bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Applying social networks to engineering education
Authors: Doğan Buket , Demir Önder , Ülkü Eyüp E. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSocial networking sites (SNSs) are a popular Internet‐based means for users to communicate and interact with each other. Although they have caught the attention of many researchers and are already being used as educational tools, very few studies have investigated the effects of using an SNS in engineering education. This study, therefore, aims to analyze the effects of using the Edmodo platform as a teaching and learning support tool on students’ academic and practical performance in the Introduction to Information Technology and Algorithms course, as well as in the Computer Programming course they took in the following semester. It also considers the students’ opinions about the Edmodo system. For this study, a total of 62 students studying in the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department during the 2016–2017 fall semester were divided into two equally sized groups. The control group underwent a traditional face‐to‐face education, whereas the experimental group augmented this using the Edmodo system. A mixed‐methods approach with a post‐test‐only control group design was used: quantitative data were obtained from student tests, together with qualitative data from follow‐up interviews. The students’ grades were analyzed using Student's t‐test and correlation analysis, showing that the experimental group performed better in their academic and laboratory assessments and that there was a moderately positive relationship between the post‐test results and performance in the subsequent Computer Programming course.
From computer edit geometric design education to virtual worlds: Advantages and pitfalls of Computer‐Based Education
Authors: Kolmanič Simon , Kohek Štefan , Žalik Borut 
Published: June 2018

AbstractNowadays, computers are an integral part of the education process in many fields and levels. Although numerous research has been done on Computer‐Based Education (CBE), there are still open questions that have to be answered. Authors have faced some of those important questions over the years while developing the teaching applications from various areas. In this paper, those questions are presented, while the authors' approaches and obtained results offer some answers to those questions. The paper identifies the areas where special attention is needed in order to preserve the effectiveness of the applications in the teaching process. Practical examples of their work are used to demonstrate how the integration level of computers in the teaching process and teaching goals, along with other factors, can affect the effectiveness of teaching applications. With the comparison of the findings with other authors, some crude guidelines are given on how to achieve the best teaching results.
PI‐based implementation for modeling and simulation of the continuous‐time LTI system and its Matlab‐Simulink‐based application
Authors: Yang Zong‐Chang 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe continuous‐time “linear time‐invariant” (LTI) system supplies a wide variety of process solutions in science and engineering. It is one of the most fundamental concepts in scientific and engineering education. This article addresses the so‐called PI‐based implementation for modeling and simulation of the continuous‐time LTI system. The PI‐based implementation refers to using “proportional and integral” (PI) elements as well as other basic elements to build and simulate one circuit for the LTI system. In the classical teaching, its simulation implementation usually employs the signal‐flow‐graph approach which is somewhat complicated due to its complex mathematical derivations or other methods in the S‐transform domain. From the perspective of time‐domain analysis, this article introduces one principle of superposition in the time domain for equivalently describing the LTI system. Then by applying the principle, this article presents a straightforward implementation method in the time domain for the PI‐based modeling and simulation of the LTI system. Moreover, compared to its physical implementation, the computer‐based simulation (CBS) provides an extended flexible and graphical approach. Finally, the PI‐based straightforward implementation method in the time domain for modeling and simulation of the LTI system is applied in the Matlab‐Simulink environment. Simulation results and extended applications show workability and potentiality of the presented PI‐based implement method for teaching and study on analysis of the LTI system. The proposed methodology is integrated into a basic course of “signals and systems” for undergraduate students at Hunan University of Science and Technology, China. It may be useful for electronic and electrical engineering studies.
