bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consideraciones para mejorar la competitividad de la región “El Bajío” en la producción nacional de fresa
Authors: León López Luis , Guzmán-Ortíz Dora Linda Asunción , García Berumen José Abraham , Chávez Marmolejo Carlos Gerardo , Peña-Cabriales Juan José
Published: March 2018

En los años 40’s, la región “El Bajío”, Guanajuato, México se posicionó como líder a nivel nacional en la producción de fresa. En 1966, esta región alcanzó una producción de 143 x 103 t, ocupando el segundo lugar en la producción mundial y reconociéndose como “La Capital Mundial de la Fresa”. Sin embargo, diversos factores entre los que destacan: 1) la falta de organización y capacitación tecnológica de los productores; 2) la dependencia de los Estados Unidos de América para adquirir la planta “madre”; y 3) la incidencia de plagas y enfermedades ocasionadas por el monocultivo, generaron un declive significativo en la producción. Esta baja productividad, así como la incapacidad de mantener la demanda externa, favorecieron el surgimiento de nuevas regiones productoras, destacando Michoacán y Baja California. El objetivo de este ensayo fue realizar un análisis retrospectivo sobre la producción de fresa en la región “El Bajío” estado de Guanajuato para identificar los puntos críticos a resolver en el afán de recuperar el liderazgo nacional, destacando las acciones siguientes: 1) promover la organización entre productores para adoptar sistemas de producción más rentables; 2) lograr la independencia del extranjero en la adquisición de planta “madre”, apoyándose en instituciones nacionales de investigación a f in de generar variedades propias para la región; 3) fortalecer la comercialización de la fresa, estimulando la creación de empresas que den valor agregado al producto; y 4) hacer un esfuerzo conjunto entre productores, autoridades, empresas y la ciudadanía en general para que a través de acciones coordinadas (crédito, capacitación, difusión, cultura, etc.) se consolide y fortalezca la cadena producto fresa y se vigorice a la fresa como ícono de la ciudad de Irapuato, Guanajuato.
Elementos traza en fertilizantes y abonos utilizados en agricultura orgánica y convencional
Authors: Rodríguez Ortiz Juan Carlos , Alcalá Jáuregui Jorge Alonso , Hernández Montoya Alejandra , Rodríguez Fuentes Humberto , Ruiz Espinoza Francisco H. , García Hernández José Luis , Díaz Flores Paola Elizabeth
Published: March 2018

Los fertilizantes y abonos son las principales fuentes de nutrientes de los cultivos. La composición de elementos traza en ellos ha sido poco estudiada en México, así como su ingreso total a los suelos por esta vía. Arsénico (As), cadmio (Cd), mercurio (Hg) y plomo (Pb) fueron determinados por espectrofotometría de masas con plasma acoplado inductivamente (ICP-MS) en nueve fuentes nutrimentales utilizadas en agroecosistemas orgánicos y convencionales; lombricomposta, composta, nitrato chileno, roca fosfórica, urea, nitrato de calcio, fosfato diamónico (DAP), superfosfato triple (SPT) y sulfato de potasio. Los resultados muestran que DAP, SPT, roca fosfórica y lombricomposta poseen las más altas concentraciones de As, Cd y Pb, mientras que Hg sólo fue detectado en SPT a bajas concentraciones. La urea, nitrato de calcio y sulfato de potasio obtuvieron las concentraciones más bajas. Sin embargo, la lombricomposta es el material que más elementos traza incorpora al suelo cuando se toma como fuente de 100 kg de N ha-1, las cantidades estimadas fueron 17139, 2190 y 76176 mg ha-1 deAs, Cd y Pb, respectivamente. En caso de usarse como fuente de P2O5 ó K2O, el ingreso al suelo de elementos traza será aún más alto.
Dâr-ı Sulehâ'da Nesl-i Sulehâ Özlemi
Authors: Varol Mehmet Bahaüddin
Published: March 2018

Ülkemizde son yıllarda akademik dünyaya kazandırılan çok sayıda üniversite ve fakülte bulunmaktadır. İşte bu fakültelerden biri olan Aksaray Üniversitesi İslami İlimler Fakültesi’nin kuruluş sürecinde yaşananlar tarihe bir not olarak kaydedilmek üzere bu yazıda kaleme alınmıştır. Bilimsel ve akademik kuruluşların doğuşu gerek ilmi gerekse toplumsal alanda bir takım etkilere sebep olur. Ancak zamanla bunlar unutularak geçmişin karanlıklarında yok olur. Farklı ve farkedilir olmayı arzu eden Aksaray Üniversitesi İslami İlimler Fakültesi’nin bu sürecini Dergimizin ilk sayısında kaleme alarak en azından hatırasını sürekli kılmak istedik. Burada anlatılmayanlar elbette anlatılanlardan çok daha fazladır. Ancak amaç sürece olumlu katkıları bulunanların hatırlanması ve duaya vesile olmasının sağlanmasıdır. Hayırlı ve bereketli olması dileklerimizle…
Göstergebilimin Serüveni
Authors: ÜNAL Mehmet Fatih
Published: March 2018

