bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phthalate Metabolites, Consumer Habits and Health Effects
Authors: Wallner Peter , Kundi Michael , Hohenblum Philipp , Scharf Sigrid , Hutter Hans-Peter
Published: July 2016

Phthalates are multifunctional chemicals used in a wide variety of consumer products. The aim of this study was to investigate whether levels of urinary phthalate metabolites in urine samples of Austrian mothers and their children were associated with consumer habits and health indicators. Within an Austrian biomonitoring survey, urine samples from 50 mother-child pairs of five communities (two-stage random stratified sampling) were analysed. The concentrations of 14 phthalate metabolites were determined, and a questionnaire was administered. Monoethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (5OH-MEHP), mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (5oxo-MEHP), mono-(5-carboxy-2-ethylpentyl) phthalate (5cx-MEPP), and 3-carboxy-mono-propyl phthalate (3cx-MPP) could be quantified in the majority of samples. Significant correlations were found between the use of hair mousse, hair dye, makeup, chewing gum, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and the diethyl phthalate (DEP) metabolite MEP. With regard to health effects, significant associations of MEP in urine with headache, repeated coughing, diarrhoea, and hormonal problems were observed. MBzP was associated with repeated coughing and MEHP was associated with itching.
Medication Literacy in a Cohort of Chinese Patients Discharged with Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Zhong Zhuqing , Zheng Feng , Guo Yuna , Luo Aijing
Published: July 2016

This study aims at investigating medication literacy of discharged patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in China, and the important determinants of medication literacy among them. For this purpose, we conducted a prospective cohort study. Patient’s demographic and clinical data were retrieved from hospital charts and medication literacy was measured by instructed interview using the Chinese version of Medication Literacy Questionnaire on Discharged Patient between 7 and 30 days after the patient was discharged from the hospital. The results show that medication literacy for the surveyed patients was insufficient: >20% did not have adequate knowledge on the types of drugs and the frequency that they need to take the drugs, >30% did not know the name of and the dosage of the drugs they are taking, and >70% did not have adequate knowledge on the effects and side effects of the drugs they are taking. Our research indicated that medication literacy scores decreased with age but increased with education. The number of medicines the discharged patient took with them and days between discharge and interview were not associated with medication literacy levels.
A Point-Set-Based Footprint Model and Spatial Ranking Method for Geographic Information Retrieval
Authors: Gao Yong , Jiang Dan , Zhong Xiang , Yu Jingyi
Published: July 2016

In the recent big data era, massive spatial related data are continuously generated and scrambled from various sources. Acquiring accurate geographic information is also urgently demanded. How to accurately retrieve desired geographic information has become the prominent issue, needing to be resolved in high priority. The key technologies in geographic information retrieval are modeling document footprints and ranking documents based on their similarity evaluation. The traditional spatial similarity evaluation methods are mainly performed using a MBR (Minimum Bounding Rectangle) footprint model. However, due to its nature of simplification and roughness, the results of traditional methods tend to be isotropic and space-redundant. In this paper, a new model that constructs the footprints in the form of point-sets is presented. The point-set-based footprint coincides the nature of place names in web pages, so it is redundancy-free, consistent, accurate, and anisotropic to describe the spatial extents of documents, and can handle multi-scale geographic information. The corresponding spatial ranking method is also presented based on the point-set-based model. The new similarity evaluation algorithm of this method firstly measures multiple distances for the spatial proximity across different scales, and then combines the frequency of place names to improve the accuracy and precision. The experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms the traditional methods with higher accuracies under different searching scenarios.
Involvement of the Interleukin-23/Interleukin-17 Axis in Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Its Treatment Responses
Authors: Meng Ping , Zhao Suxian , Niu Xuemin , Fu Na , Su Shanshan , Wang Rongqi , Zhang Yuguo , Qiao Liang , Nan Yuemin
Published: July 2016

Interleukin-23 (IL-23) and its downstream factor IL-17 are the key cytokines involved in immune and inflammatory response in chronic liver diseases. This study aimed to investigate the role and molecular mechanisms of the IL-23/Th17 axis in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and the efficacy of IL-23/Th17 modulation in response to anti-HCV therapy. Sixty-six HCV-infected patients and 20 healthy controls were enrolled. The patients received PegIFNa-2a and ribavirin therapy for at least 48 weeks. The plasma level of IL-23 and the number of IL-17A-, IFN-γ-, and IL-21-producing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at baseline and 12, 24, and 48 weeks following treatment were determined. The mRNA level of Th17 immune-associated molecules in PBMCs was evaluated by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) following treatment with IL-23 agonist or antagonist. Our data showed that, compared to healthy controls, HCV-infected patients had an increased plasma level of IL-23 and increased frequencies of IL-17A- and IFN-γ-producing PBMCs, whereas the HCV patients exhibited a reduced number of IL-21-producing PBMCs. However, the baseline frequencies of IL-21-producing PBMCs were markedly higher in HCV patients who achieved rapid virological response (RVR) than those without RVR. Additionally, the mRNA expressions of IL-21, IFN-γ, myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA), and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) were significantly upregulated in PBMCs, while FoxP3 expression was suppressed by IL-23 agonist. Thus, the IL-23/Th17 axis plays an important role in development of chronic HCV infection and antiviral response. IL-23 may enhance the antiviral activity of interferon-based therapy by modulating the expression of Th17 cells-associated molecules in HCV-infected patients.
Effect of Medium Supplements on Agrobacterium rhizogenes Mediated Hairy Root Induction from the Callus Tissues of Camellia sinensis var. sinensis
Authors: Rana Mohammad , Han Zhuo-Xiao , Song Da-Peng , Liu Guo-Feng , Li Da-Xiang , Wan Xiao-Chun , Karthikeyan Alagarsamy , Wei Shu
Published: July 2016

Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) is recalcitrant to Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation largely due to the bactericidal effects of tea polyphenols and phenolics oxidation induced by necrosis of explant tissue over the process of transformation. In this study, different antioxidants/adsorbents were added as supplements to the co-cultivation and post co-cultivation media to overcome these problems for the transformation improvement. Tea-cotyledon-derived calli were used as explants and Agrobacterium rhizognes strain ATCC 15834 was used as a mediator. Results showed that Agrobacterium growth, virulence (vir) gene expression and browning of explant tissue were greatly influenced by different supplements. Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal salts medium supplemented with 30 g·L−1 sucrose, 0.1 g·L−1 l-glutamine and 5 g·L−1 polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) as co-cultivation and post co-cultivation media could maintain these parameters better that ultimately led to significant improvement of hairy root generation efficiency compared to that in the control (MS + 30 g·L−1 sucrose). Additionally, the reporter genes β-glucuronidase (gusA) and cyan fluorescent protein (cfp) were also stably expressed in the transgenic hairy roots. Our study would be helpful in establishing a feasible approach for tea biological studies and genetic improvement of tea varieties.
Mitochondrial Protein Profile in Mice with Low or Excessive Selenium Diets
Authors: Hu Lianmei , Wang Congcong , Zhang Qin , Yan Hao , Li Ying , Pan Jiaqiang , Tang Zhaoxin
Published: July 2016

Dietary selenium putatively prevents oxidative damage, whereas excessive selenium may lead to animal disorder. In this study, we investigated the effects of low and excessive levels of dietary selenium on oxidative stress and mitochondrial proteins in mouse liver. Six to eight week old mice were fed a diet with low, excessive, or moderate (control) levels of selenium (sodium selenite). The selenium concentration and oxidative stress-related parameters in hepatic mitochondria were evaluated. Two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry were applied to identify the differentially-expressed proteins associated with dietary selenium. The selenium content of the livers in mice with the low selenium diet was significantly lower than that of the control, while that of mice fed excessive levels was significantly higher. In both groups oxidative stress in hepatic mitochondria was found; accompanied by lower superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) levels and higher malondialdehyde (MDA) content, compared with the control group. Furthermore, ten proteins in the hepatic mitochondria of the selenium-low or -excessive groups with more than two-fold differences in abundance compared with the control group were identified. The differentially-expressed proteins in hepatic mitochondria may be associated with dietary (low or excessive) selenium-induced oxidative stress.
Visually Lossless JPEG 2000 for Remote Image Browsing
Authors: Oh Han , Bilgin Ali , Marcellin Michael
Published: July 2016

Image sizes have increased exponentially in recent years. The resulting high-resolution images are often viewed via remote image browsing. Zooming and panning are desirable features in this context, which result in disparate spatial regions of an image being displayed at a variety of (spatial) resolutions. When an image is displayed at a reduced resolution, the quantization step sizes needed for visually lossless quality generally increase. This paper investigates the quantization step sizes needed for visually lossless display as a function of resolution, and proposes a method that effectively incorporates the resulting (multiple) quantization step sizes into a single JPEG 2000 codestream. This codestream is JPEG 2000 Part 1 compliant and allows for visually lossless decoding at all resolutions natively supported by the wavelet transform as well as arbitrary intermediate resolutions, using only a fraction of the full-resolution codestream. When images are browsed remotely using the JPEG 2000 Interactive Protocol (JPIP), the required bandwidth is significantly reduced, as demonstrated by extensive experimental results.
Effects of Decompression Treatment for Controlling the Powderpost Beetle, Lyctus africanus Lesne, (Coleoptera: Lyctinae)
Authors: Nakai Kazushi , Hiraku Tatsuya , Fujimoto Izumi , Yoshimura Tsuyoshi
Published: July 2016

The efficacy of decompression treatment as a non-destructive method to control larvae of the powderpost beetle, Lyctus africanus Lesne, was evaluated in the laboratory using various combinations of two pressure levels, 1.1 kPa and 40 kPa, and three temperature levels, 20, 25, and 40 °C. Larval mortality generally depended on weight reduction while decreases in the oxygen level had relatively little effect. The lower pressure, 1.1 kPa, significantly affected mortality, and no larvae survived after 12 h of this pressure treatment, at 25 °C. The average body weight was reduced with treatment time and temperature, and the reduction rate at 25 °C was higher than that at the lower temperature, 20 °C. Effects on larvae of the higher pressure treatment, 40 kPa, with a CO2 gas purge, were tested to determine the feasibility of decompression treatment in the manufacturing process. Although higher pressure resulted in low mortality, the body weight was dramatically decreased using the CO2 purge. These results present important information on the possibility of using decompression treatment for wood products.
H2 Adsorbed Site-to-Site Electronic Delocalization within IRMOF-1: Understanding Non-Negligible Interactions at High Pressure
Authors: Wu Jian , Kucukkal Mustafa , Clark Aurora
Published: July 2016

