bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smenamide A Analogues. Synthesis and Biological Activity on Multiple Myeloma Cells
Authors: Caso Alessia , Laurenzana Ilaria , Lamorte Daniela , Trino Stefania , Esposito Germana , Piccialli Vincenzo , Costantino Valeria
Published: June 2018

Smenamides are an intriguing class of peptide/polyketide molecules of marine origin showing antiproliferative activity against lung cancer Calu-1 cells at nanomolar concentrations through a clear pro-apoptotic mechanism. To probe the role of the activity-determining structural features, the 16-epi-analogue of smenamide A and eight simplified analogues in the 16-epi series were prepared using a flexible synthetic route. The synthetic analogues were tested on multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines showing that the configuration at C-16 slightly affects the activity, since the 16-epi-derivative is still active at nanomolar concentrations. Interestingly, it was found that the truncated compound 8, mainly composed of the pyrrolinone terminus, was not active, while compound 13, essentially lacking the pyrrolinone moiety, was 1000-fold less active than the intact substance and was the most active among all the synthesized compounds.
Development and validation of a notational system to study the offensive process in football
Authors: Sarmento Hugo , Anguera Teresa , Campaniço Jorge , Leitão José
Published: June 2018

The most striking change within football development is the application of science to its problems and in particular the use of increasingly sophisticated technology that, supported by scientifi c data, allows us to establish a “code of reading” the reality of the game. Therefore, this study describes the process of the development and validation of an ad hoc system of categorization, which allows the different methods of offensive game in football and the interaction to be analyzed. Therefore, through an exploratory phase of the study, we identified 10 vertebrate criteria and the respective behaviors observed for each of these criteria. We heard a panel of five experts with the purpose of a content validation. The resulting instrument is characterized by a combination of fi eld formats and systems of categories. The reliability of the instrument was calculated by the intraobserver agreement, and values above 0.95 for all criteria were achieved. Two FC Barcelona games were coded and analyzed, which allowed the detection of various Tpatterns. The results show that the instrument serves the purpose for which it was developed and can provide important information for the understanding of game interaction in football.
Study of Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation Coatings on Aluminum Composites
Authors: Agureev Leonid , Savushkina Svetlana , Ashmarin Artem , Borisov Anatoly , Apelfeld Andrey , Anikin Kirill , Tkachenko Nikita , Gerasimov Mikhail , Shcherbakov Aleksandr , Ignatenko Vasily , Bogdashkina Natalia
Published: June 2018

Coatings, with a thickness of up to 75 µm, were formed by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) under the alternating current electrical mode in a silicate-alkaline electrolyte on aluminum composites without additives and alloyed with copper (1–4.5%). The coatings’ structure was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nuclear backscattering spectrometry, and XRD analysis. The coatings formed for 60 min were characterized by excessive aluminum content and the presence of low-temperature modifications of alumina γ-Al2O3 and η-Al2O3. The coatings formed for 180 min additionally contained high-temperature corundum α-Al2O3, and aluminum inclusions were absent. The electrochemical behavior of coated composites and uncoated ones in 3% NaCl was studied. Alloyage of aluminum composites with copper increased the corrosion current density. Plasma electrolytic oxidation reduced it several times.
Flexible Transparent Conductive Film Based on Random Networks of Silver Nanowires
Authors: Xie Hui , Yang Xing , Du Dexi , Zhao Yuzhen , Wang Yuehui
Published: June 2018

We synthesized silver nanowires (AgNWs) with a mean diameter of about 120 nm and 20–70 μm in length using a polyol process. The flexible transparent conductive AgNWs films were prepared using the vacuum filtration-transferring process, in which random AgNWs networks were transferred to a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate after being deposited on mixed cellulose esters (MCEs). Furthermore, the photoelectric and mechanical properties of the AgNWs films were studied. The scanning electron microscopy images show that the AgNWs randomly, uniformly distribute on the surface of the PET substrate, which indicates that the AgNWs structure was preserved well after the transfer process. The film with 81% transmittance at 550 nm and sheet resistance about 130 Ω·sq−1 can be obtained. It is sufficient to be used as a flexible transparent conductive film. However, the results of the bending test and tape test show that the adhesion of AgNWs and PET substrate is poor, because the sheet resistance of film increases during the bending test and tape test. The 0.06 W LED lamp with a series fixed on the surface of the AgNWs-PET electrode with conductive adhesive was luminous, and it was still luminous after bent.
Mucus: An Underestimated Gut Target for Environmental Pollutants and Food Additives
Authors: Gillois Kévin , Lévêque Mathilde , Théodorou Vassilia , Robert Hervé , Mercier-Bonin Muriel
Published: June 2018

