bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Young to Middle-Aged Dogs with High Amyloid-β Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid are Impaired on Learning in Standard Cognition tests
Authors: Borghys Herman , Van Broeck Bianca , Dhuyvetter Deborah , Jacobs Tom , de Waepenaert Katja , Erkens Tim , Brooks Melissa , Thevarkunnel Sandy , Araujo Joseph A.
Published: December 2016

Understanding differences in Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers before the pathology becomes evident can contribute to an improved understanding of disease pathogenesis and treatment. A decrease in amyloid-β (Aβ)42 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is suggested to be a biomarker for Aβ deposition in brain. However, the relevance of CSF Aβ levels prior to deposition is not entirely known. Dogs are similar to man with respect to amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP)-processing, age-related amyloid plaque deposition, and cognitive dysfunction. In the current study, we evaluated the relation between CSF Aβ42 levels and cognitive performance in young to middle-aged dogs (1.5–7 years old). Additionally, CSF sAβPPα and sAβPPβ were measured to evaluate AβPP processing, and CSF cytokines were measured to determine the immune status of the brain. We identified two groups of dogs showing consistently low or high CSF Aβ42 levels. Based on prior studies, it was assumed that at this age no cerebral amyloid plaques were likely to be present. The cognitive performance was evaluated in standard cognition tests. Low or high Aβ concentrations coincided with low or high sAβPPα, sAβPPβ, and CXCL-1 levels, respectively. Dogs with high Aβ concentrations showed significant learning impairments on delayed non-match to position (DNMP), object discrimination, and reversal learning compared to dogs with low Aβ concentrations. Our data support the hypothesis that high levels of CSF Aβ in dogs coincide with lower cognitive performance prior to amyloid deposition. Further experiments are needed to investigate this link, as well as the relevance with respect to Alzheimer’s disease pathology progression.
Neural Correlates of Self-Reference Effect in Early Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Gaubert Malo , Villain Nicolas , Landeau Brigitte , Mézenge Florence , Egret Stéphanie , Perrotin Audrey , Belliard Serge , de La Sayette Vincent , Eustache Francis , Desgranges Béatrice , Chételat Gaël , Rauchs Géraldine
Published: December 2016

Information that is processed with reference to the self (i.e., self-referential processing, SRP) is generally associated with better remembering than information processed in a semantic condition. This benefit of self on memory performance is called self-reference effect (SRE). In the present study, we assessed changes in the SRE and SRP-related brain activity in patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer’s disease (MCI/AD). Fifteen patients with confirmed amyloid-β deposits (positive florbetapir-PET scan) and 28 healthy controls (negative florbetapir-PET scan) were included. Participants either had to judge personality trait adjectives with reference to themselves (self condition) or to a celebrity (other condition), or determine whether these adjectives were positive or not (semantic condition). These adjectives were then presented with distractors in a surprise recognition task. Functional MRI data were acquired during both the judgment and recognition tasks. The SRE was observed in controls, but reduced in patients. Both controls and patients activated cortical midline structures when judging items with reference to themselves, but patients exhibited reduced activity in the angular gyrus. In patients, activity at encoding in the angular gyrus positively correlated with subsequent recognition accuracy in the self condition (self accuracy). This region also exhibited significant hypometabolism and Aβ burden, both related to self accuracy. By contrast, there were no differences in brain activity during recognition, either between the self and semantic conditions, or between groups. These results highlight SRE impairment in patients with MCI/AD, despite intact activity in cortical midline structures, and suggest that dysfunction of the angular gyrus is related to this impairment.
The Effect of the Association between Donepezil and Choline Alphoscerate on Behavioral Disturbances in Alzheimer’s Disease: Interim Results of the ASCOMALVA Trial
Authors: Carotenuto Anna , Rea Raffaele , Traini Enea , Fasanaro Angiola Maria , Ricci Giovanna , Manzo Valentino , Amenta Francesco
Published: December 2016

Background: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are a group of psychological reactions, psychiatric symptoms, and behaviors commonly found in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Four clusters of BPSD have been described: mood disorders (depression, anxiety, and apathy), psychotic symptoms (delusions and hallucinations), aberrant motor behaviors (pacing, wandering, and other purposeless behaviors), and inappropriate behaviors (agitation, disinhibition, and euphoria). Most of them are attributed to acetylcholine deficiency.

Objective: To evaluate if a higher amount of acetylcholine obtained by associating donepezil and choline alphoscerate might have a favorable effect on BPSD.

Methods: BPSD were measured at baseline and after 24 months in 113 mild/moderate AD patients, included in the double-blind randomized trial ASCOMALVA, by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Two matched groups were compared: group A treated with donepezil (10 mg/day) plus choline alphoscerate (1200 mg/day), and group B treated with donepezil (10 mg/day) plus placebo.

Results: Data of NPI revealed a significant decrease of BPSD severity and distress of the caregiver in patients of group A compared with group B. Mood disorders (depression, anxiety and apathy) were significantly decreased in subjects treated with donepezil and choline alphoscerate, while their severity and frequency was increased in the other group.

