bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alterations of Mitochondrial Biology in the Oral Mucosa of Chilean Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Authors: Carrasco Manuel , Salazar Celia , Tiznado William , Ruiz Lina María
Published: April 2019

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by the impairment of socio-communicative skills and the presence of restricted and stereotyped behavior patterns. Recent researches have revealed the influence of mitochondrial physiology on the development of ASD. Several research groups have identified defects in respiratory complexes, coenzyme-Q10 deficiency, increased oxidative damage, decreased of superoxide dismutase (SOD2). A study on the influence of mitochondrial physiology on the development of ASD can provide new alternatives and challenges. That is why we set ourselves the general objective to initiate studies of mitochondrial physiology in Chilean children with ASD. A sample of oral mucosa was collected in a group of 12 children diagnosed with ASD and 12 children without ASD. In children with ASD, we found a significant increase in mitochondrial DNA levels. Likewise, in these children, an increase in the protein oxidation was observed. Finally, a downward trend in the expression of the HIGD2A and SOD2 genes was observed, while DRP1, FIS1, MFN1, MFN2, and OPA1 gene expression show an upward trend. The increment of mitochondrial DNA, high oxidative stress, and high expression of the MFN2 gene could help as a scanner of the mitochondrial function in children with ASD.
A Data-Weighted Prior Estimator for Forecast Combination
Authors: Fernández-Vázquez Esteban , Moreno Blanca , Hewings Geoffrey J.D.
Published: April 2019

Forecast combination methods reduce the information in a vector of forecasts to a single combined forecast by using a set of combination weights. Although there are several methods, a typical strategy is the use of the simple arithmetic mean to obtain the combined forecast. A priori, the use of this mean could be justified when all the forecasters have had the same performance in the past or when they do not have enough information. In this paper, we explore the possibility of using entropy econometrics as a procedure for combining forecasts that allows to discriminate between bad and good forecasters, even in the situation of little information. With this purpose, the data-weighted prior (DWP) estimator proposed by Golan (2001) is used for forecaster selection and simultaneous parameter estimation in linear statistical models. In particular, we examine the ability of the DWP estimator to effectively select relevant forecasts among all forecasts. We test the accuracy of the proposed model with a simulation exercise and compare its ex ante forecasting performance with other methods used to combine forecasts. The obtained results suggest that the proposed method dominates other combining methods, such as equal-weight averages or ordinal least squares methods, among others.
Electric Vehicle Battery Lifetime Extension through an Intelligent Double-Layer Control Scheme
Authors: Rahbari Omid , Omar Noshin , Van Mierlo Joeri , A. Rosen Marc , Coosemans Thierry , Berecibar Maitane
Published: April 2019

Electric vehicles (EVs) are recognized as promising options, not only for the decarbonization of urban areas and greening of the transportation sector, but also for increasing power system flexibility through demand-side management. Large-scale uncoordinated charging of EVs can impose negative impacts on the existing power system infrastructure regarding stability and security of power system operation. One solution to the severe grid overload issues derived from high penetration of EVs is to integrate local renewable power generation units as distributed generation units to the power system or to the charging infrastructure. To reduce the uncertainties associated with renewable power generation and load as well as to improve the process of tracking Pareto front in each time sequence, a predictive double-layer optimal power flow based on support vector regression and one-step prediction is presented in this study. The results demonstrate that, through the proposed control approach, the rate of battery degradation is reduced by lowering the number of cycles in which EVs contribute to the services that can be offered to the grid via EVs. Moreover, vehicle to grid services are found to be profitable for electricity providers but not for plug-in electric vehicle owners, with the existing battery technology and its normal degradation.
Modular Self-Balancing Battery Charger Concept for Cost-Effective Power-Assist Wheelchairs
Authors: Galkin Ilya , Blinov Andrei , Verbytskyi Ievgen , Zinchenko Denys
Published: April 2019

The paper deals with a power charger capable of quick simultaneous charging of several unevenly discharged batteries. The charger is designed for use in conjunction with a recently developed power-assist wheelchair composed of two armrest modules associated with wheels—each with its own motor, driver and battery. Uneven discharge of the batteries is very possible in this application. Taking into account the charging power and energy comparable with the most powerful household electrical devices, the refreshing of these batteries and integration of the entire power supply chain into the household grid become a topical and challenging task. Solving of this task requires a special charger that has several channels and can unevenly apply charging power to these channels. At the same time, the charger must not generate current harmonics or reactive power, must operate with good efficiency and satisfy size constraints. In the given research, a configuration of several interleaved isolated single-ended primary-inductor converters is studied. The synthesized mathematical model of the proposed charger provides data about its static and dynamic characteristics while its experimental investigation focuses on operation details (power losses, control features etc.). The obtained results prove that the proposed concept complies with the above-mentioned requirements and can be applied in the discussed application.
Solar Irradiance Forecast Using Naïve Bayes Classifier Based on Publicly Available Weather Forecasting Variables
Authors: Kwon Youngsung , Kwasinski Alexis , Kwasinski Andres
Published: April 2019

