bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lectins from Mycelia of Basidiomycetes
Authors: Nikitina Valentina , Loshchinina Ekaterina , Vetchinkina Elena
Published: June 2017

Lectins are proteins of a nonimmunoglobulin nature that are capable of specific recognition of and reversible binding to the carbohydrate moieties of complex carbohydrates, without altering the covalent structure of any of the recognized glycosyl ligands. They have a broad range of biological activities important for the functioning of the cell and the whole organism and, owing to the high specificity of reversible binding to carbohydrates, are valuable tools used widely in biology and medicine. Lectins can be produced by many living organisms, including basidiomycetes. Whereas lectins from the fruit bodies of basidiomycetes have been studied sufficiently well, mycelial lectins remain relatively unexplored. Here, we review and comparatively analyze what is currently known about lectins isolated from the vegetative mycelium of macrobasidiomycetes, including their localization, properties, and carbohydrate specificities. Particular attention is given to the physiological role of mycelial lectins in fungal growth and development.
Newborn Screening for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency in the US: Current Status and Approach to Management
Authors: Dorsey Morna , Puck Jennifer
Published: June 2017

In the US, the assay of T cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) in newborn dried blood spot specimens to detect severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) was first piloted in 2008 in the state of Wisconsin. It has been rapidly adopted with 49 states and Puerto Rico now either routinely screening all newborns or planning to do so in 2017. Advances in SCID NBS over the last 9 years have revolutionized the ability to detect SCID and has led to profound improvement in outcomes of affected children.
Macrophage Migration Is Impaired within Candida albicans Biofilms
Authors: Alonso Maria , Gow Neil , Erwig Lars , Bain Judith
Published: June 2017

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that infects immunocompromised patients. Infection control requires phagocytosis by innate immune cells, including macrophages. Migration towards, and subsequent recognition of, C. albicans fungal cell wall components by macrophages is critical for phagocytosis. Using live-cell imaging of phagocytosis, the macrophage cell line J774.1 showed enhanced movement in response to C. albicans cell wall mutants, particularly during the first 30 min, irrespective of the infection ratio. However, phagocyte migration was reduced up to 2-fold within a C. albicans biofilm compared to planktonic fungal cells. Biofilms formed from C. albicans glycosylation mutant cells also inhibited macrophage migration to a similar extent as wildtype Candida biofilms, suggesting that the physical structure of the biofilm, rather than polysaccharide matrix composition, may hamper phagocyte migration. These data illustrate differential macrophage migratory capacities, dependent upon the form of C. albicans encountered. Impaired migration of macrophages within a C. albicans biofilm may contribute to the recalcitrant nature of clinical infections in which biofilm formation occurs.
Ultrasonic Measurements on β Cyclodextrin/Hydroxyapatite Composites for Potential Water Depollution
Authors: Predoi Daniela , Predoi Mihai , Iconaru Simona , Ech Cherif El Kettani Moncef , Leduc Damien , Prodan Alina
Published: June 2017

This paper presents structural, morphological and preliminary ultrasonic characterizations of the β-Cyclodextrin/hydroxyapatite (CD-HAp) composites synthesized by an adapted co-precipitation method. The structural and morphological properties were evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX). The specific surface area, pore size and pore volume were determined using the methods of Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Barrett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH), respectively. The novelty of our study consists in preliminary ultrasonic measurements conducted on CD-HAp composite, uniformly dispersed in distilled water. The benefit of this non-destructive method was to facilitate and simplify the characterization techniques of nanoparticles. Our experiments proved that the efficiency of lead ion removal by CD-HAp composites depended on the initial concentration of lead. The maximum adsorption capacity of the solid phase, for Pb2+ indicated a higher rate of removal by the CD-HAp_2. These adsorption results bring valuable insight into the beneficial contribution of our compounds, for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. Furthermore, in the present study, was evaluated the toxic effect of lead ions adsorbed by hydroxyapatite from contaminated water on HeLa cells.
The Identification of a SIRT6 Activator from Brown Algae Fucus distichus
Authors: Rahnasto-Rilla Minna , McLoughlin Padraig , Kulikowicz Tomasz , Doyle Maire , Bohr Vilhelm , Lahtela-Kakkonen Maija , Ferrucci Luigi , Hayes Maria , Moaddel Ruin
Published: June 2017

Brown seaweeds contain many bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, polysaccharides, fucosterol, and fucoxantin. These compounds have several biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-tumor, anti-hypertensive, and anti-diabetic activity, although in most cases their mechanisms of action are not understood. In this study, extracts generated from five brown algae (Fucus dichitus, Fucus vesiculosus (Linnaeus), Cytoseira tamariscofolia, Cytoseira nodacaulis, Alaria esculenta) were tested for their ability to activate SIRT6 resulting in H3K9 deacetylation. Three of the five macroalgal extracts caused a significant increase of H3K9 deacetylation, and the effect was most pronounced for F. dichitus. The compound responsible for this in vitro activity was identified by mass spectrometry as fucoidan.
A New Recycling Process for Tungsten Carbide Soft Scrap That Employs a Mechanochemical Reaction with Sodium Hydroxide
Authors: Lee Jaeryeong , Kim Suyun , Kim Byoungjin
Published: June 2017

