bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrospun Polycaprolactone Fibrous Membranes Containing Ag, TiO2 and Na2Ti6O13 Particles for Potential Use in Bone Regeneration
Authors: Ramírez-Cedillo Erick , Ortega-Lara Wendy , Rocha-Pizaña María R. , Gutierrez-Uribe Janet A. , Elías-Zúñiga Alex , Rodríguez Ciro A.
Published: January 2019

Biocompatible and biodegradable membrane treatments for regeneration of bone are nowadays a promising solution in the medical field. Bioresorbable polymers are extensively used in membrane elaboration, where polycaprolactone (PCL) is used as base polymer. The goal of this work was to improve electrospun membranes’ biocompatibility and antibacterial properties by adding micro- and nanoparticles such as Ag, TiO2 and Na2Ti6O13. Micro/nanofiber morphologies of the obtained membranes were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and a tensile test. Also, for this study optical microscopy was used to observe DAPI-stained cells. Membranes of the different systems were electrospun to an average diameter of 1.02–1.76 μm. To evaluate the biological properties, cell viability was studied by growing NIH/3T3 cells on the microfibers. PCL/TiO2 strength was enhanced from 0.6 MPa to 6.3 MPa in comparison with PCL without particles. Antibacterial activity was observed in PCL/TiO2 and PCL/Na2Ti6O13 electrospun membranes using Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Bioactivity of the membranes was confirmed with simulated body fluid (SBF) treatment. From this study, the ceramic particles TiO2 and Na2Ti6O13, combined with a PCL matrix with micro/nanoparticles, enhanced cell proliferation, adhesion and antibacterial properties. The electrospun composite with Na2Ti6O13 can be considered viable for tissue regenerative processes.
Electrochemical Properties of Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Anion Exchange Membranes Coated with Cation Exchange Polyelectrolyte
Authors: Nebavskaya Xenia , Sarapulova Veronika , Butylskii Dmitrii , Larchet Christian , Pismenskaya Natalia
Published: January 2019

Coating ion exchange membranes with polyelectrolyte has been proven to be a cheap way to reduce concentration polarization and increase limiting current (for polyelectrolytes carrying fixed groups of the same sign of charge with respect to the membrane bulk), to create high monovalent selectivity, and to add the function of H+/OH− ions generation (for polyelectrolytes bearing fixed groups of the opposite sign of charge with respect to the membrane bulk). In the latter case, the balance between the counterion transport and the H+/OH− ions generation is affected by parameters of the substrate and the modifying layer. In this study we investigated the electrochemical characteristics of homogeneous Neosepta AMX-Sb and heterogeneous MA-41P membranes coated with one, two, or three layers of oppositely charged polyelectrolyte (the maximum thickness of each layer was 5 µm). It was found that the limiting current decreased earlier and the generation of H+/OH− ions was stronger in the case of the heterogeneous membrane. The shift in the pH of the solution depended more on the generation of H+/OH− ions at the modifying layer/solution interface than on the generation at the membrane/modifying layer interface, and in all cases water splitting started in the same range of potential drops over the membrane.
Laser Welding
Authors: Oliveira J. P. , Zeng Zhi
Published: January 2019

Welding technologies are critical to most relevant engineering applications [...]
What is the Healthy Gut Microbiota Composition? A Changing Ecosystem across Age, Environment, Diet, and Diseases
Authors: Rinninella Emanuele , Raoul Pauline , Cintoni Marco , Franceschi Francesco , Miggiano Giacinto Abele Donato , Gasbarrini Antonio , Mele Maria Cristina
Published: January 2019

Each individual is provided with a unique gut microbiota profile that plays many specific functions in host nutrient metabolism, maintenance of structural integrity of the gut mucosal barrier, immunomodulation, and protection against pathogens. Gut microbiota are composed of different bacteria species taxonomically classified by genus, family, order, and phyla. Each human’s gut microbiota are shaped in early life as their composition depends on infant transitions (birth gestational date, type of delivery, methods of milk feeding, weaning period) and external factors such as antibiotic use. These personal and healthy core native microbiota remain relatively stable in adulthood but differ between individuals due to enterotypes, body mass index (BMI) level, exercise frequency, lifestyle, and cultural and dietary habits. Accordingly, there is not a unique optimal gut microbiota composition since it is different for each individual. However, a healthy host–microorganism balance must be respected in order to optimally perform metabolic and immune functions and prevent disease development. This review will provide an overview of the studies that focus on gut microbiota balances in the same individual and between individuals and highlight the close mutualistic relationship between gut microbiota variations and diseases. Indeed, dysbiosis of gut microbiota is associated not only with intestinal disorders but also with numerous extra-intestinal diseases such as metabolic and neurological disorders. Understanding the cause or consequence of these gut microbiota balances in health and disease and how to maintain or restore a healthy gut microbiota composition should be useful in developing promising therapeutic interventions.
Complement Activation Contributes to the Pathophysiology of Shiga Toxin-Associated Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
Authors: Buelli Simona , Zoja Carlamaria , Remuzzi Giuseppe , Morigi Marina
Published: January 2019

Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections have become a threat to public health globally because of the severe illnesses that they can trigger, such as hemorrhagic colitis and the post-diarrheal hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney failure. Glomerular endothelial cells are primary targets of Stx which, after binding to its specific receptor globotriaosylceramide, upregulates proinflammatory proteins involved both in the recruitment and adhesion of leukocytes and thrombus formation at the site of endothelial injury. In this review, we discuss the role of complement activation in promoting glomerular microvascular dysfunction, providing evidence from experimental models and patients with STEC-HUS. Within the glomerulus, an important target for Stx-induced complement activation is the podocyte, a cell type that is in close contact with endothelial cells and participates in maintaining the filtration barrier. Recently, podocyte injury and loss have been indicated as potential risk factors for long-term renal sequelae in patients with STEC-HUS. Therapeutic approaches targeting the complement system, that may be useful options for patients with STEC-HUS, will also be discussed.
Mobile Forms of Gold and Pathfinder Elements in Surface Sediments at the Novye Peski Gold Deposit and in the Piilola Prospecting Area (Karelia Region)
Authors: Korshunova Vera Alexandrovna , Charykova Marina Valentinovna
Published: January 2019

The success of prospecting for gold deposit in overburdened areas based on the using of secondary dispersion haloes mostly depends on the chosen method of geochemical survey (sampling horizon, sample preparation for analysis, etc.). At the same time, the geochemistry of gold in the supergene zone is insufficiently studied, especially it’s migration and concentration in association with other elements in surface sediments due to weathering of gold-bearing ore. The main aim of the study presented in this paper is the determination of mobile forms of gold and pathfinder elements (As, Cu, Ni, Ag, Zn, Pb, Se, Sb, Mo, Bi, and Te) in podzol soil and moraine in the areas of Karelia region with known gold mineralization. As a result of conducted experiments it was determined that the main mobile forms of gold are water-soluble and bound to organic matter, while pathfinder elements bound preferably to Fe and Mn(hydr)oxides and to organic matter. As gold and some pathfinders bind with organic matter, this form was considered in more detail, and the elements’ interaction with humic and fulvic acids was investigated. In addition, it was determined that the studied elements are quite “mobile” because the percentage of the mobile form in their total content was mostly more than 50%. The main features of the elements’ migration and concentration were identified in surface sediments of the study areas.
Giant Fluorite Mineralization in Central Mexico by Means of Exceptionally Low Salinity Fluids: An Unusual Style among MVT Deposits
Authors: González-Partida Eduardo , Camprubí Antoni , Carrillo-Chávez Alejandro , Díaz-Carreño Erik H. , González-Ruiz Luis E. , Farfán-Panamá José L. , Cienfuegos-Alvarado Edith , Morales-Puente Pedro , Vázquez-Ramírez Juan T.
Published: January 2019

The origin of the mineralization at the world-class Las Cuevas (the largest single fluorite deposit in the world) has been historically disputed, essentially between skarn-related and Mississippi Valley Type (MVT) models. A systematic study of fluid inclusions in these deposits revealed that they were formed by low temperature (49 to 177 °C) and low salinity (0 to 1.9 wt % NaCl equiv) fluids. The obtained δ13C (between −2.39 and 0.20‰ VPDB) and δ18O (between −14.03 and −7.37‰ VPDB) data from local host limestones agreed with regionally representative values in the literature. The obtained δ13C (between −15.60 and −12.99‰ VPDB) and δ18O (between −5.56 and −1.84‰ VPDB) data from hydrothermal calcite associated with fluorite mineralization indicated that the isotopic composition of hydrothermal fluids initially reflected buffering by the host rocks, and then recorded the interaction between meteoric water and basinal brines. It is likely that such processes occurred with concurrent maturation of organic matter, and that the obtained compositions may also have recorded a thermal effect on the local limestones. Halogen geochemical studies in inclusion fluids showed a distribution that suggests that solutes in mineralizing fluids were due to scavenging of Na+ and Cl− through water–rock interaction or halite dissolution, and that secondary sources would have been the evaporation or infiltration of seawater. The basinal brines with which the formation of these deposits was associated were massively diluted by deeply evolved meteoric water, thus making a significant fluorine input by basinal brines unlikely. Fluorine would have been provided by local groundwater through its interaction with Oligocene topaz rhyolites and other F-rich volcanic and hypabyssal rocks. Such a possibility is supported by present-day groundwater, which presents a regional endemic case of fluorosis. The precipitation of fluorite is possible at low temperatures (at which the solubility of this mineral is very low) by means of chemical reactions and physical interactions among very diluted F-poor basinal brines, F-rich groundwater, and host carbonate rocks. The latter systematically experienced hydrothermal karstification, which would have provided Ca2+ for reaction with F− and resulted in the precipitation of fluorite. This scenario stands for a depositional model that recalls those proposed for MVT and associated industrial mineral deposits, but is distinct from common models with regard to the primal source for fluorine and the extremely low salinities of inclusion fluids.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Biased μ-Opioid-Receptor (μOR) Agonists
Authors: Ma Mengjun , Sun Jialin , Li Menghua , Yu Zixing , Cheng Jingchao , Zhong Bohua , Shi Weiguo
Published: January 2019