This paper develops an approach for two-day-ahead global horizontal irradiance (GHI) forecast using the naïve Bayes classifier (NB). Based on publicly available weather forecasting information about temperature, relative humidity, dew point, and sky coverage, they are used as a training set in NB classification with hourly resolution. To reduce having two times with the same GHI affecting the classification in the proposed model, two characteristics of the GHI under different weather conditions are considered: The daylight variation and diurnal cycle. More importantly, NB’s independence assumption-based on simple Bayes’ theorem makes the process speed faster and less constrained than other classification algorithms. The forecast performance is verified with several error criteria from established analytical practices using relevant statistics. Moreover, commonly used forecasting error criteria are discussed. This NB model shows improved results regarding error criteria and a good agreement for a clear day that satisfies the guideline for the evaluation of two-days-ahead forecast, when compared with other recent techniques.
Physico-Chemical, Microbiological and Sensory Evaluation of Ready-to-Use Vegetable Pâté Added with Olive Leaf Extract
Authors: Difonzo Graziana , Squeo Giacomo , Calasso Maria , Pasqualone Antonella , Caponio Francesco
Published: April 2019

The shelf-life extension implicates the reduction of food waste. Plant polyphenols can have a crucial role in the shelf-life extension of foods. Olive leaf extract (OLE) is rich in phenolic compounds such as oleuropein, which is well-known for its antioxidant properties. Physico-chemical, microbiological and sensory aspects of non-thermally stabilized olive-based pâté fortified with OLE at concentrations of 0.5 (EX0.5) and 1 mg kg−1 (EX1) were investigated. These samples were compared with olive-based pâté fortified with the synthetic antioxidant BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and with a control sample (CTR) without antioxidants. No sensory defects were perceived in all samples, even if a more intense typical olive flavour was perceived in samples containing OLE compared to those containing BHT and CTR. This result was confirmed by significantly higher levels of 2-methylbutanal and 3-methylbutanal in samples containing OLE compared to CTR and BHT. Moreover, the main microbial groups registered a significant loss of 0.5–1 logarithmic cycles in samples containing OLE, especially in EX1. The results of the present study indicate the potentiality of using OLE as natural preservatives in non-thermally stabilized olive-based pâté, since some spoilage-related microbial groups were negatively affected by the addition of OLE at the highest concentration.
New Targeted Agents in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: New Hope on the Rise
Authors: Bohl Stephan R. , Bullinger Lars , Rücker Frank G.
Published: April 2019

The therapeutic approach for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains challenging, since over the last four decades a stagnation in standard cytotoxic treatment has been observed. But within recent years, remarkable advances in the understanding of the molecular heterogeneity and complexity of this disease have led to the identification of novel therapeutic targets. In the last two years, seven new targeted agents (midostaurin, gilteritinib, enasidenib, ivosidenib, glasdegib, venetoclax and gemtuzumab ozogamicin) have received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of AML. These drugs did not just prove to have a clinical benefit as single agents but have especially improved AML patient outcomes if they are combined with conventional therapy. In this review, we will focus on currently approved and promising upcoming agents and we will discuss controversial aspects and limitations of targeted treatment strategies.
Permanent Magnet-Based Quadrupoles for Plasma Acceleration Sources
Authors: Ghaith Amin , Oumbarek Driss , Kitégi Charles , Valléau Mathieu , Marteau Fabrice , Couprie Marie-Emmanuelle
Published: April 2019

The laser plasma accelerator has shown a great promise where it uses plasma wakefields achieving gradients as high as GeV/cm. With such properties, one would be able to build much more compact accelerators, compared to the conventional RF ones, that could be used for a wide range of fundamental research and applied applications. However, the electron beam properties are quite different, in particular, the high divergence, leading to a significant growth of the emittance along the transport line. It is, thus, essential to mitigate it via a strong focusing of the electron beam to enable beam transport. High-gradient quadrupoles achieving a gradient greater than 100 T/m are key components for handling laser plasma accelerator beams. Permanent magnet technology can be used to build very compact quadrupoles capable of providing a very large gradient up to 500 T/m. We present different designs, modeled with a 3D magnetostatic code, of fixed and variable systems. We also review different quadrupoles that have already been built and one design is compared to measurements.
Regionally-Coherent Embayment Rotation: Behavioural Response to Bi-Directional Waves and Atmospheric Forcing
Authors: Wiggins Mark , Scott Tim , Masselink Gerd , Russell Paul , Valiente Nieves G.
Published: April 2019