A new niclosamide derivatives‐B17 can inhibit urological cancers growth through apoptosis‐related pathway
Authors: Wu Chia‐Lun , Chen Chun‐Liang , Huang Hsu‐Shan , Yu Dah‐Shyong 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe incidence and mortality rate of urological cancers is increasing yearly. Niclosamide has been repurposed as an anti‐cancer drug in recent years. Synthesized derivative of niclosamide was testified for its anti‐cancer activity in urological cancers. MTT assay was used to measure the cytotoxicity effect of niclosamide and its derivatives in urological cancer cell lines. Migratory ability was monitored by scratch migration assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle changes were analyzed by annexin V and PI staining. The apoptosis‐related signal proteins were evaluated by western blotting. T24 had the best drug sensitivity with the lowest IC50 in niclosamide and B17 treatment than DU145 and Caki‐1 cells. After niclosamide and B17 treatment, the mitotic cells were decreased, but apoptotic bodies and morphology changes were not prominent in T24, Caki‐1, and DU145 cells. The migratory ability was inhibited in niclosamide treatment than control group on Caki‐1 cells and niclosamide and B17 treatment than control group on DU145 cells. Early apoptosis cells were increased after niclosamide and B17 treatment than control group without cell cycle changes in T24, Caki‐1, and DU145 cells. Programmed cell death was activated majorly through PAPR and bcl‐2 in T24 and caspase‐3 in Caki‐1 cells, respectively. Niclosamide and B17 derivative had good ability in inhibition proliferation and migratory ability in T24, Caki‐1, and DU145 cells without prominent morphology and apoptotic body changes. UCC cells are more sensitive to niclosamide and B17 treatment. Early apoptosis was induced after niclosamide and B17 treatment through different mechanisms in T24, Caki‐1, and DU145 cells.
Effects of cultivar and aging on parboiled rice properties
Authors: Lii Eric , Mauromoustakos Andy , Wang Ya‐Jane 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackground and objectivesParboiled rice is an important commodity, and its properties are affected by parboiling conditions and feedstock properties. This study investigated the impact of cultivar and aging on parboiled rice properties under different parboiling conditions.FindingsRegardless of parboiling conditions, cultivar with greater protein content had greater milling yields and cooked rice hardness, and lower deformed kernels and water absorption than low protein content cultivar. Deformed kernel had shown that aging effect was more significant on low protein content cultivar. Cultivar was the most important factor affecting parboiled rice properties and followed closely by soaking and steaming temperatures. Aging accounted for more than 10% of the total variance, and aging generally resulted in increased cooked rice hardness, and decreased deformed kernels, whiteness, pasting viscosities, and soluble solids.ConclusionsParboiled rice prepared from freshly harvested and aged rice displayed different properties. Cultivar with a greater protein content showed to have better protection against severe parboiling condition while preserving desired properties. Aging effect was more evident for rice of a low protein content. Even under different parboiling conditions, parboiled fresh‐harvested and aged rice still resulted in different properties.Significance and noveltyThe present study suggests the importance of protein content in the cultivar effect and its impact on aging effect.
Eculizumab application during pregnancy in a patient with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: A case report with review of the literature
Authors: Lauritsch‐Hernandez Lisa Sophie , Kraehenmann Franziska , Balabanov Stefan , Kimmich Nina 
Published: June 2018

Key Clinical MessageEculizumab is highly effective in inhibiting complement activation and has successfully shown to prevent complications and to improve quality of life in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Its application during pregnancy showed favorable fetal and maternal outcome in the presented case and has proven to be effective without raising safety concerns.
Solvent‐Free Synthesis of Bismuth Oxychloride Microflower/Nanosheet Homojunctions for Photoactivity Enhancement
Authors: Yao Hanyu , Li Haiping , Hu Tingxia , Hou Wanguo 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSolvent‐free synthesis of bismuth‐based photocatalysts with hierarchical architectures has been rarely reported yet. Herein, BiOCl hierarchical microflowers (MFs) were prepared via a solvent‐free route for the first time, using chlorobutanol as the chlorine source. The reaction temperature (T) plays a key role for formation of MFs. The MFs were formed at T >120 °C and some MFs merged into large nanosheets (LNs). MF/LN homojunctions were constructed because considerable differences in sizes and exposed facets between the MFs and the LNs cause differences in their energy band levels. The sample prepared at 120 °C possesses the highest contents of MFs and homojunctions, specific surface area (SBET, 13 m2 g−1), and photoactivity, indicating the high photoactivity of the sample arises from fabrication of homojunctions as well as the high SBET. This work provides a solvent‐free way to simultaneously synthesize BiOCl MFs and homojunctions, which paves an avenue for solvent‐free synthesis of other photocatalysts.
