bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of Conducting Polyacrylate Resin Solution with Polyaniline Nanofiber and Graphene for Conductive 3D Printing Application
Authors: Han Hoseong , Cho Sunghun
Published: September 2018

Three-dimensional printing based on the digital light processing (DLP) method offers solution processability, fast printing time, and high-quality printing through selective light curing of photopolymers. This research relates to a method of dispersing polyaniline nanofibers (PANI NFs) and graphene sheets in a polyacrylate resin solution for optimizing the conductive solution suitable for DLP-type 3D printing. Dispersion and morphology of the samples with different filler contents were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and optical microscope (OM) analyses. The polyacrylate composite solution employing the PANI NFs and graphene was printed well with various shapes and sizes through the 3D printing of DLP technology. In addition, the electrical properties of the printed sculptures have been investigated using a 4-point probe measurement system. The printed sculpture containing the PANI NFs and graphene sheets exhibited electrical conductivity (4.00 × 10−9 S/cm) up to 107 times higher than the pure polyacrylate (1.1 × 10−16 S/cm). This work suggests potential application of the PANI NF/graphene cofiller system for DLP-type 3D printing.
Country Risk Ratings and Stock Market Returns in Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRICS) Countries: A Nonlinear Dynamic Approach
Authors: Ben Nasr Adnen , Cunado Juncal , Demirer Rıza , Gupta Rangan
Published: September 2018

This study examines the linkages between Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRICS) stock market returns, country risk ratings, and international factors via Non-linear Auto Regressive Distributed Lags models (NARDL) that allow for testing the asymmetric effects of changes in country risk ratings on stock market returns. We show that BRICS countries exhibit quite a degree of heterogeneity in the interaction of their stock market returns with country-specific political, financial, and economic risk ratings. Positive and negative rating changes in some BRICS countries are found to have significant implications for both local stock market returns, as well as commodity price dynamics. While the commodity market acts as a catalyst for these emerging stock markets in the long-run, we also observe that negative changes in the country risk ratings generally command a higher impact on stock returns, implying the greater impact of bad news on market dynamics. Our findings suggest that not all BRICS nations are the same in terms of how they react to ratings changes and how they interact with global market variables.
Reconfiguration Analysis of an RRRRS Single-Loop Mechanism
Authors: Ruggiu Maurizio , Kong Xianwen
Published: September 2018

The paper deals with the reconfiguration analysis of the single-loop variable degree-of-freedom (DOF) RRRRS mechanism composed of five links connected by four revolute (R) joints and one spherical (S) joint. The mechanism may show two modes of motion: one-DOF and two-DOF motion. In the paper, a classical vector procedure is used to obtain the quartic motion equation (QME) that allows one to inspect the nature of the motion. In general, the solutions of the QME provide the one-DOF motion of the mechanism except when all the coefficients of the equation vanish. In this case, the mechanism undergoes the two-DOF motion. The motion of the mechanism built according to two specific architectures was analyzed by the numerical solutions of the QME and with the help of the solid model of the mechanism. It is revealed for the first time that the perpendicular architecture has one 2-DOF motion and two 1-DOF motion modes.
Target Recognition of SAR Images via Matching Attributed Scattering Centers with Binary Target Region
Authors: Tan Jian , Fan Xiangtao , Wang Shenghua , Ren Yingchao
Published: September 2018

A target recognition method of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images is proposed via matching attributed scattering centers (ASCs) to binary target regions. The ASCs extracted from the test image are predicted as binary regions. In detail, each ASC is first transformed to the image domain based on the ASC model. Afterwards, the resulting image is converted to a binary region segmented by a global threshold. All the predicted binary regions of individual ASCs from the test sample are mapped to the binary target regions of the corresponding templates. Then, the matched regions are evaluated by three scores which are combined as a similarity measure via the score-level fusion. In the classification stage, the target label of the test sample is determined according to the fused similarities. The proposed region matching method avoids the conventional ASC matching problem, which involves the assignment of ASC sets. In addition, the predicted regions are more robust than the point features. The Moving and Stationary Target Acquisition and Recognition (MSTAR) dataset is used for performance evaluation in the experiments. According to the experimental results, the method in this study outperforms some traditional methods reported in the literature under several different operating conditions. Under the standard operating condition (SOC), the proposed method achieves very good performance, with an average recognition rate of 98.34%, which is higher than the traditional methods. Moreover, the robustness of the proposed method is also superior to the traditional methods under different extended operating conditions (EOCs), including configuration variants, large depression angle variation, noise contamination, and partial occlusion.
3D Measurement Simulation and Relative Pointing Error Verification of the Telescope Mount Assembly Subsystem for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope
Authors: Mutilba Unai , Kortaberria Gorka , Egaña Fernando , Yagüe-Fabra Jose Antonio
Published: September 2018