‘Biased’ ligands of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent a type of promising analgesic with reduced on-target side effects. PZM21, a potent μ-opioid-receptor (μOR)-biased agonist with a new chemical scaffold compared to classic opioids, has been identified as a therapeutic lead molecule for treating pain. In the current study, novel PZM21 analogues were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro and in vivo efficacy. Novel compound 7a and PZM21 demonstrated undetectable β-arrestin-2 recruitment, however, their analgesic effects need to be further confirmed. Compounds 7b, 7d, and 7g were stronger analgesics than PZM21 in both the mouse formalin injection assay and the writhing test. Compound 7d was the most potent analogue, requiring a dose that was 1/16th to 1/4th of that of PZM21 for its analgesic activity in the two assays, respectively. Therefore, compound 7d could serve as a lead to develop new biased μOR agonists for treating pain.
Biodegradable Micelles for NIR/GSH-Triggered Chemophototherapy of Cancer
Authors: Zhang Chuan , Wang Yuzhuo , Zhao Yue , Liu Hou , Zhao Yueqi , Li Xiangwei , Lin Quan
Published: January 2019

The chemotherapy of stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems (SDDSs) is a promising method to enhance cancer treatment effects. However, the low efficiency of chemotherapy drugs and poor degradation partly limit the application of SDDSs. Herein, we report doxorubicin (DOX)-loading mixed micelles for biotin-targeting drug delivery and enhanced photothermal/photodynamic therapy (PTT/PDT). Glutathione (GSH)-responsive mixed micelles were prepared by a dialysis method, proportionally mixing polycaprolactone-disulfide bond-biodegradable photoluminescent polymer (PCL-SS-BPLP) and biotin-polyethylene glycol-cypate (biotin-PEG-cypate). Chemically linking cypate into the mixed micelles greatly improved cypate solubility and PTT/PDT effect. The micelles also exhibited good monodispersity and stability in cell medium (~119.7 nm), low critical micelles concentration, good biodegradation, and photodecomposition. The high concentration of GSH in cancer cells and near-infrared light (NIR)-mediated cypate decomposition were able to achieve DOX centralized release. Meanwhile, the DOX-based chemotherapy combined with cypate-based NIR-triggered hyperthermia and reactive oxygen species could synergistically induce HepG2 cell death and apoptosis. The in vivo experiments confirmed that the micelles generated hyperthermia and achieved a desirable therapeutic effect. Therefore, the designed biodegradable micelles are promising safe nanovehicles for antitumor drug delivery and chemo/PTT/PDT combination therapy.
Assessing the Usability of the Automated Self-Administered Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24) among Low-Income Adults
Authors: Kupis Julia , Johnson Sydney , Hallihan Gregory , Olstad Dana Lee
Published: January 2019

The Automated Self-Administered Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24) is a web-based tool that guides participants through completion of a 24-h dietary recall and automatically codes the data. Despite the advantages of automation, eliminating interviewer contact may diminish data quality. Usability testing can assess the extent to which individuals can use the ASA24 to report dietary intake with efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction. This mixed-methods study evaluated the usability of the ASA24 to quantify user performance and to examine qualitatively usability issues in a sample of low-income adults (85% female, 48.2 years on average) participating in a nutrition coupon program. Thirty-nine participants completed a 24-h dietary recall using the ASA24. Audio and screen recordings, and survey responses were analyzed to calculate task times, success rates, and usability issue frequency. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically to characterize usability issues. Only one participant was able to complete a dietary recall unassisted. We identified 286 usability issues within 22 general usability categories, including difficulties using the search function, misunderstanding questions, and uncertainty regarding how to proceed to the next step; 71.4% of participants knowingly misentered dietary information at least once. Usability issues may diminish participation rates and compromise the quality of ASA24 dietary intake data. Researchers should provide on-demand technical support and designers should improve the intelligence and flexibility of the ASA24’s search functionality.
Daily Nutritional Supplementation with Vitamin D3 and Phenylbutyrate to Treatment-Naïve HIV Patients Tested in a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Ashenafi Senait , Amogne Wondwossen , Kassa Endale , Gebreselassie Nebiat , Bekele Amsalu , Aseffa Getachew , Getachew Meron , Aseffa Abraham , Worku Alemayehu , Hammar Ulf , Bergman Peter , Aderaye Getachew , Andersson Jan , Brighenti Susanna
Published: January 2019

