bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting the Multidrug Transporter Ptch1 Potentiates Chemotherapy Efficiency
Authors: Hasanovic Anida , Mus-Veteau Isabelle
Published: August 2018

One of the crucial challenges in the clinical management of cancer is resistance to chemotherapeutics. Multidrug resistance (MDR) has been intensively studied, and one of the most prominent mechanisms underlying MDR is overexpression of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. Despite research efforts to develop compounds that inhibit the efflux activity of ABC transporters and thereby increase classical chemotherapy efficacy, to date, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved the use of any ABC transporter inhibitors due to toxicity issues. Hedgehog signaling is aberrantly activated in many cancers, and has been shown to be involved in chemotherapy resistance. Recent studies showed that the Hedgehog receptor Ptch1, which is over-expressed in many recurrent and metastatic cancers, is a multidrug transporter and it contributes to the efflux of chemotherapeutic agents such as doxorubicin, and to chemotherapy resistance. Remarkably, Ptch1 uses the proton motive force to efflux drugs, in contrast to ABC transporters, which use ATP hydrolysis. Indeed, the “reversed pH gradient” that characterizes cancer cells, allows Ptch1 to function as an efflux pump specifically in cancer cells. This makes Ptch1 a particularly attractive therapeutic target for cancers expressing Ptch1, such as lung, breast, prostate, ovary, colon, brain, adrenocortical carcinoma, and melanoma. Screening of chemical libraries have identified several molecules that are able to enhance the cytotoxic effect of different chemotherapeutic agents by inhibiting Ptch1 drug efflux activity in different cancer cell lines that endogenously over-express Ptch1. In vivo proof of concept has been performed in mice where combining one of these compounds with doxorubicin prevented the development of xenografted adrenocortical carcinoma tumors more efficiently than doxorubicin alone, and without obvious undesirable side effects. Therefore, the use of a Ptch1 drug efflux inhibitor in combination with classical or targeted therapy could be a promising therapeutic option for Ptch1-expressing cancers.
Reducing the Induction Time Using Ultrasound and High-Shear Mixing in a Continuous Crystallization Process
Authors: Vancleef Arne , Seurs Stijn , Jordens Jeroen , Van Gerven Tom , Thomassen Leen C. J. , Braeken Leen
Published: August 2018

Continuous crystallization in tubular crystallizers is of particular interest to the pharmaceutical industry to accurately control average particle size, particle size distribution, and (polymorphic) shape. However, these types of crystallizers require fast nucleation, and thus, short induction times at the beginning of the flow process, which is challenging for larger and complex organic molecules. High shear and/or the presence of bubbles were identified to influence the nucleation behavior. This work investigates the effects of both high-shear mixing and ultrasound on the anti-solvent crystallization of paracetamol in acetone–water. Both devices generate intense amounts of shear and gas bubbles. Generally, the results show that increasing input power decreases the induction time significantly for both the rotor–stator mixer and ultrasound probe. However, the induction time is almost independent of the supersaturation for the ultrasound probe, while the induction time significantly increases with decreasing supersaturation for the rotor–stator mixer. In contrast, the particle size distribution for the rotor–stator mixer is independent of the supersaturation, while increasing supersaturation decreases the particle size for the ultrasound probe.
Improving Intelligence and Efficiency of Salt Lake Production by Applying a Decision Support System Based on IOT for Brine Pump Management
Authors: Cui Yan , Liu He , Zhang Mengjie , Stankovski Stevan , Feng Jianying , Zhang Xiaoshuan
Published: August 2018

At present, due to their geographical distribution, environmental conditions and traditional monitoring technologies, the manual inspection of brine pumps in Qinghai Saline Lake can not be effectively carried out in real time, so the pumps have a high failure rate. This has seriously affected the chemical production of this saline lake. The paper designed a remote real-time monitoring terminal and a decision support system based on LoRa technology, GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) remote communication technology and remote-control technology. The system integrated the liquid-level sensing model and the decision support model for brine pump management. The system monitored and analyzed the voltage, current, and liquid-level parameters in real time to determine the operating status or failure of the brine pump. The ID3 (Iterative Dichotomiser 3) method was used to establish the correlation models between the dynamic monitoring information and the brine pump failure, which is the core of the decision support model. The remote controller was implemented to display and control the running status of the brine pumps when the maintenance personnel received the warning information. PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) language and a MySQL database were implemented to realize the data display, management and decision support system.
Synthesis of the ZnO@ZnS Nanorod for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Haipeng , Wang Jiayi , Zhao Yan , Tan Taizhe
Published: August 2018