Dil felsefesi, yirminci yüzyılda felsefenin de sınırlarını aşan en gözde çalışma alanlarından biri haline gelmiştir. Özellikle 1960’lı yıllar varoluşçuluk, yapısalcılık ve marksizm arasındaki hararetli tartışmaların yaşandığı yıllardır. Bu yıllarda öncelikle doğal dillere ilişkin yapılan çalışmalar yapay dil çalışmalarını da içine alacak şekilde genişlemiştir. Bu çalışmaların etkisiyle bütün anlamlı dizgeleri çözümlemeye ve betimlemeye çalışan göstergebilim ortaya çıkmıştır. Bu tarihlerde Avrupa da Ferdinand de Saussure Dilbilim çalışmalarıyla göstergebilimi (Semiology) hazırlarken ondan habersiz bir şekilde Amerika da Charles Sanders Peirce göstergeler arasındaki ilişkileri tanımlamak için bir çerçeve olarak kullanılacak göstergebilim (semiotic)’in ilkelerini belirlemekle meşguldür. 1960’ların ikinci yarısında ise Roland Barthes geliştirdiği gösterge kuramıyla müstakil bir göstergebilimin kurucusu olarak kabul görmüştür. Bu çalışmadaki amacımız göstergebilimin ilk felsefi metinlerden günümüze gelen dil felsefesi içerisindeki tartışmaların sonucunda nasıl ortaya çıktığını betimlemektir.
Produtividade da cana-de-açúcar e teores residuais de nutrientes no solo após aplicações dejetos líquidos de suínos
Authors: Menezes June Faria Scherrer , Silva Mariana Pina da , Muniz Neto Igor , Benites Vinicius De Melo , Berti Christian Luis Ferreira
Published: March 2018

Esse trabalho testou durante três anos consecutivos diferentes dosagens de dejetos líquidos de suínos (DLS) como fonte de adubação na cultura da cana-de-açúcar, e teve como propósito avaliar as produtividades e também os teores residuais de nutrientes no solo. O trabalho foi conduzido na Fazenda Fontes do Saber da Fesurv – Universidade de Rio Verde, em uma área que recebe dejetos líquidos de suínos desde a safra 2000/2001. Foram avaliados sete tratamentos (três repetições), sendo eles, controle (sem adubação mineral e orgânica), adubação mineral e doses crescentes de dejetos líquidos de suínos: 25 m³ ha-1, 50 m³ ha-1, 50 m³ ha-1 + N, 100 m³ ha-1 e 200 m³ ha-1. Foram analisados a produtividade de cana-de-açúcar e os teores de fósforo, potássio, cobre e zinco residuais no solo. Não houve diferença estatística na produtividade da cana-de-açúcar em função dos tratamentos. Os dejetos líquidos de suínos podem ser utilizados na adubação da cana-de-açúcar, mas não como fonte de fósforo, pois os DLS não fornecem todo fósforo que a cultura demanda. O potássio é encontrado em grandes quantidades nos DLS, as recomendações de aplicação de dejetos no solo para adubação devem ter por base esse elemento. Após três anos de aplicações sucessivas de DLS os teores de cobre e zinco no solo não foram prejudiciais ao desenvolvimento da cultura da cana-de-açúcar.
Matéria seca do feijoeiro e correção da acidez do solo em função de doses e fontes de corretivos
Authors: Galindo Fernando Shintate , Silva Juliano Da Costa , Gerlach Gustavo Antônio Xavier , Ferreira Marina Munhoz Rossato , Colombo Adriana De Souza , Teixeira Filho Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto
Published: March 2018

Novos produtos vêm sendo testados para melhorar o condicionamento do solo, entre eles o calcário líquido, que é um produto em suspensão com nano-partículas, centenas de vezes menores que as partículas do calcário convencional. Logo, torna-se necessário averiguar se realmente o calcário líquido é eficaz na correção da acidez do solo. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de doses de corretivos de acidez líquido e em pó, na produção de matéria seca de feijoeiro irrigado e correção de um Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e em esquema fatorial 4x2, constituídos de quatro doses de calcário (0 (testemunha), 1/2; 1 e 2x a dose recomendada) e dois tipos de corretivos de solo (calcário dolomítico em pó e calcário líquido). O comprimento da raiz principal, e as matérias secas de raiz e de parte aérea do feijoeiro não foram influenciados pelas doses e fontes de corretivo. O calcário dolomítico proporcionou maiores valores de pH do solo e menores acidez potencial, indicando que o corretivo líquido não foi eficaz na correção da acidez do solo. A aplicação de 2,7 t ha-1 de calcário dolomítico proporcionou a menor acidez potencial e o maior pH do solo cultivado com feijoeiro.
Estimativa de produção das culturas de soja e milho através de parâmetros agroclimatológicos
Authors: Araujo Maicon Marinho Vieira , Pires Dayane Ávila , Jardini Debora Curado , Pires Aline Pellozo
Published: March 2018

