bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Applicability of a Supported Liquid Membrane in the Enrichment and Determination of Cadmium from Complex Aqueous Samples
Authors: Pont Núria , Salvadó Victòria , Fontàs Clàudia
Published: April 2018

A supported liquid membrane is developed for the separation of Cd from either high in salinity or acidity aqueous media. The membrane consisted of a durapore (polyvinylidene difluoride) polymeric support impregnated with a 0.5 M Aliquat 336 solution in decaline. The effect of carrier concentration, organic solvent and feed and receiving solutions on the metal permeability is studied. This system allows the effective transport of trace levels of Cd through the formation of CdCl42−, which is the predominant species responsible for the extraction process, in both NaCl and HCl solutions. The supported liquid membrane system in a hollow fibre configuration allows the enrichment and separation of trace levels of Cd from spiked seawater samples, facilitating the analytical determination of this toxic metal.
Fracture Behavior of Innovative Materials under Different Environmental Conditions
Authors: Berto Filippo
Published: April 2018

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Non-Psychrophilic Methanogens Capable of Growth Following Long-Term Extreme Temperature Changes, with Application to Mars
Authors: Mickol Rebecca L. , Laird Sarah K. , Kral Timothy A.
Published: April 2018

Although the martian environment is currently cold and dry, geomorphological features on the surface of the planet indicate relatively recent (<4 My) freeze/thaw episodes. Additionally, the recent detections of near-subsurface ice as well as hydrated salts within recurring slope lineae suggest potentially habitable micro-environments within the martian subsurface. On Earth, microbial communities are often active at sub-freezing temperatures within permafrost, especially within the active layer, which experiences large ranges in temperature. With warming global temperatures, the effect of thawing permafrost communities on the release of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane becomes increasingly important. Studies examining the community structure and activity of microbial permafrost communities on Earth can also be related to martian permafrost environments, should life have developed on the planet. Here, two non-psychrophilic methanogens, Methanobacterium formicicum and Methanothermobacter wolfeii, were tested for their ability to survive long-term (~4 year) exposure to freeze/thaw cycles varying in both temperature and duration, with implications both for climate change on Earth and possible life on Mars.
Quantitative Analysis of Four Catechins from Green Tea Extract in Human Plasma Using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Pharmacokinetic Studies
Authors: Park Jeong-Eun , Kim Tae-Eun , Shin Kwang-Hee
Published: April 2018

Green tea is consumed as a beverage worldwide and has beneficial effects, such as a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. A quantitative analysis of the beneficial components in plasma is important for understanding the potential health benefits of green tea. Four catechins—epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC), and epicatechin (EC)—which account for the majority of the components of green tea, were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). In this study, a validated method was optimized to obtain the blood concentrations after the one-time ingestion of 630 mg green tea extract with digoxin and then after the ingestion of 630 mg green tea repeatedly for 15 days. The calibration curve, including the LLOQ, was constructed over 1–500 ng/mL for EGCG, ECG, and EGC and 0.1–50 ng/mL for EC. The method for inter- and intra-validation was applied, acceptable for both accuracy and precision. We successfully developed an appropriate UPLC-MS/MS method for human plasma with good reproducibility and sensitivity. Thus, this method could be applied for future preclinical and clinical studies on EGCG, ECG, EGC, and EC.
Synthesis and Tuberculostatic Activity Evaluation of Novel Benzazoles with Alkyl, Cycloalkyl or Pyridine Moiety
Authors: Krause Malwina , Foks Henryk , Augustynowicz-Kopeć Ewa , Napiórkowska Agnieszka , Szczesio Małgorzata , Gobis Katarzyna
Published: April 2018

Compounds possessing benzimidazole system exhibit significant antituberculous activity. In order to examine how structure modifications affect tuberculostatic activity, a series of benzazole derivatives were synthesized and screened for their antitubercular activity. The compounds 1–20 were obtained by the reaction between o-diamine, o-aminophenol, or o-aminothiophenol with carboxylic acids or thioamides. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR spectra, and elemental analysis. Synthesized benzazoles were evaluated for their tuberculostatic activity toward Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. Quantum chemical calculations were performed to study the molecular geometry and the electronic structure of benzimidazoles GK-151B, 4, 6, and benzoxazole 11, using the Gaussian 03W software (Gaussian, Inc., Wallingford, CT, USA). Three-dimensional structure of benzimidazoles 1–3, MC-9, and GK-151B was determined by ab initio calculation using Gamess-US software. The activity of the received benzimidazoles was moderate or good. All of the benzoxazoles and benzothiazoles demonstrated much lower activity. Benzoxazoles were less active by about 50 times, and benzothiazole by 100 times than the benzimidazole analogs. Quantum chemical calculations showed differences in the distribution of electrostatic potential in the benzazole system of benzimidazoles and benzoxazoles. Three-dimensional structure calculations revealed how the parity of the alkyl substituent at the C2 position impacts the activity. Benzimidazole system is essential for the antituberculosis activity that is associated with the presence of the imine nitrogen atom in N-1 position. Its replacement by an oxygen or sulfur atom results in a decrease of the activity. The parity of the alkyl substituent at the C-2 position also modifies the activity.
A Microdialysis in Adjuvant Arthritic Rats for Pharmacokinetics–Pharmacodynamics Modeling Study of Geniposide with Determination of Drug Concentration and Efficacy Levels in Dialysate
Authors: Deng Ran , Wang Wei , Wu Hong , Zhang Yunjing , Wang Wenyu , Dai Li , Zhang Zhengrong , Fu Jun , Li Feng
Published: April 2018

