bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Precipitate Stability in a Zr–2.5Nb–0.5Cu Alloy under Heavy Ion Irradiation
Authors: Dong Qingshan , Yao Zhongwen , Wang Qiang , Yu Hongbing , Kirk Mark , Daymond Mark
Published: July 2017

The stability of precipitates in Zr–2.5Nb–0.5Cu alloy under heavy ion irradiation from 100 °C to 500 °C was investigated by quantitative Chemi-STEM EDS analysis. Irradiation results in the crystalline to amorphous transformation of Zr2Cu between 200 °C and 300 °C, but the β–Nb remains crystalline at all temperatures. The precipitates are found to be more stable in starting structures with multiple boundaries than in coarse grain structures. There is an apparent increase of the precipitate size and a redistribution of the alloying element in certain starting microstructures, while a similar size change or alloying element redistribution is not detected or only detected at a much higher temperature in other starting microstructures after irradiation.
Enhanced Uptake of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles by Intestinal Epithelial Cells in a State of Inflammation
Authors: Zhou Gang , Zhang Jin , Pan Chun , Liu Naicheng , Wang Zhenheng , Zhang Junfeng
Published: July 2017

Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) have been used for medical and drug applications, although the mechanisms of cellular uptake and transport need to be further evaluated under inflammatory conditions. In the present study, we investigated the uptake of Fe3O4 NPs (20, 50, 100, and 200 nm) by intestinal epithelial cells under inflammatory conditions via the light scattering of flow cytometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) techniques. The results of the correlation analysis indicated that the uptake ratios of Fe3O4 NPs by intestinal epithelial cells under inflammatory conditions were higher than those under the control conditions. The transportation ratios of NPs by inflammatory Caco-2 cells increased almost 0.8–1.2 fold compared to the control. The internalization of the Fe3O4 NPs in Caco-2 cells was mediated by clathrin-related routes in both the control and an interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced inflammatory condition. The level of mRNA of clathrin expressed in Caco-2 cells that were stimulated by IL-1β was almost three times more than the control. Consistently with the mRNA expression, the level of protein in the clathrin was upregulated. Additionally, it was verified for the first time that the expression of clathrin was upregulated in IL-1β-stimulated Caco-2 cells. Collectively, these results provided a further potential understanding about the mechanism of Fe3O4 NPs’ uptake by intestinal epithelial cells under inflammatory conditions.
Synthesis and Identification of Novel Berberine Derivatives as Potent Inhibitors against TNF-α-Induced NF-κB Activation
Authors: Wang Yan-Xiang , Liu Lu , Zeng Qing-Xuan , Fan Tian-Yun , Jiang Jian-Dong , Deng Hong-Bin , Song Dan-Qing
Published: July 2017

Twenty-three new berberine (BBR) analogues defined on substituents of ring D were synthesized and evaluated for their activity for suppression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation. Structure–activity relationship (SAR) analysis indicated that suitable tertiary/quaternary carbon substitutions at the 9-position or rigid fragment at position 10 might be beneficial for enhancing their anti-inflammatory potency. Among them, compounds 2d, 2e, 2i and 2j exhibited satisfactory inhibitory potency against NF-κB activation, with an inhibitory rate of around 90% (5 μM), much better than BBR. A preliminary mechanism study revealed that all of them could inhibit TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation via impairing IκB kinase (IKK) phosphorylation as well as cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 induced by TNF-α. Therefore, the results provided powerful information on further structural modifications and development of BBR derivatives into a new class of anti-inflammatory candidates for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Study of the Interactions of Bovine Serum Albumin with the New Anti-Inflammatory Agent 4-(1,3-Dioxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-isoindol-2-yl)-N′-[(4-ethoxy-phenyl)methylidene]benzohydrazide Using a Multi-Spectroscopic Approach and Molecular Docking
Authors: Wani Tanveer , Bakheit Ahmed , Al-Majed Abdul-Rahman , Bhat Mashooq , Zargar Seema
Published: July 2017

The lipophilic derivative of thalidomide (4-(1,3-dioxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-isoindol-2-yl)-N′-[(4-ethoxyphenyl)methylidene]benzohydrazide, 6P) was synthesized to enhance its characteristics and efficacy. Earlier studies have proved the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of 6P. In this study the interaction between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and 6P was studied using a multi-spectroscopic approach which included UV spectrophotometry, spectrofluorimetry and three dimensional spectrofluorometric and molecular docking studies. Static quenching was involved in quenching the fluorescence of BSA by 6P, because a complex formation occurred between the 6P and BSA. The binding constant decreased with higher temperature and was in the range of 2.5 × 105–4.8 × 103 L mol−1 suggesting an unstable complex at higher temperatures. A single binding site was observed and the the site probe experiments showed site II (sub-domain IIIA) of BSA as the binding site for 6P. The negative values of ∆G0, ∆H0 and ∆S0 at (298/303/308 K) indicated spontaneous binding between 6P and BSA as well as the interaction was enthalpy driven and van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding were involved in the interaction. The docking results and the results from the experimental studies are complimentary to each other and confirm that 6P binds at site II (sub-domain IIIA) of BSA.
Distinct Mechanisms of Biotic and Chemical Elicitors Enable Additive Elicitation of the Anticancer Phytoalexin Glyceollin I
Authors: Farrell Kelli , Jahan Md , Kovinich Nik
Published: July 2017