Synthetic chemicals (environmental pollutants, food additives) are widely used for many industrial purposes and consumer-related applications, which implies, through manufactured products, diet, and environment, a repeated exposure of the general population with growing concern regarding health disorders. The gastrointestinal tract is the first physical and biological barrier against these compounds, and thus their first target. Mounting evidence indicates that the gut microbiota represents a major player in the toxicity of environmental pollutants and food additives; however, little is known on the toxicological relevance of the mucus/pollutant interplay, even though mucus is increasingly recognized as essential in gut homeostasis. Here, we aimed at describing how environmental pollutants (heavy metals, pesticides, and other persistent organic pollutants) and food additives (emulsifiers, nanomaterials) might interact with mucus and mucus-related microbial species; that is, “mucophilic” bacteria such as mucus degraders. This review highlights that intestinal mucus, either directly or through its crosstalk with the gut microbiota, is a key, yet underestimated gut player that must be considered for better risk assessment and management of environmental pollution.
Practical Asymmetric Synthesis of Sitagliptin Phosphate Monohydrate
Authors: Gao Haoling , Yu Jiangang , Ge Chengsheng , Jiang Qun
Published: June 2018

Optically pure sitagliptin phosphate monohydrate is efficiently and practically synthesized through a chiral hemiacetal as the key intermediate in 54% overall yield starting from (E)-4-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)but-2-enal and N-boc-protected hydroxylamine. The chiral hemiacetal fragment is constructed by a tandem aza-Michael/hemiacetal reaction catalyzed by an organocatalyst and the influence of acidity of Brønsted acid on tandem aza-Michael/hemiacetal reaction is researched in detail.
Amelioration of Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats Pretreated with Phycobiliproteins of Arthrospira (Spirulina) Maxima
Authors: Guzmán-Gómez Oscar , García-Rodríguez Rosa Virginia , Quevedo-Corona Lucía , Pérez-Pastén-Borja Ricardo , Rivero-Ramírez Nora Lilia , Ríos-Castro Emmanuel , Pérez-Gutiérrez Salud , Pérez-Ramos Julia , Chamorro-Cevallos Germán Alberto
Published: June 2018

Phycobiliproteins of Arthrospira (Spirulina) maxima have attracted attention because of their potential therapeutic antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to assess the possible antiulcerogenic activity of these phycobiliproteins (ExPhy) against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats. To explore the possible mechanisms of action, we examined antioxidant defense enzymes (e.g., catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase), as well as the level of lipid peroxidation (MDA) and the histopathological changes in the gastric mucosa. Intragastric administration of ExPhy (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight) significantly lowered the ulcer index value compared to the ulcer control group (p < 0.05). The greatest protection was provided by the concentration of 400 mg/kg. The histological study supported the observed gastroprotective activity of ExPhy, showing a reduced inflammatory response. Moreover, the alcohol-induced decrease in stomach antioxidant enzyme activity found in the ulcer control group was prevented by ExPhy pretreatment. Furthermore, ExPhy reversed the ethanol-induced increase in lipid peroxidation. In summary, the antiulcerogenic potential of ExPhy may be due, at least in part, to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Nobiletin Inhibits CD36-Dependent Tumor Angiogenesis, Migration, Invasion, and Sphere Formation Through the Cd36/Stat3/Nf-Κb Signaling Axis
Authors: Sp Nipin , Kang Dong , Kim Doh , Park Jong , Lee Hyo , Kim Hye , Darvin Pramod , Park Yeong-Min , Yang Young
Published: June 2018

Targeted cancer therapy with natural compounds is more effective than nontargeted therapy. Nobiletin is a flavonoid derived from citrus peel that has anticancer activity. Cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) is a member of the class B scavenger receptor family that is involved in importing fatty acids into cells. CD36 plays a role in tumor angiogenesis by binding to its ligand, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), and then interacting with transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1). CD36 is implicated in tumor metastasis through its roles in fatty acid metabolism. This study investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying nobiletin’s anticancer activity by characterizing its interactions with CD36 as the target molecule. We hypothesize that the anti-angiogenic activity of nobiletin involving its regulation of CD36 via signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) rather than through TSP-1. Gene analysis identified a Gamma interferon activation site (GAS) element in the CD36 gene promoter that acts as a STAT3 binding site, an interaction that was confirmed by ChIP assay. STAT3 interacts with nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), suggesting that nobiletin also acts through the CD36/ (STAT3)/NF-κB signaling axis. Nobiletin inhibited CD36-dependent breast cancer cell migration and invasion as well as CD36-mediated tumor sphere formation. Taken together, these results suggest that nobiletin inhibits cancer stem cells in multiple ways.
Biological and Clinical Aspects of an Olive Oil-Based Lipid Emulsion—A Review
Authors: Cai Wei , Calder Phillip C. , Cury-Boaventura Maria F. , De Waele Elisabeth , Jakubowski Julie , Zaloga Gary
Published: June 2018

