bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Separation and Identification of Highly Efficient Antioxidant Peptides from Eggshell Membrane
Authors: Zhao Qian-Cheng , Zhao Jie-Yuan , Ahn Dong Uk , Jin Yong-Guo , Huang Xi
Published: October 2019

The enzymatic hydrolysates (EHs) of the eggshell membrane (ESM) were obtained after incubating eggshell membrane in solutions prepared with Na2SO3 and alkaline protease combinations. The effects of enzyme species, enzyme dosage, Na2SO3 concentration, and hydrolysis time on the antioxidant activity of the ESM-EH were determined. Also, the correlation between the degree of hydrolysis (DH) and the antioxidant activity of ESM-EH was analyzed. The DH of ESM-EH showed a highly positive correlation with the reducing power (R2 = 0.857) and total antioxidant activity (TAA) (R2 = 0.876) and performed negative correlation with the Fe2+-chelating ability (R2 = −0.529). The molecular weight distribution of the ESM-EH was determined by MALDI-TOF/MS. Cation exchange chromatography (Sephadex C-25) was used to isolate the ESM-EH and then the enzymatic hydrolysis fragment (EHF) was obtained. Among the five isolated fragments (F1~F5), fragment 3 (F3), which was composed of 28 polypeptides, showed the highest ability to quench ABTS• (2,2-azinobis-3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (90.44%) and also displayed stronger TBARS (thiobarbituric acid– reactive substances) (58.17%) and TAA (303.82 µg /mL) than the ESM-EH. Further analysis of the 28 peptides in F3 identified using LC-MS/MS indicated that five peptides (ESYHLPR, NVIDPPIYAR, MFAEWQPR, LLFAMTKPK, MLKMLPFK) showed high water-solubility, biological activities, and antioxidant characteristics. Finally, the TAA of the synthetic peptide was verified, the synthetic peptides ESYHLPR and MFAEWQPR performed the best activity and have high potentials to be used as antioxidant agents in functional foods, pharmaceuticals, or cosmetics.
Development of Quick Three-Dimensional Shape Measurement Projection Mapping System Using a Whole-Space Tabulation Method
Authors: Suzuki Sodai , Akatsuka Yuichi , Jiang Wei , Fujigaki Motoharu , Otsu Masaaki
Published: October 2019

A grating projection method is often used as a highly accurate 3D shape measurement method. A real-time 3D shape measurement system can also be applied to measure a wide and smooth curved surface, such as in sheet metal processing. In this case, operators take much effort to recognize the positions of some problem areas on an object from a measured result displayed on a monitor. This study develops a projection mapping system projecting an evaluation image, such as height, displacement, gradient, curvature factor, and area of defect, onto an object. These evaluation results are obtained from the measured 3D shape. The evaluation image should be deformed according to the 3D shape of the object because the camera and projector positions are different. Therefore, this study proposes a method to quickly produce a deformed evaluation image using a whole-space tabulation method. A coordinate transform table allowed the conversion of a camera pixel coordinate into a projector pixel coordinate by using reference planes to apply deformation to the evaluation image according to the measured 3D shape. The quick coordinate transformation from a camera pixel coordinate into a projector pixel coordinate was realized using the coordinate transform table. This is a key idea of this study. It was confirmed that the coordinate transformation from the camera pixel coordinate to the projector coordinate could be performed in 4.5 ms using the coordinate transform table. In addition, 3D shape measurement projection mapping was applied to a curved sheet metal with small deformation, and the deformation part was clearly shown by projecting the height distribution. The architecture and the experimental results are shown herein.
Application of Digital Techniques in Industrial Heritage Areas and Building Efficient Management Models: Some Case Studies in Spain
Authors: Pardo Abad Carlos J.
Published: October 2019

This research represents a novel contribution regarding the application of digital technology to the management and cultural promotion of industrial heritage. The study answers questions about the level of digital transformation of certain preselected buildings and areas of great historical and technical interest. It includes an extensive bibliographic review and analyzes different variables linked to webpages, which are the main source of information for visitors, and studies the level of digitization using a survey of the technical managers. The results are valuable because they offer an original profile of selected industrial heritage sites, characterized by an important connection between visitors, visited spaces, and available resources; the interaction of these three elements with the surrounding territory, fostering a new competitive capacity; the projection of each place in a modern and attractive way; and the commitment to an efficient and sustainable local management model. The results provide a fresh look at the technological changes embodied by new uses in old industrialization sites. In addition, the performed analysis could easily be applied and operationally compared in other different heritage environments.
On Two Approaches to Slope Stability Reliability Assessments Using the Random Finite Element Method
Authors: Li Yajun , Qian Cheng , Fu Zhongzhi , Li Zhuo
Published: October 2019

The random finite element method has been increasingly used in the geotechnical community to investigate the influence of soil spatial variability and to bridge the gap between a traditional design and a reliability-based design. There are two approaches to calculate the reliability curves as a function of the traditional/global factor of safety in the literature. However, it is not clear how these two approaches may be related and why. This paper is devoted to answering this question, through the aid of an implemented auto-search algorithm within the strength reduction method and the quantification of the potential sliding volumes in the various possible Monte Carlo realisations of the soil spatial variability. The equivalences and differences between the two approaches, and thereby their respective merits and disadvantages, are explained and discussed for the most commonly used distribution types of soil strength properties, that is, normal and lognormal distribution. Computational efficiency has also been addressed in the form of pseudocodes, which can be readily implemented.
Is It Easy to Synchronize Our Minds When We Are Forced to Cooperate?
Authors: Romero-Martínez Ángel , Rodríguez Alejandro , Moya-Albiol Luis
Published: October 2019