Microdialysis, a sampling method for pharmacokinetics–pharmacodynamics (PK–PD) modeling in preclinical and clinical studies, is a convenient in vivo sampling technique. Geniposide (GE), an iridoid glycoside compound, is the major active ingredient of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis fruit which has an anti-inflammatory effect. In this study, an articular cavity microdialysis sampling system for adjuvant arthritic (AA) rats was established to study the effect of GE on the release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in AA rats induced by Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA). An UHPLC-MS/MS method was developed to determine the concentrations of GE and PGE2 in the dialysate. Through the determination of drug concentrations and PGE2 efficacy levels in the dialysate, the developed methods were successfully applied to set up concentration–time and effect–time profiles followed by PK–PD modeling of GE’s effect on decreasing PGE2 release after oral administration of GE. The effect was well described by the developed PK–PD modeling, indicating that GE may play an anti-inflammatory role via decreasing AA-induced elevated PGE2 levels. In the selection of suitable endogenous small molecules as effect markers, the establishment of AA rat joint-cavity microdialysis is an attractive technique for rational PK–PD studies.
Effects of UV-B Radiation on the Content of Bioactive Components and the Antioxidant Activity of Prunella vulgaris L. Spica during Development
Authors: Chen Yuhang , Zhang Xuerong , Guo Qiaosheng , Liu Li , Li Chen , Cao Liping , Qin Qin , Zhao Miao , Wang Wenming
Published: April 2018

The effects of UV-B radiation on the content of bioactive components and the antioxidant activity of Prunella vulgaris L. spica during development were studied. The experimental design involved two levels of UV-B radiation intensity (0 and 120 μW cm−2 nm−1). The results showed that the contents of total flavonoids, rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid and hyperoside, as well as the antioxidant capacities (DPPH● and ABTS•+ scavenging activities), in the spicas significantly decreased during spica development. The content of salviaflaside in the spicas significantly increased during development. The highest contents of total flavonoids, rosmarinic acid, and caffeic acid and the highest antioxidant activities were found in spicas in the full-flowering stage, while the highest content of hyperoside was found in spicas in the bud stage. In addition, the highest content of salviaflaside was found in spicas in the mature-fruiting stage. UV-B radiation significantly promoted the synthesis of secondary metabolites, increased the contents of the main bioactive components in the three developmental stages of isolated dried spicas, and significantly increased the DPPH● and ABTS•+ scavenging activities of P. vulgaris spicas in the mature-fruiting stage. Moreover, the total flavonoids content was positively correlated with the DPPH● and ABTS•+ scavenging activities, and the correlation with the DPPH● scavenging activity was very strong. This result shows that the highest contents of the main bioactive components in the spicas were not all found in the same developmental stages of P. vulgaris. Our research revealed that the best stage for harvesting P. vulgaris spica was between the bud stage and the full-flowering stage since harvesting at this point provides a higher content of bioactive components and a higher antioxidant capacity, which is relevant for medicinal applications.
Isolation of High Purity Anthocyanin Monomers from Red Cabbage with Recycling Preparative Liquid Chromatography and Their Photostability
Authors: Chen Yijun , Wang Zikun , Zhang Hanghang , Liu Yuan , Zhang Shuai , Meng Qingyan , Liu Wenjie
Published: April 2018

Anthocyanins from red cabbage are of great importance for their applications in the food industry as natural colorants and their beneficial effects on human wellness as natural antioxidants. This study aimed to develop an effective method for the isolation of anthocyanins with the help of a combination of alternate recycling and direct recycling preparative liquid chromatography. Ten major components of anthocyanins from red cabbage were isolated and their structures were identified by HPLC-MS/MS. Meanwhile, the stability of the isolated anthocyanins under various light conditions was also investigated so as to provide data for their storage. In sum, the results showed that twin column recycling preparative chromatography is an effective method for the isolation of anthocyanin monomers with similar structures. Besides, the stability of various anthocyanins from red cabbage was related to the number of acylated groups and mainly affected by illumination.
When Augmented Reality Met Art: Lessons Learned from Researcher–Artist Interdisciplinary Work
Authors: Portalés Cristina
Published: April 2018

Over the last few years, Augmented Reality (AR) technology has quickly evolved and today there is commercial software and hardware that allow the creation of AR experiences. However, it might still be cumbersome to create rich AR experiences without a deep knowledge of the technology. Artists have collaborated with IT experts during the last few years in order to enhance artistic pieces embedding AR technology, leading to the emergence of interesting collaborations between artists and engineers, computer scientists, architects, etc. The resulting works can be referred as AR Art. However, the interdisciplinary work behind these collaborations is usually not addressed. The aim of this paper is to review some of the reported AR Art work since the AR term was first coined in 1990, focusing on collaborations between different disciplines, especially during the early years, where art and technology became one. Additionally, the author reports her own experience in contributing to AR Art from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Enhancing Privacy in Wearable IoT through a Provenance Architecture
Authors: Lomotey Richard K. , Sofranko Kenneth , Orji Rita
Published: April 2018

