bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of On-Board Photovoltaics for a Battery Electric Bus and Their Impact on Battery Lifespan
Authors: Mallon Kevin , Assadian Francis , Fu Bo
Published: July 2017

Heavy-duty electric powertrains provide a potential solution to the high emissions and low fuel economy of trucks, buses, and other heavy-duty vehicles. However, the cost, weight, and lifespan of electric vehicle batteries limit the implementation of such vehicles. This paper proposes supplementing the battery with on-board photovoltaic modules. In this paper, a bus model is created to analyze the impact of on-board photovoltaics on electric bus range and battery lifespan. Photovoltaic systems that cover the bus roof and bus sides are considered. The bus model is simulated on a suburban bus drive cycle on a bus route in Davis, CA, USA for a representative sample of yearly weather conditions. Roof-mounted panels increased vehicle driving range by 4.7% on average annually, while roof and side modules together increased driving range by 8.9%. However, variations in weather conditions meant that this additional range was not reliably available. For constant vehicle range, rooftop photovoltaic modules extended battery cycle life by up to 10% while modules on both the roof and sides extended battery cycle life by up to 19%. Although side-mounted photovoltaics increased cycle life and range, they were less weight- and cost-effective compared to the roof-mounted panels.
Concept of an Accelerator-Driven Advanced Nuclear Energy System
Authors: Yan Xuesong , Yang Lei , Zhang Xunchao , Zhan Wenlong
Published: July 2017

The utilization of clean energy is a matter of primary importance for sustainable development as well as a vital approach for solving worldwide energy-related issues. If the low utilization rate of nuclear fuel, nuclear proliferation, and insufficient nuclear safety can be solved, nuclear fission energy could be used as a sustainable and low-carbon clean energy form for thousands of years, providing steady and base-load electrical resources. To address these challenges, we propose an accelerator-driven advanced nuclear energy system (ADANES), consisting of a burner system and a fuel recycle system. In ADANES, the ideal utilization rate of nuclear fuel will be >95%, and the final disposal of nuclear waste will be minimized. The design of a high-temperature ceramic reactor makes the burner system safer. Part of fission products (FPs) are removed during the simple reprocessing in the fuel recycle system, significantly reducing the risks of nuclear proliferation of nuclear technology and materials. The ADANES concept integrates nuclear waste transmutation, nuclear fuel breeding, and safety power production, with an ideal closed loop operation of nuclear fission energy, constituting a major innovation of great potential interest for future energy applications.
Performance Characteristics of a 4 × 6 Oil-Free Twin-Screw Compressor
Authors: Byeon Sun-Seok , Lee Jae-Young , Kim Youn-Jea
Published: July 2017

The screw compressor in the early stage of development is generally known as the oil-injection type. However, escalating environmental problems and advances in electronic components have spurred continuous R & D to minimize the oil content in compressed air. The oil-free twin-screw compressor is continuously compressed by inner volumetric change between rotors and casing. For this reason, in order to predict the overall performance of the screw compressor at the early stage of the design process, industry still relies on the empirical method. However, it is difficult using the existing empirical method to gain more information of the inner fluid flow of the twin-screw compressor. Flow simulation techniques using CFD are required. This study presents applications of a recently proposed overset grid method to the solution of the flow around a moving boundary. In order to analyze the performance of a 4 × 6 oil-free screw compressor, the 3-D, unsteady and compressible flow fields were numerically calculated with a shear stress transport (SST) turbulence model, and implemented by the commercial software, Star-CCM+. The pressure distributions were calculated and graphically depicted. Results also showed that the volumetric and adiabatic efficiencies of the screw compressor measured by the experiments were 78% and 71%, respectively.
Dynamics of Organic Matter in Leaf Litter and Topsoil within an Italian Alder (Alnus cordata (Loisel.) Desf.) Ecosystem
Authors: Innangi Michele , Danise Tiziana , D’Alessandro Francesco , Curcio Elena , Fioretto Antonietta
Published: July 2017

Forests are the most important land ecosystems that can mitigate the earth’s ongoing climate change through their ability to sequester CO2 as C stock in forest biomass and soil. Short-rotation deciduous hardwoods or N2-fixing species are ideal candidates for afforestation and reforestation, given that most of the carbon accumulates in the first 30 years. Alders match both of the above-mentioned features, and Italian alder, which is less dependent on riparian habitats and more drought tolerant, is an ideal candidate. Despite this, few studies exist of this tree species and its effect on soil organic matter. In this study, we focused on litter input and leaf litter decomposition dynamics, forest floor leaf litter and topsoil (0–5 cm) organic matter, and patterns of covariation from litter to topsoil. The leaf litter was rich in nitrogen and decomposed quickly (k = 0.002 day−1). There was a large organic carbon stock, which varied in the leaf litter (from 1.7 ± 0.3 Mg/ha in January to 0.4 ± 0.1 Mg/ha in July) and was stable in the topsoil (on average 28.6 ± 1.5 Mg/ha). Stocks for total nitrogen, cellulose, lignin, water and ethanol extractables, and total phenols were also evaluated. In order to investigate patterns of covariation in these stocks from litter to soil, we used two-block partial least squares. The first axis showed that from January to July there was a reduction of total nitrogen, lignin and cellulose in the forest floor leaf litter, while in the topsoil there was a decrease in water extractables and total organic carbon. The second axis showed minor phenomena involving phenols, water and ethanol extractables, and total N. The fast turnover of dissolved organic matter fractions (water and ethanol extractables), linked with cellulose and lignin dynamics, might suggest that within the Italian alder ecosystem there is a reasonably fast formation of stable C compounds in the soil. Thus, Italian alder is an ideal species for afforestation and reforestation, which could be particularly interesting for land-use policies.
Land Use, Conservation, Forestry, and Agriculture in Puerto Rico
Authors: Gould William A. , Wadsworth Frank H. , Quiñones Maya , Fain Stephen J. , Álvarez-Berríos Nora L.
Published: July 2017

