bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shining light on recent advances in microbial mercury cycling
Authors: Grégoire Daniel S. , Poulain Alexandre J.
Published: September 2018

Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant emitted primarily as gaseous Hg0 that is deposited in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems following its oxidation to HgII. From that point, microbes play a key role in determining Hg’s fate in the environment by participating in sequestration, oxidation, reduction, and methylation reactions. A wide diversity of chemotrophic and phototrophic microbes occupying oxic and anoxic habitats are known to participate directly in Hg cycling. Over the last few years, new findings have come to light that have greatly improved our mechanistic understanding of microbe-mediated Hg cycling pathways in the environment. In this review, we summarize recent advances in microbially mediated Hg cycling and take the opportunity to compare the relatively well-studied chemotrophic pathways to poorly understood phototrophic pathways. We present how the use of genomic and analytical tools can be used to understand Hg transformations and the physiological context of recently discovered cometabolic Hg transformations supported in anaerobes and phototrophs. Finally, we propose a conceptual framework that emphasizes the role that phototrophs play in environmental Hg redox cycling and the importance of better characterizing such pathways in the face of the environmental changes currently underway.
An Improved Grade Point Average, With Applications to CS Undergraduate Education Analytics
Authors: Tomkin Jonathan H. , West Matthew , Herman Geoffrey L.
Published: September 2018

We present a methodological improvement for calculating Grade Point Averages (GPAs). Heterogeneity in grading between courses systematically biases observed GPAs for individual students: the GPA observed depends on course selection. We show how a logistic model can account for course selection by simulating how every student in a sample would perform if they took all available courses, giving a new “modeled GPA.” We then use 10 years of grade data from a large university to demonstrate that this modeled GPA is a more accurate predictor of student performance in individual courses than the observed GPA. Using Computer Science (CS) as an example learning analytics application, it is found that required CS courses give significantly lower grades than average courses. This depresses the recorded GPAs of CS majors: modeled GPAs are 0.25 points higher than those that are observed. The modeled GPA also correlates much more closely with standardized test scores than the observed GPA: the correlation with Math ACT is 0.37 for the modeled GPA and is 0.20 for the observed GPA. This implies that standardized test scores are much better predictors of student performance than might otherwise be assumed.
Hierarchies in Inclusion Logic with Lax Semantics
Authors: Hannula Miika
Published: September 2018

We study the expressive power of fragments of inclusion logic under the so-called lax team semantics. The fragments are defined either by restricting the number of universal quantifiers, the number of inclusion atoms, or the arity of inclusion atoms. We show that the whole expressive power of inclusion logic can be captured using only five inclusion atoms in finite ordered models or, alternatively, only one universal quantifier in general. The arity hierarchy is shown to be strict by relating the question to the study of arity hierarchies in fixed point logics.
CellNet
Authors: Mariescu-Istodor Radu , Fränti Pasi
Published: September 2018

Road networks are essential nowadays, especially for people travelling to large, unfamiliar cities. Moreover, cities are constantly growing and road networks need periodic updates to provide reliable information. We propose an automatic method to generate the road network using a GPS trajectory dataset. The method, called CellNet, works by first detecting the intersections (junctions) using a clustering-based technique and then creating the road segments in-between. We compare CellNet against conceptually different alternatives using Chicago and Joensuu datasets. The results show that CellNet provides better accuracy and is less sensitive to parameter setup. The size of the generated road network is only 25% of the networks produced by other methods. This implies that the network provided by CellNet has much less redundancy.
The Development of a Systems Development Methodology for Location-Based Games
Authors: Barnard Jacques , Huisman Magda , Drevin Gunther R.
Published: September 2018

Currently, there is a lack of systems development methodologies (SDMs) suitable for the development of location-based games. This research introduced a newly developed SDM to aid in the development process of location-based games, called the developmental methodology for location-based games (DMLBG). The DMLBG was based on SDMs most often used for developing mobile applications, as well as mobile and traditional games. Four case studies were used to test the DMLBG. During the case studies, independent games development teams used the DMLBG extensively to test the feasibility of the SDM. The results showed that the SDM did aid all four of the teams to successfully develop a location-based game. The teams documented the development process and gave critical feedback on their experiences. This feedback was used to revise and improve the SDM. The DMLBG addressed the lack of an SDM that is suitable for the development of location-based games.
Network-Based Procedural Story Generation
Authors: Mendonça Matheus R. F. , Ziviani Artur
Published: September 2018

Procedural story generation has become an important research area due to its attractiveness to computer entertainment applications. Several approaches have been proposed to create procedural stories for games based mainly on logic programming and decision trees. These approaches use a set of possible events that are executed based on how the player interacts with the story. However, these approaches commonly use a fixed set of characters with predefined relationships. In contrast, in this article, we propose an approach that creates dynamic stories based on two networks: a handcrafted event network and a dynamic artificial social network created for each new story. This allows each story to have its own set of characters with a unique relationship network, resulting in an even wider range of possible stories. We demonstrate this with some examples and discuss how this approach can be implemented for interactive computer entertainment systems, such as video games.
Designing and Evaluating Games for Mindfulness
Authors: Sliwinski Jacek , Katsikitis Mary , Jones Christian Martyn
Published: September 2018