Synthesis of N,O,B‐Chelated Dipyrromethenes through an Unexpected Intramolecular Cyclisation: Enhanced Near‐Infrared Emission in the Aggregate/Solid State
Authors: Liu Yang , Niu Li‐Ya , Liu Xue‐Liang , Chen Peng‐Zhong , Yao Yi‐Shan , Chen Yu‐Zhe , Yang Qing‐Zheng 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe first example of the synthesis of mono‐N,O‐B‐chelated dipyrromethene (BODIPY) derivatives through an unexpected intramolecular nucleophilic displacement of the fluorine by alkenols in the presence of boron trifluoride as Lewis acid is reported. The chlorine in the indacene core allowed for further structural modifications through nucleophilic substitutions or palladium‐catalysed coupling reactions to afford new fluorophores with tuneable photophysical properties. Their expanded conjugation structure resulted in distinct red‐shifted absorption and emission spectra in organic solutions. Furthermore, the twisted steric hindrance of the benzene substitution patterns suppressed aggregation‐induced quenching, leading to an enhanced NIR emission in the aggregate/solid state, which was rarely observed for BODIPY dyes. Nanoparticles of the fluorophores formed by the assembly with the polymeric surfactant F127 were successfully used for bioimaging of living cells and for tumour‐targeted imaging in a tumour‐bearing mouse model.
Randomized Phase I Healthy Volunteer Study of UTTR1147A (IL‐22Fc): A Potential Therapy for Epithelial Injury
Authors: Rothenberg Michael E. , Wang Yehong , Lekkerkerker Annemarie , Danilenko Dimitry M. , Maciuca Romeo , Erickson Rich , Herman Ann , Stefanich Eric , Lu Timothy T. 
Published: June 2018

Most treatments for epithelial injury target hematopoietic mechanisms, possibly causing immunosuppression. Interleukin (IL)‐22 promotes tissue regeneration, acting directly on epithelial cells. UTTR1147A, a human IL‐22Fc (immunoglobulin G (IgG)4) fusion protein, activates IL‐22 signaling. This phase I placebo‐controlled trial of single, ascending, i.v. (1–120 μg/kg) and s.c (3–120 μg/kg) doses of UTTR1147A analyzed its effects on safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamic biomarkers in healthy volunteers. Most adverse events (AEs) were mild or moderate. The maximum tolerated i.v. dose in healthy volunteers was 90 μg/kg. Predominant AEs were dose‐dependent reversible skin effects consistent with IL‐22 pharmacology. UTTR1147A exposure increased approximately dose‐proportionally, with a half‐life of ~1 week. IL‐22 biomarkers (regenerating islet protein 3A (REG3A), serum amyloid A (SAA), and C‐reactive protein (CRP)) increased dose‐dependently. Neither inflammatory symptoms and signs nor cytokines increased with CRP elevations. UTTR1147A demonstrated acceptable safety, pharmacokinetics, and IL‐22R engagement, supporting further clinical development.
Structure‐Guided Engineering of α‐Keto Acid Decarboxylase for the Production of Higher Alcohols at Elevated Temperature
Authors: Sutiono Samuel , Carsten Jörg , Sieber Volker 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBranched‐chain keto acid decarboxylases (KDCs) are a class of enzymes that catalyze the decarboxylation of α‐keto acids. They are key enzymes for production of higher alcohols in vivo and in vitro. However, the two most active KDCs (KivD and KdcA) have only moderate thermostability (<55 °C), which hinders the production of alcohols at high temperatures. Herein, structure‐guided engineering toward improved thermostability of KdcA is outlined. Strategies such as stabilization of the catalytic center, surface engineering, and optimization of dimer interactions were applied. With seven amino acid substitutions, variant 7M.D showed an increase of the temperature at which 50 % of activity remains after one‐hour incubation
by 14.8 °C without compromising its substrate specificity. 7M.D exhibited greater than 400‐fold improvement of half‐life at 70 °C and greater than 600‐fold increase in process stability in the presence of 4 % isobutanol at 50 °C. 7M.D is more promising for the production of higher alcohols in thermophiles (>65 °C) and in cell‐free applications.
