bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic Optimization of Component Sizing for Residential Battery Storage Systems
Authors: Hesse Holger , Martins Rodrigo , Musilek Petr , Naumann Maik , Truong Cong , Jossen Andreas
Published: June 2017

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) coupled with rooftop-mounted residential photovoltaic (PV) generation, designated as PV-BESS, draw increasing attention and market penetration as more and more such systems become available. The manifold BESS deployed to date rely on a variety of different battery technologies, show a great variation of battery size, and power electronics dimensioning. However, given today’s high investment costs of BESS, a well-matched design and adequate sizing of the storage systems are prerequisites to allow profitability for the end-user. The economic viability of a PV-BESS depends also on the battery operation, storage technology, and aging of the system. In this paper, a general method for comprehensive PV-BESS techno-economic analysis and optimization is presented and applied to the state-of-art PV-BESS to determine its optimal parameters. Using a linear optimization method, a cost-optimal sizing of the battery and power electronics is derived based on solar energy availability and local demand. At the same time, the power flow optimization reveals the best storage operation patterns considering a trade-off between energy purchase, feed-in remuneration, and battery aging. Using up to date technology-specific aging information and the investment cost of battery and inverter systems, three mature battery chemistries are compared; a lead-acid (PbA) system and two lithium-ion systems, one with lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) and another with lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) cathode. The results show that different storage technology and component sizing provide the best economic performances, depending on the scenario of load demand and PV generation.
Interstellar Reddening Effect on the Age Dating of Population II Stars
Authors: Ortolani Sergio , Cassisi Santi , Salaris Maurizio
Published: June 2017

The age measurement of the stellar halo component of the Galaxy is based mainly on the comparison of the main sequence turn-off luminosity of the globular cluster (GC) stars with theoretical isochrones. The standard procedure includes a vertical shift, in order to account for the distance and extinction to the cluster, and a horizontal one, to compensate the reddening. However, the photometry is typically performed with broad-band filters where the shape of the stellar spectra introduces a shift of the effective wavelength response of the system, dependent on the effective temperature (or color index) of the star. The result is an increasing distortion—actually a rotation and a progressive compression with the temperature—of the color-magnitude diagrams relatively to the standard unreddened isochrones, with increasing reddening. This effect is usually negligible for reddening E ( B - V ) on the order of or smaller than 0.15, but it can be quite relevant at larger extinction values. While the ratio of the absorption to the reddening is widely discussed in the literature, the importance of the latter effect is often overlooked. In this contribution, we present isochron simulations and discuss the expected effects on age dating of high-reddening globular clusters.
Effects of Type 1 Diabetes Risk Alleles on Immune Cell Gene Expression
Authors: Ram Ramesh , Morahan Grant
Published: June 2017

Genetic studies have identified 61 variants associated with the risk of developing Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). The functions of most of the non-HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) genetic variants remain unknown. We found that only 16 of these risk variants could potentially be linked to a protein-coding change. Therefore, we investigated whether these variants affected susceptibility by regulating changes in gene expression. To do so, we examined whole transcriptome profiles of 600 samples from the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium (T1DGC). These comprised four different immune cell types (Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B cells, either basal or after stimulation; and cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ and CD8+ T cells). Many of the T1D-associated risk variants regulated expression of either neighboring (cis-) or distant (trans-) genes. In brief, 24 of the non-HLA T1D variants affected the expression of 31 nearby genes (cis) while 25 affected 38 distant genes (trans). The effects were highly significant (False Discovery Rate p < 0.001). In addition, we searched in public databases for expression effects of T1D single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in other immune cell types such as CD14+ monocytes, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated monocytes, and CD19+ B cells. In this paper, we review the (expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) associated with each of the 60 T1D variants and provide a summary of the genes impacted by T1D risk alleles in various immune cells. We then review the methodological steps involved in analyzing the function of genome wide association studies (GWAS)-identified variants, with emphasis on those affecting gene expression. We also discuss recent advancements in the methodologies and their advantages. We conclude by suggesting future study designs that will aid in the study of T1D risk variants.
Assessing Genetic Diversity and Population Differentiation of Colored Calla Lily (Zantedeschia Hybrid) for an Efficient Breeding Program
Authors: Wei Zunzheng , Zhang Huali , Wang Yi , Li Youli , Xiong Min , Wang Xian , Zhou Di
Published: June 2017