Global food security concerns emphasize the need for sustainable agriculture and local food production. In Puerto Rico, over 80 percent of food is imported, and local production levels have reached historical lows. Efforts to increase local food production are driven by government agencies, non-government organizations, farmers, and consumers. Integration of geographic information helps plan and balance the reinvention and invigoration of the agriculture sector while maintaining ecological services. We used simple criteria that included currently protected lands and the importance of slope and forest cover in protection from erosion to identify land well-suited for conservation, agriculture and forestry in Puerto Rico. Within these categories we assessed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) farmland soils classification data, lands currently in agricultural production, current land cover, and current land use planning designations. We found that developed lands occupy 13 percent of Puerto Rico; lands well-suited for conservation that include protected areas, riparian buffers, lands surrounding reservoirs, wetlands, beaches, and salt flats, occupy 45 percent of Puerto Rico; potential working lands encompass 42 percent of Puerto Rico. These include lands well-suited for mechanized and non-mechanized agriculture, such as row and specialty crops, livestock, dairy, hay, pasture, and fruits, which occupy 23 percent of Puerto Rico; and areas suitable for forestry production, such as timber and non-timber products, agroforestry, and shade coffee, which occupy 19 percent of Puerto Rico.
Development of a New Microextraction Fiber Combined to On-Line Sample Stacking Capillary Electrophoresis UV Detection for Acidic Drugs Determination in Real Water Samples
Authors: Espina-Benitez Maria , Araujo Lilia , Prieto Avismelsi , Navalón Alberto , Vílchez José , Valera Paola , Zambrano Ana , Dugas Vincent
Published: July 2017

A new analytical method coupling a (off-line) solid-phase microextraction with an on-line capillary electrophoresis (CE) sample enrichment technique was developed for the analysis of ketoprofen, naproxen and clofibric acid from water samples, which are known as contaminants of emerging concern in aquatic environments. New solid-phase microextraction fibers based on physical coupling of chromatographic supports onto epoxy glue coated needle were studied for the off-line preconcentration of these micropollutants. Identification and quantification of such acidic drugs were done by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) using ultraviolet diode array detection (DAD). Further enhancement of concentration sensitivity detection was achieved by on-line CE “acetonitrile stacking” preconcentration technique. Among the eight chromatographic supports investigated, Porapak Q sorbent showed higher extraction and preconcentration capacities. The screening of parameters that influence the microextraction process was carried out using a two-level fractional factorial. Optimization of the most relevant parameters was then done through a surface response three-factor Box-Behnken design. The limits of detection and limits of quantification for the three drugs ranged between 0.96 and 1.27 µg∙L−1 and 2.91 and 3.86 µg∙L−1, respectively. Recovery yields of approximately 95 to 104% were measured. The developed method is simple, precise, accurate, and allows quantification of residues of these micropollutants in Genil River water samples using inexpensive fibers.
Immunological and Inflammatory Impact of Non-Intubated Lung Metastasectomy
Authors: Mineo Tommaso , Sellitri Francesco , Vanni Gianluca , Gallina Filippo , Ambrogi Vincenzo
Published: July 2017

Background: We hypothesized that video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lung metastasectomy under non-intubated anesthesia may have a lesser immunological and inflammatory impact than the same procedure under general anesthesia. Methods: Between December 2005 and October 2015, 55 patients with pulmonary oligometastases (at the first episode) successfully underwent VATS metastasectomy under non-intubated anesthesia. Lymphocytes subpopulation and interleukins 6 and 10 were measured at different intervals and matched with a control group composed of 13 patients with similar clinical features who refused non-intubated surgery. Results: The non-intubated group demonstrated a lesser reduction of natural killer lymphocytes at 7 days from the procedure (p = 0.04) compared to control. Furthermore, the group revealed a lesser spillage of interleukin 6 after 1 (p = 0.03), 7 (p = 0.04), and 14 (p = 0.05) days. There was no mortality in any groups. Major morbidity rate was significantly higher in the general anesthesia group 3 (5%) vs. 3 (23%) (p = 0.04). The median hospital stay was 3.0 vs. 3.7 (p = 0.033) days, the estimated costs with the non-intubated procedure was significantly lower, even excluding the hospital stay. Conclusions: VATS lung metastasectomy in non-intubated anesthesia had significantly lesser impact on both immunological and inflammatory response compared to traditional procedure in intubated general anesthesia.
Multiple Species Comparison of Cardiac Troponin T and Dystrophin: Unravelling the DNA behind Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: England Jennifer , Loughna Siobhan , Rutland Catrin
Published: July 2017

Animals have frequently been used as models for human disorders and mutations. Following advances in genetic testing and treatment options, and the decreasing cost of these technologies in the clinic, mutations in both companion and commercial animals are now being investigated. A recent review highlighted the genes associated with both human and non-human dilated cardiomyopathy. Cardiac troponin T and dystrophin were observed to be associated with both human and turkey (troponin T) and canine (dystrophin) dilated cardiomyopathies. This review gives an overview of the work carried out in cardiac troponin T and dystrophin to date in both human and animal dilated cardiomyopathy.
Orthodontic Metallic Lingual Brackets: The Dark Side of the Moon of Bond Failures?
Authors: Sfondrini Maria , Gandini Paola , Gioiella Andrea , Zhou Feng , Scribante Andrea
Published: July 2017

