bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A revision of the genus Audantia of Hispaniola with description of four new species (Reptilia: Squamata: Dactyloidae)
Authors: Köhler Gunther , Zimmer Caroline , McGrath Kathleen , Hedges S. Blair
Published: July 2019

We revise the species of Audantia, a genus of dactyloid lizards endemic to Hispaniola. Based on our analyses of morphological and genetic data we recognize 14 species in this genus, four of which we describe as new species (A. aridius sp. nov., A. australis sp. nov., A. higuey sp. nov., and A. hispaniolae sp. nov.), and two are resurrected from the synonymy of A. cybotes (A. doris comb. nov., A. ravifaux comb. nov.). Also, we place Anolis citrinellus Cope, 1864 in the synonymy of Ctenonotus distichus (Cope, 1861); Anolis haetianus Garman, 1887 in the synonymy of Audantia cybotes (Cope, 1863); and Anolis whitemani Williams, 1963 in the synonymy of Audantia saxatilis (Mertens, 1938). Finally, we designate a lectotype for Anolis cybotes Cope, 1863, and for Anolis riisei Reinhardt & Lütken, 1863. Our main focus is on the populations of anoles formerly referred to as Audantia cybotes which we demonstrate to be a complex of seven distinct species. For these seven species we provide a standardized description of external morphology, color descriptions in life, color photographs in life, description and illustration of hemipenis morphology (if available), distribution maps based on the specimens examined, comments on the conservation status, and natural history notes. Finally, we provide a dichotomous key for the identification of the 14 species of the genus Audantia occuring on Hispaniola.
Descripción de dos especies nuevas de Cerion (Mollusca: Pulmonata: Cerionidae) en estado subfósil, para Holguín, Cuba
Authors: Suárez Alexis
Published: July 2019

Se describen por primera ocasión en estado subfósil dos nuevas especies extintas del género Cerion Röding, 1798, para la provincia de Holguín, encontradas en terreno al que les corresponden litologías que datan desde el neógeno hasta el cuaternario. La especie nueva, Cerion alejandroi, hallada en la localidad El Júcaro, en El Ramón de Antillas, es discutida con las especies actuales Cerion geophilus, Cerion disforme disforme, Cerion milerae y Cerion proteus, mostrando como carácter distintivo imbricación en las vueltas, un cordón sutural manifiesto en las vueltas, además de costillas bajas y filosas; y la otra especie nueva, Cerion seguii, hallada en El Uno, Nicaro, es discutida con Cerion pygmaeum, Cerion paredonis, Cerion portillonis y Cerion pretiosus, mostrando como carácter distintivo una concha pequeña y globosa, con mayor número de vueltas en la región apical, además de una penúltima vuelta más abultada que las anteriores.
Lista actualizada de las especies y nuevos registros de gasterópodos en el arrecife “Verde”, Veracruz, México
Authors: Olmos-García Ricardo Ernesto , Cruz-López Felipe de Jesús , Ramírez-Villalobos Ángeles Jaqueline
Published: July 2019

En el presente estudio se elaboró el listado taxonómico actualizado de los gasterópodos de la planicie del arrecife “Verde”, en el Parque Nacional Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano (PNSAV), Veracruz. Se realizaron siete salidas al área de estudio (junio de 2017 a septiembre de 2018), en las cuales se hicieron muestreos aleatorios, cubriendo un área de 275 m2. Se registró un total de 66 especies, reunidas en 50 géneros y 31 familias. Un total de 13 especies, nueve géneros y dos familias representan nuevos registros para el área de estudio. Con estos nuevos registros, la riqueza específica para el arrecife “Verde” queda conformada por 109 especies, agrupadas en 71 géneros y 40 familias de gasterópodos.
Performance Improvement of Ethernet-Based Fronthaul Bridged Networks in 5G Cloud Radio Access Networks
Authors: Waqar Muhammad , Kim Ajung
Published: July 2019

Cloud radio access networks (C-RANs) are emerging architectural solutions to anticipate the increased capacity and quality demands of future 5G cellular networks at a reduced cost. In C-RANs, a transport segment referred to as fronthaul has been defined, which become a major constraint in practical implementations due to its high cost. A transport protocol referred to as eCPRI (enhanced common public radio interface), which was specifically designed for the fronthaul networks, imposes stringent end-to-end (E2E) latency and capacity requirements, which can be satisfied through the extortionate optical links. The high implementation cost of optical fronthaul networks significantly increased the system cost and made the fronthaul a hurdle to accomplish the cost–benefits of the C-RANs’ architecture. The globally deployed Ethernet networks could be leveraging solutions, but are inadequate to comply with the eCPRI requirements in fronthaul bridged networks and result in intolerable latencies due to ineffectual traditional quality of service aware forwarding schemes. Therefore, to realize the cost–benefits of ubiquitously deployed Ethernet infrastructure, this paper proposes the E2E latency aware path computation and packet forwarding schemes, which ameliorate the performance of Ethernet-based fronthaul bridged networks to transport the eCPRI traffic at tolerable latencies. The simulation results verify the feasibility of low-cost Ethernet to carry the eCPRI traffic streams up to 100 Gbps with the proposed schemes in fronthaul bridged networks.
Exploring the Molecular Mechanism of the Drug-Treated Breast Cancer Based on Gene Expression Microarray
Authors: Alshabi Ali Mohamed , Vastrad Basavaraj , Shaikh Ibrahim Ahmed , Vastrad Chanabasayya
Published: July 2019