Conclusions: Patients treated with donepezil plus choline alphoscerate showed a lower level of behavioral disturbances than subjects treated with donepezil only, suggesting that the association can have beneficial effects.
Residual urinary Incontinence after Successful Repair of Obstetric Fistula
Authors: Zabin Fahmida , Akhter Sayeba , Sultana Musarrat
Published: December 2016

Objective(s): Aim of the study was to identify the risk factors in those women who remain with incontinence after successful fistula repair.Materials & method: The women admitted in Dhaka Medical College Hospital with obstetrical genitourinary fistula were the study population.A observational study was done with all women having successful repair. They were asked to return for a follow-up appointment, 3 months after discharge . Women were examined and questioned at discharge and at follow up appointment. A structured questionnaire were used and information entered into a database.Results: Women who returned for follow-up 3 month postsurgery were included in predictors of closure analyses. Small bladder size (ARR 3.7; 95% CI 1.211.8), severe scarring (ARR 1.2; 95% CI 1.12.7), urethral involvement (ARR 7.3; 95% CI 3.31.46), were predicted failed fistula closure. Women with a closed fistula at 3 month follow-up were included in predictors of residual incontinence analyses .Conclusion:The prognosis for genital fistula closure is related to preoperative bladder size, previous repair, vaginal scarring, and urethral involvement.Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2015; Vol. 30(2) : 86-91
Adenomyosis in Infertile Women : A Review
Authors: Ishrat Shakeela , Fatima Parveen
Published: December 2016

Adenomyosis is found during infertility work up in many women who delay pregnancy till their late thirties and in some women in their early age. Dysregulation of myometrial architecture and function and altered endometrial receptivity are among the possible mechanisms by which adenomyosis causes infertility. Adenomyosis and endometriosis may have similar pathogenesis as they have frequent association in women. Adenomyosis can be reliably diagnosed in symptomatic infertile women by non invasive means such as transvaginal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging as well as hysterosalpingography, hysteroscopy and laparoscopy. Early diagnosis by non-invasive means followed by surgical (adenomyomectomy) or non-surgical (MRgFUS) treatment of focal adenomyosis have promising effect on future pregnancy whereas diffuse severe adenomyosis have poor prognosis.Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2015; Vol. 30(2) : 105-108
Placenta Previa with Succenturiate PlacentaDelivered with a Living Healthy Baby
Authors: Patra Sangita , Mistry Pallab Kumar , Dutta Mrinmoyee , Das Indrani
Published: December 2016

The placenta is a flattened discoidal mass . Placenta with various abnormal shape like bidiscoidal, low-patiented, placenta membranacae or diffuse, placenta succenturiata, circumvallate circummarginate placentae have been less encountered but very remotely studied in relevance to clinical significance. Placenta succenturiata is a bilobbed placenta , where there is one large and one small part, connected with membranous vessels. It is associated with antepartum haemorrhage, Vasa previa, postpartum haemorrhage, retained lobe of placentae and infection. Antepartum haemorhage due to placenta succenturiata appears to be uncommonly recorded in the literature. We describe a case of placenta succenturiata , presented with antepartum haemorrhage. By LSCS a living healthy male baby of 3.3 kgs was delivered. Ultimately the Internal Iliac arteries were ligated to stop lower uterine segment bleeding.Bangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2015; Vol. 30(2) : 116-118
Dr. Nazma Nasrin
Authors: Chowdhury Saleha Begum
Published: December 2016

Abstract not availableBangladesh J Obstet Gynaecol, 2015; Vol. 30(2) : 125
Deep Fault Recognizer: An Integrated Model to Denoise and Extract Features for Fault Diagnosis in Rotating Machinery
Authors: Guo Xiaojie , Shen Changqing , Chen Liang
Published: December 2016

Fault diagnosis in rotating machinery is significant to avoid serious accidents; thus, an accurate and timely diagnosis method is necessary. With the breakthrough in deep learning algorithm, some intelligent methods, such as deep belief network (DBN) and deep convolution neural network (DCNN), have been developed with satisfactory performances to conduct machinery fault diagnosis. However, only a few of these methods consider properly dealing with noises that exist in practical situations and the denoising methods are in need of extensive professional experiences. Accordingly, rethinking the fault diagnosis method based on deep architectures is essential. Hence, this study proposes an automatic denoising and feature extraction method that inherently considers spatial and temporal correlations. In this study, an integrated deep fault recognizer model based on the stacked denoising autoencoder (SDAE) is applied to both denoise random noises in the raw signals and represent fault features in fault pattern diagnosis for both bearing rolling fault and gearbox fault, and trained in a greedy layer-wise fashion. Finally, the experimental validation demonstrates that the proposed method has better diagnosis accuracy than DBN, particularly in the existing situation of noises with superiority of approximately 7% in fault diagnosis accuracy.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure of a Novel Mn Complex with Nicotinoyl-Glycine
Authors: Wang Xin , Chen Biqing , He Min
Published: December 2016

