bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glycomacropeptide Reduces Intestinal Epithelial Cell Barrier Dysfunction and Adhesion of Entero-Hemorrhagic and Entero-Pathogenic Escherichia coli in Vitro
Authors: Feeney Shane , Ryan Joseph , Kilcoyne Michelle , Joshi Lokesh , Hickey Rita
Published: October 2017

In recent years, the potential of glycosylated food components to positively influence health has received considerable attention. Milk is a rich source of biologically active glycoconjugates which are associated with antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, anti-adhesion, anti-inflammatory and prebiotic properties. Glycomacropeptide (GMP) is the C-terminal portion of kappa-casein that is released from whey during cheese-making by the action of chymosin. Many of the biological properties associated with GMP, such as anti-adhesion, have been linked with the carbohydrate portion of the protein. In this study, we investigated the ability of GMP to inhibit the adhesion of a variety of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains to HT-29 and Caco-2 intestinal cell lines, given the importance of E. coli in causing bacterial gastroenteritis. GMP significantly reduced pathogen adhesion, albeit with a high degree of species specificity toward enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) strains O125:H32 and O111:H2 and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) strain 12900 O157:H7. The anti-adhesive effect resulted from the interaction of GMP with the E. coli cells and was also dependent on GMP concentration. Pre-incubation of intestinal Caco-2 cells with GMP reduced pathogen translocation as represented by a decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Thus, GMP is an effective in-vitro inhibitor of adhesion and epithelial injury caused by E. coli and may have potential as a biofunctional ingredient in foods to improve gastrointestinal health.
Development of a Safety Index to Identify Differences in Safety Performance by Postal Delivery Motorcyclists Based either in Different Regional Post Offices or within the Same Regional Office
Authors: Jo Junghee , Kim Hyunsuk
Published: October 2017

Postal motorcyclists who regularly conduct deliveries are particularly vulnerable to road accidents since they are exposed to traffic throughout their work day. To reduce accident rates, safety officers in each of the local delivery offices alert postmen of any hazardous conditions that may be conducive to accidents. Although some commercial postal organizations already use tracking technologies (e.g., GPS), Korea Post currently has no systematic way to collect their postmen’s driving behavior except by referring to each postman’s manually recorded daily mileage. In light of this, we developed a safety index (SI) for quantifying and analyzing individual postal motorcyclists’ safety performance based on their driving behavior and work environment. Each postman’s work environment varies from post office to post office and postman to postman depending on delivery conditions. After creating a GPS based system that can be installed on personal digital assistants (PDAs) that are already used by postmen throughout their shifts, we conducted two phases of field tests during a two-year period involving postmen working in different demographic areas. Using the collected field data, we validated our developed SI and analyzed whether there were any differences in the safety performance among postal motorcyclists working in different regional post offices or within the same regional post office. We found that the safety performance of postal motorcyclists working in different regional delivery offices varied depending on the regional characteristics of the local delivery office (e.g., densely distributed delivery points vs. loosely distributed delivery points). We also found that the safety performance of postal motorcyclists working in the same regional post office varied depending on the specific circumstances of each delivery area (e.g., short commuting routes of the postman responsible for downtown vs. long commuting routes of the postman responsible for a suburb).
A Review on Konjac Glucomannan Gels: Microstructure and Application
Authors: Yang Dan , Yuan Yi , Wang Lin , Wang Xiaoshan , Mu Ruojun , Pang Jie , Xiao Jianbo , Zheng Yafeng
Published: October 2017

Konjac glucomannan (KGM) has attracted extensive attention because of its biodegradable, non-toxic, harmless, and biocompatible features. Its gelation performance is one of its most significant characteristics and enables wide applications of KGM gels in food, chemical, pharmaceutical, materials, and other fields. Herein, different preparation methods of KGM gels and their microstructures were reviewed. In addition, KGM applications have been theoretically modeled for future uses.
Development of A Chimeric Antigen Receptor Targeting C-Type Lectin-Like Molecule-1 for Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Laborda Eduardo , Mazagova Magdalena , Shao Sida , Wang Xinxin , Quirino Herlinda , Woods Ashley , Hampton Eric , Rodgers David , Kim Chan , Schultz Peter , Young Travis
Published: October 2017

The treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with targeted immunotherapy is challenged by the heterogeneity of the disease and a lack of tumor-exclusive antigens. Conventional immunotherapy targets for AML such as CD33 and CD123 have been proposed as targets for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-engineered T-cells (CAR-T-cells), a therapy that has been highly successful in the treatment of B-cell leukemia and lymphoma. However, CD33 and CD123 are present on hematopoietic stem cells, and targeting with CAR-T-cells has the potential to elicit long-term myelosuppression. C-type lectin-like molecule-1 (CLL1 or CLEC12A) is a myeloid lineage antigen that is expressed by malignant cells in more than 90% of AML patients. CLL1 is not expressed by healthy Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs), and is therefore a promising target for CAR-T-cell therapy. Here, we describe the development and optimization of an anti-CLL1 CAR-T-cell with potent activity on both AML cell lines and primary patient-derived AML blasts in vitro while sparing healthy HSCs. Furthermore, in a disseminated mouse xenograft model using the CLL1-positive HL60 cell line, these CAR-T-cells completely eradicated tumor, thus supporting CLL1 as a promising target for CAR-T-cells to treat AML while limiting myelosuppressive toxicity.
Network-Driven Proteogenomics Unveils an Aging-Related Imbalance in the Olfactory IκBα-NFκB p65 Complex Functionality in Tg2576 Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model
Authors: Palomino-Alonso Maialen , Lachén-Montes Mercedes , González-Morales Andrea , Ausín Karina , Pérez-Mediavilla Alberto , Fernández-Irigoyen Joaquín , Santamaría Enrique
Published: October 2017