Isoreticular metal organic frameworks (IRMOFs) have shown high uptake capabilities for storage of H2 (11.5 wt % at 77 K and 170 bar). A significant literature has employed fragment models and a single adsorbed H2 to identify adsorption sites within IRMOFs, as well as the necessary adsorbate–adsorbent interactions needed to reach sufficient adsorption enthalpy for practical usage, however at high pressures it remains to be seen if H2···H2 intermolecular interactions may influence the energetics. This study focuses upon IRMOF-1 (also known as MOF-5), and examines the individual H2 stabilization energies at different sites using Möller–Plesset perturbation theory and density functional theory alongside chemical models that consist of isolated fragment models and a cubic super cell cluster consisting of both the face- and edge-cube’s of IRMOF-1. Optimization of twenty stable configurations of singly adsorbed H2 in the super-cell cluster is observed to be essential to obtain energy ordering of the five primary sites consistent with experiment and prior benchmark calculations (α >> β > γ > δ ≈ ε). To examine site-to-site interactions that may occur in the high-pressure regime, 64 co-adsorbed H2 within a super-cell cluster have been studied (a theoretical maximum of all adsorption sites, 14 wt %). There, delocalization and/or charge transfer of electrons is observed from the σ orbitals of the H2 bound at the γ positions into the σ* orbitals of H2 bound at the α sites leads to stabilization of the interaction of H2 at the γ, by 1.4 kJ/mol, respectively (using M06-2X/LANL2DZ). This effect has been confirmed to be charge transfer, and not a manifestation of enhanced dispersion at high loading, through natural bond order (NBO) analysis and by comparisons of the square of off-diagonal NBO Fock matrix elements for both density functionals that account for dispersion interactions and Hartree–Fock calculations that ignore dispersion.
Optimizing and Characterizing Geopolymers from Ternary Blend of Philippine Coal Fly Ash, Coal Bottom Ash and Rice Hull Ash
Authors: Kalaw Martin , Culaba Alvin , Hinode Hirofumi , Kurniawan Winarto , Gallardo Susan , Promentilla Michael
Published: July 2016

Geopolymers are inorganic polymers formed from the alkaline activation of amorphous alumino-silicate materials resulting in a three-dimensional polymeric network. As a class of materials, it is seen to have the potential of replacing ordinary Portland cement (OPC), which for more than a hundred years has been the binder of choice for structural and building applications. Geopolymers have emerged as a sustainable option vis-à-vis OPC for three reasons: (1) their technical properties are comparable if not better; (2) they can be produced from industrial wastes; and (3) within reasonable constraints, their production requires less energy and emits significantly less CO2. In the Philippines, the use of coal ash, as the alumina- and silica- rich geopolymer precursor, is being considered as one of the options for sustainable management of coal ash generation from coal-fired power plants. However, most geopolymer mixes (and the prevalent blended OPC) use only coal fly ash. The coal bottom ash, having very few applications, remains relegated to dumpsites. Rice hull ash, from biomass-fired plants, is another silica-rich geopolymer precursor material from another significantly produced waste in the country with only minimal utilization. In this study, geopolymer samples were formed from the mixture of coal ash, using both coal fly ash (CFA) and coal bottom ash (CBA), and rice hull ash (RHA). The raw materials used for the geopolymerization process were characterized using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) for elemental and X-ray diffraction (XRD) for mineralogical composition. The raw materials’ thermal stability and loss on ignition (LOI) were determined using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and reactivity via dissolution tests and inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP) analysis. The mechanical, thermal and microstructural properties of the geopolymers formed were analyzed using compression tests, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Using a Scheffé-based mixture design, targeting applications with low thermal conductivity, light weight and moderate strength and allowing for a maximum of five percent by mass of rice hull ash in consideration of the waste utilization of all three components, it has been determined that an 85-10-5 by weight ratio of CFA-CBA-RHA activated with 80-20 by mass ratio of 12 M NaOH and sodium silicate (55% H2O, modulus = 3) produced geopolymers with a compressive strength of 18.5 MPa, a volumetric weight of 1660 kg/m3 and a thermal conductivity of 0.457 W/m-°C at 28-day curing when pre-cured at 80 °C for 24 h. For this study, the estimates of embodied energy and CO2 were all below 1.7 MJ/kg and 0.12 kg CO2/kg, respectively.
Metabolomics Provides Quality Characterization of Commercial Gochujang (Fermented Pepper Paste)
Authors: Lee Gyu , Suh Dong , Jung Eun , Lee Choong
Published: July 2016