Breast cancer (BRCA) remains the leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the present study, we identified novel biomarkers expressed during estradiol and tamoxifen treatment of BRCA. The microarray dataset of E-MTAB-4975 from Array Express database was downloaded, and the differential expressed genes (DEGs) between estradiol-treated BRCA sample and tamoxifen-treated BRCA sample were identified by limma package. The pathway and gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, construction of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, module analysis, construction of target genes—miRNA interaction network and target genes-transcription factor (TF) interaction network were performed using bioinformatics tools. The expression, prognostic values, and mutation of hub genes were validated by SurvExpress database, cBioPortal, and human protein atlas (HPA) database. A total of 856 genes (421 up-regulated genes and 435 down-regulated genes) were identified in T47D (overexpressing Split Ends (SPEN) + estradiol) samples compared to T47D (overexpressing Split Ends (SPEN) + tamoxifen) samples. Pathway and GO enrichment analysis revealed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in response to lysine degradation II (pipecolate pathway), cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, cell cycle pathway, and response to cytokine pathway. DEGs (MCM2, TCF4, OLR1, HSPA5, MAP1LC3B, SQSTM1, NEU1, HIST1H1B, RAD51, RFC3, MCM10, ISG15, TNFRSF10B, GBP2, IGFBP5, SOD2, DHF and MT1H), which were significantly up- and down-regulated in estradiol and tamoxifen-treated BRCA samples, were selected as hub genes according to the results of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, module analysis, target genes—miRNA interaction network and target genes-TF interaction network analysis. The SurvExpress database, cBioPortal, and Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database further confirmed that patients with higher expression levels of these hub genes experienced a shorter overall survival. A comprehensive bioinformatics analysis was performed, and potential therapeutic applications of estradiol and tamoxifen were predicted in BRCA samples. The data may unravel the future molecular mechanisms of BRCA.
Prevalence of Oral Lesions and Correlation with Intestinal Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lauritano Dorina , Boccalari Elisa , Di Stasio Dario , Della Vella Fedora , Carinci Francesco , Lucchese Alberta , Petruzzi Massimo
Published: July 2019

Background: Extra-intestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are widely studied. Oral manifestations are manifold, miscellaneous, and hardly detected by general practitioners and gastroenterologists. Objectives: The main purpose of this systematic review is to find all the possible correlations between inflammatory bowel disease and the oral cavity in order to underline the importance of multidisciplinary cooperation with dental care providers, and to secure better treatments for patients. Materials and methods: Articles were searched up to June 2019 through Ebsco’s, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases. The search terms included IBD, oral manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease, oral manifestations of Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative colitis, an extra-intestinal manifestation of IBD, oral Crohn’s disease, and paediatric inflammatory bowel disease. Discussion: The prevalence of the oral manifestation of IBD ranges from 0.7% to 37% in adults and from about 7% to 23% in children. They can be divided into specific manifestations (cobblestoning mucosa, mucosal tags, cheilitis granulomatosa, pyostomatitis vegetans) and nonspecific manifestations (halitosis, dysphagia, aphthous ulcerations, deep oral fissuring, cheilitis angularis, taste changes, lichen planus). Moreover, the link between IBD and the higher prevalence of dental caries and periodontitis have also been studied. Conclusions: The presence of oral manifestations that precede or follow intestinal symptoms of IBD, must be taken into serious consideration from both gastroenterologists and dentists in order to allow for early diagnosis and improve patients’ quality of life.
Multivariate Pointwise Information-Driven Data Sampling and Visualization
Authors: Dutta Soumya , Biswas Ayan , Ahrens James
Published: July 2019

With increasing computing capabilities of modern supercomputers, the size of the data generated from the scientific simulations is growing rapidly. As a result, application scientists need effective data summarization techniques that can reduce large-scale multivariate spatiotemporal data sets while preserving the important data properties so that the reduced data can answer domain-specific queries involving multiple variables with sufficient accuracy. While analyzing complex scientific events, domain experts often analyze and visualize two or more variables together to obtain a better understanding of the characteristics of the data features. Therefore, data summarization techniques are required to analyze multi-variable relationships in detail and then perform data reduction such that the important features involving multiple variables are preserved in the reduced data. To achieve this, in this work, we propose a data sub-sampling algorithm for performing statistical data summarization that leverages pointwise information theoretic measures to quantify the statistical association of data points considering multiple variables and generates a sub-sampled data that preserves the statistical association among multi-variables. Using such reduced sampled data, we show that multivariate feature query and analysis can be done effectively. The efficacy of the proposed multivariate association driven sampling algorithm is presented by applying it on several scientific data sets.
A Security Enhanced Encryption Scheme and Evaluation of Its Cryptographic Security
Authors: Mihaljević Miodrag J.
Published: July 2019