Olfaction is often deregulated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients, and is also impaired in transgenic Tg2576 AD mice, which overexpress the Swedish mutated form of human amyloid precursor protein (APP). However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that accompany the neurodegeneration of olfactory structures in aged Tg2576 mice. For that, we have applied proteome- and transcriptome-wide approaches to probe molecular disturbances in the olfactory bulb (OB) dissected from aged Tg2576 mice (18 months of age) as compared to those of age matched wild-type (WT) littermates. Some over-represented biological functions were directly relevant to neuronal homeostasis and processes of learning, cognition, and behavior. In addition to the modulation of CAMP responsive element binding protein 1 (CREB1) and APP interactomes, an imbalance in the functionality of the IκBα-NFκB p65 complex was observed during the aging process in the OB of Tg2576 mice. At two months of age, the phosphorylated isoforms of olfactory IκBα and NFκB p65 were inversely regulated in transgenic mice. However, both phosphorylated proteins were increased at 6 months of age, while a specific drop in IκBα levels was detected in 18-month-old Tg2576 mice, suggesting a transient activation of NFκB in the OB of Tg2576 mice. Taken together, our data provide a metabolic map of olfactory alterations in aged Tg2576 mice, reflecting the progressive effect of APP overproduction and β-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation on the OB homeostasis in aged stages.
Pharmacotherapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Camilleri Michael , Ford Alexander
Published: October 2017

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of the brain-gut axis; the pathophysiological mechanisms include altered colonic motility, bile acid metabolism, neurohormonal regulation, immune dysfunction, alterations in the epithelial barrier and secretory properties of the gut. This article reviews the mechanisms, efficacy, and safety of current pharmacotherapy, and medications that are in phase III trials for the treatment of IBS. There remains a significant unmet need for effective treatments—particularly for the pain component of IBS—although the introduction of drugs directed at secretion, motility and a non-absorbable antibiotic provide options for the bowel dysfunction in IBS.
Localization in Wireless Sensor Networks: A Survey on Algorithms, Measurement Techniques, Applications and Challenges
Authors: Paul Anup , Sato Takuro
Published: October 2017

Localization is an important aspect in the field of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) that has developed significant research interest among academia and research community. Wireless sensor network is formed by a large number of tiny, low energy, limited processing capability and low-cost sensors that communicate with each other in ad-hoc fashion. The task of determining physical coordinates of sensor nodes in WSNs is known as localization or positioning and is a key factor in today’s communication systems to estimate the place of origin of events. As the requirement of the positioning accuracy for different applications varies, different localization methods are used in different applications and there are several challenges in some special scenarios such as forest fire detection. In this paper, we survey different measurement techniques and strategies for range based and range free localization with an emphasis on the latter. Further, we discuss different localization-based applications, where the estimation of the location information is crucial. Finally, a comprehensive discussion of the challenges such as accuracy, cost, complexity, and scalability are given.
Simulation and Experimental Studies on Grain Selection and Structure Design of the Spiral Selector for Casting Single Crystal Ni-Based Superalloy
Authors: Zhang Hang , Xu Qingyan
Published: October 2017

Grain selection is an important process in single crystal turbine blades manufacturing. Selector structure is a control factor of grain selection, as well as directional solidification (DS). In this study, the grain selection and structure design of the spiral selector were investigated through experimentation and simulation. A heat transfer model and a 3D microstructure growth model were established based on the Cellular automaton-Finite difference (CA-FD) method for the grain selector. Consequently, the temperature field, the microstructure and the grain orientation distribution were simulated and further verified. The average error of the temperature result was less than 1.5%. The grain selection mechanisms were further analyzed and validated through simulations. The structural design specifications of the selector were suggested based on the two grain selection effects. The structural parameters of the spiral selector, namely, the spiral tunnel diameter (dw), the spiral pitch (hb) and the spiral diameter (hs), were studied and the design criteria of these parameters were proposed. The experimental and simulation results demonstrated that the improved selector could accurately and efficiently produce a single crystal structure.
Multifunctional PMMA@Fe3O4@DR Magnetic Materials for Efficient Adsorption of Dyes
Authors: Yu Bing , He Liang , Wang Yifan , Cong Hailin
Published: October 2017