To identify the major factors contributing to the quality of commercial gochujang (fermented red pepper paste), metabolites were profiled by mass spectrometry. In principal component analysis, cereal type (wheat, brown rice, and white rice) and species of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum, C. annuum cv. Chung-yang, and C. frutescens) affected clustering patterns. Relative amino acid and citric acid levels were significantly higher in wheat gochujang than in rice gochujang. Sucrose, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and lysophospholipid levels were high in brown-rice gochujang, whereas glucose, maltose, and γ-aminobutyric acid levels were high in white-rice gochujang. The relative capsaicinoid and luteolin derivative contents in gochujang were affected by the hot pepper species used. Gochujang containing C. annuum cv. Chung-yang and C. frutescens showed high capsaicinoid levels. The luteolin derivative level was high in gochujang containing C. frutescens. These metabolite variations in commercial gochujang may be related to different physicochemical phenotypes and antioxidant activity.
Quercitrin from Toona sinensis (Juss.) M.Roem. Attenuates Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Toxicity in HepG2 Cells and Mice through Induction of Antioxidant Machinery and Inhibition of Inflammation
Authors: Truong Van-Long , Ko Se-Yeon , Jun Mira , Jeong Woo-Sik
Published: July 2016

Quercitrin is found in many kinds of vegetables and fruits, and possesses various bioactive properties. The aim of the present study was to elucidate hepatoprotective mechanisms of quercitrin isolated from Toona sinensis (Juss.) M.Roem. (syn. Cedrela sinensis Juss.), using acetaminophen (APAP)-treated HepG2 cell and animal models. In an in vitro study, quercitrin suppressed the production of reactive oxygen species and enhanced expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), activity of antioxidant response element (ARE)-reporter gene, and protein levels of NADPH: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD-2) in APAP-treated HepG2 cells. In an in vivo study, Balb/c mice were orally administered with 10 or 50 mg/kg of quercitrin for 7 days and followed by the injection with single dose of 300 mg/kg APAP. Quercitrin decreased APAP-caused elevation of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, liver necrosis, the expression of pro-inflammatory factors including inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase 2 and inerleukin-1β, and phosphorylation of kinases including c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38. Quercitrin restored protein levels of Nrf2, NQO1 and activities and expressions of CAT, GPx, SOD-2. The results suggested that quercitrin attenuates APAP-induced liver damage by the activation of defensive genes and the inhibition of pro-inflammatory genes via the suppressions of JNK and p38 signaling.
Functional Properties of Punica granatum L. Juice Clarified by Hollow Fiber Membranes
Authors: Galiano Francesco , Figoli Alberto , Conidi Carmela , Menichini Francesco , Bonesi Marco , Loizzo Monica , Cassano Alfredo , Tundis Rosa
Published: July 2016

There is currently much interest in pomegranate juice because of the high content of phenolic compounds. Moreover, the interest in the separation of bioactive compounds from natural sources has remarkably grown. In this work, for the first time, the Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) juice—clarified by using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polysulfone (PSU) hollow fiber (HF) membranes prepared in the laboratory—was screened for its antioxidant properties by using different in vitro assays, namely 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), and β-carotene bleaching tests, and for its potential inhibitory activity of the carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzymes, α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The effects of clarification on quality characteristics of the juice were also investigated in terms of total phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and ascorbic acid. Experimental results indicated that PVDF membranes presented a lower retention towards healthy phytochemicals in comparison to PSU membranes. Accordingly, the juice clarified with PVDF membranes showed the best antioxidant activity. Moreover, the treatment with PVDF membranes produced a clarified juice with 2.9-times fold higher α-amylase inhibitory activity in comparison to PSU (IC50 value of 75.86 vs. 221.31 μg/mL, respectively). The same trend was observed using an α-glucosidase inhibition test. These results highlight the great potential of the clarified juice as a source of functional constituents.
A Merging Framework for Rainfall Estimation at High Spatiotemporal Resolution for Distributed Hydrological Modeling in a Data-Scarce Area
Authors: Long Yinping , Zhang Yaonan , Ma Qimin
Published: July 2016

Merging satellite and rain gauge data by combining accurate quantitative rainfall from stations with spatial continuous information from remote sensing observations provides a practical method of estimating rainfall. However, generating high spatiotemporal rainfall fields for catchment-distributed hydrological modeling is a problem when only a sparse rain gauge network and coarse spatial resolution of satellite data are available. The objective of the study is to present a satellite and rain gauge data-merging framework adapting for coarse resolution and data-sparse designs. In the framework, a statistical spatial downscaling method based on the relationships among precipitation, topographical features, and weather conditions was used to downscale the 0.25° daily rainfall field derived from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) precipitation product version 7. The nonparametric merging technique of double kernel smoothing, adapting for data-sparse design, was combined with the global optimization method of shuffled complex evolution, to merge the downscaled TRMM and gauged rainfall with minimum cross-validation error. An indicator field representing the presence and absence of rainfall was generated using the indicator kriging technique and applied to the previously merged result to consider the spatial intermittency of daily rainfall. The framework was applied to estimate daily precipitation at a 1 km resolution in the Qinghai Lake Basin, a data-scarce area in the northeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The final estimates not only captured the spatial pattern of daily and annual precipitation with a relatively small estimation error, but also performed very well in stream flow simulation when applied to force the geomorphology-based hydrological model (GBHM). The proposed framework thus appears feasible for rainfall estimation at high spatiotemporal resolution in data-scarce areas.
Quantifying the Impacts of Environmental Factors on Vegetation Dynamics over Climatic and Management Gradients of Central Asia
Authors: Dubovyk Olena , Landmann Tobias , Dietz Andreas , Menz Gunter
Published: July 2016

