bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mollugin Has an Anti-Cancer Therapeutic Effect by Inhibiting TNF-α-Induced NF-κB Activation
Authors: Wang Zhe , Li Ming , Mi Chunliu , Wang Ke , Ma Juan , Jin Xuejun
Published: July 2017

The NF-κB signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in regulating the immune response and inflammation. However, it has been shown that NF-κB also has a major role in oncogenesis. Therefore, NF-κB inhibitors have been considered as potential drugs against cancer. Herein, we searched for NF-κB inhibitors from natural sources and identified mollugin from the roots of Rubia cordifolia L. as an inhibitor of NF-κB activation. We found that mollugin significantly inhibited the expression of an NF-κB reporter gene induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, mollugin inhibited TNF-α-induced phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65, phosphorylation and degradation of inhibitor of κB (IκBα), and IκB kinase (IKK) phosphorylation. Furthermore, we discovered that pretreatment of cells with mollugin prevented the TNF-α-induced expression of NF-κB target genes, such as genes related to proliferation (COX-2, Cyclin D1 and c-Myc), anti-apoptosis (Bcl-2, cIAP-1 and survivin), invasion (MMP-9 and ICAM-1), and angiogenesis (VEGF). We also demonstrated that mollugin potentiated TNF-α-induced apoptosis and inhibited proliferation of HeLa cells. We further demonstrated in vivo that mollugin suppressed the growth of tumor xenografts derived from HeLa cells. Taken together, mollugin may be a valuable candidate for cancer treatment by targeting NF-κB.
Growth Hormone’s Effect on Adipose Tissue: Quality versus Quantity
Authors: Berryman Darlene , List Edward
Published: July 2017

Obesity is an excessive accumulation or expansion of adipose tissue (AT) due to an increase in either the size and/or number of its characteristic cell type, the adipocyte. As one of the most significant public health problems of our time, obesity and its associated metabolic complications have demanded that attention be given to finding effective therapeutic options aimed at reducing adiposity or the metabolic dysfunction associated with its accumulation. Growth hormone (GH) has therapeutic potential due to its potent lipolytic effect and resultant ability to reduce AT mass while preserving lean body mass. However, AT and its resident adipocytes are significantly more dynamic and elaborate than once thought and require one not to use the reduction in absolute mass as a readout of efficacy alone. Paradoxically, therapies that reduce GH action may ultimately prove to be healthier, in part because GH also possesses potent anti-insulin activities along with concerns that GH may promote the growth of certain cancers. This review will briefly summarize some of the newer complexities of AT relevant to GH action and describe the current understanding of how GH influences this tissue using data from both humans and mice. We will conclude by considering the therapeutic use of GH or GH antagonists in obesity, as well as important gaps in knowledge regarding GH and AT.
Testing a Threshold-Based Bed Bug Management Approach in Apartment Buildings
Authors: Singh Narinderpal , Wang Changlu , Zha Chen , Cooper Richard , Robson Mark
Published: July 2017

We tested a threshold-based bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) management approach with the goal of achieving elimination with minimal or no insecticide application. Thirty-two bed bug infested apartments were identified. These apartments were divided into four treatment groups based on apartment size and initial bed bug count, obtained through a combination of visual inspection and bed bug monitors: I- Non-chemical only in apartments with 1–12 bed bug count, II- Chemical control only in apartments with 1–12 bed bug count, III- Non-chemical and chemical control in apartments with >12 bed bug count, and IV- Chemical control only in apartments with ≥11 bed bug count. All apartments were monitored or treated once every two weeks for a maximum of 28 wk. Treatment I eliminated bed bugs in a similar amount of time to treatment II. Time to eliminate bed bugs was similar between treatment III and IV but required significantly less insecticide spray in treatment III than that in treatment IV. A threshold-based management approach (non-chemical only or non-chemical and chemical) can eliminate bed bugs in a similar amount of time, using little to no pesticide compared to a chemical only approach.
Scenarios of Vegetable Demand vs. Production in Brazil: The Links between Nutritional Security and Small Farming
Authors: Nolasco Camille , Soler Luciana , Freitas Marcos , Lahsen Myanna , Ometto Jean
Published: July 2017

Dietary guidelines urge Brazilians to increase their consumption of raw vegetables. Yet key issues must be tackled by the government and civil society, not only to foster consumers’ appetite for healthier food, but more importantly to diminish the gaps between local demand and production, determined by food and land accessibility. We examine whether vegetable production in Brazil meets the demand to provide Brazilians the daily amount of fresh food recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). We developed demand scenarios in Brazil for 2008 and 2030, based on demand density maps built at the district level using production census surveys, household acquisition data, and population growth estimates. Results reveal an inherent inequality in vegetable consumption between the southern and central northern regions of Brazil that follows food insecurity regional indicators. Even in more urbanized regions and metropolitan areas, where the best balance between vegetable production and acquisition is found, simulated demand is far from WHO recommendations. A complementary discussion regarding land distribution and fresh food production supports our outlook on the weaknesses of existing rural policies for land reform and sustainable local fresh food production that directly affect demand and nutritional security. This work was the foundation to the Delivering Food Security on Limited Land (DEVIL) project in Brazil supported by Belmont Forum consortium.
High-Resolution Vegetation Mapping in Japan by Combining Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8 Based Multi-Temporal Datasets through Machine Learning and Cross-Validation Approach
Authors: Sharma Ram , Hara Keitarou , Tateishi Ryutaro
Published: July 2017