Intravenous lipid emulsions (ILEs) have been an integral component of parenteral nutrition for more than 50 years. Numerous formulations are available and are based on vegetable (soybean, olive, coconut) and animal (fish) oils. Therefore, each of these formulations has a unique fatty acid composition that offers both benefits and limitations. As clinical experience and our understanding of the effects of fatty acids on various physiological processes has grown, there is evidence to suggest that some ILEs may have benefits compared with others. Current evidence suggests that olive oil-based ILE may preserve immune, hepatobiliary, and endothelial cell function, and may reduce lipid peroxidation and plasma lipid levels. There is good evidence from a large randomized controlled study to support a benefit of olive oil-based ILE over soybean oil-based ILE on reducing infections in critically ill patients. At present there is limited evidence to demonstrate a benefit of olive oil-based ILE over other ILEs on glucose metabolism, and few data exist to demonstrate a benefit on clinical outcomes such as hospital or intensive care unit stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, or mortality. We review the current research and clinical evidence supporting the potential positive biological and clinical aspects of olive oil-based ILE and conclude that olive oil-based ILE is well tolerated and provides effective nutritional support to various PN-requiring patient populations. Olive oil-based ILE appears to support the innate immune system, is associated with fewer infections, induces less lipid peroxidation, and is not associated with increased hepatobiliary or lipid disturbances. These data would suggest that olive oil-based ILE is a valuable option in various PN-requiring patient populations.
Effect of Graphene Nano-Additives on the Local Mechanical Behavior of Derived Polymer Nanocomposites
Authors: Tarfaoui Mostapha , Lafdi Khalid , Beloufa Imane , Daloia Debora , Muhsan Ali
Published: June 2018

In this study, indentation tests of graphene-based polymer nanocomposites were carried out to determine the local elastic mechanical properties. The samples consist of epoxy matrix with graphene additives. Additives were added at levels of 0% as a control, 0.5%, 1%, 2.5%, 5% and 10% by weight. The local elastic properties such as moduli and hardness were calculated. After each indentation, the prints were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It seems that the local mechanical properties of nanocomposite samples were improved as the amount of nano-additives increased. Based on the curve displacement and surface imaging, we can conclude that the nano-additives influenced the overall plastic mechanical behavior of the samples. For simulating micro-indentation test, a finite element analysis model was developed using ABAQUS software and compared to experimental tests. Good correlation was observed.
Visco-Hyperelastic Model with Damage for Simulating Cyclic Thermoplastic Elastomers Behavior Applied to an Industrial Component
Authors: Tobajas Rafael , Elduque Daniel , Ibarz Elena , Javierre Carlos , Canteli Alfonso F. , Gracia Luis
Published: June 2018

In this work a nonlinear phenomenological visco-hyperelastic model including damage consideration is developed to simulate the behavior of Santoprene 101-73 material. This type of elastomeric material is widely used in the automotive and aeronautic sectors, as it has multiple advantages. However, there are still challenges in properly analyzing the mechanical phenomena that these materials exhibit. To simulate this kind of material a lot of theories have been exposed, but none of them have been endorsed unanimously. In this paper, a new model is presented based on the literature, and on experimental data. The test samples were extracted from an air intake duct component of an automotive engine. Inelastic phenomena such as hyperelasticity, viscoelasticity and damage are considered singularly in this model, thus modifying and improving some relevant models found in the literature. Optimization algorithms were used to find out the model parameter values that lead to the best fit of the experimental curves from the tests. An adequate fitting was obtained for the experimental results of a cyclic uniaxial loading of Santoprene 101-73.
Heterogeneous Catalytic Composites from Palladium Nanoparticles in Montmorillonite Intercalated with Poly (Vinyl Pyrrolidone) Chains
Authors: Xu Mengdie , Zhao Jing , Shu Guiqing , Liu Qi , Zeng Minfeng
Published: June 2018

In this study, poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) chains intercalated montmorillonite (MMT) matrices has been demonstrated as an excellent scaffolding material for the immobilization of palladium (Pd) nanoparticles to prepare efficient heterogeneous catalysts for Heck reactions. Multiple layers (up to four) of PVP chains can intercalate the interlayer space of the MMT, resulting in an increase therein from 1.25 to 3.22 nm. MMT/PVP with PVP loading (20%) was selected as the platform for the immobilization of Pd. The in-situ reduction of the chelated Pd2+ into Pd0 in the interlayer space of MMT/PVP composite could be easily achieved. For the prepared Pd@MMT/PVP catalytic composite, a unique maze-like microstructure of Pd nanoparticles tightly encaged by PVP chains and by lamellae of layered silica has been detected by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Furthermore, the microstructure is well elucidated in molecular level by positron annihilation lifetime analysis of the Pd@MMT/PVP catalytic composite. The prepared Pd@MMT/PVP catalysts were highly active for the Heck coupling reactions between aromatic halides and alkenes, and could be recycled 9 times without significant decreases in coupling yields. The excellent comprehensive catalytic performances of the Pd@MMT/PVP catalytic composites are mainly attributed to their unique maze-like microstructure.
Novel Quantum Beams from Integrated Laser-Driven Accelerator Systems
Authors: Bolton Paul R.
Published: June 2018

n/a
Concentric Circle Pooling in Deep Convolutional Networks for Remote Sensing Scene Classification
Authors: Qi Kunlun , Guan Qingfeng , Yang Chao , Peng Feifei , Shen Shengyu , Wu Huayi
Published: June 2018