WC soft scrap, including Co used as a binder, thermally oxidized at 600 °C, was subjected to grinding with NaOH in a mechanochemical reaction, followed by water leaching to establish an effective recycling process. Na2WO4 was synthesized through a mechanochemical (MC) reaction with oxidized scrap, and Na2CO3 was formed when the mixing ratio of NaOH increased. These as-synthesized compounds were water-soluble. When the weight ratio of soft scrap to NaOH was 1:0.5, 99.2% W was extracted by water leaching, while the extraction yield of Co was limited to 3.57% under the same conditions.
Ink-Jet Printing of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS)
Authors: Lau Gih-Keong , Shrestha Milan
Published: June 2017

Beyond printing text on paper, inkjet printing methods have recently been applied to print passive electrical and optical microparts, such as conductors, resistors, solder bumps and polymeric micro lenses. They are also useful to print micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) as sub-millimeter sensor and actuator arrays, such as multifunctional skins applicable to robotic application and ambient monitoring. This paper presents the latest review of a few successful cases of printable MEMS devices. This review shows that inkjet printing is good for printing two-dimensional or surface MEMS devices from a small unit to an array over a large area. In the future, three-dimensional printing of multi-materials, from metal, plastic, to ceramic, will open the possibility of realizing more variety and function of a large-areal MEMS array, for a mobile electro-mechanical systems.
Analysis of Hydrodynamic Mechanism on Particles Focusing in Micro-Channel Flows
Authors: Wang Qikun , Yuan Dan , Li Weihua
Published: June 2017

In this paper, the hydrodynamic mechanism of moving particles in laminar micro-channel flows was numerically investigated. A hydrodynamic criterion was proposed to determine whether particles in channel flows can form a focusing pattern or not. A simple formula was derived to demonstrate how the focusing position varies with Reynolds number and particle size. Based on this proposed criterion, a possible hydrodynamic mechanism was discussed as to why the particles would not be focused if their sizes were too small or the channel Reynolds number was too low. The Re-λ curve (Re, λ respectively represents the channel-based Reynolds number and the particle’s diameter scaled by the channel) was obtained using the data fitting with a least square method so as to obtain a parameter range of the focusing pattern. In addition, the importance of the particle rotation to the numerical modeling for the focusing of particles was discussed in view of the hydrodynamics. This research is expected to deepen the understanding of the particle transport phenomena in bounded flow, either in micro or macro fluidic scope.
Total Flavonoids of Drynariae Rhizoma Prevent Bone Loss Induced by Hindlimb Unloading in Rats
Authors: Song Shuanghong , Gao Ziyang , Lei Xujun , Niu Yinbo , Zhang Yuan , Li Cuiqin , Lu Yi , Wang Zhezhi , Shang Peng
Published: June 2017

Drynariae Rhizoma is a kidney-tonifying herb that has a long history in clinical practice for the treatment of bone fractures and joint diseases in China. Flavonoids are considered to be its major active ingredients and are reported to ease bone loss in ovariectomized rats. However, the beneficial effects of the total flavonoids of Drynariae Rhizoma on osteoporosis caused by microgravity or mechanical inactivity remain unknown. This study assessed the effects of total Drynariae Rhizoma flavonoids (DRTF, Qihuang, Beijing, China, national medicine permit No. Z20030007, number of production: 04080081, content of DRTF ≥80%) against bone loss induced by simulated microgravity. A hindlimb unloading tail-suspended rat model was established to determine the effect of DRTF on bone mineral density (BMD), biomechanical strength and trabecular bone microarchitecture. Twenty-eight male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups: the baseline, control, hindlimb unloading with vehicle (HLU), and hindlimb unloading treated with DRTF (HLU–DRTF, 75 mg/kg/day) groups. Oral DRTF was administered for 4 weeks. The underlying mechanisms of the DRTF actions on disuse-induced osteoporosis are discussed. The results showed that DRTF treatment significantly increased the BMD and mechanical strength of tail-suspended rats. Enhanced bone turnover markers with HLU treatment were attenuated by DRTF administration. Deterioration of trabecular bone induced by HLU was prevented through elevated bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb. N), trabecular thickness (Tb. Th) and decreased trabecular separation (Tb. Sp). The present study provides the first evidence that DRTF prevents bone loss induced by HLU treatment, indicating its potential application in the treatment of disuse-induced osteoporosis.
Herb-Drug Interaction between the Traditional Hepatoprotective Formulation and Sorafenib on Hepatotoxicity, Histopathology and Pharmacokinetics in Rats
Authors: Ting Chin-Tsung , Cheng Yung-Yi , Tsai Tung-Hu
Published: June 2017

Sorafenib has been used as a standard therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In Asia, patients with HCC are potentially treated with the combination of sorafenib and Chinese herbal medicines to improve the efficiency and reduce the side effects of sorafenib. However, limited information about the herb-drug interactions is available. We hypothesize that the Chinese herbal medicine may exert hepatoprotective effects on the sorafenib-treated group. The aim of this study is to investigate the pharmacokinetic mechanism of drug-drug interactions of sorafenib including interacting with hepatoprotective formulation, Long-Dan-Xie-Gan-Tang formulation (LDXGT) and with two cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitors, grapefruit juice and ketoconazole. Liver enzyme levels and histopathology of liver slices were used to evaluate sorafenib-induced hepatotoxicity and the potential hepatoprotective effects of the LDXGT formulation on subjects treated with the combination of sorafenib and the herbal medicine. In this study, a validated HPLC-photodiode array analytical system was developed for the pharmacokinetic study of sorafenib in rats. As the result of the pharmacokinetic data, pretreatment with the LDXGT formulation did not significantly interact with sorafenib compared with sorafenib oral administration alone. Furthermore, grapefruit juice and ketoconazole did not significantly affect sorafenib metabolism. Furthermore, pretreatment with variable, single or repeat doses of the LDXGT formulation did not suppress or exacerbate the sorafenib-induced hepatotoxicity and histopathological alterations. According to these results, the LDXGT formulation is safe, but has no beneficial effects on sorafenib-induced hepatotoxicity. A detailed clinical trial should be performed to further evaluate the efficacy or adverse effects of the LDXGT formulation in combination with sorafenib in humans.
Lack of Association between Serum Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D Levels with Different Types of Glaucoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Li Shengjie , Li Danhui , Shao Mingxi , Cao Wenjun , Sun Xinghuai
Published: June 2017

