bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-Wide Analysis of Auxin Receptor Family Genes in Brassica juncea var. tumida
Authors: Cai Zhaoming , Zeng De-er , Liao Jingjing , Cheng Chunhong , Sahito Zulfiqar Ali , Xiang Meiqin , Fu Min , Chen Yuanqing , Wang Diandong
Published: February 2019

Transport inhibitor response 1/auxin signaling f-box proteins (TIR1/AFBs) play important roles in the process of plant growth and development as auxin receptors. To date, no information has been available about the characteristics of the TIR1/AFB gene family in Brassica juncea var. tumida. In this study, 18 TIR1/AFB genes were identified and could be clustered into six groups. The genes are located in 11 of 18 chromosomes in the genome of B. juncea var. tumida, and similar gene structures are found for each of those genes. Several cis-elements related to plant response to phytohormones, biotic stresses, and abiotic stresses are found in the promoter of BjuTIR1/AFB genes. The results of qPCR analysis show that most genes have differential patterns of expression among six tissues, with the expression levels of some of the genes repressed by salt stress treatment. Some of the genes are also responsive to pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae treatment. This study provides valuable information for further studies as to the role of BjuTIR1/AFB genes in the regulation of plant growth, development, and response to abiotic stress.
Signal Processing of GPR Data for Road Surveys
Authors: Bianchini Ciampoli Luca , Tosti Fabio , Economou Nikos , Benedetto Francesco
Published: February 2019

Effective quality assurance and quality control inspections of new roads as well as assessment of remaining service-life of existing assets is taking priority nowadays. Within this context, use of ground penetrating radar (GPR) is well-established in the field, although standards for a correct management of datasets collected on roads are still missing. This paper reports a signal processing method for data acquired on flexible pavements using GPR. To demonstrate the viability of the method, a dataset collected on a real-life flexible pavement was used for processing purposes. An overview of the use of non-destructive testing (NDT) methods in the field, including GPR, is first given. A multi-stage method is then presented including: (i) raw signal correction; (ii) removal of lower frequency harmonics; (iii) removal of antenna ringing; (iv) signal gain; and (v) band-pass filtering. Use of special processing steps such as vertical resolution enhancement, migration and time-to-depth conversion are finally discussed. Key considerations about the effects of each step are given by way of comparison between processed and unprocessed radargrams. Results have proven the viability of the proposed method and provided recommendations on use of specific processing stages depending on survey requirements and quality of the raw dataset.
Determination of Tumor Location in Rectosigmoid Carcinomas: Difficulties in Preoperative Diagnostics
Authors: Moltzer Els , Noordman Bo Jan , Renken Nomdo S. , Roos Daphne
Published: February 2019

Differentiation between rectal and sigmoid carcinomas is a diagnostic challenge with important implications for further treatment. Depending on the tumor stage, treatment for rectal carcinoma consists of preoperative (chemo)radiotherapy and surgery. Sigmoid carcinomas are treated with surgery alone. We established the diagnostic accuracy of flexible endoscopy, MRI and/or CT scan, and both modalities combined as reflected by the conclusion of our multidisciplinary team (MDT). Furthermore, we assessed the treatment consequences of misdiagnosis. Consecutive patients were included who underwent surgery from January 2012 to January 2017 for colorectal carcinoma located ≤20 cm from the anal verge as determined by flexible colonoscopy. Diagnostic accuracy of MRI/CT, flexible endoscopy and the final MDT conclusion were analyzed as index test. The location of the tumor during surgery and the type of surgery was the reference standard. We included 293 patients. Flexible endoscopy had a diagnostic accuracy of 90% and for MRI/CT scanning this was 86–87%. Combination of both modalities improved diagnostic accuracy to 96%. Due to misdiagnosis during initial staging, three patients (1%) erroneously underwent neoadjuvant treatment and in two patients neoadjuvant treatment was potentially erroneously omitted. In conclusion, the combination of both flexible endoscopy and MRI/CT (the MDT conclusion) improves diagnostic accuracy. Erroneous clinical diagnosis can lead to under- and overtreatment.
Performance Bonuses and Effort: Evidence from Fight Night Awards in Mixed Martial Arts
Authors: Gift Paul
Published: February 2019

This paper investigates the role of fight night bonus awards on fighter behavior in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and World Extreme Cage (WEC) fighting mixed martial arts (MMA) promotions. Behavior is analyzed using detailed fighter performance statistics, exploiting variation in bonus size across events and over time. Findings suggest that fighters are not meaningfully influenced by bonus levels within the range observed in the sample period and possible explanations are discussed. Fight night bonuses appear to serve as a lottery compensation mechanism to ex post reward performances consistent with an MMA promotion’s desires rather than ex ante incentivize such performances. Findings have implications for strategic MMA promoter decisions and contribute more broadly to the personnel economics literature on incentives and compensation.
Exploring Mobile Terminal Continuance Usage from Customer Value Perspective
Authors: Li Aoshuang , Yang Xiaodong , Guo Feng
Published: February 2019