This paper presents an evaluation of the multi-source satellite datasets such as Sentinel-2, Landsat-8, and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) with different spatial and temporal resolutions for nationwide vegetation mapping. The random forests based machine learning and cross-validation approach was applied for evaluating the performance of different datasets. Cross-validation with the rich-feature datasets—with a sample size of 390—showed that the MODIS datasets provided highest classification accuracy (Overall accuracy = 0.80, Kappa coefficient = 0.77) compared with Landsat 8 (Overall accuracy = 0.77, Kappa coefficient = 0.74) and Sentinel-2 (Overall accuracy = 0.66, Kappa coefficient = 0.61) datasets. As a result, temporally rich datasets were found to be crucial for the vegetation physiognomic classification. However, in the case of Landsat 8 or Sentinel-2 datasets, sample size could be increased excessively as around 9800 ground truth points could be prepared within 390 MODIS pixel-sized polygons. The increase in the sample size significantly enhanced the classification using Landsat-8 datasets (Overall accuracy = 0.86, Kappa coefficient = 0.84). However, Sentinel-2 datasets (Overall accuracy = 0.77, Kappa coefficient = 0.74) could not perform as much as the Landsat-8 datasets, possibly because of temporally limited datasets covered by the Sentinel-2 satellites so far. A combination of the Landsat-8 and Sentinel-2 datasets slightly improved the classification (Overall accuracy = 0.89, Kappa coefficient = 0.87) than using the Landsat 8 datasets separately. Regardless of the fact that Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2 datasets have lower temporal resolutions than MODIS datasets, they could enhance the classification of otherwise challenging vegetation physiognomic types due to possibility of training a wider variation of physiognomic types at 30 m resolution. Based on these findings, an up-to-date 30 m resolution vegetation map was generated by using Landsat 8 and Sentinel-2 datasets, which showed better accuracy than the existing map in Japan.
Effect of Hydroxyapatite on the Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Behavior of Mg-Zn-Y Alloy
Authors: Chiu Chun , Lu Chih-Te , Chen Shih-Hsun , Ou Keng-Liang
Published: July 2017

Mg-Zn-Y alloys with a long period stacking ordered (LPSO) phase are potential candidates for biodegradable implants; however, an unfavorable degradation rate has limited their applications. Hydroxyapatite (HA) has been shown to enhance the corrosion resistance of Mg alloys. In this study, Mg97Zn1Y2-0.5 wt% HA composite was synthesized and solution treated at 500 °C for 10 h. The corrosion behavior of the composite was studied by electrochemical and immersion tests, while the mechanical properties were investigated by a tensile test. Addition of HA particles improves the corrosion resistance of Mg97Zn1Y2 alloy without sacrificing tensile strength. The improved corrosion resistance is due to the formation of a compact Ca-P surface layer and a decrease of the volume fraction of the LPSO phase, both resulting from the addition of HA. After solution-treatment, the corrosion resistance of the composite decreases. This is due to the formation of a more extended LPSO phase, which weakens its role as a corrosion barrier in protecting the Mg matrix.
Impacts of the Oxygen Precursor on the Interfacial Properties of LaxAlyO Films Grown by Atomic Layer Deposition on Ge
Authors: Zhao Lu , Liu Hongxia , Wang Xing , Wang Yongte , Wang Shulong
Published: July 2017

Amorphous LaxAlyO films were grown on n-type Ge substrate by atomic layer deposition using O3 and H2O as oxidant, respectively. A comparison of the XPS results indicated that a thicker interfacial layer with the component of LaGeOx and GeOx was formed at O3-based LaxAlyO/Ge interface, causing lower band gap value as well as the conduction band offset (CBO) value relative to Ge substrate for O3-based LaxAlyO film, with a concomitant degeneration in the interfacial properties. In contrast, for the H2O-based film, the leakage current of more than one order of magnitude less than that of O3-based LaxAlyO film was obtained. All the results indicated that H2O is a more appropriate oxidant for improving the interfacial properties in the atomic-layer-deposited LaxAlyO dielectric on Ge.
Artificial Lipid Membranes: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Siontorou Christina , Nikoleli Georgia-Paraskevi , Nikolelis Dimitrios , Karapetis Stefanos
Published: July 2017

The multifaceted role of biological membranes prompted early the development of artificial lipid-based models with a primary view of reconstituting the natural functions in vitro so as to study and exploit chemoreception for sensor engineering. Over the years, a fair amount of knowledge on the artificial lipid membranes, as both, suspended or supported lipid films and liposomes, has been disseminated and has helped to diversify and expand initial scopes. Artificial lipid membranes can be constructed by several methods, stabilized by various means, functionalized in a variety of ways, experimented upon intensively, and broadly utilized in sensor development, drug testing, drug discovery or as molecular tools and research probes for elucidating the mechanics and the mechanisms of biological membranes. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art, discusses the diversity of applications, and presents future perspectives. The newly-introduced field of artificial cells further broadens the applicability of artificial membranes in studying the evolution of life.
Metal Pollution Indices of Bottom Sediment and Surface Water Affected by Acid Mine Drainage
Authors: Singovszka Eva , Balintova Magdalena , Demcak Stefan , Pavlikova Petra
Published: July 2017