This research investigates the relationship between mindfulness and digital games, by identifying which aspects of mindfulness can be trained by digital games and which game elements influence factors of mindfulness. Games and interactive approaches with research evidence for their efficacy are presented for each individual mindfulness factor, as defined by the CHIME eight-factor model of mindfulness. Two experiments were conducted to validate whether games can improve mindfulness. First, an expert review was conducted, where domain experts rated the fit of games to their associated mindfulness factor. Second, a laboratory study tested the effect of games on mindfulness, revealing positive significant effects on state mindfulness. Elaborating on the research findings from all studies, a framework is proposed to inform the design of digital games for improving mindfulness, and implications plus limitations are discussed.
Scalable Linear Algebra on a Relational Database System
Authors: Luo Shangyu , Gao Zekai J. , Gubanov Michael , Perez Luis L. , Jermaine Christopher
Published: September 2018

Scalable linear algebra is important for analytics and machine learning (including deep learning). In this paper, we argue that a parallel or distributed database system is actually an excellent platform upon which to build such functionality. Most relational systems already have support for cost-based optimization-which is vital to scaling linear algebra computations-and it is well-known how to make relational systems scale. We show that by making just a few changes to a parallel/distributed relational database system, such a system can be a competitive platform for scalable linear algebra. Our results suggest that brand new systems supporting scalable linear algebra are not absolutely necessary, and that such systems could instead be built on top of existing relational technology.
Somatic Mutagenesis in Mammals and Its Implications for Human Disease and Aging
Authors: Zhang Lei , Vijg Jan
Published: September 2018

DNA mutations as a consequence of errors during DNA damage repair, replication, or mitosis are the substrate for evolution. In multicellular organisms, mutations can occur in the germline and also in somatic tissues, where they are associated with cancer and other chronic diseases and possibly with aging. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing have made it relatively easy to study germline de novo mutations, but in somatic cells, the vast majority of mutations are low-abundant and can be detected only in clonal lineages, such as tumors, or single cells. Here we review recent results on somatic mutations in normal human and animal tissues with a focus on their possible functional consequences.
Planktonic Marine Archaea
Authors: Santoro Alyson E. , Richter R. Alexander , Dupont Christopher L.
Published: September 2018

Archaea are ubiquitous and abundant members of the marine plankton. Once thought of as rare organisms found in exotic extremes of temperature, pressure, or salinity, archaea are now known in nearly every marine environment. Though frequently referred to collectively, the planktonic archaea actually comprise four major phylogenetic groups, each with its own distinct physiology and ecology. Only one group—the marine Thaumarchaeota—has cultivated representatives, making marine archaea an attractive focus point for the latest developments in cultivation-independent molecular methods. Here, we review the ecology, physiology, and biogeochemical impact of the four archaeal groups using recent insights from cultures and large-scale environmental sequencing studies. We highlight key gaps in our knowledge about the ecological roles of marine archaea in carbon flow and food web interactions. We emphasize the incredible uncultivated diversity within each of the four groups, suggesting there is much more to be done.
The Variable Southern Ocean Carbon Sink
Authors: Gruber Nicolas , Landschützer Peter , Lovenduski Nicole S.
Published: September 2018

The CO2uptake by the Southern Ocean (<35°S) varies substantially on all timescales and is a major determinant of the variations of the global ocean carbon sink. Particularly strong are the decadal changes characterized by a weakening period of the Southern Ocean carbon sink in the 1990s and a rebound after 2000. The weakening in the 1990s resulted primarily from a southward shift of the westerlies that enhanced the upwelling and outgassing of respired (i.e., natural) CO2. The concurrent reduction in the storage rate of anthropogenic CO2in the mode and intermediate waters south of 35°S suggests that this shift also decreased the uptake of anthropogenic CO2. The rebound and the subsequent strong, decade-long reinvigoration of the carbon sink appear to have been driven by cooling in the Pacific Ocean, enhanced stratification in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean sectors, and a reduced overturning. Current-generation ocean models generally do not reproduce these variations and are poorly skilled at making decadal predictions in this region.
Finite Mixture Models
Authors: McLachlan Geoffrey J. , Lee Sharon X. , Rathnayake Suren I.
Published: September 2018

The important role of finite mixture models in the statistical analysis of data is underscored by the ever-increasing rate at which articles on mixture applications appear in the statistical and general scientific literature. The aim of this article is to provide an up-to-date account of the theory and methodological developments underlying the applications of finite mixture models. Because of their flexibility, mixture models are being increasingly exploited as a convenient, semiparametric way in which to model unknown distributional shapes. This is in addition to their obvious applications where there is group-structure in the data or where the aim is to explore the data for such structure, as in a cluster analysis. It has now been three decades since the publication of the monograph by McLachlan & Basford (1988) with an emphasis on the potential usefulness of mixture models for inference and clustering. Since then, mixture models have attracted the interest of many researchers and have found many new and interesting fields of application. Thus, the literature on mixture models has expanded enormously, and as a consequence, the bibliography here can only provide selected coverage.
Associations between the gut microbiota and host responses to high altitude
Authors: Karl J. Philip , Berryman Claire E. , Young Andrew J. , Radcliffe Patrick N. , Branck Tobyn A. , Pantoja-Feliciano Ida G. , Rood Jennifer C. , Pasiakos Stefan M.
Published: September 2018

