bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geographical Variations in the Environmental Determinants of Physical Inactivity among U.S. Adults
Authors: An Ruopeng , Li Xinye , Jiang Ning
Published: October 2017

Physical inactivity is a major modifiable risk factor for morbidity, disability and premature mortality worldwide. This study assessed the geographical variations in the impact of environmental quality on physical inactivity among U.S. adults. Data on county-level prevalence of leisure-time physical inactivity came from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. County environment was measured by the Environmental Quality Index (EQI), a comprehensive index of environmental conditions that affect human health. The overall EQI consists of five subdomains—air, water, land, social, and built environment. Geographically weighted regressions (GWRs) were performed to estimate and map county-specific impact of overall EQI and its five subdomains on physical inactivity prevalence. The prevalence of leisure-time physical inactivity among U.S. counties was 25% in 2005. On average, one standard deviation decrease in the overall EQI was associated with an increase in county-level prevalence of leisure-time physical inactivity by nearly 1%. However, substantial geographical variations in the estimated environmental determinants of physical inactivity were present. The estimated changes of county-level prevalence of leisure-time physical inactivity resulted from one standard deviation decrease of the overall EQI ranged from an increase of over 3% to a decrease of nearly 2% across U.S. counties. Analogous, the estimated changes of county-level prevalence of leisure-time physical inactivity resulted from one standard deviation decrease of the EQI air, water, land, social, and built environment subdomains ranged from an increase of 2.6%, 1.5%, 2.9%, 3.3%, and 1.7% to a decrease of 2.9%, 1.4%, 2.4%, 2.4%, and 0.8% across U.S. counties, respectively. Given the substantial heterogeneities in the environmental determinants of physical inactivity, locally customized physical activity interventions are warranted to address the most concerning area-specific environmental issue.
History of Asbestos Ban in Hong Kong
Authors: Wong Chun-Kwan , Wan Sabrina , Yu Ignatius
Published: October 2017

As millions of immigrants moved to Hong Kong (HK) from China in the recent decades, large amount of residential housings were built in the early years and a substantial proportion of those buildings used asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). Since the number of new cases of ARDs diagnosed has increased year by year since 1990’s, the remarkable increase of incidences had drawn the attention of the public and most importantly the HK government. It became one of the trigger points leading to asbestos ban in HK history. Comparatively, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), labor unions and patients’ self-help organizations demonstrated a more aggressive and proactive attitude than the HK government and have played a key role in the development of asbestos banning policy in HK. After numerous petitions and meetings with the government representatives by those parties in the past decade, the HK government eventually changed its attitude and started to consider terminating the endless threat from asbestos by amending the policy, and the new clause of legislation for banning of all forms of asbestos was enacted on 4 April 2014. Other than the restriction of asbestos use, the compensation system about ARDs has also made some great moves by the effort of those parties as well. Based on the experience we learnt through the years, efforts from different stakeholders including patients’ self-help organizations, NGOs, legislative councilors, and media power are absolutely essential to the success of progression and development in today’s asbestos banning in HK.
Refined Deep-Sea Water Suppresses Inflammatory Responses via the MAPK/AP-1 and NF-κB Signaling Pathway in LPS-Treated RAW 264.7 Macrophage Cells
Authors: Chun So-Young , Lee Kyu-Shik , Nam Kyung-Soo
Published: October 2017

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a type of inflammatory skin disease caused by genetics, immune system dysfunction, and environmental stresses. It is, however, still considered to be a refractory disease. Macrophages are inflammatory immune cells that infiltrate the skin and induce inflammation. We investigated the effect of refined deep-sea water (RDSW) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. The results showed that RDSW suppressed the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2. Furthermore, nitric oxide, a product of iNOS, and prostaglandin (PG) D2 and PGE2, products of COX-2, were significantly inhibited by RDSW in a hardness-dependent manner. Moreover, we found that RDSW reversed the release of histamines and regressed the mRNA expressions and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10, and vascular endothelial growth factor, in a hardness-dependent manner. We also found that the suppressive effect of RDSW on LPS-induced inflammatory responses was regulated by the inhibition of NF-κB nuclear translocation, and ERK 1/2 and JNK 1/2 mediated the suppression of c-Jun and c-Fos expressions. In conclusion, the present investigation suggests the possibility that RDSW may be used to treat and/or prevent inflammatory diseases, including AD.
A Versatile Chemo-Enzymatic Conjugation Approach Yields Homogeneous and Highly Potent Antibody-Drug Conjugates
Authors: Xu Ying , Jin Shijie , Zhao Wenbin , Liu Wenhui , Ding Ding , Zhou Jie , Chen Shuqing
Published: October 2017

