bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review of Citrus Harvesting in Florida
Authors: Whitney Jodie D.
Published: January 2018

The removal of Florida citrus from the tree for harvesting is still done by handpickers on ladders and requires a work force of 20,000 to 35,000 persons. Moving fruit from the grove and subsequent fruit handling has been mechanized in the last 40 years. Factors affecting harvesting are fruit type and utilization, grove characteristics, and harvest labor requirements and costs. Although mechanical harvesting research over the past 35 years has not developed a feasible machine to replace the picker, substantial design and field performance information has been developed to mechanize the harvest of a significant portion of the crop if labor becomes unavailable or too costly. Some picking aids have been implemented to increase the productivity of pickers, but their feasibility is questionable under current conditions. Renewed attempts have been made to mechanize the harvest since 1993. A harvesting program administrator was employed by the Florida Department of Citrus in January 1995 to develop a program which will insure the harvest of future crops at a competitive cost, Record crops, low fruit prices, steadily increasing harvest costs, and more regulations are predicted for the next decade.

Paper published with permission.
Latest Developments in Pressing Citrus Peel
Authors: Johnston Robert B.
Published: January 2018

A newcomer to the citrus industry can find papers and speeches of earlier decades that deal with pressing citrus peel. Many of these, including some by Vincent Corporation, speak of 60% and 62% press cake moisture. Yet, in practice, this was not being achieved on any consistent basis until relatively recently.

Paper published with permission.
Short Time Reaction System for Improved Citrus Peel Processing
Authors: Marques Daniel Stefanelli
Published: January 2018

A new concept for citrus residues reaction is presented and compared to the screw type and to the tank reaction systems.

Comments on Cutrale’s pathways to reach this simplified technology will be addressed.

Emphasis will be given on the advantages of this concept and on the new development opportunities for optimizing the operations in dried citrus peel manufacturing.

Paper published with permission.
Feed Mill Automation (to Improve Efficiency and Quality)
Authors: Sykora Glenn
Published: January 2018

A typical South Florida citrus feed mill was studied by controls engineers to determine the benefits of modern controls. The peel bin, lime addition, dryer, and waste heat evaporator all showed considerable savings potential (2.5 year simple payback). With modern controls, the pellet feed output will be more consistent in quality while consuming less energy to produce. With total computer monitoring, safety for the operators will also be improved.

Paper published with permission.
Thermal Imaging of Electrical and Mechanical Systems
Authors: Symmes Joe
Published: January 2018

The main objective of predictive maintenance is to identify a small problem before it becomes a big problem. Thermal Imaging is one of the best tools for predictive maintenance. This technology allows us to see a small temperature increase before it becomes a catastrophic failure. Modern technology is able to more accurately evaluate potential problems. The technology allows for collecting better and more extensive data than was previously available — from which very detailed temperature analysis can be made. Thermal inspections of electrical and mechanical systems will show you the necessary areas in your company on which to concentrate your efforts. By focusing specifically on those areas that need to be maintained, you will be saving money several ways: avoiding downtime in production, non-productive wages, greater repair costs and lost time. By performing annual thermal inspections you will also benefit by maintaining the most favorable insurance rating.

Paper published with permission.
How to Calculate Return on Investment for Maintenance Improvement Projects
Authors: Wireman Terry
Published: January 2018

Maintenance — a function within most corporations, that most people do not understand. Unfortunately, too many people think they understand the maintenance function. This is evident by the many differing methods currently used to organize and perform maintenance in American corporations. It is no secret that many corporate and plant executives have concentrated on operations or manufacturing management, while management of the more technical disciplines such as maintenance have been ignored or placed in a secondary status. Maintenance, for example, has been viewed as an necessary evil or insurance policy, where money is paid and nothing (in their lifetime) is ever seen as a return.

Paper published with permission.
High Pressure Pasteurization of Citrus Juices
Authors: Braddock R. J. , Parish M. E. , Goodner J. K.
Published: January 2018

High hydrostatic pressures affect chemical reactions and phase changes of matter, denaturing proteins, solidifying lipids and disrupting biological membranes. The consequences of this in food systems has importance in killing spoilage microbes without the need for heat. Some applications of high pressure treatment to the processing of citrus juices are included herein. Effective pressures for pasteurization of yeasts and yeast ascospores in citrus juice fall in the range of 43,000–72,000 psi. The corresponding Dp (time for 1 log cycle reduction) values for inactivation of ascospores were 10 min at 43,000 psi or 8 sec at 72,000 psi. Pressure treatments of orange and grapefruit juices to by-pass thermal processing for pectinesterase (PE) inactivation were in the range of 72,000–130,000 psi. Dp values for orange PE inactivation at 72,000 and 87,000 psi were 83.3 minutes and 2.4 minutes, respectively. Pressures ≥87,000 psi caused instantaneous inactivation of the heat labile form, but did not inactivate the heat stable form of PE. Heat labile grapefruit PE was also more sensitive than orange to pressure. Orange juice pressurized at 100,000 psi for 1 minute had no cloud loss for >50 days.