Lingual orthodontics, among both young and adult patients, increased in popularity during last years. The purposes of the present investigation were to evaluate the shear bond strength (SBS) values and Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) scores of different lingual brackets compared with a vestibular control bracket. One hundred bovine teeth were extracted and embedded in resin blocks. Four different lingual brackets (Idea, Leone; STB, Ormco; TTR, RMO; 2D, Forestadent) and a vestibular control bracket (Victory, 3M) were bonded to the bovine enamel surfaces and subsequently shear tested to failure utilizing a Universal Testing Machine. SBS values were measured. A microscopic evaluation was performed to obtain ARI scores. Statistical analysis was performed at a statistically significant level of p < 0.05 to determine significant differences in SBS values and ARI Scores. No statistically significant variations in SBS were reported among the different groups. Conversely, significant differences were shown in ARI scores among the various groups. Clinical relevance of the present study is that orthodontists can expect similar resistance to debonding forces from lingual appliances as with vestibular brackets.
Tribological Evaluation of Date Palm Fruit Syrup–A Potential Environmental-Friendly Lubricant
Authors: Mohammed Abdul
Published: July 2017

Date palm is one of the most cultivated palms mostly found in the Middle Eastern regions of the world. The date palm fruits are not only nutritionally rich, but also have a good amount of fatty acids such as oleic acid, palmitic acid, and linoleic acids, which have excellent anti-wear and lubricating properties, making it a potentially good candidate to be used as an environmentally-friendly lubricant. This study is a preliminary effort to explore the lubricating properties of date palm fruit syrup by conducting ball-on-disc wear tests on mild steel samples. Different concentrations (50, 75, and 100 vol %) of the syrup in water were tested at a normal load of 50 N and a sliding linear speed of 0.1 m/s. Scanning electron microscopy and optical profilometry were used to characterize the wear tracks and estimate the wear rates. 100 vol % date syrup with a viscosity of 16.95 mPa·s showed excellent results by reducing the coefficient of friction of steel-on-steel from 0.6 (dry conditions) to a value of ~0.1. The depth of the wear track reduced from ~152 µm (dry conditions) to ~11 µm, signifying a considerable reduction in wear.
Probabilistic Flexural Fatigue in Plain and Fiber-Reinforced Concrete
Authors: Ríos José , Cifuentes Héctor , Yu Rena , Ruiz Gonzalo
Published: July 2017

The objective of this work is two-fold. First, we attempt to fit the experimental data on the flexural fatigue of plain and fiber-reinforced concrete with a probabilistic model (Saucedo, Yu, Medeiros, Zhang and Ruiz, Int. J. Fatigue, 2013, 48, 308–318). This model was validated for compressive fatigue at various loading frequencies, but not for flexural fatigue. Since the model is probabilistic, it is not necessarily related to the specific mechanism of fatigue damage, but rather generically explains the fatigue distribution in concrete (plain or reinforced with fibers) for damage under compression, tension or flexion. In this work, more than 100 series of flexural fatigue tests in the literature are fit with excellent results. Since the distribution of monotonic tests was not available in the majority of cases, a two-step procedure is established to estimate the model parameters based solely on fatigue tests. The coefficient of regression was more than 0.90 except for particular cases where not all tests were strictly performed under the same loading conditions, which confirms the applicability of the model to flexural fatigue data analysis. Moreover, the model parameters are closely related to fatigue performance, which demonstrates the predictive capacity of the model. For instance, the scale parameter is related to flexural strength, which improves with the addition of fibers. Similarly, fiber increases the scattering of fatigue life, which is reflected by the decreasing shape parameter.
[3+2] Cycloaddition of Tosylmethyl Isocyanide with Styrylisoxazoles: Facile Access to Polysubstituted 3-(Isoxazol-5-yl)pyrroles
Authors: Zhang Xueming , Xu Xianxiu , Zhang Dawei
Published: July 2017

A facile access to polysubstituted 3-(isoxazol-5-yl)pyrroles was developed through [3+2] cycloaddition of tosylmethyl isocyanide (TosMIC) and styrylisoxazoles. In the presence of KOH, various styrylisoxazoles reacted smoothly with tosylmethyl isocyanide and analogs to deliver a wide range of 3-(isoxazol-5-yl)pyrroles at ambient temperature. This transformation is operationally simple, high-yielding, and displays broad substrate scope.
Novel N-Arylaminophosphonates Bearing a Pyrrole Moiety and Their Ecotoxicological Properties
Authors: Lewkowski Jarosław , Morawska Marta , Kaczmarek Anna , Rogacz Diana , Rychter Piotr
Published: July 2017