Hypobaric hypoxia and dietary protein and fat intakes have been independently associated with an altered gastrointestinal (GI) environment and gut microbiota, but little is known regarding host-gut microbiota interactions at high altitude (HA) and the impact of diet macronutrient composition. This study aimed to determine the effect of dietary protein:fat ratio manipulation on the gut microbiota and GI barrier function during weight loss at high altitude (HA) and to identify associations between the gut microbiota and host responses to HA. Following sea-level (SL) testing, 17 healthy males were transported to HA (4,300 m) and randomly assigned to consume provided standard protein (SP; 1.1 g·kg−1·day−1, 39% fat) or higher protein (HP; 2.1 g·kg−1·day−1, 23% fat) carbohydrate-matched hypocaloric diets for 22 days. Fecal microbiota composition and metabolites, GI barrier function, GI symptoms, and acute mountain sickness (AMS) severity were measured. Macronutrient intake did not impact fecal microbiota composition, had only transient effects on microbiota metabolites, and had no effect on increases in small intestinal permeability, GI symptoms, and inflammation observed at HA. AMS severity was also unaffected by diet but in exploratory analyses was associated with higher SL-relative abundance of Prevotella, a known driver of interindividual variability in human gut microbiota composition, and greater microbiota diversity after AMS onset. Findings suggest that the gut microbiota may contribute to variability in host responses to HA independent of the dietary protein:fat ratio but should be considered preliminary and hypothesis generating due to the small sample size and exploratory nature of analyses associating the fecal microbiota and host responses to HA.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study is the first to examine interactions among diet, the gut microbiota, and host responses to weight loss at high altitude (HA). Observed associations among the gut microbiota, weight loss at HA, and acute mountain sickness provide evidence that the microbiota may contribute to variability in host responses to HA. In contrast, dietary protein:fat ratio had only minimal, transient effects on gut microbiota composition and bacterial metabolites which were likely not of clinical consequence.
Oxidative stress associated with aging activates protein kinase Cε, leading to cilia slowing
Authors: Bailey Kristina L. , Kharbanda Kusum K. , Katafiasz Dawn M. , Sisson Joseph H. , Wyatt Todd A.
Published: September 2018

Older people are four times more likely to develop pneumonia than younger people. As we age, many components of pulmonary innate immunity are impaired, including slowing of mucociliary clearance. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF) is a major determinant of mucociliary clearance, and it slows as we age. We hypothesized that CBF is slowed in aging because of increased oxidative stress, which activates PKCε signaling. We pharmacologically inhibited PKCε in ex vivo mouse models of aging. We measured a slowing of CBF with aging that was reversed with inhibition using the novel PKC inhibitor, Ro-31-8220, as well as the PKCε inhibitor, PKCe141. Inhibition of PKCε using siRNA in mouse trachea also returned CBF to normal. In addition, antioxidants decrease PKCε activity and speed cilia. We also aged wild-type and PKCε KO mice and measured CBF. The PKCε KO mice were spared from the CBF slowing of aging. Using human airway epithelial cells from younger and older donors at air-liquid interface (ALI), we inhibited PKCε with siRNA. We measured a slowing of CBF with aging that was reversed with siRNA inhibition of PKCε. In addition, we measured bead clearance speeds in human ALI, which demonstrated a decrease in bead velocity with aging and a return to baseline after inhibition of PKCε. In summary, in human and mouse models, aging is associated with increased oxidant stress, which activates PKCε and slows CBF.
PDGFBB promotes proliferation and migration via regulating miR-1181/STAT3 axis in human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells
Authors: Qian Zhengjiang , Li Yanjiao , Yang Haiyang , Chen Jidong , Li Xiang , Gou Deming
Published: September 2018

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) can induce hyperproliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), which is a key causative factor to the occurrence and progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We previously identified that miR-1181 is significantly downregulated by PDGFBB in human PASMCs. In this work, we further explore the function of miR-1181 and underlying regulatory mechanisms in PDGF-induced PASMCs. First, the expression pattern of miR-1181 was characterized under PDGFBB treatment, and PDGF receptor/PKCβ signaling was found to repress miR-1181 expression. Then, gain- and loss-of-function experiments were respectively conducted and revealed the prominent role of miR-1181 in inhibiting PASMC proliferation and migration. Flow cytometry analysis suggested that miR-1181 regulated the PASMC proliferation through influencing the cell cycle transition from G0/G1 to S phase. Moreover, we exhibited that miR-1181 targeting STAT3 formed a regulatory axis to modulate PASMC proliferation. Finally, serum miR-1181 expression was also observed to be reduced in adult and newborn patients with PAH. Overall, this study provides novel findings that the miR-1181/STAT3 axis mediated PDGFBB-induced dysfunction in human PASMCs, implying a potential use of miR-1181 as a therapeutic and diagnostic candidate for the vascular remodeling diseases.
Former-preterm lambs have persistent alveolar simplification at 2 and 5 months corrected postnatal age
Authors: Dahl Mar Janna , Bowen Sydney , Aoki Toshio , Rebentisch Andrew , Dawson Elaine , Pettet Luke , Emerson Haleigh , Yu Baifeng , Wang Zhengming , Yang Haixia , Zhang Chong , Presson Angela P. , Joss-Moore Lisa , Null Donald M. , Yoder Bradley A. , Albertine Kurt H.
Published: September 2018