Bi-directional wave climates often drive beach rotation, increasing erosional risk at semi-sheltered locations. Identification of rotation and forcing mechanisms is vital to future coastal defence. In this study, regional investigation of modelled wave data revealed strong bi-directionality between dominant south-westerly and sub-dominant easterly waves for 14 offshore locations along the length of the south coast of England, U.K. South-westerly wave power was well correlated to positive phases of the West Europe Pressure Anomaly (WEPA), whilst easterly wave power was well correlated with negative phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Additionally, decadal records of beach morphological change and associated wave forcing, were investigated for 22 coastal sites across the same region. Significant rotational behaviour was identified at 11 sites, leading to the creation of a rotation index. Beach rotation was attributed to shoreline angle, with the strongest rotation occurring at south-east-facing beaches, with high obliquity to dominant south-westerly waves. The beach rotation index was well correlated with the normalized balance of wave power from opposing south-westerly and easterly directions. Direct correlations between beach rotation and WEPA at two sites showed that future forecasts of atmospheric indices may allow prediction of rotational beach state, at seasonal scales.
Ability of Vital and Fluorescent Staining in the Differentiation of Schistosoma haematobium Live and Dead Eggs
Authors: Forson Peter O. , Tetteh-Quarcoo Patience B. , Ahenkorah John , Aryee Robert , Okine Esther N. , Afutu Emmanuel , Djameh Georgina I. , Agyapong Jeffrey , Anang Abraham K. , Ayeh-Kumi Patrick F.
Published: April 2019

This study reports (for the first time) the staining ability of vital (0.4% trypan blue and 1% neutral red) and fluorescent (Hoechst 33258) dyes to differentiate between live and dead Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium) eggs in human urine samples. Since S. haematobium egg is important in disease pathology, diagnosis, transmission, and drug development research, it is essential to be able to easily distinguish live eggs from dead ones. Staining is considered a way of enhancing the identification of live and dead eggs. Urine samples from school children were examined for the presence of S. haematobium eggs. Vital and fluorescent dyes were used to stain the samples that contained S. haematobium eggs, after which they were observed using light and fluorescent microscopes, respectively. The Hoechst 33258 provided a good staining outcome for differentiation between live and dead eggs, followed by 0.4% Trypan blue. Regarding the 1% neutral red stain, even though it provided some evidence of which egg was alive or dead, the distinction was not very clear; therefore, it could be useful when used in combination with other stains for egg viability determination. The benefits of this study will include assessing the effect of drugs on S. haematobium eggs in Schistosomiasis research.
An Efficient Synthesis of Aryl-Substituted Pyrroles by the Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling Reaction of SEM-Protected Pyrroles
Authors: Cui Keli , Gao Meng , Zhao Hongyi , Zhang Dongfeng , Yan Hong , Huang Haihong
Published: April 2019

An efficient arylation of SEM-protected pyrroles by the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction has been developed. The reaction can be carried out under mild conditions to provide aryl-substituted pyrroles in moderate to excellent yields. The scope and limitations of the methodology were evaluated, and the reaction was tolerant of a wide range of functionalities. Compared to the reported methods, the protocol has some advantages, such as commercially available materials, no debrominated by-products being formed, and the amine-protecting group being stable under the reaction conditions. The synthetic utility of the product has also been demonstrated, with several common transformations of the aryl-substituted pyrrole product being conducted. This protocol will offer the opportunity to explore other metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions employing SEM-protected pyrroles.
Identification of N-Acetyl-S-(3-Cyano-2-(Methylsulfanyl)Propyl-Cysteine as a Major Human Urine Metabolite from the Epithionitrile 1-Cyano-2,3-Epithiopropane, the Main Glucosinolate Hydrolysis Product from Cabbage
Authors: Hanschen Franziska S. , Baldermann Susanne , Brobrowski Adrian , Maikath Andrea , Wiesner-Reinhold Melanie , Rohn Sascha , Schreiner Monika
Published: April 2019

Brassica vegetables such as cabbage or pak choi contain alkenyl glucosinolates which can release epithionitriles and to a lesser degree isothiocyanates upon enzymatic hydrolysis. Here, for the first time, the metabolism of an epithionitrile was investigated in humans, namely 1-cyano-2,3-epithiopropane (CETP). After consumption of Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. alba and Brassica carinata sprouts, the main urinary metabolite of CETP was identified as N-acetyl-S-(3-cyano-2-(methylsulfanyl)propyl-cysteine using an UHPLC-ESI-QToF-MS approach and synthesis of the metabolite. This urinary epithionitrile metabolite is an S-methylated mercapturic acid. No other metabolites were detected. Then, in a preliminary pilot experiment the excretion kinetics of CETP were investigated in three volunteers. After consumption of a B. carinata sprout preparation containing 50.8 µmol of CETP, urinary N-acetyl-S-(3-cyano-2-(methylsulfanyl)propyl-cysteine concentrations were the highest three hours after consumption, ranging from 23.9 to 37.2 µM, and declined thereafter. Thus, epithionitriles are bioavailable compounds that are metabolized similarly to isothiocyanates by the mercapturic acid pathway. In the future, more epithionitrile metabolites should be identified and the pharmacokinetics of these important class of dietary compounds should be assessed in more detail.
Beer or Ethanol Effects on the Body Composition Response to High-Intensity Interval Training. The BEER-HIIT Study
Authors: Molina-Hidalgo Cristina , De-la-O Alejandro , Jurado-Fasoli Lucas , Amaro-Gahete Francisco J. , Castillo Manuel J.
Published: April 2019

