bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non Linear Strain Measures on Concrete Structures by Means of Embedded Optical Fiber Sensors
Authors: Minutolo Vincenzo , Zona Renato
Published: July 2018

Optical fiber sensors have become a widely-used tool to perform life-long monitoring of large structures. Different set-ups of sensors can be used to obtain information at different scopes. In this paper, the application of a portable Brillouin optical time domain analysis sensor applied to reinforced concrete beams is presented. The sensor is made up of a single-mode optical fiber applied to the structure that enables the measurement of tensile and compressive axial strain along the beams. The fiber is embedded into a concrete casting and fixed along the reinforcement bars so that a complete correlation can be obtained regarding strain and displacements in linear and non-linear flexural response. The use of four sensing fibers positioned along the beam's length at different vertical positions makes it possible to read the strain variation within the cross-section. In accordance with Bernoulli’s hypothesis, this allows curvature diagrams to be obtained across the structure. The measured curvature is used to set up the moment–curvature relationship, which highlights the possibility of the sensor monitoring structures continuously in space and time.
Advantages of the Surface Structuration of the KBr Materials for the Spectrometry and Sensors
Authors: Kamanina Natalia , Likhomanova Svetlana , Kuzhakov Pavel
Published: July 2018

A potassium bromide KBr material, which has been widely used as the key element in the Fourier spectrometers and as the output window of the IR-lasers, has been studied with good advantage via applying the carbon nanotubes in order to modify the potassium bromide surface. The laser oriented deposition method has been used to place the carbon nanotubes at the matrix material surface in the vertical position at the different electric field varied from 100 to 600 V×cm-1. The main idea of the improvement of the spectral properties of the potassium bromide structure is connected with the fact that the refractive index of the carbon nanotubes is substantially less than the refractive index of the studied material, and the small diameter of the carbon nanotubes allows one to embed these nano-objects in the voids of the lattice of the model matrix systems. Moreover, the mechanical characteristics and wetting features of the potassium bromide structures have been investigated under the condition mentioned above. Analytical and quantum-chemical simulations have supported the experimental results.
Pathophysiological Aspects of Vascular Remodeling in Cardiopulmonary Lesions: Influence of ID3 & Estrogenic Endocrine Disruptors
Authors: Avecilla Vincent , Doke Mayur
Published: July 2018

Cardiopulmonary lesions, which manifest from various types of diseases such as pulmonary arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, pulmonary arteriovenous malformations, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, and peripheral arterial disease, pose a public health problem. Vascular remodeling, which refers to alternations to the structure of the vessel is an important pathophysiological feature of these diseases. The Inhibitor of DNA-binding/Differentiation-3 (ID3), which is part of the ID family of transcriptional regulators, has been demonstrated to contribute to an essential role in the vasculature and therefore may influence the alterations of these lesions. This review will cover the existing understanding of how ID3 may contribute to cardiopulmonary lesion perturbations via involvement in vascular remodeling. Furthermore, based on the accumulative quantity of reports that indicate oxidative stress plays a essential function in the pathophysiology of vascular remodeling, we will also consider the impact of exposure to estrogenic endocrine disruptors (EEDs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and bisphenol A (BPA) on ID3 & cardiopulmonary disease. Improved understanding of how ID3 pathways contributes to these molecular mechanisms in the lesion will prospectively deliver beneficial information in the mediation of vascular remodeling associated with ID3 & EED exposure, which may play an essential role in cardiopulmonary disease prevalence.
Mechanical, Heat-resistant, Crystallographic and Dynamical Mechanical Properties of Nylon 6/ P(N-phenylmaleimide-alt-styrene) Blends
Authors: Liu Yufei , He Min , Zhang Daohai , Zhao Qian , Qin Shu-Hao , Yu Jie
Published: July 2018

In this work, nylon 6/ P(N-phenylmaleimide-alt-styrene) blends were prepared by melt blending, and the mechanical, heat-resistant, crystallographic and dynamical mechanical properties of nylon 6/ P(N-phenylmaleimide-alt-styrene) blends with different contents were investigated and analyzed. The results showed that the mechanical properties decreased with increasing PNS, while the heat deflection temperature (HDT), relative crystallinity (Xn), and storage modulus (G’) increased with increasing PNS. The results of differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) proved the PNS played the positive role of nucleating PA6. And the results of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) proved the PNS could improve the rigidity of PA6/PNS blends. From the SEM, these PNS domains were between 0.2 and 4 μm in diameter. The experimental results indicated that the addition of PNS improved the rigidity of PA6/PNS blends, and then improved the heat-resistant property.
Using Multitemporal Landsat ETM+ Imagery to Determine a Sustainable Exploitation Patterns of the Forest Resources in the Moldo-Transylvanian Carpathians - Romania
Authors: Ciobotaru Ana-Maria , Andronache Ion , Ahammer Helmut , Jelinek Herbert , Radulovic Marko , Pintilii Radu-Daniel , Peptenatu Daniel , Draghici Cristian Constantin , Papuc Razvan-Mihail , Radu Roxana-Andreea , Grecu Alexandra , Gruia Andreea-Karina , Marin Marian , Simion Adrian-Gabriel , Visan Mircea-Cristian , Loghin Ioan-Vlad , Fensholt Rasmus
Published: July 2018