An engineering validation of a large optical telescope consists of executing major performing tests at the subsystem level to verify the overall engineering performance of the observatory. Thus, the relative pointing error verification of the telescope mount assembly subsystem is of special interest to guarantee the absolute pointing performance of the large synoptic survey telescope. This paper presents a new verification method for the relative pointing error assessment of the telescope mount assembly, based on laser tracker technology and several fiducial points fixed to the floor. Monte-Carlo-based simulation results show that the presented methodology is fit for purpose, even if floor movement occurs due to temperature variation during the measurement acquisition process. A further research about laser tracker technology integration into the telescope structure may suggest that such laser tracker technology could be permanently installed in the telescope in order to provide an active alignment system that aims to detect and correct possible misalignment between mirrors or to provide the required mirror positioning verification accuracy after maintenance activities. The obtained results show that two on-board laser tracker systems combined with eight measurement targets could result in measurement uncertainties that are better than 1 arcsec, which would provide a reliable built-in metrology tool for large telescopes.
A Sensor Control Model for Cabled Seafloor Observatories in the East China Sea
Authors: Yu Yang , Xu Huiping , Xu Changwei
Published: September 2018

Seafloor observatories enable real-time, continuous and long-term observations that promise major breakthroughs in ocean sciences. The effort to dynamically control in situ sensor systems performing individual and cooperative observation tasks is both a challenge and a guarantee for the stable operations of functional observatories. However, current sensor control systems for seafloor observatories are application-oriented and focus on specific engineering requirements rather than general model research. In this paper, a sensor control model was proposed to provide a theoretical specification for designing, developing and deploying a sensor control system for cabled seafloor observatories. The model abstracted the sensor control as a standardized bidirectional information flow process and accordingly structured the control system into the application layer, the service layer, the networking layer, and the sensing layer. The layered functions and interactions between adjacent layers in return realized this information process. A prototype control system was designed and developed, the monitoring architecture of which was derived from one of the deployment scenarios of the sensor control model. The prototype system was tested for its plug-and-play enablement through a series of trials such as tank tests and shallow sea trials. It was put into service for the operational Xiaoqushan Seafloor Observatory and was consistently functioning and presenting satisfactory practical performance in accordance with all the requirements laid for the project.
Symbolism, Collective Identity, and Community Development
Authors: Garcia Ivis
Published: September 2018

A focal point of this article is symbols (e.g., flags) and how low-income communities use them to construct ownership over spaces that would have otherwise been inaccessible to them. This conception of contested ownership through symbolism helps us to elaborate the main point of this article: how low-income communities continuously battle gentrification through symbols. The following article employs interviews and a theoretical framework on symbols and collective ethnic identity to understand how they operate in the appropriation of space by applying a case study of Humboldt Park, Chicago, and the Puerto Rican community.
Open Innovation and Social Big Data for Sustainability: Evidence from the Tourism Industry
Authors: Del Vecchio Pasquale , Mele Gioconda , Ndou Valentina , Secundo Giustina
Published: September 2018

This paper aims to contribute to the debate on Open Innovation in the age of Big Data by shedding new light on the role that social networks can play as enabling platforms for tourists’ involvement and sources for the creation and management of valuable knowledge assets. The huge amount of data generated on social media by tourists related to their travel experiences can be a valid source of open innovation. To achieve this aim, this paper presents evidence of a digital tourism experience, through a longitudinal case study of a destination in Apulia, a Southern European region. The findings of the study demonstrate how social Big Data could open up innovation processes that could be of support in defining sustainable tourism experiences in a destination.
An Index to Measure the Sustainable Information Society: The Polish Households Case
Authors: Wątróbski Jarosław , Ziemba Ewa , Karczmarczyk Artur , Jankowski Jarosław
Published: September 2018

Since the 1960s, a turning point for civilization related to the increasing role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in creating the modern society can be observed. The sustainable information society (SIS) entails a new phase of information society development, in which the ICT adoption by the society stakeholders is the key enabler of sustainability. One of the most important issues in the debate about the SIS is the means to measure it. In this paper, a methodological framework for creating SIS evaluation indexes is presented. In practical terms, an exemplary adjustable index for evaluating SIS in households is created based on the presented approach. During the empirical research, the presented index is used to evaluate SIS in Polish households. The study showed the usefulness of the proposed approach and confirmed the fact that it can be used to build other SIS indices.
Perspectives of Ecological Footprint in European Context under the Impact of Information Society and Sustainable Development
Authors: Ghita Simona Ioana , Saseanu Andreea Simona , Gogonea Rodica-Manuela , Huidumac-Petrescu Catalin-Emilian
Published: September 2018

The perspective of ecological footprint, which is a tool for measuring and monitoring the sustainability of the new information society and the higher degree of openness in the European economy powered by the globalization process, was approached from the viewpoint of accelerated technical, scientific, and innovative progress. This research aims at identifying and forecasting patterns of environmental footprint behavior in European countries, depending on factors reflecting the innovation activity, the degree of economic freedom, and EU membership status. In the article, three factors are identified that explain to a large extent the variation of the ecological footprint values: employment in foreign controlled enterprises, eco-innovation index, and region. The statistical and econometric methods used in the analysis are aimed at applying a Proportional-Odds Cumulative Logistic regression model in order to verify the existence of the association between the statistical variables and to forecast the likelihood of changing the ecological footprint from a lower to a higher score under the impact of selected factors by quantifying their influence. The results have led to the conclusion that, by applying the model, both the share of the employed population in the foreign-controlled enterprises and the eco-innovation index will have a significant direct influence on the variability in the ecological footprint (through the odds-ratio). Referring to the EU membership, the model shows that non-EU member countries or newer EU member countries are predominantly assigned low ecological footprint scores.
Hybrid Input-Output Analysis of Embodied Carbon and Construction Cost Differences between New-Build and Refurbished Projects
Authors: Langston Craig , Chan Edwin H. W. , Yung Esther H. K.
Published: September 2018