Preterm birth and mechanical ventilation (MV) frequently lead to bronchopulmonary dysplasia, the histopathological hallmark of which is alveolar simplification. How developmental immaturity and ongoing injury, repair, and remodeling impact completion of alveolar formation later in life is not known, in part because of lack of suitable animal models. We report a new model, using former-preterm lambs, to test the hypothesis that they will have persistent alveolar simplification later in life. Moderately preterm lambs (~85% gestation) were supported by MV for ~6 days before being transitioned from all respiratory support to become former-preterm lambs. Results are compared with term control lambs that were not ventilated, and between males (M) and females (F). Alveolar simplification was quantified morphometrically and stereologically at 2 mo (4 M, 4 F) or 5 mo (4 M, 6 F) corrected postnatal age (cPNA) compared with unventilated, age-matched term control lambs (4 M, 4 F per control group). These postnatal ages in sheep are equivalent to human postnatal ages of 1–2 yr and ~6 yr, respectively. Multivariable linear regression results showed that former-preterm lambs at 2 or 5 mo cPNA had significantly thicker distal airspace walls ( P < 0.001 and P < 0.009, respectively), lower volume density of secondary septa ( P < 0.007 and P < 0.001, respectively), and lower radial alveolar count ( P < 0.003 and P < 0.020, respectively) compared with term control lambs. Sex-specific differences were not detected. We conclude that moderate preterm birth and MV for ~6 days impedes completion of alveolarization in former-preterm lambs. This new model provides the opportunity to identify underlying pathogenic mechanisms that may reveal treatment approaches.
Buffer drains and mucus is transported upward in a tilted mucus clearance assay
Authors: Carpenter Jerome , Lynch Suzanne E. , Cribb Jeremy A. , Kylstra Schuyler , Hill David B. , Superfine Richard
Published: September 2018

Mucociliary clearance (MCC) plays an essential role in maintaining airway sterility and health. Conversely, mucociliary dysfunction is implicated across many airway obstructive diseases. Understanding the necessary requirements for successful MCC is imperative to establish the pathology of disease, as well as to develop therapeutic strategies. Although postural, that is, gravitational, drainage is used clinically to aid mucus clearance, it is ignored in both animal and cell culture models of MCC. In this study, we develop a novel mucus clearance assay that enables the first particle image velocimetry of human bronchial epithelial cell cultures tilted relative to the gravitational field. This tilting system makes it possible to observe drainage of the airway surface liquid and, thus, reveals the effect gravity has on mucociliary clearance. First, we use this assay to demonstrate that beating cilia alone cannot transport buffer upward against gravity. Next, we show the same cilia successfully transporting mucus upward. These results indicate that the biophysical and biochemical properties of mucus enable vertical clearance and that current assay systems are not equipped to determine which properties are required for physiologically relevant vertical mucociliary clearance.
Microendoscopy reveals positive correlation in multiscale length changes and variable sarcomere lengths across different regions of human muscle
Authors: Lichtwark Glen A. , Farris Dominic J. , Chen Xuefeng , Hodges Paul W. , Delp Scott L.
Published: September 2018

Sarcomere length is a key physiological parameter that affects muscle force output; however, our understanding of the scaling of human muscle from sarcomere to whole muscle is based primarily on cadaveric data. The aims of this study were to explore the in vivo relationship between passive fascicle length and passive sarcomere length at different muscle-tendon unit lengths and determine whether sarcomere and fascicle length relationships are the same in different regions of muscle. A microendoscopy needle probe capable of in vivo sarcomere imaging was inserted into a proximal location of the human tibialis anterior muscle at three different ankle positions [5° dorsiflexion, 5° plantar flexion (PF), and 15° PF] and one distal location at a constant ankle position (5° PF distal). Ultrasound imaging of tibialis anterior fascicles, centered on the location of the needle probe, was performed for each condition to estimate fascicle length. Sarcomere length and fascicle length increased with increasing muscle-tendon unit length, although the correlation between sarcomere length change and muscle fascicle length change was only moderate ( r2 = 0.45). Passive sarcomere length was longer at the distal imaging site than the proximal site ( P = 0.01). When sarcomere number was estimated from sarcomere length and fascicle length, there were fewer sarcomeres in the fibers of distal location than the proximal location ( P = 0.01). These data demonstrate that fascicle length changes are representative of sarcomere length changes, although significant variability in sarcomere length exists within a muscle and sarcomere number per fiber is region-dependent.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Sarcomere and fascicle lengths were measured in vivo from human muscle to examine the relationship between the different scales of organization. Changes in fascicle length were moderately related to sarcomere length changes; however, sarcomere length and number per fiber varied from proximal to distal regions of the muscle. Differences in average sarcomere operating lengths across the muscle suggest potentially different stresses or strains experienced within different regions of muscle.
Exercise training-induced effects on the abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue phenotype in humans with obesity
Authors: Stinkens Rudi , Brouwers Bram , Jocken Johan W. , Blaak Ellen E. , Teunissen-Beekman Karianna F. , Hesselink Matthijs K. , van Baak Marleen A. , Schrauwen Patrick , Goossens Gijs H.
Published: September 2018