The Internet of Things (IoT) is inspired by network interconnectedness of humans, objects, and cloud services to facilitate new use cases and new business models across multiple enterprise domains including healthcare. This creates the need for continuous data streaming in IoT architectures which are mainly designed following the broadcast model. The model facilitates IoT devices to sense and deliver information to other nodes (e.g., cloud, physical objects, etc.) that are interested in the information. However, this is a recipe for privacy breaches since sensitive data, such as personal vitals from wearables, can be delivered to undesired sniffing nodes. In order to protect users’ privacy and manufacturers’ IP, as well as detecting and blocking malicious activity, this research paper proposes privacy-oriented IoT architecture following the provenance technique. This ensures that the IoT data will only be delivered to the nodes that subscribe to receive the information. Using the provenance technique to ensure high transparency, the work is able to provide trace routes for digital audit trail. Several empirical evaluations are conducted in a real-world wearable IoT ecosystem to prove the superiority of the proposed work.
l-Dopa and Fluoxetine Upregulate Astroglial 5-HT2B Receptors and Ameliorate Depression in Parkinson’s Disease Mice
Authors: Song Dan , Ma Kangli , Verkhratsky Alexei , Peng Liang
Published: April 2018

Here, we report the association between depressive behavior (anhedonia) and astroglial expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2B (5-HT2B) in an animal model of Parkinson’s disease, induced by bilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the striatum. Expression of the 5-HT2B receptor at the mRNA and protein level was decreased in the brain tissue of 6-OHDA-treated animals with anhedonia. Expression of the 5-HT2B receptor was corrected by four weeks treatment with either l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-dopa) or fluoxetine. Simultaneously, treatment with l-dopa abolished 6-OHDA effects on both depressive behavior and motor activity. In contrast, fluoxetine corrected 6-OHDA-induced depression but did not affect 6-OHDA-induced motor deficiency. In addition, 6-OHDA downregulated gene expression of the 5-HT2B receptor in astrocytes in purified cell culture and this downregulation was corrected by both l-dopa and fluoxetine. Our findings suggest that 6-OHDA-induced depressive behavior may be related to the downregulation of gene expression of the 5-HT2B receptor but 6-OHDA-induced motor deficiency reflects, arguably, dopamine depletion. Previously, we demonstrated that fluoxetine regulates gene expression in astrocytes by 5-HT2B receptor-mediated transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, the underlying mechanism of l-dopa action remains unclear. The present work indicates that the decrease of gene expression of the astroglial 5-HT2B receptor may contribute to development of depressive behavior in Parkinson’s disease.
Acid Balance, Dietary Acid Load, and Bone Effects—A Controversial Subject
Authors: Frassetto Lynda , Banerjee Tanushree , Powe Neil , Sebastian Anthony
Published: April 2018

Modern Western diets, with higher contents of animal compared to fruits and vegetable products, have a greater content of acid precursors vs. base precursors, which results in a net acid load to the body. To prevent inexorable accumulation of acid in the body and progressively increasing degrees of metabolic acidosis, the body has multiple systems to buffer and titrate acid, including bone which contains large quantities of alkaline salts of calcium. Both in vitro and in vivo studies in animals and humans suggest that bone base helps neutralize part of the dietary net acid load. This raises the question of whether decades of eating a high acid diet might contribute to the loss of bone mass in osteoporosis. If this idea is true, then additional alkali ingestion in the form of net base-producing foods or alkalinizing salts could potentially prevent this acid-related loss of bone. Presently, data exists that support both the proponents as well as the opponents of this hypothesis. Recent literature reviews have tended to support either one side or the other. Assuming that the data cited by both sides is correct, we suggest a way to reconcile the discordant findings. This overview will first discuss dietary acids and bases and the idea of changes in acid balance with increasing age, then review the evidence for and against the usefulness of alkali therapy as a treatment for osteoporosis, and finally suggest a way of reconciling these two opposing points of view.
Different Dose-Dependent Modes of Action of C-Type Natriuretic Peptide on Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Formation
Authors: Desriac Florie , Clamens Thomas , Rosay Thibaut , Rodrigues Sophie , Tahrioui Ali , Enault Jérémy , Roquigny Lucille , Racine Pierre-Jean , Taupin Laure , Bazire Alexis , Dufour Alain , Leprince Jérôme , Bouffartigues Emeline , Chevalier Sylvie , Feuilloley Marc G. J. , Lesouhaitier Olivier
Published: April 2018