Phytoalexins are metabolites biosynthesized in plants in response to pathogen, environmental, and chemical stresses that often have potent bioactivities, rendering them promising for use as therapeutics or scaffolds for pharmaceutical development. Glyceollin I is an isoflavonoid phytoalexin from soybean that exhibits potent anticancer activities and is not economical to synthesize. Here, we tested a range of source tissues from soybean, in addition to chemical and biotic elicitors, to understand how to enhance the bioproduction of glyceollin I. Combining the inorganic chemical silver nitrate (AgNO3) with the wall glucan elicitor (WGE) from the soybean pathogen Phytophthora sojae had an additive effect on the elicitation of soybean seeds, resulting in a yield of up to 745.1 µg gt−1 glyceollin I. The additive elicitation suggested that the biotic and chemical elicitors acted largely by separate mechanisms. WGE caused a major accumulation of phytoalexin gene transcripts, whereas AgNO3 inhibited and enhanced the degradation of glyceollin I and 6″-O-malonyldaidzin, respectively.
The Association between Vitamin D Insufficiency and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Ha Yeonjung , Hwang Seong , Rim Kyu
Published: July 2017

Previous studies have shown inconsistent results regarding the association between vitamin D insufficiency and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We attempted to demonstrate this relationship using population-based data. Vitamin D insufficiency was defined as a 25(OH)D level ≤20 ng/mL. Hepatic steatosis index was calculated to define NAFLD. Significant fibrosis was assessed using Body mass index, AST/ALT Ratio, Diabetes (BARD) score. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between vitamin D insufficiency and NAFLD. Among 1812 participants, 409 (22.6%) had NAFLD. Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were more likely to be male (56.7%), had higher body mass index (28.1 kg/m2), and had more metabolic syndrome (57.2%). The proportion of vitamin D insufficiency did not differ between NAFLD and non-NAFLD (77.5% vs. 77.4%). Logistic regression analyses showed that BMI, diabetes, and triglyceride level were significantly associated with NAFLD, whereas vitamin D insufficiency was not related. Subgroup analyses involving non-obese participants, male participants, and participants without metabolic syndrome showed similar results. The BARD score and the proportion of significant fibrosis by BARD score did not differ according to vitamin D status. Vitamin D insufficiency was not associated with the presence of NAFLD as assessed by validated noninvasive prediction models.
Stages of Behavioral Change for Reducing Sodium Intake in Korean Consumers: Comparison of Characteristics Based on Social Cognitive Theory
Authors: Ahn So-hyun , Kwon Jong , Kim Kyungmin , Kim Hye-Kyeong
Published: July 2017

High sodium intake increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Given the importance of behavioral changes to reducing sodium intake, this study aims to investigate the stages of change and the differences in cognitive and behavioral characteristics by stage in Korean consumers. Adult participants (N = 3892) completed a questionnaire on the stages of behavioral change, recognition of social efforts, outcome expectancy, barriers to practice, nutrition knowledge and dietary behaviors, and self-efficiency related to reduced sodium intake. The numbers of participants in each stage of behavioral change for reducing sodium intake was 29.5% in the maintenance stage, 19.5% in the action stage, and 51.0% in the preaction stage that included the precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation stages. Multiple logistic regression showed that the factors differentiating the three stages were recognizing a supportive social environment, perceived barriers to the practice of reducing sodium intake, and self-efficacy to be conscious of sodium content and to request less salt when eating out. Purchasing experience of sodium-reduced products for salty foods, knowledge of the recommended intake of salt and the difference between sodium and salt, and improving dietary habits of eating salted fish, processed food, and salty snacks were factors for being in the action stage versus the preaction stage. These findings suggest that tailored intervention according to the characteristics of each stage is helpful in reducing sodium intake.
Disparities in Snacking Trends in US Adults over a 35 Year Period from 1977 to 2012
Authors: Dunford Elizabeth , Popkin Barry
Published: July 2017

Background: Previous studies have indicated that snacking is contributing to increased calories in the American diet, and that the contribution of snacks to energy intake has increased in recent decades. Objective: The objective was to examine trends in the energy intake deriving from snacks and food sources of snacks for US adults over 35 years from 1977 to 2012, and whether these trends differ across sociodemographic groups. Methods: Participants included 74,291 US adults aged ≥19 years who participated in the 1977–1978 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey (NFCS); the 1989–1991 Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII), the 1994–1996 CSFII, the 1997–1998 CSFII, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2004, NHANES 2005–2006, NHANES 2009–2010 and NHANES 2011–2012; all surveys are a stratified random sample of the total civilian, non-institutionalized US population. Overall patterns of snacking, trends in energy intake from snacking, trends in snacking food and beverage sources and energy intake from snacks across racial/ethnic, age, education and income groups were examined. Results: For all US adults there was a significant increase in per capita energy intake from snacks from 1977 to 2012 (p < 0.01). Non-Hispanic blacks had the highest snacking energy intake from sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in each year (p < 0.01 for all), with a peak intake in 2003–2006 of 76 kcal per capita per day. Intake of salty snacks increased in all groups between 1977 and 2012, with non-Hispanic blacks having the highest intake in 2009–2012 (p < 0.01). No significant differences were found between income or education groups. Conclusions: Results show that snacking remains a significant component of the US diet and the foods consumed at these snacks (SSBs, desserts and sweets and salty snacks) are not the types of foods recommended by the US dietary guidelines. Our finding that non-Hispanic blacks are consuming a higher proportion of SSBs and salty snacks than other groups, and showing the largest increase in energy intake deriving from snacks overall over the past 35 years, is indeed concerning.
The Ortelius Incident in the Hinlopen Strait—A Case Study on How Satellite-Based AIS Can Support Search and Rescue Operations in Remote Waters
Authors: Aase Johnny
Published: July 2017