Rodent studies have indicated that physical exercise may improve adipose tissue function. We investigated the effects of a 12-wk supervised, progressive exercise training program on adipocyte morphology and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue function in metabolically well-phenotyped subjects with obesity. Men with obesity ( n = 21) participated in a 12-wk supervised, progressive, combined exercise training program consisting of aerobic exercise (30 min at 70% of maximal power output 2 times/wk) and resistance exercise (3 × 10 repetitions at 60% of 1 repeated maximum 1 time/wk), with adjustment of exercise intensity every 4 wk. At baseline and after intervention, abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies were collected to determine 1) adipocyte morphology, 2) gene expression of markers for lipolysis, inflammation, browning, adipokines, and mitochondrial biogenesis/function, 3) protein expression of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes, and 4) ex vivo basal and β2-adrenergic stimulated lipolysis. The exercise training program, which increased maximal aerobic capacity ( P < 0.001) and muscle strength ( P < 0.001), slightly reduced adipose tissue mass (~0.7 kg, P = 0.021) but did not affect abdominal subcutaneous adipocyte size ( P = 0.744), adipose tissue gene expression of markers for mitochondrial biogenesis and function, browning, lipolysis, inflammation and adipokines, total OXPHOS protein content ( P = 0.789), or β2-adrenergic sensitivity of lipolysis ( P = 0.555). A 12-wk supervised, progressive exercise training program did not alter abdominal subcutaneous adipocyte morphology and adipose tissue gene/protein expression of markers related to adipose tissue function or β2-adrenergic sensitivity of lipolysis in male subjects with obesity.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Studies that investigated the effects of exercise training on adipose tissue function in well-phenotyped humans are scarce. We demonstrate that 12 wk of supervised exercise training improved physical fitness and peripheral insulin sensitivity but did not alter abdominal subcutaneous adipocyte morphology, adipose tissue gene and protein expression of markers related to adipose tissue function, or β2-adrenergic receptor-mediated lipolysis in men with obesity. A prolonged and/or more intense training program may be required to improve human adipose tissue function.
Healthy lifestyle-based approaches for successful vascular aging
Authors: Rossman Matthew J. , LaRocca Thomas J. , Martens Christopher R. , Seals Douglas R.
Published: September 2018

This review summarizes a presentation given at the 2016 Gerontological Society of America Annual Meeting as part of the Vascular Aging Workshop. The development of age-related vascular dysfunction increases the risk of cardiovascular disease as well as other chronic age-associated disorders, including chronic kidney disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Healthy lifestyle behaviors, most notably regular aerobic exercise and certain dietary patterns, are considered “first-line” strategies for the prevention and/or treatment of vascular dysfunction with aging. Despite the well-established benefits of these strategies, however, many older adults do not meet the recommended guidelines for exercise or consume a healthy diet. Therefore, it is important to establish alternative and/or complementary evidence-based approaches to prevent or reverse age-related vascular dysfunction. Time-efficient forms of exercise training, hormetic exposure to mild environmental stress, fasting “mimicking” dietary paradigms, and nutraceutical/pharmaceutical approaches to favorably modulate cellular and molecular pathways activated by exercise and healthy dietary patterns may hold promise as such alternative approaches. Determining the efficacy of these novel strategies is important to provide alternatives for adults with low adherence to conventional healthy lifestyle practices for healthy vascular aging.
In Situ Polymerization of Nylon 66/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites
Authors: Duan Xiaochao , Yu Bin , Yang Tonghui , Wu Yanpeng , Yu Hao , Huang Tao
Published: September 2018

A one-step method of in situ polymerization of nylon 66/reduced graphene oxide (PA66/rGO) nanocomposites is first proposed, simply by introducing graphene oxide (GO) into PA66 salt with the existence of ammonium hydroxide. The GO is prereduced by the ammonium hydroxide at an early stage of the polymerization process and then grafted on the PA66 chains, accompanied with the thermal reduction of GO. The PA66 chains were grafted onto the GO nanosheets through the condensation between the oxygen-containing functional groups of the GO and the terminal amino ends of the PA66 chains. The effect of GO on the mechanical properties, especially tensile strength, of nanocomposites was investigated. The results revealed that the incorporation of a very small amount (about 1 wt%) of GO caused a significant improvement in ultimate tensile strength (about 17%). The SEM of the fracture surface of composites indicated a good dispersion of rGO in the matrix. Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and XRD patterns of rGO, which was isolated from nanocomposites, revealed that the GO nanolayers were simultaneously reduced and PA66 chains were grafted on the rGO nanosheet during the polymerization process. The rGO grafted with the PA66 chain increases its compatibility in the PA66 matrix and effectively enhanced the interfacial energy of the composites.
Dynamic Service Request Scheduling for Mobile Edge Computing Systems
Authors: Chen Ying , Zhang Yongchao , Chen Xin
Published: September 2018