We have previously shown that the C-type Natriuretic Peptide (CNP), a peptide produced by lungs, is able to impact Pseudomonas aeruginosa physiology. In the present work, the effect of CNP at different concentrations on P. aeruginosa biofilm formation was studied and the mechanisms of action of this human hormone on P. aeruginosa were deciphered. CNP was shown to inhibit dynamic biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner without affecting the bacterial growth at any tested concentrations. The most effective concentrations were 1 and 0.1 µM. At 0.1 µM, the biofilm formation inhibition was fully dependent on the CNP sensor protein AmiC, whereas it was only partially AmiC-dependent at 1 µM, revealing the existence of a second AmiC-independent mode of action of CNP on P. aeruginosa. At 1 µM, CNP reduced both P. aeruginosa adhesion on glass and di-rhamnolipid production and also increased the bacterial membrane fluidity. The various effects of CNP at 1 µM and 0.1 µM on P. aeruginosa shown here should have major consequences to design drugs for biofilm treatment or prevention.
Data-Driven Transition: Joint Reporting of Subscription Expenditure and Publication Costs
Authors: Barbers Irene , Kalinna Nadja , Mittermaier Bernhard
Published: April 2018

The transition process from the subscription model to the open access model in the world of scholarly publishing brings a variety of challenges to libraries. Within this evolving landscape, the present article takes a focus on budget control for both subscription and publication expenditure with the opportunity to enable the shift from one to the other. To reach informed decisions with a solid base of data to be used in negotiations with publishers, the diverse already-existing systems for managing publications costs and for managing journal subscriptions have to be adapted to allow comprehensive reporting on publication expenditure and subscription expenditure. In the case presented here, two separate systems are described and the establishment of joint reporting covering both these systems is introduced. Some of the results of joint reporting are presented as an example of how such a comprehensive monitoring can support management decisions and negotiations. On a larger scale, the establishment of the National Open Access Monitor in Germany is introduced, bringing together a diverse range of data from several already-existing systems, including, among others, holdings information, usage data, and data on publication fees. This system will enable libraries to access all relevant data with a single user interface.
Credit Risk Meets Random Matrices: Coping with Non-Stationary Asset Correlations
Authors: Mühlbacher Andreas , Guhr Thomas
Published: April 2018

We review recent progress in modeling credit risk for correlated assets. We employ a new interpretation of the Wishart model for random correlation matrices to model non-stationary effects. We then use the Merton model in which default events and losses are derived from the asset values at maturity. To estimate the time development of the asset values, the stock prices are used, the correlations of which have a strong impact on the loss distribution, particularly on its tails. These correlations are non-stationary, which also influences the tails. We account for the asset fluctuations by averaging over an ensemble of random matrices that models the truly existing set of measured correlation matrices. As a most welcome side effect, this approach drastically reduces the parameter dependence of the loss distribution, allowing us to obtain very explicit results, which show quantitatively that the heavy tails prevail over diversification benefits even for small correlations. We calibrate our random matrix model with market data and show how it is capable of grasping different market situations. Furthermore, we present numerical simulations for concurrent portfolio risks, i.e., for the joint probability densities of losses for two portfolios. For the convenience of the reader, we give an introduction to the Wishart random matrix model.
Evaluation of ISS-RapidScat Wind Vectors Using Buoys and ASCAT Data
Authors: Yang Jungang , Zhang Jie
Published: April 2018

The International Space Station scatterometer (named ISS-RapidScat) was launched by NASA on 20 September 2014 as a continuation of the QuikSCAT climate data record to maintain the availability of Ku-band scatterometer data after the QuikSCAT missions ended. In this study, the overall archived ISS-RapidScat wind vectors in the wind speed range of 0–24 m/s are evaluated by the global moored buoys’ wind observations, including the U.S. National Data Buoy Center (NDBC), the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO), and the Pilot Research Moored Array in the Tropical Atlantic (PIRATA), the Research Moored Array for African–Asian–Australian Monsoon Analysis and Prediction (RAMA), and Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) wind data in the same period of ISS-RapidScat by calculating the statistical parameters, namely, the root mean square error (RMSE), bias (mean of residuals), and correlation coefficient (R) between the collocated data. The comparisons with the global moored buoys show that the RapidScat wind vectors are consistent with buoys’ wind measurements. The average errors of the RapidScat wind vectors are 1.42 m/s and 19.5°. The analysis of the RapidScat wind vector errors at different buoy wind speeds in bins of 1 m/s indicates that the errors of the RapidScat wind speed reduce firstly, and then increase with the increasing buoy wind speed, and the errors of the RapidScat wind direction decrease with increasing buoy wind speed. The comparisons of the errors of the RapidScat wind speed and direction at different months from April 2015 to August 2016 show that the accuracies of the RapidScat wind vectors have no dependence on the time, and the biases of the RapidScat wind speed indicate that there is an annual periodic signal of wind speed errors which are due to the annual cycle variation of ocean winds. The accuracies of the RapidScat wind vectors at different times in one day are also analyzed and the results show that the accuracy of the RapidScat wind vectors at different times of the day is basically consistent and with no diurnal variation. In order to evaluate the ISS-RapidScat wind vectors of the global oceans, the differences (RapidScat-ASCAT) in the wind speed range of 0–30 m/s are analyzed in the different months from October 2014 to August 2016, and the average RMSEs of differences between ISS-RapidScat and ASCAT wind vectors are less than 1.15 m/s and 15.21°. In general, the evaluation of the all-over archived ISS-RapidScat wind vectors show that the accuracies of the ISS-RapidScat wind vectors satisfy the general scatterometer’s mission requirement and are consistent with ASCAT wind data.
Quantitative Comparison of Protein Adsorption and Conformational Changes on Dielectric-Coated Nanoplasmonic Sensing Arrays
Authors: Ferhan Abdul Rahim , Jackman Joshua A. , Sut Tun Naw , Cho Nam-Joon
Published: April 2018

