bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Layer-Wise Compressive Training for Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Grimaldi Matteo , Tenace Valerio , Calimera Andrea
Published: December 2018

Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are brain-inspired computational models designed to recognize patterns. Recent advances demonstrate that CNNs are able to achieve, and often exceed, human capabilities in many application domains. Made of several millions of parameters, even the simplest CNN shows large model size. This characteristic is a serious concern for the deployment on resource-constrained embedded-systems, where compression stages are needed to meet the stringent hardware constraints. In this paper, we introduce a novel accuracy-driven compressive training algorithm. It consists of a two-stage flow: first, layers are sorted by means of heuristic rules according to their significance; second, a modified stochastic gradient descent optimization is applied on less significant layers such that their representation is collapsed into a constrained subspace. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach achieves remarkable compression rates with low accuracy loss (<1%).
Alternative Biochemistries for Alien Life: Basic Concepts and Requirements for the Design of a Robust Biocontainment System in Genetic Isolation
Authors: Diwo Christian , Budisa Nediljko
Published: December 2018

The universal genetic code, which is the foundation of cellular organization for almost all organisms, has fostered the exchange of genetic information from very different paths of evolution. The result of this communication network of potentially beneficial traits can be observed as modern biodiversity. Today, the genetic modification techniques of synthetic biology allow for the design of specialized organisms and their employment as tools, creating an artificial biodiversity based on the same universal genetic code. As there is no natural barrier towards the proliferation of genetic information which confers an advantage for a certain species, the naturally evolved genetic pool could be irreversibly altered if modified genetic information is exchanged. We argue that an alien genetic code which is incompatible with nature is likely to assure the inhibition of all mechanisms of genetic information transfer in an open environment. The two conceivable routes to synthetic life are either de novo cellular design or the successive alienation of a complex biological organism through laboratory evolution. Here, we present the strategies that have been utilized to fundamentally alter the genetic code in its decoding rules or its molecular representation and anticipate future avenues in the pursuit of robust biocontainment.
Roles of Elongator Dependent tRNA Modification Pathways in Neurodegeneration and Cancer
Authors: Hawer Harmen , Hammermeister Alexander , Ravichandran Keerthiraju Ethiraju , Glatt Sebastian , Schaffrath Raffael , Klassen Roland
Published: December 2018

Transfer RNA (tRNA) is subject to a multitude of posttranscriptional modifications which can profoundly impact its functionality as the essential adaptor molecule in messenger RNA (mRNA) translation. Therefore, dynamic regulation of tRNA modification in response to environmental changes can tune the efficiency of gene expression in concert with the emerging epitranscriptomic mRNA regulators. Several of the tRNA modifications are required to prevent human diseases and are particularly important for proper development and generation of neurons. In addition to the positive role of different tRNA modifications in prevention of neurodegeneration, certain cancer types upregulate tRNA modification genes to sustain cancer cell gene expression and metastasis. Multiple associations of defects in genes encoding subunits of the tRNA modifier complex Elongator with human disease highlight the importance of proper anticodon wobble uridine modifications (xm5U34) for health. Elongator functionality requires communication with accessory proteins and dynamic phosphorylation, providing regulatory control of its function. Here, we summarized recent insights into molecular functions of the complex and the role of Elongator dependent tRNA modification in human disease.
Interventions for Pediatric Sepsis and Their Impact on Outcomes: A Brief Review
Authors: Watkins Laura A.
Published: December 2018

In the current era, pediatric sepsis remains a public health problem of significant prevalence and impact. With mortality rates practically unchanged over the years, this review hopes to briefly summarize the epidemiology and the current interventions for pediatric sepsis and point towards possible areas of improvement. Most pediatric studies of sepsis are either small, retrospective or observational. Given information technology spreading across country, and a stronger presence of clinical networks, development of multicenter prospective studies over the next decade should enable better treatments for pediatric sepsis, and improved outcomes.
Gender Differences in Quality of Life and Health Services Utilization among Elderly People in Rural Vietnam
Authors: Pham Thang , Nguyen Nguyen Thao Thi , ChieuTo Sophie Bao , Pham Tuan Le , Nguyen Thanh Xuan , Nguyen Huong Thu Thi , Nguyen Tam Ngoc , Nguyen Thu Hoai Thi , Nguyen Quang Nhat , Tran Bach Xuan , Nguyen Long Hoang , Ha Giang Hai , Latkin Carl A. , Ho Cyrus S.H. , Ho Roger C.M. , Nguyen Anh Trung , Vu Huyen Thi Thanh
Published: December 2018