Currently there is a lack of quantitative information regarding the driving factors of vegetation dynamics in post-Soviet Central Asia. Insufficient knowledge also exists concerning vegetation variability across sub-humid to arid climatic gradients as well as vegetation response to different land uses, from natural rangelands to intensively irrigated croplands. In this study, we analyzed the environmental drivers of vegetation dynamics in five Central Asian countries by coupling key vegetation parameter “overall greenness” derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI time series data, with its possible factors across various management and climatic gradients. We developed nine generalized least-squares random effect (GLS-RE) models to analyze the relative impact of environmental factors on vegetation dynamics. The obtained results quantitatively indicated the extensive control of climatic factors on managed and unmanaged vegetation cover across Central Asia. The most diverse vegetation dynamics response to climatic variables was observed for “intensively managed irrigated croplands”. Almost no differences in response to these variables were detected for managed non-irrigated vegetation and unmanaged (natural) vegetation across all countries. Natural vegetation and rainfed non-irrigated crop dynamics were principally associated with temperature and precipitation parameters. Variables related to temperature had the greatest relative effect on irrigated croplands and on vegetation cover within the mountainous zone. Further research should focus on incorporating the socio-economic factors discussed here in a similar analysis.
Theoretical and Experimental Study on Wide Range Optical Fiber Turbine Flow Sensor
Authors: Du Yuhuan , Guo Yingqing
Published: July 2016

In this paper, a novel fiber turbine flow sensor was proposed and demonstrated for liquid measurement with optical fiber, using light intensity modulation to measure the turbine rotational speed for converting to flow rate. The double-circle-coaxial (DCC) fiber probe was introduced in frequency measurement for the first time. Through the divided ratio of two rings light intensity, the interference in light signals acquisition can be eliminated. To predict the characteristics between the output frequency and flow in the nonlinear range, the turbine flow sensor model was built. Via analyzing the characteristics of turbine flow sensor, piecewise linear equations were achieved in expanding the flow measurement range. Furthermore, the experimental verification was tested. The results showed that the flow range ratio of DN20 turbine flow sensor was improved 2.9 times after using piecewise linear in the nonlinear range. Therefore, combining the DCC fiber sensor and piecewise linear method, it can be developed into a strong anti-electromagnetic interference(anti-EMI) and wide range fiber turbine flowmeter.
Urban Distribution Mode Selection under Low Carbon Economy—A Case Study of Guangzhou City
Authors: Yang Lei , Cai Yiji , Hong Jiahui , Shi Yongqiang , Zhang Zhiyong
Published: July 2016

In the transformation of urban distribution industry, the problem of enterprises generally retaining a self-distribution mode is highlighted, and it is not conducive for enterprises to develop core business. Around the hot issue of climate change, but also the target of energy conservation and emission reduction, this paper puts forward the method of urban distribution mode to reduce carbon emission intensity, introduces four kinds of typical urban distribution mode, analyzes the core influencing factors of urban distribution mode, studies the carbon accounting method of urban distribution, put forwards the method of low carbon urban distribution mode, analyzes the current situation of the distribution of Guangzhou City, determines the main research types of goods, and applies the method proposed in this paper to the specific enterprises. Urban distribution mode integration and carbon emissions intensity reduction are both considered in this work. The specific application result of 11.28% reduction on carbon emission intensity shows that this method can effectively guide enterprises to develop low carbon urban distribution mode and reduce carbon emission intensity of urban distribution.
The Crowding-Out Effects of Garbage Fees and Voluntary Source Separation Programs on Waste Reduction: Evidence from China
Authors: Han Hongyun , Zhang Zhijian , Xia Sheng
Published: July 2016

This paper examines how and to what degree government policies of garbage fees and voluntary source separation programs, with free indoor containers and garbage bags, can affect the effectiveness of municipal solid waste (MSW) management, in the sense of achieving a desirable reduction of per capita MSW generation. Based on city-level panel data for years 1998–2012 in China, our empirical analysis indicates that per capita MSW generated is increasing with per capita disposable income, average household size, education levels of households, and the lagged per capita MSW. While both garbage fees and source separation programs have separately led to reductions in per capita waste generation, the interaction of the two policies has resulted in an increase in per capita waste generation due to the following crowding-out effects: Firstly, the positive effect of income dominates the negative effect of the garbage fee. Secondly, there are crowding-out effects of mandatory charging system and the subsidized voluntary source separation on per capita MSW generation. Thirdly, small subsidies and tax punishments have reduced the intrinsic motivation for voluntary source separation of MSW. Thus, compatible fee charging system, higher levels of subsidies, and well-designed public information and education campaigns are required to promote household waste source separation and reduction.
RNA Encapsidation and Packaging in the Phleboviruses
Authors: Hornak Katherine , Lanchy Jean-Marc , Lodmell J.
Published: July 2016