Poor nutritional status is common among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients including vitamin D (vitD3) deficiency. We conducted a double-blinded, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to investigate if daily nutritional supplementation with vitD3 (5000 IU) and phenylbutyrate (PBA, 2 × 500 mg) could mediate beneficial effects in treatment-naïve HIV patients. Primary endpoint: the change in plasma HIV-1 comparing week 0 to 16 using modified intention-to-treat (mITT, n = 197) and per-protocol (n = 173) analyses. Secondary endpoints: longitudinal HIV viral load, T cell counts, body mass index (BMI), middle-upper-arm circumference (MUAC), and 25(OH)D3 levels in plasma. Baseline characteristics were detectable viral loads (median 7897 copies/mL), low CD4+ (median 410 cells/µL), and elevated CD8+ (median 930 cells/µL) T cell counts. Most subjects were vitD3 deficient at enrolment, but a gradual and significant improvement of vitD3 status was demonstrated in the vitD3 + PBA group compared with placebo (p < 0.0001) from week 0 to 16 (median 37.5 versus 115.5 nmol/L). No significant changes in HIV viral load, CD4+ or CD8+ T cell counts, BMI or MUAC could be detected. Clinical adverse events were similar in both groups. Daily vitD3 + PBA for 16 weeks was well-tolerated and effectively improved vitD3 status but did not reduce viral load, restore peripheral T cell counts or improve BMI or MUAC in HIV patients with slow progressive disease. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01702974.
Exposure to Different Amounts of Dietary Gluten in Patients with Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS): An Exploratory Study
Authors: Roncoroni Leda , Bascuñán Karla A. , Vecchi Maurizio , Doneda Luisa , Bardella Maria T. , Lombardo Vincenza , Scricciolo Alice , Branchi Federica , Elli Luca
Published: January 2019

It is unclear whether patients with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) can tolerate gluten. We have evaluated the changes of both gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life for NCGS patients after the re-introduction of dietary gluten. Twenty-two NCGS patients reporting functional gastroenterological symptoms and on gluten-free diet (GFD) for the previous three weeks were exposed to incremental gluten-containing diets. Three groups were compared at baseline (immediately after 3-weeks on GFD) and immediately after the return of symptomatology: (i) a group tolerating a low-gluten diet (3.5 g gluten/day, week 1, n = 8), (ii) a group tolerating a mid-gluten diet (8 g gluten/day, week 2, n = 6), and (iii) a group tolerating a high-gluten diet (13 g gluten/day, week 3, n = 8). Their gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. The most common symptoms were: constipation (46%), abdominal pain (50%) and dyspepsia (38%). A decrease in several short form health survey (SF-36) sub-scores (all p < 0.03) after gluten re-introduction was only observed in the group tolerating the low-gluten diet; the same group showed a lower post-intervention role-emotional SF-36 score (p = 0.01). Most gastrointestinal symptoms remained similar after gluten re-introduction. However, a decrease in the general perception of well-being was only found after gluten re-introduction in the group tolerating a low-gluten diet (p = 0.01); the same was true when comparing the post-intervention general well-being perception among the three groups (p = 0.050). In conclusion, dissimilar responses from patients with NCGS were observed after the re-introduction of gluten, with gluten at a low dosage affecting the quality of life and general well-being of a group of patients, whereas others tolerate even higher doses of dietary gluten.
Association of Vitamin D Status with Chronic Disease Risk Factors and Cognitive Dysfunction in 50–70 Year Old Adults
Authors: Kaur Japneet , Ferguson Steven L. , Freitas Eduardo , Miller Ryan , Bemben Debra , Knehans Allen , Bemben Michael
Published: January 2019

Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency has been primarily associated with skeletal disorders, however, since vitamin D receptors are found on multiple types of cells, there is also a link to increased chronic disease risk and all-cause mortality. The aim of this study was to examine whether deficient/insufficient vitamin D levels are associated with risk factors of chronic diseases and cognitive dysfunction in 50 to 70 year old adults. Participants completed the health status, three-day dietary record and vitamin D food frequency, sun exposure, and international physical activity questionnaires. Cognitive function of the participants was assessed using the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics while body composition (percent body fat, android/gynoid ratio) was assessed using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. Applanation tonometry was used to obtain pressure wave forms at the radial artery to examine arterial stiffness and central pressures. A fasting blood draw was taken to measure vitamin D, blood lipid and glucose levels. Fifty percent of the participants (36/72) were vitamin D deficient/insufficient. Individuals in the low physical activity (PA) group had lower serum vitamin D concentration compared to those in the high PA group (p = 0.04). Moreover, serum vitamin D levels were negatively related to risk factors of chronic diseases; blood glucose (r = −0.38; p = 0.01), triglycerides (r = −0.27; p = 0.02), and android/gynoid ratio (r = −0.32; p = 0.01). Deficient/insufficient vitamin D levels are linked to the risk factors of chronic diseases in men and women aged 50 to 70 years.
Resveratrol and Its Human Metabolites—Effects on Metabolic Health and Obesity
Authors: Springer Margherita , Moco Sofia
Published: January 2019

Resveratrol is one of the most widely studied polyphenols and it has been assigned a plethora of metabolic effects with potential health benefits. Given its low bioavailability and extensive metabolism, clinical studies using resveratrol have not always replicated in vitro observations. In this review, we discuss human metabolism and biotransformation of resveratrol, and reported molecular mechanisms of action, within the context of metabolic health and obesity. Resveratrol has been described as mimicking caloric restriction, leading to improved exercise performance and insulin sensitivity (increasing energy expenditure), as well as having a body fat-lowering effect by inhibiting adipogenesis, and increasing lipid mobilization in adipose tissue. These multi-organ effects place resveratrol as an anti-obesity bioactive of potential therapeutic use.
Zinc Nutritional Status in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Escobedo Monge Marlene Fabiola , Barrado Enrique , Alonso Vicente Carmen , Redondo del Río María Paz , Manuel Marugán de Miguelsanz José
Published: January 2019