A wide range of biological activities of aminophosphonates predisposes them to find applications as anticancer, antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal, or herbicidal agents. Despite a number of positive aspects of the use of aminophosphonates, their applications may cause a risk to the environment, which is well exemplified by the case of glyphosate. Therefore, scientists see a pressing need to rate ecotoxicity of aminophosphonates. Nowadays, it is recommended to use comprehensive tools to carry out appropriate and effective risk assessments of toxic substances. For these purposes, tests based on the acute toxicity of the luminescent bacteria Aliivibrio fischeri, as well as the measurement of sub-chronic toxicity of the crustacean Heterocypris incongruens seem to be the most convenient. A series of five diphenyl N-arylamino(pyrrole-2-yl)methylphosphonates was synthesized and preliminary evaluation of their ecotoxicological properties was performed. In order to carry out such investigations, we applied the two biotests mentioned above. Results showed that the N-(4-nitrophenyl) derivative was the most toxic for bacteria in comparison to other tested compounds. As for crustaceans, N-phenyl and N-naphthyl derivatives were found to be the most harmful, simultaneously being relatively harmless for bacteria. Such a phenomenon are discussed in correlation with the literature, while its reason is discussed with respect to the aspect of structure of the tested compounds.
Coinage Metal Complexes of the Carbenic Tautomer of a Conjugated Mesomeric Betaine Akin to Nitron
Authors: Thie Charlotte , Bruhn Clemens , Leibold Michael , Siemeling Ulrich
Published: July 2017

This study was motivated by our recent observation that the analytical reagent Nitron (2) is an “instant carbene”, whose reaction with coinage metal salts MX afforded complexes of its carbenic tautomer 1,4-diphenyl-3-phenylamino-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene (2′). Our aim was to establish an alkyl homologue of 2 in order to achieve a carbenic tautomer of higher donicity. For this purpose 1-tert-butyl-4-methyl-1,2,4-triazol-4-ium-3-tert-butylaminide (6) was synthesized. Its reactions with MX afforded complexes of the carbenic tautomer 1-tert-butyl-3-tert-butylamino-4-methyl-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene (6′). With a stoichiometric ratio of 1:1 complexes of the type [MX(6′)] were obtained. A ratio of 2:1 furnished complexes of the type [MX(6′)2] or [M(6′)2]X. 6′ is a better σ-donor and less electrophilic than 2′ according to NMR spectroscopic data of 6H[BF4] and 6′ = Se, respectively, and IR spectroscopic data of [RhCl(6′)(CO)2] confirm that its net electron donor capacity is superior to that of 2′. A comparison of the complexes of 2′ and 6′ reveals two pronounced structural differences. [CuX(6′)2] (X = Cl, Br) exhibit more acute C‒Cu‒C bond angles than [CuX(2′)2]. In contrast to [CuCl(2′)], [CuCl(6′)] aggregates through Cu···Cu contacts of ca. 2.87 Å, compatible with cuprophilic interactions. These differences may be explained by the complementary steric requirements of the t-Bu and the Me substituent of 6′.
Current Study of the Mechanism of Action of the Potential Anti-Epileptic Agent Q808
Authors: Li Xiang , Zhang Hong-Jian , Wang Qing , Zhang Dian-Wen , Wu Di , Li Wei , Quan Zhe-Shan
Published: July 2017

Our previous study showed that the anticonvulsant Q808 might be effective against seizures induced by maximal electroshock, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), isoniazid (ISO), thiosemicarbazide (THIO), and 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MP). In the present study, we explored the possible mechanism of action of Q808. Results obtained with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) suggest that Q808 may affect neurotransmitter content in the brain, by specifically increasing GABA content in the rat hippocampus at doses of 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg, and by reducing the content of glutamate and glutamine in the rat thalamus at a dose of 80 mg/kg. Intriguingly, there were no changes in the neurotransmitter content in the cortex in response to Q808. In vitro brain slice electrophysiological studies showed that 10−5 M Q808 enhanced the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) in corn cells of the CA1 area of the hippocampus, and had no effect on the amplitude of sIPSCs, the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs), or γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor-mediated currents in primary cultured hippocampal neurons. These findings suggest that the antiepileptic activity of Q808 may be due to its ability to increase the amount of GABA between synapses, without affecting the function of GABA receptors.
How Can Synergism of Traditional Medicines Benefit from Network Pharmacology?
Authors: Yuan Haidan , Ma Qianqian , Cui Heying , Liu Guancheng , Zhao Xiaoyan , Li Wei , Piao Guangchun
Published: July 2017

Abstract: Many prescriptions of traditional medicines (TMs), whose efficacy has been tested in clinical practice, have great therapeutic value and represent an excellent resource for drug discovery. Research into single compounds of TMs, such as artemisinin from Artemisia annua L., has achieved great success; however, it has become evident that a TM prescription (which frequently contains various herbs or other components) has a synergistic effect in effecting a cure or reducing toxicity. Network pharmacology targets biological networks and analyzes the links among drugs, targets, and diseases in those networks. Comprehensive, systematic research into network pharmacology is consistent with the perspective of holisticity, which is a main characteristic of many TMs. By means of network pharmacology, research has demonstrated that many a TM show a synergistic effect by acting at different levels on multiple targets and pathways. This approach effectively bridges the gap between modern medicine and TM, and it greatly facilitates studies into the synergistic actions of TMs. There are different kinds of synergistic effects with TMs, such as synergy among herbs, effective parts, and pure compounds; however, for various reasons, new drug discovery should at present focus on synergy among pure compounds.
Cultivating Fluorescent Flowers with Highly Luminescent Carbon Dots Fabricated by a Double Passivation Method
Authors: Han Shuai , Chang Tao , Zhao Haiping , Du Huanhuan , Liu Shan , Wu Baoshuang , Qin Shenjun
Published: July 2017