The Bunyaviridae represents the largest family of segmented RNA viruses, which infect a staggering diversity of plants, animals, and insects. Within the family Bunyaviridae, the Phlebovirus genus includes several important human and animal pathogens, including Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), Uukuniemi virus (UUKV), and the sandfly fever viruses. The phleboviruses have small tripartite RNA genomes that encode a repertoire of 5–7 proteins. These few proteins accomplish the daunting task of recognizing and specifically packaging a tri-segment complement of viral genomic RNA in the midst of an abundance of host components. The critical nucleation events that eventually lead to virion production begin early on in the host cytoplasm as the first strands of nascent viral RNA (vRNA) are synthesized. The interaction between the vRNA and the viral nucleocapsid (N) protein effectively protects and masks the RNA from the host, and also forms the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) architecture that mediates downstream interactions and drives virion formation. Although the mechanism by which all three genomic counterparts are selectively co-packaged is not completely understood, we are beginning to understand the hierarchy of interactions that begins with N-RNA packaging and culminates in RNP packaging into new virus particles. In this review we focus on recent progress that highlights the molecular basis of RNA genome packaging in the phleboviruses.
Anaplasma phagocytophilum Manipulates Host Cell Apoptosis by Different Mechanisms to Establish Infection
Authors: Alberdi Pilar , Espinosa Pedro , Cabezas-Cruz Alejandro , De la Fuente José
Published: July 2016

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an emerging zoonotic pathogen that causes human and animal granulocytic anaplasmosis and tick-borne fever of ruminants. This obligate intracellular bacterium evolved to use common strategies to establish infection in both vertebrate hosts and tick vectors. Herein, we discuss the different strategies used by the pathogen to modulate cell apoptosis and establish infection in host cells. In vertebrate neutrophils and human promyelocytic cells HL-60, both pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic factors have been reported. Tissue-specific differences in tick response to infection and differential regulation of apoptosis pathways have been observed in adult female midguts and salivary glands in response to infection with A. phagocytophilum. In tick midguts, pathogen inhibits apoptosis through the Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway, while in salivary glands, the intrinsic apoptosis pathways is inhibited but tick cells respond with the activation of the extrinsic apoptosis pathway. In Ixodes scapularis ISE6 cells, bacterial infection down-regulates mitochondrial porin and manipulates protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum and cell glucose metabolism to inhibit apoptosis and facilitate infection, whereas in IRE/CTVM20 tick cells, inhibition of apoptosis appears to be regulated by lower caspase levels. These results suggest that A. phagocytophilum uses different mechanisms to inhibit apoptosis for infection of both vertebrate and invertebrate hosts.
Existing Opportunities to Adapt the Rio Grande/Bravo Basin Water Resources Allocation Framework
Authors: Nava Luzma , Brown Christopher , Demeter Katalin , Lasserre Frédéric , Milanés-Murcia Maria , Mumme Stephen , Sandoval-Solis Samuel
Published: July 2016

The study of the Rio Grande/Bravo (RGB) Basin water allocation demonstrates how the United States (U.S.) and Mexico have consolidated a transboundary framework based on water sharing. However, the water supply no longer meets the ever-increasing demand for water or the expectations of different stakeholders. This paper explores opportunities for an enhanced management regime that will address past problems and better examine how to balance demands for a precious resource and environmental needs. Based on an overview of the RGB Basin context and the water allocation framework, as well as a discussion on stakeholders’ ability to achieve solutions, this paper explores three key questions: (1) Does the current binational water allocation framework meet current and future human and environmental needs? (2) How can the U.S.-Mexico water allocation framework be adapted to balance social and environmental water demands so it can support and preserve the RGB Basin ecosystem? (3) What are the main opportunities to be explored for expanding the U.S.-Mexico water resources allocation framework? The U.S.-Mexico water resources framework is subject to broad interpretation and may be adapted to the circumstances taking the fullest advantage of its flexibility. Policy recommendations highlight the existing flexibility of the binational framework, the potential to move forward with an ad hoc institutional arrangement, and the creation of political will to achieve change through stakeholders recommendations.
De l'expression des besoins à l'analyse des pratiques dans la formation des enseignants
Authors: Lang Vincent
Published: July 2016

En partant des textes qui ont théorisé l'analyse des besoins en formation d'adultes, l'auteur essaie de montrer les difficultés de son usage dans la formation des enseignants. Ainsi, les besoins indiquent des manques et des problèmes, mais leur solution ne passe pas forcément par la formation. L'analyse des besoins favorise l'individualisation de la formation, mais d'autres facteurs la freinent, comme par exemple les besoins propres de l'institution éducative. En l'absence d'un modèle dominant du bon enseignant, le formateur est amené à le travailler de manière critique en cours de formation en utilisant l'analyse des besoins comme moyen d'analyse des représentations sociales et des situations institutionnelles, ce qui ne va pas sans problèmes. Enfin, si l'analyse des besoins veut permettre un diagnostic des problèmes professionnels des enseignants, elle ne peut se contenter de saisir les représentations, elle doit aussi analyser les pratiques. Elle devrait donc se dérouler pendant l'exercice de la profession et non pendant la formation. Sinon, elle risque de servir à l'auto-légitimation des pratiques de formation actuelles.
Des conférences d'instituteurs aux demi-journées pédagogiques : une intuition détournée
Authors: Sardella L.-P.
Published: July 2016