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is promoted as a time-efficient strategy to improve body composition but concomitant beer intake, which is common among physically active individuals, may interfere with these effects. The primary aim of this study is to determine the effects of a 10-week (2 days/week) HIIT program on anthropometric and body composition measurements, and to assess whether those effects are influenced by the moderate consumption of beer (at least 5 days/week), or its alcohol equivalent. Young (24 ± 6 years old) healthy adults (n = 72, 35 females) volunteered for a non-training group (Non-Training group) or for HIIT training. Those going for training choose whether they preferred to receive alcohol or not. Those choosing alcohol were randomly allocated for receiving beer (5.4%; T-Beer group) or the equivalent amount of alcohol (vodka; T-Ethanol group) in sparkling water. Those choosing no-alcohol were randomly allocated for receiving alcohol-free beer (0.0%; T-0.0Beer group) or sparkling water (T-Water group). From Monday through Friday, men ingested 330 mL of the beverage with lunch and 330 mL with dinner; women ingested 330 mL with dinner. Before and after the intervention, anthropometry and body composition, through dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry, were measured. No changes in body mass, waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, visceral adipose tissue or bone mineral density occurred in any of the groups. By contrast, in all the training groups, significant decreases in fat mass together with increases in lean mass (all p < 0.05) occurred. These positive effects were not influenced by the regular intake of beer or alcohol. In conclusion, a moderate beer intake does not blunt the positive effect of 10-week HIIT on body composition in young healthy adults.
An Albumin Biopassive Polyallylamine Film with Improved Blood Compatibility for Metal Devices
Authors: Lin Shuang , Li Xin , Wang Kebing , Shang Tengda , Zhou Lei , Zhang Lu , Wang Jin , Huang Nan
Published: April 2019

Nowadays, a variety of materials are employed to make numerous medical devices, including metals, polymers, ceramics, and others. Blood-contact devices are one of the major classes of these medical devices, and they have been widely applied in clinical settings. Blood-contact devices usually need to have good mechanical properties to maintain clinical performance. Metal materials are one desirable candidate to fabricate blood-contact devices due to their excellent mechanical properties and machinability, although the blood compatibility of existing blood-contact devices is better than other medical devices, such as artificial joints and artificial crystals. However, blood coagulation still occurs when these devices are used in clinical settings. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new generation of blood-contact devices with fewer complications, and the key factor is to develop novel biomaterials with good blood compatibility. In this work, one albumin biopassive polyallylamine film was successfully established onto the 316L stainless steel (SS) surface. The polyallylamine film was prepared by plasma polymerization in the vacuum chamber, and then polyallylamine film was annealed at 150 °C for 1 h. The chemical compositions of the plasma polymerized polyallylamine film (PPAa) and the annealed polyallylamine film (HT-PPAa) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR). Then, the wettability, surface topography, and thickness of the PPAa and HT-PPAa were also evaluated. HT-PPAa showed increased stability when compared with PPAa film. The major amino groups remained on the surface of HT-PPAa after annealing, indicating that this could be a good platform for numerous molecules’ immobilization. Subsequently, the bovine serum albumin (BSA) was immobilized onto the HT-PPAa surface. The successful introduction of the BSA was confirmed by the FTIR and XPS detections. The blood compatibility of these modified films was evaluated by platelets adhesion and activation assays. The number of the platelets that adhered on BSA-modified HT-PPAa film was significantly decreased, and the activation degree of the adhered platelets was also decreased. These data revealed that the blood compatibility of the polyallylamine film was improved after BSA immobilized. This work provides a facile and effective approach to develop novel surface treatment for new-generation blood-contact devices with improved hemocompatibility.
Sun-Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence III: Benchmarking Retrieval Methods and Sensor Characteristics for Proximal Sensing
Authors: Cendrero-Mateo M. Pilar , Wieneke Sebastian , Damm Alexander , Alonso Luis , Pinto Francisco , Moreno Jose , Guanter Luis , Celesti Marco , Rossini Micol , Sabater Neus , Cogliati Sergio , Julitta Tommaso , Rascher Uwe , Goulas Yves , Aasen Helge , Pacheco-Labrador Javier , Mac Arthur Alasdair
Published: April 2019

The interest of the scientific community on the remote observation of sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) has increased in the recent years. In this context, hyperspectral ground measurements play a crucial role in the calibration and validation of future satellite missions. For this reason, the European cooperation in science and technology (COST) Action ES1309 OPTIMISE has compiled three papers on instrument characterization, measurement setups and protocols, and retrieval methods (current paper). This study is divided in two sections; first, we evaluated the uncertainties in SIF retrieval methods (e.g., Fraunhofer line depth (FLD) approaches and spectral fitting method (SFM)) for a combination of off-the-shelf commercial spectrometers. Secondly, we evaluated how an erroneous implementation of the retrieval methods increases the uncertainty in the estimated SIF values. Results show that the SFM approach applied to high-resolution spectra provided the most reliable SIF retrieval with a relative error (RE) ≤6% and <5% for F687 and F760, respectively. Furthermore, although the SFM was the least affected by an inaccurate definition of the absorption spectral window (RE = 5%) and/or interpolation strategy (RE = 15–30%), we observed a sensitivity of the SIF retrieval for the simulated training data underlying the SFM model implementation.
SPA-Based Methods for the Quantitative Estimation of the Soil Salt Content in Saline-Alkali Land from Field Spectroscopy Data: A Case Study from the Yellow River Irrigation Regions
Authors: Wang Sijia , Chen Yunhao , Wang Mingguo , Zhao Yifei , Li Jing
Published: April 2019