Plastome-genome incompatibility (PGI) is prevalent in several plants including the Zantedeschia species, a worldwide commercial flower crop native to South Africa. Generally, hybrids suffering from PGI appear less vigorous and more susceptible than normal plants. Previous reports revealed that the PGI level in interspecific hybrids is correlated with the relatedness of the parental species in the genus Zantedeschia. To provide a basis for utilizing and improving resources in breeding programs, a total of 117 accessions of colored calla lily (Zantedeschia hybrid), collected from New Zealand, the Netherlands and the United States, were genotyped using 31 transferable expressed sequence tags-simple sequence repeats (EST-SSR) markers from the white calla lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica). A moderately high level of genetic diversity was observed, with 111 alleles in total, an observed/expected heterozygosity (Ho/He) of 0.453/0.478, and polymorphism information content (PIC) of 0.26. Genetic distance and STRUCTURE-based analysis further clustered all accessions into four subgroups (G-Ia, G-Ib, G-IIa and G-IIb), which mostly consisted of Zantedeschia pentlandii, Zantedeschia elliotiana, Zantedeschia albomaculata and Zantedeschia rehmannii, respectively. Significant genetic differentiation was observed between all inferred subgroup pairs, with the Fst ranging from 0.142 to 0.281. Finally, the accessions assigned into G-IIb (Z. rehmannii) were recommended as top priority parents in efficient Zantedeschia breeding program designs.
Towards a Planetary Spatial Data Infrastructure
Authors: Laura Jason , Hare Trent , Gaddis Lisa , Fergason Robin , Skinner James , Hagerty Justin , Archinal Brent
Published: June 2017

Planetary science is the study of planets, moons, irregular bodies such as asteroids and the processes that create and modify them. Like terrestrial sciences, planetary science research is heavily dependent on collecting, processing and archiving large quantities of spatial data to support a range of activities. To address the complexity of storing, discovering, accessing, and utilizing spatial data, the terrestrial research community has developed conceptual Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) models and cyberinfrastructures. The needs that these systems seek to address for terrestrial spatial data users are similar to the needs of the planetary science community: spatial data should just work for the non-spatial expert. Here we discuss a path towards a Planetary Spatial Data Infrastructure (PSDI) solution that fulfills this primary need. We first explore the linkage between SDI models and cyberinfrastructures, then describe the gaps in current PSDI concepts, and discuss the overlap between terrestrial SDIs and a new, conceptual PSDI that best serves the needs of the planetary science community.
Addressing Public Law Restrictions within a 3D Cadastral Context
Authors: Kitsakis Dimitrios , Dimopoulou Efi
Published: June 2017

Public law affects contemporary life by imposing various regulations that apply in 3D space. However, such restrictions are either literally described in legal documents or presented on a horizontal plane, resulting in ambiguities, especially in the case of vertically overlapping restrictions with a significant impact on land management. This paper investigates public law restrictions (PLR) applying to 3D space and their management within a 3D cadastral context. Within this framework, a case study is examined in Greece concerning the establishment of a subway station, focusing on public utilities, archaeological legislation, and building regulations. Relative legal documentation is compiled and mapped in a 3D PLR model, presenting inefficiencies and malfunctions that can be resolved if PLRs are addressed within a 3D cadastral context. Stipulations implying restrictions in 3D space within current legislation are presented, along with the restrictions deriving from the absolute character of ownership right, thus highlighting the significance of 3D definition, modeling and recording of PLRs.
Fusion of Multi-Temporal Interferometric Coherence and Optical Image Data for the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake Damage Assessment
Authors: Tamkuan Nopphawan , Nagai Masahiko
Published: June 2017

Earthquakes are one of the most devastating types of natural disasters, and happen with little to no warning. This study combined Landsat-8 and interferometric ALOS-2 coherence data without training area techniques by classifying the remote sensing ratios of specific features for damage assessment. Waterbodies and highly vegetated areas were extracted by the modified normalized difference water index (MNDWI) and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), respectively, from after-earthquake images in order to improve the accuracy of damage maps. Urban areas were classified from pre-event interferometric coherence data. The affected areas from the earthquake were detected with the normalized difference (ND) between the pre- and co-event interferometric coherence. The results presented three damage types; namely, damage to buildings caused by ground motion, liquefaction, and landslides. The overall accuracy (94%) of the confusion matrix was excellent. Results for urban areas were divided into three damage levels (e.g., none–slight, slight–heavy, heavy–destructive) at a high (90%) overall accuracy level. Moreover, data on buildings damaged by liquefaction and landslides were in good agreement with field survey information. Overall, this study illustrates an effective damage assessment mapping approach that can support post-earthquake management activities for future events, especially in areas where geographical data are sparse.
Unveiling E-Bike Potential for Commuting Trips from GPS Traces
Authors: Lopez Angel J. , Astegiano Paola , Gautama Sidharta , Ochoa Daniel , Tampère Chris , Beckx Carolien
Published: June 2017

Common goals of sustainable mobility approaches are to reduce the need for travel, to facilitate modal shifts, to decrease trip distances and to improve energy efficiency in the transportation systems. Among these issues, modal shift plays an important role for the adoption of vehicles with fewer or zero emissions. Nowadays, the electric bike (e-bike) is becoming a valid alternative to cars in urban areas. However, to promote modal shift, a better understanding of the mobility behaviour of e-bike users is required. In this paper, we investigate the mobility habits of e-bikers using GPS data collected in Belgium from 2014 to 2015. By analysing more than 10,000 trips, we provide insights about e-bike trip features such as: distance, duration and speed. In addition, we offer a deep look into which routes are preferred by bike owners in terms of their physical characteristics and how weather influences e-bike usage. Results show that trips with higher travel distances are performed during working days and are correlated with higher average speeds. Usage patterns extracted from our data set also indicate that e-bikes are preferred for commuting (home-work) and business (work related) trips rather than for recreational trips.
The Arabidopsis GPR1 Gene Negatively Affects Pollen Germination, Pollen Tube Growth, and Gametophyte Senescence
Authors: Yang Xiao , Zhang Qinying , Zhao Kun , Luo Qiong , Bao Shuguang , Liu Huabin , Men Shuzhen
Published: June 2017