Refurbishing buildings helps reduce waste, and limiting the amount of embodied carbon in buildings helps minimize the damaging impacts of climate change through lower CO2 emissions. The analysis of embodied carbon is based on the concept of life cycle assessment (LCA). LCA is a systematic tool to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product, technology, or service through all stages of its life cycle. This study investigates the embodied carbon footprint of both new-build and refurbished buildings to determine the embodied carbon profile and its relationship to both embodied energy and construction cost. It recognizes that changes in the fuel mix for electricity generation play an important role in embodied carbon impacts in different countries. The empirical findings for Hong Kong suggest that mean embodied carbon for refurbished buildings is 33–39% lower than new-build projects, and the cost for refurbished buildings is 22–50% lower than new-build projects (per square meter of floor area). Embodied carbon ranges from 645–1059 kgCO2e/m2 for new-build and 294–655 kgCO2e/m2 for refurbished projects, which is in keeping with other studies outside Hong Kong. However, values of embodied carbon and cost for refurbished projects in this study have a higher coefficient of variation than their new-build counterparts. It is argued that it is preferable to estimate embodied energy and then convert to embodied carbon (rather than estimate embodied carbon directly), as carbon is both time and location specific. A very strong linear relationship is also observed between embodied energy and construction cost that can be used to predict the former, given the latter. This study provides a framework whereby comparisons can be made between new-build and refurbished projects on the basis of embodied carbon and related construction cost differentials into the future, helping to make informed decisions about which strategy to pursue.
The Continuous Mediating Effects of GHRM on Employees’ Green Passion via Transformational Leadership and Green Creativity
Authors: Jia Jianfeng , Liu Huanxin , Chin Tachia , Hu Dongqing
Published: September 2018

Responding to environmental challenges is a new manifestation of innovation for organizations, which enables firms to gain competitive advantages by conducting innovative activities for not only themselves, but also for the whole society. In this context, much attention has been paid to “green creativity.” However, few studies have explored the impact of green creativity from the perspective of interactions between individuals and organizational contexts. Therefore, we aimed to explain the variance in employees’ green creativity by examining three factors outside the organizational context: transformational leadership, green human resource management (GHRM), and individual factors including employees’ green passion. Drawing from the ability–motivation–opportunity theory, we found that transformational leaders can inspire employees’ green passion through influencing GHRM, and ultimately positively affect employees’ green creativity. Data collected from two sources (employees and human resources managers) in medical firms in northeast China at two time points demonstrated the important effects of transformational leadership, GHRM, and employees’ green passion on green creativity, thus offering new theoretical insights and practical suggestions.
Applying Semantics to Reduce the Time to Analytics within Complex Heterogeneous Infrastructures
Authors: Pomp André , Paulus Alexander , Kirmse Andreas , Kraus Vadim , Meisen Tobias
Published: September 2018

In today’s age of modern information technology, large amounts of data are generated every second to enable subsequent data aggregation and analysis. However, the IT infrastructures that have been set up over the last few decades and which should now be used for this purpose are very heterogeneous and complex. As a result, tasks for analyzing data, such as collecting, searching, understanding and processing data, become very time-consuming. This makes it difficult to realize visions, such as the Internet of Production, which pursues the goal of guaranteeing the availability of real-time information at any time and place in an industrial setting. To reduce the time to analytics in such scenarios, we present a data ingestion, integration and processing approach consisting of a flexible and configurable data ingestion pipeline as well as a semantic data platform named ESKAPE. The ingestion pipeline provides an abstraction to all tasks related to data acquisition. The main goal is, therefore, the controllable access to data and meta information contained in machines and other systems on the shop floor. Additionally, it provides the possibility to forward the collected data to a configurable endpoint, such as a data lake. ESKAPE acts as one of those endpoints enabling semantic data integration and processing. By annotating data sets with semantic models originating from the Semantic Web, data analysts are able to understand, process and discover these data sets more efficiently. ESKAPE features a three-layered information storage architecture consisting of a data layer for storing integrated raw data sets, a layer containing user-defined semantic models to describe the contextual knowledge necessary to interpret the stored data and a top layer formed by a continuously evolving knowledge graph, combining semantic information from all present semantic models. Based on this storage system, ESKAPE enables the flexible annotation as well as efficient search and processing of data sources without losing the ability of analyzing and querying the underlying raw data with analytic tools. We present and discuss our approach and its benefits and limitations based on a real-world industrial use case.
The NOAEL Metformin Dose Is Ineffective against Metabolic Disruption Induced by Chronic Cadmium Exposure in Wistar Rats
Authors: Sarmiento-Ortega Victor Enrique , Brambila Eduardo , Flores-Hernández José Ángel , Díaz Alfonso , Peña-Rosas Ulises , Moroni-González Diana , Aburto-Luna Violeta , Treviño Samuel
Published: September 2018

