bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity of Nanocrystalline First Transition-Metal (Ti, Mn, Co, Ni and Zn) Oxisde Nanofibers by Electrospinning
Authors: Chen Yu , Lu Weipeng , Guo Yanchuan , Zhu Yi , Lu Haojun , Song Yeping
Published: December 2018

In this work, five nanocrystalline first transition-metal (Ti, Mn, Co, Ni and Zn) oxide nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning and controlled calcination. The morphology, crystal structure, pore size distribution and specific surface area were systematically studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), surface and pore analysis, and thermo gravimetric analyzer (TGA). The results reveal that the obtained nanofibers have a continuously twisted three-dimensional scaffold structure and are composed of neat nanocrystals with a necklace-like arrangement. All the samples possess high specific surface areas, which follow the order of NiO nanofiber (393.645 m2/g) > TiO2 nanofiber (121.445 m2/g) > ZnO nanofiber (57.219 m2/g) > Co3O4 nanofiber (52.717 m2/g) > Mn2O3 nanofiber (18.600 m2/g). Moreover, the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution was investigated in detail by employing the five kinds of metal oxide nanofibers as photocatalysts under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation separately. The results show that ZnO, TiO2 and NiO nanofibers exhibit excellent photocatalytic efficiency and high cycling ability to MB, which may be ascribed to unique porous structures and the highly efficient separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. In brief, this paper aims to provide a feasible approach to achieve five first transition-metal oxide nanofibers with excellent performance, which is important for practical applications.
Design and Experimental Evaluation of a Single-Actuator Continuous Hopping Robot Using the Geared Symmetric Multi-Bar Mechanism
Authors: Bai Long , Zheng Fan , Chen Xiaohong , Sun Yuanxi , Hou Junzhan
Published: December 2018

This paper proposes the design and performance evaluation of a miniaturized continuous hopping robot RHop for unstructured terrain. The hopping mechanism of RHop is realized by an optimized geared symmetric closed-chain multi-bar mechanism that is transformed from the eight-bar mechanism, and the actuator of RHop is realized by a servo motor and the clockwork spring, thereby enabling RHop to realize continuous hopping while its motor rotates continuously only in one direction. Comparative simulations and experiments are conducted for RHop. The results show that RHop can realize better continuous hopping performance, as well as the improvement of energy conversion efficiency from 70.98% to 76.29% when the clockwork spring is applied in the actuator. In addition, comparisons with some state-of-the-art hopping robots are conducted, and the normalized results show that RHop has a better energy storage speed.
Guide snoRNAs: Drivers or Passengers in Human Disease?
Authors: Deogharia Manisha , Majumder Mrinmoyee
Published: December 2018

In every domain of life, RNA-protein interactions play a significant role in co- and post-transcriptional modifications and mRNA translation. RNA performs diverse roles inside the cell, and therefore any aberrancy in their function can cause various diseases. During maturation from its primary transcript, RNA undergoes several functionally important post-transcriptional modifications including pseudouridylation and ribose 2′-O-methylation. These modifications play a critical role in the stability of the RNA. In the last few decades, small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) were revealed to be one of the main components to guide these modifications. Due to their active links to the nucleoside modification, deregulation in the snoRNA expressions can cause multiple disorders in humans. Additionally, host genes carrying snoRNA-encoding sequences in their introns also show differential expression in disease. Although few reports support a causal link between snoRNA expression and disease manifestation, this emerging field will have an impact on the way we think about biomarkers or identify novel targets for therapy. This review focuses on the intriguing aspect of snoRNAs that function as a guide in post-transcriptional RNA modification, and regulation of their host genes in human disease.
Emerging Insights into the Function of Kinesin-8 Proteins in Microtubule Length Regulation
Authors: Shrestha Sanjay , Hazelbaker Mark , Yount Amber L. , Walczak Claire E.
Published: December 2018

Proper regulation of microtubules (MTs) is critical for the execution of diverse cellular processes, including mitotic spindle assembly and chromosome segregation. There are a multitude of cellular factors that regulate the dynamicity of MTs and play critical roles in mitosis. Members of the Kinesin-8 family of motor proteins act as MT-destabilizing factors to control MT length in a spatially and temporally regulated manner. In this review, we focus on recent advances in our understanding of the structure and function of the Kinesin-8 motor domain, and the emerging contributions of the C-terminal tail of Kinesin-8 proteins to regulate motor activity and localization.
Life-Cycle Asset Management in Residential Developments Building on Transport System Critical Attributes via a Data-Mining Algorithm
Authors: Hasan Umair , Whyte Andrew , Al Jassmi Hamad
Published: December 2018