Genes essential for gametophyte development and fertilization have been identified and studied in detail; however, genes that fine-tune these processes are largely unknown. Here, we characterized an unknown Arabidopsis gene, GTP-BINDING PROTEIN RELATED1 (GPR1). GPR1 is specifically expressed in ovule, pollen, and pollen tube. Enhanced green fluorescent protein-tagged GPR1 localizes to both nucleus and cytoplasm, and it also presents in punctate and ring-like structures. gpr1 mutants exhibit no defect in gametogenesis and seed setting, except that their pollen grains are pale in color. Scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed a normal patterned but thinner exine on gpr1 pollen surface. This may explain why gpr1 pollen grains are pale. We next examined whether GPR1 mutation affects post gametogenesis processes including pollen germination, pollen tube growth, and ovule senescence. We found that gpr1 pollen grains germinated earlier, and their pollen tubes elongated faster. Emasculation assay revealed that unfertilized gpr1 pistil expressed the senescence marker PBFN1:GUS (GUS: a reporter gene that encodes β-glucuronidase) one-day earlier than the wild type pistil. Consistently, ovules and pollen grains of gpr1 mutants showed lower viability than those of the wild type at 4 to 5 days post anthesis. Together, these data suggest that GPR1 functions as a negative regulator of pollen germination, pollen tube growth, and gametophyte senescence to fine-tune the fertilization process.
Identification and Validation of Reference Genes for Seashore Paspalum Response to Abiotic Stresses
Authors: Liu Yu , Liu Jun , Xu Lei , Lai Hui , Chen Yu , Yang Zhimin , Huang Bingru
Published: June 2017

Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum) is among the most salt- and cadmium-tolerant warm-season perennial grass species widely used as turf or forage. The objective of this study was to select stable reference genes for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis of seashore paspalum in response to four abiotic stresses. The stability of 12 potential reference genes was evaluated by four programs (geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder). U2AF combined with glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) showed stable expression in Cd-treated leaves and cold-treated roots. U2AF and FBOX were the most stable reference genes in Cd-treated roots and cold-treated leaves. In Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)- or salt-treated roots, the reference gene U2AF paired with either ACT or CYP were stable. SAND and CACS exhibited the most stability in salt-treated leaves, and combining UPL, PP2A, and EF1a was most suitable for PEG-treated leaves. The stability of U2AF and instability of UPL and TUB was validated by analyzing the expression levels of four target genes (MT2a, VP1, PIP1, and Cor413), and were shown to be capable of detecting subtle changes in expression levels of the target genes in seashore paspalum. This study demonstrated that FBOX, U2AF, and PP2A could be used in future molecular studies that aim to understand the mechanisms of abiotic stress tolerance in seashore paspalum.
Adolescent Exposure to the Synthetic Cannabinoid WIN 55212-2 Modifies Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms in Adult Mice
Authors: Aguilar María , Ledesma Juan , Rodríguez-Arias Marta , Penalva Carles , Manzanedo Carmen , Miñarro José , Arenas M.
Published: June 2017

Chronic cannabinoid consumption is an increasingly common behavior among teenagers and has been shown to cause long-lasting neurobehavioral alterations. Besides, it has been demonstrated that cocaine addiction in adulthood is highly correlated with cannabis abuse during adolescence. Cocaine consumption and subsequent abstinence from it can cause psychiatric symptoms, such as psychosis, cognitive impairment, anxiety, and depression. The aim of the present research was to study the consequences of adolescent exposure to cannabis on the psychiatric-like effects promoted by cocaine withdrawal in adult mice. We pre-treated juvenile mice with the cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist WIN 55212-2 (WIN) and then subjected them to a chronic cocaine treatment during adulthood. Following these treatments, animals were tested under cocaine withdrawal in the following paradigms: pre-pulse inhibition, object recognition, elevated plus maze, and tail suspension. The long-term psychotic-like actions induced by WIN were not modified after cocaine cessation. Moreover, the memory impairments induced by cocaine withdrawal were not altered by previous adolescent WIN intake. However, WIN pre-treatment prevented the anxiogenic effects observed after cocaine abstinence, and led to greater depressive-like symptoms following cocaine removal in adulthood. This study is the first to show the long-lasting behavioral consequences of juvenile exposure to WIN on cocaine withdrawal in adult mice.
Development of a High-Density SNP-Based Linkage Map and Detection of QTL for β-Glucans, Protein Content, Grain Yield per Spike and Heading Time in Durum Wheat
Authors: Marcotuli Ilaria , Gadaleta Agata , Mangini Giacomo , Signorile Antonio , Zacheo Silvana , Blanco Antonio , Simeone Rosanna , Colasuonno Pasqualina
Published: June 2017