An approach for security enhancement of a class of encryption schemes is pointed out and its security is analyzed. The approach is based on certain results of coding and information theory regarding communication channels with erasures and deletion errors. In the security enhanced encryption scheme, the wiretapper faces a problem of cryptanalysis after a communication channel with bits deletion and a legitimate party faces a problem of decryption after a channel with bit erasures. This paper proposes the encryption-decryption paradigm for the security enhancement of lightweight block ciphers based on dedicated error-correction coding and a simulator of the deletion channel controlled by the secret key. The security enhancement is analyzed in terms of the related probabilities, equivocation, mutual information and channel capacity. The cryptographic evaluation of the enhanced encryption includes employment of certain recent results regarding the upper-bounds on the capacity of channels with deletion errors. It is shown that the probability of correct classification which determines the cryptographic security depends on the deletion channel capacity, i.e., the equivocation after this channel, and number of codewords in employed error-correction coding scheme. Consequently, assuming that the basic encryption scheme has certain security level, it is shown that the security enhancement factor is a function of the deletion rate and dimension of the vectors subject to error-correction encoding, i.e., dimension of the encryption block.
Model Description of Similarity-Based Recommendation Systems
Authors: Kanamori Takafumi , Osugi Naoya
Published: July 2019

The quality of online services highly depends on the accuracy of the recommendations they can provide to users. Researchers have proposed various similarity measures based on the assumption that similar people like or dislike similar items or people, in order to improve the accuracy of their services. Additionally, statistical models, such as the stochastic block models, have been used to understand network structures. In this paper, we discuss the relationship between similarity-based methods and statistical models using the Bernoulli mixture models and the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm. The Bernoulli mixture model naturally leads to a completely positive matrix as the similarity matrix. We prove that most of the commonly used similarity measures yield completely positive matrices as the similarity matrix. Based on this relationship, we propose an algorithm to transform the similarity matrix to the Bernoulli mixture model. Such a correspondence provides a statistical interpretation to similarity-based methods. Using this algorithm, we conduct numerical experiments using synthetic data and real-world data provided from an online dating site, and report the efficiency of the recommendation system based on the Bernoulli mixture models.
Electrically Compact SRR-Loaded Metamaterial Inspired Quad Band Antenna for Bluetooth/WiFi/WLAN/WiMAX System
Authors: Hasan Md. , Rahman Maskia , Faruque Mohammad , Islam Mohammad , Khandaker Mayeen
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we reveal a concept of low-profile Split Ring Resonator loaded metamaterial inspired antenna for Bluetooth/WiFi/WLAN/WiMAX communication systems. The antenna’s overall dimensions are 30 × 31 mm2 where two metamaterial unit cells are placed parallel to each other and a zig-zag feed line is connected with the SubMiniature version A connector. The defected ground technique was used to improve the antenna’s operational bandwidth. The computer simulation technology Microwave Studio was used to design and perform the numerical investigation, and the antenna was fabricated on FR-4 dielectric material. The Agilent N5227A VNA and anechoic chamber-based Satimo Star Lab were used to measure the antenna’s scattering parameters, voltage standing wave ratio, gain, efficiency and radiation patterns. The proposed metamaterial antenna had 200 MHz (2.40–2.60 GHz) and 390 MHz (3.40–3.79 GHz) overall bandwidth, which are similar to the simulated data. The measured results were applicable for Bluetooth (2.40–2.485 GHz), WiFi (2.4 GHz), WLAN (2.40–2.49 GHz and 3.65–3.69 GHz), and WiMAX (3.40–3.79 GHz) applications. The antenna’s average gain was 1.50 dBi, with the maximum and minimum gains of 2.25 dBi and 0.88 dBi, respectively, in addition to omnidirectional radiation patterns at operating bands.
A Study of the Sulfidation Behavior on Palladium-Coated Copper Wire with a Flash-Gold Layer (PCA) after Wire Bonding
Authors: Chen Kuan-Jen , Hung Fei-Yi , Chang Chia-Yun
Published: July 2019

Palladium-coated copper wire with a flash-gold layer (PCA) is an oxidation-resistant fine wire that simultaneously has the properties of palladium-coated copper wire (PCC) and gold-coated copper wire. This research used an extreme sulfidation test to compare corrosion resistance between the PCC and PCA wires. In addition to closely examining the morphology of the wires, the internal matrix after the sulfidation test is also discussed. In doing so, the PCA wire was bonded onto the aluminum pads and the sulfidation test was conducted. Then, we observed its morphology and elemental distribution and found that the flash-gold layer of the PCA wire effectively enhanced resistance to sulfidation corrosion. Because the copper ball had an alloying effect on the ball bonding, it produced different shapes of sulfide after the sulfidation test. The degree of corrosion on the wedge bond was different because of the presence or absence of the coated layer. In contrast, the flash-gold layer of the PCA wire enhanced the bonding force and retained low resistance characteristics after the sulfidation test.
Embedded Flight Control Based on Adaptive Sliding Mode Strategy for a Quadrotor Micro Air Vehicle
Authors: Castañeda Herman , Gordillo J.L.
Published: July 2019