A novel manganese complex, C16H26MnN4O12, was synthesized by the reaction of nicotinoyl-glycine and NaOH in an ethanol/water solution and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, UV-vis spectrum, IR spectrum and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystal of the complex belongs to the triclinic space group P1 with a = 7.8192(16) Å, b = 8.8800(18) Å, c = 9.0142(18) Å, α = 83.14(3)°, β = 65.27(3)°, γ = 81.67(3)°, V = 516.3(2) Å3, Z = 1, Dx = 1.542 mg·m−3, μ = 0.66 mm−1, F(000) = 271, and final R1 = 0.0381, ωR2 = 0.0964. The nicotinoyl-glycine ligand acts as a bridging ligand to connect the manganese ions by the hydrogen interactions; thus, the complex expands into a 3D supramolecular net structure.
Designs of Plasmonic Metamasks for Photopatterning Molecular Orientations in Liquid Crystals
Authors: Guo Yubing , Jiang Miao , Peng Chenhui , Sun Kai , Yaroshchuk Oleg , Lavrentovich Oleg , Wei Qi-Huo
Published: December 2016

Aligning liquid crystal (LC) molecules into spatially non-uniform orientation patterns is central to the functionalities of many emerging LC devices. Recently, we developed a new projection photopatterning technique by using plasmonic metamasks (PMMs), and demonstrated high-resolution and high-throughput patterning of molecular orientations into arbitrary patterns. Here we present comparisons between two different types of metamask designs: one based on curvilinear nanoslits in metal films; the other based on rectangular nanoapertures in metal films. By using numerical simulations and experimental studies, we show that the PMMs based on curvilinear nanoslits exhibit advantages in their broadband and high optical transmission, while face challenges in mask designing for arbitrary molecular orientations. In contrast, the PMMs based on nanoapertures, though limited in optical transmission, present the great advantage of allowing for patterning arbitrary molecular orientation fields.
Humans Outperform Machines at the Bilingual Shannon Game
Authors: Ghazvininejad Marjan , Knight Kevin
Published: December 2016

We provide an upper bound for the amount of information a human translator adds to an original text, i.e., how many bits of information we need to store a translation, given the original. We do this by creating a Bilingual Shannon Game that elicits character guesses from human subjects, then developing models to estimate the entropy of those guess sequences.
Identification and Analysis of RNA Editing Sites in the Chloroplast Transcripts of Aegilops tauschii L.
Authors: Wang Mengxing , Liu Hui , Ge Lingqiao , Xing Guangwei , Wang Meng , Weining Song , Nie Xiaojun
Published: December 2016

RNA editing is an important way to convert cytidine (C) to uridine (U) at specific sites within RNA molecules at a post-transcriptional level in the chloroplasts of higher plants. Although it has been systematically studied in many plants, little is known about RNA editing in the wheat D genome donor Aegilops tauschii L. Here, we investigated the chloroplast RNA editing of Ae. tauschii and compared it with other wheat relatives to trace the evolution of wheat. Through bioinformatics prediction, a total of 34 C-to-U editing sites were identified, 17 of which were validated using RT-PCR product sequencing. Furthermore, 60 sites were found by the RNA-Seq read mapping approach, 24 of which agreed with the prediction and six were validated experimentally. The editing sites were biased toward tCn or nCa trinucleotides and 5′-pyrimidines, which were consistent with the flanking bases of editing sites of other seed plants. Furthermore, the editing events could result in the alteration of the secondary structures and topologies of the corresponding proteins, suggesting that RNA editing might impact the function of target genes. Finally, comparative analysis found some evolutionarily conserved editing sites in wheat and two species-specific sites were also obtained. This study is the first to report on RNA editing in Aegilops tauschii L, which not only sheds light on the evolution of wheat from the point of view of RNA editing, but also lays a foundation for further studies to identify the mechanisms of C-to-U alterations.
Organic Plant Breeding: A Key to Improved Vegetable Yield and Safe Food
Authors: Maghirang Rodel , Grulla Maria , Rodulfo Gloria , Madrid Ivy , Bartolome Maria
Published: December 2016

Most often, organic farming focuses on the improvement of management practices such as nutrient application and pest control, and very seldom deals with variety improvement or breeding. Because it has been dependent on commercially-available varieties developed under conventional high-input methods, traits are expressed resulting in low yields that are commonly attributed to organic farming practices rather than to the adaptability of the cultivar to the system. A research program in the Philippines involving several regions and institutions has pioneered in the evaluation and improvement of varieties through breeding under low-input organic conditions. After making several crosses, pedigree selection, replicated yield and on-farm trials, promising and potential varieties were developed and identified in squash, cucumber, lettuce and yardlong bean. The most promising yield advantages over the respective check varieties ranged up to 47% in squash, 31% in yardlong bean, 42% in lettuce, and 43% in cucumber. Pest and disease resistance were also considered during the selection process, and top performers were moderately to highly resistant. General acceptability in appearance, taste and marketability provided additional selection criteria for considering the top performers and potential varieties. Commercial varieties developed and performing well under conventional high-input methods were mostly not suitable under organic low-input conditions. Hence, breeding under organic low-input conditions is a must to achieve high yield in organic farming systems.
Hydraulic Performance of Horticultural Substrates—1. Method for Measuring the Hydraulic Quality Indicators
Authors: Schindler Uwe , Müller Lothar , Eulenstein Frank
Published: December 2016