There is increasing scientific interest in elucidating the biological mechanisms underlying cooperative behaviors. Humans have developed a high degree of complexity in their cooperativity, which has been defined as hyper-cooperativity. An interesting biological marker to study how two individuals are emotionally linked when they cooperate is their psychophysiological synchronization (the overlapping of signals as indicators of Autonomous Nervous System activation). Hence, the main aim of this study was to explore participants’ psychophysiological synchronization, based on electrocardiograms (ECG) and galvanic skin response (GSR) signals in a sample of strangers who were set up to cooperate (n = 29 pairs of same sex strangers; mean age = 20.52 ± 1.72), compared to participants who were forced to compete (n = 22 pairs of same sex strangers; mean age = 20.45 ± 1.53) in a laboratory setting. Moreover, the roles of the participants’ gender and the outcomes (positive or negative) obtained in the cooperation were examined as potential moderators of this psychophysiological synchronization. Results showed a progressive increase in ECG and GSR signal synchronization in participants who cooperated, reaching the highest levels of synchronization during the recovery period. Moreover, cooperation induced higher GSR synchronization in comparison with competition. Finally, although gender played an important role in the psychophysiological synchronization during cooperation (women presented the highest overlapping of GSR signals), feedback about the participants’ performance was not significantly associated with their psychophysiological synchronization. Therefore, research in this field would help us to understand more about the body’s physiological responses to different types of social interactions, such as cooperation and competition, providing an opportunity to establish interaction strategies that would be physiologically desirable.
ATM Regulated PTEN Degradation Is XIAP E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Mediated in p85α Deficient Cancer Cells and Influence Platinum Sensitivity
Authors: Ali Reem , Alabdullah Muslim , Miligy Islam , Normatova Makhliyo , Babaei-Jadidi Roya , S. Nateri Abdolrahman , Rakha Emad A. , Madhusudan Srinivasan
Published: October 2019

Ataxia-telegiectasia mutated (ATM), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), and p85α are key tumour suppressors. Whether ATM regulates PTEN expression and influence platinum sensitivity is unknown. We generated ATM knockdowns (KD) and CRISPR knock outs (KO) in glioblastoma (LN18, LN229) and ovarian cancer cells (OVCAR3, OVCAR4). Doxycycline inducible PTEN expression was generated in LN18 and LN229 cells. Transient KD of p85α, CK2, and XIAP was accomplished using siRNAs. Stable p85α knock-in was isolated in LN18 cells. Molecular biology assays included proteasome activity assays, PCR, flow cytometry analysis (cell cycle, double strand break accumulation, apoptosis), immunofluorescence, co-immunoprecipitation, clonogenic, invasion, migration, and 3D neurosphere assays. The clinicopathological significance of ATM, PTEN, p85α, and XIAP (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein) was evaluated in 525 human ovarian cancers using immunohistochemistry. ATM regulated PTEN is p85α dependant. ATM also controls CK2α level which in turn phosphorylates and stabilizes PTEN. In addition, p85α physically interacts with CK2α and protects CK2α from ATM regulated degradation. ATM deficiency resulted in accumulation of XIAP/p-XIAP levels which ubiquitinated PTEN and CK2α thereby directing them to degradation. ATM depletion in the context of p85α deficiency impaired cancer cell migration and invasion reduced 3D-neurosphere formation and increased toxicity to cisplatin chemotherapy. Increased sensitivity to platinum was associated with DNA double strand breaks accumulation, cell cycle arrest, and induction of autophagy. In ovarian cancer patients, ATM, PTEN, p85α, and XIAP protein levels predicted better progression free survival after platinum therapy. We unravel a previously unknown function of ATM in the regulation of PTEN throμgh XIAP mediated proteasome degradation.
PTPN11 (SHP2) Is Indispensable for Growth Factors and Cytokine Signal Transduction During Bovine Oocyte Maturation and Blastocyst Development
Authors: Idrees Muhammad , Xu Lianguang , Song Seok-Hwan , Joo Myeong-Don , Lee Kyeong-Lim , Muhammad Tahir , El Sheikh Marwa , Sidrat Tabinda , Kong Il-Keun
Published: October 2019