In this work, we present the fabrication of highly luminescent carbon dots (CDs) by a double passivation method with the assistance of Ca(OH)2. In the reaction process, Ca2+ protects the active functional groups from overconsumption during dehydration and carbonization, and the electron-withdrawing groups on the CD surface are converted to electron-donating groups by the hydroxyl ions. As a result, the fluorescence quantum yield of the CDs was found to increase with increasing Ca(OH)2 content in the reaction process. A blue-shift optical spectrum of the CDs was also found with increasing Ca(OH)2 content, which could be attributed to the increasing of the energy gaps for the CDs. The highly photoluminescent CDs obtained (quantum yield: 86%) were used to cultivate fluorescent carnations by a water culture method, while the results of fluorescence microscopy analysis indicated that the CDs had entered the plant tissue structure.
Postprandial Effects of Breakfast Glycemic Index on Vascular Function among Young Healthy Adults: A Crossover Clinical Trial
Authors: Sanchez-Aguadero Natalia , Patino-Alonso Maria , Mora-Simon Sara , Gomez-Marcos Manuel , Alonso-Dominguez Rosario , Sanchez-Salgado Benigna , Recio-Rodriguez Jose , Garcia-Ortiz Luis
Published: July 2017

This study aimed to evaluate the postprandial effects of high and low glycemic index (GI) breakfasts on vascular function. It was a crossover trial that included 40 young healthy adults (50% women), aged 20–40 years, who were recruited at primary care settings. They consumed three experimental breakfasts in randomized order, each one separated by a 1-week washout period: (1) control conditions (only water); (2) low GI (LGI) breakfast (29.4 GI and 1489 KJ energy); and (3) high GI (HGI) breakfast (64.0 GI and 1318 KJ energy). Blood samples were collected at 60 and 120 min after each breakfast to determine glucose and insulin levels. Vascular parameters were measured at 15 min intervals. Augmentation index (AIx) was studied as a primary outcome. Secondary outcomes comprised glucose, insulin, heart rate (HR) and pulse pressures (PPs). We found a trend toward increased AIx, HR and PPs for the HGI versus the LGI breakfast. A significant interaction between the type of breakfast consumed and all measured parameters was identified (p < 0.05) except for central PP. Stratifying data by sex, this interaction remained significant for AIx and augmentation pressure only in males (p < 0.05). In conclusion, breakfast GI could affect postprandial vascular responses in young healthy adults.
Feeding a Mixture of Choline Forms during Lactation Improves Offspring Growth and Maternal Lymphocyte Response to Ex Vivo Immune Challenges
Authors: Lewis Erin , Richard Caroline , Goruk Susan , Wadge Emily , Curtis Jonathan , Jacobs René , Field Catherine
Published: July 2017

Study objectives were to examine the impact of feeding a mixture of choline forms, or a diet high in glycerophosphocholine (GPC) on maternal immune function and offspring growth during lactation. Lactating Sprague-Dawley rat dams (n = 6/diet) were randomized to one of three diets, providing 1 g/kg total choline: Control (100% free choline (FC)), Mixed Choline (MC; 50% phosphatidylcholine (PC), 25% FC, 25% GPC), or High GPC (HGPC; 75% GPC, 12.5% PC, 12.5% FC). At 3 weeks, cell phenotypes and cytokine production with Concanavalin A (ConA)-or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated splenocytes and mesenteric lymphocytes were measured. Feeding MC or HGPC diets improved pups’ growth compared to Control (+22% body weight, p < 0.05). In spleen, MC-and HGPC-fed dams had higher proportions of cytotoxic (CD8+) T cells expressing CD27, CD71 and CD127, total B cells (CD45RA+) and dendritic cells (OX6+OX62+), and produced less IL-6 and IFN-γ after ConA than Control-fed dams (p < 0.05). MC and HGPC LPS-stimulated splenocytes produced less IL-1β and IL-6 than Control. ConA-stimulated mesenteric lymphocytes from MC and HGPC dams produced more IL-2 and IFN-γ than Control (p < 0.05). In summary, feeding a mixture of choline forms during lactation improved offspring growth and resulted in a more efficient maternal immune response following mitogenic immune challenge.
Butyrate Reduces HFD-Induced Adipocyte Hypertrophy and Metabolic Risk Factors in Obese LDLr-/-.Leiden Mice
Authors: Pelgrim Charlotte , Franx Bart , Snabel Jessica , Kleemann Robert , Arnoldussen Ilse , Kiliaan Amanda
Published: July 2017

Adipose tissue (AT) has a modulating role in obesity-induced metabolic complications like type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) via the production of so-called adipokines such as leptin, adiponectin, and resistin. The adipokines are believed to influence other tissues and to affect insulin resistance, liver function, and to increase the risk of T2DM. In this study, we examined the impact of intervention with the short-chain fatty acid butyrate following a high-fat diet (HFD) on AT function and other metabolic risk factors associated with obesity and T2DM in mice during mid- and late life. In both mid- and late adulthood, butyrate reduced HFD-induced adipocyte hypertrophy and elevations in leptin levels, which were associated with body weight, and cholesterol and triglyceride levels. HFD feeding stimulated macrophage accumulation primarily in epididymal AT in both mid- and late life adult mice, which correlated with liver inflammation in late adulthood. In late-adult mice, butyrate diminished increased insulin levels, which were related to adipocyte size and macrophage content in epididymal AT. These results suggest that dietary butyrate supplementation is able to counteract HFD-induced detrimental changes in AT function and metabolic outcomes in late life. These changes underlie the obesity-induced elevated risk of T2DM, and therefore it is suggested that butyrate has potential to attenuate risk factors associated with obesity and T2DM.
Meta-Analysis on Dietary Patterns and Pancreatic Cancer Risk: Methodological Limitations
Authors: Alizadeh Shahab , Esmaillzadeh Ahmad
Published: July 2017