High-density genetic linkage maps of crop species are particularly useful in detecting qualitative and quantitative trait loci for important agronomic traits and in improving the power of classical approaches to identify candidate genes. The aim of this study was to develop a high-density genetic linkage map in a durum wheat recombinant inbred lines population (RIL) derived from two elite wheat cultivars and to identify, characterize and correlate Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) for β-glucan, protein content, grain yield per spike and heading time. A dense map constructed by genotyping the RIL population with the wheat 90K iSelect array included 5444 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers distributed in 36 linkage groups. Data for β-glucan and protein content, grain yield per spike and heading time were obtained from replicated trials conducted at two locations in southern Italy. A total of 19 QTL were detected in different chromosome regions. In particular, three QTL for β-glucan content were detected on chromosomes 2A and 2B (two loci); eight QTL controlling grain protein content were detected on chromosomes 1B, 2B, 3B (two loci), 4A, 5A, 7A and 7B; seven QTL for grain yield per spike were identified on chromosomes 1A, 2B, 3A (two loci), 3B (two loci) and 6B; and one marker-trait association was detected on chromosome 2A for heading time. The last was co-located with a β-glucan QTL, and the two QTL appeared to be negatively correlated. A genome scan for genomic regions controlling the traits and SNP annotated sequences identified five putative candidate genes involved in different biosynthesis pathways (β-glucosidase, GLU1a; APETALA2, TaAP2; gigantea 3, TaGI3; 14-3-3 protein, Ta14A; and photoperiod sensitivity, Ppd-A1). This study provides additional information on QTL for important agronomic traits that could be useful for marker-assisted breeding to obtain new genotypes with commercial and nutritional relevance.
Identification of Light-Independent Anthocyanin Biosynthesis Mutants Induced by Ethyl Methane Sulfonate in Turnip “Tsuda” (Brassica rapa)
Authors: Yang Jian-Fei , Chen Yun-Zhu , Kawabata Saneyuki , Li Yu-Hua , Wang Yu
Published: June 2017

The epidermis of swollen storage roots in purple cultivars of turnip “Tsuda” (Brassica rapa) accumulates anthocyanin in a light-dependent manner, especially in response to UV-A light, of which the mechanism is unclear. In this study, we mutagenized 15,000 seeds by 0.5% (v/v) ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) and obtained 14 mutants with abnormal anthocyanin production in their epidermis of swollen storage roots. These mutants were classified into two groups: the red mutants with constitutive anthocyanin accumulation in their epidermis of storage roots even in underground parts in darkness and the white mutants without anthocyanin accumulation in the epidermis of storage roots in aboveground parts exposed to sunlight. Test cross analysis demonstrated that w9, w68, w204, r15, r21, r30 and r57 contained different mutations responsible for their phenotypic variations. Further genetic analysis of four target mutants (w9, w68, w204 and r15) indicated that each of them was controlled by a different recessive gene. Intriguingly, the expression profiles of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes, including structural and regulatory genes, coincided with their anthocyanin levels in the epidermis of storage roots in the four target mutants. We proposed that potential genes responsible for the mutations should be upstream factors of the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway in turnips, which provided resources to further investigate the mechanisms of light-induced anthocyanin accumulation.
Associations of Drug Lipophilicity and Extent of Metabolism with Drug-Induced Liver Injury
Authors: McEuen Kristin , Borlak Jürgen , Tong Weida , Chen Minjun
Published: June 2017

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI), although rare, is a frequent cause of adverse drug reactions resulting in warnings and withdrawals of numerous medications. Despite the research community’s best efforts, current testing strategies aimed at identifying hepatotoxic drugs prior to human trials are not sufficiently powered to predict the complex mechanisms leading to DILI. In our previous studies, we demonstrated lipophilicity and dose to be associated with increased DILI risk and, and in our latest work, we factored reactive metabolites into the algorithm to predict DILI. Given the inconsistency in determining the potential for drugs to cause DILI, the present study comprehensively assesses the relationship between DILI risk and lipophilicity and the extent of metabolism using a large published dataset of 1036 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs by considering five independent DILI annotations. We found that lipophilicity and the extent of metabolism alone were associated with increased risk for DILI. Moreover, when analyzed in combination with high daily dose (≥100 mg), lipophilicity was statistically significantly associated with the risk of DILI across all datasets (p < 0.05). Similarly, the combination of extensive hepatic metabolism (≥50%) and high daily dose (≥100 mg) was also strongly associated with an increased risk of DILI among all datasets analyzed (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that both lipophilicity and the extent of hepatic metabolism can be considered important risk factors for DILI in humans, and that this relationship to DILI risk is much stronger when considered in combination with dose. The proposed paradigm allows the convergence of different published annotations to a more uniform assessment.
Bias Stress and Temperature Impact on InGaZnO TFTs and Circuits
Authors: Martins Jorge , Bahubalindruni Pydi , Rovisco Ana , Kiazadeh Asal , Martins Rodrigo , Fortunato Elvira , Barquinha Pedro
Published: June 2017