With the large-scale growth of mobile terminal users, exploring their continuance use behavior attracts wide attention. However, there is insufficient research on user psychological states in different hierarchy models towards continuance use of a mobile terminal. This study advanced a mediation model of continuance use of a mobile terminal with a moderator based on expectation confirmation theory from the perspective of customer value dimension. Data were collected in China, and 311 samples were used to examine the hypotheses provided from the research model with the partial least squares structural equation modeling method. The empirical results indicate that perceived usefulness positively influences continuance use of a mobile terminal, and perceived usefulness positively influences satisfaction and in turn impacts on continuance use of a mobile terminal. Specially, there is a significant mediating effect of attitude loyalty between satisfaction and continuance use of a mobile terminal. Moreover, the results also verify that mobility negatively moderates the relationship between attitude loyalty and continuance use of a mobile terminal. Our findings suggest that user psychological states are in different levels to reflect mobile terminal user value during the process of continuance use of a mobile terminal. Moreover, our findings indicate the boundary condition in continuance use of a mobile terminal.
Differentially Private Image Classification Using Support Vector Machine and Differential Privacy
Authors: Senekane Makhamisa
Published: February 2019

The ubiquity of data, including multi-media data such as images, enables easy mining and analysis of such data. However, such an analysis might involve the use of sensitive data such as medical records (including radiological images) and financial records. Privacy-preserving machine learning is an approach that is aimed at the analysis of such data in such a way that privacy is not compromised. There are various privacy-preserving data analysis approaches such as k-anonymity, l-diversity, t-closeness and Differential Privacy (DP). Currently, DP is a golden standard of privacy-preserving data analysis due to its robustness against background knowledge attacks. In this paper, we report a scheme for privacy-preserving image classification using Support Vector Machine (SVM) and DP. SVM is chosen as a classification algorithm because unlike variants of artificial neural networks, it converges to a global optimum. SVM kernels used are linear and Radial Basis Function (RBF), while ϵ -differential privacy was the DP framework used. The proposed scheme achieved an accuracy of up to 98%. The results obtained underline the utility of using SVM and DP for privacy-preserving image classification.
Sculpture from Patchwise Modules
Authors: Luecking Stephen
Published: February 2019

The sculptor adapts the geometry of spline surfaces commonly used in 3D modeling programs in order to translate some of the topological nature of these virtual surfaces into his sculpture. He realizes the patchwise geometry of such surfaces by gluing square modules of neoprene rubber edge to edge to define the surface which he then torques and bends into sculptures. While limited by the nature of actual materials, the finished sculptures successfully incorporate the expressive tension and flow of forms sought by the sculptor. He presents images of finished works and provides an analysis of the emotive values of a select sculpture.
Intermetallic Phases in High-Entropy Alloys: Statistical Analysis of their Prevalence and Structural Inheritance
Authors: Tsai Ming-Hung , Tsai Ruei-Chi , Chang Ting , Huang Wen-Fei
Published: February 2019

Strengthening high entropy alloys (HEAs) via second phases is a very effective approach. However, the design of intermetallic (IM) phases in HEAs is challenging, mainly because our understanding of IM phases in HEAs is still very limited. Here, a statistical approach is used to enhance our understanding towards IM phases in HEAs. A database consisting of 142 IM-containing HEAs was constructed. Our aim is twofold. The first is to reveal the most common IM phase types in published HEAs. The second is to understand whether HEAs inherit their IM structures from their binary/ternary subsystems, or whether they tend to form new structures irrelevant to their subsystems. The results show that the five most prevalent IM structures in the HEAs surveyed here are Laves, σ, B2, L12, and L21. This trend is evidently different from the overall trend among known binary/ternary IMs. As for structural inheritance, all the IM phases contained in the alloys are existing structures in the binary/ternary subsystems of the respective alloys. This suggests that the compositional complexity in HEAs does trigger additional complexity in IM structure formation. These findings have important implications in the future design and development of HEAs.
Multiaxial Fatigue Life Prediction of GH4169 Alloy Based on the Critical Plane Method
Authors: Liu Jianhui , Zhang Zhen , Li Bin , Lang Shanshan
Published: February 2019

The multiaxial fatigue life of GH4169 alloy was predicted based on the critical plane method. In this paper, a new critical plane-damage multiaxial fatigue parameter is proposed, in which the maximum shear strain is considered to be the main damage control parameter, and the correction parameter, including the normal stress and strain of the maximum shear strain plane, is defined as the second control parameter. The axis of principle strain rotates under non-proportional loading. Meanwhile, the mechanism of the variation of material microstructure and slip systems leads to an additional hardening phenomenon. The ratio of cyclic yield stress to static yield stress is used to represent cyclic strengthening capacity, and the influence of the phase difference and loading condition on the non-proportional reinforcement effect is considered. It is also proposed that different materials have different influences on the additional hardening phenomenon. Meanwhile, the model revision results in stress under asymmetrical loading. Experimental data of GH4169 alloy show that the proposed model can provide better prediction than the Smith–Watson–Topper (SWT) and Fatemi–Socie (FS) models.
Graphene-Based Wireless Tube-Shaped Pressure Sensor for In Vivo Blood Pressure Monitoring
Authors: Inoue Nagisa , Koya Yoshihiko , Miki Norihisa , Onoe Hiroaki
Published: February 2019