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been increasingly used in remote sensing scene classification/recognition. The conventional CNNs are sensitive to the rotation of the image scene, which will inevitably result in the misclassification of remote sensing scene images that belong to the same category. In this work, we equip the networks with a new pooling strategy, “concentric circle pooling”, to alleviate the above problem. The new network structure, called CCP-net can generate a concentric circle-based spatial-rotation-invariant representation of an image, hence improving the classification accuracy. The square kernel is adopted to approximate the circle kernels in concentric circle pooling, which is much more efficient and suitable for CNNs to propagate gradients. We implement the training of the proposed network structure with standard back-propagation, thus CCP-net is an end-to-end trainable CNNs. With these advantages, CCP-net should in general improve CNN-based remote sensing scene classification methods. Experiments using two publicly available remote sensing scene datasets demonstrate that using CCP-net can achieve competitive classification results compared with the state-of-art methods.
Winter Wheat Production Estimation Based on Environmental Stress Factors from Satellite Observations
Authors: Sui Juan , Qin Qiming , Ren Huazhong , Sun Yuanheng , Zhang Tianyuan , Wang Jiandong , Gong Shihong
Published: June 2018

The rapid and accurate estimation of wheat production at a regional scale is crucial for national food security and sustainable agricultural development. This study developed a new gross primary productivity (GPP) estimation model (denoted as the [ACPM]), based on the effects of light, heat, soil moisture, and nitrogen content (N) on the light-use efficiency of winter wheat. The ACPM model used the quantic additivity of the environmental factors to improve the minimum form or multiple multiplication form in the previous model and thus characterized the joint effects of heat, soil moisture, and N on crop photosynthesis performance. The key parameters (i.e., light) were determined from the photosynthetically active radiation product of the Himawari-8 sensor and the fraction of photosynthetically active radiation product of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The heat was determined from the land temperature products of MODIS. The soil moisture was obtained from the inversion using a visible and shortwave infrared drought index (VSDI), whereas the N stress of winter wheat was detected using the newly developed modified ratio vegetation index (MRVI), which could accurately obtain the spatiotemporal distribution of the leaf chlorophyll content of winter wheat. The ACPM and two other previous models (named the GPP1 and GPP2 models) were applied on the Himawari-8 and MODIS images in Hengshui City. The evaluation results, based on the ground measurement, indicated that the ACPM models exhibited the best estimate of dry aboveground biomass (DAM) and the wheat yield in Hengshui City, with errors of <10% and <12% for the DAM and yield, respectively. Considering the easy operation of the ACPM model and the accessibility of the corresponding satellite images, the Agriculture Crop Photosynthesis Model (ACPM) can be expected to provide information on the winter wheat shortfalls and surplus ahead of the availability of official statistical data.
Online 3D Displacement Measurement Using Speckle Interferometer with a Single Illumination-Detection Path
Authors: Lu Min , Wang Shengjia , Bilgeri Laura , Song Xian , Jakobi Martin , Koch Alexander W.
Published: June 2018

Measurement systems for online nondestructive full-field three-dimensional (3D) displacement based on the single-shot and multiplexing techniques attract more and more interest, especially throughout the manufacturing industries. This paper proposes an accurate and easy-to-implement method based on an electronic speckle pattern interferometer (ESPI) with single illumination-detection path to realize the online nondestructive full-field 3D displacement measurement. The simple and compact optical system generates three different sensitivity vectors to enable the evaluation of the three orthogonal displacement components. By applying the spatial carrier phase-shifting technique, the desired information can be obtained in real time. The theoretical analysis and the measurement results have proven the feasibility of this ESPI system and quantified its relative measurement error.
Exploring the Exponentially Decaying Merit of an Out-of-Sequence Observation
Authors: Yoder Josiah , Baek Stanley , Kwon Hyukseong , Pack Daniel
Published: June 2018

It is well known that in a Kalman filtering framework, all sensor observations or measurements contribute toward improving the accuracy of state estimation, but, as observations become older, their impact toward improving estimations becomes smaller to the point that they offer no practical benefit. In this paper, we provide an practical technique for determining the merit of an old observation using system parameters. We demonstrate that the benefit provided by an old observation decreases exponentially with the number of observations captured and processed after it. To quantify the merit of an old observation, we use the filter gain for the delayed observation, found by re-processing all past measurements between the delayed observation and the current time estimate, a high cost task. We demonstrate the value of the proposed technique to system designers using both nearly-constant position (random walk) and nearly-constant velocity (discrete white-noise acceleration, DWNA) cases. In these cases, the merit (that is, gain) of an old observation can be computed in closed-form without iteration. The analysis technique incorporates the state transition function, the observation function, the state transition noise, and the observation noise to quantify the merit of an old observation. Numerical simulations demonstrate the accuracy of these predictions even when measurements arrive randomly according to a Poisson distribution. Simulations confirm that our approach correctly predicts which observations increase estimation accuracy based on their delay by comparing a single-step out-of-sequence Kalman filter with a selective version that drops out-of-sequence observations. This approach may be used in system design to evaluate feasibility of a multi-agent target tracking system, and when selecting system parameters including sensor rates and network latencies.
Cloud-Based Behavioral Monitoring in Smart Homes
Authors: Mora Niccolò , Matrella Guido , Ciampolini Paolo
Published: June 2018