Dear Editor, We read with great interest the article by Lu et al. [1] about the meta-analysis of 32 studies examining the association between dietary patterns and risk of pancreatic cancer (PC).[...]
Metabolic and Blood Pressure Effects of Walnut Supplementation in a Mouse Model of the Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Scott Nicola , Ellmers Leigh , Pilbrow Anna , Thomsen Lotte , Richards Arthur , Frampton Chris , Cameron Vicky
Published: July 2017

There is extensive evidence that walnut consumption is protective against cardiovascular disease and diabetes in the healthy population, but the beneficial effects of walnut consumption in individuals with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) remain uncertain. We compared a range of cardio-metabolic traits and related tissue gene expression associated with 21 weeks of dietary walnut supplementation in a mouse model of MetS (MetS-Tg) and wild-type (WT) mice (n = 10 per genotype per diet, equal males and females). Compared to standard diet, walnuts did not significantly alter food consumption or body weight trajectory of either MetS-Tg or WT mice. In MetS-Tg mice, walnuts were associated with reductions in oral glucose area under the curve (gAUC, standard diet 1455 ± 54, walnut 1146 ± 91, p = 0.006) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP, standard diet 100.6 ± 1.9, walnut 73.2 ± 1.8 mmHg, p < 0.001), with neutral effects on gAUC and MAP in WT mice. However, in MetS-Tg mice, walnuts were also associated with trends for higher plasma cholesterol (standard diet 4.73 ± 0.18, walnut 7.03 ± 1.99 mmol/L, p = 0.140) and triglyceride levels (standard diet 2.4 ± 0.5, walnut 5.4 ± 1.6 mmol/L, p = 0.061), despite lowering cholesterol and having no effect on triglycerides in WT mice. Moreover, in both MetS-Tg and WT mice, walnuts were associated with significantly increased liver expression of genes associated with metabolism (Fabp1, Insr), cell stress (Atf6, Ddit3, Eif2ak3), fibrosis (Hgf, Sp1, Timp1) and inflammation (Tnf, Ptpn22, Pparg). In conclusion, dietary walnuts were associated with modest favourable effects in WT mice, but a combination of beneficial and adverse effects in MetS-Tg mice, and up-regulation of hepatic pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory genes in both mouse strains.
Phase Mask-Based Multimodal Superresolution Microscopy
Authors: Beams Ryan , Woodcock Jeremiah , Gilman Jeffrey , Stranick Stephan
Published: July 2017

We demonstrate a multimodal superresolution microscopy technique based on a phase masked excitation beam in combination with spatially filtered detection. The theoretical foundation for calculating the focus from a non-paraxial beam with an arbitrary azimuthally symmetric phase mask is presented for linear and two-photon excitation processes as well as the theoretical resolution limitations. Experimentally this technique is demonstrated using two-photon luminescence from 80 nm gold particle as well as two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging of fluorescent polystyrene beads. Finally to illustrate the versatility of this technique we acquire two-photon fluorescence lifetime, two-photon luminescence, and second harmonic images of a mixture of fluorescent molecules and 80 nm gold particles with <120 nm resolution ( λ /7). Since this approach exclusively relies on engineering the excitation and collection volumes, it is suitable for a wide range of scanning-based microscopies.
Mapping Molecular Function to Biological Nanostructure: Combining Structured Illumination Microscopy with Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (SIM + FLIM)
Authors: Görlitz Frederik , Corcoran David , Garcia Castano Edwin , Leitinger Birgit , Neil Mark , Dunsby Christopher , French Paul
Published: July 2017

We present a new microscope integrating super-resolved imaging using structured illumination microscopy (SIM) with wide-field optically sectioned fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) to provide optical mapping of molecular function and its correlation with biological nanostructure below the conventional diffraction limit. We illustrate this SIM + FLIM capability to map FRET readouts applied to the aggregation of discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) in Cos 7 cells following ligand stimulation and to the compaction of DNA during the cell cycle.
Novel Two-Dimensional Conjugated Polymer Containing Fluorinated Bithiophene as Donor and Benzoselenodiazole as Acceptor Units with Vinyl-Terthiophene Pendants for Polymer Photovoltaic Cells
Authors: Raja Rathinam , Luo Shengkai , Hsiow Chuen-Yo , Rwei Syang-Peng , Wang Leeyih
Published: July 2017

Novel two-dimensional conjugated copolymer, abbreviated as PDTBSeVTT-2TF, containing electron-deficient 4,7-di(thiophen-2-yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]selenodiazole (DTBSe) unit, conjugated vinyl-terthiophene (VTT) side chain and 3,3′-difluoro-2,2′-bithiophene (2TF) was designed and synthesized using microwave-assisted Stille cross-coupling polymerization. UV–visible absorption and cyclic voltammetry studies revealed that this copolymer possesses a strong and broad absorption in the range of 300–800 nm and a narrow optical bandgap (Eg) of 1.57 eV with low-lying HOMO and LUMO energy levels. Further, the bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells (PSCs) were fabricated using PDTBSeVTT-2TF as donor and [6,6]-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) as acceptor with an inverted device structure of ITO/ZnO/PDTBSeVTT-2TF:PC71BM/V2O5/Ag. The processing temperature of blend solution for preparing PDTBSeVTT-2TF:PC71BM active layer showed obvious impact on the photovoltaic performance of solar devices. The cell fabricated from the blend solution at 65 °C exhibited enhanced power conversion efficiencies (PCE) of 5.11% with a Jsc of 10.99 mA/cm−2 compared with the one at 50 °C, which had a PCE of 4.69% with a Jsc of 10.10 mA/cm−2. This enhancement is due to the dissolution of PDTBSeVTT-2TF clusters into single molecules and small aggregates, improving the miscibility between the polymer and PC71BM and thus increasing the donor/acceptor interface.
Optimal Seamline Detection for Orthoimage Mosaicking by Combining Deep Convolutional Neural Network and Graph Cuts
Authors: Li Li , Yao Jian , Liu Yahui , Yuan Wei , Shi Shuzhu , Yuan Shenggu
Published: July 2017