The design of an embedded flight controller for a quadrotor micro air vehicle, which is subject to uncertainties and perturbations, is addressed. In order to obtain robustness against bounded uncertainties and disturbances, an adaptive sliding mode controller is proposed. The control adaptive gains allow using only necessary control to satisfy the task, reducing the chattering effect and at the same time reject external perturbations. Furthermore, a stability analysis of the closed-loop system is given. Finally, simulations and experimental results carried out on a commercial micro air vehicle demonstrate the feasibility and advantages of the proposed flight controller.
A Nonlinear Broadband Electromagnetic Vibration Energy Harvester Based on Double-Clamped Beam
Authors: Lu Zhuang , Wen Quan , He Xianming , Wen Zhiyu
Published: July 2019

The performance of vibration energy harvesters is usually restricted by their frequency bandwidth. The double-clamped beam with strong natural nonlinearity is a simple way that can effectively expand the frequency bandwidth of the vibration energy harvester. In this article, a nonlinear electromagnetic vibration energy harvester with monostable double-clamped beam was proposed. A systematic analysis was conducted and a distributed parameter analytical model was established. On this basis, the output performance was estimated by the analytical model. It was found that the nonlinearity of the double-clamped beam had little influence on the maximum output, while broadening the frequency bandwidth. In addition, the resonant frequency, the frequency bandwidth, and the maximum output all increased following the increase of excitation level. Furthermore, the resonant frequency varies with the load changes, due to the electromagnetic damping, so the maximum output power should be gained at its optimum load and frequency. To experimentally verify the established analytical model, an electromagnetic vibration energy harvester demonstrator was built. The prediction by the analytical model was confirmed by the experiment. As a result, the open-circuit voltage, the average power and the frequency bandwidth of the electromagnetic vibration energy harvester can reach up to 3.6 V, 1.78 mW, and 11 Hz, respectively, under only 1 G acceleration, which shows a prospect for the application of the electromagnetic vibration energy harvester based on a double-clamped beam.
Designing Intelligent MIMO Nonlinear Controller Based on Fuzzy Cognitive Map Method for Energy Reduction of the Buildings
Authors: Behrooz Farinaz , Yusof Rubiyah , Mariun Norman , Khairuddin Uswah , Hilmi Ismail Zool
Published: July 2019

Designing a suitable controller for air-conditioning systems to reduce energy consumption and simultaneously meet the requirements of the system is very challenging. Important factors such as stability and performance of the designed controllers should be investigated to ensure the effectiveness of these controllers. In this article, the stability and performance of the fuzzy cognitive map (FCM) controller are investigated. The FCM method is used to control the direct expansion air conditioning system (DX A/C). The FCM controller has the ability to do online learning, and can achieve fast convergence thanks to its simple mathematical computation. The stability analysis of the controller was conducted using both fuzzy bidirectional associative memories (FBAMs) and the Lyapunov function. The performances of the controller were tested based on its ability for reference tracking and disturbance rejection. On the basis of the stability analysis using FBAMS and Lyapunov functions, the system is globally stable. The controller is able to track the set point faithfully, maintaining the temperature and humidity at the desired value. In order to simulate the disturbances, heat and moisture load changed to measure the ability of the controller to reject the disturbance. The results showed that the proposed controller can track the set point and has a good ability for disturbance rejection, making it an effective controller to be employed in the DX A/C system and suitable for a nonlinear robust control system.
Forecasting in Blockchain-Based Local Energy Markets
Authors: Kostmann Michael , Härdle Wolfgang
Published: July 2019

Increasingly volatile and distributed energy production challenges traditional mechanisms to manage grid loads and price energy. Local energy markets (LEMs) may be a response to those challenges as they can balance energy production and consumption locally and may lower energy costs for consumers. Blockchain-based LEMs provide a decentralized market to local energy consumer and prosumers. They implement a market mechanism in the form of a smart contract without the need for a central authority coordinating the market. Recently proposed blockchain-based LEMs use auction designs to match future demand and supply. Thus, such blockchain-based LEMs rely on accurate short-term forecasts of individual households’ energy consumption and production. Often, such accurate forecasts are simply assumed to be given. The present research tested this assumption by first evaluating the forecast accuracy achievable with state-of-the-art energy forecasting techniques for individual households and then, assessing the effect of prediction errors on market outcomes in three different supply scenarios. The evaluation showed that, although a LASSO regression model is capable of achieving reasonably low forecasting errors, the costly settlement of prediction errors can offset and even surpass the savings brought to consumers by a blockchain-based LEM. This shows that, due to prediction errors, participation in LEMs may be uneconomical for consumers, and thus, has to be taken into consideration for pricing mechanisms in blockchain-based LEMs.
Load Flexibility Forecast for DR Using Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring in the Residential Sector
Authors: Lucas Alexandre , Jansen Luca , Andreadou Nikoleta , Kotsakis Evangelos , Masera Marcelo
Published: July 2019