Nowadays, mobile services (applications) running on terminal devices are becoming more and more computation‐intensive. Offloading the service requests from terminal devices to cloud computing can be a good solution, but it would put a high burden on the network. Edge computing is an emerging technology to solve this problem, which places servers at the edge of the network. Dynamic scheduling of offloaded service requests in mobile edge computing systems is a key issue. It faces challenges due to the dynamic nature and uncertainty of service request patterns. In this article, we propose a Dynamic Service Request Scheduling (DSRS) algorithm, which makes request scheduling decisions to optimize scheduling cost while providing performance guarantees. The DSRS algorithm can be implemented in an online and distributed way. We present mathematical analysis which shows that the DSRS algorithm can achieve arbitrary tradeoff between scheduling cost and performance. Experiments are also carried out to show the effectiveness of the DSRS algorithm.
Investigating Enzyme Activity of Immobilized Candida rugosa Lipase
Authors: Sri Kaja Bhagya , Lumor Stephen , Besong Samuel , Taylor Bettina , Ozbay Gulnihal
Published: September 2018

Candida rugosa lipase is a food-grade enzyme that is extensively utilized in the dairy processing industry for milk fat hydrolysis. The enzyme is mainly employed to modify the fatty acid chain length that results in the enhancement of flavors. The hydrolytic activities of C. rugosa lipase (fungal source) in its free and immobilized forms were investigated at different pH and temperature settings. The main objective of this study was to understand how different support materials (Celite-545, Sephadex G-25, and chitosan) and immobilization techniques alter lipase activity and stability. Our results indicated that hydrolytic activity increased significantly with immobilization on Celite-545. In general, immobilization resulted in considerable improvements in the stability of the enzyme with variations in pH and temperature. Immobilization on Celite-545 led to the highest catalytic efficiency. Remarkable improvements in the recovery and reusability of the immobilized lipases were noted. Comparatively, the acetone immobilization procedure resulted in higher activities than alcohol immobilization. In conclusion, the activity of C. rugosa lipase was enhanced most significantly when immobilized on Celite-545 using acetone as an adsorption solvent.
A Lateral Unconfined Swelling Test for Swelling Rocks
Authors: Zhang Zhi-min , Gao Wen-hua , Chen Qiu-nan , Zhang Zong-tang
Published: September 2018

A simple experimental equipment and test scheme is designed to estimate the swelling deformation under the lateral unconfined condition with coupling effect of uniaxial load and water‐rock interaction. This paper carried out the swelling test under the lateral unconfined condition and analyzed the qualities of lateral unconfined swelling of weak swelling rock by applying simple self‐designed saturated equipment to the swelling test on the platform of microcomputer‐controlled rock shear rheological tester RYL‐600. As a result of this study, the following conclusions were derived: (1) considering the coupling effect of load and water, the stress level is considerably lower than the mudstone‐saturated uniaxial compressive strength, and it is discovered that the coupling effect is striking. (2) The swelling reveals the demonstrable time effect, which increases rapidly at the beginning of the swelling deformation, and after that, the deformation tends to maintain a certain value. (3) Both the rate and the scale of swelling deformation are restrained by the axial load.
Amomum bungoensis: A New Species of Amomum (Zingiberaceae) from Sarawak, Malaysia
Authors: Syazana S. Aimi , Meekiong K. , Afifah N. , Syauqina M. Y.
Published: September 2018

A new species of Amomum Roxb. from Sarawak is described. Amomum bungoensis S. Aimi Syazana & Meekiong, sp. nov., shows similarity with A. durum S. Sakai and Nagamasu by having similar fruit characteristics but differs in labellum and anther crest of the flowers. Detailed description and photographs are provided.
Assessing Soil Erosion by Agricultural and Forestry Production and Proposing Solutions to Mitigate: A Case Study in Son La Province, Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen X. H. , Pham A. H.
Published: September 2018