Sediments are normally the final pathway of both natural and anthropogenic components produced or derived from the environment. Sediment quality is a good indicator of pollution in the water column, where heavy metals and other organic pollutants tend to concentrate. Metals are introduced in aquatic systems as a result of the weathering of soils and rocks, from volcanic eruptions, and from a variety of human activities involving the mining, processing, or use of metals and/or substances that contain metal pollutants. Heavy metal concentration in the water column can be relatively low in some cases, but the concentrations in the sediment may be elevated. The presented work aimed to investigate the pollutant levels of some heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Al, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb) in the water and sediments related to acid mine drainage (AMD) produced from an abandoned sulphide mine in Smolnik in Eastern Slovakia. A metal pollution index was used to compare the total content of metals at five sampling stations. The level of partitioning of the metals between the surface water and sediments in the area was calculated using Partition coefficients and the correlation coefficients between the metal pairs in both media were calculated by a Pearson coefficient.
Microstructural Evolution during Pressureless Sintering of Blended Elemental Ti-Al-V-Fe Titanium Alloys from Fine Hydrogenated-Dehydrogenated Titanium Powder
Authors: Yu Changzhou , Cao Peng , Jones Mark
Published: July 2017

A comprehensive study was conducted on microstructural evolution of sintered Ti-Al-V-Fe titanium alloys utilizing very fine hydrogenation-dehydrogenation (HDH) titanium powder with a median particle size of 8.84 μm. Both micropores (5–15 μm) and macropores (50–200 μm) were identified in sintered titanium alloys. Spherical micropores were observed in Ti-6Al-4V sintered with fine Ti at the lowest temperature of 1150 °C. The addition of iron can help reduce microporosity and improve microstructural and compositional homogenization. A theoretical calculation of evaporation based on the Miedema model and Langmuir equation indicates that the evaporation of aluminum could be responsible for the formation of the macropores. Although reasonable densification was achieved at low sintering temperatures (93–96% relative density) the samples had poor mechanical properties due mainly to the presence of the macroporosity and the high inherent oxygen content in the as-received fine powders.
The Effect of Season on the Metabolic Profile of the European Clam Ruditapes decussatus as Studied by 1H-NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Aru Violetta , Balling Engelsen Søren , Savorani Francesco , Culurgioni Jacopo , Sarais Giorgia , Atzori Giulia , Cabiddu Serenella , Cesare Marincola Flaminia
Published: July 2017

In this study, the metabolome of Ruditapes decussatus, an economically and ecologically important marine bivalve species widely distributed in the Mediterranean region, was characterized by using proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy. Significant seasonal variations in the content of carbohydrates and free amino acids were observed. The relative amounts of alanine and glycine were found to exhibit the same seasonal pattern as the temperature and salinity at the harvesting site. Several putative sex-specific biomarkers were also discovered. Substantial differences were found for alanine and glycine, whose relative amounts were higher in males, while acetoacetate, choline and phosphocholine were more abundant in female clams. These findings reveal novel insights into the baseline metabolism of the European clam and represent a step forward towards a comprehensive metabolic characterization of the species. Besides providing a holistic view on the prominent nutritional components, the characterization of the metabolome of this bivalve represents an important prerequisite for elucidating the underlying metabolic pathways behind the environment-organism interactions.
Structure and Catalysis of Fe(III) and Cu(II) Microperoxidase-11 Interacting with the Positively Charged Interfaces of Lipids
Authors: Prieto Tatiana , Santana Vinicius , Britto Adrianne , Araujo-Chaves Juliana , R. Nascimento Otaciro , L. Nantes-Cardoso Iseli
Published: July 2017

Numerous applications have been described for microperoxidases (MPs) such as in photoreceptors, sensing, drugs, and hydrogen evolution. The last application was obtained by replacing Fe(III), the native central metal, by cobalt ion and inspired part of the present study. Here, the Fe(III) of MP-11 was replaced by Cu(II) that is also a stable redox state in aerated medium, and the structure and activity of both MPs were modulated by the interaction with the positively charged interfaces of lipids. Comparative spectroscopic characterization of Fe(III) and Cu(II)MP-11 in the studied media demonstrated the presence of high and low spin species with axial distortion. The association of the Fe(III)MP-11 with CTAB and Cu(II)MP-11 with DODAB affected the colloidal stability of the surfactants that was recovered by heating. This result is consistent with hydrophobic interactions of MPs with DODAB vesicles and CTAB micelles. The hydrophobic interactions decreased the heme accessibility to substrates and the Fe(III) MP-11catalytic efficiency. Cu(II)MP-11 challenged by peroxides exhibited a cyclic Cu(II)/Cu(I) interconversion mechanism that is suggestive of a mimetic Cu/ZnSOD (superoxide dismutase) activity against peroxides. Hydrogen peroxide-activated Cu(II)MP-11 converted Amplex Red® to dihydroresofurin. This study opens more possibilities for technological applications of MPs.
Evaluation of Novel Dual Acetyl- and Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitors as Potential Anti-Alzheimer’s Disease Agents Using Pharmacophore, 3D-QSAR, and Molecular Docking Approaches
Authors: Pang Xiaocong , Fu Hui , Yang Shilun , Wang Lin , Liu Ai-Lin , Wu Song , Du Guan-Hua
Published: July 2017