The ZnO@ZnS nanorod is synthesized by solvothermal method as an anode material for lithium ion batteries. ZnS is deposited on ZnO and assembles in nanorod geometry successfully. The nanosized rod structure supports ion diffusion by substantially reducing the ion channel. The close-linking of ZnS and ZnO improves the synergetic effect. ZnS is in the middle of the ZnO core and the external environment, which would greatly relieve the volume change of the ZnO core during the Li+ intercalation/de-intercalation processes; therefore, the ZnO@ZnS nanorod is helpful in maintaining excellent cycle stability. The ZnO@ZnS nanorod shows a high discharge capacity of 513.4 mAh g−1 at a current density of 200 mA g−1 after 100 cycles, while a reversible capacity of 385.6 mAh g−1 is achieved at 1000 mA g−1.
The Abundance of Fungi, Bacteria and Denitrification Genes during Insect Outbreaks in Scots Pine Forests
Authors: Grüning Maren Marine , Beule Lukas , Meyer Stephanie , Karlovsky Petr , I.-M.-Arnold Anne
Published: August 2018

Outbreaks of defoliating insects may affect microbial populations in forests and thereby mass balances and ecosystem functioning. Here, we investigated the microbial dynamics in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forests during outbreaks of the nun moth (Lymantria monacha L.) and the pine-tree lappet (Dendrolimus pini L.). We used real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to quantify genes that characterize bacterial and fungal abundance and the denitrification processes (nirK, nirS, nosZ clades I and II) in different forest compartments and we analyzed the C and N content of pine needles, insect feces, larvae, vegetation layers, organic layers, and mineral soil horizons. The infestation of the nun moth increased the bacterial abundance on pine needles, in the vegetation layer, and in the upper organic layer, while fungal populations were increased in the vegetation layer and upper organic layer during both outbreaks. In soil, the abundance of nirK increased after insect defoliation, while the C/N ratios decreased. nosZ clades I and II showed variable responses in different soil layers and to different defoliating insects. Our results illustrate changes in the microbial populations in pine forests that were infested by defoliating insects and changes in the chemical soil properties that foster these populations, indicating a genetic potential for increased soil N2O emissions during the defoliation peak of insect outbreak events.
Improved Growth Estimates for Lethrinus harak: Measuring Increments, Adjusting Ages, and Fitting Flexible Growth Models
Authors: Midway Stephen R. , Ostrowski Andrew , West Lindsey , Hernandez Mario , Robertson Matthew D.
Published: August 2018

Thumbprint emperor (Lethrinus harak) are a widely distributed, tropical species ranging throughout the Indo-Pacific region. In coastal Tanzania, overfishing is likely occurring and thumbprint emperor are commonly represented in catches. The goal of this study was to estimate age and growth to provide basic life history information that may help inform future management. We sampled a total of n = 55 thumbprint emperors from both fishery-dependent and fishery-independent sources. Annular age estimates were improved with measurements of otolith markings. Fish ages ranged from zero to five years. We also evaluated the addition of otolith edge size (a proxy for fractional age) to age estimation, and fit two von Bertalanffy growth models—one for the whole ages and one for the fractional ages—using a flexible Bayesian framework. Growth parameters were similar between the two models, and ultimately, L ∞ (maximum asymptotic size parameter) estimates were comparable to other published values for the species, although our estimates of K (growth coefficient parameter) were smaller. Robust aging techniques for tropical fishes can provide a foundation for basic fishery management, which would help to sustain the future of this widely distributed fish.
Steady Flux Regime During Convective Mixing in Three-Dimensional Heterogeneous Porous Media
Authors: Green Christopher P. , Ennis-King Jonathan
Published: August 2018

Density-driven convective mixing in porous media can be influenced by the spatial heterogeneity of the medium. Previous studies using two-dimensional models have shown that while the initial flow regimes are sensitive to local permeability variation, the later steady flux regime (where the dissolution flux is relatively constant) can be approximated with an equivalent anisotropic porous media, suggesting that it is the average properties of the porous media that affect this regime. This work extends the previous results for two-dimensional porous media to consider convection in three-dimensional porous media. Through the use of massively parallel numerical simulations, we verify that the steady dissolution rate in the models of heterogeneity considered also scales as k v k h in three dimensions, where k v and k h are the vertical and horizontal permeabilities, respectively, providing further evidence that convective mixing in heterogeneous models can be approximated with equivalent anisotropic models.
Pan-Africanism: A Quest for Liberation and the Pursuit of a United Africa
Authors: Malisa Mark , Nhengeze Phillippa
Published: August 2018

Our paper examines the place of Pan-Africanism as an educational, political, and cultural movement which had a lasting impact on the on the relationship between liberation and people of African descent, in the continent of Africa and the Diaspora. We also show its evolution, beginning with formerly enslaved Africans in the Americas, to the colonial borders of the 1884 Berlin Conference, and conclude with the independence movements in Africa. For formerly enslaved Africans, Pan-Africanism was an idea that helped them see their commonalities as victims of racism. That is, they realized that they were enslaved because they came from the same continent and shared the same racial heritage. They associated the continent of Africa with freedom. The partitioning of Africa at the Berlin Conference (colonialism) created pseudo-nation states out of what was initially seen as an undivided continent. Pan-Africanism provided an ideology for rallying Africans at home and abroad against colonialism, and the creation of colonial nation-states did not erase the idea of a united Africa. As different African nations gained political independence, they took it upon themselves to support those countries fighting for their independence. The belief, then, was that as long as one African nation was not free, the continent could not be viewed as free. The existence of nation-states did not imply the negation of Pan-Africanism. The political ideas we examine include those of Marcus Garvey, W.E.B. Du Bois, Kwame Nkrumah, Maya Angelou, and Thabo Mbeki. Pan-Africanism, as it were, has shaped how many people understand the history of Africa and of African people.
Pilot Study of Immunoblots with Recombinant Borrelia burgdorferi Antigens for Laboratory Diagnosis of Lyme Disease
Authors: Liu Song , Cruz Iris , Ramos Catherine , Taleon Paula , Ramasamy Ranjan , Shah Jyotsna
Published: August 2018