This study was aimed to investigate the role of SHP2 (Src-homology-2-containing phosphotyrosine phosphatase) in intricate signaling networks invoked by bovine oocyte to achieve maturation and blastocyst development. PTPN11 (Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, non-receptor type 11) encoding protein SHP2, a positive transducer of RTKs (Receptor Tyrosine Kinases) and cytokine receptors, can play a significant role in bovine oocyte maturation and embryo development, but this phenomenon has not yet been explored. Here, we used different growth factors, cytokines, selective activator, and a specific inhibitor of SHP2 to ascertain its role in bovine oocyte developmental stages in vitro. We found that SHP2 became activated by growth factors and cytokines treatment and was highly involved in the activation of oocyte maturation and embryo development pathways. Activation of SHP2 triggered MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinases) and PI3K/AKT (Phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Protein kinase B) signaling cascades, which is not only important for GVBD (germinal vesical breakdown) induction but also for maternal mRNA translation. Inhibition of phosphatase activity of SHP2 with PHPS1 (Phenylhydrazonopyrazolone sulfonate 1) reduced oocytes maturation as well as bovine blastocyst ICM (inner cell mass) volume. Supplementation of LIF (Leukemia Inhibitory Factor) to embryos showed an unconventional direct relation between p-SHP2 and p-STAT3 (Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) for blastocyst ICM development. Other than growth factors and cytokines, cisplatin was used to activate SHP2. Cisplatin activated SHP2 modulate growth factors effect and combine treatment significantly enhanced quality and rate of developed blastocysts.
The Oncogenic Signaling Pathways in BRAF-Mutant Melanoma Cells Are Modulated by Naphthalene Diimide-Like G-Quadruplex Ligands
Authors: Recagni Marta , Tassinari Martina , Doria Filippo , Cimino-Reale Graziella , Zaffaroni Nadia , Freccero Mauro , Folini Marco , Richter Sara N.
Published: October 2019

Melanoma is the most aggressive and deadly type of skin cancer. Despite the advent of targeted therapies directed against specific oncogene mutations, melanoma remains a tumor that is very difficult to treat, and ultimately remains incurable. In the past two decades, stabilization of the non-canonical nucleic acid G-quadruplex structures within oncogene promoters has stood out as a promising approach to interfere with oncogenic signaling pathways in cancer cells, paving the way toward the development of G-quadruplex ligands as antitumor drugs. Here, we present the synthesis and screening of a library of differently functionalized core-extended naphthalene diimides for their activity against the BRAFV600E-mutant melanoma cell line. The most promising compound was able to stabilize G-quadruplexes that formed in the promoter regions of two target genes relevant to melanoma, KIT and BCL-2. This activity led to the suppression of protein expression and thus to interference with oncogenic signaling pathways involved in BRAF-mutant melanoma cell survival, apoptosis, and resistance to drugs. This G-quadruplex ligand thus represents a suitable candidate for the development of melanoma treatment options based on a new mechanism of action and could reveal particular significance in the context of resistance to targeted therapies of BRAF-mutant melanoma cells.
Simultaneous Voltammetric Detection of Acetaminophen and Caffeine Base on Cassava Starch—Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode
Authors: Mulyasuryani Ani , Tjahjanto Rachmat , Andawiyah Robi’atul
Published: October 2019

The new molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) membrane based on cassava starch—Fe3O4—was developed to detect acetaminophen and caffeine simultaneously with the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) method. Cassava starch was reacted with sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) as a crosslinking agent, while acetaminophen and caffeine were added as templates. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the composite were added to increase the sensor’s sensitivity. The experimental results show that the ratio between cassava starch:STPP:acetaminophen/caffeine in the mixture for MIP membranes influences the sensitivity of the sensor obtained. MIP membranes with the best sensitivity is produced at a mixture ratio of 2:2:1. The sensor performance is also affected by the pH of the solution and the type of buffer solution used. The sensor works very well at pH 2 in PB solution. Sensors produced from GCE modified with MIP membrane from cassava starch—Fe3O4 with acetaminophen and caffeine as templates have linear range concentrations, respectively, at 50–2000 µM and 50–900 µM. Sensor sensitivity was 0.5306 A/M against acetaminophen and 0.4314 A/M against caffeine with Limit of Detection (LoD), respectively, 16 and 23 µM. Sensor selectivity and sensitivity are better than those without MIP and can be applied for the determination of the content of acetaminophen in headache medicine, with an accuracy of 96–99% and with Relative Standard Deviation (RSD) 0.9–2.56%.
Lithuanian Speech Recognition Using Purely Phonetic Deep Learning
Authors: Pipiras Laurynas , Maskeliūnas Rytis , Damaševičius Robertas
Published: October 2019

Automatic speech recognition (ASR) has been one of the biggest and hardest challenges in the field. A large majority of research in this area focuses on widely spoken languages such as English. The problems of automatic Lithuanian speech recognition have attracted little attention so far. Due to complicated language structure and scarcity of data, models proposed for other languages such as English cannot be directly adopted for Lithuanian. In this paper we propose an ASR system for the Lithuanian language, which is based on deep learning methods and can identify spoken words purely from their phoneme sequences. Two encoder-decoder models are used to solve the ASR task: a traditional encoder-decoder model and a model with attention mechanism. The performance of these models is evaluated in isolated speech recognition task (with an accuracy of 0.993) and long phrase recognition task (with an accuracy of 0.992).
Investigations on the Solubility of Vortioxetine Based on X-ray Structural Data and Crystal Contacts
Authors: Zhang Xian-Rui , Gao Lei , He Gui-Yuan , Chen Chao-Jie
Published: October 2019