Magnetic porous microspheres are widely used in modern wastewater treatment technology due to their simple and quick dye adsorption and separation functions. In this article, we prepared porous polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres by the seed-swelling method, followed by in situ formation of iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles within the pore. Then, we used diazo-resin (DR) to encapsulate the porous magnetic microspheres and achieve PMMA@Fe3O4@DR magnetic material. We studied the different properties of magnetic microspheres by different dye adsorption experiments before and after the encapsulation and demonstrated that the PMMA@Fe3O4@DR microspheres can be successfully used as a reusable absorbent for fast and easy removal of anionic and aromatic dyes from wastewater and can maintain excellent magnetic and adsorption properties in harsh environments.
Design of Viologen-Based Liquid Crystals Exhibiting Bicontinuous Cubic Phases and Their Redox-Active Behavior
Authors: Kobayashi Tsubasa , Ichikawa Takahiro
Published: October 2017

We have succeeded in developing viologen-based liquid-crystalline materials forming bicontinuous cubic phases. They are composed of amphiphilic zwitterions with a viologen ionic-head-group and sulfonyl-imide-type acids. In the bicontinuous cubic liquid-crystalline assemblies, the ionic-head groups of the amphiphiles align along a gyroid minimal surface, forming a 3D continuous viologen layer. The ionic state of the viologen-moieties can be tuned from a dication state (V2+) to a radical mono cation state (V1+•) by UV irradiation and/or electric field. This redox reaction proceeds in bulk, accompanying the change of their color from colorless to purple. Interestingly, they preserve the 3D molecular assembled structures beyond the redox reaction, which has been confirmed by polarizing optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements.
Investigation of Enhanced Leaching of Lithium from α-Spodumene Using Hydrofluoric and Sulfuric Acid
Authors: Guo Hui , Kuang Ge , Wang Haidong , Yu Haizhao , Zhao Xiaokang
Published: October 2017

An effective method using hydrofluoric and sulfuric acid was proposed to enhance the leaching of lithium from α-spodumene, without calcination that is subjected to 1000 °C for phase transformation. The thermodynamic feasibility of the reactions was firstly verified. Dissolution conditions were tested to maximize the leaching efficiency of lithium and with efficient utilization of hydrofluoric acid (HF) served as evaluation criteria. The results showed that 96% of lithium could be transferred into lixivium with an ore/HF/H2SO4 ratio of 1:3:2 (g/mL/mL), at 100 °C for 3 h. Due to the fact that HF molecules were the main reaction form, the dissolution behaviors were theoretically represented and investigated by dissolution in HF/H2SO4. When combined with chemical elements analyses and characterizations, the results of the dissolution behaviors revealed that α-spodumene and albite were preferentially dissolved over quartz. Insoluble fluoroaluminates, such as AlF3, cryolite (Na3AlF6) and cryolithionite (Na3Li3Al2F12), were generated and might be further partially dissolved by H2SO4. Fluorosilicates, such as K2SiF6, Na2SiF6, or KNaSiF6, were also generated as a part of the insoluble residues. This work provides fundamental insight into the role of HF/H2SO4 played in the dissolution of α-spodumene, and sheds light on a novel and promising process to efficiently extract lithium.
Bacterial Expression of Human Butyrylcholinesterase as a Tool for Nerve Agent Bioscavengers Development
Authors: Brazzolotto Xavier , Igert Alexandre , Guillon Virginia , Santoni Gianluca , Nachon Florian
Published: October 2017

Human butyrylcholinesterase is a performant stoichiometric bioscavenger of organophosphorous nerve agents. It is either isolated from outdated plasma or functionally expressed in eukaryotic systems. Here, we report the production of active human butyrylcholinesterase in a prokaryotic system after optimization of the primary sequence through the Protein Repair One Stop Shop process, a structure- and sequence-based algorithm for soluble bacterial expression of difficult eukaryotic proteins. The mutant enzyme was purified to homogeneity. Its kinetic parameters with substrate are similar to the endogenous human butyrylcholinesterase or recombinants produced in eukaryotic systems. The isolated protein was prone to crystallize and its 2.5-Å X-ray structure revealed an active site gorge region identical to that of previously solved structures. The advantages of this alternate expression system, particularly for the generation of butyrylcholinesterase variants with nerve agent hydrolysis activity, are discussed.
Design of Tail-Clamp Peptide Nucleic Acid Tethered with Azobenzene Linker for Sequence-Specific Detection of Homopurine DNA
Authors: Sawada Shinjiro , Takao Toshifumi , Kato Nobuo , Kaihatsu Kunihiro
Published: October 2017