Background: Zinc is an essential nutrient for all forms of life and its deficiency affects the normal growth and development of human beings. Objective: The main aim was to investigate zinc nutritional status by serum zinc concentration (SZC) and dietary zinc intake and their association in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in CF patients. Anthropometric measurements and respiratory and pancreatic tests were conducted. Hypozincemia was determined by SZC while using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and dietary zinc deficiency by prospective 72-h dietary surveys. Results: Mean SZC (87.2 ± 16.7 μg/dL) and dietary zinc intake (97 ± 26.9% Dietary Reference Intake) were normal. Three of 17 patients with CF (17.6%) had hypozincemia and four (23.5%) had a dietary zinc deficiency. No patient with dietary zinc deficiency had hypozincemia. A positive and significant association was observed between SZC and Z-score of BMI-for-age (p = 0.048) and weight-for-height (p = 0.012) and between dietary zinc intake and energy intake (EI, p = 0.036) and Z-score of weight-for-high (p = 0.029). Conclusion: SZC was associated with the nutritional status, expressed as BMI (Body Mass Index) and weight-for-height Z score, and dietary zinc intake with EI and weight-for-height Z-score. No patient with hypozincemia had dietary zinc deficiency. This situation should alert us to a marginal zinc deficiency and it may explain why there were no overlapping cases between the two groups. We suggest that probably 41% of the cases in this study would be at elevated risk of zinc deficiency and a zinc supplementation may be considered.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Philosophies in 2018
Authors:   Philosophies Editorial Office
Published: January 2019

Rigorous peer-review is the corner-stone of high-quality academic publishing [...]
Segregation versus Interdigitation in Highly Dynamic Polymer/Surfactant Layers
Authors: Mansour Omar T. , Cattoz Beatrice , Beaube Manon , Heenan Richard K. , Schweins Ralf , Hurcom Jamie , Griffiths Peter C.
Published: January 2019

Many polymer/surfactant formulations involve a trapped kinetic state that provides some beneficial character to the formulation. However, the vast majority of studies on formulations focus on equilibrium states. Here, nanoscale structures present at dynamic interfaces in the form of air-in-water foams are explored, stabilised by mixtures of commonly used non-ionic, surface active block copolymers (Pluronic®) and small molecule ionic surfactants (sodium dodecylsulfate, SDS, and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide, C12TAB). Transient foams formed from binary mixtures of these surfactants shows considerable changes in stability which correlate with the strength of the solution interaction which delineate the interfacial structures. Weak solution interactions reflective of distinct coexisting micellar structures in solution lead to segregated layers at the foam interface, whereas strong solution interactions lead to mixed structures both in bulk solution, forming interdigitated layers at the interface.
Glucose Oxidase Immobilized on a Functional Polymer Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode and Its Molecule Recognition of Glucose
Authors: Ning Yan-Na , Xiao Bao-Lin , Niu Nan-Nan , Moosavi-Movahedi Ali Akbar , Hong Jun
Published: January 2019

In the present study, a glucose oxidase (GluOx) direct electron transfer was realized on an aminated polyethylene glycol (mPEG), carboxylic acid functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (fMWCNTs), and ionic liquid (IL) composite functional polymer modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The amino groups in PEG, carboxyl groups in multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and IL may have a better synergistic effect, thus more effectively adjust the hydrophobicity, stability, conductivity, and biocompatibility of the composite functional polymer film. The composite polymer membranes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer, fluorescence spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. In 50 mM, pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution, the formal potential and heterogeneous electron transfer constant (ks) of GluOx on the composite functional polymer modified GCE were −0.27 V and 6.5 s−1, respectively. The modified electrode could recognize and detect glucose linearly in the range of 20 to 950 μM with a detection limit of 0.2 μM. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (Kmapp) of the modified electrode was 143 μM. The IL/mPEG-fMWCNTs functional polymer could preserve the conformational structure and catalytic activity of GluOx and lead to high sensitivity, stability, and selectivity of the biosensors for glucose recognition and detection.
Effect of Carbon Nanotube Addition on the Interfacial Adhesion between Graphene and Epoxy: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Sun Shuangqing , Chen Shenghui , Weng Xuanzhou , Shan Fei , Hu Songqing
Published: January 2019

The pullout process of graphene from an epoxy/graphene composite filled with a carbon nanotube (CNT) was simulated by molecular dynamics simulations. The interaction energy and the interfacial adhesion energy were calculated to analyze the effect of CNT addition on the interfacial adhesion between the graphene and the epoxy matrix, with varying CNT radii, distances between the CNT and the graphene sheet, CNT axial directions, and the number of CNT walls. Generally, the addition of a CNT strengthens the interfacial adhesion between the graphene and the polymer matrix. Firstly, a larger CNT radius induces a stronger interfacial adhesion of graphene with the matrix. Secondly, when the CNT is farther away from the graphene sheet, the interfacial adhesion of graphene with the matrix becomes weaker. Thirdly, the CNT axial direction has little effect on the interfacial adhesion of graphene in the equilibrium structure. However, it plays an important role in the graphene pullout process. Finally, compared with a single-walled CNT, the interfacial adhesion between graphene and the matrix is stronger when a double-walled CNT is added to the matrix.
Textile Wastewater Treatment for Water Reuse: A Case Study
Authors: Yin Hua , Qiu Peiwen , Qian Yuange , Kong Zhuwen , Zheng Xiaolong , Tang Zhihua , Guo Huafang
Published: January 2019

