bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Risk-Based Methodology and Tool Combining Threat Analysis and Power System Security Assessment
Authors: Ciapessoni Emanuele , Cirio Diego , Pitto Andrea , Marcacci Pietro , Lacavalla Matteo , Massucco Stefano , Silvestro Federico , Sforna Marino
Published: January 2018

A thorough investigation of power system security requires the analysis of the vulnerabilities to natural and man-related threats which potentially trigger multiple contingencies. In particular, extreme weather events are becoming more and more frequent due to climate changes and often cause large load disruptions on the system, thus the support for security enhancement gets tricky. Exploiting data coming from forecasting systems in a security assessment environment can help assess the risk of operating power systems subject to the disturbances provoked by the weather event itself. In this context, the paper proposes a security assessment methodology, based on an updated definition of risk suitable for power system risk evaluations. Big data analytics can be useful to get an accurate model for weather-related threats. The relevant software (SW) platform integrates the security assessment methodology with prediction systems which provide short term forecasts of the threats affecting the system. The application results on a real wet snow threat scenario in the Italian High Voltage grid demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach with respect to conventional security approaches, by complementing the conventional “N − 1” security criterion and exploiting big data to link the security assessment phase to the analysis of incumbent threats.
An Improved Grey Model and Scenario Analysis for Carbon Intensity Forecasting in the Pearl River Delta Region of China
Authors: Ye Fei , Xie Xinxiu , Zhang Li , Hu Xiaoling
Published: January 2018

In this paper, an improved grey model and scenario analysis, GA-GM(1,N) is proposed to forecast the carbon intensity in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region, one of the most developed regions in China. Moreover, to show the advantage and feasibility of the proposed model, the forecasting results of the GA-GM(1,N) model are compared with that of a single-variable grey model (GM (1,1)) and a multivariable form (GM(1,N)). Data from one sample period (2005–2012) are used to develop the models, and data from another sample period (2013–2015) are used to test them. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) is applied to measure the accuracy of prediction. The results show that, of the three models, GA-GM(1,N) produces the best carbon intensity forecasts, with MAPEs of 0.4–1.4% and 0.04–0.4% in the development and testing periods respectively. This indicates that the optimization of the genetic algorithm is effective. The realization of carbon reduction targets in different cities is also explored by combining grey models with scenario analysis. Only Guangzhou could achieve its reduction target under all scenarios, and it can serve as a reference for other cities. Policy recommendations are provided based on these results.
The Multi-Objective Optimization Algorithm Based on Sperm Fertilization Procedure (MOSFP) Method for Solving Wireless Sensor Networks Optimization Problems in Smart Grid Applications
Authors: Shehadeh Hisham A. , Idna Idris Mohd Yamani , Ahmedy Ismail , Ramli Roziana , Mohamed Noor Noorzaily
Published: January 2018

Prior studies in Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) optimization mostly concentrate on maximizing network coverage and minimizing network energy consumption. However, there are other factors that could affect the WSN Quality of Service (QoS). In this paper, four objective functions that affect WSN QoS, namely end-to-end delay, end-to-end latency, network throughput and energy efficiency are studied. Optimal value of packet payload size that is able to minimize the end-to-end delay and end-to-end latency, while also maximizing the network throughput and energy efficiency is sought. To do this, a smart grid application case study together with a WSN QoS model is used to find the optimal value of the packet payload size. Our proposed method, named Multi-Objective Optimization Algorithm Based on Sperm Fertilization Procedure (MOSFP), along with other three state-of-the-art multi-objective optimization algorithms known as OMOPSO, NSGA-II and SPEA2, are utilized in this study. Different packet payload sizes are supplied to the algorithms and their optimal value is derived. From the experiments, the knee point and the intersection point of all the obtained Pareto fronts for all the algorithms show that the optimal packet payload size that manages the trade-offs between the four objective functions is equal to 45 bytes. The results also show that the performance of our proposed MOSFP method is highly competitive and found to have the best average value compared to the other three algorithms. Furthermore, the overall performance of MOSFP on four objective functions outperformed OMOPSO, NSGA-II and SPEA2 by 3%, 6% and 51%, respectively.
A Practical Approach to Localize Simultaneous Triple Open-Switches for a PWM Inverter-Fed Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine Drive System
Authors: Song Jae-Hwan , Kim Kyeong-Hwa
Published: January 2018