DL0410, containing biphenyl and piperidine skeletons, was identified as an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitor through high-throughput screening assays, and further studies affirmed its efficacy and safety for Alzheimer’s disease treatment. In our study, a series of novel DL0410 derivatives were evaluated for inhibitory activities towards AChE and BuChE. Among these derivatives, compounds 6-1 and 7-6 showed stronger AChE and BuChE inhibitory activities than DL0410. Then, pharmacophore modeling and three-dimensional quantitative structure activity relationship (3D-QSAR) models were performed. The R2 of AChE and BuChE 3D-QSAR models for training set were found to be 0.925 and 0.883, while that of the test set were 0.850 and 0.881, respectively. Next, molecular docking methods were utilized to explore the putative binding modes. Compounds 6-1 and 7-6 could interact with the amino acid residues in the catalytic anionic site (CAS) and peripheral anionic site (PAS) of AChE/BuChE, which was similar with DL0410. Kinetics studies also suggested that the three compounds were all mixed-types of inhibitors. In addition, compound 6-1 showed better absorption and blood brain barrier permeability. These studies provide better insight into the inhibitory behaviors of DL0410 derivatives, which is beneficial for rational design of AChE and BuChE inhibitors in the future.
Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Quality of Life and Physical Performance in Osteoarthritis Patients
Authors: Manoy Pacharee , Yuktanandana Pongsak , Tanavalee Aree , Anomasiri Wilai , Ngarmukos Srihatach , Tanpowpong Thanathep , Honsawek Sittisak
Published: July 2017

(1) Background: Lower levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) are common in osteoarthritis (OA) patients. However, the effect of vitamin D supplementation on muscle strength and physical performance remains unclear. This study will investigate the effects of vitamin D2 supplementation on muscle strength and physical performance in knee OA patients; (2) Methods: One hundred and seventy-five primary knee OA patients with low levels of serum 25(OH)D (<30 ng/mL) received 40,000 IU vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) per week for six months. Body composition, muscle strength, physical performance, serum 25(OH)D level, leptin, interlukin-6 (IL-6), parathyroid hormone (PTH), protein carbonyl, and metabolic profile were analyzed; (3) Results: Baseline mean serum 25(OH)D levels in knee OA patients was 20.73 ng/mL. Regarding baseline vitamin D status, 58.90% of patients had vitamin D insufficiency, and 41.10% had vitamin D deficiency. After vitamin D2 supplementation for six months, mean serum 25(OH)D level was 32.14 ng/mL. For post-supplementation vitamin D status, 57.10% of patients had vitamin D sufficiency and 42.90% had vitamin D insufficiency. From baseline to six months, there was a significant increase in mean serum 25(OH)D level (p < 0.001), while mean LDL cholesterol (p = 0.001), protein carbonyl (p = 0.04), and PTH (p = 0.005) all significantly decreased. Patient quality of life (SF-12) and pain (visual analog scale, VAS) both improved significantly from baseline to the six-month time point (p = 0.005 and p = 0.002, respectively). Knee OA patients demonstrated significant improvement grip strength and physical performance measurements after vitamin D2 supplementation (p < 0.05); (4) Conclusions: Vitamin D2 supplementation for six months reduced oxidative protein damage, decreased pain (VAS), improved quality of life, and improved grip strength and physical performance in osteoarthritis patients.
Anti-Diabetic Effects of Phenolic Extract from Rambutan Peels (Nephelium lappaceum) in High-Fat Diet and Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice
Authors: Ma Qingyu , Guo Yan , Sun Liping , Zhuang Yongliang
Published: July 2017

Recent studies have shown that rambutan peel phenolic (RPP) extract demonstrate high antioxidant and antiglycation activities in vitro and in vivo. This study further evaluated the anti-diabetic activity of RPP in a mouse model of Type II diabetes induced by streptozotocin combined with high-fat diet. Results showed that RPP increased the body weight and reduced the fasting blood glucose level of the diabetic mice. RPP significantly reduced the serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, and glycated serum protein in diabetic mice in a dose-dependent manner. Glycogen content in mice liver was recovered by RPP, which further increased the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and reduced lipid peroxidation in diabetic mice. Histological analysis showed that RPP effectively protected the tissue structure of the liver, kidney, and pancreas. In addition, RPP decreased the mesangial index and inhibited the expression of TGF-β in the kidney of diabetic mice.
Effects of Six-Week Ginkgo biloba Supplementation on Aerobic Performance, Blood Pro/Antioxidant Balance, and Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Physically Active Men
Authors: Sadowska-Krępa Ewa , Kłapcińska Barbara , Pokora Ilona , Domaszewski Przemysław , Kempa Katarzyna , Podgórski Tomasz
Published: July 2017