Minimizar os riscos relacionados aos fenômenos climáticos e identificar a melhor época de plantio, nos diferentes tipos de solo e ciclos de cultivares, é cada vez mais importante. Neste contexto os estudos de estimativas de rendimento agroclimático são muito relevantes. Nesta perspectiva, objetivou-se neste trabalho analisar indicadores que influenciam na produção da soja e do milho safrinha, em comparação aos parâmetros utilizados para zoneamento agrícola, nas áreas que abrangem as estações meteorológicas dos municípios de cinco munícipios de Mato Grosso. Adaptando a metodologia da FAO (1978), foram estimados o rendimento potencial e o rendimento agroclimático para as culturas, formada pela interpolação das séries existentes de cinco estações meteorológicas, referentes ao período de 2007 a 2011, localizadas nos municípios de Cuiabá, Jaciara, Poxoréu, Rondonópolis e Santo Antônio do Leverger. Com auxílio do software ArcGis 9.2/ArcMap gerou-se os mapas digitais e realizou-se o cruzamento dos dados, possibilitando a visualização, exploração e análise de informações espaciais. As manchas de Latossolo Vermelho-Escuro distrófico e Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo distrófico ofereceram as condições mais adequadas para a produção de Soja e Milho, sendo estas áreas consideradas plenamente aptas para a produção das duas culturas. Já as manchas de Argissolo Vermelho eutrófico (PVe11) e Neossolo Quartzarênico (AQa3, AQa8 e AQa22) foram consideradas marginalmente aptas para o cultivo das culturas, sendo as demais consideradas inaptas. O modelo da FAO adaptado para a estimativa do rendimento agroclimático apresentou desempenho satisfatório, mostrando, portanto, ser uma ferramenta útil para a previsão de safras da soja e do milho safrinha.
Liberdade
Authors: Willrich Glauber Rezende Jacob
Published: March 2018

Liberdade... existe?
Bruxas, demônios, monstros, fantasmas e loucura: quatro narrativas russas
Authors: Bittencourt Rodrigo
Published: March 2018

Este artigo analisa quatro novelas de Gógol. Duas novelas são sobre o funcionalismo russo de baixo escalão e suas péssimas condições de vida. Elas se passam em São Petersburgo e contém desdobramentos fantásticos. Os outros dois textos têm características de narrativa folclórica e descrevem a ação de seres sobrenaturais e acontecimentos extraordinários. A vida nas pequenas aldeias ucranianas descrita por Gógol pauta-se na independência típica dos cossacos e no gozo dos prazeres. Além disso, há a integração social das mais diversas personagens, mesmo das bruxas. Trata-se de outra realidade, bem distante daquela formada pelo capitalismo moderno e pela herança de culpabilidade deixada pela moral cristã.
Apresentação
Authors: Conceição Rute Izabel Simões
Published: March 2018

Neste Volume 6, n. 10, a Revista Arredia traz quatro artigos da Área de Literatura, três artigos da Área de Linguística, uma Entrevista com o escritor paranaense Caetano Waldrigues Galindo, um texto em prosa e um poema. Todos os textos foram submetidos por autores das mais diversas instituições de ensino superior do país e avaliados por pares que emitiram seus pareceres aprovando as publicações deste volume.
Hayek Marx: uma comparação extemporânea
Authors: Feijó Ricardo Luis Chaves
Published: March 2018

O ensaio começa por examinar as bases dos pensamentos de Karl Marx e Friedrich Hayek, nessa ordem. No primeiro caso, remete-se ao debate filosófico na Prússia, na passagem dos séculos XVIII e XIX, em especial apresenta-se uma síntese da reflexão do filósofo Hegel. Segue então a exposição sintética do sistema de Marx. Em Hayek, examinam-se as influências que se exerceram sobre ele de autores austríacos como Ludwig von Mises e Carl Menger, para, em seguida, detalhar a teoria da ordem espontânea e a teoria conexionista da mente. Após o estudo das bases do legado de Marx e Hayek, segue a estratégia de confrontar-se os dois sistemas de pensamento. Para tanto, oferece-se uma comparação sistemática entre elas. Na seção conclusiva, a mesma contraposição de ideias é tratada por meio de um quadro sinóptico comentado.
The Nation Dreamt Whole: Mid-Century Canadian Political Fantasy and the NFB’s “- -Of Japanese Descent”: An Interim Report (1945)
Authors: Pendakis Andrew , Wilson Sheena
Published: March 2018

Through an analysis of the NFB’s 1945 film“--Of Japanese Descent”: an Interim Report this article explores aspects of a specifically Canadian mid-century political imaginary characterized by very particular economic and racial anxieties. Faced by the emergence of new political economies—fascist and communist models that seemed capable of re-imagining the nation—as well as a broad sense for a debility or limit proper to capitalist liberal democracy, many people in this period began to fantasize about openly post-liberal Canadian futures. At the same time, the Canadian state was attempting to manage and control a narrative of national identity in the context of new flows of non-white immigrants. “--Of Japanese Descent”—a film produced by the Canadian state to positively re-frame the internment of Japanese Canadians during the war—attempts to resolve both vectors of anxiety simultaneously. The internment camp comes to be imagined as a kind of post-liberal utopia, a space of national fulfillment and purpose de-linked from the risks and aporias of liberal capitalism. What we call the “liberal concentration camp”, then, models an alternative, idealized Canadian future while simultaneously functioning as a kind of school or machine for the naturalization of “inadmissible” Japanese bodies. However, even as the film channels fascist and communist desires—for national oneness and economic solidarity respectively—it operates as a means of preparing the Canadian viewer for the re-integration of interned Japanese into their communities and in this sense is a very early snapshots of the limits and contradictions of liberal state multiculturalism in Canada.
The Archaeology of an Image: The Persistent Persuasion of Thomas Moore Keesick’s Residential School Photographs
Authors: Brady Miranda J. , Hiltz Emily
Published: March 2018