When mosaicking orthoimages, especially in urban areas with various obvious ground objects like buildings, roads, cars or trees, the detection of optimal seamlines is one of the key technologies for creating seamless and pleasant image mosaics. In this paper, we propose a new approach to detect optimal seamlines for orthoimage mosaicking with the use of deep convolutional neural network (CNN) and graph cuts. Deep CNNs have been widely used in many fields of computer vision and photogrammetry in recent years, and graph cuts is one of the most widely used energy optimization frameworks. We first propose a deep CNN for land cover semantic segmentation in overlap regions between two adjacent images. Then, the energy cost of each pixel in the overlap regions is defined based on the classification probabilities of belonging to each of the specified classes. To find the optimal seamlines globally, we fuse the CNN-classified energy costs of all pixels into the graph cuts energy minimization framework. The main advantage of our proposed method is that the pixel similarity energy costs between two images are defined using the classification results of the CNN based semantic segmentation instead of using the image informations of color, gradient or texture as traditional methods do. Another advantage of our proposed method is that the semantic informations are fully used to guide the process of optimal seamline detection, which is more reasonable than only using the hand designed features defined to represent the image differences. Finally, the experimental results on several groups of challenging orthoimages show that the proposed method is capable of finding high-quality seamlines among urban and non-urban orthoimages, and outperforms the state-of-the-art algorithms and the commercial software based on the visual comparison, statistical evaluation and quantitative evaluation based on the structural similarity (SSIM) index.
Estimating Mangrove Canopy Height and Above-Ground Biomass in the Everglades National Park with Airborne LiDAR and TanDEM-X Data
Authors: Feliciano Emanuelle A. , Wdowinski Shimon , Potts Matthew D. , Lee Seung-Kuk , Fatoyinbo Temilola E.
Published: July 2017

Mangrove forests are important natural ecosystems due to their ability to capture and store large amounts of carbon. Forest structural parameters, such as canopy height and above-ground biomass (AGB), provide a good measure for monitoring temporal changes in carbon content. The protected coastal mangrove forest of the Everglades National Park (ENP) provides an ideal location for studying these processes, as harmful human activities are minimal. We estimated mangrove canopy height and AGB in the ENP using Airborne LiDAR/Laser (ALS) and TanDEM-X (TDX) datasets acquired between 2011 and 2013. Analysis of both datasets revealed that mangrove canopy height can reach up to ~25 m and AGB can reach up to ~250 Mg•ha−1. In general, mangroves ranging from 9 m to 12 m in stature dominate the forest canopy. The comparison of ALS and TDX canopy height observations yielded an R2 = 0.85 and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) = 1.96 m. Compared to a previous study based on data acquired during 2000–2004, our analysis shows an increase in mangrove stature and AGB, suggesting that ENP mangrove forests are continuing to accumulate biomass. Our results suggest that ENP mangrove forests have managed to recover from natural disturbances, such as Hurricane Wilma.
Towards a Cognitive Radar: Canada’s Third-Generation High Frequency Surface Wave Radar (HFSWR) for Surveillance of the 200 Nautical Mile Exclusive Economic Zone
Authors: Ponsford Anthony , McKerracher Rick , Ding Zhen , Moo Peter , Yee Derek
Published: July 2017

Canada’s third-generation HFSWR forms the foundation of a maritime domain awareness system that provides enforcement agencies with real-time persistent surveillance out to and beyond the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Cognitive sense-and-adapt technology and dynamic spectrum management ensures robust and resilient operation in the highly congested High Frequency (HF) band. Dynamic spectrum access enables the system to simultaneously operate on two frequencies on a non-interference and non-protected basis, without impacting other spectrum users. Sense-and-adapt technologies ensure that the system instantaneously switches to a new vacant channel on the detection of another user or unwanted jamming signal. Adaptive signal processing techniques mitigate against electrical noise, interference and clutter. Sense-and-adapt techniques applied at the detector and tracker stages maximize the probability of track initiation whilst minimizing the probability of false or otherwise erroneous track data.
Connecting the Members of Generation Y to Destination Brands: A Case Study of the CUBIS Project
Authors: Bochert Ralf , Cismaru Laura , Foris Diana
Published: July 2017

There is direct correlation between building powerful destination brands and the degree to which tourists and locals share the brands values. The massive penetration of the active population by Generation Y has generated a major shift in tourism marketing, based on the profile of this cohort. The members of Generation Y are very different from previous generations. The so-called “digital natives” share high technological proficiency; they like to share their skills; they are disloyal consumers; and they are affected by trends. In order to connect with members of Generation Y and to actively involve them into the life of tourist destinations, viral, participative, interactive, networked and versatile marketing techniques should be employed. This article introduces the Intelligent Solution for Brand Culturalization (CUBIS) Project, which is a collaborative research initiative that offers to Destination Management Organizations an innovative idea of how to connect the members of Generation Y with destination brands using information and communication technologies (ICT). The CUBIS Project aims to create emotional attachment with the brand values and supports the adoption of the brand by young locals and tourists. The CUBIS idea is flexible and highly adaptable to other destinations. The article uses exploratory qualitative research in the form of a case study.
Microlensing and Its Degeneracy Breakers: Parallax, Finite Source, High-Resolution Imaging, and Astrometry
Authors: Lee Chien-Hsiu
Published: July 2017