Public transport can discourage individual car usage as a life-cycle asset management strategy towards carbon neutrality. An effective public transport system contributes greatly to the wider goal of a sustainable built environment, provided the critical transit system attributes are measured and addressed to (continue to) improve commuter uptake of public systems by residents living and working in local communities. Travel data from intra-city travellers can advise discrete policy recommendations based on a residential area or development’s public transport demand. Commuter segments related to travelling frequency, satisfaction from service level, and its value for money are evaluated to extract econometric models/association rules. A data mining algorithm with minimum confidence, support, interest, syntactic constraints and meaningfulness measure as inputs is designed to exploit a large set of 31 variables collected for 1,520 respondents, generating 72 models. This methodology presents an alternative to multivariate analyses to find correlations in bigger databases of categorical variables. Results here augment literature by highlighting traveller perceptions related to frequency of buses, journey time, and capacity, as a net positive effect of frequent buses operating on rapid transit routes. Policymakers can address public transport uptake through service frequency variation during peak-hours with resultant reduced car dependence apt to reduce induced life-cycle environmental burdens of buildings by altering residents’ mode choices, and a potential design change of buildings towards a public transit-based, compact, and shared space urban built environment.
Glioblastoma: Microenvironment and Niche Concept
Authors: Schiffer Davide , Annovazzi Laura , Casalone Cristina , Corona Cristiano , Mellai Marta
Published: December 2018

The niche concept was originally developed to describe the location of normal neural stem cells (NSCs) in the subependymal layer of the sub-ventricular zone. In this paper, its significance has been extended to the location of tumor stem cells in glioblastoma (GB) to discuss the relationship between GB stem cells (GSCs) and endothelial cells (ECs). Their interaction is basically conceived as responsible for tumor growth, invasion and recurrence. Niches are described as the points of utmost expression of the tumor microenvironment (TME), therefore including everything in the tumor except for tumor cells: NSCs, reactive astrocytes, ECs, glioma-associated microglia/macrophages (GAMs), myeloid cells, pericytes, fibroblasts, etc. and all intrinsic and extrinsic signaling pathways. Perivascular (PVNs), perinecrotic (PNNs) and invasive niches were described from the pathological point of view, highlighting the basic significance of the EC/tumor stem cell couple. PNN development was reinterpreted based on the concept that hyperproliferative areas of GB are composed of GSCs/progenitors. TME was depicted in its function as the main regulator of everything that happens in the tumor. A particular emphasis was given to GAMs, pericytes and reactive astrocytes as important elements affecting proliferation, growth, invasion and resistance to therapies of tumor cells.
The Role of DNA/Histone Modifying Enzymes and Chromatin Remodeling Complexes in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors
Authors: Lobo João , Henrique Rui , Jerónimo Carmen
Published: December 2018

It is well established that cancer cells exhibit alterations in chromatin structure and accessibility. Indeed, the dysregulation of many protein-coding players with enzymatic activity (DNA and histone-modifying enzymes) and chromatin remodelers have been depicted in various tumor models in recent years. Still, little attention has been directed towards testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs)—representing the most common neoplasm among young adult Caucasian men—with most studies focusing on exploring the role of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and DNA demethylases (TETs). TGCTs represent a complex tumor model, associated with developmental and embryogenesis-related phenomena, and display seldom (cyto)genetic aberrations, leaving room for Epigenetics to explain such morphological and clinical diversity. Herein, we have summarized the major findings that were reported in literature regarding the dysregulation of DNA/histone-modifying enzymes and chromatin remodelers in TGCTs. Additionally, we performed in silico analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas database to find the most relevant of those players in TGCTs. We concluded that several DNA/histone-modifying enzymes and chromatin remodelers may serve as biomarkers for subtyping, dictating prognosis and survival, and, possibly, for serving as targets of directed, less toxic therapies.
microRNA-23a in Human Cancer: Its Roles, Mechanisms and Therapeutic Relevance
Authors: Wang Ning , Tan Hor-Yue , Feng Yi-Gang , Zhang Cheng , Chen Feiyu , Feng Yibin
Published: December 2018

microRNA-23a (miR-23a) is one of the most extensively studied miRNAs in different types of human cancer, and plays various roles in the initiation, progression, and treatment of tumors. Here, we comprehensively summarize and discuss the recent findings about the role of miR-23a in cancer. The differential expression of tissue miR-23a was reported, potentially indicating cancer stages, angiogenesis, and metastasis. miR-23a in human biofluid, such as plasma and salivary fluid, may be a sensitive and specific marker for early diagnosis of cancer. Tissue and circulating miR-23a serves as a prognostic factor for cancer patient survival, as well as a predictive factor for response to anti-tumor treatment. The direct and indirect regulation of miR-23a on multiple gene expression and signaling transduction mediates carcinogenesis, tumor proliferation, survival, cell migration and invasion, as well as the response to anti-tumor treatment. Tumor cell-derived miR-23a regulates the microenvironment of human cancer through manipulating both immune function and tumor vascular development. Several transcriptional and epigenetic factors may contribute to the dysregulation of miR-23a in cancer. This evidence highlights the essential role of miR-23a in the application of cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.
Can We Design a Nogo Receptor-Dependent Cellular Therapy to Target MS?
Authors: Kim Min Joung , Kang Jung Hee , Theotokis Paschalis , Grigoriadis Nikolaos , Petratos Steven
Published: December 2018