Extracts of Ginkgo biloba leaves, a natural source of flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds, are commonly used as therapeutic agents for the improvement of both cognitive and physiological performance. The present study was aimed to test the effects of a six-week supplementation with 160 mg/day of a standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba or a matching placebo on aerobic performance, blood antioxidant capacity, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level in healthy, physically active young men, randomly allocated to two groups (n = 9 each). At baseline, as well as on the day following the treatment, the participants performed an incremental cycling test for the assessment of maximal oxygen uptake. Venous blood samples taken at rest, then immediately post-test and following 1 h of recovery, were analyzed for activities of antioxidant enzymes and plasma concentrations of non-enzymatic antioxidants, total phenolics, uric acid, lipid peroxidation products, ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Our results show that six weeks’ supplementation with Ginkgo biloba extract in physically active young men may provide some marginal improvements in their endurance performance expressed as VO2max and blood antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by specific biomarkers, and elicit somewhat better neuroprotection through increased exercise-induced production of BDNF.
Hemin Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Lipid Metabolism in Cultured Hepatocytes and Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet
Authors: Luan Yi , Zhang Fang , Cheng Yalan , Liu Jun , Huang Rui , Yan Menghong , Wang Yuangao , He Zhishui , Lai Hejin , Wang Hui , Ying Hao , Guo Feifan , Zhai Qiwei
Published: July 2017

Hemin is a breakdown product of hemoglobin. It has been reported that the injection of hemin improves lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity in various genetic models. However, the effect of hemin supplementation in food on lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity is still unclear, and whether hemin directly affects cellular insulin sensitivity is yet to be elucidated. Here we show that hemin enhances insulin-induced phosphorylation of insulin receptors, Akt, Gsk3β, FoxO1 and cytoplasmic translocation of FoxO1 in cultured primary hepatocytes under insulin-resistant conditions. Furthermore, hemin diminishes the accumulation of triglyceride and increases in free fatty acid content in primary hepatocytes induced by palmitate. Oral administration of hemin decreases body weight, energy intake, blood glucose and triglyceride levels, and improves insulin and glucose tolerance as well as hepatic insulin signaling and hepatic steatosis in male mice fed a high-fat diet. In addition, hemin treatment decreases the mRNA and protein levels of some hepatic genes involved in lipogenic regulation, fatty acid synthesis and storage, and increases the mRNA level and enzyme activity of CPT1 involved in fatty acid oxidation. These data demonstrate that hemin can improve lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity in both cultured hepatocytes and mice fed a high-fat diet, and show the potential beneficial effects of hemin from food on lipid and glucose metabolism.
Photooxidation Behavior of a LDPE/Clay Nanocomposite Monitored through Creep Measurements
Authors: La Mantia Francesco , Biondo Mario , Mistretta Maria , Sutera Fiorenza , Morreale Marco
Published: July 2017

Creep behavior of polymer nanocomposites has not been extensively investigated so far, especially when its effects are combined with those due to photooxidation, which are usually studied in completely independent ways. In this work, the photooxidation behavior of a low density polyethylene/organomodified clay nanocomposite system was monitored by measuring the creep curves obtained while subjecting the sample to the combined action of temperature, tensile stress, and UV radiation. The creep curves of the irradiated samples were found to be lower than those of the non-irradiated ones and progressively diverging, because of the formation of branching and cross-linking due to photooxidation. This was further proved by the decrease of the melt index and the increase of the intrinsic viscosity; at the same time, the formation of carbonyl groups was observed. This behavior was more observable in the nanocomposite sample, because of its faster photooxidation kinetics.
A Transcendentalist Nature Religion
Authors: Friesner Nicholas
Published: July 2017

Scholars of religion have often pointed to the Transcendentalists as progenitors of a distinct tradition of nature religion in the United States. Nevertheless, this work has not fully dealt with the problematic qualities of “nature” in light of growing concerns about the ethical and socio-political implications of human powers in the Anthropocene. This paper presents a brief overview of “nature religion” while focusing on the often uneasy way that Ralph Waldo Emerson is treated in this work. By looking at how Emerson is viewed as a stepping stone to Henry David Thoreau, I argue that it is precisely what the tradition of nature religion finds problematic in Emerson—his strains of recurrent idealism—that allows him to have a more expansive notion of nature as the environments in which we live, while preserving the importance of human moral agency. What follows, then, is a more nuanced position in environmental ethics that is informed by an Emersonian sense of the irreducible tension between being created and being a creator.
Robust Estimation of Value-at-Risk through Distribution-Free and Parametric Approaches Using the Joint Severity and Frequency Model: Applications in Financial, Actuarial, and Natural Calamities Domains
Authors: Guharay Sabyasachi , Chang KC , Xu Jie
Published: July 2017