Environmental sensors are exploited in smart homes for many purposes. Sensor data inherently carries behavioral information, possibly useful to infer wellness and health-related insights in an indirect fashion. In order to exploit such features, however, powerful analytics are needed to convert raw sensor output into meaningful and accessible knowledge. In this paper, a complete monitoring architecture is presented, including home sensors and cloud-based back-end services. Unsupervised techniques for behavioral data analysis are presented, including: (i) regression and outlier detection models (also used as feature extractors for more complex models); (ii) statistical hypothesis testing frameworks for detecting changes in sensor-detected activities; and (iii) a clustering process, leveraging deep learning techniques, for extracting complex, multivariate patterns from daily sensor data. Such methods are discussed and evaluated on real-life data, collected within several EU-funded projects. Overall, the presented methods may prove very useful to build effective monitoring services, suitable for practical exploitation in caregiving activities, complementing conventional telemedicine techniques.
Antecedents for College Students’ Environmentally Responsible Behavior: Implications for Collective Impact and Sustainable Tourism
Authors: Pan Yu , Liu Jian-Guo
Published: June 2018

With the advent of mass tourism, tourism-related environmental problems are often reported in the news media. Tourists’ environmentally responsible behaviors (TERB) are critical for solving tourism environmental problems. This study argues that college students are a critical source of collective impact for tourism sustainability, and examines chained relationships that might determine college student TERB. Five hundred and twenty-five (525) college tourists were surveyed. Structural equation modeling was used to determine the relationships among the variables and the mediating effects. Results confirmed our proposed relationships of chained influences from tourism destination image (as key information) to tourist expectation (as cognition), to perceived quality and value (as experiences), to tourist satisfaction, loyalty, and complaints (as emotional reflection), and finally to TERB. Such results shed light on TERB education and construction, as well as on the collective impact for sustainable tourism.
Determinants of Organic Cotton Apparel Purchase: A Comparison of Young Consumers in the U.S.A. and South Korea
Authors: Han Tae-Im
Published: June 2018

The purpose of this research was to examine consumers from distinct cultural groups and identify similarities and differences in their green purchase behaviors. The sample consisted of consumers from the U.S.A. and South Korea and the theory of planned behavior was used as a theoretical framework to test the influence of diverse constructs on consumers’ purchase intentions toward organic cotton apparel. For both countries, perceived behavioral control (PBC) and descriptive norms were strong predictors of purchase intentions and injunctive norms strongly influenced attitude formation. However, the study also found different results between the two groups. For example, while attitude was the strongest predictor of purchase intentions in the U.S.A. group (strength of influence on intentions: attitude > descriptive norms > PBC > injunctive norms), it had an insignificant effect in the South Korea group. For the South Korea group descriptive norms and PBC had strongest effects on consumers purchase intentions (strength of influence on intentions: descriptive norms = PBC > injunctive norms > attitude). South Koreans were more affected by the social pressure: their purchase intentions were strongly influenced by both injunctive norms and descriptive norms in contrast to the findings from American consumers. Injunctive norms were an insignificant predictor of purchase intentions in the U.S.A. group. This result is consistent with previous research that suggest conformity is a crucial factor for people belonging to a collectivistic culture. Exposure of others’ purchasing behavior is particularly important in motivating consumers’ buying in collectivistic culture. Marketers of organic cotton apparel may consider using diverse formats of media to display consumers’ ethical buying behaviors or creating product design or packaging that can directly reveal the ethical features of the product to display greater exposure in the market.
Pricing Industrial Discharge Quota (IDQ): A Model Reflecting Opportunity Cost of Performing Ecological Responsibility
Authors: Lu Tengda , Dai Xieer , Chen Jun , Dai Ming
Published: June 2018

The upper reaches of a river system are often trapped in the dilemma of choosing between industrial development and headwater protection. One of the solutions is eco-compensation, which, however, is a public-fiscal arrangement lacking inspiration and sustainability. Instead, industrial discharge quota (IDQ) was put forward as a marketized approach: the maximum industrial discharge a river can afford is allocated as quotas and quotas are allowed to be traded. However, what pricing principle in the primary market can IDQ price refer to? How can enough incentives be given to local governments when they are reluctant to implement emission reduction policy? Given that some previous studies have proven the influence of fiscal income and reputation on governments’ incentives, this paper introduces these into our model as main factors. Through analysis, two models—government model and enterprise model—are formulated based on opportunity cost theory to deal with this problem. The first sets basic prices and the latter notifies enterprises’ behaviors. Then, this paper applies our first model to a sample region, Fogang County in Pearl River Basin. The results demonstrate that the upstream can obtain adequate compensation for their opportunity loss and local governments can be with strong motivation by our method.
Examining Shanghai Consumer Preferences for Electric Vehicles and Their Attributes
Authors: Nie Yongyou , Wang Enci , Guo Qinxin , Shen Junyi
Published: June 2018