Paper published with permission.
Pumps in Industry: Theory and Application
Authors: Weaver Walter , Bradner Eric
Published: January 2018

A basic review of hydraulics will serve us well as a starting point for discussing the unique applications of the Citrus industry. To begin this review, certain pertinent terms will be defined to help build a foundation of understanding. This review is not meant to be taken as a complete dissertation on the subject but to be held as a useful reference. The majority of the following information has been paraphrased from Worthington Pump’s technical symposium.

Paper published with permission.
Wide Belt Optical Inspection of Whole Citrus for Processing
Authors: Reardon Tim
Published: January 2018

Removing defective fruit and foreign material from citrus processing lines has been a facet of the business since its inception. While the public demands 100% pure Florida orange juice, citrus processors receive fruit that contains quality defects of a wide variety of types, which must be removed to maintain final product quality. Quality control supports demand, which supports the business.

Paper published with permission.
Design of continuously graded elastic acoustic cloaks
Authors: Sanders Clay , Aquino Wilkins , Walsh Timothy
Published: January 2018

This letter demonstrates the design of continuously graded elastic cylinders to achieve passive cloaking from harmonic acoustic excitation, both at single frequencies and over extended bandwidths. The constitutive parameters in a multilayered, constant-density cylinder are selected in a partial differential equation-constrained optimization problem, such that the residual between the pressure field from an unobstructed spreading wave in a fluid and the pressure field produced by the cylindrical inclusion is minimized. The radial variation in bulk modulus appears fundamental to the cloaking behavior, while the shear modulus distribution plays a secondary role. Such structures could be realized with functionally-graded elastic materials.
Pressurized transient otoacoustic emissions measured using click and chirp stimuli
Authors: Keefe Douglas H. , Patrick Feeney M. , Hunter Lisa L. , Fitzpatrick Denis F. , Sanford Chris A.
Published: January 2018

Transient-evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) responses were measured in normal-hearing adult ears over frequencies from 0.7 to 8 kHz, and analyzed with reflectance/admittance data to measure absorbed sound power and the tympanometric peak pressure (TPP). The mean TPP was close to ambient. TEOAEs were measured in the ear canal at ambient pressure, TPP, and fixed air pressures from 150 to −200 daPa. Both click and chirp stimuli were used to elicit TEOAEs, in which the incident sound pressure level was constant across frequency. TEOAE levels were similar at ambient and TPP, and for frequencies from 0.7 to 2.8 kHz decreased with increasing positive and negative pressures. At 4–8 kHz, TEOAE levels were larger at positive pressures. This asymmetry is possibly related to changes in mechanical transmission through the ossicular chain. The mean TEOAE group delay did not change with pressure, although small changes were observed in the mean instantaneous frequency and group spread. Chirp TEOAEs measured in an adult ear with Eustachian tube dysfunction and TPP of −165 daPa were more robust at TPP than at ambient. Overall, results demonstrate the feasibility and clinical potential of measuring TEOAEs at fixed pressures in the ear canal, which provide additional information relative to TEOAEs measured at ambient pressure.
The evolution of modern human brain shape
Authors: Neubauer Simon , Hublin Jean-Jacques , Gunz Philipp
Published: January 2018

The evolutionary process leading to human brain globularity was gradual and paralleled the emergence of behavioral modernity.
Oil for the cancer engine: The cross-talk between oncogenic signaling and polyamine metabolism
Authors: Arruabarrena-Aristorena Amaia , Zabala-Letona Amaia , Carracedo Arkaitz
Published: January 2018

Polyamine metabolism exhibits tight cross-talk with oncogenic signaling, thus playing a central role in cancer dynamics.
Spermidine in health and disease
Authors: Madeo Frank , Eisenberg Tobias , Pietrocola Federico , Kroemer Guido
Published: January 2018

Having your longevity and eating too

Although caloric restriction has clear benefits for maximizing health span and life span, it is sufficiently unpleasant that few humans stick to it. Madeo
et al.
review evidence that increased intake of the polyamine spermidine appears to reproduce many of the healthful effects of caloric restriction, and they explain its cellular actions, which include enhancement of autophagy and protein deacetylation. Spermidine is found in foods such as wheat germ, soybeans, nuts, and some fruits and vegetables and produced by the microbiota. Increased uptake of spermidine has protective effects against cancer, metabolic disease, heart disease, and neurodegeneration.