Centralized spectrum leasing via cooperative SU assignment in cognitive radio networks
Authors: Deng Hou , Huang Liusheng , Yang Chenkai , Xu Hongli 
Published: June 2018

SummaryAs the increasing demand of the radio spectrum, the researchers pay more attention to the technology of cognitive radio networks to improve the use of the scarce spectrum resources. Recently, cooperative communications combining with cognitive radio have been proposed in many literatures to improve the channel capacity. The primary users with poor transmission environment transmit their packets with the assistance of the secondary users (SUs) by offering them spectrum resources. This paper first raises issues in existing works, such as non‐optimal selection, selection collision, and transmission interruption. Aiming at these issues, we design a centralized system model and a cooperative relaying protocol for multiple primary user pairs to dynamically lease spectrum in exchange for the transmission assistance of SUs. Then we define 2 problems of the cooperative SU assignment to maximize total rate and maximize number of assigned SUs. We prove they are NP‐hard and propose a local search algorithm for the objective of maximize total rate and a
‐approximation algorithm for another objective. Our simulation results show that our system and algorithms can effectively improve the performance of the wireless networks.
Spatial analyses of two color polymorphisms in an alpine grasshopper reveal a role of small‐scale heterogeneity
Authors: Dieker Petra , Beckmann Luisa , Teckentrup Julia , Schielzeth Holger 
Published: June 2018

AbstractDiscrete color polymorphisms represent a fascinating aspect of intraspecific diversity. Color morph ratios often vary clinally, but in some cases, there are no marked clines and mixes of different morphs occur at appreciable frequencies in most populations. This poses the questions of how polymorphisms are maintained. We here study the spatial and temporal distribution of a very conspicuous color polymorphism in the club‐legged grasshopperGomphocerus sibiricus. The species occurs in a green and a nongreen (predominately brown) morph, a green–brown polymorphism that is common among Orthopteran insects. We sampled color morph ratios at 42 sites across the alpine range of the species and related color morph ratios to local habitat parameters and climatic conditions. Green morphs occurred in both sexes, and their morph ratios were highly correlated among sites, suggesting shared control of the polymorphism in females and males. We found that in at least 40 of 42 sites green and brown morphs co‐occurred with proportions of green ranging from 0% to 70% with significant spatial heterogeneity. The proportion of green individuals tended to increase with decreasing summer and winter precipitations. Nongreen individuals can be further distinguished into brown and pied individuals, and again, this polymorphism is shared with other grasshopper species. We found pied individuals at all sites with proportions ranging from 3% to 75%, with slight, but significant variation between years. Pied morphs show a clinal increase in frequency from east to west and decreased with altitude and lower temperatures and were more common on grazed sites. The results suggest that both small‐scale and large‐scale spatial heterogeneity affects color morph ratios. The almost universal co‐occurrence of all three color morphs argues against strong effects of genetic drift. Instead, the data suggest that small‐scale migration–selection balance and/or local balancing selection maintain populations polymorphic.