As in much of the world, the elderly population in Vietnam is growing rapidly with two-thirds of them currently living in rural areas. Besides limited access to quality healthcare services, they also have unique health profiles and needs due to various factors, including the highly skewed sex ratio of more women residing in rural areas. However, the relationship between gender, health-seeking behaviors, and health outcomes in this under-served population has not been well characterized. This study sought to explore the associations of gender with health-related quality of life and health-seeking behavior among the elderly in Soc Son, a rural district of Hanoi, Vietnam. A cross-sectional design was used; elderly individuals were surveyed across the domains of socioeconomic information, health status, and healthcare service utilization. We found that overall, women had poorer health and quality of life even though gender difference did not appear to significantly influence their levels of health services utilization. A greater understanding of the systemic, sociocultural, and psychological factors underlying such differences may help better inform future healthcare service delivery strategies targeting this growing population in rural areas.
An Assessment of Climate Change and Health Vulnerability and Adaptation in Dominica
Authors: Schnitter Rebekka , Verret Marielle , Berry Peter , Chung Tiam Fook Tanya , Hales Simon , Lal Aparna , Edwards Sally
Published: December 2018

A climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessment was conducted in Dominica, a Caribbean small island developing state located in the Lesser Antilles. The assessment revealed that the country’s population is already experiencing many impacts on health and health systems from climate variability and change. Infectious diseases as well as food and waterborne diseases pose continued threats as climate change may exacerbate the related health risks. Threats to food security were also identified, with particular concern for food production systems. The findings of the assessment included near-term and long-term adaptation options that can inform actions of health sector decision-makers in addressing health vulnerabilities and building resilience to climate change. Key challenges include the need for enhanced financial and human resources to build awareness of key health risks and increase adaptive capacity. Other small island developing states interested in pursuing a vulnerability and adaptation assessment may find this assessment approach, key findings, analysis, and lessons learned useful.
Fostering Safety Communication among Construction Workers: Role of Safety Climate and Crew-Level Cohesion
Authors: Pandit Bhavana , Albert Alex , Patil Yashwardhan , Al-Bayati Ahmed Jalil
Published: December 2018

Safety communication among construction workers is fundamental to effective safety management. However, evidence suggests that poor safety communication is a common problem in construction workplaces. In fact, previous research has unveiled a number of systemic barriers to effective safety communication in the construction industry. When workers do not sufficiently communicate relevant safety hazards and appropriate injury prevention measures, unexpected injuries can follow. Therefore, research examining factors that promote or impede effective safety communication is necessary. Towards achieving this goal, the purpose of the current research was to evaluate the effect of safety climate and crew cohesion on the demonstrated safety communication levels. The goal was achieved by gathering empirical data from 57 construction workplaces in the United States. More specifically, the participating construction workplaces were visited, and data pertaining to the safety climate and crew-level cohesion were first collected using questionnaire surveys. Next, a safety communication survey instrument was administered, and the data necessary to compute network density—a social network metric that is indicative of safety communication levels was gathered. The analysis of the data suggested that a positive relationship exists between safety climate and safety communication levels. Likewise, construction crews that demonstrated higher levels of cohesion exhibited superior safety communication levels. Finally, evidence also suggested that a synergetic effect exists between safety climate and crew cohesion in improving safety communication levels.
Mind-Body Exercise (Wuqinxi) for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Wang Ke , Liu Shijie , Kong Zhaowei , Zhang Yanjie , Liu Jing
Published: December 2018

Objective: This study is the first meta-analysis investigating the rehabilitative effects of Wuqinxi for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: Five electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CNKI, and Wanfang) from inception until early November 2018 were searched. All randomized controlled trials (RCT) using Wuqinxi as the main intervention component were included for meta-analysis. The pooled effect sizes (Standardized mean difference, SMD) were calculated to determine the magnitude of the Wuqinxi intervention effect. Moderator analysis was only conducted for total training time. Results: Overall results of the meta-analysis indicated that Wuqinxi exercise significantly improved exercise capability (SMD = 1.18, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.84, e < 0.001, I2 = 84.97%), FEV1 (SMD = 0.44, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.77, e < 0.001, I2 = 33.77%), FEV1% (SMD = 0.59, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.93, e < 0.001, I2 = 63.79%), FEV1/FVC (SMD = 0.65, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.93, e = 0.006, I2 = 44.32%) and CCQ (SMD = 1.23, 95% CI 0.31 to 2.14, e = 0.01, I2 = 93.32%). Conclusions: With no occurrence of adverse event, clinicians could try to incorporate Wuqinxi exercise into their first-line rehabilitation regime for COPD patients.
Factors Associated with Discharge to a Skilled Nursing Facility after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery
Authors: Horne Carolyn E. , Goda Tamara S. , Nifong L. Wiley , Kypson Alan P. , O’Neal Wesley T. , Kindell Linda C. , Jindal Charulata , Efird Jimmy T.
Published: December 2018

