bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seven Sages
Authors: Martin Richard P.
Published: June 2017

Greek tradition celebrated a group of seven men known for ethical and practical wisdom, who gained fame as advisers to the powerful, or as political figures in their own right, as well as composers of poetry, laws, instructions, and pithy sayings. The exact make‐up of the group varied according to different authorities, and grew to include mystic and mythical figures from diverse eras throughout Greece. The proclamation of the group membership, thought to have occurred in the early sixth century
bce
, seems to have been associated with the organization of contests at Apollo's sanctuary in Delphi, where the wise utterances of the sages were inscribed. Plato refers to the men as proto‐philosophers. Diogenes Laertius provides the richest collection of lore concerning them. Plutarch imagined them as conversing at a symposium.
Teles
Authors: González Pedro Pablo Fuentes
Published: June 2017

Teles was a Greek pedagogue and moralist of Cynic inspiration who was active (most likely in Attica) in the mid‐third century
bce
. He is the oldest and best preserved representative of popular Hellenistic philosophy and of the literary genre called
diatribe
, and, in a way, a forerunner of the Christian preacher. Extracts from his moral lessons (diatribes) have been saved in the
Anthology
of John Stobaeus (fifth century
ce
). Teles appears in these extracts as a moralist who addresses his audience with simple speech, lacking in originality but efficient. His intended public is the average man, although he appeals mainly to young men, and for this reason he claims for himself the role of a pedagogue. His objective is to bring human nature into accordance with basic philosophical principles aiming at authenticity and self‐sufficiency, resting upon a clear Socratic and, more specifically, Cynic inspiration.
A Core–Shell‐Satellite Structured Fe3O4@g‐C3N4–UCNPs–PEG for T1/T2‐Weighted Dual‐Modal MRI‐Guided Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Feng Lili , Yang Dan , He Fei , Gai Shili , Li Chunxia , Dai Yunlu , Yang Piaoping
Published: June 2017

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in the specific tumor site plays the key role in photodynamic therapy (PDT). Herein, a multifunctional nanoplatform is designed by absorbing ultrasmall upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) on mesoporous graphitic‐phase carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanospheres, then further modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG)molecules (abbreviated as Fe3O4@g‐C3N4–UCNPs–PEG). The inert g‐C3N4 layer between Fe3O4 core and outer UCNPs can substantially depress the quenching effect of Fe3O4 on the upconversion emission. Upon near‐infrared (NIR) laser irradiation, the UCNPs convert the energy to the photosensitizer (g‐C3N4 layer) through fluorescence resonance energy transfer process, thus producing a vast amount of ROS. In vitro experiment exhibits an obvious NIR‐triggered cell inhibition due to the cellular uptake of nanoparticles and the effective PDT efficacy. Notably, this platform is responsive to magnetic field, which enables targeted delivery under the guidance of an external magnetic field and supervises the therapeutic effect by T1/T2‐weighted dual‐modal magnetic resonance imaging. Moreover, in vivo therapeutic effect reveals that the magnetism guided accumulation of Fe3O4@g‐C3N4–UCNPs–PEG can almost trigger a complete tumor inhibition without any perceived side effects. The experiments emphasize that the excellent prospect of Fe3O4@g‐C3N4–UCNPs–PEG as a magnetic targeted platform for PDT application.
Advances and Challenges in Metal Sulfides/Selenides for Next‐Generation Rechargeable Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Hu Zhe , Liu Qiannan , Chou Shu‐Lei , Dou Shi‐Xue
Published: June 2017

Rechargeable sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs), as the most promising alternative to commercial lithium‐ion batteries, have received tremendous attention during the last decade. Among all the anode materials for SIBs, metal sulfides/selenides (MXs) have shown inspiring results because of their versatile material species and high theoretical capacity. They suffer from large volume expansion, however, which leads to bad cycling performance. Thus, methods such as carbon modification, nanosize design, electrolyte optimization, and cut‐off voltage control are used to obtain enhanced performance. Here, recent progress on MXs is summarized in terms of arranging the crystal structure, synthesis methods, electrochemical performance, mechanisms, and kinetics. Challenges are presented and effective ways to solve the problems are proposed, and a perspective for future material design is also given. It is hoped that light is shed on the development of MXs to help finally find applications for next‐generation rechargeable batteries.
Recent Progress in the Development of Semiconductor‐Based Photocatalyst Materials for Applications in Photocatalytic Water Splitting and Degradation of Pollutants
Authors: Opoku Francis , Govender Krishna Kuben , van Sittert Cornelia Gertina Catharina Elizabeth , Govender Penny Poomani
Published: June 2017