Science
, this issue p.
eaan2788
Evaluation of Two Protein Extraction Protocols Based on Freezing and Mechanical Disruption for Identifying Nontuberculous Mycobacteria by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry from Liquid and Solid Cultures
Authors: Rodriguez-Temporal David , Perez-Risco Daniel , Struzka Eduardo A. , Mas Mireia , Alcaide Fernando
Published: January 2018

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has proved to be a useful diagnostic method for identifying conventional bacteria. In the case of mycobacteria, a good protein extraction protocol is essential in order to obtain reliable identification results. To date, no such protocol has been definitively established. The aim of this study was to compare the manufacturer's recommended protein extraction protocol (protocol A) with two novel protocols (protocols B and C), which apply different freezing temperatures and mechanical disruption times using an automatic tissue homogenizer. A total of 302 clinical isolates, comprising 41 nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) species, were grown in parallel on solid and liquid media and analyzed: 174 isolates were slow-growing mycobacteria (SGM) and 128 isolates were rapid-growing mycobacteria (RGM). Overall, MALDI-TOF MS identified a higher number of NTM isolates from solid than from liquid media, especially with protocol C (83.4 and 68.2%, respectively;
P
< 0.05). From solid media, this protein extraction method identified 57.9 and 3.9% more isolates than protocols A (
P
< 0.001) and B (
P
< 0.05), respectively. In the case of liquid media, protocol C identified 49.7 and 6.3% more isolates than protocols A and B, respectively (
P
< 0.001). With regard to the growth rate, MALDI-TOF MS identified more RGM isolates than SGM isolates in all of the protocols studied. In conclusion, the application of freezing and automatic tissue homogenizer improved protein extraction of NTM and boosted identification rates. Consequently, MALDI-TOF MS, which is a cheap and simple method, could be a helpful tool for identifying NTM species in clinical laboratories.
Renin–angiotensin–aldosterone blockade reduces atrial fibrillation in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Huang Chen-Yu , Yang Yao-Hsu , Lin Lian-Yu , Tsai Chia-Ti , Hwang Juey-Jen , Chen Pau-Chung , Lin Jiunn-Lee
Published: January 2018

Objectives

Atrial fibrillation (AF) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is associated with increased mortality, mainly mediated by increased thromboembolic events and progressive heart failure. Many studies suggested inhibition of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) could reduce new AF in various clinical conditions. However, evidence concerning the effects of RAAS inhibitors on AF prevention remains unclear in HCM. Our study is to investigate whether treatment with ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) could lower the risk of new AF in HCM.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study including subjects diagnosed HCM between January 1997 and December 2013 by using a nationwide database covering almost all Taiwanese from National Health Research Institute. All participants, aged 18 or older, had no ACEIs or ARBs exposure or AF diagnosis before enrolment. Propensity score matching and multivariate Cox hazard regression were employed to estimate the risk of new AF occurrence.

Results

Total 18 266 subjects were included in the analysis with median follow-up duration 8.13 years. Patients taking ACEIs or ARBs are associated with lower risk of developing new AF than those without taking neither of medications (3.16% vs 5.65%, relative risk 0.56 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.64), HR 0.572 (95% CI 0.480 to 0.683)). The correlation is more prominent with longer ACEIs or ARBs treatment (HRs from T1 to T3: 0.741, 0.579, 0.337, P<0.001). These results remain consistent after propensity score adjustment.

Conclusion

In patients with HCM, lower risk of new AF is observed in patients treated with either ACEIs or ARBs compared with those receiving neither of these medications.
Reasons for and consequences of oral anticoagulant underuse in atrial fibrillation with heart failure
Authors: Savarese Gianluigi , Sartipy Ulrik , Friberg Leif , Dahlström Ulf , Lund Lars H
Published: January 2018

Objective

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in patients with heart failure (HF), and oral anticoagulants (OAC) are indicated. The aim was to assess prevalence of, predictors of and consequences of OAC non-use.

Methods

We included patients with AF, HF and no previous valve replacement from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry. High and low CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores were defined as above/below median. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to assess the associations between baseline characteristics and OAC use and between CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores and OAC use. Multivariable Cox regressions were used to assess associations between CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores, OAC use and two composite outcomes: all-cause death/stroke and all-cause death/major bleeding.

Results

Of 21 865 patients, only 12 659 (58%) received OAC. Selected predictors of OAC non-use were treatment with platelet inhibitors, less use of HF treatments, paroxysmal AF, history of bleeding, no previous stroke, planned follow-up in primary care, older age, living alone, lower income and variables associated with more severe HF. For each 1-unit increase in CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED, the ORs (95% CI) of OAC use were 1.24 (1.21–1.27) and 0.32 (0.30–0.33), and the HRs for death/stroke were 1.08 (1.06–1.10) and for death/major bleeding 1.18 (1.15–1.21), respectively. For high versus low CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED, the ORs of OAC use were 1.23 (1.15–1.32) and 0.20 (0.19–0.21), and the HRs for death/stroke were 1.25 (1.19–1.30) and for death/major bleeding 1.28 (1.21–1.34), respectively.