The reduced natural waters and the large amount of wastewater produced by textile industry necessitate an effective water reuse treatment. In this study, a combined two-stage water reuse treatment was established to enhance the quality and recovery rate of reused water. The primary treatment incorporated a flocculation and sedimentation system, two sand filtration units, an ozonation unit, an ultrafiltration (UF) system, and a reverse osmosis (RO) system. The second treatment included an ozonation unit, a sand filtration unit, and UF and RO systems. The color removal rate increased with the increasing ozone dosage, and the relational expression between the ozone dosage and color removal rate was fitted. Ozonation greatly reduced the color by 92.59 and 97.27 times during the primary and second ozonation stages, respectively. RO had the highest removal rate. The combined processes showed good performance in water reuse treatment. The treated, reused water satisfied the reuse standard and surpassed the drinking water standard rates for chemical oxygen consumption (CODcr), color, NH3-N, hardness, Cl−, SO42−, turbidity, Fe3+, and Cu2+. The operating cost of reuse water treatment was approximately 0.44 USD·m−3.
The Effect of the Presence of Very Cohesive Geldart C Ultra-Fine Particles on the Fluidization of Geldart A Fine Particle Beds
Authors: Kamranian Marnani Abbas , Bück Andreas , Antonyuk Sergiy , van Wachem Berend , Thévenin Dominique , Tomas Jürgen
Published: January 2019

The effect of the presence of ultra-fines (d < 10 μm) on the fluidization of a bed containing fine particles (d < 100 μm), is the subject of this paper. Practically, it can happen due to breakage or surface abrasion of the fine particles in some processes which totally changes the size distribution and also fluidization behaviour. The materials used in this study are both ground calcium carbonate (GCC); fine is CALCIT MVT 100 (Geldart’s group A) and ultra-fine is CALCIT MX 10 (group C). The experimental results for different binary mixtures of these materials (ultra-fines have 30%, 50%, or 68% of the total mixture weight) show that the physical properties of the mixtures are close to those of pure ultra-fine powders. Using mean values of the bed pressure drop calculated from several independent repetitions, the fluidization behaviour of different mixtures are compared and discussed. The fluidization behaviour of the mixtures is non-reproducible and includes cracking, channelling and agglomeration (like for pure ultra-fine powders). Increasing the portion of ultra-fine materials in the mixture causes a delay in starting partial fluidization, an increase in the bed pressure drop as well as a delay in reaching the peak point.
Revolution 4.0: Industry vs. Agriculture in a Future Development for SMEs
Authors: Zambon Ilaria , Cecchini Massimo , Egidi Gianluca , Saporito Maria Grazia , Colantoni Andrea
Published: January 2019

The present review retraces the steps of the industrial and agriculture revolution that have taken place up to the present day, giving ideas and considerations for the future. This paper analyses the specific challenges facing agriculture along the farming supply chain to permit the operative implementation of Industry 4.0 guidelines. The subsequent scientific value is an investigation of how Industry 4.0 approaches can be improved and be pertinent to the agricultural sector. However, industry is progressing at a much faster rate than agriculture. In fact, already today experts talk about Industry 5.0. On the other hand, the 4.0 revolution in agriculture is still limited to a few innovative firms. For this reason, this work deals with how technological development affects different sectors (industry and agriculture) in different ways. In this innovative background, despite the advantages of industry or agriculture 4.0 for large enterprises, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often face complications in such innovative processes due to the continuous development in innovations and technologies. Policy makers should propose strategies, calls for proposals with aim of supporting SMEs to invest on these technologies and making them more competitive in the marketplace.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Resources in 2018
Authors:   Resources Editorial Office
Published: January 2019

Rigorous peer-review is the corner-stone of high-quality academic publishing [...]
Rapid Detection of Windthrows Using Sentinel-1 C-Band SAR Data
Authors: Rüetschi Marius , Small David , Waser Lars T.
Published: January 2019

Storm events are capable of causing windthrow to large forest areas. A rapid detection of the spatial distribution of the windthrown areas is crucial for forest managers to help them direct their limited resources. Since synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data is acquired largely independent of daylight or weather conditions, SAR sensors can produce temporally consistent and reliable data with a high revisit rate. In the present study, a straightforward approach was developed that uses Sentinel-1 (S-1) C-band VV and VH polarisation data for a rapid windthrow detection in mixed temperate forests for two study areas in Switzerland and northern Germany. First, several S-1 acquisitions of approximately 10 before and 30 days after the storm event were radiometrically terrain corrected. Second, based on these S-1 acquisitions, a SAR composite image of before and after the storm was generated. Subsequently, after analysing the differences in backscatter between before and after the storm within windthrown and intact forest areas, a change detection method was developed to suggest potential locations of windthrown areas of a minimum extent of 0.5 ha—as is required by the forest management. The detection is based on two user-defined parameters. While the results from the independent study area in Germany indicated that the method is very promising for detecting areal windthrow with a producer’s accuracy of 0.88, its performance was less satisfactory at detecting scattered windthrown trees. Moreover, the rate of false positives was low, with a user’s accuracy of 0.85 for (combined) areal and scattered windthrown areas. These results underscore that C-band backscatter data have great potential to rapidly detect the locations of windthrow in mixed temperate forests within a short time (approx. two weeks) after a storm event. Furthermore, the two adjustable parameters allow a flexible application of the method tailored to the user’s needs.
A Unified Model for Multi-Frequency PPP Ambiguity Resolution and Test Results with Galileo and BeiDou Triple-Frequency Observations
Authors: Xiao Guorui , Li Pan , Gao Yang , Heck Bernhard
Published: January 2019