In this paper, Automatic Identification System (AIS) data collected from space is used to demonstrate how the data can support search and rescue (SAR) operations in remote waters. The data was recorded by the Norwegian polar orbiting satellite AISSat-1. This is a case study discussing the Ortelius incident in Svalbard in early June 2016. The tourist vessel flying the flag of Cyprus experienced engine failure in a remote part of the Arctic Archipelago. The passengers and crew were not harmed. There were no Norwegian Coast Guard vessels in the vicinity. The Governor of Svalbard had to deploy her vessel Polarsyssel to assist the Ortelius. The paper shows that satellite-based AIS enables SAR coordination centers to swiftly determine the identity and precise location of vessels in the vicinity of the troubled ship. This knowledge makes it easier to coordinate SAR operations.
Stochastic Period and Cohort Effect State-Space Mortality Models Incorporating Demographic Factors via Probabilistic Robust Principal Components
Authors: Toczydlowska Dorota , Peters Gareth , Fung Man , Shevchenko Pavel
Published: July 2017

In this study we develop a multi-factor extension of the family of Lee-Carter stochastic mortality models. We build upon the time, period and cohort stochastic model structure to extend it to include exogenous observable demographic features that can be used as additional factors to improve model fit and forecasting accuracy. We develop a dimension reduction feature extraction framework which (a) employs projection based techniques of dimensionality reduction; in doing this we also develop (b) a robust feature extraction framework that is amenable to different structures of demographic data; (c) we analyse demographic data sets from the patterns of missingness and the impact of such missingness on the feature extraction, and (d) introduce a class of multi-factor stochastic mortality models incorporating time, period, cohort and demographic features, which we develop within a Bayesian state-space estimation framework; finally (e) we develop an efficient combined Markov chain and filtering framework for sampling the posterior and forecasting. We undertake a detailed case study on the Human Mortality Database demographic data from European countries and we use the extracted features to better explain the term structure of mortality in the UK over time for male and female populations when compared to a pure Lee-Carter stochastic mortality model, demonstrating our feature extraction framework and consequent multi-factor mortality model improves both in sample fit and importantly out-off sample mortality forecasts by a non-trivial gain in performance.
On the Objectivity of the Objective Function—Problems with Unsupervised Segmentation Evaluation Based on Global Score and a Possible Remedy
Authors: Böck Sebastian , Immitzer Markus , Atzberger Clement
Published: July 2017

Image segmentation is a crucial stage at the very beginning of many geographic object-based image analysis (GEOBIA) workflows. While segmentation quality is generally deemed of great importance, selecting adequate tuning parameters for a segmentation algorithm can be tedious and subjective. Procedures to automatically choose parameters of a segmentation algorithm are meant to make the process objective and reproducible. One of those approaches, and perhaps the most frequently used unsupervised parameter optimization method in the context of GEOBIA is called the objective function, also known as Global Score. Unfortunately, the method exhibits a hitherto widely neglected, yet severe source of instability, which makes quality rankings inconsistent. We demonstrate the issue in detail and propose a modification of the Global Score to mitigate the problem. This hopefully serves as a starting point to spark further development of the popular approach.
Multi-Robot Interfaces and Operator Situational Awareness: Study of the Impact of Immersion and Prediction
Authors: Roldán Juan , Peña-Tapia Elena , Martín-Barrio Andrés , Olivares-Méndez Miguel , Del Cerro Jaime , Barrientos Antonio
Published: July 2017

Multi-robot missions are a challenge for operators in terms of workload and situational awareness. These operators have to receive data from the robots, extract information, understand the situation properly, make decisions, generate the adequate commands, and send them to the robots. The consequences of excessive workload and lack of awareness can vary from inefficiencies to accidents. This work focuses on the study of future operator interfaces of multi-robot systems, taking into account relevant issues such as multimodal interactions, immersive devices, predictive capabilities and adaptive displays. Specifically, four interfaces have been designed and developed: a conventional, a predictive conventional, a virtual reality and a predictive virtual reality interface. The four interfaces have been validated by the performance of twenty-four operators that supervised eight multi-robot missions of fire surveillance and extinguishing. The results of the workload and situational awareness tests show that virtual reality improves the situational awareness without increasing the workload of operators, whereas the effects of predictive components are not significant and depend on their implementation.
Seamline Determination Based on PKGC Segmentation for Remote Sensing Image Mosaicking
Authors: Dong Qiang , Liu Jinghong
Published: July 2017