Conclusions

Patients with AF and concomitant HF do not receive OAC on rational grounds. Bleeding risk inappropriately affects decision-making more than stroke risk.
Traumatic brain injury: classification, models, and markers
Authors: Najem Dema , Rennie Kerry , Ribecco-Lutkiewicz Maria , Ly Dao , Haukenfrers Julie , Liu Qing , Nzau Munyao , Fraser Douglas D. , Bani-Yaghoub Mahmud
Published: January 2018

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Due to its high incidence rate and often long-term sequelae, TBI contributes significantly to increasing costs of health care expenditures annually. Unfortunately, advances in the field have been stifled by patient and injury heterogeneity that pose a major challenge in TBI prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. In this review, we briefly discuss the causes of TBI, followed by its prevalence, classification, and pathophysiology. The current imaging detection methods and animal models used to study brain injury are examined. We discuss the potential use of molecular markers in detecting and monitoring the progression of TBI, with particular emphasis on microRNAs as a novel class of molecular modulators of injury and its repair in the neural tissue.
Capacity of ceruloplasmin to scavenge products of the respiratory burst of neutrophils is not altered by the products of reactions catalyzed by myeloperoxidase
Authors: Sokolov A.V. , Kostevich V.A. , Varfolomeeva E.Y. , Grigorieva D.V. , Gorudko I.V. , Kozlov S.O. , Kudryavtsev I.V. , Mikhalchik E.V. , Filatov M.V. , Cherenkevich S.N. , Panasenko O.M. , Arnhold J. , Vasilyev V.B.
Published: January 2018

CP is a copper-containing ferroxidase of blood plasma, which acts as an acute phase reactant during inflammation. The effect of oxidative modification of CP induced by oxidants produced by MPO, such as HOCl, HOBr, and HOSCN, on its spectral, enzymatic, and anti-inflammatory properties was studied. We monitored the chemiluminescence of lucigenin and luminol along with fluorescence of hydroethidine and scopoletin to assay the inhibition by CP of the neutrophilic respiratory burst induced by PMA or fMLP. Superoxide dismutase activity of CP and its capacity to reduce the production of oxidants in respiratory burst of neutrophils remained virtually unchanged upon modifications caused by HOCl, HOBr, and HOSCN. Meanwhile, the absorption of type I copper ions at 610 nm became reduced, along with a drop in the ferroxidase and amino oxidase activities of CP. Likewise, its inhibitory effect on the halogenating activity of MPO was diminished. Sera of either healthy donors or patients with Wilson disease were co-incubated with neutrophils from healthy volunteers. In these experiments, we observed an inverse relationship between the content of CP in sera and the rate of H2O2production by activated neutrophils. In conclusion, CP is likely to play a role of an anti-inflammatory factor tempering the neutrophil respiratory burst in the bloodstream despite the MPO-mediated oxidative modifications.
Effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE): insights into FASD using mouse models of PAE
Authors: Petrelli Berardino , Weinberg Joanne , Hicks Geoffrey G.
Published: January 2018

The potential impact of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) varies considerably among exposed individuals, with some displaying serious alcohol-related effects and many others showing few or no overt signs of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). In animal models, variables such as nutrition, genetic background, health, other drugs, and stress, as well as dosage, duration, and gestational timing of exposure to alcohol can all be controlled in a way that is not possible in a clinical situation. In this review we examine mouse models of PAE and focus on those with demonstrated craniofacial malformations, abnormal brain development, or behavioral phenotypes that may be considered FASD-like outcomes. Analysis of these data should provide a valuable tool for researchers wishing to choose the PAE model best suited to their research questions or to investigate established PAE models for FASD comorbidities. It should also allow recognition of patterns linking gestational timing, dosage, and duration of PAE, such as recognizing that binge alcohol exposure(s) during early gestation can lead to severe FASD outcomes. Identified patterns could be particularly insightful and lead to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying FASD.
Characterizing spatial structures of larval fish assemblages at multiple scales in relation to environmental heterogeneity in the Strait of Georgia (British Columbia, Canada)
Authors: Guan Lu , Dower John F. , Pepin Pierre
Published: January 2018

Spatial structures of larval fish in the Strait of Georgia (British Columbia, Canada) were quantified in the springs of 2009 and 2010 to investigate linkages to environmental heterogeneity at multiple scales. By applying a multiscale approach, principal coordinate neighborhood matrices, spatial variability was decomposed into three predefined scale categories: broad scale (>40 km), medium scale (20∼40 km), and fine scale (<20 km). Spatial variations in larval density of the three dominant fish taxa with different early life histories (Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii), Pacific hake (Merluccius productus), and northern smoothtongue (Leuroglossus schmidti)) were mainly structured at broad and medium scales, with scale-dependent associations with environmental descriptors varying interannually and among species. Larval distributions in the central-southern Strait were mainly associated with salinity, temperature, and vertical stability of the top 50 m of the water column on the medium scale. Our results emphasize the critical role of local estuarine circulation, especially at medium spatial scale, in structuring hierarchical spatial distributions of fish larvae in the Strait of Georgia and suggest the role of fundamental differences in life-history traits in influencing the formation and maintenance of larval spatial structures.
Evaluation of the plant-growth-promoting abilities of endophytic bacteria from the psammophyteAmmodendron bifolium
Authors: Zhu Yanlei , She Xiaoping
Published: January 2018