Photocatalytic approaches in the visible region show promising potential in photocatalytic water splitting and water treatment to boost water purification efficiency. For this reason, developing cost‐effective and efficient photocatalysts for environmental remediation is a growing need, and semiconductor photocatalysts have now received more interest owing to their excellent activity and stability. Recently, several metal oxides, sulfides, and nitrides‐based semiconductors for water splitting and photodegradation of pollutants have been developed. However, the existing challenges, such as high over potential, wide band gap as well as fast recombination of charge carriers of most of the semiconductors limit their photocatalytic properties. This review summarizes the recent state‐of‐the‐art first‐principles research progress in the design of effective visible‐light‐response semiconductor photocatalysts through several modification processes with a focus on density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Recent developments to the exchange‐correlation effect, such as hybrid functionals, DFT + U as well as methods beyond DFT are also emphasized. Recent discoveries on the origin, fundamentals, and the underlying mechanisms of the interfacial electron transfer, band gap reduction, enhanced optical absorption, and electron–holes separation are presented. Highlights on the challenges and proposed strategies in developing advanced semiconductor photocatalysts for the application in water splitting and degradation of pollutants are proposed.
Exploring Lithium Deficiency in Layered Oxide Cathode for Li‐Ion Battery
Authors: Cho Sung‐Jin , Uddin Md‐Jamal , Alaboina Pankaj K. , Han Sang Sub , Nandasiri Manjula I. , Choi Yong Seok , Hu Enyuan , Nam Kyung‐Wan , Schwarz Ashleigh M. , Nune Satish K. , Cho Jong Soo , Oh Kyu Hwan , Choi Daiwon
Published: June 2017

The ever‐growing demand for high capacity cathode materials is on the rise since the futuristic applications are knocking on the door. Conventional approach to developing such cathode relies on the lithium‐excess materials to operate the cathode at high voltage and extract more lithium‐ion. Yet, they fail to satiate the needs because of their unresolved issues upon cycling such as, for lithium manganese‐rich layered oxides—their voltage fading, and for as nickel‐based layered oxides—the structural transition. Here, in contrast, lithium‐deficient ratio is demonstrated as a new approach to attain high capacity at high voltage for layered oxide cathodes. Rapid and cost effective lithiation of a porous hydroxide precursor with lithium deficient ratio is acted as a driving force to partially convert the layered material to spinel phase yielding in a multiphase structure (MPS) cathode material. Upon cycling, MPS reveals structural stability at high voltage and high temperature and results in fast lithium‐ion diffusion by providing a distinctive solid electrolyte interface (SEI) chemistry—MPS displays minimum lithium loss in SEI and forms a thinner SEI. MPS thus offers high energy and high power applications and provides a new perspective compared to the conventional layered cathode materials denying the focus for lithium excess material.
Recent Progress in Graphite Intercalation Compounds for Rechargeable Metal (Li, Na, K, Al)‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Xu Jiantie , Dou Yuhai , Wei Zengxi , Ma Jianmin , Deng Yonghong , Li Yutao , Liu Huakun , Dou Shixue
Published: June 2017

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) with higher energy density are very necessary to meet the increasing demand for devices with better performance. With the commercial success of lithiated graphite, other graphite intercalation compounds (GICs) have also been intensively reported, not only for LIBs, but also for other metal (Na, K, Al) ion batteries. In this Progress Report, we briefly review the application of GICs as anodes and cathodes in metal (Li, Na, K, Al) ion batteries. After a brief introduction on the development history of GICs, the electrochemistry of cationic GICs and anionic GICs is summarized. We further briefly summarize the use of cationic GICs and anionic GICs in alkali ion batteries and the use of anionic GICs in aluminium‐ion batteries. Finally, we reach some conclusions on the drawbacks, major progress, emerging challenges, and some perspectives on the development of GICs for metal (Li, Na, K, Al) ion batteries. Further development of GICs for metal (Li, Na, K, Al) ion batteries is not only a strong supplement to the commercialized success of lithiated‐graphite for LIBs, but also an effective strategy to develop diverse high‐energy batteries for stationary energy storage in the future.
Nonlinear Electrodynamics and Magnetic Black Holes
Authors: Kruglov S. I.
Published: June 2017

A model of nonlinear electrodynamics with two parameters, coupled with general relativity, is investigated. We study the magnetized black hole and obtain solutions. The asymptotic of the metric and mass functions at and , and corrections to the Reissner‐Nordström solution are found. We investigate thermodynamics of black holes and calculate the Hawking temperature and heat capacity of black holes. It is shown that there are phase transitions and at some parameters of the model black holes are stable.
Unusual Internal Electron Transfer in Conjugated Radical Polymers
Authors: Li Fei , Gore Danielle N , Wang Shaoyang , Lutkenhaus Jodie L
Published: June 2017

Nitroxide‐containing organic radical polymers (ORPs) have captured attention for their high power and fast redox kinetics. Yet a major challenge is the polymer's aliphatic backbone, resulting in a low electronic conductivity. Recent attempts that replace the aliphatic backbone with a conjugated one have not met with success. The reason for this is not understood until now. We examine a family of polythiophenes bearing nitroxide radical groups, showing that while both species are electrochemically active, there exists an internal electron transfer mechanism that interferes with stabilization of the polymer's fully oxidized form. This finding directs the future design of conjugated radical polymers in energy storage and electronics, where careful attention to the redox potential of the backbone relative to the organic radical species is needed.
Heterocorrole Conformations: Little Saddling, Much Ruffling
Authors: Rösner Jörn , Cordes Birte , Bahnmüller Stefanie , Homolya Gabor , Sakow Dimitri , Schweyen Peter , Wicht Richard , Bröring Martin
Published: June 2017