The before and after photographs of Thomas Moore Keesick—known widely by his Anglicized name, Thomas Moore—are some of the most iconic and prolific images signifying Canada’s dark legacy of Indian Residential Schools. Taken in the 1890s and appearing in an 1896 Department of Indian Affairs Annual Report, the photos were originally meant to demonstrate Keesick’s successful assimilation through the Regina Indian Industrial School. Assuming an archaeological approach to photography, this article argues that the images of Keesick were not just brute expressions of a powerful colonizing influence (as they are now understood), but desperate attempts by insecure institutions seeking legitimacy as part of a broader colonial apparatus. In many contemporary uses, audiences take these images for granted as a sign of unfettered colonial power. Contemporary critiques that mobilize the photos to illustrate the power of colonization with little historical situating are reductive in their treatment of colonial institutions as homogenous. We attempt to nuance contemporary and historical uses of Keesick’s images to ask how photographic and interpretive practices forward strikingly similar understandings of the images across time, without considering the conventions under which they were originally constructed. Finally, we explore instances of radical resituating to illustrate how recontextualizations of the Keesick images can encourage new ways of seeing and interrogating them.
Motorcycle helmets and cervical spine injuries: a 5-year experience at a Level 1 trauma center
Authors: Page Paul S. , Wei Zhikui , Brooks Nathaniel P.
Published: March 2018

OBJECTIVE

Motorcycle helmets have been shown to decrease the incidence and severity of traumatic brain injury due to motorcycle crashes. Despite this proven efficacy, some previous reports and speculation suggest that helmet use is associated with a higher likelihood of cervical spine injury (CSI). In this study, the authors examine 1061 cases of motorcycle crash victims who were treated during a 5-year period at a Level 1 trauma center to investigate the association of helmet use with the incidence and severity of CSI. The authors hypothesized that wearing a motorcycle helmet during a motorcycle crash is not associated with an increased risk of CSI and may provide some protective advantage to the wearer.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective review of all cases in which the patient had been involved in a motorcycle crash and was evaluated at a single Level 1 trauma center in Wisconsin between January 1, 2010, and January 1, 2015. Biometric, clinical, and imaging data were obtained from a trauma registry database. The patients were then divided into 2 distinct groups based on whether or not they were wearing helmets at the time of the accident. Baseline and functional characteristics were compared between the 2 groups. The Student t-test was used for continuous variables, and Pearson’s chi-square analysis was used for categorical variables.

RESULTS

In total, 1061 patient charts were examined containing data on 738 unhelmeted (69.6%) and 323 helmeted (30.4%) motorcycle riders. On average, helmeted riders had a much lower Injury Severity Score (p < 0.001). Cervical spine injury occurred in 114 unhelmeted riders (15.4%) compared with only 24 helmeted riders (7.4%) (p < 0.001), with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.3 (95% CI 1.44–3.61, p = 0.0005). In the unhelmeted group, 10.8% of patients were found to have a cervical spine fracture compared with only 4.6% of patients in the helmeted group (p = 0.001). Additionally, ligamentous injury occurred more frequently in unhelmeted riders (1.9% vs 0.3%, p = 0.04). No difference was found in the occurrence of cervical strain, cord contusion, or nerve root injury (all p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study demonstrate a statistically significant lower likelihood of suffering a CSI among helmeted motorcyclists. Unhelmeted riders sustained a statistically significant higher number of vertebral fractures and ligamentous injuries. The study findings reported here confirm the authors’ hypothesis that helmet use does not increase the risk of developing a cervical spine fracture and may provide some protective advantage.
Sugar for sustenance: Nutrition studies in French colonial Morocc
Authors: Cornwell Graham H.
Published: March 2018

In interwar Morocco, French colonial policies aimed to transform the country into an export-oriented agricultural economy in which one-time small farmers became wage labourers on large-scale monoculture enterprises. But as a rapidly urbanising population lost its own means of food production, Protectorate efforts to alleviate 'colonial malnutrition' and low standards of living focused on the accessibility and affordability of sugar for the indigenous population. Sugar provided not just an economically and physiologically efficient calorie source, it also meshed with the French ethnographic constructions of the Moroccan diet. This article shows how French officials struggled to reconcile scientific ideas about Moroccans' biological needs with their foundational belief in Moroccan cultural difference.
Food, farming and universal health: The
Medical Testament
and the organic movement
Authors: Sayre Laura
Published: March 2018

The
Medical Testament
, a short pamphlet published by a group of English physicians in 1939, occupies a key place in the history of the organic movement. Widely cited by later advocates of organic farming, the document is today difficult to find and largely forgotten. Its arguments and its history bear close reading, however, particularly for the way they stitch together local and global evidence in favour of a specific view of human and ecological health. Highlighting the work of two career civil servants in British India - Robert McCarrison, a medical doctor and nutritionist, and Albert Howard, an agronomist and early champion of composting - the
Medical Testament
asserted the relevance of these men's work to the health of the inhabitants of Cheshire, and by extension to human health everywhere. The core claim of the
Medical Testament
- that human health was best secured by the consumption of fresh foods grown in well-managed soils - remains at once irrefutable and unprovable, a dream of universal health undercut by the disruptions of empire and industrialisation that helped bring that vision into perspective.
Corrigendum: Canagliflozin, dapagliflozin and empagliflozin monotherapy for treating type 2 diabetes: systematic review and economic evaluation
Authors: Johnston Rhona , Uthman Olalekan , Cummins Ewen , Clar Christine , Royle Pamela , Colquitt Jill , Tan Bee Kang , Clegg Andrew , Shantikumar Saran , Court Rachel , O’Hare J Paul , McGrane David , Holt Tim , Waugh Norman
Published: March 2018

Empagliflozin (Jardiance, Merck & Co., Darmstadt, Germany) has been replaced with empagliflozin (Jardiance, Boehringer Ingelheim, Ingelheim, Germany/Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA).