Monitoring the ratio of forested and deforested areas plays a key role in studying the dynamics of forest areas. Appropriate mapping of anthropogenic forest disturbances is particularly important in the context of sustainable forest management. It provides ecological, social and economic information which is crucial for forest policymakers. In the last two decades, the forest areas of the Moldo-Transylvanian Carpathians have been subject to a high rate of deforestation which at present state lacks proper quantification. We present a novel methodology for monitoring the forest disturbance dynamics in Moldo-Transylvanian Carpathians by use of fractal analysis including entropy, Fractal Fragmentation Index (FFI) and Tug-of-War lacunarity (Λ_(T-o-W)). This was necessary to quantify and identify the disorder (entropy), the fragmentation (FFI) and heterogeneity of the spatial distribution (Λ_(T-o-W)) patterns. Based on satellite images of the forest areas (annually 2000-2014), increased fragmentation was demonstrated by FFI increase, a measure of the degree of disorder (entropy) and heterogeneity (lacunarity). Our results revealed that textural and fractal analysis can be an effective tool for the extraction of quantitative information about the spatiotemporal dynamics of forest disturbance. The methods developed, and results obtained are a complementary approach to forest disturbance mapping (based on traditional image classification) for future development and adaptation of forestry management policies to ensure a sustainable management and exploitation of forest areas.
Patient and Provider Dilemmas of type 2 Diabetes Self-Management: a Qualitative Study in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Communities in Stockholm
Authors: Aweko Juliet , De Man Jeroen , Absetz Pilvikki , Östenson Claes-Göran , Swartling Peterson Stefan , Mölsted Alvesson Helle , Daivadanam Meena
Published: July 2018

Studies comparing provider and patient views and experiences of self-management within primary healthcare are particularly scarce in disadvantaged settings. In this qualitative study, patient and provider perceptions of self-management were investigated in five socio-economically disadvantaged communities in Stockholm. Twelve individual interviews and three group interviews were conducted. Semi-structured interview guides included questions on perceptions of diabetes diagnosis, diabetes care services available at primary health care centers, patient and provider interactions, and self-management support. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Two overarching themes were identified. These were characterized by inherent dilemmas representing confusions and conflicts that patients and providers experienced in their daily life or practice respectively: adopting and maintaining new routines through practical and appropriate lifestyle choices (patients); and balancing expectations and pre-conceptions of self-management (providers). Patients found it difficult to tailor information and lifestyle advice to fit their daily life. Healthcare providers recognized that patients were in need of support to change behavior, but saw themselves as inadequately equipped to deal with the different cultural and social aspects of self-management. This study highlights patient and provider dilemmas that influence the interaction and collaboration between patients and providers with respect to communication and uptake of self-management advice.
Dialectical GAN for SAR Image Translation: From Sentinel-1 to TerraSAR-X
Authors: Ao Dongyang , Dumitru Corneliu Octavian , Schwarz Gottfried , Datcu Mihai
Published: July 2018

Contrary to optical images, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images are in different electromagnetic spectrum where the human visual system is not accustomed to. Thus, with more and more SAR applications, the demand for enhanced high-quality SAR images has increased considerably. However, high-quality SAR images entail high costs due to the limitations of current SAR devices and their image processing resources. To improve the quality of SAR images and to reduce the costs of their generation, we propose a Dialectical Generative Adversarial Network (Dialectical GAN) to generate high-quality SAR images. This method is based on the analysis of hierarchical SAR information and the “dialectical” structure of GAN frameworks.  As a demonstration, a typical example will be shown where a low-resolution SAR image (e.g., a Sentinel-1 image) with large ground coverage is translated into a high-resolution SAR image (e.g., a TerraSAR-X image). Three traditional algorithms are compared, and a new algorithm is proposed based on a network framework by combining conditional WGAN-GP (Wasserstein Generative Adversarial Network - Gradient Penalty) loss functions and Spatial Gram matrices under the rule of dialectics. Experimental results show that the SAR image translation works very well when we compare the results of our proposed method with the selected traditional methods.
Are Believers Happier than Atheists? Well-Being Measures in a Sample of Atheists and Believers in Puerto Rico
Authors: González-Rivera Juan Aníbal , Rosario-Rodríguez Adam , Rodríguez-Ramos Eduardo , Hernández-Gato Idania , Torres-Báez Lourdes
Published: July 2018

Currently, there isn’t much written about the empirical psychological well-being of the atheist community in Puerto Rico and Latin America. The objective of the present study is to analyze if there are statistically significant differences in the levels of life satisfaction and psychological flourishing between believers of God and self-identified atheists. For this purpose, a sample of 821 participants (415 believers and 406 atheists) ranging from the ages of 19 to 85 years were selected. The results sustain that, there is a slight average difference regarding life satisfaction between these groups; however, the difference is not substantial to ensure that believers have a better quality of life and life satisfaction than atheists. At the same time, no statistically significant differences were found in the means of psychological flourishing. Both believers and atheists exhibit high levels of life satisfaction and psychological flourishing. This study provides empirical evidence to demystify certain traditional assumptions about the supremacy of religious beliefs over secular convictions. We hope that these findings create social awareness and could be used as a basis for future researches concerning the population of non-believers.
Sustainability and New Advances from a Post-Marxist Approach: The Mexican Case
Authors: Franco Martínez J. Agustín , Pulido Fernández Manuel
Published: July 2018