Investigation on the solid-state pharmaceutical chemistry has been known as an intriguing strategy to not only modify the physicochemical properties of drugs but also expand the solid form landscape. Vortioxetine (VOT) is an effective but poorly soluble antidepressant. To improve the solubility of vortioxetine and expand possible solid forms, in this paper, four novel solid forms of vortioxetine with dihydroxybenzoic acids (VOT-23BA, VOT-24BA-TOL, VOT-25BA, and VOT-26BA, 23BA = 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 24BA = 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 25BA = 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 26BA = 2,6-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and TOL = toluene) were synthesized first by a solvent evaporation method and then characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), thermal, and XRD techniques. VOT-24BA-TOL, VOT-25BA, and VOT-26BA, showed similar [2+2] tetrameric R 4 4 (12) hydrogen bonds by acid-piperazine heterosynthon. In the VOT-23BA-H2O salt, the VOT cation and 23BA anion interacted through protonated piperazine-hydroxyl N-H···O hydrogen bonds, not protonated piperazine-deprotonated carboxylic acid N-H···O hydrogen bonds. Solubility studies were carried out in purified water and it was found that the VOT-23BA-H2O, VOT-25BA, and VOT-26BA salts exhibited an increase in water compared to pure VOT. The solubility of the stabilized salt formations followed the order of VOT-25BA > VOT-26BA > VOT-23BA-H2O in purified water.
Characterization and Structural Determination of Cold-Adapted Monodehydroascorbate Reductase, MDHAR, from the Antarctic Hairgrass Deschampsia Antarctica
Authors: Park Ae Kyung , Kim Il-Sup , Do Hackwon , Kim Hyun , Choi Woong , Jo Seung-Woo , Shin Seung Chul , Lee Jun Hyuck , Yoon Ho-Sung , Kim Han-Woo
Published: October 2019

Ascorbic acid (AsA) is an abundant component of plants and acts as a strong and active antioxidant. In order to maintain the antioxidative capacity of AsA, the rapid regeneration of AsA is regulated by dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR). To understand how MDHAR functions under extreme temperature conditions, this study characterized its biochemical properties and determined the crystal structure of MDHAR from the Antarctic hairgrass Deschampsia antarctica (DaMDHAR) at 2.2 Å resolution. This allowed for a structural comparison with the mesophilic MDHAR from Oryza sativa L. japonica (OsMDHAR). In the functional analysis, yeast cells expressing DaMDHAR were tolerant to freezing and thawing cycles. It is possible that the expression of DaMDHAR in yeast enhanced the tolerance for ROS-induced abiotic stress.
Genetic Cryopreservation of Rare Breeds of Domesticated North American Livestock: Smithsonian & SVF Biodiversity Preservation Project
Authors: Bowley Sarah C. , Comizzoli Pierre , Lindell Kevin A. , Matsas David J. , White Eugene C.
Published: October 2019

Modern agriculture has responded to the growing pressure for animal-protein consumption in the global human population by selecting for specific production traits, which, over the last fifty years, has resulted in a loss of genetic diversity. Most rare and endangered breeds of livestock have not experienced the same selection pressures for production and therefore may contain useful genetic traits not found within modern breeds. In an effort to maintain biodiversity of livestock breeds, the SVF Foundation, a non-profit organization founded to preserve the genetic diversity of food and fiber livestock, has established an ex situ repository of genetic material from endangered North American cattle, sheep, and goats. This genetic material includes in vivo and in vitro produced embryos, semen, fibroblasts, serum, and whole blood DNA cards. The majority of samples in the SVF repository are cryopreserved, creating a genome resource bank for future use. Through the Smithsonian and SVF Biodiversity Preservation Project, this repository will be maintained at the Smithsonian’s Front Royal, VA, facility. This effort represents an excellent model for understanding and sustaining the genetic diversity of rare breeds in the US and in other countries.
Contrast Media Induced Kounis Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Chien Da-Sen , Tsai Andy Po-Yi , Lin Po-Chen , Yiang Giou-Teng , Wu Meng-Yu
Published: October 2019

Kounis syndrome is a rare anaphylactic reaction leading to coronary spasm, acute plaque rupture, or intrastent stenosis. Many types of medicine or environmental factors can potentially trigger Kounis syndrome by mast cell allergic reactions. In severe Kounis syndrome, reduced blood pressure or cardiac arrest may be accompanying symptoms. The treatment strategy for Kounis syndrome is usually difficult due to both cardiac dysfunction and allergic reactions. The delay to intervention to break the vicious circle may cause catastrophic complications. Therefore, early diagnosis is critical for physicians to outline detailed etiology for prevention and treat the cardiac and allergic symptoms in a timely manner. Here, we describe a case presenting rare severe Kounis syndrome with cardiac arrest which occurred after the administration of a contrast media.
Permutation Entropy: Enhancing Discriminating Power by Using Relative Frequencies Vector of Ordinal Patterns Instead of Their Shannon Entropy
Authors: Cuesta-Frau David , Molina-Picó Antonio , Vargas Borja , González Paula
Published: October 2019