Sitagliptin (Januvia, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bracknell, UK) has been replaced with sitagliptin (Januvia, Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited, Kenilworth, NJ, USA).
Quantitative Determination of thymoquinone in Nigella Sativa and its nano formulation using validated stability indicating HPTLC densiometric method
Authors: Taleuzzaman Mohamad , Imam Syed Sarim , Gilani Sadaf Jamal
Published: March 2018

An accurate and stability indicating high-performance thin layer chromatographic method (HPTLC) was developed and validated for the quantification of thymoquinone (TQ) as per the ICH guidelines. The analysis was carried out on the aluminum plate using n-hexane: ethyl acetate: methanol (7:2:1 v/v/v) as the mobile phase and the densitometric determination was carried out by TLC scanner (CAMAG) at 254 nm. The developed method was validated for different parameters like linearity, precision, recovery, robustness, and stressed stability study. The developed analytical method was found to be linear in the concentration range of 75-500 ng band-1 with regression value closer to unity (r2 = 0.997). The developed system was found to give compact spots for thymoquinone (Rf 0.77) with the limit of detection and limit of quantification (18 and 54 ng band-1) respectively. Further, the study showed accuracy, precision and repeatability were all within the required limits. The stress degradation study of TQ showed well separated degraded peak from the pure thymoquinone. The mean recoveries measured at three concentrations were more than 95% with RSD ≤ 3%. The method has been successfully applied in the analysis and routine quality control of herbal material and formulations containing TQ.Taleuzzaman et al., International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, September 2017, 6(10): 53-60http://www.icpjonline.com/documents/Vol6Issue10/01.pdf
Translating Social and Material Culture: Sanditon in Spanish
Authors: López Isis Herrero
Published: March 2018

A plenitude of references to the institutions and conventions of contemporary social life and material culture presents challenges to all translators of Jane Austen. For this reason, the translation process needs to be based on a mastery of information about Regency England. The study of Spanish-language translations of Austen's Sanditon suggests they are not so based, because the translators frequently overlook the relevance of these references. References to the gentry class, to medical professionals, and to contemporary forms of transport, among other things, are examined in five translations from three different countries (Spain, Argentina, and Mexico). The translation choices made often obscure the implications which historico-cultural references bring to Austen's writings.
Genetic Determinants of Tetracycline Resistance in Clinical Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotype 1 Isolates from Niger
Authors: Ousmane Sani , Diallo Bouli , Ouedraogo Rasmata
Published: March 2018

Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 1 is the first cause of pneumococcal meningitis Niger. To determine the underlying mechanism of resistance to tetracycline in serotype 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae, a collection of 37 isolates recovered from meningitis patients over the period of 2002 to 2009 in Niger were analyzed for drug susceptibility, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed for molecular analyses. MIC level was determined for 31/37 (83.8%) isolates and allowed detection of full resistance (MIC = 8 µg) in 24/31 (77.4%) isolates. No resistance was found to macrolides and quinolones. Sequence-types deduced from WGS were ST217 (54.1%), ST303 (35.1%), ST2206 (5.4%), ST2839 (2.7%) and one undetermined ST (2.7%). All tetracycline resistant isolates carried a Tn5253 like element, which was found to be an association of two smaller transposons of Tn916 and Tn5252 families. No tet(O) and tet(Q) genes were detected. However, a tet(M) like sequence was identified in all Tn5253 positive strains and was found associated to Tn916 composite. Only one isolate was phenotypically resistant to chloramphenicol, wherein a chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (cat) gene sequence homologous to catpC194 from the Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pC194 was detected. In conclusion, clinical Streptococcus pneumoniae type 1 isolated during 2002 to 2009 meningitis surveillance in Niger were fully susceptible to macrolides and quinolones but highly resistant to tetracycline (77.4%) through acquisition of a defective Tn5253 like element composed of Tn5252 and Tn916 transposons. Of the 31 tested isolates, only one was exceptionally resistant to chloramphenicol and carried a Tn5253 transposon that contained cat gene sequence.
Advances in Vibroacoustics and Aeroacustics of Aerospace and Automotive Systems
Authors: Citarella Roberto , Federico Luigi
Published: March 2018

n/a
Quillaja saponaria Saponins with Potential to Enhance the Effectiveness of Disinfection Processes in the Beverage Industry
Authors: Antolak Hubert , Mizerska Urszula , Berłowska Joanna , Otlewska Anna , Kręgiel Dorota
Published: March 2018

This study examines the in vitro effect of Quillaja saponaria extracts on Asaia spp. planktonic cells and biofilms, in comparison and combination with two disinfectants: peracetic acid and N-ethyl-N,N-dimethylhexadecylammonium bromide. The growth of six bacterial strains was evaluated spectrophotometrically. Biofilm eradication was determined using the plate count method and luminometry. The planktonic cells were characterized by relatively high resistance to peracetic acid and higher sensitivity to N-ethylo-N,N-dimethylohexadecylioamonium bromide. In almost all the tested strains, growth was inhibited by 0.125% (v/v) peracetic acid and 0.0313% (w/v) quaternary ammonium compound. However, combinations of cell pretreatment using saponin and peracetic acid action were the most efficient against both planktonic and biofilm cells. The minimum inhibitory concentrations for peracetic acid were 4–8 times lower than those for bacterial strains without preliminary saponin action. Eradication of Asaia spp. biofilms reduced the number of living cells by 4–5 logarithmic units. These results demonstrate the synergetic action of saponin extract and disinfectant, and could be useful in the development of industrial strategies against Asaia spp. biofilms.
Wireless Sensors and IoT Platform for Intelligent HVAC Control
Authors: Ruano António , Silva Sérgio , Duarte Helder , Ferreira P.M.
Published: March 2018