The problem of soil salinization has always been a global problem involving resource, environmental, and ecological issues, and is closely related to the sustainable development of the social economy. Remote sensing provides an effective technical means for soil salinity identification and quantification research. This study focused on the estimation of the soil salt content in saline-alkali soils and applied the Successive Projections Algorithm (SPA) method to the estimation model; twelve spectral forms were applied in the estimation model of the spectra and soil salt content. Regression modeling was performed using the Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) method. Proximal-field spectral measurements data and soil samples were collected in the Yellow River Irrigation regions of Shizuishan City. A total of 60 samples were collected. The results showed that application of the SPA method improved the modeled determination coefficient (R2) and the ratio of performance to deviation (RPD), and reduced the modeled root mean square error (RMSE) and the percentage root mean square error (RMSE%); the maximum value of R2 increased by 0.22, the maximum value of RPD increased by 0.97, the maximum value of the RMSE decreased by 0.098 and the maximum value of the RMSE% decreased by 8.52%. The SPA–PLSR model, based on the first derivative of reflectivity (FD), the FD–SPA–PLSR model, showed the best results, with an R2 value of 0.89, an RPD value of 2.72, an RMSE value of 0.177, and RMSE% value of 11.81%. The results of this study demonstrated the applicability of the SPA method in the estimation of soil salinity, by using field spectroscopy data. The study provided a reference for a subsequent study of the hyperspectral estimation of soil salinity, and the proximal sensing data from a low distance, in this study, could provide detailed data for use in future remote sensing studies.
Multiple Flights or Single Flight Instrument Fusion of Hyperspectral and ALS Data? A Comparison of their Performance for Vegetation Mapping
Authors: Sławik Łukasz , Niedzielko Jan , Kania Adam , Piórkowski Hubert , Kopeć Dominik
Published: April 2019

Fusion of remote sensing data often improves vegetation mapping, compared to using data from only a single source. The effectiveness of this fusion is subject to many factors, including the type of data, collection method, and purpose of the analysis. In this study, we compare the usefulness of hyperspectral (HS) and Airborne Laser System (ALS) data fusion acquired in separate flights, Multiple Flights Data Fusion (MFDF), and during a single flight through Instrument Fusion (IF) for the classification of non-forest vegetation. An area of 6.75 km2 was selected, where hyperspectral and ALS data was collected during two flights in 2015 and one flight in 2017. This data was used to classify three non-forest Natura 2000 habitats i.e., Xeric sand calcareous grasslands (code 6120), alluvial meadows of river valleys of the Cnidion dubii (code 6440), species-rich Nardus grasslands (code 6230) using a Random Forest classifier. Our findings show that it is not possible to determine which sensor, HS, or ALS used independently leads to a higher classification accuracy for investigated Natura 2000 habitats. Concurrently, increased stability and consistency of classification results was confirmed, regardless of the type of fusion used; IF, MFDF and varied information relevance of single sensor data. The research shows that the manner of data collection, using MFDF or IF, does not determine the level of relevance of ALS or HS data. The analysis of fusion effectiveness, gauged as the accuracy of the classification result and time consumed for data collection, has shown a superiority of IF over MFDF. IF delivered classification results that are more accurate compared to MFDF. IF is always cheaper than MFDF and the difference in effectiveness of both methods becomes more pronounced when the area of aerial data collection becomes larger.
Improved Reconstruction of MR Scanned Images by Using a Dictionary Learning Scheme
Authors: Ikram Shahid , Shah Jawad Ali , Zubair Syed , Qureshi Ijaz Mansoor , Bilal Muhammad
Published: April 2019

The application of compressed sensing (CS) to biomedical imaging is sensational since it permits a rationally accurate reconstruction of images by exploiting the image sparsity. The quality of CS reconstruction methods largely depends on the use of various sparsifying transforms, such as wavelets, curvelets or total variation (TV), to recover MR images. As per recently developed mathematical concepts of CS, the biomedical images with sparse representation can be recovered from randomly undersampled data, provided that an appropriate nonlinear recovery method is used. Due to high under-sampling, the reconstructed images have noise like artifacts because of aliasing. Reconstruction of images from CS involves two steps, one for dictionary learning and the other for sparse coding. In this novel framework, we choose Simultaneous code word optimization (SimCO) patch-based dictionary learning that updates the atoms simultaneously, whereas Focal underdetermined system solver (FOCUSS) is used for sparse representation because of a soft constraint on sparsity of an image. Combining SimCO and FOCUSS, we propose a new scheme called SiFo. Our proposed alternating reconstruction scheme learns the dictionary, uses it to eliminate aliasing and noise in one stage, and afterwards restores and fills in the k-space data in the second stage. Experiments were performed using different sampling schemes with noisy and noiseless cases of both phantom and real brain images. Based on various performance parameters, it has been shown that our designed technique outperforms the conventional techniques, like K-SVD with OMP, used in dictionary learning based MRI (DLMRI) reconstruction.
Minimum Connected Dominating Set Algorithms for Ad Hoc Sensor Networks
Authors: Sun Xuemei , Yang Yongxin , Ma Maode
Published: April 2019