Accurate laboratory diagnosis of Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis), caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (BB), is difficult and yet important to prevent serious disease. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) presently recommends a screening test for serum antibodies followed by confirmation with a more specific Western blot (WB) test to detect IgG and IgM antibodies against antigens in whole cell lysates of BB. Borrelia species related to BB cause tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF). TBRF is increasingly recognized as a health problem in the US and occurs in areas where Lyme disease is prevalent. The two groups of Borrelia share related antigens. We have developed a modified WB procedure termed the Lyme immunoblots (IBs) using recombinant antigens from common strains and species of the BB sensu lato complex for serological diagnosis of Lyme disease. A reference collection of 178 sera from 26 patients with and 152 patients without Lyme disease were assessed by WB and IB in a blinded manner using either criteria for positive antibody reactions recommended by the CDC or criteria developed in-house. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values obtained with the reference sera suggest that the Lyme IB is superior to the Lyme WB for detection of specific antibodies in Lyme disease. The Lyme IB showed no significant reaction with rabbit antisera produced against two Borrelia species causing TBRF in the US, suggesting that the Lyme IB may be also useful for excluding TBRF.
Willingness to Participate in Vaccine-Related Clinical Trials among Older Adults
Authors: Raheja Divyanshu , Davila Evelyn P. , Johnson Eric T. , Deović Rijalda , Paine Michele , Rouphael Nadine
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this study is to understand among a convenience sample of 400 adults aged 60 years of age or older (1) reasons for being willing or unwilling to participate in a vaccine clinical research study and (2) overall perceptions about vaccine clinical research. A cross-sectional study using a sample of older adults residing in the metro-Atlanta area and surrounding neighborhoods was conducted. The study questionnaire contained 37 questions, including questions about socio-demographics and perceptions about clinical trial processes. Statistical analysis was conducted using logistic regression. The adjusted modeling results indicated that sex, distance to research clinic, and being informed about the research findings played a role in the likelihood of an elderly person participating in a vaccine study. Males were more likely to participate in clinical trials as compared to females (OR: 2.486; CI: 1.042–5.934). Most participants were willing to travel up to 25 miles from the research clinic. Of the respondents, 45% were unlikely to participate if the results of the current trial are not shared. Improving access to clinical trials in terms of distance traveled and ensuring streamlined processes to inform participants about the results of the trial in the future would increase willingness to participate in vaccine clinical trials. The survey could serve as a useful tool for conducting vaccine studies and other clinical trials by understanding the barriers specific to the elderly.
SpainUDP: The Spanish Undiagnosed Rare Diseases Program
Authors: López-Martín Estrella , Martínez-Delgado Beatriz , Bermejo-Sánchez Eva , Alonso Javier ,   The SpainUDP Network, Posada Manuel
Published: August 2018

One of the IRDiRC goals for 2017–2027 is to achieve definitive diagnosis for rare undiagnosed diseases within one year, as delay in diagnosis remains one of the pending issues in the rare diseases field. The Spanish Undiagnosed Rare Diseases Program (SpainUDP) was created in response to this challenging scenario to cover patients’ needs and after seeing the success of the Undiagnosed Diseases Program (UDP) in the USA. SpainUDP offers a multidisciplinary approach to those patients who have long sought a diagnosis without any success. During the first phase of the protocol, undiagnosed cases are sent to SpainUDP by individual patients or families, patient organizations or hospitals. After careful analysis of phenotype, data from sequencing experiments (WES) is processed with a standard pipeline and detailed standardized phenotypic information (mapped to the Human Phenotype Ontology, HPO) is connected to genetic data. In addition, the participation of SpainUDP in international initiatives such as the European projects RD-Connect and Solve RD, the Undiagnosed Diseases Network International (UDNI), and the MatchMaker Exchange (MME) platform, allows the establishment of a global data sharing strategy across multiple projects submitting data to these international initiatives. From the official beginning of the program (at the end of 2015) until early 2018, 147 cases were accepted in SpainUDP. During this time, 37 cases (25%) dropped out the program due to several reasons. The remaining 110 cases are distributed as follows: phenotypic and genotypic (WES) characterization was finished in 30 cases, of which 20 (67%) were diagnosed; 21 cases are pending on variants’ validation by Sanger sequencing; in 25 cases, WES is ongoing and 34 cases are being studied for deep phenotypic characterization. In conclusion, SpainUDP aims to achieve a diagnosis following two recommendations of the IRDiRC: the patients’ diagnosis in as short a time as possible and the promotion of data sharing (especially genomic) at the international level.
Single-Strand Break End Resection in Genome Integrity: Mechanism and Regulation by APE2
Authors: Hossain Md. Akram , Lin Yunfeng , Yan Shan
Published: August 2018

DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) occur more than 10,000 times per mammalian cell each day, representing the most common type of DNA damage. Unrepaired SSBs compromise DNA replication and transcription programs, leading to genome instability. Unrepaired SSBs are associated with diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Although canonical SSB repair pathway is activated to repair most SSBs, it remains unclear whether and how unrepaired SSBs are sensed and signaled. In this review, we propose a new concept of SSB end resection for genome integrity. We propose a four-step mechanism of SSB end resection: SSB end sensing and processing, as well as initiation, continuation, and termination of SSB end resection. We also compare different mechanisms of SSB end resection and DSB end resection in DNA repair and DNA damage response (DDR) pathways. We further discuss how SSB end resection contributes to SSB signaling and repair. We focus on the mechanism and regulation by APE2 in SSB end resection in genome integrity. Finally, we identify areas of future study that may help us gain further mechanistic insight into the process of SSB end resection. Overall, this review provides the first comprehensive perspective on SSB end resection in genome integrity.
Decellularized Tissue for Muscle Regeneration
Authors: Urciuolo Anna , De Coppi Paolo
Published: August 2018

Several acquired or congenital pathological conditions can affect skeletal muscle leading to volumetric muscle loss (VML), i.e., an irreversible loss of muscle mass and function. Decellularized tissues are natural scaffolds derived from tissues or organs, in which the cellular and nuclear contents are eliminated, but the tridimensional (3D) structure and composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are preserved. Such scaffolds retain biological activity, are biocompatible and do not show immune rejection upon allogeneic or xenogeneic transplantation. An increase number of reports suggest that decellularized tissues/organs are promising candidates for clinical application in patients affected by VML. Here we explore the different strategies used to generate decellularized matrix and their therapeutic outcome when applied to treat VML conditions, both in patients and in animal models. The wide variety of VML models, source of tissue and methods of decellularization have led to discrepant results. Our review study evaluates the biological and clinical significance of reported studies, with the final aim to clarify the main aspects that should be taken into consideration for the future application of decellularized tissues in the treatment of VML conditions.
Genome-Wide Survey of Invertase Encoding Genes and Functional Characterization of an Extracellular Fungal Pathogen-Responsive Invertase in Glycine max
Authors: Su Tao , Han Mei , Min Jie , Chen Peixian , Mao Yuxin , Huang Qiao , Tong Qian , Liu Qiuchen , Fang Yanming
Published: August 2018

Invertases are essential enzymes that irreversibly catalyze the cleavage of sucrose into glucose and fructose. Cell wall invertase (CWI) and vacuolar invertase (VI) are glycosylated proteins and exert fundamental roles in plant growth as well as in response to environmental cues. As yet, comprehensive insight into invertase encoding genes are lacking in Glycine max. In the present study, the systematic survey of gene structures, coding regions, regulatory elements, conserved motifs, and phylogenies resulted in the identification of thirty–two putative invertase genes in soybean genome. Concomitantly, impacts on gene expression, enzyme activities, proteins, and soluble sugar accumulation were explored in specific tissues upon stress perturbation. In combination with the observation of subcellular compartmentation of the fluorescent fusion protein that indeed exported to apoplast, heterologous expression, and purification in using Pichia pastoris system revealed that GmCWI4 was a typical extracellular invertase. We postulated that GmCWI4 may play regulatory roles and be involved in pathogenic fungi defense. The experimental evaluation of physiological significance via phenotypic analysis of mutants under stress exposure has been initiated. Moreover, our paper provides theoretical basis for elucidating molecular mechanisms of invertase in association with inhibitors underlying the stress regime, and will contribute to the improvement of plant performance to a diverse range of stressors.
Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Three Microbial Biocontrol Agents on Spodoptera litura and Its Natural Predator Rhynocoris kumarii
Authors: Sahayaraj Kitherian , Subash Natarajan , Allingham Robert W. , Kumar Vivek , Avery Pasco B. , Mehra Lucky K. , McKenzie Cindy L. , Osborne Lance S.
Published: August 2018