Energy consumption of buildings (residential and non-residential) represents approximately 40% of total world electricity consumption, with half of this energy consumed by HVAC systems. Model-Based Predictive Control (MBPC) is perhaps the technique most often proposed for HVAC control, since it offers an enormous potential for energy savings. Despite the large number of papers on this topic during the last few years, there are only a few reported applications of the use of MBPC for existing buildings, under normal occupancy conditions and, to the best of our knowledge, no commercial solution yet. A marketable solution has been recently presented by the authors, coined the IMBPC HVAC system. This paper describes the design, prototyping and validation of two components of this integrated system, the Self-Powered Wireless Sensors and the IOT platform developed. Results for the use of IMBPC in a real building under normal occupation demonstrate savings in the electricity bill while maintaining thermal comfort during the whole occupation schedule.
Effects of Heat Treatment on the Tribological Properties of Sicp/Al-5Si-1Cu-0.5Mg Composite Processed by Electromagnetic Stirring Method
Authors: Li Ning , Yan Hong , Wang Zhi-Wei
Published: March 2018

This paper investigated the influence of heat treatment (T6) on the dry sliding wear behavior of SiCp/Al-5Si-1Cu-0.5Mg composite that was fabricated by electromagnetic stirring method. The wear rates and friction coefficients were measured using a pin-on-disc tribometer under loads of 15–90 N at dry sliding speeds of 100 r/min, 200 r/min, and 300 r/min, over a sliding time of 15 min. The worn surfaces and debris were examined using a scanning electron microscope and was analyzed with an energy dispersive spectrometer. The experimental results revealed that SiCp/Al-5Si-1Cu-0.5Mg alloy treated with T6 exhibited lower wear rate and friction coefficient than the other investigated alloys. As the applied load increased, the wear rate and friction coefficient increased. While, the wear rate and friction coefficient decreased with the sliding speed increasing. The morphology of the eutectic silicon was spheroidal after the T6 heat treatment. SiCp particles and Al2Cu phase can be considered as the main raisons for improving the wear behavior. Abrasion and oxidation were the wear mechanisms at low load levels. However, the wear mechanisms at high load levels were plastic deformation and delamination.
The Improvement of Mechanical Properties, Thermal Stability, and Water Absorption Resistance of an Eco-Friendly PLA/Kenaf Biocomposite Using Acetylation
Authors: Chung Taek-Jun , Park Ji-Won , Lee Hyun-Ji , Kwon Hueck-Jin , Kim Hyun-Joong , Lee Young-Kyu , Tai Yin Tze William
Published: March 2018

As a result of industrialization and environmental pollution, increasing importance is being given to eco-friendly materials and technology. In particular, eco-friendly biocomposites using polylactic acid (PLA) have attracted great interest. In this work, fiber-reinforced composites were investigated in order to enhance the mechanical properties and improve the economic efficiency of PLA. Specifically, composite materials using natural fibers, such as kenaf were actively studied. In the utilization of natural fibers, such as kenaf, the treatment method for increasing the bonding force between the fiber and the matrix is very important. In this study, the surface of kenaf was treated using an acetylation technique, and the PLA composite material was prepared using surface-treated kenaf. Changes in fiber properties were observed with acetylation treatment time. The mechanical properties, thermal stability, and water absorption resistance of the acetylated kenaf and PLA composites prepared for each condition were evaluated. Finally, was concluded that acetylation treatment is effective for improving the performance of PLA/kenaf composites. This behavior was found to relate to the surface cleaning of acetylated kanaf, in addition to the efficient modification of the hydrophilic characteristics of kenaf.
State-of-the-Art Mobile Intelligence: Enabling Robots to Move Like Humans by Estimating Mobility with Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Jin Xue-Bo , Su Ting-Li , Kong Jian-Lei , Bai Yu-Ting , Miao Bei-Bei , Dou Chao
Published: March 2018

Mobility is a significant robotic task. It is the most important function when robotics is applied to domains such as autonomous cars, home service robots, and autonomous underwater vehicles. Despite extensive research on this topic, robots still suffer from difficulties when moving in complex environments, especially in practical applications. Therefore, the ability to have enough intelligence while moving is a key issue for the success of robots. Researchers have proposed a variety of methods and algorithms, including navigation and tracking. To help readers swiftly understand the recent advances in methodology and algorithms for robot movement, we present this survey, which provides a detailed review of the existing methods of navigation and tracking. In particular, this survey features a relation-based architecture that enables readers to easily grasp the key points of mobile intelligence. We first outline the key problems in robot systems and point out the relationship among robotics, navigation, and tracking. We then illustrate navigation using different sensors and the fusion methods and detail the state estimation and tracking models for target maneuvering. Finally, we address several issues of deep learning as well as the mobile intelligence of robots as suggested future research topics. The contributions of this survey are threefold. First, we review the literature of navigation according to the applied sensors and fusion method. Second, we detail the models for target maneuvering and the existing tracking based on estimation, such as the Kalman filter and its series developed form, according to their model-construction mechanisms: linear, nonlinear, and non-Gaussian white noise. Third, we illustrate the artificial intelligence approach—especially deep learning methods—and discuss its combination with the estimation method.
Noncontact Surface Roughness Estimation Using 2D Complex Wavelet Enhanced ResNet for Intelligent Evaluation of Milled Metal Surface Quality
Authors: Sun Weifang , Yao Bin , Chen Binqiang , He Yuchao , Cao Xincheng , Zhou Tianxiang , Liu Huigang
Published: March 2018

