Showing papers by "Sophia University published in 2018"

Excited-state intramolecular proton-transfer (ESIPT) based fluorescence sensors and imaging agents

Abstract: In this review we will explore recent advances in the design and application of excited-state intramolecular proton-transfer (ESIPT) based fluorescent probes. Fluorescence based sensors and imaging agents (probes) are important in biology, physiology, pharmacology, and environmental science for the selective detection of biologically and/or environmentally important species. The development of ESIPT-based fluorescence probes is particularly attractive due to their unique properties, which include a large Stokes shift, environmental sensitivity and potential for ratiometric sensing.

Particle Swarm Optimization Based Solar PV Array Reconfiguration of the Maximum Power Extraction Under Partial Shading Conditions

Abstract: For large photovoltaic power generation plants, number of panels are interconnected in series and parallel to form a photovoltaic (PV) array. In this configuration, partial shade will result in decrease in power output and introduce multiple peaks in the P–V curve. As a consequence, the modules in the array will deliver different row currents. Therefore, to maximize the power extraction from PV array, the panels need to be reconfigured for row current difference minimization. Row current minimization via Su Do Ku game theory do physical relocation of panels may cause laborious work and lengthy interconnecting ties. Hence, in this paper, an alternative to physical relocation based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) connected modules is proposed. In this method, the physical location of the modules remains unchanged, while its electrical connections are altered. Extensive simulations with different shade patterns are carried out and thorough analysis with the help of I–V , P–V curves is carried out to support the usefulness of the proposed method. The effectiveness of proposed PSO technique is evaluated via performance analysis based on energy saving and income generation. Further, a comprehensive comparison of various electrical array reconfiguration based is performed at the last to examine the suitability of proposed array reconfiguration method.

Nucleosynthesis in the Innermost Ejecta of Neutrino-driven Supernova Explosions in Two Dimensions

Abstract: We examine the nucleosynthesis in the innermost, neutrino-processed ejecta (a few $10^{-3}\,M_\odot$) of self-consistent, two-dimensional explosion models of core-collapse supernovae for six progenitor stars with different initial masses. Three models have initial masses near the low-mass end of the supernova range, $8.8\,M_\odot$ (e8.8; electron-capture supernova), $9.6\,M_\odot$ (z9.6), and $8.1\,M_\odot$ (u8.1), with initial metallicities of 1, 0, and $10^{-4}$ times the solar metallicity, respectively. The other three are solar-metallicity models with initial masses of $11.2\,M_\odot$ (s11), $15\,M_\odot$ (s15), and $27\,M_\odot$ (s27). The low-mass models e8.8, z9.6, and u8.1 exhibit high production factors (nucleosynthetic abundances relative to the solar ones) of 100--200 for light trans-iron elements from Zn to Zr. This is associated with appreciable ejection of neutron-rich matter in these models. Remarkably, the nucleosynthetic outcomes for progenitors e8.8 and z9.6 are almost identical, including interesting productions of $^{48}$Ca and $^{60}$Fe, irrespective of their quite different (O-Ne-Mg and Fe) cores prior to collapse. In the more massive models s11, s15, and s27, several proton-rich isotopes of light trans-iron elements, including the $p$-isotope $^{92}$Mo (for s27) are made, up to production factors of $\sim$30. Both electron-capture and core-collapse supernovae near the low-mass end can therefore be dominant contributors to the Galactic inventory of light trans-iron elements from Zn to Zr and probably $^{48}$Ca and live $^{60}$Fe. The innermost ejecta of more massive supernovae may have only sub-dominant contributions to the chemical enrichment of the Galaxy except for $^{92}$Mo.

An ESIPT Probe for the Ratiometric Imaging of Peroxynitrite Facilitated by Binding to Aβ-Aggregates.

Abstract: A series of 3-hydroxyflavone (3-HF) ESIPT (excited-state intramolecular proton transfer) boronate-based fluorescent probes have been developed for the detection of peroxynitrite (ONOO–). The dyes are environmentally sensitive, and each probe exhibited a ratiometric response toward ONOO– in a micellar environment. The probes were used to image different aggregation states of amyloid-β (Aβ) in the presence of ONOO–. The 3-HF-OMe probe was found to produce a ratiometric response toward ONOO– when bound to Aβ aggregates, resulting in a novel host–guest ensemble, which adds insight into the development of other ESIPT-based probes for the simultaneous sensing of fibrous proteins/peptides and environmental ROS/RNS.