Subtle foodscape displacement of a native ungulate by free‐ranging livestock in a forest agroecosystem
Authors: Wam Hilde Karine , Herfindal Ivar 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe prevalence of livestock grazing in wildlife areas is increasing. This transformation of ecosystems into agroecosystems is concerning because the introduction of new species may cause niche displacement of the functionally related native species. We used a large‐scale fence scheme and fecal analyses to study the influence of free‐ranging livestock on moose diet on three boreal forest ranges. We found low interspecific diet overlap between moose and livestock (mean Pianka's O across ranges = 0.21, SD = 0.104), and the diet overlap with livestock did not differ between moose in areas with livestock and in adjacent control areas without livestock. Still, moose sympatric with livestock had less fecal nitrogen (a proxy for diet quality) than moose in the control areas. Our findings suggest that interspecific interactions other than direct food competition contributed to reduce the moose’ foraging opportunities, such as altered forage abundance and composition, or behavioral avoidance of livestock. We caution that displacement in the foodscape (i.e., spatiotemporal use of food) can occur through pathways not evident in niche indices based on composition of plant species in the diet.
Queuing, takeovers, and becoming a fat cat: Long‐term data reveal two distinct male spatial tactics at different life‐history stages in Namibian cheetahs
Authors: Melzheimer Joerg , Streif Sabrina , Wasiolka Bernd , Fischer Manuela , Thalwitzer Susanne , Heinrich Sonja K. , Weigold Annika , Hofer Heribert , Wachter Bettina 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn mammals, male spatial tactics and sociality can be predicted from the size, degree of overlap and ease of defense of female individual or group home ranges (HRs). An exception is apparently the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) for which studies from East Africa describe a socio‐spatial organization where resident males defend small territories, which cover a portion of large ranges of solitary females, and non‐territorial males (floaters) roam over vast areas whilst queuing for access to territories. Most studies from southern Africa did not report the existence of territorial males and floaters, but a system with both males and females roaming over vast areas with overlapping HRs. Here, we derive and test predictions from previously described spatial tactics in felids by studying the movements, behavior, and/or physical characteristics of 164 radio‐collared Namibian cheetahs on commercial farmland from 2002 to 2014. The results demonstrate the existence of male territory holders and floaters and a, by mammalian standards, unique sociality in that commonly groups of males, sometimes solitary males defended small areas partially overlapping with large ranges of solitary females. When a solitary male or a group of males switched between both tactics, floating usually preceded territory holding, suggesting that both spatial phases are equivalent to distinct life‐history stages. Switching from roaming as a floater to holding a territory was also associated with an increase in body mass index (BMI) and a change in the observed behavior of animals captured in traps when approached by humans. Both BMI and this behavior are therefore reliable, quick biomarkers of an individual's space use tactic and life‐history stage. We elaborate the implications of this socio‐spatial organization for models of ecological movements and on conflict mitigation measures such as translocations or the planning of future protected areas. We suggest that such implications also apply to other species where one sex exhibits two space use tactics and two sets of range sizes.
An immersed boundary method for solving compressible flow with arbitrarily irregular and moving geometry
Authors: Mo Huangrui , Lien Fue‐Sang , Zhang Fan , Cronin Duane S. 
Published: June 2018

SummaryIn this paper, a novel immersed boundary method is developed, validated, and applied. Through devising a second‐order three‐step flow reconstruction scheme, the proposed method is able to enforce the Dirichlet, Neumann, Robin, and Cauchy boundary conditions in a straightforward and consistent manner. Equipped with a fluid‐solid coupling framework that integrates high‐order temporal and spatial discretization schemes, numerical experiments concerning flow involving stationary and moving objects, convex and concave geometries, no‐slip and slip wall boundary conditions, as well as subsonic and supersonic motions are conducted to validate the method. Using analytical solutions, experimental observations, published numerical results, and Galilean transformations, it is demonstrated that the proposed method can provide efficient, accurate, and robust boundary treatment for solving flow with arbitrarily irregular and moving geometries on Cartesian grids. On the basis of the proposed method, the development of a solver that unifies one‐, two‐, and three‐dimensional computations and the generation of complex geometric objects via simply positioning components are described. In addition, a surface‐normalized absolute flux is proposed for interface sharpness measurement, and an analytically solvable modified vortex preservation problem is developed for a convergence study concerning smooth flow with irregular geometries.