To achieve effective communication in ad hoc sensor networks, researchers have been working on finding a minimum connected dominating set (MCDS) as a virtual backbone network in practice. Presently, many approximate algorithms have been proposed to construct MCDS, the best among which is adopting the two-stage idea, that is, to construct a maximum independent set (MIS) firstly and then realize the connectivity through the Steiner tree construction algorithm. For the first stage, this paper proposes an improved collaborative coverage algorithm for solving maximum independent set (IC-MIS), which expands the selection of the dominating point from two-hop neighbor to three-hop neighbor. The coverage efficiency has been improved under the condition of complete coverage. For the second stage, this paper respectively proposes an improved Kruskal–Steiner tree construction algorithm (IK–ST) and a maximum leaf nodes Steiner tree construction algorithm (ML-ST), both of which can make the result closer to the optimal solution. Finally, the simulation results show that the algorithm proposed in this paper is a great improvement over the previous algorithm in optimizing the scale of the connected dominating set (CDS).
Designing a User Participation-Based Bike Rebalancing Service
Authors: Ban Seonghoon , Hyun Kyung Hoon
Published: April 2019

The Bicycle-sharing System (BSS) has been globally adopted as a sustainable transportation system that helps improve air pollution, public health and traffic congestion. The increased usage of BSSs requires an increased number of rebalancing trucks to distribute bikes throughout the city. Operating rebalancing trucks is an expensive venture that requires intensive manpower that is dependent on traffic congestion. In this background, a user participation-based rebalancing service was introduced to solve the problem, but it was difficult to test the impact of the service and the estimated cost in the city. Thus, this research proposes a simulation system that tests user participation-based rebalancing services with different user parameters such as the amount of incentives, the user participation rate and extra walking distances. We conducted an incentive survey on actual BSS users to determine the accurate values of these parameters. We also identified that, among the three parameters, extra walking distance is the most influential element on which to improve the rebalance imbalance metric. We found that the incentive coefficient is an important variable in determining the estimated cost of the service. Thus, any city can utilize the proposed system to design a user participation-based rebalancing service that is suitable for their city.
Does Farmland Rental Contribute to Reduction of Agrochemical Use? A Case of Grain Production in Gansu Province, China
Authors: Liu Ying , Wang Chenggang , Tang Zeng , Nan Zhibiao
Published: April 2019

As a consequence of the new strategy to boost productivity capacity and ensure food security, China’s farmland rental market is developing rapidly, and its impacts on agricultural productivity have been extensively studied. However, the impacts of farmland rental on food safety have not been considered. The aim of this study was to determine the causal effects of farmland rental on fertilizer and pesticide use in wheat and maize production and evaluate the potential effects of this activity on food safety. Survey data obtained from 900 households in eight counties in Gansu province were used in this study, and the propensity score matching (PSM) method was employed to solve selection bias problems with the data. The results showed that farmland rental significantly reduced fertilizer and pesticide use in wheat and maize production, implying a potential reduction in heavy metal contamination of food and drinking water as well as less pesticide residues-remaining in food and contamination of environment. Also, households renting land were more likely to adopt new agricultural technologies and management methods and to acquire more agricultural acknowledges and information than those not renting land and renting out land. Thus, farmland rental is a benefit to the application of new agricultural technologies and management methods, to rational use of agrochemicals, and finally to food safety and environmental conservation. Policies such as encouraging farmland rental, enhancing education of farmers, improving technological innovation, and providing better information transfer should help ensure not only “enough food” but also “safe food”.
Spatial Assessment of Urban Climate Change Vulnerability during Different Urbanization Phases
Authors: He Cheng , Zhou Liguo , Ma Weichun , Wang Yuan
Published: April 2019

In urban areas, concentrated populations and societal changes intensify the influence of climate change. However, few studies have focused on vulnerability to climate-related risks on the scale of a single urban area. Against this backdrop, we reconstructed a spatial vulnerability framework based on the drivers-pressures-state-impact-response (DPSIR) model to reflect the complex interactions between urbanization and climate change and to integrate the natural and socio-economic factors of urban areas into this framework. Furthermore, to explore the relationship between rapid urbanization and climate change, we studied data from two years that represented different stages of urbanization. The results showed that the index framework was able to reconcile these two concepts to reflect the complex interactions between urbanization and climate change. The assessment results indicate that the overall degree of climate change vulnerability exhibits a generally increasing and dispersing trend after rapid urbanization. The increasing trend is influenced by an increase in low-vulnerability areas, and the dispersing trend is influenced by anthropogenic activities caused by rapid urbanization. The changes are reflected in the following observations: 1. The suburbs are affected by their own natural environmental characteristics and rapid urbanization; the vulnerability level has risen in most areas but has declined in certain inland areas. 2. High-vulnerability regions show minor changes during this stage due to the lasting impact of climate change. Finally, the main environmental problems faced by high-vulnerability areas are discussed based on existing research.
Corporate Social Responsibility: Understanding the Mining Stakeholder with a Case Study
Authors: Que Sisi , Wang Liang , Awuah-Offei Kwame , Yang Wei , Jiang Hui
Published: April 2019