In order to overcome the limitations of conventional diagnosis methods, this paper proposes a reliable and practical on-line fault localization scheme for a pulse width modulation (PWM) inverter-fed permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) drive system even when the inverter has simultaneous open faults in up to three switches. An open-switch fault is usually initiated by an accidental over-current, or electrical and thermal stresses. This fault may induce crucial secondary damage in the drive system since it is easily propagated and produces a continuous harmful effect on other system components. The open-switch faults in inverters often occur in a very complicated manner. Due to this reason, it was only recently that real-time diagnosis schemes under the open-switch faults in multiple switches have been presented in a few references. However, to alleviate the complexity and exactness issues, most of the conventional diagnosis schemes have considered the open faults only in two simultaneous switches until now, which is not generally the case. Even though the fault detection is simple and immediate, the exact fault localization is not a simple task, especially when there are open faults in three simultaneous switches because different open-switch fault locations may develop the same fault signature. To deal with such a problem, free-wheeling mode detection is introduced in this paper for the purpose of identifying the exact fault group and the faulty switch location. Then main objective of this paper is to realize a reliable fault localization algorithm under the condition of simultaneous open-switches (up to three) on an online basis without requiring any extra hardware or sensors in order that the algorithm can be easily installed in main CPU of a commercial drive system. For this purpose, the open faults in simultaneous switches are categorized into seven different fault groups. The entire system is implemented on a digital controller by using TMS320F28335 digital signal processor (DSP). The experimental results are presented under various open fault conditions to validate the usefulness of the proposed open-switch fault localization scheme.
Net Power Coefficient of Vertical and Horizontal Wind Turbines with Crossflow Runners
Authors: Pujol Toni , Massaguer Albert , Massaguer Eduard , Montoro Lino , Comamala Martí
Published: January 2018

The feasibility of using crossflow runners as single rotors in vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT) or as blades in horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWT) is numerically studied. A computational fluid dynamics model is validated from data obtained in a wind tunnel. Three crossflow runners with different number of blades are tested. Values of drag, lift and torque coefficients are numerically obtained at different turning velocities. Power coefficients Cp for crossflow VAWT and HAWT are calculated for different tip-speed ratios (TSR) and runner spin ratios (α). Since crossflow HAWT consume electrical energy for spinning the runners, the net power coefficient is estimated. Simulations indicate that a crossflow runner as a single rotor in VAWT should have a high solidity and work at low TSR. Crossflow runners working as blades in HAWT may achieve low drag to lift ratios but the Cp is penalized by the amount of energy required for spinning the runners. The optimum working condition of crossflow HAWT is located within a narrow band of low TSR and α reaching Cp values < 0.2 only.
Phase Change Materials in Transparent Building Envelopes: A Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis
Authors: Vigna Ilaria , Bianco Lorenza , Goia Francesco , Serra Valentina
Published: January 2018

Building envelopes can play a crucial role in building improvement efficiency, and the adoption of Phase Change Materials (PCMs), coupled with transparent elements, may: (i) allow a better control of the heat flows from/to the outdoor environment, (ii) increase the exploitation of solar energy at a building scale and (iii) modulate light transmission in order to prevent glare effects. Starting from a literature review, focused on experimental works, this research identifies the main possible integrations of PCMs in transparent/translucent building envelope components (in glazing, in shutters and in multilayer façade system) in order to draw a global picture of the potential and limitations of these technologies. Transparent envelopes with PCMs have been classified from the simplest “zero” technology, which integrates the PCM in a double glass unit (DGU), to more complex solutions—with a different number of glass cavities (triple glazed unit TGU), different positions of the PCM layer (internal/external shutter), and in combination with other materials (TIM, aerogel, prismatic solar reflector, PCM curtain controlled by an electric pump). The results of the analysis have been summarised in a Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis table to underline the strengths and weaknesses of transparent building envelope components with PCMs, and to indicate opportunities and threats for future research and building applications.
On the Compatibility of Electric Equivalent Circuit Models for Enhanced Flooded Lead Acid Batteries Based on Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Aksakal Can , Sisman Altug
Published: January 2018

Electric equivalent circuit (EEC) models have been widely used to interpret the inner dynamics of all type of batteries. Added to this, they also have been used to estimate state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) values in combination with different methods. Four EEC models are considered for enhanced flooded lead acid batteries (EFB) which are widely used in micro hybrid vehicles. In this study, impedance and phase prediction capabilities of models throughout a frequency spectrum from 1 mHz to 10 kHz are compared with those of experimental results to investigate their consistency with the data. The battery is charged, discharged, and aged according to appropriate standards which imitates a lifetime of a micro hybrid vehicle battery under high current partial cycling. Impedance tests are repeated between different charge and health states until the end of the battery’s lifetime. It is seen that adding transmission line elements to mimic the high porous electrode electrolyte interface to a double parallel constant phase element resistance model (ZARC) can increase the model data representing capability by 100%. The mean average percentage error (MAPE) of the conventional model with respect to data is 3.2% while the same value of the transmission line added model found as 1.6%. The results can be helpful to represent an EFB in complex simulation environments, which are used in automobile industry.
An Anonymous Offline RFID Grouping-Proof Protocol
Authors: Zhou Zhibin , Liu Pin , Liu Qin , Wang Guojun
Published: January 2018