The current landscape of therapeutics designed to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) and its pathological sequelae is saturated with drugs that modify disease course and limit relapse rates. While these small molecules and biologicals are producing profound benefits to patients with reductions in annualized relapse rates, the repair or reversal of demyelinated lesions with or without axonal damage, remains the principle unmet need for progressive forms of the disease. Targeting the extracellular pathological milieu and the signaling mechanisms that drive neurodegeneration are potential means to achieve neuroprotection and/or repair in the central nervous system of progressive MS patients. The Nogo-A receptor-dependent signaling mechanism has raised considerable interest in neurological disease paradigms since it can promulgate axonal transport deficits, further demyelination, and extant axonal dystrophy, thereby limiting remyelination. If specific therapeutic regimes could be devised to directly clear the Nogo-A-enriched myelin debris in an expedited manner, it may provide the necessary CNS environment for neurorepair to become a clinical reality. The current review outlines novel means to achieve neurorepair with biologicals that may be directed to sites of active demyelination.
The Role of ATG16 in Autophagy and The Ubiquitin Proteasome System
Authors: Xiong Qiuhong , Li Wenjing , Li Ping , Yang Min , Wu Changxin , Eichinger Ludwig
Published: December 2018

Autophagy and the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) are the two major cellular degradation pathways, which are critical for the maintenance of cell homeostasis. The two pathways differ in their mechanisms and clients. The evolutionary conserved ATG16 plays a key role in autophagy and appears to link autophagy with the UPS. Here, we review the role of ATG16 in different species. We summarize the current knowledge of its functions in autophagosome membrane expansion and autophagosome formation, in Crohn’s disease, and in bacterial sequestration. In addition, we provide information on its autophagy-independent functions and its role in the crosstalk between autophagy and the UPS.
Characterization, Bioactivity and Antibacterial Properties of Copper-Based TiO2 Bioceramic Coatings Fabricated on Titanium
Authors: Durdu Salih
Published: December 2018

The bioactive and anti-bacterial Cu-based bioceramic TiO2 coatings have been fabricated on cp-Ti (Grade 2) by two-steps. These two-steps combine micro-arc oxidation (MAO) and physical vapor deposition–thermal evaporation (PVD-TE) techniques for dental implant applications. As a first step, all surfaces of cp-Ti substrate were coated by MAO technique in an alkaline electrolyte, consisting of Na3PO4 and KOH in de-ionized water. Then, as a second step, a copper (Cu) nano-layer with 5 nm thickness was deposited on the MAO by PVD-TE technique. Phase structure, morphology, elemental amounts, thickness, roughness and wettability of the MAO and Cu-based MAO coating surfaces were characterized by XRD (powder- and TF-XRD), SEM, EDS, eddy current device, surface profilometer and contact angle goniometer, respectively. The powder- and TF-XRD spectral analyses showed that Ti, TiO2, anatase-TiO2 and rutile-TiO2 existed on the MAO and Cu-based MAO coatings’ surfaces. All coatings’ surfaces were porous and rough, owing to the presence of micro sparks through MAO. Furthermore, the surface morphology of Cu-based MAO was not changed. Also, the Cu-based MAO coating has more hydrophilic properties than the MAO coating. In vitro bioactivity and in vitro antibacterial properties of the coatings have been investigated by immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) at 36.5 °C for 28 days and bacterial adhesion for gram-positive (S. aureus) and gram-negative (E. coli) bacteria, respectively. The apatite layer was formed on the MAO and Cu-based MAO surfaces at post-immersion in SBF and therefore, the bioactivity of Cu-based MAO surface was increased to the MAO surface. Also, for S. aureus and E. coli, the antibacterial properties of Cu-based MAO coatings were significantly improved compared to one of the uncoated MAO surfaces. These results suggested that Cu-based MAO coatings on cp-Ti could be a promising candidate for biomedical dental implant applications.
Surface Treatments on the Characteristics of Metal–Oxide Semiconductor Capacitors
Authors: Horng Ray-Hua , Tseng Ming-Chun , Wuu Dong-Sing
Published: December 2018

The properties of metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) capacitors with different chemical treatments have been examined in this study. A MOS capacitor consists of an Al2O3/n-GaN/AlN buffer/Si substrate. Four chemical treatments, containing organic solvents, oxygen plasma and BCl3 plasma, dilute acidic and alkali solvents, and hydrofluoric acid, were used to reduce the metal ions, native oxides, and organic contaminants. The n-GaN surface was treated with these chemical treatments before Al2O3 was grown on the treated n-GaN surface to reduce the interface state trap density (Dit). The value of Dit was calculated using the capacitance–voltage curve at 1 MHz. The Dit of a u-GaN surface was modified using various solutions, which further influenced the contact properties of GaN.
LiCrO2 Under Pressure: In-Situ Structural and Vibrational Studies
Authors: Garg Alka B. , Errandonea Daniel , Pellicer-Porres Julio , Martinez-Garcia Domingo , Kesari Swayam , Rao Rekha , Popescu Catalin , Bettinelli Marco
Published: December 2018