Entomopathogenic microbes such as Spodoptera litura nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpltNPV), Metarhizium anisopliae, and Pseudomonas fluorescens are biological agents used for the control of multiple arthropod pests. The objective of this study was to assess their effects on the biological parameters of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae, and its natural reduviid predator Rhynocoris kumarii (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) under laboratory conditions. Results suggested that P. fluorescens reduced the food consumption index, relative growth rate, approximate digestibility, the efficiency of conversion of ingested food, and the efficiency of conversion of digested food of S. litura third instar larvae compared to prey infected with M. anisopliae and SpltNPV. Both SpltNPV and M. anisopliae caused similar mortality of S. litura life stages after 96 h of observation. To observe the effect of an infected prey diet on predator behavior, infected S. litura larvae were offered to the third, fourth, and fifth instar nymphs of R. kumarii, and their prey handling time, predation rate (number/day/predator), developmental period, and the survival rate was recorded. When the life stages of R. kumarii were offered entomopathogen-infected S. litura larvae, their predation rate was comparable to or higher than the untreated control. The juvenile predator, after feeding on P. fluorescens-infected S. litura larvae, had a significantly longer developmental period (2–4 days) compared to those fed on larvae infected with other microbial control agents. However, feeding on P. fluorescens alone did not affect the predator nymphal survival rate or the adult sex ratio. Although three entomopathogens had some degree of effect on the biological parameters of R. kumarii, the outcome of this study suggests that integration of reduviids with the tested entomopathogens are a compatible and potentially effective strategy for the management of S. litura populations. However promising, this combined strategy needs to be tested under field conditions to confirm the laboratory findings.
Design of a Hybrid AC/DC Microgrid Using HOMER Pro: Case Study on an Islanded Residential Application
Authors: Oulis Rousis Anastasios , Tzelepis Dimitrios , Konstantelos Ioannis , Booth Campbell , Strbac Goran
Published: August 2018

This paper is concerned with the design of an autonomous hybrid alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) microgrid for a community system, located on an island without the possibility of grid connection. It is comprised of photovoltaic (PV) arrays and a diesel generator, AC loads, and battery energy storage devices for ensuring uninterruptible power supply during prolonged periods of low sunshine. A multi-objective, non-derivative optimisation is considered in this residential application; the primary objective is the system cost minimisation, while it is also required that no load shedding is allowed. Additionally, the CO2 emissions are calculated to demonstrate the environmental benefit the proposed system offers. The commercial software, HOMER Pro, is utilised to identify the least-cost design among hundreds of options and simultaneously satisfy the secondary objective. A sensitivity analysis is also performed to evaluate design robustness against the uncertainty pertaining to fuel prices and PV generation. Finally, an assessment of the capabilities of the utilised optimisation platform is conducted, and a theoretical discussion sheds some light on the proposal for an enhanced design tool addressing the identified issues.
Can Bitcoin Replace Gold in an Investment Portfolio?
Authors: Henriques Irene , Sadorsky Perry
Published: August 2018

Bitcoin is an exciting new financial product that may be useful for inclusion in investment portfolios. This paper investigates the implications of replacing gold in an investment portfolio with bitcoin (“digital gold”). Our approach is to use several different multivariate GARCH models (dynamic conditional correlation (DCC), asymmetric DCC (ADCC), generalized orthogonal GARCH (GO-GARCH)) to estimate minimum variance equity portfolios. Both long and short portfolios are considered. An analysis of the economic value shows that risk-averse investors will be willing to pay a high performance fee to switch from a portfolio with gold to a portfolio with bitcoin. These results are robust to the inclusion of trading costs.
The Expanding Role of Radiosurgery for Brain Metastases
Authors: O’Beirn Mark , Benghiat Helen , Meade Sara , Heyes Geoff , Sawlani Vijay , Kong Anthony , Hartley Andrew , Sanghera Paul
Published: August 2018

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has become increasingly important in the management of brain metastases due to improving systemic disease control and rising incidence. Initial trials demonstrated SRS with whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) improved local control rates compared with WBRT alone. Concerns with WBRT associated neurocognitive toxicity have contributed to a greater use of SRS alone, including for patients with multiple metastases and following surgical resection. Molecular information, targeted agents, and immunotherapy have also altered the landscape for the management of brain metastases. This review summarises current and emerging data on the role of SRS in the management of brain metastases.
Designing Lubricating Properties of Vegetable Base Oils
Authors: Iłowska Jolanta , Chrobak Justyna , Grabowski Rafał , Szmatoła Michał , Woch Julia , Szwach Iwona , Drabik Jolanta , Trzos Magdalena , Kozdrach Rafał , Wrona Małgorzata
Published: August 2018

Lubricants that are based on renewable raw materials have drawn increased attention in various applications, especially those related to the food industry. Due to the high requirements of environmental protection, there is a need to develop biodegradable base oils that are environmentally friendly and do not contain harmful components. The objective of the research was to obtain a base oil with a certain viscosity and certain desired lubricating properties. Base oils were obtained from Crambe abyssinica oil by means of blending with synthetic oil and oxidation. The oxidation processes were carried out in the presence of N-hydroxyphthalimide with or without CO2 as a solvent. As a final result of this study, oil bases meeting the viscosity requirements and showing suitable lubricating properties were obtained. The Raman spectra of the obtained oils were evaluated.
HJH-1, a Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Activity and Low Cytotoxicity Antimicrobial Peptide
Authors: Wang Qing , Xu Yanzhao , Dong Mengmeng , Hang Bolin , Sun Yawei , Wang Lei , Wang Yongqiang , Hu Jianhe , Zhang Wenju
Published: August 2018