This paper focuses on the analysis of InGaZnO thin-film transistors (TFTs) and circuits under the influence of different temperatures and bias stress, shedding light into their robustness when used in real-world applications. For temperature-dependent measurements, a temperature range of 15 to 85 °C was considered. In case of bias stress, both gate and drain bias were applied for 60 min. Though isolated transistors show a variation of drain current as high as 56% and 172% during bias voltage and temperature stress, the employed circuits were able to counteract it. Inverters and two-TFT current mirrors following simple circuit topologies showed a gain variation below 8%, while the improved robustness of a cascode current mirror design is proven by showing a gain variation less than 5%. The demonstration that the proper selection of TFT materials and circuit topologies results in robust operation of oxide electronics under different stress conditions and over a reasonable range of temperatures proves that the technology is suitable for applications such as smart food packaging and wearables.
Improving Sorbents for Glycerol Capture in Biodiesel Refinement
Authors: Johnson Brandy , Melde Brian , Moore Martin , Malanoski Anthony , Taft Jenna
Published: June 2017

Biodiesel is produced by transesterification of animal fat, vegetable oil, or waste cooking oil with alcohol. After production costs, the economic viability of biodiesel is dependent on what steps are necessary to remove impurities following synthesis and the effectiveness of quality control analysis. Solid-phase extraction offers a potentially advantageous approach in biodiesel processing applications. Nanoporous scaffolds were investigated for adsorption of glycerol, a side product of biodiesel synthesis that is detrimental to engine combustion when present. Materials were synthesized with varying pore wall composition, including ethane and diethylbenzene bridging groups, and sulfonated to promote hydrogen bonding interactions with glycerol. Materials bearing sulfonate groups throughout the scaffold walls as well as those post-synthetically grafted onto the surfaces show notably superior performance for uptake of glycerol. The sorbents are effective when used in biodiesel mixtures, removing greater than 90% of glycerol from a biodiesel preparation.
Early Damage Detection in Composites during Fabrication and Mechanical Testing
Authors: Chandarana Neha , Sanchez Daniel , Soutis Constantinos , Gresil Matthieu
Published: June 2017

Fully integrated monitoring systems have shown promise in improving confidence in composite materials while reducing lifecycle costs. A distributed optical fibre sensor is embedded in a fibre reinforced composite laminate, to give three sensing regions at different levels through-the-thickness of the plate. This study follows the resin infusion process during fabrication of the composite, monitoring the development of strain in-situ and in real time, and to gain better understanding of the resin rheology during curing. Piezoelectric wafer active sensors and electrical strain gauges are bonded to the plate after fabrication. This is followed by progressive loading/unloading cycles of mechanical four point bending. The strain values obtained from the optical fibre are in good agreement with strain data collected by surface mounted strain gauges, while the sensing regions clearly indicate the development of compressive, neutral, and tensile strain. Acoustic emission event detection suggests the formation of matrix (resin) cracks, with measured damage event amplitudes in agreement with values reported in published literature on the subject. The Felicity ratio for each subsequent loading cycle is calculated to track the progression of damage in the material. The methodology developed here can be used to follow the full life cycle of a composite structure, from manufacture to end-of-life.
Fucoidan Does Not Exert Anti-Tumorigenic Effects on Uveal Melanoma Cell Lines
Authors: Dithmer Michaela , Kirsch Anna-Maria , Richert Elisabeth , Fuchs Sabine , Wang Fanlu , Schmidt Harald , Coupland Sarah , Roider Johann , Klettner Alexa
Published: June 2017

Background. The polysaccharide fucoidan is widely investigated as an anti-cancer agent. Here, we tested the effect of fucoidan on uveal melanoma cell lines. Methods. The effect of 100 µM fucoidan was investigated on five cell lines (92.1, Mel270 OMM1, OMM2.3, OMM2.5) and of 1 µg/mL–1 mg/mL fucoidan in two cell lines (OMM1, OMM2.3). Cell proliferation and viability were investigated with a WST-1 assay, migration in a wound healing (scratch) assay. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) was measured in ELISA. Angiogenesis was evaluated in co-cultures with endothelial cells. Cell toxicity was induced by hydrogen-peroxide. Protein expression (Akt, ERK1/2, Bcl-2, Bax) was investigated in Western blot. Results. Fucoidan increased proliferation in two and reduced it in one cell line. Migration was reduced in three cell lines. The effect of fucoidan on VEGF was cell type and concentration dependent. In endothelial co-culture with 92.1, fucoidan significantly increased tubular structures. Moreover, fucoidan significantly protected all tested uveal melanoma cell lines from hydrogen-peroxide induced cell death. Under oxidative stress, fucoidan did not alter the expression of Bcl-2, Bax or ERK1/2, while inducing Akt expression in 92.1 cells but not in any other cell line. Conclusion. Fucoidan did not show anti-tumorigenic effects but displayed protective and pro-angiogenic properties, rendering fucoidan unsuitable as a potential new drug for the treatment of uveal melanoma.
Influence of Thickness and Chemical Composition of Hot-Rolled Bands on the Final Microstructure and Magnetic Properties of Non-Oriented Electrical Steel Sheets Subjected to Two Different Decarburizing Atmospheres
Authors: Calvillo Nephtali , Soria Ma. , Salinas Armando , Gutiérrez Emmanuel , Reyes Iván , Carrillo Francisco
Published: June 2017