An assumption regarding transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), a minimally invasive procedure for treating aortic stenosis, is that patients remain at, or near baseline and soon return to their presurgical home to resume activities of daily living. However, this does not consistently occur. The purpose of this study was to identify preoperative factors that optimally predict discharge to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) after TAVR. Delineation of these conditions is an important step in developing a risk stratification model to assist in making informed decisions. Data was extracted from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) transcatheter valve therapy (TVT) registry and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) database on 285 patients discharged from 2012–2017 at a tertiary referral heart institute located in the southeastern region of the United States. An analysis of assessment, clinical and demographic variables was used to estimate relative risk (RR) of discharge to a SNF. The majority of participants were female (55%) and white (84%), with a median age of 82 years (interquartile range = 9). Approximately 27% (n = 77) were discharged to a SNF. Age > 75 years (RR = 2.3, p = 0.0026), female (RR = 1.6, p = 0.019), 5-meter walk test (5MWT) >7 s (RR = 2.0, p = 0.0002) and not using home oxygen (RR = 2.9, p = 0.0084) were identified as independent predictive factors for discharge to a SNF. We report a parsimonious risk-stratification model that estimates the probability of being discharged to a SNF following TAVR. Our findings will facilitate making informed treatment decisions regarding this older patient population.
Cardiovascular Disease Hospitalizations in Louisiana Parishes’ Elderly before, during and after Hurricane Katrina
Authors: Becquart Ninon A. , Naumova Elena N. , Singh Gitanjali , Chui Kenneth K. H.
Published: December 2018

The research on how health and health care disparities impact response to and recovery from a disaster, especially among diverse and underserved populations is in great need for a thorough evaluation. The time series analysis utilizing most complete national databases of medical records is an indispensable tool in assessing the destruction and health toll brought about by natural disasters. In this study, we demonstrated such an application by evaluating the impact of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 on cardiovascular disease (CVD), a primary cause of mortality among older adults that can be aggravated by natural disasters. We compared CVD hospitalizations before, during and after Katrina between white and black residents of three most populated parishes in Louisiana: Orleans and Jefferson, which were severely affected by the landfall and subsequent floods, and East Baton Rouge, which hosted many of the evacuees. We abstracted 383,552 CVD hospitalization records for Louisiana’s patients aged 65+ in 2005–2006 from the database maintained by the Center of Medicare & Medicaid Services. Daily time series of CVD-related hospitalization rates at each study parish were compiled, and the changes were characterized using segmented regression. In Orleans Parish, directly affected by the hurricane, hospitalization rates peaked on the 6th day after landfall with an increase (mean ± SD) from 7.25 ± 2.4 to 18.5 ± 17.3 cases/day per 10,000 adults aged 65+ (p < 0.001) and returned to pre-landfall level after ~2 months. Disparities in CVD rates between black and white older adults were exacerbated during and following landfall. In Orleans Parish, a week after landfall, the CVD rates increased to 26.3 ± 23.7 and 16.6 ± 11.7 cases/day per 10,000 people (p < 0.001) for black and white patients, respectively. The abrupt increase in CVDs is likely due to psychosocial and post-traumatic stress caused by the disaster and inadequate response. Inequities in resource allocation and access have to be addressed in disaster preparation and mitigation.
Determination of the Environmental Pollution Potential of Some Herbicides by the Assessment of Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Effects on Allium cepa
Authors: Rosculete Catalin Aurelian , Bonciu Elena , Rosculete Elena , Olaru Liviu Aurel
Published: December 2018

The present study aims to evaluate the potential for the pollution of the environment by two herbicides (quizalofop-p-ethyl and cycloxydim), using the Allium test. The species in question is Allium cepa (onion, 2n = 16), one of the most common plant indicators of environmental pollution. The working method consisted of obtaining the meristematic roots of Allium cepa and their treatment with herbicides at three different concentrations (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%) for each herbicide for 24 h, for comparison with an untreated control. The results obtained from the cytological study indicated a strong cytotoxic and genotoxic effect for both herbicides, but especially for quizalofop-p-ethyl, where the mitotic index decreased from 30.2% (control) to 9.6% for the variant treated with 1.5% herbicide. In this case, a strong mitodepressive effect was shown by a highly significant percentage (35.4%) of chromosomal aberrations and nuclear alterations: stickiness, fragments, C-mitosis, lobulated nucleus, micronuclei, and nuclear erosion. The mitodepressive effect as well as the percentage of chromosomal aberrations increased with a higher herbicide concentration. The obtained results suggest the strong potential for pollution of the two herbicides, particularly at concentrations higher than 0.5%; therefore, we recommend caution in their use to avoid undesirable effects on the environment.
Do Firm’s Organisational Slacks Influence the Relationship between Corporate Lobbying and Corporate Financial Performance? More Is Not Always Better
Authors: Lin Woon Leong
Published: December 2018

A political involvement in any organisation has often proved to be profitable for such firms that are seeking support and favourable regulatory conditions. Though many studies have investigated the effect of the corporate lobbying activities on the organisations, no clear results have been achieved. In this study, we have investigated the lobbying expenditure of some of the most famous United States (US)-based companies, which support the U.S. government during 2007–2016. Primarily, we tested the relationship between the corporate lobbying and the Corporate Financial Performance (CFP), with the help of a dynamic panel data analysis, which is based on the System Generalised Methods of the Moment (SYS-GMM). The results of this study indicated that the corporate lobbying did not increase the probability of gaining more support from the government in comparison to the firms that did not use any lobbying techniques. Furthermore, the findings showed that corporate lobbying is a component of the zero-sum political agenda that cannot be accurately evaluated and does not contribute towards the improvement of the CFP. This study introduced the important component of organisational slack and noted that the corporate lobbying could significantly destroy the CFP if the organisational slack was high.
Distributed Geoscience Algorithm Integration Based on OWS Specifications: A Case Study of the Extraction of a River Network
Authors: Tan Xicheng , Di Liping , Zhong Yanfei , Chen Nengcheng , Huang Fang , Wang Jinchuan , Sun Ziheng , Khan Yahya Ali
Published: December 2018