Value-at-Risk (VaR) is a well-accepted risk metric in modern quantitative risk management (QRM). The classical Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) approach, denoted henceforth as the classical approach, assumes the independence of loss severity and loss frequency. In practice, this assumption does not always hold true. Through mathematical analyses, we show that the classical approach is prone to significant biases when the independence assumption is violated. This is also corroborated by studying both simulated and real-world datasets. To overcome the limitations and to more accurately estimate VaR, we develop and implement the following two approaches for VaR estimation: the data-driven partitioning of frequency and severity (DPFS) using clustering analysis, and copula-based parametric modeling of frequency and severity (CPFS). These two approaches are verified using simulation experiments on synthetic data and validated on five publicly available datasets from diverse domains; namely, the financial indices data of Standard & Poor’s 500 and the Dow Jones industrial average, chemical loss spills as tracked by the US Coast Guard, Australian automobile accidents, and US hurricane losses. The classical approach estimates VaR inaccurately for 80% of the simulated data sets and for 60% of the real-world data sets studied in this work. Both the DPFS and the CPFS methodologies attain VaR estimates within 99% bootstrap confidence interval bounds for both simulated and real-world data. We provide a process flowchart for risk practitioners describing the steps for using the DPFS versus the CPFS methodology for VaR estimation in real-world loss datasets.
A Critical Review of Surveys Emphasizing on Routing in Wireless Sensor Networks—An Anatomization under General Survey Design Framework
Authors: Rehan Waqas , Fischer Stefan , Rehan Maaz
Published: July 2017

A large number of routing-related surveys are published so far for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) that exhibit either complete or partial emphasis on routing in WSNs. These surveys classify and discuss the relevant routing protocols published mainly in the fields of classical, energy efficient, secure, hierarchical, geographic, intelligent, Quality of Service (QoS)-based and multipath WSNs. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study is presented so far which may clearly categorize the routing-related survey literature for WSNs.To fill this gap, an effort is made in this paper for presenting an in-depth review of already published routing-related survey literature in WSNs. Our review initially proposes a generalized survey design model and afterwards analyzes the routing-related survey literature in the light of the devised General Survey Design Framework (GSDF). Such an analysis describes the design soundness of the published routing-related surveys. Therefore, our review puts forth an original classification based on the frequency-of-survey-publication and taxonomizes the corresponding routing-related fields into high, medium and low focused areas of survey publication in WSNs. Furthermore, the surveys belonging to each main category are sub-categorized into various sub-classes and briefly discussed according to their design characteristics. On the one hand, this review is useful for beginners who may easily explore the already published routing-related survey literature in WSNs in a single document and investigate it by spending less effort. On the other hand, it is useful for expert researchers who may explore the trends and frequency of writing surveys in different areas of routing in WSNs. The experts may explore those areas of routing which are either neglected or least focused or lack in design soundness as per general survey design framework. In the end, insights and future research directions are outlined and a reasonable conclusion is put forth which may outline guiding principles for routing-related survey research in future.
Parameterized Pseudo-Localization for Accurate and Efficient Moving Targets Imaging in Synthetic Aperture Radar
Authors: Zhang Xuepan , Liu Lu , Zhang Xuejing
Published: July 2017

Accurate and efficient moving target imaging is an important challenge for targets recognition in current synthetic aperture radar (SAR) combined with a ground moving target indication (GMTI) system. As the key but unknown parameter, the Doppler rates are estimated conventionally by searching any possible values for moving targets imaging. However, this conventional estimation method suffers from low accuracy or low efficiency due to the searching procedure. Focusing on these, we present a method to efficiently image the moving targets without the Doppler rate by Doppler delayed interferometry, and the imaged localization, which is parameterized pseudo-localization, is used to estimate the Doppler rate. In order to improve the estimation accuracy, an improved method based on the Newton method of approximation is proposed by exploiting the unused amplitude information. Compared with the conventional methods, the proposed improved method capable of high accuracy and low computation complexity simultaneously can meet the accurate and efficient requirements in the practical applications. Comparison simulations and real data processing results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Exploiting Concurrent Wake-Up Transmissions Using Beat Frequencies
Authors: Kumberg Timo , Schindelhauer Christian , Reindl Leonhard
Published: July 2017

Wake-up receivers are the natural choice for wireless sensor networks because of their ultra-low power consumption and their ability to provide communications on demand. A downside of ultra-low power wake-up receivers is their low sensitivity caused by the passive demodulation of the carrier signal. In this article, we present a novel communication scheme by exploiting purposefully-interfering out-of-tune signals of two or more wireless sensor nodes, which produce the wake-up signal as the beat frequency of superposed carriers. Additionally, we introduce a communication algorithm and a flooding protocol based on this approach. Our experiments show that our approach increases the received signal strength up to 3 dB, improving communication robustness and reliability. Furthermore, we demonstrate the feasibility of our newly-developed protocols by means of an outdoor experiment and an indoor setup consisting of several nodes. The flooding algorithm achieves almost a 100% wake-up rate in less than 20 ms.
Family Complexity and the Stress Process in Prison: How Sibling Living Arrangements of Minor Children Influence Maternal Role Strains
Authors: Foster Holly
Published: July 2017