During electrical steel processing, there are usually small variations in both chemical composition and thickness in the hot-rolled material that may lead to different magnetic properties for the same steel grade. Therefore, it is of great importance to know the effects of such variations on the final microstructure and magnetic properties of these steels. In the present investigation, samples of a specific grade of a commercial hot-rolled grain non-oriented (GNO) electrical steel were taken from different steel batches to investigate the effects of thickness and chemical composition (C, Sn, Mn and Ti) in the hot-rolled material on the final microstructure and magnetic properties (core losses and magnetic permeability) resulting from two different decarburizing annealing cycles. Hot-rolled samples were processed by cold rolling, intermediate annealing, temper-rolling and final decarburization annealing using the same processing parameters. The experimental results show that the minimum core losses and maximum magnetic permeability are obtained with the thinnest steel thickness and the largest grain size. Increasing Sb and Mn contents, and reducing the C and Ti concentrations also improve the magnetic behavior of these steels. It was also found the effect of grain size on the magnetic behavior is more significant than the one of crystallographic texture.
From Farm to Pharma: An Overview of Industrial Heparin Manufacturing Methods
Authors: Van der Meer Jan-Ytzen , Kellenbach Edwin , Van den Bos Leendert
Published: June 2017

The purification of heparin from offal is an old industrial process for which commercial recipes date back to 1922. Although chemical, chemoenzymatic, and biotechnological alternatives for this production method have been published in the academic literature, animal-tissue is still the sole source for commercial heparin production in industry. Heparin purification methods are closely guarded industrial secrets which are not available to the general (scientific) public. However by reviewing the academic and patent literature, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the general methods used in industry for the extraction of heparin from animal tissue.
Molecular Quantum Similarity, Chemical Reactivity and Database Screening of 3D Pharmacophores of the Protein Kinases A, B and G from Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Morales-Bayuelo Alejandro
Published: June 2017

Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains one of the world’s most devastating pathogens. For this reason, we developed a study involving 3D pharmacophore searching, selectivity analysis and database screening for a series of anti-tuberculosis compounds, associated with the protein kinases A, B, and G. This theoretical study is expected to shed some light onto some molecular aspects that could contribute to the knowledge of the molecular mechanics behind interactions of these compounds, with anti-tuberculosis activity. Using the Molecular Quantum Similarity field and reactivity descriptors supported in the Density Functional Theory, it was possible to measure the quantification of the steric and electrostatic effects through the Overlap and Coulomb quantitative convergence (alpha and beta) scales. In addition, an analysis of reactivity indices using global and local descriptors was developed, identifying the binding sites and selectivity on these anti-tuberculosis compounds in the active sites. Finally, the reported pharmacophores to PKn A, B and G, were used to carry out database screening, using a database with anti-tuberculosis drugs from the Kelly Chibale research group (http://www.kellychibaleresearch.uct.ac.za/), to find the compounds with affinity for the specific protein targets associated with PKn A, B and G. In this regard, this hybrid methodology (Molecular Mechanic/Quantum Chemistry) shows new insights into drug design that may be useful in the tuberculosis treatment today.
Synthesis and Bioactivity Characterization of Scutellarein Sulfonated Derivative
Authors: Gu Ting , Zhong Yue , Lu Yu-Ting , Sun Ying , Dong Ze-Xi , Wu Wen-Yu , Shi Zhi-Hao , Li Nian-Guang , Xue Xin , Fang Fang , Li He-Min , Tang Yu-Ping
Published: June 2017

Scutellarin (1) has been widely used to treat acute cerebral infarction in clinic, but poor aqueous solubility decreases its bioavailability. Interestingly, scutellarin (1) could be metabolized into scutellarein (2) in vivo. In this study, a sulfonic group was introduced at position C-8 of scutellarein (2) to enhance the aqueous solubility of the obtained derivative (3). DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl)-radical scavenging ability and antithrombic activity were also conducted to determine its bioactivity. The result showed that scutellarein derivate (3) could be a better agent for ischemic cerebrovascular disease treatment.
Virtual Screening against Phosphoglycerate Kinase 1 in Quest of Novel Apoptosis Inhibitors
Authors: Xia Jie , Feng Bo , Shao Qianhang , Yuan Yuhe , Wang Xiang , Chen Naihong , Wu Song
Published: June 2017