The high-pressure behaviour of LiCrO2, a compound isostructural to the battery compound LiCoO2, has been investigated by synchrotron-based angle-dispersive X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and resistance measurements up to 41, 30, and 10 Gpa, respectively. The stability of the layered structured compound on a triangular lattice with R-3m space group is confirmed in all three measurements up to the highest pressure reached. The dependence of lattice parameters and unit-cell volume with pressure has been determined from the structural refinements of X-ray diffraction patterns that are used to extract the axial compressibilities and bulk modulus by means of Birch–Murnaghan equation-of-state fits. The pressure coefficients for the two Raman-active modes, A1g and Eg, and their mode-Grüneisen parameters are reported. The electrical resistance measurements indicate that pressure has little influence in the resistivity up to 10 GPa. The obtained results for the vibrational and structural properties of LiCrO2 under pressure are in line with the published results of the similar studies on the related compounds. Research work reported in this article contributes significantly to enhance the understanding on the structural and mechanical properties of LiCrO2 and related lithium compounds.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or What? The International Consensus Criteria
Authors: Twisk Frank
Published: December 2018

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is a neuromuscular disease with two distinctive types of symptoms (muscle fatigability or prolonged muscle weakness after minor exertion and symptoms related to neurological disturbance, especially of sensory, cognitive, and autonomic functions) and variable involvement of other bodily systems. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), introduced in 1988 and re-specified in 1994, is defined as (unexplained) chronic fatigue accompanied by at least four out of eight listed (ill-defined) symptoms. Although ME and CFS are two distinct clinical entities (with partial overlap), CFS overshadowed ME for decades. In 2011, a panel of experts recommended abandoning the label CFS and its definition and proposed a new definition of ME: the International Consensus Criteria for ME (ME-ICC). In addition to post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), a mandatory feature, a patient must experience at least three symptoms related to neurological impairments; at least three symptoms related to immune, gastro-intestinal, and genitourinary impairments; and at least one symptom related to energy production or transportation impairments to meet the diagnosis of ME-ICC. A comparison between the original definition of ME and the ME-ICC shows that there are some crucial differences between ME and ME-ICC. Muscle fatigability, or long-lasting post-exertional muscle weakness, is the hallmark feature of ME, while this symptom is facultative for the diagnosis under the ME-ICC. PENE, an abstract notion that is very different from post-exertional muscle weakness, is the hallmark feature of the ME-ICC but is not required for the diagnosis of ME. The diagnosis of ME requires only two type of symptoms (post-exertional muscle weakness and neurological dysfunction), but a patient has to experience at least eight symptoms to meet the diagnosis according to the ME-ICC. Autonomic, sensory, and cognitive dysfunction, mandatory for the diagnosis of ME, are not compulsory to meet the ME-ICC subcriteria for ‘neurological impairments’. In conclusion, the diagnostic criteria for ME and of the ME-ICC define two different patient groups. Thus, the definitions of ME and ME-ICC are not interchangeable.
Entropy, Carnot Cycle, and Information Theory
Authors: Martinelli Mario
Published: December 2018

The fundamental intuition that Carnot had in analyzing the operation of steam machines is that something remains constant during the reversible thermodynamic cycle. This invariant quantity was later named “entropy” by Clausius. Jaynes proposed a unitary view of thermodynamics and information theory based on statistical thermodynamics. The unitary vision allows us to analyze the Carnot cycle and to study what happens when the entropy between the beginning and end of the isothermal expansion of the cycle is considered. It is shown that, in connection with a non-zero Kullback–Leibler distance, minor free-energy is available from the cycle. Moreover, the analysis of the adiabatic part of the cycle shows that the internal conversion between energy and work is perturbed by the cost introduced by the code conversion. In summary, the information theoretical tools could help to better understand some details of the cycle and the origin of possible asymmetries.
Effects of Postural Education and Physical Activity on UCLA Evaluation and Health Status in Adults from Chile: An Intervention Program
Authors: Zurita-Ortega Félix , Chacón-Cuberos Ramón , Fernández-Sánchez Manuel , Cofre-Bolados Cristian , Navarro-Zurita María Concepción , Castro-Sánchez Manuel
Published: December 2018

Shoulder pathologies among the adult population are increasing, causing a high concern in health-educational institutions. The aim of this research is to take a step further and to conduct a detailed study of the relationship between the application of Jackins technique and a postural education program for people affected by shoulder problems. This quasi-experimental study was carried out on 41 adults with shoulder pathologies, with an average age of 58.17±11.75. The main instruments used were the UCLA Test, Thermometer Euroqol of Health, and an ad-hoc questionnaire. In addition, SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. The results show that the Jackins shoulder rehabilitation program produces significant improvements in participants who it was applied to, causing a positive increase in shoulder evaluation and health status. Similarly, participants who were given a postural education treatment did not experience any modification in these variables. The Jackins program resulted in improvements in reference to shoulder evaluation. Thus, the course of the intervention program based on physical activity (six months) produces functional improvements in shoulder pathology through supervised therapeutic exercises and home intervention in patients with subacromial syndrome.
Exploring Responsible Project Management Education
Authors: Silvius Gilbert , Schipper Ron
Published: December 2018