10‐Heterocorrole complexes with oxygen, sulfur, and selenium at position 10 of the macrocycle and with the divalent ions of nickel, copper, and palladium were prepared and investigated. The focus was set on the size adaptation and matching mechanisms of cavity size versus ionic radius in corrole‐type macrocycles. A full set of single‐crystal X‐ray analytical data revealed that in all but one case the N4 binding site of the ring‐contracted tetrapyrrole was larger than necessary to bind the metal ion without deformation. In‐plane size adaptation through M−N bond‐length elongation by 2.5–3.2 % was effective, as well as pronounced out‐of‐plane ruffling of the macrocycle for those compounds with a more severe size mismatch. Such ruffling had been excluded for corroles previously, but is apparently the most efficient mechanism to adapt to small central ions.
Selenium‐Doped Carbon Quantum Dots for Free‐Radical Scavenging
Authors: Li Feng , Li Tianyu , Sun Chenxing , Xia Jiahao , Jiao Yang , Xu Huaping
Published: June 2017

Heteroatom doping is an effective way to adjust the fluorescent properties of carbon quantum dots. However, selenium‐doped carbon dots have rarely been reported, even though selenium has unique chemical properties such as redox‐responsive properties owing to its special electronegativity. Herein, a facile and high‐output strategy to fabricate selenium‐doped carbon quantum dots (Se‐CQDs) with green fluorescence (quantum yield 7.6 %) is developed through the hydrothermal treatment of selenocystine under mild conditions. Selenium heteroatoms endow the Se‐CQDs with redox‐dependent reversible fluorescence. Furthermore, free radicals such as .OH can be effectively scavenged by the Se‐CQDs. Once Se‐CQDs are internalized into cells, harmful high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells are decreased. This property makes the Se‐CQDs capable of protecting biosystems from oxidative stress.
Associating and Dissociating Nanodimer Analysis for Quantifying Ultrasmall Amounts of DNA
Authors: Kim Keunsuk , Oh Jeong‐Wook , Lee Young Kwang , Son Jiwoong , Nam Jwa‐Min
Published: June 2017

The amplification‐ and enzyme‐free quantification of DNA at ultralow concentrations, on the order of 10–1000 targets, is highly beneficial but extremely challenging. To address this challenge, true detection signals must be reliably discriminated from false or noise signals. Herein, we describe the development of associating and dissociating nanodimer analysis (ADNA) as a method that enables a maximum number of detection signals to be collected from true target‐binding events while keeping nonspecific signals at a minimum level. In the ADNA assay for ultralow target concentrations, Au nanoprobes on a lipid micropattern were monitored and analyzed in situ, and newly defined dissociating dimers, which are eventually decoupled into monomers again, were incorporated into the detection results. Tens to thousands of DNA copies can be reliably quantified with excellent single‐base‐mismatch differentiation capability by this non‐enzymatic, amplification‐free ADNA method.
Ultrasonic treatment of water contaminated with various pollutants onto copper nanowires loaded on activated carbon using response surface methodology and artificial intelligent
Authors: Yousefi Fakhri , Ghaedi Mehrorang , Alekasir Ebtesam , Asfaram Arash
Published: June 2017

In this study, the potential application of copper nanowires loaded on activated carbon for simultaneous removal of Disulfine blue (DB), Crystal violet (CV) and Sunset yellow (SY) has been described. The relation between adsorption properties with variables such as solution pH, adsorbent value, contact time and initial dyes concentration was investigated and optimized. A three‐layer artificial neural network (ANN) model was utilized to predict dyes removal (%) by adsorbent following conduction of experiments. The training of network at above mention experimental data confirms its ability to forecast the removal performance with a linear transfer function (purelin) at output layer. The Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm and tangent sigmoid transfer function (tansig) with 16 neurons at the hidden layer was applied. Parameters were optimized by central composite design (CCD) combined with response surface methodology (RSM) and desirability function. The accuracy of ANN was judged according to both MSE and AAD% at optimal conditions and results indicate its superiority to RSM model in term of higher R2 and lower AAD% values. This observation was also corroborated by the parity plots between the predicted and experimental values. The ANN model was better in both data fitting and prediction capability in comparison to RSM model.
Information practices for sustainability: Role of iSchools in achieving the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs)
Authors: Chowdhury Gobinda , Koya Kushwanth
Published: June 2017

In September 2015, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly passed a resolution identifying 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 associated targets, and countries around the world agreed to achieve these by 2030. By conducting a thematic analysis of four key UN policy documents related to sustainable development, this paper argues that alongside financial and other resources, access to, and use of, appropriate information are essential for achieving SDGs. The paper also reviews research on information and sustainability undertaken at the iSchools and the computer and human–computer interaction HCI communities. Given that the mission of iSchools is to connect people and society with the required information through the use of appropriate technologies and tools, this paper argues that iSchools can play a key role in helping people, institutions, and businesses, and thus countries around the world achieve SDGs. The paper identifies 4 broad areas of teaching and research that can help iSchools around the world prepare a trained workforce who can manage, and facilitate access to, information in specific domains and contexts. It is also argued that cooperation and collaborations among iSchools can promote a culture of sustainable information practices among university graduates and researchers in different disciplines that will pave the way for achieving SDGs in every sector.
Scholarly use of social media and altmetrics: A review of the literature
Authors: Sugimoto Cassidy R. , Work Sam , Larivière Vincent , Haustein Stefanie
Published: June 2017