Flood inundation assessment for the Hanoi Central Area, Vietnam under historical and extreme rainfall conditions

Abstract: Flash floods have long been common in Asian cities, with recent increases in urbanization and extreme rainfall driving increasingly severe and frequent events. Floods in urban areas cause significant damage to infrastructure, communities and the environment. Numerical modelling of flood inundation offers detailed information necessary for managing flood risk in such contexts. This study presents a calibrated flood inundation model using referenced photos, an assessment of the influence of four extreme rainfall events on water depth and inundation area in the Hanoi central area. Four types of historical and extreme rainfall were input into the inundation model. The modeled results for a 2008 flood event with 9 referenced stations resulted in an R2 of 0.6 compared to observations. The water depth at the different locations was simulated under the four extreme rainfall types. The flood inundation under the Probable Maximum Precipitation presents the highest risk in terms of water depth and inundation area. These results provide insights into managing flood risk, designing flood prevention measures, and appropriately locating pump stations.

Analysis on solar PV emulators: A review

Abstract: In recent years, continuous depletion of conventional energy resources and the fluctuating fuel cost have motivated research on alternative source for power generation. To effectively harvest power from the green energy resources, extensive research have been carried out in literature. Solar energy being the foremost among all other renewable energy resources has evolved as a reliable substitute for the conventional power generation. Unlike other sources, real time research on Photovoltaic (PV) Systems is a difficult assignment as it necessitates an accurate PV emulator that can precisely replicate the nonlinear characteristics of a PV cell. PV Researchers have developed emulators of different type utilizing various configurations. This paper attempts to present a comprehensive review on different PV emulator topologies so as to gather all the research activities that are scattered in this arena under a common umbrella. Further this paper provides a detailed analysis of each technique emphasizing on its (i) Realization cost (ii) Accuracy (iii) Level of complexity (iv) Sensitiveness to varying environmental conditions (v) Hardware implementation and (vi) Efficiency.

Coordination Between ROS Regulatory Systems and Other Pathways Under Heat Stress and Pathogen Attack.

Abstract: Regulatory systems of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to be integrated with other pathways involving Ca2+ signaling, protein kinases, hormones and programmed cell death (PCD) pathways to regulate defense mechanisms in plants. Coordination between ROS regulatory systems and other pathways needs to be flexibly modulated to finely tune the mechanisms underlying responses of different types of tissues to heat stress, biotic stresses and their combinations during different growth stages. Especially, modulation of the delicate balance between ROS-scavenging and producing systems in reproductive tissues could be essential, because ROS-dependent PCD is required for the proper fertilization, despite the necessity of ROS scavenging to prevent the damage on cells under heat stress and biotic stresses. In this review, we will update the recent findings associated with coordination between multiple pathways under heat stress, pathogen attack and their combinations. In addition, possible integrations between different signals function in different tissues via ROS-dependent long-distance signals will be proposed.

Exoplanet Biosignatures: Future Directions.

Abstract: We introduce a Bayesian method for guiding future directions for detection of life on exoplanets We describe empirical and theoretical work necessary to place constraints on the relevant likelihoods, including those emerging from better understanding stellar environment, planetary climate and geophysics, geochemical cycling, the universalities of physics and chemistry, the contingencies of evolutionary history, the properties of life as an emergent complex system, and the mechanisms driving the emergence of life We provide examples for how the Bayesian formalism could guide future search strategies, including determining observations to prioritize or deciding between targeted searches or larger lower resolution surveys to generate ensemble statistics and address how a Bayesian methodology could constrain the prior probability of life with or without a positive detection Key Words: Exoplanets—Biosignatures—Life detection—Bayesian analysis Astrobiology 18, 779–824

A Finite Convergence Criterion for the Discounted Optimal Control of Stochastic Logical Networks

Abstract: Stochastic logical networks (SLNs) are discrete-time stochastic dynamical systems with Boolean (or multivalued) logical state variables. The discounted infinite horizon optimal control problem for SLN is addressed in this paper. By resorting to the equivalent Markov decision process description, the infinite horizon optimization problem is presented in algebraic form. Then using the increasing-dimension technique, an improved finite convergence criterion, which can find the optimal stationary policy, is derived for value iteration approach. To demonstrate the theoretical value of this approach, it is applied to the optimization problems of the human–machine game and the p53-Mdm2 gene network.