Many measures to quantify the nonlinear dynamics of a time series are based on estimating the probability of certain features from their relative frequencies. Once a normalised histogram of events is computed, a single result is usually derived. This process can be broadly viewed as a nonlinear I R n mapping into I R , where n is the number of bins in the histogram. However, this mapping might entail a loss of information that could be critical for time series classification purposes. In this respect, the present study assessed such impact using permutation entropy (PE) and a diverse set of time series. We first devised a method of generating synthetic sequences of ordinal patterns using hidden Markov models. This way, it was possible to control the histogram distribution and quantify its influence on classification results. Next, real body temperature records are also used to illustrate the same phenomenon. The experiments results confirmed the improved classification accuracy achieved using raw histogram data instead of the PE final values. Thus, this study can provide a very valuable guidance for the improvement of the discriminating capability not only of PE, but of many similar histogram-based measures.
Considering Patients’ Empowerment in Chronic Care Management: A Cross-Level Approach
Authors: Tilkin Caroline , De Winter Mélanie , Ketterer Frédéric , Etienne Anne-Marie , Vanmeerbeek Marc , Schoenaers Frédéric
Published: October 2019

This paper consists of an analysis of the concept of empowerment—which is often defined as a key issue in health care—at the macro, meso, and micro levels by focusing on health care reform in Belgium. Three research teams collected data and combined them in an inductive secondary analysis. Our preliminary results demonstrate that patient empowerment does not always encompass the same scientific reality. At the macro level, this concept is linked to the authorities’ wish to support at-home care for chronic patients. At the meso level, the role of caregivers in maintaining patients’ autonomy, but also the social conditions of their lives, is a salient component of empowerment. At the micro level, individual and personal features such as identity can influence patient empowerment and behavior in the health care system. This cross-level research suggests that patient empowerment is not sufficiently clearly defined at each level of the care production chain, which could impede the reform of health care. This paper underlines the polysemy of a concept viewed as a milestone in European health care policy and the necessity of a clear, collective definition to operationalize and implement it.
Mechanistic Characteristics of Double Dominant Frequencies of Acoustic Emission Signals in the Entire Fracture Process of Fine Sandstone
Authors: Wang Chuangye , Chang Xinke , Liu Yilin , Chen Shijiang
Published: October 2019

To determine the intrinsic relationship between the acoustic emission (AE) phenomenon and the fracture pattern pertaining to the entire fracture process of rock, the present paper proposed a multi-dimensional spectral analysis of the AE signal released during the entire process. Some uniaxial compression AE tests were carried out on the fine sandstone specimens, and the axial compression stress–strain curves and AE signal released during the entire fracture process were obtained. In order to deal with tens of thousands of AE data efficiently, a subroutine was programmed in MATLAB. All AE waveforms of the tests were denoised by wavelet threshold firstly. The fast Fourier transform (FFT) and wavelet packet transform (WPT) were applied to the denoised waveforms to obtain the dominant frequency, amplitude, fractal, and frequency band energy ratio distribution. The results showed that the AE signal in the entire fracture process of fine sandstone had a double dominant frequency band of the low and high-frequency bands, which can be subdivided into low-frequency low-amplitude, high-frequency low-amplitude, high-frequency high-amplitude, and low-frequency high-amplitude signals, according to the magnitude. The low-frequency amplitude relevant fractal dimension and the high-frequency amplitude relevant fractal dimension each had turning points that corresponded to significant decreases in the middle and end stages of loading, respectively. The frequency band energy was mainly concentrated in the range of 0–187.5 kHz, and the energy ratios of some bands had different turning points, which appeared before the complete failure of the rock. It is suggested that the multi-dimensional spectral analysis may understand the failure mechanism of rock better.
Simulation Study of Allied In-Situ Injection and Production for Enhancing Shale Oil Recovery and CO2 Emission Control
Authors: Yu Haiyang , Qi Songchao , Chen Zhewei , Cheng Shiqing , Xie Qichao , Qu Xuefeng
Published: October 2019

The global greenhouse effect makes carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduction an important task for the world, however, CO2 can be used as injected fluid to develop shale oil reservoirs. Conventional water injection and gas injection methods cannot achieve desired development results for shale oil reservoirs. Poor injection capacity exists in water injection development, while the time of gas breakthrough is early and gas channeling is serious for gas injection development. These problems will lead to insufficient formation energy supplement, rapid energy depletion, and low ultimate recovery. Gas injection huff and puff (huff-n-puff), as another improved method, is applied to develop shale oil reservoirs. However, the shortcomings of huff-n-puff are the low sweep efficiency and poor performance for the late development of oilfields. Therefore, this paper adopts firstly the method of Allied In-Situ Injection and Production (AIIP) combined with CO2 huff-n-puff to develop shale oil reservoirs. Based on the data of Shengli Oilfield, a dual-porosity and dual-permeability model in reservoir-scale is established. Compared with traditional CO2 huff-n-puff and depletion method, the cumulative oil production of AIIP combined with CO2 huff-n-puff increases by 13,077 and 17,450 m3 respectively, indicating that this method has a good application prospect. Sensitivity analyses are further conducted, including injection volume, injection rate, soaking time, fracture half-length, and fracture spacing. The results indicate that injection volume, not injection rate, is the important factor affecting the performance. With the increment of fracture half-length and the decrement of fracture spacing, the cumulative oil production of the single well increases, but the incremental rate slows down gradually. With the increment of soaking time, cumulative oil production increases first and then decreases. These parameters have a relatively suitable value, which makes the performance better. This new method can not only enhance shale oil recovery, but also can be used for CO2 emission control.
Control Strategy for Electric Vehicle Charging Station Power Converters with Active Functions
Authors: Barrero-González Fermín , Milanés-Montero María Isabel , González-Romera Eva , Romero-Cadaval Enrique , Roncero-Clemente Carlos
Published: October 2019