Besides nutrient composition, the hydraulic performance of horticultural substrates is a main issue for evaluating their quality for horticultural purposes. Their water and air capacity and their suitability for transporting water are important hydraulic quality indicators. Shrinkage and water repellency could have a negative impact on storing and transporting water and solutes. The commonly used methods and devices for quantifying the water retention properties of horticultural substrates (sand box, pressure plate extractor) are outdated. The measurements are time-consuming, the devices are expensive, and the results are affected by uncertainties. Here, the suitability of the extended evaporation method (EEM) and an associated HYPROP (HYdraulic PROPerty analyser, device was successfully tested for very loosely-bedded horticultural substrates. EEM and HYPROP enabled the simultaneous and effective measurement of the water retention curve and the unsaturated hydraulic functions. The measurement time of horticultural substrates ranges between 7 and 10 days. Furthermore, the shrinkage properties and the water rewetting time can be measured with the HYPROP system. Results using 18 horticultural substrates are presented. These results are discussed and compared with natural organic and mineral soils showing the specific hydraulic performance of substrates for horticultural applications.
Vacuum Packaging Controlled Crown Rot of Organically-Grown Balangon (Musa acuminata AAA Group) Banana
Authors: Esguerra Elda , Del Carmen Dormita , Reyes Roxanne , Lualhati Ryan
Published: December 2016

Balangon bananas take about 23 to 28 days from harvest to reach Japan since the fruit have to be assembled from small and scattered farms, hence the problems of premature ripening and crown rot. The effectiveness of vacuum packaging in retarding ripening and in controlling crown rot has not been documented for organically-grown Balangon bananas. Balangon bananas harvested from farms in Don Severino Benedicto, Negros Occidental, Phillipines, were washed three times in tap water, then packed (wet packing) in a 13-kg capacity corrugated fibreboard carton lined with 0.05 mm thick low density polyethylene (LDPE) bag, and vacuum-packed using an ordinary vacuum cleaner. Bananas treated with 1% sodium bicarbonate were also subjected to vacuum packing. Packaged bananas were then loaded in refrigerated vans (13.0–13.5 °C), transported to Manila and then to the UPLB-PHTRC laboratory for simulated domestic and international shipments which took about 25 days from harvest until the bananas reached Japan. Bananas were then taken out of the sealed LDPE, allowed to equilibrate at 18 °C, treated with 2500 µL/L ethephon, and held at 23 °C for ripening. During the 25-day holding at 13.0–13.5 °C, bananas that were vacuum-packaged remained green. In the control (not vacuum-packaged), a few fingers in each hand started to ripen. The most significant effect of vacuum packaging in combination with 13 °C storage was the control of crown rot, particularly when bananas started to ripen. With vacuum packaging, the incidence of crown rot at the ripe stage was 2.8% compared with 55.7% in the control. Sodium bicarbonate did not control crown rot alone, nor contribute to the reduction caused by packaging and vacuum associated with the control of decay was the high visual quality rating of the fruit. Extended storage under vacuum-packed conditions did not significantly affect the physico-chemical and sensory attributes of bananas at the ripe stage.
Effect of Methyl Jasmonate on Physical and Chemical Properties of Mango Fruit cv. Nam Dok Mai
Authors: Boonyaritthongchai Panida , Chimvaree Chalida , Buanong Mantana , Uthairatanakij Apiradee , Jitareerat Pongphen
Published: December 2016

The effect of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on anthracnose severity and physical and chemical properties of mango fruit cv. Nam Dok Mai was investigated. The mango fruit were harvested at the mature-green stage and the fruit surface was disinfected with 100 ppm sodium hypochlorite solution. The fruit samples were then fumigated with 30 ppm MeJA in an enclosed container at 25 °C for 6 h, and subsequently stored at 13 °C for 18 days. Non-treated fruit were used as the control. The results showed that MeJA had no effect on anthracnose severity, stem end rot disease and color change. MeJA treatment induced ethylene production and enhanced the accumulation of β-carotene content throughout the storage period compared with non-treated fruit. This result indicated that MeJA treatment may be used to increase the accumulation of β-carotene content of mango fruit during storage at low temperature.
Clean Foods: The Inhibitory Effect of Five Natural Juices on the Browning of Apple Slices during Drying
Authors: Hubackova Anna , Banout Jan
Published: December 2016

Enzymatic browning, which accompanies food preservation processes based on drying, is a common obstacle to obtaining marketable and consumer-appealing products. In this paper, we investigate the application of one of the methods commonly used in order to counter the browning process, namely dipping. Dipping involves a soaking of the foods in liquids or solutions in order to suppress the activity of polyphenoloxidase (PPO) enzymes, either by physically preventing oxygen from interacting with it, or by dramatically decreasing water activity and thus slowing down water-dependent reactions. In this study, juices from selected fresh fruits with high ascorbic acid content were used as natural preservatives with antibrowning effects. The juices were prepared from fruit of the following species: Sorbus aucuparia, Diospyros kaki, Hippophae rhamnoides, Actinidia deliciosa, and Rosa canina. The effect of selected juices on color change was tested on dried “Idared” apple slices and was compared to slices of freshly cut apples (standard). The browning index of all sample groups showed significant differences between treatment groups and the standard except for samples treated with Rosa canina juice. The effect of the juices was also evaluated via a sensory panel, where color change, degree of browning, change of taste, and overall acceptability of the resulting color and taste were evaluated. Results showed that the best antibrowning effect was achieved by macerate from fruits of Rosa canina. The results of this study showed that dipping in some plant juices has the potential of complementing or replacing the sulphite-based approach, which is the current method of choice of the food industry.
Pesticide Use and Risk Perceptions among Small-Scale Farmers in Anqiu County, China
Authors: Jin Jianjun , Wang Wenyu , He Rui , Gong Haozhou
Published: December 2016