This article analyses from a post-Marxist view, particularly, an ecological and gender-oriented perspective, the perception and attitudes of the Mexican people by gender, political affiliation and income level towards such current environmental issues as global warming, water shortage, water pollution and the influence of economic growth on the environment, among others. It highlights the influence of political ideology on the environment and of gender awareness on conservation and a more positive attitude towards ecological issues, despite women having usually been excluded from the administrative and decision-making arenas. A new theoretical model is proposed related to the Responsibility Footprints, a new concept more critical than the neoliberal Corporate Social Responsibility. The data for this study come from the 2012 International Social Survey Program. The results analysed brought to light some relevant questions for designing public policies that will greatly bolster initiatives to prompt better female professional involvement in the conservation of natural resources.
Nanoporous Silica-Dye Microspheres for Enhanced Colorimetric Detection of Cyclohexanone
Authors: Li Zheng
Published: July 2018

Forensic detection of non-volatile nitro explosives poses a tough analytical challenge. A colorimetric sensor comprising ultrasonically prepared silica-dye microspheres was developed for sensitive gas detection of cyclohexanone, a volatile marker of explosives 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX) and 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane (HMX). The silica-dye composites were synthesized from the hydrolysis of ultrasonically sprayed organosiloxanes under mildly heating conditions (150 oC), which yields microspherical, nanoporous structures with high surface area (~300 m2/g) for gas exposure. The sensor inks were deposited on cellulose paper and gave sensitive colorimetric responses to trace amount of cyclohexanone vapors even at sub-ppm levels, with the detection limit down to ~150 ppb. The sensor showed high chemical specificity towards cyclohexanone against humidity and other classes of common solvents, including ethanol, acetonitrile, ether, ethyl acetate, and ammonia. Paper-based colorimetric sensors with hierarchical nanostructures could represent an alternative sensing materials for practical applications in the detection of explosives.
Brazing of Mo to Glidcop Dispersion Strengthened Copper for Accelerating Structures
Authors: Casalegno Valentina , Perero Sergio , Ferraris Monica , Taborelli Mauro , Arnau Izquierdo Gonzalo , Sgobba Stefano , Salvo Milena
Published: July 2018

Alumina dispersion-strengthened copper, Glidcop, is used widely in high-heat-load ultra-high-vacuum components for synchrotron light sources (absorbers), accelerator components (beam intercepting devices) and in nuclear power plants. Glidcop has similar thermal and electrical properties to OFE (oxygen free electrical) copper, but has superior mechanical properties, thus making it a feasible structural material; its yield and ultimate strength are equivalent to those of mild-carbon steel. The purpose of this work has been to develop a brazing technique to join Glidcop to Mo, using a commercial Cu-based alloy. The effects of the excessive diffusion of the braze along the grain boundaries on the interfacial chemistry and joint microstructure, as well as on the mechanical performance of the brazed joints, has been investigated. In order to prevent the diffusion of the braze into the Glidcop alloy, a copper barrier layer has been deposited on Glidcop by means of RF-sputtering.
Mode Profile Shaping in Wire Media: Towards an Experimental Verification
Authors: Boyd Taylor , Gratus Jonathan , Kinsler Paul , Letizia Rosa , Seviour Rebecca
Published: July 2018

We show that an experimentally plausible system consisting of a modulated wire medium hosted in a metal cavity can preserve the longitudinal field profile shaping predicted by Boyd et al. (2018) on the basis of a perfectly periodic wire-only structure. These new frequency domain numerical results are a significant step towards justifying the construction of an experimental apparatus to test the field profile shaping in practise.
Knowledge Description for Bodies of Knowledge on Educational Context as Tool to Improve a Curriculum
Authors: Quezada-Sarmiento Pablo Alejandro , Enciso Liliana , Hernandez Wilmar , Washizaki Hironori
Published: July 2018

In this paper, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) on Bodies of Knowledge (BOK) was carried out. Also, the theorical base to build a model for knowledge representation was created. In addition, it was found that there is a lack of guidelines to describe knowledge representation, because of the dramatically increasing number of requirements to produce a BOK, the difficulty with comparing related BOK contents, and the fact that reusing knowledge description is a very laborious task. In short, this paper can be seeing as a first step in building a model that can be used for describing knowledge description in BOK. Finally, a comparison among BOK, structure, and evolution was conducted. The results of this comparative analysis were satisfactory, allowing to determine the elements with greatest influence in the process of describing a BOK to applied on sustainability educational context and base to improve a curriculum.
Development of a Novel Electrochemical Inhibition Sensor Array Based on Bacteria Immobilized on Modified Screen-Printed Gold Electrodes for Water Pollution Detection
Authors: Abu-Ali Hisham , Nabok Alexei , Smith Thomas J. , Al-Shanawa Maythem
Published: July 2018