We propose a wireless pressure sensor composed of a graphene sheet and a transmitter coil integrated with a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) tube. The pressure inside the tube was monitored wirelessly using an external receiver coil. We then monitored the typical blood pressure range, 12–20 kPa, using this fabricated sensor by changing the turn number of the receiver coil and the overlapping length of the coils. Furthermore, we demonstrated wireless blood pressure measurement by connecting our sensor to the blood vessel of a rat. Our results suggested that this sensor can be easily inserted between an implantable medical device and blood vessels for in vivo blood pressure monitoring. The proposed wireless pressure sensor could also be suitable for monitoring in vivo implanted medical systems, such as artificial organs and pump systems.
Small Molecule Fluorescent Probes for G- Quadruplex Visualization as Potential Cancer Theranostic Agents
Authors: Chilka Pallavi , Desai Nakshi , Datta Bhaskar
Published: February 2019

G-quadruplexes have gained prominence over the past two decades for their role in gene regulation, control of anti-tumour activity and ageing. The physiological relevance and significance of these non-canonical structures in the context of cancer has been reviewed several times. Putative roles of G-quadruplexes in cancer prognosis and pathogenesis have spurred the search for small molecule ligands that are capable of binding and modulating the effect of such structures. On a related theme, small molecule fluorescent probes have emerged that are capable of selective recognition of G-quadruplex structures. These have opened up the possibility of direct visualization and tracking of such structures. In this review we outline recent developments on G-quadruplex specific small molecule fluorescent probes for visualizing G-quadruplexes. The molecules represent a variety of structural scaffolds, mechanism of quadruplex-recognition and fluorescence signal transduction. Quadruplex selectivity and in vivo imaging potential of these molecules places them uniquely as quadruplex-theranostic agents in the predominantly cancer therapeutic context of quadruplex-selective ligands.
Computer-Aided Discovery of Small Molecules Targeting the RNA Splicing Activity of hnRNP A1 in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Carabet Lavinia A. , Leblanc Eric , Lallous Nada , Morin Helene , Ghaidi Fariba , Lee Joseph , Rennie Paul S. , Cherkasov Artem
Published: February 2019

The heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1) is a versatile RNA-binding protein playing a critical role in alternative pre-mRNA splicing regulation in cancer. Emerging data have implicated hnRNP A1 as a central player in a splicing regulatory circuit involving its direct transcriptional control by c-Myc oncoprotein and the production of the constitutively active ligand-independent alternative splice variant of androgen receptor, AR-V7, which promotes castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). As there is an urgent need for effective CRPC drugs, targeting hnRNP A1 could, therefore, serve a dual purpose of preventing AR-V7 generation as well as reducing c-Myc transcriptional output. Herein, we report compound VPC-80051 as the first small molecule inhibitor of hnRNP A1 splicing activity discovered to date by using a computer-aided drug discovery approach. The inhibitor was developed to target the RNA-binding domain (RBD) of hnRNP A1. Further experimental evaluation demonstrated that VPC-80051 interacts directly with hnRNP A1 RBD and reduces AR-V7 messenger levels in 22Rv1 CRPC cell line. This study lays the groundwork for future structure-based development of more potent and selective small molecule inhibitors of hnRNP A1–RNA interactions aimed at altering the production of cancer-specific alternative splice isoforms.
Properties and Digestibility of Octenyl Succinic Anhydride-Modified Japonica-Type Waxy and Non-Waxy Rice Starches
Authors: No Junhee , Mun Saehun , Shin Malshick
Published: February 2019

Waxy and non-waxy rice starches from japonica type Korean rice varieties were esterified with different levels of octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA), and the molecular structure of amylopectin (AP), digestibility, and emulsion stability were investigated. As OSA levels increased, the degree of substitution, granule size, peak and final viscosities, emulsion stability, and short chain of AP increased. However, the gelatinization temperature and enthalpy, and digestibility decreased. All OSA esterified starches showed a new band at 1723 cm−1, but maintained A-type crystallinity. The DP6-12 of AP in waxy rice starch (WRS) was higher than that in non-waxy rice starch (NRS) with increasing OSA levels. Because the amylose and long chain of AP accessed easily with OSA groups, the digestibility of NRS was lower than that of WRS. The emulsion stability was higher in WRS than in NRS. From the above results, it is suggested that amylose should have a higher affinity with OSA esterification than AP and that the emulsion stability should increase in WRS, but the digestibility should decrease in NRS after OSA modification.
Nonlinear Optical Studies of Gold Nanoparticle Films
Authors: Rout Anuradha , Boltaev Ganjaboy S. , Ganeev Rashid A. , Fu Yue , Maurya Sandeep Kumar , Kim Vyacheslav V. , Rao Konda Srinivasa , Guo Chunlei
Published: February 2019