Nanoplasmonic sensors are a popular, surface-sensitive measurement tool to investigate biomacromolecular interactions at solid-liquid interfaces, opening the door to a wide range of applications. In addition to high surface sensitivity, nanoplasmonic sensors have versatile surface chemistry options as plasmonic metal nanoparticles can be coated with thin dielectric layers. Within this scope, nanoplasmonic sensors have demonstrated promise for tracking protein adsorption and substrate-induced conformational changes on oxide film-coated arrays, although existing studies have been limited to single substrates. Herein, we investigated human serum albumin (HSA) adsorption onto silica- and titania-coated arrays of plasmonic gold nanodisks by localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) measurements and established an analytical framework to compare responses across multiple substrates with different sensitivities. While similar responses were recorded on the two substrates for HSA adsorption under physiologically-relevant ionic strength conditions, distinct substrate-specific behavior was observed at lower ionic strength conditions. With decreasing ionic strength, larger measurement responses occurred for HSA adsorption onto silica surfaces, whereas HSA adsorption onto titania surfaces occurred independently of ionic strength condition. Complementary quartz crystal microbalance-dissipation (QCM-D) measurements were also performed, and the trend in adsorption behavior was similar. Of note, the magnitudes of the ionic strength-dependent LSPR and QCM-D measurement responses varied, and are discussed with respect to the measurement principle and surface sensitivity of each technique. Taken together, our findings demonstrate how the high surface sensitivity of nanoplasmonic sensors can be applied to quantitatively characterize protein adsorption across multiple surfaces, and outline broadly-applicable measurement strategies for biointerfacial science applications.
Development of PZT Actuated Valveless Micropump
Authors: Munas Fathima Rehana , Melroy Gehan , Abeynayake Chamitha Bhagya , Chathuranga Hiniduma Liyanage , Amarasinghe Ranjith , Kumarage Pubudu , Dau Van Thanh , Dao Dzung Viet
Published: April 2018

A piezoelectrically actuated valveless micropump has been designed and developed. The principle components of this system are piezoelectrically actuated (PZT) metal diaphragms and a complete fluid flow system. The design of this pump mainly focuses on a cross junction, which is generated by a nozzle jet attached to a pump chamber and the intersection of two inlet channels and an outlet channel respectively. During each PZT diaphragm vibration cycle, the junction connecting the inlet and outlet channels with the nozzle jet permits consistencies in fluidic momentum and resistances in order to facilitate complete fluidic path throughout the system, in the absence of any physical valves. The entire micropump structure is fabricated as a plate-by-plate element of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) sheets and sandwiched to get required fluidic network as well as the overall device. In order to identify the flow characteristics, and to validate the test results with numerical simulation data, FEM analysis using ANSYS was carried out and an eigenfrequency analysis was performed to the PZT diaphragm using COMSOL Multiphysics. In addition, the control system of the pump was designed and developed to change the applied frequency to the piezoelectric diaphragms. The experimental data revealed that the maximum flow rate is 31.15 mL/min at a frequency of 100 Hz. Our proposed design is not only for a specific application but also useful in a wide range of biomedical applications.
Learning Perfectly Secure Cryptography to Protect Communications with Adversarial Neural Cryptography
Authors: Coutinho Murilo , De Oliveira Albuquerque Robson , Borges Fábio , García Villalba Luis , Kim Tai-Hoon
Published: April 2018

Researches in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have achieved many important breakthroughs, especially in recent years. In some cases, AI learns alone from scratch and performs human tasks faster and better than humans. With the recent advances in AI, it is natural to wonder whether Artificial Neural Networks will be used to successfully create or break cryptographic algorithms. Bibliographic review shows the main approach to this problem have been addressed throughout complex Neural Networks, but without understanding or proving the security of the generated model. This paper presents an analysis of the security of cryptographic algorithms generated by a new technique called Adversarial Neural Cryptography (ANC). Using the proposed network, we show limitations and directions to improve the current approach of ANC. Training the proposed Artificial Neural Network with the improved model of ANC, we show that artificially intelligent agents can learn the unbreakable One-Time Pad (OTP) algorithm, without human knowledge, to communicate securely through an insecure communication channel. This paper shows in which conditions an AI agent can learn a secure encryption scheme. However, it also shows that, without a stronger adversary, it is more likely to obtain an insecure one.
Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Gaze-Based Training Intervention on Latent Hazard Anticipation Skills for Young Drivers: A Driving Simulator Study
Authors: Yamani Yusuke , Bıçaksız Pınar , Palmer Dakota B. , Hatfield Nathan , Samuel Siby
Published: April 2018