Demand response services and energy communities are set to be vital in bringing citizens to the core of the energy transition. The success of load flexibility integration in the electricity market, provided by demand response services, will depend on a redesign or adaptation of the current regulatory framework, which so far only reaches large industrial electricity users. However, due to the high contribution of the residential sector to electricity consumption, there is huge potential when considering the aggregated load flexibility of this sector. Nevertheless, challenges remain in load flexibility estimation and attaining data integrity while respecting consumer privacy. This study presents a methodology to estimate such flexibility by integrating a non-intrusive load monitoring approach to load disaggregation algorithms in order to train a machine-learning model. We then apply a categorization of loads and develop flexibility criteria, targeting each load flexibility amplitude with a corresponding time. Two datasets, Residential Energy Disaggregation Dataset (REDD) and Refit, are used to simulate the flexibility for a specific household, applying it to a grid balancing event request. Two algorithms are used for load disaggregation, Combinatorial Optimization, and a Factorial Hidden Markov model, and the U.K. demand response Short Term Operating Reserve (STOR) program is used for market integration. Results show a maximum flexibility power of 200–245 W and 180–500 W for the REDD and Refit datasets, respectively. The accuracy metrics of the flexibility models are presented, and results are discussed considering market barriers.
Inner Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction Strategy for Nitrogen Oxides Abatement: Investigation of Ammonia Aqueous Solution Direct Injection with an SI Engine Model
Authors: He Fengshuo , Yu Xiumin , Du Yaodong , Shang Zhen , Guo Zezhou , Li Guanting , Li Decheng
Published: July 2019

This study contributes to a method based on an aqueous solution of ammonia direct injection for NOx emissions control from internal combustion engines. Many previously published studies about deNOx technology are based on selective catalytic reduction (SCR), but only few deal with inner selective non-catalytic reduction (inner SNCR) technology, which is an intensive improvement of selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) applied in the in-cylinder purification procedure. Before numerical calculations were carried out, the computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation model was validated with steady-state experimental results. The main results revealed that with the increasing concentration of aqueous solution of ammonia, nitrogen oxides gradually decrease, and the largest decline of NOx is 65.1% with little loss of cylinder peak pressure. Unburned hydrocarbon (UHC) and carbon monoxide (CO) may increase using inner SNCR, and soot emissions show a decreased tendency. However, there is little change when ammonia content varies. Ulteriorly, refining the direct injection phase is of great help to inner SNCR technology to enhance the reduction of NOx and reduce NH3 oxidation and NH3 slipping.
The Climate Change, Food Security and Human Health Nexus in Canada: A Framework to Protect Population Health
Authors: Schnitter Rebekka , Berry Peter
Published: July 2019

Climate change impacts on the Canadian food system pose risks to human health. Little attention has been paid to the climate change, food security, and human health nexus, resulting in a number of knowledge gaps regarding food system components that are most vulnerable to climate change. The lack of understanding of key dynamics and possible future impacts challenges the ability of public health officials and partners in other sectors to prepare Canadians for future health risks. A series of literature reviews were conducted to establish the relationship between climate change, food security, and human health, and to identify vulnerabilities within the Canadian food system. Evidence suggests that key activities within the food system are vulnerable to climate change. The pathways in which climate change impacts travel through the food system and affect the critical dimensions of food security to influence human health outcomes are complex. Climate-related disruptions in the food system can indirectly impact human health by diminishing food security, which is a key determinant of health. Human health may also be directly affected by the physical effects of climate change on the food system, primarily related to the impacts on nutrition and foodborne illnesses. In this study, we propose a novel analytical framework to study and respond to the climate change, food security, and human health nexus. This work is intended to help public health officials, researchers, and relevant stakeholders investigate and understand current and future risks, and inform adaptation efforts to protect the health of Canadians.
HBIM Modeling from the Surface Mesh and Its Extended Capability of Knowledge Representation
Authors: Yang Xiucheng , Lu Yi-Chou , Murtiyoso Arnadi , Koehl Mathieu , Grussenmeyer Pierre
Published: July 2019

Built heritage has been documented by reality-based modeling for geometric description and by ontology for knowledge management. The current challenge still involves the extraction of geometric primitives and the establishment of their connection to heterogeneous knowledge. As a recently developed 3D information modeling environment, building information modeling (BIM) entails both graphical and non-graphical aspects of the entire building, which has been increasingly applied to heritage documentation and generates a new issue of heritage/historic BIM (HBIM). However, HBIM needs to additionally deal with the heterogeneity of geometric shape and semantic knowledge of the heritage object. This paper developed a new mesh-to-HBIM modeling workflow and an integrated BIM management system to connect HBIM elements and historical knowledge. Using the St-Pierre-le-Jeune Church, Strasbourg, France as a case study, this project employs Autodesk Revit as a BIM environment and Dynamo, a built-in visual programming tool of Revit, to extend the new HBIM functions. The mesh-to-HBIM process segments the surface mesh, thickens the triangle mesh to 3D volume, and transfers the primitives to BIM elements. The obtained HBIM is then converted to the ontology model to enrich the heterogeneous knowledge. Finally, HBIM geometric elements and ontology semantic knowledge is joined in a unified BIM environment. By extending the capability of the BIM platform, the HBIM modeling process can be conducted in a time-saving way, and the obtained HBIM is a semantic model with object-oriented knowledge.
Amelioration of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli-Induced Intestinal Barrier Disruption by Low-Molecular-Weight Chitosan in Weaned Pigs is Related to Suppressed Intestinal Inflammation and Apoptosis
Authors: Wan Jin , Zhang Jiao , Wu Guozhong , Chen Daiwen , Yu Bing , Huang Zhiqing , Luo Yuheng , Zheng Ping , Luo Junqiu , Mao Xiangbing , Yu Jie , He Jun
Published: July 2019