As more and more items are tagged with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags, grouping-proof technology is widely utilized to provide a coexistence evidence for a group of related items. Due to the wireless channel used in RFID systems, a security risk exists in the communication between the reader and tags. How to ensure the tag’s information security and to generate reliable grouping-proof becomes a hot research topic. To protect the privacy of tags, the verification of grouping-proof is traditionally executed by the verifier, and the reader is only used to collect the proof data. This approach can cause the reader to submit invalid proof data to the verifier in the event of DoP (Deny of Proof) attack. In this paper, an ECC-based, off-line anonymous grouping-proof protocol (EAGP) is proposed. The protocol authorizes the reader to examine the validity of grouping-proof without knowing the identities of tags. From the security and performance analysis, the EAGP can protect the security and privacy of RFID tags, and defence impersonation and replay attacks. Furthermore, it has the ability to reduce the system overhead caused by the invalid submission of grouping-proofs. As a result, the proposed EAGP equips practical application values.
Review of Latest Advances in 3GPP Standardization: D2D Communication in 5G Systems and Its Energy Consumption Models
Authors: Höyhtyä Marko , Apilo Olli , Lasanen Mika
Published: January 2018

Device-to-device (D2D) communication is an essential part of the future fifth generation (5G) system that can be seen as a “network of networks,” consisting of multiple seamlessly-integrated radio access technologies (RATs). Public safety communications, autonomous driving, socially-aware networking, and infotainment services are example use cases of D2D technology. High data rate communications and use of several active air interfaces in the described network create energy consumption challenges for both base stations and the end user devices. In this paper, we review the status of 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standardization, which is the most important standardization body for 5G systems. We define a set of application scenarios for D2D communications in 5G networks. We use the recent models of 3GPP long term evolution (LTE) and WiFi interfaces in analyzing the power consumption from both the infrastructure and user device perspectives. The results indicate that with the latest radio interfaces, the best option for energy saving is the minimization of active interfaces and sending the data with the best possible data rate. Multiple recommendations on how to exploit the results in future networks are given.
A Virtual Learning Architecture Enhanced by Fog Computing and Big Data Streams
Authors: Pecori Riccardo
Published: January 2018

In recent years, virtual learning environments are gaining more and more momentum, considering both the technologies deployed in their support and the sheer number of terminals directly or indirectly interacting with them. This essentially means that every day, more and more smart devices play an active role in this exemplary Web of Things scenario. This digital revolution, affecting education, appears clearly intertwined with the earliest forecasts of the Internet of Things, envisioning around 50 billions heterogeneous devices and gadgets to be active by 2020, considering also the deployment of the fog computing paradigm, which moves part of the computational power to the edge of the network. Moreover, these interconnected objects are expected to produce more and more significant streams of data, themselves generated at unprecedented rates, sometimes to be analyzed almost in real time. Concerning educational environments, this translates to a new type of big data stream, which can be labeled as educational big data streams. Here, pieces of information coming from different sources (such as communications between students and instructors, as well as students’ tests, etc.) require accurate analysis and mining techniques in order to retrieve fruitful and well-timed insights from them. This article presents an overview of the current state of the art of virtual learning environments and their limitations; then, it explains the main ideas behind the paradigms of big data streams and of fog computing, in order to introduce an e-learning architecture integrating both of them. Such an action aims to enhance the ability of virtual learning environments to be closer to the needs of all the actors in an educational scenario, as demonstrated by a preliminary implementation of the envisioned architecture. We believe that the proposed big stream and fog-based educational framework may pave the way towards a better understanding of students’ educational behaviors and foster new research directions in the field.
Flood Hazard Management in Public Mountain Recreation Areas vs. Ungauged Fluvial Basins. Case Study of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, Canary Islands (Spain)
Authors: Garrote Julio , Díez-Herrero Andrés , Bodoque José , Perucha María , Mayer Pablo , Génova Mar
Published: January 2018

Las Angustias River is an ungauged stream in the Caldera de Taburiente National Park (Spain), where frequent intense flash-flood events occur. The aim of this research is to analyze the flood hazard at the Playa de Taburiente. Based on the limited information available (short time-series of daily precipitation), a statistical frequency analysis of 24 h rainfall was completed and the precipitation results were transformed into surface runoff. To determine if the model underestimates the flows that are generated in the basin, the dendro-geomorphological information available was used to calibrate results. The results of the HMS model were significantly lower. At this point, both the rainfall data and the rainfall-runoff model were re-analyzed to maximize the rainfall intensity values and the runoff generated (increasing the CN value for the basin). For the 1997 flood event, a 1250 m3·s−1 flood minimizes the RMSE for the disturbed tree sample; this flow value also clearly exceeds any peak flow derived from the rainfall-runoff analysis. It is only when rainfall intensity and surface runoff are maximized that the peak flows obtained approximate those associated with dendro-geomorphological data. The results highlight the difficulties of flood hazard management in ungauged torrential basins in mountain recreational areas (such as National Parks). Thus, in the absence of flow records, when considering the maximum rainfall intensity scenario may be a useful and effective tool for flood risk management.
Influence of Land Use and Point Source Pollution on Water Quality in a Developed Region: A Case Study in Shunde, China
Authors: Bo Wenjing , Wang Xiaoke , Zhang Qianqian , Xiao Yi , Ouyang Zhiyun
Published: January 2018