A PC-based training program (Road Awareness and Perception Training or RAPT; Pradhan et al., 2009), proven effective for improving young novice drivers’ hazard anticipation skills, did not fully maximize the hazard anticipation performance of young drivers despite the use of similar anticipation scenarios in both, the training and the evaluation drives. The current driving simulator experiment examined the additive effects of expert eye movement videos following RAPT training on young drivers’ hazard anticipation performance compared to video-only and RAPT-only conditions. The study employed a between-subject design in which 36 young participants (aged 18–21) were equally and randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions, were outfitted with an eye tracker and drove four unique scenarios on a driving simulator to evaluate the effect of treatment on their anticipation skills. The results indicate that the young participants that viewed the videos of expert eye movements following the completion of RAPT showed significant improvements in their hazard anticipation ability (85%) on the subsequent experimental evaluation drives compared to those young drivers who were only exposed to either the RAPT training (61%) or the Video (43%). The results further imply that videos of expert eye movements shown immediately after RAPT training may improve the drivers’ anticipation skills by helping them map and integrate the spatial and tactical knowledge gained in a training program within dynamic driving environments involving latent hazards.
Radio Emission from the Exoplanetary System ϵ Eridani
Authors: Bastian T. S. , Villadsen J. , Maps A. , Hallinan G. , Beasley A. J.
Published: April 2018

As part of a wider search for radio emission from nearby systems known or suspected to contain extrasolar planets, ϵ Eridani was observed by the Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) in the 2–4 GHz and 4–8 GHz frequency bands. In addition, as part of a separate survey of thermal emission from solar-like stars, ϵ Eri was observed in the 8–12 GHz and the 12–18 GHz bands of the VLA. Quasi-steady continuum radio emission from ϵ Eri was detected in the three high-frequency bands at levels ranging from 67 to 83 μJy. No significant variability is seen in the quasi-steady emission. The emission in the 2–4 GHz emission, however, is shown to be the result of a circularly polarized (up to 50%) radio pulse or flare of a few minutes in duration that occurred at the beginning of the observation. We consider the astrometric position of the radio source in each frequency band relative to the expected position of the K2V star and the purported planet. The quasi-steady radio emission at frequencies ≥8 GHz is consistent with a stellar origin. The quality of the 4–8 GHz astrometry provides no meaningful constraint on the origin of the emission. The location of the 2–4 GHz radio pulse is >2.5σ from the star; however, based on the ephemeris of Benedict et al., it is not consistent with the expected location of the planet either. If the radio pulse has a planetary origin, then either the planetary ephemeris is incorrect or the emission originates from another planet.
The Green Bank Northern Celestial Cap Pulsar Survey. II. The Discovery and Timing of 10 Pulsars
Authors: Kawash A. M. , McLaughlin M. A. , Kaplan D. L. , DeCesar M. E. , Levin L. , Lorimer D. R. , Lynch R. S. , Stovall K. , Swiggum J. K. , Fonseca E. , Archibald A. M. , Banaszak S. , Biwer C. M. , Boyles J. , Cui B. , Dartez L. P. , Day D. , Ernst S. , Ford A. J. , Flanigan J. , Heatherly S. A. , Hessels J. W. T. , Hinojosa J. , Jenet F. A. , Karako-Argaman C. , Kaspi V. M. , Kondratiev V. I. , Leake S. , Lunsford G. , Martinez J. G. , Mata A. , Matheny T. D. , Mcewen A. E. , Mingyar M. G. , Orsini A. L. , Ransom S. M. , Roberts M. S. E. , Rohr M. D. , Siemens X. , Spiewak R. , Stairs I. H. , Leeuwen J. van , Walker A. N. , Wells B. L.
Published: April 2018

We present timing solutions for 10 pulsars discovered in 350 MHz searches with the Green Bank Telescope. Nine of these were discovered in the Green Bank Northern Celestial Cap survey and one was discovered by students in the Pulsar Search Collaboratory program during an analysis of drift-scan data. Following the discovery and confirmation with the Green Bank Telescope, timing has yielded phase-connected solutions with high-precision measurements of rotational and astrometric parameters. Eight of the pulsars are slow and isolated, including PSR J0930−2301, a pulsar with a nulling fraction lower limit of ∼30% and a nulling timescale of seconds to minutes. This pulsar also shows evidence of mode changing. The remaining two pulsars have undergone recycling, accreting material from binary companions, resulting in higher spin frequencies. PSR J0557−2948 is an isolated, 44 ms pulsar that has been partially recycled and is likely a former member of a binary system that was disrupted by a second supernova. The paucity of such so-called “disrupted binary pulsars” (DRPs) compared to double neutron star (DNS) binaries can be used to test current evolutionary scenarios, especially the kicks imparted on the neutron stars in the second supernova. There is some evidence that DRPs have larger space velocities, which could explain their small numbers. PSR J1806+2819 is a 15 ms pulsar in a 44-day orbit with a low-mass white dwarf companion. We did not detect the companion in archival optical data, indicating that it must be older than 1200 Myr.
Effects of Ion Magnetization on the Farley–Buneman Instability in the Solar Chromosphere
Authors: Fletcher Alex C. , Dimant Yakov S. , Oppenheim Meers M. , Fontenla Juan M.
Published: April 2018