This paper offers a life-course stress process perspective on maternal role strain as a ‘pain of imprisonment’ by engaging the concept of ‘family complexity’ in the context of mass incarceration I consider how the living arrangements of minor siblings (i.e., those living apart or together) during maternal incarceration functions as a form of family complexity. When minor children live apart from their siblings, they may experience more isolation which may further serve as a stressor for incarcerated mothers. A positive association between siblings living apart and maternal role strain would support a process of ‘stress proliferation’ across the prison-family interface. I investigate these connections using survey-based data on mothers with multiple minor children (n = 80) collected in 2011 from a voluntary sample of respondents housed in a federal minimum security prison in the United States. Multivariate logistic regression results indicate that minor siblings living apart during periods of maternal confinement elevates role strain among mothers (odds ratio = 3.66, p < 0.05). This connection is indicative of an ‘inter-institutional strain.’ Finally, children’s age also increases maternal role strain, but this finding is explained by sibling living arrangements during the mother’s incarceration.
A Hybrid MCDM Approach for Strategic Project Portfolio Selection of Agro By-Products
Authors: Debnath Animesh , Roy Jagannath , Kar Samarjit , Zavadskas Edmundas , Antucheviciene Jurgita
Published: July 2017

Due to the increasing size of the population, society faces several challenges for sustainable and adequate agricultural production, quality, distribution, and food safety in the strategic project portfolio selection (SPPS). The initial adaptation of strategic portfolio management of genetically modified (GM) Agro by-products (Ab-Ps) is a huge challenge in terms of processing the agro food product supply-chain practices in an environmentally nonthreatening way. As a solution to the challenges, the socio-economic characteristics for SPPS of GM food purchasing scenarios are studied. Evaluation and selection of the GM agro portfolio management are the dynamic issues due to physical and immaterial criteria involving a hybrid multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) approach, combining modified grey Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), Multi-Attributive Border Approximation area Comparison (MABAC) and sensitivity analysis. Evaluation criteria are grouped into social, differential and beneficial clusters, and the modified DEMATEL procedure is used to derive the criteria weights. The MABAC method is applied to rank the strategic project portfolios according to the aggregated preferences of decision makers (DMs). The usefulness of the proposed research framework is validated with a case study. The GM by-products are found to be the best portfolio. Moreover, this framework can unify the policies of agro technological improvement, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and agro export promotion.
Exploring Landscape Perceptions of Bukhansan National Park According to the Degree of Visitors’ Experience
Authors: Lee Kyu-Chul , Son Yong-Hoon
Published: July 2017

This study explores differing landscape perceptions of Bukhansan National Park according to the degree of visitors’ familiarity, and discusses the utilization of commonality and diversity of landscape perception in sustainable landscape management. Visitor-employed photography (VEP) was used to capture the overall response to experiencing landscape directly on-site. According to the degree of familiarity of national parks, visitors were recruited into two groups: inexperienced group (the novice group) and experienced group (the veteran group). We collected photographs and photo-logs of liked and disliked landscape from the participants. Additional interviews were conducted to supplement the content of the photo-logs. The objects of landscape were classified into spatial configurations and specific elements. The cognitive process of landscape perception is divided into four stages: perceptual, expressive, interpretative, and symbolic. Emphasizing the narrative aspects of landscape, accepting and interpreting the phenomenon can vary according to an individual's interest and background. We used semantic network analysis to analyze the content of participants’ photo-logs. The content at the interpretative level showed that the two groups had very different perceptions of anthropic elements. The novice group emphasized walkability and accessibility, while the veteran group regarded naturalness and historicity as more important. In conclusion, it is a very useful way to analyze the differences of perceptions of two visitors, both the novice group and the veteran group to grasp the positive or negative perceptions of people’s impacts on the landscape. Understanding the value of relevant visitors through analysis results is one way to resolve potential conflicts.
Infectious Bronchitis Virus Infection Induces Apoptosis during Replication in Chicken Macrophage HD11 Cells
Authors: Han Xiaoxiao , Tian Yiming , Guan Ru , Gao Wenqian , Yang Xin , Zhou Long , Wang Hongning
Published: July 2017

Avian infectious bronchitis has caused huge economic losses in the poultry industry. Previous studies have reported that infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) infection can produce cytopathic effects (CPE) and apoptosis in some mammalian cells and primary cells. However, there is little research on IBV-induced immune cell apoptosis. In this study, chicken macrophage HD11 cells were established as a cellular model that is permissive to IBV infection. Then, IBV-induced apoptosis was observed through a cell viability assay, morphological changes, and flow cytometry. The activity of caspases, the inhibitory efficacy of caspase-inhibitors and the expression of apoptotic genes further suggested the activation of apoptosis through both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways in IBV-infected HD11 cells. Additionally, ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) pretreated HD11 cells blocked IBV from entering cells and inhibited IBV-induced apoptosis. UV-inactivated IBV also lost the ability of apoptosis induction. IBV replication was increased by blocking caspase activation. This study presents a chicken macrophage cell line that will enable further analysis of IBV infection and offers novel insights into the mechanisms of IBV-induced apoptosis in immune cells.
Source Water Protection in Rural Newfoundland and Labrador: Limitations and Promising Actions
Authors: Eledi Seth , Minnes Sarah , Vodden Kelly
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this paper is to exemplify through recent research in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) the extent of the current limitations for source water protection and potential opportunities for improvement in the province, particularly for rural communities. The findings of this paper draw from the results of four related studies led by the co-authors. These four studies took place in NL between 2012 and 2016, and derived data through a mixed-method approach using literature reviews, key informant interviews, surveys, and consultations. The article provides an overview of the state of source water protection in NL and the challenges faced, with case examples to illustrate key points. Findings indicate there is currently a source water protection gap in NL limiting local governments in implementing their source water protection obligations under provincial policy and regulations. This implementation gap has been attributed to a lack of capacity for watershed monitoring, a lack of awareness of the need for source water protection and of municipal responsibilities, conflicts over multi-use watersheds and a lack of watershed planning and management. Greater education and collaboration in source water protection efforts amongst all watershed users, watershed groups, local governments and the provincial government could offer promise to fill this gap.
Hydrological Design of Two Low-Impact Development Techniques in a Semi-Arid Climate Zone of Central Mexico
Authors: Lizárraga-Mendiola Liliana , Vázquez-Rodríguez Gabriela , Lucho-Constantino Carlos , Bigurra-Alzati Carlos , Beltrán-Hernández Rosa , Ortiz-Hernández Joyce , López-León Luis
Published: July 2017