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection destroys the intestinal barrier integrity, in turn, disrupting intestinal homoeostasis. Low-molecular-weight chitosan (LMWC) is a water-soluble chitosan derivative with versatile biological properties. Herein, we examined whether LMWC could relieve ETEC-induced intestinal barrier damage in weaned pigs. Twenty-four weaned pigs were allotted to three treatments: (1) non-infected control; (2) ETEC-infected control; and (3) ETEC infection + LMWC supplementation (100 mg/kg). On day 12, pigs in the infected groups were administered 100 mL of ETEC at 2.6 × 109 colony-forming units/mL to induce intestinal barrier injury. Three days later, serum samples were obtained from all pigs, which were then slaughtered to collect intestinal samples. We evidenced that LMWC not only increased (P < 0.05) the occludin protein abundance but also decreased (P < 0.05) the interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-α and mast cell tryptase contents, and the apoptotic epithelial cell percentages, in the small intestine of ETEC-infected pigs. Furthermore, LMWC down-regulated (P < 0.05) the small intestinal expression levels of critical inflammatory- and apoptotic-related genes, such as Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and tumour necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1), as well as the intra-nuclear nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 protein abundance, in the ETEC-infected pigs. Our study indicated a protective effect of LMWC on ETEC-triggered intestinal barrier disruption in weaned pigs, which involves the repression of intestinal inflammatory responses via blocking the TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway and the depression of epithelial cell death via TNFR1-dependent apoptosis.
Contribution of p38 MAPK Pathway to Norcantharidin-Induced Programmed Cell Death in Human Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Ahn Chi-Hyun , Hong Kyoung-Ok , Jin Bohwan , Lee WonWoo , Jung Yun Chan , Lee Hakmo , Shin Ji-Ae , Cho Sung-Dae , Hong Seong Doo
Published: July 2019

Norcantharidin (NCTD), a demethylated analog of cantharidin isolated from blister beetles, has been used as a promising anticancer agent; however, the underlying function of NCTD against human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not been fully understood. Here, this study was aimed to investigate the apoptotic effect and molecular targets of NCTD in human OSCC in vitro and in vivo. The anticancer effects of NCTD and its related molecular mechanisms were evaluated by trypan blue exclusion assay, live/dead assay, western blotting, 4-6-Diamidino-2-Phenylindole (DAPI) staining, flow cytometric analysis, Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase dUTP Nick end Labeling (TUNEL) assay, and immunohistochemistry. NCTD significantly inhibited cell growth and increased the number of dead cells in HSC-3 and HN22 cell lines. It induced the following apoptotic phenomena: (1) the cleavages of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase and casepase-3; (2) increase in apoptotic morphological changes (nuclear condensation and fragmentation); (3) increase in annexin V-positive cells or sub-G1 population of cells. NCTD significantly activated the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway but inactivated the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 pathway. A p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB203580) partially attenuated NCTD-induced programmed cell death (apoptosis) in both cell lines, whereas ectopic overexpression of STAT3 did not affect it. NCTD strongly suppressed tumor growth in the tumor xenograft bearing HSC-3 cells, and the number of TUNEL-positive cells increased in NCTD-treated tumor tissues. In addition, NCTD did not cause any histopathological changes in the liver nor the kidney. NCTD induced programmed cell death via the activation of p38 MAPK in OSCC. Therefore, these results suggest that NCTD could be a potential anticancer drug candidate for the treatment of OSCC.
Metabolic Syndrome and Salt-Sensitive Hypertension in Polygenic Obese TALLYHO/JngJ Mice: Role of Na/K-ATPase Signaling
Authors: Yan Yanling , Wang Jiayan , Chaudhry Muhammad A. , Nie Ying , Sun Shuyan , Carmon Jazmin , Shah Preeya T. , Bai Fang , Pratt Rebecca , Brickman Cameron , Sodhi Komal , Kim Jung Han , Pierre Sandrine , Malhotra Deepak , Rankin Gary O. , Xie Zi-jian , Shapiro Joseph I. , Liu Jiang
Published: July 2019

We have demonstrated that Na/K-ATPase acts as a receptor for reactive oxygen species (ROS), regulating renal Na+ handling and blood pressure. TALLYHO/JngJ (TH) mice are believed to mimic the state of obesity in humans with a polygenic background of type 2 diabetes. This present work is to investigate the role of Na/K-ATPase signaling in TH mice, focusing on susceptibility to hypertension due to chronic excess salt ingestion. Age-matched male TH and the control C57BL/6J (B6) mice were fed either normal diet or high salt diet (HS: 2, 4, and 8% NaCl) to construct the renal function curve. Na/K-ATPase signaling including c-Src and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, as well as protein carbonylation (a commonly used marker for enhanced ROS production), were assessed in the kidney cortex tissues by Western blot. Urinary and plasma Na+ levels were measured by flame photometry. When compared to B6 mice, TH mice developed salt-sensitive hypertension and responded to a high salt diet with a significant rise in systolic blood pressure indicative of a blunted pressure-natriuresis relationship. These findings were evidenced by a decrease in total and fractional Na+ excretion and a right-shifted renal function curve with a reduced slope. This salt-sensitive hypertension correlated with changes in the Na/K-ATPase signaling. Specifically, Na/K-ATPase signaling was not able to be stimulated by HS due to the activated baseline protein carbonylation, phosphorylation of c-Src and ERK1/2. These findings support the emerging view that Na/K-ATPase signaling contributes to metabolic disease and suggest that malfunction of the Na/K-ATPase signaling may promote the development of salt-sensitive hypertension in obesity. The increased basal level of renal Na/K-ATPase-dependent redox signaling may be responsible for the development of salt-sensitive hypertension in polygenic obese TH mice.
Pathway-Centric Structure-Based Multi-Target Compound Screening for Anti-Virulence Drug Repurposing
Authors: Xie Li , Xie Lei
Published: July 2019