Son La is a province in the Northwest region of Vietnam; this province has diverse terrains with elevation ranging from 100 m to 2,900 m. Due to lack of cultivating lands, farmers still cultivate lands with steep slope, even above 25o. Consequently, the soil erosion has occurred hugely and the time for productive cultivation has been shortened. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the actual soil erosion, analyzing causes and proposing solutions to mitigate soil loss in the Son La province. Application of GIS technology and the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) to predict soil erosion showed that the soil eroded at a very low level (0–1 ton·ha−1·year−1) accounted for the largest proportion with 56.49% of the area. Low level (1–5 ton·ha−1·year−1), medium level (5–10 ton·ha−1·year−1), and high level (10–50 ton·ha−1·year−1) eroded areas account for 8.52%, 7.88%, and 1.41%, respectively, of the area. Soil is eroded in very high level (>50 ton·ha−1·year−1), accounting for 25.7% of the study area. Research on solutions to mitigate soil erosion in Mai Son district showed that, for the cultivation of perennial crops (coffee), when planting on following contour lines, the amount of soil lost annually due to erosion is 63.37 ton·ha−1, while the cultivation following level top bench terrace soil loss is 39.55 ton·ha−1. If more grass strips were planted, the amount of soil lost annually due to erosion was reduced by 71% compared to traditional solutions. For this solution, when intercropping soybean, the soil erosion was reduced by 63–76% compared to the traditional methods. For cultivation of annual crops (maize) where the traditional methods of cultivation, namely, burning, ploughing, and seeding, are followed, the average loss of soil annually is 64.06 ton·ha−1. This value was 45.04 ton·ha−1 and 41.96 ton·ha−1, respectively, as the minimum soil tillage measure and no-tillage measure were used. When using the stems of maize after harvesting to cover lands following contour lines and terraces, soil erosion decreased by 38–59% compared to traditional solutions, while intercropping with legumes, soil loss due to erosion decreased 50–68% compared to traditional measures.
Diabetes and Associated Cardiovascular Complications in American Indians/Alaskan Natives: A Review of Risks and Prevention Strategies
Authors: Poudel Anil , Zhou Joseph Yi , Story Darren , Li Lixin
Published: September 2018

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of death in the U.S. American Indian/Alaskan Natives (AI/ANs), who comprise only 2% of the total population. The AI/AN population has a high prevalence of DM in adults aged 20 years or older and is developing DM at a younger age than the general U.S. population. DM is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality from CVD is higher in AI/ANs than the general population, as is the prevalence of stroke and 1-year poststroke mortality for both genders when compared to non-Hispanic whites. A genome-wide scan found a number of chromosome linkages in the AI/AN population that suggest that genetic factors may contribute to their high risk of DM and CVD. Importantly, studies also suggest that in addition to race/ethnicity, cultural norms and historic conditions play important roles in the prevalence of DM and CVD in this population. Therefore, multiple factors should be taken into consideration when establishing prevention programs to decrease the prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and CVD incidence among adults and children in the AI/AN population. Prevention programs should focus on behavioral risk factors and lifestyle changes like encouraging smoking cessation, healthy diet, and increased physical activity while taking into consideration cultural, economic, and geographic factors.
Cancer Immunotherapy: Priming the Host Immune Response with Live Attenuated Salmonella enterica
Authors: Hernández-Luna Marco Antonio , Luria-Pérez Rosendo
Published: September 2018

In recent years, cancer immunotherapy has undergone great advances because of our understanding of the immune response and the mechanisms through which tumor cells evade it. A century after the first immunotherapy attempt based on bacterial products described by William Coley, the use of live attenuated bacterial vectors has become a promising alternative in the fight against cancer. This review describes the role of live attenuated Salmonella enterica as an oncolytic and immunotherapeutic agent, due to its high affinity for tumor tissue and its ability to activate innate and adaptive antitumor immune response. Furthermore, its potential use as delivery system of tumor antigens and immunomodulatory molecules that induce tumor regression is also reviewed.
Synthesis and Evaluation of N-[1-(((3,4-Diphenylthiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)amino)methyl)cyclopentyl]acetamide Derivatives for the Treatment of Diseases Belonging to MAOs
Authors: Turan-Zitouni Gülhan , Tabbi Aouatef , Hussein Weiam , Karaduman Abdullah Burak , Sağlık Begüm Nurpelin , Özkay Yusuf
Published: September 2018

A series of N-[1-(((3,4-diphenylthiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)amino)methyl)cyclopentyl]acetamide derivatives (4a-4i) were synthesized in good yield and assayed for their inhibitory potency against monoamine oxidase (MAO) isoforms. Structures of newly synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and mass spectroscopic methods. The inhibitory activity of compounds (4a-4i) against hMAO-A and hMAO-B enzymes was elucidated by using in vitro fluorometric method using Amplex Red® reagent. In the hMAO-A inhibition assay, compounds 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4i exhibited similar activity with standard drug moclobemide (IC50 = 6.061 ± 0.262 µM) with IC50 values of 7.06 ± 0.18 µM, 6.56 ± 0.20 µM, 6.78 ± 0.15 µM, and 7.09 ± 0.17 µM, respectively. According to hMAO-B inhibition results, compounds 4a, 4b, and 4c displayed significant activity with IC50 values of 0.42 ± 0.012 µM, 0.36 ± 0.014 µM, and 0.69 ± 0.020 µM, respectively. In the wake of all these results, it was understood that compound 4b was found to be the most potent derivative in the series against both isoforms and selective as MAO-B inhibitor. The cytotoxicity test was performed for compounds 4a, 4b, and 4c, and it was found that these compounds were noncytotoxic at the concentration of their IC50 values. Also, enzyme kinetic and docking studies of compound 4b were performed against MAO-B. It was observed that 4b showed a reversible and noncompetitive inhibition type. The important binding modes of this compound with active site of hMAO-B were shown owing to in silico studies.
A Very Rare Complication of Hepatitis A Infection: Acute Myocarditis—A Case Report with Literature Review
Authors: Allen Olivia , Edhi Ahmed , Hafeez Adam , Halalau Alexandra
Published: September 2018