This paper presents a novel method of seamline determination for remote sensing image mosaicking. A two-level optimization strategy is applied to determine the seamline. Object-level optimization is executed firstly. Background regions (BRs) and obvious regions (ORs) are extracted based on the results of parametric kernel graph cuts (PKGC) segmentation. The global cost map which consists of color difference, a multi-scale morphological gradient (MSMG) constraint, and texture difference is weighted by BRs. Finally, the seamline is determined in the weighted cost from the start point to the end point. Dijkstra’s shortest path algorithm is adopted for pixel-level optimization to determine the positions of seamline. Meanwhile, a new seamline optimization strategy is proposed for image mosaicking with multi-image overlapping regions. The experimental results show the better performance than the conventional method based on mean-shift segmentation. Seamlines based on the proposed method bypass the obvious objects and take less time in execution. This new method is efficient and superior for seamline determination in remote sensing image mosaicking.
Evaluation of Shifted Excitation Raman Difference Spectroscopy and Comparison to Computational Background Correction Methods Applied to Biochemical Raman Spectra
Authors: Cordero Eliana , Korinth Florian , Stiebing Clara , Krafft Christoph , Schie Iwan , Popp Jürgen
Published: July 2017

Raman spectroscopy provides label-free biochemical information from tissue samples without complicated sample preparation. The clinical capability of Raman spectroscopy has been demonstrated in a wide range of in vitro and in vivo applications. However, a challenge for in vivo applications is the simultaneous excitation of auto-fluorescence in the majority of tissues of interest, such as liver, bladder, brain, and others. Raman bands are then superimposed on a fluorescence background, which can be several orders of magnitude larger than the Raman signal. To eliminate the disturbing fluorescence background, several approaches are available. Among instrumentational methods shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy (SERDS) has been widely applied and studied. Similarly, computational techniques, for instance extended multiplicative scatter correction (EMSC), have also been employed to remove undesired background contributions. Here, we present a theoretical and experimental evaluation and comparison of fluorescence background removal approaches for Raman spectra based on SERDS and EMSC.
Metamaterials and Metasurfaces for Sensor Applications
Authors: Lee Yohan , Kim Sun-Je , Park Hyeonsoo , Lee Byoungho
Published: July 2017

Electromagnetic metamaterials (MMs) and metasurfaces (MSs) are artificial media and surfaces with subwavelength separations of meta-atoms designed for anomalous manipulations of light properties. Owing to large scattering cross-sections of metallic/dielectric meta-atoms, it is possible to not only localize strong electromagnetic fields in deep subwavelength volume but also decompose and analyze incident light signal with ultracompact setup using MMs and MSs. Hence, by probing resonant spectral responses from extremely boosted interactions between analyte layer and optical MMs or MSs, sensing the variation of refractive index has been a popular and practical application in the field of photonics. Moreover, decomposing and analyzing incident light signal can be easily achieved with anisotropic MSs, which can scatter light to different directions according to its polarization or wavelength. In this paper, we present recent advances and potential applications of optical MMs and MSs for refractive index sensing and sensing light properties, which can be easily integrated with various electronic devices. The characteristics and performances of devices are summarized and compared qualitatively with suggestions of design guidelines.
IoT Service Clustering for Dynamic Service Matchmaking
Authors: Zhao Shuai , Yu Le , Cheng Bo , Chen Junliang
Published: July 2017

As the adoption of service-oriented paradigms in the IoT (Internet of Things) environment, real-world devices will open their capabilities through service interfaces, which enable other functional entities to interact with them. In an IoT application, it is indispensable to find suitable services for satisfying users’ requirements or replacing the unavailable services. However, from the perspective of performance, it is inappropriate to find desired services from the service repository online directly. Instead, clustering services offline according to their similarity and matchmaking or discovering service online in limited clusters is necessary. This paper proposes a multidimensional model-based approach to measure the similarity between IoT services. Then, density-peaks-based clustering is employed to gather similar services together according to the result of similarity measurement. Based on the service clustering, the algorithms of dynamic service matchmaking, discovery, and replacement will be performed efficiently. Evaluating experiments are conducted to validate the performance of proposed approaches, and the results are promising.
Scenario-Based Simulation on Dynamics of Land-Use-Land-Cover Change in Punjab Province, Pakistan
Authors: Samie Abdus , Deng Xiangzheng , Jia Siqi , Chen Dongdong
Published: July 2017

The dramatic changes in land use are associated with various influencing factors such as socioeconomic, climatic, geophysical and proximity factors. Hence, understanding the driving mechanisms of land use changes is crucial to determine the pattern of future changes in land use. The aim of this study is to project the future land use and land cover changes from 2010 to 2030 in Punjab province under three scenarios: Business-as-Usual scenario (BAU), Rapid Economic Growth scenario (REG) and Coordinated Environmental Sustainability scenario (CES). This article used the previously developed Dynamics of Land System (DLS) model to simulate the land use changes in response to the driving mechanisms. The results indicate that cultivated land and built-up areas would expand while areas of water and grassland would face contraction under all three scenarios. Nevertheless, future land demand varies in different scenarios. Under the CES scenario; forest area would expand in the future while large reduction in unused land would be observed. Under the REG scenario, augmented expansion of built-up areas and drastic decrease in forest areas would be the main features of land use changes. Our findings in the scenario analysis of land use changes can provide a reference case for sustainable land use planning and management in Punjab province.
Landscape Services Assessment: A Hybrid Multi-Criteria Spatial Decision Support System (MC-SDSS)
Authors: Cerreta Maria , Poli Giuliano
Published: July 2017