The therapeutic efficacy of antibodies can be successfully improved through targeted delivery of potent cytotoxic drugs in the form of antibody-drug conjugates. However, conventional conjugation strategies lead to heterogeneous conjugates with undefined stoichiometry and sites, even with considerable batch-to-batch variability. In this study, we have developed a chemo-enzymatic strategy by equipping the C-terminus of anti-CD20 ofatumumab with a click handle using Sortase A, followed by ligation of the payload based on a strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition to produce homogeneous conjugates. The resulting antibody-drug conjugates fully retained their antigen binding capability and proved to be internalized and trafficked to the lysosome, which released the payload with a favorable efficacy in vitro and in vivo. Thus, this reported method is a versatile tool with maximum flexibility for development of antibody-drug conjugates and protein modification.
Efficient Generation of Genome-Modified Mice Using Campylobacter jejuni-Derived CRISPR/Cas
Authors: Fujii Wataru , Ikeda Arisa , Sugiura Koji , Naito Kunihiko
Published: October 2017

Mammalian zygote-mediated genome-engineering by Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)/Cas is currently used for the generation of genome-modified animals. Here, we report that a Campylobacter jejuni-derived orthologous CRISPR/Cas system recognizes a 5′-NNNVRYAC sequence as a protospacer-adjacent motif in mouse zygotes, and is applicable for efficient generation of knockout mice. Moreover, this novel CRISPR/Cas can be used for zygote-mediated knock-in at a unique locus, suggesting that this system could help to expand the feasibility of the zygote-mediated generation of genome-modified animals.
Design of a Corporate SDI in Power Sector Using a Formal Model
Authors: Oliveira Italo , Câmara Jean , Torres Rubens , Lisboa-Filho Jugurta
Published: October 2017

Geospatial data are essential for the decision-making process. However, obtaining and keeping such data up to date usually require much time and many financial resources. In order to minimize the production costs and incentivize sharing these data, countries are promoting the implementation of Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI) at the different public administration levels. The International Cartographic Association (ICA) proposes a formal model that describes the main concepts of an SDI based on three of the five viewpoints of the Reference Model for Open Distributed Processing (RM-ODP). Afterwards, researchers extended ICA’s model to describe, more properly, the actors, hierarchical relationship and interactions related to the policies that drive an SDI. However, the proposed extensions are semantically inconsistent with the original proposal. Moreover, the use of ICA’s formal model and its extensions has not been assessed yet to specify a corporate-level SDI. This study describes the merger of actors and policies proposed by the ICA and its extensions in order to eliminate differences in the semantics or terminology among them. This unified model was applied to specify a corporate SDI for a large Brazilian corporation, the Minas Gerais Power Company (Companhia Energética de Minas Gerais (Cemig)), which is comprised of about 200 companies in the power sector. The case study presents part of the specification of the five RM-ODP viewpoints, i.e., the three viewpoints featured in ICA’s formal model (Enterprise, Information, and Computation) and the other two viewpoints that make up the RM-ODP (Engineering and Technology). The adapted ICA’s model proved adequate to describe SDI-Cemig. In addition, the case study may serve as an example of the specification and implementation of new SDIs, not only corporate ones, but also of public agencies at any hierarchical level.
Reduced Drosophila suzukii Infestation in Berries Using Deterrent Compounds and Laminate Polymer Flakes
Authors: Renkema Justin , Buitenhuis Rosemarije , Hallett Rebecca
Published: October 2017

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) is a recent invasive pest of soft fruits in North and South America and Europe. Control relies on frequent applications of synthetic insecticides. Additional tactics are needed for development of an effective integrated pest management program. Study objectives were to evaluate the repellency and oviposition deterrent capability of compounds in plant essential oils and the effect of select compounds on infestation rates in strawberries, using laminate polymer flakes as a carrier. Of 14 compounds from 5 essential oils, thymol was the most repellent to adult D. suzukii males and females for up to 24 h in the laboratory. Citronellol, geraniol and menthol were moderately repellent. In a choice assay, thymol on cotton wicks adjacent to ripe raspberries reduced female fly landings and larval infestation levels. In a no-choice assay, thymol reduced female fly landings by 60%, larval infestation by 50% and increased fly mortality compared to controls. Neither citronellol alone nor a blend of four repellent compounds was as effective as thymol alone at reducing fly landing, larval infestation, or increasing fly mortality. In a choice assay using polymer flakes, larval infestation was greater in raspberries near untreated flakes than in raspberries near flakes treated with thymol or peppermint oil. In the field, thymol and peppermint flakes reduced larval infestation levels by 25% in strawberries at 4, but not 7, days after application, compared to untreated flakes. With future improvements in application strategies, deterrent compounds may have a role in improving the management of D. suzukii.
Compatibility and Efficacy of Isaria fumosorosea with Horticultural Oils for Mitigation of the Asian Citrus Psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae)
Authors: Kumar Vivek , Avery Pasco , Ahmed Juthi , Cave Ronald , McKenzie Cindy , Osborne Lance
Published: October 2017