Social media has become integrated into the fabric of the scholarly communication system in fundamental ways, principally through scholarly use of social media platforms and the promotion of new indicators on the basis of interactions with these platforms. Research and scholarship in this area has accelerated since the coining and subsequent advocacy for altmetrics—that is, research indicators based on social media activity. This review provides an extensive account of the state‐of‐the art in both scholarly use of social media and altmetrics. The review consists of 2 main parts: the first examines the use of social media in academia, reviewing the various functions these platforms have in the scholarly communication process and the factors that affect this use. The second part reviews empirical studies of altmetrics, discussing the various interpretations of altmetrics, data collection and methodological limitations, and differences according to platform. The review ends with a critical discussion of the implications of this transformation in the scholarly communication system.
AI Anxiety
Authors: Johnson Deborah G. , Verdicchio Mario
Published: June 2017

Recently a number of well‐known public figures have expressed concern about the future development of artificial intelligence (AI), by noting that AI could get out of control and affect human beings and society in disastrous ways. Many of these cautionary notes are alarmist and unrealistic, and while there has been some pushback on these concerns, the deep flaws in the thinking that leads to them have not been called out. Much of the fear and trepidation is based on misunderstanding and confusion about what AI is and can ever be. In this work we identify 3 factors that contribute to this “AI anxiety”: an exclusive focus on AI programs that leaves humans out of the picture, confusion about autonomy in computational entities and in humans, and an inaccurate conception of technological development. With this analysis we argue that there are good reasons for anxiety about AI but not for the reasons typically given by AI alarmists.
Prevalence for delirium in stroke patients: A prospective controlled study
Authors: Nydahl Peter , Bartoszek Gabriele , Binder Andreas , Paschen Laura , Margraf Nils G. , Witt Karsten , Ewers Andre
Published: June 2017

Background and Purpose

This study investigates the prevalence of delirium in acute stroke patients on a primary stroke unit (SU) analyzing associated risk factors and clinical outcomes.

Method

Prospective, 4‐month observational study from 2015 to 2016 on patients aged ≥18 years with stroke at a German university hospital's SU. The presence of delirium as first outcome was rated at three times daily using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Secondary outcome measures were duration of delirium, rehabilitation in SU, length of stay in SU and hospital, complications, and mortality. Significant risk factors were used to conduct a confounder‐matched case–control analysis.

Results

309 patients were included. The overall prevalence of delirium was 10.7% (33 patients) mostly on the first and second hospital day. Duration of delirium on SU was in median 1.0 day (Interquartile range: 0.3–2 days). In 39.4% of patients delirium was present in a short time interval (≤8 hr) and in 24% of patients delirium was diagnosed during nightshifts exclusively. Significant risk factors for delirium were dementia, age ≥72 years, severe neurological disability on admission, and increased C‐reactive protein on admission. The case–control analysis showed that delirious patients had more complications and a trend toward a worse rehabilitation.

Conclusions

These results underline the importance of delirium screening in stroke patients specifically during the night. Since even short delirious episodes are associated with more complications and increased disability, future studies are needed to find delirium prevention strategies.
Short‐ and long‐term antidepressant effects of ketamine in a rat chronic unpredictable stress model
Authors: Jiang Yinghong , Wang Yiqiang , Sun Xiaoran , Lian Bo , Sun Hongwei , Wang Gang , Du Zhongde , Li Qi , Sun Lin
Published: June 2017

Objective

This research was aimed to evaluate the behaviors of short‐ or long‐term antidepressant effects of ketamine in rats exposed to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS).

Background

Ketamine, a glutamate noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, regulates excitatory amino acid functions, such as anxiety disorders and major depression, and plays an important role in synaptic plasticity and learning and memory.

Methods

After 42 days of CUS model, male rats received either a single injection of ketamine (10 mg/kg; day 43) or 15 daily injections (days 43–75). The influence of ketamine on behavioral reactivity was assessed 24 hr (short‐term) or 7 weeks after ketamine treatment (long‐term). Behavioral tests used to assess the effects of these treatments included the sucrose preference (SP), open field (OF), elevated plus maze (EPM), forced swimming (FS), and water maze (WM) to detect anxiety‐like behavior (OF and EPM), forced swimming (FS), and water maze (WM).

Results: Short‐term ketamine administration resulted in increases of body weight gain, higher sensitivity to sucrose, augmented locomotor activity in the OF, more entries into the open arms of the EPM, along increased activity in the FS test; all responses indicative of reductions in depression/despair in anxiety‐eliciting situations. No significant differences in these behaviors were obtained under conditions of long‐term ketamine administration (p > .05). The CUS + Ketamine group showed significantly increased activity as compared with the CUS + Vehicle group for analysis of the long‐term effects of ketamine (*p < .05). Nor were significant differences obtained in learning and memory performance in rats receiving ketamine (p > .05).