As projects are evolving from tactical level ‘tasks’ to societally-relevant ‘instruments of change’, the theories, methods, and practices of project management need to evolve, too. Academic programs on project management, logically, should be frontrunners in this development, which calls for societally-relevant and ‘responsible’ project management education. Following the model of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education, some first ideas on what Responsible Project Management Education should entail developed. The study presented in this article uses meta-synthesis to explore the meaning and characteristics of responsible project management education. The study concludes nine characteristics that provide a conceptual starting point for more empirical research on the topic.
Resonant Converter with Voltage-Doubler Rectifier or Full-Bridge Rectifier for Wide-Output Voltage and High-Power Applications
Authors: Lin Bor-Ren , Lin Guan-Hong , Jian Aries
Published: December 2018

This paper presents a resonant converter with the benefits of wide output voltage, wide soft switching characteristics for power devices and high circuit efficiency. Since the series resonant circuit is adopted on the primary side, the power switches are turned on under zero voltage switching and power diodes on the secondary side can be turned off under zero current switching. To overcome the drawback of narrow voltage operation range in the conventional resonant converter, full-bridge rectifier and voltage-doubler rectifier topologies are employed on the secondary side for low-voltage output and high-voltage output applications. Therefore, the voltage rating of power devices on the secondary side is clamped at output voltage, rather than two times output voltage, in the center-tapped rectifier circuit. Synchronous power switches are used on the secondary side to further reduce the conduction losses so that the circuit efficiency can be further improved. To verify the theoretical analysis and circuit performance, a laboratory prototype with 1 kW rated power was built and tested.
Incremental State-Space Model Predictive Control of a Fresnel Solar Collector Field
Authors: Camacho Eduardo F. , Gallego Antonio J. , Sanchez Adolfo J. , Berenguel Manuel
Published: December 2018

Model predictive control has been demonstrated to be one of the most efficient control techniques for solar power systems. An incremental offset-free state-space Model Predictive Controller (MPC) is developed for the Fresnel collector field located at the solar cooling plant installed on the roof of the Engineering School of Sevilla. A robust Luenberger observer is used for estimating the states of the plant which cannot be measured. The proposed strategy is tested on a nonlinear distributed parameter model of the Fresnel collector field. Its performance is compared to that obtained with a gain-scheduling generalized predictive controller. A real test carried out at the real plant is presented, showing that the proposed strategy achieves a very good performance.
A Comparison of Widespread Flexible Residential Electric Heating and Energy Efficiency in a Future Nordic Power System
Authors: Rasku Topi , Kiviluoma Juha
Published: December 2018

Integrating ever-increasing amounts of variable renewable energy (VRE) into the power system could benefit from harnessing widespread residential demand-side management. This paper presents case studies on the potential benefits of power-to-heat (P2H) flexibility and energy efficiency improvements in a hypothetical future Finnish detached housing stock in the year 2030, both as a part of the larger Nordic power system and in an isolated Finnish power system. The housing stock was depicted using two archetype houses modeled using a simple lumped capacitance approach, integrally optimized as a part of a stochastic linear programming unit commitment model of the power system. With sufficient amounts of VRE, residential P2H with thermal storage was found to yield more system cost savings than simple energy efficiency improvements. However, energy efficiency improvements remained more beneficial for house owners, as excessive use of residential P2H for assisting the power system could result in increased heating costs.
Interoperability Testing Methodology for Smart Grids and Its Application on a DSM Use Case—A Tutorial
Authors: Andreadou Nikoleta , Papaioannou Ioulia , Masera Marcelo
Published: December 2018

Interoperability is a challenge for the realisation of smart grids. In this work, we first present an interoperability testing methodology, which is substantial to perform interoperability tests for the smart grid. To show its applicability and facilitate its comprehension, we present an example by applying it on a Demand Side Management (DSM) use case. The DSM use case is chosen because it is a major topic for modern grids and it involves the participation of many actors. The tutorial exemplifies the interactions among those actors. The Smart Grid Architecture Model SGAM framework is used, where the mapping of the use case is presented along with the Message Sequence Chart (MSC). Then we describe the profiling of the equipment, relevant technical information and standards, which form the basis for the design and execution of the interoperability tests. We focus on the technical part of the interoperability testing; therefore, attention is focused on the information and communication layer. We present how the interoperability tests should take place and we analytically show the respective Test Cases (TC). The verdict of the test should be either PASS or FAIL. The paper shows how to successfully use the methodology for interoperability testing on a specific use case, whereas its applicability can be extended to any smart grid interoperability use case.
A Review: Individual Tree Species Classification Using Integrated Airborne LiDAR and Optical Imagery with a Focus on the Urban Environment
Authors: Wang Kepu , Wang Tiejun , Liu Xuehua
Published: December 2018