To understand and solve various natural environmental problems, geoscience research activities are becoming increasingly dependent on the integration of knowledge, data, and algorithms from scientists at different institutes and with multiple perspectives. However, the facilitation of these integrations remains a challenge because such scientific activities require gathering numerous geoscience researchers to provide data, knowledge, algorithms, and tools from different institutes and geographically distributed locations. The pivotal issue that needs to be addressed is the identification of a method to effectively combine geoscience algorithms in a distributed environment to promote cooperation. To address this issue, in this paper, a scheme for building a distributed geoscience algorithm integration based on the Open Geospatial Consortium web service (OWS) specifications is proposed. The architecture of the geoscience algorithm integration, algorithm service management mechanism, XML description method for algorithm integration, and integrated model execution strategy are designed and implemented. The experiment implements the integration of geoscience algorithms in a distributed cloud environment and evaluates the feasibility and efficiency of the integrated geoscience model. The proposed method provides a theoretical basis and practical guidance for promoting the integration of distributed geoscience algorithms; this approach can help to aggregate the distributed geoscience capabilities to address natural challenges.
TCO, a Putative Transcriptional Regulator in Arabidopsis, Is a Target of the Protein Kinase CK2
Authors: Weinman Laina M. , Running Katherine L. D. , Carey Nicholas S. , Stevenson Erica J. , Swaney Danielle L. , Chow Brenda Y. , Krogan Nevan J. , Krogan Naden T.
Published: December 2018

As multicellular organisms grow, spatial and temporal patterns of gene expression are strictly regulated to ensure that developmental programs are invoked at appropriate stages. In this work, we describe a putative transcriptional regulator in Arabidopsis, TACO LEAF (TCO), whose overexpression results in the ectopic activation of reproductive genes during vegetative growth. Isolated as an activation-tagged allele, tco-1D displays gene misexpression and phenotypic abnormalities, such as curled leaves and early flowering, characteristic of chromatin regulatory mutants. A role for TCO in this mode of transcriptional regulation is further supported by the subnuclear accumulation patterns of TCO protein and genetic interactions between tco-1D and chromatin modifier mutants. The endogenous expression pattern of TCO and gene misregulation in tco loss-of-function mutants indicate that this factor is involved in seed development. We also demonstrate that specific serine residues of TCO protein are targeted by the ubiquitous kinase CK2. Collectively, these results identify TCO as a novel regulator of gene expression whose activity is likely influenced by phosphorylation, as is the case with many chromatin regulators.
Focus on Translation Initiation of the HIV-1 mRNAs
Authors: De Breyne Sylvain , Ohlmann Théophile
Published: December 2018

To replicate and disseminate, viruses need to manipulate and modify the cellular machinery for their own benefit. We are interested in translation, which is one of the key steps of gene expression and viruses that have developed several strategies to hijack the ribosomal complex. The type 1 human immunodeficiency virus is a good paradigm to understand the great diversity of translational control. Indeed, scanning, leaky scanning, internal ribosome entry sites, and adenosine methylation are used by ribosomes to translate spliced and unspliced HIV-1 mRNAs, and some require specific cellular factors, such as the DDX3 helicase, that mediate mRNA export and translation. In addition, some viral and cellular proteins, including the HIV-1 Tat protein, also regulate protein synthesis through targeting the protein kinase PKR, which once activated, is able to phosphorylate the eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF2α, which results in the inhibition of cellular mRNAs translation. Finally, the infection alters the integrity of several cellular proteins, including initiation factors, that directly or indirectly regulates translation events. In this review, we will provide a global overview of the current situation of how the HIV-1 mRNAs interact with the host cellular environment to produce viral proteins.
The Crosstalk between Acetylation and Phosphorylation: Emerging New Roles for HDAC Inhibitors in the Heart
Authors: Habibian Justine , Ferguson Bradley S.
Published: December 2018