Conclusion

Taken together these findings demonstrate that a short‐term administration of ketamine induced rapid antidepressant‐like effects in adult male rats exposed to CUS conditions, effects that were not observed in response to the long‐term treatment regime.
Cellulose‐based Materials for the Removal of Heavy Metals from Wastewater – An Overview
Authors: Jamshaid Anum , Hamid Almas , Muhammad Nawshad , Naseer Ayesha , Ghauri Moinuddin , Iqbal Jibran , Rafiq Sikander , Shah Noor Samad
Published: June 2017

Water pollution due to increase in population and high rates of wastewater generation have become serious concerns since the last few decades. Heavy metals are amongst the main wastewater pollutants due to their ability to persist in the environment. Materials and techniques are being investigated for the treatment of heavy metals in wastewater. Cellulose is one of the materials gaining attention due to its excellent physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. Cellulose‐based materials are being widely studied for the adsorption of heavy metals. This overview highlights research efforts to enhance the role of cellulose in wastewater treatment through cellulose‐based materials. It also discusses the effects of cellulose modifications such as cellulose gels, cellulose composites, cellulose derivatives, functionalized cellulose, and nanocrystalline cellulose on the capacity of heavy metals adsorption.
Perioperative airway management of a 16‐year‐old boy with progressive airway obstruction due to juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma
Authors: Kamiyama Kei , Satomoto Maiko , Minami Kotaro , Baba Yukiko , Makita Koshi
Published: June 2017

Key Clinical Message

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) involves difficult anesthetic management because of the risk of massive bleeding, while airway management is rarely a problem in JNA. This report presents an unusual case of JNA causing airway obstruction.
Thermal Treatment Effects on Electrodeposited Sb2Se3 Photovoltaic Thin Films
Authors: Costa Magno Barcelos , de Souza Lucas Francisco Willian , Mascaro Lucia Helena
Published: June 2017

Antimony selenide thin films were prepared through potentiostatic co‐electrodeposition by applying −0.6 V from a bath composed of 2.5 mM K(SbO)C4H4O6 ⋅ 0.5 H2O and 2.0 mM SeO2 in a supporting electrolyte of 0.5 M Na2SO4/H2SO4 at pH 2. The films were subjected to different thermal treatment (TT) conditions under a Se(vapor)/N2 atmosphere. Cyclic voltammetry was used to evaluate the electrochemical process of each element separately as well as the binary system on Pt and FTO working electrodes. The morphology, composition, band gap, crystallography, and photoactivity toward hydrogen gas production of the films were evaluated as a function of TT conditions, in order to obtain insight into their effects on film properties. Under all conditions, the films showed homogeneous and rough surfaces and a stoichiometric Sb2Se3 composition. The non‐thermal‐treated film was non‐crystalline, whereas after TT, all films showed a pure orthorhombic Sb2Se3 phase. It was observed that the crystallographic texturization of films in the (120) plane, caused by some TT conditions, is detrimental to the photoactivity. At the optimized TT conditions (300 °C for 3 h), the film presented good crystallographic and optoelectronic properties and photoactivity, with a photocurrent value of 168.15 μA cm−2 (at the standard hydrogen gas evolution potential) and a band gap of around 1.1 eV.
Latent Heat Storage: Storage Materials, Heat Transfer, and Applications
Authors: Ghaib Karim
Published: June 2017

Phasenwechselmaterialien (PCMs) können während des Phasenwechsels Wärme aufnehmen/abgeben. Sie werden aufgrund ihrer großen latenten Wärme und isothermen Natur häufig in Wärmespeichersystemen verwendet. Der vorliegende Beitrag verschafft einen Überblick über die verschiedenen anorganischen und organischen PCMs. Techniken zur Verbesserung ihrer thermophysikalischen Eigenschaften werden diskutiert, auf die Korrosion metallischer Konstruktionswerkstoffe durch anorganische PCMs wird eingegangen und typische Anwendungen für Latentwärmespeicher werden vorgestellt.
Using the NONCODE Database Resource
Authors: Xiyuan Li , Dechao Bu , Liang Sun , Yang Wu , Shuangsang Fang , Hui Li , Haitao Luo , Chunlong Luo , Wenzheng Fang , Runsheng Chen , Yi Zhao
Published: June 2017

NONCODE is a comprehensive database that aims to present the most complete collection and annotation of non‐coding RNAs, especially long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNA genes), and thus NONCODE is essential to modern biological and medical research. Scientists are producing a flood of new data from which new lncRNA genes and lncRNA‐disease relationships are continually being identified. NONCODE assimilates such information from a wide variety of sources including published articles, RNA‐seq data, micro‐array data and databases on genetic variation (dbSNP) and genome‐wide associations (GWAS). NONCODE organizes all this information and makes it freely available to the public via the Internet. The NONCODE protocol provides step‐by‐step instructions on how to browse and search lncRNA information such as sequence, expression, and disease relationships, how to use the tools for functional prediction, species conservation assays, blast analysis, identifier conversion, and, finally, how to submit sequences to identify lncRNA genes. As of Dec 2016, NONCODE has cataloged 487,851 lncRNA genes sequenced from 16 species. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Exploring Short Linear Motifs Using the ELM Database and Tools
Authors: Gouw Marc , Sámano‐Sánchez Hugo , Van Roey Kim , Diella Francesca , Gibson Toby J. , Dinkel Holger
Published: June 2017