To design and implement policy to manage water quality, it is important to investigate land use and possible sources of pollution. In this study, using Pearson regression analysis, redundancy analysis and multiple regression analysis, we assess the influence of land use and point sources on water quality in the river system in Shunde district in 2000 and 2010. The results show that water quality was related positively with water surface but negatively with impervious and urban greening area. Additionally, water quality was related negatively to point source emissions of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonium-nitrogen (NH4-N). The total explanatory power of spatial variation of water quality was improved from 43.4% to 60.0% in 2000 and from 31.3% to 57.8% in 2010, respectively, when the influence of point sources was added into redundancy analysis between water quality and land use. Thus, both land use management and point source pollution control should be considered for improving river water quality.
Factors Associated with Maintaining the Mental Health of Employees after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster: Findings from Companies Located in the Evacuation Area
Authors: Orui Masatsugu , Suzuki Yuriko , Goto Aya , Yasumura Seiji
Published: January 2018

After the nuclear disaster in Fukushima on 11 March 2011, some businesses were permitted to continue operating even though they were located in the evacuation area designated by the Japanese government. The aim of this study was to examine differences in the mental health status, workplace, living environment, and lifestyle of employees in the evacuation and non-evacuation areas. We also investigated factors related to their mental health status. Data for this cross-sectional study were collected from the questionnaire responses of 647 employees at three medium-sized manufacturing companies in the evacuation and non-evacuation areas. Through a cross-tabulation analysis, employees who worked at companies in the evacuation areas showed an increase in the duration of overtime work, work burden, and commute time, and had experienced separation from family members due to the radiation disaster and perceived radiation risks. The results of a multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, even in a harsh workplace and living environment, being younger, participating regularly in physical activity, having a social network (Lubben Social Network Scale-6 ≤ 12), laughing frequently, and feeling satisfied with one’s workplace and domestic life were significantly associated with maintaining a healthy mental health status after the disaster. These findings are applicable for workers’ health management measures after disasters.
Arsenic Uptake, Toxicity, Detoxification, and Speciation in Plants: Physiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Aspects
Authors: Abbas Ghulam , Murtaza Behzad , Bibi Irshad , Shahid Muhammad , Niazi Nabeel , Khan Muhammad , Amjad Muhammad , Hussain Munawar , Natasha
Published: January 2018

Environmental contamination with arsenic (As) is a global environmental, agricultural and health issue due to the highly toxic and carcinogenic nature of As. Exposure of plants to As, even at very low concentration, can cause many morphological, physiological, and biochemical changes. The recent research on As in the soil-plant system indicates that As toxicity to plants varies with its speciation in plants (e.g., arsenite, As(III); arsenate, As(V)), with the type of plant species, and with other soil factors controlling As accumulation in plants. Various plant species have different mechanisms of As(III) or As(V) uptake, toxicity, and detoxification. This review briefly describes the sources and global extent of As contamination and As speciation in soil. We discuss different mechanisms responsible for As(III) and As(V) uptake, toxicity, and detoxification in plants, at physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels. This review highlights the importance of the As-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as their damaging impacts on plants at biochemical, genetic, and molecular levels. The role of different enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and ascorbate peroxidase) and non-enzymatic (salicylic acid, proline, phytochelatins, glutathione, nitric oxide, and phosphorous) substances under As(III/V) stress have been delineated via conceptual models showing As translocation and toxicity pathways in plant species. Significantly, this review addresses the current, albeit partially understood, emerging aspects on (i) As-induced physiological, biochemical, and genotoxic mechanisms and responses in plants and (ii) the roles of different molecules in modulation of As-induced toxicities in plants. We also provide insight on some important research gaps that need to be filled to advance our scientific understanding in this area of research on As in soil-plant systems.
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Environmental Stressors and Supports
Authors: Williams Kristen , Patel Kayla , Stausmire Julie , Bridges Christy , Mathis Mary , Barkin Jennifer
Published: January 2018