With the overuse of antibiotics, multidrug-resistant bacteria pose a significant threat to human health. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics. This study examines the antimicrobial and membrane activity of HJH-1, a cationic peptide derived from the hemoglobin α-subunit of bovine erythrocytes P3. HJH-1 shows potent antimicrobial activity against different bacterial species associated with infection and causes weaker hemolysis of erythrocytes, at least five times the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). HJH-1 has good stability to tolerance temperature, pH value, and ionic strength. The anionic membrane potential probe bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid) trimethine oxonol [DiBAC4(3)] and propidium iodide are used as indicators of membrane integrity. In the presence of HJH-1 (1× MIC), Escherichia coli membranes rapidly depolarise, whereas red blood cells show gradual hyperpolarisation. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron micrographs show that HJH-1 (1× MIC) damaged the membranes of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. In conclusion, HJH-1 damages the integrity of the bacterial membrane, preventing the growth of bacteria. HJH-1 has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, and these activities are performed by changing the normal cell transmembrane potential and disrupting the integrity of the bacterial membrane.
Synthesis of New 5-Aryl-benzo[f][1,7]naphthyridines via a Cascade Process (Ugi-3CR/Intramolecular Aza-Diels-Alder Cycloaddition)/Aromatization
Authors: Vázquez-Vera Óscar , Segura-Olvera Daniel , Rincón-Guevara Mónica A. , Gutiérrez-Carrillo Atilano , García-Sánchez Miguel A. , Ibarra Ilich A. , Lomas-Romero Leticia , Islas-Jácome Alejandro , González-Zamora Eduardo
Published: August 2018

A series of eight new 5-aryl-benzo[f][1,7]naphthyridines were synthesized in 17 to 64% overall yields via an improved MW-assisted cascade-like one pot process (Ugi–three component reaction/intramolecular aza-Diels-Alder cycloaddition) coupled to an aromatization process from tri-functional dienophile-containing ester-anilines, substituted benzaldehydes and the chain-ring tautomerizable 2-isocyano-1-morpholino-3-phenylpropan-1-one as starting reagents, under mild conditions. The doubly activated dienophile and the aza-diene functionalities of the eight new Ugi-adducts were exploited to perform an in situ aza-Diels-Alder cycloaddition/aromatization (dehydration/oxidation) process, toward the complex polysubstituted 5-aryl-polyheterocycles, which could be taken as starting point for further SAR studies because the benzo[f][1,7]naphthyridine is the core of various bioactive products. It is relevant to emphasize that the synthesis or isolation of benzo[f][1,7]naphthyridines containing a substituted aromatic ring in the C-5 position, has not been published before.
Molecular Level Structure of Biodegradable Poly(Delta-Valerolactone) Obtained in the Presence of Boric Acid
Authors: Duale Khadar , Zięba Magdalena , Chaber Paweł , Di Fouque Dany Jeanne , Memboeuf Antony , Peptu Cristian , Radecka Iza , Kowalczuk Marek , Adamus Grażyna
Published: August 2018

In this study, low molecular weight poly(δ-valerolactone) (PVL) was synthesized through bulk-ring openings polymerization of δ-valerolactone with boric acid (B(OH)3) as a catalyst and benzyl alcohol (BnOH) as an initiator. The resulting homopolymer was characterized with the aid of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS) techniques to gain further understanding of its molecular structure. The electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) spectra of poly(δ-valerolactone) showed the presence of two types of homopolyester chains—one terminated by benzyl ester and hydroxyl end groups and one with carboxyl and hydroxyl end groups. Additionally, a small amount of cyclic PVL oligomers was identified. To confirm the structure of PVL oligomers obtained, fragmentation of sodium adducts of individual polyester molecules terminated by various end groups was explored in ESI-MSn by using collision induced dissociation (CID) techniques. The ESI-MSn analyses were conducted both in positive- and negative ion mode. The comparison of the fragmentation spectra obtained with proposed respective theoretical fragmentation pathways allowed the structure of the obtained oligomers to be established at the molecular level. Additionally, using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), it was proven that regardless of the degree of oligomerization, the resulting PVL samples were a mixture of two types of linear PVL oligomers differing in end groups and containing just a small amount of cyclic oligomers that tended to be not visible at higher molar masses.
Fast Electrochemical Method for Organic Dye Decolorization Using Recycled Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Garcia Eric M. , Taroco Hosane A. , Teixeira Rodrigo G.
Published: August 2018

In this paper, the application of recycled Li-ion battery spent cathodes (LIB-SC) combined with a NaHCO3/H2O2 system is presented for the first time in the literature as an alternative for the degradation of potentially toxic organic molecules. The model pollutant choice was methylene blue molecule. The spent cathode composition corresponds to LiCoO2, which was proved by the XRD and EDX. Regarding the decolorization of methylene blue solution, the addition of NaHCO3, in comparison with only H2O2, reduces the complete decolorization time by 96%. This reduction occurs because the radical CO 3 . is more stable than OH. In this way, the application of the system proposed in this article is aimed at solving two major global problems: the disposal of cell phone batteries and the pollution of liquid effluents.
Metrological Characterization of a Vision-Based System for Relative Pose Measurements with Fiducial Marker Mapping for Spacecrafts
Authors: Pertile Marco , Chiodini Sebastiano , Giubilato Riccardo , Mazzucato Mattia , Valmorbida Andrea , Fornaser Alberto , Debei Stefano , Lorenzini Enrico C.
Published: August 2018