Autonomous Driving System based on Deep Q Learnig

Abstract: This paper deals with the simulation results of an autonomous car learning to drive in a simplified environment containing only lane markings and static obstacles. Learning is performed using the Deep Q Network. For a given input image of the street captured by the car front camera, the Deep Q Network computes the Q values (rewards) corresponding to the actions available to the autonomous driving car. These actions are discrete angles through which the car can steer for a fixed speed. The autonomous driving system in the car enforces the action that has the highest reward. Our simulation results show high accuracy in learning to drive by observing the lanes and bypassing obstacles.

First Direct Mass Measurements of Nuclides around Z=100 with a Multireflection Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrograph.

Abstract: The masses of ^{246}Es, ^{251}Fm, and the transfermium nuclei ^{249-252}Md and ^{254}No, produced by hot- and cold-fusion reactions, in the vicinity of the deformed N=152 neutron shell closure, have been directly measured using a multireflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph. The masses of ^{246}Es and ^{249,250,252}Md were measured for the first time. Using the masses of ^{249,250}Md as anchor points for α decay chains, the masses of heavier nuclei, up to ^{261}Bh and ^{266}Mt, were determined. These new masses were compared with theoretical global mass models and demonstrated to be in good agreement with macroscopic-microscopic models in this region. The empirical shell gap parameter δ_{2n} derived from three isotopic masses was updated with the new masses and corroborates the existence of the deformed N=152 neutron shell closure for Md and Lr.

Dynamically integrated transport approach for heavy-ion collisions at high baryon density

Abstract: We develop a new dynamical model for high-energy heavy-ion collisions in the beam energy region of the highest net-baryon densities on the basis of nonequilibrium microscopic transport model jam and macroscopic (3+1)-dimensional hydrodynamics by utilizing a dynamical initialization method. In this model, dynamical fluidization of a system is controlled by the source terms of the hydrodynamic fields. In addition, time-dependent core-corona separation of hot regions is implemented. We show that our new model describes multiplicities and mean transverse mass in heavy-ion collisions within a beam-energy region of 3

Physical conditions for the r-process I. radioactive energy sources of kilonovae

Abstract: Radioactive energies from unstable nuclei made in the ejecta of neutron star mergers play principal roles in powering kilonovae. In previous studies power-law-type heating rates (e.g., ~ t^-1.3) have frequently been used, which may be inadequate if the ejecta are dominated by nuclei other than the A ~ 130 region. We consider, therefore, two reference abundance distributions that match the r-process residuals to the solar abundances for A >= 69 (light trans-iron plus r-process elements) and A >= 90 (r-process elements). Nucleosynthetic abundances are obtained by using free-expansion models with three parameters: expansion velocity, entropy, and electron fraction. Radioactive energies are calculated as an ensemble of weighted free-expansion models that reproduce the reference abundance patterns. The results are compared with the bolometric luminosity (> a few days since merger) of the kilonova associated with GW170817. We find that the former case (fitted for A >= 69) with an ejecta mass 0.06 M_sun reproduces the light curve remarkably well including its steepening at > 7 days, in which the mass of r-process elements is ~ 0.01 M_sun. Two beta-decay chains are identified: 66Ni -> 66Cu -> 66Zn and 72Zn -> 72Ga -> 72Ge with similar halflives of parent isotopes (~ 2 days), which leads to an exponential-like evolution of heating rates during 1-15 days. The light curve at late times (> 40 days) is consistent with additional contributions from the spontaneous fission of 254Cf and a few Fm isotopes. If this is the case, the event GW170817 is best explained by the production of both light trans-iron and r-process elements that originate from dynamical ejecta and subsequent disk outflows from the neutron star merger.

Design and properties of functional zwitterions derived from ionic liquids

Abstract: A zwitterion, an ion pair where cation and anion are covalently tethered, is known to be a type of salt. These ions have not been recognised as interesting, but they are physicochemically unique and fascinating ions. In the present review, some functional zwitterions derived from ionic liquids are mentioned to emphasise the usefulness of the tethering of the component cations and anions of ionic liquids. Basic properties, advantages and disadvantages after the functional design of zwitterions, and some applications are summarised.

Genetic and clinical characteristics in Japanese hereditary breast and ovarian cancer: first report after establishment of HBOC registration system in Japan.