Horticultural oils are an important component of integrated management programs of several phytophagous arthropods and pathogens affecting fruit, ornamentals and vegetables in greenhouse and field production systems. Although effective against the target pest, their incompatibility with biological control agents can compromise efforts to develop eco-friendly management programs for important agricultural pests. In this study, we assessed the in vitro effect of selected refined petroleum oils used in citrus and other horticultural crops with a biopesticide containing the entomopathogenic fungi, Isaria fumosorosea (PFR-97) under laboratory conditions. Further, we used leaf disk bioassays to evaluate the combined efficacy of petroleum oils and I. fumosorosea against the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae), a major pest of citrus in the United States. All five petroleum oil treatments (Orchex, Sun Pure, Conoco Blend -1, Conoco Blend -2, and JMS) were compatible with I. fumosorosea blastospores, as none of them were found to affect I. fumosorosea colony-forming units and radial fungal growth measured at 3, 6, 9, and 12 days post-inoculation. All mixed treatments performed better than I. fumosorosea alone against D. citri, where the highest mean survival time of D. citri was 12.5 ± 0.7 days. No significant differences in D. citri survival time and I. fumosorosea growth (fungal development index) on dead cadavers, which is important for determining their horizontal transmission, were observed when mixed with Orchex, Sun Pure, Conoco Blend -2, and JMS. Results indicated that horticultural oils in combination with I. fumosorosea could offer citrus growers an alternative treatment for integrating into their current management programs while battling against D. citri in citrus production systems. Due to their eco-friendly, broad-spectrum effect, it could provide control against various citrus pests, while also encouraging the retention of effective chemistries for a longer period in the marketplace. However promising, these combination treatments need to be tested further with I. fumosorosea under grove conditions to confirm their field efficacy.
Exemplar-Based Face Colorization Using Image Morphing
Authors: Persch Johannes , Pierre Fabien , Steidl Gabriele
Published: October 2017

Colorization of gray-scale images relies on prior color information. Exemplar-based methods use a color image as source of such information. Then the colors of the source image are transferred to the gray-scale target image. In the literature, this transfer is mainly guided by texture descriptors. Face images usually contain few texture so that the common approaches frequently fail. In this paper, we propose a new method taking the geometric structure of the images rather their texture into account such that it is more reliable for faces. Our approach is based on image morphing and relies on the YUV color space. First, a correspondence mapping between the luminance Y channel of the color source image and the gray-scale target image is computed. This mapping is based on the time discrete metamorphosis model suggested by Berkels, Effland and Rumpf. We provide a new finite difference approach for the numerical computation of the mapping. Then, the chrominance U,V channels of the source image are transferred via this correspondence map to the target image. A possible postprocessing step by a variational model is developed to further improve the results. To keep the contrast special attention is paid to make the postprocessing unbiased. Our numerical experiments show that our morphing based approach clearly outperforms state-of-the-art methods.
Are Lions Green?: Child L2 Learners’ Interpretation of English Generics and Definite Determiners
Authors: Morales-Reyes Alexandra , Arechabaleta-Regulez Begoña
Published: October 2017

The aim of this small-scale study (22 participants) was to analyze how L1-Spanish L2-English children interpret English noun phrases (NPs) by taking into consideration two variables: children’s age and amount of input. These two variables were studied in relation to children’s developmental tendencies and language transfer. Children begin with an innate predisposition for the generic interpretation, which leads them to incorrectly interpret some specific NPs. In contrast, transfer from the L1 explains the incorrect mapping between NP and interpretation in adult L2 speakers. We examined 22 L1-Spanish L2-English children and a control group of L1-English children on their interpretation of English NPs through an online task. Results revealed that L2 children’s interpretations significantly differ from the interpretations of the control group. We propose that like L1 children, child L2 learners will have to overcome their natural predisposition to interpret NPs as generic. However, child L2 learners must also overcome transfer effects from their L1. Additionally, results seem to suggest that the amount of input plays a role in learners’ interpretations. We propose that children who receive similar amounts of input in their two languages become aware of the differences faster, particularly in the forms where there is no overlapping between the languages (i.e., bare NPs).
Effect of Fungal Deterioration on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Hemp and Flax Natural Fiber Composites
Authors: Crawford Bryn , Pakpour Sepideh , Kazemian Negin , Klironomos John , Stoeffler Karen , Rho Denis , Denault Johanne , Milani Abbas
Published: October 2017

The development and application of bio-sourced composites have been gaining wide attention, yet their deterioration due to the growth of ubiquitous microorganisms during storage/manufacturing/in-service phases is still not fully understood for optimum material selection and design purposes. In this study, samples of non-woven flax fibers, hemp fibers, and mats made of co-mingled randomly-oriented flax or hemp fiber (50%) and polypropylene fiber (50%) were subjected to 28 days of exposure to (i) no water-no fungi, (ii) water only and (iii) water along with the Chaetomium globosum fungus. Biocomposite samples were measured for weight loss over time, to observe the rate of fungal growth and the respiration of cellulose components in the fibers. Tensile testing was conducted to measure mechanical properties of the composite samples under different configurations. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to visualize fungal hyphal growth on the natural fibers, as well as to observe the fracture planes and failure modes of the biocomposite samples. Results showed that fungal growth significantly affects the dry mass as well as the tensile elastic modulus of the tested natural fiber mats and composites, and the effect depends on both the type and the length scale of fibers, as well as the exposure condition and time.
Performance of Sustainable Fly Ash and Slag Cement Mortars Exposed to Simulated and Real In Situ Mediterranean Conditions along 90 Warm Season Days
Authors: Ortega José , Esteban María , Sánchez Isidro , Climent Miguel
Published: October 2017