This research aims to test a scalable and transferable Geographic Information System (GIS)-based evaluation methodology for the identification, quantification and assessment of multi-functional landscape features. The evaluation of multi-functional features is one of the key tasks required when it comes to identifying the values that people attribute to landscapes, according to the principles of the European Landscape Convention. Mapping the static distribution of Landscape Services (LS) through data-derived estimates and performing spatial composite indicators are fundamental steps in understanding the current state of the Social–Ecological System (SES) of threatened or resilient landscapes. The methodological process is structured in four phases: intelligence (i), design (ii), choice (iii) and outcome (iv), according to the framework of the Multi-Criteria Spatial Decision Support System (MC-SDSS). This process has been implemented in the case study of the National Park of Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni (Italy). The weighting of the spatial indicators, which simulates the model of LS-functioning for the study area, derives from an entropy-based method. Such a method, by which the weights are estimated without decisional agents, concerns a key-concept of information entropy theory, whereby the amount of information for each criterion determines its relative importance within a defined set of spatial criteria. The output of the model concerns mapping composite indicators of the LS; this involves the macro-categories of Regulating, Provisioning, and Cultural Services.
Location Selection for Wind Farms Using GIS Multi-Criteria Hybrid Model: An Approach Based on Fuzzy and Rough Numbers
Authors: Pamučar Dragan , Gigović Ljubomir , Bajić Zoran , Janošević Miljojko
Published: July 2017

This paper presents spatial mathematical model in order to identify sites for the wind farms installment which can have significant support for the planners in the area of strategy and management of wind power use. The suggested model is based on combined use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) with multi-criteria techniques of Best-Worst method (BWM) and MultiAttributive Ideal-Real Comparative Analysis (MAIRCA). Rough numbers and fuzzy logic are used to exploit uncertainty during data analysis in spatial mathematical model. The model is applied on the case study. Rough BWM model is used to determine weight coefficients of the criteria and rough MAIRCA method is used to rank separated sustainable locations. The implementation of MAIRCA method has shown that the location L3 is the most suitable for the wind farm in the area covered in the case study. Therefore, the suggested spatial mathematical model can be successfully used to identify the potential suitable sites for the wind farms in other areas with similar geographic conditions.
Gromov Hyperbolicity in Mycielskian Graphs
Authors: Granados Ana , Pestana Domingo , Portilla Ana , Rodríguez José
Published: July 2017

Since the characterization of Gromov hyperbolic graphs seems a too ambitious task, there are many papers studying the hyperbolicity of several classes of graphs. In this paper, it is proven that every Mycielskian graph G M is hyperbolic and that δ ( G M ) is comparable to diam ( G M ) . Furthermore, we study the extremal problems of finding the smallest and largest hyperbolicity constants of such graphs; in fact, it is shown that 5 / 4 ≤ δ ( G M ) ≤ 5 / 2 . Graphs G whose Mycielskian have hyperbolicity constant 5 / 4 or 5 / 2 are characterized. The hyperbolicity constants of the Mycielskian of path, cycle, complete and complete bipartite graphs are calculated explicitly. Finally, information on δ ( G ) just in terms of δ ( G M ) is obtained.
The Simultaneous Local Metric Dimension of Graph Families
Authors: Barragán-Ramírez Gabriel , Estrada-Moreno Alejandro , Ramírez-Cruz Yunior , Rodríguez-Velázquez Juan A.
Published: July 2017

In a graph G = ( V , E ) , a vertex v ∈ V is said to distinguish two vertices x and y if d G ( v , x ) ≠ d G ( v , y ) . A set S ⊆ V is said to be a local metric generator for G if any pair of adjacent vertices of G is distinguished by some element of S. A minimum local metric generator is called a local metric basis and its cardinality the local metric dimension of G. A set S ⊆ V is said to be a simultaneous local metric generator for a graph family G = { G 1 , G 2 , … , G k } , defined on a common vertex set, if it is a local metric generator for every graph of the family. A minimum simultaneous local metric generator is called a simultaneous local metric basis and its cardinality the simultaneous local metric dimension of G . We study the properties of simultaneous local metric generators and bases, obtain closed formulae or tight bounds for the simultaneous local metric dimension of several graph families and analyze the complexity of computing this parameter.
Adjuvantation of Pulmonary-Administered Influenza Vaccine with GPI-0100 Primarily Stimulates Antibody Production and Memory B Cell Proliferation
Authors: Patil Harshad , Herrera Rodriguez José , De Vries-Idema Jacqueline , Meijerhof Tjarko , Frijlink Henderik , Hinrichs Wouter , Huckriede Anke
Published: July 2017

Adjuvants are key components in vaccines, they help in reducing the required antigen dose but also modulate the phenotype of the induced immune response. We previously showed that GPI-0100, a saponin-derived adjuvant, enhances antigen-specific mucosal and systemic antibody responses to influenza subunit and whole inactivated influenza virus (WIV) vaccine administered via the pulmonary route. However, the impact of the GPI-0100 dose on immune stimulation and the immune mechanisms stimulated by GPI-0100 along with antigen are poorly understood. Therefore, in this study we immunized C57BL/6 mice via the pulmonary route with vaccine consisting of WIV combined with increasing amounts of GPI-0100, formulated as a dry powder. Adjuvantation of WIV enhanced influenza-specific mucosal and systemic immune responses, with intermediate doses of 5 and 7.5 μg GPI-0100 being most effective. The predominant antibody subtype induced by GPI-0100-adjuvanted vaccine was IgG1. Compared to non-adjuvanted vaccine, GPI-0100-adjuvanted WIV vaccine gave rise to higher numbers of antigen-specific IgA- but not IgG-producing B cells in the lungs along with better mucosal and systemic memory B cell responses. The GPI-0100 dose was negatively correlated with the number of influenza-specific IFNγ- and IL17-producing T cells and positively correlated with the number of IL4-producing T cells observed after immunization and challenge. Overall, our results show that adjuvantation of pulmonary-delivered WIV with GPI-0100 mostly affects B cell responses and effectively induces B cell memory.
Numerical Simulation of Hydrodynamics and Reaeration over a Stepped Spillway by the SPH Method
Authors: Wan Hang , Li Ran , Gualtieri Carlo , Yang Huixia , Feng Jingjie
Published: July 2017