Gold films are widely used for different applications. We present the results of third- and high-order nonlinear optical studies of the thin films fabricated from Au nanoparticle solutions by spin-coating methods. These nanoparticles were synthesized by laser ablation of bulk gold in pure water using 200 ps, 800 nm pulses. The highest values of the nonlinear absorption coefficient (9 × 10−6 cm W−1), nonlinear refractive index (3 × 10−11 cm2 W−1), and saturation intensity (1.3 × 1010 W cm−2) were achieved using 35 fs, 400 nm pulses. We also determined the relaxation time constants for transient absorption (220 fs and 1.6 ps) at 400 nm. The high-order harmonic generation was studied during propagation of 35 fs, 800 nm pulses through the plasma during the ablation of gold nanoparticle film and bulk gold. The highest harmonic cutoff (29th order) was observed in the plasma containing gold nanoparticles.
Electrical Property of Graphene and Its Application to Electrochemical Biosensing
Authors: Lee Jin-Ho , Park Soo-Jeong , Choi Jeong-Woo
Published: February 2019

Graphene, a single atom thick layer of two-dimensional closely packed honeycomb carbon lattice, and its derivatives have attracted much attention in the field of biomedical, due to its unique physicochemical properties. The valuable physicochemical properties, such as high surface area, excellent electrical conductivity, remarkable biocompatibility and ease of surface functionalization have shown great potentials in the applications of graphene-based bioelectronics devices, including electrochemical biosensors for biomarker analysis. In this review, we will provide a selective overview of recent advances on synthesis methods of graphene and its derivatives, as well as its application to electrochemical biosensor development. We believe the topics discussed here are useful, and able to provide a guideline in the development of novel graphene and on graphene-like 2-dimensional (2D) materials based biosensors in the future.
Metal-Support Cooperative Effects in Au/VPO for the Aerobic Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol to Benzyl Benzoate
Authors: Campisi Sebastiano , Ferri Michele , Chan-Thaw Carine E. , Sanchez Trujillo Felipe J. , Motta Davide , Tabanelli Tommaso , Dimitratos Nikolaos , Villa Alberto
Published: February 2019

This paper studies the cooperative effect of Au nanoparticles deposited on vanadyl pyrophosphate oxide (VPO) in the liquid phase oxidation of benzyl alcohol. VPO was prepared using the classical method by thermally treating VOHPO4·0.5H2O precursor in reacting atmosphere at 420 °C for a period of 72 h. Au nanoparticles were deposited by incipient wetness method. The catalysts were characterized by means of XRD, TEM, XPS and Raman. The bulk VPO catalyst contains vanadyl pyrophosphate phase ((VO)2P2O7), and a small amount of VOPO4. The catalytic system exhibits a high activity in the base-free liquid phase oxidation of alcohols compared to Au on activated carbon, classic catalyst used for this type of reaction. Au/VPO showed a high peculiar selectivity to benzyl benzoate (76%), an important product used in the pharmaceutical and perfume industries. This behavior might be ascribed to the presence of strong acid sites of VPO, as determined by liquid phase titration. Stability tests performed on Au/VPO showed a deactivation of 10% after the first run, but a constant conversion along the following five cycles. This phenomenon can be attributed to the increase of mean Au particle size (from 19.1 to 23.4 nm) after recycling tests as well as the partial leaching of Au and V in the reaction media. Moreover, XRD evidenced a modification in the VPO structure with the partial formation of VOHPO4·0.5H2O phase.
Effect of Acidity Levels and Feed Rate on the Porosity of Aerogel Extracted from Rice Husk under Ambient Pressure
Authors: Ban Garram , Song Sinae , Lee Hong Woon , Kim Hee Taik
Published: February 2019

Silica aerogels have attracted tremendous interest due to their high specific surface area and the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties as promising materials for thermal insulation, chemical sensors, and energy storage devices. However, large-scale production of silica aerogels remains a challenge due to costly alkoxide precursors and energy-intensive supercritical drying processes. This paper analyzes the effect of acidity levels and feed rate on the porosity of rice husk aerogels with high specific surface area under ambient pressure. This synthetic approach is cost-effective, eco-friendly, and facilitates recycling. Rice husk ash, which consists of 92% amorphous pure silica, was produced by combustion. A process of solvent exchange and surface modification under ambient pressure at different pH levels was conducted for synthesis of the aerogel. The specific surface area of rice husk aerogel was confirmed as ranging from 385 to 861 m2/g under pH 1 to pH 9 and acid feed rate of 0.5 to 5.0 mL/min. The optimized aerogel had a specific surface area of 861 m2/g, a pore volume of 3.33 cm3/g, and an average pore diameter of 12 nm when synthesized at pH 1 and an acid feed rate of 2.5 mL/min. The aerogel was found to be highly hydrophobic, with a water contact angle of 156° up to about 340 °C.
Mono- and Bi-Phasic Cellulose Acetate Micro-Vectors for Anti-Inflammatory Drug Delivery
Authors: Guarino Vincenzo , Altobelli Rosaria , Caputo Tania , Ambrosio Luigi , Caserta Sergio , Calcagnile Paola , Demitri Christian
Published: February 2019