Nowadays, cement manufacture is one of the most polluting worldwide industrial sectors. In order to reduce its CO2 emissions, the clinker replacement by ground granulated blast–furnace slag and fly ash is becoming increasingly common. Both additions are well-studied when the hardening conditions of cementitious materials are optimum. Therefore, the main objective of this research was to study the short-term effects of exposure, to both laboratory simulated and real in situ Mediterranean climate environments, on the microstructure and durability-related properties of mortars made using commercial slag and fly ash cements, as well as ordinary Portland cement. The real in situ condition consisted of placing the samples at approximately 100 m away from the Mediterranean Sea. The microstructure was analysed using mercury intrusion porosimetry. The effective porosity, the capillary suction coefficient and the non-steady state chloride migration coefficient were also studied. In view of the results obtained, the non-optimum laboratory simulated Mediterranean environment was a good approach to the real in situ one. Finally, mortars prepared using sustainable cements with slag and fly ash exposed to both Mediterranean climate environments, showed adequate service properties in the short-term (90 days), similar to or even better than those in mortars made with ordinary Portland cement.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 2H-Indazole Derivatives: Towards Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Dual Agents
Authors: Pérez-Villanueva Jaime , Yépez-Mulia Lilián , González-Sánchez Ignacio , Palacios-Espinosa Juan , Soria-Arteche Olivia , Sainz-Espuñes Teresita , Cerbón Marco , Rodríguez-Villar Karen , Rodríguez-Vicente Ana , Cortés-Gines Miguel , Custodio-Galván Zeltzin , Estrada-Castro Dante
Published: October 2017

Indazole is considered a very important scaffold in medicinal chemistry. It is commonly found in compounds with diverse biological activities, e.g., antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents. Considering that infectious diseases are associated to an inflammatory response, we designed a set of 2H-indazole derivatives by hybridization of cyclic systems commonly found in antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds. The derivatives were synthesized and tested against selected intestinal and vaginal pathogens, including the protozoa Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba histolytica, and Trichomonas vaginalis; the bacteria Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi; and the yeasts Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. Biological evaluations revealed that synthesized compounds have antiprotozoal activity and, in most cases, are more potent than the reference drug metronidazole, e.g., compound 18 is 12.8 times more active than metronidazole against G. intestinalis. Furthermore, two 2,3-diphenyl-2H-indazole derivatives (18 and 23) showed in vitro growth inhibition against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. In addition to their antimicrobial activity, the anti-inflammatory potential for selected compounds was evaluated in silico and in vitro against human cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The results showed that compounds 18, 21, 23, and 26 display in vitro inhibitory activity against COX-2, whereas docking calculations suggest a similar binding mode as compared to rofecoxib, the crystallographic reference.
Anserine/Carnosine Supplementation Suppresses the Expression of the Inflammatory Chemokine CCL24 in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Elderly People
Authors: Katakura Yoshinori , Totsuka Mamoru , Imabayashi Etsuko , Matsuda Hiroshi , Hisatsune Tatsuhiro
Published: October 2017

Our goal was to determine whether anserine/carnosine supplementation (ACS) suppresses chemokine levels in elderly people. In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, volunteers were assigned to the ACS or placebo group (1:1). Sixty healthy elderly volunteers (active, n = 30; placebo, n = 30) completed the study. The ACS group was administered 1.0 g of anserine/carnosine (3:1) for 3 months. A microarray analysis and subsequent quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) showed decreased expression of CCL24, an inflammatory chemokine (p < 0.05). Verbal memory, assessed using the Wechsler memory scale–logical memory, was preserved in the ACS group. An age-restricted sub-analysis showed significant verbal memory preservation by ACS in participants who were in their 60s (active, n = 12; placebo, n = 9; p = 0.048) and 70s (active, n = 7; placebo, n = 11; p = 0.017). The suppression of CCL24 expression was greatest in people who were in their 70s (p < 0.01). There was a significant correlation between the preservation of verbal memory and suppression of CCL24 expression in the group that was in the 70s (Poisson correlation, r = 0.46, p < 0.05). These results suggest that ACS may preserve verbal episodic memory, probably owing to CCL24 suppression in the blood, especially in elderly participants.
Does Religiosity Predict Suicidal Behavior?
Authors: Lester David
Published: October 2017

Research was reviewed on whether self-report measures of religiosity were a protective factor against suicidal behaviors. It was found that scores on Francis’s measure of religiosity was negatively associated with non-lethal suicidal behavior (ideation and attempts), a protective effect. Similarly, it was found that intrinsic religiosity (but not extrinsic religiosity) was negatively associated with non-lethal suicidal behaviors. However, these associations were weak. Research is needed on the issue whether counselors can use their patients’ religiosity to reduce the risk of dying by suicide.
Global Calibration of Multi-Cameras Based on Refractive Projection and Ray Tracing
Authors: Feng Mingchi , Jia Xiang , Wang Jingshu , Feng Song , Zheng Taixiong
Published: October 2017