Intense heating in the quiet-Sun chromosphere raises the temperature from 4000 to 6500 K but, despite decades of study, the underlying mechanism remains a mystery. This study continues to explore the possibility that the Farley–Buneman instability contributes to chromospheric heating. This instability occurs in weakly ionized collisional plasmas in which electrons are magnetized, but ions are not. A mixture of metal ions generate the plasma density in the coolest parts of the chromosphere; while some ions are weakly magnetized, others are demagnetized by neutral collisions. This paper incorporates the effects of multiple, arbitrarily magnetized species of ions to the theory of the Farley–Buneman instability and examines the ramifications on instability in the chromosphere. The inclusion of magnetized ions introduces new restrictions on the regions in which the instability can occur in the chromosphere—in fact, it confines the instability to the regions in which heating is observed. For a magnetic field of 30 G, the minimum ambient electric field capable of driving the instability is 13.5 V/m at the temperature minimum.
Stellar Mass and 3.4 μm M/L Ratio Evolution of Brightest Cluster Galaxies in COSMOS since z ∼ 1.0
Authors: Cooke Kevin C. , Fogarty Kevin , Kartaltepe Jeyhan S. , Moustakas John , O’Dea Christopher P. , Postman Marc
Published: April 2018

We investigate the evolution of star formation rates (SFRs), stellar masses, and M/L
3.4 μm ratios of brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) in the COSMOS survey since z ∼ 1 to determine the contribution of star formation to the growth-rate of BCG stellar mass over time. Through the spectral energy density (SED) fitting of the GALEX, CFHT, Subaru, Vista, Spitzer, and Herschel photometric data available in the COSMOS2015 catalog, we estimate the stellar mass and SFR of each BCG. We use a modified version of the iSEDfit package to fit the SEDs of our sample with both stellar and dust emission models, as well as constrain the impact of star formation history assumptions on our results. We find that in our sample of COSMOS BCGs, star formation evolves similarly to that in BCGs in samples of more massive galaxy clusters. However, compared to the latter, the magnitude of star formation in our sample is lower by ∼1 dex. Additionally, we find an evolution of BCG baryonic mass-to-light ratio (M/L
3.4 μm) with redshift which is consistent with a passively aging stellar population. We use this to build upon Wen et al.'s low-redshift νL
3.4 μm–M
Stellar relation, quantifying a correlation between νL
3.4 μm and M
Stellar to z ∼ 1. By comparing our results to BCGs in Sunyaev–Zel’dovich and X-ray-selected samples of galaxy clusters, we find evidence that the normalization of star formation evolution in a cluster sample is driven by the mass range of the sample and may be biased upwards by cool cores.
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Combined Therapy of Methotrexate and Etanercept versus Methotrexate as a Mono-Therapy
Authors: Rexhepi Sylejman , Rexhepi Mjellma , Rexhepi Blerta , Sahatçiu-Meka Vjollca , Mahmutaj Vigan
Published: April 2018

AIM: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Methotrexate (MTX) alone and combined therapy with Etanercept (ETN) and Methotrexate in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).METHODS: In the randomised control study, conducted in the period from March 2014 until March 2016, we evaluated the efficacy of the treatment of patients with RA with MTX as monotherapy and combination treatment with MTX and ETN. In the Clinic of Rheumatology in Prishtina, 90 adult patients with RA were treated in combination with ETN (doses of 50 mg subcutaneously/weekly), with oral MTX (doses up to 20 mg weekly), and MTX alone (doses up to 20 mg weekly) during this period of two years. Clinical response was assessed using European League against Rheumatism (EULAR)/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Criteria and the Disease Activity Score (DAS28). Radiographic changes were measured in the beginning and at the end of the study using Larsen’s method.RESULTS: Of the cohort groups of 90 patients, mean age of 55.63, 15 patients, (16.6 %) were treated with combined therapy (ETN plus MTX) and 75 patients (83.3%) with monotherapy (MTX). After two years of treatment the group with combined therapy resulted with improvement of acute phase reactants as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) for the first hour (41.1 vs. 10.3 mm/hour) and C - reactive protein (CRP) (40.8 vs. 6 mg/liter), and compared to the group treated with monotherapy, there were no significant changes (ESR: 45.7 vs 34.3 mm/hour; CRP: 48 vs 24 mg/liter). Before the treatment, the severity of the disease was high, wherein the group with combined therapy DAS28 was 5.32, compared to the monotherapy group whom DAS28 was 5.90. After 2 years of treatment, we had significant changes in the results of DAS28, wherein the group treated with ETN plus MTX DAS28 was 2.12 ± 0.15, while in the group of patients treated with MTX DAS28 were 3.75 ± 0.39 (t = 13.03; df = 58; p < 0.0001). The group with combined therapy showed no evidence of radiographic progression comparing to the group of patients with monotherapy.CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results achieved during 2 years we can conclude that ETN in combination with MTX reduced disease activity, slowed radiographic progression and improved clinical manifestations more effectively than MTX alone. No serious adverse events were noticed in the group with combination treatment.
New record of the pentatomine stink bug species Caystrus orientalis Zhang and Lin (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) from Japan
Authors: Tachi Haruka , Ishikawa Tadashi
Published: April 2018

To date, the stink bug species Caystrus orientalis Zhang and Lin, 1985, was known to occur only in China.