The emergence of superbugs that are resistant to last-resort antibiotics poses a serious threat to human health, and we are in a “race against time to develop new antibiotics.” New approaches are urgently needed to control drug-resistant pathogens, and to reduce the emergence of new drug-resistant microbes. Targeting bacterial virulence has emerged as an important strategy for combating drug-resistant pathogens. It has been shown that pyocyanin, which is produced by the phenazine biosynthesis pathway, plays a key role in the virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, making it an attractive target for anti-infective drug discovery. In order to discover efficient therapeutics that inhibit the phenazine biosynthesis in a timely fashion, we screen 2004 clinical and pre-clinical drugs to target multiple enzymes in the phenazine biosynthesis pathway, using a novel procedure of protein–ligand docking. Our detailed analysis suggests that kinase inhibitors, notably Lifirafenib, are promising lead compounds for inhibiting aroQ, phzG, and phzS enzymes that are involved in the phenazine biosynthesis, and merit further experimental validations. In principle, inhibiting multiple targets in a pathway will be more effective and have less chance of the emergence of drug resistance than targeting a single protein. Our multi-target structure-based drug design strategy can be applied to other pathways, as well as provide a systematic approach to polypharmacological drug repositioning.
Development of a One-Dimensional Model for the Prediction of Leakage Flows in Rotating Cavities Under Non-Uniform Tangential Pressure Distribution
Authors: Cantini Giulio , Salvadori Simone , Insinna Massimiliano , Peroni Giorgio , Simon Gilles , Griffini Duccio , Squarcini Raffaele
Published: July 2019

Regenerative pumps are characterized by a low specific speed that place them between rotary positive displacement pumps and purely radial centrifugal pumps. They are interesting for many industrial applications since, for a given flow rate and a specified head, they allow for a reduced size and can operate at a lower rotational speed with respect to purely radial pumps. The complexity of the flow within regenerative machines makes the theoretical performance estimation a challenging task. The prediction of the leakage flow rate between the rotating and the static disks has the greatest impact on the prediction of global performance. All the classical approaches to the disk clearance problem assume that there is no relevant circumferential pressure gradient. In the present case, the flow develops along the tangential direction and the pressure gradient is intrinsically non-zero. The aim of the present work is to develop a reliable approach for the prediction of leakage flows in regenerative pumps. A preliminary numerical simulation on a virtual model of a regenerative pump where the disk clearance is part of the control volume has been performed for three different clearance aspect ratios. The outcome of that campaign allowed the authors to determine the behavior of the flow in the cavity and choose correctly the baseline hypotheses for a mathematical-physical method for the prediction of leakage flows. The method assumes that the flow inside of the disk clearance is two-dimensional and can be decomposed into several stream-tubes. Energy balance is performed for each tube, thus generating a system that can be solved numerically. The new methodology was tuned using data obtained from the numerical simulation. After that, the methodology was integrated into an existing one-dimensional code called DART (developed at the University of Florence in cooperation with Pierburg Pump Technology Italy S.p.A.) and the new algorithm was verified using available numerical and experimental data. It is here demonstrated that an appropriate calibration of the leakage flow model allows for an improved reliability of the one-dimensional code.
Circulating Lactonase Activity but Not Protein Level of PON-1 Predicts Adverse Outcomes in Subjects with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Mohammed Chrysan J. , Xie Yanmei , Brewster Pamela S. , Ghosh Subhanwita , Dube Prabhatchandra , Sarsour Tiana , Kleinhenz Andrew L. , Crawford Erin L. , Malhotra Deepak , James Richard W. , Kalra Philip A. , Haller Steven T. , Kennedy David J.
Published: July 2019

The burden of cardiovascular disease and death in chronic kidney disease (CKD) outpaces that of the other diseases and is not adequately described by traditional risk factors alone. Diminished activity of paraoxonase (PON)-1 is associated with increased oxidant stress, a common feature underlying the pathogenesis of CKD. We aimed to assess the prognostic value of circulating PON-1 protein and PON lactonase activity on adverse clinical outcomes across various stages and etiologies of CKD. Circulating PON-1 protein levels and PON lactonase activity were measured simultaneously in patients with CKD as well as a cohort of apparently healthy non-CKD subjects. Both circulating PON-1 protein levels and PON lactonase activity were significantly lower in CKD patients compared to the non-CKD subjects. Similarly, across all stages of CKD, circulating PON-1 protein and PON lactonase activity were significantly lower in patients with CKD compared to the non-CKD controls. Circulating PON lactonase activity, but not protein levels, predicted future adverse clinical outcomes, even after adjustment for traditional risk factors. The combination of lower circulating protein levels and higher activity within the CKD subjects were associated with the best survival outcomes. These findings demonstrate that diminished circulating PON lactonase activity, but not protein levels, predicts higher risk of future adverse clinical outcomes in patients with CKD.
Design and Construction of a Modular Pump-Jet Thruster for Autonomous Surface Vehicle Operations in Extremely Shallow Water
Authors: Odetti Angelo , Altosole Marco , Bruzzone Gabriele , Caccia Massimo , Viviani Michele
Published: July 2019