Aerated flows are characterized by complex hydrodynamics and mass-transfer processes. As a Lagrangian method, smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) has a significant advantage in tracking the air-water interface in turbulent flows. This paper presents the application of an SPH method to investigate hydrodynamics and reaeration over stepped spillways. In the SPH method, the entrainment of dissolved oxygen (DO) is studied using a multiphase mass transfer SPH method for reaeration. The numerical results are compared with the hydrodynamics data from Chanson and DO data from Cheng. The simulation results show that velocity distribution and the location of free-surface aeration inception agree with the experimental results. Compared with the experimental results, the distribution of DO concentration over the stepped spillway is consistent with the measurement results. The study shows that the two-phase DO mass transfer SPH model is reliable and reasonable for simulating the hydrodynamics characteristics and reaeration process.
The Role of the Most Luminous Obscured AGNs in Galaxy Assembly at z ∼ 2
Authors: Farrah Duncan , Petty Sara , Connolly Brian , Blain Andrew , Efstathiou Andreas , Lacy Mark , Stern Daniel , Lake Sean , Jarrett Tom , Bridge Carrie , Eisenhardt Peter , Benford Dominic , Jones Suzy , Tsai Chao-Wei , Assef Roberto , Wu Jingwen , Moustakas Leonidas
Published: July 2017

We present Hubble Space Telescope WFC3 F160W imaging and infrared spectral energy distributions for 12 extremely luminous, obscured active galactic nuclei (AGNs) at 1.8 < z < 2.7 selected via “hot, dust-obscured” mid-infrared colors. Their infrared luminosities span (2–15) × 1013
L
⊙, making them among the most luminous objects in the universe at z ∼ 2. In all cases, the infrared emission is consistent with arising at least for the most part from AGN activity. The AGN fractional luminosities are higher than those in either submillimeter galaxies or AGNs selected via other mid-infrared criteria. Adopting the G, M
20, and A morphological parameters, together with traditional classification boundaries, infers that three-quarters of the sample are mergers. Our sample does not, however, show any correlation between the considered morphological parameters and either infrared luminosity or AGN fractional luminosity. Moreover, the asymmetries and effective radii of our sample are distributed identically to those of massive galaxies at z ∼ 2. We conclude that our sample is not preferentially associated with mergers, though a significant merger fraction is still plausible. Instead, we propose that our sample includes examples of the massive galaxy population at z ∼ 2 that harbor a briefly luminous, “flickering” AGN and in which the G and M
20 values have been perturbed due to either the AGN and/or the earliest formation stages of a bulge in an inside-out manner. Furthermore, we find that the mass assembly of the central black holes in our sample leads the mass assembly of any bulge component. Finally, we speculate that our sample represents a small fraction of the immediate antecedents of compact star-forming galaxies at z ∼ 2.
Multiwavelength Characterization of an ACT-selected, Lensed Dusty Star-forming Galaxy at z = 2.64
Authors: Roberts-Borsani G. W. , Jiménez-Donaire M. J. , Daprà M. , Alatalo K. , Aretxaga I. , Álvarez-Márquez J. , Baker A. J. , Fujimoto S. , Gallardo P. A. , Gralla M. , Hilton M. , Hughes J. P. , Jiménez C. , Laporte N. , Marriage T. A. , Nati F. , Rivera J. , Sievers A. , Weiß A. , Wilson G. W. , Wollack E. J. , Yun M. S.
Published: July 2017

We present C i(2–1) and multi-transition 12CO observations of a dusty star-forming galaxy, ACT J2029+0120, which we spectroscopically confirm to lie at z = 2.64. We detect CO(3–2), CO(5–4), CO(7–6), CO(8–7), and C i(2–1) at high significance, tentatively detect HCO+(4–3), and place strong upper limits on the integrated strength of dense gas tracers (HCN(4–3) and CS(7–6)). Multi-transition CO observations and dense gas tracers can provide valuable constraints on the molecular gas content and excitation conditions in high-redshift galaxies. We therefore use this unique data set to construct a CO spectral line energy distribution (SLED) of the source, which is most consistent with that of a ULIRG/Seyfert or QSO host object in the taxonomy of the Herschel Comprehensive ULIRG Emission Survey. We employ RADEX models to fit the peak of the CO SLED, inferring a temperature of T ∼ 117 K and

cm−3, most consistent with a ULIRG/QSO object and the presence of high-density tracers. We also find that the velocity width of the C i line is potentially larger than seen in all CO transitions for this object, and that the

ratio is also larger than seen in other lensed and unlensed submillimeter galaxies and QSO hosts; if confirmed, this anomaly could be an effect of differential lensing of a shocked molecular outflow.
Ionized Gas Kinematics around an Ultra-luminous X-Ray Source in NGC 5252: Additional Evidence for an Off-nuclear AGN
Authors: Kim Minjin , Ho Luis C. , Im Myungshin
Published: July 2017

The Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 5252 contains a recently identified ultra-luminous X-ray (ULX) source that has been suggested to be a possible candidate off-nuclear low-mass active galactic nucleus. We present follow-up optical integral-field unit observations obtained using Gemini Multi-Object Spectrographs on the Gemini-North telescope. In addition to confirming that the ionized gas in the vicinity of the ULX is kinematically associated with NGC 5252, the new observations reveal ordered motions consistent with rotation around the ULX. The close coincidence of the excitation source of the line-emitting gas with the position of the ULX further suggests that ULX itself is directly responsible for the ionization of the gas. The spatially resolved measurements of [N ii] λ6584/Hα surrounding the ULX indicate a low gas-phase metallicity, consistent with those of other known low-mass active galaxies but not that of its more massive host galaxy. These findings strengthen the proposition that the ULX is not a background source but rather that it is the nucleus of a small, low-mass galaxy accreted by NGC 5252.
Analysing Sri Lankan lifestyles with data mining: two case studies of education and health
Authors: Mohotti W. A. , Premaratne S. C.
Published: July 2017

There are no adequate researches in lifestyle data analysis of Sri Lanka. Existing works are not capable of handling big data systematically and, not efficient in disclosing the latent factors in lifestyles. This research has used predictive and descriptive mining techniques to analyse HIES dataset related to two cases in education and health using WEKA and SPSS. The design consists of a classification and a clustering task. Classification finds the factors and their relationships associated with no-schooling and dropouts. Clustering explores the relationship between chronic diseases and family income. Our analysis reveals the significance of child labor and religion among the influences such as age, district and parental education related to school dropout and no-schooling. Other case study discloses that citizens who have got low income comparatively suffer from many chronic diseases. The important patterns recognized through the research can be used by the government policy makers to setup policies.
TRIM8 Negatively Regulates TLR3/4-Mediated Innate Immune Response by Blocking TRIF–TBK1 Interaction
Authors: Ye Wen , Hu Ming-Ming , Lei Cao-Qi , Zhou Qian , Lin Heng , Sun Ming-Shun , Shu Hong-Bing
Published: July 2017

TLR-mediated signaling pathways play critical roles in host defense against microbials. However, dysregulation of innate immune and inflammatory responses triggered by TLRs would result in harmful damage to the host. Using a Trim8 gene-knockout mouse model, we show that tripartite motif (TRIM) 8 negatively regulates TLR3- and TLR4-mediated innate immune and inflammatory responses. TRIM8 deficiency leads to increased polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid– and LPS-triggered induction of downstream anti-microbial genes including TNF, Il6, Rantes, and Ifnb, evaluated serum cytokine levels, and increased susceptibility of mice to polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid– and LPS-induced inflammatory death as well as Salmonella typhimurium infection–induced loss of body weight and septic shock. TRIM8 interacted with Toll/IL-1 receptor domain-containing adapter-inducing IFN-β and mediated its K6- and K33-linked polyubiquitination, leading to disruption of the Toll/IL-1 receptor domain-containing adapter-inducing IFN-β–TANK-binding kinase-1 association. Our findings uncover an additional mechanism on the termination of TLR3/4-mediated inflammatory and innate immune responses.
Arginase1 Deficiency in Monocytes/Macrophages Upregulates Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase To Promote Cutaneous Contact Hypersensitivity
Authors: Suwanpradid Jutamas , Shih Michael , Pontius Lauren , Yang Bin , Birukova Anastasiya , Guttman-Yassky Emma , Corcoran David L. , Que Loretta G. , Tighe Robert M. , MacLeod Amanda S.
Published: July 2017

The innate immune components that modulate allergic contact hypersensitivity (CHS) responses are poorly defined. Using human skin from contact dermatitis patients and a mouse model of CHS, we find that hapten allergens disrupt the Arginase1 (Arg1) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) dynamic in monocytes/macrophages (mono/MΦ), which renders those cells ineffectual in suppressing skin inflammation. Mice lacking Arg1 in MΦ develop increased CHS characterized by elevated ear thickening, mono/MΦ−dominated dermal inflammation, and increased iNOS and IL-6 expression compared with control mice. Treatment of Arg1flox/flox; LysMCre+/− mice with a selective NOS inhibitor or knockout of Nos2, encoding iNOS, significantly ameliorates CHS. Our findings suggest a critical role for Arg1 in mono/MΦ in suppressing CHS through dampening Nos2 expression. These results support that increasing Arg1 may be a potential therapeutic avenue in treating allergic contact dermatitis.
Neoadjuvant, adjuvant and long-term intravenous/intraperitoneal chemotherapy, hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy for ovarian cancer
Authors: Halkia Evgenia , Sugarbaker Paul
Published: July 2017