The development of a novel and simple inhibition biosensor array for detection of water pollutants based on immobilized bacteria is the main goal of this work. A series of electrochemical measurements (i.e. cyclic voltammograms) were carried out on screen-printed gold electrodes with three types of bacteria, namely Escherichia coli, Shewanella oneidensis, and Methylococcus capsulatus, immobilized via poly L-lysine. For comparison purposes, similar measurements were carried out on bacteria samples in solutions,; also optical measurements (fluorescence microscopy, optical density, and flow cytometry) were performed on the same bacteria in both liquid and  immobilized forms. The study of the effect of heavy metal ions (lead), pesticides (atrazine) and petrochemicals (hexane) on DC electrochemical characteristics of immobilized bacteria revealed a possibility of pattern recognition of the above inhibition agents in aquatic environment.
Some New Classes of Generalized Lagrange-Based Apostol Type Hermite Polynomials
Authors: Khan Waseem A. , Nisar K.S.
Published: July 2018

In this paper, we introduce a general family of Lagrange-based Apostol-type Hermite polynomials thereby unifying the Lagrange-based Apostol Hermite-Bernoulli and the Lagrange-based Apostol Hermite-Genocchi polynomials. We also define Lagrange-based Apostol Hermite-Euler polynomials via the generating function. In terms of these generalizations, we find new and useful relations between the unified family and the Apostol Hermite-Euler polynomials. We also derive their explicit representations and list some basic properties of each of them. Some implicit summation formulae and general symmetry identities are derived by using different analytical means and applying generating functions.
CoRisk: Measuring Contagion Risk with Correlation Network Models
Authors: Giudici Paolo , Parisi Laura
Published: July 2018

We propose a novel credit risk measurement model for Corporate Default Swap spreads, that combines vector autoregressive regression with correlation networks. We focus on the sovereign CDS spreads of a collection of countries, that can be regarded as idiosyncratic measures of credit risk. We model them by means of a vector autoregressive regression model, composed by a time dependent country specific component, and by a contemporaneous component that describes contagion effects among countries. To disentangle the two components, we employ correlation networks, derived from the correlation matrix between the reduced form residuals. The proposed model is applied to ten countries that are representative of the recent financial crisis: top borrowing/lending countries, and peripheral European countries. The empirical findings show that the proposed model is a good predictor of CDS spreads movements, and that the contemporaneous component decreases prediction errors with respect to a simpler autoregressive model. From an applied viewpoint, core countries appear to import risk, as contagion increases their CDS spread, whereas peripheral countries appear as exporters of risk. Greece is an unfortunate exception, as its spreads seem to increase for both idiosyncratic factors and contagion effects.
Information Geometry in Classical and Quantum Systems
Authors: Kim Eun-jin
Published: July 2018

A probabilistic description is essential for understanding the dynamics of stochastic systems far from equilibrium. To compare different Probability Density Functions (PDFs), it is extremely useful to quantify the difference among different PDFs by assigning an appropriate metric to probability such that the distance increases with the difference between the two PDFs. This metric structure then provides a key link between stochastic processes and geometry. For a non-equilibrium process, we define an infinitesimal distance at any time by comparing two PDFs at times infinitesimally apart and sum these distances in time. The total distance along the trajectory of the system quantifies the total number of different states that the system undergoes in time and is called the information length. By using this concept, we investigate classical and quantum systems and demonstrate the utility of the information length as a unique Lagrangian diagnostic to quantify the information change as a system continuously evolves in time and to map out attractor structure. We further elucidate quantum effects (uncertainty relation) and the dual role of the width of PDF in quantum systems.
Host-Directed Antivirals: a Realistic Alternative to Fight Zika Virus
Authors: Saiz Juan-Carlos , Jiménez de Oya Nereida , Blázquez Ana-Belén , Escribano-Romero Estela , Martín-Acebes Miguel A.
Published: July 2018

Zika virus (ZIKV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, was an almost neglected pathogen until its introduction in the Americas in 2015, where it has been responsible for a threat to global health, causing a great social and sanitary alarm due to its increased virulence, rapid spread, and an association with severe neurological and ophthalmological complications. Currently, no specific antiviral therapy against ZIKV is available, and treatments are palliative and mainly directed to symptoms relief, such as fever and rash, by administering antipyretics, anti-histamines, and fluids for dehydration. Nevertheless, lately, a great effort has been made to search for antiviral candidates using different approaches and methodologies, ranging from repurposing of specific compounds with known antiviral activity to the screening of libraries and of natural compounds. The identified antiviral candidates include drugs targeting viral components (structural proteins and enzymes), as well as cellular ones. Here, we present an updated review of current knowledge about anti-ZIKV strategies, focusing on host-directed antivirals as a realistic alternative to combat ZIKV infection.
A New Class of Degenerate Hermite Poly-Genocchi Polynomials
Authors: Khan Waseem A. , Nisar K.S.
Published: July 2018