With the significant progress of urbanization, cities and towns are suffering from air pollution, heat island effects, and other environmental problems. Urban vegetation, especially trees, plays a significant role in solving these ecological problems. To maximize services provided by vegetation, urban tree species should be properly selected and optimally arranged. Therefore, accurate classification of tree species in urban environments has become a major issue. In this paper, we reviewed the potential of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data to improve the accuracy of urban tree species classification. In detail, we reviewed the studies using LiDAR data in urban tree species mapping, especially studies where LiDAR data was fused with optical imagery, through classification accuracy comparison, general workflow extraction, and discussion and summarizing of the specific contribution of LiDAR. It is concluded that combining LiDAR data in urban tree species identification could achieve better classification accuracy than using either dataset individually, and that such improvements are mainly due to finer segmentation, shadowing effect reduction, and refinement of classification rules based on LiDAR. Furthermore, some suggestions are given to improve the classification accuracy on a finer and larger species level, while also aiming to maintain classification costs.
Changes in the Composition of the Lactic Acid Bacteria Behavior and the Diversity of Oenococcus oeni Isolated from Red Wines Supplemented with Selected Grape Phenolic Compounds
Authors: Collombel Ingrid , Campos Francisco M. , Hogg Tim
Published: December 2018

Phenolic compounds are important components of wine and are known to have an impact on the physiology of wine microbes. The influence of specific sub-sets of phenolic compounds on the growth and metabolism of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and on the diversity of Oenococcus oeni in inoculated and non-inoculated red wines was investigated during malolactic fermentation (MLF) and subsequent storage. Representative O. oeni strains from wines treated with flavonols and trans-resveratrol were isolated and analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of rare restriction enzyme digests (REA-PFGE). 28 days after MLF initiation, strains from all samples had entered the death phase, except those supplemented with trans-resveratrol. In the non-inoculated samples, the onset of lactic acid production was apparently delayed by all compounds tested, except for the flavan-3-ols. Increased levels of phenolics also delayed citrate consumption in inoculated samples. PFGE analysis revealed 22 genetic profiles, and some profiles were characteristics of specific samples. The commercial starter used in the inoculated wines did not dominate during MLF. The effect of the phenolics studied was dependent on the origin and concentration of each as well, as the fermentation stage and whether the wines were inoculated. The effect of flavonols and trans-resveratrol seemed to be strain-dependent, which could have implications on the final quality of wines.
Broadening Understanding on Managing the Communication Infrastructure in Vehicular Networks: Customizing the Coverage Using the Delta Network
Authors: Silva Cristiano M. , Silva Lucas D. , Santos Leonardo A. L. , Sarubbi João F. M. , Pitsillides Andreas
Published: December 2018

Over the past few decades, the growth of the urban population has been remarkable. Nowadays, 50% of the population lives in urban areas, and forecasts point that by 2050 this number will reach 70%. Today, 64% of all travel made is within urban environments and the total amount of urban kilometers traveled is expected to triple by 2050. Thus, seeking novel solutions for urban mobility becomes paramount for 21st century society. In this work, we discuss the performance of vehicular networks. We consider the metric Delta Network. The Delta Network characterizes the connectivity of the vehicular network through the percentage of travel time in which vehicles are connected to roadside units. This article reviews the concept of the Delta Network and extends its study through the presentation of a general heuristic based on the definition of scores to identify the areas of the road network that should receive coverage. After defining the general heuristic, we show how small changes in the score computation can generate very distinct (and interesting) patterns of coverage, each one suited to a given scenario. In order to exemplify such behavior, we propose three deployment strategies based on simply changing the computation of scores. We compare the proposed strategies to the intuitive strategy of allocating communication units at the most popular zones of the road network. Experiments show that the strategies derived from the general heuristic provide higher coverage than the intuitive strategy when using the same number of communication devices. Moreover, the resulting pattern of coverage is very interesting, with roadside units deployed a circle pattern around the traffic epicenter.
Harnessing machine learning for fiber-induced nonlinearity mitigation in long-haul coherent optical OFDM
Authors: Giacoumidis Elias , Lin Yi , Wei Jinlong , Aldaya Ivan , Tsokanos Athanasios , Barry Liam P.
Published: December 2018

Coherent optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (CO-OFDM) has attracted a lot of interest in optical fiber communications due to its simplified digital signal processing (DSP) units, high spectral-efficiency, flexibility, and tolerance to linear impairments. However, CO-OFDM’s high peak-to-average power ratio imposes high vulnerability to fiber-induced non-linearities. DSP-based machine learning has been considered as a promising approach for fiber non-linearity compensation without sacrificing computational complexity. In this paper, we review the existing machine learning approaches for CO-OFDM in a common framework and review the progress in this area with a focus on practical aspects and comparison with benchmark DSP solutions.
Insights into Xylan Degradation and Haloalkaline Adaptation through Whole-Genome Analysis of Alkalitalea saponilacus, an Anaerobic Haloalkaliphilic Bacterium Capable of Secreting Novel Halostable Xylanase
Authors: Liao Ziya , Holtzapple Mark , Yan Yanchun , Wang Haisheng , Li Jun , Zhao Baisuo
Published: December 2018