The unsafe use and misuse of pesticides in China are major threats to farmers’ health and the environment. The purpose of this study is to evaluate small-scale farmers’ practices with regard to pesticide use and identify the determinants of their behavior in Anqiu County, China. The results show that the frequency of pesticide application by local farmers is high and that the improper disposal of pesticides after use is common in the study area. Although most farmers felt that they were at some degree of risk when using pesticides, farmers were found to overuse pesticides in the study area. The probability of pesticide overuse significantly decreased with farmers’ risk perceptions, willingness to reduce pesticide use, better social relationships, and strict government monitoring. The perception of risk can thus be an important element in education and communication efforts.
Hydrogen Bonding Interaction between Atmospheric Gaseous Amides and Methanol
Authors: Zhao Hailiang , Tang Shanshan , Xu Xiang , Du Lin
Published: December 2016

Amides are important atmospheric organic–nitrogen compounds. Hydrogen bonded complexes of methanol (MeOH) with amides (formamide, N-methylformamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, acetamide, N-methylacetamide and N,N-dimethylacetamide) have been investigated. The carbonyl oxygen of the amides behaves as a hydrogen bond acceptor and the NH group of the amides acts as a hydrogen bond donor. The dominant hydrogen bonding interaction occurs between the carbonyl oxygen and the OH group of methanol as well as the interaction between the NH group of amides and the oxygen of methanol. However, the hydrogen bonds between the CH group and the carbonyl oxygen or the oxygen of methanol are also important for the overall stability of the complexes. Comparable red shifts of the C=O, NH- and OH-stretching transitions were found in these MeOH–amide complexes with considerable intensity enhancement. Topological analysis shows that the electron density at the bond critical points of the complexes fall in the range of hydrogen bonding criteria, and the Laplacian of charge density of the O–H∙∙∙O hydrogen bond slightly exceeds the upper value of the Laplacian criteria. The energy decomposition analysis further suggests that the hydrogen bonding interaction energies can be mainly attributed to the electrostatic, exchange and dispersion components.
R-Flurbiprofen Traps Prostaglandins within Cells by Inhibition of Multidrug Resistance-Associated Protein-4
Authors: Wobst Ivonne , Ebert Lisa , Birod Kerstin , Wegner Marthe-Susanna , Hoffmann Marika , Thomas Dominique , Angioni Carlo , Parnham Michael , Steinhilber Dieter , Tegeder Irmgard , Geisslinger Gerd , Grösch Sabine
Published: December 2016

R-flurbiprofen is the non-COX-inhibiting enantiomer of flurbiprofen and is not converted to S-flurbiprofen in human cells. Nevertheless, it reduces extracellular prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in cancer or immune cell cultures and human extracellular fluid. Here, we show that R-flurbiprofen acts through a dual mechanism: (i) it inhibits the translocation of cPLA2α to the plasma membrane and thereby curtails the availability of arachidonic acid and (ii) R-flurbiprofen traps PGE2 inside of the cells by inhibiting multidrug resistance–associated protein 4 (MRP4, ABCC4), which acts as an outward transporter for prostaglandins. Consequently, the effects of R-flurbiprofen were mimicked by RNAi-mediated knockdown of MRP4. Our data show a novel mechanism by which R-flurbiprofen reduces extracellular PGs at physiological concentrations, particularly in cancers with high levels of MRP4, but the mechanism may also contribute to its anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating properties and suggests that it reduces PGs in a site- and context-dependent manner.
Design of a Quaternary Query Tree ALOHA Protocol Based on Optimal Tag Estimation Method
Authors: Fu Zhihui , Deng Fangming , Wu Xiang
Published: December 2016

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is one of the most promising technologies in the IoT (The Internet of Things) era. Many RFID systems have been used in supermarkets or warehouses. There are two challenges for RFID anti-collision algorithms. The first challenge is accurately estimating the number of tags; the other is improving the efficiency of RFID systems. This paper proposes an optimal tag estimation method in which tags respond to the reader in assigned time slots instead of responding randomly. In order to improve the performance of the RFID system, a 4-ary query tree Additive Link On-line HAwaii (ALOHA) protocol is presented that combines the merits of query tree algorithm and frame slotted ALOHA, and avoids their weaknesses. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has a higher tag identification efficiency compared to other dynamic frame slotted ALOHA algorithms, and it can overcome the tag starvation phenomenon, because it traces each tag until all of them are identified successfully.
Surface Film Adsorption and Lubricity of Soybean Oil In-Water Emulsion and Triblock Copolymer Aqueous Solution: A Comparative Study
Authors: Taheri Reza , Kosasih Buyung , Zhu Hongtao , Tieu Anh
Published: December 2016