Quand J. Ferry organise en 1 880 les conférences pédagogiques cantonales, il renoue avec la tradition des conférences d'instituteurs de la Monarchie de Juillet. C'est dire qu'il entendait créer une structure permettant aux instituteurs d'être les propres artisans de leur formation continue. Cependant cette institution a très vite été utilisée par l'administration centrale pour diffuser rapidement des orientations nouvelles ou recueillir des informations sur la réalité des pratiques pédagogiques, en sorte que son influence sur l'évolution des maîtres est sans doute modeste.
Les pratiques de formation à la F.O.E.V.E.N., mouvement d'action et de recherche pédagogique
Authors: Saux Jacques
Published: July 2016

J. Saux, professeur à l'École Normale de Troyes, retrace l'histoire de la FOEVEN et décrit la complexité de ses objectifs et de sa position : la problématique d'un mouvement de militantisme pédagogique engagé dans des actions qui passent par une analyse socio-institutionnelle de la formation mais en même temps, s'inscrivent dans une polémique d'interventions ministérielle.
Une action de formation de professeurs de collège
Authors: Legrand Louis
Published: July 2016

Louis Legrand expose ici le travail qu'il a conduit à la suite de sa mission à la rénovation de l'enseignement dans les collèges. Levier de la réforme, pièce essentielle du travail entrepris, le «projet d'établissement » implique les différents partenaires dans une démarche de recherche-action ; il est indispensable à l'élaboration et l'application concertées d'une pédagogie de la maîtrise. Ce travail innovant et de recherche sur les innovations, nécessite et fait naître les engagements des personnes et des groupes. Le problème demeure de la diffusion des expériences et des savoirs par les professeurs engagés ; et par-dessus tout, ne sont pas encore résolues les positions institutionnelles pour la reconnaissance de ces expériences et le soutien apporté aux actions et élans de formation.
Éléments de réflexion pour des dynamiques de changements dans la formation des enseignants
Authors: Berger Guy , Vaniscotte Francine
Published: July 2016

In this article, Guy Berger gives us keys to help us out the elements of change in teacher training.

The notion of pre-recruitement which commits the teacher to the job is now replaced by the notion of preprofessionalisation, a first contact before actually taking up the job ; this evolution transforms teachers professional identité since it is no longer necessarily connected with a vocation. Then, as regards the project of creation university - based Teacher Training Institutes, he suggests considering the different constituents of the system : financing institution-trainee - trainer - school - which permit a real collégial training.

Eventually, he brings out the different aspects of the new professional qualifications : collective actions - team of partners - mastery of daily gestures - critical judgement on one's own performance.
Le «professionnalisme» des enseignants : le point de vue anglais
Authors: Lemosse Michel
Published: July 2016

Cet article propose une double définition de la notion de profession tel qu'on l'entend en anglais : statique, par un faisceau de traits et de caractéristiques, et dynamique, par le biais des stratégies mises en œuvre pour accéder à ce statut valorisant.

La corporation enseignante, en Angleterre, remplit un grand nombre de conditions, mais pas toutes, pour mériter de figurer parmi les «professions» véritables. Son « professionnalisme » se définit dès lors comme la stratégie utilisée pour acquérir ce qui manque, et en particulier une plus grande autonomie. Des exemples historiques précis, puisés surtout dans l'après-guerre, sont donnés. Les tensions entre professionnalisme et syndicalisme sont enfin analysées, telles qu'elles peuvent être vécues sur le terrain et dans l'histoire récente.
Des recherches-action en didactique du français pour la formation des maîtres
Authors: Romian Hélène
Published: July 2016

In this article, Hélène Romian relates the history of action research in the teaching of trench as a mother tongue since 1967. Their contents have indeed been in evolution but the fundamental options, the research methods, the « didactic pattern », the key principles remain totally relevant today, as is shown by the article. By relating the history of one of the fields in which action research has been the most dynamic, Hélène Romian proves that action research in teaching constitutes an irreplaceable training method.
Une expérience de formation des maîtres. Le cas des modules biologie en école normale
Authors: Fabre Michel , Ridao Christian
Published: July 2016

Les auteurs rendent compte d'un module de formation scientifique, en formation initiale à l'École Normale. La formation y est conçue comme travail sur les représentations, lié à un projet de recherche, comme une réflexion épistémologique menée conjointement avec le travail didactique. On s'emploie dans un premier temps à faire apparaître les différentes conceptions de l'enseignement de la biologie et les représentations sous-jacentes. Dans un deuxième temps, à partir des observations de la phase précédente, les élèves-maîtres sont mis en situation de recherche, en vue de la mise au point du livre du maître.
En quoi l'itinéraire des ingénieurs d'agronomie intéresse-t-il la réflexion de la professionnalité des enseignants
Authors: Chaix Marie-Laure
Published: July 2016

Marie-Laure Chaix montre, à travers le cas des ingénieurs-enseignants en agronomie, que les références extérieures de la « professionnalité » enseignante sont un risque d'éclatement mais aussi une possibilité de renouvellement de l'identité professionnelle.