Previous studies have proposed that cadmium (Cd) is a metabolic disruptor, which is associated with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. This metal is not considered by international agencies for the study of metabolic diseases. In this study, we investigate the effect of metformin on Cd-exposed Wistar rats at a lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (LOAEL) dose (32.5 ppm) in drinking water. Metabolic complications in the rats exposed to Cd were dysglycemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, dyslipoproteinemia, and imbalance in triglyceride and glycogen storage in the liver, muscle, heart, kidney, and adipose tissue. Meanwhile, rats treated orally with a No-observable-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) dose of metformin (200 mg/kg/day) showed mild improvement on serum lipids, but not on glucose tolerance; in tissues, glycogen storage was improved, but lipid storage was ineffective. In conclusion, metformin as a first-line pharmacological therapy must take into consideration the origin and duration of metabolic disruption, because in this work the NOAEL dose of metformin (200 mg/kg/day) showed a limited efficiency in the metabolic disruption caused by chronic Cd exposure.
Removal of Microcystin-LR by a Novel Native Effective Bacterial Community Designated as YFMCD4 Isolated from Lake Taihu
Authors: Yang Fei , Guo Jian , Huang Feiyu , Massey Isaac , Huang Ruixue , Li Yunhui , Wen Cong , Ding Ping , Zeng Weiming , Liang Geyu
Published: September 2018

Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is the most toxic and frequently detected monocyclic heptapeptide hepatotoxin produced by cyanobacteria, which poses a great threat to the natural ecosystem and public health. It is very important to seek environment-friendly and cost-efficient methods to remove MC-LR in water. In this study, the MC-degrading capacities of a novel indigenous bacterial community designated as YFMCD4 and the influence of environmental factors including various temperatures, MC concentrations and pH on the MC-degrading activities were investigated utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In addition, the MC-degrading mechanism of YFMCD4 was also studied using HPLC coupled with a mass spectrometry equipped with electrospray ionization interface (HPLC-ESI-MS). The data showed MC-LR was completely removed at the maximum rate of 0.5 µg/(mL·h) under the optimal condition by YFMCD4. Two pure bacterial strains Alcaligenes faecalis and Stenotrophomonas acidaminiohila were isolated from YFMCD4 degraded MC-LR at a slower rate. The MC-degrading rates of YFMCD4 were significantly affected by different temperatures, pH and MC-LR concentrations. Two intermediates of a tetrapeptide and Adda appeared in the degradation process. These results illustrate that the novel YFMCD4 is one of the highest effective MC-degrading bacterial community, which can completely remove MC-LR and possesses a significant potential to treat water bodies contaminated by MC-LR.
Venomous Arachnid Diagnostic Assays, Lessons from Past Attempts
Authors: Dias-Lopes Camila , Paiva Ana Luiza , Guerra-Duarte Clara , Molina Franck , Felicori Liza
Published: September 2018

Diagnostic tests for arachnid accidents remain unavailable for patients and clinicians. Together with snakes, these accidents are still a global medical concern, and are recognized as neglected tropical issues. Due to arachnid toxins’ fast mechanism of action, quick detection and quantification of venom is required to accelerate treatment decisions, rationalize therapy, and reduce costs and patient risks. This review aims to understand the current limitations for arachnid venom identification and quantification in biological samples. We benchmarked the already existing initiatives regarding test requirements (sample or biomarkers of choice), performances (time, detection limit, sensitivity and specificity) and their validation (on animal models or on samples from envenomed humans). Our analysis outlines unmet needs for improving diagnosis and consequently treatment of arachnid accidents. Hence, based on lessons from past attempts, we propose a road map for raising best practice guidelines, leading to recommendations for future progress in the development of arachnid diagnostic assays.
Characterization of vB_Kpn_F48, a Newly Discovered Lytic Bacteriophage for Klebsiella pneumoniae of Sequence Type 101
Authors: Ciacci Nagaia , D’Andrea Marco , Marmo Pasquale , Demattè Elisa , Amisano Francesco , Pilato Vincenzo , Fraziano Maurizio , Lupetti Pietro , Rossolini Gian , Thaller Maria
Published: September 2018

Resistance to carbapenems in Enterobacteriaceae, including Klebsiella pneumoniae, represents a major clinical problem given the lack of effective alternative antibiotics. Bacteriophages could provide a valuable tool to control the dissemination of antibiotic resistant isolates, for the decolonization of colonized individuals and for treatment purposes. In this work, we have characterized a lytic bacteriophage, named vB_Kpn_F48, specific for K. pneumoniae isolates belonging to clonal group 101. Phage vB_Kpn_F48 was classified as a member of Myoviridae, order Caudovirales, on the basis of transmission electron microscopy analysis. Physiological characterization demonstrated that vB_Kpn_F48 showed a narrow host range, a short latent period, a low burst size and it is highly stable to both temperature and pH variations. High throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis revealed that the phage is characterized by a 171 Kb dsDNA genome that lacks genes undesirable for a therapeutic perspective such integrases, antibiotic resistance genes and toxin encoding genes. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that vB_Kpn_F48 is a T4-like bacteriophage which belongs to a novel genus within the Tevenvirinae subfamily, which we tentatively named “F48virus”. Considering the narrow host range, the genomic features and overall physiological parameters phage vB_Kpn_F48 could be a promising candidate to be used alone or in cocktails for phage therapy applications.
Evolution of Tembusu Virus in Ducks, Chickens, Geese, Sparrows, and Mosquitoes in Northern China
Authors: Yu Guanliu , Lin Yun , Tang Yi , Diao Youxiang
Published: September 2018