DNA carries genetic information in its sequence of bases. Synthetic oligonucleotides that can sequence-specifically recognize a target gene sequence are a useful tool for regulating gene expression or detecting target genes. Among the many synthetic oligonucleotides, tail-clamp peptide nucleic acid (TC-PNA) offers advantages since it has two homopyrimidine PNA strands connected via a flexible ethylene glycol-type linker that can recognize complementary homopurine sequences via Watson-Crick and Hoogsteen base pairings and form thermally-stable PNA/PNA/DNA triplex structures. Here, we synthesized a series of TC-PNAs that can possess different lengths of azobenzene-containing linkers and studied their binding behaviours to homopurine single-stranded DNA. Introduction of azobenzene at the N-terminus amine of PNA increased the thermal stability of PNA-DNA duplexes. Further extension of the homopyrimidine PNA strand at the N-terminus of PNA-AZO further increased the binding stability of the PNA/DNA/PNA triplex to the target homopurine sequence; however, it induced TC-PNA/DNA/TC-PNA complex formation. Among these TC-PNAs, 9W5H-C4-AZO consisting of nine Watson-Crick bases and five Hoogsteen bases tethered with a beta-alanine conjugated azobenzene linker gave a stable 1:1 TC-PNA/ssDNA complex and exhibited good mismatch recognition. Our design for TC-PNA-AZO can be utilized for detecting homopurine sequences in various genes.
Nutrimiromics: Role of microRNAs and Nutrition in Modulating Inflammation and Chronic Diseases
Authors: Quintanilha Bruna , Reis Bruna , Duarte Graziela , Cozzolino Silvia , Rogero Marcelo
Published: October 2017

Nutrimiromics studies the influence of the diet on the modification of gene expression due to epigenetic processes related to microRNAs (miRNAs), which may affect the risk for the development of chronic diseases. miRNAs are a class of non-coding endogenous RNA molecules that are usually involved in post-transcriptional gene silencing by inducing mRNA degradation or translational repression by binding to a target messenger RNA. They can be controlled by environmental and dietary factors, particularly by isolated nutrients or bioactive compounds, indicating that diet manipulation may hold promise as a therapeutic approach in modulating the risk of chronic diseases. This review summarizes the evidence regarding the influence of nutrients and bioactive compounds on the expression of miRNAs related to inflammation and chronic disease in several models (cell culture, animal models, and human trials).
Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Muscle Strength and Optimal Individual Post-Activation Potentiation Time of the Upper Body in Canoeists
Authors: Wang Chia-Chi , Lin Shu-Cheng , Hsu Shu-Ching , Yang Ming-Ta , Chan Kuei-Hui
Published: October 2017

Creatine supplementation reduces the impact of muscle fatigue on post-activation potentiation (PAP) of the lower body, but its effects on the upper body remain unknown. This study examined the effects of creatine supplementation on muscle strength, explosive power, and optimal individual PAP time of the upper body during a set of complex training bouts in canoeists. Seventeen male high school canoeists performed a bench row for one repetition at maximum strength and conducted complex training bouts to determine the optimal individual timing of PAP and distance of overhead medicine ball throw before and after the supplementation. Subjects were assigned to a creatine or placebo group, and later consumed 20 g of creatine or carboxymethyl cellulose per day for six days. After supplementation, the maximal strength in the creatine group significantly increased (p < 0.05). The optimal individual PAP time in the creatine group was significantly earlier than the pre-supplementation times (p < 0.05). There was no significant change in explosive power for either group. Our findings support the notion that creatine supplementation increases maximal strength and shortens the optimal individual PAP time of the upper body in high school athletes, but has no effect on explosive power. Moreover, it was found that the recovery time between a bench row and an overhead medicine ball throw in a complex training bout is an individual phenomenon.
Performance and Health Benefits of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation in Older Adults: A Systematic Review
Authors: Stanaway Luke , Rutherfurd-Markwick Kay , Page Rachel , Ali Ajmol
Published: October 2017

Supplementation with nitrate (NO3−)-rich beetroot juice has been shown to improve exercise performance and cardiovascular (CV) responses, due to an increased nitric oxide (NO) availability. However, it is unclear whether these benefits are greater in older adults who have an age-related decrease in NO and higher risk of disease. This systematic review examines 12 randomised, crossover, control trials, investigating food-based NO3− supplementation in older adults and its potential benefits on physiological and cognitive performances, and CV, cerebrovascular and metabolic health. Four studies found improvements in physiological performance (time to exhaustion) following dietary NO3− supplementation in older adults. Benefits on cognitive performance were unclear. Six studies reported improvements in CV health (blood pressure and blood flow), while six found no improvement. One study showed improvements in cerebrovascular health and two found no improvement in metabolic health. The current literature indicates positive effects of dietary NO3− supplementation in older adults on physiological performance, with some evidence indicating benefits on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health. Effects on cognitive performance were mixed and studies on metabolic health indicated no benefit. However, there has been limited research conducted on the effects of dietary NO3− supplementation in older adults, thus, further study, utilising a randomised, double-blind, control trial design, is warranted.
Erratum: The Role of Red Meat and Flavonoid Consumption on Cancer Prevention: The Korean Cancer Screening Examination Cohort; Nutrients 2017, 9, 938
Authors: Kim So , Wie Gyung-Ah , Cho Yeong-Ah , Kang Hyun-hee , Ryu Kyoung-A. , Yoo Min-Kyong , Jun Shinyoung , Kim Seong-Ah , Ha Kyungho , Kim Jeongseon , Cho Yoon , Shin Sangah , Joung Hyojee
Published: October 2017