Although vitamins play a major role in health, and their deficiency may be linked to symptoms of optic-nerve dysfunction, the association between serum vitamin levels and glaucoma in humans remains controversial. In this study, articles in the PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases were searched up to 25March 2017. Nine studies on primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), four studies on normal tension glaucoma (NTG), and six studies on exfoliative glaucoma (EXG) were retrieved. The combined results showed no differences in the levels of serum vitamin B6 between POAG (p = 0.406) and EXG (p = 0.139) patients and controls. The weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were 2.792 ng/mL (−3.793 to 9.377) and 1.342 ng/mL (−3.120 to 0.436), respectively. There was no difference between POAG (p = 0.952), NTG (p = 0.757), or EXG (p = 0.064) patients and controls in terms of serum vitamin B12. The WMDs with 95% CIs were 0.933 pg/mL (−31.116 to 29.249), 6.652 pg/mL (−35.473 to 48.777), and 49.946 pg/mL (−102.892 to 3.001), respectively. The serum vitamin D levels exhibited no differences (p = 0.064) between POAG patients and controls; the WMD with 95% CI was 2.488 ng/mL (−5.120 to 0.145). In conclusion, there was no association found between serum vitamin B6, vitamin B12, or vitamin D levels and the different types of glaucoma.
A Pilot Randomized Cross-Over Trial to Examine the Effect of Kiwifruit on Satiety and Measures of Gastric Comfort in Healthy Adult Males
Authors: Wallace Alison , Eady Sarah , Drummond Lynley , Hedderley Duncan , Ansell Juliet , Gearry Richard
Published: June 2017

‘Hayward’ kiwifruit anecdotally are associated with improved gastrointestinal comfort following the consumption of high protein meals, possibly because of the presence of a protease enzyme, actinidin. The study aimed to use SmartPill™ technology to investigate the acute effect of kiwifruit with actinidin (Actinidia chinensis var. deliciosa ‘Hayward’) and kiwifruit without actinidin (A. chinensis var. chinensis ‘Hort16A’) on digestion of a large protein meal. Ten healthy male subjects were recruited. The participants attended the clinic three times, having fasted overnight. They consumed a test meal consisting of 400 g lean steak and two ‘Hort16A’ or two ‘Hayward kiwifruit’. Subjects completed visual analogue scales (VAS) by rating feelings of hunger, satisfaction, fullness, and comfort and swallowed a SmartPill™ before completing further VAS scales. After 5 h, participants consumed an ad libitum lunch to assess satiety. SmartPill™ transponders were worn for five days. There were no significant differences in gastric emptying time, small bowel, or colonic transit time between the two kiwifruit arms of the study measured by SmartPill™. Similarly, no significant differences were observed in VAS satiety measures or energy consumption at the ad libitum meal. However, the measurement of overall gastric comfort tended to be lower, and bloating was significantly reduced following the consumption of the steak meal with ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit (p < 0.028). Conclusions: The SmartPill™ is marketed as a diagnostic tool for patients presenting with gastrointestinal disorders and is usually used with a standard ‘SmartBar’. This small pilot study suggests that it is less likely to measure gastric emptying effectively following a high protein meal, as it may be delayed because of the meal’s physical consistency. However, green kiwifruit, containing actinidin, may reduce bloating and other measures of gastric discomfort in healthy males. Possible future studies could use repeated measures with more readily digested protein and larger numbers of participants.
Pubertal Stage, Body Mass Index, and Cardiometabolic Risk in Children and Adolescents in Bogotá, Colombia: The Cross-Sectional Fuprecol Study
Authors: Ramírez-Vélez Robinson , García-Hermoso Antonio , Agostinis-Sobrinho Cesar , Mota Jorge , Santos Rute , Correa-Bautista Jorge , Peña-Guzmán Carlos , Domínguez-Sánchez María , Schmidt-RioValle Jacqueline , González-Jiménez Emilio
Published: June 2017

This study explored the association between pubertal stage and anthropometric and cardiometabolic risk factors in youth. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2877 Colombian children and adolescents (9–17.9 years of age). Weight, height, and waist circumference were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. A biochemical study was performed to determine the cardiometabolic risk index (CMRI). Blood pressure was evaluated and pubertal stage was assessed with the Tanner criteria. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed. The most significant variable (p < 0.05) in the prognosis of cardiometabolic risk was found to be the BMI in both boys and girls. In the case of girls, the pubertal stage was also a CMRI predictive factor. In conclusion, BMI was an important indicator of cardiovascular risk in both sexes. Pubertal stage was associated with cardiovascular risk only in the girls.
SNR (Signal-To-Noise Ratio) Impact on Water Constituent Retrieval from Simulated Images of Optically Complex Amazon Lakes
Authors: Jorge Daniel , Barbosa Claudio , De Carvalho Lino , Affonso Adriana , Lobo Felipe , Novo Evlyn
Published: June 2017