Abstract: The hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) registration system of Japan was established by the Japanese HBOC Consortium. The first trial was registered in 2015 in four institutions to which some registration committee members belonged. We analyzed the information of 830 Japanese pedigrees, who underwent BRCA1/2 genetic testing, including mutation carriers with BRCA1 (N = 127) and BRCA2 (N = 115), and their families. The mutation-positive rate was 19.7%. Variants of uncertain significance were found in 6.5% of all individuals subjected to genetic testing for BRCA1/2. Compared to the United States, Japan had a higher mutation-positive rate in most categories, except for the groups with male breast cancer. Among the intrinsic subtypes of BRCA1-associated breast cancers, 75.8% were triple-negative. The incidence rate of contralateral breast cancer in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers was 0.99%/year. Among 240 mutation carriers, 26 and 62 patients underwent risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) and risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO), respectively; the respective frequencies of occult cancer were 7.1 and 3.2%. Metachronous breast cancer after RRM or peritoneal cancer after RRSO was not observed during the follow-up period. The nationwide registration system began last year and the system enables follow-up analysis in Japan.

Synthesis, structures and mechanistic pathways of anticancer activity of palladium(II) complexes with indole-3-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazones

Abstract: New PdII complexes of the types [PdCl(L)(PPh3)] (1–5) and [Pd(L)2] (6 and 7) (HL = indole-3-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazones, HL1–HL5) have been synthesized in order to ascertain the effect of substitution at the terminal nitrogen of thiosemicarbazones on the biological properties of their PdII complexes. The compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, and UV-visible, FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, DEPT-135 NMR, 31P NMR, 1H–1H COSY, 1H–13C HSQC, 1H–13C HMBC, 1H–31P HMBC and mass spectroscopic techniques. The solid state structures of the ligand (HL3) and complexes (2–5 and 6) were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Spectroscopic and crystallographic studies revealed that thiosemicarbazone is coordinated to the PdII ion as a monobasic bidentate (NS−) ligand by forming a five membered ring. To determine the potential of the PdII complexes towards biomolecular interactions, additional experiments involving interaction with calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were carried out. Further, the complexes cleaved DNA (pUC19 and pBR322) without any co-oxidant at pH 7.2 and temperature 37 °C. The effect of substitution on the DNA and BSA binding ability of the complexes was revealed through molecular docking studies. In addition, in vitro anticancer activity was examined by using MTT assay in three cancer cell lines (HepG-2, A549 and MCF7) and one normal cell line (L929). Complexes 4 and 5 which contain triphenylphosphine showed better activity (HepG-2) with an IC50 value of 22.8 and 67.1 μM respectively. The anticancer activity of the complexes was compared with that of the well-known anticancer drug cisplatin and it was inferred that complex 4 exhibited comparable activity. All the complexes displayed moderate anticancer activity against A549 and MCF7 cancer cell lines and less toxicity towards the normal cell line. The morphological changes assessed by staining methods and DNA fragmentation revealed that the cell death occurred by apoptosis.

Thickness-dependent crystal structure and electric properties of epitaxial ferroelectric Y2O3-HfO2 films

Abstract: The thickness dependences of the crystal structure and electric properties of (111)-oriented epitaxial 0.07YO1.5-0.93HfO2 (YHO7) ferroelectric films were investigated for the film thickness range of 10–115 nm. The YHO7 films were grown by pulsed laser deposition or sputtering at room temperature and subsequent heat treatment. As a substrate for the epitaxial growth of the YHO7 film, (111)-oriented 10 wt. % Sn-doped In2O3(ITO)//(111) yttria-stabilized zirconia was used. X-ray diffraction measurements confirmed that the main crystal phase of these YHO7 films was ferroelectric orthorhombic for up to 115-nm-thick films. Small film-thickness dependences of remanent polarization (Pr) and saturation polarization (Ps) were observed. Thickness dependence of the coercive field (Ec) is also small, and this behavior does not resemble that of conventional ferroelectric films such as Pb(Zr,Ti)O3. Additionally, non-oriented polycrystalline YHO7 films are reported to have similar thickness dependence of Ec and almost the same Ec value to epitaxial YHO7 films. We suggest that the ferroelectric domain is significantly small for both epitaxial and polycrystalline films. Such small domains remain even in thicker films, giving rise to thickness-independent Ec.

Policy Iteration Algorithm for Optimal Control of Stochastic Logical Dynamical Systems

Abstract: This brief investigates the infinite horizon optimal control problem for stochastic multivalued logical dynamical systems with discounted cost. Applying the equivalent descriptions of stochastic logical dynamics in term of Markov decision process, the discounted infinite horizon optimal control problem is presented in an algebraic form. Then, employing the method of semitensor product of matrices and the increasing-dimension technique, a succinct algebraic form of the policy iteration algorithm is derived to solve the optimal control problem. To show the effectiveness of the proposed policy iteration algorithm, an optimization problem of p53-Mdm2 gene network is investigated.