Machined surfaces are rough from a microscopic perspective no matter how finely they are finished. Surface roughness is an important factor to consider during production quality control. Using modern techniques, surface roughness measurements are beneficial for improving machining quality. With optical imaging of machined surfaces as input, a convolutional neural network (CNN) can be utilized as an effective way to characterize hierarchical features without prior knowledge. In this paper, a novel method based on CNN is proposed for making intelligent surface roughness identifications. The technical scheme incorporates there elements: texture skew correction, image filtering, and intelligent neural network learning. Firstly, a texture skew correction algorithm, based on an improved Sobel operator and Hough transform, is applied such that surface texture directions can be adjusted. Secondly, two-dimensional (2D) dual tree complex wavelet transform (DTCWT) is employed to retrieve surface topology information, which is more effective for feature classifications. In addition, residual network (ResNet) is utilized to ensure automatic recognition of the filtered texture features. The proposed method has verified its feasibility as well as its effectiveness in actual surface roughness estimation experiments using the material of spheroidal graphite cast iron 500-7 in an agricultural machinery manufacturing company. Testing results demonstrate the proposed method has achieved high-precision surface roughness estimation.
Attend It Again: Recurrent Attention Convolutional Neural Network for Action Recognition
Authors: Yang Haodong , Zhang Jun , Li Shuohao , Lei Jun , Chen Shiqi
Published: March 2018

Human action recognition in videos is an important task with a broad range of applications. In this study, we improve the performance of recurrent attention convolutional neural network (RACNN) by proposing a novel model, “attention-again”. We consider the nature of video frames as sequences, which will cause the change of regions of interest in the frame, thus we cannot use an attention mechanism similar to that in images. “Attention-again” model is a variant from traditional attention model for recognizing human activities and is embedded in two long short-term memory (LSTM) layers. Different from hierarchal LSTM which change the LSTM structure to combine the hidden states from two LSTM layers, our proposals introduce “attention-again” model to avoid the change of LSTM structure. Furthermore, this model not only learns the relations in each frame, but also obtains the relations among all frames, and these relations instruct the next learning stage. Therefore, our proposed model outperform the baseline and is superior to methods with the same experimental conditions on three benchmark datasets: UCF-11, HMDB-51 and UCF-101. To understand how the model works, we also visualize the region of interest in the frame.
Experiment and Simulation Investigation on the Characteristics of Diesel Spray Impingement Based on Droplet Impact Phenomenon
Authors: Liu Yongfeng , Xiang Qi , Li Zhijun , Yao Shengzhuo , Liang Xingyu , Wang Fang
Published: March 2018

In order to study the characteristics of diesel spray impinging in small-size internal combustion (IC) engine, the laboratorial platform of spray impingement is used to visualize the droplet impact phenomenon. A high-speed camera is used to record the whole process of the spray. An experimental research is accomplished under the impingement phenomenon of diesel spray on the wall with a fixed injection volume of 25 mg, injection pressure of 40 MPa, wall-injector distance of 40mm and orifice diameter of 0.26 mm. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation is carried out and the turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) distribution diagram is obtained. The results show that the maximum spray radius is 29.3 mm and maximum spray height is 10.2 mm at 2.8 ms. The spray impingement phenomenon presents the “blanket” shape. The simulation results are similar to the experimental results with the average error of the spray height within 3%.
Cobalt (II) Complexes with Schiff Base Ligands Derived from Terephthalaldehyde and ortho-Substituted Anilines: Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Shaygan Sahar , Pasdar Hoda , Foroughifar Naser , Davallo Mehran , Motiee Fereshteh
Published: March 2018

In this study, N-propyl-benzoguanamine-SO3H magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were used as a catalyst for the synthesis of new Schiff base ligands from condensation reaction of terephthalaldehyde and ortho-aniline derivatives. The bioactive ligands and their cobalt (II) complexes were characterized with nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Visible), mass spectroscopy studies and molar conductance. The antibacterial activity of ligands and their metal complexes were screened using disc diffusion and broth dilution methods against Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (gram negative bacteria), Bacillus Subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus (gram positive bacteria). The ligands with hydroxyl group showed better biological activity when compared to other ligands. The results showed that the metal complexes have much higher antibacterial activity compare to the parent ligands. It was found that the CoL3 complex was more effective than other metal complexes used against all types of bacteria tested and it was more effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with diameter inhibition zone of 17 mm and minimal inhibitory concentration value of 0.15 mg/mL.
A Multi-Modal Person Recognition System for Social Robots
Authors: Al-Qaderi Mohammad , Rad Ahmad
Published: March 2018