This paper investigates the surface film adsorption and lubricity of two different types of potential environmentally friendly cold metal forming lubricants: soybean vegetable oil in water VO/W emulsions and triblock copolymer aqueous solutions. The lubricants have different visual appearance, surface film adsorption characteristic, lubricity and surface cleaning behaviour. The effects of concentration, temperature and emulsification ultrasonic energy (for VO/W emulsion) are studied. The result shows that the soybean VO/W emulsions have stronger adsorption, superior lubricity and anti-wear property compared to the copolymer solutions. The effect of temperature is investigated at 30 °C and 65 °C which are below and above cloud point of the aqueous copolymer solutions. Both lubricants show improved friction and anti-wear property at 65 °C. However, tenacious residual film remained on the discs surface after surface cleaning indicates lower cleanability of the soybean VO/W emulsions compared to the copolymer solutions, postulating the need for extra post-processing cleaning operations after cold forming process with VO/W emulsion lubricant.
A Comparative Study on the Effect of Flotation Reagents on Growth and Iron Oxidation Activities of Leptospirillum ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans
Authors: Jafari Mohammad , Shafaei Said , Abdollahi Hadi , Gharabaghi Mahdi , Chehreh Chelgani Saeed
Published: December 2016

Recently, extraction of metals from different resources using a simple, efficient, and low-cost technique-known as bioleaching-has been widely considered, and has turned out to be an important global technology. Leptospirillum ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus (Thiobacillus) ferrooxidans are ubiquitous bacteria in the biomining industry. To date, the effects of commercial flotation reagents on the biooxidation activities of these bacteria have not been thoroughly studied. This investigation, by using various systematic measurement methods, studied the effects of various collectors and frothers (collectors: potassium amylxanthate, potassium isobutyl-xanthate, sodium ethylxanthate, potassium isopropylxanthate, and dithiophosphate; and frothers: pine oil and methyl isobutyl carbinol) on L. ferrooxidans and A. ferrooxidans activities. In general, results indicate that in the presence of these collectors and frothers, L. ferrooxidans is less sensitive than T. ferrooxidans. In addition, the inhibition effect of collectors on both bacteria is recommended in the following order: for the collectors, potassium isobutyl-xanthate > dithiophosphate > sodium ethylxanthate > potassium isobutyl-xanthate > potassium amylxanthate; and for the frothers, methyl isobutyl carbinol > pine oil. These results can be used for the optimization of biometallurgical processes or in the early stage of a process design for selection of flotation reagents.
Effect of a Polymercaptan Material on the Electro-Optical Properties of Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Films
Authors: Sun Yujian , Zhang Cuihong , Zhou Le , Fang Hua , Huang Jianhua , Ma Haipeng , Zhang Yi , Yang Jie , Zhang Lan-Ying , Song Ping , Gao Yanzi , Xiao Jiumei , Li Fasheng , Li Kexuan
Published: December 2016

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films were prepared by the ultraviolet-light-induced polymerization of photopolymerizable monomers in nematic liquid crystal/chiral dopant/thiol-acrylate reaction monomer composites. The effects of the chiral dopant and crosslinking agents on the electro-optical properties of the PDLC films were systematically investigate. While added the chiral dopant S811 into the PDLC films, the initial off-state transmittance of the films was decreased. It was found that the weight ratio among acrylate monomers, thiol monomer PETMP and the polymercaptan Capcure 3-800 showed great influence on the properties of the fabricated PDLC films because of the existence of competition between thiol-acrylate reaction and acrylate monomer polymerization reaction. While adding polymercaptans curing agent Capcure 3-800 with appropriate concentration into the PDLC system, lower driven voltage and higher contrast ratio were achieved. This made the polymer network and electro-optical properties of the PDLC films easily tunable by the introduction of the thiol monomers.
A New Determination Method of the Solubility Parameter of Polymer Based on AIE
Authors: Jiang Shan , Huang Tian , Wang Ke , Tang Ben , Yu Qiang
Published: December 2016

An accurate method of the fluorescence probe approach based on an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) molecule (tetraphenylethylene) for measuring the solubility parameter of the polymer is reported. This method is distinctive in that the approach can make the polymer chain conformation in solution be related to the fluorescence intensity. Since the solubility parameter of the polymer is also closely linked to its chain conformation in solution, the solubility parameter can be determined by the fluorescence intensity. The range of the solubility parameter of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) tested by this method was from 9.00 cal1/2cm−3/2 to 10.00 cal1/2cm−3/2. The results are more accurate than those obtained from the traditional turbidimetric titration method, ranging from 8.60 cal1/2cm−3/2 to 12.15 cal1/2cm−3/2. According to the photoluminescence (PL) intensities spectra, the solubility parameters of PMMA and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) are 9.19 cal1/2cm−3/2 and 9.85 cal1/2cm−3/2, respectively.
Novel 2,3-Dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinazolin-1-ones: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation
Authors: Mphahlele Malose , Khoza Tebogo , Mabeta Peaceful
Published: December 2016