The objective of this study was to assess the plant-growth-promoting abilities of 45 endophytic bacterial isolates from Ammodendron bifolium through physiological characteristics detection and endophytic bacteria–plant interaction. Each of these isolates exhibited 1 or more plant-growth-promoting traits, but only 11 isolates belonging to the genera Bacillus, Staphylococcus, and Kocuria were capable of promoting seed germination and radicle growth. These results together with the results of the correlation analysis revealed that the completion of seed germination may not be due to IAA production, phosphate solubilization, pellicle formation, and ACC deaminase, protease and lipase production by endophytic bacteria, but may be closely related to amylase and cellulase production. Further, endophytic bacterial isolates with plant-growth-promoting traits may also provide beneficial effects to host plants at different growth stages. Thus, these results are of value for understanding the ecological roles of endophytic bacteria in host plant habitats and can serve as a foundation for further studies of their potential in plant regeneration.
Principal States of Dynamic Functional Connectivity Reveal the Link Between Resting-State and Task-State Brain: An fMRI Study
Authors: Cheng Lin , Zhu Yang , Sun Junfeng , Deng Lifu , He Naying , Yang Yang , Ling Huawei , Ayaz Hasan , Fu Yi , Tong Shanbao
Published: January 2018

Task-related reorganization of functional connectivity (FC) has been widely investigated. Under classic static FC analysis, brain networks under task and rest have been demonstrated a general similarity. However, brain activity and cognitive process are believed to be dynamic and adaptive. Since static FC inherently ignores the distinct temporal patterns between rest and task, dynamic FC may be more a suitable technique to characterize the brain’s dynamic and adaptive activities. In this study, we adopted [Formula: see text]-means clustering to investigate task-related spatiotemporal reorganization of dynamic brain networks and hypothesized that dynamic FC would be able to reveal the link between resting-state and task-state brain organization, including broadly similar spatial patterns but distinct temporal patterns. In order to test this hypothesis, this study examined the dynamic FC in default-mode network (DMN) and motor-related network (MN) using Blood-Oxygenation-Level-Dependent (BOLD)-fMRI data from 26 healthy subjects during rest (REST) and a hand closing-and-opening (HCO) task. Two principal FC states in REST and one principal FC state in HCO were identified. The first principal FC state in REST was found similar to that in HCO, which appeared to represent intrinsic network architecture and validated the broadly similar spatial patterns between REST and HCO. However, the second FC principal state in REST with much shorter “dwell time” implied the transient functional relationship between DMN and MN during REST. In addition, a more frequent shifting between two principal FC states indicated that brain network dynamically maintained a “default mode” in the motor system during REST, whereas the presence of a single principal FC state and reduced FC variability implied a more temporally stable connectivity during HCO, validating the distinct temporal patterns between REST and HCO. Our results further demonstrated that dynamic FC analysis could offer unique insights in understanding how the brain reorganizes itself during rest and task states, and the ways in which the brain adaptively responds to the cognitive requirements of tasks.
Assessing transfer property and reliability of urban bus network based on complex network theory
Authors: Zhang Hui , Zhuge Cheng-Xiang , Zhao Xiang , Song Wen-Bo
Published: January 2018

Transfer reliability has an important impact on the urban bus network. The proportion of zero and one transfer time is a key indicator to measure the connectivity of bus networks. However, it is hard to calculate the transfer time between nodes because of the complicated network structure. In this paper, the topological structures of urban bus network in Jinan are constructed by space L and space P. A method to calculate transfer times between stations has been proposed by reachable matrix under space P. The result shows that it is efficient to calculate the transfer time between nodes in large networks. In order to test the transfer reliability, a node failure process has been built according to degree, clustering coefficient and betweenness centrality under space L and space P. The results show that the deliberate attack by betweenness centrality under space P is more effective compared with other five attack modes. This research could provide a power tool to find hub stations in bus networks and give a help for traffic manager to guarantee the normal operation of urban bus systems.
Star Map Stitching Algorithm Based on Visual Principle
Authors: Qiu Shi , Zhou Dongmei , Guo Qiang , Qin Hanlin , Yan Xiang , Yang Jinlong
Published: January 2018

For the problem that the limited star map field angle cannot obtain the complete star map accurately, the paper study astral intrinsic and imaging features, a star map stitching algorithm based on the principle of visual perception is proposed firstly. The matching models of time and space dimensions is constructed by simulating the visual perception, then the stars and the planets points are saved by searching the matching star group dynamically, the star map is stitched and reconstructed efficiently by creating the computer sparse storage model. The experimental results show that the algorithm can achieve data compression quickly, compression ratio is 99.54%, which can reduce complexity of manual processing and can achieve star map stitching accurately.
SURFACE ROUGHNESS REDUCTION OF Cr-FILMS DEPOSITED FROM NOVEL DEEP EUTECTIC SOLVENT: EFFECT OF ACETYLACETONE
Authors: BARZINJY AZEEZ ABDULLAH AZEEZ
Published: January 2018