The paper presents a solution to the problem of person recognition by social robots via a novel brain-inspired multi-modal perceptual system. The system employs spiking neural network to integrate face, body features, and voice data to recognize a person in various social human-robot interaction scenarios. We suggest that, by and large, most reported multi-biometric person recognition algorithms require active participation by the subject and as such are not appropriate for social human-robot interactions. However, the proposed algorithm relaxes this constraint. As there are no public datasets for multimodal systems, we designed a hybrid dataset by integration of the ubiquitous FERET, RGB-D, and TIDIGITS datasets for face recognition, person recognition, and speaker recognition, respectively. The combined dataset facilitates association of facial features, body shape, and speech signature for multimodal person recognition in social settings. This multimodal dataset is employed for testing the algorithm. We assess the performance of the algorithm and discuss its merits against related methods. Within the context of the social robotics, the results suggest the superiority of the proposed method over other reported person recognition algorithms.
Long-Term Analysis of Aerosol Optical Depth over the Huaihai Economic Region (HER): Possible Causes and Implications
Authors: Shen Yang , Zhang Lianpeng , Fang Xing , Zhao Zhuowen , Li Xing , Wang Jiahui , Chai Qi
Published: March 2018

The quality of air is increasingly affecting regional climate and human activity. Collection 6 aerosol products retrieved from the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard the Terra satellite were validated based on CE-318 sun photometric data to analyze their applicability in the Huaihai economic region (HER) at the Xuzhou and Shouxian sites. The spatio-temporal variations of aerosol optical depth (AOD) were also analyzed over HER from 2000 to 2016, with analyses of the correlation with potential driving factors, including meteorology, vegetation and human factors. HER is an economic cooperation organization with multiple industrial structures, containing coal resource-based cities, a national transportation hub and agricultural and high-altitude areas, which shows regional differences in AOD. The results suggest that MODIS Terra AOD products show good agreement with ground observations, with correlation coefficients of above 0.84 in HER, and the main pollutants for high AOD values are fine particles (the mean Ångström exponent was 1.16). The average annual change in AOD varied with a weak growth trend over the past 17 years, while a transition in 2012 made the tendency change from upward to downward due to the extensive cooperation of cities in the joint prevention and control of the deterioration of the ecological environment. The largest monthly mean AOD value appeared in June, which resulted from significant agricultural residue burning. The spatial distribution of multi-year average AOD occurred with a banded high-value center, extending from the north-west to the south-east. The high aerosol loadings were located in resource-based cities, and industrially developed and south-eastern coastal areas, whereas the regions with relatively low AOD in HER were distributed in the southern agricultural and northern high-altitude areas. The AOD value in the western, northern, and eastern coastal areas of HER showed a significant increasing trend, while no area exhibited a decreasing trend. The average wind speed has the largest negative correlation with the AOD value in terms of the natural driving factors, and GDP (gross domestic product) was more positively correlated with AOD with respect to the human factors, in comparison with population density.
Gene Editing of Microalgae: Scientific Progress and Regulatory Challenges in Europe
Authors: Spicer Andrew , Molnar Attila
Published: March 2018

It is abundantly clear that the development of gene editing technologies, represents a potentially powerful force for good with regard to human and animal health and addressing the challenges we continue to face in a growing global population. This now includes the development of approaches to modify microalgal strains for potential improvements in productivity, robustness, harvestability, processability, nutritional composition, and application. The rapid emergence and ongoing developments in this area demand a timely review and revision of the current definitions and regulations around genetically modified organisms (GMOs), particularly within Europe. Current practices within the EU provide exemptions from the GMO directives for organisms, including crop plants and micro-organisms that are produced through chemical or UV/radiation mutagenesis. However, organisms generated through gene editing, including microalgae, where only genetic changes in native genes are made, remain currently under the GMO umbrella; they are, as such, excluded from practical and commercial opportunities in the EU. In this review, we will review the advances that are being made in the area of gene editing in microalgae and the impact of regulation on commercial advances in this area with consideration to the current regulatory framework as it relates to GMOs including GM microalgae in Europe.
Updates in the Development of ImmunoRNases for the Selective Killing of Tumor Cells
Authors: Jordaan Sandra , Akinrinmade Olusiji , Nachreiner Thomas , Cremer Christian , Naran Krupa , Chetty Shivan , Barth Stefan
Published: March 2018

Targeted cancer therapy includes, amongst others, antibody-based delivery of toxic payloads to selectively eliminate tumor cells. This payload can be either a synthetic small molecule drug composing an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) or a cytotoxic protein composing an immunotoxin (IT). Non-human cytotoxic proteins, while potent, have limited clinical efficacy due to their immunogenicity and potential off-target toxicity. Humanization of the cytotoxic payload is essential and requires harnessing of potent apoptosis-inducing human proteins with conditional activity, which rely on targeted delivery to contact their substrate. Ribonucleases are attractive candidates, due to their ability to induce apoptosis by abrogating protein biosynthesis via tRNA degradation. In fact, several RNases of the pancreatic RNase A superfamily have shown potential as anti-cancer agents. Coupling of a human RNase to a humanized antibody or antibody derivative putatively eliminates the immunogenicity of an IT (now known as a human cytolytic fusion protein, hCFP). However, RNases are tightly regulated in vivo by endogenous inhibitors, controlling the ribonucleolytic balance subject to the cell’s metabolic requirements. Endogenous inhibition limits the efficacy with which RNase-based hCFPs induce apoptosis. However, abrogating the natural interaction with the natural inhibitors by mutation has been shown to significantly enhance RNase activity, paving the way toward achieving cytolytic potency comparable to that of bacterial immunotoxins. Here, we review the immunoRNases that have undergone preclinical studies as anti-cancer therapeutic agents.