In this article, authors introduce a new class of degenerate Hermite poly-Genocchi polynomials and give some identities of these polynomials related to the Stirling numbers of the second kind. Some implicit summation formulae and general symmetry identities are derived by using different analytical means and applying generating functions. These results extend some known summations and identities of degenerate Hermite poly-Bernoulli numbers and polynomials studied by Khan [8].
Emergency and Mental Health Nurses’ Perceptions and Attitudes towards Alcoholics
Authors: Molina-Mula Jesús , González-Trujillo Antonio , Simonet-Bennassar Margarita , Balearic Nursing Drug Addiction Research Group GIBED
Published: July 2018

Knowing professionals’ attitudes is the basis for the development of skills for dealing with drug dependence. These attitudes may affect patients’ clinical safety and the cost-benefit ratio of the interventions. The goal of this study was to assess emergency and mental health nurses’ attitudes and perceptions towards alcoholics. A multicenter prospective descriptive study was conducted in six hospitals with 167 emergency and mental health nurses. Nurses classified alcoholics as sick individuals, although there was a tendency to feel comfortable working with them. Results indicated that these professionals had a rejecting attitude towards moderate alcohol consumption. We found a significant association between the attitude of the nurse and gender, with the degree of rejection towards the alcoholic being higher in men than in women and with less punitive attitudes in professionals from 0 to 11 years of professional experience.
Metformin Hydrochloride-Plga Nanoparticles in Diabetic Rats in A Periodontal Disease Experimental Model
Authors: Pereira Aline de Sousa Barbosa Freitas , Brito Gerly Anne de Castro , Lima Maria Laura de Souza , Silva Júnior Arnóbio Antônio da , Silva Emanuell dos Santos , de Rezende Adriana  Augusto , Bortolin Raul  Hernandes , Galvan Maria , Pirih Flavia Q. , Araújo Júnior Raimundo Fernandes de , Medeiros Caroline Addison Carvalho Xavier de , Guerra Gerlane Coelho Bernando , Araújo Aurigena Antunes de
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study was synthesize and evaluate the effects of Poly (D, L-Lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) Nanoparticles (NPs) of metformin (PLGA+ Met) on inflammation, and bone loss in a ligature-induced periodontitis rat model. The prepared NPs were characterized by mean diameter, size particle, polydispensity index and encapsulation efficiency by Atomic force microscopy (AFM). Male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of 20 rats in each group, and given the following treatments for 10 days to evaluate in vivo activity: (1) Sham: no ligature + water; (2) Positive control: ligature + water (with Periodontal disease and Diabetes); (3) ligature + PLGA+ 10 mg/kg Met (With Periodontal disease and Diabetes); and (4) ligature + PLGA+ 100 mg/kg Met (with Periodontal disease and Diabetes). Water or PLGA + Met was administered orally by gavage.  Maxillae were fixed and scanned using Micro-computed Tomography (μCT) to quantify linear of bone loss. Histopathological characteristics were assessed through immunohistochemical staining for Osteocalcin, Cathepsyn K, RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway. IL-1β and TNF-α from gingival tissues were analysed by Elisa immunoassay. Quantitative RT-PCR reaction was used to evaluate gene expression of AMPK, NF-κB p-65, Hmgb1 and TAK-1 from gingival tissues. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA at 5% significance. The mean diameter of MET-loaded PLGA nanoparticles was in a range of 457.1 ± 48.9 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.285, zeta potential: 8.16 ± 1.1 mV and entrapment efficiency (EE) was 70%. The results suggest that the addition of MET in the core slightly affected the particle sizes. Treatment with PLGA+ 10 mg/kg Met showed low inflammatory cells, decreased bone loss and integrity cement and levels of IL-1β, and TNF-α (p < 0.05) were significantly reduced. Additionally, weak staining was shown by RANKL, Cathepsyn K, OPG, and osteocalcin. Radiographically, linear measurements showed a statistically significant reduction in bone loss after treatment with PLGA+ 10 mg/kg Met compared to the positive control (p < 0.05). RT-PCR showed increased AMPK expression (p < 0.05) and decreased expression of NF-κB P65, HMGB1 and TAK-1 after PLGA+ 10 mg/kg Met (p < 0.05). The PLGA nanoparticle + 10 mg/kg Met decreased glucose levels and also decreased the inflammatory response, and bone loss in ligature-induced periodontitis in rats.
Microbial Electrochemical Technologies for Wastewater Treatment: Principles and Evolution from Microbial Fuel Cells to Bioelectrochemical-Based Constructed Wetlands
Authors: Ramírez-Vargas Carlos A. , Prado Amanda , Arias Carlos A. , Carvalho Pedro N. , Esteve-Núñez Abraham , Brix Hans
Published: July 2018