A species known as “Caystrus sp.” and “Neodinus sp.” in Japan has been identified as C. orientalis, which has been recorded from Japan for the first time.
The P.A. Sabouroff Collection of Ancient Terracottas from The State Hermitage Museum
Authors: Khodza Elena
Published: April 2018

The Sabouroff collection was formed in Greece by Pyotr A. Sabouroff (1835–1918), Russian diplomat and statesman, between 1870 and 1879, after which it was purchased by the Imperial Hermitage in 1884. This new and updated catalogue of the Sabouroff collection includes a reconstruction of the events accompanying the purchase of this collection based on documents in the Archives of The State Hermitage Museum. In addition, detailed reports of modern methods of analyses are taken into account that have been utilized for a complete reassessment of the Sabouroff collection for its full publication.
Solid items made to break, or breakable items made to last? The case of Minoan peak sanctuary figurines
Authors: Murphy Céline
Published: April 2018

The thousands of figurines found at peak sanctuaries across Crete have been widely understood as votive offerings. Owing to their fragmentary condition, it also has been suggested that they were broken as part of the rituals performed at these sites by being thrown into bonfires or to the ground. This hypothesis was further strengthened by the perception of some archaeologists of the figurines as poorly made. Upon a closer material examination of these artefacts, however, it appears that they were modelled and assembled with techniques ensuring their solidity. I therefore propose here that the figurines may not have been broken as immediately as is usually assumed, and that they may have been placed on display at peak sanctuaries for some time, before fragmentation took place. Keywords
Terracotta Figures, Figurines, and Plaques from the Anavlochos, Crete.
Authors: Gaignerot-Driessen Florence
Published: April 2018

In the summer of 2017 two votive deposits were excavated on the summit of the Anavlochos, Crete. The first one yielded protogeometric to classical figures, figurines, and plaques representing female figures. The second one included zoomorphic figures and figurines associated with Late Minoan IIIC pottery. In addition, the head of a female figure was recovered from a shrine that was brought to light on the slope of Kako Plaï, just above a third votive deposit, that already had been excavated by Pierre Demargne in 1929.
The Institution of Traditional Leadership and Local Governance in Zimbabwe
Authors: Kurebwa Jeffrey
Published: April 2018

This article describes how traditional leaders play important developmental, administrative and political roles in rural areas, despite modern state structures. They regulate rural life, control access to land, and settle various disputes. They are respected leaders in their communities. The existence of traditional leaders means that both the decentralisation and the strengthening of local governance are not taking place in a vacuum. Documentary sources such as the Constitution of Zimbabwe; the Traditional Leaders Act (2000) and Chiefs and Headmen Act (1982); newspapers and unpublished non-governmental organisations (NGOs) evaluations and reports were used in this article. Traditional leaders have played a pivotal role in ensuring that the ZANU-PF government remains in power since 1980. In principle, traditional leaders should not be drawn into party politics and their role should remain one of the neutral leadership. If the traditional leader assumes a party-political role, one should appoint a substitute to handle their traditional role to avoid a conflict of interest.
Social and Organizational Development Through Action Research
Authors: Baporikar Neeta
Published: April 2018

To cause change at practice level people need to translate what they know into concrete instructional policies and practices to be more productive and ensure organizations, organizational and thereby social development. Development Studies reflect that there is disconnect between knowledge acquired especially in the area of management education. This disconnect creates a gap and lessens organizational and social development. Action research and learning can fill this gap. This article addresses a simple question: does action learning and research lead to development? If so, what is it that people need to know about action learning and action research that alludes well to this crucial aspect? Adopting a grounded theory approach and in-depth literature review, the core of the study is to promote understanding of action learning and research, connection between knowledge to practice and how this makes organizational and social development more possible. Further attempts are to provide a framework to adopt action research to enhance holistic development in these societal driven economies.
Child Marriages in Rural Zimbabwe
Authors: Kurebwa Jeffrey , Kurebwa Nyasha Yvonne
Published: April 2018

The objectives of this article was to understand the causes, effects and measures to reduce child marriages in rural Zimbabwe. Child marriages have serious social, economic, health and political implications on young girls and their communities. Young girls are also robbed of their locally and internationally recognised rights. Ending child marriages demands a multi-sectoral approach where all actors, such as parents, national governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), local culture, and religion are involved. This article relies on qualitative methodology to gather data. Purposive sampling and snow ball sampling methods were used to identify key informants and women who were victims of child marriages. Stakeholders involved in children's rights should provide reproductive health and education services to local communities in order to end child marriages.