This paper deals with the design of a bioretention cell and an infiltration trench in a semi- arid micro watershed. The study area was analyzed by characteristics such as slope changes (S), direction and maximum length of the urban runoff (L), and soil use (runoff coefficient, Rc). The bioretention cell was designed by the calculation of variables such as drainage area (A), concentration time (Tc), rainfall intensity (i), maximum peak drained (Qmax), inlet and outlet runoff (Qa and Qout, respectively), temperature (T), evaporation (Ev), potential evapotranspiration (PEm), consumptive use (U) for tolerant plants to semi-arid climates, and soil infiltration capacity (Inf). To design the infiltration trench, only Tc, Qmax, and i were taken into account. The results showed that the designed bioretention cell could retain between 5.37% and 2.25% of runoff volume. As the efficiency of the bioretention cell can be defined by the need for additional irrigation, our results showed that the cell is inefficient in some of the dry months (November and December), even in years characterized by abundant rainfall. Besides, it was shown that the designed infiltration trench could store or infiltrate the water from typical rain events. Based on these results, it is the implementation of more Low-Impact Development (LID) for runoff management in the study area is recommended.
Mechanochemical borylation of aryldiazonium salts; merging light and ball milling
Authors: Hernández José G
Published: July 2017

Merging of photo- and mechanochemical activation permitted studying the role of eosin Y in the borylation of aryldiazonium salts in a ball mill. Simultaneous neat grinding/irradiation of the reactants and the photocatalyst led to the formation of boronates in a molten state. On the other hand, the catalyst-free liquid-assisted grinding/irradiation reaction also led to product formation, featuring a direct photolysis pathway facilitated by substrate–solvent charge-transfer complex formation.
Hydro-edaphic conditions defining richness and species composition in savanna areas of the northern Brazilian Amazonia
Authors: Araújo Maria Aparecida , Rocha Antônio Elielson , Miranda Izildinha , Barbosa Reinaldo
Published: July 2017

Studies on plant communities in the Amazon have reported that different hydro-edaphic conditions can affect the richness and the species composition of different ecosystems. However, this aspect is poorly known in the different savanna habitats. Understanding how populations and plant communities are distributed in these open vegetation areas is important to improve the knowledge about which environmental variables influence the occurrence and diversity of plants in this type of regional ecosystem. Thus, this study investigated the richness and composition of plant species in two savanna areas of the northern Brazilian Amazonia, using the coverage (%) of the different life forms observed under different hydro-edaphic conditions as a structural reference.

We report 128 plant species classified in 34 botanical families distributed in three savanna habitats with different levels of hydro-edaphic restrictions. In this study, the habitats are conceptually presented and they integrate environmental information (edaphic factors and drainage type), which determines differences between floristic composition, species richness and coverage (%) of plant life forms.
Comportamiento mecánico y frente a corrosión de mortero y hormigón armado fabricado con escorias de incineradora de residuos sólidos urbanos
Authors: Ávila Rita , Medina Eduardo , Bastidas David M.
Published: July 2017

Se ha evaluado mediante monitorización electroquímicas la influencia de la utilización de escorias procedentes de incineradoras municipales de residuos sólidos urbanos (RSU), en la corrosión de muestras de hormigón armado, utilizando para ello cuatro aceros corrugados, el tradicional acero al carbono B-500-SD y tres aceros inoxidables: el austenítico AISI 304 (EN 1.4301), el dúplex AISI 2304 (EN 1.4362) y el dúplex de bajo contenido en níquel AISI 2001 (EN 1.4482), embebidos en morteros elaborados sólo con escorias como sustituto del árido. Además, se ha estudiado el comportamiento mecánico de morteros y hormigones de cemento Portland elaborados con escorias, procedentes de la incineración de residuos sólidos urbanos, en muestras elaboradas con sustitución total o parcial del árido natural por escoria de RSU. De los resultados obtenidos se deduce que la utilización como árido de las escorias procedentes de la incineración de RSU, mejoran sensiblemente las características de resistencia del convencional mortero y hormigón elaborados sólo con árido natural. En cuanto al estudio de corrosión de las armaduras, las mediciones electroquímicas demuestran que los aceros permanecen en estado pasivo durante todo el periodo estudiado (3 años).