Herein we describe the synthesis and evaluation of a series of novel 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinazolin-1-ones for in vitro cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines as well as for potential antimalarial activity against the chloroquine-sensitive strain 3D7 of Plasmodium falciparum. The title compounds were prepared via PdCl2-mediated endo-dig cyclization of 2-aryl-8-(arylethynyl)-6-bromo-2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones. The latter were prepared, in turn, via initial Sonogashira cross-coupling of 2-amino-5-bromo-3-iodobenzamide with aryl acetylenes followed by boric acid-mediated cyclocondensation of the intermediate 2-amino-3-(arylethynyl)-5-bromobenzamides with benzaldehyde derivatives. The 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinazolin-1-ones 4a–k were evaluated for potential in vitro cytotoxicity against the breast (MCF-7), melanoma (B16) and endothelioma (sEnd.2) cell lines. All of the compounds except 4h and 4i were found to be inactive against the three cancer cell lines. Compound 4h substituted with a 4-methoxyphenyl and 4-fluorophenyl groups at the 3- and 5-positions was found to exhibit significant cytotoxicity against the three cancer cell lines. The presence of phenyl and 3-chlorophenyl groups at the 3- and 5-posiitons of the pyrroloquinazolinone 4i, on the other hand, resulted in significant cytotoxicity against vascular tumour endothelial cells (sEnd.2), but reduced activity against the melanoma (B16) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cells except at higher concentrations. The 2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinazolin-1-ones 4a–l were found to be inactive against the chloroquine sensitive 3D7 strain of Plasmodium falciparum.
Synthesis of Polyhydroxybutyrate Particles with Micro-to-Nanosized Structures and Application as Protective Coating for Packaging Papers
Authors: Rastogi Vibhore , Samyn Pieter
Published: December 2016

This study reports on the development of bio-based hydrophobic coatings for packaging papers through deposition of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) particles in combination with nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) and plant wax. In the first approach, PHB particles in the micrometer range (PHB-MP) were prepared through a phase-separation technique providing internally-nanosized structures. The particles were transferred as a coating by dip-coating filter papers in the particle suspension, followed by sizing with a carnauba wax solution. This approach allowed partial to almost full surface coverage of PHB-MP over the paper surface, resulting in static water contact angles of 105°–122° and 129°–144° after additional wax coating. In the second approach, PHB particles with submicron sizes (PHB-SP) were synthesized by an oil-in-water emulsion (o/w) solvent evaporation method and mixed in aqueous suspensions with 0–7 wt % NFC. After dip-coating filter papers in PHB-SP/NFC suspensions and sizing with a carnauba wax solution, static water contact angles of 112°–152° were obtained. The intrinsic properties of the particles were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis and infrared spectroscopy, indicating higher crystallinity for PHB-SP than PHB-MP. The chemical interactions between the more amorphous PHB-MP particles and paper fibers were identified as an esterification reaction, while the morphology of the NFC fibrillar network was playing a key role as the binding agent in the retention of more crystalline PHB-SP at the paper surface, hence contributing to higher hydrophobicity.
Comparison of SEVIRI-Derived Cloud Occurrence Frequency and Cloud-Top Height with A-Train Data
Authors: Chung Chu-Yong , Francis Peter , Saunders Roger , Kim Jhoon
Published: December 2016

To investigate the characteristics of Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (SEVIRI)-derived products from the UK Met Office algorithm, one year of cloud occurrence frequency (COF) and cloud-top height (CTH) data from May 2013 to April 2014 was analysed in comparison with Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) and Cloud-Aerosol LiDAR with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) cloud products observed from the A-Train constellation. Because CPR operated in daylight-only data collection mode, daytime products were validated in this study. It is important to note that the different sensor characteristics cause differences in CTH retrievals. The CTH of active instruments, CPR and CALIOP, is derived from the return time of the backscattered radar or LiDAR signal, while the infrared sensor, SEVIRI, measures a radiatively effective CTH. Therefore, some systematic differences in comparison results are expected. However, similarities in spatial distribution and seasonal variability of COFs were noted among SEVIRI, CALIOP, and CPR products, although COF derived by the SEVIRI algorithm showed biases of 14.35% and −3.90% compared with those from CPR and CALIOP measurements, respectively. We found that the SEVIRI algorithm estimated larger COF values than the CPR product, especially over oceans, whereas smaller COF was detected by SEVIRI measurements over land and in the tropics than by CALIOP, where multi-layer clouds and thin cirrus clouds are dominant. CTHs derived from SEVIRI showed better agreement with CPR than with CALIOP. Further comparison with CPR showed that SEVIRI CTH was highly sensitive to the CO2 bias correction used in the Minimum Residual method. Compared with CPR CTHs, SEVIRI has produced stable CTHs since the bias correction update in November 2013, with a correlation coefficient of 0.93, bias of −0.27 km, and standard deviation of 1.61 km.
SCRMS: An RFID and Sensor Web-Enabled Smart Cultural Relics Management System
Authors: Xiao Changjiang , Chen Nengcheng , Li Dandan , Lv You , Gong Jianya
Published: December 2016