Tembusu virus (TMUV) is a contagious pathogen from fowl that mainly infects ducks and geese, causing symptoms of high fever, loss of appetite, retarded growth, neurological symptoms, severe duck-drop syndrome, and even death. During an epidemiological investigation of TMUV in Northern China, we isolated 11 TMUV strains from ducks, chickens, geese, sparrows, and mosquitoes (2011–2017). Phylogenetic analysis of the open-reading frames of genes revealed that these strains clustered into Chinese strains II. The nucleotide and amino acid homologies of NS1 of the strains ranged between 85.8–99.8% and 92.5–99.68%, respectively, which were lower than those of E (86.7–99.9% and 96.5–99.9%, respectively), NS3 (87.6–99.9% and 98.2–99.8%, respectively), and NS5 (86.5–99.9% and 97.8–99.9%, respectively). Predictions of the tertiary structure of the viral proteins indicated that NS1 in 4 of 11 strains had a protein structure mutation at 180TAV182 that changed a random crimp into an alpha helix. The protein of 6 of 11 strains had a glycosylation site mutation from NTTD to NITD. Furthermore, epidemiological data suggested that TMUV has been circulating in half of China’s provinces (17 of 34). Our findings, for the first time, have identified the NS1 protein as a potential hypervariable region for genetic evolution. Additionally, the territorial scope of the virus has expanded, requiring strict bio-security measures or a multivalent vaccine to control its spread.
In Vitro Anthelmintic Activity of Four Plant-Derived Compounds against Sheep Gastrointestinal Nematodes
Authors: Giovanelli Federica , Mattellini Matteo , Fichi Gianluca , Flamini Guido , Perrucci Stefania
Published: September 2018

By using the egg hatch test (EHT), the larval development test (LDT) and the larval mortality/paralysis test (LMT), the in vitro anthelmintic activity on sheep gastrointestinal strongyles (GIS) of four plant-derived pure compounds, mangiferin (at 0.25%, 0.125% and 0.0625%), rutin (at 1%, 0.75%, 0.5%), quercetin (at 1%), and β-sitosterol (at 1%, 0.75%, 0.5%), was investigated. For comparison, untreated and treated (0.1% thiabendazole, 0.1% TBZ) controls were used. Six repetitions were made throughout the experiment. Data were statistically elaborated using the χ2 test. The concentration able to inhibit the development of the 50% of L1s to L3s and causing the mortality of the 50% of L3s (EC50) was also calculated. L3s recovered from untreated Petri dishes were identified at the genus level. In EHT, all tested compounds at all concentrations significantly (p < 0.01) inhibited the hatch of the eggs when compared to the untreated controls, but none of them was as effective as 0.1% TBZ. In LDT, rutin (at 1%, 0.75% and 0.5%), mangiferin (at 0.25% and 0.125%), β-sitosterol (at 1%) and 0.1% TBZ completely prevented the larval development from L1 to L3 in respect to the untreated controls (p < 0.01). In LMT, all tested compounds significantly (p < 0.01) increased the death of L3s compared to the untreated controls, except for β-sitosterol at 0.5%. However, only rutin at all concentrations and 0.25% and 0.125% mangiferin were as effective as 0.1% TBZ. Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Chabertia and Teladorsagia/Ostertagia GIS genera, were identified.
Inhibition of Cationic Polymer-Induced Colloid Flocculation by Polyacrylic Acid
Authors: Lim Voon Huey , Yamashita Yuji , Doan Yen Thi Hai , Adachi Yasuhisa
Published: September 2018

Although the dosage of cationic flocculants used for water treatment is well known to increase in the presence of natural organic matter (NOM), the underlying reasons for this increase are not properly understood. Herein, we studied the flocculation behavior of polystyrene latex (PSL) particles in the presence and absence of polyacrylic acid (PAA5K) as an NOM analogue using an end-over-end rotation apparatus for standardized flow mixing. In the absence of PAA5K, the initial rate of cationic flocculant (PAM5M)-induced flocculation was enhanced, as reflected by the size of flocculant in solution. Additionally, flocculation experiments were performed in the presence of 0.5 mg/L PAA5K for five concentrations of PAM5M and two ionic strengths, and the increase of the initial rate of PAM5M-induced flocculation was suppressed by PAA5K immediately after mixing, with the most pronounced suppression obtained at a PAM5M concentration similar to PAA5K. Based on the above insights and the results of viscosity measurements, the inhibitory effect of PAA on flocculation was ascribed to (1) the reduction of PAM charge and the concomitant shrinkage via electrostatic association with PAA and (2) the termination of polycation adsorption on PSL caused by polyion complex formation when the charge ratio of PAM:PAA is close to unity.
Spatiotemporal Rainfall Trends in the Brazilian Legal Amazon between the Years 1998 and 2015
Authors: Silva Junior Celso H. L. , Almeida Catherine T. , Santos Jessflan R. N. , Anderson Liana O. , Aragão Luiz E. O. C. , Silva Fabrício B.
Published: September 2018