Multi-camera systems are widely applied in the three dimensional (3D) computer vision, especially when multiple cameras are distributed on both sides of the measured object. The calibration methods of multi-camera systems are critical to the accuracy of vision measurement and the key is to find an appropriate calibration target. In this paper, a high-precision camera calibration method for multi-camera systems based on transparent glass checkerboards and ray tracing is described, and is used to calibrate multiple cameras distributed on both sides of the glass checkerboard. Firstly, the intrinsic parameters of each camera are obtained by Zhang’s calibration method. Then, multiple cameras capture several images from the front and back of the glass checkerboard with different orientations, and all images contain distinct grid corners. As the cameras on one side are not affected by the refraction of glass checkerboard, extrinsic parameters can be directly calculated. However, the cameras on the other side are influenced by the refraction of glass checkerboard, and the direct use of projection model will produce a calibration error. A multi-camera calibration method using refractive projection model and ray tracing is developed to eliminate this error. Furthermore, both synthetic and real data are employed to validate the proposed approach. The experimental results of refractive calibration show that the error of the 3D reconstruction is smaller than 0.2 mm, the relative errors of both rotation and translation are less than 0.014%, and the mean and standard deviation of reprojection error of the four-camera system are 0.00007 and 0.4543 pixels, respectively. The proposed method is flexible, highly accurate, and simple to carry out.
COALA: A Protocol for the Avoidance and Alleviation of Congestion in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Kandris Dionisis , Tselikis George , Anastasiadis Eleftherios , Panaousis Emmanouil , Dagiuklas Tasos
Published: October 2017

The occurrence of congestion has an extremely deleterious impact on the performance of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). This article presents a novel protocol, named COALA (COngestion ALleviation and Avoidance), which aims to act both proactively, in order to avoid the creation of congestion in WSNs, and reactively, so as to mitigate the diffusion of upcoming congestion through alternative path routing. Its operation is based on the utilization of an accumulative cost function, which considers both static and dynamic metrics in order to send data through the paths that are less probable to be congested. COALA is validated through simulation tests, which exhibit its ability to achieve remarkable reduction of loss ratios, transmission delays and energy dissipation. Moreover, the appropriate adjustment of the weighting of the accumulative cost function enables the algorithm to adapt to the performance criteria of individual case scenarios.
Impedance-Based Living Cell Analysis for Clinical Diagnosis of Type I Allergy
Authors: Irifuku Reiko , Yanase Yuhki , Kawaguchi Tomoko , Ishii Kaori , Takahagi Shunsuke , Hide Michihiro
Published: October 2017

Non-invasive real time evaluation of living cell conditions and functions are increasingly desired in the field of clinical diagnosis. For diagnosis of type I allergy, the identification of antigens that induces activation of mast cells and basophils is crucial to avoid symptoms of allergic diseases. However, conventional tests, such as detection of antigen-specific IgE antibody and skin tests, are either of low reliability or are invasive. To overcome such problems, we hereby applied an impedance sensor for label-free and real-time monitoring of mast cell reactions in response to stimuli. When IgE-sensitized RBL-2H3 cells cultured on the electrodes were stimulated with various concentrations of antigens, dose-dependent cell index (CI) increases were detected. Moreover, we confirmed that the impedance sensor detected morphological changes rather than degranulation as the indicator of cell activation. Furthermore, the CI of human IgE receptor-expressing cells (RBL-48 cells) treated with serum of a sweat allergy-positive patient, but not with serum from a sweat allergy-negative patient, significantly increased in response to purified human sweat antigen. We thus developed a technique to detect the activation of living cells in response to stimuli without any labeling using the impedance sensor. This system may represent a high reliable tool for the diagnosis of type I allergy.
The Behavioral Response to Location Based Services: An Examination of the Influence of Social and Environmental Benefits, and Privacy
Authors: Palos-Sanchez Pedro , Hernandez-Mogollon José , Campon-Cerro Ana
Published: October 2017

Given the importance tourism has in many economies, this research was designed to study how the social and environmental benefits of Location Based Services (LBS) in the tourism sector influence user behavior and thus contribute to sustainable development. The objective has been to study LBS as a solution that makes the deployment of tourism activities easier, more useful and improves attitudes towards it, but in a context where trust in privacy and benefits-based sustainable social and environmental development are key. To achieve this, this research identifies what could be the influence factors in the adoption of mobile applications with Location Based Services from the point of view of the tourism sector, especially if the social and environmental benefits of LBS can help improve usage behavior. We investigated the technological acceptance of LBS in tourism, using Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a solid model to explain its adoption. Nine hypotheses were investigated by carrying out a survey of travelers (n = 277) during their visit to Seville (Spain). To test the conceptual model’s hypotheses, the Partial Least Squares (PLS) technique was applied to estimate variance-based structural equations models (SEM).The results of this study indicated that tourists are willing to accept these LBS services within a particular adoption model, where trust in privacy and social and environmental benefits are paramount.
Optimal Site Selection of Wind-Solar Complementary Power Generation Project for a Large-Scale Plug-In Charging Station
Authors: Chen Wenjun , Zhu Yanlei , Yang Meng , Yuan Jiahai
Published: October 2017