Integration between ROS Regulatory Systems and Other Signals in the Regulation of Various Types of Heat Responses in Plants.

Abstract: Because of their sessile lifestyle, plants cannot escape from heat stress and are forced to alter their cellular state to prevent damage. Plants, therefore, evolved complex mechanisms to adapt to irregular increases in temperature in the natural environment. In addition to the ability to adapt to an abrupt increase in temperature, plants possess strategies to reprogram their cellular state during pre-exposure to sublethal heat stress so that they are able to survive under subsequent severe heat stress. Such an acclimatory response to heat, i.e., acquired thermotolerance, might depend on the maintenance of heat memory and propagation of long-distance signaling. In addition, plants are able to tailor their specific cellular state to adapt to heat stress combined with other abiotic stresses. Many studies revealed significant roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulatory systems in the regulation of these various heat responses in plants. However, the mode of coordination between ROS regulatory systems and other pathways is still largely unknown. In this review, we address how ROS regulatory systems are integrated with other signaling networks to control various types of heat responses in plants. In addition, differences and similarities in heat response signals between different growth stages are also addressed.

Strategic purchasing for universal health coverage: examining the purchaser-provider relationship within a social health insurance scheme in Nigeria.

Abstract: Background In an attempt to achieve universal health coverage, Nigeria introduced a number of health insurance schemes. One of them, the Formal Sector Social Health Insurance Programme (FSSHIP), was launched in 2005 to provide health cover to federal government and formal private sector employees. It operates with two levels of purchasers, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and health maintenance organisations (HMOs). This study critically assesses purchasing arrangements between NHIS, HMOs and healthcare providers and determines how the arrangements function from a strategic purchasing perspective within the FSSHIP. Methods A qualitative study undertaken in Enugu state, Nigeria, data were gathered through reviews of documents, 17 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with NHIS, HMOs and healthcare providers and two focus group discussions (FGDs) with FSSHIP enrolees. A strategic purchasing lens was used to guide data analysis. Results The purchasing function was not being used strategically to influence provider behaviour and improve efficiency and quality in healthcare service delivery. For the purchaser–provider relationship, these actions are: accreditation of healthcare providers; monitoring of HMOs and healthcare providers and use of appropriate provider payment mechanisms for healthcare services at every level. The government lacks resources and political will to perform their stewardship role while provider dissatisfaction with payments and reimbursements adversely affected service provision to enrolled members. Underlying this inability to purchase, health services strategically is the two-tiered purchasing mechanism wherein NHIS is not adequately exercising its stewardship role to monitor and guide HMOs to fulfil their roles and responsibilities as purchasing administrators. Conclusions Purchasing under the FSSHIP is more passive than strategic. Governance framework requires strengthening and clarity for optimal implementation so as to ensure that both levels of purchasers undertake strategic purchasing actions. Additional strengthening of NHIS is needed for it to have capacity to play its stewardship role in the FSSHIP.

Stochastic Chemical Evolution of Galactic Subhalos and the Origin of r-process Elements

Abstract: Mergers of compact binaries (of a neutron star and another neutron star or a black hole, NSMs) are suggested to be the promising astrophysical site of the r-process. While the average coalescence timescale of NSMs appears to be > 100 Myr, most of previous chemical evolution models indicate that the observed early appearance and large dispersion of [r/Fe] in Galactic halo stars at [Fe/H] < -2.5 favors shorter coalescence times of 1-10 Myr. We argue that this is not the case for the models assuming the formation of the Galactic halo from clustering of subhalos with different star formation histories as suggested by Ishimaru et al. (2015). We present a stochastic chemical evolution model of the subhalos, in which the site of the r-process is assumed to be mainly NSMs with a coalescence timescale of 100 Myr. In view of the scarcity of NSMs, their occurrence in each subhalo is computed with a Monte Carlo method. Our results show that the less massive subhalos evolve at lower metallicities and generate highly r-process-enhanced stars. An assembly of these subhalos leaves behind the large star-to-star scatters of [r/Fe] in the Galactic halo as observed. However, the observed scatters of [Sr/Ba] at low metallicities indicate the presence of an additional site that partially contributes to the enrichment of light neutron-capture elements such as Sr. The high enhancements of [r/Fe] at low metallicities found in our low-mass subhalo models also qualitatively reproduce the abundance signatures of the stars in the recently discovered ultra-faint dwarf galaxy Reticulum II. Therefore, our results suggest NSMs as the dominant sources of r-process elements in the Galactic halo.