An improved approach for the measurement of the relative pose between a target and a chaser spacecraft is presented. The selected method is based on a single camera, which can be mounted on the chaser, and a plurality of fiducial markers, which can be mounted on the external surface of the target. The measurement procedure comprises of a closed-form solution of the Perspective from n Points (PnP) problem, a RANdom SAmple Consensus (RANSAC) procedure, a non-linear local optimization and a global Bundle Adjustment refinement of the marker map and relative poses. A metrological characterization of the measurement system is performed using an experimental set-up that can impose rotations combined with a linear translation and can measure them. The rotation and position measurement errors are calculated with reference instrumentations and their uncertainties are evaluated by the Monte Carlo method. The experimental laboratory tests highlight the significant improvements provided by the Bundle Adjustment refinement. Moreover, a set of possible influencing physical parameters are defined and their correlations with the rotation and position errors and uncertainties are analyzed. Using both numerical quantitative correlation coefficients and qualitative graphical representations, the most significant parameters for the final measurement errors and uncertainties are determined. The obtained results give clear indications and advice for the design of future measurement systems and for the selection of the marker positioning on a satellite surface.
Device-Based Security to Improve User Privacy in the Internet of Things †
Authors: Belem Pacheco Luis Alberto , Pelinson Alchieri Eduardo Adilio , Mendez Barreto Priscila América Solís
Published: August 2018

The use of Internet of Things (IoT) is rapidly growing and a huge amount of data is being generated by IoT devices. Cloud computing is a natural candidate to handle this data since it has enough power and capacity to process, store and control data access. Moreover, this approach brings several benefits to the IoT, such as the aggregation of all IoT data in a common place and the use of cloud services to consume this data and provide useful applications. However, enforcing user privacy when sending sensitive information to the cloud is a challenge. This work presents and evaluates an architecture to provide privacy in the integration of IoT and cloud computing. The proposed architecture, called PROTeCt—Privacy aRquitecture for integratiOn of internet of Things and Cloud computing, improves user privacy by implementing privacy enforcement at the IoT devices instead of at the gateway, as is usually done. Consequently, the proposed approach improves both system security and fault tolerance, since it removes the single point of failure (gateway). The proposed architecture is evaluated through an analytical analysis and simulations with severely constrained devices, where delay and energy consumption are evaluated and compared to other architectures. The obtained results show the practical feasibility of the proposed solutions and demonstrate that the overheads introduced in the IoT devices are worthwhile considering the increased level of privacy and security.
Tracking Personal Health-Environment Interaction with Novel Mobile Sensing Devices
Authors: Deng Yue , Liu Nai-Yuan , Tsow Francis , Xian Xiaojun , Krajmalnik-Brown Rosa , Tao Nongjian , Forzani Erica
Published: August 2018

The development of connected health devices has allowed for a more accurate assessment of a person’s state under free-living conditions. In this work, we use two mobile sensing devices and investigate the correlation between individual’s resting metabolic rate (RMR) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exposure levels. A total of 17 healthy, young, and sedentary office workers were recruited, measured for RMR with a mobile indirect calorimetry (IC) device, and compared with their corresponding predicted RMR values from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ recommended epidemiological equation, the Mifflin–St Jeor equation (MSJE). Individual differences in the RMR values from the IC device and the epidemiological equation were found, and the subjects’ RMRs were classified as normal, high, or low based on a cut-off of ±200 kcal/day difference with respect to the predicted value. To study the cause of the difference, VOCs exposure levels of each participant’s daytime working environment and nighttime resting environment were assessed using a second mobile sensing device for VOCs exposure detection. The results showed that all sedentary office workers had a low VOCs exposure level (<2 ppmC), and there was no obvious correlation between VOCs exposure and the RMR difference. However, an additional participant who was a worker in an auto repair shop, showed high VOCs exposure with respect to the sedentary office worker population and a significant difference between measured and predicted RMR, with a low RMR of 500 kcal/day difference. The mobile sensing devices have been demonstrated to be suitable for the assessment of direct information of human health–environment interactions at free-living conditions.
Model and Simulation Studies of the Method for Optimization of Dynamic Properties of Tachometric Anemometers
Authors: Ligęza Paweł
Published: August 2018