Uncertainties in the estimates of water constituents are among the main issues concerning the orbital remote sensing of inland waters. Those uncertainties result from sensor design, atmosphere correction, model equations, and in situ conditions (cloud cover, lake size/shape, and adjacency effects). In the Amazon floodplain lakes, such uncertainties are amplified due to their seasonal dynamic. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the suitability of a sensor to cope with them and assess their impact on the algorithms for the retrieval of constituents. The objective of this paper is to assess the impact of the SNR on the Chl-a and TSS algorithms in four lakes located at Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve (Amazonia, Brazil). Two data sets were simulated (noisy and noiseless spectra) based on in situ measurements and on sensor design (MSI/Sentinel-2, OLCI/Sentinel-3, and OLI/Landsat 8). The dataset was tested using three and four algorithms for TSS and Chl-a, respectively. The results showed that the impact of the SNR on each algorithm displayed similar patterns for both constituents. For additive and single band algorithms, the error amplitude is constant for the entire concentration range. However, for multiplicative algorithms, the error changes according to the model equation and the Rrs magnitude. Lastly, for the exponential algorithm, the retrieval amplitude is higher for a low concentration. The OLCI sensor has the best retrieval performance (error of up to 2 μg/L for Chl-a and 3 mg/L for TSS). For MSI, the error of the additive and single band algorithms for TSS and Chl-a are low (up to 5 mg/L and 1 μg/L, respectively); but for the multiplicative algorithm, the errors were above 10 μg/L. The OLI simulation resulted in errors below 3 mg/L for TSS. However, the number and position of OLI bands restrict Chl-a retrieval. Sensor and algorithm selection need a comprehensive analysis of key factors such as sensor design, in situ conditions, water brightness (Rrs), and model equations before being applied for inland water studies.
Soil Moisture Content Estimation Based on Sentinel-1 and Auxiliary Earth Observation Products. A Hydrological Approach
Authors: Alexakis Dimitrios , Mexis Filippos-Dimitrios , Vozinaki Anthi-Eirini , Daliakopoulos Ioannis , Tsanis Ioannis
Published: June 2017

A methodology for elaborating multi-temporal Sentinel-1 and Landsat 8 satellite images for estimating topsoil Soil Moisture Content (SMC) to support hydrological simulation studies is proposed. After pre-processing the remote sensing data, backscattering coefficient, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), thermal infrared temperature and incidence angle parameters are assessed for their potential to infer ground measurements of SMC, collected at the top 5 cm. A non-linear approach using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) is tested. The methodology is applied in Western Crete, Greece, where a SMC gauge network was deployed during 2015. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated using leave-one-out cross validation and sensitivity analysis. ANNs prove to be the most efficient in SMC estimation yielding R2 values between 0.7 and 0.9. The proposed methodology is used to support a hydrological simulation with the HEC-HMS model, applied at the Keramianos basin which is ungauged for SMC. Results and model sensitivity highlight the contribution of combining Sentinel-1 SAR and Landsat 8 images for improving SMC estimates and supporting hydrological studies.
Novel Concrete Temperature Monitoring Method Based on an Embedded Passive RFID Sensor Tag
Authors: Liu Yongsheng , Deng Fangming , He Yigang , Li Bing , Liang Zhen , Zhou Shuangxi
Published: June 2017

This paper firstly introduces the importance of temperature control in concrete measurement, then a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor tag embedded for concrete temperature monitoring is presented. In order to reduce the influences of concrete electromagnetic parameters during the drying process, a T-type antenna is proposed to measure the concrete temperature at the required depth. The proposed RFID sensor tag is based on the EPC generation-2 ultra-high frequency (UHF) communication protocol and operates in passive mode. The temperature sensor can convert the sensor signals to corresponding digital signals without an external reference clock due to the adoption of phase-locked loop (PLL)-based architecture. Laboratory experimentation and on-site testing demonstrate that our sensor tag embedded in concrete can provide reliable communication performance in passive mode. The maximum communicating distance between reader and tag is 7 m at the operating frequency of 915 MHz and the tested results show high consistency with the results tested by a thermocouple.
Bluetooth Low Energy Mesh Networks: A Survey
Authors: Darroudi Seyed , Gomez Carles
Published: June 2017

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) has gained significant momentum. However, the original design of BLE focused on star topology networking, which limits network coverage range and precludes end-to-end path diversity. In contrast, other competing technologies overcome such constraints by supporting the mesh network topology. For these reasons, academia, industry, and standards development organizations have been designing solutions to enable BLE mesh networks. Nevertheless, the literature lacks a consolidated view on this emerging area. This paper comprehensively surveys state of the art BLE mesh networking. We first provide a taxonomy of BLE mesh network solutions. We then review the solutions, describing the variety of approaches that leverage existing BLE functionality to enable BLE mesh networks. We identify crucial aspects of BLE mesh network solutions and discuss their advantages and drawbacks. Finally, we highlight currently open issues.
A Carrier Estimation Method Based on MLE and KF for Weak GNSS Signals
Authors: Zhang Hongyang , Xu Luping , Yan Bo , Zhang Hua , Luo Liyan
Published: June 2017

Maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) has been researched for some acquisition and tracking applications of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers and shows high performance. However, all current methods are derived and operated based on the sampling data, which results in a large computation burden. This paper proposes a low-complexity MLE carrier tracking loop for weak GNSS signals which processes the coherent integration results instead of the sampling data. First, the cost function of the MLE of signal parameters such as signal amplitude, carrier phase, and Doppler frequency are used to derive a MLE discriminator function. The optimal value of the cost function is searched by an efficient Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) method iteratively. Its performance including Cramér–Rao bound (CRB), dynamic characteristics and computation burden are analyzed by numerical techniques. Second, an adaptive Kalman filter is designed for the MLE discriminator to obtain smooth estimates of carrier phase and frequency. The performance of the proposed loop, in terms of sensitivity, accuracy and bit error rate, is compared with conventional methods by Monte Carlo (MC) simulations both in pedestrian-level and vehicle-level dynamic circumstances. Finally, an optimal loop which combines the proposed method and conventional method is designed to achieve the optimal performance both in weak and strong signal circumstances.
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Simple Algorithm Analysis for Rapid and Non-Destructive Assessment of Developmental Cotton Fibers
Authors: Liu Yongliang , Kim Hee-Jin
Published: June 2017

With cotton fiber growth or maturation, cellulose content in cotton fibers markedly increases. Traditional chemical methods have been developed to determine cellulose content, but it is time-consuming and labor-intensive, mostly owing to the slow hydrolysis process of fiber cellulose components. As one approach, the attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy technique has also been utilized to monitor cotton cellulose formation, by implementing various spectral interpretation strategies of both multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) and 1-, 2- or 3-band/-variable intensity or intensity ratios. The main objective of this study was to compare the correlations between cellulose content determined by chemical analysis and ATR FT-IR spectral indices acquired by the reported procedures, among developmental Texas Marker-1 (TM-1) and immature fiber (im) mutant cotton fibers. It was observed that the R value, CIIR, and the integrated intensity of the 895 cm−1 band exhibited strong and linear relationships with cellulose content. The results have demonstrated the suitability and utility of ATR FT-IR spectroscopy, combined with a simple algorithm analysis, in assessing cotton fiber cellulose content, maturity, and crystallinity in a manner which is rapid, routine, and non-destructive.
A Decision Mixture Model-Based Method for Inshore Ship Detection Using High-Resolution Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Bi Fukun , Chen Jing , Zhuang Yin , Bian Mingming , Zhang Qingjun
Published: June 2017

With the rapid development of optical remote sensing satellites, ship detection and identification based on large-scale remote sensing images has become a significant maritime research topic. Compared with traditional ocean-going vessel detection, inshore ship detection has received increasing attention in harbor dynamic surveillance and maritime management. However, because the harbor environment is complex, gray information and texture features between docked ships and their connected dock regions are indistinguishable, most of the popular detection methods are limited by their calculation efficiency and detection accuracy. In this paper, a novel hierarchical method that combines an efficient candidate scanning strategy and an accurate candidate identification mixture model is presented for inshore ship detection in complex harbor areas. First, in the candidate region extraction phase, an omnidirectional intersected two-dimension scanning (OITDS) strategy is designed to rapidly extract candidate regions from the land-water segmented images. In the candidate region identification phase, a decision mixture model (DMM) is proposed to identify real ships from candidate objects. Specifically, to improve the robustness regarding the diversity of ships, a deformable part model (DPM) was employed to train a key part sub-model and a whole ship sub-model. Furthermore, to improve the identification accuracy, a surrounding correlation context sub-model is built. Finally, to increase the accuracy of candidate region identification, these three sub-models are integrated into the proposed DMM. Experiments were performed on numerous large-scale harbor remote sensing images, and the results showed that the proposed method has high detection accuracy and rapid computational efficiency.
The Resistance–Amplitude–Frequency Effect of In–Liquid Quartz Crystal Microbalance
Authors: Huang Xianhe , Bai Qingsong , Zhou Qi , Hu Jianguo
Published: June 2017

Due to the influence of liquid load, the equivalent resistance of in-liquid quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) increases sharply, and the quality factor and resonant frequency decreases. We found that the change in the resonant frequency of in-liquid QCM consisted of two parts: besides the frequency changes due to the mass and viscous load (which could be equivalent to motional inductance), the second part of frequency change was caused by the increase of motional resistance. The theoretical calculation and simulation proved that the increases of QCM motional resistance may indeed cause the decreases of resonant frequency, and revealed that the existence of static capacitance was the root cause of this frequency change. The second part of frequency change (due to the increases of motional resistance) was difficult to measure accurately, and may cause great error for in-liquid QCM applications. A technical method to reduce the interference caused by this effect is presented. The study contributes to the accurate determination of the frequency and amplitude change of in-liquid QCM caused by liquid load, which is significant for the QCM applications in the liquid phase.
Stochastic Characteristics of Manual Solar Shades and their Influence on Building Energy Performance
Authors: Yao Jian , Zheng Rongyue
Published: June 2017