The wind-solar hybrid power generation project combined with electric vehicle charging stations can effectively reduce the impact on the power system caused by the random charging of electric cars, contribute to the in-situ wind-solar complementary system and reduce the harm arising from its output volatility. In this paper, the site selection index system of a landscape complementary power generation project is established by using the statistical methods and statistical analysis in the literature. Subsequently, using the Analytic Network Process to calculate the index weight, a cloud model was used in combination with preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluations to transform and sort uncertain language information. Finally, using the results of the decision-making for the location of the Shanghai wind-solar complementary project and by carrying out contrast analysis and sensitivity analysis, the superiority and stability of the decision model constructed in this study was demonstrated.
Very Large Array Ammonia Observations of the HH 111/HH 121 Protostellar System: A Detection of a New Source with a Peculiar Chemistry
Authors: Sewiło Marta , Wiseman Jennifer , Indebetouw Remy , Charnley Steven B. , Pineda Jaime E. , Lindberg Johan E. , Qin Sheng-Li
Published: October 2017

We present the results of Very Large Array NH3

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and

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observations of the HH 111/HH 121 protostellar system. HH 111, with a spectacular collimated optical jet, is one of the most well-known Herbig–Haro objects. We report the detection of a new source, NH3–S, in the vicinity of HH 111/HH 121 (∼0.03 pc from the HH 111 jet source) in two epochs of the ammonia observations. This constitutes the first detection of this source, in a region that has been thoroughly covered previously by both continuum and spectral line interferometric observations. We study the kinematic and physical properties of HH 111 and the newly discovered NH3–S. We also use HCO+ and HCN

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data obtained with the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope and archival Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array 13CO, 12CO, and C18O

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, N2D+

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, and 13CS

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data to gain insight into the nature of NH3–S. The chemical structure of NH3–S shows evidence for “selective freeze-out,” an inherent characteristic of dense cold cores. The inner part of NH3–S shows subsonic nonthermal velocity dispersions indicating a “coherent core,” while they increase in the direction of the jets. Archival near- to far-infrared data show no indication of any embedded source in NH3–S. The properties of NH3–S and its location in the infrared dark cloud suggest that it is a starless core located in a turbulent medium, with the turbulence induced by Herbig–Haro jets and associated outflows. More data are needed to fully understand the physical and chemical properties of NH3–S and if/how its evolution is affected by nearby jets.
Observational Signatures of Cloud–Cloud Collision in the Extended Star-forming Region S235
Authors: Dewangan L. K. , Ojha D. K.
Published: October 2017

We present a multi-wavelength data analysis of the extended star-forming region S235 (hereafter E-S235), where two molecular clouds are present. In E-S235, using the 12CO (1–0) and 13CO (1–0) line data, a molecular cloud linked with the site “S235main” is traced in a velocity range [−24, −18] km s−1, while the other one containing the sites S235A, S235B, and S235C (hereafter “S235ABC”) is depicted in a velocity range [−18, −13] km s−1. In the velocity space, these two clouds are separated by ∼4 km s−1, and are interconnected by a lower-intensity intermediate velocity emission, tracing a broad bridge feature. In the velocity channel maps, a possible complementary molecular pair at [−21, −20] km s−1 and [−16, −15] km s−1 is also evident. The sites, “S235ABC,” east 1, and south–west, are spatially seen in the interface of two clouds. Together, these observed features are consistent with the predictions of numerical models of the cloud–cloud collision (CCC) process, favoring the onset of the CCC in E-S235 about 0.5 Myr ago. Deep UKIDSS near-infrared photometric analysis of point-like sources reveals significant clustering of young stellar populations toward the sites located at the junction, and the “S235main.” The sites “S235ABC” harbor young compact H ii regions with dynamical ages of ∼0.06–0.22 Myr, and these sites (including south–west and east 1) also contain dust clumps (having M
clump ∼ 40 to

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). Our observational findings suggest that the star formation activities (including massive stars) appear to be influenced by the CCC mechanism at the junction.
Search for a Signature of Interaction between Relativistic Jet and Progenitor in Gamma-Ray Bursts
Authors: Yoshida Kazuki , Yoneoku Daisuke , Sawano Tatsuya , Ito Hirotaka , Matsumoto Jin , Nagataki Shigehiro
Published: October 2017

The time variability of prompt emission in gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) is expected to originate from the temporal behavior of the central engine activity and the jet propagation in the massive stellar envelope. Using a pulse search algorithm for bright GRBs, we investigate the time variability of gamma-ray light curves to search a signature of the interaction between the jet and the inner structure of the progenitor. Since this signature might appear in the earlier phase of prompt emission, we divide the light curves into the initial phase and the late phase by referring to the trigger time and the burst duration of each GRB. We also adopt this algorithm for GRBs associated with supernovae/hypernovae that certainly are accompanied by massive stars. However, there is no difference between each pulse interval distribution described by a lognorma distribution in the two phases. We confirm that this result can be explained by the photospheric emission model if the energy injection of the central engine is not steady or completely periodic but episodic and described by the lognormal distribution with a mean of ∼1 s.
Observation of Magnetic Waves Excited by Newborn Interstellar Pickup He+ Observed by the Voyager 2 Spacecraft at 30 au
Authors: Argall Matthew R. , Hollick Sophia J. , Pine Zackary B. , Smith Charles W. , Joyce Colin J. , Isenberg Philip A. , Vasquez Bernard J. , Schwadron Nathan A. , Sokół Justyna M. , Bzowski Maciej , Burlaga Leonard F.
Published: October 2017