With the modernization of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), triple- or multi-frequency signals have become available from more and more GNSS satellites. The additional signals are expected to enhance the performance of precise point positioning (PPP) with ambiguity resolution (AR). To deal with the additional signals, we propose a unified modeling strategy for multi-frequency PPP AR based on raw uncombined observations. Based on the unified model, the fractional cycle biases (FCBs) generated from multi-frequency observations can be flexibly used, such as for dual- or triple- frequency PPP AR. Its efficiency is verified with Galileo and BeiDou triple-frequency observations collected from globally distributed MGEX stations. The estimated FCB are assessed with respect to residual distributions and standard deviations. The obtained results indicate good consistency between the input float ambiguities and the generated FCBs. To assess the performance of the triple-frequency PPP AR, 11 days of MGEX data are processed in three-hour sessions. The positional biases in the ambiguity-fixed solutions are significantly reduced compared with the float solutions. The improvements are 49.2%, 38.3%, and 29.6%, respectively, in east/north/up components for positioning with BDS, while the corresponding improvements are 60.0%, 29.0%, and 21.1% for positioning with Galileo. These results confirm the efficiency of the proposed approach, and that the triple-frequency PPP AR can bring an obvious benefit to the ambiguity-float PPP solution.
Hydrologic Mass Changes and Their Implications in Mediterranean-Climate Turkey from GRACE Measurements
Authors: Okay Ahi Gonca , Jin Shuanggen
Published: January 2019

Water is arguably our most precious resource, which is related to the hydrological cycle, climate change, regional drought events, and water resource management. In Turkey, besides traditional hydrological studies, Terrestrial Water Storage (TWS) is poorly investigated at a continental scale, with limited and sparse observations. Moreover, TWS is a key parameter for studying drought events through the analysis of its variation. In this paper, TWS variation, and thus drought analysis, spatial mass distribution, long-term mass change, and impact on TWS variation from the parameter scale (e.g., precipitation, rainfall rate, evapotranspiration, soil moisture) to the climatic change perspective are investigated. GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) Level 3 (Release05-RL05) monthly land mass data of the Centre for Space Research (CSR) processing center covering the period from April 2002 to January 2016, Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS: Mosaic (MOS), NOAH, Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC)), and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM-3B43) models and drought indices such as self-calibrating Palmer Drought Severity (SCPDSI), El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) are used for this purpose. Turkey experienced serious drought events interpreted with a significant decrease in the TWS signal during the studied time period. GRACE can help to better predict the possible drought nine months before in terms of a decreasing trend compared to previous studies, which do not take satellite gravity data into account. Moreover, the GRACE signal is more sensitive to agricultural and hydrological drought compared to meteorological drought. Precipitation is an important parameter affecting the spatial pattern of the mass distribution and also the spatial change by inducing an acceleration signal from the eastern side to the western side. In Turkey, the La Nina effect probably has an important role in the meteorological drought turning into agricultural and hydrological drought.
Efficient Lidar Signal Denoising Algorithm Using Variational Mode Decomposition Combined with a Whale Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Li Hongxu , Chang Jianhua , Xu Fan , Liu Zhenxing , Yang Zhenbo , Zhang Luyao , Zhang Shuyi , Mao Renxiang , Dou Xiaolei , Liu Binggang
Published: January 2019

Although lidar is a powerful active remote sensing technology, lidar echo signals are easily contaminated by noise, particularly in strong background light, which severely affects the retrieval accuracy and the effective detection range of the lidar system. In this study, a coupled variational mode decomposition (VMD) and whale optimization algorithm (WOA) for noise reduction in lidar signals is proposed and demonstrated completely. The combination of optimal VMD parameters of decomposition mode number K and quadratic penalty α was obtained by using the WOA and was critical in acquiring satisfactory analysis results for VMD denoising technology. Then, the Bhattacharyya distance was applied to identify the relevant modes, which were reconstructed to achieve noise filtering. Simulation results show that the performance of the proposed VMD-WOA method is superior to that of wavelet transform, empirical mode decomposition, and its variations. Experimentally, this method was successfully used to filter a lidar echo signal. The signal-to-noise ratio of the denoised signal was increased to 23.92 dB, and the detection range was extended from 6 to 10 km.
Acknowledgement to Reviewers of Remote Sensing in 2018
Authors:   Remote Sensing Editorial Office
Published: January 2019