In recent years, different processing technologies have been engineered to fabricate capsules or particles with peculiar properties (e.g., swelling, pH-sensitive response) at the micro and sub-micrometric size scale, to be used as carriers for controlled drug and molecular release. Herein, the development of cellulose acetate (CA) micro-carriers with mono- (MC) or bi-phasic (BC) composition is proposed, fabricated via electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA)—an electro-dropping technology able to micro-size polymer solution by the application of high voltage electrostatic forces. Image analysis allows identification of the process parameters to optimize morphology, in terms of size distribution and shape. Meanwhile, an accurate rheological study has enabled investigating the interface between CA solutions with different viscosities to optimize BC systems. Release tests have confirmed that BC carriers can retain the drug more efficiently in acidic conditions, also providing a more gradual and sustained release until six days, with respect to MC carriers. Hence, all these results have proven that biphasic architecture significantly improves the capability of CA microcarriers to release ketoprofen lysinate, thus suggesting a new route to design core/shell systems for the retarded oral administration of anti-inflammatory drugs.
Exploring the Critical Factors Limiting Polyaniline Biocompatibility
Authors: Kašpárková Věra , Humpolíček Petr , Stejskal Jaroslav , Capáková Zdenka , Bober Patrycja , Skopalová Kateřina , Lehocký Marián
Published: February 2019

Today, the application of polyaniline in biomedicine is widely discussed. However, information about impurities released from polyaniline and about the cytotoxicity of its precursors aniline, aniline hydrochloride, and ammonium persulfate are scarce. Therefore, cytotoxicity thresholds for the individual precursors and their combinations were determined (MTT assay) and the type of cell death caused by exposition to the precursors was identified using flow-cytometry. Tests on fibroblasts revealed higher cytotoxicity of ammonium persulfate than aniline hydrochloride. Thanks to the synergic effect, both monomers in combination enhanced their cytotoxicities compared with individual substances. Thereafter, cytotoxicity of polyaniline doped with different acids (sulfuric, nitric, phosphoric, hydrochloric, and methanesulfonic) was determined and correlated with impurities present in respective sample (HPLC). The lowest cytotoxicity showed polyaniline doped with phosphoric acid (followed by sulfuric, methanesulfonic, and nitric acid). Cytotoxicity of polyaniline was mainly attributed to the presence of residual ammonium persulfate and low-molecular-weight polar substances. This is crucial information with respect to the purification of polyaniline and production of its cytocompatible form.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Antifungal Activity of Schiff Bases of Inulin Bearing Pyridine ring
Authors: Wei Lijie , Tan Wenqiang , Zhang Jingjing , Mi Yingqi , Dong Fang , Li Qing , Guo Zhanyong
Published: February 2019

As a renewable, biocompatible, and biodegradable polysaccharide, inulin has a good solubility in water and some physiological functions. Chemical modification is one of the important methods to improve the bioactivity of inulin. In this paper, based on 6-amino-6-deoxy-3,4-acetyl inulin (3), three kinds of Schiff bases of inulin bearing pyridine rings were successfully designed and synthesized. Detailed structural characterization was carried out using FTIR, 13C NMR, and 1H NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Moreover, the antifungal activity of Schiff bases of inulin against three plant pathogenic fungi, including Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.niveum, and Phomopsis asparagi, were evaluated using in vitro hypha measurements. Inulin, as a natural polysaccharide, did not possess any antifungal activity at the tested concentration against the targeted fungi. Compared with inulin and the intermediate product 6-amino-6-deoxy-3,4-acetyl inulin (3), all the synthesized Schiff bases of inulin derivatives with >54.0% inhibitory index at 2.0 mg/mL exhibited enhanced antifungal activity. 3NS, with an inhibitory index of 77.0% exhibited good antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea at 2.0 mg/mL. The synthesized Schiff bases of inulin bearing pyridine rings can be prepared for novel antifungal agents to expand the application of inulin.
A Novel Method for Deposition of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes onto Poly(p-Phenylene Terephthalamide) Fibers to Enhance Interfacial Adhesion with Rubber Matrix
Authors: Yang Xuan , Tu Qunzhang , Shen Xinmin , Zhu Pengxiao , Li Yi , Zhang Shuai
Published: February 2019

In order to enhance the interfacial adhesion of poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) fibers to the rubber composites, a novel method to deposit multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) onto the surface of PPTA fibers has been proposed in this study. This chemical modification was performed through the introduction of epoxy groups by Friedel–Crafts alkylation on the PPTA fibers, the carboxylation of MWCNTs, and the ring-opening reaction between the epoxy groups and the carboxyl groups. The morphologies, chemical structures, and compositions of the surface of PPTA fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that MWCNTs were uniformly deposited onto the surface of PPTA fibers with the covalent bonds. The measurement of contact angles of the fibers with polar solvent and non-polar solvent indicated that the surface energy of deposited fibers significantly increased by 41.9% compared with the untreated fibers. An electronic tensile tester of single-filament and a universal testing machine were utilized to measure the strength change of the fibers after modification and the interfacial adhesion between the fibers and the rubber matrix, respectively. The results showed that the tensile strength had not been obviously reduced, and the pull-out force and peeling strength of the fibers to the rubber increased by 46.3% and 56.5%, respectively.
Facile Synthesis of Methylsilsesquioxane Aerogels with Uniform Mesopores by Microwave Drying
Authors: Guo Xingzhong , Shan Jiaqi , Lei Wei , Ding Ronghua , Zhang Yun , Yang Hui
Published: February 2019