We report two observations of magnetic waves due to He+ pickup ions observed by the Voyager 2 spacecraft in mid-1989 to demonstrate that such waves occur as far out as ∼30 au from the Sun. The observations are sufficiently far from planets, interplanetary shocks, and other possible sources of energetic particles to make newborn interstellar He+ the only likely explanation for the source of the waves. Additionally, the low-frequency waves that might be expected for a variety of cometary pickup species are not seen. The events studied here were picked from a preliminary list of ∼300 events that were discovered based on polarization signatures in daily spectrograms of the magnetic field between 1977 and 1990. Analysis of those observations is ongoing. We present an analysis of these two observations using the same techniques we have employed for recently reported observations closer to the Sun.
A Radio Relic and a Search for the Central Black Hole in the Abell 2261 Brightest Cluster Galaxy
Authors: Burke-Spolaor Sarah , Gültekin Kayhan , Postman Marc , Lauer Tod R. , Taylor Joanna M. , Lazio T. Joseph W. , Moustakas Leonidas A.
Published: October 2017

We present VLA images and HST/STIS spectra of sources within the center of the brightest cluster galaxy (BCG) in Abell 2261. These observations were obtained to test the hypothesis that its extremely large, flat core reflects the ejection of its supermassive black hole. Spectra of three of the four most luminous “knots” embedded in the core were taken to test whether one may represent stars bound to a displaced massive black hole. The three knots have radial velocity offsets

(
∣
Δ
V
∣
≲
150

km

s

−
1

)

from the BCG. Knots 2 and 3 show kinematics, colors, and stellar masses consistent with infalling low-mass galaxies or larger stripped cluster members. Large errors in the stellar velocity dispersion of Knot 1, however, mean that we cannot rule out the hypothesis that it hosts a high-mass black hole. A2261-BCG has a compact, relic radio source offset by 6.5 kpc (projected) from the optical core’s center, but no active radio core that would pinpoint the galaxy’s central black hole to a tight 10 GHz flux limit

<
3.6

μ
Jy

. Its spectrum and morphology are suggestive of an active galactic nucleus that switched off

>
48

Myr

ago, with an equipartition condition magnetic field of 15 μG. These observations are still consistent with the hypothesis that the nuclear black hole has been ejected from its core, but the critical task of locating the supermassive black hole or demonstrating that A2261-BCG lacks one remains to be done.
The NuSTAR Extragalactic Survey: Average Broadband X-Ray Spectral Properties of the NuSTAR-detected AGNs
Authors: Del Moro A. , Alexander D. M. , Aird J. A. , Bauer F. E. , Civano F. , Mullaney J. R. , Ballantyne D. R. , Brandt W. N. , Comastri A. , Gandhi P. , Harrison F. A. , Lansbury G. B. , Lanz L. , Luo B. , Marchesi S. , Puccetti S. , Ricci C. , Saez C. , Stern D. , Treister E. , Zappacosta L.
Published: October 2017

We present a study of the average X-ray spectral properties of the sources detected by the NuSTAR extragalactic survey, comprising observations of the Extended Chandra Deep Field South (E-CDFS), Extended Groth Strip (EGS), and the Cosmic Evolution Survey (COSMOS). The sample includes 182 NuSTAR sources (64 detected at 8–24 keV), with 3–24 keV fluxes ranging between

f

3
–
24

keV

≈

10

−
14

and 6 × 10−13 erg cm−2 s−1 (

f

8
–
24

keV

≈
3
×

10

−
14

–
3
×

10

−
13

erg cm−2 s−1) and redshifts in the range of

z
=
0.04
–
3.21

. We produce composite spectra from the Chandra + NuSTAR data (

E
≈
2
–
40

keV

, rest frame) for all the sources with redshift identifications (95%) and investigate the intrinsic, average spectra of the sources, divided into broad-line (BL) and narrow-line (NL) active galactic nuclei (AGNs), and also in different bins of X-ray column density and luminosity. The average power-law photon index for the whole sample is

Γ
=

1.65

−
0.03

+
0.03

, flatter than the

Γ
≈
1.8

typically found for AGNs. While the spectral slope of BL and X-ray unabsorbed AGNs is consistent with the typical values (

Γ
=

1.79

−
0.01

+
0.01

), a significant flattening is seen in NL AGNs and heavily absorbed sources (

Γ
=

1.60

−
0.05

+
0.08

and

Γ
=

1.38

−
0.12

+
0.12

, respectively), likely due to the effect of absorption and to the contribution from the Compton reflection component to the high-energy flux (

E
>
10

keV). We find that the typical reflection fraction in our spectra is

R
≈
0.5

(for

Γ
=
1.8

), with a tentative indication of an increase of the reflection strength with X-ray column density. While there is no significant evidence for a dependence of the photon index on X-ray luminosity in our sample, we find that