Tropical forests play an important role as a reservoir of carbon and biodiversity, specifically forests in the Brazilian Amazon. However, the last decades have been marked by important changes in the Amazon, particularly those associated with climatic extremes. Quantifying the variability of rainfall patterns, hence, is essential for understanding changes and impacts of climate upon this ecosystem. The aim of this study was to analyse spatiotemporal trends in rainfall along the Brazilian Legal Amazon between 1998 and 2015. For this purpose, rainfall data derived from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite (TRMM) and nonparametric statistical methods, such as Mann–Kendall and Sen’s Slope, were used. Through this approach, some patterns were identified. No evidence of significant rainfall trends (p ≤ 0.05) for annual or monthly (except for September, which showed a significant negative trend) averages was found. However, significant monthly negative rainfall anomalies were found in 1998, 2005, 2010, and 2015, and positive in 1999, 2000, 2004, 2009, and 2013. The annual pixel-by-pixel analysis showed that 92.3% of the Brazilian Amazon had no rainfall trend during the period analysed, 4.2% had significant negative trends (p ≤ 0.05), and another 3.5% had significant positive trends (p ≤ 0.05). Despite no clear temporal rainfall trends for most of the Amazon had negative trends for September, corresponding to the peak of dry season in the majority of the region, and negative rainfall anomalies found in 22% of the years analysed, which indicate that water-dependent ecological processes may be negatively affected. Moreover, these processes may be under increased risk of disruption resulting from other drought-related events, such as wildfires, which are expect to be intensified by rainfall reduction during the Amazonian dry season.
Enhancing Residential Water End Use Pattern Recognition Accuracy Using Self-Organizing Maps and K-Means Clustering Techniques: Autoflow v3.1
Authors: Yang Ao , Zhang Hong , Stewart Rodney A. , Nguyen Khoi
Published: September 2018

The aim of residential water end-use studies is to disaggregate water consumption into different water end-use categories (i.e., shower, toilet, etc.). The authors previously developed a beta application software (i.e., Autoflow v2.1) that provides an intelligent platform to autonomously categorize residential water consumption data and generate management analysis reports. However, the Autoflow v2.1 software water end use event recognition accuracy achieved was between 75 to 90%, which leaves room for improvement. In the present study, a new module augmented to the existing procedure improved flow disaggregation accuracy, which resulted in Autoflow v3.1. The new module applied self-organizing maps (SOM) and K-means clustering algorithms for undertaking an initial pre-grouping of water end-use events before the existing pattern recognition procedures were applied (i.e., ANN, HMM, etc.) For validation, a dataset consisting of over 100,000 events from 252 homes in Australia were employed to verify accuracy improvements derived from augmenting the new hybrid SOM and K-means algorithm techniques into the existing Autoflow v2.1 software. The water end use event categorization accuracy ranged from 86 to 94.2% for the enhanced model (Autoflow v3.1), which was a 1.7 to 9% improvement on event categorization.
Induction of Chimerism in Mice Using Human MHC Class I-Mismatched Hoechst 33342 Side Population Donor Stem Cells
Authors: Jackson John D. , Zhou Guimei , Kuszynski Charles A. , Cai Jin , Fox Ira J.
Published: September 2018

A population of Hoechst 33342-stained cells, termed side population (SP) cells, can reconstitute the hematopoietic system of syngeneic mice. This study examined whether limiting numbers of SP cells can repopulate mice across a xenogeneic MHC class I barrier. SP cells were isolated from HLA.B7 and HLA.A2.1 transgenic mice by FACS and placed in colony assays or transplanted into irradiated C57BL/6 (B/6) recipients. SP cells contained few colony-forming cells when placed directly in culture. The number of GM-CFC and HPP-CFC increased up to 3000- and 300-fold, respectively, after 7 days in IL-3- and SCF-stimulated liquid culture. BMC-derived GM-CFC increased up to only 12-fold and HPP-CFC decreased after 7 days in culture. HLA-B7 SP cells (2500–5000) were transplanted into lethal-irradiated B/6 mice. Two-color flow analysis, 4–6 weeks after transplantation, showed that HLA-B7 expression in granulocyte-, macrophage-, and lymphocyte-specific lineages from reconstituted mice was similar to that in B7 transgenic mice. Secondary transplanted B/6 mice also showed a pattern of HLA-B7 expression similar to that in transgenic mice and were followed for longer than 16 weeks with stable chimerism. When HLA-A2.1 SP cells were transplanted into sublethally irradiated mice, 50% of the mice expressed HLA-A2 by PCR analysis in short-term repopulation studies. These data confirm that limiting numbers of SP cells can repopulate the major hematopoietic lineages in lethal and sublethally irradiated mice across a human MHC class I barrier. Therefore, SP cells may be useful for establishing mixed chimerism, which may induce immunologic nonresponsiveness to donor antigens in solid organ transplantation.
Effects of Carboxypeptidase E Overexpression on Insulin mRNA Levels, Regulated Insulin Secretion, and Proinsulin Processing of Pituitary GH3 Cells Transfected with a Furin-Cleavable Human Proinsulin cDNA
Authors: Polastri Luca , Galbiati Francesca , Folli Franco , Davalli Alberto M.
Published: September 2018