Based on the assumption that vehicles served by petrol stations will be replaced by Electric Vehicles (EV) in the future, EV public charging station facilities, with off-board fast chargers, will be progressively built. The power demand of these installations is expected to cause great impact on the grid, not only in terms of peak power demanded but also in terms of power quality, because most battery chargers behave as non-linear loads. This paper presents the proposal of a novel comprehensive global control strategy for the power electronic converters associated with bidirectional three-phase EV off-board fast chargers. The Charging Station facility Energy Management System (CS-EMS) sends to each individual fast charger the active and reactive power setpoints. Besides, in case the charger has available capacity, it is assigned to compensate a fraction of the harmonic current demanded by other loads at the charging facility. The proposed approach works well under distorted and unbalanced grid voltages. Its implementation results in improvement in the power quality of each fast charger, which contributes to improvement in the power quality at the charging station facility level, which can even provide ancillary services to the distribution network. Simulation tests are conducted, using a 100 kW power electronic converter model, under different load and grid conditions, to validate the effectiveness and the applicability of the proposed control strategy.
Optimization of 100 MWe Parabolic-Trough Solar-Thermal Power Plants Under Regulated and Deregulated Electricity Market Conditions
Authors: Llamas Jorge M. , Bullejos David , Ruiz de Adana Manuel
Published: October 2019

Parabolic-trough solar-thermal power-plant investments are subordinate to radiation availability, thermal-energy storage capacity, and dynamic behavior. Their integration into electricity markets is made by minimizing grid-connection costs, thus improving energy-availability and economic-efficiency levels. In this context, this work analyzes the sizing-investment adequacy of a 100 MWe parabolic-trough solar-thermal power plant regarding solar resources and thermal energy into power-block availability for both regulated and deregulated electricity markets. For this proposal, the design of a mathematical model for the optimal operation of parabolic-trough power plants with thermal storage by two tanks of molten salt is described. Model calibration is made by using a currently operated plant. Solar-resource availability is studied in three different radiation scenarios. The levelized cost of electricity and production profit relating to the investment cost are used to analyze plant sustainability. Thus, the levelized cost of electricity shows the best plant configuration for each radiation scenario within a regulated market. For deregulated markets, the optimal plant configuration tends to enhance the solar multiple and thermal-storage capacity thanks to an increment on selling profit. The gross average annual benefit for electricity generation of deregulated against regulated markets exceeds 21% in all radiation areas under study.
Do Coarser Gap Mosaics in Conifer Plantations Induce More Seed Dispersal by Birds? Temporal Changes during 12 Years after Gap Creation
Authors: Takano Tsubasa , Kominami Yohsuke , Mizunaga Hiromi
Published: October 2019

The creation of canopy gaps is thought to be an efficient silvicultural operation to diversify species composition of monoculture conifer plantations; however, the shortage of regeneration materials in overclosed plantations is one of the concerns related to this operation. Seed dispersal by frugivorous birds may play an important role in inducing the spread of native broad-leaved trees in canopy gaps in plantations in the warm temperate zone of central Japan because bird-dispersed woody species are abundant in this area. We monitored the dynamics of the abundance and species composition of bird-dispersed seeds over 12 years after gap creation in the canopy of a Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa (Siebold et Zucc.) Endl.) plantation. We also studied the effects of gap-mosaic patterns (from many small gaps to fewer large gaps) on dispersal. We used a hierarchical Bayesian zero-inflated Poisson model to analyze the factors affecting seed dispersal by frugivorous birds. Seed dispersal by birds increased with gap age except for just after gap creation. Dispersal in coarser gap mosaics was more abundant than that in finer gap mosaics. The species diversity of dispersed seeds in each seed trap (α-diversity) and plot (γ-diversity) showed similar trends in terms of temporal changes and differences between plots related to seed dispersal abundance; β-diversity did not. These trends might have been caused by shrub-vegetation development after gap creation. The effects of shrub vegetation were classified into the attraction by fruits borne within the vegetation, as well as other effects related to vegetation, such as functions of perch availability and insect presence as a food source. The presence of bird-dispersed seeds was strongly promoted by vegetation in all seasons, but only marginally by the presence of fruit-bearing vegetation. However, fruits attracted seed dispersal by frugivorous birds in the winter season. Our results suggest that both vegetation development and fruiting are important for promoting seed dispersal by frugivorous birds, and those effects are different in different seasons according to vegetation conditions and shifting food resources.
Bread for the Aging Population: The Effect of a Functional Wheat–Lentil Bread on the Immune Function of Aged Mice
Authors: Carcea Marina , Turfani Valeria , Narducci Valentina , Durazzo Alessandra , Finamore Alberto , Roselli Marianna , Rami Rita
Published: October 2019