The relationship between maternal mental health and infant development has been established in the literature. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a particularly challenging environment for new mothers as several natural processes are disrupted. The objective of this study is to elucidate protective factors and environmental deficits associated with the NICU. The experiences of forty-six (n = 46) mothers of infants admitted to a Level III NICU in the Midwestern United States, who responded to a related open-ended question, were analyzed thematically. Five themes related to the NICU environment emerged as being either stressful or helpful: (1) amount and quality of communication with medical staff, (2) bedside manner of medical staff, (3) feeling alienated from infant’s care, (4) support from other NICU mothers and families, and (5) NICU Physical Environment and Regulations. There is a need for medical staff training on awareness, communication, empathy, and other behaviors that might improve maternal (and parental) experiences in the NICU. The physical environment, including rules and regulations of the NICU, should be reexamined with family comfort in mind in addition to the clinical care of the infant.
Food Safety Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior among Dairy Plant Workers in Beijing, Northern China
Authors: Chen Yan , Ji Hua , Chen Li-Jun , Jiang Rong , Wu Yong-Ning
Published: January 2018

The safety of milk and dairy products has always been one of the focuses of consumers, the food industry and regulatory agencies. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the food safety knowledge, attitudes and behavior of dairy plant workers. A cross-sectional survey was performed between May and August 2015 in three dairy plants in Beijing, northern China. A total of 194 dairy plant workers were interviewed to collect information on food safety knowledge, attitudes and self-reported behavior. The 194 dairy plant workers interviewed showed a sufficient level of knowledge (mean score 34 on a scale from 0–58), perfect attitudes (mean score 17 on a scale from 0–18), and perfect behavior (mean score 38 on a scale from 8–40). Only 39% of workers correctly determined specific pathogens or diseases that could be conveyed through milk and dairy products. 24% of workers knew the correct method of washing hands. A significant positive association was observed between attitudes and knowledge (p < 0.001) as well as behavior (p < 0.01). Education level was positively and significantly associated with food safety knowledge, attitudes, and behavior (p < 0.05). Workers in dairy enterprises in northern China have relatively low levels of knowledge, yet satisfactory attitudes and behavior. The knowledge of microbial food hazards and hand hygiene remains an issue that needs to be emphasized in future training programs. Education level is a determinant of attitudes and behavior with regard to the proper handling of milk and dairy products.
Multilevel Visualization of Travelogue Trajectory Data
Authors: Ma Yongsai , Wang Yang , Xu Guangluan , Tai Xianqing
Published: January 2018

User-generated travelogues can generate much geographic data, containing abundant semantic and geographic information that reflects people’s movement patterns. The tourist movement patterns in travelogues can help others when planning trips, or understanding how people travel within certain regions. The trajectory data in travelogues might include tourist attractions, restaurants and other locations. In addition, all travelogues generate a trajectory, which has a large volume. The variety and volume of trajectory data make it very hard to directly find patterns contained within them. Moreover, existing work about movement patterns has only explored the simple semantic information, without considering using visualization to find hidden information. We propose a multilevel visual analytical method to help find movement patterns in travelogues. The data characteristic of a single travelogue are different from multiple travelogues. When exploring a single travelogue, the individual movement patterns comprise our main concern, like semantic information. While looking at many travelogues, we focus more on the patterns of population movement. In addition, when choosing the levels for multilevel aggregation, we apply an adaptive method. By combining the multilevel visualization in a single travelogue and multiple travelogues, we can better explore the movement patterns in travelogues.
The Role of Microglia in Diabetic Retinopathy: Inflammation, Microvasculature Defects and Neurodegeneration
Authors: Altmann Christine , Schmidt Mirko
Published: January 2018

Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus, which appears in one third of all diabetic patients and is a prominent cause of vision loss. First discovered as a microvascular disease, intensive research in the field identified inflammation and neurodegeneration to be part of diabetic retinopathy. Microglia, the resident monocytes of the retina, are activated due to a complex interplay between the different cell types of the retina and diverse pathological pathways. The trigger for developing diabetic retinopathy is diabetes-induced hyperglycemia, accompanied by leukostasis and vascular leakages. Transcriptional changes in activated microglia, mediated via the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB) and extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathways, results in release of various pro-inflammatory mediators, including cytokines, chemokines, caspases and glutamate. Activated microglia additionally increased proliferation and migration. Among other consequences, these changes in microglia severely affected retinal neurons, causing increased apoptosis and subsequent thinning of the nerve fiber layer, resulting in visual loss. New potential therapeutics need to interfere with these diabetic complications even before changes in the retina are diagnosed, to prevent neuronal apoptosis and blindness in patients.
Insights into the Impact of Linker Flexibility and Fragment Ionization on the Design of CK2 Allosteric Inhibitors: Comparative Molecular Dynamics Simulation Studies
Authors: Zhou Yue , Zhang Na , Qi Xiaoqian , Tang Shan , Sun Guohui , Zhao Lijiao , Zhong Rugang , Peng Yongzhen
Published: January 2018