In this study, we conducted a stated choice survey in Shanghai in order to examine the attitudes of Shanghai residents towards electric vehicles and their attributes. Multinomial Logit and Random Parameter Logit models were used to analyze the response data for three samples—the full sample, a subsample of potential electric vehicle purchasers, and a subsample of unlikely electric vehicle purchasers. We found that the respondents in each of the three groups preferred electric vehicles with a longer driving range, a shorter charging time, a faster maximum speed, lower pollution emissions, lower fuel cost, and a lower price. However, an overlong driving range seems not to be a must for potential electric vehicles (EV) purchasers. In addition, a comparison of the two subsamples showed that potential electric vehicle purchasers were willing to pay more than their counterparts for enhancing vehicle attributes. We also investigated the determinants of likely electric vehicle purchase and found a number of demographic characteristics that were statistically significant.
Comprehensive Value Discovery of Land Consolidation Projects: An Empirical Analysis of Shanghai, China
Authors: Shi Yishao , Cao Xiangyang , Fu Dongmei , Wang Yuncai
Published: June 2018

The purpose of land consolidation is to promote moderately sized agricultural operations, intensive land use, concentrated population living and agglomerated industrial development. Previous research has primarily been macro- or mesoscale studies based on land ledger data, and analyzed only the effect of land consolidation on landscape ecological changes, only the resource and economic effects, or social effects or environmental effects of land consolidation. Aimed at addressing these shortcomings, an empirical analysis on the micro-scale based on land use patch data rather than land ledger data was conducted. Then, comprehensive research on land consolidation projects by integrating landscape pattern analysis with production, living, and ecological benefit assessments was performed. Furthermore, the relationship between land consolidation projects and the “Three Concentrations” policy was considered. The results show that: (1) land consolidation has directly or indirectly improved landscape ecological patterns of the project area; and (2) land consolidation has clearly improved the balanced distribution of cultivated land and the concentrated distribution of construction land in the project area. These changes not only improve the living conditions of farmers but also meet the construction requirements of the “Three Concentrations” in the Shanghai metropolitan suburbs.
Barcelona, Housing Rent Bubble in a Tourist City. Social Responses and Local Policies
Authors: Blanco-Romero Asunción , Blázquez-Salom Macià , Cànoves Gemma
Published: June 2018

Ten years after the housing bubble burst, Barcelona has experienced an increase in rental prices. This increase in prices is due to a combination of factors such as household debt, urban entrepreneurialism and the marketing of the city, evictions, investment by speculative capital, changes in tenancy and an increase in rental housing for tourists. Overcrowding from tourists is gaining ground as a concern in multifunctional cities. Through an analysis of statistics and in-depth interviews with qualified agents, it is possible to observe how social struggles and unsustainability have outraged citizens and pitted them against overcrowding from tourism and the commodification of the city. The local administration of Barcelona has tried to respond to the situation by initiating a process of regulation through urban and tourism planning. Our analysis shows that these actions are of great importance but are not enough to alleviate some of the drawbacks, such as the shortage of rental housing and an excess of hotel beds.
Fuzzy Association Rule Based Froth Surface Behavior Control in Zinc Froth Flotation
Authors: Zhang Jin , Tang Zhaohui , Ai Mingxi , Gui Weihua
Published: June 2018

Froth flotation is a vital mineral concentration process. Froth surface behavior is the knowledge about flotation working condition. However, in computer vision aided froth surface behavior control, there are still two challenges that need to be tackled seriously. Against the difficulty in the froth surface behavior representation, this paper proposes to combine the bubble size distribution (BSD) and froth velocity distribution. As far as we know, this is the first time that the froth velocity distribution is presented. Against the difficulty in the adaptive generation of the optimal froth surface behavior feature (optimal setpoint), this paper introduces the fuzzy apriori to mine the association rule between the current working condition and the optimal setpoint. Then, a fuzzy inference module is constructed to generate optimal setpoint for current working condition adaptively. Many validation experiments and comparison experiments demonstrate the superiority and robustness of the proposed methods.
Gauss Map and Its Applications on Ruled Submanifolds in Minkowski Space
Authors: Jung Sun Mi , Kim Young Ho
Published: June 2018

We study ruled submanifolds in Minkowski space in regard to the Gauss map satisfying some partial differential equation. As a generalization of usual cylinders, cones and null scrolls in a three-dimensional Minkowski space, a cylinder over a space curve, a product manifold of a right cone and a k-plane, a product manifold of a hyperbolic cone and a k-plane which look like kinds of cylinders over cones in 3-space, and the generalized B-scroll kind in Minkowski space are characterized with the partial differential equation regarding the Gauss map, where k is a positive integer.
Improved Symmetry Measures of Simplified Neutrosophic Sets and Their Decision-Making Method Based on a Sine Entropy Weight Model
Authors: Cui Wenhua , Ye Jun
Published: June 2018