Hepatitis A is a common viral infection with a benign course but in rare cases can progress to acute liver failure. It usually presents with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, anorexia, or asymptomatically, but it can also present atypically with relapsing hepatitis and prolonged cholestasis. In addition, extrahepatic manifestations have been reported, including urticarial and maculopapular rash, acute kidney injury, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, acute pancreatitis, mononeuritis, reactive arthritis, glomerulonephritis, cryoglobulinemia, Guillain–Barre syndrome, and pleural or pericardial effusion. A rare manifestation of hepatitis A is acute myocarditis. We report a case of a young woman who presented with “flu-like symptoms” and was found to have severe elevation of liver enzymes due to acute hepatitis A infection. On her 3rd day of admission, the patient developed chest pain and nonspecific electrocardiographic changes. Her troponins rose to 16.4  ng/mL, and a transthoracic echocardiogram revealed global hypokinesis and a depressed ejection fraction at 30%. A CT angiography showed no evidence of significant coronary artery disease. The patient was managed supportively, and symptoms and laboratory findings slowly improved over the next 7 days. Her chest pain resolved and a follow-up echocardiogram showed improved ejection fraction to 45%.
A Simple Method of Residential Electricity Load Forecasting by Improved Bayesian Neural Networks
Authors: Zheng Shubin , Zhong Qianwen , Peng Lele , Chai Xiaodong
Published: September 2018

Electricity load forecasting is becoming one of the key issues to solve energy crisis problem, and time-series Bayesian Neural Network is one popular method used in load forecast models. However, it has long running time and relatively strong dependence on time and weather factors at a residential level. To solve these problems, this article presents an improved Bayesian Neural Networks (IBNN) forecast model by augmenting historical load data as inputs based on simple feedforward structure. From the load time delays correlations and impact factors analysis, containing different inputs, number of hidden neurons, historic period of data, forecasting time range, and range requirement of sample data, some advices are given on how to better choose these factors. To validate the performance of improved Bayesian Neural Networks model, several residential sample datasets of one whole year from Ausgrid have been selected to build the improved Bayesian Neural Networks model. The results compared with the time-series load forecast model show that the improved Bayesian Neural Networks model can significantly reduce calculating time by more than 30 times and even when the time or meteorological factors are missing, it can still predict the load with a high accuracy. Compared with other widely used prediction methods, the IBNN also performs a better accuracy and relatively shorter computing time. This improved Bayesian Neural Networks forecasting method can be applied in residential energy management.
Osseointegrated Transcutaneous Device for Amputees: A Pilot Large Animal Model
Authors: Grisez Brian T. , Hanselman Andrew E. , Boukhemis Karim W. , Lalli Trapper A. J. , Lindsey Brock A.
Published: September 2018

Traditional above-the-knee amputation prosthetics utilize a stump-socket interface that is well-known for skin/socket problems, sitting difficulty, disuse osteopenia, and increased work of ambulation. As a result, we evaluated a novel osseointegrated transcutaneous implant in a large animal. The implant was designed to promote osseointegration at the bone-implant interface and minimize complications. As proof of concept, four Dorset sheep underwent a two-stage surgery for forelimb placement of an osseointegrated transcutaneous implant utilizing Compress® technology (Biomet, Inc., Warsaw, IN). Two sheep received a long anchor plug (90 mm long x 9 mm in diameter) and two received a short anchor plug (46 mm long x 9 mm in diameter). Sixteen weeks after the initial surgery, the operative limbs, along with the attached implant, underwent radiographic and histological analysis for osseointegration. Periprosthetic fractures occurred in the two animals that received the longer internal prosthesis; one healed with splinting and the other animal underwent a second surgical procedure to advance the amputation site more proximal. No fractures occurred in the shorter internal prosthesis group. There was no histological evidence of infection and none of the transcutaneous adapters failed. Bone-implant osseointegration was demonstrated in two of three limbs that underwent histological analysis. This unique implant demonstrated osseointegration without transcutaneous adapter failure, all while displaying minimal infection risk from the outside environment. Although it involved short-term follow-up in a limited number of animals, this pilot study provides a platform for further investigation into the valid concept of using Compress® technology as an endo-exo device.
Simulation Study for the Energy Resolution Performances of Homogenous Calorimeters with Scintillator-Photodetector Combinations
Authors: Aydın G.
Published: September 2018

The scintillating properties of active materials used in high energy and particle physics experiments play an important role regarding the performances of both calorimeters and experiments. Two scintillator materials, a scintillating glass and an inorganic crystals, were examined to be used for collider experiments showing good optical and scintillating properties. This paper discusses the simulated performances of two materials of interest assembled in a scintillator-photodetector combination. The computational study was carried out with Geant4 simulation program to determine energy resolutions of such calorimeter with different beam energies and calorimeter sizes.