Approximately five million United States (U.S.) adults are diagnosed with heart failure (HF), with eight million U.S. adults projected to suffer from HF by 2030. With five-year mortality rates following HF diagnosis approximating 50%, novel therapeutic treatments are needed for HF patients. Pre-clinical animal models of HF have highlighted histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors as efficacious therapeutics that can stop and potentially reverse cardiac remodeling and dysfunction linked with HF development. HDACs remove acetyl groups from nucleosomal histones, altering DNA-histone protein electrostatic interactions in the regulation of gene expression. However, HDACs also remove acetyl groups from non-histone proteins in various tissues. Changes in histone and non-histone protein acetylation plays a key role in protein structure and function that can alter other post translational modifications (PTMs), including protein phosphorylation. Protein phosphorylation is a well described PTM that is important for cardiac signal transduction, protein activity and gene expression, yet the functional role for acetylation-phosphorylation cross-talk in the myocardium remains less clear. This review will focus on the regulation and function for acetylation-phosphorylation cross-talk in the heart, with a focus on the role for HDACs and HDAC inhibitors as regulators of acetyl-phosphorylation cross-talk in the control of cardiac function.
Functional Variation of Two Novel Cellulases, Pv-eng-5 and Pv-eng-8, and the Heat Shock 90 Gene, Pv-hsp-90, in Pratylenchus vulnus and Their Expression in Response to Different Temperature Stress
Authors: Fanelli Elena , Troccoli Alberto , De Luca Francesca
Published: December 2018

Functional characterization of two novel endoglucanase genes, Pv-eng-5 and Pv-eng-8, of the root-lesion nematode Pratylenchus vulnus was carried out. In situ-hybridization experiments revealed that Pv-eng-8 transcript was localized in the pharyngeal glands. Silencing of Pv-eng-5 and Pv-eng-8 resulted in a significant reduction of expression level (52% and 67%, respectively). Furthermore, the silencing of Pv-eng-8 determined a reduction (41%) in nematode reproduction, suggesting that treated nematodes are much less able to process food. Surprisingly, no significant difference on reproduction rate was observed with Pv-eng-5 dsRNA nematodes, suggesting a neofunctionalization of Pv-eng-5 despite the high similarity with nematode endoglucanases. Pratylenchus species are poikilothermic organisms showing close relationships with the environmental temperature. The effects of different temperature ranges revealed that the reproductive potential of P. vulnus increased with increasing temperature from 23 °C to 28 °C, but no reproduction was observed at 33 °C. In real time, increasing temperature from 23 °C to 28 °C the heat shock gene Pv-hsp-90 was differentially expressed in adult stages, while the levels of the effector genes Pv-eng-1 and Pv-eng-8 in females showed no significant differences compared to those observed at 23 °C, only in males Pv-eng-8 level decreased (45%). The upregulation of Pv-hsp-90 in both adult stages suggests a protective mechanism in order to cope with unfavorable environmental conditions.
Transforming Growth Factor-β Promotes Morphomechanical Effects Involved in Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in Living Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Cascione Mariafrancesca , Leporatti Stefano , Dituri Francesco , Giannelli Gianluigi
Published: December 2018

The epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a physiological multistep process involving epithelial cells acquiring a mesenchymal-like phenotype. It is widely demonstrated that EMT is linked to tumor progression and metastasis. The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β pathways have been widely investigated, but its role in the hepatocarcinoma EMT is still unclear. While the biochemical pathways have been extensively studied, the alteration of biomechanical behavior correlated to cellular phenotype and motility is not yet fully understood. To better define the involvement of TGF-β1 in the metastatic progression process in different hepatocarcinoma cell lines (HepG2, PLC/PRF/5, HLE), we applied a systematic morphomechanical approach in order to investigate the physical and the structural characteristics. In addition, we evaluated the antitumor effect of LY2157299, a TGF-βR1 kinase inhibitor, from a biomechanical point of view, using Atomic Force and Confocal Microscopy. Our approach allows for validation of biological data, therefore it may be used in the future as a diagnostic tool to be combined with conventional biomolecular techniques.
A Novel Approach Based on a Weighted Interactive Network to Predict Associations of MiRNAs and Diseases
Authors: Zhao Haochen , Kuang Linai , Feng Xiang , Zou Quan , Wang Lei
Published: December 2018

Accumulating evidence progressively indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a significant role in the pathogenesis of diseases through many experimental studies; therefore, developing powerful computational models to identify potential human miRNA–disease associations is vital for an understanding of the disease etiology and pathogenesis. In this paper, a weighted interactive network was firstly constructed by combining known miRNA–disease associations, as well as the integrated similarity between diseases and the integrated similarity between miRNAs. Then, a new computational method implementing the newly weighted interactive network was developed for discovering potential miRNA–disease associations (WINMDA) by integrating the T most similar neighbors and the shortest path algorithm. Simulation results show that WINMDA can achieve reliable area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve (AUC) results of 0.9183 ± 0.0007 in 5-fold cross-validation, 0.9200 ± 0.0004 in 10-fold cross-validation, 0.9243 in global leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV), and 0.8856 in local LOOCV. Furthermore, case studies of colon neoplasms, gastric neoplasms, and prostate neoplasms based on the Human microRNA Disease Database (HMDD) database were implemented, for which 94% (colon neoplasms), 96% (gastric neoplasms), and 96% (prostate neoplasms) of the top 50 predicting miRNAs were confirmed by recent experimental reports, which also demonstrates that WINMDA can effectively uncover potential miRNA–disease associations.
Improving the Classification Efficiency of an ANN Utilizing a New Training Methodology
Authors: Livieris Ioannis E.
Published: December 2018