The obligately anaerobic haloalkaliphilic bacterium Alkalitalea saponilacus can use xylan as the sole carbon source and produce propionate as the main fermentation product. Using mixed carbon sources of 0.4% (w/v) sucrose and 0.1% (w/v) birch xylan, xylanase production from A. saponilacus was 3.2-fold greater than that of individual carbon sources of 0.5% (w/v) sucrose or 0.5% (w/v) birch xylan. The xylanse is halostable and exhibits optimal activity over a broad salt concentration (2–6% NaCl). Its activity increased approximately 1.16-fold by adding 0.2% (v/v) Tween 20. To understand the potential genetic mechanisms of xylan degradation and molecular adaptation to saline-alkali extremes, the complete genome sequence of A. saponilacus was performed with the pacBio single-molecule real-time (SMRT) and Illumina Misseq platforms. The genome contained one chromosome with a total size of 4,775,573 bps, and a G+C genomic content of 39.27%. Ten genes relating to the pathway for complete xylan degradation were systematically identified. Furthermore, various genes were predicted to be involved in isosmotic cytoplasm via the “compatible-solutes strategy” and cytoplasmic pH homeostasis though the “influx of hydrogen ions”. The halostable xylanase from A. saponilacus and its genomic sequence information provide some insight for potential applications in industry under double extreme conditions.
The LNK Gene Family: At the Crossroad between Light Signaling and the Circadian Clock
Authors: De Leone María José , Hernando Carlos Esteban , Romanowski Andrés , García-Hourquet Mariano , Careno Daniel , Casal Joaquín , Rugnone Matías , Mora-García Santiago , Yanovsky Marcelo Javier
Published: December 2018

Light signaling pathways interact with the circadian clock to help organisms synchronize physiological and developmental processes to periodic environmental cycles. The plant photoreceptors responsible for clock resetting have been characterized, but signaling components that link the photoreceptors to the clock remain to be identified. Members of the family of NIGHT LIGHT–INDUCIBLE AND CLOCK-REGULATED (LNK) genes play key roles linking light regulation of gene expression to the control of daily and seasonal rhythms in Arabidopsis thaliana. Particularly, LNK1 and LNK2 were shown to control circadian rhythms, photomorphogenic responses, and photoperiod-dependent flowering time. Here we analyze the role of the four members of the LNK family in Arabidopsis in these processes. We found that depletion of the closely related LNK3 and LNK4 in a lnk1;lnk2 mutant background affects circadian rhythms, but not other clock-regulated processes such as flowering time and seedling photomorphogenesis. Nevertheless, plants defective in all LNK genes (lnkQ quadruple mutants) display developmental alterations that lead to increased rosette size, biomass, and enhanced phototropic responses. Our work indicates that members of the LNK family have both distinctive and partially overlapping functions, and are an essential link to orchestrate light-regulated developmental processes.
Effect of Compaction on Soil Physical Properties of Differently Textured Landfill Liner Materials
Authors: Beck-Broichsitter Steffen , Gerke Horst H. , Horn Rainer
Published: December 2018

Mineral landfill liners require legally-fixed standards including a sufficiently-high available water capacity (AWC) and relatively low saturated hydraulic conductivity values (Ks). For testing locally available and potentially suitable materials with respect to these requirements, the soil hydraulic properties of boulder marl (bm) and marsh clay (mc) were investigated considering a defined compaction according to Proctor densities. Both materials were pre-compacted in 20 soil cores (100 cm3) each on the basis of the Proctor test results at five degrees of compaction (bm1–bm5; mc1–mc5) ranging between 1.67–2.07 g/cm3 for bm and 1.09–1.34 g/cm3 for mc. Additionally, unimodal and bimodal models were used to fit the soil water retention curve near saturation and changes in the pore size distribution (PSD). The structural peak of the PSD in the fraction of pore volume between −30 and −60 hPa was more pronounced on the dry side (bm1–2, mc1–2) than on the wet side of the Proctor curve (bm4–5, mc4–5). Therefore, the loss in structural pores can be attributed to an increasing dry bulk density for bm and an increasing gravimetric moisture content during Proctor test for mc. While the mc fulfils the legal standards with AWC values between 0.244–0.271 cm3/cm3, the Ks values for bm between 1.6 × 10−6 m/s and 3.8 × 10−7 m/s and for mc between 7.4 × 10−7 m/s and 1.2 × 10−7 m/s were up to two orders of magnitude higher than required. These results suggest that the suitability of both materials as landfill liner is restricted.
Microbial and Geochemical Investigation down to 2000 m Deep Triassic Rock (Meuse/Haute Marne, France)
Authors: Leblanc Vanessa , Hellal Jennifer , Fardeau Marie-Laure , Khelaifia Saber , Sergeant Claire , Garrido Francis , Ollivier Bernard , Joulian Catherine
Published: December 2018