The social responsibility of corporate mining has been challenged by a significant socio-political risk from local communities. These issues reduce shareholder value by increasing costs and decreasing the market perception of corporate social responsibility. Community engagement is the process of understanding the behavior and interests of a group of targeted mining communities through surveys and data analysis, with the purpose of incorporating mining community acceptance into the mining sustainability. While mining organizations have discussed community engagement to varying degrees, there are three main shortcomings in current studies, as concluded in the authors’ previous research. This paper presents a framework to apply discrete choice theory to improve mining community engagement and corporate mining social responsibility. In addition, this paper establishes the main technical challenges to implement the developed framework, and presents methods to overcome the challenges for future research with a case study. The contribution of this research will transform mine sustainability in a fundamental way by facilitating the incorporation of effective community engagement. This will lead to more sustainable mines that local communities support.
Derivative Free Fourth Order Solvers of Equations with Applications in Applied Disciplines
Authors: Behl Ramandeep , Argyros Ioannis K. , Mallawi Fouad Othman , Tenreiro Machado J. A.
Published: April 2019

This paper develops efficient equation solvers for real- and complex-valued functions. An earlier study by Lee and Kim, used the Taylor-type expansions and hypotheses on higher than first order derivatives, but no derivatives appeared in the suggested method. However, we have many cases where the calculations of the fourth derivative are expensive, or the result is unbounded, or even does not exist. We only use the first order derivative of function Ω in the proposed convergence analysis. Hence, we expand the utilization of the earlier scheme, and we study the computable radii of convergence and error bounds based on the Lipschitz constants. Furthermore, the range of starting points is also explored to know how close the initial guess should be considered for assuring convergence. Several numerical examples where earlier studies cannot be applied illustrate the new technique.
The Significance of Groundwater Flow Modeling Study for Simulation of Opencast Mine Dewatering, Flooding, and the Environmental Impact
Authors: Szczepiński Jacek
Published: April 2019

Simulations of open pit mines dewatering, their flooding, and environmental impact assessment are performed using groundwater flow models. They must take into consideration both regional groundwater conditions and the specificity of mine dewatering operations. This method has been used to a great extent in Polish opencast mines since the 1970s. However, the use of numerical models in mining hydrogeology has certain limitations resulting from existing uncertainties as to the assumed hydrogeological parameters and boundary conditions. They include shortcomings in the identification of hydrogeological conditions, cyclic changes of precipitation and evaporation, changes resulting from land management due to mining activity, changes in mining work schedules, and post-mining void flooding. Even though groundwater flow models used in mining hydrogeology have numerous limitations, they still provide the most comprehensive information concerning the mine dewatering and flooding processes and their influence on the environment. However, they will always require periodical verification based on new information on the actual response of the aquifer system to the mine drainage and the actual climate conditions, as well as up-to-date schedules of deposit extraction and mine closure.
ДАВНЬОРУСЬКА ГРОМАДА – ВИТОКИ МІСЦЕВОЇ САМОВРЯДНОСТІ
Authors: Бутирін Євген
Published: April 2019

Досліджується феномен громади в контексті витоків територіального самоврядування в соціально-економічній системі східнослов’янського суспільства. Надається характеристика основних рис громадського суспільного устрою, показано його вплив на процеси державогенезу
Dehumanization in the Novel of Socialist Realism
Authors: Sulko Lirim
Published: April 2019

Yuri Lotman affirms that the concept of the text is not absolute, but makes sense in a relationship with a historical, cultural and psychological structure that accompanies it. He considers every text "... determined by those socio-historical, national and psycho-anthropological reasons, which form the artistic models of life” [1] So in a totalitarian regime, in other words dehumanized, the novel of socialist realism not only avoids the modern literary tendency, but manages to show dehumanization even in its formal-narrative aspect. Thus, in the conditions when the totalitarian regime aims at installing a 'new man', the novel of socialist realism also through censorship aims its promotion ('the new man’). In the formal-narrative aspect, the novel of Socialist realism emphasizes the authoritative mode of confession, in the sense of full submission of the character (meaning the reader, who is identified with the character throughout the reading process) to the total information within the literary work owned by the author in cooperation with the narrator, but at the same time proclaims as 'heretic' the narrative ways that liberated the character from the submission without glory of the pair author-narrator. As such, it (the novel of socialist realism) is / becomes thus a direct expression of dehumanization.