Microbial electrochemical technologies (MET) rely on the presence of the metabolic activity of electroactive bacteria for the use of solid-state electrodes for oxidizing different kind of compound, that could lead to the synthesis of chemicals, bioremediation of polluted matrices, the treatment of contaminants of interest, as well as the recovery of energy. Keeping in mind those possibilities, since the beginning of the present century, there has been a growing interest in the use of electrochemical technologies for wastewater treatment, and if possible with simultaneous power generation. In the last years, there has been a growing interest to explore the possibility of merging MET with constructed wetlands, to offer a new option of intensified wetland system that could keep a high performance with a lower footprint. Based on that interest, this paper explains the general principles of MET, and the different known extracellular electron transfer mechanisms ruling the interaction between electroactive bacteria and potential solid-state electron acceptors. Also, the adoption of those principles for the development of MET set-ups for simultaneous wastewater treatment and power generation, and the challenges that the technology face. Ultimately, the most recent developments in set-ups that merges MET with constructed wetlands are presented and discussed.
Computational Molecular Modeling of Transport Processes in Nanoporous Membranes
Authors: Hinkle Kevin R. , Wang Xiaoyu , Gu Xuehong , Jameson Cynthia J. , Murad Sohail
Published: July 2018

In this report we have discussed the important role of molecular modeling, especially the use of the molecular dynamics method, in investigating transport processes in nanoporous materials such as membranes. With the availability of high performance computers, molecular modeling can now be used to study rather complex systems at a fraction of the cost or time requirements of experimental studies. Molecular modeling techniques have the advantage of being able to access spatial and temporal resolution which are difficult to reach in experimental studies. For example, sub-Angstrom level spatial resolution is very accessible as is sub-femtosecond temporal resolution. Due to these advantages, simulation can play two important roles: Firstly because of the increased spatial and temporal resolution, it can help understand phenomena not well understood. As an example, we discuss the study of reverse osmosis processes. Before simulations were used it was thought the separation of water from salt was purely a coulombic phenomenon. However, by applying molecular simulation techniques, it was clearly demonstrated that the solvation of ions made the separation in effect a steric separation and it was the flux which was strongly affected by the coulombic interactions between water and the membrane surface. Additionally, because of their relatively low cost and quick turnaround (by using multiple processor systems now increasingly available) simulations can be a useful screening tool to identify membranes for a potential application. To this end, we have described our studies in determining the most suitable zeolite membrane for redox flow battery applications. As computing facilities become more widely available and new computational methods are developed, we believe molecular modeling will become a key tool in the study of transport processes in nanoporous materials.
Copaifera langsdorffii Novel Putative lncRNA: Interspecies Conservation Analysis in Adaptive Response to Different Biomes
Authors: Danilevicz Monica F. , Moharana Kanhu C. , Venancio Thiago M. , Franco Luciana O. , Cardoso Sergio R.S. , Cardoso Monica , Thiebaut Flavia , Hemerly Adriana S. , Prosdocimi Francisco , Ferreira Paulo C. G.
Published: July 2018

LncRNA are involved in multiple regulatory pathways, its versatile mode of action has disclosed a new layer in gene regulation. They are reportedly modulated during plant development, with specific tissue functions and in response to stresses. In this study, we analyzed LncRNA from leave samples collected from the legume Copaifera langsdorffii (copaiba) from two divergent ecosystems: Cerrado (CER) and Atlantic Rain Forest (ARF). We identified 8020 novel lncRNAs, from which 2893 transcripts were regulated above 2-fold and 566 above 5-folds in either condition. This putative lncRNA set was compared with seven Fabaceae genomes, of which 1747 and 1879 transcripts (from ARF and CER, respectively) aligned to at least two genomes. Further, 2194 copaiba lncRNAs were successfully mapped to at least one of six Fabaceae transcriptomes. The secondary structures of the lncRNAs that were conserved and differentially expressed between the populations were predicted using in silico methods. Our results indicate the potential involvement of lncRNAs in the adaptation of C. langsdorffii to two different biomes.
Image Judgment Auxiliary System for Table Tennis Umpiring Under Low Light Conditions
Authors: Hung Chang-Hung
Published: July 2018

In table tennis competitions the rule violation judgment with the greatest controversy is the height of the ball serve. This is because inaccuracy in the ball height judgment, which results in erroneous judgment, is unavoidable. Thus, we designed an automatic image judgment auxiliary system for table tennis ball height during service in this study. We used a high-speed camera to record the ball toss in the table tennis service. The designed algorithm architecture can automatically search for the ball and the position of the hand action under low light source conditions. The algorithm is mainly divided into hue-saturation-value color space processing and morphology processing using Hough transform to search for the circular ball. Experiment result shows that color segmentation can successfully and accurately determine the ball position under low light conditions. The morphology method can find the position of the hand and help determine the moment when the ball leaves the hand during the service ball toss. Finally, the actual size of the target is used to estimate the actual distance unit represented by the image pixel.
Coordination and Private Information Revelation: Failure of Information Unraveling
Authors: Saha Debdatta , Roy Chowdhury Prabal
Published: July 2018

This paper examines a persuasion game between two agents with one-sided asymmetric information, where the informed agent can reveal her private information prior to playing a Battle-of-the-Sexes coordination game. We find that in the presence of strategic uncertainty in coordination there exists an equilibrium where there is no 'unraveling' of information. We provide a purification argument for this mixed strategy equilibrium to strengthen the central result, which is robust to several extensions, including both-sided asymmetric information and imprecise information revelation.
Microbiota and LPS-Induced Obesity Inflammation: Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Pero Raffaela , Fico Giovanna , Scudiero Olga , Laneri Sonia
Published: July 2018