Protein kinase is a novel therapeutic target for human diseases. The off-target and side effects of ATP-competitive inhibitors preclude them from the clinically relevant drugs. The compounds targeting the druggable allosteric sites outside the highly conversed ATP binding pocket have been identified as promising alternatives to overcome current barriers of ATP-competitive inhibitors. By simultaneously interacting with the αD region (new allosteric site) and sub-ATP binding pocket, the attractive compound CAM4066 was named as allosteric inhibitor of CK2α. It has been demonstrated that the rigid linker and non-ionizable substituted fragment resulted in significant decreased inhibitory activities of compounds. The molecular dynamics simulations and energy analysis revealed that the appropriate coupling between the linker and pharmacophore fragments were essential for binding of CAM4066 with CK2α. The lower flexible linker of compound 21 lost the capability of coupling fragments A and B to αD region and positive area, respectively, whereas the methyl benzoate of fragment B induced the re-orientated Pre-CAM4066 with the inappropriate polar interactions. Most importantly, the match between the optimized linker and pharmacophore fragments is the challenging work of fragment-linking based drug design. These results provide rational clues to further structural modification and development of highly potent allosteric inhibitors of CK2.
Transient Expression and Purification of Horseradish Peroxidase C in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Huddy Suzanne , Hitzeroth Inga , Meyers Ann , Weber Brandon , Rybicki Edward
Published: January 2018

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is a commercially important reagent enzyme used in molecular biology and in the diagnostic product industry. It is typically purified from the roots of the horseradish (Armoracia rusticana); however, this crop is only available seasonally, yields are variable and often low, and the product is a mixture of isoenzymes. Engineering high-level expression in transiently transformed tobacco may offer a solution to these problems. In this study, a synthetic Nicotiana benthamiana codon-adapted full-length HRP isoenzyme gene as well as C-terminally truncated and both N- and C-terminally truncated versions of the HRP C gene were synthesized, and their expression in N. benthamiana was evaluated using an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transient expression system. The influence on HRP C expression levels of co-infiltration with a silencing suppressor (NSs) construct was also evaluated. Highest HRP C levels were consistently obtained using either the full length or C-terminally truncated HRP C constructs. HRP C purification by ion exchange chromatography gave an overall yield of 54% with a Reinheitszahl value of >3 and a specific activity of 458 U/mg. The high level of HRP C production in N. benthamiana in just five days offers an alternative, viable, and scalable system for production of this commercially significant enzyme.
Seed Transcriptomics Analysis in Camellia oleifera Uncovers Genes Associated with Oil Content and Fatty Acid Composition
Authors: Lin Ping , Wang Kailiang , Zhou Changfu , Xie Yunhai , Yao Xiaohua , Yin Hengfu
Published: January 2018

Camellia oleifera is a major tree species for producing edible oil. Its seed oil is well known for the high level of oleic acids; however, little is known regarding the molecular mechanism of lipid biosynthesis in C. oleifera. Here, we measured the oil contents and fatty acid (FA) compositions at four developmental stages and investigated the global gene expression profiles through transcriptomics sequencing. We identified differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) among the developmental stages and found that the distribution of numbers of DEGs was associated with the accumulation pattern of seed oil. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed some critical biological processes related to oil accumulation, including lipid metabolism and phosphatidylcholine metabolism. Furthermore, we investigated the expression patterns of lipid biosynthesis genes. We showed that most of the genes were identified with single or multiple copies, and some had correlated profiles along oil accumulation. We proposed that the higher levels of stearoyl-ACP desaturases (SADs) coupled with lower activities of fatty acid desaturase 2 (FAD2) might be responsive to the boost of oleic acid at the late stage of C. oleifera seeds’ development. This work presents a comprehensive transcriptomics study of C. oleifera seeds and uncovers valuable DEGs that are associated with the seed oil accumulation.
Overview of the Microenvironment of Vasculature in Vascular Tone Regulation
Authors: Loh Yean , Tan Chu , Ch’ng Yung , Yeap Zhao , Ng Chiew , Yam Mun
Published: January 2018

Hypertension is asymptomatic and a well-known “silent killer”, which can cause various concomitant diseases in human population after years of adherence. Although there are varieties of synthetic antihypertensive drugs available in current market, their relatively low efficacies and major application in only single drug therapy, as well as the undesired chronic adverse effects associated, has drawn the attention of worldwide scientists. According to the trend of antihypertensive drug evolution, the antihypertensive drugs used as primary treatment often change from time-to-time with the purpose of achieving the targeted blood pressure range. One of the major concerns that need to be accounted for here is that the signaling mechanism pathways involved in the vasculature during the vascular tone regulation should be clearly understood during the pharmacological research of antihypertensive drugs, either in vitro or in vivo. There are plenty of articles that discussed the signaling mechanism pathways mediated in vascular tone in isolated fragments instead of a whole comprehensive image. Therefore, the present review aims to summarize previous published vasculature-related studies and provide an overall depiction of each pathway including endothelium-derived relaxing factors, G-protein-coupled, enzyme-linked, and channel-linked receptors that occurred in the microenvironment of vasculature with a full schematic diagram on the ways their signals interact. Furthermore, the crucial vasodilative receptors that should be included in the mechanisms of actions study on vasodilatory effects of test compounds were suggested in the present review as well.
Natural Antisense Transcripts: Molecular Mechanisms and Implications in Breast Cancers
Authors: Latgé Guillaume , Poulet Christophe , Bours Vincent , Josse Claire , Jerusalem Guy
Published: January 2018