Occupant behavior has a significant impact on building energy performance. The purpose of this paper is to quantify the stochastic characteristics of manual solar shades and their influence on building energy performance. A co-simulation for occupants’ stochastic control of manual solar shades was conducted and the statistic indicators (non-parameter tests and autocorrelation function) were calculated in order to identify potential occupant behavior patterns. The results show that occupants’ stochastic shade control behavior among different seasons is not statistically different and that shade control behavior is not completely stochastic. Meanwhile, the trend in the fluctuation of Sc changes with time. Furthermore, a new index was introduced to evaluate the effectiveness of manual solar shades in terms of energy performance. The result shows that the effectiveness of manual solar shades is only between 39.8% and 81.3%, compared with automatically controlled shades, and there is a large potential for improving the effectiveness of manual solar shades in different seasons.
Correction: Hansen, A., et al. CUDe—Carbon Utilization Degree as an Indicator for Sustainable Biomass Use. Sustainability 2016, 8, 1028
Authors: Hansen Anja , Budde Jörn , Karatay Yusuf , Prochnow Annette
Published: June 2017

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [1]: [...]
Organizational Boundary Change in Industrial Symbiosis: Revisiting the Guitang Group in China
Authors: Shi Lin , Chertow Marian
Published: June 2017

This study revisits the Guitang Group, one of the best known industrial symbiosis cases in the sugar industry. Our goal is to offer an evolutionary understanding of industrial symbiosis at the Guitang Group. This article focuses on the organizational boundary change of the Guitang Group over time, and acknowledges this process as one of the seven industrial symbiosis dynamics proposed by Boons et al. We offer a historical view of the critical forces behind Guitang’s industrial symbiosis evolution since the 1950s; particularly how these changes were influenced by broader economic and institutional contexts of importance in China. These insights include the role of institutionalized research and development (R&D) as well as technology-oriented leadership as driving forces for Guitang’s innovation, particularly since the 1990s, when greater efficiency and productivity were emphasized, leading to the establishment of further symbiotic relationships in the company’s evolutionary process. As a result, the Guitang Group grew from 2 internal to 11 internal and external symbiotic exchanges and is now a conglomeration with more than 3000 employees generating more than 1 billion RMB (150 million USD) in revenue annually. The driving forces of the Guitang Group’s industrial symbiosis evolution helped to create, disseminate and share information by continuously reinforcing the industrial symbiosis message as part of the Guitang Group’s business model and competitive strategy. In addition, state-level policies such as establishing the Guigang (the city where Guitang is located) Eco-Industrial Park enabled industrial symbiosis in Guitang. This study provides prospects for future research on the organizational boundary change dynamic of industrial symbiosis in the sugar manufacturing industry and beyond.
Urban Flood Simulation Using MODCEL—An Alternative Quasi-2D Conceptual Model
Authors: Gomes Miguez Marcelo , Peres Battemarco Bruna , Martins De Sousa Matheus , Moura Rezende Osvaldo , Pires Veról Aline , Gusmaroli Giancarlo
Published: June 2017

Urban flood modelling has been evolving in recent years, due to computational facilities as well as to the possibility of obtaining detailed terrain data. Flood control techniques have also been evolving to integrate both urban flood and urban planning issues. Land use control and flow generation concerns, as well as a set of possible distributed measures favouring storage and infiltration over the watershed, also gained importance in flood control projects, reinforcing the need to model the entire basin space. However, the use of 2D equations with highly detailed digital elevation models do not guarantee good results by their own. Urban geometry, including buildings shapes, walls, earth fills, and other structures may cause significant interference on flood paths. In this context, this paper presents an alternative urban flood model, focusing on the system behaviour and its conceptual interpretation. Urban Flood Cell Model-MODCEL is a hydrological-hydrodynamic model proposed to represent a complex flow network, with a set of relatively simple information, using average values to represent urban landscape through the flow-cell concept. In this work, to illustrate model capabilities, MODCEL is benchmarked in a test proposed by the British Environmental Agency. Then, its capability to represent storm drains is verified using measured data and a comparison with Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). Finally, it is applied in a lowland area of the Venetian continental plains, representing floods in a complex setup at the city of Noale and in its surroundings.
Sugar-based micro/mesoporous hypercross-linked polymers with in situ embedded silver nanoparticles for catalytic reduction
Authors: Yin Qing , Chen Qi , Lu Li-Can , Han Bao-Hang
Published: June 2017

Porous hypercross-linked polymers based on perbenzylated monosugars (SugPOP-1–3) have been synthesized by Friedel–Crafts reaction using formaldehyde dimethyl acetal as an external cross-linker. Three perbenzylated monosugars with similar chemical structure were used as monomers in order to tune the porosity. These obtained polymers exhibit microporous and mesoporous features. The highest Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area for the resulting polymers was found to be 1220 m2 g−1, and the related carbon dioxide storage capacity was found to be 14.4 wt % at 1.0 bar and 273 K. As the prepared porous polymer SugPOP-1 is based on hemiacetal glucose, Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) can be successfully incorporated into the polymer by an in situ chemical reduction of freshly prepared Tollens’ reagent. The obtained AgNPs/SugPOP-1 composite demonstrates good catalytic activity in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) with an activity factor ka = 51.4 s−1 g−1, which is higher than some reported AgNP-containing composite materials.
Les inégalités font-elles le lit du populisme ?
Authors: Martinache Igor
Published: June 2017