The authors have requested the following corrections to their paper [...]
Recovery Effects of Oral Administration of Glucosylceramide and Beet Extract on Skin Barrier Destruction by UVB in Hairless Mice
Authors: Tokudome Yoshihiro , Masutani Noriomi , Uchino Shohei , Fukai Hisano
Published: October 2017

Purified glucosylceramide from beet extract (beet GlcCer) and beet extract containing an equal amount of GlcCer were administered orally to ultra violet B (UVB)-irradiated mice, and differences in the protective effects against skin barrier dysfunction caused by UVB irradiation were compared. In the beet GlcCer group, epidermal thickening and the decrease in stratum corneum (SC) ceramide content caused by UVB irradiation were reduced. In the group that was orally administered beet extract containing glucosylceramide, effects similar to those in the beet GlcCer group were observed. Oral administration of beet GlcCer had no obvious effects against an increase in TEWL or decrease in SC water content after UVB irradiation, but there was improvement in the beet extract group. Oral administration of beet GlcCer is effective in improving skin barrier function in UVB-irradiated mice. Beet extract contains constituents other than GlcCer that are also effective in improving skin barrier function.
The Role of Cytoplasmic mRNA Cap-Binding Protein Complexes in Trypanosoma brucei and Other Trypanosomatids
Authors: Freire Eden , Sturm Nancy , Campbell David , De Melo Neto Osvaldo
Published: October 2017

Trypanosomatid protozoa are unusual eukaryotes that are well known for having unusual ways of controlling their gene expression. The lack of a refined mode of transcriptional control in these organisms is compensated by several post-transcriptional control mechanisms, such as control of mRNA turnover and selection of mRNA for translation, that may modulate protein synthesis in response to several environmental conditions found in different hosts. In other eukaryotes, selection of mRNA for translation is mediated by the complex eIF4F, a heterotrimeric protein complex composed by the subunits eIF4E, eIF4G, and eIF4A, where the eIF4E binds to the 5′-cap structure of mature mRNAs. In this review, we present and discuss the characteristics of six trypanosomatid eIF4E homologs and their associated proteins that form multiple eIF4F complexes. The existence of multiple eIF4F complexes in trypanosomatids evokes exquisite mechanisms for differential mRNA recognition for translation.
Optimization of the Kinematic Model for Biomimetic Robotic Fish with Rigid Headshaking Mitigation
Authors: Lou Baodong , Ni Yujie , Mao Minghe , Wang Ping , Cong Yu
Published: October 2017

Biomimetic robotic fish is a new type of underwater robot with many superior characteristics such as high movement speed, high motion efficiency, high energy efficiency, and so on. However, the traditional kinematic model for biomimetic robotic fish has many shortcomings which limit their movement speed, such as the rigid shakes of the fish’s head when it swims, which is caused by neglecting the influences of manufacturing process on the model. In order to mitigate the rigid headshaking, a revised kinematic model is proposed by introducing an offset of the joints rotation center. The proposed kinematic equations are well simulated in a MATLAB environment, and the numerical results illustrate the advantage of the new kinematic model. Finally, experimental results generated from a three-joint biomimetic robotic fish with the proposed model show that the fish’s head shaking is effectively restrained, and therefore the swimming speed is significantly improved.
Circa 2010 Land Cover of Canada: Local Optimization Methodology and Product Development
Authors: Latifovic Rasim , Pouliot Darren , Olthof Ian
Published: October 2017

Land cover information is necessary for a large range of environmental applications related to climate impacts and adaption, emergency response, wildlife habitat, etc. In Canada, a 2008 user survey indicated that the most practical land cover data is provided in a nationwide 30 m spatial resolution format, with an update frequency of five years. In response to this need, the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) has generated a 30 m land cover map of Canada for the base year 2010, as the first of a planned series of maps to be updated every five years, or more frequently. This land cover dataset is also the Canadian contribution to the 30 m spatial resolution 2010 Land Cover Map of North America, which is produced by Mexican, American and Canadian government institutions under a collaboration called the North American Land Change Monitoring System (NALCMS). This paper describes the mapping approach used for generating this land cover dataset for Canada from Thematic Mapper (TM) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) Landsat sensor observations. The innovative part of the mapping approach is the local optimization of the land cover classifier, which has resulted in increased spatial consistency and accuracy. Training and classifying with locally confined reference samples over a large number of partially overlapping areas (i.e., moving windows) ensures the optimization of the classifier to a local land cover distribution, and decreases the negative effect of signature extension. A weighted combination of labels, which is determined by the classifier in overlapping windows, defines the final label for each pixel. Since the approach requires extensive computation, it has been developed and deployed using the Government of Canada’s High-Performance Computing Center (HPC). An accuracy assessment based on 2811 randomly distributed samples shows that land cover data produced with this new approach has achieved 76.60% accuracy with no marked spatial disparities.
Design of a Matching Network for a High-Sensitivity Broadband Magnetic Resonance Sounding Coil Sensor
Authors: Zhang Yang , Teng Fei , Li Suhang , Wan Ling , Lin Tingting
Published: October 2017