A functional bread tailored for the needs of the aging population was baked by substituting 24% of wheat flour with red lentil flour and compared with wheat bread. Its nutritional profile was assessed by analysing proteins, amino acids, lipids, soluble and insoluble dietary fibre, resistant starch, total polyphenols, lignans and the antioxidant capacity (FRAP assay). The wheat–lentil bread had 30% more proteins than wheat bread (8.3%, as is), a more balanced amino acids composition, an almost double mineral (0.63%, as is) as well as total dietary fibre content (4.6%, as is), double the amount of polyphenols (939.1 mg GAE/100g on dry matter, d.m.), higher amounts and variety of lignans, and more than double the antioxidant capacity (71.6 µmoL/g d.m.). The in vivo effect of 60 days bread consumption on the immune response was studied by means of a murine model of elderly mice. Serum cytokines and intraepithelial lymphocyte immunophenotype from the mice intestine were analysed as markers of systemic and intestinal inflammatory status, respectively. Analysis of immune parameters in intraepithelial lymphocytes showed significant differences among the two types of bread indicating a positive effect of the wheat–lentil bread on the intestinal immune system, whereas both breads induced a reduction in serum IL-10.
Melanoidins from Chinese Distilled Spent Grain: Content, Preliminary Structure, Antioxidant, and ACE-Inhibitory Activities In Vitro
Authors: Yang Shiqi , Fan Wenlai , Xu Yan
Published: October 2019

Distilled spent grain (DSG), as the major by-product of baijiu making, contains melanoidins generated via the Maillard reaction. In this study, four melanoidin fractions (RF1‒RF4) were isolated successively from dried DSG (DDSG) using sodium hydroxide solution and water as extractants, and the content, preliminary structure, and ACE-inhibitory activities in vitro of melanoidins were first investigated. The antioxidant activity was also evaluated. The results indicated that the total content of melanoidins was 268.60 mg/g DDSG dry weight (dw) using a model system of glucose and serine as standard, and RF4 showed the highest content of melanoidins (174.30 mg/g DDSG dw). Functional groups like C=O, N‒H, C‒N, O‒H, C‒H, C‒O, C-C, and ‒C‒CO‒C‒ were present in the structure of melanoidins from RF4, as determined by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) assay. The highest antioxidant activities, as assessed by 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) assays, and the highest angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity (95.92% at 2 mg RF4/mL) were also exhibited by RF4. The RF4 was further fractionated by ultrafiltration based on molecular weight (MW). The more than 100 kDa melanoidins (RF4-6) exhibited the highest yield and antioxidant activity. The 3‒10 kDa melanoidins (RF4-2) were more efficient in ACE-inhibitory activity. Our study could raise awareness of the DDSG as a value-added resource.
Gas Hydrate: Environmental and Climate Impacts
Authors: Tinivella Umberta , Giustiniani Michela , Vargas Cordero Ivan de la Cruz , Vasilev Atanas
Published: October 2019

This Special Issue reports research spanning from the analysis of indirect data, modelling, laboratory and geological data confirming the intrinsic multidisciplinarity of the gas hydrate studies. The study areas are (1) Arctic, (2) Brazil, (3) Chile and (4) the Mediterranean region. The results furnished an important tessera of the knowledge about the relationship of a gas hydrate system with other complex natural phenomena such as climate change, slope stability and earthquakes, and human activities.
Theorizing Conscious Black Asexuality through Claire Kann’s Let’s Talk about Love
Authors: Miles Brittney
Published: October 2019

Asexuality is often defined as some degree of being void of sexual attraction, interest, or desire. Black asexual people have been made invisible, silent, or pathologized in most fiction, scholarly literature, and mainstream LGBTQ movements. Claire Kann’s 2018 young adult romance novel, Let’s Talk About Love, explores Black asexuality at the intersection of race and (a)sexuality. Through the story of the Black, bi-romantic, asexual, 19 year-old college student Alice Johnston, this text illuminates the diversity of Black sexuality in the Black Diaspora. Using a Black feminist sociological literary analysis to complete a close reading of the novel, I interrogate what Let’s Talk about Love offers for defining a Black asexual politic. To consider Black asexual politics beyond the controlling images of the asexual Mammy figure, and not merely in juxtaposition to the hypersexual Jezebel, calls us to instead center agency and self-definition. This project seeks to answer what Conscious Black Asexuality is, why it is a necessary concept for asexuality studies and the Diaspora, where we locate Black asexuality in Black history, and how Let’s Talk about Love by Claire Kann presents a depiction of Black agentic queerness that reclaims agency and intimacy within one’s sexual politics.
Public Health Risks Associated with Heavy Metal and Microbial Contamination of Drinking Water in Australia
Authors: Molino Paul J , Bentham Richard , Higgins Michael J , Hinds Jason , Whiley Harriet
Published: October 2019

Recently in Australia concerns have been raised regarding the contamination of municipal drinking water supplies with lead. This is of particular concern to children due to the impact of lead exposure on cognitive development and as such these findings have received much media attention. The response from legislators has been swift, and The Victorian School Building Authority has announced that all new schools and school upgrade works will only use lead-free tapware and piping systems. However, while the immediate replacement of lead-containing brass fittings may seem a logical and obvious response, it does not consider the potential implications on microbial contamination. This is particularly concerning given the increasing public health threat posed by opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs). This commentary explores this public health risk of lead exposure from plumbing materials compared to the potential public health risks from OPPPs. Non-tuberculous mycobacterium was chosen as the example OPPP, and the influence on plumbing material and its public health burden in Australia is explored. This commentary highlights the need for future research into the influence of plumbing material on OPPPs prior to any changes in legislation regarding plumbing material.
Beyond Binary: (Re)Defining “Gender” for 21st Century Disaster Risk Reduction Research, Policy, and Practice
Authors: Rushton Ashleigh , Gray Lesley , Canty Justin , Blanchard Kevin
Published: October 2019