The surface roughness growth of electrodeposited chromium films was investigated with a particular focus on the impact of water and an organic additive, acetylacetone, on the surface roughness scaling, the surface morphology, and microstructure. Cr-composite films were prepared by new deep eutectic solvent and deposited on Nickel substrate utilizing the electrodeposition technique. Acetylacetone sources enhanced nucleation at the initial deposition stage, and the surface roughness of the films was reduced noticeably. The surface structure was studied by profilometry and 3D optical microscope. The low average roughness values ([Formula: see text]1.5[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m) are achieved by adding water and acetylacetone, utilizing the novel ionic liquid. The most significant of the outcomes are associated with the role of water and acetylacetone which gives a reduction not only in [Formula: see text] but also in [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The obtained outcomes are promising for Cr electrodeposition, which are capable of yielding hard chromium coatings with enhanced surface structure.
A classification of equivariant gerbe connections
Authors: Park Byungdo , Redden Corbett
Published: January 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be a compact Lie group acting on a smooth manifold [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we consider Meinrenken’s [Formula: see text]-equivariant bundle gerbe connections on [Formula: see text] as objects in a 2-groupoid. We prove this 2-category is equivalent to the 2-groupoid of gerbe connections on the differential quotient stack associated to [Formula: see text], and isomorphism classes of [Formula: see text]-equivariant gerbe connections are classified by degree 3 differential equivariant cohomology. Finally, we consider the existence and uniqueness of conjugation-equivariant gerbe connections on compact semisimple Lie groups.
Bifurcation diagrams and exact multiplicity of positive solutions of one-dimensional prescribed mean curvature equation in Minkowski space
Authors: Zhang Xuemei , Feng Meiqiang
Published: January 2018

In this paper, bifurcation diagrams and exact multiplicity of positive solution are obtained for the one-dimensional prescribed mean curvature equation in Minkowski space in the form of [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is a bifurcation parameter, [Formula: see text], the radius of the one-dimensional ball [Formula: see text], is an evolution parameter. Moreover, we make a comparison between the bifurcation diagram of one-dimensional prescribed mean curvature equation in Euclid space and Minkowski space. Our methods are based on a detailed analysis of time maps.
Pairs of nodal solutions for a Minkowski-curvature boundary value problem in a ball
Authors: Boscaggin Alberto , Garrione Maurizio
Published: January 2018

By using a shooting technique, we prove that the quasilinear boundary value problem [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is a ball and [Formula: see text], has more and more pairs of nodal solutions on growing of the parameter [Formula: see text]. The radial Neumann problem and the periodic problem for the corresponding one-dimensional equation are considered, as well.
Relative sensitivity analysis of the predictive properties of sloppy models
Authors: Myasnikova Ekaterina , Spirov Alexander
Published: January 2018

Commonly among the model parameters characterizing complex biological systems are those that do not significantly influence the quality of the fit to experimental data, so-called “sloppy” parameters. The sloppiness can be mathematically expressed through saturating response functions (Hill’s, sigmoid) thereby embodying biological mechanisms responsible for the system robustness to external perturbations. However, if a sloppy model is used for the prediction of the system behavior at the altered input (e.g. knock out mutations, natural expression variability), it may demonstrate the poor predictive power due to the ambiguity in the parameter estimates. We introduce a method of the predictive power evaluation under the parameter estimation uncertainty, Relative Sensitivity Analysis. The prediction problem is addressed in the context of gene circuit models describing the dynamics of segmentation gene expression in Drosophila embryo. Gene regulation in these models is introduced by a saturating sigmoid function of the concentrations of the regulatory gene products. We show how our approach can be applied to characterize the essential difference between the sensitivity properties of robust and non-robust solutions and select among the existing solutions those providing the correct system behavior at any reasonable input. In general, the method allows to uncover the sources of incorrect predictions and proposes the way to overcome the estimation uncertainties.
Integrating virtual screening and biochemical experimental approach to identify potential anti-cancer agents from drug databank
Authors: Deka Suman Jyoti , Roy Ashalata , Manna Debasis , Trivedi Vishal
Published: January 2018

Chemical libraries constitute a reservoir of pharmacophoric molecules to identify potent anti-cancer agents. Virtual screening of heterocyclic compound library in conjugation with the agonist-competition assay, toxicity-carcinogenicity analysis, and string-based structural searches enabled us to identify several drugs as potential anti-cancer agents targeting protein kinase C (PKC) as a target. Molecular modeling study indicates that Cinnarizine fits well within the PKC C2 domain and exhibits extensive interaction with the protein residues. Molecular dynamics simulation of PKC–Cinnarizine complex at different temperatures (300, 325, 350, 375, and 400[Formula: see text]K) confirms that Cinnarizine fits nicely into the C2 domain and forms a stable complex. The drug Cinnarizine was found to bind PKC with a dissociation constant Kd of [Formula: see text]M. The breast cancer cells stimulated with Cinnarizine causes translocation of PKC-[Formula: see text] to the plasma membrane as revealed by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence studies. Cinnarizine also dose dependently reduced the viability of MDAMB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells with an IC[Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]g/mL, respectively. It is due to the disturbance of cell cycle of breast cancer cells with reduction of S-phase and accumulation of cells in G1-phase. It disturbs mitochondrial membrane potentials to release cytochrome C into the cytosol and activates caspase-3 to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. The cell death was due to induction of apoptosis involving mitochondrial pathway. Hence, the current study has assigned an additional role to Cinnarizine as an activator of PKC and potentials of the approach to identify new molecules for anti-cancer therapy. Thus, in silico screening along with biochemical experimentation is a robust approach to assign additional roles to the drugs present in the databank for anti-cancer therapy.
An automated approach to classification of duplex assay for digital droplet PCR
Authors: Liu Cong , Zhou Wuping , Zhang Tao , Jiang Keming , Li Haiwen , Dong Wenfei
Published: January 2018