Obesity and chronic low-grade inflammation are becoming global epidemics. The dysbiosis has a specific role in the metabolism and energy stocks of the host. The discovery that a low-grade of inflammation could be directly connected to the intestinal microbiota metabolic endotoxemia (elevated levels of plasma lipopolysaccharides) has allowed the identification of novel mechanisms involved in the control of the intestinal barrier. In this review, it will analyze the latest news to explain how human symbiotic microorganisms participate in the growth of the fat reserves and promote insulin resistance as a low-grade inflammation. Besides, it will discuss new treatments with probiotics and prebiotics as a promising therapeutic approach to reverse the host's metabolic changes linked to dysbiosis observed in obesity.
Self-Absorption Analysis of Silver Resonance Lines in Nano-Material Laser Produced Plasma
Authors: El Sherbini Ashraf M. , Hagras Mohamed A. , Rizk Mohamed R. , El Badawy El-Sayed A. , Parigger Christian G.
Published: July 2018

The resonance spectra of neutral silver indicate self-absorption for the studied Ag I lines at the wavelengths of 327.9 nm and 338.2 nm. The center dip is associated with self-reversal due to self-absorption in the plasma. The Q-switched radiation of 355 nm, 532 nm, or 1064 nm from a Nd:YAG laser device generates the plasma at the surface of silver nano-material targets, with experiments conducted in standard ambient temperature and pressure laboratory air. Procedures for recovery of the spectral line shapes confirm that over and above the effects of self-reversal, line shape distortion are important in the analysis. The work discusses parameters describing self-absorption when using fluence levels of 2 to 33 J/cm2 to generate the plasma. Furthermore, subsidiary calibration efforts that utilize the hydrogen alpha line of the Balmer series show that the Ag I lines at 827.35 nm and 768.7 nm are optically thin.
Analytical Approaches to Model Light Transmission through Turbid Media
Authors: Sokoletsky Leonid G. , Budak Vladimir P.
Published: July 2018

The transmission of light is one of the key optical processes in the terrestrial environment (the atmosphere and underlying surfaces). The dependence of light transmittance on the illumination/observation conditions and optical properties of the atmosphere–underlying system can be studied using the integro-differential radiative transfer equation. However, for numerous applications a set of analytical equations is needed to describe the transmitted light intensity and flux. In this paper, we describe various analytical techniques to study light transmittance through light scattering and absorbing media. A physical significance and improved mathematical accuracy of approximations are provided using the analytical models for the diffusion exponent, average cosine of the light field, spherical and plane albedos. The accuracy of various approximations is studied using exact radiative transfer calculations with various scattering phase functions, single-scattering albedos, observational conditions, and optical depths.
What Does the Future Hold for Yellow Fever Virus? (II)
Authors: Klitting Raphaëlle , Fischer Carlo , Drexler Jan F. , Gould Ernest A. , Roiz David , Paupy Christophe , de Lamballerie Xavier
Published: July 2018

As revealed by the recent resurgence of yellow fever virus (YFV) activity in the tropical regions of Africa and South America, YFV control measures need urgent rethinking. Over the last decade, most reported outbreaks occurred in, or eventually reached, areas of low vaccination coverage but suitable for virus transmission, with an unprecedented risk of expansion to densely populated territories in Africa, South America and Asia. As reflected in the World Health Organization’s initiative launched in 2017, it is high time to strengthen epidemiological surveillance to monitor accurately, viral dissemination and redefine vaccination recommendation areas. Vector-control and immunisation measures need to be adapted and vaccine manufacturing must be reconciled with an increasing demand. We will have to face more YF cases in the upcoming years hence, improving disease management through the development of efficient treatments will prove most beneficial. Undoubtedly, these developments will require in-depth descriptions of YFV biology at molecular, physiological and ecological levels. This second section of the two-part review describes the current state of knowledge and gaps regarding the molecular biology of YFV, along with an overview of the tools that can be used to manage the disease at the individual, local and global levels.
An Attack Bound for Small Multiplicative Inverse of Euler function of modulo "e" with a Composed Prime Sum p+q Using Sublattice Based Techniques
Authors: Pratha Anuradha  Kameswari , Lambadi Jyotsna
Published: July 2018

In this paper, we gave an attack on RSA when Euler function has small multiplicative inverse modulo "e" and the prime sum p+q is of the form p+q=2^nk_0+k_1 where n is a given positive integer and k_0 and k_1 are two suitably small unknown integers using sublattice reduction techniques and Coppersmith's methods for finding small roots of modular polynomial equations. When we compare this method with an approach using lattice based techniques, this procedure slightly improves the bound and reduces the lattice dimension.
A Flexible Wireless Sensor Network based on Ultra-Wide Band Technology for Ground Instability Monitoring
Authors: Mucchi Lorenzo , Jayousi Sara , Martinelli Alessio , Caputo Stefano , Intrieri Emanuele , Gigli Giovanni , Gracchi Teresa , Mugnai Francesco , Favalli Massimiliano , Fornaciai Alessandro , Nannipieri Luca
Published: July 2018