Natural antisense transcripts are RNA sequences that can be transcribed from both DNA strands at the same locus but in the opposite direction from the gene transcript. Because strand-specific high-throughput sequencing of the antisense transcriptome has only been available for less than a decade, many natural antisense transcripts were first described as long non-coding RNAs. Although the precise biological roles of natural antisense transcripts are not known yet, an increasing number of studies report their implication in gene expression regulation. Their expression levels are altered in many physiological and pathological conditions, including breast cancers. Among the potential clinical utilities of the natural antisense transcripts, the non-coding|coding transcript pairs are of high interest for treatment. Indeed, these pairs can be targeted by antisense oligonucleotides to specifically tune the expression of the coding-gene. Here, we describe the current knowledge about natural antisense transcripts, their varying molecular mechanisms as gene expression regulators, and their potential as prognostic or predictive biomarkers in breast cancers.
The Effects of Kaempferol-Inhibited Autophagy on Osteoclast Formation
Authors: Kim Chang-Ju , Shin Sang-Hun , Kim Bok-Joo , Kim Chul-Hoon , Kim Jung-Han , Kang Hae-Mi , Park Bong-Soo , Kim In-Ryoung
Published: January 2018

Kaempferol, a flavonoid compound, is derived from the rhizome of Kaempferia galanga L., which is used in traditional medicine in Asia. Autophagy has pleiotropic functions that are involved in cell growth, survival, nutrient supply under starvation, defense against pathogens, and antigen presentation. There are many studies dealing with the inhibitory effects of natural flavonoids in bone resorption. However, no studies have explained the relationship between the autophagic and inhibitory processes of osteoclastogenesis by natural flavonoids. The present study was undertaken to investigate the inhibitory effects of osteoclastogenesis through the autophagy inhibition process stimulated by kaempferol in murin macrophage (RAW 264.7) cells. The cytotoxic effect of Kaempferol was investigated by MTT assay. The osteoclast differentiation and autophagic process were confirmed via tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, pit formation assay, western blot, and real-time PCR. Kaempferol controlled the expression of autophagy-related factors and in particular, it strongly inhibited the expression of p62/SQSTM1. In the western blot and real time-PCR analysis, when autophagy was suppressed with the application of 3-Methyladenine (3-MA) only, osteoclast and apoptosis related factors were not significantly affected. However, we found that after cells were treated with kaempferol, these factors inhibited autophagy and activated apoptosis. Therefore, we presume that kaempferol-inhibited autophagy activated apoptosis by degradation of p62/SQSTM1. Further study of the p62/SQSTM1 gene as a target in the autophagy mechanism, may help to delineate the potential role of kaempferol in the treatment of bone metabolism disorders.
The Potential Roles of the Apoptosis-Related Protein PDRG1 in Diapause Embryo Restarting of Artemia sinica
Authors: Zhang Wan , Yao Feng , Zhang Hong , Li Na , Zou Xiangyang , Sui Linlin , Hou Lin
Published: January 2018

High salinity and low temperatures can induce Artemia sinica to enter the diapause stage during embryonic development. Diapause embryos stop at the gastrula stage, allowing them to resist apoptosis and regulate cell cycle activity to guarantee normal development after diapause termination. P53 and DNA damage-regulated gene 1 (pdrg1) is involved in cellular physiological activities, such as apoptosis, DNA damage repair, cell cycle regulation, and promotion of programmed cell death. However, the role of pdrg1 in diapause and diapause termination in A. sinica remains unknown. Here, the full-length A. sinica pdrg1 cDNA (As-pdrg1) was obtained and found to contain 1119 nucleotides, including a 228 bp open reading frame (ORF), a 233 bp 5′-untranslated region (UTR), and a 658-bp 3′-UTR, which encodes a 75 amino acid protein. In situ hybridization showed no tissue specific expression of As-pdrg1. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting analyses of As-pdrg1 gene and protein expression showed high levels at 15–20 h of embryo development and a subsequent downward trend. Low temperatures upregulated As-pdrg1 expression. RNA interference for the pdrg1 gene in Artemia embryos caused significant developmental hysteresis. Thus, PDRG1 plays an important role in diapause termination and cell cycle regulation in early embryonic development of A. sinica.
Differential Characterization of Temozolomide-Resistant Human Glioma Cells
Authors: Lai Sheng-Wei , Huang Bor-Ren , Liu Yu-Shu , Lin Hsiao-Yun , Chen Chun-Chuan , Tsai Cheng-Fang , Lu Dah-Yuu , Lin Chingju
Published: January 2018