R

decreases with luminosity, with relatively high levels of reflection (

R
≈
1.2

) for

L

10
–
40

keV

<

10

44

erg s−1 and

R
≈
0.3

for

L

10
–
40

keV

>

10

44

erg s−1 AGNs, assuming a fixed spectral slope of

Γ
=
1.8

.
Applications of deep convolutional neural networks to digitized natural history collections
Authors: Schuettpelz Eric , Frandsen Paul , Dikow Rebecca , Brown Abel , Orli Sylvia , Peters Melinda , Metallo Adam , Funk Vicki , Dorr Laurence
Published: October 2017

Natural history collections contain data that are critical for many scientific endeavors. Recent efforts in mass digitization are generating large datasets from these collections that can provide unprecedented insight. Here, we present examples of how deep convolutional neural networks can be applied in analyses of imaged herbarium specimens. We first demonstrate that a convolutional neural network can detect mercury-stained specimens across a collection with 90% accuracy. We then show that such a network can correctly distinguish two morphologically similar plant families 96% of the time. Discarding the most challenging specimen images increases accuracy to 94% and 99%, respectively. These results highlight the importance of mass digitization and deep learning approaches and reveal how they can together deliver powerful new investigative tools.
Climat, temps, saisons…
Authors: Lépy Élise
Published: October 2017

Résumé Cet article porte sur la perception du temps par les éleveurs de rennes de Laponie finlandaise. Il s’appuie sur les méthodes et résultats d’un projet plus large (CLICHE) qui traite de l’impact de la variabilité climatique sur les communautés d’éleveurs de rennes et leur environnement naturel. Ce projet avait pour ambition d’envisager des stratégies d’adaptation pour l’avenir économique de ce moyen de subsistance toujours prisé par les communautés rurales de Laponie finlandaise. La présente étude a pour objectif d’analyser la perception du temps qu’il (a) fait à travers les discours des éleveurs de rennes et d’en dégager les conditions météorologiques optimales pour mener à bien cette activité au cours des différentes étapes saisonnières de l’élevage.
Regarde s’il pleut
Authors: Metzger Alexis , Desarthe Jérémy
Published: October 2017

Résumé Dans la seconde moitié du xix e  siècle, les peintres français se mettent à représenter des inondations. Cet article décortique les types de temps associés à ces événements météoclimatiques en proposant une lecture des œuvres d’art sous l’angle de la géoclimatologie. Les toiles de Sisley et d’autres montrant la crue de 1910 en Île-de-France seront particulièrement analysées.
Le changement climatique, une « grande peur » collective ?
Authors: de La Soudière Martin
Published: October 2017

Résumé Ce numéro ne pouvait pas ne pas évoquer la question de la perspective d’un changement du climat. C’est au prisme de l’histoire et de la sociologie qu’elle sera ici traitée. Sans discuter, encore moins prendre parti dans les controverses actuelles dont elle est l’objet, mais en montrant et en donnant les raisons pour lesquelles elle ne parvient pas à prendre place et rang dans l’opinion publique à la manière d’une nouvelle grande peur collective, mais seulement comme une inquiétude, comme l’expression et un cas de figure de l’ éco-anxiété qui nous gagne. Peu ou pas visible, ce changement ne se voit pas (encore ?) : on y pense et on l’oublie, voire on le conteste.
Entre le dire et (ne pas) le faire. Les recruteurs et la fabrique des discriminations selon l’apparence physique
Authors: Hidri Neys Oumaya , Duflos Julie
Published: October 2017

En France, la loi du 16 novembre 2001 précise qu’«  aucune personne ne peut être écartée d’une procédure de recrutement […] en raison […] de son apparence physique  ». Pourtant, quelques travaux ont montré l’existence d’un écart entre les discours et volontés anti-discriminatoires des recruteurs et leurs comportements discriminatoires. C’est en mobilisant la théorie de la neutralisation que cet article tente d’expliquer la persistance de cette incohérence. Obtenus à partir d’entretiens semi-directifs menés avec 42 recruteurs de la distribution d’articles sportifs, les résultats de cette étude renseignent autrement les mécanismes de production des situations discriminatoires selon l’apparence physique.
Refugees or Migrants
Authors: Pitsou Anastasia
Published: October 2017

As refugees / immigrants are forced to cross the border, the member states of European Union are trying to manage mobile populations or the new labor force in various ways. Under the over-accumulation crisis, what kind of policies are drawn; or are denizens be punished as they question the stability of borders, state sovereign and supranational policies? When social contradictions are intense, in bourgeois democracy human rights are shrunk and the process of fascistisation is activated. Ultimately, maybe it is noticeable to understand that refugees /migrants become mutatis mutandis an allegorical figure of Muselmanner.
Hate Speech Towards Syrian Refugees in Turkish Online Reader Comments
Authors: Kavaklı Nurhan
Published: October 2017

The aim of this study is to examine the hate speech in the reader comments towards Syrian refugee s in Turkey. Within the framework of this purpose, the reader comments made on the news about the violence towards a Syrian child, which took place on the web page of national newspaper Hürriyet, are analysed. It is hoped that, this study will help reveal the concerns or motives which lie behind the negative point of views and opinions towards Syrian refugees. Thus, it may make a contribution to determining the counter-strategies against the intolerance and hostility towards the refugees.