Cultural relics represent national or even global resources of inestimable value. How to efficiently manage and preserve these cultural relics is a vitally important issue. To achieve this goal, this study proposed, designed, and implemented an RFID and Sensor Web–enabled smart cultural relics management system (SCRMS). In this system, active photovoltaic subtle energy-powered Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is used for long-range contactless identification and lifecycle management of cultural relics during their storage and circulation. In addition, different types of ambient sensors are integrated with the RFID tags and deployed around cultural relics to monitor their environmental parameters, helping to ensure that they remain in good condition. An Android-based smart mobile application, as middleware, is used in collaboration with RFID readers to collect information and provide convenient management for the circulation of cultural relics. Moreover, multiple sensing techniques are taken advantage of simultaneously for preservation of cultural relics. The proposed system was successfully applied to a museum in the Yongding District, Fujian Province, China, demonstrating its feasibility and advantages for smart and efficient management and preservation of cultural relics.
A Novel Secure IoT-Based Smart Home Automation System Using a Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Pirbhulal Sandeep , Zhang Heye , E Alahi Md , Ghayvat Hemant , Mukhopadhyay Subhas , Zhang Yuan-Ting , Wu Wanqing
Published: December 2016

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) provide noteworthy benefits over traditional approaches for several applications, including smart homes, healthcare, environmental monitoring, and homeland security. WSNs are integrated with the Internet Protocol (IP) to develop the Internet of Things (IoT) for connecting everyday life objects to the internet. Hence, major challenges of WSNs include: (i) how to efficiently utilize small size and low-power nodes to implement security during data transmission among several sensor nodes; (ii) how to resolve security issues associated with the harsh and complex environmental conditions during data transmission over a long coverage range. In this study, a secure IoT-based smart home automation system was developed. To facilitate energy-efficient data encryption, a method namely Triangle Based Security Algorithm (TBSA) based on efficient key generation mechanism was proposed. The proposed TBSA in integration of the low power Wi-Fi were included in WSNs with the Internet to develop a novel IoT-based smart home which could provide secure data transmission among several associated sensor nodes in the network over a long converge range. The developed IoT based system has outstanding performance by fulfilling all the necessary security requirements. The experimental results showed that the proposed TBSA algorithm consumed less energy in comparison with some existing methods.
Matched Field Processing Based on Least Squares with a Small Aperture Hydrophone Array
Authors: Wang Qi , Wang Yingmin , Zhu Guolei
Published: December 2016

The receiver hydrophone array is the signal front-end and plays an important role in matched field processing, which usually covers the whole water column from the sea surface to the bottom. Such a large aperture array is very difficult to realize. To solve this problem, an approach called matched field processing based on least squares with a small aperture hydrophone array is proposed, which decomposes the received acoustic fields into depth function matrix and amplitudes of the normal modes at the beginning. Then all the mode amplitudes are estimated using the least squares in the sense of minimum norm, and the amplitudes estimated are used to recalculate the received acoustic fields of the small aperture array, which means the recalculated ones contain more environmental information. In the end, lots of numerical experiments with three small aperture arrays are processed in the classical shallow water, and the performance of matched field passive localization is evaluated. The results show that the proposed method can make the recalculated fields contain more acoustic information of the source, and the performance of matched field passive localization with small aperture array is improved, so the proposed algorithm is proved to be effective.
Snake Venom Metalloproteinases and Their Peptide Inhibitors from Myanmar Russell’s Viper Venom
Authors: Yee Khin , Pitts Morgan , Tongyoo Pumipat , Rojnuckarin Ponlapat , Wilkinson Mark
Published: December 2016

Russell’s viper bites are potentially fatal from severe bleeding, renal failure and capillary leakage. Snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) are attributed to these effects. In addition to specific antivenom therapy, endogenous inhibitors from snakes are of interest in studies of new treatment modalities for neutralization of the effect of toxins. Two major snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs): RVV-X and Daborhagin were purified from Myanmar Russell’s viper venom using a new purification strategy. Using the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) approach to explore the Myanmar RV venom gland transcriptome, mRNAs of novel tripeptide SVMP inhibitors (SVMPIs) were discovered. Two novel endogenous tripeptides, pERW and pEKW were identified and isolated from the crude venom. Both purified SVMPs showed caseinolytic activity. Additionally, RVV-X displayed specific proteolytic activity towards gelatin and Daborhagin showed potent fibrinogenolytic activity. These activities were inhibited by metal chelators. Notably, the synthetic peptide inhibitors, pERW and pEKW, completely inhibit the gelatinolytic and fibrinogenolytic activities of respective SVMPs at 5 mM concentration. These complete inhibitory effects suggest that these tripeptides deserve further study for development of a therapeutic candidate for Russell’s viper envenomation.
The Immune Response to Astrovirus Infection
Authors: Marvin Shauna
Published: December 2016

Astroviruses are one of the leading causes of pediatric gastroenteritis worldwide and are clinically importantly pathogens in the elderly and immunocompromised populations. Although the use of cell culture systems and small animal models have enhanced our understanding of astrovirus infection and pathogenesis, little is known about the immune response to astrovirus infection. Studies from humans and animals suggest that adaptive immunity is important in restricting classic and novel astrovirus infections, while studies from animal models and cell culture systems suggest that an innate immune system plays a role in limiting astrovirus replication. The relative contribution of each arm of the immune system in restricting astrovirus infection remains unknown. This review summarizes our current understanding of the immune response to astrovirus infection and highlights some of the key questions that stem from these studies. A full understanding of the immune response to astrovirus infection is required to be able to treat and control astrovirus-induced gastroenteritis.