Ovarian cancer is commonly diagnosed after dissemination and is accompanied by a poorer overall prognosis. Treatment incorporates a multimodal approach, utilizing various combinations of surgery and chemotherapy. Ultimately, better screening tests are needed for ovarian cancer to help reduce the burden of advanced-stage disease. For those women with advanced-stage tumors, newer therapeutic strategies may help prolong survival and increase the chance for cure. The aim of this study is to review current trends in the treatment of women diagnosed with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer.
TOWARDS A PANEVOLUTIONARY THEORY (PANEVO THEORY), FOLLOWING THE ACADEMIC OF FISIOCRITICI ENZO TIEZZI
Authors: Tanga Mario , Gelati Giacomo , Casazza Marco
Published: July 2017

6Contemporary science and culture show more and more extended and meaningful signs about the increasing explaining power of evolutionary paradigm. This power overcomes the field of the history of living species. We consider “On the Origin of Species” of 1859 by Charles Darwin as the establishment of this paradigm, but this original and fruitful idea has received the several and different contributions from near and (seemingly) far scientific fields. This process happened according distinguishable waves and leaded the evolutionary theory very far from its starting point, making it something wider and different. The current knowledge of this theory involves many kinds of scholars: biologists, zoologists, botanists, development biologists, genetics/genomics scholars and also scholars of many other disciplines, as statistics, mathematics, ecology, environmental sciences, physics, chemistry, linguistics, sociology, neuro-sciences, epidemiology, informatics, immunology. During the end of XX Century, the study of complexity, of self-organization and of emerging properties has been a decisive factor to extend evolution until beyond the boundaries of Biology. These phenomena, or properties, or features, that are shown by “living” and “not-living” systems (so called basing ourselves on traditional definitions), have deeply modified even the “properly” biologic evolution itself and besides this has demonstrated that, mutatis mutandis, evolutionary processes or phenomena happen also out of biologic dominion, referring “biologic” to “wet-ware world”. This is to say the class of evolutionary phenomena is more widely and more inclusively extended than our opinion. We can mean this as a revolution (according to Kuhn’s definition) that imposes us to restructure the definition of evolution itself and even to redraw the boundaries and the map of Biology itself. Aiming to establish a name of this field of study we propose “PanEvolutionary Theory” (PanEvo Theory). No doubt Prigogine offered an important contribution to this area. The thinking and the work of Enzo Tiezzi can be placed seen in the same perspective. Disregarding direct connections and contacts with the Nobel Prize Prigogine, however the studies of Enzo Tiezzi are neither a fully unexpected work nor a theory lacking of important potentialities: it is not a strange or eccentric academic exercise. Except the close contact and the dense exchanges with Prigogine, we collocate Enzo Tiezzi in the same context of Gregory Chaitin, of Rachel Carson, of John Harte and Robert H. Socolow, of James Paul Wesley, of Sertorio, of Oort and Peixoto, just to cite the most strictly related. Our Academy had the privilege and the honor of having Enzo Tiezzi in its ranks. We think that merits and developments of the thinking of this scholar have to produce important and lasting fruits in the future.
Literary criticism from a Cape Town pulpit: Ramsden Balmforth’s explications of modern novels as parables revealing ethical and spiritual principles
Authors: Hale Frederick
Published: July 2017

Literary criticism evolved slowly in southern Africa. One of the first commentators to write about this topic was the Unitarian minister, Ramsden Balmforth (1861-1941), a native of Yorkshire and Unitarian minister who emigrated to Cape Town in 1897. Eschewing conventional homiletics in its various forms, in dozens of instances he illustrated ethical and spiritual points in his Sunday sermons or ‘discourses’ by discussing their manifestation in literary works. Crucially, these texts did not merely yield illustrations of Biblical themes, but themselves served as the primary written vehicles of moral and ethical principles, and the Bible was rarely mentioned in them. Balmforth’s orations about novels were published in 1912. The following year he preached about selected operas by Richard Wagner, and in the 1920s Balmforth issued two additional series of discourses focusing on dramas. In all of these commentaries he consistently emphasised thematic content rather than narrative and other literary techniques. He extracted lessons which he related to his ethically orientated version of post-orthodox religious faith.
Одномерная модель течения в сочленении тонких каналов в том числе артериальных деревьев
Authors: Kozlov Vladimir Arkad'evich , Nazarov Sergei Aleksandrovich
Published: July 2017

Исследуется течение Стокса в сочленении тонких (диаметром $O(h)$) каналов при задании на впускающих сечениях потоков жидкости, а на выпускающих - периферийного давления. На основе понятия матрицы скачков давления обычные одномерные уравнения Рейнольдса на звеньях графа помимо условий Неймана (фиксируется поток) и условий Дирихле (фиксируется давление) во внешних вершинах снабжаются условиями сопряжения во внутренних вершинах, содержащими малый параметр $h$ и переходящими при $h\to+0$ в классические условия Кирхгофа. Установлено, что допредельные условия сопряжения обеспечивают экспоненциально малую $O(e^{-\rho/h})$, $\rho>0$, погрешность в вычислении трехмерного решения, но классические условия Кирхгофа - только степенную малость погрешности. Для артериального дерева в предположении жесткости стенок кровеносных сосудов в каждом бифуркационном узле возникает ($2\times2$)-матрица перепадов давления, а ее влияние на условия сопряжения учитываются путем малых вариаций длин графа и введения эффективных длин одномерных изображений сосудов при сохранении условий Кирхгофа и экспоненциально малых погрешностей приближения. Обсуждаются конкретные формы ветвления артерий и доступные обобщения результатов, в частности, система уравнений Навье-Стокса.
Библиография: 59 названий.