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common type of primary and malignant tumor occurring in the adult central nervous system. Temozolomide (TMZ) has been considered to be one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents to prolong the survival of patients with glioblastoma. Many glioma cells develop drug-resistance against TMZ that is mediated by increasing O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) levels. The expression of connexin 43 was increased in the resistant U251 subline compared with the parental U251 cells. The expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated regulators, including vimentin, N-cadherin, and β-catenin, was reduced in the resistant U251 subline. In addition, the resistant U251 subline exhibited decreased cell migratory activity and monocyte adhesion ability compared to the parental U251 cells. Furthermore, the resistant U251 subline also expressed lower levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 after treatment with recombinant tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. These findings suggest differential characteristics in the drug-resistant GBM from the parental glioma cells.
Structure and Chromosomal Organization of Yeast Genes Regulated by Topoisomerase II
Authors: Joshi Ricky , Nikolaou Christoforos , Roca Joaquim
Published: January 2018

Cellular DNA topoisomerases (topo I and topo II) are highly conserved enzymes that regulate the topology of DNA during normal genome transactions, such as DNA transcription and replication. In budding yeast, topo I is dispensable whereas topo II is essential, suggesting fundamental and exclusive roles for topo II, which might include the functions of the topo IIa and topo IIb isoforms found in mammalian cells. In this review, we discuss major findings of the structure and chromosomal organization of genes regulated by topo II in budding yeast. Experimental data was derived from short (10 min) and long term (120 min) responses to topo II inactivation in top-2 ts mutants. First, we discuss how short term responses reveal a subset of yeast genes that are regulated by topo II depending on their promoter architecture. These short term responses also uncovered topo II regulation of transcription across multi-gene clusters, plausibly by common DNA topology management. Finally, we examine the effects of deactivated topo II on the elongation of RNA transcripts. Each study provides an insight into the particular chromatin structure that interacts with the activity of topo II. These findings are of notable clinical interest as numerous anti-cancer therapies interfere with topo II activity.
The Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor Dapagliflozin Prevents Renal and Liver Disease in Western Diet Induced Obesity Mice
Authors: Wang Dong , Luo Yuhuan , Wang Xiaoxin , Orlicky David , Myakala Komuraiah , Yang Pengyuan , Levi Moshe
Published: January 2018

Obesity and obesity related kidney and liver disease have become more prevalent over the past few decades, especially in the western world. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of antidiabetic agents with promising effects on cardiovascular and renal function. Given SGLT2 inhibitors exert both anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects by promoting urinary excretion of glucose and subsequent caloric loss, we investigated the effect of the highly selective renal SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin in mice with Western diet (WD) induced obesity. Low fat (LF) diet or WD-fed male C57BL/6J mice were treated with dapagliflozin for 26 weeks. Dapagliflozin attenuated the WD-mediated increases in body weight, plasma glucose and plasma triglycerides. Treatment with dapagliflozin prevented podocyte injury, glomerular pathology and renal fibrosis determined by second harmonic generation (SHG), nephrin, synaptopodin, collagen IV, and fibronectin immunofluorescence microscopy. Oil Red O staining showed dapagliflozin also decreased renal lipid accumulation associated with decreased SREBP-1c mRNA abundance. Moreover, renal inflammation and oxidative stress were lower in the dapagliflozin-treated WD-fed mice than in the untreated WD-fed mice. In addition, dapagliflozin decreased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hepatic lipid accumulation as determined by H&E and Oil Red O staining, and Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) microscopy, and hepatic fibrosis as determined by picrosirius red (PSR) staining and TPE-SHG microscopy in WD-fed mice. Thus, our study demonstrated that the co-administration of the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin attenuates renal and liver disease during WD feeding of mice.
Gene Selection for Microarray Cancer Data Classification by a Novel Rule-Based Algorithm
Authors: Pino Angulo Adrian
Published: January 2018

Due to the disproportionate difference between the number of genes and samples, microarray data analysis is considered an extremely difficult task in sample classification. Feature selection mitigates this problem by removing irrelevant and redundant genes from data. In this paper, we propose a new methodology for feature selection that aims to detect relevant, non-redundant and interacting genes by analysing the feature value space instead of the feature space. Following this methodology, we also propose a new feature selection algorithm, namely Pavicd (Probabilistic Attribute-Value for Class Distinction). Experiments in fourteen microarray cancer datasets reveal that Pavicd obtains the best performance in terms of running time and classification accuracy when using Ripper-k and C4.5 as classifiers. When using SVM (Support Vector Machine), the Gbc (Genetic Bee Colony) wrapper algorithm gets the best results. However, Pavicd is significantly faster.