The magnetic resonance sounding (MRS) technique is a non-invasive geophysical method that can provide unique insights into the hydrological properties of groundwater. The Cu coil sensor is the preferred choice for detecting the weak MRS signal because of its high sensitivity, low fabrication complexity and low cost. The tuned configuration was traditionally used for the MRS coil sensor design because of its high sensitivity and narrowband filtering. However, its narrow bandwidth may distort the MRS signals. To address this issue, a non-tuned design exhibiting a broad bandwidth has emerged recently, however, the sensitivity decreases as the bandwidth increases. Moreover, the effect of the MRS applications is often seriously influenced by power harmonic noises in the developed areas, especially low-frequency harmonics, resulting in saturation of the coil sensor, regardless of the tuned or non-tuned configuration. To solve the two aforementioned problems, we propose a matching network consisting of an LC broadband filter in parallel with a matching capacitor and provide a design for a coil sensor with a matching network (CSMN). The theoretical parameter calculations and the equivalent schematic of the CSMN with noise sources are investigated, and the sensitivity of the CSMN is evaluated by the Allan variance and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Correspondingly, we constructed the CSMN with a 3 dB bandwidth, passband gain, normalized equivalent input noise and sensitivity (detection limit) of 1030 Hz, 4.6 dB, 1.78 nV/(Hz)1/2 @ 2 kHz and 3 nV, respectively. Experimental tests in the laboratory show that the CSMN can not only improve the sensitivity, but also inhibit the signal distortion by suppressing power harmonic noises in the strong electromagnetic interference environment. Finally, a field experiment is performed with the CSMN to show a valid measurement of the signals of an MRS instrument system.
Power Allocation Scheme for Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access in Underwater Acoustic Communications
Authors: Cheon Jinyong , Cho Ho-Shin
Published: October 2017

In this paper, we propose a power allocation scheme for non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) in underwater acoustic sensor networks (UWASNs). The existing terrestrial sum-rate maximization (SRM) power allocation scheme suffers from the degradation of the overall sum-rate in UWASNs due to wasteful resource created by unequal transmission times between each transmission path. To address this issue, we propose the equal transmission times (ETT) power allocation scheme, which can prevent wasteful resource generation by guaranteeing equal transmission times between each transmission path. ETT considers the number of packets waiting for transmission in the sender’s buffer for creating equal transmission times. Numerical results show that the proposed ETT outperforms SRM in terms of the overall sum-rate, while having nearly identical maximum sum-rate to the SRMs.
Spatial–Temporal Modeling for Regional Economic Development: A Quantitative Analysis with Panel Data from Western China
Authors: Zhang Jingxiao , Liu Qiaoling , Wang Chao , Li Hui
Published: October 2017

The objective of this research is to analyze regional economic difference and explore the influencing factors, which would eventually provide an effective foundation to narrow the regional economic differences. In this paper, a new regional economic difference model is established considering the interactions between the spatial weight and human capital and foreign direct investment (FDI). With the panel data from twelve western provinces in China, the empirical research is conducted by adopting feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) fixed effects model. The preliminary results show that: (1) the spatial spillover effect of human capital and FDI is significant to the formation of regional economic difference; and (2) the total capital formation, government expenditure, FDI, human capital and patent application authorization are positively correlated with GDP growth per capita, while the number of medical institutions is negatively correlated with GDP growth per capita. In addition, the robust test is carried out for validation by using the filter variable method, spatial lag model and spatial error model. The robustness test results show that the results of the FGLS fixed effects model are validated by the filter variable method. The other two robust test results show that: (1) the total capital formation and the fixed asset investment is of 99.9% significance, which represents that they play a key role in the formation of economic development difference; and (2) the coefficients’ symbols of the other variables are consistent with the FGLS fixed effect model but a little different on the significances, which enhance the effectiveness of the proposed regional economic difference model.
Shopping for Society? Consumers’ Value Conflicts in Socially Responsible Consumption Affected by Retail Regulation
Authors: Lee Jin-Myong , Kim Hyo-Jung , Rha Jong-Youn
Published: October 2017

Consumers have a dual role as economic actors who purchase products and as citizens comprising society. Thus, consumers may experience conflict between pursuing personal values (i.e., low price and high quality) and social values (i.e., equity and common good). In addition, these choices can be affected by governmental regulation of retail markets. This study aimed to identify consumer perspectives toward socially responsible consumption (SRC) in the choice of grocery store format and to investigate actual store choice behavior across consumer groups with those different perspectives while considering the role of retail regulation. For this purpose, we conducted a Q methodological study in which 30 South Korean consumers rank-ordered 40 statements regarding SRC. After performing Q factor analysis using PQ-Method software, we classified four distinctive consumer groups: “ethical conformist”, “market liberalist”, “ambivalent bystander”, and “internally conflicted”. After investigating similarities and differences between these consumer groups, we found major criteria for understanding consumer perspectives to SRC such as the priority of values pursued, the experience of a value-action gap, and internal conflicts in the decision-making process.
The Effects of Melittin and Apamin on Airborne Fungi-Induced Chemical Mediator and Extracellular Matrix Production from Nasal Polyp Fibroblasts
Authors: Shin Seung-Heon , Ye Mi-Kyung , Choi Sung-Yong , Park Kwan-Kyu
Published: October 2017