This work indicates the insufficiency of existing symmetry measures (SMs) between asymmetry measures of simplified neutrosophic sets (SNSs) and proposes the improved normalized SMs of SNSs, including the improved SMs and weighted SMs in single-valued and interval neutrosophic settings. Then, the sine entropy measures of SNSs are presented to establish a sine entropy weight model for solving the criteria weights in decision-making. Based on the improved weighted SMs of SNSs and the sine entropy weight model, a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method with unknown criteria weights (an improved MCDM method) is established in the SNS setting. In the MCDM process, corresponding to the criteria weights obtained by the sine entropy model, the ranking order of all alternatives and the best one are given by means of the improved weighted SMs between the ideal solution and each alternative. Lastly, the improved MCDM method is applied to an actual decision example in single-valued and interval neutrosophic settings to indicate the feasibility of the improved MCDM method. By comparative analysis with existing MCDM methods, the improved SMs and the sine entropy weight model not only provide a simpler and more effective method for MCDM problems with unknown criteria weights in the SNS setting, but can also overcome the insufficiency of the existing SMs and MCDM method.
A Bi-Level Programming Model for the Railway Express Cargo Service Network Design Problem
Authors: Lin Boliang , Wu Jianping , Wang Jiaxi , Duan Jingsong , Zhao Yinan
Published: June 2018

Service network design is fundamentally crucial for railway express cargo transportation. The main challenge is to strike a balance between two conflicting objectives: low network setup costs and high expected operational incomes. Different configurations of these objectives will have different impacts on the quality of freight transportation services. In this paper, a bi-level programming model for the railway express cargo service network design problem is proposed. The upper-level model forms the optimal decisions in terms of the service characteristics, and the low-level model selects the service arcs for each commodity. The rail express cargo is strictly subject to the service commitment, the capacity restriction, flow balance constraints, and logical relationship constraints among the decisions variables. Moreover, linearization techniques are used to convert the lower-level model to a linear one so that it can be directly solved by a standard optimization solver. Finally, a real-world case study based on the Beijing–Guangzhou Railway Line is carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed solution approach.
Translational Venomics: Third-Generation Antivenomics of Anti-Siamese Russell’s Viper, Daboia siamensis, Antivenom Manufactured in Taiwan CDC’s Vaccine Center
Authors: Sanz Libia , Quesada-Bernat Sarai , Chen Pei , Lee Cheng , Chiang Jen , Calvete Juan
Published: June 2018

The venom proteome of Siamese Russell’s viper from Taiwan, alongside complementary in vivo lethality neutralization assay and in vitro third-generation antivenomics assessment of the preclinical efficacy of the homologous antivenom manufactured in Taiwan CDC’s Vaccine Center, are here reported. Taiwanese Russell’s viper venom proteome comprised 25 distinct gene products, with the heterodimeric PLA2 viperotoxin-F representing the most abundant toxin (47.5% of total venom proteome). Coagulation FV-activating serine proteinase (RVV-V, 14%), the PIV-SVMP activator of FX (RVV-FX, 8.5%), and less abundant toxins from nine protein families, make up its venom proteome. Venom composition-pathology correlations of D. siamensis envenomings in Taiwan are discussed. The lethal effect of Taiwanese D. siamensis venom was 0.47 mg/g mouse. Antivenomics-guided assessment of the toxin recognition landscape of the Taiwanese Russell’s viper antivenom, in conjunction with complementary in vivo neutralization analysis, informed the antivenom’s maximal toxin immunorecognition ability (14 mg total venom proteins/vial), neutralization capacity (6.5 mg venom/vial), and relative content of lethality neutralizing antibodies (46.5% of the toxin-binding F(ab’)2 antibodies). The antivenomics analysis also revealed suboptimal aspects of the CDC-Taiwan antivenom. Strategies to improve them are suggested.
A Magnetohydrodynamic Simulation of Magnetic Null-point Reconnections in NOAA AR 12192, Initiated with an Extrapolated Non-force-free Field
Authors: Prasad A. , Bhattacharyya R. , Hu Qiang , Kumar Sanjay , Nayak Sushree S.
Published: June 2018

The magnetohydrodynamics of the solar corona is simulated numerically. The simulation is initialized with an extrapolated non-force-free magnetic field using the vector magnetogram of the active region NOAA 12192, which was obtained from the solar photosphere. Particularly, we focus on the magnetic reconnections (MRs) occurring close to a magnetic null point that resulted in the appearance of circular chromospheric flare ribbons on 2014 October 24 around 21:21 UT, after the peak of an X3.1 flare. The extrapolated field lines show the presence of the three-dimensional (3D) null near one of the polarity-inversion lines—where the flare was observed. In the subsequent numerical simulation, we find MRs occurring near the null point, where the magnetic field lines from the fan plane of the 3D null form a X-type configuration with underlying arcade field lines. The footpoints of the dome-shaped field lines, inherent to the 3D null, show high gradients of the squashing factor. We find slipping reconnections at these quasi-separatrix layers, which are co-located with the post-flare circular brightening observed at chromospheric heights. This demonstrates the viability of the initial non-force-free field, along with the dynamics it initiates. Moreover, the initial field and its simulated evolution are found to be devoid of any flux rope, which is congruent with the confined nature of the flare.
A High-resolution Study of Presupernova Core Structure
Authors: Sukhbold Tuguldur , Woosley S. E. , Heger Alexander
Published: June 2018