La montée de partis et dirigeants dits « populistes », en Europe et au-delà, apparaît clairement liée à la crise économique en cours et à ses conséquences en termes de chômage et d’inégalités. Pour autant, à l’analyse, les ressorts d’une telle relation apparaissent plus complexes et moins mécaniques qu’il n’y paraît.
Au-delà du conflit générationnel : la conciliation des approches matérialistes et queer dans le militantisme féministe de Göttingen
Authors: Fourment Émeline
Published: June 2017

À partir d’une analyse du militantisme de deux générations distinctes de féministes à Göttingen, ville universitaire allemande, cet article montre que le clivage politico-théorique entre le féminisme matérialiste et le queer n’est pas réductible à un conflit générationnel. Si l’auteure constate que le moment où les féministes ont commencé à s’engager façonne leur vision du monde, elle souligne aussi l’importance des échanges et des transmissions transgénérationnels. L’expérience partagée sur le terrain militant des années 2000 amène les féministes plus âgées, marquées par une approche matérialiste de la société, à intégrer des éléments queer dans leur militantisme, tandis que les jeunes féministes, qui se disent queer , continuent de défendre des principes matérialistes et de pratiquer la non-mixité. En s’intéressant à la pratique militante, l’article interroge ainsi l’évidence théorique du clivage entre féminismes matérialiste et queer .
Le scratche, une stratégie de résistance à la violence masculine. Réplique militante contre le féminicide à Mexico
Authors: Lapalus Marylène
Published: June 2017

Cet article s’intéresse à l’émergence d’une nouvelle forme d’intervention féministe dans l’espace public mexicain : le scratche. Le scratche féministe dénonce l’impunité qui entoure la violence féminicide, violence masculine commise contre des femmes parce qu’elles sont femmes. Il renouvelle le répertoire d’action traditionnel par son dynamisme et son esprit radical. L’art, le féminisme et l’exigence de justice inspirent ce type d’action collective qui met en scène l’accusation publique des agents directs et institutionnels de la violence contre les femmes. Face à une justice arbitrale défaillante, le scratche est une réplique militante et symbolique qui cherche la réparation de l’offense dans la contre-offense. L’analyse des ressorts du scratche nous invite à observer plus globalement la reconfiguration actuelle des stratégies de résistance contre la violence masculine au Mexique et à mettre en lumière l’existence d’un militantisme vindicatoire.
« Ces hommes qui accouchent avec nous ». La pratique de l’accouchement naturel à l’aune du genre
Authors: Quagliariello Chiara
Published: June 2017

Cet article propose une étude du rôle des conjoints dans le modèle de l’accouchement « naturel ». La recherche de l’auteure montre que la présence croissante des conjoints aux côtés des femmes, si elle est très appréciée par la majorité d’entre elles, n’est pas exempte d’ambiguïtés et de zones d’ombre, au point de former, parfois, un nouveau facteur de domination, aux dépens de l’hétérogénéité des parcours des femmes, de leurs conditions de vie et de leurs choix. La première partie de l’article se concentre sur les caractéristiques du rôle des conjoints avant, pendant et après l’accouchement. La seconde partie montre comment l’importance donnée aujourd’hui au rôle des conjoints peut conduire à certains glissements contradictoires, dont (1) la dévalorisation du travail procréatif mené par les femmes ; et (2) la cristallisation de nouvelles attentes de la part du personnel hospitalier vis-à-vis des parturientes.
Une autre déduction des jugements esthétiques
Authors: Desideri Fabrizio
Published: June 2017

Le point de départ de l’article est offert par une reprise du point de vue de l’esthétique du célèbre essai de Hilary Putnam, Fait/Valeur : la fin d’un dogme . La première étape consiste dans une analyse des propriétés esthétiques et des jugements connexes avec elles comme un cas paradigmatique du dépassement de la vieille dichotomie. La thèse ici défendue est que les jugements esthétiques sont cognitifs d’une manière non conceptuelle, et normatifs sans présupposer des normes définies. En unissant dans un seul terme des niveaux de descriptivité négative avec des niveaux d’évaluation (positive), les jugements esthétiques mettent irréversiblement en crise la solidarité de physicalisme et d’émotivisme. Par conséquent, l’article poursuit l’objectif d’une déduction au sens kantien des jugements esthétiques, en unifiant, au moins du point de vue méthodologique, les deux niveaux de l’enquête que Kant maintient stratégiquement distincts, à savoir le plan d’une exposition empirique (physiologique) des jugements esthétiques et celui d’une exposition transcendantale. Le noyau théorique de la déduction est l’idée d’un « mécanisme esthétique » sous-jacent comme la base naturelle pour l’épigenèse de l’esthétique.
Le principe de non-neutralité : faits et valeurs dans les arts plastiques
Authors: Shusterman Ronald
Published: June 2017

La distinction entre les faits et les valeurs a toujours été fondamentale pour la pensée anglo-saxonne, et ce depuis au moins Hume. Deux siècles plus tard, Wittgenstein n’est sans doute pas très loin de cette idée en prétendant, dans son Tractatus , que la valeur ne réside pas dans le monde (6.4 - 6.421), affirmation qui le pousse à conclure que « L’éthique et l’esthétique sont une seule et même chose ». La distinction fut pérennisée dans le domaine de l’esthétique par des penseurs comme C.L. Stevenson ou I.A. Richards. Toutefois, à la même époque que Richards, des théoriciens marxistes tenaient des propos diamétralement opposés à la doxa traditionnelle. On peut synthétiser à partir de leurs écrits un « principe de la non-neutralité ». Selon ce principe, aucune œuvre d’art ne peut être politiquement et socialement neutre ; toute œuvre jouera forcément un rôle dans le débat politique en cours. Ce principe, que l’on reliera à la notion de narrativité grâce à quelques œuvres contemporaines (Morellet, Braxton ...) nie toute division draconienne entre fait et valeurs dans le domaine esthétique, sans pour autant justifier l’abandon total de la distinction proposée par Putnam.
Les fondements de l’éthique à l’épreuve de l’art biotechnologique
Authors: Voison Catherine
Published: June 2017