In this work, a new approach for training artificial neural networks is presented which utilises techniques for solving the constraint optimisation problem. More specifically, this study converts the training of a neural network into a constraint optimisation problem. Furthermore, we propose a new neural network training algorithm based on the L-BFGS-B method. Our numerical experiments illustrate the classification efficiency of the proposed algorithm and of our proposed methodology, leading to more efficient, stable and robust predictive models.
Annual Abundance and Population Structure of Two Dung Beetle Species in a Human-Modified Landscape
Authors: Barretto Julliana , Cultid-Medina Carlos , Escobar Federico
Published: December 2018

Population studies are essential for understanding different aspects of species’ biology, estimating extinction probability, and determining evolutionary and life history. Using the mark-recapture method, we studied the abundance and population structure of dung beetle species (Deltochilum mexicanum and Dichotomius satanas) over one year in a human-modified landscape in Mexico. We captured 1960 individuals with a net recapture rate of 11%. Deltochilum mexicanum had a higher rate of recapture (14%) than Dichotomius satanas (5%). Annual variation in abundance was similar for both species, with maximum abundance occurring in summer and a marked reduction during winter. Deltochilum mexicanum was dominant inside the forest, and its abundance was influenced by vegetation cover, temperature, and humidity. Dichotomius satanas was more frequent outside the forest, and none of the considered environmental variables affected its abundance. The adult sex ratio of Deltochilum mexicanum was female-biased, whereas that of Dichotomius satanas was male-biased. The maximum estimated population size was similar for both species, but Deltochilum mexicanum had a higher number of new individuals and survival rate. Since species with different biological attributes presented a similar pattern of abundance and population structure, we conclude that environmental conditions are the main regulator of dung beetle populations in the human-modified landscape.
Intraoperative Oliguria with Decreased SvO2 Predicts Acute Kidney Injury after Living Donor Liver Transplantation
Authors: Kim Won Ho , Lee Hyung-Chul , Lim Leerang , Ryu Ho-Geol , Jung Chul-Woo
Published: December 2018

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), and is associated with increased mortality. However, the association between intraoperative oliguria and the risk of AKI remains uncertain for LDLT. We sought to determine the association between intraoperative oliguria alone and oliguria coupled with hemodynamic derangement and the risk of AKI after LDLT. We evaluated the hemodynamic variables, including mean arterial pressure, cardiac index, and mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2). We reviewed 583 adult patients without baseline renal dysfunction and who did not receive hydroxyethyl starch during surgery. AKI was defined using the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria according to the serum creatinine criteria. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed with and without oliguria and oliguria coupled with a decrease in SvO2. The performance was compared with respect to the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Intraoperative oliguria <0.5 and <0.3 mL/kg/h were significantly associated with the risk of AKI; however, their performance in predicting AKI was poor. The AUC of single predictors increased significantly when oliguria was combined with decreased SvO2 (AUC 0.72; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68–0.75 vs. AUC of oliguria alone 0.61; 95% CI 0.56–0.61; p < 0.0001; vs. AUC of SvO2 alone 0.66; 95% CI 0.61–0.70; p < 0.0001). Addition of oliguria coupled with SvO2 reduction also increased the AUC of multivariable prediction (AUC 0.87; 95% CI 0.84–0.90 vs. AUC with oliguria 0.73; 95% CI 0.69–0.77; p < 0.0001; vs. AUC with neither oliguria nor SvO2 reduction 0.68; 95% CI 0.64–0.72; p < 0.0001). Intraoperative oliguria coupled with a decrease in SvO2 may suggest the risk of AKI after LDLT more reliably than oliguria alone or decrease in SvO2 alone. Intraoperative oliguria should be interpreted in conjunction with SvO2 to predict AKI in patients with normal preoperative renal function and who did not receive hydroxyethyl starch during surgery.
Feedbacks between Biotic and Abiotic Processes Governing the Development of Foredune Blowouts: A Review
Authors: Schwarz Christian , Brinkkemper Joost , Ruessink Gerben
Published: December 2018

This paper reviews the initiation, development, and closure of foredune blowouts with focus on biotic-abiotic interactions. There is a rich body of literature describing field measurements and model simulations in and around foredune blowouts. Despite this abundance of data there is no conceptual framework available linking biotic and abiotic observations to pathways of blowout development (e.g., erosional blowout growth or vegetation induced blowout closure). This review identifies morphological and ecological processes facilitating the transition between blowout development stages and sets them in the context of existing conceptual frameworks describing biotic-abiotic systems. By doing so we are able to develop a new conceptual model linking blowout development to the dominance of its governing processes. More specifically we link blowout initiation to the dominance of abiotic (physical) processes, blowout development to the dominance of biotic-abiotic (bio-geomorphological) processes and blowout closure to the dominance of biotic (ecological) processes. Subsequently we identify further steps to test the proposed conceptual model against existing observations and show possibilities to include it in numerical models able to predict blowout development for various abiotic and biotic conditions.
Design, Fabrication, and Testing of an Internet Connected Intravenous Drip Monitoring Device
Authors: Sardana Pranshul , Kalra Mohit , Sardana Amit
Published: December 2018