Melittin and apamin are the main components of bee venom and they have been known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of melittin and apamin on airborne fungi-induced chemical mediator and extracellular matrix (ECM) production in nasal fibroblasts. Primary nasal fibroblasts were isolated from nasal polyps, which were collected during endoscopic sinus surgery. Nasal fibroblasts were treated with Alternaria and Aspergillus. The effects of melittin and apamin on the production of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 were determined with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. ECM mRNA and protein expressions were determined with the use of quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. Alternaria-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production was significantly inhibited by apamin. However, melittin did not influence the production of IL-6 and IL-8 from nasal fibroblasts. Melittin or apamin significantly inhibited collagen type I, TIMP-1, and MMP-9 mRNA expression and protein production from nasal fibroblasts. Melittin and apamin inhibited Alternaria-induced phosphorylation of Smad 2/3 and p38 MAPK. Melittin and apamin can inhibit the fungi-induced production of chemical mediators and ECM from nasal fibroblasts. These results suggest the possible role of melittin and apamin in the treatment of fungi induced airway inflammatory diseases.
Recalcitrant Compounds Removal in Raw Leachate and Synthetic Effluents Using the White-Rot Fungus Bjerkandera adusta
Authors: Bardi Alessandra , Yuan Qiuyan , Tigini Valeria , Spina Federica , Varese Giovanna , Spennati Francesco , Becarelli Simone , Di Gregorio Simona , Petroni Giulio , Munz Giulio
Published: October 2017

Recalcitrant compounds limit the efficiency of conventional biological processes for wastewater treatment, representing one of the major issues in the field. This study focused on the treatment of three effluents with White-Rot-Fungus (WRF) Bjerkandera adusta MUT 2295 in batch tests, with biomass cultivated in attached form on polyurethane foam cubes (PUFs) to test its efficiency in the removal of the target effluents’ recalcitrant fraction. Treatment efficiency of B. adusta was evaluated on landfill leachate (Canada) and two solutions containing synthetic recalcitrant compounds, which were prepared with tannic and humic acid. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and color removal, the production of manganese peroxidases, and the consumption of a co-substrate (glucose) were monitored during the experiment. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5) and fungal dry weight were measured at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. After co-substrate addition, effluent COD was 2300 ± 85, 2545 ± 84, and 2580 ± 95 (mg/L) in raw leachate and tannic and humic acids, respectively. COD removal of 48%, 61%, and 48% was obtained in raw leachate and in the synthetic effluents containing tannic and humic acids, respectively. Color removal of 49%, 25%, and 42% was detected in raw leachate and in tannic and humic acid solutions, respectively. COD and color removals were associated with the increase of fungal dry weight, which was observed in all the trials. These results encourage the use of the selected fungal strain to remove tannic acid, while further investigations are required to optimize leachate and humic acid bioremediation.
Fire after a mast year triggers mass recruitment of slender mulga (Acacia aptaneura), a desert shrub with heat‐stimulated germination
Authors: Wright Boyd R. , Fensham Roderick J.
Published: October 2017

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:

Fire typically triggers extensive regeneration of plants with heat‐stimulated germination by causing short periods of intense soil heating. If plants with heat‐stimulated germination are also subject to seed predation and display mast‐seeding cycles, postfire recruitment may be contingent on the seedfall density of prefire masts, and on whether granivores are satiated at the time of fire.

METHODS:

We conducted a longitudinal seedbank study and a mensurative field experiment in central Australia to examine whether fire and the variation in seedfall density across sites in a mast year interact to influence recruitment of slender mulga (Acacia aptaneura), an iteroparous masting shrub with heat‐stimulated germination.

KEY RESULT:

The seedbank study showed seedbank pulsing after masting, with mean seed counts in the upper 4‐cm soil layer being 132.8 seeds/m2 12‐mo after a dense seedfall, but only 3.8 seeds/m2 following a year with no seed production. Consistent with this, recruitment increased postfire at sites where denser seedfall had occurred during the preburn mast year. Conversely, little recruitment occurred at unburnt populations, irrespective of prefire seedfall density.

CONCLUSIONS:

We attribute our findings to: (1) elevated soil temperatures during fires stimulating germination of heat‐cued seeds; and (2) granivore satiation following masting facilitating assimilation of seeds into the soil seedbank. These results highlight the importance of rare seed‐input events for regeneration in fire‐prone systems dominated by masting plants, and provide the first example from an arid biome of fire interacting with masting to influence recruitment.
GLOBAL SOURCING AND TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY – A FIRM-LEVEL STUDY ON THE ICT INDUSTRY IN SWEDEN
Authors: ANDERSSON Martin , STONE Trudy-Ann
Published: October 2017