Aux frontières de l’art et de l’expérience scientifique, des artistes s’aventurent à reprogrammer les mécanismes du vivant, à les réincarner en s’appuyant sur les données les plus récentes de la biologie pour produire des réalités vivantes inédites. Transposés du monde clos des laboratoires au monde de l’art, ces artefact vivants, sont-ils en mesure de modifier le regard que nous portons sur la science et plus encore sur le vivant et d’infléchir nos comportements à l’égard d’entités vivantes reprogrammées sur mesure ? Sont-ils les pièces à conviction d’une science en train de transformer la société et les valeurs qui s’y rattachent ? L’identité humaine court-elle le risque de se perdre à travers cette collection d’entités biologico-futuristes qui transgressent la logique du vivant ? Dans une société libérale où prévaut l’autonomie artistique, quand la performance technique semble se confondre avec la valeur esthétique de l’œuvre et que l’artiste relève autant de l’ingénieur que du concepteur, cet art protéiforme qui œuvre en laboratoire hors de tout programme appliqué à la médecine et à l’industrie, est-il en mesure de produire tous les possibles en matière de fabrication du vivant ? Notre propos consistera à interroger d’un point de vue éthique la production de ces artistes qui érigent en dogme la rationalisation des phénomènes biologiques, interfèrent l’organisation spontanée des organismes vivants, et dessinent les contours d’une biosphère inédite.
Modernisme et autonomie musicale : sur le formalisme critique de Lydia Goehr
Authors: Narboux Jean-Philippe , Paplomata Katerina
Published: June 2017

Selon la philosophe américaine Lydia Goehr, l’idéal romantique de « l’œuvre d’art totale » ( Gesamtkunstwerk ) fraye la voie d’un « formalisme transcendentalement élargi » ( transcendentally enhanced formalism ) capable de procurer « un usage contemporain renouvelé et acceptable » aux termes des premières revendications formalistes d’autonomie. Nous soutenons que le type de formalisme défendu par Goehr est incapable de rendre compte du sens inédit dans lequel la musique moderniste atteint à l’autonomie. Elle n’y atteint, ni en demeurant confinée à l’intérieur des limites de son médium (comme le voudrait un formalisme étriqué), ni en faisant signe vers l’extramusical gisant au-delà de ces limites (comme le voudrait le formalisme élargi), mais en dissolvant l’apparence même selon laquelle ses ressources expressives seraient limitées a priori. L’autonomie revendiquée par le modernisme passe par une émancipation de la composition à l’égard de toute norme préexistante.
Une autre opposition des substrats culturels de l’Occident et de la Chine : le culte de l’or et celui du jade
Authors: Zhongyi Shi
Published: June 2017

Comme L’Illiade fait référence à un culte de l’or chez les anciens grecs, la Biographie de l’Empereur Mu des Zhou ( x e siècle av. J.-C.) évoque un culte du jade dans l’ancienne Chine. L’existence d’un tel culte a été confirmée par les fouilles archéologiques permettant d’établir qu’il se pratiquait depuis 8000 avant notre ère. L’article entend montrer comment les échanges commerciaux liés à ce culte ont permis de conjurer les périls de la guerre et symbolisent la conviction pacifique de la tradition chinoise.
Amoris Laetitia , sous l’inspiration de la parole de Dieu
Authors: Pelletier Anne-Marie
Published: June 2017

Dès son premier chapitre l’Exhortation dirige la lumière sur les Écritures et invite à faire de la Parole de Dieu une « compagne de voyage ». De fait, l’exposé lui-même se déploie d’un bout à l’autre sous l’inspiration de celle-ci, tantôt commentée minutieusement, plus généralement présentée comme lieu de la révélation de la sagesse divine dont l’Église est appelée à être l’intendante dans sa pastorale. Ainsi les Écritures sont manifestées dans leur fonction pédagogique, comme principe d’un discernement qui fait droit à la complexité de la vie des couples, à la patience des rythmes lents de la croissance des relations, mais aussi à l’audace d’un amour qui ne met pas de condition ni de limite à l’accueil de celui qui tombe.
La vie sacramentelle, un lieu de maturation chrétienne
Authors: Bricout Hélène
Published: June 2017

La liturgie de l’eucharistie, mais aussi la théologie dogmatique, défendent avec constance l’idée que l’eucharistie vise et réalise l’unité et la charité de la communauté ecclésiale : elle unit intimement le croyant au Christ et à son Corps qui est l’Église. La communion eucharistique en est le signe le plus manifeste. En exclure définitivement des membres de la communauté est contraire à cette vision traditionnelle ; une exclusion eucharistique ne peut être que temporaire, car l’eucharistie est nécessaire à la vie chrétienne. Amoris Laetitia , en prônant l’accompagnement des personnes divorcées et remariées en vue de leur pleine réintégration, rejoint et met en œuvre cette conviction.