First proposed by Paczynski in 1986, microlensing has been instrumental in the search for compact dark matter as well as discovery and characterization of exoplanets. In this article, we provide a brief history of microlensing, especially on the discoveries of compact objects and exoplanets. We then review the basics of microlensing and how astrometry can help break the degeneracy, providing a more robust determination of the nature of the microlensing events. We also outline prospects that will be made by on-going and forth-coming experiments/observatories.
Application of Multi-Step Parameter Estimation Method Based on Optimization Algorithm in Sacramento Model
Authors: Zhang Gang , Xie Tuo , Zhang Lei , Hua Xia , Liu Fuchao
Published: July 2017

The Sacramento model is widely utilized in hydrological forecast, of which the accuracy and performance are primarily determined by the model parameters, indicating the key role of parameter estimation. This paper presents a multi-step parameter estimation method, which divides the parameter estimation of Sacramento model into three steps and realizes optimization step by step. We firstly use the immune clonal selection algorithm (ICSA) to solve the non-liner objective function of parameter estimation, and compare the parameter calibration result of ideal artificial data with Shuffled Complex Evolution (SCE-UA), Parallel Genetic Algorithm (PGA), and Serial Master-slaver Swarms Shuffling Evolution Algorithm Based on Particle Swarms Optimization (SMSE-PSO). The comparison result shows that ICSA has the best convergence, efficiency and precision. Then we apply ICSA to the parameter estimation of single-step and multi-step Sacramento model and simulate 32 floods based on application examples of Dongyang and Tantou river basins for validation. It is clearly shown that the results of multi-step method based on ICSA show higher accuracy and 100% qualified rate, indicating its higher precision and reliability, which has great potential to improve Sacramento model and hydrological forecast.
Recovering the Properties of High-redshift Galaxies with Different JWST Broadband Filters
Authors: Bisigello L. , Caputi K. I. , Colina L. , Le Fèvre O. , Nørgaard-Nielsen H. U. , Pérez-González P. G. , van der Werf P. , Ilbert O. , Grogin N. , Koekemoer A.
Published: July 2017

Imaging with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will allow observations of the bulk of distant galaxies at the epoch of reionization. The recovery of their properties, such as age, color excess

, specific star formation rate (sSFR), and stellar mass, will mostly rely on spectral energy distribution fitting, based on the data provided by JWST's two imager cameras, namely the Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) and the Mid Infrared Imager (MIRI). In this work we analyze the effect of choosing different combinations of NIRCam and MIRI broadband filters, from 0.6 to 7.7 μm, on the recovery of these galaxy properties. We performed our tests on a sample of 1542 simulated galaxies, with known input properties, at z = 7–10. We found that, with only eight NIRCam broadbands, we can recover the galaxy age within 0.1 Gyr and the color excess within 0.06 mag for 70% of the galaxies. Additionally, the stellar masses and sSFR are recovered within 0.2 and 0.3 dex, respectively, at z = 7–9. Instead, at z = 10, no NIRCam band traces purely the λ > 4000 Å regime and the percentage of outliers in stellar mass (sSFR) increases by >20% (>90%), in comparison to z = 9. The MIRI F560W and F770W bands are crucial to improve the stellar mass and the sSFR estimation at z = 10. When nebular emission lines are present, deriving correct galaxy properties is challenging at any redshift and with any band combination. In particular, the stellar mass is systematically overestimated in up to 0.3 dex on average with NIRCam data alone and including MIRI observations only marginally improves the estimation.
Meeting the Challenge from Bright and Fast Gamma-Ray Flares of 3C 279
Authors: Vittorini V. , Tavani M. , Cavaliere A.
Published: July 2017

Bright and fast gamma-ray flares with hard spectra have been recently detected from the blazar 3C 279, with apparent GeV luminosities up to 1049 erg s−1. The source is observed to flicker on timescales of minutes with no comparable optical–UV counterparts. Such observations challenge current models of high-energy emissions from 3C 279 and similar blazar sources that are dominated by relativistic jets along our line of sight with bulk Lorentz factors up to Γ ∼ 20 launched by supermassive black holes. We compute and discuss a model based on a clumpy jet comprising strings of compact plasmoids as indicated by radio observations. We follow the path of the synchrotron radiations emitted in the optical–UV bands by relativistic electrons accelerated around the plasmoids to isotropic Lorentz factors

γ
∼

10

3

. These primary emissions are partly reflected back by a leading member in the string that acts as a moving mirror for the approaching companions. Around the plasmoids, shrinking gap transient overdensities of seed photons build up. These are upscattered into the GeV range by inverse Compton interactions with the relativistic electrons accelerated in situ. We show that such a combined process produces bright gamma-ray flares with minor optical to X-ray enhancements. Main features of our model include: bright gamma-ray flares with risetimes as short as a few minutes, occurring at distances of order 1018 cm from the central black hole; Compton dominance at GeV energies by factors up to some 102; minimal reabsorption from local photon–photon interactions.