 

[1]Y. Lotman,"The Text and extra-textual artistic structures", quoted by F. Dado in "Uninterpretate Literature", Bota Shqiptare, Tiranë, 2010, f. 126.
Creative Teaching Methods in English Language Teaching
Authors: Kamberi Spahiu Edita
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Heck- and Suzuki-coupling approaches to novel hydroquinone inhibitors of calcium ATPase
Authors: Kempton Robert J , Kidd-Kautz Taylor A , Laurenceau Soizic , Paula Stefan
Published: April 2019

In this study, we explored Heck- and Suzuki-coupling methodology to modify the template 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone (BHQ, 2), an inhibitor of the enzyme sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA). We found that by utilizing Suzuki coupling, we could successfully attach a six-carbon tether to BHQ that terminated in a leucine moiety to obtain target 14. Similar to related compounds based on the structure of the natural product thapsigargin, 14 displayed inhibitory potency against SERCA activity. This makes 14 a suitable candidate for the future attachment of a deactivating peptide to convey specificity for prostate cancer cells.
Expanding the Sample: The Relationship between the Black Hole Mass of BCGs and the Total Mass of Galaxy Clusters
Authors: Phipps Frederika , Bogdán Ákos , Lovisari Lorenzo , Kovács Orsolya E. , Volonteri Marta , Dubois Yohan
Published: April 2019

Supermassive black holes (BHs) residing in brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) are overly massive when considering the local relationships between the BH mass and stellar bulge mass or velocity dispersion. Because of the location of these BHs within the cluster, large-scale cluster processes may aid the growth of BHs in BCGs. In this work, we study a sample of 71 galaxy clusters to explore the relationship between the BH mass, stellar bulge mass of the BCG, and the total gravitating mass of the host clusters. Because of difficulties in obtaining dynamically measured BH masses in distant galaxies, we use the Fundamental Plane relationship of BHs to infer their masses. We utilize X-ray observations taken by Chandra to measure the temperature of the intracluster medium, which is a proxy for the total mass of the cluster. We analyze the M
BH–kT and M
BH–M
bulge relationships and establish the best-fitting power laws:

 = −0.35+2.08

and

 = −1.09+1.92

. Both relations are comparable with that established earlier for a sample of brightest group/cluster galaxies with dynamically measured BH masses. Although both the M
BH–kT and the M
BH–M
bulge relationships exhibit large intrinsic scatter, on the basis of Monte Carlo simulations, we conclude that dominant fraction of the scatter originates from the Fundamental Plane relationship. We split the sample into cool core and noncool core resembling clusters but do not find statistically significant differences in the M
BH–kT relation. We speculate that the overly massive BHs in BCGs may be due to frequent mergers and cool gas inflows onto the cluster center.
Galaxies of the z ∼ 2 Universe. I. Grism-selected Rest-frame Optical Emission-line Galaxies
Authors: Bowman William P. , Zeimann Gregory R. , Ciardullo Robin , Gronwall Caryl , Schneider Donald P. , McCarron Adam P. , Weiss Laurel H. , Yang Guang , Hagen Alex
Published: April 2019

Euclid, the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope, and the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment (HETDEX) will make emission-line selected galaxies the largest observed constituent in the z > 1 universe. However, we only have a limited understanding of the physical properties of galaxies selected via their Lyα or rest-frame optical emission lines. To address this problem, we present the basic properties of ∼2000 All-Wavelength Extended Groth Strip International Survey, Cosmological Evolution Survey, Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey-North, Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey-South, and Ultra Deep Survey galaxies identified in the redshift range 1.90 < z < 2.35 via their [O ii], Hβ, and [O iii] emission lines in the 3D-Hubble Space Telescope survey. For these z ∼ 2 galaxies, [O iii] is generally much brighter than [O ii] and Hβ, with typical rest-frame equivalent widths of several hundred Angstroms. Moreover, these strong emission-line systems span an extremely wide range of stellar mass (∼3 dex), star formation rate (∼2 dex), and [O iii] luminosity (∼2 dex). Comparing the distributions of these properties to those of continuum-selected galaxies, we find that emission-line galaxies have systematically lower stellar masses and lower optical/UV dust attenuations. These measurements lay the groundwork for an extensive comparison between these rest-frame optical emission-line galaxies and Lyα emitters identified in the HETDEX survey.
Theatre and Leadership Crises
Authors: Tsaku Hussaini Umaru
Published: April 2019

One major crisis that has hit this country in the face for a long time is the Niger Delta crisis. The environmental degradation in the Niger Delta, poverty, unemployment, among others have become recurrent decimals and issues of serious concern to scholars, organizations, interest groups, and spirited individuals over the years. These issues have led to the emergence of violent crises with their attendant consequences on human life and the environment. Hence, the chapter focuses on the Niger Delta crises. It tries to analyze the socio-political and economic problems that have characterized the region over the years. It discusses the challenges and paradoxes of leadership in Nigeria's democratic space and how they have contributed negatively in fueling the crisis in the Niger Delta region of the country.