We analyse the relationship between international sourcing, measured as imports of intermediate inputs, and the technical efficiency of firms in the information and communications technologies (ICT) manufacturing industry in Sweden. Using stochastic frontier analysis, we provide evidence that global sourcing improves firms’ capabilities to combine and re-combine inputs in productive ways, thereby increasing technical efficiency. We find a robust relationship between technical efficiency and international outsourcing. First, we find that firms that are deeply integrated into global sourcing networks are closer to their own production frontier. Second, firms that are engaged in international sourcing are also closer to the industry efficiency frontier. These findings are consistent with the argument that international sourcing stimulates firms’ capabilities by enabling them to identify and adopt higher quality inputs or more efficient production and management practices. These findings also suggest that the variety and extent of firms’ global sourcing networks constitute an important source of differences in efficiency levels among firms the ICT manufacturing industry.
HULL-WHITE’S VALUE AT RISK MODEL: CASE STUDY OF BALTIC EQUITIES MARKET
Authors: RADIVOJEVIĆ Nikola , ĆURČIĆ Nikola V. , VUKAJLOVIĆ Djurdjica Dj.
Published: October 2017

Analysis of the applicability of the Hull and White (FHS) model on the Baltic equities market has not been the subject of significant research, especially not in the context of meeting the Basel Committee backtesting rules. The paper discusses the applicability of different variants of this model, in order to answer the question whether any variants (and which of them) of the model can be used in these markets in the context of the Basel II and III standards. The survey results show that 1) there isn’t an optimal variant of this model, but that risk managers have to keep in mind stylized facts of financial returns when they specify the FHS model; 2) according to different criteria of the validity of the model (Basel II and III standards) different variants of models are differently ranked, which suggests that selection of a suitable model implies the use of a large number of different criteria, the model validity and loss function, especially those who take care of the size of tail loss and ES.
LEVERAGING FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE OF THE SPANISH AEROSPACE MANUFACTURING VALUE CHAIN
Authors: HERRANZ Rubén Elvira , ESTÉVEZ Pablo García , OLIVA María Auxiliadora de Vicente y , DÉ Rahul
Published: October 2017

We study financial management performance during 2008–2013 for the Spanish aerospace manufacturing value chain and the links with managerial decisions. Data from company financial statements is analysed with Principal Component Analysis, Data Envelopment Analysis and an Artificial Neural Network. Top financial performers focus on liquidity management rather than on returns: both in the short term, by increasing levels of current assets and funding them with short-term liabilities, as well as increasing asset turnover; and in the long term, by aligning equity to non-current assets, while reducing asset and debt intensity levels. Only the manufacturing value chain is analysed, showing the potential for future research in related fields (e.g. Value chain, country). Benchmarking and forecasting financial performance yields information and enables agility and accuracy in the strategy setting process. This study makes a unique contribution because it applies the scientific method where no previous related studies have done. It offers the novelty of using a single metric while Ratio Analysis requires multiple unweighted measures. We contribute by: (a) providing a method based on publicly information to benchmark and predict financial performance, thus offering benefits for aerospace stakeholders and academia; and (b) employing a big data sample that closely represents the population.
COMPARATIVE STUDY ON RETAIL SALES FORECASTING BETWEEN SINGLE AND COMBINATION METHODS
Authors: ARAS Serkan , DEVECİ KOCAKOÇ İpek , POLAT Cigdem
Published: October 2017

In today’s competitive global economy, businesses must adjust themselves constantly to ever-changing markets. Therefore, predicting future events in the marketplace is crucial to the maintenance of successful business activities. In this study, sales forecasts for a global furniture retailer operating in Turkey were made using state space models, ARIMA and ARFIMA models, neural networks, and Adaptive Network-based Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). Also, the forecasting performances of some widely used combining methods were evaluated by comparison with the weekly sales data for ten products. According to the best of our knowledge, this study is the first time that the recently developed state space models, also called ETS (Error-Trend-Seasonal) models, and the ANFIS model have been tested within combining methods for forecasting retail sales. Analysis of the results of the single models in isolation indicated that none of them outperformed all the others across all the time series investigated. However, the empirical results suggested that most of the combined forecasts examined could achieve statistically significant increases in forecasting accuracy compared with individual models and with the forecasts generated by the company’s current system.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN SMES: ORGANIZATIONAL AND SECTORAL DETERMINANTS IN THE CONTEXT OF AN OUTERMOST EUROPEAN REGION
Authors: ARMAS-CRUZ Yaiza , GIL-SOTO Esperanza , OREJA-RODRÍGUEZ Juan Ramón
Published: October 2017

This paper evaluates the environmental behavior of smes in the Canary Islands (Spain), one of the Outermost European Regions. The islands’ fragile socioeconomic systems and scarce resources noticeably condition the competitiveness of their firms. An empirical analysis ranks environmental protection practices in smes and identifies differences on the basis of size and business sector. In addition, groups of firms with different environmental behavior are identified to facilitate the design of environmental policies, improve effectiveness in decision making and the more efficient use of resources. From a theoretical perspective, this paper contributes to the gap identified by the precursors of the Natural Resource-Based View of the firm by analyzing specific resource combinations that each firm can use to improve its environmental performance and achieve competitive advantages. The firms best positioned to develop the dynamic capabilities needed are identified not only considering the physical environment, but also the socio-economic one and key intangible resources are measured that shape firms’ environmental strategy.