The dominant discourse of gender focuses on the binary of woman/man, despite the known additional risks for diverse sexualities and gender minorities in disasters. Given the small but growing body of literature concerning gender minorities in disasters, this paper sets out to explore the place of sex and gender minorities in disasters and to examine whether a binary definition needs to be extended. A five-stage rapid review was undertaken following Arksey and O’Malley’s method. Peer-reviewed journal articles in English language were sought that included disaster and gender terms in the title, abstract, and/or body of the article published between January 2015 and March 2019. The search included MEDLINE and Scopus databases. Relevant information from the studies were charted in Microsoft Excel, and results were summarized using a descriptive analytical method. In total, 729 records were identified; 248 that did not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded and 166 duplicates were removed. A total of 315 records were sourced and their full text was reviewed. Of those, only 12 journal articles included content relative to more than two genders. We also recognized that sex and gender terms were used interchangeably with no clear differentiation between the two. We recommend that disaster scholars and practitioners adopt correct terminology and expand their definition of gender beyond the binary; utilize work on gender fluidity and diversity; and apply this to disaster research, policy, and practice.
Removal of High Concentrations of Ammonium from Groundwater in a Pilot-Scale System through Aeration at the Bottom Layer of a Chemical Catalytic Oxidation Filter
Authors: Zhang Wushou , Zhang Ruifeng , Yang Yanfeng , Huang Tinglin , Wen Gang
Published: October 2019

To remove high concentrations of ammonium from groundwater, pure oxygen and compressed air were fed into a chemical catalytic filter and the ammonium removal efficiency was investigated. The experimental results showed that the oxygen content is the critical limiting factor for ammonium removal. Aeration with 40 mL/min pure oxygen or 100 mL/min compressed air from the bottom of the filter supplied adequate oxygen and approximately 4.2 mg/L of ammonium was removed in this process. Moreover, when the aeration device was moved to 1/3 of the height of the filter bed, the required flow rates of pure oxygen and compressed air decreased further and the turbidity removal was improved. Pouring ozone gas into the filter system, which can inactivate bacteria effectively, can also obtain the remarkable ammonium removal, indicating that ammonium removal was mainly due to the chemical catalytic oxidation in this process rather than the biodegradation. This study provides a novel method for removing high concentrations of ammonium from groundwater.
The State of Animal-Assisted Interventions: Addressing the Contemporary Issues That Will Shape the Future
Authors: Fine Aubrey H. , Beck Alan M. , Ng Zenithson
Published: October 2019

As the worldwide popularity of animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) increases, the field is quickly approaching a paradigm shift, adjusting its image to incorporate more evidence-based research and aligning its purpose for advancing a new future. Contemporary critical issues that confront the field today include, but are not limited, to research, animal welfare, practice guidelines, and public policy. This article will provide an overview of the history of AAI and the major milestones that the field has undergone. The current state of AAI research will be scrutinized, and the areas that warrant further study will be recommended. Special attention will be given to the current state of animal welfare in AAI, the research that has been done in the area, and practice guidelines that safeguard animal wellbeing. This article will then discuss how evidence-based research and animal welfare guidelines inform the development of comprehensive professional standards and influence changes in public policy regarding AAI. The authors’ perceptions for the field’s future trajectory will be presented, which will include solutions to move the field in the direction that best advances the human-animal bond in research, practice, and public perception.
Prevalence of Quinolone Resistance of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli with ST131-fimH30 in a City Hospital in Hyogo, Japan
Authors: Teramae Masazumi , Osawa Kayo , Shigemura Katsumi , Kitagawa Koichi , Shirakawa Toshiro , Fujisawa Masato , Miyara Takayuki
Published: October 2019

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli isolates are known to tolerate superior quinolone antimicrobials compared with other antibacterial agents. Among the clones belonging to sequence type (ST) 131 by multilocus sequence typing, the involvement of the H30-Rx subclone has been reported worldwide with various fimH genes encoding type 1 pili. We investigated 83 isolates of ESBL-producing E. coli and performed antimicrobial susceptibility test, CH (fumC/fimH) ST131 by typing the specific PCR. Moreover, mutation analysis of genes involved in quinolone antibiotic resistance (gyrA and parC) and ESBL genotypes were determined. As a result, 54 of 83 isolates (65.1%) of CH40-30 clones corresponding to ST131-fimH30 were detected, and all were resistant to levofloxacin. Mutations associated with this resistance were common, and included S83L and D87N of gyrA and S80I and E84V of parC. Subclone analysis revealed a high proportion of fimH30-non-Rx (40 isolates, 74.1%). Each subclone was characterized by ESBL genotype, and the CTX-M-15 type was mainly seen for fimH30-Rx, with the CTX-M-14 type or CTX-M-27 type seen for fimH30-non-Rx. This study suggests that an increase in ESBL-producing quinolone-resistant E. coli in a city hospital in Hyogo, Japan, was caused by the spread of subclones belonging to fimH30-non-Rx of ST131.