The Eukaryotic Linear Motif (ELM) resource is dedicated to the characterization and prediction of short linear motifs (SLiMs). SLiMs are compact, degenerate peptide segments found in many proteins and essential to almost all cellular processes. However, despite their abundance, SLiMs remain largely uncharacterized. The ELM database is a collection of manually annotated SLiM instances curated from experimental literature. In this article we illustrate how to browse and search the database for curated SLiM data, and cover the different types of data integrated in the resource. We also cover how to use this resource in order to predict SLiMs in known as well as novel proteins, and how to interpret the results generated by the ELM prediction pipeline. The ELM database is a very rich resource, and in the following protocols we give helpful examples to demonstrate how this knowledge can be used to improve your own research. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
SIGNOR: A Database of Causal Relationships Between Biological Entities—A Short Guide to Searching and Browsing
Authors: Lo Surdo Prisca , Calderone Alberto , Cesareni Gianni , Perfetto Livia
Published: June 2017

SIGNOR (http://signor.uniroma2.it), the SIGnaling Network Open Resource, is a database designed to store experimentally validated causal interactions, i.e., interactions where a source entity has a regulatory effect (up‐regulation, down‐regulation, etc.) on a second target entity. SIGNOR acts both as a source of signaling information and a support for data analysis, modeling, and prediction. A user‐friendly interface features the ability to search entries for any given protein or group of proteins and to display their interactions graphically in a network view. At the time of writing, SIGNOR stores approximately 16,000 manually curated interactions connecting more than 4,000 biological entities (proteins, chemicals, protein complexes, etc.) that play a role in signal transduction. SIGNOR also offers a collection of 37 signaling pathways. SIGNOR can be queried by three search tools: “single‐entity” search, “multiple‐entity” search, and “pathway” search. This manuscript describes two basic protocols detailing how to navigate and search the SIGNOR database and how to download the annotated dataset for local use. Finally, the support protocol reviews the utilities of the graphic visualizer. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Finding Similar Nucleotide Sequences Using Network BLAST Searches
Authors: Ladunga Istvan
Published: June 2017

The Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) is the first tool in the annotation of nucleotide or amino acid sequences. BLAST is a flagship of bioinformatics due to its performance and user‐friendliness. Beginners and intermediate users will learn how to design and submit blastn and Megablast searches on the Web pages at the National Center for Biotechnology Information. We map nucleic acid sequences to genomes, find identical or similar mRNAs, expressed sequence tag, and noncoding RNA sequences, and run Megablast searches, which are much faster than blastn. Understanding results is assisted by taxonomy reports, genomic views, and multiple alignments. We interpret expected frequency thresholds, biological significance, and statistical significance. Weak hits provide no evidence, but indicate hints for further analyses. We find genes that may code for homologous proteins by translated BLAST. We reduce false positives by filtering out low‐complexity regions. Parsed BLAST results can be integrated into analysis pipelines. Links in the output connect to Entrez and PubMed, as well as structural, sequence, interaction, and expression databases. This facilitates integration with a wide spectrum of biological knowledge. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Measuring Cancer Drug Sensitivity and Resistance in Cultured Cells
Authors: Niepel Mario , Hafner Marc , Chung Mirra , Sorger Peter K.
Published: June 2017

Measuring the potencies of small‐molecule drugs in cell lines is a critical aspect of preclinical pharmacology. Such experiments are also prototypical of high‐throughput experiments in multi‐well plates. The procedure is simple in principle, but many unrecognized factors can affect the results, potentially making data unreliable. The procedures for measuring drug response described here were developed by the NIH LINCS program to improve reproducibility. Key features include maximizing uniform cell growth during the assay period, accounting for the effects of cell density on response, and correcting sensitivity measures for differences in proliferation rates. Two related protocols are described: one involves an endpoint measure well‐suited to large‐scale studies and the second is a time‐dependent measurement that reveals changes in response over time. The methods can be adapted to other types of plate‐based experiments. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Drug Repurposing by Simulating Flow Through Protein–Protein Interaction Networks
Authors: Manczinger M , Bodnár VÁ , Papp BT , Bolla SB , Szabó K , Balázs B , Csányi E , Szél E , Erős G , Kemény L
Published: June 2017