The density structure surrounding the iron core of a massive star when it dies is known to have a major effect on whether or not the star explodes. Here we repeat previous surveys of presupernova evolution with some important corrections to code physics and four to 10 times better mass resolution in each star. The number of presupernova masses considered is also much larger. Over 4000 models are calculated in the range from 12 to 60 M
⊙ with varying mass loss rates. The core structure is not greatly affected by the increased spatial resolution. The qualitative patterns of compactness measures and their extrema are the same, but with the increased number of models, the scatter seen in previous studies is replaced by several localized branches. More physics-based analyses by Ertl et al. and Müller et al. show these branches with less scatter than the single-parameter characterization of O’Connor & Ott. These branches are particularly apparent for stars in the mass ranges 14–19 and 22–24 M
⊙. The multivalued solutions are a consequence of interference between several carbon- and oxygen-burning shells during the late stages of evolution. For a relevant range of masses, whether a star explodes or not may reflect the small, almost random differences in its late evolution more than its initial mass. The large number of models allows statistically meaningful statements about the radius, luminosity, and effective temperatures of presupernova stars, their core structures, and their remnant mass distributions.
The Lives of Stars: Insights from the TGAS–RAVE–LAMOST Data Set
Authors: Vickers John J. , Smith Martin C.
Published: June 2018

In this paper, we investigate how the chemical and kinematic properties of stars vary as a function of age. Using data from a variety of photometric, astrometric, and spectroscopic surveys, we calculate the ages, phase space information, and orbits for ∼125,000 stars covering a wide range of stellar parameters. We find indications that the inner regions of the disk reached high levels of enrichment early, while the outer regions were more substantially enriched in intermediate and recent epochs. We consider these enrichment histories through comparison of the ages of stars, their metallicities, and kinematic properties, such as their angular momentum in the solar neighborhood (which is a proxy for orbital radius). We calculate rates at which the velocity dispersions evolve, investigate the Oort constants for populations of different ages (finding a slightly negative ∂V
C/∂R and ∂V

R
/∂R for all ages, which is most negative for the oldest stars), as well as examine the behavior of the deviation angle of the velocity vertex as a function of age (which we find to fall from ∼15° for the 2 Gyr old population to ∼6° at around 6.5 Gyr of age, after which it remains unchanged). We find evidence for stellar churning, and find that the churned stars have a slightly younger age distribution than the rest of the data.
A Stringent Limit on the Mass Production Rate of r-process Elements in the Milky Way
Authors: Macias Phillip , Ramirez-Ruiz Enrico
Published: June 2018

We analyze data from several studies of metal-poor stars in the Milky Way, focusing individually on the main r-process elements (Eu) as well as the lighter neutron-capture element Sr, at the neutron-magic peak N = 50. Because these elements were injected in an explosion, we calculate the mass swept up when the blast wave first becomes radiative, yielding a lower limit for the dilution of such elements and hence a lower limit on the ejecta mass that is incorporated into the next generation of stars. Our study demonstrates that in order to explain the largest enhancements in [Eu/Fe] observed in stars at low [Fe/H] metallicities, individual r-process production events must synthesize a minimum of roughly 10−3
M
⊙ of r-process material. This provides a critical constraint on galactic chemical evolution models. We also show independently that if the site of Mg production is the same as that of Eu, individual injection events must synthesize up to ∼10−3
M
⊙ of r-process material. On the other hand, demanding that Sr traces Mg production results in r-process masses per event of ∼10−5
M
⊙ . This suggests that the astrophysical sites responsible for the genesis of the main r-process elements need to operate at a drastically reduced rate when compared to standard core-collapse supernovae.
C. Licinius Adin: uno de los últimos iberos
Authors: Simón Cornago Ignacio
Published: June 2018

Résumé Un cachet, sur un dolium de Can Pedrerol, porte le texte C. LIC. ADIN. Il s’agit d’un individu, avec un cognomen ibérique, appartenant à la gens Licinia , une des grandes familles et parmi les plus connues de Barcino qui se consacrait à l’exploitation vinicole. La présence d’un cognomen ibérique dans l’onomastique de cet individu est à souligner, car rares sont les mentions d’un nom ibérique dans l’épigraphie latine.
Tradition in the Making: New Approaches on Panegyricus Latinus , XII(9)
Authors: Maranesi Alessandro
Published: June 2018

Résumé Le propos de cet article est de montrer comment, sous le règne de Constantin le Grand, la reconstruction de la mémoire reposait sur des bases locales. On se focalisera, en particulier, sur Panegyricus Latinus , XII(9) [= IX(12) CUF] pour démontrer qu’il résultait d’une perspective gauloise païenne. L’utilisation du passé récent que fait le rhétoricien dans son récit de la bataille du pont Milvius prouve que, dans cette période de transition, la reconstruction de la victoire de Constantin était la résultante de divers agents politiques.