiforme (HFPS) in vitro in Vero cells and in vivo in zebrafish. The results showed that HFPS possesses strong antioxidant activity and suggested the potential photo-protective activities of HFPS. Hence, in the present study, we investigated the protective effects of HFPS against ultraviolet (UV) B-induced skin damage in vitro in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF cells). The results indicate that HFPS significantly reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and improved the viability of UVB-irradiated HDF cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, HFPS significantly inhibited intracellular collagenase and elastase activities, remarkably protected collagen synthesis, and reduced matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression by regulating nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), activator protein 1 (AP-1), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathways in UVB-irradiated HDF cells. These results suggest that HFPS possesses strong UV protective effect, and can be a potential ingredient in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Reingardienė Dagmara
Published: July 2018

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a life-threatening, progressive disorder of pulmonary blood vessels leading to an increase in pressure in pulmonary artery. Diagnosis is based on a mean pulmonary artery pressure of more than 25 mmHg at rest or more than 30 mmHg during exercise. No cure exists for it yet. However, specialized treatment can lower pulmonary pressure, reduce symptoms, increase the capacity to be active, and prolong lifespan. In this review article, we attempt to summarize the current knowledge regarding clinical classification, risk factors and associated conditions, pathology and pathogenesis of this disease, diagnostic tests and detection of it, clinical course, current therapeutic strategies for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (calcium channel blockers, prostacyclin analogues, endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, etc.). Interventional procedures, combination therapy, and new strategies (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antivascular endothelial growth factor agents, potassium channel openers, etc.) for the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension and prognosis of this rare disease are also discussed.
Characterization of the Chloroplast Genome Sequence of Acer miaotaiense: Comparative and Phylogenetic Analyses
Authors: Zhao Jiantao , Xu Yao , Xi Linjie , Yang Junwei , Chen Hongwu , Zhang Jing
Published: July 2018

Acer miaotaiense is an endangered species within the Aceraceae family, and has only a few small natural distributions in China’s Qingling Mountains and Bashan Mountains. Comparative analyses of the complete chloroplast genome could provide useful knowledge on the diversity and evolution of this species in different environments. In this study, we sequenced and compared the chloroplast genome of Acer miaotaiense from five ecological regions in the Qingling and Mashan Regions of China. The size of the chloroplast genome ranged from 156,260 bp to 156,204 bp, including two inverted repeat regions, a small single-copy region, and a large single-copy region. Across the whole chloroplast genome, there were 130 genes in total, and 92 of them were protein-coding genes. We observed four genes with non-synonymous mutations involving post-transcriptional modification (matK), photosynthesis (atpI), and self-replication (rps4 and rpl20). A total of 415 microsatellite loci were identified, and the dominant microsatellite types were composed of dinucleotide and trinucleotide motifs. The dominant repeat units were AT and AG, accounting for 37.92% and 31.16% of the total microsatellite loci, respectively. A phylogenetic analysis showed that samples with the same altitude (Xunyangba, Ningshan country, and Zhangliangmiao, Liuba country) had a strong bootstrap value (88%), while the remaining ones shared a similar longitude. These results provided clues about the importance of longitude/altitude for the genetic diversity of Acer miaotaiense. This information will be useful for the conservation and improved management of this endangered species.