As drug development is extremely expensive, the identification of novel indications for in‐market drugs is financially attractive. Multiple algorithms are used to support such drug repurposing, but highly reliable methods combining simulation of intracellular networks and machine learning are currently not available. We developed an algorithm that simulates drug effects on the flow of information through protein–protein interaction networks, and used support vector machine to identify potentially effective drugs in our model disease, psoriasis. Using this method, we screened about 1,500 marketed and investigational substances, identified 51 drugs that were potentially effective, and selected three of them for experimental confirmation. All drugs inhibited tumor necrosis factor alpha‐induced nuclear factor kappa B activity in vitro, suggesting they might be effective for treating psoriasis in humans. Additionally, these drugs significantly inhibited imiquimod‐induced ear thickening and inflammation in the mouse model of the disease. All results suggest high prediction performance for the algorithm.
Analgesic Plasma Concentrations of Oxycodone After Surgery for Breast Cancer—Which Factors Matter?
Authors: Cajanus Kristiina , Neuvonen Mikko , Koskela Outi , Kaunisto Mari A. , Neuvonen Pertti J. , Niemi Mikko , Kalso Eija
Published: June 2017

We investigated factors affecting analgesic oxycodone concentrations after breast cancer surgery in 1,000 women. Preoperatively, we studied heat and cold pain sensitivities and anxiety scores. Postoperatively, rest and motion pain intensities were measured and intravenous oxycodone was administered until satisfactory analgesia. At this point, the mean oxycodone concentration (variation coefficient) was 33.3 ng/mL (66%) and it was 21.7 ng/mL (69%) when the patient requested oxycodone again. At both time points, the concentrations varied >100‐fold between individuals. The analgesic oxycodone concentration was increased by 21.3% per motion pain intensity score on a 0–10 scale and by 22.3% if axillary clearance was performed instead of sentinel node biopsy (P < 0.001). Forty‐seven women who were older and less anxious than others (P < 0.01) required no oxycodone. Anxiety, age, chronic pain, or preoperative pain sensitivity were not independently associated with the analgesic oxycodone concentration. CYP2D6 and CYP3A genotypes did not affect analgesic concentration or duration of analgesia.
Design of Iron(II) Phthalocyanine‐Derived Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts for High‐Power‐Density Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors: Santoro Carlo , Gokhale Rohan , Mecheri Barbara , D'Epifanio Alessandra , Licoccia Silvia , Serov Alexey , Artyushkova Kateryna , Atanassov Plamen
Published: June 2017

Iron(II) phthalocyanine (FePc) deposited onto two different carbonaceous supports was synthesized through an unconventional pyrolysis‐free method. The obtained materials were studied in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in neutral media through incorporation in an air‐breathing cathode structure and tested in an operating microbial fuel cell (MFC) configuration. Rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) analysis revealed high performances of the Fe‐based catalysts compared with that of activated carbon (AC). The FePc supported on Black‐Pearl carbon black [Fe‐BP(N)] exhibits the highest performance in terms of its more positive onset potential, positive shift of the half‐wave potential, and higher limiting current as well as the highest power density in the operating MFC of (243±7) μW cm−2, which was 33 % higher than that of FePc supported on nitrogen‐doped carbon nanotubes (Fe‐CNT(N); 182±5 μW cm−2). The power density generated by Fe‐BP(N) was 92 % higher than that of the MFC utilizing AC; therefore, the utilization of platinum group metal‐free catalysts can boost the performances of MFCs significantly.
A family of diffusion normalized subband adaptive filter algorithms over distributed networks
Authors: Shams Esfand Abadi Mohammad , Shafiee Mohammad Saeed
Published: June 2017

This paper solves the problem of distributed estimation in the diffusion networks based on the family of normalized subband adaptive filters (NSAFs). The diffusion NSAF (DNSAF), the diffusion selective partial update NSAF (DSPU‐NSAF), the diffusion fix selection NSAF (DFS‐NSAF), and the diffusion dynamic selection NSAF (DDS‐NSAF) are established based on the general formalism. In DSPU‐NSAF, the weight coefficients are partially updated rather than the entire weights at each node during the adaptation. The DFS‐NSAF selects a subset of subbands and uses them to update the weights. The dynamic selection of subbands is performed in DDS‐NSAF at each node during the weigh coefficients update. In comparison with DNSAF, the DSPU‐NSAF, the DFS‐NSAF, and the DDS‐NSAF have lower computational complexity while the convergence speed of them is close to the DNSAF. Also, by combination of SPU with FS and DS approaches, the DSPU‐FS‐NSAF and the DSPU‐DS‐NSAF are established, which are computationally efficient. In the following, based on the spatial‐temporal energy conservation relation, a unified framework for mean‐square performance analysis of the family of DNSAF algorithms in stationary and nonstationary environments is presented, and the theoretical expressions for learning curve and steady‐state error are derived for entire network. The validity of the theoretical results and the good performance of introduced algorithms are demonstrated by several computer simulations.
Investigations into the improvement of the weather protection of unburnt brick masonry, part 2
Authors: Braun Jörg
Published: June 2017

In June 2006, the Chair of Structural Design at the Technical University of Dresden was commissioned by the Iranian cultural authority ICHHTO and the UNESCO to perform structural design services for the earthquake‐resistant repair and rebuilding of the Sistani House in the historic citadel Arg‐e‐Bam in the south of Iran. The citadel was until its almost complete destruction by an earthquake on 26 Dezember 2003 the largest building of unburnt brick masonry in the world and is listed as a World heritage Site by UNESCO because of its cultural and historical significance. Surveying and documentation work, archaeological rubble clearance and the rebuilding of the Sistani House after its destruction by the earthquake have taken the team from the department to Bam at regular intervals since 2006. In the course of the work, it became apparent that research was needed in the field of the repair of earthquake‐damaged unburnt brick masonry and into the improvement of the shear strength/earthquake resistance and the weather protection of unburnt brick masonry.