In the digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) detection process, discriminating positive droplets from negative ones directly affects the final concentration and is one of the most important factors affecting accuracy. Current automated classification methods usually discuss single-channel detections, whereas duplex detection experiments are less discussed. In this paper, we designed a classification method by estimating the upper limit of the negative droplets. The right tail of the negative droplets is approximated using a generalized Pareto distribution. Furthermore, our method takes fluorescence compensation in duplex assays into account. We also demonstrate the method on Bio-Rad’s mutant detection dataset. Experimental results show that the method provides similar or better accuracy than other algorithms reported over a wider dynamic range.
Mass spectrometric detection of chlorophyll a and the tetrapyrrole secondary metabolite tolyporphin A in the filamentous cyanobacterium HT-58-2. Approaches to high-throughput screening of intact cyanobacteria
Authors: Zhang Yunlong , Zhang Ran , Nazari Milad , Bagley Michael C. , Miller Eric S. , Williams Philip G. , Muddiman David C. , Lindsey Jonathan S.
Published: January 2018

Tolyporphins are unusual tetrapyrrole macrocycles produced by the filamentous cyanobacterium–microbial community HT-58-2, the only known source to date. Numerous cyanobacterial samples have been collected worldwide but most have not been screened for secondary metabolites. Identification of tolyporphins typically has entailed lipophilic extraction followed by chromatographic fractionation and spectroscopic and/or mass spectrometric analysis. For quantitation, lengthy lipophilic extraction, sample processing and HPLC separation are needed. Examination by MALDI-TOF-MS (with the matrix 1,5-diaminonaphthalene) of lipophilic crude extracts of small-scale HT-58-2 samples (2 mL) without chromatographic fractionation enabled semi-quantitation of tolyporphin A over a 41-day growth period. Screening for tolyporphin A in intact or slightly sheared and vortexed HT-58-2 samples (no lipophilic extraction), and confirmation of identity by tandem MS, were carried out by IR-MALDESI-FTMS. Tolyporphin A was identified by the molecular ion and four characteristic fragments. The molecular ion of chlorophyll [Formula: see text] also was observed. The sheared and vortexed sample contained substantial numbers of intact cells as demonstrated by regrowth of the filamentous cyanobacterium–microbial culture. The semi-quantitative and rapid qualitative methods developed herein should facilitate examination of other tolyporphin-producing organisms among the vast worldwide strains of cyanobacteria as well as investigation of the biosynthesis of tolyporphins.
Weakly orthomodular and dually weakly orthomodular posets
Authors: Chajda Ivan , Länger Helmut
Published: January 2018

Orthomodular posets form an algebraic semantic for the logic of quantum mechanics. We show several methods how to construct orthomodular posets via a representation within the powerset of a given set. Further, we generalize this concept to the concept of weakly orthomodular and dually weakly orthomodular posets where the complementation need not be antitone or an involution. We show several interesting examples of such posets and prove which intervals of these posets are weakly orthomodular or dually weakly orthomodular again. To every (dually) weakly orthomodular poset can be assigned an algebra with total operations, a so-called (dually) weakly orthomodular [Formula: see text]-lattice. We study properties of these [Formula: see text]-lattices and show that the variety of these [Formula: see text]-lattices has nice congruence properties.
Sensitizing of TiO2 with a merocyanine dye in the photocatalytic reduction of methylene blue
Authors: Kobasa I. M. , Kondratyeva I. V. , Kropelnytska Yu. V.
Published: January 2018

Three merocyanine dyes (D) with various polymethine chain lengths were checked for their applicability as sensitizers for TiO2. Based on the absorption data and cyclic voltammetric redox potentials, the lower unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy was calculated. The LUMO energy was higher than the conductance band edge energy of the anatase-type TiO2 for all the dyes, meaning that they all can act as efficient sensitizers for various functional materials to be used in the wide-zone visible light solar cells, toxic wastes decontamination technologies and other similar applications. Merocyanines applicability as effective sensitizing agents was approved by construction of the heterostructures (HS) D/TiO2 consisting of the merocyanines and acting as photocatalysts in the test reaction of methylene blue (MB) reduction by formaldehyde.
BHLM: Bayesian theory-based hybrid learning model for multi-document summarization
Authors: Suneetha S. , Reddy A. Venugopal
Published: January 2018