Inhibition of apoptosis is a potential therapy to treat human diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s disease), stroke, and sepsis. Due to the lack of druggable targets, it remains a major challenge to discover apoptosis inhibitors. The recent repositioning of a marketed drug (i.e., terazosin) as an anti-apoptotic agent uncovered a novel target (i.e., human phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (hPgk1)). In this study, we developed a virtual screening (VS) pipeline based on the X-ray structure of Pgk1/terazosin complex and applied it to a screening campaign for potential anti-apoptotic agents. The hierarchical filters in the pipeline (i.e., similarity search, a pharmacophore model, a shape-based model, and molecular docking) rendered 13 potential hits from Specs chemical library. By using PC12 cells (exposed to rotenone) as a cell model for bioassay, we first identified that AK-918/42829299, AN-465/41520984, and AT-051/43421517 were able to protect PC12 cells from rotenone-induced cell death. Molecular docking suggested these hit compounds were likely to bind to hPgk1 in a similar mode to terazosin. In summary, we not only present a versatile VS pipeline for potential apoptosis inhibitors discovery, but also provide three novel-scaffold hit compounds that are worthy of further development and biological study.
Exploring Wound-Healing Genomic Machinery with a Network-Based Approach
Authors: Vitali Francesca , Marini Simone , Balli Martina , Grosemans Hanne , Sampaolesi Maurilio , Lussier Yves , Cusella De Angelis Maria , Bellazzi Riccardo
Published: June 2017

The molecular mechanisms underlying tissue regeneration and wound healing are still poorly understood despite their importance. In this paper we develop a bioinformatics approach, combining biology and network theory to drive experiments for better understanding the genetic underpinnings of wound healing mechanisms and for selecting potential drug targets. We start by selecting literature-relevant genes in murine wound healing, and inferring from them a Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network. Then, we analyze the network to rank wound healing-related genes according to their topological properties. Lastly, we perform a procedure for in-silico simulation of a treatment action in a biological pathway. The findings obtained by applying the developed pipeline, including gene expression analysis, confirms how a network-based bioinformatics method is able to prioritize candidate genes for in vitro analysis, thus speeding up the understanding of molecular mechanisms and supporting the discovery of potential drug targets.
The Country Profiles of the PHARMINE Survey of European Higher Educational Institutions Delivering Pharmacy Education and Training
Authors: Atkinson Jeffrey
Published: June 2017

The PHARMINE (Pharmacy Education in Europe) consortium surveyed pharmacy education and practice in 2012. Surveys were updated in 2017 for publication. The PHARMINE consortium was especially interested in specialization in pharmacy education and practice (for community, hospital, and industrial pharmacy), and in the impact of the Bologna agreement and the directive of the European Commission on education and training for the sectoral profession of pharmacy on European degree courses. The surveys underline the varying attitudes of the different European countries to these various aspects. The surveys will now be published in Pharmacy. They will be useful to researchers in education, and to staff and students interested in mobility amongst different European and/or non-European countries. In order to assure a full understanding of the country profiles to be published in the journal Pharmacy, this introductory article describes the general format of the survey questionnaire used.
Linking Spaceborne and Ground Observations of Autumn Foliage Senescence in Southern Québec, Canada
Authors: Rozenstein Offer , Adamowski Jan
Published: June 2017

Autumn senescence progresses over several weeks during which leaves change their colors. The onset of leaf coloring and its progression have environmental and economic consequences, however, very few efforts have been devoted to monitoring regional foliage color change in autumn using remote sensing imagery. This study aimed to monitor the progression of autumn phenology using satellite remote sensing across a region in Southern Québec, Canada, where phenological observations are frequently performed in autumn across a large number of sites, and to evaluate the satellite retrievals against these in-situ observations. We used a temporally-normalized time-series of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) extracted from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) imagery to monitor the different phases of autumn foliage during 2011–2015, and compared the results with ground observations from 38 locations. Since the NDVI time-series is separately normalized per pixel, the outcome is a time-series of foliage coloration status that is independent of the land cover. The results show a significant correlation between the timing of peak autumn coloration to elevation and latitude, but not to longitude, and suggest that temperature is likely a main driver of variation in autumn foliage progression. The interannual coloration phase differences for MODIS retrievals are larger than for ground observations, but most ground site observations correlate significantly with MODIS retrievals. The mean absolute error for the timing of all foliage phases is smaller than the frequency of both ground observation reports and the frequency of the MODIS NDVI time-series, and therefore considered acceptable. Despite this, the observations at four of the ground sites did not correspond well with the MODIS retrievals, and therefore we conclude that further methodological refinements to improve the quality of the time series are required for MODIS spatial monitoring of autumn phenology over Québec to be operationally employed in a reliable manner.
Saliency Analysis via Hyperparameter Sparse Representation and Energy Distribution Optimization for Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Zhang Libao , Lv Xinran , Liang Xu
Published: June 2017