Methylsilsesquioxane (MSQ) aerogels with uniform mesopores were facilely prepared via a sol–gel process followed by microwave drying with methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) as a precursor, hydrochloric acid (HCl) as a catalyst, water and methanol as solvents, hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) as a surfactant and template, and propylene oxide (PO) as a gelation agent. The microstructure, chemical composition, and pore structures of the resultant MSQ aerogels were investigated in detail to achieve controllable preparation of MSQ aerogels, and the thermal stability of MSQ aerogels was also analyzed. The gelation agent, catalyst, solvent, and microwave power have important roles related to the pore structures of MSQ aerogels. Meanwhile, the microwave drying method was found to not only have a remarkable effect on improving production efficiency, but also to be conducive to avoiding the collapse of pore structure (especially micropores) during drying. The resulting MSQ aerogel microwave-dried at 500 W possessed a specific surface area up to 821 m2/g and a mesopore size of 20 nm, and displayed good thermal stability.
Formation of Polyaniline and Polypyrrole Nanocomposites with Embedded Glucose Oxidase and Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: German Natalija , Ramanaviciene Almira , Ramanavicius Arunas
Published: February 2019

Several types of polyaniline (PANI) and polypyrrole (Ppy) nanocomposites with embedded glucose oxidase (GOx) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were formed by enzymatic polymerization of corresponding monomers (aniline and pyrrole) in the presence of 6 and 13 nm diameter colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs(6nm) or AuNPs(13nm), respectively) or chloroaurate ions (AuCl4−). Glucose oxidase in the presence of glucose generated H2O2, which acted as initiator of polymerization reaction. The influence of polymerization bulk composition and pH on the formation of PANI- and Ppy-based nanocomposites was investigated spectrophotometrically. The highest formation rate of PANI- and Ppy-based nanocomposites with embedded glucose oxidase and gold nanoparticles (PANI/AuNPs-GOx and Ppy/AuNPs-GOx, respectively) was observed in the solution of sodium acetate buffer, pH 6.0. It was determined that the presence of AuNPs or AuCl4− ions facilitate enzymatic polymerization of aniline and pyrrole.
Planting the Seeds of the Future: Eschatological Environmentalism in the Time of the Anthropocene
Authors: Bocci Paolo
Published: February 2019

Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, this essay examines how the local Jehovah’s Witnesses’ response to the current ecological crisis on the Galápagos Islands has produced a distinct form of religious environmentalism. Specifically, I argue that the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ vision of the ultimate future informs action rather than despair—contrary to what is often assumed about millenarian beliefs. This essay joins voices in Christian feminist and eco-theology interested in reclaiming eschatology for its imaginative valence. Yet, unlike invocations for hope that lack consideration of their viability, my ethnographic approach contributes to this literature with a view of the practical reverberations of eschatology. Further, current discussions about ecological unraveling, often couched around the concept of the Anthropocene, have reinforced expert-driven, techno-scientific measures that exclude other forms of knowledge production and practical interventions. If such worries continue to motivate a paradigm of conservation that exclude locals, my essay shows how the local Jehovah’s Witnesses promote a valuable alternative form of environmentalism, on the Galápagos and elsewhere.
Radar Interferometry Time Series to Investigate Deformation of Soft Clay Subgrade Settlement—A Case Study of Lungui Highway, China
Authors: Xing Xuemin , Chang Hsing-Chung , Chen Lifu , Zhang Junhui , Yuan Zhihui , Shi Zhenning
Published: February 2019

Monitoring surface movement near highways over soft clay subgrades is fundamental for understanding the dynamics of the settlement process and preventing hazards. Earlier studies have demonstrated the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of using time series radar interferometry (InSAR) technique to measure the ground deformation. However, the accuracy of the advanced differential InSAR techniques, including short baseline subset (SBAS) InSAR, is limited by the temporal deformation models used. In this study, a comparison of four widely used time series deformation models in InSAR, namely Multi Velocity Model (MVM), Permanent Velocity Model (PVM), Seasonal Model (SM) and Cubic Polynomial Model (CPM), was conducted to measure the long-term ground deformation after the construction of road embankment over soft clay subgrade. SBAS-InSAR technique with TerraSAR-X satellite imagery were conducted to generate the time series deformation data over the studied highway. In the experiments, three accuracy indices were applied to show the residual phase, mean temporal coherence and the RMS of high-pass deformation, respectively. In addition, the derived time series deformation maps of the highway based on the four selected models and 17 TerraSAR-X images acquired from June 2014 to November 2015 were compared. The leveling data was also used to validate the experimental results. Our results suggested the Seasonal Model is the most suitable model for the selected study site. Consequently, we analyzed two bridges in detail and three single points distributed near the highway. Compared with the ground leveling deformation measurements and results of other models, SM showed better consistency, with the accuracy of deformation to be ±7 mm.
A Novel Microwave Staring Correlated Radar Imaging Method Based on Bi-Static Radar System
Authors: Yuan Bo , Guo Yuanyue , Chen Weidong , Wang Dongjin
Published: February 2019