Elle a analysé le malaise des Ingénieurs d'Agronomie affectés à l'enseignement qui ressentent leur statut d'enseignant comme un déclassement, par rapport aux fonctions d'expertises ou de responsabilité administrative. Ils revendiquent une identité d'ingénieur qui ne se confonde pas à l'identité enseignante.
Enseigner, former : Logique des discours constitués et logique des pratiques
Authors: Charlot Bernard
Published: July 2016

The logic of training is one of practice ; the logic of teaching is one of established discourse in its internal coherence.

In teacher training, four levels of analysis must be distinguished : knowledge as an established discourse in its internal coherence, practice as an activity with an aim and a context, the practice of knowledge and finally, the knowledge of practice. Training teachers also means making out from knowledge and practice, the links between logics which are heterogeneous and will remain so.

The author, then makes a historical survey of the evolution of the link between these two logics in the teaching profession in France, in the twentieth century.
Les concepts de la didactique des sciences, des outils pour lire et construire les situations d'apprentissage
Authors: Astolfi Jean-Pierre
Published: July 2016

La didactique des sciences, discipline nouvelle aux confins de l'épistémologie. la psychologie cognitive et les sciences de l'Éducation.

L'auteur nous propose trois concepts féconds pour lire les séquences de classe et pour la formation professionnelle :

— « le contrat didactique » : à différencier du contrat pédagogique, mais à rapprocher de la notion de « coutume didactique » ; les élèves répondent à l'enseignant en fonction de son attente.

— le concept de « préconception » : pour chaque niveau d'enseignement, les élèves disposent d'un corps d'idées préalables construits très tôt pour comprendre le réel.

— le concept de « trame conceptuelle ». Il s'agit là d'étudier la structure conceptuelle du savoir à enseigner.

Pour l'auteur, la didactique apporte des outils, mais ne se substitue pas à la pédagogie, à la prise de décision de l'enseignant.
Une méthodologie pour repérer les effets de la formation continue dans les établissements scolaires
Authors: Clopin Mireille , Debrard Éliane , Julliand Janine , Kowalski Christiane , Garassino René , Guinguand Gérard , Suc Gérard
Published: July 2016

Le dispositif de formation continue mis en place au niveau académique (MAFPEN) (I) produit-il des effets observables dans l'établissement scolaire ? Les auteurs nous décrivent dans cet article la démarche employée pour faire l'analyse des effets dans les établissements. Leur méthode peut facilement être transposable, reprise par d'autres.

Ils partent d'une série d'hypothèses sur les effets de la formation dans les établissements. Ils ont mis en place un observatoire de la formation en étudiant de façon intensive un petit nombre d'établissements. Ils ont repéré un certain nombre de variables comme le type de formation, les enjeux de l'enseignant en formation, des variables liées à l'environnement, à l'établissement. De là, ils ont dressé une liste d'indicateurs. Puis dans tous les établissements, ils ont étudié les documents écrits, procédé à des entretiens, réalisé des questionnaires.
Un programme d'aide au développement de la capacité d'apprentissage
Authors: Berbaum Jean
Published: July 2016

Autour d'une réflexion sur les formes d'actions de remédiation, on montre ce que peut être un programme d'aide au développement de la capacité d'apprentissage. Basé sur un modèle de l'apprentissage, il propose l'introduction par les enseignants d'échanges avec les élèves sur leurs manières d'apprendre, dans le cadre de leur enseignement. On devrait pouvoir tenir compte, dans l'organisation d'un enseignement, à la fois d'une réflexion sur les contenus et sur la démarche d'apprentissage.
Le journal institutionnel
Authors: Hess Rémi
Published: July 2016

Reliant sa recherche au courant d'idées international dans le domaine du journal du maître ou institutionnel. Rémi Hess démonte la structure de ce type de document. Il s 'appuie sur son expérience, à la fois comme auteur et comme formateur, pour en dégager successivement la technique d'écriture, la fonction sociale, la place dans l'analyse de l'établissement et la pratique.

Cette étude théorique et de terrain montre que le journal est un outil pédagogique utile à la formation des enseignants ; il pourrait être employé avec profit dans le cadre des nouveaux IUFM.
Modèles de formation continue des enseignants et rapport aux savoirs professionnels
Authors: Demailly Lise
Published: July 2016

Analyse sociologique et pédagogique de la formation continue ; l'auteur distingue différents modèles : universitaire, scolaire, formatif-contractuel, interactif -réflexif, ainsi que des formes mixtes.

L'étude de la mise en application de ces modèles permet d'apprécier les valeurs respectives des stratégies qu'ils mettent enjeu.