This paper proposes a monitoring system retro-fittable for existing Intravenous (IV) infusion setup. Traditionally, doctors and nurses use their experience to estimate the time required by an IV bottle to empty which makes the IV therapy vulnerable to human error. The current study proposes an internet connected monitoring platform for IV drip chambers. The device enables doctors and nursing staff to monitor the drip parameters wirelessly while emphasizing on low costs and high degree of reliability. It has two main units, namely chamber unit and pole unit. Chamber unit houses two types of sensors, optical based for drop detection and capacitive based for level detection, both of which are placed on the chamber unit. The pole unit majorly consists of a microcontroller and a GSM-based (Global System Mobile Communication) communication module. In addition, the device was tested along with various parameters like accuracy, readout stability, change in fluid used, changes in ambient conditions, end chamber conditions, optical unit malfunctions. Finally, the monitored data was securely and reliably transmitted to commercial cloud service using HTTP API calls (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) (Application Programming Interface). This data was stored and visualized for ease of readability for nurses and doctors.
Effective Synthesis of a Novel Tetrahydrofuran Containing Triterpenoid: 5′(Z)-Benzylidene-tetrahydrofurano[3,2-b]lup-20(29)-en-28-oate
Authors: Gubaidullin Rinat , Nedopekina Darya , Evstifeeva Regina , Prochukhan Yurij
Published: December 2018

The title compound 5′(Z)-benzylidene-tetrahydrofurano[3,2-b]lup-20(29)-en-28-oate was synthesized with high chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity by 5-exo-dig cycloisomerization of methyl 2α-phenylpropynyl-3-oxolup-20(29)-en-28-oate with use of KN(SiMe3)2-DME. The novel betulinic acid derivative was fully characterized by conventional analytical methods and all proton and carbon signals have been completely assigned by 2D-NMR experiments.
Recycled Cobalt from Spent Li-ion Batteries as a Superhydrophobic Coating for Corrosion Protection of Plain Carbon Steel
Authors: Rafsanjani-Abbasi Ali , Rahimi Ehsan , Shalchian Hossein , Vahdati-Khaki Jalil , Babakhani Abolfazl , Hosseinpour Saman , Davoodi Ali
Published: December 2018

A new recycling and film formation scheme is developed for spent Li-ion batteries, which involves the combination of ascorbic-assisted sulfuric leaching and electrodeposition to fabricate a corrosion resistance superhydrophobic coating. The idea behind the simultaneous use of sulfuric and ascorbic is to benefit from the double effect of ascorbic acid, as a leaching reducing agent and as morphological modifier during electrodeposition. Quantum chemical calculations based on the density functional theory are performed to explain the cobalt-ascorbate complexation during the electrocristalization. The optimum parameters for the leaching step are directly utilized in the preparation of an electrolyte for the electrodeposition process, to fabricate a superhydrophobic film with a contact angle of >150° on plain carbon steel. The potentiodynamic polarization measurments in 3.5 wt % NaCl showed that boric-pulsed electrodeposited cobalt film has 20-times lower corrosion current density and higher corrosion potential than those on the non-coated substrate.
Resistance to Helium Bubble Formation in Amorphous SiOC/Crystalline Fe Nanocomposite
Authors: Su Qing , Wang Tianyao , Gigax Jonathan , Shao Lin , Nastasi Michael
Published: December 2018

The management of radiation defects and insoluble He atoms represent key challenges for structural materials in existing fission reactors and advanced reactor systems. To examine how crystalline/amorphous interface, together with the amorphous constituents affects radiation tolerance and He management, we studied helium bubble formation in helium ion implanted amorphous silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) and crystalline Fe composites by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The SiOC/Fe composites were grown via magnetron sputtering with controlled length scale on a surface oxidized Si (100) substrate. These composites were subjected to 50 keV He+ implantation with ion doses chosen to produce a 5 at% peak He concentration. TEM characterization shows no sign of helium bubbles in SiOC layers nor an indication of secondary phase formation after irradiation. Compared to pure Fe films, helium bubble density in Fe layers of SiOC/Fe composite is less and it decreases as the amorphous/crystalline SiOC/Fe interface density increases. Our findings suggest that the crystalline/amorphous interface can help to mitigate helium defect generated during implantation, and therefore enhance the resistance to helium bubble formation.
Porous Waste Glass for Lead Removal in Packed Bed Columns and Reuse in Cement Conglomerates
Authors: Petrella Andrea , Spasiano Danilo , Race Marco , Rizzi Vito , Cosma Pinalysa , Liuzzi Stefania , De Vietro Nicoletta
Published: December 2018