The stochastic characteristic of the radiation field of a mono-static microwave staring correlated imaging (MSCI) radar degenerates with the increase of the imaging distance, which results in degradation of the image quality. To address this issue, a novel MSCI method based on bi-static radar is proposed from two perspectives: site-deploying and waveform design. On the one hand, a new bi-static MSCI site-deploying scheme is proposed which adopts two transmitting stations with their azimuth angles relative to the center of the imaging region differing by 90 degrees. On the other hand, by using two transmitting arrays synchronously transmitting inner-and-inter pulse frequency hopping (IAIP-FH) signals, the radiation field of each station includes a few “frequency stripes” perpendicular to the radiation direction, and as a consequence, the “frequency stripes” of each radiation field are perpendicular to each other. As a result, the radiation field of the bi-static MSCI is the superposition of the two striped radiation fields, thus a latticed radiation field is constructed. Therefore, the targets in different latticed grids scatter independent fields, then, the images can be reconstructed using correlation process (CP) algorithms. The grid size of the latticed radiation field is determined by the inner-pulse frequency hopping (FH) interval of the IAIP-FH signals and the imaging geometry. Moreover, it is shown that the 3 dB beam width of the space correlation function of the radiation field does not change with the imaging distance, thus the stochastic characteristic of the radiation field is partly preserved when the imaging distance increases. Simulation results validate the analysis and show that the proposed method can obtain higher resolution images than the common mono-static MSCI method.
FT-IR Spectroscopy for the Identification of Binding Sites and Measurements of the Binding Interactions of Important Metal Ions with Bovine Serum Albumin
Authors: Alhazmi Hassan A.
Published: February 2019

Proteins play crucial roles in the transportation and distribution of therapeutic substances, including metal ions in living systems. Some metal ions can strongly associate, while others show low affinity towards proteins. Consequently, in the present work, the binding behaviors of Ca2+, Ba2+, Ag+, Ru3+, Cu2+ and Co2+ with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were screened. BSA and the metal ions were allowed to interact at physiological pH and their binding interactions were screened by using FT-IR spectroscopy. Spectra were collected by using hydrated films over a range of 4000–400 cm−1. The interaction was demonstrated by a significant reduction in the spectral intensities of the amide I (C=O stretching) and amide II bands (C–N stretching coupled to NH bending) of the protein after complexation with metal ions. The binding interaction was further revealed by spectral shifting of the amide I band from 1651 cm−1 (free BSA) to 1653, 1654, 1649, 1655, 1655, and 1654 cm−1 for BSA–Ca2+, BSA–Ba2+, BSA–Ag+, BSA–Ru3+, BSA–Cu2+ and BSA–Co2+ complexes, respectively. The shifting of the amide I band was due to the interactions of metal ions with the O and N atoms of the ligand protein. Estimation of the secondary protein structure showed alteration in the protein conformation, characterized by a marked decrease (12.9–40.3%) in the α-helix accompanied by increased β-sheet and β-turn after interaction with the metal ions. The interaction results of this study were comparable with those reported in our previous investigation of metal ion–BSA interactions using affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE), which has proven the accuracy of the FT-IR technique in the measurement of interactions between proteins and metal ions.
Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable Development: Exploring Their Design and Its Impact on Effectiveness
Authors: Marx Axel
Published: February 2019

Public-private partnerships for sustainable development have been in operation for several decades from the local to the international level [...]
Evaluating the Intra-Industry Comparability of Sustainability Reports: The Case of the Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Cardoni Andrea , Kiseleva Evgeniia , Terzani Simone
Published: February 2019

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data are in high demand in financial markets. However, the ESG data provided by companies do not allow for use in the investment decision-making process. The main limiting point for this is a lack of comparability across companies. This paper analyzes the problem of comparability with the aim to evaluate the intra-industry comparability of sustainability reports, framing the analysis on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and discussing the results with the support of legitimacy and stakeholder theories. Drawing upon stakeholder and legitimacy theories, as well as financial and sustainability accounting concepts, we propose a theoretical framework of comparability and a methodology to evaluate the level of comparability on a sector-specific basis. The methodological approach adopted in this study is broadly qualitative, with the use of a multiple-stages model. Based on the example of one industry, we discovered that, despite comparability being mostly relevant to the listed companies from the oil and gas sector, the sustainability reports of these companies are still not comparable. Our findings reveal that, despite the availability of a large amount of ESG data and the existence of sustainability frameworks, the problem of comparability is still relevant even for companies that are theoretically most inclined to be comparable.
New Conformable Fractional Integral Inequalities of Hermite–Hadamard Type for Convex Functions
Authors: Mohammed Pshtiwan Othman , Hamasalh Faraidun Kadir
Published: February 2019

In this work, we established new inequalities of Hermite–Hadamard type for convex functions via conformable fractional integrals. Through the conformable fractional integral inequalities, we found some new inequalities of Hermite–Hadamard type for convex functions in the form of classical integrals.
Data Source Selection Based on an Improved Greedy Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Yang Jian , Xing Chunxiao
Published: February 2019

The development of information technology has led to a sharp increase in data volume. The tremendous amount of data has become a strategic capital that allows businesses to derive superior market intelligence or improve existing operations. People expect to consolidate and utilize data as much as possible. However, too much data will bring huge integration cost, such as the cost of purchasing and cleaning. Therefore, under the context of limited resources, obtaining more data integration value is our expectation. In addition, the uneven quality of data sources make the multi-source selection task more difficult, and low-quality data sources can seriously affect integration results without the desired quality gain. In this paper, we have studied how to balance data gain and cost in the source selection, specifically, maximizing the gain of data on the premise of a given budget. We proposed an improved greedy genetic algorithm (IGGA) to solve the problem of source selection, and carried out a wide range of experimental evaluations on the real and synthetic dataset. The empirical results show considerable performance in favor of the proposed algorithm in terms of solution quality.
Influenza Virus Infections and Cellular Kinases
Authors: Meineke Robert , Rimmelzwaan Guus F. , Elbahesh Husni
Published: February 2019