Mechanical tachometric anemometers, based on the phenomenon of the exchange of momentum between the flow and rotating measuring element, represent an important class of instruments used in flow metrology. In particular, they are used in meteorological and ventilation measurements. Mechanical anemometers with rotating measuring element are, however, known for their drawback related to their poor dynamic properties resulting from relatively large dimensions and mechanical inertia of the measuring element. In these instruments, the phenomenon of overestimating the measured average velocity caused by the inertia of the rotor takes place. Optimization of the dynamics of the measurement process, as well as the estimation and minimization of the measurement uncertainty, can be performed based on mathematical model of anemometer. In this study, a new, original concept of optimization of dynamic properties of tachometric anemometers is proposed, and the results of model and simulation studies are presented. The new concept of measuring instrument is based on the use of feedback and active control of the rotor. The new method was tested using model research, where two types of flow velocity excitations were applied: sinusoidal and rectangular. The tests carried out showed that the developed method allows for minimization of the dynamic uncertainty of the measurement and minimizes the phenomenon of average flow velocity overestimation occurring in time-varying flows. It has been shown that the use of optimization system allows for approximately tenfold reduction of the error of average velocity measurement in the case of pulsating flows. In addition, the optimization systems allow for anemometer’s transmission bandwidth to be extended about a hundred times. This creates new application possibilities for these instruments and allows for a large reduction of measurement uncertainty.
Balancing Work and Life When Self-Employed: The Role of Business Characteristics, Time Demands, and Gender Contexts
Authors: Hagqvist Emma , Toivanen Susanna , Bernhard-Oettel Claudia
Published: August 2018

This study explores individual and contextual risk factors in relation to work interfering with private life (WIL) and private life interfering with work (LIW) among self-employed men and women across European countries. It also studies the relationship between interference (LIW and WIL) and well-being among self-employed men and women. Drawing on data from the fifth round of the European Working Conditions Survey, a sample of self-employed men and women with active businesses was extracted. After applying multilevel regressions, results show that although business characteristics are important, the most evident risk factor for WIL and LIW is time demands. Both time demands and business characteristics also seem to be important factors in relation to gender differences in level of interference. There is a relationship between well-being and both WIL and LIW, and time demands is again an important factor. Gender equality in the labor market did not relate to level of interference, nor did it affect the relationship between interference and well-being. However, in gender-separated analyses, LIW and LIW interacted with gender equality in the labor market in different ways for women’s and men’s well-being. In conclusion, gender relations are important in interference and how interference relates to well-being.
The SDSS-IV Extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey: Baryon Acoustic Oscillations at Redshift of 0.72 with the DR14 Luminous Red Galaxy Sample
Authors: Bautista Julian E. , Vargas-Magaña Mariana , Dawson Kyle S. , Percival Will J. , Brinkmann Jonathan , Brownstein Joel , Camacho Benjamin , Comparat Johan , Gil-Marín Hector , Mueller Eva-Maria , Newman Jeffrey A. , Prakash Abhishek , Ross Ashley J. , Schneider Donald P. , Seo Hee-Jong , Tinker Jeremy , Tojeiro Rita , Zhai Zhongxu , Zhao Gong-Bo
Published: August 2018

The extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) Data Release 14 sample includes 80,118 luminous red galaxies (LRGs). By combining these galaxies with the high-redshift tail of the BOSS galaxy sample, we form a sample of LRGs at an effective redshift z = 0.72, covering an effective volume of 0.9 Gpc3. We account for spurious fluctuations caused by targeting and by redshift failures, which were validated on a set of mock catalogs. This analysis is sufficient to provide a 2.5% measurement of spherically averaged baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO),

Mpc, at 2.8σ of significance. Together with the recent quasar-based BAO measurement at z = 1.5 and forthcoming emission line galaxy–based measurements, this measurement demonstrates that eBOSS is fulfilling its remit of extending the range of redshifts covered by such measurements, laying the groundwork for forthcoming surveys such as the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Survey and Euclid.
Observational Study of an Earth-affecting Problematic ICME from STEREO
Authors: Chi Yutian , Zhang Jie , Shen Chenglong , Hess Phillip , Liu Lijuan , Mishra Wageesh , Wang Yuming
Published: August 2018

We present a study of the origin of one interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) that lacked an easily identifiable signature of an associated progenitor coronal mass ejection (CME) near the Sun in the observations of SOHO/LASCO at the L1 point. We consider these kinds of ICMEs as problematic, as they pose the difficulty of understanding the Sun–Earth connection and providing space weather warnings; understanding the causes of problematic ICMEs is important for space weather forecasting. This study presents the first detailed analysis of a geoeffective problematic ICME that occurred on 2011 May 28, whose progenitor CMEs are difficult to identify in LASCO images, but fortunately they were captured by SECCHI on board the STEREO spacecraft in the quadrature configuration. There are two progenitor CMEs launching from the Sun in succession of 8 hours. We apply the graduated cylindrical shell model to reconstruct the 3D geometry, propagating direction, velocity, and brightness of the two CMEs. The main cause of the first CME (CME-1) invisible in SOHO/LASCO is due to its low mass; that is, when the CME emerges above the occulter, its brightness is as faint as the noise. The second CME (CME-2) is small, including a narrow angular width and a small cross-section of the magnetic flux rope. Even though propagating toward the Earth, CME-2 appeared as a narrow CME instead of as a halo or partial halo CME in the LASCO field of view. We also show that CME-2 propagates faster than CME-1, and that they might have interacted in the interplanetary space.