In an effort to detect the region-of-interest (ROI) of remote sensing images with complex data distributions, sparse representation based on dictionary learning has been utilized, and has proved able to process high dimensional data adaptively and efficiently. In this paper, a visual attention model uniting hyperparameter sparse representation with energy distribution optimization is proposed for analyzing saliency and detecting ROIs in remote sensing images. A dictionary learning algorithm based on biological plausibility is adopted to generate the sparse feature space. This method only focuses on finite features, instead of various considerations of feature complexity and massive parameter tuning in other dictionary learning algorithms. In another portion of the model, aimed at obtaining the saliency map, the contribution of each feature is evaluated in a sparse feature space and the coding length of each feature is accumulated. Finally, we calculate the segmentation threshold using the saliency map and obtain the binary mask to separate the ROI from the original images. Experimental results show that the proposed model achieves better performance in saliency analysis and ROI detection for remote sensing images.
A Stepwise Calibration of Global DMSP/OLS Stable Nighttime Light Data (1992–2013)
Authors: Li Xuecao , Zhou Yuyu
Published: June 2017

The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP)/Operational Linescan System (OLS) stable nighttime light (NTL) data provide a wide range of potentials for studying global and regional dynamics, such as urban sprawl and electricity consumption. However, due to the lack of on-board calibration, it requires inter-annual calibration for these practical applications. In this study, we proposed a stepwise calibration approach to generate a temporally consistent NTL time series from 1992 to 2013. First, the temporal inconsistencies in the original NTL time series were identified. Then, a stepwise calibration scheme was developed to systematically improve the over- and under- estimation of NTL images derived from particular satellites and years, by making full use of the temporally neighbored image as a reference for calibration. After the stepwise calibration, the raw NTL series were improved with a temporally more consistent trend. Meanwhile, the magnitude of the global sum of NTL is maximally maintained in our results, as compared to the raw data, which outperforms previous conventional calibration approaches. The normalized difference index indicates that our approach can achieve a good agreement between two satellites in the same year. In addition, the analysis between the calibrated NTL time series and other socioeconomic indicators (e.g., gross domestic product and electricity consumption) confirms the good performance of the proposed stepwise calibration. The calibrated NTL time series can serve as useful inputs for NTL related dynamic studies, such as global urban extent change and energy consumption.
The Application of ALOS/PALSAR InSAR to Measure Subsurface Penetration Depths in Deserts
Authors: Xiong Siting , Muller Jan-Peter , Li Gang
Published: June 2017

Spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) interferometry has been utilised to acquire high-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) with wide coverage, particularly for persistently cloud-covered regions where stereophotogrammetry is hard to apply. Since the discovery of sand buried drainage systems by the Shuttle Imaging Radar-A (SIR-A) L-band mission in 1982, radar images have been exploited to map subsurface features beneath a sandy cover of extremely low loss and low bulk humidity in some hyper-arid regions such as from the Japanese Earth Resources Satellite 1 (JERS-1) and Advanced Land Observing Satellite/Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (ALOS/PALSAR). Therefore, we hypothesise that a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) derived by InSAR in hyper-arid regions is likely to represent a subsurface elevation model, especially for lower frequency radar systems, such as the L-band system (1.25 GHz). In this paper, we compare the surface appearance of radar images (L-band and C-band) with that of optical images to demonstrate their different abilities to show subsurface features. Moreover, we present an application of L-band InSAR to measure penetration depths in the eastern Sahara Desert. We demonstrate how the retrieved L-band InSAR DEM appears to be of a consistently 1–2 m lower elevation than the C-band Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) DEM over sandy covered areas, which indicates the occurrence of penetration and confirms previous studies.
Location- and Time-Specific Hydrological Simulations with Multi-Resolution Remote Sensing Data in Urban Areas
Authors: Wirion Charlotte , Bauwens Willy , Verbeiren Boud
Published: June 2017

A major challenge in hydrologic modeling remains the mapping of vegetation dynamics in an urban landscape. The impact of vegetation on interception storage varies over time and needs to be quantified in order to enable proper management of water resources in urban areas. However, the heterogeneity and complexity of the urban landscape makes it challenging to monitor urban vegetation. A more detailed spatial and temporal scale is needed. To characterize surface cover at a high spatial resolution, a hyperspectral APEX image (2 m) is used, while a time series of Proba-V images (daily, 100 m) allows a detailed characterization of the seasonal variation of urban greenness. For this study, we use and validate the leaf area index (LAI) maps derived from APEX and Proba-V data for a selected pixel in the Watermaelbeek catchment in Brussels (Belgium). The ground-truthing of the Proba-V pixels includes a detailed mapping of land cover characteristics and more specifically vegetation cover throughout the seasons. LAI values calculated based on the APEX image agree with the LAI values measured from the ground (n = 106, R 2 = 0.68). Further, the aggregated APEX pixels correlate with the Proba-V pixels ( R 2 = 0.79), and the Proba-V data can be used to monitor vegetation dynamics. As the seasonal LAI measurements correspond with the Proba-V dynamics, we conclude that Proba-V images allow the characterization of vegetation dynamics at a high spatial resolution in heterogeneous areas. We create a time series of LAI maps at a high resolution (2 m), which allows a location- and time-specific simulation of interception storage and thus contributes to managing water resources in urban areas.