The article is subdivided in Part 1, Introduction, test performance and assessment of results for additives to loam render [14] as well as Part 2, Assessment of the results for surface treatment to unburnt bricks and the climatic chamber tests.
Hunting exacerbates the response to human disturbance in large herbivores while migrating through a road network
Authors: Paton Dale G. , Ciuti Simone , Quinn Michael , Boyce Mark S.
Published: June 2017

Migrations of large ungulates are globally threatened in environments affected by increasing human disturbance, rising large carnivore predation, deteriorating habitat quality, and changing climate. Animals migrating outside of protected areas can be exposed to greater human pressure, and this effect can be stronger when humans are perceived to be a predation risk, such as during hunting seasons. Using four consecutive years of satellite telemetry data (n = 138 migration events), we compared habitat selection, movement, and behavior of a large partially migratory herbivore while migrating through a heterogeneous landscape in spring and fall. We tested the hypothesis that fall hunting exacerbates the response of a large herbivore exposed to human disturbance while migrating through a road network. All elk (Cervus elaphus) selected greater forest cover, reduced movement rates, and avoided roads during fall‐day than in any other season or time of day. Avoidance of roads was reduced during spring at night, for example, the time period of no hunting with fewest people on roads. Elk using stopovers in fall displayed different seasonal and diurnal behaviors between sexes in response to the disturbance. Females used steeper terrain during fall‐day and males did not use this strategy in fall. Male avoidance of roads was much stronger than females during fall‐day and males were less likely to cross a road during fall. Such responses are probably linked to higher hunting pressure on males vs. females. Finally, we found that elk spent more time feeding during spring migration compared to the fall migration and elk vigilance was >3 times higher in the fall hunting season. Our results provide insights into the effect of fear of humans on the ecology of both sexes of a migrating large herbivore when using stopovers. Such changes in behavior and stopover use might affect animal fitness by decreasing foraging, cause displacement from high‐quality habitats, or affect the permeability of migration route stopovers.
Daily Peak Load Forecasting by Taguchi's T Method
Authors: NEGISHI SHINTARO , MORIMOTO YUSUKE , TAKAYAMA SATOSHI , ISHIGAME ATSUSHI
Published: June 2017

In this paper, a new technique of daily peak load forecasting is proposed. At first, we propose nonlinear correction T method as improvement technique of T method that is one of the multivariate analysis techniques, called Mahalanobis–Taguchi (MT) system, suggested in Quality Control. Moreover, we examine the daily peak load forecasting technique, which is based on data in the last year on a forecasting day, by T method and nonlinear correction T method. Furthermore, we examine the technique, which is based on the data of most recent several weeks of a forecasting day, by the T method and Nonlinear correction T method. In addition, the effectiveness of the proposed method by comparing the multiple regression analysis is discussed.
Autonomous Decentralized Voltage Profile Control Method Using Communication Function of Smart Meters in Distribution Systems
Authors: OMORI TOMOKI , KOIDE AKIRA , TSUJI TAKAO , OYAMA TSUTOMU
Published: June 2017

The introduction of renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaics or wind turbines, has been greatly promoted recently in order to improve the energy and environmental issues. In distribution systems with a large number of distributed generators, voltage profile management becomes one of serious problems due to the reverse power flow. Usual PCS (Power Conditioning System) reduces their active power output if they detect the voltage violation from the upper limit in order to get the voltage profile back to the proper range. However, since the magnitude of voltage fluctuation at the nodes with PCSs are different each other, there is a possibility that the amount of the curtailment are not the same among them. Hence, in this paper, we developed a new method which can solve the problem by using information exchange between PCSs using communication function of smart meters supposing the communication among them is available every 30 min. The proposed method was tested in 38‐node model system and its effectiveness was shown.
A Five‐Element Multiplex Resonant Full‐Bridge DC‐DC Converter with a Variable Inductive Reactance
Authors: MISHIMA TOMOKAZU , MIZUTANI HIROTO , NAKAOKA MUTSUO
Published: June 2017

A five‐element multiplex resonant (LLCLC) full‐bridge DC‐DC converter controlled by pulse frequency modulation (PFM) is proposed in this paper. The high frequency (HF)‐link resonant DC‐DC converter proposed herein can perform wide‐range output power and voltage regulation with a narrow frequency range due to an antiresonant tank that works effectively as a wide‐range variable inductor. The advantageous characteristics of the antiresonant tank provide overcurrent protection in the case of the short‐circuited load condition as well as in the startup interval. Thus, the technical challenges of a conventional LLC DC‐DC converter can be overcome, and the reliability of the relevant switch‐mode power supplies can be improved. The operating principle of the LLCLC DC‐DC converter is described, after which its performance is evaluated in an experimental setup based on the 2.5 kW prototype. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed DC‐DC converter is discussed from a practical point of view.