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) are a major cause of respiratory illness and are responsible for yearly epidemics associated with more than 500,000 annual deaths globally. Novel IAVs may cause pandemic outbreaks and zoonotic infections with, for example, highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) of the H5N1 and H7N9 subtypes, which pose a threat to public health. Treatment options are limited and emergence of strains resistant to antiviral drugs jeopardize this even further. Like all viruses, IAVs depend on host factors for every step of the virus replication cycle. Host kinases link multiple signaling pathways in respond to a myriad of stimuli, including viral infections. Their regulation of multiple response networks has justified actively targeting cellular kinases for anti-cancer therapies and immune modulators for decades. There is a growing volume of research highlighting the significant role of cellular kinases in regulating IAV infections. Their functional role is illustrated by the required phosphorylation of several IAV proteins necessary for replication and/or evasion/suppression of the innate immune response. Identified in the majority of host factor screens, functional studies further support the important role of kinases and their potential as host restriction factors. PKC, ERK, PI3K and FAK, to name a few, are kinases that regulate viral entry and replication. Additionally, kinases such as IKK, JNK and p38 MAPK are essential in mediating viral sensor signaling cascades that regulate expression of antiviral chemokines and cytokines. The feasibility of targeting kinases is steadily moving from bench to clinic and already-approved cancer drugs could potentially be repurposed for treatments of severe IAV infections. In this review, we will focus on the contribution of cellular kinases to IAV infections and their value as potential therapeutic targets.
Social Media, Customers' Experience, and Hotel Loyalty Programs
Authors: Sánchez-Casado Noelia , Artal-Tur Andres , Tomaseti-Solano Eva
Published: February 2019

In the last decade, hospitality companies have broadly adopted new technologies and social media tools for marketing purposes. One important application is the engagement with customers through a relationship approach. In this article, we focus on understanding how hotels employ these
tools to boost their loyalty programs. First, we analyzed how the main Spanish hotel chains make use of social media in their marketing activities. In this stage, we employed information from the website and social media sites of hotel chains and their corresponding brands. Secondly, we tested
for the influence of customers' experience on declared satisfaction with loyalty programs. By relying on questionnaire data, we tested for three main working hypotheses analyzing the interactions among benefits of hotel loyalty programs, customers' expertise with the hotel industry, and degree
of satisfaction with those programs. The main results show that the degree of expertise of hotel customers clearly determines their level of satisfaction with loyalty programs. Managerial implications from the research remark on the effectiveness of social networks and the necessity of customizing
the message according to the profile of the client to get higher impact of the campaigns.
ANALYSIS OF SUPPLY SYSTEM MODELS FOR PLANNING CONSTRUCTION PROJECT LOGISTICS
Authors: Sobotka Anna , Czarnigowska Agata
Published: February 2019

The paper discusses a number of construction project logistics problems, with focus on supply systems, and presents the results of recent survey of Polish contractors’ supply routines. On the basis of the survey, patterns of development of logistic systems have been described. The enclosed results of cost simulations indicate that outsourcing supply logistic processes, considering the current state of Polish construction market, may reduce costs. The paper emphasises that creating logistic guidelines of a project at its early stages of planning and then a design of integrated logistic service to the project may help find ways of making a construction project more effective.
Supernova Neutrino Process of Li and B Revisited
Authors: Kusakabe Motohiko , Cheoun Myung-Ki , Kim K. S. , Hashimoto Masa-aki , Ono Masaomi , Nomoto Ken’ichi , Suzuki Toshio , Kajino Toshitaka , Mathews Grant J.
Published: February 2019

We reinvestigate effects of neutrino oscillations on the production of 7Li and 11B in core-collapse supernovae (SNe). During the propagation of neutrinos from the proto–neutron star, their flavors change, and the neutrino reaction rates for spallation of 12C and 4He are affected. In this work, corrected neutrino spallation cross sections for 4He and 12C are adopted. Initial abundances involving heavy s-nuclei and other physical conditions are derived in a new calculation of the SN 1987A progenitor in which the effects of the progenitor metallicity are included. A dependence of the SN nucleosynthesis and final yields of 7Li and 11B on the neutrino mass hierarchy are shown in several stellar locations. In the normal hierarchy case, the charged-current (CC) reaction rates of

are enhanced, and yields of proton-rich nuclei, along with 7Be and 11C, are increased. In the inverted hierarchy case, the CC reaction rates of

are enhanced, and yields of neutron-rich nuclei, along with 7Li and 11B, are increased. We find that variation of the metallicity modifies the yields of 7Li, 7Be, 11B, and 11C. This effect is caused by changes in the neutron abundance during SN nucleosynthesis. Therefore, accurate calculations of Li and B production in SNe should take into account the metallicity of progenitor stars.