Rigorous peer-review is the corner-stone of high-quality academic publishing [...]
Soil Salinity Mapping Using SAR Sentinel-1 Data and Advanced Machine Learning Algorithms: A Case Study at Ben Tre Province of the Mekong River Delta (Vietnam)
Authors: Hoa Pham Viet , Giang Nguyen Vu , Binh Nguyen An , Hai Le Vu Hong , Pham Tien-Dat , Hasanlou Mahdi , Tien Bui Dieu
Published: January 2019

Soil salinity caused by climate change associated with rising sea level is considered as one of the most severe natural hazards that has a negative effect on agricultural activities in the coastal areas in most tropical climates. This issue has become more severe and increasingly occurred in the Mekong River Delta of Vietnam. The main objective of this work is to map soil salinity intrusion in Ben Tre province located on the Mekong River Delta of Vietnam using the Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) C-band data combined with five state-of-the-art machine learning models, Multilayer Perceptron Neural Networks (MLP-NN), Radial Basis Function Neural Networks (RBF-NN), Gaussian Processes (GP), Support Vector Regression (SVR), and Random Forests (RF). For this purpose, 63 soil samples were collected during the field survey conducted from 4–6 April 2018 corresponding to the Sentinel-1 SAR imagery. The performance of the five models was assessed and compared using the root-mean-square error (RMSE), the mean absolute error (MAE), and the correlation coefficient (r). The results revealed that the GP model yielded the highest prediction performance (RMSE = 2.885, MAE = 1.897, and r = 0.808) and outperformed the other machine learning models. We conclude that the advanced machine learning models can be used for mapping soil salinity in the Delta areas; thus, providing a useful tool for assisting farmers and the policy maker in choosing better crop types in the context of climate change.
Recent Surface Deformation in the Tianjin Area Revealed by Sentinel-1A Data
Authors: Zhang Tengxu , Shen Wen-Bin , Wu Wenhao , Zhang Bao , Pan Yuanjin
Published: January 2019

In this study, we employed multitemporal InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) (MT-InSAR) to detect spatial and temporal ground deformations over the whole Tianjin region in the North China Plain area. Twenty-five ascending Sentinel-1A terrain observation by progressive scans (TOPS) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) scenes covering this area, acquired from 9 January 2016 to 8 June 2017, were processed using InSAR time series analysis. The deformation results derived from Sentinel-1A MT-InSAR were validated with continuously operating reference stations (CORS) at four sites and four stations of the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China (CMONOC). The overall results show good agreement, demonstrating the suitability of applying Doris with Sentinel-1A data to high-resolution monitoring of surface deformation. Significant deformation variations have been observed in different parts of Tianjin. These gradually increased from the central part of the metropolitan area to the nearby suburbs. The deformation rate of the main urban area is well-balanced and it is also relatively linear, with uplifting rates ranging from 0 to 20 mm/yr. However, due to the diversity of the geological conditions and anthropogenic activities, remarkable signs of subsidence were found in several parts of Tianjin. In particular, the south-western part of Wuqing District and western part of Beichen District showed subsidence rates of up to −136 mm/yr. We also found that, in addition to groundwater over-exploitation and lithological characteristics, additional factors also influence ground subsidence, including dynamic loads (e.g., railways), static loads (e.g., urban construction), and groundwater recharging.
Urban Tomographic Imaging Using Polarimetric SAR Data
Authors: Budillon Alessandra , Johnsy Angel Caroline , Schirinzi Gilda
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we investigate the potential of polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) tomography (Pol-TomoSAR) in urban applications. TomoSAR exploits the amplitude and phase of the received data and offers the possibility to resolve multiple scatters lying in the same range–azimuth resolution cell. In urban environments, this issue is very important since layover causes multiple coherent scatterers to be mapped in the same range–azimuth image pixel. To achieve reliable and accurate results, TomoSAR requires a large number of multi-baseline acquisitions which, for satellite-borne SAR systems, are collected with long time intervals. Then, accurate tomographic reconstructions would require multiple scatterers to remain stable between all the acquisitions. In this paper, an extension of a generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT)-based tomographic approach, denoted as Fast-Sup-GLRT, to the polarimetric data case is introduced, with the purpose of investigating if, in urban applications, the use of polarimetric channels allows for reduction of the number of baselines required to achieve a given scatterer’s detection performance. The results presented show that the use of dual polarization data allows the proposed detector to work in an equivalent or better way than use of a double number of independent single polarization channels.
Inner Profile Measurement for Pipes Using Penetration Testing
Authors: Ross Robert , Baji Avinash , Barnett Dean
Published: January 2019

Penetration testing has been used to measure material properties for over fifty years. Currently, it is under-utilised as a contemporary scientific and engineering tool for investigating the condition of pipes whose inner surface has been exposed to chemical attack. We describe the design, development and calibration of a portable probe which uses a penetrative strain gauge load cell to measure where the semi-solid surface starts and stops within a pipe. We also describe the results of field tests of the probe in concrete sewers, affected by internal corrosion, where the probe proved to be a fast and reliable method for collecting pipe profile information. The results indicate significant benefit in the use of penetrometers to perform concrete sewer condition assessment.