A porous waste glass (RWPG = recycled waste porous glass) was used in wastewater treatments for the removal of lead ions from single, binary, and ternary metal solutions (with cadmium and nickel ions). Experiments were performed in columns (30 cm3, 10 g) filled with 0.5–1 mm beads till complete glass exhaustion (breakthrough). In the case of single and binary solutions, the columns were percolated at 0.2 Lh−1 (2 mg Me+2 L−1); in the case of ternary solutions, the columns were percolated at 0.15–0.4 Lh−1 (2 mg Me2+ L−1) and with 2–5 mg Me2+ L−1 influent concentration (0.2 Lh−1). Lead ions were removed mainly by ion exchange and also by adsorption. From a kinetic point of view, the rate controlling step of the process was the interdiffusion of the lead ions in the Nernst stationary liquid film around the sorbent. The uptake of the metals and the glass selectivity were confirmed by Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. After lead retention process, glass beads were reused as lightweight aggregates for thermal insulating and environmental safe mortars.
Constructions of Helicoidal Surfaces in a 3-Dimensional Complete Manifold with Density
Authors: Yıldız Önder Gökmen
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we construct a helicoidal surface with a prescribed weighted mean curvature and weighted extrinsic curvature in a 3-dimensional complete manifold with a positive density function. We get a result for the minimal case. Additionally, we give examples of a helicoidal surface with a weighted mean curvature and weighted extrinsic curvature.
Discovery of an Unusual Fatty Acid Amide from the ndgRyo Gene Mutant of Marine-Derived Streptomyces youssoufiensis
Authors: Hou Jing , Liu Jing , Yang Lu , Liu Zengzhi , Li Huayue , Che Qian , Zhu Tianjiao , Li Dehai , Li Wenli
Published: December 2018

NdgRyo, an IclR-like regulator, was selected as the target gene to activate new secondary metabolites in the marine-derived Streptomyces youssoufiensis OUC6819. Inactivation of the ndgRyo gene in S. youssoufiensis OUC6819 led to the accumulation of a new fatty acid amide (1), with an unusual 3-amino-butyl acid as the amine component. Moreover, its parent fatty acid (2) was also discovered both in the wild-type and ΔndgRyo mutant strains, which was for the first time isolated from a natural source. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were elucidated by combination of LC-MS and NMR spectroscopic analyses. This study demonstrated that the ndgRyo homologs might serve as a target for new compound activation in Streptomyces strains.
Isolation and Absolute Configurations of Diversiform C17, C21 and C25 Terpenoids from the Marine Sponge Cacospongia sp.
Authors: Zhang Xingwang , Li Ping-Lin , Qin Guo-Fei , Li Shengying , De Voogd Nicole J. , Tang Xu-Li , Li Guo-Qiang
Published: December 2018

Chemical investigation of MeOH extract of a South China Sea sponge Cacospongia sp. yielded 15 terpenoids belonging to three different skeleton-types, including the unusual C17 γ-lactone norditerpenoids (1–3), the rare C21 pyridine meroterpenoid (7), and the notable C25 manoalide-type sesterterpenoids (4–6, 8–10). Compounds 1–5 were initially obtained as enantiomers, and were further separated to be optically pure compounds (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a-r, 3b-r, 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b) by chiral HPLC, with a LiAlH4 reduction aid for 3. Compounds 3a/3b (a pair of inseparable enantiomers), 4a, 5a, 6, and 7 were identified as new compounds, while 1a/1b and 2a/2b were obtained from a natural source and were determined for their absolute configurations for the first time. This is also the first time to encounter enantiomers of the well-known manoalide-type sesterterpenoids from nature. The structures with absolute configurations of the new compounds were unambiguously determined by comprehensive methods including HR-ESI-MS and NMR data analysis, optical rotation comparison, experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and Mo2(OAc)4 induced circular dichroism (ICD) methods. The cytotoxicity of the isolates against selected human tumor cell lines was evaluated, however, the tested compounds showed no activity against selected cell lines.
Nano-in-Micro Delivery System Prepared by Co-Axial Air Flow for Oral Delivery of Conjugated Linoleic Acid
Authors: Li Qian , Xue Fangfang , Qu Junle , Liu Liwei , Hu Rui , Liu Chenguang
Published: December 2018

The preparation of a nano-in-micro delivery system (NiMDS) under mild conditions without using toxic organic solvents and expensive equipment still faces challenges. In this study, we introduced the co-axial air flow method to prepare NiMDS for the oral delivery of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). The chitosan nanoparticles were prepared using the stearic-acid-modified chitosan through self-aggregation. Then, the chitosan nanoparticles were incorporated into alginate microparticles by the co-axial air flow method. The obtained chitosan nanoparticles and NiMDS were spherical in shape with the average sizes of 221–243 nm and 130–160 μm, respectively. Compared with alginate microparticles, the hybrid particles were of fewer fragments, were bigger in size, had a higher mechanical strength, and showed a controlled release in the phosphate buffer solution (pH 1.2 or 7.4). The release kinetics study showed that encapsulating the chitosan nanoparticles into the alginate microparticles inhibited the dissolution of alginate microparticles at the initial stage. These results revealed the potential of NiMDS as an ideal oral carrier for the sustained release of CLA in the gastrointestinal environment.