In 2008, as part of a feasibility study for radioactive waste disposal in deep geological formations, the French National Radioactive Waste Management Agency (ANDRA) drilled several boreholes in the transposition zone in order to define the potential variations in the properties of the Callovo–Oxfordian claystone formation. This consisted of a rare opportunity to investigate the deep continental biosphere that is still poorly known. Four rock cores, from 1709, 1804, 1865, and 1935 m below land surface, were collected from Lower and Middle Triassic formations in the Paris Basin (France) to investigate their microbial and geochemical composition. Rock leachates showed high salinities ranging from 100 to 365 g·L−1 NaCl, current temperatures averaging 65 °C, no detectable organic matter, and very fine porosity. Microbial composition was studied using a dual cultural and molecular approach. While the broad-spectrum cultural media that was used to activate microbial communities was unsuccessful, the genetic investigation of the dominant 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed eight bacterial genera considered as truly indigenous to the Triassic cores. Retrieved taxa were affiliated to aerobic and facultative anaerobic taxon, mostly unknown to grow in very saline media, except for one taxon related to Halomonas. They included Firmicutes and α-, β-, and γ-Proteobacteria members that are known from many subsurface environments and deep terrestrial and marine ecosystems. As suggested by geochemical analyses of rocks and rock leachates, part of the indigenous bacterial community may originate from a cold paleo-recharge of the Trias aquifer with water originating from ice melting. Thus, retrieved DNA would be fossil DNA. As previously put forward to explain the lack of evidence of microbial life in deep sandstone, another hypothesis is a possible paleo-sterilisation that is based on the poly-extremophilic character of the confined Triassic sandstones, which present high salinity and temperature.
Shifts in Traditional Methods of Coping Among Elderly Bedouin Men
Authors: Al-Said Khaled , Braun-Lewensohn Orna , Huss Ephrat
Published: December 2018

Elderly Bedouin men in southern Israel are a unique traditional population living in remote unrecognized villages and experiencing rapid social transition, in addition to deep poverty and political tension. In this study, we aimed to explore stressful events, as self-defined by the participants, and the ways in which these men have coped with those stressful events. This study involved 12 men, aged 69–74, who participated in in-depth narrative interviews during which they were asked about transformative stressful events in their lives and how they had managed, understood, and utilized human capital, meaning-making, and other methods of coping. Analysis of the interviews revealed several themes: (a) the definition of stressful events within the cultural context, (b) the use of human capital to overcome those events, (c) the transformation of experience from hindsight into a didactic narrative that can be used to assign meaning to past events, which can then be passed on to the next generation, and (d) cultural transition as a catalyst for the creation of new understandings of events. This paper sheds new light on how elderly indigenous Bedouin men self-define stressful situations within a complex and unstable cultural context. This specific context, can help us to gain insight into how indigenous impoverished older men in similar contexts may self-define their stress and coping, based on the types of generalization accepted in qualitative research. The methodological contribution of this work lies in its use of narrative to culturally contextualize phenomenological meaning structures. Its theoretical contribution lies in its examination of the concept of stress within a specific cultural context.
Diet-Independent Correlations between Bacteria and Dysfunction of Gut, Adipose Tissue, and Liver: A Comprehensive Microbiota Analysis in Feces and Mucosa of the Ileum and Colon in Obese Mice with NAFLD
Authors: Gart Eveline , Souto Lima Everton , Schuren Frank , De Ruiter Christa G. F. , Attema Joline , Verschuren Lars , Keijer Jaap , Salic Kanita , Morrison Martine C. , Kleemann Robert
Published: December 2018

Development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is linked to obesity, adipose tissue inflammation, and gut dysfunction, all of which depend on diet. So far, studies have mainly focused on diet-related fecal microbiota changes, but other compartments may be more informative on host health. We present a first systematic analysis of microbiota changes in the ileum and colon using multiple diets and investigating both fecal and mucosal samples. Ldlr−/−.Leiden mice received one of three different energy-dense (ED)-diets (n = 15/group) for 15 weeks. All of the ED diets induced obesity and metabolic risk factors, altered short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), and increased gut permeability and NAFLD to various extents. ED diets reduced the diversity of high-abundant bacteria and increased the diversity of low-abundant bacteria in all of the gut compartments. The ED groups showed highly variable, partially overlapping microbiota compositions that differed significantly from chow. Correlation analyses demonstrated that (1) specific groups of bacteria correlate with metabolic risk factors, organ dysfunction, and NAFLD endpoints, (2) colon mucosa had greater predictive value than other compartments, (3) correlating bacteria differed per compartment, and (4) some bacteria correlated with plasma SCFA levels. In conclusion, this comprehensive microbiota analysis demonstrates correlations between the microbiota and dysfunctions of gut, adipose tissue, and liver, independent of a specific disease-inducing diet.