We recently developed two rat pituitary GH3 cell clones engineered to secrete human insulin (InsGH3). InsGH3 cells convert proinsulin into mature insulin, which is partially stored into a readily releasable pool of secretory granules. The efficiency of these processes, however, is relatively low in these cells, either in vitro or in vivo. This study was aimed at determining whether carboxypeptidase E (Cpe) overexpression can increase proinsulin processing and regulated secretion by InsGH3 clones. Indeed, in its membrane-bound form Cpe works as sorting receptor for the regulated secretory pathway of many hormones while, in its soluble form, Cpe takes part to the late step of insulin maturation. We obtained two Cpe-overexpressing cell lines from two different InsGH3 clones (InsGH3/C1 and C7). In the Cpe-overexpressing cell lines, derived from InsGH3 of clone 1 (InsGH3/C1-HACpe), in which the membrane-bound form of exogenous Cpe is accounted for by 90% of total Cpe immunoreactivity, we observed an increase in proinsulin gene expression, and in basal and stimulated insulin secretion compared with the original clone. In contrast, in the Cpe-overexpressing cell line derived from InsGH3 of clone 7 (InsGH3/C7-HACpe), where the exogenous membrane-bound form was only 60% of total Cpe, we detected a decrease in basal insulin release and a modest, albeit significant, increase in intracellular proinsulin processing. In conclusion, Cpe overexpression can increase regulated insulin secretion and proinsulin processing in InsGH3 cells; however, such improvements appear quantitatively and qualitatively modest.
Quantitative [18F]Fluorodopa/PET and Histology of Fetal Mesencephalic Dopaminergic Grafts to the Striatum of MPTP-Poisoned Minipigs
Authors: Dall Annette Møller , Danielsen Erik Hvid , Sørensen Jens Christian , Andersen Flemming , Møller Arne , Zimmer Jens , Gjedde Albert H. , Cumming Paul ,   The DaNeX study group, Zimmer J. , Brevig T. , Dall A. M. , Meyer M. , Pedersen E. B. , Gjedde A. , Danielsen E. H. , Cumming P. , Andersen F. , Bender D. , Falborg L. , Gee A. , Gillings N. M. , Hansen S. B. , Hermansen F. , Jørgensen H. A. , Munk O. , Poulsen P. H. , Rodell A. B. , Sakoh M. , Simonsen C. Z. , Smith D. F. , Sørensen J. C. , Østergård L. , Moller A. , Johansen T. E.
Published: September 2018

The functional restoration of the dopamine innervation of striatum in MPTP-poisoned Göttingen minipigs was assessed for 6 months following grafting of fetal pig mesencephalic neurons. Pigs were assigned to a normal control group and a MPTP-poisoned group, members of which received no further treatment, or which received bilateral grafts to the striatum of tissue blocks harvested from E28 fetal pig mesencephalon with and without immunosuppressive treatment after grafting, or with additional co-grafting with immortalized rat neural cells transfected to produce GDNF. In the baseline condition, and again at 3 and 6 months postsurgery, all animals were subjected to quantitative [18F]fluorodopa PET scans and testing for motor impairment. At the end of 6 months, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-containing neurons were counted in the grafts by stereological methods. The MPTP poisoning persistently reduced the magnitude of k3D, the relative activity of DOPA decarboxylase in striatum, by 60%. Grafting restored the rate of [18F]fluorodopa decarboxylation to the normal range, and normalized the scores in motor function. The biochemical and functional recovery was associated with survival of approximately 100,000 TH-positive graft neurons in each hemisphere. Immunosuppression did not impart a greater recovery of [18F]fluorodopa uptake, nor were the number of TH-positive graft neurons or the volumes of the grafts increased in the immunosuppressed group. Contrary to expectation, co-grafting of transfected GDNF-expressing HiB5 cells, a rat-derived neural cell line, tended to impair the survival of the grafts with the lowest values for graft volumes, TH-positive cell numbers, behavioral scores, and relative DOPA decarboxylase activity. From the results we conclude that pig ventral mesencephalic allografts can restore functional dopamine innervation in adult MPTP-lesioned minipigs.
Gene Transfection and Expression of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 in Nonobese Diabetic Mouse Islets Protects β-Cells in Syngeneic Islet Grafts from Autoimmune Destruction
Authors: Suarez-Pinzon Wilma L. , Marcoux Yvonne , Ghahary Aziz , Rabinovitch Alex
Published: September 2018

Nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice develop diabetes and destroy syngeneic islet grafts through an autoimmune response. Because transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 downregulates immune responses, we tested whether overexpression of TGF-β1 by gene transfection of NOD mouse islets could protect β-cells in islet grafts from autoimmune destruction. NOD mouse islet cells were transfected with an adenoviral DNA expression vector encoding porcine latent TGF-β1 (Ad TGF- β1) or the adenoviral vector alone (control Ad vector). The frequency of total islet cells expressing TGF-1 protein was increased from 12±1% in control Ad vector-transfected cells to 89 ± 4% in Ad TGF-β1-transfected islet cells, and the frequency of β-cells that expressed TGF-β1 was increased from 12 ± 1% to 60 ± 7%. Also, secretion of TGF-β1 was significantly increased in islets that overexpressed TGF-β1. Ad TGF-β1-transfected NOD mouse islets that overexpressed TGF-β1 prevented diabetes recurrence after transplantation into diabetic NOD mice for a median of 22 days compared with only 7 days for control Ad vector-transfected islets (p = 0.001). Immunohistochemical examination of the islet grafts revealed significantly more TGF-β1+ cells and insulin+ cells and significantly fewer CD45+ leukocytes in Ad TGF-β1-transfected islet grafts. Also, islet β-cell apoptosis was significantly decreased whereas apoptosis of graft-infiltrating leukocytes was significantly increased in Ad TGF-β1-transfected islet grafts. These observations demonstrate that overexpression of TGF-β1, by gene transfection of NOD mouse islets, protects islet β-cells from apoptosis and autoimmune destruction and delays diabetes recurrence after islet transplantation.
Intrasplenic Transplantation of Encapsulated Cells: A Novel Approach to Cell Therapy
Authors: Aoki Takeshi , Umehara Yutaka , Ferraresso Chiara , Sugiyama Nozomu , Middleton Yvette , Avital Itzhak , Inderbitzin Daniel , Demetriou Achilles A. , Rozga Jacek
Published: September 2018

Cell therapy is likely to succeed clinically if cells survive at the transplantation site and are protected against immune rejection. We hypothesized that this could be achieved with intrasplenic transplantation of encapsulated cells because the cells would have instant access to oxygen and nutrients while being separated from the host immune system. In order to provide proof of the concept, primary rat hepatocytes and human hepatoblastoma-derived HepG2 cells were used as model cells. Rat hepatocytes were encapsulated in 100-kDa hollow fibers and cultured for up to 28 days. Rat spleens were implanted with hollow fibers that were either empty or contained 1 × 107 rat hepatocytes. Human HepG2 cells were encapsulated using alginate/poly-l-lysine (ALP) and also transplanted into the spleen; control rats were transplanted with free HepG2 cells. Blood human albumin levels were measured using Western blotting and spleen sections were immunostained for albumin. Hepatocytes in monolayer cultures remained viable for only 6–10 days, whereas the cells cultured in hollow fibers remained viable and produced albumin throughout the study period. Allogeneic hepatocytes transplanted in hollow fibers remained viable for 4 weeks (end of study). Free HepG2 transplants lost viability and function after 7 days, whereas encapsulated HepG2 cells remained viable and secreted human albumin at all time points studied. ALP capsules, with or without xenogeneic HepG2 cells, produced no local fibrotic response. These data indicate that intrasplenic transplantation of encapsulated cells results in excellent survival and function of the transplanted cells and that the proposed technique has the potential to allow transplantation of allo- and xenogeneic cells (e.g., pancreatic islets) without immunosuppression.
Identification of a Specific Sertoli Cell Marker, Sox9, for Use in Transplantation
Authors: Hemendinger R. A. , Gores P. , Blacksten L. , Harley V. , Halberstadt C.
Published: September 2018

The immunoprivileged environment of the testes was first described in the 1930s, and the Sertoli cell was later identified as the main cell type responsible for this phenomenon. Recent work has examined the possibility of recreating this immunoprivileged environment at heterotopic sites using isolated Sertoli cells. These studies have focused on protection of pancreatic islets and neuronal cells from immune destruction in the hopes of reversing type I diabetes and Parkinson's disease. The absence of a definitive marker for identifying Sertoli cells at the transplant site has been an obstacle to this research. The current study examines the presence of a nuclear transcription factor, Sox9, which is preferentially expressed in Sertoli cells. Syngeneic Lewis rat Sertoli cells were transplanted into the renal subcapsular space and a subcutaneous site in Lewis female rats and examined histologically 21 days later. In addition, porcine Sertoli cells were transplanted into the renal subcapsular space in female SCID mice. Control testes and the transplant sites were examined immunohistochemically using an antibody to Sox9. The results from the study demonstrate that Sox9 expression is restricted to the Sertoli cells of the neonatal rat and porcine testis, indicating high homology between species. In addition, Sox9 expression was also observed in the testicular-like tubules that formed in both syngeneic and xenogeneic heterotopic transplants in rats and SCID mice. The Sox9 expression was restricted to the regions where Sertoli cells would be found in the native testis. These results suggest that the Sox9 protein is a useful marker in identifying Sertoli cells in heterotopic transplants in a manner similar to insulin as a marker for pancreatic islets.
Establishment of Clonal Colony-Forming Assay System for Pancreatic Stem/Progenitor Cells
Authors: Suzuki Atsushi , Oyama Kazunobu , Fukao Katashi , Nakauchi Hiromitsu , Taniguchi Hideki
Published: September 2018

Pluripotent stem cells found in a number of organs are usually in small cell populations. However, under adaptive stimulation, they enter the stage of growth and differentiation to compensate for the loss of differentiated cells. To analyze stem cell potential precisely, the exclusion of other differentiated cells and a clonal assay system are strongly required. In this study, we established a colony-forming assay system for pancreatic stem/progenitor cells in vitro. In this culture condition, they received signals for growth and differentiation, and formed clonal colonies including pancreatic endocrine-lineage cells, such as α and β cells. By combining this culture system with flow cytometric cell sorting, pancreatic stem/progenitor cells will be enriched, and their potential can be analyzed precisely in single cell-based experiments.