This paper describes a customized thruster for Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASV). The thruster is a Pump-Jet Module (PJM), which has been expressly designed, modeled, constructed, and tested for small-/medium-sized ASVs that perform environmental monitoring in extremely shallow waters such as wetlands (rivers, lakes, swamps, marshes), where water depth is only a few centimeters. The PJM is a fully-electric propulsion unit with a 360-degree continuous steering capability. Its main advantage is that the unit is flush with the flat bottom of the vehicle. This makes the PJM suitable for operation in extremely shallow waters because the risk of damaging the thrusting unit in case of grounding is very limited. The PJM was produced using innovative materials, and the hydraulic components were all constructed using a 3D printer.
A Coupled Fixed Point Technique for Solving Coupled Systems of Functional and Nonlinear Integral Equations
Authors: Hammad Hasanen Abuelmagd , De la Sen Manuel
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we obtain coupled fixed point results for F-contraction mapping satisfying a nonlinear contraction condition in the framework of complete metric space without and with a directed graph. As applications of our results, we study a problem of existence and uniqueness of solutions for a class of systems of functional equations that appears in dynamic programming and nonlinear integral equations. Finally, illustrative examples to support some our results are discussed.
Intra-Articular Laser Treatment Plus Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Significantly Reduces Pain in Many Patients Who Had Failed Prior PRP Treatment
Authors: Prodromos Chadwick C. , Finkle Susan , Dawes Alexander , Dizon Angelo
Published: July 2019

Background: In our practice, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections effectively reduce pain in most, but not all, arthritic patients. When PRP treatment fails, joint replacement surgery is often the only good alternative. Surface Low-Level-Laser-Therapy (LLLT) has not been helpful for osteoarthrosis in our experience. We hypothesized that intra-articular laser (IAL) treatment combined with PRP would improve results in patients with prior ineffective PRP treatment. Methods: We offered Intra-articular Low-Level-Laser-Therapy (IAL) treatment simultaneously with repeat PRP injection to patients who had received no benefit from PRP alone. They were the treatment and also historical control group since all had failed PRP treatment alone. Thirty joints were treated: 22 knees, 4 hips, 2 shoulder glenohumeral joints and 2 first carpo-metacarpal (1st CMC). Results: No adverse events were seen at any time after treatment in any patient. Twenty-eight joints were available for re-evaluation: ≥ 40% improvement was seen in 46% (6 months), 32% (12 months) and 32% (24 months) post-treatment. Mean SANE scores improved significantly at 1 and 2 years. Thirteen patients failed treatment and had joint replacement. Conclusions: PRP with IAL allowed avoidance of surgery and good pain control at least two years post-treatment in nearly half of patients who had failed PRP treatment alone.
An Audit of the Nutrition and Health Claims on Breakfast Cereals in Supermarkets in the Illawarra Region of Australia
Authors: Sussman Romi L. , McMahon Anne T. , Neale Elizabeth P.
Published: July 2019

Nutrition and health claims can promote healthier food choices but may lead to consumer confusion if misused. Regular monitoring of claims is therefore required. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of nutrition and health claims carried on breakfast cereals in supermarkets, and to assess claim compliance with regulations. Nutrition and health claims on breakfast cereal products across five supermarkets in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia, were recorded in a cross-sectional audit. Prevalence of claim type and claim compliance was determined. Claims were compared across categories of breakfast cereal. Almost all (95.7%) products audited carried at least one nutrition or health claim; nutrition content (n = 1096) was more prevalent than health claims (n = 213). Most claims (91.6%) were compliant with regulations. Additionally, claim prevalence and type differed according to breakfast cereal category, with the highest proportion of claims appearing on ‘health and wellbeing’ and ‘muesli’ products. There is a high prevalence of nutrition and health claims on breakfast cereals, with most claims compliant with regulations. Research should investigate consumer interpretation of claims and the impact of applying nutrient profiling for all claims to assist consumers to make informed health choices.
Tyler Perry and the Rhetoric of Madea: Contrasting Performances of Perry’s Leading Lady as She Appears on Stage and Screen
Authors: Whitfield Katherine , Johnson Andre E.
Published: July 2019

In this essay, we will explore the variances in Madea’s character and presence on stage and on screen in both productions of Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail: The Play and Madea Goes to Jail. Specifically, we examine the multiple and varying ways in which the character of Madea performs for different audiences by examining how the roles of violence, religion and wisdom operate on stage and screen. Exploring the subtle—and at times, not-so-subtle—ways in which Madea’s performances differ from stage to screen, we suggest that Madea also performs as a text that Perry then uses to impart different messages to audiences of both stage and screen.