An innovative wireless sensor network (WSN) based on Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) technology for 3D accurate superficial monitoring of ground deformations, as landslides and subsidence, is proposed. The system has been designed and developed as part of an European Life+ project, called Wi-GIM (Wireless Sensor Network for Ground Instability Monitoring). The details of the architecture, the localization via wireless technology and data processing protocols are described. The flexibility and accuracy achieved by the UWB two-way ranging technique is analysed and compared with the traditional systems, such as robotic total stations (RTSs), Ground-based Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (GB-InSAR), highlighting the pros and cons of the UWB solution to detect the surface movements. An extensive field trial campaign allows the validation of the system and the analysis of its sensitivity to different factors (e.g., sensor nodes inter-visibility, effects of the temperature, etc.). The Wi-GIM system represents a promising solution for landslide monitoring and it can be adopted in conjunction with traditional systems or as an alternative in areas where the available resources are inadequate. The versatility, easy/fast deployment and cost-effectiveness, together with the good accuracy, make the Wi-GIM system a possible solution for municipalities that cannot afford expensive/complex systems to monitor potential landslides in their territory.
Level-specific differences in systemic expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines after spinal cord injury
Authors: Hong James , Chang Alex , Zavvarian Mohammad , Wang Jian , Liu Yang , Fehlings Michael
Published: July 2018

While over half of all spinal cord injuries (SCIs) occur in the cervical region, the majority of preclinical studies have focused on models of thoracic injury. However, these two levels are anatomically distinct—with the cervical region possessing a greater vascular supply, grey-white matter ratio and sympathetic outflow relative to the thoracic region. As such, there exists a significant knowledge gap in the secondary pathology at these levels following SCI. In this study, we characterized the systemic plasma markers of inflammation over time (1, 3, 7, 14, 56 days post-SCI) after moderate-severe, clip-compression cervical and thoracic SCI in the rat. Using high-throughput ELISA panels, we observed a clear level-specific difference in plasma levels of VEGF, leptin, IP10, IL18, GCSF, and fractalkine. Overall, cervical SCI had reduced expressions of both pro- and anti-inflammatory proteins relative to thoracic SCI, likely due to sympathetic dysregulation associated with higher level SCIs. However, contrary to the literature, we did not observe level-dependent splenic atrophy with our incomplete SCI model. This is the first study to compare the systemic plasma-level changes following cervical and thoracic SCI using level-matched and time-matched controls. The results of this study provide the first evidence in support of level-targeted intervention and also challenge the phenomenon of high SCI-induced splenic atrophy in incomplete SCI models.
On the Very High-Resolution Radar Image Statistics of the Exponential Correlated Rough Surface: Experimental and Numerical Studies
Authors: Jin Ming , Chen Kun-Shan , Xie Dengfeng
Published: July 2018

The aim of this study is to investigate, by means of experimental measurements and full-wave simulations, the dominant factors for the very high-resolution (VHR) radar image speckles from exponential correlated rough surfaces.  A Ka-band radar system was used to collect the return signal from such a surface sample fabricated by 3D printing, and that signal was further processed into images at different resolution scales, where the image samples were obtained by horizontally turning around the surface sample.  To cross-validate the results and to further discuss the VHR speckle properties, full wave simulations by full 3D Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method were conducted with 1600 realizations for the speckle analysis.  At the considered very high resolution, speckle statistics show divergence from the fully developed Rayleigh distribution.  The factors that impact on the high-resolution speckle properties from exponential correlated rough surface, are analyzed in views of the equivalent number of scatterers theory and scattering scales, respectively.  From the data results and extended discussions, it is evident that both of the above factors matter for VHR speckle of backscattering, from the exponential correlated rough surface as a good representative for the ground surface.
The use of Semigeostrophic Theory to Diagnose the Behaviour of an Atmospheric GCM
Authors: Cullen Mike
Published: July 2018

A diagnostic method is presented for analysing the large-scale behaviour of the Met Office Unified Model, which is a comprehensive atmospheric model used for weather and climate prediction. Outside the boundary layer, on scales larger than the radius of deformation, semigeostrophic theory will give an accurate approximation to the model evolution. In particular, the ageostrophic circulation required to maintain geostrophic and hydrostatic balance against prescribed forcing and a rate of change of the geostrophic pressure can be calculated. In the tropics the balance condition degenerates to the weak temperature gradient approximation. Within the boundary layer the semigeostriptic approximation has to be used because friction and rotation are equally important. Assuming the calculated pressure tendency and ageotriptic circulation match the observed model behaviour, the influence of the large-scale state and the nature of the forcing on the model response can be deduced in a straightforward way. This process is illustrated by comparing predictions of the ageotriptic circulation from the theory and the model. It is then used to show that the effects of latent heat release can be included by modifying the static stability, and to show the effect of an idealised tropical heat source on the subtropical jet. Finally the response of the ageotriptic flow to boundary layer heating in the tropics is demonstrated. These illustrations show that the model behaviour on large scales conforms with theoretical expectations, so that the results of the diagnostic can be used to aid the development of further improvements to the model.