In order to understand and organize the document in an efficient way, the multi-document summarization becomes the prominent technique in the Internet world. As the information available is in a large amount, it is necessary to summarize the document for obtaining the condensed information. To perform the multi-document summarization, a new Bayesian theory-based Hybrid Learning Model (BHLM) is proposed in this paper. Initially, the input documents are preprocessed, where the stop words are removed from the document. Then, the feature of the sentence is extracted to determine the sentence score for summarizing the document. The extracted feature is then fed into the hybrid learning model for learning. Subsequently, learning feature, training error and correlation coefficient are integrated with the Bayesian model to develop BHLM. Also, the proposed method is used to assign the class label assisted by the mean, variance and probability measures. Finally, based on the class label, the sentences are sorted out to generate the final summary of the multi-document. The experimental results are validated in MATLAB, and the performance is analyzed using the metrics, precision, recall, [Formula: see text]-measure and rouge-1. The proposed model attains 99.6% precision and 75% rouge-1 measure, which shows that the model can provide the final summary efficiently.
Targeted Delivery of siRNA to Ovarian Cancer Cells Using Functionalized Graphene Oxide
Authors: Du Shibin , Wang Yunfei , Ao Junping , Wang Kai , Zhang Zhiying , Yang Linqing , Liang Xiaofei
Published: January 2018

Ovarian cancer is the highest mortality rate of all cancers in the female reproductive system. Over the past decades, small interfering RNA (si RNA) has been explored as a promising therapeutic candidate for gene therapy. However, its clinical application is limited by the lack of safe and efficient methods for gene delivery. Graphene oxide (GO) was modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyethylenimine (PEI) and folic acid (FA), for targeted delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) that inhibits ovarian cancer cell growth, and the efficacy of such complex was evaluated by a series of in vitro experiments. The synthesized vehicle PEG-GO-PEI-FA was characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), Malvern particle size analyzer, UV-visible spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the results showed that PEG, PEI and FA could be covalently grafted to GO surface, forming PEG-GO-PEI-FA particles with a size of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nm and a potential of 14.7[Formula: see text]mV. Agarose-gel electrophoresis demonstrated that siRNA can be adsorbed onto the surface of PEG-GO-PEI-FA by electrostatic interaction. Laser confocal microscopy demonstrated that siRNA-adsorbed PEG-GO-PEI-FA could be target into folate receptor (FR)-overexpressing ovarian cancer cells. Compared to the PEG-GO-PEI/siRNA without folate modification, PEG-GO-PEI-FA/siRNA showed more pronounced inhibitory effect on growth of ovarian cancer cells. In conclusion, we have successfully synthesized a vector that is safe, efficient and specific to target tumor cell for gene delivery.
Effects of Filling Technique and Light Irradiation Distance on the Push-Out Bond Strength of Dual and Light Cured Core Materials in a Direct Core Build-Up
Authors: Niitsuma Akinori , Shinya Akikazu , Shiratori Sakura , Kuroda Soichi , Hatta Minori , Gomi Harunori
Published: January 2018

This study evaluated the effects of filling technique and light irradiation distance on the push-out bond strength of dual-cured (DC) and light-cured (LC) core materials to the root canal dentin. DC and LC core materials were filled with a bovine root canal post space of 8[Formula: see text]mm deep, and polymerized under two different filling procedures, i.e., an 8[Formula: see text]mm bulk filling (I) and two times of 4[Formula: see text]mm incremental filling (II), multiplying two different light irradiation distances (0 or 5[Formula: see text]mm) from top of the root canal. After 24[Formula: see text]h water storage, specimens were horizontally sectioned to obtain [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mm thick core/dentin slices, and five slices were obtained for each root. After the slicing process, push-out tests were performed. Among all groups, the highest bond strength was observed in DCI5 (13.7 [Formula: see text] 4.3[Formula: see text]MPa), whereas the lowest was observed in LCI0 ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]MPa). Consequently, the recommended curing procedure between DC and LC core materials differed. Combination of LC core material with incremental filling technique and of DC core material with bulk filling technique indicated higher bond strength. Higher bond strength was measured at a 5[Formula: see text]mm light irradiation distance for both LC and DC core materials.
The Puerto Princesa Underground River (Palawan, Philippines): some peculiar features of a tropical, high-energy coastal karst system
Authors: Badino Giovanni , De Vivo Antonio , Forti Paolo , Piccini Leonardo
Published: January 2018

The Puerto Princesa Underground River, amongst the largest caves of the Philippine Islands, is the most visited show cave in the country, even though it has undergone no tourism adaptation at all. Its scientific importance primarily relies on the fact that it is one of the largest known underground estuaries in the world, and the effect of tides is visible along more than 7 km of the cave length. The complex relationships between sea and freshwater influence not only the hydrodynamics of the system and the speleogenetic processes presently active, but also its climate and its ecosystem. The systematic exploration and research of this coastal karst system started some 40 years ago and have shown that the Puerto Princesa Underground River is one of the most important caves in the world with regard to many different scientific fields. Speleogenesis concerns the initial phreatic solution followed by vadose erosion with periodical marine invasion, and subsequent saline/freshwater-mixing processes during sea-level highstands. The hydrodynamic behaviour of the water flowing inside the cave is rather complex, being simultaneously controlled by allogenic recharge and tides. Speleothems abundantly occur with several forms, some of which have never been described before. Several minerals, some of which are very rare, are present, together with palaeontological remains exposed by differential corrosion on rock walls. Last but not least, two large populations of bats and swiftlets sustain a complex subterranean ecosystem.